Hard Knocks: An Ultimate Novella: A Novel

I love lori foster and she's done it again with this start to her new series. This introduction novella introduced us to the a new group of hotties to look forward to reading,especially Armie . Gage and Harper are a great couple and I look forward to hearing more about them. Now i am anxiously waiting Cannon's book, keep them coming Mrs. Foster :)

Gage and Harper...

Because of the length of the book, unfortunately I wasn't able to "feel" the connection between the main characters.

Looking forward to the rest of the series, especially Armie's story!

Hard Knocks is a good short novella into the Ultimate series. It was a good set up into Cannon story for the book No limits, and also a good intro into some of the new characters. It's hard to tell a short story but Lori Foster handles it very well. It's a good book to read to get yourself ready for the new Ultimate series coming out.

I am a HUGE MMA fan and was excited that someone cared enough about the sport to build a romance novel about it. Sadly, this is just another cheesy romance focused on sex with no character depth. The sport I love so much is mostly a backdrop. It's obvious the writer didn't spend much time with actual fighters or bother to get in their heads a little to see how they deal with defeat, winning, relationships, or really anything that would suggest she knows what she's talking about. It was pretty corny and pretty boring.

As we are all aware I have a healthy (that's my story and I'm sticking to it) obsession with all the leading men in Lori Fosters books, well come on! how could you not :-) Well now I have a new man to fantasize about and his name is Gage "Savage" Ringer, and seriously how could I not, if you go to Lori Foster Pinterest page (I insist you do), there are so many beautiful photo's of beautiful men on her boards and i fantasize that several of them could be Gage.

Anyway, enough eye candy and back to the story. Gage is pouting...he wants to be in Japan, getting ready for his match but because of a training accident, he has been labeled "medically ineligible". But now he was state side and the one person he wanted to spend time with is the one person giving him "space"...Harper. Harper has been in love with Gabe forever but before he left for his fight in Japan, he broke her heart, but she is not going to tell him that...and I am going to stop that there as I don't give away spoilers.

Hard Knocks is a great start to a new series for Lori foster and I for one am going to be glued to this series as much as I was for every other. Because I really love this novella, I give it a 10 out of 10!

Cara Ross is a book reviewer for Brit Nanny Reads Blog

As an avid reader, Lori Foster is one of my favorite authors. The first book that I read of hers was Causing Havoc from her original SBC series and from there I was hooked. When she said she was going to write another MMA series I could not wait and was not disappointed with Hard Knocks - my only issue is that I wish it were longer - but as an introduction to the new series it was very good. Gage and Harper the main characters were interesting and for those who have read her Love Undercover series the setting was well known - the Rec Center, which Cannon had started in Getting Rowdy. A few other characters were introduced and I'm sure will have their stories in the future. For now I will wait (not so patiently) for No Limits - Cannon's story.

“Hard Knocks,” Lori Foster’s Ultimate novella, can best be described as intense.
Gage Ringer may be a “savage” in the ring but when it comes to Harper Gates he channels that intensity into his passion for her. It may take the guy a while to figure out exactly how much he wants her, but when he does....
Confident Harper is as comfortable trading barbs with the fighters at the gym as she is ringing up purchases at the boutique where she works. While ALL of the guys have thought of having her ... at least a time or two ... Gage is the only one Harper’s ever really wanted, and she’s willing to fight for him.
Just when things were beginning to heat up between them, Gage was called for the big fight. While they’re separated separated not only by distance but also his new intense training schedule. They’re both frustrated because while things were going great, they didn’t actually get to consummate things before he left. And, Gage doesn’t even call Harper while he’s away. Harper thinks he’s no longer interested. But, he’s celibate, not wanting anyone else.
So when he suffers a head injury just before the big fight, he’s sent home. Harper at first is hurt, then decides he’s worth the effort and starts heating things up when they’re in the same place. Eventually, things flame between them and Harper’s determined to have him as long as she can.

http://ripeforreader.blogspot.com/2014/07/hard-knocks-by-lori-foster.html
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/989762555

My rating: 4 of 5 ⭐️

Gage and Harper have danced around their attraction for a long time and had started casually dating, when Gage was selected for a big pay-per-view fight in Japan. Unfortunately an injury during training got him sent home early and he ends up back in the gym in a foul mood. That is until he spots Harper, who seems to be determined to put a smile back on his face.

Harper was disappointed when Gage left to go to training camp for his big fight and never bothered to contact her. But seeing him around the gym made her decide she was going to have to be the one to put herself out there and see where it leads. If anything she might get a hot one night stand out of it. And you know what they say, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

*****

What was a long, slow and simmering warm up behind the scenes, turns into a fast, intense and hot novella at the hands of Lori Foster! What a way to start a new series!!

The main characters, Gage and Harper are regulars at the rec centre, which also doubles as the gym, where it seems all the fighter guys hang out. We are introduced to a few interesting and one particularly colourful prospect for future instalments.

As a very short introductory novella, HARD KNOCKS does its job. It gives us a couple that already has a connection so it doesn't take much for sparks to start flying in earnest, and both of them are tied to the sport and the people that are going to play leading roles in the books to follow. It allows us to get a feel for the atmosphere, the camaraderie, the dynamics between the different players and the level of intensity we can expect.

In a novella of this size, we can't expect a tremendous amount of context or indepth exploration of the individuals, but keep in mind that that is not really the objective. The idea is to get a taste of what Ms. Foster has in store for us before we get our first full sized novel. And this little 'amuse-bouche' had just the right amount of 'flavor' for me!! I have NO LIMITS, the first full length novel, already in my grubby little hands, and can't wait to chow down!!

✨The perfect, spicy bite-sized promise of a fantastic hot new series.✨

**Copy provided in return for an honest review**

3.5 stars

Hard Knocks is the prequel novella to Lori Foster's Ultimate series and it was definitely enough to make me want to spend more time with this group of characters. The story introduces us to a group of fighters who all train at the same gym, most of them are in different weight ranges so rarely compete against each other and there is a great bond between them all. The fighters are very supportive of each other and I enjoyed the banter between them.

This particular story is about Gage and Harper, the couple have known each other for a long time and they were on the verge of beginning a relationship when Gage moved to America to train for an upcoming fight. Harper spent weeks waiting for him to contact her and was hurt that he was able to forget her so easily. Thanks to an injury Gage is back in the country and now he's not focused on the fight he plans to dedicate himself to Harper so they can finally get their relationship started.

This is a fairly short story (around 100 pages) so there isn't a lot of time to focus on the romance but because there is obviously so much history between Gage and Harper things didn't feel rushed or forced. They have great chemistry and I enjoyed the banter between them both as well as seeing the other fighters teasing them. It seemed like everyone else had seen their relationship coming and the only ones who weren't sure of the other's feelings were the couple in question. I liked what we've seen of the gym and the way the fighters go out of their way to give back to the community by helping troubled teens and I'm definitely looking forward to getting to know each of the guys better. I already have a feeling that Armie is going to be my favourite but I guess I'll have to wait and see if that's right or not.

Okay I have a confession to make. I was sitting there reading this novella and I kept thinking the premise sounded familiar. Naturally it took me the majority of the novella to realize this was a spin-off of er love undercover series with book one featuring Cannon. It took me awhile to realize this guy was the scrappy kid in the previous series who protected the bad neighborhood. He wanted to open a neighborhood rec center/gym or something to get kids off the street. Either way I was totally confused until I realized it.

Gage and Harper had a fling months earlier but when Gage had to go train for a tournament, he left her behind. Harper had thought they were done but Gage wasn't ready to call it quits. They spend the night dancing around each other and realize they are much happier together now that they could communicate about their future.

It was a little confusing to say the least but it was certainly an enjoyable read. Gage and Harper already had an established relationship but the reader didn't get to experience it. We jumped in right when it seemed like their relationship might be over without any insight into their characters or relationship. It was unfortunate but it seemed to work in a small story.

Gage and Harper were so hot especially in the closet where they got it on between rounds of someone else's fight. It was great and made me want to start book one immediately. I showed some restraint. The things was that I bout the relationship. Gage and Harper had a history. I didn't experience it and that bummed me out but their romance just came off the page.

