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sincity_bookworm's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to the audio and laughed so hard at a handful of scenes. It's perfect if you need something light hearted.
Tripp is the serious, brooding brother who plays pro football. Chandler is the cousin of his brother's soon-to-be wife. When they do meet, it's definitely not a love at first sight situation. I wouldn't say enemies-to-lovers, but it's definitely in the area. The banter between the two + his mom's crazy antics had me laughing. If I don't end up like her when my boys are adults, I'm doing this whole momming thing wrong.
Tripp is the serious, brooding brother who plays pro football. Chandler is the cousin of his brother's soon-to-be wife. When they do meet, it's definitely not a love at first sight situation. I wouldn't say enemies-to-lovers, but it's definitely in the area. The banter between the two + his mom's crazy antics had me laughing. If I don't end up like her when my boys are adults, I'm doing this whole momming thing wrong.
bookishlynomes's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
Hard Love was everything I needed and more! Hard Love is the third installment in the Trophy Boyfriends series and focuses on Tripp Wallace (the older brother of Buzz from book 2) and Chandler Westbrooke (the cousin of Hollis from book 2). Tripp is a not-so-lean, oh-so-mean, football playing machine (haha) and avoids people as much as he can. If anyone was voted least likely to fall in love... it'd be him. But as fate would have it, this antisocial hunk gets pulled into wedding party duties and there he meets Chandler.
If you've read Hard Fall, you'll know the type of family Chandler comes from. If you haven't yet read book 2, the Westbrookes' are the wealthy owners of various sports teams and expect their progeny to follow in their footsteps. Just like Hollis (from Hard Fall), Chandler wants nothing more than to break away from this tradition and do something that she loves, but unlike Hollis, she lacks the self-confidence to do so from the start. That isn't to say she doesn't have self-confidence (she definitely does) but she does need a little nudge when it comes to family and her career.
What I really loved about these two characters throughout the entire book was their inability to just fall in love. There is no insta-love in this book. They are both incredibly stubborn and independent, and the title is fitting: Hard Love. There are lots of back-and-forths with their acquaintanceship that then builds into friendship and love. There are just as many sweet moments as there are bang-your-head-against-the-wall moments and 'what are you doing, fool?' moments. Basically the development of their love felt realistic which I loved; they also got schooled by a secondary character several times and I loved that even more!
Overall, this was well worth the wait. Hard Love was such a fun, entertaining story and full of the heart and well-timed wit you'd expect from any of Sara Ney's books. There were so many moments that had me laughing out loud and feeling like I never wanted the book to end. I would highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys contemporary romance, sports romance, romcoms or the ultimate trifecta combination of all of the above.
Disclaimer: Thank you to the author and Wildfire Marketing Solutions for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Hard Love was everything I needed and more! Hard Love is the third installment in the Trophy Boyfriends series and focuses on Tripp Wallace (the older brother of Buzz from book 2) and Chandler Westbrooke (the cousin of Hollis from book 2). Tripp is a not-so-lean, oh-so-mean, football playing machine (haha) and avoids people as much as he can. If anyone was voted least likely to fall in love... it'd be him. But as fate would have it, this antisocial hunk gets pulled into wedding party duties and there he meets Chandler.
If you've read Hard Fall, you'll know the type of family Chandler comes from. If you haven't yet read book 2, the Westbrookes' are the wealthy owners of various sports teams and expect their progeny to follow in their footsteps. Just like Hollis (from Hard Fall), Chandler wants nothing more than to break away from this tradition and do something that she loves, but unlike Hollis, she lacks the self-confidence to do so from the start. That isn't to say she doesn't have self-confidence (she definitely does) but she does need a little nudge when it comes to family and her career.
What I really loved about these two characters throughout the entire book was their inability to just fall in love. There is no insta-love in this book. They are both incredibly stubborn and independent, and the title is fitting: Hard Love. There are lots of back-and-forths with their acquaintanceship that then builds into friendship and love. There are just as many sweet moments as there are bang-your-head-against-the-wall moments and 'what are you doing, fool?' moments. Basically the development of their love felt realistic which I loved; they also got schooled by a secondary character several times and I loved that even more!
Overall, this was well worth the wait. Hard Love was such a fun, entertaining story and full of the heart and well-timed wit you'd expect from any of Sara Ney's books. There were so many moments that had me laughing out loud and feeling like I never wanted the book to end. I would highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys contemporary romance, sports romance, romcoms or the ultimate trifecta combination of all of the above.
Disclaimer: Thank you to the author and Wildfire Marketing Solutions for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
cassire's review against another edition
5.0
I love when a Sara Ney book is a comfort read. It gives you a warm hug and makes you feel giddy. There is some reassurance that the world is not a terrible place. Characters that are top notch. A grumpy hero that is so swoon worthy. A relatable heroine, a meddling, teenager neighbor, and an adorable dog that are endearing. I highly enjoyed this book.
I voluntarily read an early copy.
I voluntarily read an early copy.
maudd's review against another edition
5.0
Apparently Sara Ney really transformed my taste in men, I am now attracted to virgins and douchebags, perfect.
I had missed my douchebags! While I must say Tripp was not as bad as Zeke, it was still quite close. He is grumpy, grouchy and annoying, all the things I would have never pictured myself liking in a man but that I apparently loved in Tripp. On the other hand, we have sweet and innocent Chandler, the perfect passive heroine… until she knocks you on your ass and you discover that she is a lot more than the ordinary girl you thought her to be.
As always, I’ve absolutely loved my read. Sara Ney always find the perfect scenes to make you laugh and other things... I mean, who knew pumpkin carving sex was a thing before her? Also, Molly, Tripp’s 15-year-old neighbour, is the most hilarious teenager on this planet. If you thought Buzz was invasive, this is nothing compared to this little matchmaker.
I think Hard Love might be my favourite of the Trophy Boyfriends series so far. My main problem with the other two was how short they were, but this one is a bit longer and we get more content and cute moments. And we also get some good… spicy moments let’s say.
Weirdly, I think this one made me laugh even more than Buzz’s book, don’t ask me why!
If you were in need of a good douchebag, Tripp is your man!
4.5 stars
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
I had missed my douchebags! While I must say Tripp was not as bad as Zeke, it was still quite close. He is grumpy, grouchy and annoying, all the things I would have never pictured myself liking in a man but that I apparently loved in Tripp. On the other hand, we have sweet and innocent Chandler, the perfect passive heroine… until she knocks you on your ass and you discover that she is a lot more than the ordinary girl you thought her to be.
As always, I’ve absolutely loved my read. Sara Ney always find the perfect scenes to make you laugh and other things... I mean, who knew pumpkin carving sex was a thing before her? Also, Molly, Tripp’s 15-year-old neighbour, is the most hilarious teenager on this planet. If you thought Buzz was invasive, this is nothing compared to this little matchmaker.
I think Hard Love might be my favourite of the Trophy Boyfriends series so far. My main problem with the other two was how short they were, but this one is a bit longer and we get more content and cute moments. And we also get some good… spicy moments let’s say.
Weirdly, I think this one made me laugh even more than Buzz’s book, don’t ask me why!
If you were in need of a good douchebag, Tripp is your man!
4.5 stars
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
groovygirl858's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
3.25 stars
This was hard to rate because I enjoyed it, but it seemed incomplete. Enjoyed the premise. Liked both main characters. Liked the dynamic between the main characters and how the relationship was progressing. At the end, it seemed like this book needed another hundred pages or so to fully develop the romance.Â
Spoilers ahead: there's no moment where the FMC tells the MMC she loves him. There's not even an inner monologue where she admits to herself that she loves him. There's no, "I love you", from the MMC to the FMC either. Just a, "might tell you I love you in the future." I understand the characters hadn't known each other long, but that's why the book needed more pages. The epilogue should have been a glimpse into the future for the main couple, where they declare love for one another, instead of a set-up for the next book.Â
This was hard to rate because I enjoyed it, but it seemed incomplete. Enjoyed the premise. Liked both main characters. Liked the dynamic between the main characters and how the relationship was progressing. At the end, it seemed like this book needed another hundred pages or so to fully develop the romance.Â
Spoilers ahead: there's no moment where the FMC tells the MMC she loves him. There's not even an inner monologue where she admits to herself that she loves him. There's no, "I love you", from the MMC to the FMC either. Just a, "might tell you I love you in the future." I understand the characters hadn't known each other long, but that's why the book needed more pages. The epilogue should have been a glimpse into the future for the main couple, where they declare love for one another, instead of a set-up for the next book.Â
tallyvauthor's review against another edition
4.0
Okay, as this is the only full length one, it feels unfair to compare it to the other two.
Trip kinda bugged me with how constantly immature he was. I know it was apart of his character but wowee was it something else. But it also made me mad in the beginning when no one would listen to him.
Honestly, I think he got worse as the book went on. It went from understandable to headshakingly disappointing.
I liked Chandler. I like how prim and proper she was and STAYED. Like, yeah she can let go but she always has her eye on the pulse and I love her for that.
Trip kinda bugged me with how constantly immature he was. I know it was apart of his character but wowee was it something else. But it also made me mad in the beginning when no one would listen to him.
Honestly, I think he got worse as the book went on. It went from understandable to headshakingly disappointing.
I liked Chandler. I like how prim and proper she was and STAYED. Like, yeah she can let go but she always has her eye on the pulse and I love her for that.
syndi3's review
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
 Hard Love is less likeable for my taste compare to Hard Fall. I am surprise that Miss Ney did not do this book by her signature banter/ conversation.Â
I feel like both the hero and the heroine growing separetly, not together. Miss Ney too busy giving each character their self conversation and not much saying to each other. That is where I lost the chemistry.Â
I am bit disappointed but I do feel entertained listening to Trip's selfishness and dry humor.Â
I feel like both the hero and the heroine growing separetly, not together. Miss Ney too busy giving each character their self conversation and not much saying to each other. That is where I lost the chemistry.Â
I am bit disappointed but I do feel entertained listening to Trip's selfishness and dry humor.Â
iggyebab's review
2.0
Usually I love these feisty girl/ clueless asshole pairings. This book had some funny moments but overall Tripp was ridiculous. His behavior was completely unacceptable and his family needed to be Gibbs slapped.
I love a clueless hero who really wants someone to love but doesn’t know how but Tripp was not that.
I love a clueless hero who really wants someone to love but doesn’t know how but Tripp was not that.