What would you do if you came face-to-face with your celebrity crush?Rocky Steele is surrounded by professional athletes.It’s her job. As a physical therapist in a world renowned gym, she works with the best of the best, from hockey players to MMA fighters. Celebrity status does not impress her. Nor do big, strong men in peak physical condition. Nope. When it comes to her job, she’s one hundred … hundred percent professional.Enter Gage James. Her celebrity crush. And the newest fighter to train in her gym. Where it will be her job to put her hands on every inch of the six foot seven two hundred and sixty pounds of utter Alpha male perfection. She’s got this….Maybe. Gage ‘The Kraken’ James is the reigning MMA Heavyweight Champion.When he walks into The Steele Maker for the first time, it’s like he’s hit with a one-two punch to the chest in the form of a certain raven haired firecracker. His coach’s daughter. His physical therapist. His every waking thought.He’s in for the fight of his life. The stakes are higher… outside the octagon.Time to release The Kraken.GAME ON. TAP OUT is the second book in the BTU Alumni Series and can be read as a stand-alone. All your favourites return as a new cast of characters joins in on the fun. Prepare for major #squadgoals as you get your first peek inside The Coven. This book features a hella sexy UFC champ, feisty besties, the most awesome coffee house ever, and a heroine who can fight her own battles thank you very much. Time to touch gloves, HEA guaranteed.
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Her second book and Alley Ciz is strongly making her mark in this book world! I loved everything about Tap Out. There’s no OW/OM bs to bring drama, though I do enjoy that from time to time it’s nice to have something different. There’s just a girl who manages to snag her celebrity crush! HER CELEBRITY CRUSH y’all! I mean I never thought I’d see the day that I’d be truly jealous of a character before. Tap Out gives you all the warm feels. We get laughs from The Coven which I’m just dying to be apart of. Then there’s all the references to one of my favorite, favorite series of all time that makes me love this story even more. BTU has me addicted and though Tap Out hasn’t even officially released, I need Sweet Victory in my hand like yesterday. I received a copy from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased review.
If I thought I liked this gang before, oh man they own my heart now. I laughed out loud so many times and it’s amazing to see how they all love, support and complete eachother. What an awesome group of people. Can I join?
Where do I even begin?
To be honest, at first I was reluctant and didn’t know how I would feel about this story and its main characters because they were not really introduced previously and I just assumed the next book would be about either Ryan and Madz or Tucker and Skye.
Rocky and Gage: well, I loved them.
The chemistry and tension is of the charts and the fact that Gage in all his imposing presence can be so sweet and swoony and hot and sexy as hell all at the same time, is just the best thing ever.
Rocky is pure strength, sass, independence, sexiness… I want be like her when I grow up, thank you so very much.
I mentioned it before but I think it’s worth saying it again: I tend to avoid books written in the third person; I don’t know what it is, or how/when it started, but eventually because sort of a pet peeve of mine.
However, some stories and characters are worth my effort to try and bypass it: Alley Ciz’s work is one perfect example of this.
In conclusion, I’m in it ’till the end.
Lady Alley can give me all the books, about all the characters/couples and I’ll gladly read them, and meet this posse over and over again is an incredibly appreciated added bonus.
4.5 Hot and Sexy Stars! After reading the blurb, I was eager to meet Gage James…he’d make any woman want to tap out of single life!
Gage is a UFC Heavyweight Champion and Rocky is a physical therapist at the new gym where Gage will be training, not to mention, she’s also his coach’s daughter. Rocky doesn’t date fighters and the last thing Gage needs right now is a beautiful raven haired distraction, but damned if he can seem to let the attraction go. Sounds like the universe is against them, but Gage enjoys a challenge…so game on!
Gage is all sexy alpha male, Rocky is a strong kick ass female, and together, their chemistry is smoking hot. They are romance couple perfection!
This group of friends we’re getting to know and love in this series is quickly growing…the banter, text messages and antics between them is comical and very entertaining, to say the least. Can’t wait for more!
Alley Ciz has amped up the heat in her latest book Tap Out, book 2 in the BTU Alumni series!
If you are a fan of sports romance, you definitely need to read Alley Ciz’s books. Each can be read independently.
Where Power Play had more of a sweet feeling to it, Tap Out is more edgier.
Gage and Rocky have INCREDIBLE chemistry! Both of them are alpha people and together they are H-O-T. Their connection is easily felt through the pages!
I loved seeing where everyone from Power Play is now. I am a fan of side characters and the camaraderie between women in books – in this case it’s The Coven. I prefer women bonding with each other over being catty. However, and I know I’m probably in the minority, since there are SO many characters, I felt like it overshadowed Gage and Rocky’s story. As much as I love the other characters, I would have rather spent more time on Rocky and Gage and the hotness that was going on between the two of them.
