[Review] I Hate You, Fuller James - Kelly Anne Blount

Summary: I hate you, Fuller James.

I hate your floppy hair and your lopsided grin and those laughing blue eyes that always seem to be laughing at me.

I hate that you’re the most popular guy in school and I’m still the girl who sneezed and spit out her retainer on someone at a middle school dance. It’s just such a cliché.

I hate that I’m being forced to tutor you in English and keep it a secret from everyone. Because otherwise it might put our basketball team’s chances at winning State in jeopardy, and even though I hate you, I love basketball.

I hate that it seems like you’re keeping a secret from me…and that the more time we spend together, the less I feel like I’m on solid ground. Because I’m starting to realize there’s so much more to you than meets the eye. Underneath it all, you’re real.

But what I hate most is that I really don’t hate you at all.
(Pub Date: Mar 02, 2020)

For times when you need to lie down with a pleasant read that won't disappoint you.

3.5.

Wren has hated Fuller James especially since her best friend became his on-and-off plus turned against her, joining the chorus of Wren-tainer. And Fuller has done nothing to prove he didn't deserve his fame, either. When they get involved in some food war in cafeteria, Wren is punished to tutor him so Fuller doesn't lose his place in the basketball team. Only they need to keep this weird allegiance in secret. What does Fuller do? He gets himself in a bet that he'll win her heart and break it so his friend and Wren's old flame has to take her to the party. He doesn't even notice he is filling each blank of the bet, and more.

Among those predictable YA reads, I say this goes a little above. It is exactly what you expect, and most of times need to read, but it is well written with cute characters and nice situations. I love Fuller's brother, the story behind Wren's grandfather. There are a lot of perks even though you could still call it another YA rom-com of from enemies to lovers.

Another good point is that the writer doesn't waste time convincing us they don't get along. Most books will write in silly arguments with more-than-cheesy retorts that only make my eyes roll or the two singling each other out in the most childish way to show the point until we're finally in the turnaround. This book starts from the turnaround after the big fight in the cafeteria and I feel it was better this way. Not like we can't imagine them not getting along before.

It's still a comfort read, that can be silly to those who long for something else. At the same time, right because of that, you can finish it in a sitting, if you must. It's quick, entertaining and endearing.

Honest review based on an ARC provided by Netgalley. Many thanks to the publisher for this opportunity.

Rating: 3 out of 5.