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Hard Times
Years ago, Lorna Malachi, a frightened teenager, was plunged into a nightmare called Blue Ridge Women's Correctional Facility. Terrified and desperate to belong, she sold her soul one piece at a time. She survived to sit atop the ever-shifting trash heap of prison society.
Lorna has learned the hard way not to trust anyone, particularly penal system virgins like Kellie Holloway, her unrepentant new cellmate. But Kellie's pride and cluelessness guarantee that without help, she won't last long.
Together, Kellie and Lorna navigate through an oppressive, hidden world where the lines between right and wrong blur, sexual passion is forbidden but explosive, and love is the biggest risk of all.
Lorna has learned the hard way not to trust anyone, particularly penal system virgins like Kellie Holloway, her unrepentant new cellmate. But Kellie's pride and cluelessness guarantee that without help, she won't last long.
Together, Kellie and Lorna navigate through an oppressive, hidden world where the lines between right and wrong blur, sexual passion is forbidden but explosive, and love is the biggest risk of all.
300 pages, Paperback
First published October 22, 2007
7 people are currently reading
434 people want to read
About the author
Blayne Cooper
14 books175 followersBlayne Cooper has also written under the pen name Advocate. She is the Royal Academy of Bards 2005 Hall of Fame Author and a recipient of the 2014 Academy of Bards Lifetime Achievement Award.
Born in Northern California in January 1969, Blayne Cooper is the best-selling author of a variety of fiction ranging from mystery/romance to outrageous parody. With each novel she tackles a new personal writing challenge. The result is a diverse collection of lesbian fiction.
Blayne has held a number of interesting, and sometimes rather unusual jobs (sunflower sexer), and completed a stint as a Combat Medic in the Army National Guard. Today, she is a project manager for a legal publishing company by day, and writer by night.
In 1990 Blayne graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. degree in political science. The next year she married and in 1995 she graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Law and was admitted into the Oklahoma Bar Association.
That same summer, her spirited daughter was born. A gregarious son completed the family in 1997. She easily ranks her children as her greatest accomplishment.
Blayne has always harbored an interest in fiction, but it wasn’t until 1998 that she tried her own hand at writing by reaching out to an online audience. A couple of years later, her work was published. While she enjoys the challenge of working in multiple genres, it's writing about the humor found in everyday life that gives her the most pleasure.
Blayne loves travel, reading, and spending long, sleepless nights crouched over her computer in search of the perfect words that will make people laugh or weep uncontrollably. She's still looking, but having a great time on the journey.
A rolling stone at heart, Blayne currently resides in the Midwest with her loving spouse, two children, and Wheaton Terrier. (from the author's website)
Born in Northern California in January 1969, Blayne Cooper is the best-selling author of a variety of fiction ranging from mystery/romance to outrageous parody. With each novel she tackles a new personal writing challenge. The result is a diverse collection of lesbian fiction.
Blayne has held a number of interesting, and sometimes rather unusual jobs (sunflower sexer), and completed a stint as a Combat Medic in the Army National Guard. Today, she is a project manager for a legal publishing company by day, and writer by night.
In 1990 Blayne graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. degree in political science. The next year she married and in 1995 she graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Law and was admitted into the Oklahoma Bar Association.
That same summer, her spirited daughter was born. A gregarious son completed the family in 1997. She easily ranks her children as her greatest accomplishment.
Blayne has always harbored an interest in fiction, but it wasn’t until 1998 that she tried her own hand at writing by reaching out to an online audience. A couple of years later, her work was published. While she enjoys the challenge of working in multiple genres, it's writing about the humor found in everyday life that gives her the most pleasure.
Blayne loves travel, reading, and spending long, sleepless nights crouched over her computer in search of the perfect words that will make people laugh or weep uncontrollably. She's still looking, but having a great time on the journey.
A rolling stone at heart, Blayne currently resides in the Midwest with her loving spouse, two children, and Wheaton Terrier. (from the author's website)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
May 23, 2017
I need some new words to describe the books I read but I guess the usual words get the point across. This was a great book! It's an improbable love story and these women suffer some serious angst. I wouldn't say it's an easy read because some difficult topics are part of the story. I mean, they're in prison. It'd be a completely unbelievable book if everything was light and happy. This is the third book I've read by Cooper and I am loving her work thus far. I'm pretty damn happy she has other books for me to read too. Yay for new (to me) authors!
December 11, 2018
I enjoyed this book, it was very much like watching a prison drama. It was decently written with plenty of tension and ups and downs. The characters were well rounded and the dialogue between them flowed naturally. A couple of things seemed a little too easy but they did not detract from the overall story. I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a bit of tension in their entertainment.
June 29, 2019
Was a pleasure to re-read this one. I think the older books did a better job of creating drama and conflict.
July 5, 2015
- changed my rating from 3 to 4 because it was even better the second time!-
It took me a few chapters to get into the story, but once I did, I was hooked. The storyline is very original for a book of this genre, and if you are an OITNB fan, you're bound to love Hard Times!
Some moments are heartbreaking, some others are really sweet, but all are very beautiful. It's a story about pain, trust, love, and hope. The chemistry feels real between both women. It's refreshing to read a story where women fall in love when they are at their worst. And they love each other not despite their faults, but almost because of them.
The characters are very organic. They are very flawed, and therefore very human.
There is also a real plot that keeps you want to read more and that may surprise you.
So why not 4 or 5? It's really a matter of taste.. mostly, I've read better stories that gave me a lot more butterflies! The only reasons I can pinpoint are:
- the writing style isn't very smooth. Sometimes I got a bit lost on who was saying what (then I got used to it, and it passed).
- I could have used more intimate scenes while they are in prison. The months go by a bit too fast in between chapters and I would have loved to see a bit more about how their feelings grew.
It took me a few chapters to get into the story, but once I did, I was hooked. The storyline is very original for a book of this genre, and if you are an OITNB fan, you're bound to love Hard Times!
Some moments are heartbreaking, some others are really sweet, but all are very beautiful. It's a story about pain, trust, love, and hope. The chemistry feels real between both women. It's refreshing to read a story where women fall in love when they are at their worst. And they love each other not despite their faults, but almost because of them.
The characters are very organic. They are very flawed, and therefore very human.
There is also a real plot that keeps you want to read more and that may surprise you.
So why not 4 or 5? It's really a matter of taste.. mostly, I've read better stories that gave me a lot more butterflies! The only reasons I can pinpoint are:
- the writing style isn't very smooth. Sometimes I got a bit lost on who was saying what (then I got used to it, and it passed).
- I could have used more intimate scenes while they are in prison. The months go by a bit too fast in between chapters and I would have loved to see a bit more about how their feelings grew.
February 24, 2014
That the book takes place in prison, I find very interesting. The atmosphere and setting reminded me a little of the TV series Bad Girls. I liked the characterization of Lorna Malachi, It was very well written. Lorna was so powerful, but also so fragile, this made her very human. The interaction between her and Kellie was a pleasure to read. The structure of the story and the romance is built with a good rhythm. Besides the story of Kelly and Lorna, it has plenty of other characters and subplots that are very fascinating. And there are plenty of scenes that are very hot, the chemistry is very present between the main characters. Definitely a book that I will read more often.
February 26, 2017
Diferente, pero en el buen sentido,trama interesante, sorpresas y giros(al final muy bueno).Recomendable.
October 30, 2013
Loved it! Blayne Cooper's books are always a joy to read. Funny, smart, and heartfelt, this book has all the qualities that make Cooper's stories so captivating.
March 18, 2018
I enjoy Cooper's writing and this is one of her better entries. Both Lorna and Kellie are a nice mix of good personality traits and bad. The story isn't afraid to get on the gritty side, but doesn't get too dark. That balance, which is best represented by Lorna and her rival, Katrina. Lorna is really emotionally messed up by the abuse she experienced in the past and the further conditioning she receives in prison, but she is fundamentally a good person, you can see it in the way she treats Kellie and some of the other inmates. Katrina is her complete opposite, often seeming to not care what she does to hurt others, as long as she gains power.
As for the story, it weaves together multiple plot lines that explore prison corruption, domestic violence and its aftermath, substance abuse, and so on. They all tie up neatly in the end, but Cooper manages to make me believe that our leads weren't going to get out of the prison unscathed. In many ways, they show a lot of internal and external scars that, while they get their happy ending, we know they still have some work to do.
I loved this book. It was a little too dramatic at times, but Lorna and Kellie aren't typical Lesfic leading ladies and I enjoyed learning about them.
As for the story, it weaves together multiple plot lines that explore prison corruption, domestic violence and its aftermath, substance abuse, and so on. They all tie up neatly in the end, but Cooper manages to make me believe that our leads weren't going to get out of the prison unscathed. In many ways, they show a lot of internal and external scars that, while they get their happy ending, we know they still have some work to do.
I loved this book. It was a little too dramatic at times, but Lorna and Kellie aren't typical Lesfic leading ladies and I enjoyed learning about them.
June 14, 2023
Hard Times by Blayne Cooper; While I gave it just three stars this was a pretty good story, in Spite of the cliche WIP and romance aspect it actually delivers a good hopeful and upbeat message in the end. The whole 'Orange is the new Black' stage set for this somewhat old style potboiler of a story a protective teen Lorna who kills her father later in jail she meets Kellie who is kind of like piper Chapman upper middle class and naive' this is a book for those who really liked that TV show or for younger LGBTQ people who want to read about women struggles with boundaries or control issues anger, fear, need, things that can seem really worse when your caged as you would be if you were in prison. So overall not a bad plot, good character development and I liked the ending so it's a very high three stars
July 26, 2018
I love a novel with an original and well-developed premise, and what could possibly be more original (at least in lesfic) than a romance that takes place almost entirely behind bars?
And this wasn't just your stuck-a-Radclyffe-novel-in-a-prison effort. The setting informed character development, character dynamics, conflict and resolution. I really enjoyed this read, and look forward to reading more of Blayne Cooper's novel ideas (pun obviously intended)!
And this wasn't just your stuck-a-Radclyffe-novel-in-a-prison effort. The setting informed character development, character dynamics, conflict and resolution. I really enjoyed this read, and look forward to reading more of Blayne Cooper's novel ideas (pun obviously intended)!
July 30, 2019
3.5 star rating
I think this is my first behind the bar romance novel so that makes this story memorable. The plot however will likely not be so because the cursing and getting back at each other just became a bore along the way.
On the romantic side, it served its purpose, so an enjoyable read all the same.
I think this is my first behind the bar romance novel so that makes this story memorable. The plot however will likely not be so because the cursing and getting back at each other just became a bore along the way.
On the romantic side, it served its purpose, so an enjoyable read all the same.
September 23, 2019
Great!
I really enjoyed Hard Times. I know that is inappropriate when reading about women doing time in a correctional institution. It is always distressing to read about what really goes on behind the prison gates. This book is rough, yes, but basic human kindness wins in the end.
I really enjoyed Hard Times. I know that is inappropriate when reading about women doing time in a correctional institution. It is always distressing to read about what really goes on behind the prison gates. This book is rough, yes, but basic human kindness wins in the end.
February 5, 2018
Huh... Why did read this ? Because I loved the first BC I read (A Dark Horse).
We are far far from it. Very classical setting and story. Mostly sad despite the happy ending.
And awfully obvious. Still an ok read I guess.
We are far far from it. Very classical setting and story. Mostly sad despite the happy ending.
And awfully obvious. Still an ok read I guess.
January 6, 2019
I wanted to like this so much, I really did! But I don't think it could decide whether it was a romance or a character study, the POV kept switching and the time lapses absolutely took me out of the story.
October 3, 2019
Challenged by this - it was what they'd call an interesting relationship... Read first 30%, knew not going to cope, abuse, violence etc hard to take, jumped to read last chapter, thought, that's interesting, back to the begining again, and, though a difficult read, well worth it.
November 8, 2017
The first part was really good. Gave me a bit of bad girls/wentworth feels. Towards the end it was all happening a bit fast and resolved too quick.
January 23, 2024
Really enjoyed this book but definitely ends a little open ended for my liking. Could have done with a few more chapters.
February 4, 2025
3.5 an entertaining read, not quite angsty as some people made it out to be thankfully
April 28, 2020
I had been riding high from Susanne M. Becks Redemption that I went in search for more like it. Now, this story doesn't compare to Redemption, but it still held its own.
Lorna and Kellie met in prison. Their relationship started off frosty, bitter even. Mostly it was Kellie reverberating an icy tone since she once held a powerful position outside the prison walls, acting like a drama princess. Once she met Lorna, a seasoned prisoner who knew the rules and played by them, Kellie was knocked down off her pedestal. I enjoyed this story and I liked how the two women balanced each other. Where Lorna was strong and confident in some aspects, she was equally weak in others, and the same for Kellie.
Another great read.
Lorna and Kellie met in prison. Their relationship started off frosty, bitter even. Mostly it was Kellie reverberating an icy tone since she once held a powerful position outside the prison walls, acting like a drama princess. Once she met Lorna, a seasoned prisoner who knew the rules and played by them, Kellie was knocked down off her pedestal. I enjoyed this story and I liked how the two women balanced each other. Where Lorna was strong and confident in some aspects, she was equally weak in others, and the same for Kellie.
Another great read.
April 11, 2015
Only 2.5 for this one
I usually love a 'character has issues resolved / soothed / shared by the love of the 'right' woman premise but I just didn't buy it in this book. The backdrop of the story was depressingly (and I would argue almost unnecessarily) bleak and many of the secondary characters just seemed downright mean and downtrodden. I found the result predictable and, even though the HEA came, I felt like I'd waded through mud to get there.
Annoying as I liked the premise and really wanted to like the book more than I did :(
I usually love a 'character has issues resolved / soothed / shared by the love of the 'right' woman premise but I just didn't buy it in this book. The backdrop of the story was depressingly (and I would argue almost unnecessarily) bleak and many of the secondary characters just seemed downright mean and downtrodden. I found the result predictable and, even though the HEA came, I felt like I'd waded through mud to get there.
Annoying as I liked the premise and really wanted to like the book more than I did :(
January 18, 2016
Love it. It's original as all it does Blayne, but has a errors in Spanish (I hate it) and it edition have many mistakes in the end they rushed and don't correct the text.
The history is well narrated. Both characters have strengths and weaknesses, and the weaknesses are called Katrina. The twist in the end it was amazing of how she was able to muddle everything that happened in the prison.
The history is well narrated. Both characters have strengths and weaknesses, and the weaknesses are called Katrina. The twist in the end it was amazing of how she was able to muddle everything that happened in the prison.
January 31, 2017
I just re-read this book andis had to change my rating from four to five stars because I loved it even more the second time around. I knew exactly how the story was going to end but I was still trying to get away at every spare moment I had so that I could keep reading Lorna and Kelie's story.
December 21, 2007
Lesbians in prison, who could resist?
February 14, 2008
EXCELLENT! I want a part 2! Everything Advocate writes is a damned good read! And . . . she's funny!
February 10, 2012
Extremely good book I love it! Very heart felt :)
September 21, 2014
Love this author, cant get enough of her books.
November 12, 2014
Not really my kind of story, still good though.
April 1, 2025
I read this book as a teenager and was not disappointed, revisiting it as an adult. An easy read about the difficulties of falling in love inside a prison.
October 30, 2014
intense. This reminds me of OITNB too much :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews