Rock Hard

Rock Kiss, Book 2

By: Nalini Singh

Narrated by: Justine O. Keef

Length: 10 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

Wealthy businessman Gabriel Bishop rules the boardroom with the same determination and ruthlessness that made him a rock star on the rugby field. He knows what he wants, and he'll go after it no holds barred. And what he wants is Charlotte Baird.

Charlotte knows she's a mouse. Emotionally scarred and painfully shy, she just wants to do her job and remain as invisible as possible. But the new CEO - a brilliant, broad-shouldered T. rex of a man who growls and storms through the office, leaving carnage in his wake - clearly has other plans. And these plans may be equal parts business and bedroom.

If Charlotte intends to survive this battle of wits and hearts, the mouse will have to learn to wrangle the T. rex. Game on.

©2015 Nalini Singh (P)2015 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Gabriel Bishop reminds me why I fell in love with romance." (Angela, Fiction Vixen)

I WAS SWEPT AWAY WITH THEIR SIMMERING CHEMISTRY

I made a huge mistake with this book..... I started to listen to it quite late in the evening and, because the well paced story was romantic, captivating and all its characters were so likeable, I just couldn't stop listening and kept fooling myself with thoughts of "oh, just one more chapter" until I finally thought "well there's only five chapters left I might as well finish it". I know I know I have no willpower and since joining Audible I've seen a lot of early dawns creeping in but, when the book's characters are so alluring and the storyline is funny, sad, tender, sexy, sweet, touching, romantic and there's witty banter too, then I'm a sucker for a love story with a HEA ending.

Gabriel, the very handsome workaholic playboy, has come in as CEO to rescue a failing Company but he's ruthless, focussed, driven and is very intelligent so it doesn't take him long to see that one of his employees, the shy, mousey little Charlotte with her baggy ill-fitting clothes, is actually highly intelligent and is in the wrong position in the Company so promotes her to be his P.A. But, as soon as he does, Gabriel realises that he's physically and mentally drawn to her and can see beyond her layers of protection to the little gem hidden beneath so he does what he does best.... makes careful plans to win the affections and trust of his timid little mouse. However, he soon discovers that his plans will have to be long-term plans as the more he sees Charlotte flinching and freezing up at his touch the more he painfully realises that she's been a victim of something terrible but it doesn't deter this now focussed and reformed playboy.

Yes, Charlotte has been a victim and her horrific ordeal is told in this listen but, with the help of her best friend Molly (from book 1) and over several months of working for sexy Alpha Gabriel (dubbed as T Rex by her), she slowly gains confidence, stands up for herself and snipes back.... which is just what Gabriel had planned. Then her fears turn into longings, she sees the caring family man behind Gabriel's ruthless facade, she also sees the deep attraction for her that he's not hiding any longer and the patience he's endured. But can she tell him her secret, will it scare him off, will she ever enjoy being touched again, is there any hope of a future for Gabriel and herself and will she survive when her abusive ex-boyfriend is released from prison???

Worth a credit? Dual POV's, a very good narrator who did a sexy Alpha male voice with ease, a patient, loyal, loving and swoon worthy Hero and an enjoyable well-written plot that had a lot of character growth and development as the Hero drew in his claws and the Heroine finally found hers. So YES worth a credit and I haven't yet come across a Nalini Singh book that wasn't worth a credit..... that's why her books are an auto buy for me.

Not A Keeper for Me

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

NO

Any additional comments?

I dislike this story it's so...predictable just like other contemporaries where the women are soft and supposed to be smart and yet make herself vulnerable, why is it that she knows theres a threat to herself and make no move to take self-defense classes etc to keep herself safe? Why did Nalini Singh make her female character so blah..I'm not liking her other contemporary either why did she make the leading ladies so lame..?BLAH..

Appreciated the writer, storyline, location...more

What did you love best about Rock Hard?

The story was well written, underlying issues being addressed not lost, and the chemistry sizzling.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Charlotte (Charlie) as she conquered so much during the length of the tale.

What does Justine O. Keef bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Justine O. Keef is an great narrator - period.

Any additional comments?

My only reason to not give this audible experience 5 stars all the way around is that this book is centered in New Zealand and I think the book deserves a narrator with experience in New Zealand (a Kiwi perhaps) or an English ex-pat who has spent time in New Zealand. Pronunciation, knowledge of the country, and tone, could really bring this book to another level of experience. I am not suggesting a deep kiwi accent in the book, but a recognizable softened accent would nevertheless add to the experience and help set the book apart perhaps from every other American-read narration. Certainly Charlotte would be a kiwi I would expect.

Best so far

This novel in the series has the most depth of character. It's not heart wrenching deep but the author's character development keeps improving with each installment. No rockers in this book, however.
-V from Kansas

A fantastic listen!

Would you consider the audio edition of Rock Hard to be better than the print version?

I only listened so I have no idea but I enjoyed the narrator and felt they added to the story.

What did you like best about this story?

Okay so this was really good. The story layers intersected beautifully. There were reasons for the character motivations. The male lead worked hard to give space and time to the female lead whoneeded it. It took time for them to actually get to the physical part and there was follow up for why. I did not review the first book in this series because I did not feel the same way but this book exceeded my expectations and I applaude Ms. Singh for truly hitting the mark.

What about Justine O. Keef’s performance did you like?

Her performance was impassioned and well done. I am always astounded when I forget a female is reading a male role. Bravo!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Holding back from passion takes strength but the bond it forms is Rock Hard.

Golden!!!!!!!

Awesome, awesome book. Charlotte Braid is timid, and intelligent simple woman hiding behind the hideous looking clothes and spectacles working as a records clerk and who happens to be intimidated by the smallest things. On sensing the presence of an intruder in the late hours of the office, she musters enough courage to confront the said intruder, suddenly startled by the presence of muscular male she throws a stapler on his way, (Yep! She actually used a stapler as weapon!) least did she know this stranger happens to be the new CEO Gabriel Bishop, former star rugby player turned businessman famously known as T-Rex for his ruthless, temperamental and compelling nature.

After an injury Gabriel had to retire from playing rugby, he now saves the companies which is in state of drowning. Most of the time he’s difficult on his employees, but he also respects the one's who works hard. It’s when he realizes Charlotte though being a clerk, knew more about their clients than anybody else, he soon promotes her to be his P.A and that’s when their lives changes forever.

The over the top drama was quenched to believable (and likeable) levels. The heroine was a true warrior, overcoming her past and living up to all she could be. The hero, a true hero, in more ways than one. In all ways that mattered. This, my friends, is what New Adult should be.

I want a Gabriel <3

The reader was great too! Take a listen it's a well developed, heartbreaking/heartwarming/window steaming/romantic 10+ hours.

Heartfelt.

Very strong story. Even better than the first. Gabriel was strong and perfect. So steadfast for his woman.

perfect

I loved this so much. it had all the tropes I love but it captured the reality of PTSD so well. showing it's not something that can just be "cured" after falling in love. the narrator was excellent! I've never heard someone do so many voices accurately. it also gave enough of a hint at the other books in the set to intrigue me without confusing me. 5 stars. beautiful 😍

Rock Hard - it has everything

This is my favourite of the Rock series.

The Bishop and his Ms Baird are snarky, funny and just wonderful characters. The story goes from pathos to triumph and makes lots of stops in between on the road to the promised HEA.

It is a laugh out loud book - so read it at home.

It goes great with some cheese and a glass of wine if you’re so inclined. Tea and scones? Just as good.

While it took me a little while to hear an American voice instead of a Kiwi one, Justine does a great job and her voices are clearly distinguishable between the characters.

Excellent first audio book experience!

In the past I would have said I didn't like audio books as I'm not keen on being read to but Justine O. Keef's narration of Rock Hard has definitely changed my mind. Her clear diction and clean accent meant I wasn't straining to make out what was being said and could enjoy the story of Charlotte and Gabriel without being distracted by the narrator.
I'd already read and loved this book (Nalini's books are an autobuy for me) but I hadn't thought about listening to it until I saw a tweet about it and thought I'd give it a go & I'm so glad I did.
I would love it if the Psy/ Changeling books were available as audio as I would get them to complement the print and eBook versions I've already got (as long as the narration's just as good). Can't recommend this highly enough.

Yah Charlie mouse

I love listening to this book and have done do 3 or 4 times since it was released. To see Charlie come out of herself after what she went through will Richard was inspiring. Roll on the next book.

God awful

Based New Zealand… American narrator… with the VO skill of a snail… story deals with sensitive matters and appears to have been written by a 12 yr old with no such experience… stayed to the end to give a fair analysis.., don’t waste you time…