Review: Loved it!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 2, 2014
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.Apparently, I have a weakness for underdogs, because I rooted for Paisley the whole way through! Admittedly, she did some awful things, but I couldn't help but still want the best for her. I felt everything with Paisley. When she felt helpless and frustrated, I felt helpless and frustrated. When she felt cravings for drugs and alcohol, I completely understood. When she was desperate to see the child she'd given up, I was tense with the need for her to see him. When she hit rock bottom, I almost cried. The writing was just that good!Paisley's parents and sister were awful to her. They didn't support or believe her about some bad things that happened to her, so she acted out. She chose to go the route of drugs, alcohol, and general misbehavior, which kind of created this feedback loop. Her family treated her poorly, so she purposely did things to upset them, then they were disappointed and embarrassed by her, which led to further mistreatment. When we later learn why Paisley's sister is the way she is, it kind of makes you feel bad for her, but it's so hard to forget the things she's done to Paisley.But Paisley could not always play the victim. She lied, a lot. Sleeping with her sister's fiance was not cool and completely within her control. Not only did she contribute to James being unfaithful, she also took advantage of him, though I'm sure he enjoyed himself. There's also the big reveal at the wedding reception. I tend to experience second-hand-embarrassment for characters (even when they're not feeling first-hand-embarrassment) and that speech she gave had my stomach tied up in knots. It was amazing! And uncomfortable! I can't say that her sister didn't deserve to have her wedding day ruined, but there was a lot of collateral damage.But this was all when she was 18 or so and we get to see a lot of growth in her character 7 years later. And the areas where she was lacking in growth, her best friend, Maria, called her out on it in the best way. The way that only best friends can get away with: brutal honesty. The kind of honesty that makes you feel like crap for ever thinking differently.I enjoyed the "progression" of Paisley and James' relationship. They fought it for a long time but the sexual tension was thick the whole way through. James couldn't trust Paisley, for good reason. And as a self-protective measure, Paisley convinced herself she hated James for some reason or another and tried really hard not to fall into anything with him. But you can't help who you fall in love with, right?I also really liked the progression of the story. The author gives you everything that happened in the past first and then continues on to 7 years later. Often, authors will just slowly reveal the path through flashbacks or alternate chapters between past and present. Both of those styles are extremely frustrating because it takes forever to get to the point. But that's not the case in Hate to Love You, thank God!I absolutely adored this book! So much so that I gave up my nap that I religiously take before work to continue reading. I am definitely looking forward to more of Elise Alden's work!