My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
GENRE: Contemporary
THEME: Romance, Sports
RECEIVED: Netgalley
BLURB:
An up-and-coming MMA fighter wants more than just one night
from a woman fleeing her past in Lori’s irresistible new novel.
Heavyweight fighter Denver Lewis plays real nice, but he doesn’t share. That’s why he’s been avoiding top-notch flirt Cherry Peyton. But a man can only resist those lush curves for so long. Their encounter surpasses all his fantasies, bringing out protective urges that Cherry’s about to need more than she knows…
Denver’s combination of pure muscle and unexpected tenderness has been driving Cherry wild. Yet no sooner does she get what she’s been craving than old troubles show up on her doorstep. And this time, Cherry can’t hide behind a carefree façade. Because the man by her side is one who’ll fight like hell to keep her safe…if only she’ll trust him enough to let him…
from a woman fleeing her past in Lori’s irresistible new novel.
Heavyweight fighter Denver Lewis plays real nice, but he doesn’t share. That’s why he’s been avoiding top-notch flirt Cherry Peyton. But a man can only resist those lush curves for so long. Their encounter surpasses all his fantasies, bringing out protective urges that Cherry’s about to need more than she knows…
Denver’s combination of pure muscle and unexpected tenderness has been driving Cherry wild. Yet no sooner does she get what she’s been craving than old troubles show up on her doorstep. And this time, Cherry can’t hide behind a carefree façade. Because the man by her side is one who’ll fight like hell to keep her safe…if only she’ll trust him enough to let him…
REVIEW:
I was super excited to continue Lori Fosters Ultimate series, I adored Cannon and Yvette story so I knew Cherry and Denver were going to have big shoes to fill for me. What I love most about this series is how Foster connects her leads, there is tension, suspense smoking hot romance, and two people who are just “real”.Holding Strong follows Heavyweight MMA fighter Denver Lewis who has had his eye on the sweet and flirty Cherry Peyton for some time. But he has tried to ignore the pull until he can no longer resist, nor can Cherry say no to Denver. But just as both are connecting and feeling the heat, Cherry’s past comes knocking and Denver protective side has to make more of an appearance when Cherry opens up about her life.
Cherry is a sweet and very childlike heroine, I was a little unsure of her at first because I didn’t like how she kept brining up the size of Denver’s “ahem” manliness, like it was the only thing that attracted her to him. I like when a girl connects with more than just lust. But I did like how she had a close bond with her friends and the other fighters. It was like a big family with everyone and Cherry seemed to be the sister of everyone but Denver of course. Her past was such a shock, I felt for her and how her parents were killed and was glad she opened up to Denver. Then there are her foster brothers, who brought out the protective beast of the already beastly Denver. I’m all for alpha males and Cherry is his “girl” so she has to start to learn how to put some trust in the big guy.
Denver is a mans man, a tough as nails fighter who comes off as a broody and serious guy. His POV in the beginning showed his uncertainty about his feelings for Cherry, his alpha side hated her with other men and all he wanted was to claim her. The passion and heat between the two when they both give in to what they have been feeling for a long time, was on fire! I love the spark between the two, Cherry is sweetly innocent and talkative, where Denver is ready to pounce. Its very insta-love but since they have known each other, you can feel they wanted each other...so much!
Overall I enjoyed following the two leads and the fellow fighters and their future love interest. I feel the secondary characters are what keep me hooked, as their personalities were so much more colorful. I did adore Cherry and Denver but the pace of the first book just didn’t flow as well this time around for me. I did however like that this story touched on family issues and both of them needing each other to overcome the problems. I’m so looking forward to Armie and Rissy!! I love these two and they just spoke to me, so I’ll definitely be coming back to this series.
“Holding Strong will have you holding your breath while burning fingers quickly turn the pages.”
“…a fun and sexy read. It has a touch of suspense to it as well to keep the pace of the story going along.”
“The men of Foster’s Ultimate series may be powerful fighters, but they are all heart, and none more so than the hero of this installment. His unwavering support for his feisty, frightened heroine redeems them both in time, but it is their searing chemistry that will hold readers’ attention.”
“Foster…manages to keep characters evolving throughout the course of a novel, becoming true ‘heroes’ by the time ‘The End’ rolls around.”
AUTHOR BIO:
Since first publishing in January 1996, Lori Foster has become a USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly and New York Times bestselling author.
Lori has published through a variety of houses, including Kensington, St.
Martin’s, Harlequin, Silhouette, Samhain, and Berkley/Jove. She is currently
published with HQN.
Lori hosts a very special annual “Reader & Author” event in West Chester, Ohio. Proceeds from the event have benefited many worthy causes, including the Hamilton County YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter, the Animal
Adoption Foundation, The Conductive Learning Center for children with spina
bifida and cerebral palsy, and The One Way Farm, Children’s Home.
Adoption Foundation, The Conductive Learning Center for children with spina
bifida and cerebral palsy, and The One Way Farm, Children’s Home.
Each year Lori donates all proceeds from one book to charity. You can see the benefit romance books here: http://lorifoster.com/benefit-books/
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