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Beards and Bruises
She was the last person to board the plane.
She was also, as it turned out, the last person any of them expected.
Sarah Henderson is not having her best travel day. She is running late, slightly sweaty, carrying an enormous bag and a giant stuffed M&M toy for her twelve-year-old, and she has approximately zero patience left for anything. What she does have, tucked somewhere in that bag between the emergency snacks and the first aid kit, is a tube of children's bruise ointment.
It will come in handy sooner than she thinks.
Seat 47B puts her between two very large, very quiet men with matching beards and the kind of stillness that suggests they are either extremely calm or extremely dangerous. The one by the window has a bruise. A significant one. The kind that, in Sarah's professional maternal opinion, requires immediate attention.
She applies the ointment before he can object.
She then scolds him about fighting for a living, gives him her airplane food, and organizes a group photo before landing.
She has absolutely no idea who any of them are.
The photo breaks the internet.
Which is how Imran Hajiyev, team manager, economics graduate, and man who has spent two very disciplined years not thinking about women in any context that is not strictly professional, ends up staring at a photograph of five of his fighters and one completely unaware woman holding a tube of bruise ointment like a championship belt.
He tells himself it is a business opportunity.
He tells himself this several more times over the following weeks, through a phone call she takes while getting dressed, two coffees at a corner table, a USB drive of genuinely suspicious legitimacy, and one disastrous dinner.
What follows is a slow burn built from combat sambo classes and a month in the Dagestani mountains, where the mornings are extraordinary and the interruptions are relentless. There is a bee with opinions. There are approximately one thousand cows with a schedule. There is a bench behind a rosebush, a kitchen corridor, a wellness area that requires a lock that neither of them remembers to use, and a very large man named Ramzan who appears at the wrong moment with the specific frequency of someone the universe has hired for the purpose.
And underneath all of it, running quiet and persistent through every almost and every interruption: two people who have both spent too long managing everything alone, slowly, stubbornly, inevitably learning to stop.
Beards and Bruises is a slow-burn contemporary romance about a woman who showed up with ointment and no agenda, a man who fell in love with her before he admitted it to himself, and a found family of Dagestani fighters who had opinions about the whole thing from the very beginning.
It is warm and funny and occasionally ridiculous, and it ends exactly the way it should.
Content: low angst, high warmth, found family, cultural clash, single mom, single dad, and one rotating LED eagle that was absolutely, entirely, someone else's idea.
Always HEA.
She was also, as it turned out, the last person any of them expected.
Sarah Henderson is not having her best travel day. She is running late, slightly sweaty, carrying an enormous bag and a giant stuffed M&M toy for her twelve-year-old, and she has approximately zero patience left for anything. What she does have, tucked somewhere in that bag between the emergency snacks and the first aid kit, is a tube of children's bruise ointment.
It will come in handy sooner than she thinks.
Seat 47B puts her between two very large, very quiet men with matching beards and the kind of stillness that suggests they are either extremely calm or extremely dangerous. The one by the window has a bruise. A significant one. The kind that, in Sarah's professional maternal opinion, requires immediate attention.
She applies the ointment before he can object.
She then scolds him about fighting for a living, gives him her airplane food, and organizes a group photo before landing.
She has absolutely no idea who any of them are.
The photo breaks the internet.
Which is how Imran Hajiyev, team manager, economics graduate, and man who has spent two very disciplined years not thinking about women in any context that is not strictly professional, ends up staring at a photograph of five of his fighters and one completely unaware woman holding a tube of bruise ointment like a championship belt.
He tells himself it is a business opportunity.
He tells himself this several more times over the following weeks, through a phone call she takes while getting dressed, two coffees at a corner table, a USB drive of genuinely suspicious legitimacy, and one disastrous dinner.
What follows is a slow burn built from combat sambo classes and a month in the Dagestani mountains, where the mornings are extraordinary and the interruptions are relentless. There is a bee with opinions. There are approximately one thousand cows with a schedule. There is a bench behind a rosebush, a kitchen corridor, a wellness area that requires a lock that neither of them remembers to use, and a very large man named Ramzan who appears at the wrong moment with the specific frequency of someone the universe has hired for the purpose.
And underneath all of it, running quiet and persistent through every almost and every interruption: two people who have both spent too long managing everything alone, slowly, stubbornly, inevitably learning to stop.
Beards and Bruises is a slow-burn contemporary romance about a woman who showed up with ointment and no agenda, a man who fell in love with her before he admitted it to himself, and a found family of Dagestani fighters who had opinions about the whole thing from the very beginning.
It is warm and funny and occasionally ridiculous, and it ends exactly the way it should.
Content: low angst, high warmth, found family, cultural clash, single mom, single dad, and one rotating LED eagle that was absolutely, entirely, someone else's idea.
Always HEA.
ebook
Published May 1, 2026
About the author
Layla Cornell
4 books7 followersLayla Cornell has been writing for as long as she can remember, but it was always the thing she did on the side - squeezing stories between building a career and raising a family.
For years, she was active in the fanfiction community, where she learned that the best stories come from deeply understanding and following your characters.
Now, with more time to dedicate to her passion, she's finally publishing her own work.
When she discovered MMA, everything clicked. Here were strong male characters living with discipline and an almost stoic philosophy - the perfect foundation for romance that could shake them to their core.
She's currently starting book five...
When she's not writing, she's working, spending time with family, promoting books on TikTok, or convincing people that Dagestani fighters make the best romance heroes.
For years, she was active in the fanfiction community, where she learned that the best stories come from deeply understanding and following your characters.
Now, with more time to dedicate to her passion, she's finally publishing her own work.
When she discovered MMA, everything clicked. Here were strong male characters living with discipline and an almost stoic philosophy - the perfect foundation for romance that could shake them to their core.
She's currently starting book five...
When she's not writing, she's working, spending time with family, promoting books on TikTok, or convincing people that Dagestani fighters make the best romance heroes.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Review of advance copy
I am OBSESSED. Bread & Bruises is the kind of book that sneaks up on you like “haha this is quirky and cute” and then suddenly you’re emotionally invested in a group of bearded fighters, a chaotic queen with a giant M&M, and a slow-burn romance that is basically a simmering pot you cannot stop staring at.
Sarah Henderson?? Absolute hurricane of a woman. She boards a plane late, sweaty, carrying snacks, medical supplies, and zero tolerance for nonsense… and within MINUTES she is mothering a fully grown, very intimidating man with a bruise like it’s her civic duty. The audacity. The confidence. The complete lack of awareness that these are not just random quiet men but literal fighters?? I was CACKLING. And also deeply in love with her.
The plane scene alone deserves awards. She’s handing out food, applying ointment, organizing a GROUP PHOTO like it’s a school excursion, and these massive, dangerous men are just… letting it happen. Because she said so. Because she has snacks. Because Sarah has decided.
And then the internet EXPLODES and suddenly Imran Hajiyev enters the chat.
Imran… oh you disciplined, controlled, absolutely doomed man. He sees one photo and is like “this is a business opportunity.” Sir. Be serious. This man spends the entire book trying to convince himself he is not fascinated, not intrigued, not completely gone for this woman who barged into his world with bruise cream and vibes. Watching his composure slowly unravel?? Delicious.
The slow burn here is EXQUISITE. This is not a spark. This is a slow, stubborn glow that builds through conversations, shared spaces, interruptions (SO MANY INTERRUPTIONS), and those tiny moments where you realize oh… this is happening whether they like it or not.
And the setting?? The Dagestani mountains felt alive. Between the cows with schedules (?? still not over that), the bee with opinions (icon), and the constant, perfectly timed chaos of people showing up at the WORST possible moments (Ramzan, I’m looking at you), it created this warm, slightly unhinged, deeply human backdrop that made everything hit harder.
Also FOUND FAMILY PERFECTION. Those fighters?? I would die for them. The way they circle Sarah, observe her, accept her, have OPINIONS about her and Imran like nosy, protective brothers?? Inject it into my bloodstream.
What really got me though was the emotional undercurrent. Beneath all the humor and chaos, this is about two people who have been carrying everything alone for far too long. And watching them slowly, awkwardly, stubbornly learn to let someone else in?? It’s soft in a way that sneaks up on you and then suddenly you’re like… why am I emotional over a man standing slightly closer than before???
And the romance payoff?? Worth every single interrupted moment. Every almost. Every “not now.” When it finally lands, it feels earned in the most satisfying way.
This book is warm bread, quiet bruises, lingering glances, and love that builds patiently until it’s undeniable. It’s funny, tender, a little chaotic, and completely unforgettable.
Five stars, full heart, and I will never look at a tube of bruise ointment the same way again. 💛
Sarah Henderson?? Absolute hurricane of a woman. She boards a plane late, sweaty, carrying snacks, medical supplies, and zero tolerance for nonsense… and within MINUTES she is mothering a fully grown, very intimidating man with a bruise like it’s her civic duty. The audacity. The confidence. The complete lack of awareness that these are not just random quiet men but literal fighters?? I was CACKLING. And also deeply in love with her.
The plane scene alone deserves awards. She’s handing out food, applying ointment, organizing a GROUP PHOTO like it’s a school excursion, and these massive, dangerous men are just… letting it happen. Because she said so. Because she has snacks. Because Sarah has decided.
And then the internet EXPLODES and suddenly Imran Hajiyev enters the chat.
Imran… oh you disciplined, controlled, absolutely doomed man. He sees one photo and is like “this is a business opportunity.” Sir. Be serious. This man spends the entire book trying to convince himself he is not fascinated, not intrigued, not completely gone for this woman who barged into his world with bruise cream and vibes. Watching his composure slowly unravel?? Delicious.
The slow burn here is EXQUISITE. This is not a spark. This is a slow, stubborn glow that builds through conversations, shared spaces, interruptions (SO MANY INTERRUPTIONS), and those tiny moments where you realize oh… this is happening whether they like it or not.
And the setting?? The Dagestani mountains felt alive. Between the cows with schedules (?? still not over that), the bee with opinions (icon), and the constant, perfectly timed chaos of people showing up at the WORST possible moments (Ramzan, I’m looking at you), it created this warm, slightly unhinged, deeply human backdrop that made everything hit harder.
Also FOUND FAMILY PERFECTION. Those fighters?? I would die for them. The way they circle Sarah, observe her, accept her, have OPINIONS about her and Imran like nosy, protective brothers?? Inject it into my bloodstream.
What really got me though was the emotional undercurrent. Beneath all the humor and chaos, this is about two people who have been carrying everything alone for far too long. And watching them slowly, awkwardly, stubbornly learn to let someone else in?? It’s soft in a way that sneaks up on you and then suddenly you’re like… why am I emotional over a man standing slightly closer than before???
And the romance payoff?? Worth every single interrupted moment. Every almost. Every “not now.” When it finally lands, it feels earned in the most satisfying way.
This book is warm bread, quiet bruises, lingering glances, and love that builds patiently until it’s undeniable. It’s funny, tender, a little chaotic, and completely unforgettable.
Five stars, full heart, and I will never look at a tube of bruise ointment the same way again. 💛
Review of advance copy received from Author
Truly spectacular! Layla Cornell has outdone herself again with this one! This book was so cute and quirky that it made me smile throughout! You really get drawn into the story and invested in all the characters. I loved every minute of this book that I had a hard time putting it down. I absolutely love that she always brings more awareness to other cultures in her books too.
Single mom Sarah meets a team of fighters on a flight which turns into a cute and funny meeting. The photo with them all goes viral so their manager Imran reached out to her to thank her and give her tickets to a game. They have an instant connection and throughout the story the slow burn is so worth it.
I liked Sarah as a character she was quirky and so sweetly clueless in an endearing way. The scene on the plane was so funny and one of my favourites with her throughout.
Imran is such an adorable man. He spends so much time trying to convince himself he isn't into her but once he gives in he's got that golden retriever vibe that's so sweet.
Imran and Sarah together was an absolute delight! The slow burn was perfection. I loved that they reached beyond cultural devides and really accepted one another. Their relationship seemed like such a breathe of fresh air. I really like how their boys really wanted them to be together too.
I loved all the quirky interruptions at camp and the chat interventions from the team were hilarious. That found family was perfection. Each one of those fighters were so funny and added so much to the story.
Those boys! Noah and Adil were the coolest and sweetest kids! I loved how much they wanted to be 'bro's' they manifested it.
As a parent to older children myself one part in the book really touched me and brought me to tears because it's so true! "There's a moment, "she says, "when you realize they don't need you the same way anymore. And it's everything you wanted for them and it's also..." "The loneliest thing," he says.'
Don't miss out on this truly fantastic book! I'm always blown away by their writing and highly recommend reading any and all of their books. I'm definitely a forever fan! Not only brilliantly written but always brings such uniqueness and diversity to each story covering a different culture which I would never normally hear about and I love that. I love a book that brings awareness that you might not read about otherwise.
Single mom Sarah meets a team of fighters on a flight which turns into a cute and funny meeting. The photo with them all goes viral so their manager Imran reached out to her to thank her and give her tickets to a game. They have an instant connection and throughout the story the slow burn is so worth it.
I liked Sarah as a character she was quirky and so sweetly clueless in an endearing way. The scene on the plane was so funny and one of my favourites with her throughout.
Imran is such an adorable man. He spends so much time trying to convince himself he isn't into her but once he gives in he's got that golden retriever vibe that's so sweet.
Imran and Sarah together was an absolute delight! The slow burn was perfection. I loved that they reached beyond cultural devides and really accepted one another. Their relationship seemed like such a breathe of fresh air. I really like how their boys really wanted them to be together too.
I loved all the quirky interruptions at camp and the chat interventions from the team were hilarious. That found family was perfection. Each one of those fighters were so funny and added so much to the story.
Those boys! Noah and Adil were the coolest and sweetest kids! I loved how much they wanted to be 'bro's' they manifested it.
As a parent to older children myself one part in the book really touched me and brought me to tears because it's so true! "There's a moment, "she says, "when you realize they don't need you the same way anymore. And it's everything you wanted for them and it's also..." "The loneliest thing," he says.'
Don't miss out on this truly fantastic book! I'm always blown away by their writing and highly recommend reading any and all of their books. I'm definitely a forever fan! Not only brilliantly written but always brings such uniqueness and diversity to each story covering a different culture which I would never normally hear about and I love that. I love a book that brings awareness that you might not read about otherwise.
May 1, 2026
Let me set the scene real quick.
Sarah Henderson is having a day.
Late. Sweaty. Carrying everything but peace.
She gets on a plane with snacks, a first aid kit, and zero intention of changing her life.
And then she sits next to “him”.
Big. Quiet. Intimidating.
Bruised.
Now here’s where Sarah does what Sarah does best—
she doesn’t ask questions… she handles it.
She pulls out ointment, treats his face like he’s one of her kids, feeds him her food, and casually organizes a group photo like this is a family reunion and not a plane full of professional fighters.
Important detail:
She has absolutely no idea who they are.
That photo?
Breaks the internet.
Enter Imran.
Disciplined. Controlled. Has NOT been thinking about women for two years straight.
And now he’s staring at a photo of his fighters… and “her”… holding ointment like she just won a championship belt.
He tells himself it’s business.
(It’s not.)
What follows is not loud.
Not messy.
Not rushed.
It’s that quiet, creeping, “oh… this is happening” kind of connection.
From coffee meetings to combat training to a whole month in the Dagestani mountains—
where the vibe is:
peaceful mornings
chaotic interruptions
one bee with an attitude
and a man named Ramzan who shows up exactly when he shouldn’t
This story builds in the background.
No big declarations.
No forced drama.
Just two people who are used to handling everything alone…
slowly realizing they don’t want to anymore.
This isn’t just a romance.
This is “soft power energy”.
She didn’t chase.
She didn’t perform.
She showed up exactly as she was… and shifted the entire room.
And him?
He folded quietly.
She brought ointment.
He caught feelings.
Nobody recovered.
And honestly?
Exactly how it should’ve gone.
Sarah Henderson is having a day.
Late. Sweaty. Carrying everything but peace.
She gets on a plane with snacks, a first aid kit, and zero intention of changing her life.
And then she sits next to “him”.
Big. Quiet. Intimidating.
Bruised.
Now here’s where Sarah does what Sarah does best—
she doesn’t ask questions… she handles it.
She pulls out ointment, treats his face like he’s one of her kids, feeds him her food, and casually organizes a group photo like this is a family reunion and not a plane full of professional fighters.
Important detail:
She has absolutely no idea who they are.
That photo?
Breaks the internet.
Enter Imran.
Disciplined. Controlled. Has NOT been thinking about women for two years straight.
And now he’s staring at a photo of his fighters… and “her”… holding ointment like she just won a championship belt.
He tells himself it’s business.
(It’s not.)
What follows is not loud.
Not messy.
Not rushed.
It’s that quiet, creeping, “oh… this is happening” kind of connection.
From coffee meetings to combat training to a whole month in the Dagestani mountains—
where the vibe is:
peaceful mornings
chaotic interruptions
one bee with an attitude
and a man named Ramzan who shows up exactly when he shouldn’t
This story builds in the background.
No big declarations.
No forced drama.
Just two people who are used to handling everything alone…
slowly realizing they don’t want to anymore.
This isn’t just a romance.
This is “soft power energy”.
She didn’t chase.
She didn’t perform.
She showed up exactly as she was… and shifted the entire room.
And him?
He folded quietly.
She brought ointment.
He caught feelings.
Nobody recovered.
And honestly?
Exactly how it should’ve gone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2026
"Because I look at you and I see a man who runs toward me, and not away, and I cannot think of a single reason to protect myself from that."
Beards and Bruises is a wholesome, closed-door romance. I picked it up because it revolves around MMA and I love a good sports romance.
Sarah is a single mom to her 12 year old son, Noah. She's smart, quirky, and has a bag full of necessities even Marry Poppins would be jealous of. Imran is a divorced, single father of his 16 year old son, Adil. He is also the manager of 15 Dagestani fighters.
Their relationship kicks off because Sarah sits next to 5 of these fighters on an airplane, scolds them for fighting, and applies bruise ointment to one fighter she gets from her bag. She becomes internet famous, develops a friendship with the fighters and Imran, and her son's training helps progress their relationship.
This is a slow burn. We're 50% before anything happens, but I enjoy their internal thoughts until they're able to finally enjoy a first kiss and beyond. The author is respectful of both cultures and religions in this story.
The group text with the fighters is funny and one of my favorite parts of this story. Imran has such a good support system and I love that they all included Sarah and Noah immediately.
The progression of Sarah learning to trust and Imran learning to relax is beautiful to watch. They take time to grow a foundation before jumping into romance. Imran does mess up and is slow to fix it, but obviously he does because they get a HEA.
This story presents more like real life than a made-up fairy tale. This is a good read if you want something light and funny. I really enjoyed being able to escape into their world.
Beards and Bruises is a wholesome, closed-door romance. I picked it up because it revolves around MMA and I love a good sports romance.
Sarah is a single mom to her 12 year old son, Noah. She's smart, quirky, and has a bag full of necessities even Marry Poppins would be jealous of. Imran is a divorced, single father of his 16 year old son, Adil. He is also the manager of 15 Dagestani fighters.
Their relationship kicks off because Sarah sits next to 5 of these fighters on an airplane, scolds them for fighting, and applies bruise ointment to one fighter she gets from her bag. She becomes internet famous, develops a friendship with the fighters and Imran, and her son's training helps progress their relationship.
This is a slow burn. We're 50% before anything happens, but I enjoy their internal thoughts until they're able to finally enjoy a first kiss and beyond. The author is respectful of both cultures and religions in this story.
The group text with the fighters is funny and one of my favorite parts of this story. Imran has such a good support system and I love that they all included Sarah and Noah immediately.
The progression of Sarah learning to trust and Imran learning to relax is beautiful to watch. They take time to grow a foundation before jumping into romance. Imran does mess up and is slow to fix it, but obviously he does because they get a HEA.
This story presents more like real life than a made-up fairy tale. This is a good read if you want something light and funny. I really enjoyed being able to escape into their world.
May 5, 2026
Tropes first because this one?? It’s chaotic, wholesome, and SO unexpectedly swoony 🥹✈️💛
• meet-cute gone viral 👀
• slow burn (like… SLOW slow)
• single mom + single dad
• found family (fighters edition 🖤)
• grumpy, disciplined MMC
• chaos gremlin FMC energy
Yeah… I was smiling like an idiot reading this.
Because the way this starts??
She just… applies bruise ointment to a stranger on a plane.
No hesitation. No fear. Just full mom mode activated 😂
And that moment??
That’s the whole vibe of this book.
Sarah is chaos—but the warm, caring kind.
She shows up, takes care of people, says exactly what she’s thinking… and has absolutely no idea the kind of world she just stepped into.
And Imran??
The complete opposite.
Controlled. Disciplined. Serious.
A man who does not do distractions.
And then suddenly—
he’s thinking about her. Constantly.
Telling himself it’s business.
(It’s not.) 👀
What I loved most is how this romance builds.
It’s not rushed. It’s not dramatic.
It’s quiet moments.
Almosts. Interruptions.
Little pieces of two people slowly letting their walls down.
And the setting??
The mountains, the routines, the absolute chaos of the fighters (and the cows 😂)—
it all adds this cozy, lived-in feeling that makes the story feel so real and comforting.
Also… the found family??
They absolutely have opinions and I loved every second of it.
✨ If you love:
• soft, slow-burn romance
• found family with personality
• opposites attract
• low angst, high warmth
• quiet emotional payoff
This one is funny, comforting, and full of heart—it just makes you feel good while reading 🥹💛
• meet-cute gone viral 👀
• slow burn (like… SLOW slow)
• single mom + single dad
• found family (fighters edition 🖤)
• grumpy, disciplined MMC
• chaos gremlin FMC energy
Yeah… I was smiling like an idiot reading this.
Because the way this starts??
She just… applies bruise ointment to a stranger on a plane.
No hesitation. No fear. Just full mom mode activated 😂
And that moment??
That’s the whole vibe of this book.
Sarah is chaos—but the warm, caring kind.
She shows up, takes care of people, says exactly what she’s thinking… and has absolutely no idea the kind of world she just stepped into.
And Imran??
The complete opposite.
Controlled. Disciplined. Serious.
A man who does not do distractions.
And then suddenly—
he’s thinking about her. Constantly.
Telling himself it’s business.
(It’s not.) 👀
What I loved most is how this romance builds.
It’s not rushed. It’s not dramatic.
It’s quiet moments.
Almosts. Interruptions.
Little pieces of two people slowly letting their walls down.
And the setting??
The mountains, the routines, the absolute chaos of the fighters (and the cows 😂)—
it all adds this cozy, lived-in feeling that makes the story feel so real and comforting.
Also… the found family??
They absolutely have opinions and I loved every second of it.
✨ If you love:
• soft, slow-burn romance
• found family with personality
• opposites attract
• low angst, high warmth
• quiet emotional payoff
This one is funny, comforting, and full of heart—it just makes you feel good while reading 🥹💛
Review of advance copy received from Author
Layla Cornell, you did it again.
Where to start, honestly? I had the great opportunity to be your ARC reader for the third time now, and every single time, you give me more reasons to keep devouring your stories.
This book brought me so much laughter, joy, and anticipation. After all the drama and tension in Wrong Woman (which was brilliant, don’t get me wrong), this one was such a cosy romance read that had me laughing a lot.
From Sarah's motherly behaviour towards, well, everyone, to all the banter between Imran and his fellow friends/brothers. I cannot really tell which character is my favourite, but I somehow want to be part of a certain group chat.
Among all your female characters, I must say I really enjoyed Sarah the most. She reminds me of myself in a way, especially that fierce need to be completely independent and rely only on oneself.
I want to thank the cows, a certain bee, Ramzan (the best chaperone), the rest of the group chat, and of course, Celine Dion... for turning this into such a fun, slightly slow-burn romance.
Most of all, thank you, Layla, for this story. I loved every second of it!
Where to start, honestly? I had the great opportunity to be your ARC reader for the third time now, and every single time, you give me more reasons to keep devouring your stories.
This book brought me so much laughter, joy, and anticipation. After all the drama and tension in Wrong Woman (which was brilliant, don’t get me wrong), this one was such a cosy romance read that had me laughing a lot.
From Sarah's motherly behaviour towards, well, everyone, to all the banter between Imran and his fellow friends/brothers. I cannot really tell which character is my favourite, but I somehow want to be part of a certain group chat.
Among all your female characters, I must say I really enjoyed Sarah the most. She reminds me of myself in a way, especially that fierce need to be completely independent and rely only on oneself.
I want to thank the cows, a certain bee, Ramzan (the best chaperone), the rest of the group chat, and of course, Celine Dion... for turning this into such a fun, slightly slow-burn romance.
Most of all, thank you, Layla, for this story. I loved every second of it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I have read all of Layla's book so far. This one is a bit different from the others - if feels like watching a romantic comedy. I laughed a lot (there is a scene where she googles a certain topic and I was howling)! I liked the main characters, Sarah especially. But the side characters I enjoyed even more, especially the fighters and their teasing in the group chat.
I also really appreciated that there wasn’t a lot of heavy drama. It just felt warm, easy, and cozy the whole way through. And I loved that the characters are around my age. That’s not something I come across that often, and it made it all feel a lot more relatable.
Overall, I just really enjoyed spending time with this one.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC copy!
I also really appreciated that there wasn’t a lot of heavy drama. It just felt warm, easy, and cozy the whole way through. And I loved that the characters are around my age. That’s not something I come across that often, and it made it all feel a lot more relatable.
Overall, I just really enjoyed spending time with this one.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC copy!
May 5, 2026
I was laughing so much reading this book. The chats with the guys were just so funny and I loved how they went about with their teasing and conversations knowing fully well that Imran was in the chat. Imran and Sarah's love story was so sweet. I was so sad when they parted, but was relieved when they found themselves together again. Noah and Adil were so cute. Their bond and friendship with one another was definitely one of the highlights of the book for me.
My only complaint was the constant shifts in POV. Sometimes it was a bit confusing when there were two or three POVs in one chapter and there were no markers when the POV was shifting.
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy of the book.
My only complaint was the constant shifts in POV. Sometimes it was a bit confusing when there were two or three POVs in one chapter and there were no markers when the POV was shifting.
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy of the book.
May 4, 2026
Once again, Layla Cornell delivered a romcom full of heart with Beards and Bruises. Beards and Bruises had me consistently laughing and smiling when I was reading it. Oh both Sarah and Imran had my heart. The slow burn development of their relationship was chefs kiss. I was cheering for their relationship throughout the book. Layla Cornell in her books does such a good job of describing the mountains of Dagestan that it makes me want to pack my bags, grab my passport and catch a flight to Dagestan. I can’t wait to read more from this authors. I received an advanced readers copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
May 1, 2026
I'll be honest and say that generally this book would not be the type of book that I would naturally gravitate too. I'm more of a fast paced steamy read kind of woman. That being said I was glad I went against my initial thoughts and gave it a go because I really enjoyed reading it. What was not too like? It didn't have any steamy scenarios in it but that didn't matter. It was chock full of gruff fighters with funny as hell phone chats (lol), a woman (Sarah) that had a bag that had its own postcode (lol) and a manager (Imran) who was respectful and a sweetheart. I couldn't help but love this book.
April 28, 2026
I was giggling and kicking my feet so much with this read. I’m so beyond happy to have been an ARC reader for this book because it was a cleanse from the usual dark romance I read. The MFC is definitely a mother through and through. She is led to a man who can not stop thinking of her because of one simple stubborn decision, she’s going to put ointment on a bruise of a burly MMA fighter on her flight.
I can not recommend this enough, it was such an easy read.
I can not recommend this enough, it was such an easy read.
April 10, 2026
This book was given to me as an ARC here is my honest and voluntarily review.
3.5⭐️ this is my second book of this Author and I really enjoyed it. This was a fast paced, engaging and funny story. This is has a mix of MMA grit and softer, vulnerable moments really worked for me also it has healing happening underneath it all. Will keep reading her books 📕 .
3.5⭐️ this is my second book of this Author and I really enjoyed it. This was a fast paced, engaging and funny story. This is has a mix of MMA grit and softer, vulnerable moments really worked for me also it has healing happening underneath it all. Will keep reading her books 📕 .
Review of advance copy received from Author
The third book in Layla's series is complete, and I absolutely adore her MMA fighters! Each one holds a special place in my heart. Their broken English and Russian accents were so amusing to read. The group chat was incredibly wholesome, and I loved their interactions, especially with him always saying he'd mute it but never actually doing it. The surprise at the end with the eagle was too funny
May 4, 2026
Beards
I totally loved this book. This book had a steamy love story.The characters had great chemistry. If you love a steamy love story that has an awesome story then you should read this book. I received this book as a ARC read and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book.
I totally loved this book. This book had a steamy love story.The characters had great chemistry. If you love a steamy love story that has an awesome story then you should read this book. I received this book as a ARC read and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received Beards and Bruises as an ARC reader-
This book was a super cute, easy read! As a HUGE fan of UFC (particularly Khabib and Islam), this story was just the right itch for my brain. It was super accurate But you do not need to be a die hard fan to still enjoy.
This book was a super cute, easy read! As a HUGE fan of UFC (particularly Khabib and Islam), this story was just the right itch for my brain. It was super accurate But you do not need to be a die hard fan to still enjoy.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Such a fun start of the book. And the best part? It keeps being fun to read. I don’t think I’ve laughed and smiled this much in a long time.
It’s really a cute story, I enjoyed every minute of it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It’s really a cute story, I enjoyed every minute of it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely loved this book! A steady burn while navigating cultural differences. Imran and Sarah find exactly what the need in each other to get over past hurts and create the family they've always wanted. No angst, just understanding. And as always, the hilarious input from the other fighters.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a true slow burn romance. Sarah and Imran take their time to get together, and it is so sweet. They both have past issues they need to work through.
The cast of side characters including their children, as so much fun. I am hoping they all get their own books.
The cast of side characters including their children, as so much fun. I am hoping they all get their own books.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was so cozy and such a fun, easy read! I genuinely loved it so much! This author NEVER misses for me! I would definitely recommend this one! I was provided an ARC copy from the author and this opinion is my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a very warm and romantic read without much of any conflict or drama. I personally found it to be a rough read but the storyline was cute and the characters were amusing.
May 1, 2026
ARC Review.
This is not the type of book I would normally read. But I enjoyed this!
It was calm and slow and a cute story all around! It was a light hearted cute read!
This is not the type of book I would normally read. But I enjoyed this!
It was calm and slow and a cute story all around! It was a light hearted cute read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I only have three words… rotating LED eagle 🤣🤣
That’s it. That’s the review.
Okay but seriously—hooked from page one, obsessed with the FMC, and the group chat moments had me laughing 🤣
Such a fun, feel-good read 💕
I absolutely loved this book. The cultural writing style and vocabulary felt a little different to what I’m used to, but it didn’t take away from the story at all—in fact, it made the experience even more immersive.
I connected with the characters so much that I’ve already added Layla’s other titles straight to my TBR list.
Thank you for taking me on a journey to the Dagestani mountains, into the lives of the FMC and MMC—and of course, into the world of the MMA fighters.
That’s it. That’s the review.
Okay but seriously—hooked from page one, obsessed with the FMC, and the group chat moments had me laughing 🤣
Such a fun, feel-good read 💕
I absolutely loved this book. The cultural writing style and vocabulary felt a little different to what I’m used to, but it didn’t take away from the story at all—in fact, it made the experience even more immersive.
I connected with the characters so much that I’ve already added Layla’s other titles straight to my TBR list.
Thank you for taking me on a journey to the Dagestani mountains, into the lives of the FMC and MMC—and of course, into the world of the MMA fighters.
May 13, 2026
Review of ARC
Where to start with this book…
I absolutely loved it!! I love the big bearded group of burly men put in their place by a 5ft something woman who takes no rubbish from any of them.
This book had me laughing, crying, furious and so many more emotions.
I cannot wait to come back to this world and read more from these loveable characters!
Thank you Layla for allowing me to read this and thank you for so many funny moments!!
Where to start with this book…
I absolutely loved it!! I love the big bearded group of burly men put in their place by a 5ft something woman who takes no rubbish from any of them.
This book had me laughing, crying, furious and so many more emotions.
I cannot wait to come back to this world and read more from these loveable characters!
Thank you Layla for allowing me to read this and thank you for so many funny moments!!
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