At First Hate by K A Linde

At First Hate (Coastal Chronicles, #2)

by K.A. Linde

A new stand alone enemies-to-lovers romance from USA Today bestselling author K.A. Linde...

Derek Ballentine and I have always been on opposite sides of everything.

I went to a public Savannah high school. He went to a private Catholic school. I went to Duke on scholarship. He went to UNC as a legacy. When we both end up at Harvard for graduate school and we're finally on a level playing field, I think it's all going to change.

I was wrong.

The only thing that changed was ending up in his bed.

Now my grandma has passed away, and Derek is the attorney helping the people trying to steal her legacy. I'll do anything to stop that from happening. Even take on my lifetime enemy.

I hate him at first sight...but I also want him at first hate.

Reviewed by Nadz@Totally Addicted to Reading on

4 of 5 stars

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I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.At First Hate by K. A Linde is the second book in the Coastal Chronicles series. I had a good time with  book one Hold The Forevers, and so I was pleased to learn the author was giving her fans another book in the series.


I am always on the lookout for an enemies to lovers romance and Linde delivered with At First Hate. This installment gives us Derek and Marley’s’ story. They both come from different worlds. He came from money, while she lived a simple life. Their love hate relationship started from high school and spilled over into their adult years.

The story, told mainly from Marley’s POV, moved between the past and the present, giving readers a look into how their relationship began and its development over the next fifteen years. Their chemistry leapt from the pages, but they never could get it right. Derek’s immaturity and Marley’s fears  played a huge part in their many attempts of getting it right. At the point when all seems it may go well, they mess it up. Derek with his hurtful actions and Marley with her lack of trust. Talk a bout a rollercoaster of emotions. Despite the push and pull, the makeup and the break-ups, they clearly loved each other and one could not help but root for them.

The story featured an array of secondary characters, some of whom appeared in the previous book in the series. However, no need to read the previous book to enjoy this one, as it works well as a standalone. Cameo appearances were made by characters from the Seasons series. Readers will adore Marley’s relationship with her grandmother and the bond she shared with her twin brother. Her mother, on the other hand, was a disaster waiting to happen, and that’s the diplomatic description.

Conclusion /Recommendation

At First Hate delivered a passionate and angsty romance, which fans of enemies to lovers trope will enjoy.This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 5 September, 2021: Finished reading
  • 5 September, 2021: Reviewed