Adorable but emotional contemporary romance

I loved this book. I loved Sailor and Isa, I loved meeting their messy families, I loved that there was no big misunderstanding but there was a big damn declaration of love. There was a great cast of characters and conflict that didn’t rely on a villain. The business ideas were really interesting and I would love to see Sailor’s dream come to life for real.

It’s so refreshing to read a contemporary where the leads actually talk to each other to work through their problems together. There are many roadblocks to Sailor and isa’s love that are mentioned and dealt with – class differences, age differences (though interestingly, no race gap, which I think speaks to the New Zealand setting). The main problem is the one on the cover blurb – different life goals – and its resolution leads to this gem of dialogue that had me swooning:
“I love you, Ísalind Rain. You are the most important part of my dream.”
I don’t want to give away spoilers but that entire conversation had me holding my breath.

If I had one quibble, it would be that there are so many characters, it got a little messy. I wanted dramatis personae, a family tree, and like a hundred other books to see them all get a happy ending, starting with Nayna and Raj. Nalini has created a world full of people who I want to know and I can’t wait to read more.

I received a copy of this story from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Cherish Hard by Nalini Singh is a contemporary romance that involves twenty-somethings as they navigate through life and love. The characters, especially the females bring plenty of drama to this story. In fact, so much goes on in their personal lives that it made me glad I had long ago left that phase of my life. As the story progressed the characters showed more mature actions and decisions, making me root for Sailor and Isa in this working man and rich girl scenario. To Isa’s credit she is fighting the poor little rich girl cliché for all she’s worth. 

The writing is solid in this purely romance book, yet so very different from the PSY-Changeling Series. It is a testimony to the versatility of the author’s writing to write so well very different types of stories. Overall, Cherish Hard is a fun read that makes you laugh at times, cringe at others while enjoying it all.

This was such a sweet and adorable romance! I had been eagerly waiting for the next Esera/Bishop book ever since reading Rock Hard which is one of favourite contemporaries, it's just so beautifully written and the couple is amazing so when I heard that Sailor would be getting his book next my excitement couldn't be contained.

Sailor Bishop, brother to Gabriel Bishop (Rock Hard) is a Gardner and like his brother, his childhood has made him the man he is. His biological fathers' behaviour had left a mark on him and made him determined to be the opposite to the man he was. Sailor at 23 years of age has big plans for his future, is constantly working with the goal of achieving his dreams and doesn't really have time for a relationship. 

Ísalind 'Ísa' Rain is an english teacher, an heiress with a shark of a mother. Ísa wants nothing to do with her mothers business and she wouldn't have to if not for her siblings who desperately need her since her mother doesn't seem to care. Ísa at 28 years, really wants love, a family and is ready to settle down. 

I really enjoyed the light, low on angst vibe this book had. I mean there is angst but it's not like full on, it's mixed with romance and sweet moments that make you really root for the couple. I loved the tender moments we got between Ísa and Sailor. 

Sailor and Ísa had a playful relationship, despite their age difference they understood each other and wanted to be there for each other. I liked how the hurdles between them and their happy ending got resolved because it showed their willingness to be there for each other and making it work while not giving up on the person they want to be. I also loved that they didn't have to compromise themselves and their dreams. They were adorable together, Nalini Singh writes such beautiful romance which very easy to get lost into. 

I really liked that we get to actually know the characters, there moments separate from the romance, with their friends and family. It makes it easier to understand their motives and makes them feel more real in a sense.

We also had a bit of second romance going on between Ísa and Sailor's friends, they were also cute! Overall, a lovely and sweet romance with strong individuals who fall very hard for each other.  

I'm pretty excited for next book in the series!! Happy Reading!!

This was so fun and charming. It had a light vibe that I found totally entertaining with really likable and wonderful characters. I had a blast reading this!

Ísa and Sailor were great together and I loved that playfulness and flirting between the two. They had this great teasing chemistry that was infectious. I loved learning their histories and thought there was really great character development. Sailor was so sweet. I loved his determination and perseverance in life and in pursuing Ísa. There were so many sweet, wonderful moments and he was rather swoon worthy. Ísa was a great character, so strong and she put up with so much, and she was incredibly caring. They both had their hang ups to work through and I enjoyed the ins and outs of that as they came together.

Honestly this was just a super entertaining read and I enjoyed getting to know these genuine characters. The more I learned, the more I liked. It's pretty low drama, more of an emotional journey. I really enjoyed their families and friends, they were all solid, real characters and I thought there was great attention to detail concerning them. I also really enjoyed a secondary story happening with Ísa's best friend, that was super fun. I also loved the setting and the picture the author painted about the location of the story.

I enjoyed the writing. I feel like Nalini Singh has a unique voice that I find refreshing. There are good details but it's not bogged down with every little thing. I enjoyed the timeline and the build of Ísa and Sailor’s overall relationship. I thought it was laid out well and had a decent pace.

Just an all around awesome read. Sweet and flirty that had me smiling and ready for more in the series!

Wow! Nalini Singh does it again! Cherish Hard is full to the brim of fantastic and fully developed characters, beautiful and complex family ties, and an emotionally fraught growing relationship. As a devoted paranormal and historical romance reader, Singh is the only author I've yet found who writes contemporary romances that I love. She skillfully steers away from the overly erotic and sexed up story line so commonly found in today's contemporary romance books, and instead focuses on the development and growth of the main characters, while love, romance, and trust is built between them. Neither Sailor, nor Isa, falls into a stereotypical character trope, but rather both are fully fleshed out and demonstrate both personality strengths and weaknesses. Both characters demonstrate professional and personal drives and ambitions which they learn they will need to negotiate and compromise on in order to make their relationship work. Their love story reads as both realistic and believable. A secondary strength in Cherish Hard is the wonderful and complicated relationships the characters have with their families. Whether she's writing paranormal romance or contemporary romance, Singh is a world building powerhouse, and in Cherish Hard we get to enjoy the interactions and relationships between the main characters as well as between them and their family and friends. When the last page has been turned, readers are left feeling they've closed the door on a whole world full of interesting characters, and I for one cannot wait to open that door back up when the next installment is released.

I was just a little bit excited when I heard that Nalini Singh would be writing more contemporary romances. Cherish Hard is the first book in the Rock Kiss spin-off featuring Gabriel Bishop’s (Rock Hard) ((major T-rex swoony sigh)) brothers.

Sailor Bishop first sees Isla Rain at a college party. He’s there with some friends, even though he’s still technically in high school, and spots the beautiful redhead across the room. Before he can introduce himself her jerk boyfriend very publicly and very horribly dumps her and she high tails it out of there. Sailor gives chase, wanting to make sure Isla is okay, but can’t catch up with her.

Seven years later Sailor is a man working  hard to build his landscaping company into more than just a one man operation.. He has big dreams and plans for where he wants to take it. He’s more than a little surprised when while on the job one day he is kissed by none other than the gorgeous redhead who he’s never been able to forget. Of course she runs off again before he can get her name or phone number, but when he discovers a couple of weeks later that they will be working on the same project together, he’s determined he won’t let her get away again.

Ilsa is a woman who just wants to meet a nice man and settle down with a family. She wants to be a good sister to her siblings and give them all the love and support they don’t find with their parents. She also wants to find a way to avoid working with her mother, who everyone refers to as the Dragon. She is susceptible to manipulation when her mother uses her sister and brother, which is how she finds herself working as VP over the summer and stuck on a project with the hunky gardener she can’t get off her mind.

Cherish Hard really should be taken in two parts. Part one is where Ilsa and Sailor meet and then Isla runs from him over and over and Sailor makes it his personal mission to track her down, figure out her name, and get her to finally go out with him. You meet Isla’s best friend, her mother, get he low down on her life and why she has the hang ups that she does.

Part two is Isla and Sailor finally spending time together and falling in love. They had great chemistry and Sailor really is a dreamboat, sigh worthy hero. He falls for Isla and is pretty much all in from the get go. Almost all the drama between this couple occur in the first part of the book. Once they become a couple there is very little drama and angst. I kept thinking there might be some kind of hiccup in their relationship toward the end, but that never happened. The epilogue is quite lovely and was much appreciated.

If I have one complaint it’s that Nayna and Raj’s romance played out in the background. Am I the only one who wants them to have their own book? Cause I totally need that to happen. I’m also looking forward to seeing Sailor’s brother’s find their HEAs.

