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Benchmarks #1
Professional Development
Tara Treloff and Drew Larsen hate each other.
They really hate each other.
This would be fine except for the issue of them sharing a job title ...and an office ...and now a five-hour-long drive to a conference their boss has made mandatory to resolve their issues.
And they would've been able to muddle through all of those matters but a major snowstorm is heading their way ...and there's only one bed.
They really hate each other.
This would be fine except for the issue of them sharing a job title ...and an office ...and now a five-hour-long drive to a conference their boss has made mandatory to resolve their issues.
And they would've been able to muddle through all of those matters but a major snowstorm is heading their way ...and there's only one bed.
130 pages, Paperback
First published August 18, 2020
344 people are currently reading
1083 people want to read
About the author
Kate Canterbary
48 books5,574 followersUSA Today Bestseller Kate Canterbary writes smart, steamy contemporary romances loaded with heat, heart, and happy ever afters. Kate lives on the New England coast with her husband and daughter.
To get in touch with Kate, please email kate@katecanterbary.com
To get in touch with Kate, please email kate@katecanterbary.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews
August 27, 2020
3.5 Full Spectrum of Hate Stars ⭐
Oh, the pain because I didn’t love this. Professional Development could’ve been awesome but just missed the mark. If this story had time for a plot development, it would’ve been as great as one of my all-time favourites book, The Hating Game. I’m not one to compare, but these two characters sincerely hated each other. Not dislike, more move out of my way before I go to prison hate…
"I'd wanted to unload the fires of hell upon this douche canoe every day for the past two years."
Two years of working together and sharing the role as co-deans at Bayside School, Drew and Tara aren’t any closer to even tolerating one another. They can barely look at each other and working in the same proximity is driving them both to extreme pettiness and madness. After a forced intervention, they are sent to a conference together.
"Unfortunately for me, I didn't live in a simple world.
I lived in a world where I wanted my colleague so much, I plowed all the way through lust and came out the other side in the deep end of resentment."
Deep down Drew knows he’s in over his head. It’s easier for him to hold onto his animosity than admit he likes Tara. So instead he acts out, which in turn gets the same reaction from Tara. And let me assure you, the hate was believable.
The premise of this story was fab, and the dialogue sharp and witty as expected. Unfortunately, it just resolved itself too quickly. The good news is that I did enjoy Tara dishing out retribution, especially in the bedroom and Drew maintaining his shitty personality even once they got together. Cos once a grump, always a grump!
"If you want me—"
"That is not a question," I murmured with a pointed glance at the tent in my trousers. "
—then you need to earn me."
"You're talking to a classic overachiever. You better believe I can earn you."
Oh, the pain because I didn’t love this. Professional Development could’ve been awesome but just missed the mark. If this story had time for a plot development, it would’ve been as great as one of my all-time favourites book, The Hating Game. I’m not one to compare, but these two characters sincerely hated each other. Not dislike, more move out of my way before I go to prison hate…
"I'd wanted to unload the fires of hell upon this douche canoe every day for the past two years."
Two years of working together and sharing the role as co-deans at Bayside School, Drew and Tara aren’t any closer to even tolerating one another. They can barely look at each other and working in the same proximity is driving them both to extreme pettiness and madness. After a forced intervention, they are sent to a conference together.
"Unfortunately for me, I didn't live in a simple world.
I lived in a world where I wanted my colleague so much, I plowed all the way through lust and came out the other side in the deep end of resentment."
Deep down Drew knows he’s in over his head. It’s easier for him to hold onto his animosity than admit he likes Tara. So instead he acts out, which in turn gets the same reaction from Tara. And let me assure you, the hate was believable.
The premise of this story was fab, and the dialogue sharp and witty as expected. Unfortunately, it just resolved itself too quickly. The good news is that I did enjoy Tara dishing out retribution, especially in the bedroom and Drew maintaining his shitty personality even once they got together. Cos once a grump, always a grump!
"If you want me—"
"That is not a question," I murmured with a pointed glance at the tent in my trousers. "
—then you need to earn me."
"You're talking to a classic overachiever. You better believe I can earn you."
February 13, 2023
I like a good hate to love, but the hero in this was just so mean to the heroine and I would NEVER be able to deal with that. Maybe it's because this is contemporary about two people who work in education and I couldn't help but think of myself in that situation. It was the cliche he hates her because he's so into her thing, which I didn't love. And it turned so insta-love so quickly, but I guess you need that in such a short book. I just had a hard time enjoying this one.