It was a really good novella and I'm super excited to read book one in August. I highly recommend it and think you will all just love it.

4 Stars
Published by Harlequin
August 4, 2014
Provided by: NetGalley

I love Lori Foster. Even before I read a single story by her I was totally smitten by her as an author and as a good all around human being. You see, she writes a gazilion books, some of those books being anthologies whose proceeds from the sales go to charities in and around the Cincinnati, Ohio area. She also hosts a HUGE “Reader & Author” event annually that celebrates the relationship between readers and authors – it’s a mutual love fest! This woman is completely committed to her home and work community and I have so much respect for her hard work.

So its about time I read one of her books, right?! What held me back in the past was the daunting task of getting caught up on one of her series. Yes, I’m sure some of her books can be read as standalone but I’ve been taken to task on that matter too many times so I just say, “NO”. Luckily for me (and you!) here lies a brand new series from Ms. Foster!!

Hard Knocks is an introduction novella to Ms. Foster’s Ultimate series. Her first full length novel is No Limits and is expected to be published August 28th, 2014.

The Ultimate series is centered around the world of mixed martial arts (MMA). That got my attention FAST because as the wife of a MMA fan, I’ve become a fan by default. I’ve been watching MMA since the first season of Ultimate Fighter back in 2005. But even if you don’t know a thing about MMA, I can tell you’ll have no problems following this series. Just pretend it’s centered around boxing… without gloves… and they can kick each other… toss in some wrestling and you’ve got it :)

Hard Knocks introduces Gage “Savage” Ringer and Harper Gates. Gage is a fighter who briefly dated Harper before being invited to fight on an upcoming card. Gage left the gym to train at another “camp” about 2-3 hours away without so much as a goodbye wave to Harper. Harper has grown up with most of the guys at the gym, including Gage, and is considered like a sister to all the guys at the gym. And while Gage broke her heart when he left, she understood what it takes to be compete in the Supreme Battle Championship fight world (SBC). But an injury during practice has Gage benched from fighting and back at the gym, near Harper again, and hoping like hell for a second chance with her.

What’s great about this novella is that besides getting a scorching hot story of second chances between Gage and Harper, we meet the new “cast of characters” briefly during our lovebird’s story. I think I’m going to really enjoy Armie’s story. He’s quite the character… ?

The story is short, is told in dual POV (my fave!), and despite an annoying quirk to Harper I won’t even bother mentioning because it’s so little, I enjoyed this brief tease to the upcoming Ultimate series. Ms. Foster can write the lovin’ (chick-a-bow-wow) so I will definitely be continuing with this series. Especially after the I-can’t-believe-you-cut-it-off-there teaser included at the end of the story for the full length first book, No Limits.

Things were just starting to get good between Harper Gates and MMA fighter Gage “Savage” Ringer when he was chosen for a big fight and took off to for training camp. No more dates, no more flirting, and apparently not more talking at all. After kissing Harper goodbye, he never even called. But now he's back, an injury taking him out of the fight, and it's time to see if they can pick things up where they left off.

The Verdict: Normally I'm not a big fan of novellas, but when I saw Hard Knocks was the prequel to No Limits, I couldn't pass it up. I figured that, if nothing else, it might keep me engaged until I can snatch up Holding Strong.

The chemistry between Harper and Gage is great, fueled by their previous attempt at a relationship that ended up being cut short and igniting again the moment they're alone together. I do wish, however, that I'd gotten a chance to know the characters a little better. Gage seems very straightforward, though as testosterone always seems to do, he wasn't fully aware of the strength of his feelings for a while. His separation from Harper for training made him realize just how much he wanted her in his life, even if he was a bit too obtuse at the time to slap the L-word on it. But he was sweet, certainly into her, and while a little confused about her hot-and-cold behavior around him, he never once considered denying his feelings. I suspect that had he been given a full novel and not just a short story that served up only one evening of banter and feelings, I would have fallen ridiculously in love with him.

Harper wasn't quite as interesting, not because there was anything wrong with her character, but because there wasn't really much chance to get to know her. She had crushed on Gage since they were in school, had been in love with him forever, and was pretty broken up by his apparent apathy when he left for training. In that sense, she was easy to understand, but the story really doesn't tell us anything else about her, so I couldn't connect with her the way I wanted to. Still, I love the way she didn't really play games, instead, making her attraction known and setting up a clear opportunity for Gage to rekindle things with her.

Hard Knocks by Lori Foster is a good preview of what to expect in the Ultimate book series, and I can't exactly complain about getting another glimpse of the awesomeness that is Armie. My 3-star review is more a product of not getting enough story than there being anything I didn't like about it. I think if anyone is thinking about starting this series and just can't quite make a decision, Hard Knocks is going to be a great hook to reel the readers in and give them a glimpse of just how good one of these stories in full-length can be.

***FicCentral received this book from Harlequin (via NetGalley) for free in exchange for an honest review. Even so, we're far too opinionated to let a freebie influence our thoughts or the contents of the reviews we post here.

Novellas can be a difficult thing for me.
While I was beyond thrilled to get my hands on another title by the incomparable Lori Foster, I was also somewhat disappointed.
As usual, because of the length, we don't get as much back story or interaction between characters as I would like.
We don't get to see how they met, why they are who they are, etc.
This usually leaves me feeling somewhat adrift and less interested than I would normally be.
Now don't get me wrong, if anyone can pull off a prequel it's Foster... and this was great writing and a wonderful cast of characters.
I really enjoyed the quick glimpses we were able to get of what I'm sure are going to be all the heroes of this series. They are a hot, muscular group of pure testosterone... who wouldn't be all over that?
And therein lies the problem... I did want to be all over that. I wanted to be all over that for pages and pages. I felt like someone put an decadent dessert in front of me and and told me to dig in and lick it up... and then took it away after five bites.
It certainly has left me hungry for more and I'll be anxiously waiting the first full length book in this series.

Hard Knocks (Ultimate, #0.5) by Lori Foster

^-^ NEW SERIES, BUT CONNECTED TO THE <b>SBC FIGHTERS</b> AND <b>LOVE UNDERCOVER</b> SERIES ^-^

~*~ Prequel Novella ~*~

Cannon's (from Love Undercover series, book "Getting Rowdy") friend, Gage "Savage" Ringer is back in Warfield, OH after an injury during training disqualified him from fighting with the SBC on a main card event in Japan & put him on the DL. He had moved to Harmony, KY to train with the more skilled SBC fighters & it was one of the hardest decisions he'd ever had to make for one reason... Harper. Somehow, he's got to convince Harper that she means more to him than what he'd originally realized.

Harper Gates grew up with Gage and the rest of the guys. She's always hung around & enjoys the MMA sport. Her feelings for Gage had escalated & she'd been hurt deeply when he suddenly kissed her goodbye and left for Kentucky without another word. Now that he's back, for however long it may be, she does not want to lose her second chance at showing him what he means to her.

------------------------------------------------------

This is a short & sweet prequel novella. The entire story takes place at the rec center as the guys are preparing to watch the SBC Japan event that Gage was supposed to fight in and that Cannon is headlining. We get to meet a few other fighters (Denver, Stack & Armie) that train and volunteer at the center.

Gage and Harper are both great characters, from what little we get out of this short story. I hope we'll see more of them in the upcoming installments to the series. The secondary characters were a lot of fun. The chemistry was definitely there. There's really not a lot of plot, conflict or resolve, BUT it is a great introduction to the Series and what will most likely be upcoming heroes.

Overall, an enjoyable sneak peek into Ultimate!

Lead Male: 4.5
Lead Female: 4.5
Secondary Characters: 5
Chemistry: 5
Dialogue/Interaction: 4
Plot: 3.5
Conflict & Resolve: 3
Lack of Predictability: 4
HOT factor: 3
Flow/Ease: 4.5
------------------
Overall: 4.1 / 5.0

This is a short novella introducing us to the world of the fighters who will be featured in Ultimate, the new series by Lori Foster.

It was sweet, light read about Cage and Harper finally coming together and admitting their feelings. Cage was not your typical bad boy fighter, all cocky and self-confident. He was a bit shy, keeping his feelings (for Harper and in general) to himself. His insecurities and his attempts to mentally sort through his relationship with Harper made him seem real and easy to relate to which made me really like him.

Harper was pretty great herself. She was determined to act on her attraction to Cage, to make the first step, even if she was by nature more reserved and has always been too much of Ms Goody two shoes to act naughty. Like Cage, all her behaviour made her seem genuine and very likable. She had an easy friendship with the other fighters and devoted time to help in the gym. Her attitude towards Cage was nothing simple - she loved him, yet she was afraid he might not share her feelings, she wanted to be with him, yet she was worried of being a burden for him in his professional development as a fighter.

These two good people were in love with each other but they needed some help to get together and naturally, the rest of the fighters were only to happy to step in. The easy camaraderie among the guys in the gym and their good-natured ribbing of Cage and Harper and especially, the priceless advice of Armie (I'm already looking forward to his story) was fun to read.

This book served more of a setting the scene for the future full-length novels, so it was low on tension and conflict, but overall it's a nice, light read and a promising start to a new series.

My Thoughts:

Hard Knocks, by Lori Foster, was such a good little read. It was a fast-paced short story, so although we don't get a deeply developed story, with an intricate plot, and characters with a lot of depth; we get a fun, romantic, and sizzling hot intro into this new series! We get to learn a little bit about each of the main characters, their personalities, and what they look like; such as how Cannon Coulter is the most talented and dedicated of the mixed martial artists, Armie Johnson is the fun and friendly jokester of the group, and has fun with sexually adventurous women, etc. I am looking forward to each of these guys' story! They are a tight-knit, and loyal fraternity of mixed martial artists.

In Hard Knocks, we get Gage and Harper's story. Harper has always been in love with Gage, who was the most good looking and popular guy in high school. However, he didn't notice her until she started volunteering at the rec center owned by Cannon Coulter. This is where all of the fighters practiced, but also was a philanthropic organization that catered to mentoring and having a safe place for at risk youth to find entertainment. Gage and Harper started dating, and as Harper starting falling in love with Gage and hoping for him to return the sentiment, their relationship came to a standstill when Gage got offered a major fight on the main card in Japan. He left for Japan, and didn't look back. While he was gone he didn't call Harper once, and this broke her heart.

Gage ends up getting injured by an accident in practice, and is not allowed to participate in the fight at this time. Therefore, he returns to Ohio upset, and thinks that thinks with him and Harper will return to the way they were, right before he left Ohio. Unfortunately, he can tell Harper is upset with him, and he doesn't have a clue why. As the guys gather with the kids to watch Cannon's fight, along with others, they do their best to get Harper and Gage to admit their feelings for each other to one another. Things heat up between Gage and Harper, and will never be the same!!!

My Rating:

Hard Knocks has wet my appetite for the Ultimate Series! I am ready to learn everything about these fun, friendly, sexy, caring, and loyal MMA fighters! I am especially excited for book 1, Cannon's story, since I had the privilege of meeting him in the Love Undercover Series! I feel like I have been waiting for his story forever, and my expectations are high!!! If you are a fan of Lori Foster, check out Knockout, and meet a new cast of unforgettable sexy alpha males! I give Hard Knocks, by Lori Foster 3.5 Pent Up Desire, Finally Sealing the Deal Filled Stars!

Read on July 09, 2014

Book Info
Kindle Edition
Expected publication: August 4th 2014 by Harlequin HQN
ASIN B00IWTYW2I
edition language English
series Ultimate 0.5
other editions None found
Source:Netgalley EARC

Book Buy Links
the store
B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS

In the stunning prequel novella to her new mixed martial arts series, New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster brings together an elite fighter and the woman he’s determined to win.

Power. Brute strength. Unforgettable moves. It’s no wonder Harper Gates hasn’t been able to get her fling with Gage “Savage” Ringer out of her head. Months have passed since she laid eyes—or any other body parts—on him. Months without a word of contact… until, sidelined by injury, he comes back to town.

Staying focused on his training seemed like a smart move to Gage, even if he thought about Harper every day. Seeing her again only makes it clear how much is at stake. He’s got one night to earn back her trust. One night to show her that behind his breathtaking skill and ripped body is a man who’ll give her everything she needs.

Don’t miss No Limits , the first novel in Lori Foster’s Ultimate series.

My Thoughts

After her previous series came to a close Author Lori Foster promised fans that this new Ultimate series would bring back Cannon Colter as he started the journey on his new career in the world of MMA competitions.

We start out with this short story about fellow MMA fighter Gage Ringer and the woman he left behind to focus on a training camp, Harper Gates. Months have passed since Gage left and he has made it to the final stages to be one of the team of fighters going to compete, prior to the competition he sustains an injury which knocks him off the list and comes back to try and make things right with Harper.

This is a very short tale encompassing one night where Gage lays his cards on the table finally letting Harper know by action and words just how much she is necessary in his life, not just for a night but forever!

Prequels are always interesting introductions to a new series and even though I expect to be wowed by Cannons story which is the first full length book in this new MMA series I also hope to see more about Gage and Harper as their story was over too quick for me.

Overall Rating: 4.25 Rockin’ ★★★★☆

Hard Knocks is a great introduction to Lori Foster’s Ultimate series. Once again, Lori Foster does not disappoint her readers. Lori’s newest characters are full of promise. The development of the characters is vivid and revealing. Simply put, they are easy to relate to and you will become involved in the story instantly.

Gage “Savage” Ringer is an MMA fighter. He finally got the big break he was hoping for with the famous major fight circuit. However, during training before the last and most important fight he busted his eye enough to have stitches and was sent home. Already upset with the outcome, he is now trying to get back to the life that he left behind months ago, and the woman who holds his heart!

Harper Gates has been around fighters for a while and loves it. The camaraderie and fellowship is something she thrives on. She is a woman who loves with her whole self and it shows in everything she does. Harper gets along with all of the guys at the gym but her heart belongs to one, Gage and she means to make the most of him being home with her again.

Will Harper finally tell Gage how she deeply she feels about him? Will Gage finally have Harper the way he wants her? Read this novella to find out and more!

Lori Foster has a brilliant mind! This story does nothing but remind me how much I love to read her books. Although it was a quick read, it filled my Lori fix! From the beginning I was snared by the story and the characters were amazing in their pursuit to be together. With an intensity that put butterflies in my belly, as always, I longed more! Great punch, Lori! ~TSRBR

Hero – Gage “Savage” Ringer 4.5 stars
Heroine – Harper Gates 4.5 stars
Steam Level: 4.5 stars
Plot: 4.5 stars
Cliffhanger: No

Would I recommend this book: Yes! It’s a great story that will make your heart sing!

Would I read other books by this author: Yes! I love Lori Foster! She is one of my most favorite authors! I never get tired of reading anything Lori!

***Received an ARC of this book from the Author in exchange for an honest review***

Lori Foster + MMA heroes = sold without even looking at the blurb. Hard Knocks is the short prequel novella introducing the group of guys of her new contemporary series.

Gage is back in his hometown in Ohio where he normally trains. He’s still a bit sore that a slight injury that occurred during a sparring session caused him to lose out on his first big main card fight in Japan. Harper has been holding out for Gage for a long time. Harper was a bit stung when he took off without a backwards glance to go train at another facility for the big match even though she knows it’s the way of their world.

Now that Gage is back in town, Harper is determined to turn his frown upside down… in a very special way. Gage didn’t realize how much he missed Harper until now. It doesn’t take much for this couple to start heating things up and getting their relationship on track.

Prequel novellas are really tough things to rate. It exists mainly to set the scene for all the major players in the series. The length tends to inhibit any depth to the main couple other than them hooking up. Gage and Harper’s story suffers from this greatly. I felt like I came in during the middle and was missing the whole backstory of their relationship.

The best part is that readers get to meet all the other guys: Armie, Stack and Denver (Cannon is away in Japan). They’re typical guys who love to give each other a hard time while still being a supportive friend. I love dude banter and the author does it well.

If you are looking for something short and sexy or just want to get a jump on the series, it will fit the bill. Just don’t go in expecting a complete story. Having said that, my hand will be the first one up for Cannon’s story next!

Rating: C/C-

*ARC provided by Harlequin

Hard Knocks is a GREAT introduction into the new Ultimate series. It’s a novella, so it’s short, but it’s still soooo good. Kind of like a fun sized candy bar. Still all the deliciousness of a regular sized candy bar, but in smaller packaging.

In Hard Knocks we get a brief introduction to some of the main characters from the series. Cannon “Saint” Colter (who’s story is the first book in the series No Limits) and Denver “Predator” Lewis (from the second book Holding Strong). That’s not all we get though. We also get a glimpse… a tease of the beginning of the real relationship between Harper Gates and Gage “Savage” Ringer.

The story of Hard Knocks takes place over the span of just a few hours (remember — it’s a novella…so it’s supposed to be short) and because of this we don’t get the full in depth story of Harper and Gage.

Within the span of (roughly according to the store’s page count system) sixty pages, I fell a little bit in love with Gage and Harper. That’s the talent of Lori. Give her sixty pages and you fall a little bit in love… if you give her twice that amount, you’re a goner.

I’m hoping to see more of Gage and Harper in No Limits… and I’m also hoping to see a few characters from the older MMA books. It’s been nice to read the names of characters I fell in love with years ago in a newer book, but catching up with them would be nice. I’ll just have to wait and see what Mrs. Foster has up her sleeve for this series.

I can’t wait to dive into No Limits and be reintroduced to Cannon. If you’ve been a reader of Lori’s you will remember him from Getting Rowdy from her last series. I loved the little bit I got to know him in that one, and I was so excited to hear that he’s getting his own shot at a story in this new series.

I wouldn’t miss this prequel to The Ultimate Series or the books that will follow it.

Great things sometimes come in small packages. Hard Knocks is an example of that.

10/10 would recommend.

*I was given a free copy of this book in return for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. I was not paid by the publisher or the author for my review.*

Title: Hard Knocks

Series: Ultimate bk .5 (this is a prequel to kick the series off)

Author: Lori Foster

Genre: Contemporary

Power. Brute strength. Unforgettable moves. It’s no wonder Harper Gates hasn’t been able to get her fling with Gage “Savage” Ringer out of her head. Months have passed since she laid eyes—or any other body parts—on him. Months without a word of contact… until, sidelined by injury, he comes back to town.

Staying focused on his training seemed like a smart move to Gage, even if he thought about Harper every day. Seeing her again only makes it clear how much is at stake. He’s got one night to earn back her trust. One night to show her that behind his breathtaking skill and ripped body is a man who’ll give her everything she needs.

Thoughts: The very first book of Lori's that I read was an SBC book and I was hooked on her writing. So I was super excited when she announced that she would be coming back to the world of MMA fighting and the SBC.

This is a quick novella to get you back in the action of this world.

I liked how Gage and Harper didn't immediately fall back into each others arms as there was a huge misunderstanding between them. Once that was resolved they were able to express their feelings, both about what had happened when Gage left and how he left and where they were going now.

Grade B+
Review by: Heather
http://www.thebookreadinggals.com

4 Stars!
Release: 08/01/14
Erotic Contemporary Romance

ABOUT THE BOOK:

In the stunning prequel novella to her new mixed martial arts series, New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster brings together an elite fighter and the woman he’s determined to win.

Power. Brute strength. Unforgettable moves. It’s no wonder Harper Gates hasn’t been able to get her fling with Gage “Savage” Ringer out of her head. Months have passed since she laid eyes—or any other body parts—on him. Months without a word of contact… until, sidelined by injury, he comes back to town.

Staying focused on his training seemed like a smart move to Gage, even if he thought about Harper every day. Seeing her again only makes it clear how much is at stake. He’s got one night to earn back her trust. One night to show her that behind his breathtaking skill and ripped body is a man who’ll give her everything she needs.

MY REVIEW:

This read was short, yet hot and easy to read. My only complaint is that it would have been longer, but when you love a book, you don't want it to end. I would have loved to seen more backstory on this, but I thought the characters were engaging, and well likable. Since this book acts as a prologue to the series, I thought it'd be needed to read boom 1, but it's not. Yet, it's a great introduction to what comes next. The story of heartbreak behind these two left my heart going pitter patter and the whole lost love rekindled gets me everytime.

Hard Knocks was the perfect teaser to Lori Foster’s new Ultimate series featuring mixed martial arts. The series will feature yummy alpha fighters and strong woman. This novella packed a punch as Gage “Savage” Ringer and Harper Gates take the next step in their relationship. I consumed the story in a single sitting and it left me eager for more…

The tale takes place at the martial arts center Cannon created and a lot has changed since it was first opened. Gage is there after an injury kept him from traveling to Japan for a match. While he is depressed, he is happy to see Harper again. He has not been able to stop thinking about her. Harper seems distant and he has one night to show her how he feels and win her trust.

While Hard Knocks is short in length, it does not lack heat or connection. I felt the chemistry between Harper and Gage. Foster did a good job of giving us their backstory and sharing their thoughts and emotions. The tale had a satisfying conclusion but like I any novella I wanted more. I cannot wait for No Limits the first novel in the Ultimate series. It will feature Cannon Colter, a character I met and fell in love with in the Love Under Cover series.

Hard Knocks was a sweet, hot introduction to the Ultimate series and will have readers warmed up and ready to take to the ring in No Limits. Copy received from publisher for honest review and originally posted at caffeinated book reviewer.

I loved this story! Sexy and highly entertaining from the start. Gage and Harper are great characters, I got a real sense of who they were.

Everything moved along at a nice pace. There was lots of longing, a bit of tension and an excellent amount of heat. I like how everything developed and the outcome. I was grinning like a fool by the end.

I loved meeting all the other MMA fighters. They had great comradery with one another as well as with Harper. I could see snippets of their individual personalities which made me want to know more about them (bring on the series!). Armie was my favorite, he stole the show! I was laughing and smiling because of him, he was great. There was a nice intro for Cannon too so I am very much looking forward to his story in No Limits.

Really nice build to the sexy times - it was super hot! There were some sweet awwww moments too. Loved it all. Solid beginning, middle, and end. Great introduction to the series. Loved it! 5 stars!!!!!

Complimentary copy received for honest review.

“Hard Knocks,” Lori Foster’s Ultimate novella, can best be described as intense.
Gage Ringer may be a “savage” in the ring but when it comes to Harper Gates he channels that intensity into his passion for her. It may take the guy a while to figure out exactly how much he wants her, but when he does....
Confident Harper is as comfortable trading barbs with the fighters at the gym as she is ringing up purchases at the boutique where she works. While ALL of the guys have thought of having her ... at least a time or two ... Gage is the only one Harper’s ever really wanted, and she’s willing to fight for him.
Just when things were beginning to heat up between them, Gage was called for the big fight. While they’re separated separated not only by distance but also his new intense training schedule. They’re both frustrated because while things were going great, they didn’t actually get to consummate things before he left. And, Gage doesn’t even call Harper while he’s away. Harper thinks he’s no longer interested. But, he’s celibate, not wanting anyone else.
So when he suffers a head injury just before the big fight, he’s sent home. Harper at first is hurt, then decides he’s worth the effort and starts heating things up when they’re in the same place. Eventually, things flame between them and Harper’s determined to have him as long as she can.

http://ripeforreader.blogspot.com/2014/07/hard-knocks-by-lori-foster.html
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/989762555

My rating: 4 of 5 ⭐️

Gage and Harper have danced around their attraction for a long time and had started casually dating, when Gage was selected for a big pay-per-view fight in Japan. Unfortunately an injury during training got him sent home early and he ends up back in the gym in a foul mood. That is until he spots Harper, who seems to be determined to put a smile back on his face.

Harper was disappointed when Gage left to go to training camp for his big fight and never bothered to contact her. But seeing him around the gym made her decide she was going to have to be the one to put herself out there and see where it leads. If anything she might get a hot one night stand out of it. And you know what they say, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

*****

What was a long, slow and simmering warm up behind the scenes, turns into a fast, intense and hot novella at the hands of Lori Foster! What a way to start a new series!!

The main characters, Gage and Harper are regulars at the rec centre, which also doubles as the gym, where it seems all the fighter guys hang out. We are introduced to a few interesting and one particularly colourful prospect for future instalments.

As a very short introductory novella, HARD KNOCKS does its job. It gives us a couple that already has a connection so it doesn't take much for sparks to start flying in earnest, and both of them are tied to the sport and the people that are going to play leading roles in the books to follow. It allows us to get a feel for the atmosphere, the camaraderie, the dynamics between the different players and the level of intensity we can expect.

In a novella of this size, we can't expect a tremendous amount of context or indepth exploration of the individuals, but keep in mind that that is not really the objective. The idea is to get a taste of what Ms. Foster has in store for us before we get our first full sized novel. And this little 'amuse-bouche' had just the right amount of 'flavor' for me!! I have NO LIMITS, the first full length novel, already in my grubby little hands, and can't wait to chow down!!

✨The perfect, spicy bite-sized promise of a fantastic hot new series.✨

**Copy provided in return for an honest review**

3.5 stars

Hard Knocks is the prequel novella to Lori Foster's Ultimate series and it was definitely enough to make me want to spend more time with this group of characters. The story introduces us to a group of fighters who all train at the same gym, most of them are in different weight ranges so rarely compete against each other and there is a great bond between them all. The fighters are very supportive of each other and I enjoyed the banter between them.

This particular story is about Gage and Harper, the couple have known each other for a long time and they were on the verge of beginning a relationship when Gage moved to America to train for an upcoming fight. Harper spent weeks waiting for him to contact her and was hurt that he was able to forget her so easily. Thanks to an injury Gage is back in the country and now he's not focused on the fight he plans to dedicate himself to Harper so they can finally get their relationship started.

This is a fairly short story (around 100 pages) so there isn't a lot of time to focus on the romance but because there is obviously so much history between Gage and Harper things didn't feel rushed or forced. They have great chemistry and I enjoyed the banter between them both as well as seeing the other fighters teasing them. It seemed like everyone else had seen their relationship coming and the only ones who weren't sure of the other's feelings were the couple in question. I liked what we've seen of the gym and the way the fighters go out of their way to give back to the community by helping troubled teens and I'm definitely looking forward to getting to know each of the guys better. I already have a feeling that Armie is going to be my favourite but I guess I'll have to wait and see if that's right or not.

Okay I have a confession to make. I was sitting there reading this novella and I kept thinking the premise sounded familiar. Naturally it took me the majority of the novella to realize this was a spin-off of er love undercover series with book one featuring Cannon. It took me awhile to realize this guy was the scrappy kid in the previous series who protected the bad neighborhood. He wanted to open a neighborhood rec center/gym or something to get kids off the street. Either way I was totally confused until I realized it.

Gage and Harper had a fling months earlier but when Gage had to go train for a tournament, he left her behind. Harper had thought they were done but Gage wasn't ready to call it quits. They spend the night dancing around each other and realize they are much happier together now that they could communicate about their future.

It was a little confusing to say the least but it was certainly an enjoyable read. Gage and Harper already had an established relationship but the reader didn't get to experience it. We jumped in right when it seemed like their relationship might be over without any insight into their characters or relationship. It was unfortunate but it seemed to work in a small story.

Gage and Harper were so hot especially in the closet where they got it on between rounds of someone else's fight. It was great and made me want to start book one immediately. I showed some restraint. The things was that I bout the relationship. Gage and Harper had a history. I didn't experience it and that bummed me out but their romance just came off the page.

It was a really good novella and I'm super excited to read book one in August. I highly recommend it and think you will all just love it.

4 Stars
Published by Harlequin
August 4, 2014
Provided by: NetGalley

I love Lori Foster. Even before I read a single story by her I was totally smitten by her as an author and as a good all around human being. You see, she writes a gazilion books, some of those books being anthologies whose proceeds from the sales go to charities in and around the Cincinnati, Ohio area. She also hosts a HUGE “Reader & Author” event annually that celebrates the relationship between readers and authors – it’s a mutual love fest! This woman is completely committed to her home and work community and I have so much respect for her hard work.

So its about time I read one of her books, right?! What held me back in the past was the daunting task of getting caught up on one of her series. Yes, I’m sure some of her books can be read as standalone but I’ve been taken to task on that matter too many times so I just say, “NO”. Luckily for me (and you!) here lies a brand new series from Ms. Foster!!

Hard Knocks is an introduction novella to Ms. Foster’s Ultimate series. Her first full length novel is No Limits and is expected to be published August 28th, 2014.

The Ultimate series is centered around the world of mixed martial arts (MMA). That got my attention FAST because as the wife of a MMA fan, I’ve become a fan by default. I’ve been watching MMA since the first season of Ultimate Fighter back in 2005. But even if you don’t know a thing about MMA, I can tell you’ll have no problems following this series. Just pretend it’s centered around boxing… without gloves… and they can kick each other… toss in some wrestling and you’ve got it :)

Hard Knocks introduces Gage “Savage” Ringer and Harper Gates. Gage is a fighter who briefly dated Harper before being invited to fight on an upcoming card. Gage left the gym to train at another “camp” about 2-3 hours away without so much as a goodbye wave to Harper. Harper has grown up with most of the guys at the gym, including Gage, and is considered like a sister to all the guys at the gym. And while Gage broke her heart when he left, she understood what it takes to be compete in the Supreme Battle Championship fight world (SBC). But an injury during practice has Gage benched from fighting and back at the gym, near Harper again, and hoping like hell for a second chance with her.

What’s great about this novella is that besides getting a scorching hot story of second chances between Gage and Harper, we meet the new “cast of characters” briefly during our lovebird’s story. I think I’m going to really enjoy Armie’s story. He’s quite the character… ?

The story is short, is told in dual POV (my fave!), and despite an annoying quirk to Harper I won’t even bother mentioning because it’s so little, I enjoyed this brief tease to the upcoming Ultimate series. Ms. Foster can write the lovin’ (chick-a-bow-wow) so I will definitely be continuing with this series. Especially after the I-can’t-believe-you-cut-it-off-there teaser included at the end of the story for the full length first book, No Limits.

Things were just starting to get good between Harper Gates and MMA fighter Gage “Savage” Ringer when he was chosen for a big fight and took off to for training camp. No more dates, no more flirting, and apparently not more talking at all. After kissing Harper goodbye, he never even called. But now he's back, an injury taking him out of the fight, and it's time to see if they can pick things up where they left off.

The Verdict: Normally I'm not a big fan of novellas, but when I saw Hard Knocks was the prequel to No Limits, I couldn't pass it up. I figured that, if nothing else, it might keep me engaged until I can snatch up Holding Strong.

The chemistry between Harper and Gage is great, fueled by their previous attempt at a relationship that ended up being cut short and igniting again the moment they're alone together. I do wish, however, that I'd gotten a chance to know the characters a little better. Gage seems very straightforward, though as testosterone always seems to do, he wasn't fully aware of the strength of his feelings for a while. His separation from Harper for training made him realize just how much he wanted her in his life, even if he was a bit too obtuse at the time to slap the L-word on it. But he was sweet, certainly into her, and while a little confused about her hot-and-cold behavior around him, he never once considered denying his feelings. I suspect that had he been given a full novel and not just a short story that served up only one evening of banter and feelings, I would have fallen ridiculously in love with him.

Harper wasn't quite as interesting, not because there was anything wrong with her character, but because there wasn't really much chance to get to know her. She had crushed on Gage since they were in school, had been in love with him forever, and was pretty broken up by his apparent apathy when he left for training. In that sense, she was easy to understand, but the story really doesn't tell us anything else about her, so I couldn't connect with her the way I wanted to. Still, I love the way she didn't really play games, instead, making her attraction known and setting up a clear opportunity for Gage to rekindle things with her.

Hard Knocks by Lori Foster is a good preview of what to expect in the Ultimate book series, and I can't exactly complain about getting another glimpse of the awesomeness that is Armie. My 3-star review is more a product of not getting enough story than there being anything I didn't like about it. I think if anyone is thinking about starting this series and just can't quite make a decision, Hard Knocks is going to be a great hook to reel the readers in and give them a glimpse of just how good one of these stories in full-length can be.

***FicCentral received this book from Harlequin (via NetGalley) for free in exchange for an honest review. Even so, we're far too opinionated to let a freebie influence our thoughts or the contents of the reviews we post here.

Novellas can be a difficult thing for me.
While I was beyond thrilled to get my hands on another title by the incomparable Lori Foster, I was also somewhat disappointed.
As usual, because of the length, we don't get as much back story or interaction between characters as I would like.
We don't get to see how they met, why they are who they are, etc.
This usually leaves me feeling somewhat adrift and less interested than I would normally be.
Now don't get me wrong, if anyone can pull off a prequel it's Foster... and this was great writing and a wonderful cast of characters.
I really enjoyed the quick glimpses we were able to get of what I'm sure are going to be all the heroes of this series. They are a hot, muscular group of pure testosterone... who wouldn't be all over that?
And therein lies the problem... I did want to be all over that. I wanted to be all over that for pages and pages. I felt like someone put an decadent dessert in front of me and and told me to dig in and lick it up... and then took it away after five bites.
It certainly has left me hungry for more and I'll be anxiously waiting the first full length book in this series.

Hard Knocks (Ultimate, #0.5) by Lori Foster

^-^ NEW SERIES, BUT CONNECTED TO THE <b>SBC FIGHTERS</b> AND <b>LOVE UNDERCOVER</b> SERIES ^-^

~*~ Prequel Novella ~*~

Cannon's (from Love Undercover series, book "Getting Rowdy") friend, Gage "Savage" Ringer is back in Warfield, OH after an injury during training disqualified him from fighting with the SBC on a main card event in Japan & put him on the DL. He had moved to Harmony, KY to train with the more skilled SBC fighters & it was one of the hardest decisions he'd ever had to make for one reason... Harper. Somehow, he's got to convince Harper that she means more to him than what he'd originally realized.

Harper Gates grew up with Gage and the rest of the guys. She's always hung around & enjoys the MMA sport. Her feelings for Gage had escalated & she'd been hurt deeply when he suddenly kissed her goodbye and left for Kentucky without another word. Now that he's back, for however long it may be, she does not want to lose her second chance at showing him what he means to her.

------------------------------------------------------

This is a short & sweet prequel novella. The entire story takes place at the rec center as the guys are preparing to watch the SBC Japan event that Gage was supposed to fight in and that Cannon is headlining. We get to meet a few other fighters (Denver, Stack & Armie) that train and volunteer at the center.

Gage and Harper are both great characters, from what little we get out of this short story. I hope we'll see more of them in the upcoming installments to the series. The secondary characters were a lot of fun. The chemistry was definitely there. There's really not a lot of plot, conflict or resolve, BUT it is a great introduction to the Series and what will most likely be upcoming heroes.

Overall, an enjoyable sneak peek into Ultimate!

Lead Male: 4.5
Lead Female: 4.5
Secondary Characters: 5
Chemistry: 5
Dialogue/Interaction: 4
Plot: 3.5
Conflict & Resolve: 3
Lack of Predictability: 4
HOT factor: 3
Flow/Ease: 4.5
------------------
Overall: 4.1 / 5.0

This is a short novella introducing us to the world of the fighters who will be featured in Ultimate, the new series by Lori Foster.

It was sweet, light read about Cage and Harper finally coming together and admitting their feelings. Cage was not your typical bad boy fighter, all cocky and self-confident. He was a bit shy, keeping his feelings (for Harper and in general) to himself. His insecurities and his attempts to mentally sort through his relationship with Harper made him seem real and easy to relate to which made me really like him.

Harper was pretty great herself. She was determined to act on her attraction to Cage, to make the first step, even if she was by nature more reserved and has always been too much of Ms Goody two shoes to act naughty. Like Cage, all her behaviour made her seem genuine and very likable. She had an easy friendship with the other fighters and devoted time to help in the gym. Her attitude towards Cage was nothing simple - she loved him, yet she was afraid he might not share her feelings, she wanted to be with him, yet she was worried of being a burden for him in his professional development as a fighter.

These two good people were in love with each other but they needed some help to get together and naturally, the rest of the fighters were only to happy to step in. The easy camaraderie among the guys in the gym and their good-natured ribbing of Cage and Harper and especially, the priceless advice of Armie (I'm already looking forward to his story) was fun to read.

This book served more of a setting the scene for the future full-length novels, so it was low on tension and conflict, but overall it's a nice, light read and a promising start to a new series.

My Thoughts:

Hard Knocks, by Lori Foster, was such a good little read. It was a fast-paced short story, so although we don't get a deeply developed story, with an intricate plot, and characters with a lot of depth; we get a fun, romantic, and sizzling hot intro into this new series! We get to learn a little bit about each of the main characters, their personalities, and what they look like; such as how Cannon Coulter is the most talented and dedicated of the mixed martial artists, Armie Johnson is the fun and friendly jokester of the group, and has fun with sexually adventurous women, etc. I am looking forward to each of these guys' story! They are a tight-knit, and loyal fraternity of mixed martial artists.

In Hard Knocks, we get Gage and Harper's story. Harper has always been in love with Gage, who was the most good looking and popular guy in high school. However, he didn't notice her until she started volunteering at the rec center owned by Cannon Coulter. This is where all of the fighters practiced, but also was a philanthropic organization that catered to mentoring and having a safe place for at risk youth to find entertainment. Gage and Harper started dating, and as Harper starting falling in love with Gage and hoping for him to return the sentiment, their relationship came to a standstill when Gage got offered a major fight on the main card in Japan. He left for Japan, and didn't look back. While he was gone he didn't call Harper once, and this broke her heart.

Gage ends up getting injured by an accident in practice, and is not allowed to participate in the fight at this time. Therefore, he returns to Ohio upset, and thinks that thinks with him and Harper will return to the way they were, right before he left Ohio. Unfortunately, he can tell Harper is upset with him, and he doesn't have a clue why. As the guys gather with the kids to watch Cannon's fight, along with others, they do their best to get Harper and Gage to admit their feelings for each other to one another. Things heat up between Gage and Harper, and will never be the same!!!

My Rating:

Hard Knocks has wet my appetite for the Ultimate Series! I am ready to learn everything about these fun, friendly, sexy, caring, and loyal MMA fighters! I am especially excited for book 1, Cannon's story, since I had the privilege of meeting him in the Love Undercover Series! I feel like I have been waiting for his story forever, and my expectations are high!!! If you are a fan of Lori Foster, check out Knockout, and meet a new cast of unforgettable sexy alpha males! I give Hard Knocks, by Lori Foster 3.5 Pent Up Desire, Finally Sealing the Deal Filled Stars!

Read on July 09, 2014

Book Info
Kindle Edition
Expected publication: August 4th 2014 by Harlequin HQN
ASIN B00IWTYW2I
edition language English
series Ultimate 0.5
other editions None found
Source:Netgalley EARC

Book Buy Links
the store
B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS

In the stunning prequel novella to her new mixed martial arts series, New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster brings together an elite fighter and the woman he’s determined to win.

Power. Brute strength. Unforgettable moves. It’s no wonder Harper Gates hasn’t been able to get her fling with Gage “Savage” Ringer out of her head. Months have passed since she laid eyes—or any other body parts—on him. Months without a word of contact… until, sidelined by injury, he comes back to town.

Staying focused on his training seemed like a smart move to Gage, even if he thought about Harper every day. Seeing her again only makes it clear how much is at stake. He’s got one night to earn back her trust. One night to show her that behind his breathtaking skill and ripped body is a man who’ll give her everything she needs.

Don’t miss No Limits , the first novel in Lori Foster’s Ultimate series.

My Thoughts

After her previous series came to a close Author Lori Foster promised fans that this new Ultimate series would bring back Cannon Colter as he started the journey on his new career in the world of MMA competitions.

We start out with this short story about fellow MMA fighter Gage Ringer and the woman he left behind to focus on a training camp, Harper Gates. Months have passed since Gage left and he has made it to the final stages to be one of the team of fighters going to compete, prior to the competition he sustains an injury which knocks him off the list and comes back to try and make things right with Harper.

This is a very short tale encompassing one night where Gage lays his cards on the table finally letting Harper know by action and words just how much she is necessary in his life, not just for a night but forever!

Prequels are always interesting introductions to a new series and even though I expect to be wowed by Cannons story which is the first full length book in this new MMA series I also hope to see more about Gage and Harper as their story was over too quick for me.

Overall Rating: 4.25 Rockin’ ★★★★☆

Hard Knocks is a great introduction to Lori Foster’s Ultimate series. Once again, Lori Foster does not disappoint her readers. Lori’s newest characters are full of promise. The development of the characters is vivid and revealing. Simply put, they are easy to relate to and you will become involved in the story instantly.

Gage “Savage” Ringer is an MMA fighter. He finally got the big break he was hoping for with the famous major fight circuit. However, during training before the last and most important fight he busted his eye enough to have stitches and was sent home. Already upset with the outcome, he is now trying to get back to the life that he left behind months ago, and the woman who holds his heart!

Harper Gates has been around fighters for a while and loves it. The camaraderie and fellowship is something she thrives on. She is a woman who loves with her whole self and it shows in everything she does. Harper gets along with all of the guys at the gym but her heart belongs to one, Gage and she means to make the most of him being home with her again.

Will Harper finally tell Gage how she deeply she feels about him? Will Gage finally have Harper the way he wants her? Read this novella to find out and more!

Lori Foster has a brilliant mind! This story does nothing but remind me how much I love to read her books. Although it was a quick read, it filled my Lori fix! From the beginning I was snared by the story and the characters were amazing in their pursuit to be together. With an intensity that put butterflies in my belly, as always, I longed more! Great punch, Lori! ~TSRBR

Hero – Gage “Savage” Ringer 4.5 stars
Heroine – Harper Gates 4.5 stars
Steam Level: 4.5 stars
Plot: 4.5 stars
Cliffhanger: No

Would I recommend this book: Yes! It’s a great story that will make your heart sing!

Would I read other books by this author: Yes! I love Lori Foster! She is one of my most favorite authors! I never get tired of reading anything Lori!

***Received an ARC of this book from the Author in exchange for an honest review***

Lori Foster + MMA heroes = sold without even looking at the blurb. Hard Knocks is the short prequel novella introducing the group of guys of her new contemporary series.

Gage is back in his hometown in Ohio where he normally trains. He’s still a bit sore that a slight injury that occurred during a sparring session caused him to lose out on his first big main card fight in Japan. Harper has been holding out for Gage for a long time. Harper was a bit stung when he took off without a backwards glance to go train at another facility for the big match even though she knows it’s the way of their world.

Now that Gage is back in town, Harper is determined to turn his frown upside down… in a very special way. Gage didn’t realize how much he missed Harper until now. It doesn’t take much for this couple to start heating things up and getting their relationship on track.

Prequel novellas are really tough things to rate. It exists mainly to set the scene for all the major players in the series. The length tends to inhibit any depth to the main couple other than them hooking up. Gage and Harper’s story suffers from this greatly. I felt like I came in during the middle and was missing the whole backstory of their relationship.

The best part is that readers get to meet all the other guys: Armie, Stack and Denver (Cannon is away in Japan). They’re typical guys who love to give each other a hard time while still being a supportive friend. I love dude banter and the author does it well.

If you are looking for something short and sexy or just want to get a jump on the series, it will fit the bill. Just don’t go in expecting a complete story. Having said that, my hand will be the first one up for Cannon’s story next!

Rating: C/C-

*ARC provided by Harlequin

Hard Knocks is a GREAT introduction into the new Ultimate series. It’s a novella, so it’s short, but it’s still soooo good. Kind of like a fun sized candy bar. Still all the deliciousness of a regular sized candy bar, but in smaller packaging.

In Hard Knocks we get a brief introduction to some of the main characters from the series. Cannon “Saint” Colter (who’s story is the first book in the series No Limits) and Denver “Predator” Lewis (from the second book Holding Strong). That’s not all we get though. We also get a glimpse… a tease of the beginning of the real relationship between Harper Gates and Gage “Savage” Ringer.

The story of Hard Knocks takes place over the span of just a few hours (remember — it’s a novella…so it’s supposed to be short) and because of this we don’t get the full in depth story of Harper and Gage.

Within the span of (roughly according to the store’s page count system) sixty pages, I fell a little bit in love with Gage and Harper. That’s the talent of Lori. Give her sixty pages and you fall a little bit in love… if you give her twice that amount, you’re a goner.

I’m hoping to see more of Gage and Harper in No Limits… and I’m also hoping to see a few characters from the older MMA books. It’s been nice to read the names of characters I fell in love with years ago in a newer book, but catching up with them would be nice. I’ll just have to wait and see what Mrs. Foster has up her sleeve for this series.

I can’t wait to dive into No Limits and be reintroduced to Cannon. If you’ve been a reader of Lori’s you will remember him from Getting Rowdy from her last series. I loved the little bit I got to know him in that one, and I was so excited to hear that he’s getting his own shot at a story in this new series.

I wouldn’t miss this prequel to The Ultimate Series or the books that will follow it.

Great things sometimes come in small packages. Hard Knocks is an example of that.

10/10 would recommend.

*I was given a free copy of this book in return for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. I was not paid by the publisher or the author for my review.*

Title: Hard Knocks

Series: Ultimate bk .5 (this is a prequel to kick the series off)

Author: Lori Foster

Genre: Contemporary

Power. Brute strength. Unforgettable moves. It’s no wonder Harper Gates hasn’t been able to get her fling with Gage “Savage” Ringer out of her head. Months have passed since she laid eyes—or any other body parts—on him. Months without a word of contact… until, sidelined by injury, he comes back to town.

Staying focused on his training seemed like a smart move to Gage, even if he thought about Harper every day. Seeing her again only makes it clear how much is at stake. He’s got one night to earn back her trust. One night to show her that behind his breathtaking skill and ripped body is a man who’ll give her everything she needs.

Thoughts: The very first book of Lori's that I read was an SBC book and I was hooked on her writing. So I was super excited when she announced that she would be coming back to the world of MMA fighting and the SBC.

This is a quick novella to get you back in the action of this world.

I liked how Gage and Harper didn't immediately fall back into each others arms as there was a huge misunderstanding between them. Once that was resolved they were able to express their feelings, both about what had happened when Gage left and how he left and where they were going now.

Grade B+
Review by: Heather
http://www.thebookreadinggals.com

4 Stars!
Release: 08/01/14
Erotic Contemporary Romance

ABOUT THE BOOK:

In the stunning prequel novella to her new mixed martial arts series, New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster brings together an elite fighter and the woman he’s determined to win.

Power. Brute strength. Unforgettable moves. It’s no wonder Harper Gates hasn’t been able to get her fling with Gage “Savage” Ringer out of her head. Months have passed since she laid eyes—or any other body parts—on him. Months without a word of contact… until, sidelined by injury, he comes back to town.

Staying focused on his training seemed like a smart move to Gage, even if he thought about Harper every day. Seeing her again only makes it clear how much is at stake. He’s got one night to earn back her trust. One night to show her that behind his breathtaking skill and ripped body is a man who’ll give her everything she needs.

MY REVIEW:

This read was short, yet hot and easy to read. My only complaint is that it would have been longer, but when you love a book, you don't want it to end. I would have loved to seen more backstory on this, but I thought the characters were engaging, and well likable. Since this book acts as a prologue to the series, I thought it'd be needed to read boom 1, but it's not. Yet, it's a great introduction to what comes next. The story of heartbreak behind these two left my heart going pitter patter and the whole lost love rekindled gets me everytime.

Hard Knocks was the perfect teaser to Lori Foster’s new Ultimate series featuring mixed martial arts. The series will feature yummy alpha fighters and strong woman. This novella packed a punch as Gage “Savage” Ringer and Harper Gates take the next step in their relationship. I consumed the story in a single sitting and it left me eager for more…

The tale takes place at the martial arts center Cannon created and a lot has changed since it was first opened. Gage is there after an injury kept him from traveling to Japan for a match. While he is depressed, he is happy to see Harper again. He has not been able to stop thinking about her. Harper seems distant and he has one night to show her how he feels and win her trust.

While Hard Knocks is short in length, it does not lack heat or connection. I felt the chemistry between Harper and Gage. Foster did a good job of giving us their backstory and sharing their thoughts and emotions. The tale had a satisfying conclusion but like I any novella I wanted more. I cannot wait for No Limits the first novel in the Ultimate series. It will feature Cannon Colter, a character I met and fell in love with in the Love Under Cover series.

Hard Knocks was a sweet, hot introduction to the Ultimate series and will have readers warmed up and ready to take to the ring in No Limits. Copy received from publisher for honest review and originally posted at caffeinated book reviewer.

I loved this story! Sexy and highly entertaining from the start. Gage and Harper are great characters, I got a real sense of who they were.

Everything moved along at a nice pace. There was lots of longing, a bit of tension and an excellent amount of heat. I like how everything developed and the outcome. I was grinning like a fool by the end.

I loved meeting all the other MMA fighters. They had great comradery with one another as well as with Harper. I could see snippets of their individual personalities which made me want to know more about them (bring on the series!). Armie was my favorite, he stole the show! I was laughing and smiling because of him, he was great. There was a nice intro for Cannon too so I am very much looking forward to his story in No Limits.

Really nice build to the sexy times - it was super hot! There were some sweet awwww moments too. Loved it all. Solid beginning, middle, and end. Great introduction to the series. Loved it! 5 stars!!!!!

Complimentary copy received for honest review.

I really enjoyed this story and am excited for this new series. This novella gave a quick glimpse into the backdrop and some of the players in this upcoming series and sets the stage nicely. As with any novella, the length doesn't give much time for character development or back-story, but Lori Foster does a good job trying to fill in the blanks and bringing in other characters to try to give the story some depth.

One thing this story doesn't lack is heat and tension between the two main characters. Harper and Gage are so ready to move forward with their relationship…if they would just let the other know! It was fun watching the build-up between the two – the tension just mounts and let’s just say neither Harper or Gage are finding easy to sit still! These two together were just hot!

I also loved the camaraderie and friendship of everyone at the gym. I love having a cast of characters who are more or less family regardless of any real blood ties. The playful banter and the way they watch out for one another has me anxious to read the next book in the series!

So for being a novella this was a good, quick read that will make you want to find out more about the rest of this group of fighters!

I was given a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

3.75 stars--HARD KNOCKS is the prequel novella in Lori Foster’s new, adult, contemporary Ultimate romance series focusing on a group of close knit MMA fighters and the women that they love. This is Harper Gates and Gage Ringer’s storyline- a friends to lovers storyline that introduces the major players in Lori’s Ultimate series. The ULTIMATE fighter series is a spin off from Lori’s Love Under Cover series.

As with most novellas, the information provided is limited because of time and space, and in this we learn that our couple have played around one another for a number of years. When Gage is sidelined due to an injury, he takes the opportunity to tell Harper what it is he wants-and he wants Harper for his happily ever after. There is very little background information about our leading couple as the novella is used as a vehicle to familiarize the ULTIMATE series to the readers.

HARD KNOCKS introduces the men of the MMA. We get a quick look at the friends and family of the fighters who will find themselves front and center in a future book of their own. From Cannon to Armie, Denver and Stack, each of the MMA fighters has a story to tell with a bit of history, backstory and mystery about the how and why of the MMA.

Gage and Harper...

Because of the length of the book, unfortunately I wasn't able to "feel" the connection between the main characters.

Looking forward to the rest of the series, especially Armie's story!

First off, the cover of this novella is scorching hot and a real eye catcher. Hard Knocks sets the stage for what I believe will be Lori Foster's best series so far. Kind of hard to believe since Lori Foster has written many great previous novels, but something about this series has me believing it will be her best yet. In this novella, Gage Ringer or if you want to call him by his fighting name (Savage) is home from Japan after the SBC replaced him, for receiving a deep cut near his eye that required stitches. Home being the rec center, but going home isn't that bad seeing as how Harper Gates is there. Harper and Gage started the basis of a relationship before the SBC called him and sent him to japan to fight a main event. Gage leaves quickly without reassuring Harper of their relationship. Harper believes Gage didn't miss her while he was gone and tries to act indifferent when he comes back to the rec center. Only problem is, Harper is love with Gage, and there is no way to act indifferent around such a hottie. Harper decides they should fool around to make Gage feel better and so no one will think Gage is distressed over missing what was supposed to be his match. Gage studied her "You going to molest me, honey?" Did he want her to? Because, seriously, she'd be willing. "Let's see how it goes." Oh wow...I loved that part.

I just want to say that I loved our female lead. Harper Gates is a favorite heroine for me. She knew how important Gage's career as a fighter was to him and didn't pull the "if you love me, you would pay attention to me" card. Harper gave him plenty of space when she thought he needed it, but Gage let her know right quick that she wasn't a nuisance and how she could never be in his way.

As for Gage, I loved and I mean loved, how Gage realizes he's in love with Harper without even having sex with her. He doesn't even glance at other women, while he was in Japan he was celibate because all he could think about was Harper. Gage is my type of hero, a man who knows who he wants but doesn't give in and have sex with other women just because they are available. All hero's should be like him. When him and Harper finally get together intimately, it's a total knock out. "Mmm," she murmured. "I lost my bones somewhere." "I have one you can borrow." Loved it, totally classic.

While this novella is a quick read, it will satisfy you and leave you aching for more. At the moment, I am continuously looking at my calender waiting for Cannon's story to hit the shelves.

This was a great introduction to the series of books that are going to follow about fighters. This novelle was Gage and Harper's love story. Gage always loved Harper but he never told her and then he had to leave town to train for a big venue fight in Japan. A deep cut over his eye knocked him out of the fight and now he was back and out to get Harper in his life for good. Harper volunteered at the recreation centre that Cannon founded and so did Gage while he was back in town. She has always loved Gage but she did not know how he felt about her. Could these two actually get together on the same page and communicate their true feelings? This was a erotica sexy short story that set the stage for Cannons story after Gage and Harper's happily ever after. I wished it was longer because I did not want it to end. I am looking forward to find out about the rest of the fights from this recreation centre.

If you like Professional Fighting then this is the series for you. As one who has been around fighters before, during and after their fights this is great behind the scenes of the real deal. They hurt and love like no other. They do everything harder like flat out Fall in love and their women are their everything. Man,I wish I were young again maybe I'd give these women a run for the men myself!
I do love this"gym" that they've established for getting neighborhood kids a place to go. Wish real communities had more of these. it give teens something good to do.
Lori never disappoints. She is always a"books I buy" one click heaven!

Wow what a way to get the juices ready and flowing!! I loved Gage and Harper! I hope we see more of them in Cannon's book No Limits! No one does fighters like Lori Foster!! She certainly turns up the heat in Hard Knocks and seriously got me more ready for No Limits! I hope Gage gets another chance and Harper and him are perfect couple! Thanks Lori!!

As always, Ms. Foster didn't disappoint! Her Novella of Hard Knocks was a very good lead in for her upcoming series! Like with any of her books, YOU CAN NOT PUT THEM DOWN!!!! If a book has her name on it, then I have it!

Awesome book!! Love Lori Foster so much, she is one of the best but especially love her fighter series'!! Love Gage and Harper, they were fun in their banter only bad thing is it of course wasn't long enough. Lol