Ahhhh I loved this warm, funny, tender romance so SO much. Catie and Danny are adorable together, the disability rep (she's a double-amputee as well as a professional athlete) is fantastic, and I just loved every moment of their time together - from her rescue of him at the beginning of the story to their fake dating adventures, silly texts, and incredibly heartfelt falling-in-love process (after having been in-laws and official nemeses for years).

This is officially #4 in the Hard Play series, but you could absolutely read it as a standalone - and it's by far my very favorite of Nalini Singh's contemporary romances. (I didn't think anything would ever beat Rebel Hard, which I love soooo much - so this is really saying a LOT!) However, I had been waiting a long time for Catie and Danny's romance after seeing their relationship in the background of the first three stories, and obviously, it MORE than delivered. :)

100% joy - as I was reading it, I kept on grinning over different great lines and moments (my husband interrupted me at one point to ask what I was reading, because I was so obviously having so much fun with it!) and I was BEAMING by the end. I was lucky enough to get an e-ARC for review, but I've also preordered a final copy, and it will definitely be a comfort re-read in the future.

I was sold on a book about Danny and Catie from the get-go. Finding out it has a fake relationship? And they are SNOWED IN together when they decide on it? Followed by not being able to unsee how sexy they find each other? It's magic.
I really liked the balance of personal development alongside the romance. For Danny, it's finding his place in life - while successful, he still has his struggles/doubts, and for Catie, it's in being able to trust and believe in a relationship when one is possible. Especially with her beloved nemesis! They have some advantage in that they've known each other for so long, certain things are easy for them, but building a romantic relationship is all new.
The book gave me such a satisfying, warm feeling with their romance. It's a great contemporary romance of two people who realize they could fall for each other and take the steps forward at their own pace. I loved the glimpses and updates of the Bishop-Esera family. Now I have to go reread all of their stories. The Hard Play series has been a favourite for me, especially Rock Hard, and I'm so glad that we got the final brother's story and it was truly an engaging joy to read.