Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of KISS HARD (Book 4 of the Hard Play series) by Nalini Singh in exchange for an honest review. I liked it. I recommend it to fans of sports romance. It can be read alone or as part of the series and connected series Rock Kiss.

#KissHard #NetGalley

Thanks to TKA Distribution, the author and Netgalley for an ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is the 4th book in a series, and the first I have read in the series and by this author. I knew the author was prolific and she has always been on my TBR but for some reason I had not gotten around to reading any of her books. Well, this story blew me away and now I have some serious catching up to do!

Firstly let me say that this is the first novel I have read where one of the main characters wears a prosthesis. I loved the way the author wrote Catie. Her character is multi-layered and complex with real vulnerabilities and inspiring strength. I also loved the other characters, especially Danny, who is a serious hottie.

The hero and heroine are not really enemies, but frenemies, with some fierce banter and a wonderful backstory. They look after each other as much as they antagonise each other and it's only when some forced proximity brings some steamy feelings to the surface that they realise what was there all along.

I also loved that this was set in NZ and could hear the Kiwi accent as I read it - absolutely brilliant and authentic.

When I requested this book I had no idea what it was about, or which couple we would be follwing. Only that it was a Nalini Singh and this one was a winner just like I knew it would be.

This is the fourth book in the Rock Hard series, and while it most definitely be read as a standalone, I think that you would want to read the rest of the series because its awsome!

Danny and Catie are just perfect for each other, they have known each other since they were kids and Danny's older brother and Catie's older sister got together. (We first meet them in the first book in the series Cherish Hard) They were frienemies who turned into reluctant fake dating partners, that turned into the real thing.. Once they got past how they always though of themselves anyways.

I loved watching their relationship grow and change.. and both of them work through the baggage that they've been carrying around together.. There were some wonderful heartwarming moments along with some moments that had me laughing out loud.. You can't go wrong with a Nalini SIngh book she writes something for everyone..

I can't wait to read the next book she comes out with!!!

This may be my favorite in this series. Danny and Catie are perfect for each other. Danny has been a professional Rugby player since he was just nineteen. Catie is headed to the Paralympics as a first-class sprinter. They’ve known each other for years and have a snarky give and take. When circumstances throw them together for the media it could lead to something more.
I loved each of these characters. Catie has reasons not to trust her heart to just anyone. Danny has to learn that he doesn’t need to compete with his older brothers he just needs to be himself. I laughed out loud and might have dropped a tear or two. I recommend this book highly.

I love this series, its an easy enjoyable read that is kept fresh with each new book. For months I have not felt like reading but getting this ARC has gotten me out of my dry reading spell. I sat down and read the book from start to finish. The characters are relatable and they have substance, the story line was predictable but unpredictable, I look forward to reading her next books.

Kiss Hard is the fourth book in Nalini Singh's Hard Play series, but it is absolutely not necessary to have read the earlier volumes to love Kiss Hard. I finished it last night and am already missing Catie and Danny. I saw a piece on the news this morning about Prince Harry's Invictus Games, and I immediately thought of Catie, a double-amputee athlete whose commitment and running triumphs put the rest of us to shame. She and Danny have been friends/combatants/mutual irritants for most of their lives, but after a doping incident puts Danny's credibility on the line, they agree to pose as lovers for the press. Yes, yes, yes, we all know how THAT will end up, but the trip to the happily-ever-after was well-constructed and full of tremendous personal growth on both sides. Catie has to learn to trust after suffering neglect from both her parents, and Danny has to break free from the cushioned road to success that being part of a sports-legend family has laid out for him. I loved Kiss Hard and am looking forward to going back and reading the first three books in this series.

The Esera-Bishop family is back in the fourth book in the Hard Play series. We have watched Danny and Cait grow up over the course of this series. I really loved their story, it starts with Cait helping Danny out of a scary situation. In order to save his reputation they begin a fake relationship. I loved watching their relationship grow and change. Danny was so patient with Cait , who has some trust issues. This book is perfect for anyone who loves the friends(or frenimies) to lovers trope. I was given an ARC , in exchange for an honest review.

Heat Factor: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Is there anything like a conflagration of lust? There is not.
Character Chemistry: Perfection
Plot: Danny and Catie have enjoyed being each other’s nemeses since they were children, but when the media speculates they’ve hooked up, they decide to fake a relationship for a few months for the sake of their careers
Overall: Catnip. Pure, unadulterated catnip.

These contemporary Hard Play novels really allow Singh to showcase her more playful writing style, and it’s an absolute treat.

Danny and Catie, with their bickering, needling relationship, had definite “future romance novel couple” vibes back in book one of this series, but they were also still really young, so it could have been nothing. But we’re dealing with Nalini Singh here, and she knows her tropes and her series teasers. The result is that we get an absolutely delightful frenemies to lovers romance.

Catie’s sister is married to Danny’s brother, and thanks to the closeness of the Esera family, Catie’s been adopted as one of the pack, so these two have known each other for years. They also have public identities as professional athletes, so they like to poke at each other on their socials, which is extremely entertaining (and I wish we’d gotten a bit more of it). So when Catie sees Danny looking wasted at the bar one night, she goes over to poke at him, only to discover that he’s been slipped drugs and needs a rescue, pronto.

Danny’s rugby friend (who I wouldn’t at all mind getting a romance for, just sayin’) helps Danny and Catie escape, and to cover for their weird departure, he tells all their friends and whatever media has been hanging around that they left together.

OBVIOUSLY, because the media and public opinion don’t care about reality, the result is that the best thing for their careers is a fake relationship. So they do that. Except they catch feelings. Because is there even any other way for that situation to go?

I love everything here. They already love each other (platonically) because of their family connection. They play together. They support each other. Catie loves that Danny is, like, the one guy who doesn’t treat her like being a double amputee makes her fragile or incapable. Danny feeds her healthy food and then he bakes her delicious treats. AND THEN THEY GET PANTS FEELS. AHH!!! What are these feelings?! Nope, nope, nopety nope (as one of the chapter headings says).

Those chapter headings are just a treat, BTW. Loved them before, love them in this book, too.

I just want to read it all again. How does Singh make these books I can’t put down without also adding the high drama of a third act breakup? She has magic powers.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

This review is also available at The Smut Report. (July)

Nalini Singh’s contemporary romances are among my favorite. They each are like a beautiful cupcake that is beautiful and sweet, but also a nutritious and with a memorable flavor.

Daniel Esera and Caiti River met as teens when their older siblings, Sailor Bishop and Isa Rain, started dating (and later married). They immediately struck combative sparks and have been nemeses ever since. Caiti was folded into the larger Esera-Bishop clan giving them plenty of opportunities to bicker. They are not out to destroy each other though, keeping their rivalry to pranks and ego puncturing on social media. Most people think they are secretly in love, so when circumstances compel them to fake date, they don’t have to work hard to fool the public.

When Caiti sees Daniel in distress at a club, she recognizes he is in a situation that could hurt his career. Photos of her holding him steady look romantic, putting Caiti’s sponsorship deals in jeopardy if it looks like a one night stand (that old double standard). Caiti and Daniel are both athletes. Caiti is training for the Paralympics and Daniel is a professional rugby player hoping for a spot on the National team. Their long frenemy-ship, common experiences, and shared foe, plus a couple of days snowed in together and their fake dating transitions easily into real dating (no one is surprised).

Kiss Hard is a sweet and fairly low stakes romance. The two have to relearn how to relate to each other as a couple and navigate family dynamics, mental health challenges, and building trust in a long distance relationship. It was really nice to spend time with characters who were not, even at their worst, going to inflict intentional harm.

This is the fourth book in a series, but it can be read as stand alone-ish. You don’t have to know what happened in earlier books, but the intertwining lives of family and friends is a part of the charm of this series. If you have read earlier books, it’s nice to see how other couples’ relationships are flourishing.

CW: involuntary drugging, discussion of the accident that resulted in a double amputation, past parental trauma, parent’s heart attack, a few hospital stays.

I received this as an advance reader copy from TKA Distribution via NetGalley. My opinions are my own.

This book was pure joy; the perfect amount of humor, heat and heart. Nalini Singh is a one click author for me because she always delivers fierce alpha males and incredible heroines that embark on a path of discovery and take you along for the adventure. Danny and Catie are some of my favorite characters yet; the snark and sass the two engage in make for some of the most enjoyable aspects of the book and I loved seeing the siblings and beloved characters from previous novels return. “Kiss Hard” is immediately going into my favorite book pile and will be a future reread for sure!

Take the time to read the first three books in the Hard Play series before you read this one And, while you're at it, you might want to read the Rock Kiss series because there is some overlap in characters. That said, you can read this as a stand-alone. However the Esera-Bishop family is so wonderful that I really think you'll want to read all of them. Just trust me on this. Plus if you read them, you'll get to see Danny and Catie grow up together. Setting this stage for this swoon worthy book.

Yep, I swooned while reading this fake dating, frenemies to lovers, slow burn romance. I still feel it in my heart. Danny is the youngest brother of four, and the third to play rugby professionally in New Zealand where rugby is The Sport. And Catie is a Paralympic track star. Danny and Catie's siblings are married (first book in the series) and I have enjoyed watching them grow up and the fun rivalry (and sparks) between the two. I loved their story. These are my favorite tropes. The slow burn along with the building trust- and the 🔥 - great 🔥!. This was catnip for me. It just perfectly hit the spot. 🥰

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved Catie and Danny!!

You need to read all the Hard Play series to understand the real connections between all of the characters.

Paralympian Catie River thought her childhood nemesis professional rugby player Daniel Esera would always be someone to tease especially with the snarky comments they posted on each other’s social media. Everything changed when he was drugged in a nightclub, and they needed to pretend to date. But why pretend when they had fallen in love.

I will read any of Nalini Singh romances especially if they have frenemies to lovers because they are so good especially with the Bishop/Esera clan!

P.S. Will Harlow ever get a book?

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Bishop-Esera clan are back! Danny Esera is a talented young rugby star from an equally talented family but his finesse on the field and overall sweetheart vibe is in danger after a night out with friends has an almost dangerous end, but luckily his “enemy” Catie was at the same club he was at and decided she’s the only one who’s allowed to pick on him. These family friends/ enemies must unite and put on a good show pretending to be in a relationship in order to protect their sports careers. What happens when the public decides their fake relationship was “destiny” and their teasing insults was really just flirting? Cue the sparks and heat as these enemies realize they have more in common than they originally thought and maybe everyone is right, but can their pretend relationship survive their own internal struggles? As you may have guessed this is part of a series involving the Bishop-Esera clan and I can happily say that many a familiar faces are in this book, but you do not need to have read the other books to enjoy this one, although I highly recommend that you do ( I miss you T Rex). At its core this is a sports romance with and enemies-to-lovers angle, lots of humor and heat, but a wonderfully endearing realistic vibe that makes you feel like Catie and Danny are truly part of your life. Both are strong and obviously talented, but they each have their own personal demons to fight, some more noticeable than others (Catie is a Paralympic racer). I really recommend this book . 5 stars must read . I voluntarily read and reviewed an arc copy of this book. All thoughts an opinions are my own.

I got this great book today and couldn't put it down. Luckily, I'm on vacation and that's all I'm doiing. This book was so good and all about Catie and Danny. They are certainly in the previous books, but this book realiy focuses on them. They just get each other, even through all the snarky comments. When someone drugs Danny without him knowing it, Catie steps in to help him, knowing that his team and sponsors had strict guidelines about drugs. Because they were seen looking like they were cuddling, rumors started coming in like mad. This story was how they dealt with it and how they realized how they felt about each other.. Now, I'm going back and reread the previous books in the series.

I got this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

Thank you negalley for the opportunity to read this book! I really enjoyed it. Loved the characters and how realistic the story was. Definitely will be downloading the rest of the series!

Nalini Singh is an auto-buy author for me. No matter what she is writing - I want to read it - and the books in this series have been just delightful. The Esera family is closeknit and incredibly supportive of each other. Danny is the youngest brother and has a happy-go-luck personality. His work-ethic in the rugby world that surrounds his family is unquestionable - as is the snarky friendly enemies vibe between him and his brother sailor's younger sister-in-law Catie. Catie is a double amputee whose life is focused on running competitively and her work with various charities. She and Danny have been famously snarky with each other - pranking each other and

When Catie helps Danny through a very scary moment - when someone drugs his drink without his knowledge - things start to change between them. They agree to start a fake relationship for the press - but it quickly turns in to so much more as they both start to notice each other in ways they never have before.

I loved Catie and Danny together - and the way they both worked through the issues they were facing was handled so well. Nalini Singh writes beautifully dimensional characters who stay true to themselves even as they are growing and evolving.

I adored this one - and would love to see more in this world!

I received this as an ARC via NetGalley (THANK YOU!!!), but these opinions are all my own.

Is this my second rugby romance this month?yes, yes it is.
Am I slowly becoming obsessed with rugby romances?
Also, yes. 😂

This is my first Nalini Singh book. I’ve heard so many wonderful things about this author I HAD to request this as soon as I saw it on NG! And I was shocked and so excited when I saw that I was approved that I immediately downloaded and started to read.

This story follows frenemies, more friendly then enemies in my opinion, Danny and Catie. Danny is a rugby player, and Catie is a paraplegic sprinter. After a unfortunate event one night at a club thrusts these two together, a fake relationship is born. The story follows along as these to along and find out maybe their fake relationship isn’t really fake at all. but will the past of a difficult childhood keep them apart? The story includes funny and cute banter, some sexy scenes, some swoon worthy scenes, and a whole lot of heart.

I really enjoyed this one.

This is the 4th book in the Hard Play Series, but can be read as a stand-alone. Previous couples appear within the novel. I did not read the other books before I started this one, but it definitely made me want to go back and read them all!

Melli’s Book Breakdown
🤍disabled heroine
🤍chapter titles
🤍3rd person/Narrator
🤍sports romance
🤍rugby romance
🤍frenemies
🤍steamy

Thank you to Netgalley and victory Editing for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Really enjoyed this story, this was the first time I have read about a heroine who was an amputee. Loved how strong and positive Catie was about her disability, it made her a very powerful character. I loved the relationship between the two main characters and their families, it was authentic, the emotions they felt to different circumstances.

There aren't enough sports romances about rugby, which made me absolutely ecstatic to find this sports romance not just about one athlete (on a rugby team!) but also a paralympian hopeful in sprinting!

I loved the characters of Catie and Daniel. I loved their frenemy relationship, I loved the closeness they have to their families, and I loved watching them back each other up. I read this book as a stand alone, and enjoyed it a lot, but I'm really excited to go back and read about the other members of the Esera family that were introduced to me in this one.

Another thing I really enjoyed was that the toxic masculinity was definitely absent in this sports romance. Daniel not only is a rugby beast, but he also knows Catie well enough that he can't coddle her because of her differences (she wears prosthesis legs). Daniel also loves to bake, and feels like he doesn't measure up to the amazing things his brothers have done in their lives.

This book has great banter, a kickass heroine, and a good guy sports hero, with an amazing supporting cast. It's all the things you could want in a good sports romance!

Thanks to TKA Distribution for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 stars

Kiss Hard is the kind of story that lingers. It's a sports Romance so maybe not a plotline you've never seen before, but there is a compelling feel about it all. You are transported into Catie and Danny's lives (and that of their vivacious family) and go along for the ride, feeling every emotion, every thought, every tension, every delicious cookie and all the fun!

This is a story of frenemies that have been in each other's lives one way or another for years, but never had a chance to spend time alone to see how good they actually are together. They acted like each other's nemesis, doing pranks, making fun of each other on their socials, butting heads with every occasions when they were put in the same space. They never saw it for what it was, but of course others did – and the way they teased them about it and ultimately helped them get from that stage to a power couple who understood, accepted, trusted, loved and lived for each other was pure fun deliciousness.

Danny is perfection. ❤ He is hot, sweet, fun and has the best lines - obviously, to keep up with the banter and the pranks - but he's also stubborn, protective, intense and very ambitious. He goes all the way when he puts his mind on something – or someone, and you just melt. Catie is a strong, sassy heroine but has some issues from her past to get through and she has just the right incentive and support to do that.

The whole journey has a light, fun feel to it – until they go in too deep and start to get the fright of feels, of course. Their inner monologues when they started seeing each other differently were downright hysterical. The sexual tension was there throughout most of the book, since this a slow burn Romance and things take a while to happen. And then boom! Everything is on fire!

I love the way they communicated to deal with certain situations (in my mind, I send other books' characters to counsel therapy at these ones)

So if you like Sports Romance with feisty characters, banter and SPICE, give it a go!

*thank you @netgalley for the review copy