New York Times bestselling author, K. Bromberg, is back with a heartfelt, standalone romance and a new hero to steal your heart . . . The contract with Major League Soccer was supposed to help repair my damaged reputation. Then I discovered that I’d made a deal with the devil: the player I’m supposed to recruit is none other than the bad boy, star Premier League footballer, Rush McKenzie. … boy, star Premier League footballer, Rush McKenzie.
British. Tattooed. Sexy. A man currently at the center of a huge scandal.
The goal? To convince him to stay in the States.
But what’s wrong with a little fun in the meantime? No strings. No sweet nothings. Just a way to pass the time while we’re both struggling to prove our true selves to the world.
If someone found out our relationship was anything more than professional, it would only serve to prove all our critics right.
***
I never should have agreed to take the fall.
But I did and I’m a man of my word.
Even if it means risking everything I’ve worked for.
The only bright side is Lennox Kincade.
Gorgeous. Defiant. Rumor-tainted. Totally off-limits.
Sharing a house with the gorgeous sports agent should have been a fun distraction from the turmoil. Someone to help pass the time while the tensions back home die down.
But what started as nothing, ends up as something I never saw coming.
Are you ready to fall for the Kincade sisters and then men who love them in K. Bromberg’s sexy, contemporary, sports romance series? These books can all be read as standalones, but you’ll enjoy reading them as a series!
Hard to Handle (Hunter & Dekker’s story – hockey romance)
Hard to Hold (Rush & Lennox’s story – soccer romance)
Hard to Score (Drew & Brexton’s story – football romance)
Hard to Lose (Gunner & Chase’s story – baseball romance)
Hard to Love (Finn & Stevie’s story)
more
Lennox definitely surprised me, she is a fantastic character, strong, sassy and refreshing. Then we have Rush McKenzie, a famous British footballer that goes into hiding after the scandal. They are both confident. The story is brilliant, it hooked me from the start, the angst and emotions K Bromberg just knows how to deliver is everything you want. The sizzling chemistry between the characters, their vulnerable sides, making it all so real. This is one book you need to read, I love both books so far, but I believe Hard to Hold and Rush are now my favorite.
4.75 stars
This is the second book in The Play Hard Series and boy does this author have her game on! Lennox and her sisters work at their father’s sports management company. She has always been a hard worker but overcompensates so that people take her seriously and do not get stuck on her looks. However, when a rumor begins to spread about her and the way she acquires her clients, Lennox escapes to her bestie’s house in Los Angeles not realizing that there is another occupant already there. Rush is the sexy soccer star for the Liverpool Football Club who put himself in a precarious position as a scandal now has him lying low. In an effort to cool things down, Rush is doing a three-month stint in the States promoting Major League Soccer. Rush and Lennox wind up meeting one another and realize that they have a lot more than chemistry in common. Can these two make it work? This is one storyline that will have you swooning for Rush and rooting for the sassy, loveable Lennox. Filled with drama and steam, this is one multilayered read with all the feels that make it one heck of a sports romance and I cannot wait for the next book. I volunteered to read a copy of this book.
This book is one that hung on after The End. Holy wow! Kristy took me on a beautiful ride and I couldn’t consume this book fast enough. I ADORED Rush. He was a good guy, dealing with quite the backlash and he found himself at a friend’s house in L.A. What he wasn’t expecting was Lennox. Nor she, him. Lennox is headstrong and she’s bound to prove her family wrong. She finds herself in L.A. as well, and around the British footballer. The chemistry between them is strong. *fans self* Lennox has found herself in a plight. She was prepared to do the work, she wasn’t prepared for Rush. But she also had a strong moral compass and she wasn’t willing to risk her job. I loved the budding relationship between these two. I had ALL THE FEELS and I was completely lost in this book. I didn’t want to put it down and I can’t recommend it enough. Please be sure not to miss this AMAZING read!
Fun, funny and sexy! This is a book that shows lots of passion in both love and work. Proving she is the best with her brains and not just a pretty face. Lennox is thriving in a mans world but, as always men can’t handle a strong woman and belittle her.
Rush a mans man, an athlete, rich and sexy and so not seen for who he really is. Rumors have sent him into hiding and into the world where Lennox has captured his heart.
This is more that jus a romance, no this is a woman showing just how strong and capable she is and getting the man of her dreams. Powerful, entertaining and romantic. A must have!
