This book ended up being much more than I expected, and I'll probably be processing it and thinking about it for a while. 'Enemies to lovers' isn't strictly accurate, but there's definitely that energy. For the first third of the novel, Maddie's grief manifests as a LOT of anger, much of it directed towards Dom, her late brother's best friend and her travel buddy on their post-mortem pilgrimage to visit 8 states that Josh never managed to get to before his death. Maddie and Dom have history, the kind that resulted in her moving across the country and not speaking to Dom for 7 years. But Maddie is desperate for more pieces of her beloved brother, and so she reluctantly goes along with Josh's last wishes, meeting up with Dom at the coordinates on Josh's letters, following Josh's instructions to her and Dom, and scattering some of Josh's ashes: saying goodbye over and over again. At the same time, Maddie is struggling both in her feelings for Dom, and how to process her grief for Josh - both of which are complicated by the abandonment issues instilled in her by her upbringing.

The emotions the author manages to convey are visceral, and it's heavy going at times, but the warmth and wit and snarky banter keeps it from being too much, and the whole effect is a story and characters I was really invested in til the end. I also loved that Josh - despite being gone - was brought to life through the remembrances of his friends and family. And while the central love story was great, I also appreciated that Maddie got to do the work she needed on herself, so that the HEA felt solid.

A worthwhile read, highly recommended.

4.5 stars!

PS: I Hate You by Lauren Connolly is a deeply emotional and engaging contemporary romance that explores the complexities of grief, second chances, and healing. The story follows Maddie Sanderson, who, after the death of her brother Josh from cancer, is tasked with scattering his ashes across eight destinations he never had the chance to visit. The catch? Josh’s will specifies that Maddie must complete this mission with Dominic Perry, Josh's lifelong best friend—and the man who once broke Maddie’s heart.

At the beginning of the book, Maddie and Dom have a tense and strained relationship. They were once close friends, but their bond was shattered after a one-night stand, leaving them essentially strangers. Maddie is furious that Josh has seemingly orchestrated their reunion from beyond the grave, but as they travel together, revisiting their painful history and facing their grief, Maddie and Dom begin to heal old wounds and discover new depths to their connection.

The beauty of PS: I Hate You lies in the gradual, natural development of the relationship between Maddie and Dom. The book employs time skips, with the characters meeting every few months to follow Josh’s instructions, allowing their emotional journeys to unfold in a way that feels real and poignant. This structure also gives ample space for Maddie and Dom to evolve individually, making their eventual reconciliation all the more satisfying.

Josh, though gone, remains a central figure in the story. His memory is kept alive through the letters he left behind for Maddie and Dom to find, each one unveiling a new chapter in their journey. His presence is felt throughout the book, and the nostalgia and reflection he brings offers both heartache and comfort, grounding the characters in their shared history and love for him.

The book poignantly addresses themes of loss, healing, and the messy realities of love. It underscores the complexity of grief—not just for the person we lose but also for the relationships that come with it. Maddie and Dom’s evolving dynamic, set against the backdrop of their brother’s wishes, is compelling, emotional, and beautifully paced.

PS: I Hate You is a wonderfully written exploration of love, loss, and the healing power of second chances. With its heartfelt prose, well-drawn characters, and emotional depth, Lauren Connolly delivers a touching and memorable story that will resonate with anyone who’s ever had to navigate grief or find their way back to someone they once loved.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

[Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. This is my honest opinion but just one opinion, you should read it and judge it by yourself]

I fell in love with this story! It's been a great journey with Maddie and Dom, one of discovering, grief and love. I had trouble connecting with Maddie at the begining of the story, she seemed very surly and I thought she was going to ruin the book to me. I was wrong and I'm very happy for it. Her sentimental journey was very moving and I found myself unable to stop thinking about it. Also Dom is truly dreamy and their sex scenes are very very hot, I couldn't ask for more!
A great book

A novel that made me smile, root for the characters, and moved me to tears.
It starts strong and the first part is poignant and very moving, the rest of the story is on a lighter tone even if the change was a bit abrupt.
I appreciated the path to healing of Maddie
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Maddie recently lost her brother to cancer and discovers at the funeral that he has left her a series of tasks to fulfil with his best friend. Unfortunately, Maddie can't stand Dom.

I laughed and got teary eyed while reading about Maddie and Dom travelling across the country to fulfill Josh's wishes.

It's strange to love a book about grief, but the author did such a great job showing how complex grief can be, while throwing some humor in between so many touching scenes.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.25 stars!

🌈 Second Chance Romance
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Lauren Connolly’s P.S I Hate You is a heartfelt and steamy contemporary romance that masterfully blends themes of grief, love, and redemption.

The story follows Maddie, a sharp-witted and nerdy heroine, as she grapples with the devastating loss of her brother, Josh, after his year-long battle with cancer. Complicating matters is Dominic Perry—her ex-boyfriend and Josh’s best friend—who resurfaces in her life at Josh’s funeral with an unexpected request from beyond the grave.

Maddie’s character immediately pulls you in with her offbeat humor and snark, masking the depth of her pain and resentment. Her vulnerability is juxtaposed with her resilience, making her an endearing and relatable protagonist. Dom, on the other hand, is a revelation. Initially, I was skeptical of his character, given his past mistake of breaking Maddie’s heart after a one-night stand when she was just 19. However, as the story unfolds, Dom’s genuine care, protectiveness, and deep capacity for love shine through, transforming him into a swoon-worthy hero.

The narrative takes an emotional turn when Josh’s posthumous letter asks Maddie and Dom to travel together across the country to scatter his ashes. This journey is as much about honoring Josh’s last wish as it is about healing old wounds and rediscovering love. The depth of Josh’s gift—to unite the two of the people he cherished most—is incredibly poignant and moving. It’s impossible not to shed a tear as the story navigates their shared grief and rekindled connection.

Connolly’s supporting characters, though not as fully fleshed out, add charm and depth to the story. Tula and Jeremy are fantastic friends who deserved more page time, while Dom’s brothers, particularly Adam, provide much-needed comic relief. These characters enrich the narrative without detracting from its core focus on Maddie and Dom’s evolving relationship.


What sets P.S I Hate You apart is its raw, emotional exploration of friendship, loss, and love. It’s a story about being brave enough to embrace vulnerability and strength, even in the face of heartbreak. The balance between the steamy romance and the tender emotional beats is expertly handled, making this a five-star read.

If you’re looking for a contemporary romance that will make you laugh, cry, and believe in second chances, PSIHU is a must-read. It’s one of my favorite recent romances and one I’ll be recommending to friends for a long time.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and Quercus Books. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

PS: I Hate You was one of the most heartfelt, tear-jerking yet humorous book I have read in a long time. I felt that, on occasion, the plot would become repetitive and, instead, I would have loved for that space to have been filled with a better insight into Maddie and Josh’s past. I enjoyed the asthma representation, that often undermined in literature, and thought the journeys of grief were successfully acknowledged. It should also be mentioned that the plot can be cliche at times, however, the author was able to poke fun at her own stereotypes. Overall, I had a fun time reading this book but it could definitely have been cut shorter. I actually felt as though the small plot twist at the end was unnecessary as the camaraderie was beautifully displayed without it.

When I say this is one of the best book I've ever read , I mean it and I don't mean it lightly, this book was a whirlwind of emotions in the best way! it has me laughing out loud , crying well sobbing and even squealing with joy and excitement. I couldn't put it down, I was hooked from the first page. you truly feel connected to the character's feeling/emotions as well as staring to love each one as you make your way through the journey .Maddie Sanderson left with her brothers dying wish to scatter his ashes in 8 destination that he didn't get to visit before he died , in joshes will he states his best friend Dominic perry is to help her fulfil his last wish . Dom is the last person Maddie want to do anything with after he broke a teenage Maddie's heart that not healed , but with Dom being persistent and josh leaving it to them both, Maddie cant argue this . Taking on this final goodbye they undertake this journey and travel miles and explore beautiful places , revisiting and revealing their past , things change between them after a shown storm leads to them having to share a bed but will Maddie be able to let Dom in again and trust him ?

thankyou for allowing me to read this beautiful book ,I 100% recommend this book to anyone and everyone you definitely will not regret it , it truly is amazing and fantastically written!

As a reviewer for NetGalley, I had the opportunity to read and review 'Ps I Hate You' by Lauren Connolly, and it was a truly captivating read.

The characters are well-developed and relatable, making it easy to become invested in their journey. Connolly's writing style is engaging, with a perfect balance of heart-wrenching moments and uplifting resolutions. The themes of love, loss, and redemption are beautifully woven into the narrative, leaving a lasting impact on the reader.

Overall, 'Ps I Hate You' is a poignant and moving story that will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled with forgiveness and letting go of past hurts. I highly recommend it to fans of contemporary fiction looking for a heartfelt and compelling read.

When Josh passes away, he leaves his sister Maddie and best friend, Dominic, with a series of tasks in various cities where he wants them to spread his ashes.

This is the second book I've read that featured an immature main character. Dominic was such a sweetheart for putting up with Maddie the way he did! That aside though, this was a sweet story with a ton of emotion. I loved travelling with the characters on their mini trips and hearing what Josh had to say in his letter at each location. I wasn't expecting that little twist at the end either!

Hands down, one of the best books I've read in 2024. I'd binged this author's other contemporary books earlier this year, but PS. I Hate You was absolutely a step up. It delivered on the tension, that slow simmering burn, combined with the angsty treasure hunt-style trip around the states. I adored this book, and it's definitely one I'll be buying in paperback and rereading. Highly recommend!

