My name is Lucas “The Ghost” Esparza. I’m the best MMA fighter in the world that you’ve never heard of, but if I have my way, I’ll be a household name soon enough. My life’s been nothing but hard training, crazy partying, and fast women, and that’s just how I liked it. No man had ever gotten the better of me inside the cage, and no woman had ever been able to slow down my lifestyle outside of it. outside of it.
And then it all came crashing down.
When I tasted defeat for the first time in the biggest fight of my life, I was a broken man—my pride destroyed and my dreams of greatness deferred.
That’s when Mila walked into my gym.
When my trainer told me I had to giver her self defense lessons because she was a ‘special case’, I had no idea what he meant. All I knew was that she had a body to die for, and a face that made me forget my own name. I’d been with my share of women, but she was easily the sexiest I’d ever laid eyes on.
There was only one problem—we hated each other with a passion!
I thought she was whiny with a bad attitude. She thought I was full of myself. But then something happened that changed everything between us. She gave me the confidence to pursue my dreams once again—to be a champion, to make it into the UFC, and to be the savage gentleman that I was born to be.
Featuring two free chapters from my upcoming rom-com “The Three Kiss Clause
18 or Older only—contains adult content, violence, and mature themes
more
The savage Gentleman was written brilliantly. Christopher Harlan took the MMA world by storm. Two people who have delt with such traumatic things in their lives are forced to work together when Mila’s friend talks her into going through self defense classes. Watching these two grow not only as individuals but as a couple was inspiring. They each helped the other one through their struggles and supported each other. I felt their pain and suffering. But I also felt the love. This book is amazing. A must read. If you enjoy martial arts at all I pro.ise you will enjoy this book as much as I did
This was such a good book, I couldn’t put it down. I love the instant connection between Mila and Lucas. It’s great how Mila‘s past catches up to her and he is fighting to make his goals and they get through each obstacle together. It’s written in a way that keeps you wanting to know what’s next.
Amazing detail that blended right into the story, making it even better. Great believable characters. Unpredictable events, romance and hot sex. Christopher Harlan definitely knows women and does an excellent job of writing from a woman’s perspective. The Savage Gentleman grabbed my interest from the first sentence and didn’t let go. I was very disappointed when the book ended, I wanted to read more! I was already a fan, but now I’m in love with Christopher Harlan’s writing!
Having not written an MMA romance before Christopher does an amazing job with this genre; I was drawn into the story from the very first page! There is just something real about Christopher Harlan’s writing that the reader can’t help but identify with the characters regardless of whether they are male or female.
The Savage Gentleman follows Lucas, an MMA fighter destined for the UFC until an unforeseen event changes the course of his destined path; a detour he didn’t see coming- her name Mila. Mila meets Lucas when he is scheduled to give her a private lesson in self- defense at the local gym. Although sparks are present, Mila is hesitant and self conscious because of a tramatic experience that has altered the way she interacts with those around her.
From the start of The Savage Gentleman, the chemistry between Mila and Lucas is like nothing each of them has experienced. Mila is drawn to the cocky, confident fighter; while Mila brings out a softer side to Lucas that he didn’t know he was capable of. They are the ultimate couple because they challenge each other, and in doing so they both gain the much needed confidence that each lost as a result of the events in their pasts There is such an ease to Christopher Harlan’s writing you can’t help but want to continue reading. The story just flows and the dialogue just works . It’s as though the reader is there with the characters watching the story unfold before their eyes. Do yourself a favor and pick up this latest book you will not regret it. Mila and Lucas can and will grab hold of your heart and won’t let go till the very last page. Great work!!
So good! I love Christopher’s book! Yet another I have fallen on love with! Lucas and Mila are so cute.
A normal child hood to a mma fighter. A normal life to a traumatic event. Coming together when mila should trust no one but feels a connection. Sparks fly at the first meeting, training. Honesty come between the two and they make it work. Another horrible even and a career on the line, working through things individually and coming together.
Loved it! I need more about this gym though!
The Savage Gentleman: an MMA romance
by Christopher Harlan (Goodreads Author)
Read
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair review.
Lucas is an aspiring UFC fighter. Mila is trying to heal from an imagable trauma caused by an ex-boyfriend. She seems to be healing physically, but can’t seem to get over a few sticking points emotionally – one of her triggers being touched or surrounded by people. Trying to help Mila heal, a friend takes her to a gym for self defense training. This is where she crosses paths with Lucas, who ends up being her trainer for the day. Even after a rough start where Mila breaks down at the end of their lesson, both are able to admit to themselves they’re very interested and attracted to each other. Swallowing her pride, Mila apologizes and their unique relationship begins.
Mila’s past does eventually catch up with them in an unexpected way. The results of this complication throw their relationship into a tailspin and Lucas into a situation that jeopardizes his upcoming championship fight. But after some time and true to form, Lucas and Mila realize some difficult personal truths and conclude they don’t want their relationship to end – commencing the happily ever after.
I think one of the things I like most about Christopher Harlan and his stories is that they’re so straight forward. I’m not an angsty romance reader most of the time, so it’s very refreshing to have such relatable, but still complicated, characters even when their situations are not. Throughout the whole book I was so impressed by both the characters growth, their up front attitudes, the ability to know what they want, and the courage to solve the problems getting in their way.
I don’t know a whole lot about MMA, so I can’t vouch for the accuracy of the moves and rules of the sport in the story, but I enjoyed the sporting aspect of this book. I think too many times MMA books are set “underground” and the fighter isn’t fighting just his opponent, but also 8 billion demons. I loved Lucas as a legitimate fighter who loves the personal and physicals test of the actual sport.
Very enjoyable book – it went quick for me and I enjoyed every minute of it.