A sweet, sexy contemporary romance that takes place in New Zealand. We were introduced to Sailor and Ísa in Rock Hard and there were various mysterious hints that caught my attention. Where was Ísa’s mysterious accent from? Why did Sailor go into landscaping and retail garden stores? All is answered in the book and we have a lovely story watching these two fall in love. Sailor is younger than Ísa and I like that she’s not self-conscious about that, the bigger concern is she’s ready to settle down and has a plan to get married and have kids, and he’s 23 and getting started in his career. The obstacles aren’t insurmountable but as they fall in love they become more aware of them and how their lives are going to change with each other.

Ísa is a teacher who is dealing with a lot of family drama. She’s definitely the level-headed one trying to make peace and get her mother to treat other people like human beings. Are her siblings also sequel bait? We’ll have to wait and see! For readers who want to see more of the Bishop-Esera clan as well, this book does not disappoint. 

I loved Sailor’s sweet pursuit of Ísa. He does cherish her, and it’s clearly about time. Looking forward to the next book in the series!

Cherish Hard kicks off a new family-centric series for Nalini Singh, and it is looking to be a great one. Sailor is sweet and sexy, and he will steal your heart. He was the perfect match for Isa, who has had her self esteem knocked around a bit. He builds her up, and he is truly swoon-worthy. Their relationship develops at the perfect pace, and their emotional connection is just as strong as their physical one. Cherish Hard is a tender and steam love story that shouldn’t be missed. 

Side note: I didn’t realize at first that the hero Cherish Hard is the brother of the hero in Rock Hard, which is one of my favorites of Ms. Singh. I love it so much and was so excited about the connection that I went back and read it again after finishing Cherish Hard. I love this family, which is why I am especially excited about this new series. 

ARC provided, but this review was voluntarily and honestly written.

Gabriel Bishop Mr. T-Rex himself is hands down one of my favorite contemporary heroes. Does his brother Sailor measure up? Read this book to find out how he and Isa compare to T-Rex and Little Mouse...
Sailor is sixteen when he meets and falls in love with Isa. Did I say that she's in college while he is still sixteen. Isa does not want to remember any part of the evening that Sailor has such cherished memories of. It's not pretty when she remembers him from that night.  The next time they meet, he's standing beside his car while she kisses him silly. He's a man but he can go along with it but Isa dashes his hopes.  Clearly the kickoff to this romance is chaotic. She's scared and in retreat with Sailor aggressively in pursuit.
Isa has a lot of baggage. Born in an extremely wealthy household where her parents put family and children very low on their priority.  Having spent her happiest years with her grandmother Isa longs to recreate the same sense of safety for her half siblings. Sailor with his long hours and soaring ambition does not fit into her long term plans at all.  It's quite disconcerting that Isa continually waits for the other shoe to drop and her heart to be broken because Sailor won't be able to give her what she needs.
Sailor is a sweetheart. Despite his punishing schedule he makes time for Isa and her siblings. He arranges picnics, takes her on a family camping trip and in general is there like a solid support wall in her moments of crisis. Sailor has his own share of baggage. Abandoned as a child by his father he feels like he has a lot to prove. Will Sailor's crazy work schedule and his creativity in carving out Isa time be enough to win the fair lady? Can he balance his ambition with his love?
Isa's Indian friend and her challenges with the arranged marriage she's signed up for add a nice touch of humor as well as provide a nice secondary romance. Gabriel's book set the bar so high that Sailor and Isa have a challenge in coming close  but all the same other than some tiresome moments, this is a great story.

In Nalini Singh's newest contemporary romance, Cherish Hard, readers will be introduced to Isa and Sailor and their cute but very hot romance that started in the most erotic way.  These two characters have very interesting back stories but its their chemistry and relationship development that will have readers asking for more!  Cherish Hard is another winner for Ms. Singh.

In the first book in the new Hard Play series. we meet Sailor Bishop, the younger brother of everyone's favorite T Rex- Gabriel Bishop (from Rock Hard). As a teenager Sailor witnessed a friend humiliate his supposed girlfriend in front of their crowd. When Gabriel tried to make sure she was ok, she ran off into the night. Several years later, he meets her again and through a twist of fate ends up working for her domineering mother's company.
When Isa realizes the sexy gardener from her school is the new employee of her mother's company, she is determined to stay away from him. Sailor has other plans and begins his campaign to win her heart.
I loved the two major characters in this book. They both have a lot of grit although Isa lets her mom get away with intimidating her to protect her younger siblings. Potential differences like Sailor being younger and definitely not in her economic class don't cause major conflict. They talk, they share, they work things out and have amazing sex all over the place.
There some really good .subplots going on throughout the book which adds to the substance of the plotline. I enjoyed he juxtaposition of her convoluted family life with his solid, loving one. I can't wait to read about the other brothers in future books in the series.

This is the softest and sweetest book by Nalini Singh I have ever read. I'm used to her hard hitting and ultra strong and dominating men and Sailor is not that. The closest to Sailor I can think of is David from Rock Courtship. They both have the same type of quiet strength and tenderness. And they both face women who have hard as nails armour and are super melty inside. Sailor's definitely no T-Rex unlike his brother Gabe.

Sailor isn't broken or angsty or super alpha or well, a lot of things, really. What he is though, is the strong man with a heart of gold who tenderly loves the woman who is his everything. He quietly takes care of her, period. 

Ísa Rain has never known love, and certainly not the kind that Sailor lavishes on her. She's as prickly as the cacti he keeps sending her. But underneath, she is all heart, too easily hurt and too terrified to reach out. Sailor's not afraid though, he'll do the reaching out for them both.

Sailor and Ísa are super-sweet, and I do mean super sweet. It's all frosting with those two, which is unusual with Singh. But... there is a lovely bit of wicked spice hidden in all that sweet and that spice is called Nayna and Raj. And let me tell you! I want that story badly! 

I enjoyed Sailor and Ísa and the whole family on both sides, but this book was just a little too sweet for my taste. I needed a little bit more to make this a truly awesome book. That's ok though, because there is a huge cast of characters that this new series can draw from and many of them have a bit more spice than this couple. Besides Nayna and Raj, there are some children who seem tailer-made for a romance in a few years and whose bickering is just perfect. Plus, Gabe and Sailor's family is a wonderful group just waiting for their own HEAs. 

Plus, Gabe's story was featured in Rock Hard from the Rock Kiss series. You definitely won't have needed to have read Gabe's book before Cherish Hard as this stands alone perfectly well.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the pace was just right lol I know that sounds a little three bears but it was. I mean we have all had that one crappy BF who made us run to the fridge and gorge on Ben and Jerry's lol, but to know that in he moment of weakness, someone saw her and fell in love with her was oh so beautiful! The journey between Sailor and Isla was a very sweet one.  A great book by someone I wouldn't mind reading more of her books

If you're a long-time reader / fan of Nalini Singh's you'll recognize Cherish Hard's hero Sailor as the brother of Gabriel Bishop from Rock Hard. Although I think it's good to note that events in Cherish Hard take place before Gabriel's book, if you're putting it into perspective. 

Cherish Hard begins with a young sixteen year old Sailor at a college party. He's almost immediately taken by a beautiful redhead, but before he can get up the courage to talk to her, she's cruelly broken up with by her boyfriend in front of the entire party. She, of course, runs out and Sailor is left wondering who she was.

Fast-forward seven years later and Isa Rain is happy teaching poetry / literature to high school kids despite her mother's wishful thinking that Isa would take over the extremely successful family business. Unfortunately, Isa's mother is quite stubborn, and ends up blackmailing Isa into being a fill-in VP for the summer (longer if her mother has her way). One of Isa's jobs will put her in direct contact with a certain gardener. Suddenly the past is catching up with them. 

Sailor has worked long and hard to make his landscaping business a success and with the collaboration with Isa's mother, he'll skyrocket to the top of the business. When he meets Isa and remembers her from so long ago, he begins to wonder if he can, indeed, have it all: the woman he loves, a family, and a successful business. 

I really liked that Nalini Singh decided to establish a past connection between Isa and Sailor even though it kind of ended up playing such a minor aspect to their relationship. The focus on things between Isa and Sailor is the fact that Isa has been through a childhood where she was put second (or sometimes even third) to her parent's drive for success in the business world. She sees that same drive in Sailor and doesn't know if she wants her adult life to also be filled with coming in second. To be fair, Sailor works really hard and his ambition is admirable in someone who is relatively young (23). He understands the commitment building his business will require, but he IS also adamant about his feelings for Isa. Really their love story is about the length one with go in order to love, in order to be in a relationship. The work it takes for any relationship to be successful, and it does take work. I liked the honesty in which Nalini Singh presents Isa and Sailor's relationship. Sometimes in romance stories I've read the "real world" is glossed over in favor of a more fantastical romantic story. I think the trend of incorporating these considerations into a love story makes it more relatable for readers and, in my opinion, it makes the story that much sweeter when the couple, like Isa and Sailor, have to really work for their relationship. 

Nalini Singh is also the master of the secondary couples, and here it's in Isa's best friend Nayna who has agreed, per her Indian culture, to an arranged marriage. Nayna meets Sailor's friend Raj at a party and things heat up for them in the background from there. This is a case where I really wanted to see Nayna and Raj's story play out front and center. But with how things unfold between them amongst Isa and Sailor's story, there would almost be no point unless Nalini Singh can spin some new conflicts into their story. The bits and pieces we get, mainly through Nayna and Isa's interactions, pretty much sum everything up nicely. Although maybe we can hope for a novella to fill in a couple of missing pieces?

As with every other book written by Nalini Singh, Hard Play doesn't disappoint. I love the Bishop-Esera family unit and I look forward to seeing more of them in the next two books (there are two more brothers who each get a story), and since Jake and Danny are both younger, I'm assuming the next book will fast forward a few years to get them into prime romantic lead age, unless of course Ms. Singh decides to do a YA? Hey, I suppose anything is possible and I would definitely read anything Nalini Singh writes but I'll bet on the former in this instance.

Nalini Singh is a new to me author.  I have been wanting to read her books for quite some time but I just hadn't had the chance up until now.

Cherish Hard is the first book in the Hard Play series. 

I very much enjoyed this book and I loved the characters so much. The story is very well written and I love Nalini Singh's writing style.    

If you are looking for a great Contemporary Romance that will get you hooked into then I recommend this book.

I give this 5 out of 5.

Seven years ago, Sailor witnessed a beautiful girl being dumped by her jerk boyfriend, but she ran out before he could get her name. He was enchanted by her beauty right then. Present day… Sailor works hard to get his fledgling landscaping company off the ground. He’s taken by surprise when he sees the woman who has been haunting his dreams for seven years. He’s even more shocked when he discovers they will be working together, closely.

Ísa is working to provide a stable home base for her siblings because her “Dragon” mother spends her focus and energy on her business empire. Ísa’s mother manipulates her into working for the family company for the summer where she is to oversee the development of a new business venture, and the sexy landscaper who is integral to the designs.

Overall, I liked Cherish Hard. I found the second half of the book highly entertaining and enjoyed Sailor and Ísa’s romance. However, the first half of the book didn’t flow smoothly for me. There were starts and stops. The pace was slow, and I didn’t feel a strong connection to the characters or storyline. I felt the story was going in too many directions - with Ísa’s own life (which is crazy), her best friend, the ex, her teaching job, her mom… It was hard to keep it straight. Plus Ísa was SOOOO wishy washy about her desires and feelings. It was hard to get behind her when I never was certain which direction she was going.

The second half was MUCH better than the first half. It almost felt like two different books.  Overall, the story worked much better - Ísa and Sailor spent time talking to one another, time together. We got to see their friendship blossom. There was genuine emotion and a much streamlined story. I loved the pair together and how they wanted to fight for each other. 

In the end, I enjoyed reading Cherish Hard and continue to look forward to more books set in this wonderful world. I’m guessing the next books will take place several years ahead, as at this point, Sailor’s brothers are too young for their own HEAs. (This book should be considered a prequel to Rock Hard, Rock Kiss series #2). Now that the world is set, I have a feeling the series will only get better from here.

My Rating:  B- Liked It, but I had a few small issues

Cherish Hard by Nalini Singh is the first book in her new contemporary romance Hard Play series.  Cherish Hard was a sweet fun and sexy romance that is not my normal Nalini Singh read.  I really did enjoy this romance, mainly because the couple and all the supporting characters in the story were simply great.   Sailor Bishop is our hero, and from the start you fall in love with him.  He is hot, sexy, swoon worthy, and the perfect man for any woman to want.  

Isa Rain was also a great heroine, though it will take awhile before she allows herself to fully fall in love with the wonderful sweet Sailor.  Isa remembers Sailor from her teenage days, when one of his friends embarrassed her in public, and she has never forgotten.  When she realizes he had nothing to do with that awful memory, she allows herself to befriend and slowly open her heart to Sailor.

Isa, who would prefer to teach and write poetry, is forced to work during the summer for her mom, who is determined to bring Isa fully into the business.  She must take over a new project for the company, which will turn out to be working with Sailor, and his landscaping business.  Isa is also the one who keeps her family together, as she is the glue who keeps the peace, both in happiness and financially. 

What follows is a fun, lighthearted romance, with the background of two wonderful families, and a couple that was simply great together.   Sailor is determined to make his business grow, but has financial issues.  Isa just wants to do what she likes, which isn’t working for her mom.  It is Sailor’s hard work and determination that keeps Isa fighting her feelings for him, since she wants a life of children and a husband to love, who will always be there for her.  Sailor knows that Isa is the woman for him, and he has to find a way to convince her that he is the man for her.

Again, all the characters created by Singh made this a wonderful story.  I loved Sailor’s family, and Isa’s sister and brother.  It was so much fun to see both families together.  Eventually even Isa’s mother gets better, and Isa’s best friend was fun.   Cherish Hard was a fun, cute story that was such a pleasure to read; not to mention a couple that had so much chemistry together, it burned the pages. If you want a pure romance, with a sexy couple, family and a fun read look no further then Cherish Hard.

With this book, the first installment in this new series at is seems, we go back to one fo my favorite character: Gabe from Rock Hard, with the story of his brother Sailor and Isa. Very nice couple, both with a big luggage from the past, but strong enough to overcome it. Your usual Singh's book: super enjoyable!

Con questo libro, a quanto pare il primo di una nuova serie, torniamo da uno dei miei personaggi preferiti: Gabe da Rock Hard, con la storia di suo fratello Sailor e di Isa. Bella coppia, che nonostante un passato abbastanza traumatico per entrambi, riescono a superarlo assieme. Il vostro solito piacevolissimo libro da Nailini Singh.

THANKS NETGALLEY FOR THE PREVIEW!

I love Singh's books. Hot steamy romances with a side of humor are such a great way to lose yourself for a few hours!  Next please!

As always with a Nalini Singh book, regardless of genre, this is a romance that is packed with character – and characters. One of the things I love best about this author is her ability to build communities and families that you would love to know and be a part of. The Bishops are no exception. Readers of the Rock Kiss series will have already had a glimpse of them in Rock Hard, which this actually precedes (leaving me momentarily confused because Gabriel is still playing professionally), but this book shows us more of the rugby loving Kiwis and the bonds that unite them so strongly.

Ísa’s own family situation is a lot more complicated, but there’s also a lot of love there too. Especially between her and her siblings, of whom she is ferociously protective. I liked that about Ísa, even though her own need to protect herself grew a tad frustrating at times.

Without the wider world-threatening drama that fills Singh’s other series, and without any kind of press trouble, outward pressure or emotional trauma as seen in many of the Rock Kiss books, the focus here is firmly on the romance, which is a little slow to both get going and to grow. Mostly because Ísa keeps running away. We do have plenty of time to get to know everyone involved, which was lovely, but Ísa’s objections became rather repetitive and Sailor’s own business worries were a little weak as a conflict. Their ability to actually communicate when they’re finally together, though, was a wonderful thing.

As much as I liked these two together, and loved how sweet Sailor was in wanting to catch his spitfire, I almost enjoyed the story more when they were with other characters. I particularly liked Ísa’s sister, Caity, and her best friend, Nayna, and really hope we’ll get to see more of both sometime. Especially Nayna. I need to know what happened on her trip away! I would also have liked to see more of Sailor’s brothers, though the scene with the whole family camping was great.

In all, this was a fun, romantic, rather lighter-hearted in tone than the last contemporary series, and a thoroughly enjoyable escapist read. I can’t wait to read more about all of them – and in the meantime I think I’ll have to catch up with Gabriel and Charlotte in Rock Hard again.