Feelin' the Burn

Feelin' the Burn

by E.L. Koslo

Hannah Daniels has always been a little bit bigger than other women, but it's never been anything she's cared about. She's happy in her own skin--most of the time, anyway. But then her doctor recommends she start seeing a fitness trainer. In fact, she even has the perfect guy in mind: Jordan Mathis, who's determined to make Hannah sweat...in more ways than one.

Genres: Romance, Sports Romance, Sports, Fiction

292 pages, Paperback

Published May 27, 2024

About the author

Find the funny in your life.

That’s what EL Koslo strives to do in her life every day. She spent her youth with her nose in a book, often conjuring up storylines in a composition notebook she hid under her mattress. Her love of writing continued on through high school as she served on the school paper and wrote poetry for the literary magazine.

At University, she studied Art and Art History where she met her own prince charming after kissing a few frogs, of course.

Her love of reading and writing have been a constant in her life with her nose always buried in a book, tablet, or computer—both writing and reading.

She resides in the Midwest United States with her husband and four rambunctious children. Her days are filled with driving kids to school, activities, and sports; frequently squeezing writing time in while waiting in the carpool line.

Koslo’s characters are often developed while running on the treadmill at the gym, and she has a DVR full of Hallmark movies.

Her debut novel, Foreplay on Words, combines her love of steamy romance, awkward but loveable leading males, and headstrong heroines with a dash of humor and a little bit of kink.

Follow her at: https://linktr.ee/elkoslo

Instagram: @elkoslo_writes

Tiktok: @elkoslowrites

Facebook Page: EL Koslo Romance Writer

Facebook Reader Group: Dirty Words Brigade

ELKoslo.com

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Reviews

[Kristin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Plus size girl dates her gym trainer
Surprise pregnancy
Antagonist is the bitchy sister of the male love interest
Stereotypical gay best friend
Age gap. She’s late 20s he’s 35 or so

It was a slow burn. So there was tons of gym talk and workout jargon which I didn’t understand.

This book could’ve been more body positive. Yes she loses weight duh. Ends up around 170 lbs and size 10/12. But the language around it wasn’t the best. It was very shamey at times. She would only eat very bland not necessarily nutritious food. For example reheated chicken breast with ranch and low fat cheese. Lots of low carb wraps made out of cauliflower. They go to some gym like Orange Theory.

Jordan makes her feel ashamed for wanting to eat a peanut butter cup. Just one yes. It’s like we are supposed to believe she’s never going to eat one again.

The smut was also not good. Yes they have sex on gym equipment. He only goes down on her once I believe and that was after she lost a lot of weight. He says he was attracted to her in the beginning but more attracted as she lost weight.

They don’t talk about birth control or STDs before the first time they have sex. They don’t use a condom then. After like 2-3 months of knowing him she gets her IUD removed and wants to discuss with him first before getting another one. Like girl you’re not even engaged yet. Who wants kids after a couple of months.

I only finished it because I bought the paperback. Otherwise it’s available on Galatea.

[Jody Diakow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3.5/5

I love everything that EL writes, her Words series is one of my all-time favorites and most recommended. Her character development is always brilliant and relatable, and spice level is fantasticly swoon-worthy

Overall I loved the story of Hannah and Jordan. Their chemistry and banter is fantastic, and I will never look at a rowing machine the same way again ;) The secondary characters are well-written and add interest to the story, especially the BFF's own relationship evolution.

I did take a full star off for the uncomfortable diet-culture references, specifically restricting certain foods and reference to "cheat meals". I felt like it went against what initially attracted me to this book which was around self-love and attraction at any size, as well as going to the gym to get stronger instead of to lose weight or be a certain size.

I do think this is a great story and would recommend adding it to your TBR, provided you don't have any triggers around gym culture or weight loss stigma.

[Megan Crosier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Galatea - Read
Jordan & Hannah

[Mary Meiron · Rating 3 out of 5]

For what it is, I liked it! I felt like Hannah was relatable, and Jordan was precious. I loved Parker and Hannah’s friendship. I wish there were more spice, and I definitely wished we would have gotten it pre-her losing the weight. I felt overall, like the talk of weight and fitness was handled rather delicately, and I liked the sports jargon. I hated the peanut butter cup moment, because like who tf cares if she has one Reese’s, and I wish the little side plot of her starting her transformation IG went somewhere. Overall though, I did breeze through it and found myself wanting more once I finished a chapter.

[Flora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. Even with the stereotypical bitchy character (Mal). But what I oiled is that Hannah do not take Jordan's bs.

I personnel found my self in Hannah. I also didn't really mind the gym talk or how the diet was bring up because a lot of persons had to have that stage to really cut carb or restriction at the begging to create new healthier habits before integrate them back a bit later down the road.

[Cristina Chiroiu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt so happy reading this book! Oh my goodness!
This book is so healthy on so many levels, from the fact that both characters are emotionally mature (the drama is not that intense compared to other romantical books), there are no games, only straight forward people. AMAZING.!
They both go the gym and eat healthy. And she has healthy friends, and oh my goodness.
I no longer had internal turmoil reading a smut book.
I honestly loved this book.

[Olivia Gizzio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did I get sucked into Galatea? Yes. This book was absolutely worth it. I kept thinking about this book when I had to put it down to live my regular life between chapters. I thought the author did a great job of being delicate with some more difficult topics - like weight-loss and curvy women. The spice was super hot. The side characters and their relationship with the FMC were a nice palate cleanser to the main plot. Great read to end 2024!

[Megan Britton · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first I thought the intensity of gym details was a little much, but it grew on me. And actually helped me think about exercise better, personally. (side perk). I like the social interactions and the romance. I liked the friendships and how people treated each other, kindly, normally. It didn't require a fantastical crisis to have a story climax and be entertaining and relatable.

[Ritzy Flores Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this book. I really liked the characters and appreciated the fitness theme. wanting to be healthier myself, I could relate to the goals and understood the discussions around fitness and health and just feeling good in one's own body regardless of the shape.

Cute read!

[Jessica Cilenti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Non male come storia.... Mi è piaciuta molto!

[Emily Shabe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute slow burn
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

[Bookwormtvaddict · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars
3 steamy kisses
Book review

I loved this steamy forced proximity romance.

[Abbey M · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had to wait six hours per chapter to read this on a shitty app and it wasn't even good 💀💀

[Joey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book!

[Megan Crosier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Galatea - Audible
Hannah & Jordan
Not sure of dates

[Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved every second of this

[lillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

chop

[Jessica Larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked it.