Take a photo of a barcode or cover
loverofromance 's review for:
Kiss Hard
by Nalini Singh
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
First Impressions
Kiss Hard is the most recent release of the Play Hard series and this is Danny’s book of the Esera family. I had heard so many great things about this book so I was super eager to pick this one up. When I was browsing through my Hoopla catalog, I saw that this one was available, and I instantly grabbed at the chance to get this one and immediately started listening to this one. This is a mix of frenemies to lovers type of story. Both of our main characters have known each other for years, but have kinda hated and teased each other for many years but also have this weird friendship bond even though there is this level of playful animosity between them. We see how their mannerisms have to learn to change when a fake dating has to happen between them, but there is already this chemistry between them that they are both in denial of and it was quite intriguing to see them work through that and learn to let down their guards. And this set up made for a solid read.
Summary
Daniel Esera is a Rugby god on the field, he has the type of talent that makes him one of the best players in the world but when he suffers an injury he is learning to recover and adapt to his new set or circumstances and wonders what it will take to get back to his top form again And then enters our heroine Catie River, who is working toward the Paralympic gold as she wears foot prosthetics and has worked her butt off to be independent and embrace what technology gives her the opportunities for. She hasn’t had the type of family connection and support that Danny has had, with a gambling father and a mother that isn’t the most healed from it. When Danny and Catie are forced together in a charade of posing as lovers, something more happens between them and they both realize that there is something fundamental between them that is worth fighting for. But Catie has trust issues, and doesn’t know if she can open herself up enough to give her heart to Danny…but will Danny find a way to allow her to open up herself to a possibbiity of a future with him?
What I Loved
I really found some great elements to this story and I really wanted these two to find their journey towards their HEA. I really at times found myself entertained by their jbantering, it was so different than anything I have read from this author so I found it quite refreshing. There is also a good focus on consent and respect between the genders and I actually really liked the way that this was written. It might not work for every author but I felt that Singh really balanced it out so well within the story that made it work just right. I loved how respectful and gracious Danny is with Catie. He understands her and what she needs and I really admired how he swallowed his pride at times to allow her to work through her struggles on her own due to how independent she is. I did like Catie in some moments where she knew what she needed for herself but also respected others for their choices, she had a sense of integrity and acceptance of others that was quite endearing. The romance that developed between them was quite beautiful and I couldn’t wait to see how their feelings would grow. I was completely endeared by the small quiet poignant moments that grow between them and seeing them let go of the animosity and let each other into their hearts and see each other in a way that they haven’t before, There is a sense of fresh start to this story and it was quite interesting to see how they follow their own dreams while also carving a relationship that is worth fighting for.
What I Struggled With
The only element to the story that I really struggled with is the heroine. I felt like she could be too full of herself and at times too independent, I understood why she is the way that she is, but at the same time I didn’t like how she treated Danny at times. I wished she would have swallowed her pride just like he was willing to and give back as much as he gave to her. But eventually she grew on me. But the hero is who made the story ROCK for me.
The Narration
The narration on this was EXCELLENT, it was handled just write for the tone of the story that it was. I felt like the narrator really handled the bantering between this pair just right and really portrayed the level of personality just right. And such a lovely voice that made me want to listen longer and longer.
Overall View
I found Kiss Hard to be a feisty, unhinged romance that will deliver in laughs and levels of emotion and consent. Its a story of growth, chasing your dreams and embracing love that comes your way when you least expect it!
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
First Impressions
Kiss Hard is the most recent release of the Play Hard series and this is Danny’s book of the Esera family. I had heard so many great things about this book so I was super eager to pick this one up. When I was browsing through my Hoopla catalog, I saw that this one was available, and I instantly grabbed at the chance to get this one and immediately started listening to this one. This is a mix of frenemies to lovers type of story. Both of our main characters have known each other for years, but have kinda hated and teased each other for many years but also have this weird friendship bond even though there is this level of playful animosity between them. We see how their mannerisms have to learn to change when a fake dating has to happen between them, but there is already this chemistry between them that they are both in denial of and it was quite intriguing to see them work through that and learn to let down their guards. And this set up made for a solid read.
Summary
Daniel Esera is a Rugby god on the field, he has the type of talent that makes him one of the best players in the world but when he suffers an injury he is learning to recover and adapt to his new set or circumstances and wonders what it will take to get back to his top form again And then enters our heroine Catie River, who is working toward the Paralympic gold as she wears foot prosthetics and has worked her butt off to be independent and embrace what technology gives her the opportunities for. She hasn’t had the type of family connection and support that Danny has had, with a gambling father and a mother that isn’t the most healed from it. When Danny and Catie are forced together in a charade of posing as lovers, something more happens between them and they both realize that there is something fundamental between them that is worth fighting for. But Catie has trust issues, and doesn’t know if she can open herself up enough to give her heart to Danny…but will Danny find a way to allow her to open up herself to a possibbiity of a future with him?
What I Loved
I really found some great elements to this story and I really wanted these two to find their journey towards their HEA. I really at times found myself entertained by their jbantering, it was so different than anything I have read from this author so I found it quite refreshing. There is also a good focus on consent and respect between the genders and I actually really liked the way that this was written. It might not work for every author but I felt that Singh really balanced it out so well within the story that made it work just right. I loved how respectful and gracious Danny is with Catie. He understands her and what she needs and I really admired how he swallowed his pride at times to allow her to work through her struggles on her own due to how independent she is. I did like Catie in some moments where she knew what she needed for herself but also respected others for their choices, she had a sense of integrity and acceptance of others that was quite endearing. The romance that developed between them was quite beautiful and I couldn’t wait to see how their feelings would grow. I was completely endeared by the small quiet poignant moments that grow between them and seeing them let go of the animosity and let each other into their hearts and see each other in a way that they haven’t before, There is a sense of fresh start to this story and it was quite interesting to see how they follow their own dreams while also carving a relationship that is worth fighting for.
What I Struggled With
The only element to the story that I really struggled with is the heroine. I felt like she could be too full of herself and at times too independent, I understood why she is the way that she is, but at the same time I didn’t like how she treated Danny at times. I wished she would have swallowed her pride just like he was willing to and give back as much as he gave to her. But eventually she grew on me. But the hero is who made the story ROCK for me.
The Narration
The narration on this was EXCELLENT, it was handled just write for the tone of the story that it was. I felt like the narrator really handled the bantering between this pair just right and really portrayed the level of personality just right. And such a lovely voice that made me want to listen longer and longer.
Overall View
I found Kiss Hard to be a feisty, unhinged romance that will deliver in laughs and levels of emotion and consent. Its a story of growth, chasing your dreams and embracing love that comes your way when you least expect it!