an alright romantasy debut, with a unique enough premise to not drown in the sea of other romantasies but not unique enough to earn a place anywhere memorable. the romance here is just alright, nothing particularly strong— the fmc is much more developed and cared for than the mmc and it’s quite obvious in the romance, where he falls flat ompared to her.

3.5 stars. I really, really wanted to love this, and I did love the concept, the characters, the representation, and the quick pacing, but it just didn’t go the way I was hoping.. I’m going to try and keep this concise!

In this world, there are soulmates and soulhates - the one person who you are fated to hate and want to kill. Renza is one of the elected leaders of Halice, and one day she meets the son of one of the other leaders, and finds her soulhate. Idris and Renza decide to try and overcome this mutual hatred in order to show their city that they can lead together, whilst trying to figure out who to trust when a bomb devastates their city.

I feel like the tag line of this book (‘what if you fall for the one you are fated to destroy?’) is a little bit misleading, as most of the book is focused on Renza and Nouis, her childhood friend turned love interest. I was waiting for more Idris time but she doesn’t start to see Idris as anything more until nearer the end of the book, and then it ends very abruptly 😩😭 if this was the first in a series then I could get on board with that (like ACOTAR vibes), but as a standalone I just wanted more about them 🥲

It was mostly focused on the political treason plot, the romance seemed more like a side plot, and so I have a hard time classifying it as a romantasy. If it was advertised differently, and was sold as a political fantasy and it explored them overcoming the soulhatred to be together in a duology or trilogy, then I would’ve loved it. It also used a lot of modern language which I felt didn’t always suit the worldbuilding, and - I don’t know why this word makes me feel weird inside - but the word creamy was used to describe the city/buildings way more than I was comfortable with 😩🫠 but overall it had so much potential and I did enjoy reading it!

Renza, at 21, is the youngest ever Electi of her city Halice and things seem to be going well. Then she meets Idris Patricelli who is not only her political rival but her Soulhate. The opposite of Soulmate, she is destined to destroy him. Will she be able to hold back her murderous rage and save her position and her reputation? Who can she trust? Can she save what she holds dear? And can she fight Fate?

I really enjoyed the prologue bringing us the legends of soulmates and soulhates. The premise is brilliant and the mythology created for it is quite impressive and shared in an affable manner.

The narrative is not just a 1st person POV, it is Renza telling us her story herself. You immediately feel comfortable in her life and like her immensely. It is so very obvious that the author wants us to see what she imagines this world looks like and renders the narrative quite descriptive. It's a twist on a long ago Rome with well-placed Italian features and a contemporary feel to the storytelling and dialogue. The vivid details and figurative speech convey a sense of wonder.

The introduction of our protagonists' Soulhate status is nicely anticipatory, intense and the fact that it makes their lives difficult is more than an understatement. This brings the enemy side of their story to a whole new level. The impossibility of their and the inner conflict are depicted so well. The way they perceive each other is simultaneously full of anguish and comical.

A tragic event changes the course of the story, leading it towards an unexpected direction. In the adversity of the new gut-wrenching normal, Renza and Idris shine. Evocative combinations of words bring forth the proper image or emotion at the correct juncture, quite a few times brilliant in their creativity and gorgeous. For some inexplicable reason I guessed the perpetrator of the big betrayal way before there were any real, subtle hints. The reveal was still breath-stealing.

Along with the political maneuvering and danger, there is optimism and hope. Feelgood moments and characters you just wanna hug and/or hang out with. Of course, there are characters you want to slap silly too. The humor presents delightful and there are playful remarks to be enjoyed. And so many great interactions between our heroes.

There was a bit of hyperbole in some descriptions of the world and some romantic feelings which just seemed out of place at the given moment. The idea is Renza is determined and becoming a political badass, acting lovestruck every couple of sentences on some pages, takes away from that. Additionally, there are words used repetitively to characterize feelings or surroundings like sparks or the unfortunate use of the word creamy for building and other similar things.

One of this book's most beautiful themes is freedom of self and from the expectations of others. It deals with choice and respect of beliefs. Openness to learn, to compromise and rising to the occasion. About fighting for what you believe in. As it says in the book itself: "Scars, in all their forms are beautiful. The marks of wars won."

Utterly engrossing, dripping with intrigue, and giving us Machiavellian games of power, betrayal, perilous escapade and a whole lot of heart. Are love and hate two sides of the same coin? And can you escape fate?

This book had a ton ton of potential! I love the concept of our two main leads being fated to hate eachother and not the usually used "soulmate" trope. However, the romance felt lacking. I wanted tension between lust/love vs. their hate for eachother but we really only get any romance more than 70% in.

