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Tough Love #3

They're a Match

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One blazing relational bond formed by two fiery lovers. And a new element just joined the formula.

Chemistry calls it covalence. Shakespeare named it the “marriage of true minds.” Historically speaking, Nairne never liked the impractical notion of marriage, and Zed never thought he’d live to see the day when tying the knot was even an option. After a decade of entanglement in the mafia, Zed’s now free to play the game he loves and love the woman who owns his heart.

Problem is, the spitfire’s been a loner her whole life. Independent, self-reliant, and driven. And she wants nothing to do with marriage, since statistically it fails more than it succeeds, which to her scientific mind is the universally acknowledged definition of an experimental bust. But the elemental pull toward matrimony between the sexy scientist and her dark and handsome soccer star is stronger than Nairne anticipates. Can she risk her heart for her perfect match, even if it’s a gamble rather than a sure bet?

In the game of life,

you win some, you lose some.

And They Lived Happily Ever After” is theirs for the taking,

but for that pesky little word that so often gets overlooked…“Lived.”

Book Three in the Tough Love Series—a  suspenseful romance, full of sexy Italians, feisty heroines, a house full of friends and family, and an ending that closes the chapter on these lovers, and paves the way for new ones.

274 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 8, 2019

52 people are currently reading
1928 people want to read

About the author

Chloe Liese

22 books10.1k followers
Chloe is a USA Today bestselling author who writes romantic fiction reflecting her belief that everyone deserves a love story. When not dreaming up her next novel, you'll find her reading, trying new recipes, savoring nature, and soaking up time with her big, beautiful family.

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5 stars
120 (27%)
4 stars
141 (32%)
3 stars
121 (27%)
2 stars
39 (8%)
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15 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
Profile Image for Natalie  ~ The Biblioholic.
2,713 reviews1,416 followers
August 12, 2019
It's LIVE & FREE with KU! https://amzn.to/2YZPFGT

Love and happy endings are never easy and no one knows that better than Zed and Nairne. They've battled themselves and their own evolving emotions, they've confronted others who were looking to tear them apart, they overcame criminal entities, guns to the face, and hospitalizations... they've had to face more obstacles than most. And yet, their love not only survived, it thrived. Each fight won was a testament to how great their love was and nothing and no one could divide them. Not the mob, an obsessed ex, the government, or even Nairne's insecurities. They were getting their happily ever after no matter the cost!

While this book had the most miniscule of suspenseful elements, it's primary focus was on this couple and how they would navigate their new beginning... again. It was about their pregnancy, their love, and what each of them envisioned as their future. It was full of the enchanting banter we've come to know and love from these two as well as their continued intimacy, physically and emotionally. It was full of family and friends and an intriguing little side story peek of what's to come for Lucas and Elodie. The Tough Love series is about facing fears, accomplishing the improbable, and about absorbing and deriving great pleasure from all the facets of love. Zed and Nairne were two people who not only loved each other deeply, but the love that surrounded them, the love that practically drowned me in its complexities, the love of their family and friends is the love that all humans should feel at one time or another. The love described in these pages is profound and only sells the story of this great romance even more.

Chloe Liese may be just starting her journey as a writer, but her words here will live on forever. Tough Love has touched me deeply and I'm looking forward to reading more!


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Profile Image for Becky.
406 reviews175 followers
September 7, 2019
This was a thoroughly enjoyable series to devour; and I really enjoyed my experience doing so. It is a brilliantly fabulous story about acceptance, love and embracing who you truly are. It deals brilliantly with disability, sexuality, love and true companionship. I really felt the love between these two and absolutely adored the two of them together and thoroughly enjoyed watching their relationship develop and unfold. It really is a great series that I would wholeheartedly recommend! If you're interested in romance (particularly romance with steam and some drama), then definitely give this a go!
Profile Image for Laura • lauralovestoread.
1,623 reviews284 followers
August 12, 2019
This has been such a fun romance series to binge read when I needed that palate cleanse from my every day thrillers and historical fiction reads. They’re A Match was just the book I needed after some heavy reads recently.

If you’re looking for a fun, quick romance with a kickass strong lead, with both witty humor and all the steam, look no further!

Nairne and Zed have a love that is fierce, and this third book really gave me the closure for their relationship, as we see them overcome obstacles that they face. Becoming parents really gave insight into this new beginning for them, and I just loved it!

I loved seeing tough, feisty Nairne come into herself as a Mother, and soften some of her rough exterior. Chloe has written a great series with complex characters, and I can’t wait to see what lies in store for her readers next!

*Thank you so much to Chloe for gifting me this copy for review. All opinions are my own
Profile Image for Tiffany.
398 reviews23 followers
September 15, 2019
4.5 rounded up
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥

It's no secret I'm a fan of this series and the final book did not disappoint. I love Chloe's writing and I can't wait to read her next book!

Things I liked about this book:

~As always I loved the characters in this series. They all have their individual charm and I love how inclusive they are. Nairne is such highly intelligent and very independent female lead that brings so much to this series. She never let's fear or her disability stop her from anything she has her mind set on. While some aspects of Zed may frustrate some, it works for their dynamic. Their chemistry is reactive and their bedroom scenes are 🔥🔥🔥.

~This book isn't just a romance because there is a little mystery intertwined into the plot that brings a little excitement to the story. It's not as suspenseful as the last, but I thought that was a good thing. As their story wraps up you'll be on the edge of your seat waiting to find out what happens.

~What I liked best about this book was the information of a spinoff at the end!!! I don't have to mourn the ending because there will be more and to say I'm excited would be an understatement. I was so happy with the direction she's going that I squealed a bit (it's who I was hoping for). Woohoo!!!

What kept me from giving it 5⭐?

~This one was a little slow to start, but quickly picked up. I read the whole book in one day and couldn't put it down. I also found the bedroom scenes toned down, which may appeal to some and deter others. I grew to love their explosive sexual encounters and I understand why their sexual relationship changed a bit in this one.

This series is one I would highly recommend to all romance readers that love a book with detailed sexy scenes. I know I'm responsible for getting others hooked on this series and I refuse to apologize. If you haven't read this series, what are you waiting for?
Profile Image for Dani (Dani Reviews Things).
547 reviews292 followers
dnf
February 26, 2020
Soooo I have to DNF at 6% because I can't handle the little things that the author is getting wrong about Scotland. I'm just not in the right mindset to ignore these.
Profile Image for Tahsin.
1,233 reviews94 followers
June 19, 2020
I haven't read a series about the same two characters in YEARS!!! And when I started, I wasn't aware that's what I'd signed up for. I think I liked the first book okay, and then it kinda totally goes downhill from there.
description

The second and third - and especially this third - books were completely unnecessary. Yeah, the first one ends in a cliffy(ish) but it absolutely didn't need to. And so I found that they were both filllllled with details. Awkward conversation and dialogues. That could so easily have been edited out. This book was just kind of filled with drama and I wasn't a fan.

That being said, I loved Nairne - but only in the first book, bc she becomes more trouble than she's worth later. I've said this before, but it needs saying again - what is it with idiot heroines thinking they'll save the day but only causing more of a mess for the H to clean up? What is this fucking trope and why is it so popular because I actually fucking hate it. Instead of adding anything to the character, it only distracts from the strong independent woman they've been crafted to be. That's kind of all Nairne does in the last two books and Zed - after very little opposition - just fucking takes it.

Nothing really to say about Zed, he's likeable enough - although the Mafia/Soccer crossover doesn't make sense, especially with everything that follows. Don't expect proper mafia, that's definitely NOT what this is.

I loved the author's writing style in the first book, absolutely reveled in it. The prose was delicate but sophisticated and verbose - but not needlessly. It was terrific. I don't know if it's just my attitude toward the whole story afterwards, but it didn't feel the same. I just wanted her to get to the point and be done with it.

That being said, she enrolled the books back into KU when I DMed her (gotta love technology) so I'm insanely grateful for that (especially since I didn't have to buy the whole series just to read this one book - and I wasn't even going to read it if it weren't coming back).
Profile Image for Laura In  Literary Land.
78 reviews45 followers
September 30, 2019
{Sincere thanks to author @chloe_liese for gifting me an ARC #partner}

What a conclusion to the Tough Love series!! WOW!

I have enjoyed reading all three of the books about Zed and Nairne. I don't know if it's because I read this book most recently or because I know the characters so well at this point, but I feel like this one is my favorite. We get to watch Zed and Nairne really settle into life as a couple. Being a wife myself for over 15 years there was something just so sweet in reading about that. I can totally picture Zed and Nairne 15 years down the line just as much in love and just as passionate about each other as ever. Their story in this book isn't without its challenges but this plot isn't about whether or not they'll come out on the other side still together. Instead it's about how they will tackle the challenges and hardships as a couple and fight for each other. I'm telling you, Zed and Nairne are relationship goals!!

If you're interested in reading a contemporary romance series with a tough as nails, alpha male who knows how to love his woman and a a feisty, smart, independent heroine who doesn't let anyone tell her what to do, I cannot recommend this series enough. All three books in the Tough Love series are available in paperback, kindle, and are free in kindle unlimited!
Profile Image for Kelly.
1,216 reviews15 followers
October 1, 2019
Great ending to the Tough Love series. Nairne and Zed have come so far together across the series, and Nairne's life has changed so much. Love, an expanding family, maybe marriage? They're a Match is exactly what I was expecting - a little bit of drama/suspense, a lot of love between Nairne, Zed and their family/friends, and a happy ending that they fight for together.

Very happy to see an upcoming spin-off for Lucas and Elodie - I am SO CURIOUS as to what is happening between these 2, why all the angst and misery that seems to follow them both and why they can't be together.
Profile Image for MJ Fonte.
16 reviews
July 31, 2023
As someone with a physical disability I sometimes lack the ability to see myself being in a relationship where I am not a burden to the able body counterpart. But this book allows me to dream and want something where my needs are not burdens but just second nature to life. The smut is amazing and there is never a scene where her disability interferes in her sexuality. I was already a fan of the author because of her portrait of autistic women in her other series. Now I am just in love with her approach to writing inclusive characters whiteout victimising them. If I could I would have given her more than 5 stars.
Profile Image for Noemie | allmybookthoughts.
557 reviews23 followers
January 12, 2021
I thought this was a great conclusion to the series, and loved seeing the last bit of Zed & Nairne's story as they become parents. It was really great seeing this side of them, and seeing their lives calm down a little bit.
Profile Image for Mollie's Bookshelf.
131 reviews51 followers
December 10, 2019
**Thank you to the author for sending me this book. All thoughts are my own**

Ahhh, the wrapping up of a great series! I read and enjoyed books 1 & 2 this summer and surprisingly these books just got better as the series progressed. I usually enjoy the first book in a series the most because there tends to be all the building up to the relationship. Chloe wrote so much into the development and journey of Nairne and Zed that all of it felt like it was building on itself.

Zed & Nairne's story was such a ride. There were many obstacles that they overcome throughout the series and I felt a nice sense of closure and happiness for them as the series came to an end. I love that this book tackles the idea and notion of marriage and what that means. It's something that Nairne and I related on.

I'm sad to see these characters story end even if it was such a beautiful ending. Cannot wait to see what them on the peripheral in the Tough Love spinoffs.
Profile Image for Reading Mom.me.
595 reviews36 followers
August 13, 2019
4.5 stars for the final book in this amazingly steamy, romantic, suspenseful series. This is my favourite of the 3 books I enjoyed seeing how much their relationship has grown since book 1 and how much Nairne and Zed have changed because of each other. this book did not lack the steam or suspense and it was a great closing for this trilogy! I can't wait for the spin offs
Profile Image for Jessica Marsden.
69 reviews2 followers
July 1, 2021
I absolutely loved this entire series. I could never get enough. I loved the dynamic between Zed and Narine.
Profile Image for Jamie.
1,143 reviews77 followers
June 26, 2020
I've basically forgotten this book and I read it just a few weeks ago. Shrug emoji.
Profile Image for Joharis.
1,069 reviews113 followers
August 9, 2020
Oh man... Ya que no me gusta una serie de romance que sigue a la misma pareja, era inevitable que uno de éstos libros no me gustara porque es completamente innecesario y fue éste el ganador.... Felicidades!

Primero que todo, el primer libro me encantó y el segundo estuvo decente y lo disfruté pero éste??? Me hizo sentir rabia con los sucesos del mismo porque arruina algunas de las características que conocemos de los personajes. Porqué le di 3 estrellas??? Porque la pareja, en general, es una cuya historia disfruté y porque habían momentos lindos pero créanme que me molestaron varias cosas.

Lo principal es Nairne, una chica independiente y fuerte que me encantó por el hecho de vivir su vida y ser contraria a Zed. En éste libro me doy cuenta que no ha cambiado mucho y lo más fundamental de sus características que causa problemas en la relación se mantiene hasta el final. Ella es una chica que es bastante cerrada sobre sus emociones y constantemente la vemos completamente negar situaciones DE PELIGRO porque es testaruda a tal nivel que pone su vida y la de Jamie en peligro sólo para... Qué??? Para nada! Que molestia ver como pasó a ser alguien que me agradaba a alguien que me irrita y que es un obstáculo.

La relación entre ella y Zed cambia drásticamente por el hecho de que no es NADA parecida al primer libro y lo que es supuestamente fundamental para las relaciones de Zed se ignora durante todo el libro. Ni siquiera parece la misma pareja! No hay nada de control ni parte sumisa de Nairne. Solo.... Que decepción! Definitivamente que fue un caso de 2 libros de más.

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Profile Image for Kyla.
110 reviews38 followers
July 20, 2020
A delightful conclusion to the Tough Love series. This book definitely had the least amount of suspense within the trilogy, but I loved how much humor was packed into it. While there wasn't as much action in "They're a Match" as there was in the other two books, I loved how Liese still managed to sneak in a touch of spy thriller. I also adored the proposal scene and how much this book set the stage for Lucas and Elodie's spinoff (I can't wait to start reading it)! Overall, "They're a Match" was the perfect conclusion to Zed and Nairne's story.

