Hate the One You're With

Happily Ever Mishaps, Book 4

By: Kendall Hale

Narrated by: Sean Masters, Angelina Rocca

Length: 8 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

Hate The One You’re With is a fiery second-chance sizzling romance in which two former spouses are forced back into each other's lives—whether they like it or not.

My grandmother always had a flair for drama and was a master manipulator.

At eighteen, I was forced to marry so I could pay my college tuition. Enter Caleb Cunningham: my best friend’s brother and a hot Navy SEAL.

I needed my inheritance, his family needed money to cover his dad’s hospital bills. At the time, it seemed like a win-win—two acquaintances just helping each other out.

The marriage didn’t last, but that’s okay. It was a marriage of convenience, nothing more.

At least, that’s what I told myself.

Over a decade later, Grandma’s still pulling the strings from beyond the grave.

Her last wish? For me to live with my estranged husband for six months, or I lose everything—my company and my employees’ livelihoods included.

Now, I’m stuck with Caleb, the rugged, infuriating, and the man who once broke my heart. The deal is simple: he’ll stay with me for the next six months as long as I give him... well, everything.

He wants control.

He wants my grandmother’s penthouse.

And, of course, he wants the Bentley.

Caleb seems determined to make my life hell, and he’s enjoying every minute of it.

But if he thinks I’m going down without a fight, he’s got another thing coming. It takes two to make a marriage, and it’ll take two to crash it into the ground.

©2024 Kendall Hale (P)2024 Kendall Hale

Emmersyn and Caleb

I absolutely loved this book, especially because it featured my favorite trope, enemies to lovers. Emmersyn and Caleb marry young in a marriage of convenience so Emmersyn can secure her inheritance, but their relationship quickly falls apart. Now, over ten years later, she has to live with her estranged husband for six months in order to fulfill her grandmother's final wishes and keep her family's company. She gets Caleb to reluctantly agree, and both are set on driving each other crazy. The tension and angst between them were incredible, filled with desire that simmered just beneath the surface. The narrators were perfectly cast as Emmersyn and Caleb, capturing their chemistry and intensity beautifully. If you're a fan of second chances and the enemies to lovers trope, this is a must listen!

Such a cute forced proximity/ second chance

I was hooked into this audiobook because of Angelina Rocca being in it and I stayed for the wonderful author’s story (and Sean Masters, of course!).

These two MCs have one heck of a history and a windy road to HEA. It all starts with a grandma’s will and just continues from there.

Tropes: enemies to lovers, second chance, marriage of convenience and forced proximity.

It’s a bit silly and fun without eliminating some very real emotional moments. Dual narration

4 stars

Hate The One You're With is a second chance romance with two former spouses that are forced back into eachother's lives. At eighteen, Emerson was forced to marry to pay for her college tuition. Enter Caleb. Her best friend's brother and an ex Navy SEAL. Emerson needed her inheritance and Caleb needed money to pay his dad's hospital bills. They get married, but the marriage doesn't last long. Fast forward ten years later, Emerson's grandmother has passed and her last wish is for Emerson to live with her estranged husband for six months or she loses her company and her employees livelihoods too. Caleb agrees, but she needs to give him everything. Will these two find a way back to eachother again? And is love sweeter the second time around?

This was a super cute story! Kendall is a new to me author. I loved that it was written in past and present timelines. So as the reader we get a glimpse into how Caleb and Emerson got married and the fallout. When they first meet it was a chance encounter. Despite their circumstances of being in a marriage of convenience it was initially a win win situation. I liked all of Caleb and Emerson's moments. I felt the attraction between them. Caleb in the present timeline was keeping a secret from Emerson to protect her. I wasn't surprised about the secret, but felt so bad for them.

As for the audiobook narration, it was great! Performed in dual narration by Sean Masters and Angelina Rocca. They brought these characters to life. The audiobook was a quick listen for me. Sean conveyed Caleb's undeniable love for Emerson through his gruff tone. He had a deep, gravelly voice that captured Caleb's grumpiness too. Angelina conveyed Emerson with uneasiness in her tone that showed how Emerson didn't want to deal with her former spouse. I loved how Angelina showed Emerson's determination in keeping her company and protecting her employees. Both Sean and Angelina were amazing!