Heal Me, Love Me

Off the Mat #2

by Kimberly Knight, Rachel Lyn Adams

Rowan Cross knows exactly what it costs to lose Keaton Stafford.

He’s already done it once.

After years apart, Rowan and Keaton finally stopped fighting their feelings for each other. The walls between them are down, the secrets are behind them, and for the first time since they were teenagers, a future together feels possible.

Then a single kiss threatens to destroy it all.

What Rowan sees looks a lot like betrayal, reopening old wounds and shaking the fragile trust they’ve only just begun to rebuild. But walking away from Keaton has never been easy, and that kiss is only the beginning of what still remains between them.

They survived being enemies. They gave in to wanting each other. Now they have to find out if what they rebuilt is strong enough to last.

For Rowan and Keaton, forever won’t come without a final fight.

Genres: M M Romance, Second Chance, Enemies To Lovers, Mixed Martial Arts, Sports, Found Family, LGBT

370 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 3, 2026

About the author

Kimberly Knight is a USA Today Bestselling author who lives in the Central Valley of California with her loving husband, who is a great research assistant, and young daughter, who keeps Kimberly on her toes. Kimberly writes in a variety of genres, including romantic suspense, contemporary romance, erotic romance, and paranormal romance. Her books will make you laugh, cry, swoon, and fall in love before she throws you curve balls you never see coming.

When Kimberly isn’t writing, you can find her watching her favorite reality TV shows, including cooking competitions, binge-watching true crime documentaries, and going to San Francisco Giants games. She’s also a two-time desmoid tumor/cancer fighter, which has made her stronger and an inspiration to her fans.

Reviews

[Yazzie]

Thank you to the authors Kimberly Knight & Rachel Lyn Adams and also the author agency for sending me this arc! And also a special shout out to Kimberly and Rachel for sending me the first book, for that I will be always grateful you introduced me to Keaton and Rowan💚

After reading the first one this did not disappoint! A few times I held my breath and had to physically set my kindle down because I needed time to recover, it was heartbreaking and I was not ready for that. And had me wanting to throw something because Keaton was a fooool.

The story flowed well and it was nice seeing the transition of Rowan and Keatons career flourishing. Seeing two different sides because they had different styles and that’s the reality, not everyone’s career goes in the same direction. It was nice to see them settling into the new life and embracing the change.

Some moments were so sweet and I loved how we saw Rowan’s parents were with Keaton, and also show him what unconditional love from a parent was. Even he was shocked that they knew something was going on with his home life but never pressed, just gave him somewhere safe to stay🥹

It was over way too soon tho! I wanted to see them settle into their happily ever after and hopefully in Mason’s book, we’re able to get a glimpse into their life.

[Betty Loves Books Galore]

This is a second chance romance, featuring Keaton Stafford and Rowan Cross, and is book two in the Off The Mat duet.

This books continues the story for Keaton and Rowan and it does end in a HEA.

OMG what a rollercoaster. These two are so in love but they get pulled in different directions with both of their fighting careers taking off. I loved how madly in love Rowan was, and there would never be anyone else for him.

I also loved Rowan’s parents and the other fighters at the gym but Devon and Keaton’s mum can go eat a big of d*cks.

Things to expect in this book are:
Book 2 in duet
MM romance
Established couple
Mis communication
MMA fighters
Military veteran MC
Coming out
Dates
Spicy times & dirty talk
Edging & car s*x
Wears his clothes
Long distance
3rd act breakup
Right person, wrong time
Career v’s Love
Reconnecting
Second chance
Found family
HEA

[Aki | nose buried in books | ❤️ |]

3.5 stars
This one could have been 100 pages less, honestly.

[Mikaela (risqué.romance)]

‼️SPOILERS‼️

I knew from the last chapter of the first part of this duet I just had to jump into this one. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting in this one but I ate this baby up in hours. I wasn’t sure instantly hooked from beginning to end.

First off, Keaton’s mom is just a piece of work. The fact that she pretended to care about him just to get something out of him? Ridiculous. It didn’t surprise me to be honest and I was so happy that Rowan’s family truly had been there for him.

Even though that Rowan didn’t handle the kiss the best, I had a feeling poor baby was going to do what he did.

And Devon. All I’m going to say is that man is truly a piece of work. What he did towards the end of the book just shook me to my core. He acted like he was helping?

Rowan’s parents were so good to both of them. I really loved how Rowan did come out about his relationship with Keaton. It made my heart hurt because they supported Rowan in that moment. His mother was everything!

I really loved how we get to see what their relationship goes through when they have to do the whole long distance thing. It was definitely challenging for sure.

The last few chapters of this book was so perfect. My emotions were on a high with the big fight in the end because what in the world was even happening?

The found family in this book was absolutely perfect. And can I say I cannot wait for Mason’s book.

The way that this duet wrapped up was definitely it measured up to be. I was all in with the emotions that definitely ran high to be wanting to shake both of these insane guys.

I received a copy of this book and this is my honest review.

[Chasary Mendez]

Ahhhh! This book was such an emotional roller coaster ride. After the cliff hanger from book one I was like oh HELL NO!! Lol 😂
Rowan saw with his eyes what he wanted to see and just upped and left. Once back in LA he’s goes back to his parents and has the most heart warming and also heart breaking conversation with his parent. Gosh I love his parents. Rowan ignores all his calls and text until his momma had a nice conversation with him.

Keaton shocked as he was with what Devon did he pushed him off. Then started freaking out with the rest of his friends looking for Rowan. Finally he gets the text “We need to talk” from Rowan they talked reassured each other until..

Rowan and Keaton loved each other so much it was hard to let each other go. Gosh they went through it. The heartache the match but over all they bared their entire soul to each other. Heal me love me was an amazing conclusion to this duet!

I love their found family the guys are all supportive and funny. I can’t wait for the next book!

Kimberly and Rachel love to torture me in the best way lol. I would totally recommend this duet.

[Rachel Nahabedian]

Loved it (rounded up)

💕 BFFs to Strangers to Lovers
💕 Rivals to Lovers
💕 MMA Romance
💕 MM Romance
💕 Second Chance
💕 Hurt x Comfort
💕 Forced Proximity
💕 Opposites Attract
💕 First Loves
💕 Secret Relationship

After that cliffhanger in Book 1, I couldn't start Book 2 fast enough. Lord have mercy, these two put me through it.

Things that frustrated me (in the best way):
💕Keaton's mom. What an absolute piece of work. My heart broke watching him continue to chase the love she refused to give.
💕The way Rowan handled the kiss. I get it. It was a little dramatic...but honestly? I probably would've reacted about 80% the same. 😂
💕Devon. Eff that man. He can kick rocks barefoot. I hope karma absolutely obliterates him.

What I absolutely loved:
💕Rowan's parents. Every person deserves parents like them. The way they welcomed Keaton and weren't afraid to hold their own son accountable was everything.
💕The long-distance relationship. These two put in the work. They are the definition of "If they wanted to, they would."
💕The found family. Absolutely top tier. Mason’s book is going to be AMAZING!

The final two-thirds of this book had my anxiety through the roof. I was holding my breath through that last MMA fight, and every ounce of stress was worth it for the ending.

Thank you, Kimberly, Rachel, and The Author Agency for the ARC.

[Brittany Crabtree]

I was sent this as an ARC but this is my honest review. This was book two of the “Off the Mat” duet and it was perfect. I was stressed through a lot of this one but it was mainly because I was so invested in these characters. Their path to each other was a hard one. Rowan and Keaton were written where both their flaws were on full display and it made you love them all the more for it. All the stress was worth it because they finally got there happily ever after. Now I just need Mason’s story! 5/5 stars.

[Queenbeereads_sugarandspice]

4.5 stars

After how the last book ended, I was itching to see what would happen next between these two in this second-chance duet. Former childhood best friends turned (one-sided) enemies to lovers, Keaton and Rowan had finally managed to figure things out, but their future was left uncertain after that kiss at the end.

My heart broke for these two so many times *sob* The authors weren’t kind to them, and it HURT. It hurt them, it hurt me. Nothing seemed to go in their favour as a couple, and they had plenty of challenges to deal with, but I never stopped routing for them. Even when outside forces kept taking these two away from each other, and for a while it felt like their time would never come, I was still waiting – hoping, praying – for them to find their way back to each other.

It was so hard to read how they struggled without each other: Keaton’s jealousy about Rowan’s career progression while his is delayed by factors he can’t control, and Rowan’s insecurity and doubt about whether Keaton loves him enough *more sobbing* These two needed to be together in person, they needed the closeness, the reassurance and certainty of each other’s presence; they aren’t meant to be apart. But when they are together, how they shone.

Those love declarations near the end though – LOVED them! So fricking cute! I didn’t see things going the way they did at the end, but I was so relieved I could finally relax and just be happy for them. 

And naww, Rowan’s parents were just the best! Reliable for great advice and giving Keaton the parental affection and love that he’d never had, I adored them for so many reasons, including how perfectly they handled Rowan’s coming out to them. I could totally imagine Rowan’s mum hiding her eyes behind her hands during fights and it made me smile fondly at the thought. I’m so glad we got to see Rowan share the whole truth about his past mistakes with Keaton with his parents too.

I also really rated Mason as a side character, so I’m chuffed to see that his story is next, along with the return of Bradford, who I really liked even in those brief moments we met him. 

-----

Some of my favourite quotes

“I also told them I love you. I told them I loved you then, and I still love you now.” 

“Is every date of ours going to end with you this desperate to get me naked?” “Probably. You got a problem with that?” “Not at all.” 

“I’m here right now.” “Yeah.” “Then let me be here.” 

In the beginning, I loved him in secret. Then later, I’d let everyone see how much I hated him. Now I kissed him where anyone could see because I couldn’t bear the thought of hiding him ever again.

I’d already lost him once because I’d been too scared to reach for him when it counted. I wasn’t going to sit there and pretend I was strong enough to let him go without asking him to stay.
 
“It’s always been you. Even when I hurt you back in high school. Even when I tried to tell myself I could move on. Even when you hated me. It was always you.”  

“Then know this. I don’t want to keep choosing my career, hoping we survive whatever it costs us. I’m not saying I know what happens next... But I know I’m done acting like losing you is part of the cost I’m willing to pay.” 

“I loved you before I knew what love was. I was ten years old, picking a bedroom because the window faced yours. I didn’t know why it mattered so much. I just knew you were next door, and suddenly Sacramento didn’t feel like another place I’d have to leave.” 

“I loved you before I knew what to call it, and I love you now, even after all the ways we’ve fucked this up. I don’t know how to stop. I don’t think I ever will.” 

“I love you. I loved you when I climbed through your window because your room was the only place I could breathe.” 

[Ana Silva]

My heart is finally healed🥺 Not before breaking one more time, though 😅

Of course Kimberly and Rachel had to make me suffer before the boys could get their HEA. They better expect my therapy bill because the emotional damage this duet caused me is extensive!

The cliffhanger from book one had my heart in my throat. I knew the fallout from it would be huge and it was. Rowan felt his world crumble when he saw what he saw. He had all the right to feel betrayed by Keaton but once again, their lack of communication and assuming things caused a rift between them.

I felt bad for them both. Rowan thought that karma was getting back at him for what happened years ago and Keaton felt left behind once again. They both had so much to work through still despite of how much they loved each other.

It seemed like life kept pulling them in different directions and breaking them apart. No matter how hard they tried, and how much they wanted the same things, something always got in their way of being happy.

What hurt the most, was seeing how much they wanted each other to succeed. How being across the country didn’t matter because of how much they loved each other. But eventually the distance was too much for them.

Keaton thought he was doing the right thing by making such a painful decision and it seemed like the right thing to do considering how busy they would be with their careers. But that didn’t hurt any less. They had been apart for four years and had barely reconnected again, only to be separated once more.

Yet the time apart didn’t make the pain go away. It didn’t diminish how much they still love each other and how much they yearn for one another. They were each other’s person. Their love ran too deep for it to just die and for them to move on.

It took a huge scare for them to realize once and for all that they were end game. This time they would make it work because they were lost without each other. No more time apart. No more watching from a distance. It was time to put their love first and never let go.

