Better Hate than Never

4.25

Although I'm a long time fan of Chloe Liese, the mixed reviews I've seen for this book led me to believe I wouldn't enjoy it, but I actually liked it quite a lot!

Chloe is amazing creating stories around diverse characters and Better Hate Than Never was no exception. This book includes ADHD, demisexual(I need so much more of this) and chronic pain (migraines) representation, and I believe it was done rather well.

Kate is far from my favorite type of character, but her characteristics are aligned with ADHD and, although it's a bit triggering for me at times, I learned to like her. It is worth noting that Kate evolves quite a bit after deciding she is willing to trust and be more open about herself.

Chris was the big surprise for me in this book! I've seen so many bad comments on him, about the way he treated Kate, and how he was having sex with other women all the time, that I had very low expectations about him. To be totally honest, I loved Chris! I didn't think he treated Kate that bad, particularly considering how mean she was to him all the time, and her comments were less reasonable and somewhat childish. I feel some readers are shaming Chris sex life, which is far from central in the story, and seeing his behavior as particularly extreme as opposed to Kate's demisexual experience.

Anyway, Chris admits he was wrong, apologises and makes everything imaginable to change Kate's opinion of him. He gives her all the time she needs, goes to therapy, feeds her and does her laundry, and nothing can be sexier than this.

Plus, absolutely no one writes ongoing consent like Chloe Liese.

I'm now very in the mood to re-watch “10 things I hate about you”

This was so beautifully done!
The intimacy between Christopher and Kat was amazing.

They started as enemies, but when Chris realizes kat thinks he hates her... all bets are off. He had been distant and argumentative because the pull to her was so strong, but now he isn't stopping himself.

She has ADHD, and he has chronic migraines. Both understand the tolls that take on a person so they are very empathetic and understanding.

Chris is like a chefs kiss of bedroom intimacy and talking and checking in with your partner. Flawless. But he's also charming and cheeky and humorous too