I don’t do boyfriends. Or dating. Or random hookups.Not when fictional men do it so much better, and not when my heart has been through the wringer. So when retired MMA fighter Matt Haywood crashes into my life, I’m not impressed. Quite the opposite actually. I avoid him at all costs.At least, I try. His persistence wears me down and it’s me who ends up wandering into his gym looking for more. I … his gym looking for more. I have to admit he’s nothing like I assumed. He’s witty and smart. His physical condition could win awards. Problem is, somewhere between rolling around on the mats together, I let down my guard.
I thought I was over relationships. That I’d never risk my heart again. But he’s out to prove it’s never too late for a comeback.
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My first book by this writer and I have to say that I’m impressed. The book was WOW. Fighters who fights to win. Muscles. Quite interesting, sexy and fun reading.
Mia was disappointed in love. She thinks something is wrong with her. That she has cold heart. She close her hart and she don’t allow anybody to enter it. But when Matt gets into her life everything changes. At first she thinks he’s empty, without any imagination, and that he is a total ass.
But Matt is not the guy who quit that easily, he pushes her borders and slowly melts her heart.
But one ruined and crazy night can change everything. Mia decides to go to a self-defense course. And who is her teacher?
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First off I LOVE Mia! Her job rocks! She has amazing friends and isn’t afraid to be herself. I just didn’t understand her fear. It seems that she goes out alot to that bar and I am sure she has run into this type of guy before. So that kinda perplexed me. Matt comes in second as my favorite. He realizes the pickle he is in and takes steps to correct the problem. He really comes into his own as the story concludes. He seems to really care about his job(s) and the people around him and is perplexed when Mia blows him off. Not sure why….I mean his biceps are ah-maz-ing! Plus he is really into Mia and it shows. I love listening to Stephen Dexter read his thoughts.
Secondary characters delightful, irritating and fun. Jared is the BEST! He seems to come to life off the pages. Matt doesn’t have a lot of people but his brother seems great.
So wonderfully written with characters that jump of the page. With quick and sweetly sarcastic dialouge to die for. The light is well balanced with the dark and gives the book a well rounded feel. I fel in love with both Her and Him and just plowed my way through the book nonstop.
I figured give this book a try, it’s free.
Oh boy I was hooked! Main character is a nerd at heart who is hilarious, stubborn and witty. Matt, he is sexy, strong and patient.
I went from laughing, to anxious, to happy, to heartbroken.
This was a great addictive read.
This is my year of reading new to me authors and Kasey Shea is my newest discovery, well this was recommended to me by a fellow reader and dear friend. I loved my introduction to this author in my first read from her.
Mia and Matt are total opposites but find a way to open up to each other to have fun spending time together. These 2 had good chemistry that most of the time they tried to deny but in the end couldn’t fight it any longer. This one I took my time to read so I could get to know her writing and can’t wait to read more from her.
Loved the characters and the story. I am late to the Kasey Shea party but plan on staying for the long haul. I can’t wait to read more from this author.
Hard to put down
Kacey writes a swoon-worthy romance filled with all the ingredients for a perfect read. Matt and Mia keep the reader engrossed in their story, desperately rooting for their Happy Ever After.
After reading the blurb and first few chapters, I was intrigued by the book but didn’t have high expectations. I’ve read a few romance novels with the nerd aspect–game developer, graphic artist, coplayer, etc. Mia is a highly dedicated cosplayer and zombie addict who also happens to work for EverSoft, a video gaming company. She’s one of the head gaming designers and programmers within the company. The only thing I didn’t like about Mia was that she would get offended when someone told her she’s pretty. Highly offended when told she’s too pretty to be a zombie. As a reader, I figured that’s what her character flaw is. I was a bit worried about the direction her character was going. But I’m glad that I continued reading so that I found the deeper aspects of her character and what molded her into the snarky, bitchy person she is and where he need for self-protect stemmed from.
Matt Haywood is in the weeds. He’s behind on his bills and only weeks away from closing his gym that trains MMA fighters. His gym offers more than just fighting, although the fighting theme is evident from the pictures of his fighting career to the types of classes he offers–kickboxing, self-defense, etc. He needs to make it a few more months –just until his best student can make it to fight night. If Xavier can show his talents to the UFC scouts, Matt’s financial worries will be over. And he wants that better life for Xavier–he’s a good kid who needs a break in life. Matt decides to work two other jobs on top of running his gym and teaching classes. Talk about burning both ends of the candle. One job–working as a bouncer for his friend Zig’s bar.
That’s where he meets to zombie of his dreams. After an altercation with her, her friend, and few sexist jerks, Matt offers to teach Mia self defense. What starts out as a simple barter agreement turns into a bet to heartbreak. Mia’s scared to let in due to a past relationship in college. Matt has never told anyone about his past. Not the full story. With neither of them being fully honest with themselves or each other, how can they build a life together? Or can they?
Will their love die faster than the zombie apocalypse?
Can they revive each other’s dead hearts?
Kacey Shea never disappoints! The Perfect Comback (previously My Undead Heart) was brilliant! I absolutely loved the connection between Mia and Matt. It was such a realistic love story, the witty banter was spot on, and the characters were so fun! I mean, who wouldn’t love a Jared in their life? I would 100% reccommend The Perfect Comeback.
Kacey never writes a bad book as far as I am concerned. This is a different type of book for her. But I absolutely loved it none the less. This one is about zombies and two people who are different falling for each other. Mia is cold hearted after a bad relationship and doesn’t believe that there is someone out there for her. She isn’t even interested in a relationship she is more interested in The Walking Dead and zombies.
Matt is a fallen fighter just trying to make it from day to day without losing everything.He is struggling to keep his gym and everything else in his life. Falling for someone is not in the program for him at this time. But these two together realize that there is a greater challenge facing them and that is not falling for each other when they are perfect for each other.
I loved Mia because she was not your typical lead female. She is cold hearted not wanting a relationship, top video game designer, totally into Walking Dead and zombies. She was amazing to read about especially the parts with her best friend Jared (love him). He makes her see exactly what she refuses to see.
Matt has demons of his own but he is still a great guy. Not your average meathead fighter type. He is respectful, caring, sweet , just lovable. I absolutely love how no matter what he does try to make things work with Mia even through it starts out as a bet .
I love the topics that were covered in this book from domestic violence,gambling addiction to losing a parent from cancer. These topics were covered with greatness and care.
But Kacey writes that way. She has gentleness when she writes about a difficult topic. I absolutely love her books. This has become one of my favorite. I am really hoping that she writes one for Jared. I absolutely loved his character.
I was thrilled and blessed that I was given the chance to read an ARC of this book. Thank you Kacey for writing a great amazingly well written book. Cant wait to read more from you.
Matt and Mia’s story is full of drama, laughs, steamy attraction and ultimately an HEA that makes their story so memorable. The characters journey towards their relationship makes this such a wonderful story! I received an advanced readers copy of this book and highly recommend it!
One of my FAVORITE Covers and Reads of 2019
This is the second book from this author I have read & she is quickly winning me over. Matt & Mia won me over and I couldn’t get enough of reading about them. This book drew me on from the cover & blurb. I love MMA books so I didn’t think twice about reading it, and I am glad! Great book!
This was a great book!! This is a nerd meets fighter story with a heroine who’s obsessed with zombies and its different from your typical story in a great way!! The writing is good and she’s created incredible characters that will stay with you. I’m happy to add Matt to my harem!!
4.5*
I’m kind of embarrassed to say this was my first full length Kacey Shea novel. But now that I’ve gotten a true taste of her writing it definitely won’t be my last!
The Perfect Comeback is a wonderful mix of everything I enjoy in a contemporary romance novel- great sexual tension, fun, flirty banter, terrific friends you wish were yours, real, relatable characters, and just the right amount of angst to keep the story interesting.
I loved that neither Matt nor Mia were your typical hero and heroine. Mia is tough, guarded, and at times even a bit detached, thanks to events in her past. But she’s got that soft, vulnerable side you can see peeking through, she just needed the right person to fight to bring it out. And speaking of fight, Matt’s an ex-fighter who’s doing everything he can to make ends meet at the moment, to keep his gym afloat and his dream alive. I love heroes like Matt- one who’s strong but soft, tough yet tender, with his own vulnerabilities from a past that still haunts him.
There was a lot of push and pull with Mia, she kept her defenses up even as Matt worked to pull them down. She was dead set against letting anyone in and that didn’t make for an easy ride. Matt and Mia are both pretty stubborn so things got a little tense at times, and even frustrating. But I really enjoyed them together, and I appreciated the growth they each went through.
While there were some heavier subjects dealt with in this story, it was also light-hearted and fun, and Ms. Shea did a terrific job balancing it all.
My first Kacey Shea book and I’m an instant fan. This book was amazing read.
I loved Matt from the get-go. He was funny, hot and strong and I’m not talking about him being na ex MMA fighter. I loved his determination to succeed even when everything is falling apart around him.
Mia got on my nerves at the beginning and I wanted to slap the living light out of her but slowly she made me see her in a different light and by the end off the book I was rooting so hard for them to see past all the difficulties and finally fall into each other’s arms.
