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Hard Hit #5
Crush
He was a season away from a peaceful life until fate stepped in…
Andrei is the jokester. The one no one takes seriously. The one who is darker than anyone could’ve imagined. He spent years hiding behind a wall of humor and bitterness. In spite of his personal issues, Andrei is always willing to help out a friend.
Handing Andrei a walking disaster…
In his final year of playing for the Red Zones, one of Andrei’s oldest friends, Kieran Steele, owner of Leagues Today, offers him the opportunity of a lifetime in exchange for keeping the man’s younger brother, Gannon, safe.
Wrapped in the most delicious paper Andrei has ever seen.
When Gannon’s life is threatened, Andrei steps in, holding up his end of the bargain. He never expected his actions would land him a love he’d kill to keep and force him to expose the broken man inside he’s kept hidden for too long.
Andrei is the jokester. The one no one takes seriously. The one who is darker than anyone could’ve imagined. He spent years hiding behind a wall of humor and bitterness. In spite of his personal issues, Andrei is always willing to help out a friend.
Handing Andrei a walking disaster…
In his final year of playing for the Red Zones, one of Andrei’s oldest friends, Kieran Steele, owner of Leagues Today, offers him the opportunity of a lifetime in exchange for keeping the man’s younger brother, Gannon, safe.
Wrapped in the most delicious paper Andrei has ever seen.
When Gannon’s life is threatened, Andrei steps in, holding up his end of the bargain. He never expected his actions would land him a love he’d kill to keep and force him to expose the broken man inside he’s kept hidden for too long.
153 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 12, 2016
43 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
About the author
Charity Parkerson
315 books1,427 followersCharity Parkerson is an award winning and multi-published author with several companies. Born with no filter from her brain to her mouth, she decided to take this odd quirk and insert it in her characters.
*Eight-time winner of Readers' Favorite Awards
*2014 Golden Ankh nominee
*2013 Readers' Favorite Award Winner
*2013 Reviewers' Choice Award Winner
*2012 ARRA Finalist for Favorite Paranormal Romance
*Five-time winner of The Mistress of the Darkpath
**Connect with her online:
Website: charityparkerson.com
Facebook: facebook.com/authorCharityParkerson
facebook.com/TheMenofSin
Twitter: twitter.com/CharityParkerso
*Eight-time winner of Readers' Favorite Awards
*2014 Golden Ankh nominee
*2013 Readers' Favorite Award Winner
*2013 Reviewers' Choice Award Winner
*2012 ARRA Finalist for Favorite Paranormal Romance
*Five-time winner of The Mistress of the Darkpath
**Connect with her online:
Website: charityparkerson.com
Facebook: facebook.com/authorCharityParkerson
facebook.com/TheMenofSin
Twitter: twitter.com/CharityParkerso
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
August 3, 2025
Loving so much you hate in the end, loving and hating in equal parts is a theme throughout this series (at least in the latter books) the push and pull and doubt that our MCs endure makes these stories passionate and dramatic in equal parts. Also it makes the reader not be able to put the book down.
This was another great twisty turney book that had me wondering what actually happened before and what would happen in the end.
Andrei and Orlando were a very unlikely pair, especially in the way they met. A little dose of Stockholm syndrome there(?), but I guess attraction rears up where you least expect it and of course the history backed it up. A lot of bad back story that needed to be cleared up.
I enjoyed this one as well.💯
This was another great twisty turney book that had me wondering what actually happened before and what would happen in the end.
Andrei and Orlando were a very unlikely pair, especially in the way they met. A little dose of Stockholm syndrome there(?), but I guess attraction rears up where you least expect it and of course the history backed it up. A lot of bad back story that needed to be cleared up.
I enjoyed this one as well.💯
March 17, 2019
Oh what fun.
I enjoyed this installment.
I was able to check reason and logic at the door while reading...whew!
I’m assuming Orlando is a man of color. No big deal.
It was fun watching the dudes from previous installments. Gannon gets closure.
I think this is as much character development as Parkerson can present so I’m going to stop reading this series while I’m ahead.
I enjoyed this installment.
I was able to check reason and logic at the door while reading...whew!
I’m assuming Orlando is a man of color. No big deal.
It was fun watching the dudes from previous installments. Gannon gets closure.
I think this is as much character development as Parkerson can present so I’m going to stop reading this series while I’m ahead.
February 27, 2016
3.5 stars...
Of all books in this series this one has, in my opinion, the most intense scenes, which are Charity Parkerson's MO really...and she simply shined in this book. BUT,if you look at a relationship like a chain,where its progress is represented by links, I was missing that first one...the start of their relationship literally came out of nowhere. Well, not nowhere exactly, it came out of kidnapping and I was missing that link between the moment where Andrei kidnaps Orlando and the moment where they desperately need each other. I still managed to feel the connection between A&O,especially as the story progressed and I enjoyed it...if you are a fan of CP and this series,I'm sure you will,too.
Now,I really hope that the next book is going to break the pattern I seem to have going with this series - after I read installment that I really like (4 stars),the next one will be only OK read (3 stars),and vice versa. The next one should be only OK, and it's friends-to-lovers/second-chances combo, which in itself is too good to be only OK...you hear me universe? Or should I say Ms. Parkerson?
Of all books in this series this one has, in my opinion, the most intense scenes, which are Charity Parkerson's MO really...and she simply shined in this book. BUT,if you look at a relationship like a chain,where its progress is represented by links, I was missing that first one...the start of their relationship literally came out of nowhere. Well, not nowhere exactly, it came out of kidnapping and I was missing that link between the moment where Andrei kidnaps Orlando and the moment where they desperately need each other. I still managed to feel the connection between A&O,especially as the story progressed and I enjoyed it...if you are a fan of CP and this series,I'm sure you will,too.
Now,I really hope that the next book is going to break the pattern I seem to have going with this series - after I read installment that I really like (4 stars),the next one will be only OK read (3 stars),and vice versa. The next one should be only OK, and it's friends-to-lovers/second-chances combo, which in itself is too good to be only OK...you hear me universe? Or should I say Ms. Parkerson?
August 14, 2024
Crush is book five in the Hard hit series.
Andrei and Orlando were absolutely crazy, in the way kinda way. This one didn’t go how I expected at all.
I’m assuming that it’s Noah’s book next…
Andrei and Orlando were absolutely crazy, in the way kinda way. This one didn’t go how I expected at all.
I’m assuming that it’s Noah’s book next…
January 17, 2018
What bull. I can't believe Orlando was a love interest, that he got to live was a miracle. The guy thinks it's okay for his brother to abuse his boyfriend and has threatened that said boyfriend for his brother but as soon as he fucks Andrei suddenly he's a good guy.
*His brother is dead, murdered by the boyfriend and he brings a bat to the boyfriends boat who is with his new lover Alex and claims to have gone to be murdering Alex because it's what his brother would have wanted. What? Your brother is dead but you rather kill not his murderer but his murderer's boyfriend. It just don't make sense.
*The fact he comes around so quickly to the fact that his brother was the one in the wrong was so unrealistic. I didn't know Andrei's dick was that magical it makes you do a complete 180 in personality in the span of a second. Not buying it.
*Plus they fall in love having spend barely time together that wasn't fucking. And like while they had chemistry in bed together it just didn't extend to a relationship, not that quickly.
*Also what the hell was it about the brothers past? That was not made clear at all.
I just didn't like Orlando and think his character was totally switched around all so that he could be the love interest, Andrei was way less cooler in his own novel then he was being a side character, the romance was insta lust pretending to be love, and it just annoyed me how every character in the novel seemed to be rooting for them to get together.
I like fucked up but this wasn't that, it was just random and forced and just pure bullshit.
*His brother is dead, murdered by the boyfriend and he brings a bat to the boyfriends boat who is with his new lover Alex and claims to have gone to be murdering Alex because it's what his brother would have wanted. What? Your brother is dead but you rather kill not his murderer but his murderer's boyfriend. It just don't make sense.
*The fact he comes around so quickly to the fact that his brother was the one in the wrong was so unrealistic. I didn't know Andrei's dick was that magical it makes you do a complete 180 in personality in the span of a second. Not buying it.
*Plus they fall in love having spend barely time together that wasn't fucking. And like while they had chemistry in bed together it just didn't extend to a relationship, not that quickly.
*Also what the hell was it about the brothers past? That was not made clear at all.
I just didn't like Orlando and think his character was totally switched around all so that he could be the love interest, Andrei was way less cooler in his own novel then he was being a side character, the romance was insta lust pretending to be love, and it just annoyed me how every character in the novel seemed to be rooting for them to get together.
I like fucked up but this wasn't that, it was just random and forced and just pure bullshit.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 15, 2016
Yay
"People couldn’t help their feelings, but they could contain them." Love that rose from a meeting that was filled with only anger and grief, enjoyed how the story unfolded and how the HEA came about.
"People couldn’t help their feelings, but they could contain them." Love that rose from a meeting that was filled with only anger and grief, enjoyed how the story unfolded and how the HEA came about.
December 23, 2018
omg Andrei and Orlando are soooo good!
they're both so hurt and full of scars...
loved it 😍
they're both so hurt and full of scars...
loved it 😍
November 4, 2018
This is worth the wait!
What's so great about this story is you never see any of it coming. Your emotions get battered around like shoes in a dryer. By the end you have loved every word as you scratch your head wondering what clues you missed. Still feel the same and this isn't my first read.
What's so great about this story is you never see any of it coming. Your emotions get battered around like shoes in a dryer. By the end you have loved every word as you scratch your head wondering what clues you missed. Still feel the same and this isn't my first read.
February 2, 2019
Can’t Get Enough
These books are incredible. I love each and every character and all the storylines. They all have me shedding tears and giddy with excitement, but even more so they all leave me wanting more.
These books are incredible. I love each and every character and all the storylines. They all have me shedding tears and giddy with excitement, but even more so they all leave me wanting more.
April 16, 2020
Andrei and Orlando. Andrei is my fav character. His humor hides all kinds of darkness and pain. Orlando is also pretty dark, though is def redeemed from his villainous appearance in Crush.
Bought as part of audible escape package.
Bought as part of audible escape package.
March 3, 2017
I like it! I have to say it was twisted at first! A must read. On to book 6
November 17, 2017
Good plot but the story was just too weak to do it justice. The characters were childish and unrealistic. I was very disappointed because I expected better from Andrei's book.
May 10, 2018
Another great read.
I've read books 1-4 & I can't seem to stop. They are everything & more they just get better & better.
I've read books 1-4 & I can't seem to stop. They are everything & more they just get better & better.
July 8, 2021
From the opening scene this book just grabbed me and did not let go.
June 26, 2024
Beautifully heartbreaking, violently romantic, and a quick read.
May 24, 2016
Der russische Eishockey-Spieler Andrei absolviert seine letzte Saison bei den Red Zones und geht danach in den Ruhestand. Nach 18 Jahren Karriere kommt er nun ins Alter um sich neu zu orientieren. Dabei bekommt er Unterstützung von seinem alten Freund, Weggefährten und Agenten Kieran, der ihn als Talente-Scout engagiert. Zuvor soll der aber vielseitig begabte Andrei Kieran noch einen Gefallen tun und ein Auge auf dessen Bruder haben, der von einem alten Feind terrorisiert wird.
Orlando ist beseelt von dem Wunsch Gannons Leben zu zerstören - so wie dieser das Leben von Seb - Orlandos Bruder - zerstört hat. Gannon soll leiden und nie wieder glücklich werden. Dass er sich dabei selbst ebenfalls in eine Negativspirale begeben hat, wird Orlando erst langsam bewusst.
Die Geschichte von Orlando und Andrei ist extrem emotional und ihr Schmerz und ihre Pein sind nicht so leicht zu verkraften. Andrei gilt als Spassmacher und Frohnatur, dabei ist er ein innerlich gebrochener Mann. Eine leere Hülle, die den Menschen ein falsches Bild von sich gibt. Orlando hingegen hadert mit dem Schicksal seines jüngeren Bruders und auch darunter immer in dessen Schatten gestanden zu haben. Die Chemie zwischen Andrei und Orlando ist trotz des Altersunterschiedes gut und der Sex zwischen ihnen ist wirklich hot. Doch Andrei stellt von Anfang an klar - keine Gefühle.
Aber das ist einfacher gesagt als getan. Sie kommen sich näher und das erschüttert und verunsichert sie beide. Vor allem Andrei, dem mein Herz sofort zugeflogen ist, macht es sich, Orlando und dem Leser nicht einfach. Er ist ein Riese von einem Mann und doch so bedürftig, ausgehungert und leer. Wieder einmal erweist sich ausgerechnet der eiskalte Kieran Steele als eine Art Matchmaker. Diesen Aspekt fand ich sehr belustigend. Doch bis sich Orlando und Andrei sich bekommen, ist es für beide nicht einfach und sie machen beide - auch für sich alleine - einen schmerzlichen Prozess durch, bei dem viele düstere und grausame Details ihrer Leben aufgearbeitet werden.
Orlando ist beseelt von dem Wunsch Gannons Leben zu zerstören - so wie dieser das Leben von Seb - Orlandos Bruder - zerstört hat. Gannon soll leiden und nie wieder glücklich werden. Dass er sich dabei selbst ebenfalls in eine Negativspirale begeben hat, wird Orlando erst langsam bewusst.
Die Geschichte von Orlando und Andrei ist extrem emotional und ihr Schmerz und ihre Pein sind nicht so leicht zu verkraften. Andrei gilt als Spassmacher und Frohnatur, dabei ist er ein innerlich gebrochener Mann. Eine leere Hülle, die den Menschen ein falsches Bild von sich gibt. Orlando hingegen hadert mit dem Schicksal seines jüngeren Bruders und auch darunter immer in dessen Schatten gestanden zu haben. Die Chemie zwischen Andrei und Orlando ist trotz des Altersunterschiedes gut und der Sex zwischen ihnen ist wirklich hot. Doch Andrei stellt von Anfang an klar - keine Gefühle.
Aber das ist einfacher gesagt als getan. Sie kommen sich näher und das erschüttert und verunsichert sie beide. Vor allem Andrei, dem mein Herz sofort zugeflogen ist, macht es sich, Orlando und dem Leser nicht einfach. Er ist ein Riese von einem Mann und doch so bedürftig, ausgehungert und leer. Wieder einmal erweist sich ausgerechnet der eiskalte Kieran Steele als eine Art Matchmaker. Diesen Aspekt fand ich sehr belustigend. Doch bis sich Orlando und Andrei sich bekommen, ist es für beide nicht einfach und sie machen beide - auch für sich alleine - einen schmerzlichen Prozess durch, bei dem viele düstere und grausame Details ihrer Leben aufgearbeitet werden.
February 18, 2016
Enjoyed this story.
This book picks up right where the fourth book ends. Andrei takes Orlando off after he snuck on the boat to hurt Alex and Gannon. Andrei has Orlando tied to the bed in an area that Orlando can not get out of. Andrei just wants to get Orlando to back away from Alex and Gannon. He finally lets him go but he has discovered he is attracted to him. Orlando is having feelings for Andrei as well. A month later Orlando shows up at the retirement dinner his friends are giving him for his retirement from hockey. They begin a sexual relationship but Andrei tells Orlando they will not have anything but sex. I recommend this book if you love the M/M genre. Follow the story and see if these guys can work everything out.
This book picks up right where the fourth book ends. Andrei takes Orlando off after he snuck on the boat to hurt Alex and Gannon. Andrei has Orlando tied to the bed in an area that Orlando can not get out of. Andrei just wants to get Orlando to back away from Alex and Gannon. He finally lets him go but he has discovered he is attracted to him. Orlando is having feelings for Andrei as well. A month later Orlando shows up at the retirement dinner his friends are giving him for his retirement from hockey. They begin a sexual relationship but Andrei tells Orlando they will not have anything but sex. I recommend this book if you love the M/M genre. Follow the story and see if these guys can work everything out.
August 24, 2016
3.5 Stars
“You can’t fix me. I was smashed to bits long before we met.”
Gonna start off saying that I absolutely love Love LOVE Charity Parkerson’s Hard Hit series! I’ve been devouring them ever since I discovered her writing. I pimp them to everyone. However, there was something about CRUSH that just didn’t snag me like the others…and I think the problem was Orlando. I just could not develop any type of attachment to him. I loved Andrei. I soooo wanted to hold and fix that smexxy Russian! But Orlando…nadda…
I can not stress enough the need to read these books in order! Otherwise, the reader can feel lost wondering what is going on. I’m off to read the next in the series! Can’t wait for Noah and Troy’s story in BREAK.
“You can’t fix me. I was smashed to bits long before we met.”
Gonna start off saying that I absolutely love Love LOVE Charity Parkerson’s Hard Hit series! I’ve been devouring them ever since I discovered her writing. I pimp them to everyone. However, there was something about CRUSH that just didn’t snag me like the others…and I think the problem was Orlando. I just could not develop any type of attachment to him. I loved Andrei. I soooo wanted to hold and fix that smexxy Russian! But Orlando…nadda…
I can not stress enough the need to read these books in order! Otherwise, the reader can feel lost wondering what is going on. I’m off to read the next in the series! Can’t wait for Noah and Troy’s story in BREAK.
February 21, 2016
I'm a big fan of this series. I always preorder as soon as I see it on Amazon. It took me a couple days after finishing this book to rate it. So far, this has been my least favorite of the series. I felt like something was missing though I couldn't really put my finger on what it was. My closest guess? Orlando. I'm not a fan. I just could not connect at all with him. Orlando has done some stupid and hurtful things. I really didn't see a lot of remorse there. So yeah, I didn't love it but it was still entertaining. Anyway, I am looking forward to the next book. I am kind of middle ground on Noah as a character so I cannot wait to see where Charity takes him.
February 17, 2016
I'm not sure how or why this series has taken a turn to the dark, but I don't really like it.
The book was well written, and a lot happens for a shorter story, but it's so hard to connect with such dark characters, and it's not the sexy kind of dark. This is the second story I a row that I haven't loved, so I'll give it one more shot and see how the next one goes, before moving on to something else.
The book was well written, and a lot happens for a shorter story, but it's so hard to connect with such dark characters, and it's not the sexy kind of dark. This is the second story I a row that I haven't loved, so I'll give it one more shot and see how the next one goes, before moving on to something else.
March 6, 2016
4.5 stars
It could've been a little longer but I really enjoyed this book. Andrei and Orlando were great together. The blurb kinda threw me for a loop, I thought that it was saying Andrei was going to get with Gannon. All I could think was oh no what happened to Alex. I immediately downloaded the book and started reading it, I'm glad I did.
It could've been a little longer but I really enjoyed this book. Andrei and Orlando were great together. The blurb kinda threw me for a loop, I thought that it was saying Andrei was going to get with Gannon. All I could think was oh no what happened to Alex. I immediately downloaded the book and started reading it, I'm glad I did.
April 23, 2016
I normally don't like commenting on books I haven't finished reading coz you know some get better when you get into it....but....this was just brutal. it made no sense at all.everything was too damn rushed .this was not getting any better.the love hate angle was not working it was just awkward for me .
February 16, 2016
Another good one in the series
I really enjoyed this one. Charity Parkerson has a way of making you care about and connect with characters even when they're a little crazy and it's a great ride. I will definitely continue this Series.
I really enjoyed this one. Charity Parkerson has a way of making you care about and connect with characters even when they're a little crazy and it's a great ride. I will definitely continue this Series.
February 24, 2016
Great series
I've read the series thus far and can I say it's great aside from some minor editing problems it's great series to read I loved each and every story can't wait for the next
I've read the series thus far and can I say it's great aside from some minor editing problems it's great series to read I loved each and every story can't wait for the next
June 10, 2016
Liked this one
Not sure exactly what it was about this book but it's my favourite of all this series
Damaged men who've struggled to reconcile their darkness finding a journey to forgiveness.
There's less silly errors and fewer time jumps in this one two which helped.
Not sure exactly what it was about this book but it's my favourite of all this series
Damaged men who've struggled to reconcile their darkness finding a journey to forgiveness.
There's less silly errors and fewer time jumps in this one two which helped.
July 5, 2016
Really good book!!
Loved Andrei and Orlando so much. I was worried for a few minutes but vIdeo got their relationship and was good with the way the story unfolded. Can't wait for the next book. I start it tomorrow!
Loved Andrei and Orlando so much. I was worried for a few minutes but vIdeo got their relationship and was good with the way the story unfolded. Can't wait for the next book. I start it tomorrow!
August 4, 2016
The tail end..
This story was good but it was more like the tail end to book four. Orlando and Andrei are both likable characters but there isn't much of a story here. Each past story was a paragraph then a small break and fix ...pretty standard
This story was good but it was more like the tail end to book four. Orlando and Andrei are both likable characters but there isn't much of a story here. Each past story was a paragraph then a small break and fix ...pretty standard
October 4, 2016
Great book
I really liked this book, Andrei and Orlando make a great dysfunctional couple. The plot is moderately paced and highly entertaining. Andrei is crazy amusing, Orlando while sad has his moments of levity as well.
I really liked this book, Andrei and Orlando make a great dysfunctional couple. The plot is moderately paced and highly entertaining. Andrei is crazy amusing, Orlando while sad has his moments of levity as well.
July 22, 2017
This story makes it okay--fictionally speaking--to stalk and kidnap. Beyond that, it's a love story where the characters are very different and major clashing occurs. And angst. Separation. Yet, even when they're being obstinate and obtuse, you're still cheering for them. Good writing, that.
March 15, 2016
Andrei and Orlando's story was a bit intense but in a good way. Another great installment in the series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews