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Keep Your Guard Up
Everyone has their own personal cloud of darkness. But she was the sunshine that broke through
.
Small-town girl, Mari Trevino, only cares about three things; her town, her family, and her gym. After her father, UFL star Elijah Trevino, is forced into an early retirement, Mari is thrown into the deep end of gym-owner life. With a closed heart, raised fists, and an ass that won’t quit, she’s determined not to let anything else change.
Also with an ass that won’t quit, up-and-coming UFL fighter Chance Riordan.
Eager to escape his past life in the big city, Chance accepts a job offer in middle-of-nowhere Soggla, as the head striking coach of his old idol’s gym. With big shoes to fill of the retiring coach, Chance will stop at nothing to make this new life work. But there’s only one thing standing in his way- the gym’s fiery, scowling owner with legs a mile long.
She’s hell-bent on fending off change. He’s doing everything he can to make change.
But sometimes the things you don’t want to change, are the ones that should.
Join Chance and Mari in the jam-packed, culture-filled first book in the Soggla series! A small-town Aussie romance made to tug on all of your heartstrings, and leave you blushing at the same time!
Small-town girl, Mari Trevino, only cares about three things; her town, her family, and her gym. After her father, UFL star Elijah Trevino, is forced into an early retirement, Mari is thrown into the deep end of gym-owner life. With a closed heart, raised fists, and an ass that won’t quit, she’s determined not to let anything else change.
Also with an ass that won’t quit, up-and-coming UFL fighter Chance Riordan.
Eager to escape his past life in the big city, Chance accepts a job offer in middle-of-nowhere Soggla, as the head striking coach of his old idol’s gym. With big shoes to fill of the retiring coach, Chance will stop at nothing to make this new life work. But there’s only one thing standing in his way- the gym’s fiery, scowling owner with legs a mile long.
She’s hell-bent on fending off change. He’s doing everything he can to make change.
But sometimes the things you don’t want to change, are the ones that should.
Join Chance and Mari in the jam-packed, culture-filled first book in the Soggla series! A small-town Aussie romance made to tug on all of your heartstrings, and leave you blushing at the same time!
369 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 3, 2025
3 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 15, 2025
Keep Your Guard Up 🥊
“I was utterly lost in him, and I didn’t ever want to be found.”
My first MMA book and it was so good, I couldn’t put it down. Chance is definitely going on the book boyfriend list.
There were so many great tropes in this one:
🧡 Enemies to lovers
🥊 Slow burn
🧡 Small town Aussie romance
🥊 He falls first
🧡 Accidental one night stand
🥊 MMA trainer x MMA champion
Full of banter, sweet romance, strong characters, spice and unexpected twists, this was such a fun read. I knew nothing about MMA going in but Tara made it so easy to follow and enjoy. I need book 2 asap!
Congratulations Tara on your debut novel, you should be so proud. Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC 🧡
“Everything I am is yours. Everything I ever will be is yours. Life is only beautiful when I share it with you. I will never finish falling in love with you.”
“I was utterly lost in him, and I didn’t ever want to be found.”
My first MMA book and it was so good, I couldn’t put it down. Chance is definitely going on the book boyfriend list.
There were so many great tropes in this one:
🧡 Enemies to lovers
🥊 Slow burn
🧡 Small town Aussie romance
🥊 He falls first
🧡 Accidental one night stand
🥊 MMA trainer x MMA champion
Full of banter, sweet romance, strong characters, spice and unexpected twists, this was such a fun read. I knew nothing about MMA going in but Tara made it so easy to follow and enjoy. I need book 2 asap!
Congratulations Tara on your debut novel, you should be so proud. Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC 🧡
“Everything I am is yours. Everything I ever will be is yours. Life is only beautiful when I share it with you. I will never finish falling in love with you.”
September 26, 2025
Loved how this book felt like I was watching a movie! Worth the read as a unique small town, sports romance. Even if you don’t know anything about the fight scene you’ll easily be able to appreciate and enjoy the story.
Also, the MMC is juicy 🫢😍
Enemies to lovers vibes with a few twists, a must-read!
Also, the MMC is juicy 🫢😍
Enemies to lovers vibes with a few twists, a must-read!
October 1, 2025
I’ve never really been into MMA, but I could not get enough of this book!! The characters are so fun and interesting, each bringing their own unique personalities to the story. And I love the small town, community vibes. Everyone knows everyone and they have each others’ backs through anything ❤️
The beginning is a little slower, while we’re introduced to the characters and the setting, but once it picks up, it picks up fast and it doesn’t stop until the very end. I love all the unexpected moments that brought so much life into the story, and kept me completely hooked!!!
And the last page, finding out the characters for book 2…umm YES PLEASE!! I’m ready now 😍
Some of my favourite, no context quotes:
🖤 “I’d like to see what happens when a vampire comes out during the daylight”
💛 “You are brave. You are fierce. You are loved.”
🖤 “…the black Mercedes of doom that reminded me all too much of a bond villain’s car”
💛 “Til forever falls apart”
The beginning is a little slower, while we’re introduced to the characters and the setting, but once it picks up, it picks up fast and it doesn’t stop until the very end. I love all the unexpected moments that brought so much life into the story, and kept me completely hooked!!!
And the last page, finding out the characters for book 2…umm YES PLEASE!! I’m ready now 😍
Some of my favourite, no context quotes:
🖤 “I’d like to see what happens when a vampire comes out during the daylight”
💛 “You are brave. You are fierce. You are loved.”
🖤 “…the black Mercedes of doom that reminded me all too much of a bond villain’s car”
💛 “Til forever falls apart”
October 19, 2025
Keep Your Guard Up by Tara Merilaid
Tropes:
Small town
MMA romance
Slow burn
Enemies to lovers
Aussie romance
Gym setting
He falls first
MMA trainer X MMA champion
Accidental one night stand
Firstly thank you to the wonderful Tara for the opportunity to read her book Keep Your Guard Up which is the first book in the Soggla series. This is also Tara's debut novel. This was such A wonderful book. I really enjoyed this one. Normally I'm a hockey or football romance kinda girlie but this was a wonderful change.
Keep Your Guard Up follows Mari and Chance. Two wonderful people but when they first meet. Not everything is sunshine and rainbows. But remember what say they there is a fine line between love and hate.
These two may start out hating each other but there chemistry is amazing, supporting chapters, there's tension, angst, and its steamy.
This is one slow burn you won't want to miss.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
Small town
MMA romance
Slow burn
Enemies to lovers
Aussie romance
Gym setting
He falls first
MMA trainer X MMA champion
Accidental one night stand
Firstly thank you to the wonderful Tara for the opportunity to read her book Keep Your Guard Up which is the first book in the Soggla series. This is also Tara's debut novel. This was such A wonderful book. I really enjoyed this one. Normally I'm a hockey or football romance kinda girlie but this was a wonderful change.
Keep Your Guard Up follows Mari and Chance. Two wonderful people but when they first meet. Not everything is sunshine and rainbows. But remember what say they there is a fine line between love and hate.
These two may start out hating each other but there chemistry is amazing, supporting chapters, there's tension, angst, and its steamy.
This is one slow burn you won't want to miss.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
October 3, 2025
Hello to a slow burn small town romance heaven!!
Mari who is fierce and driven, beautiful and a badass MMA trainer meets Chance a MMA champion who comes into her small town for a fresh start.
I can feel the sexual tension from the first meeting. The drunken night out, to the crazy ex!! This book keeps you hooked right til the end.
Also just want to say JJ the real MVP!
Bring on his book.
Such an epic first novel by Tara. I’m so excited to see her take off.
Some of my favourite quotes in the book.
“Wouldn’t have thought any woman would give you the time of day with the attitude the colour of a shit stain”
“I can find myself a good orgasm, just as easy as I found yours”
“I will never finish falling in love with you”
Mari who is fierce and driven, beautiful and a badass MMA trainer meets Chance a MMA champion who comes into her small town for a fresh start.
I can feel the sexual tension from the first meeting. The drunken night out, to the crazy ex!! This book keeps you hooked right til the end.
Also just want to say JJ the real MVP!
Bring on his book.
Such an epic first novel by Tara. I’m so excited to see her take off.
Some of my favourite quotes in the book.
“Wouldn’t have thought any woman would give you the time of day with the attitude the colour of a shit stain”
“I can find myself a good orgasm, just as easy as I found yours”
“I will never finish falling in love with you”
October 26, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
Wow my first Aussie romance! I must admit it did feel weird at the start to read even though that’s exactly how I talk 😅 I didn’t realise how different we talk until I read this lol
Mari and Chances story is super cute! Loved the fight scene and how badass they both were and the plot twist at the end had me hanging on the edge of my seat. Maybe lacked a little bit of backstory and context at the very beginning - throughout the book we did get there but might have been a little more engaging at the start if we had a little more to go off. Overall a great little romance book, really enjoyed the uniqueness of the MMA storyline
Wow my first Aussie romance! I must admit it did feel weird at the start to read even though that’s exactly how I talk 😅 I didn’t realise how different we talk until I read this lol
Mari and Chances story is super cute! Loved the fight scene and how badass they both were and the plot twist at the end had me hanging on the edge of my seat. Maybe lacked a little bit of backstory and context at the very beginning - throughout the book we did get there but might have been a little more engaging at the start if we had a little more to go off. Overall a great little romance book, really enjoyed the uniqueness of the MMA storyline
October 15, 2025
I’ve not done small town romance much BUT holy f*** this has be in a damn choke hold.
I LOVED every second of this.
The build up, the love, the team, the small details all making it count down to the very last minute.
THE ENDING 💗
if you’re in a reading slump/ need a break from fantasy
- TARA has got you queens -
this was beautiful and shed light on so many important things and had the most amazing and captivating message makes me sad I’ll never get to read this for the first time again.
I can’t wait for book 2
RUN DO NOT WALK!!
Love you T.M keep slaying x
I LOVED every second of this.
The build up, the love, the team, the small details all making it count down to the very last minute.
THE ENDING 💗
if you’re in a reading slump/ need a break from fantasy
- TARA has got you queens -
this was beautiful and shed light on so many important things and had the most amazing and captivating message makes me sad I’ll never get to read this for the first time again.
I can’t wait for book 2
RUN DO NOT WALK!!
Love you T.M keep slaying x
October 5, 2025
What does "Riordan" and "Riorson" have in common? They're the perfect book boyfriend ever *swooning*! I love how the author balances that cozy charm with dynamic elements that make the story truly compelling - the gym settings, the sports themes, the supporting characters, the plot twists. The pace is spot on - smooth flow of story, weaves of emotions and lovable main characters. Grateful for the ARC opportunity.
October 12, 2025
How can it be anything other than 5 stars!!?? A brilliant debut book written by a legend of a person. Well done! Thoroughly enjoyed the story. Had a bit of everything. Love. Heartbreak. ❤️🩹 Drama. Blood. Violence. Raunchiness. ❤️ And a little bit of suspense and mystery thrown in as well! Brilliant. Xx
September 28, 2025
Finished this so quickly, couldn’t put it down once I started reading. Love the setting, characters and the fact it is so ‘Australian’. It even comes with a glossary of Aussie slang. Must read if you are in the MMA scene and a great read for those who aren’t.
October 27, 2025
Wow! What a book, a great read from what I believe is one of Australia’s brightest stars in up and coming authors. Can’t wait to read JH’s story next.
December 28, 2025
A super fun read! Loved the characters and enjoyed the small town romantic aspect. It was the ending that got me though!! Can’t wait for the next one!
November 30, 2025
What an awesome debut novel!
I absolutely loved this small-town sports romance — it had everything juicy, spicy, and sweet. The writing was so fun and full of humour, and the spicy scenes had me blushing. Chance and Mari’s story had me hooked from start to finish!
The unexpected plot twist towards the finale took me by surprise in the best way and made the story even more exciting. The characters were so well developed — I think my favourite has to be JJ (and I cannot wait to read his love story next!).
I also loved that this was an MMA sports romance — it’s the first one I’ve read, and it totally hooked me. The Australian culture and twang woven throughout made it feel like home while reading.
My favourite quote:
“I was utterly lost in him and didn’t ever want to be found.”
If you’re into enemies-to-lovers with all the spice, banter, and heart, you’ll LOVE this one
I absolutely loved this small-town sports romance — it had everything juicy, spicy, and sweet. The writing was so fun and full of humour, and the spicy scenes had me blushing. Chance and Mari’s story had me hooked from start to finish!
The unexpected plot twist towards the finale took me by surprise in the best way and made the story even more exciting. The characters were so well developed — I think my favourite has to be JJ (and I cannot wait to read his love story next!).
I also loved that this was an MMA sports romance — it’s the first one I’ve read, and it totally hooked me. The Australian culture and twang woven throughout made it feel like home while reading.
My favourite quote:
“I was utterly lost in him and didn’t ever want to be found.”
If you’re into enemies-to-lovers with all the spice, banter, and heart, you’ll LOVE this one
January 6, 2026
🧡 ARC Review 💙
Keep Your Guard Up📱
Book #1 of the Soggla Series
Release Date: 3 October 2025
Thank you to Tara Merilaid for this ARC copy of Keep Your Guard Up. A massive congratulations to its release TOMORROW! You are a published Aussie author!!!!!!
My Thoughts:
I absolutely devoured the first 75% of this slow burner. I loved getting to know Mari and Chance and all the character from the town of Soggla. Now I really enjoy a sports romance and was so excited for this Aussie small town, enemies to lovers, MMA sports romance. I am that excited for JJ’s story ❤️
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Make sure you jump on and support this debut novel.
Keep Your Guard Up📱
Book #1 of the Soggla Series
Release Date: 3 October 2025
Thank you to Tara Merilaid for this ARC copy of Keep Your Guard Up. A massive congratulations to its release TOMORROW! You are a published Aussie author!!!!!!
My Thoughts:
I absolutely devoured the first 75% of this slow burner. I loved getting to know Mari and Chance and all the character from the town of Soggla. Now I really enjoy a sports romance and was so excited for this Aussie small town, enemies to lovers, MMA sports romance. I am that excited for JJ’s story ❤️
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Make sure you jump on and support this debut novel.
January 6, 2026
4.5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Debut Novel 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
I absolutely loved the story between Mari & Chance and the added comedy coming from JJ 😂
This small-town sports romance truly had it all, drama, heartfelt moments, spice and the plot twist 🫣
can't wait for the next book to the series 😁
"Everything I am is yours. Everything I will ever be is yours. Life is only beautiful when I share it with you. I will never finish falling in love with you."
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Debut Novel 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
I absolutely loved the story between Mari & Chance and the added comedy coming from JJ 😂
This small-town sports romance truly had it all, drama, heartfelt moments, spice and the plot twist 🫣
can't wait for the next book to the series 😁
"Everything I am is yours. Everything I will ever be is yours. Life is only beautiful when I share it with you. I will never finish falling in love with you."
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews