Loathe at First Sight is a lighthearted contemporary that combines a slow burn romance with changing female friendships and various challenges that women and women of color face in the workplace. 

The main character, Melody, is an Asian American woman working at a male dominated video game developer. She is surrounded by  patriarchal men who are easy to loathe and make it seem like her respect may never come. There is one man on the job that seems to value and admire her, but would it be a violation of ethics and company policy to pursue him? 

As the novel progresses, Melody faces serious problems when a game she has created is leaked to online trolls. The author does a great job discussing this important safety issue without being too heavy handed. 

Overall this a spice free contemporary romance that incorporates so much of Melody’s life, not just pining for a guy. I loved the female friendships, the family dynamics, and the humor. If you like a slow burn, realistic MCs, and a female identifying character facing a male dominated field, pick this one up!