August 18, 2020
4 stars!
Originally published in the Holiday Ever After anthology – now with additional content
A delicious enemies-to-lovers romance between two work colleagues, this short story is fun with lots of chemistry.
Drew and Tara are the co-deans at an elementary school (the same school run by Lauren from The Walshes series - book #1, Underneath It All). Their constant bickering and blatant animosity has become too much for their boss, and they are sent away to attend a seminar together with an ultimatum to get their professional relationship straightened out.
An awkward road trip leads to all sorts of hilarious monologing as the two enemies lament their situation, and we begin to see that not all is as it seems.
A blizzard, a one-bed cabin in the snow and an emotional breakthrough later, and they find themselves coming to an unexpected, exciting and most welcome breakthrough together.
I loved this little story. It’s short and fast-moving, but Canterbary still manages to create two wonderful characters and pack in loads of chemistry, emotion and passion.
4 stars.
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Originally published in the Holiday Ever After anthology – now with additional content
A delicious enemies-to-lovers romance between two work colleagues, this short story is fun with lots of chemistry.
Drew and Tara are the co-deans at an elementary school (the same school run by Lauren from The Walshes series - book #1, Underneath It All). Their constant bickering and blatant animosity has become too much for their boss, and they are sent away to attend a seminar together with an ultimatum to get their professional relationship straightened out.
Unfortunately for me, I didn't live in a simple world.
I lived in a world where I wanted my colleague so much, I plowed all the way through lust and came out the other side in the deep end of resentment.
An awkward road trip leads to all sorts of hilarious monologing as the two enemies lament their situation, and we begin to see that not all is as it seems.
The entire situation was bad enough but after we’d stopped at a sandwich shop for a quick meal, he’d rolled his shirtsleeves up to his elbows and drove the remainder of the distance with bare forearms.
The audacity of that fucker. Really.
A blizzard, a one-bed cabin in the snow and an emotional breakthrough later, and they find themselves coming to an unexpected, exciting and most welcome breakthrough together.
“I don't want to think about the terrible things I've said to you and the inexcusable way I've behaved. I know what I've done. I want to pretend I'm allowed to love you and maybe, in some wild version of my life, you love me too."
I loved this little story. It’s short and fast-moving, but Canterbary still manages to create two wonderful characters and pack in loads of chemistry, emotion and passion.
4 stars.
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
August 31, 2020
A cute novella. Introducing a new series - about teachers, maybe? This first one is anyway. It's connected to the Walsh series because it's two teachers from the school Lauren Walsh started. I quite like the idea of the story, but it suffers from the typical novella difficulties of feeling a little rushed and insta-lovey and lacking sufficient character development. A quick, easy read, but I would rather have read a novel-length version.
December 2, 2022
Rivals to lovers and very spicy
August 16, 2020
That Thin Line Between Love and Hate
Professional Development is a sharp, salty, steamy read. Tara and Drew share a title and an office and a contentious relationship. Yet, everything is not as it seems between these two. Then Lauren Walsh and mother nature intervene. Stranded during a blizzard, both tempers and passion flare. The heat between Tara and Drew is like a bonfire. It's intense and mesmerizing. As always, Ms. Walsh brought vulnerability, passion, and emotions to a head. This is a robust love story that left my heart full. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book in The Benchmark Series!
Professional Development is a sharp, salty, steamy read. Tara and Drew share a title and an office and a contentious relationship. Yet, everything is not as it seems between these two. Then Lauren Walsh and mother nature intervene. Stranded during a blizzard, both tempers and passion flare. The heat between Tara and Drew is like a bonfire. It's intense and mesmerizing. As always, Ms. Walsh brought vulnerability, passion, and emotions to a head. This is a robust love story that left my heart full. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book in The Benchmark Series!
July 28, 2021
I lived in a world where I wanted my colleague so much, I plowed all the way through lust and came out the other side in the deep end of resentment.
If you loved The Hating Game, then you are going to love this!! Even tho this is a short novella, it really developed their relationship well. The banter was immaculate and the PINING!! This was such a fun read.
