Love Hard by Nalini Singh

Jacob Esera and Juliet Nelisi have known each other since they were teenagers. And they hated each other then. Or, maybe not hate but a strong dislike. But they were in each other's lives because Juliet's best friend was Jacob's girlfriend. At least until the day Juliet suddenly disappeared from school. She had been an indifferent student anyway. And her reputation wasn't the best. Which made Jacob confused as to why his sweet, intelligent girlfriend had kept in touch with her, even after Juliet left. But then his sweet, intelligent girlfriend got pregnant. And they were planning on being young parents together when she suddenly died. Six years later, he's a single dad raising their daughter. And he's shocked to find out that Juliet is back in town, the friend of the woman who's about to become his sister-in-law. A close enough friend that they're paired up in the wedding party. The old animosity explodes. But so does... lust?
Juliet feels the same. Jacob isn't her favorite person but there must be something redeeming about him. And when work throws them into close proximity, they decide to give their relationship a dry run.
This book was So. Good. Regular Singh readers will enjoy that Jacob and Juliet actually talk to each other. They discuss whether their relationship is even "okay" given the context that he once loved her best friend. The flow is steady and the reading was easy. I can't wait for the next book in the series.

Four stars

Follows Rebel Hard

Followed by Kiss Hard
This book comes out March 10th
ARC kindly provided by Independent Publishers Group and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Reread as ebook from Libby January 2022