Adorable
I thought this was a fun lighthearted, sweet tale and I was really hooked from the start. I loved that this book was a follow up to another book that I read and loved, it was great to see the first couple again. I loved how this story was so easy to fall in love with. The characters were perfect, watching their lives evolve and seeing them fall for each other was a joy. The settings were beautiful and it made me really, really want to visit that part of the country. This will be a book I will be reading again and again!

3 stars. Mira Lavigne is the president of a ciderery that has been passed down from her father. She is very much by the rules kind of person. She meets Dylan Miller who is the complete opposite and makes experimental ciders all the time. When they are forced to work together for Cider Week, they have to get along and start to work together,. When sparks start to fly, neither knows what to do.

I liked this one, I liked their chemistry and how they both acted around each other. I remember the storyline being a little slow. It was an okay novel. I liked the story line up to a certain point and then it dragged a lot. I liked their chemistry but the drama in the middle of the book was not the best and I feel like it all could have been handled better. This one is a 50/50 whether I would recommend it.

3,5 stars

As this book builds on a previous book by Aurora called Greener Pastures my expectations were high. Maybe a bit too high. It is a good read but I guess I wanted a bit more here and there from the story. Some parts fell flat or left me wanting more.

However it is a good read. It might just be me just liking Greener Pastures so much I was expecting the same thing.

Mira and Dylan are sort of opposites in this story that suddenly have to work together. The attraction is instant but they're not sure if they even like each other. I enjoyed their story and the side characters add a little extra. It was also nice seeing Rowan and Audrey again.

An ARC was provided to me via Netgalley in return of an honest review.

Mira and Dylan's story is the classic opposite attracts story. Hard Cider is the follow-up to Greener Pastures. Mira runs her family's large and renowned cider business. Dylan and her business partner are just getting started with theirs.

Dylan and Mira get to know each other while working together on the cider festival committee. I enjoyed the book, but Dylan's low self-esteem actions due to that were a bit off-putting, Beside that I nice book for a weekend read.

ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a sort of sequel to Rey’s Greener Pastures, with one MC being Dylan, Rowan from Greener’s business partner, the other MC is Mira, the head of a large family owned cider making business. The two are thrown together for the planning of the region’s cider week festivities, which Mira usually organises alone. She’s none too pleased at having to share the planning with Dylan.

The two are opposites in multiple ways, butch/femme, creative/business oriented, their personalities, how they dress, the kind of homes they live in. They’re also mutually attracted to each other, though they don’t admit that for the first part of the book.

There are multiple side characters, starting with Rowan and Audrey from Greener, and adding in Dylan’s family, especially her sister Emily, who is getting married, with events tied to this featuring in the book. On Mira’s side there’s her BFF, Talise, who also works for Mira and is involved in a poly relationship, and her parents, who built the cider business Mira now runs, but haven’t backed very far off since handing it over. Mira feels constrained within what they expect and Dylan wants to grown her fledgling business.

They get to know each other through a series of meetings for the planning on the festival, and Mira starts to unwind a bit and take some chances with her business, which creates a bit of rivalry for them. Once they start the relationship, Mira is also keen to keep it hidden, which causes Dylan to feel some discontent and jealousy. There’s a lot of sex, but not much substance to their relationship, and both women have uncertainty about the relationship for different reasons.

I struggled to warm to Mira and found her even less appealing during the middle portion of the book, and I found myself agreeing with most of Dylan’s feelings about the relationship. So it was annoying when Dylan was then cast as the ass and written like a petulant brat. I found the breakup and the resolution a little too contrived. I was more interested in Talise’s poly relationship to be honest. This is an ok read, but I enjoyed Greener Pastures more. 3.5 stars

This book was amazing. I really enjoyed Mira and Dylan’s characters. They were hilarious. I definitely found myself laughing out loud a lot. I’m definitely a huge fan of Aurora Rey so when I was approved for this one I was so excited. Thank you to the publisher and to netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book for an honest review

Mira Lavigne is running a family-owned cider business. Dylan Miller and her partner just starting out and making unusual cider mixtures. They meet when they become co chairman for the Fingerer Lakes Cider Week. Their get togethers for the Cider week eventually find them in bed even though neither of them wants a relationship and try to keep their liaisons hidden. This is 2 strong women trying to make their way through life and wondering how each other fit into it.

I was super excited to get this book from NetGalley because I love the author, Aurora Rey. Hard Pressed didn’t disappoint.

Dylan and Mira are polar opposites. Dylan is a quirky, small-batch cider maker and Elegant, classy Mira runs her family's large upscale cider empire. When the two women are nominated to run the Cider Association's annual gala, tension quickly builds between the two.

I picked this book to read because the apple cider made me think of fall non actuality, the books takes place mainly in summer. But that didn't keep me from loving it. I really enjoyed the heat between the two main characters. Rey's writing is on point as always. I also appreciate the bi rep in the book.

5 stars.

🍎🍏🍎🍏🍎🍏🍎🍏🍎🍏🍎

Really enjoyable follow up to Greener pastures by the same author that first introduced us to the world of making cider in up state New York. The rural descriptions are wonderful and I really enjoy the way this author develops her characters. Extra points awarded for having a Black Bisexual main character and also first time I've read a female/female romance that mentions safe sex. I also enjoyed that this is another low angst romance so much more believable and fun to read.

With thanks to Netgalley and to the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[book:Hard Pressed|60571329] was an enjoyable opposites attract read from a dependable author. [author:Aurora Rey|13652923] has found a niche and fans of butch/femme romances know they can count on her.

Mira was an intriguing character. It's pleasing to see more diverse characters and especially main characters in lesfic. Rey does Mira justice and has her heading one of the biggest cider producers. Mira's counterpoint couldn't be more opposite. Dylan is all about her craft cider and crushing apples versus wearing a suit behind a desk. They also come from different financial and family backgrounds.

The author did a ton of research about cideries (is that a word?) There were many details included that could only come from touring or talking to cider makers. She seemed to know her stuff. I learned a lot.

Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed the book, but the conflict surprised me. It didn't feel like that big of a deal for one of the characters to react the way she did. Rey did her best to show why but to me, it seemed a bit of a petulant reaction for an adult. It also felt like the other character came around too quickly for her prickly personality. I'd still recommend the book to friends who enjoy butch/femme romances.

An ARC was provided by the publisher for an honest review.

Really good book. I loved the relationship between Dylan and Mira. It was equal parts steamy, funny, and serious. I couldn't get over how hilarious Dylan's head voice was, I laughed out loud several times when she thought either she was in trouble, or she was getting lucky. And, Mira was hilarious as well in her own way, but Dylan took the cake. The supporting characters were really well written, and helped to keep this story moving along. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends and family, and I look forward to what's next from this author.

What better time of the year than fall to read a book about the cider industry. Mira and Dylan are co-chairing Finger Lakes Cider Week and neither is thrilled about it. Mira is structured and while I wouldn't exactly call her an ice queen, she is a bit frosty. Like a lot of women working in an industry dominated by men, she has to be firm and it has hardened her. Dylan couldn't be more different, but we all know opposites attract.

I didn't read Greener Pastures before I read this and I wish I had. While it isn't a sequel, it would have been nice to read about Rowan and Audrey since they make appearances in this book. I will definitely be going back to read it.

I enjoyed learning more about the cider industry and I really liked reading a book with an African American lead. There needs to be more representation in sapphic books, so I applaud it whenever I read a book with a woman of color as the lead. The characters had great chemistry and I enjoyed their witty banter. This was a fun read and I will be going back and reading more of Aurora Rey's books.

An ARC was received from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley for an honest review.

What an interesting and enjoyable read. Cider at the center with two very different approaches to the business. Mira Lavigne, all about business and tradition. She is CEO of Pomme d'Or and responsible for running the family owned cider company. Her parents, especially her father wants Mira to run the business the same way he ran it which creates tension. Dylan Miller, all about enjoying the business of cider making and getting her hands dirty. Dylan owns Forbidden Fruit Cider. When Mira and Dylan become co-chairs of the yearly Finger Lakes Cider Week their approaches are different which rubs both women the wrong way. Mira has been the only chair and wants to keep it that way.

It was entertaining to watch the two get to know each other and in addition influence each other. It was also wonderful to see a women of color in the lead with grace, style and determination. Very cool!

Loved this one, a very autumnal romance. A nice amount of spice. The conflict felt a little forced, but luckily wasn't dragged out too much. Overall, a good queer romance.

As a lover of cider, this book was right up my alley. The opposites attract trope was strong, but they both brought out good things in the other which is always fun. The communication between Dylan and Mira is beautiful, even in the steamy moments. Truly a lovely book, but it felt a bit dragging in places, ergo 4 stars instead of 5. I loved the banter and the characters and the peek into the world of cider.

Mira and Dylan are chosen to co-chair Finger Lakes' Cider Week. A reserved and independent boss babe meets carefree, go with the flow Dylan, and the only thing they have in common is their love for Cider.


Mira, who heads an established traditional cider company, has to work with Dylan, who is the complete opposite of her, with a cider business comparatively small & is all about taking risks. The story follows how they deal with having to campaign for a successful Cider Week while getting to know one another and acknowledging the clear attraction that's there between the two of them.

First off, I love that Mira is a poc and bi and also that there's poly representation. I also have to mention that there's some light BDSM in here. Rey's writing style also works great for me, as I'm able to dive straight into reading the book. The MCs being so different meant that they had a great rapport, they were able to banter and tease each other and I like the way the book just flowed. It also helps that the side characters had a real depth to them and weren't there just for the sake of it but instead added value to the MCs and their story.

Now, I get it and I enjoy it too when books do the whole - it's going well, but hang on, we need a problem so there can be some angst and heartbreak before the MCs can truly have their happily ever after. Though I don't think this book needed it and I just felt that when that problem arose, it felt forced and was unnecessary and so easily resolved.

This book might not have been 100% satisfying, but it was definitely better than other books I've read recently.

Mira Lavigne was running the company started by her family and even though she’s supposed to be the ‘boss’ it was actually her parents that called the shots when it came to their business. So here she was trying to make a name for herself but unable to show just how much she knew about the business she craved to make her own.
Dylan Miller, along with her business partner and best friend Rowan was not only running her own small business but trying to find ways to expand their clients list. For her the best part of the business was coming up with new recipes for apple cider.
The two women haven’t really met but it’s Mira who was tapped last year to chair the committee bringing the ‘Finger Lakes Cider Week’ to as many people as possible. It’s a great way to show just what the local growers have to offer. Neither Mira and Dylan had planned to co-chair the event. But here they were. How these two women from different backgrounds have to work together. Should be fun, not.
Another book by Ms Rey featuring the ‘Finger Lakes Valley’. Like the first book, ‘Greener Pastures’ ‘Hard Pressed’ is every bit the enjoyable read that ‘GP’ was.
ARC via NetGalley/ Bold Stroke Books

This book's main characters are Mira and Dylan. Mira has taken over a prestigious cider business from her parents. She has learned the ins and outs and rarely deviates from her plans in business and life. Dylan is more of a risk taker. She taught herself how to brew cider and now makes all types of cider from traditional to funky.
Now the two are brought together to plan Finger Lakes Cider Week.
Both women are attracted to the other and are very aware of how different they are from each other. They are also trying to plan together the Cider Week.
Very much an opposites attract book.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a well written story and i loved the chemistry between Mira and Dylan. It was a bit steamy compared to some of Aurora previous novels. This might leave you hunting down cider.
i really enjoyed the story. Aurora has yet to disappoint 4.5 tars. I recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Three and a half stars. This was fine, if forgettable. I didn't get attached to the characters, and I barely had enough motivation to finish it. Mira was fine, but I couldn't stand Dylan, even before her tantrum. I didn't really see how they fit together, beyond Mira loosening up and Dylan thinking more businesslike. But for what I needed out of it, as a light, almost mindless read, I'm not griping about wasted time or anything. So yeah, moving on, to future and hopefully more memorable Aurora Rey books