Wednesday, December 1, 2010

The Hating Game REVIEW




Help Talli Roland's debut novel THE HATING GAME hit the Kindle bestseller list at Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk by spreading the word today. Even a few sales in a short period of time on Amazon helps push the book up the rankings, making it more visible to other readers.


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

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


No Kindle? Download a free app at Amazon for Mac, iPhone, PC, Android and more.


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.


33 comments:

  1. So exciting to see Talli everywhere today! I started reading last night & I'm enjoying the book a lot!! :)

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  2. That's great you got an ARC! I just checked, and Talli's book is at #460 USA Amazon and #27 UK Amazon. Wow!

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  3. Hooray for Talli's book! Thanks for the review -- I bought the e-book and can't wait to read!

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  4. yay! i tweeted earlier for her. thanks for not only the summary but the review! awesome! christy

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  5. WOW! I love your review. I already bought mine today but I am going to read it come January! SO excited

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  6. Once the hardcover version of The Hating Game comes out, I'll be reading it! I love a good rom-com. All the best for Talli!

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  7. Great review! I can't wait to read Talli's book. I'll have to wait for the paper version though...

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  8. I swear I thought I commented here...but that's been my week!

    I read your review on amazon.com this afternoon and, having finally downloaded the pc app for kindle, I ordered the book. It may be a while before I get to read it.

    BTW, your review was really great!

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  9. Great review, Theresa, I bought the download yesterday and I am enjoying it already. I love the humour in it alreay, a film version, yes please.

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  10. Yay! Thank you so much, Theresa, for all your help and support along the way! :) I really appreciate it. Yesterday was thrilling and I was so happy to have your support.

    Thanks, also, for taking the time to read and review my novel. I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

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  11. Yay for Talli!!!!! And thanks for the review, Theresa! Brilliant! Take care
    x

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  12. Hi Theresa .. so good to read your review of the book .. and it does sound like a really good read .. I shall be buying it soon.

    Talli's done a really good getting us all involved - now we know what we can do .. as we each publish (mine a long way off) .. but happy to support others ..

    Have fun .. Hilary

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  13. Great review Theresa.

    I'm so excited for Talli. Yesterday went so well for her.

    I started reading it last night, and so far I'm really lovin' it. Mattie isn't your typically female protagonist and I actually really liked her from the get-go. And I'm already rooting for Kyle, even though I don't know all that much about him yet. I'm really excited to see how it all turns out!

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  14. That is such exciting news! You did a great review. I am going to try to get a copy.
    Smiles.

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  15. I cannot wait until this book comes out. Thanks for the review.

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  16. I can't wait til I get a chance to read. Thanks for the review!

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  17. awesome--thanks for the review Theresa! I downloaded it yesterday/can't wait to read it~ :o)

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  18. Great review Theresa. I was lucky enough to read an ARC as well and loved it! Can't wait for more books from Talli! :)

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  19. @ Jemi, let me know how you like it when your'e done.

    @ Alex, it's climbed even more. YaY!

    @ Shelley, enjoy. Let me know what you think.

    @ Christy, it's great that you and so many people got involved.

    @ Melissa, enjoy it when you read it. When it comes out in paperback, I'm going to buy it for my mom for her birthday. I know she'd like it.

    @ Amanda, you'll enjoy this one, I'm sure.

    @ Sharon, I printed mine to read it.

    @ The Words Crafter, thanks. Glad you liked my review. When you read it, I'm sure it will be fast for your too. It's hard to put down.

    @ Brigid, we'll both line up to see it on the big screen!

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  20. @ Talli, I was happy to do it. I'm glad your splash was splashy - more like a tidal wave!

    @ Old Kitty, thanks. You take care too.

    @ Hilary, I like the democratization of book promotion. We don't have to hope for a NYT book review. Talli proves it.

    @ Jessica, I liked Mattie's spirit from the beginning but she was a bit harsh. I had to get to know her a bit underneath to feel for her.

    @ Choices, thanks. I'm glad you're going to get a copy.

    @ Anne G, thanks. I bet Talli will get a nice boost in sales from the paperback in March too.

    @ Anne, I bet you'll enjoy the book when you get a chance to read it!

    @ LTM, another sale. YaY!

    @ Lindsay, I'm happy Talli has been working on another book. The premise for the next one is intriguing too.

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  21. It was fun being part of all the buzz yesterday. I got my copy yesterday morning, and it's very enjoyable

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  22. @ Vicki, it was fun being a part of the buzz!

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  23. Congrats to Talli and release!!

    And The Latke book looks great, too!!

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  24. Great review! I'm looking forward to reading it!

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  25. @ Paul, the latke book is so funny. And it's true how the holiday is too often compared with Christmas but has its own story and traditions.

    @ Jennifer, I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did.

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  26. I'm so excited to read your review--I bought Talli's e-book and read the first pages with the same impression you had at first. Now to finish it!

    Thanks for sharing, Theresa! Happy Hannukah to and your family!

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  27. We have an award for you today at our blog! :0) erica and christy

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  28. Yay for Talli! It was so fun to watch the news spread on Wednesday.

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  29. Great review. I can't wait to read the book. Happy Hanukkah!

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  30. @ Jackee, I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did.

    And thanks for the Hanukkah wishes.

    @ Erica and Christy, thank you. The flowers are so pretty!

    @ Julie, it was fun to watch. I hope she's still having brisk sales.

    @ Missed Periods, thank you!

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  31. Hi Theresa! Great review on Talli's book. Sounds good. I must read it soon! I don't mind a bit of chick lit and heck i'm going to read Alex's Scr-fi!

    BTW there is an award waiting for you at my blog!

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  32. @ L'Aussie, I don't mind an occasional chick lit and sci-fi either. I can read out of my normal genre.

    Thanks for the award!

    @ Tabitha, I hope you enjoy it.

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