Overall Grade: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
If you had come to me at the end of K. Bromberg’s Play Hard series and told me I’d fall in love with Finn Sanderson, I would have laughed in your face just a few months ago. The famed sports agent responsible for breaking the heart of one Chase Kincade and working hard to steal the clients from the Kincade sports agency has not been well-liked in the earlier books of this serious. Wily with the track record of a consummate playboy, Finn, by my estimation, didn’t need a book. Yet, Bromberg in her infinite romance wisdom knew there was one to be had. Taking this ambitious man-ho and partnering him with a tennis superstar intent on making his job difficult, you find yourself with a great afternoon read.
In my opinion, Hard to Love is a great hate-to-love/enemies-to-lovers story. It isn’t my favorite Play Hard story because there are times in this book when you won’t like Finn, or Stevie for that matter. However, Bromberg works double-time developing their characters so that about midway through the book, you finally like them because you understand their motivations better. Both of their pasts laid bare, you understand quickly why they struggle to make meaningful connections with others. When you realize how alike Stevie and Finn are, you understand why they are fated for each other. Finn considers it best when he suggests,” some battle. Perhaps even fall. But if you hold out your hand long enough, and make yourself just as vulnerable as they feel, then you just might change the cycle.” And both of them need to change the cycle BEFORE they can have a deeper relationship.
Is this story $exy? Absolutely. Finn and Stevie do that well, but it takes almost the entire story before the two of them recognize a deeper, abiding love. If you’re looking for quick love in Hard to Love, you won’t find it. Much like Stevie battles her opponents in matches, Finn and Stevie battle themselves and each other.
If you love sparks and steamy scenes, then you will adore K. Bromberg’s Hard to Love. It really is the perfect weekend read.
In love and romance,
Professor A
Professor Romance 