Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
Carli Hopps is looking to start life over. New city, new career, plus a new healthy outlook. Spa days, spoiling herself, and spending days at the local gym to take care of her body.

Carli wouldn't mind if Carmine Olivio took care of her body for her.

Carmine is the grumpy and gorgeous physical trainer at Fit Factory. He used to love life as much as the sunshine sweet Carli seems to, but he lost his way. They are not a good fit, but he can't help but want her.

95 pages, ebook

Published February 10, 2022

24 people are currently reading
35 people want to read

About the author

Dee Ellis

146 books313 followers
Born and raised in the Midwest, reading and writing have always been Dee's passion. Short stories became long stories that finally, became books. While playing grownup during the day, meaning working a job, Dee wrote her first book. When not reading or writing, which leaves less time than she's proud of, Dee loves spending her time with her four furbabies, her husband and lots of movies nights.

Follow Me On...

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...

Twitter: https://twitter.com/authordeeellis

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authordeeel...

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
78 (49%)
4 stars
57 (36%)
3 stars
17 (10%)
2 stars
5 (3%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
Profile Image for QuinnReads.
3,830 reviews221 followers
February 19, 2022
Sweet Cinnamon Roll Man

Carli has run from the life she once knew when she realized it wasn't the life she wanted. It's cute and a bit cheesy how she attracts the attention of Carmine, the gruff trainer at the gym.

'What is it Alicia and the other trainers at the gym call it? Resting bitch face? I guess I have something akin to that—resting asshole attitude.'
-- Carmine Olivio


I liked this novella which is funnier than as it is dramatic. I really enjoyed how Carmine steps up when he realizes she's struggling with something.

'Because while he still acts growly sometimes, what I get is a sweet cinnamon roll of a man.'
-- Carli Hopps


This is so close to being a double v surrender. I'm not disclosing details but if you've read it, do you agree?

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Profile Image for Wonder Tre Reads -Tre Harris.
1,313 reviews30 followers
February 9, 2022
The story of Carli and Carmine is sweet, steamy and an enjoyable to read. After reading the first chapter I was hooked on this story and didn’t want to put my kindle down. A fast paced romance that will have you swooning over Carmine, the vibes this man tries to give off are completely opposite of the man that he truly is. Solid storyline and a delightful HEA ending.
4,420 reviews11 followers
February 21, 2022
Once Carmine and Carli get started there is nothing holding them back, only self doubt these two have to work together. She is his sunshine to his darkness, now if they can trust their feelings and open up to one another or will they let their insecurities get the best of them.

I am voluntarily leaving a review for this book that I received free.
Profile Image for Aliama.
2,378 reviews9 followers
March 2, 2022
A great quick read. Carli is all sunshine to Carmine’s grumpy attitude. Except towards her, he’s soft, gentle and kind. These two were a great pair with sizzling hot chemistry and a HEA. I received an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Tiffany Barnett.
677 reviews5 followers
February 7, 2022
Carmine and Carli are a perfect fit!

They've had eyes for each other across the gym for a while now but there's nothing like getting a little push. Carli's the sunshine to Carmine's grump. They bring the best out of each other. I loved this fast paced story and as always plenty of steam and chemistry!
Profile Image for Shannon.
4,118 reviews31 followers
February 5, 2022
I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book.

An entertaining fast-paced story that is well-written and quick to read. Carli is new to town and settling in well and has definitely noticed the grumpy hot trainer at the gym. Carmine is smitten with Carli, always happy and friendly. Both are weary but when other men take an interest in Carli, Carmine knows he has to let her know his feelings... sweet story.
Profile Image for Lisa D.
1,087 reviews4 followers
February 3, 2022
Dee Ellis is a new author for me and I am glad I tried her book. This was a lot of fun. Carmine and Carli are perfect for each other. Both hesitant to trust in themselves and one another, they find love and acceptance. They both have scars, visible and invisible and I enjoyed reading how they came together. Plenty of heat and chemistry between them. A fun read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,555 reviews14 followers
February 12, 2022
A beautiful love story

Really enjoyed this love story. Cari and Carmine individually had been through so much. Her with self-esteem issues and a mother trying to get her marry a man she doesn't love. Carmine, a man who is like his father grumpy looking but injured physically during his time in the service. He calls her his Sunshine to his darkness. Read what they go through to reach their love. Loved the descriptions of the people, the town and their homes. I enjoyed it a lot and hope you will too. Written by Cindy :)
Profile Image for Syd Springer.
4,126 reviews6 followers
February 16, 2022
4.5 Stars
I thought that this was a really good book. I really liked Carli and Carmine's connection and chemistry. These two are drawn to each other but Carli thinks Carmine hates her and Carmine has a hard time showing his feelings. These two have a little bit of a bumpy road but they do get a really sweet and swoon worthy HEA. I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend it and Ms. Dee as a great author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Trixie.
5,314 reviews
February 12, 2022
Out of all the books I've read from this author, this book hit me the hardest. It is a flirty story from the Flirty Club but the MCs in this book gave me more than I hope for. Their love makes the others happy and that made them a perfect fit. A simple smile from the others makes the world seems brighter. I loved that fact.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Charlene.
5,730 reviews2 followers
February 14, 2022
Carmine and Carli fit together perfectly. I personally would not go to a gym, but Carli went to see Carmine. Took them a hot minute to be on the same page, but when they finally did, wow.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,658 reviews4 followers
February 17, 2022
This book is a part of the Flirty Fitness series and focuses on Carmine and Carli. Carli moved into town after needing to shake up her life and to go after what made her happy. She moved to a town that felt like home, found a career she loved, and took up working out as an effort to feel better. When she joins the gym, she meets Carmine. Carmine is a personal trainer at the gym and grew up in town. He was in the military until he got injured and sent back home. I love that they both have insecurities they they work through together. They hold each other up when they need the strength and build each others love of themselves by loving the other person just as they are. I love how Carli showed Carmine how to love himself and he did the same for her. This was such a great story and I was actually sad to see it end. Great addition to the series!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,206 reviews14 followers
February 21, 2022
This book is part of the multi-author Flirty Fitness series featuring Carmine and Carli's sweet story. When Carli realized that the life she was living wasn't what she wanted she moves to start a new life. While working out at the gym she meets Carmine the grouchy personal trainer. He never speaks to Carli but he can't take his eyes off of her. Carmine was in the military until injury forced him to return home so now he works at the gym. Carli wants to pursue what will make her happy in life so she's always smiling and laughing in the gym it's no wonder Carmine fell for her the first time he saw her but he doesn't think that they belong together. When other men start asking her out will that be the push he needed to finally make her his? You really need to read this sweet story to see what happens. I would definitely recommend reading this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
6,168 reviews57 followers
March 4, 2022
An amazing story. Carli is at the gym, not to get skinny, just to get healthy. Carmine works as a personal trainer at the gym and when he sees Carli for the first time he wants to keep her sunshine. He smiles only for her. Carmine doesn't think that he will fit in with Carli's life as she's perfect and he's scared. Carli has crushed on Carmine since she moved to this town and found the happiness she'd been missing all her life. Now she just needs to have Carmine in her life and everything will be perfect. This story makes you smile, laugh, cry, sigh, crave, passion and love. I love how Dee Ellis writes, as her stories are so very steamy with a lot of obsession from her alpha males for their women.

I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
6,029 reviews41 followers
May 27, 2022
Our heroine is hoping to start over while I hero is about done with it all. Perhaps they can meet somewhere in the middle.

This is part of a multi-author series which share a theme, but nothing else.

This is a contemporary romance with something of a starting over vibe. The story is well written and easy to read with a nice and comfortable plot. The characters are nicely done and have some real chemistry that makes the story fun to read and also results in plenty of steam. As a short story, things developed kind of fast, but I like the direction it took and was happy to be along for the workout. Overall, I found it to be a very enjoyable evening read.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.
5,285 reviews29 followers
February 12, 2022
Carli left the city to start over, she broke it off with her fiancé, got a new job and started exercising for healthier body. There is one guy there that is so hot, but he does not seem to like her, he seems angry when he looks at her.

Carmine has had a thing for Carli ever since she came to town and started coming to his gym. Her smile lights up his world, he is obsessed with her. It is not until he catches her crying on a machine at the gym and comforts her that she gets an inkling that he is interested in her.

This is a sweet and steamy read, who would not want Carmine?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4,333 reviews27 followers
February 22, 2022
I received an ARC from the author and am voluntarily leaving my review. This is a short and sweet romance with plenty of humor and heat. Carli and Carmine are opposites in many ways. That does not stop the attraction that they feel from growing. Carli is going to bring some light back into his life. It seems that he is the kind of grumpy that she likes. Carmine cannot help but fall pretty hard for her. I liked how these two seemed to be perfect together. It is fast paced, relying more on that instant love that developing a relationship

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for casvec.
7,458 reviews75 followers
March 7, 2022
Hard Fit is a fast read that has you on the edge from start to finish. Carli left everything she knew to start a life that she wanted. Carmine works at the gym as a trainer, he keeps most to himself but when he sees Carli loses himself. Carmine does not have courage to speak to Carli, but that did not mean he was going to let any other man ask her out. Carli could feel Carmine whenever she went to the gym, their connection and electricity was felt throughout. Hot, steamy and intense will have you lost in the pages as they find each other.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Jessie.
22 reviews
February 18, 2022
Couldn't even finish it, sadly. I liked the idea, the characters, and the setting at first. When the female character decides not to have sex and get to know the male first, I was happy for her and happy to get to know the characters better too. But that didn't happen. Instead, less than 24 hours later, they are madly in love and having sex, but they didn't even spend any of that day together to get to know each other!? And the sex scene writing was kinda boring and repetitive, in my opinion. Just didn't keep my attention.
3,221 reviews4 followers
February 21, 2022
Carli has her life planned out. Until she realizes that it's not the life she wants, and she heads for a new town, new friends, new habits. Carmine is the grumpy trainer at the local gym, not looking for a relationship. Until other men in the gym begin flirting with Carli. They both have insecurities from their pasts, but they both provide strength for each other to work beyond their issues. This is a quick story to read, but so sweet and satisfying. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Michelle.
10.9k reviews29 followers
March 2, 2022
Hard Fit is a fast paced, short story. Carli decided she needed a change so she broke off her engagement, moved to a small town, got a new job, and falls for Carmine a personal trainer at the gym she joined. I loved Carmine falls for Carli the moment he sees her at the gym but it took a bit of jealousy to get him motivated to ask her out. This opposites attract, steamy read is a great addition to the Flirty Fitness series and I look forward to reading the rest of the books in this multi author series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
1,219 reviews3 followers
May 9, 2022
Carli and Carmine are both needing someone to save them, unbeknownst to them.

Carli moved to a new town to recreate herself and Carmine works out subconsciously to deal with his self-esteem. They both are attracted to each other but never take the initiative to talk to each other until one is about to miss their chance.

They fit together HARD. Carmine's family really shows Carli what a true family is and that is really what a HEA is isn't? Not just with the guy and kids, but having the main characters be happy and get what they were missing in their life?
162 reviews
May 24, 2022
Hard Fit

Instalove between two people too shy to make the first move. Opposites attract, Grumpy/sunshine, wounded hero, seeing the best in each other. I initially didn't like what seemed to be body shaming, but the story describes how each sees themselves but then learning how others view them in a positive way. Neither is perfect, but they are prefect for each other. Sweet story and then some darker, spicier love scenes out of nowhere. Overall enjoyable. No cheating, no cliffhanger, happy ending.
1,897 reviews6 followers
February 19, 2022
Carli had self esteem issues and made a big change in her life. Carmine was scarred both inside and outside. They met at the gym and both loved the other from afar. A little push from friends make Carmine finally admit what he wanted. Sweet, steamy love story. Their journey had some bumps in the road but together they worked for their beautiful HEA

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Oriana Reads.
4,338 reviews38 followers
February 22, 2022
Oh give me a Carmine and I'm a lucky girl 😍😍😍 I have a heart for the grumpy, growly and wounded hot men 🥵🥵 I loved how Carmine changed and healed as soon as he met his sunshine Carli. Carli is new in town and has a crush on the hot grump from her fitness studio. Instalove, sweet, totally Safe and so so freaking romantic and adorable but steamy and alpha too🥵🥵🥵 Great story without drama(tiny miscommunication 😉) and with a sweet HEA ❤️❤️❤️
1,358 reviews6 followers
February 24, 2022
I like both characters in this one. Loved the dual POV's. Carli and Carmine really were perfectly opposite of each other but so great together. It was a quick read, had some steamy times especially at the gym. The secondary characters were just as fun to read about and I hope they get their own stories too - especially the twins!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,511 reviews15 followers
February 26, 2022
Dee Ellis joins the Flirt Club's fabulous Flirty Fitness multi-author series with Hard Fit. Carmine and Carli's age-gap, opposites attract love story is as sweet as two scoops of chocolate ice cream and steamy as a Harmony Hollow summer night. His alpha growly complements her sunshine and light, and their chemistry is Kindle-melting. A wonderful addition to this entertaining series!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
583 reviews6 followers
February 18, 2022
Great Little Romance Story

We're all subject to this world we live in, with its ever changing volatility. This little story gives us hope that we will find the person to enhance our lives and elevate us above the mundane existence most of us live. That someone who makes you feel loved and special. Hope is eternal, and we keep hope alive!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews