Make You Keep Me

Fight for Me Duet #2

by L.A. Shaw

Book Two in the Fight for me duet.


She disappeared without a trace. Leaving me with a piece of paper and a shattered heart.

We grew up in a world full of demons, but I never expected her to become one of mine.

The ghost of her haunted me for over two years.

I was finally moving on with my life in more ways than one. My career was taking off and things seemed to be looking up… Then out of nowhere, she reemerges, like a figment of my imagination.

Genres: Friends To Lovers, Second Chance, Sports Romance, Romance, Sports

219 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 22, 2024

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 ✰

so happy nox and emmy got their hea, especially after that heartbreaking reveal from emerson omg. 😔

kiran was the cutest and i love the found family in this one even more! also, emmy and nox were 🔥🤭!! their love and dynamic was so good! 🥹

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fantastic end to this duet! These books had me in all of my feels. L.A. Shaw have an incredible way of telling stories and the characters! They do sports romance so well. The perfect ending to Emerson and Lennox.

Thank you for the arc. All thoughts are my own.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This duet was a quick read, or maybe because I couldn't stop reading it lol. I love both Emerson and Nox.

In the first book we leave off on a cliffhanger. Emerson takes off leaving Nox a goodbye letter and disappears for 2 years. The second book they're reunited, Nox was blindsided and even though he had every right to be upset with her, I still didn't like how he acted towards her..but I get it. The forgiveness was quick and Nox, Emerson and baby Kiran became a family in like 5 mins, but I loved how in awe and happy Nox was that he got his girl back and they have a cute kid.

Kinda wish Emerson had a little fling or maybe even a ONS with her coach Ryan before reuniting with Nox... And Leslie can just Go away and stay away😂

I'm hoping we revisit Frankie and Lucian possibly becoming a thing 🤔

Let's talk about Ford and Jade! I'm excited for this lol

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Make You Keep Me picks up right where Make You Want Me Left off, with Nox in shambles because Emerson has left without any true explanation. Fast forward two years later, and he’s shocked to see her back in town and fighting in the same rink as him.

Now that she’s back, secrets are revealed, explanations are given, and forgiveness is granted. I can’t say much more than that without involving some major spoilers, but if you already read book 1, then I’m sure you have theories! I loved how Nox and Em were able to find their way back to one another and how they both grew as characters from book 1. They each worked so hard to not let their past/upbringing define them, and I was so proud of them both.

Read if you enjoy:
Second chance
MMA romance
Found family

Also if we don’t get a Jade and *name redacted* book next, I might cry.

[Mackenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5⭐️
2.5/5🌶️

Nox & Emerson’s story was perfect in every single way. Thank you L.A. Shaw for allowing me to Beta & Arc read for y’all 🥰

Make You Keep Me is book 2 in the Fight For Me Duet, taking place two years from where we left on with the cliffhanger from book 1. Nox has done his best to move on after Emerson broke his heart & disappeared. But suddenly she’s back like she never left & he’s angry… demanding answers. Will they be able to fix what was broken after all this time?

This was such a beautiful read. I definitely wasn’t expecting the plot twist in this book but I absolutely loved it! Please be sure to check TW’s!!

Tropes:
- Sports Romance
- Best Friend’s Brother
- Childhood Friends to Lovers
- Second Chance

[Pauline (booksofviolette) · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️ Favorite

Nox and Emerson are back!
Well... Emerson is back. Nox never left.

----------

This is the second part of a duet and after leaving him with only a letter as goodbye, Emerson is back in town and she has explanations to give.

I've been imptiently waiting for this second part of the story and I loved it so much. I wanted Emerson to have a good explanation because I couldn't understand why she left that way. Good job ladies, it worked!

I was hooked from the start, the tension between these two is palpable, Nox is mad,... Fortunately everything turns out for the best. I absolutely adored one side of Ermeson that I can't say more about, and I am very happy with the way this duet turned out !

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

My anxiety had been on overdrive from the cliffhanger Make you Want Me left us on. I shouldn't have been anxious though, because I knew LA Shaw was going to give us the HEA, just had to take a few hard emotional turns to get there.

