New York Times bestselling author, K. Bromberg, is back with a new Kincade sister and a swoon-worthy football player in an all new standalone romance that will make you believe in first crushes and true love. I’ve signed numerous players to my family’s agency—I assumed winning over my next client would be just as easy. The last thing I expected was to run into the boy who took my first kiss and … expected was to run into the boy who took my first kiss and broke my heart: only now Drew Bowman is all grown up.
Sexy. Scandal-tainted. Second-string. The crush I never got over.
I tell myself work is the reason I can’t get him out of my head. I tell him his talent far outweighs his position, and I know I can help. I lie and lie, because admitting that I want a second chance at my first love is impossible.
Some lines cannot be crossed, and ours was drawn in the sand years ago.
***
I’m supposed to hate her.
I’ve been told so time and again for ten years – her father ruined our family, smeared my name before my career even began.
But that’s not what I’m feeling now.
Brexton Kincade just strode out of my memories and onto my field.
Driven. Determined. Grown up. The Capulet to my Montague.
Being with her would be an unforgivable sin against my father, but I can’t resist the pull between us. Even if it means hiding what we have. Even if it means confronting the secrets I’ve always feared were lies.
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 didn’t need him before, and I sure as h3ll don’t need him now.’
Brexton is fiesty!! It’s finally her time for love and it sure is a give and give on her part. She’s one of the older sisters of the group and she is very strong minded. She also is exceptionally tenderhearted.
Now Drew is really broken. Almost to the point where every scene he is conflicted about his emotions. Drew’s dad blamed Brexton’s dad for something many years ago and it’s just stuck with him all these years.
The chemistry is strong for these two but they also have this bond that would be extremely hard to break. I love getting to know another sister and can’t wait for the next book.
I have a new favorite book boyfriend and his name is Drew Bowman. This was such a sexy, fun and heart tugging book. It had everything I love all wrapped up in page turning love story. Brexton Kincade, sports agent, is looking to steal a competitors client when she runs in to an old family friend. NFL Quarterback Drew Bowman has spent his life trying to avoid the spotlight. He wants to keep a low profile to avoid the scandal that his father created when he played. He is content with his life until Brexton shows up and turns everything upside down. She has always had a crush on Drew, but as an adult it has turned in to major attraction. When these two get together it is explosive. I really enjoyed the push and pull of what Drew wants versus what he was told his whole life. Cannot say enough about how great of a story this is.
Readers of K. Bromberg are loving this second chance sports romance!
I’ve read all three books in this series and K. Bromberg has done it again! I loved it. It’s angsty, emotional and sexy. Drew Bowman and Brexton Kincade were friends during their childhoods and their families were close. A incident happen with Drew’s dad, and NFL quarterback, that caused a rift between the families and they never spoke again.
Drew is the second string quarterback for the New York Raptors and Brexton is a sports agent with her father’s company. They meet again after many years of not seeing each other and they both feel a pull towards each other (that they both felt as teenagers). There is a lot of family drama to overcome for both of them. The one woman he feels a connection with just has to be the one woman from the family his father has issues with.
Drew is a perfect book boyfriend. He is sexy, sweet, but also a little bit broken, bitter and angry at his father. He has no idea what really happened back with his father that made him quit the NFL, but he does feel the after effects of it. His feels his father doesn’t support his own NFL dream.
Brecken is a wonderful, strong woman. She sees so much more in Drew than anyone else and lets him know that. She is his biggest supporter.
I loved this third installment of the Play Hard series and am definitely looking forward to Chase’s story, the fourth sister.
Hard to Score may be my favorite book of these series!! I loved Brexton and Drew’s story so much! From childhood friends to first kisses to not seeing each other for 10 years? Their story is one that I’ll remember for a long time.
“Bratty Brex” and “Dreadful Drew” grew up as super close family friends. With parents that vacationed together, these two fought like siblings, until they grew into teenagers and Brexton had a massive crush on him. He gave Brexton her first kiss followed by her first heartbreak when he tried to play it off. Followed by a scandal involving Drew’s dad, these two never saw each other again.
When these two cross paths again, there are spark flying all over the place. When they get together as friends, it’s like they never spent a day apart. Their friendship is fast and easy and these two are super drawn to each other.
