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Kage Trilogy #1
Kage
This is an old cover edition of ASIN B00VMX9MSK.
My name is Jamie Atwood, and I’m an addict. I never thought I’d say such a thing. Never had a problem being overly-attached to anything in my life. I came from a perfectly middle-class family, made good grades, and had a hot cheerleader girlfriend... but the truth is, nothing ever really moved me. So how did a guy like me become an addict?
I met Michael Kage.
Kage is an MMA fighter. A famous one. I like to think I helped him get that way.
He’s charming as hell, with looks to rival any movie star and talent to back it up. So why did he need to hire me as an intern Publicist? Simple. He has a darkness in him– like a black hole so deep it could swallow him, and me, and everyone we know– and that’s not good for business.
The first time I met him, I felt the pull. I think the addiction began at that very moment. And even if I’d known then what I know now, I would have fallen for him. How could I not?
For me, Kage is everything.
My name is Jamie Atwood, and I’m an addict. I never thought I’d say such a thing. Never had a problem being overly-attached to anything in my life. I came from a perfectly middle-class family, made good grades, and had a hot cheerleader girlfriend... but the truth is, nothing ever really moved me. So how did a guy like me become an addict?
I met Michael Kage.
Kage is an MMA fighter. A famous one. I like to think I helped him get that way.
He’s charming as hell, with looks to rival any movie star and talent to back it up. So why did he need to hire me as an intern Publicist? Simple. He has a darkness in him– like a black hole so deep it could swallow him, and me, and everyone we know– and that’s not good for business.
The first time I met him, I felt the pull. I think the addiction began at that very moment. And even if I’d known then what I know now, I would have fallen for him. How could I not?
For me, Kage is everything.
306 pages, ebook
First published May 25, 2015
176 people are currently reading
4618 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 873 reviews
October 26, 2015
*** OMG...JUST LOVED IT.TWO MORE GORGEOUS BOYS TO ADD TO MY FAVOURITE M/M COUPLES ***
God,I loved this!!
It's definitely not a fluffy M/M.It's very intense,quite dark but so real and believable.
Jamie is a 20 year old college student who is struggling to complete a project when he hears about a MMA fight taking place and decides this would be perfect as he is an aspiring Sports Journalist.
Little does he know it but this decision will change his life...
At the event he meets Kage who is a MMA fighter but only there as a spectator.
Jamie has a hot cheerleader girlfriend who he is into but it's not love.He's a bit in denial about his sexuality.It's ok to watch ad's for gay porn as long as he's not paying for it,he's straight right?
Suddenly,without even applying for it,he's offered a summer internship as a publicist for Kage in Las Vegas.
His girlfriend has just broken up with him and he sees this as an opportunity he can't ignore.
Right from the start,as a reader,Kage's intentions are clear...he wants Jamie.
Jamie however is totally unaware but is completely fascinated by Kage.
The Author has created two amazing characters in these two.I read a lot of M/M books where one guy is gay and one straight but this really didn't come across as the stereotype GFY story.To me,it was in a different league because it was totally believable.I could feel Jamie's all consuming attraction to Kage and his confusion.
And because of the slow build up the sexual tension was so so hot.Every time these two were together,as a reader,you could feel it.
The story is only told from Jamie's pov so Kage remains a hot,sexy mystery.
These two are just perfect together and I cannot wait for more of them.
To fans of M/M books who like something a bit edgier I cannot recommend highly enough!!!
God,I loved this!!
It's definitely not a fluffy M/M.It's very intense,quite dark but so real and believable.
Jamie is a 20 year old college student who is struggling to complete a project when he hears about a MMA fight taking place and decides this would be perfect as he is an aspiring Sports Journalist.
Little does he know it but this decision will change his life...
At the event he meets Kage who is a MMA fighter but only there as a spectator.
Jamie has a hot cheerleader girlfriend who he is into but it's not love.He's a bit in denial about his sexuality.It's ok to watch ad's for gay porn as long as he's not paying for it,he's straight right?
Suddenly,without even applying for it,he's offered a summer internship as a publicist for Kage in Las Vegas.
His girlfriend has just broken up with him and he sees this as an opportunity he can't ignore.
Right from the start,as a reader,Kage's intentions are clear...he wants Jamie.
Jamie however is totally unaware but is completely fascinated by Kage.
The Author has created two amazing characters in these two.I read a lot of M/M books where one guy is gay and one straight but this really didn't come across as the stereotype GFY story.To me,it was in a different league because it was totally believable.I could feel Jamie's all consuming attraction to Kage and his confusion.
And because of the slow build up the sexual tension was so so hot.Every time these two were together,as a reader,you could feel it.
The story is only told from Jamie's pov so Kage remains a hot,sexy mystery.
These two are just perfect together and I cannot wait for more of them.
To fans of M/M books who like something a bit edgier I cannot recommend highly enough!!!
November 3, 2021
⚡️
4 stars.
⚡️
holy fuck??
i really didn’t expect to like this so much. this series has been on my tbr for forever and i honestly have no idea why i suddenly picked it up, but i’m really glad that i did.
the characters are SO good!
Kage might seem like a cute teddy bear most of the time, but he’s got a dark side for sure. we don’t really get to know that much about him in this book yet. he’s basically a complete mystery man, who clearly has deep, deep issues. we know he desperately wants to be loved by Jamie though, that much is obvious.
“i reached up to feel my necklace. ran my fingers across it in the same way Kage had done earlier, feeling the texture, and wondering if i’d ever really get to know the guy who had just been officially declared my soulmate.”
Jamie.. naive, sweet Jamie. such a sweetheart. the whole book is from his POV, which i actually didn’t mind. i feel like the fact that we don’t get Kage’s POV just makes him that much more mysterious.
these two definitely had their cute moments. their little crushes on each other were so fucking obvious. the tension!! the yearning!! absolutely delicious. the smut was pretty damn hot too. however, when they fought, they really fought LMAO. that fight at the end??? i almost lost my goddamn mind i swear..
anyway this review is a mess, because i just want to move on to book 2 asap. that cliffhanger honestly made me want to punch walls. book 2 here i come!!
holy fuck??
i really didn’t expect to like this so much. this series has been on my tbr for forever and i honestly have no idea why i suddenly picked it up, but i’m really glad that i did.
the characters are SO good!
Kage might seem like a cute teddy bear most of the time, but he’s got a dark side for sure. we don’t really get to know that much about him in this book yet. he’s basically a complete mystery man, who clearly has deep, deep issues. we know he desperately wants to be loved by Jamie though, that much is obvious.
“i reached up to feel my necklace. ran my fingers across it in the same way Kage had done earlier, feeling the texture, and wondering if i’d ever really get to know the guy who had just been officially declared my soulmate.”
Jamie.. naive, sweet Jamie. such a sweetheart. the whole book is from his POV, which i actually didn’t mind. i feel like the fact that we don’t get Kage’s POV just makes him that much more mysterious.
these two definitely had their cute moments. their little crushes on each other were so fucking obvious. the tension!! the yearning!! absolutely delicious. the smut was pretty damn hot too. however, when they fought, they really fought LMAO. that fight at the end??? i almost lost my goddamn mind i swear..
anyway this review is a mess, because i just want to move on to book 2 asap. that cliffhanger honestly made me want to punch walls. book 2 here i come!!
November 7, 2015
So, so, so, good!
I'm pretty sure I would have had kittens if I had read this without the sequel already written and released.
Will review trilogy when I am finished!
I'm pretty sure I would have had kittens if I had read this without the sequel already written and released.
Will review trilogy when I am finished!
October 8, 2017
5++++++ stars for the book
10++++ for the Audio book.
Wow! The best 8 hours of my weekend so far. The Audio-book had me like
J.F Harding’s voice for Kage is so sexy.
For some unknown weird reasons I have watched and enjoyed almost all of the UFC fights. That is why I picked up this book, I expected fights but I was not disappointed with the story. I enjoyed it so much.
