Hard Miles

Chisholm Falls #1

by Trish Arcangelo

On the run from her psycho ex, Laurel Wheeler stops in Chisholm Falls, Texas for snacks at a gas station just before it’s held up by two desperate criminals. When one robber begins firing, a handsome stranger named Jase Miles saves her life. Hoping to make a little money and thank her rescuer at the same time, the broke Laurel agrees to a secret deal regarding Jase, who's the town pariah.

But what starts as deception quickly turns complicated. Laurel begins to fall for the brooding man who hides his pain behind a mask of indifference. And Jase begins to fall for the sweet woman who, unlike everyone else in town, doesn’t treat him like a monster. Then a careless mistake shatters the fragile trust and their growing bond… perhaps beyond saving.

180 pages, Paperback

Published August 23, 2017

Reviews

[Romantic Reads and Such · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I really enjoyed this story, there were a couple of issues for me.  I felt that Jase was a little TOO hard on himself.  I know that small towns have long memories and it is really easy to fall into the trap of the hive mind in blaming him for something that happened in the past.  However, I just didn't see it in his interactions.  Maybe it is because he was so good at isolating himself but I would have liked to have seen a little more of why he felt the way he did.

I'm also not sure what Laurel thought would happen after she took money from Jase's sister.  I can get how it started but she definitely should have done something about it WAY before she did.  Readers realize this is going to blow up and she should have too.

Overall, though, I really enjoyed these two together.  When Jase lets himself, he's a good person and is good to those around him.  Laurel may have had it rough but she's got a good heart and the gumption to try for a better life.  A little battered, neither of them has had the best time of it but they find the support in each other that they need so together they can finally find a happy place.  And readers will enjoy being there with them when they do.

*** I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. ***

[Amy Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the latest book by this author. I've read all of her books and I love the variety of themes. Hard Miles has a love story that makes you want more, complex characters and an exciting climax at the end. I'm looking forward to the second book in this series!

[Heather 123 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute story about two people who are down on their luck who are thrown together during a robbery at a convenience store.

A few issues I had with this story that prevented me from rating it higher. Laurel accepted everything without giving anything a second thought. A complete stranger offers for you to spend the night in another stranger's house and you barely give it a second thought? That same stranger offers you money to stay in town and feed the press information and you don't think it's going to back fire on you? Even as you develop feelings for the man that you're being paid to help, you don't worry even once that he could find out about the money?

Overall, not bad...just think it could have been better.

[Merissa (Archaeolibrarian) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard Miles starts off with Laurel in a gas station. She is on the run from her ex, he has been beaten up after she 'snitched' on him to a drug dealer and he wants to repay her! She is in her clapped-out old car, with just enough money to get her who-knows-where. Things take a turn for the worse (or better) when she is involved in a robbery at the gas station. She is saved from a bullet by the 'bad boy' she had her eye on, before she told herself she wasn't interested in anyone at this point - bad boy or not. Jase was immediately attracted to the woman at the gas station, but having lived under a cloud for so long, he is sure that she wouldn't be interested. Following the robbery, their lives become intertwined, with a little bit of help (read interference) from his loving big sister.

This was a nice and easy story to read, with enough angst to satisfy, without it overtaking the story and becoming superfluous. There were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow. The pace was smooth, and the storyline itself rolled along, with enough information being given so you stay fully involved with the story. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and I can't wait to see who is next. Absolutely recommended by me.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 20, 2017

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard Miles is a heartfelt, sexy and sweet story. Laurel is on the run from her abusive ex, on whom she snitched to his drug dealer, when she stops at a gas station and gets saved from two robbers who are holding the place up. Her savior is the hottie she'd been drooling over inside the convenience mart attached to the gas station.

Jase has lots of inner demons, so when he's being hailed as Laurel's hero, he's really uncomfortable with his new status. And when Jase's champion, his sister, avails upon Laurel to help Jase out (unbeknownst to him), Laurel has no choice but to say yes. But, if (when) Jase finds out, it will most certainly ruin the tentative relationship forming between them.

Although short, Hard Miles really resonated with me. I fell in love with both Jase and Laurel. Jase, in particular, had lots of layers, and was such a big sweetheart beneath his gruff exterior. And Laurel was adorable, too, especially in her vulnerability. I wish Hard Miles were a tad bit longer, so that Jase and Laurel's relationship had more time to develop, but as it was written, I still really enjoyed reading about Jase and Laurel and how they came to fall in love. If there's more to come in this series, I will definitely be reading!

I received an ARC via NetGalley for an honest review.

[Becky Burciaga · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the first book in a series, this one was exceptional. So much so, it has set the tone for the others that one would hope to come. There was emotional darkness, genuiness of spirit, selflessness...I could go on and on; there was just so much packed into this one story.

The fight that Jace had inside was palpable and heartbreaking, you could feel his loathing as he faught his circumstances. Add in Laurel's fear and fighting spirit and you have the perfect combination to make this story capture your heart as the couple's story unfolded. If there was ever a couple that you wanted a HEA for, Jace and Laurel is it.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

[Kathy Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard Miles was a an enjoyable read. You had romance, mystery girl on the run, and a messed up hero who needed a nudge to put all those demons behind him. Enter Laurel Winters to save the day. But first Jace Mills needs to do a little Savin himself.
I liked this book and wish it could have had a little more suspense, however, it’s well worth a read and Trish Arcangelo has a great writing style and captivates the reader.

[poppy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really sweet romance.I was pulled right into the story and did not want to stop reading.Laurel is on the run from her abusive ex when she stops to get some gas she walks into a robbery and is saved by Jase I really liked Jase, he has his own baggage does not like all the attention he gets after the robbery.This was a good read its a little on the short size but i enjoyed it

[Jacki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book by Trish Arcangelo.

What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: Chisholm Falls
Standalone
HEA

I look forward to reading the other books in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book from NetGalley.

[Tracie R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romance, mystery and a man with a past no one wants to forget. I enjoyed Hard Miles and look forward to reading more of this series.