I absolutely adored this book and loved the premise of it and the dual perspectives. A cute romance full of laughs

I was absolutely enthralled in the premise of Hate Mail, it was such a unique storyline that I had never come across before. I loved Naomi and Luca's constant bickering over the years of staying pen-pals, you could just tell from the get-go that these two were meant to be in each other's lives. I figured out the plot twist, thankfully, a little sooner than the twist was revealed and although I didn't agree with some of the behaviour that made the plot twist, I could not put this book down. I read it in less than 24 hours and fell in love. I can't wait to see what else Donna has in store for us!

*I’d like to thank NetGalley, One More Chapter and Donna Marchetti for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
“Hate Mail” is the debut novel by Donna Marchetti and tells the story of Naomi and Luca. When Naomi was in 5th grade, she was assigned a penpal: Luca. After putting in her blood, sweat and tears into writing him her first letter, she is utterly disappointed when she receives his scribbled down note of insults. Having to have the last word, Naomi writes an even more vile letter as response and so their unusual penpalship starts.
Two decades later, Luca has stopped writing. And the moment Naomi is on the edge of letting the whole thing go, another letter flatters into her workplace. No address, no sender. But the all too familiar handwriting and rude comments do all the work. Luca is back and this time Naomi is set on finding her mysterious penpal. While juggling her job as a weather girl, dating her neighbor Jake and organizing her move to her new house, Naomi and her best friend travel through the US, trying to find Luca.
First and foremost, I have never come across a meet-cute like the one in “Hate Mail”. I was a bit unsure of the premise, but when I read the first few letters between Naomi and Luka (which were beautifully incorporated into the story, but more to that later), I instantly fell in love. In such a fun and unique concept of two people getting to know each other while writing hate filled letters. I loved the creativity of the insults and how some were taken more seriously than others.

I have to be very careful when talking about Naomi and Luca as a couple as I don’t want to spoil anything, but I will say that I overall loved their dynamic. Luca was the one who fell first and fell hard. It was adorable to see how his entire view of Naomi shifted once she became a real person to him and how charming he could be. I loved the way he remembered all the small things Naomi told him over the years and how he used them to bait her.
I did miss a teeny tiny bit of chemistry when they interacted in real life. The implied love triangle fell a little flat to me, though I loved Luca and Naomi’s bickering. Some of the details didn’t add up too much in my opinion. But Luca still makes a great book boyfriend.

What stood out the most to me was the way in which the story was told. Naomi’s POV told the story from the present, Luca’s POV is telling the story from the past moving towards Naomi’s present. Connecting both POVs, the letters are sprinkled in between beautifully showing how the relationship between Naomi and Luca grew over the years. It takes a bit getting used to, but then I really liked it. Especially, as it explains why Luca answered Naomi’s letter as he did, why he chose certain things in life and why he disappeared. That was my favorite thing about the book.

Initially, I thought the book would be a tad spicier than it turned out to be. But I don’t complain, spice isn’t that high up in my priorities anymore. I’d say the book is appropriate for teenagers 16+.

I wished the epilogue would have been longer. That’s my only real complaint, because I needed more of Naomi and Luca’s established relationship. I wished I could have read more of them after they got together and how their dynamic shifted/developed.

Overall, I have a fun and unique novel with a love story that is touching while entertaining throughout. I cried, I laughed and I sighed in relief. It’s a great debut and I’d recommend anyone to pick up Donna Marchett, because she will be up there with the big ones bringing us iconic rom coms that deserve any ounce of attention and recognition.

Naomi and Luca started out as pen-pals in elementary school and just never stopped writing to each other. That is, until life happened and they lost touch. This was such a fun book! I thought that the banter in their letters to each other was hilarious, cute, and flirty. I love how they were used as a tool to show us their history, explain the connection they had, and how their responses to each other evolved over the years. It’s something that other authors miss the mark on and I think that Donna Marchetti did a fabulous job! I really enjoyed this story and would highly recommend this book!

I really enjoyed this book. I was initially drawn to it by the cover and it did not disappoint. I liked the idea of the main characters being pen-pals since childhood. The way that Naomi and Luca went from rivals to lovers was super cute.

I highly recommend this book to everyone who loves a good romance. Thank you to NetGalley for giving me this e-arc.

Quick summary: Luca and Naomi have been writing each other letters since the 5th grade. At first glance these letters look downright mean but over time they turn into something a whole lot more.

After 2 years with no letters, Naomi gets a letter to her job from Luca which leads her to begin searching for a way to write him back - and maybe, to finally meet him. Turns out, Luca may be closer to her than she thinks.

