I adored Danny - how can you not love a man, who is honest, sexy, fun, successful, plays rugby and loves baking? Still, not much happened in the book. It was cute and sweet, but a bit boring. Four stars. ( )

The fourth of the Hard Play series is less enemies to lovers than irritants to lovers. Daniel and Catie have known one another since their teens thanks to Catie’s half sister marrying one of Danny’s older brothers. There were never any sparks between them, but Catie did spend time at Esera family home for parties and holidays. But when a chance photograph taken of them when Catie helps him out of a nightclub after being drugged, the tabloids go wild. To hide the fact about the drugs they go along with the online narrative. But it seems that there is a spark between them, and prolonged closeness has started a wildfire they are not sure they want to put out.
The story is as sweet as the others in this series and there is a HEA by the end of the book. I liked the story and as usual the author doesn’t disappoint. My only question is what happens next in this universe since I really like how she handles all the family dynamics.

Digital review copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley
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Nalini Singh does it again with the swoony, sexy, sweet and funny book that I needed. ( )

KISS HARD was an engaging sports romance. Catie River is preparing for the Paralympics since she lost her lower legs in an accident when she was a young teen. Danny Esera is a champion rugby player. They have known each other since her sister began her relationship with his brother when both Catie and Danny were young teens.

Catie and Danny have always been frenemies. The delight in teasing each other. Neither could imagine thinking of the other as any sort of romantic interest. Or at least, that's what they try to tell themselves. But when Danny is drugged at a club and Catie manages to rescue him, the optics seem to show that they are in a relationship.

To preserve their reputations with their sponsors, they have to continue to pretend that they are the newest, hottest item. The only problem is that the pretense soon becomes real though neither wants to admit it to the other.

After Catie's history with her neer-do-well father, she has difficulty trusting any man with her heart. Danny has been raised in a family where love and trust are natural. He needs to convince Catie that she can trust him.

This was an excellent addition to the Hard Play series. ( )

Daniel Esera is on his way to following in his family's footsteps by becoming a big name in the rugby world.

Similarly, Catie River is making a name for herself within the Paralympic circuit.

Daniel and Catie have known each other for years. Catie's sister Isa is married to Danny's brother Sailor. Danny and Catie affectionately consider each other frenemies.

But lately, Danny is seeing something in Catie that he hadn't seen before, and Catie, likewise, is feeling an attraction to Danny that's never been there before.

Before they can really explore what these feelings might mean, both of their careers are on the line when Danny gets caught in a stranger's reckless stunt. In order to stave off the press, they need to pretend to be in a relationship that forces them to confront their feelings and how this affects their dynamic.

It's been a couple of years since we've checked in on the Esera family. This series is one that I may not be highly anticipating, but when it does release and when I do read it, I'm just happier for it. Nalini Singh knows how to pull readers into a story and she knows all about how to make a character connect with a reader.

I just really like the history that's grown between Catie and the Esera family. With her sister married into the family, they really welcomed her into the fold as well, which is great seeing as how Catie's biological mother and father were never present for her, mentally or physically. Catie learned early on that showing love and giving love only ends up hurting you in the process. Still, her parents have been there for her in her hardest moments, such as after the accident that left her a double-amputee. So Danny throws her for a loop. She's attracted to him but is scared to put her trust in another person after so long only relying on herself.

Danny's family dynamic might be better than Catie's, but that doesn't mean he doesn't feel the pressure of what it means to be an Esera. His brothers have paved the way for him to play rugby, but with a whole country watching to see how you stack up against them, it's intimidating and has started to take a toll on the field. Danny needs to get his head back in the game, but Catie is proving to be quite the distraction.

I really enjoyed seeing the different family dynamics highlighted between Danny and Catie, and then kind of how they form their own dynamic that's been influenced by how they grew up. Seeing how their differences influence their careers and how they handle that pressure both good and bad.

Mainly, I love the connection, even though they're supposed to be "frenemies" you can tell they've always had a strong bond with one another and the way it grew into something more felt very natural and organic. Not forced.

The only issue I had was that there seemed to be a lot of conflicts that were only partially seen through. The issue with the stranger that forces Danny and Catie into the fake relationship and the fake relationship itself felt sort of gleamed over at a certain point, moving on to Danny's rising problems on the field and Catie's learning how to trust. I think if more focus/commitment had been made to a couple of the conflicts the story would have been stronger.

As it stands, however, you can never go wrong with anything Nalini Singh writes. This series has been a top-notch romance series. While I think we've made our way through the entire Esera clan, I really can't wait to see where Nalini goes next with her contemporary romances. There are always some great secondary characters that I'd love to see get a chance to shine. ( )