Charming Kitty

Fighting for Love #3

by Gina L. Maxwell

Ancien lutteur professionnel des Arts Martiaux Mixtes, Aiden O’Brien prend le premier avion pour la Louisiane en apprenant que la petite soeur de Vanessa MacGregor, – la fiancée de son meilleur ami –, a de gros ennuis. Aiden a en effet promis à Jax qu’il veillerait sur la benjamine de Vanessa, et il tient toujours parole. Aussi, sous couvert d’une fausse identité, il se fait embaucher dans le bar où travaille la jeune femme. Mais quelle n’est pas sa surprise de découvrir une sublime rouquine au tempérament de feu ! Sa beauté attire d’ailleurs un peu trop les clients crapuleux, ce qu’Aiden voit d’un très mauvais oeil. Et à mesure qu’il côtoie la jolie Kat MacGregor, il sent grandir en lui un désir qui risquerait bien de mettre à mal sa mission et son anonymat…

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Fighters, Sports, Adult, Mixed Martial Arts

287 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 13, 2014

About the author

Gina L. Maxwell is a New York Times, USA Today, and #1 International bestselling author living in the upper Midwest, despite her scathing hatred of snow and cold weather. As a lifelong romance novel addict, she began writing as another way of enjoying her love of Happily Ever Afters.

Her debut novel in 2012, Seducing Cinderella, hit the bestseller lists within a month of its release and continues to be a fan favorite a full decade later.

When she’s not reading, writing, or spending way too much on planners and office supplies, Gina enjoys hanging out with her grown children, experiencing everything life has to offer, and dreaming of her someday-move to someplace tropical.

Reviews

[Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾ · Rating 5 out of 5]

You with me, Kitten?

Whoa. Gina L. Maxwell just continues to prove one thing; the woman can write. I went into this expecting a typical Brazen read. You know what I'm talking about. It's a whole lot of steamy, a little fluffy, entertaining read with some dirty talk thrown into the mix. Is that what I got with this book? Not even close. Don't get me wrong, it was still steamy and entertaining with some delicious dirty talk thrown into the mix. But it was certainly not fluffy. Not even a little bit. This was an emotional and gritty book about two broken souls learning to move past the shadows of their pasts and helping each other heal.

If you've read the rest of the books in this series and are familiar with Gina's writing, don't be surprised when you find this much different then the rest of the books. I struggled a bit with my rating, since it was not exactly what I was expecting...and I wasn't quite ready for the caliber of emotions and the heavy subject matter it covers. But truthfully, after giving it much thought, I simply couldn't rate anything less than the 5 stars this book most definitely deserves.

While this book can be read as a standalone, I would highly recommend reading Rules of Entanglement before this; and not only because it was an amazing book. Kat is the younger sister of Vanessa, the heroine from RoE. There are some things mentioned that I think will have understand Kat more from the beginning.

Kat MacGreggor is on the run. When her ex-boyfriend lands in jail, Kat realize that his debt to a major crime boss has now become her own. It only takes one beating within an inch of her life to realize that they mean business. So she changes her name and tries to make a living in a different town as a waitress. But before long her trouble catches up with her, and she realizes that there just may not be an escape.

Aiden "Irish" O'Brien knows that he owes his friend Jax a big debt. So when he hears that Jax's fiance has a sister that's in trouble, he doesn't take long to think before he leaves Boston for Tenesse in order to keep her safe. But Kat isn't quite what he expected and he's not prepared when being around her bring the demons from his past back up.

Kat has her own demons. And when the alluring "Irish" offers to help her with her problems, it's almost too good to be true. There just has to be a catch. She doesn't exactly have the best history when it comes to men.

Reading about everything that she's been through was not an easy feat. It was devastating. Even though I had a pretty good idea based on hints from the previous book, as well as the few things that are hinted at in this one, I wasn't prepared for the full disclosure of it. My heart broke for her.

But even with everything that's she's been through, she was a very strong and endearing heroine. She struggles with her past, but she's trying not to let it taint her future.

Now Aiden. My darling Aiden. He just made the book for him.

It's really no secret that I'm easy. Now don't be judgy here, I don't mean like that. What I mean is, I read motorcycle riding, tatted, and pierced and I WAS SOLD. I ask you, what else could a girl want? Now make him understanding, protective, sweet, and a dirty talker...and I am on cloud 9. Irish was pure tatted perfection. I think my heart just about melted every single time he called Kat kitten. And then when he would always ask her, "Are you with me, kitten?"

The first half of this book was an exercise in patience and a major case of blue ovaries. The sexual tension just kept mounting and mounting until it was almost unbearable. But don't fret, because the wait is certainly worth it.

He was equal parts sweet and a little dirty. Just the way I like them. This book had everything; great MCs, action, suspense, steam, and a beautiful love story about two people learning to heal the wounds of their past together. I loved it.

The one thing I was afraid of was the revelation of Aiden's secret. He harbors so much guilt from an event from his past that it effects every relationship he has, even the one with Kat. I can't tell you how many books I've read that have all this build to this big dark secret, only to come to a very anti-climatic and simple revelations. I was very worried that this might be the case here. I'm so glad to say that it wasn't. When the full event was disclosed I could definitely understand why Aiden felt the guilt that he did. It just made me fall for him even more.

The second half of the book was much quicker paced and filled with a lot of action. After the 80% mark I simply couldn't set it down, I just had to know what happens.

And the ending? PERFECTION

If you enjoy steamy books with two broken but extremely endearing MCs, action, suspense, and a great romance to top it off, then this is a must read. A fantastic addition to the Fighting For Love series, and I for one can't wait for the next book. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Xander, the sexy womanizing Brit.


I adored the way that Irish was with Kat; the way he helps deal with her demons and fears was beautiful to read.

**ARC courtesy of publisher in exchange for an honest review**

For more reviews visit

[• Lisa • · Rating 5 out of 5]

FIVE FIGHTING STARS.



I'm in brazen book overload and I can't help but love it. Gina L Maxwell has always been a favorite brazen author for my reading tastes, this time around she has completely blown me away by this beautifully written, touching story. This author has more than delivered a treat, and I can't wait for, Gina Maxwell enthusiasts to grab this novel. Readers if you are a fan of this author or even if you haven't been in the past, you must add this to your to be read shelves. Here are my 'Fighting for Irish' book thoughts ...

What's it all about?
Kat MacGregor has a knack for finding herself in less than desirable situations. Running away from her abusive past, Kat now finds herself holding the responsibility of her dead beat ex boyfriends debt. This feisty but broken waitress has always tried to fight her own battles but when a friend who can make more than her pulse best fast steps up to defend her, she has to learn to trust in his security. Aiden 'Irish' O'Brien has moved states to look after his close friends little sister. But when attraction and lust start to play a staring role in this couples connection. Aiden must make the decision to fight for what he loves before he looses his heart. Mystery, romance, danger, love and lust all play a starring role in this next explosive instalment in the 'Fighting for love' series.





What did I love?
This book came as a surprise, I loved seducing Cinderella and rules of entanglement they both gave me what I crave in a romantic story; love, lust and sexy longing wrapped up with great story telling, so when I started Fighting For Irish I expected the same formula, boy meets girl, hot sex, fall in love, rinse and repeat. Well readers I can honestly say my expectations were blown away. This book was so much more than an average easy-going romance, this novel was breath taking, sensual, gripping and heart warming. I'm still in awe of how Gina Maxwell has taken a run of the mill, yet loveable series and launched it onto another level all of it's own. The characters were well thought out, the plot was engaging, suspenseful and endearing and I was fully invested in this love story of healing and attraction. Gina Maxwell tackled subjects of abuse, hardships and attraction with a balanced, sympathetic and sensitive talent. Those that expect an easy brazen fix may be more than a little surprised at the depth and content of this well constructed love story.




Rating further explained ...
For the first 50% of this book I felt conflicted over my rating, simply because this book delivered what I was not expecting; a depth and grittiness that obviously came from the authors labour of love. Once I got over the initial surprise and allowed my self to forget about the Brazen title an the easy to read, sexy nature of this authors past books and focused in on the story that Gina was presenting I was wowed and won over. Bravo Mrs Maxwell, I loved your style.



Final thoughts ...
Aiden 'Irish' O'Brien will be a character that you'll be drooling over long after you've finished this story. Those that love Brazen books do not want to miss out on this stand out story. True love and fighting attraction at its best. Don't miss out readers, go grab it. Enjoy ... Kisses.

*ARC generously provided by entangled publishing in exchange for an honest review.*

[A.D. Marrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was going to wait to post this review, but it needed to be posted somewhere. I received an ARC in exchange for this. Anyone who knows me knows that I won't mince words. I don't care if you are my mother, if I don't like something, I'm going to tell you.

In the interest of full disclosure, before this review gets underway, it needs to be known that I am actually friends with Gina Maxwell. Now, making that statement isn't one of those, ‘oh, aren’t I special’ things. It just needed to be said before I let my thoughts regarding the latest installment of her Fighting for Love series roam free. When she told me that she was writing a character that was a victim of sexual abuse, I cringed a bit. She writes romance. Steamy romance and she’s damn good at it. Excuse my language but she’s motherfucking amazing at it.

If you’ve had the privilege of reading Seducing Cinderella or Rules of Entanglement, you know this. Her heroes are strong and sexy and her heroines are actually likable. This is a huge thing for me when it comes to romance because nothing puts a sour taste in my mouth quite like a milquetoast woman that swoons just because the hero says she should. I knew that when it came time for book number three, it would be amazing, but as I previously stated, when it was set up that the heroine would have a background riddled with moments that no human being should live through, I felt my stomach turn. I didn’t doubt that she could pull it off, not in the least. Gina is one of those authors that labors over every word she writes. Every syllable has meaning. What I was worried about was actually reading it.

In the interest of yet more disclosure, I was a victim of sexual and domestic abuse. This isn’t a sob story about me. That is just an important piece of the review. I’m a ten year survivor and am always anxious to encourage people to stand up and speak out. Living through something like rape and physical battery is something that one eventually comes to terms with but there are still scars, scars that you fight like hell nearly every day to get over. When it comes to learning to love or even more arduous, learning to love again, you’re fighting an uphill battle, one that needs to be handled carefully, patiently and passionately.

Kat MacGregor is the human equivalent of a bait dog. Abused in the worst possible way, every move she makes is calculated and every moment is spent looking over her shoulder. Working a hopeless job in a dive bar with only survival in mind, she’s confronted with a looming debt that her pathetic excuse for an ex-boyfriend owes to a not-so-nice man that makes his money peddling drugs and exploiting women. Constantly avoiding her sister, the one person that could help her out of the Louisiana swamps and wipe her slate clean, Kat eventually finds herself trusting in Aiden “Irish” O’Brien, the bar’s bouncer. Little does she know that he was sent there by her sister’s fiancé – the hero from Gina Maxwell’s 2nd book – to keep an eye on her.

But Irish does more than keep an eye on her. Throughout the narrative, we see that he is just as scarred, but from dramatically different cuts. A former MMA fighter, Irish blames himself, his fists and his temper for the accidental death of his best friend’s sister. Because of this guilt, he refuses to get close to anyone, but there is something about Kat that settles deep into his soul and he goes above and beyond to protect her. To save her life, Irish does the one thing he swore he would never do again; fight.

As the hero is based on the obnoxiously aesthetically pleasing Adam Von Rothfelder, picturing Irish was easy-peasy, but what makes the character quite literally the sexiest man I’ve ever seen on paper is his attitude.

No one ever asks to fall in love with someone that has more baggage than a Kardashian and when Irish discovers the abuse that Kat has survived, the reader literally sees him switch gears. A man that was once interested in keeping her safe and maybe engaging in some horizontal action does everything in his power to bring Kat out of the shadows. It no longer becomes about him and his needs. Yes, there is sex in this book. Oh mother, is there sex and it melts panties and possibly whatever surface you are sitting on, it is so hot, but every interaction is meaningful. Every single solitary lick and touch is Irish’s way of showing Kat that not every man will hurt her and that sex can be about her. Not the person that’s using her, but actually her. The dialogue between the two of them is scintillating and refreshing. It isn't just, "Hey, my dick is hard and you know you want me to place it somewhere in your person." There's actual conversation. Real, meaningful, everyday people working their way over a hurdle together conversation. The tenderness between these characters is unbelievable.

What is more magical about this book is that Gina captures Kat’s journey from broken to beautiful in the most glorious way. The reader will actually watch her transform and the only word that I can use to describe it is autobiographical. There were entire paragraphs from Kat’s point of view during which I had to put the book down and take a deep breath because I felt like I was reading a diary. It hurt, but it was the best kind of hurt because it was illuminating. Abuse survivors run the gamut of emotions and one of the most damaging is their willingness to blame themselves for the bad things that happened to them. Kat morphs from a terrified caterpillar in an iron cocoon to the most spectacular butterfly.

Fighting for Irish is the kind of book everyone deserves to read. There is joy, there is pain. There is sex. Did I mention the sex? Duct-tape your ears shut because your brain may possibly melt and trickle out. It’s that good.

I’ve used a plethora of words in this review, but really, the only ones that count are these: this book is spectacular. Gina’s readers and anyone who loves Alphas with huge heart will now have a new favorite in their library. Were this book not already perfect, I would love it simply because of the dedication. Gina dedicates it to victims of sexual abuse, encouraging them to never stop fighting.

This book is a manifesto, giving the broken a glimpse to that someday, when, if they keep fighting and never loose hope, their Irish will happen too.

[Catarina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Fighting Stars,



Kat or “Sidney” is in a big trouble. Her asshole of an ex-boyfriend owes a lot of money to some bad people and somehow she ended up in the middle and now she has 48 hours to get it. Her only choice is “Irish” (Don’t let the name fool you, he’s from Boston), her future brother-in-law good friend and retired fighter who now fights his own demons. Irish only choice is to fight again to get the money.
But as the time goes two broken people realize that they are feeling something they shouldn’t have and when that happens all their fears return to haunt them. (Not to mention the people who wants the money). And now they’re in a even bigger fight: the one against their own feelings.



Rating: 3 Stars.
Storyline: If you’re into fighters this is a pretty good story. I felt it dragged a little in the beginning and towards the end felt a little rushed, but still, it was a very entertaining book and this is, without a doubt, a pretty good series.
Writing Style: Third person. Dual POV.
Character Development: Aiden aka “Irish” was a pretty good. He was sexy, sweet and HOT! Not to mention tattooed, so he was basically the perfect package. Although I felt he took to long to “expurgate” his demons. Kat was nice but too insecure. Seriously, what is it with the girls and their insecurities?
Steam: HOT!
HEA: Yes.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gina Does It Again!

I've been a huge fan of Gina's ever since her first book in this series, Seducing Cinderella and she certainly didn't let me down here. I lover her easy sexy stories with possessive protective alpha's coming the rescue of her feisty women. I'm also a huge MMA fan; and even though there's not a lot of actual fighting in these books..these guys are still fighters so that's another huge plus for me....


Meet Aiden "Irish" O'Brien....A fighter that's been off the grid for a while due to tragedy he blames himself for. He's traveled down to sweltering Alabaster, Louisiana for one reason.. Kat MacGregor. She's the sister of one of his good friends fiancé (Vanessa and Jax from Rules of Entanglement )<<--Also great!) Jax and Vanessa have been looking for Kat. Kat's been on the run in hiding. Jax has found her and wants Irish to head down to Bama and keep an eye on her for Vanessa. Jax plans on checking her out, making sure everything is cool, then heading back home to Boston...

Irish...


Kat.. Kat's had a tough life. Has abuse in her past and thinks she doesn't deserve anything good. The one good thing she has in her life, her sister Vanessa, she stays away from. She doesn't want to taint Nessie with all she's got going on. Nessie helped raise Kat and Kat feels like Nessie gave up too much for her. So she's on her own now. Hiding out from some big time baddies that her loser ex owed lots of money too. The ex is in prison and can't pay up.. so they will get it from Kat by any means necessary. Kat's hiding out down in Alabama working as a waitress in a back woods bar until she can figure her way out of this mess...

Kat..



So of course, once they lay eyes on each other the attraction is immediate and strong..LOVED their chemistry...


She was…stunning. The tightening in his gut, like he’d just been sucker punched in the solar plexus, caught him off guard. Aiden couldn’t think of the last time a female had made his body sit up and beg at first glance. Apparently his dick had no such problem remembering and wanted to prove it. <.b>

Although Aiden was just going to stick around a few days and check things out..he decides to stay. Something about Kat makes him want to stay and make sure she stay's safe. Kat of course try's to keep him at arms length. She's not looking for any type of relationship and she definitely didn't want to drag anyone into her mess.. but before long the baddies looking for her have found her.. but this time she's got someone in her corner even though she tried to keep him away. She's thankful for his help.. but she has no idea the real reason he showed up in Alabama to begin with.

As the outside world starts closing in, Aiden is going to do everything he can to protect Kat.. what ever it takes. In the middle of all this trouble, they can no longer deny the attraction. But Aiden has to go slowly and carefully with Kat. Her past demands it. But once she realizes she's safe with him... she let's him in... and of course things get VERY sexy, very steamy, very hot.. and well... Gina knows how to write some way awesome sexy times ;)

Loved Aiden and Kat's story.. this one was a good bit deeper, emotionally that Gina's other books in this series. Sure, it was still fun and super sexy.. but there was a bit more drama and sadness. Kat's issues in this book helped add additional depth to an already great book. It made me really want her to get her HEA because she really really needed it. And who better to give it to her than Aiden..

A short time ago, his life had been dull and monotonous, and he’d had no intentions of changing it. Now he couldn’t imagine life without her in it. She brought him joy and spontaneity. And, miraculously, love.




Yep, this one had everything I usually expect from Gina and more. A must read for sure for anyone that has read the other 2 books in this series and also for you Brazen Publishing title lovers. This book can be read as a stand alone, but I think you'd connect more if you read Rules of entanglement first.. but it's not necessary. Each book in this series has been really good so don't pass it up! Very easy , sexy , enjoyable reads. Nothing over the top series to think about.. just pure fun! Enjoy!!!



ARC courtesy of Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review

[Mo]

I am not going to rate it because i did not finish it. I may go back to it at some stage in the future....
I loved the first two books in the series so I think my expectations were way too high. That and the fact that it had an "Irish" theme running through it. I know he was not Irish, he was from Southie, Boston so he had the Irish connection.


Note to self -
just because "Irish" is in the title does not automatically mean it is going to be good.....
just because all your friends loved it and gave it 4 and 5 stars does not mean that you are going to love it too ...



Here is a question and please be honest....

Do you feel you have to be a bit more generous with your review if you receive an ARC or a free copy from an author - I will be honest and say I sort of do feel under pressure not to totally knock the book. But EVERY review, well almost every review, that was posted before release date gave this book 4 and 5 stars.... that made those of us who had to wait for release date very anxious and excited, too excited I think. This is the second book that this has happened to me this year. Please don't take offence at the question about how you do your reviews with ARCs, just wondering ....

I swooned my way through the first two books in this series, couldn't put them down.... I had to force myself to read as far as I did, which was about 40%.

[S · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book. I have seen all my friends with great taste love this book. And I loved #2 in this series. It started off great - and I was sure I was going to love it.

