What do you think?
Rate this book
Hard Fight
Out and proud Riley Anderson is dancing the night away at a private gay club when he first notices him. Dark, broad, and with muscles to drool over, it turns out he is MMA fighter Craig “The Lion” Johnson. Passion quickly flares and neither can fight the chemistry between them.
After a couple of false starts, Riley and Craig set out to try this thing called dating for real, but clashes are imminent. Too many lifestyle differences make their relationship difficult, but for Riley, it’s hard to be kept hidden.
Can he endure being a secret lover? Or will Craig put aside his fears of losing his career and decide what is really worth fighting for?
After a couple of false starts, Riley and Craig set out to try this thing called dating for real, but clashes are imminent. Too many lifestyle differences make their relationship difficult, but for Riley, it’s hard to be kept hidden.
Can he endure being a secret lover? Or will Craig put aside his fears of losing his career and decide what is really worth fighting for?
- GenresM M RomanceSports
ebook
First published November 25, 2017
3 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Laura N. Andrews
10 books199 followersCanadian born Laura N. Andrews moved to Australia when she was three years old. When she finished high school, she successfully completed her studies in law enforcement. Since then, she's been working for over eight years as a pharmacy assistant. When she's not working or spending time with family and friends, you can find her either curled up with a book or writing one of her own.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 25, 2018
We Can't Be Expected To Love Every Book We Read.
I was told 'We can't be expected to love every book we read." by the moderators of the free review program DBML which is where I first received a copy of Hard Fight by Laura N. Andrews. I have struggled for months to write a review on this piece because I really, truly, utterly did not like it and I am not, by nature, a person who writes negative reviews based on whether or not I "liked" the book. I like to weigh in on characterization, plot, phraseology/writing style, and whether or not the whole story could be 'seen' in the one piece of fiction.
Going on that basis alone, I'll do a very fast rundown of why I could not at all find anything -at all- to enjoy in Hard Fight.
Craig is detestable to me. He's presented as attractive to Riley literally because he's a sexy muscle-god of a man dancing half-naked on a members' only dance floor with other half-naked hot dudes. Great. He's attractive. And? He apparently thinks it's totally cool to use his looks to convince someone who has stated they don't engage in casual encounters to hook-up with him in the bathroom of the club right then, right there, just to prove he can. He actually makes Riley out to be some kind of cheap trick. I could use stronger language, but there's literally no way anyone can mistake what I mean so let's leave it at: it was consensual yet reeked of rape from an atmospheric presentation.
Craig does not get better.
Craig wants a non-disclosure agreement signed since he's never going to acknowledge he's gay and risk his MMA career. He's also going to continue to have casual sex with many, many, many other people of both genders since he's ambivalent about gender as long as he's getting laid. Apparently.
There are these weird interludes where the author has Riley mentally interpreting Craig's actions to make him seem as if he's "baring his soul" and "truly trying for him" and "risking it all for the hard fight of love." I literally cannot tell you how many times I kept thinking of talk shows where there's some random person talking about how they thought they could "change" their man to make him into the person they wanted/needed/expected. I just can't even. None of Craig's actions to try to "change" seem realistic or authentic to me in any way. I could not redeem this character through the author's narrative, descriptions, or presentation.
Riley is an hysterical doormat who belongs in an anime/manga. I pictured him with chibi expressions through the entire book. I read it twice to try to dispel this image of him and it only got worse. He's a caricature, not a character. He's any out, proud, young, attractive gay man who wants a monogamous relationship. He's emphasized as having morals which kept making me have this niggling feeling in the back of my mind: does the author think readers believe homosexuals in general or homosexual men perhaps don't have morals? Promiscuity is so common among the queer population this guy is remarkable because he's not promiscuous? As a queer woman, it was really offensive just in theory. He doesn't have a lot of remarkable characteristics other than a preponderance towards making excuses to keep seeing the really, really, really hot guy he wants to have sex with -but only if they're really in a relationship for real- and jumping onto his best friend full-on glomp style.
Writing wise, the book is along the generic side of things. It's technically correct. There aren't glaring errors in spelling or punctuation. There are some parts which don't read "American" enough since there are some syntax issues. I'd put it at around the same level I'd put a book written for an audience who is anticipated to be reading it while commuting or otherwise bored. There isn't anything substantial enough for me in the piece to quote from it or highlight in a positive way. It's largely in that grey area reserved for the obligatory piece of turkey eaten at the in-laws for Thanksgiving where it's dry, has no real seasoning, but won't kill you so you eat it to be polite.
All in all, could I believe the story as it resolved itself? Meh. It has a beginning, middle, meandering portions, an ending, and another ending to emphasize the ending's ending which is an epilogue. It delivers a full story from start to finish. There aren't any questions left unanswered for me in the end. I just wasn't satisfied with the story at all from beginning, middle, meandering portions, ending, and ending after the ending's ending. The whole book didn't work for me.
Please bear in mind: I have zero idea of the author's intentions or inclinations or beliefs or anything. I have no opinion of the author as a person. As far as I'm concerned, she's probably quite lovely. I'm only giving my opinion of this particular piece of writing she did which I did not enjoy reading and would not endorse anyone to buy. I, personally, bought a copy because I felt guilty for not being able to leave a favorable review in a timely manner. I thought, if I read it again, I'll come up with nicer things to say about it. The exact opposite happened. I don't regret buying the book because I didn't enjoy it. That's ridiculous. I buy books to read them. Authors are compensated for writing them. No one is guaranteed either party is going to enjoy either aspect of the business from reading it to writing it.
For me? Hard Fight is a hard pass. For you? You're a free-thinking individual. If you want to read it, don't let my bad reading experience stop you from doing it.
I was told 'We can't be expected to love every book we read." by the moderators of the free review program DBML which is where I first received a copy of Hard Fight by Laura N. Andrews. I have struggled for months to write a review on this piece because I really, truly, utterly did not like it and I am not, by nature, a person who writes negative reviews based on whether or not I "liked" the book. I like to weigh in on characterization, plot, phraseology/writing style, and whether or not the whole story could be 'seen' in the one piece of fiction.
Going on that basis alone, I'll do a very fast rundown of why I could not at all find anything -at all- to enjoy in Hard Fight.
Craig is detestable to me. He's presented as attractive to Riley literally because he's a sexy muscle-god of a man dancing half-naked on a members' only dance floor with other half-naked hot dudes. Great. He's attractive. And? He apparently thinks it's totally cool to use his looks to convince someone who has stated they don't engage in casual encounters to hook-up with him in the bathroom of the club right then, right there, just to prove he can. He actually makes Riley out to be some kind of cheap trick. I could use stronger language, but there's literally no way anyone can mistake what I mean so let's leave it at: it was consensual yet reeked of rape from an atmospheric presentation.
Craig does not get better.
Craig wants a non-disclosure agreement signed since he's never going to acknowledge he's gay and risk his MMA career. He's also going to continue to have casual sex with many, many, many other people of both genders since he's ambivalent about gender as long as he's getting laid. Apparently.
There are these weird interludes where the author has Riley mentally interpreting Craig's actions to make him seem as if he's "baring his soul" and "truly trying for him" and "risking it all for the hard fight of love." I literally cannot tell you how many times I kept thinking of talk shows where there's some random person talking about how they thought they could "change" their man to make him into the person they wanted/needed/expected. I just can't even. None of Craig's actions to try to "change" seem realistic or authentic to me in any way. I could not redeem this character through the author's narrative, descriptions, or presentation.
Riley is an hysterical doormat who belongs in an anime/manga. I pictured him with chibi expressions through the entire book. I read it twice to try to dispel this image of him and it only got worse. He's a caricature, not a character. He's any out, proud, young, attractive gay man who wants a monogamous relationship. He's emphasized as having morals which kept making me have this niggling feeling in the back of my mind: does the author think readers believe homosexuals in general or homosexual men perhaps don't have morals? Promiscuity is so common among the queer population this guy is remarkable because he's not promiscuous? As a queer woman, it was really offensive just in theory. He doesn't have a lot of remarkable characteristics other than a preponderance towards making excuses to keep seeing the really, really, really hot guy he wants to have sex with -but only if they're really in a relationship for real- and jumping onto his best friend full-on glomp style.
