For a time, many years ago, love had grown, love was made, and in the end … love was lost. The decision to leave had been the worst mistake Shelby Dawson could have ever made. However, at the time—ten years ago—she felt her secret needed to stay hidden, even if it broke her heart and the heart of the man she loved. Back then, he was all hers and she was all his, but now things have changed and he isn’t the same guy she knew.
He happens to be the well-known MMA Heavyweight champion and famous bad boy, Matt ‘The Destroyer’ Reynolds, who once before struggled to help his family pay the bills. Now, he has money flowing with each undefeated win and an insurmountable number of women filling his bed. Everything is perfect for the illustrious fighter, until one day it all changes. In walks the girl from his past, the same girl who promised to stick by him but left and never looked back.
Their second chance to make things right will not come easy, for when one mistake is made an unwelcome consequence soon follows. Someone out there wants to rip them apart and they won’t stop until Matt and Shelby pay the ultimate price … their love.
4.5 Stars!
Review: This book is the fourth in a series, but it can be read as a stand alone. I had not read the previous three books. I really enjoyed this story because, as frustrating as it was to read, it really seems to be a representation of the decisions that we can make at a young age, or during an emotional time. We meet Shelby in the past at the beginning of the book, and I was pretty sure I knew what she was going through, although the book did not come out and clearly state it at that point. We just find out that she is experiencing a major loss, and she has also recently left Matt, because she felt that it would be better for him.
Fast forward to the present and Shelby is a successful writer for a sports magazine, although she writes under a pen name. Matt has become a successful MMA fighter, and he has been chosen for the next big spread that Shelby's magazine is doing. They have the surprising run-in and when Shelby tries to run, again, Matt finally chases after her. I say "finally" because this is the type of story that you really feel the angst for both of them and wish that they had just made different decisions when they were younger - but then we wouldn't have the story.
Matt and Shelby definitely have a lot of chemistry, and it is one of those relationships where they really pick up as though they have been dating this whole time. They both seem to realize that the feelings are still there and just as strong as they ever were. They have to fight through the past decisions they made, however - Shelby's leaving Matt and Matt turning to lots of other women to try to move on. Not everyone wants these two to be happy, however. Matt has a pretty big enemy, who also happens to be a little psychotic, by the way, and he is out for Matt's blood. Someone in Shelby's life also plays a part in the plot against Matt, however, and I will say that that was a little surprising.
There are a few other hurdles that these two will have to overcome before they can really figure out if they can be together. I love a good second chance story, and this one is definitely up there. I will have to say that I think that everyone was a little too forgiving of a certain female in the book, which seems unrealistic. I also felt like Jace, one of Shelby's best friends, made a huge decision in the book that came out of nowhere. So, that seemed a little abrupt. I don't want to say a lot about these last two things because they would be spoilers, but this is definitely a hot MMA book, and a great second chance love story!
Jessica
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