Hard Love is now live!
Amazon US | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon AU
Free in KU
Blurb
“HARD TO LOVE.”
Hard head. Bad attitude. Terrible boyfriend. That’s what my exes have said about me—but I wasn’t serious about any of them, so what do I care what rumors they spread? What I need is to be left alone; by the press, by the paparazzi, and by women.
Too bad I’m about to be surrounded by them for the weekend. My obnoxious, matchmaking brother is getting married, and he’s doing his damndest find me a wedding date…
“HARD TO FIND.”
That’s what they say about good men—they’re hard to find. Not that when I find one, I’ll be the type he’s looking for; too nice, too ordinary, too boring.
My cousin is getting married, and her fiancé insists on throwing me at his brother. Cold, uncaring professional football player Tripp Wallace would never look twice at a woman like me. Too bad for both of us, I was wrong…
Review
4 stars
This is such a fun read! The third book in the Trophy Boyfriends series (though it can stand alone), this is the story of Tripp, brother of Buzz from last book in the series, and all-round grumpy guy.
Tripp is a star NFL player – young, successful, gorgeous and wealthy, but he’s a bit of an asshole. He sees nothing wrong with the way he is, honestly clueless at why people expect more from him. He’s gearing up for Buzz’s wedding, though he really can’t wait for the whole thing to be over, when it becomes clear that his matchmaking brother is trying to set him up with his new bride’s cousin, Chandler.
Chandler isn’t the type of girl that guys usually go for. She’s sweet, thought to be a bit boring, but she totally embraces that about herself and I love her no-fucks-given attitude. She’s really unhappy about being pushed towards Tripp though, because even though he’s hot as hell, he has a major attitude problem and she wants no part of that.
It’s a situation that goes from bad to worse as Tripp and Chandler’s constant bickering ends up in a genuine take-down that leaves Tripp the focus of a whole lot of unwanted media attention. So, what’s a guy to do? Well, clearly he needs to spend more time with the woman who so obviously hates him.
Having a girlfriend may be the best play I’ve made all year. I just have to see if she’s down for that.
Huh
Color me surprised.
It’s a fun set-up, and all kinds of entertaining as Tripp and Chandler fight and tease over text, phone, and in person. Tripp is completely clueless. He’s insightless about his own behaviour, about how it affects others, and about how he should be behaving. But there is something about him that is so irresistible, and that becomes more and more evident as their feelings for each other change and we start to see a slightly softer, more playful side start to emerge. And through it all, Chandler is a freaking rockstar. She doesn’t shy away from Tripp and his rudeness, she gives it right back to him, and it’s so much fun to watch them bounce off each other.
Tripp: YOU HUNG UP ON ME!
Me: Sorry? Has no one ever done that?
Tripp: No, NO ONE has ever done that.
Me: You sound outraged, calm down.
Tripp: I’m just stating a fact.
Me: In all caps…
Tripp: You’re missing the point.
Me: I actually have NO IDEA what your point is…
Tripp: You hung up on me.
Me: LOL
Tripp: You’re a horrible person.
Me: You’re a spoiled brat.
Tripp: I AM THE LEAST SPOILED PERSON.
Me: Okay, well, you’re arguing because I won’t go on a date with you.
Tripp: It’s not a date.
Me: Oh, well, pardon me!
Tripp: It’s drinks. A drink.
Me: Of which I will not be partaking.
Though there is initially a genuine dislike between them, you can see the slow shift, and the move from enemies to maybe-friends to more, is really well done.
“I’m far from perfect. I’m literally the biggest jackass I’ve ever met and I don’t make apologies for that, so I ask that you bear with me. I don’t want to know what my like is life without you.”
He’s still completely clueless though, so he needs a little help along the way, which he gets from his fantastically scene-stealing 15-year-old neighbor and dog-walker, Molly, who keeps pushing herself into his life. His well-meaning family are also a big part of the story, and such a highlight for me. The dynamic between this group is freaking hilarious, and I laughed out loud so many times at their antics and constant banter and arguing that is so much a part of their interactions.
Mom rolls her eyes. “Your father is right, dear. This is a great way to salvage your reputation.” She drinks from her water glass. “You’re kind of an asshole.”
“Mom!
And shout-out to Buzz and Hollis from the last book, who keeping pushing Tripp and Chandler together – those relationships are awesome, and a lot of fun.
The romance has the feel of a slow build, which I loved, but the book ends really abruptly, and I wish we had seen a bit more. It felt like an odd place to end a book, and I would have loved to see some more progression for them as a couple, and some actual closure for their story. But I’m assuming we’ll get to see more of them in the next book, which will be the story of Tripp and Trace’s sister, True – and that already looks really good!
I did enjoy this one though. Lots of laughs, it had a real feel-good feeling to it, and I loved it.
4 stars.
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Trophy Boyfriends
Hard Pass (#1) (Noah & Miranda)
Review
Buy: Amazon
Hard Fall (#2) (Trace & Hollis)
Review
Buy: Amazon
About the Author
Sara Ney is the USA Today Bestselling Author of the How to Date a Douchebag series, and is best known for her sexy, laugh-out-loud New Adult romances. Among her favorite vices, she includes: iced latte’s, historical architecture and well-placed sarcasm. She lives colorfully, collects vintage books, art, loves flea markets, and fancies herself British.
For a list of cities/venues Sara will be signing at, or to purchase signed books, please visit her website at www.authorsaraney.com
Newsletter | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Book+Main | Goodreads | Bookbub
