“Hard pass.”
That’s what the last girl I slept with said when she got her first sober glimpse of me. She laughed, walked out of my penthouse—and I never saw her again. It doesn’t matter that I’m a rich, professional athlete; what mattered was my face.
Beauty might only be skin deep for some—but I know better.
“Pay up.”
That’s what the last girl I spoke to said over the phone when I made her … over the phone when I made her an offer she couldn’t refuse. Desperate to sell a set of rare baseball cards, she’s clever and entertaining. I’m instantly smitten, but nowhere ready to reveal myself. Thank god she has no idea who I am—or what I look like.
I’m a professional athlete–how hard can playing the love game be?
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Sara has done it again! She’s made me fall super in love with her characters! Noah & Miranda were delightfully adorable. The snark & sass was A+, I mean is it even a real Sara Ney book without me snorting at something her heroines say?!
I loved how Miranda was able to see past Noah’s insecurities. She was so into him and I loved that she was able to show him that the other things don’t matter. Plus Buzz….man I love when Sara gives me a that I simultaneously hate & love. I seriously hope that we get his book in the future!
Noah and Miranda are a cute fun couple. This was a quick and easy read. I am a big fan of the sports romances. I think their meet cute was perfect. Just enough to cause drama without being over the top. Noah and Miranda’s friends add a lot to help with their relationship. Both are this awkward and adorable couple. Great dialogue that kept the story flowing.
This was my first-time reading Sara Ney. She has a very enjoyable writing style. Her story line moved very quickly without being overdone. There wasn’t as much character development as I needed. I wish she had spent a bit more time with interactions between Noah and Miranda. I loved the added character of Buzz, Noah’s maybe best friend. I do think there are some character problems, some basic interactions that need a little more thinking.
Overall, I liked the story. New adult isn’t my favorite genre, but this was well done without Noah coming off as complete jerk. This was a 3.5/5 read for me.
I had some issues with timing of the story. It was the beginning of the Baseball Season, like a week or two before the start, in Chicago. I found it hard to believe that Noah really didn’t seem to put a ton of time into practice and conditioning. I also had issues with them swimming. This would be mid/late march even if the pool was heated likely in Chicago at this time it would not have been warm enough to swim let alone have sex.
Noah and Miranda didn’t have a typical meet cute. They each have something the other person wants, and watching them navigate that meeting was so funny and heartbreaking at the same time.
Noah is painfully shy. He has years of built up self esteem issues that make it difficult for him to talk to girls.
Miranda is trying to start her own business. She will stop at nothing to make her dream come true. She is such a determined, independent, and forgiving person.
The banter in this book was so hilarious. Not only between the main characters but between all of them. The secondary characters brought the right amount of humor, and I’m looking forward to them getting their own book.
If you are looking for a quick, fun read. You should definitely pick up this book.
– An Arc was generously provided in exchange for an honest review.-
Sara Ney writes sports novels that are unique. Her perspective on the sporting world makes reading her books so fun. Not all her athletes fall in the usual categories, and Noah from Hard Pass is no exception. Hard Pass, if it has any flaws at all, is just too darn short. I wanted more time with Noah and Miranda, and although Hard Pass was a great read, it would have made me much happier if it had been longer. That’s how much I liked Noah and Miranda.
Noah is a professional baseball player, and he’s a good one. As far as his skills go, Noah does not lack confidence. He’s focused, he works hard, and he’s achieved all his goals for getting to where he is as a professional baseball player. However, Noah is not perceived as good looking. Between shallow thoughtless people and social medial, Noah keeps a very low profile because he just doesn’t have a lot of self-confidence outside his comfort zone of baseball.
Miranda wants to start her own business, and she doesn’t want to go into debt to do it. Her grandfather has left her the valuable treasure of his baseball card collection. She decides to sell off some of the cards to get her capital for her business. Noah collects baseball memorabilia, and so they meet via text.
What I find heartwarming is the connection the two have via text, where Noah is comfortable talking and bantering back and forth with Miranda. Miranda agrees to sell Noah a card, and eventually, they meet. But not before, there are some mistaken identities and socially awkward moments on both their parts. What I LOVED about this book is that neither character is what would be termed beautiful. This book shows us some of the darker sides of social media and the press. But what made it ultimately one of the best books I’ve read this year is how the characters handled everything. They were epic. Hurray for the average-looking!
My biggest hope is that we will get to see more of Noah and Miranda as Sara writes more books in this new series. Hard Pass is a stellar beginning–go read it!
←Actual footage of my face while reading this book. Seriously. Hard pass had me all heart eyed and happy from start to finish. Full of the sarcastic humor we’ve all come to love from Sara Ney, a ton of sweetness, and sizzling heat Hard Pass has me shouting “GIVE IT ALL THE STARS!” at the top of my lungs.
Noah was a perfect mix of adorable shyness and complete hotness. He’s totally oblivious to his appeal and honestly that just made the man even more appealing. No arrogant a$$#ole can hold a candle to this sweet, shy, sexy man.
I enjoyed reading this because of the humor and the way that Noah and Miranda meet. It’s different and in this story it’s Noah that has the self esteem issues because of his looks. It’s never explained exactly what is different with him, other than himself thinking he is not attractive. The chemistry between them was there so Miranda didn’t have an issue. The story developed well and I only had issues actually feeling them when Noah would keep repeating “hard pass”. You have to read to find out why.
How does Sara Ney do it! She is comedy gold in Hard Pass!
Hard Pass is not your conventional sports, rom-com that Ms. Ney is known for! Hard Pass is quirky, laugh out loud funny, and heartfelt from start to finish. The Trophy Boyfriend Series is unlike anything Sara Ney has ever written and I, for one, can’t wait to read about Buzz. This book is an awesome book for any time you need to escape the minutiae of life!
OH my stars this book! My heart broke so much for Noah and everything that he had to endure. Then you have Miranda who is trying to be her own boss lady and things get soooo twisted between them right out the gate. Their banter was so sweet. I adored it so much. Especially the text messages! I love that this story is focused on the guy instead of the girl having issues in the dating pool. Noah is such a tender soul too. I felt that he had such depth to him. When these two get together, it is so sweet. They just meshed together and it was stunning! Honestly, I could not put the book down once I started because it will swallow you whole and leave you wanting for more. Honestly I did not want it to end. The concept and the character build in the story was perfect. I am hoping we see more of these ball players though!
Hard Pass was a typical Sara Ney book. She had me hooked from the start and before I knew it, it was over. It’s a quickm, fun, flirty read. Ney is one of the best at writing sports romance with jerks of a hero. But who doesn’t love a good ahole of a hero? But sometimes a sweet hero is nice too.
Miranda and Noah were such a fun couple. She’s selling her grandpa’s baseball cards to have money to start her business. He’s a major league baseball player who wants to buy her collection. Noah was not your typical baseball player, and if that didn’t make me love him more. These two were filled with fun banter, awkward moments, and friendship.
Sara Ney never fails to make me laugh, and it’s one of the things I love most about her writing. Hard Pass is a must read for sports romance fans. Miranda, Noah and the supporting characters are a fantastic read, and I can’t wait for the other books in this series. Ney has started this series off in the best of ways.
4.5 Stars
This was such a fun read! Sara Ney writes some of my favorite banter and I was so happy to see that in full swing in Hard Pass! I found myself smiling and laughing throughout this entire book. I really enjoyed these characters and their story. Their meeting was unique and definitely had me laughing. I really enjoyed that the hero wasn’t the typical jock and was more shy and reserved. It was a breath of fresh air. Overall, I really enjoyed this story! The humor was perfect, the writing was great, and I am looking forward to what is to come next!
I received an advance copy of this from Wildfire marketing on behalf of the author and I volunteered to leave an unbiased review.
I am weak when it comes to Sara Ney’s writing. I adore practically everything she puts out and this is no different. Noah is probably the most awkward hero I’ve ever read and it makes such a difference to the usual Alphahole I find myself reading. He was the sweetest.
Miranda is such a sassy heroine. Usually that tends to put me off, but with her it didn’t.
This was a quick, fun, cute as heck read and I can’t wait for the next book in this series and I HOPE it’s Trace’s.
This was a fun, sweet romance.
“No one has ever wished me into any kind of daydream before.”
Noah Harding is a multi-million dollar baseball player. He’s got it all except…good looks. A hurtful experience has turned him into a near recluse when he’s off the field. When a rare baseball card leads him to an intriguing young woman, he can’t help but be drawn to her, never dreaming that she might be just as attracted to him.
“He looks down at me and those butterflies in my stomach dance.”
Miranda Pressinger is trying to raise capital to start her own business by selling her precious baseball card collection. Her first face-to-face with her buyer is inauspicious. However, when things begin to make sense, it’s clear that they have a connection. She just doesn’t have a clue who he is though…
“When our lips meet, I’m not surprised – we have chemistry.”
This story was sweet, humorous, sexy and melted my heart. Noah had some real hang-ups (unsurprisingly) but once he got past his shyness and vulnerability, he was all man. I adored Miranda! She was sassy and direct. I loved that she put herself out there and was willing to fight for Noah. They had a connection that was genuine, undeniable and heart-melting. And, Buzz! LOL What a lovable douche!! Overall, I really enjoyed this read and was rooting for the underdog all the way.
I won’t say “Hard Pass” to any Sara Ney book. Ever. And this funny, sweet, sassy and sexy sports romance proved why I cannot. Sara Ney hit all the right chord and I am basking in the glory of an amazing time!
Miranda needs money. Stat. To start her dream business right out of college. And the only option she has is to sell her grandfather’s vintage baseball card collection over internet. Her advertisement catches eyes of Noah Harding. The superstar of Chicago steam and a baseball fanatic every way possible. He prefers his reclusive life because he is shy and self conscious about his appearance. And so he sends his best friend Buzz ( who is exact opposite of him) to collect the card. Problem? Well he really liked Miranda while they were texting and now it’s a big mess.
I loved how the author again broke the stereotype of a jock. Noah is the nicest man ever. He has manners. He is sophisticated. He is confident but not arrogant or irritatingly self absorbed. He has a big heart and I swooned so hard over his adorable personality ( also his hard abs, who am I kidding). Miranda is nothing like him. She is talkative and open and over friendly and often crosses boundaries of personal space. But the best thing about her is that she is totally oblivious to Noah’s fame and money. She loves Noah because of just Noah. This was a hilarious friends to lovers romance where I just had uncomplicated fun! There were so many laugh out loud monents with the comedic confusions. But at the same time the romance was pretty serious and scorching hot. The secondary characters were fabulous and I hope she will give them own stories. Specially Buzz.
Hard Pass was an entertaining and easy to read sports romance with Sara Ney’s special brand of humor and passion. It has everything in a small neat package. And I loved every second of it!
Received ARC for honest review
I was so excited to get my grabby hands on this. A sports romance from Sara Ney has my one click finger twitching hard. And that blurb had me even more excited. Seriously a jock who isn’t full of himself or think he’s gods gift is a hero I want to read.
Noah more than met my expectations. He was sensitive without being too soft. And I loved the contradictions of his character, it made him relatable despite his career and bank balance. It was really nice to have the hero as the insecure one for a change. Sara wrote him so perfectly that he didn’t come across as a whiny cry baby …… much.
And of course his relationship with Buzz helped too.
Miranda was great. She just rolled with the punches and didn’t get caught up in the things that could have caused petty problems. And I loved that she was freaked about what he was worth but didn’t make it an issue.
The secondary characters were a lot of fun and added so much to the story. I really hope we get a lot more of them in the coming books. Partially because this one didn’t give me nearly enough couple time. And I want to see more of these guys together but also because Buzz is such a nut job. Not only will he be awesome value in his own book but I think Noah and Miranda owe him a hard time or two.
For now I’m off to obsess over who we are going to get next.
I received a free ARC copy of this book from the author prior to release and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was an absolutely awesome story and I hope the author writes more on other characters in this story. This is told by the two main characters POV and features lots of texting and a bit of a mistaken identity storyline and it was so much fun.
Miranda is out of college and she wants to start her own business but she needs money and so she decides to sell her grandpas baseball cards.
Noah is very much a loner but also a 8 million dollar baseball player at age 23. He lives in a mansion where his closest friend hangs out with him. He has money to burn and no girlfriend because the women he have been with just wanted to use him. So when he sees the ad for some baseball cards, he wants them badly. But he doesn’t want attention so he comes up with a plan…
And thats all I am telling you about this story. It was so much fun and a total laugh riot. Noah and Miranda are absolutely perfect for each other in a very imperfect way.
Noah does have to face who and what he is and how he deals with it and he really is the one who has to grow up in this story. And Miranda she is awesome.
This is a wonderful coming of age, new adult story with some wonderful characters.
Told with humour and wit, Hard Pass is so much fun! The shy, introverted giant, meets snarky, big hearted stay at home! What could go wrong?
Noah is a wonderful, mumbling man whose curmudgeonly attitude belies his kind heart. His internal musings and the banter with Buzz, is fabulous. And Miranda! She is a delight. She too has a wonderful stream if thoughts which had me cracking up!
Final analysis..buy, read, laugh, enjoy
Overall Grade:
If you pick up a Sara Ney romance, there is a guarantee that you will laugh and encounter moments of discomfort through the course of her story. And in the end, all will be right with the world of her hero and heroine. In many of her books, her heroes are difficult to love because they tend to be “douchebags.” Even more, her books epitomize the perfect summer read, nothing taxing or terribly angsty. Her newest book, Hard Pass, is no different except that she created a story so interesting in one sense that I can’t wait to see where the rest of her Trophy Boyfriends series goes. What did I l like a whole lot about Hard Pass? Here goes:
This is a quick read. If you want something fast and easy, read Hard Pass. It is a perfect little beach read. Now, I will say that I would have liked more development on the back end of this story, but I think Ney’s purpose here is the set-up of her hero, Noah, and her heroine, Madison. This makes for some keen chemistry building on Ney’s part, but I do think there could have been more development of their characters’ burgeoning relationship later in the story. That being said, I’m hoping for more of them in future books.
