Review: Cherish Hard (Hard Play #1)

Cherish Hard (Hard Play #1)

by Nalini Singh

Blurb:

Sailor Bishop has only one goal for his future – to create a successful landscaping business. No distractions allowed. Then he comes face-to-face and lips-to-lips with a woman who blushes like an innocent… and kisses like pure sin.

Ísa Rain craves a man who will cherish her, aches to create a loving family of her own. Trading steamy kisses with a hot gardener in a parking lot? Not the way to true love. Then a deal with the devil (aka her CEO-mother) makes Ísa a corporate VP for the summer. Her main task? Working closely with a certain hot gardener.

And Sailor Bishop has wickedness on his mind.

As Ísa starts to fall for a man who makes her want to throttle and pounce on him at the same time, she knows she has to choose – play it safe and steady, or risk all her dreams and hope Sailor doesn’t destroy her heart.

Themes: Contemporary

Rating:  4.5 stars

Heat Rating:

Review:

I was so thrilled to get a chance to return to the wonderful rich and amazing world of Ms. Singh’s home country in this amazing story that is a spin-off of one of my favorite series.  When I finally started the book—I admit I pushed it as long as possible so I could stretch the anticipation—I was hooked immediately.  The sexy characters, steamy storyline and sweet sensuality that Ísa develops as she comes out of her shell makes me so happy I got a chance to enjoy reading this one.  Sailor has worked all his life to meet his goals and knows no other way than going full out to get what he wants, so when he decides he wants Ísa, after she blows his mind on their first encounter then runs away, there is no doubt she’ll be his.  Ísa wants nothing more from life than to be normal;  her family might be one of the richest in the country, but she doesn’t want that life, even though her mother keeps pulling her back into it.  When she meets Sailor she throws all caution to the wind and decides that she’s going to go after something she wants more than anything for once.  But as past and present collide, forcing them to work together and find a way to deal with their new relationship, Ísa and Sailor both have to decide just what their priorities in life are and what comprises they will make for their love.  Ísa was an interesting character to get to know; her insecurities and doubts were tempered with a fiery spirit and mama-bear protectiveness, making her a perfectly rounded character that I loved to read about.  Once she allowed herself to open her heart to Sailor she had to deal with the chance he would break her heart, but knew the only way to find out if they had anything special was the truly give him a chance.  Sailor was an awesome guy that I would love to find in real life.  He has real determination to make something of himself and doesn’t just sit around waiting for good things to happen to him, instead grabbing life as it comes and turning it into opportunities.  The chemistry between these two was explosive from the very beginning and I definitely needed a cold shower more than once during this story, so I suggest lots of cold water and a cool pool when reading this one.  I am hoping this series continues or that we get another contemporary series from Ms. Singh, because though I do honestly LOVE her Psy-Changling series with all my heart, she also excels with these contemporary works and I want more of them.  If you love a good hot story that leads to a love you know will last until the end of their days, Cherish Hard is just the book for you I guarantee it.

*ebook provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.