The Hating Game — spice level
Sally Thorne · reviewed by Zakes Mdluli · 23 August 2026
3 out of 5 chillies
3 out of 5 — Hot
A three. One scene everybody remembers, and a whole book of tension around it. The enemies-to-lovers standard.
How we rate: from wide reading and what readers consistently report, not a fresh page-by-page re-read of every edition. Where we are less certain, we say so.
Rated on our five-chilli scale, the same one on every story here.
Where it sits
Two assistants share an office and hate each other, or say they do. Most of the book is a staring contest — games, needling, an unbearable lift ride.
Then there is a scene, and it is explicit, and it is the reason people press this book on their friends. There is not a great deal of it, but what there is arrives with several hundred pages of pressure behind it, which is why it lands as hard as it does.
Three chillies.
What to expect
Workplace rivalry, a slow accumulation of small moments, and a payoff that is worth the wait. Very little darkness.
Who it is for
If you want to understand why enemies-to-lovers is the most requested trope in romance, this is the cleanest example on the shelf.
FAQ
What is the spice level of The Hating Game?
3 out of 5 chillies. A three. One scene everybody remembers, and a whole book of tension around it. The enemies-to-lovers standard.
Is The Hating Game explicit?
Yes — the scenes are open-door and written for an adult reader.
What do the chilli ratings mean?
One chilli is warm — attraction and a closed door. Two is steamy. Three is explicit and part of the story. Four is scorching, frequent and central. Five is filthy, with nothing faded out. Every story on No Safe Word carries a rating.
What should I read after The Hating Game?
An empty office, rain coming down, and one final instruction from a new boss. Is one reckless afternoon ever only one? Chapter one is free on No Safe Word.
If you loved it, read this next
TAKING ORDERS FROM THE BOSS
Filthy
An empty office, rain coming down, and one final instruction from a new boss. Is one reckless afternoon ever only one?
Chapter one is free — no signup, no card.
More ratings on the spice level guide.