TEST
I adore Lucy Gilmore – y’all know this much about me at this point. I Hate You More is another adorable dog-centered romance from her, and while it’s not my absolute favorite among her many books, it’s still worth a recommendation and a read.
Ruby Taylor is a former beauty pageant queen who raked in titles as a teenager but is so done with that scene now that she’s grown up. Then Mrs. Orson, an elderly woman who lives in Parkwood Manor, the retirement community where Ruby works, begs Ruby to enroll her Golden Retriever, Wheezy, in a dog show. This even though Wheezy is lazy, out of shape, undisciplined and has never seen so much as the end of a leash in years. Ruby reluctantly enrolls the dog in the Canine Classic, where even she thinks he’s not pageant material.
Local vet Spencer Wilson has volunteered to judge the Canine Classic this year, and he takes one look at Wheezy and sees a loser. But Spencer’s words light a fire under Ruby’s bustle. She’s going to make the judges love this dog, come hell or high water or Spencer’s snobby disapproval or an inability for Wheezy to live up to breeder’s standards. She hires Caleb, Spencer’s twin brother, to train Wheezy, sparking jealousy in Spencer. Let the games begin!
I Hate You More is your traditional enemies-to-lovers romance made even greater by Gilmore’s love of dogs and people. The book’s biggest problem is its pacing, but first I’ll break down what works.
Ruby is lovable. Trying to navigate a life without pageants, she discovers a medical calling and decides to train as a nurse while giving dogs enemas and trying to make Wheezy sit up straight. Spencer is a walking stiff upper lip, but I believed in his eventual softening toward Ruby and Wheezy. And as always, Glimore’s four-legged characters are fun and genuine and don’t feel like the canine version of a plot moppet. I loved romance-reading Mrs. Orson and the folks down at Parkwood Manor as well.
Ruby’s desperate attempt at training Wheezy (and convincing him to resist the lure of cheeseburgers) is particularly delightful. The book as a whole is sharply written and funny.
The pacing, though, is notably uneven. While I found Spencer’s softening toward Ruby credible, it happens way too soon, and they shift from hate to lust far too early in the book; both characters needed more time and seasoning to really make that shift into a full-on romance. I was also frankly shocked that there wasn’t a love-triangle between Caleb, Ruby and Spencer; instead, the conflict between the two men is based on their business relationship.
I Hate You More is a fine afternoon’s jaunt, and is plenty funny and sweet and romantic, even with a few flaws thrown in.
Buy it at Amazon, Audible or your local independent retailer
Visit our Amazon Storefront
Grade: B+
Book Type: Contemporary Romance
Sensuality: Warm
Review Date: 18/11/21
Publication Date: 11/2021
Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.
I have to say that even though I’m not generally a fan of the cartoon covers, I love the chubby golden retriever on this one. It’s made even better after reading the review and knowing it’s a true depiction of the dog. I’m really tempted by this one.
If you like dog-related romances at all, Lucy Gilmore is a great bet because her dogs are credibly Dogs and not narrative props (also I like all of her heroes and heroines thus far).
Are Sam and Spencer the same person? Or is Sam another character?
Hm – I just checked the original review, and it does say Sam. I’m guessing its Spencer and somehow I missed it – I’ll correct the review, thanks.
Thanks, Caz!