Hard as it Gets

Hard as It Gets by Laura Kaye

My rating:

3 stars—I liked it.

My thoughts:

This book is the first installment of the Hard Ink series. First and last for me. It really could have been such a good book—that’s how it still gets three stars.

I liked the beginning and I liked the characters. The problems? The characters all went by multiple names-- Derek, Marz, Murda…all the same guy. They are even called different names in the same passage! This quickly became very confusing. Too many characters to start with and then they all go by three different names.

And the worst… the author doesn’t resolve the main plot in this book. She leaves it wide open. Apparently in SIX books it is resolved. I really don’t need to know that badly.

Description from Goodreads.com:

“Trouble just walked into Nicholas Rixey's tattoo parlor. Becca Merritt is warm, sexy, wholesome--pure temptation to a very jaded Nick. He's left his military life behind to become co-owner of Hard Ink Tattoo, but Becca is his ex-commander's daughter. Loyalty won't let him turn her away. Lust has plenty to do with it too.

With her brother presumed kidnapped, Becca needs Nick. She just wasn't expecting to want him so much. As their investigation turns into all-out war with an organized crime ring, only Nick can protect her. And only Becca can heal the scars no one else sees.

Desire is the easy part. Love is as hard as it gets. Good thing Nick is always up for a challenge…”