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Fighting Love #1
Tapping Out
Bella
Being a fighter is in my blood. My grandfather was a fighter, my father was a fighter, and I'm a fighter.
I live for the rush of adrenaline and sensation of victory. When I fight, I give it my all. I step into the octagon and I fight until there's nothing left to fight for.
He's been my best friend for most of my life. I've fought with him, fought against him, and for the longest time, I fought for him, for us. Until he pushed me away, leaving me no choice but to tap out.
Marco
Fighting is what saved me. It shed the old me, and I became a newer shinier version of myself. Until it took away everything I loved. I gave up and tapped out.
Then one day, she came back into my life and reminded me that some things in life are worth fighting for. Now I'm fighting for us, day by day, proving to her that our happily ever after is worth fighting for.
Being a fighter is in my blood. My grandfather was a fighter, my father was a fighter, and I'm a fighter.
I live for the rush of adrenaline and sensation of victory. When I fight, I give it my all. I step into the octagon and I fight until there's nothing left to fight for.
He's been my best friend for most of my life. I've fought with him, fought against him, and for the longest time, I fought for him, for us. Until he pushed me away, leaving me no choice but to tap out.
Marco
Fighting is what saved me. It shed the old me, and I became a newer shinier version of myself. Until it took away everything I loved. I gave up and tapped out.
Then one day, she came back into my life and reminded me that some things in life are worth fighting for. Now I'm fighting for us, day by day, proving to her that our happily ever after is worth fighting for.
347 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 6, 2018
1175 people are currently reading
3301 people want to read
About the author
Nikki Ash
75 books4,262 followersNikki 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!
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!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 355 reviews
February 25, 2023
I’m at 34% with Tapping Out and I’m honestly thinking of tapping out now. This book doesn’t give a moment to breathe. It’s just drama on top of drama with more drama sprinkled in.
The more I read of this book, the more frustrated I became. This book should just be renamed into Marco Gets Everything He Wants When He Wants It. 🤬
I was really surprised how much I disliked it because I absolutely loved Nikki Ash’s book, A Chance Encounter.
I adore baby/pregnancy storylines so I thought I would love this but it’s quite the opposite.
The problem I am having is I do not like Marco at all one bit and I really don’t like Marco and Bella as a couple.
Marco is 6 years older than Bella but he acts like the immature younger one of the two of them.
- their first kiss… he bolts. Literally, he moves to another city. She’s a confused 15 year old who is apparently his best friend and that’s how he treats her?
- a year later makes out hard with Bella at a bonfire party while intoxicated. Again, Marco runs away after. Claiming it was a mistake. They don’t talk while apart.
- another 2 years later at a family retreat he takes her virginity. Again he runs away. See a fucking theme here!!!
- Marco gets hurt during a car accident. His friend Logan is in a coma, Marco’s back is hurt and his fighting career may be over. So he turns to drugs. He’s high as a kite, begs Bella to sleep with him as a comfort and he doesn’t even put on a fucking condom! So she gets pregnant.
- when she goes to tell him about the baby… Marco is with some chick Janell snorting coke. He doesn’t even remember sleeping with Bella. But Marco tells Bella to get an abortion anyways. And he says the same to Janell if she gets knocked up. WHAT. THE. ACTUAL. FUCK!!! Bella is still so nice to him, encouraging him to get help but he just keeps on saying mean shit to her.
- after calling his Dad to come help him… Marco goes ballistic at Bella. Announces her pregnancy to their other best friend Tristan to hurt her. And then says she’s dead to him. Wow. What a Prince! 😡
I know people on drugs do things they normally wouldn’t. There was no accountability for him. Marco’s constant excuses for his horrible behaviour, the hurtful shit he says & for just being a bastard general, everyone just blamed all that on drugged Marco. But everyone forgot he’s the one who chose to do drugs.
Honestly I didn’t find Marco’s behaviour while high not all that different from sober Marco. He’s a coward who can’t handle shit. And the person whom he takes his insecurities and frustrations out on is always Bella. And she just takes it. Even while carrying his child.
Now at this point my next problem with the story lies… with Bella. She lets Marco treat her like shit. And it drove me crazy! She just kept constantly excusing his behaviour. Every time she is around him she has no self control. Just keeps kissing him, sleeping with him even knowing he’s breaking her heart over and over again. Yeah she does let the distance remain there when he bolts but eventually she runs back to him. Rinse repeat. I get she loves him but at some point you have to have self preservation instincts and protect your heart! Sometimes you have to choose yourself even when it’s the hardest thing to do. Especially for the sake of an innocent child who shouldn’t be bought into such a fucking mess. Like a drug addict father who, if history is any indication, would be in and out of their lives.
Even after Marco told her to abort her child, chose drugs over her and didn’t make any contact during her entire pregnancy… she still wants to name her child after him? Michaela from his last name Michaels. I was almost sick to my stomach. Marco did not deserve such a gift. At all. I don’t care if he’s the biological father, he hadn’t done shit to deserve that.
But you know who did. Tristan. The best friend who stepped up. Who has been there for her her entire life and who protected her while she was pregnant. Who went to the baby appointments. Who was excited about becoming a Dad. My heart broke how Bella kept him in the dark about the baby’s biological father. He gave up his girlfriend to help Bella even if by doing so made himself look like an asshole who cheated.
Bella really made a mess of things when I really didn’t think they needed to be. She knew her heart wasn’t with Tristan but she still lead him on and quietly waited out hope for Marco.
So of course once Marco is all sober and has returned after not a word in 8 months… he comes to the hospital after Bella gives birth and she’s letting him right back into their lives. And naming her kid after him. Both first and last name! Just so wrong. I wouldn’t even give the kid his last name until he deserved it if I was Bella. Marco should definitely had to prove he was better, that he was there to stay and prioritise his girls over himself. But that didn’t happen because Bella is so desperate for him she just absolves him instantly and all is forgotten so much so that she abandons Tristan and moves in with Marco straight away. I was gobsmacked a girl could be so stupid. But Bella is. Once she gets Marco back, she’s like Tristan who 🤷♀️
I think I might stop reading here because I don’t even feel like Bella is going to make Marco work for her forgiveness and trust again. And the way she’s treated Tristan.. my heart is just broken for him. The poor guy goes from thinking he’s going to be a Dad to having whatever paternal rights he might have had just immediately given back to Marco in an instant. The worst part is, Bella knew if Marco returned, she would go back to him. Raise the baby with him. So she knowingly screwed over her best friend. She trapped him. Used him. I don’t know how Bella and Marco could call themselves Tristan’s best friend. Neither of them ever respected him or deserved him. I stopped reading for many reasons but the biggest is that I just knew Tristan would forgive them and they’d all be best friends again by the end. I couldn’t read that. They were never good friends to him to begin with. Because Tristan is a good guy, there’s a kid involved that he already loves despite it not being his, years of history… I knew the author would reunite them. I just don’t accept that. They treated him terribly and I just didn’t have it in me to see them have no repercussions for their actions against him. They deserved to be cut out of his life. There are just some things that are unforgivable.
The wrong guy/love interest was the hero of this story for me. Actually Marco & Bella deserved each other. I hope Tristan finds real love.
I hope I find the will to continue. But I doubt it.
UPDATE - I continued on for a little bit. I shouldn’t have. Bella is soooo happy with Marco that she forgets the trail of mess she left behind. Tristan isn’t even a thought in her head in happy land. So much for him being her best friend! Marco is apparently all she’ll ever need to completes her 🤢
Then it got so much worse which I didn’t even know was possible. Bella & Marco move into together right away after she’s given birth to the kid he didn’t even want.
And at the first sign of trouble he immediately does a runner and goes back to being an addict, getting shit faced. I know he gets bad news but he didn’t have to revert back to his old ways.
This is why recovery is important. The author failed to impart how important it is. Not just telling us Marco went to rehab but having Marco really work on himself. Having us as an audience see & read that. But I saw no improvement in him. Just Marco getting everything he wants when he wants it. He snaps his fingers and Bella rolls over. Recovery is important to not just jump into things this quickly in relationships. Marco isn’t ready! He doesn’t know how to fucking cope. He needs to learn how. But how can he when Bella constantly forgives and absolves him everything? He has to learn that actions have consequence!
The more I read of this book, the more frustrated I became. This book should just be renamed into Marco Gets Everything He Wants When He Wants It. 🤬
I was really surprised how much I disliked it because I absolutely loved Nikki Ash’s book, A Chance Encounter.
I adore baby/pregnancy storylines so I thought I would love this but it’s quite the opposite.
The problem I am having is I do not like Marco at all one bit and I really don’t like Marco and Bella as a couple.
Marco is 6 years older than Bella but he acts like the immature younger one of the two of them.
- their first kiss… he bolts. Literally, he moves to another city. She’s a confused 15 year old who is apparently his best friend and that’s how he treats her?
- a year later makes out hard with Bella at a bonfire party while intoxicated. Again, Marco runs away after. Claiming it was a mistake. They don’t talk while apart.
- another 2 years later at a family retreat he takes her virginity. Again he runs away. See a fucking theme here!!!
- Marco gets hurt during a car accident. His friend Logan is in a coma, Marco’s back is hurt and his fighting career may be over. So he turns to drugs. He’s high as a kite, begs Bella to sleep with him as a comfort and he doesn’t even put on a fucking condom! So she gets pregnant.
- when she goes to tell him about the baby… Marco is with some chick Janell snorting coke. He doesn’t even remember sleeping with Bella. But Marco tells Bella to get an abortion anyways. And he says the same to Janell if she gets knocked up. WHAT. THE. ACTUAL. FUCK!!! Bella is still so nice to him, encouraging him to get help but he just keeps on saying mean shit to her.
- after calling his Dad to come help him… Marco goes ballistic at Bella. Announces her pregnancy to their other best friend Tristan to hurt her. And then says she’s dead to him. Wow. What a Prince! 😡
I know people on drugs do things they normally wouldn’t. There was no accountability for him. Marco’s constant excuses for his horrible behaviour, the hurtful shit he says & for just being a bastard general, everyone just blamed all that on drugged Marco. But everyone forgot he’s the one who chose to do drugs.
Honestly I didn’t find Marco’s behaviour while high not all that different from sober Marco. He’s a coward who can’t handle shit. And the person whom he takes his insecurities and frustrations out on is always Bella. And she just takes it. Even while carrying his child.
Now at this point my next problem with the story lies… with Bella. She lets Marco treat her like shit. And it drove me crazy! She just kept constantly excusing his behaviour. Every time she is around him she has no self control. Just keeps kissing him, sleeping with him even knowing he’s breaking her heart over and over again. Yeah she does let the distance remain there when he bolts but eventually she runs back to him. Rinse repeat. I get she loves him but at some point you have to have self preservation instincts and protect your heart! Sometimes you have to choose yourself even when it’s the hardest thing to do. Especially for the sake of an innocent child who shouldn’t be bought into such a fucking mess. Like a drug addict father who, if history is any indication, would be in and out of their lives.
Even after Marco told her to abort her child, chose drugs over her and didn’t make any contact during her entire pregnancy… she still wants to name her child after him? Michaela from his last name Michaels. I was almost sick to my stomach. Marco did not deserve such a gift. At all. I don’t care if he’s the biological father, he hadn’t done shit to deserve that.
But you know who did. Tristan. The best friend who stepped up. Who has been there for her her entire life and who protected her while she was pregnant. Who went to the baby appointments. Who was excited about becoming a Dad. My heart broke how Bella kept him in the dark about the baby’s biological father. He gave up his girlfriend to help Bella even if by doing so made himself look like an asshole who cheated.
Bella really made a mess of things when I really didn’t think they needed to be. She knew her heart wasn’t with Tristan but she still lead him on and quietly waited out hope for Marco.
So of course once Marco is all sober and has returned after not a word in 8 months… he comes to the hospital after Bella gives birth and she’s letting him right back into their lives. And naming her kid after him. Both first and last name! Just so wrong. I wouldn’t even give the kid his last name until he deserved it if I was Bella. Marco should definitely had to prove he was better, that he was there to stay and prioritise his girls over himself. But that didn’t happen because Bella is so desperate for him she just absolves him instantly and all is forgotten so much so that she abandons Tristan and moves in with Marco straight away. I was gobsmacked a girl could be so stupid. But Bella is. Once she gets Marco back, she’s like Tristan who 🤷♀️
I think I might stop reading here because I don’t even feel like Bella is going to make Marco work for her forgiveness and trust again. And the way she’s treated Tristan.. my heart is just broken for him. The poor guy goes from thinking he’s going to be a Dad to having whatever paternal rights he might have had just immediately given back to Marco in an instant. The worst part is, Bella knew if Marco returned, she would go back to him. Raise the baby with him. So she knowingly screwed over her best friend. She trapped him. Used him. I don’t know how Bella and Marco could call themselves Tristan’s best friend. Neither of them ever respected him or deserved him. I stopped reading for many reasons but the biggest is that I just knew Tristan would forgive them and they’d all be best friends again by the end. I couldn’t read that. They were never good friends to him to begin with. Because Tristan is a good guy, there’s a kid involved that he already loves despite it not being his, years of history… I knew the author would reunite them. I just don’t accept that. They treated him terribly and I just didn’t have it in me to see them have no repercussions for their actions against him. They deserved to be cut out of his life. There are just some things that are unforgivable.
The wrong guy/love interest was the hero of this story for me. Actually Marco & Bella deserved each other. I hope Tristan finds real love.
I hope I find the will to continue. But I doubt it.
UPDATE - I continued on for a little bit. I shouldn’t have. Bella is soooo happy with Marco that she forgets the trail of mess she left behind. Tristan isn’t even a thought in her head in happy land. So much for him being her best friend! Marco is apparently all she’ll ever need to completes her 🤢
Then it got so much worse which I didn’t even know was possible. Bella & Marco move into together right away after she’s given birth to the kid he didn’t even want.
And at the first sign of trouble he immediately does a runner and goes back to being an addict, getting shit faced. I know he gets bad news but he didn’t have to revert back to his old ways.
This is why recovery is important. The author failed to impart how important it is. Not just telling us Marco went to rehab but having Marco really work on himself. Having us as an audience see & read that. But I saw no improvement in him. Just Marco getting everything he wants when he wants it. He snaps his fingers and Bella rolls over. Recovery is important to not just jump into things this quickly in relationships. Marco isn’t ready! He doesn’t know how to fucking cope. He needs to learn how. But how can he when Bella constantly forgives and absolves him everything? He has to learn that actions have consequence!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2018
4.5 stars!
I've been obsessed with Nikki's fighters for awhile now. I was ecstatic for Bella's book. I fell in love with her in Fighting for a Second Chance and that love has grew in every book that I've read of the Fighting series. I've known through out the series that Bella is a fighter. She's always wanted to be a UFC Champion. What I didn't know is Bella is more than just a fighter in the ring. She fights for what she wants and she's a strong woman. She doesn't let anyone run over her, yet she is still soft and a very forgiving,loving person.
This is a love story that shows that love is worth fighting for. Bella's love story was sometimes a struggle and tough to read about at times just because some of the issues were sensitive matters. That is some real stuff! Sometimes I was mad and wanted to slap her boyfriend and at other times I wanted to hold his hand and cry with him. My favorite thing about this book was getting more of Bella's dad, Cooper. I love how protective he still is for his adult daughter. I laughed and swooned over him. Do yourself a favor and read this book!
I've been obsessed with Nikki's fighters for awhile now. I was ecstatic for Bella's book. I fell in love with her in Fighting for a Second Chance and that love has grew in every book that I've read of the Fighting series. I've known through out the series that Bella is a fighter. She's always wanted to be a UFC Champion. What I didn't know is Bella is more than just a fighter in the ring. She fights for what she wants and she's a strong woman. She doesn't let anyone run over her, yet she is still soft and a very forgiving,loving person.
This is a love story that shows that love is worth fighting for. Bella's love story was sometimes a struggle and tough to read about at times just because some of the issues were sensitive matters. That is some real stuff! Sometimes I was mad and wanted to slap her boyfriend and at other times I wanted to hold his hand and cry with him. My favorite thing about this book was getting more of Bella's dad, Cooper. I love how protective he still is for his adult daughter. I laughed and swooned over him. Do yourself a favor and read this book!
August 22, 2024
Kissing the Boo-boos
Now, Marco ‘The Maniac’ Michaels is a fool of epic proportions. Pure and simple. If it can be done wrong, odds are that's the path he'll take. So many times, I wanted to reach into the pages and shake some sense into him!
I do love how Bella Cooper puts him in his place, but for being one of his best friends, he treats her poorly. I want to like him, but for a good portion of the book, he makes it easy not to.
When things are good, they are very good. The opposite is also true. Even when it's painful, the way everything comes to light regarding the pregnancy and everything else kept me invested. Bella is way too forgiving for my liking. It's as if her childhood crush has blinded her to the realities of the situation on several occasions. Things work out, but they could so easily go sideways IRL.
I will say that the letters from rehab, reading all those, was so bittersweet and possibly my favorite part. There's a ton of heart, anger, and sadness poured into them. I recommend reading all 80 of them.
There's some unrequited love that remains hanging out there. I don't like where things are left with Tristan (prior to the epilogue), but I know the resolution is coming soon enough. At least, I hope so. 🤞🫣
Because I frequently walk into books blind, I didn't realize this is the next generation from the 'Fighting' series. As a result, there are some spoilers present. I didn't mind, but others might.
FYI - Substance abuse, death, and other partners are present. There are also several parts where tissues are needed. 😢🤧🤗
I read along with the audio book. The narrators are Gregory Salinas and Kasi Hollowell, both of whom I really enjoyed listening to.
Story: 4.5 stars
Narration: 4 stars
Listening Speed: 1.8x
H = 21/22/24/26; h = 15/16/18/20+
Now, Marco ‘The Maniac’ Michaels is a fool of epic proportions. Pure and simple. If it can be done wrong, odds are that's the path he'll take. So many times, I wanted to reach into the pages and shake some sense into him!
I do love how Bella Cooper puts him in his place, but for being one of his best friends, he treats her poorly. I want to like him, but for a good portion of the book, he makes it easy not to.
The way I left shit over Christmas break was fucked up, but that seems to be how it goes with me when it comes to Bella. I met her when I was twelve years old. At the time, she was only six, but we quickly became close. While she and Tristan were already friends, Bella and I formed a different kind of friendship. I can’t explain it, but she was everything to me.
-- Marco Michaels
When things are good, they are very good. The opposite is also true. Even when it's painful, the way everything comes to light regarding the pregnancy and everything else kept me invested. Bella is way too forgiving for my liking. It's as if her childhood crush has blinded her to the realities of the situation on several occasions. Things work out, but they could so easily go sideways IRL.
I will say that the letters from rehab, reading all those, was so bittersweet and possibly my favorite part. There's a ton of heart, anger, and sadness poured into them. I recommend reading all 80 of them.
There's some unrequited love that remains hanging out there. I don't like where things are left with Tristan (prior to the epilogue), but I know the resolution is coming soon enough. At least, I hope so. 🤞🫣
Because I frequently walk into books blind, I didn't realize this is the next generation from the 'Fighting' series. As a result, there are some spoilers present. I didn't mind, but others might.
FYI - Substance abuse, death, and other partners are present. There are also several parts where tissues are needed. 😢🤧🤗
I read along with the audio book. The narrators are Gregory Salinas and Kasi Hollowell, both of whom I really enjoyed listening to.
Story: 4.5 stars
Narration: 4 stars
Listening Speed: 1.8x
H = 21/22/24/26; h = 15/16/18/20+
November 4, 2019
I was looking for a good fighter romance, I didn't find one.
This isn't what I thought it would be, yes, the characters were fighters but the plot didn't focus much on that or their gradual build-up to the big championship fight they both took part in, in the latter part of the book, it was blase.
The plot was mainly focused on Marco and his drug problem and his inability to stay and face his problems which were so lusterless, drab, lacked drama between the words.
I also thought the heroin would have more backbone, a bit of sass, she didn't.
The plot I found choppy, where it would jump from one thing to another with no flow.
It was an ok read but I felt no connection to the plot or characters, however, I will give this author another go and see if there is improvement.
This isn't what I thought it would be, yes, the characters were fighters but the plot didn't focus much on that or their gradual build-up to the big championship fight they both took part in, in the latter part of the book, it was blase.
The plot was mainly focused on Marco and his drug problem and his inability to stay and face his problems which were so lusterless, drab, lacked drama between the words.
I also thought the heroin would have more backbone, a bit of sass, she didn't.
The plot I found choppy, where it would jump from one thing to another with no flow.
It was an ok read but I felt no connection to the plot or characters, however, I will give this author another go and see if there is improvement.
January 29, 2022
4.75⭐️
January 26, 2022
I saw this book on tik tik and was really excited to read about but the story so long yo begin like the first few chapters are told from the past perspective and it just ruined the whole book. I also read like 6-7 books inbetween it and coming back yo it felt like a drug because it starts with an epilogue so you already know how it ends.
To be honest i was like on chapter 28 and just skipped to the last 2 chapters cause I was tired of reading it and did not want to dnf this 😴
To be honest i was like on chapter 28 and just skipped to the last 2 chapters cause I was tired of reading it and did not want to dnf this 😴
April 23, 2023
I deserve money for putting myself through reading this book
July 6, 2020
⭐️ 4 "Earn Your Trust" Stars ⭐️
After binge reading the Fighting Series and meeting Bella and Marco as kids, I was so enthusiastic about Tapping Out. In Fighting ‘round the Christmas Tree novella, there was something boiling between them that I couldn’t wait to explore. Nikki Ash fashioned here an intense romance full of ups and downs that made me rage and cry, but also swoon and laugh. This novel shows that nobody is perfect and every decisions has a consequence, bad or good.
Bella is still the same dedicated girl we met as a child. She lives and breathes fighting and still aspires to be a MMA champion. Her friendship with Marco hides deeper feelings now that she’s older, but the man is struggling and their story isn’t all rainbows and butterflies. Trust will need to be earned for them get their happily ever after. There's so much heartbreak between these two!
To be completely honest, this book didn’t captivate me as much as the books in the Fighting Series. I just felt the connection between Bella and Marco lacked a little sparks in my opinion. Maybe it’s due to the fact their feelings started years before and those scenes are only briefly described so I wasn’t a witness to the build up of their feelings for each other. Marco makes so many bad choices and I was truly disappointed in him. I enjoy flawed characters with redeemable qualities, but for me his actions weren’t representative of the boy we meet in Fighting for your Touch. I was glad though to see him fight for the girl of his dreams and his daughter. They’re the main reason he tried to better himself and right his mistakes.
Seeing Cooper (hero from Fighting for a Second Chance) so protective of his not so little anymore daughter was nice. He certainly doesn’t make it easy for Marco to win her back. He only has the best intentions, but at times he’s certainly over-the-top. It definitely brought some entertaining moments. I also felt bad for Tristan so much with the way Bella kind of betrayed him. I just wish for him to find his own fairy tale romance! I’m certainly excited for his story, Clinched, which is a single dad romance.
In resume, Tapping Out, was a very enjoyable start to the Fighting Love Series. All my favorite characters from the Fighting Series made this read even more complete. Bella and Marco's love story wasn't the easiest, but to see them fight for their love was inspiring!
February 28, 2024
After reading the 4 books in the fighting series I was really looking forward to this spinoff that picks up where that left off...(well after book 4.5 the Christmas Novella) You really should read that whole series to get all the backstory!!!! Bella and Marcos story was hinted at and I was so curious to see how this played out. Plus we have watched Bella grow up throughout the series!!!
I don't know if this was just the right moment to be reading this book for me, I am such a mood reader so it just hit the spot! but I could not put this down at all!!! I read it in 1 day. It was sweet, gut wrenching and all the things. I read this in a box set with all 3 of the books - so I am not exactly sure how this book is chaptered on it's own - but I absolutely LOVED reading the letters from Marco at the end. So touching to see him go through the process!!! I'm not sure if they are included in the original book or the book set?!?!? Such a good read and now i can't wait to pick up with next story and Tristan!
I don't know if this was just the right moment to be reading this book for me, I am such a mood reader so it just hit the spot! but I could not put this down at all!!! I read it in 1 day. It was sweet, gut wrenching and all the things. I read this in a box set with all 3 of the books - so I am not exactly sure how this book is chaptered on it's own - but I absolutely LOVED reading the letters from Marco at the end. So touching to see him go through the process!!! I'm not sure if they are included in the original book or the book set?!?!? Such a good read and now i can't wait to pick up with next story and Tristan!
March 2, 2022
Awesome Friends to Lovers With a Twist
Amazing, fun and an awesome knock out of a good time. This book of Belles & Marco’s journey is beautiful, complicated and extra steamy. I loved their relationship, their back and forth. The will they won’t they. And the twist, secret baby! Wicked fun, entertaining and extra swoony read.
Amazing, fun and an awesome knock out of a good time. This book of Belles & Marco’s journey is beautiful, complicated and extra steamy. I loved their relationship, their back and forth. The will they won’t they. And the twist, secret baby! Wicked fun, entertaining and extra swoony read.
February 1, 2021
3 ⭐⭐⭐ - OK decent reads.
Want to read
February 18, 2023🎁 FREE on Amazon today (2/18/2023)! 🎁
January 27, 2018
I was kindly given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is Nikki Ash's spin off series from the Fighting series and it involves the next generation of Coopers, Kaden's, Bentley's and Calebs. This first spin off book centres around Bella and Marco who, if you've read the Fighting series you will know that Bella is Cooper and Liz's daughter and Marco is Caleb and Hayley's adopted son.
Marco and Bella are the best of friends despite there being an age gap of 6 years. They've grown up in the UFC fighting scene and are fighters themselves, both winning fights respectively in their own fields. Marco's past is brutal, he's witnessed horrific situations and has had to grow up quickly. With his mum having being a drug addict and being murdered when he was only 12 and his father a drug addict also he's always felt he has had bad blood. This leads him to make terrible decisions in his adult life. He's been best friends with Bella since 12 and its only when she starts puperty that he sees her in a different light. Because of the age gap though he thinks its wrong. Several times they get together but its the last time that brings everything to a head and Marco is in danger of losing everything he holds dear.
Okay, heres what I loved,
I love the way the characters evolved. In the previous series they were just kids and you didn't really get a sense of who they were or who they'd become. I felt the author described their personalities really well. It was descriptive but not overly so. Their relationship was played on but not over the top, I mean that they both had the same passion, fighting but they also had this camaraderie with each other. I liked it.
Their love relationship and sexual chemistry much later was very well written, I could feel the attraction between them. I could also feel the angst and the heartbreak time and time again, it was like a rollercoaster.
I really enjoyed the snippets of the previous series characters. It was nice to see the characters we had fallen in love with.
I really enjoyed reading about the next generations characters and I cannot wait for more by this author.
This is Nikki Ash's spin off series from the Fighting series and it involves the next generation of Coopers, Kaden's, Bentley's and Calebs. This first spin off book centres around Bella and Marco who, if you've read the Fighting series you will know that Bella is Cooper and Liz's daughter and Marco is Caleb and Hayley's adopted son.
Marco and Bella are the best of friends despite there being an age gap of 6 years. They've grown up in the UFC fighting scene and are fighters themselves, both winning fights respectively in their own fields. Marco's past is brutal, he's witnessed horrific situations and has had to grow up quickly. With his mum having being a drug addict and being murdered when he was only 12 and his father a drug addict also he's always felt he has had bad blood. This leads him to make terrible decisions in his adult life. He's been best friends with Bella since 12 and its only when she starts puperty that he sees her in a different light. Because of the age gap though he thinks its wrong. Several times they get together but its the last time that brings everything to a head and Marco is in danger of losing everything he holds dear.
Okay, heres what I loved,
I love the way the characters evolved. In the previous series they were just kids and you didn't really get a sense of who they were or who they'd become. I felt the author described their personalities really well. It was descriptive but not overly so. Their relationship was played on but not over the top, I mean that they both had the same passion, fighting but they also had this camaraderie with each other. I liked it.
Their love relationship and sexual chemistry much later was very well written, I could feel the attraction between them. I could also feel the angst and the heartbreak time and time again, it was like a rollercoaster.
I really enjoyed the snippets of the previous series characters. It was nice to see the characters we had fallen in love with.
I really enjoyed reading about the next generations characters and I cannot wait for more by this author.
January 27, 2018
*ARC Provided For An Honest Review*
4.75 Stars rounded up
So I have been waiting for this book, for what seems like for forever! Nikki's fighters are an absolute personal favorite of mine, and she pulled it off yet again with Tapping Out. This is sweet and sassy, Bella, all grown up. She's a fighter in so many different ways, and she fights hard for her goals in every situation. This is very much her coming of age story, with the added bonus of catching up with all of the characters we completely fell for in the original fighting series.
Tapping Out is highly emotional, as well. There is some tough subject matter, but I think it was handled really well. It shows that life's imperfections can breed perfection, if you believe in what your fighting for.
4.75 Stars rounded up
So I have been waiting for this book, for what seems like for forever! Nikki's fighters are an absolute personal favorite of mine, and she pulled it off yet again with Tapping Out. This is sweet and sassy, Bella, all grown up. She's a fighter in so many different ways, and she fights hard for her goals in every situation. This is very much her coming of age story, with the added bonus of catching up with all of the characters we completely fell for in the original fighting series.
Tapping Out is highly emotional, as well. There is some tough subject matter, but I think it was handled really well. It shows that life's imperfections can breed perfection, if you believe in what your fighting for.
January 15, 2018
I was so excited to read Bella's story. Marco and Bella have been fighting there feelings for one another for many years. Best friends for years , they were both curious if there was more to the strong bond of friendship that they have. After a bumpy start in there journey of there relationship , both Bella and Marco both accomplish what they set out to do with there lives. Both Bella and Marco made there dreams come true .
June 5, 2018
I am so in love with this Fighters Series. Nikki Ash did my girl Bella justice with her story. It was Everything!!! Getting to see Bella’s transition from a kid to an adult was beautiful. She went through so much. Oh and beautiful broken sexy Marco. My heart broke for him but I also wanted to hit him and knock some sense it to him too. I was just glad he was able to overcome and be the man our girl Bella needed. From the beginning of them being kids, you could always tell they had a very special relationship. It got a bit emotional at times but I was so happy that they eventually got it together and got their HEA. Loved catching up with everyone else too. You have to read this book. It was a sweet, emotional ride.
Can’t wait for more of this series. I would definitely recommend this book and the entire series.
I received an ARC for an honest review.
Can’t wait for more of this series. I would definitely recommend this book and the entire series.
I received an ARC for an honest review.
June 12, 2020
Extract :
No romantic development, an addict (obviously the hero) and a too-nice heroine, ...
“Now you’re upset I haven’t slept with anyone else?” she says, incredulously.
“Yes! NO! Fuck! No, I don’t want you to have sex with anyone else but I’m already barely worthy of you. Now, add that you waited for me while I whored myself all over town. Why the fuck are you even with me?” I scrub my hands over my face in frustration.
“Marco Michaels, what the hell are you talking about?” Bella demands.
“You. Me. The fact that I was a male-whore while you were only with me. I don’t fucking deserve you. You deserve better.”
“Seriously? Just because I chose not to have sex while you chose to have sex doesn’t mean shit. Are you still having sex with other women?”
Am I even surprised ? Why can't I DNF books ? I must cure my optimistic and vain behaviour.
No romantic development, an addict (obviously the hero) and a too-nice heroine, ...
“Now you’re upset I haven’t slept with anyone else?” she says, incredulously.
“Yes! NO! Fuck! No, I don’t want you to have sex with anyone else but I’m already barely worthy of you. Now, add that you waited for me while I whored myself all over town. Why the fuck are you even with me?” I scrub my hands over my face in frustration.
“Marco Michaels, what the hell are you talking about?” Bella demands.
“You. Me. The fact that I was a male-whore while you were only with me. I don’t fucking deserve you. You deserve better.”
“Seriously? Just because I chose not to have sex while you chose to have sex doesn’t mean shit. Are you still having sex with other women?”
Am I even surprised ? Why can't I DNF books ? I must cure my optimistic and vain behaviour.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2021
I came here expecting a romance novel with some I don't know--boxing? Martial arts? And I was disappointed because I was not given those.
The story revolves around Bella's fixated love for Marco, and Marco's fuckery that kept ruining their relationship. It was bland. I wish the characters were at least more fleshed out and that the title and description of the book weren't so misleading.
+ Something that irked me was the random characters that were constantly mentioned; they didn't even contribute to the story. They just left the reader thinking: "Who is this and why are we supposed to care?"
The story revolves around Bella's fixated love for Marco, and Marco's fuckery that kept ruining their relationship. It was bland. I wish the characters were at least more fleshed out and that the title and description of the book weren't so misleading.
+ Something that irked me was the random characters that were constantly mentioned; they didn't even contribute to the story. They just left the reader thinking: "Who is this and why are we supposed to care?"
September 29, 2021
I was so mad with how the h abused her friendship with Tristan. He was willing to stepup and co-parent this baby that wasn't even his and she lied to him about who the father was. She knew that once it came out Marco would step up and be a dad so I was pissed that she let Tristan get so attached when she knew he wasn't going to get to raise the baby.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2022
dnf at 4% why is a 21 year old man kissing a 15 year old girl?
April 27, 2023
I wanted to tap out after the first chapter!
January 22, 2018
-Lynzi, 5 stars
FINALLY!!! BELLA’S STORY!!
I feel like I have been waiting forever for her story. I know I have been waiting since the beginning of this series, which seems like forever ago. Which really isn’t, but in the book world, we all know it is, lol.
So I waited forever, finally got the chance to sign up for it through the blog, and BAM it hit my kindle. As soon as I saw it, I was already in love. First off, that cover is amazing. Some might think it's too simple, but unless you read all the other books, and get to know Bella, you wouldn’t understand. That cover is just so her. It’s perfect and I absolutely love it. And I knew looking at the cover, I would not be disappointed in what was inside. I didn’t think I would be disappointed, because let's face it, it’s Nikki Ash. I honestly don’t think she can disappoint. But anyways, I knew it would be amazing. And boy was I right.
Before I jump into what the story was about, I want to say, that if you haven’t read the rest of the Fighting Series, please do. This book is one of the children from the first four books in this series. While I was falling in love with all the adults in the story, along with the way they loved and bonded with each other, I was falling in love with all of their kids as well. Their kids are pretty awesome, and this is the first book for one of the kids. I promise, it's worth it. The whole series is amazeballs.
Bella has had a life that most kids could only dream of. With a father who is a pro UFC fighter, turned gym owner and trainer, she can live her life the way she wants, to follow in her father's footsteps and be a fighter. Her dream has always been to become the UFC women’s champion. Growing up in the gym, around more fighters, and spending her whole life training, Bella is sure on her way. Until one mistake, leaves her unknown of her future. Not only as a young women, but as a fighter. Bella’s plans and dreams get side tracked when she finds out she is pregnant. She has been in love with the same guy since she was a child. But when he doesn’t feel the same way, and isn’t in the place she needs him to be, she makes decisions that can and will change her, her child, and everyone around her, forever.
Tristian is the best friend who will do everything and anything for the people he loves. Including Bella. When he finds out she is pregnant, he immediately jumps up and takes responsibility, making a decision to put others before himself.
Marco has had a rocky life. Even though he was adopted into an amazing family of people who love him very much, he still feels like he is not good enough. His blood is tainted. He will never be good enough, even though he is the men’s UFC champion. Especially for the one girl he has always loved but can never have. Nothing he does will ever change that. So he does the only thing he can do, run. Running will save them both. Until running no longer works. When his world is turned upside down, and everything he has worked so hard for goes crashing around his feet, he becomes the one person he said he would never be like, his birth mother. The people who love him try to get him the help he needs, but he shuts everyone out until once again, life slaps him in the face. Except this time, it wakes him up and makes him realize he has so much more to live for. Getting him self clean and getting his life back on track is now what he has to fight for.
Seeing history almost repeat itself, like it did with Liz & Cooper, Bella’s parents, was kinda crazy. I was worried for a minute. Lol. But seeing how Bella grew and became the woman and mother she did, was awesome. She is one of my absolute favorite female characters. She is beyond fabulous. In her very own, kick-butt and take names way.
I never thought Marco would go down this path and his story would be like this. Like wow, just wow. I kinda hated him, which is something I was not expecting to. I hated the person he became and how he treated the people who love him the most. The people who welcomed him into their lives with open arms, since the beginning. It was horrible. But hey, what they say seems to be true. You have to lose everything before you can see what you really had all along. What he has was love, support, help, strength, and he ran from it, instead of to it. But by the end, I was back to loving him something fierce. Then I fell in love with his strength and determination.
Tristian blows my mind. The way he takes care of the people he loves is awe-inspiring. When it comes to the people he holds close to his heart, he jumps in head first with no questions asked. He’s loyal beyond a fault. He is just awesome, and I can not wait for his book. I will now have to sit and wait “FOREVER”, just like I did for this one.
I can't even express how much I loved this book, how much I have loved this whole series and this whole crew of characters. Definitely one of my favorite series and favorite authors. LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!
FINALLY!!! BELLA’S STORY!!
I feel like I have been waiting forever for her story. I know I have been waiting since the beginning of this series, which seems like forever ago. Which really isn’t, but in the book world, we all know it is, lol.
So I waited forever, finally got the chance to sign up for it through the blog, and BAM it hit my kindle. As soon as I saw it, I was already in love. First off, that cover is amazing. Some might think it's too simple, but unless you read all the other books, and get to know Bella, you wouldn’t understand. That cover is just so her. It’s perfect and I absolutely love it. And I knew looking at the cover, I would not be disappointed in what was inside. I didn’t think I would be disappointed, because let's face it, it’s Nikki Ash. I honestly don’t think she can disappoint. But anyways, I knew it would be amazing. And boy was I right.
Before I jump into what the story was about, I want to say, that if you haven’t read the rest of the Fighting Series, please do. This book is one of the children from the first four books in this series. While I was falling in love with all the adults in the story, along with the way they loved and bonded with each other, I was falling in love with all of their kids as well. Their kids are pretty awesome, and this is the first book for one of the kids. I promise, it's worth it. The whole series is amazeballs.
Bella has had a life that most kids could only dream of. With a father who is a pro UFC fighter, turned gym owner and trainer, she can live her life the way she wants, to follow in her father's footsteps and be a fighter. Her dream has always been to become the UFC women’s champion. Growing up in the gym, around more fighters, and spending her whole life training, Bella is sure on her way. Until one mistake, leaves her unknown of her future. Not only as a young women, but as a fighter. Bella’s plans and dreams get side tracked when she finds out she is pregnant. She has been in love with the same guy since she was a child. But when he doesn’t feel the same way, and isn’t in the place she needs him to be, she makes decisions that can and will change her, her child, and everyone around her, forever.
Tristian is the best friend who will do everything and anything for the people he loves. Including Bella. When he finds out she is pregnant, he immediately jumps up and takes responsibility, making a decision to put others before himself.
Marco has had a rocky life. Even though he was adopted into an amazing family of people who love him very much, he still feels like he is not good enough. His blood is tainted. He will never be good enough, even though he is the men’s UFC champion. Especially for the one girl he has always loved but can never have. Nothing he does will ever change that. So he does the only thing he can do, run. Running will save them both. Until running no longer works. When his world is turned upside down, and everything he has worked so hard for goes crashing around his feet, he becomes the one person he said he would never be like, his birth mother. The people who love him try to get him the help he needs, but he shuts everyone out until once again, life slaps him in the face. Except this time, it wakes him up and makes him realize he has so much more to live for. Getting him self clean and getting his life back on track is now what he has to fight for.
Seeing history almost repeat itself, like it did with Liz & Cooper, Bella’s parents, was kinda crazy. I was worried for a minute. Lol. But seeing how Bella grew and became the woman and mother she did, was awesome. She is one of my absolute favorite female characters. She is beyond fabulous. In her very own, kick-butt and take names way.
I never thought Marco would go down this path and his story would be like this. Like wow, just wow. I kinda hated him, which is something I was not expecting to. I hated the person he became and how he treated the people who love him the most. The people who welcomed him into their lives with open arms, since the beginning. It was horrible. But hey, what they say seems to be true. You have to lose everything before you can see what you really had all along. What he has was love, support, help, strength, and he ran from it, instead of to it. But by the end, I was back to loving him something fierce. Then I fell in love with his strength and determination.
Tristian blows my mind. The way he takes care of the people he loves is awe-inspiring. When it comes to the people he holds close to his heart, he jumps in head first with no questions asked. He’s loyal beyond a fault. He is just awesome, and I can not wait for his book. I will now have to sit and wait “FOREVER”, just like I did for this one.
I can't even express how much I loved this book, how much I have loved this whole series and this whole crew of characters. Definitely one of my favorite series and favorite authors. LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!
January 24, 2018
I really love Nikki Ash's books and while devouring her fighting series I was hoping for a next Gen series especially after reading fighting for your love because the epilogue had me going ga ga . Tapping out can be read as a standalone but if you want to see how the parents of both hero and heroine found love you should defiantly one click Fighting for a second chance (BELLA’S PARENTS ) and Fighting for your touch ( MARCO'S PARENTS ) some spoilers are mentioned in this one that do occur in those two reads . Can I just say how awesome I think Bella is for wanting to be in the MMA side note the cover fits her perfectly , like this heroine she did frustrate me with some of the decisions she made mostly in the first couple of chapters but over all she's amazing . Now Marco took a while for me to warm up to I mostly disliked him for half of the book with how he handled things but he won me over in the end . Some scenes did seem a bit rushed but over all this was a good read that had me hooked till the very end , some characters you will love while being happy to see how they are doing and others you will hate while wanting bad things to happen to them ( I have a bad feeling on the next book in the series because a certain one of those hated characters might make an appearance but I'm also excited to read it ) . I've read almost all of Nikki Ash's stories and this wont be my last I can't wait to see whats to come , if you haven't had a chance to read one of her books you really should go one click happy .
copy provided for honest review
****************************************
hero=8 heroine= 9 secondary characters= 9 Chemistry=9 steam= 9
romance= 7 humor= 3 darkness level= 4 action= 3 mystery= 3
enjoyment= 9 angst= 4 story line= 9 Story ending= 10
character development= 10 pacing= 10
cover= 10 stars= 5
would I recommend this book= yes
would I re read this book= yes
would I read future books by this author= yes
copy provided for honest review
****************************************
hero=8 heroine= 9 secondary characters= 9 Chemistry=9 steam= 9
romance= 7 humor= 3 darkness level= 4 action= 3 mystery= 3
enjoyment= 9 angst= 4 story line= 9 Story ending= 10
character development= 10 pacing= 10
cover= 10 stars= 5
would I recommend this book= yes
would I re read this book= yes
would I read future books by this author= yes
January 10, 2018
Tapping Out by Nikki Ash
“Shes going to knock you out, 5 stars”
First off, I want to point out that this is Ash’s seventh book in a year. She’s a new author who is getting better and better with each story. Ash is finding her groove when it comes to writing. If you’ve read the Fighting series you know who Bella is, if not then don’t fear you don’t need to read those books. But I would highly recommend it because then you get a feel for the dynamic of the whole group.
We met Bella in Fighting for a Second Chance, she was a little girl. Since then we have watched or technically read about her growing up. We both know there has only been one apple of her eye and watched her try and find her footing. See Bella is a fighter and one of the boys she doesn’t know the ways of a woman. She has had two things she’s ever wanted, Marco and to be a UFC champion. Will a plot twist stand in her way?
Marco, god Marco. We fell in love with him as a troubled kid who was just trying to survive. He had to grow up fast in some ways. His love for Bella was always evident but he’s six years older than her. Can he really bite the hand (her father) that gave him a safe place when he had no where to go? And what will happen when he realizes his dreams really aren’t his dreams any longer?
We experience these two from kids to adults, from best friends to lovers. Every high and every low we are there with them. Its an emotional rollercoaster. You have the other best friend Tristan who is a complete stand up guy who you love one minute then he breaks your heart, and yet you get it. The group that sucked us in (the kid’s parents) we get them too. If you’ve read Ash for the last year you watched those characters become couples, turn into parents, and now some of them we get as grandparents. It’s truly a full circle kind of moment and makes me thankful that this large group of friends had a lot of kids so we can stay with them for a while.
My only warning is- be prepared to be sucked into this group. Because once you’re in you wont want to come back out.
Plot-5/5
Characters-5/5
Heat-5/5
Writing style-5/5
Overall-5/5
**SBR Reviews**
“Shes going to knock you out, 5 stars”
First off, I want to point out that this is Ash’s seventh book in a year. She’s a new author who is getting better and better with each story. Ash is finding her groove when it comes to writing. If you’ve read the Fighting series you know who Bella is, if not then don’t fear you don’t need to read those books. But I would highly recommend it because then you get a feel for the dynamic of the whole group.
We met Bella in Fighting for a Second Chance, she was a little girl. Since then we have watched or technically read about her growing up. We both know there has only been one apple of her eye and watched her try and find her footing. See Bella is a fighter and one of the boys she doesn’t know the ways of a woman. She has had two things she’s ever wanted, Marco and to be a UFC champion. Will a plot twist stand in her way?
Marco, god Marco. We fell in love with him as a troubled kid who was just trying to survive. He had to grow up fast in some ways. His love for Bella was always evident but he’s six years older than her. Can he really bite the hand (her father) that gave him a safe place when he had no where to go? And what will happen when he realizes his dreams really aren’t his dreams any longer?
We experience these two from kids to adults, from best friends to lovers. Every high and every low we are there with them. Its an emotional rollercoaster. You have the other best friend Tristan who is a complete stand up guy who you love one minute then he breaks your heart, and yet you get it. The group that sucked us in (the kid’s parents) we get them too. If you’ve read Ash for the last year you watched those characters become couples, turn into parents, and now some of them we get as grandparents. It’s truly a full circle kind of moment and makes me thankful that this large group of friends had a lot of kids so we can stay with them for a while.
My only warning is- be prepared to be sucked into this group. Because once you’re in you wont want to come back out.
Plot-5/5
Characters-5/5
Heat-5/5
Writing style-5/5
Overall-5/5
**SBR Reviews**
January 11, 2018
Title: Tapping Out
Author: Nikki Ash
Genre: Contemporary Romance, MMA Sports
Rating: 5/5
If you’re a fan of Ms Ash then you’re probably already familiar with the main protagonists of this book as we were introduced to them when they were children in the Fighting Series but fear not you don’t need to have read any previous books as this can be read as a stand-alone.
Fighting is in Bella’s blood there’s nothing she wants more than to be a UFC champion well there’s that and the fact she’d love to be Marco’s her childhood friend that she’s grown up alongside, she’s loved him since she was six years old when he came to be part of the family that she grew up amongst those who helped him be the fighting champion he come to be.
Marco’s loved Bella for years but the fact that he’s six years older than her is what’s kept him pushing her away when she tried to get closer and how he ends up running whenever he’s given into temptation, as the saying goes he doesn’t want to bite the hand that feeds him.
When life throws Marco a curveball causing him to spiral out of control he ends up having to shape up for the fight of his life, this time he’s fighting for love.
From best friends to lovers, high to low then back again this book has it all showing us that if it’s worth having it’s worth fighting for.
It was great being surrounded with characters old and getting to know new, well the new grown up versions, Nikki has done it again she’s given us a fantastic five star read and left us panting for more, I can’t wait to see what’s in-store next.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Author: Nikki Ash
Genre: Contemporary Romance, MMA Sports
Rating: 5/5
If you’re a fan of Ms Ash then you’re probably already familiar with the main protagonists of this book as we were introduced to them when they were children in the Fighting Series but fear not you don’t need to have read any previous books as this can be read as a stand-alone.
Fighting is in Bella’s blood there’s nothing she wants more than to be a UFC champion well there’s that and the fact she’d love to be Marco’s her childhood friend that she’s grown up alongside, she’s loved him since she was six years old when he came to be part of the family that she grew up amongst those who helped him be the fighting champion he come to be.
Marco’s loved Bella for years but the fact that he’s six years older than her is what’s kept him pushing her away when she tried to get closer and how he ends up running whenever he’s given into temptation, as the saying goes he doesn’t want to bite the hand that feeds him.
When life throws Marco a curveball causing him to spiral out of control he ends up having to shape up for the fight of his life, this time he’s fighting for love.
From best friends to lovers, high to low then back again this book has it all showing us that if it’s worth having it’s worth fighting for.
It was great being surrounded with characters old and getting to know new, well the new grown up versions, Nikki has done it again she’s given us a fantastic five star read and left us panting for more, I can’t wait to see what’s in-store next.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book in return for an honest review.
January 27, 2018
-Sigh- LOVE a good Tap Out.
I have been waiting so long for Bella's story. If you have not read the fighting story I highly recommend it, though this is a stand alone it is interconnected.
I can say that from the very start it is pretty much heart breaking, Bella has all these feelings and things going on and you just get so pulled in and wish you could make Marco see things from her side. Even though I'm sure there is just as much going on from his side, being a teen girl at one time makes it all that much more real.
Reading things from Marcos POV he just ugh seems douchy like he likes her but just not enough.
Then the twist!
So I really like the flash back in time building up to present time it brings something more to the book and to the characters in my opinion. Its also in a way kind of heartbreaking to see it all timed out.
Fate, is such a hard thing how it works and moves and changes peoples lives. You think you know where and how your life is going to go and bam one mistake one simple thing changes everything and so much happens.
Marcos whole world spins out of control for the bad and he pushes everyone out, Bellas whole world changes in a way and she embraces it and tries to help Marco, but he wants nothing to do with that and she moves on with what she has to. Tristan moves forward to help Bella and be there for her help her and not ask questions really.
All of which is honestly just heart wrenching. This story honestly takes your emotions and puts them through a wringer of epic proportions. There are so many ups and downs and tears that are shed its insane.
Its like the moms just knew, but the dads were obviously oblivious to anything and everything! And just Tristian. :(
I do believe Marco finally amd fully redeems himself, and makes everything come full circle, but it really took so long. I was so happy To see Bella get back into the ring, that was honestly something I was looking forward to more then anything.
Also I love that Tristin, Bella, and Marco all have a friendship at the end.
My favorite part are the letters from rehab, they are epic.
I spent 90% of this book crying and 10% of this book thinking yep everything's gonna be alright!!!
I have been waiting so long for Bella's story. If you have not read the fighting story I highly recommend it, though this is a stand alone it is interconnected.
I can say that from the very start it is pretty much heart breaking, Bella has all these feelings and things going on and you just get so pulled in and wish you could make Marco see things from her side. Even though I'm sure there is just as much going on from his side, being a teen girl at one time makes it all that much more real.
Reading things from Marcos POV he just ugh seems douchy like he likes her but just not enough.
Then the twist!
So I really like the flash back in time building up to present time it brings something more to the book and to the characters in my opinion. Its also in a way kind of heartbreaking to see it all timed out.
Fate, is such a hard thing how it works and moves and changes peoples lives. You think you know where and how your life is going to go and bam one mistake one simple thing changes everything and so much happens.
Marcos whole world spins out of control for the bad and he pushes everyone out, Bellas whole world changes in a way and she embraces it and tries to help Marco, but he wants nothing to do with that and she moves on with what she has to. Tristan moves forward to help Bella and be there for her help her and not ask questions really.
All of which is honestly just heart wrenching. This story honestly takes your emotions and puts them through a wringer of epic proportions. There are so many ups and downs and tears that are shed its insane.
Its like the moms just knew, but the dads were obviously oblivious to anything and everything! And just Tristian. :(
I do believe Marco finally amd fully redeems himself, and makes everything come full circle, but it really took so long. I was so happy To see Bella get back into the ring, that was honestly something I was looking forward to more then anything.
Also I love that Tristin, Bella, and Marco all have a friendship at the end.
My favorite part are the letters from rehab, they are epic.
I spent 90% of this book crying and 10% of this book thinking yep everything's gonna be alright!!!
September 29, 2023
This story was a roller coaster of emotions and I really enjoyed it! It was a beautiful second chance romance and I liked that we got their background story in the flashbacks without it being too much and then caught up to the present.
Bella was strong, determined and full of fire. I love that she didn’t let Marco walk all over her, despite him being her weakness she made him earn her trust and place in her life. I love how once Marco found out about his daughter he made the call to change his life, recover and he didn’t falter in his love and commitment to them. The healing and mental health aspect of this was handled with care and I found the progression of their relationship to be realistic.
I have a major soft spot for Tristan and what he did for Bella and her baby, now I’m keen to read his story next!
Bella was strong, determined and full of fire. I love that she didn’t let Marco walk all over her, despite him being her weakness she made him earn her trust and place in her life. I love how once Marco found out about his daughter he made the call to change his life, recover and he didn’t falter in his love and commitment to them. The healing and mental health aspect of this was handled with care and I found the progression of their relationship to be realistic.
I have a major soft spot for Tristan and what he did for Bella and her baby, now I’m keen to read his story next!
May 29, 2018
this book is a first read for this author for me.
what an amazing read, I started this book and less then 24hours later had finished, I just couldn't put Marco and Bella down.
I loved how all the side characters from Ms Ashs previous books were so strong in this story, I now have to read the other books for those characters.
I love a book about MMA fighters and it's even better when it's a string female!
Bella and Marco were such believable characters.
I volunteered to read a copy of this book
what an amazing read, I started this book and less then 24hours later had finished, I just couldn't put Marco and Bella down.
I loved how all the side characters from Ms Ashs previous books were so strong in this story, I now have to read the other books for those characters.
I love a book about MMA fighters and it's even better when it's a string female!
Bella and Marco were such believable characters.
I volunteered to read a copy of this book
March 30, 2022
Tapping out is all about Bella who is the daughter of Cooper and Liz. I love Bella’s character since she was written in. She’s a little spitfire and even though she was the little girl at the gym, she gave them a run for their money. Bella and Marco have always had feelings for eachother but they didn’t really know what to make of it with the age difference. They prettt much were raised as besties. Now they are a bit older. Marco is a MMA fighter and Bella is not the little girl she always was. She’s on her way to becoming an MMA fighter too. What will happen when Marco realizes Bella is growing up and she’s not the little 5 year old he met all those years ago.
Really great book!!
Really great book!!
May 28, 2018
Gosh I feel like I have been waiting forever for this book and Nikki Ash did not disappoint! This book was a roller coaster ride of regret and forgiveness. I laughed, I cried, I cringed and finally I swooned. I have loved Bella since the very book book in this series and to read that she is the same driven, loving and compassionate girl we have fallen in love with; was amazing. Oh then there is Marco... I was so shocked with how his story played out. I was devastated reading about his struggles. I couldn’t be happier with how this book played out.
This book can be read as a standalone but do yourself a favor and enjoy this entire series! Now I’m dying to read Tristan’s book!
This book can be read as a standalone but do yourself a favor and enjoy this entire series! Now I’m dying to read Tristan’s book!
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