“I'm not in love with him. I'm in love with the idea of him. I'm in love with the idea of being in love with someone like him.”
— Lucy reflecting on her feelings for Joshua early in the story.
Archivist's Choice
The Hating Game
Sally Thorne (2016)
Genre
Romance
Reading Time
6-8 hours
Key Themes
See below
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A fiercely competitive executive assistant and her equally ambitious, infuriatingly handsome rival discover their elaborate office 'hating game' might actually be a passionate prelude to love.
Synopsis
Lucy Hutton, a charming and accommodating assistant, constantly battles Joshua Templeman, the coldly efficient executive assistant who shares her office. Their rivalry is an elaborate, never-ending game of one-upmanship. When a new co-CEO promotion is announced, both Lucy and Josh vie for the position, with the unspoken agreement that the loser will resign. As their competition intensifies, unexpected events begin to blur the lines between their intense hatred and a simmering attraction. These include a charged elevator kiss, a shared sick day, and a revealing paintball game. Lucy starts to question if her nemesis might actually be something more, and Josh's actions suggest a deeper affection beneath his stoic exterior. Through misunderstandings, confessions, and a strategic maneuver during the interview process, Lucy ultimately secures the promotion. She realizes their 'hating game' was always a prelude to a passionate romance, leading to a new beginning for them both.
Reading time
6-8 hours
Difficulty
Easy
Pacing
Moderate
Mood
Witty, Romantic, Humorous, Flirty
✓ Read this if...
You love a classic enemies-to-lovers trope with witty banter, high sexual tension, and a satisfying HEA.
✗ Skip this if...
You dislike workplace romances, misunderstandings as plot devices, or an abundance of internal monologue.
Plot Summary
The Promotion Announcement and Escalating Rivalry
Lucy Hutton, an executive assistant at Bexley & Gamin, shares a small office with her nemesis, Joshua Templeman, also an executive assistant. Their days are filled with petty, yet intense, games like the Staring Game and the Mirror Game. Their merged companies, Bexley and Gamin, have a new CEO, Mr. Bexley, who announces an Executive Managing Director position. This role will oversee the entire publishing house, and both Lucy and Joshua are candidates. The competition immediately escalates, with the loser agreeing to resign. Lucy feels immense pressure to win, fueled by her desire to prove herself and escape Joshua's constant presence.
The Elevator Kiss and Confusing Signals
After a particularly tense day, Lucy and Joshua find themselves alone in the office elevator. The atmosphere is charged, but Lucy still thinks it's purely hostile. However, when the elevator momentarily stalls, Joshua unexpectedly leans in and kisses her. The kiss is intense and undeniable, leaving Lucy utterly bewildered and flustered. She struggles to reconcile this passionate encounter with her long-held belief that Joshua despises her. The incident throws her entire perception of their relationship into disarray, making her question if their 'hating game' was ever truly about hate.
The Sick Day and Unexpected Kindness
Lucy falls ill with the flu. To her surprise, Joshua shows up at her apartment with soup and medicine. He takes care of her, despite her protests, and even cleans her apartment. This act of genuine kindness is completely at odds with the cold, competitive Joshua she knows. Lucy is deeply touched and further confused by his behavior. His caring actions chip away at her defenses, making her wonder if his animosity was a facade. This moment shows a vulnerability in Joshua and a growing emotional connection between them, challenging Lucy's preconceived notions.
The Paintball Game and Jealousy
The company organizes a paintball outing, which Lucy reluctantly attends. During the game, Joshua is protective of Lucy, shielding her from paintballs and ensuring her safety. She also observes him interacting with other female colleagues, specifically a woman named Mindy, and finds herself experiencing an unfamiliar pang of jealousy. This realization startles Lucy, as it's the first time she's acknowledged any romantic feelings towards Joshua. The paintball game helps Lucy confront her growing attraction and the emotional complexity of their relationship.
The Dinner Date and Misunderstandings
Joshua asks Lucy on a dinner date, which she accepts with a mix of excitement and apprehension. The date is a mix of awkwardness and undeniable chemistry. They discuss their past, their families, and their ambitions, allowing each to see a more personal side of the other. However, their competitive habits and past misunderstandings still linger, leading to moments of tension and misinterpretation. Despite the underlying attraction, their history of animosity makes open communication difficult, and Lucy worries that Joshua might still be playing a game with her heart.
The Truth About the Resignation
Lucy overhears a conversation that leads her to believe Joshua plans to resign if she wins the promotion. Distraught, she confronts him, fearing he's still manipulating her. Joshua then reveals his true intention: he was planning to resign regardless of who won, if Lucy didn't get the job. He explains that he didn't want to work in an environment where she was unhappy or felt undervalued. This revelation shatters Lucy's remaining doubts about his sincerity and makes her realize the depth of his feelings for her, as he was willing to sacrifice his own career for her happiness.
The Kiss in the Rain and Mutual Confession
After the emotional revelation, Lucy chases after Joshua in the pouring rain. They share a passionate, heartfelt kiss, free from any pretense or games. In this moment, all their unspoken feelings come to the surface. Lucy confesses her love for Joshua, and he reciprocates, admitting that he's been in love with her for a long time. The kiss in the rain symbolizes a new beginning for their relationship, one built on honesty and genuine affection, finally shedding the 'hating game' they had played for so long. It is a moment of emotional release and commitment.
The Interview Day and Strategic Sabotage
The day of the final interviews for the Executive Managing Director position arrives. Joshua, despite his own qualifications, subtly sabotages his interview. He gives answers that are technically correct but not what the interviewers want to hear, effectively taking himself out of the running. He does this because he genuinely wants Lucy to succeed and knows that she truly desires the position. His actions demonstrate his selfless love for her, prioritizing her happiness and career over his own, further cementing their bond and his commitment.
Lucy Gets the Promotion
Following the interviews, Lucy receives the news that she has been offered the Executive Managing Director position. It is a moment of triumph and validation for her, the culmination of years of hard work and her unwavering belief in herself. This achievement not only grants her the professional success she craved but also signifies her personal growth, having navigated her complex relationship with Joshua to reach this point. She realizes that winning the promotion feels even sweeter with Joshua by her side, not as a rival, but as a loving partner.
A New Beginning
With Lucy in her new role and Joshua accepting a different position within the company (or starting his own venture, depending on the edition), their professional dynamic shifts. More importantly, their personal relationship blossoms. They are no longer playing games but openly communicating and supporting each other. The book concludes with them fully embracing their love, having found a way to blend their professional ambitions with their deep personal connection, proving that love can conquer even the most ingrained rivalry.
Principal Figures
Lucy Hutton
The Protagonist
Lucy transitions from seeing Joshua as her ultimate rival to recognizing him as her true love, learning to embrace her own desires and vulnerability.
Joshua Templeman
The Love Interest / Antagonist (initially)
Joshua moves from a seemingly cold and competitive rival to revealing his true, deeply loving, and protective nature, overcoming his fear of vulnerability.
Mr. Bexley
The Supporting
Remains largely static, serving as a catalyst for the plot.
Danny
The Supporting
Remains a consistent, supportive friend throughout the story.
Helen
The Supporting
Remains a static, friendly colleague.
Mindy
The Mentioned
Her brief appearance serves to highlight Lucy's internal conflict.
Themes & Insights
The Thin Line Between Love and Hate
This theme is central to the entire narrative. It explores how intense rivalry and animosity can mask or even evolve into deep affection. Lucy and Joshua's 'hating game' is a coping mechanism for their powerful, unspoken attraction. Their constant teasing, competition, and shared office space force them into a proximity where their true feelings can no longer be denied. The elevator kiss, the sick day, and Joshua's self-sabotage for Lucy's promotion all show how their initial 'hate' was a complex blend of fear, projection, and undeniable chemistry.
“''I hate you.' The words came out like a sigh. 'I hate you, too,' he whispered back, and then he kissed me again, harder this time, as if to prove it.”
The Power of Vulnerability and Authenticity
Both Lucy and Joshua initially present carefully constructed facades. Lucy is the 'nice girl' and Joshua is the 'cold, efficient' rival. The story progressively dismantles these walls, showing the importance of vulnerability in forming genuine connections. Lucy's insecurities about her height and her past, and Joshua's guardedness stemming from his family history, are slowly revealed. It is only when they begin to drop their defenses, like Joshua caring for Lucy when she is sick or Lucy confessing her feelings in the rain, that their relationship can truly flourish beyond the games. Their journey emphasizes that true love requires honesty and emotional openness.
“It was impossible to hate someone who knew the exact right way to make you feel safe.”
Professional Ambition vs. Personal Happiness
The promotion for Executive Managing Director is the primary external conflict, driving much of the plot. Both Lucy and Joshua are ambitious and dedicated to their careers. However, as their relationship deepens, the narrative explores the tension between achieving professional success and finding personal happiness. Joshua's willingness to step aside for Lucy's promotion, and Lucy's realization that her career triumph is sweeter with him by her side, highlight that true fulfillment often involves balancing career goals with meaningful relationships. The story suggests that ambition does not have to be a solitary pursuit, and that love can enhance, rather than hinder, personal success.
