I was lucky enough to get an arc via Netgalley for the book and I am soooo happy!
It is still very difficult to believe that Nalini has ventured into contemporary territory with such success. Of course, there are a few things tha she can't shake off her wirting, but that is fine by me. I was looking forward to seeing more of the Bishop-Esera clan and it was nice to spend time with them. I had missed them and didn't know about it.
Isla Rain is a small force of nature and I looked forward to reading her reations.
One thing that we do not see in Nalini's paranormal books, but I love in her contemporaries, are the chapter titles! They make me look forward to great things and excited to get on with reading!

Sailor Bishop has only one goal for his future – to create a successful landscaping business. No distractions allowed. Then he comes face-to-face and lips-to-lips with a woman who blushes like an innocent… and kisses like pure sin.

Ísa Rain craves a man who will cherish her, aches to create a loving family of her own. Trading steamy kisses with a hot gardener in a parking lot? Not the way to true love. Then a deal with the devil (aka her CEO-mother) makes Ísa a corporate VP for the summer. Her main task? Working closely with a certain hot gardener.

And Sailor Bishop has wickedness on his mind.

As Ísa starts to fall for a man who makes her want to throttle and pounce on him at the same time, she knows she has to choose – play it safe and steady, or risk all her dreams and hope Sailor doesn’t destroy her heart.

Isa Rain is a school teacher who was raised by parents who had no time for her. Each of her parents (now divorced) run successful businesses and her mother, especially, would love to see her working in the corporate world. Isa wants nothing to do with it. She was neglected as a child and doesn’t want that for her children. When she gets married she wants her husband to cherish her as much as she cherishes him. She gets a wild hair one day and on her way out of the school decides to kiss the hot gardener she’d been ogling all afternoon. She loves it, but she knows immediately that it’s a mistake.

Sailor Bishop is a man on a mission. He wants nothing more than to be a good person and have an incredibly successful landscaping business. His family backs him in everything he does but he wants to do this himself without leaning on anyone. When a hot redhead kisses him outside of a job site he’s thrilled, but she soon disappears on him. He can’t get her out of his mind after that. When he finds out that she’s his contact for the corporate job he managed to secure he knows it’s fate – he just needs to talk Isa into believing it’s fate as well. Isa, however, is not sure that with Sailor’s work hours they can make a lasting relationship, well, work.

This is a bit of a prequel to the Bishop family series. This is book one in the Hard Play series about the Bishop brothers but we got Sailor’s brother Gabe’s book, Rock Hard, in the Rock Kiss series. I loved Gabe and the Bishop family in that book so happy to read about them again in Cherish Hard. The family is loving and wonderful and raised incredible men. Of course in this book Sailor’s brothers are in their teens but still good guys.

The relationship between Isa and Sailor was an odd one but it grew on me as the book went on. Singh had me rooting for the pair and I was extremely satisfied with the end of the book. This ended up being a great first book in a what seems like it will be a wonderful series.

Rating: 4 out of 5

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This was a really enjoyable story but one which I felt was saved by Sailor. I’m not sure what it was but I just couldn’t connect with Ísa.

We first meet Ísa and Sailor at a college party when Ísa is cruelly spurned by her boyfriend. This rejection and the way it was handed down to her has affected Ísa ever since and has left her untrusting, especially of men.

With her life trying to be controlled by her mother, Ísa decides that she wants to teach rather than enter the family business but with a complicated family set-up, and various siblings to take care of, plus a dysfunctional step-father, Ísa’s life is far from straightforward and when she has to bend to her mother’s will to protect her brother, Ísa’s life is once again thrown into the path of Sailor.

Tasked to work together on a project for Ísa’s mother’s company, Ísa soon realises that Sailor may just be the man for her, even if he is younger than her. Sailor is funny, kind, protective, supportive and everything else Ísa needs in a man but fearful of their age difference, Ísa is convinced their relationship isn’t destined to be forever, but she hasn’t taken Sailor’s determination into account.

The story around Ísa’s sister, Catie is lovely and especially when she too is brought into the arms of Sailor’s family. I’d love to see where the friendship between Danny and Catie ends up, despite their initial bickering.

Overall, another good story in this extended series by Nalini Singh. Ísa’s family dynamics confused the life out of me though and seemed a little unnecessarily complicated. Thank goodness the Bishop’s are not quite as complicated!

Haven’t we met before…?

My reading mind (The Book Zone) feels like a Rolodex sometimes. Every book I start, I’m looking through my catalogue for similarities, triggers and a comfy place for my romantic heart to bloom. As soon as I started reading Cherish Hard my Rolodex was activated. This is kind of how it played out…

Nalini Singh, OK, what’s she got for me this time…
I’m expecting a strong, determined and loving hero…check
The heroine will have faced heartache and devastation…check
Ooh, we have Rugby again…check
Strong family values…check
Doesn’t make decisions solely on where his junk is pointing…check
Hero and heroine have brains…check
Work is important, but family comes first…check

WAIT…WAIT…WAIT…this is really familiar. Haven’t we met before? Isn’t this the first book in the series? Why do I feel like I know you already?

Yep, Sassy went in blind. Sassy has a bad habit of being utterly oblivious to stuff. Sassy had a very *DOH!!* moment at the end of the book when it was confirmed by the author that it was connected (siblings) to Rock Hard. Guess what Sassy couldn’t help but re-read after finishing Cherish Hard? (You would think that Sassy would have got that HARD connection…bloody idiot)

Anyways, I loved Cherish Hard. The storyline captured my attention from the very start. The characters are lovable and perfect for each other. It’s one of those stories where certain things or parts would normally have me squinting or scowling, but in this case, it WORKED. I loved that it was set at my next door neighbours place (New Zealand) and I recognised places and names I’ve visited and heard of.

So, I really loved it but the shining light and biggest heart shiver moment happened at the end when our hero put his priorities right without having to be told to. Quite refreshing not to have to witness screaming matches between the hero and heroine when he “does her wrong” or neglects her. I loved that quite a few of the men in this story were manly men who could love and show devotion to the special women in their life. It wasn’t wussy or weak, it was an exhilarating delight from a muscly and gorgeous man with a big heart.

I’m a fan and I will definitely be back for more. Now, I’m going back to visit Gabe and Charlie as they Rock Hard.

Stacey is Sassy, received a complimentary copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.

Maybe it's me, but this one just didn't do it for me. I didn't like Isa because I feel like she was supposed to be sweet and shy, but seemed more of an insecure martyr. There was also a lot of internal hand wringing, which drove me nuts. I have enjoyed other books by this author, but I really just couldn't connect to and get invested in this one.

Simply put another fantastic story by Ms. Singh. Can't get enough of her books!

Every single book friend I have is crazy about Nalini Singh, so I was beyond excited to get my hands on her latest release. Unfortunately, I didn't connect with it at all. I wanted to love it, but the love was too insta (which I didn't think was a problem with me, but I am finding that to be a repeated complaint lately, so perhaps my tastes have changed), and outside of a physical connection, I didn't really feel like the love story had progressed in the first half of the book. Or maybe it's just that I didnt' feel connected to it. I felt like there was a lot of telling, and less showing. I would have liked more dialogue. Snappy banter. Something to pull me into their relationship and make me understand why they felt so strongly for each other.

In the end, it was with great sadness that I chose to DNF at 40%. I may circle back around and try it again at some point. It's possible I just wasn't in the right headspace for this book. And I definitely will give Ms. Singh's other work a try. This one just wasn't for me.

I struggled with this one simply because I could not for the life of me connect with the heroine, Isa. I tried so hard to like her. She comes off really sweet and sort of bashful, but her actions are completely different. I think her inner thoughts got to me a little bit too. Perhaps it's just me and I wasn't in to mood to read it at this particular time (sometimes I get romanced out), so I may consider re-reading it in the future. But for now, this was an okay book.

quick, enjoyable read. Read it in one sitting. Really loved Sailor...he was divine. I want him for my own. Isa was very relatable. Can't wait to read the next book in the series!!!!.