This is the second book in the BTU series and Alley’s second book and it was just as good as the first. Another sports romance at its best. I love a good MMA story. It was so nice to catch up with BTU crew. Rocky and Gage were such a great couple. The chemistry between them was palpable. It was radiating off the screen. This book is a must read. You won’t be disappointed with this story. I can’t wait to read more of this series and more of her work.
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review
This is the 2nd book in this amazing series, and is Rocky and Gage’s turn. Rocky is a physical therapist, and her new client is Gage, MMA fighter and her celebrity crush. There is and instant attraction between these two and the chemistry is explosive. This is a beautifully written flawless story which is fast paced, humorous, and a steamy sports romance. I look forward to reading more from this talented author, and recommend for all.
O-M-G! Gage is fine and he is MINE!! Loved every single word of this amazing book by Alley Ciz!
So I am ALL about the MMA books. This book was EVERYTHING! EVERYTHING, I could have hoped for and so much more.
Rocky Steele, our amazing herione and total Bad Ass chick. I Floved her take no crap, as well as her imma show you how to take no prisoners in the ring attitude. Her loyalty to her family was unmatched, which is how she found herself in a career as a Physical Therapist for her fathers gym. She excels in her job , even though it might not have been one she’d have necessarily chosen for herself. She was banging’ and confident, she knew her stuff. Everything about this woman was perfection! Nothing was going to trip her up where her job was concerned, she had trained them all, football gods, hockey stars. You name it. She was a pro. She’d had her hands on lots of hot athletes. No big.
Speaking of big… Enter Gage ‘The Kraken’ James, the reigning Heavyweight Champion in the UFC. Also, the newest athlete to be training under her father at the gym he owns with her uncle. She’s had a crush on this hulking hottie for a while, so she finds herself a bit tongue tied for a minute. She’s never had a problem remaining professional before. Will Gage “The Kracken” crack that self-control right outta her and have her ready to throw down? (I’m talking throw down the drawers Y’all! Cause you won’t be needing those)
Gage is goal driven and career focused. He’s ready to train at the best, with the best. He’s a 6’7, 260 pound wall of pure smokin hot deliciousness. I would climb him like a tree and never let go! That’s only a little bit creepy, and I’m okay with that.
One look at Rocky and he quickly realizes she is a dream come to fruition. Everything about her is absolute perfection. So no matter what he must make her his. How we convince her to go against policy and agree to date him? Will it be a fight with her family if she tries or will she decide to “Tap Out” before they even get started?
Join the Power Play BTU crew back more more wild shenanigans. Hilarious “Coven Conversations” ( you’ll learn what those are) and lots more from all the characters we fell in love with back in Power Play. You even meet some new faces to love.
Be ready to be swept up into the inferno that is Gage and Rocky’s story. This book was way steamier that the first book by Alley. I am talking like smokin’ hot,hot, hot! The build up, is literally the stuff deliciously dirty dreams are made of.
Power Play was so good. This, THIS is FANTASTIC! She TKO’d me with this one! Make sure you read all the BTU books and get caught up with all things #squadgoals!
*I voluntarily reviewed an advanced complimentary copy of this book.
My cr8zysockbookblock overall ratings for this book!
– EVERYTHING!! Consumed, Could not put it down. I LOL’d, I swooned, I fanned myself , and this sweet southern momma clutched her pearls at the alpa Gage in the bedroom. ( not really. I’m dirty AF and I loved every second no pearl clutchin’ here)
– This book was hot AF, when you get there. Biscuits and Gravy ain’t nothin compared to the heat Gage and Rocky are putting off!
Cliffhanger Warning- No cliffy, but I ALWAYS want more from the BTU Crew!!
Alley Ciz is back with her BTU series. Tap Out is the 2nd book in the series and features Rocky and Gage.
She delivers such a great read with great characters. The main hero and heroine are so well developed and have amazing chemistry together. Alley Ciz writes such memorable characters that you can’t help but anticipate more from the BTU cast.
Rocky and Gage are relationship goals. They are both such strong characters, physically and mentally. Everything about this story will have you hooked from the cover to cover. Oh and speaking of cover, it is perfect. It captures Gage and Rocky exactly how I pictured them.
This is a must read and I highly recommend it to all. So fricken epic!!
Tap Out is book two in the BTU Alumni series and can read as a standalone, but it is sure nice to see the crazy BTU clan and now the Steel Maker clan. This is every person’s dream, to come face to face with your celebrity crush. What would you do? I sure would like to think I would act normal, but if the chemistry is anything like they shared I’d probably make a fool of myself. Lol Oh my, the Coven you steal these men limelight. Love it!
Rockey is a PT for professional athletes and plenty of her friends are famous so she is always down to earth and professional until her crush walks into her family gym and her workplace. She has one rule, don’t date an MMA fighter. Yeah, now that Gage her celebrity crush is at the gym she sure does have her hands full on fighting her feelings and appeasing her dad. Gage doesn’t lose a fight, but this may be one fight that he has to Tap Out on, but we shall see while you are reading the story. Can the Kraken win both as a fighter in the octagon and the Steel members is the question? Gage saw the real person that Rockey was and was a great push that was needed when it came to her professional life.
The chemistry is scorching in the gym, you will laugh at the Coven’s, you will love the BTU clan and the Steel Makers and let’s not forget about the coffee house or how you better watch your actions cause you may just end up in a book. Whether you read just this book or both in the series, I highly recommend this book and series to anyone who enjoys a good laugh, funny characters and sports romance reads.
Rocky is like any woman, has a celebrity crush and doesn’t think she’ll ever meet him. Then walks in Gage James. The instant connection these two share, but try to ignore will pull you right in. Rocky works at her family gym where Gage starts training, they are around each other all the time and can’t ignore their connection. Rocky and Gage will take you on a wild ride that is full of laugh out loud moments (can’t ignore the Coven) and moments that will melt your heart. This was a fun, heart-warming story that will have you rooting for Gage and Rocky. Definitely read their story and find out what’s in the cards for these two!
There’s a before and an after tap out for me. And I will tell you why. When I’ve first heard that this book is about an MMA fighter I thought…ok, let’s see what you got. Considering that my first book boyfriend is a certain Remington Tate. So this was the biggest challenge for Alley. And her book. For me nobody has ever compared to Remy. Nobody until I met Gage James. Beside the body and a hundred skills that hero has a golden heart. Has something you need. He may be a champ in the cage, but he is also a champ outside of it. What is the thing that I most liked ? He isn’t an arrogant a**hoe who tries all the girls like they were just for his enerteimant. He is the type of the boy next door. You can always count on him as a friend. He is a family type. And when he cares about someone he doesn’t use half measure. About his girl? Obviously the mutual attraction is instant, deep, consuming and sooo hot. And I liked his vibe and his way to treat Rocky like the most precious person in his life. Always giving her the 1 place. Always putting her first no matter what. Always protecting her and of course loving her hard;)
Their relationship just click from the very beginning. They are attracted to one other and they get what they want.
Rocky? God that’s the champ of sexappeal no matter if she wears leggings or a short dress. That girl is power. Is clever, is determined and damn if she doesn’t know what she wants. That’s the way I consider her strength. Well her sense of humor and her passion for what she’s doing or who she cares about is another great point of her personality.
Put those two together now. What do you think that would happen? Fireworks in like hot fireworks. Their passion and love” speaks volumes. I love every single moment of their story.
One last thing. I want a Best friend like her.
She is for real a rock. Born to rock your life!
The secondary characters still there. Still going to make you have a great time reading about them. And I am looking forward to seeing who’s the next in line to get his/her book. * Still waiting for a certain someone’s story, but yes I am more than excited to read them all*
Overall, this book will teach you that when you ready want something you have to take the risk & go for it.
I am so impressed with this book! I loved Alley’s debut book Power Play but Tap Out was even more AMAZING!! The story between Gage and Rocky was perfect!
Gage “The Kraken” James is a UFC fighter who moved to the East Coast to be closer to his cousin who’s wife was about to have a baby and wanted to be closer to family. His old coach hooked him up with a new one so he could continue his career. He’s with his cousin in a bar when he meets the most amazing women ever! Rocky, a physical therapist at her families gym. She’s the one that’s putting a submission hold on a drunk guy getting a little too frisky! His perfect women! What a coincidence that she’s his new coaches daughter. He’s completely enamored with her from that first meet and Gage just happens to be her celebrity crush that all her friends know about.
Like I said before, I loved Power Play but Alley killed it with Tap Out! I’m so ready for the next book! I can’t wait to see what Alley’s brain comes up with next!!
GAHHH, MMA Romance with a big strong alpha man? Yes Alley Ciz, yes yes yes.
In Alley’s second novel, Tap Out, she brings us the story of Gage and Rocky. Gage is all-male power, and Rocky is the perfect compliment with her no-nonsense attitude. Everyone knows I love me a strong female. She also builds a world full of secondary characters we adore so much that we can’t help waiting on pins and needles to hear who’s book will be next.
Why are you waiting? The time to read Tap Out is now!
