I really enjoyed the banter between Enrique and January, the practical jokes (getting caged 🤣), and the chicken scenes were hilarious. I do wish Enrique had had to protect her more from Ugo, or was at least more successful the one time. I was surprised by the ending and how mean Velma was so that was a nice twist, but I did feel like it took a while for me to actually like January. She really did seem super spoiled and like a rich daddy's girl at first so I wish there had been some more fleshing out of her character early on so I could like her longer. Overall, cute story and I'm looking forward to Nacho's story next!

I liked this book, very sweet and swoony. I'm definitely a fan of the enemies to lovers trope! The banter is the best! This started out with the social media influencer aspect and I was not a fan-sorry, I just am not into that. I don't know how, but Gigi was able to make me fall in love with January! She is super fun, once you get to see her. And I love Enrique, and no pressure-i need a book on each sibling!!!! The interactions between the siblings were so fun and familiar to my family!

The Hate Zone is a closed-door, hilarious, sweet and cute romance 😍
Enrique and January were so funny with their pranks and banter! Honestly, every interaction between them, I was telling myself that I need to highlight this in my review. But there are too many of them, so I'll just encourage you to get a copy and read it!
I don't think I've enjoyed the comedy part of a romantic-comedy quite this much recently! Gigi Blume did an awesome job writing this sweet story, with a fantastic cast of secondary characters and situations.
I am so invested now. I will read the stories of each of the rest of the Precio siblings.
Adding Gigi Blume to my list of romcom authors to look out for!
Thank you to the publisher and author for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Edit to add: there's a couple of lines that are in French, and it was grammatically correct and everything, which unfortunately is not always the case in English novels, so I appreciate the effort of the author here so freaking much! I always cringe at the bad French parts in books, and for once the French parts did not ruin the scene for me!

Reader’s Notes:

– this is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone

– this is told from January and Enrique’s points of view

– there is innuendo

– there are about 5 curse words

Review:

The reason I took off a star is because for me it was just a little too much innuendo (closer to the end of the book). However, I really enjoyed the rest of the story! Enrique’s family scenes were very funny and relatable. I enjoyed the siblings ribbing on each other and the banter between their aunt/uncles. I also enjoyed the pranks and jabs Enrique and January threw at each other as a way to try and push down their feelings. Especially the plastic wrap moment(s)! I liked that January was pretty much immediately accepted into Enrique’s family (before they were even dating). They were so welcoming and it gave January a sense of belonging when she didn’t have that before. One of my favorite scenes was what happened after January’s dentist appointment!

January’s life has turned upside down. Her ex is using their break-up for media attention, her bodyguard had to be let go, her dad is trying left and right to control her, and her driver just retired. So when January’s new driver shows up, looking way more handsome than she expected, she may have accidentally started a prank war with him.

Enrique thought he was going to be driving the boss or executives, but instead he’s stuck with driving the boss’s daughter. And she doesn’t give him much notice before changing her mind on stops or when she wants to go out. If that wasn’t enough, she’s also pranked him and acting as if nothing happened. While all of this is infuriating, Enrique also looks forward to the banter between them. It took a bit, but he can see that there is someone that he could love underneath that stuck-up persona January’s been flaunting.

But could January love him back? Or is it all just a game to her?

4.5 stars
I really enjoyed the plot/premise of this story! I liked the idea of the rich heiress falling for her limo driver!
I absolutely LOVED Enrique!!! He totally stole the show for me - him AND his family!! They all were the best! I loved their family dynamic, the close relationships, the culture - it was all so sweet, so well done! When I read those parts, it was so immersive, I felt like I was there, apart of the family, and I loved it! I loved when the Spanish language was mixed in as well, even when I didn't know what was being said - it felt so natural and made sense for the character, (and it was 'muy caliente'! (: I basically lived for the all the chapters in Enrique's POV and those scenes with his family and in Mexico! Enrique is sweet and charming and confident and hilarious!
January on the other hand.. she was not my favorite. I had the hardest time connecting with her. And for what felt like the longest time she just came off as stuck-up and rude. Even when we read her own POV I had a hard time getting behind her character. It isn't until about halfway through that we finally see her soften at a charity event.. but by that time we've already spent soo much time around her grumpiness. I wasn't a huge fan.. but maybe it's just me!
There is funny banter in this book and there is grrrrrreat tension! Very well done!
Heads up - This book has heavier innuendo and steamier kissing than I've ever read before, but still closed-door. If it were movie ratings I'd definitely say PG-13. There is also mild language.
I am very excited for Nacho's book because again, I loved Enrique's family!!

Wow, loved this book! Such a fun, witty read that I didn't want to put down. Love the characters, January and Enrique. Such a great plot in the story! Highly recommend!

Let me start off by saying thank you to Gigi Blume, and the publishers for allowing me to read this book.

Wow!! This was such a refreshing take on the rich heiress falls in love with regular ole joe trope! We start off this novel meeting January Madison in the midst of a bodyguard crises, and handling it with grace and poise. After that we learn that her driver, a dear friend to her, has retired and she’s getting a new driver. Enter Enrique, a middle child to a family with 8 siblings trying to start his own driving service. From meeting one January and Enrique decide they’re going to be enemies, but as their banter goes from barbed jabs to playful back and forth their relationships deepens into something fierce and loving.

I absolutely adored this book. January and Enrique’s chemistry literally leaped off the page!! Even when they “hated” one another their was palpable chemistry leaping off the page and as their romance blossomed, I fell more and more in love with them. I loved that while their romance didn’t take long it didn’t feel rushed. It blossomed at just the right pace and felt so authentic. I loved their little dates from gelato, to their prank wars. Everything was so cute, and funny, and romantic. I also loved the cast and crew of side characters we got, especially Enrique’s family. His brothers especially had me cracking up. This is definitely a perfect book to add to your tbr this summer!

I loved so much about this story. Binged in a day!

One bed ✔️ Slow burn ✔️ Enemies to lover ✔️

January. Hotel heiress and only child to dysfunctional parents.

Enrique. Limo driver and part of the giant Precio family (I love this family and need more of them!!).

Enrique and January definitely don’t see eye to eye at the start of this work relationship. They do see eye to eye on one thing though, getting under each other’s skin. Begin the pranks and witty banter! These two have you laughing and falling for them from the start.

And there are puppies 🥹

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Sodasac Press, Netgalley and the author for an ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
When I read the synopsis of this book, I wasn't sure I was going to like January. I am not one for spoilt, little rich girl heroines - it's hard to have sympathy for these characters sometimes.

While I did take a little while to warm to her character, there was enough humour in this story to get me there. The romance between January and Enrique is sweet, but I found their interaction a little silly at times. There were some fun moments but it wrapped up so quickly that I found myself wondering if I had missed something.

Still, an entertaining read.

I love the batters between Enrique and January.
they are such a cute couple trying to fight the instant attraction they felt the first time they saw each other. They both are trying to uncover each others characters as they get to know each other more. especially for January, knowing that she isn't just a privilege princess of a rich family.
this is such a nice read and my first book from Gigi Blume.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC.

A enemies to lovers story featuring a socialite and her new driver.

I didn’t feel comfortable reading most of the story and skipped around a lot due to the content. Although this story is closed door, there are lot of innuendos and scenes that I didn’t appreciate. The plot itself was on the weaker side and focused more on humor and the growing attraction between the leads, rather than a romantic connection.

I enjoyed that parts that describes Enrique’s family though, and found them to be funny and chaotic. This series has potential, for the right audience.

This read was not for me but perhaps others who prefer a romcom that’s a quick read but toes the line between “closed doors” and regular romance.

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read this book ahead of the publication date. An ARC was provided to me in exchange for my honest review.

January Madison and her new driver Enrique Precio could not be any more opposite. She is an only child and spoiled heir to a hotel fortune. He is a hard working son of immigrant parents just trying to make his own way. In spite of their differences, close proximity forces them into a friendship neither of them expected. The more they learn about each other, the stronger their feelings grow.

The Hating Zone is a fun, fast-paced romcom. It is the first book in Gigi Blume’s new Precio Brothers series. While it is technically a closed-door romance there is a lot of sexual innuedo and spicy banter. Although January seems like she wouldn’t be the most likable character, she really redeems herself by the end of the storyline. The two main characters play off of each other so well and the dialogue between them is both humorous and sweet.

The Precio family is delightful and I look forward to getting to know them even further in future books.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours!

This was the first book I've read by GiGi Blume and while I didn't hate it, it isn't a favorite either.

First of all, there is some mild language throughout the book. Nothing major and not overly done. The sexual content in the book is a lot more than I typically read. It is a closed-door book, but there are a lot of sexual innuendos that were just annoying.

My favorite parts of the book really didn't have anything to do with the two love interests. It was Enrique's family dynamics. He's Hispanic with a large family. He's one of seven brothers and one sister. They have Sunday dinners after mass with their uncles and aunt and almost all of the siblings. I LOVED this. Their banter between the family was real and fun. Honestly, it made the book and if it wouldn't have been for that, I probably wouldn't have finished it.

The ending was a bit surprising and actually sweet. I feel like the entire book spent so much time on how attracted they were to one another and throwing innuendos around, that the characters weren't really developed. All I know is Enrique likes cars and January likes Yorkies. Very surface-level stuff.

Overall, I'd give it a 2 stars.

**I received a copy from NetGalley for my honest review.

This was such a nice, charming read! I lovedd January and Enrique’s relationship, and their chemistry and banter was unmatched. January did seem pretty spoiled at the beginning of the novel, but this quickly developed and I really liked her character by the end!
I also really liked the family dynamic between Enrique and the rest of his family, and can’t wait to read Blume’s other books with these characters!

This book was SO CUTE!! I love the storyline of it. Rich girl and her limo driver. I really enjoyed how they both figured out about the other person in a deep way. January isn’t shallow and Ricky is so loving. The chicken scene was amazing, and when Ugo punched Ricky I just died. This book was hilarious, made my heart melt, and had a happy ending. Perfect!!

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

As always with this author, if she writes it I want to read it. I have loved all the romcom’s that have come out. This one was no exception. Imagine my surprise though when I start reading the story and realize I read this as a short story. A much shorter version was released in a compilation book with various authors. I loved all the extended scenes and new additions.
The story felt like a Paris Hilton type heiress meets a young Mario Lopez entrepreneur. January (the leading lady not the month) has a hidden depth that improves through her interactions with Enrique, the new chauffeur. Enrique also learns not to judge a book by the cover as he realizes January is more than she appears. Lots of humor on every page. The pages just turn themselves. Although I had read the short story already and knew the outline of what was going to happen I still enjoyed this book and it had unexpected moments.
The Latin American family is endearing and I will be checking out more from this series.
Rating: PG/PG-13, it’s a clean romance with sizzle. There is some mild language for those looking for squeaky clean stories.

I loved this enemies to lovers from different sides of the track type of vibes. The banter was funny and cute and you couldn't help but like these two different characters. This was a super cute summer read and the story line just flowed nicely and keep me wanting to read it. I can't wait to read the other books in the Precio family.

Thank you to Netgalley and Gigi Blume for this ARC!

This book was such a fun book to read. It had me LOLing. I really enjoyed the prank wars between the MCs and the intense chemistry. For this book to get my 5⭐️ it just needed more graphic details but it was still such a great read no matter what. I'm really looking forward to reading more of the Precio family.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Hate Zone follows spoiled socialite and heiress January Madison as she clashes with her new driver Enrique Precio, a man who absolutely does not care that she is rich or famous. What follows is a quirky, enemies to lovers, opposites attract rom-com. I had not read or known about the prior publication of this story as a novella, but upon learning that, a lot of the aspects of this story that didn't work for me really made sense in context. While parts of the book worked quite well, some of it felt a bit discombobulated and I also struggled to feel the full depth of the main characters and their motivations. I really wanted January to have more of an Alexis Rose (sue me!) kind of character arc and that just didn't happen, and I also got confused/distracted from the main love story by some of the side characters. Overall it's a very quick and breezy read that I would recommend to folks who like Sarah Adams' books.

This book was pure fluff. I'm hoenstly still not even sure if I like January or Enrrique. I mean they grew a bit on me but overall? Yeah not sure they are shining examples on humanity. This was too close to reality TV for me, but if that is something you like this one is right up your alley.

Either way this was a super quick read and hilarious in parts. It's perfect for a pool day or sitting on the beach, but I didn't find much substance - which is okay, sometimes I love reading something that is pure fun and fluff!