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The Clinch: A Fake Fiancée Sports Romance
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
Review of advance copy
The Clinch is a tightly written Fake Fiancée Sports Romance between a heavy weight champion and his sister’s best friend Liz.
Leo Carver aka Lionheart wants Liz as his looks and smiles from the ring in her direction imply.
One night, that is all she can ever offer after failure in the romance department left her with walls too high to ever be breached.
Then at the after party where their chemistry is smoking hot everything suddenly slides downhill when her ex, also a boxer shows up.
A fight breaks out after Leo protects her from the ex and Liz who is really Lillian after changing her name, and starting life over in a new city is now caught up in a PR nightmare for Leo.
In order to save Leo’s career they are going to have to pretend a romance until things blow over.
Well I for one wasn’t worried and I knew how this was going to turn out and enjoyed the drama, intrigue, family dynamics, personal vulnerability, and give and take, that began to shape this well told story now one of my favorite reads from this author.
The characters were perfectly crafted the story intensely good, the passion and emotion all encompassing. What a thrill ride this was to an exceedingly well deserved HEA. I loved this story! ********** stars.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Leo Carver aka Lionheart wants Liz as his looks and smiles from the ring in her direction imply.
One night, that is all she can ever offer after failure in the romance department left her with walls too high to ever be breached.
Then at the after party where their chemistry is smoking hot everything suddenly slides downhill when her ex, also a boxer shows up.
A fight breaks out after Leo protects her from the ex and Liz who is really Lillian after changing her name, and starting life over in a new city is now caught up in a PR nightmare for Leo.
In order to save Leo’s career they are going to have to pretend a romance until things blow over.
Well I for one wasn’t worried and I knew how this was going to turn out and enjoyed the drama, intrigue, family dynamics, personal vulnerability, and give and take, that began to shape this well told story now one of my favorite reads from this author.
The characters were perfectly crafted the story intensely good, the passion and emotion all encompassing. What a thrill ride this was to an exceedingly well deserved HEA. I loved this story! ********** stars.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 29, 2026
A professional boxer, his sister’s roommate, a celebration that gets interrupted what can go wrong or right afterwards ❤️🔥🔥
Leo Carver aka Lionheart wants Liz as he looks and smiles from the ring in her direction implying what he can give her is one
night, of hot sizzling of worshiping her body. And that is all she can ever offer anyone after failure in the romance department left her with walls too high to ever be breached because of her ex. Abusive behavior. It is at the
after party where their chemistry is smoking hot everything suddenly slides downhill when her ex, also a boxer shows up. A fight breaks out after Leo protects her from the ex . Liz aka Lillian changes her name, and starting life over in a new city is now caught up in a PR nightmare for Leo.In order to save Leo’s career they choose to pretend to have a romance between them until things blow over. This is an action packed hot storyline .
The characters were perfectly written and the story is intensely good, the passion and emotion all encompassing. What a thrill ride this was to an exceedingly well deserved HEA. I loved this story but not surprising considering the author is an excellent storyteller. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️❣️.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Leo Carver aka Lionheart wants Liz as he looks and smiles from the ring in her direction implying what he can give her is one
night, of hot sizzling of worshiping her body. And that is all she can ever offer anyone after failure in the romance department left her with walls too high to ever be breached because of her ex. Abusive behavior. It is at the
after party where their chemistry is smoking hot everything suddenly slides downhill when her ex, also a boxer shows up. A fight breaks out after Leo protects her from the ex . Liz aka Lillian changes her name, and starting life over in a new city is now caught up in a PR nightmare for Leo.In order to save Leo’s career they choose to pretend to have a romance between them until things blow over. This is an action packed hot storyline .
The characters were perfectly written and the story is intensely good, the passion and emotion all encompassing. What a thrill ride this was to an exceedingly well deserved HEA. I loved this story but not surprising considering the author is an excellent storyteller. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️❣️.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 30, 2026
Liz and Leo's Story
This is the 7th book in the Defenders Diaries series, which started in March 2025. The author only releases these books every few months so it is easy to forget details about the prior books and the relationships described.
This book features Leo Carver, brother of Eden and best friend of her boyfriend's, Nate Russo. He is the reigning heavyweight champion. He is a caring, compassionate guy.
He is attracted to Eden's roommate, Liz Adler, a nurse who is planning to attend medical school in the fall. Her ex-husband was also a heavy weight fighter and she is deeply scarred from their abusive relationship.
The story gets messy with her ex causing a fight, a fake engagement to save face and careers, and a deep relationship between the characters.
I wanted to like this book and I did enjoy much of it until Liz becomes unhinged. Yes she is scarred and Leo is trying to protect her too much and without discussing it, but instead of having a civilized calm conversation, she becomes hysterical and irrational. This really detracted the book for me but I still gave it 4 stars
This is the 7th book in the Defenders Diaries series, which started in March 2025. The author only releases these books every few months so it is easy to forget details about the prior books and the relationships described.
This book features Leo Carver, brother of Eden and best friend of her boyfriend's, Nate Russo. He is the reigning heavyweight champion. He is a caring, compassionate guy.
He is attracted to Eden's roommate, Liz Adler, a nurse who is planning to attend medical school in the fall. Her ex-husband was also a heavy weight fighter and she is deeply scarred from their abusive relationship.
The story gets messy with her ex causing a fight, a fake engagement to save face and careers, and a deep relationship between the characters.
I wanted to like this book and I did enjoy much of it until Liz becomes unhinged. Yes she is scarred and Leo is trying to protect her too much and without discussing it, but instead of having a civilized calm conversation, she becomes hysterical and irrational. This really detracted the book for me but I still gave it 4 stars
May 30, 2026
4.5⭐️
I really liked Liz and Leo. Their story had a lot of depth, and the author handled some difficult subject matter with care and sensitivity.
Liz is a domestic abuse survivor who is finally starting to rebuild her life. After seeing Leo at a boxing match, the attraction between them is instant and mutual. What begins as a potential one-night stand is interrupted when Liz’s ex shows up. Leo steps in to protect her, putting his career on the line. As a fake romance slowly turns into something real, they must navigate Leo’s protective instincts and Liz’s fear of feeling controlled again—even though she knows Leo is nothing like her ex.
This storyline was handled exceptionally well. Liz’s feelings and reactions felt authentic, and Leo was supportive, patient, and respectful of her boundaries every step of the way. I loved them together and found myself rooting for them to overcome their challenges and find their happily ever after. A heartfelt, emotional romance with plenty of depth. ❤️📚
I really liked Liz and Leo. Their story had a lot of depth, and the author handled some difficult subject matter with care and sensitivity.
Liz is a domestic abuse survivor who is finally starting to rebuild her life. After seeing Leo at a boxing match, the attraction between them is instant and mutual. What begins as a potential one-night stand is interrupted when Liz’s ex shows up. Leo steps in to protect her, putting his career on the line. As a fake romance slowly turns into something real, they must navigate Leo’s protective instincts and Liz’s fear of feeling controlled again—even though she knows Leo is nothing like her ex.
This storyline was handled exceptionally well. Liz’s feelings and reactions felt authentic, and Leo was supportive, patient, and respectful of her boundaries every step of the way. I loved them together and found myself rooting for them to overcome their challenges and find their happily ever after. A heartfelt, emotional romance with plenty of depth. ❤️📚
May 28, 2026
Talk about a bombshell, especially when things are just starting to heat up! Liz and Leo have been circling each other for a while and decide that it is finally right—then her ex shows up. I instantly felt for Liz and couldn't imagine everything she had been through; her strength and determination were truly inspiring. Leo didn't hesitate and protected her, which made me fall fast and hard for him. Their addictive push-and-pull tension felt agonizingly slow, but it was well worth the wait. I absolutely loved everything about this story!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 29, 2026
'Some bad decisions come with title belts.
Mine is six-foot-two, the U.S. heavyweight champion, and built to break every rule I made to protect myself.'
The characters were very likeable and compelling and complicated and absolutely perfect together. Plot was intriguing and intense and well paced. World building was excellent and expertly drawn. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Mine is six-foot-two, the U.S. heavyweight champion, and built to break every rule I made to protect myself.'
The characters were very likeable and compelling and complicated and absolutely perfect together. Plot was intriguing and intense and well paced. World building was excellent and expertly drawn. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 31, 2026
Summers delivers a well written and captivating fake fiancée, sports themed standalone romance read. Our main characters are Leo Carver aka Lionheart and his sister's best friend Liz. An act of protection becomes a PR nightmare that becomes a fake relationship that becomes so much more. Smooth flowing storyline that is well balanced with sweet romance, steamy chemistry and so much more! I loved this read and I can't wait for more from Summers!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This entertaining and engaging storyline has drama, chemistry, steam, growing emotions, a fake arrangement that becomes real, an abusive ex, past issues to overcome, secrets and truths revealed, and great secondary characters. The MCs are defined, intelligent, capable, protective, have chemistry, are likable and engaging. I enjoyed this book.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy
Leo is a boxer champ who doesn’t do love. On the night of the championship his sister’s best friend catches his eye. Liz doesn’t want to fall for a boxer. One night she looks into Leo eyes and everything changes. They are in a fake relationship that neither wants. They fight the chemistry but can they resist it? And Why doesn’t Liz want to fall for a boxer?.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 6, 2026
just. missing something
This was missing something. Fluid movement maybe, it felt super choppy, unfinished, not polished. I liked the idea of the story, but I don’t think this was her writing style in a nutshell. I disconnected with the story midway in and I felt it was lacking the emotion and fluid movement I’m used to from this author. I hate leaving a review like this but it was just ok.
This was missing something. Fluid movement maybe, it felt super choppy, unfinished, not polished. I liked the idea of the story, but I don’t think this was her writing style in a nutshell. I disconnected with the story midway in and I felt it was lacking the emotion and fluid movement I’m used to from this author. I hate leaving a review like this but it was just ok.
May 30, 2026
I loved this book and how A J Summers tells Leo and Liz’s story. Their chemistry was off the charts. I loved seeing how their story came together and couldn't put it down, because I had to know what was going to happen next. I highly recommend.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 31, 2026
This book was refreshing because it was something totally different. Your interest is held with what is going to happen next. I couldn't put it down. It's hard to find books that don't run together with the same plot. Keep it up, love what you do.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 4, 2026
This sports romance was well written. I knew what was going to happen, but it was a enjoyable and quick read. Loved the family interactions and the back and forth. LOTS OF PASSION! And, of course, an HEA!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 8, 2026
This was something I needed, after reading a kind of intense emotional book. The writing style was quite different from what I have gotten used to lately. I almost put it aside a couple of times.
The main characters grew on me, and I became invested.
The main characters grew on me, and I became invested.
May 29, 2026
Loved the characters. Loved the build up. The drama. The backstory. The HEA. Everything. Loved It All.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 10, 2026
It was a good story
I liked it
It was a good story to read
I enjoyed it
I loved the characters and their story.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I liked it
It was a good story to read
I enjoyed it
I loved the characters and their story.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 20, 2026
Clinch
Book was like a documentary someone telling a story and me listening. It was hard for me to read. I liked the boxing
Book was like a documentary someone telling a story and me listening. It was hard for me to read. I liked the boxing
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews