Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

The Hold #2

Hard to Hold

Rate this book
Cheer for Rose Morgan—strong, determined and driven—a brilliant publicist who thought she had finally overcome her tragic past when, once again, her life is turned upside down. Rose and Cole’s passionate love story continues in this second full-length novel in The Hold series.

Distraught by news of Cole’s unexpected marriage, Rose Morgan tries to pick up the pieces of her life, only to be confronted by Cole at every turn. With her PR career in serious jeopardy, Rose can’t escape his orbit and is forced to continue working on his account. Under snowballing pressure, she seeks solace from unlikely sources.

Reeling from the disastrous fallout after his drunken night in Las Vegas, rock star Cole Manchester is a tormented man. He reaches out to Rose, the one woman who has always fixed his mistakes, only to realize that he might have pushed her away forever. Now, he’ll do whatever it takes to get her back.

Rose and Cole each must face their deepest fears if their love is to survive. But Cole’s stalker is becoming increasingly unhinged … and dangerous. In the end, Rose and Cole must decide if some things are just too Hard to Hold.


***WARNING: Due to strong language and sexual situations, this book is intended for mature audiences. Contains a stalker. Intended to be read after No One to Hold. This book ends with a cliffhanger; Cole and Rose’s entire trilogy in The Hold series is available now.***

339 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 16, 2016

214 people are currently reading
241 people want to read

About the author

Arell Rivers

31 books499 followers
For as long as Arell Rivers remembers, she has been lost in a book. During her senior year in college, she picked up a romance novel … and instantly was hooked.

She started writing her first novel, No One to Hold, because the characters were screaming at her to do so. The story started coming out in Arell’s dreams and attacking her in the shower, so she took to the computer to shut them up. But they kept talking.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Arell has what some may call a “checkered past.” Prior to discovering her passion for writing romance, she practiced law, was a wedding and event planner and even dabbled in marketing. She lives with a very supportive husband and two mischievous cats. When not in her writing cave, Arell can be found making dinner in the crock pot, working out with Shaun T or hitting the beach.

She hopes you enjoy her stories about flawed men, strong women and the passions that ignite!

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
208 (54%)
4 stars
121 (31%)
3 stars
37 (9%)
2 stars
10 (2%)
1 star
6 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
Profile Image for hugsandcookies.
990 reviews81 followers
February 28, 2018
5 ғreaĸιng crazy ѕтarѕ all тold ιn roѕeѕ'ѕ pov and yoυ won'т вe dιѕappoιnтed wιтн нow тнe crazy rιde ιт wιll вe ғor тнeѕe adoraвle тwo, and ι can'т waιт ғor тнe epιc endιng oғ вooĸ 3.
Profile Image for Jamie Ellis.
1,131 reviews15 followers
December 9, 2017
Really?????

I am hooked to this series...still not happy with Rose's character. I mean come on stand up for yourself. To myself she just seems so weak. I mean does anyone else feel that way?? I love her relationship with him but they need to quit letting everyone else rule their world. Just my opinion even if its wrong.
Now onto boo 3 because I am devouring these books!!!
Thanks Jamie Nibarger Ellis
Profile Image for Angela's Book Addiction.
805 reviews
February 14, 2021
*** 4.5 Stars ***

Hard to Hold (The Hold series #2) by Arell Rivers is the second book of a rock star romance trilogy. Except for the last chapter, it's told entirely from the first person perspective of the female main character, publicist Rose Morgan, and it ends with a cliffhanger.

This book picks up where the previous one ended and has Rose on probation at work, scrambling to do damage control in the PR nightmare after rockstar Cole Manchester, her secret boyfriend, drunkenly marries a random fan in Vegas. The media are having a field day with photos of the marriage certificate, but Cole insists he did not get married. He says that his supposed wife, Starr, who is nowhere to be found, made up the whole thing, and that she's not only lying, but she's Cole's stalker who has been threatening Rose. As everyone searches to uncover the truth, find Starr, and expose her as a fraud, the threats increase as danger closes in. Will Rose forgive Cole for what happened in Vegas? Is he telling the truth? Or was he just too drunk to remember getting married? What will happen if Rose's relationship with Cole is exposed? Will she lose her job? Will they find the stalker before she carries through on her threats to Rose? Or will it be too late?

I enjoyed part two of Cole and Rose's story much more than the first part. The pacing was quicker and there was more tension, action, and suspense. Switching to Rose's point of view enhanced the story by providing insight into her thoughts and emotions. She still comes across like a bit of a pushover, but she's starting to grow a stronger spine. And man, oh man, what a cliffhanger! I can't wait to find out how everything turns out in the final installment.
Profile Image for Susan.
122 reviews
March 24, 2017
I give Hard to Hold 5 stars. It started where No One to Hold left off and continued seamlessly. It kept me on the edge of my seat, and then some. My emotions were on a roller coaster ride throughout this book but most of all I was scared. I already loved these characters, and didn't think it possible to love them even more, but their strength, determination and grit is a force to be reckoned with. Once again, the cliffhanger left me doing exactly that, hanging, and wanting more.

Arellano Rivers' writing is absolutely great. The way she tells the story is like being right there with these characters. She gives you lots but also manages to keep you guessing and wanting more. Wonderful!

Rose and Cole have problems in spades. He needs to fix his Vegas mistake, and she needs to get her career back on track. But their stalker is their biggest problem and she is seriously deranged, dangerous, and becoming more unhinged by the minute. So with his mistake and her career on the line is this relationship too hard to hold onto?

Cole Manchester is reeling from the fallout after his drunken night in Las Vegas. He tries to reach out to Rose, his fixer-upper, but he may have pushed her away forever with this stunt. He needs her in his life and will do whatever it takes to get her back. Can he fix this mistake?

Rose Morgan is a strong, driven, brilliant publicist who thought she finally could have it all. Her life is turned upside down by Cole’s unexpected marriage. She is heartbroken and tries to pick up the pieces of her life, but he's in her face every time she turns around. She put her career in jeopardy but she is still forced to continue working on his account. What will happen with her career?

Hard to Hold is a contemporary romance novel that has so many twists and turns that make it amazingly interesting, and a cliffhanger that makes you want to get to the next book...now!

Just like the previous book, I loved this one even more and couldn't put it down.
So, follow Cole and Rose and I promise this will be a ride to remember.
Profile Image for Debbie Kolins.
370 reviews7 followers
April 19, 2020
Hard To Hold is book 2 in the Hold Series.

Rose Morgan is a publicist, and she's excellent at what she does. Then she is blindsided by Cole. The the handsome, sexy and charming rock star Cole Manchester supposedly married Starr [Lisa Nelson] who has been stalking Cole and threatening Rose. Rose finds herself under a lot of pressure, mostly at work. Rose's boss Greta blames Rose for what happened in Las Vegas and puts her on probation. To make matters worse Greta adds co-worker Kim to Cole's PR team and Greta tells Rose that Kim will take over and Rose is to take care of the internet stuff. I was getting ticked at the way Kim and Melanie treated Rose [it seemed like they were in high school] but, Roses friend McKenna was there to support Rose. Look at what Starr has done to Rose so far - She has terrorized Rose, vandalized her car and home, come between her and Cole. Cole's stalker is starting to get out of control. While Rose is out to lunch with a friend [the friend goes to the ladies room] Starr sits down with Rose and Rose is frightened because Starr has a steak knife, Roberto comes to help and Starr ends up stabbing him in the leg and Starr gets away again. Then it comes out that Cole and Starr's marriage is truly a fake. Starr gets more revenge when she outs Cole and Rose's relationship with pictures. Greta is thoroughly ticked and she fires Rose. This book had me crying at times because of what Rose and Cole are going through and at times had me ticked because Starr always manages to get away! Then there is a car accident and that is where this book ended. I truly loved this book!!
Profile Image for Jess Brown.
Author 4 books38 followers
March 6, 2017
I was invited to blog the review for Book #1 of this trilogy, with the option to review the other two books. I loved the first book so much that I just couldn’t wait to read the sequels–the trilogy is complete and published–so I immediately bought the other two volumes. It took me about three days to read them all. I didn’t want to put them down.

Cole’s mother passes away and he has an epiphany: everything he’s earned is worthless if he has no one to share it with him. In times of trouble, everyone he knows evidently has a friend to lean on, but not him. He’s unwittingly isolated himself. He decides to find a woman with whom he can have a genuine connection. Somebody normal, outside the environment to which he’s accustomed. And he soon sets his eye on Rose. There are only two problems: she works for him and she has secrets. Oh, and she’s leery of committing to him. Not to mention that he has a stalker who’d like to see her dead.

Book #1: No One to Hold: 4 stars.

Book #2: Hard to Hold: 5 stars.

Book #3: To Have and to Hold: 5 stars.
Profile Image for Melanie Bracco.
163 reviews
March 8, 2018
Rose Morgan is a publicist, and she's very good at what she does. So when she is blindsided by her client and her secret love, the handsome, sexy and charming rock star Cole Manchester's supposed marriage to a woman named Starr, she finds herself under a lot of pressure, especially at her workplace to clean up the mess as well as worrying about Cole's stalker who has been targeting her.
I loved this book; it starts off where book 1 left off. I loved the point of view from Rose's side, I loved her character but I kind of wished she had stood up for herself, especially with her coworkers. I felt so bad for her, it kind of reminded me of Cinderella, with Rose as Cinder, her boss Greta as the evil stepmother with her fellow coworkers Kim and Melanie as the ugly stepsisters. I was so annoyed and appalled at just how unfair they treated her, worse than high school girls. But I was grateful her college friend McKenna, who is hilarious, was there for her for support.
A bit of warning though, this book like the first one ends with a cliffhanger; but I really didn't care. I loved this story, and can't wait to find out what happens in To Have and to Hold!
Profile Image for Emma.
277 reviews8 followers
January 1, 2020
Part 2 of Cole and Rose story.

This books starts off from book 1 "No one to hold". Rose and cole have already been through so much in there short time together but nothing is gonna challenge them like whats about to hit them. With Coles aledged marriage burning through the media like wild fire Rose has no choice but to help put a stop to the debacle by doing what she does best as his publicist and deny everything. Cole still maintaind the wedding is fake and doesn't know anything about it but all evidence proofs he did and everyone believes its true.
Even Rose, so she distances herself an puts those walls around her heart once more. Cole is desperate for her to believe him but when he has to admit he went willingly to his wifes hotel it dont look good for him.


This is not a series tgat can be read as standalones you have to read all 3 in order or you wont get whats going on at all.
A must read series. All props go to Arell Rivers for this series.
Profile Image for Candy76.
697 reviews25 followers
March 27, 2017
Oh my it's getting tense in this one. Cole made a mistake can Rose ever forgive him?? No One To Hold is told from Cole's POV and this one is told from Rose's POV. I had high hopes to almost be dashed but Rose came around with lots of interference (help from friends). This one had enough tension you could cut it all thanks to Starr, Greta, Kim and Melanie. What Rose and Cole have to go through to get back to where they were was like climbing Mt. Everest thanks to the people obstacles. Arell you are doing great with this series I am sooo looking forward to the final installment. You keep a great pace there's no rushing the reader and it's steady leaving the reader with anticipation. A must read series!
**Reviewed for Sweet and Spicy Reads, ARC provided in return for honest review**
Hard to Hold (The Hold, #2) by Arell Rivers
Profile Image for M L.
525 reviews16 followers
May 7, 2017
I loved this book!!❤️❤️ This is the continued story of Cole and Rose. Cole has messed up big time and Rose is left to figure out how to fix it. Her heart is hurt and her job is at risk. Cole needs to make things right with her without losing her. Sometimes mistakes are easily fixed and sometimes mistakes can be deadly. When Cole and Rose become the target of a delusional fan can he keep them safe or will he lose Rose forever? This is a must read series!!
Profile Image for Anita.
426 reviews19 followers
July 2, 2019
Holy cow, what is going on

What just happened. Omg. Nooooo. Cole and Rose are up against a psycho stalker. Throw in Greta (her boss) Kimmy and I want to slap someone. Gah... Rose is a stronger woman than me. I couldnt do PR for my boyfriend and hook him up with beautiful women. And that ending???? Whyyyy.. I'll never get sleep tonight. I'll be reading book 3. The suspense is just killing me.
Profile Image for Bewaji.
1,604 reviews5 followers
February 22, 2023
What!

The events surrounding a wedding between Cole and a woman named Starr rocks the world and Rose’s heart. In trying to survive day to day and do her job, Rose showed her fortitude. Meanwhile Cole was trying to win Rose back. He insisted he had nothing to do with the woman.

At last the wedding ruse was debunked. Rose and Cole got back together, but her job was still in jeopardy. The stalker was getting more dangerous. It is a fraught time for this couple.
Profile Image for Peggy Hogan.
1,252 reviews15 followers
September 24, 2024
Hard To Hold is the sizzling second installment in the Hold trilogy by Arell Rivers. This one picks up right where No One To Hold left off, but now it switches over to Rose's point of view. So far, this series is chock-full of angst and drama, which I absolutely love! The story is exactly what I feel a real romance with a rockstar would be like, and I've loved every single word of it! This series is highly recommended with all the stars!
Profile Image for HG7.
523 reviews
February 8, 2018
And he promises “I’ve got you.”

Well nothing ever works out right for them and at every turn there is another obstacle. They finally get a little happiness only to have it ripped away again....And again.

Sweet story, good characters...still lacking the angst to really make it "forbidden" ... What a cliffhanger though... Thank goodness for kindle unlimited!
Profile Image for Erica Palfrey.
91 reviews5 followers
April 9, 2018
Rose's point of view shows how much she goes through and what she truly feels about Cole. She needs him to understand what is going on, how she feels, and what she thinks he should do. He couldn't truly love her right?
They have to make sure they stay under the radar, his stalker is going crazy and is threatening to out them if she needs to. If she does, what will happen to Rose's job?
992 reviews16 followers
June 14, 2019
Steamy rocker!

The story continues and thickens in the second book of the trilogy. This is one hot love affair. Will they ever catch Starr? Will Cole and Rose ever be able to date in public? Does Cole’s bodyguard live? All questions that you have to read on about, and I can’t wait to download the next one.
2,186 reviews5 followers
April 29, 2021
This is a trilogy. This book won’t make sense without book one.
The plot thickens here. The stalker is a true lunatic. Rose’s boss is a harridan and her own mother is the worst of the worst.
Thank goodness she has Cole and his supporting cast of other celebrities. And her best friend, McKenna.
Please get to the HEA sooner than later.
Profile Image for Caryn.
2,395 reviews3 followers
June 21, 2021
What a rush!

As if Cole and Rose's story isn't juicy enough, the cliffhanger ending is crazy good. This couple has had such a tumultuous relationship and just as it seems life will sort itself out for them, Starr happens again! On to the next book! (I hope Rose kicks the butts of her boss and peers!)
Profile Image for Stacy Aube.
834 reviews2 followers
March 14, 2018
Surprising

Being I read this back to back with book 1 I didn't miss anything. Cole and Rose are still dealing with his stalker who throw some giant roadblocks in their way. You don't want to miss all the levels of crazy involved in this book.
Profile Image for Carey.
640 reviews78 followers
April 25, 2019
I can't get enough of Cole and Rose! I liked this book better than book one I think because there was more suspense, action, and tension. Although, I still want to slap some sense into Rose regarding her work relationships.

I'm off to start book three.
Profile Image for Shelia.
20 reviews
August 26, 2019
I'm just absolutely loving Cole and Rose and the fact they aren't made out to be some perfect couple and that they have real issues in their relationship like normal couples. Can't wait to start reading book 3.
Profile Image for Debra Shutters.
729 reviews19 followers
March 14, 2021
I read book 1 and couldn't wait to read book 2 in this series! I was not disappointed because I was drawn i to keep reading it to find out what is happening and how it turns out! Look forward to this next book in this series! I recommend this book!!!!!
224 reviews
August 12, 2022
I didn't know these books each had "cliffhanger" endings

Not a fan at all. How frustrating to read through two o books and come to another cliff hanger ending. I p pretty much knew how the plot was headed in both books, but was hoping for a more interesting ending.
306 reviews
May 5, 2024
I have to say I was glad I decided to go forward to book 2. I found that this book pulled me in faster than the first book of the series and am anxious to move to book 3 having been left with a cliffhanger as to what is coming next for Cole and Rose.
Enjoying this series and all the characters
452 reviews3 followers
February 17, 2025
Hot Book

I couldn't put this book down once I started it, as finishing the first book in series, I had to find out what happened next. Rose & Cole are meant to be. Can't wait to see what the next book in this series shows about these two!
Profile Image for Danena Freeman.
1,239 reviews3 followers
November 9, 2017
It was a great read. Loving this series. It has great characters and a great story line. Rated very good
1,137 reviews
September 4, 2018
Loved it but another cliff hanger, R A

I already down loaded the next book. Loved it. It's a must MUST read. Can't get enough of them and there friends.
Profile Image for Paige Whitecotton.
2,555 reviews9 followers
June 25, 2020
Wow. Speechless

I’m speechless. Starr is pissing me off. Lol. They need to find her. Poor Cole and rose. I hope they are ok. Can’t wait for more.
67 reviews
August 12, 2020
Absolutely love this series! The teasing, chemistry and undying love. Twists and turns galore. Hope there will be more to this story as now i head into the spinoff series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.