Christopher Schuyler wasn’t someone who got many breaks. After eight frustrating years working as a club bouncer and fighting on the amateur circuit, a prestigious MMA training gym offers Chris an opportunity he can’t walk away from. Paul Decker knows something about dating athletes, and that is an experience he never wants to repeat. It’s taken him two years to get over his last break-up, but … break-up, but he’s finally getting back into the dating scene.
After a particularly gruesome social event, Paul uncharacteristically ends up solo at a gay dance club. A literal run-in with Chris brings the two men together, and soon they are both taking chances they had never imagined. Taking risks is one thing, but are they strong enough to overcome the skeletons of the past?
(This book contains references to self harm and domestic violence, as well as adult language and and sexual situations.)
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This is a good contemporary romance between two men. The characters are interesting and engaging complete with strengths and foibles. They have to overcome many internal struggles and external obstacles in order to try to build a life together. The storyline flows smoothly and fairly quickly with emotional drama, touching romantic moments and steamy scenes. It is a good love story worth reading especially if you like strong determined characters and MMA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is romantic, interesting and dramatic. Chris and Paul have each been in a bad place recently when they meet, neither of them wants another person close to them. But the more time they spend together, the more each relaxes into a relationship. Paul’s ex comes into the picture, but he can’t get what he wants. This will take you on an emotional ride that will keep you turning the pages.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.
Favorite Quotes:
You need to call this Chris, or I am going to do it for you and you’re going to have to explain to this man how you got beat up by a middle-aged woman with a cane because you’re a dumbass!
Tate had you reined in so tight, not to mention he was so far in the closet he was behind the winter coats.
My Review:
While any form of violence is so not my jam, human beings continue to intrigue and fascinate me, and I particularly seem to enjoy sweet and sexy love stories. It generally doesn’t matter to me who was falling in love as long as they were of age, all acts were consensual, and they treated each other well. However, some of you may need to know that this heart-squeezing tale featured a sweet and tender love story between two men – Chris an MMA fighter, and Paul a floral designer. Both men had significant and tainted histories of marked struggle and abuse as well as current challenges to their blossoming romance. This was a different type of read for me as MMA is not of particular interest, although the fighter’s story certainly was. Chris wasn’t just an MMA athlete – he fought with heart just as valiantly outside the arena with stereotypes, vulnerabilities, and limited resources. He and Paul were adorable together.
This is the 2nd book I’ve read written by Josie Kerr; she has done a great job at writing a good book; I can’t wait to read more of her books.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I loved the chemistry between the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
Chris and Paul literally happen upon one another at a club at a time when each man is in need of a change. Chris wants a partner and connection as he is on the verge of getting into a good situation in his chosen profession – MMA fighting. Paul has been recovering from a bad situation with a closet violent partner and he has been reluctant to connect. They are in a good place to be with one another and the progression towards creating their relationship is well done in this book. The dance they do with one another, figuratively and literally is about finding their footing and it is realistically portrayed. Paul’s former partner provides some drama when he returns to town and to his old ways, but even that cannot stop them from getting their HEA. Loved it and look forward to more stories from this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When Chris meets Paul for him it was Lights Out!
Chris and Paul’s story is a great one. There’s an adorable meet cute, and their chemistry is everything. The story is is a roller coaster of emotions but it’s a ride you want to read, I mean ride, again and again. There’s real depth to this book. Also you get to see all the characters we love from the DSFC series. Truly a wonderful addition to Josie’s books.
Chris and Paul find like be in a tough guy, male sports world. An amazing story! I will definitely read more by this author!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It must be difficult to be in a butch male sport and be a gay guy. Some guys were clearly a little damaged by the experience, coming into pro sports in an age when don’t ask , don’t tell was more than just in the military.
Chris and Paul are lucky to find each other in the MMA world- even luckier if they can survive those more re damaged than them and still hold onto each other.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Do you ever read a book and just want to say to people: “No details, just read it and thank me later!”… That is basically how I feel after reading one of Josie Kerr’s books. I love her writing, I love her stories and I especially love the depth of her characters.
Lights Out was a revisit to the DS Fight Club world and I was SO HAPPY!! I didn’t realize how much I missed them until we had little snippets of past characters show up. (No worries if you haven’t read the DS Fight club series, this is still a standalone… but seriously, you really should read them because they are awesome!)
Chris and Paul were so such a great couple… No spoilers in this review, so I will only say I loved how sweet they were together, the romance was perfection and as with all of Josie Kerr’s characters, they had depth and were REAL.
Loved this book!