What do you think?
Rate this book
This book is an insta-love, happily-ever-after, STEAMY romance. No cliffhangers, no cheating. This is the first book (but also a standalone story), in the Blue-Collar Bad Boys Next Door series.
AXEL
As a soldier, it’s my duty to put others before self.
I carry that philosophy into my day job too. Or, rather, my night job. I’m a bouncer at The Pit, the city’s seediest club where I also cage-fight on my nights off. I don’t care about much beyond securing a spot in a regional MMA tournament until one night at work, I see a familiar face --
My best friend’s little sister ...
He’s at war, and I know he wouldn’t like her working in a place like this. I’ve got to look out for him by looking out for her.
Thing is, I can’t stop looking, and I won’t stop -- until I make her mine.
BLAIR
Desperation drives me to work at The Pit, even though I hate every second of it.
One night almost goes badly for me until the club’s bouncer steps in and saves me. He fights here too sometimes, and I can’t take my eyes off him every time he steps into the ring.
He’s strong and brutal and thinking about his body keeps me awake at night. But with me, he’s never anything but gentle. I want to know how his mind works -- and what else he can do with that magnificent body.
AXEL
As a soldier, it’s my duty to put others before self.
I carry that philosophy into my day job too. Or, rather, my night job. I’m a bouncer at The Pit, the city’s seediest club where I also cage-fight on my nights off. I don’t care about much beyond securing a spot in a regional MMA tournament until one night at work, I see a familiar face --
My best friend’s little sister ...
He’s at war, and I know he wouldn’t like her working in a place like this. I’ve got to look out for him by looking out for her.
Thing is, I can’t stop looking, and I won’t stop -- until I make her mine.
BLAIR
Desperation drives me to work at The Pit, even though I hate every second of it.
One night almost goes badly for me until the club’s bouncer steps in and saves me. He fights here too sometimes, and I can’t take my eyes off him every time he steps into the ring.
He’s strong and brutal and thinking about his body keeps me awake at night. But with me, he’s never anything but gentle. I want to know how his mind works -- and what else he can do with that magnificent body.
- GenresMilitary Fiction
80 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 18, 2020
154 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
February 18, 2020
Quick read. Axel and Blair were so good together. Loved Axel and how he will do anything to take care of the people that he loves. This is the first book that I have read from this author and it won’t be the last.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 18, 2020
3.5 stars
If your looking for a quick, well written, steamy, sweet, and HEA this book is for you.
Blair well educated down on her luck hickory needs to leave her apartment, Her brother is deployed and tells her she can stay at his place. He asks his neighbor to watch over his sister.
Axel, The next neighbor. Works full time for the army and underground MMA as a fighter at The Pit
Blair and Axel meet at The Pit, they had an instant attraction to each other. I did feel like I had a connection for the main characters, however, I didn’t fall I love with them and. I did like there story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
If your looking for a quick, well written, steamy, sweet, and HEA this book is for you.
Blair well educated down on her luck hickory needs to leave her apartment, Her brother is deployed and tells her she can stay at his place. He asks his neighbor to watch over his sister.
Axel, The next neighbor. Works full time for the army and underground MMA as a fighter at The Pit
Blair and Axel meet at The Pit, they had an instant attraction to each other. I did feel like I had a connection for the main characters, however, I didn’t fall I love with them and. I did like there story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Want to read
March 17, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/17/2020)! 🎁
February 22, 2020
When I started reading this story, I could not put it down. I read the book in one day. This author is an awesome writer. I can not wait to read more of their books. Keep up the great work. You should definitely read this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 20, 2020
Not well developed
The characters needed to be the focus of the story but they weren't. Far to much random foolishness. It was all telling with little emotion. Lame sex scenes.
The characters needed to be the focus of the story but they weren't. Far to much random foolishness. It was all telling with little emotion. Lame sex scenes.
February 20, 2020
She is lost and he wants to be the one to find her
Axel is the first book in a the Blue-Collar Bad Boys Next Door series by Mazzy King. It is the story of Axel, The Axe, Hanlon and Blair Brassard. Axel is twenty-nine years old and is a First Sergeant in the Army. He also works as a bouncer on the weekends at a dive bar called The Pit. But on Friday nights he earns extra cash by doing bar knuckle MMA fighting in a cage in the basement of the club bar after it has closed for the night. He needs the extra cash to help his mother pay for medical costs as she was in a bad car accident six months ago and almost died. He lives across town from her in one side of a duplex with "his brother" Maddox living in the other side. They are close and look out for each other, even though they are in different units.
Blair has come to Port City quickly to escape her roommate and on again/off again boyfriends latest fight when she phoned the police and he was arrested. She is going to stay at Maddox's duplex, her older brother, who is deployed in Kuwait for the next several months. Blair recently graduated with her MBA but was just let go from work when the company she was with was acquired and her administration position was eliminated. So she will also need to find a new job in Port City, as she is planning on staying.
What she finds right away is a waitressing job at The Pit where she is hired on the spot. She is not aware who Axel is or what he looks like as she only knows that Maddox told her he lived next door and would look out for her. When Axel gets to work at The Pit that Saturday night he lays eyes on a beautiful young woman who takes his breath away. When Blair's eyes lock on Axel she is dumbstruck and time stands still. But it will take an incident happening after hours that night before they know who the other is and that they are now next door neighbors. Axel is going to look out for Blair in even way he can making sure that she is always protected and safe. But as he falls deeper for Blair he also knows that she is Maddox's sister and they cannot go there. But what happens when little things start slipping out between them until finally they each are truthful with what they want................the other in a big and bad way!!!
This is a fun, entertaining, engaging, romantic, dramatic and very hot and sexy novella. The story-line was great and the characters are wonderfully written. I could not put this book down after I started it and cannot wait to read the next in this series. I am happy that the author has also introduced a number of wonderful supporting characters each with their own quirks that I just hope will be getting their own stories and HEA's.
Axel is the first book in a the Blue-Collar Bad Boys Next Door series by Mazzy King. It is the story of Axel, The Axe, Hanlon and Blair Brassard. Axel is twenty-nine years old and is a First Sergeant in the Army. He also works as a bouncer on the weekends at a dive bar called The Pit. But on Friday nights he earns extra cash by doing bar knuckle MMA fighting in a cage in the basement of the club bar after it has closed for the night. He needs the extra cash to help his mother pay for medical costs as she was in a bad car accident six months ago and almost died. He lives across town from her in one side of a duplex with "his brother" Maddox living in the other side. They are close and look out for each other, even though they are in different units.
Blair has come to Port City quickly to escape her roommate and on again/off again boyfriends latest fight when she phoned the police and he was arrested. She is going to stay at Maddox's duplex, her older brother, who is deployed in Kuwait for the next several months. Blair recently graduated with her MBA but was just let go from work when the company she was with was acquired and her administration position was eliminated. So she will also need to find a new job in Port City, as she is planning on staying.
What she finds right away is a waitressing job at The Pit where she is hired on the spot. She is not aware who Axel is or what he looks like as she only knows that Maddox told her he lived next door and would look out for her. When Axel gets to work at The Pit that Saturday night he lays eyes on a beautiful young woman who takes his breath away. When Blair's eyes lock on Axel she is dumbstruck and time stands still. But it will take an incident happening after hours that night before they know who the other is and that they are now next door neighbors. Axel is going to look out for Blair in even way he can making sure that she is always protected and safe. But as he falls deeper for Blair he also knows that she is Maddox's sister and they cannot go there. But what happens when little things start slipping out between them until finally they each are truthful with what they want................the other in a big and bad way!!!
This is a fun, entertaining, engaging, romantic, dramatic and very hot and sexy novella. The story-line was great and the characters are wonderfully written. I could not put this book down after I started it and cannot wait to read the next in this series. I am happy that the author has also introduced a number of wonderful supporting characters each with their own quirks that I just hope will be getting their own stories and HEA's.
February 18, 2026
Mazzy writes short insta love books and so far I've been underwhelmed. Her first series was boring. But I once downloaded 4 box sets of hers and since they're short, I'm gonna go ahead a read them all.
I don't think she's changed. A whole lot of unnecessary words about nothing of relevance in chapter one. Her books are too short for this nonsense. Honestly it feels like she's just sitting here walking me through what's going on instead of showing me. I do hope she gets better at writing because she's a rare author that doesn't have a multitude of mistakes and inconsistencies.
Honestly, the people giving her 5 stars are doing her a huge disservice by not helping her writing grow to full potential
"I should go introduce myself and see if she needs anything before I head to the gym for my daily workout and then right back to The Pit."
One page later
"It’s time for dinner with my mom. Every Saturday evening, I go over to her apartment across town to eat with her"
So he's NOT going right back to The Pit after all?
I find it hard to believe that after his fight with a non fighting woman beater, it would make the MMC wheeze and have to go to the hospital but then after his championship fight with a real fighter he only had a couple of bruises and was all perky doing interviews
I don't think she's changed. A whole lot of unnecessary words about nothing of relevance in chapter one. Her books are too short for this nonsense. Honestly it feels like she's just sitting here walking me through what's going on instead of showing me. I do hope she gets better at writing because she's a rare author that doesn't have a multitude of mistakes and inconsistencies.
Honestly, the people giving her 5 stars are doing her a huge disservice by not helping her writing grow to full potential
"I should go introduce myself and see if she needs anything before I head to the gym for my daily workout and then right back to The Pit."
One page later
"It’s time for dinner with my mom. Every Saturday evening, I go over to her apartment across town to eat with her"
So he's NOT going right back to The Pit after all?
I find it hard to believe that after his fight with a non fighting woman beater, it would make the MMC wheeze and have to go to the hospital but then after his championship fight with a real fighter he only had a couple of bruises and was all perky doing interviews
February 19, 2020
This story was way better than I thought it would be based on the blurb. The characters including the secondary ones were easy to relate to and likable (for the most part).
Axel is a soldier during the day and at night he is a bouncer at The Pit, a seedy club where he cage-fights one night a week. His best friend, Maddox asks him to keep an eye out for his little sister. Axel agrees. He just has to meet her first and when he does, he decides that he has to make her his.
Blair has an MBA but just got laid off and left a bad situation to stay at her brother's duplex. She has to find a new job and decides to apply as a server at The Pit until she can get another office job. While serving one of her tables, she sees Axel for the first time and is stunned by how hot he is. Blair almost gets into trouble until Axel steps in and saves her.
Blair and Axel are so great together. I loved how they took their time getting to know each other so that they were friends first. They were both protective of each other which was super sweet. Their happy ever after made me super happy. I definitely recommend reading this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Axel is a soldier during the day and at night he is a bouncer at The Pit, a seedy club where he cage-fights one night a week. His best friend, Maddox asks him to keep an eye out for his little sister. Axel agrees. He just has to meet her first and when he does, he decides that he has to make her his.
Blair has an MBA but just got laid off and left a bad situation to stay at her brother's duplex. She has to find a new job and decides to apply as a server at The Pit until she can get another office job. While serving one of her tables, she sees Axel for the first time and is stunned by how hot he is. Blair almost gets into trouble until Axel steps in and saves her.
Blair and Axel are so great together. I loved how they took their time getting to know each other so that they were friends first. They were both protective of each other which was super sweet. Their happy ever after made me super happy. I definitely recommend reading this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 21, 2020
Blair is going to move into her brothers apartment while hes deployed.He tells her he has a friend in the army that loves next door an he;ll watch out for her.Shes not sure if the guy she see in a hoodie is the friend her brother was talking about but he didnt seem to friendly. Blair decides to wander around town she needs a job when a big guy tattooed with pieces tells her she looks like she needs a drink but Blair sees the sign an says she needs a job. Axe l hasn;t seen Maddoxs sister he knocks on the door but doesnt get an answer .When he goes to the pit he sees the sign for a waitress is gone his buddy says they hired a new girl but she looks lost an probably doesnt know what she got herself into.When Axe l first lays eyes on Blair he feels like the world stops an Blair an he are the only people in the world.There are so many twists and turns to this story will keep you riveted until the very last page and leave you begging for more.I love the way this amazing author brings the characters to life before your eyes and makes you feel their emotions and their pain.I can hardly wait to see whats next by this multi talented author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 2, 2020
5 stars
Blair loses her job and has to move out of her apartment because her roommates crazy ex boyfriend has been fighting and it’s getting physical. She moves into her brother’s apartment, he is currently deployment. She finds a job at the Pit a bar/underground cage fight ring. Axel our hero is a bouncer/fighter at the Pit. They have an instant connection and Axle actually saves Blair from some rowdy customers one night. He tells her he’ll drive her home and when she gives him the address he figures out that she is his friends sister. They begin to spend time together and he saves her again from the roommates crazy ex-boyfriend. They start a relationship and things start looking up for Blair, she finds a job in her field and decides to quit working at the Pit. On her last day The roommates crazy ex-boyfriend corners her in the bathroom at the bar, Axle goes in to save her, the bar owner decides let them fight downstairs in the cage. Axel beats the bad guy and roommates sister called the police and have him arrested. An MMA promoter has watched Axle fight before an offer is him a spot to fight. Cute epilogue where he fights in the MMA Blair’s brother comes back from deployment and he asked her to marry him.
Blair loses her job and has to move out of her apartment because her roommates crazy ex boyfriend has been fighting and it’s getting physical. She moves into her brother’s apartment, he is currently deployment. She finds a job at the Pit a bar/underground cage fight ring. Axel our hero is a bouncer/fighter at the Pit. They have an instant connection and Axle actually saves Blair from some rowdy customers one night. He tells her he’ll drive her home and when she gives him the address he figures out that she is his friends sister. They begin to spend time together and he saves her again from the roommates crazy ex-boyfriend. They start a relationship and things start looking up for Blair, she finds a job in her field and decides to quit working at the Pit. On her last day The roommates crazy ex-boyfriend corners her in the bathroom at the bar, Axle goes in to save her, the bar owner decides let them fight downstairs in the cage. Axel beats the bad guy and roommates sister called the police and have him arrested. An MMA promoter has watched Axle fight before an offer is him a spot to fight. Cute epilogue where he fights in the MMA Blair’s brother comes back from deployment and he asked her to marry him.
February 18, 2020
Axel is a bouncer and a fighter at the Pit he’s also a soldier tonight he’s at the door when he notices the help wanted sign gone then he see’s her and his world stops she is absolutely gorgeous. Blair left the place where she was staying because her roommate and her ex boyfriend always had violent fights and Blair couldn’t take it anymore so she moved into her brother Maddox’s place while he was overseas he told Blair that his next door neighbour who is a brother in arms will keep his eye out on her. Blair was fired from her job when it was taken over by another company so she needs a job she see’s a sign for a waitress in the window of the Pit so Blair applies and gets the job and when she see’s the bouncer she can tell that he is in the military but wow he’s gorgeous. That’s all I’m going to give you guys I had a smile on my face at the end but I would of loved an epilogue at the end just to see how these two were going after a couple of years but it’s still a fantastic story I loved it and I highly recommend this book it’s definitely well worth the read.
February 19, 2020
Blair's in an unsafe living situation. Her brother is deployed, and insists that she move to his house. With no car, she's having trouble finding a job, so decides to waitress at a local bar. Axel is also in the military, but works as a bouncer on weekends, and is an undefeated cage fighter (so he can help his mother with her medical bills). As it turns out, they're working in the same place. They start out as friends, but they slowly move to more; love him for not pushing her before she's ready. I like that he is concerned for Blair's safety, especially when trouble shows up from her former roommate. He's also worried about how her brother will react to their growing relationship. This is a nice quick read, a good balance of sweet and steamy.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 18, 2020
This book gave me so many feels. I don't know how she does it but Mazzy gives her male characters qualities every woman should want in a man. Axel doesn't disappoint. He not's perfect but he is close to it...takes care of his mom, serves his country, true gentleman and takes care of his woman inside and outside of the bedroom ...the list goes on. Blair is a lucky girl. The buildup to their relationship was sweet and how it should be...getting to know each before jumping into bed with one another...good slow burn. This was fabulous and romantic story. Mazzy always have me smiling whenever I finish her books. The stories are short but they pack a punch.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 19, 2020
This was such a quickie for me that I read it in under an hour. I fell in love with Blair because she was strong and witty. Axel you just fall in love because of his sexiness and just all around goodness. When he finds out she is his neighbor he is well lets just say VERY Happy. He can't get over how lovely he finds her and she just thinks she is ordinary. It takes a great effort for an author to put into words just the right amount of spiciness to keep the reader intrigued and on the edge of their seat throughout the story. Mazzy has done just that. yes this is a quick read but it leaves you satisfied to the fullest and will have your heart pounding rooting for these two characters. Great story!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 18, 2020
Blair just lost her job, had a fight with her room mates boyfriend so she flees to her brothers home. Stays there While he's over seas in the Military. While there she finds a temp job at a bar until she gets a better job. Axel is a bouncer at the bar. He can't believe how beautiful she is. What he doesn't know she is actually is next door neighbor. Axel is also in the Military, so he knows Blair's brother & he promised to look after her which he has no problem. The become good friends & their feelings grow to lovers. Great book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 18, 2020
Blair is moving g into her brothers place until she can get her life in order. Between losing her job and her roommates fight with her abusive boyfriend she needs a fresh start. Axel is a bouncer/fighter at the local club in town, he is also in the army and friends with Blairs brother. These two meet and sparks fly instantly. Trouble definitely finds this couple along the way but they trudge through and come out stronger in the long run. This was a sweet book with amazing characters. Can not wait to read the next one in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 18, 2020
Blair is the girl just wanting to start over. She packs up what she can and takes a bus to Port City where her currently deployed brother, Maddox has a place she can stay at. Axel is her brother's military buddy next door who is just trying to take care of his Mom and stay on his own two feet. When these two meet, there are some serious sparks. This is a great short story with a fast, smooth pace and amazing characters. It is always a pleasure reading this authors work. Enjoy!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 18, 2020
Another great read by the talented Mazzy. This is the first book in her new series (Blue-Collar Bad Boys). I really enjoyed this story and found the characters to be extremely likable. Axel and Blair are great characters that have great chemistry going between them. This isn't my favorite of her books, but it was still worth the read and is still written just as well as all of her other books.
February 19, 2020
He was just supposed to keep an eye on his buddy’s younger sister. She had lost her job and her brother was letting her live in his place while he was deployed. Blair got a job as a waitress and when she saw the bouncer she fell for him. When Axel went to work and saw the new waitress he fell for her. Then they realized who each other was but they couldn’t resist their attraction. Fun read
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 19, 2020
This is an insta love HEA story. Axel is a bouncer at "The Pit" but he also fights under the table. Blair ends up at "The Pit" because she was laid off of her other job and had to move into her brothers duplex while he's on deployment. She also had to leave her other apartment because of her roommates boyfriend Curtis. Great characters, action and some steam. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 22, 2020
Axel and Blair have a cute, hot, not over the top insta-love story. The writing is solid. The backstory is interesting. The story is unique and realistic and easy to read. I like Honey and Jeremy and Maddox. I like Nancy too. Marty is a douche and Curtis is bad news. Axel is sweet and loyal and old fashioned in such a good way. He takes care of his mom.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 18, 2020
A fun fast pace and intriguing instalove romance! The story line is well-developed, emotionally deep, well written, funny, engaging, and steamy with some action, drama, and ups and downs. The characters are amazing and likeable; their chemistry is instant and off the charts! Definitely recommended!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 19, 2020
High in heat with a lot of action in the end makes this for an entertaining read. Nice how Axel and Blair met first with becoming friends and developing into something much more. The fighting scenes were intense with the believability to make you feel you were watching the fight first hand.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 19, 2020
This is a classic meet cute insta-love with brothers best friend. The chemistry is off the charts from the beginning. I really enjoyed these characters and the book flew by for me I wish there was more I wanted to stay with these characters. Overall a quick fun read I would recommend.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 22, 2020
This is a new and quick story. Blair is needing to leave her apartment. Her brother is deployed and tells her she can stay at his place. He asks his neighbor to watch over her. Axel is active duty and he works the underground MMA scene as a fighter at The Pit. Blair and Axel meet there, they had an instant attraction to each other.
September 19, 2020
This one had it all!
Ooh this one had it all: brother's best friend, neighbors, coworkers, military man, cage fighter...seriously what more could you need in a yummy romance?!?
I love a big hulking tough guy who's really a gentle giant, and we totally got that with Axel. Swoon!
This was a great first read for me from Mazzy and I look forward to reading more in this series!
Ooh this one had it all: brother's best friend, neighbors, coworkers, military man, cage fighter...seriously what more could you need in a yummy romance?!?
I love a big hulking tough guy who's really a gentle giant, and we totally got that with Axel. Swoon!
This was a great first read for me from Mazzy and I look forward to reading more in this series!
February 18, 2020
Blair meets her brother's Army buddy and next door neighbor Axel and that is all it took for the attraction to turn into much more than either expected. This is short romance with some hot chemistry that will keep you reading. Loved their story.
Read
February 22, 2020Wow once again the author developed characters that are engaging and have enough chemistry to light a fire. The storyline flowed smoothly from beginning to the end. Great start to a new series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 8, 2020
Excellent book!
This is a quick read, but it doesn't skimp on anything. There is plenty of story, development of characters, action, and steam! I love Axel, he's a man's man and Blair is a good girl next door type of girl. The ending is sweet too!
This is a quick read, but it doesn't skimp on anything. There is plenty of story, development of characters, action, and steam! I love Axel, he's a man's man and Blair is a good girl next door type of girl. The ending is sweet too!
September 2, 2020
Great book
Enjoyed this book a lot. It had friendship, intrigue and love. A good combination. This book was an ahhh book. When you finish it, you just want to say...ahhh. Thanks. Written by Cindy
Enjoyed this book a lot. It had friendship, intrigue and love. A good combination. This book was an ahhh book. When you finish it, you just want to say...ahhh. Thanks. Written by Cindy
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews