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Hard Cash Trilogy #1
Hard Cash
Determined to win the heart of a beautiful, snobbish girl, Rich becomes convinced that material wealth is the key and so begins to pursue work with an agency to get all the fancy perks that are certain to impress her, yet soon his grades at the university begin to suffer greatly and decisions will need to be made.
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 20, 2001
5 people are currently reading
234 people want to read
About the author
Kate Cann
45 books239 followersWhen I was a child, I wanted to be a witch. My first foray into writing was a series of nasty spells full of rats’ tails and bats’ wings. Then, when I turned thirteen, I began keeping a lurid diary, full of adoration or loathing, depending on who I was writing about. I used my later diaries for the Diving In trilogy.
I never thought ‘I want to be a writer’, but I loved books and writing. At school, I was rubbish at just about everything but English, so I went on to Kent University where I did two degrees in English and American Literature. At Kent, I fell dramatically in love with the man I'm still married to. We had loads of fights and adventures, but we kept coming back together. He's still the person I most want to spend time with. Awww!
My first proper job was in a publishing house, Time Life Books, as a copy-editor. I felt very glamorous. I used to go to the huge YMCA on Tottenham Court Road at lunchtime and do aerobics classes (very big in the 1980s and yes - I wore legwarmers). Then I'd fall asleep over my desk in the afternoon.
When my two kids came along, I set up as a freelance copy-editor and worked from home. By chance I got given some teenage books to edit, and I hated the way they treated sexual relationships: they were either full of gloom and doom, or were gushy, unrealistic candyfloss. So I got bitten by the ‘I can do better than this’ bug, and started writing. I remember the first day I started to write - it took me over. I forgot to eat (unthinkable for me) and I nearly forgot to collect the kids from school. About a year after that, Diving In was accepted for publication.
When I ran out of material from my diaries and memories, I realized my daughter and son were teenagers, and started eavesdropping on them. They were extremely tolerant about this although they did sometimes demand money from me.
Big changes have been afoot recently. My kids have left home - really left home, not just gap-year-travelling/university left home, and my old man is doing the sort of work that means he can work from home a lot of the time. So we've sold up and moved into the wilds of Wiltshire and so far I am absolutely loving it. The space, the silence, seeing the stars at night in the pitch black, the owls, the trees, the walks, the great food in the local pubs - everything! I'd started to bring nature into my books - it all started with Crow Girl - and now I'm working on two books about a city girl who gets plunged into the wilds. So the move is very much linked to and helping my writing. I think the sheer beauty and power of nature and how it can get right inside you is something a lot of kids are cut off from today.
I still love London though - the plan is to come up every couple of weeks, catch up with all my old mates, possibly do something seriously cultured like go to the theatre. And I want to travel a bit more, too - offsetting my increased carbon footprint with an enormous compost heap.
I love long conversations, running, reading, gardening, walking and white wine (in moderation of course) and I’m the first to admit I have the life of Reilly (who apparently had a pretty cushy life). I start the day with a run or walk with my dog, when I think about what’s going to happen next in the book I’m writing. Then I have a huge breakfast, and get down to work. I write on (or if it’s cold, in) the spare bed with a laptop, my dog at the bottom of the bed. If it’s sunny, I write in the garden, on a sun-lounger. Tough, ay? I also have this theory that you can’t be truly creative for more than about three or four hours a day, so in the mid afternoon, I knock off, and do my emails and stuff. Told you it was cushy.
I never thought ‘I want to be a writer’, but I loved books and writing. At school, I was rubbish at just about everything but English, so I went on to Kent University where I did two degrees in English and American Literature. At Kent, I fell dramatically in love with the man I'm still married to. We had loads of fights and adventures, but we kept coming back together. He's still the person I most want to spend time with. Awww!
My first proper job was in a publishing house, Time Life Books, as a copy-editor. I felt very glamorous. I used to go to the huge YMCA on Tottenham Court Road at lunchtime and do aerobics classes (very big in the 1980s and yes - I wore legwarmers). Then I'd fall asleep over my desk in the afternoon.
When my two kids came along, I set up as a freelance copy-editor and worked from home. By chance I got given some teenage books to edit, and I hated the way they treated sexual relationships: they were either full of gloom and doom, or were gushy, unrealistic candyfloss. So I got bitten by the ‘I can do better than this’ bug, and started writing. I remember the first day I started to write - it took me over. I forgot to eat (unthinkable for me) and I nearly forgot to collect the kids from school. About a year after that, Diving In was accepted for publication.
When I ran out of material from my diaries and memories, I realized my daughter and son were teenagers, and started eavesdropping on them. They were extremely tolerant about this although they did sometimes demand money from me.
Big changes have been afoot recently. My kids have left home - really left home, not just gap-year-travelling/university left home, and my old man is doing the sort of work that means he can work from home a lot of the time. So we've sold up and moved into the wilds of Wiltshire and so far I am absolutely loving it. The space, the silence, seeing the stars at night in the pitch black, the owls, the trees, the walks, the great food in the local pubs - everything! I'd started to bring nature into my books - it all started with Crow Girl - and now I'm working on two books about a city girl who gets plunged into the wilds. So the move is very much linked to and helping my writing. I think the sheer beauty and power of nature and how it can get right inside you is something a lot of kids are cut off from today.
I still love London though - the plan is to come up every couple of weeks, catch up with all my old mates, possibly do something seriously cultured like go to the theatre. And I want to travel a bit more, too - offsetting my increased carbon footprint with an enormous compost heap.
I love long conversations, running, reading, gardening, walking and white wine (in moderation of course) and I’m the first to admit I have the life of Reilly (who apparently had a pretty cushy life). I start the day with a run or walk with my dog, when I think about what’s going to happen next in the book I’m writing. Then I have a huge breakfast, and get down to work. I write on (or if it’s cold, in) the spare bed with a laptop, my dog at the bottom of the bed. If it’s sunny, I write in the garden, on a sun-lounger. Tough, ay? I also have this theory that you can’t be truly creative for more than about three or four hours a day, so in the mid afternoon, I knock off, and do my emails and stuff. Told you it was cushy.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 25, 2021
Fue muy difícil conseguir esta trilogía, hace mucho la quería leer completa y solo 12 años después de haber descubierto el primer libro me ha sido posible. Primer libro Contante y sonante. La historia de Richard, un joven de 18 años, estudiante de artes, agobiado por la falta de dinero, pero con ganas de comerse el mundo cuando una propuesta aparentemente prometedora se le cruza en el camino. En este primer libro como siempre no pretendo hacer un resumen de la historia, más bien expongo el trasfondo de la experiencia personal a través de las paginas leídas. Este libro muestra a un adolescente con talento que por su juventud quizá, no ha definido sus prioridades, precisamente por el mal general de pensar que todo se puede resolver con el dinero. Pero una vez que se tiene, ¿quiénes somos? ¿a qué le damos importancia? y lo más importante, ¿sabemos utilizarlo? es una buena reflexión y me gusta que el personaje y la historia va hacia ese descubrimiento de lo realmente importante en la vida, que en ocasiones pueden no ser cosas materiales, sino aquello que no se puede comprar y que conserva mucho más valor. Eso nos lo mostrará Kate Cann con varios de sus personajes secundarios incluso desde esta primera parte. ¡Vamos por las otras dos!
March 11, 2008
I read this book during my teens. Most of the books I'd read up until that point were from the female POV, so it was interesting to see it from the male's side. Well written and unputdownable!
July 24, 2012
I want to re-read it, just found out it's part of a trilogy
January 30, 2024
Another shit book that I loved 10+ years ago (and will probably read like 5 times this year)
The main character sucks x
The main character sucks x
August 17, 2012
I have had this book on my shelve for about 2 years at least, I just never seemed to get round to it. But as I was having a readathon this week, I cleared my locker at work of books and brought them all home to read and this happened to be in there.
To be honest I didn't know much about them apart from the fact that they appear to be Girly/contemporary novels but told from a boys point of view. This is quite a rare occurrence so that piqued my curiosity. I mean from the cover design it's clear they aren't aimed at boys!
Rich is broke, he never has much money and neither does his parents, they scrimp and save on everything but he's starting to get fed up with it. Taking a chance on getting some money he sends some sketches off to some art/design companies hoping to get some work and sure enough one gives him a lucky call. Soon he has money, new clothes, and the girl of his dreams. But is it everything he wants?
I will put a warning right here before I even get to the book properly, this is not suitable for younger readers, there is quite a bit of reference to sex and nudity in this book. It's not massively over the top or graphic but it's there. If it had been a tiny bit more present then I would have given up, but as it was I just skimmed the ruder bits.
To me, Rich was a self-centered arrogant little wotsit, he has no respect for his parents or teachers and really just seems girls as an object of lust. He talks back and is lazy, he skips school and does what he wants when he wants. To be honest he thoroughly annoyed me for most of the book, but despite that i had this weird feeling like he could change or that I should give him a chance, I think I saw a hint of goodness in him so I stuck with it.
These are written quite well and the style flows well, I read it in a couple of hours so they are definitely easy reads which is another reason I stuck with it.
I liked his art teacher Huw, he made me laugh and I could feel his frustration when dealing with Rich. And then Nick and his wife Barb, who run the design company interested in Nick, are funny, crazy and spunky. They have a real energy to them and make the book feel more fun and alive. I liked their input and the effect they had on Rich.
This book did make a chage to the normal chick lit out there and seeing into a guys mind was different and I think I started to enjoy it. I certainly was interested enough to go onto book 2.
So if you want a lazy summer read, the sort of thing you can read whilst relaxing on the beach or in your back garden then this will be a good one, but it probably won't 'wow' you!
To be honest I didn't know much about them apart from the fact that they appear to be Girly/contemporary novels but told from a boys point of view. This is quite a rare occurrence so that piqued my curiosity. I mean from the cover design it's clear they aren't aimed at boys!
Rich is broke, he never has much money and neither does his parents, they scrimp and save on everything but he's starting to get fed up with it. Taking a chance on getting some money he sends some sketches off to some art/design companies hoping to get some work and sure enough one gives him a lucky call. Soon he has money, new clothes, and the girl of his dreams. But is it everything he wants?
I will put a warning right here before I even get to the book properly, this is not suitable for younger readers, there is quite a bit of reference to sex and nudity in this book. It's not massively over the top or graphic but it's there. If it had been a tiny bit more present then I would have given up, but as it was I just skimmed the ruder bits.
To me, Rich was a self-centered arrogant little wotsit, he has no respect for his parents or teachers and really just seems girls as an object of lust. He talks back and is lazy, he skips school and does what he wants when he wants. To be honest he thoroughly annoyed me for most of the book, but despite that i had this weird feeling like he could change or that I should give him a chance, I think I saw a hint of goodness in him so I stuck with it.
These are written quite well and the style flows well, I read it in a couple of hours so they are definitely easy reads which is another reason I stuck with it.
I liked his art teacher Huw, he made me laugh and I could feel his frustration when dealing with Rich. And then Nick and his wife Barb, who run the design company interested in Nick, are funny, crazy and spunky. They have a real energy to them and make the book feel more fun and alive. I liked their input and the effect they had on Rich.
This book did make a chage to the normal chick lit out there and seeing into a guys mind was different and I think I started to enjoy it. I certainly was interested enough to go onto book 2.
So if you want a lazy summer read, the sort of thing you can read whilst relaxing on the beach or in your back garden then this will be a good one, but it probably won't 'wow' you!
November 4, 2016
Money, money , and more money that's all Rich thinks about in the book “Hard cash” by Kate Cann. But things take a huge turn when Rich discovers money can most definitely change your life.
Rich is a ,poor, young man in college for art ,but it takes a huge turn when he sends in his artwork to company. But when money flows his way, everything begins to change from the girl of his “dreams” , to the clothes , the houses, and even school. But how much can money REALLY change you?
“Hard cash” is perfect and has my utmost recommendation for the ones that like to make decisions and for the others that choose to take risks. “Hard cash” is the book where the problems keep coming and you cannot set it down.
MONEY…..
“I stare at him, face blank. I feel like the whole of my body is being flooded with something strong and sweet. Then my hand slowly detaches itself from my side and trembles its way across the desk and closes round the fat , thick , delicious , dirty-edged wad of money.”
WOMEN…...
“Oh don't be so sour, richy! Come on lighten up!” and she starts schmoozing these little breathy kisses up the side of my face. I can't resist it not for long. I start kissing her back, and soon were into a really heavy session. I’m having these unreconstructed male thoughts like - she owes me.”
CONFLICT…..
“The kitchen feels like it's swaying , shaking, like all the airs been sucked from it. “Richard” whispers mum. “You apologize, you-”
I don't want him to apologize, dad grits out. His voice full of disgust, loaded with it. His apology would mean nothing .
“Im going” I choke out .
“yes” says dad “get out”
SCHOOL…..
“It's a serious warning signed by the principle. It lists all my unauthorized absences from lectures and lessons. Its lists my failure to turn in assignments, course work, essays. It winds up reminding me of the contract i signed when i enrolled, promising to fulfil the requirements of college, and ends up threatening to kick me out at the end to term if i don't rectify things very fast”
Even though the book is a great piece it's has its ups and downs. The book leaves you with a sort of unsatisfying ending. It leaves you on edge like “why????!!! ”. Other than that it's a really good book that I recommend and would love to read the second!
Rich is a ,poor, young man in college for art ,but it takes a huge turn when he sends in his artwork to company. But when money flows his way, everything begins to change from the girl of his “dreams” , to the clothes , the houses, and even school. But how much can money REALLY change you?
“Hard cash” is perfect and has my utmost recommendation for the ones that like to make decisions and for the others that choose to take risks. “Hard cash” is the book where the problems keep coming and you cannot set it down.
MONEY…..
“I stare at him, face blank. I feel like the whole of my body is being flooded with something strong and sweet. Then my hand slowly detaches itself from my side and trembles its way across the desk and closes round the fat , thick , delicious , dirty-edged wad of money.”
WOMEN…...
“Oh don't be so sour, richy! Come on lighten up!” and she starts schmoozing these little breathy kisses up the side of my face. I can't resist it not for long. I start kissing her back, and soon were into a really heavy session. I’m having these unreconstructed male thoughts like - she owes me.”
CONFLICT…..
“The kitchen feels like it's swaying , shaking, like all the airs been sucked from it. “Richard” whispers mum. “You apologize, you-”
I don't want him to apologize, dad grits out. His voice full of disgust, loaded with it. His apology would mean nothing .
“Im going” I choke out .
“yes” says dad “get out”
SCHOOL…..
“It's a serious warning signed by the principle. It lists all my unauthorized absences from lectures and lessons. Its lists my failure to turn in assignments, course work, essays. It winds up reminding me of the contract i signed when i enrolled, promising to fulfil the requirements of college, and ends up threatening to kick me out at the end to term if i don't rectify things very fast”
Even though the book is a great piece it's has its ups and downs. The book leaves you with a sort of unsatisfying ending. It leaves you on edge like “why????!!! ”. Other than that it's a really good book that I recommend and would love to read the second!
Read
April 8, 2009I actually found that this book was pretty intresting. It was a story about a guy who doesn't have more cash but definately wishes he were wealthy. Rich (the protagonist) is secretly in love with a girl who isn't exactly in his league. Eventually Rich's wish comes true and he has more money than he can count. Although Rich gets all the money he could ask for it starts to bring him issues later in the novel.
i honestly picked this book only because i thoght the cover art was intresting and i know "dont judge a book by its cover" but its good i did cause i found a good book. I recomend this book to anyone who thinks money is the greatest thing in the world because in this book you learn it isnt.
i honestly picked this book only because i thoght the cover art was intresting and i know "dont judge a book by its cover" but its good i did cause i found a good book. I recomend this book to anyone who thinks money is the greatest thing in the world because in this book you learn it isnt.
September 16, 2009
Hard Cash was a pretty good book. It was practical ... it seemed a great way to portray a teenage mind ... i mean that's really how simple it comes down to, you know. Rich was a great character and I enjoyed him quite a lot. His art was amazing too ... at least the pix i have in mind are lol. Hated Portia but then again I hate all girls like that. Bonny was cool ... she seems perfect for him! Can't wait to go out and buy the next two books :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2017
Jag gillade den här boken. Den var mycket djupare än jag hade förväntat mig och är nog den bästa boken jag läst av Cann hittills. Jag tycker att boken är en bra skildring över hur många känner i min ålder (15 och äldre), det här att man tycker att skolan är tråkig och att man vill klara sig själv.
February 19, 2012
I actually think the Swedish cover is much nicer.....read this book in Swedish....
April 9, 2012
100 pages in and the kid is incredibly irritating.
it was just too tough to look past how annoying the kid was.
it was just too tough to look past how annoying the kid was.
Want to read
January 24, 2013test
August 7, 2014
Not a bad book at all. The main character is so painfully 17, though. Wish I could shake him to make him get a grip.
May 14, 2015
Another great book by Kate Cann
July 26, 2015
Good Book - simple but effective in portraying the need for cash against life - for a youngster anyway. Enjoyed it from beginning to end.
January 11, 2017
I remember REALLY LIKING this book as a teen - and wishing I had the other installments - alas this was before the internet existed and I never found out what happened to Cash!
July 16, 2023
Think Iv read this 3 times now, starting when I was a teenager. Love them! Such a good read.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews