Reviewed by Amber

TITLE: Hard to be Good

SERIES: Hard Ink #3.5

AUTHOR: Laura Kaye

PUBLISHER: HarperCollins

LENGTH: 101 pages

BLURB:

Hard Ink Tattoo owner Jeremy Rixey has taken on his brother’s stateside fight against the forces that nearly killed Nick and his Special Forces team a year before. Now, Jeremy’s whole world has been turned upside down—not the least of which by a brilliant, quiet blond man who tempts Jeremy to settle down for the first time ever.

Recent kidnapping victim Charlie Merritt has always been better with computers than people, so when he’s drawn into the SF team’s investigation of his army colonel father’s corruption, he’s surprised to find acceptance and friendship—especially since his father never accepted who Charlie was. Even more surprising is the heated tension Charlie feels with sexy, tattooed Jeremy, Charlie’s opposite in almost every way.

With tragedy and chaos all around them, temptation flashes hot, and Jeremy and Charlie can’t help but wonder why they’re trying so hard to be good…

REVIEW:

Aside from GFY (Gay for You), military would be my next favorite genre. When I read this blurb I was immediately interested in reading this novella it pinged several of my interests; military, tattoos, sexy geeky guys, YESSS!!  I was concerned however because this is part of a mainstream romance series. I was assured however by the author that this story could be read as a standalone, since I don’t read M/F romance. Let me tell you, this author knows her stuff!! I was not one bit lost and there was a lot of character introduction as well as scenarios involving past situations. I followed right along and was quickly engrossed in these two men!

Jeremy Rixey is a tattoo shop owner and artist. Recently he was involved in a violent situation which resulted in the death of two friends. The guilt he feels for having been involved is immense even though everyone around him is ensuring it wasn’t his fault.

One of those people, Charlie Merritt, feels indebted to Jeremy for befriending him during his recovery from a brutal kidnapping where he was tortured and lost 2 fingers. Charlie knows his recovery would have been a lot harder and more painful if it wasn’t for Jeremy’s strength and care. During their time together Charlie has been developing some pretty significant feelings for Jeremy but he doesn’t know if Jeremy reciprocates.

The flirty “does he/doesn’t he” dance these two have is so friggin sweet. I loved the attraction build up and the tension these two developed on page. When it all comes to a head it is explosive and so satisfying.

Even though this was just a snippet of all that’s been going on in this world, the plot was strong. And the writing flowed incredibly well. And although this author mainly writes M/F romance my hat is off to her, she nailed it with this story!! Recommend, for sure…very sweet…!

RATING: 

BUY LINKS:

HarperCollins

Amazon

ARe