Catie Rain and Danny Esera have known each other since Danny's brother courted Catie's sister. The whole Bishop-Esera clan subsequently adopted Catie and Isa as their own, and Catie and Danny have spent the entire time since bickering, teasing, and sniping at each other. When an incident during a night out has the whole world thinking they finally hooked up, they decide to run with it - and realise the relationship they never saw coming might be the best thing to ever happen to them!
Danny is your typical star rugby player with high expectations, strict management, and a looming fear of falling off his game. It's great that this is a rugby series because I can actually picture what's going on for once. He's a little bossy and overprotective, but fights himself to let Catie handle herself. Because Catie? She's a double-amputee with Paralympic dreams and I love how Nalini writes her - not an object of pity or stoic inspiration, but a top athlete who wants to be seen for herself rather than for what's missing, who leverages her disability into a career and a way to help others. She's tough, funny, and realistic.
This is officially fourth in the Hard Play series, though the eldest Bishop brother's book (Rock Hard) is actually number 2 in the related Rock Kiss series, and if that is too confusing, this book stands perfectly well on its own. On the other hand, the Bishop-Esera clan are so warm and engaging, you're probably going to want to read the rest sooner rather than later.
Like Nalini's other contemporaries, this is a high-steam, low-angst romance where the characters talk to each other instead of breaking up at the first hurdle. Their relationship definitely has its ups and downs, but I enjoyed knowing that whatever happens, there will be no silly big misunderstanding.
It's sexy, it's heartwarming, and I really hope it's not the last in the series - who's keen to see Danny's teammates get their own happy ever afters?
Kiss Hard is available now as an ebook
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via NetGalley; all opinions are my own
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