“𝓘 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾. 𝓘 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓭 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝔀𝓱𝓮𝓷 𝓘 𝓬𝓵𝓲𝓶𝓫𝓮𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓻𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝔀𝓲𝓷𝓭𝓸𝔀 𝓫𝓮𝓬𝓪𝓾𝓼𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓻𝓸𝓸𝓶 𝔀𝓪𝓼 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓸𝓷𝓵𝔂 𝓹𝓵𝓪𝓬𝓮 𝓘 𝓬𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓭 𝓫𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓽𝓱𝓮. 𝓘 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓭 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝔀𝓱𝓮𝓷 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓽𝓸𝓵𝓭 𝓶𝓮 𝓽𝓸 𝓼𝓽𝓪𝔂, 𝔀𝓱𝓮𝓷 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓴𝓲𝓼𝓼𝓮𝓭 𝓶𝓮 𝓫𝓪𝓬𝓴, 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝔀𝓱𝓮𝓷 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓶𝓪𝓭𝓮 𝓶𝓮 𝓫𝓮𝓵𝓲𝓮𝓿𝓮 𝓘 𝓬𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓭 𝓫𝓮 𝓹𝓪𝓻𝓽 𝓸𝓯 𝓼𝓸𝓶𝓮𝓸𝓷𝓮’𝓼 𝓯𝓾𝓽𝓾𝓻𝓮.”

It was a very long road back to each other and an even harder fought HEA, but it was so worth it. I forgive the ladies for putting me through the pain and suffering 😅 This duet was just so beautiful and emotional.

[Jane litherland]

Keaton Stafford did something unthinkable to make Rowen Cross leave . He felt deceived , betrayed and dismayed. He packed his bags in a hurry . Why should HE care if Keaton were to worry. Seems those four years and the tears weren’t enough to bear.

Meanwhile Keaton is beside himself with worry at the exact same time that he’s been given some news that should have him opening the champagne and showering in it with his boyfriend . But his boyfriend has disappeared without a trace so opening it would be a waste.

All this because of one kiss. A kiss stolen for a moments pleasure . One that only the thief’s mind visits at leisure. The guilt when his man is gone leaves him forlorn and feeling sad. He’s the best thing he’d ever had. Even when he wasn’t openly gay,he was always here to stay. By his side . But now where’d he go ? And why hide?

Enemies to lovers and now what have they got but rot. Rowan feels betrayed but instead of having a quarrel ,or a spat he took up his apparel and went just like that.

This book has you thinking Noooooooo!!!! Talk it out scream and shout ,laugh about how silly you’ve been. That Derek he doesn’t mean squat . Not compared to what you got. But typical male behaviour ,he went tearing off in a huff . While Keaton, though he shouldn’t have lost his head for even just one second in the euphoria of winning his knockout of a fight, he did. He wasn’t in the right either. It he quickly shut it down . It’s just that Rowan had hightailed it already . So much for them being rock steady …

So they’re both stubborn as mules. Fools in love but though their eyes glisten and their heart beat for each other . They are just two fighters at war with each other. And what about Keaton’s mother? Does she even care ?

Now Mr and Mrs Cross they’re supportive in every way and they’re sorry their boys acting this way . They dote on Keaton like he was their own and they make Rowan own up to what HE’S made worse . MMA is one thing but family ,love comes first. “But I’m not upset about you and Keaton. It hurts knowing you thought you had to carry this alone.” This is a lovely mum for you ,not like Mrs S…

[sycokittykat - Stefanie]

The hardest match of their lives

Okay so I knew from the moment the last book ended that this was going to be a tough story. I started reading and the next thing I knew it was almost 4am and it was over. I have no idea where the time went but I knew I wasn't going to be able to sleep until I knew the ending.

The love between these two is always there, even in the darkest moment. Sometimes it takes time and growth to appreciate and understand what is there. This story shows how one moment can change a story. Unfortunately for these boys that one moment happens multiple times. This story shows us how much timing can affect a story.

I absolutely adored Rowan's family. The way they loved Keaton as if he was one of their own kids was beautiful. They knew something was going on at home but they never knew what. They just knew that their son's best friend needed a safe place to be and they were happy to offer it. On the other hand Keaton's mother was absolutely awful and I wanted to slap her. The way she treated Keaton when she popped up was awful.

After years apart these two were finally together but it was never that easy for them. When they got signed on different sides of the country they knew it was both the smart move and the hardest one they would have to take. I loved how hard they tried to make the distance work. The failure though ultimately made them so much stronger as individuals and a couple.

I laughed and cried through this book. It was easy to root for them even when everything was a mess.

Mason was such a fantastic friend to Keaton. All of the guys were supportive but Mason went above and beyond. I can't wait to read his story cause he deserves to find his person too. The found family in this duet was absolutely beautiful. These guys all looked out for each other.

I knew the ending was going to be drastic before we even got there. Seriously though FU Devon. I was still shocked how it went down but it was also so beautiful. These two were meant to be they just had to get to the right point in their lives and careers to make it all right.

"Us First"

[Akku]

• 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 - 5✨

• 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 - August 3, 2026

• 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 -
- MM sports romance
- second chance romance
- secret relationship
- MMA Fighters
- first love
- childhood best friends
- emotional angst
- found family
- healing & forgiveness
- protective love

• 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 -
This is the second book in the Off the Mat duet and it is not a standalone. You absolutely need to read Fight Me, Break Me first because this book continues Rowan and Keaton's story right where Book 1 ends.
This duet ended in the best way possible and I loved every emotional moment of it. Rowan and Keaton completely stole my heart once again. Their journey felt so real, full of pain, love, healing, and finally choosing each other without holding back.
The misunderstanding at the beginning had my heart hurting so much. Watching Rowan walk away while Keaton had no idea what happened was heartbreaking. The emotions were written beautifully, and I could feel every bit of their heartbreak, guilt, and love.
I loved how both characters grew throughout the story. They finally learned to trust, communicate, and let go of the past that had haunted them for years. Rowan opening up to his parents was one of my favorite moments, and it made the story even more emotional.
The romance was sweet, emotional, and full of chemistry. The MMA world added excitement without taking away from the relationship, and every chapter kept me invested. The ending left me smiling because these two truly deserved their happy ending after everything they survived together.
If you love emotional MM romances with second chances, sports romance, unforgettable characters, and a beautiful healing journey, this duet is absolutely worth reading. It was such an emotional and beautiful conclusion to Rowan and Keaton's story. I am so excited to read Mason and Bradford book The Cockpit 😭💕
Thank you the author agency for the ARC!!

[Vanessa V]

ARC REVIEW

This is book 2 of a duet and can’t be read as a standalone. Book 1 ends on a cliffhanger, so you’ll definitely want to read that first.

After that ending, I was so happy to finally get my hands on book 2, and it did not disappoint!

If you think Rowan and Keaton have finally figured everything out and are heading straight for their HEA from page one… you’re in for a surprise. 😂

In book 1, Rowan was the one who broke Keaton’s heart when they were teenagers. This time? It’s definitely Keaton you’ll want to lovingly smack upside the head. 🙈😂

Their careers force them into a long-distance relationship, and let’s just say… Keaton is not built for long distance. Instead of letting the distance slowly tear them apart, he decides to end things before the distance gets the chance.

After months apart, a meddling ex-boyfriend throws them back together as opponents in the cage.

I won’t spoil what happens next, but let’s just say their reunion is one of the most epic and emotional moments in the duet. ❤️

I loved seeing Rowan and Keaton finally fight for each other, and their HEA was absolutely worth the journey.

Now I seriously can’t wait for Mason’s story!

Read this if you like:

✨ Messy boys figuring things out… and not always in the best ways. 😂
✨ A complete lack of communication skills. 🙈
✨ An MMA sports romance.
✨ An it’s always going to be you romance. ❤️
✨ A second-chance… or maybe even a third-chance romance 😉

[Mags]

Honestly, everything about Heal Me, Love Me by Kimberly Knight and Rachel Lyn Adams completely drew me in.

This book is a total emotional rollercoaster that had me hooked from the very first page—I literally could not stop reading until nearly 4:00 AM, and it was worth every single minute of lost sleep!

The angst in this story is unmatched. The authors pull at your heartstrings in the best way possible.

The Happily Ever After was so incredibly well-earned. Keaton and Rowan had to fight tooth and nail for their love, and not just inside the ring. It really was perfection from start to finish. From the intense heartbreak and the perfect amount of spice to the exact moment they are finally reunited, every single beat of this story felt worth the journey.

Heal Me, Love Me delivered everything I want in a romance and more. I am officially desperate for the secondary characters to get their own story after the little glimpses shared here (my heart is still hurting!).

I 100% recommend grabbing a copy of this immediately—make sure you read Fight Me, Break Me first and be prepared to stay up all night!

My thanks to TAA for the opportunity to read an early copy of Heal Me, Love Me. All thoughts expressed are my own. ☺️

[Jasmine]

⭐ Overall Rating: 5/5
🔥 Burn Level: 4.5/5
🌶️ Spice Level: 4/5
💧 Emotional: 5/5

Heal Me, Love Me was everything I wanted from the conclusion to this duet.

This book had me completely invested in Rowan and Keaton’s journey. I loved the characters, the plot, and especially the relationship they built together. Watching them fight for each other after everything they had already been through made this such an emotional and satisfying read.

This is the second and final book in the duet, and I highly recommend reading Book 1 first. The story continues directly from where the first book leaves off, and you’ll appreciate the emotional payoff so much more by experiencing their entire journey.

If you love emotional MM romance with second chances, angst, healing, and characters you can’t help but root for, this duet is definitely worth picking up.

Thank you to The Author Agency, Kimberly Knight, and Rachel Lyn Adams for the opportunity to read this ARC!

[Amanda]

Rowan & Keaton

These two have been through a lot and if you haven't read book one in off the mat you need to before even opening this book. The previous book shows how these two met and how their friendship blossomed into so much more.. so just go grab it before reading this one.

Through the ups and downs these two still have a deep love and connection for one another and it shows through in the choices that they each make time and time again. Making choices for their careers over a relationship because sometimes balancing both is hard. We all have dreams but is it worth the sacrifice of love to chase those dreams if you have no one to come home to... to share in those dreams. To share in the space that you've built for yourself and the home you've created.

In the end these two finally figure it out but it isn't without time apart and a fight neither one of them is sure they want to participate in. I really enjoyed their journey and the completion of their story.

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily reviewing.

[Theresa L]

4.5⭐️ 3🌶

This was an emotional roller-coaster, Kimberly and Rachel know how to hook me and string me along with an anxiety inducing story. Its not a heavy story but it feels realistic and it just hits all of my feels.

Rowan and Keaton fight hard for this HEA. They both break each other and themselves in the prosses of finding their footing in their careers. They love one another so deeply and intensely. I loved their connection and chemistry. They had my heart this whole duet and I couldn't have been happier that they find their way. I hurt right along with them. Their love declarations where perfect.

And Ronans parents are everything. They way they loved both guys. Can't wait for Mason's story next. I love this found family. Can't wait to get my heart broken and healed all over again.

Thank you to Kimberly Knight, Rachel Lyn Adams and The Author Agency for this ARC. These are my honest opinions and feelings.

[Julian Leibach]

Heal Me, Love Me is book two in the Off the Mat duet. HMLM follows Keaton and Rowan as they navigate their “new” relationship with each other. But when one of them gets a career opportunity across the country, things get dicey.

Both books in this duet were beyond five-star reads for me. Book 2 was far more emotional than book 1 for me. Heal Me, Love Me absolutely wrecked me in the best way possible. The two authors do a superb job of making the reader feel everything the characters are going through. Everything about this book makes it well written.

At no part in this book was I wishing for things to change or progress differently because the two authors made the storyline absolutely perfect.

[Zephyr]

I loved this duology so much. It was easy to pick up and remember everything that was going on, which was much appreciated. There were a lot of times I wanted to yell at Rowan and Keaton to just talk, but their HEA was everything! I’m so excited to see glimpses of them in the rest of the series.
Thank you, TAA, for the ARC!

[Leah]

I absolutely loved this story. I fell in love with Keaton and Roman's story in the first book and with the cliffhanger at the end of that one I was counting down the days for this book. I love how they fought so hard to stay together and never gave up on each other. They also didn't let their love stop them from becoming the people they wanted to be. They brought out the best in each other and always encouraged each other. This is what makes their relationship so strong and why I love their characters so much. I would highly recommend this book but you definitely need to read the first in the series before reading this one.

[Stacey Bates]

What a fantastic conclusion to this duet! A fantastic emotional read! I love these 2 so much and was rooting for their happily ever after! I am so glad Rowan and Keaton figured out how to make it work for them!

[Melissa]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rowan and Keaton definitely have a rough road to their HEA and it is well fought. I loved the character growth from these guys. Then also seeing someone who I thought was shady be confirmed. Great read.

[The Book Ssirren]

I loved Keaton and Rowan so much. And this book brought everything to wrap up this duel. It was so emotional, and it tore me apart and put me back together again. These two went through so much, but after all the arguments, they finally got to a good place. This was truly an awesome, love filled, tension filled, and HEA filled romance.

[Jamie]

This wasn’t bad - the core relationship was actual fairly good. However, this wasn’t worthy of a duet. This book was far too long with so many redundant scenes and internal dialogue the climax was underdeveloped and felt far too forced.

[Christina’s Bookshelf]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Me: 😟🥺😭🥹🥰😅😐😭😭😭😭😤😳🫣🥹🥰

[Kim]

Rowan and Keaton’s conclusion was absolutely worth the cliffhanger! I loved every second of it. The title is so very accurate- loving and healing for both men. I give it a A++

[Jine]

I am a messsss! This was so so good but oh my god did it hurt! After the cliffhanger in book 1 Rowan ran he literally took all his stuff and went to his parents where he told them all about him and Keaton and they reacted SO good! They didn’t yell get mad anything just sad he had to keep everything to himself
His mom convinced him he needed to talk to Keaton instead of reacting and they did and it was a tense conversation because Keaton had to tell him about his history with Devon
When they were talking Rowan got a message from a manager but he was in Florida which mean he would have to move they went to Florida so Rowan could see fhe facilities and Keaton knew that Rowan was going to pick this place because it was a good spot for Rowan
The good bye in the airport the first one broke my heart into pieces I bawled so much but they both said they would fight for each other and make long distance work
Devon is the devil he had a conversation with Rowan when he left titan and then one with Keaton asking him about their kiss but Keaton told him he was seeing someone but not that it was Rowan
I hated that Keaton ended up getting hurt when Rowan was taking off because Rowan was trying to focus but worry about Keaton as well! When Rowan’s big fight came around Keaton and his mom and dad went and Rowan won but when Keaton saw him getting pulled into so many directions and his manager talking about how this was the next step he knew what he needed to do
That hotel convo broke me to see Rowan begging Keaton to stay and not leave him Keaton was trying to do the right thing but man seeing him break up with Rowan was rough
When Keaton got his big first fight Rowan was there but in the shadows until Devon saw him and when he asked Rowan about his fighting weight I knew what was coming so when the contract came for the fight I wasn’t shocked I hated the convo between them so much hurt and they were going to fight each other
Rowan knew who did this he knew what was happening and he told Keaton and when Keaton told uo to Devon and left titan I was so proud
The whole fight made me nervous like physically scared to keep reading but Rowan’s reaction when he knocked Keaton out was heartbreaking like he called him baby in front of everyone
It’s hard to say it but they needed that to get their heads out of their asses Rowan saw what he could lose and their apologies and declarations to each other made me cry again!
This was SO good so heartbreaking but their hea was very very hard earned!
I loved that they finally get to be together and that they both are in Tampa but that epilogue! That rinnnnng! The inscription!
Also I absolutely cannot wait for masons book! I squealed when it said Mason and Bradford!!

[AnnaKitt]

I said it after book one, and I’m saying in again - the covers for this duet are insane!
It's so rare to see both MCs on the cover, and even rarer for them to look exactly the way they're described ❤‍🔥
Love love love love them!

The first thing you need to know is that it’s a SPORTS romance.
But the sport here isn't just a backdrop or another trope. It carries just as much weight as the romance itself because Rowan and Keaton's careers shape almost every choice they make.

I loved how mature this story was. We actually get to see how impossible some choices can be, how love isn't always enough, and how painfully human that reality is 💔 Unlike in so many romances, these 23 year-old boys don't simply throw their lives away for love, because life rarely works that way. Especially when you're a professional athlete.

These boys have been through so much, life was really unfair to them.
And yet after the initial fallout, no matter the circumstances, they never stopped being loyal to each other.

If there was one thing I never doubted, it was that their love was real. Completely and utterly real 🥹


“That’d always been the problem with Rowan.
Loving him had been the easiest thing I’d ever done, but figuring out how to keep him had been the hard part.”

Separate FRUSTRATED mention goes to Keaton’s mom.
I hated her in the first book.
What's worse than hate? Because I absolutely loathed her here.

I just can’t bear such attitude to your own son, my heart hurt so much for Keaton all over again 😭

And then after 80% I was so on the edge of my seat it was hard to breathe right.

Yeah-yeah, we all probably knew where we were all heading, but it didn’t make it any easier to read!!!

Then at one point I think I'd highlighted several entire pages while wiping away tears with my other hand 😭

“I loved you before I knew what to call it, and I love you now, even after all the ways we’ve fucked this up.
I don’t know how to stop.
I don’t think I ever will.”

This is an amazing duet, really different from what we usually read with a sports romance trope.
That said, I do think the pacing could have been tighter in places. There were a few scenes that felt longer than they needed to, and that's honestly the only reason this wasn't an effortless 5⭐ for me.

But it’s really about the emotions. 

So 4.5⭐ rounded up it is!



Thank you so much for this ARC 💙

[Tara Bennett]

MY OPINION: Dang it. This book is emotional, like get the tissue out and prepare to take a step away while reading kind of emotional. If you read my reviews, you know I am pretty easy with the tears, but this one. Yikes. These books absolutely need to be read back to back, but you could probably get away with reading book two on its own. On the longer side, it didn’t feel that way. The authors have you in a death grip the entire time.

The way book one ended, you know there were going to be moments between Rowen and Keaton that left things. There were so many years of feelings between them that one action could take them down, and this was it. With the way this is written, the entire story is a push and pull between the two of them. They love fiercely but are adults making adult decisions. “ Love isn’t enough” is the theme; with love, you need effort.

This was such a roller coaster for me. I am not sure I would call it angst; everything was clear between the men. They were making sound decisions and talking things out pretty well, which hurt. These men were painfully in love, overcoming the pain of the past; they simply have to face the pain of the future. This was one of those stories I had to remind myself that it’s a romance book; there will be an HEA, we won’t be left in this unknown. I was questioning, though.

I guess what I am trying to say is that even though I cried through the whole thing, I loved it. There is plenty of spice, though I could have taken more; these two men are hot together. There is so much more love, and we have one set of fantastic parents. There is loss not only of each other but of things they thought they’d learn they aren’t.

The MMA aspect is very present with actual fights and training. An emotional and physical toll with the sport. The friend group is wonderful, and I almost wish there were more coming from this because I would love to see some of these other people find their people.

In the end, to me this was a great book; I loved all the words, and we did get our HEA. Whew. I was nervous for a minute there. It was four hundred pages but so easy to read, I mean other than when I wanted to shake these men. All I can wrap up with is: read this duet, you’ll love it, and you will appreciate me telling you to do it.

[Kerry Officer]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🥊 MMA sports romance
🖤 Childhood best friends
🔥 Enemies to lovers
💔 First love / second chances
🖤 Jock x Emo kid
🔥 Forced proximity
🖤 Hurt, heartbreak & healing
🔥 VERY intense chemistry

Okay... this is a review for Book 2 but READ THE DUET !!!!. Starting with a LITTLE background from book 1 —and honestly, I read these back-to-back which made this emotional journey hit SO much harder. 🥹🖤

Rowan and Keaton were childhood best friends—the total opposites. Different worlds at school and at home... but when it was just them, they were EVERYTHING to each other. They fell in love. Then life, expectations, social pressure, and all the things they thought they were supposed to be tore them apart. 💔

Fast forward 4+ years and one walks into an MMA gym... only to find themselves face-to-face with the person they now hate most who destroyed their soul. 😳 And then they have to see each other, live together, eat together, sleep under the same roof, and SHARE A BATHROOM. Ummmm... HOW IS THAT SUPPOSED TO WORK? 😂

Queue the insane chemistry, unresolved feelings, and some very questionable decisions. 😮‍💨🔥 These two can call each other enemies all they want, but they NEVER really stopped orbiting each other.

And THIS BOOK HURT. 😭 I was absolutely yelling at my Kindle: TALK. TO. EACH. OTHER. I loved the insight from others in their lives who knew the daily pain but not the who or why.... it makes this road hit much harder. But that's what made their journey so damn good. Watching them fight for their MMA careers, learn to put each other first, survive loss, rebuild trust, and figure out whether love can actually survive everything that broke them... ❤️‍🩹

They say it's not over until it's over—and these two prove just how hard it can be to let go of someone who has always felt like home.

An AMAZING duet to binge back-to-back if you want emotional damage, second chances, MMA, childhood love, and two stubborn men who desperately need to communicate. 😂🖤

And now there's a Kickstarter for deluxe editions?! 👀 Welp... apparently I need those too.