At First Hate - K.A. Linde

At First Hate

By K.A. Linde

  • Release Date: 2021-09-07
  • Genre: Romance
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 69 Ratings

Description

A new stand alone enemies-to-lovers romance from USA Today bestselling author K.A. Linde…

Derek Ballentine and I have always been on opposite sides of everything.

I went to a public Savannah high school. He went to a private Catholic school. I went to Duke on scholarship. He went to UNC as a legacy. When we both end up at Harvard for graduate school and we’re finally on a level playing field, I think it’s all going to change.

I was wrong.

The only thing that changed was ending up in his bed.

Now my grandma has passed away, and Derek is the attorney helping the people trying to steal her legacy. I’ll do anything to stop that from happening. Even take on my lifetime enemy.

I hate him at first sight…but I also want him at first hate.

Reviews

  • Loveeee

    5
    By Mrs.Gragg
    The chemistry of these characters are off the charts, the heartbreak and life in general for the poor girl. Gives you all the feels from start to finish. I love alll things KA Linde and this one is no different.
  • Angst level 100! Love it!!!

    5
    By JTumminello
    Folks…we may have a new KA Linde favorite!! The angst is REAL with this one!! I also absolutely LOVED how she had “cameo” appearances of some very familiar characters in previous books! (It makes me really picture them all as real people!!! I’m invested even more now!) Marley isn’t going to let anyone stop her from reaching her life goals. She didn’t have the most ideal childhood but is blessed to have been raised by her grandparents who she adores and strives to make proud. Lucky for her, she also has some AMAZING friends, all of which she will need to survive Derek Ballentine… Derek has it all. Money. Popularity. Athletic. But the one thing he wants most, the one thing that challenges him most, is Marley and she’s not interested! (Or is she??) Derek sets his sights on Marley in high school and this amazing book follows them both on their journeys together and apart. Sometimes in life we picture things a certain way, and when that picture finally develops it’s often times not what we expected it to be at all. How will Derek and Marley’s picture develop?? Dive into this one today and find out!!! PS, after you read this book, let me know if you want a “sidecar” too!!!
  • Angst city!

    5
    By ADavison19
    Linde has been a favorite of mine since I discovered Off the Record. Her angst level was off the charts with this one. I loved learning more about Marley. We got a little snippet of her in Hold the Forevers and I couldn’t wait to see if she got her HEA! Can’t wait to see what happens in Second to None!
  • Another fabulous read from Linde!

    5
    By amandac3
    It’s been awhile since I devoured a book. But I could not put this one down. We get a very brief glimpse of Marley and Derek’s relationship, or lack thereof, in Hold the Forevers. So I was super intrigued and excited for their book. And it did not disappoint. The book goes back and forth from past to present. I really enjoyed how Linde mapped the book out. It was easy to follow. Marley and Derek meet in high school and it’s a lot of angsty back and forth for many years. I laughed and cried and wanted to throw things and give both characters a swift kick in the rear at times. Derek is your typical rich playboy that we all love. Marley is your typical smart girl next door that’s trying to do big things. Their chemistry is off the charts from the get go. And I loved their journey to a HEA. Another fabulous read from Linde. And I’m super excited for the next installment in this world.
  • Stories like these are the reason K.A. Linde is a favorite!!

    5
    By sarah klecker
    Derek and Marley are so amazing!! Resistance is futile when both parties acknowledge that after many years of animosity, that there is chemistry and still desire and feelings towards one another…things are bound to happen…until you get friend-zoned. When Derek Ballentine takes on the case that could quite literally destroy her, Marley must Lee him at arms length…for her safety, and the safety and well-being of her heart. Loved that a few known characters make some surprise cameos. Broke out into a smile and thoroughly enjoyed having familiars pop in and give a snap shot of their timeline.
  • Second Chances

    4
    By tfail24
    Marley and Derek’s story takes place through High School, College, Grad School, and in their current daily life. Their relationship has more than second chances, because they have multiple run-ins with each other through the years. Marley knows that Derek is always a bad choice, but she knows there is a good side to Derek Ballentine and is always drawn to him. The biggest difference between the two is that Marley has struggled through life and come out on top, thanks to her Grandparents. Derek comes from money and really never had to work to hard for what he had. I loved how Derek finally realized what he had in Marley and was will to stand up to everyone for her. Great story, but it does jump back and forth during various times of their lives.
  • Southern charm at its finest

    5
    By Snellyville22
    I love this book! I love the great descriptions of an amazing southern town and I love the characters! There are so many cross over characters from other books which is super fun for me but it’s also a stand alone book! Mars is everyone’s favorite girl and Derek is someone you grow to love and you find yourself rooting for them the entire story!
  • All the stars

    5
    By Crystal 💜📚
    Wow, I don’t think I was emotionally prepared for this one. I guess I should have known since it was set in the same world as Hold The Forevers. But man, even being out through the emotional ringer, I loved this book. Enemies to lovers has always been one of my top Troupes and this one knocked it out of the park!! The writing is phenomenal and you will find yourself emerged in this world. KA Linde does a fantastic job going back and forth between past and present to present the whole story and gives it so much depth. One of my favorite things in books from authors I love are Easter Eggs. Man, I think KA Linde is officially the queen of Easter eggs in a book. This is one that will be a reread. Honestly, will probably snag the audio for the second time around. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
  • Absolutely fan-flipping-tastic !!!!!

    5
    By Ashel05
    Can I please rewind time and start this over again! Devoured!!!!! In one sitting. No laundry. Nothing I planned to accomplish today. Just. This. Phenomenal. Book. I cannot recommend this enough. The cameos mentioned throughout this book were the perfect sprinkles on an already phenomenal story!!! I mean. Come on. Swooooon. Marley. Mars. A sweet, self proclaimed nerdy gal. Derek Ballantine. A king among their age. Can be kind. Protective. Charismatic. Often makes the wrong call. I felt every single thing while reading this book. I will say everything you have loved about Ms Linde’s stories is all over this. A little Avoiding, a lot Of The Forevers, even a little upper east side…. It has it all. It’s a phenomenal read! I will say no more. Read it. Easily in the best of 2021 and really best of ever shelves!