Resisting Her

Fast Lanes #2

by Tori Alvarez

He thought walking away would protect her.
She’s always been his sister’s best friend—young, off-limits, and untouchable. But one kiss turns into two weeks of stolen nights and secret touches… until fear takes over. He’s not a relationship guy, and if he ruins her friendship with his sister, he’ll never forgive himself. So he walks away.

Forgetting her? Impossible.
He tries to drown her memory in someone else’s arms—but the woman he chooses becomes dangerously obsessed.

She hides her heartbreak behind a smile, because falling apart isn’t an option.
When her childhood crush finally sees her, it feels like everything she’s ever wanted… until he disappears without a word. Shattered and convinced she’s not enough, she tries to forget him.

Now that they’re finally together, bliss turns to chaos. His ex’s unhinged actions and twisted mind games threaten to destroy the only relationship that’s ever meant something to him.

Secrets, sabotage, and emotional scars threaten to unravel everything.

He’ll have to prove that his love is worth risking it all for.

Resisting Her is a steamy, emotionally intense romance featuring a protective alpha hero, a strong but vulnerable heroine, and a love story that will wreck you—in the best way. Perfect for fans of forbidden love, obsessive ex drama, and slow-burn angst with a guaranteed happily ever after.

472 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 15, 2025

About the author

Writing sassy, angsty love stories you can fall into.
Lover of coffee, wine & travel.
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Reviews

[MandysBookish Mind · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so much more than I ever expected. I do want to say upfront: it touches on several sensitive subjects, so definitely check the trigger warnings before diving in. But once you do… prepare yourself, because this story takes you everywhere.

My emotions were all over the place while reading. One thing I absolutely loved is how communication is such a huge part of CiCi and Damian’s relationship. It’s real. It’s messy. It’s vulnerable. They talk through things, the good, the bad, and the heartbreaking, which is such a grounded and honest representation of how a relationship actually survives. They go through hell and somehow still find heaven. And it’s everything you’d hope for in a story.

The way each of them deals with pain, fear, and healing felt so authentic that it was impossible not to get fully immersed. I didn’t want to stop reading, because every single moment made me want to know how it would affect CiCi or Damian next. Their emotions aren’t simple; they’re layered, tangled, and beautifully written in a way that hits hard.

And the events in this book? My mind was blown. It’s not chaotic for the sake of drama. It’s a nonstop sequence of meaningful, emotional turning points, and I loved every minute of it. I received this as an ARC, and this review is entirely my honest opinion.

What if this is all a dream?
Then I don’t want to wake up.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a tough read, not because it was badly written, it wasn’t, the storyline for me was just hard work.
The positives – the main characters, CiCi and Damian, both have solid friendships, people who stood up for them while loving them through all the adversity. They also both had loving and supportive families with Christian, CiCi’s brother, described by her family as a nuisance, bringing a much needed lightness to every scene he was in.
The negatives for me – the opening chapters are depressing and just miserable reading focusing on the aftermath of an off page rape. It’s during these chapters that CiCi and Damian first get together.
Their relationship throughout the rest of the book is plagued by a jealous ex, who we discover is an online sex worker and posted videos of her time with Damian without his consent or knowledge. Paige’s harassment and CiCi’s insecurities sabotaging Cici and Damian’s relationship was just over the top for me. Honestly, I didn’t like any of the main characters.
I didn’t enjoy reading this at all, finishing it only because I promised the author I would. I look to the romance genre to provide entertainment, which for me this wasn’t.

[Melanie A. Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The drama. The angst. The best friend’s brother who is the forbidden fruit. The alphahole-roll (if that’s not a thing, it should be - alpha, a-hole, yet somehow still all soft and sweet for her). The heroine I liked for her fire … then got frustrated with when she seemed to lose it … then who broke my heart with her why. Both main characters grew amazingly throughout this story; sometimes (mostly) painfully, sometimes achingly beautifully. Throw in some seriously steamy action, a loveable meddling friend group, and a dash of suspense in the form of a crazy ex and you’ve got the recipe for one amazing romance. This is Alvarez’s best novel to date on every level - it has authentic heart and scorching heat with exquisitely crafted characters and a well-woven story. In short, this is an unputdownable romance that you shouldn’t miss!

