'Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other' is a heartwarming story with reminders that first impressions are often unreliable and there is joy in looking below the surface, especially with people. Bethany Turner has built a wonderful world in Adelaide Springs, CO and I sincerely hope that the title characters are only the first in the stories to be told. I highly recommend this book to all.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

In this enemies to lovers, small town theme, Brynn and Sebastian couldn’t be any more different. This was a grumpy meets sunshine trope but I identified and connected more with the grumpy protagonist than the sunshine one. Brynn was annoying and I couldn’t grow into liking her. She was very shallow and I really couldn’t stand her attitude. I still don’t understand how the people in her town forgave her for saying such rude things about them. She completely left her friends and community behinds, people who were there for her and wanted her to succeed. I’m all for wanting to leave your hometown behind in search of better opportunities, but she was unclassy and distasteful about it.

Sebastian had some secrets of his own. I kept reading solely to discover who this guy really is. The mystery surrounding him and his character was intriguing. He’s a sweet guy who loves his hometown and the people in it. He is generous and caring. The pacing was very slow for me and the plot fell flat in many instances. There were massive jumps between hating each other and suddenly swooning over each other.

Thank you NetGalley for sending this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Really cute, pretty quick read. It handled much weightier topics than I anticipated, which really added depth to the typical rom-com. And I love that both MCs are in their late-30s/early-40s. Brynn was really difficult to like at first, but I was so glad when she finally came around.

I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson-Fiction through NetGalley.

A very cute, clean romance, and perfect when you want Hallmark-movie vibes to chill with for a few hours.

Personally, it felt like there wasn't enough of the enemies-to-lovers trope; sure, it was clear they didn't like each other in the beginning, but the moment they were alone that started to change, and it felt a little fast. Honestly, the pacing of several things didn't feel... perfect, I guess. Good, but not perfect.

And it was frustrating, waiting for Brynn to finally be a better character. I didn't like her for a bit, which made it hard to read sometimes. But she did end up growing to be a better version of her true self, which was the goal.

thank you Netgalley for the free copy

This was ADORABLE. Closed door, rivals to lovers hometown romance with a dash of celebrity. I did not like alllll of the celebrity references in it (I am looking specifically at the Zayn Malik and Julie Andrews references....) but overall it was a fun read that did really give time to mental health struggles as well as real life issues with the concept of journalism

Thanks to Net galley, the author and publisher for the ARC

The character development in this book? oh wow. I'm gonna be honest, i didn't want to like Brynn AT all at the beginning, but her moment at the beginning was really relatable, and having to face up to what she's done? also their connection was PALPABLE in this book. I loved the supporting characters, they felt like an integral part of the story, not just throwaway characters for comedic relief, they breathed so much life into the book. And Sebastian's characterisation was solid throughout the entire book, and seeing their connection flourish was incredibly satisfying.

Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other is a fun, clean, summer time read.
The enemies to lover trope is done well here, as readers can sense the intense dislike between Brynn and Seb once they have page time together. Making the romance all the more victorious at the end.
Brynn...well, let's just say, she's had a hard life and she hasn't made it any easier on herself. When what she thought was a private conversation with her co-host airs on national television, Brynn has some major soul-searching, and apologizing, to do. Yet, as readers follow her journey, there doesn't seem to be soul-deep remorse (which tends to be more evident with a faith thread - which this story doesn't have). She does have an epiphany near the end, which would make readers believe things would change.
Sebastian is a solid lead character, who knows when to speak and how to take a stand for what is right. He's had a vastly different experience than Brynn, and it's understandable why he dislikes her so much - especially when they share the same profession.
There's plenty of embarrassing moments, dislike for the girl who comes home, tear-filled moments, and banter. The supporting cast is one of the most interesting in Bethany Turner books - especially Doc and Orly.
The epilogue shows Brynn and Sebastian's life two years following the end of the story. A little bit of a surprise, which I won't spoil here.
This is a clean read - perfect for summertime reading.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

When Brynn Cornell, morning entertainment show host, accidentally allows some insulting comments to be broadcast live to a large television audience, she returns to the her small hometown to try to make amends. What starts out as a public relations campaign turns into an opportunity for some genuine soul-searching, and maybe even a chance at unexpected romance. Will Brynn be able to redeem herself? Find out in this heartwarming tale of misguided first impressions and second chances.

It took a little while for this story to get going. However, the characters were charming and the lead couple were entertaining. I appreciate that the author didn't go too dramatic in the ending. When the couple gets together they stay together... almost like they're meant to be. Who'd have thought? I also liked how the author wrote steamy scenes that were not explicit. Romance abounds and romance readers should enjoy.

Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other by Bethany Turner and is
a super fun, creative story with a surprising amount of depth. It is a good rom-com that definitely made me laugh out loud several times. Brynn knows how to stick her foot in her mouth and it seems like Sebastian is there to catch her every time. Then one day, he catches a glimpse of the truth and she trusts her investigate nature to see more to him than he lets on. It takes vulnerability and a desire to be known for both of them get past the messes they’ve made. They’re oil and water, and yet, they work! I love the supporting characters and the degree of forgiveness shown. All in all, a cute, redemptive story that will make you laugh and cheer them on.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley from the publisher and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

The summary of this book appealed to me, so I was really excited for this book, but I ultimately couldn't get into it and ended up DNFing about halfway through.
Most of my issues came down to Brynn--right off the bat, I didn't really like her. She seemed shallow and rude, and her internal monologue really did nothing to dispel that. And then when she got to Adelaide Springs she was downright awful to Sebastian, and her internal monologue, again, did her no favors.
I honestly think if the POVs had been switched--if Sebastian's had been first person and Brynn's had been third--I may have liked it, but as it is, I didn't like Brynn, couldn't root for her to be with Sebastian, and honestly didn't see a single reason why she should be afforded a redemption arc. She seemed exactly like the spoiled, bratty, entitled asshole she came across on her her live segment, and if the whole first half of the book didn't have a single moment that led me to believe she might be decent underneath that, I just couldn't keep going.

Again, I think if her story hadn't been in first person it could have been fine, because I would have wondered who she was underneath that awful exterior, but we got a glimpse into her thoughts and they just proved that everyone's poor opinion of her was correct.

I did keep reading longer than I expected, because I wanted to see how the story turned out, but ultimately I just needed to put this book down and move on.

I just finished reading an amazing romantic comedy novel that had everything I could ask for a heartwarming plot, relatable characters with their own flaws, clever and amusing conversations, and a small-town Colorado setting. This sweet and clean romance is full of funny, emotional, and heartwarming moments, including swoon-worthy kisses that will have you laughing and crying along with the characters. You'll find yourself falling in love with the story and its depth and realism.

The story revolves around Brynn, a former morning-show host, who gained a reputation as a mean girl after a bad moment on air. She returns to her hometown of Adelaide Springs, Colorado to redeem herself and show viewers that she's not who they think she is. Along the way, she meets Sebastian, a former big news reporter, a grumpy with anxiety issues who now lives a quiet life in the small town.

I really enjoyed reading this book with the enemies-to-lovers theme, which was well executed. Brynn is a fascinating character, she is real, and despite her occasional sarcasm and disconnection from current trends, her ability to overcome adversity and discover her true self was inspiring. All things considered, the story did not disappoint me. However, I felt that there were too many references to pop culture, which was my only criticism. The storyline had some great side characters that added a lot of fun and variety. I especially enjoyed the witty banter between Brynn and Sebastian, too delicious! I highly recommended it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Publisher for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

Brynn Cornell is America’s sweetheart co-host of the popular morning news show Sunup. That is, until she is caught on air bad mouthing her small hometown of Adelaide Springs, Colorado. In a last-ditch effort to get viewers back on her side, Brynn travels back to her hometown of 314 people, seeking to apologize for her negative words and capture some feel-good footage. Sebastian Sudworth, a former journalist who left big media behind for small town living, is a city council member in Adelaide Springs, and is tasked with chauffeuring Brynn around town. Sebastian can see right through Brynn’s sunny exterior, but she is determined to not let him stop her from getting her career back on track. But it’s hard to play nice around someone you hate…even more so if you might be crazy about them.

Thank you to @netgalley, @seebethanywrite, and @thomasnelson for the advance copy! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. First of all, there is a coffee shop in the book called the Bean Franklin and now I must go there. Brynn’s character developed a lot throughout the story. At first she came off as a bit entitled to me, but as we get to learn more about her and her past I really grew to like her. I liked Sebastian from the start, and I liked him even more once more of his backstory was revealed. The banter between Brynn and Sebastian was so good. And I really loved the cozy small town vibes and how many fun side characters there were. Brynn & Sebastian’s story hits shelves on September 5!

I agreed with Sebastian when I started this book. I really hated Brynn Cornell. She was shallow, vapid, and completely egocentric. However, like Sebastian, when her walls started to come down, I started to like her very much.

Bryan and Sebastian are very much broken people, and it is the crazy town of Adelaide Springs that helps heal them. Plus there's some delicious banter, great pop culture references, and quirky characters abound.

I'm a sucker for enemies-to-lovers and wanted to love this book so much, but Brynn is honestly the worst and I struggled because of how much I didn't like her

I have wanted to read this book since it's very talked about on BookTok. I don't understand all the hate Brynn gets because I HATEEEE toxic positivity and even the sunniest of people aren't sunny 24/7. I related to Brynn a lot - She is nice and cheerful but has a sarcastic/snarky side. I thought that was refreshing because I hate the aloof/clueless sunshine characters. I was hoping for more romance and rated this 3 stars because the author built it up for 80% of the book instead of sneaking it in way earlier.

2 stars

I get the enemies to lovers/grumpy sunshine vibes but i need to somehow root for them and Brynn was so insufferable I just couldn't.
She was awful and I understand mental issues and trauma but... nope. That doesn't give you a free pass to be awful.
Such a disappointment.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Brynn is a well known host of a morning show when she is caught on live air mocking her tiny Colorado hometown. She then is sent to do damage control in her hometown to save her reputation. When she arrives, she meets Sebastian, and the two can’t stand each other.

Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy this book. It had an interesting concept but the main characters weren’t particularly likable. I didn’t really want to root for them. I normally love the enemies to lovers trope but the romance piece was lacking. I did enjoy the Colorado setting though.

Thank you to the author, Thomas Nelson Publishing, and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

It’s not that I didn’t like the story. I did. But then we got to know Brynn. My first impression was if I’m supposed to hate Brynn…I definitely do. She’s insufferable.

Sebastian on the other hand, I liked.

I’m not sure if this is a grumpy x sunshine like I have seen it labeled…it seemed more like rude x sarcastic to me. I really don’t see how Sebastian fell in love with Brynn. It seemed like they really disliked each other and the next thing we know, they’re in love for no reason.

I get that she had her problems with her mom, but…her mom wasn’t there anymore. I also understand that memories and trauma can be connected with a place and you might not want to go back…but those people didn’t deserve to be abandoned or treated the way she did. They took care of her. They recognized the trouble she was in and helped the best they could. I also understand that’s just a part of the character, but I wish there had been just a little more in there to make her a little more likable. Her growth seemed a little forced and fake…like it just happened so quickly.

The premise of the story, I liked…but I there was just something about Brynn that I couldn’t like.

I definitely liked the reconciliation between Doc and Brynn, that was moving.

I thought Sebastian was mature and was trying his hardest to grow from the experience he had. I respected that.

But Brynn, blah. I think that because she was SO rude in the beginning, any growth she possibly had just didn’t feel believable to me. You’re not that rude to people and just turn on a dime like that.

But yes, otherwise, the story was fine. It was a pretty quick read and the other people in the town were interesting enough. It felt a little Hallmark-esque. It was a clean read, no steamy scenes or bad language, always a plus.

I think the issue was my own with Brynn and I just couldn’t get around it.

I love all Bethany Turner books because they are funny and deep and real. This book was no different; it plumbed the depths of two very painful pasts while keeping its sense of humor and helping the characters grow beyond their dysfunction and find each other.A lot of Christian romance books are formulaic and take themselves way too seriously, but this book did neither of those things and I can't wait for Turner to write another one!