HarderAuthor: Robin York
Series: Caroline & West #2
Published by: Bantam
Publication Date: July 1, 2014
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Caroline still dreams about West. His warm skin, his taut muscles, his hand sliding down her stomach. Then she wakes up and she’s back to reality: West is gone. And before he left, he broke her heart.
Then, out of the blue, West calls in crisis. A tragedy has hit his family—a family that’s already a fractured mess. Caroline knows what she has to do. Without discussion, without stopping to think, she’s on a plane, flying to his side to support him in any way he needs.
They’re together again, but things are totally different. West looks edgy, angry at the world. Caroline doesn’t fit in. She should be back in Iowa, finalizing her civil suit against the ex-boyfriend who posted their explicit pictures on a revenge porn website. But here she is. Deeply into West, wrapped up in him, in love with him. Still.
They fought the odds once. Losing each other was hard. But finding their way back to each other couldn’t be harder.
I was so excited to read Harder! I loved Deeper a lot, and couldn’t wait to continue Caroline and West’s story. Especially after that ending. Did the author pull through with Harder? Hell yes!
West is back in Oregon dealing with an awful family situation and is prepared to forgo his dreams of bettering his future, by taking care of and supporting his little sister. Included in that crushed future was Caroline. Or so he thinks.
Again, Caroline is an amazing heroine. I love how strong and intelligent she is. She looks at things logically and is so insightful. Like I said in my review of Deeper, she’s the type of female character I wish there were more of in YA and NA. Her relationship and influence on Frankie made me so damn happy.
What I also love is, how West recognizes and appreciates what a strong woman Caroline is. He encourages and supports her. Yeah, they go through some crap, but that never changes how he feels about her.
The whole world feels quiet, with Caroline’s words just echoing around.
This is what it sounds like, I think, to know exactly what you want.
This is what it sounds like to thrive.
I’ve heard her before like this. Every time, it wrecks me, because I’m so fucking proud of her.
West does something messed up, and it’s sad. But people aren’t perfect! I appreciate a character who is realistically flawed. If you want a cookie cutter perfect guy who does no wrong, then look elsewhere. West is a wonderful man, but he is a man with baggage. And that’s what’s so beautiful about this story, the growth in both characters. He was there for Caroline in the first book, and she’s there to set him straight in this one.
I was extremely pleased with the way everything turned out. Not only with Caroline and West, but with Caroline and her court case. It became so much more, and I love that she’s so dedicated and passionate about making a difference. Caroline for president!
So, yeah, read Deeper and Harder!
I won book one a long time ago during a goodreads giveaway. I never read it because I didn’t think it would be any good, but you’ve changed my mind. It does seem angsty, but I’ll have to give it a go! Thanks for the excellent review. 🙂
Hehehe!! Yes, “Caroline for president!!” I agree.
You captured this book perfectly in your review, West has baggage, definitely isn’t perfect, but he sure is wonderful!! Fantastic review girl!
I’m all for intelligent female characters, there seems to be such a lack of them in YA! I love how both of the characters have their own flaws in this book. Great review Christy!
I still haven’t picked up Harder but I’ve heard bogging but good things and know I need to read it ASAP! I love how Caroline continues to be a strong femLe in this one and I love that West not only acknowledges it but supports it! GO WEST! Lovely review Christy 🙂
Yeah, I need to make Deeper a priority for sure.
Caroline and West sound like a match made in heaven! For one, I LOVE a strong heroine, and you’re so right in saying that we need more of them in YA/NA. And two, I like that the male protagonist is flawed (that makes his character growth all the more awesome), but that he still supports his woman. Yipee!!
yes yes yes!!! I loved both of these books, and both C&W. I agree, amazing from start to finish 🙂
I really need to give this series a try! All my trusted bloggers really love it. And I like a realistic character/story, flaws and all, too.
Thanks for the review!
Gotta love a strong female lead. I love that you are liking this series so much Christy. 🙂
“West does something messed up, and it’s sad.”
It’s not cheating is it Christy? I like my characters flawed and don’t mind when they mess up because I certainly do it all the time, but when the mess up is cheating I get all squirmy and uncomfortable. Other than that though, this sounds like an amazing series!
I remember book 1 but it’s the first time I see this second novel. It sounds like you had a great time with it again and I’m happy to see that! Great review!
I like the sound of the strong female character and the Oregon setting but the sad messed up thing, not so much. OH yeah I forgot to mention yesterday, I can’t wait for you to read Inferno Park, I think your son would like that one.
I love when a man appreciates a strong woman. Ooo I want these.
Oh boy. That’s not ominous at all…eep!
Oh I remember adding this to the tbr pile. Are they full books just same characters carrying over? Or are they the randomly stop between chapters serial kind?
They’re both full length novels, both with alternating POVs of Caroline and West. This book picks up about a month or so after the last. So it’s a full, continuous story spanning two books.
I ADORE this series so much, Christy. I love the characters and while I was angry with Wes in this book, I got where he we was coming from and understood what he did. I did want to repeatedly punch him in the face though.
I’m so glad you loved this too!
I do love flawed characters! I also love a strong heroine and a man who can appreciate that. Right there makes me want to read it. Brilly review!
That book sound really good I will have to check it out. I love a male character who isn’t perfect, it’s more realistic. Great review!
glad to hear that the second book didn’t fizzle and burn, but this series does look very interesting!