• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Maryse's Book Blog

Following my heart, one book at a time...

  • HOME
  • MY REVIEWS
    • ALL MY REVIEWS (ALPHABETICAL BY AUTHOR)
    • 5 Star Reviews
    • 4.5 Star Reviews
    • 4 Star Reviews
    • FAVORITES LISTS
    • Recommendations
    • MY TOP 10 FOR 2020
    • MY TOP 15 FOR 2019
    • MY TOP 15 FOR 2018
    • MY TOP 25 FOR 2017
    • MY TOP 25 FOR 2016
    • MY TOP 10 FOR 2015
    • MY TOP 25 FOR 2014
    • My Top 25 for 2013
    • My Top 25 for 2012
    • My Top 25 for 2011
  • FAVORITES LISTS
  • BOOK RELEASES
  • READING ORDERS
  • IN THE MOOD FOR
    • THE ENTIRE “PICK YOUR MOOD” LIST
    • AGE GAP ROMANCE
    • A SHORT STORY
    • A SLOW BURN
    • AUDIOBOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
    • BAD GUYS & ANTIHEROES
    • BIKER ROMANCE
    • BILLIONAIRES
    • A BROKEN HERO
    • BOSSY BULLIES
    • BROODING HEROES
    • BROTHER’S BEST FRIEND ROMANCE
    • COMEDY ROMANCE
    • CHRISTMAS ROMANCE
    • DARK READS
    • DYSTOPIAN
    • FALLING FOR A NERD
    • FANTASY ROMANCE
    • FIGHTERS – PRO & UNDERGROUND
    • FORBIDDEN LOVE
    • FRIENDS TO LOVERS
    • HISTORICAL ROMANCE
    • HORROR
    • IN LOVE W/ A CELEBRITY
    • IN LOVE W/ A DOCTOR
    • INFIDELITY
    • INTERRACIAL ROMANCE
    • JAW-DROPPING TWISTS
    • LOVE AFTER LOSS ROMANCE
    • MAFIA ROMANCE
    • MARITAL STRIFE
    • MEN IN UNIFORM
    • M/M ROMANCE
    • OFFICE ROMANCE
    • OLDER MAN/YOUNGER WOMAN
    • OLDER MAIN CHARACTERS
    • OLDER WOMAN/YOUNGER MAN
    • PARANORMAL ROMANCE
    • PERSONAL GROWTH & SURVIVAL
    • POST-APOCALYPTIC
    • PSYCH-THRILLERS
    • RECLUSIVE HEROES
    • REVERSE HAREM
    • SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE
    • SINGLE DADS
    • SHELTERED HEROINES
    • STALKERS & OBSESSIVE LOVE
    • STRANDED & SURVIVAL
    • SUPER-ANGST
    • SUPER-HOT EROTICA
    • TEARJERKERS
    • UNCONVENTIONAL LOVE
    • UNREQUITED LOVE
  • EXTRAS
    • BOOK DEALS
    • HOW DO I FIND WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR?
    • READER RECOMMENDATIONS
    • READER QUESTIONS
    • READER CONFESSIONS
    • WHERE DID THIS AUTHOR GO?
    • AUTHOR INTERVIEWS
    • BOOK & AUTHOR NEWS
    • MARYSE’S SURPRISE FROM HER FAVORITE BOOK BOYFRIEND’S
    • BOOK SIGNINGS
    • MY TBR LISTS
    • EDITORIALS
    • MOVIE REVIEWS
    • PRODUCT REVIEWS
      • MAKEUP & SKIN CARE REVIEWS
  • EMAIL
    • EMAIL ME :)
    • ABOUT ME
    • MARYSE’S FAQ
    • REVIEW REQUESTS
    • JOIN MY NEWSLETTER
      • MY NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE
    • MY RSS FEED
      • JOIN MY RSS FEED
You are here: Home / My Book Reviews / Book Review – Harder by Robin York

Book Review – Harder by Robin York

October 19, 2014 By Maryse 9 Comments

Harder: A Novel (Caroline & West Book 2)
This was a great sequel to the book that had me absolutely on edge this week, in love and in emotional angst! Book #1 (Deeper) set my heart on fire, and gave me a perpetual stomach ache, and had all of that realism that I crave in “new adult” novels, but alas… it left me in a heartache lurch.

And Harder (this book!) twisted that knife in my gut just a little harder. A little longer. And for a good portion of the story. πŸ˜‰

Aimee:Β Thing I loved most about this book is how genuine Caroline and West felt as people. I fell into “being” each of them within seconds of the shift in POV. Too real!

Julie:Β I’m almost done with book 2,Β MaryseΒ 5 stars for me just like book 1!! LOVED!!

Bobbi:Β Good luck with #2. Just sayinΒ Β Super interested in your perspective on one particular part.

Julie: Bobbi I know EXACTLY what part you’re talking about and I wanted to see what Maryse thought too!!Β <— side note from Maryse… GRRRRRR THAT PART!!!! YESSSSS. I was so curious as to what you guys were referencing and yeah… ROAR!

Tracie:Β I’m reading Deeper right now and I can’t get over how good the writing is. I’m so hooked

MichelleS:Β LOVED IT!!!! Book one and Book two

BEWARE!!! Stop reading this review if you haven’t yet read Deeper. I won’t spoil anything exactly, but… you know. Things might be said, or evaluated that you shouldn’t know yet. πŸ˜‰

I can’t tell you much of what it’s about, other than it’s a continuation of their angsty love story. It picks up a few months after #1 left off, and both main characters are still struggling with personal issues, life plans, loyalties, and the monkey-wrench that their unexpected romance threw into the whole shebang.

Except this book’s focus is mostly on West’s life, his personal trials and his attempt at reigning it all in… but at what sacrifice? His own. And Caroline’s.

“You shouldn’t have come.”

I’ve already thought the same thing, but it hurts to hear him say it.

*sigh* West, West, West… such a bad boy and yetΒ such a good guy. But boy can he inflict an enormous amount of pain.Β On her, and on himself.

…he’s hurting badly, and his hardness is the only defense he’s got.

That “OH NO HE DIDN’T!!!!” Kindle-throwing kind of pain. A serial self-sabotager, his self-worth is next to nothing (and when we get to “live” in his old life with him for awhile, you’ll see why). If you ask him? What he wants is irrelevant in comparison to what he feels he “needs” to do.

But even though Caroline’s heartache is solid, she’s a fighter through and through. The things she has learned in the last year, and has to overcome this year, have just made her that much stronger. More determined. More resolved.

He’s so much harder than he used to be. All this armor between him and the world. I want him to know that I see it there. I know what it is, and if he wants to take it off with me, he can.

I love him.

And while her resolve does crumble at times (remember that Kindle-throwing pain I was talking about?)…

I’m sinking, and I don’t have to talk to him.

I don’t have to do anything.

…well… let’s just say that their subsequent growth and journey is well worth every page turn.

And sure, while it didn’t make me ache as hard as book #1, I found it to be a solid follow up! More story, more growth, more background, more crazy… and best of all, more love. But boy do we all have to work for it. πŸ˜‰

Does he feel that, too? He must.

It’s right there between us, that knowledge, that love song our bodies never stopped singing.

WOW!!!! Yep. Right?!! πŸ˜€

These books were brilliantly written. Brimming in emotion, steeped in reality, and gracefully explored. I grew along with them.

4 stars!

βž”βž”βž” Β Looking for more of my must-read recommendations? Browse my 5 star and 4.5 star and 4 star reviews. πŸ˜€

Filed Under: My Book Reviews Tagged With: 4 stars, bad boys, broken, contemporary romance, new adult, Ruthie Knox, super-angsty

Subscribe
Login
Notify of
guest
guest
9 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
bev
bev
6 years ago

I’m a little sad to let them go. These two books were such a joy to read. I sincerely hope that the author writes more in this genre.
I think I fell so hard for Deeper that there really was no way that I’d feel the same about Harder. It was close though.

Reply
Maryse
Maryse
Maryse's Book Blog
6 years ago

Yep, me too Bev. She did an awesome job, and Deeper really blew me away.

Reply
Fabi
Fabi
6 years ago

I’ve been meaning to ask. Everyone seems to have read both books and agree that the first was slightly better. My question is, does the first book end in a cliffhanger or in some way that it is not completely resolved? Does the second book HAVE to be read to get a sense of end of story or is it more of a “don’t want to leave these characters” feeling that made everyone pick up book two immediately following Deeper?

Reply
Jean
Jean
6 years ago

Great review Maryse! I loved both books and will definitely miss West and Caroline!

Reply
Maryse
Maryse
Maryse's Book Blog
6 years ago

Yes Fabi the 2nd book has to be read. And is WELL worth it. πŸ˜€

Reply
Fabi
Fabi
6 years ago

Thanks for the clarification Maryse. Adding both to my tbr. πŸ™‚

Reply
Cheryl
Cheryl
6 years ago

Maryse, great review of a beautifully written series! Loved it! πŸ™‚

Reply
Maryse
Maryse
Maryse's Book Blog
6 years ago

Thank you Cheryl!

Reply
Victoria
Victoria
6 years ago

I loved this series and I’m kind of hoping she writes about Krishna and Bridget just so we can keep hearing about Caro and West. I finished these two novels in one day, my fiance was hating me by midnight as I hadn’t put my kindle down, but it was worth it. Great series.

Reply

Primary Sidebar

My Facebook Page

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons
Maryse's Book Blog
17 minutes ago
Maryse's Book Blog

ONE OF MY 5-STAR FAVORITES (and one of my top 3 favorites form my favorite author ever)!!!! It's super-bargain priced today and it's a MUST READ!!!!!!!

Book Review – Layla by Colleen Hoover
... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Book Review - Layla by Colleen Hoover - Maryse's Book Blog

www.maryse.net

Book Review – Layla by Colleen HooverFebruary 24, 2021 By Maryse 2 CommentsLayla <β€” 5 STARS for this magnificent, brilliant, crazy yet super clever read!!! Talk about a love story with a twist!OMG my heart was in my throat so many times, and then I thought to myself… I AM SO CLEVER β€˜CAUSE I ...
View Comments
  • Likes: 2
  • Shares: 0
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

Maryse's Book Blog
12 hours ago
Maryse's Book Blog

Looking for something to read?

What about these (in the first comment):
... See MoreSee Less

View Comments
  • Likes: 1
  • Shares: 0
  • Comments: 3

Comment on Facebook

I’m reading Mia Sheridan’s Once We We’re Starlight. OMG Maryse you’ve got to read this one ❀️

www.maryse.net/news/bargain-and-freebie-ebooks/friday-finds-reader-recommendations-03-05-2021.html

Maryse's Book Blog
18 hours ago
Maryse's Book Blog

AGE GAP ALERT!! CHELSEA RECOMMENDS THIS ONE!

Chelsea: Just finished a book that I really liked and thought I would recommend it to you. Beautiful Monster by Sara Cate. It is an age gap, angsty romance. Super hot!!!

#AmazonAffiliate #CommissionsEarned #bookrelease #agegapromance

AMAZON US: amzn.to/2NYlMYc
AMAZON CA: amzn.to/38aFCWH
AMAZON UK: amzn.to/2PEsi6M
AMAZON DE: amzn.to/3qgsRjT
... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Beautiful Monster: a standalone age-gap romance (Beautiful Series)

amzn.to

Beautiful Monster: a standalone age-gap romance (Beautiful Series)
View Comments
  • Likes: 0
  • Shares: 1
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

Maryse's Book Blog
18 hours ago
Maryse's Book Blog

READER QUESTION SOLVED!! This was the question: The book about the Hero who is married but is in love with her younger sister…

(P.S. I posted the actual reader question post, in the first comment:)

#AmazonAffiliate #CommissionsEarned #readerquestionsolved

...and THIS is the answer.

AMAZON US: amzn.to/3e9QWX7
AMAZON CA: amzn.to/3sSxYrZ
AMAZON UK: amzn.to/3ea2QQR
AMAZON DE: amzn.to/2PuQNTK
... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

VLAD (The V Games Book 1)

amzn.to

VLAD (The V Games Book 1)
View Comments
  • Likes: 5
  • Shares: 0
  • Comments: 3

Comment on Facebook

Looks good!!! Grabbed them

Lynn H Kelsey Esposito

Maryse's Book Blog
18 hours ago
Maryse's Book Blog

READER QUESTION SOLVED!! This was the question: The series where he buys her a bed and throws away her old one and she’s livid!

(P.S. I posted the actual reader question post, in the first comment:)

...and THIS is the answer.

#amazonaffiliate #CommissionsEarned #readerquestionsolved

AMAZON US: amzn.to/3sU7iHr
AMAZON CA: amzn.to/2O79ZGL
AMAZON UK: amzn.to/3uVOJV3
AMAZON DE: amzn.to/3rpoYKH
... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Now Or Never (Irresistible)

amzn.to

Now Or Never (Irresistible)
View Comments
  • Likes: 0
  • Shares: 0
  • Comments: 2

Comment on Facebook

www.maryse.net/reader-questions/reader-question-the-series-where-he-buys-her-a-bed-and-throws-awa...

Looove this book!

