Audiobook, Contemporary Romance

Dating You/Hating You by Christina Lauren

Jonetta | Blue Mood Café

Evie Abbey is a highly successful features talent agent at Price & Dickles in Los Angeles. She meets Carter Aaron, a television literary talent agent at CT Management, when they both attend a costume party hosted by mutual friends and they’re the only singles. Turns out they really clicked, even though they worked for competing agencies. When circumstances play a cruel joke and they end up not only working together but in direct competition for the same job, things get…well, complicated.

What I really loved about this story was its authenticity. Most of us know how cutthroat the Hollywood industry can be so there’s no way to avoid having two successful people not have a little larceny in their souls. Evie and Carter react so honestly when thrust into situations where their personal and professional relationships are tested. Add in a truly repugnant, sexist manager who has it in for Evie and the resultant brew is toxic. These two resort to pranks and other silly games to one up each other for a time and some are hilarious but mostly just not who they are. Balancing a secret personal relationship was challenging and it rang true.

But mostly what’s on display is the disparity in the treatment of women in the workplace. It takes him a bit but Carter finally gets it. Seeing it played out from his point of view was enlightening. He’s a good guy and still moves slowly to call it out. It doesn’t bog down the story and realistically portrays how women adjust to their unfortunate normal.

While I have other books by the author, this is my first read. Now I understand what all the fuss is about. The characters and situations are crafted intelligently with a careful lens through reality. I’d like these people if I met them, more because of their imperfections. The two narrators, Shayna Tibodeaux and Deacon Lee, became these characters and represented them perfectly. I’m so glad I opted for the audio version! I enjoyed the characters, their relationships, the humor and the story they lived. Now, if I could just get more of this author’s titles on my reading schedule.

Book Info

  • Release Date: June 6, 2017
  • Narrators: Shayna Thibodeaux, Deacon Lee
  • Audio Length: 9 hours, 39 minutes

 

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(I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review)

Published by Jonetta | Blue Mood Café

17 thoughts on “Dating You/Hating You by Christina Lauren”

  2. Great review, Jonetta! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
    I actually just received the arc in the mail last week for their title coming out in December “My Favorite Half-Night Stand” which I’m really looking forward to reading soon! xx

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  5. Love this review and love these narrators! I have this book sitting in my audible library, I will need to bump it up a bit!

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