Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Review: Rock Hard

ROCK HARD
Rock Kiss #2
Nalini Singh
Contemporary Romance
387 pages
TKA
Available Now
Source: Bought

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
Wealthy businessman Gabriel Bishop rules the boardroom with the same determination and ruthlessness that made him a rock star on the rugby field. He knows what he wants, and he’ll go after it no-holds-barred.

And what he wants is Charlotte Baird.

Charlotte knows she’s a mouse. Emotionally scarred and painfully shy, she just wants to do her job and remain as invisible as possible. But the new CEO—a brilliant, broad-shouldered T-Rex of a man who growls and storms through the office, leaving carnage in his wake—clearly has other plans. Plans that may be equal parts business and bedroom.

If Charlotte intends to survive this battle of wits and hearts, the mouse will have to learn to wrangle the T-Rex. Game on.


MY THOUGHTS
Rock Hard is another shining example of Ms. Singh's ability to write an engaging, poignant and funny romance all wrapped up in layers of sexual tension, keeping us on the edge of our seats waiting for the moment our lead couple is going to combust.

Thanks to an abusive ex-boyfriend, heroine Charlotte suffers from severe anxiety in her day to day life, anxiety that spikes to extreme levels when she's faced with imposing men like her new CEO Gabriel. It's impossible not to want to spend a good portion of our time reading wanting to hug Charlotte and never let her go as her nerves get the better of her repeatedly, but she is in no way meek, and finds a spine of steel when she needs it most. Once Gabriel makes his romantic interest in her known, she opens up to him about her past, and continues to be upfront with him when something he says or does triggers a flashback so that they can move forward instead of getting stuck in the past.

Gabriel is every bit as good at communicating as Charlotte (with a few small exceptions which only add to the humor and tension), asking for her honesty but never demanding it, and letting her know when his protective instincts are at an all-time high so she can take a step back and let him work through it. They two of them together are ridiculously adorable, and while waiting until well past the halfway mark for things to really heat up between them physically seems like it would kick their romance into frustrating territory, it instead feels perfectly paced, and Ms. Singh ensures that we're not left wanting for swoon.

Overall, Rock Hard is an outstanding contemporary romance, and one that easily stands alone despite being the second book in the Rock Kiss series. Longtime fans of Nalini Singh or newcomers to her work should add this one to the TBR list for a sweet and sexy summer read!

Rating: 4/5

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10 comments:

  1. Hmmm, this sounds like it should be my first Nalini Singh book! Good communication between main characters is a must, I hate when misscomunication creates drama!
    Thank you for this review Jenny!

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  2. This sounds amazing, Jenny! I didn't know Nalini Singh wrote contemporary romance, but I think I'm going to have to try this series and this book in particular. I already want to hug Charlotte! And Gabriel sounds absolutely wonderful too. I love that these two talk to each other so much. You've got me really pumped for this book, Jenny.
    Wonderful review! :)

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  3. *sigh* I so need to try her Jenny. This sounds amazing!

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  4. I had a lot of fun reading the first book in this series and loved the romantic tension Nalini Singh created in it! I need to pick this series up again - perfect for hot, summer nights. Glad you enjoyed it, Jenny :)

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  5. I'd love to see how she writes contemporaries

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  6. I haven't read anything by Nalini Singh though her name is a popular one in the PNR genre. I didn't know that she also wrote contemporary romance! I'll have to check out this book for sure since I can't resist a good romance and this cover is gorgeous! ;) Wonderful review, Jenny, and thanks for putting this one on my TBR!

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  7. I really like her paranormal stories and would like to give her contemporary romances a chance.

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  8. I'm not sure this series by her really appeals to me but I have been considering reading her paranormal books for years! I'm glad you enjoyed this!

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  9. I've been looking for a book/series to listen to, and it sounds like I found myself a winner! I've also wanted to read a book by her (finally), so yes!

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  10. I've heard so many good things about this author! Adding to the TBR. Great review!

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