Merry Little Hate Notes

By: Jennifer Peel

Narrated by: Stephen Dexter, Stephanie Rose

Length: 8 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

Nothing says I love you like a merry little hate note.

Holly:

A woman does her very best to avoid at least one of the following people in her life: an annoying coworker, her brother’s best friend, and her first kiss. Unfortunately, for me, all three happen to be the same person—Brandon Cassidy. I’ve done my best to avoid the man, even if it means working in the ladies’ room whenever he visits the main office. Sadly, my days of hiding are coming to an end because I’ve been assigned to assist Brandon through the end of the year. The holiday season is already hard for me, but this . . . this is just the icing on the fruitcake that is my life. To add insult to injury, Brandon resurrects our old childhood game—the hate note game. I’m trying to resist the urge to engage, because do I ever have some hateful things to say to him. But that’s only because I really used to love him. Ugh. Please don’t repeat that. Like ever.

Brandon:

Sometimes you want something so badly, you do things you regret. Like kissing your best friend’s little sister on her sweet sixteen and then letting her believe it was all a dare. I’ve tried my best to move on from Holly St. James over the years, but how do you forget the girl you fell in love with before you even liked girls? When the opportunity arises to work closely with Holly, I jump at it. Unfortunately, the woman does her best to ignore me. So, I devise the only plan I can think of to get her attention—the hate note game. Anything to get her to talk to me. Because there are things she needs to know. First, how sorry I am. Second, I’ve never stopped loving her.

USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Peel presents a swoony holiday romance that proves when it comes to falling in love, sometimes all it takes is a little hate.

©2024 Jennifer Peel (P)2024 Jennifer Peel

Enchanting and Perfect Holiday Story!

This is the perfect story to read this holiday season. It’s a captivating journey filled with the essence of Christmas, and a lovely second chance romance.

I love books that blend poignancy with lightheartedness, and this one does it incredibly well. It was funny, romantic, and had a lot of depth to it. I’m sure I had a goofy grin on my face most of the time I was listening to it, but there were a few scenes that had me teary eyed. it was a more emotional read than I was expecting, and I absolutely loved it.

What I loved:
Second chance romance
Brother’s best friend
Forced proximity
Slow burn
Tangible chemistry
The TED talk
HS flashbacks
Holly’s sweetness
His mom is his wingman
Christmas Tree Hunting
Hate to love notes
Healing for both MCs
Christmas vibes
Bonus chapter & epilogue

This is a book that I can honestly say I loved everything about it. Jennifer’s skillful balancing of lighthearted moments and emotional depth made for a fun, engaging and uplifting read. Don’t miss out on this enchanting tale this holiday season!

🎧 The narrators did an amazing job, and made it a joy to listen to. They were outstanding!

Oh wow! Fantastic Story, Fantastic Narration!!

Oh wow. I knew I loved this story because I read the physical copy first. Author Jennifer Peel is a master at creating characters with depth and character that you can relate to and root for. The whole hate note writing may or may not have inspired me to buy my own sticky note collection. 😂
Listening to this fun story brought a whole new dimension. The dual narration was FANTASTIC! Brandon and Holly came to life like Christmas magic. So, so good.
I loved everything about this listening experience. Now I need this to be made into a movie. That's the obvious next step, right?

Lots of laughter and a few tears

Any book that teams this author with these narrators is an absolute joy.

Jennifer Peel has a talent for breaking your heart and then putting it back together piece by piece as the characters grow and heal together. Enemies to lovers can fall flat when there isn't a significant reason to keep the couple apart, but these two have a backstory that is layered deep.

Brandon and Holly need each other.
Expect forgiveness, second chances, and festive— sometimes Shakespearian insults that help Brandon and Holly heal in the only way that makes sense to them. And Brandon's wing-mom.

I may never get over that TED Talk.💗

I love Stephanie Rose and Stephen Dexter together.💞 No one else would have done this story justice.

Your Next Favorite Listen!!!

