Review: Angsty, Hot, Enjoyable
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 12, 2013
Hard to Resist is about new beginnings, a fresh start, a second chance at love; and Shanora Williams has delivered the ideal novel depicting just that.  From the pain-filled poetry and loving lyrics, Hard to Resist is sure to touch your heart if you have ever been hurt in love.Natalie is an old soul at only 19 years old.  She and Bryson had been together since their 9th grade year in high school, and she was head over heels in love with him.  But everything changed on the night of her high school graduation.  Her heart was not just broken, it was shattered.  Not only does she find herself dealing with Bryson's supreme betrayal, but she is also dealing with her parents' failing marriage.  There is nothing left to do except to run far away from all of the pain and hurt to Miami to live with her childhood friend, Harper.  Upon her arrival in Miami, while driving and talking on her cell phone, she almost runs over a pedestrian, Nolan Young.  Expecting his wrath for almost being killed from her carelessness, Natalie is shocked when Nolan expresses concern for her well-being.  She is further surprised when he simply grins and accepts blame, laughing off the near accident.  Later that evening, Harper takes Natalie to one of Miami's hottest clubs to celebrate her move, and who should Natalie see?  The devastatingly handsome, Nolan.Nolan is everything a woman wants in a man.  He's handsome, smooth, talented, confident, patient, and supportive; but he's not without his own demons to slay.  Nolan moved across the country to Miami to escape his own hurt from his mother.  He's had plenty of relationships in the past, but he always manages to screw them up, but when he meets Natalie, he wants her and puts forth every effort to win her over.  Of course, Natalie wants nothing to do with him.  That is until she realizes he might be the distraction she needs to help her forget about Bryson and his betrayal."I'm broken and I refuse to be healed anytime soon.  I can heal myself if I just do what Harper is doing.  If I just go out, party, get drunk, then I'll forget." ~ NatalieUnfortunately, her plans are thwarted by Nolan.  She never expects him to be the nice guy.  She never expects him to try and win her heart.  She never expects him to refuse her offer of a one-night stand.  He is a man, after all.  He wants her, but he wants all of her.  He wants the good with the bad; he wants to know all of Natalie.  He simply wants her to share herself with him.  He knows she will regret any one-night stand."I don't want to be on the list of your regrets. I want to be the good guy." ~ NolanBoth Natalie and Nolan are dreamer chasers.  Both are artists.  She is a poet who writes of pain.  He's a singer-song writer who writes about soul stealing and heartbreaking.  He is just the type of man who can trample her already broken heart, and she is just the type of woman he needs to make him a changed and better man.  Together, they are perfect as they support each other on their journey to learn what love really is, while they bury the past together.Hard to Resist is a book that will touch almost every emotion.  Shanora Williams has managed to make me feel Natalie's pain and hurt.  I was angry and shocked a few times during my reading, as the author managed to take me even deeper into Natalie's character.  Just when I believed everything was going to be alright in Nolan and Natalie's world, the level of angst increased.  Not only does Natalie's past follow and confront her, but Nolan delivers a blow that is never expected.  The development of both the story and characters is impressive, as I was able to watch both Nolan's and Natalie's characters grow and change over time.  I had a front row seat to witness Natalie and Nolan heal and discover how love should be.  The flashbacks provided during the story are very well done and serve to help the reader identify with Natalie's past even more, while gradually unveiling Natalie's awareness of the true nature of her relationship with Bryson.  Although this story has a somewhat happy every after, there is still room for an angst-filled sequel to Hard to Resist, which I desperately hope the author will consider in the near future.  I would love to see what is next for Nolan and Natalie."You won't be happy with your prideYou won't be happy without loveYou won't be smiling without a heartYou won't feel as free as a dove"4.5 stars