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TL;DR: Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman are executive assistants to rival co-CEOs at a publishing company. They sit across from each other and hate each other, playing petty office games. When they compete for the same promotion, a kiss in an elevator turns their rivalry into something much more complicated.
Table of Contents
The Hating Game at a Glance
| Author | Sally Thorne |
| First published | 2016 |
| Type | Novel |
| Best for | adult readers who want a funny, steamy enemies-to-lovers romance |
The Hating Game is the debut novel of Sally Thorne, published in 2016. It became a popular romance and a 2021 film. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it.
Content note: Includes sexual content and strong language.
Main Characters
- Lucy Hutton: A cheerful, competitive executive assistant.
- Joshua Templeman: A tall, serious executive assistant.
- Helene: Lucy's boss, co-CEO.
- Bexley: Josh's boss, co-CEO.
- Patrick: Josh's brother.
What Happens, Part by Part (Contains Spoilers)
The office
After a merger, Bexley & Gamin publishing has two CEOs, and their assistants, Lucy and Josh, sit facing each other. They play games like the Staring Game and the Mirror Game to annoy each other. Lucy is sure Josh hates her.
The promotion
A job as chief operating officer opens up. Lucy and Josh both apply. Whoever wins will become the other's boss, and the loser plans to quit.
The elevator
During an argument in the elevator, Josh kisses Lucy. They grow closer at a team-building paintball event. When Lucy falls ill, Josh takes care of her, revealing a gentler side.
The wedding
Josh asks Lucy to attend his brother's wedding. She meets his family and learns about his difficult relationship with his father. Lucy realizes that Josh has noticed her for years.
The ending
Lucy discovers that Josh is applying for a job at another company so they will not compete. Lucy gets the COO job. Josh accepts his new job, and they are together, no longer rivals.
5 Key Takeaways
- Hate can hide attraction.
- People are more than their masks.
- Competition can bring out the best and worst.
- Love requires vulnerability.
- Communication solves misunderstandings.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- Hate and love can look alike from the outside.
- The person who notices everything about you may care the most.
- Let people see the real you.
Who Should Read The Hating Game?
Read The Hating Game if you want a witty, steamy romance. It suits adults who enjoy enemies-to-lovers stories.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of The Hating Game:
- Why do Lucy and Josh fight?
- How does the wedding change things?
- Is the ending satisfying?
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether The Hating Game is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full story, characters and style, which no short summary can replace.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of The Hating Game, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary between copies.
Should You Read the Book?
Yes, if you love banter, slow-burn tension and office romance. Lucy's narration is funny and Josh is a fan-favorite hero. The plot is simple and the second half more conventional, but it is a light, satisfying read.
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What to Read Next
- Beach Read by Emily Henry: two writers fall in love
- The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang: a funny, steamy romance
- Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston: rivals fall in love
Related: 15 Books Like The Hating Game You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Hating Game about?
Two rival executive assistants fall in love.
Who gets the promotion?
Lucy.
Is there a film?
Yes, a 2021 film.
Is it spicy?
Yes, it has explicit scenes.
How long is it?
About 360 pages.
Who wrote The Hating Game?
Sally Thorne.
Is there a sequel?
No. Thorne's later novel 99 Percent Mine is a separate story with new characters.
What tropes does it use?
Enemies to lovers and workplace romance.
What games do Lucy and Josh play?
The Staring Game, the Mirror Game, where they copy each other, and HR complaints, among other petty contests to make each other crack.
Why does Lucy think Josh hates her?
He is cold, tidy and critical at work, the opposite of her bright, people-pleasing style, and he never seems to smile at her.
What is Lucy's family like?
Her parents run a strawberry farm, and Lucy is close to them, a contrast to Josh's tense relationship with his father.
Who stars in the film?
Lucy Hale and Austin Stowell play Lucy and Josh in the 2021 film.
Is The Hating Game a slow burn?
Yes. The tension builds for much of the book before the relationship begins, which is a big part of its appeal.
Who narrates?
Lucy narrates in first person, so readers see Josh only through her eyes until he reveals his feelings.
Who are the main characters in The Hating Game?
The main characters are Lucy Hutton, Joshua Templeman, Helene, Bexley and Patrick. Lucy Hutton: A cheerful, competitive executive assistant. Joshua Templeman: A tall, serious executive assistant. Helene: Lucy's boss, co-CEO.
Is The Hating Game worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for adult readers who want a funny, steamy enemies-to-lovers romance. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.