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Crown MMA Romance: The Outsiders #2
Fighter's Fake Out
He’s wanted her for years. She’s never thought of him as anything but a teammate. When they pretend to be dating, will things heat up for real?
All I’ve ever wanted is to be a champion female fighter, but I keep falling short. I have one last chance at redemption and need to focus all of my energy on it. Unfortunately, my sister is getting married and my crazy family are planning to set me up on a series of blind dates. The last thing I need is a guy distracting me from my big fight.
The solution? I’ll take fellow MMA fighter Jimmy Parker as my fake boyfriend to ward off any would-be suitors. The problem is, the more time I spend with Jimmy, the more I see through his cocky persona to the strong, big-hearted man beneath. An accidental shower interruption forces me to face the truth: I want him.
But can our fake-relationship-turned-real survive my busy career and the wounds left by Jimmy’s painful past?
All I’ve ever wanted is to be a champion female fighter, but I keep falling short. I have one last chance at redemption and need to focus all of my energy on it. Unfortunately, my sister is getting married and my crazy family are planning to set me up on a series of blind dates. The last thing I need is a guy distracting me from my big fight.
The solution? I’ll take fellow MMA fighter Jimmy Parker as my fake boyfriend to ward off any would-be suitors. The problem is, the more time I spend with Jimmy, the more I see through his cocky persona to the strong, big-hearted man beneath. An accidental shower interruption forces me to face the truth: I want him.
But can our fake-relationship-turned-real survive my busy career and the wounds left by Jimmy’s painful past?
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Published May 25, 2022
24 people are currently reading
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About the author
A. Rivers
19 books402 followersA. Rivers writes steamy romance books with take-charge heroes and strong heroines who aren't afraid to fight the odds for love. On the rare occasions when she ventures out of the writing cave, you can probably find her face down in a book, cuddling her pets, or planning her next overseas adventure with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
April 27, 2022
This series is turning out to be quite a nice way to spend my time. This time around we have Enya who is a badass in every sense of the word. She is a female MMA fighter who is not only fighting opponents but also her meddling family who wants her to settle down.
Jimmy has been in love with her for as long as he remembers. It started out as a crush but with time he is certain that he is the man for her. It was such a turn on with how much he supported her when she was getting ready for the fight of her career.
Another novella with all the feels and I'm once again left feeling like this story too (like previous one) deserves to be a full length novel. It was over waaay too soon!
Jimmy has been in love with her for as long as he remembers. It started out as a crush but with time he is certain that he is the man for her. It was such a turn on with how much he supported her when she was getting ready for the fight of her career.
Another novella with all the feels and I'm once again left feeling like this story too (like previous one) deserves to be a full length novel. It was over waaay too soon!
April 28, 2022
An entertaining fake relationship and book two in the Crown MMA Romance: The Outsiders series! It is engaging, relatable, funny, witty, steamy, and well written with amazing family, some insecurities, and more. The characters are likeable and well written with amazing chemistry between them. Definitely recommended! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 5, 2022
Enya's drive to succeed as a fighter has not garnered the support she needs. She's to attend her sister's wedding and she needs a date.
Jimmy, another fighter who wants success too. Enya realizes he'd be her perfect date. They soon starts to see Jimmy in a different light. One that she's drawn to.
Their chemistry is sizzling and their love story beautiful.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Jimmy, another fighter who wants success too. Enya realizes he'd be her perfect date. They soon starts to see Jimmy in a different light. One that she's drawn to.
Their chemistry is sizzling and their love story beautiful.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 16, 2022
This is Enya & Jimmy's story. Enya's family are constantly setting her up on blind dates and Jimmy has been crushing on Enya from afar for awhile now so he steps in to be her date for a family wedding. What started out as a fake date for a wedding turned into real feelings and a relationship.
April 27, 2022
Finding What You Need . . .
Jimmy Parker, Enya’s training partner, agrees to be her date at a family wedding so she won’t be set up with dates by her family. It will also let her concentrate on her MMA training. Jimmy has always had a crush on her, so this is not a problem for him. He is younger than she is, and she has just seen him as a teammate. But he is more than that once she spends some time with him and sees the man he really is. Will this be the start of a relationship for them? Can they both get over past issues and start fresh?
Jimmy Parker, Enya’s training partner, agrees to be her date at a family wedding so she won’t be set up with dates by her family. It will also let her concentrate on her MMA training. Jimmy has always had a crush on her, so this is not a problem for him. He is younger than she is, and she has just seen him as a teammate. But he is more than that once she spends some time with him and sees the man he really is. Will this be the start of a relationship for them? Can they both get over past issues and start fresh?
April 19, 2022
This is somewhere between 3 and 4 stars for me. The novella follows Jimmy and Enya, two pro-MMA fighters who train at the same gym. Enya, a well known fighter is trying to keep her family off her back about her love life, emphasised by her sister's upcoming wedding. Trying not to be set up by her crazy family, she accepts Jimmy's offer of being her fake boyfriend. Jimmy, a new comer on the fighting scene, has had a crush on Enya forever. He jumps at the chance to show her who he really is, and hopes she might see him as more than a younger brother type.
I really love the sweet nature of the relationship between the characters. They both are coming into the situation from different angles, but both are trying to make things smoothly. The budding feelings are written in a very sweet way, although the book is rushed in places. The timeline is incredibly short from "we're just friends" to "I love you".
There is a vague sense of an age-gap trope, though the 6 years isn't too much to raise that many questions. There was a few too many romance clichés for me; fake dating, age gap, big-family no-family. At times the story did feel as if it was trying to hit certain points on a checklist rather than flow as a natural story. The language used in places was also over-detailed for me. Certain feelings and ideas were over explained instead of letting the reader come to them alone.
The story is cute and I'll probably read another from the series, I enjoy the cast of characters as they cropped up.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions are my own.
I really love the sweet nature of the relationship between the characters. They both are coming into the situation from different angles, but both are trying to make things smoothly. The budding feelings are written in a very sweet way, although the book is rushed in places. The timeline is incredibly short from "we're just friends" to "I love you".
There is a vague sense of an age-gap trope, though the 6 years isn't too much to raise that many questions. There was a few too many romance clichés for me; fake dating, age gap, big-family no-family. At times the story did feel as if it was trying to hit certain points on a checklist rather than flow as a natural story. The language used in places was also over-detailed for me. Certain feelings and ideas were over explained instead of letting the reader come to them alone.
The story is cute and I'll probably read another from the series, I enjoy the cast of characters as they cropped up.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions are my own.
April 27, 2022
Jimmy and Enya are MMA fighters, friends, and sparring partners. Jimmy has had a crush on Enya for years but when he overhears a conversation Enya has with her sister about blind dates to a wedding. Seeing his opportunity Jimmy volunteers to be her fake date to the wedding hoping to convince her to see past the age difference, their careers, and their friendship. Jimmy himself needs to get over his issues with his past.
Being an MMA fighter Enya knows that her career takes precedence over her love life the result causing plenty of boyfriends to leave. Surprised when Jimmy steps in to be her fake date and even more shocked when she starts to have feelings for him. But none of her boyfriends in the past could handle her career in the past. Can Jimmy handle it now being in the same career?
I enjoyed the story, and the author has a good writing voice. Nothing felt out of place or jarring to the world she was building. While it was fast paced, I did feel like some of the areas were too fast. There could have been slightly more buildup of tension and plot. The characters themselves were good I wanted a little more character by the end of book, but I enjoyed that they dealt with their personal issues separately therefore creating a more stable relationship. It was formulaic in plot but a good palette cleanser for a reader stuck in rut.
Being an MMA fighter Enya knows that her career takes precedence over her love life the result causing plenty of boyfriends to leave. Surprised when Jimmy steps in to be her fake date and even more shocked when she starts to have feelings for him. But none of her boyfriends in the past could handle her career in the past. Can Jimmy handle it now being in the same career?
I enjoyed the story, and the author has a good writing voice. Nothing felt out of place or jarring to the world she was building. While it was fast paced, I did feel like some of the areas were too fast. There could have been slightly more buildup of tension and plot. The characters themselves were good I wanted a little more character by the end of book, but I enjoyed that they dealt with their personal issues separately therefore creating a more stable relationship. It was formulaic in plot but a good palette cleanser for a reader stuck in rut.
April 26, 2022
A fast-paced novella with just the right mix of fake dating and friend-to-lovers to make this a fun and exciting read with some sweet emotions.
Jimmy steps up at the opportunity to be Enya’s plus one at a family wedding back in WI. He’s had a celebrity crush on America’s MMA Sweetheart since he was 17. Now they are training partners and Enya considers the younger man to be a teammate and training partner, but she starts to get some tingly feelings when she takes a closer look at Jimmy.
