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
Another great book by Christopher Harlan. This book centers around the sport of MMA and the training involved to become a fighter in the UFC. Lucas “The Ghost” Garza is that fighter. He is young, cocky and raring to defend himself after a brutal knockout in his last championship fight. But, he also has a big heart and it shows when he starts to train a kid being bullied in school. Mila is pushed into trying self-defense lessons after a severely traumatic beating by her ex. Something just clicks between them, despite their inauspicious start in the gym. They are still holding back though. When danger once again seeks Mila out, what will Lucas do? Can he compartmentalize his feelings for Mila and still focus on his fight? Or will they both push away the best thing to happen to them out of fear? There is definitely some blood, sweat and tears in this book but in the end it’s all worth it. Loved Mila and Lucas as a couple and would love to see more of them as well as the other fighters/Mila’s friends in the future!
Wow, great book! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this MMA fighter book that I could not put it down. I am a sucker for a bad boy with a heart of gold and this story has him in spades. This book surprised me because it was not what I thought it was going to be—instead, it is twisted and suspenseful with the right amount of danger. I also found this book to be hot, entertaining and enlightening. I have to say that Christopher Harlan did a fantastic job in making me live in a world I am oblivious to—even the terminology. I felt like I was right there.
Knocked out! Training! A competition! “The most dangerous strike is the one that you don’t see coming” is something Lucas ‘The Ghost’ Esparza lives by, since his fighting career was ripped from his grasp during a crucial competition as a MMA fighter. Mila Holly suffered a terrible experience with her ex-boyfriend. When Mila walks into the gym where Lucas works/trains to receive self-defense training everything changes. . . for both of them. Mila is struggling to cope with a difficult past, and Lucas wants to help her. Lucas makes it known from the beginning that he does not do relationships because he needs to focus on fighting, but they have many volatile emotions towards each other—the thought of navigating a new relationship frightens both of them. Lucas is a good guy, but arrogant and stubborn, and he made a big mistake and is struggling to find his way back to the sport he loves, MMA. Will they risk it all and fight to be together or does defeat lie within the fall again? Please be aware that the author embarked on the subject of domestic abuse. The storyline is fluid, and the characters are extremely well developed. This book will surely pique your interest!
“The Savage Gentleman” by Christopher Harlan is a great read. I enjoyed Lucas and Mila’s story. This story is packed with MMA fights, entertaining characters, romance, close friends, humor, and more. I hope we’ll see more from Lucas and Mila in the future. Highly recommend to all fans of romance and MMA.
I love a good sports romance and this was no exception. I am putting this book up with some of my favorite MMA books. Lucas and Mila were such a great couple. They had some major issues in their pasts that was shaping their present and future and they needed to work on those before they could move on. These characters were written wonderfully and so realistic. You felt every emotion they were experiencing. You felt the anger, the pain, the happiness and most of all their love. I didn’t want this end. I can’t wait to see what is coming next.
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Wonderful characters
Mila and Lucas…well I do enjoy a good opposites romance; at the beginning it seemed like these two were just that…opposites. As the story goes on they seem similar in many ways though; both are trying to reach a goal and willing to do everything that’s needed to do that. Lucas wants the UFC. Mila wants to get back to a life that is ‘normal’ without anxiety and fear. Each needs something from the other, not because they can’t do it alone but because together they will achieve success through each others strengths and support.
I enjoy the simplicity of Harlans writing style, the predictability of the happily ever after and the 1+1=love recipe to his romances. Lucas and Mila’s story is a quick read and hit all the marks to take the reader inside snippets of their lives.
I enjoyed this book. The author does a great job with the character development so you feel like you really know them. The explanations of the way MMA works allows you to understand what is going on even if you’ve never watched the sport before.
I have enjoyed everything I’ve read by Mr. Harlan and am looking forward to reading more of his books.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters of Mila and Lucas were very well written and the story between the two is wonderful and leaves you wanting to read more about them.
A great book with great characters. I didn’t know if I would like this book, not being into the fighting scene. But the story is written well, and is very entertaining even if you don’t like the fighting scene
This is Christopher Harlan’s first MMA book but I sincerely hope this isn’t his last! He did a great job with character development and sucks you into this story. Mila and Lucas both have their own demons and by the end of the book, I cared greatly about both of them. It’s not necessary to know a lot about sports, particularly MMA, to enjoy this book so if you love MMA, this is the book for you! If you don’t love MMA, this is still the book for you!
Oh my gawd, this book was so damn good. Good I good I love good I love how goodIlovehowthe element of MMA was the main point of the story. It’s like you were actually there with Lucas and Mila. Their story is amazing and I can’t wait to see what happens next. But how we got to know about her was beyond horrible. No one needs to ever have to deal with something like that. She is a true survivor. Keep bringing us these great books. I absolutely loved this one. I give it 5 stars. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book as an Advanced Reader’s Copy.
I loved this book. Mila & Lucas were wonderful! Lucas was an MMA fighter who was trying to make it up to the UFC circuit!!
This was Christophers first attempt at writing an MMA romance and he did a great job! I was drawn in from the beginning!!
I need more Lucus and Mila! I honestly don’t know much
About MMA but I was drawn in quickly. I don’t want to spoil anything but Mila is heartbreakingly relatable. I loved
This story. I hope we see more of this amazing couple
This book was awesome! I’m new to MMA books and Christopher Harlan totally captivated me. Loved every second. Highly recommend
This was my first MMA romance & I think I’ve found a new genre I want to read more of! I love the story of Lucas & Mika & really would love to see more of them. This story sucked me in from the get go & it was hard to put down. This is a great book that you will be hooked on from the first page & you will love the love story, MMA fighting & self-defense training!!
Oh this book drew me in from the beginning!
I liked how it provides some background of the mma world.
Loved the references to the ninja turtles.
Loved the chemistry!
OMG! Christopher blew me away with this book! I loved it! Once I started reading I couldn’t put it down! It made for some late night reading! Christopher’s detailed descriptions of the MMA scenes made you think you were there! I loved Mila and Lucas! They were great together! Their chemistry was off the charts! It was an emotional, heartwarming love story! I want more of Lucas and Mila! I hope to hear them again! Thank you Christopher for giving us such a fantastic story!
I loved the premise of this story. Two sort of broken people, struggling with their own issues who come together. Gritty and sexy, this ticked all of those boxes. Lucas is a rough and stubborn up and coming fighter. Mila is still dealing with coming back from a horrible attack by an ex-boyfriend.
The only things I didn’t like was why no one was informed about her situation before working with Lucas. Not very smart of Matt, being the business owner and all. Also Mila’s friends treated her situation so flippantly. I felt like they didn’t give a crap about her feelings, like she should be over the situation already.
I finished this book yesterday and I’m still so speechless. I don’t know how to even describe this one but only that it’s real good. Yes at times the author is so descriptive with the MMA fights. It makes you feel like your right there in the fight. As for me it was hard because I’m not a fan of any fighting sports just like Mila. Lucas has a way of describing fighting that I never would have imagined.
Now disclaimer this book includes domestic abuse. I love how Mila came out of her shell with the help of lucas and learns to stand up for herself. I’m hoping for another book to this series. Loved lucas references with Matt couldn’t stop laughing.
Thankful for being accepted to read this book in advance. In an exchange for my honest opinion.
The Savage Gentleman (an MMA romance) by Christopher Harlan reviewed by Angi
Oh holy hot! This is my first MMA story. I’m kinda over the so many MC stories. I like them, but everyone is doing them, right? Well, this gives you the dark edge danger you love of MC books but a different word altogether.
Lucas is ready for the fight of his career. Mila is in a fight with herself. Together they have a spark that sets them both off on a rollercoaster of excitement. Very hot excitement! Will this break Lucas though it appears to be healing Mila?
MMA is violent but this book shows that there is more to the sport and to the fighter than what meets the eye.
I love that it squashes the stereotyping of fighters. I love the heart of Lucas and his loyalty. Mila has hidden strength she doesn’t even know she has.
I would say Lucas is my new book boyfriend but dang I love both of them together! That is the beauty of Christopher’s writing. He draws you in and makes you feel for the people in his world.
Another 5 read and the start to another great series! Thanks for a window into your worlds.
I absolutely LOVED Lucas. He is an incredible character. The MMA fighter who needs to find his way to get back to the top and Mila who is struggling to take her life back. Their rocky first encounter takes us on a journey of cheering for them as individuals and together. I need more of their story. Yes I’m greedy. Christopher, once again, provides a story worth every turn of the page or swipe of your finger. Well done.