Darn you, Kristy Bromberg!! This is my third attempt to review Hard to Love and still I don’t think that I can do it justice. Hard to Love is the fifth and final book of the Play Hard Series. I can’t believe that I’m saying this, but HTL is positively my most favorite book of the series!! I am so in love with not only Finn but also Stevie. There is a special place I my heart for them both. The book was absolutely total bliss and Kristy spared nothing to make it so. And don’t even get me started on the feels, the angst, the banter, the baring of souls, and an irrefutably combustible chemistry between Finn and Stevie. My pre-conceived notions of Finn were blown to smithereens. Even harder was trying to figure out just how Kristy would redeem Finn Sanderson. The man whose ego is so ginormous it took up the whole room. Not to mention the man who didn’t trust women, who didn’t do relationships and who played the field keeping himself unattached. Believe me she did an amazing job with Finn. ~sigh~
Finn Sanderson, sports agent extraordinaire!! Or maybe not, we’ve already met him in the previous Play Hard books. He’s known for having a contentious rivalry with the Kinkade sisters in the sport agency arena. He’s also been an ultimate thorn in the sisters side at times competing for their clients, among other less than honorable things. Not forgetting his failed relationship with Chase Kinkade. So, it’s going to take quite a bit of work to redeem this bad boy!!
Hard to Love begins with a real bang. Stevie Lancaster is a tennis phenomenon whose world has been turned upside down by the death of her dad, Liam Lancaster. He had spent his life managing every aspect of her career. As her sole parent he was both dad and mom. Without her best friend - her dad, she was at a loss without the structure that he brought to her life. Not being able to deal with the pain of her dad being gone Stevie was at an impasse. So, her way of dealing with it was by behaving badly. With wild parties, alcohol, carousing with her two best friends in Vegas, more alcohol and the crazy “Cards O’ Fun” dares they come up with. The ultimate dare she is challenged to is having a one-night stand.
This is where Finn Sanderson comes into the picture. He’s flown to Vegas to meet with his mentor Carson Vega. He knows that he is being asked to be Stevie’s new agent. The dilemma for Finn is that he feels that he owes so much to Carson for his own career that he has to at least hear him out. Although Finn’s mind is already made up … while having an evening drink at the hotel bar he’s trying to figure out how to decline the offer. It’s here that Finn unknowingly meets Stevie, aka Scarlett and becomes the unsuspecting prey of her one-night stand. A night that ends with the most unforeseen conclusion.
At Finn’s meeting with Carson the next morning, he feels he indebted to take on Stevie as a client. With her missteps and crazy antics, she needs someone like Finn to help get her back on track… one of the things that Finn is known for. Although when Finn comes face to face with Stevie and recognition from the previous night kicks in it’s an all-out battle of words to discourage him. Even more shocking is when Finn finds himself telling her what he is expecting from her as taking her on as a client.
“The woman is a tornado, an earthquake, and a hurricane all mixed into one.”
It’s time for Stevie to get back on the court again … and Finn is going to be there every step of the way. It’s when Stevie plays in a charity match, her first since the death of her dad. One that she finds herself losing. It’s Finn who gives her some locker room tough talk … setting a fire under her to play like the champ she is. Needless to say, she wins!!
“There’s something about him that has me reminding myself to breathe.”
It’s the celebratory hug between Finn and Stevie that will change the dynamics between them. Media is having a field day with the speculation about what’s going on between them. This ultimately led Finn to quit as Stevie’s agent. Finding out of Finn’s departure, Stevie ends up once again as the life of the party on the casino floor. Fortunately for Stevie, Finn just happened to be on the casino floor too. Saving her from yet another humiliating mess.
“Everything about him reminds me of the taste of his kiss the feel of his hands on my body. But I don’t like him.
Not one bit. Or at least I tell myself that.”
“For the record I wasn’t quitting on you. I was saving you from me.”
Waiting for a flight back home Finn happens to notice the TV coverage of Stevie, surrounded by her bodyguards as they move her away from the press. Grabbing his phone, he checks the news to find out what is going on. It’s what happens next that has him changing his plans when he gets a call from Stevie. “I need you.”
“There’s just something about this woman - even at her wildest - that gets under your skin. Something you can’t put your finger on, but you can’t walk away from.”
Finn goes into action to help Stevie with the situation, taking her to his house while she dealt with this latest bombshell. I loved how protective Finn was of Stevie. The security she had being out of sight, away from the paparazzi, having a place to practice for the open, plus Finn giving her the time and space to put her life back together. Once again there is another shift in their dynamics. Walls were coming down between Finn and Stevie with truths shared. It’s sweet. It’s hot and sexy. It’s finding a commonality and understanding that only intensified feelings. Feelings both have for the other but never shared.
Rest assured that Kristy's epilogue left my heart full and my soul smiling!!
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![Hard to Love: An enemies to lovers, redeemed bad boy, forced proximity, tennis romance (The Play Hard Series (The Kincade Sisters) Book 5) by [K. Bromberg]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/W/IMAGERENDERING_521856-T1/images/I/41yqrSiMe1L._SY346_.jpg)
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Hard to Love is all about Finn and I was ready for it!! He was a bit of a villain in previous books (not really a BAD guy, but not one you think "I would love for him to get his own book") so getting deep into his story was something I was conflicted about. However, because the girls all have their HEA, I was curious about Finn.First, a different sport!! Stevie is a tennis player! I love the focus on a female athlete in a sport other than soccer. I also love that she is the one with the bad rep. I also love that she is just a woman with pain and heartbreak who hides behind being a good time girl. This is so often a behavior we see in young men, but it made me think of the famous women who have had total breakdowns due to the stress of their lives and being in the spotlight.Stevie and Finn were great for each other because they understand each other. Neither thinks they are looking for anything serious, either. There is great banter and amazing sexual chemistry. Finn certainly redeems himself and I think even the biggest Finn hater will fall for him. This entire series has been fabulous, and this is no exception!
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