Cherish Hard (Hard Play Book 1)

After I read Grabiel and Charlie's book (Rock Hard) I started hoping for the other Bishop/Esera brothers' books. So when Nalini announced she was going to write them and that Sailor was going to come first, I was so happy that I started to build big expectations around it. Also because we already knew about him, Ísa, and Emmaline there was more pressure for it to be just right. The right blend of sweet, unique but seriously intense romance novel Nalini has got us addicted to.
However, this is kind of like when you start a series from the middle (*digression* or the last book... I did this with Kiss of Snow. It was the last book published but I didn't feel like I was going to enjoy it. I was more on the idea of yeah, whatever... and then what happened is history XD. Nalini became my favorite author and here I am ;) *end of digression, bear with me*) and then you go back to catch up with all the backstory that came before. You can end with seriously good stories, or you can just say meh. There is no surprise, no new feelings. So, it's kind of risky for an author getting the story just right for the reader to be satisfied and happy.
Well, I can definitely say that I am happy and completely starry-eyed by this book. Sailor is so yum! XD I can't describe it. He is that kind of man you hope to find in real life. Actually, there isn't much we couldn't already have guessed in Sailor character and behavior. Knowing Gabriel and the family, Sailor was the constant here. The one I was counting on to be "just like that". However, he also gave me more than what I was expecting.
Having said that, the real threat here is Ísa. A very feminine figure that hides a strong and passionate nature. One that doesn't accept to be swayed from her goals and passions but that nonetheless has to learn how to open up to new possibilities instead of being dragged down by past, negative, experiences.
As always, I truly enjoyed this fresh and light contemporary series that Nalini is writing as a plus each year and hope it will continue with many more books. However, bear in mind that Cherish Hard doesn't thread in difficult subjects like the last two books in the Rock Kiss series. It is more a light, heart-warming, kind of book. One that makes you pass a few happy hours with a smile on your face (and probably makes you laugh a couple of times too :) ).

As always with a Nalini Singh book, regardless of genre, this is a romance that is packed with character – and characters. One of the things I love best about this author is her ability to build communities and families that you would love to know and be a part of. The Bishops are no exception. Readers of the Rock Kiss series will have already had a glimpse of them in Rock Hard, which this actually precedes (leaving me momentarily confused because Gabriel is still playing professionally), but this book shows us more of the rugby loving Kiwis and the bonds that unite them so strongly.

Ísa’s own family situation is a lot more complicated, but there’s also a lot of love there too. Especially between her and her siblings, of whom she is ferociously protective. I liked that about Ísa, even though her own need to protect herself grew a tad frustrating at times.

Without the wider world-threatening drama that fills Singh’s other series, and without any kind of press trouble, outward pressure or emotional trauma as seen in many of the Rock Kiss books, the focus here is firmly on the romance, which is a little slow to both get going and to grow. Mostly because Ísa keeps running away. We do have plenty of time to get to know everyone involved, which was lovely, but Ísa’s objections became rather repetitive and Sailor’s own business worries were a little weak as a conflict. Their ability to actually communicate when they’re finally together, though, was a wonderful thing.

As much as I liked these two together, and loved how sweet Sailor was in wanting to catch his spitfire, I almost enjoyed the story more when they were with other characters. I particularly liked Ísa’s sister, Caity, and her best friend, Nayna, and really hope we’ll get to see more of both sometime. Especially Nayna. I need to know what happened on her trip away! I would also have liked to see more of Sailor’s brothers, though the scene with the whole family camping was great.

In all, this was a fun, romantic, rather lighter-hearted in tone than the last contemporary series, and a thoroughly enjoyable escapist read. I can’t wait to read more about all of them – and in the meantime I think I’ll have to catch up with Gabriel and Charlotte in Rock Hard again.

(ARC provided via NetGalley.)

This was such a sweet and adorable romance! I had been eagerly waiting for the next Esera/Bishop book ever since reading Rock Hard which is one of favourite contemporaries, it's just so beautifully written and the couple is amazing so when I heard that Sailor would be getting his book next my excitement couldn't be contained.

Sailor Bishop, brother to Gabriel Bishop (Rock Hard) is a Gardner and like his brother, his childhood has made him the man he is. His biological fathers' behaviour had left a mark on him and made him determined to be the opposite to the man he was. Sailor at 23 years of age has big plans for his future, is constantly working with the goal of achieving his dreams and doesn't really have time for a relationship.

Ísalind 'Ísa' Rain is an english teacher, an heiress with a shark of a mother. Ísa wants nothing to do with her mothers business and she wouldn't have to if not for her siblings who desperately need her since her mother doesn't seem to care. Ísa at 28 years, really wants love, a family and is ready to settle down.

I really enjoyed the light, low on angst vibe this book had. I mean there is angst but it's not like full on, it's mixed with romance and sweet moments that make you really root for the couple. I loved the tender moments we got between Ísa and Sailor.

Sailor and Ísa had a playful relationship, despite their age difference they understood each other and wanted to be there for each other. I liked how the hurdles between them and their happy ending got resolved because it showed their willingness to be there for each other and making it work while not giving up on the person they want to be. I also loved that they didn't have to compromise themselves and their dreams. They were adorable together, Nalini Singh writes such beautiful romance which very easy to get lost into.

I really liked that we get to actually know the characters, there moments separate from the romance, with their friends and family. It makes it easier to understand their motives and makes them feel more real in a sense.

We also had a bit of second romance going on between Ísa and Sailor's friends, they were also cute! Overall, a lovely and sweet romance with strong individuals who fall very hard for each other.

I'm pretty excited for next book in the series!! Happy Reading!!

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

I'm so happy with Nalini Singh's choice to go back and continue writing contemporary romances, after the release of her amazing Rock Kiss series.
"Cherish Hard" can actually be considered a spin off of those novels, as we had already met Gabriel Bishop, best known to those who follow this author with his nickname T-Rex, and there's a whole story about how he
earned that name ...
The male protagonist of this story, Sailor, is one of Gabriel's youngest brothers.
I loved Sailor, he is so proud and stubborn, but he's dreamer, but he knows where his vision of things could lead, with his plans abd intelligence ne started to building his future from nothing. Gabriel and Sailor's childhood wasn't easy after being abandoned by their father. But they
received so much love from their mother, despite the difficulties and she grew her children wonderfully, transmitting them important principles and, above all, awareness of how important the family is.
Sailor fell in love at first sight with Isa, the female protagonist, during a college party, and she is older than him.
She comes from a wealthy family, but a cold one, she suffered a lot because of the the inability of her parents to love their children.
So she became the point of reference for her younger siblings, the person who tries to be always present and to convey them all the love they need.
Although coming from two different worlds, Sailor and Isa are looking for the same thing: the Love with The capitol L.
Isa, however, doesn't trust her feelings for Sailor, she's afraid he couldn't be the right person.
Sailor doesn't budge, he fights to convince her of the opposite and he's so good for that. He has the
ability to make her feel special, loved, cherished as he puts her in the center of his world, introducing Isa into his family so full of warmth.
It's a sweet, sexy, light hearted story, where important and serious topics are touched delicately.
One can only fall in love with the Bishop family.
The novel is set in a reality so close to its author: her native country, the importance of rugby and a life that is lived in a place that has different rhythms.
I love how she writes and tells her stories Nalini Singh and I can't wait to read the next book of the series.
One last thing, I loved Sailor's mother, she's a secondary character but she's an extraordinary woman and I would really like to read her story with Sailor's stepfather.

I love when authors are able to give me the best of different genre in their book lists. While many readers may know of Nalini Singh from her Paranormal Romance series, I’ve also known her work on the Contemporary Romance side as well. So for me, the best of two worlds that I absolutely love. If you’ve read Ms Singh’s Rock Kiss series then you already are aware of the Bishop brothers. Although Cherish Hard takes place a few years before Rock Hard and begins a brand new series, there is a connection between the two.

Sailor is a man who knows what he wants and isn’t afraid of the hard work needed to reach a goal whether it’s business or personal. Right now he’s determined to get his landscaping business off the ground and successful. What he didn’t count on was running into the elusive woman who captured his attention some time ago and then disappeared. Isa is a woman who knows the ups and downs of being able to do or have anything she desires. She believes in hard work, and not getting anything for nothing. What she’s looking for now is family not business. She’s seen how business can consume a person, and what she wants most is a man to love her for herself and a family of her own. When these two meet again the sparks fly enough to ignite a passion that could make or break either of them… but together they could be magic.

While there is an age difference between Sailor and Isa that’s not what drives the story, it’s more of an indication of them being in different places in life and whether they can find a mutual ground to build on. I really liked this couple. Isa is smart, sassy, knows her own worth and isn’t afraid of the hard choices even though she’d much rather not have to make them, like most of us. Sailor is charming, a bit possessive and certain that he and Isa have a future, but getting to agree on that future is at times an issue. Their romance will be a bumpy road at times. Yet these two people have the common sense to talk to each other, to be adults and work on the things that need working on instead of ignoring them as if they’ll disappear overnight. I liked them individually and they were simply amazing together. I’m hoping that we get glimpses of their future together in the later books in this series. I happen to be a reader who loves to run into couples and get a look at how they’re dong – much like keeping in touch with old friends.

So, now I have an uncontrollable desire to dig out my Rock Kiss books and do a re-read… yeah that’s probably in my near future. I absolutely loved Cherish Hard and I will be keeping an eye out for the rest of this series. I’d recommend this story to any Romance reader who enjoys a well told story, likable characters, realistic situations and some pretty amazing secondary characters as well. Indulge yourself and enjoy.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

CHERISH HARD is the first instalment in Nalini Singh’s contemporary, adult HARD PLAY erotic, romance series-a spin off from the author’s ROCK KISS series. This is twenty three year old landscaper Sailor Bishop, and thirty year old teacher/businesswoman Isalind ‘Isa’ Rain’s story line. CHERISH HARD can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty-you do not have to have read the Rock Kiss series to understand or follow the premise. The timeline of CHERISH HARD takes place several months ( or years) prior to the events of Rock Hard (Rock Kiss #2) where in we were first introduced to Sailor’s older brother Gabriel Bishop.

Told from dual third person point of view (Isa and Sailor) CHERISH HARD follows the building romance between teacher and businesswoman Isa Rain, and professional landscaper Sailor Bishop. Seven years earlier Sailor and Isa’s paths would cross when Isa’s boyfriend publicly humiliated our story line heroine in front of a group of high school and college aged friends. In the ensuing years Sailor has never forgotten the beautiful and heartbroken redheaded young woman that called to his heart-a woman who barely acknowledged his existence or presence. Fast forward to present day wherein Sailor will be hired by the burgeoning and billion dollar ‘Crafty Corners ‘ to redesign and update several properties. Enter Isa Rain, Crafty Corners new VP, shareholder and owner’s daughter, and the woman with whom Sailor will fall in love. What ensues in the building relationship and growing love between Sailor and Isa, and the potential fall-out as Sailor’s plans for the future never took into consideration the desire for family and love.

CHERISH HARD is a story of family and friendship. Isa’s mother and father have been married and divorced so many times she is unable to keep track of the growing numbers but our heroine’s lack of success in the love department is predicated on one man’s tirade that left Isa a shell of her former self. Sailor Bishop has known struggle from an early age including the abandonment by his father, and the battle his mother endured to keep the family fed, and off of the streets. Meeting Isa Rain finds our hero thinking about a future-a future that is in direct conflict with his business outline and plans to expand, but plans that are meant to be redirected when he falls for the woman he met years before. Growing up the privileged daughter of a wealthy businesswoman whose less than stellar track record of unsuccessful marriages meant Isa martyred herself to care for her younger siblings, and a step brother that has all but been ignored by both sides of the family.

The relationship between Isa and Sailor begins when they reconnect with one another in the school parking lot where Isa currently works. Barely recognizing once another their paths will cross several times before either one realizes the who and what of their previous encounter. The $ex scenes are intimate and intense.

We are reintroduced to Sailor’s brother Gabriel (Rock Hard), a professional rugby player; their younger half-brothers Jake and Danny, and parents Alison and Joseph Esera; Isa’s domineering mother and billionaire businesswoman Jacqueline Rain; her half-sister Catie, and step brothers Trevor and Harlow, as well as Isa’s best friend Nayna- a woman who is battling her parents in regards to her future.

CHERISH HARD is a sweet story of romance where the conflict level is low; the angst is limited to dysfunctional fallout; and memories of the past that remained burned in the mind but never to be forgotten. The premise is engaging and inspiring; the characters are dynamic and intelligent; the romance is provocative and impassioned. CHERISH HARD is a charming and wonderful start to a new series by an amazing author.

Cherish Hard is the first book in a new series by Nalini Singh. However, if you are fan of her contemporary books, you'll soon figure out that this series is a spin off of her Rock Kiss series where you'll see some returning characters such as Gabriel Bishop from Rock Hard (Yay!).

Nalini Singh nailed it again with her characters. Sailor is that perfect combination of alpha, sweet, romantic, determined hero who knows what he wants and is willing to beguile Isa with kisses and loving to get her on his side. I never thought I could love one of Nalini's characters more than Gabriel, but Sailor has learned from the best and has his own moves. Oh my, I simply adored him. Isa is a strong heroine who looks out for her siblings, who tries to make up for the fact that their parents didn't really have a clue on how to raise kids or how to love them. This makes Isa wary when it comes to following her heart. She wants someone who will love her and not be a workaholic like her parents were. And while these two characters have different goals in life, they are drawn to one another and unable to fight their attraction.

"Sailor wanted Ísa to be his, the need a bone-deep one. Some things a man knew. And Sailor knew Ísa was meant to be his."

I loved the many aspects of this book! Sailor is younger than Isa by a few years and I loved that fact. I think it's still a rare aspect in romance novels for some reason so I liked that inclusion. I wanted to know more about Isa's and Sailor's friends and their own behind the scenes romance that was going on. Isa is essentially mother, father, and sister to her siblings. Sailor has this strong admiration of his step-father and wants his family to be proud of him while trying to succeed on his own. I loved that a lot of cliches that usually bog down so many books with miscommunication between the two main characters doesn't happen here and that alone would have this made a five star book but the characters themselves do that. These characters actually talk! Thank you! The author gave me two relatable, likable characters that I was delighted to read about and I am hoping for more from this series soon.

This book was SO SWEET! It was fun, and funny, and sexy too, but SO SWEET. I loved it. 4.5 Stars. It's a spin-off from book 2 in the Rock Kiss series, Rock Hard. This series will star Gabriel Bishop's 3 younger brothers. Though this book is a prequel to Rock Hard, as the events take place several years beforehand.

Sailor Bishop is a landscape gardener, and he works hard for a living. He has a big business plan for the next few years, and he will be working his tail off to make it happen. He plays rugby recreationally, unlike his brothers who are all obsessed. His older brother, Gabriel, plays for the national team, and both his teenage brothers dream of the same. You could say he's the nerd of the family, according to him. He has a very close family, and he knows he's luckier than most when it comes to that. Especially with his troubled young childhood, after his biological father left him, Gabriel, and their mother, alone and destitute. He has no real room in his life for romance, until his business plan is realized. Of course, that's when he meets her.

Isa Rain has always wished for a man she could love, and marry, and start a family with. Someone who would finally put her first. Both her parents are captains of industry, and never had any time for her. She has assumed the parental role for her much younger brother and sister, but she never really had anyone who was there for her in that way. She loves poetry, and she teaches it to reluctant high schoolers, though her mother wants her to take the VP position with her company. She's never really had a successful relationship, and she can be quite a shy homebody. She's been content to be old before her time, but when she meets Sailor, who is 5 years her junior, she realizes maybe she's been doing it all wrong. But, with his big plans, will she ever come first with him? And if not, can she live with that?

I loved the glimpses of Sailor and Isa we got way back in Rock Hard, and I'm so glad to see their origin story here. They had such a connection, and big chemistry from the start of their story, and watching them come together was so much fun. Their banter was funny, and adorable. Sailor was an amazingly sweet, and sensitive hero, while still exhibiting the best of those alpha tendencies I love. Isa was a sweet, but strong heroine, who wasn't willing to compromise herself, even to her demanding mother's whims. They really worked hard to be together, and Sailor's courting of her was adorable.

I loved how well Sailor and Isa communicated, and how they discussed things like adults. There was no big drama, no real cause for jealousy, and no crazy external circumstances. They were just both realistically human characters, with their own pasts and issues, learning how to navigate a relationship successfully together. It was a refreshing change of pace from many of the current stories out there, and I enjoyed it so much. I always love Nalini Singh's voice, and I've enjoyed all her stories I've read, both contemporary and paranormal. I highly recommend this one, and I can't wait to see what the 2 youngest brothers in the Bishop-Esera clan have to show us!

I have a confession to make, I tried reading a book a couple of years back by Nalini Singh because so many of my friends loved her work, but the book had way too much angst for me and so I never picked up another book by her. When I read the synopsis for Cherish Hard, I decided it was time to give this author so many hold in high esteem another chance and I’m glad I did. Cherish Hard was a beautifully crafted love story and I loved that despite the contrast in the two main character’s lives they were perfect for one another, they encouraged one another, they listened to each other, and more than that they both valued love and family. I loved this book with all my heart.

Neglected by her parents most of her life Isalinda Rain is at a point in her life where she is ready to find a man she can spend her life with; one who understands her need to have room in her home for her seventeen year old step-brother and her thirteen year old half sister if need be, one that will commit to making her and their family a priority and not an afterthought. Excited that her first year of teaching is behind her and the adult classes she is teaching in the summer, Isa is mesmerized by the half dressed landscaper outside her classroom window and when she approaches him in the parking lot the intense chemistry between them is hard to ignore, but realizing his work is more important to him than anything Isa flees, only to run into him again.

Sailor Bishop can’t believe when he runs into the beautiful redhead that has haunted him for seven years in the parking lot of a job. When she flees from him twice, he is determined to get her attention, he just doesn’t expect to see her picture in the office of the CEO of a company he will be providing with his landscape services. Scars of being abandoned by his father at age 5, Sailor is determined to make his fledgling landscape business a success even if he has to work sun up to sun down seven days a week. Realizing Isa has issues stemming from her absentee parents during her childhood, Sailor worries that his determination to succeed might drive Isa away.

Isa was such a strong character and despite the way she was brought up, she had a heart of gold for her siblings and those she cared for. Her relationship with her mother was a bit unusual, but I appreciated that during this book, they both began to admire one another and gain better understanding between them. I understood her worries about Sailor and how much time he needed to devote to his business, but it was easy to see she also admired his work ethic and the way he made her feel. I do think seeing Sailor with his family helped her understand how important those relationships were to him.

For such a young man, Sailor was smart and determined and I loved that he was easily intimidated by strong women. I admired the fact that he was willing to work hard to get what he wanted out of life and didn’t want to depend on anyone else for help. I loved that he immediately realized that Isa was a natural born caregiver, but no one took care of her and he was willing to step up and do the job. The gratitude he had for his step-father who he considered is real father showed that he understood what a good man looked like and he strove to make both of his parents proud every day.

Their relationship wasn’t always easy, but their communication skills helped them work through the tough times without a lot of drama or angst. They complimented one another in every way and showed time and time again they weren’t going to let the tough times get to them. This was a busy book with a lot going on but not once did I feel the relationship between Sailor and Isa got lost; everything else in this book revolved around this couple.

From the minute I started Cherish Hard until I finished it, I was completely caught up in this story and I found it impossible to put down.

Review copy provided for a voluntary review.

*** This review is purely my thoughts and I did not gain any monetary insentive nor was I specifically requested to review this book, its just my thoughts and I hope you enjoy what I thought of the book***

OK I have read most of Nalini's books, I am sure if I found some of her earlier published works I would read them also, I love her voice, whether its PNR or Contemporary, her words create a world I would love to visit (and I have lived in NZ so Its like a return holiday)

so I met the Bishop family in Nalinis other Contemporary series Rock Hard, and in this new book we meet Sailor Bishop who has goals in creating a successful landscaping business.
He is not wanting a relationship, nothing is to get in his way UNTIL one day while working on a job he gets pashed (kissed) by a red head that 'kissed and ran'.
The red head was Isa who after a lifetime of being put second needs a man who will cherish her.

She dreams of one day having a loving family of her own.

Shocked at her mad moment in the school parking lot one she works as a teacher is not how she envisioned meeting her match...

Thinking she will never have to face the gardener again, she is dragged into a summer job by her dragon mother, she goes from shy Poetry teacher to having to take on the role as corporate VP for her mothers business. Her main task? Yep you guessed it...Working closely with a certain hot gardener. "Swoon - Oh my Nalini does know how to write some hot yet funny scenarios.

Sailor feels a connection with that the Hot Curvy teacher he got hot and heavy with but he knows that he doesn't have time for a relationship if he wants to make a go of his business.
Both Isa and Sailor have issues of abandonment and the consequences of those feelings has them both being cautious - but at the same time, the spark they feel for each other is too strong to ignore.
As Ísa's feelings have her wanting to throttle Sailor one moment then pounce on him the next.

Will either of them open their hearts to the possibility that they have a future together or will the past get in the way.

Nalini has written a charming love story that I couldn't put down, with both the characters family situations gives an insight into how our upbringing affects us. The story is a journey of how we must risk our hearts if we want to grasp for happiness. Isa was a very complex character, she was on the one hand very naive, conscious of her looks and wary of letting people in, and Sailor who on the face of things seemed to have his life in order had deep issues that clouded his judgment.
With the supporting characters Nalini has introduced I know that this companion series to the Rock Hard books will be a favourite for years to come. I can't wait for the next book to be released!

I love everything written by Nalini Singh. Her stories are captivating and you just can’t help but fall in love with her characters.

Building his landscaping business is all Sailor Bishop has focused on for the last few years. He has plans and a goal which requires a lot of hard work in a short amount of time. Sailor also needs to succeed all on his own. His father was a taker. Abandoning him, his brother and his mother when he was just a little boy, and leaving them with absolutely nothing and unable to fend for themselves. Sailor refuses to ever be a taker.

So now is not the perfect time to meet the perfect woman. Especially an exquisite, curvy redhead whose parents had no time for her growing up. The first thing Sailor realized about Ísa is…okay to be honest, the first thing he noticed is her knockout curves, and then that gorgeous red hair that he wants to digs his hands into…so the third, yes, third thing that Sailor noticed was that Ísa takes care of everyone. Her younger siblings turn to her, not their parents when something goes wrong. Even Ísa’s mother turns to Ísa when she needs help with her business.

Ísa is always caring for someone, but who is caring for Ísa? Sailor wants to be the one to take care of Ísa. He would give anything to hold onto his spitfire, but in order to have her, he might just have to give up everything.

His business plan will require him to work from dawn to dusk, 7 days a week for the next year in order to have the money to expand. If he doesn’t, he could lose the opportunity of a lifetime. The problem is succeeding in his plans would leave Ísa feeling second best to Sailor’s business success, just like her parents always treated her.

As a gardener, Sailor know how important it is to care for delicate new growth and how easily it can die without constant nourishment. Asking Ísa to sit back and wait for him would kill the new and fragile feelings growing between them before they could truly take root.

To succeed with an opportunity of a lifetime, Sailor might have to give up a love of a lifetime. Which will he walk away from?

I love Nalini Singh’s characters and this story is no exception. The romance is sweet, and the story balances nicely between fun and touching.

Cherish Hard by Nalini Singh is the first book in her new contemporary romance Hard Play series. Cherish Hard was a sweet fun and sexy romance that is not my normal Nalini Singh read. I really did enjoy this romance, mainly because the couple and all the supporting characters in the story were simply great. Sailor Bishop is our hero, and from the start you fall in love with him. He is hot, sexy, swoon worthy, and the perfect man for any woman to want.

Isa Rain was also a great heroine, though it will take awhile before she allows herself to fully fall in love with the wonderful sweet Sailor. Isa remembers Sailor from her teenage days, when one of his friends embarrassed her in public, and she has never forgotten. When she realizes he had nothing to do with that awful memory, she allows herself to befriend and slowly open her heart to Sailor.

Isa, who would prefer to teach and write poetry, is forced to work during the summer for her mom, who is determined to bring Isa fully into the business. She must take over a new project for the company, which will turn out to be working with Sailor, and his landscaping business. Isa is also the one who keeps her family together, as she is the glue who keeps the peace, both in happiness and financially.

What follows is a fun, lighthearted romance, with the background of two wonderful families, and a couple that was simply great together. Sailor is determined to make his business grow, but has financial issues. Isa just wants to do what she likes, which isn’t working for her mom. It is Sailor’s hard work and determination that keeps Isa fighting her feelings for him, since she wants a life of children and a husband to love, who will always be there for her. Sailor knows that Isa is the woman for him, and he has to find a way to convince her that he is the man for her.

Again, all the characters created by Singh made this a wonderful story. I loved Sailor’s family, and Isa’s sister and brother. It was so much fun to see both families together. Eventually even Isa’s mother gets better, and Isa’s best friend was fun. Cherish Hard was a fun, cute story that was such a pleasure to read; not to mention a couple that had so much chemistry together, it burned the pages. If you want a pure romance, with a sexy couple, family, and a fun read look no further then Cherish Hard. It goes without saying, anything written by the wonderful Nalini Singh is not to be missed.

If you're a long-time reader / fan of Nalini Singh's you'll recognize Cherish Hard's hero Sailor as the brother of Gabriel Bishop from Rock Hard. Although I think it's good to note that events in Cherish Hard take place before Gabriel's book, if you're putting it into perspective.

Cherish Hard begins with a young sixteen year old Sailor at a college party. He's almost immediately taken by a beautiful redhead, but before he can get up the courage to talk to her, she's cruelly broken up with by her boyfriend in front of the entire party. She, of course, runs out and Sailor is left wondering who she was.

Fast-forward seven years later and Isa Rain is happy teaching poetry / literature to high school kids despite her mother's wishful thinking that Isa would take over the extremely successful family business. Unfortunately, Isa's mother is quite stubborn, and ends up blackmailing Isa into being a fill-in VP for the summer (longer if her mother has her way). One of Isa's jobs will put her in direct contact with a certain gardener. Suddenly the past is catching up with them.

Sailor has worked long and hard to make his landscaping business a success and with the collaboration with Isa's mother, he'll skyrocket to the top of the business. When he meets Isa and remembers her from so long ago, he begins to wonder if he can, indeed, have it all: the woman he loves, a family, and a successful business.

I really liked that Nalini Singh decided to establish a past connection between Isa and Sailor even though it kind of ended up playing such a minor aspect to their relationship. The focus on things between Isa and Sailor is the fact that Isa has been through a childhood where she was put second (or sometimes even third) to her parent's drive for success in the business world. She sees that same drive in Sailor and doesn't know if she wants her adult life to also be filled with coming in second. To be fair, Sailor works really hard and his ambition is admirable in someone who is relatively young (23). He understands the commitment building his business will require, but he IS also adamant about his feelings for Isa. Really their love story is about the length one with go in order to love, in order to be in a relationship. The work it takes for any relationship to be successful, and it does take work. I liked the honesty in which Nalini Singh presents Isa and Sailor's relationship. Sometimes in romance stories I've read the "real world" is glossed over in favor of a more fantastical romantic story. I think the trend of incorporating these considerations into a love story makes it more relatable for readers and, in my opinion, it makes the story that much sweeter when the couple, like Isa and Sailor, have to really work for their relationship.

Nalini Singh is also the master of the secondary couples, and here it's in Isa's best friend Nayna who has agreed, per her Indian culture, to an arranged marriage. Nayna meets Sailor's friend Raj at a party and things heat up for them in the background from there. This is a case where I really wanted to see Nayna and Raj's story play out front and center. But with how things unfold between them amongst Isa and Sailor's story, there would almost be no point unless Nalini Singh can spin some new conflicts into their story. The bits and pieces we get, mainly through Nayna and Isa's interactions, pretty much sum everything up nicely. Although maybe we can hope for a novella to fill in a couple of missing pieces?

As with every other book written by Nalini Singh, Hard Play doesn't disappoint. I love the Bishop-Esera family unit and I look forward to seeing more of them in the next two books (there are two more brothers who each get a story), and since Jake and Danny are both younger, I'm assuming the next book will fast forward a few years to get them into prime romantic lead age, unless of course Ms. Singh decides to do a YA? Hey, I suppose anything is possible and I would definitely read anything Nalini Singh writes but I'll bet on the former in this instance.

There is something just so wonderful about Nalini Singh’s contemporaries. I love that they’re usually set in New Zealand, that rugby usually plays a part, and that both the hero and heroine will be strong and smart. They also have a certain delightful quirky humor that I think of as distinctly Kiwi – think of much of the humor in the latest Thor movie, if you’re not sure what I mean. This book has all of this in spades!

Ísa is wonderful, realistic and just so sweet. I loved “devil Ísa” – especially how much she reminded me of Ísa’s mother, who frequently had me in stitches. I loved how both Sailor and Ísa were career-focused, but they also realized the importance of family. Though they are driven by different things, both see their careers as an opportunity to protect or preserve their families. Both are shaped by childhood hurts, and part of the joy of this book is watching them process and, to some extent, overcome that. Though there is an age difference – Ísa is five years older – it’s not overdone. The main result is reinforcing that they are in different stages of their lives – Ísa is ready to settle down and concentrate on family, while Sailor is concentrating on growing his business.

Another wonderful characteristic of Ms. Singh’s books is the friendships. Some of my favorite parts of the book are Ísa and Neyna’s interactions. The secondary characters aren’t just there to act as a foil for the main characters, but have their own lives and journeys that they’re going on.

“Take a chance. Make that mistake. Even if it hurts… At least you’ll have lived instead of being driven by fear.”

I was torn by how Ísa chose to handle the resolution of the final conflict. Without going into spoilers, while her actions were understandable, it was very frustrating as it felt like she was shortchanging herself and her personal growth. It all resolves satisfactorily though, so I’ll categorize that as a minor quibble in the scheme of things. If the end had resulted in a typical romance novel misunderstanding and giant blow-out, I think I wouldn’t have been as willing to overlook it.

My one WTF moment – what are “soda-commercial-worthy abs”? I did some googling and watched a few Kiwi soda commercials, but didn’t see any swoon-worthy abs. Guess it’s just something that got lost crossing the ocean!

Oh, and if you’ve read the Rock Kiss series, you’ll be happy to know that the T-Rex (Gabe Bishop) makes some pre-rugby-injury appearances here.

Overall, sweet and happy! Of course, I’m hoping for many more books in the series, especially Neyna and Raj’s story. Highly recommended!

***5 ‘Spitfire and Demon’ Stars***

Ever since meeting the Bishop/Esera clan in Rock Hard (Rock Kiss #2 ~ which is my absolute fav of the series) I adored them and wanted to spend more time with them. I didn’t care if it was through the shorts that Ms. Singh generously sends out in her newsletters or a novella, I just wanted MORE. So when she announced that they would get their own series I squeed (in my head), did a happy dance (also in my head), and waited patiently (well...impatiently but patiently all the same) for the announcement as to when the first book would be in my greedy little hands and the wait and anxious anticipation were sooo worth it! I swooned, my heart got all kinds of twitterpated, my cheeks hurt from smiling so much and I melted in every delicious way possible as I savored every word of Sailor and Ísa’s journey towards their HEA.

I adored Sailor and Ísa, not that I expected to feel any different about them, but it still needs to be stated. Sailor is all kinds of charming alpha male who isn’t afraid to play dirty to get what he wants. He is still haunted by the darkest moments of his childhood and is determined to ensure that he doesn’t repeat those moments in his adult life. Sailor’s love of his family and innate sense of honor were a huge draw, but his honesty, golden heart and even his sneaky side were what I loved the most.

Although Ísa has grown up in a world where she could have anything and everything she could possibly want, it was a lonely existence and on she refuses to repeat in any measure. I adored the way Ísa’s mind worked. She’s that lucky individual who has complete access to both the left and right sides of her brain and used them both to her advantage. She’s sassy and, when the circumstances are right, a bit impetuous, but she has a compassionate and genuine heart that shines through in everything she does.

Ísa and Sailor’s journey was definitely a fun one and proved that the little thing called fate does exist and that sometimes following your gut, and heart, will make all your dreams come true. While there were a few bumps in the road, and some chasing, there was no OTT angsty-ness in the drama that did touch their journey. It was simply a matter of two people working through their own issues and deciding how much they would allow them to influence their hearts. The chemistry between them was smokin’ hot and there was no doubt that they were perfectly matched in every way that mattered and more.

This really was a fun read and was everything I’ve come to love when it comes to a Nalini Singh story. Wonderful prose, well written characters, a world I never want to leave and fun chapter titles. I loved getting to spend time with the Esera/Bishop clan and am totally looking forward to Jake and Danny’s books. Getting a glimpse of their teenage selves was so much fun and I cannot wait to get to know the men they’ll become. The Dragon definitely added some great moments and I hope that we’ll get to see more of Harlow and Catie as well as Nanya and Raj (even if it’s in short story or novella form).

Note: If you haven’t read Rock Hard, or the Rock Kiss series in general, and want to dive into Cherish Hard, go for it! You won’t be lost at all since Cherish Hard takes place long before The Bishop (Gabriel, Sailor’s older brother) meets his Miss Baird. But, I have no doubt that once you finish Cherish Hard you’ll be more than happy to dive into those books!

~ Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley & voluntarily reviewed ~

4.5 Stars

Cherish Hard is the first title in the Hard Play series, and features Sailor Bishop and Isa Rain. It's a sweet, lighthearted, heartwarming contemporary romance with a slightly older heroine, and younger hero. This was my first time reading Nalini Singh's work, and I've got to say I wasn't disappointed.

Ms Singh has crafted characters that are genuine, endearing, yet flawed and are both haunted by their difficult childhoods. Cherish Hard is incredibly well written, with great character and plot development and will leave you with a belief in fate.

Sailor is epitomizes a great book boyfriend. He's sweet, loving, charming, honorable and family orientated, and has just the right amount of alpha flowing through his veins to make him slightly possessive and determined to go after what he wants. Sailor is quite determined in both his professional and personal life.

I enjoyed Isa's character but found her a little more difficult to connect with. She's a sweet, kind, caring and compassionate character, who puts everyone else's needs before her own. She's the glue that holds the frayed parts of her family together. Having been raised as more of an afterthought, her childhood was rather lonely and lacked stability and love. Despite her upbringing she's warm, loving and affectionate. She's desperate to find her place in the world where she can be herself and have a sense of belonging.

The chemistry between this pair is undeniable and the love scenes are passionate and full of heat and heart.

I would recommend Cherish Hard to anyone who enjoys a contemporary romance low on drama, and angst. I loved the strong ties of family that flow throughout this title and will be eagerly anticipating seeing more of the other Bishop Boys in future titles.

Cherish Hard is the perfect title for Ísa and Sailor’s story because they both deserve to be valued and seen as the absolute gifts that they are. They’re hard workers and they have clear objectives for their lives and are willing to put in the time to achieve their goals, both professionally and personally, especially after they realize that the chemistry and attraction between them is not something they can deny.

I love how Nalini Singh develops Sailor’s character, illustrating the good and honest man that he is as well as developing the alpha male he seems to be when it comes to claiming Ísa, even when she misjudges him and tries to run. He’s tenacious in his pursuit of Ísa because he sees the woman she is and he wants to have her light, her smile, her everything in his life forever. Sailor’s a phenomenal book boyfriend because there’s nothing fake about his actions or his words…and let me tell you, Sailor’s sweet and dirty talk would melt any woman’s panties! He’s a genuinely nice guy whose family and friends mean the world to him, and even though Sailor is an imperfect man, he does his best to lead a life that represents the type of man he wants people to view him as and, for the most part, he is successful.

Ísa is an intriguing heroine because she seems to represent the everyday woman – the one who all readers can relate to, at least in some way, because the things that she goes through and her feelings of insecurity are all identifiable situations/feelings of a modern woman. Her family is a bit of a hot mess, partly because both of her parents are self-serving and partly because the whole dynamics with her step parents and siblings always seems to be points of contention as well as the fact that Ísa’s mother has much different aspirations for her daughter than what Ísa wants for herself, and their issues aren’t easily solvable.  

Cherish Hard is a low angst, feel good story that proves just how easy it is for the right person to ‘imprint’ or make an impression on someone else’s life, even if there were no words exchanged during their initial sightings. Sailor is the perfect guy for Ísa because his persistence and care are exactly what she needs to open herself up to the possibility of being an ‘us’ when everything she’s wanted in a man is standing right in front of her.

4.5 Poison Apples  

My reading mind (The Book Zone) feels like a Rolodex sometimes. Every book I start, I’m looking through my catalogue for similarities, triggers and a comfy place for my romantic heart to bloom. As soon as I started reading Cherish Hard my Rolodex was activated. This is kind of how it played out…

Nalini Singh, OK, what’s she got for me this time…
I’m expecting a strong, determined and loving hero…check
The heroine will have faced heartache and devastation…check
Ooh, we have Rugby again…check
Strong family values…check
Doesn’t make decisions solely on where his junk is pointing…check
Hero and heroine have brains…check
Work is important, but family comes first…check

WAIT…WAIT…WAIT…this is really familiar. Haven’t we met before? Isn’t this the first book in the series? Why do I feel like I know you already?

Yep, Sassy went in blind. Sassy has a bad habit of being utterly oblivious to stuff. Sassy had a very *DOH!!* moment at the end of the book when it was confirmed by the author that it was connected (siblings) to Rock Hard. Guess what Sassy couldn’t help but re-read after finishing Cherish Hard? (You would think that Sassy would have got that HARD connection…bloody idiot)

Anyways, I loved Cherish Hard. The storyline captured my attention from the very start. The characters are lovable and perfect for each other. It’s one of those stories where certain things or parts would normally have me squinting or scowling, but in this case, it WORKED. I loved that it was set at my next door neighbours place (New Zealand) and I recognised places and names I’ve visited and heard of.

So, I really loved it but the shining light and biggest heart shiver moment happened at the end when our hero put his priorities right without having to be told to. Quite refreshing not to have to witness screaming matches between the hero and heroine when he “does her wrong” or neglects her. I loved that quite a few of the men in this story were manly men who could love and show devotion to the special women in their life. It wasn’t wussy or weak, it was an exhilarating delight from a muscly and gorgeous man with a big heart.

I’m a fan and I will definitely be back for more. Now, I’m going back to visit Gabe and Charlie as they Rock Hard.

Stacey is Sassy, received a complimentary copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.

“Are you making any new-year resolutions?” she whispered after the kiss while the fireworks still bloomed and her romantic heart dreamed of kisses into forever.
Expression solemn, Sailor cupped her cheek. “To kiss my Ísalind as much as possible.”

Cherish Hard is a book to be cherished. It’s everything I love, love, LOVE about Nalini Singh, and easily one of my favorite books of 2017.

I knew the moment I first met Gabriel Bishop’s family in Rock Hard that I wanted to more of his charming brothers. And to give readers Sailor and Ísa’s story first was inspired on the part of Ms. Singh. I absolutely loved going back to see how this couple met, courted, fell in love, fought the good fight. Certainly, it made it so new readers could jump right in without missing a beat, but it also made me want to go back and re-read the whole book the sections of Rock Hard with Gabe’s family.

More than that, it served to build a deeper connection between the reader and the entire Bishop-Esera family, meeting them as you do at a younger age. These are such warm characters—rambunctious at times, but loving always. They envelop you, draw you into their world—Sailor and Ísa’s world—effortlessly. It helps, of course, that each and every word, chosen with care and infused with meaning, flowed seamlessly into a sweet and sexy love story. Add to that Ms. Singh’s gift for world-building and this version of New Zealand becomes yet another character supporting the beautiful tale of Sailor and his redhead.

I’d be failing as a reviewer if I forgot to mention how incredibly sexy and charmingly possessive Sailor is. This man—there’s probably a good five swoons to be had per page, in everything from the way he sees his Ísa to the way he talks about his brothers to the way he cares for Ísa’s people. He’s all the things a book boyfriend needs to be and much of the reason I loved this book so much.

It all boils down to this: I simultaneously don’t have enough or any words to properly explain that which makes this book is one to add to your end of year Best Of list and one to simply be cherished—and cherished hard.

“I’m no poet, Ísa. I can’t give you fancy words. But I know what we have is special. It’s worth a fight.”

~ FIVE Spitfire STARS ~

This contemporary romance from well-known PNR/UF author Nalini Singh is the first book in the new Hard Play series which is related to another called Rock Kiss. It is a prequel in the sense that the story takes place when Gabriel Bishop from ROCK HARD is still playing rugby. His brother, Sailor, features as a main character in this charming story. Sailor’s love interest, Isalind, is one of those people with a big heart caring deeply for family and friends. In her stitched together clan from her parents’ proclivity for serial marriages, Isa is the heart. She grew up in a situation where wealth and success were all, which left her feeling second or even third best to her work-driven mother and narcissistic father. Jacqueline, referred to as “the dragon” by Isa and her younger half and step-siblings, demands Isa work for her and become another powerhouse businesswoman. Quite opposite to her mother with an artistic spirit, she writes poetry, loves teaching, and has a deep desire to find a man who will cherish her above all others. Some of the characters have physical challenges which is not often seen in romances; it adds another dimension of love and caring to the bonds of family and friends.

Sailor Bishop works exceptionally hard as a landscaper having dreams of becoming very successful, driven in part by his own early abandonment issues. While on a job, he encounters Isa in a very unusual way. Sailor saw her years before in a difficult circumstance and was captivated by Isa even then. After a couple very explosive initial encounters, Sailor decides Isa is the woman for him, but he meets quite a bit of resistance from this woman with “flaming red hair and moonlight skin” who keeps running away from him.

Sailor comes across as a very likeable hero who loves his family, is an honorable man, and who really sees Isa in the way she has always dreamed. Isa shows women can be dragons in a good way when they love with a ferocity and deep commitment that drives them to protect and treasure the people they call their own. Sailor’s determination and stubbornness prove necessary to win Isa’s big, yet fragile heart. This is a passionate romance told in characteristic Nalini Singh fashion of a good story with humor, feeling, and poignant emotions. (less)

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book
Sailor Bishop is a 23-year-old man who is much more mature, confident and focused than one would normally expect at this age. His childhood pushed him to be laser focused on his goals. Their biological father abandoned him, his brother Gabe and their mom when the boys were very young. The man they now call dad is actually their step-dad, and there is a tight bond there. Add in their half brothers, and they are a very tight knit family.
Isa Rain is a disappointment to her parents. Rather than follow in their corporate footsteps, she is a teacher and secret author of poetry. Her parents are divorced, and both have had an excessive number of marriages. Because her parents are so focused on their careers, Isa has become a mother figure to her two siblings. She has vowed to make sure they feel loved, protected and cherished, as she never did.
Isa was blindsided and completely humiliated in college by a public break up initiated by her boyfriend. It has shaped all future relationships. Now 28, she is looking to settle down, start a family and create the stability she never had.
Sailor witnessed Isa’s break up in college. He was fascinated by her beauty back then and has thought of her over the years. When he unexpectedly finds himself being kissed by Isa 7 years later, he vows to not let her slip away again. I loved his persistence throughout the book.
These two had obstacles to overcome but did so without the normal hysteria. Gasp! They actually talked things out without unnecessary drama. I enjoyed this author’s writing style and found myself rooting for these two and not wanting to put the book down. However, I did feel the ending was a bit rushed. I wanted more detail on how they got to where they were and what it took to get there.

CHERISH HARD was a wonderfully heartwarming and engaging read. I loved the characters, even the “Dragon”, and most definitely Catie! Ísa and Sailor are perfect for each other. Ísa is very sweet and has a hard time dealing with cunning and sharp side that she gets from her mother and father. But she hopes that is all that she gets from them. They both suck at relationships with multiple marriages in their wake, and didn’t do too good a job as parents. Which is why Ísa stepped up to the plate for her step siblings and will do whatever she can to make sure that they have the sense of family that she didn’t.

Sailor is an old soul trapped in a young body. The beginnings of his life were not good with a deadbeat father that abandoned them at the same time wiping out their money and then watching his mother do everything she could to get them a better life. But the hard times ended when Joseph Esera entered their lives and showed Sailor what a true man and father really is. And this is the part that shows how strong Sailor is because at his age he is already building a business and moving to expand more, all on his own merits. He refuses to be like his sperm donor and instead like the man that he considers to be his father in every way that counts.

Both Sailor and Ísa have broken parts that only appear to turn whole with each other. They have a past connection and know what is means to be treated poorly by others. Ísa herself must constantly struggle with her own self-worth and doubts due to her upbringing, but she handles herself and the situations thrown at her with resilience and determination. And Sailor must learn how to reconcile with his past to make sure that he and Isa have a future that they both win at. All in all, I fell in love with these two characters and their story. At times it is heartbreaking and sad, and then loving and playful. I laughed, teared up, and cheered for them. I was pulled into their story and devoured each page until the end. Wonderful read and I would highly recommend it!

eARC through TRSOR Promotions

I am back with another guest review for Saucy Reviews on Kinky Korner from PNR Book Lover Reviews

I’ve got nothing but love to express from here on…

Hello Bookish Friends, I was blessed to have been given an e-arc of this story. Honestly, I was a little hesitant going into this one, not because of the author, because you all know I love Nalini (my fav author) I was hesitant because I haven’t tried any of her contemporary romance before, I have brought it all, but I just haven’t tried.

She is my one-click PNR author
I always thought I would be waiting for a character to shift or grow wings…
Nervous I wouldn’t like it.
So anyways I LOVED Cherish Hard, the writing (as always) is flawless and the characters are so loveable, I LOVED Sailor Bishop.

These two characters are perfect for each other, I loved that there was no drama or unnecessary angst. Nalini introduced us to a whole new family and friends, I am so excited to read about them all in the future.

This is a spin-off from her Rock Kiss stories, and I haven’t read those ones and from this experience,  I feel that it is safe to say that you can read this without reading that series.

This is perfectly adorable, sweet and sexy. I found the humor is on point and I adored everything that this book is. I enjoyed the push and pull of their relationship…Even though Sailor was all in from the very moment he spotted her so many years ago, and now being in their twenties he has the opportunity at a second chance to get to know his girl. *swoon*

Seriously bookish friends, this was a true delight to read, I know I haven’t explained what it is about, but I feel if I get to involved in what Cherish Hard is about I will most likely give everything away. I found that this wasn’t too short and it wasn’t too long, its literally the most beautiful romance story.

Isa and Sailor from beginning to end had me captivated.

* ARC PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR FOR AN HONEST REVIEW *
Reviewed by Ang from PNR Book Lover Review

If like me you've already read Rock Hard then you will be well aware that the men of the Bishop clan are pretty awesome. If you haven't yet discovered just how yummy they are then allow me to introduce Sailor Bishop! He might not be the roughest guy in town but this quietly determined gardener knows exactly what he wants from life . So what will he do when he finally catches up with the girl of his dreams? A girl that seems to just want to keep running away !
Isa is the lynchpin that keeps her somewhat muddled family together. She knows all about careers and ambition sometimes getting put first and is absolutely convinced that she could only be happy with a guy who like her wants above all a family and that elusive white picket fence. So what on earth is she doing spending time with hunky Sailor who is obviously going places and about to leave Isa far behind? He's impossible to resist but Isa knows only too well that heartbreak isn't too far away.
I loved stepping back in time and catching up with the Bishop boys. Set before the glorious T-Rex was introduced to readers this story charts the romance of Sailor and Isa. This passionate couple both have abandonment issues which means they have a lot to work out before they can achieve their dreams. You will fall hard for Sailor with his sweet words and love of catching Isa unaware . You will also relish that Isa stands up for those she loves.
Yet you will want to bang certain characters over the head and that's were this story really comes to life. Yes it's a romance but the supporting characters enrich the journey so much. I adored seeing the family interact, applaud the author for giving us a character that isn't perhaps physically perfect ( but then who is ?) and most of all the emotion that brought home exactly what is important. Plus not only are there more brothers to entertain us in the future but a romance brewing in the wings that surely will come bursting into print soon !
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

4.5 Stars

I really enjoyed CHERISH HARD. Sailor Bishop is the brother of Gabriel Bishop from Nalini Singh’s Rock Kiss series. Sailor—and his brothers—are hardworking rugby players with tough exteriors and hearts of gold. I immediately fell in love with Sailor. He’s exactly what you want in a hero: strong, killer smile, tattoos, blue eyes, loves his family and has a plan for the future. Problem is, a prickly redhead with dangerous curves is not part of that future, but Sailor sure wants her to be!

ĺsa is a wonderful heroine. She’s funny and fun-loving, hard-working, loves poetry and is extremely loyal. She was easy to relate to. I experienced many of the same things ĺsa had and was quickly drawn into her story while I rooted for her along the way!

ĺsa and Sailor are magic together. They have great chemistry and their interactions always seemed natural. I wondered if they were ever going to let go of their insecurities and give their relationship a shot.

The secondary characters are also a big part of the story. Sailor has a loving family with three brothers and ĺsa has a very complex and complicated family with a cutthroat, overbearing steamroller of a mother and a brother and sister that are the whole of ĺsa’s heart. Ĺsa also has a wonderful friend Nayna, dealing with her own family issues but always has time for ĺsa and vice versa.

CHERISH HARD is a loving and heartfelt book that gives you all the right feels and may even make you shed a tear or two. I’d definitely recommend this and any book by Nalini Singh!

I voluntarily read a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All conclusions reached are my own.

Oh, how I Love Nalini Singh’s style, she always pulls me in, and CHERISH HARD was another fantastic read. I loved everything about it, from the fantastic, interesting characters and their interactions, that were full of light, fun, sweetness and a sizzling chemistry, that is so real it jumped off the page right at me. There were so many fantastic moments between them I couldn’t get enough and never wanted this story to end.
O.M.G. Absolutely fell in love with Sailor Bishop, his sexy sweetness and tenderness melted my heart. Loved, how from the very first scene of them connecting you could tell he was such a genuinely, great guy. So sweet, selfless and sexy. It was simply wonderful how he was there for Isa. The way that he takes care of her, understands her, and gives so much to Isa, he is Sooo! Swoon-Worthy!!
There is definitely more to Isa than meets the eye and I loved her story. She is such a survivor, so giving and caring to everyone around her. But strong, intelligent and independent with a fine business mind. But all she wants and needs, is to find a man, that will love and cherish her, putting her and their family first, always. Is that to much to ask for? Will she find it?
I totally enjoyed the build as everything played out. I adored the fact that it was written in dual POV and I really got to know both of them and feel what they were feeling. These main characters bring out all the feels and I fell in love alongside them. A passionate, lyrical romance that makes your heart soar and that takes your breath away. It really has it all. Grab your copy today and be prepared to fall in love!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a really enjoyable story but one which I felt was saved by Sailor. I’m not sure what it was but I just couldn’t connect with Ísa.

We first meet Ísa and Sailor at a college party when Ísa is cruelly spurned by her boyfriend. This rejection and the way it was handed down to her has affected Ísa ever since and has left her untrusting, especially of men.

With her life trying to be controlled by her mother, Ísa decides that she wants to teach rather than enter the family business but with a complicated family set-up, and various siblings to take care of, plus a dysfunctional step-father, Ísa’s life is far from straightforward and when she has to bend to her mother’s will to protect her brother, Ísa’s life is once again thrown into the path of Sailor.

Tasked to work together on a project for Ísa’s mother’s company, Ísa soon realises that Sailor may just be the man for her, even if he is younger than her. Sailor is funny, kind, protective, supportive and everything else Ísa needs in a man but fearful of their age difference, Ísa is convinced their relationship isn’t destined to be forever, but she hasn’t taken Sailor’s determination into account.

The story around Ísa’s sister, Catie is lovely and especially when she too is brought into the arms of Sailor’s family. I’d love to see where the friendship between Danny and Catie ends up, despite their initial bickering.

Overall, another good story in this extended series by Nalini Singh. Ísa’s family dynamics confused the life out of me though and seemed a little unnecessarily complicated. Thank goodness the Bishop’s are not quite as complicated!

Cherish Hard was the first book in the Hard Play series and was a wonderful, sweet, and enjoyable book with an amazing hero and a likable heroine.

I'll be honest, Sailor made this book for me. He was the perfect hero without being 100% perfect. He had his flaws but he the way he treated Isa was amazing! He is definitely going to be one of my favorite book boyfriends! I also liked Isa and how she stood up for herself, was their for her siblings but also was able to get past her fears and give Sailor not only a chance but the benefit of the doubt. Once they committed they believed in each other and the relationship. I'm actually not sure about the timeline and how long they knew each other but it didn't feel like instant love and I found them believable together. I also loved that the conflict was so real! I also admired the way it was handled and the resolution at the end.

I also adored both Sailor's family and Isa's siblings. They made wonderful secondary characters who added to the book. Of course Rock Hard about Sailor's older brother is one of my all time favorite contemporary romances so I loved seeing a bit of him before that book takes place.

This was a wonderfully sweet book that hit just the right spot. So if you're looking for a sweet, heart warming yet somewhat light hearted book with a fabulous hero and characters you are rooting for then give this one a chance you won't be disappointed!

A copy of this book was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and my comments here are my honest opinion.

If you're looking for something sweet and sexy with a ridiculously romantic gardener and a woman with plenty of familial issues, this book is for you. Sailor is seriously sweet and focused--a good thing when all that focus is directed at Ísa, but not so great when his focus gets in the way of living his life--and I LOOOOOVED seeing him find his HEA.

(For the record, if you haven't read Gabriel's book yet, I HIGHLY recommend it. Where Sailor's sweet, Gabe is crazy intense. It's GLORIOUS!)

As for Ísa, she has a lifetime of being ignored by the people who should have cared for her the most and she's determined to make sure her younger siblings (full and otherwise) never feel the emotional neglect she felt as a child. Her mother's underhanded way of getting her to work for her was rough to read. Ísa concerns for her family trump her concerns for herself any day of the week. She'll gladly give up a piece of herself if it means making sure they have a chance to shine.

I completely appreciate that, it was her mom's cutthroat use of business tactics when it came to getting what she wanted that gave me a sour lemon face. Good thing Ísa had Sailor to show her what it meant to be the center of someone's affection. With a mom like Jacqueline Rain, it's amazing Ísa grew up as well-adjusted as she did.

I love love love the Bishop-Esera clan and I have since we were first introduced to them in Gabe's book (seriously, read it. SO GOOD!). We have two more brothers to go and I'm ALL IN!

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal

Growing up as an afterthought to her wealthy parents, Isa is determined to find someone that will put her first. Sailor is driven to prove he's nothing like his deadbeat biological father, and he's willing to put in as much work as it takes to carry out his business plan. The first book in a new series, note that this story actually takes place before the Rock Kiss books (Gabe, from Rock Hard, is Sailor's older brother).

I've come to expect well-developed characters from this author and this book is no exception. Isa and Sailor are both intelligent, competent and caring people, and they're both more than a little stubborn as well. They also have both been hurt by people who were supposed to love them, which has formed them into the people they are today. I loved watching these characters try to work through their conflicting goals and overcome their pasts in order to be together. I especially loved how very human they were without doing dumb things just to drive the plot forward ?

There are plenty of great secondary characters as well; Isa's best friend Nayna is one. Besides being a hilarious and supportive friend, she's got a plot line of her own going on, which we only get intriguing glimpses of here. Hopefully she and Raj get a book of their own very soon!

With a story filled with humor, heat and heart, this book is going on my favorites list for the year. 5+ stars and a highly recommend.

B2B Kelly

This was so fun and charming. It had a light vibe that I found totally entertaining with really likable and wonderful characters. I had a blast reading this!

Ísa and Sailor were great together and I loved that playfulness and flirting between the two. They had this great teasing chemistry that was infectious. I loved learning their histories and thought there was really great character development. Sailor was so sweet. I loved his determination and perseverance in life and in pursuing Ísa. There were so many sweet, wonderful moments and he was rather swoon worthy. Ísa was a great character, so strong and she put up with so much, and she was incredibly caring. They both had their hang ups to work through and I enjoyed the ins and outs of that as they came together.

Honestly this was just a super entertaining read and I enjoyed getting to know these genuine characters. The more I learned, the more I liked. It's pretty low drama, more of an emotional journey. I really enjoyed their families and friends, they were all solid, real characters and I thought there was great attention to detail concerning them. I also really enjoyed a secondary story happening with Ísa's best friend, that was super fun. I also loved the setting and the picture the author painted about the location of the story.

I enjoyed the writing. I feel like Nalini Singh has a unique voice that I find refreshing. There are good details but it's not bogged down with every little thing. I enjoyed the timeline and the build of Ísa and Sailor’s overall relationship. I thought it was laid out well and had a decent pace.

Just an all around awesome read. Sweet and flirty that had me smiling and ready for more in the series!

Complimentary copy received for honest review.

At first I was unsure, for a few minutes, why, dunno, then I was caught in a wicked web. I loved the accents and I totally believed she was a man at times. But first the story.

Isa sees a hot gardener and wants to take a chance. Well I say you go Isa! Every girl should listen to that demon on their shoulder for once. She was there for everyone else, her entire family, but she forgot about herself. And I liked Isa, we would have been total bffs!

Speaking of Isa, I do wish Nayna and her man would get a story. See there is this backstory with Isa's friend when they go to a party and that story should totes have been a book of its own.

Sailor, oh he sounded hot hot hot as sin! Driven and hot *coughs*. He wants her and he is going for it. Yay. Awww he was such a sweetie!

Awww they were made for each other!

Conclusion:
I enjoyed it :D

Narrator Justine OKeef
Well like I said, she totally sounded like Sailor. And I liked her Isa accent too (as Isa grow up in Icelandic so it was this nice mix). And how does not want to listen to a NZ accent. If she did it right I do not know but I sure liked listening to her

3.5 stars
I was really excited to read this book just from the author alone. However, it was not as good as I thought it would be. It was a good story. it just felt like something was missing. It had a lot of cute scenes. It was sweet but still sexy. . I think part of the problem with me was Isa. She was sweet but there something about her that made you roll your eyes. She was the fixer. The glue that held the family together. Her parents abandoned her emotionally. They loved her but were workaholics. She always dreamed that her partner would put her first. Then she meets Sailor. Sailor is the saving grace of this book. He was great. Sweet, sexy, protective and easy going. He probably was the best fit for Isa. He did not give up on her. He kept at her until she fell. I loved his family and his relationship with them. Isa assumed a lot of things about Sailor, her lack of confidence in him was a little annoying. She assumed her would leave her right from the beginning. He was younger than her. She thought he would be immature and not know what he wanted. He was actually more together than she was at times. This is the first book in the series and I would like to see what happens with the other characters in the book. The Bishop boys are a interesting group.

Wow! Nalini Singh does it again! Cherish Hard is full to the brim of fantastic and fully developed characters, beautiful and complex family ties, and an emotionally fraught growing relationship. As a devoted paranormal and historical romance reader, Singh is the only author I've yet found who writes contemporary romances that I love. She skillfully steers away from the overly erotic and sexed up story line so commonly found in today's contemporary romance books, and instead focuses on the development and growth of the main characters, while love, romance, and trust is built between them. Neither Sailor, nor Isa, falls into a stereotypical character trope, but rather both are fully fleshed out and demonstrate both personality strengths and weaknesses. Both characters demonstrate professional and personal drives and ambitions which they learn they will need to negotiate and compromise on in order to make their relationship work. Their love story reads as both realistic and believable. A secondary strength in Cherish Hard is the wonderful and complicated relationships the characters have with their families. Whether she's writing paranormal romance or contemporary romance, Singh is a world building powerhouse, and in Cherish Hard we get to enjoy the interactions and relationships between the main characters as well as between them and their family and friends. When the last page has been turned, readers are left feeling they've closed the door on a whole world full of interesting characters, and I for one cannot wait to open that door back up when the next installment is released

*ARC provided by netgalley

I've adored Sailor Bishop ever since meeting him in brother Gabriel's Rock Hard. So happy to find Sailor's story is every bit as tender and sweet. I can hardly wait to meet the other Bishop/Esera boys.

Unlike most romance fans, I'm not familiar with Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling series. Rather, I'm a huge fan of her contemporary romances featuring gorgeous alpha guys who are not only smitten but so sweetly supportive of their loves. These are guys who fall fast, fall hard, and fall for good. While Isa may be torn by her personal insecurities and crazy family drama, Sailor knows she is "his redhead" and he goes after her with all of his strength and patience. Isa may be the poet, but Sailor's declarations to her in the end were the real poetry here.

There is steam and sexual tension galore here, but the real story is Sailor and Isa opening up to each other and finding safe haven together. It was so great that their story lived up to the little sneak peek of their married life in Rock Hard. The author builds such interesting supporting characters - I hope we also get a look at Harlow and Catie in the future.

4.5 stars

Cute and endearing romance with a hot and steaming connection on the side.

Isa is heir to a successful home crafting empire, making her mother a very powerful and successful businesswoman. Wanting to draw Isa into the business, her mother is ruthless and isn’t beyond using blackmail to pull her in.

Sailor is a landscaper that is working on the local school’s gardens when he is kissed by a wickedly beautiful woman, Isa. Little do they know that their dreams are about to crash in the most unexpected ways making Isa Sailor’s boss and the one standing in the way of his dream of making it big in the landscaping and gardening industry.

Singh rockets the Hard Play series on the romance novel scene with her signature sizzling heat and explosive chemistry that will have her fans swooning in no time flat. Highlighting a riveting, real-life cast of characters that you just won’t want to miss. The perfect balance of steam and humor.
Cherish Hard is a marvelous start to a new must-read for the contemporary romance lover crowd.

I received this copy of Cherish Hard from The Knight Agency. This is my honest and voluntary review.

NUMBER OF HEARTS: 4
Sailor is determined to prove to himself and his family that he is nothing like his father. He will work himself to the bone and won’t let anything get in the way of his plan. But when he is approached by a beautiful redhead in the school parking lot and she kisses him silly, Sailor starts to think there might be room for more than just work. It is not until after she runs away that Sailor realizes that that was the woman who has been haunting his dreams for the last seven years. Thank goodness he is a patient man and knows where she works because he plans on picking up where they left off.
Both Sailor and Ísa are sweet and determine. They bring out the best in each other and show each other that sometimes love isn’t hard if you don’t fight it. I really enjoyed Cherish Hard and I am looking forward to the next installment in this series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & The Knight Agency in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

I don't read many Contemporary books but come on this is Nalini Singh. She could write the back of a cereal box and I'd give it a go. I've read her Rock series and loved all of them and from Rock Hard I really wanted to read more about Gabe's brothers. And finally we do. I love love love Sailor, Pardon the pun but he's rock steady and a stand up guy. Sure he has daddy issues but that's alright. Isa has mommy and daddy issues. At least Sailor has a fantastic mom and wonderful step-dad. They both love and respect each other very much but their dreams are in conflict. I love the way they work out their differences. Just goes to show if you want something bad enough and work hard enough you can accomplish anything. I love they way they talk to each other. And they way he deals with her brother and sister. I thing both siblings needs their on HEA. Darn it Nalini has such fantastic characters that I want them all to have their own story lol.

I was given this book in consideration of a fair and honest review. I give it 5 stars and if you've not read her Rock series you need to do so.

Cherish Hard pulled me in from the start with curious characters, a moving plot and so much more.

Sailor might be one of my favorite heroes. He's super sweet, loyal, fun and everything else I'd want in a man. He saw Isa once years ago and the impression of her lingered on his brain and imprinted on his heart so when he finds her again years later and has a chance to actually meet her - nothing could keep him away.

Isa has been hurt in the past, not just by previous relationships, but also by her parents. She's got a good grip on what she wants from life and love - but finding it has eluded her so far. She feels a connection with Sailor though, one that she doesn't expect. Isa wants to love and be loved, she wants to have someone treat her as a priority.

Sailor and Isa are great for each other, their story moves seamlessly as they find in each other more than they expected. Their story is charming and fun, swoony at times, and full of heart. It's a quick read but doesn't lack a good moving plot and characers you'll fall in love with from moment one.

Cherish Hard by Nalini Singh is the first book in the Hard Play Series. Cherish Hard can easily be read as a standalone. There are a few crossover from the Rock Kiss Series.
This is Sailor and Ísa's story.
Sailor Bishop is a hard working, up and coming landscaper with big plans. He needs no distractions to achieve his goal.
And then is there Ísalind Rain-Stefánsdóttir, Ísa. She's a teacher and wants a family, the picket fence, child and dog. But her mother has other plans.
These two so different people meet and are smitten. They have this crazy insta-chemistry., like soul mates. But she longs for attention and love and he can only give so much.
I started reading and was hooked from the beginning. I read the book in one sitting, I ouldn't put it down. I had to know what happens to the characters.
Cherish Hard is beautifully thought out, beautifully written and beautifully told. I love the words and the characters, not only the main characters, the sidekicks are great too.
I recommend Cherish Hard and give 5 stars. Thank you, Nalini Singh !

Sailor Bishop is on a mission to build a successful landscaping business. Dating isn’t in the cards, but one look at Ísa Rain-Stefánsdottir and all bets are off. Ísa has already checked career off her business plan, now she wants to find true love and maybe start a family. Surprisingly, the last person she expects to fall for may be the best person for the job..if she can trust him with her fragile heart.

Book one in the Hard Play series, Cherish Hard was the perfect book escape! Sailor’s antics were deliciously charming and absolutely endearing while Ísa’s wild side produced a number of super steamy (and sometimes funny) results-like skinny dipping at a private party anyone? And the chemistry..man, these two had enough passion and sizzle to go around the block a few times and then some! Overall, the story was a well written, lighthearted contemporary romance I would easily recommend!

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book which I received at no cost from the publisher.

Review by Julie
Alphas Do It Better Book Blog

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

I really love Ms. Singh's Psy-Changling series so I was ecstatic to get a chance to read and review this new series. And I'm glad I did.

This contemporary romance starts off a little slow, letting you get to know the characters and the reasons why they are they way they are. As we get to know Isa, we learn that most of her hang ups stem from her unconditional upbringing. As a child of wealthy parents, you would think she would have the best life had to offer and she did. What she craved what was what she never had: parents who put her first.

Sailor, on the other hand, grew up in a home filled with love, of promise and dreams. After his biological father left, it was a hard scrabble existence for a while, but he, his mother and brother not survived, but thrived when his mother remarried.

When Sailor and Isa meet again, they do their best to put their pasts aside, but those demons are hard to slay.

~~Wicked Reads Review Team~~

Interesting people good story. Others describe that well, I needn’t.
What makes Nalini Singh such a wonderful gift to me:
Each couple is different, each story has other drivers, emphases, jokes.
I come to new generous, big hearted, fundamentally deeply decent people - I do not enjoy love stories where these elements are missing - but they are different Form the last book. And so I am curious and motivated to dig in, and come away satisfied every time. With Jayne Ann Krentz or Nora Roberts, i like the comfort read, but I lose the curiosity as her people are too similar over many books.
Nailing Singh stands out here.
Also, she manages to write differently in different worlds, her contemporary romances are very different from her fantasy / urban / other worlds, and I like that, as well. I am getting a straightforward contemp here, right down to language and motivations, and I revel in this, quite as much as in Guild Hunter darkness, when that comes to me.

I received an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. Review and blog tour can be found on *Milky Way of Books*

I was quite excited to have the chance and read this beauty! Nalini Singh always makes me happy and excited about her books! Not only her paranormal series but also her contemporary ones. The "Hard Play" series is about the Bishop brothers who are three, and the first book is about Sailor and Isa. It takes place before "Rock Hard" so it kind of stands as a prequel.

Sailor and Isa were quite a funny couple; they began as tentative friends, each with their own inner scars, and slowly they became lovers. Both have ambitions but also both love their family too much. And to be honest, despite being fiction, I would never think that people existed out there, who would disregard their children in such a way (and I'm talking about the Dragon-lady).

But regardless, this book was enjoyable, sweet and worth every page!

Cherish Hard by Nalini Singh is a contemporary romance that involves twenty-somethings as they navigate through life and love. The characters, especially the females bring plenty of drama to this story. In fact, so much goes on in their personal lives that it made me glad I had long ago left that phase of my life. As the story progressed the characters showed more mature actions and decisions, making me root for Sailor and Isa in this working man and rich girl scenario. To Isa’s credit she is fighting the poor little rich girl cliché for all she’s worth.

The writing is solid in this purely romance book, yet so very different from the PSY-Changeling Series. It is a testimony to the versatility of the author’s writing to write so well very different types of stories. Overall, Cherish Hard is a fun read that makes you laugh at times, cringe at others while enjoying it all.

An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley.

Cherish Hard kicks off a new family-centric series for Nalini Singh, and it is looking to be a great one. Sailor is sweet and sexy, and he will steal your heart. He was the perfect match for Isa, who has had her self esteem knocked around a bit. He builds her up, and he is truly swoon-worthy. Their relationship develops at the perfect pace, and their emotional connection is just as strong as their physical one. Cherish Hard is a tender and steam love story that shouldn’t be missed.

Side note: I didn’t realize at first that the hero Cherish Hard is the brother of the hero in Rock Hard, which is one of my favorites of Ms. Singh. I love it so much and was so excited about the connection that I went back and read it again after finishing Cherish Hard. I love this family, which is why I am especially excited about this new series.

ARC provided, but this review was voluntarily and honestly written.

Review: CHERISH HARD (Hard Play Book 1) by Nalini Singh
Publication Date: November 14, 2017
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Cori
Rated 5 Stars

I loved this story! CHERISH HARD is the first book in Nalini Singh’s new contemporary series, The Hard Play Series. I’m so excited about this series! I’m obessed with Nalini Singh’s paranormal romances and I loved her Rock Kiss series. CHERISH HARD was a great mix of sweet and sexy. It’s an older woman/ younger man romance but there was only a 5 year age difference so I didn’t think it created issues. I fell in love with Sailor and really liked Ísa. This book was well written and had a greate plot. I just really enjoyed it. I highly recommmed anything Nalini Singh writes and can’t wait for the next release.

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

I am so glad that I know Nalini well enough to beg her for an ARC of her next book without any shame whatsoever, and damn it all but this one is well worth the groveling. Nalini has a voice that is so unique, so totally hers, that I get lost in the cadence and the rhythm and the characters as she brings them to life, peoples their world with beautifully developed friends, and draws the reader into a sweet and sexy romance that just leaves you smiling.

Nalini also introduces new characters that you just know are going to have wonderful stories of their own. If you loved the Rock Kiss stories, you're really going to enjoy this new series. I couldn't wipe the grin off my face by the time I finished the story. Absolutely wonderful, and one I highly recommend.

The same way I recommend everything this author writes. You can't go wrong with one of Nalini Singh's books.

I was very excited to see Nalini Singh had another contemporary romance series coming out and I couldn't wait to check out this spin-off of the Rock Kiss series. If you've read that series you might recognize some names in this one.

Sailor is working on building a successful landscaping business when he meets Ísa Rain. She's in a totally different place than he is. She looking to settle down. After all she's a bit older than Sailor (but seriously, cougar?).

They both keep getting thrown together which only brings out Ísa's frisky side and Sailor knows just how to do it. They are good together and when things go south, they don't act like children, but instead work it out with maturity. How refreshing! I really liked that about this story.

I thought this was a great start to the series and I'm looking for more!

An ARC was provided for review.

Nalini Singh is a new to me author and I can’t wait to read more of her work. Cherish Hard was the perfect book for me to start with. I am kicking myself for not reading a book by this author sooner.

If you’re like me and love a good romance this one is for you. It was a sweet, lighthearted read that will pull you in from page one. Isa is ready to find a man who will love her and start a family of her own. She can’t seem to keep her eye off the gardener.

Sailor has always dreamed of having a successful landscaping business. After a kiss from a sexy red head he wants more. He is the kind of man who takes charge and goes after what he wants.

I loved all the characters in this book. If your looking for a sweet romance this is the book for you. It will have you swooning! I can’t wait to read more from this author.

I received a copy of this book from the author for a honest review.

I am always caught by surprise when I read a contemporary story written by Nalini Singh, it's never what I expect it to be so it takes me a few chapters to get into the flow of the story. This story is Sailor's (brother to Gabe in Rock Hard) and an interesting woman by the name of Isa Rain. Overall this a good feeling story of two people who are made for each other and even though there are some bumps in the road, the plow through them. Nalini makes you love everyone in the story even when they drive you a bit crazy like Isa's mom, but I'll let you find out why. I loved the fact we got both Sailor's POV, who was a sweetheart and Isa's. I love the secondary characters and I look forward to reading their stories. I was also really glad for the Epilogue at the end it's always a wonderful way to end a story.

Mrs. Singh has the gift to write books in which one would like to become a part of the story itself.
No matter how often and how long you read her books, you always have the feeling that you want "more" at the end of a book. This is also how I felt about Cherish Hard.

Isa - the runaway girl - and Sailor - the "Younger than you. You be my cougar, I`ll be your boy toy." are perfect for each other. Both have to struggle against their inner demons in the course of the story, but at the same time they`ve also to decide whether the career is above the chance for love and family. It was very emotional ... - Thank God Sailor knew what he wanted: His spitfire. And his "Operation catch the redhead" ended in an beautiful HEA.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

For me Cherish Hard was just ok. I usually devour Nalini Singhs books but this one I found myself dragging through the last 50%. I really liked our hero Sailor, he was sweet, funny, charming and a little dirty! Isa on the other hand I wasn't in love with. She's a 28 year old woman who works 2 jobs, one as a teacher and one as VP of her mothers multimillion dollar craft company ( a job that she was basically guilted into!). She's also basically the parent figure to 2 teenage siblings -then we throw in her absentee parents marriages and re marriages and you kinda have a not very relatable mess that is Isa. But yet the whole story revolves around Isa's angst with wondering if Sailor will be able to put her first in their life together! Meanwhile she can't seem to get through 1 dinner wih Sailor without having to take multiple phone calls to put out fires in the lives of her family members! I didn't get the deep connection between Isa and Sailor, there was lots of sex but to me their relationship seemed very one sided with Sailor bending over backwards to give Isa what she needs, Isa wondering if Sailor will give her what she needs (because they never really have an adult conversation about that) and all Isa has to do is "try" to be with Sailor and occasionally bring him take out! There is really no big climax to the story, basically Sailor just figures it all out on his own, how to balance his relationship with Isa and his growing business with little input from Isa. There was also a minor issue for me with the little nicknames the hero and heroine call each other throughout that were probably supposed to be endearing but I personally found annoying. They were used so often (multiple times per chapter) that it became an eye rolling distraction for me.
There was a secondary story with Isas best friend and Sailors friend Raj that was interesting but at times I felt the best friend was as wishy washy as Isa which chipped away at my interest in their story too. I liked Sailors relationship wih his family which gave insight into why Sailor was the solid guy he was, even at the young age of 23.
As I said previously, I usually love Singhs books, including the Rock Kiss series. I loved, loved ,loved Rock Hard (Sailors brother Gabriel's story, which takes place years after this story) which I read some time ago and didn't actually make the connection until the end. Although I probably won't read any future books of the Hard Play series that might come, I will, however, be going back to reread Rock Hard!

Five stars. I love it hard.

As usual, Nalini Singh tells a great love story not just between Isa and Sailor, but also between them and their friends and family.
It’s a story that anyone can relate to, even though the characters might not look like them. I love that this book is multicultural and it reflects the reality of the world we’re living in right now. I adore that Isa is older than Sailor and she’s a full-figured woman with the normal insecurities, but with innate confidence as well. I love that Sailor is oh-so-sexy with a big heart.

Like Rock Hard before it, Cherish Hard is a keeper for me. I can’t wait for the rest of the Hard Play books. Nalini, write quick!

With this book, the first installment in this new series at is seems, we go back to one fo my favorite character: Gabe from Rock Hard, with the story of his brother Sailor and Isa. Very nice couple, both with a big luggage from the past, but strong enough to overcome it. Your usual Singh's book: super enjoyable!

Con questo libro, a quanto pare il primo di una nuova serie, torniamo da uno dei miei personaggi preferiti: Gabe da Rock Hard, con la storia di suo fratello Sailor e di Isa. Bella coppia, che nonostante un passato abbastanza traumatico per entrambi, riescono a superarlo assieme. Il vostro solito piacevolissimo libro da Nailini Singh.

Sailor Bishop is determined that nothing will get in the way of him and having a successful landscaping business. While on a job one day, he has a very hot meeting with a mysterious woman. When he keeps running in to her, he’s determined to sway her over to his way of thinking.
This was an ok book. Unfortunately I had a problem with the main female character Isa. She was very wishy washy and it tended to get on my nerves. I did really like Sailor, though, which helped make up for it. The story itself wasn’t bad.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

This was the first contemporary romance that I read from Nalini Singh, it was very well written and captured my attention. Nalina created a very vivid visual of Sailor that kept you captivated throughout the book. You felt his pain, his passion, and his body! I look forward to reading more about his friends and brothers!

Isa was the female lead and was shy with a touch of "dragon"! Nalini was very descriptive in actually making you see and feel the characters.

This was a story of forgotten love, hard work, and a play! Isa and Sailor make an interesting couple that fight for their jobs and tango for their love!

Sailor get blown away by the hot curvy redhead who just kisses him and then takes off while he is working at a school. After several chance encounters Sailor convince Isa to give him a chance to be the man she needs. Isa has always had to be the parent to her step siblings and is looking for the person to make her fell she is the center of his world.
Singh creates the world of the Bishop-Eseara brothers that makes you want the next one. Her world building makes me want to visit New Zealand to see it for myself.

Sailor doesn't beat around the bush, “nope. You want to go in my bedroom? The sheets are still messy from this morning,” he said in deliberate provocation. “Hot dreams about a hot redhead.” Sailor likes that his womn looks out for him, "...she discovered he’d just grabbed a single sandwich for lunch. “Good grief, Sailor, muscles like that can’t survive on a sandwich alone. And you know I’m just here for the muscles.” I really liked this book, Sailor was such an easy man to fall in love with.

One night at a college party, 16-year-old Sailor Bishop sees a gorgeous red-haired woman get her heart broken in full view of all the partygoers. She makes a lasting impression on Sailor, and he never forgets her. So much so that years later when he sees her at the school where she's teaching, he's instantly enamored of the gorgeous woman who grabs him and kisses him, then runs away. But, she's not gone forever, as he keeps running into her, and he finally manages to ID her when he has a meeting with her mother at a company for whom he's trying to set up a partnership with his landscaping business.

While I appreciate the premise of Cherish Hard, and how sweet and sexy and absolutely determined to be his own man and to achieve his business goals that Sailor is, Isa drove me nuts. Her inner musings are just plain ridiculous and her natterings on are cringeworthy. The fact that she had her own alter ego, which she had to call upon way too often, called Devil, Isa is just...eyerollingly silly. Her whole character is just silly and not worthy of Sailor. I think, had Sailor had a heroine equal to him, I would have been able to rate Cherish Hard 4 stars, but the way it's written, with Isa being so utterly annoying, I just couldn't rate it higher than 2 stars. I definitely do not recommend it. However, the Bishop clan intrigued me enough that I plan on reading Sailor's brother Gabriel's story (Rock Hard).

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book received via NetGalley.

This book is perfection. Bishop and his family are the most incredible people and I am obsessed. Singh's ability to craft secondary characters I genuinely care about is evidently unparalleled. I think I will eventually read everything she has ever written. But for now, I'm in contemporary land and loving every second. If you haven't given Nalini Singh a shot yet, probably read this one first, but then immediately read Rock Harder.

Excellent contemporary romance by one of my all-time favorite authors and I was dying to read it. Now, I am seriously in love with every series by this author. And as a standalone romance, this book is excellent. However, compared to the Rock Kiss series, this book is rather forgettable. I mean, it was a fun, engaging read that I devoured rather quickly, but no fan girl moments like when I fell in love with Raphael and Elena or Fox and Molly. But still, seriously awesome.

Isa and Bishop’s story had me from the moment Isa pounced on Bishop and started making out with him in the parking lot. I mean heavy necking. The story picks up from there. It is very touching the relationship Isa has with her siblings also. In total, this is an okay read for me. I have been a long fan of Nalini Singh’s books. Especially her ‘Archangel’ and ‘Psychangeling’ series. NS has a way with words and a great story teller.
*Gifted an ARC by the author*

I can't stop smiling after reading this story. It was so sweet. It was a light, fun, sexy story. I enjoyed everything about it. This story was so different than anything I have read from Nalini Singh. However, it is still just as amazing!

I have learned that Nalini can write anything and I will seriously fall in love with the story and the characters. I absolutely can't wait for more in this series. I am interested to see where Nalini will take it.

Cherish Hard was a good story about a rich woman and a poor man (for a change!) who come together in the strangest of circumstances and find themselves falling in love.

As always, Nalini Singh's characters are strong in their own right. Isalind an independent and caring poet; Sailor a independent and hard working gardener.

Both have lived through difficulties in their early years and have come through it stronger and wiser.

Cherish Hard is a lovely story of finding love when you thought it was lost. Of finding The One when you thought it was never yours to find.

The story though a standard novel size seemed to go much faster than it should have but that is how I read every Nalini book. They're fast paced, witty and full of drama. These characters were sassy and smart - Yes Sailor too!

The secondary characters played off against the main characters perfectly and it was a good insight into the Bishop-Esera clan and how they do things.

Overall, a classic contemporary romance with the classic Nalini Singh flair.

Sailor saw her across a crowded room and slowly watched in horror the events that unfolded. He spent years wondering what happened to the red haired suductress. He never imagined he would see her again. This time, things are going to be different. He’s not letting her go and will do anything he can to keep her by his side. Beautifully written and reminds you that life sometimes will give you everything you ever wanted.

3/5. The book was ok. I though it was a little insta lovey and the writing was a little off for me. I felt the nicknames were too much at times. Also, Isa had weird tone shifts throughout the book. I really liked how involved the family was and how important it was to the main characters. Overall, the book was fine and I would like to see the brothers' stories.

So refreshing to read a great love story that doesn't follow the typical form of girl meets guys, a misunderstanding draws them apart and then they get back together. This story is more realistic and I love having a strong male that is willing to take a risk and not just be macho. P.S. they get hot and heavy too!! I want him...

In Nalini Singh's newest contemporary romance, Cherish Hard, readers will be introduced to Isa and Sailor and their cute but very hot romance that started in the most erotic way. These two characters have very interesting back stories but it is their chemistry and relationship development that will have readers asking for more! Cherish Hard is another winner for Ms. Singh.

*Copy provided*

I really enjoyed Nalini Singh's Rock Hard series so I was very excited to read Cherish Hard the first book in the spinoff series. It was worth the wait. I loved seeing Isa and Sailor's relationship grow. I loved their fire and how lust morphed into love. The secondary characters added a richness to the story and I look forward to reading Jake and Danny's stories.

This is the first book in Nalini's newest contemporary series, but it's also a spin-off / prequel sort of a story, connected to a book that is a part of yet another one of her series :) let me try to explain a bit better :) we first met Sailor in "Rock hard", which was a story about one of his brothers, Gabriel, and he was already with Isa in that book :) so this one is the beginning of a spin-off series about the rest of the brothers, but we start with a story that takes place before the events of the original one, if that makes sense to you :) don't worry, you can read this one without any addtional knowledge, because it works perfectly well as a standalone :) so fear not even if you are new to Nalini and her writing style and just dive in :) but first, let me tell you a bit more about this book in general :)

The prologue actually takes place even further back than we expect, when Sailor and Isa first saw one another... yeah, I haven't used the word *met* for a reason :) but then we very quickly skip ahead seven years, to their actual first interaction... which is much more interesting ;) Sailor is the owner of a small landscaping business, working hard to achieve his dreams... Isa is a teacher, aspiring poet and the daughter of a very successful and very rich parents... her family situation is very... complicated... yeah, let's go with complicated... with both parents busy with their companies and divorced, and a few step-siblings, her plate is pretty full... and I don't know why exatly, but I just couldn't relate to Isa as much as I would like to... or as much as I usually do with Nalini's characters... maybe it's just the mood I've been lately, and once I re-read this book in the future I will absolutely love her ;) but for now I only liked her :) although she did some small things that got on my nerves a bit, but nothing majorly bad... Sailor on the other hand... *sighs dreamily* I adored him completely :) he was very mature for his age, especially since he was a few years younger than Isa :) not to mention completely charming and swoonworthy :) theirs was definitely not my favourite type of relationships... cause I am not the biggest fan of those insta-lusts kind of situations... and definitely not in contemporary romances... it's somehow different in paranormal stories, where there is talk of mating bonds and some other supernatural connections and such ;) so that super sizzling hot attraction between them was a bit too much for me... nevertheless once there was more interactions between them, I got on board of that duo ;)

Nalini is definitely one of my all time favourite authors... I always enjoy her stories... even though some of them a little less than others :) I have a feeling that this particular novel, was just one of those cases... or again, maybe it's just this really weird mood I've been in lately... only time will tell ;) but I can easily recommend you guys this story... and all others she wrote ;) but since this is a review for a very particular book, I will stick with my opinions to this one :) I absolutely adored Sailor's family :) I mean... his parents, and by that I mean his mom and step-father, are amazing :) I have no words good enough to describe them :) there are two other people I want to mention and I'm not gonna lie... I would love to read stories about both of them in the future :) so we have Nayna, Isa's best friend :) and Catie, one of her siblings :) and that is all I'm gonna say about them :) as always, the writing style was delightful :) but that is no longer a surprise for me in Nalini's books :) so even though I had some small issues I still loved this story a lot :) ultimately I gave it 4,5 stars :) the more I think about it, the more convinced I am that this 0,5 I deducted is connected to my recent mood, but it's my opinion for now and I am sticking to it :) I definitely recommend you guys to give this lovely story a try if you haven't already :)

A wonderfully charming love story. Sailor and Isa are both fighting some inner demons from their childhood. Isa was so strong and I really loved that she was willing to go all in and give Sailor a chance to put her first. Low on angst, high on happy! I am looking forward to Jake and Danny's stories!

AWWW!!! Nice read and full of surprises! The story was good but as the story goes, it just keeps getting better and better. I love Sailor very much, he's one of my favorite characters!!! Isa, she's a strong woman and I love her devotion for her siblings. Overall, the story is good and I loved it!! The ending.....my gawd!!! Loved it too!!!

Sailor was doing his job doing landscape at the school when Isa saw him... Those eyes drew her to him.. Isa wants to teaching her mother had other ideas.. She takes a chance and let's Sailor show her what love can feel like. She has the biggest heart and together they will do great things!

But, I'm glad I gave it a try. The characters are relatable, the plot interesting, and the romance real enough to hold my attention through every page of the 364. If you love a good romance, I think you'll enjoy this book.