Noah intrigues me. In romancelandia, it is almost a standard that the hero is handsome to the point of pleasure/pain. I can’t articulate the number of romances where it is almost too painful to look at the hero because he’s so handsome. That would be lovely in the “real world,” but that isn’t the real world. While Ney’s hero is still otherworldly as he is a well-built, young, successful professional baseball player, he is not exactly outwardly attractive. Instead, his inner qualities capture the attention of the heroine. I loved this about Hard Pass. I want to read heroes who are fallible and not completely put together, and this is Ney’s Noah. Yet, there is still charm here. There is still compassion and kindness in his characterization, and this draws you to him.
Together, Madison and Noah have a chemistry that isn’t exactly fiery, although Ney gives them their moments. Instead, these two feel like forever. They connect beyond the physical level. This isn’t always the case in the world of romance, and while this romance isn’t “clean,” there is an accumulation of attraction that builds the fire of their chemistry and grounds their relationship in something other than a physical connection.
Sara Ney’s Hard Pass is a bit of a detour from her usual fare, but not by much. Instead, she’s offered up a story where the hero and heroine (Noah and Madison) fall for each other’s inner qualities of beauty. Since they meet via technology, I find this intriguing because this is the nature of courtship in our present day. It seems like your soulmate could just be a quick email or text away, and a person’s inner beauty feels more important than their outer beauty. We’ll have to see if that message continues in her next Trophy Boyfriend’s book, Hard Fall, where I think we might encounter that quintessential Ney hero. I guess we’ll have to stay tuned.
Sports Romance
Hard Pass is an endearing read and reading about a hero who isn’t “perfect” is refreshing. It gets exhausting when I constantly read romances where the hero is rich and handsome and has girls dropping at their feet in packs so getting to know one that has flaws and a lower self-esteem allowed me to connect with him more. He just seemed realistic!
Overall, I enjoyed this one and am so excited about the series! This one is filled with Sara’s humor and steam and is a total winner for romance fans alike! While I wish it was a tad bit longer, I found nothing wrong with the story and enjoyed breezing through the pages and watching Noah and Miranda connect.
Hard Pass is the first title in Sara Ney’s new sports romance series Trophy Boyfriends. It’s a fun, quick, unique take on the sports romance trope, and also a slow burn romance.
Noah is a professional baseball player, but unlucky when it comes to female companionship and love. He lacks confidence and is quite vulnerable, cynical and skeptical of the female population after some harsh criticisms. Noah is quite reserved, and standoffish, but he’s also kind, caring compassionate and down to earth.
Miranda ‘Randi’ is selling her grandfathers baseball card collection in order to fund her business dreams, and that’s how she connects with Noah. They begins interacting via text, with humorous results. She’s sassy, spunky, driven, determined and not afraid to speak her mind.
I loved the banter and chemistry between this pair, and the supporting characters were endearing and fun, one a little less endearing and a whole lot more egotistical but I can’t wait for more of this series, I found Hard Pass to be an engaging and entertaining read.
*Received ARC in exchange for an honest review*
Rating: 4 Stars!
bookboyfriendsdoitbetter.com
Holy crap did I fly through this! This is my first Sara Ney book and I can 100% say that it will not be my last.
I decided to go with 4 instead of 5 stars because even though I flew through it and really enjoyed Hard Pass, I think the characters could be a little more fleshed out. I wasn’t checking my reading progress until I looked at the percentage and realized I was already at 70% and I thought to myself ‘really? already?’. I wish we could have had more background on the characters and that the book had been a little longer, but if you love romcom, then I would check this one out.
I really enjoyed Ney’s writing style! Everything flowed seamlessly and The relationship between Miranda and Noah was so sweet and adorable.
This is a sports romance (kind of) but instead of getting the typical egotistical alpha jerk, we get sweet sweet sensitive Noah. Noah has manners, is socially awkward, and not the most attractive person. I know, completely opposite of what we usually get. I really connected with his character; down to the socially awkward aspect lol.
Miranda is sassy, really honest, and strong. She has goals and is very independent. Ney flipped the trope upside down again with Miranda being the one to show Noah that their relationship is worth it and that it doesn’t matter what the tabloids or anyone else say.
I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait for Trace’s book! Now, he really is the stereotypical handsome jock, and I am so excited for him to fall hard for his heroine!!