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A review by amym84
Love Hard by Nalini Singh
4.0
Jake Esera was a teenage father, and in practically the same breath his childhood sweetheart, and mother of his daughter, died. Since then, he's worked hard to create and safe and stable life for himself and his daughter getting support from his family. So when his high school nemesis Juliet Nelisi walks back into his life, he's prepared for trouble to come following. What he isn't prepared for is the attraction. Not only did Jake and Juliet not get along in high school, but she was also best friends with his aforementioned girlfriend.
Juliet Nelisi likes her life being a little wild. Maybe not getting in trouble, going to detention everyday kind of wild anymore, but she loves life, and is fiercely loyal to those she calls friends. Running into Jake brought back a lot of memories, but mainly she's thrown by the zing of chemistry between them. But Juliet knows that despite being a famous rugby player, Jake doesn't court fame. Unfortunately, Juliet's ex-husband continually draws her back into the spotlight in order to remain relevant himself, and Juliet can't imaging dragging Jake and his daughter into the media frenzy as well. But sometimes attraction is too strong to hold off.
When we first encountered Jake way back when in his brother Gabriel's story [b:Rock Hard|23514316|Rock Hard (Rock Kiss, #2)|Nalini Singh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1423588812l/23514316._SX50_.jpg|43117391], I was interested in this young, single father's story, and wanted to see him get his HEA. The beginning of the book starts out with Gabriel and Charlotte's wedding, and with a cameo from Molly and Fox from [b:Rock Addiction|22839846|Rock Addiction (Rock Kiss, #1)|Nalini Singh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1408109387l/22839846._SX50_.jpg|42396239], I was thrown by how far we've come in this series and it's technical spin-offs. I like that Nalini Singh worked in various cameos in a nod to where we've been in the series, but only the ones that made sense of course.
I've really enjoyed seeing the Bishop-Esera family. Seeing their closeness and their family dynamic throughout the various books has definitely been a highlight. This time around it's contrasted with Juliet's lack of family. When she was younger her parents died in an accident and she was raised (begrudgingly) by her aunt, and then later by her grandparents who weren't ones to show open affection. So to be thrown into the Esera clan was very eye-opening for her. I loved seeing the moments where she was caught off guard with their kindness and acceptance.
I also liked the fact that this isn't a simple enemies-to-lovers story. It's not a my best friend's ex story either. It kind of blends aspects of those two together, but I feel like it's certainly it's own kind of love story. Because Jake's life was undeniably altered the day Callie - his girlfriend and mother of his child - died. He knows that they were young and he doesn't make any declarations about how they were meant to be together forever, he doesn't put her on a pedestal except for the fact that he doesn't ever want to lose someone he cares about ever again. So he becomes serious and staid. He keeps things close to his chest and while not pushing people away he doesn't let them in either. Then Juliet comes along a link to his past, yet they've both grown enough that it's like a new adventure being with her. I love the acknowledgement of the past, but the fact that his heart isn't clinging to what once was, more he tries to control aspects of his life to guarantee good outcomes.
Both Juliet and Jake are loyal to their people. But, especially in Juliet's case, it's like they don't expect people to be loyal back. So I loved seeing Juliet learn that Jake is someone that she can count on, someone who will be there for her. Not because a woman necessarily can't get things done on their own, Juliet has made her own successes for sure, but because inherently we, as people, all need that connection with others. I think it's a really sweet and beautiful aspect to their story.
I will always read a Nalini Singh, no questions, no hesitations. There's just one more Esera brother left, the youngest Danny. I know who I'm hoping Nalini pairs him with, but regardless I'll be there all the same whenever it's released.
Juliet Nelisi likes her life being a little wild. Maybe not getting in trouble, going to detention everyday kind of wild anymore, but she loves life, and is fiercely loyal to those she calls friends. Running into Jake brought back a lot of memories, but mainly she's thrown by the zing of chemistry between them. But Juliet knows that despite being a famous rugby player, Jake doesn't court fame. Unfortunately, Juliet's ex-husband continually draws her back into the spotlight in order to remain relevant himself, and Juliet can't imaging dragging Jake and his daughter into the media frenzy as well. But sometimes attraction is too strong to hold off.
When we first encountered Jake way back when in his brother Gabriel's story [b:Rock Hard|23514316|Rock Hard (Rock Kiss, #2)|Nalini Singh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1423588812l/23514316._SX50_.jpg|43117391], I was interested in this young, single father's story, and wanted to see him get his HEA. The beginning of the book starts out with Gabriel and Charlotte's wedding, and with a cameo from Molly and Fox from [b:Rock Addiction|22839846|Rock Addiction (Rock Kiss, #1)|Nalini Singh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1408109387l/22839846._SX50_.jpg|42396239], I was thrown by how far we've come in this series and it's technical spin-offs. I like that Nalini Singh worked in various cameos in a nod to where we've been in the series, but only the ones that made sense of course.
I've really enjoyed seeing the Bishop-Esera family. Seeing their closeness and their family dynamic throughout the various books has definitely been a highlight. This time around it's contrasted with Juliet's lack of family. When she was younger her parents died in an accident and she was raised (begrudgingly) by her aunt, and then later by her grandparents who weren't ones to show open affection. So to be thrown into the Esera clan was very eye-opening for her. I loved seeing the moments where she was caught off guard with their kindness and acceptance.
I also liked the fact that this isn't a simple enemies-to-lovers story. It's not a my best friend's ex story either. It kind of blends aspects of those two together, but I feel like it's certainly it's own kind of love story. Because Jake's life was undeniably altered the day Callie - his girlfriend and mother of his child - died. He knows that they were young and he doesn't make any declarations about how they were meant to be together forever, he doesn't put her on a pedestal except for the fact that he doesn't ever want to lose someone he cares about ever again. So he becomes serious and staid. He keeps things close to his chest and while not pushing people away he doesn't let them in either. Then Juliet comes along a link to his past, yet they've both grown enough that it's like a new adventure being with her. I love the acknowledgement of the past, but the fact that his heart isn't clinging to what once was, more he tries to control aspects of his life to guarantee good outcomes.
Both Juliet and Jake are loyal to their people. But, especially in Juliet's case, it's like they don't expect people to be loyal back. So I loved seeing Juliet learn that Jake is someone that she can count on, someone who will be there for her. Not because a woman necessarily can't get things done on their own, Juliet has made her own successes for sure, but because inherently we, as people, all need that connection with others. I think it's a really sweet and beautiful aspect to their story.
I will always read a Nalini Singh, no questions, no hesitations. There's just one more Esera brother left, the youngest Danny. I know who I'm hoping Nalini pairs him with, but regardless I'll be there all the same whenever it's released.