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whatkireads's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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? Yes
4.25
While Juliet and Jake weren't really my favourite couple amongst the series (probably has to do with the fact that I read this while I was on a road-trip and fighting off motion sickness), I still loved and adored them and this book was a big reunion. We got to see Fox and Molly, Gabe and Charlie, Isa and Sailor, Raj and Nayna, Mei, Harlow, Catie and Danny (wink wink)!!
BIIIIG points to how cute Esme was but again, I wish she had more of a stronger presence in the story and we got to see a lot more of Jake and Juliet taking care of Esme and just falling into a comfortable routine together (MORE!! I love seeing this)
It's a messy situation to fall in love with your deceased girlfriend's best friend, but Nalini Singh has a way of making the healthiest relationships and situations and the fact that this was the cleanest established relationship considering the context.
BIIIIG points to how cute Esme was but again, I wish she had more of a stronger presence in the story and we got to see a lot more of Jake and Juliet taking care of Esme and just falling into a comfortable routine together (MORE!! I love seeing this)
It's a messy situation to fall in love with your deceased girlfriend's best friend, but Nalini Singh has a way of making the healthiest relationships and situations and the fact that this was the cleanest established relationship considering the context.
franb_42's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
jax10124's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I liked that we finally got a rugby one! But there are some minor in this book that niggled at me. Namely, that a 6yo girl is highly unlikely to still be napping lol - but otherwise it was cute!
amym84's review
4.0
Jake Esera was a teenage father, and in practically the same breath his childhood sweetheart, and mother of his daughter, died. Since then, he's worked hard to create and safe and stable life for himself and his daughter getting support from his family. So when his high school nemesis Juliet Nelisi walks back into his life, he's prepared for trouble to come following. What he isn't prepared for is the attraction. Not only did Jake and Juliet not get along in high school, but she was also best friends with his aforementioned girlfriend.
Juliet Nelisi likes her life being a little wild. Maybe not getting in trouble, going to detention everyday kind of wild anymore, but she loves life, and is fiercely loyal to those she calls friends. Running into Jake brought back a lot of memories, but mainly she's thrown by the zing of chemistry between them. But Juliet knows that despite being a famous rugby player, Jake doesn't court fame. Unfortunately, Juliet's ex-husband continually draws her back into the spotlight in order to remain relevant himself, and Juliet can't imaging dragging Jake and his daughter into the media frenzy as well. But sometimes attraction is too strong to hold off.
When we first encountered Jake way back when in his brother Gabriel's story [b:Rock Hard|23514316|Rock Hard (Rock Kiss, #2)|Nalini Singh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1423588812l/23514316._SX50_.jpg|43117391], I was interested in this young, single father's story, and wanted to see him get his HEA. The beginning of the book starts out with Gabriel and Charlotte's wedding, and with a cameo from Molly and Fox from [b:Rock Addiction|22839846|Rock Addiction (Rock Kiss, #1)|Nalini Singh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1408109387l/22839846._SX50_.jpg|42396239], I was thrown by how far we've come in this series and it's technical spin-offs. I like that Nalini Singh worked in various cameos in a nod to where we've been in the series, but only the ones that made sense of course.
I've really enjoyed seeing the Bishop-Esera family. Seeing their closeness and their family dynamic throughout the various books has definitely been a highlight. This time around it's contrasted with Juliet's lack of family. When she was younger her parents died in an accident and she was raised (begrudgingly) by her aunt, and then later by her grandparents who weren't ones to show open affection. So to be thrown into the Esera clan was very eye-opening for her. I loved seeing the moments where she was caught off guard with their kindness and acceptance.
I also liked the fact that this isn't a simple enemies-to-lovers story. It's not a my best friend's ex story either. It kind of blends aspects of those two together, but I feel like it's certainly it's own kind of love story. Because Jake's life was undeniably altered the day Callie - his girlfriend and mother of his child - died. He knows that they were young and he doesn't make any declarations about how they were meant to be together forever, he doesn't put her on a pedestal except for the fact that he doesn't ever want to lose someone he cares about ever again. So he becomes serious and staid. He keeps things close to his chest and while not pushing people away he doesn't let them in either. Then Juliet comes along a link to his past, yet they've both grown enough that it's like a new adventure being with her. I love the acknowledgement of the past, but the fact that his heart isn't clinging to what once was, more he tries to control aspects of his life to guarantee good outcomes.
Both Juliet and Jake are loyal to their people. But, especially in Juliet's case, it's like they don't expect people to be loyal back. So I loved seeing Juliet learn that Jake is someone that she can count on, someone who will be there for her. Not because a woman necessarily can't get things done on their own, Juliet has made her own successes for sure, but because inherently we, as people, all need that connection with others. I think it's a really sweet and beautiful aspect to their story.
I will always read a Nalini Singh, no questions, no hesitations. There's just one more Esera brother left, the youngest Danny. I know who I'm hoping Nalini pairs him with, but regardless I'll be there all the same whenever it's released.
Juliet Nelisi likes her life being a little wild. Maybe not getting in trouble, going to detention everyday kind of wild anymore, but she loves life, and is fiercely loyal to those she calls friends. Running into Jake brought back a lot of memories, but mainly she's thrown by the zing of chemistry between them. But Juliet knows that despite being a famous rugby player, Jake doesn't court fame. Unfortunately, Juliet's ex-husband continually draws her back into the spotlight in order to remain relevant himself, and Juliet can't imaging dragging Jake and his daughter into the media frenzy as well. But sometimes attraction is too strong to hold off.
When we first encountered Jake way back when in his brother Gabriel's story [b:Rock Hard|23514316|Rock Hard (Rock Kiss, #2)|Nalini Singh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1423588812l/23514316._SX50_.jpg|43117391], I was interested in this young, single father's story, and wanted to see him get his HEA. The beginning of the book starts out with Gabriel and Charlotte's wedding, and with a cameo from Molly and Fox from [b:Rock Addiction|22839846|Rock Addiction (Rock Kiss, #1)|Nalini Singh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1408109387l/22839846._SX50_.jpg|42396239], I was thrown by how far we've come in this series and it's technical spin-offs. I like that Nalini Singh worked in various cameos in a nod to where we've been in the series, but only the ones that made sense of course.
I've really enjoyed seeing the Bishop-Esera family. Seeing their closeness and their family dynamic throughout the various books has definitely been a highlight. This time around it's contrasted with Juliet's lack of family. When she was younger her parents died in an accident and she was raised (begrudgingly) by her aunt, and then later by her grandparents who weren't ones to show open affection. So to be thrown into the Esera clan was very eye-opening for her. I loved seeing the moments where she was caught off guard with their kindness and acceptance.
I also liked the fact that this isn't a simple enemies-to-lovers story. It's not a my best friend's ex story either. It kind of blends aspects of those two together, but I feel like it's certainly it's own kind of love story. Because Jake's life was undeniably altered the day Callie - his girlfriend and mother of his child - died. He knows that they were young and he doesn't make any declarations about how they were meant to be together forever, he doesn't put her on a pedestal except for the fact that he doesn't ever want to lose someone he cares about ever again. So he becomes serious and staid. He keeps things close to his chest and while not pushing people away he doesn't let them in either. Then Juliet comes along a link to his past, yet they've both grown enough that it's like a new adventure being with her. I love the acknowledgement of the past, but the fact that his heart isn't clinging to what once was, more he tries to control aspects of his life to guarantee good outcomes.
Both Juliet and Jake are loyal to their people. But, especially in Juliet's case, it's like they don't expect people to be loyal back. So I loved seeing Juliet learn that Jake is someone that she can count on, someone who will be there for her. Not because a woman necessarily can't get things done on their own, Juliet has made her own successes for sure, but because inherently we, as people, all need that connection with others. I think it's a really sweet and beautiful aspect to their story.
I will always read a Nalini Singh, no questions, no hesitations. There's just one more Esera brother left, the youngest Danny. I know who I'm hoping Nalini pairs him with, but regardless I'll be there all the same whenever it's released.
deevee_sunflower's review
I just didn't find it engaging from the outset. I may return back to this with a different mindset and will enjoy it then.
fhicks's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
indecisivesailorscout's review against another edition
5.0
UGH THIS WAS SO PERFECT AND SWEET AND I TOTALLY TEARED UP MORE THAN ONCE I LOVE THESE BOOOYYYYSSSS
booksplantsandtea's review against another edition
5.0
I'm feeling all the feels.
This book has me contemplating a lot of things, like how written words can evoke such strong feelings of warmth, love and wishful thinking. From the very beginning, I've been reading Love Hard wishing that one day, I'll find a man like Jake to be my life partner and baby daddy, to love me fully and be my rock. I've been slowly falling in love with Jake and his daughter, and with the way Jake is treating Juliet, all while still honoring Calypso. I've been looking up to the pure strength that radiates off of Juliet I've been warmed by the support both Jake and Callie have and get from their family, be it blood or chosen. How they all have each others back's, no matter what. And last but not least, I've been falling in love with Jake and Juliet falling in love. All in all, Love Hard is a beautiful rollercoaster of emotions that only keeps on giving. In the end, your heart could burst from warmth and love for this couple.
And it doesn't end there. Seeing as a lot of characters from previous books make an appearance, it has made me go down memory lane. Thinking about how lucky I was to be given the chance to review Rock Addiction by Nalini and consequently, every other book in the Rock Kiss series, I've been having a strong case of nostalgia. For that, I thank you with all my heart, Nalini. You have made this girl very lucky and very happy!
This book has me contemplating a lot of things, like how written words can evoke such strong feelings of warmth, love and wishful thinking. From the very beginning, I've been reading Love Hard wishing that one day, I'll find a man like Jake to be my life partner and baby daddy, to love me fully and be my rock. I've been slowly falling in love with Jake and his daughter, and with the way Jake is treating Juliet, all while still honoring Calypso. I've been looking up to the pure strength that radiates off of Juliet
Spoiler
, and admiring her leap of faith to try and make it work with Jake, which wouldn't have been an easy thing to do given her history.And it doesn't end there. Seeing as a lot of characters from previous books make an appearance, it has made me go down memory lane. Thinking about how lucky I was to be given the chance to review Rock Addiction by Nalini and consequently, every other book in the Rock Kiss series, I've been having a strong case of nostalgia. For that, I thank you with all my heart, Nalini. You have made this girl very lucky and very happy!