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
I loved this story. It’s definitely going to be a favorite of my K. Bromberg collection. Chase’s determination to find Gunner after his lost letter came across her desk and him having changed since he sent the letter all those years ago is the perfect mix. Expect to laugh, cry and to thoroughly enjoy Hard To Lose.
This book had ALL THE FEELS!!! Gunner and Chase have become my favorite couple from this whole series. I love this whole series, but this book was so much more than I expected. Kristy wrote a hero that is EVERYTHING and more, Gunner is that hero who just deserves the best.
Gunner has been through some hard things, but he is trying to make life the best he can. Chase is trying to find her meaning in life, she uses her job to escape the reality. So when she sets out to find the guy who wrote her dad a letter years ago, she never expected to run into Gunner.
This book deserves so much more than 5 stars, this is a book that was packed with everything you love in a book. This is A MUST READ!!!
5 ‘My Dreams’ Stars
O..M…G… The swooniest of the sigh worthiest if HEROES is here. Literally a HERO that forever stole my heart! And his heroine is equally mind blowingly amazing! Yep, true Couple Gold! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
What an amazing story written by one of my favorite authors Kristy. Excellent words of Chase and Gunner that is emotional but funny and full of chemistry.
Everyone one of these books gets better and has me more hooked on these sisters. Chase and Ryan/Gunner’s story is one filled with so much emotion and so much hope and completely tore apart my heart strings as I fell down the rabbit hole of their story. Chase is the baby sister in a sports agency and is so set in her ways and driven with complete focus. When she stumbles into Gunner/Ryan trying to cross off that check list she doesn’t even see it coming. I loved Gunner’s backstory even though it was such a difficult one to read. This book pulled on all my emotions, including a few sets of tears and ALL the feels. I think the author did an amazing job writing this story and I love the way she integrated the back story in seamlessly.
I am so excited to know we are getting at least one more of these characters and cannot wait for Finn’s story next.
Not my first read by the author, and I have read the previous series books as well.
In this one we get to meet the youngest Kincade sister, Chase Kincade. She is something of a different breed because she is so young but so goal and career driven that anything else for her is just in the way. Her older sister’s may have found love but to her, career comes first. She wants to be someone, prove to herself and everyone that she can do anything her big sisters can and more. Even though her sisters give her a hard time about being too much of a workaholic, it get’s to Chase and the fact that all are so competitive, she can’t loosen anything now.
But what happens when Chase finds a letter that was addressed to their company, but 5 years too late? Well of course she has to go and figure it out, make it happen, win win win. By win I mean she just is competitive in nature and getting down to this would not only help her sister see she is the best but also free publicity for the company. Well, then she meets Gunner and boy did my heart melt. These two will remind you what true young love can be. Gunner is the sweetest, swoon worthy and kindest hero. Their relationship and connection is just so pure.
Very emotional ride on this one, I’d have tissue handy. I really was nervous about a young heroine and so when I knew this sister was coming, I was nervous since I am not a fan of young heroines and have had terrible experiences with them. Luckily this author came through and it was just hard not to love both the hero and heroine.
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Romance:
Steamy:
Triggers: NA
Standalone/Series: Book 4 in Series
Type: All Tags on top of this page!
Recommended: HIGHLY
Well, it’s happened. I have read my most favorite K. Bromberg book of all, and that’s saying something, given my rekindled love for Kristy and her writing. Yep, Gunner and Chase totally owned me, and I have nothing but love for their story, HARD TO LOSE.
I read a lot of books, and there are plenty that I really like, and that stay with me, and among them there are the ones that dazzle me, that just really resonate for one reason or another. When it comes time for my yearly list of ‘Favorite Reads,’ it’s not so hard to pull one together, because they are the books that I am still thinking about long after I’ve read them. When I make the list for this year, there’s no doubt that HARD TO LOSE will be on it, because I am so in love with this book.
Ryan ‘Gunner’ Camden stole my heart in every single way, not the least of which is the way that he loved Chase Kinkade. For someone that has experienced so much pain and loss, his heart, whether he believes it or not, is wide open, and full of so much love and care for others. And for Chase, driven, self-sufficient, successful Chase, Gunner is just the person that she needs, whether she knows it or not. The two of them together smooth out all of the broken, jagged edges, and make the most beautiful whole.
Look, I could obviously go on and on, because this book touched me very much. I have loved the whole Play Hard series, but this book is the one. It’s sexy and sweet and redemptive and healing, and I recommend it wholeheartedly. Do yourself a favor and make this a must-read-soon addition to your TBR.
A heart breaker of a story.
This is the story of Ryan & Chase. Ryan owns a bar after getting out the military in a small veteran town. Chase works with her family for a sports agency, but ends up in this town looking for a ball player. She does find him eventually, but she can’t believe who it is. This is such a tearjerker of a story. That’s how good it is written. Two people who are angry because of their past, but in different ways and circumstances. One of them was deceived by the other, but it wasn’t intentional. They become different people than they used to be because of each other. This book has a ton of emotions in it, and you feel every one of them. Lots of steam, too. Looking forward to the next book.
K. Bromberg takes us on a heck of an emotional journey that tugs on your heartstrings in this romantic and heartfelt love story between a military veteran and a sports agent. I absolutely fell 100% in love with everything about this story and its characters. They were real and relatable. Gunner is my new favorite book boyfriend. He is the swooniest, sweetest, sexiest, most selfless hero I have had the pleasure to read about in quite a while! I loved Chase too. She was sassy, confident, successful, independent, and fierce. Together, they are perfection!
This book is full of love, heartbreak, fear, humor, witty banter, anxiety, happiness, passion, and angst. It is simply amazing, inspirational, and so well-written. It exceeded my expectations (and those were already high). I am totally addicted to this series and Kristy’s writing. Her words have the ability to reach into your heart and make you feel as if you are living the stories.
It was a treat seeing the Kinkade sisters, their spouses, and Mr. Kinkade, the girls’ father, again and learning what they are up to. They are such a loving and supportive family even if the sisters give each other a hard time sometimes.
This is a standalone with interconnected characters. You do not need to read the other books in the series to understand this one but you should. They are all amazing and just get better and better as you read them. Although, I would say Hard to Lose is my favorite! I cannot wait to read the next book in this series!!!
***ARC received in exchange for an honest review.***
Every time we a new Kincade sister is introduced I have a new favorite. That is no different with Hard to Lose. I LOVED Chase. Her story with Gunner is such a feel good, romantic read that I couldn’t put down. I loved Gunner and their connection. I felt all the emotions as I read their story and I’ve already recommended it to all my friends.
What a beautiful story! This time around we get the Chase Kincade and Gunner Camden’s story and it will bring out feels you least expected with the characters always guarded. This read was filled with many honest moments and desire; however, how they came together is one that will either make them whole or break them into pieces.
Chase is determine to bring KSM presence to new and trending heights and hoping that her plan of the mysterious lost letter that was sent to her father will get them there. Finding this athlete who does not want to be found is a challenge that will not stop her. Little did she expect to meet Gunner a bar owner to occupy her thoughts.
Gunner is so sweet and kindhearted. He did surprising things for others that will have you fall hard and deep for. He was not the typical people would peg them out for. He also has a history that will have you breaking and think of all the what ifs.
As their friendship progresses we see two people with possibilities for more. But with Chase stay temporary the chance for more is nonexistence. Their honesty with each other of what is going on with their growing feels had them living in the moment with no regrets. Will that be enough for the time being? What happens when the one reality comes into light?
This read will have you believing that everything happens for a reason. People change and the one meant to be with &/or surrounded with will bring either bring out the best or worse in you. To live in the moments because tomorrow may not come and to take step out of your comfort soon in hopes that more is possible.
K. Bromberg’s Play Hard series is quickly becoming one of my faves and Chase Kinkade and Gunner Camden’s story is absolutely everything that I ADORE about romance stories. And even though my anxiety was amped up waiting for Chase’s lies to surface and her relationship with Gunner to implode due to those falsities, I also knew that Chase had it in her to fight for Gunner and what they created together because even though things between them started under false pretenses, their connection, their feelings, their love can withstand the truth being revealed as long as she proves everything he means to her.
Bromberg does an amazing job of illustrating all that Gunner feels just by being alive and the guilt and negative feelings run deep and will take work to heal or at least scar over enough to move forward and the way he is with Chase illustrates just the kind of man he is and why he deserves all that life has to offer and despite the secrets she’s keeping, Chase is the woman he needs by his side because her fierceness matches his own and as a pair, they can get past anything and everything, even what some may consider the impossible.
I can’t recommend this series enough. The Kinkade sisters and the men by their side make the perfect team, showing that together they work and play hard.
5 Poison Apples
I haven’t read the previous books in this series, but this definitely can be read as a stand alone. Unfortunately, this was a miss for me. It was well written and I loved the hero, Gunner, but the heroine and the conflict totally ruined this. I did not enjoy reading this and kept putting it off. As someone who lost a parent, you would think I would be able to connect with Chase, but her character was so abrasive and she really rubbed me the wrong way. I also couldn’t stand the conflict. I just kept waiting for the ball to drop. If it were anything else, I would have put aside my feelings towards the heroine and given this a higher rating.
I loved Gunner and his scenes at the volunteer center broke my heart! I don’t blame him one bit for how he reacted towards Chase when all was revealed.
This book may have been a miss but I will for sure be reading the others in this series.
4.5 stars!
Gunner and Chase stole my heart. This storyline pulled me in with all of the feels. Gunner’s story and how it shaped him, Chase, I just love her.
I enjoyed reading this addition to the Play hard series and have loved each of the Kincade sisters stories so it’s only apt that I’d love Chase x
Each story is unique and Chase is no different, the youngest of the sisters she’s in a mission, but what she doesn’t expect is to be side tracked by Gunner ! They are unexpected, he is a perfect fit !
Full of passion, tenderness, care, angst and drama (just enough) the story flows well and the words give hope.
This series is great and I’ve enjoyed every book x
4 stars
Diz
Chase and Gunner were AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Chase the youngest of the sisters and goal oriented didn’t believe in relationships. Especially after her ex cheated on her. When she sets out to look for the ex baseball player turned war hero she didn’t expect to meet the love of her life. When Chase walked into his bar Gunner was immediately smitten with the stunning brunette. His entire small town was aware of the outsider and the immediate affect on him. They were rooting for them. Things just clocked between them until they realized that they had fallen head over heels for each other. But Chase stay in the small town was temporary but there was a major twist that placed a hole in their relationship. They were both heartbroken and Gunner felt deceived but his heart was with Chase. Chase couldn’t stop thinking of him. There’s so much but I can’t spoil because you need to read how these two came to be was so damn beautiful. They’re reconciliation was heartwarming and they were definitely soulmates. And the epilogues?! Grab some tissues.
Now I’ve been a fan of Kristy Bromberg since I first read Driven, and this Hard to Lose was no different. Chase and Gunner? Swoon… Chase is very career oriented and stumbles across a letter sent from a serviceman years ago. She meets the owner of the letter, but has no clue it’s him. Their relationship develops from there, and it gives us ALL THE FEELS. Angsty, gripping, emotional… it was the perfect love story and just what Chase didn’t know she needed.
Absolutely love Chase and Gunner’s story. Love how they meet and how it all plays out. Their ending is beautiful and heartfelt.
This was a really good read! The writing flowed well from start to finish, and I loved Chase and Gunner together. Even though Chase started out with less than honorable intentions, I think she did grow and learn along the way. Gunner was great guy, even though he was really hard on himself. I can’t imagine living with that kind of guilt everyday. Bring able to talk to each other about everything, and understanding each other, made them a great couple. The scene with them dancing in the rain was perfect! I knew that eventually everything was going to come to light, but it was still sad to have Chase and Gunner go through it. I was so happy to see them make their way back to each other, and the ending was amazing! Great ending to the series!
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.
Swoonfest of goodness! Be still my heart with this heartfelt romance with delicious characters in Gunner and Chase! Their story is fabulous right from the beginning with the sexy connection and feelings that build to a marvelous romance. Until the explosion that you see coming from a mile away with Chase’s secret. Devastation as the two come to terms with the real story and the aftermath. I love this series and this is my favorite story of all. The story of a veteran and his service and his continuing charity for his fallen brethren and their families is so emotional. Gunner and his backstory will bring a tear to your eye. There is so much more to this story than just the romance with complications the couple has to work through. There’s family and friends and the sacrifice military personnel go through with their service to the country and its citizens. Gut wrenching stories of sacrifice and loss that this author handles in the best way. Plus the loss of loved ones and the effects on the ones left behind. Chase is grappling with the loss of her mother all these years later. I love this group of sisters and their love for each other. And then there’s dad. I hope he gets a story. He needs a new love after all these years alone raising his daughters. I can see a delicious age gap with a KSM athlete. If this is the end it’s a cherry on the top of a delicious sundae. Fantastic characters, an emotional storyline and a heart-melting romance. Absolutely terrific!