3.5 Stars
I haven't read any of the other books in this series, and I have to admit that in the beginning I had trouble keeping everyone straight. While it can be read as a stand alone I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more had I already known the world and characters. Once I got past that the beginning was slow for me. I felt like there was a lot of repetition and ended up skimming parts. The second half was better and more engaging. This is a light and easy read, and while it certainly wasn't bad, it didn't stand out for me either.

This is book 3 in the series and it was absolutely wonderful. AWESOME! In this story we get the romance between Jake and Jules. Jake's brother is marrying Jules best friend and the two knew each other 7 years before when Jake dated and married Callie, Jules best friend.

First I want to state that both Jules and jake are 24 so they are both very young. Jake is a single dad of a 6 year old. He is also a rugby player who is very popular but is also more serious and Jules is a VP of publicity for an ad agency. who is divorced from a former sports star who was a media darling. Now as his ex she gets a lot of media attention.

The two spend time together at the wedding and find out they have more in common than they did in their youth. Jake pretty much falls hard for Jules and starts to chase her and want more from her. But the media attention thatJules brings is an issue for both of them.

I really enjoyed all the characters in this story.. The author really explorered their then and now characters and their love for Callie and showed how they were there for each other. .

So great! This is such an original couple - high school acquaintances who are wary of a relationship because their lives are complicated as adults. There's no artificial barrier between them and no misunderstandings, just real characters finding their way together in a real, adult situation. At first it's hard to keep track of the huge cast of side characters, but it's totally worth it to get to know rugby star Jacob and high-powered Juliet.

Jake's family is my favorite thing about, Love Hard. The way that his family steps up to help him raise his baby girl. Also how they welcome Jules in so easily. Love Hard, is a great feels good romance novel.

I received a free copy of LOVE HARD (Book 3 of the Hard Play series) by Nalini Singh in exchange for an honest review. Jake Esera works hard to balance his life as a rugby player with his responsibilities as a stable, loving, and responsible single father. When a family wedding brings back a blast from the past, Juliet Nelisi, former high school bad girl and best friend of Jake’s high school love is back in Jake’s life. Jake has always been the responsible good guy and was perpetually confounded by Juliet. Will their mutual love for his daughter’s mother and grief over her death be something that can bond them together or will it be something that will keep them apart?

I really liked this book. It’s about two good people who have their differences but who are never nasty about it. This was my introduction to the Esera brothers. Over the weekend, I went back and read the first books in the series.

#LoveHard #NetGalley

I love this series! You could read this one first, but my favorite is Charlie and Gabriel's story in Rock Hard. I like everything that Nalini writes, but especially her contemporary romances. For those of you who don't enjoy paranormal, there's not a hint of the otherworldly here.

This lovely book is about Juliet and Jake. They met in high school where he was the boyfriend of her best friend Callie and they could not really stand each other. Now, eight years later, Jake is raising his six-year-old daughter alone after the death of his young wife. He meets Juliet again when she is in the bridal party at the wedding of his brother, Gabe.

Yes, In this book we finally get the wedding of Charlie and Gabe from 'Rock Hard'! I loved reading about it, although I could understand it is a bit much should you have not read the earlier books. The focus should of course be at Juliet and Jake, but don't worry: they get plenty of focus.

I read the book in one sitting and really enjoyed it. I am always a bit wary when there is a late wife in the picture, but it was dealt with beautifully. Jake and Juliet were both characters I liked and it was great reading about the Esera/Bishop family again. Now... I would like the story of Danny and Catie. Crossing fingers.

Good book! I definitely enjoyed reading this one! It was a little slow going in the beginning but definitely stick with it! This book ended up being a great read! It had some suspense, drama, action, funny and was 🔥🔥🔥! I'm definitely going to go back and read more from this author! She's a little expensive lol but it's worth it! Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for sharing this book with me!