The Sears family is awesome, most especially Grandma Jo! Some of her lines are epically funny and not what one would expect from a Grandmother.
Character development still occurs in this very short read as Jimmy and Enya both work through their pasts. It takes effort for each of them to feel they truly deserve the happiness they’ve found together.
I’ve enjoyed each of the books in this series and the previous series. I’m eager to see what situation Tempe lands in with her one night stand.
Jimmy steps up at the opportunity to be Enya’s plus one at a family wedding back in WI. He’s had a celebrity crush on America’s MMA Sweetheart since he was 17. Now they are training partners and Enya considers the younger man to be a teammate and training partner, but she starts to get some tingly feelings when she takes a closer look at Jimmy.
The Sears family is awesome, most especially Grandma Jo! Some of her lines are epically funny and not what one would expect from a Grandmother.
Character development still occurs in this very short read as Jimmy and Enya both work through their pasts. It takes effort for each of them to feel they truly deserve the happiness they’ve found together.
I’ve enjoyed each of the books in this series and the previous series. I’m eager to see what situation Tempe lands in with her one night stand.
July 10, 2023
This second book in this series is just as fun and exciting as book 1. In this book we meet Jimmy and Enya! Jimmy is an up and coming MMA fighter and he has been in love with Enya since he saw her fight several years ago. There is only a few years between them but Jimmy wants Enya anyway he can have her. When she has to find a date for his sister's upcoming wedding she is taking back by Jimmy's offer to go with her. She has always thought of him as a good friend and fellow fighter but now that he is in her space and with her family she is beginning to see how amazing he really is!
Jimmy has had a taste of Enya and now that he has he will never be the same. She has been his dream girl and now that there is a chance that they could work for real he wants to do everything right to keep her! She is beyond happy with Jimmy and their love story is so much fun to watch unfold. They are beyond adorable and these MMA men and women will steal your heart! Happy Reading!!
Jimmy has had a taste of Enya and now that he has he will never be the same. She has been his dream girl and now that there is a chance that they could work for real he wants to do everything right to keep her! She is beyond happy with Jimmy and their love story is so much fun to watch unfold. They are beyond adorable and these MMA men and women will steal your heart! Happy Reading!!
April 24, 2022
I enjoyed this read mainly because I was excited to hear how Jessie would persuade Enya to date him after reading the last book, and it was definitely cute. Jessie has had a crush on Enya since he was a teenager, watcher her fight. Enya needs a date for her sister's wedding so she doesn't get set up on blind dates, and Jessie offers the perfect solution.
Jessie was a total sweetheart, and my heart hurt for him. Enya annoyed me slightly because She was a little hypocritical, although she did recognize that. It was a cute read with some good spice, and I think I just wanted more depth or more from Jessie's side of his career? It felt one-sided, and maybe I just wanted to hear more about Jessie because I genuinely loved him. It's a great addition to this series, though.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Jessie was a total sweetheart, and my heart hurt for him. Enya annoyed me slightly because She was a little hypocritical, although she did recognize that. It was a cute read with some good spice, and I think I just wanted more depth or more from Jessie's side of his career? It felt one-sided, and maybe I just wanted to hear more about Jessie because I genuinely loved him. It's a great addition to this series, though.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 26, 2022
Fighter's Fake Out was an amazing addition to The Outsiders series by A. Rivers. Enya needs a date to her sister's wedding but the last thing she needs is to be set up by her family. As an MMA fighter she devotes all her time to training. When fellow MMA fighter Jimmy learns of her dilemma, he is quick to jump at the chance to be Enya's date. Jimmy has been in love with Enya for as long as he can remember but he doesn't think he is good enough. Will their time together on her family's farm bring them together? I really enjoyed their story and grandma Jo was so hilarious. Great story.
April 28, 2022
This is the second book in this fascinating series and is Jimmy and Enya’s journey. Anya is a female MMA fighter, and with her sisters’ wedding coming up she needs a fake date to get her meddling family off her back. Jimmy has loved Enya for years, and when the opportunity arises, he jumps at the chance to be her +1. This is a well written, fast paced novella, with engaging and relatable characters, family, emotions, humor, witty banter, and love, which leads to an intriguing page turner. I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 12, 2022
Jimmy and Enya are MMA fighters and she has an important match coming up soon and needs to concentrate. She also has to find a date for her sisters wedding as her family is setting up five blind dates for her right now. Jimmy has had a crush on Enya and this is his chance to show her how he feels about her and support her upcoming bout. Loved the characters, their great backstories and believable feelings. The storyline has sweet entertaining situations and great banter, along with drama, funny events and wild times. So much chemistry and protectiveness. Great ending.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 7, 2024
Same things as the previous book. Sex before 2 weeks of dating but the story is refreshing in general. Though i honestly wish they would show parts of jimmy’s one and done past a little more in the book just in case
Its a standalone but for general context i feel like everyone should start with the first book. Also the description for the characters in general is nowhere to be found or was it just my eyes slimming through them. Aside from the general figure and abs and muscles, i was pretty shocked when jimmy got referred to as a “white trash” cause my impression was that everyone was white..
