Books like “The Hating Game”

What to read after “The Hating Game” by Sally Thorne: a list matched by tropes, mood and atmosphere. Under each book you will see what it has in common.

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1
Bet Me
Jennifer Crusie · 2004
Same genre: “Contemporary romance” and “Romantic comedy”
Minerva overhears her ex-boyfriend bet the charming Cal that he can get her into bed within a month, so she accepts his dinner invitation to turn the tables. The sceptical actuary and the commitment-shy businessman keep colliding through meddling friends and sheer bad luck, resisting an attraction neither of them wants.
2
The Ex Talk
Rachel Lynn Solomon · 2021
Same genre: “Contemporary romance” and “Romantic comedy”
Rivals at a Seattle public radio station, veteran producer Shay and know-it-all newcomer Dominic are forced to host a relationships show while posing as exes. Working side by side on air, their barbed banter draws listeners and slowly turns into a connection neither of them planned.
3
Twice Shy
Sarah Hogle · 2021
Same genre: “Contemporary romance” and “Romantic comedy”
Maybell inherits her great-aunt's crumbling house in the Smoky Mountains, only to learn the grouchy groundskeeper Wesley is a co-inheritor with very different plans. Forced to renovate together, the dreamer and the shy, scowling loner slowly find in each other the safety they have always wanted.
4
The Spanish Love Deception
Elena Armas · 2021
Same genre: “Contemporary romance” and “Romantic comedy”
Catalina needs a date for her sister's wedding in Spain and claims she is bringing her American boyfriend. Her infuriating coworker Aaron volunteers to play the part, and the two must keep up the act through a week of family dinners, sightseeing and shared hotel rooms.
5
Yours Truly
Abby Jimenez · 2023
Same genre: “Contemporary romance” and “Romantic comedy”
- Office Romance
- Grumpy Sunshine
ER doctor Briana blurts out that she is dating a colleague to escape an awkward moment, and anxious Dr. Jacob plays along. Pretending to be a couple at his family gatherings brings the two reserved people closer, one quiet gesture at a time.
6
Beach Read
Emily Henry · 2020
Same genre: “Contemporary romance” and “Romantic comedy”
Romance writer January and literary novelist Gus become summer neighbours in a lakeside town, both blocked and both skeptical of each other's genre. They make a bet to write in the other's style and slowly trade barbs for late-night talks, discovering the grief and hope behind their different worldviews.
7
Two Wrongs Make a Right
Chloe Liese · 2022
Same genre: “Contemporary romance” and “Romantic comedy”
- Grumpy Sunshine
- Enemies to Lovers
When their mutual friends keep scheming to set them up, prickly artist Bea and reserved doctor Jamie decide to fake a whirlwind romance to teach the matchmakers a lesson. The plan works too well once genuine attraction gets involved.
8
The Roommate
Rosie Danan · 2020
Same genre: “Contemporary romance” and “Romantic comedy”
- Grumpy Sunshine
- Forced Proximity
Clara leaves her buttoned-up East Coast life to move across the country to the man of her dreams, only to find he has sublet her room to someone else. Sharing the apartment with easygoing Josh, whose job would scandalise her family, forces an uneasy friendship that slowly becomes more.
9
Book Lovers
Emily Henry · 2022
Same genre: “Contemporary romance” and “Romantic comedy”
Literary agent Nora is the cold city professional that small-town romance novels leave behind, and editor Charlie is her sharp-tongued rival in the same business. When her sister drags her to a North Carolina town for the summer, Charlie turns out to be there too, and their sparring slowly becomes something neither expected.
10
Written in the Stars
Alexandria Bellefleur · 2020
Same genre: “Contemporary romance” and “Romantic comedy”
- Grumpy Sunshine
- Enemies to Lovers
Astrologer Elle sets her sceptical friend Darcy up on a blind date that ends in disaster. To appease Darcy's brother they pretend the evening went well, then keep fake-dating through the holidays, even as real feelings complicate the act.
11
The Charm Offensive
Alison Cochrun · 2021
Same genre: “Contemporary romance” and “Romantic comedy”
- Grumpy Sunshine
- Forced Proximity
Anxious tech genius Charlie is the reluctant star of a reality dating show, and producer Dev is tasked with helping him connect with the contestants. Behind the cameras their unlikely friendship turns into a romance that neither can script.
12
Get a Life, Chloe Brown
Talia Hibbert · 2019
Same genre: “Contemporary romance” and “Romantic comedy”
- Grumpy Sunshine
- Slow Burn
Chloe, who lives with chronic pain and a careful routine, draws up a list of things she wants to do to get a life. To tick off the first item she asks Red, the tattooed handyman who looks after her building, for help, and their cautious friendship deepens into more.