Really enjoyed this story, this was the first time I have read about a heroine who was an amputee. Loved how strong and positive Catie was about her disability, it made her a very powerful character. I loved the relationship between the two main characters and their families, it was authentic, the emotions they felt to different circumstances.

There aren't enough sports romances about rugby, which made me absolutely ecstatic to find this sports romance not just about one athlete (on a rugby team!) but also a paralympian hopeful in sprinting!

I loved the characters of Catie and Daniel. I loved their frenemy relationship, I loved the closeness they have to their families, and I loved watching them back each other up. I read this book as a stand alone, and enjoyed it a lot, but I'm really excited to go back and read about the other members of the Esera family that were introduced to me in this one.

Another thing I really enjoyed was that the toxic masculinity was definitely absent in this sports romance. Daniel not only is a rugby beast, but he also knows Catie well enough that he can't coddle her because of her differences (she wears prosthesis legs). Daniel also loves to bake, and feels like he doesn't measure up to the amazing things his brothers have done in their lives.

This book has great banter, a kickass heroine, and a good guy sports hero, with an amazing supporting cast. It's all the things you could want in a good sports romance!

Thanks to TKA Distribution for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 stars

Kiss Hard is the kind of story that lingers. It's a sports Romance so maybe not a plotline you've never seen before, but there is a compelling feel about it all. You are transported into Catie and Danny's lives (and that of their vivacious family) and go along for the ride, feeling every emotion, every thought, every tension, every delicious cookie and all the fun!

This is a story of frenemies that have been in each other's lives one way or another for years, but never had a chance to spend time alone to see how good they actually are together. They acted like each other's nemesis, doing pranks, making fun of each other on their socials, butting heads with every occasions when they were put in the same space. They never saw it for what it was, but of course others did – and the way they teased them about it and ultimately helped them get from that stage to a power couple who understood, accepted, trusted, loved and lived for each other was pure fun deliciousness.

Danny is perfection. ❤ He is hot, sweet, fun and has the best lines - obviously, to keep up with the banter and the pranks - but he's also stubborn, protective, intense and very ambitious. He goes all the way when he puts his mind on something – or someone, and you just melt. Catie is a strong, sassy heroine but has some issues from her past to get through and she has just the right incentive and support to do that.

The whole journey has a light, fun feel to it – until they go in too deep and start to get the fright of feels, of course. Their inner monologues when they started seeing each other differently were downright hysterical. The sexual tension was there throughout most of the book, since this a slow burn Romance and things take a while to happen. And then boom! Everything is on fire!

I love the way they communicated to deal with certain situations (in my mind, I send other books' characters to counsel therapy at these ones)

So if you like Sports Romance with feisty characters, banter and SPICE, give it a go!

*thank you @netgalley for the review copy

This was my first contemporary romance by Nalini. I love her Psy/Changling series, so I was excited to see the on Netgalley and immediately signed up for it. I didn’t realise it was a part of a series to begin with, but I quickly felt like I was missing something while starting to read, kinda like I should’ve already know these characters, but I didn’t. Everything was eventually revealed, but I definitely think I would enjoyed it more had I read the previous books.

In saying that I did really like this one! I loved that Catie was a para Olympian and that Danny a ruby player! They had such a great connection going from frenimies to lovers. It was a sweet read and it’s definitely made me want to go back and read the others! So if you have read this series definitely recommend, if not start from the beginning!

Catie and Danny's story is finally out for us to read!

Kiss Hard is the fourth book of the Hard Play series, and while it's considered a standalone, I highly suggest reading the first book in the series. Cherish Hard first introduced the main characters of the fourth book. Daniel Esera and Catie River have always regarded each other as nemeses growing up. They have a lot of history together - Catie's sister, Isa, is married to Sailor, Danny's brother. Their relationship is complex given how their lives are interlaced and how many family occasions and gatherings they have celebrated together. Both are highly-driven famous athletes, and their snarky attitude to each other is public knowledge. Because of a ruinous incident, the two of them started fake dating, which led to awareness about how much they know each other and how protective they are when one of them is in a precarious situation.

I love this book so much. Maybe there's a bit of bias with my review because I waited for this for a long time. I've been so excited about this book, having read snippets of their banter from previous books. It doesn't disappoint. I love our main characters, and I also love the other characters in the book, and it's so heartwarming to read about the Esera family once more.

Danny and Catie have relatable struggles concerning their professional and personal lives. Both main characters are competitive and driven with hearts of gold. This book also highlights how your upbringing can shape you as you grow up. It also highlights how some people view prostheses and disability in general. Another thing I'm pleased about is the importance of therapy because mental health shouldn't be taken for granted.

The slow burn of the characters' relationship felt natural, bickering along the way as they became close. I also enjoy their conversations, as they talk about their family, privilege, and dreams. It's a lovely book that I see myself re-reading a lot.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and TKA Distribution, for the advance eARC copy.

Kiss Hard is a continuation of the Hard Play Series--a series of novels featuring rugby players and their future spouses. All of the novels are interconnected by family but you don't have to have read any of the prior novels to immediately feel at home in this series. In Kiss Hard, we follow the story of Catie and Danny--frenemies for a lifetime--and what starts out as a friend saving and protecting another to a ruse that ends in a happily ever after. What makes this novel a stand out is that Catie is a survivor of a car accident that's left her on prosthetic legs and we get the opportunity to explore her life as a Para-Olympic athlete in training. Representation matters and I love that Singh gives us an opportunity to read from the POV of a double amputee. As no character tells the story of all people who may find themselves living similar lives, it's definitely refreshing to be in the head of a character who leads a life that is in many ways similar to mine and in many ways unique to her experiences. All in all, Kiss Hard was a sweet and fun romance--a lovely way to spend a weekend.

I loved this book with all my heart and soul. I am all in for an enemies to lover but this is much more friends to lovers especially since they are friends since childhood. Having to put up with a fake relationship in front of the cameras and social media, it’s inevitable that they will spend more time together and fall in love without even realising.
Beautiful romance that everyone should read.

Thank you to Netgalley and TKA distribution for this e-ARC.

This was such a cute book. If you're like me and have no idea this was part of a series the symphysis will be a bit misleading. this isn't an enemy to lovers, it's very much friends to lovers.

Kiss Hard follows Katie, a Paralympian and her childhood 'nemesis' Danny (who also happens to be an all-star athlete). They end up forced together as a publicity stunt to save their image and well the rest is history. I will say though the publicity stunt aspect of this plot is never revisited which is a bit odd because it was the driving force that got them together. They talk to her publicist once and then that's it. No word on that afterwards.

But what you really come for: the slow burn, the indecisiveness, the idiots in love...those are all there and wonderfully done. Read it for that and you'll have a great time.

I’d never read a book from Nalini Singh before and boy oh boy did my TBR just get longer.
This book was so good.
First the characters are so well thought they pick your interest right from the start and you get sucked in.

First we meet Catie, she’s young when we first meet her and it gives us a lot of insight to who she’ll be starting chapter one. Catie is a brave, quick witted, badass woman. She’s spirited, she meets every challenges thrown at her, she’s loving, she’s a really inspiring character.
Despite being a confirmed athlete and having the Bishop-Esera clan supporting her she’s still filled with doubt of self worth, she has abandonment issues, trust issues… and seeing her overcome all of that little by little was very relatable.
She didn’t really need to learn to trust or care for Danny, she had always done so, she just needed to see it for what it was and accept it.

Danny is … I wanna say perfect, I really do. Perfect for Catie anyway, Danny has been tailored by life to fit Catie in a way that became instinctive and natural. (And it’s the same with Catie). Being each other nemeses gave them a perfect understanding of the other. Plus, they were never mean to each other, they just teased and softly bullied each other. Danny respect and understand her like no one could.
Danny is also a high profile athlete, especially being a rugby player in New Zealand, however as good as he is, and he’s in the top 10% of the world. He’s crumbling under the unsaid pressure of his family legacy and what he thinks is expected of him.
He’s fun, he’s sweet, he’s caring and really emotionally smart.

I read this book effortlessly, the story just sucks you in and take you for a ride.
I really need to check at least the other books in this series as soon as I can.

Enjoyed this book. Good characters, and interactions with family are fun and realistic. Have already downloaded the rest of the series!

Sigh. - This (fr)enemies to lovers sports romance story is so beautiful. It is slow-paced, profound and intensely emotional. Catie and Danny's journey together is an emotional roller coaster. There is so much uncertainty and fear, but at the same time as much strength and support. It's very rare, but I loved them both; without exception.

And Catie`s "Guys who cook are hot".
- Oh yeah... I'm pretty sure everyone who reads this book will agree with that.
The pages will crackle and burn. LOL

Thanks to @readforeverpub and @netgalley for an advanced copy of this book.

Kiss Hard is the next book in the Hard Play series. It features Danny Eseara the youngest brother in the family featured in the previous books and Catie River half sister to Isa the heroine from Cherish Hard (book 1)

It was really a sweet romance, not a lot of external conflict which is something unusual that I really loved. Just two people falling in love and deciding to try to make a life together. This had great banter, hot chemistry, a Cinnamon Roll hero who stress bakes!

Catie has some serious trust issues due to her family history. Where Danny’s conflicts are determining who he is / wants to be outside of his role of baby of the family and younger brother to a family of sports royalty. I enjoyed seeing them find a way to make their relationship work. This book just felt like a giant warm hug.

I liked the portrayal of professional athletes and the dedication that it takes in terms of time / training / nutrition and mental health.

Tropes
Frenemies to lovers (nemesis? To lovers)
Sports (Danny Rugby, Catie paralympic track)
Fake dating
Snowed In

TW - Danny is drugged by someone slipping something in his drink in a club at the beginning of the story. While it isn’t a huge plot point in the book, it is something to be aware of.

Upon their very first meeting as teenagers when their respective siblings started dating, Catie and Danny just clicked—as mortal enemies. Ok, maybe not mortal enemies, but definitely nemeses. All these years and family gatherings later, their feelings haven’t changed. There is mutual respect, after all they are both elite athletes (she is a Paralympic runner and he is a rugby star), but they still try to mess with each other whenever possible. That is until Catie has to come to Danny’s rescue and their time together, away from their families, makes them finally see each other in a different light.

I had been reading the Rock Kiss series when I saw this available for request and then was shocked to realize it was from Nalini Singh’s next series. So then I read the first three in Hard Play and I’m so glad I did. I’m sure this would be fine as a stand-alone, but it was that much more enjoyable to see Catie and Danny come together after watching them through three books of snark. And let me tell you, if you like a trope, this book has it all: enemies to lovers, fake dating, forced proximity, celebrity romance, involved family…the list goes on. This was a wonderful way to complete the series. Thanks to Netgalley and TKA Distribution for the eARC. Available 5/3/2022.

Kiss Hard is an amazing conclusion to the Bishop-Esera rugby brothers series. Danny and Catie star in a great friends to lovers finale that shouldn’t be missed.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Catie is a double amputee after she lost part of both legs in a car accident as a teen. But she is still a world class athlete and, with the use of prosthetics, a Paralympic runner. Danny comes from a family of top rugby players. He’s grown up with Catie, and while he’s respectful of her prosthetics and her limits, he never treats her like she’s lacking or weaker than other people.

When the book opens, Catie finds Danny in a bar and he appears to have been drugged. She works with his friend to get him to the hospital without attracting attention, since it could hurt his rugby career. To protect him, she pretends that they have finally gotten together; social media takes off with the story and their their “fake relationship” begins. Naturally, it’s no hardship for the two to spend more and more time together.

This book has fake dating, friends to lovers, sports stars, and deep family connections too. Catie has trust issues that go back to her gambler father and workaholic mother. Her sister Isa and the Esera clan taught her about the importance of family connections. She and Danny have always bickered, but it’s never been mean spirited. It’s a blast to watch their relationship grow out of this long term friendship.

It’s also nice to see appearances of the other Bishop-Esera family members. I’m not going to lie, I adored seeing Gabriel and Charlie as new parents. They will always be my favorites, but Danny and Catie are right up there and are an absolute delight to spend time with.

I loved this book. It’s the perfect combination of plot and characters, humor and heat. Kiss Hard has me ready to go back and reread the entire series; each and every one is a story that can’t be missed.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Beautifully written book, well thought out characters that grew to be in love rather than insta love. It was realistic, swooning moments and great character growth. I read this as a standalone but definitely want to go back and read the other brothers love stories.

Copy of book given by netgalley in exchange for a review.

Singh's writing in romance is unmatched, I loved every single one of her books and Kiss Hard was no exception. Kiss Hard is one of those classic romance stories that will remind you why you love romance. I really enjoyed reading this book. Catie and Danny are adorable together, the slow burn was well done, and the anticipation almost killed me. I truly enjoyed the progression of their relationship.
The disability rep is fantastic and I'm so happy with that.

Thank you Netgalley and TKA Distribution for this E-ARC.

Great contemporary romance by Nalini Singh. Delightful interaction between characters. You can start with this one, but you'll want to go back and read them all.

Daniel Esera and Catie River have been each other's number one nemesis since Catie's sister started dating Daniel's brother. Growing up, mingling at family get togethers, they competed and joyfully sniped at each other. Catie has dreams of Paralympic gold, and she's not only learned to walk again, but more importantly to run. Daniel's followed his brothers onto the professional rugby field but one night in the club and a drugged drink could ruin everything. No a fake relationship might be the only thing to save both of their careers.

Why I started this book: Love Singh and [book:Rock Hard|23514316] is one of my favorites... so of course, I jumped at the chance to revisit the Bishop family.

Why I finished it: Great chemistry and emotional healing for this enemies to lovers romance to be believable and enjoyable. Now I want a cooking professional rugby player of my own.

Danny and Catie are so good together!!! I love their discovery that they were never actual nemesis, but best friends, which then turns to an incredible love! This is a straightforward romance, something I sometimes struggle with, but I adored every word, their journey, and the way they both address their demons. And the Esera family is one I'd like to get adopted by.
The chemistry between the two is fabulous! Such a perfect mix of slow-burn and explosive heat.
Catie is a double amputee. I cannot speak to the representation, but to an outsider is seemed well done. I look forward to hearing from readers who have more insights.

As always, Singhs book is full of beautifully drawn and fully developed characters, warm family dynamics, a delicious slow burn, & the happy ever after. This book focuses far more on Catie than Danny, I’d have loved the character development & POV time yo be a bit more even between the two, and there really wasn’t any conflict or tension, as there was actually no reason for these two not to be together so that part felt a bit of a stretch for me, but overall it was a warm and feel good romance. No angst, just two people who fit each other really well but for done reason we’re antagonistic w each other in their youth.