OMG, I absolutely and completely adore Jake!!! This book was everything I hoped it would be from the first time Jake walked onto the page.
He is strong, sexy, and protective - totally swoonworthy. Seeing him with Esme and Jules is just fabulous. Doesn’t mean he isn’t also a man aka an idiot at times. I loved the tension between him and Jules and the way they so perfectly complement each other.
If you read one contemporary romance this year make it Love Hard!
I now have to go and re-read Gabe and Charlotte’s story - seeing their fabulous wedding was wonderful!

OMG, another instant favourite. I love the Esera clan and all their ladies - but Jacob is a special kind of hero. His patience and forethought makes him the kind of steady and loyal partner that melts hearts, while being steamy enough to sigh over. I was worried about the "superstar single Dad" angle when I started - a lot of romances use the kids as a catalyst for drama and I hate that …. Jake earned my heart by being smart enough to care for his daughter AND his woman, without putting himself in a situation where he had to choose. Imagine, a man that plans. A man that you can rely on having everyone's backs and not letting you down. Loyalty and smarts and underwear-model hots!! SWOON! Juliet as well - she knows the reputation she's accidentally fallen into and is selfless enough to worry over Esme and the impact on Jake's career. She had a hard shell and a squishy heart and Ms Singh wrote her perfectly - a toughie with bite, looking to find that guy who wouldn't let her down. A career woman who (through hard times) learned her worth and owned it. Everyone in this story was endearing and empathetic and I was sad when it was over. I'm so looking forward to Danny's book - but hopefully his won't be the last? Mei? Ahora? I love these ladies and their leading men!!

Is it hot in here? I feel like it's hot in here... That was me, while reading Love Hard, because oh my goodness, that was HOT!
I loved Jake and Jules, and how they were both afraid to even hope. The way they thought they despised each other, but have that incredible chemistry that was right there from the beginning.
Singh's writing was extremely well done as usual, and I loved how all the characters from this contemporary series were present for parts of Jake and Jules' story.
Also, I loved that the rugby was so present! Both my daughters have started playing rugby this year, and my oldest's boyfriend is a rugby-player too. And just after I had finished reading, they asked me if I understood any of the rules, and I could finally say yes.

Jacob Esera is a single dad and rugby player. The mother of his daughter died from a sudden illness when they were both still teenagers, since then he's become even more serious and protective.

His polar opposite is Juliet Nelisi, a former class mate and BFF to his dead girlfriend, she was wild and bad and the two of them have never liked each other. Brought together by the marriage of his brother and her friend the barbs are flying but underneath there is an unwelcome attraction.

This hit so many of my favourite tropes: sports-romance; single parent romance; enemies to lovers; New Zealand rugby players; bad girl and good boy ... the list goes on.

It wasn't all plain sailing, I haven't read the previous books in this series, or the Rock Kiss series from which I believe this is a spin -off, consequently I felt I was in character overload at the start of the book as couple after couple are introduced as if I should know who they were (and of course I expect I would do if I had read the other books). Also, there seemed to be a lot of thigh clenching every time Juliet sees Jake which was not only monotonous but also slightly yucky. Anyway, I persevered and honestly once the wedding was over the book settled down into a charming, sexy romance.

I loved Jake, such a great dad, brother, family man, rugby player and all-round good guy. Juliet was the ying to his yang, she's had a hard life, an orphan brought up by an aunt and then strict grandparents, she's come out of a relationship with a New Zealand cricketer which put her in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. She's envious of Jake's large and warm family.

Overall, I loved this book and now I'm going back to read the previous books in the series.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

This novel will definitely work better for readers familiar with the Rock Kiss series and the previous two stories in this series. The first 25% of the novel concerns Charlotte and Gabriel's wedding, where the hero and heroine of this book (Jacob and Juliet) meet again, after having gone to high school together. The wedding brings many many characters from earlier instalments together so the reader can catch up with them and their romances. A family tree would have been handy.

The writing is very much more telling than showing in places, with the narrator explaining in minute detail the state of mind of the protagonists. My other quibble is that it did seem a little weird/icky when Jacob and Juliet discussed Jacob's teenage relationship with the now dead Calypso, who had been Juliet's best friend back in high school.

Other than that... I enjoyed this novel, which was a quick read. Esme, Jacob and Calypso's daughter, was a fairly realistically drawn child. I appreciated the fact that Jacob and Juliet dealt with obstacles to their relationship in a mature and co-operative way - no big misunderstandings. The New Zealand setting was perhaps not as strong as I thought it was going to be, apart from the obsession with rugby.

I like the story of Jake and Jules, it was not a "usual one" and in a way, even the Insta-Love was justified because they have known each other since forever. I appreciate knowing a little bit more about New Zeland and the world of rugby also. Looking forward to Denny`s story!

La storia di Jake e Jules mi é piaciuta, perché le premesse non erano le solite e anche se, in un certo senso il loro é stato un amore molto "rapido", in qualche modo era giustificato dal fatto che si conoscessero "da sempre". Inoltre la vita in Auckland é interessante cosí come la Nuova Zelanda e il mondo del Rugby, che ignoro quasi completamente. Non vedo l'ora che esca la storia di Denny!

THANKS NETGALLEY FOR THE PREVIEW!

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm not really a contemporary reader as I much prefer a paranormal storyline. This series is one of the few exceptions because I want to be part of the Esera family. The author has created a believable, relatable set of characters that stand so tall in this readers minds eye. I was bowled over by Gabriel and Charlotte, delighted by Sailor and Isa and now felt my heart melt as Jake falls for Juliet.
The couple were at school together but more often than not at loggerheads. The one thing that brought them together was their mutual love for Callie . Juliets best friend was Jake's girlfriend but fate stepped in and cruelly took Callie away from not only Jake but their tiny baby. Jake grew up fast and put away youthful dreams to be the best provider for his daughter he could be. The playful boy is replaced by the serious man but when Juliet crashes back into his life she brings back passion and colour.
I just adored getting to know this couple and although it's not exactly action packed it was a credible story as the pair reconnect. Expect sweetness as we get to know little Esme but this whole family is loving, tenacious, stubborn and so protective of each other and that's exactly what Juliet needs in her life. I thoroughly enjoyed being back in the bosom of the Esera family and look forward to reading Danny's story soon.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

I am not sure Nalini Singh could write a bad book if she tried. I absolutely adored this and adore the Bishop-Esera clan. It also makes me want to move to New Zealand.

Jake and Juliet go way back - back to when she was the best friend of the girl he loved. Juliet was a wild child and trouble maker. Jake, as he still is, is a play-by-the-rules good guy who puts family first. Jake had a daughter with Juliet's best friend Callie just before she died of a meningitis infection. That loss deeply colored Jake's life. He is a very capable single dad, but also extremely protective of his daughter. He doesn't party, he doesn't have flings or one night stands, he is solid and serious in all things. Juliet's life hasn't been an easy one - but she is very smart and has truly raised herself up by her bootstraps. Even following a nasty divorce with a cricket star, she keeps going and keeps her face towards the sun.

Reading this book it is really easy to forget that that both Jake and Juliet are only 24.

Juliet is definitely prickly - but she isn't mean or cruel. She is just tough - and fiercely loyal to her friends and chosen family. As the Bishop-Esera clan embraces her, you can see she is going to be one of their fiercest protectors.

I loved reading about Jake and Juliet and watching their relationship blossom. Jake is definitely one of the good ones and so is Juliet.

Loved this.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.

I am obsessed with Nalini Singh's contemporary romance books. Seriously all her books are fantastic, but this series has a special place in my heart. And that is simply because of the Bishop-Esera clan. Obsessed with these rugby boys. It started with Rock Hard with Gabriel and Charlotte's story. Then later we got Sailor Isa. And now finally Jake and Juliet. Rock Hard will probably always be my favorite. I've read it so many times and it is just one book that I can't let go of. But this book!! Love Hard is just a smidge from tying with it. It was that good. It is definitely a favorite of mine. Jake and Juliet's story was just so sweet and raw and emotional. We've seen glimpses of Jake in Gabe and Sailor's stories, but now he has his own. And with what you knew about Jake, losing his first love and having to raise his daughter when he was a teenager, you can't help but love him and want to know how he gets his happily ever after. Then there is Juliet, who is not only friends with Charlotte but was best friends with Jake's first love when they were teenagers. And after years of not seeing one another, fate brings them together in a way they were never ever like before. Their "enemies" to friends to lovers relationship was one that done very nicely. It wasn't rushed, it felt real and made sense. Their banter was witty and just overall hilarious. I couldn't wait to see what happened next. Just an overall great story. Plus the fact that we finally got Charlotte and Gabriel's wedding! Amazing and a moment we have been waiting for. Like I said, overall great book. And now we have one more brother to go! Bring on Danny's story!



I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was another great book by Nalini Singh! It was well written, funny, emotional, with great characters and so much love in many different forms. At one point, it looked like there might be a "big misunderstanding" but Nalini never fails to make her characters fight for each other - in other words, I shouldn't have been worried. This is one my favorite books in this series, and I've enjoyed them all so that's saying a lot!

3.5 Stars
I haven't read any of the other books in this series, and I have to admit that in the beginning I had trouble keeping everyone straight. While it can be read as a stand alone I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more had I already known the world and characters. Once I got past that the beginning was slow for me. I felt like there was a lot of repetition and ended up skimming parts. The second half was better and more engaging. This is a light and easy read, and while it certainly wasn't bad, it didn't stand out for me either.

This is book 3 in the series and it was absolutely wonderful. AWESOME! In this story we get the romance between Jake and Jules. Jake's brother is marrying Jules best friend and the two knew each other 7 years before when Jake dated and married Callie, Jules best friend.

First I want to state that both Jules and jake are 24 so they are both very young. Jake is a single dad of a 6 year old. He is also a rugby player who is very popular but is also more serious and Jules is a VP of publicity for an ad agency. who is divorced from a former sports star who was a media darling. Now as his ex she gets a lot of media attention.

The two spend time together at the wedding and find out they have more in common than they did in their youth. Jake pretty much falls hard for Jules and starts to chase her and want more from her. But the media attention thatJules brings is an issue for both of them.

I really enjoyed all the characters in this story.. The author really explorered their then and now characters and their love for Callie and showed how they were there for each other. .

So great! This is such an original couple - high school acquaintances who are wary of a relationship because their lives are complicated as adults. There's no artificial barrier between them and no misunderstandings, just real characters finding their way together in a real, adult situation. At first it's hard to keep track of the huge cast of side characters, but it's totally worth it to get to know rugby star Jacob and high-powered Juliet.

Jake's family is my favorite thing about, Love Hard. The way that his family steps up to help him raise his baby girl. Also how they welcome Jules in so easily. Love Hard, is a great feels good romance novel.

I received a free copy of LOVE HARD (Book 3 of the Hard Play series) by Nalini Singh in exchange for an honest review. Jake Esera works hard to balance his life as a rugby player with his responsibilities as a stable, loving, and responsible single father. When a family wedding brings back a blast from the past, Juliet Nelisi, former high school bad girl and best friend of Jake’s high school love is back in Jake’s life. Jake has always been the responsible good guy and was perpetually confounded by Juliet. Will their mutual love for his daughter’s mother and grief over her death be something that can bond them together or will it be something that will keep them apart?

I really liked this book. It’s about two good people who have their differences but who are never nasty about it. This was my introduction to the Esera brothers. Over the weekend, I went back and read the first books in the series.

#LoveHard #NetGalley

I love this series! You could read this one first, but my favorite is Charlie and Gabriel's story in Rock Hard. I like everything that Nalini writes, but especially her contemporary romances. For those of you who don't enjoy paranormal, there's not a hint of the otherworldly here.

This lovely book is about Juliet and Jake. They met in high school where he was the boyfriend of her best friend Callie and they could not really stand each other. Now, eight years later, Jake is raising his six-year-old daughter alone after the death of his young wife. He meets Juliet again when she is in the bridal party at the wedding of his brother, Gabe.

Yes, In this book we finally get the wedding of Charlie and Gabe from 'Rock Hard'! I loved reading about it, although I could understand it is a bit much should you have not read the earlier books. The focus should of course be at Juliet and Jake, but don't worry: they get plenty of focus.

I read the book in one sitting and really enjoyed it. I am always a bit wary when there is a late wife in the picture, but it was dealt with beautifully. Jake and Juliet were both characters I liked and it was great reading about the Esera/Bishop family again. Now... I would like the story of Danny and Catie. Crossing fingers.

Good book! I definitely enjoyed reading this one! It was a little slow going in the beginning but definitely stick with it! This book ended up being a great read! It had some suspense, drama, action, funny and was 🔥🔥🔥! I'm definitely going to go back and read more from this author! She's a little expensive lol but it's worth it! Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for sharing this book with me!