Hate You to Love You

The limited sprayed edges edition

By: Joshua Hortinela

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Paperback | 1 September 2026

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Format
Paperback

Dimensions(cm)
19.8 x 12.8 x 2.3

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A heartwarming queer romance debut about two exes forced to work together on a whirlwind book tour, from a beloved bookseller and influencer – for fans of Cara Bastone, B.K. Borison and Alexis Hall.

Carlos Reyes is having a quarter life crisis. Once a hopeless romantic who believed in the power of the romantic comedy, Carlos is struggling to find anything about his life romantic or comedic. Life in the wake of losing his dad is difficult enough, but throw in work pressure and a broken heart, and everything's a mess.

Then he gets the professional opportunity of a lifetime: follow blockbuster author and recent recluse Claudia Leighton on her upcoming book tour and write the tell-all piece her fans have been dying for. Carlos wants to jump at the opportunity, but there’s a problem – Claudia’s publicist, Elliot Simpson. He’s arrogant, insufferable and the man who broke his heart. And if he takes this job, Carlos will be stuck with him for weeks.

Spanning Sydney, Dublin, Edinburgh and London, Hate You to Love You is a moving love story about nostalgia and yearning for what once was, and what it means to lose yourself in order to find yourself.

About the Author

Joshua Hortinela is a writer and bookseller who also works in social media marketing. A passionate reader, he has worked in the book industry for nearly ten years. He also works as a freelance writer, photographer and moderator for events. When he’s not adding a ridiculous number of books to his staff holds at work, he can be found reading romance novels, rewatching 13 Going On 30 for the millionth time, or drinking a cosmopolitan. He lives in Sydney and can tell you where to find the best coffee or cocktail in town.

Industry Reviews

'A nostalgic rom-com that feels like a warm hug. This is a wonderful queer romance that will leave you feeling a little more hopeful about love, and perhaps life.'

– Luke Bateman

'A sparkling debut full of heart, humour, and second-chance tension. Hate You to Love You had me completely hooked!'

– Chip Pons, author of Winging It with You

'A love letter to rom-coms, bookstores, friendship and Sydney's Inner West, Hate You to Love You is a tender second-chance romance about the treats and traps of nostalgia. Joshua Hortinela has poured all his love of 90s and 2000s rom-coms into a savvily-crafted love story with a bonus literary mystery to boot.'

– Clare Fletcher, author of Love Match

'Books, bars, travel, pop culture and plenty of heart. This queer rom-com is everything you’d expect from full-time romantic and beloved bookseller, Joshua Hortinela, and so much more. A truly magic debut!'

– Karina May, author of That Island Feeling

'A charming debut novel from a delightful new voice in Aussie romance. Bibliophiles and classic rom-com fans will fall head over heels for this heartfelt tale of second chances.'

– Tobias Madden, author of Quite the Pair

'A love letter to the rom-coms we love and the messy, imperfect characters that we love even more. A delightful debut.'

– Hannah Grace

'Joshua Hortinela has written the queer rom-com of your dreams in this love letter to the nostalgic and magical 90s rom-com. His story will wrap you in a warm embrace and make you swoon. Witty, delightful, and very very gay, this is the romance I wish I grew up on.'

– @DramaKingBooks

'A true love letter to the genre, Hate You To Love You is everything you could want from a rom-com. Hortinela has crafted a story that is sweet, funny and relatable, and rich with the complexities of family and friendship. It's a story to sink into like a chilled glass of white wine. The central romance is filled with all the feels, the most magical banter and perfect yearning, Carlos and Elliot are destined to join the pantheon of classic rom-com couples. I loved it.'

– Lindsey Kelk

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