Member Reviews

For some reason I was thinking we got the male POV in the other books I’ve read by the author this summer, but this time we did not. That’s okay, it probably made for some of the stuff that got to be slowly revealed, but I would have enjoyed it for sure. We did get to spend some time with characters from the other books though too. I liked the whole enemies to lovers type of story for Samantha and Travis, although that kind of got us past quickly. Then there was the whole how would they be able to overcome the distance since her job was in NYC, and he didn’t plan to leave his hometown because he needed to be there for his mom. Plus he was the mayor now, and seemed to be pretty happy there anyway, even if he did miss things about the city.

I enjoyed all of how their relationship developed, their banter again was good, as well as a lot of fun situations they got themselves into. There was a goat that seemed to want to help Samantha when she was doing her pilates on the porch, I’m surprised she didn’t pull the goat into some goat yoga, lol. The cat was fun as well, and I liked what happened with the animals at the end of the book.

There were a few slow spots for me as I read, but they were quickly overcome by the banter or fun situations. It is closed door bedroom scenes, although we get the kissing and leading up to that and it isn’t left completely off page, so that was a little more my style too. There was also the sheriff who called Travis a weird nickname, Vis-Vis? That was just kind of out there for me.

I really like how they came up with the solution in the end, and the drama for drama’s sake didn’t really occur because they figured out what to fix together, and so that made the ending one I really liked! Another winner from Camilla Isley!

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Love to Hate You is a delightful novel by Camilla Isley. There are some crossover characters from Ms. Isley’s The Love Theorem, but this is definitely a standalone story. Producer Samantha Baker’s newest project, a small town movie being filmed in rural Indiana, is seriously behind schedule and hemorrhaging money. The head of the Denouement Studios, Winthrop Cargill-MacMillan, has called Samantha to his office, blustering about this issue and ordering her to head to Emerald Creek, Indiana to solve the problems and oversee the filming until complete. Three months in a backwater wide spot in the road! No coffee shops! No clubbing with her friends! No New York City! Nonetheless, Samantha and her assistant Celia Warren head to the rural film site and take up residence in a lovely B&B at Sagebrush Ranch.
The landlady, Willette Hunt, is welcoming, the accommodations comfortable, the food delicious, but it will never make up for life in New York. And her son, Travis, is annoying. And the mayor, also a Hunt, is responsible for the holdups. Unapologetically, Mayor Hunt is squeezing the filming company to complete projects around town in order to get the necessary permits. In fact, it is at one such clean up event that things begin to change. And with change comes big questions!
This is yet another deliciously fun story from the desk of Camilla Isley! Told with humor and heart and demonstrating the author’s depth of understanding for many walks of life, this story reveals such a varied cast of characters and a delightful rural setting along with a few four legged individuals that will steal the stage.
I very much enjoyed this book and do recommend it!

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Well, it has been a while since I picked up a Camilla Isley book, but from the get-go, I remembered why I enjoy reading her books so much because they are lighthearted and endearing romances that are usually filled with some good character banter. Love To Hate You did not disappoint in that respect but had the added fun of being set in a small rural town with a city girl and a cowboy butting heads.

I loved that Sam and Travis were winding each other up from the start, the chemistry was obvious from their first meeting and it was fun with them clashing, knowing that when they owned their feelings they were going to be pretty explosive together. As characters, they worked well together because Travis wasn’t the typical small-town guy and could match Sam’s determination. In the beginning, he was manipulative with a side of charm and managed to push all her buttons, but she was just as good at it, and I liked that he respected her as a power player but that they could still let loose together.

There were some very entertaining moments between Sam and Travis before they started to realise their feelings and some slightly uneasy but still amusing ones as Sam’s time in Emerald Creek came to an end. Still, it has to be said that the show was sometimes stolen by Hildi and Fluffy, some unexpected characters who added a little extra joy to the story. It was also nice to hear from some characters that I have read about before in previous books in the series, but don’t worry this can be read as a standalone, although the other books are great too.

Love To Hate You is a perfect book for when you want an easy and uplifting read, that will make you laugh and that you can easily lose yourself in for a day.

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I am in my cowboy romance era and this book did not disappoint. It was such a fun and quick read. I loved the dialogue between characters and the romance didn't feel too cheesy.

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Thank you to the publisher for the eARC. All thoughts expressed are my own.

This was such a fun book. It's a hate to love story between this city girl movie producer and the cowboy mayor interrupting filming. I really felt like I got the Best of Both Worlds (ha! Hannah Montana reference) with the mmc.

Books like this always worry me because the characters are from two different worlds and I'm nervous about what will happen with their relationship. But LTHY had a perfect ending and I'm so so happy with how it turned out.

If you like hate to love, small town romances, cowboys, pining, and goats, you need to check this book out.

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A movie producer job sounds like a dream,
But the pressure is much greater than it would seem -
Especially when plans keep being thwarted
By the town mayor who didn't ought to!

