Fighting Dirty

Ultimate #4

by Lori Foster

He's the hottest MMA fighter in the game, but one woman is ready to try out a few steamy moves of her own in an unforgettable new novel from New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster...

With the life he's led and the muscles he's gained, Armie Jacobson isn't afraid of anything. Except maybe Merissa Colter's effect on him. It's not just that she's his best friend's little sister. Fact is, she deserves better. Women pursue him for one night of pleasure, and that's all he wants to offer. Until rescuing Merissa from a robbery leads to the most erotic encounter of his life.

Good girl meets bad boy. It's a story that rarely ends well. But Merissa is taking matters into her own hands. No matter how he views himself, the Armie she knows is brave, honorable and completely loyal. And as past demons and present-day danger collide, they're both about to learn what's truly worth fighting for…

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Sports, Contemporary, Sports Romance, Fighters, Romantic Suspense

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 23, 2016

About the author

Since first publishing in January 1996, Lori Foster has become a USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly and New York Times bestselling author. Lori has published through a variety of houses, including Kensington, St. Martin’s, Harlequin, Silhouette, Samhain, and Berkley/Jove. She is currently published with HQN.

Lori hosts a very special annual “Reader & Author” event in West Chester, Ohio. Proceeds from the event have benefited many worthy causes, including the Hamilton County YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter, the Animal Adoption Foundation, The Conductive Learning Center for children with spina bifida and cerebral palsy, and The One Way Farm, Children’s Home.

Each year Lori donates all proceeds from one book to charity. You can see the benefit romance books here: http://lorifoster.com/benefit-books/

Career Highlights
•In 2001, Lori received the prestigious Romantic Times “Career Achievement Award” for Series Romantic Fantasy.

•In 2002, Lori’s book Too Much Temptation was the top-selling romance title for Amazon books.

•In 2003, Say No To Joe was the second “Bestselling Original Contemporary” romance title for Waldenbooks.

•In 2004, Lori Foster was a clue in the New York Times crossword puzzle.

•In 2004, The Secret Life of Bryan was the “Bestselling Original Contemporary” romance title for the BGI group.

•In 2005, Lori received the prestigious Romantic Times “Career Achievement Award” for Contemporary Romance.

•In 2006, Jude’s Law was the “Bestselling Romantic Comedy” romance title for the BGI group.

•In 2007, Lori launched a new “urban fantasy” series under the name L.L. Foster. See more on her “dark side” at www.llfoster.com.

•In 2007, Causing Havoc was among Amazon’s Top Ten Editor’s picks in Romance.

•In 2008, Hard to Handle made #2 on The New York Times.

•In 2009, Servant: The Acceptance was Amazon’s #1 Editors’ Pick in Romance.

•In 2010, Lori was a clue in the USA Today Quick Cross puzzle.

Reviews

[Jessica's Totally Over The Top Book Obsession · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Rissy was here Stars



*Spoilers*

I knew Armie would not disappoint me! Armie and Rissy's book was an emotional read, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Amrie as been my favorite character since the start of this series and he remains #1 in my heart. This book was the best of the series. Tons more action, fights, angst, and a touching love story. Damn this book was good!

“I’m asking for you, Armie. Just you.” He hesitated, then thrust himself away from her. “Not that easy and you know it. No one comes to my bed wanting just me.” “I would,” she whispered. “I do.”-Rissy and Armie



“You want to have sex with me, Rissy?” “Yes.”

Armie was amazing. He was charming, sweet, and bad ass. He has had a hell of a past and that has really shaped the way he was. Under that cocky man whore status was a great man. I loved him with Rissy. Did he mess up at times? Hell Yea, but his heart was always in the right place, and he made up for it. Rissy was also a great character. With such a strong complex hero I was worried Rissy would be overshadowed, but she really stood out and made a great love interest for Armie. Rissy was smart and she didn't play childish games. She wanted Armie and she fought for him.

“So we agree that’s out.” He pretended to think about it. “So no spanking, no threesomes. Tell me then, what are you into?” “You.” She hooked her arms around his neck. “I’m into you, Armie.”-Rissy and Armie



“Hello?” “Merissa. How are you?” Ignoring the heat of Armie’s stare beside her, she cleared her throat. “I’m fine. What do you want?” “You,” he said immediately. “A second chance.” “We already covered this.” It didn’t make sense. Steve was not the persistent sort—unless his ego demanded he get her back, since she was the one to walk away from him. “I’ve moved on, and I’m sure you have, too. Please don’t call again.” “Wait—” Disconnecting without hearing what he had to say, she tucked the phone back in her purse, then faced Armie. “And that,” she told him, being snippy, “is how it’s done. Maybe you should have taken notes.”-Rissy and Steve

As a couple Armie and Rissy had a lot of passion, but I was surprised that there wasn't a touch more kink with the way Armie was. There was a lightest touch of BDSM bondage in this book but for the most part Armie and Rissy made love with passion and left the orgies and wild kink in the past. I loved how everyone was there for Armie they stood by his side and had his back. There were some really funny parts in this book too. My two favorites were when all the ladies went to the porn store and the guys found out and where standing outside clapping when the girls came out. I also died laughing when Armie pasted out drunk and Rissy wrote "Rissy was here" on his ass and the guys at the rec center seen it that was priceless! The closeness of all the guys really adds something special to this series. I love that past favorite characters from other LF books pop up in the series. I loved the ending and was smiling like goof at the HEA that Armie and Rissy got. Great book, but I want more Armie and RIssy.

“You are so bad.” “Yeah, but apparently you like me that way.” “I love you—any way you want to be.”-Rissy and Armie

[Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

You are so bad."
"Yeah, but apparently you like me that way."
"I love you- any way you want to be."

Ever since I read No Limits, all I wanted was to get my hands on Armie and Merissa's book. You have the incurable manwhore and best friend's younger sister all brought to you with Lori Foster's signature steamy writing style. As a long time fan, I've come to rely on her books to give me exactly the desired dose of romance and steam in the perfect contemporary package. She certainly delivers with Fighting Dirty.

From the very beginning, you know that Armie is much more than the irreverent manwhore with a revolving door of adoring female fans. THere's hints of something deeper to him and a secret he hides. He painfully wants Merissa, but he pushes her away at every turn because he doesn't think he deserves her. After all, her brother, Cannon, knows him and his past better than anybody. He's convinced that even if he did decide to go for it, Cannon would never allow the likes of him near his beloved sister.

Armie is one of the best MMA fighters in the SBC, but yet he shies away from the limelight and the title fights. There's something in his past that causes him to and you just know that secret has to be something pretty dark and deep. But now he has the chance for the title in his fight against Carter "Chaos" Fletcher, and he's taking it... if only he can do the same with Merissa.

