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Leighton River #1

How We Hated

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Anyone who thinks star-crossed love is romantic has never actually experienced it.

Natalie

I know two things about Dalton Wick.

First, he’s unreasonably hot. And … my father would disown me if I ever got involved with him.

The hatred between our families runs deep. We’re still suffering from what his father did to our small town decades ago.

So, I’ll work with Dalton on our school project because my grade depends on it. But I will not fall for him.

Or so I think …

Dalton

I know two things about Natalie Spencer.

First, she hates my family, specifically my dad—almost as much as I do. And … I want her so much that it hurts.

But her being with me would ruin her relationship with her father. So, I should walk away. Everything would be much easier if I did. Logically, I know that.

Too bad my heart doesn’t seem interested in logic where Natalie is concerned …

How We Hated, book 1 in the Leighton River series, is a standalone, enemies-to-lovers, new adult, sports romance with plenty of emotional and angsty moments and some spicy times. Download it today and get ready to fall for Natalie and Dalton.

341 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 11, 2024

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About the author

Lauren Runow

48 books1,310 followers
Lauren Runow is the author of multiple Adult Contemporary Romance novels, some more dirty than others. When Lauren isn't writing, you'll find her listening to music, at her local CrossFit, reading, or at the baseball field with her boys. Her only vice is coffee, and she swears it makes her a better mom!

Lauren is a graduate from the Academy of Art in San Francisco and is the founder and co-owner of the community magazine she and her husband publish. She is a proud Rotarian, helps run a local non-profit kids science museum, and was awarded Woman of the Year from Congressman Garamendi. She lives in Northern California with her husband and two sons.


You can also stay in touch through the social media links below.

Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/laurenjrunow

Instagram at https://instagram.com/Lauren_Runow/

BookBub at https://www.bookbub.com/authors/laure...

Twitter at https://twitter.com/LaurenRunow

Join her reader group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/16285...

or sign up for her newsletter at http://eepurl.com/btD6j9

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5 stars
88 (42%)
4 stars
69 (33%)
3 stars
43 (20%)
2 stars
5 (2%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
Profile Image for Alejandra.
85 reviews21 followers
January 12, 2024
Omg I loved this so much, the way this took me back to high school and made me feel so giddy and happy to just think about love. I really enjoyed Dalton and Natalie’s story 💕

This gave me (very loosely) country Romeo and Juliet vibes in the best, most fun way possible. I laughed, fell in love and felt the anguish and pain of teen love and drama and it couldn’t have been better written.

I really like the world in Leighton River, the characters, I can’t wait for more to come, i really liked Susie as a side character and I’m hoping she gets her own book because she’s the ultimate friend!

This was my first book by this author and certainly won’t be the last.
Profile Image for Julie Booklover.
1,430 reviews73 followers
January 12, 2024
Feuding Families, The Haves and the Have Nots, all come together when Dalton & Natalie are assigned as partners for a semester. In this Romeo and Juliette vibe, the two are bound until the project is completed. Will they develop feelings for each other? The fathers will be upset in this situation. The real reason for the feud? Read the book and find out.

Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
Profile Image for Vanessa Gayle ⚔️ Fangirl Faction.
1,018 reviews826 followers
January 17, 2024
Disclaimer: I received this book at no cost from the publisher/author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. I am leaving a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.

This high school romance had me hooked from the first page. The blurb for this book caught my attention and I always love a great coming-of-age story. This was my first adventure with this author, but many more will come!

How We Hated has:
- A forbidden romance with Romeo and Juliet vibes for days.
- Characters that you can't help but latch onto and root for.
- Feuding families and lots of intrigue.
- Distinct characters that stand out.
- Fantastic writing that spoke to me.
- Remarkable character growth.
- Football Jock/Cowgirl
- Enemies-to-lovers plus forced proximity.
- An emotional rollercoaster of a love story that is so gripping.
- Enemies to friends to more in an emotional love journey.
- Vibrant world-building.
- Inspiring themes of friendship and forgiveness.
- Pure romance and feels.

Overall, this was a captivating coming-of-age story that had me completely hooked. This story really stood out with memorable characters, brilliant storytelling, and a riveting plot that kept my attention. I enjoyed this story very much and will continue this series and read more from this author.


