When trust is lost, the fight is on to win it back. Chloe Darue lives in a sleepy, conservative Southern town challenging every norm she can. She’s a triple threat—she can program computers, kick someone’s ass, and she’s confident in her self-image. In fact, she only has two fears: her ex and her family finding out that she’s bi. Enter Locke Headley, who is new to town and popping up everywhere … everywhere she goes. He’s got deep blue eyes, an accent she would willingly drown in, and that amazing package is tied up with a fourth-degree black belt. Swoon. She’s single. He’s single. This should be easy, right? Not when her trust issues get in the way, particularly when it comes to Locke’s bedroom behaviors. Every time he makes a step forward, she shoves him two steps back. He’s not going to give up or go away. He’s a man who knows what he wants and won’t stop until he gets it. Then again, maybe she can use it to her advantage. Anticipating her mother’s impending you’re-almost-thirty-and-not-married-yet conversation, she recruits him to be her fake boyfriend. Problems solved. That’s great until real feelings start getting in the way of the ruse. But can they have anything lasting when it’s built on a foundation of deceit and foolish pride?
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Spar by Randi Perrin
Four Stars
First off I love the cover art. The cover draws you in. Then you get into the book and fall in love with the characters. Chloe is a tough chick I mean the type of chick that you don’t talk smack to. Through the whole book I wanted more from her POV. Locke man oh man Locke. Makes a girl want to move to Australia to find herself a man lol. I really enjoyed this story because it shows that even though we don’t trust people we learn to. We give in when we find someone worthy of our trust. Even when we fight it. I didn’t like Trent and Eric. What they did to him was awful. Friends and family should always have your back.
I love reading books that have a positive bisexual main character. And Spar did not disappoint! This is a great book to read on a rainy day! It’s definitely steamy! This is also an accurate representation of the sport. Randi Perrin hasn’t written a book I don’t like! I can’t wait to read the next one!
Spar by Randi Perrin
Four Stars
Spar had me hooked from the very first page and I couldn’t put it down until the last. I enjoyed the main characters and how they interacted with each other. Chloe is a tough, independent, bi-sexual young woman, who knows what she wants and go after it. Locke is a strong sexy man who loves to spar, which catches Chloe’s attention. The chemistry between them is off the charts, now if they could only get past the trust issues, they would be heading in the right direction. I highly recommend this story. It is something you will want to see what happens to these two.
Spar by Randi Perrin is a fantastic contemporary romance set in the TaeKwonDo martial arts world. It was the first time that I had read any of this author’s work and wasn’t sure what to expect. What I got was a well written story with really great characters that I loved reading about.
Chloe Darue is a 2nd dan black belt, a computer programmer and is also bisexual (a fact that she hides from her ultra-religious family). She’s a very tough, independent woman who is not afraid to let others know exactly what she thinks. She’s damn feisty and I loved this about her.
Australian Locke Headley is the new guy in town, 4th dan black belt, also a computer programmer, very heterosexual but a supporter of LGBT rights as he has a gay brother who he adores.
Locke and Chloe meet when he is one of the judges at a competition she is competing in and he is instantly smitten. However he finds that Chloe is one hard nut to crack.
This book also has an element of BDSM throughout the story, something I was not aware of before I read it. This would not have put me off as it is a genre that I enjoy reading, in fact it added to my enjoyment of this book.
I love that this book set out to challenge that a person’s sexuality, beliefs etc do not define them. It totally advocates the idea that we should be happy and free to lead the lives we want to live without worrying about what others think about our choices.
This is the first book I have read from this author and now she has a new fan. I didn’t know what to expect from this new author but I’m so glad I took the chance. I was hooked to these characters right from the beginning. These characters are so raw and real. I could not put this books down. It only took a few hours to devour this amazing story.
Chloe Darue lives in a normal small southern town. She is anything but normal. Chloe is what you would call a triple threat she codes computers for a living, she can lay you flat on your butt in a matter of seconds, and she is very confident in herself. She only fears two things her ex and her family finding out her deep secret. Chloe is getting bored in this small town but when she sees a new judge she sees things looking up. She is immediately attracted to the blue eyed god. Chloe keeps on running into Locke and they start to get to know each other. She finds out that he also has some secrets of his own. They have a deep connection but will Chloe be able to put her trust issues aside and give him a chance?
I absolutely loved this book. The storyline has it all romance, heartbreak, healing, and trust. You will fall in love with these characters right from the beginning. Chloe is a very beautiful woman that had a very hard past. She is afraid of letting her guard down again and getting hurt. Locke is very handsome and charming. He knows what he wants and he will do anything to get Chloe. The way he treats Chloe will make your heart melt. These characters have some steamy scenes that will make your toes curl. This talented author will keep you at the edge of your seat until the end. I can’t wait to see what this author will write about next.
Spar by Randi Perrin is a five star novel. I absolutely loved the way the author was able to draw me in to Chloe and Locke and their lives. Locke is from down under and Chloe is drawn to him immediately. Their love blooms fast, hard, and crazy. Would they be able to keep it up or will it all fall apart? They met at a Taekwondo tournament. He was the judge and she was the number 1 contender. He couldn’t take his eyes off her the whole time and new he had to figure out a way to get to know her. As their lives become intertwined, they have some disagreements that tear them apart. How can they find their way back to each other without compromising their own beliefs?
A great read about rising to a challenge. Chloe Darue is a feisty Tae Kwan Do student who follows her heart instead of conventions. Whilst in a tournament, she meets a new judge who takes her breath away. She meets him again at a ball and magic blossoms between them to attraction. She doesn’t normally like people so fast, but something about him is different. Can she rise to his new challenge and win victorious?
A great read. Well developed plot with twists and turns. Well developed characters like Chloe fierce and strong minded but also vulnerable underneath or Locke as bold and brave but also with his worries and feelings underneath. Great cast of supporting characters like the unbearable mother figure of Priscilla or the fun friend Ryan.
I loved the visual detail throughout the novel like with the masquerade ball with its faerie lights decorations glimmering for a magical feel that takes your breath away. Or the dress with its blues and butterflies elegant and sophisticated but still beautiful. Or the tattoos with the dragons and the tree as pieces of pure artwork in stunning detail and wonderfully written.
The switch of perspectives worked well to display both sides of the story and was easy to follow with names in chapter titles. I also liked the use of the language and culture of Tae Kwon Do throughout the novel for the sense of community was a brilliant addition. Overall, a great read and I would give it five stars.
Spar by Randi Perrin is the story of Chloe Darue and Locke Headley and is the first book I have ever read by this author. Honestly, when I picked up this story, I wasn’t sure what to expect. What I got was a really good story about two individuals broken by people who should have been all about support and love. There were parts that weren’t easy to read but the characters of Chloe and Locke made it worth pushing through. I highly recommend this book and I know I will be looking into reading more from this new to me author.
I was initially drawn to Spar by Randi Perrin by the promise of a bisexual protagonist, and because I enjoyed reading Perrin’s Earthbound Angels series. Spar isn’t a fantasy like Earthbound Angels – it is a modern romance with a real world setting that focuses on Tae Kwon Do and computer programming.
Both of the protagonists, Chloe and Locke, have been badly hurt in the past (TW for domestic and sexual abuse). For Chloe, it is more recent and consequently she finds it more difficult to build trust. Locke respects this, and is patient and sensitive with her. Their relationship is complicated but fundamentally caring, which I enjoyed reading!
I was both excited and wary of having a bi protagonist in a m/f relationship. Perrin does a really good job – we see Chloe being attracted to both men and women at different points in the story, she discusses past relationships and Perrin addresses homophobia and the difficulties of coming out. There are also other LGBT characters, including a long term, long distance m/m couple. One of the earlier scenes takes place at a masked ball for a local LGBT charity. So it does very much feel like an LGBT romance!
This is a fun, gripping read, and gets four stars from me! There are descriptions of violence, homophobia and other forms of abuse but it is generally a positive, empowering book.
Spar
By Randi Perrin
I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this story, but I am so glad I gave it a chance. This story drew me in from the beginning and kept me turning pages. I absolutely loved the characters Chloe and Locke, they are both strong and independent people in their own ways. They each have their own reasons why they don’t do relationships, but as your reading you just know that these two belong together. The author did an excellent job making me feel like I was there and getting me invested in these characters. There are also very interesting and wonderful other characters in this story that I would love to get to know better. This book has different aspects to it besides romance and I enjoyed every minute of reading it. I highly recommend this book and I will definitely be reading more books by this author.
Spar by Randi Perrin
My rating: 5 out of 5 stars
I have read a few books from Randi Perrin and none of them have disappointed me and neither did this one. The story is wonderful and all of the characters were great.
Chloe and Locke are a great couple with excellent chemistry. Chloe, is an independent, courageous, and strong woman, and Locke notices this about her and it is one of the things that draws him to her over and over again. She is not like any other girl he has come to know. Chloe, has endured much in her past and that has made her the strong woman she is today, and I admire her for taking a hold of her life and putting it back to where she wants it
I know Locke didn’t really plan to have a relationship with Chloe, but because of all her independent attitude, her beautiful looks, the fact that she knows how to spar and her tricky past, these all sealed the deal for him even if he didn’t want to admit it to himself. I can see Locke really grows to care for Chloe and wants to protect her.
Great read by Randi Perrin, I will say it again, I love all her stuff and this is no different, I definitely recommend giving this book a read.
I felt like this was a short book, just because it was a fast read. It is a contemporary romance, which is what I prefer. I got to say I felt like I learned a lot of terminology regarding to the fighting done in this book. I enjoyed the plot, I liked the characters. Chloe was easy to like from the beginning. I liked that she was tough, not easily falling head over heels even though internally she did want Locke; a total bad ass. Locke is O.M.G, just with his accent alone I was done for. Jaja I enjoyed the chemistry between them, and the build up just goes along well with the plot. I wouldn’t have gone for this book just because it was a girl fighter, yes I like them spicy but not to this extreme but I found myself being okay with it. Definitely give it a try even if you think it won’t be your cup of tea, you might realize the story and characters have you hooked that you don’t want to stop reading.