This is exactly what i wanted in a romance book. Lauren did such a good job making this story and characters feel really realistic. i’m not normally a person who likes the miscommunication trope but in this book it, is part of what made it so realistic

Thanks to both PRHInternational and Quercus Fiction for the chance to read this amazing book.

What a wild and emotional ride.
I had a quite peculiar relationship with this book.
I totally admire Lauren for creating such complex characters, always true to their nature and their past background.
Initially I had a rough time to grow accustomed to Maddie's resentment towards Dominic. Being in her head, surrounded by so much anger was a little bit destabilizing. I admit I really struggled with her point of view, especially because Dom was always kind to her, even when she was mean to him. And that happened a lot in the first part of the book. It was tough, even if I understood that a part of that rage came from her grief, and the other one derived from what happened in the past between them. And then, it happened: piece by piece, Lauren unveiled all Maddie's frailties and all started to make sense. I began to understand that her anger hid the hurt of being rejected her whole life, plus the fear to be left alone again. This led to the need to create a thick armor around herself, leaving (almost) everyone at arm length. So, she isn't the most "easy" character to deal with, but at the same time this is what makes her so human I just wanted to hug her. One of my favorite moments in the book is when Maddie says to the twins: "Thank you for not giving up on me".
Then there's Dom. I really loved him since the very beginning and I appreciated every single gesture or decision he made. I loved the steady man he is, the point of reference he became for his brothers, and how he decided to fight for Maddie no matter what, because the majority of people would have stopped way before. At the same time he has his own vulnerabilities, carrying too many responsibilities on his shoulders since he was little and caring a lot about everyone he loves. This translated in a sense of duty that sometimes had overpowered his own needs and desires; it made me sad, because he suppressed his own voice in favor of "doing the right thing", not communicating enough to make people wholly see that. Maddie understood it more than everyone, but she too needed something to add to have the entire picture.
Then, we have Josh through the memories of his sister, Dom, Rosaline and his letters; and the more I read, the more I felt his absence, and that broke my heart too. I waited every letter with growing expectation and a mixture of joy and sadness, and I adored how Lauren gave him a proper "end", that at the same time is all but a closure.
I think that, in its straightforwardness, the thing that surprised me the most about this book was how every piece clicked perfectly together (plot elements and twists, character's inner motivations, struggles and maturation). You just look back at the end of the book and say "that's it, perfect".

So, "PS: I hate you" it's not an easy book, but it's one of those novels that are worth reading.
Be prepared for an inner journey that would bring you around a good amount of peculiar places and, I'm sure, will stir your emotions. You just need to wait and see.

Thank you NetGalley and Quercus Books for the arc of PS: I Hate You I love this book now preorder it first part of the book hurt hard it’s about grief, we follow the story of Maddie and Don they go to different cities to shatter Maddie’s brother Josh ashes and when they are different places they read a letter from him they are different letters they can only open it when they are at the destination at the beginning Maddie and Don where enemies when become lovers later on they fought though challenges to get the lovers and more if you cry laugh comedy emotional when you will love this too it was a 5 star read for me

Oooof. This book unexpectedly dragged me in and then spat me out mere hours later slightly wrecked and tear-sodden. I don't cry at books, I just don't, but there I was, welling up on the regular at this visceral depiction of grief and found family and second chances. I felt deeply for Maddie from the start: her sharp sense of humour really resonated with me, and her complicated emotions are so well teased out, especially her love for her brother up against her resentment of his best friend. While past events are an important part of her present-day journey (both literal and metaphorical), I liked that flashbacks are used sparingly because they don't take attention away from the main story and the delicate relationship between Maddie and Dom - and also Josh, because he might be dead but we get a very strong idea of him through his letters and the people whose lives he touched. Suffice to say that this book is going to stay with me for a long time, and it's definitely going on the re-read shelf. Maybe I can get through it with dry eyes next time, although I doubt it.

To say you enjoy a book that is about grief sounds strange but this is the case.
Maddie has recently lost the brother to cancer. She discovers at the funeral that he has left her a series of tasks to fulfil with his best friend.. The only drawback is that Maddie can't stand Dom.
The book covers a 2 year period as she and Dom criss cross the country following Josh's wishes and repairing their own relationship.

A sensitive depiction of grief and what makes a family.

This book has all emotions within it and written in such a palliative way. A good storyline with love and sadness at the forefront. It had me hooked from start to finish.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

A book that show the multifaceted ways grief can affect and effect you life and reactions. This resonated with me however I did struggle to warm to the fmc, and it took at least 75% of the book before I found myself warming to the idea of a connection between the couple.

A fun romcom for a palette cleaner read.

Full review coming soon on here, goodreads and Instagram soon.

The premises of this book were interesting and I hoped in a good story, but the female main character was so annoying and immature that I didn't enjoy the story at all.