New York Times bestselling author K. Bromberg is back with an all new second-chance, standalone hockey romance.
At first, the request seemed simple—sign a new athlete to the agency.
Then I found out the new athlete was none other than the most wanted man in hockey today: Hunter Maddox
Gifted. Sexy. At the top of his game. And the only man who has ever broken my heart.
If signing him will help … has ever broken my heart.
If signing him will help save our family business, I’ll swallow my pride and do what’s asked.
But when it becomes clear his uncharacteristic antics off the ice are a hint of something deeper, keeping things strictly professional between us becomes more than complicated. But I know better than to cross that line.
I’ll never date a client. Not even for him.
***
Win the Stanley Cup and do it before time runs out.
Not a small feat, but it’s what’s motivated me since the start of my career.
And time is running out.
Enter Dekker Kincade.
Feisty. Dogged. Damn gorgeous. The one I let get away.
I have no idea why she’s traveling with the team, but hell if resisting her is going to be easy.
But I have a job to do, and I refuse to lose sight of that end game. Even if she confuses me. Even if she sees parts of me I’ve hidden from the world.
I can’t lose focus. Not even for her.
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Colton who? 😉 Hunter!! Loved this book.
5 HUNTER AND DEKKER STARS!! These two gave me all the feels with lots of steam. Wow, what a good way to series….give me more. Their story touched all my heart and had me flipping pages…I never wanted it to end. You must read this book
NOW AVAILABLE!!!!!
K Bromberg brings us yet another tortured hero to fall in love with!!
Hunter is stuck in a cycle of negativity. Of anger and pressure and guilt. There’s an end goal but getting there is feeling impossible.
Dekker is sent to recruit Hunter to her family’s sports agency but what she does is much more than poach him. She cares about him as a person before a prospective client or cash flow.
Given their previous friends-with-benefits arrangement, we readers know there will be tension and words said and actions taken and with Hard to Handle, we were not left disappointed.
There was a lot of to-and-fro and hurtful words and actions but once they both reached their individual epiphanies of feeling something more than what they believed they were capable of it came together beautifully.
This story was told in dual POV and I swear my heart beat faster, butterflies fluttered in my stomach and I was constantly on the edge of tears when reading Hunter’s side of things. His story is one that will stay with me and you can’t help but fall head over heels for him.
I am excited for where the series will take us with the four Kincade sisters but it will take a lot to be better than Hunter and Dekker’s story!!!!
No one writes damaged alphas like K. Bromberg!
Hard to Handle is a second chance sports romance between a feisty sports agent and the only man who has ever broken her heart, hockey phenom Hunter Maddox.
Don’t miss this downright sexy and emotionally charged standalone summer read.
Why did I ever think I would get out of a Bromberg book with no tears in my eyes?! It’s never the case. However, this one was such an emotional roller-coaster I’m still collecting my scattered pieces from all over the place and wrapping my head around this poignant story.
Devastating but beautiful, gut-wrenching but heartfelt, shattering but so genuine, sweet but passionate, emotionally draining but soul touching. And downright everything that makes a book memorable read for me.
If someone could write gorgeous, tortured and damaged heroes, and feisty, dogged, no-nonsense heroines, it’s certainly Mrs. Bromberg. And these two are definitely ones to fit that category to the T.
Hunter Maddox is indeed Hard to handle , but so worth the effort at the end. He is cocky, angry, on the verge of physical and emotional burn-out, but also so vulnerable and hurting.
And Dekker Kincade is exactly the woman to see through his façade and right into the hidden secrets of his soul.
They were both like fire and ice, like water and oil, but the passion between them was off the charts hot, and somehow, they clicked together.
“We may be oil and water, but between the sheets, hell, we’re a goddamn masterpiece.”
This book completely drained me and put me through the wringer. I was definitely not prepared, so consider yourself warned. Expect all the feels to hit you full force and swipe you off your feet. You wouldn’t know what hit you. But at the end, your heart would be full and sated although you may end up with the worst of book-hangovers ever.
Now I simply can’t wait to see the rest of the stories of this amazing family.
Hard to Handle combines second chance romance with an emotional punch. Hunter is a hockey God, but he is cracking under all the pressure and responsibility. Dekker has been tasked with landing him as a client for her family’s sports management firm, despite their steamy past. No problem, right?
