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caseroo7's review against another edition
4.0
Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick
I will admit that I took one look at this sexy cover and decided I wanted to read this book. I hadn't even read the blurb yet when I knew that I was interested, but after reading it I knew this story was going to be good. I definitely was not disappointed with Hard As It Gets, and I really enjoyed reading this one. I thought that this was a great way to start this series, and I already cannot wait to read the next one.
Becca's brother goes missing and the only clue she has is from her brother telling her to find Nick Rixey. Becca goes to Hard Ink and finds Rixey only for him to turn her away. After a few days of keeping an eye on her though, Nick quickly figures out that something isn't right and could very well have something to do with the disaster that forced him to leave the Army. Rixey begins to help Becca look for her brother Charlie and hopes that along the way he can get to the bottom of everything that happened. He enlists the help of what is left of his team, and they begin to work together. As Becca and Rixey search for Charlie, things between them begin to heat up. But there is more than just attraction growing between them, and the more that Rixey gets to know Becca the deeper their feelings become. Can they find Charlie and get the answers that Nick and his team have been searching for? Can Becca and Rixey make it out of this dangerous situation they have found themselves in and be together?
I loved Nick Rixey. He was sexy and a total tattooed alpha, but he was also really sweet and caring. I loved how he really wanted to take care of Becca and be protective of her, but he also didn't baby her. He really let her be herself and made sure that he didn't shut her out of what was going on. He was also a really great friend. Even though he had made some bad decisions and there was a lot of tension between the members of his team, he really cared about them and the trust and camaraderie was easy to see. I also really liked Becca. I liked that she was tough and strong, definitely not your typical shrinking violet type of heroine. She wasn't afraid to risk everything for those she cared about, and it was clear to see how much she really loved her family. Even though she was very insightful about what Nick was feeling and going through, she made it a point to never bring up anything in front of others so that he wouldn't be upset or embarrassed. I thought that spoke volumes about her character and how much she really thought of Nick. Their connection was so real and believable. I was surprised just how strong their connection was in such a short period of time, but I never once questioned it. They were just naturally a perfect fit for each other in every way. They were a great balance to each other, and they had amazing chemistry! These two really generated a ton of steam, and their sex was very hot!
Overall, I thought that this one was a great read! I loved that as the first book in this series we got to meet all the players and set everything up, but that we also got a really great romance out of it as well. I thought that Laura Kaye did a great job of answering some of our questions, but also of making us ask more. She didn't leave this on a huge cliffhanger, but was able to leave us with unanswered questions and wanting more. I really enjoyed the guys from the team and I thought that their interactions with Becca and Rixey were definitely some of the high points of this book. I cannot wait to get more of them as this series progresses. I also really liked Jeremy, Jess and am curious to get to know more about Charlie. I did feel as though the first few chapters and a few other parts of the story moved a little slowly for my liking, and that is what kept me from rating this one higher. I did however keep reading despite that, and I am so glad that I did. If you are looking for a book with suspense and romance featuring some hot tattooed guys, this is definitely one you won't want to miss. I am anxiously awaiting the next book in the Hard Ink Series which is Hard As You Can. This one will be Shane's story, and I cannot wait to get to know him better!
**ARC provided by Publisher**
I will admit that I took one look at this sexy cover and decided I wanted to read this book. I hadn't even read the blurb yet when I knew that I was interested, but after reading it I knew this story was going to be good. I definitely was not disappointed with Hard As It Gets, and I really enjoyed reading this one. I thought that this was a great way to start this series, and I already cannot wait to read the next one.
Becca's brother goes missing and the only clue she has is from her brother telling her to find Nick Rixey. Becca goes to Hard Ink and finds Rixey only for him to turn her away. After a few days of keeping an eye on her though, Nick quickly figures out that something isn't right and could very well have something to do with the disaster that forced him to leave the Army. Rixey begins to help Becca look for her brother Charlie and hopes that along the way he can get to the bottom of everything that happened. He enlists the help of what is left of his team, and they begin to work together. As Becca and Rixey search for Charlie, things between them begin to heat up. But there is more than just attraction growing between them, and the more that Rixey gets to know Becca the deeper their feelings become. Can they find Charlie and get the answers that Nick and his team have been searching for? Can Becca and Rixey make it out of this dangerous situation they have found themselves in and be together?
I loved Nick Rixey. He was sexy and a total tattooed alpha, but he was also really sweet and caring. I loved how he really wanted to take care of Becca and be protective of her, but he also didn't baby her. He really let her be herself and made sure that he didn't shut her out of what was going on. He was also a really great friend. Even though he had made some bad decisions and there was a lot of tension between the members of his team, he really cared about them and the trust and camaraderie was easy to see. I also really liked Becca. I liked that she was tough and strong, definitely not your typical shrinking violet type of heroine. She wasn't afraid to risk everything for those she cared about, and it was clear to see how much she really loved her family. Even though she was very insightful about what Nick was feeling and going through, she made it a point to never bring up anything in front of others so that he wouldn't be upset or embarrassed. I thought that spoke volumes about her character and how much she really thought of Nick. Their connection was so real and believable. I was surprised just how strong their connection was in such a short period of time, but I never once questioned it. They were just naturally a perfect fit for each other in every way. They were a great balance to each other, and they had amazing chemistry! These two really generated a ton of steam, and their sex was very hot!
Overall, I thought that this one was a great read! I loved that as the first book in this series we got to meet all the players and set everything up, but that we also got a really great romance out of it as well. I thought that Laura Kaye did a great job of answering some of our questions, but also of making us ask more. She didn't leave this on a huge cliffhanger, but was able to leave us with unanswered questions and wanting more. I really enjoyed the guys from the team and I thought that their interactions with Becca and Rixey were definitely some of the high points of this book. I cannot wait to get more of them as this series progresses. I also really liked Jeremy, Jess and am curious to get to know more about Charlie. I did feel as though the first few chapters and a few other parts of the story moved a little slowly for my liking, and that is what kept me from rating this one higher. I did however keep reading despite that, and I am so glad that I did. If you are looking for a book with suspense and romance featuring some hot tattooed guys, this is definitely one you won't want to miss. I am anxiously awaiting the next book in the Hard Ink Series which is Hard As You Can. This one will be Shane's story, and I cannot wait to get to know him better!
**ARC provided by Publisher**
jendarle's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
jje121579's review against another edition
5.0
Wonderful start to a new series
Laura created another series I can’t put down. Nick and his army brothers have scars and baggage, but I can see their futures will work out. Becca is a woman after my own heart, resilient and determined. No shrinking violet here. The overarching mystery is a big draw for me too. Can’t wait to see what’s really going on.
Laura created another series I can’t put down. Nick and his army brothers have scars and baggage, but I can see their futures will work out. Becca is a woman after my own heart, resilient and determined. No shrinking violet here. The overarching mystery is a big draw for me too. Can’t wait to see what’s really going on.
kate_and_books's review against another edition
4.0
So if I wasn't a Laura Kaye fan before this book (which btw I was) then I would be now after this book. Heart of Darkness is one of my favorites (but I won't get into that right now)
Becca Merritt is in desperate need of help her brother Charlie is missing and he is the only family that she has left. Charlie is in trouble and sends Becca her poster of going to Hard Ink and asking Nick Rixey for help. Becca is nervous and well bites the bullet and goes to ask for help. Becca is the girl next door.
Nick Rixey was Special Forces Op and worked with Becca's father and he and his comrades were betrayed leaving the remaining 5 with the option of either going to Leavenworth or a mark of their record and being discharged. They choose the second option - understandable. Nick or Rixey refuses to help Becca but Becca is the sunshine in his life and can't but help her in her situation. Things develop between them and Becca finds out the truth in the end. My favorite part is when Becca finds the three legged dog. Laura Kaye has done a top notch job with the characters and the development of the characters and introducing the rest of Rixey's team. There is depth and an amazing plot to the story. So me this is worth 4 tattoo guns!!! I can't wait for the next installment but it comes out in 2014 which is just plain rubbish please hurry up Ms. Kaye as I need my fix.
Becca Merritt is in desperate need of help her brother Charlie is missing and he is the only family that she has left. Charlie is in trouble and sends Becca her poster of going to Hard Ink and asking Nick Rixey for help. Becca is nervous and well bites the bullet and goes to ask for help. Becca is the girl next door.
Nick Rixey was Special Forces Op and worked with Becca's father and he and his comrades were betrayed leaving the remaining 5 with the option of either going to Leavenworth or a mark of their record and being discharged. They choose the second option - understandable. Nick or Rixey refuses to help Becca but Becca is the sunshine in his life and can't but help her in her situation. Things develop between them and Becca finds out the truth in the end. My favorite part is when Becca finds the three legged dog. Laura Kaye has done a top notch job with the characters and the development of the characters and introducing the rest of Rixey's team. There is depth and an amazing plot to the story. So me this is worth 4 tattoo guns!!! I can't wait for the next installment but it comes out in 2014 which is just plain rubbish please hurry up Ms. Kaye as I need my fix.
amandas_reading_corner's review against another edition
5.0
This story of Becca & Nick is so entrancing that it was VERY hard to put this book down. I LOVE how something as simple, well not really simple, as a mission to help her has brought Nick Rixey to his knees. Cannot wait for more!!
rachelslacey's review against another edition
5.0
So good! I think Laura Kaye has become one of my new favorites. I loved this book and the setup for the series. It was hot, the suspense was great, and I totally swooned for the hero, Nick Rixey. I loved watching him fall for Becca, the daughter of his former commanding officer, and oh boy, were there a lot of obstacles in their way. Throw in a 3-legged rescue pup, and I'm 100% sold. Can't wait to dive into book 2!
laurenm2111's review against another edition
5.0
Love this book - seems like it will be a wonderful series. It combines hot army men and tattoo artists - what else do you need?
Looking forward to Shane's story next year !!
Looking forward to Shane's story next year !!
mccorbin's review against another edition
5.0
Holy crap, I wanna marry Nick Rixey and I want to be best friends with all of his military boys. That was just a side note, sorry.
I found myself completely engaged throughout the entire story that Kaye has so wonderfully written. There is not a moment where I found myself thinking, “When are we going to get to the good part?” Every second was filled with either drama, suspense, humor, or action; you can’t beat that!
I immediately loved Becca’s character because she was so strong. I mean, of course she was adorable, witty, and intelligent but in this plot line, Kaye wrote such Becca so strong that it was amazing to read. Granted, Becca had her breakdown moments, but who wouldn’t? 99% of the time, she held her head high, asked the right questions, and rocked the situation she was thrown in.
How Becca handled everything so well probably was because she paired up with Nick for his help and I could go on for hours about Nick. He was so perfect so I am just going to leave it at that.
While there is this beautiful attraction between the two, it is not the basis for the story. There is actually a very hard-core story line that sucked me in and took me hostage from the first page.
I cannot wait to read about Shane next. In fact, I’m going to start right now.
I found myself completely engaged throughout the entire story that Kaye has so wonderfully written. There is not a moment where I found myself thinking, “When are we going to get to the good part?” Every second was filled with either drama, suspense, humor, or action; you can’t beat that!
I immediately loved Becca’s character because she was so strong. I mean, of course she was adorable, witty, and intelligent but in this plot line, Kaye wrote such Becca so strong that it was amazing to read. Granted, Becca had her breakdown moments, but who wouldn’t? 99% of the time, she held her head high, asked the right questions, and rocked the situation she was thrown in.
How Becca handled everything so well probably was because she paired up with Nick for his help and I could go on for hours about Nick. He was so perfect so I am just going to leave it at that.
While there is this beautiful attraction between the two, it is not the basis for the story. There is actually a very hard-core story line that sucked me in and took me hostage from the first page.
I cannot wait to read about Shane next. In fact, I’m going to start right now.
jetenold's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it! Great beginning to a new series, with romance and intrigue. Am super interested to see where the arc of this series is going to go and can't wait to see all of them matched up:) Anxiously awaiting the next one!
ashkwtf's review against another edition
I'm having a hard time with this. The narration from Nick/Rixey's POV is just weird. It switches back and forth between his first and last name randomly and uses it when a pronoun would feel less awkward. I've already put this book down twice to read another book, so it's not looking good.