Merissa has wanted Armie for years, but he's finally pushed away one too many times. She can take a hint, even it it does hurt like hell to. But then when her life is endangered and things seem to me a lot more dangerous than they seem, Armie steps up to protect her. It's not long before the chemistry between them gets to be too much to resist and sparks begin to fly. But can Armie let Rissa in enough to let her see his darkest secrets and not lose her in the process?

I have to say I absolutely adored Armie. As much of a manwhore as he is, he's so much more than what he allows people to see. Even though he's terrified of allowing Rissa in, it's clear how much he cares for her and the lengths he'll go to in order to protect her, even if it's from himself. Rissa was a fantastic heroine as well. She just the right amount of strong and mouthy to be exactly what Armie needs. She truly gives as good as she gets. And she's so understanding and caring, without the typical jumping to conclusions heroine I'd find in most books. I loved that about her. She stood by Armie though everything and I absolutely loved the way that she handled things at the very end.

Long time fans will really appreciate this book for the cameos that you'll see; like Simon from Simon Says, Detective Riske from Run the Risk, Jude from Jude's Law, Havoc from Causing Havoc, and so much more! I loved having that extra piece of some of my favorite Lori Foster characters.

Fighting Dirty was a wonderful mix of steamy romance with an added dash of suspense. I loved the way that the author chose to handle everything from Armie's past. I couldn't have imagined a better way to have it all resolve. I'm also hoping that Chaos will be getting a book of his own because he intrigued me quite a bit. If you were a fan of Lori's SBC series, her Ultimate series is sure to please. I'd say Fighting Dirty was my favorite in the series and a super satisfying HEA to one of my most anticipated characters. I loved it!

ARC courtesy of publisher in exchange for an honest review

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[XxTainaxX Curvy and Nerdy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh Armie, you do not disappoint. :-p I feel like I've been waiting for his book forever. Lori Foster can write the heck out of a hero, let me tell you. Armie is not a shy man. In or out of the bedroom. His exploits are widely known but his desire for his best friend's sister, Merissa, is something he tries to keep close to the vest. The people who love them both, however, are not blind... despite his self denial. Rissy is this almost mousy woman who tends to throw in a few surprises. The funniest is her tag line "Rissy was here" in sometimes **ahem** inappropriate places. Lol It was nice to see how the whole gang was doing and how heroes from other books and series made cameos. As far as the plot, it was interesting but I think it detracted a bit from the development of the relationship. I would've liked to have seen a little more intimacy between the two. Not sex, necessarily, though I wouldn't balk at that either Lol I was also a little surprised at how straight-forward with just a splash of kink (very low on the spectrum really) their sexual encounters were. Their laughter while intimate was totally sweet. I think I was expecting a little wildness from Armie's side but maybe that's just proof that Rissy settles him. Cannon's reaction to it all was perfect. Like someone who was sure of his best friend and confident in his sister's choices. His unfailing support is what makes him one of my favorite of Foster's characters. All in all, I enjoyed every minute and can't wait for the Body Armor boys!

[Wendy'sThoughts · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Fighting Dirty, Loving Pure Stars
* * * * 1/2 Spoiler Free-2015 Review
I have mentioned before my awe with authors who know how to write a successful series. And when I say successful, I am not meaning that everyone loves it or it is a total of 5 stars all the way.

What I am talking about is the capturing of the reader's imagination and getting them to buy in on who these characters are... wanting to know more and feeling like you could visit them down the street....like they lived there. This can happen with complex, intricately layered stories as well as ones that present easy reads which can just take you away from your real-life and give you an escape.

Outside of setting up a successful series with the needed elements of the first installments, I think the long-awaited book... the one of that character who has been in and out of all the other books, teasing us with witty comments or looks of deep longing for his eventual partner is the hardest of all to write. The build-up in the fans' heads can be so big that if the story doesn't match the anticipation of the readers then there is an almost certainty of disappointment.

I remember a hugely popular series that had multiple installments with strong Alpha guys. Always in the background was this brooding lead man who would contribute moments in each book...laying a foundation of want for the readers so strong they were foaming at the mouth waiting for his book. When it finally arrived...unfortunately it did not live up to the promise and expectations...it may have been a "fine" book but due to the way the author presented him from all the other books, his personal story just didn't work for his fans.

I mention all of this because Fighting Dirty by Lori Foster succeeded for me as the book devoted to Armie and Merissa. We had a very strong foundation of who we thought Armie was... of who he thought he was...Throughout all of the Ultimate books, Armie was there as the sarcastic, sexually explicit MMA fighter who used sex as a release. He would flirt shamelessly with all, be side by side with all the other MMA fighters when they needed any type of help and we watched as he resisted the offers time and time again from the MMA organization to have him fight in sanctioned fights like all of the other guys.

Armie would run the rec center... show his big heart to the kids; looking out for the lost ones and work to teach them there were other ways than being on the street or in gangs. Armie's past was hidden but we knew it wasn't a pretty shiny penny. He was full of repressed rage and doing underground MMA fights gave him the release for his pain. Being the sexual stud he advertised let him dull the nonsense in his head.

Oh, Armie was a happily sexual fella and those who played with him were always satisfied for Armie made sure he gave each and every partner... or partners.... whatever they needed to get off.

What Amrie didn't have was a clear pathway to what he wanted, craved, and needed all of his life... Merissa. Merissa was Armie's best friend's little sister...she was good and deserved so much better than him...for he was never going to be what she needed...the normal regular guy...providing her with the 2.5 kids and happy life. Things happened long ago which made that impossible. So, Armie carried his love for Merissa deep in his heart and ran the other way when he felt the draw to her too much for him to fight.

Merissa loved Armie for a very long time...she saw the true Armie... the one he hid from everyone. Yes, he teased every woman but her sexually... and yes, she heard all the stories of many partners all at the same time...but she also saw Armie over the years stand up with her brother and the other fighters over and over again doing good for the community, being loyal and true to whoever needed help and giving of himself time and time again... never asking for anything in return. Armie was hers...and someday she was going to figure out how to make it so.

In the meantime, Merissa had a life too... she worked and was active with the guys, supporting them and even going to all of the fights. She had been with a few guys... nothing serious and was in the process of cutting one of them loose. This last one turned out to be a selfish lover and not a very nice person, so Merissa let him know thanks but no thanks.

She is also determined to let things go with Armie. too. The two of them have been playing with fire and although they both want each other... Armie just won't man up and allow nature to take its course. Marissa has a new position with a bank as its manager and both she and Armie have stepped away...

But it isn't working for Armie... and after a few days, he goes to the bank to talk with Merissa... man up and try to figure out how to be with her.....only instead of being able to accomplish his goal...a bank robbery occurs. Even with all the elements of disaster, Armie is able to somehow "save" the day with some help from another employee. Merissa had been held and smacked around by one of the robbers and it has shaken her to her core...Armie is there and this moment allows both of them to stop the fear and cling to each other...

This story doesn't stop there, though... oh no...

There is a level of suspense, many suspects, revealing false accusations, and Armie's first official fight to get ready for... All of these elements are strung together to engage us and keep us interested to the end...

But like any Lori Foster book...she has given us a juicy, sexy center of the love story of Armie and Merissa. These two together are just terrific...This time we get to be the fly on the wall, learning first hand the "talents" of the infamous Armie... and Merissa is us... learning what works for Armie the man, not the performer...The scenes together when Armie finally "let's Go"....just sayin...be prepared for dreams of wish fulfillment in your future, people...

Merissa is not a weeping willow, soft and mushy with no strength... no she has her feminine side but also understands Armie better than he knows himself... so instead of falling into whiny traps of romance books... she pushes back... captures him and makes him listen to her. Even when Armie is acting the fool about their relationship, she still holds true to who she is and handles the scene just right.

This book gives us Armie... stripped and bare and delivers on all the promises made in the books leading up to this. Ms. Foster smartly gave us continued pieces of the crew... past characters, up and coming fighters with more insight laying that every present trail of interest for the new spin-off series to come.

As I talked about earlier, this was a very successful end of the series book which delivered a one-two punch of fun, providing everything an Armie and Merissa fan could want... Well, an epilogue would have been great... but I am betting... in the first book of the new bodyguard series, we will see how all of the crew are doing.


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~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~
This should be epic in the Lori Foster Way...
It has taken 3 books to get to this coupling of Armie and Rissy...

The Knockout Bout is about to happen...
Each opponent has their strengths...

Warming up over the last three books is Rissy...
Smart, cagey, and totally smitten with Armie...

Wanting and denying himself over the same period of time is Armie...
Self-described Sexual-Open-For-Anything-but-Nice Participant...

These two have been playing with fire and now is the time for them to put out those flames...

May the Readers win the Champion Belt!

A gifted copy was provided by Harlequin (US & Canada) HQN via NetGalley for an honest review.

For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways

[WhiskeyintheJar · Rating 4 out of 5]

06/03/16 Armie is only .99 right now!
Amazon Kindle

3.5 stars

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Armie Jacobson. Her brother's bestfriend, a rising star in the MMA world, a legend with the ladies, and the man Merissa Colter has been in love with for years. Merissa has stood by as other women have gotten to have Armie for a night but after a stolen kiss in a hallway, she's ready to step into the octagon with him. Other women may have gotten Armie for a night but Merissa has had his heart for years. Wanting to protect her from a secret in his past that still haunts him, Armie has stayed away. When the SBC comes calling and wanting to make him a MMA star, though, he discovers that hiding isn't going to work anymore and maybe Merissa deserves the chance to show him how strong she is and how great they can be together. Armie and Merissa, no more hinting at but about to hit the mat full force.
 
Fourth in the Ultimate series, Merissa and Armie have popped in and out in the previous books, the build up to their relationship is sprinkled throughout those books and while you could pick this one up first, you would be missing out on the sweet anticipation. The glimpses we got of them included a lot of heated glances, tension, and yearning; this book is our payoff. After a robbery at Merissa's bank, she turns to Armie for comfort and while it seems she bullies him a bit to accept her stronger presence in his life, Armie needed that little bit of a push to finally hug Merissa with the arms he had been holding open to her for years. After alluding comments to a darker instance in Armie's past, we finally find out why he has tried to keep himself isolated. It's an issue that I will say is a very sensitive topic Armie was accused of rape but the woman lied, especially in today's climate, but while I found myself uncomfortable at the initial explanation of it, which is going to personally affect everyone differently, I will say the author handled it the best it could be handled. I just wish this part of the storyline could have been different but again, that's a personal issue.
 
Armie was the same character that has been scene stealing in all the other books but even better since we got him full force. He wallowed a bit much at times over how he didn't feel good enough for Merissa but his humor, solidness, sexy attitude, and charm will make him a contender for your favorite from the series. I was pleasantly surprised by Merissa, she appeared in other books like Armie but didn't quite have his presence, but in her own story, she's the one packing quite the punch. Merissa wouldn't let Armie hide from her, she had moments of insecurity but overall, she kicked butt and took names for what she wanted and she got him. Armie and Merissa had chemistry but their really strong suit was bringing a smile to my face. They were at turns funny, sexy, and sweet together; I could have read about this couple all day.
 
The suspense side of the story was a smidge weak with Merissa's ex-boyfriend being portrayed as this psycho stalker, then the but not too much of a psycho, but still a stalker. In the beginning it worked to give our hero Armie a push to make him be around Merissa, but as the story went on, Merissa took care of that herself. The rest of the SBC boys made appearances but for the most part they stayed out of the spotlight, as they should. Of course Cannon was one of the most visible as he is Merissa's brother and Armie's bestfriend but since he is my favorite from the series, I didn't mind. The author did a great job of having Armie and Merissa as the star of the show but still evolving her characters and the world she has created for them, this last in the series felt very comprehensive and a great final to the Ultimate series.
 
Even though this is the last in the Ultimate series, the author has set up her next with Leese, also a MMA fighter and a very good friend of Merissa. It looks like we may be leaving the SBC world and venturing into bodyguard territory. This author's writing style and books are always solid and she creates great series, her stories will always fall very close to either side of the bell curve. She teased us for a while with Armie and I'm happy to say his book did not disappoint. If looking for sweet protective men, the Ultimate series and especially Armie's story, is a treasure trove waiting for you.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC received for review

4.9 stars...I needed an epilogue

Oh yeah...Armie was just as great as I hoped he would be. Rissy was just perfect for him. I'm glad she never gave up him. There's plenty of hot bedroom scenes along with a bad guy or two to catch.

Plus there's tons of the rest of the MMA crew. If you're a fan of the SBC fighter's series they show up too. And my personal favorite, Rowdy, has a very brief cameo.

I'm excited about the spin-off series with Leese, Justice, Miles, and Brand.

[✰ Bianca ✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪









We of course all remember Armie! ☺
He's just been signed with the SBC - the biggest Mixed Martial Arts company!
But he's not really happy. He doesn't like to be in the spotlight and doing stupid promo and interviews.... and being a great fighter for a huge company...that's what he has to do.
Also part of his unhappiness is Merissa. The sister of his best buddy Cannon.
He's in love with her, but he thinks he's not good enough. With his past and his job and his parental examples...
But Merissa doesn't care about his stupid ideas. She's loved him ever since she was a teenager.
And even her brother doesn't have anything against them as a couple...
Time to convince that idiot Armie that they belong together!

But of course Armie's past doesn't stay in the past....
And Merissa's ex doesn't want to stay ex anymore....

