A Love Hate Thing

by Whitney D. Grandison Narrated by Adenrele Ojo, Barrie Buckner

Overview

“If you love a good enemies-to-lovers trope, run-don't walk-to the nearest bookstore or library near you.” -BuzzFeed

"I couldn't put it down!” -New York Times bestselling author Simone Elkeles

When Tyson Trice finds himself tossed into the wealthy community of Pacific Hills, he expects not to belong. Not that he cares. After recovering from being shot and surviving the rough streets of Lindenwood, he doesn't care about anyone or anything.

Golden girl Nandy Smith has spent most of her life building the pristine image it takes to make it in Pacific Hills. After learning that her parents are taking in a troubled teen boy, Nandy fears her summer plans and her reputation will go up in flames.

The wall between their bedrooms feels as thin as the line between love and hate. But*their growing attraction won't be denied. Soon Trice is bringing Nandy out of her shell and Nandy's trying to melt the ice around Trice's heart. But with the ever-present pull back to Lindenwood, it'll be a wonder if Trice makes it through this summer at all.

Also by Whitney D. Grandison:
The Right Side of Reckless

Editorial Reviews

MAY 2020 - AudioFile

Adenrele Ojo’s and Barrie Buckner’s narration talents transform this reunion of childhood friends into a vivid and emotional story for listeners. After tragedy strikes, teenaged Tyson Trice is taken in by a wealthy family and starts his life again. Buckner’s smooth and soulful voice has an enjoyably youthful tone—his performance captures Trice’s initial hardness, which gives way when his childhood friend, Nandy, enters his life again. Ojo finds a bright and welcoming voice for the popular teen, who is quick to make assumptions. Ojo and Buckner serve up the contentious banter and heated flirting as the teens learn to put aside their judgments. The variety of angst, teen drama, and romance make this leisurely paced narration an engrossing listen. J.E.C. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

From the Publisher

"Emotional, gripping love story! I couldn't put it down!"-Simone Elkeles, New York Times bestselling author of Perfect Chemistry

"The wrap-up is exactly what readers will want."-Kirkus Reviews

"The story is undeniably juicy, with twists and turns."-Booklist

School Library Journal

01/01/2020

Gr 9 Up—Nandy lives in Pacific Hills, a rich neighborhood close to Lindenwood, a less affluent and notoriously tough neighborhood. Nandy's closest childhood friend, Trice, is from Lindenwood and would visit with his grandfather who worked as a landscaper for Nandy's family. But Nandy and Trice lost touch when they were seven years old. Ten years have passed and Trice is suddenly living with Nandy's family in Pacific Hills. Convinced that he is a dangerous criminal who will at the very least ruin her summer plans, Nandy shuns Trice and excludes him at every opportunity. While Trice struggles with his tragic past, he develops friendships with some of the people in Nandy's social group. The mounting tension between Nandy and Trice results in an argument in which Nandy finally learns the truth about Trice's past. A renewed friendship follows and allows Nandy and Trice to indulge their romantic desires for each other. Told in the alternating, indistinguishable voices of the two teens, the plot moves slowly through almost 500 pages. Supporting characters are one dimensional and do not add depth to the story. The lessons about tolerance and friendship are almost entirely lost among the overly stereotyped situations and dialogue. VERDICT This book may find an audience in the author's following on Wattpad but it is otherwise an additional purchase.—Lynn Rashid, Marriotts Ridge High School, Marriottsville, MD

MAY 2020 - AudioFile

Adenrele Ojo’s and Barrie Buckner’s narration talents transform this reunion of childhood friends into a vivid and emotional story for listeners. After tragedy strikes, teenaged Tyson Trice is taken in by a wealthy family and starts his life again. Buckner’s smooth and soulful voice has an enjoyably youthful tone—his performance captures Trice’s initial hardness, which gives way when his childhood friend, Nandy, enters his life again. Ojo finds a bright and welcoming voice for the popular teen, who is quick to make assumptions. Ojo and Buckner serve up the contentious banter and heated flirting as the teens learn to put aside their judgments. The variety of angst, teen drama, and romance make this leisurely paced narration an engrossing listen. J.E.C. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

Kirkus Reviews

2019-11-17
A teen from a rough neighborhood is taken in by a wealthy family and falls for their daughter.

Six months ago, 17-year-old Trice's abusive father shot him, killed his mother, and then committed suicide. Trice was left in the care of his grandfather, but when he dies, his former employers, the Smith family, became Trice's legal guardians. Trice moves from Lindenwood, where he was secretly involved in a car theft ring, to the affluent Pacific Hills, getting a fresh start. Although Trice and the Smiths' popular teen daughter, Nandy, used to be childhood playmates, when he moves in she's rude because she thinks he is going to ruin her summer. They spend the summer fighting, although their mutual attraction is almost immediate. Debut author Grandison returns to the emotional fallout from the death of Trice's family and his new beginning ad nauseum, testing the patience of readers. Fans of the TV show The O.C. and author Simone Elkeles' Perfect Chemistry trilogy will recognize both the characters and plot. Nandy and Trice are black, and while there is a multicultural cast of supporting characters, including Nandy's brother who was adopted from Thailand, they are not well developed and their issues feel generic. The final drama that brings Trice back to Lindenwood is hard to believe, but the wrap-up is exactly what readers will want.

Familiar bad boy-meets-good girl—but it's complicated—romance. (Fiction. 14-18)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940173712608
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	01/07/2020
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	13 - 17 Years

Videos