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A review by booksafety
Hard Knox by Riley Hart
5.0
Book safety, tropes and tags down below.
I’m a sucker for the single dad trope, and this is one of my favorites.
The story touched on the difficulties of figuring out your sexuality as a middle aged man, and the troubles that can come from introducing a new partner into your kids’ lives. And even though it wasn’t smooth sailing, the book wasn’t completely angst-ridden either. I’d say it was appropriately angsty (coming from a person that can hardly stand the littlest bit of relationship angst).
«‘Sexuality isn’t cut-and-paste. It’s not the same for everyone. I think the most important question isn’t why you didn’t know, but are you okay with it now? Because that’s what matters. That’s what affects you going forward.’»
I also enjoyed the friendship between Knox and Callum. It felt real, and like they had actual chemistry both as friends and lovers. Their interactions made me smile a whole hell of a lot, which I’d say is a great indicator for a good book lol.
Kale Williams did a really good job narrating the book too. I loved the book when I read it, and I thought he only added to it.
I will most definitely read this book again. If you enjoy these tropes, I highly recommend it.
«We’d just finished a section, and he lifted his shirt to wipe the sweat off his face. Holy fuck, his abs. It took everything in me not to whimper. He ended up pulling the dark tee off and tucking it in the back pocket of his jeans. Knox’s green gaze caught mine, and I was pretty sure my cheeks reddened. [...] He smiled. ‘What?’ Oh, bless his heart. He was so oblivious. It didn’t even compute with him that he attracted me.»
Book safety!
Cheating: No. Callum’s ex cheated on him. Not on-page.
OM drama: No
Third-act breakup: Sort of. After their first kiss, they don’t really see or talk to each other for about two weeks. After they get together properly, they stay together. It’s not very angsty.
POV: 1st person, dual
Strict top/bottom or vers: No switching on-page, but Knox talks about switching in the future. I’d say the characters are versatile.
TW/CW: explicit sexual content, stitches, asthma attack, hospitalization
Tropes & tags
Single dad, age gap (11 years), bisexual awakening, nurse/handyman, makeup, divorced, small town, child with chronic illness
I’m a sucker for the single dad trope, and this is one of my favorites.
The story touched on the difficulties of figuring out your sexuality as a middle aged man, and the troubles that can come from introducing a new partner into your kids’ lives. And even though it wasn’t smooth sailing, the book wasn’t completely angst-ridden either. I’d say it was appropriately angsty (coming from a person that can hardly stand the littlest bit of relationship angst).
«‘Sexuality isn’t cut-and-paste. It’s not the same for everyone. I think the most important question isn’t why you didn’t know, but are you okay with it now? Because that’s what matters. That’s what affects you going forward.’»
I also enjoyed the friendship between Knox and Callum. It felt real, and like they had actual chemistry both as friends and lovers. Their interactions made me smile a whole hell of a lot, which I’d say is a great indicator for a good book lol.
Kale Williams did a really good job narrating the book too. I loved the book when I read it, and I thought he only added to it.
I will most definitely read this book again. If you enjoy these tropes, I highly recommend it.
«We’d just finished a section, and he lifted his shirt to wipe the sweat off his face. Holy fuck, his abs. It took everything in me not to whimper. He ended up pulling the dark tee off and tucking it in the back pocket of his jeans. Knox’s green gaze caught mine, and I was pretty sure my cheeks reddened. [...] He smiled. ‘What?’ Oh, bless his heart. He was so oblivious. It didn’t even compute with him that he attracted me.»
Book safety!
Spoiler
Cheating: No. Callum’s ex cheated on him. Not on-page.
OM drama: No
Third-act breakup: Sort of. After their first kiss, they don’t really see or talk to each other for about two weeks. After they get together properly, they stay together. It’s not very angsty.
POV: 1st person, dual
Strict top/bottom or vers: No switching on-page, but Knox talks about switching in the future. I’d say the characters are versatile.
TW/CW: explicit sexual content, stitches, asthma attack, hospitalization
Tropes & tags
Spoiler
Single dad, age gap (11 years), bisexual awakening, nurse/handyman, makeup, divorced, small town, child with chronic illness