Spar by Randi Perrin
5-Stars
Spar was addicting from page one to the very end. Full of romance, humor, and feisty taekwondo I could not put this book down. Locke and Chloe ,who were the two main characters, were easy to fall in love with. Both had amazing careers and interesting parts. I loved how the two finally came together and was shocked at the secrets revealed. The author did an amazing job with these two as well as with the supporting characters. I also loved the descriptive settings used through our the novel. It was easy for me to picture the setting each portion of the story took place in. I enjoyed reading this novel and highly recommend it!
Spar by Randi Perrin is a contemporary romance that is an engaging read and won me over right from the start. The characters and the story are complex and is told in Randis vivid writing. The story is short but fast paced and is an interesting and captivating read. The main character had my heart aching but she is one strong and resilient being and you can’t help but fall in love with her. I must admit that the cover did nothing for me but the story won me over.
5 Star
Spar By Randi Perrin is a contemporary romance that once I started reading I couldn’t put it down. I truly enjoy this author’s style of writing and how you are pulled into the story and your attention is kept till the end. Chloe and Locke have great chemistry between them and they are both independent and strong. All I can really say is Holy Freaking Heck! What does Chloe and Locke’s future hold?Find out what happens next in this raw yet emotional story.I highly recommend reading this you won’t regret it I know I don’t. I look forward to reading more from this Author.
I opened this book in between appointments to kill a little time and I immediately closed it and opened something else. The reason I closed it is because from the very first paragraph I knew I was going to need to read this book cover to cover as soon as possible and sneaking pages in between appointments wasn’t going to do me (or the book) any good.
I love strong female leads and Chloe is strong physically and mentally. “She was comfortable with who she was and how she looked…” This book was quickly developed and flowed well from beginning to end. While at times it was a little predictable, there was enough originality about it that it was enjoyable from beginning to end. It was also cool to a read about a sport I know anything about. The writer writes so descriptively, that I was able to visually the tools of the craft that were being used.
This story has interesting family dynamics, well rounded personalities and lots of emotions. It was a shorter novel but felt like a much longer novel with all of the depth it had.
This is one of those books that I enjoyed very much and would recommend to everyone.
Spar by Randi Perrin is a great contemporary romance with captivating characters and an interesting story.
I will admit I didn’t quite know what to expect from this cover – for me the blurb and the book cover didn’t match up. But I have to say that just made it more exciting as I felt like I was going in blind and was swept away by the story.
The characters had depth to them which made it easier to feel connected to their journey.
Randi Perrin is a new author to me but I liked the way she crafted this book. It was fast paced and always interesting. I will be checking out more of her stuff for sure.
Spar is the first book I read by Randi Perrin. Perrin does an amazing job keeping my interst going through the entire story. It was a fast read with interesting characters.I liked Chloe from the start. She is a vibrant soul. There are some issues that if you want to get close to her you will have to break down some walls that were built up. There is a lot of twists and turns but I know I loved the ride this book sent me on. I will be looking for more books by Rani Perrin in the near future.
Spar
By Randi Perrin
4 stars
Spar was a really great read from Randi Perrin. It was a well written contemporary romance about some really nice character that I enjoyed reading about. I remember seeing the front cover for this book and having made up my mind about what I thought the story would be about – I was pleasantly surprised about how wrong I was! I love with when stories take me by surprise! I really liked Chloe, I thought that she was strong, independent person – she knew what she wanted to achieve in both her personal life as well as her professional one. Locke is one of those characters you instantly feel drawn too. I love the chemistry that they had and really enjoyed reading about their relationship – the highs and the lows!
I will admit that reading stories written in the third person isn’t usually my favourite to read however this author does it very well!
Spar is a fantastic story that I highly recommend!
Spar by Randi Perrin was a complex, engaging, contemporary romance that had me hooked.
My first read from this author, I didn’t know what I was getting into, but with the raving reviews and the intriguing synopsis I dove in, and I’m glad I gave this book a chance. Short but fast, Randi Perrin really knew how to stack this book with a complex plot, complex characters and not fall into the trap of filling in space just for the sake of filling space. I am impressed, and I will be checking out more from this author.
As this book is more on the novella side with 170 pages, I’m not going to give anything away. But I am going to tell you that this book, is worth your time, energy and money. The MC’s are, as I have said, complex. They felt realistic, solid and just, wow, sometimes there’s no other words. Strong, isn’t the word for our female lead. My heart aches for her, and when you read this book you will understand why she’s so strong and resilient.
Overall this book is, as I have said, a must read. So please take my super high recommendation and my stamp of approval, that you will fall into this story, it’s easy flow, and before you know it, you’ll have it finished and longing for more.
Happy Reading
-E.A. Walsh