Christina Lauren

Sabotage is a dish best served naked The first standalone romance by Christina Lauren, the #1 bestselling author of Beautiful Bastard, is a smart, sexy and compulsively readable love story about what happens when the one you want is the one who's in the way . . . Despite a meet-awkward at a mutual friend's party, Carter and Evie immediately hit it off. Even the realization that they're both high-powered agents at competing firms in Hollywood isn't enough to smother the flames. But when their two agencies merge - causing the pair to vie for the same position - all bets are off. What could have been a beautiful, blossoming romance turns into an all-out war. Carter and Evie are both thirty-something professionals - so why can't they act like it? When push comes to shove and love fights with hate, will these two ever get their fairy tale Hollywood ending? 'These Hollywood agents know crazy, but we never knew how crazy-erotic competing for the same top job could be!' Cosmopolitan 'A smart, sexy romance for readers who thrive on girl power.' Kirkus Reviews

Dating You, Hating You

All’s fair in love and work. The first standalone romance by New York Times and #1 international bestselling author Christina Lauren (Beautiful Bastard) is a sexy, compulsively readable romantic comedy that dives headlong into the thrill and doubt of modern love. Despite the odds against them from an embarrassing meet-awkward at a mutual friend’s Halloween party, Carter and Evie immediately hit it off. Even the realization that they’re both high-powered agents at competing firms in Hollywood isn’t enough to squash the fire. But when their two agencies merge—causing the pair to vie for the same position—all bets are off. What could have been a beautiful, blossoming romance turns into an all-out war of sabotage. Carter and Evie are both thirtysomething professionals—so why can’t they act like it? Can Carter stop trying to please everyone and see how their mutual boss is really playing the game? Can Evie put aside her competitive nature long enough to figure out what she really wants in life? Can their actor clients just be something close to human? Whether these two Hollywood love/hatebirds get the storybook Hollywood ending or just a dramedy of epic proportions, you will get to enjoy Christina Lauren’s heartfelt, raucous, and hilarious romance style at its finest.

Dating You / Hating You

“you’re going to have to spend a lot of time with me and it might be a terrible time” “i’m looking forward to it” is one of my favoritest confessions of all time

karina

3.5 for me was a little slow for a CL book! 

Brittany Peterson

Jennifer Gosnell

A fun lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers read! And a very satisfying ending. The patriarchy-in-the-workplace issues were a bit too relatable, ha. But overall, a great time.

This one was good. Not my favorite by the author. I feel like the romance of it wasn’t the focal point of this book just the side plot that put them together with less build than I would have liked. It just felt like they depended on sexual tension to have the other day they were in love. I don’t know it was kind of weird for me. The other parts of the book was still fun just not my favorite out of the romcoms I have read by them. But have to say Love and Other Words, not a romcom, is still my favorite book by them. 

Priscilla Stanfield

Samantha Huster

This one lost me a little in the first half. I'm all for rivals-to-lovers with pranks and tension, but I felt like it was occasionally bogged down in the semantics of LA culture and, specifically, LA Agent culture. But once I got into the groove and the sub-plot ramped up, this was a delight until the end.

this is not one I’ve seen much of on booksta, and quite frankly it deserves so much more love! I adored Carter and Evie and loved the dynamic between them - a well written enemies to lovers trope 👩🏼‍❤️‍👨🏼

it was super fun getting a more behind the scenes look at Hollywood agents who work with the stars. I loved the little pranks Evie and Carter played on each other while being pitted against each other for the same job.

I despised Brad and honestly he was a walking, talking red flag 🚩🚩🚩 the way Christina Lauren handled the workplace sexism was outstanding and what ultimately made this book a 5 star read for me, something that still occurs in 2023 and affects so many women in the workforce!

I have a few more Christina Lauren books left on my shelf, so I’m excited for the next I pick up!

Larissa Kirchberger

BOOK REVIEW

Dating You Hating You / Christina Lauren

Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

this is not one I’ve seen much of on booksta, and quite frankly it deserves so much more love! I adored Carter and Evie and loved the dynamic between them - a well written enemies to lovers trope 👩🏼‍❤️‍👨🏼

it was super fun getting a more behind the scenes look at Hollywood agents who work with the stars. I loved the little pranks Evie and Carter played on each other while being pitted against each other for the same job.

I despised Brad and honestly he was a walking, talking red flag 🚩🚩🚩 the way Christina Lauren handled the workplace sexism was outstanding and what ultimately made this book a 5 star read for me, something that still occurs in 2023 and affects so many women in the workforce!

I have a few more Christina Lauren books left on my shelf, so I’m excited for the next I pick up!

Zaira A 

I really loved this book. I felt it touched a subject that is not brought up in many books. Having worked myself in a male dominant world, I could identify with Evie struggles. They did an excellent job in bringing awareness of this situation in a jovial and refreshing way. It is definitely a different theme from what we are used to from Christina Lauren books. I love that they are branching out to other subjects and excelling at them too. Evie and Carter relationship was adorable and relatable. There was not that insta love that you seen in a lot of book nowadays. There relationship was slow but steady natural progression. Evie was such a boss lady, I always enjoy when book brings you a girl that is career driving and successful. Definitely recommend for a quick read definitely a light hearted book.

Colleen

4 Stars

Admittedly, my first thought upon looking at Dating You / Hating You was that it sounded suspiciously like The Hating Game. They are both Chick Lit stories about hate-to-love relationships. They both involve two companies merging and two people having to fight for one job slot while battling their attraction. On the surface, these two books sound almost exactly alike. But once I started reading, it was apparent that they have very different tones and styles. Overall, I enjoyed Dating You / Hating You better. 

I'm usually not a fan of coauthored books because they often lack cohesion. But Dating You / Hating You flowed smoothly even with the point of view switching between the two main characters, Evie and Carter. Both of their segments are told in first person, present tense. While none of those elements are things I seek out in a book, they did not cause any issues here. Dating You / Hating You was a lot of fun. 

As I mentioned, the plot starts out with Evie's and Carter's companies merging, and they have to fight for one job. This happens right after they meet and sparks fly. There was witty banter and silly shenanigans. The story was steamy but not erotica. I liked both characters and believed their chemistry. And it felt like their relationship developed in a believable way with the sort of roadblocks that life throws in the way. 

Aside the romance, I enjoyed that Evie was unapologetically a career woman. She loved her job and was not willing to sacrifice it for societies forceful expectations. Yes, Evie still dealt with peer pressure from her family and friends to settle down, get married, have kids, and not be career driven. But thankfully she did not fall into that romance stereotype. Love has many paths and many timelines. It was refreshing that Dating You / Hating You did not enforce the stereotype that a woman's only goal should be marriage and children. But the narrative also was not against those things. 

It was a little annoying that Evie got hung up on the fact that she was five years older than Carter. Once both parties are past their teenage years, five years should not make a difference. No one would blink an eye at a story with the male lead being five years older than the women. The opposite should not be noteworthy either. So I liked that Evie was a little older than Carter but did not like how often she used that as an excuse to try to avoid becoming attached to him. Aside from that, some people might be bored by the sections that talk a lot about the day to day of their jobs. I thought those parts fleshed out the story. I enjoyed Evie's description of her work just as much as the romance. From her professional dedication to how she handled being sexually harassed, I loved having a career setting for a novel. (And no, the harassment was NOT by the hero. This would be a one star book if that was the case.)

This was a cute story with nice affirmations about life and just the right balance of steaminess and humor. I'll definitely check out more of the authors' work.


RATING FACTORS:
Ease of Reading: 4 Stars
Writing Style: 4 Stars
Characters and Character Development: 4 Stars
Plot Structure and Development: 4 Stars
Level of Captivation: 4 Stars
Originality: 3 Stars

Victoria

Is it okay that I liked the subplot more than the actual love story between the two????

Margarida 

Everyone knows that all’s fair in love and war. But these two will learn that sabotage is a dish best served naked. A sexy, compulsively readable romantic comedy that dives headlong into the thrill and doubt of modern love, Dating You/Hating You by New York Times bestselling author Christina Lauren is the story of what two high-powered agents will—and won’t—do to get everything they ever wanted. Despite the odds against them from an embarrassing meet-awkward at a mutual friend’s Halloween party, Carter and Evie immediately hit it off. Even the realization that they’re both high-powered agents at competing firms in Hollywood isn’t enough to squash the fire. But when their two agencies merge—causing the pair to vie for the same position—all bets are off. What could have been a beautiful, blossoming romance turns into an all-out war of sabotage. Carter and Evie are both thirtysomething professionals—so why can’t they act like it? Can Carter stop trying to please everyone and see how their mutual boss is really playing the game? Can Evie put aside her competitive nature long enough to figure out what she really wants in life? Can their actor clients just be something close to human? Whether these two Hollywood love/hatebirds get the storybook Hollywood ending, or just a dramedy of epic proportions, you get to enjoy Christina Lauren’s heartfelt, hilarious story of romance in the modern world.

Jennifer mitchell

Too much focus on the technical work aspects of the story and not enough emphasis on the romance. Definitely not the best CoLo book. A lot of potential but just fell really short of being a great story.

Kasey Montagnat

the tension was so hot it gave me hating game vibes but the more I got into it the more it wasn’t the same the ending was so wholesome

I think the characters fell flat. The plot wasn't thaaaat great and it bored me half way through if I'm being honest. 

That being said, I'm glad Evie didn't back down and neither did the dude. He was a feminist, understood what girls go through and put the boss in place. 

Dear God, I hate Brad and I would've drop kicked him if I could. 

I loved Steph and her husband (cba to remember his name). I hope Jonah had good character development outside the book, he was fun. 

Keira 💫

It was okay 😕

I think the characters fell flat. The plot wasn't thaaaat great and it bored me half way through if I'm being honest. 

That being said, I'm glad Evie didn't back down and neither did the dude. He was a feminist, understood what girls go through and put the boss in place. 

Dear God, I hate Brad and I would've drop kicked him if I could. 

I loved Steph and her husband (cba to remember his name). I hope Jonah had good character development outside the book, he was fun. 

Leonor Ribeiro 

This book would make the perfect rom com.

Jennifer Eggleston 

3.5 stars 

I struggled with Dating You/Hating You and I guess it was due to an expectation of hot and sexy like Beautiful Bastard. This was not that. 

I liked the book ... not in love. It was enjoyable and there are plenty laughable moments. Dating You/Hating You is a romantic comedy. Evil (Evie) and Carter have a very slow build .... as I progressed I wondered if they would finally get things aligned. Spoiler alert ..... they did.

Fátima

My heart seems intent on climbing up into my throat. "I'm notoriously married to my job."
"That's super convenient because so am I. It'll be like we're cheating on our jobs with each other". He says this as if he's just discovered some brilliant loophole.

No sé por qué pero, me encantó esta escena. Damn.

Cuando leí el título de esta historia fue como NEED IT NOW. Porque, si me conocen un poco, sabrán lo mucho que AMO los enemies to lovers, el amor-odio es mi droga, es lo que me alimenta. Don't blame me, love/hate made me crazy. (Seré muy feliz si alguien captó mis referencias, perdón).

Además, este fue el segundo libro de Christina Lauren que leí en mi vida y CHRISTINA LAUREN FOR THE WIN. Es muy diferente a Autoboyography, pero igual me encantó. Además, últimamente he desarrollado cierto gusto por leer protagonistas que están en sus treinta o finales de sus veinte y llevando una vida de éxito laboral donde apenas tienen tiempo para sus vidas amorosas, porque bueno, yo apenas empiezo los veinte pero de alguna extraña forma, leer personajes mayores que yo me reconforta. No me malinterpreten, voy a leer YA hasta que sea una anciana, pero es lindo variar un poco.

Ahora bien, The Man de Taylor Swift suena de fondo, porque eso es este libro. Cuando leí la premisa yo pensé que me encontraba frente a un nuevo The Hating Game, que por si no lo saben, es de mis libros favoritos del género. Estaba muy emocionada, sin embargo, aunque sí se gastan bromas, se autosabotean y en el entre tiempo se enamoran perdidamente, lo cierto es que el enfoque del libro tiene un tinte más feminista. Y toca un tema tan importante como la injusticia y desigualdad en el mundo laboral. Las brechas salariales, los obstáculos a los que se enfrenta una mujer.

In what universe is our compensation comparable? Because he's a man? Who knew a penis was worth so much?

Evie es cinco años mayor que Carter, tiene 33 años y lleva haciendo ese trabajo desde los 19, sin embargo, Carter, que es nuevo en la empresa y técnicamente un novato en el área, recibe un trato de favoritismo por parte del jefe. Un jefe que se la pasa criticando a sus empleadas, criticándolas por lo que comen, por su comportamiento y siendo paternalista con ellas. Un jefe que recuerda un solo error que ha cometido Evie en todos sus años de carrera. UNO. Y se lo restriega cada que ella demuestra su potencial.

I think I'm only now realizing how hard it must be to be a woman. Too thin or not thin enough. Do your job flawlessly, but don't show up any of the men. Speak up, but don't be bitchy. Smile.

Está narrada desde ambos puntos de vista, así que nos encontramos con Evie enfrentándose a esta situación y a Carter que apenas empieza a ser consciente de que existe. Me gusta que éste realmente empieza a detenerse a analizar lo que pasa y a reconocer su privilegio. Además, en sí, Carter es un personaje que me gusta mucho. Se preocupa por estar en la misma página que Evie, se asegura de que ambos quieren lo mismo antes de actuar. Consentimiento siempre, gente.

"She's so badass and straightforward. Which is sexy and intimidating all at once."

Y ahora, ya dejando eso atrás... ME ENCANTA ESTA RELACIÓN. En realidad de odio hay muy poco, es competencia profesional mezclada con un par de bromas infantiles. Pero, Carter y Evie están todo el tiempo dejando muy claro lo que sienten el uno por el otro, y las chispas saltan. Tienen mucha química, y en realidad laboralmente también son un gran equipo. Además, nunca caen por triángulos amorosos innecesarios ni terceras personas para las que obviamente no tendrían tiempo. Están casados con sus trabajos y viven para ellos, pero los engañan el uno con el otro. Simple. La escena donde Evie le enseña las dorky pictures de las que se avegüenza y él le dice que de qué habla si se ve linda en ellas y además no importa cuántas le muestre, él seguirá desando besarla después. Miren, MUERTA. Amo cuando le dice constantemente lo linda que es, o cuando pregunta si lo que están haciendo está bien para ella, o cuando ella habla de él con admiración porque es bueno en su trabajo, y tiene carisma y... SHIP.

He slips one hand in his pocket and gazes back at my face. Something inside me pulls tight, a string being tied around my midsection, at the way his attention to me is a quiet statement about where his thoughts are... and who's here for.

AMO cuando los personajes son claros y directos, sin rodeos. Un personaje que confiesa su amor (o su atracción) de forma descarada y sincera, es un claro SÍ. La comunicación lo es TODO. 

But I get that I'm coming out favored in part because I'm a guy. And that's fucked up.
I like you. I liked us.
I don't know how to manage this weird competition. I need you to tell me how I can fix this. 

Me encantó.

Catarina Vieira

Este livro você das referências de Hollywood e eu não podia estar mais feliz com isso. Não é perfeito e há partes que são exageradamente aborrecidas o que não permite ao leitor fluir tão bem na leitura. Apesar disso, o livro é um dos mega engraçados que a dupla já nos habituou e vale super a pena dar-lhe uma oportunidade. As partidas que causam um ao outro, a competição em si (embora quando li a premissa achasse o livro semelhante a ‘Hating Game’ MAS não é, de todo), a química dos protagonistas e a ambição de anos foi o que me fez amar este livro. Perfeito para ler numa tarde na praia. Recomendo muito.

Gisela Ayala 

“I think I”m only now starting to realize how hard it must be to be a woman. Too thin or not thin enough. Do your job flawlessly, but don’t show up any of the men. Speak up, but don’t be bitchy. Smile.”

Somehow they always do it. Christina Lauren – they are always able to write a completely hilarious, fun, and sexy story while still weaving an important lesson or situation that people should be aware of. In Dating You Hating You, our players are Evelyn and Carter both who work for talent agencies in Los Angeles. They both meet a mutual friends costume party (obviously have been set up) and really feel their connection. They have the same sense of humor, are both really kind and civil to each other, so of course, they are attracted to each other and end up going on a date and well… hooking up.😉

Friends, I laughed out loud with this book. Carter is super cute and funny and I know that if I met a guy like him in person, I would totally fall as hard as Evelyn did. He has flaws though and I like that about him because it doesn’t make him the perfect guy. And Evelyn is what I aspire to be in a workplace – cool, focused, and brilliant BUT she doesn’t shy away from her insecurities either, she makes her insecurities work for her and she totally excels.


Full review on my blog! =)

Nicole Cousin 

3.5/5 

I enjoyed the the book. Not something that rattled my world but it was very cute. I expected the end from the beginning lol. As all rom coms is very light.

C V 

What a fucking good little book. The people felt real and lovable. No glorified misunderstanding trope but real niggles and apprehensions that come with being unsure with where you stand with someone that you really like. Realistic portrait of the little micro-bullshit that women deal with when it comes to some men. Love the idea that its progress not perfection that people are looking for froma relationship pov and a changing the world pov.

Jane The Bookaholic

Romance Readathon Vlog: https://youtu.be/SdmcbDNOok8

I really love the writing style and the vibe, it was funny but it wasn’t something special. 
The story was SO predictable, and a lot of romance books are, but here it really bugged me. 
I liked the set-up but overall, it was just cute and nothing more. 
But I do got interested in Christina Lauren now, and I want to check others books by them! I hope I’ll like the rest more

Charlotte Nelson 

** spoiler alert **
           I absolutely adored this book and there are no surprises to that because Christina Lauren are fast becoming my favourite writing duo. 

I love a good enemies to lovers but find love the edition of lovers-enemies-lovers in this scenario! 

The tension between carter and Evie is palpable and the hate I had for Brad was something else!

I also loved that it tackled the topic of sexism and inequality in the workplace, not many Rom-coms normally delve that deep.

Madison Patoto

Alexis 

3.5/5 stars 

Overall this book was just ok. It took me a bit to get into it. I enjoyed the characters personally. And honestly it was a super easy read. That being said in my opinion there was nothing too memorable about this book. I just felt like there was something missing but I'm not sure what it is. I definitely prefer her other book beautiful bastard over this book, but look forward to reading more from this author.

Dating You, Hating You

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