For teens navigating the bewildering line between rivalry and romance, this book explores how unexpected feelings can bloom from the most unlikely places.
A parent might reach for this book when their teen is navigating intense, confusing social dynamics or a first crush that feels more like a rivalry than a romance. "They Hate Each Other" follows Jonah and Dylan, two sworn enemies and aspiring filmmakers who are forced into a fake-dating scheme to save their reputations. What starts as a performance for their peers quickly becomes complicated as they discover the thin line between animosity and affection. This witty, heartfelt romantic comedy explores themes of identity, vulnerability, and forgiveness. It's best for older teens (14+) due to some language and mature romantic themes, offering a great way to open conversations about queer identity, communication, and the courage it takes to be your true self.
Touches on themes of parental pressure and emotional distance within families.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly with LGBTQ+ identity. Both protagonists are queer, and the story explores their individual journeys with self-acceptance, internalized homophobia, and navigating relationships. The approach is secular and celebratory, with a hopeful and affirming resolution. It also touches on difficult family dynamics, including parental pressure and emotional neglect, treating these topics with realism and sensitivity.
Ideal Reader
A teen aged 14-18 who loves character-driven rom-coms, particularly the enemies-to-lovers and fake-dating tropes. It’s perfect for a reader looking for a funny, sharp, and emotionally intelligent LGBTQ+ romance, or for any teen who feels misunderstood and is learning to let their guard down.
Parent Prep
The book contains moderate profanity and romantic content (kissing, making out, discussions of attraction) but no explicit scenes. Parents should be prepared for themes of family conflict. The book can be read cold, but it offers a great opportunity to discuss what healthy communication looks like in both romantic and family relationships. A parent notices their teen is drawn to romance tropes on social media (like BookTok) and wants to provide a well-written, published novel with similar appeal. Or, a teen has expressed interest in LGBTQ+ stories, and the parent is looking for an accessible, entertaining, and positive book.
Age Experience
A younger teen (13-14) will likely be most engaged by the humor, the romantic tension, and the fun of the central tropes. An older teen (15-18) will appreciate the subtler emotional layers, connecting more with the characters’ internal struggles with identity, family expectations, and the vulnerability required for a real relationship.
What Makes It Special
Among a sea of YA rom-coms, this book's dual-perspective narrative is expertly executed, giving readers deep insight into both boys' anxieties and motivations. The dialogue is exceptionally sharp and genuinely funny, setting it apart from more formulaic contemporaries. Its heartfelt exploration of queer joy within a popular trope-driven story is both refreshing and important.
Read plot summary
Jonah and Dylan are bitter rivals competing for a spot in a prestigious film program. After a public misunderstanding makes everyone at school think they're a couple, they decide to lean into it, fake-dating to improve their social standing and create a compelling documentary for their applications. Forced to spend time together, they slowly dismantle their preconceived notions about one another, uncovering shared insecurities and a surprising, genuine connection that complicates their entire plan.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Jonah and Dylan start as rivals. What specific moments or conversations made you realize their feelings for each other were starting to change from hate to something else?
2
Both boys have complicated relationships with their parents. How did Dylan's relationship with his mom and Jonah's with his dad affect the way they saw themselves and each other?
3
The book is told from both Jonah's and Dylan's perspectives. How did seeing inside both their heads change your opinion of them as the story went on? Was there a time you sympathized with one more than the other?
4
The central conflict is based on a 'fake dating' plan. Do you think this was a good idea? What do you think would have happened if they had been honest from the beginning?
