Reviews

Hard as You Can by Laura Kaye

honey1382's review against another edition

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3.0

It started out slow, and kept being slow, but then once Bruno figured things out the story got exciting. I hope the next one is better, but I need to find out how this series ends!

that1creativelady's review against another edition

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3.0

Don't you just love Insta-Love? Oh, you don't? Well, neither do I!

Ugh! I could understand if there was some sort of basis in which these people where developing these "feelings", but in book 1 AND 2 they spent only a few hours at a time with each other in less than a week, and half that time was filled with lusty lusting lust.

But hey, it's romantic fiction. And its cram packed with action and intrigue, so I guess we can't be too upset that the author had to quickly add in the side order of Love.

rlp78's review against another edition

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5.0

Wow, this was an exciting book. It picks up right where book 1 ended in terms of the "mystery/adventure" but this book features a different couple. This was definitely more than just a romance. I love the way the adventure slowly unfolds over each book. I really loved Crystal/Sara and Shane. Yes, they fell for each other quickly, but it somehow made sense. Plus we got to see more Nick and Becca which was awesome.
I love the way the author is building this story up. I just hate waiting so long for the next one!

mags_louise's review against another edition

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5.0

Another fantastic book in this series, love Shane and all his southern charm. He and Crystal make a believable couple and the slow development of their relationship helps with that. The only downside to that the overall story of why this team of ex SF soldiers has reformed gets a little lost, but that did'nt stop me from really enjoying this book and am really looking forward to finding out what happens next.

~Re-read Oct 2017~

chelseaj91's review against another edition

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adventurous tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

This was a little too insta-lovey for me, especially considering that Shane and Crystal didn't really spend all much time together. Like Nick and Becca were kind of insta-lovey too but at least they were together almost the entire time. Shane and Crystal spent 70% of the book with her running away every time she felt something and then suddenly they're both at the "I don't want to live without you" phase. Especially because up until the literal end, Crystal seemed to be on the "we're going to run and I'll give him up" wagon.

I'll admit that I loved Shane. Even though I did kind of roll my eyes at how much he brought up his guilt over Molly. Like, not saying he couldn't blame himself (although he shouldn't have because it wasn't his fault but we're not talking about that right now), but he brought up his failure with her and the fact that he didn't want to repeat it every. Time. Something happened. Like, every time Crystal got skittish, he was suddenly in his head and all "I can't fail just like I did with Molly. I won't let it happen!" and like again, acknowledging guilt is a thing but I felt like it was being brought up to be like his motivation or something and it just came out as whiny. I did like how protective he was of Crystal and Jenna and how easily he picked up on Crystal's issues and the way he let her lead with everything. I was glad that he finally acknowledged things with Nick and admitted he should have realized there were issues for everyone. That fight between them needed to happen for everyone's sakes.

Crystal frustrated me. I didn't quite want a new heroine but it was close. Like, I get that she was in a shitty situation but half of her issues were things she could solve. Not saying it would have been easy by any stretch of the imagination but they could have run at any point. It shouldn't have taken Jenna pushing her to get her to see that. I also feel like Jenna maybe should have pushed sooner but that's a different story. Crystal was also a lot more whiny and spineless than I felt the author was going for; it felt like the author was trying to create a vulnerable survivor but she skipped vulnerable and went straight to whiny and it annoyed me. 

aboutthatstory's review against another edition

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5.0

Romance, mystery, and intrigue! I loved it all!

I thought the story was laid out great. Crystal and Shane's first meeting overlap with the first book a bit so it’s a continuation with new starring players. I was immediately pulled right back into the story.

Chrystal has lived a rough life and is in a bad place. No matter what crap was thrown at her, she stayed strong, doing what she had to do to to make it. She has suffered so much torment and yet was still in survival mode and so determined. I thought I liked Shane in book one but I was wrong, he is amazing in this book. Oh man, I need a Shane McCallan in my life! Sweet, southern boy with sexy charm – such a genuine guy! Shane had his own demons too and learning about both of their pasts was heart wrenching. The attraction that Shane and Chrystal have is undeniable, they are perfect for each other. I love how it all played out and how they're story together unfolded. There were so many great moments that balanced between sincere, emotional, and sexy.

As far as the overall story that will continue into the next book, more of the mystery introduced in book one (Hard As It Gets) was revealed, and more questions arose. A few new characters and allies were introduced and I just love the depth and complexity of this story. There is just so much going on. Everything is written in such detail, it's like I could see parts playing out in my head (I vote for these books to be made into movies!). I liked that we got to see more of Nick and Becca, Jeremy (I want to steal his t-shirt collection), and the other men from the special forces team. The guys have such great comradery. There was even an emotional man moment that tugged at my heart and brought tears to my eyes. I have such a feel for their personalities, they are all strong, determined, likable guys. I want them all to have their own stories because every new bit of information I learn makes me just want more. I hope Marz is next! ;-)

This book had an action packed ending and my heart was beating a mile a minute. There was so much drama and my anxiety level was up. Just like the first book, there is closure, but it's a series so more questions remain in the story as a whole but I was definitely left feeling more than satisfied. I can't wait to see what the next book brings.

Just to add, the important scenes from book one are touched upon in this story so I feel like you could read this without reading book one and you wouldn't be lost (but read book one because it was fantastic too!).

Fantastic read!!!

ARC provided by Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

cgroup6's review against another edition

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4.0

Lots of action in this one as the team continues to try & restore their reputations. This book focuses on Shane, the team's medic.

cmdc325's review against another edition

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5.0

I liked this book better than the first, though the first was really good. I liked that we got more into the relationships between the characters. I also really liked that though this is a type of series that follows a different main character each book and instead of being completely different stories, the main storyline carries on throughout each. Also Shane and Crystal :) I felt that Shane, who can be categorized as alpha male, really treated her with the space and patience that she needed. I am looking forward to the next novella.

leenits's review against another edition

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5.0

I grew up in Baltimore so not only did I enjoy the book but loved listening to a book from my Baltimore.

amanda_lind84's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0