Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of The Hating Game. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman, rival executive assistants at a merged publishing company, both compete for the same promotion. Josh secretly applies for a job at another company so Lucy can have the role, Lucy wins the promotion, and the two admit they have loved each other all along.
Quick facts
– Book: The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
– First published: 2016
– Type: A romantic comedy
– Tone of the ending: Happy
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
Lucy and Josh work for two co-CEOs and spend their days in a war of passive-aggressive games. When a new chief operating officer role opens up, they both apply, and the loser must resign. After an unexpected kiss in an elevator, their rivalry turns into attraction.
What Happens at the End of The Hating Game
Lucy goes with Josh to his brother's wedding and learns about his difficult family. Lucy falls ill, and Josh takes care of her. During the job interviews, Lucy learns Josh has applied elsewhere. Lucy gets the promotion, and Josh starts a new job. They confess their love and commit to each other.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Josh steps aside so Lucy can win.
- Their rivalry was attraction all along.
- They finally admit their feelings.
- The epilogue shows them happy together.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Lucy Hutton | Wins the promotion |
| Joshua Templeman | Takes a new job and wins Lucy |
| Danny | Lucy's brief date |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows how hate can mask love.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Some readers love the slow-burn tension, while others focus on the humour.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Rivalry. Competition fuels romance.
Vulnerability. Both must drop their defences.
Love. Love grows from understanding.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of The Hating Game as happy. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Sally Thorne to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are happy will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Sally Thorne closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Book Versus Adaptation
The 2021 film with Lucy Hale follows the book's ending.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading The Hating Game with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about rivalry, and do you agree with Sally Thorne's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as happy, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces rivalry and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Sally Thorne leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in The Hating Game often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of The Hating Game earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
Check price of The Hating Game on Amazon
Books to Read After The Hating Game
- Beach Read by Emily Henry
- The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
Related: The Hating Game by Sally Thorne: Summary and Key Takeaways · 15 Books Like The Hating Game You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of The Hating Game?
Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman, rival executive assistants at a merged publishing company, both compete for the same promotion. Josh secretly applies for a job at another company so Lucy can have the role, Lucy wins the promotion, and the two admit they have loved each other all along.
Is the ending of The Hating Game happy or sad?
Most readers call it happy.
What does the ending of The Hating Game mean?
The ending shows how hate can mask love.
Is the ending of The Hating Game the same in the adaptation?
The 2021 film with Lucy Hale follows the book's ending.
Who wrote The Hating Game and when was it published?
The Hating Game was written by Sally Thorne and first published in 2016.
Is The Hating Game worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy romantic comedys. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Sally Thorne prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read The Hating Game before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.