Hard to Handle: An Emotional, Hockey Romance, Second Chance, Standalone Kincade Sisters Romance in the Play Hard Series

· JKB Publishing, LLC
4.6
45 reviews
Ebook
360
Pages

About this ebook

New York Times bestselling author K. Bromberg is back with an all new second-chance, standalone hockey romance.


At first, the request seemed simple—sign a new athlete to the agency. 

Then I found out the new athlete was none other than the most wanted man in hockey today: Hunter Maddox

Gifted. Sexy. At the top of his game. And the only man who has ever broken my heart.

If signing him will help save our family business, I’ll swallow my pride and do what’s asked. 

But when it becomes clear his uncharacteristic antics off the ice are a hint of something deeper, keeping things strictly professional between us becomes more than complicated. But I know better than to cross that line. 

I’ll never date a client. Not even for him.

***

Win the Stanley Cup and do it before time runs out. 

Not a small feat, but it’s what’s motivated me since the start of my career. 

And time is running out.

Enter Dekker Kincade.

Feisty. Dogged. Damn gorgeous. The one I let get away.

I have no idea why she’s traveling with the team, but hell if resisting her is going to be easy. 

But I have a job to do, and I refuse to lose sight of that end game. Even if she confuses me. Even if she sees parts of me I’ve hidden from the world. 

I can’t lose focus. Not even for her. 


Read what others are saying about New York Times bestselling author, K. Bromberg:

“. . . riveting, sexy and pulsing with energy. And I can't wait for more!" - Lauren Blakely, #1 NYT bestsellingauthor

“An irresistibly hot romance that stays with you long after you finish the book.” - Jennifer L. Armentrout, # 1 NYT bestselling author 

“Captivating, emotional, and sizzling hot!” — S. C. Stephens , #1 NYT bestselling author

“Bromberg is a master at turning up the heat!”  — Katy Evans, NYT bestselling author

“K. Bromberg is the master of making hearts race and pulses pound.” — Jay Crownover, NYT bestsellingauthor 

“She has the most delicious heroes in the book world! A master storyteller!!” — Pepper Winters, NYTbestselling author 

“K. Bromberg writes the perfect romance, packed with steam, sizzle, and soul. — Ella James, USA Todaybestselling author 

"Super charged heat and full of heart. Bromberg aces it from the first page to the last." – Kylie Scott, NYTbestselling author

“Bromberg reminds you why this series was the phenomenon it is. Sexy, heartwarming, and so much more.” – Corinne Michaels, NYT bestselling author

". . . everything you want in a romance; sexy, sweet, and amazingly perfect." —KL Grayson, USA Today bestselling author

". . . everything you’ve ever wanted in a romance. Simply unputdownable." – Helena Hunting, NYT bestsellingauthor


Topics: contemporary romance, small town, second chance, friends to lovers, series, romantic series, women’s fiction, romance saga, romantic small town, series starter, first in series, romance series, romance saga, romantic family saga, new york times bestseller romance, NYT romance, new york times romance, sexy, heartwarming, sports romance, heart-warming, family, love, love books, kissing books, emotional journey, captivating romance, emotional, healing, hot, hot romance, forbidden love, sparks, loyalty, swoon, K. Bromberg romance, funny romance, modern romance, new release, office romance, forbidden romance, boy band, older in life, childhood crush, friends to lovers, one night stand, second chance romance, hidden romance, strong alpha, alpha hero, family business, strong female lead, strong heroine, family secrets, top romance reads, best seller, emotional romance, family romance, Driven series


Perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover, Nicholas Sparks, Maya Banks, Penelope Sky, Kendall Ryan, Kennedy Fox, Lexi Blake, EL James, Carrie Ann Ryan, Lani Lynn Vale, Chelle Bliss, Sarina Bowen, Penelope Ward, Nora Roberts, Marie Force, Melanie Harlow, Corinne Michaels, Laurelin Paige, Lauren Blakely, Lexy Ryan, Audrey Carlan, Melissa Foster, Kristen Proby, Devney Perry, Susan Stoker, Tessa Bailey, Jana Aston, Sally Thorne, Christina Lauren, Kristan Higgins, Elle Kennedy, Anna Todd, Debbie Macomber, Robyn Carr, Julia Kent, Sylvia Day, K.A. Linde, Catherine Cowles, Jill Shalvis, J. Daniels, Jessica Hawkins, Rachel VanDyken, Jodi Ellen Malpas, L.J. Shen, Natasha Madison, Kylie Scott, Kennedy Ryan

Ratings and reviews

4.6
45 reviews
Sandy S.
July 1, 2020
4.25 stars-- HARD TO HANDLE is the first instalment in K. Bromberg’s contemporary, adult PLAY HARD erotic, romance series. This is thirty-two year olds, professional hockey player and New Jersey Lumberjacks team captain Hunter Maddox, and sports agent Dekker Kincade’s story line. Told from dual first person perspectives (Hunter and Dekker) HARD TO HANDLE follows the second chance romance and relationship between professional hockey player and team captain Hunter Maddox, and sports agent Dekker Kincade. Hunter Maddox is all about the game of hockey including the drive for the Stanley Cup. With his contract up for renewal Hunter comes face to face with his former ‘friends with benefits’, sports agent Dekker Kincade, the woman who walked away three years earlier and broke his heart but there is more to Dekker’s appearance than a friendly hello. What ensues is the rebuilding romance and relationship between Dekker and Hunter and the potential fall-out as Dekker struggles between head and heart, and Hunter’s current attitude is affecting everyone both on and off the ice. Dekker Kincade and her three sisters work for their father’s KSM agency, and Dekker’s current assignment is to procure professional hockey player Hunter ‘Mad Dog’ Maddox but Dekker knows that to face Hunter Maddox means to potentially lose her professionalism in the face of lust, love and the man who had stolen her heart. Hunter Maddox is slowly spiraling out of control. A once, well oiled, self contained hockey machine, Hunter’s antics in public and on the ice hide a deeper, emotional fall-out that he keeps hidden to himself. Angry at the world, Hunter begins to take out his frustrations on his teammate, his family and the woman he loves. The relationship between Hunter and Dekker is one of second chances: a rekindling romance that was destroyed by Dekker’s need to run, something she continues to do with each encounter with our story line hero. Dekker is the one woman whom Hunter is unable to forgive but the woman he knows has stolen his heart. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text. We are introduced to the Kincade sisters: Lennox, Chase, Brexton, and their father Kenyon Kincade; Maddox’s parents Gary and Carla Hunter, his brother Jonah, agent Finn Sanderson, and several members of the team: Callum Withers, goalie Katzen , Frankie, Maysen and Coach Junger. HARD TO HANDLE is a story of family, relationships, struggles and love. A story of sibling rivalry, parental control, loss, grief, guilt and acceptance. The premise is emotional and real; the characters are edgy and dramatic; the romance is provocative and intense.
Erin Lewis
June 19, 2020
5 star review Hard to Handle (Play Hard #1) by K.Bromberg I am not sure where to start this review , other than to say that K. Bromberg knocked this one out of the arena. I was riveted to this book from the first until the last page and could not put it down. This is K. Bromberg writing at her best with a strong, emotional storyline and characters that you cannot help but fall for and become invested in. Hunter and Dekker have history and she is dismayed when her father asks her to target him to become their latest signing for their agency. Both Hunter and Dekker have issues and personal demons to face and I was blown away how Ms.Bromberg was not afraid to take the readers on a deeper journey and tackle issues such as guilt, depression and self worth. Issues that are very prevalent in today’s society and often ignored or overlooked. Hard to Handle is an emotional roller coaster of a read that will get to you on many levels as she peels back the layers. The author is not afraid to write about characters who are flawed and I appreciated that. This book was exactly what I've come to expect from K. Bromberg; it will make you laugh, it will make you cry,but oh how I loved it and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. Hunter Maddox and Dekker Kincade’s story left me with one heck of a book hangover and I have to say this is one of my top reads, EVER. Nothing I can say will do justice to this book and I highly recommend that you one click, you won’t be disappointed.
Kayla Davis
July 2, 2020
Hard To Handle was nothing like I expected to be but man did I love this book! I found it so different from the authors usual style but was quite impressed with the level of angst and over all story line. This book hit all my favorite troupe boxes. Sports romance ✔. Second chance ✔. Everything about this read was engaging, and had very likeable characters. If I had one warning it would be this book is quite lengthy. However it is worth every single page! Hard To Handle kept my emotions all over the place. One page I was laughing at the snarky easy banter between characters, to holding my breath the next when the tidal wave of emotions hit. I can't give kudos enough on that ending! It seriously brought tears to my eyes. Hunter and Dekker are one of my new favorite couples! For real, their chemistry was off the charts and scorched through your kindle pages. I loved them so incredibly much y'all. They are the perfect example of two characters that stories will stick with you long after the book ends. Dekker was one of those heroines you could instantly connect too! I was all for her snarky comments and even more of a fiesty attitude. She constantly kept me on my toes throughout the book. I could not get enough if her straight laced to the point persona. She knew exactly what she wanted in life and refused to settle for less. What you seen was what you got with Dekker and it was so refreshing. Hunter was one more hero. Talk about keeping you on your toes. His character had it down to a T with his hot and cold attitude. Hunter was definitely complicated and I never knew if I wanted to punch him or hug him. Hunter was vulnerable and so incredibly broken. And I was completely helpless to his charm. He had me eating out the palm of his hand in no time. *5 STARS* Was so well earned with this excellent story! I can NOT recommend one clicking this book enough. It is truly a emotionally beautiful read.

About the author

New York Times Bestselling author K. Bromberg writes contemporary romance novels that contain a mixture of sweet, emotional, a whole lot of sexy, and a little bit of real. She likes to write strong heroines and damaged heroes who we love to hate but can’t help to love.


A mom of three, she plots her novels in between school runs and soccer practices, more often than not with her laptop in tow and her mind scattered in too many different directions. 


Since publishing her first book on a whim in 2013, Kristy has sold over one and a half million copies of her books across eighteen different countries and has landed on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestsellers lists over thirty times. Her Driven trilogy (Driven, Fueled, and Crashed) is currently being adapted for film by the streaming platform, Passionflix, with the first movie (Driven) out now.


With her imagination always in overdrive, she is currently scheming, plotting, and swooning over her latest hero. You can find out more about him or chat with Kristy on any of her social media accounts. The easiest way to stay up to date on new releases and upcoming novels is to sign up for her newsletter (http://bit.ly/254MWtI) or follow her on Bookbub (http://smarturl.it/KBrombergBB)


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