The Hating Game REVIEW

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Amazon.co.uk: http://amzn.to/hNBkJk

Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/hX2ieD

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Coming soon in paperback. Keep up with the latest at www.talliroland.com.

Talli invited me to read an ARC of The Hating Game. While Chick Lit is not the genre I read most often (since I seem to spend the majority of my time reading YA Paranormal), I love Talli’s blog writing style and I also enjoyed the way 24 Hours Paris (under her real name, Marsha Moore) was written. She’s got a keen sense of humor, which I was sure would shine through in her book.

Here’s Amazon’s DESCRIPTION:

When man-eater Mattie Johns agrees to star on a dating game show to save her ailing recruitment business, she's confident she'll sail through to the end without letting down the perma-guard she's perfected from years of her love 'em and leave 'em dating strategy.

After all, what can go wrong with dating a few losers and hanging out long enough to pick up a juicy £200,000 prize? Plenty, Mattie discovers, when it's revealed that the contestants are four of her very unhappy exes.

Can Mattie confront her past to get the prize money she so desperately needs, or will her exes finally wreak their long-awaited revenge? And what about the ambitious TV producer whose career depends on stopping her from making it to the end?

My review:

The first line hooked me:

“‘IF I GET PNEUMONIA, HE’S GOING to pay,’ Mattie Johns muttered as she gripped the chains of the dunk- tank swing and looked down into the murky water.”

I laughed from the first scene. The story unfolds seamlessly. When I began the book, it was a busy time for me but I made time to read. I finished it in four days.

At first I found Mattie unlikeable. But even in the beginning, I could detect her vulnerability within her uncompromising exterior. This is a woman who wants to be in control, so it’s interesting to see how she grows as her life becomes more and more out of her control.

Every character has depth in this story, which is a feat because there are quite a few important characters. Too many books have a friend who is little more than a sidekick, only existing to provide humor. I liked the best friend and learned much about the main character through her. The ex/love interest isn’t too domineering or too wimpy. I found myself rooting for him early on, even when Mattie seemed to have good reasons to stay away.

Clever premise. Reality TV with all the behind the scenes backstabbing exists in spades. I had a hard time putting the book down, wondering what would happen next. No predictability here.

This book is appealing to read and would make a great film. I could see the movie version clearly - probably because much of the time the reality television show is filming. And if this becomes a movie, I will definitely see it.

Here’s Amazon’s About the Author:

Talli Roland has three loves in her life: rom coms, coffee and chocolate. Born and raised in Canada, Talli now lives in London, where she savours the great cultural life (coffee and chocolate). Despite training as a journalist, Talli soon found she preferred making up her own stories -- complete with happy endings.

P.S. I thought “rom coms” were some sort of British dessert, but then I thought about it. Duh – romantic comedies! That’s probably why I enjoyed her book so much – it read like a romantic comedy. With a reality TV twist!

P.P.S. Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah. If you celebrate, Happy Hanukkah! This is the best Hanukkah book, ever:

The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming: A Christmas Story by Lemony Snicket.