נלחם בבדידות

On the Ropes #3

by Aly Martinez, אלי מרטינז, תם פררו (Translator)

נולדתי להילחם.
ההורים שלי נטשו אותי וכל חיי פילסתי לי דרך משלי – כזאת שחושלה באגרופים ונסללה בכאב.
בזירה אף אחד לא היה יכול להתקרב אליי. הבסתי כל מי שהתמודד נגדי.
אבל בזה הסתכמו הניצחונות שלי.
מחוץ לזירה, אכזבתי פעם אחר פעם את האנשים המעטים שאהבו אותי. כולל את החברה הכי טובה שלי, ליב ג'יימס – היחידה שהייתי מוכן למות כדי להגן עליה.
אף על פי שלא הייתי ראוי לה, ליב אף פעם לא הפסיקה להאמין בי. אף פעם לא ויתרה. אף פעם לא הרפתה. אחרי הכול, היא הבינה מה איבדתי, כי גם היא איבדה את אותו דבר.
ליב הייתה כל עולמי, אבל אף פעם לא הייתה באמת שלי.
וזה עמד להשתנות.
כבר איבדתי את האהבה הראשונה שלי, לא הייתי מוכן לאבד גם את הנפש התאומה שלי.
ועכשיו אני על הקרשים בקרבות הקשים ביותר בחיי.
נלחם להיות הגבר שראוי לה.
נלחם בבדידות של העבר שלנו.
נלחם בשבילה.

נלחם בבדידות הוא הספר השלישי והסוגר בסדרת על החבלים.

אלי מרטינז לוקחת אותנו לרכבת הרים מסעירה של רגשות, תשוקה ותהפוכות. הקשר בין ליב וקוורי משליך אותם אל זירת הקרב המאתגרת ביותר – הלב.

Genres: Romance, Friends To Lovers, Sports, New Adult, Sports Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance

348 pages, Paperback

First published February 2, 2016

About the author

Originally from Savannah, Georgia, USA Today bestselling author Aly Martinez now lives in South Carolina with her four young children.

Never one to take herself too seriously, she enjoys cheap wine, charcuterie boards, and her mildly neurotic golden retriever. It should be known, however, that she hates pizza and ice cream, almost as much as writing her bio in the third person.

She passes what little free time she has reading anything and everything she can get her hands on, preferably with a super-sized tumbler of wine by her side.

Reviews

[Val ⚓️ Shameless Handmaiden ⚓️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, not gonna lie. I did NOT want read this book.



Yep, that's right you heard me. As much as I OMG lurved books one and two, I think I subconsciously had every intention of putting this one off until at least, oh, my 90th birthday.

Which will be here in no time in the year 2073.

When I'm sure I would have then been able to read it on my knew "Space Age Super Kindle" that just magically implants the story into your head in three easy seconds.

Why, you say?

Whelp, quite simply put...

Because SCURRED.

Yep.

Like. A. Pussy.



***SPOILER FOR BOOKS ONE & TWO***

Why so scurred, you say?

Three Words...

The pet peeve-inous, "start-your-story-in-the-hole," monstrosity of a hurdle also known as...

The...drumroll...

*
*
*

Dead. Former. Lover.

Which just makes me wanna crawl in a hole.



Every. Single. Time.

Why?

Because, as we all know, when faced with the "Dead Former Lover" phenomenon we are left in that horridly awkward situation in which one party - in this case the Hero - has the ex-girlfriend from hell situation that is hardest for the reader to swallow.

Because, nine times out of ten, the Hero is no longer with said heroine, not because she was a bitch and they broke up, not because she cheated on him, not because she suddenly decided she was a lesbian, and not because they "grew apart."

But because she's fucking DEAD."

Meaning, if she wasn't dead...he would probably still be with her.

Leaving us to experience that oh-so-self-esteem-boosting experience of joining the heroine in feeling like, what?

Oh, yes...

*
*
*

THE CONSOLATION PRIZE



Or in other words...



Now usually this blow is muted a little by the fact that said wife/girlfriend/lover is, well...dead.

And we don't have to meet her.

Well not so here, homies, not so here.

Because, in this case, not only did we have the displeasure opportunity in book two to MEET said paragon...we actually LIKED said paragon.

Oh. Joy



So, not only do we have what in itself is just a shiteous situation, we now have the added dimension of having built a bond with said dead girlfriend.

And have now left the last book feeling perhaps a smidge of resentment for whom will be our heroine in the book we are supposed to be excited to read next.



Sounds like a good time, right?

No.



And on top of THAT, because we actually LIKED said dead girl - but she's DEAD - we now have the added GRIEF angle.

Which I typically prefer to avoid.

At all costs.



Like Donald Trump and his hair prefer to avoid wind...



..And apparently a normal, non-neon orange skin tone.

But I digress.

Long story short: I was not all that excited to read this.

But - it being the sometimes miraculous world we live in - somehow, someway, Aly Martinez herself apparently ran across my review of her previous book, Fighting Shadows, liked it, and gave little ole me a shout out on Facebook!



LOLZ.

In all sincerity though, I was super flattered that an author I dig actually noticed something I wrote. And liked it enough to SAY so somewhere. Just like I truly am super flattered whenever any of my GR buddies said they liked my review and/or that it made them laugh.

Because, quite honestly, I'm fucking crazy.

And I know it. And half of the time I'm convinced that none of the shit I spew even makes sense.

But I digress. Again. Sorry!

Anysquee, Aly noticing my review must have been just straight divine intervention by the book gods.



Because as a result of that interplay, I got this ARC. And therefore got to read a book that I might otherwise have been too chicken shit to read any time soon.

Which would have been a travesty.

Because seriously?

I should never have doubted Homie Aly.

Somehow, she took all the above mentioned issues...

..faced them head ON...

...and fucking smashed them all to smithereens.



Smithereens I tell you.

Now, I am trying not to just uncontrollably gush here - not because this isn't absolutely 100% gush-worthy - but because I don't want to blow anyone's expectations so high that a mere mortal story can't compare.

Regardless, though - this book was just phenomenal.

Aly Martinez's writing is seriously some of my favorite out there.
It's smooth, it's flawless, and you can't help but get lost in the story and the characters.

On top of that, she is able to achieve that perfect blend of drama and poignancy that has ALL of the feels and ALL of the good angst - but without being cheesy and Days of Our Lives.

I LOVED Quarry and I LOVED Liv.

The way Martinez was able to build the foundation for their relationship throughout the years, while also somehow managing to avoid making it feel like constant flashbacks or the dreaded "Five Years Earlier" shtick that I hate - SCORE!!! - was seriously impressive.

And on that note, I'm going to stop here. I really want to avoid spoilers of any kind so that everyone can experience firsthand how Liv and Quarry come together.

Because any explanation I provide just wouldn't do it any justice anyway.

For those on the fence about reading this - those peeps who I know are scared to tackle this just like me and my pussy up there were too?



My advice to you is this:

*
*
*

JUMP.

Jump over to the "read it" side.

Because you won't be sorry.



XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Me and FROP-Cat are so excited to start this, it's unreal.



"FROP," for those not in THE KNOW, is what my college teammates and I used to coin the unfortunate "fat roll over pu$$y" phenomenon.

***ARC generously provided by author in exchange for an honest review***

Find me at:



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I'm on the fence with this one. I adored Quarry and Mia and I know he will probably end up with Liv, but it's all just so depressing.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 “Every. Single. Day.” Stars!



Last year I read this book called Fighting Silence by an author who was new to me. I heard the hero was deaf and I knew right away I had to pick it up. It was the best decision I ever made. I ended up falling in love with that book so hard, it was one of the best books I read in 2015. Fighting Solitude is the third book about the Page brothers. I know these characters. I love these characters. I feel so connected to them. And it makes me feel so much more when I’m reading!!! This book was perfection. Even though we aren’t very far into the year, I can already tell it’s going to be a top favorite read of 2016.

I had been a fighter from the day I’d taken my fist breath on earth.

Quarry Page has not had an easy life. None of the Page brothers have. Quarry always had his older brothers there for him, and his best friend Liv. Those were his constants in life. When Quarry lost someone important to him, Liv was there. Liv has always been his best friend. But she’s always been more than just a friend, too. Even if Quarry was blind to it for a while.

Liv James had never just been my best friend. No matter what I’d told myself.

Like the majority of readers, at the end of Fighting Solitude my heart didn’t just break for Q, it shattered. I had no idea how Aly would pick up the pieces and make everything okay for him. I was a bit nervous on how she would do it. No one likes for the heroine they’re reading about to feel second best. Like they were never the first choice etc. Let me tell you, it didn’t feel like that at all. It felt natural, perfect, like Quarry and Liv were always meant to be together. Because they were. They were never just best friends. They have always been soulmates.

Getting Liv on the same page as Quarry wasn’t easy at first. She is hesitant to go there no matter how long she’s wanted Q and how deep she feels for him. And it’s totally understandable. If that were me, I would be terrified of that change and what it could bring to the one constant person/friendship in my life.

