Last week, Marcus convinced us that mismatched socks are officially “science experiments.” Our laundry room looks like a research lab for stray socks now, but it made me think about how opposites sometimes work better together—just like in Dear Love, I Hate You. As I watched Rebecca sketch robots and Matthew debate the merits of digital versus analog clocks, I found myself diving into this enemies-to-lovers romance and chuckling over the perfect mix of chaos and chemistry. Maybe my family isn’t fighting mysterious pen pals, but the drama and humor in this book felt right at home amid our own quirky experiments.
Plot Summary
Dear Love, I Hate You by Eliah Greenwood follows Aveena and Xavier, two high schoolers in the small town of Silver Springs. Once childhood friends, they’re now rivals with a mountain of past hurts between them. After Aveena leaves a secret note, the pair begin sharing confessions through hidden letters and sticky notes, never revealing their real identities. The story builds as these secret pen pals unravel family secrets, school drama, and emotional wounds while slowly discovering each other’s true selves. Their relationship, filled with tension and unlikely loyalty, tests whether love can grow in the shadow of old pain. The book is the first in the Silver Springs series and works well for new readers or series fans alike.
Why I Love This Book
I love how Aveena and Xavier feel like real people—broken, stubborn, and slowly brave. Their quick banter in notes made me smile, and the emotional twists kept me turning pages late into the night. The story takes the enemies-to-lovers trope and gives it enough depth and vulnerability that the characters’ journey actually feels earned. Xavier’s growth is compelling, while Aveena’s courage felt genuine and heartfelt. The ups and downs reminded me that tough conversations and forgiveness can shape people more than romance itself. And honestly, the combination of humor and angsty moments was exactly what I needed after a week of family chaos and never-ending sock mysteries!
Who Will Like This Book
If you enjoy contemporary romance with an enemies-to-lovers twist, secret pen pals, and plenty of emotional tension, you’ll likely love this story. It’s perfect for readers who appreciate high school drama, morally gray characters, and slow-burn angst mixed with humor. I’d especially recommend it to fans of steamy, complex romances that deal with tough issues. You’ll get unpredictable twists, messy emotions, and some genuinely swoon-worthy notes (plus a few jaw-dropping secrets).
⚠️ Trigger warning: bullying, suicide, explicit content, manipulation, grief, abuse, mature themes, broken families, emotional trauma.
Tagged As
enemies-to-lovers romance, contemporary romance, high school drama, emotional angst, pen pals, morally gray characters, secret confessions, small town, series starter, steamy, bullying, broken families, character growth, explicit romance, indie romance, HEA, Silver Springs, dual POV
Steam Level
The romance is passionate and explicit, with several scenes featuring mature, high-intensity encounters. The sexual tension drives character growth and plot development; steamy moments are central but never overshadow the emotional heart of the story.