[booklover.mall · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOLY MOLY!!! Tori… Tori… you have absolutely done with this one! Thank you giving me the opportunity to be apart of Resisting Her, it’s been amazing to be apart of this.

I have wanted this man since he first appeared in Reclaiming You and Rewriting Us, I knew I need this man and oh boy did you deliver with this one to me on a silver platter! Yes ma’am you sure did !!! I absolutely loved the delivery of him and all other people in this book. Resisting Her is chief’s kiss like seriously!!!

From the first page to the last page you had me in emotions in a chokehold like literally! I know I told you this but I’m telling you again you had me throw my kindle luckily it was on my bed lol… Damian and Cici had me crying, laughing , giggling , angry, disappointed and so much more. Tori you had me wanting to jump in the book fight some people but then you had me falling in love. I need a man like Damian!

Resisting Her is a book that you ABSOLUTELY NEED to pick up. The flow of this book is just right and the delivery of everything. The spicy scenes were delivered amazingly and so yummy! Also let me not forget to mention the spanish words in the book loved it, it made it feel more authentic. I also truly loved the closeness of the families and the involvement they have for me it meant a lot to read.

[Surrender2silk · Rating 5 out of 5]

book two in the Fast Lanes series. Cici has a crush on her best friend older brother. lately he has been coming on to her. Her dream come true till it’s almost perfect. Then it’s not. She tries to move on. So does he, till he sees another man touch what’s his. Now he’s back asking for a second chance. Can she trust him this time not to break her heart. His ex it’s back with vengeance and it’s tearing his love to her. emotional, heartbreaking and beautiful writing. you won’t put it down. Can they survive the drama?

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m so torn with this book!

At first read, it feels like a lot and I mean A LOT is going on! When you get through one problem they handle here comes the stalker ex!

But when I would put the book down to take a breather I wouldn’t get far to pick it up and read it again!

I love the characters and relationships. It’s such a good read, just apart of me felt it was too much problems for one book.

Did i finish it in one night? YES!

[Kitssia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listen at first I didn’t like Damian. Simply because he couldn’t fully commit. But after reading the full story I’m very satisfied with the way his character developed. One thing I really loved about this book was the approach on depression and ptsd. Cece’s character was so bad ass and I feel like in a way she was very relatable. I will highly suggest this book 📖
Also it’s perfect for all my Latina girlies 🥰

[Angela Hankins Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

It normally doesn’t take me long to get through books, however, life happened and this book was a sweet escape! I truly loved the story and the chemistry between Damian and CiCi. Chaotic? Yes. Perfect? Almost yes.

I can’t wait to have a physical copy as a trophy for my bookshelf !

[Genoveva · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I did enjoy this book. However, I struggled liking Cici in the start of this story. She got on my nerves lol. But I will say that she did redeem herself as the story progressed. I liked the mystery on the edge of your seat drama that we got in this story.

[Sammye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book two in the Fast Lanes series. It’s a well written, spicy, forbidden, best friend’s brother romance. It’s full of drama and angst. The stalking ex kept me on the edge of my seat! I enjoyed Damian and CiCi’s intense love story.

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars
2.5/5 spice

Tropes:
Best friend's brother
Possessive Hero
Mutual pining
Trauma/healing
OW drama
Mental health rep
Angst and Tension
Dual POV

RTC

[Jenn Lockwood Editing · Rating 5 out of 5]

A spicy, emotional page turner!
Cici and Damian’s story is real and raw and had me feeling every feel
imaginable. This is an absolute must-read! You will not be able to put it down!

[Jessica Crome · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t read the first story but that didn’t impact the flow of this story. It was well written and enjoyable. The characters are relatable. I enjoyed the story and being a part of the story.

[Isabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a rather emotional read, make sure you go over the trigger warnings. That said, this was an entertaining read, it had angst, drama, well written spice and definitely a great plot.
The group of friends are fabulous and the way our MCs get together, it's a fantastic tale. If you are into best friend's brother who are alpha on the outside but marshmallow when it counts, this is your book.

[Tori]

RELEASING!!! Only 2 more days!
December 15, 2025

If you love:
💔 Best friend's brother
🔥 All the steam
🚫 Forbidden
🖤 Protective alpha-hole
💣 Sabatoge from stalker ex
Then this was checks all the boxes!!

**Content Warnings available**