“This doesn’t change. It’s you and me to the core. I’m not going anywhere and neither are you. If it happens to you, it happens to me, remember. And this is definitely happening to us. Please don’t fight it.”

Liv and Quarry were flawless together. Quarry had a heart of gold and Liv was spunky and sassy in the best way. They were both amazing people. They care deeply not only for each other, but the others in their lives. I love the job Liv has. I love how she gives back in that way. Even though what happened with Mia was sad, I can’t imagine a world where Q and Liv aren’t together so I guess everything really does happen for a reason.

The flow of this book was perfect. The way Martinez paced the book, the past and present chapters, the dual pov. All of it. I kind of want to cry right now just thinking of this series being over. I’m so attached to these characters. You know I cried while reading this book… especially in the epilogue with all the Page brothers… sigh.

I hadn’t won that fight alone. I wouldn’t have even made it to the fight without them.

This series. These characters. This book. UNFORGETTABLE. I realize I’m going on and on like a crazy fan girl, but I can’t help it. If you haven’t read these books, you don’t know what you’re missing out on. Fighting Solitude is a beautiful conclusion to an amazing series. I can’t recommend it enough. I’m sad that it’s over, but I’ll be re-reading in the future, I know that for certain! 5+ stars and a 2016 favorite!!!

[Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Every. Single. Day. Stars

You, Quarry Page, are the embodiment of my greatest fear.

Aly, I don't know how you do it but damn but you do it well. This book was simply AMAZING. Easily my favorite in the series and my favorite the author has written to date. It was everything I had hoped it would be and so much more. I cried, I laughed, I swooned, and I fell so freaking hard for Quarry and Liv.

I refuse to let you fight me on this. I refuse to deny the way I feel about you. And I absolutely refuse to let you deny what you feel for me. You want this. I get that you're scared, but trust me. I WILL make this work for us.

Quarry "The Stone Fist" Page. *Pervy sigh* Just saying his name out loud gives me shivers. After falling hard for the older Page brothers, I was almost afraid to read Quarry's story. With everything that happened in the previous book, my reasons could be narrowed to two concerns.
1. I was afraid that Liv would feel like a consolation prize after everything that he had with Mia.
and
2. I was afraid that the author may resort to something that I've seen too much of in other books, and not giving Mia's memory justice or even villainizing her to serve as the catalyst for the hero moving on.
Don't look at me like that. You know you've read your share of those. Well if you were anything like me, set those fears away, oh doubtful ones, because Aly is about to serve all the feels and she will do it flawlessly.

I loved her- like family. Unfortunately my body had gotten a few wires crossed and now thought I should love her in that hey-let-me-make-you-come-until-you-forget-the-English-language kind of way.

You may remember Liv as Leo's daughter in Broken Course. She also made a small appearance as Quarry and Mia's best friend in Fighting Shadows. But Fighting Solitude will take you back to the very beginning. To the moment that set everything in motion and take you through the years to come. It will give the readers front row seats to Quarry and Liv's beautiful but also volatile friendship and love. Volatile, because they were just kids when they met. And beautiful because it's a story of soulmates unlike any I've read before.

My lungs burned for the exhale I refused them. I'd waited my entire life for this moment with Liv. Air could wait.

The author did such an incredible job mixing deep emotions with quirky humor that all flows together into one phenomenal romance. Yes there's heavy emotional situations that made me cry like a baby. But with that right touch of humor, Aly took something that would have been almost too hard to read about and made it work. It just...worked.

Aly and Quarry together are absolute perfection. I couldn't get enough of them. But truly the star of the show was Quarry. He stole my heart as a young and tortured boy and he totally enraptured me as a grown man. I don't even have the words to describe him. The way he dealt with Mia's death, the way he dealt with Liv's doubts, the way he dealt with protecting his family...all of it made it impossible not to love him. I never thought anyone would top Till for me, but I have myself a favorite Page brother after this book.

Everything about Fighting Solitude worked; the pace, the writing, the romance, the emotion, the romance and did I mention the romance? I read it with butterflies in my stomach and I swear Aly's writing was practically sizzling with electric currents in this one. It was that good. It was flawless, gripping, emotional, magnetic, and just so effortlessly done. The woman is a true rock star in my eyes. This book is exactly the reason why she's been on my auto-buy list since the very first book I read by her. She just gets better with each new book she writes. But I think she outdid herself with this one.

My favorite book I've read of Aly's to date.
One of my favorite books I've read this year.
One of my favorite soulmate romances I've ever read.
One of my favorite heroes that I will take with me for years to come.
And a book I'd recommend everyone reads if you're looking for an unforgettable romance.
Period.

Fighting Solitude made my heart hurt and then made it feel so full it could burst. I still can't stop thinking about it. I feel the mother of all book hangovers to follow.

I highly recommend reading the books in order to get the full effect of the story and certain nuances that happen here.

Graphics are stock purchased and created by me for DGR blog. Please don't share without permission

ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review

Find me on:

[Patty ~ Wrapped Up In Reading Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

*****4.5 STARS*****
{ARC Generously Provided by Author}


EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.





I seriously loved this one more than I thought was possible. I must preface this by saying I have not read books 1 & 2 yet, but still was able to follow the story without any issues. I definitely plan on reading the other books now that I’ve met the youngest of the Page brothers. At the beginning of the story I thought I had a clear picture of who the love interests were but then, BAM, a curve ball gets thrown at me, and honestly I was disappointed because I already was invested in the little girl that Quarry befriended outside the On The Ropes gym – Liv. I was not expecting that he would fall in love with another.



The story starts off with Quarry rushing to get his girlfriend, Mia, to the hospital and then in the next chapter, we go back to when he was a little boy and he meets this cute but spunky girl named Liv. Right from the start they form a special bond and it was clear to everyone except for Liv and Quarry, that there was more than just friendship between them. They both had absentee parents and were deeply affected by it. The two become inseparable and when Quarry learns that he will lose his hearing in the future, just as his older brother Till had, Liv is right by his side to comfort him and makes it her priority to learn ASL. But one day tragedy strikes the Page family and Quarry feels so much guilt over what happened that he does the unthinkable to push Liv away. He thought that someday he would let her down as well and that she’d be better off without him. But he does something so harsh and it rocks Liv to the core. The end result is years of silence between them.



Even though they stop speaking to one another, not a day goes by that they’re not in each other’s thoughts. Liv still has deep feelings for Quarry and when she learns that he has lost all his hearing, she rushes to Chicago to see him. He welcomes her with open arms but Liv is blindsided by the news that Quarry is in a serious relationship with Mia. At that very second, I hated this girl because she was interfering with my vision of Quarry and Liv riding off into the sunset!! But Aly Martinez succeeds in taking the story in a direction that I seriously didn’t see coming.



A huge loss will have Quarry and Liv seeking comfort in each other and eventually old feelings resurface. I thought it odd that they both were able to repress their true feelings for so long. Quarry is one hell of a charismatic book boyfriend. Once he opened his eyes to what had always been right in front of his face, he was determined to make Liv see that they were true soul mates and belonged with each other. Liv drove me a little nuts with her insane loyalty to Mia. In my eyes, she was always Quarry’s true love because if there had never been those years of separation, there is no doubt in my mind that there would never have been a Mia. Everyone else could see it, except Liv, and so she frustrated me to no end.



I have to give kudos to Aly for writing some freaking HOT shmexy time scenes. Quarry was a heavy weight champion in the boxing ring and in the bedroom!! YOWZA!! Now it leaves me wondering how the other two Page brothers rank in that department!!




Fighting Solitude releases on Feb 2nd!! Be sure to pick this one up.

[• Lisa • · Rating 5 out of 5]

FIVE SOULMATE STARS.

"I lost my first love, but I refused to lose my soulmate."



I didn't think it was possible for Aly Martinez to make me fall harder for this series. I was wrong, 'Fighting solitude' was everything and nothing that I expected all at the same time.
This author has the gorgeous talent of building her stories piece by piece and cleverly combining her gift of dramatic action and soul searching romance. I was left with nothing more to ask for and the overwhelming feeling of being wholly satisfied with this epic, Page brothers journey that quite honestly stole my heart. This is the kind of book that you want to talk, share and gossip about with others. The feels, the passion, the creativity and the imagination that this author has dropped into the series is nothing short of perfection. Liv James and Quarry Page are soul mates that I don't ever want to fail to remember. Their love story is one to be treasured and if it were possible this book would be getting a whole lot more recognition than just a five star review.

What's it all about?
'Fighting Solitude' is the third book to the fantastic, on the ropes series by the hugely talented, Aly Martinez. Book three concludes the series with the story of the youngest of the Page brothers, Quarry. After facing hardships that most young men don't even have to dream of this fighting hero is making a come back. Successful, determined and making his mark in the boxing world he finds himself happier than he has been in darker years. But the battle for his heart is not over yet and decisions are to be made for the future of his love. Liv James carries torment and the scars of her past where no one can reach them, her love for Quarry Page has been long lasting and unquestioned. Her best friend and soulmate just doesn't know the depth of her feelings ... Yet. But will Liv be able to let go of what tortures her most? Follow the story of Quarry the fighter and his matching girl, two beautiful souls who just need to find their way to each other and let go of their tragic beginnings.



What did I love?
When I fall in love with a book, which embarrassingly, let's face it is quite frequent. I'm always met straight after with the feeling of jealousy. And I'll tell you why, there are future readers who have yet to encounter the experience I've just devoured and now they will get the opportunity to feel all that I have felt for the first time. That's exactly how I feel right now after finishing this stunning end to the 'on the ropes series'. Aly Martinez has created a story that is emotional, hot and beautifully crafted. It's rare that I have time or the excitement to read a novel in one sitting but this story had me in a tangled mess of excited, addicted and desperate to see where Martinez would take these unforgettable characters. The timeline of the story telling is on point and I couldn't even begin to understand how this author is able to connect the story telling so brilliantly. The twists are subtle but impacting and the depth of the plot was both emotional and impressive. This series has become one of my all time favourites and I'm hoping to make time in the future to read them all over again. To the author, Aly Martinez thank you for creating a series worth falling in love with.



Final thoughts ...
Martinez has obviously given her heart over to this series. Quite honestly, I can say with utter sincerity that I believe this author has wrapped up with the perfect conclusion. Get your tissues and wine ready and be prepared to fall hook, line and kindle in love with this stronger than life hero and his sassy but lovingly vulnerable love match. If you have yet to start this series, then I cant persuade you enough to stop what you are doing and start that journey. Aly Martinez is prize worthy and I can only sit back with the biggest smile and applaud her ingenuity. Readers, Quarry and Liv have won me over, no doubt about it, I can't wait to see if you feel the same. Enjoy ... Kisses.

*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.*

[Jennifer Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ~ “Q & Rocky” STARS



It seems that this will be the last book in this series as we have sadly ran out of Page brothers to swoon over. This is the youngest Page brother, Quarry’s story and it’s heartbreaking, angsty, and wraps up the series very nicely for fans!

Liv James is such a wonderful heroine and she sure grows into a fantastic woman during this story. We follow her relationship with Quarry from young kids to adults. From the moment I met her in her father’s story I wanted her to have an epic, soulmate kind of love. This is it, however, when she shows up and there seems to be sparks and distant violins playing, our boy Q already has the girlfriend slot filled with a hearing impaired girl named Mia March.



I know I was supposed to get over Mia being there and seriously I’m in my damn forties but UGGGH I didn’t give a crap about Mia March and I wanted her to disappear further than being dead if possible. I’m still not quite sure what the hell my issue is with a sainted dead character but I didn’t want her impact. I’m exposing my bratty side because no matter how wonderful or insightful she was I didn’t want to hear about Mia March.



So back to Liv and Quary, Aly Martinez sure delivers on friends moving towards more with all the sexual attraction and chemistry. I adored their friendship and once they cross the line they are completely perfection together.

”I refuse to let you fight me on this. I refuse to deny the way I feel about you. And I absolutely refuse to let you deny what you feel for me. You want this. I get that you're scared, but trust me. I WILL make this work for us.

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”Some things were better seen than heard. And I wanted her to witness the moment I claimed her as my own. Then I wanted to witness the moment when she realized she didn’t need to claim me at all. I was already hers.”

Quarry’s hearing is at risk just like his brothers due to a genetic disability but he turns out to be the one of best fighter of the family. Liv has always been in Quarry’s corner with the added aspect to their friendship they are both fully complete. This story has added hard to believe drama centering around Quarry’s boxing world --- which wasn’t needed since I was already stressed about their relationship but does bring to light a character from the book’s past.

Overall, Quarry and Liv were well suited, utterly swoon-worthy and the whole gang was included in this story, though I think Sarah’s character could have been utilized more since she was my favorite of the prior series. Overall, fans of the series will adore Liv and Quarry and that’s all that matters!

”Every. Single. Day.”

**ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review**

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars


Fighting Solitude is Quarry's book, the youngest Page brother, and let me tell you - I have been anxiously waiting to get my hands on this book. This has been a solid series for me -Aly's writing, the emotion, the journey - I feel like I know these boys, so their stories, their HEA's are very dear to me. And, Quarry, just like his brothers has not had it easy. While he has excelled in the ring, all he sees are failures in his personal life.



Q and Liv. I loved these two together. Their early friendship, the connection they shared, it was easy to pull for them. BUT...

Enter in the mixed feelings.
** Spoiler for book 1 & 2 **

Mia, *Sigh* the ex who dies. I always struggle with this trope. Mainly because most of the story tends to revolve around moving past this lost love, and their greatness. It becomes hard for me not to view the current love story as having that unfortunate label of, consolation prize.

"I'm scared that I'll never be her."

Personally, Mia took away from the epic love story that could have been Quarry and Liv. Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy them. Their story had a great combination of angst, heartbreak, and swoon. I absolutely loved them together. I just wish the ghost of Mia hadn't been floating around.

"Every. Single. Day."

*ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review*

[Mysza · Rating 4 out of 5]

I dunno, I dunno, I wanted to love this book because... duh? ALy Martinez and Page brothers, but I can't fully admit it knocked my socks off. I mean, the writing was great, Aly knows how to write deeply emotional, heart-breaking story, with a touch of angst, sweetness and sexiness, there was just something...

I'm confused because I did enjoy it very much, but it also had one of my biggest pet peeves, which was Mia being present in this book. And damn if I didn't cringe every time she was mentioned.



I don't care how good and saint she was, she took away the greatness of Q and Liv's almost epic love story. And I think Mia not being there at all, would make it so much better.
It was hard for me to believe Q and Liv being soul mates, since it seemed he already had it once. I couldn't shake the feeling that Liv was somehow consolation prize and that she was a winner by default. Honestly, I think if Mia was still in the picture, there would never be Q and Liv. And don't get me started on Mia. What's with the texting bullshit? It seemed like she met Liv, felt threatened and started texting her to become BFF. It worked for her but it was kinda typical - keep your friends close but enemies closer. And those letters? Like she gave them permission to be together? Sorry, not buying her genuineness.

On the other hand, I loved Q and Liv together, I loved them so much! Their relationship was passionate, intense and they had tons of chemistry. First friends then lovers, always having each other's back and so so hot for each other. As a couple they were simply perfection, you could feel the friendship, the love. I just couldn't get over Mia issue, arghhh! But hey, most readers seem to be able to get past it so I may be the strange one here.

To sum up, everyone who loved first 2 books in this series, should probably love this one too. I did enjoy Q and Liv's story as well, but it wasn't my favourite, which is still Till and Eliza's. I'm sad that the series is over but at the same time happy I got to meet Page brothers and could experience their journey to HEA. These boys didn't have it easy in life and I'm so delighted to see that in the end they achieved the happiness they all well deserved.



ARC received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the Ropes has been an epic series. Every book I read I love more than the last and that’s impressive because the Page brothers are pretty epic. This is Quarry’s story, the final story, the brother I have been waiting for since I read Fighting Silence.

From that moment we learned Quarry was going to lose his hearing, too. Since the moment he broke down and ran, because he was heartbroken. Then in Fighting Shadows when we learned that his long time girlfriend was dying. I knew this book would break me, but I wanted it just the same.

I had been a fighter from the day I’d taken my fist breath on earth.

I wasn’t sure how Aly was going to pull this story off, I had no doubt she could, but how? The story is told in dual point of view and begins in the past. Quarry and Liv, two kids from completely different worlds, meet at On the Ropes. Liv is the daughter of Slate’s head of security. She lives in Chicago with her affluent family. Quarry is at the gym, because of his brother and is participating in the youth program.



Quarry and Liv may come from different places and backgrounds, but they have a lot in common. They are both fighters. They are strong, loving, protective and giving. Liv and Quarry’s friendship grows throughout the years, but there are a lot of growing pains. Though we didn't really see it at the time, Liv was around through so many heartaches the brothers endured. Now we get to see their reactions and consequences from things that happened in Fighting Silence and Fighting Shadows. Then with Quarry and Liv losing Mia, they have so many things to overcome not just romantically, but in life.



This story is so unique in the fact that Liv and Q know each other. They are best friends and have no real secrets. They don’t have to get to know each other, but they do have to let go of the past and move forward. These two are by far my favorite couple. I don’t know if it’s the fact that I have always been the guy’s best friend or if it’s because I just love Q, regardless I could feel their love.

These two are completely sure in their love and love without condition. Their story is one of heart ache, tragedy, but they are fighters and refuse to give in.



I am so impressed with Aly, this series has been epic and I am going to truly miss these characters. I am so attached that while reading the epilogue I was tearing up. It’s hard to say goodbye to everyone, especially when you can see and feel all they endured. You see how crazy I sound right now…I don’t even blame myself, it’s all Aly. Because when you read this series you will get it, these characters feel real.

I hadn’t won that fight alone. I wouldn’t have even made it to the fight without them.

Obviously I recommend this book, I want to shout it from the rough top to read this book. BUT I also want to shout from the rough top that you should read them all.



ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.

[Sophie's Reading Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 "Every. Single. Day" stars



Quarry Page, the youngest Page brother, is a professional boxer and has overcomed many difficulties in his short life. He's barely 24, but he has suffered a lot since he was born. Now he's finally in a good place economically, but then comes a tragedy that will take him down emotionally.

Liv James is his childhood best friend who will stand by him through the tough times and the good times. Tragedy hits both of them and affects their lives. Can they both leave behind the ghosts of their past and find what they have been missing on each other? Are they willing to fight for each other?

"I lost my first love, but I refused to lose my soulmate."

I FREAKING LOVE THIS SERIES!!!!
(Please proceed with caution. Fangirling and emotional outburst may occur. )

I don't know how she has done that, but Aly has made me love these brothers and their stories have touched me deep in my heart. I grew to love each one of these characters since the first book, when Q was a little kid, who would follow his older brother out of the building and he would ask him all these questions and he would claim that he loved and wanted to marry Eliza. So freaking cute!!

At the same time, he was a little devil growing up, with cursing to be his most characteristic trait. I mean I loved getting to look at his life since the early stage of that, how everything that happened to him shaped him to be the man he now was. Fighting Silence and Till was my favorite in the series, but now I can't say, because I love Q equally as much and I'm not even kidding, when I say that they both share 1st place and Flint comes after them.



Fighting Solitude is heartbreaking, angsty, but also super hot and swoon worthy!! It's an amazing friends to lovers story, with flashbacks from their childhood and how this friendship progressed with time and how it developed after everything that happened to them. Q was probably the dirtiest brother and gave us some really sexy scenes that I had to fan myself and Liv was one of my favorite heroines in this series. I liked the transition to their relationship and the dialogues were also well written as always.

Liv James had never been just my best friend. No matter what I'd told myself.

Aly has truly the gift to take you with her and makes you enjoy her books, even when there are a few things that should make you worried. You simply cannot not love them. Page brothers will definitely stay with me and their stories will be special and listed as my favorites. The part at the ring with the three of them, just gutted me. I started crying as the emotional shit I am.

I wasn't the only champion in the ring that night. So, with Till on my right and Flint on my left, I lifted all of our fits in victory.

I dare you to give them a chance if you haven't done that already! Preferably, read them in order. Trust me when I say you don't want to miss this experience. Thank you, Aly Martinez for bringing life in this family and making us meet Till, Flint & Quarry. I will never forget those fighters.

ARC was kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[~♡AB♡~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

★★★★★ 5 Stars ★★★★★

Now LIVE!
Amazon US | Amazon UK



ALL OF THE STARS!

Aly Martinez has created yet again another emotional and absolutely beautiful love story, I am in total awe at the way she was able to turn my heart inside out, back to front and then make it double in size with love for the characters in this series.

May contain spoilers for readers who haven't yet read Fighting Shadows

I have loved Quarry since the very beginning of this series, he has always held my interest and Fighting Solitude gives us his story, from the potty mouthed ten year old to the honourable man he becomes, his unwavering loyalty to his family, and his love for the two very important women that made an impact on his life.

"Everyone knew I was trouble. I had a good heart, but I kept it buried under layers of attitude and a million curse words."

Liv and Quarry have been best friends since they were 10, they have the kind of connection that most people can only dream of, they get each other and will always have each others backs. Growing up they always knew that they had a special bond, but when Q betrays the trust of a teenage Liv, their paths take an unexpected turn and it seems that fate has decided that their future together is not quite ready to begin....yet.



This was an epic journey of love and friendship which faced many hurdles but ultimately there is no doubt that Q and Liv were made for each other, and that the devastating events that occurred when they both lost a loved one -Quarry's first girlfriend and Liv's best friend Mia - was set to test them and bring them even closer than before.

I always worry in books like these, that the heroine will always be competing with the lost love, but this book proves that humans have the capacity to love big and hard, and love multiple times, just in different ways. Mia left a legacy in that she brought two people who were very special to her, together like they were always meant to be.

"Liv James was absolutely everything to me. Well, almost. She wasn’t mine. Yet."

This book brought out a lot of emotions in me, and at times I was sitting there with a huge knot in my chest because my heart absolutely ached for these characters so much, I felt everything that I know the author intended me to feel. I adored how much these two were devoted to each other, and let me tell you that the wait for them to finally realise that their feelings were more than just best friends was so worth it.



Without a doubt this whole series is on my list of all time favourites, it was such an absolute pleasure to read, with the faultless writing and the perfectly exhilarating story, to the deep emotional connection that is so easy to make with the characters, there is nothing that I can find issue with.

Top marks for creating an epic love story that I will always remember and hold dear.

"Every. Single. Day."

Fighting Solitude is the last in the series, each of which follow a different brother. Told in dual POV

ARC gratefully received from the author in exchange for an honest review

Images featured in this review were created by me using stock images either purchased from deposit photo or from free stock sites.

[Sharon ∞❥ is an emotional book junkie ❥∞ · Rating 4 out of 5]

You ever have a certain idea of how a story will go and come to find out, it doesn't happen that way At. All? Well, that was this story for me and I can't help but feel a little disappointed.

It also doesn't help that I have a problem...



I'm definitely an addict...I wanted heart break, I expected heart break and I didn't get it. ~sigh~

However, I'm pretty happy with the story...overall. The biggest issue is Mia. She's just infused into everything...and how could she not be?

Luckily, we get a lot of background info...from when Quarry and Liv first meet to their big fight, from what happens to Till and Flint to what happens to Quarry and from when Quarry and Liv make up to Liv meeting Mia and them becoming best friends...yes, best friends. ugh!



Then you-know-what happens and we have to struggle though all that. Again, not gut wrenching enough for me...but it was headed in the right direction. What was surprising and a total turn off was the affect it had on Liv instead of Quarry!

Liv and Quarry have always been best friends, Liv always wanting more and thank goodness by getting both their POVs we get to find out what Quarry's wanted.



There's some other drama involving another boxer that I could have done without. The only positive in that was Liv's assistant, which was no surprise.

By far, my favorite thing was the family. I loved seeing all the guys loved and happy...they were so deserving. And it was really nice how all the women got along so well.



So overall, I enjoyed Q and "Rocky" even though I would have liked more heart break. I'll just have to settle for being sad that the series is over.



Favorite quote:

♥ "Every. Single. Day."



(Prior to review...)


Poor Quarry!! she really puts these guys through the ringer! :(

[Maida (Medley of Books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

RATING: 4.5 "Nothing Changes" Hearts!! :D <3


Fighting Solitude is a deeply satisfying end to this series, giving us a new Page brother to swoon over and a best friends to lovers romance that brings a smile to our faces and heat to our cheeks.

“You watch my back, and I watch yours.”

Quarry and Liv have been best friends since they were little, but before we see them get their inevitable, a misstep causes them to drift apart. It’s only after they reconnect, years later, that their relationship heads into uncharted waters, bringing the kind of tension that can only exist between longtime friends. Though Liv is hesitant to become romantically involved given their past, she’s upfront as she can be with him, telling him where she stands even as she holds the full depth of her feelings back as a means of self-preservation. Quarry (once acclimated to the fact that he always had feelings for his best friend) is just as much sweet as he is alpha, reassuring Liv’s every doubt and facing the intimacy that accompanies their shifting relationship head on while keeping intact what made them best friends in the first place. Their relationship is so very well done, nothing between them feeling manufactured rather heartfelt on an emotional level as well as the physical one.

Some things were better seen than heard. And I wanted to witness the moment I claimed her as my own. Then I wanted to witness the moment when she realized she didn’t need to claim me at all. I was already hers.

Additionally, the viewpoints of Till and Flint bring a smile to our faces as we see them happily living their fairytale endings. The only drawback is that the addition of Mia (Quarry’s past girlfriend) throughout the book seems largely unnecessary, feeling more like something added for the sake of a small bit of drama rather than to further the romance.

“We’re still a family, Rocky. We go home together and keep living, no matter what the outcome is. It’s what we do. Together. Always together.”

That minor complaint aside though, this is a story easily devoured, Ms. Martinez ensuring with genuine characters and a hot romance that the chapters fly by until we find ourselves on the last page before we’re ready to let the Page family go. Definitely going to miss this family!



Posted: September 13, 2016

[Katy Loves Romance ❤️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Every. Single. Day Stars


Ohhhh Myyyy Gawddddd I love this series.. Lordy what do I say.. I'm going to be a total FANGIRL here so I totally apologise right now!!


I love this series just because it's not just about the romance but also about family and unity and bonds between sisters, brothers and between each other... I can't explain it other than this is the deal here.

So What's it about?
I have been looking forward to Quarry Pages story ever since I finished fighting Shadows and after the turmoil and pain that Q was in after he lost his girlfriend and Love of his life Mia!! I was gasping for air and dying to see where this went.. So to say I'm happy is an understatement!!

This begins when Quarry and Liv are children at aged 8 they start to develop a friendship and it spans over time till they get to their 20's therefore we get the bigger picture In my opinion this was just the biggest icing on the cake.. For me anyways. I truly felt deep in with these two because your with them every step of the way.. How they lost Mia Together and how they learnt to build their lives Together. But ultimately how they loved each other as friends, as buddies, as Lovers and as Soulmates.. Every. Single. Day



Once that picture was built and I was with them in everything and every decision and emotion. Then I saw them truly as adults once they got there, and also how much they really needed each other.

Liv
Liv does not want to give into her feelings truly as she feels she's letting Mia down and go and is sooo worried and anxious about that. Yet Quarry has ways of making her see sense...

"She was so fucking beautiful.
My cock inside her.
My hand teasing her breast.
Her eyes aimed at me taking her body.
Needy for me.
All fucking mine.
Liv

Quarry
With the Heavyweight Championship title to aim for, to work for, he has a lot on his mind, yet he NEEDS LIV in his life and he undoubtedly unconditionally loves Liv like he needs to breathe. Once Liv is willing to Give them a chance gah it was pure bliss to read.

Guys this is why I loveeee MMA fighter reads, they're raw, Hot, seductive, Alpha heroes and strong Ass men! Yet Aly also knows how to write real emotions and with that combined I 120% have loved this book and this series.. And Quarry was everything I wanted. Really he has a hugeee heart. These two people need each other, their love was just so FULL! That's the only way I can explain it.



So to sum up.. You love Sexy Alpha heroes that need to feel too, love Fiesty heroines that fight to the end in a good way. You like raw sex scenes, friendship, family, love. Then this is your next read.

Read it

This is the last book in this series and although they're standalones of each couple of the Page brothers, I'd advice to read them in order...


ARC Generrously gifted in exchange for an honest review

All my Fanart images have been made from
Stock images from Deposit photos.

For more reviews and blog posts

[Amy | Foxy Blogs · Rating 5 out of 5]

"EVERY SINGLE DAY"

I loved this book and everything about it. Out of the 3 books in the series, this one is my favorite. I knew from the moment we met Quarry as a little guy in the first book that I wanted to know how his story turned out.

On The Ropes series is an excellent series about 3 brothers and how they overcome hardships in their lives. Till is the oldest of the three and because of their neglectful parents, he takes it upon himself to raise his brothers. The sacrifice and discipline he endures to make sure his younger brothers are well taken care of are honorable.

FIGHTING SOLITUDE is Quarry’s story of finding love and success within in the confines of life’s obstacles. Quarry ”The Stone Fist” Page is my favorite of the three brothers. His story touched me so deeply that I’m still thinking about it days later. While I may not know what it's like to be deaf or to have a close relationship with someone who is, I do know what it's like to watch someone who you love overcome a disability. The willingness to be “normal” and fit in is human nature.

The complexities of the story from being raised by his older brother -to- losing someone you love -to- knowing you're going deaf -to- becoming a professional fighter was the right mix of awesomeness. It had everything I had hoped for plus more. I’m not a crier but when I read the notes left behind I couldn’t help but break down and cry.

This is definitely a favorite book of 2016 for me. I’m excited to see what Ms. Martinez brings us next because if it’s anywhere close to being as good as this one... she'll have another winner.

SERIES:

Each book focuses on one of the three brothers.
Book 1 - Till | Book 2 - Flint | Book 3 - Quarry

[Starr (AKA Starrfish) Rivers · Rating 2 out of 5]

This just wasn't for me.

As I said below in my status comments, I'm a gal who only wants to read about ONE true love in my romance. Occasionally, the triangle works. When it's not emotionally intense, when the novel is a romantic comedy type of thing. Like the movie Sleepless in Seattle.

But it especially irritates me when the h has always loved the H, was always meant to be his soul-mate (as the author through her characters say many times) but the H fell in love with another girl, who very passionately and possessively loved him back. And to make matters worse, the 3 of them are BEST FRIENDS! Then the in-between girl dies dramatically of a brain tumor (in the previous book) and casts a shadow over the 2 lovebirds (esp. the h) but also tells them in her postmortem letter to be happy together.

For a while you felt like maybe the h is just a consolation prize, bc if the other girl had LIVED, she never would have had a shot at the boy she's always loved but never revealed her feelings. And then, you feel like the dead girl is the consolation prize bc the boy had always felt something special (even declaring to her father that he loved her) for the h, and the dead girl was just a lucky interlude who happened to "capture" him while he was in limbo with the h.

Now granted, the H didn't realize he "loved" the h way back then as a 14 year old boy. And he was too in love (and having monkey sex ALL THE TIME as we read in Book 2) with the dead girl to ever focus on the h even while they were besties and hung out together all the time. But really, she was his soul-mate all along. The dead girl just got in there and had him for a brief while before she tragically died (so you might think, well, at least she got her kicks in with a really hot guy who loved her).

Me--I'm not a fan of these plots. I just don't see how you deeply, intensely, truly love someone and be able to watch them DAILY love someone else, even if you might respect and like the other girl. If it were me, I'd have let all that go and move on to my own "great but not the greatest" and maybe over time it would have been the "greatest" too.

Maybe that's just me, or maybe that's the way I expect ONE TRUE LOVE to work, the most annoying, unbelievable part of the book was the 3 of them being the best of friends, even tho dead girl always knew the h wanted her man. She might have even thought SHE was the interloper. The H was oblivious. But women feel these things.

It makes me wonder if the dead girl had lived, and if H/h were truly meant to be soul mates, that one day down the road, this would have turned into a different sort of "new adult" drama where a man loves 2 women and 2 women love the man (or vice versa) and one dark night he breaks down and cheats and there's all kind of melodrama afterwards. So many of these triangle plots out there today.

So then I think, well, thank goodness the dead girl is dead then. So I didn't have to wade through the alternate future melodrama. And I'm pissed that I'm relieved that the dead girl is dead.

So you see why I can't like this damn book?!

There was way too much dead girl in the book. I didn't know who to root for. In the end when the H/h get there HEA, I don't even feel very happy about it. I'm kinda like - OK...

It definitely wasn't the writing that turned me off. It was the stupid plot that I really should have avoided. I was already dreading it after reading some GR reviews. But I was curious to see how the author would make it work.

I guess I don't regret spending hours reading this. (But her writing really is very ONE-trick pony, all the characters start blending together and even looking alike and certainly talking alike, but even so it's good, fast-paced writing). But I didn't walk away from the book sighing with satisfaction, that's for sure.

[warhawke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fighting Solitude is LIVE!
Amazon US |  Amazon UK |  B&N  |  iBooks  |  Kobo



Genre: Contemporary Romance
Type: Standalone Book 3 of 3 from On The Ropes series
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:




Quarry Page lived a hard life. Growing without parents, his brothers were his support system. With a champion fighter as a brother, it was only natural for him to follow the footsteps and claim his own glory.

Liv James has been friends with Q since they were just a kid. An incident in the past pushed them apart until a life changing event brought them back together. They had always found solace in each other but still haunted by the ghost of the past. Both of them need to learn how to move on before there could be any future between them.



I have to say, I haven’t got the chance to read the previous books in the series. Even so, I really enjoyed this one.



I really like Q. I love how we got to see his struggle since he was very young. I could feel both his anger and his devastation. There weren’t many details on what transpired in the past, but there were enough glimpses for me to understand his family history.

I wanted to melt into his arms and steal the safety and comfort that only existed when I was with him.

I like Liv too, but there were times when I was frustrated with her reluctance to take chance. I absolutely adore their platonic friendship. I love seeing how much they supported each other even if it wasn’t direct.

Both of their family played a huge part on shaping them as an individual and as a couple. I love seeing how fiercely protective they were for each other and how they rallied together during critical situations.

“You are, and always have been, the one person in my life who has the ability to destroy me. For years, I clung to you, knowing that , as long as I kept you close, I didn’t have to be scared of anything else. You, Quarry Page, are the embodiment of my greatest fear.”

One thing I wish I got more is the emotions. I felt for both characters but some added intensity would make it much better. However, I am aware this could possibly partly due to my lack of knowledge of previous stories.

Fighting Solitude is a story of how two individual overcome their painful past with the support their family and each other, because no matter what happen, life should always move on.

Books in the series:






For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:

[Allison ❤️Will Never Conquer Her TBR❤️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Live on AMZ- http://amzn.to/1UJCMZU

4.5 Every. Single. Day. Stars!




Aly Martinez has built the BEST fighter romance series I've read to date. The Page boys each getting their own book, their stories told, has gone full-circle with this final installment, Fighting Solitude. Each book can be read as a standalone but I'd highly recommend acquainting yourself to each character, watching their family grow as each book progresses. We knew at the conclusion of Flint's book, Fighting Shadows, that this book was going to be most gut-wrenching...but from sorrow draws strength and eventual happiness for this friends-to-lovers trope.


Quarry Page has known Liv since childhood. The spunky yet girly girl and daughter to Leo, the owner of a large security firm, she snatched up any chance to come to the gym and see her Quarry. Their attachment was one of early innocent childhood connection, never truly knowing until years later how deep their connection lies. But it takes a tragic loss for Quarry to truly realize the importance of Liv in his life...she's his crutch, his anchor, and life without her would be futile. Even a simple "Liv bear hug," something she's done since the tender age of 8, has the innate ability to settle his demons...





Only when life delivers it's biggest blow does Quarry truly find his strength in Liv. She's his roommate, his assistant, best friend, and rock. Only one thing lacks...his love.





Fighting Solitude was the perfect slow build of the friends to lovers romance I crave. Even in the early years, my heart melted for these two sweet kids with not so much in common yet finding their perfect connection- he understands her demons struggles and she his, even as young children and adolescents.





Aly Martinez gives her readers the perfect balance of real life hardships, handicaps, family drama and connection, and true romantic love stories. Nothing is rushed, instead perfectly paced to allow the reader to grasp wholeheartedly onto their stories. Nothing comes for free with the Page boys, yet from book to book we find their commitment to each other withstanding everything life throws their way. I always savor catching up with Till and Eliza with their growing clan, and Flint and Ash and their well-deserved happily ever after. Now we finally get to experience Quarry's story and his well-fought journey to find love that lasts a lifetime- with the one girl he's unknowingly loved and has loved him Every. Single. Day.





A beautiful conclusion to the On the Ropes series. I'll truly miss the Page boys and the tough as nails women that truly complete them. Maybe Aly Martinez will be so kind as to give us snippet novellas of say, their Christmas gatherings, so we can all bask in their well fought happily-ever-afters...





Advanced copy received by author in exchange for my honest review.

[FMABookReviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Best In The Series!

I didn't think it possible to love two characters from this series more than I loved Till and Eliza from 'Fighting Silence'. Nor did I ever think it possible for Aly Martinez to top that book. I was wrong! 'Fighting Solitude' was so much better than I could have anticipated. I floved this. What is beyond good? That is what 'Fighting Solitude' is!



I feel lost as to how to describe how and why I loved this story so much. It was beautifully written, the characters were thoroughly developed and dynamic, and the plot was solid, suspenseful, and emotional. I loved this friends-lovers story... I loved the slow-burn development of the relationship between Liv and Quarry. Martinez again stayed with her style of strong-willed and sassy females. I loved Liv's strength and calmness and her unwavering support for Quarry. She was his backbone, his ally, his rock. I loved Quarry's devotion to the one's he loved. His protective nature was not only awe-inspiring, it was incredibly sexy.  This makes for some incredibly funny and sexy banter. OMG and those texts, I LOVED them!

When I finished 'Fighting Shadows', I was a freaking mess. I was bawling like a baby who lost her pacifier. I was so frightened to read this book. (As I believe the majority of readers were/are.) As it turned out, I was right to be afraid. My fear was warranted. I cried so many times while reading Quarry and Liv's story that I am lucky my family was not home for most of it. I fear they might have wanted to medicate me. I cried sad tears - like devastating tears, but I also cried happy ones. I laughed - a lot --- for those parts, my family was home and my son said I as "weird". Eh, what can I say, I get so sucked in to Martinez's writing that I experience a variety of emotions right along with her characters.

At the end of 'Fighting Shadows', we see Quarry's life being torn apart. It was gut-wrenching. The good news, or bad - whichever way your heart looks at it, Fighting Solitude picks up right where 'Fighting Shadows' left off. And my gosh, did that hurt. The devastation that both Quarry and Liv felt was palpable.

Despite their guilt, heart ache, they must learn how to go on with life, manage the daily activities that we take for granted. What they have going for them, is a life-long friendship based on mutual trust (mostly) and a kind of love that only life-long friends share. They know each other better than anyone. Quarry knows Liv's deepest, darkest fears and works to protect her at all costs. Liv can sense when Quarry is about to lose his mind, when life just gets to be too much, and only she can bring him a sense of calm.

❝You love me.❞

❝Every. Single. Day.❞

Fabulously written, I cannot think of any other way this could have been written, nor any additions or subtractions to Quarry's story. It was perfect! This is why Martinez is a go-to author for me, and one of my author crushes!!!!

ARC graciously provided in exchange for review

[Catarina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Sweet Stars

This third book bring us the story of Quarry, the younger Page brother. After him and Liv, her best-friend from childhood grow apart, life puts them back together again, only to throw them a curveball once more.
They try to keep their feelings hide, afraid they shouldn’t be there, but when Quarry decides it’s enough, he’s decided to break through Liv’s defenses.
And fight he’s something he’s used to do.



Despite this being a really good book, and definitely a great ending to this series, I’ve got to say this was my least favorite. The main reason being everything that happened with Mia. I’m a hopeless romantic and I’ve devour romance book after romance book. And the only thing they all have in common is the completely devotion of the hero for the heroine and no one else… and in this book the heroine felt in many moments like the consolation prize. I feel that if Mia’s destiny had been different, there would never been a Quarry and a Liv. And that took some of enthusiasm while reading. Nonetheless, it was a really sweet book and if you’re a fan of the series, you really need to read it.




Rating: 4 Stars
Characters Development: Quarry was sweet, and I liked his possessive and alpha side. I do like how he ended up dealing with the situation. Liv was really sweet as well, despite her existential crisis. I liked to see more of the other ones.
Steam: Some heated moments,
Sensible Subjects: Death.
Love Triangle: Not really, but sometimes it felt like it.
Cheating: No.
HEA: Yes.

[Olga therebelreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** 6 'Beautiful Solitude' stars ***

This book was one of the most beautiful stories I have ever read! It drew me in so much that I read it in one sitting. It was a true whirlwind of emotions!

**The story**
Liv and Quarry have known each other since they were kids. This couple grew up with each other and naturally have loved each other forever. Liv has never been able to tell Quarry that her feelings for him go beyond friendship for several reasons. They held back on their intimate feelings until now. Meant for each other, they share such a beautiful relationship and a special bond. I love how much he loves and cares for her, it’s heart-warming. They are each others band-aid's. They are a perfect match.

Unfortunately, they had to face great difficulties in their lives. Firstly, Liv and Quarry had to face a hard and unwelcome change in their lives when a loved one died. And secondly, Quarry has to face the new reality of his impending hearing loss. Liv has been his rock from the very beginning, and Quarry has relied on her about every aspect of his life and his boxing career. They’ve seen themselves at the worst and best moments of their lives. They’re best friends, they are soul-mates. Will they finally be able to triumph in love?

**My thoughts**
It was a really heart wrenching story. So honest and raw. It was drama, comedy, and full of love, compassion, strength and honour. The characters were loveable, tormented and well developed. I was completely invested in this story from the very first page, where you are thrown head first into the emotional deep end of the harrowing lives of Liv and Quarry.

The author has a talent of writing so you are drawn into the characters. I was feeling what Liv felt, experiencing the emotions Quarry experienced. Their intimate moments were super sexy and sensual. Quarry was determined, with a body to die for and his heart was pure gold. Liv was beautiful inside and out. Their struggle was so powerful and real. I couldn't help a few tears from falling. There is a beautiful epilogue at the end which made my heart melt. This story will live in my heart for a very long time.


ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.

[* Meli Mel * · Rating 5 out of 5]

♥ ♥ ♥5 STARS ♥ ♥ ♥

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“Every. Single. Day.”, he whispered my confession reverently. "That was the only answer I truly needed."

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I have been waiting to read this book since I finished reading Fighting Shadows. However, I was scared to read it. I wasn't sure how it would pan out and how it would all work out in the end. Thankfully everything worked out well. I just loved this amazing story.

If you've read the previous two books than you are more than familiar with the youngest Page brother, Quarry. He was the adorable rebellious little boy with a lot of attitude. My heart broke for him as it did for Till and Flint when it came to their upbringing. So, all I wanted for my Quarry was for him to find happiness as his two older brothers did.





I loved that this book begins with the start of it all, how Quarry and Liv first met. From then on, we get to see how that friendship grew throughout the years until they became the inseparable best friends. As you know from the first book, things didn't go so well with Eliza, and Quarry is taking it really bad out of everyone. He blames himself and in turn pushes everyone away, including Liv, in the worst possible way. Liv never forgave him for what he did, but years later when she finds out that he has lost his hearing, she puts it all behind her and seeks him out. Things may not ever be the same between them, but Quarry's girlfriend Mia ends up helping. Mia's no nonsense and quirky attitude was the glue that held this trio together. Liv never thought she could be best friends with Mia, especially when she knew deep down she felt more for Quarry, but that was exactly what happened. Unfortunately things take a devastating turn when they lose Mia.

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“This doesn’t change. It’s you and me to the core. I’m not going anywhere and neither are you. If it happens to you, it happens to me, remember. And this is definitely happening to us. Please don’t fight it.”

●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●  ●

Both Quarry and Liv are broken in their own way. They have hurdles to deal with and yet still they manage to remain strong. And now with Mia's death, they only have each other to rely on and who can understand the depth of their mourning. The author really did an amazing job with these two characters. You could really feel the connection between Liv and Q. It never felt awkward when many years later they transitioned from best friends to so much more. It was pretty damn flawless. The build up and tension was perfect. I wasn't even sure how I would feel about Mia, but I ended up really liking her a lot. She was such an incredible character. It all just worked so well.





I fell so hard for Q and he made me swoon like crazy. I really loved Liv as well and how supportive she was. I also totally understood where she came from during certain scenes. Liv and Q were so fantastic together. I absolutely love that their relationship happened over a course of many years and that it wasn't instantaneous. It all began when they were around 8 years old up until their early to mid 20's. The story was told in alternating POV's which I very much loved. The steam was really good and it had just the right amount. There were some very emotional parts to this book that just broke my heart and made me tear up bad. I appreciated the fact there was some humour in it as well, so it wasn't all heavy and serious.

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"No one will take me from you," she vowed. "It's you and me. Forever."

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Overall, I really loved this book. I loved Q's story and Liv was the perfect heroine for him. I loved seeing the characters of he previous book in this one as well. The ending was beautiful and the epilogue was everything. It left me with heart warming feeling and a very happy smile. I'm going to miss the Page brothers. This will definitely be a re-read series for me. I highly recommend this book and this entire series. If you have yet to read these book then you need to get to it pronto.

[Hulya Kara Yuksel · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG this book was soooo freaking amazing!!!! And I have to tell you all "Page" brothers are awesome but wait until read Quarry's story. He's so funny and so fucking sexy!!! :D Liv & Quarry's chemistry was off the charts. When they're together, they're burning like hell!!!! :D

Quarry Page, oh my goodness!!! You're something special baby. :) For me this book was best in this series.. BEST!!!! :)

Ps. I suggest you all stop losing time and go start to read this series asap! Trust me, you're gonna thank me later:)

[Jayme · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm sure that everyone who has read the first part could not wait to know Q's story. We know him already in the first book, when he is only 6 years old. And it's amazing to be able to look how from the sweet kid he grew up in quite a powerful man, all the way to adulthood. We all loved him from the very first pages of this series and that love only grows.



I have a problem with how much I can say about the storyline. Because despite the fact that this book takes us to the beginning, a lot is going on in the previous parts that have an impact on the situations and emotions. Although it is described here is not the same thing as you go through this whole from the beginning of the series.

So I'll start by telling you what I normally write at the end. Although these books can be read independently, then I'm completely for reading this one by one. You just have too much to lose in the meantime. And it's big waste most of all for you. Because these books are good alone, but just even better together.



***Quick Review:***

Series: The third in the On the Ropes series.
Grade/Tag Tabs: New Adult. Sports Romance.
Release Date: February 2nd, 2016
Main characters: Liv James. Quarry Page. The characters are growing up during the course of the story. They met as 9 and 10 year olds and the action takes many years to adulthood. Liv works as Q's assistant and in the community center. Quarry's road strives for a professional boxing career.
Secondary characters: Once again absolutely amazing Page brothers!
Location: Indianapolis.
Steamy: Yes. Sexual tension is high, it's sensual and sexy. Typical scenes to New Adult genre.
Sensitive topic: Yes. Violence. Disability. Death.
Love triangle: Hmm... I think that the answer is yes, although the situation is not typical.
Cheating: No.
Cliffhanger: No.
HEA: Yes.
Next in the series? This is the last book in the On the Ropes series.

If I'd recommend? Yes. Especially if you enjoy childhood friends to lovers touching stories about fighters with some angst and sensitive topics.

I apologize for possible spoilers, you really should not read any further if you have not read this series before. Like now!

About the plot: It started very early because already when Liv and Quarry were children. They caught an incredible bond, and from an early age causing all the trouble together. They shared all their fears and secrets with each other. For Liv their bond was unusual, she has a bad childhood and now has problems with opening and trust. He was also her very first crush. So when he took advantage of knowledge about her biggest fears, he lost her trust and their friendship fell apart.

Over the years they missed each other but only when Liv learned that he lost his hearing has decided stretch out the her hand to him. But life goes on and things have changed. Now she had to learn to let go and just be a friend. Because he has a girlfriend.

The thing is, Mia is awesome and she became also her best friend. So when Mia "walks away", both of them can not find their place, but hold firmly together. But what will happen, when the old feelings revived? It's only then begin the true love story of Liv and Quarry.

Final thoughts: Childhood friends. First love. Death. Friendship. And soulmate love. It's all here. I have to admit that I had problems with the continuous presence of Mia between them. I hate the fact that they could not have a straight path. But who has it? Certainly not Page brothers. It really is bittersweet.

So we have to survive the first heartbreak, the fear about the future and many others to get a happy ending. Whether it was worth it? Absolutely yes. The author writes an amazing books, which are absorbing and draw you from the first page. These are amazing stories that move you and touch your heart.

Completely perfect the end of the series. It is very sad that this is the end, but the last few pages are just perfection. These scenes from the holidays, the fight, and epilogue. Sighs! You'll cry, you'll laugh, you can just count on everything. I love every minute of it!

***
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.

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[Kelli C · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Fight for Love Stars!

It has been weeks since I “fell in love” with a book. Many have been good and many have been just ok…I was starting to worry that perhaps I had truly read myself out of the game! Then came Quarry Page and his story.



I was in a total whirlwind of fabulous writing, a riveting storyline, and two characters so amazing that I began snapping at any interruption. Yes…I completely devoured this book in just 3 hours and then went back to re-read all the highlighted passages. I completely fell in love with reading again all because a tattooed stone of a man with his soft heart and his feisty loyal bestie fell in love. Well that’s not completely true, as this was so much more than a friends to lovers tale…it was a friends to forever story.

This is book 3 in Aly Martinez's On the Ropes series and IMO it is simply the best. Quarry Page is the baby of the boys. He was the protected boy…the one who made the fight to live all worth it. His path to happiness was not easy and behind the muscle and the ink is a boy who has had enough loss emotionally and physically as well as guilt to crush the biggest of souls. He found his comfort and strength in a feisty gal who “got him” as just kids. She was his everything…Liv James was the most amazing best friend.

“She entered my life during a brief period when all the stars had momentarily aligned. It wasn’t until it all exploded, throwing my entire world out of orbit, that I realized she was the greatest gift I’d ever been given.”

Time, distance, dire circumstances…nothing would change their friendship…or could it???

“You are, and always have been, the one person in my life who has the ability to destroy me. For years, I clung to you, knowing that, as long as I kept you close, I didn’t have to be scared of anything else. You, Quarry Page, are the embodiment of my greatest fear.”

“I refuse to let you fight me on this. I refuse to deny the way I feel about you. And I absolutely refuse to let you deny what you feel for me. You want this. I get that you’re scared, but trust me, I will make this work for us.”

PERFECTION is what comes to my mind when I finished this story. I LOVED the friendship of a boy and a girl who truly understood one another. I LOVED the growing up and “getting” even more in sync with harsh witty insults, flirty fun innuendo, and sweet moments of give and take of comfort. Never has a couple been so amazing in that they realized sadness by a facial expression, they felt fear with a look in the eye, they gave comfort with a chest to back hug, and they knew they would never be alone…all because they were together. The realization of more would not be easy but again, that is what made Quarry and Liv so much better than any friends-to-lovers couple I have ever read!

[Mirjana **DTR - Down to Read** · Rating 5 out of 5]

***5 Stars***

I gotta figure out a way to put my emotions into words....but to summarize...



Aly Martinez and the Page brothers own my heart and soul. Quarry's book was my favorite of the series, my favorite of Aly's that I've read to date and so far my favorite book of 2016.

Phenomenal writing. Fantastic banter with a dose of humor. Melt your kindle sex. Oodles of emotion. Immeasurable amounts of love.

If you haven't discovered this author or this series...

[Wendys Wycked Words · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading a new Aly Martinez book this week...I just had to do another re-read...Oh how I love Quarry <3

This book......

I was a bit worried (and stressed) after reading the ending of the previous book. I was especially worried about how everything was gonna work out. Nobody wants to be second best and I didn't want to read about this happening to Liv. My worries were of course for nothing, because this story was beautiful ;)

I've been looking forward to getting to know Quarry better. He did not disappoint...damn.



Quarry and Liv (Sarah's adoptive daughter from the Wrecked & Ruined series) meet, when they are 9 and 10 years old. There is an instant friendship and a bond so strong, I didn't think it could break. But it did...Quarry broke it. Now they were only kids at the time, but still...what he did was really cruel, so I get that Live was broken and done with him.



When Liv is 16, she finds out that Quarry has gone deaf. She knew this would happen, but she also remembers that she promised him, and herself, that she would be there for him. So she swallows her hurt and her pride and goes to see him. It is as if time has stood still, and he is still her best friend... and she is his. He welcomes her with open arms. She hasn't forgiven him for what he has done and she sure doesn't trust him anymore...but he is a part of her. He was always her one and only best friend. Of course he never knew, that for her it was so much more. She fell in love with him when she was 12 years old. Problem is...he fell in love with someone else....



When Live and Mia meet....it was hostility at first sight. She did not like Liv...but over time, this changes. These two girls become the best of friends...and for Liv, who never had any (girl) friends, this was really something special. So they become the three musketiers. Liv and Mia even move in together as roommates, and through all this she gets to keep Quarry as her best friend. She is still in love with him...but she accepts that her place in his life, is as a friend, and nothing more. She would also never do anything to hurt Mia.

Then...tragedy strikes, leaving both Liv and Quarry heartbroken. Can they pick up the pieces of their lives and of their souls....



I really enjoyed reading this book. It made me cry, laugh, swoon and curse. This one is definitely my favorite of the three in this series. I loved Live, she was an awesome heroine and Quarry was the perfect hot alpha dude :)

I hope there will be many many more books by this author !!!

This review is posted on Wendy's Wycked Words

 

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars for the Page Brothers!

I can't believe I will end up loving this book, even with the 'dead former lover.'

Before I start, I was feeling reserve about Quarry's story and my expectation was pretty low. If this is by any other other author, I wouldn't be bother by it. I'm allergic towards romance that include a former lover, dead or alive. However, since this is Aly Martinez we're talking about and I love love this series, I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt.

I actually speed-read through the initial 25% because I'm afraid to read scenes about Quarry and Mia. But surprise, surprise, the first quarter of the book actually concentrate more on Quarry and Liv's childhood and we get to see how they formed such a strong bond between them. Even after Mia turned up in Quarry's life, the trio formed a great friendship together. Following Mia's death, Quarry and Liv mourned for a chapter, after that is was pretty much a fresh start for them with a 3 years later interval.

Quarry and Liv's relationship is like any friends to lovers story. They are both so close that they are practically living like siblings. So when Quarry suddenly start having sexual thoughts about his housemate, he was flabbergasted and didn't know what to do about it. This bought forth tons of hilarious moments.



I loved her - like family. Unfortunately, my body had gotten a few wires crossed and now thought I should love her in that hey-let-me-make-you-come-until-you-forget-the-English-language kind of way.

As for Liv, she had been hiding her feelings for Quarry ever since they were young and now that she realized Quarry also has feelings for her, she's feeling guilty over wanting her dead bff's boyfriend. Add in the weird factor that they have been bff for so long.

I'd been hiding my feelings and guarding myself my entire life. I should have given my heart to Quarry the boy. But, without question, I was ready to give it back to the man.



Over the course of their relationship development, I'm happy to say that Quarry is perfection, albeit with his short tempered behavior that result in a few Hulk-like moments. I'm totally swooning over his OTT reaction and protectiveness though. He totally demonstrated to me that Liv is his ultimate soulmate and the center of his universe.

She was so fucking beautiful.
It was Liv though, so that wasn't exactly a surprise.
She was my undoing.
She was also mine now. And it was my responsibility to take care of her.

The only roadblock is Liv's misplace guilt. No only that Aly Martinez manage to convince me of their undeniable love for each other, she also make me respect Mia, which is a hard feat. But I'm also not gonna lie. If there isn't a Mia in the damn story, I would love this story even more.

I'd been so wrong before.
It wasn't weird at all.
It was actually perfect.

I'm not gonna talk about the drama, the villain, the ultimate title fight and the little twist towards the end of the story. Just read the damn book. I'm sure you gonna be entertained from cover to cover.



I believe this might be the final book for On the Ropes series, but I don't think this is the last we will see of the brothers. I'm sure they will popped up in Aly's future books. Anyway, this story wouldn't be complete with Till and Flint and I'm glad to read about their lives after their respective HEA. I simply love the way Aly's ended this series and with such a heartfelt epilogue no less.

"I love you."
"I love you too, Rocky. Every. Single. Day."

[Ⓐlleskelle - That ranting lady ッ]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.5 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️



What a perfect ending for this series! Not the winner I thought it would be, but definitely worth reading, as it ended on a sweet note.
I was anxious to read Quarry’s story. See, I loved the first book in this series, Fighting Silence, but couldn’t get into the second one, Fighting Shadows… So it’s with doubts and high expectations that I started Fighting Solitude, the third and last book of the On the Ropes series.

This probably will be a spoiler-ish review, so if you haven’t read the previous books, it’s better you stop right there.

After reading Flint’ story, I truly bet all my gold on Quarry. And with how things were left at the end of book 2, I was anxiously waiting for his book.
Only to discover that the main trope of this book is a friends to lovers one.
Exit Mia, the dying in secret girlfriend, enters Liv, the old best friend from way back.

This isn’t exactly a pet peeve of mine, but despite the building being very slow between Quarry and Liv, —which I could appreciate— I thought the Mia’s part in their story felt… manufactured.
Don’t get me wrong. It was a beautiful thing what she did for her 2 best friends, but it also felt fake, too much…



Now, disregarding this aspect, I truly loved how the author built the story between Quarry and Liv. I loved reading about their first meeting, as children and I hated seeing them part! This was good angst but damn it made me angry.

Because I barely knew about Mia with the tidbit at the end of book 2, to me, she became the character that HAD TO die to give Quarry and Liv their HEA. It caused me to feel at times that Liv was the consolation prize. The story could have stood by itself without adding an ex-dead girlfriend into the mix. That’s how good Quarry and Liv relationship was.

So, I have mixed feelings about the plot because of this.



The chemistry between Liv and Quarry was obvious and tangible but the ghost of Mia constantly around put a damper on my feelings for this love story. Liv was running around in circle with her guilt and I more than once yelled at her to please move past this already.

When Liv wasn’t internalizing about stealing Quarry from Mia, she was a great character. I truly loved her sass, her strong will and charm.

The banter between her and Quarry was delicious and Quarry's banter with his brothers as golden as ever.
Sexy times were enjoyable and got me squirming a little, you cannot fault the Page brothers in that department, they know how to sex up a woman!

Overall a nice read and good conclusion to this series, which proved to me that Aly Martinez is an author to follow.

(Arc offered in exchange for an honest review)
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[Lo Bookfrantic · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Rating 4 ★★★★ Always Together Rocky ~ Stars

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Type: Standalone Book 3 of 3 from On The Ropes series
POV: First Person – Dual

"Without her, for the first time in my entire life, I was truly trapped in the solitude of my mind-alone"

Fighting Solitude is the final installment from On The Ropes Series even though you can read as a standalone I personally would recommend reading book one first. I went in blinded into this book popping my Aly's cherry and oh boy was in for a surprise. I enjoyed this book so much and now I really wished I would have read the first two books first however have no doubt that even without reading the other two you will fully enjoy this story because it very detailed and it was such a wonderful story.

Quarry page is the younger brother of three; at only ten years old he meets his best friend who becomes the love of his life. He didn't know that yet thought it took a long time for him to realize that his soulmate has always been there. Quarry grew up fighting following his older brother's footsteps. He however managed to become famous and accomplished so much than he could ever hope for. One tragedy after another leaves him hopeless and he gives up on love. His heart is so hurt that he becomes numb to feelings when his girlfriend passed away at only nineteen years of age he don't want any real relationship with anyone; that didn't mean he didn't messed around because a man has his needs but he never got involved again.

Liv James at only nine years old meets Quarry when some boys were trying to mess with her. Quarry came to her rescue and she instantly liked him and knew there was something different about him. They became best friend almost inseparable. Her father was the owner of the security company that worked for Quarry's family and he traveled with Quarry a lot for the fights as body guards and she more often than not tagged along to see Quarry. Their entire relationship was freaking awesome I loved how they teased each other and played jokes on their family. I loved how she could read him so well and how he could understand her as well. Liv's mother was a junkie and had passed away when she was only five years old. At an early age she was traumatized of the silence and she always had to have music with her everywhere she went or she would have panic attacks.

"Liv rocked my entire world the moment I met her. There was something about the mischievous glint in her big, brown doe eyes that spoke to me on a level a ten-year-old couldn't even begin to understand." Quarry

"If it happens to you, then I have to deal with it too. You watch my back, and I watch yours. It's the most important rule of being best friends." Liv

Quarry and Liv's friendship relationship was epic until it wasn't; one bad choice changed everything and they were separated for a long time. Three long years that I was feeling sick because I really was shooting for them. So much happened after Liv came back to Quarry's life; their friendship started again but this time was different Liv knew she had to protect her heart she couldn't let him in. They had one mutual best friend that kept them from being together. The ghost of her best friend and Quarry's ex-girlfriend hunted her and she wouldn't let him in even after a year of her death and even after both living in the same apartment. I was a bit infuriated at the both of them because seriously they were just so perfect for each other and what was left in the past it was that just the past. They finally opened up and gave into their feeling and oh boy I was so happy for them.



I truly enjoyed this story thought there was some struggles, a fighter always has threads and they both fight though it all and made it and became stronger together. Liv's life was put at risk twice and it was a very suspenseful time, also Quarry inherited the family illness of losing his hearing and it was devastated for everyone. I loved how this author made you feel for both of these characters and their entire families. How everyone got a long and fought together as family. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a good fighter book. This book was about love, friends, and family and about learning how to fight the solitude of silence.




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