Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
LUKA
I’m nobody’s hero. Hell, I’m not even a good guy. All I do is work, eat, train and sleep. Repeat. The only thing I care about is protecting those who matter to me. Other than that, I’m numb, walking through the world like a ghost. And guess what? That’s the way I like it.

Then she comes along…

She’s the last thing I need--and the only thing I want. She's full of righteous indignation at the world—and at everything I stand for. Getting her is going to be hard work. But I relish this challenge. Tearing down her walls and breaking her apart, I’ll make her mine and take control. It’s what I do. But when danger threatens to take her from me, I will unleash the killer I’ve tried so hard to tame.

Praise for book one in the series - Raw: Raw heroes book one:
"All I have to say about this read is...WOW WOW WOW" Reviewer
"So this book is so crazy but so crazy good!!!!" Amazon Reviewer
"There are so many different things I can say about this book but the one that I mean the most is Just WOW..." Amazon Reviewer
"What can I say about this first book by S.R. Jones???? It is freaking amazing and had me wanting more and WOW I just loved this book." Amazon Reviewer
"Have Mercy! This is one of the best books I have read in quite some time." Amazon Reviewer
" Ethan is just so wild and so different from the norm" Amazon Reviewer
"Ridiculously hot and smart."

Unknown Binding

First published February 8, 2018

232 people are currently reading
245 people want to read

About the author

S.R. Jones

77 books746 followers
Redeeming dark and dangerous heroes one book at a time.
Skye Jones is an award winning and USA Today Bestselling Author.
She writes dark mafia and contemporary romance as SR Jones, and angsty paranormal romance as Skye.

When not writing Skye can be found reading, dog herding, or watching gritty dramas on Netflix with her husband. She lives in the grey, windswept north of England, which fuels her taste for the dramatic and the gothic.

For a free read sign up for her reader club here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/ca20ewxx71

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
190 (54%)
4 stars
99 (28%)
3 stars
53 (15%)
2 stars
6 (1%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
Profile Image for (Grace) Kentucky Bohemian.
2,004 reviews1 follower
February 18, 2018
Like the Hero
I’m going to admit I had a tough time getting into this story and engaging with the characters. It just seemed like nothing in the first part of the book really grabbed me and hooked me. It was okay… it just wasn’t, you know… wow! I felt like I slogged through the first half of the book, and I have no idea why I kept reading; probably out of some sort of bizarre respect for Luka, the tough as nails, hot as lava former soldier that features prominently in the story. He was really the only attachment I made early on.

But as I kept reading I discovered there was indeed a good story here, with good characters. I finally found myself invested in the outcome of this story, and what would happen to our lovers, Luka and Cara. I wish there had been more editing early on in the story as it seemed unnecessarily slow at the beginning. But I’m glad I stuck it out and enjoyed the tale of these two lovers who seemed to have so little in common at first other than loathing each other.

Readers may want to note that love scenes are pretty steamy. As is often the case when soldiers are a part of the story line, mature language is also used at times.
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews130 followers
Want to read
April 30, 2018
💝 FREE on Amazon today (4/30/2018)!💝

Blurb:
LUKA
I’m nobody’s hero. Hell, I’m not even a good guy. All I do is work, eat, train and sleep. Repeat. The only thing I care about is protecting those who matter to me. Other than that, I’m numb, walking through the world like a ghost. And guess what? That’s the way I like it.

Then she comes along…

She’s the last thing I need--and the only thing I want. She's full of righteous indignation at the world—and at everything I stand for. Getting her is going to be hard work. But I relish this challenge. Tearing down her walls and breaking her apart, I’ll make her mine and take control. It’s what I do. But when danger threatens to take her from me, I will unleash the killer I’ve tried so hard to tame.
Profile Image for K. Ryner.
545 reviews24 followers
May 31, 2018
3.5*
The story was well done, but no masterpiece. I couldn't connect with the main characters. Cara was boring, naive and simple. This book took me 4 days to finish
2,301 reviews18 followers
February 12, 2018
The first book in this series that I read by this author with Ethan and Isla, I automatically fell in love with those two and couldn’t wait to read more from this author. Once again S.R. Jones delivers an amazing book with amazing characters that seem so real it’s like I was there with them.
This is Luka’s story who we met in the first book and we know he is dealing with some hard stuff, now we know what it is and how it’s affecting him. His PTSD has been more of night terrors and has been doing his best to straighten out his life, no more hard drinking, no more being a man wh***, working out to exhaust himself, joining with his friends for work and looking after his sister and niece. He meets Cara when he takes a course and she is everything he does not look for in a woman, but she has him intrigued and he finds he likes to rile her up and she riles easily. Cara doesn’t like Luka at first, he is everything she tries to avoid in a man but the more he gets under her skin she actually enjoys it. She also suffers some PTSD after being attacked but the two together is the ultimate opposites attracting until one night it all changes and they both can lose what really matters to them.
What an amazing read with steamy steamy scenes and characters I couldn’t help fall for, like in the first book. Luka is Mr. GQ, with his looks, his hard body, but also sad, empty and vulnerable with his PTSD. Cara is strong and independent after suffering through a lot but also vulnerable and doesn’t like to show that side. The story deals with PTSD and that it can happen to anybody whether they were in the military or not and how it affects those around you.
A story with a bit of suspense and a man who will do anything to protect the one and a woman who will do anything to keep the one she wants. Now I can’t wait for Liam’s story and if it’s anthing like the previous two reads, it will be one to not missed as well. AMAZING series !!!!
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy and expressed my honest opinion*
3,085 reviews18 followers
February 16, 2018
Gritty, Emotional and Inspired Story!!

Luka is home from Afghanistan. He suffers from PTSD and Traumatic brain injury. His friends Liam and Ethan have included him in their security company and want him to train new recruits. He lives with and assists his sister Sally and her daughter Poppy.

Cara is recovering from an attack. She has her own set of PTSD and anxiety. She is a teacher and working part-time at a prison as her cousin lost his life in one, and she hopes to be the “difference” for someone else.

When Luka and Cara are in the same room sparks fly. They are polar opposites, but have some shared issues.
“I realize with shock, I’ve enjoyed this. Enjoyed goading her, and sparring with her. Enjoyed seeing beneath her perfect, buttoned up surface. She pushes my buttons and irritates the hell out of me, but at least she makes me feel something beyond the crawling out of my own skin sensation.

When danger emerges, Luka works to protect Cara and things get very personal.

SR Jones is a pen name for her contemporary stories, I’ve been a big fan of her paranormal genre stories, but these take everything up a notch and explode right off the page!!
Profile Image for Yoneidis.
2,149 reviews12 followers
August 16, 2019
Luka es un exmilitar que acepta trabajar para su excompañero en una empresa seguridad privada y le encargan apuntarse aún curso cuya tutora es Cara,una mujer totalmente en contra de los militares y la guerra.
Ambos comparten heridas emocionales.El sufre de terrores nocturnos y ella de ataques de pánico por culpa de un ataque que sufrió en la calle junto a un amigo suyo.
Ambos comienzan a trabajar juntos enseñando en una cárcel y poco a poco se van conociendo mejor y la química entre ellos sigue creciendo, pero ambos tienen miedo debido a su bagaje emocional.
Pero cuando Cara se topa cara a cara con uno de sus agresores en una de sus clases en la cárcel,ella se asusta pensando que ahora irán a por ella y Luka decide mudarse con ella para protegerla y allí los sentimientos crecen hasta que Luka sufre uno de sus episodios.
Con un susto final para mantener las cosas interesantes.♥️la historia.
8,893 reviews63 followers
July 23, 2021
Luka's been struggling since going back to civilian life, his has PTSD and is slowly coming to grips with living along side it. He joins up with Ex military Ethan, Liam and Reece doing private security, where Liam wants him to train the new recruits. Cara is dealing with the loss of her parents and her cousin's suicide, she works as a teacher trainer and when Luka turns up to one of her classes the sparks fly immediately! Caras cautious after being attacked, shes also taken work at the prison where Luka ends up being assigned to help her. Cara doesn't think much of Luka at first but Luka doesn't plan on giving up, and when her lifes is in danger he will become what ever it takes to keep her safe. Well written book 2 in the series and we see a lot more of how the security company is working out. These two have been through so much and deserve to have a happiness together and the hot scenes are steamy!
843 reviews6 followers
February 12, 2018
S.R. Jones has written a dramatic and passionate story that grabbed me from the beginning until the last page. This is the story of two emotionally scared individuals who meet and are immediately drawn to each other. Luka ex military was severely injured and is suffering from PTSD. Cara is recovering from her parents death, a cousins suicide and a physical attack which left her with a broken leg and frightened of men and small spaces. They meet when he becomes a student in one of her training classes. The connection between the two is overwhelming and they reluctantly begin a relationship. “Hard” is a wonderfully written story filled with drama, passion, heartbreak, secrets, danger and romance. Great story! Great characters! A MUST READ.
Profile Image for Laila Viking.
4,090 reviews30 followers
February 12, 2018
Amazing sexy read. Very well written short story with great storyline and plot. The characters are well described and develops nicely but sometimes the lack depth to their personality. They are likeable and I had a great time reading this story. A story with twists that only makes it better and more captivating. A book with lots of chemistry and passion.

It is written in dual POV which gives the reader much more of the thoughts and feelings of the main characters. The epilogue is very welcomed and gives the story more to it and it finishes better of than without it. The story flows nicely and it is very captivating.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
2,535 reviews87 followers
February 14, 2018
When Luka returned from war, he was scarred inside and out. After an attack, Cara suffers from anxiety and panic attacks. He's determined to keep her safe. Will Luka be able to overcome what he saw in the war? Will Cara ever discover the reason behind her attack?

This book was great with twists and turns. Loved how Cara and Luka, while having different views, still had similar problems. I did think at times Cara was naive and how she was all to willing to trust the wrong person. Luka proved he was a hero by the way he treated those around him. Definitely would love to read more in this series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
41 reviews2 followers
February 13, 2018
Luka and Cara are made for each other. They just don’t know it. They have to get past the fact that they are polar opposites. That and their pasts, the people trying to keep them apart and their jobs. But the things worth winning are worth the fight. After all their pain and suffering these two deserve happiness. I love the real emotion and character flaws and development this author shows us.
Enjoyed the side characters and can’t wait for more stories in this series. I loved this book!
This is the secon book in the series. I’m glad I read them in order.
2,612 reviews10 followers
February 16, 2018
Luka is dealing with PTSD from war. He is living back at home with his sister and niece but suffers from horrible nightmares due to the tragedies that he dealt with while is was fighting for his country. Cara suffers from panic attacks. She was attacked recently and is still struggling with feeling safe. Can two people who have been struggling to overcome something so personal help each other heal? The chemistry between these two is very strong and no matter how much they try to deny it, it's not going anywhere.
Profile Image for DKH.
101 reviews2 followers
April 27, 2023
Luka and Cara

Do opposites attract? You bet they do, he is ex-British special forces and she is a peacenik green party loving woman. Brought together in an adult learning program, they begin to see the worth of the other person after a few bumps along the way. They also have a lot of commonalities too. Both suffer forms of PTSD, both lost their parents at a young age, both have a lot of self doubt. This just helps to unite them and bring them closer. Give this and the other books in the series a read, I promise you will enjoy them.
Profile Image for Melody.
221 reviews3 followers
March 29, 2018
A great story about a war heroe (luka)who does a course and meet cara who had panic attacks and bad dreams as she got attacked some men once.
Luka has ptsd and they end up having a relationship and he sleeps in the other room so he doesnt hurt her.

They end up falling in love and hes there for her when she needs him and he saves her life.

"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book."
Profile Image for Will Decker.
Author 23 books17 followers
September 25, 2018
I like books with strong heroes and great character development, this book has it in spades and then some. Great action, strong suspense, graphic and passionate love that threatens to burn right off the page, and a fast flowing plot make this a must read. Editing is relatively clean with few typos. It's British, so we can't be too picky. I've enjoyed everything of S. R. Jones's that I've read. Keep em coming!
Profile Image for _booknerd.4ever_.
1,536 reviews11 followers
October 18, 2018
I had a hard time getting into this story. The plot was different and I definitely didn't see the twist and turns coming towards the end. Once the twist started, I couldn't put it down until the end. The characters were good. I just couldn't relate to them. I also really couldn't feel the chemistry either. I also find it hard that a trained psychologist and a person excellent at reading people didn't see Tristan for what he was.....

I voluntarily read and reviewed a free copy of this book...
Profile Image for Madame Smarty.
549 reviews
September 14, 2019
SO disappointed with this book - really sorry S R Jones. I LOVED all the other books in this series (ok except the one w the dude n the ponytail) and I just adore Luka, but this girl Cara? She’s neurotic. I’ve started this book 3 times and I just couldn’t take anymore cos she’s too much of a stress-head. I couldn’t enjoy it w all the second guessing herself and chatter in her head. Didn’t finish it, sorry S R Jones 🤷🏽‍♀️
1,221 reviews
August 6, 2020
Luka and Cara deal with some sensitive and difficult issues in this action packed adventure. As their psychological scars are revealed, these robust and gutsy characters dig deep to find emotional and physical fortitude to handle the abundant stress caused by the people and situations around them. This was a unique romance between two emotionally damaged people. But, their story was compelling and extremely touching. Great Read!!!!!
Profile Image for Catlou.
1,425 reviews15 followers
August 4, 2021
Luka and Cara are both damaged by their pasts, but, although they are extreme opposites, they see each other like no one else does. Even though theirs will be a complex relationship, it’s one that they will find worth fighting for in this fast-paced, compelling tale filled with surprising twists and turns. There’s excitement, drama, dangerous suspense, and passion. It’s an emotional rollercoaster that will bring you to the edge of your seat and keep you thoroughly engaged from start to finish.
Profile Image for BP34.
6,310 reviews46 followers
February 12, 2018
Cara and Luka are two wounded souls who are scarred emotionally. Their chemistry is explosive and their relationship very steamy. Well written with intense characters and a page turning storyline. I enjoyed this book and it is full of surprises and twists. I read an advance reader copy and voluntarily chose to write a review.
Profile Image for Kaye.
7,177 reviews71 followers
February 12, 2018
YOU CAN FEEL THE HEAT!!!
A wonderfully written, easy to follow read that will captivate your attention and hold it prisoner until the very last word. An undeniable chemistry between the main characters you can't help but feel the heat. With details so real it brings this fantastic tale to life. Emotions run high and the twists and turns will keep you frozen to the edge of your seat.
Profile Image for Patricia Baxes.
3,050 reviews30 followers
February 14, 2018
Ohmigod...what a kickass read! Awesome storyline; crazy good characters; interesting plot twists; and a hard journey to the HEA. This isn’t a “Suzy Sunshine” happy romance...it’s dark and gritty but oh so good. Don’t let this one pass you by...1-Click today! (I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book and couldn’t flip the pages fast enough!) ❤️❤️
1,338 reviews3 followers
February 19, 2018
Good but needs some cleanup

I REALLY wanted to give this more stars! Overall story was well written. A few glitches in proofreading. The awareness brought out about PTSD and TBI was wonderful. Cudo's! The tasteless comment about JW's was just wrong!! Nix it. Clean up the few proofreading issues and this is a keeper.
203 reviews
February 23, 2018
Wow what an amazing book

This book was amazing,opposites really do attract. This book is about a troubled heroine and an equally trouble hero. This book has it all drama,a killer plot,sadness and rebirth. Sometimes all it takes is a good man or woman at your side to help make the troubles more bearable. This book has some wildly unexpected turns,I couldn't put it down.
Profile Image for Petra Dattner.
39 reviews1 follower
September 23, 2019
Truly a don't put down

I enjoyed Cara's & Luka's byplay. PTSD is serious. They both experienced it and were forced to deal with it. I enjoyed that attraction and love don't discriminate and can come out of nowhere. The strength each character displayed of their issues gives hope. Very well written.
Profile Image for Modern.
1,338 reviews6 followers
February 12, 2018
Hard is the emotional and suspenseful story of Luka and Cara, who both suffer from varying forms of PTSD. Their story is gripping and exciting. Characters are amazing. I received this book for a voluntary, completely honest and non incentivized review.
249 reviews
June 4, 2018
Sloooooooow

This was very slow going. Then seemed to throw a bunch in all at once toward the end. Most was predictable as it was obvious Tristan orchestrated the whole thing. Had some good redeeming qualities but overall was way too slow a read.
Profile Image for Becki.
541 reviews
October 6, 2018
Hard

This is the second book I have read in the series. I've liked both. It's a romantic thriller with a wounded war hero and a wounded heroine. Both characters are working through their problems when they find each other.
354 reviews
November 24, 2021
Cheesy and hot

Nice story line, about overcoming loss, pain, guilt and embracing life and love. It's really nice how the author describes every character, so easy to picture and the events keep you on your toes
Profile Image for Ren.
1,346 reviews
February 12, 2018
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.