I definitely liked Nathaniel more than I liked Presley.
At least in the beginning, because she was just finding
herself at a young age, and he was already ahead
of her in the game of life. So he always seemed like
the more put together of the two, and knew what he
wanted. Since Presley was raised differently, she
saw the world differently than he did and that's
where they bumped heads. As the book continues
you see that he had her pegged all wrong and he
encourages her to fight for what she wants and
believes in. I liked the fact that some characters
her other books showed up in this one, even if it
was for a little bit.

4.5 stars

This book has my favorite trope, or the mix of my favorite tropes, enemies to lovers who have History together. Not quite a second chance story but close.

Nathaniel and Presley are the classic case of I-hate-you-so-much-because-really-I-want-you-but-don’t-have-you. Presley is the Park Avenue princess and Nathaniel is not quite the boy from the other side of the tracks, but the young ambitious boy who works for and is loved (genuinely) by her dad for his hustle. The progress of their relationship from their antagonistic teen years to finally the HEA was full of sparks and roadblocks (both self made and external), sexy, and very swoon worthy.

It seems like a simple story to begin with, but it’s given surprising depth by Presley’s struggles with her parents, her ex, and her self worth which has suffered a lot due to the men in her life. This is also a story of how she gains some of it back over the course of her quest to make something of herself after the end of her disastrous marriage.

One of the most pleasant surprises of this book was the complicated yet sweet relationship between Presley and her dad, the gradual mending of it, her determination to spend more time with him, even if it were going to baseball games (that she’s not into), and the eventual heartbreak that had me weeping and missing my parents. In other words, this book had it all and I look forward to reading more of this Author’s work.

This isn't just a love story, it's a love journey. It takes through the life and experience known as bad timing. The not feeling enough to be the one. Not only did I love this book but it saved me. Pulled me from my book funk and reminded me they're are too many beautiful love stories to read to dwell on one. The angst, heart wrenching moments, me throwing my kindle in frustration, and hurting for two souls that are too stubborn to see what we can all clearly see...



The way it all plays out for me, although infuriating at times, happened perfectly. The meet. The years. The "go" time. When things start to break, people have to look beyond themselves and their baggage to the love that has been shining throughout. A beautifully done, enemies to more, love story that Ms. Contreras brought perfectly to her readers. Love it.

I am normally a fan of this author's work, and it pains me to say this but I felt this book fizzled out after the first few chapters. The story line is good and had great promise. It can fall into the opposites attract, enemies to lovers trope and slightly also a second chance romance. We have teenage Presley Rose, the spoilt daughter of a brewery magnate who is only after a little attention from her parents. She is a typical teen that can be quite bratty when her emotions get the better of her. She meets Nathaniel Bradley in a unique way and from that moment on, it is tit for tat with the word ribbing. Even when she thinks she likes him, he pushes her away and then she is back to hating him again. Fast forward a few years, with some encounters along the way, and Presley is working in the family business with her father and Nate. The banter is still very active and now they have to find a way to work together.

I think the thing that made this book fail for me was the to and froing all the time. The mixed signals were giving me whip lash and major eye rolls. I get that she had a lot going on in her life, and needed to sit back and evaluate where to go with it all, but it felt like she was all over the place. I had no problem with her emotions and did not feel she was weak at all. I would have been a mess just the same and I connected and liked her more for it. I get that this is a work of fiction, and that normality does not always make for a good story, but added angst and drama is not the answer. And this comes into play with Nate as well, a reaction he has towards Presley seemed out of character and unauthentic. I liked Nate too, he set about improving his life and making something of himself despite his background. He was building a life and now was his chance to pounce per se on Presley. Another aspect I had a dilemma with was at times, even though this is a standalone book, I sensed I was missing out on something. That the gang had an inner circle that I wasn't privy to their jokes or nicknames.

That being said, it is not a bad book, I just didn't love it. It will not stop me from trying again from this author.


