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sharshell's review
4.0
**I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.**
This was my first Hard Ink book and my first by this author. Without reading the others it wasn't hard to follow what was going on, easy stand alone. But now I am interested in seeing what got this group to this point. I think I need the back history. So yep I am adding the rest of Hard Ink series to my "want to read" shelf.
Even though they are fighting for their lives, Jeremy and Charlie are fighting for each other. When Charlie was kidnapped, Jeremy and his brother helped to save him. At that moment Jeremy knew there was something about Charlie he wanted to explore.
Even before the kidnapping Charlie had a difficult life with the fact that he was gay. You could say his father wasn't exactly supportive. He wanted Charlie to hide who he was, but now faced with Jeremy could he keep hiding? Or would he lose the one thing he's always been looking for?
Great little m/m love story. This was a good way for me to be introduced to the authors writing style, I liked it. I usually hate reading books in a series out of order, my reading OCD goes crazy, but I am glad I did with this one. I loved Jeremy and Charlie's story.
This was my first Hard Ink book and my first by this author. Without reading the others it wasn't hard to follow what was going on, easy stand alone. But now I am interested in seeing what got this group to this point. I think I need the back history. So yep I am adding the rest of Hard Ink series to my "want to read" shelf.
Even though they are fighting for their lives, Jeremy and Charlie are fighting for each other. When Charlie was kidnapped, Jeremy and his brother helped to save him. At that moment Jeremy knew there was something about Charlie he wanted to explore.
Even before the kidnapping Charlie had a difficult life with the fact that he was gay. You could say his father wasn't exactly supportive. He wanted Charlie to hide who he was, but now faced with Jeremy could he keep hiding? Or would he lose the one thing he's always been looking for?
Great little m/m love story. This was a good way for me to be introduced to the authors writing style, I liked it. I usually hate reading books in a series out of order, my reading OCD goes crazy, but I am glad I did with this one. I loved Jeremy and Charlie's story.
javalenciaph's review
5.0
Read the full review on Bookaholics Not-So-Anonymous.
Hard to Be Good is the second novella and the fifth release in Laura Kaye's addictive Hard Ink series. While the love story between Jeremy Rixey and Charlie Merritt doesn't directly affect the overall story arc involving what happened to Charlie's father and Jeremy's brother in Afghanistan, it does satisfy a fan's curiosity as to the closeness that was already happening between the two. They're both such opposites--Jeremy is more easy-going and flirtatious while Charlie is reserved and is used to keeping to himself--but there's a connection between them that goes beyond the fact that their siblings are in love with each other.
If you're a fan of the series, Charlie's being gay and Jeremy's bisexuality aren't a secret and I think that this pairing doesn't really come as a surprise but it is a great addition to the couples that have already been formed. One of the best things about this novella is that it wasn't merely about two men falling in love but it had to do with acceptance, not just from other people but of who you truly are. Jeremy is comfortable in his own skin while Charlie still feels the need to hide certain things, and the fact that the rest of the characters encouraged and didn't question them being a couple makes me give Hard to Be Good five stars. ♥
Hard to Be Good is the second novella and the fifth release in Laura Kaye's addictive Hard Ink series. While the love story between Jeremy Rixey and Charlie Merritt doesn't directly affect the overall story arc involving what happened to Charlie's father and Jeremy's brother in Afghanistan, it does satisfy a fan's curiosity as to the closeness that was already happening between the two. They're both such opposites--Jeremy is more easy-going and flirtatious while Charlie is reserved and is used to keeping to himself--but there's a connection between them that goes beyond the fact that their siblings are in love with each other.
If you're a fan of the series, Charlie's being gay and Jeremy's bisexuality aren't a secret and I think that this pairing doesn't really come as a surprise but it is a great addition to the couples that have already been formed. One of the best things about this novella is that it wasn't merely about two men falling in love but it had to do with acceptance, not just from other people but of who you truly are. Jeremy is comfortable in his own skin while Charlie still feels the need to hide certain things, and the fact that the rest of the characters encouraged and didn't question them being a couple makes me give Hard to Be Good five stars. ♥
heabooknerd's review
5.0
I'm so excited that HARD TO BE GOOD gave us Jeremy and Charlie's story! I've loved Jeremy from the very beginning and he jumped off the page in every scene he was in. From his humor, to his ridiculous shirts, to his abundance of tattoos and piercings, he just has so much personality. Jeremy has been a light during the dark times and he's given up so much to help his brother and the team while embracing each new person with open arms.
In contrast, Charlie is more reserved in his emotions and he's not used to being around so many people or trying to make connections. Life hasn't been easy for Charlie but I loved seeing him reconnect with his sister Becca and find a family with the Hard Ink guys. It's so obvious how much Charlie just wanted to be accepted for who he was and I'm so happy that he finally found that.
Together Jeremy and Charlie had great chemistry. Jeremy’s outgoing personality helped push Charlie to get out of his comfort zone and Charlie’s calm nature became a safe place for Jeremy during all the turbulence. You can really tell how much they each felt for the other.
Content Warning: MC recovering from a kidnapping and forced amputation of fingers; references to human trafficking and gang violence
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Favorite Quotes:
Several moments passed, and Charlie just held Jeremy. It was easy to do. He’d wanted to do it for weeks. And he knew he could do it forever, if Jeremy let him. Because Jeremy made him feel present in the world in a way he hadn’t . . . maybe ever.
- - - - -
Being with Charlie felt so damn natural. Like they’d always known each other. Like they belonged together. Like they were the best of friends—only so much more.
In contrast, Charlie is more reserved in his emotions and he's not used to being around so many people or trying to make connections. Life hasn't been easy for Charlie but I loved seeing him reconnect with his sister Becca and find a family with the Hard Ink guys. It's so obvious how much Charlie just wanted to be accepted for who he was and I'm so happy that he finally found that.
Together Jeremy and Charlie had great chemistry. Jeremy’s outgoing personality helped push Charlie to get out of his comfort zone and Charlie’s calm nature became a safe place for Jeremy during all the turbulence. You can really tell how much they each felt for the other.
Content Warning: MC recovering from a kidnapping and forced amputation of fingers; references to human trafficking and gang violence
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Favorite Quotes:
Several moments passed, and Charlie just held Jeremy. It was easy to do. He’d wanted to do it for weeks. And he knew he could do it forever, if Jeremy let him. Because Jeremy made him feel present in the world in a way he hadn’t . . . maybe ever.
- - - - -
Being with Charlie felt so damn natural. Like they’d always known each other. Like they belonged together. Like they were the best of friends—only so much more.
trudyd's review
5.0
Loved it!!!! Loved it!!!!!! Loved it!!!!!!! My only problem is that was too short. Reading Hard to Be Good was a trip back to high school. Charlie is so shy. He is so insecure. He is so afraid of rejection that he lives in a state of fear. It tore me apart. I felt so sorry for the guy. Charlie had been through so much.
I am not someone that reads books that concentrate on a male/male relationship. Hard to be Good is so much more. It is a story of survival. It is a story of first love. It is a story about grief. But mostly it is a story of acceptance.
I am not someone that reads books that concentrate on a male/male relationship. Hard to be Good is so much more. It is a story of survival. It is a story of first love. It is a story about grief. But mostly it is a story of acceptance.
echoingbooks's review
5.0
One thing I can tell is that Laura Kaye knows how to write amazing books. She knows how to make people fall in love with her characters. I don't normally read gay books. Now don't think I'm against gay couples I actually don't care if they gay or not as long as they are happy. This book i loved because of Jeremy and it also made me understand Charlie even more. I would gladly read this book again because I love and adore Jeremy and Charlie. They will be an amazing couple and in the midst of darkness there needs to be some happiness in their lives, something to live for. Laura Kaye you are a queen when it comes to writing and I cant wait to read the next book so this wait is going to be hard for me because i need the book now! Jeremy makes me smile and I love him, one of my favorite characters in this series!!
caseroo7's review
4.0
Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick
Hard to be Good is a M/M novella in the Hard Ink series by Laura Kaye. Though this is a part of the series, it can be read as a standalone story. I was really excited for Jeremy and Charlie's story, as I loved both of their characters. Jeremy Rixey is the owner of Hard Ink Tattoo and is the brother of Nick Rixey. Nick's special forces team was almost killed a year before, and they have been trying to get to the bottom of what happened ever since. Charlie Merritt was kidnapped and got drawn into the team's investigation. He instantly had a connection with Jeremy and they have formed a friendship. But besides that friendship, they have both been feeling more and have been scared to make a move. But after Jeremy nearly gets killed, they both realize that it is time to see what the connection between them could be if they gave it a chance.
Jeremy has always been one of my favorites from this series. He is fun and flirty and he is comfortable with who he is. He is bisexual and loved based on the person rather than their sex. But he also had a ton of stuff beneath the surface, and he really connected with Charlie. They understood each other in a way that no one else did, and Charlie really saw all that Jeremy was. He was able to reach him in a way that even Jeremy's siblings Nick and Kat couldn't. Charlie had always been a bit awkward, preferring to spend his time with computers rather than people. He had also been afraid to be himself because of what his father put him through. While he was out, he was also scared of what others would think of him and I really hated that his father had made him that way. But Jeremy was exactly what he needed, and I loved that he got Charlie to finally make a move and step a bit outside his comfort zone. These two were great for one another and had such a strong connection and friendship. I enjoyed seeing them take that to the next level and explore the attraction between them as well.
While I really liked both of these characters, I will say that this was extremely short. I found myself wanting more as their relationship seemed a bit rushed. They had a great friendship and foundation for more, but it happened really quickly. I wanted to see more of these two together, and I really thought that they deserved more of a story. I guess that is just me being greedy, but I really loved both of these guys and wanted to see more of them. I think that this was a great addition to the series though, and I liked seeing both of these guys acknowledge and accept what was between them. They both deserved to be happy, and I was glad that they had found each other. I think that this series is a great one if you like romantic suspense, and this installment was a great addition to that. I look forward to reading more from Laura Kaye and to seeing more of these characters as the series continues.
**ARC Provided by Publisher**
Hard to be Good is a M/M novella in the Hard Ink series by Laura Kaye. Though this is a part of the series, it can be read as a standalone story. I was really excited for Jeremy and Charlie's story, as I loved both of their characters. Jeremy Rixey is the owner of Hard Ink Tattoo and is the brother of Nick Rixey. Nick's special forces team was almost killed a year before, and they have been trying to get to the bottom of what happened ever since. Charlie Merritt was kidnapped and got drawn into the team's investigation. He instantly had a connection with Jeremy and they have formed a friendship. But besides that friendship, they have both been feeling more and have been scared to make a move. But after Jeremy nearly gets killed, they both realize that it is time to see what the connection between them could be if they gave it a chance.
Jeremy has always been one of my favorites from this series. He is fun and flirty and he is comfortable with who he is. He is bisexual and loved based on the person rather than their sex. But he also had a ton of stuff beneath the surface, and he really connected with Charlie. They understood each other in a way that no one else did, and Charlie really saw all that Jeremy was. He was able to reach him in a way that even Jeremy's siblings Nick and Kat couldn't. Charlie had always been a bit awkward, preferring to spend his time with computers rather than people. He had also been afraid to be himself because of what his father put him through. While he was out, he was also scared of what others would think of him and I really hated that his father had made him that way. But Jeremy was exactly what he needed, and I loved that he got Charlie to finally make a move and step a bit outside his comfort zone. These two were great for one another and had such a strong connection and friendship. I enjoyed seeing them take that to the next level and explore the attraction between them as well.
While I really liked both of these characters, I will say that this was extremely short. I found myself wanting more as their relationship seemed a bit rushed. They had a great friendship and foundation for more, but it happened really quickly. I wanted to see more of these two together, and I really thought that they deserved more of a story. I guess that is just me being greedy, but I really loved both of these guys and wanted to see more of them. I think that this was a great addition to the series though, and I liked seeing both of these guys acknowledge and accept what was between them. They both deserved to be happy, and I was glad that they had found each other. I think that this series is a great one if you like romantic suspense, and this installment was a great addition to that. I look forward to reading more from Laura Kaye and to seeing more of these characters as the series continues.
**ARC Provided by Publisher**
amandas_reading_corner's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
deanapotter's review
4.0
Charlie and Jeremy have forged a friendship through a very twisted and hot mess of a situation. When the sh*t hits the fan these two realize they both want more than to be friends. Disaster pushes the feelings to the surface, making thoughts and fantasies a reality.
Laura Kaye just gave me my favorite friends to lovers story. Two unique and charismatic people comes together, find something worth living for in a beautiful and natural way, amongst the chaos going on around. Yes this is a M/M novella. But the story is more than two men getting together. Look at the sensuality and passion between two loving and caring people creating something stronger together. It’s a beautiful, sexy and endearing story that will get to your heart.
Laura Kaye just gave me my favorite friends to lovers story. Two unique and charismatic people comes together, find something worth living for in a beautiful and natural way, amongst the chaos going on around. Yes this is a M/M novella. But the story is more than two men getting together. Look at the sensuality and passion between two loving and caring people creating something stronger together. It’s a beautiful, sexy and endearing story that will get to your heart.