What do you think?
Rate this book
Love for Hire
Not yet published
Expected 23 Feb 26
She’s an escort.
He’s the professional athlete who hired her.
With every date, the lines are blurring.
Scarlett Adler was nineteen when she boarded a train for a better life. New York City was supposed to be the place where she’d finally become her own person. But three years later, she’s working as an escort, numb to the world and still struggling with the issues of her past. Until her newest client walks through the door.
Nico Price is feeling aimless. Even with a loving family and successful career as an MMA fighter, he’s desperate to find a purpose. No one is more surprised than him when the first spark of desire comes at the hands of an escort. One date turns into two, then three, and before long, he’s asking her out for real.
But after a lifetime of distrusting men, it’s not easy for Scarlett to accept Nico’s intentions. While she works to overcome her fears, Nico has to balance his feelings for Scarlett with finding new purpose in a world she’s shaken up.
Will Scarlett and Nico give themselves a chance to fall in love? Or will their initial arrangement sow the doubt that ends it all?
He’s the professional athlete who hired her.
With every date, the lines are blurring.
Scarlett Adler was nineteen when she boarded a train for a better life. New York City was supposed to be the place where she’d finally become her own person. But three years later, she’s working as an escort, numb to the world and still struggling with the issues of her past. Until her newest client walks through the door.
Nico Price is feeling aimless. Even with a loving family and successful career as an MMA fighter, he’s desperate to find a purpose. No one is more surprised than him when the first spark of desire comes at the hands of an escort. One date turns into two, then three, and before long, he’s asking her out for real.
But after a lifetime of distrusting men, it’s not easy for Scarlett to accept Nico’s intentions. While she works to overcome her fears, Nico has to balance his feelings for Scarlett with finding new purpose in a world she’s shaken up.
Will Scarlett and Nico give themselves a chance to fall in love? Or will their initial arrangement sow the doubt that ends it all?
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 23, 2026
37 people are currently reading
527 people want to read
About the author
Nikki Castle
10 books1,257 followersNikki Castle is a wife and dog mom from Philadelphia who writes spicy love stories about alpha MMA fighters and the women that melt their badass, playboy hearts. She's a full-time romance author during the day and spends her evenings running a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) gym with her husband, who is also a retired fighter.
Nikki has been writing in one way or another since she was a teenager. She pursued an English and Philosophy degree in college, and finally decided to sit down and fulfill her longtime dream of writing a novel when quarantine began in 2020. “5 Rounds” was her first book—and it was supposed to be her only book. Now, she’s a full-time author who can’t imagine a life in which she’s not crafting love stories.
Nikki has been writing in one way or another since she was a teenager. She pursued an English and Philosophy degree in college, and finally decided to sit down and fulfill her longtime dream of writing a novel when quarantine began in 2020. “5 Rounds” was her first book—and it was supposed to be her only book. Now, she’s a full-time author who can’t imagine a life in which she’s not crafting love stories.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
February 9, 2026
WOW!
I have to be completely honest- I was sceptical, this is the first escort romance I’ve read and I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about it but Nikki absolutely nailed this, it massively exceeded any expectations I had.
At one point in the book Nico is described as a walking green flag and that’s the perfect way to explain his character. It’s still early in the year but I expect we will be seeing him on plenty of 2026 top book boyfriend lists! He’s an MMA fighter training for a huge fight when a fellow fighter tells him about a discreet, high end escort service. The last thing Nico expects after calling them is to meet someone he develops genuine feelings for, but the minute he lays eyes on Scarlett, all bets are off.
‘With Nico, I can’t fake anything. I don’t want to.’
Oh Scarlett. She is such a deep, complex character, and I felt for her immediately. She’s incredibly likeable and I loved watching her come to terms with her feelings for Nico and start to believe her worth. She has had a rough past but by taking back her power she is able to start overcoming it, she just needs a little encouragement from Nico. When it gets messy….ouch, it’s really messy, but you know all along these 2 are meant to be.
I couldn’t put this down and I can’t wait to see more of these 2 in the rest of the series. Both fantastic characters with a beautiful story and HEA. Yet again, Nikki shows how talented she is at storytelling and writing emotional depth- there’s nothing surface level about this book. An absolutely fantastic read.
Thank you so much Nikki for this ARC.
I have to be completely honest- I was sceptical, this is the first escort romance I’ve read and I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about it but Nikki absolutely nailed this, it massively exceeded any expectations I had.
At one point in the book Nico is described as a walking green flag and that’s the perfect way to explain his character. It’s still early in the year but I expect we will be seeing him on plenty of 2026 top book boyfriend lists! He’s an MMA fighter training for a huge fight when a fellow fighter tells him about a discreet, high end escort service. The last thing Nico expects after calling them is to meet someone he develops genuine feelings for, but the minute he lays eyes on Scarlett, all bets are off.
‘With Nico, I can’t fake anything. I don’t want to.’
Oh Scarlett. She is such a deep, complex character, and I felt for her immediately. She’s incredibly likeable and I loved watching her come to terms with her feelings for Nico and start to believe her worth. She has had a rough past but by taking back her power she is able to start overcoming it, she just needs a little encouragement from Nico. When it gets messy….ouch, it’s really messy, but you know all along these 2 are meant to be.
I couldn’t put this down and I can’t wait to see more of these 2 in the rest of the series. Both fantastic characters with a beautiful story and HEA. Yet again, Nikki shows how talented she is at storytelling and writing emotional depth- there’s nothing surface level about this book. An absolutely fantastic read.
Thank you so much Nikki for this ARC.
January 27, 2026
Nico is the book boyfriend version of that Green Flag guy! He is patient and persistent and he goes out of his way to show Scarlett that he wants her for HER and not (just) for sex. He’s a professional MMA fighter who has lost the fire a bit and isn’t sure what he wants for his life after retirement. Scarlett is an escort who has been broken and beaten down by her family and upbringing, she doesn’t trust anyone - let alone men. Nico sees the best in her, sees her full potential, and notices when things aren’t… real and calls her on it. Scarlett notices all the ways Nico is different from other guys and despite all her hang-ups finds herself learning to trust him.
This is the first book in a new series (featuring the Price brothers) and it did a really good job setting the family dynamic and establishing the brothers’ very different personalities. Love For Hire deals with some heavy topics as get to know Scarlett little by little; CW for unhealthy relationships with food and body weight/image, arranged marriages, and infidelity (between FMC and her ex, nothing with the MCs and nothing on page)… Also, keep in mind that Scarlett is an escort, so there are sexual acts with other men on page. Nikki handles it all well, but just wanted people to be aware before reading!
Thank you Nikki for the ALC, Gideon Frost and Savannah Thomas were great narrators!
This is the first book in a new series (featuring the Price brothers) and it did a really good job setting the family dynamic and establishing the brothers’ very different personalities. Love For Hire deals with some heavy topics as get to know Scarlett little by little; CW for unhealthy relationships with food and body weight/image, arranged marriages, and infidelity (between FMC and her ex, nothing with the MCs and nothing on page)… Also, keep in mind that Scarlett is an escort, so there are sexual acts with other men on page. Nikki handles it all well, but just wanted people to be aware before reading!
