Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Age/Maturity Level: 18+ (contains foul language and explicit sex)
Book Length: Full-length novel at approx. 100,000 words
Stand-alone or Series: Both. First book in a new series, but each book will be an interconnected stand-alone with an HEA or HFN.
Available Formats for Review: DRM-free epub or mobi for Kindle
Release Date: September 30, 2014
Publisher: Self-published, but professionally edited and formatted
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.
Author Website: http://www.
Author Facebook: https://www.
Author Twitter: https://twitter.com/
Synopsis: *Don’t read this book if you don’t like snarky, dominant, tattooed men who say things like “Open your mouth, and I will,” after you tell them to shove it. And don’t read this book if you don’t like sassy, strong-willed, fiercely independent heroines who use phrases like “bossy asshole” as a term of endearment. You have been warned.*
“Tattooed package of sin.”
That’s how Savannah Ryan would describe her new boss, Declan Whitmore, the deliciously tatted and pierced fighter who holds the top spot in Boston’s newest underground fighting organization. She’d also describe him as bossy, arrogant, and—depending on what he does to piss her off that particular day—an asshole.
It’s that aloof attitude, along with Savannah’s witty comebacks and tight little body that land her on his radar. Unfortunately for her, Declan is relentless when he sets his sights on someone, both in and out of the ring. Unfortunately for him, this recently reformed bad girl is trying to go straight after heading down a dangerous path. She’s not going to make this easy for him. In fact, she’s going to make it—and him—very, very hard.
Declan’s not worried, though. He’ll have Savannah come hell or high water, because if there’s one word he’d use to describe her, it’s “MINE.”
4.5 Stars!
Review: Savannah has spent most of her life fighting to survive. She never had much help or support to get from one day to the next, and two years out of high school, she is down to nothing. She is living out of her car, and she has enough money left to either eat dinner or wash her clothes. She manages to convince Declan, owner of Whitmore and Sons Gym, to give her a job, and she figures that she will somehow survive to that first paycheck.
Declan has a soft spot for Savannah to begin with, though. He knows that he is going out on a limb to give her a job. This isn't exactly an LA Fitness type of gym, after all, it's more of a boxing gym with primarily guys that come to work out. He finds out how desperate her situation is, though, and he refuses to let her continue living in that situation, so he moves Savannah in with him - temporarily, of course. Savannah hasn't ever really had someone do something nice for her without any motives, though, so she continues to not really trust Declan. I really enjoyed watching their relationship grow at this point. It was such a great example of two people that have never really had a romantic relationship, outside of the physical, interact with one another and build something that is more than physical.
Declan's perseverance in getting to know Savannah - and not running away when he hears the bad stuff - was so sweet to watch. No matter how hard she pushed him away, he just kept coming back for more. Savannah soon learns that Declan is more than just a gym owner, though. He is also one of the top fighters in an illegal underground fighting ring. She learns this after he is attacked and has to lay low for a few days. She takes over and runs the gym, but she also begins to take the place that he hasn't had in a long time, which is a care-taker.
I really felt that this author did a great job of weaving these two characters together, not just physically, although there is chemistry, but also in the ways that they just needed each other. At one point, however, Savannah's wall, her ultimate defense, starts to come down, and this scares her, so she starts trying to put it back up between them. Meanwhile, Savannah is approached by the leader of the fighting ring to start in one for women. Savannah sees this as a possibility for her to earn her own way and have her own financial independence. Declan, however, sees it as her way away from him, so there is a major clash between the two of them regarding this. I have to admit - this was a different angle than I have come across before, and I was really enjoying have this tough chick want to literally fight her way out of her past. All in all, this was different but still had so many elements that are my go-to!
Jessica
Kelley lives in Texas, but she swears it’s not all country music and cowboy boots... Okay, some of it is, but not all of it. She’s got an amazing husband, who continues to inspire her every day. Even after twelve years and two ridiculously cute little girls.
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