Tropes include:
- enemies to lovers but really "I've been in love with you since I saw you"
- one bed
- pining
- grumpy sunshine
- office romance
If you loved The Hating Game, then you are going to love this!! Even tho this is a short novella, it really developed their relationship well. The banter was immaculate and the PINING!! This was such a fun read.
Tropes include:
- enemies to lovers but really "I've been in love with you since I saw you"
- one bed
- pining
- grumpy sunshine
- office romance
August 18, 2020
The saying "there's a fine line between love and hate" is so very true in the story of Drew and Tara. To say they are rival coworkers is putting it mildly. The banter between these two is smart, sharp, and witty. You can feel the passion (both love and hate) leap off the page. There's a lot packed into this novella. These characters are captivating from the start. You just know there is more to them from the first few pages. It is a quick read and so very worth it. Since this is the beginning of The Benchmark Series, we are introduced to several new characters at the Bayside School. This tiny taste already has me excited for what's to come! Another fabulous book by this author.
June 18, 2022
I thought this was a really well developed novella. For such a short length I really bought into the hate to love arc, and it truly felt like hate to love not just dislike to love. For me though the first half was 5 stars but the second half was 3 stars. Once the h and H got together everything happened so fast, and then there was a big time jump. That being said for a novella I thought the author was able to pack in a lot.
November 2, 2020
Short and sweet, I was hoping for a bit more than that, it had no sooner started than it was all over. Still ok, but not as good as the Walsh series.
Complete story, available on ku.
Complete story, available on ku.
October 31, 2022
*3.5 Stars!*
August 19, 2020
I really connected with this book and the characters. I taught kindergarten for a few years and Tara sounds like someone I would enjoy working with. Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes and Kate Canterbary is one of my favorite authors so it was a win win situation for me.
August 4, 2021
I couldn’t stand this, not any longer. I couldn’t protect myself by simply hating her because it wasn’t enough. If anything, I’d traveled the circumference of hate and built an uncomfortable home for myself on the antagonistic asshole edge of love.
I tried Underneath it All by Kate Canterbary a few months back and DNF’d it pretty quickly, but after seeing so many people rave about that series and me enjoying this novella, I think I need to give it another shot. This novella is related to Underneath it All as its the school Lauren was setting up in the other book and Lauren cameos as principal-slash-head master? Supreme ruler? I’m not sure.
Professional Development is enemies to lovers, workplace romance, forced proximity, there’s only one bed. All topes I loooooove.
I thought this novella did a great job at setting up the characters and animosity between them. It’s classic opposites attract: Tara is a younger elementary school teacher who is a former kindergarten teacher and wears loud dresses, ballet flats, and is a bit frazzled. Drew is the upper elementary school teacher and a preppy Dartmouth grad who always follows the rules. The two are co-deans of elementary school and constantly butting heads. So Lauren sends them to a development workshop… right before Christmas. Hello, bad weather in the northeast.
My main issue with the novella is how quickly it goes from enemies > sexy times > something more. I know it’s a novella so there isn’t a lot of time but dang - Drew was so rude and I don’t think I could have forgiven or trusted him so quickly!
I feel like any workplace romance / enemies to lovers story will now be compared to The Hating Game, maybe the most mainstream popular example of the trope. There were some more granular similarities - they work as “co-___” (in this book they’re co-deans, in THG they’re co-assistants to the co-CEOs); the hero is in love at first sight that’s quickly covered with antagonism; the hero is shy and uses negative/overbearing personality traits to not let people notice; the heroine is oblivious and truly hates the hero with lust simmering beneath.
Professional Development stood on its own with clever quips and beautiful writing, though. And it set up future storylines well - I’m already itching for Clark/Noa’s.
I tried Underneath it All by Kate Canterbary a few months back and DNF’d it pretty quickly, but after seeing so many people rave about that series and me enjoying this novella, I think I need to give it another shot. This novella is related to Underneath it All as its the school Lauren was setting up in the other book and Lauren cameos as principal-slash-head master? Supreme ruler? I’m not sure.
Professional Development is enemies to lovers, workplace romance, forced proximity, there’s only one bed. All topes I loooooove.
I thought this novella did a great job at setting up the characters and animosity between them. It’s classic opposites attract: Tara is a younger elementary school teacher who is a former kindergarten teacher and wears loud dresses, ballet flats, and is a bit frazzled. Drew is the upper elementary school teacher and a preppy Dartmouth grad who always follows the rules. The two are co-deans of elementary school and constantly butting heads. So Lauren sends them to a development workshop… right before Christmas. Hello, bad weather in the northeast.
