Takedown

Fighting Love #3

by Nikki Ash

Mila
Pregnant and married at the young age of eighteen, I settled into my life not knowing there could ever be more.

Until Mason, with his cocky smirk and magnetic baby blue eyes. With a single look and a few words, he made me feel sexy and alive. But as quickly as he came into my life, he was gone, leaving me wanting more.

A few days later my mom died, and her final words of advice—life’s too short to settle—are what I vowed to live my life by. Not even a year after her death, I was divorced and ready to find the one.

Only I didn’t realize how difficult it would be to find someone who could make me feel the way Mason did. Five years later, and I’m still single, looking for my forever.

Mason
I’m the guy who fights and f*cks. The guy who goes fishing but never keeps what he catches. The responsibility that comes with commitment isn’t for me.

Until Mila comes back into my life making me want things I’ve never imagined wanting. Now, the man I’ve always been is quickly losing the fight against the man I want to be.

I’m supposed to want the woman who wants the right now. Yet, I’m falling for the woman who wants the forever.

{Takedown is a sports/single mom standalone romance}

Genres: Sports, Romance, Sports Romance, Fighters, Friends To Lovers, Audiobook, Enemies To Lovers

339 pages, Paperback

First published June 17, 2018

About the author

Nikki Ash resides in South Florida where she is an English teacher and mom by day and a writer by night. When she’s not writing, you can find her with a book in her hand. From the Boxcar Children to Wuthering Heights to the latest Single Parent Romance, she has lived and breathed every type of book.

Reading is like breathing in, writing is like breathing out. - Pam Allyn

While reading and writing are her passions, her two children are her entire world. You can probably find them at a Disney park before you would find them at home on the weekends!

Reviews

[Ally.Always.Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book of this series that I’ve read. I have to be honest and say I was a little lost in the beginning with the characters. Trying to figure out who was who, who was with who, how they were related, etc. Once I got my head straight, I was good.

I really enjoyed this one. It was fun! It’s been a while since I’ve read an MMA book and I forgot how much I loved them.

If you love:
MMA
Single parents
Surprise weddings
Cocky heroes
Manwhores
Strong independent heroines
then you’ll love this one!

I really recommend this one! I’m looking forward to reading the previous books of this series!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

You lead and I’ll follow

Holy hell!!! This book was everything I wanted for Mason and so much more!! I knew he was special and I knew his story was going to hurt my heart; but Sweet Baby Jesus, I still don’t think I was prepared when I went into this book.

When we really get to know Mason in Clinched (which if you have not read, hop on that right away because it was fabulous) he appears to just be a “fishing” player. He loves his little game of “catch and release” and has no desire to change. We know he is a great guy because of his relationship with little Lexi and the selfless way he has been with Tristan from the beginning. I don’t think anyone, at least I didn’t realize, the depths of his love for those two until we get to know him in his in own story. Mason has a lot of issues stemming from his childhood and they bleed into his adult life and he really doesn’t have much control over that. Little did he know the
Ultimate Catch was right before his eyes, and his life was about to change in ways he never imagined.

Mila, is, I don’t know how to put it really… She is kinda like a beautiful undetected mermaid swimming amongst a sea of barracudas, not really knowing just how special she is. She isn’t anything like the girls Mason normally goes after. She is genuinely an amazing person and really doesn’t have extraordinary wants in life, just the important ones, providing for her son, making sure she is a good mom and finding the love of her life. She is in no way materialistic or a diva she is just a beautiful person who wants happiness for her and her son. She knows she is attracted to Mason, she just won’t allow herself to go there. She wants a responsible, loving, caring guy, not a player… Little does she know she is about to be reeled in hook like and sinker and it just so happens, Mason is all those things and so much more.

These two were fabulous together, I loved everything about them and their story! It was the perfect ending for this series! I wish I could give it more than five stars!!!!

[Jenn (The Book Refuge) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read. It had a LOT of tropes going through and it felt like too much at some times.

I enjoyed the characters though and I thought they were sweet.

3.5 stars
3.5 on the spice scale

[Viridiana Dimas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five Get Hooked Stars!

