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
Wow! What a fantastic story and the first MMA by Christopher. The way he explains MMA and the way the Character feels about and how much he loves what he does is so in-depth and thoughtful. Lucas the fighter only has one thing on his mind making it to the top and being in the UFC. Mila a young woman who’s be through a tragic life changing experience is trying to get her life on track. When Mila meets Lucas she finds him dismissive and conceited but somehow she has an attraction to him and him to her as well. Romance at its best a definate must read.
Another amazing book by Christopher Harlan. I do believe this man could write any genre and it will be fantastic. I could not put this book down. I loved Lucas and Mila. Their story is absolutely mind blowing.
Absolutely love this book! Only one problem, I need more!
Love this MMA love story. The struggle that both Lucas and Mila overcame. I love the open communication between them, how they expressed themselves and built their relationship. I’ve enjoy Christopher’s different genres of writings.
Christopher gives you an intense look into not only his writing but the world of MMA. The story of Lucas and Mila was one of raw emotion. So many different scenarios of life brought into one absolutely refreshing story of love, loss, physical, emotional and all around every day trials of life so many face. Not only is this a master piece of seriousness, Christopher makes you fall in love with the characters and those references he throws in at the best of times will get you laughing out loud. Definitely well worth the read and hoping to see more of this genre considering this is the author’s first at MMA Romance, the wow factor is all his.
Loved this book so much!! I need more Lucas and Mila ASAP. I am pretty new to MMA romance and this book was soo good . Bravo as usual Christopher Harlan!!
I love a good sports romance and this one didn’t disappoint. Both Mila and Lucas were both climbing back from such severe events in their lives. Got to keep fighting!
Loved this book. The world and characters were amazing. A very believable story that will keep you locked in until the end!
Mia and Lucas was amazing. I loved the way he weaved their story. I could not put it down. I read it all in one setting. I want more stories added to this. I do believe was a very strong person to overcome what she went through. Lucas didn’t quit even after his setback. Mia has two of the best friends in the world.
I really liked the way this author built the relationships in the story. I felt like I was right there in the moment, whichever moment it was, between each character. We see Lucas as the student, the fighter, the mentor and the man. Each of those facets go into making him who he is. Then you have Mila, the victim, the skeptic, the bff, the student and the woman finally putting her life back together with the help of those around her.
I’d love to see what happens next with these two, as maybe a side mention in something that involves either Mila’s friends or some of the other guys from the gym.
Author Christopher Harlan continues to amaze me with his ability to write about so many different subjects and yet stay consistent with his theme of mental issues and disorders.
In The Savage Gentleman, Mr. Harlan tackles PTSD and anxiety in regards to physical abuse. In conjunction, he weaves a story about a man that continuously chooses to put his life on the line in an octagon as a professional mixed martial arts fighter.
My favorite part about this novel was seeing how much the characters grew and developed. It has some steamy love scenes for those who enjoy it and a happy ending.
Favorite quote:”I train people who want to learn. If you’re not into it then go do something else.”
Wow, I loved this book. I was not able to put it down once I started it.. I really hope there is more to Lucas and Mila story because of the ending.. Not going give it all away but check this one put once it is release.. You won’t be sorry
Christopher Harlan definitely found his new niche with MMA fighters. This book was filled with strength and determination from not only Lucas but Mila as well. They both fought hard to get back what they lost and in the process found each other. Highly recommend this book!!
Christopher Harlan does it again! I loved the relationship between Mila and Lucas. He demonstrates great work ethic and perseverance. Mila shows that it’s ok to go through a horrible situation, not be ok even a year later, but take matters into your own hands and work toward getting better. After Lucas’s last fight, I do wish we saw more of what went on. I was not expecting it to end where it did.
OMG!!! Christopher you blow me of my feed. I could not stop reading. I needed to know how the story went forward.
Mila and Lucas are so great togheter. Even how you detailed the MMA scene for me was absolutly a radon to keep on reading.
Another book i enjoyed from you
I must admit I’m not into MMA and did not know a lot of the fighting terms and lingo but I did enjoy the book. I did a lot of Googling and learned something new. I really would have loved to here more about the relationship between the main characters. Lucas “The Ghost” Esparza, Lost his last fight due to a knock out. His dreams of making it to the UFC put on hold indefinitely. He is back in the gym teaching and hoping to get another chance. Mila was brutally beaten by her boyfriend. It was in doubt if she would survive. She was left with months of rehab and has been in therapy for the last year due to PTSD. One of her best friends thinks she needs some Martial Arts training and Lucas ends up doing a session with her. These two have a lot of chemistry but also have a lot to overcome. There is a threat Mila didn’t see coming, an unplanned attack, and a risk that holds big consequences. I received an arc and I am leaving an honest review.
Lucas “The Ghost” Esparza had a strong relationship with his mentor and trainer, Matt. He respected him, listened to him, and knew that he held his future in his hands. Lucas was a natural teacher and I enjoyed seeing how he interacted with his student, Matt “The Second.” He was patient, serious but not controlling, when it came to getting through to him. I cheered for Matt while he regained a positive attitude and the inner strength needed to stand up to the bullies and take back his life.
Mila may have been dealt a devastating blow but she got back on her feet and was fighting to become strong once again. She found an ally and a friend in Lucas and he made her realize that she could persevere and emerge from the darkness to a life filled with love and happiness. Lucas was always gentle with Mila and he listened when she spoke to him, offered a reassuring smile when she would gaze up at him, and comforted her with a big hug when she needed him. He knew that entering into a relationship while he was training was taboo, but he couldn’t control the intense feelings he had for Mila. She was his soul mate, his future and his one true love, and nothing could ever come between them.
Wow! Just Wow! I have to say this!
Christopher Harlan can write a book about anything!
The characters in his stories always have a real life feel to them and there’s a connection made from chapter one!
Ok! Now about the book!
You have Lucas who is a MMA fighter who is striving for a big time career and training for the fight of his life , when his trainer tells him he needs to be a trainer for a girl who has been in a bad situation.
Mila enters the gym and her story is a severe case of abuse and she needs to be in a place that she can be able to not be afraid of everything but she also needs to learn to protect herself as well.
What happens next is intense and so much fun to read! So what are you waiting for? Just read this and anything else from this talented Author and Thank me later!
Lucas “The Ghost” Esparza is an MMA fighter on the rise. In his bid to make it to the big leagues he suffers a devastating loss. Does he have the stuff to make it back….will he have the drive to go all the way.
Mila is a woman a year out from being severely beaten by her now jailbird ex-boyfriend. She doesn’t like going out, she gets nervous in crowds and obviously men freak her out.
They meet in a very rational way, she goes to the gym Lucas trains at to take some self-defense classes. Her friend Holly convinces her this is the best way to get back some confidence by learning how to defend herself. Their first class is memorable to say the least, she good up until the playacting of being attacked so she can practice what she’s learned makes her freak and get all crazy on him. But the underlying attraction is undeniable.
She sort of tells him some of her story. That she was attacked and she’s still trying to work through the mental and emotional scars. They talk about his low point, THE LOSS. Not so slowly they catch fire and are a couple. She gets more confident and Lucas decides he’s ready to take another shot.
Aside from the love story what I enjoyed is Lucas working with Matt “the second”. Matt is a young kid who’s being bullied. His folks have tried everything but this is their last resort before counselling. (Rings some bells for Lucas as this mirrors his life). To see the way he treats Matt, guides him and instills some confidence in the boy….well who doesn’t love a big macho man who loves kids and treats them gently when needed.
I also want to know about the gym owner and Lucas’ mentor, Matt or as Lucas calls him Master Splinter. We know he’s a retired fighter, inherited the gym when his dad died but what more is there to the man.
Damien is another fighter whom we get a little time with. He’s the next cocky rising star.
I’d like to think this is the beginning of a nice series as we get a happy ending but there is a slight question mark…what happens after The Fight? (This is tied to a scary event where the future of Lucas’ fighting career may be put in jeopardy.)
It’s well written and the characters actually sound like they know what they are talking about and could be folks who live in your complex.
Intense emotional broken beautiful love story of Mila and Lucas
more more more