Review: Hard Love (The Hacker Series book 5) by Meredith Wild

Print Length: 304 pages

Publisher: Meredith Wild (September 15, 2015)

From Goodreads.com: Days after their nuptials, Blake and Erica Landon embark on their honeymoon—a journey that deepens their bonds and promises to fade the scars of their past. 

Just when their troubles seem safely behind them, scandal surrounding would-be Governor Daniel Fitzgerald’s election threatens their newfound peace. Back home, Blake finds himself at the center of the controversy, haunted by the transgressions of his hacker past that he has no wish to relive.

With Blake’s freedom at stake and their future in peril, Erica will stop at nothing to clear his name. But when Blake defies the authorities and refuses to seek out the truth, their world gradually begins to crumble. Will he let his past win? Or can Erica convince him that their life together is worth fighting for—now more than ever... 

                              

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My Rating: 3 stars out of 5

My Review: Those of you that have followed my blog for awhile, know that I have made my hatred and utter disdain for the Hacker series very well known. In fact, none of the previous four books in the series got anything above a 1 star rating from me, and in fact I likened scenes from book number three to rape. I hated the sniveling brat Erica became after getting involved with Blake and I completely loathed the abusive jerk that was Blake Landon. 

So how did I end up in possession of the fifth and (thankfully FINAL) book in this series? Simple. I found it on Netgalley - and the masochist in me requested it just so I could see if the ending of this series was just as horrible as the beginning of the series. 

And actually.... it wasn't that bad. There was more plot this time around, and thankfully a lot less of the repetitive sex that I had come to expect from this author. Don't get me wrong, there were still sex scenes in this book, they just didn't (pardon the pun) dominate this novel the way they had in all prior novels. 

I also enjoyed the return of "back-bone Erica" - or rather the head-strong, take no prisoners Erica that she had been when we first met her in book one (before Blake got a hold of her). 

On the flip side of everything, there seemed to be certain story-lines that were brought up, and then just forgotten about, as well as other story-lines that were already in play (I can't go into detail without giving away spoilers), that I would have loved to have seen more of, but felt they were horrendously downplayed. 

All things considered, whilst I am glad that I took a chance and finished this series, and I do feel that the author has redeemed themselves in my eyes (to an extent) -  I do not think this story is worth the $6.99 a book price tag that comes along with them. 

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

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Hard Love (The Hacker Series, Book 5)   is available from Amazon.com