Pro veteran catcher Connor Hart has his hands full keeping the hot-blooded rookies on his team focused on the ultimate prize—the World Series. Too bad he can’t seem to concentrate on the game himself. Because every time publicist Gia Kubic walks out on the field, his attention goes AWOL, and all he can think about is a New Years’ Eve kiss that should have gone much further…
As the team publicist, it’s Gia’s job to make heartthrobs out of every member of the team, but even she can’t figure out how to make America’s hottest catcher—and her not-so-secret fantasy—smile for the cameras. She’s fighting him, and her libido, at every turn.
Neither of them seems capable of saying no forever. But Connor has a secret, and he knows if he lets the sexy publicist get too close, his whole world could come crashing down...
Librarian Note: Also writes under the pen name Jade Lee.
KATHY LYONS writes light, funny, sexy stories. She loves the faster pace of contemporary books and that her humor can shine through. Plus, the shifter books are really fun!
She leaves the dark, tortured love stories to her alter ego, Jade Lee.
Definitely mixed feelings. 3.5 stars ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I had a hard time coming to the right rating for this book, There are so many factors that went into picking the right star. So I am taking the 3.5 star rating which is an "I like it" according to GoodReads.
Gia - I wanted to like this chick but sadly she annoyed me so much! I hate that she feels she has to be in everyone's business and no privacy is allowed, especially when it comes to Connor's family and history. I had real issues with this. I hated when she would grill him about his personal life when clearly it was not her business. I would have thrown her ass out. Plus, she broke his confidence several times. Not cool.
Conner- He could be a jerk and several times he was rude and treated her like a piece of ass. But she kept coming back for it too, so that is on her just as much. He also cared for her deeply but couldn't face up to it because of his screwed family.
The story - was unique and interesting for the most part. A few good twists and a sister you will HATE! ugh!
The sex - off the charts. Actually saved the book for me.
Overall - a good read and Conner.... he is yummy, but can still be a jerk.... sigh
Sports contemporary romance, written in first person with alternating chapters between Connor and Gia. Third in the Locker Room Diaries series. Can be read as a standalone.
Poor, confused Connor. He doesn’t understand what he did wrong. Gia is no longer in his arms or bed. So he hides with the team in the locker room hoping to figure it out. Gia is mad. How can Connor compare her job to what his sister Sophia does? Yes, they are both in marketing as publicists, but spin is in no way the same as outright lies. But she can’t resist his advances. Her body needs override her head when they are together. Connor needs to figure it out or he is gong to lose it all. He never felt as centered and at ease as when he’s with Gia. Plus it’s the best sex of his life.
In an explosive twist, Connor finally steps up to do the right thing. It’s about time.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. I also purchased a copy to keep.
Rcvd an ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) We meet Gia and Connor who had a kiss two years earlier and due to the demands of their job and just life nothing was ever pursued. Now Gia is hired to work for Connor's baseball team. I wasn't crazy of Connor he annoyed me and his sister was a piece of work. I did like Gia and thought she was a pretty strong woman given her background but she was a little too forgiving of Connor, I would have made him sweat a bit.
This one is a 3.5 for me. I’m chalking it up to a meh. Connor is a huge Judgey McJudgerson pants. Oh and his sister Sophia, she is a straight up ahole. She needs a swift kick to the bajinga. I think my huge dislike for Sophia made me not enjoy the book so much. But hey, that’s some good writing to get someone to loath a pretend person!
Hard and Fast by Kathy Lyons a sublime five-star read that wasn’t hard to read but was a fast read. Pro Veteran Connor Hart is a great man and he is feeling every day of his many years, and they aren’t that many but for a professional ball player who catches for a living means he has had a hard time in his many years. He’s a man who works hard and shows the younger players how to behave, he has a lot to keep him in order and knows what he wants, but as always you can’t always have what you want, sadly for him he has a sister he doesn’t want to upset and a boss he also doesn’t want to upset. But one kiss and one woman may change all of that, this is a story of romance and drama and will have you turning the pages to the next one with a smile on your face.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the first two books in this series, adding this one cements for me how Ms Lyons consistently delivers stories that contain substance and heart, and that are laced with her trademark humor. These athletes’ essences are the game of baseball, they are genuine and relatable, easily seen with authenticity and character.
