Scan barcode
sanna678's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
bryonys_bookshelf's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this book! I fell in love with the characters, and their story kept me reading every spare minute. Highly recommend for a feel-good romance!
Spoilers about tropes/lack of tropes:
The enemies to lovers storyline was a little weak, but cute.
It didn’t have that annoying break-up/massive fight scene, and no miscommunication trope (which I really liked about this book).
Spoilers about tropes/lack of tropes:
The enemies to lovers storyline was a little weak, but cute.
It didn’t have that annoying break-up/massive fight scene, and no miscommunication trope (which I really liked about this book).
indecisivesailorscout's review against another edition
3.0
This look me MONTHS to read. Months. There was no conflict. Nothing really carried the story along. I liked these characters in the other books, but I just...felt so bored by them here. The sex scenes were hot, which was a nice change of pace from how dry the rest of the book was. And I did enjoy having my favorite folks from the previous books crop up here. But what a way to end with a whimper rather than anything close to a bang.
romancebookloverinseattle's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a fantastic love story! I loved everything about this. Danny and Catie have known each other for years and have always had a good hearted competitive banter between them, teasing each other and always playing jokes on each other. Their families have been incredibly close ever since Catie's older sister became involved with Danny's older brother. One night when they happen to be out in the same club together, Catie comes to Danny's rescue which then sparks the need to start a "fake relationship" for a period of time. However, quickly it becomes apparent the sparks between them are anything but fake and it begins to turn into something more real. The only hitch is how close their families are and the fear of what happens when things don't work out, and Catie's examples of love from her mom and dad both have left her with huge trust issues.
I was actually nervous when I started this, because enemies to lovers can be tricky to do, but Nalini Singh hit it perfectly. I loved every aspect of this story, from the slow burn, steamy romance to all the details around Catie being a double amputee. Their banter was funny and we got to see how their relationship grows and develops. This was such a rich, wonderful, heartfelt and emotional story.
I was actually nervous when I started this, because enemies to lovers can be tricky to do, but Nalini Singh hit it perfectly. I loved every aspect of this story, from the slow burn, steamy romance to all the details around Catie being a double amputee. Their banter was funny and we got to see how their relationship grows and develops. This was such a rich, wonderful, heartfelt and emotional story.
natasha_reading's review against another edition
5.0
Nalini Singh has perfected the art of making me want to be part of a fictional family. This book is no different. I love Catie and Danny. I love the Bishop-Esera family. There is so much love here. It was a great book to read. I think I had a smile on my face the entire time
dirtylittleromance's review
4.0
I love a good frenemies to lovers book and this was a good example why. The tension and slow burn between Catie and Daniel was off the charts!
Catie is such an inspiration to women all over the world. She is a dedicated and passionate woman who isn’t afraid to go after her goals in life.
Catie is such an inspiration to women all over the world. She is a dedicated and passionate woman who isn’t afraid to go after her goals in life.
booksplantsandtea's review
4.0
This book gets 4 raccoons from me! Why raccoons, Alyson, you ask. Well, I guess you'll have to read the book to find out!
What I love most about the Hard Play books, is that everyone in the Esera clan is so family oriented that they all play a part in each other's books. I loved how Isa and Sailor played such a big role in Kiss Hard, that Jake and Juliet made an appearance, that Gabe and Charlotte were included, that we even got a reference to Molly and Fox's story... It gave me so much nostalgia to think back to each couple's love story and just fall further in love with them and their kids through Catie and Danny's book. This is why I love reading series that follow a family or friend group so much.
Ever since I read Isa and Sailor's book (strongly recommend Cherish Hard!), I was curious about the Isa's little sister with two prosthetic legs who has an unreliable father and is determined to fiercely love those around her. Reading about the woman she's become, a woman who strives to be independent and to give back to her community, to make life for other disabled kids better by being the guinea pig for experimental prosthetics and setting up foundations and camps for them... It made me love her even more for her strength and kind heart.
Ever since I read that beach scene where Catie piggybacked on Danny while both were while jabbing at each other, I was in love with them. Catie and Danny make sarcasm a love language, and I'm here for that!
"Are you calling me a thirst trap?"
"Not even if I was gasping for a drop of water in a godforsaken desert in the middle of nowhere, Daniel."
You wouldn't believe the amount of times I was smirking, snorting and wheezing of laughter because of the on point sarcasm between these two. But what I loved most about them, was the way they showed up for each other during tough times. Both were so in tune with the other's needs and boundaries, and respectful of them. In a bookworld where unhealthy relationships are being idolized, it was refreshing to read about a couple (even when they were still pretending to be each other's nemesis, which I never believed) who have such a healthy way of engaging and treating each other, and through that mending their insecure attachment styles that got build on (adverse) childhood experiences. That's why I loved those last few chapters so much, since we got to see both Daniel and Catie grow as people in their relationship. And that, to me, is the strength of a great relationship. The balance of loving the other while giving them their space to grow, and then loving them even more for it. And let's be honest, Catie and Danny excel at this!
If you think you'd love a sarcastic frenemies to lovers, fake relationship with forced proximity, sports romance between a tattooed professional rugby player and a strong paralympic runner, this book is definitely for you!
Out now, because life got in the way of me finishing the book before it's release date on May 3rd. Thank you to the publisher for granting me an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
What I love most about the Hard Play books, is that everyone in the Esera clan is so family oriented that they all play a part in each other's books. I loved how Isa and Sailor played such a big role in Kiss Hard, that Jake and Juliet made an appearance, that Gabe and Charlotte were included, that we even got a reference to Molly and Fox's story... It gave me so much nostalgia to think back to each couple's love story and just fall further in love with them and their kids through Catie and Danny's book. This is why I love reading series that follow a family or friend group so much.
Ever since I read Isa and Sailor's book (strongly recommend Cherish Hard!), I was curious about the Isa's little sister with two prosthetic legs who has an unreliable father and is determined to fiercely love those around her. Reading about the woman she's become, a woman who strives to be independent and to give back to her community, to make life for other disabled kids better by being the guinea pig for experimental prosthetics and setting up foundations and camps for them... It made me love her even more for her strength and kind heart.
Ever since I read that beach scene where Catie piggybacked on Danny while both were while jabbing at each other, I was in love with them. Catie and Danny make sarcasm a love language, and I'm here for that!
"Are you calling me a thirst trap?"
"Not even if I was gasping for a drop of water in a godforsaken desert in the middle of nowhere, Daniel."
You wouldn't believe the amount of times I was smirking, snorting and wheezing of laughter because of the on point sarcasm between these two. But what I loved most about them, was the way they showed up for each other during tough times. Both were so in tune with the other's needs and boundaries, and respectful of them. In a bookworld where unhealthy relationships are being idolized, it was refreshing to read about a couple (even when they were still pretending to be each other's nemesis, which I never believed) who have such a healthy way of engaging and treating each other, and through that mending their insecure attachment styles that got build on (adverse) childhood experiences. That's why I loved those last few chapters so much, since we got to see both Daniel and Catie grow as people in their relationship. And that, to me, is the strength of a great relationship. The balance of loving the other while giving them their space to grow, and then loving them even more for it. And let's be honest, Catie and Danny excel at this!
If you think you'd love a sarcastic frenemies to lovers, fake relationship with forced proximity, sports romance between a tattooed professional rugby player and a strong paralympic runner, this book is definitely for you!
Out now, because life got in the way of me finishing the book before it's release date on May 3rd. Thank you to the publisher for granting me an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
blodeuedd's review against another edition
3.0
I did a joint discussion with Carole about this one on my blog :=)
Singh is awesome. Her pnr books are the best, her contemporary romance boks are great. I especially love how those at set in NZ. I mean how many romances are set there?!
This is book 4, so sure you can just jump in, but you will miss the whole rugby clan thing and Catie's family. Also those books were great.
My biggest problem was that I listened to the previous ones in audio, and those were amazing so when I compare now it was not as amazing. I just like the narrator so much, I guess I really need her.
Catie lost her legs in an accident and uses prosthetic legs, she is also a runner and she will not let anything hold her down.
Daniel is following in his family's footsteps. Rugby! And he is one of the best players in the world.
They are frenemies and loves to banter and call each other out, and then something happens. Yes, fake relationshop, one of my favs.
They are great together, and this really showed because they had know each other for a decade. So falling in love was such a natural step. But yes some issues first, but they pull through.
I wonder what she will write next. I want to stay in this world
Singh is awesome. Her pnr books are the best, her contemporary romance boks are great. I especially love how those at set in NZ. I mean how many romances are set there?!
This is book 4, so sure you can just jump in, but you will miss the whole rugby clan thing and Catie's family. Also those books were great.
My biggest problem was that I listened to the previous ones in audio, and those were amazing so when I compare now it was not as amazing. I just like the narrator so much, I guess I really need her.
Catie lost her legs in an accident and uses prosthetic legs, she is also a runner and she will not let anything hold her down.
Daniel is following in his family's footsteps. Rugby! And he is one of the best players in the world.
They are frenemies and loves to banter and call each other out, and then something happens. Yes, fake relationshop, one of my favs.
They are great together, and this really showed because they had know each other for a decade. So falling in love was such a natural step. But yes some issues first, but they pull through.
I wonder what she will write next. I want to stay in this world
jeannethinks's review
4.0
This story is fabulous on so many levels.
First, the Esera Brothers are hot and each of their stories has been balanced. Second, dealing with the double amputee and the ongoing daily issues was eye opening. And lastly, frenemies to lovers, super fun trope.
Daniel Esera, the sexy baby of the family is a kick tale rugby player living in the shadow of giants from his family. He's ready to grow and be his own person. Catie River has learned to rely on herself and opening up and letting people in is not in her wheelhouse. She's been focused on her goals and being the best runner out there. But when faced with a public relations issue she decides to fake her way to a relationship with Daniel. They've known each other for years and their families are close, they can totally pull this off. So much more than they bargained for and time may prove they may just be the best thing ever
First, the Esera Brothers are hot and each of their stories has been balanced. Second, dealing with the double amputee and the ongoing daily issues was eye opening. And lastly, frenemies to lovers, super fun trope.
Daniel Esera, the sexy baby of the family is a kick tale rugby player living in the shadow of giants from his family. He's ready to grow and be his own person. Catie River has learned to rely on herself and opening up and letting people in is not in her wheelhouse. She's been focused on her goals and being the best runner out there. But when faced with a public relations issue she decides to fake her way to a relationship with Daniel. They've known each other for years and their families are close, they can totally pull this off. So much more than they bargained for and time may prove they may just be the best thing ever