Thank you Nikki for the ALC, Gideon Frost and Savannah Thomas were great narrators!
November 17, 2025
beta read (not fully finished)
SOO FREAKING GOOD !!
i absolutely blew up Nikki’s phone while reading this - i read it in one sitting
i’m kinda mad at myself for reading it in the car with family because i couldn’t physically react how i wanted too ! i wanted to kick and scream
Nico was done for the second he laid eyes on Scarlett & boy was he swoony and obsessed with her
it took Scarlett a bit to open up (understandable) but when she did !!
also her background made me tear up and upset
& of course Nikki had rip my heart out with that third act breakup but she made up for it with the makeup
can’t wait to read the final product
SOO FREAKING GOOD !!
i absolutely blew up Nikki’s phone while reading this - i read it in one sitting
i’m kinda mad at myself for reading it in the car with family because i couldn’t physically react how i wanted too ! i wanted to kick and scream
Nico was done for the second he laid eyes on Scarlett & boy was he swoony and obsessed with her
it took Scarlett a bit to open up (understandable) but when she did !!
also her background made me tear up and upset
& of course Nikki had rip my heart out with that third act breakup but she made up for it with the makeup
can’t wait to read the final product
Review of advance copy received from Author
Nikki Castle has done it again! I have loved every book she has put out and this is no exception to that. I have the privilege to be on her ARC and ALC teams, so I was able to both read and listen to this masterpiece already! And I must say, for the audiobook, she picked the perfect narrators!
I wanna start by saying the storyline and details in this book were absolutely phenomenal. In this book, Nikki made our main characters personal development the story. And she did it in such a way that I became invested very quickly in how our MCs would learn to live their best lives. I rather enjoyed that there was no major external plot point outside our characters, making them the focal point captivated me in their journeys more. Now don’t take that wrong, I am not very eloquent with my reviews unfortunately (no matter how hard I try). There are still plot points outside of our characters, but their character development was the biggest factor in driving the book and their relationship along.
Now, for our characters, Nikki has a way of writing them with depth that pulls at your heartstrings. Let’s look at Scarlett. On the surface, she is a stunning escort that make sure her clients get a great experience. But underneath the confident facade, she is a young woman wishing for a different life. Scarlet was brought up to believe women were only good at pleasing men and looking pretty. And her adult life she internally fights between what she wants and what she knows. It was amazing to see her gain, true confidence, and learn what unconditional love truly looks like.
Who helped her along this journey? None other than our fighter Nico. Throughout the story, we saw him in a similar battle between his current life, and the life he desires. Nico loves fighting, but there was something missing for him. Like he helped Scarlett, she helped him see what that missing piece was. To me, it was also beautiful to see him learn to love Scarlett in the way she needed, while also learning about the importance of trust and communication.
I absolutely loved these two together. Each of them were able to balance one another, both physically and emotionally. Nico could be such a gentleman to Scarlett…while also being very ungentlemanly at times (in a good way). Scarlett was able to be vulnerable with him, which is something new for her. They each learn and respect one another’s boundaries, building their foundation of love.
Overall, I am so grateful to have been able to listen and review this book. I was entertained from cover to cover, wanting Scarlett and Nico to hurry up and get to their HEA. I highly recommend this book and all other Nikki Castle stories!
🌶️🌶️
Pepper percentage:
8.6% of the pages contain spicy content
14% of the chapters contain spicy content
I wanna start by saying the storyline and details in this book were absolutely phenomenal. In this book, Nikki made our main characters personal development the story. And she did it in such a way that I became invested very quickly in how our MCs would learn to live their best lives. I rather enjoyed that there was no major external plot point outside our characters, making them the focal point captivated me in their journeys more. Now don’t take that wrong, I am not very eloquent with my reviews unfortunately (no matter how hard I try). There are still plot points outside of our characters, but their character development was the biggest factor in driving the book and their relationship along.
Now, for our characters, Nikki has a way of writing them with depth that pulls at your heartstrings. Let’s look at Scarlett. On the surface, she is a stunning escort that make sure her clients get a great experience. But underneath the confident facade, she is a young woman wishing for a different life. Scarlet was brought up to believe women were only good at pleasing men and looking pretty. And her adult life she internally fights between what she wants and what she knows. It was amazing to see her gain, true confidence, and learn what unconditional love truly looks like.
Who helped her along this journey? None other than our fighter Nico. Throughout the story, we saw him in a similar battle between his current life, and the life he desires. Nico loves fighting, but there was something missing for him. Like he helped Scarlett, she helped him see what that missing piece was. To me, it was also beautiful to see him learn to love Scarlett in the way she needed, while also learning about the importance of trust and communication.
I absolutely loved these two together. Each of them were able to balance one another, both physically and emotionally. Nico could be such a gentleman to Scarlett…while also being very ungentlemanly at times (in a good way). Scarlett was able to be vulnerable with him, which is something new for her. They each learn and respect one another’s boundaries, building their foundation of love.
Overall, I am so grateful to have been able to listen and review this book. I was entertained from cover to cover, wanting Scarlett and Nico to hurry up and get to their HEA. I highly recommend this book and all other Nikki Castle stories!
🌶️🌶️
Pepper percentage:
8.6% of the pages contain spicy content
14% of the chapters contain spicy content
Review of advance copy received from Author
Love for Hire is the first book in Nikki Castle’s new series, The Price Brothers, and saying that I loved it doesn’t quite capture what I felt while reading this story.
“I don’t just dream of you, Red. I daydream of you.”
Nico and Scarlett were absolutely stunning to read. What each of them made me feel is exactly why I read books.
“I love you because you’re the smartest person I know.”
Scarlett is a very smart and amazing young woman, raised with very low self-esteem, who finds herself alone in a big city and becomes an escort. She deals with everyday issues related to her body, her weight, and how perfect she believes she needs to appear to the world. She struggles to trust men, but most importantly, she seems incapable of believing in herself. Until she meets Nicole, an MMA fighter who feels half empty and is searching for a new spark in his life. The sweetest MMC you’ll ever know. The perfect book boyfriend who will make you want to pull him out of the pages and into real life. He is patient, non-judgmental, the perfect shoulder to lean on, and the way he respects our girl is simply unbelievable to witness.
“Part of me wants to get on my knees and beg for your forgiveness. But…another part of me is proud of you for telling me no.” ❤️
The pain, the sorrow, the trauma, and the mistakes made throughout their journey toward the most beautiful and pure love made me yearn for them in a way that had me cursing, crying, and smiling while reading. And the steam? It was hot, amazingly hot, but also beautiful to read. Definitely the perfect balance between steam and plot.
“Feel me,” I whisper against her lips. “Feel only me. Feel how gone I am for you.”
Side characters? Nico’s brothers, Lucas and Alexander? Well, I have absolutely no doubt that I’m going to love them in their own stories. I’m already eagerly waiting for Love Decoded, Lucas’s book.
Thank you, Nikki Castle, for the ARC and the opportunity to read and review this amazing book!
And to you, who might be reading this: just go and pre-order it, add it to your TBR, or your Goodreads Want to Read list, you won’t regret it. I highly, highly recommend this book.
Why you’ll love this book:
• Escort x client
• Sports romance (MMA)
• Broken girl
• He falls first
• Boy obsessed
“I don’t just dream of you, Red. I daydream of you.”
Nico and Scarlett were absolutely stunning to read. What each of them made me feel is exactly why I read books.
“I love you because you’re the smartest person I know.”
Scarlett is a very smart and amazing young woman, raised with very low self-esteem, who finds herself alone in a big city and becomes an escort. She deals with everyday issues related to her body, her weight, and how perfect she believes she needs to appear to the world. She struggles to trust men, but most importantly, she seems incapable of believing in herself. Until she meets Nicole, an MMA fighter who feels half empty and is searching for a new spark in his life. The sweetest MMC you’ll ever know. The perfect book boyfriend who will make you want to pull him out of the pages and into real life. He is patient, non-judgmental, the perfect shoulder to lean on, and the way he respects our girl is simply unbelievable to witness.
“Part of me wants to get on my knees and beg for your forgiveness. But…another part of me is proud of you for telling me no.” ❤️
The pain, the sorrow, the trauma, and the mistakes made throughout their journey toward the most beautiful and pure love made me yearn for them in a way that had me cursing, crying, and smiling while reading. And the steam? It was hot, amazingly hot, but also beautiful to read. Definitely the perfect balance between steam and plot.
“Feel me,” I whisper against her lips. “Feel only me. Feel how gone I am for you.”
Side characters? Nico’s brothers, Lucas and Alexander? Well, I have absolutely no doubt that I’m going to love them in their own stories. I’m already eagerly waiting for Love Decoded, Lucas’s book.
Thank you, Nikki Castle, for the ARC and the opportunity to read and review this amazing book!
And to you, who might be reading this: just go and pre-order it, add it to your TBR, or your Goodreads Want to Read list, you won’t regret it. I highly, highly recommend this book.
Why you’ll love this book:
• Escort x client
• Sports romance (MMA)
• Broken girl
• He falls first
• Boy obsessed
Review of advance copy
Let me start this review by saying that I never knew there were different levels when it came to nice guys, but Nico the male main character here totally took the definition of a good guy up a notch! Instead of being just a perfect book boyfriend, Nico was literally a walking green flag. As a professional MMA fighter, he completely broke the stereotype most people might have about those muscular alpha males by showing us what a big softie with golden retriever personality he actually was. *teary heart eyes*
The amount of respect, awe, and even a touch of feminism he had for Scarlett, an escort he hired to help him find the purpose in life, was out of this world. This book was the first escort/client story I'd ever read about and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Scarlett's story reminded me of a documentary/interview about a brothel madam I once watched, which shared the experiences of the courtesans regarding the why and how they decided to do what they did. Needless to say, Scarlett had her reasons to become an escort and I appreciated that the author shed light on not only the darker side of such career but also the struggle Scarlett encountered when real feelings were caught.
Much to my astonishment, Nico and Scarlett's story turned out to be beyond satisfying and heartfelt. Nico managed to see Scarlett's worth despite the fact that she had such a thick layer of self-doubt, self-deprecation, and sense of insecurity. I loved the way Nico slowly guided her through those difficulties and helped her come out of the shell by never giving up on the possibility of "them". He was indeed the most ideal boyfriend material!
In short, please go add this book to your TBR and preorder it right away! Love for Hire was such an enjoyable read and I actually devoured it in one sitting. Better yet, Nico's lawyer brother's, Lucas', story is coming next and I can't be more excited! This book is my first by Nikki Castle and it surely will not be the last. :D
***Massive thanks to the author and Hambright PR for kindly providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.***
The amount of respect, awe, and even a touch of feminism he had for Scarlett, an escort he hired to help him find the purpose in life, was out of this world. This book was the first escort/client story I'd ever read about and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Scarlett's story reminded me of a documentary/interview about a brothel madam I once watched, which shared the experiences of the courtesans regarding the why and how they decided to do what they did. Needless to say, Scarlett had her reasons to become an escort and I appreciated that the author shed light on not only the darker side of such career but also the struggle Scarlett encountered when real feelings were caught.
Much to my astonishment, Nico and Scarlett's story turned out to be beyond satisfying and heartfelt. Nico managed to see Scarlett's worth despite the fact that she had such a thick layer of self-doubt, self-deprecation, and sense of insecurity. I loved the way Nico slowly guided her through those difficulties and helped her come out of the shell by never giving up on the possibility of "them". He was indeed the most ideal boyfriend material!
In short, please go add this book to your TBR and preorder it right away! Love for Hire was such an enjoyable read and I actually devoured it in one sitting. Better yet, Nico's lawyer brother's, Lucas', story is coming next and I can't be more excited! This book is my first by Nikki Castle and it surely will not be the last. :D
***Massive thanks to the author and Hambright PR for kindly providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.***
Review of advance copy received from Author
Being on Nikki’s team means I’m lucky enough to receive ARCs, and every single time her writing reminds me why I’m such a fan. She has this way of blending emotional depth, intense chemistry, and the raw physicality of the MMA world that completely pulls you in.
Scarlett works as an escort—but not in the way people assume. She’s paid for companionship, for being present, for playing a role. She’s also in school, has a madam who genuinely cares about her, and is just trying to survive and build something better for herself.
Then there’s Nico — an MMA fighter training for a huge fight at Madison Square Garden. Focused, disciplined, and told to avoid distractions, he’s not looking for anything serious… until he meets Daisy (Scarlett’s alter ego).
What starts as an arrangement quickly becomes something neither of them expects.
My favorite part of this story is how Nico constantly asks Scarlett what she wants. Not what she thinks she should be. Not what she thinks he wants. Her. It’s such a small thing, but it’s powerful — especially watching a woman who’s used to performing for others slowly learn she deserves to take up space as herself.
There’s also quiet representation I really appreciated: Scarlett’s worries about her body, food, and weight feel very real, and Nico’s gentle reassurance (yes, carbs are good and fuel matters!) felt surprisingly healing. It’s the kind of detail that makes characters feel human.
The emotional moments hit hard. The care Nico shows her. The trust when she shares her real name. The vulnerability when she opens up about her past.
And the fight scene?
865/10. Absolutely unreal.
The gala?
No spoilers — but I had every emotion at once.
By the end, this story felt tender, sexy, frustrating, comforting, and hopeful all at the same time. Nikki Castle writes love stories that feel earned, and this one completely stole my heart.
Honestly? Infinity stars.
Just read it.
Scarlett works as an escort—but not in the way people assume. She’s paid for companionship, for being present, for playing a role. She’s also in school, has a madam who genuinely cares about her, and is just trying to survive and build something better for herself.
Then there’s Nico — an MMA fighter training for a huge fight at Madison Square Garden. Focused, disciplined, and told to avoid distractions, he’s not looking for anything serious… until he meets Daisy (Scarlett’s alter ego).
What starts as an arrangement quickly becomes something neither of them expects.
My favorite part of this story is how Nico constantly asks Scarlett what she wants. Not what she thinks she should be. Not what she thinks he wants. Her. It’s such a small thing, but it’s powerful — especially watching a woman who’s used to performing for others slowly learn she deserves to take up space as herself.
There’s also quiet representation I really appreciated: Scarlett’s worries about her body, food, and weight feel very real, and Nico’s gentle reassurance (yes, carbs are good and fuel matters!) felt surprisingly healing. It’s the kind of detail that makes characters feel human.
The emotional moments hit hard. The care Nico shows her. The trust when she shares her real name. The vulnerability when she opens up about her past.
And the fight scene?
865/10. Absolutely unreal.
The gala?
No spoilers — but I had every emotion at once.
By the end, this story felt tender, sexy, frustrating, comforting, and hopeful all at the same time. Nikki Castle writes love stories that feel earned, and this one completely stole my heart.
Honestly? Infinity stars.
Just read it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
-Escort x Client
-MMA Romance
-Broken Girl/Obsessed Boy
-He Falls First
-Available February 23rd, 2026
“Every time I see her, I have to fight the urge to hug her and beg her to tell me everything. Just so I can fight her demons.”-Nico Price
I went between the ebook and audiobook while reading this romance. Savannah Thomas and Gideon Frost did an amazing job bringing Scarlet and Nico to life. Their voices were perfect for these parts. Nikki Castle ALWAYS picks the best narrators. I knew from the tropes alone that this book was going to be good. I’m going to tell you right now; the moment you meet Nico and Scarlet you will be IN IT! There will be no doing anything else but sitting there rotting and reading/listening to this book. Nico is an MMA fighter and his dating life sucks. You find out quickly that he is a walking green flag, he is just having trouble finding the right person for him. Scarlet is an Escort and has many clients. Nico becomes one of her clients and you know from the get-go things will be different. To see it all unfold and know that one by one all of her rules will go out the window is so damn entertaining. Nico falls for Scarlet pretty quickly, but it didn’t feel like an insta-love situation. Scarlet on the other hand has some past trauma that makes her more closed off and guarded. The pacing of their love story is pure perfection! I love how safe Scarlet felt towards the end with Nico. She was so used to biting her tongue, so seeing her speak her mind and stand her ground had me clapping and kicking my feet. Not to mention the groveling Nico does is excellent. This book is everything I was hoping it would be, and the audiobook knocked it out of the park. We met the other 2 Price brothers in this story, and I am SO excited for their books.
“I’m not going to kiss you. But I’m going to tease the f**k out of you”- Nico Price
-MMA Romance
-Broken Girl/Obsessed Boy
-He Falls First
-Available February 23rd, 2026
“Every time I see her, I have to fight the urge to hug her and beg her to tell me everything. Just so I can fight her demons.”-Nico Price
I went between the ebook and audiobook while reading this romance. Savannah Thomas and Gideon Frost did an amazing job bringing Scarlet and Nico to life. Their voices were perfect for these parts. Nikki Castle ALWAYS picks the best narrators. I knew from the tropes alone that this book was going to be good. I’m going to tell you right now; the moment you meet Nico and Scarlet you will be IN IT! There will be no doing anything else but sitting there rotting and reading/listening to this book. Nico is an MMA fighter and his dating life sucks. You find out quickly that he is a walking green flag, he is just having trouble finding the right person for him. Scarlet is an Escort and has many clients. Nico becomes one of her clients and you know from the get-go things will be different. To see it all unfold and know that one by one all of her rules will go out the window is so damn entertaining. Nico falls for Scarlet pretty quickly, but it didn’t feel like an insta-love situation. Scarlet on the other hand has some past trauma that makes her more closed off and guarded. The pacing of their love story is pure perfection! I love how safe Scarlet felt towards the end with Nico. She was so used to biting her tongue, so seeing her speak her mind and stand her ground had me clapping and kicking my feet. Not to mention the groveling Nico does is excellent. This book is everything I was hoping it would be, and the audiobook knocked it out of the park. We met the other 2 Price brothers in this story, and I am SO excited for their books.
“I’m not going to kiss you. But I’m going to tease the f**k out of you”- Nico Price
Read
February 8, 2026ARC Review — Love for Hire by Nikki Castle ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
First book in a new series and I was immediately hooked.
Scarlett and Nico were not what I expected, and honestly that made the whole story even better. Scarlett is complicated, guarded, and shaped by a past that still follows her everywhere. You can feel how hard it is for her to trust, to open up, to even believe she deserves something real. Watching her slowly come out of her shell, little by little, felt very real and emotional.
And Nico Price… I was not prepared. He might be one of the greenest, most wholesome book boyfriends I’ve read in a long time. A professional MMA fighter who is sweet, patient, thoughtful, and genuinely caring? The man is basically the perfect package. The way he treats Scarlett, the way he gives her space but still shows up for her — I melted.
Their relationship starts messy and complicated, and you can feel the tension from the very first meeting. Every date blurs the lines more, and you just know it’s going to get intense. There’s this constant push and pull between Scarlett’s fear and Nico’s determination to prove he’s different.
The emotional side of the story hit hard, especially seeing Scarlett struggle with her insecurities and past trauma. But Nico being there, steady and supportive, helping her feel safe without trying to “fix” her too fast… I loved that.
And the spice… let’s just say I was sweating through half the book 🤭 It’s passionate, intense, and fits the story really well without taking over the plot.
Overall, this felt like a strong start to a new series. Emotional, a little messy, very romantic, and with a hero that’s impossible not to love. I’m definitely excited to see where the next books go.
First book in a new series and I was immediately hooked.
Scarlett and Nico were not what I expected, and honestly that made the whole story even better. Scarlett is complicated, guarded, and shaped by a past that still follows her everywhere. You can feel how hard it is for her to trust, to open up, to even believe she deserves something real. Watching her slowly come out of her shell, little by little, felt very real and emotional.
And Nico Price… I was not prepared. He might be one of the greenest, most wholesome book boyfriends I’ve read in a long time. A professional MMA fighter who is sweet, patient, thoughtful, and genuinely caring? The man is basically the perfect package. The way he treats Scarlett, the way he gives her space but still shows up for her — I melted.
Their relationship starts messy and complicated, and you can feel the tension from the very first meeting. Every date blurs the lines more, and you just know it’s going to get intense. There’s this constant push and pull between Scarlett’s fear and Nico’s determination to prove he’s different.
The emotional side of the story hit hard, especially seeing Scarlett struggle with her insecurities and past trauma. But Nico being there, steady and supportive, helping her feel safe without trying to “fix” her too fast… I loved that.
And the spice… let’s just say I was sweating through half the book 🤭 It’s passionate, intense, and fits the story really well without taking over the plot.
Overall, this felt like a strong start to a new series. Emotional, a little messy, very romantic, and with a hero that’s impossible not to love. I’m definitely excited to see where the next books go.
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.75/5
I was selected to be a part of Nikki's ALC team so I was given this audiobook for free in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! All opinions are my own.
This was a unique story.
Scarlett had a difficult past so she went to New York for a better life. There she was offered a job as an escort and seeing as she had next to nothing she accepted it. Three years later she's still an escort, she's studying at an online college and she's trying to deal with her past. Then she meets Nico Price, an MMA fighter with a successful career who is also very lonely. After a couple of dates Nico finds himself asking Scarlett for a real date, but that's not in the cards for them... right?
This was such a fast read, I listened to it in less than a day! And it was very good. I had never read a book like this before. I really enjoyed the romance when it started to be obvious that it was something more than what they thought.
It's a duet audiobook and it was fantastic, I really enjoyed the narrators.
Nico is so sweet and caring and all he wanted was to date Scarlett for real. And Scarlett was hurt by many people before so she wasn't willing to let her guard down easily.
I liked the secondary characters too, I'm kind of intrigued about Nico's brothers!
I enjoyed their story but I didn't like the third act situation, it felt out of character for both of them. But I did enjoy the ending after that and it was a great read overall.
I was selected to be a part of Nikki's ALC team so I was given this audiobook for free in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! All opinions are my own.
This was a unique story.
Scarlett had a difficult past so she went to New York for a better life. There she was offered a job as an escort and seeing as she had next to nothing she accepted it. Three years later she's still an escort, she's studying at an online college and she's trying to deal with her past. Then she meets Nico Price, an MMA fighter with a successful career who is also very lonely. After a couple of dates Nico finds himself asking Scarlett for a real date, but that's not in the cards for them... right?
This was such a fast read, I listened to it in less than a day! And it was very good. I had never read a book like this before. I really enjoyed the romance when it started to be obvious that it was something more than what they thought.
It's a duet audiobook and it was fantastic, I really enjoyed the narrators.
Nico is so sweet and caring and all he wanted was to date Scarlett for real. And Scarlett was hurt by many people before so she wasn't willing to let her guard down easily.
I liked the secondary characters too, I'm kind of intrigued about Nico's brothers!
I enjoyed their story but I didn't like the third act situation, it felt out of character for both of them. But I did enjoy the ending after that and it was a great read overall.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ALC Review ️
Overall Thoughts: Ah! I love how I can get lost in Nikki's books. I can start and not want to stop. It's been a bit since she released an audiobook and this one delivered ten fold! I loved everything about this book. It's real, raw, and angsty. Everything you could want in a spicy romance. Savannah k!led it as Scarlett or emotionally distant escort and her performance played so well with Gideon our disheartened with love MMA fighter Nico. One of my top listens of 2026!
Narration: Duet, first-person present tense, dual-POV with flashbacks/memories
Tropes: MMA fighter, can't find love, she's an escort, college student, NYX and Philly, He falls first, she's emotionally shut off, misogynistic upbringing, small age gap, groveling, he takes care of her
Overall: 5 ️
Spice: 3.5 ️
Humor: 2.5
Drama: 3
Darkness: 2
Narration: 5
Scarlett is young and escaping a life she wants no part of anymore. After breaking free and ending up in NYC, she finds herself working as an escort to provide for herself.
Nico is an MMA fighter who just can't seem to connect with anyone. When he gives up, he's presented with a card that leads him to Scarlett.
As the two get to know each other, feelings develop, but even with the trust between them growing, doubt about the authenticity of their feelings is called into question, and could be the end, before they even really had a beginning.
Overall Thoughts: Ah! I love how I can get lost in Nikki's books. I can start and not want to stop. It's been a bit since she released an audiobook and this one delivered ten fold! I loved everything about this book. It's real, raw, and angsty. Everything you could want in a spicy romance. Savannah k!led it as Scarlett or emotionally distant escort and her performance played so well with Gideon our disheartened with love MMA fighter Nico. One of my top listens of 2026!
Narration: Duet, first-person present tense, dual-POV with flashbacks/memories
Tropes: MMA fighter, can't find love, she's an escort, college student, NYX and Philly, He falls first, she's emotionally shut off, misogynistic upbringing, small age gap, groveling, he takes care of her
Overall: 5 ️
Spice: 3.5 ️
Humor: 2.5
Drama: 3
Darkness: 2
Narration: 5
Scarlett is young and escaping a life she wants no part of anymore. After breaking free and ending up in NYC, she finds herself working as an escort to provide for herself.
Nico is an MMA fighter who just can't seem to connect with anyone. When he gives up, he's presented with a card that leads him to Scarlett.
As the two get to know each other, feelings develop, but even with the trust between them growing, doubt about the authenticity of their feelings is called into question, and could be the end, before they even really had a beginning.
February 9, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ 3 🌶️
She’s an escort.
He’s the professional athlete who hired her.
With every date, the lines are blurring.
Nico Price might actually be one of the most perfect MMCs to ever grace the genre. Thoughtful. Romantic. Obscenely attractive. And the mouth on that man? I’ll take fourteen immediately. No notes.
What I loved most is that this book delivered exactly what it promised. It was spicy. Deliciously, confidently spicy. But it wasn’t just heat for the sake of it. There was tension woven through every interaction. That constant undercurrent of anticipation. You’re just sitting there, waiting for the other shoe to drop, knowing it’s coming and almost dreading it because you’re having too good a time.
And then the audiobook.
I was lucky enough to both read it and listen to it, and I’m not exaggerating when I say this is one of the best audiobook performances I’ve experienced. Gideon Frost and Savannah Thomas absolutely devoured their roles. The chemistry? Unreal. The emotional beats? Nailed. It took an already great story and elevated it from a solid yes to a full-body, feral HELLLLL YES.
This book understood the assignment. Romance. Heat. Tension. Emotional payoff. And a hero who sets the bar so high it’s frankly inconvenient for the rest of the fictional male population.
Honestly, if this is the standard now, the other MMCs should be nervous.
TROPES ✨
💋 Escort x client
🥊 Sports romance (MMA)
❤️🩹 Broken girl
😍 Boy obsessed
😘 He falls first
She’s an escort.
He’s the professional athlete who hired her.
With every date, the lines are blurring.
Nico Price might actually be one of the most perfect MMCs to ever grace the genre. Thoughtful. Romantic. Obscenely attractive. And the mouth on that man? I’ll take fourteen immediately. No notes.
What I loved most is that this book delivered exactly what it promised. It was spicy. Deliciously, confidently spicy. But it wasn’t just heat for the sake of it. There was tension woven through every interaction. That constant undercurrent of anticipation. You’re just sitting there, waiting for the other shoe to drop, knowing it’s coming and almost dreading it because you’re having too good a time.
And then the audiobook.
I was lucky enough to both read it and listen to it, and I’m not exaggerating when I say this is one of the best audiobook performances I’ve experienced. Gideon Frost and Savannah Thomas absolutely devoured their roles. The chemistry? Unreal. The emotional beats? Nailed. It took an already great story and elevated it from a solid yes to a full-body, feral HELLLLL YES.
This book understood the assignment. Romance. Heat. Tension. Emotional payoff. And a hero who sets the bar so high it’s frankly inconvenient for the rest of the fictional male population.
Honestly, if this is the standard now, the other MMCs should be nervous.
TROPES ✨
💋 Escort x client
🥊 Sports romance (MMA)
❤️🩹 Broken girl
😍 Boy obsessed
😘 He falls first
Review of advance copy received from Author
Love For Hire was such a fun concept for a book and one I never expected! Nico is tired of pointless dates and just doesn’t have the time for them with his next big fight coming up. So he makes the crazy decision to call a high class escort service…
“My entire drive home was spent with mounting frustration. Because what do you mean I’m smitten with an escort.”
Scarlett has been going through the motions of her life for 3 years. She doesn’t really see a change coming anytime soon but is starting to want more and Nico ends up being exactly that.
“I don’t just dream of you, Red. I daydream of you. I’m constantly thinking about you. Whether I’m training, sleeping, resting, anything, you’re on my mind. In every sense of the word.”
Seeing their relationship morph into something so much more was such a wild journey! I throughly enjoyed how the two worked through their personal struggles to be the perfect people for each others ! I am so excited to see how this series continues.
🔥: “Kiss me”
“My entire drive home was spent with mounting frustration. Because what do you mean I’m smitten with an escort.”
Scarlett has been going through the motions of her life for 3 years. She doesn’t really see a change coming anytime soon but is starting to want more and Nico ends up being exactly that.
“I don’t just dream of you, Red. I daydream of you. I’m constantly thinking about you. Whether I’m training, sleeping, resting, anything, you’re on my mind. In every sense of the word.”
Seeing their relationship morph into something so much more was such a wild journey! I throughly enjoyed how the two worked through their personal struggles to be the perfect people for each others ! I am so excited to see how this series continues.
🔥: “Kiss me”
February 1, 2026
NICO IS THE PERFECT BOOK BOYFRIEND.
Love for Hire is such a unique story. Personally, my first escort romance. The emotional depth was to die for! From the start you had a view into the minds of both Nico and Scarlett and were able to feel what they felt throughout the whole story. Nico is so patient and was willing to wait for Scarlett no matter how long it took. It took her a little to open up, but when she did she was all in! Nico was the perfect man for Scarlett and all he wants is the best for her.
I loved the set up for the rest of the series. The way Nikki writes it always makes me wonder about what is going on in the minds of the other characters and what their stories will be. I love being in the MMA world because it is a sport that is not commonly in books.
Do yourself a favor and listen to this book. This was Nikki's first book where the audio will be coming out on release day. Gideon Frost and Savannah Thomas did INCREDIBLE. The sound effects were everything!
"Thank you for trusting me."
“Let me love you the way you should be loved”
Love for Hire is such a unique story. Personally, my first escort romance. The emotional depth was to die for! From the start you had a view into the minds of both Nico and Scarlett and were able to feel what they felt throughout the whole story. Nico is so patient and was willing to wait for Scarlett no matter how long it took. It took her a little to open up, but when she did she was all in! Nico was the perfect man for Scarlett and all he wants is the best for her.
I loved the set up for the rest of the series. The way Nikki writes it always makes me wonder about what is going on in the minds of the other characters and what their stories will be. I love being in the MMA world because it is a sport that is not commonly in books.
Do yourself a favor and listen to this book. This was Nikki's first book where the audio will be coming out on release day. Gideon Frost and Savannah Thomas did INCREDIBLE. The sound effects were everything!
"Thank you for trusting me."
“Let me love you the way you should be loved”
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
ARC & ALC Review 📖 🎧
Love for Hire
The Price Brothers Book One
Written by Nikki Castle
@nikkicastleauthor
I love these two together, they have great chemistry even if Nico is trying to figure out what is real and what isn't between them.
Scarlett is good at her job and can read her clients very well and always ensure as they get what they want from the transaction. Nico's profession also gives him the edge of being able to read people as well. Definitely feels like a cat and mouse came with them and I ate it up.
These two have a lot in common. They both work too hard and need a vacation, and they can't stop thinking about each other and wondering about the next time they will see each other. He's slowly making her want to break all her rules.
They're perfect for each other and exactly what the other person is looking for but can make it work between them when he’s not her client?
I'm swooning over Nico, the way he talks to her, the way he treats her and the way he tries to convince her to trust him and take the chance they both know they want to take.I love the nickname he has for Scarlett because it's spot on! You will definitely want to check this book out on February 23!
#HPRLoveforHire
#NikkiCastle
#HambrightPR
#SportsromanceMMA
#Brokengirl
@hambright_pr
Love for Hire
The Price Brothers Book One
Written by Nikki Castle
@nikkicastleauthor
I love these two together, they have great chemistry even if Nico is trying to figure out what is real and what isn't between them.
Scarlett is good at her job and can read her clients very well and always ensure as they get what they want from the transaction. Nico's profession also gives him the edge of being able to read people as well. Definitely feels like a cat and mouse came with them and I ate it up.
These two have a lot in common. They both work too hard and need a vacation, and they can't stop thinking about each other and wondering about the next time they will see each other. He's slowly making her want to break all her rules.
They're perfect for each other and exactly what the other person is looking for but can make it work between them when he’s not her client?
I'm swooning over Nico, the way he talks to her, the way he treats her and the way he tries to convince her to trust him and take the chance they both know they want to take.I love the nickname he has for Scarlett because it's spot on! You will definitely want to check this book out on February 23!
#HPRLoveforHire
#NikkiCastle
#HambrightPR
#SportsromanceMMA
#Brokengirl
@hambright_pr
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book had me swooning. Nico is the perfect MMC. He's a humble, sweet, kind, thoughtful, loving, and lonely MMA fighter looking for companionship. Enter our beautiful FMC, Scarlett, who wrecks havoc living rent free in Nico's mind. Little did he know, he had the same effect on Scarlett.
The characters were complex and the dialogue seemed natural. The plot was solid and it unraveled in a way that allowed for tension to build in appropriate sections of the story. The explosions of pure spice throughout the book were FUN. The tender moments were really sweet. It was a delight listening to the two MC's falling for each other.
This duet was narrated by Gideon Frost and Savannah Thomas. They were perfect for each character. I love the tone and enunciation of both. I could hear the emotion in their voices and feel the emotions of the characters. They drew me in and really brought story to life. I love duets and if you do too, I recommend you give this book a shot.
The characters were complex and the dialogue seemed natural. The plot was solid and it unraveled in a way that allowed for tension to build in appropriate sections of the story. The explosions of pure spice throughout the book were FUN. The tender moments were really sweet. It was a delight listening to the two MC's falling for each other.
This duet was narrated by Gideon Frost and Savannah Thomas. They were perfect for each character. I love the tone and enunciation of both. I could hear the emotion in their voices and feel the emotions of the characters. They drew me in and really brought story to life. I love duets and if you do too, I recommend you give this book a shot.
February 10, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Love for Hire (Book 1) by Nikki Castle
This book completely won me over. Nico is the kind of MMC that’s impossible not to love. Nicole is an MMA fighter who’s genuinely kind, thoughtful, and quietly lonely. When Scarlett enters his life, she turns his world upside down, and it doesn’t take long before the connection becomes very much mutual.
The characters felt well developed and real, and the dialogue flowed naturally. The story built tension at a steady pace, mixing in fun, spicy moments with genuinely sweet and emotional scenes. Watching their relationship grow was such a satisfying experience.
The duet narration by Savannah Thomas and Gideon Frost was amazing!!! Their performances added so much emotion and depth and really pulled me into the story. If you enjoy duet audiobooks, this one is absolutely worth picking up.
A big thank you to the author and Hambright PR for the e-ARC and ALC. So grateful to read/listen and share my honest thoughts.
Love for Hire (Book 1) by Nikki Castle
This book completely won me over. Nico is the kind of MMC that’s impossible not to love. Nicole is an MMA fighter who’s genuinely kind, thoughtful, and quietly lonely. When Scarlett enters his life, she turns his world upside down, and it doesn’t take long before the connection becomes very much mutual.
The characters felt well developed and real, and the dialogue flowed naturally. The story built tension at a steady pace, mixing in fun, spicy moments with genuinely sweet and emotional scenes. Watching their relationship grow was such a satisfying experience.
The duet narration by Savannah Thomas and Gideon Frost was amazing!!! Their performances added so much emotion and depth and really pulled me into the story. If you enjoy duet audiobooks, this one is absolutely worth picking up.
A big thank you to the author and Hambright PR for the e-ARC and ALC. So grateful to read/listen and share my honest thoughts.
February 8, 2026
If there’s one thing you should know about me it’s that I LOVE a Nikki Castle book. This audiobook was phenomenal.
Love For Hire is the perfect book one for a new series! Nico is an MMA fighter in the market for something different and “Daisy”/Scarlet is an escort ready to deliver whatever he needs. In this audiobook, Nico hit me as such a lover boy. Sure he was a big broody fighter, but he just needed to be loved!! Scarlet was slow to trust anyone, especially a client, which made her eventual fall SO SO GOOD. Their third act breakup almost took ME out. It was so hard seeing the two of them go through what they did, but it was crucial to the two of them that they did get their feelings straight and truthful before diving any deeper. I absolutely loved this and I can’t wait for more Price brothers! Thank you Nikki Castle for this ALC!
Love For Hire is the perfect book one for a new series! Nico is an MMA fighter in the market for something different and “Daisy”/Scarlet is an escort ready to deliver whatever he needs. In this audiobook, Nico hit me as such a lover boy. Sure he was a big broody fighter, but he just needed to be loved!! Scarlet was slow to trust anyone, especially a client, which made her eventual fall SO SO GOOD. Their third act breakup almost took ME out. It was so hard seeing the two of them go through what they did, but it was crucial to the two of them that they did get their feelings straight and truthful before diving any deeper. I absolutely loved this and I can’t wait for more Price brothers! Thank you Nikki Castle for this ALC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.75⭐️ wow do I have a new favorite Nikki man because Nico is perfect. He is patient, respectful and a man who pays attention. Scarlett is a sweetheart and going through the motions of everyday life until she meets her new client Nico. Immediately it is different with him and they both are drawn to each other. The chemistry between them is so hot. I devoured their story. I couldn’t get enough of them. The way Nico always made her comfortable and gave her the space to just be herself. Scarlett learned to let her guard down with Nico and open up. This is the first book of a new series and when I tell you I am so excited for more. I loved Nico’s other brothers Alexander and Lucas. It made me so excited for the future books to come! Don’t get me started on the audio. It was everything. Gideon Frost and Savannah Thomas were the perfect narrators!
Review of advance copy received from Author
“I don’t just dream of you. I daydream of you.”
I don’t know how to explain this… but even though the spice starts right away this book has the best slow burn. The YEARNING is out of this world. You get that giddy feeling while you read, which is everything you want. I don’t want to spoil it because you really just need to read it.
The audiobook is perfection too. Gideon Frost is always perfection but the standout on this book was Savannah Thomas. The way she creates a difference between Scarlett and Daisy is absolutely incredible. The acting is fantastic!!!!
Nikki really nailed this book. I am so excited for the rest of this series. The way I am ready for these other brothers!
Thank you Nikki for the advance reader and listener copy.
I don’t know how to explain this… but even though the spice starts right away this book has the best slow burn. The YEARNING is out of this world. You get that giddy feeling while you read, which is everything you want. I don’t want to spoil it because you really just need to read it.
The audiobook is perfection too. Gideon Frost is always perfection but the standout on this book was Savannah Thomas. The way she creates a difference between Scarlett and Daisy is absolutely incredible. The acting is fantastic!!!!
Nikki really nailed this book. I am so excited for the rest of this series. The way I am ready for these other brothers!
Thank you Nikki for the advance reader and listener copy.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Was this supposed to be based on Pretty Woman? I got that vibe from it, and I was here for it.
I won't pretend that I like the idea of an escort being with Nico, BUT Scarlet deserves love too. Her life was horrible before she made it to NY, and being an escort was not all that great either. It's odd because the author wrote this book in a way that you understand Red and why she did what she did....all while getting the reader cheering for her to have a better life.
Nico was a yummy MMC. The man may be a lethal MMA fighter, but he's so pure and naive with a heart of gold. I loved reading his dates for her and trying to prove himself to Red. You will swoon for this sweetheart bear of a man.
I won't pretend that I like the idea of an escort being with Nico, BUT Scarlet deserves love too. Her life was horrible before she made it to NY, and being an escort was not all that great either. It's odd because the author wrote this book in a way that you understand Red and why she did what she did....all while getting the reader cheering for her to have a better life.
Nico was a yummy MMC. The man may be a lethal MMA fighter, but he's so pure and naive with a heart of gold. I loved reading his dates for her and trying to prove himself to Red. You will swoon for this sweetheart bear of a man.
Review of advance copy received from Author
If I could bottle this book up I would.
If I could read this book for the first time again, I so would.
The writing is amazing as always. The feelings are there, I was enamored by Nico the moment I met him.
The broken girl in Scarlett hurts my heart for her, her trauma and the way she coped make sense on why she is the way she is.
Nico is perfect for her and I loved how patient he was with her, how he made her feel, not just love but everything in between.
I truly do wish I could read this for the first time again. I loved the family dynamic, the glimpses of the brothers, their story was beautiful, I loved watching is blossom. it’s so different from what I’m used to reading but that what’s makes it so special.
If I could read this book for the first time again, I so would.
The writing is amazing as always. The feelings are there, I was enamored by Nico the moment I met him.
The broken girl in Scarlett hurts my heart for her, her trauma and the way she coped make sense on why she is the way she is.
Nico is perfect for her and I loved how patient he was with her, how he made her feel, not just love but everything in between.
I truly do wish I could read this for the first time again. I loved the family dynamic, the glimpses of the brothers, their story was beautiful, I loved watching is blossom. it’s so different from what I’m used to reading but that what’s makes it so special.
Review of advance copy
After leaving home for a better life Scarlett Adler aka Red is working as an “hired date with benefits” and wishing for more. That’s when she meets her newest client MMA fighter Nico Price. One date leads to Nico wanting more but is she able to give anything more? Would it ever work for their lives to become one? Oh you are going to love Nico and Red together. He is such a sweet man that will have you smiling ear to ear! Totally swoon worthy. If you’re looking for a feel good, “pretty woman vibes” romance with a cinnamon roll hero, you must check this one out. Told in first person and dual POV.
February 9, 2026
Nico, a MMA fighter, just needed a night of pleasure to unwind and relax when he met up with his first escort... but he wasn't expecting to meet an intelligent, sweet, and beautiful woman.
Scarlett, young and broken, doesn't trust men and to keep her heart protected, keeps her interaction with them strictly professional!
Nico does any and everything to gain Scarlett's trust, only for him to jeopardize it during a moment of insecurity...
Nico and Scarlett's journey is sweet, gentle, and empowering. I also love reading Nico beg for forgiveness!!!
Scarlett, young and broken, doesn't trust men and to keep her heart protected, keeps her interaction with them strictly professional!
Nico does any and everything to gain Scarlett's trust, only for him to jeopardize it during a moment of insecurity...
Nico and Scarlett's journey is sweet, gentle, and empowering. I also love reading Nico beg for forgiveness!!!
Review of advance copy
💔✨ What starts as an arrangement between an escort and an MMA fighter turns into something tender, messy, and so emotional.
Yes, it’s a slow burn… but they do give in to the chemistry 🔥 and then pull back to build something real, which honestly made it even better. Watching them choose the relationship, not just the heat, hit so hard.💋
Nico is patient and steady in the best way 🥊❤️ and Scarlett’s guarded heart felt so authentic.
Gideon Frost and Savannah Thomas absolutely deliver on the emotion and tension. 🎧 If you love healing romance with depth and heart, this one is worth the listen.
Yes, it’s a slow burn… but they do give in to the chemistry 🔥 and then pull back to build something real, which honestly made it even better. Watching them choose the relationship, not just the heat, hit so hard.💋
Nico is patient and steady in the best way 🥊❤️ and Scarlett’s guarded heart felt so authentic.
Gideon Frost and Savannah Thomas absolutely deliver on the emotion and tension. 🎧 If you love healing romance with depth and heart, this one is worth the listen.
February 9, 2026
MMA fighter MMC
Escort FMC
He falls first
Dual POV - 1st person
Duet narration - Gideon Frost & Savannah Thomas
So freaking good. An amazing performance by these two.
Scarlett was a young women out on her own and looking for work, meeting her now boss and becoming an escort. She has emotional trauma from her past and keeps to herself other than work. When she meets Nico an MMA fighter who is looking for company, these two form a deeper connection and both of their lives change for the better.
I found this story to be sweet and a little heartbreaking for Scarlett. I loved these characters so much and truly enjoyed this story.
Escort FMC
He falls first
Dual POV - 1st person
Duet narration - Gideon Frost & Savannah Thomas
So freaking good. An amazing performance by these two.
Scarlett was a young women out on her own and looking for work, meeting her now boss and becoming an escort. She has emotional trauma from her past and keeps to herself other than work. When she meets Nico an MMA fighter who is looking for company, these two form a deeper connection and both of their lives change for the better.
I found this story to be sweet and a little heartbreaking for Scarlett. I loved these characters so much and truly enjoyed this story.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review:
So sweet it gave me a toothache in the best way.
Classic Nikki spice, fast, flirty, and full of fun and chemistry from start to finish. I was kicking my feet and smiling like an idiot the whole time.
Nico is so charming and sweet, a walking talking green flag, and Scarlett broke my heart in the most relatable way.
Now I’m fully obsessed and need the rest of the Price brothers like… yesterday.
Thank you for the ARC, Nikki! 🫶
So sweet it gave me a toothache in the best way.
Classic Nikki spice, fast, flirty, and full of fun and chemistry from start to finish. I was kicking my feet and smiling like an idiot the whole time.
Nico is so charming and sweet, a walking talking green flag, and Scarlett broke my heart in the most relatable way.
Now I’m fully obsessed and need the rest of the Price brothers like… yesterday.
Thank you for the ARC, Nikki! 🫶
February 7, 2026
4 ⭐️
2 🌶️
Thank you Nikki for having me on your arc team and it’s exciting that you’ve started a new series. I always enjoy Nikki’s writing, I find it easy to get lost in, and to believe and feel whatever she’s writing. Nico was a very sweet, green flag of a man mostly 🤐😂 Scarlett, a broken, lost young woman who had to go through a lot to find her way and reasons for being, for changing things.
Releases Feb 23! On KU
2 🌶️
Thank you Nikki for having me on your arc team and it’s exciting that you’ve started a new series. I always enjoy Nikki’s writing, I find it easy to get lost in, and to believe and feel whatever she’s writing. Nico was a very sweet, green flag of a man mostly 🤐😂 Scarlett, a broken, lost young woman who had to go through a lot to find her way and reasons for being, for changing things.
Releases Feb 23! On KU
February 8, 2026
✨ARC Review✨ I dare say this is my favorite Nikki Castle book yet! Nico Price is now the blueprint for all book boyfriends moving forward! If you want a he-falls-first, down bad boy, you need to read this book! The physical chemistry with these two is off the charts and Scarlett’s mental and emotional growth is enough to make you cry! Can’t recommend this book enough! Why you’ll love this book:
•escort x client
•sports romance (MMA)
•broken girl
•he falls first
•boy obsessed
•escort x client
•sports romance (MMA)
•broken girl
•he falls first
•boy obsessed
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5★
“...can you try? If not for me, then do it for yourself. I want you to have fun, too.”
• sports romance (mma)
• escort × client
• broken girl
• boy obsessed
My heart broke for Scarlett & the pain she went through trying to be perfect & always hiding behind a mask. Seeing her finally start to drop her shields for Nico was everything! I love how hard Nico loved, too. Was a great read & I can't wait to read more in this series.
“...can you try? If not for me, then do it for yourself. I want you to have fun, too.”
• sports romance (mma)
• escort × client
• broken girl
• boy obsessed
My heart broke for Scarlett & the pain she went through trying to be perfect & always hiding behind a mask. Seeing her finally start to drop her shields for Nico was everything! I love how hard Nico loved, too. Was a great read & I can't wait to read more in this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews