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Hat Trick Barbers #1
Hard Part
Damian Benitez and Paz Alva have been best friends for years.
Until one night, when the lines got blurred, but instead of telling Paz how he felt, he shied away, afraid to give in to his dad's expectations for his life. And he’s regretted it ever since.
Now he’s back in his hometown of Desert Rose, CA, after his father's death, with plans to stay and build a business with his brother and cousins. Damian finally has something more to offer Paz than following him from army base to army base.
He knows he has his work cut out for him if she’s going to give him a chance. But he doesn’t mind. Anything worthwhile takes work. The hard parts in life usually lead to the sweetest rewards, and he’s more than ready to lay his heart on the line.
Until one night, when the lines got blurred, but instead of telling Paz how he felt, he shied away, afraid to give in to his dad's expectations for his life. And he’s regretted it ever since.
Now he’s back in his hometown of Desert Rose, CA, after his father's death, with plans to stay and build a business with his brother and cousins. Damian finally has something more to offer Paz than following him from army base to army base.
He knows he has his work cut out for him if she’s going to give him a chance. But he doesn’t mind. Anything worthwhile takes work. The hard parts in life usually lead to the sweetest rewards, and he’s more than ready to lay his heart on the line.
72 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2022
39 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 15, 2022
I've tried again with this author but sometimes, she made her heroines doormats... like in this book
The author seems to be spanish, like me, and I'm shocked she could think we could stand with that kind of behaviour... sorry but when a man left your bed and doesn't come back for 6 WEEKS, sees you around and act like he doesn't know you and then came back to your door with burrritos...if you end up fucking him, you are a doormat and in Spain He'd be wounded...
Not romantic enough for me,
The heroine tries to say a few interesting angry things, but it lasts one minute before the make up sex
Sorry, don't mean any disrespect but not for me,
The author seems to be spanish, like me, and I'm shocked she could think we could stand with that kind of behaviour... sorry but when a man left your bed and doesn't come back for 6 WEEKS, sees you around and act like he doesn't know you and then came back to your door with burrritos...if you end up fucking him, you are a doormat and in Spain He'd be wounded...
Not romantic enough for me,
The heroine tries to say a few interesting angry things, but it lasts one minute before the make up sex
Sorry, don't mean any disrespect but not for me,
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2024
WOW!! Fab*u*lous Absolutely love this one!! I couldn't put this one down. This was a nice quick, short read.
Damian and Paz knew each other in high school, they were best friends. They never dated, Paz went to college while Damian joined the army. When Damian and Paz turn thirty one, he's home, after they have a day together. Damian is with his brother and cousin's when he gets a text from Paz telling him she made it home. His brother and cousin's start to tease him about their relationship. Damian doesn't think Paz sees him that way, but he's been in love with her. Damian went and joined the army because of his father and so that Paz could make a good life for herself, and fall in love with someone else. After the teasing Damian goes on a walk but finds himself at Paz's door, when she opens it she lets him inside. They pleasure one another and then make love. The next day Damian treats Paz like nothing happened between the took of the breaking Paz's heart. When Damian gets a call from his mother that his father passed away he heads home for the funeral. Damian decided he needs to come home to be with his mother and doesn't re-enlist. Damian his brother and cousins make plans to start a barber shop call Hat Trick. When Damian goes to look at the shop Paz is there to show him around, he doesn't think it's the right place. Paz tells him its the perfect place for their barber shop. The next day Damian shows up at her place with breakfast and coffee for them. They spend the day together not caring about he outside world, Damian tells Paz they need to talk. Damian explains to Paz what was going on in his head and why he left. Damian tells Paz it's always been her, he's in love with her and will be married to her one day. Paz tells Damian she's in love with him also. They head to the bedroom where they make love. When the day arrives for them to open up the Hat Trick they have a large turnout. Damian is surprised and realizes that Paz was right about the location. When Damian arrives home he finds his mother sitting in the dark. He soon realizes she's been crying, and Damian hasn't been the son he should have been. Damian and his mother have a talk about his father. His mother tells him that Damian and his father alway fought because his father only wanted the best for him and knew that he belonged with Paz. His father only wanted his son's to have what he had with his wife, a happy life and love. Six months later, the barber shop has been doing great. Damian has Paz come to a home he secretly bought behind her back. It's a home she raved about to him and a friend. When Paz arrives she asks him what he did, he asks her to just go with it. Damian shows Paz around the home, she tells him she know, she's shown this house before. When they arrive in the master bedroom he asks her to open the closet door, when she does flowers are all around. When Paz turns around Damian is on one knee and asks her to marry him. Paz tells him they are already getting married in two weeks. Damian tells Paz he never asked her official if she would marry him. Then Paz finds out that Damian bought the house and she tells him she lost out on the commission. They're going to get married and have a home for the rest of their lives. Several years later, all boys are now with their happy ever afters. Damian's mother runs around chasing her grandchildren. Damian and Paz have triplets boys, Camilo, Cisco, and Cesar. They had to go thought IVF after trying for a few years but their boys just celebrated their fifth birthday. Paz tells Damian she needs to talk to him so they head out to his father's shed. Paz tells Damian about the talk she had with his father one of the times after he had come home. Paz then tells Damian she's pregnant and they're having a girl this time with no IVF. Paz is five months pregnant and she didn't realize it. Damian is so happy tears start to flow, Paz tells him that everything is going to be alright.
Damian and Paz knew each other in high school, they were best friends. They never dated, Paz went to college while Damian joined the army. When Damian and Paz turn thirty one, he's home, after they have a day together. Damian is with his brother and cousin's when he gets a text from Paz telling him she made it home. His brother and cousin's start to tease him about their relationship. Damian doesn't think Paz sees him that way, but he's been in love with her. Damian went and joined the army because of his father and so that Paz could make a good life for herself, and fall in love with someone else. After the teasing Damian goes on a walk but finds himself at Paz's door, when she opens it she lets him inside. They pleasure one another and then make love. The next day Damian treats Paz like nothing happened between the took of the breaking Paz's heart. When Damian gets a call from his mother that his father passed away he heads home for the funeral. Damian decided he needs to come home to be with his mother and doesn't re-enlist. Damian his brother and cousins make plans to start a barber shop call Hat Trick. When Damian goes to look at the shop Paz is there to show him around, he doesn't think it's the right place. Paz tells him its the perfect place for their barber shop. The next day Damian shows up at her place with breakfast and coffee for them. They spend the day together not caring about he outside world, Damian tells Paz they need to talk. Damian explains to Paz what was going on in his head and why he left. Damian tells Paz it's always been her, he's in love with her and will be married to her one day. Paz tells Damian she's in love with him also. They head to the bedroom where they make love. When the day arrives for them to open up the Hat Trick they have a large turnout. Damian is surprised and realizes that Paz was right about the location. When Damian arrives home he finds his mother sitting in the dark. He soon realizes she's been crying, and Damian hasn't been the son he should have been. Damian and his mother have a talk about his father. His mother tells him that Damian and his father alway fought because his father only wanted the best for him and knew that he belonged with Paz. His father only wanted his son's to have what he had with his wife, a happy life and love. Six months later, the barber shop has been doing great. Damian has Paz come to a home he secretly bought behind her back. It's a home she raved about to him and a friend. When Paz arrives she asks him what he did, he asks her to just go with it. Damian shows Paz around the home, she tells him she know, she's shown this house before. When they arrive in the master bedroom he asks her to open the closet door, when she does flowers are all around. When Paz turns around Damian is on one knee and asks her to marry him. Paz tells him they are already getting married in two weeks. Damian tells Paz he never asked her official if she would marry him. Then Paz finds out that Damian bought the house and she tells him she lost out on the commission. They're going to get married and have a home for the rest of their lives. Several years later, all boys are now with their happy ever afters. Damian's mother runs around chasing her grandchildren. Damian and Paz have triplets boys, Camilo, Cisco, and Cesar. They had to go thought IVF after trying for a few years but their boys just celebrated their fifth birthday. Paz tells Damian she needs to talk to him so they head out to his father's shed. Paz tells Damian about the talk she had with his father one of the times after he had come home. Paz then tells Damian she's pregnant and they're having a girl this time with no IVF. Paz is five months pregnant and she didn't realize it. Damian is so happy tears start to flow, Paz tells him that everything is going to be alright.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2022
Damien and Paz have been BFF’s since the 7th grade. They both like each other but are equally afraid to admit it. At one point they do get together but Damien - being a guy, had to go and ruin it. Now he has to figure out how to win back the love of his life.
Mayra Statham has written some fabulous books! Everything that I have read from her, I have absolutely loved! This book concentrates on some Mexican-American families, which I love because I come from one! Her mark on the family’s interactions and traditions are spot on!
Mayra Statham has written some fabulous books! Everything that I have read from her, I have absolutely loved! This book concentrates on some Mexican-American families, which I love because I come from one! Her mark on the family’s interactions and traditions are spot on!
September 18, 2022
This is the first of a four-part series about four Spanish Americans, brothers and cousins who grew up together and are now around 30 years old. This second chance story was a heartwarming tale of Damian and his BFF Paz as he returns from the service but allows his pride of not allowing his father to 'boss' him, to keep him from proposing to his love. When his father dies, he makes up his mind to change his ways. A short but good read. Recommended.
September 25, 2022
2✯
°Switching POVs
°Non virgin MCs
°Both with others after meeting
°Friends to lovers (they met when they were kids, both are 31 y/o when they get together)
°Weak MCs
°No OW/OM drama
°6 week separation
°No condoms
°No cheating or scenes with OP
°Epilogue: around 10 years later
----"Haci" is not a word, it's "Así" and it's "Mírame" not "Mira me" 😞
°Switching POVs
°Non virgin MCs
°Both with others after meeting
°Friends to lovers (they met when they were kids, both are 31 y/o when they get together)
°Weak MCs
°No OW/OM drama
°6 week separation
°No condoms
°No cheating or scenes with OP
°Epilogue: around 10 years later
----"Haci" is not a word, it's "Así" and it's "Mírame" not "Mira me" 😞
November 2, 2022
Great characters and great story! I always love a good friends to lovers story. I loved how much Damien cared for Paz, but I got a little worried that he might have lost his chance. He was angry at his father and needed to get away. Paz was brokenhearted when Damien left. When he comes back would he be able to convince her that he really does love her? I'm looking forward to reading the other books in this series.
June 8, 2025
Title: Hard Part
Author: Martha Statham
Format: Audio
Narrator: Hector Carrillo
Genre: Romance, Friends to Lovers
Standalone: yes
Part of a Series: Hat Trick Barbershop book 1
POV: Damien, Paz
Steam Level: warm
4/5
Damien and Paz have been besties since middle school. Both liked each other but didn’t want to ruin their friendship. One night nearly did though. I liked the grovel and how trust needed to be earned back.
Overall I enjoyed this book. It was a fun start to a new series.
Author: Martha Statham
Format: Audio
Narrator: Hector Carrillo
Genre: Romance, Friends to Lovers
Standalone: yes
Part of a Series: Hat Trick Barbershop book 1
POV: Damien, Paz
Steam Level: warm
4/5
Damien and Paz have been besties since middle school. Both liked each other but didn’t want to ruin their friendship. One night nearly did though. I liked the grovel and how trust needed to be earned back.
Overall I enjoyed this book. It was a fun start to a new series.
September 16, 2022
Fantastic read!
Another fantastic read by this author and the start of a new series!!
Paz and Damien have been friends forever but things have started to change. Will they be brave enough to take that step?
In amongst all that Damien and his brothers are about to go into business together!
A great, good feel read!
Another fantastic read by this author and the start of a new series!!
Paz and Damien have been friends forever but things have started to change. Will they be brave enough to take that step?
In amongst all that Damien and his brothers are about to go into business together!
A great, good feel read!
September 16, 2022
4.5* read, emotional
Damian has his bf, Paz for a long time. They've both had feelings for each other and have been hiding their truth. Damian decides to end his military career and come home to finally make things right with Paz.
This is a GREAT story full of love and family. It is also emotional!
I enjoyed this read 📚!
Damian has his bf, Paz for a long time. They've both had feelings for each other and have been hiding their truth. Damian decides to end his military career and come home to finally make things right with Paz.
This is a GREAT story full of love and family. It is also emotional!
I enjoyed this read 📚!
September 21, 2022
I loved this story. Damian and Paz are great characters. This is a quick read that has done heat, some sass, and some emotional parts all which I love.
I look forward to reading the other books in this series. I'm glad I have the next one on my kindle to read right away. Go one click this one!!!
Pre-order Clean Cut book two now!!
I look forward to reading the other books in this series. I'm glad I have the next one on my kindle to read right away. Go one click this one!!!
Pre-order Clean Cut book two now!!
September 23, 2022
Loved this one!
Paz and Damian were awesome! I loved their story. Damian let his pride get in the way of his happiness with Paz, and as a result, he hurt her deeply. When he realized how badly he messed up, he had to work hard to convince her that he was serious and wanted to work things out. I loved this second chance romance.
Paz and Damian were awesome! I loved their story. Damian let his pride get in the way of his happiness with Paz, and as a result, he hurt her deeply. When he realized how badly he messed up, he had to work hard to convince her that he was serious and wanted to work things out. I loved this second chance romance.
September 14, 2022
This was a fantastic short book to read. It sucked me in from the very start. Damien and Paz are best friends. Will they become more? I loved Damien and Paz together. I highly recommend this book. I can’t wait for the other’s books.
September 15, 2022
I absolutely love every book Mayra writes, she always gives us original characters and stories. Damien is the king of messing up and I freaking love Paz and her force of nature ways. Another incredible read from this amazing author.
September 18, 2022
A cute short best friend's to lovers story. Love this short fast story. Left me wanting more. A great start to the series. Can't wait for the next couple.
I received an ARC and volunteered to leave a review.
I received an ARC and volunteered to leave a review.
October 21, 2022
LOVED IT!
Short, sweet, and the point!😍 I am a fan of this author. I discovered her by mistake! What are good mistake😘 I have enjoyed several of her books and look forward to reading more especially from this series
Short, sweet, and the point!😍 I am a fan of this author. I discovered her by mistake! What are good mistake😘 I have enjoyed several of her books and look forward to reading more especially from this series
November 2, 2022
2.5 stars
The audiobook narrator was a gift from God, and the plot/spice was pretty good, but I can’t get over this one very important detail—He was willing to give up the love of his life because his dad…wanted him to settle down? Because he thought he’d ruin her life by existing????
Bruh.
The audiobook narrator was a gift from God, and the plot/spice was pretty good, but I can’t get over this one very important detail—He was willing to give up the love of his life because his dad…wanted him to settle down? Because he thought he’d ruin her life by existing????
Bruh.
December 4, 2022
So sweet
Paz and Damien are the stars of this super sweet short read. These 2 are destined to be together and we get a front seat view to watching these friends find their HEA. Great characters and story. Super spicy NSFW scenes and adorable epilogue. Loved it!
Paz and Damien are the stars of this super sweet short read. These 2 are destined to be together and we get a front seat view to watching these friends find their HEA. Great characters and story. Super spicy NSFW scenes and adorable epilogue. Loved it!
January 3, 2023
Hot Damn…
Great cover, can’t wait to see the rest. Paz was the coolest chick, didn’t press him after their long time coming “hook up”…. When Damien finally caught up to what should of happened already, she was super gracious… The ending was super cute
Great cover, can’t wait to see the rest. Paz was the coolest chick, didn’t press him after their long time coming “hook up”…. When Damien finally caught up to what should of happened already, she was super gracious… The ending was super cute
September 13, 2022
I loved this book. The characters were sweet. It's a quick read but you get the full picture of these characters. I want to read more from the other hat trick guys.
September 15, 2022
I enjoyed reading this charming best friends love story by Mayra.
September 16, 2022
Totally enjoyed reading this book
September 25, 2022
Where is the editor?
Good book but the mistakes killed the flow of the writing. I love this author but this was downright annoying. Please🙏 get a competent editor.
Good book but the mistakes killed the flow of the writing. I love this author but this was downright annoying. Please🙏 get a competent editor.
November 12, 2022
A second chance romance between former friends. The family angst felt a bit forced.
Read Me Romance, episode 185.
Read Me Romance, episode 185.
February 18, 2024
Loads of typos, and we got no insights into when they met and he pretended he didn’t know her. Also she forgave him way too quick!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2024
This book needs a lot of editing
September 17, 2022
Another five star from Mayra Statham. Hard Part is a quick easy read that will have your heart swooning.
Damion Benitez and Paz Alva have been best friends for awhile…though their feelings are getting stronger towards each other. But Damion messes up big time. We follow along as these two fight their demons and a beautiful love is born.
I can’t wait for the other books.
Highly recommended.
Damion Benitez and Paz Alva have been best friends for awhile…though their feelings are getting stronger towards each other. But Damion messes up big time. We follow along as these two fight their demons and a beautiful love is born.
I can’t wait for the other books.
Highly recommended.
August 3, 2024
Listened to audiobook on Read Me Romance Podcast 🎧
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews