Hard Wood

Lauren Blakely

Oct 2017 · Lauren Blakely Books

About this ebook

From #1 NYT Bestselling author Lauren Blakely comes a friends-to-lovers, stuck-in-a-cabin romantic comedy!

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.

Things are about to get very hard in the woods.

Ratings and reviews

**Advanced copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review** This story is one was have been waiting on for some time after meeting both Mia and Patrick in earlier books and what I can say is Lauren Blakely did not disappoint! Mia is the sister of Max and Chase and Patrick is Evie's brother and also one of Max's best friends. When Mia and Patrick met for the first time it was clear there was a connection and while neither one of them was ready to act on it at that time, time has passed and things have changed. Mia is smart, sassy, beautiful and the owner of her own beauty company. She has been spending time in New York since both of her brothers are there now, but currently she's in town for Chase's wedding. She has always had feelings for Patrick, but events in previous relationships have her cooling her jets just a bit. Patrick is funny, strong, outdoorsy, owns his own adventure tour company and is a cat lover. Oh and did I forget the fact that he's hotter than hot?! Yeah, he totally is. He's ready to settle down and he has definitely had his sights set on Mia for some time, but the fact she lives nearly 3000 miles away and she's his friend's sister have had him putting the breaks on. Well, he did until an almost kiss happened in an elevator... After the close encounter in the elevator between Patrick and Mia, they can't deny their attraction anymore. The chemistry they have is inferno level and there is no doubt that their feelings are extremely strong, but the question is, can they be together and handle a long distance relationship? Or is there another solution? I loved how this relationship unfolded and how certain small things became such driving forces in their relationship. It was very them and it was totally endearing. This book is exactly what I've come to expect from Lauren Blakely - witty, sexy and completely engaging! Loved it!

Who is ready for a sexy, rugged outdoorsman who also happens to be a pretty freakin’ great guy?!! Yeah me too. Thankfully, Lauren Blakely has given us the perfect person in Patrick. Adventurous, sweet, funny, and owner of the world's greatest cat, Patrick Milligan is everything!! *Swoon. I absolutely loved this book!! Hard Wood is a light hearted, laugh out loud, sexy, friends to lovers/ friend’s sister romance. I knew I wanted Patrick and Mia’s story the second they met in Joy Ride. Their connection sizzled off the pages. I love their well timed, witty, back and forth banter. And, of course it should go without saying, the heat between these two is off the charts. I especially love the forbidden element to this story. Not only is Mia Max and Chase’s sister, she also becomes his client when her company hires his company for a team building excursion. Watching these two work their way around their obvious passion for each other, was pure fun. I'm giddy just thinking about these two. LOVE them!! I will never not love a Lauren Blakely rom-com. These wonderful, good natured stories are highly entertaining, have amazing character chemistry, and full of heart. Big Rock - the first book in this series of standalone - was my introduction to this author. With Hard Wood being the sixth and final book, it warms my heart seeing all the characters that I love so dang much engaged/married/having babies and happy. I hate to see this series end but knowing Lauren Blakely’s writing, I'm sure we'll see these characters again.

I loved this latest love story in the standalone Male-POV books by Lauren Blakely. I just never tire of these touching, fun, sweet and sexy romances! Patrick and Mia were attracted to each other from their very first meeting. The problem is that they live on opposite coasts and rarely see each other. Mia is home for her brother's wedding and Patrick is ready to let her know how deeply he cares for her. But Mia just might have a few surprises of her own. I loved everything about this forbidden love story. It’s not full of angsty drama, but when Patrick takes Mia's group on a guided tour thru his adventure tour company, there are a few thrilling moments that take you by surprise. Ms Blakely creates wonderfully refreshing, multifaceted stories about real people who are interesting, socially conscious and face life head-on. It’s loaded with sexual tension, smoking hot passion, witty banter, laugh out loud moments, and those sweet and heartwarming moments as well, not to mention a very adorable cat named Zeus. The occasional 'Conversations with the Cat' were clever and hilarious, allowing us to peek into the minds of both Mia and Zeus. Their family and friends all make appearances as well, and it is a fun treat catching up on what is happening in their lives. This book is another brilliant, clever and sexy Blakely romance that is a MUST READ!

About the author

A #1 New York Times Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that's hot, sweet and sexy. She lives in California with her family and has plotted entire novels while walking her dogs. With fourteen New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than 85 times, and in March she'll release WANDERLUST, a breathtaking new romance that will sweep you away. To receive an email when Lauren releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter! laurenblakely.com/newsletter