Hard To Handle

Very good series

I wish that they would make it a little easier to find the series. I don't mind reading them out of order, but it get irritating. I look forward to the next book.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Love the strong

I put off ordering this book and now that I read it I keep asing myself why???? It was great. I love the strong alpha male. Plus the strong alpha female. You have sex, romance, intrigue, and action during the story and it makes for a great read.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

entertaining contemporary tale

Like all fighters in the SBC, Harley Handleman dreams of being the extreme fighting champion. However, though his record makes him one of the top contenders, he has had bad luck when it comes to fighting for the title. His latest setback is a dislocated elbow (see SIMON SAYS) that leaves him in need of rehab instead of a championship bout.----------- When Harley needs time away like to train or heal, he leases a cabin from life coach Anastasia Bradley. Although they have known each other for several years neither thought much beyond politeness until now. They are no longer two ships passing in the night since Anastasia has taken time off to heal mentally from a nasty client. As they fall in love though both try to avoid that feeling, all bets are off when someone tries to kill her. Harley knows she is his life mate as her safety comes before his upcoming title shot.-------------- The third SBC romance (see CAUSING HAVOC and SIMON SAYS) is an entertaining contemporary tale due the changing relationship between the two likable lead characters. Harley and Anastasia now have the time to realize their attraction for one another. One late scene involving the couple arguing seems unnecessary and unresolved, but no one will care except nitpicking reviewers as fans of Lori Foster will wonder if Harley will win the only prize greater than the SBC belt, the woman he loves.---------------- Harriet Klausner

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Hard to put down.

Love this series (except My Man Michael--it just doesn't count.) Harley is renting a cabin in the woods from Anastasia while he rehabs his elbow. (It was injured when he helped save Dakota at the end of Simon Says.) Although Harley has rented from Anastasia for years, they have never really gotten to know each other. Stasia has admired the hunky Harley from afar. Once Harley notices his landlord, he can't stop thinking about her. Of course, it takes some time for both to admit their feelings, and there are some misunderstandings along the way. There is also heart pounding angst and some steamy sex. I love that we catch with the other SBC fighters and their significant others. ( Dean and Eve, Roger and Cam, Gregor and Jacki from Causing Havoc as well as Simon and Dakota from Simon Says. Even Barber from Simon Says gets his own lady in a nice side story.) You could read this book as a stand alone, but it is much more fun to read the series and get to know the characters as they develop. (Don't worry about skipping My Man Michael.) If you love or even like Lori Foster, you will enjoy this book. I love it when everything works out in the end!

Title pretty much says it all

'Hard to Handle' is not really any better or any worse than the others in the SBC Fighters series, just not really riveting. The main plot revolves around Harley Handleman and Stasia, his "life coach" and his issues and various attempts on her life. There's also a secondary romantic plot for Barber, Dakota's musician friend from the previous book, and his new lead singer. All of them end up in Harmony, and there's plenty of interaction with characters from the other titles in the series.

I don't want to say that Lori Foster's most recent books are getting worse and worse, but they're definitely not keeping my interest. She used to have really fun and distinctive characters/plots, but lately all the heroes and heroines are running together (partly because they all keep showing up in books together) and the writing style and dialogue seems almost amateurish. I've been skimming more than really reading them.

Least of this Group

Of the three fighter books, this one was my least favorite but only because there wasn't enough nookie. Still good because of who wrote it but I was wanting more...

Hard to Handle

Lori Fosters is Great! Anyone that like the UFC will enjoy this book.

LOVE THIS BOOK!!

I love Lori Foster's writing, and this book was just amazing, you fall completely in love with the characters and wish they were people you knew! When reading this book, I just wished I could be part of whats going on! After finding out that there were more books like this and the SBC series, I had to read them all! I couldnt put these books down and definately missed a lot of sleep just trying to find out what happens!

HARD NOT TO ENJOY

I really enjoyed this book in the fighter series. It had humor but also it had suspense. I recommend it. But I also recommend that you read the other book in this series first, you'll understand more.

Great work

I thought this book was great! The romance was just the right level of hot, and the storyline kept the pages turning!

Good but not great

I liked this book quite a bit. Its not one of my favorites but a good way to pass the time. I liked the side story with Roger and Barber but I felt Barber deserved his own book. There were a couple of parts that felt too rushed. Especially the end with the reaveling of the villian.

Another Keeper

Lori Foster delivers an all out sexy one two punch in Hard To Handle. ------------------- Harley Handleman, an extreme fighter hasn¿t had many breaks in his fighting career. He retreats to his rental cabin in the mountains for training and some much needed R&R. Harley has always enjoyed the give and take of conversations with his landlady, Anastasia Bradley. He has always put the attraction he feels for her on the back burner but this time something has changed. --------------------- Anastasia Bradley, a life couch has taken some down time to reflect after trouble with her last client. Stasia has always looked forward to Harley being back in town but up until this visit she has ignored her feelings for him. When some startling close calls happen to her Harley becomes her shadow. As Harley tries to keep Stasia safe their attraction cannot be denied. They both are strong people who have overcome diversity to excel but the past does linger in them. -------------- Hard to Handle is another exceptional story by Lori Foster. Harley and Stasia are compelling characters that you really want to get to know better. They will touch your heart with their love for their friends and family. Their chemistry is smoking hot and their conversations are lighting quick. I always count the days till the next Lori Foster book comes out on the shelves.

A reviewer

As someone posted before, Hard to Handle left me a little puzzled as to why L. Foster moved from her fun and sexy characters to people who were more interested in themselves than love. I just don't know--something left me wanting more than waiting for Havoc to finally get a chance to get a 'title fight.'

Exciting Story

This is my first Lori Foster book and I really enjoyed it. I have to agree with two of the previous reviewers that the lover story between secondary characters Barber and Jasimine as well as the abrubt ending could have been worked a little better. I would have loved to see Barber's story saved for another book. The ending was a bit abrubt but still what I wanted to see for the characters. All in all I'm certainly planning on reading more of Ms. Foster's books.

Something went wrong

I loved the first two. This one doesn't even come close. It's simply too weak.

Excellent!

Excellent book!!!

prodigious reader

This book follows in the true Foster tradition. She consistently provides a good fun read. In this book she uncharcteristicly has two story lines going with both Harley and Barbar finding their life mates together. While at first look this may be critizied I thought it was a very good way to grow her secondary Barber character. I have enjoyed him as a secondary character in the other books but I was glad to see him finally 'win' in this one. He really wasn't enough for a book alone since we already know so much about him, but as a major second character in Harley's story it was a nice resolution to the tension left from Simon's story. I was very glad to see that Foster didn't leave him hanging like many other authors do. She did a very nice job of mixing both Harley's story with the finish of Barber's. I really liked this book. All of her books dealing with the SBC back to and including the first 'Jude's Law' have been excellently executed and fun to read.

Hard to handle the ending

The story was doing well typical Lori Foster. But then Barber and Jasmine got in the way, a little too much introspection to maintain the pace, and the ending seemed to be rushed out so the book could end and that was really disappointing. Lori Foster needs to focus on either the contemporary books or the paranormal, not both. I get the feeling this book suffered for the L.L.Foster efforts. I would rather Lori Foster focus on the contemporary.

Sizzling, Great Read

Hard to Handle is the third book of Lori's SBC fighter series, one we have been waiting for and a terrific read. There is also a secondary romance - a bonus for the reader - in Barber's story which all blend together to make a terrific read.**********Harley 'Hard To Handle' Handleman has always wanted to take a title belt, but it seems that when ever it has been his turn - fate has dealt him losing cards. Harley has become very controlled in everything he does now from relationships to fighting bouts. He doesn't have time to get tied down to one person and as for love 'forget that!'**********Anastasia Bradley is a life-coach, who rents Harley one of her cabins every year for his vacation time, and because of an incident with her work is now taking some downtime. When things start happening to Anastasia that threaten her life, Harley is determined to keep is distance - even if his protective mode is activated. But then Uncle Satch hires Anastasia behind Harley's back to become his life-coach and all of a sudden she is up front and in his face.**********The heat between these two is instantaneous. Anastasia has a way of getting to Harley's control and sparks fly, but oh so much more happens. The secondary romance of Barber is a great read as well. To see the two big guys fight their own inner conflicts is a terrific read. Anyone taking this journey is in for a good read. I look forward to more of Lori's SBC fighters, and recommend this book.

Another winner! Bravo Lori!

Lori has done it again! Such a great story with Harley and Stacia! I loved the chemistry between these two from the very first. The protective way he felt about her almost immediately was great. I also loved the way she could make him think and listen to what was really in his head and could tease him out of a bad mood. I also loved being able to reconnect with the characters from the first two books...Causing Havoc and Simon Says. The love story was funny, hot and touching. The fact that Barber has finally met his match? Priceless. So if you haven't already purchased this book, do it now. You will absolutely love it!