ROCK HARD is book number two of the Rock Kiss
series by
bestselling author Nalini Singh (there's also a novella
#1.5 in there too). As with the two previous in this
series, if you are used to Ms. Singh's amazing PNR work in
her Psy-Changeling books or her fabulous UF Guild Hunter
books, be warned that this series has a very different
feel. It is contemporary romance, and has a very New
Adult
vibe. There is the typical (relative) ingénue, the bossy
successful guy, and the requisite prior trauma of one of
more characters to provide the tension.
The rock connection is much more tenuous in this book.
Charlotte is the best friend of Molly, who ended up with a
rock star in book one, Rock Addiction. Charlotte is a
skittish mouse of a woman, living a sheltered and fairly
lonely life trying to feel safe after some horrific abuse
by a past boyfriend. I do love how Charlotte is trying so
hard to overcome her past. She's making small steps, but
the progress is measurable, and I like that she has been
improving before she meets Gabriel. Some female
empowerment is a great thing! I also love how close
Charlotte is to her best friend Molly. I really enjoy
books where the girlfriends are truly there for each other
and honestly help each other out, and there is some
powerful She-power in this story.
Charlotte ends up working as a personal assistant for
Gabriel Bishop, brought on board at her company as a
powerful temporary "fixer" CEO to rescue her ailing
company
before it tailspins into closure. Gabriel is the usual
young millionaire CEO kind of NA hero, who is completely
scrumptious and has nubile women dropping at his feet left
and right. He's a driven guy, as you would expect a CEO
to
be, and he's really grumpy. I adore that Charlotte
nicknames him T Rex and it sticks. I never did really buy
that Gabriel instantly falls for Charlotte upon meeting
her, but I blithely ignored this pesky detail and fully
immersed myself in the enjoyment of their steamy chemistry
and delicious banter.
The real enjoyment in ROCK HARD for me is the nurturing
role that Gabriel takes on with Charlotte while still
pushing her to spread her wings sexually as well. Gabriel
recognizes that Charlotte has issues (how could he not?!)
but he is, for the most part, so careful with her while
still pushing for what he wants- a full out, no holds
barred, fantastically uninhibited sex life with a woman he
finds enchanting. How could I not love this?! The
dialogue is snappy, the tension fairly constant, and the
sexual tension is swoon-worthy. Brava for ROCK HARD, Ms.
Singh!
In New York Times Bestselling author Nalini Singh’s newest
contemporary romance, passion ignites between a gorgeous,
sinfully sexy man who built himself up from nothing and a
shy woman who has a terrible secret in her past…
Wealthy businessman Gabriel Bishop rules the boardroom
with
the same determination and ruthlessness that made him a
rock
star on the rugby field. He knows what he wants, and he’ll
go after it no-holds-barred.
And what he wants is Charlotte Baird.
Charlotte knows she’s a mouse. Emotionally scarred and
painfully shy, she just wants to do her job and remain as
invisible as possible. But the new CEO—a brilliant,
broad-shouldered T-Rex of a man who growls and storms
through the office, leaving carnage in his wake—clearly
has
other plans. Plans that may be equal parts business and
bedroom.
If Charlotte intends to survive this battle of wits and
hearts, the mouse will have to learn to wrangle the T-Rex.
Game on.