Hard to Hold on To by Laura Kaye

August 20th, 2014 Kimberly Blog Tour, Review 61 Comments

20th Aug
Hard to Hold on To by Laura Kaye
Hard to Hold
by Laura Kaye
Series: Hard Ink #2.5
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star

Edward "Easy" Cantrell knows better than most the pain of not being able to save those he loves--which is why he is not going to let Jenna Dean out of his sight. He may have just met her, but Jenna's the first person to make him feel alive since that devastating day in the desert more than a year ago. Jenna has never met anyone like Easy. She can't describe how he makes her feel--and not just because he saved her life. No, the stirrings inside her reach far beyond gratitude. As the pair are thrust together while chaos reigns around them, they both know one thing: the things in life most worth having are the hardest to hold on to

If you follow Caffeinated, you already know I am a huge fan of Laura Kaye’s Hard Ink series. Hard to Hold on To is a novella that features Edward “Easy Cantrell” and the story picks up right where Hard As You Can ended. They are returning to the housing located about the Hard Ink Tattoo parlor after their last operation and Easy is helping Jenna Dean recover from the tragic events that occurred. Kaye packed a full novel punch into this novella that will leave readers satisfied and a little sweet on Easy.

Five Caffeinated reasons to grab Hard to Hold on To

  • Kaye delivers a full-length tale that touches on trauma, PTSD, and the fallout from those events while creating a wonderful romance between Easy and Jenna.
  • The romance while heated develops slowly and Kaye does not try to wrap it up, allowing it to feel genuine. Be warned there is deflowering for those who are not fans. The scene was beautifully done and believable.
  • While there is not much development in the overall story arc, I actually enjoyed the banter, character development and laid back feel to this story. It was not rushed and intense like the previous novels and I truly enjoyed the pace.
  •  In Hard to Hold on To, the difficult subject matter is addressed, and Kaye allows us to connect and understand the characters raw emotions. I loved the way the other characters handled the situation and offered support. I was touched, and Kaye delivered a strong message in addition to sharing Easy’s story.
  • Easy and Jenna have a chemistry that I enjoyed and I loved how tender and supportive they were of each other.

Fans of the Hard Ink series will delight in learning about Easy and watching this relationship take form. Hard to Hold on To was the perfect in-between novella and enhanced my overall enjoyment of the series

 

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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

61 Responses to “Hard to Hold on To by Laura Kaye”

  1. Cyn

    I’m really enjoying the Hard Ink series, too! Happy to hear the novella is a lovely read and I’m always for banter!! Can’t wait to check this one out, thanks for the review!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Enjoy Cyn, I really liked Easy’s story and hope you do as well.

  2. Candace

    I love that this cover features a couple of two different races. You don’t see that often and I love that they did this time. Though I suppose they didn’t have much choice. Glad you enjoyed!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Thanks Candace, yeah I love how diverse her characters are, we even have a little LGBT going on 🙂

  3. Grace

    You hit all the right points in your review. I adore this author and LOVED this novella as well. 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      What I like is that she didn’t try to wrap it up, it will be ongoing.

  4. Naomi

    Another fab review in the Hard Ink series Kimberly! It is good to see that this story was done well and didn’t affect the overall storyline!

  5. Bea

    “deflowering” – giggle. That is such a silly expression. 😀 I love a novella that doesn’t read like one ad this one sounds pretty perfect. 🙂

  6. laura thomas

    Excellent reasons to read this book. And I love it when a novella reads like a full length novel. Not rushed or forced.

  7. Barrie

    I love this series! Glad to hear that there is bantering…love that in books!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Enjoy Barrie, I am delighted you are enjoying this series too 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      You and me both Felicia, but sometimes there are characters I want to know about and Easy was one of them. 🙂 Kaye did a great job.

  8. Valerie Spearman

    The cover art is amazing, just like it’s author. I am a big fan of Laura Kaye and let me tell you she does not disappoint when it comes to telling stories that lure you in and tug at your heartstrings. I am looking forward to reading this second installment of the Hard Ink series.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Enjoy Valerie as a fan of Kaye I am sure you will love Easy’s story.

  9. Angela Adams

    With so man good books out there to read, I’m beginning a fan of novellas, the shorter length allows for me to read more stories. Thanks for the post!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      So true Angela, and sometimes if I finish a book early in the evening novellas are perfect since sadly I am one of those “one more chapter”, till 3 am readers. Novellas allow me to get some shut-eye!

  10. Mary

    I’m about halfway through this one and it’s really good. Kind of hard to do a novella as part of this series, since there’s an ongoing arc through the stories. Lots of info-dumping, IMO. But I do love Easy!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Agreed, and I liked that she kind of stepped back from the overall arc and didn’t try to force much movement..instead it was a regrouping of sorts.

  11. Rhianna

    I love-love-love that Laura is donating proceeds from the first 2 weeks of sales to help wounded vets. A great book helping a great cause, everyone wins!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      but, but I cannnnn’t help it..I hz to read my friend.

  12. Melissa (Books and Things)

    I’ve enjoyed several of her books and I want to read all of these! I love the sound of this series and the relationship here. I also love that the novella really enhanced the series. That is my fave kind of novella. Totally sold me. 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Agreed Melissa, it was well done with a powerful message and a great hero.

  13. Amber Elise

    I haven’t read anything by Ms. Kaye but I respect an author who doesn’t leave anything out in a novella! I’m happy you enjoyed it, and I’ll have to check out the Hard Ink series once I get my TBR series down.

    Also side note: I don’t know why, but I initially read “Hard Ink” as “Hard Junk” and had to do a double take. Thank God I did.

    Amber Elise @ Du Livre

    • kimbacaffeinate

      bwhahaha..*yep I just spewed my coffee* You are too funny Amber and the titles are already a play on words to begin with. Yes, I too appreciate when an author can give a novella a complete feel.

  14. Heidi

    It is nice to see that author takes PTSD in a positive way. Is is amazing how far our understanding of this disorder has come in just the last decade.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I completely agree Heidi, and sadly people have trouble understanding diseases and issues they cannot see.

  15. Kim { Book Swoon }

    I’m glad this was another great read, and it sounds like this novella packed in a lot of goodness for its size. I have the first book that I would love to get to soon! Great review and thanks for the chance for a signed copy!! 🙂

  16. Liz

    I’m glad to hear this book was so good. Unfortunately, I couldn’t fit this one in on my schedule, so I’ll have to pick it up on my own. I just love the series too 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I have been there Liz, but you should totally pick it up 🙂

  17. Debbie Haupt

    Oh Wow Kimba what a great premise I love those damaged heroes who are pieced back together by love.
    Thanks for the giveaway too!

  18. Kristin

    I’m thinking I need to pick this series back up 😀 I didn’t realize you loved it so much…. and I’ll follow you pretty much anywhere 😉 It’s already on our shelves at work, too (yay!!) I did really like the first one, I still need to review it so I’m thinking a quick re-read is in order. Thanks for the reminder!!! Great review… as always!

  19. Melliane

    Oh yes I heard great things about this author but I confess I haven’t read any of her books. This one sounds good! I really should buy one book. thank you for reminding me that.

  20. Teddyree

    chemistry and issues … I like that. Cover isn’t hard to look at either 😉 Thanks … adding this author to my wishlist!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Yeah it was the perfect combo and yep the cover is easy on the eyes 🙂

  21. Nick

    I like it when novellas actually give you a full story. One of my main worries when I read them is not being able to connect with the characters and not enjoying the chemistry between the couple because of the short length, but it looks like there’s not much to worry about in this case. I’ve heard a ton of great things about Laura Kaye. I’ve read one book by her, an Entangled Brazen one, and really liked it.
    Great review, Kim!

    Also, thank you so much for the lovely surprise in my inbox this week, Kim! 🙂 I’ll be sure to read it soon.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      You are welcome Nick..that is exactly how I got Christy addicted to her..bwahaha. Because this is a series we had history with both of these characters which helped it feel genuine.

  22. Katherine

    I do NOT need another contemporary romance series! But this one sounds really good and I like that it has a touch of more serious topics mixed in. Maybe if I buy them in Kindle form they won’t count?

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Bwahahahaha…oh Katherine you are brilly.. I am stealing this idea. It’s like chocolate eaten on Sunday’s is calorie free!

  23. Franny

    I’ve seen this book around a lot, these past few days, and I remember you enjoying Hard As You Can, so I’m really glad this was a great read for you as well!

  24. Jenea

    It is always a treat when characters have great chemistry and Jenna and Easy sound like they do.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Agreed Jenea, and I was able to feel for them emotionally which added to my enjoyment.

  25. kindlemom1

    You have to love a novella that doesn’t read like one. I really do need to try this author Kim. So many great books out there. If only we could do nothing but read all day, right?

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I know exactly what you mean Ali. *eyes tbr pile and wishlist*