Hard Wood

Big Rock #6

by Lauren Blakely

From #1 NYT Bestselling author Lauren Blakely comes a hot & hilarious new romantic comedy AND the final novel in her beloved Big Rock series of standalone romances...
Women often say a good man is hard to find. And a hard man is even better.
That's why I'm quite a catch—good, hard, loaded, and wait for it... I'm ready to settle down too. But the woman I want to pitch my tent with lives clear across the country. Neither of us wants to get lost in those woods. All I have to do is resist her for the week she's in town.
I try. I swear I try. But yeah, that doesn't work out.
And after one fantastic night with my good friend Mia, I'm ready to give her years of nights under the stars. What's a few thousand miles when love's involved? But there's a hitch in my plans—she just hired my adventure tour company. If there's one thing I'm committed to, it's running a squeaky clean business. Number one on my list of iron-clad rules?
Don't screw your customers.
But what's a guy to do when she's so hard to resist? How hard can it be to keep our hands off each other for a quick group tour down the hills and over the trails? I'm about to find out, and I have a feeling I'm going to need a new badge of honor because things are about to get very hard in the woods.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Audiobook, Adult, Erotica, New Adult

300 pages, Paperback

First published October 21, 2017

About the author

A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that's sweet, sexy and witty. Her heroines are strong and smart and her heroes have hearts of gold and fantastic funny bones. She'd love to give you a free book today! Check out her web site to grab your free read: https://laurenblakely.com/one-free-book/

Connect with Lauren here

➜ WEBSITE: laurenblakely.com
➜ NEWSLETTER: laurenblakely.com/newsletter
➜ FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/LaurenBlakelyBooks/
➜ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/laurenblake...
➜ TWITTER: www.twitter.com/laurenblakely3

Reviews

[Elizabeth Clinton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let’s just call Lauren Blakely the Queen Of Rom-Com. Hard Wood is just another fantastic read that you will not want to miss.
We finally come to Patrick Milligan & Mia Summers Story. We have seen this couple skirt around their attraction throughout this series. When an opportunity to see that this is more than a friendly flirtatious attraction you sometimes need to just go for it and hope that those feelings are mutual.
The banter between Mia & Patrick is just so fun to read that you will find yourself laughing out loud and hoping that they both can see how perfect a fit they are for one another. Logistics are maybe the one thing that will keep them apart but when the feelings are truly there can they make it work.
There is always secondary characters that you can’t help fall for and when you meet Zeus you will understand how important he truly is when it comes to Patrick & Mia.

[Lauren Lascola-Lesczynski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren had me at grilled cheese!
So let's start with the rugged and ever so handsome Patrick. I mean who would't fall for a guy who loves pussy? His pussy cat...Zeus! Get your mind outta the gutter people. Mia is a tiny little cosmetic mogul who has Patrick all in a twist. They have this chemistry and this banter that makes it feel like they have known each other forever. I mean I ain't gonna lie...I might be allergic to hiking, but if Patrick and his "hard wood" were my tour guide I would be humming a different tune if you catch my drift ;)
Their story is full of adventure and sex...so it's totes right my alley. Patrick has just hiked his way on to my book boyfriend list. Ohhhhh and you know I don't like to do spoilers in my reviews, but I can NOT, not talk about that shower scene it was that good. Ohhh also on a serious tip, me and Mia both love nuts (silly emoji face)
#Unicorn #FourLeafClover #FloppyHair #MarconaAlmonds #GreeOlives #SunflowerSeeds #SweetCheeks #Hangry #JackRabbit #Balconies #Bridges #SmoresPorn #Kangaroo

[Peggy Lee (Reading Keeps Me Sane) · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's finally Patrick and Mia's turn to find love in Hard Wood. Hard Wood is a stand alone however both character's previously appeared Joy Ride.

I never fail to fall in love with Lauren Blakely's stories. Hard Wood is a swoony romance that will warm your heart and possibly other body parts. I fell quick and hard for Patrick Milligan, a normal, comfortable guy with a fantastic butt and an in-the-know feline companion.

Patrick's ready to settle down but the woman he wants happens to live clear across the county. He never finds the right time to tell Mia how he feels. He is in a continual battle with his emotions, keeping his feeling under wraps.

Mia Summers confides her feels for Patrick to his cat, Zeus. She's falling in love with Patrick but she's not sure if he feels the same. Her subtle hints are not enough.

Their struggle is heartfelt. They don't want the sting of rejection so they stop before baring their souls. I love that this story is written in Patrick's POV. I love reading his thoughts and feeling his emotions. Plus we get Zeus, the first-to-know feline who doesn't share secrets. It gives the story a special zest. Lauren Blakely has nailed down giving us the male POV. I hope she continues. 5 Stars!

[All Booked Out · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened on Audible and was giggling from the get-go to Sebastian York's perfectly timed delivery of Lauren's latest rom-com funny moments.

Patrick is all man, and a furry feline sidekick in Zeus. To say that Zeus is my cherry and icing on the cake is an understatement. Lauren gives good cat! That is all I am saying. I was in stitches.

Having known Mia from other books, I am delighted she has her own story and ended up on the trail of Patrick. He is fit, handsome and a genuinely great guy (swoon). Although not a fan of hiking and the woods myself, I can see the attraction of getting up close and personal in a tent with this man to keep me safe and HOT! Pass me my boots, I am booking a trip.

With some old favourites from the past popping in, it is romance, friends and just what I want to relax and enjoy some fun, flirting and forking of marshmallows over a camp fire.

Get ready to go all soft inside for the hard wood.

[Ginny Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

You don't know wood.. until you've met Patrick... and his Hard Wood.

I loved this book!! I've enjoyed this whole standalone serial collection of comedy. Can't tell you who is my favorite, because they are all up there and each book just gets funnier. Each book is filled with a special dose of banter, swoon and heat. HEAT! Each book made me love them more.

I really can't tell you who I loved more, Patrick, Mia or Zeus. Patrick is a man who just about appreciates anything. He's dedicated. He's focused and he goes for what he wants. Mia is no different, which is what makes their connection so good. They support and compliment one another. Then there's Zeus. So proper. So eloquent. So purrrfect.

Reading a romantic comedy by Lauren Blakely is like watching a chick flick. All the characters come together giving you a story of heart, humor, and heat. I highly recommend this book!

[✰ Bianca ✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patrick.
We already met him in Joy Ride - he was the cute neighbor. And he was already interested in Max's sister back then.
And he still is. Mia is his dream woman. And he's ready to settle down.
Too bad that Mia lives in California!
But maybe he can convince her that New York is not too shabby a place to live - and fall in love in!
But Mia's business is in California and she's a bit scared to start something....
But she's already halfway in love with him and his cat!



WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH THOSE TWO??
HAPPILY EVER AFTER IN NYC OR CALIFORNIA??
READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT! ☺

══════════════════════════





LOL!!!!
Another amazingly funny and adorable and sexy Lauren Blakely Male POV book!
I just love those. I want them to never end!!! I hope Lauren invents endless characters for this 'series'. But everyone's married now - no more single guys! But I still hope we'll get more male POVs from Lauren!

This one was just as great as the others. It's just too adorably funny when a guy is telling us his story. So different from all those girl-POV books!

Patrick is mega adorable. He's not like all the other guys - scared of something serious! He wants serious - he wants to settle down with - preferably Mia - and his cat Zeus.



Zeus stole the show btw. He's a famous hiking cat! Patrick takes him on his hikes and canoe-rides! He already has a million Instagram followers! And I hate cats! ☺ But Zeus is cool!
(We also get a few chapters in his POV - and in those we hear a bit about what Mia is thinking too!)

It takes Patrick a while to convince Mia that he's her happily ever after - but we are thoroughly entertained while watching them fight for their happy end!

I so want Lauren's male POV books to become a tv-show one day! Come on Netflix - do this already!!!

HARD WOOD was such an adorable love story! A hot guy and his famous cat looking for their happily ever after ... Perfect #RomCom! Hollywood please come and make something out of these books!! Readers, please run to your nearest amazon asap for your own PATRICK - this one is MINE!!!

♡ ♡
♡ ♡

♡ ♡

[Dena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard Wood is easy to find… ha ha, if only it was! Patrick is rugged, sexy and all man! A nice hard wood is all Mia needs but her and Patrick are just friends, should she really cross that line with him? Mia lives across country but she comes to visit Chase and Max and when she's in town, she runs into Patrick. One night Mia gets to know Patrick a little too well by crossing the point of no return. What happens when she needs to go back home to her life and business? Or when Patrick finds out she hired his adventure tour company for her employees retreat for her business? A little pleasure in the mix of business never hurt anyone right? It might be hard to keep their hands off each other out in the wilderness with all that wood.

Hard Wood is one of those stories that catches you from the beginning, it’s so different in that Patrick isn’t a typical male. He’s outdoorsy, adventurous and of course extremely fuckable! I have no idea how any woman can keep her hands off him. Get ready to swoon, drool and moan your way through this story. Patrick is all that and a bag of chips! Don’t let your panties catch on fire since Patrick is all about lighting those fires in the woods! 5 deliciously rugged stars!!!

[Yvette ~ Nose Stuck in a Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rom-com that's heavy on the romance with plenty of humor and a guaranteed happy ending is pretty much my idea of a perfect book. That's why I impatiently await each new rom-com Lauren Blakely releases. She doesn't disappoint! Especially when it’s time for the last of the Big Rock heroes to get his Happily Ever After. With Hard Wood (heehee), we have a best friend’s sister romance told via all-male-POV. This book has everything you could want in a romance: a heartwarmingly sweet love story, love scenes so sexy they'll make your jaw drop and your cheeks flush, and characters that’ll claim your heart from page one. In short, Hard Wood is another top favorite read by Lauren Blakely.

I love how everyone is connected in the Big Rock universe. Whether they’re close friends or relatives, they all run in the same circle that gets increasingly wider with each new book. Whenever new characters are introduced, I can’t help but wonder if they’ll soon appear in their own book. Luckily, that’s usually the case, such as with Patrick (Max’s close friend and Evie’s brother) and Mia (Chase and Max’s sister). The moment these two first met in a previous book, sparks flew, and my brain immediately started plotting the potential romance between them. Their story is, of course, everything I could’ve imagined and then some, complete with electric chemistry, palpable sexual tension, and flirtatious banter. There’s no unnecessary drama or drawn-out angst, but rather an easygoing, fun-loving connection between two individuals that blossoms into something more.

It’s the romance between Patrick and Mia that had me swooning and grinning nonstop, but I have to admit that what I love most about Hard Wood is Patrick, our incredibly charming narrator. As far as heroes go, he’s unpretentiously normal. He's not tortured, he's not a bad boy, and he’s not an over-the-top Alpha male. He runs a successful business, enjoys the outdoors, and wants to settle down (sigh). No, he's not flashy, but he is genuine and respectable, with an admirable sense of humor. Patrick is proof that a "good guy" is just as swoon-worthy, just as sexy, and just as romantic as any other fictional hero.

If you’re in the mood for a lighthearted rom-com with plenty of steam and minimal angst, Hard Wood is a must-read. It’s goofy and fun but also sensual and erotic, which is an irresistible combination that had me glued to my Kindle from start to finish. Although I’ll miss the Big Rock crew, Hard Wood is a perfectly satisfying, can’t-miss end to the series.

*complimentary copy provided by author for an honest review

[Lauren Blakely · Rating 5 out of 5]

✮✮✮NEW RELEASE! HARD WOOD is live everywhere!! ✮✮✮
My newest standalone romantic comedy from the guy's POV is now available on all retailers!
Grab yourself some HARD WOOD and laugh, swoon and fan yourself from the heat!
✦Kindle US ➜ http://amzn.to/2gudVgq
✦Kindle UK ➜ http://amzn.to/2xXwncq
✦Kindle CA ➜ http://amzn.to/2zsvfdd
✦Kindle AU ➜ http://amzn.to/2gvLhLS
✦iBooks ➜ http://apple.co/2xoVy6k
✦Kobo ➜ http://bit.ly/2tIJoQo
✦Nook ➜ http://bit.ly/2gLRTJ2
✦Google Play ➜ http://bit.ly/2x5DHPH
✦Amazon PB ➜ http://amzn.to/2x8Y54c
✦Amazon Audio ➜ http://amzn.to/2znV6Uu
✦Audible ➜ http://adbl.co/2x5FyE6

[Wendy'sThoughts · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Long-Awaited And Worth It Stars
YOU DON'T NEED HOME DEPOT
GET YOUR HARD WOOD FOR FREE!!!!!
* * * * * Spoiler Free
There's a feeling you get when you have been wanting something for a while...A type of anticipation, an excitement in the possibility of what is to come...This feeling can happen about big events you have planned and are counting the days for...But this fluttery feeling can also take place when pondering something simple....easy... and just plain pleasurable...

Like this book Hard Wood by Lauren Blakely. Ms. Blakey, the Master of Secondary Characters who are worthy of their own stories, has been taunting and teasing us with Patrick and Mia in a few books now. In one book, she would introduce them and a hint of an attraction... then in another, she would tip her hand and give Patrick and Mia a bit of brooding and longing...with all of this revealing more and more about who they were...

This way of giving us characters is genius and many authors do it... Ms. Blakely does not have a copyright on the practice...

But what Ms. Blakely does have is this subtle way of drawing the reader in...

It is Not Too Much or Over the Top force-feeding us to be interested...
It is also Not Too Little so that we have to rack our brain to remember who the hell these people are...
It is the Just Right Amount to lock us down and set us up to be curious...
This is the way she links all of these characters together as Real Life Family and Friends...

There is no forced purpose. You can believe people became friends because they happened to live in the same apartment building. Links from college are always strong and holding onto relationships happens every single day. Brothers have Sisters... Sisters have Brothers and marriages widens social circles...All of these life events happen and Blakely just causes them to flow into one another.... but never forced.

And with all of this background, we have been wondering about Patrick and Mia...

Well, the wait is over, and O.M.F.G..... All the anticipation and flutters you felt, were minor compared to what you will feel while reading this book. I mean it. If in Real Life, any of you experience the type of Man Patrick is...then Kiss the Ground and Say a Prayer that you have been given such a gift.

This Patrick is so special in his straight forward understanding of who he is and what he wants out of life. We are given the insight into how this man developed from the awkward gangling boy into this self-assured man. He has no pretense... just the desire for a simple direct life. It is having a company that promotes what he loves, the outdoors. He has taken his love of the outdoors and of animals and made it a successful business. He is smart, well-read and just charming...

And then we have Mia...a product of a loving family with a brother who was her champion. He looked out for her in all the standard brotherly ways... but did even more... He showed her how to take something she thought was a weakness and make it a strength... He gave her the ability to handle any challenge and not back down.

Mia is equal to Patrick in her ability to take what she loved and make it a successful business. She loved animals and she loved beauty... She decided to make beauty products that are Cruelty-Free... and it has served her well. Her business in San Francisco has taken off and it is growing by leaps and bounds.

These two had all the makings for a wonderful coming together...except there was this one little thing holding Patrick back from seriously pursuing Mia...

Actually, it was more than one....it was more like 3,000...
Yeah... Patrick lived in New York City and Mia was living 3,000 miles away in San Francisco...
And we all know how well long-distance romances work...

But here is the deal...
Patrick is Smitten...
Patrick is Ready...
And he is More than Willing and Able...

He just needs to read the signs and figure out how to show Mia how ready he is for her...

This was as swoony as you could get... I wanted to eat these two up with a spoon, that's how perfect they were for each other. The dialogue was incredibly smart, the sex hotter than hot... and the love in their hearts... the best.

And just in case, all that I have told you isn't enough to pique your interest...
Then how about a cat named Zeus who is the holder of all truths...Every time Zeus was on the page... his sly way of understanding humans worked and made me grin.

Thank you, Lauren Blakely, for giving me everything I wanted... the anticipation, the flutters, and all the heart clutch a gal could want.

These can be read in any order although this was how they were published:

Big Rock (Big Rock, #1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mister O (Big Rock, #2)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Well Hung (Big Rock, #3)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Full Package (Big Rock, #4)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Joy Ride (Big Rock, #5)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Hard Wood (Big Rock, #6)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~

I am so incredibly lucky...I have this on my Kindle
and I cannot Stand how Happy I am!

Oh, and sometime between December 20, 2016, and now...
The title changed to Hard Wood... Yum
●•●•●•●•●•●•●•
December 20, 2016
Now many of you out there probably don't know...
That Happy Trail was a song sung by Roy Rogers back in the day...

Nope, most of you know those two words to mean...
A Wonderful, Sexy Way Mother Nature pointed to all the good stuff on a man...

So it's only Right that Lauren Blakely has a little treat for us...
Yes, She has decided to give us
One more sexy, dirty, naughty, laugh-out-loud all-guy...
The Guy Who Has The...

Happy Trail- November 2017


For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways

[Tammi · Rating 5 out of 5]

FINALLY!!! I have been waiting for Patrick and Mia's story. We saw their attraction building in the background of her brother's books and now we get theirs!!
I loved Patrick so much he knew what he wanted, he wanted Mia! But outside factors had him faltering in a GO GET YOUR GIRL attitude.
This was told completely from his POV so you would think we would be as clueless about her feelings as he was but there was his special know all, see all cat who told us her feelings, in cute little cat POV chapters. Zeus was awesome!
So funny how it took a week of hands off, seperation to bring them together on the same page with their feelings. Once they had those figured out it was a perfect whirlwind beginning and sealing the deal on where their future led them. And I loved that The Cat Knew First!!!

[litljen · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** I received an advanced copy and chose to review it ***
** 100% spoiler-free review **
* 5 purrrrfect swoon-worthy stars *

Nobody makes me swoon like Lauren Blakely and with this book, I swooned HARD ! Hard Wood is Blakely's newest standalone story told from the male POV. It follows Patrick and Mia, two characters who have appeared previously, dancing around each other for awhile on the fringes of those stories. But now? Now it's finally their turn to find their happily ever after and Blakely wrote them one helluva love story that will sweep readers off their feet! There is SO MUCH to love in this book from the adorable characters and a hiking cat who has his own POV (!) to a fast paced love story and scorching hot sex scenes that might just set your Kindle ablaze!

Patrick and Mia are the epitome of the saying "made for one another". Both are entrepreneurs who turned their passions into successful companies. Living across the country from one another has prevented them from following their hearts and admitting their feelings for one another. When they finally take that leap and give in, the fun really starts! Seriously, even when they are getting down and dirty, these two are hilariously fun! Blakely found a way to bring out their individual senses of humor in the most creative ways. She had me laughing and smiling throughout. In fact, the entire story is one feel-good ride! I read Hard Wood right after finishing a book that had me feeling completely hung over and by the end of the second page of the prologue, I was smiling and feeling the Blakely magic take hold and transform my mood. The story is super fun and dedicated readers will revel in the events of past characters that take center stage in the background of this love story. Patrick's cat Zeus will endear readers, even those that are not really cat-lovers (raises hand and ducks in shame). A few strategically placed chapters told from Zeus's POV are Blakely comedic gold and give us a different perspective of what's happening in the story.

Patrick and Mia will take you on a whirlwind ride as their passion and love peaks in a fabulous happily ever after ending. You will laugh, you will swoon and you will feel completely enamored with everything about this book. With sexy characters, witty dialogue and a beautiful storyline, Hard Wood is the perfect feel good rom-com to put a smile on your face and set your heart aflutter.

[Jen McCoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can't have Patrick! He's MINE MINE MINE! All of his manly, sweet, funny, cat loving hunk a hunka burning love is ALL MINE! What girl doesn't want a guy who KNOWS her - to a freaking T... and not only that, but LOVES her, for being just who she is! Not only that, but one who is so head over heals that he doesn't even care that he's a goner?! I don't think there's a girl on the planet who doesn't want any of those sweet, sexy, romantic things including ME! So I claim him, okay? Dibs. First. Shotgun. Back off chicks.

And while I'm at it, Mia is my new bestie. I adore her quirky and sweet self. And now I'm torn. I want Patrick. And I like Mia. And I want to be a greedy girl and have all the things. *le sigh* I guess I'll let you guys read about them, but hands off ladies! ;)

[Maria✦❋Steamy Reads Blog❋✦ · Rating 4 out of 5]

➦If you are looking for a short, flirty and fun read with pretty unique characters then this is it! I don't think I will forget a hot man walking a cat through the wilderness any time soon, nor the chapters told from the cat's POV, which, by the way, were hilarious!


➦This book is real low on angst, but sometimes that's just what the doctor ordered!


➦Brother's best friend trope is one of my favorites but this book didn't really have that crazy overprotective brother who is on standby to cut the hero's balls off. lol I really wouldn't have mind that at all :D


➦But... the sexual tension was high, and I'm always amazed at how Lauren Blakely is able to achieve that without in-depth character development and pretty short books. It's sorcery! *giggle* Anyrandomwhatever, this is a a perfect, lighthearted weekend read that you will definitely devour!

[Kara Hildebrand (Two Book Pushers) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren Blakely's newest book, Hard Wood has been a long time coming. I feel like we've been waiting in the wings forever watching this couple dance around each other, flirt, stare at each other a little too long. We know there's attraction and friendship and we finally get their story! Lauren writes fantastic characters who get into your heart and mind. I get invested in them and I long to see what they are doing, thinking and who they are going to run into. We have known Mia for a while. She's Chase and Max's sister. She's little, tough, sweet and beautiful. Patrick is Evie's brother and we know he's ruggedly handsome, outdoorsy and sexy. From the moment they met there was a connection. They just fit. You could sense the electricity in the air. Patrick has been holding back. Not because Mia's not worth it, but because she lives across the country. They are friends. Patrick likes having Mia in his life, but he's done holding back. He wants more. He's ready to settle down (gasp!). He just doesn't know what Mia wants. When a near kiss in an elevator tells him all he need to know, he's confident he's going to make Mia his. Mia is scared, but she likes Patrick. So much. She's not willing to hide her feelings anymore. She wants to pick up where they left off in that elevator. Distance be dammed. Will Patrick and Mia tell each other what they want? Do the miles and being his best friend's sister really matter? I loved this story! It's such a slow burn filled with sexy innuendo, fun flirting, witty banter and friendship. But when they come together, the sparks fly and the sheets catch fire! I love their differences, their compromises. And I really, really, love their nicknames for each other. So cute! Overall: It's Lauren Blakely. Read it. You'll love it. I promise.

“The reason I said ‘after you’ at the start of the trail is that I’m a gentleman, and I still believe that ladies come first.” I stop, reining in a smirk. “Go first, I mean. Ladies go first.”

Don’t you see how you make me feel?”
“How do I make you feel?”
“Like my body is humming. Like I’m vibrating. Everything crackles when I’m with you.”

“Seeing Patrick in this suit might possibly make me ovulate. I swear, I can’t be held responsible for my actions."


“Are you going to put on any clothes?”

“Do you want me to get dressed, Mia? Does it make you uncomfortable to see all this masculinity on display?”

[Nissa | Of Pens and Pages Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars!

Review and Excerpt at Of Pens and Pages.



Hard Wood is a fun and sweet, friends-to-lovers romance with a perfect, slow-burning build up to a happily ever after. We have two lovable characters and a feline companion that completely steals the show, and the best thing is it’s told in Lauren Blakely’s hilarious and realistic male POV.

Distance, past relationships, and current friendships hold back two people who have this strong and undeniable connection to cross that line past friendship. Patrick and Mia have this ease in their interactions while they were friends, and especially even after they were more, that shows exactly why friends to lovers romances are amazing.

I don’t care about the miles. I don’t care that we live on different coasts. All I care about is how I feel, not only when I’m near you, but when I think of you.”

What I love the most about this pair is how Ms. Blakely depicted a very realistic pair who are in a fresh/new relationship. They’re trying to find their way into a steady and solid relationship. Because of the new relationship, they won’t always know the right things to say or do, and I like that they had a conversation about not being able to read minds and that they’d have to communicate to make sure they’re in the same boat.

I love both Patrick and Mia! They’re equally focused on their careers and because of that, they both have successful businesses. They’re also very in-tune to each other’s interests and feelings, and very connected to each other. They’ve both close to their families, both looking to settle down, and both fun and adventurous. It’s a match made in heaven.

Shout out to Patrick for being so swoon-worthy! This man is romantic and serious about finding the one he’ll spend the rest of his life with, and when he’s 100% sure it’s Mia, he’s persistent in his pursuit. No going behind Mia’s brother or anyone, no pretenses. He’s upfront about it and I absolutely love it!

I’ve read about this pair in Ms. Blakely’s previous works and have always wondered when they were going to go from friends to lovers, and now that I have it, I’m very satisfied. If you think about it, it’s a really long build up for them. Their story didn’t start in Hard Wood. From sitting on the sidelines in Joy Ride to Stud Finder, then finally taking the reigns in Hard Wood, Patrick and Mia’s love story was the ultimate slow burn. And it’s great to see the other pairs in the Big Rock world living their life after their happily ever after, too.

If you’re looking for a light and fun romantic-comedy with great banter and sizzling chemistry, you’ll enjoy Hard Wood.

And Zeus? I want that cat for a pet. Pet of the year. Adorable.

Tropes: Friends to Lovers, Brother’s Best Friend
POV: First Person, Male POV
Standalone: Yes

*ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

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[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

**ARC generously provided by Author**

Lauren Blakely's writing is my kryptonite. I'm not sure how she does it-how she makes me fall in love over and over again, but she does. She can take a trope I've read hundreds of times before-falling for a friend's little sister-and make it seem so fresh, fun and unique. This book had me swooning, laughing, sighing and grinning. I didn't want it to end but couldn't stop grinning when it did.

Mia was so much fun. I adore her sense of self, her strength. I admire her guts and willingness to go all in and make drastic changes in her life to seize a potential opportunity. She's willing to put herself out there and how can you not love that? She's down to earth and I love that. This is a character I'd go have a purple snow globe with any day of the week.

Patrick had serious swoon game. A man who knows what he wants, what he's ready for and who he wants it with?? Talk about a unicorn. A smart, hot, sexy and sweet unicorn. I admired Patrick. He wanted to do things the way he felt was right and I really liked that. He put his cards on the table (mostly!) and just went all in.

I have to admit I'm a sucker for the first kiss between the hero and heroine. An absolute sucker for them and I wasn't disappointed in this book. However, this book gave me a new thing to sigh over-the first hand hold. Oh, I was just a puddle. There's no denying the chemistry between these characters. It snaps and crackles in the banter they share and when they finally connect? Let's just say I there are definitely kindle melting moments here.

The writing here was so vivid that I felt like I could SEE everything these characters were experiencing. From the stars in the sky, to the twigs on a hiking trail and the felt on a pool table during a game, I could just see it. My heart skipped a beat more than once at moments between Patrick and Mia because I felt I was just there with them...in a totally non creepy way LOL. I was completely immersed in the story here.

This is the last book in the Big Rock series from this author but it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone. That being said, I personally loved getting to revisit characters from past books. It's one of the things this author does so incredibly well. The supporting characters never overwhelm the story, ever. I loved getting to see where those past characters are NOW. So thank you, Lauren Blakely, for giving those little glimpses into the other Big Rock characters here.

This book is full of sharp, sexy, sweet and fun banter. The pacing is perfect-and while I didn't want it to end, I couldn't keep the grin off my face when it did. Hard Wood was the perfect ending for this series, though it can absolutely be enjoyed as a standalone. I highly recommend this book.

**This and other reviews featured on our blog, Booked All Night, http://www.BookedAllNight.com**

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard Wood by Lauren Blakely is coming October 23rd!!

Amazon PB ➜ http://amzn.to/2x8Y54c
iBooks ➜ http://apple.co/2xoVy6k
Kobo ➜ http://bit.ly/2tIJoQo
Nook ➜ http://bit.ly/2gLRTJ2
Google Play ➜ http://bit.ly/2x5DHPH

AUDIO IS NOW LIVE!!!!

Amazon Audio ➜ http://amzn.to/2gHHETO
Audible ➜ http://adbl.co/2x5FyE6

Although most of her books can be read as standalones, they do have characters that intertwine and I recommend reading in this order.

Big Rock Spencer and Charlotte

Mister O Nick (Spencer’s best friend) & Harper (Spencer’s sister)

Well Hung Wyatt (Nick’s brother) & Natalie (Charlotte’s sister)

The Sexy One  Simon (Harper’s brother) & Abby (Harper’s best friend)

The Only One  Gabriel (Simon’s friend) & Penny (Wyatt & Nick’s friend)

Full Package  Josie (Wyatt’s sister) & Chase (Wyatt’s friend)

The Hot One  Tyler (Simon’s friend) and Delaney (Penny’s friend)

Joy Ride  Henley & Max (Chase’s brother)

The Knocked up Plan  Nicole (Penny and Delaney’s friend) & Ryder

Stud Finder (1001 Dark Nights) Dylan (Ryder’s best friend Flynn’s twin brother) and Evie

Hard Wood  Mia (Max’s sister) & Patrick (Max’s friend & Evie’s brother)

Come As You Are – Expected April 17th 2018 which will be about Flynn (Ryder’s best friend and Dylan’s twin brother)

Also check out this standalone ↠ Out of Bounds



*** ARC KINDLY provided by the AUTHOR in exchange for a HONEST REVIEW ***

So I have read basically all of Lauren Blakely's books. LOVE THEM and probably obsessed with almost ALL OF THEM! If I could I would put basically every single one on my top favorites list. This one definitely would be on the top of my favorite Lauren Blakely books. We have met both Mia and Patrick before. Mostly in Joy Ride. I knew they would have a book and I was without a doubt excited. Learning more about these two made this book even better than I expected as well.

Patrick is the perfect buff adventure guy. Owning his own company taking people on hikes, canoeing and other outdoor adventures. As Mia is the owner of a cruelty-free makeup coming. These two collide in the best way possible (yes sexual as well, hello this is a romance novel) even though they are both super busy and always traveling. The best part of this book is that they already have a big amount of chemistry and already did the get to know you stuff in the months that they have known each other. The downfall? They live in different states. About 3,000 miles away. Booooo!!! Plus there is the pesky fact that Mia is Patrick's best friend's sister. I mean these type of categories are my FAVORITE and thankfully Lauren Blakely got that memo because she has a lot of couples that are falling love with best friends siblings. Hallelujah!!!! <3

Thankfully Patrick and Mia are open minded on a lot of things and Patrick's clever cat, Zeus helps them basically get the sparks and chemistry moving faster. The romance is fast paced and moves easily. Not a lot of drama which is wonderful and these two actually communicate better than most couples do when they've been together for years. 

Although Lauren Blakely has published a bunch of books, she has once again made a story line unique and 100% individual in the romance reading world. Patrick and Mia are not your normal lead characters, which makes this book easy to fall in love with and easy to read. Without a doubt and no surprise I could not put this book down until I finished it. I was in a trance from the first chapter and the only cure was finishing this beauty of a book asap. 

As always bravo, Lauren Blakely. You will always be a go-to author for me. I don't even read the blurbs anymore because I know I will absolutely 100% without a doubt fall in love with your stories. 


For a longer review at this book and others, please check out my blog at Trashy Biblo Blog
 

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Review of Hard Wood by Lauren Blakely

Patrick and Mia - 5+++++ stars

I absolutely LOVED this story! We've already met both of the main characters from previous books in the series and this pretty much ties up all the couples. Patrick has been harboring feelings for Mia since he met her but since she lives on the west coast and he lives on the east coast, he's held back. Mia's had feelings for Patrick as well, but since he is her older brother's best friend, she has been holding back.

Which guy are you looking for, from the hald dozen or so basic types of men in the world, that Patrick names:
1. The too-cool-for-school playboy who solemnly swears he’ll never settle down
2. The Grouchy McGrouch Pants - the surly, bearded guy that is a softie beneath the dickhead exterior he shows to the world, along with his beanie cap
3. The guarded businessman in his three-piece suit, housing deep, dark secrets that only one woman can unlock
4. The lumbersexual
5. The groomed father
6. The citified pretty boy
7. The hot nerd, or
8. The bad boy with a heart of gold.

I ADORE the way Ms. Blakely draws you into the story that you are reading and makes you feel like you are part of this wonderful group of friends. And Zeus is soooo hilarious! You definitely want to pick this one up as soon as you can! Worth every single penny!

**Honest review voluntarily provided from a Complimentary Copy**

[Alex ♈ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 - 4 stars

It was definitely, nope - for sure!, the safest book by this author I ever read.

This and the amazing adventure cat Zeus made this book for me *lol*




Such a sweet hero. Untypical for contemporary romance. Not a manwhore, a bit shy, but strong and sexy. Too cocky for my taste, but I wasn’t the woman he wanted, so… *lol*

Shame on me, but I couldn’t remember any of previous characters in this series = side characters in this book. And I read them all! Not a name, ugh! It made it a bit difficult to enjoy this story #takememorypills

I didn’t quite understand what was the main reason MCs fell for each other, apart from sexual tension, but it could be my lack of attention lately.

Finally a hero, who didn’t sample many/any OWs being in lust/love with the heroine. Zero OW drama. ZERO!!! Only short flashbacks about his past, without disrespectful comments about OWs.
As I said, very untypical for contemporary romance!

I wasn’t a big fan of the heroine, maybe because I didn’t get the depth of her character.

Too rushed toward the end, but surprisingly no drama-lama –> amazing!

Till the following line I tended to 3.5 stars…
But then he said:

"When the woman you love tells you things, you listen."

Damn, I’m a very critical reader, but I’m still a woman! *sigh* *swoon*


Overall very sweet, light and safe read.

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book I’ve read in a row that has been the last of a series. Even though I am saddened that these characters have been put to bed, so to speak, I know that any book I pick up from this author will have the same feel about it. They are full of fun banter, quick wit and loads of emotion.

Mia is the sister of Chase and Max, and has found her four leaf clover when she met Max’s friend Patrick. Distance just wasn’t on their side as she lives on the west coast and him in Manhattan. Whenever they spend time together it’s, dare I say it - normal. And that’s a good thing, because Mia has seen some crazies out there, and she wants a loyal, dependable guy that’s normal. Patrick was more than that for me, he was so swoon worthy and more so with his sidekick Zeus. I am not into hiking, but for Patrick I would lace up some boots and trek along with him!

This too is a standalone like the other books but with each you are introduced to more characters that relate in some way. This end book has most of them popping in for one last hooray, and I loved that. I also love a good epilogue and it definitely foot the bill. I know I will be re reading these beauties again soon, and possibly in audio. Without a doubt, I would recommend this book to any rom-com fan.

*I received a copy for an honest review.

[Jackie Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say about this brilliant rom-com that doesn’t give too much of the storyline away , well let’s start with if you love Romantic Comedy then you will definitely want to read Hard Wood.
Hard Wood is the last of the Big Rock heroes and just like every other book in this series our hero gets his HEA but this the time the journey takes us out into the woods when Mia hires Patrick’s adventure tour company for some team building, what’s wrong with mixing business with a little bit of pleasure and will these two be able to keep their hands to themselves in the wilderness of the woods.
This book is not just a friends to lovers story it’s also a second chance because Mia and Patrick have crossed the line once before, the banter had me giggling and the flirting had me swooning, once again Lauren Blakely has given us a man to dream and drool over only this time he is a outdoor adventure type male. Great characters, great read that has some real laugh out loud moments.

[Anniebananie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Und auch wieder direkt an einem Tag durchgerauscht :)
Ich hatte das Wochenende echt n Lauf :D
Aber nun zum Buch: ich wurde wie zu erwarten nicht enttäuscht von Lauren Blakely. Bei ihr bekommt man immer genau das was man erwartet: lockerleichte, kurzweilige, sexy Lovestories. Einfach perfekt für so einen sonnigen Feiertag. Ich finde ihre Geschichten vor allem immer sehr erfrischend, da sie ohne großes Drama auskommen und die Charaktere auch keine dramatischen Hintergrundgeschichten haben. Es sind einfach ganz normale Menschen, mit ihren kleinen Problemchen, aber ohne Traumata. Mia und Patrick mochte ich auch echt gerne, auch wenn sie etwas blass und eindimensional geblieben sind. Die Gefühle und das Prickeln zwischen den beiden kam dennoch gut rüber, wie ich finde. Das restliche ist einfach der Kürze der Bücher geschuldet.
Eine Sache muss ich allerdings trotzdem bemängeln: den ungeschützten Sex. Finde ich immer arg abturnend in solchen Büchern...
Zusammengefasst: eine unterhaltsam erzählte Lovestory für Zwischendurch (überhaupt nicht negativ gemeint!) mit kleinen Schwächen und übertriebenem Happy End (muss man mögen :D).
Alle aus der Clique/Familie sind nun unter der Haube und die Reihe wohl somit auch beendet :(

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

***ARC Provided by the Author***

I loved absolutely everything about this book. Wait, I am not happy that I finished it and it is over. I don't like that part. This is one of those books, the rare ones, where you wish you could forget everything about the book and read it again, for the first time. I don't want it to be over...I wanted another epilogue, and another, and another.

But, seriously, it was perfection.

Yeah, yeah, I know. I say that about all of Lauren Blakely's books. And, it is true about every single one of them, and for different reasons every time. This one, I could not stop smiling. And, I adored Zeus. The addition of Patrick's cat (as much as I am sure Zeus would protest this name) gave this book a humor, and a vibe that is so different than other books with pets, I think because Lauren Blakely clearly knows cats, and how they think...or at least how humans believe they think, as who knows. As a cat person myself, and one who absolutely loves the quirks of having a cat in my life (one of the "drag" variety who will not be going outside, unlike this cat), I adored Zeus.

It had characters you love, quotes by one of my favorite authors, cats you want to cuddle and get high on catnip, and recurring characters you are happy to see again. If you haven't read the other books, first, what are you thinking??? Go read them!!! And, second, the recurring characters don't keep this from being a standalone, and you can read it even if you haven't read the others (although I am still stuck on the idea that you might not have read them?!?!?) and still enjoy Patrick and Mia.

Patrick and Mia are perfect. I love that they know how perfect they are for one another from the beginning, and that it takes them a little time to tell one another. Not because they are afraid of rejection, or because they doubt their feelings, but because they are ok with waiting for the other person, for as long as it takes, for them to work out and be together. So perfect, charming and fun to read.

Zeus. I am not even sure what to say about Zeus. Wait, I don't need to say anything. He is a cat, and he already knows. Because, well, he is a cat. And, I ADORED him. I loved that he was a part of the book, and that he got to be a character. Because he is awesome...and all good romances should have a cat. Really.

Romance, for it to work, needs to engage the mind and the heart of the reader. You have to not only believe in the characters, you have to feel what they are feeling, their joy, their uncertainty, and their happiness. This is so easy to do with Lauren's books, as they are so well written they draw you in, and you feel all the feels, you can't help it...it just happens and you are willingly along for the ride.

The ending is perfect, and it is so true to them, to the way they have been the entire time. And, while this is hard to say without spoiling so I will be vague, the sheer romance of his idea, of how they should begin the new phase of their relationship is the kind of thing you will still be swooning over days later. It was probably the cat's idea.

I loved this book. And, I recommend it. Don't believe me? Just ask my cat Maxwell, he knows all...and knew it first.

[Julia Griffis - The Romance Bibliophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

NO SPOILERS!

Hard Wood was amazing and one of my TOP FAVORITE romantic comedies of the year! Lauren Blakely is so incredibly talented and never ceases to blow me away with every novel she releases. She is definitely one of the Queens of romantic comedy and she truly exceeded my expectations with Hard Wood. Patrick and Mia's story was wonderful and I couldn't have loved it more if I tried.

Patrick and Mia were two of my favorite characters that Lauren Blakely has written so far. I loved their personalities and chemistry together, and how their story and relationship progressed throughout. The pacing of the story was pretty quick, but it wasn't annoying in the slightest. I prefer to read books from both character's perspectives, but I've really enjoyed reading the Big Rock series solely from each hero's POV. Patrick was by far my favorite hero in this series and I loved him and Mia as a couple. They were a perfect match for each other in every way, and I couldn't have been more ecstatic with the conclusion to their story and the entire Big Rock series.

I loved all of the secondary characters, and I was beyond excited to see all of the previous couples in the Big Rock series again. It was amazing to find out more about them and what was going on in their lives now. Lauren Blakely did a phenomenal job with tying all of the couples' stories together and creating an absolutely perfect ending for each and every one of them.

Hard Wood was sexy, addicting, hilarious and entertaining, and my absolute favorite installment in the Big Rock series! I honestly loved everything about it and it was definitely my favorite novel from Lauren Blakely so far. She truly outdid herself and I couldn't have been happier with the conclusion to Patrick and Mia's story and the entire series. It was absolutely perfect and made me extremely happy. If you haven't read any of Ms. Blakely's books yet, especially the Big Rock series, I highly recommend you do so ASAP!

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

For more reviews and other book news, please visit: https://theromancebibliophile.com

[KDRBCK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard Wood by Lauren Blakely is a full-length, standalone, romancve novel.
When you liked Big Rock, you´re gonna love this book !

Patrick Milligan is a very busy and successful business owner. He has the hots for his friends sister since forever.
Mia Summers lives on the West Coast and builds her new company. That takes a lot of work and time. Regularely she´s in New York and visits her brothers. And with her brother comes Patrick. She´s smitten, but doesn´t know how to make a long distance relationship work.
Both are good people, a bit insecure. Patrick has her deeply friendzoned, as if that would work.

Hard Wood is a beautiful read. I love the story and the characters so much. I like the pace of Hard Wood. I love how the characters struggle, the hero and the heroine. And I love, love the sidekick!
Hard Wood is written in a single-ish POV, it´s not often that a book is written from the hero´s POV. And that I love too.
I recommend Hard Wood and give 5 stars. Thank you so much, Lauren Blakely !

[Sandra Shipman ~ Two Book Pushers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard Wood is a standalone by the amazing Lauren Blakely! At this point I think she could write a rom-com in the male POV in her sleep and it will still make the Bestsellers list. One element I love in a Lauren book is the connections. I have been waiting for this story. The story of Mia (Max and Chase’s sister) and Patrick (Evie’s brother). They met a few months ago while Mia was traveling to NY on business and staying with his friend and neighbor Max. He wanted to get to know her then and falls deeper and deeper each time he sees her...

Patrick is at the point in his life where he wants to settle down. His adventure touring business is booming. His sister and his friends have found their match and now it’s his turn. Except he knows he has found is but she is off-limits. Not because she happens to be his buddy’s sister but because she lives three-thousand miles away in San Francisco. He knows that if he gets one taste of Mia while she is visiting NY than he won’t be able to let her go. She could not be a fling. She would be his everything. He would want her in his arms every night. Pitch a tent with her on the weekends. Walk his cat Zeus on a daily basis. He doesn’t know how she feels but it would be hard to watch her get on that plane if they tried. It would hurt if it ruined what they have now. A fun and flirty friendship. Well...that friendship kicks it up a notch with one night of passion. Now what?

Mia has wanted Patrick since the moment she laid eyes on him and more and more with each visit. She likes that he is a normal guy with an easygoing attitude with a good head on his shoulders. And it’s a bonus that his other head is just as amazing.She likes him. She also knows she could fall for him. That is why she hasn’t gone there. The distance is too much. His friendship with her brother could be on the line. What if they go there and it not only hurts them but Patrick as well. She told herself she wouldn’t do this but after one night with Patrick, she wants more but how could it possible work?

I love this couple!! Their relationship is easy but difficult at the same time. They just fit but live in different time zones. They click and feel comfortable with one another but have some difficulty communicating their feelings. That is what made it feel more real to me. The way they question themselves. I am not a let’s talk about our feelings type so I got it. Anyways...Patrick is a man’s man. A gentlemen with a roughness. A swoon-worthy bearded hottie who knows his way around a campfire and can make a mean s’mores after it’s built. Mia has a simple beauty on the outside and is a extraordinary beauty in the inside. Together they are fun, sexy, and have their obstacles to conquer. Oh!! I can not forget about Zeus, the most kickass cat ever. I would seriously read his story if Lauren ever went there.

Overall...it’s another Lauren book that you must read! I laughed, cried, felt the tingles. It also made me want to go for a hike and put a harness on my cat.

P.S. Their nicknames names for each other are the best. Unique and so them.

Quotes:

“I do like snacks.”
“Marcona almonds,” I say in a low, dirty whisper.
She hums.
“Green olives.” My voice turns huskier.
She fans herself.
“Sunflower seeds.” She lets out a gasp, and yeah, sunflower seed erotica is way better than s’mores smut. “Now you’re just teasing me.”
“I swear. All those can be yours.”

“He’s a shrink. He keeps all my secrets. I think it’s like patient–pussycat privilege.”

“I do need to catch up on my math.”

[Alba and Her Secrets..♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 'Why the hell not?' Stars!
ARC provided by the author via Ink Slinger PR in exchange for an honest review.


I can’t believe this is the last book in the Big Rock world. It seems like yesterday that I fell in love with Lauren’s writing and her wonderful characters. Actually, Big Rock was my first book by hers and after that I could not stop reading: as soon as she drops a release, I am all over it! Well, of course, this one was no exception. And Lauren made it an epic ending!

Hard Wood is, as I said, part of Lauren Blakely’s Big Rock books but as all her other releases in this world this novel can be read as a standalone (though I highly recommend reading all the books because they are totally worth it!). This is the love story between Patrick and Mia: also known as Max’s friend (Joy Ride) and Max and Chase’s (Full Package) little sister. These two are very good friends but friends that are extremely attracted to each other. The problem is one of them leaves in San Francisco and one in New York. How can they act on their attraction if both fear this distance? Well.. nothing gets in the way of love!

When I see Mia, when I talk to Mia, when I spend time with Mia, it confirms my belief that some things are simple.

I FLOVE a good friends to lovers romance. It’s one of my favourite tropes in the genre and it’s always good that Lauren knows how to work with every single one of them! In Hard Wood I got everything I love in Blakely’s novels: a great plot, outstanding characters and lots of laughter, emotion and HEAT! Patrick and Mia have the most adorable friendship and they take it to the next level with their flirting and those moments with Patrick’s cat Zeus (OMG so cute and so funny!). It’s impossible not to love this couple!

I tried to put her in the friend zone. I tried hard, and I thought I’d succeeded. Maybe I was just fooling myself.
But there’s no fooling myself now.
Sometimes you don’t know where a trail goes, but you turn onto it anyway.

And of course, when these two actually accept the attraction cannot be stopped and they act on it.. HOLY CRAP! Absolute off-the-fucking-charts chemistry! Mia and Patrick are adorable as friends but as a couple they will melt your insides! Especially Patrick. I mean.. He is a normal man, a VERY SEXY normal guy and a man who is ready to settle down and he knows Mia is the one for him. I fucking adore him to pieces! And of course, Mia is sassy as heck and I loved it too! These two together are amazing in all the possible ways, if you know what I mean!

Something happens when you touch the person you’ve fantasized about for months. The person you’ve longed for. You not only want to fuck her, you want to adore her with every part of you.

So yeah, it will be hard to say goodbye to all these fantastic characters that Lauren gave us these last years and I will sure revisit them from time to time because I loved every single one of them. I loved having some moments will all of them in Hard Wood: it made it even more special for me. And boy.. does Lauren Blakely know how to give us a good ending: 3 epilogues, guys, 3 freaking epilogues! Hell yeah! I am definitely all over it! I loved this story so much!

Mia is the life I’ve imagined. She’s the dream I want to make real.

Therefore, my rating for Hard Wood is 5 STARS because Lauren just delivered another brilliant love story in the Big Rock world: surely one of my favourites! I loved Patrick and Mia, their cute moments together, that wonderful cat they have and their crazy chemistry. I loved all these characters so freaking much and loved reading all their love stories. It’s so sad to say goodbye to them but I know for sure that Lauren is creating more stories and characters that we will absolutely fall for too! Now, if you haven’t read this or any of the other books, I highly recommend you do. You will not regret it!

CHECK OUT MY BLOG HERE:

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I begin with this book. Amazing, great, fantastic, page turner, can't put it down. Those kind of describe how I feel about Hard Wood but still don't express how much I loved this book.
Every book Lauren Blakely writes is always great and this one is no exception. Hard Wood though gave me so many emotions. We met Patrick and Mia in Joy Ride and Matchmaker. Patrick lives in the same building as Max and they are best friends and Mia is Max's little sister. They met a few months back and each have had a huge attraction for the other but problem is Mia lives in California and Patrick in New York so could a long distance relationship really work and she is Max's little sister don't forget that little tidbit. Patrick is the kind of guy we all want to fall in love with, he's "normal", just a good guy and he has an amazing cat named Zeus that you will love as well. No spoilers here, you are going to love this book so you will learn all the ins and outs when you read it but I will say this is probably my favorite of this series. So funny, honest, sexy as all get out, and sad to me since it's the end of this series. We get to catch up with the other characters and see how they are and we definitely fall in love with Patrick and Mia. This is told from the male(s) prospective which I love. Nice to get in the head of these male characters and Lauren always gives us such a ride with these books and always makes you feel as though you are right there with them and in someways are part of the friends yourself. I always come away from reading her books as though I really know these characters which is the best part of reading a good book for me, if it feels real and this book definitely does. You believe in these characters and root for their HEA. I received an early ARC to voluntarily read and give my honest opinion. I obviously LOVED this book and I know you will too. I HIGHLY recommend it. I will say this one more thing. All the books in this series are standalone books so you don't have to read the others before reading this one but I would suggest you read at least one or preferably all if your smart of the others before reading this one just so you get a feel for the other characters in this close net group of friends. They are all fantastic.

[TJ *Book Twins Reviews* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who wouldn’t fall in love with an outdoorsman who loves animals? Certainly not me!! Patrick is such a great character! He’s normal, sweet, and downright swoony. Plus he wants to settle down. He’s a total winner, ladies!

Here’s the breakdown:
Patrick and Mia have been denying their mutual attraction for months. She’s his best friend’s little sister and she lives clear across the country. That doesn’t abate the attraction they both feel and the obvious connection they share. So, how can these make the best of a tough situation?

What I loved:
Epilogue Heaven and Conversations with Zeus were two of my highlights. I know that’s super vague. You’ll have to read to find out the real scoop. LOL
Shockingly, I enjoyed the slow burn. I enjoyed the natural progression of Mia and Patrick’s relationship. It’s cute and comfortable. After meeting them in previous books, it was nice to see their story unfold this way.
And last, but not least, the gangs all here! Lauren Blakely has a knack for tying her characters and universes together in a way that leaves the reader so satisfied. I loved catching up with previous couples from both series.

Overall, this is classic Lauren. Its LOL funny, sweet and swoony, with a bit of steam sprinkled in to keep things interesting. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it to readers who love outdoor activities, super sweet male lead, and unbelievably cute kitties!




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