This for me was a odd story. I didn't like the sister/PR and Connor's weird relationship. It seemed weird that Connor would let his sister be so controlling. It made a very weird story.

3.75⭐
This is the first book I've read in the Locker Room series. But it made no difference to the story. As it was easy to follow and the characters were pretty engaging and likable. Except for Connor's sister Sophia. Who was really awful. And the actual storyline easily held my interest. Not to mention there was plenty of hot moments and just enough family drama and angst to keep me reading and I would happily recommend it to others.

Gia and Connor shared a kiss on New Year’s Eve, but nothing came of it despite them both wanting more. Gia is a publicist for his team and he has an issue with her profession. But with Gia tasked with promoting Connor, they are forced to work together, and ignoring their attraction is proving difficult for both of them.
This is a cute read. I liked Gia and Connor together and their hot chemistry. But I found Connor and his opinions about Gia’s job a little over the top. For me Hard and fast is an ok ok read.

Secret "office" romances can be delicious and fun and this one does exactly that. The story is layered perfectly with sexual tension, forbidden desire, fear, pain and utter satisfaction. The characters are relatable, interesting and entertaining. I have quickly fallen hard and fast for Kathy Lyons stories.

Good story, likeable characters and a good pace. Very enjoyable.

The two key characters are very real and I really wanted them to have their HEA.

I found the end of the book unsatisfactory really, it was a bit rushed. I just didn’t believe that the police would share with her sister but not the brother esp given his high profile. That just would not have happened he was at risk too.

Connor and dGia heat up the pages and I just love them. Their story is not only sexy but full of romance. Loved it!

I was pleasantly surprised at the intricate plot of this story. It was supremely well developed. The characters of Gia and Connor had a wealth of depth in expression, emotions and feelings. The sub plot of the family issues with Sophia and Cassie which included a little mystery just added to the allure and drama of the book. The HEA achieved by Gia and Connor was hard fought and well won.

This one is a 3.5 for me. I’m chalking it up to a meh. Connor is a huge Judgey McJudgerson pants. Oh and his sister Sophia, she is a straight up ahole. She needs a swift kick to the bajinga. I think my huge dislike for Sophia made me not enjoy the book so much. But hey, that’s some good writing to get someone to loath a pretend person!

2.5 stars

After reading another book in the Locker Room Diaries series, I was looking forward to Connor's story.

I really liked Gia. She's smart, capable, and good at her job. Connor frustrated me as a character, and though he does grow and change some I wish we could have seen more from him.

The pacing of the plot was uneven, but the further I read the more I enjoyed it. Especially as the author let us get to know Gia better.

Overall a nice entry into the series, but not quite what I had hoped for.

Drama, drama, drama! All the angst that keeps you twisting and turning those pages! Book two in this baseball series and Kathy knocked this right out of the park! Yowza! This is Connor and Gia's story.
Now Gia drove me absolutely bonkers in the first book, but here we see a different side of her and her backstory is something you must read. She's spectacular in her role as PR for the team. She and Conner happened to share a New Years Eve kiss a year ago that was promptly broken up by his overbearing, obnoxious sister who... you have to read the book to fully comprehend the dynamics in Connor's family. Connor is catcher for the team, his knees have seen better days and he's stepping up his batting so he can keep playing ball. Connor has a serious disdain for the press, media and anything related to that. Including public relations. Gia has bailed his backside out of multiple uncomfortable places with the press more than once, as well as run interference with the rest of the team. Imagine if you will babysitting a large group of grown men who act like boys. Her job is to spin the story, wipe things clean, and crank out good press. Connor is totally taken with Gia but hates her job. These two start a seriously steamy relationship which is precarious at times, he's got his own backstory, his sisters and then there's Gia and his future. All of which Connor worries about. I loved Gia is this story. What a strong character she is and Connor, for all his skewed views on things, I loved him too. The road for these two takes a couple u-turns and sharp s curves, thanks to Connor.
What a great story to watch unfold and when I put down my reader I'd think about the story and wonder why.... yep. That's what a great story does, makes you think about it after you put it down.
Well done Kathy, well done. It's a must read.

arc from Net Galley and Entangled for an honest review

Hard and Fast by Kathy Lyons a sublime five-star read that wasn’t hard to read but was a fast read. Pro Veteran Connor Hart is a great man and he is feeling every day of his many years, and they aren’t that many but for a professional ball player who catches for a living means he has had a hard time in his many years. He’s a man who works hard and shows the younger players how to behave, he has a lot to keep him in order and knows what he wants, but as always you can’t always have what you want, sadly for him he has a sister he doesn’t want to upset and a boss he also doesn’t want to upset. But one kiss and one woman may change all of that, this is a story of romance and drama and will have you turning the pages to the next one with a smile on your face.

Definitely mixed feelings. 3.5 stars
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I had a hard time coming to the right rating for this book, There are so many factors that went into picking the right star. So I am taking the 3.5 star rating which is an "I like it" according to GoodReads.

Gia - I wanted to like this chick but sadly she annoyed me so much! I hate that she feels she has to be in everyone's business and no privacy is allowed, especially when it comes to Connor's family and history. I had real issues with this. I hated when she would grill him about his personal life when clearly it was not her business. I would have thrown her ass out. Plus, she broke his confidence several times. Not cool.

Conner- He could be a jerk and several times he was rude and treated her like a piece of ass. But she kept coming back for it too, so that is on her just as much. He also cared for her deeply but couldn't face up to it because of his screwed family.

The story - was unique and interesting for the most part. A few good twists and a sister you will HATE! ugh!

The sex - off the charts. Actually saved the book for me.

Overall - a good read and Conner.... he is yummy, but can still be a jerk.... sigh

Nothing is perfect.

Hard and Fast is Connor and Gia’s story. Connor is his team’s aging catcher with knee issues, and Gia is the team’s publicist. They are both carrying around more emotional baggage than most - Gia due to her early life on the streets with a drug-addict mother and Connor due to his efforts to protect an emotionally-fragile younger sister from a psychotic older sister. The characters are well developed and easy to root for. This is the third book in a series, but can easily stand alone. It was fun to read about a fictional team in my hometown.

Pro catcher Connor Hart has a simple plan in place to keep his life drama free, you don't mix work life with your personal life, but that is easier said then done when he meets the teams newest publicist Gia Kubic. She is about the last person he expected to walk through the door, they have history, the very heated kind, and he is certain that if he gets too close that aforementioned heat could come back and bite him where the sun doesn't shine, and also shake his focus on the game. So the plan is simple, avoid her at all costs, but unfortunately for him love doesn't always abide by the rules or the pesky plans you make!

Gia Kubic has a job that most women would die to have, she works side by side with the players on the team, and helps them create an image that draws the fans in, and scores bonus points with the ladies! Most of the guys seem pretty receptive to what she has in mind for them, but there is one certain guy on the team that keeps giving her the run around, and just so happens to be the one that curls her very own toes, the veteran catch Connor Hart. She thought working with him would be easy, but for some reason he keeps trying to avoid her like she's got a case of the plaugue and doesn't seem to want to cooperate, the man has his walls up and isn't talking... but unfortunately for him she is good at what she does, and she is determined to knock those walls down!

Hard and Fast is a dramatic little page-turner that is certain to score serious points with sports romance readers, within it's pages lies a steamy contemporary romance story that is certain to curl the toes, and bring on a case of the feels! I really enjoyed this one, you give me a story with sports involved and my interest is instantly peaked, then you add in a sexy brooding alpha and I am totally in! This one did not disappoint, I found the sports theme I craved, a sexy athlete who inspired the swoons, and a feisty heroine who kept him on his toes, and kept me laughing, and in my book that makes it was a total win! Highly recommend this one, it will keep you enthralled from start to finish!

I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, via NetGalley, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.

Privacy and family have always been in the forefront of Connor's mind. Whether he is behind the plate or out in public he has kept his secrets close to his chest. But one kiss on New Year's Eve with Gia, a publicist for the baseball team, knocks Connor for a loop. Will Gia be the one to break down the barriers and allow Connor to get a HEA? Or will she open his heart and trample it into pieces? I absolutely loved these characters and the storyline had more twist and turns than a roller coaster. I was locked in from the opening pages and did not want the story to end. Nothing better than baseball and romance!!

This book was ok, We meet Gia and Connor who had a kiss two years earlier and due to the demands of their job and just life nothing was ever pursued. Now Gia is hired to work for Connor's baseball team. I wasn't crazy of Connor he annoyed me and his sister was a piece of work. I did like Gia and thought she was a pretty strong woman given her background but she was a little too forgiving of Connor, I would have made him sweat a bit.

First book I have read by this author and I really enjoyed it. I didn't know this was part of a series but will be reading the rest of the books.

A fast paced read - Connor is a baseball star and Gia is the clubs PR. They kissed at a party before she started the job at the club - but now she is a colleague she is off limits. Then one day they just can't deny the attraction anymore.

Kathy Lyons finally gives readers Connor and Gia’s story. This couple met in a previous book, but Connor was dedicated to his career and family obligations, so put his attraction to Gia on hold. Connor would never have expected this stunning woman to end up the team’s publicist and forever in his path.

Hard and Fast is a great story about love and attraction and the obstacles that are sometimes thrown in your way and impossible to avoid. This is not a story for the faint hearted as the sex id off the charts! But why wouldn’t it be, with the super sexy Connor leading the way? I really enjoyed this story and the character portrayals were likeable and real. I’m looking forward to more fabulous stories from Ms Lyons in the future.

I am a big baseball fan and I was excited to read this story about Connor, the hot back catcher for a Major League Baseball team!. The story of Connor and Gia began months earlier when they shared an amazing kiss at a New Year's Eve party. Connor had to remain focused on his game and his family and chose not to persue the attraction to the beautiful Gia. But then Gia became the Publicist for the team! How could they continue to resist one another when the attraction was so strong and they work so closely together?? I really enjoyed the background stories to both of these characters, they each have interesting and complicated pasts. It was a great journey to go on and feel their attraction and love unfold with a lot of drama and secrets along the way. And the sex scenes! Woah! Hot!! Connor is definitely someone to lust after! This is a great read for a romance junkie like myself. I look forward to reading more from Kathy Lyons.

Hard and Fast, has a lot of drama in it. And yes I loved it. Connor shows just how human he is by judging people for their flaws, but yet over looking his own. Gia has to walk a very fine line. She wants to help him, but what will help him could also hurt him too. To me Gia is the star of this book. She is there for everyone, no matter how hurt she is at the time or how undeserving that person might be.