The Hating Game

In our previous episode, I mentioned that I had read The Hating Game, a contemporary romance by Sally Thorne, and gave it four stars. Yesterday I was poking around Netflix and saw that there was a romcom made from the book, so naturally I had to watch it. Generally, books are better than their movies, but this one was a close call. First, the casting was perfect with Lucy Hale as Lucy Hutton and Austin Stowell as Josh Templeman. Second, some of the slower and more repetitive parts of the novel were sped up in the movie, which was a good thing. Third, the chemistry between Lucy and Josh was super hot, and we could see that immediately in the movie, while it wasn't as clear in the book. There were moments that needed to be lingered over though, and in the movie they zipped past too fast. The movie glossed over the backgrounds of the main characters, but that info was needed for more of an understanding of their insecurities and motivations. In the movie, the job situation was wrapped up neatly with a bow, which was fine, but the book left things more ambiguous. which created the impression that their relationship would transcend whatever happened in their careers. If I could do it over, I would watch the movie first and then read the book.

Today I finished My Heart's Desire by Andrea Kane. The only reason I read this is because it was the 25th anniversary edition, which I needed for a box on my 2025 Reading Challenge. Apparently, it is a much-beloved historical romance (taking place at the start of the War of 1812), but I didn't care for it and gave it only two stars. I found the main characters shallow and boring, and the "plot" consisted of them becoming periodically enraged at each other over nothing just so they could have explosive makeup sex. Oh, there was another aspect to the story, which is that someone was trying to murder our dashing hero, but sadly the reader knew who it was the whole time so there wasn't even a fun mystery to solve.

I also read Kill for Me, Kill for You, a thriller by Steve Cavanaugh (a book club selection). This was a very layered, complex novel with interesting characters and incredible plot twists, and I liked it a lot. One of the major twists left me completely "gob smacked" as they say, but looking back I could have seen it coming. Didn't though! Four stars.

I watched another episode of Sirens, the third one I think, and I liked it but not enough to binge. I will watch them sedately, lol. I quit watching S2 of Nine Perfect Strangers because the new group of nine simply did not intrigue me like the first group did, despite Christine Baranski being one of the nine. Oh well. I will just have to watch her in the Mamma Mia movies 500 more times.

My friend L taught me how to play Farkle today, which was fun, and we also played Qwirkle, which is a good name for a pet. In fact, when I was still writing, I gave a dog that name. Alas, that WIP will sit in its folder for all eternity now. 

Speaking of pets, I've been messaging with a woman from a local forum who is trying to find a home for a neighborhood kitty whose owner can no longer care for her. I'm going to meet the kitty tomorrow night after work. She is an all black cat with golden eyes, and her name is Midnight. I will of course let you all know what happens.