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shannon_cocktailsandbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Elizabeth's Thoughts
Oh my goshness! I wish I could live inside Laura Kaye’s mind so I can spend every day with these amazing characters!
This is a quick read that will have you BEGGING for more! Jeremy and Charlie are perfect together! I loved watching their friendship blossom into an all-consuming inferno of passion and love. The story was way too short but it’s filled with sexy men, tattoos and sex scenes so explosive they will set your reading device on fire!
I was so glad to get Charlie’s point of view. It was awesome to learn more about this shy computer genius. Charlie struggles with being open about his feelings for Jeremy. This stems back from his father’s disapproval and unwillingness to accept Charlie as a gay man. But thankfully Jeremy’s love is able to heal in ways Charlie could never imagine which is reflected in his thoughts here:
“The instant his lips crashed into Jeremy’s, Charlie realized something he’d never known before. Conquering fear didn’t mean not being afraid, it meant being afraid of something and doing it anyway. It meant saying no to fear—no you can’t rule me, no you can’t hold me back, no you can’t keep me from the things I want the most. Not anymore.”
HARD TO BE GOOD is emotional, heart-melting and has the HOTTEST first kiss scene I’ve ever read! It can easily be read as part of the series or as a standalone. I highly recommend this and any of the author’s books!
Most authors give you what you want; Laura Kaye gives you what you need.
10 Stars for Jeremy and Charlie!
This review was originally posted on Cocktails and Books.
agrutle's review against another edition
5.0
I don't generally read M/M but I enjoyed this one. Maybe its because from the first book I enjoyed Jeremy so much. He really is comic relief in many ways. Charlie is great too!!
hannas_heas47's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks Wicked Reads for a free book to read and review.
At first I was pretty angry that this was a m/m book, but after finishing it I feel a lot better. I felt like the author was forcing me to read this book since its part of a series and I didn't want to miss anything of this exciting series. Let me be clear, this book is not necessary to read for the story. It's almost like a time out. Jeremy and Charlie have an attraction together and they act on it. I'm not one to read much male on male action unless there's a girl too. Parts had me pretending Charlie was a girl :) if you like m/m then you will probably love this novella. I gave it four stars because it was well written and even a little humorous.
At first I was pretty angry that this was a m/m book, but after finishing it I feel a lot better. I felt like the author was forcing me to read this book since its part of a series and I didn't want to miss anything of this exciting series. Let me be clear, this book is not necessary to read for the story. It's almost like a time out. Jeremy and Charlie have an attraction together and they act on it. I'm not one to read much male on male action unless there's a girl too. Parts had me pretending Charlie was a girl :) if you like m/m then you will probably love this novella. I gave it four stars because it was well written and even a little humorous.
sarful's review
3.0
Porn with feelings. An interlude of sweet love and sexy times between two people who, while totally different, fit perfectly together. I'm betting it would have been worlds better if I'd read the previous books in the series, but as it is, it doesn't really matter, I dig it.
coley0504's review against another edition
5.0
My one and only complaint is that this book wasn't longer!! I love these two and I just wanted more and more and more!
queensaru's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
tiffcutshall's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I love happy endings.
This novella is a great edition to the Hard Ink series. From book 1 I fell in love with Jeremy. To see him and Charlie come together and get the acceptance, love and family was beautiful to read.
This novella is a great edition to the Hard Ink series. From book 1 I fell in love with Jeremy. To see him and Charlie come together and get the acceptance, love and family was beautiful to read.
papercranestitches's review against another edition
3.0
*** 3.5 Stars ***
Before reading:
Laura Kaye is trying her hand at M/M?! *Snoopy dance! SNOOPY DANCE!*
After reading:
Can you tell that I was a little excited to see Jeremy and Charlie getting their very own HEA?! I've long felt that this story needed to be told if Kaye was going to be true to her characters, and I was pleased to see that she did them justice with [b:Hard to Be Good|18841797|Hard to Be Good (Hard Ink, #3.5)|Laura Kaye|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1421252001s/18841797.jpg|26784189]. In terms of sweet, sexy feels, I was not disappointed - this book had them in spades and left me smiling.
As for the question of whether this book is a standalone or not, I'm going to muddy the waters a bit and say that it's both. If you're exclusively an m/m reader and have no history with Kaye's Hard Ink series, I would not recommend that you read this book; there's too many characters and relationships and back story involved in the previous 3 books for you to get much out of this one. However, if you're exclusively an m/f reader and uncomfortable reading an m/m romance, I would say that you can consider this book a standalone (in the sense that if you choose to skip it, you won't miss any critical plot points that may affect your understanding or enjoyment of [b:Hard to Come By|18841450|Hard to Come By (Hard Ink, #3)|Laura Kaye|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1408821332s/18841450.jpg|26783811]).
Before reading:
Laura Kaye is trying her hand at M/M?! *Snoopy dance! SNOOPY DANCE!*
After reading:
Can you tell that I was a little excited to see Jeremy and Charlie getting their very own HEA?! I've long felt that this story needed to be told if Kaye was going to be true to her characters, and I was pleased to see that she did them justice with [b:Hard to Be Good|18841797|Hard to Be Good (Hard Ink, #3.5)|Laura Kaye|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1421252001s/18841797.jpg|26784189]. In terms of sweet, sexy feels, I was not disappointed - this book had them in spades and left me smiling.
As for the question of whether this book is a standalone or not, I'm going to muddy the waters a bit and say that it's both. If you're exclusively an m/m reader and have no history with Kaye's Hard Ink series, I would not recommend that you read this book; there's too many characters and relationships and back story involved in the previous 3 books for you to get much out of this one. However, if you're exclusively an m/f reader and uncomfortable reading an m/m romance, I would say that you can consider this book a standalone (in the sense that if you choose to skip it, you won't miss any critical plot points that may affect your understanding or enjoyment of [b:Hard to Come By|18841450|Hard to Come By (Hard Ink, #3)|Laura Kaye|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1408821332s/18841450.jpg|26783811]).
chelseaj91's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Similar to Hard to Hold on To , I wished this had been longer. Aside from the fact that we ended up with like insta-love on steroids with Jeremy and Charlie here, I wish there'd been more for both of them. Acknowledging that this was a super short novella, it either needed to focus on them just becoming a couple or it needed to be expanded a little bit for both of them to get a little growth.
Jeremy needed more time to get over his guilt about the Ravens who died when Hot Ink was attacked. Charlie needed more time to move past his issues with his father. There just wasn't enough time for either of those revelations to be handled all that well and honestly, while Charlie did manage to get past it, Jeremy didn't really.
I did love how easily everyone got on board. Not that anyone had a problem (despite Charlie's assumption that because his father had had issues with him being gay, Nick and the others would too), but it was kind of hilarious that everyone was just like "finally" when Charlie made his gesture.
Jeremy needed more time to get over his guilt about the Ravens who died when Hot Ink was attacked. Charlie needed more time to move past his issues with his father. There just wasn't enough time for either of those revelations to be handled all that well and honestly, while Charlie did manage to get past it, Jeremy didn't really.
I did love how easily everyone got on board. Not that anyone had a problem (despite Charlie's assumption that because his father had had issues with him being gay, Nick and the others would too), but it was kind of hilarious that everyone was just like "finally" when Charlie made his gesture.
chroniclesofabookreader's review against another edition
5.0
A new man (or should I say men?) to root for in the Hard Ink series! I was so entirely happy when I heard that we were going to get an M/M novella with Jeremy and Charlie…I loved Jeremy in the first book. I couldn’t wait to see them become a couple, and I wish it was more than a novella.
Jeremy is the owner of Hard Ink. He’s funny, dirty-minded, and overall a good guy. He has a deep heart that gives to those around him constantly. And he’s an open lover, seeing as he’s bi, so he doesn’t withhold himself to anyone or anything. But he’s never gotten serious about a man before. When Charlie was rescued and in need of someone to watch over him, Jeremy took over that job, becoming best friends with Charlie. The bond they create sparks something deep within Jeremy, and he wants nothing more than the open up to more with Charlie. What I love about Jeremy is that he’s the type of guy you would absolutely clamor for to be your best friend. He’s fun loving, sweet, and such a caring person. He’s the kind of guy I wish I knew in real life.
“He gave Charlie a long, deep, wet kiss. ‘Sorry just needed a taste. To tide me over.’
‘Tide you over?’ Charlie asked in a breathy voice.
‘Till next time,’ Jeremy said. ‘Because now that I’ve seen your c**k, I’m not going to be able to live without feeling it in my throat.'”
Charlie suffers from what only gay people can–not being accepted or supported by their parents. And Charlie’s dad was not approving of his sexual orientation at all. So Charlie has carried that with him, which affects the way he opens himself up to people or whether he’s willing to be openly gay–his huge fear of not being accepted basically runs his life. So when his attraction and feelings go past friendship with Jeremy, he’s scared. Scared it’ll ruin the best thing he’s ever had, and scared of being rejected (and not just by Jeremy).
“‘I would’ve endured anything if it led me to you. I thank God I’m alive, not because it freed me from those horrible men, but because it led me here. Right here.'”
What I found so intriguing about their story is that I could feel how incredibly torn in two someone would be if they’ve been rejected in their sexuality. I couldn’t imagine being torn apart for something that is born within you, and Charlie is the pure example of that. He lets it run him, and I could feel that internal struggle. I wanted to hug him, tell him I supported him, and that everything would be okay. And what I absolutely loved is that Jeremy took all of that on himself to make Charlie feel good about it. They were two halves of a whole who fit together perfectly. It was sweet, it was romantic, it was fitting. I would’ve gladly read more of them. And aside from all of that, the main arc is in the background still, playing out. Not much is revealed in this novella in regards to that, but I cannot wait for the fourth book to get more of that, Charlie and Jeremy, and the rest of the group.
**Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review**
Jeremy is the owner of Hard Ink. He’s funny, dirty-minded, and overall a good guy. He has a deep heart that gives to those around him constantly. And he’s an open lover, seeing as he’s bi, so he doesn’t withhold himself to anyone or anything. But he’s never gotten serious about a man before. When Charlie was rescued and in need of someone to watch over him, Jeremy took over that job, becoming best friends with Charlie. The bond they create sparks something deep within Jeremy, and he wants nothing more than the open up to more with Charlie. What I love about Jeremy is that he’s the type of guy you would absolutely clamor for to be your best friend. He’s fun loving, sweet, and such a caring person. He’s the kind of guy I wish I knew in real life.
“He gave Charlie a long, deep, wet kiss. ‘Sorry just needed a taste. To tide me over.’
‘Tide you over?’ Charlie asked in a breathy voice.
‘Till next time,’ Jeremy said. ‘Because now that I’ve seen your c**k, I’m not going to be able to live without feeling it in my throat.'”
Charlie suffers from what only gay people can–not being accepted or supported by their parents. And Charlie’s dad was not approving of his sexual orientation at all. So Charlie has carried that with him, which affects the way he opens himself up to people or whether he’s willing to be openly gay–his huge fear of not being accepted basically runs his life. So when his attraction and feelings go past friendship with Jeremy, he’s scared. Scared it’ll ruin the best thing he’s ever had, and scared of being rejected (and not just by Jeremy).
“‘I would’ve endured anything if it led me to you. I thank God I’m alive, not because it freed me from those horrible men, but because it led me here. Right here.'”
What I found so intriguing about their story is that I could feel how incredibly torn in two someone would be if they’ve been rejected in their sexuality. I couldn’t imagine being torn apart for something that is born within you, and Charlie is the pure example of that. He lets it run him, and I could feel that internal struggle. I wanted to hug him, tell him I supported him, and that everything would be okay. And what I absolutely loved is that Jeremy took all of that on himself to make Charlie feel good about it. They were two halves of a whole who fit together perfectly. It was sweet, it was romantic, it was fitting. I would’ve gladly read more of them. And aside from all of that, the main arc is in the background still, playing out. Not much is revealed in this novella in regards to that, but I cannot wait for the fourth book to get more of that, Charlie and Jeremy, and the rest of the group.
**Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review**