As Long As You Loathe Me
When a teen tries to get back at her ex-best friend for stealing her crush, she ends up unexpectedly rekindling their complicated friendship and discovers that it’s not just her pride on the line, it’s her heart too.
Bring down the cheerleader. Just don’t fall in love with her.
Meera Rao-George is done being the dorky high school senior crushing on her neighbor Sushant, who only has eyes for cheerleader Lucy Hughson—Meera’s ex-best friend. After countless attempts to get his attention, Meera decides it’s time for a bold move: the Date Sushant & Dethrone Lucy Plan.
Lucy Hughson appears to have it all: a loving boyfriend, top grades, and a designer wardrobe. But beneath the surface, she battles anxiety, struggles with her identity, and questions her feelings for Sushant compared to what she felt for someone from her past.
As Meera cozies up to Lucy to execute her plan, she realizes her heart’s at risk. Their friendship ended for a reason—a secret Lucy won’t confront. Now, she must reevaluate everything she thought she knew about herself, and what a real shot at love ultimately looks like.
Additional information
| Classification | Fiction |
|---|---|
| Genre | LGBTQ+, Romance |
| Age | Young Adult |
| Publisher | Penguin Random House |
| Imprint | Delacorte |
| Language(s) | English |
| Format(s) | eBook, Trade paperback |
| Author | Swati Hegde |
| Release Date | 31-Mar-26 |
| Release Month | March Releases |
| Author Identity | BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ |
| Content Rep | BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ |
About the Author
Swati Hegde is the author of As Long As You Loathe Me, Match Me If You Can, and Can’t Help Faking in Love. She is also a freelance editor, mindset coach, and self-proclaimed coffee shop enthusiast who lives in Bangalore, India, and can often be found at the nearest café with a hot mug of tea or singing her favorite songs off-key at karaoke night. She looks forward to a long career bringing Indian stories and voices to light.
