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Body Blows
Not yet published
Expected 2 Nov 26
This is a fight between true love or friendship and there can only be one winner.
Local newspapers called them vigilantes, but Holiday Winters’ ragtag crew gave campus offenders a dose of their own medicine. Once she graduates from college, Holiday puts together an underground group to help abused women on a larger scale. Unfortunately, a rescue goes horribly wrong. Seeking refuge at the home of her best friend, Ryder Healy, Holiday hopes she still has a job when the smoke clears. Except her bestie is acting weird. And oh wait, why is he pulling her closer saying those four dreaded words …We need to talk.
The minute Ryder laid eyes on Holiday Winters in college he was a goner. Years later, a chance encounter brought them face to face, providing him access to the brown-skinned beauty … just not the type he wanted. Right when he finally comes to terms with his role as the stunner’s best bud, a horrific incident puts Holiday closer than ever … Damn, their timing always sucked! Between his toxic family and a career-defining fight coming up, Ryder’s worried that if he doesn’t shoot his shot, he’ll lose his chance with Holiday forever.
Friends to Lovers
Sports Romance
BWWM
Local newspapers called them vigilantes, but Holiday Winters’ ragtag crew gave campus offenders a dose of their own medicine. Once she graduates from college, Holiday puts together an underground group to help abused women on a larger scale. Unfortunately, a rescue goes horribly wrong. Seeking refuge at the home of her best friend, Ryder Healy, Holiday hopes she still has a job when the smoke clears. Except her bestie is acting weird. And oh wait, why is he pulling her closer saying those four dreaded words …We need to talk.
The minute Ryder laid eyes on Holiday Winters in college he was a goner. Years later, a chance encounter brought them face to face, providing him access to the brown-skinned beauty … just not the type he wanted. Right when he finally comes to terms with his role as the stunner’s best bud, a horrific incident puts Holiday closer than ever … Damn, their timing always sucked! Between his toxic family and a career-defining fight coming up, Ryder’s worried that if he doesn’t shoot his shot, he’ll lose his chance with Holiday forever.
Friends to Lovers
Sports Romance
BWWM
294 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication November 2, 2026
About the author
Amber Malloy
15 books154 followersAmber Malloy dreamed of being a double agent but couldn't pass the psyche evaluation. Crushed by despair that she couldn't legally shoot things, Amber pursued her second career choice as pastry chef. When she's not writing or whipping up a mean Snickers Cheesecake, she occasionally spies on her sommelier. Amber is convinced he's faking his French accent.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Tropes: Friends to Lovers, He falls first, Dysfunctional Family, Interracial, Proximity, Mental health representation, Sports (MMA/Wrestling), Suspense, Holidays
Amber Malloy’s latest book, Body Blows, is an energetic, intentional look at the years long progression of a “friends to lovers” relationship marked by pining and showing up when it matters.
Ryder Healy and Holiday Winters have NOTHING in common….he comes from a background riddled with neglect and emotional and physical abuse, while she is the youngest child of a wealthy and powerful media dynasty. However, under Holiday’s beautifully curated image of a privileged party girl is a compassionate woman trying to be a resource for women and children trapped by inequality and injustice. This same compassion brings her into the orbit of Ryder; when an extraction goes awry he steps in to rescue the rescuer! Ryder already has a gigantic sized crush on Holiday from college, now with his kind deed, he is on HER radar. As they transition from barely acquainted to best friends forever, will Ryder be content to love Holiday as just a friend or will he take the plunge and declare his love out loud for all the world to see? And will she love him back?
Conclusion:
Ms. Malloy builds her story around the gritty world of professional fighting/wrestling and the complexity of both families Even after a horribly dysfunctional childhood resulting in the need for therapy, Ryder still has some connections to his dishonest father and spoiled brothers. Holiday’s family, her mother in particular, lovingly control and vet the people in her life; seeking to steer Holiday and her brothers into spaces with the best optics😊. Given Holiday’s crusade to help others, she often finds herself in dangerously precarious positions, with Ryder worrying and helping when he is able. I loved Holiday and Ryder’s personas; they were both larger than life and charismatic. Their banter and raunchy comments were risqué and entertaining, but it is their tenderness and unconditional love that will leave readers swooning. The main villain in the story has a consistent presence for the entirety of the book and comeuppance was well deserved. I enjoyed the construction of the story; the narrative flows in linear fashion; however, readers learn pertinent details/fallout through reminiscing. The book takes place mainly during the Winter Holidays. Final words, I have read several of Ms. Malloy’s stories and always enjoy her unique style of writing. Holiday and Ryder made awesome, supportive friends and their love only ripened and bloomed through time and efforts. The book ends with a stellar epilogue.
Favorite Lines:
“It’s halfway over.” He childishly pouted. “You know, taking off once in a while wouldn’t kill you.”
From his choice in profession straight down to his comic book obsession, Ryder was a big kid at heart, and she loved that about him.
Did he roll the dice hoping she felt the same or did he sit quietly pining away?
Since his childhood had robbed him of any good memories,
Ryder made a promise to himself to create his very own traditions, and that’s why he went crazy during this time of year.
Yes, they were best friends, but they’d be better in a relationship. He’d practiced this conversation a million times.
“Are you seriously trying to commandeer the baby Jesus’ birthday?”
https://theretiredreader.com/f/body-b...
Amber Malloy’s latest book, Body Blows, is an energetic, intentional look at the years long progression of a “friends to lovers” relationship marked by pining and showing up when it matters.
Ryder Healy and Holiday Winters have NOTHING in common….he comes from a background riddled with neglect and emotional and physical abuse, while she is the youngest child of a wealthy and powerful media dynasty. However, under Holiday’s beautifully curated image of a privileged party girl is a compassionate woman trying to be a resource for women and children trapped by inequality and injustice. This same compassion brings her into the orbit of Ryder; when an extraction goes awry he steps in to rescue the rescuer! Ryder already has a gigantic sized crush on Holiday from college, now with his kind deed, he is on HER radar. As they transition from barely acquainted to best friends forever, will Ryder be content to love Holiday as just a friend or will he take the plunge and declare his love out loud for all the world to see? And will she love him back?
Conclusion:
Ms. Malloy builds her story around the gritty world of professional fighting/wrestling and the complexity of both families Even after a horribly dysfunctional childhood resulting in the need for therapy, Ryder still has some connections to his dishonest father and spoiled brothers. Holiday’s family, her mother in particular, lovingly control and vet the people in her life; seeking to steer Holiday and her brothers into spaces with the best optics😊. Given Holiday’s crusade to help others, she often finds herself in dangerously precarious positions, with Ryder worrying and helping when he is able. I loved Holiday and Ryder’s personas; they were both larger than life and charismatic. Their banter and raunchy comments were risqué and entertaining, but it is their tenderness and unconditional love that will leave readers swooning. The main villain in the story has a consistent presence for the entirety of the book and comeuppance was well deserved. I enjoyed the construction of the story; the narrative flows in linear fashion; however, readers learn pertinent details/fallout through reminiscing. The book takes place mainly during the Winter Holidays. Final words, I have read several of Ms. Malloy’s stories and always enjoy her unique style of writing. Holiday and Ryder made awesome, supportive friends and their love only ripened and bloomed through time and efforts. The book ends with a stellar epilogue.
Favorite Lines:
“It’s halfway over.” He childishly pouted. “You know, taking off once in a while wouldn’t kill you.”
From his choice in profession straight down to his comic book obsession, Ryder was a big kid at heart, and she loved that about him.
Did he roll the dice hoping she felt the same or did he sit quietly pining away?
Since his childhood had robbed him of any good memories,
Ryder made a promise to himself to create his very own traditions, and that’s why he went crazy during this time of year.
Yes, they were best friends, but they’d be better in a relationship. He’d practiced this conversation a million times.
“Are you seriously trying to commandeer the baby Jesus’ birthday?”
https://theretiredreader.com/f/body-b...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Holiday and Ryder had me STRESSED in the best way! I am such a sucker for friends to lovers, especially when one person has been secretly in love for YEARS, and the tension between these two sounds delicious. Ryder trying to navigate his feelings for Holiday while dealing with his toxic family and a career defining fight had me invested, and I loved that Holiday was out there taking matters into her own hands to protect abused women. She is the kind of heroine I love seeing! I loved the emotional conflict between risking a beautiful friendship and finally going after true love. The romance brought the feelings, the drama brought the tension, and I was rooting for these two to get their timing RIGHT for once. Give me more best friends falling in love and making me feel everything!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
This was a fun sports romance with a full bodied heroine. The depth of the book is more than just a romance delving into serious issues related to family and more.
This book is what Promising Young Woman wanted to be.
Triggered warnings for assault.
This was a fun sports romance with a full bodied heroine. The depth of the book is more than just a romance delving into serious issues related to family and more.
This book is what Promising Young Woman wanted to be.
Triggered warnings for assault.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews