I may or may not have shed a tear (or more) reading this book.

After her brother’s tragic death from cancer, Maddie finds herself embroiled in a scavenger hunt she can’t refuse, with the one man she hoped to never see again. With 8 letters, 8 destinations and 8 lots of ashes, Maddie and Dom follow Josh’s instructions and may even find themselves in their grief along the way.

So very good, with hilarity, romance, spice, loss, and so much more!

The emotion contained within these pages was perfectly balanced by the rom-com elements, and tears were followed by giggles at Maddie's shenanigans and sarcasm. Dom was pure book-boyfriend material, with his constancy, supportiveness and dedication to fulfilling his best friend's final wishes.

When I picked up PS: I Hate You, I knew I was in for a second-chance romance, but this book delivered so much more than just the tropes I expected. Sure, it’s packed with some of my favorites—grumpy-sunshine moments, road trips, and forced proximity—but what really pulled me in was the emotional depth.

The story centers around Maddie and Dom, two characters thrown together in a whirlwind of grief, old wounds, and… well, a shared mission to honor her brother’s last wish. I couldn’t help but laugh at the biting humor and Maddie’s inner monologues, which perfectly captured her struggle to deal with Dom’s infuriating charm. Speaking of Dom—ugh, he’s that kind of hero you want to hate but can’t help falling for.

The dynamic between them was sizzling yet layered with so much heartache that I couldn’t tear my eyes away. Every interaction between them felt like a mix of fireworks and unresolved tension. And then there were those moments on their cross-country journey—equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking—that made me feel like I was riding shotgun on their emotional rollercoaster.

Admittedly, the storyline isn’t groundbreaking (second chances aren’t a new trope), but the little twists made it unique and captivating. I found myself crying my heart out at the heartfelt moments while still rooting for Maddie and Dom to find their way back to each other.

By the end, I was a puddle of emotions and left wondering if I was still mad at Dom or just completely in love with him. If you’re a sucker for messy emotions, grief-tinged romance, and sizzling chemistry, this one is for you. Lauren Connolly absolutely nailed the balance between humor and heartache.


Thank you to Quercus Books for gifting me an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Honestly I wasn't sure where this would lead but it was super cute with a small dash of spice, it was heartbreaking and heart warming all at once. There was up and downs and everything in between.

Baddie, loses her brother, her life line, her only supportive family member! Dom, Josh's best friend, is sent on a road trip around 8 states to spread his ashes,

I feel the FMCs hatred towards the MMC was a bit too much sometimes but the dynamic as a whole was great. I loved Maddies Sarcasm and oddities. Dom was so swoon worthy cute.

Spice wise it was OK, not too spicy which is good for minimal spice lovers, very demure.

Over all I enjoyed this, I would recommend.

4.25 Stars!

This book made me feel all of the feelings and I am definitely going to read it again in the near future.

Maddie returns home for the funeral of her brother after fleeing when her heart is broken his best friend. Her brother’s last wishes were that they scattered his ashes in different states, and at each destination left them a letter to read.

The author did a great job of making the story feel authentic, and you really felt Maddie’s grief come through. I loved that Maddie’s brothers was kept as the forefront of the story and you felt like you knew him!

While this story has romance in it, and some of it steamy, you do feel connected to the characters and shows you despite losing the one person you cared for, they ensured you were put back together again and found true happiness.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I really enjoyed this poignant hate-love, late brother's best friend story with added road trip, forced proximity and a hint of second chance at love tropes. After about a quarter of the book I wanted to give up because Maddie's aggressive and sarcastic nature really annoyed me, but now in hindsight I'm really glad I kept reading. Her lack of self-worth, her self-sabotage, her dysfunctional relationship with her obnoxious family apart from her late brother, her fears, her vulnerability and her bouts of asthma were palpable and painful to witness as the story progressed.
The well written story is intense and full of pent-up emotions, angst, grief, drama, heartwrenching and heartwarming moments, interesting geographical tidbits, romance and steamy love scenes. I especially loved the letters and assignments that Maddie's late brother Josh left for her and Dom. They always made me smile and cry. I really liked Dom’s character. He is stoic and supportive. At first I thought it was a shame that the story was only told from Maddie's perspective, but I realised over time that the story couldn't have been told any other way.
There are also lots of endearing secondary characters who stood by Maddie and what really touched me was that Josh, although already deceased, influenced a large part of the story and the readers were still able to get to know and love him.

At her brother Josh's funeral service, Maddie meets his best friend and her childhood crush Dom, who broke her heart years ago and whom she has avoided ever since. Josh was her anchor and she finds it hard to let him go. Unexpectedly, Josh leaves her and Dom a series of coordinates that they must visit together to scatter some of his ashes and read the accompanying letter he has prepared for each stop on their journeys.
Maddie hates Dom from the bottom of her heart, but they keep travelling together anyway to fulfil Josh's last wish and realise over time that the tasks are more profound than expected...

If you like emotional romance novels that make you smile and tear you up, you are sure to enjoy this book.

I received a free ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and left voluntarily.

I loved this book!! (even tho it made me cry several times...it was worth it tho)

This book is so tender and loving and also a bit angsty and just really all the emotions

The book is set over several years which I loved as you really got to see the main character process all the emotions and it didn't feel too rushed (or too drawn out)

I really enjoyed the main characters and love seeing their relationship grow and change

Even tho Josh isn't actually a character in this book I really feel like I got to know him

I loved the physical journey that we went on with the characters and them exploring all these places

Spoilers about the MMC and the 3rd act conflict: I knew his previous marriage was dodgy from the start but the plot twist on why and subsequent feelings from his ex wife surprised me, like I didn't see the twist happening

- second chance
- brothers best friend
- childhood friends to hooking up to enemies to lovers
- long time mutual crushes

Thank you to Quercus for the eARC - all opinions are my own

3.5 Stars

Being in love with your brother’s best friend is hard. Being in love with your brother’s best friend who rejected you and then asked his ex to marry him the day after you hook up with him? Arguably the worst. That is why Maddie moved across the country years ago to get away from the man who broke her heart. Now, her brother has passed, and he has sent her and his best friend on a trip to 8 different states to spread his ashes. Maddie cannot imagine saying no, but she can’t imagine anything worse than spending so much time with a man she hates. But, as they travel across the US and take in the extraordinary land Maddie’s brother wanted them to experience, maybe they can find some common ground.

This book pulled at my heartstrings. It was heartfelt, cheesy at times, but it really made you cherish the characters, and want them to grow. I think my favorite part was that the end wasn’t initially all tied up with a bow like so many romance novels do. These characters had to work for it, and that felt special to me.

If you like an enemies to lovers, a she fell first, he fell harder, or a brother’s best friend trope, this book is for you. There’s a tiny miscommunication trope as well, but in this case, I’ll allow it.

Thank you NetGalley, Lauren Connolly, and Quercus Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Oh wow, where do I even start? This book left me utterly breathless.

Maddie and Dom’s story isn’t just about love—it’s about pain, healing, and finding each other in the wreckage of grief. The way Dom loved Maddie so deeply, even when he thought he didn’t deserve her, had me clutching my chest. His every action screamed devotion, and watching him slowly tear down the walls he’d built around his heart was nothing short of breathtaking.

And the angst? Pure perfection. The years of unspoken feelings, regret, and hurt between them built a tension so palpable I felt it in every page. Maddie’s pain and lingering love for Dom were raw and honest, and Dom’s self-loathing and quiet yearning made me ache for him. You could feel how much he wanted her, how much he needed her, but he held himself back, convinced he’d only cause her more pain.
Their connection felt so real—messy and complicated, yet beautiful in its imperfection. Every moment between them, from the heated arguments to the tender, stolen glances, had me on edge. And the way Dom treated Maddie, with so much care even when he was breaking her heart, was just devastatingly beautiful.When he finally let himself fall, it was an emotional explosion I won’t soon forget.

This book wasn’t just a romance; it was a journey through grief, family, and love that endures even the hardest trials. The forced proximity, the angst, and the undeniable chemistry between Maddie and Dom made this a story I’ll carry with me for a long time. It was heartbreakingly beautiful, with a love story that will leave your heart raw but full.

At this stage i don't know why i do this to myself and read books that leave me an emotional wreck! well actually i do because, they're bloody amazing! This is a second chance romance and it will have you crying one minute and laughing out loud the next . A true rollercoaster of emotions and totally worth it.

It may only be January but its up there as a favourite book this year lol

Okay, so I don’t even know where to start.

First off, thank you so much to NetGalley for sending me an ARC of this book 📚. It literally made my day when I got it—I’m so grateful! 🥹

That being said, I really tried to love this book, but I just couldn’t get into it. It’s been sitting on my reading list for almost a month, and no matter how much I pushed myself to finish, it just wasn’t working 😩.

The main characters (the girl and the guy) kind of felt...I don’t know, immature? Even when they kissed, I didn’t feel anything. Like, no butterflies, no kicking my feet, nothing. And I really wanted to feel something, but it just didn’t happen.

Don’t get me wrong—the plot is actually pretty solid, and the writing is good. But this book just wasn’t for me 🤷‍♀️.

Still, I want to say thank you to the author and publisher for sending me this ARC. It was my first time ever being sent one without even requesting it, and that honestly made me so happy 🥰. I just wish I’d been able to love it as much as I wanted to.

I know other people will probably enjoy this book more than I did, though, so I’m glad it’s out there for them!

DNF at 49%

Love the theme. Got as far as the glow worm chapter but was finding Maddie so annoying that I had to stop reading. Perhaps I will return one day to finish, but not now.

When Maddie Sanderson agrees to honour her brother Josh’s dying wish, she never expects to find herself partnered with her ex, Dominic Perry. The two are tasked with spreading Josh’s ashes across eight locations he never got to visit, each accompanied by a letter from him. The journey takes Maddie and Dom through breathtaking destinations — and forces them to confront their shared past. As old wounds are reopened and long-buried emotions resurface, Maddie must decide whether this is a final goodbye or a second chance at love.

This story completely stole my heart. It’s a beautiful exploration of grief, love, and healing that manages to be both emotional and funny in all the right moments. Maddie and Dom are flawed, relatable characters whose chemistry is undeniable, and their personal growth over the course of the book is so satisfying. I loved how the letters from Josh added depth to the story, bringing humour and heart to an otherwise emotional narrative.

The pacing was perfect - the time span allowed the story to unfold naturally and gave me time to feel fully invested in their journeys.

PS I Hate You is more than just a romance; it’s a heartfelt, memorable story about grief, forgiveness, and finding your way back to yourself. It’s one that will stay with me, and I’ll definitely be recommending it to anyone who loves emotional, character-driven stories.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

Well this has made squirming like I was holding in a fart during that one minute on Remembrance Day 😂

So this story follows Maddie & Dom, Maddies brother kicks the bucket after getting the big C, no this man did not die drowning in pussy much to many men’s dismay that’s not scientifically possible 😉

During the Will reading everyone is handed out letter written by the brother, however Maddie & Dom’s name are on the same letter. This letter dictates that he wishe his ashes to spread across the 8 remaining states he didn’t get to visit whilst he was alive and that Maddie & Dom are to do this together, his last wish.

Well things get a bit complicated because old matey Dom actually took Maddie V card whilst in the throws passion and after it’s over Dom never speaks to get again. So she is rightfully pissed and wants nothing to do with Dom even though she still has some underlying feelings for him because ya know DOMS HOT!!

So what happens when these 2 are forced into having to go on a road trip round the country to grant his final wish? And yes this man spreads her legs and give his fingers a little workout 😁

I think I’m slightly broken. I shedded some tears in this book because how real it was. The grief and bereavement representation made me think how much it affects people and how i managed to with it. If I don’t do something like this in my will it won’t be accepted. I didn’t write it!! The whole idea was so pure and beautiful. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend to everyone.

The only thing that made this book 4/5 was the abruptness of the spice. I was expecting something less spicy but I am used to reading books like that I really enjoyed the book as a whole.

Heartwarming story, made me cry, laugh and fall in love with the characters. Didn’t want to put down this book. It just shows that life is sometimes complicated and simple at the same time, it just depends on which way you are looking at it.

I felty so many emotions when reading this book, it really brought me into the relationship and all the ups and downs.

Maddie Sanderson is determined to honour her older brother’s dying wish and scatter his ashes over eight destinations that the adventurous never got to visit before he died from cancer. However, in his will, Josh assigned her an impossible partner to help complete the mission, which is to take the journey with Dominic Perry, his lifelong friend and the man who broke her heart years ago. Dom is determined to follow Josh’s instructions, resulting in them travelling on this ‘farewell’ trip that spans thousands of miles. When a snowstorm leads to them sharing a bed, Maddie begins to wonder if Josh was trying to matchmake them from the grave. Yet, grief reopens old wounds between them, placing Maddie and Dom in dangerous territory.
This was a sad storyline, particularly with Josh dying so young. Maddie’s grief is palpable, and she does her best to do as he requests, despite the pain she has to confront in meeting up with Dom again. I enjoyed working through both Maddie and Dom’s past as they relive their experiences and memories of Josh. A heartwarming storyline.

Gosh I loved this book. Having put it down a few hours ago, I find myself still musing over the characters and left with a lovely warm feeling. The quippy title and cute cover are deceptive - PS I Hate You is a rom com with a lot of heart and emotional depth.

Centred around Dom and Maddie, after the death of Maddies brother Josh, this book treads reflectively and sensitively between themes of grief, loss, identify, betrayal and identify. I found myself so invested not only in Maddie and Dom, but their family and friends. While Josh is not alive, you come to know him so well through the eyes of the people who loved him. Maddie and Dom’s chemistry felt authentic, and their care for each other extended well beyond their eventual romantic relationship.

The pacing was perfect and ran the gamut of emotions - I found myself laughing one minute and in tears the next. The writing was engaging and immersive - I really look forward to picking up more of Connolly’s work. I’d highly recommend to anyone looking for a bitter sweet and heartwarming rom com.

Thank you Quercus Books for an advance copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

Yes yes I was one of I'm sure many who were drawn to this by the name. Because I adored p.s I love you when I read it all those years ago.
But this has beaten that hands down. It's seems to have dodged all the problematic features of the other book of similar name too. Win win.
Maddie has the best relationship swith her brother. And let's just say he seems to be the only decent person her immediate family. Linked to him and therefore her is the Perry family. And there enters his best friend Dom. Who she's totally and utterly in love with. Things happen and hearts are broken. And maddie runs away from it all.
Then tragedy strikes and her brother dies. And she is left bereft and totally lost.
Then turn up the instructions from Josh. For Maddie and Dom to find letters across the states and scatter his ashes along the way. Together.
What comes next is tender and beautiful. It's witty and fun but somber and reflective in all the right places.
I also loved how it spands a great length of time. It really cemented this storyline. Great book.more please!