This story had me laughing, crying and blushing all at once. I LOVED IT
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
This story is certainly unique and different from this talented authors’ usual style. Mia is certainly not looking for love, and when Matt who is a retired MMA fighter, now gym owner, crosses paths with her is his taken aback. These two are total opposites and I loved the witty banter between them. No spoilers; this is a definite must read story; you will certainly not be disappointed. This is a well written story which has humor and emotion throughout. I was intrigued and enthralled and I look forward to reading more from this author whose work I highly recommend for all.
Mia a gamer develops video games. She is shut down her heart due to a past failed relationship. She meets Matt and the two have instant chemistry. Mia trues to deny it but eventfully gives in to it. The two are total opposites but so good for each other. Loved the drama and back and forth banter between the two. Steamy scenes are hot and well written. I definitely recommend this book.
Kacey Shea had me laughing from the beginning of Mia and Matt’s story in My Undead Heart. I mean who names their cat after a Walking Dead character except for a bad ass chick like Mia. It wasn’t long until I was completely enraptured with Matt and Mia and their game obsessed, MMA worlds. I couldn’t wait for them to get down and dirty and find their happy ever after together.
Mia Shultz is a lover of the undead with zombies being at the top of her list of faves. When she isn’t working at Eversoft gaming company, she is watching her favorite zombie shows or dressing like her obsession. I loved this character so much, including her hard shelled outer facade that she has built around herself to protect her heart from ever being hurt again. Just when she thinks her heart is dead and can never be revived, along comes Matt to prove her wrong.
Matt Haywood is busy trying to keep his struggling business South Side gym alive. The last thing he needs is a girl decorated in grotesque stage makeup to come crashing into his world and turn everything upside down, which is exactly what she does. I couldn’t help falling helplessly in love with everything about this hero from his rippling muscles to his hard work ethic and everything in between. He had me wishing more than a time or two that he had me pinned to the mats in his gym and calling me Zombie Girl.
Kacey Shea delivers another great read that tickles the funny bone, revs your libido, and keeps your heart pumping. I highly recommend My Undead Heart for a romance that is sure to leave you dreaming about true love and possibly with a new fascination for zombies as well. Kacey Shea is an excellent storyteller of all things love whether her stories include a gorgeous rock star, mouth watering fireman, or a delicious ex MMA fighter, they all capture your heart and leave you wanting more.
4.5s – Rose and Dexter add to Shea’s work
Virginia Rose and Stephen Dexter deliver strong with this one. Rose continues to climb up my list of top narrators; she has yet to disappoint, even when the material or character is rough going. Dexter is another narrator who consistently turns out excellent performances. He’s a truly versatile performer and his name on an audio is often enough to persuade me to check out a story, even when it’s a trope or plot line I would not typically seek out.
I throughly enjoyed Shea’s surprising H. He’s a former MMA fighter with a complicated past, which is perhaps not so unique; however, one of the aspects of Matt’s character – and the plot in general – that was refreshing was the fact that he’s struggling financially with no easy or overly convenient ‘out’ for him. This means he doesn’t have endless financial assets to ‘throw’ at the h, as is so common across the romance genre. And while I love the escapism of the billionaire, rockstar, or some other uber-successful professional trope, it’s sometimes nice to dive into the world of a H where things don’t always go his way professionally or monetarily. In the case of this H, these struggles add depth to his character. Matt isn’t too proud to do what he has to to make ends meet, while also refusing to compromise his own integrity. Dexter’s performance is a stellar showcase for that integrity and also for Matt’s vulnerability. As much as Matt is physically strong and has many appealing personality traits, he’s also clearly flawed and Dexter nails all aspects of the H’s character.
The h is…complicated. It takes a while for the reader/listener to warm up to Mia – at least that was my experience. Sometimes her attitude turns on a dime and she can be abrasive; however these flaws are ultimately an asset because they allow Mia’s character room for actual development, and in many ways she does grow and fulfill that development in the end. She is often hard on the H (and even her own friends), but once we see where she is coming from (context is clutch!), her behaviors become more understandable, even if some can continue to grate. To further aid the h’s appeal, Shea has given Mia some unique traits – she’s a video game designer with a minor zombie obsession, and both of these facts make for some fun plot moments. Rose’s performance adds still another layer, helping to salvage the h for those reader/listeners with any remaining reservations. Honestly, if I had read the novel without also listening to the audiobook, I think I would have continued to struggle with my feelings about Mia. Rose’s interpretation ultimately helped me to more fully appreciate this complicated h.
All in all, this is well-worth a listen. Between Shea’s plotting and the narrators’ performances, and despite a perhaps prickly h, there is a lot to enjoy.
*I received a free audio code from the author through a Facebook giveaway. Book was borrowed thru KU. *