Hard to Hold: (Hard to Hold Trilogy Book 1)

Note to Contemporary Authors: LEARN BASIC GRAMMAR. That's how one writes comprehensible sentences that allow your readers to understand what they're reading. It looks like Tyler was trying to emulate Nora Roberts's inability to write intelligible sentences, but she does it with none of the charm. For example, "'It wasn’t the kiss,' she said, hated the way her face flushed."

"'Markham, you’re safe. We’re with the U.S. Navy, and we’re going to get you out of here,' he said, placed his hand lightly on her shoulder.

Jake nodded, managed to do all right while the doctor had the stethoscope against his chest.

"'I’m all right. I’m still with Jake. But Uncle Cal’s missing,' she said, heard the sharp intake of breath come across the show more line."

"She pushed him against the wall while her mouth took his, let her hold his wrists for a few seconds, until he broke free from her grip and put his arms around her." These are just a scant few examples of the grammar fail throughout the book. At least when Roberts does it I'm reading a well written story otherwise.

Overall, the story didn't make sense. And not just because of crazy nonsense like Jake forging papers and enlisting in the Navy at fifteen, and was then sent into SEAL training right out of Bootcamp. Or that two of the characters are supposedly psychic. It was mostly because Tyler attempted to dole out a little bit of information on several different storylines over time, but the information we were given didn't make sense when it was all put together later on (the worst being the build up to the reveal of Jake's big, secret night of horror – and in the end it didn't deliver on any of what was said throughout the book). There were too many flashbacks and sometimes the only way you could tell you were going into or coming out of a flashback was the italics, there was no other transitioning. It all felt and read like it was incomplete. The timeline seemed all over the place (this was primarily the story of Jake as a teenager, from when he was left parentless, to being theoretically adopted by this family, to enlisting in the Navy – for which he forged papers but then somehow needed his dad to sign papers? Though he actually had no legal guardian at the time – it didn't track. Did an editor even read this?). It was like Tyler couldn't make up her mind about exactly what story she was going to go with or about who these characters were, and that came through because all of the characters appeared to be confused about their feelings, beliefs and motivations. And it never became clear. It was all a spectacular failure of mystery, suspense and characterization.

On top of that, nearly half the book was taken up with the story of these minor peripheral characters, Sarah and Clutch. They really only partially intersected with the main story at all. Their in-depth back stories and love story were completely irrelevant to the book and to the endgame. I started skimming quickly over these sections looking for anything of relevance to the story – there was very little. Meanwhile, we were only given half-ass information on Nick and Chris, obviously because we're going to get their full stories in their installments of the trilogy, but it made for half-ass storytelling.

Finally, the climax was lame. It was all way too easy, and even though everything was supposed to have been revealed/come together at this point it was so stilted and jumped around so manically it was difficult to get the full picture. Some authors can write in a way to leave intrigue, or only give partial information for a later reveal – Tyler is not one of them. show less

I really wanted to like this book more. On page 4 though, I almost put the book down. The hero tells us he as been in the Navy 11 years since he was 15. I'm sorry, there's just no way that would have happened in 1998. You have to show too much paperwork to join the military these days. They know who you are and they don't let 15 year olds in. Second, he was put in the SEALS training straight out of bootcamp to teach him a lesson or something. Again not going to happen. You have to be at the top of your rate to even apply. Not a single blemish on your career is allowed. Lying about your age is a pretty big blemish. I love stories about Navy SEALS. I've read every one I can find. I want to read a story that I can believe might happen show more though. I don't understand why the author chose to do this. What would have been wrong with him going in at 18 and then spending a couple of years being a darn good sailor and getting to the top of his rate before joining the SEALS?

I forced myself to go on and finish the book though. I didn't care for the heroine. Her motivations seemed kind of wimpy, like the author thought okay raped heroine, we need scene a, b, and c. Her hesistations and backing off from the hero seemed forced. He seemed sometimes thoughtful and sometimes an ass about it. The book seemed like there was way more sex (and I don't mind sex in a book) and anguishing about sex than actual story. And at the end when the bad guy's motivations are explained and he is taken down I had a bit of a huh? reaction. Not quite fully explained.

I did kind of like the clairvoyant dad and I liked the story of the side characters Clutch and Sarah better than the story of hero and heroine. Sarah's character seemed much more alive in the few pages she had than Isabelle's did. I'd be willing to read her story.

The writing was okay and the characters did seem to have separate voices which is good but it just really missed the gritty realism, realistic action sequences and solid motivations that I like in a SEAL story. show less

I was happy enough when I was reading it, but a week later I can barely remember anything about it. Super tough macho ball of steel SEAL Jake Hansen rescues fairy princess, whoops no, doctor selflessly working for Medicine sans Frontiers (which is an excellent organization which I support) He kisses her, she kisses him, kisses are exchanged, and then he saves her and never sees her again, because he knows that rescuing has a psychological impact and isn't true love. Except... she still has the malevolent impossible to catch villain after her, so has to guard her, without letting her know why, so she starts to think.. what, that he likes her? that they could be friends?

It was all a bit too crazy. The three seals were like teenagers in show more their rage and testosterone, and all too perfect in their cool hotness (or their heated coolness). Isabel, the heroine, was better, in that she was more real and more relatable and frankly more fun. The sexual tension worked. but this is a library loaner, not a keeper, and I don't think I'll take it out to reread again. So B - show less

Jake is definitely hardcore - loving that! Isabelle's character was good too. The two are thrown together from the start when he helps rescue her. Then the book just started to jump all over the place (his childhood, Cal's point of view, Clutch & Sarah's point of view, on and on.)

I felt like it had such great potential - I was hooked - but it just missed the mark a little. Worth reading once...sure but no more than that.

DESCRIPTION, NOT REVIEW: THE SPECIAL OPS HERO FEARED NOTHING—
UNTIL HE MET A WOMAN TOO HOT TO HOLD.…

Lieutenant Jake Hansen has survived some of the riskiest missions known to man. But now the wounded Navy SEAL faces his toughest job yet: smuggling Dr. Isabelle Markham out of Africa without triggering an international incident. Not easy to do when the gorgeous hostage happens to be a senator’s daughter—and about as easy to resist as an oasis in the desert.

If it weren’t for Jake, Isabelle would still be halfway across the world, where rebel forces left her for dead. The special ops warrior may have saved her life, but she doesn’t need him to protect her now. Tell that to the ruggedly handsome hunk in full battle fatigues show more who’s just been assigned as Isabelle’s personal bodyguard. Close quarters aside, Isabelle won’t let Jake anywhere near her heart—until danger throws them together again. And nothing in the jungles of wildest Africa could prepare them for a passion this wild. This crazy. This hot… show less