Samantha Baker loves her city life and so
Moving for three months to Emerald Creek should be a "No!"
However, that's where she's sent to sort out
Why the movie schedule is totally in doubt.

Travis Hunt is the mayor of the city
And he's not showing Samantha any pity!
He's determined to do the best for his town
Even doing that is making her frown!

With manipulations, a brilliant cat (and goat) and surprises, too,
This is a fun read I highly recommend to you.
With movie stars, cowboys, lawyers and more
It is such a great read, one you shouldn't ignore!

For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.

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“Love to Hate You” by Camilla Isley was such a fun read.

I enjoyed every minute of this rom-com book. The story itself is cute. A city girl and a country boy meet in a small town in the middle of nowhere, chaos ensues, and sparks fly.

I loved the hesitation between the characters and felt myself rooting for the couple throughout.

Thank you NetGalley, Camilla Isley, and Boldwood Books for gifting me this ARC. I can’t wait to read more books by Camilla Isley!

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My Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Disclaimer: I received a review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thanks, Netgalley.

Summary: The last thing Samantha Baker needs is to be shipped off from New York to middle of nowhere Indiana to figure out why their film is getting so delayed. She loves everything about New York, and what is there to Indiana anyway. Apparently, a cowboy mayor who is wickedly attractive who is determined to slow down production unless she plays ball. Liking him isn't a good idea, not when he's the reason her film is delayed and since she's determined to go back to New York as fast as she can.

General Thoughts: Second Camilla Isley book I've read. I've really enjoyed both, but this one was super cute. This had major Hallmark vibes (big city girl goes to small town and is attracted to the cowboy mayor.) It's a simple, predictable plot, but it's well done. I liked the characters of Travis and Samantha. They weren't extremely fleshed out with a ton of backstory or growth, but they weren't flat either and had interesting banter. It was a cute, fun, lighthearted romance that is bingeable in one sitting. If you're looking for an intense, thought-provoking read, this is not that. If you're looking for a Hallmark-like book or 2000's romcom, this one has you covered. The plot is quite simple, but it's a cute, fun read. I'm excited to read another one by this author soon. I enjoy sweet fade-to-black romances, and that's what this one is.

Steam Meter: 🪵 This is a closed door, fade to black, but definitely some hints of steam.

Romantic Tropes
-fade to black, sweet romance
-contemporary romance
-cowboy small-town romance
-dislike to like
-romcom
-Hallmark plot vibes
-single POV first person

You can read more of my reviews at mylastromance.com. You can also find me on Insta @mylastromancenovel.

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Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book; I appreciate it.

To be honest, I didn't expect to love this book because I'm not thrilled with cowboy books, but I'm a fan of Camilla Isley so I thought I'd give it a try. I'm thrilled that I did because this book was a lot of fun! It was a light and easy read with a lovely small town feel. The cowboy theme wasn't over done because the cowboy was also a lawyer and the mayor, as well as a caring son.

I read this book in one sitting and it was a perfect summer read.

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I am not going to lie, I wanted to read this book just for the sheer fact that there is a cowboy on the cover, boy was I happily surprised while I was reading it that it gave so many feels.

I have never been so in love with a book in my entire life. I grew up partly in a small town and in a big city, the female main character and male character's perspectives made so much sense to me. Samantha is sent to Emerald Creek to get production back on track which is when she meets the very handsome cowboy/mayor Travis Hunt. Their relationship starts off very rocky and their hatred slowly turns into lust and love.

Why I loved this book:
~Single POV
~Fiesty female lead
~Cowboy Lawyer
~Lots of steam
~Opposites Attract
~Forced Proximity
~Instant Attraction

Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity to arc-read this book in exchange for an honest review.

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This book was just adorable. After reading The love Theorem in June I knew I needed to read another of Camillas books, they are such a light easy read that you can become engrossed in and quite easily read in one sitting.

This book was just the same, I was easily drawn into the life of Sam Baker, hot shot movie producer, spending her time drinking expensive cocktails in ridiculously high stilettos, doing pilates at dawn and basically loving her NYC life. Thrown into life in the country Sam was appalled at the place she had to call home for 3 months, I loved how her NYC straight talking character never diminished despite falling for the town mayor and his mothers pet goat! She brought NYC to the country and it was all the better for it.

There was a lovely romance element, soft and sweet, not spicy but that was not necessary. I enjoy a non spicy romance it fills me with butterflies and smiles. Travis was a gorgeous character, he was strong, kind, honourable and dreamy to boot! The main characters interacted well and I enjoyed the fact that Christian Slade and Lara from The Love Theorem reappeared. I can see that there will be a lot of stand alone books with some of the characters reappearing throughout. These are some of my favourite style of books!

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📖 ARC REVIEW 📖

Thank you @theboldbookclub for an early copy of Love to Hate You by @camillaisley. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 🤍

Love to Hate You is an enemies-to-lovers/opposites-attract rom-com about Samantha, a movie producer, and Travis, a small-town mayor. Their story started when Samantha was tasked to supervise the production of their filming at Emerald Creek as the town's mayor was delaying their progress with their permits to film at its different scenic locations.

🛑Read on with caution; review may contain spoilers🛑

Camilla Isley does it again! I loved the characters in this book, especially Travis, who loved to tease Samantha and her city-living vibes in his town. Their chemistry was undeniable, and their banters were funny. I enjoyed Samantha’s reactions to the farm animals and how she warmed up to them and eventually got close to Hildi the goat (sooo cute!). Not only has she warmed up to the animals, but regardless of how much she disliked Travis at first, their physical attraction led to more and they eventually gave in to it and got to know each other better during the process.

I recommend this novel for a chill and light read. A perfect summer read! Rating Love to Hate You ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5. This has been previously published as Sweet Love and Country Roads and is now available to purchase from book retailers and available to read for free with your Kindle Unlimited subscription.

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A fun and fast paced read. Samantha meets Travis when she gets sent from New York to a small town for work. It is the last place she wants to be, but will Travis help this city girl love the countryside?

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✔️ Rivals to Lovers
✔️ Opposites Attract
✔️ Small Town Romance
✔️ No Third Act Break Up

This book was such a cute and fast read! It has the typical cheesy romance stuff I love, and it did not disappoint. There is no spice, it’s fade to black scenes, but I honestly didn’t mind that much.

One thing I did absolutely love was that there was no third act break up! I was so relieved because it’s one of my least favorite tropes. The communication between the two MC’s was amazing as well.

I definitely recommend this book if you’re a fan of small town romances. It’s really easy to follow along, and there isn’t a lot of side characters introduced so you don’t get confused. I really enjoyed the way the overall conflict was handled and solved as well.

The MC’s are easily likable, and I wasn’t questioning their decisions every chapter like I usually do. I really liked Samantha’s character. She was very determined, and was able to get everything she wanted. I loved that for her. I also really liked Travis’s character as well. He was hot and he knew it, but he was also such a sweetheart.

Overall I really enjoyed this story, and I’m glad I was lucky enough to receive an ARC for this book.

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I just read Love Quest and A Love Proposal so was glad to also be able to get a copy of Love To Hate You to round-out the series.

When I finished Love Quest I discovered these were all re-released, re-covered and re-titled versions of her original First Comes Love series. This one, Love To Hate You, was released not very long ago as Sweet Love And Country Roads. I own the audio of the original so I listened and read along this time to see what changed. Turns out for this book it was only the name of the movie (which is the book title in each) and a word here and there. There was no extra material.

I quite enjoyed the plot of this one - about the same as the previous two books in the series, and still absolutely have to go back to the beginning of the series even though they are very loosely related. She writes very well and really gets me living in the world of the characters, feeling like I’m there. I enjoyed the movie producer come to town having to clash with the local small-town mayor who she has a love-hate friendship with along with her attraction. She’s in town short-term to save the movie filming (which he and others are trying to stall), and definitely doesn’t need or want anything with a smalltown cowboy.

I definitely recommend picking this one up, plus the previous two, because it’s a great series! A lot of fun with some depth as well. Closed door rom coms but some have suspense, real emotional issues and they give you the “feels.”

I received an advance copy from NetGalley and Boldwood Books, and this is my honest feedback.

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This read was SO cute! I’m not a major cowboy romance fan but I really enjoyed this. Lovers of small town romance with a cute cast of characters, you’ll love this!

I do think the author ultimately struggled with some pacing issues and I think it could have done with a bit more refinement but it was cute. I did enjoy it!

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Samantha Baker is definitely a fish out of water when she finds herself leaving big NYC life for a small town in Indiana to get movie production back on track. She finds out that the mayor of the town hasn't signed off on filming permits. She meets cowboy Travis shortly after getting into town but she won't be distracted by this handsome local.

This is a good story! I like small town romance and opposites attract stories. I'm looking forward to reading more by Camilla Isley in the future!

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Thank you to Netgalley and Camilla for the chance to read and review this book. As my first book by this author I was delighted at the story line. I don't often read small town romances but when I saw the description I wanted to give it a chance. The banter, push/pull between Samantha and Travis made for some great reading.

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Camilla Isley's new book Love to Hate You was exactly what I needed to get out of my reading slump! The feel-good country romance transports the reader into two clashing worlds; Samatha's movie-producing Hollywood life and Travis's small-town countryside world. Following the enemies-to-lovers trope, I loved how the story goes beyond their disagreements but also takes on the development of their relationship. This book was truly amazing, and I loved every second of it!

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This book was so dang cute! The witty banter between the main characters Travis & Samantha, the unexpected twists, and the charming storyline make this book a perfect escape. I actually think this might be my first cowboy romance book I've read, and it did not disappoint! I'm so happy this was my first Camilla Isley book, and it won't be my last. It's a must-read for anyone who enjoys a lighthearted and heartwarming love story!

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