An epic and addictive roller coaster ride of a romance that’s unforgettably heart-wrenching and jaw-dropping, brought to you by Wall Street Journal and USA Today Best Selling Author, Willow Winters. Our love story isn’t a tragedy but it sure as hell started out like one.I grew up in the life, and learned to hate everything in this town. Everything but her. She was my constant through it all.Just … her. She was my constant through it all.
Just a look would tempt and torment.
Just a touch would singe and soothe.
I only survived because she was by my side.
I feared the danger would bleed into what we had.
After all, she was too good for this world. But I was too far gone to push her away.
I was Laura’s downfall.
Problem was, she was mine too.
Hard to Love is book 1 of the Hard to Love, romantic suspense, series.
“This highly addictive read had me glued to its pages, and unable to put it down. This story will have you jaw-dropping, gasping for breath, and begging for more!” Sarah, SWBR Book Blog & Reviews
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This world that Seth & Laura live in is so rough. Rough on a person’s heart, mind and soul.
There are a lot of spinning pieces in this book, Seth & Laura, Fletcher, Mathews, Seth’s friends, Laura’s friends, and it’s a lot to keep track of but so worth it.
The suspense kept me on my toes, the chemistry kept me flipping pages, and I just need more.
Honestly, I don’t think I saw anything playing out the way it did.
Definite recommend.
This book was pretty good for me.It’s full of heat,suspension,mystery and lust.
Seth and Laura are coming from the same world,but while Seth was always part of that world,Laura knew very little about it.
They started hanging out while in high-school and they have quickly fell in love.
The problem is Seth is not willing to leave the world he has built for him self,even tho he knows that that is what is drawing Laura away.
Seth is the kind of guy who will do anything to get what he wants,no questions asked.He is also loyal,caring and gentle…when he wants to be.
Laura is good girl,soft and caring.She is mostly trying to stay out of trouble,but Seth’s world will eventually catch up to her.
I loved the way this book was written and I loved Seth and Laura as a couple.
The writing was nice and engaging,I only wish it was longer.
I just love books that are gritty, emotional, mysterious and very dangerous! I also hate writing reviews because I am just not good at it. Laura knew what she was getting into. She knows the life. But love makes you blind, it makes you push those bad feelings at the back of your mind. Seth is living in a very dangerous world. He is so thick in it, there is no way out for him. Laura is his obsession. He will never leave her no matter what happens. Something does happen, something very bad. Tearing up reading it. Any author that makes you so emotional, makes you want to quit reading, is an awesome author!
Hard to Love by W. Winters is book One in the Hard to Love Series, which does spin off from the Cross brother/Irresistible Attraction Series. But you don’t have to have read that to enjoy this one but just wanted to mention it in case you wanted to continue with those characters. This starts the story of Laura Roth and Seth King and it really does. This book starts with them in High School where Laura just lost her father and isn’t dealing well with that. Although Seth and Laura have never really talked or anything else things change after her father’s death. Seth has taken to walking her home from School to her Grandmother’s house where she now lives. Cami is her only real friend and Laura doesn’t open up to her but she feels a true connection with Seth but she unsure why he seems so protective of her. We start to learn more about them and what Seth wants. This book is nothing but a page turner for me. I really couldn’t put it down. This does end with a cliffhanger which I had to start the next book ASAP and so on. Loved this book and what a great start to a series.
Seth lives a dangerous life in the streets. Laura is the one person he worships and would do anything to keep safe. Keeping the danger away may be more than Seth can provide for her. A great read with plenty of action and twists.
Book one in the Hard to Lover series and I can’t wait to dive into book two. First let me start off by saying I have been dying to read this book for so long. It has been hanging out in my kindle library for a VERY long time. I have been so caught up with ARCs I haven’t had the time to actually pick it up. Lucky for me, I had the opportunity to receive the audiobook for this to write a review. So, typical me, I kicked all the other ARCs to the side and dove head first into this book.
This book is an amazing start to a wonderful series. I mean this book is totally up my alley. A deliciously dark man, suspenseful, steamy scenes and lots of passion. Laura and Seth are one of my favorite Willow couples (a VERY close second to Carter and Aria). Everything about them makes me swoon and also makes me so anxious. Seth King. HOLY MOLEY Seth King. You delicious, delicious man. Seth is EVERYTHING. Charming, sexy, domineering, and puts up with NO bullshit. I knew I was done for when he called Laura Babygirl. All it took was an instint I knew I was in trouble. Carter, you should be worried. Seth may end up taking your spot! Laura is so sweet, very likeable, relatable, strong and yet she has had a hell of a ride. Her life is not easy and even though she has Seth, she doesn’t want to be dependent on him. She’s now on my list of favorite heroines and someone I aspire to be like when tough times come around. Unbelievably resilient and ready to make any tough decisions necessary no matter how things may turn out for her. Laura and Seth. Oh My God!! I LOVED these two. I couldn’t help myself but read/listen to this book in one sitting. I was hard not to, so I just read it all at once.
Audio:
While reading this book, I listened to the audiobook as well. With Joe Arden and Samantha Cook as the narriorators, boy howdy, I’m impressed. What a great team. Both do such a great job portraying Seth and Laura. I can no longer picture anyone else’s voices as them. They compelled me with the emotion and strength they put into each character. I will forever be grateful for Joe Arden’s wonderful voice and Samantha Cook is one of my favorite voice actors! I so enjoy reading Willow’s books via audiobook. It just makes the experience even better for me!
Overall, this book is emotional and it hurts. But it also feels so good. Willow Winters really knows how to pull me into a story and fall head over heels in love with her characters. She has an unbelievable talent with words to make me feel EVERYTHING! That ending, man, that ending had me on the edge of my seat and made me needy and greedy for the rest.
Here we go book two, I’m diving in.
Solid !
I received the Audiobook in exchange for an honest review
In the beginning I was a little unsure if I was going to like this story. I didn’t really understand the deal with Seth. I wish we got to see their relationship build because I fell like we missed out by not having that emotional connection. I also would have preferred if didn’t have flashbacks but got the past story then moved to the present. Besides that I really liked this book. I felt the anguish Laura felt when she kept begging him to get out of that life. I never expected the book to end the way it did. My heart so bad and I knew that choice was all she had. I can’t wait to see what happens with Seth and Laura next!
I wrote this review based on an advance reading copy that the publisher sent me.
This is the first book in the Hard to Love series, and the story of Seth, and Laura. This book was an amazing whirl wind of highs, and lows, passion, drama, danger, suspense, heartbreak, that kept me glued to the pages, and captivated by their story. This was an amazing read, the characters are well written, and they have fiery chemistry, that explodes off the pages. This is intense, emotional, raw, dark, gritty, action-packed, and steamy. I can’t wait to continue in book two.
Hard to Love is book 1 in the Hard to Love series by W. Winters
Seth the bad boy mafia type, and Laura the sweet girl in love with him. There story isn’t easy, lots of heartache in store for them for sure.
Hard To Love has steaming hot chemistry, suspense, drama, and tons of emotion. All the twists will leave you on the edge of your seat. And holy crap! That cliffhanger had me like WHOA!!! I definitely need more of Seth and Laura’s story!
4 Cranky Stars
This book left me confused. At times I thought maybe the whole book was messed up and I got some strange weird copy. It started as a high school romance then suddenly there is a prequel after chapter four then eighteen months prior and then toward the end it’s eight years later. It skips and hops and I had to reread a few times to just get a grasp on what was going on. I hate starting reviews this way. Like gee thanks Cranky you’re living up to your name. I felt that maybe if we stuck to one thing at a time it might be better not that it was bad. It was a good plot I just didn’t understand the random prequel in the middle.
Laura has experienced death. Her grandmother and her father within a short span of each other. She’s just getting by barely. She meets Seth in high school or, so we are led to believe and he starts to walk her home. He was on some sort of self-imposed mission when it came to her. Slowly but surely, she falls in love with him and Seth falls for her. They start a relationship that is fraught with danger from Seth’s job for the lack of a better word and Laura’s inability to truly trust anyone. Seth is the youngest man in the game having taken over the job from his dad who was gunned down too soon. He loves Laura in his own way I believe but he almost feels possessive over her. Seth and Laura put each other through the wringer in this book and they realize you can’t have safety and love at the same time.
Like I said it was a lot to take in and it was condensed down into this story. I know the next book is also about them. Also suddenly it turned into this S&M book along the way too. Laura went from shy and bashful to whips and chains. Talk about whiplash. I did like the plot though. I got Laura’s need to be her own woman despite life constantly being against her. I felt for her and tried to imagine what her life was like. I know Seth was doing what he was raised to do. I felt maybe at times they were too toxic for each other but heck I could totally be wrong on that one too. I will read on to book two to see if maybe that follows a more simple path and I’m curious to know how Seth and Laura will move on.
This is a story about the good girl and the quintessential bad boy.
Seth and his crew are trying to make their way in this life. Their world is filled with snitches, betrayal and acts of war all while they’re growing up and trying to build an empire of their own.
We pick up little scraps of information here and there and when things finally start to fall into place, it’s like a wrecking ball of emotions. There really is only a fine line between love and hate. We’ll have to jump in to Desperate to Touch to see which side who lands on…
HARD TO LOVE By Willow Winters
Wow, what a story! This is actually my favorite over Carter, and I didn’t ever see anyone taking his place. Willow Winters has the ability to spin a story that is so riveting and mesmerizing it is unreal. Drama, angst, intensity, passion, and darkness. I can’t wait for the next one to see what happens with Seth and Laura. This is a 5 star read, I wish I could give it more.
I am catching up on W. Winters Hard to Love series because she is will be releasing book four soon! I am addicted ya’all. Hard to Love has so much angst, my stomach felt like there was a lead ball in it. Laura and Seth’s story is still a mystery. There is a lot we learn about the dark life, but so many unanswered questions. Like what is the deal with Laura’s dad and her life style before? What happened to the eight years lost with our beloved characters. And the things the side characters go through are heart wrenching.
This is a love story about a couple who never stood a chance. The flame is barely alive until you reach the end. Then one flicker happens. The a couple of more. I am not sure what will happen with Laura and Seth. But I am ready for the next book and see what will happen next!
First Time Willow Reader and I am hooked!!
That was an epic series set-up! Seeing their history unfold is heartbreaking because we knew where it is headed! The chemistry! The heat between then was a down right fire!
My goodness all that happened between Seth and Laura!!
But The TWISTS
That ending was a shock!!! I LOVED IT
Loved this one and off to book two
I already loved the prequel of this book and couldn‘t wait to get to read more of Seth and Laura. I loved their beginning and everything that came after. Even though throughout the book I sometimes didn‘t know how I felt about both of them and what had led to their story in this book.
I had so many feelings for Laura I can‘t even describe. She seemed so strong and yet crazy at some times. Seth on the other hand was brilliant, of course, but I didn‘t know who I had to blame in the beginning so I was a little wary of them both.
I also loved all the side characters and can‘t wait to get to know many more characters in the next few books.
Willow‘s writing is just soooo good and you just feel like you are a part of the story and not just someone reading it.
Well deserved 5/5
I will be damned!!
So I have been obsessed with Willow Winters and her writing. Ever since I read Merciless and there was no turning back for me from there. I love they way she pulls us in her fantasy world so hard and fast that we loose time and our real life. I have started to develop strong feelings for Seth and Laura. I loved how they interacted with each other. I can’t wait to read more in the series. Once again another perfectly beautiful love story from Willow Winters.
I wasn’t ready. I was warned, but I wasn’t ready.
*e-book generously provided by the promo team in exchange for an honest review*
“We both know that it’s not fashionable to love me
But you don’t go ’cause truly there’s nobody for you but me.”
Honeymoon – Lana Del Rey
What’s this book about? (I’m trying to give as little spoilers as possible)
Seth and Laura grow up in similar circumstances… One takes that path, the other takes another path. However, a couple of years after high school, they find themselves in a relationship. When things go awry and lives get destroyed, how will they cope?
This is my first book by W. Winters and let me tell you, I read this in one night, began the second book right away and finished it the next day. I’m still in the process of reading book three because I feel suspicious of the author. SHE WILL PROB END IN A HUGE CLIFFHANGER AND I CAN’T TAKE THAT RIGHT NOW. Book four is coming so very soon and I’m hyper-excited!
I went in expecting it to be… the usual. BUT DAMN I WAS PROVEN WRONG. Laura and Seth’s relationship was incredibly heartfelt. It pulled at each and every single one of my heartstrings (SEE WHAT DID I THERE). Laura faces some issues in this novel and it feels as if she’s left to fend for herself. It just breaks your heart (SEE WHAT I DID THERE AGAIN!). Hard To Love was a exquisite mixture of romance and mystery. Boy, that mystery. You always want to believe these lead boys when they claim their toughness, authority and control. WELL, SETH… Seth. Laura had so many secrets from him that it really made me question his cleverness at some points. ACTUALLY. It’s not his cleverness that shall be questioned; I shall applaud him for giving Laura privacy (pronounced like posh British folk: PREEVACY LOL). Not many guys dipped in illegal activities will give their loved ones the amount of privacy Seth gave her. It was hard for me to grasp that they were both under 25 years old. Sometimes they just felt older. In addition, they had this gorgeous vibe to them? They both must be too beautiful for this world, but you still ship them because they have that certain something.
This is page-turning mystery romance with a couple to SWOON and CRY for (if you roll that way). I’m 100% sold on W. Winters. Don’t call me up because I’m out there compiling a list with the books of hers that I’ll read next!
This book killed me! It was so sad and heartbreaking. Seth and Laura have that kind of love that will never go away. You can tell they’re soulmates. This book sucked me in and then spit me out. It was really well written and a great start to what I know will be an epic story!
Hard to Love is the first book in the Hard to Love Series by Willow.
Although I have read Willow in the past, this was many many years ago with a stand alone and I’ve not stepped into her Merciless World that so many readers have been raving about! Over the last year or so I have seen many beautiful book covers that feature in this world, so when the opportunity arose to read arcs of the first three books to this particular series in that world, I couldn’t resist!
My book buddie A Book Obsessed Brit has been raving about these alphas for a long time now, so I’m (and she) is very happy to be finally reading.
Hard to Love…..I loved! Wow Willow is a fantastic, descriptive story teller. Even the littlest scenes made such an impression to me, I really felt like I was in the room at every stage of the book.
Laura, she just broke my heart, I felt for her so much, how much can one girl go through…..and don’t get me started on one particular heartbreaking scene, I really didn’t expect that
I don’t want to give too much away, but the first book sets the scene so well, we get the full background to Seth and Laura relationship, how they are literally consumed by one another, but sadly in a very dark world.
This is the first book in the Hard to Love Series, a dark romance. Wow! This is an amazing introduction to this trilogy. The characters are great. Laura is a wonderful woman, strong, and smart. Seth is a powerful man, protective, and alpha. They share a strong and sizzling chemistry. The world building is well done, and captivating. The storyline is well written, intriguing, filled with danger, mystery, and twists and turns. The suspense unfold at a great pace, and ends with an unpredictable cliffhanger. Now, I can’t wait to listen to the next book in the Series, Desperate to Touch, to know what happens next. Joe Arden and Samantha Cook did an outstanding job with the narration. They are both perfect as Seth and Laura. I love their voices together. I enjoyed it, and I highly recommend it.