liked the diverse representation in this but struggled with our cinnamon roll MMC. His constant doubting himself grated on my nerves and I wanted to yell “get some balls” lol 😆 overall, I did also like the author bringing awareness to the serious issues presented in this (domestic violence, childhood trauma).

Laura Moher's "Hard to Get" completely captivated me from the first page, holding me spellbound until its stunning conclusion. This book is an absolute gem.
The story it weaves is compelling, drawing you deeply into the characters' lives and intricate connections. What resonated most powerfully with me was the insightful portrayal of domestic violence survivors. Moher masterfully depicts the often invisible mental hardships they endure and the enduring impact of such trauma on every facet of their lives. While the direct violence might be shown with a degree of subtlety, the book brilliantly illuminates the complex emotional and psychological landscape of those who have lived through it. This nuanced exploration added a profound depth and emotional resonance that elevated the reading experience. Michelle Price and Paul Bellantoni deliver excellent narration, bringing authenticity and emotion to these characters and their journeys.
The characters themselves are so well-developed and relatable. Their struggles, resilience, and paths toward healing felt incredibly genuine. Moher has a remarkable talent for creating characters that linger in your thoughts long after turning the final page. The story's flawless pacing keeps you thoroughly engaged and invested without ever feeling hurried.
Moher's writing is simply mesmerizing. Her gift for language draws you in completely, forging a deep connection with the story and its inhabitants. The emotional impact of "Hard to Get" is significant, prompting thoughtful reflection on crucial issues with sensitivity and grace.
Overall, "Hard to Get" is an exceptional book I would recommend to anyone seeking a powerful, thought-provoking, and ultimately deeply moving read. It's a story that stays with you, offering a valuable, albeit somewhat indirect, glimpse into the incredible strength and resilience of those who have survived domestic violence and the profound mental and emotional scars it can leave behind. This is truly a must-read!

This is a third in a series, each couple loves fiercely, and although Kevin and Andi have an explosive start they find a way to their individual and very special HEA. I both read and listened. The narrators did a great job bringing this story to life.

I LOVED this audiobook! I think the narrators did such a good job bringing the characters to life.
I love this series so much I’m so sad to say goodbye <3
The first book in the series was one of the first library books I checked out when I got back into reading and I’ve absolutely fallen in love with the series, the town, and the characters!

I have listened to all three books in the Big Love from Galway series and have enjoyed them! These are romance books with plus size female main characters and male characters that you can’t help but falling for! These books also have spice with open door scenes, yet the books also deal with serious issues. In Hard to Get, the issue dealt with is domestic violence.

Andi and Kevin are both dealing with their own personal issues and going on their own journeys: Kevin has moved away and is starting over in a new location far from home after his fiancé decided she did not want to marry him. Andi is independent woman with a family history that still greatly affects her today.

I identified with Andi as she is independent and has built up her own walls due to her family past. Having gone through a divorce last year, in those ways I am similar to Andi, though you would never see me taking the stage and singing like she does!

We do have a spicy beginning, but after a while it does get toned down as the characters journey moves toward friendship and then its progression through the rest of the novel. I don’t have to have open door scenes, but Moher can write them!

Kevin was just… like Angus in Curves for Days, I just adored and crushed over him! I really enjoyed their journey even though Andi frustrated me at times. Once the reader and Kevin learns her backstory, we understand her issues.

The issue of domestic violence is throughout the story as Andi works at a domestic violence shelter. She even goes to the local high school football team and gives a presentation that strongly affects everyone in the room. Andi is meant to do this job!

The narrators Paul Bellantoni and Michelle Price have been the narrators for all three Galway books. I did have some trouble with the second book because of this as Bellantoni’s voice was Angus for me, but fortunately I did not have this issue with my third trip to Galway! Both Bellantoni and Price were fabulous! They really brought these characters to life and delivered on all the emotions these characters had! And Bellantoni’s voice is just… let’s just say I really enjoy his voice!

I will definitely we looking at any future novels that Moher will be writing.

Many thanks to the publisher Dreamscape Media for granting me a copy to listen to and review for all three books in the Galway series!

I think I love Kevin, his previous fiance left him because he was “vanilla” but he just loves hard and wants to take care of the people close to him. Andi’s resistance to relationships has her not fully committing to Kevin, during herpregnancy she’s trying very hard to not give him control. I applaud the author for the way they wrote DV, with care and sensitivity. The portrayal of DV and how it has affected Andi’s personal life and her work in a center for women survivors, is evident in her big trust issues with men just waiting for the other shoe to drop. A great read but check the TW.

I have really enjoyed this series by Laura Moher. Andy and Kevin are a fun, beautiful couple that take their time to get to couple status. The ride was worth the wait. They had instant chemistry but because of past traumas, they have to work through and together to get to where they need to be. I love how supportive Kevin is to all of Andy's needs and struggles. I hope we see more of these charters in the future.

Hard to Get by Laura Moher was completely unexpected—in the best way possible.

As a plus-size reader, I truly connected with the author’s intention behind this story. No, the male lead isn’t some brooding bad boy with a hidden soft spot—he’s Kevin, a sweet, lovable, down-to-earth guy who simply wants to prove to our FMC, Andrea “Andy” Salazar, that he can be trusted with her heart.

But after years of emotional conditioning, trauma from a tragic career, and a deeply painful past, Andy struggles to let herself be vulnerable… even when something unexpected forces her to confront everything she’s been trying to avoid.

With the support of her incredible group of friends, Andy finds herself being gently (and sometimes not-so-gently) pushed toward the future she desperately wants—but is too afraid to reach for.

Then one night changes everything. It leaves them with a reminder Andy can’t ignore—and Kevin refuses to walk away from. He’s determined to earn her trust, even if it means stepping outside his own comfort zone. Because Andy isn’t just a fling or a fantasy—she’s everything he never realized he needed.

All of her. Her heart. Her body. Her soul.

If you’re in the mood for a sweet, slow-burn romance with emotional depth, genuine friendships, and just the right amount of spice, this book deserves a spot on your TBR.

I read a few reviews of this before requesting it. I'm usually not a fan of dual story lines and dual narrators but the story was intriguing so I requested it. I was not disappointed. I did not realise this was the third in a series, but that doesn't affect the book. However, I will be buying the first two in the Laura Moher Big Love from Galway series.

This is a nice love story that touches on difficult but important subjects about body positively, abuse, starting over and learning to trust again. it was handled nicely and really tugged at my heart strings. I was rooting for them. Over all Andi and Kevin's story is inspiring. It's a good read even if it was a little slow at times. But overall - good!

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing the audiobook.

I had high hopes for this book because I loved book 1 in the series but was disappointed by book 2. Unfortunately I couldn't get into this one either and ended up DNFing. I do like that the author always covers a deeper topic but I find that more interesting that the romance.

⭐️⭐️⭐️½ – A Sweet Southern Romance with a Strong Leading Lady

Hard to Get was an enjoyable read, especially if you're a fan of small-town romance with strong female leads. While I tend to be a bit picky about this particular trope, I have to say this was a solid and heartfelt attempt that left me smiling at the end.

The title? Spot on. I usually don't pay much attention to book titles, but this one really captured the spirit of the story. It added a fun and fitting layer to Andi and Kevin’s push-and-pull dynamic.

Andi Salazar was a total icon. Her fierce independence, confidence, and refusal to shrink herself for anyone was so refreshing. I saw a lot of myself in her, which made her character feel even more relatable and real. Her journey of learning to open up without giving up her autonomy was empowering and well done.

Kevin’s character also brought a lot of heart to the story. I felt for him right from the beginning—being labeled “boring” just because you’re not someone else’s idea of exciting is tough. Watching him grow into himself and start to push back against that narrative was genuinely satisfying.

Their chemistry was undeniable, but the pacing at times felt a bit uneven for me. The sudden shift from “just friends” to “surprise pregnancy” came a bit too fast, and I would’ve liked to see more build-up there. Still, the emotional growth on both sides was touching, and their journey was definitely one worth rooting for.

All in all, Hard to Get delivers a tender, sexy, and slightly unconventional love story with a big heart. If you're looking for a romance where the heroine knows her worth and the hero is sweet, supportive, and real, this one might be for you.

Thank you to Laura Moher, SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca, and NetGalley for the ARC! 💕

This was SO GOOD!!! Laura Moher writes a hero and heroine who feel equally fleshed out as people and going on their own journeys, which is hard to do. It's a sweet and emotional slow-burn romance that's one-night-stand to friends to lovers. And it manages to pull off a trope I don't usually like in a way that worked for me (view spoiler). One of the best romances I've read this year!

Kevin is new to town, a big blonde high school math teacher who is a total cinnamon roll, but also has a hard time enforcing boundaries and stating what he does and doesn't like.

Andie works hard at a non-profit supporting victims of domestic violence and educating the community on risk factors. She doesn't really trust men because of her family history, and she is usually buttoned up. But every once in awhile she lets her hair down as alter-ego Andrea singing with a band she's friends with.

It's one of those nights that she meets Kevin and rocks his world, but she was only looking for one night and he was hoping for something deeper. Eventually they become friends and he respects the boundary she set. But something is about to upend their world, and they will both have to confront their demons.

I loved everything about this. The romance is beautiful, I loved both characters, and it does important work talking about domestic abuse and red flags. The audio narration is great too! It's a dual narration which really works. I received an audio review copy via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

Andi is dedicated to her work at a local women’s shelter but sometimes moonlights as a substitute singer for a band at night. On one such night, she meets new to town math teacher, Kevin, and they share one passionate night together.

Kevin is reeling form his somewhat recent breakup from his fiance, who complained that he was too boring. Andi is struggling with generational trauma and tries to break her own curse by helping out women and children at need int he shelter. Neither really seems like they are in a place for a relationship, yet they kept being drawn together. While friendship may seem like the safer choice, it’s clear these two are meant for more—especially when a heartwarming surprise adds a new layer to their growing bond.

Beyond the compelling and fun romance, Hard to Get stands out thanks to its excellent production value. The writing is polished, the pacing smooth, and the emotional beats land exactly where they should. The narrators were excellent, and made me want to keep listening and binge the book as fast as possible. I would absolutely recommend this to friends!

Kevin is new to Galway and decides to spend an evening out with some of his teacher coworkers when they go to the bar that Andi happens to be singing at for the night. Kevin is immediately smitten and ends up falling into bed with Andi. Andi is definitely not looking for a relationship though and doesn't acknowledge Kevin's attempts at having more. When Andi and Kevin's paths cross again at the school, Kevin strikes up a friendship with her and they begin to get to know each other better.

I absolutely adored both Andi and Kevin. Kevin is definitely the kind of "ideal" man and I felt so bad for the reasons he moved to Galway. He definitely strives in this small town though he was probably not that realistic of a man but definitely a sweetheart in every way, shape, and form! Andi has a rougher life that she's lived and that's definitely affected some of her outlooks and feelings towards men and life in general but she was a strong character and was always working towards helping others in any way possible while also working towards her own things.

Plot-wise this book was really mostly character driven and had more of a journey through Kevin & Andi's first meeting, then friendship, then partnership for the baby, to their final romantic relationship step. There was one major plot thing near the end that totally surprised me though and I'm not sure if I think it worked? I kinda would have preferred it not happening because I don't think it helped move the story in any significant way.

Regarding the narrators, this book was pretty good in audio format! This is dual POV and although the narrator for Andi (Michelle Price) sounded completely different from what I imagined, she really knocked it out of the park. The narrator for Kevin (Paul Bellatoni) wasn't exactly to my preferences but he wasn't bad in any way. His voice was pretty animated and that will definitely work for some people.

I have really enjoyed every book in the Big Love From Galway series though and can't wait for the next book from Laura Moher!

I loved the characters—so much depth, real growth, and just beautifully written development. What really stood out to me, though, was how the story uplifts women. It gives space for their voices, their pain, and their healing.

It doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff—especially the struggles women face when trying to escape abusive relationships. It shows how that trauma doesn’t just affect one person, but can ripple through families, especially children. And it handles that truth with care and strength.

It’s raw, empowering, and emotional—and I genuinely appreciated how it centered resilience and support.

The production was crisp, neat, and ver6 engaging. I espedially enjoy the male narrator as he successfully channeled Kevin’s awkwardness but also kindness. It felt great listening to such great audiobook.

**Review: *Hard to Get* by Laura Moher – 3⭐️**

*Hard to Get* brings together two characters whose emotional baggage makes their journey to love a slow burn. Andi Salazar, who works at a women’s shelter, carries deep trauma that has kept her from dating. Kevin Mahoney, still reeling from a painful breakup where he was criticized for being “too vanilla,” is struggling with his own self-worth.

When the two share a one-night stand, their lives become unexpectedly intertwined. While the story eventually builds toward something meaningful, it takes time—and patience—to get there. The connection is believable, but the pacing and the characters’ hesitations make it feel like a long road to romance.

A solid story about healing and second chances, but one that takes its time getting to the heart of it.

**Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for ARC.

This book is a romance with a DV lesson. I liked the story line and the characters, but this book was heavy with domestic violence references and lessons on how to prevent or care for others who have experienced it. While it's a great lesson that is needed in the world, I'm not sure the author hit her target audience with this one.

2.5-3⭐️

I’m finding this one a little difficult to rate because I don’t feel it quite had the cozy country vibes the description gives and the writing style it was like a merging of 2 different types of writing. It is definitely a personal perspective and preference though as to what you anticipate going in.

I appreciate the characters storyline for Kevin was to get out of his “vanilla” funk he was in however for me this area wasn’t delivered particularly tastefully and just didn’t merge well with the overall cozy country vibe. I think it was the words used just didn’t work for me however it is clear from the description it is going to be a little bit of spice I felt this could have been delivered in a slightly more rom-com way that would have worked much better with the country vibe.

Andi meets Kevin after she has been through a lot and what I did feel was delivered well was the way that DV was written in the context of male understanding and therefore allowing Andi to feel she could trust and open up again.

The narration on this I have to be honest and say it didn’t grip me and pull me in maybe I was put off because I had a barrier up with some of the story so more reflection of me than particularly the narrators. They were clear and well paced throughout so I do believe it was simply this just wasn’t the right book for me.

I will say although this is the 3rd in the series it works absolutely fine as a stand alone I hadn’t read / heard the first 2 and didn’t feel like I couldn’t pick up what was going on so if you like the description then this may be for you!

With thanks to NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for this ELC in return for an honest review. 📚🎧

Hard to Get written by Laura Moher and narrated by Michelle Price and Paul Bellantoni was a sweet romance that delved into domestic violence topics and breaking the cycle of DV. I felt the main character’s feelings and inner dialogue were very relatable and realistic. Hard to Get was pretty 50/50 with dual POV. I initially was not fond of the male POV but ended up really enjoying Kevin. Narrators did a fantastic job with the characters and emotions.

I tried. I love a unconventional couple. Here's my issue, I do not care in the least, what size the main character is. I could not care less about her being curvy. The amount of time that was spent on this was insane. Then we have the male character. I agree, some people are odd and different but I do not want to hear every single lusty thought about someone's body parts. Blech. This was bad. DNF