“I’d always thought winning meant being alone. I was wrong.”
Prejudice and First Impressions
The novel heavily features the idea that initial judgments can be deeply flawed and lead to significant misunderstandings. Lucy's first impression of Joshua as a cruel, meticulous monster, and Joshua's initial perception of Lucy as an annoying, overly cheerful 'smurf,' are based on superficial interactions and their own insecurities. The entire 'hating game' is built on these misinterpretations. As they spend more time together and witness each other's true character, they are forced to confront and dismantle these preconceived notions. The story reminds readers that empathy and deeper understanding are crucial to seeing people for who they truly are.
“My first impression of Joshua Templeman was that he was a beautiful, dangerous, and utterly infuriating waste of a perfectly good suit.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
Enemies-to-Lovers Trope
The foundational romantic dynamic where initial animosity blossoms into deep love.
This is the primary romantic trope of the novel. Lucy and Joshua are established as bitter rivals from the outset, constantly engaging in petty games and verbal sparring. Their shared office space forces them into close proximity, where their intense 'hate' gradually reveals itself to be a cover for powerful attraction and unspoken feelings. The progression from animosity to a profound, loving relationship is central to the plot, providing both conflict and emotional payoff.
Shared Office Space
A physical constraint that forces constant interaction between the protagonists.
The small, shared office space is a crucial plot device. It acts as a pressure cooker, forcing Lucy and Joshua into unavoidable, daily contact. This constant proximity prevents them from escaping their rivalry and creates numerous opportunities for their 'games' to play out, as well as for unexpected moments of vulnerability and connection. Without this forced interaction, their relationship would likely not have developed beyond superficial animosity.
The Promotion Competition
The external conflict that drives much of the plot and raises the stakes for the protagonists.
The Executive Managing Director promotion competition serves as the main plot driver. It provides a clear objective for both Lucy and Joshua, intensifying their rivalry and adding a tangible consequence to their 'hating game' (the loser resigns). This professional contest acts as a catalyst for their personal growth and the development of their romantic relationship, as the stakes force them to confront their true feelings and priorities.
Miscommunication and Unspoken Feelings
A recurring element where characters' true intentions and emotions are initially hidden or misunderstood.
Throughout the story, much of the tension and misunderstanding between Lucy and Joshua stems from their inability or unwillingness to openly communicate their true feelings. Their 'hating game' is a form of miscommunication, where their actions and words often mask deeper emotions. Joshua's actions, like his initial coldness or his secret caretaking, are often misinterpreted by Lucy, leading to internal conflict and delaying the resolution of their romantic tension. This device highlights the journey towards authentic expression.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“I hate him. I hate him so much that it's almost a pleasure.”
— Lucy's internal monologue about Joshua's presence.
“He's not just handsome. He's an event. He's a natural disaster.”
— Lucy describing Joshua's overwhelming presence and attractiveness.
“Maybe this is what happens when you spend too much time hating someone. You start to see them.”
— Lucy's realization about her changing perception of Joshua.
“I'm not a fan of small talk. I prefer large talk. Like, 'What's your biggest fear?' or 'What's the meaning of life?'”
— Lucy expressing her preference for deeper conversations.
“He looks at me like I'm the most interesting thing he's ever seen, and it makes me feel like I am.”
— Lucy noticing Joshua's intense gaze and its effect on her.
“You don't just hate someone for no reason. You hate them because they make you feel something.”
— Joshua's insight into the nature of their 'hating game'.
“I have a theory that people who are always smiling are hiding something.”
— Lucy's cynical observation about outward appearances.
“Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind. And sometimes you have to pretend to be cruel to hide how kind you really are.”
— Joshua's explanation for his often gruff demeanor.
“It's a strange kind of intimacy, this hating game. It's like we're always dancing on the edge of something.”
— Lucy reflecting on the unique dynamic between her and Joshua.
“I don't want to just win. I want to win so hard that he never forgets it.”
— Lucy's competitive spirit regarding the co-CEO position.
“My life is a series of tiny, controlled disasters.”
— Lucy's self-deprecating humor about her own life.
“You know you love someone when you can't imagine a single day without them.”
— Joshua's simple, profound definition of love.
“He doesn't just see me. He sees through me. He sees the person I want to be, and the person I'm afraid to be.”
— Lucy's realization of Joshua's deep understanding of her.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
The book centers on Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman, executive assistants at Bexley & Gamin, who are intense workplace rivals. Their animosity is fueled by constant games of one-upmanship, but this dynamic is complicated when a new co-CEO promotion opens up, forcing them to confront their true feelings amidst their competitive 'hating game'.
About the author
Biography coming soon.
