Date published February 2008
ISBN 978-0-425-21972-0
Contemporary Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Tammy
The third book in Lori Foster’s SBC Fighters series, HARD TO HANDLE, showcases martial arts fighter Harley Handleman and life coach Anastasia Bradley. Harley is all about winning the title belt and after having his big fight derailed twice before, he refuses to let anything or anyone get in his way. When he rents a cabin in the wilderness from Stasia for the opportunity to get in ultimate fighting shape, he has no idea that the battle for the belt may not turn out to be his biggest fight yet. Because, despite the fact that Harley has no interest in love, someone is trying to kill Stasia and something about her simply will not allow Harley to leave her in danger.
As is often the case with Lori Foster books, HARD TO HANDLE features a spirited, independent and confident heroine in trouble and a strong, hard headed but capable yet emotionally stunted hero. This third book in Foster’s SBC Fighters series once again encompasses the family of SBC fighters who have deep respect, friendship and admiration for each other and their career choice. The secondary love story between a character from a prior book in the series and a newcomer to the series added some light moments and enabled some of the other characters in the series in this storyline to get some page time.
Harley and Stasia’s characters appear to have very little in common and are constantly creating friction between them. Harley has serious control issues and Stasia is certain, as a life coach, that she has all the answers for Harley. These two characters are an unusual coupling that somehow really works and that is probably in part due to all the lesser characters in this book, Harley’s friends in the SBC world. And of course, their relationship also sparks due in large part to the meddling of Harley’s only remaining relative, his manager/uncle.
On the negative side, a little more suspense would have been nice before who was attempting to kill Stasia was revealed. And that the big awaited fight was reduced to a few quick punches was a bit of a disappointment. Still, Lori Foster knows how to pen a steamy romance that showcases a close family of friends and the positive aspects of a world that few really understand, SBC fighting. Fans of a nice honest love story are sure to enjoy HARD TO HANDLE.
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