False Comeback

Goliaths of Wrestling #4

by Lily Mayne

High Lord Crossbody
I’ve given up a lot to pursue a career in professional wrestling, and I’m not going to have it all derailed by an uncouth ghoul with a huge chip on his shoulder, who decided he disliked me for no reason on his very first day at Goliaths.

Vince Burke has been the thorn in my side for five long years, but things have taken a turn for the worse. The management is threatening to get involved. I refuse to let Burke take the life I’ve worked so hard to build from me, so I try to be on my best behaviour at work, but something about him just gets to me. He consumes my thoughts. I can’t stand him.

And when something happens between us that leaves me feeling completely unmoored, I find myself thinking about him constantly. He’s taken all the control, and I need to get it back. Because I liked it too much, and I can’t let myself feel that way about him.

Vince “Rolling Rimmer” Burke
I love everything about my job as a professional wrestler at Goliaths of Wrestling, an underground supernatural wrestling organisation. I love the showmanship. The costumes. The crowds. The ring and the arena. My co-workers.

Well, except one.

High Lord Crossbody, the royal fae who’s an actual prince, is a pompous snob and a pain in my backside. Everything about him rankles me—his clipped drawl, his disdainful sneer, his stupid long legs and eerily perfect face and sultry hooded eyes…

I hate everything about him. I do. So when our mutual dislike boils over in a very public argument, then explodes into something even hotter and completely inappropriate, I’m left confused and even more annoyed.

Because now I want him. And I hate that I want him.

Genres: Enemies To Lovers, M M Romance, Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal, Fae, Monster Romance

515 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 6, 2024

About the author

Lily Mayne writes what she loves to read: achingly sweet yet gritty romances against unusual backdrops—dark, futuristic, dystopian and more. She currently lives in the UK with her husband and several fluffballs, who like to make a lot of noise while she’s writing.

Reviews

[Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so in love with this series, the characters, the stories and this book is just another perfect example of how much I love Lily’s writing.

This was a lengthy book and I did not want it to be over, I enjoyed reading every second of it, I cried, I laughed, I swooned, it was so good and I need more! like yesterday.

I enjoyed reading about Vince and Crossbody’s backstories, it makes so much sense why they didn’t get along and why they were always so snippy to each other.

The sexual tension and chemistry wow! WOW! Hot hot hot! This is one of the spiciest books I’ve read for sure but there is also a beautiful story, there is a very entertaining plot, I could not get enough, I had to force myself to eat and sleep and do other things because I did not want to stop reading.

I could mention all the beautiful moments this story has but instead I’m going to beg you to start reading this series ASAP! It is definitely a favorite for life and one that I will be re reading many many times.

[Mx. T *Chaotic Reader* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vince is daddy and Crossbody is a baby. And I would kill for both of them. Probably the hottest book I've read by Lily Mayne. Hate fucking is superior, but it's even better when they start to develop those pesky feelings. I will never read cumslut or cumdump in the same way.

[Romantically Inclined Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't think any story could beat Seb and Larkin for me but oh my God. 😍 Delicious, sexy, filthy and also somehow touching af.

[Sebby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Iconic. Magnificent. By far some of the hottest sex I’ve seen Lily Mayne write. This was absolutely top tier. The chemistry? Insane. The miscommunication? Perfect. The character dynamics? Masterfully done. The plot? Surprising engaging. I am absolutely frothing at the mouth for the next book with the slutty incubus who runs the sex motel because I was dying every time he showed up and putting him with that shy werewolf is going to be so fucking good give it to me right now

[Bree | breesoleilreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lily Mayne literally does not miss EVER. This series is so entertaining and fun, this book was no different. This installment with Vince and Crossbody is a little heavier than the previous three books but ofc, Lily Mayne knows how to tell a great story no matter the subject.

This was one of the best enemies to lovers stories I’ve read ever, honestly. You can really feel the hatred, tension and disdain from both Vince and Crossbody, you never really pick a side bc you can see where both of them are coming from. They are vicious enough towards each other that you believe that hate, but it never goes so far that they can’t eventually come out of it in love and have it be believable.

