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jesslovelybooks's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars.
This book is full of angst, love, sex, heartbreak, second chances, and
This book is full of angst, love, sex, heartbreak, second chances, and
readfrenzy's review against another edition
4.0
Hard to Handle is book one in K. Bromberg’s new Play Hard series, which centers around four sisters trying to save their family’s sports management firm. I was pleasantly surprised by how touching it is.
First up is Dekker, the oldest sister. She is assigned to recruit Hunter, a star hockey player who also happens to be her ex-lover. Before she can convince him to sign with the company, though, she must figure out why the previously level-headed and respected captain is suddenly volatile.
Hunter was the main draw for me in this story. He’s a tormented hero – a walking emotional landmine. It’s painful to observe sometimes, but the author makes it easy to empathize with him. I just wanted to hug him throughout. Dekker is so perceptive and protective. I loved her compassionate heart. While Hunter is doggedly fixated on winning the Stanley Cup, Dekker is equally tenacious in trying to break down his walls. I enjoyed their tension, flirting, and chemistry.
There is a lot of focus on Hunter’s turbulent relationship with his parents and his brother. That’s really the heart of this story for me and what makes it so impactful, but the series is supposed to be about the four sisters. Not enough time is spent establishing their individual personalities or their relationships between each other. Hopefully, we’ll see more of that in future books. If the other books in the series are anything like Hard to Handle, I expect lots of emotion and passion.
Recommended for fans of:
Hockey
Sports romance
Second chance romance
Family drama
First up is Dekker, the oldest sister. She is assigned to recruit Hunter, a star hockey player who also happens to be her ex-lover. Before she can convince him to sign with the company, though, she must figure out why the previously level-headed and respected captain is suddenly volatile.
Hunter was the main draw for me in this story. He’s a tormented hero – a walking emotional landmine. It’s painful to observe sometimes, but the author makes it easy to empathize with him. I just wanted to hug him throughout. Dekker is so perceptive and protective. I loved her compassionate heart. While Hunter is doggedly fixated on winning the Stanley Cup, Dekker is equally tenacious in trying to break down his walls. I enjoyed their tension, flirting, and chemistry.
There is a lot of focus on Hunter’s turbulent relationship with his parents and his brother. That’s really the heart of this story for me and what makes it so impactful, but the series is supposed to be about the four sisters. Not enough time is spent establishing their individual personalities or their relationships between each other. Hopefully, we’ll see more of that in future books. If the other books in the series are anything like Hard to Handle, I expect lots of emotion and passion.
Recommended for fans of:
Hockey
Sports romance
Second chance romance
Family drama
*I received an early copy of this book to voluntarily read.*
loveyyirie's review against another edition
4.0
In another lifetime, I wish for Jonah's happily ever after.
lauren_soderberg's review against another edition
4.0
K. Bromberg’s Hard to Handle is a poignant second-chance romance set in the world of professional hockey that’ll take you places you don’t except.
When Dekker Kincaid is sent to convince professional hockey player, Hunter Maddox, to switch sports agencies, she decides to ignore their past romantic entanglement and keep her eye on the prize. Hunter has become increasingly volatile off the ice, and no one quite knows how to handle him. Except for Dekker. As it becomes painfully obvious that their chemistry never went away, they’ll have to figure out what they actually want… in life, and with each other.
This is a great sports romance and a strong start to a new series. I also love the second-chance element, as that is one of my favorite tropes. Dekker and Hunter also have a soft of enemies-to-lovers vibe which I’m totally here for. The narrative arc is surprisingly emotional, as both characters’ past traumas and scars are brought to the fore. It’s a novel that will make you feel all the feels, in the best way possible. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
When Dekker Kincaid is sent to convince professional hockey player, Hunter Maddox, to switch sports agencies, she decides to ignore their past romantic entanglement and keep her eye on the prize. Hunter has become increasingly volatile off the ice, and no one quite knows how to handle him. Except for Dekker. As it becomes painfully obvious that their chemistry never went away, they’ll have to figure out what they actually want… in life, and with each other.
This is a great sports romance and a strong start to a new series. I also love the second-chance element, as that is one of my favorite tropes. Dekker and Hunter also have a soft of enemies-to-lovers vibe which I’m totally here for. The narrative arc is surprisingly emotional, as both characters’ past traumas and scars are brought to the fore. It’s a novel that will make you feel all the feels, in the best way possible. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
xxbooksilovexx's review
5.0
My first listen by K Bromberg. I absolutely loved this story. Dekker is a sports agent & Hunter is a hotshot hockey player. Hunter has lots of emotional pain that he masks with a rough exterior. Hunter & Dekker had a fling. Dekker walked away and Hunter never forgave her for it. Fast rorward to 3 years later & Dekker's dad sends her out on the road to woo Hunter away from his current agent. Sparks begin to fly between the 2 of them. K Bromberg did an amazing job with character development. Both Hunter & Dekker have had trauma that causes them to have so many emotional layers. This book made me very emotional for both characters! I highly suggest you read/listen to Hard To Handle. Amazing Narration by Emma Wilder & Jacob Morgan!
nicki_theoverflowingbookcase's review
5.0
In order to help save the family's athlete agency, Dekker Kincade needs to solidify a big named star. Unfortunately, the one her father chooses, Hunter Maddox, is the same hockey player that Dekker has a history with. Can the sparks that the shared once help or hinder getting him to sign on the dotted line? Or will it be the secrets from his past that makes Dekker feel he is not worth the risk? The reader instantly falls in love with these characters and it is the feisty give and take between them that makes this an awesome read. Nothing better than a sexy hockey player and a sassy woman to break him. I cannot wait for more in this series.
ldooten's review
3.0
This was a hard one for me to rate, I was going between 3 or 4 stars. The writing itself is good, I had no problem getting into the story, or understanding the characters. My problem was with Hunter and Dekker together. They have history, so I understand the back story and letting the reader know what happened. But, the whole first 50% of the book is them going over and over it. She loved him even though she wasn't supposed to. He didn't deserve her, so he's a d*ck. That's the whole of their relationship for a long time. Now when they finally make it to coupledom (not sure if that's a word lol) I like them together. It was just too short of a time out of the whole book for me. This was a first for me from this author, but I definitely want to find out what happens with the next sister =)
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.