What will happen to Armie & Merissa???
Will there be a Happy Ever After for them???
Or will there be a horrible Cliffhanger???



I'm not telling you that of course ☺



═════════════════════════════════





PERFECT!!

Finally the next book in Lori's fighter series ☺

ARMIE!!! ☺☺☺☺☺

UGH - it feels like we had to wait decades to finally get Armie & Merissa's story!!!
We always saw them in the other books and wanted them to get their HEA and now here's their chance!

This was such a perfect romance!!!
I loved every moment! It was full of everything a good romance needs:

It was very sexy!!!!



And so funny!!!! Two words: shower scene!!! ☺☺☺



But it was also very suspensy and moving and cute and adorable!

I just love this series!
It's sooo adorable to see all those big bad fighters falling for their girls one after the other ☺
And I loved how we see them all again in this book!!

FIGHTING DIRTY was such an adorable, exciting, sexy and moving fighter romance! READ IT - you don't want to miss seeing how Armie finally gets over his stupidity and makes an honest woman out of Merissa ☺

I WOULD SOOO LOVE IT if someone would make a movie/tv-series out of this book - just so we could stare and fangirl at Armie and Cannon etc. all day long!!!!

Who's next??? Leese??? Or is the series over already??? Whatever Lori comes up with next...GIMMEEE!!!



PS - here's what Lori has to say about that:

Leese will be the first book in a new series that branches off the Ultimate series, with a tentative release date of Dec 2016. In fact, the new series should have Leese, Justice, Brand and Miles as heroes.

CAN'T WAIT!!!

[Kelli C · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 Armie has a heart stas!

I feel like I waited forever for Armie and Merissa to have their moment. While I admit there was a bit of drama, I have to say that this was my favorite of the series!

*While this is a standalone, I do recommend reading the prior books in series to get a better understanding of these characters and the events leading up to this read*

For fans of the series, then you are already aware of Merissa Colter and her unwavering crush on he older, bad boy fighting sensation Armie. They have had their fair share of "almost" moments, tons of lingering looks, and secret wishes for more. Armie would never step over that line. One smoldering kiss was all that he would concede. He wasn't prepared for that one moment to steal his heart.

Finally, Merissa has decided to move on and just hunger from afar. Perhaps a new look and maybe even a new job would focus her on a different path to happiness. Just when she decides to let go of the lady-lovin' Armie, her life is in danger and he is there, as always to save her. He is her protector and he will not let anyone hurt her, even if that means keeping her close!

Predictable? A bit. Worth it? Absolutely. It may have been past demons coming into Armie's life and a new threat to Merissa's well being that pushed them together, but then again, together is where they always belonged. The path is not straight and easy with new fame and fighting contracts and the possibility of a real relationship, but with the support of friends and families, both will survive and possibly make it...together!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been dying for Armie's book since the beginning of this series!! Armie is one of the Ultimate fighters, and let's just say that he is the kinkiest one!!! Oh yeah, he is known for loving women and partaking in extra pleasure; which can include threesome's, spanking...you name it...Armie does it!!! Over the years though, he has fought off his love for his best friends sister. He has always felt that he wasn't good enough for Rissy, so he has admired her from a far, and sometimes even been rude to her just to keep her away. The other issue that makes his distance hard, is that Rissy has been in love with him too since she was 16 years old. When these two finally give into one another, let me tell you...sparks FLY!!! I adored this couple, and I fell in more love with Armie. He is impossible not to love. So protective, loyal, and not only a great friend but an out of this world lover!!!
Will Rissy be enough for him though? When Armie's past comes a calling...there is a lot more at stake too. Rissy becomes in great danger. Will Armie be able to protect her ? Or will he have to walk away?

I have devoured this series..and I am sad to have finished it now. I am not disappointed in the least with Armie and Rissy's book. The only complaint that I have is I would have loved an epilogue!! It would have been the icing on the cake. I am very happy to hear that there is another series that is coming that will feature some of the secondary characters that we have grown to love. Reese, Justice, and a few others will be coming back, and I can only hope that we will get to revisit some of the Ultimate fighters that we have grown to love through out this series...Armie included hopefully!!! I am very sorry to have to say goodbye; but it has been one hell of a good time with these studly alpha males! It almost felt like I was visiting my family and friends everytime I turned on my Kindle. Lori Foster has done it again...made me fall in love with a wonderful and exciting series!!! A definite must read for her fans!!♥

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ekk!!
I have not looked forward to a Lori Foster book this much since Rowdy!
Is it February?

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"FIGHTING DIRTY is my favorite of the series."

Read this review in its entirety at Fresh Fiction

[Linda (un)Conventional Bookworms · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on (un)Conventional Bookviews
Fighting Dirty is as close to perfection as a story can be! Armie and Rissy *sighs*

Fighting Dirty is among my most anticipated books for 2016, and Lori Foster outdid herself! I have been longing for Armie and Merissa's story ever since I met them in the first Ultimate book. The tension between the two of them kept increasing and in their own book, it was palpable. I loved getting to now both of them better, especially how they reacted when they were under pressure. Merissa is a very strong heroine, she was truly put through a lot in Fighting Dirty, but she took most of it in stride, and that made her very dear to me.
There is even more suspense in Fighting Dirty than in the prior Ultimate stories, and because Armie thought everything that was going on had to do with him, he did what every alpha male did in his kind of situation... to protect Rissy, he pushed her away, thinking she would be safer if they weren't together at all. And Rissy, instead of being weepy and pushy just let him do it - mostly to show him that she would never pressure him, but also to lick her wounds in private.

As always, the interactions between the characters show how loyal they are to each other, and the fighters are so protective of each other and the ladies they are all swoon-worthy. There are quite a few very hot scenes, and I loved that Merissa was able to surprise Armie more than once. On top of that, there's also plenty of funny banters, a little bit of jealousy, and so much tension it would be possible to cut through it with a sword. And on top of all the up close and personal scenes, there are quite a lot of fighting scenes as well, both training sessions and an actual fight.

Written in third person point of view, past tense with a narrator that is practically omniscient, Fighting Dirty was so well done I have already found one of my favorite 2016 reads! It has everything I love in a romance, friends to lovers, suspense, humor, character development and a lot of hotness. This could definitely be read as a stand-alone, but I really think it would be most enjoyable if you already know Merissa and Armie's back stories, because the build-up for their story has happened over the past three books, slowly, very slowly.

But this insane ogling shit, as if he was a damned sideshow, bugged him big-time.

"Probably lonely, too, poor guy." Very. Groupies, orgies and random one-night stands could only take a guy so far. He had a rep for sexual excess, and that's what the ladies wanted from him. That, and nothing more.

"With heels," Yvette enthused, since Merissa almost always wore flats. "I approve." 
"It's just that I'm so blasted tall - "
"Like a model."
"I don't know." More often than not, she felt gangly, not model-worthy.

[❤️ Dorsey aka Wrath Lover Reviews ❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blog Review: http://www.sweptawaybyromance.com/201...

4 Ultimate Fighting Stars!!

Armie and Rissy have known and loved each other for years but Armie refuses to act on those feelings because Rissy is his best friend's little sister and a "good girl", and with his heartbreakingly sad background he feels unworthy. All of that changes when they are brought together during an intense standoff and Rissy's life is in danger. Armie’s protective nature takes over and he decides he needs to take care of her and, Rissy’s stubborn nature takes over and she decides that she will not let him run away from his feelings for her. Rissy is a strong young woman and knows her own mind, she is a great match for Armie…now she just has to make him believe that.



Both Armie and Rissy are great characters and the chemistry (and love scenes) between them is off the charts!!! There was the obligatory nasty vindictive ex-boyfriend who was after Rissy, a dark secret that Armie has kept from everyone except his best friend Conner, and finally, a troubled young boy who hung out at the rec center who Armie took a personal interest in. Because of his past he connected with this young neglected boy…these storylines blended together quite nicely.

I really loved seeing the characters from the previous books and I loved that Simon, Dakota, Havoc, and Jude along with my favorite Detective Reese Bareden, all have pretty significant roles/cameos!!! We get plenty Leese, who has become one of my favorite characters. Leese, who along with Justice, Brand, and Miles will be featured in her next series Bodyguard, and I'm really looking forward to that!!!

All-in-all it was a good read but…..we absolutely needed an epilogue, especially this being the last book of the series. I would have liked to have some insight into all the couple's futures. Had we had a great epilogue it would have undoubtedly been a 5 Star read for me.



* ARC Provided by publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Foster delivers another strong and entertaining novel in the Ultimate series. In this book we finally get Armie and Merissa woo hoo! I was hoping it would be worth the wait and oh man I completely devoured this book in one sitting.

In the previous books adding up this one we see the attraction between Armie and Merissa and with each book it grows. This story starts off with them basically avoiding one another and Armie telling her she deserves better. Then the action starts. Merissa's bank is robbed and Armie is there to save her. They become closer and then sure enough they both get on the same page.

What made this couple so believable was the past books and what they had to go through to get to the "now". Did they rush into a relationship? Not at all since it has been building over time which I happened to love. It kept me intrigued on what would happen and when.

Without giving a lot away Merissa has a hell of a couple weeks and Armie does in his own way. These characters are both going through different things but when they are together they are stronger.

One of my favorite parts that is also a laugh out loud moment is when Merissa writes " Rissy was here" in permanent marker on Armies ass. The way Foster wrote that scene was absolutely hilarious.

This book is a great addition to this series and while this looks like the last book fear not! It looks like the bodyguards will each get there own book! * happy dance* hopefully Leeses book will be the first in the brand new series!

Add this to you TBR for February 2016!!!

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally got Armie's story!!! I've been a huge fan of Armie's in every other book in this series so I've been eagerly awaiting his story. And I have to say I loved it. The chemistry between Armie and Rissy is sizzling and if you're not in love with them already, you will be by the end of this story. Both characters are superbly fleshed out and there was very little that I disliked about either. Rissy is almost the perfect heroine. She's smart, strong, independent but she doesn't over do it in anyway. She's smart about trusting her instincts and reacting in a smart manner to the threats she faces without feeling the need to be overly independent or overly dependent on someone to protect her. She also had that perfect blend of trust and vulnerability over Armie's reputation with the ladies so that she was so relatable. Armie of course is amazing. I love that he's protective but not in a domineering manner. He's also a sweetheart to everyone and I love the way he looks after everyone. What kept him from being too perfect and like a relatable guy is that he has his bad days. He gets moody but he realizes it, accepts it and then makes up for it.

The storyline itself was engaging. You know who all the bad guys are but there are just enough surprises that keep it interesting. There's also the humor I've come to expect from Lori Foster and of course the rest of the MMA fighters play their own supporting roles. I love seeing them and can't wait to read everyone else's stories.

[Lover of Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
Summary 
Armie Jacobson, has no fear of anything or anyone that crosses his path except for one woman....Merissa Colter. Armie knows that he will never be good enough for her, even though its plainly obvious how he feels but he refuses to touch. Merissa is done waiting for Armie to decide she is worthy of his attention, but whenever she has tried to date other men, it never feels right because there is only one man that she loves. Armie. But danger to Merissa is kicked up a notch, and after a few scary moments, Merissa knows that she is in danger. Armie and Merissa come together through it all, and start to embrace what they both have been feeling. But Armie is insinsent on keeping their relationship under wraps. Both Armie and Merissa will have to come to terms with their new relationship and certain bounderies they set for each other and deal with the ongoing threat to Merissa, and Armie's past that might come down around them if they aren't careful.

Plot and Story Line 
What a fabulous addition to the Ultimate series we have here and I can't say how thrilled I was to finally have Armie and Merissa's story. It was so fabulous to see these two together finally, and to see them finally embrace what they both have been feeling for years. What I truly found most interesting was seeing the way they come together. Over the space of the previous books, we have seen the building of the chemistry between these two, and in this story we finally see them embrace what has been between them for quite a few years. There is quite a bit of sexual tension in this story, but from the beginning we see that the emotional intimacy has always been there.

What was also very intriguing was seeing more depth between both Armie and Merissa. We get to see the history between them and their pasts. Armie is struggling with dealing with a new change for his future, which means more publicity and his painful past comes back to haunt him and he only seeks to protect Merissa from learning the truth because he fears he will lose her forever. However Merissa...she has balls!!! Her reaction to learning about his past is utterly brilliant and I just wanted to jump up and down in happiness. What was also refreshing was Merissa's brother. I love how encouraging he is of their relationship...I mean he practically pushes Armie to Merissa. Which was entertaining in the least since Armie tended to need a kick in the behind to get his act together when it came to Merissa. What I love about Armie is what a truly good human he is to the core. He has one of the worst fathers imaginable....but despite his upbringing, he turns out to be honest, good and loyal. He is a keeper and definitely tops my list for book boyfriends...heck I would marry him hehe I just couldn't get enough of this story, and I am excited to see the bodyguard series that connects to this series come out soon!!
The Cover 
What a cover....I Love the GREEN!! It works so well.
Overall View 
Fighting Dirty is full of rich characters, a vividly pictured romance and some fabulous mystery and suspense moments to keep you on your toes!! Definitely you don't want to miss out on Armie's story....TRULY MAGNIFICENT.



[foogallery id="19045"]

[☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coffee Dates with Armie Fighting Dirty

First Date: Foster has teased us unmercifully with Armie. The man is funny, sexy, cocky, caring and I want to lick him! Foster brings us up to speed on all the characters as she sets the stage for Armie and Rissy. Their chemistry is off the chart even if they pretend to ignore each other. You can feel the electricity and sexual tension. Armie is a player and pretends not to notice his best friend’s little sister. The man has it bad, oh so bad.  Merissa has had feelings since she was a teen for Armie and is frustrated that he avoids her. The series has been weaved in suspense, and in Fighting Dirty Foster delivers the perfect knockout.
Second Date: Events have Armie and Rissy spending time together.  The chemistry, snark, and tenderness made their romance one of my favorites. Armie has a troubled past, and while he may be a player he is also a sensitive caring and active part of the community. Secondary threads, dark secrets and an unknown threat added to the mix. All of these elements combined with Rissy being in danger ramped up the suspense and ignited the chemistry between them. I loved updates, outings and time spent with the rest of the gang. Despite the intensely suspenseful thread, we got plenty of laughter and mischief. Rissy is strong and confident making her a strong heroine. She was even mischievous and I laughed right along with her.
Third date:  My third date with Fighting Dirty was magic. Foster delivered just enough tension, heat and suspense that I was unable to walk away. I love when everything comes together. Learning about Armie, and his past only made me want to hold him and spank him. The couple feels some stress, and faces down danger before Foster wrapped my date up. She left us in a good place. We learn that there will be a spinoff series featuring Leese, Brand, Miles, and Justice. I am hoping all of these characters make cameos.

Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slick's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

4.5 stars

While I haven't enjoyed the Ultimate series as much as I did Lori Foster's original fighter series, I found Fighting Dirty to be a joy to read. I loved seeing the hero and heroine finally admitting their feelings and doing something about them. I loved seeing a truly good man realize his worth. I loved seeing so many of the original SBC fighters return and offer support, help and some much needed words of wisdom, but most of all I loved that the story made sense, the threat felt real and the outcome was everything a romance reader could want. Fighting Dirty would have been 5 stars, but given that this was the last book in this series an epilogue would have been greatly appreciated.

I knew that the relationship between Armie Jacobson and Merissa "Rissy" Colter would be complicated and unconventional given their long history, his friendship with her brother, her long time affection for him and his reputation for dirty, raunchy, anything goes sex. So it surprised me at how tame this book was and that's not a complaint, it was simply unexpected and while there was no doubt these two enjoyed each other physically their intimate moments were just that intimate with a dash of sexy.

Armie's back story was interesting and at times heart-breaking and it gave great insight into the man he had become and his reasoning behind his decision to try and stay out of the limelight. It also shed a lot of light on his work with the kids and teens that frequented the recreational center and his commitment to them.

While we'd seen bits and pieces of Rissy throughout this series, she was always in the background so I very much enjoyed getting to know her and seeing her spitfire attitude. I admired her tenacity and her strong work ethic and I especially admired the way she confronted Armie and made him face up to his attraction to her.

Fighting Dirty was pretty low on drama (always a good thing in my opinion) and high on building a relationship and falling in love thus making it a pretty perfect romance.

Review copy provided for an honest review.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Fighting Dirty
Series: Ultimate #4
Author: Lori Foster
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 384
Heat Level: 3 out of 4 flames
Overall Star Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Kay the Snitch Bitch

I like this series and I'm sad to see it end. I really liked the first three stories but couldn't get into Stack and Vanity's book for some reason. I had no such problem with Armie and Rissy's book.

Rissy is Armie's best friend's little sister and therefore completely off limits to Armie. She's no innocent but no where near as sexually experienced as Armie. None of that stops her love or desire for him though. She knows what she wants and it's him. She doesn't care about his reputation or her brother's possible reaction.

Armie is what he is. He fights because he likes it and he's good at it. He tries to keep a low profile because of an incident in his past but fate has other plans for him. When it seems that his past threatens Rissy, he can no longer fight his feelings for her.

I liked the book. Both of the main characters were entertaining. I also liked seeing the characters from the previous books. The humor was great and the love scenes were hot. I look forward to what Lori Foster's next series has to offer.

Book given in exchange for an honest review via the publisher and NetGalley.

[Diane Dudzik · Rating 5 out of 5]

HIGHLY recommended to read!

There is always a character in a series of books that draws your attention and makes you ache to learn more about him or her. Armie Jacobson is exactly that type of character!

Armie has been a fixture in The Ultimate Series from the beginning. Best friends with Cannon "Saint" Colter, friends and MMA fighter with Denver and Stack, this man has all the right characteristics that make a great hero: loyalty, intelligence, strength, and toughness. That said, no woman who wants a permanent relationship would or should be looking at this self-indulgent, sensual man-whore. He enjoys pleasure in excess and isn't apologetic about it at all. In his opinion, with his history, that's all he has to offer. Oh, Armie, Armie, Armie. Tsk! The mighty will fall and fall oh so very hard!

Enter Merrisa Colter. Armie's forbidden fruit and his Holy Grail. Rissa is tall, pretty, intelligent, loyal and strong. She is also in love with Armie. Not the wisest combination on paper but put the two of them together, the equation results in combustible relationship! She knows who she wants and will not be discouraged. Rissa and Armie, after so much time, FINALLY (thank goodness) have their story!

The book is a strong romance wrapped in a suspense story with heat, humor, friendship, violence and drama. The writing is excellent, drawing your emotions from one end of the spectrum to the other in a tightly woven plot. I found myself tearing up, laughing out loud, wanting to strangle some of the characters and feeling happiness at how it all wrapped up. That is the sign of an excellent author!

While this book can be read alone, there are spoilers of the relationships of the previous heroes and heroines. Also, this series has characters that will move to the new spin-off series.

Previous books in The Ultimate Series:
Hard Knocks (Gage & Harper)
No Limits (Cannon & Yvette)
Holding Strong (Denver & Cherry)
Tough Love (Stack & Vanity)


I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[J · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was so disappointed with this book. My biggest problem was with Armie, who I liked so much in the other books. I've read a lot of "man-whore gets reformed" books and usually don't have a problem with it. I think what bugged me in this book was the constant reminders about it followed by way TMI. How many times did Armie need to mention, in his words, "some chick I banged"? Followed by this one liked to be tied up, that one liked to be spanked, those three liked foursomes. And he was saying all this to Rissa, usually after thinking how he's wanted her since she was 16. He was so busy pining for her he had to go screw every woman in the tristate area? And then brag about it? And Rissa didn't care. It "interested her". He even went into detail about his first blowjob earning him the nickname "Quick" but he made it up to the girl by returning the favor. Gross. Why in the world would she want to hear that? I do not need to hear the H telling the h all about his previous sexual experiences while he is in bed with her. The first time she is in bed with him she looks up to see restraints on his headboard. Then he goes into detail on how he's used them on other women. All I could think was Ew! Please tell me he washed his sheets since the last time he had someone tied up there. Then he USES them on her. I could not get out of my head the 550 other women he used those on. If I were Rissa I wouldn't have gotten within 10 feet of his apartment until a hazmat team was called in. It just ruined the whole story for me. By the end I couldn't stand Armie OR Rissa.

[Seanna Yeager · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love Armie, throughout the Ultimate series by Foster. I even joked that if a fictional character could take out a restraining order, he would need one. He is totally outrageous and hilarious, while having a no so hidden heart of gold.

I love a romance where the hero falls in love with his best friend's sister, so much tension. The funny thing is Cannon knew all along that Armie and Merissa would be perfect together. Armie just assumes that he would not be good enough for Merissa, with everything that has happened in his past.

He definitely has secrets that he has been hiding from Rissy that finally come out, as they finally give to their romantic relationship. They just can no longer fight their feelings.

Watching Armie finally admit that he is head over heels in love with Rissy is absolutely hilarious, he is so out of his depth. Oh boy, he also insists that they hide their relationship, which is totally ridiculous - it is the worst kept secret in town.

So excited for Armie and Merrisa's story, I been waiting for this one all series long. Seriously could not put this one down. Let's just say "Rissy was *definitely* here!" Also Armie needs a new tattoo, in a place that you will know where once you read the book. Hint, hint .....


I was so lucky to get an free copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review through Netgalley. Thank you Harlequin and Lori Foster.

[Susan (susayq ~) · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my opinion, Armie Jacobson stole the show in each book every time he appeared. I slowly fell for him with each glimpse we were given into his outrageously sexual, but totally adorably loyal personality. And from the beginning, I hoped he would get his own book. Well, Armie TOTALLY lived up to my expectations!!!! There were a few times that I could have shaken him so he'd wake up and fess up to his feelings, but thank heavens Merissa knew he'd come around and was patient (and sometimes pushy) enough to get him to come around.

Armie had some stuff from his past that he was worried about, Merissa had a jerk ex who caused some trouble. But the whole crew saw the couple through to the end. Once again, I'm going to fangirl over how well Lori Foster wrote the relationship between the guys. They got along great and the teasing was spot on. I loved when they all went hang out in front of the porn shop ;0) I especially loved watching Cannon and Armie. Their friendship is so deep. LOVED IT!

I'm super excited to hear that Leese, Miles, Brand and Justice will get a series. Leese deserves a good woman (I hope she's not too terribly jealous of his friendship with Merissa and Vanity).

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Armie, Armie, Armie...  what are we going to do with your sex-lovin', raunchy t-shirt wearin' sweet ass?  Merissa Colter has had ideas for years about what she's wanted to do with you.  But you've been busy with your multitude of ladies in and out of your apartment, and there was never room for Merissa.  Not that you ever thought you deserved her....

FINALLY!  We've been taunted and teased during the previous three books of Lori Foster's Ultimate series.  We now get an entire book dedicated to Merissa and Armie....  and it's also the final book in this series (boo, hiss).

Armie has always played it cool around Merissa.  From their childhood until now, he's only been friends with his best friend's little sister.  But Armie has always had eyes for "Rissy", as her older brother Cannon calls her.  Armie has had a hell of a childhood and an incident in his past has been alluded to for some time throughout the series.  This incident is something he doesn't want to "taint" Rissy with so Armie sticks to his hook-ups, knowing he'll never be a good enough man for Rissy.

Merissa isn't playing fair, though.  She wants Armie and that's it!  No more listening to him and his nonsense.  Armie deserves her and she's going to prove it.  Of course there might be some obstacles in the way...

I knew I loved Merissa ever since I met her in the beginning of the series.  And putting her with the guy who has the craziest sex life out of the bunch of them?  I thought that was brilliant and I couldn't wait to see how Ms. Foster was going to play that out.  I was not disappointed!

Brilliant, thoughtful, playful... it was all sorts of marvelous!

Granted, Ms. Foster has a certain "formula" to her stories, a certain type of crisis that keeps the couple in turmoil.  And it was there in Fighting Dirty, but it really worked with the relationship between Merissa and Armie.  In other books of hers, I felt the crisis was forced into the story.  NOT at all the case with this story!

I was so happy to see that Ms. Foster brought back all the characters for this final book in the series.  Merissa and Armie were always a part of everyone else's books, so it fit well that everyone showed up in this book.  I especially liked how Leese's character has evolved/matured from his first appearance in the series until this book where he got to shine: kick some butt and show some personality.

Interestingly enough, it's Leese, Brand, Miles, and Justice that will get their own books in Ms. Foster's next spinoff series. It's a series based on Leese getting a job as a bodyguard, hence a 'Bodyguard' series :).   In the meantime, I highly recommend the Ultimate series for hometown boys who can fight and be doing the right thing at the same time.

 

Excerpt from Fighting Dirty by Lori Foster

from author's Harlequin.com page



 



 Review appears on

[Sybil aka Lala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!

Armie isn’t impressed by much. Neither is he afraid of anything. Well, maybe only his friend’s baby sister. Merissa seems to be the only person who is able to capture his attention and have an effect on him. That’s scary as hell because even though he can’t deny the obvious attraction between them, there is just no way he’s good enough for her. Not with the life he’s led and his life now as an MMA fighter. People are out to get him and he needs to protect her from it. But the only person who has any issue with them being together is Armie and Merissa has had enough. Now, she’s taking matters into her own hands.

Not only did I like the romance blossoming between these characters, I also found the plot interesting. There were many schemes that could potentially keep them apart, and more than that – place them in dangerous situations. It all kept my interest going right until the end of this book. I loved the interactions and camaraderie between all the characters.

Armie was an excellent character and I loved his riskier side so although their romance was sweet, I got the feeling that Merissa was changing him more than just accepting him and I missed his badass side. I wished the sexy times were a bit hotter and that Merissa would have been a little more adventurous where that’s concerned.

Still though, this book was great and I absolutely enjoyed it.

(ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review)

[Jonel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Foster writes suspense on many levels with this one. Romance abounds while danger strikes. I found myself guessing what would happen next, enjoying the seamlessly woven plot. I was completely lost in this world, engaging with the characters and living right alongside them. Being back alongside these fighters and those that they hold dear was an emotional joy ride for me that I can’t wait to experience again.

Foster brings her characters to life on and off the page. Armies’ past is such a poignant counterpoint to who he I in the present. He is such a complexly crafted character. The many layers to who he is all peel away at certain points allowing you to really see the nitty gritty of who he is and what makes him tick. Rissy’s need for acceptance and to be herself vies only with her need to be close with Armie. I loved seeing her come to life when they were together. And the chemistry between these two! Foster writes it so that it comes naturally to them, leaping from the pages. The heat simmered throughout, boiling at times in explosive ways. I simply couldn’t look away.

This novel was engaging, wildly romantic, and endlessly exciting. It is the best of the series and quite possibly my favourite of Foster’s work ever.

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.

[Maria Itliong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally Armie and Merissa's story

[Alyse · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's the story we've all be waiting for!! ARMIE IS HERE!!! Fighting Dirty is the last book in Lori Foster's Ultimate Series. If you haven't read any of this series, I completely recommend starting from the beginning. I think you would miss out on the who's and why's behind the characters/relationships/people you skip around. I am sad to see this tight group of friends move on... Hopefully we will get to revisit them again in future books!!

I have to be honest... I was actually nervous to read Fighting Dirty. I've been waiting (not-so) patiently for Armie and Merissa's story since reading No Limits. What if it didn't live up to my expectations in my head? What if Armie wasn't a good leading man?? My poor brain was coming up with all kinds of questions/scenarios as to what could go wrong with Armie's story. But my nerves were quickly calmed when I started this book.

From the beginning of this series, you've known there was more to Armie Jacobson than his outlandish man-whoring ways. You've also known he has wanted Merissa Colter (BAD), but he doesn't feel that he deserves her. Plus her big brother is Armie's best friend and knows everything about his dark past and probably wouldn't appreciate Armie tainting her with his dirty laundry. Armie couldn't handle if Merissa treated him any different if/when she learned the truth about him. So he tries to forget his CRAVINGS for Merissa with mind-numbing sex, the kinky-er the better. But when Merissa is in danger, will Armie be able to deny his feelings for the ONE woman that he always knew was more...

After being kissed senseless by Armie and pushed away AGAIN, Merissa can take a hint. Even though she's been in love with him since she was a teenager, Rissy can't take being pushed away anymore and seeing him with other women. She has been slowly coming to terms that her and Armie will never be together, when suddenly her life takes a major turn. After being threatened at work, Armie is willing to do anything to protect her. And all to soon their chemistry is becoming to much to deny for either of them...

But will Armie drop his walls enough to let Rissy in, or will he push her away to protect her... even if that means protecting her from himself.

The ONLY thing I wish this book had was an epilogue ESPECIALLY since this was the last book in the series. But again, hopefully we will get to "see" these characters again in Ms. Foster's spin-off series coming soon! =]

Rating: 5 out of 5

**I was provided an ARC by the author in exchange for a honest review.**

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[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I've been waiting for Armie's story for a while and I'm so happy he didn't disappoint.

Full reviews posted as always on Ellie Reads Fiction

This is the final book in the Ultimate series, contemporary romance series focused on the lives of group of professional fighters. I have been waiting for Armie's story since we met him in the first novel in the series, Hard Knocks (telling Cannon's story) and the bits and pieces of him we saw in the next books only made me more excited to read about him.

I'm very happy that his story didn't disappoint, it was a balanced combination of sweet and sexy with some suspense thrown in the mix. I admit it's a fairly typical best friend and little sister trope but done well and pretty engaging which made it great fun to read.

I liked Armie a lot and liked even more the way he was with Merissa. We all knew of his wild past and though we don't see it directly here, I'm glad was not completely erased or glossed over just because he fell in love with Merissa. At the same time Merissa, while not as experienced as him, wasn't a virgin or the tame and clueless female we so often see in romance. They both changed their ways to meet each other in the middle and it was no real hardship since it felt right for both of them. She took initiative, acted bold and he overcame his feeling of not being good enough, not deserving someone like her.

I loved the romance in this story, it was rich and nuanced and felt both dreamy and real. Armie and Merissa had a lot of things to work through in their relationship and I really appreciate that the author showed how being with someone requires effort and commitment on both sides. The chemistry was there, the attraction was strong (and so long standing for both them that at times it was just irresistible), yet real life posed numerous obstacles in their way. Add to this some inner turmoil and insecurities and you get a captivating modern romance.

A thing I like a lot in this series is the camaraderie between the fighters and their partners/wives. It was strongly present here and thoroughly enjoyed the funny banter, the good-natured ribbing and jokes between all of them. The sex shop scene in particular had me in fits of laughter.

A minor complaint I want to voice is some degree of slut-shaming I felt with respect to Armie's previous partners. I think it's something present thoroughout the series, presenting the previous women in the hero's life as conniving, unworthy, only interested in sex or somehow trapping the hero into a relationship. It's just an undercurrent I get in this series and I'm not very happy about it.

Overall, for me this is the best book in series and I can highly recommend it to all fans of Lori Foster's writing. I'm already looking forward to reading the spin off about the rest of the fighters.

[Kizzie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fighting Dirty is a thrilling, funny conclusion to a fantastic series.

Lori Foster brings us the brilliant conclusion to the Ultimate Series, in which she truly saved the best for last. In Fighting Dirty, we finally get the story of Armie Jacobson, the sinfully gorgeous, playful, protective, sexually liberated, very complicated man that we have been getting to know since the first book in the Ultimate series. Armie finally gets the romance that he desires and deserves with Merissa Colter, or "Rissy", who is everybody’s “off limits” little sis. Once you start this one, you won’t want to put it down until the very last kiss.

Sometimes the best things really do come to those who wait, which was definitely true for Armie and Rissy. They have loved each other for years and years, even though everyone else seemed to know it except for them. After all that waiting, it was thrilling to see two people willing to fight for their happily ever after. Whether it was battling the external forces trying to drive them apart or those internal fears that tried to prevent them from risking their hearts, both Armie and Rissy fought hard to be together, literally and figuratively.

There were so many things to love about Fighting Dirty including: 1) funny stuff like Armie’s outrageous t-shirts, 2) sexy stuff like Armie’s outrageous past and sexual appetite, and 3) touching stuff like the relationship between Armie and Bray, one of the at risk teens from the rec center who was facing his own troubled circumstances. I loved that in the middle of this romance, Lori Foster put the spotlight on saving kids in trouble and incorporated that trait as a part of Armie’s character.

It was also great seeing all of the sexy guys that we have come to know and love in this series, being, well….sexy! Especially Leese who is now particularly badass! In addition to all of the Ultimate Guys, there were surprise appearances from nearly all of the MMA fighters that Lori has been writing about over the years, including my favorite, Jude Jamison.

Don’t miss this thrilling conclusion to the Ultimate Series. If you are looking for a funny, sexy, touching, thrill ride, then Fighting Dirty is one that is guaranteed to deliver. And don’t despair when it’s over because the good news is that several of the Ultimate guys, including Leese, Justice, Brand and Miles, will return in Lori’s new bodyguard series. Can’t wait!!!

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.