The Consequence of Falling: (An enemies-to-lovers office romance)

2.5 starsI adore enemies-to-lovers, and I adore office romances. I enjoy the sexual tension that comes with both of these popular tropes. And after reading the blurb for this book I couldn't wait to read it.I’m probably in the minority here, but I was hoping for more. More passion, more sexual tension, more of everything. It didn’t help that I had a really hard time connecting with the heroine. She bordered on unlikeable.Presley came across as entitled and whiny. I adore strong women that can get things done themselves - they are smart, with a take-action kind of personality - but Presley was neither. I don't even know what Nathaniel saw in her.And here is the crux of it: There was NO obvious attraction or connection between Presley and Nathaniel. The first half of the book displayed nothing else than their animosity for each other. Childish comments and complains from Presley saturated every encounter between them. It didn’t help that Nathaniel rarely showed any signs that he wanted more from Presley, either. Honestly this couple confounded me from beginning to end. I just couldn't see it.It didn’t get much better.I’m not even sure where it all went wrong. It wasn’t just my issue with Presley that made this book less enjoyable - multiple plot holes had me baffled. I could go on. In the end I stopped caring, and that’s the worst thing that can happen.What I’m taking away from this book is that it didn't work for me but that doesn't mean that it won’t work for someone else. The author’s writing was as good as I remembered and maybe Presley just didn’t mesh with me. Personality wise we were just too different.

If you are a fan of enemies-to-lovers romances, Claire Contreras delivers one that you will inhale. The Consequence of Falling features two people who really don't like each other all that much--at least, that's what they want to believe--who have to learn to let go of their biases and preconceived notions and allow themselves to fall.Presley, a pampered, spoiled only child of a wealthy beer brewer and his socialite wife, takes an immediate dislike to Nathaniel, the young guy her father hires to be his driver. Something about Nathaniel sets Presley on edge: she sees a nemesis in him and nothing more. For his part, Nathaniel sees the princess, the girl who throws a tantrum because she's made to wait in the rain.Over the first few chapters, Claire Contreras shows you the beginnings of Presley and Nathaniel's relationship--their bickering, their arguing, their fighting--as she also builds and builds their sexual interest, tension, and needs.One of the things I liked about this book was how flawed Presley and Nathaniel are. They make mistakes, say hurtful things, behave selfishly, and sometimes operate from a position of fear and insecurity rather than faith in who they are. Neither one is too good to be true. In fact, just when you start to think that they've sorted themselves out, Claire Contreras reminds you that, no, these two are human and far from perfect.I also loved the sexy times. MY GOODNESS! They are fabulous, and I devoured every word. Sex is one of the few times when Nathaniel and Presley can let down their guards and be honest with each other, and watching that happen is so wonderful.Grab some tissues, though. There is a subplot in this book that caused me physical pain to read because of its sadness. So thanks for the buckets of tears, Claire Contreras. I'm not sure I'm all that happy with you over that.What does it mean to fall? Claire Contreras shows you this, not just between Presley and Nathaniel, but between them and other characters, too. You have to trust that you will be okay. Stronger, even. Happier. More at peace. More fulfilled. But first you have to let go, and that, as Nathaniel and Presley learn, is the hardest thing to do.

Enemies to lovers with a side of office romance? Yes please.The two main characters, Nathaniel and Presley (aka Princess) meet when they are teenagers and it doesn't seem to go well. Presley is basically a overdramatic, stubborn, spoiled only child that tends to get her way. Her life has been relatively easy, but within the first pages it seems as if her life is going to get a lot harder.Enter Nathaniel that hasn't had anything easy. He lands a job doing basically anything and everything for Presley's father. He first meets Presley when he has to pick her up from school and drama ensues. Yup, she's the spoiled rich kid that amuses him from the get go. From there we enter into chapters that progress between years of them bumping into one another. Their lives continuously intersect, but their attraction for one another seems to never line up, creating a bit of amusing banter between them throughout the years. And their timing always sucks. Royally. And their friendship, if you want to call it that, is not on the best of terms.So what happens when Presley's life that she's built for herself is turned upside down and her father announces that Nathaniel will now be joining them as a business partner?These two have had a love/hate relationship for YEARS, but you could always tell something was simmering below the surface. Was it unrequited or was there going to be more to it?"Either kiss me or don't...I'm not going to beg for you to do it. I'm not that girl anymore."Claire has a way of writing romance and characters that you want to pull for. Even if you aren't 100% on board with them. Honestly, I wasn't the biggest fan of Presley. Sometimes I loved her. She had a backbone, stood up for what she believed in and she loved her father fiercely. At other times she seemed too spoiled and bratty. And Nathaniel? He pissed me off. He had "impeccable timing" and then was rude to Presley, but it seemed a front at the same time. I could tell that he just wanted to prove himself to this woman that he had cared for. Make something of himself before he went and got the girl. His drive and vision was very sexy.This enemies to lover romance was steamy and fun with some great banter. You also get a side of angst and loss and a story full of family values and beer that I could get behind. And the little Easter eggs of past characters that I've adored? Total bonus!