Drew’s life was filled with heartache and let down, from family to his position on his football team. My heart broke from him. I loved how these two were there for each other from the very beginning. And seeing Drew’s playful side was so endearing. The Play Hard series has become one of my favorites! It gives me all my favorite sports romances in one series involving the same family.
Bratty Brex and Dreadful Drew are childhood friends , Their families grew up together, their parents best friends. Something scandalous happens and it splits the families apart and they both live their separate lives.
Years later, Brex & Drew paths meet again. Brex is a NFL recruiting agent and Drew is a quarterback for the Raptors. Both succesful in their own ways except Drew is holding back.
Is his influence of his dads scandal holding him back?
Brex sees him after so many years and the chemistry, the memories come back and they both find themselves having those feelings for each other.
“Brexton Kincade. You made me start to believe. You made me want. And now I have to figure out what the hell that means.”
But they both have doubts and confusion and Drew can’t get over his past and can’t get over what Brex’s family did. Or can he?
So much chemistry, so much angst ! Loved it.
The friends to lover is my favorite genre and loved every minute of this story. Bromberg is definitely my go to author!
Hard to Score is a second-chance, of sorts, sports romance, two of my absolute favorite tropes, and with K. Bromberg’s writing and storytelling as well as how multifaceted Brexton Kincade and Drew Bowman’s characters are, I really enjoyed how everything unfolded, even if I was frustrated at times with some of their choices and how much the past seemed to dictate their present relationship.
Brexton is my favorite kind of heroine. She’s grown into an incredibly poised, intelligent, and strong-minded woman, no longer the shy and awkward girl who had a huge crush on Drew. And the fact that she’s kicking ass in a male-dominated profession illustrates just how unbelievably talented and girl-crush worthy she is.
Drew is a great hero, and Brexton’s perfect match, but the fact that he’s been taught to hate everyone with the last name Kincade, it’s a tenuous situation, which adds another layer to the wall that he’s continually trying to tear down, as a man, as a son, as a professional athlete. Drew has never been able to escape his past…to make his present what people think about more so than the scandals and the issues with his father. And this is the part that flabbergasts me because it’s clear who Drew really is and what he has to offer, but for some reason, he allows others to dictate both is personal and professional lives, but when Brexton steps into his life and fights for him, things look up for both of them, until the past rears its head again.
The main obstacle for Brexton and Drew is the feud between their families, and while I understand that a rivalry such as theirs would lead to bitter feelings, once the circumstances were explained, I felt like it was blown out of proportion, made to be a bigger deal that it should have been given the full scope of everything, but then grudges are held onto tightly for way longer than they ever should be.
I really enjoyed Brexton and Drew’s story. It’s clear, early on, just how compatible these two are and how good they are together. They’re drawn to one another, which makes the issues of the past a non-factor, at least in their minds, but that doesn’t mean everyone feels that way and that’s the mitigating circumstances that put strain on what they’re building. But as long as they get out of their own way and remember what matters most, hopefully they’ll get exactly what they want and need in all facets of their lives.
4 Poison Apples
4.5 Stars
“I love you, but then again, I always have.”
Wow, what a breath of fresh air and enjoyable sports romance from K Bromberg! This is the third book for the Kincade siblings (they are interconnected standalones) and this one features “Bratty Brex” and “Dreadful Drew.” Brexton and Drew have a past history, their families were tight as can be at one point before circumstances separated them. Drew has a grudge against the Kincade family which has him resisting his feelings for Brexton, but in reality, they can’t keep their hands off each other. I just loved the slow burn vibes as they built up to their romance and eventually Drew became “Dreamy Drew” instead of dreadful. This couple just captured my heart as they both had to let their walls down and be vulnerable in order to fully fall for each other. And oh did I love the romantic gestures in this book. If you love a fun sports romance that’s relatively light on the angst but full of heart, this one is for you! I loved it!
4.5 ‘ILYBK’ Stars!
ARC provided via Valentine PR in exchange for an honest review.
You know those series that start and you already know they will work when you have finished the first book? This is exactly what happened with K. Bromberg’s Play Hard series. I loved the first book, I adooooored the second one and I have to say I really enjoyed the third one too. As soon as I saw that Brexton’s story would be a second chance romance I was all over the idea since it’s one of my top favorite troupes. And, as you can imagine, with K. Bromberg being one of my favorite authors, that just had to work. And boy, it did!
So, Hard to Score is the third installment in the Play Hard series and it tells the love story of Brexton Kincade and Drew Bowman. Brex and Drew were childhood friends who also had a beautiful chemistry waiting to unleash. However, mysterious circumstances involving both their fathers brought them apart and many years have passed before they reunite. Brex is now a very talented sports agent and Drew is the second string QB for The Raptors. It was inevitable their paths colliding and their chemistry even stronger than before. But there are obstacles in the way, secrets keeping them apart and these facts are not letting them being able to fully enjoy their new found relationship. Will love win or will the past take over?
How is this even happening? How after all these years later, are we standing here like this, both wanting the same thing?
It’s crazy.
It’s surreal.
It’s perfect.
If you don’t already know, I am a lover of all things “second chance” and even though Hard to Score is not exactly that (because Brex and Drew did not have an actual relationship in the past), this book has all the elements I enjoy from this romance troupe. That connection coming back, the spark of sexual tension, the angst, the burning chemistry and the emotions running high. Hard to Score sure did not miss any of those. And I am not surprised because we are talking about Kristy Bromberg here. She is incredibly talented, and having read all her novels, I can assure you this one is another wonderful addition to her creations. Drew and Brex’s chemistry was beautiful and scorching hot. I loved reading how they find their way back to each other and finally getting over what happened in their pasts. I loved this emotional journey and I am so happy these two got their much deserved second chance and happy ending!
It’s just her.
Just the girl I fell in love with all those years ago who’s waiting for me on the sidelines as if she knew just where to be.
Therefore, I am rating Hard to Score with 4.5 STARS because Drew and Brexton’s story was an absolute delight to read from start to finish. It had all the aspects I love to read about a couple reconnecting, still having a beautiful friendship and even more, a heart-warming and burning chemistry. This couple sure deserves all the good happening to them and having such a sweet reunion. I loved it so much (even though Hard to Hold is still my favorite) and I cannot wait to read the final installment in the series. Highly recommend this one!
*4 stars*
I am really enjoying this series and I am so hoping there are still some books left in this series ‘cuz I can’t seem to get enough! This was Brexton’s story and I loved her chemistry with Drew. So many emotions were going through me as there were many ups and downs that were really heartfelt and took you on a great journey with them. To know if they get a happy ending, you’ll need to read it but you won’t regret taking the chance to find out…
Brexton is known for being hard on the players she represents but she is one of the best in the business and when she needs to recruit someone for her family’s company, she runs into her childhood crush Drew. Nothing can prepare either of them for what they’re feeling when they see each other again after so many years but there’s a spark between them that is fueled every time they are near each other. But there’s a lot of history between their families and Drew has some trust issues but no matter what he does, there’s just something about Brexton that he feels he can’t stay away from. The more time they spend together, the more his walls are breaking down. But will he be able to let go of the past?…
I’m seriously loving the Play Hard series! Kristy Bromberg has delivered wonderfully emotional and passionate romances in each of these stories, and in Hard to Score, the third book in this series of sports romances, she tackles a childhood crush/unrequited love story with a second-chance vibe and some heartbreaking obstacles. Centered on four sports agent sisters, the third book in this series takes readers into the world of professional football with the younger middle sister, Brexton Kincade, and NFL back-up quarterback, Drew Bowman. This story grabbed me from the prologue and refused to let go. I simply didn’t want to stop reading it—the kind of story where you find yourself getting mad when you have to put it down. Bromberg’s pacing of this story was perfection. Interspersed with glimpses of their shared childhood, she methodically built the emotion between Brexton and Drew while laying the groundwork of their complicated history. I lapped up every single heart-racing, swoon-worthy word of it.
This story was intense in every sense of the word, and Bromberg sets that stage right from the start. Drew, an extremely talented quarterback, is riding the bench and seems to have accepted that is his fate. The son of a potential hall of fame quarterback who fell from grace, Drew lives under the cloak of his father’s transgressions and seems to be paying the price for them. He’s confused, he’s resigned, and he’s overwhelmed by the demands of his family. He struggles with guilt he doesn’t understand, he’s angry that he doesn’t have the full story, and he’s exhausted by it all. Years of unanswered questions and abandoned dreams have left him guarded and secretive. His story is devastating, and it seems that nearly every person in his life wants, needs or demands something from him. My heart broke for him and the heartache that seemed to be the only constant companion in his life.
Brexton is very different from her sisters. She’s a hopeless romantic, and she just loves being in love. The problem is that she hasn’t been in love with the right men, and her heart has been battered for it. Going back to her first crush – Drew Bowman – she seems to have landed in a perpetual pattern of picking men who manhandle her heart. Her last heartbreak left her swearing off men when she runs into Drew for the first time in a decade. All those teenage feelings come rushing back as the two of them rekindle their friendship. The problem is that there is something huge between them that neither of them fully understands and until they can uncover what it is and deal with it, they’re at a stalemate. The thing is that Brexton knows this man, she sees his pain but further, she also sees the man beneath it. For the first time in Drew’s life, he’s got someone truly in his corner, genuinely believing in and rooting for him. I loved how patient and encouraging Brex was with Drew. She handled this man with such care, and boy did he ever respond to it. Their chemistry was blisteringly hot and unrelenting, but this man was also starved for affection, love and support, and Brex gave him that and so much more.
Full of heartrending emotion, blazing with heat and passion, and Hard to Score was an unputdownable pleasure to read. I felt all the feels and cried so many tears while I devoured it. I absolutely loved these characters, and Kristy slayed me with the depth of emotion in Brexton and Drew’s love story. Five stars from me for Hard to Score by K. Bromberg!
~Danielle Palumbo, Red Cheeks Reads
What if you met the love of your life because your families were best friends until one day they were enemies? Drew and Brexton grew up where the Bowman’s and Kincaide’s vacationed together, hung out together, where like family. Then Drew Bowman’s world imploded over controversy of his father’s career and the families never spoke again. Brexton runs into Drew years later and the crush she had as a 16 year old is reignited except this time Drew admits t the same fire. They may have done things a little backwards in the relationship department but ultimately Drew shows the most romantic side ever and the two can no longer control the fire. Will this fire blow up when their families find out? Fires as big as this one are never extinguished easily but either is the fire between Drew and Brexton. This couple may just be able to keep their fire lit while the families learn to blow theirs out.
Hard to Score is another great read from K. Bromberg! It was a beautiful and emotional story, as the next Kincade sister, Brexton, found love with her childhood crush Drew. Even though they run in the same circles, being involved in the sporting world, they hadn’t seen each other in almost 10 years after a scandal drove their once close families apart. But when they run into each other again, all those old feelings resurface and neither one of them can stop thinking about each other. They most definitely were not Bratty Brex and Dreadful Drew anymore.
The chemistry between them flew right off the pages, and I just loved watching them explore what had always been there. While I’m not always a fan of flashbacks, I love the way it was done for them. We needed to see those moments from their time in the Keys, as well as other pivotal times that shaped their futures.
It was a bit of a rocky road for Brex and Drew, as what happened in the past would always be the elephant in the room. And they never would be able to truly move forward, until the full truth about what really happened all those years ago came to light. But It wasn’t until one chance encounter, with Kenyon Kincade of all people, really forced Drew to face his father to find out once and for all what really happened.
So many feelings and emotions in this one and I enjoyed everything about the story from the beginning to the end!
And Finn – can’t have a book without an appearance with him, but I have to say, in this one, he wasn’t quite the jerk I’ve always thought him to be.
My Review (ARC provided)
Five Stars!!
I love this series so much! I feel like each Kincade story gets better and better!! Drew and Brexton are exactly what I want in a second chance/friends to lovers romance. The flashes from past to present were right there when you needed them. We got such a good idea of their relationship before everything happens without it giving away too much. It keeps you guessing up until the end and has you feeling for these long-lost friends. I guess you could almost call this a forbidden romance too when your family doesn’t want you to have anything to do with the other.
Drew and Brex grew up together their parents were best friends until one day it all ended, no one knows why and it is never discussed again.
Drew is a second-string quarterback but when Brex happens to stumble upon him practicing after all these years she knows he should be more than second-string, she knows he’s not starting for a reason and it’s not because he’s not good enough. Once Brex and Drew connect again there is no turning back they are attracted to each other like magnets and no matter what’s in the past they need each other. Drew is determined to leave the past alone but Brex wants to know what happened.
Drew and Brex made my stomach summersault they just had chemistry from the start and there was no need to convince me they belonged together. Kristy wrote their relationship so well from past to present that you just knew the two were meant to be. In some stories, it takes more convincing to really believe that the hero and heroine belong together and have a strong bond and chemistry but in this story, it was clear, and as it went on those butterflies grew and grew.
“Are we simply a match striking, igniting, and then waiting to burn itself out?”
I fell in love with these two and although I’ve loved the two stories before, Drew and Brex are my favorites! I can’t wait to see what Kristy has in store for the last Kincade girl!!
Another Kincade Sister, another love story and another one to fall for ….
These Sports romances are becoming a favourite and these kincade sisters are everything….
As with previous sisters, a female in a male dominated industry, Brexton has the confidence and personality to admire… she’s good at her job, stands for no rubbish and isn’t easily won over by an athlete who’s ego is too big…
But what she craves is love, true love and when she accidentally bumps into a childhood friend who she crushed on hard but felt was only one way, their passion and chemistry is too strong and the friendship they once had returns quickly. But with a a family feud, a hidden secret and a past event standing in their way can they make this work for the future to last. But these feelings are mutual, and the love is returned and Drew finally has found someone but history needs to be put to rest ….
An easy read, with great flow ….
Can’t wait for The last one in the series ….
Brexton Kincade just strode out of my memories and onto my football field. Some lines cannot be crossed, and ours was drawn in the sand years ago.
Live everything about this book!! K Bromberg writes such beautiful books that make us feel!
Brexton and Drew’s story is amazing!! I loved Brexton and her strength. Her honesty and willing to fight for what she wants! And Drew… he’s such a great guy struggling to figure out life.
Childhood friends, turned to each other happily ever!!! Loved their journey so much!
*Received ARC in exchange for an honest**
Rating 4 Stars!
bookboyfriendsdoitbetter.com
This book was not what I was expecting and I loved it! Drew and Brexton drew on all my heartstrings and I love them. I’m a sucker for second chance romance and this one was great! I loved being able to see both of them grow together and separately! Brexton and Drew needed growth in both life and love and I’m so glad we were shown both!
I’m so sad that I finished this book and we only have 1 more book left in the series! This series has slowly become one of my favorite sports romance series! K Bromberg has recently become a one-click author and I’ll be forever grateful to this series for showing me the wonderful writing of Bromberg!
The reason I went with 4 stars is that even though I loved this book and the couple, I loved book 2 a little bit more and it just didn’t hit that spot. I still loved this one, but as I said, book 2 was just amazing and this one didn’t reach that level.
Sports romance and second chance from K. Bromberg? Heck yeah!
Advanced Readers Copy
Title: Hard to Score
Series: Play Hard #3
Author: K. Bromberg
Publisher: JKB Publishing, LLC
Edition: Kindle
Amount of Pages: 304
Genre: Sports, Romance, Adult
Date Read: 06-02-2021
Favorite Quote: “In every woman I’ve dated, I’ve been looking for a little piece of her.”
Review:
I was a bit apprehensive about reading this book because the previous one wasn’t my favorite. I was hoping that this one would be better and it was! I liked the characters and felt myself rooting for them. However I do feel like the book was a bit flat. Not that the story wasn’t good because it was but it didn’t have high high’s or low lows, it was all very consistent. Some things where also a bit predictable. Never the less I did enjoy reading this book.
What is this book about:
This book is about Brexton and Drew. They have known each other since forever, their families used to go on holidays together until something tore their families apart. Year went by without Brex and Drew running into each other let alone talk to each other.
While Brex was visiting potential clients who does she run into, the one and only Drew Bowman. Drew doens’t want anything to do with Brex’s family but he can’t ignore the pull that is still there between them. Will he be able to overcome his past and move on or will he let his past continue to rule his future.
What did I like/love:
I loved the banter between Brex and Drew. Their romance was sweet and cute. I liked the side characters as well.
What did I dislike/hate:
Rating:
3 1/2 stars