canadianbookaddict's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book . I loved it so much that not even halfway through it I went online and bought the second book on the series and I added all of Laura Kaye's books to my extremely long wish list and added them all to the top of the list .
I can't wait to read more .
I can't wait to read more .
agrutle's review against another edition
5.0
I should start by saying I found this book because my bff Corie went to a book signing where Laura Kaye was and got this book for me signed! What's better than a tatted military guy? Not much so I had a credit for an audio book and I got this one, I didn't want to ruin the signed copy, plus I read a ton more books in electronic form than real books. Okay, on with the review!
Okay so Becca is looking for Nick Rixey, a guy from her dad's military company. Her brother is missing and the note he sent her before he went missing said to find Nick. She needs all the help she can get but Nick doesn't want to have anything to do with a Merritt. Her dad ruined his life.
Once Becca figures out that shes pretty much on her own she goes back to her brothers apartment to see if there is anything she could find out. There she sees that his place has been tossed. She knows something is very, very wrong! She calls the police and files a report with them. Becca goes home defeated. Nick doesn't want to help her so she'll just have to do things herself. While she's getting things together to make herself supper she hears a noise and knows someone is in her house.
Nick can't let it go, he doesn't want to help her but he can't shake the feeling he's got. So he goes and he checks her house out. Notices that she has odd tendencies. She checks every window every night. Makes sure that no one is outside. So he goes back the next night and that's when he realizes that someone is in her house.
Nick may not have wanted to help but he's pulled in by the idea that someone is after he Merritt kids and he can't help but want to help Becca. He has to reconcile that she is not her father and she very well may not know anything about the way her father was at the end. Something bad is after Becca and he's going to do everything in his power to stop it.
I loved the characters! Nick was bad ass and he knew it. He was a take charge kind of guy and didn't let anything or anyone stop him. Becca wasn't the whiny girl that couldn't take care of herself, she had a gun and wasn't afraid. She was smart about things, she did everything she could. It wasn't her fault that the police department was shady. Jeremy, Nick's brother, was awesome I looked forward to his banter and his t-shirts. I look forward to all of the other guys stories. Fantastic book!!
Okay so Becca is looking for Nick Rixey, a guy from her dad's military company. Her brother is missing and the note he sent her before he went missing said to find Nick. She needs all the help she can get but Nick doesn't want to have anything to do with a Merritt. Her dad ruined his life.
Once Becca figures out that shes pretty much on her own she goes back to her brothers apartment to see if there is anything she could find out. There she sees that his place has been tossed. She knows something is very, very wrong! She calls the police and files a report with them. Becca goes home defeated. Nick doesn't want to help her so she'll just have to do things herself. While she's getting things together to make herself supper she hears a noise and knows someone is in her house.
Nick can't let it go, he doesn't want to help her but he can't shake the feeling he's got. So he goes and he checks her house out. Notices that she has odd tendencies. She checks every window every night. Makes sure that no one is outside. So he goes back the next night and that's when he realizes that someone is in her house.
Nick may not have wanted to help but he's pulled in by the idea that someone is after he Merritt kids and he can't help but want to help Becca. He has to reconcile that she is not her father and she very well may not know anything about the way her father was at the end. Something bad is after Becca and he's going to do everything in his power to stop it.
I loved the characters! Nick was bad ass and he knew it. He was a take charge kind of guy and didn't let anything or anyone stop him. Becca wasn't the whiny girl that couldn't take care of herself, she had a gun and wasn't afraid. She was smart about things, she did everything she could. It wasn't her fault that the police department was shady. Jeremy, Nick's brother, was awesome I looked forward to his banter and his t-shirts. I look forward to all of the other guys stories. Fantastic book!!
angie_stl's review against another edition
4.0
4 1/2 Stars
I bought this book quite a while ago, but kept over looking it for some reason. Now I want to yell at myself for that, it's got everything I enjoy in a contemporary romance. A little ongoing mystery within the series, a group of men or women that are closer than blood relatives sometimes are, of course some decent romance, and something a little different, in this case, the tattoo angle. Everything together creates a wonderful, mysterious, fun read.
I bought this book quite a while ago, but kept over looking it for some reason. Now I want to yell at myself for that, it's got everything I enjoy in a contemporary romance. A little ongoing mystery within the series, a group of men or women that are closer than blood relatives sometimes are, of course some decent romance, and something a little different, in this case, the tattoo angle. Everything together creates a wonderful, mysterious, fun read.
thegeekyblogger's review against another edition
4.0
Read for Review (Edelweiss)
Overall Rating: 4.75
Story Rating: 4.50
Character Rating: 5.00
First Thought when Finished: Hard As It Gets was a fantastic read that made me start counting down to the next Hard Ink Novel. (I may or may not have been stalking Laura Kaye's FB page for updates as she was writing #2)
Story Thoughts: Hard As It Gets is a really good mystery that appears to start out as a missing person case but soon morphs into much more. I enjoyed the action, the sleuthing, and the fact that our leads were in real danger. There was a sense of "realness" in the story because things happened that made me flinch. The end was a little open-ended (yes so the series can continue) so I was frustrated that the next book was not available yet. What can I say patience is not a virtue of mine. That being said, it was not a cliff-hanger of a "typical" nature and most things with this couple were wrapped up in Hard As It Gets!
Character Thoughts: Holy freaking hotness! Nicholas Rixey was just HAWT. If I was reverting to my 80s teenage self "Like he was totally hot to the max and had a gnarly job that was totally Righteous". Needless to say, I was in love with Nick almost from the beginning. He was just the right amount of damaged alpha and protective male. I also really liked Becca! She was strong, driven, and willing to do whatever to help her brother. She wasn't stupid either and didn't insist on being involved in something that was clearly out of her ability scope. Together they were a great couple! Also the rest of the guys = SWOON!
Final Thoughts:Stalking Hard Ink #2! That is all!
Overall Rating: 4.75
Story Rating: 4.50
Character Rating: 5.00
First Thought when Finished: Hard As It Gets was a fantastic read that made me start counting down to the next Hard Ink Novel. (I may or may not have been stalking Laura Kaye's FB page for updates as she was writing #2)
Story Thoughts: Hard As It Gets is a really good mystery that appears to start out as a missing person case but soon morphs into much more. I enjoyed the action, the sleuthing, and the fact that our leads were in real danger. There was a sense of "realness" in the story because things happened that made me flinch. The end was a little open-ended (yes so the series can continue) so I was frustrated that the next book was not available yet. What can I say patience is not a virtue of mine. That being said, it was not a cliff-hanger of a "typical" nature and most things with this couple were wrapped up in Hard As It Gets!
Character Thoughts: Holy freaking hotness! Nicholas Rixey was just HAWT. If I was reverting to my 80s teenage self "Like he was totally hot to the max and had a gnarly job that was totally Righteous". Needless to say, I was in love with Nick almost from the beginning. He was just the right amount of damaged alpha and protective male. I also really liked Becca! She was strong, driven, and willing to do whatever to help her brother. She wasn't stupid either and didn't insist on being involved in something that was clearly out of her ability scope. Together they were a great couple! Also the rest of the guys = SWOON!
Final Thoughts:Stalking Hard Ink #2! That is all!
planningwithgrammy's review
3.0
this is a good book. I thought it was balanced well with romance and action. great starter book for militia romance. I had to edit my review after reading book 2. there is human trafficking in it. and a scene where they watch women get loaded on a boat and not intervene. if they are rescued in a later book I do not know. I realize this is fantasy. and kidnapping in real are not romantic. but for some odd reason I am ok with that in a novel only when they are rescued. But HUMAN TRAFFICKING is not romantic or erotic in anyway and does not belong in the storyline. Since I have already read the first book in the spinoff I know the bikers are into rescuing women at risk. I will read the next book. but if the trafficking gets worse I will downgrade the book again. no sense reading the first book if the series goes into very dark territory.
booksabrewin's review against another edition
4.0
I purchased the book on a whim from Barnes & Noble as I was on my way to the checkout. I had heard a few good things about the book, but was curious to branch out of the paranormal genre and start reading a bit more romantic suspense or contemporary. This fit both of those genres and featured one of my favorite subject matters. Tattooed men. I hadn't sat down to read the book until I was presented with an opportunity to read the second book in the series for a book blitz. Of course, I had to read the first one before the second. It was not time ill spent.
Nick was still reeling from his less than stellar dismissal from the military and the loss of some of his military brothers in an ambush in Afghanistan. He also has not let go of the anger and betrayal that his commanding officer had unleashed on him and his team. So when the ghost from his past's daughter comes to his place of business at Hard Ink Tattoo, Nick's immediate reaction is to send her away. And he does so, but he can't shake the draw he felt for the blonde haired, blue eyed beauty nor could he shake the gut reaction that helping her could ultimately change his life for the better.
Becca did not know why her missing brother's last message had told her to seek out Nick Rixey, her father's second in command, but a part of her was glad. Nick was a whole lot of yummy man and despite his no nonsense persona, she could see that he was a war-hardened hero capable of finding and returning her brother to her safely. Reluctantly, Nick comes around to helping her and so starts a very confusing hunt for her computer savvy hacker brother.
Along the way, the couple learns that Becca's brother, Charlie's, disappearance may have something to do with the situation with their father that ruined Nick and his surviving teammate's lives. Now, not only is it vital to find Charlie for Becca's sake but also to find out what Charlie may know about possibly clearing Nick and his teammates' names. Add to that a budding romance between the spawn of the man Nick hates with every fiber of his being and the the wounded soldier Becca only knows as someone her father trusted and you have the makings for a world of mystery, intrigue, and hot, hot romance.
Hard As It Gets was even more "suspensey" than I first thought it would be. I normally gravitate towards fluff pieces in contemporary that features only a very minute dramatic situation and absolutely zero conspiracy theories. This one was not that. This was more action-packed than I would have imagined or liked, but surprisingly, it worked for me. I loved Nick and Becca and their connection to each other. I liked the fact the book featured not only tattooed men but MILITARY men. Be still my heart. To my overwhelming amazement, I actually liked the cliffhanger the book left off on. I usually LOATHE cliffhangers.
To sum it up, Hard As It Gets is a thrilling ride of hot men, thought provoking mystery, predominant intrigue, and sexy romance all rolled into a 358-page work of art worthy of Hard Ink Tattoo.
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hannas_heas47's review
3.0
I picked up this book because the cover was freaking F-I-N-E..... Fine. The blurb looked real promising and I hadn't read anything by this author. So I shelved it. Now three books later, I finally decided to read the series or give up. I sometimes find myself collecting books just because I like the covers when I don't even know if I like the actual book. Sounds wierd but most of my library builds this way. So someone offered me a novelette in this series so I feel encouraged to actually read the first three.
This book started out great, I was digging Nick and Becca. They seemed to have pretty nice chemistry, and then I waited. And waited. And waited....... Took them forever to shag. Meanwhile there's a pretty decent plot. Her brother Charlie was kidnapped. Charlie leaves a message on a chat message board for her to find Nick Rixey. Nick is one of the five men who were in Becca's fathers command that were dishonored during a tour in Afghanistan. Then the book dragged a bit because let's face it. The story is much bigger than one book. So I'm guessing the five soldiers that were dishonored are going to each get their own book. So the five soldiers form a task force to get Becca's brother away from this drug running gang called The Church.
The book says romance but for me it was mostly about the brother. I was actually a bit bored in places because the action just wasn't there. Other than a bunch of quickies, I didn't really feel any action between Becca and Nick. There were many things going on in this book with the kidnapping, ink shop, and Colonels part to the point where maybe too much was going on. I'm still going to read on because I think the story will get better but my overall entertainment for this one was barely three stars.
This book started out great, I was digging Nick and Becca. They seemed to have pretty nice chemistry, and then I waited. And waited. And waited....... Took them forever to shag. Meanwhile there's a pretty decent plot. Her brother Charlie was kidnapped. Charlie leaves a message on a chat message board for her to find Nick Rixey. Nick is one of the five men who were in Becca's fathers command that were dishonored during a tour in Afghanistan. Then the book dragged a bit because let's face it. The story is much bigger than one book. So I'm guessing the five soldiers that were dishonored are going to each get their own book. So the five soldiers form a task force to get Becca's brother away from this drug running gang called The Church.
The book says romance but for me it was mostly about the brother. I was actually a bit bored in places because the action just wasn't there. Other than a bunch of quickies, I didn't really feel any action between Becca and Nick. There were many things going on in this book with the kidnapping, ink shop, and Colonels part to the point where maybe too much was going on. I'm still going to read on because I think the story will get better but my overall entertainment for this one was barely three stars.
fictionalkate's review
2.0
As Hard as it Gets was exactly the kind of book I expected it to be. Fierce heroine and a slightly broken military man share some super steamy times together whilst at the same time trying to beat the bad guys. I’d not read any Laura Kaye before and I don’t mind her style. There’s a bit too much telling me how sexy and hot the characters are without really showing it in ways for me to appreciate myself (if that makes sense) but I enjoyed it for the most part. The supporting cast were more interesting and fun to me than Becca and Nick but the steamier scenes were hot and I didn’t care that much the suspense aspect of the novel wasn’t actually that suspenseful.
bri_839's review against another edition
3.0
I loved Laura Kaye's series however this book fell a bit flat for me. I found the steamy scenes to be a bit boring after experiencing her other works. this book was a bit longer then the others and I sometimes found myself skimming the pages which is a sure sign I'm bored. I also didn't enjoy the references to torture and nails which makes me feel physically ill.
Unsure if I'll continue with the series, might give it another shot and make my mind up then especially when I loved her other works so much.
Unsure if I'll continue with the series, might give it another shot and make my mind up then especially when I loved her other works so much.
tiffcutshall's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
As good as the first time!
Read this book several years ago and loved it. Re-reading now I love it even more and caught things I missed before or forgot about.
Laura Kaye is an amazing author and this the perfect book and series to start with!
Read this book several years ago and loved it. Re-reading now I love it even more and caught things I missed before or forgot about.
Laura Kaye is an amazing author and this the perfect book and series to start with!