Longing to Hold

Hard to Love #0.5

by W. Winters

Prelude to Hard to Love

From USA Today bestselling author Willow Winters comes the prelude to the heart-wrenching, edge-of-your-seat gripping, romantic suspense Hard to Love.

There’s a moment when I forget he’s not mine. This small spell of time, when I let my thoughts carry me away.

He holds me. He kisses me. He makes all of this better.

That moment when I’m his and everything is all right, is gone in an instant. It’s quick and fleeting, moving so fast that it slips through my grasp. If I could catch it, I’d hold on to it forever.

I always thought this thing between us would only ever be just that. A passing moment, a pleasant dream that helped lull me to sleep at night.

If I’d known what was to come, maybe I would have thought twice.

I couldn’t have prepared for this.

Longing to Hold is a short prelude to the Hard to Love series.

Genres: Romance, Dark, Novella, Contemporary, Dark Romance, Ebooks, Contemporary Romance

56 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2019

About the author

Willow Winters is so happy to be a USA Today, Wall Street Journal and #1 Contemporary Best Selling Author!

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Willow started writing after having her little girl, Evie, December 2015. All during her pregnancy with Evie she continued to read and she only wanted to read romance. She was reading a book a day — sometimes two.

In January 2016 Willow was staying up late with Evie and just thinking of all these stories. They came to her constantly so she finally sat down and just started writing. She always wanted to do it so she figured, why not? Today Willow cannot be happier for making that decision!


Merciless World

A Kiss to Tell

Possessive
Seductive

Merciless
Heartless
Breathless
Endless

All He’ll Ever Be

A Kiss To Keep

A Single Glance
A Single Kiss
A Single Touch

Hard to Love
Desperate to Touch
Tempted to Kiss
Easy to Fall

Merciless World Spin Off

It’s Our Secret

Standalone Novels:
Broken
Forget Me Not

Sins and Secrets Duets:
Imperfect (Imperfect Duet book 1)
Unforgiven (Imperfect Duet book 2)

Damaged (Damaged Duet book 1)
Scarred (Damaged Duet book 2)


Standalone Novels:
All I Want is a Kiss
Tell Me To Stay
Second Chance
Knocking Boots
Promise Me
Burned Promises
Forsaken, cowritten with B. B. Hamel

Collections
Don’t Let Go
Deepen The Kiss
Kisses and Wishes

Valetti Crime Family Series:
Dirty Dom
His Hostage
Rough Touch
Cuffed Kiss
Bad Boy 

Highest Bidder Series,
cowritten with Lauren Landish:
Bought
Sold 
Owned 
Given

Bad Boy Standalones,
cowritten with Lauren Landish:
Inked
Tempted
Mr. CEO

Happy reading and best wishes,
Willow xx

Reviews

[Shatarupa Dhar]

Longing to Hold is a detailed account of Seth and Laura's life after her father died. It shows us how their young love first blossomed in that neighbourhood, ten years before the incidents of the first book. The story has been there in the other books, peppered throughout, but reading it like this here was a wonderful experience. It was strange though, a good kind, because we know what actually transpired all those years ago that led to Seth behaving protectively towards Laura. In four short chapters, Winters sprinkles her magic and announces the Hard to Love Series.

[Jannat Bhat]

This is a short prequel to Hard to Love Series and I liked to read more about Seth and Laura back when they were younger and yearning for each other.

[Athena D.]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 STARS

This prelude gives us a chance to peer into the commencement of Seth and Laura's journey. It's perfect and I love that we get to read more about this couple. This is an amazing series you don't want to miss!

Longing to Hold by Willow Winters is an EPIC read and will join the ranks of the BIBLIO-ARISTOCRACY!!!

[Bree Hill]

1 in the morning, can’t sleep read. Willow Winters really sets the scene for what’s to come with this series in this preclude. Very sexy intense with very obvious secrets involved. Can’t wait for more!

[Tami]

I love Seth and Laura's story, so when I found out Winters was releasing a prelude , I knew I had to have it!

[Sela (Skullinda)]

The perfect tease to a sex-filled and oh so delicious series. Seth King will have any woman begging at her knees. Longing to hold is the perfect addition in which we get the beginning of Seth and Laura’s story and watch these puzzle pieces fall into place.

This is the prelude to the Hard To Love series and is by far my favorite love story of Willow’s creations.

[Siobhan]

Longing to Hold is the prelude to the Hard to Love series by W. Winters, and I went in with high hopes. Unfortunately, this didn’t work for me.

I expected this prelude to have me invested in the characters, I was hoping to fall madly for them, but I was indifferent. I did not feel anything between them, and the only reason it had me wanting to continue to the first book is due to the air of mystery surrounding certain elements.

All in all, this prelude didn’t win me over, but I remained curious to dive into Hard to Love.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (12/6/2019)! 🎁

[hopelesslyinlovewith_books]

This book really sets the scene on what’s to come in the Hard to Love series. It was short but so full of longing that I can’t wait to read what happens next!

[TheSassyNerdBlog]

I adored Seth and Laura, so when I found out there was a prelude to Hard to Love, I was all over it. I needed more. This book gives us a better look at the past, and how Laura and Seth's relationship came about. It shows us different sides to these characters that we had seen in Hard to Love. How Laura reacted to Seth wanting her to be his and only his. How shy she was at first and how determined Seth was to make her his. I didn't think I could love this couple any more than I already do, but this book proved that to be untrue.

It was full of emotions and a bit of angst and it did pull at my heartstrings. I was completely fixated on these two from the start, so to see how they came together and become each other... It was amazing to read.

Once again, Willow Winters flaws me with her ability to weave together her words and create a book that has me consumed beyond belief.

If you are reading this book first and haven't read Hard to Love and Desperate to Touch, IT IS A MUST, and they are already available to purchase. You will not be disappointed. Be prepared for one hell of a ride when it comes to these two. Ms. Winters does not hold back and that's one of the many reasons I love her work!

5 Stars!

[Sheena ☆ Book Sheenanigans]

[A Book Obsessed Brit]

Longing to hold is a short and sweet prequel to the Hard to Love series. It gives a little insight to Seth and Laura's relationship a few weeks after their worlds collide, when they are both young adults.
This quick read novella is in dual POV and you can feel already how Seth is a man who goes after what he wants consequences be damned - a quality that hasn't changed over the years to the man he is now. Both characters are equally smitten with one another and I liked the insight it gave me before all the darkness clouds their world.

[Anakalia]

The title is program.... in this prequel everything revolves around longing.....
Seth and Laura yearn to become a couple. The chemistry between them is off the charts, the anticipation of their first kiss builds up painfully slowly....
I loved the young Seth and his dominant but caring way for Laura ... he is simply irresistible!
And I loved Laura and her sass.

A real appetizer for this amazing series!

[Sybil-Ann’s Reading Journey]

SETH & LAURA, PRELUDE TO THEIR HEART AND SOUL GRIPPING STORY.

This prelude was such a welcome surprise to the Hard To Love series, Seth and Laura’s story grips my heart in ways that I can’t fully describe. There’s a sweetness amidst the chaos and violence that surrounds their lives.
Longing To Hold is the perfect introduction to their all consuming story.
Again, Willow Winters writes with her heart and every emotion can be felt through her words. Her characters pulse to life and there is a special something about this story that is so raw and beautiful.
5 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Pnina Azar]

To understand the story of Seth and Laura, Willow Winters gives us a first glimpse and how it all began.
Also in this prequel you can see that their story is not easy. See how their raw story develops into an amazing story full of secrets and anger yet there is a huge love.
Willow does so with so much emotion that you fall in love with them the first moment.

[sara elizabeth reads]

What a great introduction into the Hard to Love series. Can I tell you I’m already kind of in love with Seth and Laura? I am already very excited to start the hard to love series but reading this prelude really amped up my excitement.

Super short and quick, I read it in about 10/20 minutes, but well worth it. Can’t wait to see where this series takes up.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Misty Schott]

Excellent prequel to Seth and Laura's story!!!

This is a wonderful quick introduction to Seth and Laura's story. Seth has decided he wants Laura to be his and he will do whatever it takes to make that happen. Then grab Hard to Love which is the beginning of their story.

[Madeleine]

This prequel was good from beginning to end and it gave you an insight about Laura and Seth's relationship. The beginning of what promises to be a beautiful relationship between Seth and Laura. Loved it.

[Mar-Mar bookaholic]

I love W. Winters writing. You have to be in a specific mood to read them. As I read her new book Wounded Kiss, I discovered there is still much to read from her.

So here I am and I hope this will be good.

It's prequel and we have a short story how their love story started, well kind of.

[Tara]

This was so good! A prequel to Hard To Love. The love story of Laura and Seth. Secrets, secrets, and more secrets. I have a feeling I know what it is but not 100% sure. But whatever it will be, will devastate Laura. Guess we’ll find out! Starting HTL immediately!

[Dana]

Glad I read this before Hard to Love.

[Marisela M. Chavez]

An amazing start Seth and Laura story. Can’t wait to see how it all plays out.

[Mandi]

Loved this novella. I’m invested in learning more now with the full story!

[emily ✨️]

wish i read this before the first one but i already love them ❤️

[Joan]

Review of eBook

Laura, still reeling from the death of her father, finds solace in Seth’s self-appointed duty of walking her home; she dreams of a relationship with him while he [unbeknownst to her] wants her. But will the secret he’s keeping destroy any chance of a relationship with her?

This short story, a prequel to the author’s “Hard to Love,” focuses on teens Laura and Seth as the relationship between them sparks to life. For most of the story, they are usually at school or on the way home after. When they do finally have a date of sorts, Seth’s friend, Derrick, doesn’t seem to think much of Seth and Laura having a relationship; nevertheless, Seth perseveres.

But Seth and Derrick, along with some unnamed others, are involved in something clandestine. What are they involved in and what does it have to do with the death of Laura’s father? And what is the secret Seth is determined to keep from Laura . . . forever? Readers will find no hint regarding any of this in these pages.

Unanswered questions remain when the reader has turned the last page. [Presumably, these are resolved in “Hard to Love”]; here they set the stage for events to come and provide an undercurrent of mystery for the larger story.

As Laura and Seth each take a turn at telling their story, there’s enough longing and teen angst to offset Laura’s shyness and Seth’s determination to keep something from her. There is a hint of sweetness in the story that softens the fretting over what the reader knows is coming . . . but no one knows exactly what that might be.

The only downside here is the overuse of an offensive expletive; it’s off-putting and lowers the rating for this story.

[Brianne Pennington]

After finishing, Hard to Love, I just needed a little bit more.  Instead of reading the next book in the series, I decided to jump into the prelude.  I was not disappointed.  This was the perfect enhancement/addition to Hard to Love and just what I needed/wanted after reading that book.

[Porch Swing Pages]

I need to read the rest of this series!

[AussieBookAddict (Mel)]

My Rating: ★★★☆☆

Longing To Hold by Willow Winters is a beautifully written, emotionally charged contemporary romance that leans heavily into longing, connection, and the fragile tension of almost-relationships. As an introduction to the Hard To Love series, it effectively sets the tone for a world built on emotional restraint, unresolved desire, and moments that feel both fleeting and deeply significant.

The strength of this novella lies primarily in its atmosphere and writing style. Willow Winters has a distinct ability to craft emotionally immersive scenes with a lyrical, almost poetic quality, and that is very present here. The story captures the feeling of holding onto something that is not quite attainable, where intimacy exists in stolen moments and unspoken understanding rather than fully realised connection. That sense of yearning is consistent throughout and gives the book its emotional weight.

However, because of its brevity, the story feels more like an extended prelude than a fully developed narrative. The emotional beats are compelling, but there is limited space for deeper character exploration or relationship progression. As a result, the connection between the characters feels more implied than fully earned, relying heavily on tone and suggestion rather than structured development.

The cliffhanger ending reinforces this sense of incompleteness. While it effectively builds anticipation for the rest of the series, it also leaves the reader with more questions than emotional resolution. This will likely work well for readers who enjoy serialised romance storytelling, but may feel slightly unsatisfying for those looking for a contained arc.

Despite this, the writing quality remains consistently strong, and the emotional tone is what carries the novella. It successfully establishes the foundation for what the series aims to explore, particularly in terms of longing, emotional complexity, and romantic tension.

I would recommend Longing To Hold to readers who enjoy slow-burn emotional romance, lyrical writing styles, and series that focus on unresolved tension and anticipation rather than immediate payoff. Fans of Willow Winters’ signature emotional intensity will likely appreciate the tone, even if the story itself feels intentionally incomplete.

Overall, this is a tender, atmospheric, and emotionally driven novella that prioritises mood and longing over resolution; making it a strong but brief introduction to the Hard To Love series, best appreciated as a setup rather than a standalone romance.

[Kriss]

2020.11.16.hétfő elolvastam 23:25

4 oldal

Főszereplők- Laura Roth & Seth King

Emlékeztető: Laura gyászolj az édesapját. Seth mindig hazakíséri, de nagyon titokzatos. Nem lehet tudni, hogy milyen hátsó szándéka van. Rövid idő alatt közelebb kerülnek, de az első csók még nem csattant el... Seth rettentően akarja Laurát, és meg is kapja...legalább is saját állítása szerint. Majd kiderül.

Na szóval ez a rövid előrész egy sorozat első része és kurva jó volt. Mármint az első oldal lenyűgözött és a többi is. Ilyen egy tökéletes bevezető egy sorozatban.

Ami tetszett:
-valóságos
-rohadtul tudtam azonosulni a csajjal, pont olyan érzései és megfigyelései vannak, mint nekem. Végre.
-a könyvborító nagyon találó az eddigi sztorihoz
-titokzatos a sztori, de ettől még jó
-párbeszéd: szépen lassan melegednek össze, elég szerény a beszélgetés közöttük, de van egy kis flörtölés is
-tökéletesen àbrázolja az író, hogy milyen amikor gyakorlatilag egy olyan ember tetszik, aki elérhetetlen vagy foglalt, olyan érzéseket kelt a sztoriban, amik ilyen szitukban alakulnak ki
-a gyász részletezése és az ehhez való viszonyulás. Ilyent még egy könyvben sem olvastam. És tudtam azonosulni vele. Érdekes volt számomra erről olvasni.
-Laura naplózza az eseményeket. Hát cuki. Én is szoktam. Ebben is tudok azonosulni vele. Minél több dologban tudok azonosulni vele, annál jobb lesz majd.

Nem tetszett:
-van egy rossz érzésem, hogy ez az egész sztori elmehet egy nagyon rossz irányba. Remélem, kérlek, kérlek, ne menjen el rossz irányba.
-van egy olyan érzésem, hogy Seth tett valami rosszat és ez utol fogja érni őt a következő részben

☆☆☆☆☆ régóta adtam 5 csillagot egy könyvnek. Bevezetésnek ez megfelelt, de vajon továbbra is le fog nyűgözni?! Nagyon remélem, hogy nem fogok csalódni.

[Cynema]

THE ART OF THE TEASE -- **4.5 intrigued stars**

"Everyone lets me be ... everyone, except for Seth King"

With this prequel to the Hard To Love series, W.(illow) Winters has certainly perfected the art of the tease. My 2020 resolution to branch out in my reading has paid off by rediscovering this author and her ability to engulf me in absorbing characters and infectious storylines. And what a tease this story snippet is … Who are these teens and what is it that should keep them apart? Who exactly is Seth King? High schooler Laura is withdrawn, bordering on being a misfit, while mourning the death of a parent. High school senior Seth King takes a protective interest in Laura and walks her home after school each day. Sparks fly between them, but Seth doesn’t act on it ... because he shouldn't. Yet he can't stop wanting her ...

I don’t care that bad boy Seth behaves older than he is – it makes him more commanding and intriguing. There are criminal overtones nipping at the seams of this love story, and it wouldn’t have quite the same ring if Seth was a typical teen. So much more than meets the eye ensnared me in the situation of these would-be lovers. The prequel grabbed my immediate attention, and is riddled with enough understated tension and mystery surrounding this couple to whet my appetite instantly and 1-click all the books in the series. I’m left feeling a little tight in the chest about revelations-to-come in an obviously star-crossed romance, but the novella more than piques my interest.