If you’ve spent more than five minutes scrolling through BookTok lately, you’ve definitely seen that vibrant, high-contrast cover. You know the one. Lucy Score’s I Hate You More isn’t just another romance novel floating around the digital ether; it’s become a legitimate cultural touchstone for readers who crave that specific, jagged edge of the "enemies-to-lovers" trope. It’s messy. It’s loud. Honestly, it’s exactly what the genre needed to shake off some of the stagnation we’ve seen in contemporary rom-coms over the last few years.
People are obsessed.
Why? Because it taps into a very specific brand of tension that most authors struggle to get right. It isn’t just about two people who "sorta" dislike each other until a convenient plot twist forces them into a broom closet. It’s deeper. It’s about that thin, vibrating line between genuine irritation and undeniable attraction. When people search for I Hate You More, they aren't just looking for a plot summary. They’re looking for a vibe. They want to know if the hype is real or if it’s just another result of a well-funded marketing campaign and a pretty aesthetic.
Let's get into the weeds of why this story actually sticks.
The Mechanics of the Enemies-to-Lovers Surge
The "hatred" in this book isn't some polite, lukewarm disagreement. It’s fueled by history and personality clashes that feel lived-in. Lucy Score has a knack for writing characters who are incredibly stubborn—the kind of people who would rather be right than be happy. In I Hate You More, we see the classic small-town backdrop, but it's stripped of the usual saccharine coating.
Romance novels often fail when the conflict feels manufactured. You’ve read those books, right? The ones where a simple five-minute conversation could solve the entire 300-page conflict? Those are exhausting. Score avoids this by making the stakes personal. The friction between the leads—the legendary Blue Bayou setting—doesn’t just provide a stage; it acts as a pressure cooker.
A lot of readers ask if the book is "too much." Some critics argue the bickering goes on a bit long. But that’s the point. Real-life resentment doesn’t just evaporate because someone looks good in a flannel shirt. It takes work. It takes a series of humiliating, hilarious, and high-stakes events to break down those walls.
Why Small Towns Still Win
There is a reason the "small town" setting is a juggernaut in the lifestyle and bookish world. It creates forced proximity. In a city like New York, you can hate someone and never see them again. In a place like the one depicted in I Hate You More, you’re going to see them at the grocery store, the local diner, and probably your cousin’s wedding.
There’s no escape.
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This forced interaction is the engine of the story. It’s what makes the "I hate you" part of the title feel earned. When you can’t get away from the person who pushes all your buttons, you either explode or you evolve. Score chooses both.
Breaking Down the Character Archetypes
Let’s talk about the protagonists because, frankly, they are the reason the book works. You have the classic "grumpy" hero and the "sunshine" (or at least more resilient) heroine, but Score flips the script by giving them actual flaws.
- The Hero: He isn't just brooding for the sake of looking mysterious. He has baggage. He’s difficult. He’s the kind of guy who thinks he’s protecting himself by keeping everyone at arm’s length, but he’s really just lonely.
- The Heroine: She isn’t a pushover. This is crucial. In older romance tropes, the woman often just waited for the man to "see the light." Here, she’s an active participant in the chaos. She gives as good as she gets.
This power dynamic is what keeps the pages turning. It’s a tennis match. Back and forth. Point, counter-point. You’re not just waiting for them to kiss; you’re waiting to see who’s going to win the next argument.
Honestly, the dialogue is where the "human quality" of the writing really shines through. It doesn’t feel like a script. It feels like two people who actually know how to hurt each other’s feelings—and eventually, how to heal them.
The Psychology of High-Tension Romance
Why do we love reading about people who claim to hate each other? Research into "misattribution of arousal" suggests that the physiological signs of anger—increased heart rate, flushed skin, heightened senses—are remarkably similar to the signs of intense attraction.
When characters are screaming at each other in a book like I Hate You More, their bodies are already in a state of high alert. It only takes a small shift in perspective to turn that adrenaline into passion.
It’s a chemical reaction.
Readers aren’t just looking for "nice" stories anymore. There’s a growing trend in the lifestyle and entertainment sectors toward "high-intensity" emotions. We live in a world that can feel a bit numb and digital. Reading about characters who feel things so strongly that it hurts? That’s an escape. It’s a reminder that life can be vibrant and high-stakes, even in a small town.
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Beyond the Pages: The BookTok Influence
You cannot discuss the success of I Hate You More without mentioning the community that built its throne. TikTok has changed the way we consume stories. It’s no longer about a professional critic in a newspaper giving a thumbs up. It’s about a girl in her bedroom crying over chapter 24 and telling her 50,000 followers that they have to read it.
The "aesthetic" of the book—the specific tropes like "only one bed" or "forced proximity"—are categorized and sold to readers through short, punchy videos. This book fits those categories perfectly. It’s "trope-heavy" in the best way possible. It knows what it is. It doesn’t try to be a high-brow literary deconstruction of the human condition; it tries to be a damn good story that makes you feel something.
And it succeeds.
Addressing the Common Criticisms
Is it perfect? No. Nothing is. Some readers find the pacing in the middle to be a bit sluggish. Others feel that the "hate" part of the relationship is a bit too toxic for their tastes. These are valid points.
Romance is subjective. What feels like "electric tension" to one person might feel like "emotional exhaustion" to another. It’s important to acknowledge that I Hate You More leans hard into the "enemies" side of the trope. If you prefer your romance soft, sweet, and low-conflict, this is probably going to stress you out.
However, for those who like their coffee black and their romance complicated, it hits the spot.
The Broader Impact on the Genre
Lucy Score has become a titan in the indie-to-traditional publishing pipeline. Her success with titles like Things We Never Got Over paved the way for the massive reception of I Hate You More. She proved that you don’t need a massive New York publishing house to tell you what people want to read.
She listened to the readers.
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The result is a book that feels authentic to the modern experience of dating and relating—even if it is wrapped in a fictional, slightly heightened reality. It’s about the struggle to be vulnerable. It’s about the fear of letting someone in who has the power to actually mess up your life.
How to Get the Most Out of the Read
If you’re diving into this for the first time, or if you’re looking for similar vibes, here’s how to navigate the "hate-to-love" landscape:
- Check the Trigger Warnings: Modern romance authors are great about listing these. Score’s books often deal with real issues like loss, grief, or family trauma alongside the spice. Don't skip the foreword.
- Look for the "Grovel": A hallmark of a good "hate-to-love" story is the grovel. When the hero messes up (and he will), how does he fix it? I Hate You More delivers a satisfying arc here.
- Explore the Backlist: If the writing style clicks for you, Lucy Score has a massive catalog. The "Knockemout" series is usually the next logical step for fans of this specific book.
- Join the Conversation: Half the fun of reading these viral hits is talking about them. Whether it’s a Discord server, a Facebook group, or just the comments section of a TikTok, the community is half the experience.
Basically, the "I Hate You More" phenomenon is a testament to the power of tropes done right. It’s not about reinventing the wheel. It’s about making the wheel spin so fast that you can’t look away. It’s about the messy, loud, complicated way that humans fall in love when they really, really didn't mean to.
If you want a story that feels like a cold glass of water on a hot day—sharp, refreshing, and maybe a little shocking—this is the one. Just don't expect it to be a quiet ride.
To truly understand the hype, you have to look past the cover and into the actual emotional stakes. It's about more than just a catchy title. It’s about the universal truth that sometimes the person we can’t stand is the only person who actually sees us for who we are. That’s a scary thought. But it makes for a great book.
Actionable Insights for Readers and Aspiring Writers
- For Readers: When looking for your next "enemies to lovers" fix, pay attention to the why. If the characters hate each other for no reason, the payoff won't feel good. Look for "I Hate You More" style conflicts where the history matters.
- For Writers: Notice how Score uses dialogue to show tension rather than just telling the reader "they were mad." Use specific, biting observations that only someone who pays close attention to the other person would know.
- For Curators: If you're running a book blog or social account, focus on the "emotional beats" of the story rather than just the plot. People buy feelings, not summaries.
The staying power of this book lies in its refusal to play it safe. It leans into the discomfort of dislike. It makes the characters work for their happy ending. And in a world of "instant gratification," there's something deeply satisfying about a slow-burn win.
Next Steps for Your Reading Journey:
Start by identifying which "flavor" of enemies-to-lovers you actually enjoy. Do you like the professional rivalry (The Hating Game style) or the deep-seated family feud (more like Score's work)? Once you know your preference, use sites like Romance.io to filter by "steam level" and "trope intensity" to find your next five-star read. Don't just follow the algorithm—learn to decode why certain books like I Hate You More work for you personally.