This book is a slow burn, Like really slow burn but I loved it. Jamie and Kage connection is there from the beginning. The chemistry between these two is believable. The sexual tension is so hot and when they get together, explosion.
Kage I loved this guy my kind of MC broken, damaged, broody and all Mine, Mine.
“There better not be,” he growled. “Do you feel me? Feel how hard I am inside you? This is what you do to me.”
Jaime the nerdy college student who was clueless of his own sexuality sucked me in. He was a little brat sometimes but I liked him.
I will just leave this here:
No sense denying it now, cause porn don’t lie.
You can lie to everyone. Your parents, your friends, your preacher, your girlfriend, even yourself… But when you click that play button, your heart rate doubles, your dick gets axe-handle hard, and you come like a freshly-tapped fire hydrant… that’s truth right there.
And my truth was that I had been jerking off to advertisements for a long time. You know those rotating gifs that tease you with the best shots from the pay sites?
Well, one time I accidentally clicked on the gay portion of my go-to porn site. I’d clicked right back out again, but the damage had been done. Now the all-powerful advertising engine knew what I craved, and it was relentless. It showed me men sucking other men’s dicks, hairy asses getting pounded bareback, twinks getting creamed in the face in group orgies. The fact that I had favorite ads was even more damning.
_______________________________________
Oct 2015
Oh my God! im officially addicted ... im addicted to Kage..... the writing was perfect.
10++++ for the Audio book.
Wow! The best 8 hours of my weekend so far. The Audio-book had me like
J.F Harding’s voice for Kage is so sexy.
For some unknown weird reasons I have watched and enjoyed almost all of the UFC fights. That is why I picked up this book, I expected fights but I was not disappointed with the story. I enjoyed it so much.
This book is a slow burn, Like really slow burn but I loved it. Jamie and Kage connection is there from the beginning. The chemistry between these two is believable. The sexual tension is so hot and when they get together, explosion.
Kage I loved this guy my kind of MC broken, damaged, broody and all Mine, Mine.
“There better not be,” he growled. “Do you feel me? Feel how hard I am inside you? This is what you do to me.”
Jaime the nerdy college student who was clueless of his own sexuality sucked me in. He was a little brat sometimes but I liked him.
I will just leave this here:
No sense denying it now, cause porn don’t lie.
You can lie to everyone. Your parents, your friends, your preacher, your girlfriend, even yourself… But when you click that play button, your heart rate doubles, your dick gets axe-handle hard, and you come like a freshly-tapped fire hydrant… that’s truth right there.
And my truth was that I had been jerking off to advertisements for a long time. You know those rotating gifs that tease you with the best shots from the pay sites?
Well, one time I accidentally clicked on the gay portion of my go-to porn site. I’d clicked right back out again, but the damage had been done. Now the all-powerful advertising engine knew what I craved, and it was relentless. It showed me men sucking other men’s dicks, hairy asses getting pounded bareback, twinks getting creamed in the face in group orgies. The fact that I had favorite ads was even more damning.
_______________________________________
Oct 2015
Oh my God! im officially addicted ... im addicted to Kage..... the writing was perfect.
July 22, 2018
4 Stars
Everything started with a project! Jamie is a journalism major and decided to cover an MMA fighting for his final project. He wants to be a sports writer or a publicist. He has a girlfriend and has a good life but still, something's missing! well, after he received that internship for an MMA fighter a few weeks later, he found out what was missing! He hadn’t someone like Kage in his life. With spending more time with Kage, he feels something new, not really new but something that he always pushed away and he can’t do that anymore!
I enjoyed this one so much, but the only thing that bothered me was that the book didn’t say anything about Kage! I really don’t know him! Who is Kage, what’s his story, what he wants, why is he like that, why the panic attack, what's his past, why he became a fighter… And it’s not just me, Jamie didn’t know them too but still, he claimed Kage as his soulmate!?! Well...
Told in Jamie’s POV, 1st person. It’s the first installment in the "Kage" trilogy and it ends with a cliffhanger. Overall, Liked it and hope you enjoy it as well!
Everything started with a project! Jamie is a journalism major and decided to cover an MMA fighting for his final project. He wants to be a sports writer or a publicist. He has a girlfriend and has a good life but still, something's missing! well, after he received that internship for an MMA fighter a few weeks later, he found out what was missing! He hadn’t someone like Kage in his life. With spending more time with Kage, he feels something new, not really new but something that he always pushed away and he can’t do that anymore!
I enjoyed this one so much, but the only thing that bothered me was that the book didn’t say anything about Kage! I really don’t know him! Who is Kage, what’s his story, what he wants, why is he like that, why the panic attack, what's his past, why he became a fighter… And it’s not just me, Jamie didn’t know them too but still, he claimed Kage as his soulmate!?! Well...
Told in Jamie’s POV, 1st person. It’s the first installment in the "Kage" trilogy and it ends with a cliffhanger. Overall, Liked it and hope you enjoy it as well!
July 11, 2017
Whew, boy, this one has me all tangled up!
I mean, on one hand this is a slow burn sexuality discovery story, which is sort of my thang. Pluses include smoking hot sex and one of the BEST audiobook narrations I've heard in a long time (killed it, J.F. Harding!!).
But the negatives... they are a LOT.
I'm not really into bad boys or fighters, and the persona of Kage wasn't really my taste. Jamie was a total TSSL character, and I wanted to smack him upside the head for being so dense. Plus, that ending... ugh, what a cliffy, and with a misunderstanding to boot!
I feel conflicted. I don't think I'll continue on in the series (but I'll get EVERY ONE of the narrator's other books!)
June 16, 2015
Ok, so this was absolutely horrible. In fact, it reminded me of "Real" by Katy Evans. Not just because one MC is a fighter but because of how ridiculous the plot was and how unbelievably contrived the twists were. It started out okay, with a good amount of UST, and quickly moved to unbelievable territory.
Jamie's character was supposed to be straight but he was soon fantasising about Kage without even wondering what's up with that. Kage came across as the quintessential broody super athlete with a ton of issues but there were some plot lines that were left unresolved which didn't help with understanding who Kage was. And I get that it's a trilogy so of course there has to be plot left and territory to discover to fill 2 more books, but it wasn't handled well. For instance, an incident happened when Kage was feeling unwell and an outside character was introduced. I won't say more about that because it'll be totally spoilery. The circumstances involving that incident were soap opera worthy IMO and Jaime didn't even wonder about the whole situation at all? I would have been happy if Jaime had tried to talk to Kage about it and Kage simply hadn't wanted to open up. But, conveniently, the character didn't even wonder about something the author decided was not to be addressed in this first instalment. Riiiiiight.
Also, I'm sick and tired of women being portrayed as weak and naively romantic in romance novels. Sick of it. This statement made by Jaime's girlfriend at the beginning of the book portrays it perfectly: It's okay, Jaime. I understand you don't want the same things as me, you know? That's why I needed to move on. I may seem tough, but deep down I'm just a girl. I can't help it. I want the fairy tale. There are so many things that are f@cking wrong with this quote that I honestly don't know where to start.
Now, for the sex. I was under the impression that this would be one very steamy read. Indeed, the three times the characters engaged in anything remotely sexual, were quite hot. But, in a long book with bad plot, badly developed and unrealistic characters, 3 sex scenes, no matter how hot they are, are simply not enough to salvage this disaster of a story.
I could go on and on about things that pissed me off and ruined what could have been a very enjoyable reading experience about a hot fighter and a straight college boy but I'll sound like a broken record. I've seen a lot of positive reviews on GR about this so what can I say? Look at other reviews before you decide to skip or read but I know for a fact I will not be continuing with the series.
Can't recommend.
Jamie's character was supposed to be straight but he was soon fantasising about Kage without even wondering what's up with that. Kage came across as the quintessential broody super athlete with a ton of issues but there were some plot lines that were left unresolved which didn't help with understanding who Kage was. And I get that it's a trilogy so of course there has to be plot left and territory to discover to fill 2 more books, but it wasn't handled well. For instance, an incident happened when Kage was feeling unwell and an outside character was introduced. I won't say more about that because it'll be totally spoilery. The circumstances involving that incident were soap opera worthy IMO and Jaime didn't even wonder about the whole situation at all? I would have been happy if Jaime had tried to talk to Kage about it and Kage simply hadn't wanted to open up. But, conveniently, the character didn't even wonder about something the author decided was not to be addressed in this first instalment. Riiiiiight.
Also, I'm sick and tired of women being portrayed as weak and naively romantic in romance novels. Sick of it. This statement made by Jaime's girlfriend at the beginning of the book portrays it perfectly: It's okay, Jaime. I understand you don't want the same things as me, you know? That's why I needed to move on. I may seem tough, but deep down I'm just a girl. I can't help it. I want the fairy tale. There are so many things that are f@cking wrong with this quote that I honestly don't know where to start.
Now, for the sex. I was under the impression that this would be one very steamy read. Indeed, the three times the characters engaged in anything remotely sexual, were quite hot. But, in a long book with bad plot, badly developed and unrealistic characters, 3 sex scenes, no matter how hot they are, are simply not enough to salvage this disaster of a story.
I could go on and on about things that pissed me off and ruined what could have been a very enjoyable reading experience about a hot fighter and a straight college boy but I'll sound like a broken record. I've seen a lot of positive reviews on GR about this so what can I say? Look at other reviews before you decide to skip or read but I know for a fact I will not be continuing with the series.
Can't recommend.
May 5, 2019
5 The Machine Stars
LOVED IT!!!
Jamie is in college studying journalism, he wants to be a sports journalist or broadcaster. He hears about a MMA fight coming to his city and decides to write an assignment on it. Attending that fight will change EVERYTHING for Jamie. He meets MMA fighter Kage 'The Machine' Santori at the fight and they hit it off straight away.
Two weeks after the fight, Jamie's girlfriend had just dumped him (I don't blame her!). He gets a phone call that an MMA fighter in Vegas wants him to do an internship with them, Jamie knows who the fighter is immediately.
You know from the start of the book Jamie is not really that into girls, I mean the guy stops midway through sex to get an assignment sorted out!! Who does that?? Not to mention that he likes to go to the gym to hear the grunts and smells of men and spends his time there watching men do Ab curls!! Now Jamie just has to figure it out.
Kage is a big gorgeous hunk with a dark trouble soul, at first he seemed like an arrogant ass but as the story progressed I found him to be super sweet but just very private. Holy hell he is one hot motherf*#ker!!
I liked all the secondary characters and OMG, the way Jamie's mum found out about him had me embarrassed for him but I was also laughing my ass off!
When I say these two together are HOT, I mean...............
That ending though, it had my heart shattering for both men. What a cliffy!!
LOVED IT!!!
Jamie is in college studying journalism, he wants to be a sports journalist or broadcaster. He hears about a MMA fight coming to his city and decides to write an assignment on it. Attending that fight will change EVERYTHING for Jamie. He meets MMA fighter Kage 'The Machine' Santori at the fight and they hit it off straight away.
Two weeks after the fight, Jamie's girlfriend had just dumped him (I don't blame her!). He gets a phone call that an MMA fighter in Vegas wants him to do an internship with them, Jamie knows who the fighter is immediately.
You know from the start of the book Jamie is not really that into girls, I mean the guy stops midway through sex to get an assignment sorted out!! Who does that?? Not to mention that he likes to go to the gym to hear the grunts and smells of men and spends his time there watching men do Ab curls!! Now Jamie just has to figure it out.
Kage is a big gorgeous hunk with a dark trouble soul, at first he seemed like an arrogant ass but as the story progressed I found him to be super sweet but just very private. Holy hell he is one hot motherf*#ker!!
I liked all the secondary characters and OMG, the way Jamie's mum found out about him had me embarrassed for him but I was also laughing my ass off!
When I say these two together are HOT, I mean...............
That ending though, it had my heart shattering for both men. What a cliffy!!
June 15, 2015
I want to start this review with a warning - this book ends on a major cliffhanger, caused by the narrator MC's immaturity. If you can't stand waiting, while grinding your teeth, until the next one comes out, you may want to hold off on this first book for a while.
I really enjoyed most of this book. Jamie, the narrator, is a college student whose ambition is to become a sports writer and publicist. When he gets the chance to cover an MMA fighting event for a school journalism class, he meets Kage, a fighter with a magnetic physical presence. Jamie is obsessed with Kage, although he won't admit to himself why. Jamie isn't so much unaware that he's gay as he is determined to make his orientation go away by ignoring it. He has a girlfriend, he has never let himself deliberately download gay porn, so he must be straight.
His particular blend of enthusiasm and chutzpah turns out to have caught Kage's eye as well. Jamie gets an invitation to come to Las Vegas as an intern, to ramp up publicity for Kage, who has been out of the public eye so far. Kage is dedicated, talented, gorgeous. And also brave, as he over and over again is the one who moves forward with Jamie into a relationship of sorts.
Jamie's hesitance, his inexperience and his obsession with gay sex once he experiences it, are not unreasonable for the young man that he is. But his willingness to sit back and let Kage take every risk and make every move grated after a while. His confusion started to look like moral cowardice, even though not at all unbelievably so. It's a plausible flaw, just not an attractive one.
The moment of crisis at the end is something he handles so badly (despite some extenuating circumstances) that he became another character I really wanted to smack. That, combined with the totally unresolved cliffhanger, took the book down a star for me. However it's well written, and I will certainly buy the sequel to see the next stage of this relationship play out.
I really enjoyed most of this book. Jamie, the narrator, is a college student whose ambition is to become a sports writer and publicist. When he gets the chance to cover an MMA fighting event for a school journalism class, he meets Kage, a fighter with a magnetic physical presence. Jamie is obsessed with Kage, although he won't admit to himself why. Jamie isn't so much unaware that he's gay as he is determined to make his orientation go away by ignoring it. He has a girlfriend, he has never let himself deliberately download gay porn, so he must be straight.
His particular blend of enthusiasm and chutzpah turns out to have caught Kage's eye as well. Jamie gets an invitation to come to Las Vegas as an intern, to ramp up publicity for Kage, who has been out of the public eye so far. Kage is dedicated, talented, gorgeous. And also brave, as he over and over again is the one who moves forward with Jamie into a relationship of sorts.
Jamie's hesitance, his inexperience and his obsession with gay sex once he experiences it, are not unreasonable for the young man that he is. But his willingness to sit back and let Kage take every risk and make every move grated after a while. His confusion started to look like moral cowardice, even though not at all unbelievably so. It's a plausible flaw, just not an attractive one.
The moment of crisis at the end is something he handles so badly (despite some extenuating circumstances) that he became another character I really wanted to smack. That, combined with the totally unresolved cliffhanger, took the book down a star for me. However it's well written, and I will certainly buy the sequel to see the next stage of this relationship play out.
December 19, 2015
I pretty much liked this.
I'm afraid I'm biased because I love Maris Black like a lot. Her style is fresh and straight to the point and I always can feel the guys as university guys, not mature men that look like 50 or so. No, her characters are funny, carefree and a little immature. As it should be. That doesn't mean everything in their lives is a bed of roses. In fact they have some hidden shadows (or obvious ones) so in the end the stories are pretty balanced. Some are better than others but in general I devour them all in one piece. Almost.
This one has a similar beginning to Pinned. Jamie is in college when by a stroke of luck he hears something on the radio. A MMA fight that evening close to his place. So with no second thought he asks for permission to get in, because it's a good opportunity for his journalism project. And there he meets Kage.
He knows nothing of him but suddenly he wants to know everything about him. Kage is gorgeous and mysterious and I could feel his magnetism. When he talks, when he glances in your direction, when he pays attention to you. I could understand why Jamie is blazed and can think of nothing else ever since. He develops an obsession.
So when suddenly he receives a job offer as Kage's intern he follows his instinct and says yes.
Sexual tension escalating. Badly. Too fast and too hard. It was so obvious and was MORE frustrated than Jamie that they weren't making out yet. Warning signals from everywhere: a touch where it shouldn't be, a look that is a little too suggestive, a sentence that could have some sexual innuendo... Sometimes they were so close I wanted to smash they heads together at last. Patience is overrated. But no worries, they make up for it. The waiting was worth it.
If I have to complain about something it would be the 50 Shades of Grey feeling sometimes. Jamie is like the good guy next-door who is manhandled by the bad dark guy, who is intense and always have the situation in control. Sometimes I felt Kage takes too many liberties. There were occasions I was close to openly dislike him because he is always the one reclaiming rights and not being willing to make the duty part. But I'm a sucker for his overwhelming and charismatic personality, which made me forget little details. Those annoying moments only fueled my need to know more about Kage, because so far he's hermetic as hell and in truth I've seen little of his real feelings and thoughts. When I meet tortured characters with a soft spot underneath I want to know them inside out, always with a few things in the dark, because that undoubtedly gives me a thrill.
I'm afraid I'm biased because I love Maris Black like a lot. Her style is fresh and straight to the point and I always can feel the guys as university guys, not mature men that look like 50 or so. No, her characters are funny, carefree and a little immature. As it should be. That doesn't mean everything in their lives is a bed of roses. In fact they have some hidden shadows (or obvious ones) so in the end the stories are pretty balanced. Some are better than others but in general I devour them all in one piece. Almost.
This one has a similar beginning to Pinned. Jamie is in college when by a stroke of luck he hears something on the radio. A MMA fight that evening close to his place. So with no second thought he asks for permission to get in, because it's a good opportunity for his journalism project. And there he meets Kage.
He knows nothing of him but suddenly he wants to know everything about him. Kage is gorgeous and mysterious and I could feel his magnetism. When he talks, when he glances in your direction, when he pays attention to you. I could understand why Jamie is blazed and can think of nothing else ever since. He develops an obsession.
So when suddenly he receives a job offer as Kage's intern he follows his instinct and says yes.
Sexual tension escalating. Badly. Too fast and too hard. It was so obvious and was MORE frustrated than Jamie that they weren't making out yet. Warning signals from everywhere: a touch where it shouldn't be, a look that is a little too suggestive, a sentence that could have some sexual innuendo... Sometimes they were so close I wanted to smash they heads together at last. Patience is overrated. But no worries, they make up for it. The waiting was worth it.
If I have to complain about something it would be the 50 Shades of Grey feeling sometimes. Jamie is like the good guy next-door who is manhandled by the bad dark guy, who is intense and always have the situation in control. Sometimes I felt Kage takes too many liberties. There were occasions I was close to openly dislike him because he is always the one reclaiming rights and not being willing to make the duty part. But I'm a sucker for his overwhelming and charismatic personality, which made me forget little details. Those annoying moments only fueled my need to know more about Kage, because so far he's hermetic as hell and in truth I've seen little of his real feelings and thoughts. When I meet tortured characters with a soft spot underneath I want to know them inside out, always with a few things in the dark, because that undoubtedly gives me a thrill.
May 30, 2015
4,5 stars
OMG! What a brilliant first part of a trilogy! It isn’t fluffy, it isn’t drained in honey, it’s pure awesomeness!. I started reading it without reading any reviews and I didn’t know what to expect… but what I got was a crush on sexy as fuck, hot as hell MMA fighter Kage!
Kage remains an enigma… even after reading 226 pages I still have no clue who the skilled MMA fighter really is. Why does he fight only illegal underground fights? What’s the story about his super rich uncle? Why doesn’t he talk about his parents? Why does he have ?
Yep, Kage has a dark side, a very dark side… a side I can’t wait to learn more about. This guy just swept me off my feet, and while reading the hottest sex scene ever I melted into a puddle of goo.
Jamie is a college guy who doesn’t even know he is gay before he meets Kage. He’s so cute, so innocent… and he has no idea what he is getting into. He only knows he wants Kage… at all costs.
"You can breathe, Jamie." Kage said near my ear.
"I'm not going to eat you."
The end… well, what can I say about the end without giving away too much… it left me angry at both of them… and I can’t wait to get my hands on the 2nd book of the trilogy ‘Kage Unleashed'. Is it August yet?
Highly recommended!
September 25, 2019
Re-read 9/25/19
Shit, this book was sooooo good.
I'm not gonna explain what it's all about because...well to be honest...I just don't have the time to write a full review right now because I want to start the next book ;)
Kage was (actually he still is) awesome !!! This is a very nicely done gfy. I loved reading every single page. It takes them some time to come together and when they do...it's not rainbows and roses. It's hard and dirty ....just the way I like it ;)
Kage is an MMA fighter who hires college student Jamie as his intern (publicist) after meeting him at a fight, Jamie was trying to do an interview with him.
He has the hots for Jamie from the beginning, but Jamie is a bit naïeve and doesn't really take notice. What he does take notice of are his own feelings of attraction toward this hot as fuck fighter. I liked that this was a slow burn...the sexual tension was through the roof !! They sure as hell came together with a big bang.
It ends on a cliffy, so you understand my need to finish this review and get back to my reading ;)
I do want to explain that it's not a fluffy read. It's not really dark but the two men do get a little volatile with each other ... Which I found quite Yummy :)))
5 stars and on to the next one
Shit, this book was sooooo good.
I'm not gonna explain what it's all about because...well to be honest...I just don't have the time to write a full review right now because I want to start the next book ;)
Kage was (actually he still is) awesome !!! This is a very nicely done gfy. I loved reading every single page. It takes them some time to come together and when they do...it's not rainbows and roses. It's hard and dirty ....just the way I like it ;)
Kage is an MMA fighter who hires college student Jamie as his intern (publicist) after meeting him at a fight, Jamie was trying to do an interview with him.
He has the hots for Jamie from the beginning, but Jamie is a bit naïeve and doesn't really take notice. What he does take notice of are his own feelings of attraction toward this hot as fuck fighter. I liked that this was a slow burn...the sexual tension was through the roof !! They sure as hell came together with a big bang.
It ends on a cliffy, so you understand my need to finish this review and get back to my reading ;)
I do want to explain that it's not a fluffy read. It's not really dark but the two men do get a little volatile with each other ... Which I found quite Yummy :)))
5 stars and on to the next one
February 15, 2018
⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱*Took me by surprise*⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱
I had this one shelved as a ‘checked-wont-read’ book, yet here I goddamn am. Typical me. I can't find anything that interest me, so I just... picked. Something I've already deemed as ‘not interesting’. Ugh. Why can't I just AMAZING books? Where have they all gone? So consider my surprise when I actually liked this book. Yes, you read correctly. I liked it. When I read the blurb, I though the main character was weak and all. But I was wrong. Anyways, this book centers around hired intern Publicist, Jamie Atwood (20, becomes 21) and MMA fighter, Michael ‘The Machine’ Kage
Kage— the man I’d only hours ago claimed as my soulmate, the man I’d changed everything for, the man I felt like I would die without seeing for eleven days— was walking out of my life. And all I could do was lie there in my parents’ backyard, with my pants around my knees and my heart in my throat, and cry myself dry.
Quick basic facts:
Genre: - (New Adult?) Contemporary Romance (M/M)
Series: - Series, Book One.
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Favorite character? - Michael ‘The Machine’ Kage
Would I read more by this author/or of series? - Sure.
Would I recommend this book/series? - Sure.
Will I read this again in the future? - Probably not.
Rating - 3 stars.
March 10, 2016
Review written February 23, 2016
3.9 Stars - I couldn't stop myself but be fully drawn into this gay (NA) drama ... slightly breathless hanging on a cliff in the end
Bookpart #1 (of 3)
Kage is the first part in a three-books trilogy story. I listened to the 8 hrs audiobook flawlessly narrated by J.F. Harding. — I truly enjoyed every minute. Atmospheric. Heartbreaks scenes. It wasn't rushed, you have to wait for that wonderful first kiss-moment, and best of all this intense drama isn't ended yet.
********************************************
Jamie Atwood is a student wanting to be a journalist or publicist who by chance meet the spellbinding beautiful MMA fighter Michael Kage. Jamie (then with a cheerleader girlfriend) is at once kind of mesmerized and later that spring he gets the offer to come to Las Vegas for a special summer job...
If this had been a hetro m/f romance (very typical popular new adult / NA style) I might have hesitated. Sure, I could be fussy, over-critical and wrinkle my nose or roll my eyes and snort, but still, this was too fun to resist. In any case for this reader (the always hopeless romantic me). As it was, with the lure in gay theme and a slightly different style / topic from a lot of other M/M I usually choose, I just wanted to explore.
And? ~ Kage is truly intense, cute, romantic, fairly predictable. ...A tortured mysterious gorgeous sexy MMA fighter and a adorable innocent naive nice 21 year old student. (!!!) Add an end with a few hot hot steaming scenes and a shaking heartbreaking cliffy end. Still, this was simply irresistible fun romance entertainment. I want more.
Looking forward to start the second part (#2-Unleashed) as soon as possible. (The audiobook #2 is already waiting in my iPhone app.)
********************************************
I LIKE - surprisingly much
******
The KAGE Trilogy totally 20 hrs audiobooks listening. All three available and published late January 2016.
3.9 Stars - I couldn't stop myself but be fully drawn into this gay (NA) drama ... slightly breathless hanging on a cliff in the end
Bookpart #1 (of 3)
Kage is the first part in a three-books trilogy story. I listened to the 8 hrs audiobook flawlessly narrated by J.F. Harding. — I truly enjoyed every minute. Atmospheric. Heartbreaks scenes. It wasn't rushed, you have to wait for that wonderful first kiss-moment, and best of all this intense drama isn't ended yet.
********************************************
Jamie Atwood is a student wanting to be a journalist or publicist who by chance meet the spellbinding beautiful MMA fighter Michael Kage. Jamie (then with a cheerleader girlfriend) is at once kind of mesmerized and later that spring he gets the offer to come to Las Vegas for a special summer job...
If this had been a hetro m/f romance (very typical popular new adult / NA style) I might have hesitated. Sure, I could be fussy, over-critical and wrinkle my nose or roll my eyes and snort, but still, this was too fun to resist. In any case for this reader (the always hopeless romantic me). As it was, with the lure in gay theme and a slightly different style / topic from a lot of other M/M I usually choose, I just wanted to explore.
And? ~ Kage is truly intense, cute, romantic, fairly predictable. ...A tortured mysterious gorgeous sexy MMA fighter and a adorable innocent naive nice 21 year old student. (!!!) Add an end with a few hot hot steaming scenes and a shaking heartbreaking cliffy end. Still, this was simply irresistible fun romance entertainment. I want more.
Looking forward to start the second part (#2-Unleashed) as soon as possible. (The audiobook #2 is already waiting in my iPhone app.)
********************************************
I LIKE - surprisingly much
******
The KAGE Trilogy totally 20 hrs audiobooks listening. All three available and published late January 2016.
December 27, 2020
Holy shit. This was so fucking good. I usually hate multiple books with the same couple but I don’t think I can get enough of these guys.
Kage is this incredibly hot MMA fighter. Pure alpha male, if that’s your thing. It’s certainly my thing. Wow. Jamie is this sexy flirty straight college boy. Kage really wants Jamie and Jamie is clueless, until he isn’t. Together they are pure fire.
There is only one fight in the book, so it isn’t crazy violent, but lots of training and glimpses into the life of an MMA fighter.
A lot of mystery remains after book 1. I need to know more more more about Kage. Everything. Right now. On to book 2.
Kage is this incredibly hot MMA fighter. Pure alpha male, if that’s your thing. It’s certainly my thing. Wow. Jamie is this sexy flirty straight college boy. Kage really wants Jamie and Jamie is clueless, until he isn’t. Together they are pure fire.
There is only one fight in the book, so it isn’t crazy violent, but lots of training and glimpses into the life of an MMA fighter.
A lot of mystery remains after book 1. I need to know more more more about Kage. Everything. Right now. On to book 2.
November 15, 2017
3/3.5 everyone loved but me stars
This is definitely a case of “it’s me, not you”. I read this book as a buddy read, and all the other ladies loved it, 4-5 stars, and even jumped into books 2 & 3. I totally get why, but I really struggled with this one. The writing was good, but it had a NA feel to it, which I definitely was not expecting. The slow burn, between Jamie and Kage, was maybe a little too slow, and I found myself skipping paragraphs wanting something to happen.
Of course, this is just my opinion and the mood I am in. I did enjoy both characters. Jamie was sweet and funny, a little on naïve trying to figure out his sexuality. On the other hand, Kage was definitely moody with a darkness in him that we really don’t learn too much about. I am sure it is all explained in the next 2 books.
Book 1 definitely ends with a cliffy, and I am planning on continuing with the series because I really need to see what Kage is all about.
This is definitely a case of “it’s me, not you”. I read this book as a buddy read, and all the other ladies loved it, 4-5 stars, and even jumped into books 2 & 3. I totally get why, but I really struggled with this one. The writing was good, but it had a NA feel to it, which I definitely was not expecting. The slow burn, between Jamie and Kage, was maybe a little too slow, and I found myself skipping paragraphs wanting something to happen.
Of course, this is just my opinion and the mood I am in. I did enjoy both characters. Jamie was sweet and funny, a little on naïve trying to figure out his sexuality. On the other hand, Kage was definitely moody with a darkness in him that we really don’t learn too much about. I am sure it is all explained in the next 2 books.
Book 1 definitely ends with a cliffy, and I am planning on continuing with the series because I really need to see what Kage is all about.
September 2, 2015
Enjoyed with my lovelies here
Very promising start of very addictive hot series. Loved Kage. Need book #2 now!
Very promising start of very addictive hot series. Loved Kage. Need book #2 now!
June 9, 2015
1.5 stars
*** spoilers ahead***
So was I very excited about this book and to say I'm disappointed is a massive understatement.
Now before I start ranting I must say that this is not the worst book I read or anything, it had a few good moments, after the shock of reading a m/f sex scene right at the beginning of an m/m book I actually thought that it will get better, but no..
So:
- the book starts with a m/f sex scene.. if I want to read m/f I go read m/f, so this being right at the beginning is rude *glares*
- there is no real connection between the MCs, at least I didn't feel it; we're just supposed to assume there's a connection
- Jamie is such a teenage girl!!! Seriously, he's acting and thinking like a teenage girl; it's so embarrassing *ugh!!*
- Jamie is also extremely clueless, and if at the beginning it's a bit endearing by the end I was asking myself if he was that stupid *eye roll*
- Kage is actually interesting at first, I really liked him but then the author tries to much to make him all tough and tortured and misunderstood, and of course he is so hot, and has such abs and other parts of him that are just perfect, which is fine, I like me some sweet fighter ass but at one point it was just too much. I get it, he's hot, let's move on.. *eye roll*
- Jamie's mom calls him (or he calls her? whatever) and they're just talking about the weather or other crap and then she just tells him she has cancer and she'll get a mastectomy next Monday and he's all like, oh no mom.. that's so terrible, ok, bye now..I mean what in the actual fuck? *glares*
- Jamie starts training with Kage, and Kage is teaching him stuff and then asks him if he (Jamie) wants to get choked (yeah, that's right, choked!!) by Kage. And he says yes, and he gets choked and passes out and they are all excited about it :|
- Then their first kiss happens, and then they stop.. cause they have to be professional (Jamie is Kage's publicist) and ok, let's take some photos for the website.. . Their next sex scene is OK, and kind of hot so at least there's that
- And finally they go to Jamie's mom house for his mom's operation and they get in a huge STUPID fight about how Jamie only wants Kage for sex and he's not interested in him, doesn't want to be his boyfriend. I mean.. this fight was so put there so we can have a cliffhanger so we can wait with batted breath for the next one.. NOPE! I won't read the next one even I was paid for it.. And then to top it all, there's an unprotected, unlubed last sex scene *vomits*
Also I feel like this book is a ripoff of "Real" by Katy Evans, or tries to be and does a very bad job of it; not to mention that "Real" was a crapy book to begin with. But I'm not betting my money on this last statement, I might be wrong it's just my opinion.
Now I don't want to be only mean and skedaddle. The writing style is actually OK, if the plot wasn't so lame I would have actually enjoyed it.
By now!
*** spoilers ahead***
So was I very excited about this book and to say I'm disappointed is a massive understatement.
Now before I start ranting I must say that this is not the worst book I read or anything, it had a few good moments, after the shock of reading a m/f sex scene right at the beginning of an m/m book I actually thought that it will get better, but no..
So:
- the book starts with a m/f sex scene.. if I want to read m/f I go read m/f, so this being right at the beginning is rude *glares*
- there is no real connection between the MCs, at least I didn't feel it; we're just supposed to assume there's a connection
- Jamie is such a teenage girl!!! Seriously, he's acting and thinking like a teenage girl; it's so embarrassing *ugh!!*
- Jamie is also extremely clueless, and if at the beginning it's a bit endearing by the end I was asking myself if he was that stupid *eye roll*
- Kage is actually interesting at first, I really liked him but then the author tries to much to make him all tough and tortured and misunderstood, and of course he is so hot, and has such abs and other parts of him that are just perfect, which is fine, I like me some sweet fighter ass but at one point it was just too much. I get it, he's hot, let's move on.. *eye roll*
- Jamie's mom calls him (or he calls her? whatever) and they're just talking about the weather or other crap and then she just tells him she has cancer and she'll get a mastectomy next Monday and he's all like, oh no mom.. that's so terrible, ok, bye now..I mean what in the actual fuck? *glares*
- Jamie starts training with Kage, and Kage is teaching him stuff and then asks him if he (Jamie) wants to get choked (yeah, that's right, choked!!) by Kage. And he says yes, and he gets choked and passes out and they are all excited about it :|
- Then their first kiss happens, and then they stop.. cause they have to be professional (Jamie is Kage's publicist) and ok, let's take some photos for the website.. . Their next sex scene is OK, and kind of hot so at least there's that
- And finally they go to Jamie's mom house for his mom's operation and they get in a huge STUPID fight about how Jamie only wants Kage for sex and he's not interested in him, doesn't want to be his boyfriend. I mean.. this fight was so put there so we can have a cliffhanger so we can wait with batted breath for the next one.. NOPE! I won't read the next one even I was paid for it.. And then to top it all, there's an unprotected, unlubed last sex scene *vomits*
Also I feel like this book is a ripoff of "Real" by Katy Evans, or tries to be and does a very bad job of it; not to mention that "Real" was a crapy book to begin with. But I'm not betting my money on this last statement, I might be wrong it's just my opinion.
Now I don't want to be only mean and skedaddle. The writing style is actually OK, if the plot wasn't so lame I would have actually enjoyed it.
By now!
August 25, 2020
Well, that was pretty darn good. It was real, nothing fluffy. The writing is a bit too real in a way, no flowery-ness. very in your face sometimes, like a normal guy was thinking and talking. No over-dramatization either. No over-machoism. Just normal, but also extraordinary because of the situation and the character of Michael Kage.
I'm not sure I'm a fan of Jamie yet. He's in the "in-between" in so many ways, discovering himself, as the reader is discovering him. But it's clear it was "love at first sight" when Kage saw him. And because it seems obvious to the reader how much Kage wants him and cares for him, the fact that Jamie said and did what he did toward the end at the family gathering put me way off. I literally felt my chest hurt for Kage as he was experiencing those things from Jamie.
This is the song for this situation from Kage's POV...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBhy4...
Jamie better GROVEL to get Kage back in book 2, or my dislike of his confused self will increase exponentially...
Good news is, I bought all 3 books, and I can say that thus far I don't regret spending the $$.
I feel the need to expound...
Look, I know Jamie never knew he was gay or bisexual, I get he has a virgin ass... this is all so new for him.
BUT.
For a guy who seems relatively in tune with his and other people's emotions, esp. the way he picks up on how his ex gf Layla wants more from him and how he purposely witholds it, he really doesn't pick up crap from Kage.
Case and point:
1) Kage says many times - my uncle owns everything, I have nothing (i.e., he's been used likely abused and alone ALL HIS DAMN LIFE, he needs you!)
2) Kage spoons him in bed with a hardon while Kage's "first love" who told Jamie it's not THAT kind of love, sleeps on the other side. and she TOLD Jamie she'd hurt him bad if he ever hurt Kage. (i.e., Kage is vulnerable, don't hurt him)
3) Kage telling him he's got a lot to lose, a lot more than Jamie if this relationship goes south... (i.e., don't f*cking break his heart!)
4) Kage making him turn the necklace upside down to indicate that he has found his soulmate at last (i.e.... well, that's PRETTY EFFING SELF-EXPLANATORY!!)
And THEN, what does Jamie do????
Bad timing, I get it. Maybe too soon, I get it. But he really should have known better.
Here are some options for Kage, since all the cover versions for this book are WRONG.
And this guy is actually a pro fighter too!
I'm not sure I'm a fan of Jamie yet. He's in the "in-between" in so many ways, discovering himself, as the reader is discovering him. But it's clear it was "love at first sight" when Kage saw him. And because it seems obvious to the reader how much Kage wants him and cares for him, the fact that Jamie said and did what he did toward the end at the family gathering put me way off. I literally felt my chest hurt for Kage as he was experiencing those things from Jamie.
This is the song for this situation from Kage's POV...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBhy4...
Jamie better GROVEL to get Kage back in book 2, or my dislike of his confused self will increase exponentially...
Good news is, I bought all 3 books, and I can say that thus far I don't regret spending the $$.
I feel the need to expound...
Look, I know Jamie never knew he was gay or bisexual, I get he has a virgin ass... this is all so new for him.
BUT.
For a guy who seems relatively in tune with his and other people's emotions, esp. the way he picks up on how his ex gf Layla wants more from him and how he purposely witholds it, he really doesn't pick up crap from Kage.
Case and point:
1) Kage says many times - my uncle owns everything, I have nothing (i.e., he's been used likely abused and alone ALL HIS DAMN LIFE, he needs you!)
2) Kage spoons him in bed with a hardon while Kage's "first love" who told Jamie it's not THAT kind of love, sleeps on the other side. and she TOLD Jamie she'd hurt him bad if he ever hurt Kage. (i.e., Kage is vulnerable, don't hurt him)
3) Kage telling him he's got a lot to lose, a lot more than Jamie if this relationship goes south... (i.e., don't f*cking break his heart!)
4) Kage making him turn the necklace upside down to indicate that he has found his soulmate at last (i.e.... well, that's PRETTY EFFING SELF-EXPLANATORY!!)
And THEN, what does Jamie do????
Bad timing, I get it. Maybe too soon, I get it. But he really should have known better.
Here are some options for Kage, since all the cover versions for this book are WRONG.
And this guy is actually a pro fighter too!
September 4, 2016
My original note, from the day I started this book. Leaving it here. It contains no ACTUAL spoilers for the story.
Now, for my review, now that I've finished the book. I liked it far more than I expected to, especially considering how it started out. I liked both characters, but I wish I'd gotten to know more about Kage, he was quite the mystery. The UST was great, and the sex was hot, once it started. I was never quite sure though, if Jamie was gay but in denial, before this story started? I think he must have been, considering the gay porn banners, how it wasn't really gay, if he didn't enter the site, bust just jerked off to the ads. (yeah, that makes sense!)
One quick note- there were a few editing issues, for instance, Kage became Cage a couple of times. It wasn't too bad though.
Reader beware, this ends on a cliffhanger, so straight into book 2 for me!
Now, for my review, now that I've finished the book. I liked it far more than I expected to, especially considering how it started out. I liked both characters, but I wish I'd gotten to know more about Kage, he was quite the mystery. The UST was great, and the sex was hot, once it started. I was never quite sure though, if Jamie was gay but in denial, before this story started? I think he must have been, considering the gay porn banners, how it wasn't really gay, if he didn't enter the site, bust just jerked off to the ads. (yeah, that makes sense!)
One quick note- there were a few editing issues, for instance, Kage became Cage a couple of times. It wasn't too bad though.
Reader beware, this ends on a cliffhanger, so straight into book 2 for me!
July 18, 2018
I liked the writing and I liked some parts of the story.
The slow build-up of the relationship between Kage and Jamie was done really well.
But once they finally got together, it went downhill for me. I wish there was more between them than just Kage going all alpha male on Jamie. And the way Jamie responded, as this was his first gay experience ... I just didn't buy it.
There was definitely the lack of communication, which led to the type of ending I don't like. The way both Kage and Jamie acted at the end was ridiculous.
Also I hated the scenes with Layla and didn't like the way the situation with Jamie's mom was handled.
The slow build-up of the relationship between Kage and Jamie was done really well.
But once they finally got together, it went downhill for me. I wish there was more between them than just Kage going all alpha male on Jamie. And the way Jamie responded, as this was his first gay experience ... I just didn't buy it.
There was definitely the lack of communication, which led to the type of ending I don't like. The way both Kage and Jamie acted at the end was ridiculous.
Also I hated the scenes with Layla and didn't like the way the situation with Jamie's mom was handled.
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August 20, 2024
MM Romance
MMA fighter fixation
Trilogy book 1 of 3
Cliffhanger
3.5 Stars ⭐️
🎵Narrated by: JF Harding🎵Ummm why have I never listened to this narrator before? I absolutely love this man’s voice and can’t wait to listen to more. 💗
It’s been a hot minute since I read this but I need to catch up on my reviews. Here’s what I remember.
The first 2.5 hours of this audiobook put me to sleep. Any part with Kage had me riveted but all the crap with Layla (Jamie’s gf then ex) bored me to tears and the setup to Jamie being able to go back to Vegas took wayyyy too long. I was going to DNF the audio temporarily and open the actual book so I could skim it but then it wasn’t in KU so I forced myself through it and I’m glad I did because once Jamie and Kage reunite in person, I found it extremely hard to put this book down. Jamie was oblivious af though and while those kind of characters usually annoy the hell out of me, I adored Jamie and Kage once they got their shit together. Well as much as they could 😂
However, the ending of this book left me super angry with Jamie and his family and I cannot fucking stand Layla 🙄 But I wanted to keep going when the book ended where it did. And that sex scene near the end? Yum 😋
I was also really, really happy to learn we get Kage’s POV in the second and third books because I wanted it so so bad in this one! I think it would have made the first 2.5 hours so much more interesting to be somewhere other than with Jamie.
So I’m rounding down to 3 stars because while I enjoyed it, there were things I didn’t mesh with and had I not already had all 3 audiobooks I might have DNF’d near the start. Very glad I kept with it though.
MMA fighter fixation
Trilogy book 1 of 3
Cliffhanger
3.5 Stars ⭐️
🎵Narrated by: JF Harding🎵Ummm why have I never listened to this narrator before? I absolutely love this man’s voice and can’t wait to listen to more. 💗
It’s been a hot minute since I read this but I need to catch up on my reviews. Here’s what I remember.
The first 2.5 hours of this audiobook put me to sleep. Any part with Kage had me riveted but all the crap with Layla (Jamie’s gf then ex) bored me to tears and the setup to Jamie being able to go back to Vegas took wayyyy too long. I was going to DNF the audio temporarily and open the actual book so I could skim it but then it wasn’t in KU so I forced myself through it and I’m glad I did because once Jamie and Kage reunite in person, I found it extremely hard to put this book down. Jamie was oblivious af though and while those kind of characters usually annoy the hell out of me, I adored Jamie and Kage once they got their shit together. Well as much as they could 😂
However, the ending of this book left me super angry with Jamie and his family and I cannot fucking stand Layla 🙄 But I wanted to keep going when the book ended where it did. And that sex scene near the end? Yum 😋
I was also really, really happy to learn we get Kage’s POV in the second and third books because I wanted it so so bad in this one! I think it would have made the first 2.5 hours so much more interesting to be somewhere other than with Jamie.
So I’m rounding down to 3 stars because while I enjoyed it, there were things I didn’t mesh with and had I not already had all 3 audiobooks I might have DNF’d near the start. Very glad I kept with it though.
October 27, 2015
***4.25 Stars***
I lay there feeling him pressed against me in the dark, listening to the sound of his breathing. I didn't dare move, because I was afraid he might let go of me.
Wow...I'm not even sure what to say about this book. So much happened, yet so little happened. I feel like I both do and don't know these characters. I think I like them, but I think I might not as well. But one thing is for sure, it's one hell of an addicting read.
While posing as a journalist for a school project, Jamie Atwood meets underground MMA fighter Michael Kage. The man is alluring. Enigmatic. Mysterious. And sexy as sin.
He just had the kind of face you had to keep checking, to confirm that it was indeed as unnaturally handsome as you remembered.
The meeting has left Jamie shaken to his core. He can't stop thinking about the man. About the air of confidence around him. About his muscled and rippled body. About the sound of his voice in his ear. Jamie's never been with a man and is both confused and aroused by his feelings and thoughts for Michael Kage. However, none of that matters because he'll never see him again. Right? But then he receives a phone call that will change his life....Michael Kage wants to hire him as a publicity intern.
Jamie is whisked away to Vegas and into Kage's world. He's mesmerized by everything around him. The money, the lifestyle, the training. But most importantly, by Kage. There's a constant need clawing through him when he's around Kage. A desire so thick that the can feel it coursing through his veins. He's terrified of what that means, but nothing could keep him away from the man.
It's clear Kage wants Jamie. It's in his actions, his need to have Jamie around, but he's fighting something within himself as well. For every bit of himself he shows Jamie, it's clear he's keeping an even bigger part locked up. We're given glimpses of a darker side to Kage. And clues that not all is right in Michael Kage's world.
"You say you want to get to know me? You'll know everything soon enough, because you'll do whatever it takes to get the job done. It's your nature. You'll know my deep, dark secrets. My fears. All of the ugly things that you will struggle to keep the public from catching wind of. Because I assure you - if you never listen to another word I say, listen to this - I am ugly. I am dark, and I'm bad, and I'm rotten to the core."
Jamie wants to know. He needs to know. He's obsessed with all things Michael Kage. He's come this far and there's no turning back. He wants all of him.
"You keep threatening I'm going to get to know you, but I'm not seeing it. It seems like you have this security system that I can't breach, and every time I get close, a silent alarm goes off and you batten down the hatches."
The pull between the two becomes too much and the inevitable happens.(Let me just warn you that it takes a LONG time to get there.) Now with the added pleasures of sex, the insatiable need and constant desire burns even stronger. But what will happen when the real world comes knocking? Is Jamie ready to be an openly gay man? Can he handle someone like Kage? Does Kage understand the implications his personal life may have on a budding UFC career? Will the darker parts of Kage's life finally emerge?
I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN!! I was sucked in from the very beginning. The momentum of the story kept me glued to my kindle. My need to know more. I was just as entranced by everything Jamie was experiencing as he was. Kage's entire world is a mystery...and by the end of this first book, we're no closer to figuring anything out then when we started.
This book ends on a huge cliffhanger, but I think the most interesting feeling I had when finishing this book was confusion. I finished an entire book and was completely mesmerized by everything I read and yet had no real grasp of the characters. Normally that would piss me off to no end, but for some reason I was okay with that here. I think mainly because I don't think the characters really know themselves....if that makes any sense.
This book is entirely in Jamie's POV. And Jamie, though young and naive, is figuring out his life surrounded by the glitz, glamour and grit of someone else's world. He's having to sort through a lot with the added pressure of his career, Kage's career, his fear, Kage's secrets and a world of uncertainty. And although he can be immature and unlikable at times, you can feel that Jamie realizes that he's in the midst of a pivotal moment in his life.
And since we're entirely in Jamie's head, we're forced to try and figure out Kage with the same bits and pieces of confusing information that Jamie has. The man is definitely a mystery. He can be kind one minute and ruthless and cold in the next. Open and smiling, and then closed and shut off. There's still so much to dig up. We've only scratched the surface here.
Like I said, this one ends on a huge cliffhanger, so be prepared to want to dive right into the second book....because there's no way you can put this story down. Maris Black has managed to give you an entire book where everything and nothing happened all at once. And I for one, am off to get my next dose of this addicting story.
April 6, 2023
**** 3.5 stars ****
January 28, 2016
I just finished reading this a few minutes ago, and I am so wound up. Wow, I was definitely excited to read about a fighter, but I had no idea what I was getting into with this book.
Jamie has always dated girls. It isn't a passionate kind of love, but rather a safe and comfortable agreement. He enjoys sex, but there's no fire behind it. Warning there is a M/F sex scene, but it isn't very graphic or long. It stresses the difference between sex with a woman and man for Jamie.
Kage is sex on a stick. He's also wealthy and dangerous. He's an underground fighter on the verge of breaking into the UFC. There's a lot of mystery surrounding him.
Both characters were great in my opinion. Jamie has the perfect personality. He's smart, über charming, cute and talented at talking his way into getting what he wants. Others are attracted to him everywhere he goes, and he uses it. Kage is literally a machine. He has the perfect body, works out all the time, eats right. He's large, muscled and sexy. Also he's majorly alpha. I looooved his alphaness over Jamie. Like I basically melted into a pile of goo on the floor moaning yes like Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally.
I can't wait for more!
***Copy given in exchange for an honest review***
Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents
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August 25, 2025
* OMG OMG THIS IS SUPERB!!!!! *
I’ve read this series in one breath. It’s that awesome!! I absolutely adore Jamie and Kage together.
This is no ordinary romance. This is gritty and quite dark. Kage lives a lot of secrets that need to come to surface!!
Jamie, a 20 year old student of journalism. He hopes to be a sports writer, or a publicist for a sports team. For his final project he wants to cover a MMA event.
Jamie
This is where he meets Kage. Kage is a MMA fighter, not yet known at the UFC. He fights in only illegal underground fights.
Right at the beginning you can sense their attraction. Jamie is straight, he has this hot cheergirl-girlfriend. When Layla breaks up with him, Jamie is not that upset. He is surprised to hear from his professor that he’s been offered a summer-internship as publicist with Michael Kage in Las Vegas.
Jamie is intrigued and confused about his growing attraction to Kage. Yes, he watches gay porn, but he doesn’t pay for it. So that doesn’t make him gay, right?
He was so incredibly larger than life. I’d never met anyone who made me feel so insignificant, so lacking. Either he sensed my unease and purposely came to the rescue, or he was oblivious to it, because he continued on smoothly.
I luuuuuved their slow built of sexual tension!! I was biting my nails….
I’d never felt anything so erotic, so carnal… I wanted it, loved it, needed it like I’d never known I needed anything in my life.
Still at the end of the book we don’t know much more of Kage. Kage is still mysterious and untouchable.
“That’s what I do, Jamie. I hurt people. Do you know what they call me in there?
They call me the Machine. Do you think you can have feelings for a machine?”
Yeah, the ending…… Yep not what I expected. It was dark and gritty and I sure NOW wanna know what the heck is going on.
August 5, 2016
Finished it last night!!!! It's my first M/M romance book and I LOVED it, already one of my favourites . I will admit that I was apprehensive but thought I would give it a try, because a lot of people like them..... So glad I did !!!!!!
November 13, 2015
EFFING AWESOME. This woman can write. Incredible character development. Could read her forever.
"Ooohhh, someone's been a bad, bad , BAD boy," Kage slurred.
Ha! Hahahaha! Fucking fantastic!
On to book 2. Nom nom...
"Ooohhh, someone's been a bad, bad , BAD boy," Kage slurred.
Ha! Hahahaha! Fucking fantastic!
On to book 2. Nom nom...
January 2, 2019
*Long sigh really really long*
I need to explain me well so maybe this will contain spoilers
I think i never have so much conflicting emotions for a M/M book.
First of all, i never been into sports M/M, the only a truly enjoyed was Him and yet i thing it was one of my first M/M book and GFY and it's kind of dificult not love that kind of things.
I have so much to say, about this, at the begining i though Jamie going to be a dominant but hell no, i think i never read some character more submissive than Jamie. And there my biggest problem of this book:
It just don't like Jamie
Don't kill me please, but what i enjoy of a GFY book it's the character's journey of discover his sexuality, but Jamie it's just in such denial it made me really mad, also we don't have Kage's pov and even them we can see that Kage have a really disturbing things in his mind.
Ok, i have to mention the sexual tension between them since the beggining of the book, it was driven me crazy (in the good way) and i like it the book for that.
But then it dessapointed me again with the sex, i mean THAT can not be healthy, even if i was reading it from Jamie how much he enjoyed, i was feeling pretty scary for him. Yes i know, but i am so not into de Dominant and Submissive thing i just don't into it. I was hoping to see a Kage kind and sweet, Different from when he fought, but i have to say that it was worse and that i don't like it (even if he was being really hot)
So, in general i like it the story, maybe the things i didn't like it is resolved and the other two books but for now i don't like the feeling i have when i ended this so it may take a while before a read the second one.
I need to explain me well so maybe this will contain spoilers
I think i never have so much conflicting emotions for a M/M book.
First of all, i never been into sports M/M, the only a truly enjoyed was Him and yet i thing it was one of my first M/M book and GFY and it's kind of dificult not love that kind of things.
I have so much to say, about this, at the begining i though Jamie going to be a dominant but hell no, i think i never read some character more submissive than Jamie. And there my biggest problem of this book:
It just don't like Jamie
Don't kill me please, but what i enjoy of a GFY book it's the character's journey of discover his sexuality, but Jamie it's just in such denial it made me really mad, also we don't have Kage's pov and even them we can see that Kage have a really disturbing things in his mind.
Ok, i have to mention the sexual tension between them since the beggining of the book, it was driven me crazy (in the good way) and i like it the book for that.
But then it dessapointed me again with the sex, i mean THAT can not be healthy, even if i was reading it from Jamie how much he enjoyed, i was feeling pretty scary for him. Yes i know, but i am so not into de Dominant and Submissive thing i just don't into it. I was hoping to see a Kage kind and sweet, Different from when he fought, but i have to say that it was worse and that i don't like it (even if he was being really hot)
So, in general i like it the story, maybe the things i didn't like it is resolved and the other two books but for now i don't like the feeling i have when i ended this so it may take a while before a read the second one.
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