With Connor and Gia, you have a couple who’ll take your breath away. Their encounters are sensual, and their growing relationship creates an investment in them reaching their HEA. Gia was the one person who Connor was able to show his vulnerability and his good heart to. There were tender moments of heartbreaking truths that he found difficult to accept, but ultimately came to believe. When the character who generated all the drama and injustice met their comeuppance, you’ll find yourself reviling in the backlash they encountered.
All in all, another finely written story I was able to lose myself in and came to regret when it ended...there are just some characters who you hate to say goodbye to.
This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.
Pro veteran catcher Connor Hart has his hands full keeping the hot-blooded rookies on his team focused on the ultimate prize—the World Series. Too bad he can’t seem to concentrate on the game himself. Because every time publicist Gia Kubic walks out on the field, his attention goes AWOL, and all he can think about is a New Years’ Eve kiss that should have gone much further…
As the team publicist, it’s Gia’s job to make heartthrobs out of every member of the team, but even she can’t figure out how to make America’s hottest catcher—and her not-so-secret fantasy—smile for the cameras. She’s fighting him, and her libido, at every turn.
Neither of them seems capable of saying no forever. But Connor has a secret, and he knows if he lets the sexy publicist get too close, his whole world could come crashing down...
Each book in the Locker Room Diaries series is STANDALONE: * Hitting It * Sliding Home * Hard and Fast
My Thoughts:
This is the third book in this series and I have read all of them. I still don't care for the first person nature but this is the best one I have read by Kathy Lyons/Jade Lee. I love the Jade Lee historical Romance novels so I gave these contemporary sports romances a chance.
It seems Conner and Gia have more in common than either of them realizes. Both have somewhat troubled backgrounds though on the surface only Gia's seems that way. Can this couple get past their troubled pasts and come together as a loving and caring couple? Make sure to read this third book in the series to find out. This book, although part of a series is easily read as a standalone story. First person dialog is not a favorite of mine but in this book it did not detract from the plot like the first book did for me. I gave it 4.5 of 5.0 stars for storyline and character devlopment and a sensual rating of 4 of 5 flames. It contains sizzling intimate scenes so be prepared. I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book by invitation from the publisher via Netgalley. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
Indiana Bobcats All –Star Catcher Connor Hart just wants to play baseball and stay away from the promotional part of the game. Team publicist Gia Kubic had to step in to end questions about the calendar that his personal PR sister had taken pictures for without him being aware.
Connor is trying to improve his hitting percentage so he could become a designated hitter and be able to play longer because of the damage to his knees from crouching down while catching. Connor had kissed Gia once and used her picture as a good luck charms before playing but his sister was taking credit for stuff that Gia was doing.
Hard and Fast by Kathy Lyons is the third book in the Locker Room Diaries Series. Hard and Fast has so much more to the story, the reader learns about the whole Connor family and their relationships with each other and their problems. Buy that book because the twist at the end wasn’t was I expected and I was surprised.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Very enjoyable read! It is seriously sexy with a nice romance at the core of the story. Connor is deliciously yummy and Gia, although slightly meddlesome at times, is a good match for him as he tries to prolong his pro baseball career. I found the characters very likeable and the story believable. The writing is great with a nice easy pace to the story. I would definitely recommend this quick, fun, sexy read to everyone.
Conor Hart is the catcher of the pennant racing team. He is having issue with his knees and is looking to make the change to a power hitter. Gia is the publicist for the team he has been lusting over for months. When their worlds collide and feelings are states it gets HOT HOT. I hated his sister/publicist and couldn't wait for him to tell her off.
Pro catcher Connor Hart has a simple plan in place to keep his life drama free, you don't mix work life with your personal life, but that is easier said then done when he meets the teams newest publicist Gia Kubic. She is about the last person he expected to walk through the door, they have history, the very heated kind, and he is certain that if he gets too close that aforementioned heat could come back and bite him where the sun doesn't shine, and also shake his focus on the game. So the plan is simple, avoid her at all costs, but unfortunately for him love doesn't always abide by the rules or the pesky plans you make!
Gia Kubic has a job that most women would die to have, she works side by side with the players on the team, and helps them create an image that draws the fans in, and scores bonus points with the ladies! Most of the guys seem pretty receptive to what she has in mind for them, but there is one certain guy on the team that keeps giving her the run around, and just so happens to be the one that curls her very own toes, the veteran catch Connor Hart. She thought working with him would be easy, but for some reason he keeps trying to avoid her like she's got a case of the plaugue and doesn't seem to want to cooperate, the man has his walls up and isn't talking... but unfortunately for him she is good at what she does, and she is determined to knock those walls down!
Hard and Fast is a dramatic little page-turner that is certain to score serious points with sports romance readers, within it's pages lies a steamy contemporary romance story that is certain to curl the toes, and bring on a case of the feels! I really enjoyed this one, you give me a story with sports involved and my interest is instantly peaked, then you add in a sexy brooding alpha and I am totally in! This one did not disappoint, I found the sports theme I craved, a sexy athlete who inspired the swoons, and a feisty heroine who kept him on his toes, and kept me laughing, and in my book that makes it was a total win! Highly recommend this one, it will keep you enthralled from start to finish!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, via NetGalley, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
I thought this book was okay. I mean it wasn't bad, it wasn't great. I guess my problem with this book was the "hero" of the book. I thought he needed to get a backbone with his older sister/PR rep. Why would you keep someone like that in your life in any way. There would be NO WAY anyone would remain in my life after pulling crap like his older sister did/does. Nope. No way.
Drama, drama, drama! All the angst that keeps you twisting and turning those pages! Book two in this baseball series and Kathy knocked this right out of the park! Yowza! This is Connor and Gia's story. Now Gia drove me absolutely bonkers in the first book, but here we see a different side of her and her backstory is something you must read. She's spectacular in her role as PR for the team. She and Conner happened to share a New Years Eve kiss a year ago that was promptly broken up by his overbearing, obnoxious sister who... you have to read the book to fully comprehend the dynamics in Connor's family. Connor is catcher for the team, his knees have seen better days and he's stepping up his batting so he can keep playing ball. Connor has a serious disdain for the press, media and anything related to that. Including public relations. Gia has bailed his backside out of multiple uncomfortable places with the press more than once, as well as run interference with the rest of the team. Imagine if you will babysitting a large group of grown men who act like boys. Her job is to spin the story, wipe things clean, and crank out good press. Connor is totally taken with Gia but hates her job. These two start a seriously steamy relationship which is precarious at times, he's got his own backstory, his sisters and then there's Gia and his future. All of which Connor worries about. I loved Gia is this story. What a strong character she is and Connor, for all his skewed views on things, I loved him too. The road for these two takes a couple u-turns and sharp s curves, thanks to Connor. What a great story to watch unfold and when I put down my reader I'd think about the story and wonder why.... yep. That's what a great story does, makes you think about it after you put it down. Well done Kathy, well done. It's a must read.
arc from Net Galley and Entangled for an honest review
This book was amazing! It had all the key parts that made you not want to put it down! We have the evil sister who has some crazy ideas/motives to improve Connor's image. We have Connor who is a very private person, but at the same time someone who is easy to love. He's incredibly protective of his younger sister and you don't find out until midway through the book, but he has very good reasons for being so protective of her. Then you have Gia who comes from her own rough background, but despite that, she is a very positive and trusting person.
I loved the dynamics including those between Gia and Connor's extended family.
Secret "office" romances can be delicious and fun and this one does exactly that. The story is layered perfectly with sexual tension, forbidden desire, fear, pain and utter satisfaction. The characters are relatable, interesting and entertaining. I have quickly fallen hard and fast for Kathy Lyons stories.
I love sports romance books and this is for sure one of the top ones. Conner is a catcher for the Indianpolis Bobcats baseball team and hes a good, hes a veteran, and well things are heating up. Hes not a fan of the press and getting up in age in the field and his body isnt handling it quite well.
When things heat up with the press wanting more of the quite private Conner Hart... Gia the team's publicist will have her work cut out for her. Shes not had an easy life and not getting it together an foung an amazing job is all that matters. However one kiss changed things a bit.
The story is good, the chemistry is great, and it was just simply enjoyable.
Privacy and family have always been in the forefront of Connor's mind. Whether he is behind the plate or out in public he has kept his secrets close to his chest. But one kiss on New Year's Eve with Gia, a publicist for the baseball team, knocks Connor for a loop. Will Gia be the one to break down the barriers and allow Connor to get a HEA? Or will she open his heart and trample it into pieces? I absolutely loved these characters and the storyline had more twist and turns than a roller coaster. I was locked in from the opening pages and did not want the story to end. Nothing better than baseball and romance!!
I am a big baseball fan and I was excited to read this story about Connor, the hot back catcher for a Major League Baseball team!. The story of Connor and Gia began months earlier when they shared an amazing kiss at a New Year's Eve party. Connor had to remain focused on his game and his family and chose not to persue the attraction to the beautiful Gia. But then Gia became the Publicist for the team! How could they continue to resist one another when the attraction was so strong and they work so closely together?? I really enjoyed the background stories to both of these characters, they each have interesting and complicated pasts. It was a great journey to go on and feel their attraction and love unfold with a lot of drama and secrets along the way. And the sex scenes! Woah! Hot!! Connor is definitely someone to lust after! This is a great read for a romance junkie like myself. I look forward to reading more from Kathy Lyons.
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opionions are my own.
Kathy Lyons finally gives readers Connor and Gia’s story. This couple met in a previous book, but Connor was dedicated to his career and family obligations, so put his attraction to Gia on hold. Connor would never have expected this stunning woman to end up the team’s publicist and forever in his path.
Hard and Fast is a great story about love and attraction and the obstacles that are sometimes thrown in your way and impossible to avoid. This is not a story for the faint hearted as the sex id off the charts! But why wouldn’t it be, with the super sexy Connor leading the way? I really enjoyed this story and the character portrayals were likeable and real. I’m looking forward to more fabulous stories from Ms Lyons in the future.
Another winner! This is an engaging story that I just loved. Connor is the "aging" baseball catcher with a multitude of family issues. Gia is the public relations/press person for his team, and despite their attraction, Connor doesn't trust anyone is public relations/press. Despite that, they are very smitten with each other, complete with some very hot encounters....the kind hot enough to melt your kindle.
Both Gia and Connor come from humble and tragic beginnings, and the way their pasts color their present added to the angst and drama in this novel. It also gave them depth and made them interesting.
This is a wonderful book that fans of the genre will love. While it is part of a series, this is a stand alone novel. The author is on my must read authors' list and I'm already looking forward to her next book.
Hard and Fast, has a lot of drama in it. And yes I loved it. Connor shows just how human he is by judging people for their flaws, but yet over looking his own. Gia has to walk a very fine line. She wants to help him, but what will help him could also hurt him too. To me Gia is the star of this book. She is there for everyone, no matter how hurt she is at the time or how undeserving that person might be.
Connor is such a protective man, “did a reporter hurt you? Did someone touch you?” His jaw was tightening as he spoke, and I could feel his anger vibrate in the air. “Tell me who did it. I can fix it.”Lord, he sounded like he was ready to beat up anyone who gave me a cross word." Connor likes boasting about what he thinks are achievements, “yeah. It’s hard to play baseball with a hard-on.” Then he flashed me a grin. “Though I’ve done it before.” I liked this book, I loved Connor.
we met connor in sliding home, the veteran player of the indiana bobcats, a 27-year-old catcher with creaky knees. in hard and fast, he's got some serious family drama, his publicist sister, sophia ia a huge b, and his younger sister cassie has a history of mental health problems and he is very protective of her. when the team publicist, gia, who he happened to kiss at a new year's eve party a year ago, asks to spotlight him on some interviews he is wary of the press.
he doesn't want to let people see the fissures of his family life. after years of dealing with his evil sister he doesn't think much of people trying to spin a situation. this disdain seems to reflect on gia, but what he struggles to express is that he is the one who feels unworthy. why would gia lie about him, since he is so worthless. but she hears it as, gia is a worthless liar and how could he ever love her.
once they finally figure out how to communicate things get on the right track, but this is a quick steamy read, and it's nice to see connor get his happily ever after.
**hard and fast will publish on october 8, 2018. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/entangled publishing (brazen) in exchange for my copy in exchange for my honest review.
Pro baseball catcher Connor Hart is having a problem with his oldest sister who likes to handle all of his PR and the new PR women for the team he is with, Gia Kubic. There is also the issue of Gia and Connor kissing at the New Year’s party that his sister caught and since then it has been acquired between Gia and her, with Connor stuck in the middle. Sophie Connors's sister has really been using him for most of his life but he doesn’t see it that way. What he does see is a beautiful women in Gia and he is attracted to her every time they are together. The problem is that he compares her job to what his sister does and when he realizes the two are nothing the same it looks like it is too late for Gia was tired of waiting around, and when his sister twists more information he really sees what is happening, but is it too late for him to go after Gia the women he finally figures out he is in love with. A good story with good characters. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
This was a good read. The drama was really crazy at the end, but most of the time it was a good read. I thought Gia and Connor were good together, and they did have great chemistry. I had my problems with both of them at different times. Gia came across as really clingy and a little stalkerish at the start. She was in love with him and wanting his babies after like 2 encounters. Connor had his problems with Gia's job, but then would say he didn't see her that way. It was confusing. Sophia was a complete nut job, and I don't care how much someone has done for you in the past, you can't let them manipulate you. Connor was blind to most of what Sophia was doing until the end. I liked Cassie, and was happy to see her become stronger. I liked the ending, and was happy to see them get their HEA. I voluntarliy reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.
This story is about Nick Balachov an NHL hockey player, who is suffering through the grief of losing his brother. He meets Jodie, at a party held my his teammate. Nick gets drunk and passes out in Jodie’s room.
Jodie, who is a single mom and part owner of a sex toy business, has just moved from New York to Chicago to run the business with her friend and business partner Kendra.
Kendra and her boyfriend Max, who is also Nick’s teammate, convinces Nick to let Jodie and her daughter move into his coach house.
From there, Nick and Jodie become friends, and Nick starts to interact more with Jodie’s daughter.
After a huge snowstorm, the relationship starts to heat up between the two.
They both confide in each other and eventually fall in love with each other for their HEA.
This book is a stand alone. It was a quick and easy read.
This steamy, spicy, baseball romance has great characters, a plot that moves along and writing that keeps you turning page after page.
Connor and Gia will need to overcome doubt, family obstacles, trust issues, and secrets from the past if they are going to have a real connection. The chemistry between them is H-O-T and is off the charts, will they be able to ignore their feelings without the entire team finding out? What will happen if his agent figures it out, will the flame fizzle before it can develope?
In a world where one small fact can be twisted to benefit the manipulator being in the public eye will have consequences. What would you do if you put your career in the hands of someone who might not have your best interest?
Get ready for a fun read.
I received an advance reader copy for an honest and fair review.
Wow, Gia and Connor were smoking together! I loved how they could not stay away from each other and all the sneaky glances and sexy times they shared. Gia was a very understanding woman who had been through so much in her life. But she chose to make something of herself. She was very loving, supportive, and warm. Connor was very vulnerable and afraid to open up to someone. He was very close and protective of his younger sister, Cassie. You really come to like Cassie and want her to be happy and whole. Then there is Sophia. She can sure bring your blood to boil. But I did like how Connor finally handled her and then made things right with Gia. In the end, they were simply right.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher through Netgalley.
This is the third book in the Locker Room Diaries. I have been looking forward to Connor's story since book one. The added bonus was finding out more about the Gia, the team's publicist. Connor is the "old" guy on the team at 27. He is the guy that his teammates look to for support and guidance. He is so busy trying to help everyone else that he doesn't have time to deal with his own baggage.
Gia is the newest member of the Bobcat marketing team. She's trying to help Connor, but runs into issues with his sister, Sophia. Sophia should be working with Gia, but she sees her as a threat.
It is a fun, fast read. As a baseball fan I like the attention to detail. This book makes you feel like your a part of the team.
This is book 3 in the Locker Room Diaries series. Kathy Lyons offer readers Hard and Fast and as a stand alone it works well. I appreciated the fact that the hero and heroine were more mature characters. They had strong sexual chemistry. I found them to be engaging, however my feelings towards them shifted several times in the story. I was satisfied by the changes and growth that occurred by the ending. I can not say the same for the secondary character, the hero's sister. I disliked her intensely and I think Ms Lyons may have wanted that reading outcome. Overall, I enjoyed the story overall. I would read others in the series based on Hard and Fast. I received my copy through NetGalley under no obligation