*I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
**Reviewed by Monique for JoandIsaLoveBooks Blog.

I received an ARC in exchange of honest review.

What a beautiful book this has been. From the beginning he caught me and kept me with all kinds of emotions. From sadness, anger, laughter, crying and happiness when everything is placed in where and who I expected. It has been a beautiful book, with characters full of mistakes but also with the ability to accept them and try to amend them and fight for what they want. I liked that Presley evolves and matures and becomes a woman sure of what she wants and undertakes, perhaps at the beginning and being so young doesn’t know how to see what was really happening with her father and her attitude was what we read , but I never saw her as a bad person, she was just soo desperately seeking for the attention from her parents. I love Nathaniel, he knew how to get ahead and appreciate the help and love of Winston Rose. In conclusion it has been a reading that I have enjoyed from beginning to end and that I highly recommend if you like contemporary romance, that one that’s predictable but continues to enchant us when it is well written.

Thank you so much for the ARC. Happy reading to y’all.


Recibí una copia avanzada a cambio de una opinión honesta.

Que libro más bonito ha sido este. Desde el comienzo me atrapó y mantuvo con todo tipo de emociones. Desde la tristeza, el enojo, la risa, el llanto y la felicidad cuando todo se coloca en el sitió que yo esperaba. Ha sido un libro precioso, con personajes llenos de errores pero también con la capacidad de aceptarlos y tratar de enmendarlos y luchar por lo que quieren. Me gustó que Presley evoluciona y madura y se convierte en una mujer segura de lo que quiere y emprende, tal vez al comienzo y siendo tan joven no sabe ver bien lo que realmente pasaba con su padre y de ahí que su actitud fuese la que leímos, pero nunca la vi como una persona mala o de malos sentimientos. Nathaniel me encantó, supo salir adelante y apreciar la ayuda y cariño de Winston Rose. En conclusión ha sido una lectura que me he disfrutado de principio a fin y que recomiendo mucho si gustan del romance contemporáneo, ese que aunque sea predecible sigue encantándonos cuando está bien escrito.

I only lowered my rating a star due to the redundant wording and grammatical/editing errors. Once or twice is understandable, but it was continuous and really drew me away from the story. Otherwise, I really enjoyed Claire's writing style and the characters were intriguing. I look forward to reading more of her work.

What a fabulous story! I fell in love with Claire's stories with Kaleidoscope Hearts.

This is the story of Nathaniel and Presley.  They have a long history and Claire does a wonderful job of telling their backstory without making it seem tedious or too long.  You get enough of their history to make the story flow so easily.

Presley comes across as a spoiled brat, you can see her immaturity in the beginning of the story and her growth and maturity till the end.  I admired the way she stood up for herself even if it made her look petulant.  I also admired how she came to realize when she should speak and when it was best to walk away.

Nathaniel is an instigator, he is the epitome of the little boy that would pull the hair of the girl he liked. That made him just like a sweet-tart to me. Yes I said sweet-tart, he could be sweet, but he also recognized when he was a bit brutal with his words at Presley.

Nathaniel and Presley's relationship is like a thin line between love and hate.  Their chemistry was like a house on fire! I was so engrossed with their push and pull relationship that I couldn't put this story down until it was over.  

I have never read a Claire Contreras story that I haven't fell in love with!  This is just one more!  Well done!! 

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Fun and flirty with an emotional twist that satisfied my angsty heart. This was a fast read for me, I finished it in just a few hours, the storyline being the type that keeps you turning the page because you just have to know what will happen next.

I wouldn't classify it as an office romance, I mean they do work together at a point but that's not where their story begins. But the enemies to lovers is a spot on description.

There were quite a few time jumps in the beginning to help build up the characters history but the amount of time they went between seeing each other seemed somewhat unrealistic considering Nathaniel worked for Presley's dad.

Overall I enjoyed it, the few complaints I had didn't outweigh the good so I would still recommend this to anyone who loves a good frenemies romance!