She hates fighting. He lives for it.Layla’s vicious past drove her away from her hometown. She couldn’t live with all the reminders surrounding her—so she ran.Cruz Felix found a new home, a place where he could get his head on straight, train, and fight match after match toward the end goal—the championship in Las Vegas. It’s the one thing in his life he wants more than anything, and it’s all in … anything, and it’s all in the name of his deceased father.
Until Layla returns home. Her dad owns the gym, and he’s the sole reason Cruz is fighting again.
The attraction is immediate, even though both of them are drowning in their own misery and secrets.
The thing about secrets is they always find a way out the darkness…and have the power to destroy.
Will their connection be worth fighting for?
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This story will have you out for count on the mat wanting to tap out but won’t as you will want to know how it ends and let me tell you it will be one hell of a knock out.
Who would have thought a family tragedy could bring two complete strangers together and have such a strong connection with each other. Layla was not expecting to have to deal with the loss of a love one when she was coming home to visit her family, she was definitely not expecting to fall head over heels in love with a fighter.
This story has a roller coaster of emotions that you had to ride along with, from heartache and sorrow from the loss of Abuela, joy and laughter from the sibling like relationship between Layla and Jag, and great love and friendship for Cruz and Layla. There was moments I was wiping away tears and then I was laughing out loud, such a great read.
If you haven’t read any of HJ Bellus books in the past all I can say is WHY NOT? But if you are going to start you won’t be disappointed with reading Cruz and Layla’s story.
Alpha MMA fighter, steamy forbidden romance…a definite KO!
5 HOT CRUZ STARS!! Wow, I love hot sexy Cruz!! This story was phenomenal from beginning to the end. The story has all the feels and it is a beautiful ride. Layla and Cruz have secrets, strong personalities and the chemistry is off the charts. Every time I read H.J. Bellus book I say this is my favorite, well I will say it again…I LOVE THIS BOOK!! I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
OMG! HJ Bellus has done it again! I LOVED Cruz! The first book in the Diablo’s Throne series; Cruz is an amazing story about family, love and loss. It is rare that a story pulls me in as quick and as deep as Cruz did. This story definitely takes the reader on one heck of an emotional ride.
Cruz tells the story of swoon-worthy, MMA fighter, Cruz and the feisty yet fierce, Layla, as they navigate through heartbreak and loss to try to find their way to an HEA. Cruz and Layla are scorching hot together; but the other characters in the story really bring the story full circle; especially Layla’s Papi and Jag!
HJ Bellus is a phenomenal story teller. I can’t wait to read the next book in the Diablo’s Thrones series.
This story kept me entertained for a few with suspense and drama. This 4 star story had me reading non stop.
Layla is a traveling nurse who returns home to grieve the lost of a loved one. What she didn’t expect to find is Cruz, a fighter. Together they will go through some up and downs.
This story had some twists and turns that kept me on my toes. It was a romantic suspense. The chemistry between these 2 was scorching hot.
A standalone for now. Told in a dual POV with an HEA. I recommend this story.
This book was great! Warning tear jerker in the beginning!
I love this book, you get sadness, grief, hatred, anger, lust, passion, friendships, love and hot sex.
Layla and Crux have both gone through the loss of losing someone and that brings them closer together. Layla ran from her last, but now that past is her presebt. They share a chemistry from the word go, similar in a lot of ways apart from Layla hating fighting, they’re both hiding secrets.
Will those secrets tear them apart?
Or will they get the future they both deserve?
Added bonus this book has links to the crazy guys from Dirty, Filthy & Scandal
Staright on to badboy Jag
Ok So I hate to admit this but this is another author that I haven’t read before. Although I have about 5 ebooks of hers on my kindle and even have 2 signed paperbacks!! I just haven’t had time to read them. And I will say I need to make time because I absolutely loved this book!!! I couldn’t put it down!!! I literally finished this book in one sitting, I didn’t eat or do anything but read this book!!! I love Cruz!!! I could just eat him up!!! And I loved Layla, I loved how she was a strong female and knew how to take care of herself. I love the dua povs, those are my favorite books. I love the hard side of life that brings Cruz and Layla together and I love the softer side of life that they share. I love the real that you can feel reading this book. I loved the fact that the father was a good guy!! And family is who you make it. I didn’t want this book to end I wanted more!! That would be my only complaint…lol But that’s just me and I mean when a book is really good who doesn’t want it to keep going and never end? I also loved some of these side characters like Jag!!! I can’t wait for his book!!! I highly highly recommend this book!!!! – By Tina
Great book. Enjoyed reading Cruz and Layla love story. This is a MMA contemporary romance. Looking forward to reading the new book in the series
Cruz is quite the alpha, macho man, “you’re a jealous one. That effing turns me on.” His grip tightens on my ***. “Run from me, Layla. I’ll chase you down and ravage your body until you can’t effing walk straight.” Cruz could be an animal, “I wanted to take you right on the effing chair so everyone could see you were mine.” I liked this book, I loved Cruz and the other guys, I can’t wait for the others to get their own books.
Cruz by HJ Bellus. This is the first time I have read a book by author HJ Bellus. HJ Bellus did an amazing job writing this book. This book flows well and you can’t help but get completely wrapped up in this storyline. What I loved most was the realism that I felt while reading it. The book Cruz is about the Story of Cruz and Layla. Cruz is an MMA fighter, and Layla is the daughter of a owner of the Gym that Cruz goes to. Layla’s vicious past drove her away from her hometown. She couldn’t live with all the reminders surrounding her, so she ran. Cruz found a new home. A place where he could get his head on straight, train, and fight match after match toward the end goal: the championship in Las Vegas. It’s the one thing in his life he wants more than anything, and it’s all in the name of his deceased father.In all honesty, that this book blew me away. I loved every second of this book and would recommend to my friends who enjoy reading as much as I do.
Layla is going home for a visit but what happens when she gets home is her worst nightmare. Cruz sees Layla and he is stunned by a woman for the first time. The reason Layla ran away from her hometown comes home to put her and her family in danger. Cruz wants to be the man that Layla needs but there are secrets between them that may destroy what they are trying to build. This is a great start to a good series. Such a great story with characters you will love to follow and care about. I can’t wait for Jag’s story next.
5 Cruz Filled Stars!!!
HJ Bellus continues to prove why she’s becoming one of my new fav authors. I only recently found her why she co-wrote a few books. This is her second book she strictly wrote. I legit no joke read this in one sitting, less then 5 hours and I was done.
Layla grew up with her dad and her abuela (grandma) after her mother walked out on them. Layla’s father is an MMA fighter and she grew up with him coming home covered in bruises. Layla loves her father more then anything but she hates fighting and fighters aren’t her favorite people.
Layla’s a traveling ER nurse and she’s finally going home to visit her father and abuela after being gone for sometime. She’s looking forward to her abuela’s tamales but that’s not what she walked into. Her abuela passed out and she made it to the hospital just in time to say goodbye. When she falls down two strong arms catch her before she falls and she instantly feels safe. Cruz should be everything that Layla can’t stand. But, there’s such an instant connection between them that it doesn’t even matter that he’s a fighter.
Cruz is an MMA fighter whose known as The Notorious Rumbler is as bad ass as they sound. He’s hoping this is the year he gets to Las Vegas and get the championship. Cruz lost his father and sold his gym. It’s how he ended up at Diablo’s Thrown, (Layla’s dads gym). Their dads were friends and he knew with his dad gone he’s the right guy to help him.
Cruz knows exactly how Layla is feeling. Cruz will do anything to be there for Layla. The more time they spend together the more they talk. Layla realizes Cruz has been where she’s at now with the loss of her abuela. Once Cruz gets his hands on Layla he never plans on letting her go. She’s all his and he plans on it staying that way. Until somebody from each of their pasts comes back and plan on making issues for them.
Both Layla and Cruz were fighting demons from their pasts and because of that they both had trust issues. Granted Layla’s trust issues were worse then his. But, if I had an MMA fighter boyfriend that had been around the block as much as he had I’d prob be crazy too lol.
Cruz might’ve been an MMA fighter. But, when he’s not in the ring he’s a gentleman and the perfect man. Layla might not put up with anything. But, she’s the perfect match for Cruz.
I loved this story and was so man when I finished it lol. There was so much going on in it. From emotional, to full of suspense and heart wrenching. It had it all. I’m looking forward to the next book in what’s starting off as an awesome series.
I love a good contemporary with a fighter in it so when I seen a author I enjoy reading write one I was in at first out of curiosity. She soon take a hold of me dropped me in the midst of this sending a arrow to my soft spot with Layla and her father being used on the tip of it. Sadness though soon turns to curiosity once again when I see how Cruz steps up to the plate. He is his own man that much is shown right away but also one that has a heart that is hidden until someone has the key. As this grows and gets deeper you become lost into it having to not miss a beat of this. The bit of mystery too that surrounds them you have to know so you will get anxious. Being punched too will be what happens to us readers when the final drama escalates in this. The pieces will come together in a way that will not come apart thanks to love. Consumed once again by fine writing and characters that come to life.
Love this book. Not usually an MMA fan but this caused me to look at other MMA books as well. HIGHLY STRONGLY RECOMMEND!!!
HJ Bellus has outdone herself with Cruz. Something totally new, but packing just as much heat and swoon worthy romance as all her books. Cruz knocked me right off my feet. This book isn’t just good, this book is AMAZING! A top favorite, reread again and again, stick with you forever kind of read. I can’t say enough how much I love this book. I stayed up all night reading it and I have no regrets. Who needs sleep when you’ve got Cruz and Layla?
There was no slowing down with this book, the longer I read the better it got and before I knew it, it was 2 in the morning and I was madly in love with a fighter. There is no resisting Cruz. From the moment he first appeared he completely won my heart and kept doing it over and over again proving even the biggest and strongest of men can have hearts just as huge. The side of him reserved just for Layla was just pure beauty. I’ll admit, at first I wasn’t sure if I’d truly like Layla but quickly learned not only did I like her I flat out loved her.
Her deep love of her family and her equally sweet connection to Cruz made her not just real, but someone I’d want as a friend in real life. The perfect pair, Cruz and Layla were not only so sweet to read, but also H.O.T hot! Like fan yourself, make sure the pages aren’t melting, hot. All in all this book is flawless. Heat, sweetness, love, family, and the perfect bit of drama to keep things interesting.