Renza also does something towards the end of the book that I felt deserved to have a moment of confrontation and fierce feelings but it felt like it was quickly dealt with instead. Overall a fun concept that I think had a very intruging world built around it, but it could have been even better executed.

TW: one instance of deadnaming which didn’t need to happen, 21% into the book.

“Violence is the mark of a weak man’s truth.”

So, you clearly know going in who the romance is expected to be with, but when you get 60% into this book without much conversation happening between them, you start questioning yourself. I would’ve loved to see more interaction between the fmc and the mmc because when we did get a little between them the tension was good!

I loved “the garden” and the people in it. I also loved the friendships and the ride or die energy they were all bringing when they got into a pickle.

I love the idea of a “soulhate” being someone you just want to deck when you see them. They took “it’s on sight” literally and I love it.

This book was more to do with the politics rather than the romance but the little moments between the fmc and mmc were just so good that I’d love just a book of them and maybe how they work together.

Overall, I did like the authors writing and I would read more from them and a 2nd book if it happens. (👀)

As someone who really enjoys the whole 'enemies' trope, this book fully delivered!

A unique story that explores the opposite of Soul Mates... we meet Renza, who herself is a force to be reckoned with!. As she adjusts to life in her newly appointed role ass a leader, we follow her struggles and challenges that come with such a title... and the clashes that undoubtedly come hand in hand with it too.

This really was a brilliant story, with a strong FMC and a well structured plot that keeps you engaged to the end!.


*Thank you to Netgalley, HarperCollins and Hannah Kingsley for providing me with an ARC of this book in return for my honest review.*

What do you mean that was the ending? What do you mean there’s no more? Hello? WHAT?! I’m freaking out—this book was incredible!

The concept of Soulhate is absolutely genius. The idea that there’s an opposite to a soulmate—someone you’re destined to despise so intensely that meeting them would drive you to murder? Obsessed.

From the start, I have to admit I did not like Nouis. He irritated me, rubbed me the wrong way, and I couldn’t even tell you why. But was I right or was I right?

The characters were so well-developed, with layered backstories and fantastic chemistry. Emelia and Alfieri? I would pay to read their story—so much potential there!

I was also lowkey obsessed with the worldbuilding. The level of detail made everything feel so vivid—I could picture the city and its surrounding areas perfectly.

Hannah Kingsley did an amazing job with this book, and I cannot recommend it enough to fans of high-stakes fantasy packed with action and tension.

All thoughts are my own. Huge thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the digital copy—I’m so grateful!

3.5/5

What happens when the one person you're destined to hate becomes the one you can't ignore? In this intriguing debut from Hannah Kingsley, we are introduced to a world where everyone is born with both a Soul Mate and a Soul Hate—connections that stir powerful, often conflicting emotions. Renza, following in her father’s political footsteps, meets her Soul Hate, Idris, just as the city of Halice falls under siege. Now, they must decide whether they can trust each other enough to fight for their city's survival.

Kingsley crafts an engaging enemies-to-lovers dynamic with Renza and Idris, and the tension between them is palpable throughout. The book is fast-paced and offers a fresh take on the concept of soul connections, but despite being marketed as an adult romantasy, it feels more like a YA novel. The fantasy elements are somewhat minimal, focusing primarily on the soul hate concept, and it lacks the deeper fantasy world-building one might expect in a romantasy. While the story could have benefited from more depth and development, I still found myself invested in the characters and their evolving relationship. Overall, it's an enjoyable read, and I look forward to more works by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Publisher for the ARC!

I started this book at a slower pace, however, once I realized how much it reminds me of Stephanie Garber and Sebastien de Castell’s works, I found myself flying through the pages. For a debut author still honing their unique voice, Hannah Kingsley’s writing flows remarkably well.

One of the book’s most intriguing aspects is its fresh take on the “fated” trope, with a unique twist that sets it apart from typical Romantasy. The concept of ‘Soulhate’ is raw, animalistic, and a compelling addition to the story. The characters can be frustrating, but their behavior feels justified by their circumstances, making their reactions more understandable. Without spoiling anything, I expected the trope to follow a predictable path, but it took an unexpected turn, making the story more refreshing.

While diversity in character development is always welcome, some aspects felt a little forced, as if they were included more for the sake of representation than as an organic part of the story. It wasn’t enough to take away from the overall experience, but it was noticeable and, at times, slightly distracting. That being said, the characters themselves were still engaging to a degree, though the only one I genuinely liked was Idris.

Additionally, there’s a fine balance between foreshadowing and outright predictability, and this book occasionally leans too much toward the latter. While I appreciate clever hints, I also enjoy being challenged as a reader. Some revelations could have been left for the audience to piece together, rather than being so painfully obvious.

The biggest shortcoming, however, is the world-building. While Kingsley dedicates ample time to describing architectural details—the stonework, the tiles, the stylistic choices of the setting—she doesn’t spend enough time explaining the actual systems of her world. There were too many unclear agendas among key figures, and the hierarchy of this world remained frustratingly vague, along with the stakes and consequences of actions.

Despite some flaws, Soul Hate is an enjoyable debut that shows promise for Hannah Kingsley as a writer. While the world-building left me with unanswered questions, the intriguing premise and the engaging writing style kept me invested. I’m giving this book 3 stars, and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on Kingsley’s future works.

Whilst this book is marketed as romantasy, I have to say I was left wanting for both romance and fantasy. The plot focuses more on political intrigue - and does it well - but the main advertised couple barely speak until well over half way through the book and the fantasy elements were fairly light. It felt more like a re-imagined version of ancient Rome/Greece than a fantasy realm.

The blend of setting and clothing style with decidedly modern concepts and speech threw me a little and left me struggling to clearly picture Halice (aside from the heat, which is mentioned extremely frequently). The exception to this, however, was the temple and the associated religious figures and militia - Hannah does a great job of portraying a territory emancipated from an oppressive religious presence while still weaving it's lingering influence into the story.

Pacing, from my perspective, wasn't great and seemed to lag for a good portion of the book before lurching off at hyperspeed near the end, where the conflict seemed to wrap up too neatly. I don't think this helped the stakes much, as I found myself not hugely invested in any of the characters' fates.

The romance is, largely, with a different character than the one advertised on the cover, and I never really felt like the main pairing actually became much of anything. I'm not sure if this is a standalone or a sequel, so perhaps this was the beginning of a very slow burn that will build in future books, or maybe it just didn't have the depths I expected going into a fantasy romance.

If you enjoy a politically driven plot and aren't too precious on a strong thread of romance or fantasy, I'd recommend this book, but if you're looking for heart-wrenching love or spectacular magic, you might be left wanting.

**Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC**

Thank NetGalley for the opportunity to read ARC SoulHate

I was so excited to receive this ARC. I loved the whole concept of Soulmate and Soulhate on which this world was built.

I liked how the concepts were presented and described. It's hard to say without spoilers, but I enjoyed the description of the state and emotions a person goes through when encountering soulhate, We get a glimpse of what happens when a person encounters their soulmate, but it's not very detailed.

The built world reminds me of ancient Rome, with the appearance of the city, the government, and the political story. The writer did a good job describing how their system works and how the world, their city-state, and partly others, is set up.

As for the main characters, Renza and Idris, who are connected as soulmates, the relationship develops gradually and naturally until the end, when it accelerates.

As I said, I really liked the concept of soulhate and how it was presented, but despite that, I gave it this 2-star rating. The plot was predictable, and there was too little focus on their soulmate relationship and too much on what was happening from a political aspect. I wish there had been more scenes between Renzo and Idris, more focus on the relationship and the development of that relationship. I would love to see how they function together, given their desire for each other and the emotions that being a souhate brought. This part was disappointing for me.

I'm glad I read the book, but it's not a book I would read twice.

First and foremost as always thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book. This was an incredibly good read! The story was beautifully written and the characters were flushed out really well! I hadn't really given much thought to the opposite of a soul mate before this book and I'm glad I got to read this one! The enemies to lovers in this was perfect! Definitely worth the read!

“Soul Hate,” by Hannah Kingsley

This book is a good book for people who like a lot of political intrigue and a constant enemy to lovers’ trope. It ended up being a little too political for me and I didn’t love how quickly it went from romantic to hating each other and then back again, the push and pull isn’t always my thing in books. It did have a lot of good things like the plot and characters that weren’t annoying and had a lot of their own goals. I like the fantasy vibe of the book overall. 3 out of 5 stars.

Thank you for the ARC, Netgalley.

Spoiler Warning: Soul Hate is a brilliant concept and story. Instead of usual soul mate / fated mate this story follows your fated soul hate. The person you are meant to kill from blind rage and hatred. However what happens when you eventually fall for them instead? There was some great political intrigue and I really liked how it felt set in an Italian city. The characters were well thought out. I feel there could have been more moments between Renza and Idris - their relationship seemed to jump quite quickly.
Nouis was a very interesting character but I did not trust him from the get go so I felt like I was waiting for the moment he was going to deceive the main character. It didn’t feel like much of a surprise.
Also, some descriptions were quite repetitive (for example, many buildings/objects were described as ‘creamy’ quite a lot)
I enjoyed the book and it was an easy read with a fun plot idea. 3.5 stars!

This was a nice, easy read but with lots of excitement in it. I wasn't expecting a soul hate/mate to be based around a religion and gods, but it was a good way to introduce it. The only thing that bothered me was not really understanding who/what the Holy Mother was, but unless there's going to be a second book (which I hope there will be), I think that keeping the mystery is good.

of course, the main feature of the book, enemies to lovers. I very nearly didn't think that it was going to happen, but it did, however it felt superficial and maybe only there to fulfill the trope. On the other hand, they enemied beautifully.

overall, this was a four star read with room for improvement in the plot but the way it was written was very good and once I started reading it, I didn't want to stop.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Unfortunately I DNFD this book i just found it a bit slow for my liking and I couldn't gel with the characters at all. It has a fab concept it was just not for me. I'm sure someone else will love it though

Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for providing me with an eARC of this book!

I ended up enjoying Soul Hate more than I expected to! I was pleasantly surprised by it and hope there will be a sequel.

The titular premise of the book, everyone having a soulmate and a 'soulhate' was definitely intriguing. I thought it made this book and the dynamics between the two main characters more interesting for sure.

I really enjoyed the political intrigue element of this book. It wasn't what I was expecting but I thought that it worked well. The city is based on the ancient cities of Rome and Athens, but with more modern values. This mostly worked but there were moments were I felt that the setting and the characters/ideas didn't quite gel. Additionally, the use of modern slang and language felt out of place.

I liked Renza a lot as a main character, even if she was willfully blind to a pretty obvious plot twist (in my opinion). Her motivations and ambition was enjoyable to read about.

I also liked Idris, but wish we could have seen more of him. I understand why we didn't, but I think there could have been ways around it to give us more of a glimpse.

I think where this book faltered a bit was in its pacing. The last 20% felt quite rushed and as though it should have been given another 100 pages or so. Another issue I had was that while I feel pretty certain that this book is intended to have a sequel, it felt at times as though the author was trying to cram everything into this book. The romance in particular could have been drawn out more and I think that would have made it more satisfying. This also applies to the mentions of the gods - I wish they had either been expanded upon (as they will be explored in greater depth in a future book) or limited. I kept expecting to learn more and was disappointed when I didn't.

In summary, I had fun with this and will read the sequel if there is one. 3.5/5

The synopsis and cover art held my attention right away and I was anticipating devouring this Ancient Rome vibes, betrayal filled book.

Unfortunately, the execution and romance fell short for me, with me predicting the villian early on and plot easily. Whilst reading I found myself not connecting with any characters and I found issues with the spice level as it is categorized as Young Adult. While I understand that due to the lack of “graphic Words”(anatomy) it was catogorized as YA, but I still believe due to how the spice scene was written it can be considered 17+. (More so NA and shouldn’t be geared towards young teens.)

Thank you to the author for the ARC <3

3.5 / 5 What happens when you fall for the one person you are destined to hate and destroy? We are born with both a Soul Mate and Soul Hate, both invoking visceral reactions and feelings. Renza is following in the political footsteps of her father, and meets her Soul Hate just before her beloved city of Halice falls under attack. Can she work with her Soul Hate to protect her city? Who can she trust?

This was a great debut book by Hannah Kingsley. The premise was unique and it was a fast paced, quick read, with enemies to lovers trope. The tension between Renza and Idris was well done. It’s labeled as an adult romantasy but felt more YA and did not have enough fantasy component to really classify as romantasy, it was really just the soul hate concept. The story felt a little rushed and could have involved more development but I still enjoyed the characters arc and plot.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

2.5/5

as always, thank you netgalley for the opportunity! i’m very sorry to deliver my negative review but this book was not for me, unfortunately.
i thought the premise was extremely interesting! the whole idea of having not only a soulmate but also a soulhate, the person you’re destined to kill, was definitely interesting and something i had never seen before. personally, i think it was not delivered that well. our main couple, Renza and Idris, started talking only after the 50% mark and Renza had almost instantly thoughts about his body and his touch. i also thought that they were going for each other’s throat way more than they actually did in reality, i understand that it was for the sake of the plot but it felt like their soulhate bond was not as relevant as it should’ve been.
the pace was fine, probably a little fast for me. on the other hand, i thought the writing was very much repetitive. not only the sentences’ structure was almost always the same, but it felt like we needed to know some irrelevant details too many times (ex: LIs’ smells).
also, if the author intended to use something from another language (in this case the use of the words “signore” and “signora”) please make sure to use them properly! an italian person would never say “signore Patricelli” but it would be “signor Patricelli”. i know it’s a minute detail but it was still wrong.
as my first approach to a romantasy, it was not successful. i do think people might like it so check it out if the premise interests you.