P.S. I am SO looking forward to the eventual Teo spinoff and I hope that the twins both get spinoffs as well! In general, I can't wait for Liese to publish more books! I look forward to devouring her work as it gets released. :)
Profile Image for Bookishbrookeish.
829 reviews12 followers
December 18, 2020
They're a Match is the conclusion of Nairne & Zed's story in Chloe Liese's Tough Love series that follows the couple after the events of She's a Spitfire & I don't want to say much more than that!

This series was so good! I love the characters and how they handle their relationship. I thought the character growth through the series was great. It was such a satisfying conclusion to the overall story. It is rare that I feel all three books in a trilogy are equally strong, but I thought the author did an amazing job of changing up the circumstances and even the tone of each book so that they all felt fresh and slightly different than the other two. Chloe Liese is a fantastic author and I can't wait to dive into her other series next (and the spinoff book of this series, which I'm hoping to get for Christmas)!
Profile Image for Amy (amysbooksnthings).
1,616 reviews31 followers
May 25, 2021
4.5*

In keeping with the previous two books in this trilogy, Nairne and Zed had a lot of joyful moments with a touch of trouble mixed into their lives throughout. It was sweet to watch their love grow - both physically and emotionally. I loved seeing them as a couple as well as the times with their family and friends. And then when the baby came it was even sweeter.

I don't know that this story needed two sources of angst - I imagine either the one with Nairne's coworker or her post-birth experience would have been enough. Because let's face it: this couple has had more than their fair share of trauma. Regardless, Chloe's writing kept me drawn into the story the complete time I was reading - she has a terrific way with banter as well as keeping those sexy times steamy.
346 reviews1 follower
September 25, 2020
Love this book!

So by book 3 in the Love’s Tough series, I have called in love with Zed and Nairne. I feel like they are family and the end of this series is bittersweet. I loved the action, suspense and romance in this book. As always, Chloe Liese manages to write a delightful book while advocating for justice, equality, human rights and love. No matter where her books take place or the cultural influences found within her characters (Scottish, French, American, Italian, Swedish), Chloe manages to transform me to another place and time. I am insanely excited to read the spinoffs for this series as well as more books in The Bergman brother’s series. Brava, Chloe!
633 reviews12 followers
April 13, 2021
I thought this was the best of the 3 books focused on Zed and Narine. It's good to see that while Narine is fierce and independent that she is learning how to led Zed be her partner and help her.

Narine made another biazare and reckless decision to hang around when she knew that a rogue MI5 agent was coming after her, while she was very pregnant and not in a position to defend herself. I'm not saying that a man is just generally going to be better able to go up against an attacher, but logically someone who was partially paralyzed and very pregnant is just not going to be able to present the same defense as a former mafia member who also happened to be a professional athlete.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Erin Burr.
29 reviews8 followers
March 2, 2020
Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ They’re A Match is the third and final book in the Tough Love series and I’m already having withdrawals from the epic relationship Nairne and Zed share. This book is filled with drama, love, passion, plot and a little mystery. Chloe Liese writes strong characters, witty banter, and powerful emotions. I will miss this series but look forward to the spin offs!
Profile Image for maru.
586 reviews37 followers
October 14, 2020
Our beloved Nairne and Zed went in it to win it!!

More laugh, tears, smiles and amazing moments to learn and think about the awesome messages hidden in this marvelous books.

Family bonds on point. Some plot twists to make things more wild and definetly waiting (and hoping) for my baby Teo's book.

Off to read about Elodie and Lucas!!
Profile Image for Dawn Millet.
187 reviews
December 19, 2020
Jamie squawked and arched his back. I lifted up my shirt and gave him my breast, which he latched onto hungrily. Then he turned on his side, banging my chest with his fist like always. “I’ve told you, mate, smacking my tit doesn’t make the milk come any faster.” I kissed his mohawk of fuzzy, dark hair. “But you’re stubborn, just like your da.”
Profile Image for Sofia.
570 reviews138 followers
June 27, 2021
Let me start off by saying I loved the representation on this book about the struggles Nairne has because of her paralysis and how Zed and her as a couple go through it together. They’re love just kept coming and coming. I adored it💗
Profile Image for DemetraP.
5,816 reviews
October 11, 2021
This book made me cry. SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER

She almost died giving birth due to a rare complication and she saw her dead mother.

She is told it's too dangerous to have another biological child.
Profile Image for Flavia.
1,018 reviews39 followers
January 30, 2022
This was my favourite book in this series thus far.
I mean no one is surprised that I loved a Chloe Liese book....

Sadly this series and it's Spin-Off seems to no longer be available. Very sad since I hadn't bought the spin-off yet and I very much want to read Elodie and Lucas' story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews

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