THE HARDER SHE COMES is a group of short stories that compliment each other. The stories were chosen very well and seem to flow from one to the next easily. This was definitely a "broaden my horizons" book and it did! I really enjoyed reading it.

The girls in these stories have lives and they are relatable. I found myself truly interested in what would happen and invested in their well being. This is an erotic book with very erotic stories, but there is more to them than that. Each girl is searching for the right mate, the perfect companion to a girl who wants love. That is what I found to be the best thing about these stories. There are some very hot scenes, but there are also some great love stories. THE HARDER SHE COMES did not go for the short cut and just give readers erotic scenes, but also shows scenes with a great deal of searching for their true selves, as well as for true love and acceptance.

These stories do focus on the girls being different yet right for each other. There are dominant women; some may say butch, and women who need that kind of strength in their life, a balance of sorts. The women are confidant and their characters and very well developed. There are sirens, hard farm girls and even some motorcycle riding tattoo artists, all of which have wants and needs that must be met by just the right match.

One story is of star-crossed lovers, a classic with a twist called "The Bucket List." They are not the same age; in fact they are very far apart in age. Another story called "Tamales" gives the reader a bit of Latin spice in a Christmas setting. My favorite though was "Pound" where the two women work at an animal shelter. I have a big soft spot for people who help animals and I want them to find love! This is just a couple of the stories to pick from. I read this from cover to cover and enjoyed them all, but if you like you could read each separately.

That was another thing I really liked, not all the stories end with love ever after. They are real and there are problems that must be worked out. There are also a few sad endings. This mix really does give the reader a full round of women of different needs and wants.

THE HARDER SHE COMES is sexy and hot, but it is also romantic and loving. That is a hard thing to mix and it was done really well. THE HARDER SHE COMES was also a fast read; I really could not put it down. After each story I was ready to start the next. I have to admit, that while this is far outside my normal reading habits, these stories left me feeling all warm inside. Love can be universal.