Review: Cherish Hard

Cherish Hard by Nalini Singh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Always a fan of Ms. Singh, I excited saw this new series and had to pick it up. I am so glad I did. This story is a fantastic start to a new group of family and friends. I adored the characters in this story. Ísa is the "poor little rich girl" archtype. She is a rich woman with all the luxuries that can benefit from it yet absent parents and missing love. She wants to have a family, that bond that feeds her soul. For once, she wants to be the number 1 priority for someone.

This is a very idealistic concept that is pretty far up on the Maslow's pyramid. Some would say it is a 1st world problem and wonder why Ísa can't just suck it up and enjoy what money can buy. So how does Ms. Singh sell to the reader that money can buy a lot, but not happiness? Because if this book could be summarized to just a few words, the message is clear "Money can't buy Happiness".

I would argue it can. It paves the way to make life easier to obtain this "mythical" and fleeting happiness. Ms. Singh may not have intended it this way, but her story came across how money and wealth definitely helps trump those without it. Sailor's life is a contrast to Ísa. He has a huge family that is supportive and the lovefest is all around. And yet, he is desperate to create his business. Granted his business concept is fantastic and his landscaping is very impressive based on description, but he can't move forward without more funding. Or specifically w/o more money.

This is interesting as a foil against the wealthy ease Ísa has to money and making things happen. I could argue that w/o Ísa, Sailor's happiness is unachievable and Ísa bought her happiness. Philosophical musings aside, the way this story unfolds makes it much less mercenary and more heartfelt. The dilemmas the two encounter because of their social economic standing is interesting to see and how they resolve. Ms. Singh does a lovely job of bringing two different backgrounds together into a middle ground. Of course, her character development and insights into their life help make them more loveable.

This romantic romance is recommended to everyone.