Title: Hard As You Can
Author: Laura Kaye
Series: Hard Ink #2
Pages: 351
Ever since Shane McCallan left the dance club where Crystal Dean works, he can’t get her out of his mind. He is determined to help her and bring the club down if he can.
This book picks up right where the previous book, Hard As It Gets, ended. Shane is determined to help Crystal and hopefully gain more information about the Church activities in the process. Shane was just a wonderful character who is supportive, charming and sweet. He was the perfect man for Crystal because he was supportive of her decisions, gave her options to escape, and accepted her for who she was not what had been done to her. I loved their slow and gentle relationship. He also allowed her to give up Crystal (the name Bruno forced her to use) and become her true self, Sara.
Sara was a wonderful and strong heroine. Her story and situation is heartbreaking. She might be oppressed by her situation and Bruno but she is still determined to be free and have a new life. Shane just allows her to get out sooner and gives her more of an incentive to find her true self. I also liked her sister Jenna and hope we see more of her in the future because she seems to be a strong woman.
The plot to find the truth continues in this book. It is a well thought out story that isn’t easy to figure out, which I love. There is more character development with the guys which I am loving, especially Marz. Their relationships are starting to be repaired and you can really start to feel how great a team these men are. Also this book was interesting because it introduced us to the Raven Riders MC, who will play more of a part in the rest of the series (and eventually get their own series). Overall, this was a great sequel and I can’t wait to get to know the rest of the team.
Trigger Warnings:
- References to kidnapping, gangs, sexual slavery, human trafficking, rape and torture
- Sara was abused, tortured, and raped by the gang and forced into a relationship with Bruno. Attempted rape by Bruno on page.
- References to Shane’s sister who was kidnapped as a child and the case never solved.
Previous books and reviews for the series:
Red-Haired Ash Reads 