I found my new favorite M&Ms!! Mason and Mila's story was an epic end to this amazing series! Takedown has been my most anticipated Nikki Ash book especially with how Clinched ended and left me speechless. It's a bittersweet moment to reach the end as its also the end of the Fighting Love series too. I totally savored every chapter all the way through. Right from page one Nikki packs a straight punch to the heartstrings with both Mason and Mila with their own prologues, and their story only gets better from there. Not only was the chemistry between these two characters amazing, but the relationships they had with the other characters was one to be envied. Loved Mason and Tristan's relationship since the beginning as they are more brothers than best friends. Really enjoyed Mila and Gavin's dynamic and how they grew as best friends and co-parents. It was definitely a refreshing take on a relationship with an ex that in my opinion everyone should strive to but very little get to experience. I loved them all! Especially how cute these kids are.

This book had it all for me and loved everything about it. I laughed, I bawled my eyes out, and was definitely fanning myself a time or two with how hot Mason was! This is book three in the Fighting Love series but a complete standalone amazingly written in dual POV. HEA and epilogue included.

Takedown is one of my top must reads and should definitely be one of yours too. Anything this author writes is gold making her one of my automatic 1click authors. Can't wait to see what she comes up with next! I definitely wouldn't mind a miracle to happen and Nikki decides to grace us with an extra surprise Fighting Love Book. One can wish, right?

[Kim Brewing · Rating 5 out of 5]

I freaking loved this story.

We've actually been introduced to our couple before - remember when Tristan was naming his baby girl and Mason and the nurse were there? Don't worry there is a brain jiggle in this story. Mila is a hard working single mom looking for her HEA. She has a great relationship with her ex-husband and the two co-parent wonderfully...but she wants more. Mason is at the top of his game and is a trophy holding "catch and release" fisherman! Events that occurred in his past very much dictate his future. The "courtship" of these two was so much fun to read and you knew it was going to blow up, but when it did ....even I couldn't have predicted that outcome!

This is a wonderfully paced story. Both of these characters drew me to them and at times I wanted to hug and shake them both. Children in stories can be a bit of a hit and miss, but Alec (and others) were well written characters and not complete scene stealers! I usually read MC books because of the brotherhoods, but these books by Nikki Ash with their created families works so well for me as a reader and gives me the same contentment. I loved that there are resolutions to all the key points, nothing is left unfinished. Highly recommend

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

Well, what a wonderfully written and interesting story this was. The characters really drew me in to the story and I seriously couldn't put it down. I was interested, I was engaged and I loved both Mila and Mason. Both of these characters were strong-willed and fascinating and I couldn't wait to see how it would all play out.

Mila … strong, independent and alone. She vows to live her life by her mother's advice. She is devoted to her son, is friends with her ex-husband and has wonderful, supporting friends in Charlie and Tristen. Then there is Mason. He turns her on with one look, has nothing but snide remarks and sleeps with anything with two boobs and says yes. She refuses to be another notch in his bedpost no matter how much her libido wants her to. She wants her happily-ever-after and he's just a happily-after-orgasm kind of guy. She's trying and is now on to Plenty of Fish in hopes that she can find a man looking for forever. GetHooked is proving to be funny, interesting and so easy to talk to. Maybe, after a few failed attempts at dating, it's time to cast her line and see if GetHooked is willing to get reeled in.

Mason … strong, pig-headed and alone. But, by his own choosing. Who would ever want a man who's own mother didn't want him or care about him? He is focused on his career and f*cking as many woman as possible … with no strings. But, there is something about Mila that is taking him totally out of his element and being someone that he never thought he would be. He couldn't help himself when he signed up at Plenty of Fish and is now pouring his heart out to Looking4Love almost every night. If only Mila knew just who she was talking to. And, if he could only figure out what that strange feeling is in his chest when he's talking to her.

I adored this story. The characters were so well written and the story line was just wonderful. I loved how the children played such an important part in the book. The interaction between Alec and Mason was fantastic. As the story progressed, I fell deeper in love with all of them. I was both hopeful and heart-broken with Masons backstory and knew that Mila was definitely the one for him as he pushed her away and she refused to go. The characters all interacted well together and you just knew that Mila could save Mason from himself. I loved, loved, loved all the messages on Plenty of Fish. They were cute, they were funny, they were revealing and showed just how much these two were meant to be together. A light read at times, a serious read at times … Takedown was a story that took me down to my knees and didn't let me up until the very end.

[Lu Bielefeld · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐⭐⭐ - OK decent reads.

[Nikki Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Takedown is LIVE AND FREE IN KU!

Amazon-> my book.to/TDNA

Mila
Pregnant and married at the young age of eighteen, I settled into my life not knowing there could ever be more.

Until Mason, with his cocky smirk and magnetic baby blue eyes. With a single look and a few words, he made me feel sexy and alive. But as quickly as he came into my life, he was gone, leaving me wanting more.

A few days later my mom died, and her final words of advice—life’s too short to settle—are what I vowed to live my life by. Not even a year after her death, I was divorced and ready to find the one.

Only I didn’t realize how difficult it would be to find someone who could make me feel the way Mason did. Five years later, and I’m still single, looking for my forever.

Mason
I’m the guy who fights and f*cks. The guy who goes fishing but never keeps what he catches. The responsibility that comes with commitment isn’t for me.

Until Mila comes back into my life making me want things I’ve never imagined wanting. Now, the man I’ve always been is quickly losing the fight against the man I want to be.

I’m supposed to want the woman who wants the right now. Yet, I’m falling for the woman who wants the forever.

{Takedown is a sports/single mom standalone romance}

[BookAddict · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every. Single. Time. This author squeezes my heart with all the sweetness, feeling and emotion in her stories. The single parent aspect is a definite draw for me when done right, and Ash is the master. The kid stuff always tugs and endears as well as provides delightful levity and humor to the storyline. Then there are the characters. Mila is a single mother who has a surprisingly healthy relationship with her ex and she’s strong, kind, likeable and admirable.

And Mason. Where do I start? On the surface he’s a shallow, womanizing player with a “catch and release" philosophy to dating. But that façade covers a damaged little boy whose parental relationships and neglect taught him that caring and being responsible to or for another human was a detriment. As much as he tells himself that he's not good enough, he's not capable of having a relationship and he doesn’t care for Mila, it’s delightfully entertaining and poignantly tender watching him fall. He owned me, from the beginning of the book. If I hadn’t already been in love with him, the pharmacy shopping trip for “monthly" supplies for Mila would have pushed me over the edge. Every step of the way he’s afraid of messing up, but he somehow manages to get it spectacularly right, exposing a huge capacity for love he never realized he had.

Together, Mason and Mila were wonderful. They’re in each other's lives because of their friendships with Charlie and Tristan (from Clinched) but Mila and Mason really aren’t friends. Mila wants to find her forever someone and Mason has a ridged rule against dating a mother, and those restrictions keep things firmly in the friend zone as they get to know each other and more serious feelings subsequently develop. Of course things heat up, but the depth of the relationship comes from opening themselves up to each other and getting to know what’s below the surface. Between this steamy, heartwarming romance, getting reacquainted with previous characters and the entertaining but touching addition of children, this is a delightful, passionate, heartwarming, exhilarating read and not to be missed!

*I reviewed this book freely and voluntarily, having made no commitment to provide a review and receiving no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.

[Jazmyne [Ramblings of a Bookworm] · Rating 4 out of 5]

"There's no competition, Mila," he whispers against my lips. "You're everything I want and need."

I have been (im)patiently waiting for Mason's story! Let me say that I was not disappointed in the least by this story. I was late in the game getting into this world, but I've been devouring them ever since I began. Mason was a character that intrigued me from the start because he always seemed to be a bit in the background and I could never get a read on him.

The Characters
Mason. This man was much more complicated than I anticipated. At first glance he comes off as the cocky, love-em-and-leave-em type, but there's so much more to him. Now, does that mean he isn't a little bit easy and make me wanna knock him in the head? Nope. This guy made some STUPID choices and let his insecurities hurt other people.

Mila. I totally loved her. She was so great with her son, stubborn, sassy, and everything that Mason needed to put him in his place. Seeing her go against him, just to prove a point made me irrationally excited. She also had strength within her that wasn't easy to see from the surface. "It's okay to be scared," I whisper against Mason's mouth. "Just know, when you feel like you're alone in the dark, I will be there. I will always be your light." I loved that she provided a safe space for Mason, who was constantly doubting himself.

The Story
I love single parent stories! Mila and Mason were perfect because they weren't perfect. That's confusing, I know. This story twisted and turned, was derailed because of stupid mistakes, and almost crashed because these two were stubborn and didn't want to give in. But man there was something about when they came together that just soothed my soul. Not to mention, Mason's cockiness went down a bit when he realized he was whipped as much as his friends ;)

"I was thinking the only person who will ever successfully perform a takedown on me is my wife."

Seriously loved this story and this world.

[Book Maniac Forever · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ 5 "Fishing For Keeps" Stars ⭐️
After the previous novels in the Fighting Love Series, I just couldn’t wait to finally read Mason’s book and… WOW! I loved his dynamic with Mila so freaking much. The man is cocky and a total player, but at the same time he's caring and dreamy! He stole my heart with the way he also acted with Alec, Mila’s son. Takedown is easily my favorite book in the series. It just filled me with so many happy feelings between all the swoon-worthy and scorching hot moments.

Commanding alpha heroes are some of my favorites, but I also adore the smug and funny ones. Mason is certainly in the second category with his sexy innuendos and carefree attitude. The banter with Mila had me laughing and truly feeling the sparks between them. They’re a match made in heaven. Mila is stubborn and doesn’t want to succumb to his charm, but when they share more and more time together, it’s just impossible to resist his allure. I absolutely loved the slow evolution of their romance from enemies to friends to lovers. Everything felt effortless between them!



“𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙤𝙠𝙖𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙨𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙙,” 𝙄 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙩 𝙈𝙖𝙨𝙤𝙣’𝙨 𝙢𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙝. “𝙅𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬, 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙠, 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚. 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙗𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩.”

Mila’s co-parenting with her ex-husband is another aspect of this book I appreciated. It was refreshing to see another side to divorce where both parties are still in a positive relationship. Mila is a dreamer and doesn’t want to settle, looking for “the one”. While Mason isn’t the obvious choice, but the way she gradually starts to see him in another eye was amazing. The fact he's supportive and always ready to help with Alec is certainly a facet of him that made her melt. The boy look out for Mason as a role model and they're adorable together.

This couple certainly share one of the most potent chemistry of any Nikki Ash’s couples in my opinion. Maybe it’s the fact they try to deny their feelings for so long that when they finally succumb it’s utterly explosive! Mason’s reticence to relationship is explained and I loved how he just embraces these new feelings Mila elicits in him and try to surpass his reserves.

I’ll stop my rambling now, lol! Just take a chance on this fantastic novel, I assure you won’t be disappointed. Takedown is the perfect enemies to lovers / single mom romance with memorable main and supporting characters that will give you a very good time! I don't know how she does it, but Nikki Ash has this ability to always create powerfully romantic stories. I can't get enough of her words!!!

[Gina *loves sunshine* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another day and another book read in 24 hours and another added to the years favorites!!!!! Thank you Nikki Ash! This series has been so addicting. If you read book 1 of this series Tapping out you will instantly fall for Mason, and continue to fall for him in Book 2 Clinched. So to finally get his story(with Mila) was worth the wait!!!! Again with the Single Mom trope which is done SO well, kids again are SO cute and the story just overall SO heartbreaking and sweet. I think these 3 books in the set are definitely a step up in character development, emotion, and swoon......then her original Fighting series

After having read both of the fighting series and this spinoff I can say that you could definitely skip the fighting series and start with the Christmas Novella to get a briefing of all the characters(all their parents) and then go right into these 3 books and not be lost. I read The original fighting series 10 months ago and really had a hard time remembering any of the details of the parent's relationships.....except for sweet cutie Bella, and now she's all grown up. And not remembering any of the connection and details did not hamper the reading of this set at all. Of course read everything if you have the opportunity!!!

Now on to the spinoff Knocked down and then the finding Love trilogy about all of these couples kids!!! So excited!!!

[Melissa J (Book Addicts Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 fantastic stars!! I love this book. Who knew bad boy, Mason, would be my MOST favorite.

This book 3 in the “Fighting Love” series. It can be read as a stand alone but I wouldn’t advise. Way too many characters and relationships you missed out on.


💙 Mila and Mason....

Mila~ I gotta pregnant young and married the boy. Maybe I wasn’t in love but I wanted to keep my family whole. Now I am ready to live and not settle...

Mason~ I only have a few rules. One of them is I do NOT “do” Mother’s. And the other main one is I do NOT do relationships. Easy enough.. Except for Mila...


💭My thoughts..

What a GREAT read!! This book brought me to tears, had me laughing out loud, was super sexy and just damn good!! I am in love with Mason Street! I knew that he was gonna get under my skin in Tristan’s book. Remember the meeting between Mila and Mason? I do and I couldn’t wait for this book.

The back and forth between the two I thought would get annoying but it never did. I was so torn. I love Mason and I feel like I completely understand him now. Mila is such a strong woman so she made a perfect match for him.

A few things in this book stood out. One the the way Gavin and Mila handled things was something you never really see in books and I enjoyed it and appreciated it. Two the tampon shopping made me laugh sooo hard!! Three I was in tears when Alec read his papers. Like full blown sob. Beautiful.

The book is written beautifully, effortlessly. These characters are all so loved. I enjoy this series so very much. This is a must read of 2018!!

**I received this book as an ARC and in return gave my honest review.**

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, I just adore Mason & Mila!! I wasn't sure about Mason in Clinched (Tristan & Charlie's book, which I also loved). He's got this whole catch & release thing going that just skeeves me out. BUT he's a fabulous friend to Tristan and uncle to Lexi, so I knew the back story explaining his behavior & thoughts on marriage & family were gonna be good.

I was in no way disappointed!

His story breaks my heart & makes me want to give him all the hugs! And Mila is just perfect for him, as far as their personalities. He's perfect for her, too. They just ... fit.

There's so much goodness that I loved about the story & relationships, but I feel like if I list them all out it kinda spoils the opportunity for you to watch them all unfold & I don't want to do that. I highly recommend this story (and Clinched - I didn't read the first book in the series & don't really feel like I missed anything, but feel pretty strongly that Clinched & Takedown will be enjoyed even more when read together)!!! The emotions are written so well, the humor is FANTASTIC, and the HEA is swoon worthy. : )

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Mason!! He made this series go out with a BANG! I read many chapters more than once and savored every word. I have so many favorite parts about this book.

Mason is everything I expected and more! I knew Mason was a ladies man, a good friend and funny. He had a hard life as a kid and was homeless at one time. I never imagined that his story would be so heartbreaking. After reading about his childhood things started to make more sense about why he is the way he is. He thinks he will fail the ones he loves so he tries not to get close to anyone to fall in love with them.

Mila is a single mom who is looking for romance and an everlasting love. She had the husband and the kid but it wasn't a loving marriage like she had always wanted. She wants that intense connection with someone.

I love stories where the couple starts out as friends and doesn't expect to fall in love. I found that in this book. They were great as friends but even greater as lovers. What I love about this book and all of Nikki Ash's book is she always writes scenes that are so real. Many times I smile while reading them. The conversations her characters have remind me of something my husband and I would say. I always feel a connection with her characters and understand them. This book is no different. Mason was struggling because of what went on in his childhood. I can relate to that.

I Love this series!! I can honestly say it's very high on best series I've ever read. I don't won't to say goodbye to these characters. They will always live in my heart. I'll never forget the times they gave me an escape and made me smile.

[Lynzi Nguyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going into this all I knew of Mason was that he was funny as could be, he always has a cocky comeback that leaves you laughing out loud. He's loyal to those he cares about. And he had a past he refuses to talk about. I loved Mason from the start and I knew I would love his book, because let's be honest, manwhores need love too. ;) But what I got of Mason, his past, and his present, blew me away.

Mason is that super fun and funny guy, who is the life of the party, and you always want to have around. Unless you have a girl friend or a single sister who is hot, then you want to keep him far far away. Mason is a whore, plan and simple. His game of 'fishing' has done him well. He is the master of catch and release and the girls who want him are ok with it. Settling down is not an option for him, EVER. The women are normally all over him, until Mila. But Mila is a mom, and Mason doesn't do moms.

Mila is not interested in a man like Mason and what he has to offer. She is looking for love everlasting and she knows he won't give it to her. So she steers clear of everything that he is. Until she realizes he is gonna be in her life for a while. His best friend is engaged to her best friend. Small world. But through it all she still keeps her distance, until she can't anymore. Her mind knows Mason isn't what she wants, but her body tells her he is exactly what she needs. The want of just sex leads to one thing, and one thing leads to another, and then BAM, she finds herself in a world wind of emotions and a relationship she doesn't know how to make work.

These two individually are amazing, but together they are beyond epic. Mason is everything Mila was looking for a didn't know, because he hides everything under a sense of humor. Mila is everything Mason was missing, but was to scared to even dream and hope for.

Once the laughter faded, and the strong shield fell, they finally found their one.

[Johnaka- Amity Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Takedown by Nikki Ash
“A smooth takedown, 5 stars”

Mason has the classic story of a horrible childhood and has never felt needed or wanted. He started his life over at eighteen and has been on the up and up ever since. He has an honorary family he loves and that’s all he really needs. Mason knows he won’t settle down because that’s a sure way to heartache, then Mila comes into the picture again. Will he let those walls down and let her in?
Mila is a statistic when it comes having a failed marriage. If she’s lucky enough to settle down with someone a second time she wants to do it for the right reasons. When she first meets Mason, she knows he’s a playboy, but after that she starts to get to know him. She finds out there is much more to the man than she thought. Will she be able to get him to give her a chance?
Takedown is probably my favorite Ash story to date. I feel like there is so much of her in this story that it just made it better. It wasn’t just words on a page it was true thoughts and feelings from a point in her life. How Mila handles co-parenting with her ex is simply amazing, and the room her and her ex make for Mason in their son’s life is beautiful.
If you’re not in it for the love story you should read Takedown as a guide to co-parent right. You also get to spend some time with previous couples of Ash’s and they just help round out the story. I loved this story and I think you will too.
Plot-5/5
Characters-5/5
Heat-5/5
Writing style-5/5
Overall-5/5

[Krys The Reading Blogger · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all who knew Mason was so swoon worthy? Not me....I didn’t think I’d like him as much as I did based off his smart mouth and commitment phobia ways but he completely won me over. His back story was heartbreaking and shaped his thought process into his adulthood which was so sad. At times I wanted to shake him and Mila for their thought process but it was understandable why they both were the way they were. Mila, loved her. She is probably one of my favorite female leads by Nikki Ash. Loved that they both were able to truly “see” each other and come together in the end. I also loved catching up with all the past characters like Tristan and his new family, his precious girls (love those two) and my girl Bella. So sad this is it for this series. Beautiful writing by Nikki hopefully she’ll give us another update with all these folks sometime down the line. Loved it!!!!!

[Kizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mason got hooked and I loved it!!!
Can we give a shout out to Gavin? He was cool and I loved how he got along with everyone :)

Bring on the 3rd generation 😍😍

[casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5!

[Yoneidis · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite in this series. Oh Mason! You certainly have not disappointed me.
In the other books we have seen many sides of Mason: the player, the joker, the good friend, even good babysitter with Tristan’s daughter, but in this one will also see its most vulnerable side as a son, as a husband and as a stepdad.
In the previous book, Tristan and Charlie are about to go the Disney cruise with their daughters when they read on internet that Mason and Mila have gotten married. But how they get to this? Through very funny situations.😂😂

The first time Mila and Mason meet is when Lexi, Tristan’s baby is born. When Tristan is unable to think for a name for his daughter, asks Mason for help and he starts to think in the names of the girls who hooked up with him in the past. Tristan says no, and at that moment Mila ( who is a nurse) enters the room and Tristan asks her for her name: Mila Alexandria. When Tristan asks Mason if he has slept with a girl named like that, he says no, not yet. Mila( who was married at the time)tells Tristan that she can use her name since, never,never will she sleep with Mason.

The next time they meet is when Lexi is rushed to the hospital after breaking her arm. There Mila( now divorced) meets Charlie, Tristan’s girlfriend and they become best friends. And bc Charlie lives with Tristan and him, Mason uses every opportunity he has to try to seduce Mila. It is not until he finds out that Mila has a son, that he then de ides to retire from the game. Mothers for him are a non-go.

Mila’s son is 8 years old and a huge fan of Mason, he wants to train with him so Mason invites him every time he can to the gym. Mason doesn’t want to notice Mila and her curves but he can’t help it. For her part, Mila is fed up with being alone and created a profile on a dating site to see if she can find someone. The poor thing has been without sex for 5 years and she is tired to feel lonely. When Mason finds out that Mila is on a dating site, he creates a profile to spy on her profile and starts chatting with her. Mila without knowing that her new friend is Mason, she opens with him, laughs and confides in him... their online relationship is better than their real relationship.

“Catch and release is my motto, and I’m not the least bit ashamed. When you refuse to let someone take care of you, you can never be kicked, and when you refuse to take care of someone else, you never have to do any of the kicking. And in my opinion, that’s the only way to live. If my own mother, during her lowest point, doesn’t trust me to take care of her, then that should tell you something.”

“Were you staring at my butt?”“I can’t help it… I’m an ass man, and you, my off-limits MILF, have a nice ass. I wouldn’t call you a piece of meat. More like a piece of mouthwatering fruit.” I bridge the small gap between us. “Mmm… like a strawberry. I bet one bite into your sweet cunt and I would be addicted to your taste.”

They go to Las Vegas to Tristan and Charlie’s wedding and end up going to clubes with Mason’s friends, and things start to heat up when it’s time to leave.

“I’m not renting you or milking you or doing whatever the hell it was that you said you don’t want guys to do. I told you, you deserve more.” Taking my hand in his, he pulls me out of the club using a side exit, so we’re able to leave undetected by the paparazzi. “Where are we going?” I ask. “Back to the hotel. We’ve both had enough to drink and if we stay and drink any more, I might give in, and we both know that’s not what you really want. Don’t forget I’ve been the person on the other side of those messages. I know what you really want, Mila, and it’s not a guy like me.”
“Marry me. Marry me and then fuck me. I know this sounds crazy, but we could be amazing together.” I kiss him again and he groans into my mouth. “Please,” I plead. “Marry me.”

And guess what? They end up marrying.😍🥰😂🥴


“Sorry that you wasted your marriage on me, but I didn’t think fucking you while you were passed out and snoring was the best idea. But hey, we’re both awake now.” He shrugs. “We don’t have to check out for a few hours. I can fuck you every which way so our marriage won’t be a complete waste.” I flinch at his words and stand, taking the blanket with me to cover my body. “Wow! So what you’re saying is you only married me to have sex with me?” Mason’s jaw drops then he picks it back up and shakes his head. “Are you still drunk?” he asks slowly, and I shoot him a murderous glare. “In case you still are, let me remind you, you said you married me to get in my pants.” “Yes! But I didn’t call our marriage a waste!” I yell, my head feeling like it’s about to explode. “Just because you didn’t get your dick wet doesn’t mean the marriage was a waste.” I remember our vows and how real they felt—at least for me. Mason throws his arms up in the air. “You’re fucking crazy!” He points at me. “You asked me to marry you and I said okay. You asked me to fuck you and I said okay. You passed out, and now you’re going to accuse me of marrying you to get laid?”that why you married me? So I would finally be underneath you like you said I would be all those years ago?” Mason stares at me for a long second. “Yeah, that’s why I married you,” he says dryly. “So, are we having sex before we go file for the annulment or not?”“Not!”

“I’m going to do everything in my power not to fuck this all up, but I don’t know if that’s possible. What I need you to know is that what happened last night and just now… it has nothing to do with what I said all those years ago and everything to do with the fact that you make me feel something I’ve never felt before. You make me want to be better than my father, better than my mother. You make me want to try.”

Their marriage will surprise both of them. Mason confronts his fears, he is afraid that people will count on him and disappoint or fail them as he did with his mother. And Mila does not believe that a UFC fighter, a champion, such a handsome man, rich and famous, prefers her and he renounces the legion of women who throw themselves at his feet.

“You did file for divorce… didn’t you?” “No, I didn’t, and I’m not going to.” “What do you mean you’re not going to?” “I mean I meant my vows to Mila, and I’m not getting a divorce. I’m staying married to her for however long she’ll keep me.” “So… no divorce?” Tristan asks again, shock evident in his voice. “It will probably be the biggest mistake she’s ever made, but no, we aren’t divorcing.”

Mason looks down at me and gives me his signature smirk. “I was thinking the only person who will ever successfully perform a takedown on me is my wife.”

“I want a new list. “A list of things you want to do that will make you happy. Like your other list.” “It’s not about what we do that keeps me happy. It’s that I’m doing it all with you. You’re my best friend, my partner, my lover.” “I still want that list.”And when he stills and gives me one last soft kiss, I bring my hands to the sides of his face to hold him close to me, repeating the words he said to me. “ I love you. I need you. All of you. You’re mine, and I’m yours, forever.”

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️the book. This is the best for me. I need more of this gang. The children of Mason, Bella and Tristan also deserve a book. Jejeje 🤣

[QuinnReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catch and Can't Release



This is my favorite book in the series. The unplanned wedding, the vows, and their individual insecurities all come together to create a book that I so enjoyed! Cameos from so many characters from this and the Fighting series made it all the better.

As much as I hate the fishing analogy, I also kinda love it. A real head shaker that I couldn't help laughing at when Mason's five-year-old gal pal, Lexi (daughter of Tristan) constantly reminded everyone how much she hates fish and asked others about their fishing and catch & release habits in the prior book, Clinched. 🙄🎣 🤣 Well, the theme continues and has hilarious and disastrous consequences.

I love how the semi-anonymous friendship develops between Mason and Mila Alexandria Sterling. It's sweet and cute no matter how it started.

She's the complete opposite of the women I usually go out with. When Tristan met Charlie, I thought she was a rare gem in a sea of stones, but it seems I found my own gem, and I'm going to do everything I can to keep her.
-- Mason Street

OMG! There are several absolutely ROTFL moments. One of my faves is the date night at The Melting Pot! It's one of my favorite places, so it made it all the better. 🤣🤣🤣

I want to mention that I love how we see how uncoupling can go wrong, very wrong, but even more than that, we see one that went really well. The healthy relationship that Mila and Gavin have should be treasured. If things are going to end, it's the way to go, and I loved seeing it highlighted.

I received an author's copy of the audio book. The narrators are Avery Reid and Christian Leatherman. They may not have been the voices I envisioned for these characters, but I still really liked both narrators.

Story: 4.5 stars
Narration: 4 stars
Listening Speed: 1.8x

H = 29; h = 27

[Christina Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second I have read of Nikki's. I am getting hooked on her writing. I love it. Takedown is book 3 in the Fighting Love series. I read it as a standalone since I haven't read the first two. I am now going to go back to the beginning and reading all of them. I need to know all the stories. 

Takedown had me clicking over to the next page wanting to know what happens next. From Mason and Mila to the kids and to the secondary character was so much fun to read.  Mason and Mila's banter on and off the screen. The surprises that Nikki throws at you at certain points of the story. Can't give too much away. Mason's bond with Alec was something so special. All in all this story was sweet and caring, and we can forget the steamy moments. I actually had to stop and turn to Stacy and give her my opinion. She already read it (side eyes). I really can't wait to read more from Nikki. This review was originally posted on Garcia Sisters' Book Blog

[Nerdy Dirty & Flirty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this new single parent/sports romance by Nikki Ash. This is an author that I was only recently introduced to but am loving her work with every new book of hers I have the chance to read. She writes characters that aren't perfect but are impossible not to love. She writes characters that deserve a happy ending and that I find myself flying through the pages of the book reading to see if they get one. And as I'm flying through those pages I am loving every moment of the emotional, sometimes funny, always entertaining story that's being told.

Mason and Mila were great characters. From their funny beginning and every moment until the last words were read of the story I loved them. But that's one of the gifts Nikki Ash seems to possess is writing these real, relatable characters like the single mom nurse and the reformed player UFC fighter who slowly get to know each other and reveal their true selves and make the reader fall in love with them as they fall in love with each other.

That is what you have to look forward to when reading this book so I certainly recommend all romance fans picking it up now.

[Brandy Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm such a huge fan of the author I have read almost all of her stories and can't wait to see what's to come . This can be read as a standalone but I recommend that you read them in order because they are all amazing stories you should not miss out on .
copy provided for honest review 
****************************************
hero= 8 heroine= 8 secondary characters=8 Chemistry= 9 steam= 6
romance= 5 humor= 4 darkness level=3 action= 3 mystery= 3
enjoyment= 10 angst= 4 story line=9 Story ending=9
character development= 10 pacing=10
cover= 10 stars= 4
would I recommend this book= yes
would I re read this book= yes
would I read future books by this author= yes

[Becca Stanfield Vernon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg I FLOVE this book!!! I love Mason, even his player ways bc when u get to know him he is a wonderful guy. This sassy girl who makes him fall in love & be his entire world is just perfect!! Mila is strong, sweet & a wonderful mother. I find it crazy that her & ex are so nice to each other but still like their relationship. The odd way Mila is introduced to this group is funny & perfect for this bunch of crazy characters! I highly recommend this book & all of this series. Nikki Ash has a way with writing an intriguing & completely addictive storyline especially including a bossy sexy man!!!!

[The Love Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend reading Tapping Out and Clinched so you have the best reading experience for Mason's character, and can see how Mila was introduced. Of course, the author summarizes this in Takedown, but I enjoyed seeing it play out in the other books.

Mason, a famous UFC fighter, is not afraid to own his playboy ways. His only rule - he stays away from moms. This sucks for him because his attraction to Mila, despite her being a single mom, friend, and his roommate, isn't going away. Mason has his reasons for being afraid to settle down and not be a father figure, but between this book and past books, you know that Mason has the biggest heart.

I loved watching Mason realize that he was capable of taking care of others and giving the love he wished he'd gotten as a child. He was a great role model for Mila's son. Mila's co-parenting relationship with her son's father was adorable, and added to the cohesion of their family unit.

This was a great way to end this second-gen series!

CONTENT WARNINGS - parental abandonment

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I got the first series as part of a box set for $0.99, so I said 4 books for that price, why not? They were all amazing. So amazing that I bought this series (the kids) and the next (grandkids). And I binged all of them in nine days.

[ANB kc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stop & One Click today.
This is another wonderful book by Nikki Ash. Nikki paints a fantastic group of friends and family. You fall more in love with each book she writes. Mason makes you swoon. Such a wonderful read.

[Elouise Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say about this book. It is such an amazing read and I just loved the way mason and mila relationship develop and they both give each other what the other half needs