My thoughts: I DEVOURED this book in one day. I had cried by chapter 9, squealed by chapter 18 and gasped by chapter 24.

Donna NAILS the penpal trope and masterfully weaves 2 povs into a perfect timeline of past and present without giving away too much, too soon. The story of Luca’s family was heartbreaking, yet beautiful and Penny? Jeeze.

Anne is hilarious and is a side character that really enriches the story and helps moves things along. I hope there’s a chance she gets her own book.

I felt like the end was a little rushed. From when we learn who Joel is to the end there are some pieces that I feel like I missed - like is there more to Caitlin’s story, and to Joel and Naomi talk? …. but I still got the ending I was hoping for and I’m thrilled about it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Actual rating: 3.5

I love stories that revolve around letters and this was a fun twist on that. I did feel that I had bigger hopes going into the story and felt that too much of it was obvious. It gave a lot of the story away, I could see exactly where it was going. That being said it was not a badly written story at all and I really liked how different each character was and how Naomi/Luca communicated in their letters.

I freakin loved this 🥹😂I expected cheesy & predictable (kinda was) but it was sooo funny & also made me shed some tears a couple times. Def recommend but will not tolerate any hate 🤣

Despite finishing this story several days ago, I've been putting off posting a review, because I'm somewhat conflicted. The premise of this story drew me in, because the concept of pen pals falling in love is downright adorable. Pair that with the enemies-to-lovers trope, you know that you're in for a wild ride!

Naomi was a relatable FMC. However, there were times during which I found her to be self-centered. It even seemed like at times, she took the banter a little too far.

Luca was an intriguing MMC. His sense of humor was evident even in his younger days, but as an adult, it made him even more endearing, despite his cryptic messages.

Now, I was hoping for the "Jake" plot twist since Naomi's first date with him, and it was pretty evident in the way that she described him. So, yes, I did see it coming from a mile away. But, it definitely didn't make the story any less enjoyable for me.

Now, here's the part that has me conflicted. Sure, what Luca (and his dad) did was less than ideal. He could've come clean and told her the truth a lot sooner than he did. He'd essentially manipulated Naomi into falling in love with him. However, given her reaction, his fears seemed almost warranted. See? Conflicted!

Regardless, this was an enjoyable read!

4.3 ⭐️

I heard so many great things about this book, and I jumped into it the minute that NetGalley sent me the acceptance! It was so much more than I even thought it would be. There were far too many times where I was laughing out loud, crying laughing, and then nearly crying. This is an amazing debut from Donna Marchetti! It was just magical, and I cannot wait to read more from her. Naomi and Luca "meet" as pen pals in the 5th grade. Luca thinks the assignment is dumb, so writes a mean letter to Naomi, and is shocked to learn that not only was she not detoured, but her wit and dark sense of humor might match his own. What entails is a unique relationship over time and letters. Just read this book if you are a fan of romantic comedies, complex characters, and want all the emotions!! Definitely one of my best reads of 2024 so far! Thank you so much to Donna Marchetti, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this e-arc!

Hate Mail is the story of Naomi and Luca, pen pals since the fifth grade, but it’s not as sweet as it sounds; their letters are full of insults and verbal jousting, constantly trying to one-up each other in their nastiness.

The story starts with Naomi having not heard from Luca for the past two years when a letter arrives at her news station from Luca but without a return address. And so begins Naomi’s hunt to find him. I loved almost all of this book, the letters were hilarious, and I loved the dual points of view, I even loved Naomi’s budding relationship with her new neighbour Jake. The only reason this isn’t a five-star review is because of the lies and omissions of truth; though these do get dealt with by the characters, it still felt icky and dishonest. However, there is anger, apologising and revenge which add up to a sweet, if slightly savage ending, which I did enjoy.

If you’re looking for a quick and light-hearted read with a little bit of spice - this is your book!

Fans of Ashley Poston and Emily Henry will enjoy this romance about two people who have been pen-pals since childhood and develop feelings for each other along the way. However, these letters are not your typical ones! This takes “hate mail” to a whole new level. They form a strange friendship by one upping each other with insults throughout the years via only snail mail. Once they become adults and are settling into their lives, something happens and the letters stop. That is until Naomi is working as meteorologist in Miami and gets fan mail from a very familiar person. Luca has reached out after a two year absence but doesn’t leave a return address with the challenge for Naomi to come and find him. This is where the adventure begins and Naomi wants to finally see if her feelings are real for Luca and if he feels the same way about her. So get ready for a fun and flirty romance with some shenanigans (adorable kittens, a crazy ex and a deaf dog to name a few) and enjoy the ride.

Thank you NetGalley, One More Chapter, and Harper Collin’s UK for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for the eARC!

My mind is blown away by this book. This is my adult favorite romance book so far this year and it has surpassed many other adult romance books I’ve read in recent years. I am seriously amazingly IMPRESSED by this book.

So, why? What Marchetti did here was create a romance novel that is unique and compelling and does NOT rely on tropes to move the story forward or to endear us to the characters. She gives us these raw and emotional moments that just steal our breath away and shock us and make us THINK. My mind was going back and forth the entire book trying to figure everything out and it almost felt like… like a bit of a mystery. And that was SO fun and enjoyable.

The concept is so fascinating and fun too. These two have been pen pals since childhood and they wrote hate letters back and forth. We see the past from Luka’s pov and the present from Naomi’s and then they coalesce near the end. And it’s just so beautifully written?? You could tell that Marchetti took her time and weaved this tale cautiously. She excelled in creating these narratives that supported one another wonderfully and made the reader assume things or question things. I am in awe.

Naomi was such an interesting FMC and what I think I enjoyed most about her was how normal she was. She wasn’t some quirky pixie girl. She wasn’t some eccentric intellectual. She was a girl who wanted to find happiness doing what she loved: being a meteorologist. And she was good at it. (I mean the letters were weird I guess but honestly that’s my kind of weird humor too so I loved it!) I really loved how relatable she was: from start to finish.

Luka…. Oh boy. The Luka chapters were so heart wrenching and I loved every single one. This boy is so special and I just wanted to give him all the hugs.

Also I LOVED Naomi’s friend, Anne. She was so extremely supportive and I liked that she fought to be in Naomi’s life. What I mean is that if Naomi was trying to keep a secret, Anne was like “girl, no, tell me and we will figure this out together.” But also she never forced things out - like she let her have her private life too. I just really loved the prominence of Anne in her life. We all need emotional support.

I don’t want to spoil anything major so no mentions of the plot twists! I gasped a lot though you guys…. A lot.

Overall, I will say again that I am thoroughly impressed by Marchetti here and will be keeping an eye on her. To do an adult romance debut so WELL is extraordinary. Hats off to you!

Pen pals gone wrong??
So what do you do when you’re assigned a pen pal for school and your friend convinces you to write back so he doesn’t feel left out from the school project??
You absolutely write back and set your life trajectory for the necmxt 20 years

This book felt like a rom com, i alwas get greatest feelng from watching the proposel or how to loose a guy in ten days and this book felt like on of these movies

AND IT WAS THE CUTEST THING EVER???
Luca was such a simp for Naomi it was a breath of fresh air from all the “touch her and you die” we get these days

And true to the rom com styles, it really had light hearted comedy that i loved

If you love
•pen pals
•secret identity
•enemies to lovers even though i think it was more strangers to lovers type of thing than the enemies one but i can understand where it was coming from
•weather gir
•he s a marine
•CUTE ANIMALS AS A BONUS??

Absolutely loved it

Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins uk for the ARC 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻

I really enjoyed this concept of the book the main character gets a pen pal who starts writing rude letters to her instead of getting upset she writes a hate letter back which then commences the sending and receiving of the hate mail. This builds their unusual friendship over the years from high school to adulthood.
Naomi was a very straightforward character and I enjoyed getting to know her passions and I also loved her best friend, their dynamic was very cuteeee.
I also symphasised with Lucawhen he was going through stuff but found him to be a little annoying
Overall I really liked this book and found it to be an interesting romance.
Thank you netgallery.co.uk for letting me review this book

3.5 rounded up - thank you so much to Netgalley, Donna Marchetti, and Harper Collins for the e-arc. All reviews are my own & left voluntarily.

Hate Mail was such a fun and fast read! I really liked the chemistry between the FMC & MMC.

I did think the letters were a little over the top at times, but given the ages they were - it made sense.

The “climax” was a little dramatic lol, but overall this was a good read!

Thank you NetGalley for the E-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a cute, fun read that had me laughing, swooning and nearly crying while I was reading it. I really enjoyed the dual timeline and how Naomi and Luka’s story is told. Sometimes it felt a bit jarring jumping from Naomi travelling to different states looking for any clue she can find of Luka, and then in Luka’s POV telling an absolutely gut-wrenching story. But still really enjoyed this story and looking forward to reading more from this author!

Okay....this book really tickled my fancy. It was so stinking cute. The evolution of the letters as well as the jumps from the past to the present were all just wonderful little touches that really made this so enjoyable. I don't even know if I could all this enemies to lovers, because we all know that they weren't being mean to each other because they actually hated one another. While I absolutely adored this book, I will say that I wasn't a major fan of the act 3 conflict. I won't lie, I kind of saw it coming (but wondered how it would actually be pulled off), but the way that it ended up going down and then the eventual resolution just felt a bit rushed? I don't even know if that's the right word. This is a me issue though cause I usually find myself getting the that sense of "meh" from miscommunication in books. I will say though, that was the ONLY thing that I wasn't a fan of. Overall though, loved this book and definitely recommend this to everyone. Big thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review

I really wanted to like this book but unforunately this fell really flat for me. I don't know how else to describe the writing style other than clunky, there was just no smooth flow and it was a lot of telling not showing if that makes sense. I also sensed the twist almost immediately which kinda let me down. Also the letters weren't even like funny mean they were just downrigth CRUEL like they were talking about each other getting murdered all the time

"Hate Mail" by Donna Marchetti is a charming and witty tale of pen-pal rivals turned unlikely friends, filled with humor, heart, and unexpected twists.

Naomi and Luca's correspondence begins in fifth grade as a battle of insults and snarky remarks, but over the years, their exchanges evolve into a unique friendship that spans coasts and decades. Marchetti expertly captures the dynamic between Naomi and Luca, infusing their letters with sharp wit, playful banter, and underlying warmth.

The novel takes an intriguing turn when Naomi suddenly stops receiving letters from Luca, leaving her puzzled and longing for closure. When a new envelope arrives out of the blue, Naomi is determined to reconnect with her pen-pal and unravel the mystery behind their sudden silence.

Marchetti's storytelling is engaging and fast-paced, with each chapter unfolding new layers of Naomi and Luca's relationship. From their childhood antics to their adult lives, the characters are vividly depicted, each with their quirks and vulnerabilities. Readers will find themselves rooting for Naomi as she navigates the ups and downs of friendship, love, and self-discovery.

One of the novel's strengths lies in its exploration of the power of words and the transformative nature of human connection. Through Naomi and Luca's letters, Marchetti highlights the cathartic release of expressing oneself honestly, even in the midst of playful rivalry. Their correspondence serves as a poignant reminder of the impact we can have on each other's lives, even from a distance.

While "Hate Mail" is a lighthearted and humorous read, it also delves into deeper themes of forgiveness, redemption, and the importance of communication in maintaining meaningful relationships. Marchetti strikes a perfect balance between humor and heartfelt moments, keeping readers entertained while also tugging at their heartstrings.

In conclusion, "Hate Mail" is a delightful and uplifting novel that will leave readers with a smile on their faces and warmth in their hearts. Donna Marchetti's witty dialogue, engaging characters, and touching storyline make this book a must-read for fans of contemporary fiction and romantic comedies alike.Title: Hate Mail

Author: Donna Marchetti

Rating: 4/5

"Hate Mail" by Donna Marchetti is a charming and witty tale of pen-pal rivals turned unlikely friends, filled with humor, heart, and unexpected twists.

Naomi and Luca's correspondence begins in fifth grade as a battle of insults and snarky remarks, but over the years, their exchanges evolve into a unique friendship that spans coasts and decades. Marchetti expertly captures the dynamic between Naomi and Luca, infusing their letters with sharp wit, playful banter, and underlying warmth.

The novel takes an intriguing turn when Naomi suddenly stops receiving letters from Luca, leaving her puzzled and longing for closure. When a new envelope arrives out of the blue, Naomi is determined to reconnect with her pen-pal and unravel the mystery behind their sudden silence.

Marchetti's storytelling is engaging and fast-paced, with each chapter unfolding new layers of Naomi and Luca's relationship. From their childhood antics to their adult lives, the characters are vividly depicted, each with their quirks and vulnerabilities. Readers will find themselves rooting for Naomi as she navigates the ups and downs of friendship, love, and self-discovery.

One of the novel's strengths lies in its exploration of the power of words and the transformative nature of human connection. Through Naomi and Luca's letters, Marchetti highlights the cathartic release of expressing oneself honestly, even in the midst of playful rivalry. Their correspondence serves as a poignant reminder of the impact we can have on each other's lives, even from a distance.

While "Hate Mail" is a lighthearted and humorous read, it also delves into deeper themes of forgiveness, redemption, and the importance of communication in maintaining meaningful relationships. Marchetti strikes a perfect balance between humor and heartfelt moments, keeping readers entertained while also tugging at their heartstrings.

In conclusion, "Hate Mail" is a delightful and uplifting novel that will leave readers with a smile on their faces and warmth in their hearts. Donna Marchetti's witty dialogue, engaging characters, and touching storyline make this book a must-read for fans of contemporary fiction and romantic comedies alike.