Writing wise, the book is along the generic side of things. It's technically correct. There aren't glaring errors in spelling or punctuation. There are some parts which don't read "American" enough since there are some syntax issues. I'd put it at around the same level I'd put a book written for an audience who is anticipated to be reading it while commuting or otherwise bored. There isn't anything substantial enough for me in the piece to quote from it or highlight in a positive way. It's largely in that grey area reserved for the obligatory piece of turkey eaten at the in-laws for Thanksgiving where it's dry, has no real seasoning, but won't kill you so you eat it to be polite.
All in all, could I believe the story as it resolved itself? Meh. It has a beginning, middle, meandering portions, an ending, and another ending to emphasize the ending's ending which is an epilogue. It delivers a full story from start to finish. There aren't any questions left unanswered for me in the end. I just wasn't satisfied with the story at all from beginning, middle, meandering portions, ending, and ending after the ending's ending. The whole book didn't work for me.
Please bear in mind: I have zero idea of the author's intentions or inclinations or beliefs or anything. I have no opinion of the author as a person. As far as I'm concerned, she's probably quite lovely. I'm only giving my opinion of this particular piece of writing she did which I did not enjoy reading and would not endorse anyone to buy. I, personally, bought a copy because I felt guilty for not being able to leave a favorable review in a timely manner. I thought, if I read it again, I'll come up with nicer things to say about it. The exact opposite happened. I don't regret buying the book because I didn't enjoy it. That's ridiculous. I buy books to read them. Authors are compensated for writing them. No one is guaranteed either party is going to enjoy either aspect of the business from reading it to writing it.
For me? Hard Fight is a hard pass. For you? You're a free-thinking individual. If you want to read it, don't let my bad reading experience stop you from doing it.
October 30, 2017
✩ ✩ TWO - STAR ✩ REVIEW ✩ ✩
DNF at 47%
> > Judging a Book by it's Cover < <
Cover is extremely dark and the model is barely visible against the pitch background and black gloves. The only thing that makes the eyes stop for a moment is the bold, golden title font.
> > Looking Deeper < <
POV ~> Third-person
Set in Seattle, I'd expect the story to be fully Americanized; however, I found several instances where the author's terminology slipped through and into the book.
Riley was immediately attracted to Craig's tall, dark, and chiseled appearance. What I find unfathomable is the fact that Riley acknowledges that Craig basically treated him no better than a whore when they first met, though Craig later supplied a convoluted excuse that should have been inconsequential but Riley seemed to accept it and further allowed the guy to make advances. By the time they left the club that night (separately), I disliked both characters already.
DNF at 47%. Three strikes and Craig was out for me. How Riley allowed him to talk his way out of the second club fiasco was beyond my comprehension but it was the way he behaved at Riley's apartment at that 47% mark that concluded I was done with the jerk. In my eyes, Craig was completely irredeemable and Riley was too full of pathetic optimism and apparently had little to no self-esteem to allow himself to be treated like and talked to the way Craig did. Nope. Was not having any more of that.
Outside of the completely distasteful and utterly unlikable lead couple, I found the secondary cast mostly enjoyable from what I read. Cast interaction was entertaining (again, outside of Riley and Craig). The "chemistry" was completely unilateral and they were not compatible in the least. The storyline had potential and the writing quality is very good. The story flows well, it's just those two and their horrible quirks and traits that were so truly intolerable. I am unable to comment on or score the degree of the conflicts or their resolutions, level of predictability, or the nature of the conclusion.
I could no better recommend this story as I could endorse any other book where a victim of domestic abuse allows themselves to stay in the situation. Craig's attitude and behavior towards Riley did not feel that far off from domestic abuse, and Riley continually allowed it to happen again. It was disheartening and aggravating.
I wanted, so badly, to like this story and have enjoyed a few other books written by this author so I am saddened that this one did not even feel like something Ms. Andrews would write.
.
Rating: [R] ~ Score: 2.175 ~ Stars: 2 & DNF @ 47%
==========================
⭐ ⭐ **** Disclosure of Material: I received a copy of this book from the Author/Publisher with the hope that I would voluntarily leave unbiased and unsolicited feedback. I was not asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review - nor was I compensated in any way. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". ***** ⭐ ⭐
DNF at 47%
> > Judging a Book by it's Cover < <
Cover is extremely dark and the model is barely visible against the pitch background and black gloves. The only thing that makes the eyes stop for a moment is the bold, golden title font.
> > Looking Deeper < <
POV ~> Third-person
Set in Seattle, I'd expect the story to be fully Americanized; however, I found several instances where the author's terminology slipped through and into the book.
Riley was immediately attracted to Craig's tall, dark, and chiseled appearance. What I find unfathomable is the fact that Riley acknowledges that Craig basically treated him no better than a whore when they first met, though Craig later supplied a convoluted excuse that should have been inconsequential but Riley seemed to accept it and further allowed the guy to make advances. By the time they left the club that night (separately), I disliked both characters already.
DNF at 47%. Three strikes and Craig was out for me. How Riley allowed him to talk his way out of the second club fiasco was beyond my comprehension but it was the way he behaved at Riley's apartment at that 47% mark that concluded I was done with the jerk. In my eyes, Craig was completely irredeemable and Riley was too full of pathetic optimism and apparently had little to no self-esteem to allow himself to be treated like and talked to the way Craig did. Nope. Was not having any more of that.
Outside of the completely distasteful and utterly unlikable lead couple, I found the secondary cast mostly enjoyable from what I read. Cast interaction was entertaining (again, outside of Riley and Craig). The "chemistry" was completely unilateral and they were not compatible in the least. The storyline had potential and the writing quality is very good. The story flows well, it's just those two and their horrible quirks and traits that were so truly intolerable. I am unable to comment on or score the degree of the conflicts or their resolutions, level of predictability, or the nature of the conclusion.
I could no better recommend this story as I could endorse any other book where a victim of domestic abuse allows themselves to stay in the situation. Craig's attitude and behavior towards Riley did not feel that far off from domestic abuse, and Riley continually allowed it to happen again. It was disheartening and aggravating.
I wanted, so badly, to like this story and have enjoyed a few other books written by this author so I am saddened that this one did not even feel like something Ms. Andrews would write.
.
Rating: [R] ~ Score: 2.175 ~ Stars: 2 & DNF @ 47%
==========================
⭐ ⭐ **** Disclosure of Material: I received a copy of this book from the Author/Publisher with the hope that I would voluntarily leave unbiased and unsolicited feedback. I was not asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review - nor was I compensated in any way. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". ***** ⭐ ⭐
February 19, 2018
3.5 stars
A Goodreads Win
Hard Fight by Laura N Andrews is the first male lgbt romance I have read.
Two men with completely different morals & lifestyles. Can they make it work? or are just too different?
This is a quick feel-good read. it oozes romance. I found it very predictable but it was enjoyable to read.
A Goodreads Win
Hard Fight by Laura N Andrews is the first male lgbt romance I have read.
Two men with completely different morals & lifestyles. Can they make it work? or are just too different?
This is a quick feel-good read. it oozes romance. I found it very predictable but it was enjoyable to read.
November 25, 2017
Worth fighting for
I really liked the premise of this story, and as I enjoyed another one of Andrews stories, I was interested in where here writing would take me next. Riley and Craig. Hmm, it's a story that brings these two together, but something is always in the way. Secrets. Differences. Something that they both agree on. Life in different directions. I like Andrews writing style and how she writes the depth of these characters, making their chemistry undeniable. It's not always easy to feel the chemistry and connection between two characters. Loved it. Loved it. So much had to say it twice.
I really liked the premise of this story, and as I enjoyed another one of Andrews stories, I was interested in where here writing would take me next. Riley and Craig. Hmm, it's a story that brings these two together, but something is always in the way. Secrets. Differences. Something that they both agree on. Life in different directions. I like Andrews writing style and how she writes the depth of these characters, making their chemistry undeniable. It's not always easy to feel the chemistry and connection between two characters. Loved it. Loved it. So much had to say it twice.
February 26, 2018
I enjoyed Craig and Riley's love story. I liked the premise, it was different. I won't lie, Craig really ticked me off, like, several times. I was really close to writing him off but then the reader gets an understanding of what makes his douchebaggery come out and you feel for the guy. Still, some of his motivations and some of the conflicts were a bit of a stretch at times. Riley reminded me of a lot of Harlequin Presents heroines where I wonder what the hell she sees in the hero but still can't put the book down. There were times when I screamed at Riley to kick Craig to the curb so clearly I was invested in the characters. I did love Riley's spunk - he could dish it in his own way, he was no helpless maiden. I would have like to know what he saw in Craig beyond the physical attraction. If you're looking for a quick, sweet, read with moments of WTF and a few dollops of cheese (it was tolerable) this is for you!
November 26, 2017
Really good
This was such a good book! I didn't know if there was any way for Craig to fix his ways in the beginning but he did and I loved it!
This was such a good book! I didn't know if there was any way for Craig to fix his ways in the beginning but he did and I loved it!
November 24, 2017
Riley Anderson is dancing at a private gay night club when he first notices MMA fighter Craig “The Lion” Johnson. These two have a rough start, many rough starts but their chemistry is undeniable. I had a difficult time warming up to the character of Craig due to his attitude and the way that he treated Riley in the start of the book. Riley is such a gentle character so it was hard to see him being treated badly. I did warm up to him by the end, Laura made me feel for him and the struggle he had with his own insecurities. Riley helped Craig be true to himself so I was happy they got their happy ever after.
December 1, 2017
Reviewed on behalf of 3 Degrees of Fiction Blog
It was time for a new MM book for me and this one came exactly at the right time. I met Riley and Craig and immediately thought… Oh, I don’t think that’ll work. Not at all. Those two were just too different. Throughout the story they found together, fought and made up.
Overall the plot was nice. Nice, but not excellent that is mostly due to the fact that it all felt rushed. The moment there was a little suspense it was already resolved. I couldn’t even get myself rooting for the couple to get together (again) or solve the problems, because all happened on only a few pages.
The characters were likable, but due to the shortness of the book, I couldn’t really connect to them. I would have liked to see and read more of them. Their feelings, what makes the act the way they did. All of that. It was missing and I think I finished the book in under two hours. I was a little disappointed, because while the idea was good, it could be fleshed out more to make it a great book.
The writing style was good. It was easy to read and supported the plot. There were no plotholes or other problems that would have put me off of reading further which was really enjoyable.
3.5 stars
It was time for a new MM book for me and this one came exactly at the right time. I met Riley and Craig and immediately thought… Oh, I don’t think that’ll work. Not at all. Those two were just too different. Throughout the story they found together, fought and made up.
Overall the plot was nice. Nice, but not excellent that is mostly due to the fact that it all felt rushed. The moment there was a little suspense it was already resolved. I couldn’t even get myself rooting for the couple to get together (again) or solve the problems, because all happened on only a few pages.
The characters were likable, but due to the shortness of the book, I couldn’t really connect to them. I would have liked to see and read more of them. Their feelings, what makes the act the way they did. All of that. It was missing and I think I finished the book in under two hours. I was a little disappointed, because while the idea was good, it could be fleshed out more to make it a great book.
The writing style was good. It was easy to read and supported the plot. There were no plotholes or other problems that would have put me off of reading further which was really enjoyable.
3.5 stars
December 17, 2017
An opposites attract read.
Craig and Riley couldn't be more opposite in their physical appearances. Craig is an MMA fighter whilst Riley is a geeky paralegal. The differences between them don't stop there with Craig more comfortable jumping from bed to bed than in a relationship whilst Riley doesn't do one night stands, preferring actual relationships. Craig is still hiding his sexuality from those around him whilst Riley is open about himself and his sexuality. All of these differences come together to cause tension and misunderstandings between the two men.
I didn't feel as connected to these characters as I have with others created by Laura N. Andrews. Craig's aloofness and quiet demeanour meant it was difficult to fully get to know him as a character.
It was still a read I enjoyed and I found the contrast between the characters really interesting and it was these that hooked me into this book.
***Reviewed for LBM Book Blog***
Craig and Riley couldn't be more opposite in their physical appearances. Craig is an MMA fighter whilst Riley is a geeky paralegal. The differences between them don't stop there with Craig more comfortable jumping from bed to bed than in a relationship whilst Riley doesn't do one night stands, preferring actual relationships. Craig is still hiding his sexuality from those around him whilst Riley is open about himself and his sexuality. All of these differences come together to cause tension and misunderstandings between the two men.
I didn't feel as connected to these characters as I have with others created by Laura N. Andrews. Craig's aloofness and quiet demeanour meant it was difficult to fully get to know him as a character.
It was still a read I enjoyed and I found the contrast between the characters really interesting and it was these that hooked me into this book.
***Reviewed for LBM Book Blog***
February 6, 2018
I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Three and a half stars rounded up to four.
I read this book over a 24 hour period and although I quite liked it I know that I will never reread it.
I felt that the writing was quite good but the story didn't quite reach my expectations. I didn't like either main character but Craig was really, I thought, horrible. He treats Riley very badly at first and I really don't know why Riley gave him a second chance.
That all being said, the premise was good and the book does deliver in parts. Hence the stars that I gave it. I will read more books by this author.
Three and a half stars rounded up to four.
I read this book over a 24 hour period and although I quite liked it I know that I will never reread it.
I felt that the writing was quite good but the story didn't quite reach my expectations. I didn't like either main character but Craig was really, I thought, horrible. He treats Riley very badly at first and I really don't know why Riley gave him a second chance.
That all being said, the premise was good and the book does deliver in parts. Hence the stars that I gave it. I will read more books by this author.
January 22, 2018
Argh I feel bad to write this review, just last month I discovered this new to me author when I read Trusting Him and I was enthusiastic about it, most of all I was superhappy to be able to have a new story on my hands so soon. But while the first one was a huge success, Hard Fight was a little too much on the delusional side to me. Although I had high expectations cause I found the author’s writing style very good, adored the cover, found the blurb interesting, I have to say I think Hard Fight wasn’t for me at all.
Let’s start with the characters, I couldn’t connect with Craig and Riley at all. I felt them unreal and pretty shallow, especially Craig, I totally didn’t understand him and how he acted with Riley (not just the first time they met) was puzzling. I simply didn’t like him at all and I didn’t want Riley to be with him. From the moment I get it I wasn’t going to love them, everything in the story was meaningless, and I tried and tried again to look for some element to like but found nothing.
Maybe the story should have been developed more because it seemed to me things between the MCs were rushed and that way they lost realism, becoming to be honest a little confusing.
I’m sorry, this book simply didn’t work form me.
The cover designed by Soxsational Cover Art caught my attention at first sight, it’s well done and fitting, I so can see craig on it.
Let’s start with the characters, I couldn’t connect with Craig and Riley at all. I felt them unreal and pretty shallow, especially Craig, I totally didn’t understand him and how he acted with Riley (not just the first time they met) was puzzling. I simply didn’t like him at all and I didn’t want Riley to be with him. From the moment I get it I wasn’t going to love them, everything in the story was meaningless, and I tried and tried again to look for some element to like but found nothing.
Maybe the story should have been developed more because it seemed to me things between the MCs were rushed and that way they lost realism, becoming to be honest a little confusing.
I’m sorry, this book simply didn’t work form me.
The cover designed by Soxsational Cover Art caught my attention at first sight, it’s well done and fitting, I so can see craig on it.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews