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
This installment of the Kincade sisters I think might just be my ALL time FAVORATE !! Well, maybe not …. ALL these girls are won my heart !!
When Ryan “Gunner” Camden signs up for the Armed Services he knew his dreams of baseball were diminished BUT when Sargent Dickman made them write there “Let it go” letters he knew his life would change for EVER but little did he know a smart, sexy, hard headed woman would get his letter 5 years later that would turn his quite, somber life up in arms !
When Chase Kincade gets something in her head she does not let it go until she completes the task !! This time Ryan Camden is who she wants to find .. for her benefit or his .. you shall see !!
Chase ends up in Destiny Falls and is loving every minute of it with her new friend, the local bartender Gunner !! So when he introduces her to the after military life and ALL he does for the town and families and the KIDS she knows she will leave a piece of her heart there when she returns to her life in NYC. Gunner feels it too but unsure of how, when and why he needs to tell Chase how he feels when he knows she will be leaving at the end of her research for her thesis .. her WHAT !! That is right folks, Chase is not being truthful when ALL Gunner wants is the TRUTH and she doesn’t know how to tell him because she feels it too !!
For the first time these two feel LOVE .. is it or maybe not ??
The ups and downs in this will have you screaming for the good and the bad !! LOVED EVERY WORD !!
NO SPOILERS!
OH. MY. GOSH! Just when I thought K. Bromberg couldn’t top Hard to Score, she went and wrote Hard to Lose and completely blew me away with Gunner and Chase’s sexy, emotional, and swoon-worthy MUST READ story!
Hard to Lose was absolutely phenomenal and truly outstanding in every way. The storyline, the characters, the writing style—everything was perfection from beginning to end and I couldn’t have loved it more. The storyline and characters completely stole my heart, and I loved them more than I can put into words. The plot was unexpected but everything I could’ve hoped for and so much more. The ending was absolute perfection and made my heart so happy and full. It definitely put a huge smile on my face.
Hard to Lose was romance PERFECTION and an absolute MUST READ, not only in the Play Hard series, but from K. Bromberg as well! Gunner and Chase were EVERYTHING, and you definitely don’t want to miss out on their incredibly sexy, swoon-worthy, and emotional love story. I am super excited to see what K. Bromberg has in store for the next standalone, Hard to Love!
Wow! I started out not being a sports romance reader, but after this series K. Bromberg has changed my mind. I loved all of the books in this series, but this one was my absolute favorite of all. Chase and Gunner won my heart by far. I loved these two and their whole journey. I felt an instant connection with these two from the very beginning and I knew in the end that I would love them. Their story is a sexy, swoon worthy, emotional love story that I couldn’t get enough of. K. Bromberg did something that I thought no one could do and that is to make me love sports romance books. Hats off to her for an accomplishment that no other author could do. I really can’t recommend this series enough. Give this one a try even if it’s not your normal genre.
Happy Reading Everyone!!!
I have loved getting to know the fierce Kincade sisters and read the stories of how they find their matches. It’s Chase’s turn and really we have not gotten much from her in the other books so I was definitely eager to get to know her.
I love the story, the letter that chase finds and how that leads her to Gunner, a bar owner, much different than her sisters who all ended up with athletes.
This book is really great, it emotional and fun and probably my favorite of the series.
When Ryan “Gunner” Camden was in high school, he had scouts looking at him – to potentially play for a minor league team with baseball. However, somethings don’t always work out how we want them to. Ryan went into the Army, after serving his time in the service, he and his friends opened up a bar and became locals in a small military town. Ryan feels comfortable in the small town. He is accepted by everyone. He works with the military kids who have lost parents or parents are now deployed. He knows what it is to be a military brat and moving every few years.
Chase Kinkade, is the baby sister of the 4 girls. Chase has always been more on the hard side. Being great at her job has made her a great asset to her fathers sports management company. Chase received a letter one day at KSM. She realizes it was mailed 5 years ago! She wonders where in the world has this letter been? She reads the letter from Ryan Camden, wondering what has happened to him and if she can try to find him. Chase learns Ryan should be in a small military town and is hesitant to ask who she is looking for. But, after falling for a bartender at the local bar, she’s not sure if she should pursue her letter writer any longer.
Will Chase be able to open her heart? Will Ryan be able to open his heart? Will they be able to possibly have a future together? Will they be good for each other?
I did receive a free ARC copy of this book from the author. I am freely leaving an honest review.
Okay, so Gunner is my absolute FAVE!!!!
I’ve said this about every hero this series has given us but this time, I mean it!
Full of emotion this book pulls at your heartstrings and really makes you stop and think.
Chase as the youngest has seen all of her siblings find love and knew that it wouldn’t happen the same for her – she has goals and wants to reach them.
Gunner is overloaded with emotions from his past. From his childhood to his time serving in the military – anger, guilt, sadness. He lives his life now to do his best by everyone affected.
The two of these together showed an instant connection despite the secrets and reasons behind them and I loved their chemistry together. Gunner on the outside is so easy going and personable and he thrives off of Chase’s confidence and strong-willed spirit.
This story – and series – will go down as one of my ultimate favourites of K Bromberg’s. She has brought her A-game with these sisters.
Roll on book 5, though!!!
How does this author steal my heart on every book! Such a fantastic story that I could not put it down! You can just “feel” the innocence of Chase and the hero in Gunner. I need another sister!!! LOVED IT!
Hard to Lose by K. Bromberg is skillfully written and captivated me from the first to the last page. This small-town sports/military romance has a wonderful storyline, characters that come alive on the pages, undeniable chemistry, flirty banter, sexual tension, angst, and so many feels.
I volunteered to review an advance reader copy of this book.
The fourth book in the Play Hard series, told in dual POV by Chase Kincade and Ryan Camden, and can be read as a standalone. K Bromberg has given us another Sports Romance but this time added a small town and military twist.
Chase is the youngest Kincade who is very independent and focused on her career. Since Finn she has never let another man break down her walls and has a no-strings attached lifestyle. A letter written five years ago by a veteran serving in Afghanistan suddenly changes everything. The young guy thanks KSM for their interest but he has lost his dream of playing baseball. Chase is intrigued and drawn to the letter, wondering what had happened and why the talented pitcher hadn’t taken them up on their offer. The words in his letter touch her for some reason and she is confused by how much it affects her. After talking to her dad, she sees the golden opportunity this has given to highlight the agency. She is determined to find Ryan Camden and let him know their interest was genuine and see how he is doing.
Research on him leads her to the small military town of Destiny Falls and on the advice of her sisters so goes to the local bar to see if anyone knows him. Instead of information about Ryan she meets the bar owner Gunner, who is not only handsome but an amazingly kind man and war hero.
The instant attraction throws both of them as neither a relationship person.
Gunner is a humble, caring and selfless man who had to accept that his life changed forever when he signed up. He is now trying to do his best since he returned from deployment, having lost his friends and been injured. He’s learnt to live in the moment and happy running the bar.
Their chemistry and connection builds as they get to know each other. Their dates are unusual and they end up having so much fun. Gunner is dealing with the trauma of war and survivors guilt and Chase has never truly dealt with her Mum’s death. They have both been so engrossed with working in an attempt to block out the grief and the past, that their relationship is a bit of a shock to them both. His childhood and war experiences have effected him greatly. He has scars both visible and invisible. Be prepared for some very emotional stories as he opens up to Chase and we get to hear what he has been through, the injustices and why he wrote the letter. Gunner is not the type of man Chase usually dates, he is such a good person and gives it back to the community.The way he helps the kids brought tears to my eyes.
Chase has lied to him about her job and why she in town which she starts to regret. She is finding it harder and harder to deny her feelings towards him but it comes to a head when she finds out who he actually is. She is unable to bring herself to hurt him but also too selfish to risk losing him. The choice is then taken out of her hands and she has to accept the consequences. Can she repair the damage she’s caused?
The sisters love and support for each other has shone throughout this series and we have it again as Chase battles work and love. A sweet romantic story where they end up healing each other without realising and make each other a better person. He the opposite of what she thought she wanted but exactly what she needs.
Be prepared for a blast of emotions as the author covers angst, love, betrayal, lies, hurt, heartbreak and forgiveness. Gunner is amazing, a perfect gentleman and proves there are decent men out there still. The letter to me was fate as they destined to be together, but I wasn’t convinced at times if she deserved him because there were amble opportunities to tell him the truth. I found it annoying and frustrating when she constantly went on about why she should confess but doesn’t.
I was so looking forward to reading Chase’s story.
She’s a little guarded, a strong willed woman and keeps her head in the game so she doesn’t get distracted and fall into the love traps like her sisters.
When a letter lands on Chase’s table she knows she needs to go ahead and follow the story to find out what’s the next chapter!
Gunner, I love his character his presence and what he stands for.
After life changing situations show up for him his head and heart are torn, but there’s only one way out!
This is my favourite book of Tyne 4 sisters I felt so connected to this story after the loss at a young age also, it stays with you and it shapes you, you just have to find, The why and have no regrets.
5 beautiful
While the other books in this series have definitely been sports romances, this one didn’t quite fit into that. All because Gunner didn’t get to take his life on that career path. Thanks to his stepfather and things that became out of his control. But it still was a really good book and I loved the characters so much. Except for the one thing they did that totally made me so mad! The fact that Chase kept the secret from him for so long, even as she thought about how she should tell him is what made me drop the rating on this down from a 5. I hate when that happens, even if it is a type of device that a lot of authors use to add the drama. And then I hated how upset he got with her about it too. Because honestly, it really wasn’t that big of a deal if you think about it. She never once did anything that would make her keeping that hidden a secret, which she didn’t do the whole time.
But I loved the little town and I loved all the little dates and times they spent together. It was fun getting the meetings between Chase and her sisters and her dad. The banter between all of them is always so much fun and this book was no exception to that. Another great story from Bromberg!
4.5 stars!
I loved, loved, loved all the feels this book brought. It was so much more then a sports romance, it was a true heart searching passion and love.
Chase is the youngest and last sister in the book series. The driven to concur the world, with nothing in her way. She goes in search of a possible talent and finds so much more. Gunner is my favorite Male lead in this series. His struggles, demands, heartache, grief you felt. He is a man needing and deserving of unconditional love. You genuinely want to see him happy. When the 2 of them meet is passion, and a new world of growth. The barriers these two are able to knockdown, overcome and grow from is romance at its finest. These 2 show what love is like with no regrets. Beautiful story!!!
4.5 stars
This book sucked me in, right from the very first page. This story is about Chase – the youngest of the Kincade sisters.
Chase is very driven and goal oriented. She makes check off lists and completes every task. But when a letter comes 5 years after it was sent, Chase is struck with a curious need to find Ryan Camden and figure out why he chose the military over baseball. She uses it as an excuse to find a new positive exposure spin for their company. Find an military vet and see if he would be interested in baseball again. What she didn’t expect was the hot bartender, Gunner.
Gunner has about as many walls up as does Chase. Neither expected the other and their connection and attraction is instantaneous and electrifying. Chase starts to rethink everything she thought she was, its alarming, unexpected and yet welcoming. But once she discovers that Gunner and Ryan are the same person, she struggles with how to tell him the truth of why she is really there.
So what happens? One click to find out.
A wonderful 4.5 read! These two where off the charts chemistry!! I became intrigued on where their story would go, what path & what type of blow up will happen. I mean we know after meeting Ryan, something big will happen when the truth comes out. The explosion was entertaining & the hea was even better. I love seeing the couples into the future & theirs looks like a beautiful one. All of these characters for the series are so likable, but this couple might be my favorite. The glimpse into Ryan before & after added depth & so much emotion to their story.
I recommend this book. Told in dual POV.
Wow! K. Bromberg saved the best for last. I LOVED this book so much! It is my favorite in the series and even though it’s only March, this is definitely going to be in my top favorites for the year! It was so beautiful, broke my heart and put it back together. I could not have loved these characters any more.
Chase is the youngest sister in the Kincade clan. We’ve gotten all the other sisters’ books and now it’s her turn. She receives a letter sent by a veteran and former baseball player, but the kicker is that she receives the letter 5 years after it was originally written, lost in the mail vortex. She goes in search for this soldier, for reasons even she doesn’t know. When she finds out what town he might be in, she settles in there and has an immediate connection with the bartender, Gunnar. Oh, sweet, wonderful Gunnar, he was the best character and the ultimate book boyfriend! Chase really changed in the book. She became less of a workaholic and had a better work/life balance.
These two together had some incredible chemistry and perfect little banter. They were both so easy to love. I LOVED this book so much, from the characters to the storyline and pace. I could not get enough. You need this book in your life!
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I thought Rush and Lennox were going to be hard to beat as my favorite couple in this series……but I knew pretty quick into Hard to Lose that Chase and Gunner were going to leap to the top of the list, and they absolutely did! This story and these characters completely stole my heart!!
Chase is the youngest of the Kincade sisters, and is one-hundred percent dedicated to her job. She hasn’t found love like the rest of her sisters, but she also isn’t really looking either. After she gets a letter that was delivered many years after it was sent, she sets off on a mission to find the man that wrote the letter, hoping maybe she can bring some positive press to the family business.
Gunner, this man……….he may be scarred and broken, but still gets up everyday trying to honor those that didn’t get to come home like he did. He was truly a good guy – I could not find one flaw in him at all. He wasn’t looking for love either, but he also never expected Chase Kincade to walk into his bar.
And these two together……the chemistry was insane! I just can’t get over how incredible Chase and Gunner were. Just watching these two fall for each other was so beautiful. Just so much passion and emotion between them, and I was hooked on every word.
I absolutely loved this book, and cannot believe this series has come to an end. These sisters have been everything to each other. They tease, aggravate, and support each other endlessly. Watching them all find their HEA has been such a fun experience.
Chase is the youngest of the sisters. She has been hurt before by her ex Finn, and now has no plans of ever falling in love again. She is a Type A, overachiever, who likes to cross things off her list.
Gunner is very charming, funny, and overall the greatest guy ever. The amount of time and resources he gives to those in need will have you swooning on the spot. Just when you think you cannot love him anymore, he will do something to make you fall harder.
I love how these two didn’t shy away from their feelings. They had chemistry and sparks from the first meeting, and I could not get enough of the way they interacted with each other.
The book is set in a little town called Destiny Falls, and I really enjoyed how the small town activities were incorporated into the book. I am hoping that one day Kristy will revisit this small town and give us Nix’s book!
Hard To Lose is my favorite book in this series! I just love the background story on Gunner that shaped him into the man he is today. The relationship he develops with Chase is heartwarming, sizzling, romantic, and angsty. I can’t say enough good things about this storyline. Kristy Bromberg has given us everything we have come to love in a romance in this story. It’s one I will read again. If you only read one romance novel this year, Hard to Lose is the one I’d choose for you to read.
Advanced Readers Copy >
Title: Hard To Lose
Series: Play Hard #4
Author: K. Bromberg
Publisher: JKB Publishing, LLC
Edition: Kindle
Amount of Pages: 254
Genre: Romance, Adult, Ex-Military, Sports
Date Read: 17-03-2021 – 18-03-2021
Favorite Quote: “Living in the moment is so much better!”
Review:
This is my absolute favorite book in the series. I loved it so much. Not surprising as I’m a sucker for (ex)military stories, I mean who doesn’t like a man in uniform.
I loved Gunner, everything about him made me want to be around him and protect him. He had that vulnerable side while still being strong and protective.
Some things where a bit protective but the characters made up for that. I liked Chase but I got frustrated with her as well because I was just waiting for it all to go wrong and it could easily be avoided.
What is this book about:
Chase has always been the hard worker in her family. She is on top of everything and is the one to take care of everything. However she feels like she is missing something. She always gets antsy around the anniversary of her mothers death. When an old letter, addressed to her father, from a soldier about to go to war, she feels like she has to track him down. She can’t help but feel a connection to the man she never ment. But her planning side can’t help but think its a good pr stunt as well, find a vet/soldier that somehow missed his chance back in the day and bring him back to the game he loved. But things don’t always go the way you expect them to do. Sometimes what you aren’t looking for might be the thing you needed most.
What did I like/love:
I loved the setting of the book and i loved Gunner. Like I said above there was something about him that made me love him instantly.
I loved the supporting characters as well. I hope that K. Bromberg will do a spin off series focusing on some of the side characters in this book. I love a good military series.
What did I dislike/hate:
/
Rating:
4.5 it was amazing stars
4.5 Stars
This is the fourth book in the series and based on the youngest Kincade daughter and it’s about time for the hard working, super focused girl to learn to relax and smell the roses. A letter delivered five years late, sends Chase on a mission to find the writer, to let him know that he was wanted. Many emotions to be had while reading.
When she arrives in Destiny Falls, she is careful to not jump in asking everyone about the soldier. She finds herself in a cute bar and meeting the nicest guy. Not wanting to give her truth she comes up with a lie for a reason to be in the small military town. Before she knows it one lie leads to another and soon it seems like it is too hard to and late to tell the truth. Knowing that her lies are going to hurt Gunner who has found his way into her heart.
Closed off Gunner, who carries the guilt of the world on his shoulders hasn’t felt this kind of draw to a woman ever. So even though he knows she is only here for a short time he is willing to live life to the fullest while he can and deal with the fallout when it happens. He never expected to fall in love with her. But the more she gets involved in his program and helping out, the more time they spend together and he gets used to her being their for him, the more he wishes she wasn’t leaving.
When Chases truths come out suddenly and not planned, it seems like a bomb has destroyed everything. Chase is home without a chance to explain. Gunner is lost in his feelings of deceit once again. Will Chase and Gunner wake up and fight for the best thing to happen to them?
*** Advanced copy provided in exchange for an honest review. ***