Publisher: Loveswept (October 28, 2014)
Series: Worth the Fight, 2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Sidney Halston returns to steamy Tarpon Springs, Florida, where a hell-raising bad boy prepares to get down and dirty for the woman he loves.
How could she have been so stupid? When Jessica Cross decides to give her violently jealous boyfriend—the otherwise influential and charming Dennis Stavros—a second chance, she very nearly becomes a statistic. After weeks of healing from a broken rib and collapsed lung, and with Dennis behind bars, Jessica finally feels ready to come out of hiding. But will she ever be able to take a chance on love again with someone new?
Mixed martial arts fighter Slade Martin knows he has a bad reputation. Hell, he's probably earned it. So it won’t be easy to convince beautiful, vulnerable Jessica that she can trust him—that from the moment she walked into his life, she’s been the only one he’s wanted. Powerful and confident, Slade knows he can honor his vow to protect Jessica body and soul. Winning her heart will be another matter . . . but a woman like Jessica is worth the fight.
How could she have been so stupid? When Jessica Cross decides to give her violently jealous boyfriend—the otherwise influential and charming Dennis Stavros—a second chance, she very nearly becomes a statistic. After weeks of healing from a broken rib and collapsed lung, and with Dennis behind bars, Jessica finally feels ready to come out of hiding. But will she ever be able to take a chance on love again with someone new?
Mixed martial arts fighter Slade Martin knows he has a bad reputation. Hell, he's probably earned it. So it won’t be easy to convince beautiful, vulnerable Jessica that she can trust him—that from the moment she walked into his life, she’s been the only one he’s wanted. Powerful and confident, Slade knows he can honor his vow to protect Jessica body and soul. Winning her heart will be another matter . . . but a woman like Jessica is worth the fight.
Where to Buy*:
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Reviews of Halston's Previous Books:
Against the Cage (#1) -- Kame
Kame's Review:
“After months of
mutual yet innocent flirtation with Jessica, Slade had finally
thought she’d left her abusive boyfriend, Dennis. To his horror, he
had instead found her in a hospital bed beaten to a bloody pulp.”
Slade doesn't do relationships, he does not do many second dates; however he has moved Jessica into his house so he can take care of her. He is going to find a way to keep her safe and away from the guy who beat her a few hits short of death. The more he gets to know the real Jessica the more Slade realizes she isn't like the women normally in his life.
Jessica is not your typical romance book heroine. She loves steak and whiskey, and she has no fear of telling Slade exactly how things are. I like her spunk and her determination. Slade is a combination of alpha with a little hidden soft side. He is rough and his soft side is a little rough too. I enjoyed that their relationship was first built on friendship, and it was great to see Slade's character evolve. There is even a subtle plot point that shows how he is different with Jessica and Slade's sudden understanding made me smile. Their relationship was hot, even their quick text message exchanges were part of the lead up to the steamy scenes.
The plot was easy for me to follow. However I think someone who picks this book up as a stand-alone might have issues. There is a lot in Against The Cage about Jessica and her ex-boyfriend and Slade's initial interaction with him. It is mentioned in this book but in passing. To truly get the situation I do feel you need to read the other book first. While it was easy to follow, I would say the plot had some points that dragged for me - the conflict that tears Jessica and Slade apart was strung out over a few chapters and as I read I found myself wondering will it ever be resolved. Sometimes books solve the conflict so simply and quickly it is done in a blink of an eye, this was not the case in this book. While I enjoyed the plot and really enjoyed the characters I did have times when a few of the characters would have dialog that I would question if they would truly say that. One minute Slade could be articulate with words you couldn't imagine him even knowing much less using; and the next he was a cave man grunting one word answers.
Wonderful secondary characters is a great part of this book. Chrissy and Jack still have the hot banter they did in the first book. The other guys at the gym made me smile and I am hoping I figured out the future couples of two more books.
I enjoy these characters and this little town that has been created. I hope I get to come back and visit with them real soon in Book 3.
4 STARS!
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Kame received an e-ARC of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for her honest opinion.
*Note: The quotes used belong to Sidney Halston; Kame and TBQ's Book Palace do not claim them.
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Thanks for the review, Kame! :) I love the cover for this, and the quotes you shared -- definitely going on my list!
Have you read Sidney Halston before?
Have you read Sidney Halston before?
Enjoy!
Until Next Time,
*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!
4 comments :
Great review Kame! I loved the book too. Thanks!
I loved your thoughts on this one. I have never heard of this author, so going to HAVE to add it to my list.
Good to know I'm not alone -- damn it, Kame, you're making our wishlists weep! :)
It's official; if you both enjoyed it, it's going on my list!
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