Their backstories and the reason why they acted the way they did made sense and really made you care about both of them equally. Crossbody’s backstory really made him such an endearing character to me, I just wanted to hug him and give him all the kind words 🥹 Vince was already a character I liked and he got a lot of unexpected depth, and the protectiveness? Oh, I severely swooned.

I think that’s really what makes Lily Mayne’s writing and books so special and memorable because she actually makes you care about BOTH characters and gets you invested in their story and relationship development. I really was invested too, the little moments of vulnerability and eventual accountability even when they hated each other really sold me on their relationship after the hostility.

And OH MY GOD can she write some hot asf sex scenes 🥵 Every one of them was better than the last….I truly devoured. I am a total slut for degradation that starts out mean that then becomes praising and affectionate. It was so well done I can’t talk about it enough. I should be embarrassed about the amount of filthy highlights (and Vince’s filthy mouth) I chose but I assure you I’m not.

Vince and Crossbody have taken Lark & Seb’s spot as my fave couple of the series, I fear. They really had everything I love in my books, super well done and heated enemies to lovers, praise and degradation kinks by the thousands, amazing banter and funny scenes, and an overall beautiful love story in all of that. Lily Mayne truly is a master at her craft and I will forever read anything she writes bc it’s always gonna amaze and inspire me 🤎

[patrícia · Rating 5 out of 5]

˗ˏˋ ✨ˎˊ˗ All.The.Stars. ˗ˏˋ✨ˎˊ˗

This was so much fun, I was so excited for this book god, the tension was over the roof in Cheap Heat, and Lily totally delivered like a monster queen she is🤌🩶💛

I’m sweating, blushing, fanning, because this is the smuttiest smut that ever smuted 🥵🔥🥵🔥🥵🔥🥵🔥 Vince and Crossbody are stamina warriors🫡

Check this out ⬇️

➙All chapters have super incredible titles
➙Haters-to-lovers
➙Royalty Jockstrap
➙Pretty tied up
➙We’re having sex again, how did this happen?
➙Fuck me, pretty please
➙Room 15 should not be checked with black lights, EVER!
➙Needy bigger bottom & Smaller bossy top
➙Degradation during sex, HOT AF!
➙Just one time thing [NOT]
➙Questionable motel room service with pervy incubi
➙Miracle therapy
➙Wing play
➙JFC the roller rimmer sure knows how to rim
➙Snuggling sluts and senseless kissers
➙This is just sex, right? Right???? [NOT]
➙Elvis the true king
➙Hateful mothers
➙Spoiling a Ghoul in the Spring court
➙JFC a goddamn leash and a gag ball [fainting]
➙This Ianthe is not a backstabbing High Priestesses
➙Queen Ethel
➙The vulnerable thank you🥹
➙Not just fucking anymore🥹
➙My little slut… Yours🥹
➙Monkey Bread🥹

They are such good boys, and I love them so, so much! Their story was absolutely incredible. At first, they couldn’t stand each other—the tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife, and their connection started purely physical, with loads and loads of sex. But if you lift the blanket (pun intended), you’ll see just how vulnerable, passionate, and deeply in need of love they both are. Watching their relationship evolve from haters with benefits to something so much more was so fun. They deserved every bit of happiness they found! 💛🩶 The sex scenes are beyond scorching—like, hotter than hell—and I never thought degradation like that could be so insanely hot. I have a soft spot for the "needy bigger bottom & smaller bossy top" dynamic, and this book delivered it brilliantly.
This is hands down my favorite so far—the perfect rom-smut-com 💖🔥. It has everything: sizzling chemistry, heartfelt emotional moments, and even a touch of angst to spice things up just right.
I’m super curious about the next book and the new wrestlers, but for now, I don’t want to stop thinking about these babies!
Super hot and sweet quotes from now on, go at your own risk of combustion and swooning!🥵🔥🥵🔥🥵🔥🥵🔥

🥹So I guess… uhhh…” My voice was shaking with nerves and something else—something more intense, but exhilarating. “We’re not just fucking anymore.”
“No.” He smiled wide. “We are not just fucking anymore.”
[...] I leaned up and pressed my lips to his in a soft, sweet kiss.
Had we ever kissed like this? It had always been hard and frantic and desperate, sometimes even punishing. This was disarmingly gentle, almost featherlight, but at the same time, heavy with the implication of what it meant.
What we were now doing. Together. We were in this together.🥹

🥵Now you really are my little slut,” I rasped, my gaze roaming over the smooth skin at the top of his chest, the hollow of his throat, his elegant collarbone. “Just mine.”
“Yes.” His little fangs raked over his lower lip as his hooded eyes grew heavier. Wrapping his long fingers around my wrist, he lifted my hand to press a kiss to my palm, nuzzling me there. “Just yours, Vince.”🥵

This is a smut alert, proceed with hot caution! 🥵🔥🥵🔥🥵🔥🥵🔥


🔥“Hard,” he panted again, more of a plea than an order.
I laughed, sliding one hand up his spine to wrap his hair around my fist, a moan bursting from him when I gave it a gentle tug. “It’s cute that you think you get to tell me what to do.”
“I’m sorry,” he breathed, clenching around my cock and prompting me to slide out before sinking back inside.
“You’re just my cumdump, aren’t you?” I purred, grunting when he tightened up around me even more with a desperate moan. Giving his hair another gentle tug, I roughly asked, “What are you?”
“A c-cumdump.” He moaned, writhing to push back into me. “Your cumdump. Yours. I w-want you to fill me up, Vince.”🔥

I received a copy of this book from Lily and this is my honest opinion.

[Gabriel · Rating 4 out of 5]

he quedado más que satisfecho

[Christina Sturgill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5/5 🌟
Spice: 4/5 🌶️
Characters: Crossbody and Vince

Holy shit.
I have really enjoyed every book in this series, but this one is definitely my favorite. I have a seriously huge soft spot for the misunderstood guy that puts forward one face but is secretly hiding hurt feelings and vulnerability. Not to mention the steam in this book...yeah, it HIT for me.

Crossbody and Vince seem to absolutely hate one another. They are hostile, snarky, and rude to each other. Vince thinks Crossbody is a rich snob that looks down at everyone. Crossbody thinks Vince is a slacker and uncouth. They have no idea just how much they actually have in common or how much their assumptions of one another are wrong. Well, not entirely wrong; but enough to cause an unnecessary conflict.
Things get heated and they are forced to stop interacting with one another unless they are supervised. They are both given a bit of a dress down in front of their other co-workers and it leaves them both irate and frustrated. That same night after everyone else leaves for the day they find themselves both there, alone, and full of pent-up angry energy. One thing leads to another, and that energy explodes in a very unexpected and delicious way. Unfortunately, it also makes things that much more difficult and confusing for both Vince and Crossbody. Despite still hating each other and not understanding their own feelings and reactions they can't seem to stay away from each other permanently. If you like hate/intimacy, then this book is perfect. It delivers that in spades. I LOVED it and their entire dynamic. Eventually they are forced into a bit of "couples" therapy and despite both of them being against it they find that it actually helps a little bit.
I won't give away anything after that. If you've ever read a Lily Mayne book or any of the other books in this series, then you know to expect some crazy antics and a bit of drama. That's definitely there and I really enjoyed where the book went with it. I went through a very wide range of emotions pretty quickly during the end of the book.

It's long but it didn't feel long to me. I think I just loved these two characters so much I didn't want it to end. I love this series. It's fun, a bit silly, seriously sweet, has great steam, and a lot of heart. If you haven't started it yet you definitely should!

[Jane aka Coughy019 (Safety info included) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tropes: Rivals to lovers, workplace romance, secret relationship
Feels: 4/5
Steam*: 4/5
Kinks: degradation, dirty talk, sex marathons, multiple orgasms, pierced dick, bondage, toys (collar, leash, ballgag)
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM paranormal
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: bad parents

4.5 Stars

This book was an awesome mix of sexual tension, hilarity, smutfest, and a surprising amount of tenderness creeping in.

Vince and Crossbody are coworkers at Goliath Wrestling. They have hated each other for years. Crossbody is a royal Fae, an heir to the throne. And Vince thinks that he is entitled and condescending to everyone, especially him. Crossbody thinks Vince doesn't take his work seriously. It takes them a long time to communicate and realize they both have it wrong. Their bickering has created a toxic work environment, and their colleagues want to do an intervention to bring peace, cuz otherwise one of them is going to have to get fired. Crossbody had a horrible family life, and ran away to make his own way, and doesn't have financial support. Vince was basically abandoned by his mother and is financially supporting the uncle who raised him, so his career success is something he takes very seriously.

They're fighting and insults accidentally lead to Crossbody realizing he has a degradation kink. The insults turn him on, and they accidentally whoops into getting off together. In what's supposed to be a one-time release of tension, they hook up in room 15 of a seedy motel. They have an absolute sex Marathon, making use of every moment they have together if they are only going to have one go at each other. They want more though, and they keep going back to room 15. Much to the absolute delight of an incubus that works there, who is their biggest fan because they give off crazy sexual energy. Feelings start to creep in, because they give each other something they've never had before, and they've always felt intensely about each other but now it's in a more positive light. In between all the filth, there's a ton of humor and there's a tenderness. They just take peace in each other and they're snuggling. I'm so weak for snuggling.

They are keeping their relationship secret though, and for a long time they believe that they can be satisfied with just one more time. But of course one more time turns into more and more. But then Crossbody's mom, the queen, wants him to return to other world and be ready to take his place as her heir, enter into a political arranged marriage. And she threatens everything he holds dear. And they have to work together to overcome that threat. And that pushes them to claim each other, to acknowledge that they want a relationship that's real together.

This was a delightful book. I had tons of favorite moments that I highlighted. I'm a person that really likes a lot of humor with my romance, and this was hilarious. It made me laugh and smile a lot. And the sexual tension was really great, and I loved that there was tenderness and snuggling and platonic touch creeping in there. I am a big fan of whoopsing into a relationship, and having to admit that the person you've said you've hated all along has become the most important person in the world to you. It's an underrated microtrope. I thought the plot was complex and smart. Crossbody probably could have stood up for himself a little bit more and earlier though. And there were a few typos. But those were minor complaints.


Some notable moments:

Kit is so relatable "“No one is going to do it again, Holt,” Corey said patiently, then cast us all a stern look, focusing specifically on me and Crossbody. “Are we, team?” “No,” everyone chorused. Kit was still pointing a threatening finger between me and Crossbody, mouthing, Don’t fuck with my candy supply, assholes."

"Holt turned for the door. “Any questions, you know where to find me.” “Under Taylor’s desk, right?” Dan murmured beside me in amusement, which made me snort. Unfortunately, Holt heard. He spun back around and pointed a pink-nailed finger at Dan. “Accurate, but fucking disrespectful, Ewen.”"

The incubus perving and fanboying over Vince and Crossbody was hilarious, and it was a gift that just kept on giving throughout the entire book. "The incubus behind the desk straightened eagerly when I walked into the front office. There were two bottles already waiting on the counter in front of him. “Taking a breather?” he asked in sympathy, but a sly grin stretched his mouth. “Me too.” “Shut up.” I shoved back my messy hair and approached, seeing his eyes flare as they tracked down my bare chest and stomach. “Will you please tell me who’s in there with you?” he begged. “Just describe him to me. Just so I can picture both of you when I jack off again.” “This is really fucking terrible customer service,” I told him."

"“I don’t know if you two wanted to keep it a secret for now,” Holt went on, his voice accompanied by a continuous scratchy sound, like he was filing his nails. “But, well, that ship has fucking sailed."


*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.

**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.

[Jacqueleen the Reading Queen♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Is this what you want? You want me to put you in your fucking place, your highness?"

OMG. I think these two may be my favorite of the series!! The enemies to lovers portion lasted quite a bit of the storyline which is just totally my jam. And the hate sex. DEAR GODDESS the hate sex. It was spicy AF 🔥🔥. I didn't think High Lord Crossbody had it in him, but as soon as Vince got him into his dominant clutches Crossbody turned to putty in his hands. These two were kinky little fuckers.

"Apparently, being in love made me really fucking horny."

So how did these two go from loathing each other to the point where they ended up the topic of discussion at Wrestler's Court to becoming lovers? Well, they actually got to freaking know each other!! All this time both Vince and Crossbody have been basing their opinion of the other on their personal assumptions. Vince grew up poor without a ton of familial support, so someone who is known fae royalty who likely grew up with riches and servants was automatically a snob in his book. He fell prey to his own misconceptions about the type of person Crossbody would be and he never let Crossbody forget it. If I was Crossbody I'd feel animosity towards Vince too for his part in it all.

Imagine Vince's surprise when once he gets to know Crossbody he learns there is so much more going on than what his face gives away. Growing up a royal fae, Crossbody had to learn to school his features to never betray his emotions. Not doing so would be seen as a weakness. Fae politics is definitely not for the faint of heart. I loved when not only did Vince begin to realize how wrong he'd been about Crossbody, but he started to become more and more protective of him too. And not long after that protectiveness gave way to possessiveness and man, I was so here for it.!!

I do have to mention how intriguing I found the new wrestlers and how absolutely hilarious I found the shenanigans involving the Incubus motel worker. I'm even giggling now as I write this thinking of Vince when he worried the guy was chillin with a newspaper with eye holes cut out of it while watching them. There were so many more funny moments that when I got to the end and realized who he was destined to be I almost yelled out loud! Let's just say book 5 cannot come soon enough ;) !!!

[Renly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Goliaths book gets better and better. I loved this book so much and can't wait for more. This series brings me so much joy and laughter. 🩵

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

I mostly super enjoyed this book! I thought Vince and Crossbody were an exceptional enemies-to-lovers couple and I really enjoyed the journey to them falling in love. I loved Crossbody, and I loved the touch of external angst added to their relationship, and I loved how Vince showed up for him in so many ways.

Corey actually really bothered me in this book though, and his scenes kind of pissed me off. Also, my gawd there was a lot of sex. This was a weird mashup of erotica and actual romance plot. I started skimming. Give that poor hole a break.

This series is pretty up and down for me.

[Krys (spicy.spine.breaker) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is this feeling
So sudden and new?
I felt the moment
I laid eyes on you
My pulse is rushing
My head is reeling
My face is flushing
What is this feeling?
Fervid as a flame
Does it have a name?
Yes!
Loathing
Unadulterated loathing
For your face
Your voice
Your clothing
Let's just say, I loathe it all!

I imagined Crossbody and Vince with this as their inner dialogue so many times bc it fits so perfectly and I love that for them. And that about sums it up. Perfection.

[Mercedes · Rating 5 out of 5]

perfect perfect perfect. The enemies to lovers was exactly what I wanted. Crossbody & Vince are filthy, delicious and so fucking loving.

Also huge shoutout to Uncle Rob. 🥹 I loveeeeee a loving family member.

*adds to my i’ll accept zero criticism list*

[Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining, hot enemies to lovers and funny as always. Maaaaybe a little too drawn out especially towards the end.

[Shelby | Spicy.booknook · Rating 5 out of 5]

MM PNR
High Fae / Ghoul
Hate To Love
Degradation K!nk
Shady Motel Shenanigans
All The Peppers

It’s funny how every single book in this series hits me in a different way. The last one nearly 💀 me with the second hand embarrassment. This one has a degradation k!nk as a main plot focus and whew… that just makes me so uncomfortable 😳 My empathy goes through the roof when someone talks down to someone, even when they want it.

That being said, of course the book was great 😂 I was super excited about the hate to love relationship between Vince and Crossbody. I knew it would be fun to read and it sure was! What surprised me was the amount of emotion I felt, especially from Crossbody’s story. Ugh 🥹

I also love all the characters that we get to revisit and the new ones we meet. I will forever love Holt. He just cracks me up every damn time he opens his mouth. So fun. Can’t wait for the next one.

[Elena Rodríguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

-Señora Mayne. Tiene un altar en mi casa con su nombre.
-Cada libro que leo tuyo es mejor que el anterior.
-Me da igual que la portada no sea la mejor del mundo ni que el personaje sea un cabrón.
-No soy capaz de decir nada malo.
-Tus historias me ayudan mucho, sufro y disfruto al mismo tiempo.
-Yo soy feliz.
-No quiero más.
-Solo más libros de sus sagas.

Se tenía que decir y se dijo.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thankfully received an ARC of the fourth book "False Comeback" in the Goliaths of Wrestling series.

The fourth book is about our favorite rivals Vince and Crossbody and I was waiting impatiently for this book to come out since getting little sneak peaks of them in book three. Vince (a ghoul) and Crossbody (a fae prince) are both wrestlers in a supernatural wrestling ring and they really really really intensely hate each other. Until they don't. You know how it goes😌

This book! I don't even have the words to describe how much I loved this! It made me stay up way too late, made me giggle during my lunch break and made me wish I had a free day to inhale it in one go😭

This was true enemies to lovers with all the fighting, all the hate and snarky remarks. They both had good reasons to hate each other, it was not just some childish fighting and I liked that. I also liked the part where they became lovers even more. These two were so fucking cute. I have a huge soft spot for characters who don't like being vulnerable finally being vulnerable with the person they trust. Shit makes me kick my feet like a maniac🤭

This was also the kinkiest book in the series so far and let me tell you the smut made my toes curl. It was soo good! Some of the best smut I read this entire year. Hate sex always wins ngl. And the chemistry between these two 🔥

I think this is my favorite book in the whole series so far even tho I loved all of the book in the series. The whole series is just so much fun. I love the jokes, the wrestlers, the friendships and all the silly little adventures. It makes my busy brain stop for a while and makes me all relaxed and warm🥰

[Lily Loves 📚 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very disappointed after loving the last few books. This had way too much sex with no real substance and it was too long! The book should’ve been about 100 pages less. I skimmed the last 20% since it was mostly sex.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5 ⭐

Too lazy to write a proper review right now, but it was everything I needed, and more! 🩷

[TeeReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

Wow. This one is somehow my favorite in this series so far. I was not expecting that. I have absolutely loved the world of Goliaths. It's super fun, ridiculous, and oddly heartfelt. This one managed to surpass everything else. The chemistry between Vince and Crossbody was electric and something you couldn't ignore. I was hooked from the very beginning. This had everything the other books had, but so much more. This one was even more full of emotion alongside the humor. I really loved the balance Lily Mayne created here. The plot was super interesting, and the pacing felt spot on in this one. I really loved the Frank and Beans support group. I probably shouldn't laugh at other people's trauma, but it's Lily Mayne's fault. She made me do it. This is a perfect addition to this series and is definitely worth the read. And, of course, I'm already looking forward to the next book!

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Cas ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This ARC review is a long overdue, but I read this to get me through a procedure and then didn't have the spoons afterwards to do the review justice. 😅 Even now I don't think I can, but I don't want to leave this one blank any longer. I loved it, even if I can’t convey just how much or why!

I'm sure I say this after every new Lily Mayne book, but her books are some of my absolute favorites. The way that she writes is just so enthralling and it provides the perfect escape... and these Goliaths books are particularly good at this because they're so funny and irreverent, that between the humor and the spice I have a genuinely good time reading them. I find myself laughing out loud and getting flustered more with the Goliaths books than any other monster smut I've read and I think that's quite the accomplishment.

Like always, Lily's talent in writing incredible characters takes center stage in False Comeback. Not only do we get interesting new wrestlers that make the desire for more books even stronger, but we get one super snobby, not very likable Crossbody and one hot-headed, kind of a jerk Vince in a true rivals to lovers situation where there is more than a little hate from both sides that serves as a fire in their extremely hot romance. The smutty parts in the beginning, when they're still pretending that they don't actually have the hots for each other where WOW levels of spicy; I don't usually even like hate-f***ing, but I couldn't read these scenes fast enough. And it wasn't just the spice factor, Lily works her magic and it lends credence to their character growth AND their relationship growth in ways that were really unexpected. It was truly believable that this was the way they got together, despite being a rather ridiculous situation.

I loved the way she handled both of their insecurities, the ways they supported each other, and of course, the ways that it made them a stronger couple in the end. The journey from them being at each others throats to being entirely besotted was super enjoyable and I found that by the end, this pairing found its way in the top spot for "Favorite Goliath Couple".

I'm anxious to see where things go from here as a series, especially with the new characters! And I cannot wait for the next book.

[Poppy || Monster Lover · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gotta say, I was pretty anxious about this book when the first couple of hate sex scenes popped up cuz I was 0% impressed with Vince and his initial approach to degradation. However, both characters had good redemption arcs and were able to see the good in each other and, of course, fall in love. And start being emotionally safer about their kink. I liked that they both had issues with crappy parents, even though they came from vastly different backgrounds. This hit in the parent trauma feels, but had some solid resolutions for at least some of the trauma.

Spice: 5/5

Triggers: emotional and psychologically abusive parent, neglectful parent (off page), absent father, degradation without safe word or planning, borderline sexual harassment by side character, alcohol consumption, reference to mugging of side character

[timtam (semi-slump) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars ✨ literally my favorite of the series!!!! 🥳

[suonnahbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

THEIR BACK AND FORTH IS UNMATCHED , THIS IS THE SEXIEST ENEMIES TO LOVERS OUFF
Not them blaming stuff on adrenaline 👀
rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

False Comeback by Lily Mayne @authorlilymayne
Book 4 in the Goliaths of Wrestling series
5 out of 5 stars 🌟
Cover art by @bloodwrit

Holy crapoli, talk about enemies to lovers.

If you have read the other books in the series, you know the epic tension and build-up of Vince and Crossbody. These two effing *Hate* each other. (The capital H is not a typo.)

Crossbody is Royal Fae. He's kind of pompous and a bit of a d!ck (or is he?). He runs on the treadmill ALL THE TIME in those TINY DANG SHORTS. How frustrating. 🫠

Vince is a ghoul, and he's known as the Rolling Rimmer. Because of his long tongue. And the roller skates. And the Rim Jab. No, not like that (totally like that). It's his signature wrestling move. 😉

Anyway. These dinguses. They no likey but ya know. Sometimes, people bond over being a pathetic hole. 🥹

In all seriousness, Lily wrote these two dumb dumbs falling for each other in the best way. Starting with some throat f*cking and ending with adorable sweetness, with a delectable journey of self-discovery, independence, and *maybe we do have a lot in common after all* in the middle.

Corey contains multitudes, and I'm so glad he was even more present in this book. We also still see our couples from the previous books, which is very personal to me personally on a personal level. They all have a special place in my heart.

Lady Potato and Klaus are the LOML. Period.

Okay. So. Read the other books, or you'll be v confused.

Sorry, this is my most chaotic review in a while. 😂

[anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series really went downhill for me after the first book. Looking back, I realized why I enjoyed that one so much: the main characters were likable from the start and didn’t need redemption arcs. The rest of the books? Not so much—I was always annoyed by at least one (if not both) of the main characters.

This book was no exception. Vince was too mean and condescending outside of the sexual scenes, and Crossbody’s narcissism made him hard to like. On top of that, they didn’t establish any ground rules or boundaries before jumping into their sex scenes, which made the whole thing uncomfortable to read. It just wasn’t a fun or pleasant experience.

Things finally started improving after the 50% mark. Mimi Ethel showing up was the highlight of the book, and the whole scene in the fae realm was actually funny—but unfortunately, it was the only funny moment.

P.S. The word “prick” made me cringe every time. Why couldn’t it just be “cock”? And I never want to read the word “cumdump” again.

[haletostilinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐︎ 4.5 stars rounded up! ⭐︎

The wrestlers may pretend to hate each other in the ring, but there is no pretend for Vince and Crossbody.

For the past 5 years since Vince started working at Goliaths, they've had a push and pull, back and forth hate on for each other.

If you read the previous book, you know that it got so bad that they were put under a "don't talk to each other at all" directive and to try to avoid each other at all costs or something would have to be done with their constant bickering and fighting.

They try...but not for long.

That very same night they get into it. Only this time things head in a...sexier direction then it ever has before.

There's definite heat between them, but the 'hate' is still there. When things get especially heated, not lust comes to the surface as well. And they maintain that they hate each other, but that they'll just get it out of their systems 'this once.'

And of course one turns into two, into three and it just keeps going. At first, their sexual chemistry is just so off the charts and electrified - and seriously, they have some of the hottest sex I've ever read together - and that is the main thing between them. But the more time they spend together and let down their walls around each other, the close they become, and the less they 'hate' each other.

There's also some good plot in this outside of their relationship, because Crossbody is a Fae prince from the Otherworld, and his mother is awful and tries to manipulate and force him into coming back and marrying some Fae woman and having heirs to carry on their family name and legacy.

My only reason for .5 stars off was this was, at times, slow. This is very long, over 500 pages and I don't know if it quite needed *that* many. Maybe a few sex scenes here or there could have been cut and it would have still been amazing. Some of the time I was reading another book for my BR, so it didn't fully take me a week to finish this. Buttt it still took me longer than it should have, I think. It was just slow going at times.

There's a lot of good sexy bits and relationship development, but even with the plot outside of their relationship - which came in near the end anyway - there was just stuff here and there that perhaps wasn't needed and so made that is what made this low at times, I think.

Otherwise, though, I loved this, Vince and Crossbody together and seeing them go from enemies to lovers - I especially loved how sweet and adorable Crossbody really was beneath his walls - and getting to see the Otherworld.

We haven't gotten much of Brian aka B.Were in this series, so it'll be interesting to learn more about him in the next book. (Also it's hilarious to me that his LI is the horny incubus from the motel Vince and Crossbody go to in this. Lol that was a hilarious plot point in this.)

So yeah, this is definitely worth a read, and is on part with the first three books in this series. It's overall, a fun time and the characters and relationship were great (Crossbody was definitely my favorite. My heart broke for him when he thought he'd have to go back to the Otherworld.)

Also a wish for me as a cat lover...i know they can be assholes, absolutely, but I beg and plead for more representation of cats not just being that. Them being cute and sweet and loving and adorable would be nice! Justice for cat portrayals in fiction! lol. My cat who passed a few years ago was on of the sweetest, gentlest, loving cats ever, so those type of cats are certainly out there! Please give us those!

Okay and with that note, I'll be excited to dive into B.Were's love story next! 🥰

My Ratings for the Goliaths of Wrestling Series:

✩ Impromptu Match: 4 stars (my review)
✩ Clean Finish: 4.5 stars (my review)
✩ Cheap Heat: 5 stars (my review)
✩ False Comeback: 4.5 sars

[Ashton Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tropes:
~monster romance
~enemies to lovers
~workplace romance
~forced proximity
~royalty (one hero is a fae prince)
~downstairs hardware

I adore this series from Lily Mayne! I will admit that I didn't love this one quite as much as books 2 and 3, but it was mostly due to some power dynamics that made me a bit uncomfy in the first half. Vince and Crossbody have always been antagonistic towards one another, but you find out that it was really one of them who started the feud due to immediately judging the other the second they joined the company (I'm not going to say which one just in case folks think it's a spoiler). And that same hero who started the bullying is also the one that, when they find themselves in sexual situations, is the dominant one who plays into the other's humiliation kink. I think it was just difficult for me to separate the degrading talk during sexy times with the degrading talk outside of it, but I was SO glad that said hero apologized and groveled a bit (and showed how strongly he's on the other one's side) by the end of the book.

I will say that I'm extremelyyyy curious about the couple who will be in book 5, and didn't all expect those two to be the next couple...or a couple at all. But I'm VERY excited and will be picking it up as soon as it releases!


If this book was Taylor Swift lyrics:

"This is looking like a contest
Of who can act like they care less
But I liked it better when you were on my side"