I… liked Hard Beat. It was a good read, even if I didn’t love it, though I tried to. But for some reason, I just can’t seem to get into a K. Bromberg book. I tried with the first two books in the Driven series, but I didn’t like them. I thought I’d give Hard Beat a try, because it sounded amazing and I was intrigued by Tanner’s character. While I liked this book more than Driven and Fueled, I still didn’t quite fully love it. It was still really good, very enjoyable, but it was missing that spark for me that makes me fully immersed in a story. My main problem was with how much of a jerk Tanner is in the beginning of the novel, and I couldn’t seem to get past that even as I kept reading.

“You want the danger, the hard beat, somewhere where you can risk your safety as a punishment for not saving Stella?”

Tanner Thomas is used to living live on the edge, of being in constant danger as a foreign war correspondent. After the tragic death of his best friend and photographer, Tanner heads straight back into the war-zone to get his mind away from the pain and grief. What he doesn’t expect is to get a gorgeous new photographer who turns his world upside down. K. Bromberg is fantastic at writing asshole heroes, I have to give her that. From what I’d seen of Tanner in the previous books, I didn’t think he had it in him, but he’s a HUGE ass to Beaux when he first meets her, and for a little while after that as well. Granted, he’s haunted by grief and guilt over Stella, but I couldn’t sympathize with him. He’s quick to assumptions and not likable until about halfway through the book.

“Remember, sometimes what’s right isn’t always what’s needed. Sometimes what’s needed isn’t always what’s wanted. And sometimes you just have to live in the moment, take what’s given, and sort out the consequences later.”

As Tanner’s photographer, Beaux is in close proximity to Tanner nearly 24/7. When you add in the fiery hot chemistry that smolders between them, it’s inevitable that they’ll be burning up the sheets in between doing their jobs. And while Tanner grows to have feelings for Beaux, she keeps herself at a distance, never revealing anything about her life. She’s shrouded in mystery, and since Tanner’s a journalist whose job is to reveal secrets, he wants nothing less than to know Beaux, inside and out.

“… eyes are the one thing on someone that never changes, so if you can look into someone’s eyes and see tomorrow, then you’ve found your forever.”

What I enjoyed about Hard Beat was how K. Bromberg wrote it solely in Tanner’s POV. It really added to the suspense and mystery of Beaux’s character. And since Tanner’s a bit of an adrenaline junkie, I could feel myself get excited whenever Tanner and Beaux got into dangerous situations. There are plenty of twists and turn in this novel that revolve around Beaux that had me on the edge of my seat (I’m TOTALLY going to say that my wild guess about Beaux’s secret was RIGHT).

She’s my little piece of Heaven in this land full of Hell.

I’m impressed with K. Bromberg’s writing – she’s created this intriguing, fast-paced novel that I normally would’ve loved, but it was Tanner’s character that prevented me from fully connecting with the story. Still, everything else about this book I did enjoy. Hard Beat is entertaining, sexy, suspenseful – I’m sure if you’re a fan of the series, you won’t be disappointed.

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Reading Order: Driven series

#1 ~ Driven: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Fueled: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Crashed: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3.5 ~ Raced: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Aced: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#5 ~ Slow Burn: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#6 ~ Sweet Ache: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#7 ~ Hard Beat: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#8 ~ Down Shift: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads (Oct. 11, 2016)

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