Rebel Hard (Hard Play, #2)

by Nalini Singh

[EBookObsessed]

I was so excited about Raj and Nayna's story and I loved the Pride & Prejudice twist. Unfortunately, this story needs illustrations or to be turned into a great Bollywood movie for full effect. I desperately wanted to see the outfits being described.

Nayna's sister broke her family's heart when she ran away with her college sweetheart and got married. Because of Madhuri's disappointment, Nayna was give stronger curfews and much less freedom.   After Madhuri's marriage failed and she returned to the family after her divorce, it is still up to Nayna to keep her family happy.  That's why Nayna had agreed to an arranged marriage, but after getting a look at the parade of losers who kept rejecting HER, she isn't so certain she can go through with it. Nayna has spent her entire life paying for her sister's lack of judgment. How can she go from her parent's strict household to being under the control of a husband?

Raj was unwanted and abandoned as a children. He was adopted and cherished by his new family but all he wants for himself is a traditional wife who will support him and raise his children with the love and affection he did not know from his birth parents.  He believes an arranged marriage will give him that stability with a woman who will understand the role he wants her to play in his life.

When Raj and Nayna meet at a house party for an important client, Nayna is hoping for one night of rebellion before she is subjected to marriage and Raj is wondering if he should hold off on matchmaking until he can see if the sparks between himself and Nayna could lead to more. Nayna ends up running away, more like Cinderella then Lizzy Bennet, but she and Raj meet up soon thereafter as their parents have already set up their next match.

There are definite sparks between Raj and Nayna but both fear the power the other could hold over them if they fell too hard. Raj's past has made him a bit of a control freak and while Nayna admits to herself that she has strong feelings for Raj and can see herself with him, anytime any of the parents utter the word "marriage," it's like trying to get your dog in the car when the know they are going to the vet.  Raj knows that if they push too much, he will loose Nayna forever but the well-meaning matchmakers don't understand what all the fuss is about and their attempts to push Nayna down the aisle, might just cause her to make a break for the door.

I thought I caught a Pride & Prejudice spin to the story but there was no question once a misunderstanding occurs and Raj shows up with a letter for Nayna and her response is..."What? Am I living Lizzy Bennet's life?" This also brings in the actual story since Raj has to find out who Lizzy Bennet is and it is funny to see Raj having discussions with the construction workers on his team about the nuances of Mr. Darcy and Lizzy's relationship.

I am not kidding when I say this book needed illustrations or for the ebook, links to pictures of the gorgeous outfits being described. When Nayna's sister is picking through possible wedding outfits, I really, really wanted to see what Nalini was describing.   I tried googling but it just wasn't coming up with anything as nice as what was being described.   That part was really disappointing. So I would like to put in my vote for a collector's edition with illustrations.

After reading snippets of Raj and Nayna's romantic chase going on in the background of Cherish Hard, I was really happy that they got their own story and we got to see what was really happening on their way to a HEA.

Received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

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