Jake Esera was a teenage father, and in practically the same breath his childhood sweetheart, and mother of his daughter, died. Since then, he's worked hard to create and safe and stable life for himself and his daughter getting support from his family. So when his high school nemesis Juliet Nelisi walks back into his life, he's prepared for trouble to come following. What he isn't prepared for is the attraction. Not only did Jake and Juliet not get along in high school, but she was also best friends with his aforementioned girlfriend.

Juliet Nelisi likes her life being a little wild. Maybe not getting in trouble, going to detention everyday kind of wild anymore, but she loves life, and is fiercely loyal to those she calls friends. Running into Jake brought back a lot of memories, but mainly she's thrown by the zing of chemistry between them. But Juliet knows that despite being a famous rugby player, Jake doesn't court fame. Unfortunately, Juliet's ex-husband continually draws her back into the spotlight in order to remain relevant himself, and Juliet can't imaging dragging Jake and his daughter into the media frenzy as well. But sometimes attraction is too strong to hold off.

When we first encountered Jake way back when in his brother Gabriel's story [book:Rock Hard|23514316], I was interested in this young, single father's story, and wanted to see him get his HEA. The beginning of the book starts out with Gabriel and Charlotte's wedding, and with a cameo from Molly and Fox from [book:Rock Addiction|22839846], I was thrown by how far we've come in this series and it's technical spin-offs. I like that Nalini Singh worked in various cameos in a nod to where we've been in the series, but only the ones that made sense of course.

I've really enjoyed seeing the Bishop-Esera family. Seeing their closeness and their family dynamic throughout the various books has definitely been a highlight. This time around it's contrasted with Juliet's lack of family. When she was younger her parents died in an accident and she was raised (begrudgingly) by her aunt, and then later by her grandparents who weren't ones to show open affection. So to be thrown into the Esera clan was very eye-opening for her. I loved seeing the moments where she was caught off guard with their kindness and acceptance.

I also liked the fact that this isn't a simple enemies-to-lovers story. It's not a my best friend's ex story either. It kind of blends aspects of those two together, but I feel like it's certainly it's own kind of love story. Because Jake's life was undeniably altered the day Callie - his girlfriend and mother of his child - died. He knows that they were young and he doesn't make any declarations about how they were meant to be together forever, he doesn't put her on a pedestal except for the fact that he doesn't ever want to lose someone he cares about ever again. So he becomes serious and staid. He keeps things close to his chest and while not pushing people away he doesn't let them in either. Then Juliet comes along a link to his past, yet they've both grown enough that it's like a new adventure being with her. I love the acknowledgement of the past, but the fact that his heart isn't clinging to what once was, more he tries to control aspects of his life to guarantee good outcomes.

Both Juliet and Jake are loyal to their people. But, especially in Juliet's case, it's like they don't expect people to be loyal back. So I loved seeing Juliet learn that Jake is someone that she can count on, someone who will be there for her. Not because a woman necessarily can't get things done on their own, Juliet has made her own successes for sure, but because inherently we, as people, all need that connection with others. I think it's a really sweet and beautiful aspect to their story.

I will always read a Nalini Singh, no questions, no hesitations. There's just one more Esera brother left, the youngest Danny. I know who I'm hoping Nalini pairs him with, but regardless I'll be there all the same whenever it's released.

This book was PERFECT.... sigh. There’s always that feeling when you pick up a book by this author and just know your in for a great time. All. The. Feels. I just swoon when the male has to work so hard for it.... and Jacob is a keeper.

What did I like? Enemies to lovers....anyone? The attraction when these two set into a room ...is thermonuclear....BOOM. Jacob is trapped in a shell refusing to let anyone breach his high defenses since he lost his childhood sweetheart, and mother to his six year old little girl...Esme. Juliet was best friends with his sweetheart Calypso, and also has a hard shell surrounding her heart because she was rejected as a child and her first love was a cheating jerk. So these two wrong people have a go at making it right. The journey is epic.

Would I buy or recommend? Oh yea....this was just the perfect book. I devoured it and would recommend to anyone wanting a beautiful enemies to lovers romance. Grab it....buy it... just read it.

Thoughts to the author? I loved this one. Five stars of entertainment. Single dad lovers or enemies to sweet lovers are amazing romance tropes. Congratulations on your new release! Thanks to the author and Netgalley for a copy....this is my voluntary opinion.

I love Nalini Singh's writing style. This volume of the Hard-Series she proves yet again her skills and lets me look forward to her next work.

Jacob Esera is a rugby player but his most important role in life is being a good father to his 6 year old daughter. Juliet Nelisi was the bad girl in school but she was also his child hood sweethearts best friend. At his brother’s wedding they reconnect and the fun begins. Juliet is a strong confident take charge woman. Jacob is a grouchy and judgmental jerk when it comes to Juliet. They clash like oil and water.
What if I can be the steady heart of your life and you be the my wings, teach me to fly past the walls I like to build? What if Jules?
I love reading about this family and am looking forward to reading about the last brother Danny.
No matter what this author writes it’s amazing.

Love Hard by Nalini Singh is part of the Play Hard series. The stories take place in contemporary New Zealand and are excellent. In Love Hard at Gabe and Charlotte's wedding, Jake and Juliet meet again after not seeing each other since high school, where they really didn't like each other. Be prepared to read this in one sitting. It is a wonderful story, the reader will laugh, cry and enjoy reading this book tremendously. Highly recommended.

Nalini Singh was a new to me author, whose books I had seen time and time again but had never picked up. The blurb on this one and the cover of the book really drew me in, who doesn't love the role reversal of a bad girl and a good guy? Though the story wasn't at all what I was expecting.

Although this is book three in a series, I didn't feel confused by any of the storyline, and I definitely don't think you need to have read the previous books, but it may give a better insight into the side characters. It did make me want to read the whole series, so I have since gone back and downloaded the first 2.

I thoroughly enjoyed Julia and Jacobs characters, Julia especially was a fun, sassy, loveable heroine with a tough as nails exterior, but a soft heart on the inside. Hurt by the betrayal of her ex husband, a fame hungry sports star, who used her for his public gain, she vowed never to date a famous sports star again, until a blast from the past appears at the wedding of her best friend. Jacob Esra was Julia's nemesis at school, dating her childhood best friend who he ended up having a baby girl with before her untimely death just weeks after the birth, there was no love lost between this pair. Roll on years later, Jacob is a famous rugby star and Julia is famous (or rather infamous thanks to her ex) in her own rights and there is a spark between the pair that was never there before. Feeling guilty about her feelings, Julia tries to keep her distance from Jacob, his fame and his adorable little girl, who is also the spitting image of her deceased best friend, but the pull is too great, and this pair can only give in to their feelings.

The word building and the storyline in this book were exceptional, I will now devour the rest of the series and look forward to more. My only teeny tiny negative is that I was expecting Jacob to be a good guy, staying chaste since the lost of his childhood sweetheart and Julia to have slept around, both of which is how the blurb made it sound, but neither was the case, this for me, would've added to my love for the story, but at the same time, I still enjoyed where the story did take me.

Love Hard is a friends to lovers romance. The main characters Jake and Juliet have known each other since high school and because Jake dated Juliet’s best friend Calypso. Their relationship resulted in an unplanned pregnancy. Flash forward to Jake being a single father but a very amazing father to his daughter Esme.
When Jake and Juliet meet again at his brother’s wedding they still push each other’s buttons just as they did when they were kids.

I liked Jake and Juliet but it took me a long time to get into Love Hard. I haven’t read the previous books, and maybe that’s why I struggled, but the first quarter of the book centered around the wedding of Jake’s brother. That resulted in me feeling Juliet and Jake got stuck in the background when I needed them to be the focus so I could connect with them which sadly didn’t happen. I would have appreciated more flashbacks of them when they were kids and with Calypso too just to strengthen their connection since I struggled with it. Yes they had a mutual attraction, and it was mentioned a lot, it wasn’t enough. I felt the jump to them being intimate was fast and I needed more build up.

Luckily the story did pick up a bit for me after the wedding because of the growing friendship between Jake and Juliet. She and Jake’s daughter were so cute together.
Now I finally got the build up, lovely bantering and flirting. Also Jake’s wonderful family was amazing and they adored Juliet. Love Hard started out bumpy but slowly turned out great and overall I ended up enjoying it.

3 Family Stars

Absolute classic Nalini Singh, couldn't put it down once I opened the pages, I just didn’t want to stop reading. I loved the story, the characters were lovely, you really root for them ,I loved the rollercoaster ride I go on with a book by a Nalini you never know what to expect. Well I do actually, I expect a fabulous story and I’m never disappointed, highly recommended

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

Love Hard continues the adventures of the Bishop-Esera clan (Cherish Hard) and gives us a lovely new hero to swoon over in Jake Esera. Jake had to grow up fast when he got his high school sweetheart pregnant, and then even more when Callie passed away. Raising a daughter on his own has been tough, but his family have helped make sure he and Esme always had a safety net. Jake's biggest problem has been trying to contain his overprotectiveness when it comes to keeping Esme safe. He's serious, responsible, and in control of everything. But meeting Juliet again throws him right back into high school, where they sniped at each other constantly. She was Callie's best friend, but he never knew much about her except that he didn't like her. Now she's back in his life and driving him crazy.

Juliet never had anything in her life that was stable, and Callie was the only person who loved her. After a divorce from a slimy, attention-obsessed sports star, she has no intention of dating another athlete- especially Jacob Esera. But getting to know him at last, she realizes maybe he isn't quite the gearheaded jock she thought him in high school, and that they've both grown up over the years. She's brave about most things in her life, but terrified of taking the chance on loving Jake.

How can you not love Jake and Juliet? Both are confident in their work lives, but more than a little terrified of taking a chance on love. Still, both come to the conclusion that the passion between them is worth the risk of trying. Cherish Hard is all about seeing someone again for the first time, getting to know the person behind the tough exterior, and taking risks on what matters most. It's two regular people (if being a rugby superstar can be called 'regular') finding each other despite the odds, their own pasts, and their personal hang-ups. You'll find yourself cheering for them all the way, both as a couple and as individuals finding forgotten parts of themselves, and the love and chemistry between them leaps off the page as only Nalini Singh can make it leap.

Cherish Hard grabbed me from page one and the beautiful wedding (finally!) between Charlotte and Gabriel (Love Hard, one of my all-timel favorite books) where Juliet and Jacob reconnect. It was a book I didn't want to put down and one I was ready to re-read again right away. I hope we get to see more members of Jake's rugby team find their happily-ever-after once Danny's taken care of, because Singh gave us glimpses of plenty of potential future couples and heroes in this book! If you haven't read the rest of the series, you don't feel lost starting here, but warning! You'll instantly fall in love with the characters and want to pick up all the other books. Don't fight the urge!

A beautiful, sexy must-read that will thrill Nalini Singh fans.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

I absolutely loved Juliet and Jake’s story. I was great to be with all of my old friends again. Nalini has outdone herself again.

I'm a long-time fan of Nalini Singh and consider her Psy-Changeling series to be one of my favourites so when I saw an arc available for her work, I jumped at the chance! That being said, I haven't read any contemporary stories by her before so I wasn't sure what to expect. But I had no reason to worry; Singh's beauty and skill with words translates so well across genres!

Love Hard tells the story of rugby star and single father, Jacob Esera, and former bad-girl classmate of his, Juliet Nelisi. Jacob and Juliet occasionally butted heads during their time together at school but were brought together by their common ground of Calypso, Juliet's best friend and Jacob's girlfriend. In their senior year of high school, Juliet is transferred to a Samoa due to her 'behavioural problems' and Callie discovers she's pregnant to Jacob. Shortly after giving birth to little Esme, Callie contracts meningitis and suddenly passes away leaving Jacob devastated but needing to be strong for their little girl. It's not until years later that Jacob and Juliet reconnect and sparks fly.

I don't typically read stories involving the deceased best friend's partner trope because I find there to be a delicate line with sensitivity and respect towards the deceased person and having the new partner not feel like second best/runner-up. It always makes me question "but what if so-and-so never passed? Would the two main characters still have ended up together?" However, Nalini Singh is such a talented author that she was able to tackle this issue with the sensitivity and respect it deserves. There's even a scene where Juliet says to Jacob that she refuses to be second best in any relationship, even to her best friend, and I felt the way Jacob explains his feelings as a teenager towards Callie and his feelings as the man he is today towards Juliet to be so full of compassion, understanding and intelligence that comes with growing up. Jacob was such a wonderful character and both he and Juliet balanced each other so well.

One of my favourite things about Singh's stories are her characters. Just like her Psy-Changeling series, her Hard Play series is full of loving characters that truly value family, friendship and living vibrantly. In addition to seeing the relationship develop between Juliet and Jacob, we also get to see a range of other amazing characters including Jacob's daughter Esme, his entire family of brothers, parents, and in-laws, and Juliet's amazing work colleagues. I haven't read the first two books in the series - yet - but I'm definitely going to backtrack to find out more about them while I await for book 4! Overall, I thought this was a wonderful story about two characters maturing, reconnecting and finding love in what previously seemed as the unlikeliest of places.

“You stick by your people even when they kick that soft heart of yours. I can’t think of anything better than being your number one person.”

Look, I’m pretty much guaranteed to love a Nalini Singh book—she is, and has always been, my number one, go-to, auto-buy author. But there’s some special kind of magic going on here in Love Hard, the third book in the Hard Play series.

Let’s start with the basics. This can be read as a standalone, however, I’d personally suggest making time for Rock Hard (Rock Kiss #2) and Cherish Hard (Hard Play #1). Think of it as recommended rather than required reading. Gabe and Charlie, Sailor and Isa—they make appearances here, and it’s doubly rewarding when you know their stories.

Moving on. I DEVOURED this book. This was a one-sitting, all the feels book for me. I welled up and spilled over more than once, I smiled at Juliet and Jacob’s interaction with adorable Esme, I reveled in every scene with Jacob’s family and friend group—because cameos from characters I already adore is absolutely my jam—and I found myself invested in the hate-love friendship between Jules and Jake as it grew into something much deeper.

Smartly written, with swoony and sexy moments galore, this is simple, easy to read, feel good romance at its best. Something to lose yourself in, to hold back the frustrations of real life for a few hours. Also something to covet—because oh, to be in the orbit of the Bishop-Esera family *heart eyes*

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.  Love Hard by Nalini Singh is the third book in her Hard Play Series, and as well characters from the Rock Kiss series appear in this book. This book could be read as a standalone, but both series are excellent and well worth reading. Jacob Esera is focused on being a good single parent and regaining his place in professional rugby after an injury. His brother's wedding pairs him with his high school nemesis Juliet Nelisi former wild child and infamous WAG. In high school the only thing these two had in common was the mother of his child who was her best friend. Sparks fly and an attempt to just get it out of their systems and move on fails miserably, because the more they spend time together the hotter the fire burns. Strong protagonists and well written supporting characters make this opposites attract story about love and family one I highly recommend. Medium Steam. Publishing Date March 10, 2020. #NetGalley #LoveHard #NaliniSingh #IndependantPublishersGroup #TKADistribution #ContemporaryRomance #RugbyRomance #SportsRomance #Bookstagram

This is the first book I'm read from this series and I now I regret it! You don't need to read the others to understand anything but I loved this story! I have to read the others now.

Review will post on 3/12/2020

Every time I see a new Nalini Singh release I immediately go into gimme mode. It doesn’t matter the sub-genre. It doesn’t matter the series. It doesn’t matter if I have a stack of books to read and adding one more will put me behind on reviews. It just doesn’t matter. I will set everything aside for a Nalini Singh book.

Love Hard is an adversaries to lovers, single dad, ex’s best friend, slow burn romance. And if that isn’t tropey enough for you, throw in some hot rugby players and a cutie pie, princess loving you lady who just couldn’t be any more adorable. That right there should have you poised to one-click.

If you’ve been following the Rock Kiss and Hard Play series’ you’ll be happy to know that the first 25% of Love Hard is Gabriel and Charlie’s wedding and OMG it’s the bestest. Sweetly romantic and with all the special touches that leave you breathless and sighing. I still adore this couple and I was so glad that their wedding coincided with Jacob seeing Jules again after so long. What a lovely gift from this author to her faithful readers!

I really enjoyed this couple. I loved their snappy banter and sizzling chemistry. It takes them a while to get to know each other again and their courtship is so romantic. This is a very low angst love story. There is an external conflict that has to do with Jule’s douchey ex-husband, but there is very little drama between the main protagonists once they decide to see where their attraction takes them. It was lovely.

I thoroughly enjoyed this new contemporary romance from Ms. Singh and all I can say is… I hope it’s not too long a wait for Danny’s book.

Nalini Sing's writing is amazing and I love just about anything she writes.
Sports focused romances aren't really my thing, but in this case I wasn't really bothered by it. Jake's dedication to his daughter and to having a stable life was really endearing. The way his personality meshed with Juliet's was great and she was a really fun character to read. Their relationship gave me all the feels.
The pacing and the way time flowed in this story was a little odd at times, but I overlooked that easily enough.
Overall this was a great romance and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys the genre.

This story wraps its way around your heart in such a hard and fast way. Jake and Juliet had a past and these two had always rubbed each other the wrong way. As these two start to feel a connection and a chemistry that is impossible to ignore, it will take moving past fears that are ingrained in them to reach for a future. A story of love, family and support that will warm your heart. It is passionate, witty, emotional and heartfelt. As you take the journey with these two you will experience the steam, heat and fire that has them showing you that you need to go big or go home when you love hard.

Love Hard is a deliciously sweet and sexy romance about family and second chances.

Teenage Juliet Nelisi used her loner and bad-girl fame as a barrier. The Juliet the woman has a successful career, good friends and knows to stay away from men who one minute treat her like a queen and the next cheat on her. Especially famous men in the sports world. She never expect the sparks that ignited between her and the goodie two shoes who had been in love with her best friend years before.

After grieving the loss of his childhood sweetheart shortly after their daughter’s birth Jacob Esera focused on his career and raising a happy and healthy child. There was no room for craziness, especially not the kind his former high school classmate caused. But shouldn’t Jacob a.k.a. “Saint” the too proper rugby player have some fun in his life?

If you’re a fan of Nalini Singh you might remember the delicious Gabriel Bishop from Rock Hard. Well, this story starts at his and Charlotte’s wedding where Jacob and Juliet were in the wedding party. I loved getting an update on this couple who I fell for a while back. And even though I was a bit overwhelmed by all the couples I haven’t met in between that story and Love Hard, I did enjoy the sense of unity, loyalty and family.

Jacob and Juliet met when they were young but barely tolerated each other. Reconnecting several years later was easy, not easy. Because even though they had grown into their own, they had preconceived ideas about each other which made the push and pull between them a lot of fun. But as they got to know each other, their connection grew deeper and the attraction was impossible to ignore.

Love Hard is book #3 of the Hard Playseries by author Nalini Singh. It a standalone contemporary romance. It’s told from both points of view with a HEA. Sub-genre: sports romance.

I’ve been recommended Nalini Singh’s books by fellow bibliomaniacs and I’ve been meaning to read her for a while. When I saw the ARC for Love Hard I figured that now was as good a time as any to see if I like her. The answer is an emphatic yes.

I found the story of Jake and Juliet to be lovely. They tolerated each other in high school because Jake was dating Juliet’s best friend. The two were complete opposites; Juliet being the “bad influence” and Jake being the gear head jock. But their shared love for Calypso kept them cordial.

When Calypso passed away she left Jake a single teenage father and Juliet lost the only person who she saw as her family. They were both devastated and moved on with their lives without her. But years later they reconnect at a wedding, and whoa boy, do the sparks fly! Who was this chiseled hunk? That bombshell couldn’t possibly be the skinny girl he knew in high school, right?

The tension between the two was well written and the inevitable climax was rather spicy. But the overall feeling wasn’t forced and it gave the impression that Calypso might have had a hand in getting them together; making sure all of the people she loved became a family.

Family was a major theme in this novel. I loved how the author showcased the multicultural family. I’ve been blessed to know and be invited into the Polynesian “family” and I found the portrayal accurate. The culture of loyalty and acceptance that was showed made me feel warm and had me reminiscing of similar times when I’ve been welcomed with open arms at family gatherings. I wasn’t expecting that from a romance novel about a Rugby player.

Nalini Singh, you most definitely have a new fan. I can’t wait to make my way through your many series. But first, I think I’ll tackle the rest of the Hard Play series. (Pun intended on both accounts). I need more of the Bishop-Esera clan in my life.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for releasing this ARC to me in exchange for an honest review.

Love Hard is a sweet and sexy single dad romance. Jacob Esera, star rugby player and young single father is known to his teammates as “The Saint” because he is good on the field and doesn’t mess around off the field. His six year old daughter is the only female in his life. When he bumps into his daughters mothers best friend, Juliet at his brothers wedding he wasn’t ready for the sparks. They’ve always been oil and water but now he finds himself smitten with the woman shes become. Watching these two grow close is sweet, sexy and sometimes heart wrenching but I loved them all.