Behind the Ropes: A Wrestling with Love Novel

by Tamara Lemus, Allison Meloni (Editor), Mackenzie Gimben (Illustrator)

MarianaMariana Sinclair has always been close to the world of professional wrestling; her best friend, Ravyn, is the current EWC women’s champion after all. But being on the sidelines is very different from understanding what happens behind the curtain. When a required college internship throws her into a last-minute scramble, every opportunity seems out of reach… until Aiden Acosta steps in. With Aiden’s help, Mariana lands a summer gig as a backstage interviewer, and he begins showing her the ins and outs of the wrestling world. What starts as a stressful situation quickly turns into what should be an exciting and stress-free summer. That is, until Mariana’s ex sends her an invite to his wedding. Caught off guard and admittedly a little tipsy, Mariana RSVPs yes and adds a plus-one. Desperate to save face, she turns to Aiden, who agrees to play the part of her perfect boyfriend. Somewhere between the rehearsed smiles and stolen glances, the lines begin to blur.

Mariana promised herself she’d never cross that line with Aiden. But in wrestling, just like in life, you don’t always get to choose which battles you lose.


Aiden

Aiden Acosta was born into EWC royalty, the golden boy of professional wrestling, until his sister, Amaya, stepped into the spotlight and changed everything. Now pushed to the background, Aiden is left questioning his place in the ring and whether wrestling is still the future he wants. Just as he’s on the verge of leaving his boots in the ring and walking away for good, Mariana, his best friend and the girl he’s secretly been in love with for far too long, needs help. Aiden secures her a backstage internship with EWC, giving him the chance to stay close to her while showing her the ropes of the industry he knows like the back of his hand. For a while, everything feels easy. Natural. Safe. Until Mariana asks for one more favor. Now Aiden has to pretend to be a devoted boyfriend to the one person he wishes he could have. He tells himself it’s just an act, that he won’t cross that line, but every shared glance, every lingering touch, feels anything but fake.

Aiden is certain of one his feelings are real. And if he’s not imagining it, Mariana might feel it too, if only she’d let herself fall.

352 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 7, 2026

About the author

Tamara Lemus may be publishing her first novel, but writing isn’t new to her. She started writing at a young age when her mother gifted her journals. Later, she branched onto the online writing scene by writing Harry Styles fan fiction on Tumblr.
Her love of reading started when a little titled Twilight entered the world. As she grew up, life got in the way and reading went to the back burner until she picked up a fantasy book that sparked her love of reading back to life. Tamara enjoys
reading fantasy, romance, and thriller books. In her spare time, she loves traveling, trying new foods, and spending time with her family and fur baby, Xena.

Reviews

[colleen 🦢 · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW🩵🦋🩷

let me start off by saying thank you tamara for letting me read this beautiful masterpiece before it releases july 7th.

friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes ever to be written. when i started behind the ropes i found myself choking up at so many parts because the love and connection these two main characters have for one another truly took my breath away. not only just the the main characters but the friend group they have is truly everything. they all show up for one another and are just surrounded by so much love.

now onto our main characters more 😮‍💨 this man has a tongue piercing, tattoos and is over 6’0… need i say more? he is down bad for our beautiful FMC mariana or as he says, his mariposa 🥹 mariana is also down bad don’t get that twisted! you can feel the tension in these pages when these two are trying to deny their feelings for one another. the YEARNINGGG this man does, i needed a fan. be prepared to cry out of happiness and love when you read Aiden and Mariana’s story.

one of my all time favorite line from behind the ropes
🩷🦋 🩵
“has that ever happened to you before? a random butterfly just coming up to you, feeling like it was sending you a message of love? i swear if it has anything to do with ethan, I will throw up.”

my throat bobs before the lie leaves my lips, “no. never.”

it happened to me twice. the first time was the day i met ramona. the second time was the day i met aiden.

[ChanaReadsHorror · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited for this book and to continue in this world, and I was not let down in anyway. It was such a great way to expand on the characters we met in the first book. I also feel you could read this one without having read the first book, you get the right amount of knowledge of the other players which is a great testament to the author. The chemistry between our leads is so good and it made me keep reading to see if they would ever get together. If you are a fan of wrestling and romance then you will love this one so much.

[Samantha K.O. Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, From the Top Rope was really good but this one…this one was GOOOOOOD.

I’m not usually a friends to lovers girl but this book was absolutely it. I loved every second. Mariana and Aiden are *chefs kiss* perfection. The chemistry, the banter…no notes. Absolutely loved it.

[Kayla Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this story especially as the next installment of this world! I like a friends to lovers trope - and adore some yearning which this book did wonderfully! Not a huge fan of miscommunication / third act breakups which is why I knocked off a Star but the ending was a good way to wrap it up!

This author is incredible and as someone who has never been apart of the wrestling world - this made it accessible without holding my hand. Fun, cute, well written and bad ass! Will absolutely read more by her!

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect follow up in the series! It had the best mix of storyline that kept you guessing and some fun spicy bits. I adore both of the main characters even more than I thought I would.