Cocky football players, school rivalry, and the girls who get in their way. Get ready … The Raiders are back for one final play!Mya Hernandez has scars.The kind that run deep and leave marks.Rixon is only supposed to be a temporary place to hide, but it’s quickly becoming something more. She’s almost certain it has nothing to do with the blond-haired, blue-eyed football player who makes her … blue-eyed football player who makes her laugh. Who makes her believe in fairy tales again.
Even if she knows her life is destined to be nothing more than a tragedy.
Asher Bennet has secrets.
Not the scandalous kind, but the ones that fester, slowly eating away at your soul.
On the face of it, he’s Mr Popular, always down for a party and causing a little mayhem.
But on the inside, he just wants someone to see him. Really see him. Too bad the one girl who sees past his facade has already friend-zoned him.
It’s probably for the best though.
She’s different.
A fighter.
She’s everything he wants but can never have.
Until Mya’s past and Asher’s present collide in ways neither of them saw coming.
And suddenly the thing you need most is the very thing you’re supposed to hate.
The Harder You Fall is the third book in The Rixon Raiders series. All books in this series can be read as standalones!
The Trouble With You
The Game You Play
The Harder You Fall
more
Mya and Asher are EVERYTHING!
This book had it all: romance, angst, laughter, tears(so many tears) and honestly, it was the best way for L. A. Cotton to finish this series.
I truly enjoyed Mya and Asher’s relationship they were friends and then they were more, much more than that. I loved how witty and feisty Mya could be but I was also blindsided by how vulnerable and human she was too. Being a Latina myself, I could truly connect with her in many ways, she is an amazing heroine. Loveeeee her!
And Asher Bennett, Eeeeeek he OMG! He was truly incredible. He is NOT what you think he is, he is charming, funny, flirty but such an amazing human! He won me over in the 1st chapter of the book, that fats. But like the blurb says he has many secrets…
The Harder You Fall: A Friends-to Lovers Romance (Rixon Raiders Book 3) is the conclusion of The Rixon Raiders series but it was my favorite books out of the three in it. It has the best elements of a romance(but very angsty) novel.
I have waited for Asher’s story in this series and I was not disappointed. In the first two books Asher was the one with a heart of gold and the funny friend. Mya was the out of towner. So as expected when they got together fireworks went off, good and bad.
This book was soooooooo full of angst. Just when I was happy there were twists that made me say a few choice words and made me want to throw my kindle. That is why this was such a great read. There was some steamy moments, romance, angst, tragedy and so many secrets. When you got to see the real Asher it was heartbreaking in some ways.
A great book to finalize this series. It can be read as a stand alone but you will want to meet the other Raiders.
Could I fall as hard for Asher as Cam or even Jase.. damn right I could !!
Asher was the joker, the one on the sidelines almost as the sidekick to our other favourite raiders. Having loved (so he thought) and lost Fee he was the raider that we all secretly crushed on and wanted a HEA for.
In walks Mya Hernandez and steals his heart completely.
As with every love worth fighting for things dont run smoothly and when Mya’s ex shows up their world nearly falls apart.
My heart literally broke for the two of them as they tried to piece back their love.
This really was an epic end to a fantastic series.
LA Cotton’s series continues to amaze me with each new story she produces. Her absolute to make you fall in love with each character and want to be part of them and their family is uncanny! She continues to blow me away with each word and drug me until I have to finish the book that moment.
Her settings, characters and situations show what a master she is and the amount of time she puts into her work. If she is an author you have never read, you need to one click her books NOW!!! She takes some uncomfortable topics and makes you fly through the pages. She’s tasteful and very entertaining.
Maya comes into uncharted territory to a new school and new environment. When Asher enters, the chemistry and craziness starts. Asher will do anything to win maya. Their story has ups and downs, twist and turns, but so
Many amazing, steamy, sweet moments that will suck you in!! Catching up with lay characters – I absolutely loved this!! It is a must read for all romance lovers!!
5 STARS
Asher just stole my heart! I’m sad that this is the final book in the Rixon Raiders series, but L.A. Cotton ended it with a story that will give you all the feels. I love how Mya was a fierce and loyal friend; especially how deeply she loved Asher despite her attempts at trying to not fall for him.
“This didn’t feel like going slow. It felt like falling recklessly and hopelessly into each other, giving no thought to how hard we might crash.”
I’m glad I got to see quite a bit of the other characters from series, from Hailey and Cam to Felicity and Jase, Mya’s “fairy sexmother”. LOVE IT!!! Not only is this book EPIC, but the series as a whole…so be sure to get your copy! The Harder You Fall by L.A. Cotton will absolutely join the ranks of the BIBLIO-ARISTOCRACY!!!
Mind blown! Asher & Mya’s story will have you so emotionally invested. The push and pull of their desire will have you all in your feels. These two couldn’t be more wrong for each other in a world that only sees black and white but a heart knows no color. The heart wants what the heart wants!
When Myas past catches up with her and threatens the possibility of having more than she ever thought was possible she is left with the turmoil of having to learn the lesson of leaving the past in the past and moving on. That putting herself and her needs first is what will get her the future she so deserves.
In the wake of tragedy Asher has to face the iron fist that his father has always laid out. Secrets get revealed and emotions and truths brought to the surface. Making the right decision has never been so tough.
Be ready for one emotional rollercoaster that will leave you breathless!
Let me preface this review by saying Asher has been my favorite since we met the Raiders. He was very aloof, and was the life if the party. He put his friends first, and was willing to sacrifice his football dream for his best friends. Who wouldn’t love someone who puts others before themselves?
This book shows us just how deep Asher really is, and how real his problems are. His strength to move forward no matter the trouble is a true testament to his character. This book also dives into the mysterious Mya and the demons she is fighting. LA Cotton kept this relationship very real and authentic.
Of course along the way we get more of Cameron and Hailee, and Jason and Felicity. The bond of the six is the definition of friendship goals!
Be prepared to cry, laugh, and feel deep sadness as these two characters face their challenges on an individual level, and as a couple.
Sad to see the series end, but so excited for how bright she left all sixes future!
In this exactly moment I’m in THIS state of mind when I can only cry…
Cry because I’m so NOT READY to say goodbye…(even if I was waiting for THIS book the most impatiently).
Cry because it’s the last story in this series (and my favorite one).
Cry because Asher and Mya just ripped off my heart (but.. I don’t want to take it back).
I can’t find enough accurate words to describe HOW much Asher and Mya captivated my heart. From the first paiges I knew – L. A. Cotton invited me for the very fast ride, full of emotional madness in the background. I’m telling You Guys, this author… this couple, AND ALL THE FEELS. I JUST CAN’T EVEN. What should I do with my life right now ??? Without waiting for another heartbreaking moments??? You can call me not-too-smart girl right now, but after reading The Harder You Fall, I feel more addicted of teenage angsty drama, than I was already. I still have not enough. I want to read and reread and reread this book and the whole series uncountles times…. For sure Mrs. Cotton, Asher and Mya has my heart forever.
Asher… the funniest guy on this planet??? Well, I’m sure he could win a lots of Oscar’s prizes… His pose made fools from all of us,I’m sure. I wouldn’t never ever thought that he will be such an broken boy inside. I was prepared, that Mya will be this person, who will break my heart more times that I could count… and then SUPRISE Mrs. Cotton showed me the right place in the line. The Harder You fall couldn’t be more perfect ending the whole story about Rixon Raiders.
The Harder You Fall is amazing, suprising and emotional adventure. Woderfull story about love, family and friendship with more than a few heartbreaking moments, BUT absolutely must read.
I had a soft spot for Asher since day one. I knew there was more to him than his jokes. The Harder You Fall made me a little emotional being it the last book in the series. L. A. Cotton came up with an interesting plot and some twists that left me blurry eyed and cursing her for doing this and that to my babies. My heart broke more than once for my favourite Raider and Mya who was so fierce and stood strong after being through so much. In Asher Bennet’s words: “Maybe this was an over-the-top cheese fest of epic proportions.” But I loved Mya and Asher’s story so dearly I can’t help but recommend it.
The Harder You Fall is the conclusion to the Rixon Raiders series, and the best was definitely saved for last.
You know when you’re reading a series and there’s one character that stands out? Sometimes it’s the quiet one or the delinquent and sometimes it’s the loudest and craziest. Asher was the one who stood out to me from the very beginning, and I’ve been waiting for what feels like forever for his story. And it was even more amazing than I could have imagined.
“If you were mine, I’d chase you to the neds of the Earth before I ever gave you up.”
From the glimpses of Asher throughout the series, you’d assume he was the jokester, a playboy who doesn’t take anything seriously and is only out for a good time. But he is so much more. Throughout this story layer upon layer is peeled back, revealing a boy with the world on his shoulders and secrets that are begging to spill out. Then there’s Maya. While Asher’s demons are hidden to the outside world, it was obvious from the very beginning she’s fighting her fair share. And getting to know her, we also learn that she’s strong & resilient, and also able to break just as easily.
And together? These two are magic. Their chemistry is off the charts and they bring out every amazing thing in one another. From the very beginning, I couldn’t help but pull for them, but I never could have imagined how intense and beautiful their journey would be.
I’ve loved this whole series, but I have to admit this one is my absolute favorite. It will break your heart and put it back together, make you laugh & cry and then want to do it all over again. Filled with the characters & friendships we’ve come to love this is the perfect ending to an amazing series!
Amount of sex 2 / 5
How explicit are the sex scenes 2 / 5
Story 5 / 5
Overall: 5 / 5
The Harder You Fall is the third book in the Rixon Raiders series written by author L.A. Cotton. Each book in the series tells the story of a different couple. Even though this is true, I suggest reading the books in order. This will give you a better foundation to understand and appreciate the backstories, which continue throughout the series. The Harder You Fall tells the story of Asher Bennet and Mya Hernandez, and I’ve been looking forward to reading their story for some time now!
In this story, Mya has moved to Rixon to escape a difficult past. Her two best friends (Hailee and Felicity) are dating Asher’s best friends (Cameron and Jason). They all tend to spend time together, and Asher and Mya soon begin dating. They have a strong chemistry, but her past soon comes back to haunt her. Asher’s currently dealing with some family issues, and he hasn’t informed his friends about it all. Soon Mya’s and Asher’s issues are creating havoc, but is their love for each other strong enough to handle what’s trying to pull them apart?
The Harder You Fall is full of angst, drama, and lots of twists. I was fully absorbed in their story and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough!
Voluntarily Reviewed an Advanced Copy
And… it’s over… Sadly…
I have really bipolar reaction when it comes to „The Harder You Fall” by L. A. Cotton. On one side I am happy cause we got wonderful story about Asher and Mya but on the other hand it’s the end of story about The Rixon Riders. So it’s no surprise that I have mixed feelings. But one feeling is winning. I am happy that I have an occasion to read this wonderful story of Mya and Asher. And what a great finale it was. I had a suspicion that there is definitely more in Asher perfect life that we saw in previous books. As it appeared there was huge part of his life that he hide and that part was so awful that I wanted to help him so much. He was always that person that was fun and cheerful but there is his totally different side that he tries to hide and the last thing he would like would be that everyone and especially his friends get to know them. That also make him breaking in few situations.
But there is one person who sees his true self and get to know real him and his problems. That person is Mya who even that she tries to fight him for a really long time she can’t resist his baby blue eyes with so much pain in it. I really like Mya as a female character. She was so strong and fought really hard for the chance to have a better life. On one hand I understand why she fought so much but on the other I was rooting for them from the moment they met in second book. It was such an incredible thing to watch their fight against all superstitions and prejudice in order to finally be truly happy together.
Prepare yourself for emotional book in many senses like family issues, race issues that will make you really invested in this story. There were moments that I want to hug both of them so much because even if they knew that from the start they will be against a lot and even that their journey would be definitely hard and bumpy they fought against all odds, the loose but in the final countdown they won even more. They overcame all the obstacles to be together, made few mistakes but when you’ll watch how Asher finally get his girl was everything you would want from this story and you will fall in love even more.
“The Harder you Fall” is just a perfect conclusion to whole series and see more how Cam and Jase care about Asher and each other and try to help him the best they can. And since it is the last book in the series whole goodbye was bittersweet cause on one hand I was so happy to watch our trio become happy but on the other hand it’s the last book but I would love to see more from this world. Who knows maybe L. A. Cotton will write something more. Pretty please 😉 In the mean time I definitely recommend this book as well as whole series to all of you.
I have such conflicting emotions. I finally got my sweet baby Asher’s HEA but now the series is done and that’s such a shame because LA Cotton absolutely killed it with this series.
ARC kindly provided, all thoughts in this review are my own.
Seriously, Cam and Hailee pulled me into this world with book one, Jason and Flick blew me away in book two, and Ash and Mya made my heart so happy in book three. But it is bittersweet. It is my hope that Lianne will one day decide to expand this series but even if she doesn’t, she has done these stories and their characters justice. It is so easy to get swept up into the Rixon Raider world and you feel like you’re there, a part of this community. It all is so relatable and realistic.
This book, follows Asher Bennet and the new to town, Mya Hernandez. The books are standalones but I highly recommend reading in order. You see Asher all throughout books one and two and it is impossible to not fall for his charismatic, charming spirit. He is the life of the party, always good for a laugh and always there for those he cares about. You cannot help but to root for his HEA. Mya who you meet before this book is new to Rixon but she always feels like the odd person out. She comes from a tough neighborhood and is running from some things in her past. But Mya and Ash are these two battered souls, just looking for the balm for to soothe their hurts.
This series will always hold a special place in my heart. Seriously, the author just handled every aspect of this series to perfection. It’s truly a football romance and I love that there is so much football incorporated because I hate for authors to call something a sports romance and then literally the only sports related thing is the character happens to be an athlete. I also adored this friend group. I loved the couples and how each character interacted with other characters and not just their love interest. Their is so much heart in this series. The angst and chemistry is done with perfection in mind as well. I will always highly recommend this series. No matter what you’re looking for, I think you will like this series. So if you haven’t started it yet then now is the perfect time.
PROPERTY OF A RAIDER![
L. A. Cotton
Just when you think this series can’t get any better, the author ends it with a bang! I’m sitting here trying to write my review and hoping it’ll do it justice. No matter how I feel, I don’t think anything I can write comes close to how deeply I felt when reading this story. It’s not only a story of love but also about hope, that even though life can get hard and everything seems to be against you ‘cuz of how you look or who you are, there’s a glimmer of a chance that there’s something good waiting to happen. That someone will see right through you and feel that you are worth the fight!
After all that she’s been through, Mya transfers to a new school in hope to have a new beginning and leave her old life behind. She soon learns who’s in charge at the Raiders’s territory but becomes very good friends with Asher. Although being one of the few who has coloured skin that doesn’t deter Asher at all. They become closer with time and although everyone around them seems to have something against their relationship, their bond grows stronger and feelings start to grow. But when Mya’s past comes back into her present, a tragedy will start a rift between them. Will they be strong enough to get through it all?…
5 A Raider Owns My Heart Stars
New Adult books are my favorite and i’m a sucker for a good football romance. Add in the fact that it’s L.A. Cotton writing it, and you have yourself a touchdown. The Harder You Fall is Asher’s book and it’s bittersweet for me because when I read The Trouble with You I fell in love with all of the characters and the Rixon Raiders quickly became one of my favorite series. I’m not ready to say good bye and I hope to see more of them one day.
Asher Bennett. The charismatic, fun loving, popular athlete, and friend to all. I really expected his story to be funny based on his personality in the first two books. I should’ve known that the ones who smile the most are usually the most hurt. Asher hid his pain behind comedy until Mya came around. My heart hurt for him and at the same time I fell deeper for him. I definitely didn’t expect his character to be so deep. His one liners hit me right in the feels.
“If you were mine, I’d chase you to the ends of the Earth before I ever gave you up.”
Mya Hernandez, the girl from the hood who came to Rixon looking to escape her past. She caught Asher’s eye and it was game over. She didn’t stand a chance against Asher’s charming ways (how could she) but it was entertaining watching her try. She is strong and confident and knows what she wants but more than anything, Mya is a fighter!
The chemistry between Mya and Asher was undeniable from the very beginning. Through all their struggles, they never lost sight of each other. Their struggles with race and family are real and relatable and made this story pull on your heartstrings that much more. I am sad to see this phenomenal series come to and end but LA Cotton sure did give it a proper send off with The Harder You Fall.
#PropertyOfARaider #RaiderGirlForLife #TheRixonRaidersOwnMyHeart
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/35vrOCd
The Harder You Fall is the 3rd and final book in the Rixon Raiders Series. This was Asher and Mia’s story, a story I’ve been anxiously awaiting as Asher is my favorite Raider. This story was intense, drama-filled, steamy, romantic and funny. Mia and Ash were from 2 different worlds and this is most definitely a case of opposites attract. The story shows the struggles of growing up in a small town and the prejudices faced by some people. Mia and Asher had some obstacles to overcome and you will feel for them both with what they had to go through. Their story was emotional with twists and turns but you will enjoy it. This was a perfect ending to this series and I would highly recommend it to all lovers of contemporary sports romance.
Overall Rating – .5
The final raiders story and one I have been patiently waiting for, Asher, and boy I was not ready for this story! The anguish had my heart aching for them.
We start with Mya fighting her demons from her past. She’s left that life behind and looking for a fresh start. Because her friends are couples, she and Asher are pushed together. Asher is all sweet and swoon worthy and will stop at nothing to get his girl. Mya keeps him back, only wanting friendship but soon her feelings change. I really liked her character, she showed maturity, was brave and always kept Asher on his toes.
Asher. He is everyone’s party loving fun guy but underneath he’s got his own problems and is trying his best to to stay happy when at times he is anything but. Mya gets him and he opens up to her, revealing his true feelings.
I loved the cameos with the other characters, particularly Jason, who was still his alpha self but also showed his softer side to his friends.
When Mya’s past catches up with her and the events unravel I truly felt the heartache. They were just getting somewhere when tragedy hit and was something I didn’t think they would survive.
This story has so much going on, I was addicted and couldn’t put this read down needing to see what would happen next!
I have really enjoyed this whole series. All stories are standalone but this one has been my favourite and I knew Asher would steal my heart. This story will have you laughing, swooning, being in a state of despair and have you falling in love with these characters. A must read!
*An ARC received for an honest review*
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Overall Ratings;u2063
First Sex Scene – 42%
POV – Duel
Hero –
Heroine –
Story –
Angst –
Steam –
Chemistry –
This has been a great series but this book is my favorite out of all of them. Love Mya and Asher.
Asher was everything. I was expecting a fun-loving, carefree guy who always has a smile on his face. He was all of those things, but he was so much more. He was caring, independent, vulnerable, and loved fiercely. Getting to see the man behind the carefree attitude was such an experience.
Mya was such a strong heroine. The events that she experienced and her journey made her into this tough, pretend to not care person, but deep down she had insecurities and doubts just like every other high schooler. On top of that, she is a minority in Rixon, and she has to have a backbone in order to survive.
These two knew their journey wasn’t going to be easy, but I loved how these two trusted each other even knowing they were probably going to get their hearts broken. These two together complimented each other so well. When one was struggling, the other was there to prove to them that they were worth it.
Yes, there were times I wanted to yell at both characters, but you have to remember that they are in high school, and trauma can affect each person differently.
The events in this book brought all the characters full circle, and the ending was one of the best “win back your girl” experiences that I have ever read. I honestly do not know how you could top that!
I’m so sad to see this series end, but it ending amazing! I cannot wait to see what Lianne writes next.
– An Arc was generously provided in exchange for an honest review.-
I’ve loved this series right from the start with all its fascinating characters and drama…the young men and women experience an emotional journey that has kept me engaged throughout.
Mya and Asher are my favourite couple, although it is a close run thing, and their story is every bit as enthralling as the two couples who went before them. I love the three guys; I love their close bonds of friendship and their loyalty and humour.
A fantastic conclusion to a captivating series…I received an advanced copy of this book from the author.