eARC Book review: Love Hard (Hard Play #3) by Nalini Singh

Available March 10th 2020
eARC Provide by publisher through Netgalley

Jacob Esera, star rugby player and young single father, has worked hard to create a joyous life for his six-year-old daughter. After the death of his childhood sweetheart soon after their daughter’s birth, all Jake wants is safety and stability. No risks. No wild chances. And especially no Juliet Nelisi, former classmate, scandal magnet, and a woman who is a thorn in his side.

As a lonely teenager, Juliet embraced her bad-girl reputation as a shield against loneliness and rejection. Years later, having kicked a cheating sports-star ex to the curb, she has a prestigious job and loyal friends—and wants nothing to do with sportsmen. The last thing she expects is the fire that ignites between her and the stuffed-shirt golden boy who once loved her best friend.

Straitlaced Jacob Esera versus wild-at-heart Juliet Nelisi? Place your bets.

Jacob and Juliet have a history. Juliet's best friend was Jacob's girlfriend back in high school and the mother of his child. Tragically she died shortly after giving birth leaving Jacob to raise their daughter. Juliet's family had moved away. Now she's back in Jacob's life. They always rubbed each other the wrong way back then. Juliet was a bit of a wild child. Jacob has a daughter he's raising and will protect at all costs. Juliet isn't that crazy wild girl anymore though. She's all grown up and responsible and a successful business women.  They are thrown together at Jake's brothers wedding in which Juliet is a friend of the bride. The first time seeing each other in years. The chemistry is immediate.  I enjoyed this book. I've read Rock Hard so i have a bit of the Bishop/Esera family background. I fell in love with the family reading that book so was happy to have them all back in this one. Jacob had a great family to back him but Juliet did not. These two complemented each other with Jacob showing her what family support and unconditional love is and Juliet helps Jacob learn to have fun again and let go a bit. Esme, Jacob's daughter steals the show often. Some of the pacing was a bit off for me and some of the dialog was a bit unnecessary and took me out of the story a some. Still a solid enjoyable and emotional read at times. 

Find out more about this series and Nalini Singh here www.nalinisingh.com