Its a standalone but for general context i feel like everyone should start with the first book. Also the description for the characters in general is nowhere to be found or was it just my eyes slimming through them. Aside from the general figure and abs and muscles, i was pretty shocked when jimmy got referred to as a “white trash” cause my impression was that everyone was white..
April 21, 2022
Enya has been getting ready for a big fight but her family is determined to set her up on blind dates for her sister’s wedding.
Jimmy has been in love with Enya for years and offers to fill in as her fake boyfriend for the wedding. When they first kiss they realize they one thing fake about the relationship is the word.
Will Enya be able to accept that Jimmy isn’t like everyone she’s dated before? Will Jimmy’s fantasy finally become reality? This is a great addition to the series. Can’t wait to read what happens next in this MMA club
Jimmy has been in love with Enya for years and offers to fill in as her fake boyfriend for the wedding. When they first kiss they realize they one thing fake about the relationship is the word.
Will Enya be able to accept that Jimmy isn’t like everyone she’s dated before? Will Jimmy’s fantasy finally become reality? This is a great addition to the series. Can’t wait to read what happens next in this MMA club
April 26, 2022
The author has written characters that have a slight age gap, but they seem perfect for each other. The main characters are training MMA fighters. Jimmy has had crush on Enya for a long time. Enya likes Jimmy as a friend and training partner. When she has to attend a wedding, she agrees to a fake date with Jimmy. They start to look at each other in a different light. Can they make it work or will her focus on her career drive them apart?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 27, 2022
A fun, friends to lovers, steamy novella. I enjoy reading about all the MMA fighters at Seth’s gym. And Jimmy and Enya are a couple of those fighters. Enya needs to concentrate on her big fight coming up, but needs a date to her sisters wedding. Jimmy has always had a crush on her and he decides he’s the man for the job. But after spending time with one another, Enya starts to realize Jimmy is her person. And of course Jimmy wants to be that person. Enjoy reading the blossoming relationship between these two. I certainly did!
August 27, 2023
Funny how what you have dreamed about comes true and you wonder if that person will actually want you like you want them - This is Jimmy. He has loved Enya since he was 17yo. Now he is in the same MMA training camp as she and have becomes friends and now has the opportunity to shoot his shot...and he does. There is not issue with his childhood to her and her family is just what he wants.
Love is real and true from the moment they decide not to play and be for each other what they want for themselves.
I fell in love with Tempe's grandmother. She was a hoot!!!!
Love is real and true from the moment they decide not to play and be for each other what they want for themselves.
I fell in love with Tempe's grandmother. She was a hoot!!!!
April 13, 2022
I was sent this as an advanced copy for an honest review.
Oh Jimmy I have loved you since the beginning. Enya my love you truly are a godess in the ring.
Talk about a perfect couple. Yes there is a reverse age gap but these two fit perfectly together. They support, encourage, and love each other especially with their careers. They celebrate their wins together and they share their lives together. Jimmy and Enya are a series power couple.
Oh Jimmy I have loved you since the beginning. Enya my love you truly are a godess in the ring.
Talk about a perfect couple. Yes there is a reverse age gap but these two fit perfectly together. They support, encourage, and love each other especially with their careers. They celebrate their wins together and they share their lives together. Jimmy and Enya are a series power couple.
April 25, 2022
Lovely short read.
This was a lovely short read. Enya and Jimmy are both fabulous and likeable characters - Enya, a driven and successful fighter whose previous partners have not supported her career, and Jimmy, a younger fighter seeking success, but also yearning for love and family. Their chemistry is sizzling and their love story beautiful.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a lovely short read. Enya and Jimmy are both fabulous and likeable characters - Enya, a driven and successful fighter whose previous partners have not supported her career, and Jimmy, a younger fighter seeking success, but also yearning for love and family. Their chemistry is sizzling and their love story beautiful.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 26, 2022
Ohhh Ms Rivers' MMA series are great, this is Jimmy and Enya's story. The characters and characters are great. The interaction and chemistry burst from the book. what started as a fake relationship turned into a real one. I won't give too much away, but this series is definitely worth it. I can hardly wait for the next part of this series!!
I received a free ARC copy in exchange for my honest review
I received a free ARC copy in exchange for my honest review
April 26, 2022
Jimmy offers to help Enya out, and go as her date for her sister's Wedding, so she can avoid the family setups (which are bound to fail). It starts as a fake relationship, but will it stay that way? I loved the passion between Jimmy and Enya, Jimmy's big caring heart, and Enya who is a strong passionate woman.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 30, 2022
Fighter’s Fake Out 🥰🥊
Thank you so much Ms Rivers, I absolutely loved reading Jimmy and Enya’s book. I love the genre sports/fake relationship romance.
Jimmy is such a sweetheart and has a beautiful personality, he and Enya work so well together. And who doesn’t adore the nutty family members. They were out of this world funny - especially Grandma Jo!
Definitely pick up this book and read it, you won’t regret it 😁
I received an ARC and I’m leaving my honest and voluntary review.
Thank you so much Ms Rivers, I absolutely loved reading Jimmy and Enya’s book. I love the genre sports/fake relationship romance.
Jimmy is such a sweetheart and has a beautiful personality, he and Enya work so well together. And who doesn’t adore the nutty family members. They were out of this world funny - especially Grandma Jo!
Definitely pick up this book and read it, you won’t regret it 😁
I received an ARC and I’m leaving my honest and voluntary review.
July 20, 2023
I was looking forward to reading Jimmy and Enya's story, but this wasn't up to my expectations. I liked the way the author got them to admit their feelings after pretending to date for Enya's sister's wedding. But I would have liked to see more drama and angst in this one. The author did a good job at writing Enya, but I couldn't fully connect to Jimmy in this book - despite liking him in the previous ones he's mentioned in.
May 22, 2024
Nauseatingly adorable couple .
I couldn't agree more with the authoress.
This story is totally free of drama
and it was so refreshing.
Jimmy's upbringing was his only thing holding him back
but he sure came a long way.
And him being with Enya was perfectly easy.
Where he let her be herself and prioritize her career
she accepts him just the way he is
without a second thought about his past.
They only care for the future
and feeling their souls with love and respect.
I couldn't agree more with the authoress.
This story is totally free of drama
and it was so refreshing.
Jimmy's upbringing was his only thing holding him back
but he sure came a long way.
And him being with Enya was perfectly easy.
Where he let her be herself and prioritize her career
she accepts him just the way he is
without a second thought about his past.
They only care for the future
and feeling their souls with love and respect.
April 14, 2022
This was a sweet novella, I love the MMA series. Enya and Jimmy make the perfect couple, they have a great chemistry and they encourage each other all the way. His first encounter with her family was hilarious. There was a little preview of the next story and I’m soooooo curious!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 24, 2022
I always know I'm in it for a treat, whenever I pick up a book from this author and this story was no different. Jimmy's point of view was amazing. The first person was very fitting when reading about how angry he was that Enya's sister was trying to fix Enya with a guy.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 27, 2022
I wanted Jimmy and Enya's story since reading the previous book because it's obvious that Jimmy has a crush on Enya. And finally, he gets a chance with her albeit it being a fake date. But he's definitely taking his chance to show Enya that she's it for him. I loved that it's pretty fast-paced, I read it in just one sitting. I loved that Enya didn't try to fight him on it and deny her feelings for him too. I really enjoyed their story.
April 26, 2022
Enya and Jimmy's relationship starts off as a fake, with him agreeing to be her pretend boyfriend to her sisters wedding.
But tensions rise and emotions flare and they decide to give it a go.
Low angst, medium spice and a HEA await.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
But tensions rise and emotions flare and they decide to give it a go.
Low angst, medium spice and a HEA await.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 3, 2022
Fighter's Fake Out
Book 2 of Crown MMA Romance: The Outsiders
A. Rivers
I am loving this series so far. Jimmy is in love with Enya and his chance to do something about it finally comes when she needs a date to her sister's wedding. This was a great addition to the already great series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Book 2 of Crown MMA Romance: The Outsiders
A. Rivers
I am loving this series so far. Jimmy is in love with Enya and his chance to do something about it finally comes when she needs a date to her sister's wedding. This was a great addition to the already great series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews