Review: Hard As You Can (Hard Ink #2) by Laura Kaye

Title: Hard As You Can
By: Laura Kaye
Series: Hard Ink #2
My Copy: Ebook from Publisher
BookWhisperer's Rating: 

Five dishonored soldiers.

Former Special Forces.

One last mission.

These are the men of Hard Ink.

Ever since hard-bodied, drop-dead-charming Shane McCallan strolled into the dance club where Crystal Dean works, he’s shown a knack for getting beneath her defenses. For her little sister’s sake, Crystal can’t get too close. Until her job and Shane’s mission intersect, and he reveals talents that go deeper than she could have guessed.

Shane would never turn his back on a friend in need, especially a former Special Forces teammate running a dangerous, off-the-books operation. Nor can he walk away from Crystal. The gorgeous waitress is hiding secrets she doesn't want him to uncover. Too bad. He’s exactly the man she needs to protect her sister, her life, and her heart. All he has to do is convince her that when something feels this good, you hold on as hard as you can—and never let go.

I thought I truly was in love with Nick from the first book of this series, I really did.  After reading Hard As You Can, I think I love Shane more.  His southern charm stole my heart in the first book but hearing his story made me fall for him even more.  His instant protectiveness of Crystal from the moment he met her made me melt. 

There is so much behind the character of Crystal that she became a multi-dimensional in her own little way.  Stuck working for Church and in a horrible relationship with Bruno, Crystal stays in this life for the protection for her sister.  (You gotta love a character that protects her younger sister.)  Once she meets Shane, she finds her life unraveling.

Again, this book was not all about the romance between Shane and Crystal; it was based around all the drama that started in book one.  There was so much action and drama in this second installment that this book grabbed my attention immediately.  Kaye is brilliant with the story plot that is continuing throughout this series.  I mean, she has set up some amazing characters that I have fallen in love with and can’t wait to continue this journey with them…and of course, get down to how they will destroy Church’s plot and reinstall the guy’s status in the military. 

The next book is about Easy…SIGN ME UP!