I requested THE CORNER OFFICE because it came across as a dark, sexy, edgy and thriller-esque version of THE HATING GAME and was super excited to read something kinda familiar but also new and fresh. But unfortunately it didn't live up to any of my expectations and also I'd like to point out that the synopsis is rather misleading in regards to a few points of the actual plot.

The hating game played between Tara and Richard felt really awkward. We're thrown into their lives with a brief bit of backstory, more of which follows as the story goes on, and honestly.. if not for the fact that we know the other man becomes the issue (as per summary, not a spoiler) I would've pegged Richard for the creep. He comes off vulgar and offensive and not remotely charming. So when the tables are turned and their relationship changes before the eventual happily ever after and Tara is looking back at their fifteen year saga of one-ups and competitions and "flirting" with nostalgia, even after only getting a glimpse of their history and the interactions that take place during the story itself, it's a lot to swallow. Because if someone had been treating me that way for even one year, to say nothing of nearly two decades, I would not be simpering with hearts in my eyes. His behaviour did improve by the end and we got to see a different side of Richard but good gravy, no. Too little too late.

Tara, herself, I found very hard to like, too. She is working in a man's world, putting her career first at the expense of a personal life, chairing and speaking at these Women's Network seminars at her company, and.. I don't know. That plus the relationship that she gets into against her better judgment.. I just found she was a hot mess of contradictions.

The bare bones of Baker's story have the makings of something interesting, exciting and sexy, but a lack of chemistry and a lot of filler about their jobs -- which, if you asked me to explain, I couldn't for the life of me sum it up despite how time was spent talking about it -- a secondary plot involving a mother with dementia, and said aforementioned grown woman constantly fleeing from rooms, tripping on floors and basically acting nothing like a successful thirty-something year old, especially with her epic throwdowns and shouting matches with her love interest in their professional environment, made it.. not interesting, exciting or sexy.

This was made worse by two leads whose relationship is unconvincing, especially with how quickly all that hate and disdain turns to.. more after <b>fifteen years</b> of war being waged between them; a gaggle of weak or uninteresting supporting characters (their boss and the random weepy women who turn to Tara); inconsistencies in detail (is Aidan a VP or an accountant or an intern? all three were referenced); a modern woman who is all !!!! shocked about a grown up man having a motorcycle and a tattoo and how that isn't what proper accountants should do; a quick escalation of violence near the end; and after having to endure a constant litany of gasping every time Tara was in another man's presence.. I'm sorry to say this just wasn't a good time for me.

Loved the book

Tara is an thirty five year old senior executive, who has spent her fifteen years at her firm, she has been so dedicated to her job that she doesn't really have a life!!

Richard is also a senior executive who has had the same goals as Tara, they have been pitted against each other since the first day of work.

Tara finds out that the rumours are she is a cold fish and only interested in herself, does this mean that all she has been told about Richard is a lie??

Have they been pitted against each other on purpose, if so why??

Great storyline with mixture of humour, suspense and romance a well rounded story.

The Corner Office by Katerina Baker earns a solid 4 stars from me for good writing and a fast moving plot. I love a good enemies to lovers story.

A few caveats: While it can't be considered cheating, the heroine, Tara, does "hook up" with someone other than Richard, our hero. For me this doesn't usually work, but it set the tone for the book, as something darker comes out of this first relationship. Based on the blurb, I kept expecting Richard to ride in on a white horse and save Tara. Instead I found that the stalker aspect of the story went from zero to one hundred rather quickly. I think this could have been fleshed out more. Tara doesn't seem to fear her new stalker at all though, which didn't work for me.

There is a side story involving Tara's mother, who suffers from dementia. This part is well written and provides Tara's personality with new dimensions. Otherwise she would have been work 15 hours a day with absolutely no life outside of that.

Good book; I would read more of Katerina Baker's work based on this title.