Scan barcode
heabooknerd's review against another edition
5.0
I'm so excited that HARD TO BE GOOD gave us Jeremy and Charlie's story! I've loved Jeremy from the very beginning and he jumped off the page in every scene he was in. From his humor, to his ridiculous shirts, to his abundance of tattoos and piercings, he just has so much personality. Jeremy has been a light during the dark times and he's given up so much to help his brother and the team while embracing each new person with open arms.
In contrast, Charlie is more reserved in his emotions and he's not used to being around so many people or trying to make connections. Life hasn't been easy for Charlie but I loved seeing him reconnect with his sister Becca and find a family with the Hard Ink guys. It's so obvious how much Charlie just wanted to be accepted for who he was and I'm so happy that he finally found that.
Together Jeremy and Charlie had great chemistry. Jeremy’s outgoing personality helped push Charlie to get out of his comfort zone and Charlie’s calm nature became a safe place for Jeremy during all the turbulence. You can really tell how much they each felt for the other.
Content Warning: MC recovering from a kidnapping and forced amputation of fingers; references to human trafficking and gang violence
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Favorite Quotes:
Several moments passed, and Charlie just held Jeremy. It was easy to do. He’d wanted to do it for weeks. And he knew he could do it forever, if Jeremy let him. Because Jeremy made him feel present in the world in a way he hadn’t . . . maybe ever.
- - - - -
Being with Charlie felt so damn natural. Like they’d always known each other. Like they belonged together. Like they were the best of friends—only so much more.
In contrast, Charlie is more reserved in his emotions and he's not used to being around so many people or trying to make connections. Life hasn't been easy for Charlie but I loved seeing him reconnect with his sister Becca and find a family with the Hard Ink guys. It's so obvious how much Charlie just wanted to be accepted for who he was and I'm so happy that he finally found that.
Together Jeremy and Charlie had great chemistry. Jeremy’s outgoing personality helped push Charlie to get out of his comfort zone and Charlie’s calm nature became a safe place for Jeremy during all the turbulence. You can really tell how much they each felt for the other.
Content Warning: MC recovering from a kidnapping and forced amputation of fingers; references to human trafficking and gang violence
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Favorite Quotes:
Several moments passed, and Charlie just held Jeremy. It was easy to do. He’d wanted to do it for weeks. And he knew he could do it forever, if Jeremy let him. Because Jeremy made him feel present in the world in a way he hadn’t . . . maybe ever.
- - - - -
Being with Charlie felt so damn natural. Like they’d always known each other. Like they belonged together. Like they were the best of friends—only so much more.
trudyd's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it!!!! Loved it!!!!!! Loved it!!!!!!! My only problem is that was too short. Reading Hard to Be Good was a trip back to high school. Charlie is so shy. He is so insecure. He is so afraid of rejection that he lives in a state of fear. It tore me apart. I felt so sorry for the guy. Charlie had been through so much.
I am not someone that reads books that concentrate on a male/male relationship. Hard to be Good is so much more. It is a story of survival. It is a story of first love. It is a story about grief. But mostly it is a story of acceptance.
I am not someone that reads books that concentrate on a male/male relationship. Hard to be Good is so much more. It is a story of survival. It is a story of first love. It is a story about grief. But mostly it is a story of acceptance.
echoingbooks's review against another edition
5.0
One thing I can tell is that Laura Kaye knows how to write amazing books. She knows how to make people fall in love with her characters. I don't normally read gay books. Now don't think I'm against gay couples I actually don't care if they gay or not as long as they are happy. This book i loved because of Jeremy and it also made me understand Charlie even more. I would gladly read this book again because I love and adore Jeremy and Charlie. They will be an amazing couple and in the midst of darkness there needs to be some happiness in their lives, something to live for. Laura Kaye you are a queen when it comes to writing and I cant wait to read the next book so this wait is going to be hard for me because i need the book now! Jeremy makes me smile and I love him, one of my favorite characters in this series!!
caseroo7's review against another edition
4.0
Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick
Hard to be Good is a M/M novella in the Hard Ink series by Laura Kaye. Though this is a part of the series, it can be read as a standalone story. I was really excited for Jeremy and Charlie's story, as I loved both of their characters. Jeremy Rixey is the owner of Hard Ink Tattoo and is the brother of Nick Rixey. Nick's special forces team was almost killed a year before, and they have been trying to get to the bottom of what happened ever since. Charlie Merritt was kidnapped and got drawn into the team's investigation. He instantly had a connection with Jeremy and they have formed a friendship. But besides that friendship, they have both been feeling more and have been scared to make a move. But after Jeremy nearly gets killed, they both realize that it is time to see what the connection between them could be if they gave it a chance.
Jeremy has always been one of my favorites from this series. He is fun and flirty and he is comfortable with who he is. He is bisexual and loved based on the person rather than their sex. But he also had a ton of stuff beneath the surface, and he really connected with Charlie. They understood each other in a way that no one else did, and Charlie really saw all that Jeremy was. He was able to reach him in a way that even Jeremy's siblings Nick and Kat couldn't. Charlie had always been a bit awkward, preferring to spend his time with computers rather than people. He had also been afraid to be himself because of what his father put him through. While he was out, he was also scared of what others would think of him and I really hated that his father had made him that way. But Jeremy was exactly what he needed, and I loved that he got Charlie to finally make a move and step a bit outside his comfort zone. These two were great for one another and had such a strong connection and friendship. I enjoyed seeing them take that to the next level and explore the attraction between them as well.
While I really liked both of these characters, I will say that this was extremely short. I found myself wanting more as their relationship seemed a bit rushed. They had a great friendship and foundation for more, but it happened really quickly. I wanted to see more of these two together, and I really thought that they deserved more of a story. I guess that is just me being greedy, but I really loved both of these guys and wanted to see more of them. I think that this was a great addition to the series though, and I liked seeing both of these guys acknowledge and accept what was between them. They both deserved to be happy, and I was glad that they had found each other. I think that this series is a great one if you like romantic suspense, and this installment was a great addition to that. I look forward to reading more from Laura Kaye and to seeing more of these characters as the series continues.
**ARC Provided by Publisher**
Hard to be Good is a M/M novella in the Hard Ink series by Laura Kaye. Though this is a part of the series, it can be read as a standalone story. I was really excited for Jeremy and Charlie's story, as I loved both of their characters. Jeremy Rixey is the owner of Hard Ink Tattoo and is the brother of Nick Rixey. Nick's special forces team was almost killed a year before, and they have been trying to get to the bottom of what happened ever since. Charlie Merritt was kidnapped and got drawn into the team's investigation. He instantly had a connection with Jeremy and they have formed a friendship. But besides that friendship, they have both been feeling more and have been scared to make a move. But after Jeremy nearly gets killed, they both realize that it is time to see what the connection between them could be if they gave it a chance.
Jeremy has always been one of my favorites from this series. He is fun and flirty and he is comfortable with who he is. He is bisexual and loved based on the person rather than their sex. But he also had a ton of stuff beneath the surface, and he really connected with Charlie. They understood each other in a way that no one else did, and Charlie really saw all that Jeremy was. He was able to reach him in a way that even Jeremy's siblings Nick and Kat couldn't. Charlie had always been a bit awkward, preferring to spend his time with computers rather than people. He had also been afraid to be himself because of what his father put him through. While he was out, he was also scared of what others would think of him and I really hated that his father had made him that way. But Jeremy was exactly what he needed, and I loved that he got Charlie to finally make a move and step a bit outside his comfort zone. These two were great for one another and had such a strong connection and friendship. I enjoyed seeing them take that to the next level and explore the attraction between them as well.
While I really liked both of these characters, I will say that this was extremely short. I found myself wanting more as their relationship seemed a bit rushed. They had a great friendship and foundation for more, but it happened really quickly. I wanted to see more of these two together, and I really thought that they deserved more of a story. I guess that is just me being greedy, but I really loved both of these guys and wanted to see more of them. I think that this was a great addition to the series though, and I liked seeing both of these guys acknowledge and accept what was between them. They both deserved to be happy, and I was glad that they had found each other. I think that this series is a great one if you like romantic suspense, and this installment was a great addition to that. I look forward to reading more from Laura Kaye and to seeing more of these characters as the series continues.
**ARC Provided by Publisher**
amandas_reading_corner's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
deanapotter's review against another edition
4.0
Charlie and Jeremy have forged a friendship through a very twisted and hot mess of a situation. When the sh*t hits the fan these two realize they both want more than to be friends. Disaster pushes the feelings to the surface, making thoughts and fantasies a reality.
Laura Kaye just gave me my favorite friends to lovers story. Two unique and charismatic people comes together, find something worth living for in a beautiful and natural way, amongst the chaos going on around. Yes this is a M/M novella. But the story is more than two men getting together. Look at the sensuality and passion between two loving and caring people creating something stronger together. It’s a beautiful, sexy and endearing story that will get to your heart.
Laura Kaye just gave me my favorite friends to lovers story. Two unique and charismatic people comes together, find something worth living for in a beautiful and natural way, amongst the chaos going on around. Yes this is a M/M novella. But the story is more than two men getting together. Look at the sensuality and passion between two loving and caring people creating something stronger together. It’s a beautiful, sexy and endearing story that will get to your heart.
rachelslacey's review against another edition
5.0
Aww, Jeremy and Charlie! Love these two. Still loving this series <3
teresajluvs2read's review against another edition
5.0
Jeremy and Charlie together finally
At long last Jeremy and Charlie have their own story and what a great story it is. The book starts right up where Emilie and Marz ended with the crew of Hard Ink and the Raven's MC cleaning up after the attack. When Charlie decides to tell Jeremy how he feels, all the love their feel for each other just explodes into fireworks. Charlie's dad, the Colonel, couldn't accept his son was gay, which caused him to be very cautious. Add in tattooed, pierced Jeremy and the fireworks just burst with love and acceptance.
At long last Jeremy and Charlie have their own story and what a great story it is. The book starts right up where Emilie and Marz ended with the crew of Hard Ink and the Raven's MC cleaning up after the attack. When Charlie decides to tell Jeremy how he feels, all the love their feel for each other just explodes into fireworks. Charlie's dad, the Colonel, couldn't accept his son was gay, which caused him to be very cautious. Add in tattooed, pierced Jeremy and the fireworks just burst with love and acceptance.
jen286's review against another edition
4.0
This review was originally posted to Jen in Bookland
If I am being honest then I have to tell you that when I was reading book one in this series, before I knew that you had to read these books in order, I was already hoping and wanting to read Jeremy's story. Because from the first moment you meet him in book one I loved him. So so much. Him and his t-shirts. I couldn't wait to see who he would fall for and how it would all work out. Because he was by far my favorite. Not that I don't love the other guys and girls, but there was just something about him that I loved so much.
Now once I realized I had to read these books in order I looked and saw I had to wait until after the third book to get his story I pretty much did nothing but read these books as fast as I could so I could get to Hard to Be Good. And oh, it did not disappoint. I loved Charlie and Jeremy so so much!
So like I said you really need to read these books in order so you know Charlie is Becca's brother who was kidnapped in book one and starts this whole mess that they are in. He was researching his father, these guys' former leader, and found information that someone doesn't want to get out. He was kidnapped and tortured but never gave up any information. And now he is staying at Jeremy's place with everyone else and trying to help figure everything out and clear the guy's names. Only he is really shy and even before he was kidnapped he didn't really venture out of his house much. His dad never approved of him being gay and he is not sure how these other military guys might handle it. Especially when he starts falling for Jeremy, the one guy's brother. He likes Jeremy, a lot, but why would someone so outgoing and fun want to be with someone like him? Oh, Charlie broke my heart. He definitely has some confidence issues, but he finally tries to work up the nerve to see if Jeremy likes him too.
Now Jeremy has like Charlie from the first moment they met, but that was when he was just rescued and not in a good place. So Jeremy doesn't want to do anything that might not be wanted especially when Charlie is still healing both physically and mentally. But then Charlie makes it clear that he might like Jeremy too and if only these two could find a moment alone to talk maybe they can both get what they want.
I loved these two. I loved how fragile yet not Charlie was. How he has lived with fear his whole life, but how he wants to try and do things even if he is afraid of them. And Jeremy and Charlie were amazing together. I was waiting for this story since I started book one and I was definitely ndisappointedned. I hope we get to see more cute Jeremy and Charlie in the last book!
If I am being honest then I have to tell you that when I was reading book one in this series, before I knew that you had to read these books in order, I was already hoping and wanting to read Jeremy's story. Because from the first moment you meet him in book one I loved him. So so much. Him and his t-shirts. I couldn't wait to see who he would fall for and how it would all work out. Because he was by far my favorite. Not that I don't love the other guys and girls, but there was just something about him that I loved so much.
Now once I realized I had to read these books in order I looked and saw I had to wait until after the third book to get his story I pretty much did nothing but read these books as fast as I could so I could get to Hard to Be Good. And oh, it did not disappoint. I loved Charlie and Jeremy so so much!
So like I said you really need to read these books in order so you know Charlie is Becca's brother who was kidnapped in book one and starts this whole mess that they are in. He was researching his father, these guys' former leader, and found information that someone doesn't want to get out. He was kidnapped and tortured but never gave up any information. And now he is staying at Jeremy's place with everyone else and trying to help figure everything out and clear the guy's names. Only he is really shy and even before he was kidnapped he didn't really venture out of his house much. His dad never approved of him being gay and he is not sure how these other military guys might handle it. Especially when he starts falling for Jeremy, the one guy's brother. He likes Jeremy, a lot, but why would someone so outgoing and fun want to be with someone like him? Oh, Charlie broke my heart. He definitely has some confidence issues, but he finally tries to work up the nerve to see if Jeremy likes him too.
Now Jeremy has like Charlie from the first moment they met, but that was when he was just rescued and not in a good place. So Jeremy doesn't want to do anything that might not be wanted especially when Charlie is still healing both physically and mentally. But then Charlie makes it clear that he might like Jeremy too and if only these two could find a moment alone to talk maybe they can both get what they want.
I loved these two. I loved how fragile yet not Charlie was. How he has lived with fear his whole life, but how he wants to try and do things even if he is afraid of them. And Jeremy and Charlie were amazing together. I was waiting for this story since I started book one and I was definitely ndisappointedned. I hope we get to see more cute Jeremy and Charlie in the last book!
buoymehome's review against another edition
La moins bonne couverture de la série so far.
Une novella qui se passe juste aprés le 3eme opus.
Des garçons qui se font des bisous et plus si affinité.
Des scénes de blow-job assez hot je dois dire.
Et ça fait plaisir d'enfin les voir se faire des calins ces deux là.
(aprés on y retrouve les travers de la série mais je ferais une review globale une fois le dernier opus consommé.)
Et la question du jour : un Prince Albert et préservatifs, ça fait bon ménage?
(question vraiment serieuse)
Une novella qui se passe juste aprés le 3eme opus.
Des garçons qui se font des bisous et plus si affinité.
Des scénes de blow-job assez hot je dois dire.
Et ça fait plaisir d'enfin les voir se faire des calins ces deux là.
(aprés on y retrouve les travers de la série mais je ferais une review globale une fois le dernier opus consommé.)
Et la question du jour : un Prince Albert et préservatifs, ça fait bon ménage?
(question vraiment serieuse)