Better Hate Than Never was written for people who not only love classic literature, but classic 90s rom-coms as well. As an ode to 10 Things I Hate About You and other retellings of The Taming of the Shrew, Chloe Liese hones in her craft: creating down-to-earth characters with real problems and treating them with the utmost respect and care.

In the second installment of the Wilmot Sisters, Katerina (Kate) Wilmot, and her childhood next-door neighbor, Christopher Petruchio try to make peace of their long-standing animosity. But when peace gives way to something much more vulnerable and tender, the two must work together to put to rest their feud and decide if giving up their control and giving in to love is worth it.

Chloe Liese is at the top of her game. She excels in creating unique characters who have realistic struggles, never straying from the central theme that people of different abilities and identities deserve to be the center of their own love story. As someone with ADHD, I was able to relate to Katerina’s struggles and I appreciated even more so how they were simply part of her, nothing that people tried to change. After my lukewarm first read of Two Wrongs Make A Right, I was hoping that Liese’s second book with her traditional publisher would sweep me off my feet, just as the Bergman Brother series did. I am pleasantly surprised at the sheer joy I felt while reading this, even if times I felt the story dragged (re: the sex scene that lasted for almost 5% of the book, with extensive internal dialogue). I also appreciate the lack of a third-act breakup – with Liese instead choosing active communication and trust for her characters, rather than a miscommunication-driven break-up.

Spice level: 2/5
Rating: 4/5
Tropes: Shakespeare retelling, childhood next-door neighbor, enemies to lovers (in which both parties care too much about each other in the first place)

This book was wholly underwhelming. It was a DNF at 75% for me. I was excited for this book as I really liked Two Wrongs Make a Right; I found it to be well-paced, fun, and interesting. All the things I liked about that book were entirely absent from this book. It felt like it was never going to end and I didn't find Kate or Christopher to be particularly likeable or interesting characters. Their animosity and general angst and dancing around each other got tiresome very fast. By 75% into the book they still weren't really together and I found that I didn't care what happened to them. If this wasn't a romance, I would say that I didn't care whether they got together or not however, I know there would be an HEA. Overall, I just thought this story was a bit boring. Maybe this book would've been better off as the third book since we didn't get any information about Kate from the first book so I wasn't as invested in her story going into this. Additionally, I found Christopher's general attitude to be bizarre not to mention Kate's whole "screw the man" mentality made me roll my eyes when she seemed to be deliberately ignoring the fact that you can be a more ethical human without approaching life the same way she does. Finally, WHY DOES KATE HAVE SO MANY NICKNAMES?! This was my biggest pet peeve with this entire book. Kate, already short for Katerina, has an additional 3 nicknames: Katydid (what does this even mean?), Katie-bird, and KitKat. One nickname is cute, two nicknames is fine if one is used by friends and the other by family, 3+ nicknames is too many when the name you go by is already a nickname since it's a shortened version of your actual firstname. This drove me bonkers to an unreasonable level. I'll admit that my mood might not have been conducive to this book at this moment, however, I don't think that my opinion of this book would be much better even if my mood had been better. This book simply dragged and read like it was trying too hard to get me to like the characters. If you enjoyed the first book, you might like this one, but I would not recommend it. Possibly, if you know Shakespeare more and are familiar with The Taming of the Shrew, you might enjoy this more, but it wasn't my cup of tea.

Chloe Liese did it again!! There’s doughnuts, fired up banter, the crew from the Edgy Envelope and a slow burn romance that was worth the wait!!!

I hope we get Jules story next!!!

Better Hate Than Never by Chloe Liese
This is book two in the Wilmont Sisters series, and it picks up exactly where Two Wrongs Make a Right ends. You can read it as a standalone, but Two Wrongs is so good.

I love the gender bending medical conditions! ADHD is often under diagnosed in women. When I was growing up, there were many doctors that didn't believe girls could have ADHD. Migraine disease is more common in women. Men have migraine disease, but we don't hear about it nearly enough.

Kate has ADHD. All of the well known traits are in her story, but you also get to see inside our heads. There is a scene where Kate goes through her whole brain train and how she got from one place to another and it is sooooo relatable.

Christopher has migraine disease. This complex neurological disorder can present differently for everyone. Lots of the common symptoms are included so we can see migraine disease is more than a headache. I love the scene where Kate lists all of the silly things that Christopher should have tried to "cure" his migraine disease.

Things I am here for:
No third act breakup. I say again No third act breakup!!!!!!
Demisexuality and not being able to get your ADHD brain to turn off during sexy times
Escaping cat that goes next door for better treats
We finally get the paintball scene!

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thanks so much to Berkley for this early copy, out 10/10. Better Hate than Never is a childhood friends to lovers, grumpy sunshine, opposites attract, age gap romance between Kate, a demisexual travel photojournalist with ADHD and Christopher, an ethical investor with chronic migraines and a butt that won’t quit. This book is capital H horny, y’all. Chloe created the kind of romantic tension between these two that should be taught in academic courses. It’s the friends to lovers story I will forever measure all future friends to lovers stories against. It’s just that good. I devoured this one in less than 48 hours, stopping only to sleep and send Ellen these increasingly unhinged, unsolicited messages.

If you loved the dynamic in season two of Bridgerton where Anthony is being all hot and breathy and telling Kate that she is the bane of his existence and the object of all his desires, promising the myriad of things he could teach her, then you will freaking LOVE Kate and Christopher. They have a slow burn with a lot of very charged encounters and scorching glances. The decision to make Christopher older and more sexually experienced also felt like a nod to HR. Unlike many HR heroines however, Kate is not ignorant of her body or the mechanics of what she’d like to do. Her demisexuality means that she doesn’t feel the desire to be sexual with just anyone, but instead requires a deep emotional connection first.

One of the reasons I enjoy second chance romance so much is because they are rife with angst and come out of the gate with a deeper degree of intimacy than a story between strangers or acquaintances. Friends to lovers also comes with the intimacy but not always the angst. I think one of the reasons I fell so hard for BHTN is because it DID have the angst. It had so much angst, tender pining, vulnterability and an overall feeling of regret over lost time and mishandling of emotions. It was like a perfect storm of feels and Chloe created a masterpiece with it. Also, NO. THIRD. ACT. BREAKUP. This book is perfect. I hope everyone will read it.

5⭐️ 3.5🌶️ 10/5 🥹

“I can’t take my eyes off him. And he can’t seem to take his eyes off me. Staring at him, it’s like I’ve lost a layer of my skin, so raw, so keenly aware there’s nothing I can hide, nowhere to escape how much I want him”

Let me just say again how freaking happy and blessed I felt when I got this ARC right after finishing Two Wrongs Make a Right. Chloe Liese has clawed her way through my heart and soul and she is never leaving!!

The second book in The Wilmot Sisters series follows the younger of the three, Kate and our very own Christopher (who you may remember from book one is a close family friend, Juliette’s boss and the guy who rightfully punched Jean Claude {a moment of applause pls 👏🏻👏🏻}) who have been “friends” since childhood but have an outstanding “hatred” **wink wink** towards one another.

I don’t want to call it enemies to lovers but yeah kind of like enemies to lovers with such delicious tension from the start. (No spoiler really) but that tango scene got me so so much I felt the world dissolve around me as if I had been there watching the whole thing unravel. You know how there’s a trend that goes like “what was the last book that made you forget you were reading?” THIS…. THIS IS THAT BOOK!!!

The characters are so well developed throughout the book. Christopher is everything I could ever want for myself. He is so freaking thoughtful and considerate and commonnnnnn the man can dirty talk and make pumpkin pancakes?! What else could a girl wanttttt!!

The story is so cohesive and flows so well. Not once did I find myself getting bored or wishing things were moving faster. I cannot express how much I love seeing representation for neurodiversity because it is not something I have first hand experience with but I feel myself learning more and more about it through Chloe’s eyes and her characters. I love getting so captivated by her story telling and detailed characters that I forget I exist in my own body. This book was an out of body experience and I need the next one so so bad!!

Chloe’s writing is just so poetic and gorgeous. I appreciate so much that her characters are adults who know how to communicate and do so so maturely. There is no silly and infuriating third act breakup. Things are resolved with conversation and openness. The characters feel so real because they are flawed and have so many emotions and their own issues and things they go through together.

I read this at an agonizing pace because I didn’t want it to be over. It was absolute torture knowing I was reading it this early and wouldn’t have another book by her for a long time. How does one simply battle the want to devour a book and the need to savor it?! I finished it at 2 am and needed almost a day to gather my thoughts and emotions and write this review without bursting into more tears of happiness.

There is nothing Chloe Liese can writte that I won’t read. I am slowly but surely going through her entire backlist. I can hardly wait for Jules story to be in my hands 🥹♥️

I SOBBED SO HARD with the authors dedication. Chloe opened my chest, reached in there, grabbed my heart and absolutely spoke to it.

Thank you Berkley for the opportunity to receive an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Chloe Liese DO NOT disappoint! I've been waiting for this one and was so excited to get an advanced reader's copy. I loved it! I liked the tie ins to her previous book, but I think it can be read as a stand alone.

The tension and passion between the characters is palpable and their arc from enemies to lovers is believable and gave me butterflies! As an adult with ADHD, I also appreciated the portrayal of it. Too often ADHD characters are presented as hyperactive caricatures, but I related a lot to Kate's difficulties and impulses. Christopher too is complex (and swoony). I enjoyed this book even more than the first in the series.

Another great read from Chloe Liese. I read this one so quickly, I love that all her characters are so different from on another and multi-dimensional. The second chance romance/friends-to-lovers trope felt refreshing in this story and Kate was my favourite sister so far.

I really enjoy Chloe Liese, I loved her Bergman Siblings series and enjoyed book 1 of this series, so was very excited to try this one.

Better Hate Than Never had a lot of elements going for it that I tend to enjoy - banter, enemies to lovers, some good representation of neurodiversity. I was happy to revisit the Wilmot world, and to learn more about both Christopher and Kate. The two were interesting MCs and I’ll always read anything Chloe writes, but got me this one did not come together in the same way.

I think it had some elements I enjoyed, and characters I liked - I’m happy I read it, but it wasn’t my favorite of her books. I had high hopes for Christopher and Kate, but I did not feel as invested in their connection or relationship as I have with other Liese pairings. Which is in part why I think I found the intimate scenes felt a bit jarring and gratuitous in this one.

Overall, gorgeous cover art, interesting premise and characters and a solid read. Although not my favorite still a good story with a satisfying ending, and one I’m sure many others will love. I look forward to Jules book in the future.

Thank you to Berkeley and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

3.5 stars

Chloe Liese wow!! Yess! So good like always! Such a fun childhood enemies to lovers story. I really enjoyed the banter and the real and authentic romance they shared. Such a great story.

This might be my favorite Chloe Liese book yet.

This is the second book in the Wilmot series. This book is the story of the youngest sister, Katerina (Kat) and her long time rivalry with the boy next door, Christopher. Kat and Christopher have always had somewhat of a love/hate relationship. Kat has always felt like Christopher never included her growing up like he did her sisters, while Christopher has tried to keep a safe distance from Kat knowing that he could fall for her if he ever let her in. After being away on work assignments, Kat moves home and folds back into the rivalry with Christopher until one night it all changes. Can they repair years worth of hurt?

This book, this book, this book. Oh man did I love Christopher and Kat. There were parts of this story early on that made my heart hurt. There is so much pain between them both from years of trying to keep each other at arms length that I just wanted to hug them both. Kat is such a complex character and her ADHD brain is so beautifully shown throughout the story. Even better, we get to see her find love with someone who loves her for exactly who she is and is willing to adapt to help with areas that she struggles with.

And oh Christopher. I loved him SO much. He is a chronic migraine sufferer and his story touched every part of my heart. I am a long time, chronic migraine sufferer as well. While everyone’s experiences are different, so much of his story personally resonated with me. It was true to my lived experience which I appreciated. Chloe is so good at capturing the difficulty with invisible illness. This book is no exception.

This book is magical and I will no doubt read it over and over again.

HUGE thank you to the publisher and author for an EARC in exchange for an honest review. Romance as a genre is severely lacking in migraine rep so I was so grateful to get the chance to read this in advance and connect so thoroughly to my lived experience.

I am loving this series with Shakespeare inspirations and I really hope we get more!

While being a retelling of a great play with many favorite tropes, Liese handles chronic illness and neurodivergence with a deft hand. While I don't really like the "I am mean to this girl because I have been pining for her from day one" as a trope, here it works because the characters actually show personal growth. Additionally, the family as a whole grows and changes and everyone learns to do better and be better. Add in some grade A spice (the consent is the sexy part...*swoon*) and a realistic/solid HEA...needless to day Chloe Liese has done it again!

My only note is that in the initial chapters, the snark is solidly in the "just being immature and mean" category and not the "banter" category. Since that is one of my biggest romance pet peeves, it almost turned me off, but to anyone else who hates that: stick with it. The immaturity here serves a purpose and works really well in the greater narrative. This will be the amazing book you expect from this author I promise.

In the second installment of the Wilmot sisters series, we follow Katerina (Kate) as she comes home from her world travels. Despite trying her best to avoid him, she is repeatedly faced with Christopher, her childhood nemesis. The two can’t seem to get along, and so Kate’s family reaches out to Christopher to encourage him to get along with Kate. This forces him to come to terms with his true feelings for her, and vice versa.

I absolutely loved this book, every bit as much as I loved Two Wrongs Make a Right. This story is a reimagining of The Taming of the Shrew. It is filled with nods to Shakespeare and Ten Things I Hate About You (another Shakespeare retelling). There’s even a paintball scene! Needless to say, I loved that aspect. I also appreciated the representation of chronic migraines, which I have lived with since age seven. It’s rarely present in books and the depiction here was so well done. I felt very seen and understood, so hopefully it provides some insight to others who don’t suffer from these. There is also neurodivergence representation (ADHD). I love Chloe Liese’s ability to sensitively show these realistic portrayals of her characters and bring awareness and empathy to her readers. Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes, and the banter here was top notch. I couldn’t love this book any more, and I can’t wait for Juliet’s book!

Thank you so much to Chloe Liese, Berkley Romance, and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

The first book in the series already lifted me off the ground, taking my breath away. Although I loved the introduction of Christopher and Katerina/Kate in the first book, I didn't expect to love their story more than Jamie and Bea's. However, their story shook me to the core, leaving my emotions all over the place. These beautiful, vulnerable individuals who hide behind rough facades and conceal their feelings with the iron walls they've built around them are simply adorable.

Firstly, "Taming of the Shrew" is undoubtedly one of my favorite Shakespeare plays. It also reminds me of my favorite "Atomic Shakespeare" episode from Moonlighting (especially the part where Bruce Willis, as Petruchio, sings "Good Love" in the church). Let's not forget the fabulous Broadway musical "Kiss Me, Kate," which garnered several Tony awards and is based on Shakespeare's play!

It may seem like Taurus men and Aquarius women are a match made in hell (although my parents had the same signs and have been happily married for 56 years), and the obvious despise and sizzling hate between Katerina Wilmot and Christopher Petruchio, her nemesis since childhood and still her neighbor, only make them more miserable.

After hurting her arm, which affects her career as a photojournalist that requires her to travel the world, explore different cultures, and engage in extreme sports, Katerina curses her luck. She cannot afford her own place, and as you may recall from the first book, broken-hearted Juliet needs a break after what her douche fiancé did to her. They decide to switch places, and now broke, tired, and depressed, Kate returns to her hometown to live in Bea's place.

She tries to find her place in her hometown, forming emotional bonds with her friends and making amends with her family. However, her childhood nemesis, Christopher, who works in a corporate job, is rich, pretentious, and flirtatious, and he still manages to rub her the wrong way.

Christopher hates that she puts her life at risk, always running away from her family at the first chance she gets. He values stability and regulation, while adventurous, chaotic, and energetic Katerina is his polar opposite. Katerina has no idea why Christopher acts so sweet around all her family and friends but is cold and makes the harshest comments around her.

One drunken night, Christopher finds her hiding in a closet, and as he carries Kate to put her in bed, she confesses that she acts hostile because she believes he hates her.

Christopher realizes that he has misunderstood their relationship dynamic. Despite trying hard to hate Katerina, he cannot, and he is determined to show his caring side and change their long-standing animosity.

But what if this new truce between them opens up even more feelings? What if there is more than just sexual attraction between them?

I loved how tender and caring Christopher could be, and witnessing Kate slowly come out of her shell and learn to trust him with her body and emotions was truly heartwarming.

This book is perfect! It is unequivocally my favorite in the series! The representation of chronic illnesses such as migraines and mental health issues such as ADHD is also informative, helpful, and realistic.

I cannot wait to read the third book about Juliet, who may finally find her Romeo (fingers crossed for a non-tragic ending).

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this wonderful book's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

RATING: 4.5/5 STARS

BETTER HATE THAN NEVER is a modern retelling of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, but reinvents its source material as feminist, spicy fun. This is childhood enemies-to-lovers done so, so well. The transformation of Christopher and Kat's relationship from prickly and rife with misunderstandings to tender and caring is done so naturally. Chloe Liese includes thoughtful mental health and chronic illness representation in her books, and this one is no different. The glimpses of Bea and Jamie are also lovely; it's great to see them so happy! I hope that Jules gets her own book - this series has been a joy and I would love to see it continue. <3

CHLLOOOOOOOOOEE

Girly pop I will fight and die on any hill I need to be on for you. I am always sat with so many feelings once I've finished a read and once again, here I am.

Chloe is wonderful. I could close my eyes and point to any of her books and pick a great one. Better Hate than Never is another slight retelling with its own unique spin on The Taming of the Shrew but we feel all the good things this time around. Adored this. Jamie and Bea are cursing along with us but Kat and Christopher steal the show in book two. They grow up with a ton of animosity between the two of them but as Kat comes home for her latest return, she can't stand to look at Christopher and see judgement shining back at her in his eyes. She also gives his shit right back to him just as easily and he feeds off of it. They're a terrible pair but when it gets to be too much, maybe it's time to revisit the rivalry to see what's left under it all.

I'll just sit here and wait for her rightful rise to fame through tiktok because it is well deserved. Chloe Liese has been a favourite and go-to author for me for a while now and I think that you are being silly if you don't pick up one of her books as soon as possible.

This was a fun romance with neurodivergent characters, which I love. Normalizing differences - yay! The middle struggle went on a bit too long, but it was a good story with just enough angst.

The second installment in Chloe Liese’s Shakespeare-inspired Wilmot sisters series stars Katerina (Kate) and Christopher as the bantering, sword crossing pair from The Taming of the Shrew. Lots of fun references and Easter eggs here from the original play and its modern adaptations, including Kiss Me, Kate and 10 Things I Hate About You (there’s a paintball scene! IYKYK).

The trope where the hero is super mean to the heroine because he’s secretly in love with her is not my favorite. Christopher has legitimate reasons for keeping his distance and broodily pining. But he’s really a jerk to Kate and I didn’t love how easily he gets off the hook for it. There’s some good groveling involving baked goods and homemade pasta. But could we stop rewarding men for acting like little boys pulling girls’ pigtails because they can’t just admit they have feelings?

There’s some very charming banter though, and good demi representation. I was still rooting for this pair to make it in the end.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

Chloe Liese does it again with this slow-burn, enemies to lovers romance. As usual, the representation is thoughtful, deeply empathetic, and authentic as she creates three-dimensional characters that feel like they could be your best friends. Representation includes ADHD, chronic migraines, and demisexuality.