Knocked Out By Love
by Abby Niles
Love to the Extreme #5
Publication Date: August 15, 2016
Genres: Adult, Entangled: Select, Contemporary Romance
Synopsis:
Brody Minton has loved Scarlett Harris for years. But she’s his best friend’s wife, so he’s worked hard to keep his distance. Hearing the marriage is over shouldn’t change anything. Only an ass would make a move on a friend’s ex… Except Scarlett wants help getting back in the dating game, and Brody’s torn. If he helps her out, he can keep an eye on her and guard her vulnerable heart. But having the woman he’s longed for for years in arms’ reach is hell on a man’s restraint, no matter how iron strong his will.But loving Scarlett is only half the fight.
All Scarlett Harris wants is to get away for a while and rethink her life after filing for divorce from her lying, cheating bastard of a husband. The gorgeous Bahamas sounds like the perfect escape, except she’s booked in the very resort Brody “The Iron” Minton is staying at for his sister’s wedding. Now her ex’s best friend is dogging her every move, and is a witness to her first pathetic attempts at flirting in years. If Brody isn’t going to leave her alone, then she’ll just recruit him to help get her reacquainted with her single self.
NOTE: Although a part of a series, Knocked Out By Love can be read as a standalone novel. Each novel features a new hero and heroine!
Review:
So when Brody encounters a drunk and flirting Scarlett down in the Bahamas, he steps in to save her from herself and from the handsy guy she almost leaves the bar with. And when he calls Ryan–at 2 AM–and hears another woman’s voice in the background? Suddenly Scarlett’s–and Ryan’s–actions are cast in a whole new light. And Scarlett has her champion back.
Brody starts out giving Scarlett some much-needed get-her-groove-back assistance, which when they’re both back stateside turns into friends-with-major-benefits action, because Scarlett is clear on one thing: no more relationships. Except it’s blindingly clear to everyone that a relationship is exactly what they both need and want, so they (thank goodness!) give in.
All serious deliciousness. There’s geeky fandom fun! Cuddling on the couch while watching movies! White Persian kittens named Princess! Seriously hot sexytimes!
Except…
The relationship black moment is coming, thanks to an untruth that Scarlett tells, prompted by some over-the top “advice” given to her by one of Brody’s (many) sisters. That’s where the story goes a bit off the rails for a little while–there was major drama involved, and it felt heavy handed and more than a little over the top at times–it didn’t seem to jive with the first part of the book at all. Fortunately they did manage to get beyond it (albeit in a somewhat clumsy and overhanded manner) and went on to a super adorable ending, but in between? Some definite head-shaking moments.
But still…Brody. 🙂
Knocked Out By Love is fifth in the series but would absolutely work as a standalone. It does set up who (I hope) will be the hero and heroine of the next book–Brody’s cousin Blake and Scarlett’s BFF Delaney–and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for those two!
Rating: 4 stars / B
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
BUY:
DON’T MISS THE OTHER BOOKS IN THE LOVE TO THE EXTREME SERIES…
Synopsis:
Dante “Inferno” Jones is used to winning in the ring. But when the MMA fighter meets pretty Caitlyn Moore, he seems to be striking out left and right. The more Cait denies his advances, the more intrigued he becomes by the sharp-tongued beauty. She’s a challenge he cannot resist.
Comfortable with the average Joe, Cait doesn’t get it when the ultra-masculine Dante walks into her life and expresses an interest in her. Sure, she’s shed eighty pounds and her confidence is building, but there’s nothing spectacular about her. Certainly not enough to hang onto a ripped babe-magnet like Dante, whose violent profession, catty groupies, and cruel competitors are already making her life a living hell.
Dante’s light-hearted pursuit quickly becomes a battle to win her heart as they find themselves thrown together again and again and it’s affecting his training. Cait won’t let him lose the biggest fight of his career because of her, but when her plan to keep him focused lands her in the dangerous clutches of Dante’s vicious opponent, there is more at stake than just the championship belt.
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Synopsis:
Talk about kicking a fighter while he’s down.
Former Middleweight champion and confirmed bachelor Tommy “Lightning” Sparks has lost it all: his belt, his career, and now his home. After the devastating fire, he moves in with his drama-free best friend, Julie. One encounter changes everything and Julie is no longer the girl he’s spent his life protecting but a desirable woman he wants to take to his bed. Knowing his reputation, he’s determined to protect Julie more than ever—from himself.
Veterinarian Julie Rogers has been in love with Tommy since she was ten, but would love to get over the man. She’s quiet nights at home and a glass of wine. He’s clubbing all night and shots of tequila. As friends they work great. As a couple? No way in hell. She just can’t get her heart to agree. When she starts spending time with another fighter, the man who’s always treated her like a sister is suddenly not being very brotherly and enflames her body like never before.
Can two childhood friends make a relationship work, or will they lose everything because they stopped FIGHTING LOVE?
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Synopsis:
Mac “The Snake” Hannon has spent years throwing himself into cage fighting as a way to lash back at the natural disaster that destroyed his future. A call for help has Mac returning to the one place he swore never to return: Kansas—in the height of tornado season.
There he meets free-spirited Gayle Andrews. At first he wants nothing to do with the infuriatingly, persistent woman, but the crazy challenges she tosses his way are impossible to resist. As she thaws years of bitterness, bringing back the Mac he believed long gone, he starts to make peace with the past and see the future again. Until he learns she chases his worst nightmare, then he can’t get away fast enough.
Meteorologist and storm chaser, Gayle Andrews is no stranger to being left behind and now believes in living in the moment. She wants to do just that with the handsome extreme fighter with the achingly sad eyes. As she works to replace the sorrow with desire, she finds herself breaking her one rule: have fun, but don’t fall in love. When he suddenly pushes her away and she discovers the horrifying reason why, she issues one more challenge: face his fear and come on a chase with her.
Will squaring off with the past lead to a victory for heartache or love?
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Synopsis:
Doctor Ella Watts wants her old life back. Desperately. But the past has returned for its rematch, and going back home—even telling anyone her real name—isn’t an option until she’s confident in her MMA abilities. Personal trainer Lance Black is the man to help her reach her goals. Not only is he toned, muscular, and gorgeous, he’s patient, a great teacher, and willing to treat her like a worthy opponent. Except his size makes her freeze whenever he gets too close. If Ella can’t learn how to overcome her fear of being attacked, she’ll never be able to move on with her life.
Underground fighter Lance Black knows there’s more to the mysterious blonde ninja than a beautiful woman determined to improve her fighting skills. She can best anyone close to her size – man or woman – but insists on working out with him, even though he’s got a good 70 pounds and several inches on her. Despite her reticence, he’s determined to get her to open up so he can help her get over her mental block. And if that means he can get to know her outside the gym, all the better.
As long as she never learns his secrets.
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ABOUT ABBY NILES:
Abby Niles is the author of the contemporary MMA series, Love to the Extreme, and the paranormal series, The Awakening. She is also the author to the geeky romantic comedy, Defying Convention, where Live Action Role Players (LARPers) set out to teach their favorite author a lesson, but end up playing matchmaker instead.
Abby lives in North Carolina with the love of her life and their combined gaggle of kids. When she’s not writing, she’s trying to catch up on an endless pile of laundry and find time to get some much needed reading in.
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