Rock Hard (Rock Kiss Book 2)

When I think of the author Nalini Singh the first thing that comes to mind is the paranormal PSY-Changeling Series, which is just a fantastic complex political-intriguing romance series. I remember reading the blurb for this book, Rock Hard and thinking “Oh no, she had jumped on the wealthy but flawed hero bandwagon that is so popular in contemporary romance right now. Why would she do that?” Well she didn’t. This book is different, better and well-crafted. Ms. Singh has brought her same wonderful style of writing with memorable characters in a strong story to contemporary romance that is in her paranormal romance.

I can tell you, I stayed up way too late reading to see how the mouse, aka Charlotte, takes on T-Rex, aka Gabriel, so that they both win. Mind you, that was Gabriel’s plan all along. Gabriel is perfect as the rugby player, the CEO and the man for Charlotte. I wasn’t sure at first about Charlotte, but she has such an admirable inner strength. She sees herself as a survivor when I see her as one thrives in conquering her trauma and fears.

While I loved the flirty sometimes sassy feel of the developing relationship and romance, Ms. Singh threw some unexpected turn of events that up the emotional aspect of this story. Just like in life, things can suddenly change, like with a phone call about cancer or one from a police detective. Wow!

I can highly recommend Rock Hard. Now, that I know that Rock Hard is part of a series, I cannot wait to go back and read Charlotte’s friend, Molly’s story.

Copy provided by Net Galley for an honest review.

4/5. I enjoyed this novel a lot more than the previous one. The relationship was flushed out and was actually a slow burn, which tested my patience, but it had to be a slow burn. I felt for Charlotte and her traumatic experience. I liked how this really made Gabriel work at this relationship. The writing though was off for me. There were a lot of similes to animals which was weird for me. Also, the author used the word "growl" a lot in this story, like really, he is growling again? Gabriel also at times was kind of demanding and I don't know, it put me off. Overall, a sweet slow burn novel and I am intrigued for the next book.

Originally published at Rookie Romance.

I've been eagerly looking forward to Charlotte's story since her character was introduced in Rock Addiction. She definitely deserves to find love and happiness, and I've loved the previous books in the series so I knew that her book would also leave me with that warm glowy feel.

Charlotte tries incredibly hard to remain invisible after a traumatic event leaves lasting scars, but there's no hiding from a T-Rex on the hunt. I loved seeing Charlotte's evolution in this book as she finally starts to heal and open up her heart to another person.
Gabriel really steals the show in this story. To start with he's a brilliant businessman AND a gorgeous ex-rugby player- it's like Nalini Singh knew exactly what I wanted in a hero. I adored the single-minded determination he employs when he sets his sights on Charlotte. I also love that he can be ruthless and stubborn, but with Charlotte he's also kind, patient and understanding.

These two couldn't be a better match. Charlotte needed someone to help her heal and claim back who she really is. Gabriel needs Charlotte's sweetness, and also I'm pretty sure she's the only one who wields even a little bit of control over him.

This story is so bittersweet in many places, but overall it's a truly heartwarming and sweet romance.

*I received a review copy from the publisher, for my honest opinion. Thank you!

ROCK HARD is the best ROCK KISS story yet! In this story we are dealing with a different kind of rock star. We are dealing with Gabriel Bishop, ROCK STAR on the rugby field and ROCK STAR at salvaging companies. And ladies......he is swoon-worthy to the MAX! I LOVED these characters ever since we were given a little taste of their interaction in Rock Addiction. Charlotte and Gabriel's chemistry is nothing short of intense. Their connection burns bright, and Gabriel instantly goes all cave man protective on Charlotte, which annoys her and at the same time, turns her on. The back and forth between the two was shy and quiet at first, with Gabriel a.k.a. T-Rex, controlling the bulk of the interactions. But Charlotte a.k.a. Charlie Mouse grew a pair and started to push back on his demands in the workplace. That's when the banter became absolutely comical. Charlotte with her quick wit, and Gabriel with his inability to leave her be, it was a sexy recipe for disaster and I LOVED it!

This was another un-put-downable read from the utterly amazing Nalini Singh. An absolute entertaining, sexy, and humorous read, leaving me with a huge smile on my face and a couple more characters in my heart. The writing, the emotion, it was all on point. ROCK HARD was a truly fantastic read that will leave you with such satisfaction, only a romance reader would understand.

*Gifted copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*

Nalini Singh’s Rock Kiss series has been a fast favorite of mine ever since I read Rock Addiction in early summer. I quickly snapped up Rock Hard soon after it released, but I kept putting it off because something in me is so slow to read heartbreaking romance, even if I wind up loving them. I guess it stems from my dislike of showing weakness (I was raised with two brothers, okay. If you are an only girl you know what that’s like) and crying and I knew that Rock Hard would be a heartbreaking, gut-wrenching read and I was absolutely right. I think I went through half a box of Kleenex (and even typing up my notes made me sniffle. Dammit!) but Charlie and T-Rex were so worth the runny nose, swollen eyelids, and insomnia.

Charlie is so brave and awe-inspiring, but she can’t see it.

I’m not one for timid characters that put themselves down, but Charlie is an exception. She is emotionally scarred from a terrible experience she went through in college. To explain her past would mean spoilers, but trust me when I say that the fact that even leaves the house at all means she is a lot stronger than she gives herself credit. If anybody needs to give herself a break and to stop beating themselves up for every little mistake they make, is this woman.

Like I said above, I usually have a hard time with main characters that can’t see their own self-worth, but my experience with Charlie was much different. Every time she admitted her weakness, it made me want to squeeze her tight, kiss her cheek, slide her in my pocket and slay her demons for her. She’s far from perfect and she knows it all too well, but she grows so much throughout this novel and it warms my heart every time her gorgeous T-Rex helps her overcome her terrors.

I want a T-Rex like Gabriel

Oh god, T-Rex. I will try my best to describe his character without catching my computer on fire. Gabriel is not your average CEO. Well, in some ways he is, but in others he is far from average. He’s the demanding, bossy, stubborn man who I’ve come to expect in a romance hero CEO, but he also demands his employees to reach their full potential as well. He’s completely terrifying but he’s also surprisingly gentle.

From the beginning of the novel, it is clear he is doing his best to manipulate Charlie into coming out of her shell being the mouthy woman he knows she is under all her fear and self-preservation. Now, I know it sounds like he’s trying to change her, but he really does love who she is and is trying to show her not to be afraid of speaking her opinion around him. He loves to goad her into snapping at him and it is hilarious to watch! Oh, he’s also got the sexiest, dirtiest mind. *swoon* If I didn’t want Charlie to finally get her man, I would be so jealous.

If you like office romantic books with sexy, mesmerizing heroes and cute assistants,search no more,this story is for you! This book is about Gabriel aka T-Rex and Charlotte aka mouse, Molly's best friend from the first one in the series.
Gabriel is a man ruthless in his job ,he is highly intelligent and he expects perfection. Charlie is an efficient woman in the office,but very shy,but in order not to lose her job ,she becomes his assistant. After this, their relationship becomes explosive.
Gabriel always achieves his goals, he is a workaholic but underneath this snarling man there is a kind,caring hero. I loved so much his character,he is everything I wanted and more. He is protective, sexy, provocative and so patient. Charlie is a woman hurt by a previous relationship but slowly she stops being a victim and she becomes a survivor. I would prefer to see her overcome all her panic quicker but that didn't stop me from enjoying the story. In fact, I loved all the built-up between them and let me tell you Gabriel has a filthy mouth. I laughed with their banter and it was so funny to see Charlotte find her strength and give sass back to him. It was also nice to see their interactions with Gabriel's family and his brothers sparkled my interest,so I would love to see them as future characters.
This series gets better and better and I cannot wait to see what else Nalini will write about this world!

OK so my heart is beating out if my chest. I have swooning romantic
tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat. Nalini Singh is totally one
amazing perfect hero creator. I've read 2 PNR books of hers and now all 3
books in this series and every single solitary time she's given me
amazingly intense. . beautiful sexy dominant heroes who are totally
devoted to their women. Gabriel Bishop. . wow like fine wine he settles
warm in my tummy. Like a warm blanket in the dead cold of winter this
hero not only melted my heart. ... he caused it to simmer then boil.
Sweet bossy romantic sexy.. erotic. . passionate protective loyal and
just plain wonderful. If you haven't gotten my point.. hes completely
perfect alpha approved.

This story had healing and was so emotional.
For every scar on Charlotte's heart.. Gabriele had the healing balm of a
devoted and true touch and everything about this amazing hero captured not only my attention but kept me flipping pages like crazy. This book right here is the perfect example of why I ever started
reading romance. A hero who adores. .protects..seduces...romances..and
cherishes the heroine from day freaking ONE. I'm so addicted to this
read that I did not sleep. Gabriel Bishop has risen to the very top of
the perfect hero list. OMG! !!!"

I had my doubts about starting this one, as the first book was just okay for me. Still someone managed to convince me to give this series another chance, and I’m glad I did. Rock Hard was quite different from Rock Addiction. It’s almost like the author knew what I was thinking that could be improved to make Rock Addiction a better story, and applied it to Rock Hard. Which makes me a happy camper.

Charlotte was such an endearing character. She’s the type of never seen and never heard. Disappearing into the background is something she actually prefers, but when Gabriel enters her life, being a mouse is no longer possible. This guy knows how to push her buttons, though in the end she doesn’t mind it too badly.

Gabriel Bishop was a beast on the field and now he’s the T-Rex of the boardroom. Entering a company and turning it upside down is what he lives for and he’s damn good at it. Let’s just say he’s not lacking any confidence. With his latest takeover he meets Miss Charlotte Baird. Being used to put the fear of God into people, he doesn’t quite know what to do with this quiet assistant. But he’s intrigued, and that is only the beginning.

I loved how opposite these two characters were. Tough when it comes down to it, at the important base, they are the same. This caused for a lot of fireworks inside and outside of the bedroom. Charlotte and Gabriel butted heads a lot, but I liked how they challenged each other. Gabriel learned to be softer and more careful, while Charlotte started standing up for herself, even going against Gabriel.

Besides the obvious romance between these two characters, there are some deeper issues that need to be dealt with. There is a reason why Charlotte is so shy and at times even scared. I liked how sweetly Gabriel handled the whole situation though. It was a graduate process. Even the romance didn’t happen overnight, and I found that more believable.It’s that combination of lightness and deeper emotion why I felt so invested in this story.

This is lush, fun, deeply emotional romance with a really wonderful heroine. Charlotte went through an intensely traumatic experience with her ex, and she's still struggling at the beginning of the novel to overcome the serious PTSD that was left by that experience. My absolute favorite part of this novel was watching her fight to push open her limits and claim the full, free life that she deserves to have - but I particularly loved that Singh shows from the very beginning exactly how strong Charlotte really is even when she's having to live her life within very narrowly constricted limits due to that ongoing PTSD. The PTSD is not in any way a sign of weakness - she is an incredibly strong woman who SURVIVED and is continuing to survive and fight for real happiness. It was wonderful to get to watch her achieve it with a guy who was great for her. And no, in real life I would NOT be okay with him as a boss (hello, boundary-crossing! it's not totally obnoxious in the way of some other billionaire-secretary books, but it's certainly not professional, either), but their relationship works perfectly as a fantasy romance to escape into, and I was rooting for Charlotte to get whatever made her happiest, which was him...and for all that I thought he needed some training as a boss, I really appreciated seeing the way he genuinely supported her in their personal relationship rather than ever pushing her too hard. Also, I really enjoyed getting to see him within his happy, healthy and supportive family, and watching them envelop Charlotte, too. This series is so much fun!

It wasn't easy for Charlie to put her life back together after escaping from an abusive relationship but she has worked hard to get where she is now and although she is still painfully shy she is good at her job and is independent. When Gabriel is brought in to completely overhaul the company she works for Charlie is terrified she's about to be fired but instead she finds herself promoted and working directly for Gabriel as his personal assistant. Gabriel is a terrifying T-Rex of a man, he demands a great deal from his staff and puts Charlie under a huge amount of pressure but at the same time she feels incredibly safe around him. No matter how scary she finds him she knows without a doubt that he would never hurt her and she finds herself gaining confidence in herself with him at her side. Gabriel wants Charlie from the moment he sets eyes on her and it doesn't take him long to realise just how special she is. He can see she's been hurt in the past though and he is more than willing to take his time stalking his prey.

This series really does get better and better with every single book, I've been looking forward to Charlie mouse and T-Rex's story for such a long time now and it was totally worth the wait. I've always been a huge fan of Nalini Singh for her paranormal romances but with this series she's proving that she's just as good at writing contemporary and this book was utterly perfect. I don't think I would change a single thing about it and just thinking about how much I enjoyed reading it has me wanting to pick it back up and devour it for a second time.

We all know that alpha heroes have become a huge trend in contemporary romances recently and I love strong, dominant heroes as much as the next girl but I'm often disappointed because some authors seem to think that alpha male is equivalent to domineering, abusive arse. If you want to meet a REAL alpha let me introduce you to Gabriel. Yes the man is grumpy and domineering at work, he knows what he wants and he expects his staff to do it immediately - he isn't known as the T-Rex for nothing - but he isn't unreasonable. He expects hard work from everyone else because he works hard himself, he puts in longer hours than anyone and wouldn't ask you to do something that he wasn't willing to do too. Outside the office Gabriel is the nicest guy you could ever hope to meet, he is sweet, kind, funny and thoughtful. He has a take charge attitude but he also knows when to take a step back and hand the reigns over to someone else.

I have a lot of respect for the way Gabriel treated Charlie, he set his sights on her very quickly but he could see that she was skittish and nervous and he respected her need for space and to take things slowly. He takes time to get to know her, to build trust between them and to just show her what a great guy he is before he even hints at wanting anything more than a business relationship between them. When he finally makes his move he knows just how far to push her so that things start to move forwards but he backs off immediately the second she gets nervous.

I absolutely loved seeing Charlie's confidence in herself increase, even before they're in a relationship Gabriel has a way of building her up and showing her just how special she is. She starts the story very mousy and almost afraid of her own shadow, something that isn't too surprising when you find out about her history, but by the end of the book she can really fight her own corner. I thought Nalini Singh handled her past sensitively and Charlie's progression was perfect, she wasn't cured of her fears overnight - nobody who had survived what she did could be - but she makes steady progress because she has the support of a guy who is willing to listen to her needs. Gabriel's instincts make him want to protect Charlie but he understands how important her independence is to her and he helps her live life on her own terms.

The whole Rock Kiss series has been brilliant but Rock Hard takes things up to a whole new level and Charlie and Gabriel are definitely one of my favourite Nalini Singh couples. I know I'll be reading this story again and again while I wait for the next book in the series to release and I'm really hoping that we're going to get stories about Gabriel's brothers that will allow us to catch up with these two too. I can't recommend Nalini Singh's books highly enough, she never lets me down and always, always makes me fall head over heels for her characters.

“Ms. Baird, have I or have I not made it clear that I would like you in my bed?”

When you put together a former pro rugby player turned CEO, a timid but mouthy assistant, and enough all-consuming sexual tension to burn up the pages, you get quite a delicious little package already. But add to that some rather phenomenal writing and flawless character development and you are in for a real treat. A sweet, slow-paced, very sexy romance between two people who are drawn to one another from the moment they meet, this story is not as straight-forward or as predictable as it might seem. Gently and sensitively interwoven with some heavier, much more intense emotional undertones than I ever expected to find in a story of this kind, this was a book I found to be absolutely impossible to put down. I adored the characters, I loved their unique connection, the snarky humour that colours their every exchange, and I was utterly charmed by the way their relationship slowly but surely takes hold, never rushed, never forced, thoughtfully and realistically mapped out from the start. A book I will most definitely re-read many a time, I urge you to meet and fall in love with Charlie-mouse and T-Rex.

“A petite but tempting morsel. Too bad she was terrified at the sight of him.”

Charlotte Baird is the girl no one notices in the office. Petite, unassuming, cloaked by figure-drowning clothes that are designed to make her feel invisible, she is self-conscious and unobtrusive, but behind the timid little mouse hides an intelligent and witty young woman, capable of much more than people give her credit for. Her traumatic dating past, however, has made it so that she now deliberately avoids attention of any kind, her bashfulness and fear of men being something she cannot control or escape from, both in her personal as well as her professional life. Her quiet existence is thrown off balance by the arrival of her new boss, a man hired to salvage the struggling company Charlotte works for, but one look at him and there is no doubt in her mind that he is the most compelling man she’s ever met. And the most intimidating one too.

“Gabriel Bishop was a gorgeous man… Too big and muscled and dangerous, but gorgeous. Like a tiger was gorgeous. Right before it ate you.”

Gabriel Bishop’s reputation precedes him wherever he goes. An ex-rugby star turned ruthless businessman, he is smart, driven, confident and successful in all his endeavours, but very few people in his life truly know the man behind the muscles and the tailored business suits. What comes across as arrogance and callous drive is a need to never again feel like that little boy whose whole life changed the day his father abandoned his family and left them fending for themselves. From the moment shy little Charlotte steps in front of him, he cannot get her out of his mind, the hidden fire in her eyes stirring something in him, a hunger he’s never known before, but it is her occasional smart mouth that intrigues him the most. So he makes her his new PA, forcing her to work daily alongside a man she is terrified of as well as viscerally attracted to, both being a constant challenge for Charlotte, especially since her new boss is also determined to get her in his bed. And has no qualms about expressing it. Unequivocally.

“If you tell me you don’t want me, I’m going to demand you give me your panties to prove they’re not damp.”

In a sexy game of “T-Rex and mouse”, we watch their relationship change over time, cross boundaries and evolve into what they both desperately want. But Charlotte’s hang-ups are a real obstacle to any intimacy between them, forcing Gabriel to handle her with patience and care, teasing, tempting and charming her out of her shell, thus allowing her to bloom under his loving touch at her own pace.

“The seeds of terror were hidden within her, could burst open at any time.”

I am still stunned by how much I not only enjoyed this story, but also felt emotionally invested in every aspect of it. There is a delightful streak of light-hearted humour tied in with the intense emotions driving this story forward, and it is this perfectly balanced contrast that hooked me in and kept me enthralled until the end. The characters are well-rounded and fascinating, and their very differences are what makes their connection so magical and touching at times. A mighty “T-Rex”, larger than life and deceptively rough around the edges, falling for a gentle little “mouse” and treating her with such loving care and sensitivity that it wards her demons away and makes her whole again—this is a story that will warm your heart and make it race all at the same time, every part of this story done just right, and every eloquent word penned by this gifted author making you want to read everything else she’s ever written.

“When you look at me like that, I want to do everything you ask me.”

"Rock Hard" is a little different from the two previous books, in the new contemporary romance series "Rock Kiss".
Neither of the two main characters is a member of the rock band, but Charlotte is Molly's best friend that we met in "Rock Addiction", first book of the series. Her presence in that book, though short, had left its mark and I was hoping so much that it was given a bit of space, to Charlie and her T-Rex, or Gabriel her despot boss. From there the nickname Charlie kindly give it to him when she speaks of the man with Molly.
T-Rex is really ok for him as nickname and I am in love with this couple and their history.
Charlotte is a girl who does everything to blend into the environment, rather than give into the eye and she doesn’t want to attract the attention of others, especially of men, I think she would arrive at the point of dressing up with the wallpaper if it were possible. It’s not just plain shyness, but the result of a bad experience in the past that has left indelible marks in her life. She has to come to terms with her fears and her panic attacks, by approaching them boldly from day to day, to try to live a life as normal as possible, but Gabriel has no intention to let her hide like a scared mouse. He saw the glimpses of a different woman behind the facade that Charlotte shows to everyone, and he is intrigued and decided to come into the open, because he wants that woman at his side, although his instinct makes him understand immediately that the source of the girl's behavior is due not only to her character, but is tied to something bad that happened in the past.
It was the perseverance and stubbornness of Gabriel that conquered me, the great attention he shows to Charlotte, the way he teases her, how he puts her under pressure to pull out her claws at him, and show that underneath the surface there is a determined and intelligent woman, a survivor who can handle a bad-tempered and dominant T-Rex, putting him back in his place.
Charlie is adorable, and despite all her problems is really tough, a person who has been the rock that helped Molly to endure her terrible and painful adolescence. Charlotte is a true fighter, willing to expose herself to defend those she loves.
Gabriel is the only one that manages to make lose her control, her apparent calm, a weapon that she has always helped to face her fears and manage them. She can’t think too much and to filter her reactions and emotions with Gabriel and she reacts impulsively.
I enjoyed a lot reading their verbal clashes and another thing that I liked a lot in Gabriel is that he doesn’t shelter Charlotte under a bell jar, for fear of scare her because of his "physicality" and the attraction he feels for her, and certainly a former rugby player in the "physicality" thing does not fail. He’s willing to give her all the time she needs, but he is deeply convinced that she can handle herself and the strong physical attraction they feel for each other and then, however, and he teases her in all the way.This is important for Charlotte: being treated like a woman, to feel emotions so strong and intense that push her to face her fears.
In their story it isn’t all roses and flowers, sometimes they make one step forward and two back, but it's a wonderful love story, so beautiful, as she only Nalini Singh knows how to write, creating characters so wonderful.
The parts of the book that I preferred were those in which Gabriel and Charlotte joined his family playing rugby "in the family", these are scenes full of magic, where the author gives her best, funny moments, sometimes full of tenderness and while I was reading it I felt a great desire of belonging.
Needless to say that T-Rex is my "new book-boyfriend"!

‘Rock hard’ is a part of the Rock kiss series. Unlike the other two books in this series, this book isn’t about a rock star in a band but about an ex-rugby player who is now a successful businessman.

Gabriel Bishop was once a rock star on the rugby field but he had to stop on an early age and now he’s a wealthy businessman whose determination and ruthlessness is well-known in the business world. Gabriel is known for saving firms on the edge of bankruptcy and turning them in successful firms. That’s also the case with the firm where Charlotte Baird works.

What was once a leading firm, is now a firm in great danger. But that’s about to change because the famous Gabriel Bishop is now the new CEO in Charlotte Baird’s company.

Charlotte Baird is shy woman and after a terrible experience at university all she wants, is to live a normal life with no stress or big surprises. And that’s the way her life goes, until Gabriel becomes the new CEO of her company. Gabriel is an intelligent man, so he very quickly discovers that ‘mousy’ Charlotte Baird is doing his assistant her job and that his assistant doesn’t do more than sitting at her desk being pretty! That isn’t what Gabriel expect from his assistant. So, Gabriel decides to fire this beautiful assistant and makes Charlotte his new assistant. This isn’t Charlotte’s idea of a quiet life but Gabriel isn’t giving her much choose. And so starts Charlotte her new job as the assistant of Gabriel (aka T-Rex). But the longer they work together the more that Charlotte opens up and changes.

But what Charlotte doesn’t know is that Gabriel wants her not only as his assistant but also as a partner in the bedroom and in his life. But he knows that he has to take it slow with Charlotte, a hard thing to do for a man who’s just to get what he wants, for a man with little patience but he knows deep in his heart that Charlotte is worth it. He only has to convince her of this! But there’s one thing that Gabriel doesn’t know and that’s that an old threat from Charlotte’s past is coming back and that he wants revenge!
Will Gabriel have enough time to persuade Charlotte to give them a chance? Will Charlotte ever trust a man again or is she too broken inside?

I really enjoyed this story. The relationship between Gabriel and Charlotte was slow but because of the things that had happen in Charlotte’s past this was the only way to go. They went from a work relationship to something more. I love the fact that you saw Charlotte getting stronger (with the help from Gabriel) throughout the story and that she also helped Gabriel with his past.
In this book you also see Molly (from book one), she’s Charlotte her best friend.
This series doesn’t have the same intensity as Nalini her other series but I still enjoy them very much.

This was a pretty good book and I like this series although I was a little confused by this book because it wasn't about rock stars. Wealthy businessman Gabriel Bishop rules the boardroom with the same determination and ruthlessness that made him a rock star on the rugby field. Charlotte Baird emotionally scarred and painfully shy, she just wants to do her job and remain as invisible as possible. Until she meets the new CEO of the company that she works for. Gabriel came in to save the company and clean house he got rid all of the weak links including his new PA because after all Charlotte was doing her job. Charlotte knows that she is a mouse and she calls Gabriel T-Rex because he growls and storms through the office, leaving carnage in his wake. This was a good book Charlotte learned to stand up to Gabriel and it also gave her courage she stopped being so shy and she also learned to dress better not hiding her shape from men and she stopped letting her past defy her future. For Gabriel I think that Charlotte taught him how to relax. The sex scenes in this book were ok. This book did feel a little out of place considering this is a series about rock stars. This book was well written like the other books in this series with no errors in spelling or grammar. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

When I started reading this book and I found out who Charlotte was and what her issues were, I thought, not another battered woman story. I just seemed to be getting sent a lot of those lately, but Charlotte was different. Charlotte was brave and even when she was weak, she worked at overcoming her fears with a strength and determination that I admired. She made me want to cheer for her, where others in the past haven't before. She did falter, and falter she did, many, many times, but Nalini Singh did it with such skill that I did not feel as though I was being bashed in the head with a heroine who had issues constantly. I was able to immerse myself into the story and the courtship between her and Gabriel.

Gabriel is wonderful. He's insightful and he's patient. He knew what he wanted from the start, and he planned and plotted his way towards it. His insights into Charlotte's character made me really like him as a person. And he was relentless in his pursuit. He broke down her walls and gave her strength to be the person she wanted to be.

This story is very unlike the previous Rock Kiss stories. While the previous books were highly emotional, sexual and fast paced, this one was flirtatious and measured, mostly because of who Charlotte is. It shows the skill of writing that Nalini Singh is known for that she is able to change the pace of the book with this story and still create and beautiful love story that keeps you reading to the finish to see how Charlotte and Gabriel get to their happy ending.

Here are some of my favorite quotes from the book, funnily both of them are said by Molly, from Rock Addiction (Rock Kiss Book 1):

"You were my oak tree," Molly had said once. "Enduring and protective and with a loyalty so deeply rooted, I knew no storm would wash you away. I would've drowned without you."

"That's a choice too, you know." A smile in Molly's voice. "And it's one I understand - I like making fox happy too. Same way I like doing things to make you happy. There's nothing wrong with caring for people we love; the only problem comes when it's one person giving all the time. When it goes both ways, you have love."

After reading "Rock Courtship (Rock Kiss, #1.5)" I just had to read "Rock Hard". Also, did you see the cover? I mean, LOOK AT IT! Okay, eyes back here! LOL, Sorry, my fault! I haven't read Nalini's PNR series (gasp I know) but I have added it to my TBR Mountain as I have fallen for her writing style! She has a gift with words and creating characters that the reader can connect with and totally fall for.

If you picked up, I have read the novella of this series and not the first book. Sigh... too many books NOT enough time! My friend and fellow blogger Kelly from Books-n-Kisses LOVED this book and says I MUST read the first one to get an idea why the nickname T-Rex fits Gabriel to a Tee. While I did promise I'd read it and I do WANT to read it, the good news is that you can pick up the series from here! "Rock Hard" can be read as a stand-a-lone and Nalini does a great job of showing the reader why Charlotte gives him the nickname T-Rex.

Lets start with T-Rex, I mean Gabriel! Not only easy on the eyes, he's an extremely smart business man who has had to prove that over and over again! Apparently, being a jock and good looking does have its stigmas! He's determination, goal oriented mind-set, professionalism, team player and leadership skills that made him a fantastic Rugby player has now transferred over to the boardroom. While he may have a reputation of being a work-a-holic and tough on his employees, he is a fair boss who brings out the best in them all. He gets rid of the dead weight and those who do not contribute and promote those who deserve it. He is determined to make Charlotte his and how he goes about it is brilliant! He woes her! He tries to make her jealous! At that, I just laughed, because it was not helping his case!! He falls for Charlotte the more he gets to know her and respects her and likes her for who and how she is! Woohooo!! He is also extremely protective of those he loves. As we flip through the pages (or in this case swipe the kindle, lol) we also learn he's a family man! He loves his brothers and his nieces and has a great relationship with his parents. WHAT MORE COULD A GIRL ASK FOR!!!!

Charlotte comes across as a mouse and her personality with most is that of a pushover. We all have our buttons and moments! As Charlotte settles in her new position as PA to Gabriel, she learns to roar or rather that its okay to roar! Charlotte comes out of her shell through out the book and while I understand the reason why she behaved the way she did, there were a few times where she frustrated me. But they were very few and it passed by quickly. I do wish that her "I want to be better" speech was more about HER than her fear of not BEING with Gabriel but if any man was worth it, it would be him!

Gabriel and Charlotte have great chemistry. Gabriel can sure talk dirty!! HOT!! As I mentioned before, one of the things I truly enjoyed about this book is the characters got to know each other prior to jumping into the sack! Heck, prior to claiming they loved each other! Talk about a breath of fresh air!

Overall, a great read that I couldn't put down. The characters were well developed and readers will not only identify with, but will fall for! Will definitely be getting the following books in the series and finding the time to read the previous book!! Adding Gabriel to my list of Book Boyfriends!!! WOOHOO!! Can't be helped!

Why did I want to read this book?

I’ve read Books #1 and #1.5 in this series and I’m falling more and more in love with the series with each installment. And this particular installment, I’m truly vested in. We’ve ‘met’ Charlotte, Molly’s best friend and only ‘heard’ of T-Rex in Book 1 but in the few pages that they were mentioned there, I just knew that there was something special about these two. So when I learned that they were finally getting their own story, gosh, I couldn’t swoon fast enough.

What worked for me?

Nalini Singh offers us a new couple, which didn’t have that insta-love vibe that Rock Addiction kind of had nor the long-standing one-sided affection that Rock Courtship had. What she gave us in this book are two people who gradually fell into each other. Yes, there was that attraction. But sooner or later, a couple needs to find more than that as common ground, right? And what Charlotte and Gabriel had was friendship, and then trust, and then something much more.

I love Charlotte. I just simply felt for her the whole time, throughout the book. She had a traumatizing event in the past that made her feel cautious of and a little removed from people but you can’t help but admire her tenacity, her strength, her bravery. I love that although she doesn’t view life through rose-colored panels but that she still realizes that life should be lived and not merely survived. Her belief in Gabriel was so sweet and just left me with all kinds of swoon-y feelings and you just can’t help but go in endless ‘awww’ every time you think how awesome it is that somebody like Charlotte is capable of bringing a rugby-turned-ruthless-businessman man like Gabriel to his knees.

Gabriel was such a sweetheart. He’s big and powerful in more ways than one. But he’s decent and a good person. Yes, he has his issues but thankfully it’s not all unnecessarily super heavy and dark. A lot of my favorite parts of the stories are those that are told from his POV. I love discovering all the ways he sees Charlottes, admires her, and of course, gradually falls for her.

What I will distinctly remember about Charlotte and Gabriel’s story is how, even though obviously there were pivotal moments in the plot of the book in general and in the development of their romance, there is that subtle quality in the transitions, a sense of quietness in the important shifts in characterizations, that leaves you slightly bewildered but thoroughly amazed, especially when you realize that something had already happened. And it definitely is a plus point (or a gazillion points) that they had an amazing chemistry.

What did not work for me?

I just felt that the ending was a little disjointed, but only a little. And by the time it was the end, I was pretty much still in love with those two.

My over-all take on it?

Charlotte and Gabriel gave me an amazing romance. I love how they met. I love how they were whenever they’re in the same room. I love how patient Gabriel is. I love how brave Charlotte is. I basically loved reading this book. And if you would give it a try, you might fall in love with it too.

My rating:

4.5 stars

Disclaimer: I received an eARC of this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review. Yes, these are my honest and personal thoughts on this book.

4.5 stars

Oh my goodness! Love Nalini Singh’s paranormal books, but give her a contemporary platform and heretofore untold humor skills come bubbling up!! Woot! This reader loves loves loves some heavy-handed humor along with a sizzling hot alpha man, and this book delivers in spades. Just look at the clever titles on each chapter and you will see what I mean! Smoking sexy + funny = INSTANT hot! Great story about a favorite trope of mine–the repressed, damaged female who’s hiding from the world but is discovered and saved by a powerful, amazingly handsome alpha male who realizes her potential and loves her for what she is inside and has hidden from everyone else. ~sigh~ Squishy heart.

Charlotte Baird is one of life’s misfits. Left an orphan by loving parents too young, abused in college by a horrific, violent man, she has spent the last years using her overly large clothing and lack of makeup as camouflage. She wants to be invisible. When the company she works for is in financial trouble and a new CEO comes in to shake things up, Charlotte along with everyone else fears for her job. However, the new CEO is former Rugby player and financial wonder-boy Gabriel Bishop, who’s developed a reputation as someone who can save sinking businesses. She feels totally helpless to do anything to save her job even though she is brilliant and her work is flawless. Let’s hope the new boss notices. Unfortunately, she’s organized and computerized her recordkeeping job so well that it’s now redundant. Thank goodness she rocks at doing the CEO’s personal assistant’s job–even though it isn’t hers. Anya uses her like a rag doll, but that’s okay. At least there’s a reason to keep her around!

In the first few weeks, as Gabriel moves through the upper management with a fine-tooth comb, weeding out the undesirables, he notices an alarming trend in his PA Anya’s work. It’s all being done by an assistant in recordkeeping named Charlotte. So he boots her out and replaces her with Charlotte. There’s one problem. Charlotte’s crippling shyness makes it so difficult for her to be around him that he quickly realizes that the only way to keep her going is to get her angry. He is startlingly attracted to her physically as well, but her shyness makes him very cautious around her. As they spend more and more time together and he witnesses more than one of her panic attacks when he inadvertently cages her against the break room counter or approaches her from behind, he realizes that more is at work than just extreme shyness. His “Ms Baird” has been attacked and hurt at some point in her past. This only makes him more determined to protect, possess and make her safe with him in his life.

As with any victim of abuse who hasn’t been properly treated, the road to recovery is long and arduous. As Gabriel patiently works at bringing the Charlotte he knows is inside her to the fore, there continue to be hiccups–she will withdraw into silence or even have a panic attack. Each time he patiently tries to discover what the trigger was. Sometimes it takes a while for her even to tell him that there was a trigger. When she starts sharing with him, he’s amazed at the blaze of triumph and strong feelings of possessiveness that shoot through him. She’s letting him in! As their relationship slowly moves into the physical as she becomes more and more comfortable around him, can he ever get her to confide in him about the truth around what happened to cause the vibrant woman he sees under the fear?

Charlotte loves the softness and possessiveness she sees in Gabriel, and adores working for him. It pushes her to new highs and reminds her of how independent and smart she can be when she doesn’t let the fear stop her. They have a wonderful give-and-take that is built on mutual respect and trust. But what if that the words her attacker said to her are true–that she really isn’t worth love–and Gabriel realizes it and leaves her too. Why is he taking all this time with her and staying with her when she’s so much trouble? He seems to believe that she will be able to move forward and have a normal life with him, but sometimes she doesn’t believe it’s true.

Is life really going to give Charlotte and Gabriel a chance? Is the past really behind them? Or is a cruel twist of fate going to snuff it out before it has a chance to shine? You can prepare for everything, but we all know…

the waiting’s the hardest part.

Amazing, awesome, tempting, sinfully sexy. Must read stuff!!! Get it while it’s sizzling………

Move over Fox and David. Gabriel's book has just become my favorite of this series! I never expected Gabriel and Charlotte to have such painful and horrific pasts. This book entranced me from the first page to the last. I couldn't put it down and read it late into the night. It made me laugh, made me cry, and made me fan myself from all the heat the two of them gave off!

The story might at first glance seem cliched. We have an alpha hero who is very protective of our very shy heroine, who'd rather hide than be noticed. However, Gabriel "T-Rex" Bishop is no cliche. He's willing to wait on Charlotte "Charlie/Mouse" and he does it patiently, well as much as someone whose wanted someone for a very long time now. I loved how he went at Charlie's pace. Even when Charlie was raring to go, Gabriel made sure she was ready and then some. The two of them together were spectacular. I knew that from the very brief snippets seen in Rock Addiction. It helped that Charlie and Molly are best friends, so Molly was able to provide Charlie with support this time around.

Knowing how shy and scared Charlie was of attracting attention to herself, I was a little worried she wouldn't be able to handle Gabe and the attention that came along with it. Instead Charlie showed a hidden fire, that I was very glad to see. As incidents from her past were revealed, it became clear why she'd adopted the persona she had. Let me tell you, finding out both broke my heart and made me furious. I had this dull ache in my chest as everything became clear. Charlie might be nicknamed "Mouse" but she had the heart of a lion. She had to in order to live and thrive again.

I love how the central focus of the book was Gabe and Charlie and the way the two of them were resolving past hurts and moving forward. I loved seeing them interact daily in a professional capacity before slowly moving things into a personal one. Sometimes these relationships can border on creepy or even venture into the sexual harassment territory, but this book never crossed that line once. Instead, I think it dealt with an office romance very tastefully. I also loved the tone of the book. It could've very easily been angsty and dark, but instead focused on being positive and being in the moment.

Nalini Singh has done an outstanding job at showcasing two characters whose traumas of the past have left indelible marks on them, but they've found a way to be stronger and better through the love they have for one another. T-Rex and Mouse have stolen my heart! I keep saying each book of the series is my new favorite and I'm expecting that trend to continue. I can't wait for Abe and Noah's books!

I absolutely love any book that Ms. Singh has written; her heroes are all alpha goodness paired with amazing heroines who match them with intelligence and strength. Rock Hard is the second book in the series and I devoured it in one setting.

Charlotte Baird works for Saxon & Archer, a retail corporation that has fallen on hard times and they have hired a consultant to turn the company around. Charlotte is very quiet, preferring to work behind the scenes but her astuteness and knowledge make her known to the new guy who is currently cutting a swath through the higher management team, firing those that did not perform, he makes her uncomfortable, to say the least.

Gabriel Bishop is a former professional rugby player who has a reputation for turning companies around. As he evaluates a company, not only does he look at the financials, he also finds the best and brightest individuals to promote and take the place of those that have helped destroy the business. When he notices that a little mouse has done the work of his personal assistant, he quickly remedies the situation, and before she knows what hit her, Charlotte is promoted.

Charlotte has been going through a difficult time since her ex- boyfriend terrorized her several years ago, she was always a quiet person, but Richard took so much from her that she has had a hard time being the center of attention. When Gabriel promotes her, she is sure he will fire her within a week since she is scared to even talk to him. However, there is something about Gabriel that brings out the person she used to be.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book; it was everything a great Nalini Singh story has. There is a sexy alpha man who is strong, extremely sure of himself and driven to perfection and a woman who is equally as strong and intelligent who challenges him, and a conflict that unites them in love.

Charlotte is just beginning to not jump at her shadow; she has a good job and a best friend that means the world to her, her only problem is her new boss who is so intimidating that she can barely speak when he is around. He now he wants to promote her as his personal assistant which would put her in his proximity at all times. She is not sure what to do, but Molly encourages her to succeed, now that is a true friend.

Gabriel has not become the person he is today without taking control in both life and business. When he meets Charlotte there is something about her that is intriguing. His downfall has always been smart women and Charlotte is in his sights, yet she is scared of something that he can’t control and that bothers him. The chemistry sizzles between them but there are several issues that he must help her get over before the two can come together, some are easier than others, so they take things slow, but a slow burn is just as exciting as a fire storm.

The story flows well, I consumed it in a short time as Ms. Singh writes stories that are so easy to read creating intriguing characters and wonderful scenes. There is a bit of drama as both Charlotte and Gabriel must deal with past pain but it is over quickly and the love story continues. Secondary characters play important roles but the key here is the connection between Charlotte and Gabriel and what a spark they have. I enjoyed meeting Gabriel’s family and love how close they are, the timeline of this is related to the first book in the series, Molly and Zach are just getting together and I remember many phone conversations between Molly and Charlotte about T-Rex that cracked me up, it is fun to see the other side. Ms. Singh has always been an auto-buy for me with her paranormal books, she is now on that list for contemporary, I highly recommend this for those individuals that enjoy hot alpha men and the strong women who captivate them.

Review posted at Ramblings from a Chaotic Mind

Copy from publisher for an honest review

Rock Hard, the second installment in Nalini Singh’s Rock Kiss series, brings us an engaging contemporary romance that can be read alone though it is part of a series. We are taken on a delightful journey of love and second chances when a smoking hot and deceptively sweet alpha contrives to win the heart and hand of his shy mild mannered employee. Fans of Singh’s Psy-Changeling series may see a resemblance between Gabriel and Lucas-the hero in Slave to Sensation who remains one of my top fictional alpha males. The fast but steady paced unveiling coupled with the slow burning romance is perfect for the overall tone of the story and subject matter at hand. Singh’s witty dialogue and dynamic characterization only adds to the over all appeal.
We first met Charlotte Baird (Charlie) in book one-Rock Addiction. Best friend of Molly Webster, we learned some of the reasons behind Molly and Charlie’s long-term friendship. Hints were given that Charlie had suffered a traumatic and life altering event in the past though it’s in here we learn the true and heartbreaking extent of it all. Charlie now works for a dying company that has been bought out by a former rugby star and ruthless business man-Gabriel Bishop. Scared of the rumored layoffs and restructuring, Charlie is working late to cement her position in the company when they meet in a rather unusual manner.
Gabriel Bishop is used to getting what he wants, when he wants it, and normally isn’t attracted to nervous shy woman but in Charlie he discovers an enigma. He soon finds himself fascinated by this changeling who has trouble looking him in the eye but is brave enough to overcome her fears when the situation calls for it. He recognises her vulnerability and guesses at the reasons behind it, realizing that he will have to play this very carefully if he wants her to trust him. Gabriel hires her as his personal assistant and begins an intricate dance of playful seduction as he gently pushes against her shell, instinctively knowing the woman hiding inside is exactly what he has been looking for.
I really liked Gabriel and Charlie; not only as a couple but individually. Charlie with her soft snarky wit and strong will to survive. Watching her learn to trust Gabriel; overcoming her fear of him and the intimacy he wants with her is a sorrowful joy to behold. Gabriel delights with his smoldering sexuality and obnoxious charm, making the chemistry between them burn throughout the story. Singh does a wonderful job of facilitating the slow moving romance amongst the backdrop of their personal issues. Legitimate concerns are addressed and nothing is skimmed over or rushed in an effort to add forced drama or conflict to the story.
The main conflict blends well with the subplots. Singh injects her trademark humor to help offset the seriousness of the subject matter. Singh slowly opens the lid on Charlie’s and Gabriel’s issues and begins to systematically and realistically address them using some well placed secondary characters. Charlie learns to let go of her fear and guilt over what happened in the past, accepting she did nothing to facilitate it. Gabriel learns that forgiveness is not a sign of weakness and sometimes letting go is the best way to move forward.
Nalini Singh hits a home run with Rock Hard; fulfilling all your contemporary romance needs without overwhelming you with unnecessary angst or drawn out conflict. I look forward to the next in the series-title and release date to be announced.
RATING: B+

Reviewed by Francesca and posted at Under The Covers Book Blog
Why am I even surprised!?!?! Nalini Singh is one of my absolute favorite writers and she continues to prove that with every book she writes. Her characters make you care for them instantly and connect with their stories. ROCK HARD is a perfect example of that because I wanted to devour the whole thing, and I did!

Stepping away from rock stars in a rock star series may seem like a weird thing to do, but this book about T-Rex was highly anticipated by many. I know I was salivating for it. I am here to tell you one thing. T-Rex will own your heart. He’ll take a bite and you will want more! This book met and exceeded all my expectations. I was giddy with excitement reading every single word and highly disappointed when I got to end. Much to quickly.

The chemistry between Gabriel and Charlotte is on fire. Starts out with the banter and the bickering. She’s mousy and he’s overbearing. But then we see that change in her and there’s nothing better than seeing her take charge and stand up to T-Rex. Even when inside she may still be a little scared of what may happen. The dynamics of their relationship are amazing. Job very well done Ms. Singh. And yes, the sexual chemistry? Off the charts!

Even though Gabriel is a sports star (retired) he doesn’t fit the sports romance hero mold. He’s a billionaire, but he doesn’t fit the billionaire hero standard either. He’s unique, he’s different, he’s perfect, and everything I know Ms. Singh knows what to do with a hero. Have I mentioned how much I love him? I may be gushing a bit.

The story line in this book run a bit parallel to ROCK ADDICTION and we see some of the things we missed when Molly was seeing some of the T-Rex interactions with her best friend Charlotte. It filled in all the gaps I had and answered some questions as to what was going on there, that were the reason I was so antsy to get to their story.

Without a doubt, ROCK HARD is my favorite book in this series. It rocked my world….hard. Heh pun intended. Now gimme more!

*ARC provided by author

4.25 stars--ROCK HARD is the second full length installment in Nalini Singh’s adult, contemporary Rock Kiss erotic romance series. This is wealthy businessman and former ruby player Gabriel Bishop and personal assistant Charlotte Baird’s storyline. Charlotte is Molly Webster’s best friend whom we met in the prequel novella Rock Addiction. ROCK HARD can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.

Told from third person point of view, the focus of the storyline is on the building relationship between Gabriel and Charlotte. Gabriel is the new owner and CEO of Saxon and Archer Corp, and is in the process of cleaning ‘house’ when he is introduced to the quiet, shy, mousy and intelligent Charlotte Baird. When Gabriel offers Charlotte the position as his new personal assistant, Charlotte begins to bloom in her role within the company but Gabriel begins to notice that everything is not right within Charlotte’s world. As Gabriel begins to fall for his new PA, his own past makes another attempt at forgiveness and hope.

Part of the premise looks at a terrifying time in Charlotte’s past; a past that has shaped her present, forcing her to withdraw and hide behind drab colors, frumpy clothes and an unattractive hair style. Charlotte’s past is mired in betrayal and pain, and she has never quite learned to deal with the aftermath and recurring PTSD.

The relationship between Gabriel and Charlotte begins as employee and employer, and slowly moves into something more. Gabriel is reluctant to make any advances towards his new PA although his attraction to her is complicated and immediate. For months Gabriel makes requests of Charlotte to purchase gifts and send flowers to an assortment of women in his life, while Charlotte slowly grows despondent in her attraction to her new boss. She isn’t the type of woman Gabriel is attracted to but that doesn’t stop Charlotte from fantasizing about the possibilities. There is plenty of sexual tension as our couple dance around one another for a good portion of the story. The sex scenes are intimate and personal, but are limited to the final few chapters in the story.

The secondary and supporting characters include a few fellow employees; Charlotte’s former roommate and BFF Molly; Gabriel’s extended and close knit family; as well as Charlotte’s ex boyfriend whose hold and obsession over Charlotte controls everything that she does.

The world building takes a departure from the previously music themed storylines and focuses on big business and millionaires with dark and tormented pasts. The only connection to the previous two storylines is the friendship between Charlotte and Molly Webster –first introduced in Rock Addiction.

ROCK HARD is, thus far, my favorite Rock Kiss installment. Nalini has found her niche; her groove; her momentum within the contemporary romance genre with ROCK HARD. The flow of the storyline is smooth and evenly paced. Although the premise is a familiar one -wealthy CEO meets broken, virginal damsel in distress-the storyline works as it reads with more maturity than the previous two installments-a diversion from the New Adult feel and premise.

It's Game On for Charlie and T-Rex!

I absolutely bloody loved this – it’s classic contemporary romance at it’s finest. For me this series got off to a fairly average start with Rock Addiction but improved a lot with Rock Courtship and Rock Hard is, for me, the best yet. It features a familiar plot for romance – the tough, protective alpha hero and the shy, retiring heroine with a traumatic past but it’s so beautifully written, the characters so vividly drawn that I was completely enthralled from beginning to end. Nalini Singh does a fantastic job of focussing the reader entirely on the journey being taken by the two central characters and she keeps it fresh all the way through. My attention never wavered once – in fact, I found it hard to put down at all.
I’d actually been dying to read this story ever since we were treated to little snippets during Molly and Fox’s story in Rock Addiction. Charlotte (our Charlie Mouse) is Molly’s best friend and we heard through conversations and texts about her ferocious and very demanding new boss, Gabriel Bishop AKA T-Rex especially after she threw a stapler at his head when she thought he was an intruder! I’d been dying to hear their story – the tough alpha hero and the slightly nerdy heroine is pretty much my favourite romance scenario and I can hand on heart assure you that Rock Hard completely lived up to my expectations and then some.

Quick synopsis – Gabriel Bishop, a former pro rugby player who’s career ended early and unexpectedly due to injury has turned all that incredible intensity and focus on saving failing businesses with great success and he’s been brought in to save the company that Charlotte works for and turns out to be an extremely exacting boss. He, of course, knows that he wants her for himself but he can see the terror hidden in her eyes, realises that she’s been hurt badly along the way and realises that he has to tread carefully and take things slowly. And it’s his slow pursuit of Charlotte, the beautiful journey they take that takes centre stage in this novel and, despite the slow pace, it kept me engrossed even though it takes forever for them to get together. I wasn’t once bored – I enjoyed all that consuming sexual chemistry that was building to a crescendo between them and loved every second of Charlotte finally letting go of her demons and allowing Gabriel in.

I had a few worries before beginning this book that Charlotte would be too much of a mouse, that she would irritate me but my fears were ungrounded. Yes, she’s guarded and very skittish but you learn slowly why she is that way and, even though she appears to be a mouse, she’s actually a bit of a tigress beneath that facade and it’s the little glimpses of her true character that so enthral Gabriel. Charlotte is an easy character to identify with – she’s just a regular girl working in an office for a boss who’s never satisfied and always demanding more and living and getting by in a big city (this is set in Auckland, NZ). I actually really liked her right from the get go and was dying for her to let her ferocious T Rex of a boss get a little closer to her.

And Gabriel Bishop – oh, be still my beating heart. I think I fell deeply in love with him right along with Charlotte. I think he has to be my favourite book boyfriend of 2015 to date. He’s one of the guys that my teenage self would have sighed over in romance novels when I was just beginning to discover the genre. He’s in a position of power, he’s growly, demanding yet very protective and hot as hell and he’s decided that he wants Charlotte Baird pretty much from the first moment he sets eyes on her and plays a long game to get her. I smiled goofily and often at the things that he said and did, even when Charlotte didn’t realise what he was up to. With our reader’s birds eye view of the action, we knew exactly what his game is and I think I just swooned with happiness and got a really bad case of the warm and fuzzies. Even now, as I type, I’m grinning like a loon.

The story focuses almost completely on the journey that Charlotte and her T-Rex take and the pacing was just pitch perfect. Despite very little else going on, the story never dragged or flagged and I was completely rapt and dying to carry on, to see the little victories that Gabriel claimed and the baby steps that they took together. Their growing feelings for one another are just blissful and sigh-worthy and, above all else, I loved the way that Gabriel loved Charlie – how he realised he had to go slow, how patient he was with her, so understanding and just so, SO wonderful Ok, so I know I’m gushing now but you get the picture right? I’ll take his memo any time he demands *snigger*

So, this is a fantastic addition to the Rock Kiss series – it’s quite clear how experienced and accomplished Nalini Singh is as an author. This is virtually flawless romance, an absolute pleasure to just lose yourself in. It’s romantic, sweet, sexy and actually very funny. Highly recommended!

5 die hard romantic stars

Rock Hard, Nalini Singh
Genre: Contemporary romance.
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
I loved Addiction and Courtship so was looking forward to this one. I wasn’t disappointed – its another great read!
The Rock connection is quite tenuous, Charlie is best friend to Mollie, who’s with Fox, lead singer of Schoolboy Choir, and they were in the first book. Mollie has had some huge trauma in her past, which has lead to her current problems. We don’t find out the full story til well into the book, but judging by the security around her home and her panic attacks and flashbacks when someone gets too close, its something huge. When it was revealed I felt so saddened for her – and admiration too. She’s come such a long way, lots of people would have just folded, given in to their feelings but she’s fought back. She doesn’t seem to realise just how strong she’s been, but luckily Mollie is only a phone call away to remind her and chivvy her on when needed. Gabriel – he’s such a star, gorgeous, rich, ex top rugby star and now a very successful businessman, he’s hotly pursued by models, actresses, anyone who wants to be seen, and usually they’re the tall, blonde, leggy type. They mean nothing to him, he only ever does one date and then its a dozen red roses and on to the next! He’s a reputation for being ruthless in all areas of his life. So when he’s hired to turn around the business where Charlie works, his reputation precedes him. He’s known for being brutal and inexorable in getting what he wants, so everyone is wondering if they are going to be the next to go. Poor Charlie, working late once again one evening, doing the work her boss really should be doing, but always passes on to her and then takes the credit herself, hears an intruder, and throws the only thing she has to hand- a stapler. To her mortification though its her new boss...oops! He’s intrigued by her, she seemed a shy mouse and yet she’ll take on an intruder. Bored by his current dalliances he decides he wants to know more, and as he learns about her he begins to appreciate her sharp wit, her intelligence, and once she’s persuaded by Mollie to wear clothes that aren’t two sizes too big, but fit and flatter he’s entranced by her tiny, curvy body too....
I love the way he’s so decisive about pursuing her, and yet so gentle and understanding, and so willing to wait for what he really wants. Given his past you’d expect him to just move on to the next willing body, but once we meet his family and learn more about him we can see he’s been brought up to appreciate when something is right, to hold fast to it and he’s decided Charlie is right for him. I love Charlie too – it’s hard to push yourself forward when everything inside you wants to hide and go unseen. Her boss Anya has taken advantage of that, getting her to do all the hard work and make her job easy. Gabriel soon sees through that though, sacks her and promotes Charlie. They’re working close so she has to find a way not to quiver every time he shouts, and soon she’s done just that. He’s actually been working on that, pushing her carefully to find her voice and argue with him, and when she does he loves it. Its not something that happens often at first but as her confidence grows so does her courage. That’s when he starts to move in, to flirt and make it clear just how much he wants her...I loved the bracelet issue and the cooking lesson. Shows some of his forward planning and let her know just how long he’d been working on her. She needed to know that, she needed to be certain she wasn’t going to join the ranks of one night and red roses! Of course its not all plain sailing, she has setbacks, and her past comes back to create some dramatics and danger. Sadly for me that bit – the drama – was over far too soon. I felt that in the first book too, I just like my sad parts to be strung out so I can wallow, but that’s not for everyone of course. Its why I’ve dropped a half star but it’ll be perfect for other readers. You can’t please everybody all the time etc....
Its a great read, covering some very real issues people have, and with a sharp wit that made me laugh. The chapter headings too and the T-Rex allegories etc were terrific, and I found myself looking forward to those at the start of a new chapter. Darynda Jones, with her Charley Davidson novels does great chapter heading too- hers are t-shirt/bumper type slogans, and I look forward to each one of them when I'm reading.
Stars: Four and a half, one to keep and reread.
ARC provided by Netgalley and publishers

The company Charlotte Baird works for is going under and in a last ditch effort to try and save everything, they hire a new CEO, Gabriel Bishop. Gabriel is a former professional rugby player and has quite the reputation for storming into down and out companies and miraculously saving them. He is a bit pushy, demanding, and well, intimidating like a T-Rex while Charlotte is as forceful as a timid mouse. Charlotte has a traumatic past that has shaped her into who she is today but the more she faces off against the T-Rex, the more strength she gains and shows. The more Gabriel experiences and sees of Charlotte's mind and personality, the more he likes and wants her. He's smart enough to know to go slow and, barely, patient enough to wait for Charlotte to gain her strength before he shows her just how much he wants her. These two may just argue their way to true love.

The story starts off right out the gate with our heroine Charlotte throwing a stapler at our hero Gabriel, which he catches easily and sets the tone for the rest of the story; whatever Charlotte gives Gabriel to handle, he does. Charlotte had an abusive ex-boyfriend who traumatized her to the point of her having panic attacks, PTSD, and a general submissive fearful outlook on life and people. Charlotte sees herself as a mouse, just scurrying along trying to survive. She struggles to accomplish tasks and instead of celebrating any strides she makes, she puts herself down for not meeting the high standards she has set. When she meets Gabriel and comes up against his 6'5" muscular broad shouldered frame and even more forceful personality, she fights to not shut down immediately or run away. While Charlotte's obvious fear of him makes Gabriel angry, it is the not so obvious fight he catches glimpses of inside her that draws him.

Gabriel knows he is a beast to work with and learning Charlotte's nickname for him is T-Rex doesn't cause him to bat an eye. However, recognizing the fear Charlotte has of him and deducing why, he keeps a tight leash on himself around Charlotte while simultaneously giving her enough of a nudge to bring her fighting spirit out and help her gain strength. Rock Hard is wholly and completely a love story. Gabriel's restraint, handling, urging, needling, and patience set the tone while Charlotte's reactions, growth, temper, anger, regret, will, and fight set the pace. The pace may seem a little slow with focus on everyday actions but those seemingly innocuous instances are the power of this novel and what make this story a hidden fairytale. You will not find a truer prince charming or knight in shining armor than Gabriel, potty mouth and all. Gabriel slays Charlotte's demons and dragons in the gentlest, sexy, and most provoking ways.

Charlotte and Gabriel had great chemistry together and 95% of the story they are together and it works. However, since Charlotte's issues are such the focus, Gabriel as a separate being from Charlotte gets lost a bit. There is a little side line of issues pertaining to why Gabriel works so hard and how it relates to his feelings on his biological father but it isn't really focused on until the last 10%. Gabriel isn't quite a solid hero on his own but works beautifully as part and parcel with Charlotte. Charlotte is more dynamic and carries the reader along in the story well; you will be hurt for her and cheer her on. Secondary characters stay to the background with little snippets here and there to help carry our leads on. The villain of the story makes a physical appearance that I thought was a tad rushed and unnecessary as the impact of him psychologically was enough.

This is the second in the Rock Kiss series but can definitely be read as a standalone. The cover and title had me going in thinking I was to read a quick, light, and heavy on the sex contemporary. What I got instead was gutsy sweet characters with a beautiful crescendo of intimacy, contemporary. Rock Hard turned out to be a charmingly sweet fairytale and I am not disappointed in the least. If you have a secret pair of glass slippers in your closet, you'll want to grab a copy of this book and experience Gabriel for yourself.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Rock Hard is the second novel in the Rock Kiss series by Nalini Singh. I had not read the first novel or novella that came before Rock Hard and I was fine; however, I liked Rock Hard so much that I AM going to go back and read the previous books in this series.

Rock Hard tells the story of Gabriel “The Bishop” Bishop and Charlotte “Charlie” Baird. Gabriel is a former pro Rugby player, now a businessman, who takes over failing companies and turns them around. He is hired as an interim CEO of Saxon and Archer, the company that Charlie works for. Gabriel is ruthless and begins to “clean house” of all the dead wood at S&A eventually leaving himself with an opening for the position of his own personal assistant. He forcefully promotes Charlie into that position.

Charlie lives in constant fear after being severely scarred psychologically by her ex-boyfriend. She hides behind wire-framed glasses and ill-fitting clothes in attempts to become invisible. Her first meeting with Gabriel was quite funny, although frankly she was terrified by the big, muscular man. She couldn’t even look him in the eyes without almost having a full-blown panic attack. She coined the nickname “T-Rex” for Gabriel because in Charlie’s words:

“He really was a T-Rex, stomping through the company, chewing up people and spitting them out left, right, and center”.

As frightened of him as she was she couldn’t help but be ridiculously attracted to him as well.

“Gabriel Bishop was a gorgeous man. Charlotte could admit that in the privacy of her own mind. Too big and muscled and dangerous, but gorgeous. Like a tiger was gorgeous. Right before it ate you.”

Over time Charlie got more comfortable in his presence to the point that she could speak to him without hyperventilating. Gabriel was very demanding and bossy and Charlie slowly found her backbone and we got to see glimpses of the strong and sassy woman she was beneath the meek exterior.

Gabe was intrigued from the very beginning by his little ‘mouse”, Charlie, and the flashes of confidence and brilliance he saw in her otherwise meek and terrified exterior. He loved getting her ire up causing her to show her feisty side, which seriously turned him on. He loved that sassy side of his “Ms. Baird”. Man, the way Gabriel says Ms. Baird, all sexy and bossy-like, gave me the shivers right along with Charlie.

Charlie’s road to recovery was understandably a long one, often paved with setbacks. Gabriel though was super patient and stood by her through them all. I loved how gentle and sweet the big, bad former rugby player was with Charlie. He pushed her just enough for her to make strides in her recovery. And watching the T-Rex hand over complete control to Charlie totally melted my heart AND was a huge turn on.

Gabriel was super hot. I loved how he told Charlie all the naughty things he was going to do to her once she was ready. ~fans self~ And once they actually got down to doing the deed…WOW. Gabriel was deliciously bossy and controlling and the dirty talk! YUMMO. I loved Gabriel for all that he was and did for Charlie.

And Charlie was immensely likable as well. She’d been through such a horrible, traumatic experience and was struggling to get back to “normal”. I admired her courage and tenacity and I just could not help but root for her to defeat her demons.

Rock Hard was my first book by Nalini Singh, but definitely won’t be my last. I’m looking forward to catching up with Rock Addiction and Rock Courtship: A Novella, the first two books in this series. If you like big, muscular, sexy alphas who are brought to their knees by smart, sweet women a quarter of their size, then you will want to read Rock Hard.

*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*

Rock Hard is a must read. Gabriel, aka T-Rex is my favorite book boyfriend of 2015 so far. Gabriel is an alpha in a suit, but he knows when to tone it down all for the love of his heroine, Charlotte who develops an incredible back bone and a will to live her life on her own terms after a horrible torture and rape at the hands of a psychotic ex-boyfriend who has destroyed her self-esteem.

Charlotte first appeared as the best friend to Molly, the heroine in Rock Addiction, the first book in this series. Charlotte is introduced as a timid and fragile woman because of an unspeakable trauma in her past. We get some insights on her career and her new boss she has nicknamed T-Rex, who drives her crazy, but who she's also attracted to. T-Rex is Gabriel Bishop a former professional rugby player turned millionaire who is brought in to fix failing businesses. He takes over the company where Charlotte works. They first meet when she throws a stapler at his head while she is alone at the office. From that introduction, Gabriel can't stop thinking of Charlotte, even though he thinks she's a mouse. But she's great at her job and he hires her as his personal assistant. Charlotte stands up to him and doesn't sugarcoat things to make him happy. Gabriel is gruff, surly and likes to tease her. She makes sure Gabriel eats and takes breaks because he's so addicted to working. Gabriel wants to help Charlotte loosen up. Soon she is able to relax with Gabriel, even though men make her cautious. And then Gabriel decides he wants Charlotte on a more personal level, an intimate relationship. This frightens Charlotte, but she's intrigued. She'll give Gabriel a chance. He takes baby steps with her, a type of courtship readers will swoon over. The build up of their passion is perfect for the tone of the novel that highlights Charlotte's personal issues with intimacy and trust with a man like Gabriel.

Rock Hard has so many great things going on. The importance of family and friends is key here. We see that with Gabriel and his brothers and mother and stepfather. He slowly integrates Charlotte in his personal life, and with his family, so she feels more comfortable with him outside of work. He gains her trust to the point where she lets him kiss her and touch her in passion. She also opens up about her past and the horrors she endured with her psychotic ex-boyfriend, now in jail, who she felt has ruined her as a woman. You may find yourself in tears during the scene when Charlotte tells Gabriel about her torture. It's hard to read and very honest. The way Gabriel treats Charlotte is very gentlemanly, but there's a wolf hiding underneath his suits. He wants to claim Charlotte as his woman and break free his beast. Charlotte wants his beast, knowing he would never hurt her. Watching these two fall in love, and then make love is beautiful, tender and very steamy.

Other then one small thing toward the end I found a little off because it puts to rest Charlotte's past in a way I felt wasn't as daring and on the edge of my seat as I would like, I found Rock Hard to be as close to perfect as you can get with a Contemporary Romance.

Nalini has a winner here. A must read romance that will make your heart pitter-patter in all the right ways.

Now where can I find my own T-Rex (and I don't meant the ones in dino monster porn erotica)?

Katiebabs

Rating~ 4.5 stars
Warning: If you know me then you know I love Nalini Singh’s books and her so this review is a tiny bit biased.

Charlotte Baird aka Mouse is a painfully shy woman especially after what happened to her during her college years. She carries scars both inside and out. She is also extremely intelligent and a wonderful best friend to Molly.

Gabriel Bishop aka T-Rex is is former rugby player and the new CEO at the company Charlotte works at. Gabriel promotes Charlotte as his new PA at the beginning of the book never mind that she threw a stapler at his head the first time they met in person.

I just loved Charlotte, her internal monologue could be hilarious at times and at others self deprecating.

"Eventually, she’d turn into a crazy woman with bird’s-nest hair who frightened small children and random telemarketers."
She was just a great heroine, she knew that she was shy and could be a coward. She knew that she didn’t want to be a scared woman living her life in fear and she was tiring to not let her fears and the nightmare win. How can anyone not admire and love that? She goes through a great development over the period of the book, which was done in a believable way.

Gabriel was wonderful; he was patient and understanding with Charlotte. He knew he wanted her from the get go. He helped her gain her confidence and made her feel comfortable in her own skin. He’s a swoon worthy hero truly, the way he adored Charlotte, cared for her, protected her and yes needled & teased her to get a out of character response from Charlotte. I think those teasing scenes were my favourite.

"Smart Women were his catnip-and Charlotte Baird was very, very smart."

One thing I did not except was Gabriel having a sense of humor. I have no clue why, maybe because he’s supposed to be a T-Rex *shrugs* but I loved it nonetheless.

Gabriel sighed. “I’m crushed, fragile flower that I am”

I think that Charlotte and Gabriel had a pretty darn amazing relationship. Gah and don’t even get me started on the romance. It was how you except romance to be; sweet, soft and passionate & sexy at times. Seriously I think I had a smile on my face the entire time I was reading.

"That made him growl. “You used to be so compliant. What happened?’
“You did,” she whispered."

There were few twists and turns including Charlottes traumatic past, Gabriel’s biological father before they got their happy ending.

Random thing I liked: I really liked the chapter names, they were pretty much on point on what happens in the chapter but they were also funny and interesting.

Overall, this is my favourite book in the series and I really wish that Nalini can somehow write books for Gabriel’s brothers as well. I loved their family dynamic. I adored T-Rex and the mouse together. Happy Reading!

ARC was generously provided by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

5+++ Stars

***Chapter 1: Charlie-mouse Meets T-Rex… and Things Happen....***

..... and don't they just!!!! The T-Rex in this story is the gorgeous, tattooed ex pro rugby playing God turned CEO, Gabriel Bishop. Brought in to rescue the ailing company, Saxon & Archer Corp., Gabriel wreaks havoc and when he's not threatening to fire people he is actually firing people. This is Charlotte Baird's worst nightmare. A hardworking and timid employee so frightened of her own shadow, thanks to the abuse she suffered at the hands of an ex-boyfriend, she is terrified of Gabriel. After initially wrongly assuming him to be an office intruder and in an attempt to defend herself and the company, Charlie and Gabriel get off to an unorthodox start.

It's not long before Gabriel starts to realise that Charlie is the glue he needs to save this company, and himself, and after making her his PA, the scene of set for an unusual relationship. Step by step, Gabriel starts to break away at the layers of armour Charlie has firmly fixed around herself and before she knows it, her inner fire starts to come out and the mouse starts to growl.

Gabriel and Charlie both have pasts they are haunted by but together they start to change their perceptions of world and the people around them. It's not long before Charlie is going toe to toe with Gabriel but will she ever be able to give him her full trust. The humour and quirkiness of each character is portrayed perfectly, despite the underlying theme, and when Gabriel starts to really let go with Charlie this story quickly explodes.

***A kiss today, nakedness tomorrow—Gabriel liked to think positive and plan ahead.***

This story had me so absorbed in it that I didn't want to put it down and I especially didn't want it to end. The torment faced by Charlie is believable and not unnecessarily drawn out and the domineering and overshadowing personality of Gabriel is the perfect compliment to Charlie's nervousness. For me this was the best book in the series so far. Molly is still present in Charlie's life and Fox gets to make the odd appearance as well but this book can easily be read and thoroughly enjoyed as a stand-alone story.

As you will have seen above, the chapter headings in this book are as enjoyable as the story, they are wickedly funny and entertaining and set up the story perfectly.

Nalini Singh really took this book by the horns and wrung out the best possible story possible. I loved the humour, the sexiness, the sadness and the hope that it inspired. And the best part, she's already writing the next instalment.

Reviewed on behalf of Jezabell Girl & Friends...

Nalini Singh is one of my all time favorite paranormal authors. She is an amazing writer and her characters jump out at me and reel me in until im so in love that i cant move on for a while after i read one of her novels. Hearing that she wrote a rocker series, well ..... i was crazy to read this. Unfortunately for me i didnt get to review the first two, however i did read them and i absolutely love them. She never ever disappoints. This is the 3rd (technically 2nd since it was book 1 and 1.5 prior too) and i finally get to review one of them which pleases me to no end. It was amazing to say the least.
Gabriel/T-Rex ~ ex rugby player turned CEO is hard as nails and takes no prisoners in the business world.
Charlotte ~ a very tiny, timid woman with a horrid past and who happens to be in Gabriel's direct path .... professionally and socially.
At first I was thinking, Gabriel is an ass, but as the story unfolds and you see more of why he behaves the way he does, you grow to love the big lug. He is attracted to Charlotte from the very beginning, but he can see that something isnt quite right with her emotionally and he tries to behave accordingly. Charlotte is attracted to him from minute one, but she has had a very bad past with a very sick ex and she stays away from all men at all costs. When she starts working with Gabriel directly, she slowly opens herself to him, even when shes openly freaking out and starts to fall in love with him, not realizing hes doing the exact same thing, falling in love with her. Charlotte is a bit of a mess and really not the type of girl i like to follow in a book of any kind, but even though she isnt my favorite character, she fits in the story line perfectly and is written very very well. I kind of love to be annoyed by her.
This story is so well written, and the characters are so rounded and fit each other so well. I have never ever been disappointed in any character Nalini Singh puts to paper. She handles them so well and even a jerky one, she can give the reader with finesse and class that you cant help but hate whole you love. They always fit spectacularly. The Grammar and spelling are perfect and the writing style is something i have been exposed to before in both her paranormal series and have always fallen in love with.
i would absolutely recommend this book, this series and both her other series. She is a spectacular author.

How does one keep T-Rex occupied? You entice him with a sweet, pretty mouse of course!

Charlotte, who we met in Rock Kiss, is Molly's best friend and sister in mischief. Together they weathered the storms that life threw at them at a young age. Now Molly is off living her adventure with her sexy rock star Fox, and Charlotte is back home dealing with a growly new boss. Ex-rugby player, Gabriel Bishop, is the new CEO set to come in, and clean up the company Charlotte works for and boy does he enjoy his job. Gabriel also sets his sights on the shy, petite Charlie and silently promises himself that he'll win her over to Team T-Rex.

Charlie isn't so sure, she's damaged from events that happened and still leave her vulnerable and unsure of herself. She doesn't trust easily, and a large, very grouchy T-Rex is definitely not something she expects to tangle with beyond the office doors. Slowly and steadily Gabriel entrenches himself into Charlie's life until she can't see beyond this moment with him. He's one very determined and slightly ruthless T-Rex after all.

This was, as another review put it, classic contemporary romance at it's finest. I thoroughly enjoyed Rock Kiss featuring Molly and Fox, but Rock Hard hit all the right high notes with both character and storyline. Charlotte and Gabriel were a perfect match for each other, especially once he knew what obstacles he was up against with Charlie's past. The story pacing was spot on, and the interaction with secondary characters added just that little bit extra to the story.

What really set this story apart for me was the emotional tone of the characters. Charlie was emotional but not over the top, angst driven to the point she was annoying. Instead it was a flawless mix of self discovery, healing, and also purging the past from herself. Gabriel was steady, strong, and supportive as Charlie needed from him, even when she wasn't sure what she needed herself. He didn't get angry at her for no reason, and the few times there was anger it was directed at the situation and his feeling helpless to 'fix' her or make her better. The bits of story involving Charlie and Molly were adorkably cute, and funny even with the overlying sense of seriousness added to their interaction.

Overall this was just a solid, strong, well-written story that I could easily read again and again. Which if you could see my TBR stack, you'd realize how important that is when you have thousands of other choices to read. I recommend this to anyone that read the first book in the series, and those that need a little feisty mouse and growly T-Rex in their lives.

I look forward to many more books in this series in the future.

I’ve checked out Nalini Singh’s Psy/Changelings series before, but Rock Hard was my first encounter with her contemporary romance writing. It was the blurb that pulled me in, because it hit a lot of my reading sweet spots. Alpha male? Check. More-than-meets-the-eye heroine? Check. Opposites attract + forbidden romance? Double check. That said, I had pretty high expectations from this read, and I’m happy to say that Nalini did not disappoint.

As titles go, Rock Hard is quite misleading. It brings to mind a band theme when the closest thing to a musician in the novel is the boyfriend of Charlotte’s best friend, Molly, who starred in the series’ first book, Rock Addiction. If I had to suggest an alternative title, The Mouse Tames the T-Rex seems just about right, though it does sound kinky. Those animals are the perfect fit for Charlotte and Gabriel. Charlotte’s this meek but extremely competent worker who prefers to hide in the background, and Gabriel’s a pro rugby player turned businessman who’s just as aggressive in the office—and in the bedroom—as he was on the field. Their personalities are established in the first scene alone, where Charlotte mistakes her new boss Gabriel for an intruder in the office one Saturday afternoon. There’s no insta-love here. Instead, Charlotte’s practically quaking in her boots, thus setting off Gabriel’s temper.

It’s refreshing to find a book where the characters don’t just dive into bed right away despite their obvious chemistry. I enjoyed seeing Charlotte and Gabriel’s relationship shift from their cautious secretary-boss interactions to friendly, teasing interludes, and eventually, to something deeper. As characters, they influenced each other for the better, with Gabriel easing up on his tendency to go full steam ahead in respect for Charlotte’s past trauma, and Charlotte slowly blooming into a stronger, more confident heroine. Though they start off with Charlotte being Gabriel’s subordinate, the power shifts until there’s balance and mutual respect between the two. I really admired the give-and-take aspect in their relationship, and I loved how Charlotte didn’t simply defer to Gabriel.

While music didn’t really play into Rock Hard, Nalini Singh gave the story more color with her descriptions not only of the business aspect, but also the rugby game that both characters are so fond of. There was a lot going on, with themes of family, illness, and abuse thrown into the mix, but I appreciated how it never crossed over into angsty/melodramatic territory. I give this book a solid four stars and look forward to the next installment in the Rock Kiss series.

*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
*Originally posted on www.willreadforfeels.com

If you’re a fan of the Rock Kiss series but haven’t read many of Nalini Singh’s other books this one may come as a surprise. Rock Addiction was a bit of a sex-fest, Rock Courtship was playfully sensual, and this one is different from both. Mostly because Charlotte isn’t ready for that kind of easy, physical relationship. So if you’ve read the first two and expect more of the same, be warned, because this is a different romance. Softer, sweeter, with much darker undertones.

I loved it. Ever since I first read Rock Addiction I’ve been wanting to know more about Charlie-Mouse and the T-Rex. I loved how shy Charlotte gradually came out of her shell and how Gabriel helped her to grow more confident. They’re a great pair: snarky and sparring at times, yet always a perfect team. Despite her shyness and what she’d been through Charlie is no pushover. She might be quiet, but she knows her limits. I really enjoyed seeing her grow throughout this story. She doesn’t just heal, she transforms. She’d always been strong, but by the end she can show the world that strength.

Then there’s Gabriel: an ex-rugby playing, CEO who rescues failing companies and isn’t afraid to fire people who aren’t pulling their weight. He’s a proper alpha hero and definitely lives up to his T-Rex persona, but there’s so much more to him than that. He’s loyal to his family, protects those he loves and is so, so careful with Charlotte. Although he’s not afraid of pushing to get what he wants, he never forces. And he listens to her. I love a hero who listens. He’s also playful and flirty and not above using his dirty fantasies to distract Charlotte at difficult moments.

There is a very dark thread to Charlotte’s past, but I liked that it didn’t overshadow the rest of the story. Sure, it definitely plays it part and because of it the romance between Charlotte and Gabriel is slow-burning, taking a long while to get physical – though when it does, phew, fans at the ready – but it also doesn’t stop there being moment of sweetness, sassiness and sheer fun. Perhaps, if I was being super critical, I might say that the ending felt a bit rushed. Certain things happened a bit too quickly for me, and although for most of the book there were no quick fixes, it felt a tiny bit like that right at the end.

However, that didn’t really impact how much I enjoyed this book. I think this is the one I’ll reread most out of the series so far, and I just know I’ll enjoy it even more the next time around. Another thoroughly satisfying romance from one of my favorite authors. Nalini Singh never lets me down.

(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)

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.

Review:

All Hail T-Rex!!!

Loved this story! I have read a few of second books in a series lately and each one has been better than the first book and this is no exception. This is Charlie and Gabriel's story, we first meet them in book #1 (Rock Addiction) because she is Molly's best friend. I am so glad they received their own story, I was very intrigued with them from that first meeting. If you have read Rock Addiction, you will notice a lot of things happen simultaneously between the two books. Having read both stories I found this a great way to tie the two stories together even more. Plus, I found it great to see the other perspective. You do not need to read the first book in order to understand this book, but it really is an awesome story too.

I know I should start with Charlie, but ahhhhh...T-Rex, I want for my own! I see lots of people making him their book-boyfriend, he sex on a stick. Though really Gabriel is a complete package, a sexy hunk of a man, who is dominate, patient, smart and willing to do anything to get the love and trust of his assistant. It was fascinating to see him work with Charlie and get her to blossom and trust him even though he knows something has happened to her in the past.

Speaking of Charlie, you could see in the first book that she has spunk, but the Author did a great job of making her not just a mouse. Once she gets comfortable with T-Rex she really begins to shine, heck even I wanted to protect her from her nasty ex-boyfriend. I liked her snark especially where Gabriel was concerned. They are a fun and sexy couple. The sexy scenes were very well done and hot!

I don't know if there is another story to come in this series, but I hope so or even more of Charlie and Gabriel would be awesome!

4.5 Stars

How could I not love this ? Rugby guy (check) Intelligent female (check) damaged hearts/backstory (check) slow and easy sexual tension (double check) Wonderful friends family (check), hot filthy rich rugger, One total arse-hat turd (big check) and top that off with an interesting style..and so much more

A young woman who had been brutalized by an ex has been living a life of a walking victim always on guard. Her schedule is all about locks, lights, checks and re checks, about being invisible. Her insecurities will be pushed and crashed when she is taken over by her new large sized aggressive styled ex rugby star boss in her company. She is forced to stand tall and tries hard not to be the scared mouse she has trained herself to be. He is a hot dream of a man and she thinks not for her at all. He is also the key to the door she can’t find on the path she is presently on. When she tries to find a new direction she shuts down and slams the door.
He is an ex rugby player, from a strong family called in to save a crumbling company. He is a business guru, known for pulling near dead companies back to a full rich life. He is filthy rich, rippled, handsome, and smart. He is also one really good guy, considerate, protective, generous and sexual. He see’s something in this beautiful mouse that he wants to know and he is patient enough to wait and work for it.
This is not the type of book I normally enjoy I lean towards the misunderstood monster under the bed or the shifter that can't deny his animalistic tendencies. I like fantasy creatures I can not lie. I do read Contemporary Romance, but most leave me with cavities or guffaws it is rare for me to like the characters, too many idiotic unrealistic moments. When I find one that hits the right way I can't put it down. I picked this one up because of my love for rugby, and rugby players. Without them I would have missed it. I found an interesting plot, two fabulous leads that are fun realistic and sexy, and several interesting side characters to support them. I could not get rid of that giddy feeling when I was immersed in their drama, couldn't wait for the next page. HEA ! The author did a fabulous job of adding just enough and never went too far for this reader. I will hunt down more in this series and from this author.

Friends have told me how much they love Ms. Singh's books. When the opportunity came my way to read and review this ARC, I grabbed it. My friends were absolutely right.
Charlotte ( Charlie) Baird is a woman trying to find strength and independence and attempting to put a life threatening experience behind her. She lives in her own apartment and enjoys her work as a file clerk at Saxon & Archer home office, but stays very much in the background. The business has been slowly failing and they have hired a man known for his ability to turn companies around. Ruthlessly. Her first meeting with Gabriel Bishop is an unfortunate one. She is alone in the office on a Saturday, hears noises and flings a heavy duty stapler at who she thinks might be an intruder. Charlie is mortified when she sees the infamous Gabriel Bishop, his only reaction after catching the stapler is to let her know she should have thrown something heavier!

Gabriel, former star rugby player until an injury sidelines him, finds taking over failing companies fascinating. He is also fascinated by Charlotte Baird, the sweet, quiet, terrified woman who seems to know all the in's and out's of the company, but shakes like a leaf in his presence. After firing several people who weren't contributing anything to the company, he calls her to his office and she expects she is the next to go. Gabriel totally surprises her by asking her to be his Personal Assistant. He proves to her he is fair, honest and a workaholic, expecting for her to be one as well. Her heart feels safe and working with him is enjoyable if not exhausting. Not to mention the sparks that fly when their together.

This story was funny, sexy and very romantic. Plus a little suspenseful when fears from her past become real again. The chapter headings by Ms. Singh are so much fun. Gabriel is T-Rex, and Charlie is Charlie-mouse. Their relationship grows, I loved their banter and Gabriel's amazing ability to sense Charlotte's fears and hold back.
This is the second book in a series, but is easily read as a stand alone. I'm going back and reading the first, just for the pure enjoyment!

I received this ARC from the publisher and NetGalley for an honest review.
Pat Fordyce

As many of you know, I am not a huge fan of lovey-dovey romance books without a good amount of suspense, angst or thriller in them. I usually find myself drifting off to sleep. But not with this series. Nalini Singh truly knows how to write in this genre. She gave it all to me in a beautifully written book!!! Who am I kidding – the whole series kicks ass. But back to Rock Hard.

“You have a brain that won’t quit, a smile that lights up my soul, and a body I want to do dirty things to and with three ways to Sunday.”

This book is just superb. Gabriel (T-Rex) is man that goes after what he wants. Nothing can or will stop him. Charlie (Mouse) does everything to stay hidden. Her past has made her that way, but she has never lost of strength. The interactions between these two is very interesting. He is extremely careful with her, but don’t underestimate her in anyway. These two are complete opposites yet bring out the best in one another.

I will admit I was a tad fearful of not liking Charlie because of her shyness, but as I was reading, I totally understood her. Nalini wrote these characters flawlessly. Gabriel was the perfect alpha but not overbearing. He absolutely surprised me.

I could not put this book down once I started. Nalini knows how to keep the readers enthralled the whole way through. Charlie grows throughout this book as she handles and moves on from her past. Gabriel will stop at nothing to have her and it’s very entertaining to watch him with Charlie. He once dominated the rugby field, but going after Charlie is totally different. I absolutely love their banter; their interactions just suck you in. I really can’t say enough about this book. It’s just awesome.

Ms. Baird, no one is good or bad at sex by themselves,” he drawled. “It’s a team effort, and you know I’m a team player.”

You can read this book as a standalone but I would highly recommend them reading in order. You won’t get lost – just once you read this, you will want to read the other two, so just start out the them.

What are you waiting for!?!? Stop reading my review and go buy it!!!

This is book 2 of the Rock Kiss series, a series centering around the rock band Schoolboy Choir. Funny enough, this book is not featuring anyone of the band, rather a girlfriend of the heroine of book 1 (Molly) and her hero.

Here, Charlotte works for a larger corporation. It is clear from the beginning that she has suffered some kind of major trauma and is not dealing well at all in social or even work situations. The company she works for is failing due to a prior CEO who was useless. In comes Gabriel, nicknamed T-Rex, an ex rugby star who now comes in to save failing corporations. He meets Charlotte, and is intrigued by her despite her being a "mouse" in her demeanor as his first impression. Thus begins their first tentative romance.

Their romance goes slow, painfully so at times, but Gabriel realizes she has been through something traumatic, though all details are not immediately clear. I admit here I did get tired of reading on and on about the company with no progress seemingly in their relationship for chapter after chapter. It did finally pick up though! And with the history given, I can see why it was written that way.

The major plot is character driven, centering around Charlotte slowly healing enough to be able to actually have a relationship with Gabriel. As she gets stronger, she shows she is not just a victim but can lead as well, helping Gabriel through some of his own internal issues he has avoided addressing. There is a little bit of external excitement near the end, but really this is a gently-paced romance full of internal struggles.

Because it does not directly feature any characters from the prior books aside from telephone calls with Molly, the heroine from book 1, it can easily be read as a standalone, and in truth I'm slightly puzzled as to why it is part of the series. That is okay with me though as it was a good story no matter where the author chose to place it within her series. I hope in the future we get to see Gabriel's brothers again also, definitely hero material!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for an honest review.

This book wasn’t good, it was just mind-blowing!!! I was very surprised and totally taken by surprise!
Despite a heavy and tough subject, the author succeeded to lighten the mood! I laugh, I smile a lot, sometimes Charlie's situation made my heart hurts but I was totally swooning over Gabriel/T-Rex 's body : hot and handsome rugbyman turned brilliant successive CEO who couldn't be in love with that man! And Charlie, bad ass girl! Anyway, Nalini Singh got me at : "Charlie-mouse Meets T-Rex… and Things Happen"! I knew I was gonna love it!

Charlotte was the woman who was hiding, trying to be invisible. She’s a little mouse, loving being in her bubble, away from people. She used to her routine and not being noticed. She ’s got at her job, but some people took advantage of her. Smart, quirky, funny, she hide a hot tempered character behind her shyness.

She wasn’t searching for being noticed but when her boss caught her working on a week end, the little mouse was trapped. Gabriel, never used to be rejected by women, didn’t know how to get Charlie. But as a very smart businessman, he utilized his skills as a great negotiator to have her.
His intensity could scared her, built as a rugby god , he was kind of impressive and intimidating.
He could see Charlie through her, like he was reading in her soul, mind and his way of

The plan was settled in his mind and he was enduring a long an thrilling wait for getting her and it was very enjoyable, with a lot of very sexy and damn hot moments.
Even after Charlotte went through, Gabriel was patient and was having fun to wake the tiger hiding inside!
The little could definitely bite, surprising and amazed him.
Working together was king of confusing for her because Gabriel was such a perfectionist and kind of found his match with her, because she definitely rocked in her job!
Reading how she evolved and opened up to him was a pure blast and I loved how she came out from her shell!

I Just loved it, and Nalini Singh nailed it! Reading their story was so much fun, sweet and sinfully sexy!! Highly recommended!

Oh my God, where to start with this. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED this book! This has got to be one of the best contemporary romance books that I have ever read and Nalini Singh has literally ruined other men for me with Gabriel Bishop aka: T-Rex! I've found my book husband for life, I'm done. Game over, no need to look further. I don't even need to give you an in depth review, the only thing that you need to know is that T-Rex is the BEST. CONTEMPORARY. HERO. EVER. And I mean EVER. He was domineering, possessive, arrogant, grouchy, ruthless and absolutely perfect (and sexy as hell). He saw the real Charlotte, not the mousy one hiding behind baggy clothes and the patience and caring that he shows while he helps her work through her PTSD was just.... *sniffles* He knew how far to push her boundaries, it was just enough to help her confront her fears without making her feel forced and I LOVED watching her grow from a timid mouse to a strong, independent woman that could take on and tame a T-Rex.

Rock Hard is the perfect example of what a romance should be, emotion filled, passionate and yet tender. I love romances but I've found that I've tended to drift away from the contemporary genre to read more PNR. Maybe it's the whole fated mates idea but that is what I love most about a romance, the deep bond between two people, soul mates so to speak. And for some reason contemporaries have a harder time showing that bond but Nalini nailed it in this book. You can feel the connection between Gabriel and Charlie and they were the perfect compliment to each other. T-Rex strengthened her while Charlie gentled him. *sighs* Made me fall in love with the romance genre all over again.

Rock Hard is book two in the Rock Kiss series and can be read as a stand alone but I urge to to read the first book ROCK KISS mmmm... Fox is absolutely divine and the novella between book one and two, ROCK COURTSHIP. OMG David and his MEMOS! Yeah, you are definitely going to want to read that one. :)

*I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

After reading the book blurb, I just had to get my hands on Rock Hard by Nalini Singh. What an impassioned read! This is an angsty love story with a compelling cast of characters and an engaging plot. The first chapter is very exciting, which sets the tone for the entire book.

Due to a horrific incident that almost cost Charlotte Baird her life, she suffers from panic attacks and has difficulty trusting other people, especially men. However, with the help of her best friend Molly, some therapy and time, she has been able to keep herself together. Her career and future is in flux right now because the company she works for is floundering, and as a result, a new CEO has been hired. Gabriel Bishop is a smart and ruthless businessman and his ability to turn failing companies around is legendary. As CEO, he discovers Charlotte's smarts and professional potential. He quickly promotes her to his personal assistant, and little by little he earns her trust while reestablishing her confidence.

Charlotte and Gabriel have a unique chemistry and Ms. Singh evolves their professional and romantic relationship with caring, some laugh-out-loud moments and plenty of heat, both in and out of the office. Gabriel is always cognizant of Charlotte's need to feel safe, which is amazingly heartfelt. Indirectly, they constantly challenge each other, which is sometimes fun and always endearing.

As much as I enjoyed this book, I found the pace to be a little slow at times. Charlotte and Gabriel are wonderful together and I loved the way Ms. Singh developed them both individually and as a couple. Their sexual tension was off the charts as well as truly believable. This is a well-written book with some twists and turns that kept me hooked from beginning to end. In addition, Gabriel's former life as a rugby superstar added another dimension to the story. Although this is the second book from Ms. Singh's Rock Kiss series, it can be read as a standalone. I definitely plan on reading more from this author and I can't wait for the next book in this series.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

Rock Hard is the kind of book every romance writer strives to create. Singh has taken a timeless love story of finding hope and love in another after a horrible past. This book is an emotionally enriched story that will leave you a sobbing mess while you’re swooning in their passion for each other. While some may compare this book’s office setting to the likes of Fifty Shades, Singh has turned this unlikely office romance into a story that could realistically be anyone’s life.

Gabriel, or has Charlotte refers to as T-Rex is a massive former rugby player who’s career ended earlier than anticipated. Yet, he’s found a passion for saving businesses that most would consider irreparably broken. This is just another company to save in his mind, but it’s not the just company he needs to bring back into the light. He’s the kind of guy whose heart knows better than his brain. His interest in Charlotte or the mouse as he refers to her is apart to everyone, but Charlotte. She’s the kind of girl who could break hearts without really even trying. Yet, her past has left her a shell of herself. Singh’s writing style leaves you with healthy dose of empathy for Charlotte as a character. She’s been through so much and yet she’s still standing. She’s resilient yet fragile and to me that makes her quite the character combo.

As much as I loved the characters, it was the sheer fact that their story lacked outside drama that you see as a plot twist point in a novel. This book is about well in certain times emotionally and sensual healing. So many romance authors through in wicked twists and turns that it make me appreciate books such as Rock Hard who simply focus on the love that’s right in front the characters. Sometimes in a book, simple love is exactly what you need.

Rock Hard is a sweetly seductive read that will leave readers begging for more. This contemporary romance novel is a perfect balance as sweet and sinful passion that every romance reader is bound to fall in love with T-Rex and The Mouse.

This story is the second full book in Singh's Rock Kiss Series. Interestingly, there really is very little rocker action in the book. Charlotte's story is told and we get to me the incredibly sexy Gabriel. Charlotte is the best friend of Molly who I read about in the first book. This story partially takes place during the same time frame of that first book.

Charlotte had a horrible relationship in the past which wound up being abusive and left her with the emotional scars of that abuse. She kept herself hidden from others but she was trying to get better. Putting all her efforts in at work she is startled when she has to work with the gruff but sexy new CEO taking over her fledgling company. Charlotte sees Gabriel as a T-Rex devouring all the old employees and being in close proximity to him is a real challenge. She finds him intriguing but her past keeps her from letting him too close.

It didn't take long for Gabriel to figure out that Charlotte was as smart as she was sexy, even if she didn't flaunt it. He can't get her out of his mind and he decides to pursue her, and Gabriel always gets what he wants. Recognizing fear in Charlotte he treads easily and doesn't push, but he is definitely persisten in his pursuit.

I absolutely loved this book and the characters. The tie in to Molly's story was interesting and makes me want to go back to see how much was said about Charlotte as I don't recall. Even though there wasn't much rock star action in this story, Gabriel's presence makes up for it entirely and I have a new respect for the sport of rugby. This book is filled with moments to make you laugh and even taking it slow the chemistry and sexual tension between the characters is great. Though part of a series you can easily read this book as a stand alone getting both a HEA and no cliffhanger. I am hopeful however that we will get more of this couple in the upcoming books.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

As you can see, Rock Hard was a great read for me. I waited, excited and impatient, for it to be in my hand and when I started reading it I was in the perfect state of mind to appreciate it wholly. I'm not saying it is perfect because it has its low moments. I'm just saying it was right for me in that moment and then Nalini's magic did the rest. Therefore for me it's a full five star book.

The first time I was drawn to Charlie and Gabriel was when I first read Rock Addiction, the first book of this new series. Even then, these two characters where perfectly defined and were showing us that something that speak about great things to come in a romance book. Something that can maybe be classic, speaking of the story, because here we don't have rock stars at all instead Charlie is an employee and Gabriel is the new CEO of the company where Charlie has worked in the last years. Nonetheless, Rock Hard will leave you with an heart filled to burst and with an eager sigh on your lips.

Gabriel is an ex rugby pro player. He is a strong character that will reminds you of the Alpha males we are used to in the Psy/Changeling series. He is very protective and, if you don't behave, he can growl at you as a SnowDancer wolf. ;) Charlie, on the other hand, is a character that develops during the book. Starting as a little mouse afraid of her shadow, with Grabriel's help (and their banter) she slowly blossoms. I liked her very much. Her strength and courage that, during the book, will allow her to regain a freedom long lost.
Gabriel as well has his dark moments linked to a difficult childhood, but Charlie's love will help him deal.

In conclusion, a must read for Nalini's fan and for those who are in search of a classic romance story that will have the effect of making your heartbeat increase and ruin you to all the real boyfriends out there.

"Charlotte arrived at work at seven thirty the next morning to find Gabriel Bishop’s office door open, but no carnivorous predator inside."

**Book provided by the author for an honest review**
Charlotte Baird is a smart, strong woman with some serious issues. Gabriel Bishop was an ex-Rugby player gone all business tycoon that was hired by Charlotte's company to pull them out of the red. Gabriel was known for his ruthless and quick handed decisions which earned him the name "The Bishop". Scared out of her wits, Charlotte kept her nose to the grind stone until Gabriel quickly figured out that she was the one doing all his assistant's work. So off with Anya, and in with Charlotte!

Charlotte was so traumatized by her ex-boyfriend Richard, that every man reduced her to mush, or threw her into panic attacks, and Gabriel was a force of nature. He was huge in size and his personality demanded your attention when he was in the room. Charlotte was smart, fast and efficient that Gabriel couldn't afford to lose her, so he nurtured her fears with demands. He pushed Charlotte with a work load of three people, which inadvertently brought out Charlotte's sassy assistant side that pushed back. This is when Gabriel fell for Charlotte.

The methodical maneuvering Gabriel did to "win" Charlotte was genius, and cunning. In order to have that kind of patience and care for someone as damaged as Charlotte was, meant he had a very caring soul. I absolutely fell in love with Gabriel and saw him as a hero. The banter that began between them was sexual, and Gabriel just one day bluntly told her how he felt and he wouldn't stop unless she said so. He was totally inappropriate with Charlotte, because he was her boss, but she secretly loved it, and it didn't come across creepy or upsetting. As the plot thickened with Charlotte's ex Dick, the fear factor is heightened and the story brings me even closer to Gabriel and Charlotte. I loved the love story, the drama, the bad guy, just the whole package! Now I have to read Rock Addiction so I can hear about the bestie Molly's story, cause man it sounds like a dozy!

This is the first book I've read by this author and I have to admit it surprised it, I noticed it while I was flicking around and the synopsis sounded interesting although once I'd started reading I wondered if Charlotte might be a little too mouse for it to actually work but thanks to the length, nearly 400 pages and the beautiful way it was written this wasn't the case.
Charlotte is emotionally scarred, shy and although she's intelligent and incredibly hard working her lack of confidence holds her back and allows people to take advantage.
Gabriel Bishop is a man that takes no prisoners, he's ruthless and he's the new CEO of Saxon & Archer and he's been tasked with the job of saving the company. The first meeting between Charlotte and Gabriel doesn't go well and come Monday morning Gabriel is busy hacking his way through the senior management, one of Gabriel's many, many skills is being able to see a persons worth and if they come up to scratch he has no guilt at all about firing them, and fire them he does as he sorts the competent from the incompetent.
Charlotte is terrified of Gabriel at the start, she can hardly speak to him, not only is he huge and handsome but he growls and storms around, like a T. Rex. It's obviously Charlotte has suffered greatly in the past and she's still suffering today and what made this book so great was the way we witness her transformation, she gets stronger and braver before our eyes as her true personality emerges and this is made possible because of Gabriel, he can see the potential in Charlotte and so slowly and carefully brings her round and it's beautiful and yes I'm a little in love with Gabriel but then I think it would be hard to read this book and not be.
After finishing this book I checked out other books by this author and I just can't believe her books have eluded until now.

Rock Hard is, by far, my favorite of the Rock Kiss series, and ever since reading Rock Addiction which included brief cues to Charlie and Gabriel's potential love affair, I've been so excited to read their story.

Nalini Singh had a better take on Rock Hard, in comparison to how average I considered Rock Addiction to be for a series starter, but this book [Rock Hard] took it to the next level. Rock Hard is everything I look for in a romance; beautifully sweet and sexy, perfectly balanced with the right amount of tension and drama.

Charlotte "Charlie" Braid's new boss is the terror... or so everyone thinks. Labelled as the "T-Rex" or the "Beast" in their workspace, Charlie can't help but feel terrified by Gabriel Bishop's intimidating stature and the fact that he'd fired a whole lot of incompetent staff in his first two weeks in position, but when Charlie gets promoted to PA to the terror boss, it turns out she's the only one who can handle the T-Rex in and out of work.

Meanwhile, Gabriel Bishop isn't one to complain, especially when the woman who had intrigued him ever since he'd stepped up as CEO is now his PA who's beginning to learn how to snap back at him whenever he gets too demanding, despite her shyness and constant jumpiness during their first few meetings. He's determined to get brand her his, whatever it takes.

In comparison to the typical boss-employee cliche romances, this book did not feature the idea of a scandalous relationship, although, it was something I had been expecting, but good on Nalini Singh for providing a different twist in Charlie and Gabriel's relationship.

This book made me feel a lot of emotions, especially when reading about Charlie. Despite how she is introduced as a skittish and jumpy character with a terrible past, she's actually a fiesty one and very much strong willed. Reading about her was overwhelming, especially after finding out about her past. She's also a very relatable character; sweet, empathic, despite how broken she is.

Gabriel, on the other hand, is the perfect Nalini Singh hero I have ever come across. Although he does appear to be quite demanding and very possessive, he is the perfect alpha male; over-protective, a family man, with a perfect sense of humor. Not only that, he is also very patient with Charlie and her fears, as he constantly tries to walk on eggshells when around her.

Everything about this book is just perfect and I can't deny how much I adore this book, which has now earned a spot on my favorites shelf. It's all sorts of sweet and beautiful, and also fun to read, especially with the banter between Charlie and Gabriel. A simple praise for this book would be an understatement because this book was absolutely all types of amazing. And don't you worry, because this book can also be read as a standalone.

If you're looking for a contemporary read that will knock you off your feet and make you swoon and fall in love, this fantastic novel is what you should pick up and never miss out on.

*ARC courtesy of author in exchange for honest review

**I received an ARC of this story in exchange for an honest review**
Rock Hard is the second book in Nalini Singh's Rock Kiss series. It's about a battle of wills and personality between mousy (and closet tiger) office assistant Charlotte Baird and former rugby player turned CEO Gabriel Bishop. Charlotte is painfully shy and still emotionally scarred when Gabriel Bishop arrives at her company and puts everyone on their toes as he tries to turn the company around. Something about him, though brings out Charlotte's hidden attitude as well has hidden lust. Right from the beginning, Gabriel is completely taken by Charlotte. Her brains and hidden claws are absolutely irresistible to him. The question is how to get her to come around enough to feel the same about him.
While I didn't read the first book in this series, I am a fan of the author's psy-changling series so I was excited and curious as to how she would be with contemporary.
This book moved at a nice steady pace. Once I started it, I didn't really stop until I finished it. I thought the story was well done. While there weren't any big surprises in the story, there were a lot of extra baggage plots thrown in there just for the sake of making a bigger book. I absolutely loved Gabriel. He's the total alpha male, yet brains in a woman is his weakness. I felt everything he did, slowly and patiently, to get Charlotte to get over her fears and trust in him made him beautiful. Charlotte, on the other hand, kind of had to grow on me. I didn't like the mousy Charlotte. I understood her reasons for why she was the way she was, it just didn't work for me. However, once she started coming out of her shell because of Gabriel, she definitely did a 360, fighting to overcome her demons for him and was a character I really liked.

I adored this story! I am not a fan of romances that feature business men or millionaires or heaven forbid billionaires and yet this alpha male in a suit just had me drooling! He's all man and yet he's just such a sweetie! Written as a character capable of snark and more than a little bite Gabriel leapt off the page as the story unfolded and it was such fun to catch up with the two characters that I previously read about in Rock Addiction
. Yes we finally get to see Charlotte who is described as a mouse step up and bring her own T Rex to his ( very willing!) knees. Charlottes past has scarred her and left her wary of men but right from the start Gabriel sees a spark in her that he just wants to fan into an inferno . There's a reason he's so successful in business though and he puts all his acute acumen into wooing her but in such a way that Charlotte has no idea that she is his prey !
What follows is a delicious and often hilarious dance as Charlotte falls hard for this tough tycoon but Charlotte leads him all the way. Yes she has issues with shyness and truly crippling panic attacks but she is funny , loyal and full of gumption. The chemistry between them is blistering in it's intensity but there's no instant sex just a well thought out romance that pulls the reader in and I found myself cheering the couple on.
For me this was the best in the Rock Kiss series to date and I kept picturing Brandon Routh in those power suits he wears in Arrow and yes the heroine Charlotte is blonde so that fits too. What really stood out though was the patience that Gabriel showed and his willingness to allow Charlotte to set the pace . I loved it and cannot praise this author highly enough. Fabulous idea told in a truly beautiful way and a keeper for me.
I was lucky to be gifted a copy of this in exchange for an honest review

I loved it. Charlie Mouse. T Rex. Roaring. Negotiations. Communication. Commitment. Love. There was so much to love about Rock Hard.

Charlotte is a fabulous heroine. Smart, kind, generous. I loved Charlotte's evolution throughout the story. Getting to know her slowly, her quirks, and then to learn what happened to her, what she survived, how she survived, and how she reclaimed her life, I admired her.

Gabriel. Yum. A former rugby player, a roaring T Rex of a CEO, a man who knows what he wants and usually he gets it. Except for Charlotte. He's got a thing for smarts. He's a driven man but he soon realizes that approach won't get him Charlotte. And his dirty talk...

I adored Charlotte and Gabriel together. Sweet. Tender. Sassy. Growly. Things aren't perfect; they struggle, they mess up but they keep trying because they know what they have is special. I liked that the relationship was slow, that Gabriel respected her reservations and was able to move at her pace but never stopped showing her how much he wanted her.

I'm a big fan of supportive secondary characters and the Molly/Charlotte friendship was fabulous. They're close enough that they can tell each other the hard truths, to encourage them to take chances, to be brave. And then there is Gabriel's family, warm and welcoming; I wish there was even more of them.

I can't believe I waited so long to read something by Nalini Singh. I loved her writing style - her chapter titles too - I was completely engrossed in the storyline, the characters and didn't want to put the book down. Rock Hard may have been my first Nalini Singh book but it will definitely not be the last.

Ebook provided in exchange for an honest review

Originally Reviewed For: Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales and Fantasy

Once again Nalini Singh shows us what a talent she is. Rock Hard is her latest story in the Rock Kiss Series and it was packed a powerful punch. Playful and devious and dark and deadly.

Ms. Sing deals with not just falling in love but with loving a woman who has to fight back from abuse. On one hand I would say it was a fun and playful story but it wasn't. It had some serious overtones.

Charlotte Baird trusted the wrong person and watched her life disintegrate. Loving a man who almost took her life. It has taken her years to get herself to a point where she can work and function but she still prefers to hide in the background. Consequently she finds herself easily taken advantage of. But when a former Rugby star turned corporate go to man comes in and promotes her to his assistant.. Charlotte is stunned.. when she realizes that there is more to their connection, Charlotte is more than a little afraid.. but also more than a little intrigued

Gabriel Bishop does not suffer fools gladly.. so when he meets the incredibly efficient Charlotte, he knows she is what he needs to bring this business around.. but the more he sees her, the more he gets to know her.. the more he wants her.

This is a short book but there is so very much going on. The more I think of the details, the more I realize just what all was in there. And yet, no matter how busy this book it doesn't overwhelm. It flows together beautifully. It's like real life.. nothing is ever compartmentalized. It's messy and it's glorious. Triumph trumps tragedy over and over again..

Face it, Nalini Singh is just one of the best!

Shauni

This review is based on the ARC of Rock Hard, provided by netgalley

When I first began reading Nalini Singh’s Rock Kiss series, I was immediately in love. I pictured Maroon 5 in all their hot rock band glory. Adam Levine was most assuredly the leading man in all my imaginings. As a paranormal fan, I have read Singh’s Psy/Changeling series and the Guild Hunters. When it was brought to my attention that she would be embarking a new genre, I immediately branched out of my norm and gobbled every tidbit up.

Charlotte Baird, aka Charlie, is best friends to Molly from Rock Addiction, and although there was no hotter than Hades rock gods in Rock Kiss, there was a smokin’ rugby player gone corporate all star. I was drawn to Charlotte from the beginning and even though I had my suspicions regarding her past, that never made my love for her waver. I had confidence in her and Nalini that she could concur and over come whatever cards the hands of fate had dealt her.

After the company Charlotte worked for was bought out and taken over by Gabriel, aka T-Rex, Charlotte was given the opportunity to take the next step up in her field and become his personal assistant. Working through her fears and shy tendencies, she accepts the position, and Gabriel welcomes the coming battle to win his Ms. Baird’s heart.

Conquering the demons in her past is a struggle every day, leaving Charlotte to only live half a life. When Gabriel begins to take notice of her issues, he begins placing her into situations that she can flourish and overcome. Of course, there are always drawbacks and obstacles when setting the stage for the perfect romance, but that is nothing that Gabriel is not prepared for. He was a man that aims his sights high and did not relent until his goals had been achieved. As he begins to truly see his Ms. Baird, all he can envision is their future, but first she must learn to trust him and he her.

Nalini Singh handles the delicate condition of Charlotte’s history with a finesse that only Nalini could accomplish. As a reader, I am not one to enjoy reading about certain unfortunate aspects of life and reality, and Nalini used a grace in her words that left my heart both heavy and light. I will not lie, I shed many a tear for Gabriel and his Ms. Baird, but they were only born from my own way of becoming encompassed into the book, imaging the story as one might a best friend telling her darkest secrets.

Nalini Singh, my own personal rock star, has accomplished the impossible; she lured me into a new adult novel and had me in a stupor at every page, unable to pry the book from my hands, even with the knowledge that eventually I had to return to reality. There was no action packed shifters leading the good guys to glory or sneaky vampires looming in the darkness for an attack, but there was a guy and a girl, desperate to love one another and overcome the insurmountable mountain set in their path. With a shaky breath, I read the last of Rock Kiss, tears in my eyes, euphoria singing in my soul. Nalini Singh, my literary legend, has done the unimaginable again. She has written a work for the ages. Romances everywhere should swoon in her wake.

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This is not my first Nalini Singh book because I love her Guild Hunter series, but it is my first Rock Kiss book. This can be read as a standalone and I didn't feel like I was missing much other than I knew there was another story happening with Molly and her rocker, Fox. This story is about Charlotte, the mouse and Gabriel, the T-Rex.

Charlotte's past haunts her. Because of what happened to her she lives her life a certain way, always in the background, never at the forefront. Underneath the insecurities is a fiery little beast. She is learning to live outside her fears and is definitely becoming bolder. A lot of the push to break out of her shell comes from the highly inappropriate, new CEO, Gabriel Bishop.

Ex-rugby player, now no-nonsense boss has come to turn another failing company around. He is welcomed to the new office by a flying stapler and scaring the life out of Charlotte. While Ms. Baird is not his typical chase, there is something about her that he wants and no is just not an option. There journey to find happiness together was quite a beautiful, filled with flying objects, growls, bites and humor.

I enjoyed watching these two characters interact. The were wildly entertaining and had amazing chemistry. I liked watching the mouse grow some claws and the T-Rex eat some veggies. As with other books by Ms. Singh, this book was story rich, which makes it feel like you are right there with the characters. There were times that the story was a little slow and I really wanted some action a little bit sooner. But over-all a true enjoyment to read and now I want to go back and read Molly's story.

Since I have read many of her paranormal novels and adored them I was most curious to see how she would be as a contemporary romance author. I did not even read what it was about just had to try it. She does certainly have the right stuff and talent to also mesmerize a reader in this genre also. The chapter headings are so delightful that as you get to each one you wonder what it will be titled next. With that being said you soon realize that what will be contained in that chapter will be fitting to the title. She also has a talent for humor that times I would find myself bursting out loud not caring if I was heard or forgetting that I just did it out loud. I would say that these two are the most unlikely on the surface but once you dive in are really made for each other. Charlotte and Gabriel are the most intriguing couple I have read in eons. Their story is one that you just can't put down because you fall in love with Charlotte and Gabriel leaves you in awe because you wish there was a Gabriel around the corner. Actually though this is two broken people that will grow together as they work together and discover each other. At times her story will have you sadden but also glad that she is letting him into her heart. It takes a real man to show the patience and love that he has with certainty for the one he wants in his life. Swooning and fanning they will have you at times because they will be so explosive at times when they come together. The turd of the one who broke her will also be exposed and taken care of like the trash he is. So to say I was blown away is putting it mildly but will it be easy to find my next read after this, not so much because of the euphoria this novel gives you.

Gabriel: Ex Rugby player, T-Rex, smart women are his catnip

Charlotte: Charlie Mouse, potent catnip

Charlette is broken and because of it suffers an introverted life, fear of men and severe shyness. Gabriel Challenges her on all fronts, especially when what scares her most is he makes her want him.

Reading Charlotte's journey with Gabriel as she tries to overcome some serious PTSD and get on with her life is an amazing tale of strength and pain on her part and patience on his. I loved it. A tale of a man who is not only a pure alpha through and through but also knows how to be gentle for a woman who needs it. When Gabriel works at drawing Charlotte into sexual moments it is sexy and heated even when it is something as simple as a few kisses.

Nalini Singh has never disappointed me in her writing of any genre and this book has certainly left me smiling! It is Book 2 in a series yet can be read as a stand alone no problem. The characters are fresh and the story flows so well you don't want to leave it for anything else. The inventive curse words made me laugh and I am remembering one of them for future reference! I'm totally in love with that derogatory name, it is as good as my own corkscrew monkey, unfortunately I can't post it here so you will have to read the book to see what has me laughing. If you hadn't picked up a Nalini Singh book this is a great one to try out. I highly recommend her for romance and paranormal romance lovers. I haven't yet read one of her books I didn't' love.
***I was given this book by the publisher in exchange for my honest and fair review

I love Nalini's writing, I'm a huge fan of the Psy-Changeling series. This is nothing like that!! I thoroughly enjoyed the journey Charlotte and Gabriel went on to get to their HEA.

Have you ever met someone after throwing a stapler at their head? Did it happen to be your new boss? No? Well, you're luckier than Charlotte! I really liked the chuckle-worthy moments (like the aforementioned stapler throwing) and the comebacks from Gabriel, who recommends a hole punch the next time she defends herself with office stationary due to its better accuracy. I really liked how Gabriel treated her when he realised there was something amiss with her; his lack of kid gloves and coddling. Her wit and temper come out as he pushes the boundaries with her. Charlie-mouse VS T-Rex...

The chapter headings too, I LOVE the chapter headings!! You cannot skip them, they need to be read, each and every one of them!

Despite having to read this in fits and starts, rather than straight through as I prefer to do, it was easy to pick up where I'd left off, easy to get back into the world Nalini created. I'd like to go and read Molly's book now too, and the novella.
Both characters have personal obstacles they need to overcome, and with the help of the other, they manage to battle their demons, becoming stronger, better people for it. (I hate trying to skirt around stories and not give spoilers, but I hate giving spoilers too. I feel like I'm writing blurbs!!)
Personally, I enjoyed every reading minute of this story and I hope you do too.

Ever since Charlie's issues were hinted at in book 1, I've been dying to know what it was that drove her into her shell. DYING. AND, OMG!, SO WORTH THE WAIT. Because, yeah, it was bad and I completely understand why she went to ground and became a scared mouse. Given her issues, it seemed clear it was going to take a man of extraordinary strength and patience to help her find her confidence and live again.

As it turns out, Gabriel is both physically and mentally strong AND incredibly patient with her. His willingness to go slow and make her feel comfortable with him BEFORE he knew what her issues were made him utterly swoon-worthy. He pushed her at times, but he was quick to back off as soon as he realized she needed space. When she reaches a point where she needs him to push harder to get her past the last of her fears, he had a hard time knowing he was going to be the cause of her fear.

Seriously.Swoon-worthy.

Where book 1 started as a fast and dirty physical relationship, this book is almost its polar opposite. By the time things get physical between them, they're both firmly entrenched in each others' lives. And Charlie needs that. She needs to trust Gabriel before she'll allow him in.

Honestly, I think this may be my favorite of the series thus far. (Although Noah's issues might push him up to the top. You know, once we learn what those issues are. He's pretty messed up, though, and those tend to be my favorite types of heroes.)

*slow thumbs up*

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal

ROCK HARD is the second book in the Rock Kiss series by Nalini Singh. I loved the first book, and I love this one just as much. Gabriel Bishop…just WOW! He is the hottest of the hot! Charlotte Baird is a strong heroine who has gone through so much, but perseveres - though has chinks in her armor. She’s a tiny little mousy woman in appearance – hiding behind her glasses and ill-fitting clothes - to Gabriel’s larger than life persona. It is SO much fun to watch this relationship progress – and the banter between them is funny and relatable. Their chemistry is palpable. Gabriel and Charlie are proof that opposites DO attract.

The setting is New Zealand – which I loved. I always feel like I’ve been on a mini-vacation when reading a book set in an exotic location (well, exotic to me). You can just see the scenery, locations and views in your mind.

Nalini Singh writes with a masterful balance of cutting wit and realistic dialogue. Her characters are a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power that love has to heal even the deepest wounds. Gabriel and Charlotte’s intense connection and fiercely passionate romance keeps the pages turning at a fast pace and leave you with a warm satisfied feeling at the end. Deliciously romantic and often heartbreaking, this is a book that you will remember. I didn’t want it to end. I am looking forward to future books from this author. I highly recommend!

*An advance reading copy was generously provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Holy S*** where to start, Gabriel EFF, man wet panties throughout the book! Charlie I liked her she came off a bit soft but she's an animal when provoked, "I just met my new boss," she groaned into the phone. "OR more specifically, I threw an industrial-strength stapler at his head." Gabriel he's blunt, sexy, alpha, and has no filter, "Gabriel stilled. "Because having you come against my mouth would be the biggest effing turn-on." He's not afraid to let his girl know what he wants, "...I want to pin you under me and eff you hard, then I want to slam you up against pretty much every wall of this place. After which I want to bend you over my desk, my bed, this table. For starters." He gets upset when his woman doesn't see things his way, "brows daring heavily together, he folded his arms. "Why are you wasting you money? I'm offering you free room and board and as much sex as you can handle." Gabriel it doesn't take much to make him happy, "Charlotte," he said. "If you ever want to make up with me, just get naked." A glint in his eye. "If you feel like doing some sucking too, I won't say no. Otherwise, be yourself." He's totally happy letting his woman know when he's happy, "so? we'll work on that." He kissed her sulky mouth. "As long as I can throw you on the bed like a caveman and pummel you to orgasm with my love-club, I'm good." I so enjoyed this book and I can't wait for more.

A romance that at it's heart that was a little nod to the Boss/Secretary Harlequin romances. Yet it is modern and sexy and funny. It is also a little heartbreaking...but still very romantic.

This book happens concurrently with the first book in the series where during that book we got little glimpses of what was going on with Charlotte & Gabriel. I very much anticipated finding out what was going on with Charlotte and her T-Rex in their own book.

I really enjoyed Gabriel. He was just the right sort of Alpha hero I like. I also liked that he was an unremitting work-a-holic as well and that was an actual facet of his personality that was perceived as a flaw and not a celebration. That said, I enjoyed the work-place aspects of the book. I usually do when it it is well incorporated in a story.

Charlotte was a sweet heroine whose back story was rather dark. I thought Gabriel's personality eclipsed hers a bit, but still I enjoyed seeing her blossom and come into her own over the course of the story. I also felt that her anxieties around sex felt well developed. Thankfully, this book didn't fell like a case of a 'Magical Healing Penis' where Charlotte just quickly got over everything with one night of great sex with Gabriel. He had to work for her and she had to kind of heal herself before his penis got anywhere near her.

Good book, really enjoyed it

4.5 Now this is a good romance STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What an unexpected surprise!
Going into this book I was a bit skeptical. I had never read anything by this author plus the story was set in another country and sometimes those don't always work with me, especially if there are a lot of idioms I am unfamiliar with. From the very first chapter I was delighted. The writing style and flow were captivating, the characters intriguing.

Charlotte was a feisty one. Shy and timid, very unsure of herself, she definitely blossoms throughout this book and she is a pleasant surprise as a heroine.

“I’m right here if you need me, and I’m more than big enough to help you fight your demons. Just say the word.”

Gabriel is definitely a swoon-worthy alpha male and a prime example of what a hero should be. Possessive and sure, going after, and usually getting, what he wants but he's also so patient and loyal, understanding and giving, real, honest and caring.

“Ms. Baird, no one is good or bad at sex by themselves,” he drawled. “It’s a team effort, and you know I’m a team player."

“Charlotte,” he said, “if you ever want to make up with me, just get naked.” A glint in his eye. “If you feel like doing some sucking too, I won’t say no. Otherwise, be yourself.”

Seeing these two through their journey was just beautiful. This is a book that reminds me why I love to read.

I have known of and read Nalini Singh's writing since Slave To Sensation (which is one of my favorite re-reads), and I am recommending this contemporary read by the author. Rock Hard gives us Gabriel Bishop, a former star rugby player who is brought in to help the struggling company Charlotte Baird works at. I love corporate settings for the characters who are bound to interact through the workday, with many opportunities for their chemistry to spark and tempt them into unprofessional behaviour. Charlotte and Gabriel spend much much time together as he considers the weekend to be additional workdays and as his PA she is kept busy with him.

Two of my favorite chapter titles in this book are "There Is Growling" and "The Mouse Growls." Gabriel starts off thinking of Charlotte as "mouse" while Charlotte privately calls Gabriel "T-Rex". Charlotte is still traumatized from a past relationship with a deeply manipulative and abusive partner, but she works hard to keep her wits and spunk around her boss. Gabriel has his own issues underlying his intense workaholic behavior, and finds his natural dominant and take-charge methods tested by a woman who needs him to slow down and ease up. The love and passion and sweet tender moments I've found in Nalini's books are very present in Rock Hard. I believed in Charlotte and Gabriel's journey together.

*my honest review of an ARC provided by the author*

I think that this has to be one of the most fun books I’ve read in a long time … and it takes on some pretty big issues.

I loved Gabriel – he’s strong, smart, loyal and has a wicked sense of humor. He takes on Charlotte & all of her issues without even blinking and handles them like a champ. He’s so understanding and takes things at a pace that she’s comfortable with - patient when she needs it and pushes when she needs that too. Love doesn’t conquer all but he’s supportive and loving … when he’s not being a T-Rex.

Charlotte had an amazingly horrible thing happen to her but she’s fought her way back. Unfortunately she’s not sure she’ll ever completely overcome it. Facing a fierce Gabriel though is the first step in getting over that last hump. He starts to bring out the fighter in her, the one that was beaten but not broken by things in her life. It’s a slow process but one that is beautiful to see happen. And even better he has some issues in his past that she helps address as well, so the relationship isn’t completely one sided.

These two together have got to be one of my favorite couples. Once Charlotte gets over cowering in his presence she gives as good as she gets and it is humorous, sexy and outrageously fun.

(complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

4.5 stars

I've read quite a number of "gorgeous-rich-CEO-falls-for-personal-assistant" variations lately, and Rock Hard is at the top of my list. Gabriel and Charlotte are very real and likable characters. I thought the slow progression of their relationship and their interaction with each other was the highlight of this book for me.

Even though Gabriel is the stereotypical driven CEO, he wasn't only that -- he had other traits that really made me like him. He totally had my heart when he reveals why he likes his "Miss Baird". Underneath that gruff CEO exterior, I thought he had some really special characteristics. No wonder Charlotte falls for him.

Charlotte might think of herself as a mouse, but I didn't, at least not by the end of the book. I loved how her character grew,both professionally and personally. Not everything was easy for them either, but it was how they dealt with things had had me smiling. It was easy to want Gabriel and Charlotte to have their HEA.

There was a bit of drama, but this title is all about the romance between Charlotte and Gabriel. It can be read standalone and I'm definitely going to find time to read the first two books in this series soon.

If you are looking for a sweet romance with some light-hearted banter and a touch of drama, I'd recommend Rock Hard

Thoughts: This was my first time reading anything from Singh outside of her paranormal works, and I have to admit I was astounded at how much I enjoyed this book. I mean, I love Nalini Singh….I already knew that – I knew she was an amazing writer. I always have a bit of a ‘uh-oh’ moment when they shift genres on me – sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. And I hate, hate, hate when it doesn’t. But that is so not the case here. This is OMG AMAZING! I had a hard time putting this one down….I loved the banter between the character, the sexual chemistry that just sizzled and sparked between them, and the patience Gabriel exuded in his pursuit of Charlotte.

This is one of those relationships that is so agonizingly slow to develop, but is oh-so-sweet in the drawing out of it that you almost can’t stand it….but you love just LOVE it and it makes the story. Not to mention the whole inner-office romance slant. The complexity of these characters is what really makes this story though, and I must say I am definitely reading the rest of this series – for sure! Can’t believe I missed the first book, Rock Addiction – and a novella (Rock Courtship)! I will definitely be remedying that immediately! This series is definitely addictive!

Rate: A+
Review by: Sarah
http://www.thebookreadinggals.com

I LOVE Nalini Singh. I’ve devoured her psy/changeling and Guild Hunters series and now she brings her incredible talent to contemporary.
We met Charlotte in Rock Addiction (Rock Kiss #1) as Molly’s best friend. This book runs almost concurrently and you don’t have to have read Rock Addiction to enjoy this book (but you will probably buy it right after).
Take 1 no holds barred former professional Rugby Player now ruthless business fixer and 1 smart but extremely shy administrative assistant. Add in flying staplers, a sense of humor and the patience of a saint and mix well.
Charlotte is emotionally scarred and avoids men and confrontation. Her new boss is extremely manly and takes no prisoners. She has to develop a spine to hold her own or find new work.
Gabriel loves challenges. He is no longer a top Rugby Player due to a physical condition and now finds his challenges in rehabbing failing businesses. He meets mousey Charlotte when she throws a stapler at him while working on a weekend so he knows she has spunk. He discovers she has been doing her bosses work so he fires her boss and promotes her as his PA. The more they work together the more he wants her. Can he help her overcome her issues? Is she just another challenge?
You want to find out. This book kept me flipping pages way past my bedtime.

A gold star romance novel and probably my favorite book of March, Rock Hard is perfection. Charlie is my little precious bean who survived some serious trauma, poor love, and her new boss, Gabriel Bishop, is both terrifying and stunning. The two come together slowly and in a way that allows for Charlie to work through a lot of her trauma. Plus, FAMILY. Oh goodness, I want to re-read both this and Cherish Hard again so desperately. These books are gold, y'all. GOLD. Read them. Then come fangirl with me because I'm dying over here.

We met Charlotte and Bishop in Rock Hard book 1. In fact this story runs parallel with Molly and Fox's story. Molly made several appearances in this book. The H and h in this book have a relationship for real with sexual under currents that was not acted on just for the sake of it.

Gabriel's character is also not one of the uber rich young studs that are pervasive in most novels these days. He was a Rugby player (Rugby is the equivalent of American football, played without protective gears!). He had to retire early because of injury. So he went into business and was good at what he does in that arena too.

The twist or angst in the story is about Charlotte's ex, who assaulted her almost to the point of death. He was released from prison and of course wanted to finish the job he started. He didn't count on Gabriel though. Gabriel himself has daddy abandonment issue. He had to reach deep within himself to forgive his dad. There was no break up necessary in other to resolve any of these issues. That is another point in favour of this book. I love it.

Overall I really enjoyed this book. It has a story I can wrap my head around. By the time the sex came around it was well worth it. It did not dominate the story. Fabulous.

***I received an ARC for a free and honest review***

I thought "oh no not another rich exec/sports star/whatever solves a poor victimized girl's problems." I wasn't a fan of the first Rock Kiss book, and liked the novella. I'm happy to say this book was not what I expected. We aren't given an instant hotness interaction, they take a while before anyone makes a move. Once Charlotte understands that Gabriel wants her, she stops worrying about 'why mousy me,' because she has bigger fish to fry.
Charlotte's PTSD is handled well- nobody gets over these things quickly, even with therapy, drugs, and a good support system. If the PTSD survivors I know are anything to go by, she will have problems and weird triggers and nightmares for years, possibly decades. The couple gets this and at first he's more willing to work with it than she is, but she slowly comes around. There's no poof! suddenly it's okay because it's love stuff. They try and they make progress, but it will continue to be work. They know that it's worth it.
There's material here for the future: although Gabriel and Charlie love each other, workaholism is not something easy to let go of, and there's still healing left for Charlie to do with Gabriel and with people in general. Some of her early fantasies which are sadly not enacted might help with that.

I received an ARC of this book from TRSOR in exchange for an honest review and as part of the book's blog tour promotions.

I enjoyed the first two books in this series. It wasn't one of my favorites, but it was good enough to get me hooked on it and wanting to see it through until the final installment. I kind of like the characters that Nalini Singh introduced me to.

This book is about Charlotte and Gabriel, who we've met briefly in the first book. I've been excited how their love-hate office relationship was going to pan out ever since I read about them. I was not disappointed at all. I like Gabriel the best out of the men I've met in this series. Even Charlotte had the most depth out of the three heroines, so far.

I liked the other two ladies, but I had the most fun with Charlotte. There was something endearing about her. Gabriel was also surprisingly sexy in a corporate CEO kind of way, despite his previous sports background. If the previous two books did not make me a big fan of the series, I just became one after this book. It's a good romance novel that can be read as a standalone. Nalini Singh has hit the spot in this book, with a hero that is so easy to fall in love with and a heroine that can give back as much as she gets.

Review from Rising Indies United

This is the second book in the Rock Kiss series. They can be read as stand alones. This one is the best of the series so far. I wondered what had happened to Charlotte, or Charlie, since the first book, Rock Addiction.

Charlotte is a mousey woman. She wears clothes too big and doesn't want any attention from anyone. It does take awhile before her complete past comes out. It's totally understandable that she is the way she is.

Gabriel is a huge ex-rugby player and is the new CEO at the company Charlotte works for. He wants Charlotte as his PA. He basically forces her to take the position. He pushes and pushes her until she finally pushes back. Well, not so much push him, but throws a muffin at his head.

Gabriel is very good for Charlotte, and very patient with her.

We get to see her become so much stronger as this story progresses. She doesn't cower when Gabriel pushes her and she faces her fears, head on. Yes, she has set backs, but Gabriel is right there. And they fight through it...Together.

The pre-nups were great and had me laughing.

I want more of these two characters!

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

Oh my gosh Gabriel is big, he is bold and holy crap he is freaking sexy awesome on a stick. Nicknamed the T-rex he is just as big, and as intimidating. He has his eyes and teeth set on Charlotte Baird, a shy woman who keeps to herself all the time and makes sure to stay out of Gabriel's way no matter how freaking hot he is. Charlotte is an amazing heroine, she has dealt with her share of turmoil in the past, and thru it all she manages to try and persevere for herself at every turn. She shy's away from people, dresses in clothing that hides her figure and avoids men and relationship's at all cost.
Gabriel wants Charlotte, he wants to know what makes her tick, what she looks like with all her curves and body without the frumpy clothes. Even though he is big and a total hot dominating all alpha male, he is sensitive and caring to Charlotte and her feels, making sure she is comfortable around him, and going out of his way for her. I absolutely love him he is big hot and sexy. This book is amazing Nalini Singh has been added as my new list of favorite authors for her sexy alpha males.

Okay, so it’s not a super-early pre-squee (as this story comes out in March) BUT I just finished this story and, day-am, I want my own T-Rex. Oh, yes, I do.
We first met Charlotte and her T-Rex in the first book, Rock Addiction. Charlotte, aka Charlie-mouse, has had a rough go of it and, because of her disastrous experience, is very wary around guys and has an incredibly tough time trusting anyone. Gabriel, rugby god-turned-savvy businessman, is the epitome of a swoon-worthy alpha. He’s fit, gorgeous, has tats (*fans self*), is tough when he needs to be and tender when it matters most. And, as he says, smart women are his catnip (sign me up!!).
I loved watching him woo Charlotte, so sweet and protective of her, while pushing her to break out of her shell and live up to her potential. I’m a total sucker for a transformation story, and Charlotte goes from Charlie-mouse to a confident woman who fully enjoys holding her own against Gabriel, her T-Rex. And the teasing, achingly slow lead-up to full-on smexytimes ain’t bad, either. I’ve found my first book boyfriend of 2015.

Rock Hard was an exceptionally balanced book. Not too angsty, not too much contention between Hero and heroine and it was fast paced but didn't feel rushed or end with a haphazard HEA.

Rock Hard can stand alone, though it is part 2 of it's Rock Kiss series. T-Rex/Gabriel Bishop is alpha to his chromosomes but absolutely loveable. There was never a moment I did not cheer for him. Even when he was throwing his weight around and bringing down the corporate hammer, I thought he was a perfectly crafted hero.

Charlie is absolutely my kind of heroine. Intentionally dowdy, hiding the beautiful spirit and person that she is. Self deprecating to a fault, shy and not quick to anger- however, possessing a quiet strength that is strong as steel. She lived though horrific trauma and he is just the man to be her rock as she continues to heal and build her confidence.

By the way, sexy as a motherf*! You know Nalini does sexual tension and sweet couplings and explosive passion like no other.

I encourage you to read Rock Hard. Today. Seriously. I'll wait- so we can swoon together!

This book is about growing into your own skin and being comfortable with all your foibles. The reason I gave the story a 4 star rating was because it was a bit predictable. However as the saying goes " there is nothing new under the sun", this did not greatly diminished the story telling.

The hero Gabriel is is determined to pick and prod at Charlotte so that she can show him, her true colors. He isn't mean spirited just curious as to what underneath the mask. What I admire about him is his willingness to try to unearth the true Charlotte.

Charlotte is a woman who is coming into her own. Now is not the time to mess with her, because she is sick and tired of being sick and tired. Charlotte character is a little bit timid, but she is no pushover. Gabriel soon finds out that when you push her to far she pushes back.

Sparks fly as these two circle around each other and the sexual tension is hot. The resolution of the story is honest and believable.

I received an advance copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I'm going to start with saying this was the best book in the series. I liked the first one , I loved #1.5 but I REALLY loved this one.
One of my problems with the first book was that it had too much sex (I can't believe I'm saying that!!) .This one had just enough of everything .The dialogues and the plot were great . The suspense could have been a bit more suspenseful but this wasn't a romantic suspense so that's okay.

I loved the characters ,they were well developed ,with depth and strong . Heroine was scarred emotionally and had deep psychological problems but it just didn't go away with the magical "Love-club" (that's what he called it **Shrug **Grin** ). I hate it so much when all the heroine's problems and issues evaporates after the first time they have sex!
I was grinning , laughing or smiling for most of the book. Each chapter had its own funny title ,just reading those made me laugh out loud.
Rock hard was funny sweet sexy hot emotional yummy and everything I want from a book and I can't wait for the next one in the series.

I couldn't wait to read this book. And I read it in a day and a half.
Charlotte, otherwise known as Mouse. She's shy, tongue-tied and afraid of almost everything.
Normally these kind of women make me roll my eyes, but having met Charlotte in an earlier installment of this series, I knew that charlie is a survivor of something horrific.
So when she meets her new boss for the first time and completely shuts down, it's understandable.
Gabriel Bishop lives quietly, but works hard. He saves businesses on the edge of failure. And he's made millions doing it.
Charlotte and Gabe clash. All she wants to do is disappear into the background and stay completely off the T-Rex's radar, but for Gabe, there's something about the little mouse that appeals, what exactly, Gabe can't decide because Charlotte is so not his type.
With patience, control, tenderness and a little growling, Gabriel begins to bring Charlotte out of her shell.
Will she open up and take a chance?
Rock Hard kept me reading way late into the night.

I am a new reader of Singh's. This was an excruciating read to get through. I believe the author was attempting to honor the difficulty of coping with the impact of assault. In regard to this book it acted as a barrier to any interpersonal romance between the two protagonists. When Charlie did finally seek help it was glossed over and not mentioned again. I read this book despite the reviews that served as warnings of the glacial pacing. My lesson learned is even for continuity of the series (and I have learned that the connectivity between the books is almost nonexistent) I would have skipped this book if I was given the chance to do it again.

ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review

Review of Nalini Singh's latest Contemporary Romance Rock Hard, the second book in the Rock Kiss Series.

Rock Hard is about Charlie-Mouse, who we got to know as Molly's best friend in Rock Addiction(Rock Addiction) and the T-Rex Gabriel her new boss.

Gabriel got hired to help Saxon & Archer, the struggling company Charlie works for. Charlie gets selected to work for Gabriel as his personal assistant. As they continue to work together they get drawn to each other more and more.

The story mainly focuses on the relationship between the two of them. Charlie is a little mouse scared because of what happened in her past. Gabriel is a tough ex Rugby Player. Besides being so different they fit perfectly together. They have a long rocky road ahead of them but together they can face it.

I loved Rock Hard. For me it’s the best one so far in the Rock Kiss Series. Gabriel is so sweet, gentle and caring what you wouldn’t expect from an ex Rugby Player. Charlie seemed always so strong and I was happy that she realized it herself as the story continued.

I absolutely loved Charlie and Gabriel and I hope we get to see more of the in the future furthermore I will be delighted if we see more of Gabriel's family they were so warm and welcoming.

Kindle Copy for Review

Gabriel Bishop is a rich business who gets what he wants in the boardroom and in his life. He made a name for himself as a rugby player before he got hurt on the field. Gabriel sees what he wants and goes after it until it is his.

What he wants is his personal assistant Charlotte Baird no matter what. He senses something about her and slowly wears her down.

Charlotte is basically a mouse. Shy and hiding behind her glasses and dreary work attire as she tries to hide her scars from a bad relationship that ended having her ex boyfriend serving time. Now she has to deal with a new CEO who acts like a T-Rex whom everyone is afraid of. She must battle his overbearing work alcohol boss who wants her at his beck and call even on the weekends.

It is a battle of the wills as Charlotte tries to tame her boss in this game of mouse and the T-Rex. Who will be the one who will end up tamed? Will they be able to survive their office relationship?

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley. Great read. Charlotte is used to hiding and she likes it that way but not by choice. He ex did major number on her and she doesn't let anyone in that is until Gabriel comes into her life by way of heavy stapler. That was funny. Gabriel is there to get the company up & running again and he lets people go but he knows that the little mouse is way too smart and she is gorgeous. Charlotte is given a choice become his PA or be jobless. Gabriel brings her out of her shell but she is not giving in so quicker. Gabriel flirts with her and she finds that she likes him. Can Charlotte trust Gabriel and will he understand her fears. Gabriel protects what he wants and he helps her get over her fears but someone will shatter that can Charlotte recover and give Gabriel a chance. Great to see that it was set in NZ as I knew where the places were so I could get a better feel on were they ate were they walked I felt more connected to this one.

Well I am pleased to say that this book is a total triumph!! It has to go down as one of my favourite reads of the year. From the outset I was hooked. I stayed awake virtually all night to finish it as I was unable to put it down - and that hasn't happened in a long time!! This book although part of a series can easily be read and thoroughly enjoyed as a standalone. The author created characters who were realistic whilst still being exciting. Charlotte, a woman who has suffered, changes with the love and support of Gabriel. This doesn't happen overnight like in some cases but follows a timeline which is true to life. Gabriel well all I can say is that I would love to go to work if he was my boss. Hot, protective, passionate, loyal and compassionate are a few words to describe him but I could wax lyrical about him forever!! I loved the mix of suspense and romance. The author managed a perfect blend between the two. I totally and utterly adored this book and give it an excellent 5 * ~Rosie

Why you should read it: Nalini is gifted with writing hot alpha heroes … be they leopards, wolves or wolves in business suits. Rock Hard is the second book in her Rock Kiss series, and I have to say I love Gabriel. He's hot, he's hard and my goodness, that cover! This is by far my favorite book in this series. I mean, how could it not be when our heroine throws a stapler at Gabriel when she thought he was an intruder? Nalini is in my top three authors of all time and she delivers with Rock Hard. The romance is adorable, the characters fully developed and the steam? Perfect. Charlotte's character also had me wrapped up. She's so mousy, so shy, and her past? It kills me. That makes Gabriel's every tender moment that much sweeter and more perfect. Readers be warned, though, that there is abuse in Charlotte's past, though a lot is healed. All in all, this is a must-read for hot heroes and steamy spice.

To see what Nalini is working on next, head over to the HEA Blog!

Rock hard was sooo f*cking good! Seriously, I've never loved a contemporary romance more. Gabriel was everything I wanted in a hero and more and Charlotte was feisty and strong yet vulnerable and I just adored her.

Watching these two spar with one another made my toes curl and I couldn't have asked for more in a book. I am so in love with the series and fall more madly in love with the world with each page I turn.

An absolute must read!

Since I am almost the 400th reviewer, there is not much left to summarize about the plot. I liked this book the best among the Rock series. The characters were fun and the story was enjoyable. I fell in love with the hero. I thought the heroine could have been stronger. I understand that she suffered a traumatic moment with her ex but she had way too many panic attacks. They borderlined annoying towards the end. I wanted her to work through that quicker and start on the intimate relationship that the H was trying to initiate.

Outside of the heroine, I could not find fault with too much else in the book.

I am in the minority where I do not follow her psy series. I look forward to her next non psy book.

Rock Hard by Nalini Singh is the second book in her Rock Kiss series. It CAN be read as a standalone but if read out of order you will get spoilers for events that take place in book 1, Rock Addiction. A beautiful romance ab out a broken woman and her brave fight to escape a prison of fear and the gorgeous hulking male who helps her be brave along the way. While the dialogue between the two was HILARIOUS (and their own inner-monologues too), the story behind Charlotte's fear is dark and twisted and terribly tragic. Gabriel (AKA: T-Rex) is the hulking male aforementioned. A gorgeous ex-professional rugby player who also is a wicked smart business man with a history of rescuing failing companies from their own people. He is so patient and kind and loving with Charlotte. I cannot wait to read more from this author. The writing style is just one which I absorb and enjoy very easily.

Sigh...I love Nalini's books whether they are about shifters, archangels, rock gods, or CEO's. Nalini has a talent for making you fall in love on the first page and furiously read until you've devoured the whole thing. Leaving you breathless and desperate for more.

I loved the office banter between these two. Charlotte was very timid and had panic attacks, she'd cut herself off, dating only men that she had no interest in really but were safe, and we learn what happened in her past to make her this way. T-rex had to rein himself in often to accommodate Charli - mouses anxiety. I loved how they grew together, Charlotte overcoming her fears and dealing with her past and Gabriel learning that life isn't all about work. My only problem was I found the ending a bit abrupt, things became right and then it was over, a glimpse into their future would have been nice, or maybe I was just greedy for more.

Overall this book is a great read, full of sweet moments and, devilishly hot moments. I can't wait for more.

For me this book started a little on the slow side. I felt like I had been introduced to Gabriel and Charlie, and their issues, but we weren't moving past seeing her issues throw up road blocks again and again. But then finally Charlie started taking steps foreward and the book took off for me. I really enjoyed the second two thirds of Rock Hard. Gabriel was alpha enough to be hot, but sweet enough to put a smile on my face. And Charlie was a strong sassy heroine once she came out of her shell. A perfect balance for me. I was rooting for their HEA, which is the goal of any good romance. And the chapter titles! It's not often you see that attention to detail, but the title chapters totally did it for me. They had me laughing out loud. Sweet, hot, and funny; a romance trifecta.
* I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

This was my first title by Ms Singh and I am looking forward to reading more of her books. The chemistry between Gabriel and Charlotte is off the charts. She is a very shy young woman with a painful past that has caused her to withdraw as a way to cope. Gabriel is a man who is very confident and wears it well. As a CEO, he is highly respected among those in the business world for his flair for turning failing businesses into thriving ones. He meets Charlotte when he begins working on a new job, trying to rescue a business on the verge of failure. Instantly, when these two meet, you just know that there will be a lot of interesting interactions ahead for them. Gabriel challenges Charlotte in a way that she responds to. She overcomes her nearly paralyzing fear and throws a few challenges back at Gabriel. Overall, the exchanges between them had me from the word go. After reading this, I know there will be many more of Ms Singh's books on my reading shelf in the near future.

★★★★★
Charlotte sees herself as a timid little mouse. Since a brutal attack by a man she thought she could trust she suffers severe panic attacks. They are controlling her life and she is trying so hard to get her life back on track.
Gabriel is Charlotte's new boss, he rescues ailing businesses by chopping out all the dead weight. The staff refer to him as a T.Rex. His ruthless determination to pull the best out of all his employees masks a soft and fiercely protective heart. When the very efficient Ms Baird quivers in fright at his slightest move it brings his protective instincts to the fore. It is not just fright that makes her tremble.
A lovely sexy story, with a wonderful hero who I am definitely in love with. Our heroine is a much stronger woman than she believes. She gives hope to the wounded women among us.

Nalini - I'm not gonna lie, Rock Hard is your best book to date.

Ok, maybe it's equal to Angel's Blood and Kiss of Snow, but I'm running out of books to chuck out of my top ten, because you keep filling all the spots.

Charlie Mouse and T-Rex's story is heartbreakingly tender and fricken hot! The balance is sheer perfection. The break down, the build-up, the tension, the heat, the smooth problem solving and the rough edges = me having a book orgasm.

That's right, I said it. A book orgasm. I swear to God.

Charlotte's back story was tastefully terrifying and to be honest, I feel like you could have added even more depth to T-Rex's. But maybe I just greedily want another 100 pages of the Bishop.

My only problem with this story? Now I want a real T-Rex of my own....

4.5 stars

I loved Gabriel and adored Charlotte. She appeared to be a kitten and turned out to be a lioness. She was brave and strong, a survivor. With Gabriel's help she transformed from a caterpillar to a butterfly before my eyes. He perfectly coaxed her in a way to bring out her inner strength without her realizing it. He played with her in a way that was slightly manipulative, but not malicious.

With a broad and domineering appearance, he never let his aloha tendencies overshadow the security and patience that Charlotte needed.

They were absolutely adorable.

Copy received through Netgalley
HEA
This is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone story. Charlotte and Gabriel are my favorite couple in this series so far.
I liked both main characters of the story. However, Gabriel was absolutely awesome. The patience he showed Charlotte was amazing. His character is pure alpha male with a dirty mouth and he was able to hold back for Charlotte. He knew when to push and when to pull. He was the perfect man to help Charlotte with her issues. Charlotte kept him grounded. I liked that the author didn't give Charlotte an instant cure because of meeting Gabriel. They had to work through a lot to get the relationship to work. The slow development was more realistic than most. well written and a great read.

I'm new to the contemporary romance genre and was hoping to read a 'slow burn' type of romance. After reading other rave reviews, I thought this would be a good one to read. Unfortunately, I found the story pretty uncomfortable to read. What other reviewers (and the book blurb) leave out is that the heroine is dealing with extreme past trauma throughout the story which really prevented me from enjoying this novel. The hero is patient and understanding, but his dominant and sexually aggressive character type in addition to her trauma issues left me with an uncomfortable pit in my stomach while reading. I don't usually write reviews, but I wish other reviewers had mentioned this so I could have skipped this book. I want to read for the escape, and the overall feeling I have after reading this book is just uncomfortable and uneasy. That said, other people really enjoyed this book so I suppose it really depends on the reader.

Charlotte is still suffering the aftermath of her last boyfriend and what he put her through, so staying mousy like the background, she tries to stay out of attention at work. Then a new management is brought in, one that cleans house and really scrutinises every worker. Not able to hide, it's time for Charlotte to decide if she is to step up, or give up.
Gabriel is a former rugby star turned businessman, and he's brought in to get a grip on companies in need of help. This new workplace turns out to have a hidden gem, and he's not going to give up on Charlotte, no matter how much she tries to blend in with the background.
Contemporary romance, smutty fluff, sexual tension and an abused woman finding her second wind. Great book!!

I have to be honest in saying that I am feeling a bit perplexed with the direction this series is going in. We have moved on from the rock stars and arrived at rugby player turned businessman. Now, I am all for branching out into other genres, but this just seems like a detour to me. As well as the direction, I am left a bit confused with the story of Gabriel and Charlotte too. It felt, to me, counterproductive and a terribly confusing character development.

Charlotte is incredibly shy and almost scared of anyone in authority. She is called a mouse throughout the book. Charlotte’s back-story is of an abhorrent ex who tortured and abused. The result is an overly careful, OCD type of home life and a nonexistent dating life.

Gabriel is an ex-rugby player turned businessman who sees the potential in Charlotte. He also sees her shyness as a turn on. So far so good right? Well, my issue is Gabriel as a tendency to be very demanding when it comes to their romance. Yet Charlotte still has panic attacks and freezes up when touched in certain areas. It just didn’t make sense to me when one moment they were tearing at each other and the next a total freeze out. I mean, if you know she has issues why would you use blatant sexual dominant talk that could trigger her reactions in the negative?

Don’t get me wrong, the office romance and banter is fantastic, that alone makes it worth the read. However, it just missed the mark for me. I just wish it could have been more a story of a timid mouse being shy and less of the traumatic issues causing the strife.

3.5 Stars | Hot Steam

Set apart from the screaming crowds, paparazzi and the PR nightmares that had complicated and influenced the first two couples’ relationships in Nalini Singh’s popular Rock Kiss series, Charlie and Gabriel’s story takes a quieter civilian stroll to happily ever after. Flirty, sexy and decidedly more conventional, this pleasing contemporary romance is a sweet diversion in the School Boy Choir world.

Initially, I missed my delicious reformed bad boy rockstars, however, it didn’t take long for me to swoon and submit to ROCK HARD’s glorious hero, Gabriel. That rough and gruff rugby adonis and billionaire extraordinaire is masculinity personified. I fell hard and fast for his intensity, passion, drive, intelligence, possessiveness and—my favorite—fabulously filthy mouth! His dirty descriptives conjure such wickedly divine images that Charlie wasn’t the only one trembling with desire!

Gabriel is also this series’ saintliest boyfriend. His patience, tenderness and protectiveness results in extended fiery foreplay with skittish Charlie leading to an endless stream of steam interruptus. And just when you think this circling pair is NEVER EVER going to get together…well, if you are willing to wait until about 75% of the novel until actual sex, you are handily rewarded. When Charlie ultimately and bravely shakes loose, pent up Gabriel meets her with the sensually devastating moves of a man enraptured.

All in all, I enjoyed Charlie and Gabriel’s entertaining romance and can’t wait to discover which band member is next in line for love in this addictive series!

Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review.

Rock Hard is an office romance; I was really looking forward to this novel since Rock Addiction. I love awkward, shy heroines who get a second lease on her life. Charlotte might be shy and soft spoken but she has a spine of steel. The book was a little slow but Charlotte and Gabriel’s relationship is steadfast. Charlotte needs the slow start in order to properly adjust to the new turn her life is taking. I loved that Gabriel was patient and gave her all the space she needed while still being an Alpha.

The sexual tension burned between the two. They have witty banter and Charlotte proves that she’s no mouse. Fans of Nalini Singh’s Rock Addiction will not be disappointed.

5 stars

I received an e-ARC copy of Rock Hard from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was adorable.

Charlotte Baird is in charge of records for Saxon and Archer, a company sinking fast. The board hires a new CEO, former Rugby player Gabriel Bishop, an expert in saving failing companies. This happens right around the time of Rock Addiction. Gabriel is growly and for saving the company he fires most of the top tier who aren’t doing their jobs. He gets rid of the former CEO’s Personal Assistant because Gabriel figures out that Charlotte is doing almost all of her work and then strong arms Charlotte into being is PA. 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 at Gabriel’s ultimatum she finds that she can push back and T-Rex just might have met his match in a mouse.

This book was so cute!!!!!!! Mostly this trope is over used, there is a ridiculous amount of sex and little plot. Rock Hard had an excellent plot, tons of foreplay (which is an awesome plus) and the right amount of smexy times. The boss/secretary thing worked excellently. Plus the drama that sometimes follows in these was not over the top. It felt realistic which is really rare and totally awesome!!!

I loved Charlotte from the get go. She is shy and because of her past is actively tries to blend into the background. So she calls herself a mouse. However with Gabriel she pushes back. He demands and growls and wants results but his expectations are never crazy. Charlotte finds her temper and meets him demand for demand. Slowly she finds her confidence again.

Gabriel, a T-Rex of a man who growls and storms through the office, leaving carnage in his wake, knows what he wants and he finds a way to make it happen. He wants Charlotte and finds her interesting and very smart. He figures out that the only way he can have her is to bring her out of her mouse burrow.

I loved the pet names and that Charlotte refers to Gabriel as T-Rex and her-self as Charlie mouse. Also that Gabriel calls her Ms. Baird and that’s what brings her out of panic attacks. I liked that there was lots of communication between the two. No one hid anything deliberately. And the drama was resolved quickly and with Charlotte defending herself with no help.

The whole book was lovely and I adored it.

NUMBER OF HEARTS: 4 1/2
REVIEW:
T-Rex is on the hunt. But this time the mouse has come armed with weapons.
Lots and lots of weapons to take down the big bad T-Rex.

I was so very excited to get my hands on Gabriel and Charlie’s story. I had falling in love with Charlie in book 1 Rock Addiction. I knew from the moment Charlie stepped on the since she was a lot tougher than even she thought she was. In Rock Hard she proves that over and over again. And of course we can forget listening to Charlie talk about her horrible new boss to her best friend Molly.
Gabriel is most definitely a T-Rex kind of guy. But even T-Rex’s need love right? Or they need to be knock up side the head a few times. But either way Gabriel is nice on the eyes, a whiz at his job, bossy and a super nice guy who will do anything for those he loves.

I could keep going but I really want you to find out for yourself why Rock Hard is so far (because I hope there are lots more books) my favorite book of the series. :). If you liked the first two stories in the Rock Kiss series you will love Rock Hard. If you are new to the series never fear. Rock Hard can be read out of order (but I would suggest starting with book one).
Can’t wait to see what Ms. Singh has in store for this series next.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley & TKA Distribution in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

This was a pretty good romance. It moved a bit slowly for me at times, which was appropriate for the trauma in Charlie's past, but for reading it got a bit frustrating. I just wanted to yell, "Get on with it!". Both main characters were interesting and had good depth to them.

I'm not sure I can say much other than OMG!!!!
We learn Charlotte's story a little at a time but I was so sure that there was no freaking way these two could be together... It just not seem possible in my mind!
And now that I have read it, I'm thinking, step by step, the way Charlotte reacted, the way she took her life in her hands, the way she was determined to heal herself.
Such a courage is hard to find, but it was worth it, in the end.
I loved how some things were not rushed just for the sake of the story, but some others were and they fully complied with what was happening.
This books definitely requires a more slow re-read ( I devoured it in a go, 'cause I couldn't put it down) to really appreciate the effort behind such an amazing love story!!!

I was lucky to get an advance copy of this book !!! OMG such an amazing one !!! I had to read it twice and I still can't get enough of T-Rex !!!! Seriously when was he when I was younger :) I loved loved loved every bit of their story !! I loved how they fall in love ,and see their relationship grow and get to know their demons and fight for each other, that was great !
Its such an amazing story. Its another great work of Nalini ! As always is such a pleasure to read her books ! If you enjoyed the previous books please make sure to give this one a try, you will not be disappointed !! There's a lot of love , passion and sexy steamy moments !

This book is wonderful! This is only my third Singh book because I'm not a fan of romantic science fiction, which is what I think she normally writes. I read Molly's book and thought it was ok, but this book was really quite beautiful! I don't know that I've ever referred to a book that way before, but it is. Gabriel and Charlotte are completely developed characters, the plot doesn't stall at all, and she manages to create conflict without putting random obstacles in their way -- everything that happened was organic to the story. I hope that we get another story with Danny and Jake as well! Wonderful book!

*Review copy received from Netgalley*

Ever since they appeared as secondary characters in Rock Addiction I wanted to read Charlie and T-Rex' story and their dance turned out to be a very entertaining and funny read that I devoured in less than a day.

The company Charlotte works for is in trouble as a result of mismanagement. For this reason the owners hire Gabriel Bishop, former rugby player turned manager as a troubleshooter, since he specializes in turning around floundering businesses. He cuts a swath through the firm, weeding out incompetent staff. Since under the previous management her skills have been greatly undervalued, Charlotte is convinced she is going to be next. But when her new boss calls her to his office, it is not to fire her but to offer her a new job as his personal assistant. Though Charlotte is timid at first, she is also intelligent and possesses a quick wit, and as she is growing more confident the two of them begin to lock horns, in the office and outside of it.
From her conversations with Molly in Rock Addiction we know that Charlie secretly lusts after her new boss and his hot body (there just it something about tattoos). And although Charlie doesn't match his usual quarry, the T-Rex is quite taken with her and starts to gently pursue her. But before their blossoming romance can progress, they both have to overcome the shadows from their past, in Charlie's case those are intimacy issues she has since a relationship turned horribly wrong and for Gabriel it's the fear of being poor and coming to terms with his father…

As all of Nalini Singh's books this one is well written and well-paced, with witty dialogue, interesting and likable main protagonists and fleshed-out secondary characters that you can't help but fall in love with. Also, Singh manages to add just the right amount of local color to make you want to visit New Zealand. I am not a big fan of rugby, in fact know nothing about the game, but her descriptions make me want to learn more about it.
Molly's and Fox' story started with a big bang, and though Charlie's and the T-Rex's first encounter is also memorable, their relationship develops at a much slower pace. It takes quite a bit of time until they have their first date and even longer before they end up in bed together. Some readers complained that there was too much sex in Rock Addiction: they will not have much to complain on that score in Rock Hard. Not that that is necessarily is a bad thing, especially since it makes sense within the logic of the story.

For me Rock Hard is a bit too light and lacks the emotional intensity that is characteristic for Singh's Psy/Changeling and Guild Hunter stories. It's a sweet office romance but one that follows rather conventional lines.
Overall I would give this book 4.5 stars for an entertaining and carefree read that will leave you with an upbeat feeling.

Despite the horror that is contained in Charlotte's past, this book is mostly light hearted fun with just enough pathos and tenderness from Gabriel to make it a compassionate and sexy read as well.

I have enjoyed this series and this book is no different. I enjoyed rugby, the throw back theme of the big boss and the mouse who is wicked smart, and New Zealand.

The romance and plot aren't surprising but Singh is a great writer and these are wonderful characters. A comfort read.

I was given this book for my honest review. So, there you have it!
contemporary romance

Gabriel turned out to be an awesome Hero for our sweet little Heroine. I like how the author let her work through her issues with real believability and not rush to an HEA. This made Gabriel and his patience and love for Charlotte that much more amazing.

I love this and am hoping for a sweet group epilogue with a view of the future for all these couples because I am greedy.

I have been looking forward to reading Rock Hard since we were introduced to Charlotte and Gabriel in Rock Addiction. Rock Hard did not disappoint. Both Charlie-Mouse and T-Rex (Gabriel) brought great heart, pain and humor to the story. The story deals with some really tough subject matter. The story showed how Charlotte grew and changed and became stronger. I loved the fact that Gabriel did not shy away from Charlotte's pain and/or past. He also did not let her hide from it but without pushing her too hard. The writing was spot on and kept me smiling, tearing up, and applauding.

The absolute best thing about this book is Gabriel Bishop - T-Rex. He is a sexy ex-rugby player who is the CEO of the company Charlotte works for. He is protective, sweet, intelligent, patient, determined and bossy. I LOVED this book. This was really a fantastic story about a broken woman who has to work through some issues and the man who can help her do it. This is a true romance and I loved every page of this story. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves a swoon-worthy hero! Fantastic!

I first encountered Gabriel (T-Rex) and Charlotte (Charlie Mouse in) Rock Addiction (Book One of Rock Kiss Series) and I knew they just had to have their own book (right after she threw a stapler at his head). Gabriel is the new head of the company and he is wreaking havoc throwing out the employees who aren’t doing their jobs. Charlotte frets that she’s going to be fired next but Gabriel sees her competence and elevates her to the position of his secretary.

Their relationship is amusing to read about because Gabriel does everything to get on Charlotte’s nerves (either intentionally or unintentionally), and she holds her own – somewhat. I enjoyed their interaction and how their relationship progressed. Charlotte is trying to get on with her life but someone in her past comes back and attempts to turn her world upside down. The fear is there but so is Gabriel. He helps her recover from her traumatic past, and from there they look forward to a rosy future.

This book is a surprisingly quick read. It is also light and comforting, perfect for armchair travelling.

4.5 stars!
I really loved this book. Hot sexy brooding former rugby star, and his tiny sweet, but damaged, employee - combustion is inevitable. This book has suspense elements cozying up nicely with the erotic, sexy yet sweet storyline. The verbal interaction between Gabriel (T-Rex) and Charlotte (Charlie-mouse) is priceless :-)

I found it hard to put down, and read much later last night than I should have....

Rock Hard by Nalini Singh is an inspirational read. Both of the main characters have obstacles they are trying to overcome. Gabriel is trying to escape being hurt by his childhood and Charlotte is trying to endure a traumatic event that has emotionally crippled her. Ms. Singh manages to take two strong characters and expose their flaws. By doing so she humanizes each character in such a way that you can't help but sympathize. You want them to find that happy ending--NO MATTER HOW OUT OF REACH IT MAY SEEM. Was gifted an ARC for an honest viewpoint.

This is the second book I've read by this author and the stories and characters are very similar. The hero is big, strong, domineering, successful. Heroine is recovering from a past trauma and is pretty, mild, dull. They both fall for each other almost immediately. The author should mix it up and have the heroine be the strong, possessive type and the hero the meek one.

Charlotte tries to keep her head down and out of everyone’s way. When the company she works for is purchased by Gabriel Bishop, a man known to be ruthless in the boardroom, she is shocked when she learns that she has been promoted to his PA. Can the mouse handle the growling T-Rex? These two characters carry a lot of baggage and have built up some very thick walls and it is a great read watching as they get torn down. Gabriel and Charlotte’s story is complex, sad, sweet, funny and sexy and all-around entertaining read.

Shel: I went into this one blind and I expected it to be about one of the other boys in the band, but I quickly realized that it wasn't; it's about Molly's best friend Charlie and her T-Rex, Gabriel. And in case you aren't following us on Twitter (btw, you totes should), let me tell you right here and right now that Gabriel is my favorite man of this series--he's officially taken the #1 spot. He's snarky, observant, has a strong personality and completely adores Charlie. I love that he respects her (even when he wants to dirty her up), he encourages her, and despite her timid ways he sees the spark of her wit and sass and strength and he works subtly and slowly to encourage her to let that part of her shine. Seriously, I could go basically make a modern day version of "How Do I Love Thee" when it comes to Gabriel but that's just nuts so I'll stop now. Court: First of all, as I was bringing my computer up just now, I was going to say...Gabriel Bishop, "how do I love thee? Let me count the ways..." And then...Shelley, at a completely different time and space beat me to it. BOOK SOULMATE, people. BUT Truthfully, that is the #truth...because...I remembered T-Rex being bossy in the first book, and making Charlie insane. But to witness it first hand was FA-REAK-ING EPIC.

Shel: When it comes to Charlie, I thought Nalini did a great job creating the frustration Charlie felt--she so badly wanted to be strong and yet her past and natural shyness seem to stymie her. Her inner monologues captured this so well--she was hilarious and snarky and frightened and angry with herself. As she became more comfortable with Gabriel, we saw her more openly who she was: a strong, funny, smart woman. And as much as I loved Gabriel for all he was in relation to her, I loved Charlie for who she was to him. She knew when to push and how and as she was healing from her past, she helped him alleviate some demons too. Court: Yes. Completely. Absolutely. This was a book about searching for their soul mate, finding it accidentally, and both working on some major things in their lives together. Neither wanted to willingly, for sure, but as they did...and were like magnets...just whoa. And the sexual tension. Whoa.

Shel: Without getting too spoilery, I'll say that the major conflict was not what you'd initially expect and I am so grateful that Nalini didn't make this about the usual boy + girl issues you'd expect with a famous rugby player. I also appreciated that this didn't really feel like instalove; sure they were both infatuated with each other, but the development of their relationship unfurled slowly and naturally. Court: NO! This was for sure friends to lovers, and when done right it is so beautiful. And this was beautiful. It was beautifully written, it had hope and tears, and sadness and perseverance and all of the things we want in a heroine and hero for sure. They frustrated me, made me laugh so many times, and made me want to yell at them to just do it already! But good things come to those who wait, and they definitely came. (That's what she said..heh)

Shel: Each novel in this series seems to leapfrog over the one before it for favorite status; with tons of funny lines, hot fantasies + dirty talk, and two very compatible characters, we think Rock Hard is a must read. Court: Shel took the words right out of my mouth. Rock Hard is a brilliant addition to this series, and even without the band we all know and love...it is my favorite of the series thus far.

I soooo want me a T-Rex...right this moment!

I loved this story. And while I admit that I was hesitant to start it, I'm glad I did. I love Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter and Psy-Changeling series, but I didn't finish Rock Addiction, the first book in the Rock Kiss series. Thankfully, Charlotte and Gabe's story had a lot more of the elements I've come to love about Singh's writing. There were laughing out loud moments, intense passionate ones and emotion-driven ones too to round it all up.

Charlotte is trying to move on from her past relationship. She has taken some steps to move forward but she's not there...yet. All it takes is the magnificent specimen that is her boss to get her moving in the right direction. With his no nonsense attitude but underlying caring personality, Gabe soon has Charlotte all up in knots. She finds her backbone, gives as good as she gets and drives him just as crazy as she is driving him.

Gabe aka T-Rex is not a relationship kind of man. A retired professional soccer player turned business man he has a lot on his plate and romance is not on the menu. That is until he meets Charlotte. Something about the woman draws him in and he will not rest until she becomes his.

I was hooked on this story from the very first chapter. Having Charlotte throwing a stapler to her new boss and him being all gentlemanly and advising her on which office supply would make a better weapon had me in fits of laughter and wondering how these two will come together in the future. From then on I was a goner...children-eating-cereal-for-dinner-GONER!

At the beginning, Charlotte was withdrawn and guarded, but it was such a treat to see her blossoming into a confident woman. Her growth throughout the story felt real which I attribute to the pace on which the author worked their coming together. I don't think it would have worked otherwise for them to have a full on hook up without having seen Charlotte's development. She's still faltered in her journey, but Gabe was there providing his own brand of support allowing her to heal but never wavering in making his intentions clear in regards to her.

Gabe and Charlotte were great characters to get to know and I appreciated the opportunity to get to know them both as individuals and as a couple. I enjoyed their subtle yet flirty banter, their frustration-laced bickering and their candid quiet moments. Nalini Singh didn't waste a moment establishing and developing their connection throughout. Be it a business related interaction or a quiet diner or coffee break at the office, their every interaction was spiked with their mutual attraction. Their attraction for one another was an ever-present thing, but for me it was those quiet moments and stolen touches and looks that kept me riveted to their story.

Of course, aside from the romance there was also the added drama of Charlotte's ex returning to claim her. I think the author did a great job of bringing this element to the page without overwhelming the reader or taking the focus from the developing romance. I liked how the author went about its resolution since it highlighted not only how deeply connected Gabe and Charlotte had become but also how far she had come from the withdrawn, insecure woman she was at the beginning.

Another element I enjoyed were the secondary characters. This story runs parallel to the first one (Rock Addiction) so Molly, Charlotte's best friend and the heroine in the first book, makes an appearance and is a great supportive presence in Charlotte's life. Gabe's family is also introduced which I enjoyed a lot.

Keep in mind that although this is the second book in the Rock Kisses series it can be read as a stand alone. Personally, I will be going back to continue reading Rock Addition and picking up the novella Rock Courtship. It's not necessary but now I'm curious to see how it all plays out.

All in all, a fantastic romantic yet steamy read that left me wanting my very own T-Rex.

Nalini Singh is my new Author crush! I fell in LOVE with her writing this week! Where the heck have I been that I have never read her before? I am DEFINITELY going back to read the other 2 stories in this series and I can't wait for MORE from the Bishop clan (Sailor really needs a book). Nalini Singh's Rock Hard is everything I love about reading romance novels; there was romance, heat, heart, laughter, tension and fantastic characters that you don't want to let go of! (I miss my T-Rex!) While Rock Hard is book 2 in this Rock Kiss series, Nalini does an excellent job of keeping this book easy to pick up and read as a standalone, I can't wait to go back and read Molly's story though!

Rock Hard, damn. I loved this book! The way this story unfolds is unique for the "office trope" we are used to getting. Gabriel and Charlotte made this story wonderful, really putting the romance back into the genre. Reading their story is like watching your two favorite people fall in love, it is magical and heart tuggingly awesome at the same time. Nalini Singh has crafted two wonderful main characters, they are not cookie cutter characters, they are realistically flawed and gives us a refreshing change from Alpha Billionaire/meek secretary combos that (while I love) are getting tiresome as of late. Charlotte's character is amazing. She is a strong young woman that life has bruised, but not broken. She is self aware, able to talk about what is bothering her, stands up to a T-Rex and while scared out of her mind, refuses to let her past steal her future. Charlotte is a character that I will remember for a while, I loved watching her grow, accept and blossom during this book. Charlotte might be a mouse, but she isn't scared to take on a a T-Rex and I love that about her character! Gabriel (T-Rex) was a wonderful surprise! His character is so different than what I expected that I am still blushing over my assumptions. Gabriel is definitely the man you want to crush on! Nalini Singh created this character brillantly, he comes off at first as cut-throat, self-absorbed and ruthless, but as the story unfolds we realize that yes he is deteremined to get what he wants, however, he is a gentle giant. Gabriel's character was what I wish all these "alpha" males would be more like. He was strong, in control, but understood Charlotte and gave her what she needed (no crazy dramatic male tantrums or pouting). He was selfless with his needs and really awed me with how understanding, patiently romantic and tender he was with his Ms. Baird. Sigh. T-Rex is a keeper for sure!

Nalini Singh's Rock Hard was a wonderful story that had great pacing, it never dragged and kept my attention from page one until the very end (where I kept hoping more story would just appear). The wit, the banter and the snark that comes out of Charlotte had me laughing and Gabriel's flirting and dirty talk definitely had me blushing a few times! Rock Hard takes two people that aren't looking for love and slowly shows them that just maybe a mouse and a T-Rex are the perfect match!

I HIGHLY recommend this book! If you are looking for a romantic read to spice up your weekend I promise you will not be disappointed! I can't wait to go diving into Nalini Singh's backlist and discover all the wonderful stories I have missed. Enjoy meeting Ms. Baird and the Bishop this weekend and I hope this isn't the last we will see of these two!

Gabriel Bishop, former pro-Rugby player, was hired as CEO of Saxon & Archer to turn around the failing department store chain. He’s very good at what he does and always gets what he wants.

Charlotte Baird, long time Saxon & Archer employee, continually allows her supervisor, Anya, to use her talents for her own gain. So when the new CEO fires Anya and offers Charlotte a promotion, Charlotte must learn to get over her fears and work with Gabriel, aka. T-Rex.

Rock Hard is the second full-length romance in Ms. Singh’s Rock Kiss series (and third overall story). Although there is overlap with the earlier titles, this book can be enjoyed as a standalone.

Charlotte and Gabriel have a tough road, both professionally and romantically. While turning around Saxon & Archer is Gabriel’s primary focus when at work, he cannot stop thinking about Charlotte. Recognizing she’s been hurt in the past, and the fact that he’s her boss, Gabriel takes things slowly in an effort to woo Charlotte. This translates into a slow start to the book, and for a bit, I did wish for things to pick up, all the while wondering how they would hookup without it backfiring on them.

Generally, Gabriel and Charlotte’s romance is both sweet and sexy. Charlotte has a messy history, so I am thankful at how Ms. Singh takes time with pair, and why, in the long run, the slow start didn’t bother me. I also appreciate the pair’s openness and honesty with one another. Having the luxury of “hearing” both character’s POVs allows the reader to embrace the larger picture. And while their path had a few bumps that caused a sniffle or two, I love how they got to their HEA. Their first time together (sexually) was completely sweet and yet erotic. I appreciated how Gabriel listened to Charlotte and was able to pick up her non-verbal cues and signals. In the end, I’m glad it took time.

In addition to the romance, both characters have issues from their pasts that must be addressed in order for the pair to move forward. While I enjoyed the complexity each matter brought to the story, I felt in both cases, things were resolved a bit too easily. And in the case of Charlotte, I was a bit disappointed at how predictable the matter became over the course of the book. Additionally, I was very dismayed that the concerns over Gabriel being Charlotte’s boss seem to just disappear. However, I realized that I could either let these things bother me or let them go and just accept it. I chose to accept it and move on and enjoy the story.

In the end, Rock Hard is a delightful romance between two great characters. The author does a wonderful job handling Charlotte’s damaged past and puts a very realistic spin on her problems - giving her the right mix of time and pressure/care/kindness from Gabriel. I felt a couple issues were brushed over a bit too easily, but I was able to move on and enjoy the story for the sake of the romance and characters. Because I liked both characters so much and as a couple, I enjoyed the book tremendously and read it from cover to cover very quickly. I can’t wait for more of Ms. Singh’s Rock Kiss series!

My Rating: A-, enjoyed it a lot!
Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About
Review copy provided by author.

I can’t even begin to describe how much love I have for this book. I fell into the story right away, got completely engulfed in not only the characters, but the emotion behind who they were. I’ve been a fan of Nalini’s work for a while now, and this book just helped remind me of why she is one of my favorite romance authors. If you are looking for an extremely over-protective alpha paired with a leading lady you will adore, look no further than this book.

“Men like you don’t go for women like me.”
“How many men like me do you know?”

Charlotte Baird is a survivor. She may come off as meek and timid, but underneath her fragile exterior lies a strong woman just waiting to be discovered by the right man. When the reins of the company she works for are taken over by an enigmatic, domineering man - she is thrust far outside her comfort zone. Gabriel Bishop is a demanding boss, one who pushes her buttons unlike anyone in her life. Struggling to maintain the distance she needs to control her fears, Charlotte finds the infuriating man harder to resist with each passing day. I loved everything about their relationship as it bloomed, Gabriel was the perfect balance of possessive male and tender lover. Their banter was as hilarious as it was steamy and sexy. These two kept me swiping my Kindle as fast as I could, eager to devour more of their story.

“I’m right here if you need me, and I’m more than big enough to help you fight your demons. Just say the word.”

Gabriel Bishop is a man used to getting his own way. As a former rugby player, he is used to handling situations with force and skill. Taking over as CEO of a floundering company, the last thing he expects is to be attracted to the tiny, timid Ms. Baird. The more time he spends with her, the more he realizes that the urge to have her, to claim her as his is fierce. The protective side of him wants to fight all her battles, to save her from the demons haunting her. I was head over heels for Gabriel within mere chapters. His patience with Charlotte was astounding, he knew just when to push her and just when to back off and let her find her own way.

“You haven’t figured out by now that I think you’re effing amazing? You have a brain that won’t quit, a smile that lights up my soul, and a body I want to do dirty things to.”

This book is the sweetest kind of romance. It reminded me how powerful love can be and just what a woman can do when wrapped in its warm embrace. Nalini did a phenomenal job of giving us an alpha you will crave and a lover you will want to wrap your arms around. Rock Hard is definitely a book you don’t want to miss.

xo Cassia
deliciouslywickedbooks.com

So I was given the opportunity to read Rock Hard, and I have to say I loved it. It was sexy, sweet, romantic book. And it came at just the right time. I have gotten a little too much harsh reality with a lot of romance books and I was feeling a bit jaded. But reading Charlie and T-Rex's story brought me back to what I love about romance books. Here is a couple that made my heart melt, that made me cheer for this couple.

I was given a copy of this book for review, but I will be buying because I loved it.

Our heroine Charlotte (or “Charlie-mouse” as she has a tendency to refer to herself), is quiet, timid, skittish, and fairly insecure. Content in being relegated to someone else taking credit for her work, she is horrified to discover that she is not nearly so invisible as she thought.

Our hero Gabriel is abrupt, demanding, and intimidating. A retired rugby star turned successful businessman, he is extremely adaptable and used to taking charge. With his no nonsense, take-no-prisoners attitude it is no wonder that Charlotte deems it appropriate to dub him “T-Rex” after their first meeting.

From the absolute get-go you cannot help but root for Charlotte. There is just something about the contrast between the voice in her head (and who you know her to be), and her everyday demeanor, that is heartbreaking…but oddly hopeful. She cares about her friends with an unwavering loyalty and ferocity that belies her shy nature. And throughout the novel, she pushes herself to do new things despite the near overwhelming fear that she is somehow incapable.

Similarly, Gabriel is someone you want to see succeed. He definitely puts the “rock” in Rock Hard, with his confidence, stability, and clear knowledge of what he wants. And despite his being completely goal oriented and determined that she is the woman for him, he is still so careful in his pursuit of Charlotte. He never treats her as fragile or lacking—indeed at work he is nearly as hard on her as he is on himself—but he is always hyper-aware of her personal limitations.

As Rock Kiss book 2—though actually the 3rd title in the series—this book provides an excellent companion to Rock Addiction as many scenes take place within the same timeline. This novel does function as a stand-alone title, though long time fans will definitely enjoy the sort of fill-in-the blanks aspects to previous conversations between Charlie and Molly. In slight opposition to the previous books, this one is, at times, a little more amusing, a bit darker, and has a much slower build toward romance. While this is also a slight departure (as the first two titles dealt directly with members of the band), the story fits very well into this universe.

4.5 rounded to 5/5 stars.

**For the sake of full disclosure it must be stated that I received this book, free of charge, from TRSOR Publications.**

Ever since Charlotte was introduced in Rock Kiss as Molly’s best friend and readers were privy to bits and pieces of insight into Charlotte’s relationship with her bad-tempered boss who she nicknamed T-Rex, I’ve been waiting for their story, and Nalini Singh delivers a fantastic story driven by complex characters and a storyline based solely on the relationship that develops between them.

Ever since her life was upended, Charlotte Baird has done her best to disappear into the woodwork, finding solace in remaining docile and inconsequential because it’s how she remains under everyone’s radar – too insecure, afraid, and fractured to interact. Her shortcomings constantly torment her, but she can’t break free from those bonds because certain situations trigger flashbacks and force her even further into her shell.

Gabriel Bishop, Mr. Tall, Dark, and Carnivorous – there are so many sides to this man, and Singh slowly unravels who he is at his core as he pursues Charlie and helps her to transform into a confident and strong woman with him by her side. He’s a commanding man, both in business and his personal life, but he also is extremely patient and protective, fighting for those he loves and never relenting in showing and proving that he’s so much more than the dominating business man he is.

Charlotte and Gabriel’s relationship develops slowly throughout the course of the story, starting as boss and employee and evolving into more. The pace of their connection fits the mental scars that Charlie is dealing with, and even though Gabriel is a bit deceptive at the beginning in an attempt to prompt Charlie to react to him, his commitment to her and his calming, strong presence in her life is completely swoonworthy.

I absolutely loved Rock Hard; it’s full of witty and sexy banter and great secondary characters; it solely focuses on the development of the main characters and what they are to each other, which is what readers truly want in a contemporary romance.

A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 poison apples

5 stars for a book that had two people finding friendship and love in a rather unusual way and I for one couldn't have loved it more. This is book two in the Rock Kiss series and can be read as a standalone without missing anything. Gabriel Bishop played rugby from the time he could walk - all the way through school - then professionally until a career ending injury made him a spectator to the sport and a coach of a high school team. Once Gabe was sidelined people assumed he was a dumb jock and would live off his rugby money but he utilized his MBA and took Bishop Enterprises to a whole new level. Gabe himself would specialize in "buying in" to rescue a sinking company turn it around and make it profitable once again and then move on all in about a years time. The man was nicknamed T-Rex because he was ferocious and he got the job done but the minute Charlotte Baird got the call that he needed to see her in his office she had no idea her life was going to change...
Charlotte is afraid of her own shadow most days and when she is working late one night and hears something in the office that she knows should be empty she arms herself with a stapler and goes to investigate. Charlotte launches the stapler at her new boss the one and only Gabriel Bishop and is absolutely terrified and mortified so when she is called to his office to speak to him she is shocked to learn that she isn't fired but she will be his new assistant! Charlotte has been through a vary traumatic event and that coupled with her tiny size and shy nature cause her to really question the ability to do the job but Gabe is relentless and they make a formidable team. Both Gabe and Charlotte have many hurdles to overcome to reach the places they want to be in their lives and over time and with much patience you watch it unfold. Lots of love, alpha male madness, drama and some angst mixed with a fierce heroine who is determined to overcome her fears and a hero who is built like a lion but is as gentle as a lamb.

Another win for Nalini Singh! I pretty much love anything this author writes, especially the Guild Hunter and Psy-Changeling series. This book was amazing at detailing the protagonist's struggle with PTSD and how much actual effort and willpower it takes to work through it. Amazingly well-done. And Gabriel was hot and had his own brand of awesomeness. Great read.

✦Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: Rock Hard (Rock Kiss Series, Book 2) by Nalini Singh http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-2bl
Publication Date: March 10, 2015
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Cori
Rated: 5 Stars

REVIEW:
I loved this story so much! This is book two in Nalini Singh’s Rock Kiss Series and can be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading them all. The entire series is incredible! Rock Hard is my new favorite in this series. I loved the characters in this book and the plot captivated me. Gabriel, the big and sexy rugby player turned CEO, is the perfect man for Charlotte. Charlotte’s past is heart wrenching and she lives a life of fear. Gabriel draws her out. They’re chemistry was off the charts and sizzled. Rock Hard is a beautiful love story and it’s one of those stories that stay with you long after you close the book. I highly recommend this entire series. Go grab them and devour them!

*Review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Rock Hard brings us the story of Molly's best friend and heart sister, Charlotte (Charlie). We've seen small glimpses at Charlie in previous books and heard mention of her T-rex boss, and in this book we get the rest of the story.

Charlotte has had a rough time, losing her parents close together and following that she went through another trauma with her then boyfriend. She's still not handling men well, and isn't sure if she wants to try. But then her new boss puts on the flirt and tells her in no uncertain terms that he wants her and he's fighting to win.

Gabriel is used to things going his way when it comes to women and business, but when he decides he wants Charlotte, he figures out quickly his usual tricks are not going to work. He's got to up his game, which he does pretty spectacularly.

Gabriel wants to help Charlotte with her issues from the past, and there's a slight chance that she in turn can help him let go of some anger from the past.

Rock Hard was a beautiful story of how love can help take away all sorts of pain and bad memories. You don't necessarily forget, but you are able to move on without dwelling. Charlotte and Gabriel are both interesting characters who keep you enthralled and wondering what's coming next. I enjoyed thier story as they navigated the dark and sometimes muddy waters of a traumatic past and worked together to ensure that they could maintain a stable steady relationship.

I love Nalini Singh's writing. She is able to allow the reader to truly step into a character's shoes, into a new and fantastic world and just leave reality for a while. This contemporary romance series of hers is just wonderful. I enjoy the flawed characters, how they come together, how everything isn't magically fixed but worked through. Charlie-mouse and T-Rex's story was gripping, powerful and enchanting. I loved it and look forward to the next story in this series. It is a book I will read again and again.

Are you ready to Rumble? Next up Charlie-mouse vs T-Rex.

Charlotte Baird is intelligent, pretty and scared of her shadow. She is thrown for a loop when the new very sexy, aggressive CEO promotes her to his PA. Gabriel Bishop was hired to save Saxon & Archer from it's own demise. "The dire state of affairs was why the new CEO with his reputation as a ruthless negotiator with a razor-sharp mind had been brought on board." Gabriel's first order of business was to clean house, while he was cleaning house he discover Charlotte and there may have been some stapler throwing to boot.

Luckily Gabriel is a former pro rugby player, the stapler never had a chance and neither did Ms. Baird. Gabriel is the epitome of the perfect Alpha-male, strong willed with the need to succeed. He made it his mission to win Charlotte's heart. For several months they play a game of T-Rex and mouse, slowly the mouse grows teeth. As their relationship develops Charlotte opens up to Gabriel about her past and her fears. Charlotte is a strong woman who has developed a wallflower persona because of a previous experience and now with the help of Gabriel she's finding her strength. Gabriel also finds himself needing someone to help him with his anger issue and to break him of his nonstop working habit. They both provide each other strength and support. It's a hot love story that makes you giggle, weep, cheer and smile.

Giving it a 4-1/2 star as I thought it did drag in one part a wee bit but a nice read about business, foreplay, and clean sex plus stalking and its effects unfortunately. This was a nice read and I shall certainly obtain the other books in the Rock Kiss Series by Ms. Nalini Singh. Location is New Zealand which I love as a background in books.

My Review:
Game on indeed. This was the first contemporary book of Nalini Singh's that I have had the pleasure of reading. I have devoured every one of her Psy/Changeling and Angel books and when I was given the opportunity to review one of her contemporaries I jumped on it. I was definitely not disappointed. Even though this is the second book in the series it can be read quite easily as a standalone. I had no problems on that score. If I hadn't know that this was the second book I'd wouldn't have guessed it from anything in this book.

T-Rex aka Gabriel was one of my favorite heroes He is sexy, smart, protective and loyal and with a just a touch of issues. He also has a wonderful family that is loving and fabulous. That was very good because Charlie has problems of her own. Her ex from Hell being her biggest issue. Through most of the book she is portrayed as Charlie "mouse" but I really liked that Gabriel called her Ms. Baird and believed that she could handle anything. By the end of the book she lived up to that name perfectly. T-Rex has met his match and I was so very very enamored with this book. I was given this book by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. I give it a perfect 5 stars and am off to get the first book.

I will admit I waffled about reading this one because while I love Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling series I wasn't blown away by Rock Addiction. I'm so glad I did because the issues I had with Rock Addiction were not present in Rock Hard. I loved both Charlotte's and the T-Rex's characters. It was so much fun watching the banter between the two, the sparring and seeing Charlotte really grow. She went from being this shy little mouse to more than holding her own against the T-Rex. LOL. It gives me hope that maybe one day I'll be able to speak my mind more. But back to the book, the story line was great. It was paced well and I didn't want to stop reading. There were just a few moments at the beginning of the book that were a little jarring. I felt like certain phrases were repeated too closely together like how Charlotte had a mind like a steel trap or how her bones were quivering in her body or something like that. It actually made me second guess if I accidentally went backwards in the book.

Other than that and an odd personal issue Gabriel got over rather quickly at the end I really loved this book. Nalini Singh brought that magical feeling I got reading her Psy-Changeling books and made me totally fall for this book.

Rock Hard follows Gabriel Bishop’s “professional” life.

Ahem.

No, really. Rock Hard follows his professional life because he is so professional and appropriate with his PA, Charlotte Baird.

Many may remember Charlotte Baird from Rock Addiction. Charlie was the one who encouraged Molly to go have fun with her rock star, when Molly was in doubt. And not once did I have an impression that Molly’s quiet, kind friend became Charlie-mouse around her new boss, Gabriel “T-Rex” Bishop. What starts out as a relationship full of growling orders and quietly taking them, slowly turns into one of the sweetest stories in the Rock Kiss series.

When Charlie learns about Gabriel Bishop aka “T-Rex,” the growling, roaring dino who helps rescue failing companies from the brink of downfall, she’s terrified. People at work are getting fired left and right and she’s very, very sure she’s next. Except…that doesn’t happen. She get’s promoted to be his PA.

Promoted!

The joy is very, very short-lived, if any at all, and she soon discovers that working for Gabriel Bishop means no lunch breaks and working late nights and dealing with her boss’s growls all the da**ed time. But slowly and with patience (and wow, tolerance) she manages to break through his shell and loud growls notwithstanding, he begins to learn to growl less and talk more.

If only he could talk to his Miss Baird, in lieu of doing very dirty, naughty things to her. And with her. An injury on the rugby field left Gabriel Bishop unable to play but he’s not too bitter about it. Saving dying companies from incompetent CEOs and their lousy staff is how he’d like to live out his life. And if that means working with just four skilled people, then that’s how he’ll do it.

Charlotte, turns out, was my favorite girl in the series. She had a lot of demons in her past, but she had this genuine need to go past them and make a life for herself. Yes, she had her moments but she handled them with such grace and acceptance, that I was left in complete awe of her. And she did moved on, you guys. With Molly’s help, and eventually Gabriel’s, Charlie learned to move on. But that’s not all there is to her. She’s also brilliant in her work, smart at dealing with her stupid gorgeous boss and a complete horror to deal with if she’s mad at you. Like I said, she was my absolute favorite and I found myself rooting for her from page one :D

In the beginning of Rock Hard, I hated Gabriel. I love a**ho*e heroes, but I hated, and I mean loathed Gabriel. There wasn’t one redeeming quality to him and he just overall seemed to p**s me off every time he breathed. He was dominating and jealous and ugh. So not my thing. I found myself wondering how exactly he’d found his way among all the amazing, PERFECT men of the Rock Kiss series. And then I knew why he was the way that he was. And how he was with Charlie was perfect. I’m still not his greatest fan (David, you’ve ruined me for anyone else) but he was impeccable with Charlie and so, so good to her, I couldn’t hate him anymore.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. Here’s another NA romance, with a damaged heroine and a hard-a** hero. And that—for the most part—is true. But here’s the thing with Charlie and T-Rex. She’s a personification of the phrase ‘kitten’s got claws’ and he’s a Go***mn mush ball when it came down to it.

And surprisingly, there wasn’t a lot of sex in the book. Understandable, of course, considering Charlotte’s history but still. It was there, but hardly. In fact, if I’m not mistaken, their first time happens somewhere around the 70% mark. Just another way in which Rock Hard is a little different from others in its genre.

Gabriel wasn’t my type of hero at all—with his hard a** demeanor and his hitting on his secretary like a common pervert—but he really loved his family and it showed. Deep down, I know that he was perfect for Charlotte (BUT I’LL NEVER ADMIT IT).

I am a huge fan of Nalini Singh. I first found her guild hunters and then the Psy/changlings. If you haven’t read those, you are missing out.
This book is fantastic and seriously funny. I had a blast reading about Charlotte and Gabriel, I love the whole Charlie-mouse and t-rex scenario that’s going on from the beginning. I am heading over to the store to check on more parts of this series.
This book was gifted to me in exchange for an honest review.

I adored the glimpse of Charlotte we got in the first book, and I was excited to read her story. She is just the right mix of a saucy spitfire and a wounded bird who discovers how strong she really is. Bishop is an amazing hero who at first glance is tough as nails, but is really a softie to those he loves! I loved the banter between the two and loved watching their relationship grow. I look forward to the next book in the series!

I think I enjoyed this one better than book 1. I'm all for a good sex scene but when the whole book is different sex scenes with a little in between, it's kinda annoying. This one was much better. I liked how the relationship grew.

I was extremely excited to get this book after briefly meeting Charlotte in Rock Addiciton, and hearing about her “T-Rex” boss.

Charlotte has endured something extremely painful in her past which has left her shy and quiet. When the company she works for needs an overhaul, Gabriel Bishop is brought in to put everything in order. He sees potential in her and he becomes her boss – the one she has to see everyday; interact with everyday. They become an amazing team together.

Fortunately for Charlotte, Gabriel can see past the “mouse” and sets his sights on her. I loved their interactions. There were plenty of funny parts, like all the names Gabriel gives Charlotte’s “boyfriend”, and lots of very sexy parts. I must admit that every part with Gabriel in it was a sexy part. Just sayin’!

I read and enjoyed the other two books in this series but am pleased to say that this one is by far my favourite one so far. I look forward to more in this series (that’s me hoping there will be more). I gave Rock Hard five of hot and yummy lattes.

This was a cute book and I found that is was nicely refreshing with the Mouse and T-Rex aspect I also liked how everything played out and this story was written and the character development. The connection was there from me the reader to the characters and in my overall opinion I say get this book it was well worth the money and time.

Better than the first one but less than the #1.5. I honestly don't know why I keep reading this series, definitely it’s not for me and although the previous book, # 1.5, showed signs that the series will improve. And especially with this story I'm absolutely disappointed, because it had everything to be a very good story, but it was wasted by not being developed well.

I can honestly give this five stars because it is awesome.
First off, the plot was easy to follow without being boringly simple. It was a great combination of wit, humor, and sexual tension that maintained my attention to the very last word. It also gave me the warm fuzzies.

It was very different from Rock Addiction the first book in the series which tells the story of the romance between Molly Webster who is Charlotte's best friend and a very sexy bad boy rock star named Zachary Fox. Rock Hard does not have as many sex scenes and the relationship seems to developed more slowly which is due to Charlotte's character and her past.

I thoroughly enjoyed the unusual way Nalini Singh developed the characters' relationship to drive them closer to each other. Office romance? Oh, yes! The way Gabriel purposely tries to ruffle Charlotte'e feathers (or fur?) made me laugh out loud.

This book has proven to be the perfect book to read for casual enjoyment. It works very well if you want to read it as a standalone novel. So if you want to read it before Rock Addiction (and the novella Rock Courtship) or not read Rock Addiction at all though it is also a rather nice book you can.

Nalini Singh is a great writer: the dialogue is funny, the characters are likable and the premise is interesting. I enjoyed Charlie and Gabriel's relationship because, despite their individual flaws, they pushed each other to be better people.

I was provided an ARC by Netgallley. I just finished this book now though cause I have so many books to read!
I used to read the Psy series by Nalini Singh and I loved them. Nalini Singh is not only good with fantasy romances but with realistic books as well! I loved the story of Gabriel and Charlie. I am so glad that I finally finished this book.

I love this one more than the first. It started a little slow but to me it was a sweeter love story. When I got to let 2 I couldn’t put it down and now I’m super exited for the Hard Play Book series! Bring on the brothers!!

Oh man!! I loved the dynamic between Charlotte and Gabriel. She was so broken and scared and he was the perfect fit for her! His patience and prodding brought her back from a life that was just so-so and made her remember the passion and fire that she had suppressed for way too long.

Once again while reading one of Nalini's books I didn't want it to end!

Good read. Well written. Sweet romance. A little 'Naughty'.
Nalini Singh is one of my favorite authors. Her 'Guild Hunter' series & 'Psy/Changeling' series being my most favorite.
I wont say I love the 'Rock Kiss' series, but I do like it & can honestly recommend it to all the 'Romance' lovers in the world.

review Thanks TKA Distribution for a free book via Netgalley in exchange for a review.

Nicely done! Romantic and not this author's usual paranormal but a contemporary romance. Charlotte was a skittish main character having had a bad previous relationship, Gabriel had his work cut out for him trying to tame the little mouse in her. Still the chemistry and passion was off the charts and just amusing. I can't tell you how many times I caught myself smiling at the pages. I happen to love rugby books, it seems like a genre sport that's taken off given all the books on rugby I have read lately. I enjoyed this book and if you've read hers before then you know it's easy to get lost in this author's books. Overall entertainment is four stars.

After seriously not liking the first book in the series (did they ever get out of bed?) I was pleasantly surprised by this one. Charlie and Gabriel are a great couple with fun banter and it was nice to see Charlie mouse emerge from her cocoon (apologies for the mixed metaphors!).

Received an ARC for review

LOVED IT! I so did not want it to end. T-Rex and Mouse make a wonderful couple. There was so much verbal foreplay that it didn't matter that it was 75% done until they actually hooked up. Loved seeing Molly and Fox. Now I need a novella where they come to visit. Job well done.

This series is so fabulous! I love that this book was a little different from the first two in that it was about a businessman, the same T-Rex we heard so much about in the previous book. I wish that the hero had declared his feelings just a little sooner, but it was really fun getting to this couple's HEA.

I enjoyed the first of this series but this one blew me away....great characters and story line that was well constructed and brought a sense of hope one seldom finds in any book. Once again this author has impressed me. Next please!

This is so much better than the first in this series 'Rock Addiction'. Plenty of humor and action. The first one was almost all sex scenes. This is more like the Nalini Singh books I know and love.

I received this for an honest review. I have to say that every time I pick up one of these books from this series I absolutely fall in love.. I have been waiting for Charlotte's story and oh boy how I loved it. I love how Nalini's couple have an great balance where one is sweet and the other has a nice balance of the bad boy/alpha. This book was no exception.. I am absolutely in love with this series.
For me the writing absolutely just pulls me in. This book gave good book hangover..

LOVED LOVED LOVED!!!!

I really enjoyed this one and the fact that both of the main characters were flawed but still very likeable. I deducted half a star because I found the end after the "confrontation" to be a bit boring.

Both the hero and heroine had problems that had to be worked out throughout the story and the author was able to do this in a very good way. As with most romances, you expect a happy ever after ending, but the better part was the resolution of their difficult pasts.

I absolutely loved the way the author wrote the book, plot line was great over all a great book and empowering. Rather than some of the books that are now published that display abusive and empowered women thorough out the story. Read if looking for something more encouraging and something fem friendly then this is the book for you.