Nalini Singh has a way of writing men you'd love to take home! I loved getting the backstory on how Sailor and Isa became the happily married couple we saw in Gabrial's story (Rock Hard). This story was sweet, light, and funny. This is a very relatable story about family and fighting for happiness. The main couple communicates, has chemistry in spades, and delightful banter. I'm a sucker for Nalini Singh's paranormal series but she's converted me to her contemporary writing too! A very enjoyable read for me with all of the depth and emotion Nalini Singh is known for but without as much grit of her paranormal works. I can't wait to see the rest of the Bishop boys!
My advice buy this book when it comes out Nov 14 <3

**ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review**

I've adored Sailor Bishop ever since meeting him in brother Gabriel's Rock Hard. So happy to find Sailor's story is every bit as tender and sweet. I can hardly wait to meet the other Bishop/Esera boys.

Unlike most romance fans, I'm not familiar with Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling series. Rather, I'm a huge fan of her contemporary romances featuring gorgeous alpha guys who are not only smitten but so sweetly supportive of their loves. These are guys who fall fast, fall hard, and fall for good. While Isa may be torn by her personal insecurities and crazy family drama, Sailor knows she is "his redhead" and he goes after her with all of his strength and patience. Isa may be the poet, but Sailor's declarations to her in the end were the real poetry here.

There is steam and sexual tension galore here, but the real story is Sailor and Isa opening up to each other and finding safe haven together. It was so great that their story lived up to the little sneak peek of their married life in Rock Hard. The author builds such interesting supporting characters - I hope we also get a look at Harlow and Catie in the future.

4.5 stars

The story about fighting: for family, for love, for dreams and for happiness.

"Cherish Hard" is a history of Gabriel Bishop's (whom readers met in "Hard Rock") brother Sailor and his lovely spitfire, Ísalind. But it is also a story about family bonds that can sometimes tie you up and wound you in the most painful way.

The main heroine is a young woman, who is trying to give her siblings a childhood with a sense of family and support, that lacked in hers, and at the same time makes her dreams come true. She is a really strong person, one with the capacity to make sacrifices in the name of love. But she is also vulnerable and with bad experience when it comes to men. So you can guess that for Sailor winning her trust and heart is not going to be a piece of cake!

From all Nalini Singh's books, I think that "Cherish Hard" is the most focused on the subject of family. Sometimes Ísa and Sailor's story comes second, because in the foreground there are family issues. But anyway, the brilliant dialogues, funny moments and soul-stirring history of fighting for love make that book number one on every "to read" list!

We have five gorgeous men in Bishop-Esera family: the ruthless CEO Gabriel, the hunky gardener Sailor, the handsome single dad Jake and the charming rugby player Danny. Gabriel&Sailor had already found their HEA. So the story of which of the younger brothers will be next?

Nalini Singh has a new series people!! This is not a drill! And it’s so GOOD! You can’t go wrong with a Nalini book.

Cherish Hard is a spin-off of her Rock Hard series. This book is out in 2 weeks and you do not need to have read any of the Rock Hard books to read this one – it completely stands alone. Sailor is the brother of Gabriel, the rugby player – who was one of my favorites of that series. I fell into this book pretty hardcore. Which, wasn’t really shocking since it’s Nalini and I generally love everything she does and read everything she does. But her contemporaries are so different from her paranormals. I mean – there are definitely similarities. The world-building is here, there are solid side characters that I love, and obviously the romance is present but the differences are striking too. The combination of both make Nalini Singh my favorite author since she can switch so deftly.

Sailor and Isa cross paths in college for a brief time but it left a big impact on Sailor so when they meet again as adults he is bound and determined to connect for real this time. Sailor is ambitious and hard-working but also really loving of the family in his life. Isa was a fascinating character to me because she has an amazing business mind and is super practical but years to be more of a poet type. I absolutely loved to see these two interact not only with each other but with their families and in their companies. I felt like the romance here built at a great speed and the tension was exactly right – the arc of the book had me feeling a little anxious as to what was going to happen and when it was resolved I was ridiculously happy because I NEEDED these two to get their HEA.

This book is set before Gabriel’s – aka T-Rex’s – from the Rock Hard series. So at first the timeline confused me a bit. The families in this book are everything here and I love them all!! Isa’s siblings are perfection and the way her sister is written made me want her to grow up and have a whole book around her. Which is such a Nalini trait – there are so many characters in her paranormals that I am dying to see get their own books! The same could be said here for Isa’s friend (omg I need to know the FULL story on that just FYI) and Sailor’s hilarious brothers. Side characters can make or break a book and Nalini’s always just fill hers out so well.

I loved this book. I can’t wait for the next contemporary Hard Play novel! Or Psy/Changeling novel. Or Guild Hunter novel…Or really anything Nalini Singh wants to write. Because let’s face it, if she writes it, I’m reading it – and so should you!

Nalini Singh is always a good read and this book was no exception. I enjoyed this more down to earth contemporary, well in comparison to the rock stars. This is a fairly warm and cozy story. The main couple had some interesting hang ups and struggles to overcome as they dealt with both their pasts and futures. Sailor was adorable and his attention and interest in Isa made him really fun to read. The side store with the best friend and arranged marriage was very very interesting and I can't wait to read that book, possibly a short story?

I fell head over heels for Sailor Bishop and Ísa Rain. On paper these two look to be total opposites but are more alike than they even know. They are perfect for each other and I truly enjoyed watching them find each other. This book is everything good about a romance and will leave you with a smile.

Perfectly executed, sweet, light hearted and delightful.

I really enjoyed Cherish Hard. It was a wonderfully sweet, approachable and relatable novel.

For me what really stood out was Sailor Bishop. He shone like a beacon - OMG, he was sooooo amazing!!! Swoony, and just a real fantastic guy. I loved him. The way that he treated Ísa was wonderful.

Even so they met for such a short time years ago at a college party, the moment was imprinted on him. Sailor couldn't forget her, the red head that ran away from him. Now years later, he promised himself she would not run away again and that he would go to any length to ensure it.

Sailor was surprisingly possessive, not too overwhelming, just the right amount to call her his more often than not. I think my heart swooned every single time he called her HIS. Sailor's dedication towards his goals, family and now Ísa was admirable and something I personally love in a man.

The story on its own was very well plotted. I enjoyed the execution of the arc, but especially the resolving of the biggest looming arc. I was sooooo proud of them. That particular storyline could have easily turned cliche. Both characters were incredibly mature in dealing with the situation. It was a pleasure to see their trust in each other, and going after what they wanted the most.

This book was a wonderful respite. Sweet, light-hearted and heart-warming. Everything I needed in a book.

So if you like something delightfully charming, enchanting and a book that made me happy, don't hesitate in picking up this book. I can't wait to read the other books in this series.

‘Cherish Hard’ is my first venture into Nalini Singh contemporary romance and I hadn’t known at all what to expect, being familiar as I am only with her psy-changeling series. Having also not read ‘Rock Hard’, of which ‘Cherish Hard’ is an off-shoot or spin-off or at least a prequel to Gabriel Bishop’s story, Sailor’s and Ísa’s story is nevertheless a standalone, which takes place a few years prior Gabe’s book.

What I hadn’t expected was a quirky style that’s unlike Singh’s driving, more epic world-building style found in the psy-changeling series, set in a cosy corner of Auckland as a ambitious landscaper pursues the woman he has in mind to the very end, with a whole lot of charm and sweetness. That younger man/older woman dynamic (or at least the stigma associated with it) is thankfully not drawn out too much; what Singh chooses to expand upon is that their ages put them at different points in their life—Sailor is busy building on his ambitions and his business and presumably has no time for anything else, while Ísa is looking for stability and a family.

But while this is the main conflict that the whole narrative seems to be moving towards, the inevitability of a large blow-up and a temporary break-up as found in too many romances is actually staved off by ‘adulting’ behaviour: Sailor and Ísa confide their fears in each other, talk it out and stick together on the road ahead of them.

‘Cherish Hard’ has made me want to check out Singh’s other contemporary romances but this spin-off that she is doing of the Bishop brothers is one that I know I want more of already.

Some kids are just bastards. Although, that was a full-grown jerk.

How the hell did he get her number?!

Haha! She has the worst luck with dating. Gotta love Wyatt's gumption, though.

I'd quit that job after day two. But I like the fact that Ginny is in a wheelchair.

Catie made me laugh.

I learned a lot about Kiwi culture.

Cherish Hard brought me some very down-to-earth characters, they were fiercely loyal, had strong hearts, and were willing to take a big chance in order to have love in their lives.

Both Sailor and Ìsa had some demons from their past to fight, but Cherish Hard didn't make that the main thing of their story, and that helped me enjoy them even more. Because they wanted to break with their family's tradition, Ìsa worked as a teacher, rather than as the VP of her mother's company. And Sailor gave his landscaping business his all. He would live on nothing but hard work and sweat to make his business a success.

"He was no Prince Charming. But he was a man who would love Isa forever if she just gave him a chance. Because she was it for him. For now and always."

FINAL DECISION: Adorable sexy gardener approached by woman who wants to claim something for herself. Sweet, adult working out of issues. Loved this one.

THE STORY: Sailor Bishop is only a teenager when he sees a college girl getting her heart stomped on by her boyfriend. Sailor tries to track her down but is unsuccessful. Years later, Sailor sees her again when he is doing landscaping at a school. The redhead approaches him and kisses him and then runs off again. Now Sailor is determined to find out her identity. Isa Rain is ready to settle down, find a husband and have children. What she doesn't want is a sexy younger man who is determined to build his own business. When her mother blackmails her into working for her for the summer, Isa finds herself in charge of the sexy landscaper and having to decide what to do with him.

OPINION: I love books where the true conflict is a difference in outlooks that have to be resolved in an adult manner. There are no easy solutions here. Isa and Sailor must determine not whether or not they can love one another, but whether it is possible for their lives to merge together.

In the process, both Ina and Sailor must confront their pasts and the impact their parents have made on them. Ina and Sailor are both nice people and I loved their interactions.

Sailor is a caring and determined man. He has built his own landscape business but has plans for much bigger things. He has a plan for what he wants to do with his life driven by the ghosts of his past. But he is not mindless or willing to hurt people as he goes through his life. In fact, he is entirely normal. He has a plan for his life until something makes him question his plans.

Isa is trying to build her own life apart from her parents' expectations of her. She is good at the business her mother wants to draw her into, but it isn't Isa's dream. I liked that it isn't a matter of talent, but a matter of choice for Isa. She has her own past to deal with. Two parents who prioritized their work over their family. That makes her wary of a man who has his own empire to create.

What is wonderful is that these characters work out their problems. The book begins on a gimmick as Ina wants to avoid Sailor, but develops into a mature and adult story of two adults figuring out if the attraction they feel can be something to last a lifetime. I loved the maturing and adult manner in which they characters operate in the world.

There is also something beautiful about how these two characters interact with their families. I loved that these characters are grounded and real. The story is also pretty sexy between these two but always grounded in relationship.

WORTH MENTIONING: Hero is about five years younger than heroine.

CONNECTED BOOKS: CHERISH HARD is the first book in the Hard Play series. CHERISH HARD is also a prequel to ROCK HARD from the Rock Kiss series.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in order to provide a review. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

The review will be posted on November 14th and cross-posted to Goodreads and retail sites.