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Battered Hearts #1
Defying the Odds
When struggling waitress Melody Dylan gives a handsome, lonely stranger a simple gift she has no clue her life is about to take a drastic turn.
The stranger ends up being Clay Powers, a famous UFC heavyweight fighter. Clay’s large build and dangerous fists have always intimidated. People in his hometown keep their distance and Clay is fine with that. Everything changes when a new waitress at the local diner buys him a piece of pie on Thanksgiving. Touched by the gesture when it’s obvious she can barely afford to survive, her warm smile and lush body churn up powerful feelings that leave Clay wanting more from her than pie.
Melody is running from her past and the small, country town of Garnet is the perfect hiding place. With an ex-husband after her and scars from her abusive marriage etched deep, the last thing she expects is to fall for a man who makes a living with his fists, but she can’t resist Clay or the tender connection they share.
Finding love in the most unlikely of places, the passion is undeniable, but Clay and Melody know their haunted pasts and unpredictable futures leave the odds stacked against them.
Publisher's This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find violence.
The stranger ends up being Clay Powers, a famous UFC heavyweight fighter. Clay’s large build and dangerous fists have always intimidated. People in his hometown keep their distance and Clay is fine with that. Everything changes when a new waitress at the local diner buys him a piece of pie on Thanksgiving. Touched by the gesture when it’s obvious she can barely afford to survive, her warm smile and lush body churn up powerful feelings that leave Clay wanting more from her than pie.
Melody is running from her past and the small, country town of Garnet is the perfect hiding place. With an ex-husband after her and scars from her abusive marriage etched deep, the last thing she expects is to fall for a man who makes a living with his fists, but she can’t resist Clay or the tender connection they share.
Finding love in the most unlikely of places, the passion is undeniable, but Clay and Melody know their haunted pasts and unpredictable futures leave the odds stacked against them.
Publisher's This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find violence.
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 20, 2011
1018 people are currently reading
19345 people want to read
About the author
Kele Moon
25 books2,615 followersA freckle-faced redhead born and raised in Hawaii, Kele Moon has always been a bit of a sore thumb and has come to enjoy the novelty of it. She thrives on pushing the envelope and finding ways to make the impossible work in her story telling. With a mad passion for romance, she adores the art of falling in love. The only rules she believes in is that, in love, there are no rules and true love knows no bounds.
So obsessed is she with the beauty of romance and the novelty of creating it, she’s lost in her own wonder world most of the time. Thankfully she married her own dark, handsome, brooding hero who has infinite patience for her airy ways and attempts to keep her grounded. When she leaves her keys in the refrigerator or her cell phone in the oven, he’s usually there to save her from herself. The two of them now reside in Florida with their three beautiful children, who make their lives both fun and challenging in equal parts—they wouldn’t have it any other way.
So obsessed is she with the beauty of romance and the novelty of creating it, she’s lost in her own wonder world most of the time. Thankfully she married her own dark, handsome, brooding hero who has infinite patience for her airy ways and attempts to keep her grounded. When she leaves her keys in the refrigerator or her cell phone in the oven, he’s usually there to save her from herself. The two of them now reside in Florida with their three beautiful children, who make their lives both fun and challenging in equal parts—they wouldn’t have it any other way.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,255 reviews
April 23, 2013
Solid 4 stars
Defying the Odds was the perfect book to start off the New Year!
I thoroughly enjoyed this emotional, endearing, fun, and heartfelt story. The cast of characters were multidimensional, engaging, and fantastically quirky. The hero and heroine were adorkable! I couldn't seem to get enough of their fun dialogue and sizzling HOT chemistry. I'm definitely looking forward to the next addition to this series.
Caution: There is quite a bit of descriptive violence in this book, as the hero is a heavyweight fighter.
Defying the Odds was the perfect book to start off the New Year!
I thoroughly enjoyed this emotional, endearing, fun, and heartfelt story. The cast of characters were multidimensional, engaging, and fantastically quirky. The hero and heroine were adorkable! I couldn't seem to get enough of their fun dialogue and sizzling HOT chemistry. I'm definitely looking forward to the next addition to this series.
Caution: There is quite a bit of descriptive violence in this book, as the hero is a heavyweight fighter.
November 29, 2016
Book One in one of my favorite series is on sale for $0.99 for those interested!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01D...
This is the book that starts it all...
Battered Hearts Series:
Book Two: Star Crossed
Book Three: Crossing the Line
Untamed Hearts Series:
Book One: The Viper (the only one I didn't love)
Book Two: The Slayer
Book Three: The Enforcer
Original Review:
I find myself in an odd situation here...because I finally read this book (book one of the series) AFTER reading books two and three.
I have no idea why, but oddly enough I'm actually glad it went that way because this book turned out to be my least favorite in the series. I still liked it, but I actually think having read the two books following it made me like this one more because I went in knowing--and appreciating-- a lot more about the characters. So imagine if I had read it first...
This book was refreshing in the sense that the two main characters don't really play any games. They like each other right away and they kind of let each other know that right away; however, there is a lack of depth to this story that is not present in books two and three.
In short, I hope this book doesn't deter anyone from continuing with the series, because book 3 is worth it all by itself IMO.
Find me at:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01D...
This is the book that starts it all...
Battered Hearts Series:
Book Two: Star Crossed
Book Three: Crossing the Line
Untamed Hearts Series:
Book One: The Viper (the only one I didn't love)
Book Two: The Slayer
Book Three: The Enforcer
Original Review:
I find myself in an odd situation here...because I finally read this book (book one of the series) AFTER reading books two and three.
I have no idea why, but oddly enough I'm actually glad it went that way because this book turned out to be my least favorite in the series. I still liked it, but I actually think having read the two books following it made me like this one more because I went in knowing--and appreciating-- a lot more about the characters. So imagine if I had read it first...
This book was refreshing in the sense that the two main characters don't really play any games. They like each other right away and they kind of let each other know that right away; however, there is a lack of depth to this story that is not present in books two and three.
In short, I hope this book doesn't deter anyone from continuing with the series, because book 3 is worth it all by itself IMO.
Find me at:
January 31, 2020
Defying the Odds is the love story of a gruff heavyweight UFC champion with abandonment issues and a struggling waitress with an abusive ex-husband.
Melody has no idea who Clay is, and what UFC is. She is working hard, trying to be strong, but also very tired. She is fearful and overwrought. Considering all these things and her dreadful past, it is weird how open and chatty she is, and trusts in Clay immediately.
Clay is lonely, gruff, and unsociable, lives only for the fight. He is idolized, but without real relationships, except his two best friends, Wyatt and Jules. He is touched and stunned by Melody’s honest interest in him.
Melody and Clay both are lonely, and are about quitting the fight: Clay literally, from his career, Melody figuratively, from her fight of hiding, struggling, being strong.
Plot
The beginning was nice. I enjoyed the elongated phase of longing for each other. But later everything was rushed, not only the events, but the emotions as well. Sometimes I felt I missed something, the descriptions were too long, and thoughts were repeated.
Justin, the ex-husband’s appearance was inevitable, and the way it was handled was the best part of the story.
The ending was great again, nicely frames the story.
All in all
It is a sweet (well, sugary sweet) romance, with a naïve but likeable heroine, with a rugged but tender hero, and great secondary characters. The erotic scenes are mediocre for me; I couldn’t feel the sparks and passion. The story has its good features, but it is far from perfect.
Melody has no idea who Clay is, and what UFC is. She is working hard, trying to be strong, but also very tired. She is fearful and overwrought. Considering all these things and her dreadful past, it is weird how open and chatty she is, and trusts in Clay immediately.
That fighter had her feeling young and alive when she’d felt worn-out and beaten for so long… She felt normal and womanly and blissfully free from her demons.
Clay is lonely, gruff, and unsociable, lives only for the fight. He is idolized, but without real relationships, except his two best friends, Wyatt and Jules. He is touched and stunned by Melody’s honest interest in him.
It was more than her lush figure and beautiful smile. It was her soul that called out to him. Being around her felt like coming home. He could smile around her. He could laugh and feel normal in a way he never anticipated with anyone.
Melody and Clay both are lonely, and are about quitting the fight: Clay literally, from his career, Melody figuratively, from her fight of hiding, struggling, being strong.
Plot
The beginning was nice. I enjoyed the elongated phase of longing for each other. But later everything was rushed, not only the events, but the emotions as well. Sometimes I felt I missed something, the descriptions were too long, and thoughts were repeated.
Justin, the ex-husband’s appearance was inevitable, and the way it was handled was the best part of the story.
The ending was great again, nicely frames the story.
All in all
It is a sweet (well, sugary sweet) romance, with a naïve but likeable heroine, with a rugged but tender hero, and great secondary characters. The erotic scenes are mediocre for me; I couldn’t feel the sparks and passion. The story has its good features, but it is far from perfect.
“I never met anyone like you, Mel. First time I saw you I thought you were an angel, and I’m still not all that sure you’re not.”
February 12, 2012
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★★★★✩ Sweet and loaded with charm! This is a fast read, but that doesn’t make it any less H.O.T. Kudos to this “new-2-me-author” for making me care about these believable people in a relatively short amount of time. I’ll definitely be reading more of this author’s work.
Here is the little black polka-dot dress Clay bought for Melody:
http://www.sirensandstarlets.co.uk/
These look like the shoes she got to go with the dress, as described in the book:
[image error]
However, I wanted her to have these also, so I threw them in the bag when she wasn’t looking.
**hee hee**:
[image error]
★★★★✩ Sweet and loaded with charm! This is a fast read, but that doesn’t make it any less H.O.T. Kudos to this “new-2-me-author” for making me care about these believable people in a relatively short amount of time. I’ll definitely be reading more of this author’s work.
Here is the little black polka-dot dress Clay bought for Melody:
http://www.sirensandstarlets.co.uk/
These look like the shoes she got to go with the dress, as described in the book:
[image error]
However, I wanted her to have these also, so I threw them in the bag when she wasn’t looking.
**hee hee**:
[image error]
January 11, 2021
Seeing you the first time was like coming home, and there hasn't been anything to happen since that's disabused me of the notion.
Soooooooooo sweet! I think I found another book bf. 😍😍😍
Rating: 4/5
February 7, 2017
I have loved Kele Moon's M/M books but this really wasn't for me. For a lot of reasons. I read this because it's been on my tbr list for what feels like forever, and many book friends of mine loved this one. I felt the characters could have been developed a lot more than they were, and the relationship was to instalovey for me, which led to me not being sold on their love.
A friend told me not to judge the rest of the series based on this book, so I won't and I will definitely try Moon's other books.
November 21, 2015
I'm keeping this short because there are already so many awesome reviews out there.
Defying the Odds is the first book in the Battered Hearts series and a very, very sweet story. In fact, it's uncommonly sweet given that it's also an extremely hot tale, and readers used to edgier erotica might miss that in with this story.
That said, I adored Clay and Melody and loved watching their relationship grow. Wyatt and Jules were also great, in an annoying family members kind of way.
I'm very much looking forward to the next book in the series!!
3.5 of 5 stars
April 21, 2015
4 Sweet Giant & Pumpkin Pie Stars!
Awww! Well, I was smiling at the end so I think that's the sign of a good book. Love Clay!!!!! And his story was so stinkin' cute!!
So I read this series all out of order...it's become a nasty habit of mine. I was going to skip this book altogether, because I was told it was just a quick, sweet read and not integral to the rest of the series. HOWEVER, after reading the third book in the series, Crossing the Line, I HAD to read Clay's book!!! This poor guy! He and Tabitha (the heroine from Crossing the Line) were best buddies as kids and both stuck together. They had a huge thing in common... a terrible home life and parents that straight did not give a shit! So heart-breaking!! Clay is just a guy that takes what life handed him though. He doesn't have a lot to say and he never complains about anything.
One Thanksgiving, he is perfectly content to be eating by himself at Garnet's own, Hal's Diner, when a new waitress decides that he looks lonely and attempts to cheer him up with a slice of pumpkin pie.
If Clay had a female equivalent, it would be Melody. Coming out of a terrible marriage with an ex that used to beat the crap out of her, she too has nothing to complain about. She was brave enough to escape from her ex and as long as she was able to do that and gets to open her eyes every morning as far away from him as possible, she's happy. Even though the chick's flat broke , has no heat, her shoes are falling apart...she's happy as a clam.
Her are Clay have this adorable little attraction and flirtation thing going to slowly starts to turn into a burning desire.
Sadly, Melody can't make a home out of anywhere as she is always looking over her shoulder for her ex, so she doesn't think she'll be in Garnet for long. Clay is the defending heavyweight UFC championship fighter and is training for a fight but, he is most interested in the sweet, shy little waitress from Hal's Diner.
Ok, so because I read the other two books first, this book was such a huge treat for me!! Clay is a huge teddy bear on the inside and I so loved seeing this other side of him...I just knew it was in there somewhere. But do not mess with his woman!! He was still a man of few words and he would get all shy on her at times with his words, but when he did open up to her, it was so damn romantic!! I'm a sap so I ate this shit up!!! LOL! The book is low on angst and even lower on drama. It's just sweet and EXTREMELY spicy!!!!
DAYUM these two burned up my iPad!!! The scene in Vegas up against to floor to ceiling windows?? HAWTTT!!!
Could the author have done more here? Sure.. but I appreciated the fact that not every couple in the series has to have a crazy angsty story. I think this mirrors real life more. Some couples have an easier go than others. To me, this also made for a really well-rounded series. You get the sweet and sexy book in this one, the fun (and also very sexy) one in Star Crossed, and finally, the super angsty and emotional story in Crossing the Line.
I loved Clay and Melody's story and I sooo love that Clay found his other half. <3
And, oh..that part right at the very end with Wyatt and the potentially lucky pumpkin pie?! Had me tearing up all over again! Absolutely LOVED this series!
On to the spin-off of this series next, Untamed Hearts.
Awww! Well, I was smiling at the end so I think that's the sign of a good book. Love Clay!!!!! And his story was so stinkin' cute!!
So I read this series all out of order...it's become a nasty habit of mine. I was going to skip this book altogether, because I was told it was just a quick, sweet read and not integral to the rest of the series. HOWEVER, after reading the third book in the series, Crossing the Line, I HAD to read Clay's book!!! This poor guy! He and Tabitha (the heroine from Crossing the Line) were best buddies as kids and both stuck together. They had a huge thing in common... a terrible home life and parents that straight did not give a shit! So heart-breaking!! Clay is just a guy that takes what life handed him though. He doesn't have a lot to say and he never complains about anything.
One Thanksgiving, he is perfectly content to be eating by himself at Garnet's own, Hal's Diner, when a new waitress decides that he looks lonely and attempts to cheer him up with a slice of pumpkin pie.
If Clay had a female equivalent, it would be Melody. Coming out of a terrible marriage with an ex that used to beat the crap out of her, she too has nothing to complain about. She was brave enough to escape from her ex and as long as she was able to do that and gets to open her eyes every morning as far away from him as possible, she's happy. Even though the chick's flat broke , has no heat, her shoes are falling apart...she's happy as a clam.
Her are Clay have this adorable little attraction and flirtation thing going to slowly starts to turn into a burning desire.
"If fairy godmothers existed, she'd have wished for a do-over tonight. She didn't want a ball or a fancy dress; she just wanted one night with Clay and damn the consequences."
Sadly, Melody can't make a home out of anywhere as she is always looking over her shoulder for her ex, so she doesn't think she'll be in Garnet for long. Clay is the defending heavyweight UFC championship fighter and is training for a fight but, he is most interested in the sweet, shy little waitress from Hal's Diner.
Ok, so because I read the other two books first, this book was such a huge treat for me!! Clay is a huge teddy bear on the inside and I so loved seeing this other side of him...I just knew it was in there somewhere. But do not mess with his woman!! He was still a man of few words and he would get all shy on her at times with his words, but when he did open up to her, it was so damn romantic!! I'm a sap so I ate this shit up!!! LOL! The book is low on angst and even lower on drama. It's just sweet and EXTREMELY spicy!!!!
"Go ahead." Clay's voice turned low and gravelly with sex. "Use it; fuck it. It belongs to you; own it."
DAYUM these two burned up my iPad!!! The scene in Vegas up against to floor to ceiling windows?? HAWTTT!!!
Could the author have done more here? Sure.. but I appreciated the fact that not every couple in the series has to have a crazy angsty story. I think this mirrors real life more. Some couples have an easier go than others. To me, this also made for a really well-rounded series. You get the sweet and sexy book in this one, the fun (and also very sexy) one in Star Crossed, and finally, the super angsty and emotional story in Crossing the Line.
I loved Clay and Melody's story and I sooo love that Clay found his other half. <3
And, oh..that part right at the very end with Wyatt and the potentially lucky pumpkin pie?! Had me tearing up all over again! Absolutely LOVED this series!
On to the spin-off of this series next, Untamed Hearts.
March 6, 2015
"She’d never expected to find a man who affected her as Clay did. It felt like her life was a jigsaw puzzle , and Clay was the missing pieces. They just fit together so well. She felt safe and happy and whole when she was with him."
Defying the Odds is the first book in the Battered Hearts series. I happened to fall upon a review for The Viper (also by Kele Moon) and was intrigued. After reading it, I fell in love with the characters, the writing style, and I knew I wanted more! I jumped ahead to Crossing the Line (the third book in this series) and honestly, I am so glad that I read the third book first. It was helpful to have the back story of Clay, Wyatt, and Jules before reading Defying the Odds. I enjoyed this book so much more because I already had a grasp for these characters and their history.
Melody is a transplant to the small town of Garnet. She has moved there to escape her abusive ex husband. Melody is a hard worker who exudes sunshine and rainbows. Despite the trauma she has faced, she approaches life with a smile.
Clay is a fighter. He is rough. He is a survivor. He has everything except love. When Clay meets Melody, he realizes what he has been missing in his life. She exudes a warmth that he has never before felt in his entire life.
"He tried to sort out the plethora of emotions overwhelming him. Most were feelings he was unaccustomed to, like a wild need to run after her and comfort her until that panicked look left her bright green eyes, now reflecting fear underneath her glasses."
Clay doesn't waste any time winning Melody over. Although she offers a slight amount of resistance, in truth she is happy to fall into his arms.
"She’d never expected to find a man who affected her as Clay did. It felt like her life was a jigsaw puzzle , and Clay was the missing pieces. They just fit together so well. She felt safe and happy and whole when she was with him."
Melody fears that her past will tarnish her future. She is afraid to explore a future with Clay. Eventually Jules intervenes and brings Melody to Vegas to see Clay fight. As soon as Melody and Clay are reunited, everything is right!
Clay helps Melody heal. I found it very endearing the way he wanted to care for her.
“I thought I was broken too, that I’d never trust women, but I had it all wrong. I wasn’t broken at all. I was just waiting for you. It’s always been yours; even before we met, it belonged to you.”
Although the love connection was quick, I felt the connection between the two to be natural and strong. The physical connection between them is smoking hot. I would have liked to have had more growth emotionally between the two characters. Again, reading the third book first really helped me overlook this aspect of the story. Because both Clay and Melody have experienced so much pain in their past, their smiles, laughter, and love really made my heart happy.
Overall, I highly recommend anything written by Kele Moon. Defying the Odds was a sweet romance with a side of action and a whole lot of steam! Now on to the second book. Jules and Romeo promise to be one match made in heaven!
Defying the Odds is the first book in the Battered Hearts series. I happened to fall upon a review for The Viper (also by Kele Moon) and was intrigued. After reading it, I fell in love with the characters, the writing style, and I knew I wanted more! I jumped ahead to Crossing the Line (the third book in this series) and honestly, I am so glad that I read the third book first. It was helpful to have the back story of Clay, Wyatt, and Jules before reading Defying the Odds. I enjoyed this book so much more because I already had a grasp for these characters and their history.
Melody is a transplant to the small town of Garnet. She has moved there to escape her abusive ex husband. Melody is a hard worker who exudes sunshine and rainbows. Despite the trauma she has faced, she approaches life with a smile.
Clay is a fighter. He is rough. He is a survivor. He has everything except love. When Clay meets Melody, he realizes what he has been missing in his life. She exudes a warmth that he has never before felt in his entire life.
"He tried to sort out the plethora of emotions overwhelming him. Most were feelings he was unaccustomed to, like a wild need to run after her and comfort her until that panicked look left her bright green eyes, now reflecting fear underneath her glasses."
Clay doesn't waste any time winning Melody over. Although she offers a slight amount of resistance, in truth she is happy to fall into his arms.
"She’d never expected to find a man who affected her as Clay did. It felt like her life was a jigsaw puzzle , and Clay was the missing pieces. They just fit together so well. She felt safe and happy and whole when she was with him."
Melody fears that her past will tarnish her future. She is afraid to explore a future with Clay. Eventually Jules intervenes and brings Melody to Vegas to see Clay fight. As soon as Melody and Clay are reunited, everything is right!
Clay helps Melody heal. I found it very endearing the way he wanted to care for her.
“I thought I was broken too, that I’d never trust women, but I had it all wrong. I wasn’t broken at all. I was just waiting for you. It’s always been yours; even before we met, it belonged to you.”
Although the love connection was quick, I felt the connection between the two to be natural and strong. The physical connection between them is smoking hot. I would have liked to have had more growth emotionally between the two characters. Again, reading the third book first really helped me overlook this aspect of the story. Because both Clay and Melody have experienced so much pain in their past, their smiles, laughter, and love really made my heart happy.
Overall, I highly recommend anything written by Kele Moon. Defying the Odds was a sweet romance with a side of action and a whole lot of steam! Now on to the second book. Jules and Romeo promise to be one match made in heaven!
April 2, 2013
"How'd this happen?" Melody asked in a stunned whisper..."We just met."
"I don't believe that," Clay argued as he turned her palm over in his and traced the lines of it with the pad of his finger. "I'm pretty sure we've known each other forever. Seeing you the first time was like coming home, and there ain't been anything to happen since that's disabused me of the notion."
Melody recently fled from her abusive husband after finally gaining the courage to run. She ends up in a small town that breeds fighting men...that is, MMA fighers. And though she still flinches and shrinks away from a lot of men, there's something about Clay that makes her feel protected instead of scared. Maybe it's because he looks so lonely, sitting by himself on Thanksgiving, eating at her table in the local diner. Maybe she falls for him when he tries desperately to choke down the piece of pumpkin pie he so obviously detests just because she bought it for him.
What Melody doesn't know is that the huge dude that starts eating every night at the diner is actually the heavyweight champion of the UFC. Hell, she's been so cloistered for so long, she doesn't even know what the UFC is. But she's about to get a crash course in badass boys, because you KNOW that ex husband shows up, right? SMH...stupid man...
"He rested his cheek against her shoulder, burying his face in her soft, sweetly scented hair. "You smell like cookies."
This was super sweet, but not sticky sweet...after all, this is one huge dude who pounds other guys faces in until they black out!!!! But wow, was Clay ever gentle with this woman. Nothing, NOTHING, NOTHING tops the ultimate protective alpha male. The one who doesn't stand for a negative word against his woman, let alone some snarky pissant of an ex who used to rape and beat her.
Yeah, I swooned!!
I swooned even more at the sex...holy wowza!! That was HOT!!!
"Go ahead." Clay's voice turned low and gravelly with sex. "Use it; fuck it. It belongs to you; own it"..."
Or...
"She never knew she was supposed to be this woman, one comfortable enough with her own body and desires to make herself vulnerable to him like this. She wanted to be claimed, owned, fucked from behind until she came, screaming Clay's name. If she wasn't already in love with Clay, she would have fallen for him just for giving her this freedom. She wasn't nervous and jumpy; instead she was uninhibited and sexual..."
It was great watching Melody come out of her shell. Getting to know Clay and being with him intimately seemed like such a natural progression for her, despite the fact that Clay likes it rough and raw...and then he turns the switch to a huge monster of a teddy bear. But she felt safe with him, and as she gets to know his only family left in the world...friends who took him in when he was a scared homeless kid, she sees more to the man than the fighter or the lover. She sees a man who is willing and able to be a better man than she ever thought she'd have.
Nothing better than a strong man with a gentle heart.
I was so impressed with the writing in this short, novella length book. Though it's not horribly sophisticated or flashy, it's very down to earth and easy to relate to. Little details such as how Mel turns the faucet in the tub off with her toes and Clay's teasing her about it, the touching emotion in the bedroom...it all came together and gave me a huge surprise.
This is for the romance lover...the sappy HEA needer who also likes some rough and tumble with their lovin'. What a great, quick read! I'm very much looking forward to Romeo and Jules story, and eventually Wyatt.
Arc generously provided by Loose Id via Net Galley
November 27, 2012
Ladies and Gentlemen, in this corner we have... Clay "Powerhouse" Powers the UFC Heavyweight Champion of the World!
Clay is quiet, loyal and strong. He lives with Jules Conner and Wyatt Conner. Wyatt Conner is the town's sheriff and Jules is the town's only lawyer. The three share a business and they live together. The witty banter of their relationship is fun to read.
And in this corner... We have Melody Andrews a new waitress at Hal's Diner!
Melody is so real and so very likable! Her black glasses and her way of saying what's on her mind leaves a reader smiling. She has fled her abusive ex-husband Justin with only the clothes on her back to
start over again.
Melody serves an unordered piece of pie to Clay on Thanksgiving...giving him something nice for free without expecting anything from him.
One piece of pumpkin pie later...
Clay and Melody fall in love they survive a crazy attack, the big fight in Vegas, hot sex scenes in showers, tubs and against their hotel window...the couple stands strong with Clay's promises of safety.
"I never met anyone like you, Mel. First time I saw you I thought you were an angel, and I'm still not all that sure you're not."
I can't wait to read the next book about Romeo and hopefully learn more about Tabitha!!
Clay is quiet, loyal and strong. He lives with Jules Conner and Wyatt Conner. Wyatt Conner is the town's sheriff and Jules is the town's only lawyer. The three share a business and they live together. The witty banter of their relationship is fun to read.
And in this corner... We have Melody Andrews a new waitress at Hal's Diner!
Melody is so real and so very likable! Her black glasses and her way of saying what's on her mind leaves a reader smiling. She has fled her abusive ex-husband Justin with only the clothes on her back to
start over again.
Melody serves an unordered piece of pie to Clay on Thanksgiving...giving him something nice for free without expecting anything from him.
One piece of pumpkin pie later...
Clay and Melody fall in love they survive a crazy attack, the big fight in Vegas, hot sex scenes in showers, tubs and against their hotel window...the couple stands strong with Clay's promises of safety.
"I never met anyone like you, Mel. First time I saw you I thought you were an angel, and I'm still not all that sure you're not."
I can't wait to read the next book about Romeo and hopefully learn more about Tabitha!!
Read
October 14, 2016For the next four days, Defying the Odds, Book 1 in the Battered Hearts series is FREE on Kindle!!!
http://amzn.to/2dT09GG
Also, since I'm feeling so generous. . . Star Crossed is on sale for only 99 cents!! This is a super plus novel, on sale for a very short time! So take a walk on the wild side with the bad boys of MMA!!
http://amzn.to/2efRmu8
http://amzn.to/2dT09GG
Also, since I'm feeling so generous. . . Star Crossed is on sale for only 99 cents!! This is a super plus novel, on sale for a very short time! So take a walk on the wild side with the bad boys of MMA!!
http://amzn.to/2efRmu8
December 18, 2018
Great strong Hero!!!
I needed some time to warm up to the writing style, but from the beginning till the end I adored the Hero!
Maybe some plot holes, maybe a bit cheesy, maybe OTT drama.
Whatever.
Sweet safe love story!
I needed some time to warm up to the writing style, but from the beginning till the end I adored the Hero!
Maybe some plot holes, maybe a bit cheesy, maybe OTT drama.
Whatever.
Sweet safe love story!
February 9, 2012
Another one to my LOVVIT shelf. I loved everything about this book. The tender Hero, the down-on-her-luck heroine, the blabber mouth wing-man and most definitely the HOT smexings.
All were very yummy and my personal favourite was the shower sex. I cannot gush enough how scorching that was. Absolutely yummy!
Apart from that, there were many bleeding-heart moments between Clay and Melody that I just couldn't believe that for a guy who made a living out of beating people up (he was the UFC world champion), he could be so sensitive emotionally. I loved him for that, thick neck and all.
It all started with the new waitress giving a pity pumpkin pi to a lonely complete stranger on Thanksgiving, who knew? All you single ladies, take note.
All were very yummy and my personal favourite was the shower sex. I cannot gush enough how scorching that was. Absolutely yummy!
Apart from that, there were many bleeding-heart moments between Clay and Melody that I just couldn't believe that for a guy who made a living out of beating people up (he was the UFC world champion), he could be so sensitive emotionally. I loved him for that, thick neck and all.
It all started with the new waitress giving a pity pumpkin pi to a lonely complete stranger on Thanksgiving, who knew? All you single ladies, take note.
July 27, 2020
4 Smokin', Hot, Down Home Yummy MMA Stars
* * * * Spoiler Free
Found this series, Battered Hearts by Kele Moon... and I became addicted. It had everything a hot, sexy, yes sweet love story should have for me. Throw in MMA brooding hero and place all the action in a small town with full characters to develop into other books which carry on the same flavor... and I get hooked.
Kele Moon has a certain charm in her writing...she presents real situations of the heart and I owe my discovery of her to Duchess Nicole's reviews of her work. Take a moment to read them, they are a thing of beauty...detailed and remarkable. I have just finished all three of this series and it was the best time... Totally engaging.
The next one Star Crossed and the third one, Crossing the Line hit the mark and rang true. If you like to follow characters and see where all of the lives intertwine; where you learn about childhoods, why things happen and the outcome of these lives...then start with this book and follow the series.
Oh, and in case you wondered...these men in these books... hot, damn they are good in Everything they do....and I am sure you get what I mean.....so go...start with this and I promise you will not be disappointed.
Defying the Odds (Battered Hearts, #1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Star Crossed (Battered Hearts, #2)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Crossing The Line (Battered Hearts, #3)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Battered Heart Boxed Set
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
* * * * Spoiler Free
Found this series, Battered Hearts by Kele Moon... and I became addicted. It had everything a hot, sexy, yes sweet love story should have for me. Throw in MMA brooding hero and place all the action in a small town with full characters to develop into other books which carry on the same flavor... and I get hooked.
Kele Moon has a certain charm in her writing...she presents real situations of the heart and I owe my discovery of her to Duchess Nicole's reviews of her work. Take a moment to read them, they are a thing of beauty...detailed and remarkable. I have just finished all three of this series and it was the best time... Totally engaging.
The next one Star Crossed and the third one, Crossing the Line hit the mark and rang true. If you like to follow characters and see where all of the lives intertwine; where you learn about childhoods, why things happen and the outcome of these lives...then start with this book and follow the series.
Oh, and in case you wondered...these men in these books... hot, damn they are good in Everything they do....and I am sure you get what I mean.....so go...start with this and I promise you will not be disappointed.
Defying the Odds (Battered Hearts, #1)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Star Crossed (Battered Hearts, #2)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Crossing The Line (Battered Hearts, #3)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Battered Heart Boxed Sethttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
November 13, 2016
I'm rating this book 2 stars. I really didn't get a feel for this at all. Overall I didn't like it. This book was overdone in my opinion. I didn't like melodys charater. Two things really bugged me about her. 1 is that she was broke and she didn't except a 100$ tip. I've personally been broke before and I would have taken it. And secondly her ex Justin she didn't marry for love. And it wasn't like she was in an arranged marriage or forced. So I didn't like her. Through reading this I was hoping that when her ex came back in the story it might make the book less borrring. But no. The romance sucked. I was feeling for a fighter romance and this wasn't it. I'm glad I got this book for free or else I would have returned it.
P.S the past victim of abuse element also wasn't done well.
P.S the past victim of abuse element also wasn't done well.
March 18, 2023
This is the first book in the Battered Hearts series. The blurb sets it up, Melody and Clay meet on Thanksgiving when she buys him a piece of pie. They both have baggage, but it’s pretty instant-love with low angst.
The mc’s and secondary characters are all very likable and the relationship is quite sweet, but it was predictable. A h on the run from her abusive ex and her new man is a world champion MMA fighter… anyone see where that’s going?? 😂
Bottom Line- Sweet, very adulting romance. It didn’t have much drama, but it also didn’t have misunderstandings, assumptions, or other person drama.
The mc’s and secondary characters are all very likable and the relationship is quite sweet, but it was predictable. A h on the run from her abusive ex and her new man is a world champion MMA fighter… anyone see where that’s going?? 😂
Bottom Line- Sweet, very adulting romance. It didn’t have much drama, but it also didn’t have misunderstandings, assumptions, or other person drama.
June 8, 2012
In all the world, there is no heart for me like yours. In all the world, there is no love for you like mine.
~Maya Angelou
Aw, this one was just adorable.
It’s a beautiful story of how a simple act of kindness can bring two broken souls together.
Clay, a UFC champion fighter and lonely soul with abandonment issues, is sitting in a diner on Thanksgiving. The new waitress spots him looking lonely and buys him a piece of pumpkin pie even though she can ill afford to. She is Melody and she has ran from her abusive ex husband with just the clothes on her back and holed up in Clay’s town to hide away. She’s totally skint and is working endless double shifts to pay her way.
Clay is deeply touched by her gesture – very few people have given him something and expected nothing in return. He doesn’t even like pumpkin pie but he tries to hide this from Mel.
What follows is a beautiful and very erotic love story. The chemistry between them is so potent it fair sizzles off the page. I loved Melody – she’s as sweet as the pie she bought Clay and, despite her history of abuse, her naturally sunny nature just radiates through. Clay is a revelation – he may be a lean mean fighting machine but he’s capable of great tenderness and understanding with Mel .
It’s just a short sweet love story – perfect for a rainy afternoon.
4 stars contemporary romance
~Maya Angelou
Aw, this one was just adorable.
It’s a beautiful story of how a simple act of kindness can bring two broken souls together.
Clay, a UFC champion fighter and lonely soul with abandonment issues, is sitting in a diner on Thanksgiving. The new waitress spots him looking lonely and buys him a piece of pumpkin pie even though she can ill afford to. She is Melody and she has ran from her abusive ex husband with just the clothes on her back and holed up in Clay’s town to hide away. She’s totally skint and is working endless double shifts to pay her way.
Clay is deeply touched by her gesture – very few people have given him something and expected nothing in return. He doesn’t even like pumpkin pie but he tries to hide this from Mel.
What follows is a beautiful and very erotic love story. The chemistry between them is so potent it fair sizzles off the page. I loved Melody – she’s as sweet as the pie she bought Clay and, despite her history of abuse, her naturally sunny nature just radiates through. Clay is a revelation – he may be a lean mean fighting machine but he’s capable of great tenderness and understanding with Mel .
It’s just a short sweet love story – perfect for a rainy afternoon.
4 stars contemporary romance
December 12, 2015
I liked this one, but it just wasn't for me.
Even though I highlighted like crazy, and the premise and writing were great, I think it was just too much.
Too sweet.
Too lovey.
Too...not me.
I'm still willing to give the rest of the series a go though.
Even though I highlighted like crazy, and the premise and writing were great, I think it was just too much.
Too sweet.
Too lovey.
Too...not me.
I'm still willing to give the rest of the series a go though.
December 30, 2011
This is the first in, what I hope is, a series from Kele Moon featuring current and former UFC fighters, set in the small town of Garnet.
Clay, our hero and current UFC World Heavyweight Champion, is adorable and verrrry sexy:) He's big, strong, tough, grumbly and gruff. But, underneath, he's a little bit of a softie as well. Melody, our heroine and (new) hardworking waitress at Hal's Diner, is lovely, kind, dealing with a hard past which is making for a hard present, and equally as strong as Clay in her own way. They are a terrifically charming couple that you want nothing but the best for! This story also has a fun supporting cast, who, I hope, will be getting stories of their very own!
What a charming, fun, emotional, feel-good, sexy, steamy book!! I only wish it could have been a little longer! This had such a great energy to it. It was just plain-old fun to read! I'm a HUGE fan of Kele Moon's Eden series, so I was very anxious for this ebook to be released. This story is very different from the Eden series, but, in it's own way, it is just as great a read!
Take a little time this holiday season, kick your feet up, sit back, relax, and enjoy adding this sparkling little treat to your library! 5 stars!
Clay, our hero and current UFC World Heavyweight Champion, is adorable and verrrry sexy:) He's big, strong, tough, grumbly and gruff. But, underneath, he's a little bit of a softie as well. Melody, our heroine and (new) hardworking waitress at Hal's Diner, is lovely, kind, dealing with a hard past which is making for a hard present, and equally as strong as Clay in her own way. They are a terrifically charming couple that you want nothing but the best for! This story also has a fun supporting cast, who, I hope, will be getting stories of their very own!
What a charming, fun, emotional, feel-good, sexy, steamy book!! I only wish it could have been a little longer! This had such a great energy to it. It was just plain-old fun to read! I'm a HUGE fan of Kele Moon's Eden series, so I was very anxious for this ebook to be released. This story is very different from the Eden series, but, in it's own way, it is just as great a read!
Take a little time this holiday season, kick your feet up, sit back, relax, and enjoy adding this sparkling little treat to your library! 5 stars!
March 22, 2013
I seem to be in the minority here but this book didn't do much for me. I had to force my way through it. I'll give it that it was a sweet book but the plot development wasn't up to par in my honest opinion.
My first issue is that the characters seemed strangely immature to me. They acted like teenagers around each other and not like grown men and women. I'll read about teenagers in my young adult books, thanks. Another thing that I didn't like was that I felt like Clay and Melody went from nothing to intense love in about 30 seconds. In some books, this works for me but here I found it to be annoying. I don't know, maybe it was just the kind of mood that I was in when I read this but it just rang false to me in so many ways. Not to mention that the book overall was incredibly formulaic. Oh well, at least the sex scenes were super hot!
My first issue is that the characters seemed strangely immature to me. They acted like teenagers around each other and not like grown men and women. I'll read about teenagers in my young adult books, thanks. Another thing that I didn't like was that I felt like Clay and Melody went from nothing to intense love in about 30 seconds. In some books, this works for me but here I found it to be annoying. I don't know, maybe it was just the kind of mood that I was in when I read this but it just rang false to me in so many ways. Not to mention that the book overall was incredibly formulaic. Oh well, at least the sex scenes were super hot!
October 27, 2019
4 Stars (Originally Read 5/11/2014)
3 Stars (Re-Read 10/27/2019)
Overall Opinion: I'm not quite sure I picked this one for a re-read, but I was in the mood for a damaged h and maybe some angst. I enjoyed it at times, but it just wasn't my cuppa for the rest. It was way too instalove for my liking, I felt that there was too much sex and not enough substance in their relationship (once it started going), and the ending was pretty non-existent. I would've love to see these two have a family together (along with the side characters), especially because their own families had failed them in their pasts and I was rooting for them! Overall, I didn't hate it and I didn't love it either -- a "just okay" 3 star read for me.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Melody and Clay's story. Melody is new in town after fleeing her ex husband after an abusive marriage. On Thanksgiving, Melody buy the lonely looking Clay a piece of pie and things change for her. They start a friendship of sorts but cannot deny the underlying strong attraction to one another and they end up falling in love. There is some ex drama, some hot sexy times, and some fun side characters....and they get a HFN ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between focusing on Melody and Clay in 3rd person narrative.
Overall Pace of Story: Other than the abrupt ending, I thought it flowed well and I never skimmed.
Instalove: Yes! It felt way too insta for my liking.
H (Hero) rating: 4 stars. Clay. I liked him. He was sweet, damaged, and hot!
h (heroine) rating: 3.5 stars. Melody. She was a little bit better than alright. Super sweet, but she bugged me how she pushed the H away at one point.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Hot. They have some hot tension, chemistry, and scenes. I would personally classify this as erotica because I feel as though the sex took over the storytelling at times.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Yes, but not in the typical way
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This ended abruptly with what I would call a HFN ending. There are more books in the series, so I'm sure we get more closure in those for this couple -- but I think and epilogue and farther glimpse into their future would've gone a long way.
Safety: This one is probably Safe with exception for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences.
3 Stars (Re-Read 10/27/2019)
Overall Opinion: I'm not quite sure I picked this one for a re-read, but I was in the mood for a damaged h and maybe some angst. I enjoyed it at times, but it just wasn't my cuppa for the rest. It was way too instalove for my liking, I felt that there was too much sex and not enough substance in their relationship (once it started going), and the ending was pretty non-existent. I would've love to see these two have a family together (along with the side characters), especially because their own families had failed them in their pasts and I was rooting for them! Overall, I didn't hate it and I didn't love it either -- a "just okay" 3 star read for me.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Melody and Clay's story. Melody is new in town after fleeing her ex husband after an abusive marriage. On Thanksgiving, Melody buy the lonely looking Clay a piece of pie and things change for her. They start a friendship of sorts but cannot deny the underlying strong attraction to one another and they end up falling in love. There is some ex drama, some hot sexy times, and some fun side characters....and they get a HFN ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between focusing on Melody and Clay in 3rd person narrative.
Overall Pace of Story: Other than the abrupt ending, I thought it flowed well and I never skimmed.
Instalove: Yes! It felt way too insta for my liking.
H (Hero) rating: 4 stars. Clay. I liked him. He was sweet, damaged, and hot!
h (heroine) rating: 3.5 stars. Melody. She was a little bit better than alright. Super sweet, but she bugged me how she pushed the H away at one point.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Hot. They have some hot tension, chemistry, and scenes. I would personally classify this as erotica because I feel as though the sex took over the storytelling at times.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Yes, but not in the typical way
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This ended abruptly with what I would call a HFN ending. There are more books in the series, so I'm sure we get more closure in those for this couple -- but I think and epilogue and farther glimpse into their future would've gone a long way.
Safety: This one is probably Safe with exception for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences.
January 11, 2012
A sweet romance that brings two people with troubled pasts into each other’s live. Clay was adorable, so big, so strong, and very humble. Melody senses his loneliness and offers up an act of kindness that touched him more than she realizes. No one has ever done anything for him, who didn’t want anything in return. Clay’s a wealthy, popular MMA fighter, and she doesn’t have a clue who he is or what he does. She’s been living a sheltered life and has escaped from an abusive marriage.
Considering the nature of the sport Clay participates in, ultimate fighting, and Melody’s past history, it would seem like an unlikely pairing. Clay’s a brutal man when he’s competing in the ring, but he’s the man of Melody’s dreams outside of it. He’s caring, kind and extremely passionate, and he ignites a fire in Melody that she never knew existed. They are explosive together…POW!
It’s a quick read, with some interesting characters, good dialogue and very unique storyline. The ending left me with the feeling that this isn’t the last that we’ve seen of this delightful couple.
My Clay
Considering the nature of the sport Clay participates in, ultimate fighting, and Melody’s past history, it would seem like an unlikely pairing. Clay’s a brutal man when he’s competing in the ring, but he’s the man of Melody’s dreams outside of it. He’s caring, kind and extremely passionate, and he ignites a fire in Melody that she never knew existed. They are explosive together…POW!
It’s a quick read, with some interesting characters, good dialogue and very unique storyline. The ending left me with the feeling that this isn’t the last that we’ve seen of this delightful couple.
My Clay
February 20, 2012
4 stars.
A sweet read with no pretense or melodrama... it was so nice to get back to basics. And by basics I mean basics.
Clay and Melody meet, they find themselves attracted to each other, they become friendly, they communicate how they feel to one another, any baggage is discussed like adults and their love is so sweet, so pure, it made me purr like a kitten.
I love how this pulled no punches and defied the norm in terms of romance formulas. There were no games or misunderstandings, just emotion and honesty and feeling.
Don't let this review sway you into thinking it's all soft cutesy stuff though! There were some seriously freaking hot sex scenes in this - yowza! I almost burst into flames a couple of times!
It felt quite short to me but I guess they have to save some of the action for the rest of the series. Looking forward to seeing Wyatt and Jules getting their own respective HEA.
A sweet read with no pretense or melodrama... it was so nice to get back to basics. And by basics I mean basics.
Clay and Melody meet, they find themselves attracted to each other, they become friendly, they communicate how they feel to one another, any baggage is discussed like adults and their love is so sweet, so pure, it made me purr like a kitten.
I love how this pulled no punches and defied the norm in terms of romance formulas. There were no games or misunderstandings, just emotion and honesty and feeling.
Don't let this review sway you into thinking it's all soft cutesy stuff though! There were some seriously freaking hot sex scenes in this - yowza! I almost burst into flames a couple of times!
It felt quite short to me but I guess they have to save some of the action for the rest of the series. Looking forward to seeing Wyatt and Jules getting their own respective HEA.
September 3, 2017
Reread September 2017
Another reread. Clay and Melody are one of my favorite couples. Clay is all in from first sight of Melody. And I like even though Melody was abused by her ex-husband, she doesn't hold it against all men. The sex scenes are steamy but also beautiful and sweet.
12/16/15 Re-read
I love this book. I know I will read it again and again. It was just what I needed at the moment.
Original review:
This was absolutely one of the sweetest, best romances I have read in a while. It had some of my favorite elements: woman in trouble/knight in shining armor and MMA. Clay was the perfect hero. He never wavered even when Melody pushed him away to protect him. Their love blossoming over time was so sweet and I just wanted to eat it all up. This is definitely a book I could read over and over.
Another reread. Clay and Melody are one of my favorite couples. Clay is all in from first sight of Melody. And I like even though Melody was abused by her ex-husband, she doesn't hold it against all men. The sex scenes are steamy but also beautiful and sweet.
12/16/15 Re-read
I love this book. I know I will read it again and again. It was just what I needed at the moment.
Original review:
This was absolutely one of the sweetest, best romances I have read in a while. It had some of my favorite elements: woman in trouble/knight in shining armor and MMA. Clay was the perfect hero. He never wavered even when Melody pushed him away to protect him. Their love blossoming over time was so sweet and I just wanted to eat it all up. This is definitely a book I could read over and over.
March 5, 2018
Defying the Odds is an old-school romance. What do I mean by that? This book was written in 2011 back when there wasn't a ton of sports romance books to pick from. There was a phase, about 4 years ago, where readers would claim books like this had too many themes that were overdone (a surly guy who's a famous UFC fighter happens upon a down-and-out waitress who is running from her abusive ex-husband. She's clueless about who this guy is sitting at her table on a Thanksgiving evening. Her act of kindness sets in a motion a romance). Yet, this trope is a winning one and that's the reason why almost 7 years later it still captures readers interest.
I've spent the last two weeks with a book hangover and every book I've picked up just hasn't clicked with me. I decided to give this book a try and I, for one, enjoyed reading this storyline. It made me smile because it made feel like when I first joined Goodreads and was reading romance books with my friends. Sort of like a comfort food for the soul.
It's hard to believe but Ms. Moon is new to me author. I've had friends over the years sing her praises. I can now see why she's so popular. I've already got the next book loaded on my kindle.
"It felt like she had accidentally fallen into a relationship with a rock star."
DEFYING THE ODDS is the first book in Battered Hearts series. This series is filled with UFC fighters. If you love sports romance, especially fighters than this is series is for you! Be in the octagon with Clay and also watching from the sidelines with Melody.
P.S. Currently $.99 on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2oHJkAt>
Follow Foxy Blogs at: Blog ♥ Twitter ♥ Instagram ♥ Facebook
I've spent the last two weeks with a book hangover and every book I've picked up just hasn't clicked with me. I decided to give this book a try and I, for one, enjoyed reading this storyline. It made me smile because it made feel like when I first joined Goodreads and was reading romance books with my friends. Sort of like a comfort food for the soul.
It's hard to believe but Ms. Moon is new to me author. I've had friends over the years sing her praises. I can now see why she's so popular. I've already got the next book loaded on my kindle.
"It felt like she had accidentally fallen into a relationship with a rock star."
DEFYING THE ODDS is the first book in Battered Hearts series. This series is filled with UFC fighters. If you love sports romance, especially fighters than this is series is for you! Be in the octagon with Clay and also watching from the sidelines with Melody.
P.S. Currently $.99 on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2oHJkAt>
Follow Foxy Blogs at: Blog ♥ Twitter ♥ Instagram ♥ Facebook
November 14, 2013
3.5 stars!!
So this is what happens when you read a series backwards. This was supposed to be read first but once again, I jumped the gun and started Crossing the Line first and then Star Crossed before this one. And because of that, this only gets 3.5 from me since this book is nowhere as intense as the other two.
I still liked it but after the emotional angst packed in book 2 and 3, this one was a little tame for me. In hindsight, if I had started with this one first, I might give this a four. Oh well, I still love Clay though. Melody was okay. She got better as the series went on but here, she was just okay for me.
So this is what happens when you read a series backwards. This was supposed to be read first but once again, I jumped the gun and started Crossing the Line first and then Star Crossed before this one. And because of that, this only gets 3.5 from me since this book is nowhere as intense as the other two.
I still liked it but after the emotional angst packed in book 2 and 3, this one was a little tame for me. In hindsight, if I had started with this one first, I might give this a four. Oh well, I still love Clay though. Melody was okay. She got better as the series went on but here, she was just okay for me.
Read
March 17, 2016Defying the Odds is on sale for 99 cents!
And FREE on Kindle Unlimited!!
http://amzn.to/1nPCghR
And FREE on Kindle Unlimited!!
http://amzn.to/1nPCghR
May 10, 2018
Defying the Odds was smutty good. Clay and Melody were adorable and completely shippable. However, it did take me a while to jump on board with them.
I like how they instantly connected but not in the "I love you" right after they said hi to each other. They just had a connection - that's it. It's mostly why I started to ship them. She saw a side that not a lot of people did and automatically assumed that he was sweeter than everybody thought.
Clay is swoonworthy. I don't know any MMA fighters but the way that he was so protective of Melody was super sweet. Then there's Melody, who honestly has shitty luck with men. Being a victim of domestic abuse is hard to read because I know that it happens a lot but it's hard to read about people staying in those relationships. Luckily for me, Melody didn't stay that long. She ran like a bat out of hell from that douche schnozzle.
Now I absolutely loved these two. They were perfect for each other. However, everything that happened in this book was completely predictable in my eyes. That doesn't mean I didn't enjoy the crap out of this cute smutty book.. 'cause I sure as hell did. Just stating that a lot of things that happened were predictable.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was really cute and an easy read. Clay and Melody are everything to me and I will definitely be jumping onto the second book whenever I find it.
I like how they instantly connected but not in the "I love you" right after they said hi to each other. They just had a connection - that's it. It's mostly why I started to ship them. She saw a side that not a lot of people did and automatically assumed that he was sweeter than everybody thought.
Clay is swoonworthy. I don't know any MMA fighters but the way that he was so protective of Melody was super sweet. Then there's Melody, who honestly has shitty luck with men. Being a victim of domestic abuse is hard to read because I know that it happens a lot but it's hard to read about people staying in those relationships. Luckily for me, Melody didn't stay that long. She ran like a bat out of hell from that douche schnozzle.
Now I absolutely loved these two. They were perfect for each other. However, everything that happened in this book was completely predictable in my eyes. That doesn't mean I didn't enjoy the crap out of this cute smutty book.. 'cause I sure as hell did. Just stating that a lot of things that happened were predictable.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was really cute and an easy read. Clay and Melody are everything to me and I will definitely be jumping onto the second book whenever I find it.
February 19, 2017
I wasn't feeling this one for some reason.
He's an MMA champ, she's a waitress who has left an abusive husband to hide out in a small town.
It was narrated in third person which I can sometimes find it hard to get into so that may account for my lack of enthusiasm, but actually I just think I've become a bit jaded with this storyline.
The smut was really hot and there was lots of it, but it wasn't enough to keep me interested. I nobbed off to sleep reading this a couple of times.
This is a complete story but part of a series featuring recurring characters. Available on ku.
He's an MMA champ, she's a waitress who has left an abusive husband to hide out in a small town.
It was narrated in third person which I can sometimes find it hard to get into so that may account for my lack of enthusiasm, but actually I just think I've become a bit jaded with this storyline.
The smut was really hot and there was lots of it, but it wasn't enough to keep me interested. I nobbed off to sleep reading this a couple of times.
This is a complete story but part of a series featuring recurring characters. Available on ku.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,255 reviews