New York Times bestselling author, K. Bromberg, brings you a romance about love, forgiveness, and living every day to the fullest. I know finding and signing a military vet to the agency is a long shot–but it’ll be good press just letting him try out. That’s what I tell my family, rather than admit I can’t get the letter he wrote us five years ago out of my head. But what I tell the bartender … of my head.
But what I tell the bartender in his hometown is a lie. I know veterans protect each other. So I pretend to be a graduate student.
Sparks. Flame. Fire. I accidentally got in too deep.
I didn’t expect to develop feelings for Gunner Camden.
And there’s no way I can admit to my lies now, not without destroying what we share. So I’ll keep faking it.
***
There are two versions of me: before, and after deployment.
Back then I was a screwup kid. I’d lie, cheat, and steal my way out of everything. My only love was baseball.
After I started fighting, I found out there had been another path for me. One that involved my dream. But by then I had seen too much.
The old me was dead, so I put my dreams to rest, too.
Then Chase Kinkade walks into my bar and reminds me that life is meant to live. No regrets.
Fresh. Happy. Hopeful. I can start to see a new dream, with her.
But sometimes things are too good to be true… and dishonesty is the one thing I can’t forgive.
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
Hard to Lose is a raw emotional story that held me hostage from the first page until the last!
Gunnar has been living through his guilt and the nightmares left from his time in the military but he has also done so much for so many others since his time in the service. He is a good guy with a big heart who has learned to move on from the loss of his life’s dreams. But sometimes those lost dreams lead to other dreams and Chase is a dream and future he never saw coming.
In searching for the author of a long lost letter, Chase finds an amazing, broken man with a giving heart who puts honesty in high regard so when Chase’s innocent white lie gets out of hand and he finds out, forgiveness will be hard to find.
Gunnar and Chase may have started out their relationship with them not really knowing the truth about each other but their chemistry and the pull towards one another is undeniable. Can they overcome the obstacles thrown in their way, find forgiveness and move on to the happily ever after that they both deserve? Read, enjoy and find out for yourself!
I also had the added benefit of listening to the audio version of this story and the narrators did an amazing job and it definitely added to my enjoyment of this story!
K. Bromberg
Hard to Lose (The Play Hard Series Book 4)
ARC REVIEW
Gunner and Chase
First of all, let me say- Thank you to all of our active military and veterans for your service. My husband was in the military when we were engaged, and his brothers in arms meant a lot to him.
This book though…I cannot say enough good things about it! Gunner and Chase were so good together! It was an awesome read and I loved it!
This is a book about two people who feel lost – personally, professionally, emotionally.
When a five-year-old letter finally finds it’s way to KSM, Chase, the youngest sister/partner in the firm, makes it her mission to find the soldier that wrote the letter. Her initial intentions were twofold: to bring a lot of positive publicity to the firm and to present an adult version of the Make-a-Wish program by having the former pitcher turned veteran turned bar owner know that they actually had wanted to recruit him and to feature him at a game.
Gunner’s childhood was not sunshine and roses. He was an amazing high school pitcher who was recruited by many colleges and teams. But life had other plans and he found himself in the Middle East fighting for his country. When his tour of duty ends, he returns to a small town with a large military presence and opens a bar which caters to veterans. He put his dreams behind him and has built a life of helping others.
Chase’s attempts to locate the serviceman who wrote the letter leads her to the same town where Gunner lives. Neither Chase nor Gunner know who the other really is and sparks fly immediately upon them meeting.
Upon learning Chase’s true motives, the trust and feelings that Gunner had for her are lost. He feels that she only wants to use him in order to put both herself and her firm in the spotlight and that he was just a means to an end.
The resolution of this story was very sweet and aided, in a small part, by the man and rival sports agent who had broken Chase’s heart and left her feeling lost, vulnerable, unable to trust, and unsure of her value.
The story had angst, steam, and a beautiful happy-ever-after.
I am looking forward to the fifth and final book in this series.
This series gets better and better with every book. Chase’s book has way more angst than the rest. She is seeking out Ryan Camden, the former college pitcher turned vet, for all the wrong reasons. Destiny Falls quickly shows her that her win-at-all costs outlook on life is not the only way to live. This girl goes down swinging denying all the signs around her. That happiness and success can come in many different forms. That closing yourself off is not the only way to win.
Chase and Ryan go into their relationship with half truths. It makes for one angsty and steamy read. I couldn’t get enough. I knew where Chase was going but her road to get there was less than forthcoming. This was an emotional read on so many levels. But one I’d gladly pick up again.
Oh my GIDDY AUNT but Hard to Lose by K. Bromberg was EVERYTHING I needed it to be and more! I was enraptured from the start, hungry for every morsel, every detail, ready and not ready for the heady and evocative trip I know I can rely on with every masterful book Bromberg writes!
Ryan is fascinating. Layered, deep, stoic, grumpy and growly, and I was utterly charmed. Such depth of feeling, and carrying a heavy burden, yet being a down to earth good guy. He is amazing.
Chase is endearing. A go getter, driven, successful yet striving to succeed, to be accepted, to be seen, and I adored her. Her growth throughout this book really blew me away.
This story packs a wallop of a punch and hits you right in the FEELS. I went on one HECK of an emotional rollercoaster ride of a journey and I have no regrets, though my heart is still trying to catch up and return to its normal rhythm!
There are so many things I adore about this story. The camaraderie, the familial relationships, the ride or die friendships, especially the communication and conversation. All of it and so much more just adds to the recipe of a story that I know will be with me for a long time.
Also? The CHEMISTRY between Chase and Ryan? EPIC. The SHMEKSHAY times definitely did it for me; it was real, it was tangible, it was powerful to get to witness.
If you’re looking for a story that will overwhelm you in the best possible way, look no further than Hard to Lose!
P. S. Have tissues handy.
P. P. S. I am so EXCITED for Finn’s story!!!
It was a simple letter. A plea for me to take on a new client who hasn’t touched a real baseball field in over three years.
Would it be good publicity to get the Army veteran signed by an MLB team? Or course.
Would it piss my rival and ex-boyfriend off? Definitely.
Would it be devastating to my heart? That was the one thing I never expected.
With each book in this series, I become an even bigger fan of K. Bromberg. I find that with each book, K. Bromberg brings her all. With each book, I find myself being more and more in love with her characters and her ability to write characters that have flaws (meaning not perfect) and who are great people, people with which I would want to be friends with. This book brought all the feels and Chase & Gunner’s story is my favorite yet!
Chase – the youngest sister in the Kincaid family (Books 1-3 are her sister’s books). She’s the most driven of the girls. Goal-oriented, serious, and the list maker. She’s feeling a bit unsettled of late and wants to be challenged.
Chase’s father receives a lost piece of mail from Ryan that thanks him for his interest in him but respectfully lets him know that he has moved on from baseball. This letter is 6 years too late. This intrigues Chase and she sets off to find Ryan.
Gunner/Ryan has moved on from baseball and his life is now his business and volunteering with young children who have lost a parent in the armed forces. Gunner has a lot of survivor guilt and volunteering is what helps him cope.
The relationship between Gunner and Chase is friendly and flirty but once they get together – WOW! There is only one problem…there is a small lie between the two of them. It’s not a lie meant to hurt someone but a lie that has gotten out of control and can’t be stopped. Their relationship, besides the lie, is pure and simple and HOT!
K. Bromberg gave these characters such depth, she gave us such insight as to who they are and what they need and it’s beautiful and sad at the same time. All the feels will be felt while reading this book – a friend to lovers romance that will have you laughing and crying within moments of each other.
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Amazing! I can always count on K. Bromberg to deliver a great read, as was the case with Hard to Lose. Gunner is a wounded ex-soldier who’s riddled with guilt from his past. Chase is a strong independent woman who’s very goal oriented. She doesn’t have an off button, and is a tad rigid. That’s where Gunner comes in to show her how to let her hair down a bit. These two melted my heart in so many ways. Their story is entertaining, steamy, and gut-wrenching. Loved their journey to love. Spectacular read.
I wasn’t able to put this book down! Hard to Lose is by far my favorite in the Play Hard series and this one was a home run in my book. Every moment of this journey was worth the heartache and tears shed. Watching Chase and Gunner each grow in their own way, while fighting for what truly makes them happy, is what every reader only dreams about. Definitely a book you don’t want to miss out on!
4 STARS FOR HARD TO LOSE!! Gunnar was perfection…. This author knows how to write her characters. I loved the angst and feels in thus one….I would definitely recommend this book.
Hard To Lose is the fourth and final book in the Play Hard series. I wasn’t sure at first when the book started if I was going to like it but it sucked me in quickly!
This story in the series is about Chase, the youngest of the Kinkade sisters. She is focused on herself and career and is not looking for a relationship. By a chance of fate, Chase finds Ryan from a letter he wrote. Their relationship is beyond complicated as it is full of lies. The relationship seems lights but their feelings evolve for each other quickly.
Hard To Lose is an emotional story with a lot of romance and a fun light heartedness. Definitely a great way to end the series!
Man I love this series, these sisters are just great to read about. This is such a cute story. Chase is on a hunt for a baseball player who wrote a letter 5 years ago, and it lands on her desk. Its her mission to find him. They find each other but don’t know it, until later. This one has steam and such a good HEA.
Also, just loooove that Fin is getting his own story.
4 stars
3.5 steam
Thank you to Valentine PR and the author for my advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.
4/4.5 Stars
“No regrets feels like it has a whole new meaning now.”
This was such a sweet and emotional love story featuring Chase and Gunner. This one is a bit of sports and a bit of military romance wrapped into a heartwarming package. Chase is trying to find Ryan Camden based on a letter that was received 5 years too late. She ends up in a small town trying to locate him and ends up meeting and falling in love with Gunner (with a bit of mistaken identity). These two connected on such a deep level and their love for each other was so pure. It was such an enjoyable build up of their romance. I was just waiting for the angst to hit once Chase finally realized the identity of Ryan and Gunner. Loved Gunner so much and he definitely captured my heart! I also loved the connections towards the end between all the siblings. The ending was super sweet but I could have taken even more :). Overall, this series has been amazing and Chase and Gunner were another great couple!
I know we are not supposed to have favourites but…
THIS IS MY FAVOURITE!
K. Bromberg writes so beautifully & with such insight into the most harrowing of circumstances.
I have loved reading every story about the Kincade’s sisters, but Chase and Gunner was everything!
Chase’s sisters have all find the love of their life and now they have nothing better to do then getting involved in Chase’s business. They are all adamant that she should date more…
Their father, Kenyon Kincade wants more for their company and after a heart to heart with Chase, she makes her mission to find the one that got away… the one whose letter she cannot stop thinking about- Ryan aka Gunner.
Ryan gave up his baseball career and enrolled in the military… but why?
Hard To Lose was gripping from start to finish. Not only is KB a terrific storyteller, but she also has the gift of making you care about all characters – even Finn.
As always, you think you have worked out the story, worked out the twists and the lies, but something that KB has mastered beautifully is the art of the unanticipated turn of events, the curveball. Chase and Gunner’s attraction is genuine but secret and lies might ruin it all…
I loved this book… the whole series. It has, for me, everything that makes a good story excellent: delightful protagonists and equally delightful love trying to overcome obstacles.
I cannot wait to read Finn’s story!
4.5 stars
I devoured Hard to Lose, it was amazing! K. Bromberg is a go to author for me that never disappoints. I am a huge fan of her work. Gunner was a swoon worthy hero that any girl would be lucky to have.
I have been waiting on Chase’s story and it was worth the wait. Chase and Gunner were perfect for each other. They had many hurdles to jump through to be together. I loved the chemistry between these two.
I believe Hard to Lose is my favorite in this series. You will love Chase and Gunner. This is a must read!
It was a simple letter. A plea for me to take on a new client who hasn’t touched a real baseball field in over three years.
Would it be good publicity to get the Army veteran signed by an MLB team? Or course.
Would it piss my rival and ex-boyfriend off? Definitely.
Would it be devastating to my heart? That was the one thing I never expected.
Can’t believe it’s already the last book of the Kincade sisters! Hard to Lose is the fourth book in the Play Hard series by K. Bromberg. This book series is about 4 sisters – Dekker, Brexton, Chase and Lennox. All four work for their dad, Kenyon Kincade, at Kincade Sports Management.
This book is about Chase Kincade. A letter was sent to the KSM which was supposed to arrive 5 years ago. Chase can’t get it out of her head and she is determined to find this guy. She is traveling to a smalltown to look for him. She wants to try to find him, but she also knows the veterans protect each other so she can’t go around and ask questions about him. That’s why she pretends to be a student. She is going to a bar to get a feeling about the people who live there. That’s where she meets the good looking and charming bartender Gunner Camden. they both feel the instant connection. They spend a lot of time with each other, but even though they both say it’s just a fling, they know they developed feelings for each other.
Hard to Lose isn’t really a sports romance it’s more like a military romance. I normally don’t read those kinds of books, but for Kristy’s book I give it a go and I absolutely loved this book. Actually it is my favorite book of the Play Hard series! This story of Gunner Camden is so beautiful and it made me cry so much. This book is just EVERYTHING! It gave me all kinds of feelings! I think I never felt so hard and fast in love with a hero like I did with Gunner. Even though Chase is the youngest sister of the Kincades for me you could see she is equal to her other sisters. What I loved about this book is that I really felt the strong connection the sisters have. Which I missed a bit in the previous books. Also the father/daughter moments were beautiful. I also loved Nix & Ellie! They were amazing.
Wish I could give this book more than 5 stars! I MUST READ!
Can’t wait for the final book of the Play Hard series!
All the Kincaid women are smart, driven, and beautiful they have proven themselves in a male-dominated world. A letter appears years after it was written. They have not taken the easy road in anything they do, and finding love is no exception. Chase takes a small step back in life to find some peace. Gunnar is drowning in life trying to make peace with his past. these two broken souls find a way to lower their fences just long enough to let each other in. This is a sweet and touching HEA that dreams are made of. Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC.
I could not put this down. All the stars. All. Of. Them.
Chase’s story! I have been eagerly awaiting this one!
And I 1000% fell in love with Gunner!
Talk about an amazing human!
A letter lost for 5 years, now found, leads Chase on a hunt to find the author of the letter. Who was an undiscovered baseball phenom.
This is the best story. Heat. Heartstrings. And happiness. After years of chaos.
I adored this and couldn’t put it down.
PS: Easton and Scout make a mention appearance. Adored.
K. Bromberg
“Hard to Lose” by K. Bromberg was nothing like I expected it to be, in the best of ways. Unlike its predecessors in this series, I wouldn’t really classify it as a sports romance at all; it felt more like a small town/military romance to me. While male lead Ryan “Gunner” Camden was a former baseball player and his reasons for giving up the game were an important part of the story, his time in the military and the life he built after his discharge were just as important, if not more so. Gunner had quite a bit of survivor’s guilt and other baggage to work through, but I loved that he chose to channel those feelings into helping others and living every day like it was his last, rather than withdrawing into himself and becoming a grumpy recluse.
Gunner’s love interest, sports agent Chase Kincade, was a Type A overachiever who loved lists, and it seemed like a relationship between them would never work. They were drawn to each other from the moment Chase walked into Gunner’s bar, however, and I adored their flirty, witty banter as their relationship blossomed. It always seemed like they were having fun together, no matter what they were doing. The problem was that their relationship was based on a lie, and deception was a total deal breaker for Gunner. Chase and Gunner were both likeable, sympathetic characters, and I found it easy to see both sides in their conflict as well as root for them to overcome the challenges standing in the way of their HEA.
I think I’ve said this about every book in the series so far, but “Hard to Lose” may have been my favorite one yet. I highly recommend it for all fans of emotional contemporary romance and am really looking forward to the next book in the series. I can’t wait to find out how the author redeems Finn Sanderson’s character given that he has been such a jerk up to now!
*Review copy provided by the author via Valentine PR. All opinions expressed are my own.