Cherish Hard

Sweet contemporary romance both the main characters come dysfunctional family backgrounds and have been scarred by them. I think one of my favourite part of this novel is the friendship between Isa and Nayna, these best friends hit so many true BFF markers.4 stars

*** This review is purely my thoughts and I did not gain any monetary insentive nor was I specifically requested to review this book, its just my thoughts and I hope you enjoy what I thought of the book***OK I have read most of Nalini's books, I am sure if I found some of her earlier published works I would read them also, I love her voice, whether its PNR or Contemporary, her words create a world I would love to visit (and I have lived in NZ so Its like a return holiday)so I met the Bishop family in Nalinis other Contemporary series Rock Hard, and in this new book we meet Sailor Bishop who has goals in creating a successful landscaping business. He is not wanting a relationship, nothing is to get in his way UNTIL one day while working on a job he gets pashed (kissed) by a red head that 'kissed and ran'.The red head was Isa who after a lifetime of being put second needs a man who will cherish her.She dreams of one day having a loving family of her own. Shocked at her mad moment in the school parking lot one she works as a teacher is not how she envisioned meeting her match...Thinking she will never have to face the gardener again, she is dragged into a summer job by her dragon mother, she goes from shy Poetry teacher to having to take on the role as corporate VP for her mothers business. Her main task? Yep you guessed it...Working closely with a certain hot gardener. "Swoon - Oh my Nalini does know how to write some hot yet funny scenarios. Sailor feels a connection with that the Hot Curvy teacher he got hot and heavy with but he knows that he doesn't have time for a relationship if he wants to make a go of his business. Both Isa and Sailor have issues of abandonment and the consequences of those feelings has them both being cautious - but at the same time, the spark they feel for each other is too strong to ignore. As Ísa's feelings have her wanting to throttle Sailor one moment then pounce on him the next.Will either of them open their hearts to the possibility that they have a future together or will the past get in the way.Nalini has written a charming love story that I couldn't put down, with both the characters family situations gives an insight into how our upbringing affects us. The story is a journey of how we must risk our hearts if we want to grasp for happiness. Isa was a very complex character, she was on the one hand very naive, conscious of her looks and wary of letting people in, and Sailor who on the face of things seemed to have his life in order had deep issues that clouded his judgment.With the supporting characters Nalini has introduced I know that this companion series to the Rock Hard books will be a favourite for years to come. I can't wait for the next book to be released!