Hard to Hold: A Hard to Play Novel

A good start to a new series. Hard to Hold is the first book in a new series, Hard to Play, by Katie Rose. Characters from books in her previous series (which seems to go by two different names: The Boys of Summer and The Bad Boys of Baseball) make appearances in this story but you do not need to have read any other books to enjoy this one. Logan Hart is enjoying being back in the U.S. after playing professional soccer overseas. He is shocked when a woman from a one-night stand (something he usually didn’t indulge in) drops a baby girl in his lap while he’s out having a beer. There’s no way the baby can be his; he always used a condom. I really enjoyed this story, which for me was a twist on the secret baby romance trope. Instead of the mother and father ending up together something different happens. Logan travels all the time for his job and there is no way that he can care for a baby. He does what any smart, well-off-man would do – he hires a nanny. Isabella Bennett is a professional nanny who loves helping children and their families. She knows that what she does can make a difference in a child’s life and that makes it worth all of the negative things that come with the job. There is a lot of chemistry between Isabella and Logan right from the start but they both know that it’s not appropriate for them to get involved. Even while she is attracted to him, at first Isabella isn’t impressed with Logan’s attitude towards the baby, Cinnamon. It doesn’t take long, however, for her to help Logan to understand how much Cinnamon needs him and for his attitude to make a big adjustment in the right direction and her resolve to resist him slowly crumbles. Unfortunately, Isabella has a secret that she’s reluctant to share with Logan and it threatens to tear them apart. I loved reading this book. The heat between Isabella and Logan is hot but this book doesn’t have an overabundance of explicit sex and the story itself kept me interested enough I didn’t want to put it down. I should note that while the sex is mild (except for one scene) there are a lot of f-bombs. That doesn’t offend me at all but there were times I felt they were a bit over the top. I’m looking forward to reading more in this series. ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my review. ***** Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions *****

Logan Hart, a soccer player, is back in New Jersey from a year playing in Italy. He is at a local pub with his teammates, when a woman with a stroller comes to him, and almost literally dumps a baby in his lap. Desiree, a one-night stand insists baby Cinnamon is his, that she is unable to take care of her, and it’s his turn to take care of the 3 month-old infant. In spite of his initial shock, Logan doesn’t want to see the child in foster care, he knows hard harsh it can be. Logan is convinced baby Cinnamon is not his, but he takes her home nonetheless. He knows he is way over his head, so he needs to hire a nanny. And Isabella Bennett, the nanny, all Mary Poppins in demeanour, has to be one of the most attractive women he has ever laid eyes one. I thought the author laid it on a bit thick right from the start: the heartless, irresponsible loser of a trollop that is Desiree; the super qualified, über gorgeous nanny, and the obligatory instant sexual attraction. I’m not qualified to say, but I didn’t understand why the nanny and the infant should travel to the soccer games with Logan; isn’t it the job of the nanny to take care of a child when the parents are away? However, it appears it was for storyline purposes. Logan is an arrogant, angry, and selfish – let’s say the word: jerk – he is totally in denial that he could be the father, but does he have a DNA test done right away? Of course not, silly! Oh we are told that Isabella is so professional, but she is not; competent yes, professional no; she is gives in much too easily to her raging hormones; Logan might be single, but he is still her employer. But I digress, it is the purpose of the story that they get it on, is it not? I’m not quite sure either why she admires him so quickly, because he was rather beastly, but then again he went from enraged to super dad in a jiffy, so that would do it I suppose. I thought it somewhat disturbing that their respective families and Isabella’s employer didn’t bat an eyelash at Isabelle and Logan engaging in a relationship, and so quickly. Anyway, HARD TO HOLD is very well written, impeccably edited, and I really got the feel of the soccer team, and I also enjoyed the dynamic of both families. Even though I am not crazy about babies in romances, Cinnamon was a delightful child, without any sugar-induced coma. ̴ A Book Obsessed Chicks Review Team Selection

Hard to Hold by Katie Rose....What a great sweet story, that catches your attention on the first page. Katie has written an amazing book with very likeable characters. Logan is every woman's dream man a jock, rich, hot and really sweet. Isabella is a strong beautiful woman with some issues she is working through. These two a perfect together hopefully they make it work. Looking for a great sports romance this one is for you. I was given a complimentary book by publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.