Love Hard (Hard Play Book 3)

You should sooo be tackling LOVE HARD by Nalini Singh! Is there tackling in rugby? I don't really know, but regardless, grab this book, manhandle it, stroke it, spike it...and I'm mixing up my s*xual and sports metaphors. This is what Love Hard does to me! I. Loved. This. Book. The whole Hard Play series is amazing, and Jake and Juliet's story is another brilliant addition. I may not know rugby, but there are several things I know for certain: 1. Rugby's hot. And rugby players are hot. 2. I now have another reason besides Hobbiton to visit New Zealand. 3. Nalini Singh can write a single-spaced manifesto on the proper ratio of peanut butter to jelly and I would read it. 4. Enemies to lovers is a brilliant trope for dynamic dialogue, tension-filled interaction, passionate s*x and swoony romance. 5. We need more romances with large families as secondary characters because the fun, LOL times are real! 5. Rugby is hot. And rugby players are hot. Also, what I know? Nalini Singh writes such multi-layered characters and deep emotion that you not only feel like you know them, but you've BECOME them. Single-father and star rugby player Jacob Esera lost his childhood sweetheart and the mother of his daughter at a young age. In those years, he's raised his daughter, has maintained strict discipline over his career, his decisions and his life in order to give her stability and security. When his dead girlfriend's best friend enters his life again, he's resistant to the whirlwind that she is. Bold. Mouthy. Vivid and vibrant. And still a pain in his a--er, side. Juliet Nelisi loved Jacob's former girlfriend. She'd been her best--and only--friend, and the lonely teenager who everyone saw as a wild bad girl cherished that friendship and loyalty. Finally free of a cheating ex, in control of her career and with friends who truly love and accept her, she's embracing this new life. And it doesn't include Judgy McJudgerson Jacob. They've never gotten along and had nothing in common but the person they both loved. Except now, an unwanted and inconvenient desire ignites between them. And even after giving in, Juliet is still afraid. She wants a lover who will also be a friend, someone who will fearlessly stand beside her. Besides, with her unwarranted reputation as a gold-digging WAG, she will only bring sordid attention to upstanding Jacob, whose nickname is The Saint. Worse, it will reflect on his daughter. But Jacob is determined to show Juliet that she's not only worthy of someone having her back, but he's the one to do it. Peeeeoooplllle. This book slayed me. Jacob and Juliet were fire and sweetness. Everything from the way they sniped at each other to when they started to melt and reveal their hearts, pasts and pain...it was foreplay! And when they came together? Y'all. It's always the quiet ones, I'm just sayin'... Plus, his daughter, his family and all of the characters from both the Rock Kiss and Hard Play books just made this story not just about romance, but community and the importance of the family we're born to and the one we create by choice. And all's I'm saying is I need books about the rugby players, too. Gimmee all the books in the Play Hard series! Love Hard was quintessential Nalini Singh, whether the setting was in New Zealand of futuristic San Francisco. It had wonderful characters, soul-snatching emotion, amazing world-building, delicious passion, the best dialogue and a beautiful romance. Another Nalini Singh hit!

FINAL DECISION: Oh, I loved this one. Jake is sweet and adorable and such a good man trying to raise his daughter until Jules comes and knocks his well ordered life for a loop. These are adults dealing with things in a mature and reasoned fashion and I loved their story. THE STORY: A wedding brings high school classmates Jacob Esera and Juliet Nelisi together again. As students, the two were uneasily connected by Jacob's girlfriend who happened to be Juliet's best friend. After his girlfriend's death, Jacob has spent the last six years raising his daughter as a single parent and working on his career as a rugby player. There is definite heat between them but Jacob wants a quiet private life and Juliet seems to bring scandal and attention wherever she goes. OPINION: This book is a joy to read primarily because these are adults who deal with their relationship in an adult way. Less unnecessary drama and more smart people who talk things out make this book a wonderful read. Jake is a really decent man. Raising his daughter alone after the death of her mother, she is clearly the center of his life. Definite gooey heart stuff seeing this strong man completely wrapped around the little finger of his girl. What is particularly good in is that the kids feel like real people and not convenient plot points. As a parent, I also really felt for Jake who has conflicting emotions regarding this daughter that he loves greatly and yet wants her protected and yet independent. Juliet is a woman who is smart and clever and has made mistakes. She owns her mistakes which felt mature and realistic. I appreciated having a heroine that was imperfect and dealt with her past with humor and aplomb. I just love the serious guy with the naughty girl, but even better, these characters are complex and are ultimately they have more in common than at first it seems. This is a lovely story with intricacy of character. There is angst and some drama, but such likable people. The story is also very sexy as well as being sweet and romantic. This book just made me feel good and happy. WORTH MENTIONING: While it is certainly not necessary to read the other books in the series, I highly recommend reading ROCK HARD. A highlight of this book for me is the community of characters that Nalini Singh brings into the story (especially in the beginning). One of my favorite aspects of Nalini Singh's books is the supportive cast of characters in her books. CONNECTED BOOKS: This whole series is a spin-off from ROCK HARD in the Rock Kiss series. This book, however, is especially connected as it has the wedding of Gabriel and Charlotte (the couple in ROCK HARD). This book can certainly be read as a standalone as the romance is completely self-contained. STAR RATING: I give this book 5 stars. NOTE: I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own. I purchased a paperback copy of this book after its release.

I enjoyed the story. All about family and friends and having a support system. Nalini writes beautifully and intertwines the characters from other books into this one beautifully. The story of Jacob and Juliet was seamless and an easy read Can't wait for Danny's story

Absolutely love every book written by me Singh, and the Hard Play series is excellent. Loved Jake and Jules story, and the linking to other stories, make you go back and reread them. Highly recommended read...

I love this whole series. Something refreshing for romance lovers. Not the same old cutout drama and dumb communication issues just pure sexy romance. I can't wait to read more of this funny and adorable family. Hopefully Danny's story is next in line!

Nalini Singh is one of my absolute favourite authors, and as usual, this book did not disappoint. I adored Juliet and her tough attitude, and loved soft-centred Jacob. Supporting characters were well-rounded and interesting. The book was well-written and had plenty of plot. I loved this book.

The story is so lovely and I feel like Nalini could just keep writing about their every day live with Esme. The same I think could be done with the other stories. The stories are just so lovely, you don't want them to end and want to see, how they keep developing. It's such a shame, that Daniel will be the last story of the Bishop-Esera Family.

I freely admit that Rock Hard is my favourite of this series but this one gives it a run for its money. Definitely going to be one to go to when I need a pick me up. Love the guest appearances of Charlie and T.Rex ( I so want the next tee shirt Charlotte wears), Sailor and Danny. I made the mistake of starting this in the early evening. Finished it at 4am the next morning because I enjoyed it so much. Safe to say, I really enjoyed this book. A great antidote in these scary times.