YNWA
LFC forever.
I bleed red.
Can a girl who has been a Liverpool supporter since she was little, like a book about a Liverpool player?
Lennox Kincade the beauty Queen sister doesn’t think her family appreciate her or take her seriously. Her fellow sports agents think she only gets clients by sleeping with them.
Rush McKenzie, Liverpool superstar is on his summer break and lying low after a newspaper scandal about him bedding the wife of a teammate.
I wasn’t sure if I was invested in the relationship between Lennox and Rush, it all seemed a bit weird. They went from him being a full on flirt and her resisting him to full on, all in. I warmed to them and to him as more of his background was revealed. I loved the flashbacks of him being young and they absolutely nailed why his character was that way.
“Love doesn’t fix the hurt you’ve caused. It just makes it ache a little less.”
“Sometimes it’s not a matter of fitting best but rather needing to hold on to that moment in time you fit into and living it to the fullest.”
So can this Liverpool supporter like a book about a Liverpool player? You bet she can.
Swoon! K. Bromberg scores big with Hard to Hold.
This is the second book in the Play Hard series. It is Lennox’s story and it starts out with an OMG! that totally hooked me.
Lennox Kincade is a former Beauty Queen who is now working for her family’s sports management team. She is determined to prove her worth to her family and not be just another pretty face, but it is not easy being a beautiful woman in a man’s world. When she is tasked to try and woo the rumored British bad boy, Rush McKenzie to stay in the U.S., she knows that she has her work cut out for her.
Rush McKenzie is Britain’s premier league star. Football (aka soccer) is his first and only love. It’s what he’s dreamed of doing since he was a small boy. He’s not had the ideal life and has worked hard to get where he is. When a scandal lands in his lap, his agent suggests he lie low in the U.S. for a while. What Rush wasn’t expecting was the beautiful Lennox Kincade to invade his life.
Rush and Lennox are fire together. Their chemistry and sexual tension are off the charts! Their banter was funny and hot! There is so much more to both of them than meets the eye. I loved uncovering each of their layers. My heart ached for both of them and I shed a few tears at the heartache they had to endure. Rush was everything I wasn’t expecting yet everything I love in a book boyfriend. I loved Lennox’s fierce independence and tenacity. This was a beautiful love story. It was very well written and brings all of the swoony feels and emotions. I highly recommend reading it! I couldn’t get enough, and I can’t wait to read the next story in this addicting series!
Hard to Hold is another win in this series!
The first book introduced us to the Kincade sisters and their father who run a sports agency. This book features Lennox. She is a bit complex and feels a bit like she doesn’t fit with her three sisters. Lennox is more of a wandering soul looking to find someone who grounds her.
Rush McKenzie is a huge football (soccer) star in Liverpool but finds himself in the states after a scandal. He is keeping his secrets very secret and has no trust for those around him.
When these two end up rooming together of course the sparks fly but it’s what happens outside of that that is magical. I love when characters find themselves and learn to trust. When there isn’t conflict with each other just knowing when to be brave. Loved this book and I definitely recommend!
This author kills it EVERY TIME! I love their banter between each other… I love Lennox’s independent… no man is going to run my life attitude… so refreshing to see the male character chase the female character! Keep the series going Ms Bromberg and I will keep reading them! LOVED IT!
“Careful, Nox,” he murmurs. “You’re playing with fire here.”
“You ready to burn with me, Rush?”
Oh holy hell, it appears that I have a new number one book boyfriend—Rush McKenzie. It’s been a long time since I’ve had such a crazy reaction to a book. From the very first words, I fell in love with Rush and his self-sacrificing, family first mentality. That it’s packed into a hot AF, smart, sexy, ridiculously talented body didn’t hurt either.
He’s the complete package—good with kids, humble regarding his profession and talent, gorgeous, can hold a conversation, and loyal to a fault.
Almost to his detriment.
And then there’s Lennox. One of four Kincade daughters trying to make a place for herself in life and in the family business—Kincade Sports Management.
Lennox is smart, sassy, sexy, and also loyal to her family and her clients. She’s struggling a bit to figure it out what her real role and level of involvement is between her sisters and her dad. She’s known to be a bit of a runner—doesn’t stay in one place for long and no long term relationships.
Until she meets Rush. And the fire that ignites between them is hot, but also a slow, sexy smoldering burn. One that strikes hot and allows for their chemistry to sizzle and simmer until they just can’t keep their hands off each other.
I absolutely loved Lennox and Rush’s relationship. They both had so much to think about, lots of things to decide that could change everything that they thought would be their future. I loved how supportive and real they were with each other—that once they decided to finally trust why they had was real.
I swooned. I cheered. I smiled.
I laughed. I cringed. I even held my breath a few times, and I loved every damn second. I’d give Hard to Hold twenty stars if I could!
A top read for 2020!
Rush is a cocky British footballer in the US to lay low from controversy.
Lennox is a restless sports agent struggling with self-confidence.
Lennox talks about Rush’s magnetism but that is nothing compared to the chemistry between these two characters.
The parts that I love most about this story were that both characters took a hit to their careers but they were able to support each other and help rebuild confidence. Even though they were both dropped into each other’s lives, the mutual admiration that developed was incredible. Let’s not forget the heat these two shared … holy hotness it was off the charts.
I also felt a connection to Lennox; a woman working in a male-dominated industry and defying stereotypes. She is seeking her place with family, relationships, and in her career. The internal confident struggles felt very authentic and relatable.
This is my first time reading K. Bromberg and kicking myself on what has taken so long to pick up one of her books. I can’t wait to read more of her work!
Hard to Hold is book 2 in the Play Hard series and can be read as a standalone.
*ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.
“I beg you. Let. Me. Fight. For. You. You are worth fighting for…”
This year couldn’t get any better in the sport romance genre; K. Bromberg has written once again another winner, I loved Lennox and Rush’s story; the plot is so original, so fresh and truthfully just amazing. The main characters have scorching hot chemistry, and the whole vibe I got while reading this, is that I need more, more from K. Bromberg and her amazing characters and more stories like this, I cannot wait for Hard to Score out on February 16, 2021.
Rush Mckenzie is the premiere football player who everyone expects him to be a rebel, he doesn’t trust anyone and the game is all that matters in his life; but when suddenly he finds himself in a scandal, he has to keep on the downlow for a while…entering Lennox Kincaide, one of the sports agents at KSM, she loves her work, but her whole life she’s been looking for more, she doesn’t do relationships because is safe; and after everyone just thinks of her as a pretty face, she knows she has to prove them wrong, but the only one she didn’t see coming was Rush, and his charming personality. So, what can go wrong with having a little fun with no strings??
Hard to Hold is the second book in the Playing Hard series by K Bromberg, a sports romance series where each book focuses on a different Kincade sister. This time our heroine is Lennox Kincade a former beauty queen and the Hero is Rush MacKenzie a high profile British football/soccer player with Liverpool FC.
Hard to Hold was a step up in the series for me after Hard to Handle left me wanting in the connection and chemistry department, this book did not. I loved the ease of how Rush and Lennox clicked, they had this understanding of the other and seemed to enter each others lives at the perfect moment.
I loved the exploration of Lennox’s self esteem professionally, her need to earn her place as a sports agent and to overcome the stigma that her beauty is what gets her the clients not her talent as an agent. A topic I think many woman face in a career driven world. Then Rush’s story again one of misconceptions where he is portrayed as an adulterer and he is lost of how to prove them wrong and the novel evolves around why he isn’t correcting the lies and slander being publicised about him around the world, threatening his prominent career.
I thoroughly enjoyed the ease that the relationship between Rush and Lennox developed, the way they explored their relationship despite the elements holding them back. The romance aspect of Hard to Hold was much stronger here and I completely fell in love with them as a couple and as individuals. The long running storyline for both characters was constantly present but didn’t overtake the focus until the reader is well and truly invested in Lennox and Rush. I thought I knew where this book was going to go but I was pleasantly surprised and the ending stepped things up a notch. Overall Hard to hold gives you a Hero that makes you smile but warms your soul and heroine that holds her head high and is inspirational in how she works to prove people wrong. I hope this series keeps going from strength to strength.
I’m a sucker for Kristy’s sport romances and this new series, the Play Hard series is phenomenal. I call it a sport romance with heart because there’s so much emotions in this characters additional to the burning chemistry between them. The intimacy they didn’t want but couldn’t resist. The way they were drawn to one another was intense even though they both were relationshipphobes. The banter was fantastic and fun. The passionate moments left me fanning myself with all the delicious hotness.
Lennox is one of the 4 Kincade sisters in the Kincade Sport Management Agency. She is one of the youngest sisters and the restless and wondering one. She’s been feeling undervalued and trap by her family and that makes her take some drastic decisions to go to LA and show her family she can do the job and bring in new talent for the business.
There she cross paths with no other than Rush Mackenzie. European football king and devilish bad boy.
Rush Rush Rush!!! He certainly gave me a rush of desire with every passionate scene and just for been him. He was a perfect book boyfriend.
“Rush would be a terrible mistake. A terrible, gorgeous, satisfying mistake. I know it after only one day, but the funny thing is, it’s one I know I’m already going to make.”
Lennox girrrrl!, I totally get you. Rush was brooding, intense, arrogant but charming. Strong and bossy but also caring and a gentleman. He had swagger and this rebel bad boy attitude everyone wanted to have. Everyone certainly believe that was all he was when in reality this man had a huge, wonderful and beautiful heart. He was loyal to the extreme, selfless, compassionate and loving. He comes to LA to stay low and get away from a scandal that can ruin his career. I won’t say no more but people this book had me glue to the pages with all the anxiety and drama.
One of my favorite things about this book and series is the sister relationships which is not perfect and that made it super real and relatable. Like a good family they have their ups and down but they are present and always there when Lennox needed them the most.
I love getting lost in this book and definitely need more of the Kincade sister and the men they bring to their knees. I can’t wait for Chase’s story that’s actually the one I’m dying to read. Can we say ANTICIPATED READ OF 2021?, yes we doooo.
It was fun reading a story about a soccer, excuse me, football player. One that came to the US to escape scandal. Now while he wasn’t necessarily modeled on anyone, there was another character that in a way kind of was like David Beckham, but he hadn’t moved to the US. As usual, Bromberg has written a steamy, yet emotional story. One that hooked me and kept me reading and wanting to know if the two of them could figure out how to overcome their issues and be together. The issues not only having to do with emotional and social, etc., but also included the distance between them if Rush goes back to his job like he wants.
While I didn’t love this as much as the first one in the series, it was still good, and it was still great to see the family Lennox has and how they actually dealt with problems. It reminded me of my own family in that way. And I’m definitely eager to read the rest of the family members’ stories in upcoming books!
“Sometimes love is hard to hold on to but if he’s the one, if he’s where you keep wanting to wander to when you look at that globe, then maybe he’s the one you’re meant to have.”
This story snuck up on my heart, from lust, to friendship, to all out love, Lennox and Rush had some serious chemistry that set this book on fire! Rush is a charming man, his sexy confidence and sweet side made him impossible to resist. He came off as a little cocky to start but as Lennox began to peel back the layers that hid his heart, I truly fell for him. I loved Lennox’s open honesty with Rush, there was no unnecessary drama just for the sake of the story. She showed all her cards to build trust with him and prove that she was there for the man not for the money. Rush never had anyone in his corner fighting for him and the bond he built so quickly with Lennox was passionate and magical.
“The man may have skills on the pitch but when it comes to that tongue of his, it puts everything else he can do to complete shame.”
Ohhhh Rush McKenzie, he is one talented, sexy beast of a man! The bad boy football player could truly incinerate the panties off any lady but he sets his sights on Lennox and his pursuit of her was fire! In a male dominated industry Lennox’s vulnerability to be seen for more than her beauty queen looks had me rooting for her to gain her confidence back and show what she was capable of. She deserved a man to love her for skills in and out of the bedroom and Rush was definitely the man for the job. This story had me laughing, swooning and definitely fanning myself from the heat!
Well, this is a bit of a hard review for me to write. While I finally ended up liking the story, the first half just didn’t quite do it for me. I struggled in the beginning to connect with the characters until I got into the main storyline, then I enjoyed them and their journey together. They do have some good chemistry together.
Lennox came across as a petulant child who didn’t get her way, so she’d do what she wanted, not thinking things all the way through. She wanted to be seen as one way, but didn’t stick to her word (even if it was in her head-ie: “I won’t eat this piece of cake” then proceeds to eat the cake and get upset for gaining weight-that’s just a random example and not part of the story). I did like that she was strong, independent, and could hold her own against the males in her work industry. I also loved how she fought for what was best for her clients and Rush.
Rush I liked more than Lennox. He has a bad boy persona, flirty, sweet, charming, a huge heart, kind, caring, and swoony! I really loved that he was humble and never forgot where he came from.
All in all, this was a good read. Thank you Kristy for this copy. This is my honest review.
I really do love a good sports romance book and this is the second book in the Play Hard series. I loved the chemistry between the two main characters, Lennox and Rush, but also the depth in the story. Honestly there were a few things that I would’ve liked to see differently but that’s just something personal. I truly loved Lennox’ spirit and how she was portrayed next to football star Rush. Definitely worth the read and if you love sports romance, this one’s for you! I can’t wait to read the next one in this series!
No matter what Lennox is trying to do, her reputation always seems to follow here everywhere she goes no matter how hard she tries to stop the rumors nothing seems to work. Even though she has a strong family behind her she doesn’t feel much support and goes to LA to try and start a job for the time being trying to make sense of it all… Rush has one more public appearance nightmare to deal with and heads to the States to try and lay low until the dusts settles but it’s not an easy thing to do. When he first meets Lennox, sparks fly between them and it’s hard to ignore the attraction. But Lennox isn’t looking for something new and tries hard to ignore whatever is between them as she’s trying to break the rumors following her. But no matter how hard she tries, feelings start to grow and it’s hard to deny there is something more between them. But trouble seems to be following Rush everywhere and when it all comes to a head, he’ll have to choose what’s really important…
One step to complete success, only to find out that the debt from the past has to be paid. The bill always comes at the end, the price is high, but the promise must be fulfilled …. And it does not matter at all what is the truth in that world of power and fame one believes in what is served …. The price is that , but at least in all that chaos, she appears , the beautiful girl who surpasses everyone with her charm and looks … just perfect, a little fun in the meanwhile…. but what will happen when the fun becomes something so important, and instead of wanting the time to pass faster, we want it to slow down ….
That is the story of the sexy English football player Rush, who is forced to spend some time in the United States to get away from the scandal that shakes his professional and personal life. …. but what will happen when the sexy Lennox Kincade appears and they are forced to live under the same roof for a while … Can he ignore that magnetic attraction that overwhelms them from the first meeting?
The sexy and snarky banter, the scorching chemistry, the connection, the depth of the feelings between Rush and Lennox was a bit insta and so explosive from the very beginning. I love that this book is written in dual POV, each one so perfectly portraying their thoughts and feelings and both flowing seamlessly. Rush is so sexy and confident, so at least he appears to be. His cocky appearance hides wounds and vulnerability from the past that has marked him. A man who doesn’t know how to trust, how to love, how to accept anyone in his love.
Lennox is just amazing heroine, a woman in that male world, a woman who struggles to succeed, despite evreything. Stubborn and sassy, but strong enough to embrace the truth and reach for what she wants. The fact that she has a morals and spine and didn’t let her situation/circumstances lessen her demeanor and actions is admirable.
Between the beautifully crafted words, the emotions that fill each chapter, the chemistry between the main characters and the suspense towards the end of the story, I would give this book more stars if I could.
This is absolutely engrossing love tale with sizzling chemistry that will make you laugh, sign and swoon. Don’t start this one unless you intend to get sucked in for hours, because believe me that you wouldn’t be able to put it down until the very last words.
Books like Hard to Hold are why I read. It grabbed me from page one and I hated that I got to The End, but God it is a beautiful love story. It’s a story of finding that one person who gets you….all of you and makes the restlessness quite. It’s about having trust in another person.
Rush McKenzie is a British footballer, in the US after a scandalous photo ends up in the papers and threatens everything that Rush holds dear. It hurts him to the core, that everyone is quick to believe the story.
Lennox Kincade, sports agent, is having a bit of her own life crisis. She’s the wild child who gets restless and questions her part in the family business. She also questions Rush’s part in the scandal surrounding him. She just doesn’t buy it.
They have an intense chemistry, that anyone can see and when they give in? Oh, my *fans self*
Oh how I love these two characters! The brilliance of K. Bromberg’s writing shine through in this book. These two characters feel so real! I cried tears for them and laughed at their silliness. I cheered for their HEA.
I have very quickly fallen in love with this series these sisters are fast becoming some of my favourite female characters. I love the humour in these stories and Lennox and Rush made me giggle so much. The sexual tension with these two is insane, I loved the scenes when they were teasing each other. I found myself smiling a lot whilst reading and whilst that is a good thing I would have liked a bit more drama and tension. The end of this enjoyable book came too quickly for me and I would have liked a more extended epilogue.