Rock Hard | Nalini Singh | Book Review | Best Office Romance Book
Rock Hard by Nalini Singh is the second Book in “Rock Kiss” series. This romance features a famous former pro rugby player, Gabriel Bishop who is called in to save a floundering business, and a seemingly shy heroine hiding the scars from a traumatic past. With a slow-burn, passionate, sensitive, and beautifully done romance that expertly handles the topic of emotional trauma from physical assault, this book is one of the best Office Romance Novels I have read in a long long time. So, read the book summary, book publication date, genre, reading age, “Rock Kiss” book series, similar book recommendations, book quotes, and book review of Rock Hard by Nalini Singh in this post below.
About Rock Hard by Nalini Singh:
No. of Pages: 398
Publication Date: TKA Distribution (10 March 2015)
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Adult Romance, Office Romance, Billionaire Romance, Sports Romance
Series: Rock Kiss Book 2
Reading Age: 18 years and above
Can be read as a standalone? YES
Buy From: AMAZON
Read the previous book in “Rock Kiss” series: Rock Courtship by Nalini Singh Book Review
Rock Hard by Nalini Singh Book Summary:
An intriguing mouse was Ms. Baird. Gabriel found himself interested, and he’d never before found a mouse interesting.”
This is the story of Charlotte Baird whom we met first in “Rock Addiction” and her new Boss, Gabriel Bishop. Charlotte faced a traumatic past and as a result is painfully shy while Gabriel, a former pro rugby player now turned super wealthy and ruthless businessman has no shy bone in his body. Worlds apart and yet connected by their common chemistry towards each other, their love story is full of hurdles, fears and complexities.
Can Charlotte leave behind her fears and the trauma of her past to embrace the love she has in the present with Gabriel?
Will Gabriel and Charlotte ever have a happily-ever-after?
Rock Hard by Nalini Singh Book Review:
Rock Hard by Nalini Singh is the second book in the “Rock Kiss” series. I loved reading the previous two books by Nalini in this series and just could not wait for this one.
Things I Liked:
Cover and Blurb:
Starting with the cover, it is hot as usual and instantly creates an image of an alpha hero in our minds that are characteristic of Nalini Singh’s romances. The blurb again is very interesting and peeked my interest enough to go further and checkout more about the book.
Plot :
I just loved this book and think this one is the best one in this series so far. Passionate, heartfelt, emotional with an intense romance that filled me with warmth and a happy feeling, Nalini Singh succeeds in bringing to the readers a story that is like a fairy tale but still so real that it feels right at home in the present world.
The plot is crisply executed with the former book, Rock Addiction‘s characters and story beautifully merged to sync with this one. I loved Molly and Charlotte’s friendly teasing and enjoyed experiencing their true friendship.
“You were my oak tree,” Molly had said once.
Enduring and protective and with a loyalty so deeply rooted, I knew no storm would wash you away. I would’ve drowned without you.”
Charlotte’s and Gabriel’s romance is truly a hide and seek match between a mouse and a T-Rex and very entertaining. It was fun to watch them butt heads and then make up to each other through simple gestures like sweet bakery products!
Petite, intelligent, with a hidden fire in her eyes when he pushed too hard, and a smart mouth he wanted to taste, Charlotte Baird was Gabriel’s version of perfect.”
The banter between Gabriel and Charlotte had me smiling, chuckling, swooning, and sighing in happiness!
Ms. Baird, no one is good or bad at sex by themselves,” he drawled.
It’s a team effort, and you know I’m a team player.”
Storytelling:
The author pleasantly surprised and awed me with her novel approach of using ‘Memos’ to propose love in Rock Courtship and here she uses email, hand written notes and in general things we never saw fitting a romance theme in a romantic story!
Her writing style is witty, hilarious and just as fluidly emotional and heart-shattering poignant. The story moves at a moderate pace and had me enjoying each and every word in it. The scenes and places are vividly described and I think I am slowly falling in love with New Zealand with each of her descriptions of the places there! I have already read this book twice and know this is one book I can read any number of times and still find it enjoyable!
Gabriel’s Character:
A kiss today, nakedness tomorrow⎯Gabriel liked to think positive and plan ahead.”
Gabriel won my heart with his patience, understanding and love towards Charlotte and how he so carefully and lovingly scraped away each and every one of her insecurities and fears and managed to make her happy again.
And with this quote Gabriel won my heart!
Eyes of steel gray pierced hers.
I’m right here if you need me, and I’m more than big enough to help you fight your demons. Just say the word.” Her heart ached. She shifted closer to the reassuring bulk of him without a word. Expression softening, he cuddled her by curving his arm around her without blocking her in.
His every action had me sighing and feeling myself go all starry eyed over him. This is one character I would love to meet in real life. Even his growling, cranky and angry moments were cute and when I saw him with Charlotte and his family, I knew I was a goner.
There’s nothing wrong with caring for the people we love; the problem only comes when it’s one person giving all the time. When it goes both ways, you have love.”
This quote is so romantic!
Done and done. You’re mine now, Ms. Baird. And I’m yours. Always.”
Charlotte’s Character:
I adored Charlotte. She has experienced so much trauma and yet she is strongly battling her past demons. The measures she takes to win over her anxiety and fears to lead a normal life had me respecting her even more. She is a strong character who inspires, and her interactions with everyone around her are a testament to her big heart. My favourite were her interactions with Gabriel and Molly. So much fun all around!
Then how she faced her enemy had me applauding her bravery, and feeling vengeful towards the villain who had hurt her.
Conclusion:
This is the best slow burn romance I have read in a long long time and I just loved it! I have read and reread this memorable story so many times and yet can’t get enough of it!
All in all, Rock Hard by Nalini Singh is a must read book for all adult readers of romance. This book has beautifully done explicit sex scenes and so should be read by readers above eighteen years of age. Njkinny Recommends it heartily.
Super shiny 5 stars to it and I can’t wait to read the next book in this series. Nalini Singh is a very talented author and one whose books I really like.
Buy From:
Also Read the Rock Kiss Series by Nalini Singh:
Checkout the other books in “Rock Kiss” series by Nalini Singh, Book Reviews, Book Quotes, Book Summaries, and Reading List
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