Load more

About Me

Reading is my favorite! I love blogging about books, reviewing them, making "favorites lists" & reading order guides, & hearing your own 5-star recommendations to add to my TBR list! I love our virtual book club!Β πŸ˜€ Β [more about me]

Recent Posts

  • Reader Question – The book about the girl that works at a cafe, and he keeps getting coffee just to see her…
  • Friday Finds & Reader Recommendations – 03-05-2021
  • Reader Question – The book about the CEO & the single mom that meet in a cafe and she needs a job…
  • Reader Question… Solved! The reverse harem book about the online tutor that didn’t realize “he” was actually three different guys…
  • Reader Question… Solved! The series where he buys her a bed and throws away her old one and she’s livid!

QUICK LINKS:

βž” Book & Author News
βž” Latest Book Releases
βž” Maryse’s Book Blog FAQ
βž” Upcoming Book Releases
βž” My 5-Star Favorites
βž” My 4.5-Star Favorites
βž” My 4-Star Favorites
βž” All My Reviews
βž” Book Recommendations
βž” Reader Questions
βž” Reader Confessions
βž” Author Interviews & Tidbits

βž” Makeup & Skincare Chat
βž” Our Recipes & Kitchen Tools

BEST OF THE YEAR:

βž” My Best Books of 2020
βž” My Best Books of 2019
βž” My Best Books of 2018
βž” My Best Books of 2017
βž” My Best Books of 2016
βž” My Best Books of 2015
βž” My Best Books of 2014
βž” My Best Books of 2013
βž” My Best Books of 2012
βž” My Best Books of 2011

READER RECOMMENDATIONS:

βž” Books that stayed with you
βž” Unrequited Love Books
βž” Infidelity in Romance
βž” What to read after…
βž” Broken Book Boyfriends
βž” Slow Burn Romance
βž” RisquΓ© & Forbidden Love
βž” Comedy Romance
βž” Favorite Audiobooks
βž” Authors’ Favorite Books
βž” Readers’ Top 2015 Favs
βž” Readers’ Top 2016 Favs
βž” Readers’ Top 2017 Favs
βž” Readers’ Top 2018 Favs
βž” Readers’ Top 2019 Favs
βž” Readers’ Top 2020 Favs

βž” All Our Favorites Lists

IN THE MOOD TO READ:

βž” Super-Angst?
βž” a Tearjerker?
βž” Unconventional Love?
βž” Love After Loss?
βž” Books w/ a Pregnancy?
βž” Friends to Lovers?
βž” Forbidden Love?
βž” Falling for a Celebrity?
βž” Men in Uniform?
βž” Gritty Biker Romance?
βž” Marital Strife?
βž” Unrequited Love?
βž” Mafia Romance?
βž” Barbarian Warlords?
βž” Arranged Marriage?
βž” Bossy Bullies?
βž” Older Main Characters?
βž” Comedy Romance?
βž” Office Romance?
βž” Second Chance Romance?
βž” Psych-thrillers?
βž” Historical Romance?
βž” Interracial Romance?
βž” Older Man/Younger Girl?
βž” Older Woman/Younger Man?
βž” Age Gap Romance?
βž” Audiobooks?
βž” Reverse Harem?
βž” A Broken Hero?
βž” A Short Story?
βž” Brother’s Best Friend?
βž” M/M Romance?
βž” Reclusive Heroes?
βž” A Nerdy Character?
βž” Fantasy Romance?
βž” Urban Fantasy?
βž” Paranormal Romance?
βž” Vampires?
βž” Shifters?
βž” Witches?
βž” Time Travel?
βž” Stalkers & Obsessive Love?
βž” What to read after…?
βž” Christmas Romance?

βž” The ENTIRE “What Are You In The Mood To Read?” Genre List

Recent Comments

  • Tasha J on Friday Finds & Reader Recommendations – 03-05-2021
  • Linda on Friday Finds & Reader Recommendations – 03-05-2021
  • mony on Friday Finds & Reader Recommendations – 03-05-2021
  • mony on Friday Finds & Reader Recommendations – 03-05-2021
  • mony on Friday Finds & Reader Recommendations – 03-05-2021

Archives

  • March 2021 (8)
  • February 2021 (48)
  • January 2021 (46)
  • December 2020 (58)
  • November 2020 (46)
  • October 2020 (60)
  • September 2020 (60)
  • August 2020 (49)
  • July 2020 (59)
  • June 2020 (62)
  • May 2020 (56)
  • April 2020 (61)
  • March 2020 (46)
  • February 2020 (50)
  • January 2020 (62)
  • December 2019 (48)
  • November 2019 (43)
  • October 2019 (53)
  • September 2019 (47)
  • August 2019 (48)
  • July 2019 (53)
  • June 2019 (50)
  • May 2019 (54)
  • April 2019 (47)
  • March 2019 (56)
  • February 2019 (40)
  • January 2019 (57)
  • December 2018 (41)
  • November 2018 (44)
  • October 2018 (47)
  • September 2018 (46)
  • August 2018 (44)
  • July 2018 (48)
  • June 2018 (45)
  • May 2018 (47)
  • April 2018 (45)
  • March 2018 (57)
  • February 2018 (44)
  • January 2018 (45)
  • December 2017 (45)
  • November 2017 (40)
  • October 2017 (42)
  • September 2017 (41)
  • August 2017 (43)
  • July 2017 (52)
  • June 2017 (42)
  • May 2017 (45)
  • April 2017 (41)
  • March 2017 (55)
  • February 2017 (48)
  • January 2017 (59)
  • December 2016 (44)
  • November 2016 (45)
  • October 2016 (60)
  • September 2016 (53)
  • August 2016 (50)
  • July 2016 (58)
  • June 2016 (57)
  • May 2016 (54)
  • April 2016 (56)
  • March 2016 (55)
  • February 2016 (51)
  • January 2016 (60)
  • December 2015 (51)
  • November 2015 (44)
  • October 2015 (64)
  • September 2015 (59)
  • August 2015 (59)
  • July 2015 (59)
  • June 2015 (56)
  • May 2015 (60)
  • April 2015 (56)
  • March 2015 (54)
  • February 2015 (50)
  • January 2015 (50)
  • December 2014 (45)
  • November 2014 (47)
  • October 2014 (50)
  • September 2014 (39)
  • August 2014 (51)
  • July 2014 (47)
  • June 2014 (61)
  • May 2014 (47)
  • April 2014 (40)
  • March 2014 (46)
  • February 2014 (41)
  • January 2014 (50)
  • December 2013 (66)
  • November 2013 (50)
  • October 2013 (61)
  • September 2013 (49)
  • August 2013 (61)
  • July 2013 (56)
  • June 2013 (50)
  • May 2013 (51)
  • April 2013 (49)
  • March 2013 (59)
  • February 2013 (61)
  • January 2013 (49)
  • December 2012 (66)
  • November 2012 (48)
  • October 2012 (49)
  • September 2012 (44)
  • August 2012 (51)
  • July 2012 (48)
  • June 2012 (41)
  • May 2012 (40)
  • April 2012 (42)
  • March 2012 (39)
  • February 2012 (29)
  • January 2012 (37)
  • December 2011 (41)
  • November 2011 (41)
  • October 2011 (45)
  • September 2011 (30)
  • August 2011 (37)
  • July 2011 (35)
  • June 2011 (29)
  • May 2011 (28)
  • April 2011 (40)
  • March 2011 (39)
  • February 2011 (40)
  • January 2011 (29)
  • December 2010 (29)
  • November 2010 (36)
  • October 2010 (31)
  • September 2010 (31)
  • August 2010 (22)
  • July 2010 (14)
  • June 2010 (14)
  • May 2010 (18)
  • April 2010 (21)
  • March 2010 (15)
  • February 2010 (14)
  • January 2010 (19)
  • December 2009 (14)
  • November 2009 (14)
  • October 2009 (25)
  • September 2009 (10)
  • August 2009 (22)
  • July 2009 (10)
  • June 2009 (35)
  • May 2009 (33)
  • April 2009 (49)
  • March 2009 (41)
  • February 2009 (5)

Tags

3.5 stars 4 stars 4.5 stars 5 stars age gap alpha males bad boys bikers billionaires bossy bullies celebrity romance cheating comedy romance contemporary romance dark read dark romance fighters forbidden love giveaway infidelity kidnapped love triangle mafia marital strife men in uniform motorcycle club new adult paranormal romance pregnancy psych-thriller psychological thriller reader favorites reader question reader recommendations rock stars second chance romance shifters solved sports stars super-angsty unrequited love unsolved urban fantasy vampires YA

Contact Me | About Maryse | Privacy Policy | Β© 2020 Maryse.net - Maryse's Book Blog |
I am part of the Amazon affiliate program, which is designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Other than potential affiliate link commissions, I receive no compensation for reviews. All opinions I have expressed are my own.

X
Welcome, book friends! My posts include affiliate links meaning I may earn commissions from Amazon or other companies for qualifying purchases. All opinions I've expressed are my own. ❀️