Different, fun story and plot that just took too long to get to the point... 2.5 stars for the audio, 3 stars for the story.

For the most part, the things I struggled with were:
- pace (it only got interesting about 80% of the way through)
- the friction/drama was very repetitive and got old quickly
- the emotional part of this story felt very disconnected from the main character, Brynn, and the person we were introduced to (although her emotional growth was great, it was just hard to separate the very off-putting woman from the beginning of the story to the emotionally well-adjusted woman at the end)
- I didn't even care when the characters kissed for the first time (at the... 73% mark?)
- both MCs had trauma in their pasts, but I don't feel like it brought them together

In general, this was a cute story about a former field reporter and a morning reporter. This is marketed as a grumpy/sunshine, but really they're both kind of grumpy/grumpy (at least towards each other?). I loved the small town and how they showed up and forgave Brynn throughout the story. There were a lot of fun side characters, but there seemed to be unnecessary drama or information about people who had no impact on the story or the direction the story took.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced listener copy of this audiobook. These are my honest thoughts.

Thanks to NetGalley for audiobook of Brynn and Sebastian. The narrator was great, I really enjoyed listening and thought that Adelaide Springs came to life. I immediately liked Sebastian and think Brynn's character was written well as she was pretty dreadful at the start. I liked both Brynn and Sebastian's back stories and the supporting characters were well-rounded. An enjoyable listen. Looking forward to Cole and Laila's story.

I generally like a grumpy sunshine trope, and especially one that has the guy as the sunshine since it is so rae - but it was SO difficult to like Brynn the first 1/2 of this book. She did eventually turn it around, but her really bad behavior and self-centered attitude stuck in my head and made it hard for me to believe that Sebastian could grow so fond of her so quickly. Overall wish we saw something a little more to like about Brynn (since we do actually get to see inside her head). Her trauma from her mom and treatment by network execs didn't give her justification to be plain rude.

Enjoyed the small town and all of the quirky characters generally and I liked how the book wrapped up. So if you are a fan of small-town romance and life transformations, this may still be the book for you.

The fmc is going to have you banging your head on your desk, wondering how the mmc is ever going to fall for her…. And then probably 50-60% in, you get it. Trust me. Grumpy-Sunshine is the usual trope but to be honest this story read more grump v grump… and I loved it.

Brynn returns home after her fumble on air to show the world she didn’t mean what she said. Because if her hometown can forgive her then why can’t everyone who watches the show? Sebastian sees right through her act of making nice though. Brynn works so hard to win Sebastian over once she figures out he was the one who was still didn’t believe she was sorry for what she said (she wasn’t, she was sorry she got caught.) In the end, he just wanted to meet the real Brynn that everyone else in town was seeing bloom again. Brynn turned out to be kind of great. I was smiling so big by the end. I felt like we got to meet Brynn with Sebastian as the story progressed. Brynn was able to work through her grumpiness and find the root cause of her unhappiness. (Vague, I know, but spoilers.) While doing so, she also helped Sebastian work through his PTSD and anxiety, as well. He was able to rediscover his passion and drive in journaling.

Overall, this was a very cute story. Even if Brynn made me want to pull my hair out at first. If you’re looking for a light hearted, easy read, definitely check out Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other!

This book focuses on Brynn, a morning talk show host who accidentally says some hateful things about her hometown on the air. To recover her image, she's sent home for the first time since leaving it to win the town back over. Sebastian is nominated to take her around and her guide for the week.
This was a cute story. The main characters were well matched and their interactions were cute. Them falling in love was maybe a little rushed (the whole book took place over the course of a week), but the secondary characters were lovable and made up for it. The last 25% or so of the book were my favorite but I did enjoy this one. 3.5 Stars

I really liked the premise of the book, but ultimately it didn't deliver.
Most problematic is that the romance only picks up at the 80% mark, with the characters waxing poetic about the attractiveness of the other but nothing much else happens. The couple goes from not liking each other to being civil, which I liked because they behaved like grown ups but at the same time it was boring because the author didn't care to add any tension.
We mostly learn about sebastian's and Brynn's shifty childhood and that's it.
Brynn doesn't really do anything in her hometown except talk to people she once knew and insulted when the set up would have been perfect for Brynn to go on activities around town and interact with locals, be an actual reporter like the description of the book let's you to belive, but this never happens. Also the town reenactment days everyone kept talking about just fell flat in the end.

The narrator does a great job bringing the story to live and I really enjoyed her voice.

This was an okay read. It had a slow start. The main characters didn't even meet until over 20% in and barely interacted until halfway through.

But the style and prose was easy to take in, although, I did get a little bored in the first half. It wasn't until the romance kicked in that it held my interest more.

It had a heartfelt end and a good character arc though. That's why I'm giving it a three star rating.

I enjoyed a whole lot about this book
- enemies to lovers (my favorite trope)
- witty banter - so witty, these two are smart
- hometown return
- mental health representation
- small town romance (Adelaide Springs, Colorado sounds just delightful)
- multiple references to Saved By The Bell - the characters are not in their twenties so it even fits with the story …
- my favorite Dolly Parton song Nine to Five is performed at karaoke
- the mountains and mountain air, I felt transported
- great food is referenced - I want all those breakfasts
This book was a joy to read and listen to, Talon David’s narration was flawless and added to the atmosphere, a fabulous palate cleanser with an ending that tugged at my heartstrings!

When I started listening to this book, I didn't like either of the main characters. Brynn was snarky and entitled and seemed to have no respect for others. Sebastian was a professional objector who disliked Brynn without meeting her (for obvious reasons).

When the two of them got together, it was hate at first sight. But...

Both characters had to learn to look beyond the surface of what the other presented.

Throughout the novel, Brynn and Sebastian have to come to terms with their pasts as they learn to treat each other with grace.

Some parts of this book were laugh-out-loud funny, yet others were introspective or sweet.

Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other is an endearing story about a woman who returns to her hometown and discovers truths about herself that were previously hidden.

I listened to the audiobook version of this book and enjoyed Talon David's performance.

I received an advanced reader's copy from the publisher; a positive review was not required.

I wanted so desperatley to like this one, unfortunately brynn was just not my favorite character, I found her dislikable and dreaded her POV chapters. Although we did see character development it did feel a little slow.

Just as she reaches the top, she makes makes a comment that catapults her right back down to the bottom. As a disgraced reporter, Brynn is forced to return to her hometown that she publicly humiliated to earn their forgiveness.

Sebastian is a man on the run from his past in the spotlight. He is more of a recluse now and is forced to “babysit” the reporter that is here to grovel.

Both are running from uncomfortable things. Both have tried to change who they are to rid themselves of the past. As they spend more time with each other, the past becomes less of an issue and feelings become more entangled.

I loved the sweetness of the story! There is minimal drama (which I appreciated) and Brynn and Sebastian were just adorable! I loved the honesty and realness of the story. Both had pasts they had to come to terms with and both have made their lives better in spite of past decisions! Just lovely!

This book hooked me in from the very beginning! It was funny, relatable, and heartwarming. The narrator was also fantastic! I wish there would have been an additional narrator for Sebastian’s chapters. I also think there was a lot of build up for Brynn’s reintegration into Adelaide Springs, but her reunions with her friends and community kind of fell short for me. I wish we got more details on that front, but overall I enjoyed the characters, the banter, and the setting. Makes me want a mountain getaway!

This is a fun read with a dry sense of humor and sweet romance. Brynn's character growth over the course of the story, as she (repeatedly) attempts to extricate her foot from her mouth gives the story substance. Recommended for fans of inspirational romance. The audiobook narrator does an admirable job of giving voice to the story, including good comedic timing in the delivery.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson for providing a complimentary copy of the the audiobook via NetGalley for review purposes.

3.5 stars

This is a small town, enemies-to-lovers romance, following a talk show anchor trying to make peace with her past. I thought it was pretty well paced and had some fun side characters that I wouldn't mind learning more about.

Brynn is used to bottling her feelings and pasting on a smile for the camera and her coworkers. Outwardly, she appears friendly and accommodating, but inside she's sick of being fake. I understood that and didn't begrudge her feelings toward the town she was raised in, but she kept making assumptions that made her seem awful and I thought her characterization was skewed a bit too far into being a jerk.

Sebastian was easier to like, he loves the town and is trying to be practical about what they can do to bring in money. He had some funny moments, like his karaoke with the PTA ladies, and I thought his mental health struggles were realistic.

I enjoyed listening to this one and wish I could check out this cute town!

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Audio and NetGalley for the copy.

I was first drawn to this book by the cover. I just love the colors used and the animation with the pup and the mountains in the background. This book delivers on the enemies to lovers trope, but I felt like overall it was just a decent average romance. My favorite parts were all of the pop culture references (like One Direction) and that both characters had backgrounds in journalism. The writing style was good with lots of punchy quick dialogue, and since I listened to the audiobook, I enjoyed the narrator's voice acting.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

I really wanted to enjoy this book more. I typically love a good grumpy x sunshine trope - this one just fell a bit flat for me. Sebastian was a great character and I really liked the grump, but he wasn't the only one who didn't like Brynn. While it all worked out in the end - it felt rushed and a bit forced. Overall it was a cute read, but not one I would pick up again.

I really enjoyed this book! Brynn and Sebastian’s rivals to lovers arc was so fun - the banter was great and their coming together was so sweet. It was really nice to see them work through their personal traumas throughout the book while simultaneously watching them fall in love. I also loved the setting! Adelaide Springs was super cute with fun, charming locals. I also really enjoyed the third person POV with both perspectives. Specifically with the audiobook, the narrator did a fantastic job! I love how she actually sounded like a news anchor - fit perfectly with Brynn and her career. Overall I thought this was a fun read and would definitely recommend!

Up and coming news anchor Brynn is about to lose her job for an on air comment about her hometown. In hopes to save her image and win her viewers back , she flies home for damage control and hopefully catch it on film.
Brynn is unlikeable, fake, business/career focused, and willing to say whatever she needs to in order to keep her job. Sebastian is the perfect man everyone loves instantly. I instantly liked him. I wanted more.
I do wish to have 1st person point of view from both characters if it’s going to jump back and forth. I thought that was different and would like to know why the choice in that decision.
Unlike the stereotypical enemies to lovers where we have to grow to like the male character, we have to grow to like Brynn. Unfortunately I just never did. I loved Sebastian but found Brynn to be so self centered and hard to like. The author did a great job on building an unlikable character but I felt like the ending was rushed where everything happened quickly and I never had the chance to enjoy the changes in Brynn to make her a likable person or to see what Sebastian actually liked. Overall it was a cute story. I would rate it 3.4-3.5

Thank you to NetGalley, Bethany Turner and Thomas Nelson for an audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Brynn and Seb, oh how you made my heart squeal!!! I am an enemies to lovers fan through and through and this was perfect! I connected with Brynn on so many levels. I blew out of my small town and said I was NEVER coming back too! And then ended up owning a business there 6 years later! Anyways, Brynn messed up big time, not knowing the camera was live she told the entire country what she truly thought of her small town, and its people. Seb as an outsider but now member of the community is put in charge of Brynn when she comes back to apologize for what she said on National tv. I loved their banter back and forth. The love her community showed her when growing up steadily reminds her of what she left behind. Now she must choose if she wants to let that back into her broken heart.

This was a super cute enemies to lovers/ small town romantic comedy! I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator did a great job. Laughed out loud a bunch and enjoyed the book!