Make You Want Me

Fight for Me Duet #1

by L.A. Shaw

Her demons called out to mine from the first moment I saw her. We were both broken, damaged kids needing an outlet.

Now she’s my brother's best friend and no matter how hard I try, I can’t get her off my mind. Needless to say, when I’m asked to train her a couple of days a week at the MMA gym, it’s pure torture.

Instead of keeping my distance like I should, I find myself craving every fractured piece of her.

I’m determined to make her want all of me, even though she fights me every step of the way.

And Emerson knows how to throw a mean left punch when you least expect it.



You know what they say about love… it hurts. This is Book Two in the Make You series but this couple demanded a duet from us. Therefore, Make You Want Me will be Book 1 in the Fight For Me Duet following Nox & Emerson's journey,

Genres: Friends To Lovers, Sports, Sports Romance, Romance, Forced Proximity, Contemporary Romance, Mixed Martial Arts

208 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 28, 2023

About the author

A New Yorker and a Southern Belle.
Two Book Obsessed Babes that became lifelong best friends over their love for a good romance novel.

When they're not writing, they're devouring a good book, or spending time with their family and friends.
Total opposites in some ways and exactly the same in others, making them a dynamic author duo.

Reviews

[♡Gabi♡ [life & work is chaotic hiatus] · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 ✰

𝑾𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌 𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰 𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒎𝒚 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔. “𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐 𝒅𝒐𝒖𝒃𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒅, 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒎𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝑺𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒚.”

need to jump into book 2 to see emerson and lennox get their hea! will always eat up friends-to-lovers with a second chance aspect and I love how their both fighters too. 🥊

the way nox loves emerson sm, I cry. 🥹 my heart breaks for emerson bc life has been so cruel to her and her foster family couldn’t care less about her, but I’m happy she had ppl in her life that loved and supported her. it wasn’t enough to make her believe that she was worth everything and deserving of being loved, even though lennox did all the could to make her see that. 😭

[ap_reads14 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emerson and Nox’s book is a must read. You will fall in love with them🫶

Three light squeezes just made me swoon. When you get to that part you will know what I mean. Nox my boy you’re everyone’s sunshine🥰

“Not only does this man love me, but he loves all the broken pieces of me as well.” Emerson we love you girl. Head up and just know we have your back.

Thank you L.A Shaw for another Amazing read and we can’t wait to read more💕

You are my sunshine 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Mackenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5⭐️
2.5/5🌶️

L.A. Shaw never fails to make me fall in love with their couples. Nox & Emerson’s story was so much more emotional than I was expecting but I loved every second of it & I’m counting down the days until we get book two 🙌🏼

Make You Want Me follows Lennox & Emerson who have grown up living next door to each other. Emerson is best friends with Nox’s younger brother but there’s always been a strong connection between the two of them. Having grown up in the foster care system, Emerson believes she’s incapable of loving someone & being loved in return. Nox is determined to show her just how wrong she is & how much she truly deserves love… more specifically his love.

Tropes:
- MMA Sports Romance
- Friends to Lovers
- Best Friend’s Brother
- Neighbors/Close Proximity
- Touch her & 💀
- Damaged Souls

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced, easy to read! Really looking forward to the next book. Both Lennox and Emerson come from tragic background but find solace in each other. Childhood friends to lovers! The cliffhanger 😭😭

Thank you for the arc, all thoughts are my own.

[Book Surfing Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Make You Want Me by L. A. Shaw
A Fight For Me, book one duet, from The Make You series.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

‘Emerson Star Davina has stirred something deep inside my damaged soul since the very first time I laid eyes on her.  she’s been my weakness for a long time… and I feed off my weaknesses. ‘

Emerson Davina becomes an orphan at the age of 12, with no family to go to she moves into her new foster family’s home and meets the boys next door, one becomes her best friend and the other becomes more.
Lennox Monroe sees more in Davina than anyone else and now feelings are starting to arise once he starts training her at the gym ‘Lights Out’. Once he’s open about his feeling will Emerson stay or go?

What can be said about L. A. Shaw’s newest book, Make You Want Me, set to release on December 28? It tugs at your heartstrings, it ends on a cliffhanger, it leaves you wanting more and more. A quick read about two broken souls who are helping mend each other back together. One loves with their heart on there sleeve the other thinks the other deserves more. No better way to start and end a book than this right here. An outstanding friends-to-lovers tale that will have you possibly looking at your brother’s best friend differently, so to speak. Now that your 6 books into this author thing, I’m so proud of you both. Chefs kiss to making it look so easy. You two can inspire a non writer to want to take a chance to be an author. And thank you forever for sharing this wonderful experience with you. I love you both 😘.

🤑Preorder this one today! If you like trope’s like 👉🏻 ‘he falls first and harder’, brother’s best friend, MMA sports romance, friends-to-lovers, touch her and die, damaged souls then you need to read this book!

[bookish.nova · Rating 4 out of 5]

• ARC Review •

Make You Want Me by L.A. Shaw

• Overall Ratings •
⭐️: 4/5
🌶️: 2/5

• About the Duet •
✿ POV: Dual
✿ Couple: MF - Emerson & Nox
✿ Romance speed: slow burn
✿ Tropes: duet, friends to lovers, brother’s best friend, anti-commitment heroine, MMA MCs, characters with traumatic pasts
✿ Trigger warnings: some - check contents warning at beginning of story

• Thoughts •
Make You Want Me is the first book of Emerson and Nox’s story. These two have not had easy lives. When Emerson and Nox meet, they instantly feel connected. Despite Emerson being Nox’s brother’s best friend, both Emerson and Nox can’t stop gravitating towards one another. They both have their own demons, but they find relief in the fighting ring. The first part of their romance was slightly angsty and was mainly setting up the emotional events that I’m sure will take place in the second installment of this duet which I’m interested to read to see where their story is going to go.

[Kourtney Lutchmansingh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another couple written by this author that I love! Reading nox and Emerson’s story is so beautiful. Growing up and experiencing things children should never have to we get to see these two learn to love and trust one another. Also can we talk about how perfect nox is, grump but a softy for his girl! Swoon worthy man! So attentive and giving!

[J’aime.books · Rating 4 out of 5]

A MMA bad boys chance at happily ever after that is a quick and emotional read and ends in a cliffhanger. It is the tale of two beautifully broken souls, who want more from life than the circumstances they grew up in.

Emerson, ‘Sonny’ is tough, a take no crap and rely on no one, there are no happily ever after girl.
Lennox, ‘Nox’, is rough and rugged, the bad boy, protector with a soft center.

These two met at 13 and grew up next to one another, the draw to one another has been strong since their initial meeting in the trees. They finally take a chance, and Nox is falling fast, however Emerson is always one foot out the door. Feeling like she’s not good enough. Not allowing her true emotions out in word form.

Best friends brother. Close proximity. Sports romance. Cliffhanger. All the emotions.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ⭐️
2.5/5 🌶️

so happy to have received this ARC! i loved nox & emerson so much 🫶

these two had a strong connection from the moment they first met and emerson has always found safety in nox which i loved. neither of them have the best home life & lean on each other for that feeling of love.

L.A. Shaw did it again with the addicting writing 👏 i could not put this down! read it all in one day which i rarely do 🫣

the cliffy at the end destroyed me & i cannot wait for book 2 😭😭😭

• neighbors
• best friend's brother
• MMA fighters
• strong FMC

[Kat Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5-4.
I loved the story line, the characters, plot, the settingI just felt like some plot changes were too abrupt and it took a while to adjust to the new setting. It felt like somethings were missing. This was under 200 pages and ends on a cliff hanger! I did feel like this was a great introduction to what I know is going to be an insane book 2! I loved Lennox, he loved hard! I am excited to see how he reacts to Sonny's note and what she is clearly dealing with.

I got an ARC for this book & can't wait for book two!

[christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Omg. I could not put this book down. Nox and Emerson connection was off the chart. They are perfect together. I love how they are both broken, but each one can fix each other if they allow it. The cliffhanger had me throwing my Kindle. I need book 2 asap.

[EA Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy Nox! Nox is a beautiful broody broken boy who carries the weight of the world in his shoulders. He is the protector who in turn keeps himself and his feelings locked in a box. Until he meets Emerson, the equally broken girl who moves in next door. She is his ray of sunshine in all the clouds and his pull towards her is unexplainable.

Keeping the line drawn firmly in place he locks her away in a box, admiring her from afar and being her protector from any demon he can slay. But the ones that are invisible are hard to fight.

Emerson is damaged. Haunted by a past of being ignored, invisible and unloved. Friends are one thing but opening to being loved when you don’t understand it is a completely different beast. Her innate need to comfort Nox is strong but she fights her feelings for him out of pure fear.

When tension builds and the pull becomes unbearable they snap, coming together in an explosion you can feel through the pages. Their chemistry and spice is tangible.

Nox lets her lead, knowing her demons are fierce but lays as much as he can for her to feel. Her fears run deep and she’s keeping secrets and pain and it’s destroying her. Is everyone better off without her? This book brought me to tears.

This is part one of a two book duet. Nox and Emmy are so beautifully broken and leave you NEEDING more. Can they find their way to each other and stitch what is broken in both of them? Set your calendars Book 2 is set to release Feb 22, 2024.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

My words will not do this justice. I inhaled this in a few hours, I couldn’t put it down.

The first few chapters of this are a fast ‘how they meet’ and we quickly learn that Emerson has had a rough upbringing. Now living with a foster family, her neighbours are Colton & his big brother Lennox.

Em has never had a place she felt safe and never known what it feels like to be Loved. She found that with Colton, who becomes her best friend. But more so with Nox. This boy loves her unconditionally. Giving her an outlet for her emotions, supporting her. Standing by her. And eventually that evolves into showing her what real love is. He saw her scars & her fears but he also enjoyed her sass. He took her vulnerability and turned it into power. He just wanted her to see herself the way he saw her. For her to see her worth.

These two together were HOT! They knew each other’s bodies like their own, recognising what the other wanted/needed. The spice was delicious!

When he gave her his own nickname. And the three squeezes 🥹 This was painfully beautiful. My heart broke time and time again for Emmy but also because of how incredible Nox was. His strength, even when going through his own battles.

This book is perfect if youre looking for something that gives you all the feels. The goosebumps I had when I turned the last page 😭
I cannot wait for book 2, I want to see these two get all the happiness they deserve but I know the journey is going to hurt.

[Kelsey Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Part One in the 𝐅𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐞 𝐃𝐮𝐞𝐭 and let’s just say it… Nox and Emerson are so much more than I was expecting. I don’t know how this writing duo does it, but L.A. Shaw knows how to emotionally connect you to the couple and just feel all the feelings.

This follows Nox and Emerson, who we’ve previously met in 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐌𝐞. They first meet when they are younger and Emerson moves in next door with her new foster family. As they grow up she becomes best friends with his younger brother, but Nox and Emerson have always shared a deeper connection.

They each have their own emotional baggage. Nox is a little bit broken and carries the burder of being his family’s protector. Emerson has grown up with the belief that she’s not worthy of love but Nox is determined to prove that he can love her, 𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑙𝑙．

This story is pretty fast paced as we quickly see their relationship evolve from friendship to love with Nox wanting to claim Emerson as his. But they have a lot to work through with her insecurities and that cliffhanged? BRUTAL. I knew it was coming, but fuck it still hurt.

I’m so fucking excited to see where Book 2 takes us.
*thank you LA Shaw for not making us wait long*

[Maddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝑴𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝑾𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝑴𝒆
*𝒆𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘*
⭐️ 5/5

I swear these girls blow me away every time they bless my kindle with another ARC. They 𝘕𝘌𝘝𝘌𝘙 disappoint with their writing.

This book, the first in the duet, follows Lennox (Nox) and Emerson who grew up next door to each other. Lennox is Emerson’s best friend’s older brother, but Nox has always felt a pull to Em from the first time he saw her hitting the tree in their backyard with a stick. Emerson growing up in the foster care system left her believing love wasn’t an option for herself, and Nox is ready to prove her wrong.

Nox and Emerson’s relationship development transitioned so seamlessly as they grew up and was more than emotional. I was not expecting to cry - but the end of this book had me in tears. I am 𝘉𝘌𝘠𝘖𝘕𝘋 ready for book 2.

-𝐌𝐌𝐀 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
-𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬
-𝐍𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐬/𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐱𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐲
-𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐇𝐞𝐫 & ☠️
-𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝'𝐬 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫

[Angelica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Make You Want Me by L.A. Shaw
Fight For Me Duet Book 1 (Make You Series)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨~Stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️~Spice

Tropes:
• Brother’s Best Friend
• Friends To Lovers
• Touch Her and Die
• Damaged Souls
• MMA Sports
• He Falls First

🖇️“Now that I’ve tasted you, do you think I was going to allow you to sleep in another guy’s bed? Even if that guy is my brother.”🖇️

▪️ As usual, you are not disappointed when you read one of L.A. Shaw's books! This was a real page turner from the start and I really couldn't put it down! I have been waiting to read Nox and Emerson story and let me tell you I was not disappointed!!! Then that cliffhanger, GIRLS WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME!? I just can't wait until we get to enjoy part two of their epic love story🫶🏼 And as usual, no spoilers will be given whatsoever, but go and read it and ENJOY! Promise you you won't regret it❤️

🖇️“You’re absolutely perfect for me, just the way you are…scars and all.”🖇️

[Sarah Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMFG ladies you guys really broke me with that ending. I need book 2 like yesterday. Nox and Emerson were so perfect together. I loved their friendship. I loved the side characters as well. I loved that real life issues were had and discussed. I read this so fast like i devoured it. You ladies really got a knockout with this one!!

Emerson was put into foster care after losing her mom. She moved in next door to a couple of boys close to her age and quickly became best friends with them. Nox is a little older, but had to grow up super fast due to his own household issues. This story follows them from the age 13 into early adulthood learning to overcome their past and falling in love over the years. Emerson has a hard time expressing love and doesn't feel she is worthy.

✨Read if you love✨
💜Friends to lovers
💜He falls hard
💜MMA
💜Damaged souls

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like a man who will protect you at all cost, a sassy female, banter that will make you laugh, heartbreak that makes you feel like you’re experiencing it along with the characters. Then this book is for you.

[Shayna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two broken souls that mend each other.

Nox and Emerson have been ignoring their feelings for each other for years but they finally give in, at least in the physical aspect. They both come from screwed up families and either have never felt love or have been hurt by those who are supposed to love them. Nox wants more with Emerson but if physical is all she’s willing to give him , he’ll take it. Emerson tries to push aside her feelings to save them both from heartbreak but she may just have to give in…

The ending broke me but luckily there is another book that will hopefully mend everything! Can’t wait to see what’s in store for this broken yet strong couple!

[Amanda Carney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg Nox

This story and these characters have become ingrained in me. I was sacked in from the start and I'm on tender hooks for the next part of their story. Bravo 👏

[Morgan (bookedwithmorgan) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️
2🌶️

I absolutely adore this writing duo! They are the sweetest and their work will have you addicted to their books! I love you both and thank you for allowing me to read and review your books!!

This book follows Nox & Emerson they meet when they were just 13 years old and Emerson moved into the foster families house behind Noxs house. They both have these damaged souls after growing up the way they did. Emerson try’s to constantly push Nox away because of her past thinking she’s not right for him. Does Nox breakdown her walls and get inside that blackened heart?!

I can’t wait for the second book to come out I will be waiting on pins and needles!!

Read If You Like
-MMA
-Brothers Best Friend
-Damaged Souls
-He falls First
-Touch Her & ☠️

[ruthsbooked · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finally got around to finishing this book and I’m so glad I did it now because now I can just go to reading the MYKP after that cliffhanger 😭

Sobbing throughout the night tyvm @lashaw
Just tear my heart out why don’t you, oh wait, you did 😩

[Kazia · Rating 5 out of 5]

L.A. Shaw does it again! Their writing is some of my absolute favorite. I am utterly obsessed with this book.

I can’t even put into words the way this book made me feel. The ending ripped my heart to shreds.

The spice in this book was absolute perfection!!! I cannot wait for part 2 to be released. My heart will be broken until then. Nox and Emerson have my heart. I had high high hopes for this book and it blew every single expectation out of the water.
5/5 ⭐️
4/5 🌶️
15/10 overall rating. So so so so good. I cannot recommend this book enough!

[booklovelastsforever K · Rating 4 out of 5]

“𝐼’𝓁𝓁 𝓉𝒶𝓀𝑒 𝓅𝓇𝑒𝓉𝑒𝓃𝒹𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝒶 𝒻𝑒𝓌 𝓂𝒾𝓃𝓊𝓉𝑒𝓈 𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝓃𝑜𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔.”

Oh this book! Two damaged souls reflecting each other and the only way to heal is together.

Nox, Emerson’s champ is the ultimate protector of anyone he loves. Big, broody and possessive but like his Sunshine says he likes to pretend he is an a**hole, when really he is a big, tatted softy.

Emmy, Nox’s Sonny is a fiesty, mermaid hair loving, spitfire. No one has ever shown her love and she doesn’t feel worthy or good enough 😭

I loved all the angst, how they met, the fact they are neighbours, how they helped channel their emotions into fighting and the close found family. 🫶🏻

I especially loved how Lennox just knows Emerson so much that he gives her hand tight squeezes instead of words 😭 their little secret love language 😭

“𝒫𝓁𝑒𝒶𝓈𝑒 𝒹𝑜𝓃’𝓉 𝓉𝒶𝓀𝑒 𝓂𝓎 𝓈𝓊𝓃𝓈𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑒 𝒶𝓌𝒶𝓎.” 𝒮𝒽𝑒 𝑔𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓁𝓎 𝓉𝒶𝓅𝓈 𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝓀𝓃𝓊𝒸𝓀𝓁𝑒𝓈 𝓉𝑜 𝓂𝓎 𝒿𝒶𝓌. “𝒩𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇, 𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓂𝓅… 𝒩𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇.”

[Chelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Make You Want Me is a dreamy friends to lovers romance…. Until the dream ends and leaves you with a heartbreaking cliffhanger.

While this was a quick read it did not lack when it came to the plot and the emotions. Going through the years with these two is what really made the book for me. L.A. Shaw did great when it came to seeing their love grow into something they never expected.

I absolutely loved Lennox as an mmc. He was downright swoony but also a little bit of a dirty talker 😉

Excuse me while I look at my watch waiting for February to hit. I need part 2 of their story!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so lucky to get an ARC for Make You Want Me! Both Nox and Emerson has things to deal with in theor personal life. Nox fell for Emerson so hard and always make sure she was safe. Emerson never felt like she belonged anywhere and she didn't know what love was due to not having parents in her life that support her real or foster. Nox always made Emerson felt safe and happy. But some times that isn't enough. There's a cliffhanger and the next book comes out on February.

[Nancy Pollock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always a Great read from LA Shaw

4⭐️
2🌶

Nox and Emerson are another beautiful pairing by LA Shaw.

If you like the following:
He Falls First
Brothers Best Friend
Childhood Trauma / Healing
MMA fighter
Found Family
Touch Her and 💀

Pick up this story of two bruised hearts finding love in each other.

[Michelle Lutchmansingh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart racing!

Grumpy main character but has a soft spot for his girl, LOVE IT! Unreal how you can feel the love nox has for em! So excited for more of this couple! It was also nice to see familiar characters from previous books. Emerson has got to be a Taurus with how stubborn she is but she has so much love to give when she does give it! Rooting for her!

[Cassie Tufts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC reader and this is my HONEST review!!

5 stars ⭐️ 2🌶️How is it I always fall for these beautifully broken, bad ass, giant teddy bear, touch her and die guys?!? Nox was all that and then some! Em was so lucky to find her *family* In Nox and Colton and Renee. Nox and Em with their dark and damaged hearts hold each other together, almost making each other whole again!


I’m NOT happy it was a cliff ending buttttt that means another book! Maybe something for Colt too in the future? He’s a sweet pea!

[Nineette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t wait for the second book for the conclusion of their story. I felt so sad for Lenox, of how deeply he showed Emerson how much he loved her.