PS: I Hate You by Lauren Connelly | Audiobook Review

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In this splendidly bittersweet romantic comedy, enemies forced together by a mutual loss are led on a cross-country journey toward a second chance.

Maddie Sanderson would be proud to honor her older brother’s dying wish, that she scatters his ashes over eight destinations that the adventurous 29-year-old never got to visit before he died from cancer. But in his will, Josh assigned her an impossible partner to help complete the mission—Dominic Perry. Seriously, if Maddie weren’t already at her brother's funeral, she would have killed him for this.

Sure, Dom was Josh’s life-long best friend. He’s also the infuriating man who broke Maddie’s heart back when she was naïve enough to give it to him. But since Dom insists on following the rules and Josh didn’t leave much room for Maddie to argue the matter, they embark together on a series of farewell trips that span thousands of miles, exploring new places and revisiting their complicated history along the way.

After a snowstorm leads to a shared bed, Maddie starts to wonder if her brother might be matchmaking from the grave. But when grief also reopens old wounds between them, Maddie will need more than Josh’s ghostly guidance to trust Dom again.

Why Did I Listen To PS: I Hate You by Lauren Connelly?

Initially I thought that I had downloaded PS: I Hate You by Lauren Connelly via Netgalley, so my brain logic was like, well if I listen to it via audiobook I’ll get to it faster. Well, I did not download this one on Netgalley. However, I am so very glad I listened to this book. I am a sucker for a contemporary romance – in particular one that makes me tear up and makes me really care about the characters. So, my mistake was a very happy accident. I am so, so glad I picked PS: I Hate You up. And okay, on second look, I did download this. In all fairness, it has been a very long 2025 and I am thankful for books like this which are getting me through and providing some real self care.

What’s The Story Here?

PS I Hate You opens up at the funeral of Maddie Sanderson’s brother, Josh. Unfortunately, Josh passed away due to cancer. He leaves behind several letters. For Maddie, it is a packet of letters shared with his best friend, her enemy, Dominic Perry. Maddie is asked to spread Josh’s ashes over several states that Josh has never visited. However, she has to do this in partnership with Dominic. Maddie isn’t too pleased about him but she will do what it takes to have those final words from her brother, whom she loved deeply. Through the various trips we start to learn more about Maddie’s past with Dominic, whom she had a crush on growing up. We also learn about Maddie’s feelings of abandonment from her mother and the distance from her grandmother. I just felt so terribly for the hand Maddie had been dealt and understood why she keeps people at arm’s length. Over the trips, she starts to become close to Dominic again — and we see some tropes that I truly appreciated.

How Did I Like PS: I Hate You?

I was captivated by Lauren Connelly’s PS: I Hate You. Maddie is a character that you root for. She works so hard at her job. She’s a good person. However, she’s really been through it with her mother and then later on, with the loss of her brother. You can see how she views what happened with Dom in the past as echoing the other times she was abandoned and why her guard is up. I liked how hard Dom had to work to win her trust. I liked how the story spun out. I even liked when her best friend — also her bisexual ex — unraveled his past to her as a means of showing her that she is a good person and deserves to feel able to trust those she cares about to not abandon her. And this isn’t even delving into the romance or the travel aspects of this book – which are so fantastically written as well. I just loved this story so much.

How’s The Narration?

The audiobook of PS: I Hate You is narrated by Karissa Vacker. I really enjoy Vacker’s narration – this is one of many audiobooks I’ve listened to with her narration. Also, this audiobook kept me chilled out when I was driving at night listening to it. I don’t drive as much at night anymore because I am old but also all the construction on the highways by me, and well, props to Vacker for keeping my attention and for keeping me calm through dark lane changes and weird traffic patterns. I thought this was well narrated and that was such a big factor in my enjoyment. I think if you are someone who is newer to audiobooks and likes contemporary romance, this might be the gateway audiobook for you! It’s 11 hours and 22 minutes unabridged.

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

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