We flash forward a couple years and Nox sees the woman who broke his heart, at the worst possible time. He wants answers, he's angry and then his world is flipped upside down. Once he gets the answers, he's able to shift the anger elsewhere and reconnect with Emerson. Eeek! I wanna tell you everything, but what fun would that be for you. These two had me swooning, melting and sweating. The sexual chemistry is something these two have never struggles with.

Nox and Emerson have such a deep rooted love that's grown over the years.. Even through heartbreak, their love grows and they both grow individually & together. I just love the friendship between Colton and Emerson.

I loved this duet so much! I cannot wait for the next book!

[EA Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Make You Want Me Left Nox and Emerson broken and Make You Keep Me is their fight to stitch what was broken back together. Sometimes the reasons we do things are not what they seem.

A selfless act to protect the ones you love most in turn causes them pain and heartache…there was no good choice but coming back can they lay their demons to rest, dry the tears that have been shed and let the light shine in after so much time in the darkness.

Make You Keep Me is the journey to the HEA that Nox and Emerson deserve. It isn’t an easy road for them but it is so incredibly worth it. The way they love each other, protect each other at the cost of themselves, and the way they show each other in actions and words is what love really is.

Congratulations to L.A. Shaw for writing a journey readers couldn’t put down. Excited for what comes next for this group.

[Rebecca Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are back into the second half of the duet of the fight for me duet. Lennox and Emerson are putting through the emotional merry go round and Nox is needing answers after 2 years without his Sunny and she appears out the of blue.

I loved the character growth for Emerson, when truths are revealed it all makes sense and my heart hurt and wanted to wrap this couple up and keep them safe.

This couple is end game and you can feel their love shining through the pages.

The authors know how to get your panties in a twist with plot as well as panties melting with their hot book boyfriends. BRAVO LADIES. You smashed it once again!!♥️♥️ my heart is so full after reading this.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Make You Keep Me.
Part two of the Fight for me duet

With this being the second book I dont want to give anything away but what I will say, is this hurt like hell. I went through every emotion. I smiled. I laughed. I broke. I shattered. I cried.
A lot. My eyes refused to stop.

Nox & Sonnys story was so raw & painful but beautiful beyond belief. It ruined me but was everything I wanted.

The side characters/friendship group (ahh, I love them!), the plot, the character growth.
Sensational 🫶🏼

♾️ Stars! I greedily ate this up and was absolutely gutted reading The End.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐
2.5🌶️

This is book two of the fight for me duet, and I can FINALLY BREATHE a sigh of relief.

At the end of book one we were left with Emerson leaving Nox with a cryptic note, and telling him how he's better off without her. Flash forward to book two, we get an idea of how much of struggle Nox went through after Emerson left, but how his fighting career is now thriving.

Which SHOCKER number one was where he sees Emerson...at one of Knox's headlining fights, and she is also there as a fighter. She begs him to explain her reasons for leaving, and he wants nothing to do with it.

That's until he spots her, with a little boy, who happens to have an uncanny resemblance to him. When she asks him for something, that's where Knox is left confused. Once we get answers to the DNA, we get further answers to the why.

My heart BROKE to pieces for her. What happens after, how the group of friends, and Nox welcomes her back is everything. Nox shows his soft side, and we see their relationship redevelop. These two are absolute end game.

This is a highly recommended MMA sports romance duet.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️|| 2.5 🌶️
I’m going to try to keep this short because it’s part 2 of a duet & I don’t want to give too much away but I loved the ending to Nox & Emerson’s story! I’ve been not so patiently waiting to get part two since part one ended on that cliffy & left me with all the questions! So naturally I devoured it in a day 🫠

Now I have my answers & my only complaint would be I would have LOVED more of Nox & Emerson. Nox is one of my favorite MMCs- he’s the perfect mix of soft, protective & possessive with a damn filthy mouth. Most of my highlights are Nox’s dirty talk. Part one ends on Emerson leaving & part 2 sets the stage for their eventual reunion. This was an emotional read for me especially learning why she left & I felt all the things but in the end was put back together! If you love angsty, sports romances (mma) give this a read!

[Sarah Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

My freaking heart is exploding. I loved this duet so dang much. I have been heavily anticipating this ending since I finished book 1. I am just so in love with this happily ever after. Per usual the spice is outstanding, the storyline is phenomenal and we get to see the couple truly happy for half of the book!! You ladies truly outdid yourselves. I love Em & Nox so much. I just want a love story for Colton now!

"We both grew up in a world filled with our own demons, and on that day, she became one of mine."

Blurb:
She disappeared without a trace. Leaving me with a piece of paper and a shattered heart.

We grew up in a world full of demons, but I never expected her to become one of mine.

The ghost of her haunted me for over two years.

I was finally moving on with my life in more ways than one. My career was taking off and things seemed to be looking up… Then out of nowhere, she reemerges, like a figment of my imagination.

But this ghost comes bearing secrets.

Ones that change everything I thought I knew.

✨Read if you love✨
🖤MMA
🖤Second chance romance
🖤Secret baby
🖤Pierced 🍆

[Jen Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you L. A. Shaw for the ARC.

“I just want you to know it's always been you. It always will be you. I finally feel whole again.”

One situation, two separate paths. Nobody could know what Emerson experienced. She had to fight this battle alone and couldn’t explain why. Putting others above herself yet they had no idea. However, it left Nox destroyed. Barely able to function but he eventually pulled through. Finally achieving his dream but still feeling empty because she was the missing piece.

Oh man. I had an idea why Emerson left and although I was right it was so much more. Broke my heart for what she had to sacrifice and survive. So much lost. Years. Moments. Memories. But what a bright future they can have now. A love strong enough to survive what would be insurmountable for many. I melted seeing Nox lower those walls and embrace what’s to come. Finally experiencing peace. What a perfect ending for a hard fought forever love.

“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine…”
“So please don’t take my sunshine away.”

“Bleeding knuckles are better than a bleeding heart.”

“…I want you. I want this back, and I’m going to fight to make you keep me.”

“He’s the spark that sets my soul on fire.”
“It’s my turn to live the life I want, not the one dealt to me.”

“You and Kiran were my missing pieces. I had a lot of cloudy days over the past two years, but things are a whole hell of a lot brighter already,”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔥🔥🔥

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had been patiently waiting for book 2 in this duet… ok that’s a lie. I was not patient at all. Book one ended on a devastating cliffhanger that had me desperate for book two.
The prologue in book two had my anxiety peaking with the possibilities of what was to come. Skip to two years later and I was feeling ALL of the feels. Filled with surprises, secrets, trauma, heartache, angst and happy times… this duet wrecked me and fixed my jaded heart all at once. I don’t want to give too much away but this is one of my favourite Duets of all time. I’m hoping this world continues and maybe we get Fords story next. I’m not ready to let them all go.
MYKM hits on some pretty major triggers for some so check those out before delving in. But if you can get past the TW then I highly recommend this duet. I think this may be my first 5⭐️ of 2024.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a beautiful ending to Nox and Emerson's story. After the cliffhanger from Book 1 I was ready to dive into this one right away to see what happens next. It was everything I had hoped for and even more. When they say love is sweeter the second time around. That's what Nox and Emerson experienced. It wasn't an easy journey. It was rocky and bumpy with a few twists thrown in. It was a crazy ride.

I loved the tension and angst. I thought the characters stayed true and I loved Emerson's growth in this book the most. She had overcome so much in her life. It was amazing to see her thriving in life.
I loved how despite outside factors playing a big role in Nox and Emerson's relationship. You could see these two were meant to be together. I loved it so much! Highly recommend this duet!!

Release date: February 22, 2024

Thank you to the authors for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Kaitlyn Mari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ugh my heart. Currently still wiping tears from my eyes.

So first off - you HAVE to read Make You Want Me first. That's the first book of the duet, and it ends on a heart-wrenching emotional cliffhanger. And then this book is a continuation of that story.

There is angst. I shed tears. I was angry, I was sad, I was happy. A lot of emotions.

Knox & Emerson deserve their happy ending, and it's no spoiler because all romance books should have a HEA but I'm so glad they got theirs. It's definitely not an easy road to the HEA, but they got there nonetheless.

My heart broke for Knox. Then my heart broke for Emerson. And then my heart broke for both of them. But it was put back together again eventually, thank you LA Shaw for healing me.

I want more of Ford's story next!!

4.5⭐
3.5🌶️
Tropes: Second Chance, Emotional, Found Family, MMA Fighting

[Kazia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emerson and Lennox, Nox & Sonny💛
I was not expecting this book to play out the way that it did, but it is so much better than I could have ever imagined! Nox and Emerson finally got their happy ending!!!!
5/5⭐️
2.5/5🌶️
14/10 overall
This duet was everything!!! Part 1 left my hear in shambles, and part 2 put it back together better than it was before!

Tropes:
Sports Romance(MMA)
Childhood Friends to Lovers
Second Chance
Best Friend’s Brother
Secret baby


Emerson’s Character development was so good! She truly just took what life threw at her and made the most of it!

Seeing Nox step into his role as a dad was beautiful, he did it was such grace and it was truly effortless for him.

The love Nox and Emerson have for each other is so deep🤍

[Maddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5⭐️

They did it again ladies and gentlemen - another incredible story for an amazing couple that I will forever be OBSESSED with.

This is the second book in the Fight For Me Duet which follows Emerson and Lennox. In the first book, we were introduced to the characters, their struggles, and their budding love. The second book follows just what happens after Emerson has to make a tough choice in leaving Nox, with only a note and a broken heart.

Thank GOD for this book, because after the first one.. I was absolutely heartbroken. We all wanted to see Nox and Em get their happily ever after - so this book was much needed.

Okay, I won’t spill any secrets but the plot twist introduced early on in this book… I was not prepared for. The way my jaw dropped to the floor was unreal. I loved the addition of it though!

Emerson and Lennox were such an amazing couple. Their character development as individuals and as a couple was beautifully written. I genuinely felt every emotion while reading this duet. There was heartbreak, love, spice, sadness and everything in between. I was giddy one minute and anxious the next. These two truly do know how to write an amazing story.

-𝑺𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆
-𝑴𝑴𝑨 𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆
-𝑺𝒆𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒔 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒅
-𝑭𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝑭𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒚

[Andi Coffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is part two in the Fight for Me Duet and we got our perfect HEA!! Two years ago Emerson ran away from her life but now she is back and she has all the secrets.

This book was so addicting and I could not put it down!! I kept wanting to read more to find out all the secrets! Not only was it so well written, but the story development was incredible. The relationship, love and chemistry between these two characters is infinite. I could just feel their connection in my bones.

The spice was also spicing! It was hottttt!

Emerson and Nox are officially my favorite LA couple. I still can’t get over them.

Girlies!!! I am so lucky for you two and so is the world!!! The story telling you two do together is flawless. FLAWLESS! What a beautiful story for such a beautiful perfect couple.

[Madesyn Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

We left our man Nox with a broken heart last book, but Emerson is back and secrets will be revealed. There really isn’t much more to say about that. I don’t want to give anything away. I was not expecting the best secret shared. It’s definitely one to make your heart soar!

Em and Nox both show they can preserve and over come the challenges they had to face in order to put their past behind them and come together. They are one bad ass couple and I am so happy they got their happy ending!

What you can expect:
Second chance
MMA romance
Found family

Now I am anxiously awaiting Jade’s book! I knowwww that book is going to dominate!!

[christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book picks up right where the first one left off. We get a brief inside look at how Lennox first responds to Emerson leaving, and then it fast forward to the present day. Emerson suddenly reappears, and then the twist and turns start. The chemistry between Nox and Emerson is still off the charts after all the time apart. The storyline flows and holds your attention from the beginning to the end.

[Fionne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating 5/5★ | Spice: 4/5

MMA Sports Romance | Second Chance

This book... O M G!! THISSS!!! L.A. Shaw I can kiss you babes! This was perfection! MMA sport romance with some added dark twists and surprises! It's got my dark romance heart screaming YASSS. I love the direction they took with this book. This may just be my absolute fave book from them. I don't mean to play favorites but Nox really topped it off.

The roller coaster of emotions of reading this duet! That just took me on a whirlwind. I loved it so much! The love, betray@l, pain, secrets, lies, the SPICE... just altogether PERFECTION!

*check trigger warnings

[rose.readz_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

comfort duet/series 🤍🤍
second chance romance
i cried a bit but i swear it gets better!
i missed everyone together and i feel like we got our closure and i honestly miss them already and might reread this when i get the paperback 🤌 theres spice and i love how they communicate when they do start talking. i dont have anything negative to say 🤍

[Ashley Schilling · Rating 5 out of 5]

The conclusion of Lennox and Emerson’s story will rip your heart out before the pieces are glued back together. From the pages of “Make You Keep Me” you can feel the raw pain and betrayal that Nox felt, when Sonny chose to leave him with just a letter. Emerson, chose to leave the people behind that held her heart to protect them from the secret, that could destroy their lives and to heal her broken pieces. (Or so she thought)
From the first book to the conclusion in the second book you can see the character growth not only for Nox and Sonny but the other characters as, well. I am excited to read bits and pieces of their lives through the other characters stories. Nox and Sonny did not let the trauma from their childhood to present destroy who they were, they overcame and succeeded.
LA Shaw is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. They pour their heart and soul into their books and you can see it in their writing.

[Angelica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Make You Keep Me by L.A. Shaw
Fight For Me Duet Book 2 (Make You Series)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️~Stars
🥵🥵🥵~Spice

Tropes:
• Second Chance
• MMA
• Found Family
• Secrets Reveald

🖇️ “I'm so wet from staring at you all night. Knowing how good it’ll feel when you slowly sink deep inside of me later.”🖇️

▪️ Wow what a page turner this was! How I've been waiting for Nox and Emerson's happy ending! The journey was tough and filled with many deep wounds that completely crushed one. But when all the secrets were revealed and the healing could begin oh what a beautiful journey we got to enjoy then! The love between our two main characters in the last book and this one is like no other and you can really feel it through the pages, ABSOLUTELY MAGICAL🖤 No spoilers will be given, but go ahead and read this amazing series because I promise you, you won't regret it! These ladies really know how to write a book that is filled with romance, suspense and heat in just the perfect amount😉

[bookish.nova · Rating 4 out of 5]

• ARC Review •

Make You Keep Me by L.A. Shaw

• Overall Ratings •
⭐️: 4.25/5
🌶️: 3/5

• About the Book •
✿ POV: Dual
✿ Couple: MF - Emerson & Nox
✿ Romance speed: medium burn
✿ Tropes: second chance, secret baby, MMA fighters, friends to lovers, angsty, emotional
✿ Trigger warnings: yes

• Thoughts •
I’ve been waiting for the conclusion of this duet since I finished the first book a couple months ago. I had so many questions, and this book answered every single one of them. This was an emotional read, and I’m glad that I got to see Emerson and Nox get their happy ending especially after the way book one ended. I recommend this duet for those who love angsty, MMA romances.

[Melissa | itsabookvibe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nox and Em go through it all. Love, hurt heartbreak, and all the answers we wanted in book one we get in this second half of their duet and then some.... the plot twists

Their journey to a hea isn't an easy one
I am not giving away any spoilers

Nox and Emerson have that strong and undeniable bond formed during their childhood. They are so similar in many ways. They are tough but a bit broken.

Through their journey, they move past their demons and fight for the love they each always deserve

This was an emotional reading journey, and Em especially showed so much growth in her character from book one

Nox may have the bad boy image, but he is a big sweetheart and a touch possessive with a dirty mouth 😏

"It's always been you,"

I loved being back in the Make You world it's one of my favorite series, and I can't wait for pretty boys' story in the future

[Kat Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5☆

This was a fast paced, super adorable ending to Lennox and Emmersons love story. I love the new addition to the family. 🫶

[Aleesha · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO GOOD

No words will do this duo justice. Their story was so good! I’ve loved all the make you books so far and can’t wait for more!