Hunter’s backstory is heartbreaking and every time he got a message from his family, I wanted to take the phone and smash it. He is 32 and so close to having all his dreams come true. But, they aren’t really HIS dreams. He feels like he MUST be successful because it’s his fault that his brother can’t be. His survivor’s guilt (even though his brother is alive) is profound and is starting to affect every aspect of his life. His current agent is a real douche canoe too.
Dekker walked away from Hunter years ago because she didn’t want to risk her heart. She knew she was falling for him and that scared the crap out of her. It hurt her that he let her walk away though. She can see there is something major going on with Hunter and genuinely cares about him. He is determined to shut everyone out though, so she has a tough road ahead of her if she is going to save him from self destruction.
Readers will find themselves rooting for Dekker to be brave, for Hunter to accept her support, and for him to find joy in hockey again. Hard to Handle delivers an unexpected emotional punch in the best possible ways. Bromberg always writes such defining backstories for her characters you can’t help but FEEL while reading.
‘Hard To Handle’ is the new sports romance release by K Bromberg. This book is the first in the Play Hard series, and if they’re all as good as this book, it’s going to be an epic series.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, and I honestly loved it. Bromberg has a writing style that easily draws you in, and I loved Dekker and Hunter.
Hunter is a successful hockey player, he is doing well in his career and playing for his dream team. However, in his personal life he isn’t quite top of his game, for he is harbouring guilt, feeling pressure and confident that he is not living up to his father expectations.
Dekker is the eldest of her siblings and works for her fathers business. She is a successful lawyer and good at her job. However, when her father announces that they are struggling due to players jumping ship from their management firm, he decides it’s time to take action. He is determined to recruit players back, starting with one of the best Hunter Maddox.
Unfortunately with Dekker being the eldest and the closest to Hunter, her father nominated her to reel him in. But Dekker and Hunter have a past, one which was supposed to be thrilling and fun before feelings became involved. Can she remain professional and convince him to jump ship and be recruited, or will they completely crash and burn?
An excellent romance with lots of moments that make you root for both of these characters. If you are a fan of sports romances, you are definitely going to want to read this book! One of the best sports romances I’ve read in the last couple of years!
K Bromberg is one of my favourite go-to authors and honestly I love everything she writes and this one is no different. I FLOVED it!!
This one combines a second-chance romance with a sports romance and it packs a punch! The emotions in this one pack one hell of a punch!! seriously ALL THE FEELS!!!
Dekker has been tasked with lading hockey god Hunter as a client for her family’s Sports management firm. She can do this right? despite their steamy past? hhmmm of course their connection is going to step up a level! they are perfect for each other.
My heart honestly broke for Hunter. His back story honestly will break your heart and you can’t help but feel so protective over him. Dekker has a tough road ahead of her trying to break down his walls.
Yet again another fabulous read from K Bromberg. Her writing is always flawless! I can’t wait to see what she is going to bring us in future
I loved the depth and the layers to Hunter. There’s more than meets the eye with this one and Dekker isn’t (too) afraid of him! The chemistry between this couple is smoking hot and it’s the area they get along best. BUT, now is not the time for Dekker to do anything but work. However, the pull she has to Hunter has her seeing past the facade most people notice. My heart hurt for him. I liked the banter between the sisters, the way in which Dekker’s dad opened up to her and how she wasn’t the only one to show support for Hunter! K. Bromberg bought ALL. THE. FEELS. and this was an emotionally powerful start to this series. This was a book I very quickly got lost in and I didn’t want to leave their world. Looking forward to seeing Dekker’s other sisters’ stories coming up!
It’s been a while since I’ve read a book by this author and sports romance books is one of my favorite genres so I was very excited to read this one. It’s not your typical sports romance as there were so many things in this story that will not only pull on all of your heartstrings but will get you hooked from the very first page! It will touch on so many subjects; it’s a must read!
Dekker will do everything she can for her family’s agency business and gets on the road with the sports team to try and get Hunter to sign with them but it will be a hard road ahead. They have a history with each other but Dekker won’t let anything interfere with trying to pull him overboard even though her feelings for him never went away. Hunter has been having a hard time getting his life together and is in constant worry. Everything he does is for his family and he does whatever it takes to win the one cup that he’s always promised to get… the Stanley Cup. Having so much pressure on him is slowly taking its toll but never waivers from his goal but at what price?… Will Dekker be able to make him see that there is more to life than hockey and that he deserves a chance to love?… Or will he destroy everything that he has worked so hard for?…
I loved Hard to Handle!!! It was a captivating tale of love, life and family!
Dekker and Hunter have history and 3 years later Dekker needs him… they have a love hate relationship but you can feel their passion through the core.
In Hard To Handle , KB delivers moments that are heartbreaking and heartfelt…a stirring ennemies to lovers story full of hope, loss, and great love. The author has a unique way of using her prose to make her readers feel great emotions – love, passion, sadness, and more.
Hunter owns my heart and I wanted to hold him and tell him it’s going to be ok… The characters are so real that they feel like dear friends. The bond between the Kincade’s sisters gives us an preview of what is to come.
Hunter and Jonah made me cry and feel deep their connection. Between them, The emotions run high and the conversations run deep.
Hard to Handle is a fantastically raw story about love, family and second chances. I loved it from start to finish.
Hunter and Dekker knew each other quite well a few years ago. They may have had an intimate relationship but it was strictly sex…or was it???
When Dekker is tasked with the job to get Hunter to change to their firm is it too much to ask of her? Too much for heart? She wants what is the best for her family company but can she put her heart on the line? Is that what it’s going to take and/or come down to?
What is happening with Hunter? Why is he being the way he is??? This man just tears your heart up with his feelings. He masks them with anger and it gets the better of him at times.
What is going to happen to these two? Can they build on what they used to have and make it stronger or is that going to be part of the weak link between the two? Will they be able to open up FINALLY to each other or not???
I couldn’t stop reading to find out what happened!!
What an incredible start right out of the gate with this new series from Kristy! I am so excited she’s starting this new series to showcase four strong sisters in the starring roles.
Hockey is my newest favorite sports trope and I totally loved Dekker and Hunter’s story. Working for the family’s sports management company, Dekker is tasked to go out and steal Hunter Maddox away from his current agent. The only problem is, the two had a steamy six month long fling about three years ago before Dekker walked away. How is she supposed to convince Hunter that he should sign with her?
Dekker and Hunter are both dealing with things from their past in addition to fighting the intense feelings and chemistry it is obvious they still have. Hunter’s the captain of a new hockey team that is gunning for the Stanley Cup this year, only his antics off the ice is seriously jeapordizing their chances. Dekker’s father tasks her with reigning Hunter in, helping the team get that cup, and signing him to their company. Can she keep her feelings out of it long enough to accomplish what feels like an insurmountable challenge?
Kristy is SO good at writing an emotionally charged story that definitely tugs at the heartstrings. The scenes with Hunter and his brother Jonah had me tearing up each and every time. As well the scenes between Dekker and her father, and it was obvious I just needed to keep tissues at the ready while reading.
This second chance romance is an absolute must read! Kristy has meticulously crafted a story of two people who have struggled to let love into their lives, but have discovered that ultimately love always wins and it is possible to be deserving of that love. I laughed, I cried, I raged, I cheered. I never wanted it to end!
I’m excited to see which sister Kristy is going to write about next!
My Review (ARC provided)
Five fantastic stars!
Wow did Kristy deliver on this book! As soon as I heard this was a hockey romance written by her I knew I had to read. Let me tell you she did not disappoint, she packs everything into this book a romance reader could want.
I fell hard for Hunter our H, he is deeply scarred from his past and can’t let it go. On the outside, he looks like he has it all but on the inside, he is broken. And then we have our h Dekker she is tough and feisty the mother figure to her younger sisters and would do anything to help her father and their agency, (it’s fun to get the interactions between the sisters throughout the book as they all work for their father). What she doesn’t expect is for her father to want her to represent the infamous Hunter Maddox her old hookup and heartbreak.
This is where all the fun, drama, emotion, and steaminess come in. My emotions were all over the place. Let me tell you from the start they had the best chemistry I’ve read in a while. You could just feel it from their initial interaction and throughout the entire book. They both don’t want to be vulnerable to the other but they both want and need each other so much. I loved the buildup to their relationship and the angst we got up until then.
If you want to read a book that gives you all the feels and you can’t put down I’d highly recommend picking this one up! I can’t wait to get more of the Kincade family, they are some strong fiery woman!!
“Falling for someone is never the plan. One day, you just wake up and it’s there in dull-freaking, high definition color… You’ll realize the fights are love disguised.”
Hard to Handle was full of so much character, steam, anticipation, and had me turning pages until I reached the very end! First of all, Dekk (the female lead) is a lady that you want on your side in life; whether she’s your lady or your best friend. She’s determined, strong-willed, and loyal as hell. There were a couple of times I wanted to give her a good shake or pep talk, but her indecisiveness never overshadowed the fact that she knew how to handle just about anything that came her way. Hunter, oh Hunter, he is a ball of fire (literally). He so badly just wants to be accepted, loved, and cherished; but doesn’t let his guard down long enough to share his needs, instead putting the world on his shoulders. Dekk and Hunter have been thrown into the unknown (and close proximity) which means now they will have to deal with their past. But, can Hunter finally get Dekker to admit her feelings, and can Dekker finally get Hunter to allow her in?
Falling for someone is never the plan. One day, you just wake up and it’s there in full freaking high definition.
Hunter and Dekks story is an emotional but sweet and sexy at the same time. I definitely felt some emotions while reading this. At times both Hunter and Dekk broke my heart with how they were feeling and battling their demons. I can’t wait to read more in the series. This book was PHENOMENAL!!
Hard to Handle is the first book in this new series by K. Bromberg!! And i must say this book is everything I LOVEE!! it is a sport, second chance romance!!
This is the story of Hunter and Bekker, and let me tell you this story is a roallcoaster!! It will make you feel the chemistry between the characters from the beginning and they have an amazing one!! their hot moments are so steamy!!
Hunter family’s history is one that will make you cry and be mad. I dont want to tell a lot about the story because i want the readers to enjoy it. I just will say that if will make you feel of kind of feelings. If you have read any K. Bromberg previous you know her style and this is not the exception. IS a great book and i think is the perfect start for a new series!!
Cant wait to read which of Bekker’s sister is next!!
Hard to Handle is the first book in a new series, Play Hard, by the talented K. Bromberg. I love when a favorite author starts a new series. Play Hard is a series about four sisters who are all sports agents. Dekker is up first. She needs to sign the sexy hockey player, Hunter Maddox. Who she has a past with. Now she’s following his team and trying to get on his good side. Neither one of them can forget what they shared years ago, but so much has changed. They can’t do that again. Right? But the chemistry is still there. Dekker can fight it, but she knows she won’t be able to say no for long. Hunter is too sexy and too…everything. Can they let go of the past and find a way to be together? I loved this story! It’s an epic second chance love story that had me laughing and crying! Looking forward to the next in the series.
4.5 “Stick.Skill. Finess.” Stars
From the synopsis of this book only, I was expecting a light and sexy read! I should have known that coming from K. Bromberg this novel would be so much more! Hard to Handle is a sports / enemies to lovers / second chance romance that entertains with its main couple sharing a fierce attraction, but also a profound emotional bond that develops so beautifully!
Dekker Kincade is a driven heroine working in a men’s world as a sports agent. Her father’s management company is looking for new recruits and Hunter Maddox, the star hockey player, is the perfect candidate! She has history with the man and it shows right away with scenes oozing with desire! The flame is still burning hot between them, the teasing being really alluring! Both of them are closed off to their feelings though and makes their reunion charged with animosity!
I loved how Hunter is cocky and charming, using sexy innuendos. But he’s also so much more than this version of himself he shows to the world. He’s having a very difficult time in his personal life, and it seems that there’s only Dekker seeing his real struggle and understanding him. Spending time together only make them grow closer and it’s breathtaking to see them become more vulnerable to the other.
Hard to Handle was a very good start to the Play Hard Series with a complex plot line that brought all the feels! Now, I’m absolutely intrigued about the other Kincade sisters chasing their new clients in the next books!
** ARC received in exchange for an honest review **
There is no way my review can do Hard to Handle justice. I’m a big fan of K. Bromberg’s. I have been since I picked up Driven. But let me tell you Hard to Handle is now my all time favorite K. Bromberg book and a top read of 2020.
Hard to Handle is the first in a series centered around the Kincaid sisters, all sports agents at Kincaid Sports Management. First up is Dekker, the oldest sister. She’s a badass, she’s sassy but she’s also a little broken. Her father has tasked her with signing Hunter Maddox, a NHL star. He is literally imploding. Life delt him and his family a bad hand. He has been struggling for 16 years with guilt and so much more. Dekker, god I love her, knows that there is something going on with Hunter. She won’t give up on him.
K. Bromberg really didn’t hold anything back when she wrote this book. She grabbed me by the feels so many times, I felt like I was living this story with them. I laughed with them and man did I cry with them. At they end I cried happy tears.
Hands down, Hard to Handle is a MUST read!! It’s going to stick with me for a long while….the best kind of book you can read.