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Shake some hands. Kiss some coworkers.
Cutthroat political consultant Thom Morgan is thriving, working on the governor of California’s presidential campaign. If only he didn’t have to deal with Clay Parker, the infuriatingly smug data analyst who gets under Thom’s skin like it’s his job. In the midst of one of their heated and very public arguments, a journalist snaps a photo, but the image makes it look like they’re kissing. As if that weren’t already worst-nightmare territory, the photo goes viral—and in a bid to secure the liberal vote, the governor asks them to lean into it. Hard.
Thom knows all about damage control—he practically invented it. Ever the professional, he’ll grin and bear this challenge as he does all others. But as the loyal staffers push the boundaries of “giving the people what they want,” the animosity between them blooms into something deeper and far more dangerous: desire. Soon their fake relationship is hurtling toward something very real, which could derail the campaign and cost them both their jobs…and their hearts.
Rating: Narration – A-; Content – B+
You’d think that a book with a title like Love, Hate & Clickbait and a cutesy cartoon cover would be an equally cutesy rom-com – but you’d be wrong. Personally speaking, I’m glad it didn’t turn out to be a cutesy rom-com; I’ve had quite enough of those TYVM, most of them neither comedic nor romantic. Love, Hate & Clickbait is an antagonists-to-lovers workplace romance set in the office of a governor looking to make a presidential run, so these characters are not immediately likeable, the humour is fairly dark and the sarcasm is biting – and I was Here For It.
Political consultant Thom Morgan is brilliant, driven and completely ruthless. He’s in his element working in the office of the governor of California – he thrives on the wheeling and dealing (and double-dealing) and is looking forward to running the governor’s presidential campaign. The one blot on the otherwise perfect landscape is having to deal with the team’s data analyst Clay Parker, who might be a technical whizz but acts and dresses like he’s still in college and is infuriatingly smug with a chip on his shoulder to boot. When Clay inadvertently disrupts the entire office’s internet connection at a really crucial moment, Thom snaps and loses his temper, pushing Clay against the wall in a threatening manner and insulting him – then heads off to work out a strategy for dealing with their boss’ latest gaffe – a homophobic remark made when she didn’t realise she could be overheard.
You can read the rest of this review at AudioGals.
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