"You can call me Kat."
He canted his head slightly. "As in the adult version of kitten?"
That made her smile. A little. "As in the shortened version of Katherine. With a K."

Unfortunately, we hit a bump I couldn't get over. The biggest problem with the book for me was, as I have already indicated, the lying. But it was not the lying per se, but the unequal relationship. I do not live in a world with helpless heroines where heroes should tumble in and save the day without any interaction with the heroine. A good relationship consists of two persons making a team. There was no teamwork in the big mafia sideplot. I could not forgive Irish for not telling Kat information that could have been a threat to her life. If a guy would have done that to me, it would have been a deal-breaker. I am so sorry to say that it ruined the book for me.



But there was good stuff too! Irish was crazy hot. Who can resist a pro-MMA, tattoed, bike riding, protective, sexy hero? And my heart broke for Kat. Being abused in that matter is absolutely horrifying. The way the helped each other healed was beautiful, although not completely realistic. I had some trouble buying how quickly she got over her past.

I am sure many of you will love it. Gina is a great author! If you love the tattoed bad-guy MMA heroes with a over-protective heart of gold - then this is the book for you.

Many thanks to Gina for providing me with an ARC for an honest review! <3

[Wendy'sThoughts · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Tough, Scrappy, Survivor Stars
* * * * ½ Spoiler Free
I have been waiting to share my love for this very special book...it has all you expect of the brand... and then it sneaks up on you and hits you with the most caring real story of two lost souls meeting and saving each other...

This is the third book of Gina L. Maxwell’s I have read. I feel she is on a roll. In the first two, we got a taste of her style; her way of weaving together MMA fighters, women they discovered and pursued with dashes of real concerns and life situations. They always had strong characters, male and female with lots of chemistry.

As Fighting for Irish opens, I am back in her capable hands meeting people who have these same characteristics. Yet this time, there has been an additional layer to them. This time Kat, our female lead suffers from years of sexual abuse from her childhood. She took the abuse and never shared what really happened to her older sister V, as she didn’t want her to run back from College and be brought back down never to rise up and become the lawyer she is today.

So Kat endured this continual trauma alone… learning how to survive…. And the only way she could was to take herself to another place….. to go deep in her head somewhere safe… so she would not feel or know the pain when it would be happening.

She finally was old enough to leave… damage done though… and hooked up with Lenny … the worst kind of man… a user…if not sexually then pushing Kat to work to support them while he did all things shady… this relationship of sorts went on for years with her sister V wanting to help and Kat scared to accept it; because if she did… all the bad would find V and Kat could never allow that to happen.

V being V, though, tracked down Kat in the middle of nowhere, and Jax, her soon-to-be husband, reached out to Aiden (Irish) to look after Kat and see if she was ok. Jax and Aiden have a strong bond; they were fighters together and Jax would like nothing better than the two of them starting a place in Hawaii for MMA training. Aiden takes on the task of checking out V’s sister Kat and lands in the bar Kat is working.

Aiden is stunned when he sees her. She with the flashing red hair and lithe body…. Beautiful blue-green eyes that can be fierce when provoked and a constant watchfulness… being tough… having barriers up at all times.

Aiden is nothing to pass over either… pierced and tatted… strong features and jaw with a body of the fighter he has been with all the carved muscles attached to a six-foot-plus frame. Kat glances at him and in a moment there was recognition of attraction…. A glimmer…but snuffed out just as quickly as it was there.

Aiden calls himself Irish and presents how he and his guys would help the bar’s profits by being coolers and settling down the rowdies… it works and now he is at the bar the same time Kat is…. Watching out for her and slowly falling for her too.

Everything comes to a head when Kat is trapped once again by thugs Lenny was involved in… Lenny is in jail and Kat for the first time has been on her own and getting by. For years she stayed with Lenny…. Not as his girlfriend… but as using him to protect her. Little did she know…. He was using her all along… maybe not for sex but as a front to support him.

The bad guys are back… and they want Kat to pay up Lenny’s tab…. Upset and scared… Kat has a run-in with a drunk in the parking lot. Irish sees something is happening; comes to her aide and throws the guy off of her. When seeing if she is ok, he is aware she has shut down… she is not there… he uses the voice and ways he was taught by his sisters and slowly is able to coax her out of that state.

This is the turning point between the two of them. She thinks she may be able to trust him to a degree and Irish is wanting with all his might to just protect her from anything which could hurt her.

This story has all the elements needed to keep you interested. It is not the slick and fast-paced lighter fair, though. This story addresses some very real issues and I think they were handled really well.

Sexual abuse is not something to use as a plot point rashly. It is serious and deserves real care. I really felt all of the ways Irish interacted with Kat sexually to be very caring and possibly real. His way of handling her disconnect when things got too much like in the past worked for me… and I was quite taken with it. Did she overcome huge obstacles really quickly… yeah…. But in the frame of this is a book and a lot of things are on warp speed … I let it go.

And once all of the barriers were down with these two… serious Gina Maxwell hotness took place. His nipples were pierced, his body tattooed…..his mouth and hands lethal weapons working together with hips, thighs, and cock to make her dizzy… hell just reading about the care....sweetness then rough take over....it made me dizzy….

Was this a perfect tale… no… there were moments I wanted the characters to share more with each other or not withhold vital facts but overall I thoroughly enjoyed myself and put this right up there with the other Maxwell tales on the plus side.

I will be looking for more… more MMA fighters… maybe Xander will be next… and more Maxwell books.

Arc in exchange for an honest review
For more reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways

[Lucinda - I JUST LOVE TO READ · Rating 4 out of 5]

- Review now posted 13.01.2014

I was lucky to win an ARC on facebook from the Author!



4 Stars

Thank you very much Gina for giving me the opportunity to review this book. I love Gina’s books and have read all her books and love it.

Release date: 13 January 2014
Amazon link http://www.amazon.com/Fighting-Irish-...
Genre: Romantic – Erotica
HEA hell yes ;)

Meet Aiden O’Brien aka Irish (Tattooed / piercings and an accent – SOLD)



Here is my Kat aka Sydney




At first I couldn’t remember who Kat was…. Kat is Vanessa’s sister from Rules of Entanglement – I loved Jax and Vanessa in the previous book that I totally forgot who she was hiehie. But within a minute I remembered - (Here is the Goodreads link) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...





Kat has a troubled past, which she is running from. Irish is one of Jax’s and Vanessa’s friends and he is doing Jax / Vanessa a favor looking out for Kat.



What does Irish and Kat have in common? A Troubled past. Both are running from ‘something’… (That my dear friends you will have to read to find out what they are running from)



Irish rocks up at the Bar where Kat is working. And soon he gets a job working as a cooler. A cooler what’s a cooler:



They kept thinking that their job was to step in once an issue became a problem, which was the job of a bouncer. A cooler were proactive. They did their best to contain things before they became problems



Kat doesn’t know who Irish really is. And Irish tries to protect her when the bad guys come for her and he makes a deal with them. Irish isn’t capable of falling in love. Something happened in Irish’s life 5 years ago. Irish has feelings for Kat but he has too much guilt and doesn’t want to mess up her life as well. At the end both Irish and Kat help each other come to terms with their guilt and moving forward.

I have so many awesome link / quotes that I want to share but here is four :)

FAVOURITE LINES / QUOTES IN THE BOOK


“Guess I was right after all.”

“About what? “

“I believe my exact words were, It’s so big I can barely close my fingers around it.”

“I know it sounds tempting, but you can’t spend your life running from your past”


“I hear Mexico is lovely this time of the year.

Sweetheart, the devil himself wouldn’t vacation in Mexico in the middle of August”

“If I had a mind to, I could keep you on the brink for as long as I wanted”

The ending is perfect!

Look forward to reading more books by this author.

ARC provided by Author for a honest review

****************************************

I got a ARC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kelli C · Rating 2 out of 5]

Changing up my review because well i have a self rule to never DNF a book i purchased! (i work hard for that damn money, lol!) So i am adding an addendum here, because well, i felt bad and finshed this...

so I still stand by the fact that I just cant wrap my head around this! Irish..well, yep you are all alpha and hot, but yet you are a complete mush ball around Kat who is just WRONG...why you ask?...well the whole "Stop...no dont...it hurts but it feels so good." Um...so never had an orgasm huh??? well, let Irish show you, about 3 or 4 times....come on! I just dont have the patience for her!

Also, I have never thought mafia type enforcers would just walk away...give time to get the funds...promise not to hurt anyone...step aside...where is the violence, the threat, the pistol whipping? LOL!

Nice to know that some violence did escalate but it was just ho-hum.

I really cant articulate what is up with my mind on this...Kat is damaged, broken...yet she just reminds me of a 12 yr old girl, by end of book i was shocked to she her become quite the agressive littly kitty kat!...i could not relate to her or see her with Irish, until the last 20% of the read. I think that if this book started as it finished then it would have been really good.

[[~Ami~]♥Sexy Dexy♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars



Something about this story didnt click with me. Kat is on the run from people she owes money from. Aiden, has his own past and is helping his friend keep an eye on her.

Maybe I was just missing the connection with the main characters or it could be this one was heavier than the previous books. It picked up halfway but it sealed a 3 star rating from me when he forgot to wear a condom and we all know how that ONE time results in *eye roll*

I think its just me. This was heavier than your usual Brazen titles about two broken characters, was really well written and very steamy sexy. I just wasnt feeling any chemistry x

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gina L. Maxwell has done it again. Fighting for Irish is the 3rd book in the Fighting for Love series. It can be read as a stand alone, but I believe you will get even more enjoyment from reading the previous two (Seducing Cinderella and Rules of Entanglement).

Fighting for Irish is a bit "darker" than the previous books in this series, but by no means is it "dark". It deals with some very real, very sensitive issues. The transformation for both characters dealing with their own past demons to overcoming them is beautifully written. Gina always does a fantastic job of writing characters that seem very "real", like they could be you or someone you know and care about. I have no doubt you will fall in love with both, Kat and Irish.

In true Maxwell fashion, Kat is another strong female lead. She may not see herself that way all the time, but there's no mistaking her strength as you read and re live her story. And Irish, what can I say about Irish... YUM! In keeping with the theme of the Fighting for Love series, Aiden "Irish" is also a hot, sexy, strong, caring, MMA fighter.

This story has it all: likable characters, great plot lines, steamy sex scenes, action, and wonderful dialogue. It will have you turning pages and refusing to put it down until you're done. At least, it did that for me. Make sure the family is fed or has access to delivery menus to take care of themselves and dive in.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[moi, k.y.a. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seriyi tamamlayacağımı umuyorum.

[BethyMac · Rating 5 out of 5]

”Everyone deserves to be loved, O’Brien. Even you. You’re just too lost in the past to realize it”

Loving “Irish”, a.k.a. Aiden O’Brien was definitely not an issue at all for me. Either was truly loving another fabulous MMA fighter book from Gina L. Maxwell. I was very lucky and very honoured to have received an ARC of Fighting Irish from the author. I have been anxiously awaiting for this book, and after months of reading little bits of teasers the author gave us, I dove right in the moment I received this and did not stop reading until I was done. I forwent food and sleep, but was so totally worth it. Then once done I was left with a major book hangover, a well known and totally expected common side effect of Gina L. Maxwell’s books.

Fighting for Irish is the third book in the Fighting for Love series. This book can be read as a stand alone but I highly recommend it to be read in series. You will fall in love with all of Gina’s characters and as you read you will get briefly introduced to the upcoming characters as well getting to see past characters as you read on in the series. But WARNING you will have a hard time picking a favourite cause let me tell you these men are hot and sexy and just down right A-MAH-ZING

”Anyone ever tell you you’re a force to be reckoned with Katherine Terese MacGregor”

We are briefly introduced to “Kat” and her troubles in “Rules of Entanglement”. I absolutely loved Kat, and like all of Gina’s leading ladies, she a strong, sometimes sassy, sometimes stubborn, woman, and truly as Irish put it, a force to be reckoned with. Kat as we learned in ROE and now further in FFI, has not had an easy life, but she is not selfish nor is she whiny and I LOVE that about her. And there are so many moments in the book that she is so strong, although some will say see her as weak, but to do what she does and look past what has happened, takes a lot of strength on her part. I won’t say anything further as it will spoil it.

Because I’m tired of others deciding my future for me. SO now I’m going to fight for what I want. And What I want is you, Aiden Murphy O’Brien. All of you.

OMG, Aiden, what can I say but Holy Hell Hot and AbsoFREAKINGlutely amazing. As a favor to his friend Jax, he heads to Alabaster, Louisiana from Boston to keep an eye on and watch out for Jax’s soon to be SIL, Kat. Aiden is a sexy but retired MMA fighter, who has not fought in five years due to something happening. He has his own demons he is fighting and doesn’t see himself as the “loveable” type of guy and keeps everyone at a distance.

”You with me, Kitten”

Both Aiden and Kat have their pasts and their demons, but they come together first as Irish helping Kat with her problems but as the story progresses there is more to their relationship, these two characters come together and help each other get past the demons and heal. Their story is so very real and at times heartbreaking, it was like I was on an emotional roller coaster. As in true Gina fashion, their story is fresh and unpredictable, you never know where she will take you on this ride but where you go you love and like me, you won’t it want to end. And those scenes, you know the ones I am talking about, Gina seriously does not disappoint, that woman can write some unbelievably OMG hot panty wetting scenes, you will need a fan and change of underwear, and always helpful to keep your significant other close by, LOL

”You became an addiction. I kept time based on how many hours I got to see you in a day, how many more until I could see you the next”

Well Aiden O’Brien is now my newest addiction and will probably be until we meet Gina’s next hot MMA fighter. What is it about her guys that I just can’t get enough and leave me with a massive BBF hangover. And how do I put into words how amazing Aiden and Kat’s story is, how it draws you in, how it makes you feel like you know them and are invested in their story, how it makes you fall in love with them and how it has you feeling every emotion that they feel. How do you put into words how great a book is that when you are done, you are left feeling so many mixed emotions, you are on a book high and have a book hangover all at once.

So I will leave it and not spoile the book so you can thoroughly enjoy it and will simply say this, WOW, another amazing 5+ star read from Gina L. Maxwell, Thank you Gina!

“Then when I finally got to kiss you…God I think I lost myself to you right then and there. I never expected to feel so much. A big part of me dies a long time ago, but one kiss from you and it started to come back.”

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I liked about this book:
1. The sweet names Aiden gave Kat: My girl, kitten, sweetheart and baby
2. I loved how protective, caring and attentive Aiden was to Kat
3. The last chapter
4. I liked Aiden's friend, Xander
5. The MMA part of the book
6. How Aiden helped Kat over come her "road block". He was so good and patient and sweet about this part and I really liked how he helped her slowly over come this part in her life.
7. Dual POV
8. Fast paced

Aiden "Irish" O'Brien is a retired MMA fighter. He has something in his past that he doesn't allow himself to ever get over or forget. That being said, it also helps him to never get close and to hold people back at arms length, except maybe his good friend Xander. He has another good friend named Jax, who's fiance' just happens to be Vanessa, Kat's sister. Jax asks Aiden to do him a favor to ease his wife's fears for her sister's well being. He take's Jax up on this favor which lands him in the same little town as Kat.

Kat is hiding out from some bad people and not returning her sisters calls. She's given herself an alias and is working at a junky run down bar. She keeps people at arms length and doesn't have a trusting bone in her body where men are concerned.

Aiden and Kat will meet each other, work together, keep their attractions to themselves and barely interact with one another for almost three months. Their skirting around each other will cease when an incident or two puts these two together and on speaking terms. Aiden decides to take it upon himself to help her out of her bind which in turn binds them together. The more they spend time together the easier they can let down their walls and begin to trust and be honest with each other. Well, okay... so mostly that was Kat. Aiden wanted to be one hundred percent like that with her but he still had a few hidden secrets in his bag.

Ultimately, Aiden and Kat will find that once they let their guards down, they can have happiness, love and trust with one another.

I liked this story, but had a hard time connecting to it. I never really felt anything for Kat. Aiden's sweet side helped me a lot to eventually feel something for him. Unfortunately, I felt like this story picks up mostly after the second half, when the mob was more out to get Kat and Aiden starts fighting again.

However, every time Aiden was sweet, protective, attentive, and called Kat by her pet names, it felt natural. Nothing about Aiden's sweetness to Kat ever felt forced. I felt like every time he called her a sweet name, that it was just perfect timing. So, Kudos to the author for the sweet side to Aiden. I also thought she did a great job with Aiden helping Kat to over come a trauma from her childhood. I thought she did very well at executing that.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

This was hard to find on Amazon with the way it's labeled on GR. So here's a link to those looking for it.

http://www.amazon.com/Fighting-Irish-...

[Crazy for Books (Stephanie) · Rating 1 out of 5]

Barely Okay... It was okay. I don't know. For me it took forever to get going. Every time I thought something good would happen, it would fizzle out. I liked the characters and understood their issues. I just wanted more action, more love, just more.

[Janey · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC provided by Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review

Aiden "Irish" O'Brien is a former MMA fighter, who had ceased stepping into a cage since his temper had lead to a death of a dear friend.

His long term pal, Jax, had asked a favour of him, to look after his bride to be's little sister, who they feared had got herself in all sorts of trouble.

Kat had been let down many times, not only by her parents, but by every guy she had met subsequently. Her latest beau had left her running for her life, due to the fact that he owed a large debt to a mafioso.

Just as she was about to depart her latest workplace, "Irish" comes walking in and weedles his way into her life insisting he is there to help her.

This story had great potential and I loved Gina's descriptive writing, but I'm afraid I just didn't gain a connection with either of the characters. I found the storyline quite serious, knowing previous books that I have read of Gina's had quite an element of humour injected into them.

I really struggled to maintain reading this, and am upset to disclose that. I put that down to the fact that I wasn't invested in the characters and therefore lost interest.

This will not discourage me from reading further books by this author at all.

[Vishous · Rating 2 out of 5]

This started really well! I really liked it, but after the first 50 % I was struggling to finish it! I even wanted to give up around 75%, but made myself push it to the end! I just lost focus because I felt like it was stretched in a way to give a more plot and less romance. This sounds like I don't like the plot... It just became kinda boring...

Oh god... Sometimes I hate writing reviews like this and sometimes it just makes my day to rant how bad the book is. But here... I don't like it because it started so well!

It's because, when I am in a mood for some quick read that is guaranteed to be steamy and hot with a good plot to read, I usually pick one of editions from Entangled Publishing... And this just disappointed... It just got stretched too much...

[~♡AB♡~]

I can't believe I'm DNFing a Gina Maxwell book but I'm not enjoying this one and I miss the chemistry that was red hot in the first 2 in this series.

DNF @ 44%

[Kim Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Wow! just ... Wow!

I cannot believe what a complete departure this book was from it's predecessors. The first 2 books of this series were cute & light & fun & romantic .... Fighting for Irish was So. Much. More. This book has a deeper emotional connection and deals with a serious topic, making it much more than just a light read.

I absolutely adored Irish. He is not only sinnfully sexy, but caring and loving. He is the whole package - a man with emotion, wrapped in a deliciously hot body.
Kat took a little time for me to warm up too. But when you start to understand her full backstory, she suddenly makes a lot more sense as a character & I couldn't help but love her.
Together, theese 2 are such an amazing couple. I really enjoyed how they help each other heal from their pasts.

He'd made the decision to stay .. to keep her safe, but in the proces it seemed she was determined to save him. An imposibility? Maybe, but that didn't make her desire to see him redeemed any less amazing. And he loved her all the more for it.

As sweet and sexy as this book is ... it's not perfect. Something about the writing style (skimming over some very vital scenes) and the sheer impossibilty (or at least, very unlikeliness) of some things that happen, made it difficult for me to completely connect to the situation. So - while I really loved reading their story - I never felt like there was a true possibilty for any of it to be real ... therefore, not a full 5 star rating.

Overall, a great book. I am wondering what direction Ms. Maxwell will go with her next book. Which ever way that is, I will certainly be more than happy to read it!

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a great book!

One of my favorite lines was at the beginning: "Hulk Smash!" I knew that Maxwell wouldn't disappoint!

doesn't this line make you melt?
"Look at me." She did. "the fact that you don't know how incredibly sexy you are makes you that much sexier. And don't worry about getting my pants undone. I've been doing it for years, and I'm more than willing to help out."

This series is a worthy read... I promise.

[Jamie *Gypsy Smut-a-teer*]

When, oh when can we get this?? I. CAN'T. WAIT.

[Selly - Leggere Romanticamente · Rating 4 out of 5]

La recensione sul blog http://www.leggereromanticamente.com/...


Questo terzo romanzo della serie è molto diverso rispetto ai due precedenti, quindi se cercate una storia frivola e leggera siete decisamente fuori strada... Non fatevi fregare dal titolo! Con questo non voglio dire che la storia sia triste e\o finisca male, assolutamente, stiamo comunque parlando di un romance, ma i trascorsi della protagonista femminile di questo romanzo non li augurerei proprio a nessuno.
L'autrice, attraverso Kat, affronta infatti un grave problema attuale: la violenza sulle donne.
“Vicini di letto” è comunque collegato al precedente romanzo visto che Kat è la sorellina minore di Vanessa, mentre Aiden è un amico di Jackson.
Aiden (Irish), per ripagare un favore, accetta di aiutare Jax, cercando e tenendo d'occhio la sorellina di Vanessa che sembra sparita nel nulla. La ragazza si è infatti rifugiata sotto falso nome ad Alabaster, dove lavora in un bar. Jax rimane immediatamente folgorato da lei, ma non le rivela la propria identità e per quale motivo si trova nella cittadina, però la protegge a modo suo, sperando che la ragazza si apra con lui così da poterla aiutare. Aiden è un noto ex pugile con il suo bel senso di colpa sul groppone. La cosa che maggiormente accomuna questi due personaggi (oltre all'attrazione, sia chiaro) è che continuano, almeno nella prima parte della storia, a vivere nel passato, lasciandosi così condizionare nel presente. Aiden si sente responsabile di un tragico episodio che l'ha portato alla decisione di smettere di combattere, mentre Kat non riesce a superare le violenze di cui è stata vittima da adolescente.
L'attrazione tra Kat e Aiden è molto rovente, ma il brutto rapporto della ragazza con gli uomini è solo uno dei vari ostacoli da superare: la situazione in cui ritrova immischiata è davvero molto pericolosa. Vicini di letto è un libro triste e crudo, non per le descrizioni (scopriamo i fatti attraverso i racconti della protagonista), ma per le emozioni: l'esperienza che Kat ha vissuto è veramente tremenda. La cosa che ho apprezzato maggiormente è che l'autrice ha voluto regalarle un bel lieto fine, sotto forma di una persona che la ami a prescindere da tutto e che la protegga sempre, mettendo a repentaglio perfino la propria vita. Un romance carino con un bel po' di scene hot e con un bel epilogo che regala speranza. Nonostante ciò l'ho trovato un po' sottotono rispetto ai due precedenti che mi avevano catturato maggiormente. Forse perchè mi aspettavo qualcosa di totalmente diverso...

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third novel in Ms. Maxwell's series, Fighting For Love. I have read the first two books in the series and loved them. This is, in my opinion, her best. The story has action, suspense, very strong characters and sizzle that will keep you turning pages.

Aiden (Irish) Murphy is a tattooed, multiple pierced, haunted former MMA fighter. A tragic accident has ruined his taste for fighting in the cage, and he fears the rage he keeps locked inside. A request from a fighter friend Jax, ( Rules of Entanglement) has him on the road from Boston to a backwoods town in Louisiana, in search of a young woman her sister ( Jax's fiancé Vanessa) feels is in danger. He's glad to leave Boston and it's nightmares behind. From the moment he lays eyes on Kat, the woman he is searching for........his recent apathy for women and sex goes out the window.

Kat MacGregor has a lot of tragic secrets she's keeping, some her sister knows, most she doesn't. Right now she is on the run from a relationship gone very bad, and thugs who want her to pay for her ex's mistakes. She enjoys her job waitressing in a dilapidated bar in Alabaster, Louisiana and is determined to take control of her life, and not trust anyone but herself. She is using the name Sydney Carter, and has a reputation of not taking crap from anyone. Especially the new men the owner has hired as "coolers." One in particular, Irish, is particularly annoying, especially since she finds him so attractive

Ms. Maxwell weaves a novel of pain, heartache and danger into a very beautiful love story. Secrets revealed lead to understanding and caring, not to rejection and anger.
I read this novel in one sitting, I couldn't put it down. Although Fighting for Irish is the third book in the series, I feel it could be read as a stand alone, but you will get greater enjoyment by reading all three.

I received an ARC of this novel for an honest review.
Pat Fordyce

[Len · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Fighting Stars

I really really enjoyed the story. It was a complete package of
romance,humor,and steam. I was hooked from page one till end. This was more intense than the first two books. Don't get me wrong, Seducing Cinderella & Rules of Entanglement is good book, but this is better (IMO) and I loved it.

We had met Kat from book 2. The trouble she's into was making her life harder than it was before. Vanessa as a loving sister, sent Aiden to looked after her sister. To Aiden, it was just a was to pay of debt to Jax, Vanessa's fiance. But when he swa Kat, the attraction is undeniable. He's fighting to keep a distance to Kat. Aiden has flaws too. He had past that keeps hunting him. He felt no hope for himself, until he know the feeling how it is to be with Kat. He want to save her and make sure to give her to start of better life, but to achieved it, he have to do the one thing he swore to never do again, to fight.

The love story of Kat & Aiden is beautiful. Two people both have unfortunate past that hunted them and keeping them to be happy. But they find what they need to each other, they feel safe and content with each other. I love that Kat. I was astonished by her character. How strong & selfless she is. She lived by fear half of her life until she found Aidan and learned to trust again. Everything happened to her, broke my heart into pieces. Aidan is sweet and passionate. But I'm having hard time how he deal with his own demon. I didn't like he pushed away his loved one. I like Aidan tease Kat. The story deal to some serious matter and Gina delivered it well sensitively. I can't wait to read the next book of the series.

"Tomorrow night, Murphy, I'm going to fight for what I want. And what I want is Aiden 'Irish' O'Brien. Forever

"Now I've claimed you in every way possible. Only me, Kat. No one can take that from either of us. You're mine, and I'm yours.""

[Ⓐlleskelle - That ranting lady ッ · Rating 1 out of 5]

⭐️1 STAR / DNF at 80% ⭐️

I guess we can call this an epic fail. I tried to BR this with Maura earlier this year, upon release date I believe. First I dnf'd it around 35%.
Shortest BR ever! We both abandoned the ship!
And 3 times more I picked it up, why, I don't know, but I still managed to reach 80% mark...

[✿яσsαℓιη∂α✿ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Serinin açık ara en güzel ve anlamlı kitabıydı bana göre. İşleyiş ve konu ile karakter gelişimleri bakımından çok doyurucu bir kitaptı. Kat üvey babası tarafından küçük yaşta cinsel istismara uğramış buna rağmen ayakta kalmaya çalışan güçlü bir karakter benim gözümde. Bir köşeye sinir oturmamış. Kaçma fikrini sıkı sıkıya tutunmuş belki ama yine de vazgeçmemiş. Irish ise arkadaşının kardeşinin ölümünden sonra kendisini hayata ve herkese karşı kapamış. Ama Kat ile tanışınca ister istemez onu korumak isterken buluyor kendini. Bu iki yaralı karakter bir araya gelince bela kaçınılmaz oluyor tabi.. Kat ve Irish ölümüne korkuyorlar. Ama Irish, Kat'e güvenilir bir hayat sunmak için elinden geleni ardına koymuyor. Irish eski bir boksör olduğu için Kat'e kendisini savunma dersleri veriyor. Onun için, ondan gizli Kat'in peşindeki belalı adamlarla mücadele ediyor. Kat babasının pisliklerinden kaçayım derken lanet bir uyuşturucu bağımlısı erkek arkadaş kurbanı oluyor. Yani yağmurdan kaçarken doluya tutuluyor. Ama Irish her daim yanında. Irish'in Kat'e olan tavırları çok naif, kırmaktan incitmekten korkarcasına davranıyor. Bu iki yaralı karakterler birbirleri ile yaralarını sarıyor. İki karakterde ilk zamanlardaki hallerinden çok farklı bir hale bürünüyor kitabın sonunda. Kat'in duvarları Irish'in karşısında bir bir yıkılıyor. Irish ise gerçekten sevmenin nasıl bir duygu olduğunu deneyimliyor. Aşk ve sevgi ile harmanlanmış hayatta kalma mücadelesi.. Karakterlerin kızdığım yönleri de oldu elbette. Ama buna rağmen kurgusu ile yüreğimi sızlatan ama aynı zamanda umut vadeden bir kurgu oldu benim için.. ❤

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Fighting Stars!

Damn Gina Maxwell and all of her sexy alpha men! ;)

Aiden "Irish" O'Brien heads over to Louisiana to help his friend check on his fiancé's sister, who has been MIA for awhile. When he finds her, he's immediately taken with her. He has skeletons in his closet and is afraid to let another woman get too close. He's taken a leave from the MMA scene for the last handful of years because of this. What was supposed to be a brief check in, turns into a few months. He can't leave her because he knows something is up other than what his best friend and his fiancé have been led to believe.

Katherine "Kitty Kat" is on the run. She has a piece-of-shit ex-boyfriend, Lenny. He's left her in a mess of a situation and she is basically hiding. She has had a horrible upbringing. The only positive memory in her life is her sister, Vanessa; however, she refuses to involve her in her mess. Her solution is to deal with things on her own. I felt horrible with this woman! Zero self confidence, a beautiful soul and a beautiful heart. Unfortunately, it was taken from her. All of her firsts have been taken from her. While she is 'in hiding', she meets "Irish".

They are both immediately attracted to eachother but he is keeping the secret from her. Irish has a no-nonsense way of putting things. He says what he means, even if what he means is blunt or crass. His blue-collar roots comforted her. With him, she'd always know where she stood and she didn't feel like she had to pretend to be anything other than who she was. Or at least who she allowed the world to see. She finally cracks the walls around her heart and soul.

"Something tells me you've been left alone enough. I'm stepping in, whether you like it or not, kitten."

She's been through so much and can't jump her hurdles alone.

"I will fight anything - past, present, or future - that tries to hurt you. But I can't fight your demons unless you show them to me."

Kat's past literally shows up at her doorstep. She can't fight this battle alone. It's not even her battle! Ugh, Lenny is such a JERK FACE!!!! The only person who can help her is Irish. The Mob is involved, the MMA scene comes into play and a lot of drama happens! The best part is the personal acceptance and growth each character experiences from opening their heart and allowing love to conquer all.

"From the very beginning, he'd set out to rescue her, and yet, every day she saved him from himself little by little. No doubt about it, she was his angel.

BE STILL MY HEART! This is another great standalone book that I recommend for everyone. It is sexy, action packed and well written. Another Gina Maxwell must read!

[Snow · Rating 3 out of 5]

It started soooo good...
I was thrilled...
Aiden "Irish", the fighter, Cooler in a bar, protector,he was everything a girl could want from a guy - patient, warm, loving, caring...who was carrying out a favor he owed to his friend, by finding her, watch over her and protect her, and he ended up falling in love, hard with her (his best friend fiancee's sister-did you get that?! LOL) - Kat/Sidney-a girl with an ugly past,who relived a horrible experience as a teen and who's now running away/hiding from a mafia debt made by her ex...

the story full of turmoil, with a warm note through out, with a hopeful tone to it BUT then smth changed, I'm not sure what exactly and it was all lost towards the end...

I've just lost the feeling...and I could not bring myself back to care, was it the pace, was it the turn of events, was it just me...I can't tell...

"Irish" will stay in my mind as a guy who started out as love at first sight BUT I would end up being a girl who just realized it was only infatuation and that it's over...

[Sammy ⭐️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't believe I'm only giving this 3 stars as the first 2 books in this series are high up on my favourites list. I just felt that the intense chemistry that normally flows in a Gina Maxwell book was lacking.