Hard Knocks

Good quick read to open the new Ultimate series. Before he left to train for the next level of fighting, Gage and Harper had been spending a lot of time together. Things were getting hot and heavy, but before they could take it to the next level, Gage was gone. It has been months since she has seen or heard from him, until he suddenly shows back up.

This was a lot of fun to read. Because it was so short, there isn't a lot of time to develop a conflict. We learn quickly that they got to know each other pretty well. Harper is at home at the gym and gets along well with all the guys. She understands the fight world and knows that Gage has had to concentrate on his training. That doesn't make it any easier for her to handle his absence. When show more an injury sends him back home, she's at a loss to decide what she wants. Stay away and protect her heart from being broken again? Or jump in and take what she can get?

Gage hadn't realized just how much he was going to miss Harper while he was gone. He concentrated on his training, but she'd creep into his thoughts whenever he'd let his guard down. Not being able to participate in his planned match frustrates him a lot, but not as much as being close to Harper without being able to be with her. He needs to find a way to show her just how much he needs her.

The chemistry between Gage and Harper is smoking hot, and burns bright between them. I loved the way that Harper knew him so well that she could tell he was upset about not being able to fight. It was fun to see that she didn't get all sweet and sympathetic but gave him a hard time instead. I loved her way of distracting him. I loved the way the other fighters could see how much Gage and Harper loved each other and tried to help. Gage's surprise at realizing just what his feelings were was great. It was sweet to see his determination to show her how he felt and how he couldn't wait to tell her. I loved seeing what happened when they finally talked to each other.

The story works well to introduce Gage's friends and fellow fighters. Each one gets a short appearance and the reader gets a sense of that fighter's personality. I loved seeing how they teased each other, but were also there to support each other. I also enjoyed seeing how these big bad fighters are also great with the kids at the gym and terrific role models for the teens. I'm really looking forward to each one's story and their battles with the forces of love. show less

3.5 stars

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Hard Knocks is a short novella that focuses on Gage and Harper while also introducing a myriad of characters that will make up Lori Foster's new series, Ultimate. Gage is a mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter who through a slight mishap ends up injuring himself enough during practice that he is medically nixed from competing in his next match. Harper has known Gage for most of her life and has harbored a serious crush on him since high school. Before Gage left a couple months ago to step up his training, he and Harper were dating and getting awfully close to having their own little wrestling bout show more in the bedroom. The story takes place at the rec center (a central hangout and gym for fighters and kids to come to get off the streets) on the night Gage's fight was suppose to take place. As people gather there to watch the fights, Harper decides it's up to her to get Gage out of his funk.

This story is under 100 pages, so it isn't really about character development but rather introducing you and setting up the Ultimate series. There is not much backstory to Harper and Gage so this isn't so much about the building of their relationship but rather a glimpse at the spark that sets their relationship off. The story moves quickly and our leads are cute with enough chemistry together that you'll breeze through this with a smile on your face.

The other MMA fighters introduced are given enough face time to intrigue and make you want to read their books. If you have read Foster's series Love Undercover, you may even recognize the name and character Cannon. Cannon is discussed here and is the star of No Limits; book one in this Ultimate series. I have already read No Limits and trust me, you do not want to miss his story. Hard Knocks may not be a long and involved story but it is a fantastic supplement to the Ultimate series. show less

Gage "Savage" Ringer, Harper Gates

This was a pretty good start to a new series. I really liked Gage. He's a sweet guy with a lot of focus and ambition and plenty of love to give to Harper. I don't feel like we get to know Harper as well as we do Gage but her love for him is undeniable. The pacing also seemed a bit rushed, the whole story happens in a matter of hours over one single night. Overall I enjoyed the story though and that is what counts. 3.75 Stars

Ah, Lori Foster's MMA fighters are back - seriously love those alpha males! This is a prequel novella, an introduction to the Ultimate series. While it's a sexy read, it unfortunately suffers from short story syndrome: weak plot and everything felt rushed. Would have loved a full-length story featuring Gage and Harper. Still, it was great to "meet" these new group of heroes.

Armie, again, steals my heart in this one. Can't wait to read his story!

Harper has always had it bad for Gage. Gage can't seem to keep Harper out of his mind. When he finally comes back to town, he's determined to show Harper that he's all she'll ever need. Harper sets her mind to give Gage everything she's got so he'll never leave her again.

I haven't read a Lori Foster book in a while, but now I know what I've been missing. I totally loved Hard Knocks! Ms. Foster always has one mmm-so-sexy hero that I'd like to grab right out of the pages and make my very own! Gage is uber-hot and alpha all the way, and the way he treats his lady is OMG-romantic. The sex scenes are always erotic, always smoking hot. I was hooked once again and transported back into Ms. Foster's MMA world. There's not a better place to be show more and although I thoroughly enjoyed Hard Knocks, I hated to see it end. You can bet your sweet bippy, I'll be back for the next in the series, No Limits! My mouth is watering already for another sexy hero (lol)! show less

I've heard good things about this series so when I saw that this novella was free I snatched it right up. While I did enjoy this novella I do feel that it would have been much better as a full length novel. The main characters, Gage and Harper have a past which is barely covered in the book. That makes it really difficult for me when they profess their support strong feelings for each other. It felt a bit like instalove only because their past was not covered as much as it could have been. The novella had great steamy scenes but really lacked in character development because of its length. This was intriguing enough for me to want to continue on with the series.

It's always hard to review a novella because you don't really want to factor in that the book is so short in length. (Because it is advertised as a novella.)

This book has fighter Gage and Harper together and the entire book takes place in one night/scene. After they two struck up the beginnings of a relationship, Gage had to leave for a fight but now he is back and where their relationship stands is something both of them are unsure of. But Harper plans to be his distraction and she most definitely has Gage's attention...

I liked it but wish it would have at least progressed over a longer period of time. The attraction I bought, the ending I'm not sold on. I felt like I needed a little more buildup than that to be hooked. I think the show more most alluring part of this "book" is the background it builds for the next book in this series. With that being said, you could still probably skip it and not miss out on much either.

I received this book in exchange of an honest review for Netgalley. show less