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baueme_buecher's review against another edition
4.0
The only other work by Laura Kaye that I've read has been a novella that I really enjoyed (Hearts in Darkness), so I was looking forward to reading this one, and I'm very glad that I wasn't disappointed.
We've got the set up for a potential of many more stories in this series, so that makes me very happy! One of my favorite things about this book is that Becca doesn't take idiotic risks just to prove that she can do things on her own. She is a very capable person, but she realizes when she needs help, and she accepts that help even when it's offered after a rejection.
I'm afraid that if I share too much more I'll wind up with spoilers, but I found this to be an enjoyable story. It seems like romances set in or around tattoo parlors is a trend right now, and it was interesting how this story was also able to combine that with romantic suspense in a believable (at least by my standards!) manner.
We've got the set up for a potential of many more stories in this series, so that makes me very happy! One of my favorite things about this book is that Becca doesn't take idiotic risks just to prove that she can do things on her own. She is a very capable person, but she realizes when she needs help, and she accepts that help even when it's offered after a rejection.
I'm afraid that if I share too much more I'll wind up with spoilers, but I found this to be an enjoyable story. It seems like romances set in or around tattoo parlors is a trend right now, and it was interesting how this story was also able to combine that with romantic suspense in a believable (at least by my standards!) manner.
kimberlyquinn's review against another edition
Let's break it down:
Storyline - Not bad. There is an interesting concept here & it's somewhat unique.
Characters - The main characters are interesting and fairly well written. I actually buy into their chemistry and don't mind the insta-love in this case. The secondary characters are alright.
Writing Style - The pacing seemed a bit slow for a book with a mystery/suspense theme. It gets bogged down by details. Lots of details.
The best part - Not Tripod, or Trinity, or Shiloh, or Eileen ... oh wait, yes ... Eileen. lol! The three legged puppy, while completely irrelevant to the story, was 100% adorable ... and the journey to her name was actually rather enjoyable.
Storyline - Not bad. There is an interesting concept here & it's somewhat unique.
Characters - The main characters are interesting and fairly well written. I actually buy into their chemistry and don't mind the insta-love in this case. The secondary characters are alright.
Writing Style - The pacing seemed a bit slow for a book with a mystery/suspense theme. It gets bogged down by details. Lots of details.
The best part - Not Tripod, or Trinity, or Shiloh, or Eileen ... oh wait, yes ... Eileen. lol! The three legged puppy, while completely irrelevant to the story, was 100% adorable ... and the journey to her name was actually rather enjoyable.
bitchie's review against another edition
4.0
High 4 star read, this one. Action, good sexual tension, hot alpha males with tats, strong but not annoying heroine. Longer review to come on Booklikes.
caffeinatedreviewer's review against another edition
5.0
Hard As It Gets is a romantic suspense, with smokin’ hot ex-military men, and tattoos. Need I say may more? This is the first book in the Hard Ink series by Laura Kaye and I devoured it. With a compelling storyline, unique characters and a heated romance this tale offered the perfect read for a cold, windy night by the fire. Mini review: suspenseful, romantic and engaging.
Becca is one tough little cookie. She is a nurse and definitely the daughter of a military man. She made me giggle, as she gave these ex-military men a set down when needed. She will do whatever it takes to save her brother, and I admired her for it. Nicholas is struggling when we meet him. He was injured on his last tour in Afghanistan. A mission went south leaving him and his surviving comrades framed and forced out of the military. All of it centers on Becca’s father making this case complicated. He is attracted to this spit-fire of a woman but struggles with his own demons. Nick calls his former Special Forces, comrades when the situation heats up, and they have to face each other once again. I loved this dynamic team, and Kaye’s did a good job of giving each of them a voice. I am secretly hoping they are each fleshed out in their own book. Becca’s brother is an interesting character. He is a computer hacker who uncovers some secrets involving crime lords. Nick’s brother, co-owner and the brains behind Hard Ink is a hoot. A fur ball adds to the tale, providing humor in an intense situation.
The overall ARC for the series Hard Ink, is an intense one, and Kaye did an excellent job of providing the details and setting things up within the pages of Hard As It Gets. From the banter between this motley crew to the sexual tension between Becca and Nick, I found myself fully invested. The romance begins with physical attraction and slowly develops out of respect. Kaye teases us with some intense scenes before bringing on the heat and I found myself eager for those moments. While this reeks of insta-love, romantic suspense is a genre that lends itself to this type of romance. Kaye made it feel real and I was rooting for this couple. Some of the scenes made the pages sizzle and catch fire. Kaye didn’t skimp on the details and it was all very memorable. The dynamics of the special forces team, their banter and the way they accept Becca into the fold made the tale believable. We see growth with Nick as he faced his demons, bonded with his brother and reestablished bonds with his team. The tale wrapped up nicely, giving us a clear direction of where the tale is headed next.
Fans of military men, wicked banter, tattoos, and action-packed suspense will enjoy Hard As It Gets. The next book Hard As You Can releases in February of 2014 and features one of the special forces teammates as they continue to uncover the truth. I cannot wait to dive back into this series. Addictive and awesome, this is sure to be a winner.
Copy received from publisher in exchange for unbiased review that originally published @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer
Becca is one tough little cookie. She is a nurse and definitely the daughter of a military man. She made me giggle, as she gave these ex-military men a set down when needed. She will do whatever it takes to save her brother, and I admired her for it. Nicholas is struggling when we meet him. He was injured on his last tour in Afghanistan. A mission went south leaving him and his surviving comrades framed and forced out of the military. All of it centers on Becca’s father making this case complicated. He is attracted to this spit-fire of a woman but struggles with his own demons. Nick calls his former Special Forces, comrades when the situation heats up, and they have to face each other once again. I loved this dynamic team, and Kaye’s did a good job of giving each of them a voice. I am secretly hoping they are each fleshed out in their own book. Becca’s brother is an interesting character. He is a computer hacker who uncovers some secrets involving crime lords. Nick’s brother, co-owner and the brains behind Hard Ink is a hoot. A fur ball adds to the tale, providing humor in an intense situation.
The overall ARC for the series Hard Ink, is an intense one, and Kaye did an excellent job of providing the details and setting things up within the pages of Hard As It Gets. From the banter between this motley crew to the sexual tension between Becca and Nick, I found myself fully invested. The romance begins with physical attraction and slowly develops out of respect. Kaye teases us with some intense scenes before bringing on the heat and I found myself eager for those moments. While this reeks of insta-love, romantic suspense is a genre that lends itself to this type of romance. Kaye made it feel real and I was rooting for this couple. Some of the scenes made the pages sizzle and catch fire. Kaye didn’t skimp on the details and it was all very memorable. The dynamics of the special forces team, their banter and the way they accept Becca into the fold made the tale believable. We see growth with Nick as he faced his demons, bonded with his brother and reestablished bonds with his team. The tale wrapped up nicely, giving us a clear direction of where the tale is headed next.
Fans of military men, wicked banter, tattoos, and action-packed suspense will enjoy Hard As It Gets. The next book Hard As You Can releases in February of 2014 and features one of the special forces teammates as they continue to uncover the truth. I cannot wait to dive back into this series. Addictive and awesome, this is sure to be a winner.
Copy received from publisher in exchange for unbiased review that originally published @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer
acose5's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
Really entertaining book!
I liked the characters and the story. It is well written BUT I gave less stars merely because the character's thoughts got too repetitive. That made the story's flow just a touch too slow. And all this repetition didn't help making character's motivations clearer. That's why I hope that the next book is way more action and much less 'splaining through internal speeches :).
Might continue the series - but not right away. That alone only shows: "Hard as it gets" was good, sweet and sometimes hot but it is definitely too far from a straight WOW!
There are better romantic suspense novels out there - so, no enthused recommendation from me for this one. Maybe for the second book??? ...
Really entertaining book!
I liked the characters and the story. It is well written BUT I gave less stars merely because the character's thoughts got too repetitive. That made the story's flow just a touch too slow. And all this repetition didn't help making character's motivations clearer. That's why I hope that the next book is way more action and much less 'splaining through internal speeches :).
Might continue the series - but not right away. That alone only shows: "Hard as it gets" was good, sweet and sometimes hot but it is definitely too far from a straight WOW!
There are better romantic suspense novels out there - so, no enthused recommendation from me for this one. Maybe for the second book??? ...
bennreading's review against another edition
1.0
I really couldn't get into this one. Becca came off as needy, which was my main issue with the book. I prefer strong, independent women as the heroine. Something about the writing was off. The sentences didn't seem to flow, and the pacing was all over the place. It was as if the author was trying to give too many extra details while keeping the important plot points in the dark.
crypticcashew's review against another edition
4.0
A really good beginning to a series, I enjoyed it very much. Just the right amount of romance and intrigue to keep a reader on her toes :)
auntiedawnrocks's review against another edition
5.0
Ohmygoodness what an unexpected delight to find this new-to-me author and an engaging first book in a series. Becca's brother Charlie has gone missing but he's left her a note to seek out their late father's special forces team for help. There's romance, hot scenes, intriguing character development and hilarious moments including naming a new pet throughout. I'm very much looking forward to the next book in the series!
purplemaggie26's review against another edition
5.0
Wonderful read. You can help but fall love with these characters. Can't wait for the next book
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barbaraescreve's review against another edition
3.0
The mistery was surprisingly good, but I just didn't like Nick D: Maybe I'll like more the other guys (like Shane s2)