Hot MMA fighter and a fierce woman with plenty of sass? Yes please! I honestly had so much fun reading Tap Out. Alley Ciz has created this world full of close friends and family that you just can’t help but fall in love with. Between the hilarity and sisterhood of the Coven and the seriously swoony romance between Gage and Rocky there wasn’t a single moment of this book I did not love.
I adored how Gage was this bad@#$ UFC champion but unlike most was not at all arrogant. As a matter of fact he’s so down to earth and sweet there’s no way to resist him. The instant sparks that begin the second he meets Rocky just made what was already awesome become absolutely fantastic. I’m now hooked on this entire family of athletes and strong women and can’t wait for more!
Can you believe that this is Alley’s second book and after reading Tap Out, you wouldn’t think that’s it’s her only 2nd book! Her books just get better and better! You can’t help but fall in love with her writings.
What caught my attention the most is how bad ass Rocky is, she can handle herself well, what a cool chic but when her celebrity crush cross path… well… will she be able to handle The Kraken?!
Get ready to be swooned, fall in love with Rocky and Gage story.
Tap Out is swoon worthy, easy read and page turner.
Alley definitely out did Power Play as this is by far the best of her work.
Well, dear reader, I am grasping for words that are not profanities to describe how much I loved this book! Jeez, this book made me swoon so hard!
Let’s start with our main protagonists: Gage ‘The Kraken’ James and Raquel Anne ‘Rocky’ Steele. What an awesome, kickass couple. Gage is the reigning Heavyweight UFC Champion. Six foot seven inches of prime fighting muscle, he’s a force to be reckoned with in his chosen career.
Rocky is a physical therapist at her father’s MMA gym. Nicknamed Alphabet Soup for all the qualifications she has, there’s not a thing she doesn’t know about the fight game.
Our couple meet after Gage relocates to The Steele Maker gym following his own coach’s retirement. Unknowingly, he’s been Rocky’s celebrity crush for ages. Their attraction is mutual and they start circling around each other like prize fighters.
The story of the developing relationship is played out against the backdrop of the BTU Alumni; each character belonging to The Coven and the wider group are just begging to have their own story told. The author really does have a goldmine to tap there; it’s brilliant world-building to have such varied and diverse characters in a sports setting.
The romance in this book is as hot as hell, the sporting elements are on point and whole thing is wrapped up in a book that I devoured and enjoyed immensely. I was one-clicking the bonus epilogue almost as soon as I finished the book; I can’t get enough of these characters. Bring on the next book, NOW!!
Omg wow Gage is just way to sexy.
I loved that straight from the start Gage and Rocky had chemistry and it was HOT!!!
The coven and the names the girls had for eachother and the way they all are with eachother had me in tears. Way to funny.
Rocky is amazing in her job and knowing how her brother would do take downs and watched very closely at every move was fantastic.
Gage even though he was very quiet and kept to him self at the start I loved that he came out of his shell and became apart of the family very quickly.
I so didn’t like vic half way through the book but glad he came to his senses and was happy with rocky and gage being together.
I also loved having Jake and JD with there twins in the book aswell as jase and Tucker.
Vince is just a hottie aswell he’s so funny.
So happy to have sean and carlee in it aswell I totally love those cuties.
I had high expectations for Alley Ciz’s second novel, and she surpassed those expectations with Tap Out. This is one of my favorite books I’ve read this year!
Rocky and Gage had me in full-on swoon mode from their very first encounter. Rocky is exactly the type of female character I love reading about in books – an intelligent, kickass, gorgeous woman who can hold her own, no matter what’s going on. The fact that she holds her own in the MMA world is even cooler to me; she is seriously such a badass. And then there’s Gage, who is also intelligent, kickass, and gorgeous – but he’s also used to being alone. While Rocky has had her family and The Coven, Gage hasn’t had all of that. Watching him assimilate into the crazy world that the BTU books have created was fun but also heartwarming. Both he and Rocky overcame their own stubbornness, adversities, and insecurities to grow and become an MMA power couple, but I think Gage grew the most (and his growth was hilarious to watch at times).
What really makes the story is all the characters. I wish I could be a part of The Coven, and I’m so glad that certain characters made the book! Ciz has created this super fun, super athletic, super badass world with her BTU books, and I cannot wait to see what other characters are featured in her future books in this series. I’ve already started re-reading it and will probably do that more times in the future. This book is everything.
Oh man this was so good! Alley has delivered another absolute winner! Absolutely loved Rocky and Gage and that this tough fighter completely fell head over heals for Rock. Loved that all my favourites from Power Play were back and that the BTU family’s so much bigger. Can’t wait for the next one in the series!