Publisher: Entangled
Publish Date: Out Now
How I got this book: eARC from publisher
Kat MacGregor has forty-eight hours to make good on the debt her ex-boyfriend owes a crime boss. Unfortunately, the measly tips she makes waitressing are barely enough for her to live on, much less cover the twenty-thousand needed to keep her breathing. With time running out, Kat ‘s forced to accept help from the only man who’s ever made her feel fire rather than fear.
When he learns a friend’s sister is in trouble, former Boston MMA fighter Aiden “Irish” O’Brien heads to Louisiana to offer himself up as collateral to keep her safe. But to satisfy the debt, he has to do the one thing he swore he’d never do again: fight. With more than just money on the line, will Irish have what it takes to not only reclaim the man he once was, but become the man he needs to be for the woman he can’t live without?
*Blurb from Goodreads*
I’ve really enjoyed Maxwell’s writing in the past, so when I got the chance to read the next Fighting for Love book, I jumped at it. I happen to love my fighter heroes, and Irish did not disappoint.
Kat is running from something, and she is doing her best to stay under the radar and away from everyone she loves. When Irish walks into the bar where she works, she is instantly attracted to him, and incredibly on edge around him. She isn’t ready to fall for anyone again, and after one day with Irish, she knows that he has the capacity to crush her heart more than anyone else.
Irish had a big secret, running into Kat wasn’t by chance. He was sent by her sister and soon to be brother-in-law to find her and keep her safe. Just when he thinks that Kat is safe, he finds out she is running from someone very dangerous. The only way that Irish can see to keep Kat safe is to join a not-so-legal fighting ring and win the cash to buy her freedom. But plans change and Irish will have to make some hard choices to keep Kat safe, and possibly win back the future he never thought he could have.
I love the way Maxwell added in a suspense plot with this book. There is something to be said for a hero and heroine who are on the run from the bad guy, and who need to rely on each other to get out of a jam. I love that Irish and Kat know who is after them, know what they need to do to get free, and yet are still on edge about how everything was going to work out. I thought it was a great balance between the romance development and the suspense sub-plot.
I adored Kat. The poor girl went from one bad situation to another one. As a teen and young woman, she couldn’t seem to catch a break. I loved that when she met Irish she was really hesitant about him. She wasn’t sure that he would be someone she could trust, and I liked that she was wary of him, that their relationship built from friendship, and that she was willing to let Irish prove to her that he was worthy of her trust. Kat had some serious issues to work through, especially with her past, and I liked that they weren’t sugar coated when it came to her sexual relationship with Irish.
I loved and adored Irish, but his ability to play the martyr did get on my nerves after awhile. Irish was broody and sexy, but even once we found out more about his past, I felt as if he wasn’t willing to cut himself any breaks, when he demanded other people do it for themselves. It was a little narrow minded for him, and although I loved his character, I did want to slap him for that line of thinking at times. One of my favorite aspects of Irish was the way he was so devoted to Kat. He was so careful of her. He pushed when she needed it, and backed off when she wasn’t ready to admit certain things. He gave her safety, and comfort and he endeared himself to me in so many ways!
My only big complaint is that I wanted more. I wanted more from Kat and Irish. I wanted to see them continue to grow more and more comfortable with each other, I wanted to see further into their happily ever after. I just wanted more. The story ended well, and didn’t feel like it was an abrupt ending, however I just wanted more!
All in all I really liked the third book in the Fighting for Love series. I adored getting to see the softer and gentle side of Irish, especially as he dealt with so many of the dark parts of Kat’s past. I loved getting to see Kat grow into her own as a strong and steady woman. I thought their romance was so well done, and the suspense was fabulous as well. Add in the pet alligator, and this was a wonderful story!
I give Fighting for Irish a B