In Spite of You

A gloriously spiky modern rom-com that will have you falling head over heels in love (and spite).

When Jeremy is invited to the 10-year reunion of his prestigious writing programme, his life is a horrible mess. He’s a pop-culture journalist with no money, he’s permanently single, and he now has to face his cheating ex-boyfriend – the reunion’s guest of honour.

Like any well-adjusted individual, Jeremy develops a revenge plan: fix his life by becoming super hot and successful and, most importantly, find a handsome and successful boyfriend to bring to the reunion.

Enter Sam – irritatingly perfect, disgustingly hot, and generous to a fault – who agrees to help with Jeremy’s scheme. When Sam suggests they start fake-dating each other, the simmering tension between them threatens to boil over. Now Jeremy must choose between nursing his grudges and giving himself another chance at love.

In Spite of You is romantic, sharply observed, and wickedly funny – the perfect rom-com for people who love love, and also love the delicious pleasure of holding a really good grudge. Jodi McAlister

What a breath of fresh air to read a book like this, that's as clever and funny as it is full of vulnerability and heart. Patrick Lenton astutely observes modern culture and romance through the lens of someone who's been through it all. These characters are the people we all love to hate, or hate to love – and ultimately, love does win. Giselle Au-Nhien Nguyen

A cross between Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion and the craziest Reddit thread you've ever been sent. Made me feel like I was eavesdropping on a juicy conversation at the next table. Sinead Stubbins

A funny and sexy queer romp about finding out who you are throughout the messiness of life, and the friends who put up with you support you every step of the way. Come for the horny love story between men, come again for the love story between friends. Rebecca Shaw

Genuinely funny and smartly observed, In Spite of You channels the charm of classic rom-coms - idealistic and entertaining - but adds a fresh twist with a plot driven by high stakes and gay shenanigans... Lenton's protagonist is so insistently relatable that readers can't help but laugh along, as if encouraging their own messy friend... a delightful experience, a snapshot of millennial anxieties and queer frustrations wrapped up in a satisfyingly current romance. Recommended for readers who enjoy Andrew Sean Greer and Claire Thomas. Abe Theobald, Books+Publishing