BLOG FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM GOODREADS TIKTOK TWITTER BOOKBUB AMAZON PINTEREST KO-FI

My bookshelves can sometimes be spoilers.
Profile Image for M.E. Carter.
Author 50 books1,058 followers
Read
December 6, 2023
I've been waiting for this to finally come out so everyone can read it!!!!! YAY!
Profile Image for Crystal Andrews.
314 reviews2 followers
January 27, 2024
Dalton & Natalie

Sworn enemies forced to find a way to work together on a school protect... What could go wrong? Or go perfectly right! I loved the banter, pranks, and angst of this young couple (and their soundtrack, too). I enjoyed this story and could picture the people, places, and friendships written. I can't wait to revisit Leighton River!
Profile Image for Erin Hardee.
183 reviews10 followers
January 13, 2024
Rating 4.5⭐️
Spice 1🌶
YA Romance

Tropes
- Enemies to Lovers
- Small Town
- Football/Cowgirl
- Families are Enemies
- Forced Proximity
- Romeo & Juliet Vibes

I don't normally read YA books, but this one drew me in, and I couldn't put it down. First I loved the Town they live in Leighton River. Country, with beautiful scenery describe by the author. She didn't leave the details of this town out. You could imagine you were there, and I appreciate books like that.
This book gave me loose vibes if Romeo and Juliet. Dalton and Natalie's family hate each other. Specifically, their fathers. Something happened between Dalton's fathers company and Natalie's family land. Didn't really go into specifics of it, but gave hints. I hope it will be more touched on throughout this series. Natalie hates Dalton father just as much as Dalton does. They both can't stand each other because of this family feud.
They were made lab partners their senior year of high school. Even though they tried to get out of it, the teacher wouldn't let them. Compared it to real life co-workers that you don't like. You still can't get out of working with them. The me they work together, the closer they become. Even though their fathers flat out don't want them getting close, it happens. Dalton is the football star of the high school with scholarships to Stanford. He is expected to go there because his family did. He is to take over the company. It's a lot of pressure for a teenage boy, and isn't exactly what he wants. Natalie is the cowgirl of the town. She loves her horse, Brandy. It's her best friend. She helps her family out on their land, taking care of the farm animals.
The author brought me back to my high school years. The love and hate of people. The pressures of making good grades and doing things that we don't want to do sometimes. The football games and hanging out with friends. The new love of your life. The attraction and feelings that come along with it. Going from someone, you couldn't stand to having a crush and falling in love for the first time. I felt all of these while reading this book. I'm happy I read this book and can't wait for the next one to come out.

I received this book as an advance reader copy from Wordsmith and received the book itself from the author and Wordsmith.
Profile Image for Stefanie Pace.
90 reviews2 followers
January 11, 2024
Such a fun read. Once you start you won’t want to put it down. Every page makes you feel giddy and excited. I cannot wait for book 2!
396 reviews2 followers
March 2, 2024
Dalton and Natalie

Dalton and Natalie's families are mortal enemies since way before they were born. Dalton's dad did terrible things to Natalie's family. They grew up as enemies and their senior year were made to be partners by a teacher. They fought it but eventually fell in love. Now to convince her parents that he wasn't like his father. Great story. Have loved every book that I've read by this author.
107 reviews2 followers
December 26, 2023
I received this book in exchange for a review:

If you love a good forbidden high school romance story, then this is your book!

Gotta love the football jock and how the whole town loves him and his family, well, almost everyone... not the FFA president and the only true "cowgirl" in the town!

Love how each of the families, the Wicks and the Spencers, have their mark on the town but they can't get along because of a feud between the men of the house... the dads... the kids have nothing to do with it but have been raised to steer clear. Not exactly hate each other but steer clear.

All that is so simple until the teacher pairs everyone off for multiple projects with the same person for the year...lucky Natalie and Dalton get paired together and are forced to get to know each other. What they find is something so different than what their dads always told them and what the town always backed.

Such a great book!
Profile Image for Wonder Tre Reads -Tre Harris.
1,241 reviews29 followers
December 26, 2023
Im usually not one to jump on a High School romance stories but when Lauren Runow writes a book, I will read it without a second thought. Dalton and Natalie’s story is one that is filled with a roller coaster ride of drama, romance and an enemies to lovers tale. From the beginning I was swooning over Dalton and as we read further and learn more about him I just feel deeper. A story that was written perfectly for the age of the characters without overdoing the details of any events. The secondary characters have enough depth that you want to know about them too. A wonderful read with a HEA. I cannot wait to see what is to come next in this standalone series.
Profile Image for Karen.
510 reviews3 followers
December 26, 2023
I love Lauren's writing, and Dalton and Natalie's story was phenomenal! I loved the enemies to friends to lovers aspect of the book. The push and pull and show buildup between each stage of the relationship kept me so intrigued.

These two were raised to hate each other because of a family history that happened before they were born. When they are forced to work together on a project, they have to learn to get along even if it's the last thing they want to do. They eventually find out that hating it each is harder to do when feelings start getting in the way.

If you like small town, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, then you don't want to miss out on this amazing story of friendship, forgiveness, love, and truth. I can't wait to continue with this series!
Profile Image for Amanda Davanzati.
521 reviews17 followers
January 6, 2024
Lauren Runow knows exactly how to write small town love between two characters and captures the emotion perfectly!

How We Hated is a small town, enemies to lovers, sports romance that absolutely captures your attention and leaves you wanting more!! I love everything about second of this book and I couldn’t not put it down. The angst between Dalton and Natalie was spectacular! I love the chemistry between them, the banter, the ability for them to learn more about each other. This was just a really great book with such a great story being told that was entertaining, heartwarming, and captivating! There is just something about Lauren Runow’s books that really hit the mark and blow me away!

I want so much more from this world! I can’t wait to read the next book and see which characters get their own book! I am so in love with this book! I definitely recommend this book for others!
Profile Image for Brandi Sartin lawrence.
516 reviews5 followers
January 12, 2024
Dalton and Natalie were raised to hate each other. Their fathers don’t get along and have been feeding for years. They don’t talk to each other or hang out together. But what happens when they are forced to work on a project together.? They can’t get out of it either. Since they have to hang out to do the project, what happens if feels start to develop? They can’t be together. Natalie’s dad would have a cow and Dalton’s dad would forbid it. But what happens when Dalton finds out the real reason for the feud?
Profile Image for Thuy Taylor.
1,315 reviews17 followers
January 19, 2024
High school, enemies to lovers, family rivalry, forced partnership assignment, small town, secret/forbidden relationship. Natalie & Dalton grew up hating each other bc that’s what they were supposed to do and what was told by the grown ups. But, as they get older and start questioning the reasoning, they go against the rules and fall in love with each other. But, once their secret relationship is discovered, things get out of hand. Will they be able to stay together without the family drama??!! Set on a ranch and connecting properties, the older generation have all this drama but kids are caught in the crossfire. I liked Dalton’s character. He is the hero in everything in this book!!!
January 13, 2024
What a wonderful story of forbidden love!! There families have hated each other for forever, so Natalie and Dalton are along for the ride. Even though the main characters are in high school and there is the typical high school drama, they are both very mature and dealing with a lifetime of hate for each others families. I could see their story and struggle from both sides and my heart broke for both of them over the course of the books in many different ways. I loved the side characters in this book much as I did in other series written by this author and cannot wait to read the other books in this series and learn more about the people from Leighton River. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book for my honest opinion.
601 reviews5 followers
January 11, 2024
Lauren Runow has perfectly captured the in’s and outs of a generational feud between two families! Dalton Wick’s family has made it their goal to ruin the Spencer’s family. Not sure why, Dalton and Natalie Spencer have ignored and hated each other all their lives. Or at least since Dalton’s dad and his partners moved their tech company to Montana!
Now Dalton and Natalie have been forced to work together their senior year in English class.
Filled with all the angst, unwanted attraction, and drama of high school, this book is amazing!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for Lauren Runow and How We Hated!
Profile Image for Donna.
175 reviews3 followers
January 17, 2024
Lauren Runow has done it again! Causing the reader (me) to fall in love with her characters is her specialty! Natalie and Dalton come from two very different family structures. One is a loving family. The other is a just-there kind of family. No love or support kind of family. This is a story of love and hate that moves toward a forbidden love. How do you make it work? This is a must-read! You won't be disappointed.
456 reviews4 followers
January 1, 2024
Enemies to lovers is a hard trope for me to read. So much animosity gets to me. It's no big surprise then that the first few chapters were difficult to read, when we're introduced to the characters and how much they dislike each other. I breathed a huge sigh of relief at the first sign of a break in their hatred. I could feel it start to thaw. I was so curious to know what Natalie and Dalton were going to do to end the families' feud. My favorite part is when Dalton gets old-timey and calls her 'little lady'. And dare I say, I am really looking forward to the next book in the series.

I reviewed an ARC copy of this book.
1,812 reviews4 followers
January 13, 2024
A family feud running hot and two young souls from enemy families forced together by a school project. Ms Runow brings small town rivalry, forbidden romance and wonderful characters together in a captivating story.
Filled with angst, chemistry, engaging banter, forgiveness and love with a perfect HEA.
Dalton and Natalie are realistic and easy to cheer for and although a high school setting, they are mature and nothing is overdone. With a great support cast who I look forward to seeing more of in future stories from this new series.

I received an ARC from Wordsmith Publicity and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for ap_reads14.
110 reviews37 followers
December 28, 2023

The heart knows what the heart wants. This is Dalton and Natalie’s story 💕Truly loved these characters and can’t wait for Ben and Maya’s read. Thank you Lauren for the ARC😊You rock girl 🥰

5 “fight for us” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Profile Image for Danielle Robbins.
2,590 reviews12 followers
January 6, 2024
How We Hated is book one in a new series. It was a good read. Natalie and Dalton's families have a pretty deep hatred and feud between them. Things slowly start to change between Natalie and Dalton once they are forced to be partners in a school project. They need to figure out a way to break the feud so they can be together and get her father on board. The two had great chemistry and were cute together! Looking forward to reading more in this series!
Profile Image for Jdursi.
1,242 reviews8 followers
January 18, 2024
3.5 stars

This was an enjoyable read. I think this series has a ton of potential. I am looking forward to book 2. Not sure I would consider this NA. It was more YA in my opinion. Dalton and Natalie’s story held my attention & I did find myself anticipating what would happen next. It had its emotional parts. I really felt Natalie’s internal struggle with what she perceived to be a betrayal to her family. What it did lack for me was the angst it promised. It just didn’t twist my gut the way I hoped it would. I see the groundwork being laid for the followups to this and I hope the characters I want get their own stories.


2,607 reviews15 followers
January 15, 2024
Feuding Families - High School Style !!

Two families with a grudge against each other. The Wicks are affluent and have a company in high tech, the Spencers ranch, feeding the town and surrounding areas. A class assignment requires random partners. Dalton Wick and Natalie Spencer are both appalled when they must work together.

Misconceptions, and wicked pranks ensue. Until they must really learn about each other through the project. Both have their eyes opened, and an alliance is created, maybe more. They hide their time together as the feud is alive and well.

Emotional, time of growing up, and moving on from past history.

***** I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book *****
Profile Image for Thuy Taylor.
1,315 reviews17 followers
January 19, 2024
High school, enemies to lovers, family rivalry, forced partnership assignment, small town, secret/forbidden relationship. Natalie & Dalton grew up hating each other bc that’s what they were supposed to do and what was told by the grown ups. But, as they get older and start questioning the reasoning, they go against the rules and fall in love with each other. But, once their secret relationship is discovered, things get out of hand. Will they be able to stay together without the family drama??!! Set on a ranch and connecting properties, the older generation have all this drama but kids are caught in the crossfire. I liked Dalton’s character. He is the hero in everything in this book!!!
Profile Image for A.BookNerd.Bookseller&Bibliophile.Blog.
2,706 reviews100 followers
January 11, 2024
Dalton and Natalie are enemies. But are they really? They hate each other because of their dads. Dalton doesn’t really know the true reason. And Natalie assumes that Dalton is exactly like his dad. Until they are forced to get to know each other better. Then all the truths come to the surface. I enjoyed the premise of forced proximity and how Natalie really holds her own with Dalton. The slow realization that Dalton goes through as he understands how cruel his dad really is. And his resolve to show Natalie and his family that he isn’t like his dad…I loved it all. And of course Natalie and her loyalty to her family is so heartwarming. I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait for more in the series.
~Alexis💜
Profile Image for Jennifer Webb.
7 reviews
January 17, 2024
Friday night lights meets a little Yellowstone……..
This was a great read and had some great feel good moments and twist and turns along the way! If you are a Tyler childres fan and can’t believe his the song is finally recognized in a book!! I would like to see this couple continuing in adult life from high school…. Maybe Dalton persues a musical career instead of football because of a tragic accident…. Maybe some future thriller moments 🤣 But that’s me just really likening the romance of this couple! Can’t wait for the next book of this series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews

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