My main issue with the novella is how quickly it goes from enemies > sexy times > something more. I know it’s a novella so there isn’t a lot of time but dang - Drew was so rude and I don’t think I could have forgiven or trusted him so quickly!
I feel like any workplace romance / enemies to lovers story will now be compared to The Hating Game, maybe the most mainstream popular example of the trope. There were some more granular similarities - they work as “co-___” (in this book they’re co-deans, in THG they’re co-assistants to the co-CEOs); the hero is in love at first sight that’s quickly covered with antagonism; the hero is shy and uses negative/overbearing personality traits to not let people notice; the heroine is oblivious and truly hates the hero with lust simmering beneath.
Professional Development stood on its own with clever quips and beautiful writing, though. And it set up future storylines well - I’m already itching for Clark/Noa’s.
January 10, 2021
This novella fills in the blanks about what happened to those two employees who missed the private school's holiday party. A quick rivals/enemies to lovers romance.. these two have been clashing for two years as they co-lead the school, until being stranded in a blizzard they have to finally come to understand each other's motivations. If you can get past his two years of prickliness due to his unwanted attraction for her, then the story is pretty good, and if you can't then you'll be pissed at her for forgiving him.
September 15, 2020
3.5 stars.
December 11, 2020
Professional Development pulled me in from the start and I adored watching the characters come together. Although there was a point where things dipped a bit for me with this one, it wasn’t enough to drop my rating down, as I was hooked throughout. It’s certainly a story that kept me hooked, packed a punch, and has me eager to read more of the author’s work.
If nothing else, it’s certainly worth it for quick reading.
If nothing else, it’s certainly worth it for quick reading.
June 1, 2025
Trigger warnings: nothing that I can think of??
31/5/2025
Yeah, I loved this just as much on reread.
31/1/2023
Well this was an absolute delight. I was hooked from page 1. I loved the mutual loathing that's really just disguised lust. I loved the dynamic between them. I loved the realisations they make about the other person. I loved the use of only one bed. My only gripe is that I really wish it had been a full length novel because I feel like the HATE HATE HATE vibes were liiiiiiittle too strong and as a full length novel there would have been more of an option to build up their relationship and WHY they loathe each other so much. You know? Still, I'll definitely be rereading this in the future!
31/5/2025
Yeah, I loved this just as much on reread.
31/1/2023
Well this was an absolute delight. I was hooked from page 1. I loved the mutual loathing that's really just disguised lust. I loved the dynamic between them. I loved the realisations they make about the other person. I loved the use of only one bed. My only gripe is that I really wish it had been a full length novel because I feel like the HATE HATE HATE vibes were liiiiiiittle too strong and as a full length novel there would have been more of an option to build up their relationship and WHY they loathe each other so much. You know? Still, I'll definitely be rereading this in the future!
August 19, 2020
I read this before in an anthology but there were some bonus scenes and chapters so of course I had to reread. 4.5 stars!
August 26, 2020
Good read
Short and sexy novella that kicks off a new series from this author. It's an enemy to lovers story that I think everyone will enjoy.
Short and sexy novella that kicks off a new series from this author. It's an enemy to lovers story that I think everyone will enjoy.
September 16, 2021
Have I mentioned that cinnamon roll grumpy ones being hot for the sunshine ones is my absolute favorite romance trope? Because it is!
December 28, 2024
so freaking good!
this book has everything: - he falls first
- he hates her but secretly loves her
- she's clueless
- one-bed trope
- they're both teachers
this book has everything: - he falls first
- he hates her but secretly loves her
- she's clueless
- one-bed trope
- they're both teachers
August 4, 2021
This was such a delightful novella that gave me major 10 Thing I Hate About You vibes (the whole “but mostly I hate the way I don’t hate you, not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all”) and I loved it! I only wish this novella was longer since I wanted so much more time with this couple. 😅😍
Drew and Tara are co-deans at their school and even have to share an office, but they butt heads all the time and are constantly sniping and arguing with one another. Just before Christmas break they get sent on a professional development conference in upstate NY and have a little roadtrip together. The conference ends up getting canceled on the last day because of a bad snow blizzard where Drew & Tara find themselves shacking up together at an inn that has only 1 room…with 1 bed. And oooh my does it start to sizzle and scorch in that room. 🔥🥵 I loved the whole rivals-to-lovers romance and how witty and bantery these 2 were together. I loved how sweet and caring Drew was and once these 2 do get together, they go all in. So much fun and I can’t wait to read more from this author!
Drew and Tara are co-deans at their school and even have to share an office, but they butt heads all the time and are constantly sniping and arguing with one another. Just before Christmas break they get sent on a professional development conference in upstate NY and have a little roadtrip together. The conference ends up getting canceled on the last day because of a bad snow blizzard where Drew & Tara find themselves shacking up together at an inn that has only 1 room…with 1 bed. And oooh my does it start to sizzle and scorch in that room. 🔥🥵 I loved the whole rivals-to-lovers romance and how witty and bantery these 2 were together. I loved how sweet and caring Drew was and once these 2 do get together, they go all in. So much fun and I can’t wait to read more from this author!
August 17, 2020
Professional Development is an absolutely brilliant little novella. We get Kate Canterbary’s trademark writing style which I absolutely adore as well as one hell of a good story! Drew and Tara are co-deans at the same school, and they kind of hate each other A LOT. There’s hostility, fundamental differences, resentment, and in their two years working together they’ve failed to establish any kind of constructive working relationship. Their boss Lauren Halsted-Walsh (yes, that Lauren from Walsh book #1, Underneath It All!) forces them to go on a professional training course together and issues them an ultimatum to sort out their differences. Nothing is getting resolved until a blizzard strands these two far from home in the same room. And things happen in that room that neither expected. One moment tempers are flaring, the next minute it’s passion. This was a power struggle that turns sexy and was the perfect mix of tempers and passion, salty and steamy.
September 28, 2020
Professional Development was a fun and quick read, an enemies to lovers romance where there is lots of snark to enjoy between the 2 main characters Tara & Drew.
"He was a pompous dickhead who happened to be good enough at his job to make up for his burnt toast personality". Lol - Tara's thoughts on Drew made me smile numerous times.
There is a fine line between love and hate, and these 2 are really tested when they get stuck in a major snowstorm together. I really liked both the main characters, Professional Development may have been a short read, but it was a very entertaining one.
"He was a pompous dickhead who happened to be good enough at his job to make up for his burnt toast personality". Lol - Tara's thoughts on Drew made me smile numerous times.
There is a fine line between love and hate, and these 2 are really tested when they get stuck in a major snowstorm together. I really liked both the main characters, Professional Development may have been a short read, but it was a very entertaining one.
March 7, 2021
My first Kate Canterbary and I had such a good time.
Hate-flirting is my lifeblood and these two argued themselves beautifully into the only one bed trope.
...
Excuse me while I stalk Canterbary's entire back catalogue.
Hate-flirting is my lifeblood and these two argued themselves beautifully into the only one bed trope.
...
Excuse me while I stalk Canterbary's entire back catalogue.
November 11, 2020
Aw shucks, she did it again. I love this author!
August 1, 2021
This was superb! All the tension and banter of The Hating Game in a much shorter, tighter read. Highly recommend for HG fans!
June 5, 2025
An “enemies to lovers” where I have absolutely no clue why they were enemies and why the became lovers. Just, what?
December 10, 2022
1.5 stars
I hate when people just describe things as "mid". But honestly? Mid.
I'm sure I'll look back on this and cringe in like a week but right now the influence of the 5th graders I tutor is too strong.
Anyway, actual review: insta fuck, insta love, insta everything. Hate wasn't really justified at all.
I hate when people just describe things as "mid". But honestly? Mid.
I'm sure I'll look back on this and cringe in like a week but right now the influence of the 5th graders I tutor is too strong.
Anyway, actual review: insta fuck, insta love, insta everything. Hate wasn't really justified at all.
February 23, 2023
Even acknowledging that this trope isn’t my favorite, this didn’t work as a novella. Most of the real estate was devoted to how and why they don’t like each other. And then one sex scene, some hand waving of “he’s mean cause he likes you!” and we’re supposed to believe that these two fall in love. There needed to be a lot more transition and honestly a lot more groveling on the part of the MMC—he was right, he was a dick, he didn’t deserve her and we deserved to see him earn it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews