First novel I am reading by this author. I enjoyed the writing and it was easy to get into. The female main character is great and the couple as a whole was great. I will definitely read more by this author.

I don't usually like romances with athletes but Nalini Singh has never let me down. This was a very fun read with a delectable romance.

I can never pass up a Nalini Singh book. This one exceeded all of my expectations and I think I have a new favourite now. 5 Stars isn't enough. Loved it.

I love Nalini Singh and a good enemies-to-lovers story. Combine them, and you get an incredibly fun rom com in Kiss Hard. Catie and Danny's relationship is caring and loving, one that avoids many of the tired tropes some romances still pit fall into. Catie, who happens to be a double amputee, is written with respect and sensitivity by Singh which really makes the story and characters come to life. A new favorite, for sure.

Thanks to Netgalley and TKA Distribution for an electronic copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
As a die-hard fan of Nalini Singh’s HARD PLAY series, I was thrilled to get my hands on the latest book, KISS HARD.

Paralympic running star Catie and rugby phenom Daniel have demanding training schedules, as well as their own reasons for staying away from romance. Not exactly friends, but not exactly enemies, they keep each other at arm’s length until a shocking crime and a freak snowstorm push them into a fake dating relationship to save their respective public images. It’s a bad idea to fall in love as Catie’s career is taking off and Daniel’s is faltering; they’ll have to grapple with who they are in public, who they want to be in private, and what they’ll sacrifice for each other.

To me, this book felt like a bit of a departure from the author’s usual style – there’s less pining and gentler emotional peaks and valleys than the previous books in the series. If you love a hot cinnamon roll, look no further than Daniel Esera, rugby god with a flair for baking. Catie’s day-to-day life as a high-performance athlete and public figure who’s also a double amputee is approached with sensitivity and care.

Daniel’s career uncertainty and his reaction to being physically vulnerable were handled in a way that fit in with the overall tone of the book, which is soft and sweet with a crisis that doesn’t fling us into the depths of despair. I think a lot of readers will appreciate this book as a classic Nalini Singh with a soft new twist.

Rugby player Danny and Paralympian runner Catie have been friendly rivals since they were kids. But when Danny's career is put in danger, Catie is the first to step up to help by pretending to be his girlfriend. The more time they spend together, the more they realize just how real the feelings between them are.

Singh's spin on the rivals to lovers trope is one of my favorites I've read recently. Danny and Catie have always shared a deep mutual respect, but never would've called each other friends. Their dynamic as competitors was established when they were kids and they've never questioned it. But as they both realize their attraction, it opens them up to seeing that beneath the playful jabs, a friendship had been forming beneath their noses. They know each other so deeply, see each other so clearly, and once they embrace that it makes their chemistry electric.

I also really liked the way Singh wrote the evolution of their rivalry. It's clear that it's always been playful and never done with malice, but it also needed to evolve as their relationship did. Teasing was a foundation of their initial connection with each other and Singh finds ways to keep that competitive banter, but allow it to shift in tone and nature as they grow closer.

This is the fourth book in the Hard Play series and definitely benefits being read in order since family connection is such an important element, and readers who start with book one will have a better sense of the characters at play here. I've been eagerly waiting for this couple's story since the beginning, and really loved both Singh's treatment of them. I think this means its time for me to move onto the Rock Kiss series!

I've read other books in this series and loved them, and this one was definitely great as well. Daniel and Catie have been enemies for a long time. This changes after she saves him from being roofied when a stranger drugs his drink. The two then fake a relationship as a way to save both of their careers. I've always liked the slow burn type of romance books and this one was definitely a great one. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy.

I'm a long time fan of Nalini Singh's books and it's been a while since I've read her contemporary romances (having been immersed in her paranormal words for the last few years) so this was a delight to go back to and check in with the characters from the Hard Play world. It's a childhood-friends-to-lovers story with fake dating for conveniences sake in a sports-romance world. I loved the way Catie and Daniel both looked out for one another in the story and have to deal with the developing nature of their relationship. And while I can't speak to the authenticity of the representation of Catie as a double-amputee (I'm not a member of that community and will defer to them on this matter), she certainly came across as a strong, capable heroine who is an athlete at the peak of her career while I was reading, and I loved seeing it represented on page.

A great contemporary romance that can be read as a standalone, or as part of the larger series.

Kiss Hard (Hard Play #4). By Nalini Singh. 2022. TKA Distribution (ARC eBook).

Rugby player Daniel Esera and Paralymic athlete Catie River have been frenemies for years. But now they find themselves faking a relationship when they are placed in a difficult situation that could fuel bad press for their careers. Both are dedicated at staying in top form and so don’t need the distraction of their growing attraction for each other. But lucky for them, they discover that together, there is no dream they can’t chase.

While Danny’s half-brother Sailor Bishop, and Catie’s half-sister Isa Rain, of Cherish Hard, are my favorite Hard Play couple, Singh’s writing is always solid and I enjoyed the slow-burn the romance of these two kids working their way towards a happy ending.

This was my first Nalini Singh book since reading her Psy-Changeling series more than a few years ago and now I have the urge to read her entire backlog of books. Can I afford that? Nope. Will I do it anyways? Absolutely. And you know what? I’ll regret nothing.

Kiss Hard is book #4 in the Hard Play series although it can be read as a standalone - I’ve not read any of the previous novels and I didn’t feel like I was missing anything, I just knew I had to read this because of the enemies to lovers trope.

Daniel and Catie have been enemies for so long it’s all they know, but it doesn’t deter Catie from getting Daniel to safety and looking after him after his drink is drugged. The throughout the book, their relation blossoms from childhood enemies with the petty comments to a loving relationship. Any good enemies to lovers book needs a good transition and it was done really well here - it was such a smooth adjustment.

Nalini really did something here - Catie was a brilliant, inspiration and strong character. As a double amputee training for the Paralympics, it was refreshing to read about a disabled character as there's not many novels which cover disability. I can't speak too much on this as I am not a part of the disability community but from a reader's perspective, it was handled really well - nothing felt overdone or "off".

Kiss Hard is a standalone, contemporary romance and a brilliant addition to the romance genre. The novel is told from a dual POV and has a HEA.

I really love the author! She keeps adding more and more to her stories. This one was one of my favotires and im so glod that i had the chance to read it.
firts of all, it has that spicy thing the we all like to read. Not gonna lie.
Second of all, the characters are well written. I love both of them.
And third, it was a good stroyline. I never stopped. I mean i started to read it and thats it. One night and its was already over.
Ah I really loved this book! Cant wait for the others!

I’ve so enjoyed this series and I’ve been looking forward to this book for such a long period of time. Both characters must deal with much before they can move onto each other. As always saying characters from previous books adds to the story. As always it’s a steamy read with a hero that you can’t help falling in love with and I am looking forward to more books written by Nalini Singh.

Kiss Hard by Nalini Singh. Part of the Hard Play Series. Danny and Catie have known each other since childhood and they have been nemesis forever. Until they weren’t. I enjoyed this addition to the series and seeing these two come together. It was also nice to visit with some of the other characters from previous books to see how they were doing. I recommend this book for fans of this series as well as Nalini Singh. She delivers.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this story for an honest review.

Kiss Hard is a hot, fantastic romance. I enjoyed the story and characters. The characters were well-developed and quite entertaining.

Danny Esera and Catie River have a thing. It is a fierce completive rivalry that forces them each to do better, in sport and insults. It started when they were teens and as adults they are just as competitive as ever. When Danny ends up in trouble at a bar, Catie is the first to realize and pulls him out. Stuck together in a snow storm, the longtime rivalry starts to blossom into something more.

The Catie and Danny thing has been coming since Cherish Hard. I was happy to see it grow and develop in this book. Catie is very guarded and I liked seeing her let Danny in. The sports angle is even more in this book and seeing Danny struggle with what he wants was good.

I liked this book and I hope for little bits of future at some point.

Highly enjoyable now that I know what to expect of Nalini Singh's contemporary romance.

This is childhood friends-to-lovers romance between two professional sports players (she is a rugby player, she is a Paralympian sprinter). I loved the intensity of their relationship, the internal conflict. By now I know what the expect of the Essera family and we get it here in spades - love, support, some banter. Her family situation is more complicated but she is settled and independent enough that she is mostly OK. Some residual trauma over her flaky father that causes her to doubt herself and to have trust issues when it comes to intimate relationships.
The fake dating to real relationship was well done. Gradual but to no one surprise. Some obstacles along the way but no major conflict or drama.
In a way I don't like how everyone is so nice, even ostensibly bad characters end up reformed. It feels too much but it is how this world works and I am just taking it in stride.
Minor criticisms here and there - his drugging and the counselling he gets for it could have been handled better (it was there in focus at the start and then completely forgotten till the very end), for two professional players we see surprisingly little of their sports (expect for her at the very end).
Overall, a solid contemporary romance, mostly light-hearted and fun, good (imo) disability rep

CW: parental neglect, roofying, heart attack, FMC is double amputee as a result of car accident (in her childhood)

Unfortunately, I could not get myself on board with Kiss Hard. Though it was seemingly something I would enjoy I never found myself gravitating to the story or the characters. Perhaps I will try it again at a later date.

Talked about this book on Book Riot’s When In Romance podcast in April 2022: https://bookriot.com/listen/finger-pulse-etc/

I really enjoyed this book. Catie was such a powerful character. I especially admired how she didn't let her disability define her, and how she never doubted her desirability because of it. Daniel is an absolute sweetheart. I admired how he never coddled Catie or never thought she was helpless because of her disability. The way he fell for Catie was so cute. I lived for their continuous banter. Their chemistry off the charts, and the transition from them being rivals/friends to lovers was a smooth one. Overall I enjoyed the plot and would definitely recommend it to other readers.

Yet again, Nalini Singh never fails to amaze me. I love how she is able to create stories (no matter the romantic sub-genre) that leave a lasting impression. The characters are unforgettable! A prime example of which is Catie River. What was amazing about Catie is despite her disability, she didn't let her situation bring her down. Her motivation and confidence is admirable. I absolutely loved her character! She definitely deserved that perfect someone and I am glad that she found it in Daniel. I thought the passion and romance was off the charts! And that ending? OMG! It is certainly one for the books.

If you are looking for a sports romance, grab this book. I am certain you won't be disappointed.