HATE THE ONE YOU’RE WITH
Kendall Hale
Release Date: October 30
A fiery second-chance, sizzling romance in which two former spouses are forced back into each other’s lives—whether they like it or not.
My grandmother always had a flair for drama.
At eighteen, I was forced to marry so I could pay my college tuition.
Enter Caleb Cunningham: my best friend’s brother and Navy SEAL.
I needed my inheritance, he needed money to cover his dad’s hospital bills.
It seemed like a win-win.
The marriage didn’t last, but that’s okay. It was a marriage of convenience.
At least, that’s what I told myself.
Over a decade later, Grandma’s still pulling the strings from beyond the grave.
Her last wish? For me to live with my estranged husband for six months, or I lose everything—my company and my employees’ livelihoods included.
Now, I’m stuck with Caleb, the rugged, infuriating, and the man who once broke my heart. The deal is simple: he’ll stay with me for the next six months as long as I give him… well, everything.
He wants control.
He wants my grandmother’s penthouse.
And, of course, he wants the Bentley.
Caleb seems determined to make my life hell, and he’s enjoying every minute of it.
But if he thinks I’m going down without a fight, he’s got another thing coming. It takes two to make a marriage, and it’ll take two to crash it into the ground.
Buy Link: https://a.co/d/fcy9MXb
Available in KU
EXCERPT
“Emmersyn,” I greet her, my voice coming out gruffer than I intended.
“Caleb,” she responds, her lips curving into a slight, almost challenging smile. The years might have changed us both, but the chemistry—that electric pull between us—is still very much alive.
When I agreed to marry her, I didn’t think about anything beyond what she was offering. If I’d taken a minute to really consider what I was getting myself into . . . well, things might have turned out differently. We didn’t marry for love. There wasn’t even any physical attraction—at least, that’s what I told myself. It was just convenient at the time. But convenience screwed me over in more ways than I care to count. That’s not going to happen again. Not this time.
Why did it screw me over? Because as soon as we were married, I realized the chemistry between us was explosive. We were like two volatile elements, and when combined, we didn’t just ignite—we detonated. Sometimes, the explosion was vibrant and thrilling, like when we kissed. Those kisses . . . they weren’t just sparks. They were all-consuming, the kind that left me breathless and wanting more, even when I knew better. Other times, the explosion was more like a nuclear meltdown, especially when we couldn’t see eye to eye. Our fights? They were legendary, the kind that left destruction in their wake.
Ethan, sensing the charged atmosphere, gives me a nod. “I’ll leave you two to it,” he says, but not before adding with a smirk, “The box of condoms is in the bathroom.”
Hate The One You’re With by Kendall Hale
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I have been in a state of *behind* for several weeks, so here I am writing up my ARC review for this book days after it releases! UGH, I’m so frustrated with time lately LOL!
I’m pretty new to Kendall Hale, this being only my third story by her, so I don’t really have a handle on what kind of storyteller she is, but this story was vastly different in many ways to the two I have read. They were cute and entertaining, and this one just seemed a little unhinged. I’m not using unhinged in a complete negative way, but because I honestly still don’t have a good grasp on their past and why Caleb has such intense negative feelings for Emmerson at the start of the story. And see, there’s a lot of flashbacks to the past, but I’m still over in my corner thinking ”hmmmmmm”, and then his about-turn was so quick that I really was hmmmmmmmming! If that particular characterization was a tiny thing, I wouldn’t have even noticed but it’s not a small thing people. I mean the whole point of this story is a second chance, but a second chance from what exactly I have no clue. I mean I know but his entire character in hate mode was too much for me. That’s just one of quite a few little things here and there that were part of the story that if you put them all together, the word unhinged makes a bit of sense.
I’d be remis if I didn’t say that I’ve never really been too big of a fan of this type of romance story. The kind where the couple has already been established but are trying to come back from chaos. It just takes away from the whole “meet my prince charming” aspect of romance fiction that I love. I know that terminology is antiquated and whatnot, but it’s the best way to describe the reason I dislike this particular theme in a book. It’s not exactly a second chance the way I perceive second chances to be. Again, all of this is judgement. *shrug* Nevertheless, I’m the one reading so my judgement affects how the story hits me…
I don’t want you to think this is a bad story, because it is not, I just think the execution of the story could have been a lot better and characterization needed to make more sense.
Meet Kendall Hale:
Kendall Hale is a daydreamer and a bookworm with a dangerous addiction to chocolate and wine.
At night, she’s a fiery wordsmith with a penchant for creating romantic mayhem with a lot of heat. She believes in the power of laughter, love in its messiest form, and the magic of happily ever afters.
When she’s not crafting swoony, steamy stories, Kendall can be found at home with her family, including her adorable furry companions. She loves experimenting with new recipes, watching movies, and losing herself in her favorite books while music plays in the background.
Connect with Kendall Hale: https://authorkendall.com
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