See this review and more on my blog, After Hours at Lilybloombooks 
 There are three reasons I purchased this book. One, it's Laura Kaye. Two. I absolutely LOVE the Hard Ink series. It is the only series that has a heavy focus around military men that I enjoy. And last, but not least - Laura donated all the proceeds during the first two weeks Hard to Hold On To was on sale to a charity that helps vets. 
 I found this out just two days after my husband lost another friend to suicide. 
 This book was just as good as the others - and really touched me on a personal level. It was different reading the book - because the first two I actually listened to on Audio. But that's not here nor there. 
 Having a close relationship with the military (wife) and watching my husband lose friends to suicide, this book was hard to read. Laura did an amazing job with Easy's emotional stability, and his ability to hide it from others. His guilt, the pain of losing his best friend, are just two of the reasons that Easy wishes for a way out. He feels unwanted, unneeded and Jenna pulls Easy from the brink and inadvertently, pushed Easy to talk to someone. 
 You feel his pain coming off the pages in waves. There is something about a man crying that does something to me. My heart just broke. I had this... fear that had he not met Jenna when he did - and talked to Shane when he did, there would have been an attempt on his life. And soon. Once it came out, and the other guys were made aware, the support is just awe inspiring, and quite heartbreaking. It makes me think of how much I wish we could have helped before there was no going back. 
 This being as short as it is, I was shocked on how much I genuinely cared for these characters (although I shouldn't be). Jenna, just being saved from the Church gang and Bruno, is also dealing with her own guilt over what Sara has dealt with over the past few years. She is terrified to be alone, dealing with all her emotions and only feels safe when Easy is there with her. These two together just make sense. Although they are both dealing with extremely heavy stuff, they are able to communicate well and help each other. 
 I also appreciate the fact that while they both realize they want & need each other, both are willing and wanting to take things slow to see how things go, and never once said the L word. It's realistic, and I loved that they are being smart about the situation. They both have much to overcome and I hope to see more of these two in the future. 
 I just loved this to pieces. I think it took a lot out of Laura to write such a broken and sad character, and nail it. Such an emotional and beautiful story. A must read.