To Love Jason Thorn (Love & Hate #1) by Ella Maise

“Soon enough, I’ll win you over. You already loved me once; I’ll make it happen again.”

Trigger Warning: Drug use/ Alcohol use/ Sexual scenes/ Violence

Plot Summary

Jason Thorn… My brother’s childhood friend.

Oh, how stupidly in love with that boy I was. He was the first boy that made me blush, my first official crush. Sounds beautiful so far, right? That excitement that bubbles up inside you, those famous butterflies you feel for the very first time—he was the reason for them all. But, you only get to live in that fairytale world until they crush your hopes and dreams and then stomp on your heart for good measure. And boy did he crush my little heart into pieces.

After the stomping part he became the boy I did my best to stay away from—and let me tell you, it was pretty hard to do when he slept in the room right across from mine.

When tragedy struck his family and they moved away, I was ready to forget he ever existed.

Now he is a movie star, the one who makes women of all ages go into a screaming frenzy, the one who makes everyone swoon with that dimpled smile of his. Do you think that’s dreamy? I certainly don’t think so. How about me coming face to face with him? Nope, still not dreamy. Not when I can’t even manage to look him in the eye.

Me? I’m Olive, a new writer. Actually, I’m THE writer of the book that inspired the movie he is about to star in on the big screen. As of late, I am also referred to as the oh-so-very-lucky girl who is about to become the wife of Jason Thorn.

Maybe you’re thinking yet again that this is all so dreamy? Nope, nothing dreamy going on here. Not even close.

My Review

Little Olive has a crush. And this crush started when she was just six years old! Also, the crush was her best friend’s brother who basically lives at their house. Jason is a nice kid with a messed up family and Olive’s parents have a lot of love to give. Jason practically lives at their house since his mother is a drug addict and his father simply doesn’t care.

Little Olive does everything to please Jason during the years but one night, at about fourteen years old, she gets her heart broken by him and then he leaves with his dad to Los Angeles and that’s the last time she sees him.

After seven years, Olive is an indie author who got her book published and the hype was so great that the book was optioned for a movie. All is well for Olive until she meets the leading actor who is no else but the great Jason Thorn.

Jason is beyond excited to see Olive again who, he realises, is not so little anymore but Olive can’t forget the way he broke her heart so she makes everything difficult for him.

With a lot of effort Jason is able to penetrate Olive’s protected heart and their relationship is beyond amazing.

I started to read this not knowing how much I was going to enjoy it. I did something I usually never do: I read To Hate Adam Connor first (which is the sequel to this one, although you can read them separately) and it was a good read but this one is definitely better.

The chemistry between the characters was the strongest part of this book. The only issue that bothered me was Olive’s drunk scenes. On a drunk scene? Fine. Two drunk scenes? Exaggerated. Does the girl not have a sense of security at all?

The book has a dual POV and I enjoyed reading a bit of what a celebrity has to go through on a daily basis which is not easy at all.

Since I read To Hate Adam Connor first, it was a treat to see Lucy again (before the all Adam thing), she’s a great friend and so lovable.

All in all, an easy and funny read for the romantics of the world, with some very steamy scenes in many chapters.

Highlight Moments

Olive’s childhood scenes (she was such a cute an innocent little girl)
Jason and Olive’s reunion
Jason watching Olive sing at the bar
Jason and Marcus almost fight
Olive trapped in the cafe
Dylan and Jason’s reunion

Tropes You Can Expect:

Marriage of convenience
Brother’s best friend
Best friend’s sister
Touch her & I kill you
In love with a celebrity
Childhood friends

Quotes

“I think you have a good name, little Olive. It would be hard for someone to forget a name like Olive. You have very beautiful green eyes; I’d say the name suits you.” Beautiful? Beautiful?! I was never going to wash my hand again.

“Thank you, beautiful. I’m good.” I melted into a small, very happy puddle on my mother’s favorite carpet. “Stop flirting with my sister, you shithead,”

Then like every other fleeting moment in life, my first love slowly faded into time.

“I was her favorite person in the whole wide world. She said so herself when she was eight years old.”

“I would’ve thought you’d be happy to see me, too, Olive. If not happy, hell, maybe a little excited. My ego is taking a real beating.”

“What the hell do you think you’re doing touching her?” “Jason!” I gasped, a little belatedly. His hand was still around my wrist, but his touch was gentle.

THIS BOOK STALKER CONFESSES:

PLOT: ★★★★

CHARACTERS: ★★★★

WRITING: ★★★

COVER: ★★★★

OVERALL: ★★★★