We chat with author Chloe Liese about her latest novel, Better Hate than Never, to learn all about this heartfelt reimagining of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, along with book recommendations and what’s next!
Hi Chloe, thank you so much for chatting with us again! How have you been the past 12 months since we last spoke?
Thank you for having me again! The past 12 months, I’ve been doing well and I’ve also been very busy, thankfully for great reasons—I’ve been working away on the rest of the Wilmot Sisters series, continuing with Better Hate than Never, which comes out October 10, and the third installment, Juliet’s story, which releases in fall 2024; I’ve also been writing bonus epilogues for the first 6 books in my Bergman Brothers series, which are being re-released by Berkley with new covers and original bonus content, beginning with the first book, Only When It’s Us, in December, and I finished writing the final installment of the Bergmans, Only and Forever, which is Viggo’s book, releasing April 2024! Needless to say, it’s been the most intense year of my professional life, but I’m so grateful to have the chance to publish these series that are so close to my heart.
If you could describe Better Hate than Never in five words, what would they be?
Feisty. Heartfelt. Sexy. Hopeful. Atmospheric.
What can readers expect from Better Hate than Never?
Readers can expect a story that leans into the enemies of the “enemies to lovers” trope while also revelling in the beauty of building trust, pursuing healing, & experiencing deep intimacy as they become lovers. These two lead characters have truly electric, intense chemistry, and I hope to give readers a satisfying experience of watching that intensity morph from enmity to achingly real, tender love.
This book reimagines Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew through a modern, feminist lens that celebrates the kind of woman Shakespeare’s time called (and too often, modern culture still does) a “shrew”—a woman who uses her voice and speaks up and isn’t afraid to generate conflict in challenging the status quo. It has lots of nods to the classic rom-com 10 Things I Hate About You, which is another The Taming of the Shrew retelling and one of my favorite films ever, and I’d say it also gives fans of Anne of Green Gables a vibe reminiscent of Anne and Gilbert’s sparring, evolving, complex relationship.
It’s set in the same world as Two Wrongs Make a Right, the first book in the Wilmot Sisters series, so readers can expect to see lots of Jamie and Bea cameos, and they’ll get to spend more time with the ensemble cast of their friends, family, and chosen family, who I had a blast revisiting and bringing along for Kate and Christopher’s story.
Finally, my readers can expect what I’m always prioritizing in my work—representation of real human experiences like chronic illness and neurodivergence; an exploration of the very real fears we often carry that people will misunderstood or judge or not love us for those parts of ourselves and a celebration of love that works hard to understand our needs, make safe space for us, and affirm our desirability, our lovableness not in spite of those human realities but because they are part of who we are and make us no less worthy of joy, intimacy, and happily ever after.
Kate loves fall-flavoured donuts…what’s your favourite fall baked good?
She does! My favorite fall baked good has to be classic pumpkin pie. There’s no better fall treat to me than a thick, cold slice of pumpkin pie paired with a hot cup of coffee.
What or who inspired Kate’s love of photography?
Kate is an intense, deeply feeling person who cares so much but doesn’t always feel emotionally equipped or safe to articulate herself through words. I found the idea of her using photography as a method for communicating and expressing her emotions and convictions compelling—the camera is in one sense a protective barrier between her and what speaks to her so deeply, yet it is also the very thing that draws her so close to what matters to her. The different ways Kate uses her camera and photography throughout the story reflects her growth as a person who starts to practice vulnerability in new ways in her most important relationships. Through that effort and bravery, she’s able to feel more seen and to see others more clearly.
Which Wilmot sister do you more resonate with and why?
I relate to each Wilmot sister a little, and I can’t say that I resonate with one more than the others. With Bea, it’s the connection of her heart to her art, how much of herself she pours into it and how emotionally fraught but also fulfilling it is to make art that’s so personal. With Kate, it’s the depth of her feeling and how beautiful but also exhausting and lonely that can be; how vulnerable she feels when she entrusts her soft spots to others but how rewarded she finally is when she’s given emotional safety and loved well. With Juliet, I can’t give too much away yet, but I’ll say I resonate with parts of her journey from heartbreak to hope again and reaching deep for bravery to take a risk on love, even after the idea of happily ever after has come crashing down.
What is the main message that you want readers to takeaway from Kate and Christopher’s story?
I hope when readers finish reading Better Hate than Never, they’ll feel like they went on a satisfying, sexy, emotionally rich journey of two people challenging their preconceived notions, confronting their fears, being vulnerable with each other, and building a loving, healthy relationship. I hope the message they take away is that love can be a complex, bumpy road, but it’s a worthwhile one when it forges a path that doesn’t detour around our vulnerabilities and needs but instead meets them head on with compassion, curiosity, and caring affirmation.
Can you tease any details about the next book in the Wilmot Sisters’ series (or any of your upcoming releases)?
I’m working on Juliet’s book now, and while I can’t divulge too much, I’ll say that this story feels so swoony and tender yet effervescent with playfulness and joyful antics that make this book feel like a truly satisfying conclusion to the series. A fun bonus: the first chapter of Juliet’s book is in the back of Better Hate than Never, so readers, keep an eye out!
What are some upcoming book releases that you can’t wait to read?
There are so many books I can’t wait to get my hands on and some that aren’t released but which I’ve had the privilege of early reading (this is by no means an exhaustive list!):
- Anita Kelly’s How You Get the Girl
- Adriana Herrera’s An Island Princess Starts a Scandal (this actually came out this spring, but I’m reading and obsessed with the first book in Las Léonas series, A Caribbean Heiress in Paris, and I really cannot wait for this second installment!!)
- K. Borison’s Business Casual
- Sangu Mandanna’s A Witch’s Guide to Magical Inkeeping
- Sarah Hogle’s Old Flames and New Fortunes