This is the Christmas rom-com story you need in your life! The perfect balance of laughter, emotions, hatred (think enemies-to-lovers), healing, swooniness and love!!! Seriously it is the BEST!!! And these two narrators together are perfection! I loved how they brought the story to life and created more chemistry between these two characters!!! Give me books narrated by Stephanie Rose and Stephen Dexter any day!!!

I was dying to enjoy this one with all of the teasers that Jennifer Peel was sharing for it. And let me just tell you that I squealed and did a happy dance with lots of giggles when it was available!!! Oh! My! Heart!!!! It's adorable! That prologue will have you all kinds of cheering for Holly and Brandon! But be warned...you might want to give Brandon a talking to, cause hello!!! How could he ever walk away from Holly?! There are some circumstances that cause them to go their separate way but oh la la to when they finally meet up again. Holly is a tough nut to crack but Brandon is not walking away from her again. Be still my heart!!!

The Merry Little Hate Notes are the icing on the cake! I was cracking up listening to them. So clever! I loved Holly's spin on the sticky note messages. It was the best watching her come out of her shell.

Things I absolutely loved:
The TED talk *swoon*
Working in the bathroom *giggling*
Christmas Tree Hunting
Her Dad
His Parents
Blue sticky notes
Work Forced-Proximity (no hiding this time Holly)
Workplace Holiday Cheer Activities *Good job sidekick*
Best sidekick EVER!!!! *You're going to love all of the conversations/thoughts about this*
That kiss *the first one and each one after*
Allllll of the Christmas vibes
Everything!!! *Seriously, I loved it all*

The cover is absolutely adorable and is a great portrayal of the cuteness you'll find within the pages. I will definitely be relistening to this one again here soon and getting a copy for my bookshelves!

I'm going to recommend listening this one with a cup of hot cocoa, a comfy blanket, some twinkle lights and some soft holiday music in the background. Just make sure you pause in your reading to drink your hot cocoa because you don't want to be spitting it out when you laugh. Fair warning! ;-) Maybe you'll even start your own little sticky notes messages with someone special out there! <3

Content: Some kisses and nothing more. The characters share a hotel room but nothing happens between them. There are a few mild swear words. ****Trigger warnings: Death of a relative and talk of a secondary character who is an alcoholic****

Happy Listening and Note Writing and Giggling and Swooning!!!

Christmas has come early this year!

When life gives you lemons, throw them back, and curl up with a good book. After the last couple of weeks I've had, I could not wait to do just that. I woke up early this morning, did all the things I needed to do, put my pajamas back on, and just read the day away. Best. Day. Ever. 😍

What can I say about Holly and Brandon. *dreamy sigh* Oh holy swooniness with a side of all the feels Batman. These two were made for each other. Between their banter, merry little hate notes, smokin' hot kisses, sweet moments, and seeing each other in a way no one else has before, had me rooting for them throughout their entire journey. And oh what a journey it was! There's a lot of hurt and guilt they had to wade through to get it, but if ever anyone needed a HEA, it would be Holly and Brandon.

Now, don't let the mention of hurt and guilt fool you. While this book has some heartachingly beautiful moments, it had even more hilarious ones. Y'all. I just can't with everyone in this book! Between Holly and Brandon, and the rest of the crew I may or may not have snort laughed a time or two... or five. Gah! I loved this book and did not want it to end!

I've read this book twice so far. But y'all. When you listen to the audiobook it's a total game changer. Ms. Rose and Mr. Dexter due a phenomenal job bringing these characters to life which makes it that much better. They definitely add to all the feels you're already feeling. It's perfection!

It always feels like Christmas morning whenever I get my hands on one of Ms. Peel's book babies for the first time. I swear they just keep getting better and better! I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next!

Such pleasant narrators!

I love this story. It’s so festive, swoony, and lovely. The story is funny and romantic but it also has a depth that I thoroughly enjoy in all of Jennifer Peel’s books. Have the tissues handy if you’re prone to crying. I read this on kindle first and listening to it was incredibly enjoyable too. The narrators did an excellent job and I want to listen to it every Christmas now. Holly and Brandon are just the loveliest couple and I love their banter with each other.

CW: mild language, innuendo, closed door (makeouts only)

*possible spoilers*
TW: talk of death of relative, alcoholism in family, divorce, cheating.

All the Christmas stars for this holiday romance!

There are only a few things Holly doesn't like: Christmas traditions that remind her of what she has lost, and Brandon, her brother's best friend who ghosted her years ago after the best kiss of her life. And now she has to suffer through both when she is assigned as Brandon's partner at work and the office holds daily challenges aimed at spreading Christmas cheer.

There are only a few things that Brandon truly regrets and ghosting Holly is near the top of the list. He has never forgotten her, or their kiss, and his biggest Christmas wish is for her to give him another chance...or at least not hate him so much. His plan? Bring back the hate notes, a secret tradition from their teenage years that will hopefully rekindle the spark between them.

What you'll love:
Second chance at first love
Brother’s best friend
enemies to lovers vibe
Dual POV
forced proximity
THE NOTES
holiday challenges
Brandon's wingman
slow burn
soooo much chemistry
grieving and healing
kisses that are worth the wait!!!
cutest bonus chapter and epilogue

AHH, this book is so incredibly sweet! It captures all the magic of Christmas and all the emotions of a second chance at love. There was so much tension and chemistry between Brandon and Holly, even in the flashback to high school, and I loved watching their romance rekindle! And sigh, is there anything swoonier than man who falls first and is willing to do whatever it takes to win back the love of his life? I think not!

I really loved that even with the lightheartedness of the hate notes and the fun holiday challenges, there was a lot of depth to this story. Brandon and Holly are connected by shared grief and I loved the way they helped each other work through it and begin to find healing and peace. It added a depth and dimension to the story and their characters but never made the book feel too heavy.

Narrators did a fantastic job and this is the perfect story to read this holiday season - just don't forget a cup of cocoa and a cozy blanket because once you start listening, you won't want to stop!

The definition of adorable- this book is a must read!

Next to second chance in the dictionary it should say Jennifer Peel, who in my opinion, is the queen of this trope and always keeps it fresh. I just want to eat her books all up. Merry Little Hate Notes is a total winner with second chance vibes, some enemies to lovers delicious friction, work place romance (with a side of some close proximity), and so much more.

This new holiday romance is a MUST! I can’t say it loud enough how much I enjoyed this book. Brandon and Holly were so like-able. I love how Peel wrote these powerful and heartfelt backstories for her characters and the growth and development they experience throughout the book. The dual POV in this novel provided layers to both MCs that made me love them all the more. This seriously is a new favorite book for me. Plus, the sticky notes melted me and I have to say, the wittiness was top notch.

Now I need to pause to slow clap for the narrators who did such a wonderful job with bringing Brandon and Holly to life. Stephanie Rose completely encapsulates Peel’s heroines whenever she narrates one of her books and she nailed it with Holly. I also really liked Stephen Dexter for Brandon and hope to pick up more books he has narrated. Ten out of ten, I totally recommend this swoony and fabulous book.

Swoonworthy Christmas Romance

This is the perfect book to start the holiday season off. I absolutely loved the story, and was hooked from beginning to end!

Jennifer has a knack of writing stories that can make you laugh, cry, swoon, yell, and smile! This one is no different! I love the tropes enemies to lovers, brother's best friend, and second chances and this had all three! To me it was the perfect combo!

The characters chemistry was incredible, and I loved their hate notes! What a fun idea to bring lots of humor and laughter to the story! love how sassy Holly is and Brandon is truly swoonworthy! It was a lot of fun watching these two come together. I also loved Brandon's wing woman.

The narrators did an incredible job of bringing the characters to life!

I love when stories leave you feeling good and smiling and this one definitely did that!
I highly recommend listening and reading this book to bring some love, laughter, and fun into your holiday season! You won't be sorry!

Letters

both narrators were fantastic. I loved their road trip to Aspen and all the Christmas antics. the best part is there are two epilogues included in the audio. it left me with a big smile.