Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other
Ratings3
Average rating3.5
15
Ratings3
Average rating3.5
She’s a sunny morning-show host. He’s a cynical ex-reporter. They’re destined to hate each other . . . Aren’t they? Brynn Cornell has to be stuck in a nightmare. Just last week, she was riding high as cohost of the popular morning show Sunup. She’s America’s Ray of Sunshine—the girl-next-door beauty who drives up TV ratings while never exuding anything but her trademark positivity and poise. All it took was one huge on-air mistake to expose her snarky side to the world and make it all come crumbling down. Now she’s back in her hometown of Adelaide Springs, Colorado, in a last-ditch attempt to convince viewers she’s not the mean girl they think she is. All she has to do is apologize and capture some feel-good footage reminding everyone she’s just a girl from humble beginnings who’s grateful for her big break, and she might manage to preserve both her career and her image. But this town holds painful memories that she’s not ready to face. Sebastian Sudworth was on the fast track to the journalist hall of fame. A superstar reporter with a reputation for being in the center of the action, his fearless, relentless coverage of major events around the globe was winning him awards and accolades—until something snapped inside him and he vanished from the scene under mysterious circumstances. Sebastian sought refuge in tiny Adelaide Springs, working odd jobs and trying to blend in as a scruffy mountain town citizen. When Sebastian is assigned to chauffeur Brynn around town, Brynn is sure he can see right through her carefully cultivated, sunny persona. But she’s determined to do what it takes to maintain her image and save her career—so she’ll just have to charm the socks off Sebastian the same way she charmed her viewers. Easier said than done. It’s no picnic to play nice around someone you hate . . . especially when you might be crazy about them. Parks and Rec meets The Morning Show in this stand-alone enemies-to-lovers rom-com Also by Bethany Turner: The Do-Over and Plot Twist Includes discussion questions for book clubs
Reviews with the most likes.
Brynn Cornell is becoming America's Ray of Sunshine on the news network she works for, Sunup. When she thinks she's off air, she rips her hometown, Adelaide Springs, a new asshole - saying that they're poor, uneducated, and nothing special. She realizes her mistake when all the cameramen, prompters, and higher-ups come rushing around the stage and stopping her broadcast. Her career is ruined. To save her skin she recommends that she be sent back to Adeline Springs and film her homecoming and apologies to the townspeople.
Sebastian Sudworth was a Pulitzer-winning journalist before he snapped and, after a lot of NDAs, moves to Adelaide Springs to live a quieter life. While in a city council meeting, he is voted as Brynn's chaperone during her time back in town.
They have a horrible meet cute and things just get worse for Brynn as the days follow. Nobody wants her around, and Sebastian is not making anything easier. Things change when she gets stuck in a tree she climbed as a kid and called Sebastian for help. They started talking and getting to know each other. Sebastian started to see the real Brynn and not the Sunup TV version.
I found it incredibly challenging to connect with Brynn as a character. While we all encounter individuals who present themselves as something they're not, Brynn's portrayal lacked believability. I just didn't believe her apology filmed journey, and the town needed to remain upset with her.
What I did enjoy with this book were the side characters. All the townspeople in Adelaide Springs were lovely and reminded me of the small towns that I live in and by in Iowa. I also really liked the narrator's voice. It was soothing and easy to listen to.
“Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other” by Bethany Turner offers a mixed experience for fans of enemies-to-lovers and small-town romances. The protagonist, Brynn Cornell, falls short of expectations, with a slow character development that left the reviewer wanting more. The titular enemies-to-lovers theme is criticized for its abrupt execution, lacking the gradual build-up typical of the trope.
While the first half of the book struggles to engage due to Brynn's perceived shortcomings, the second half shines with a sweeter small-town narrative. The likability of supporting characters, particularly Sebastian, adds charm to the story. Despite reservations about Brynn, Sebastian's character is praised as more likable and attachable, redeeming the overall experience.
The reviewer awards the book three stars, suggesting it may still appeal to those fond of sweet small-town romances despite its flaws.
