FROM POPULAR AUTHOR OF GAY ROMANCE, LILY MICHAELS
Book two in the Improbable Bonds series
Almost two decades of boxing couldn’t prepare Clayton for the biggest fight of his life—one that put love on the line.
Boxing had been Clayton James’ life for nearly twenty years, but the threat of a serious injury if he continued to fight forced him into retirement. Refusing to be down for the count, he … retirement. Refusing to be down for the count, he carried his love of the sport into a new career as the owner of a gym. But low membership and a tightly stretched bank account mean he’s faced with closing his doors—or taking one more match to save his business.
The bullying that Tyler Kirk thought he’d left behind in high school not only managed to carry over into college but also seemed worse. Being older than the average student because of the years he’d taken off to rehabilitate his sister after the accident that robbed them of their parents didn’t lessen the attacks he faced. His chance to find peace was in the meaty hands of the finely chiseled and sexy-as-hell owner of the gym he hoped could give him self-defense training.
Neither man expected the adversarial start of their relationship to melt into something that quenched Clayton’s long-neglected need and one that Tyler wasn’t even aware he had. Nor could they prepare for the intense sexual chemistry that flowed between them to quickly morph their training schedule into a hot and heavy hookup routine.
But the risks of Clayton’s final match are amplified when it’s no longer simply his health and well-being on the line but also the love of a good man and the promise of family.
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Clayton is the big grumbily fluffy teddy bear that you just want to cuddle with. Retired from boxing he now operates his own gym.
Retirement started out strong. The gym was solid but over time his name is no longer on everyone’s lips and things currently aren’t looking so good for him
Tyler is the skinny but feisty mongoose who tests your every last nerve while at the same time he’s the one you count on to keep things in check- devoted, trustworthy, caring. His world has always been a battleground of wants vs requirements. After a tragedy that takes his parents and leaves his little sister battling for normality Ty (I can call him that as we are friends now) is forced to take charge, to command everything around him.
Can two opposing forces find their balance ?
Or will Clayton’s secrets tear them apart?
I really had fun with this couple.
So many unexpected developments and just special moments
This collection has not disappointed
All the feels
Laughter
Angst
Self-growth
A bit of comedic relief
A touch fantastical at times but for me that made the events even more special
Another perfect afternoon read
Clayton is a retired boxer who now owns a gym. It started out great but now it looks like he’ll have to close the doors. Tyler comes to Clayton’s gym to learn how to defend himself. The more they get to know each other the more they want. Tyler’s confidence grows and Clayton learns to trust more. I really enjoyed this book.
When Tyler entered the Gym and started with he attitude Clayton found his attention engaged.
Clayton James an ex-champion who had retired when told another bad blow could disable or kill him now runs a gym but when it starts to struggle he is forced to consider another match that his ex-manager is suggesting. New client Tyler Kirk who has been bullied for most of his life arrives wanting to lean how to protect himself from the billies that now leave him bruised and battered. When the small nerdy young man starts giving manager Joey a load of attitude Clayton notices and is drawn to him.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
**Contains Spoilers**
MMA stories are one of my favorites and what’s more interesting is a match in Clayton James and Tyler Kirk, you would never see coming.
Clayton – a boxer for more than twenty years of his life, faced an early and unwanted retirement due to potential injury, opens a gym. Unfortunately, funds are tight and he is faced with some unwelcome choices. Either take on one more match – bad idea, or close his doors. Also a bad idea.
Tyler – faced with bullying as a teen in high school and as a college student but worse, he seeks self-defense training. “I’m short, I’m skinny, and I’m gay.” After taking time off to care for his sister, he needed to do something to build his self esteem. He did not factor gym owner, Clayton into the equation.
What an intriguing dynamic to see a D/S relationship emerge between these two. Clayton being a natural submissive and Tyler a new Dom. To Tyler’s surprise, he took to the role very well. Clayton is in complete bliss as a sub. A new Dom tailored to his needs? What could be better?
Definitely was not easy to get these two to blissville, since Tyler had his mind focused on taking lessons and protecting himself. Clayton and Tyler could not have been more different. Attitude vs. sensitivity. Looks and first impressions can be deceiving. All the characters and their story-lines meshed well. The gym was ultimately saved. A book deal and movie contract helped to rebuild all that had been lost,
I love how their attraction to one another developed a steamy, hot, and happy ending.
The total package, complete with a wonderful young girl, Lolli. She ‘owned’ them both with her sweetness.
**I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.**
Unlikely Match is Book 2 in the Improbable Bonds series, it can be enjoyed as a standalone. This is a new to me author and I will definitely be reading more. I loved this book from beginning to end and wanted more. These are wonderful characters who both felt like they needed to guard their hearts some. Clayton, a retired boxer and owner of his own gym, had a secret. Tyler, a college student and guardian to his 10 year old sister, was tired of being other people’s punching bag. When Tyler walked into Clayton’s gym he had no idea it would change both of their lives for the better. I love their dynamic and their journey as they discover how they fit into each other’s lives. If you enjoy non traditional D/s relationships you won’t want to miss this book. I highly recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Clayton is the owner of CJ Gym & Boxing Club, after he’s forced to retire.
Tyler is skinny, almost looks like a kid, and has been bullied all his life. He’s his sister’s caretaker after their parents died.
When Tyler enters the gym, he’s clear he wants to learn to defend himself against the bullies.
His whole attitude is demanding and that triggers something in Clayton.
Clayton’s demeanor trigger something in Tyler he never knew he had. Tyler is way too young for him. But never judge a book by its cover!
Clayton starts training Tyler and Tyler starts reading about D/s dynamic and relationships.
Clayton is welcomed into Tyler and his little sister lives, it’s his chance for a family. If only he didn’t have to make a life-changing decision that could ruin him, literally.
This is a super-fast-paced, short story, sexy, sassy, snarky, more than enough and very clearly developed. Every important fact is mentioned. I’m always in awe how authors can create a satisfying story with emotions, definitions, and a clear plot with even an HEA in just about a hundred pages! Tyler and Clayton were more than sexy in their scenes. The learning process was just like Tyler’s whole being convincing, the dynamic between Clayton and Tyler was awesome.
Overall a very attractive narrative.
My first read from this author but certainly not my last!
Unlikely Match follows Clayton, who is a thirty-five-year-old retired boxer attempting to make his dream come true of running his own gym. Unfortunately, he keeps hitting a wall, and while he’s managed to open the gym, it’s nothing but a money pit. He keeps sinking his dwindling personal funds into the venture with little to no positive gain. So when Tyler stalks into his gym, full to the brim with showboat levels of piss and vinegar that speak nothing to his true personality, Clayton begrudgingly agrees to train the sassy young man.
That is, until Clayton’s natural submissive side sees through Tyler’s facade and introduces them both to an unexpected adventure—an experienced sub leading a first-time Dom into the blissful D/s waters. It truly is beautiful, and expertly handled by Ms. Michaels. Tyler steps into his role as Dom as if he’d always known the part, and Clayton finds not only the Dominant he’s always needed, but the family he’s always wanted. Because, yes, there’s an adorable little sister Tyler is guardian of who wraps “big boy” Clayton around her tiny little pinky finger from the get-go.
I highly recommend this to all lovers of romance, but especially those who enjoy a little kink with their ooey, gooey HEAs. That’s one of Lily’s specialties, after all. This is one of those fast-paced reads that leaves you satisfied and aching for more.
Wow…I loved it!
Hey when I read the details for this book I thought I would take a chance and give it a go because the premise seem interesting and I like a good underdog story. I hate bullying and it seems like this was going to be a good story how weak can overcome and get even at the end. Boy was I surprised when I got into the book. Clayton and Tyler was total opposites but there were so many twists and turns with this book that it was a definite page turner…I couldn’t put it down until I was done. Tyler was spitfire…full of attitude and sass while Clayton was a sweet and sensitive soul. It was a little age difference between the two but it didn’t take away from the overall romance between the two. Love is love and it comes in all shapes and sizes..people shouldn’t give each other labels…this book really gets that. I absolutely loved and recommend this book…great read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Unlikely Match by Lily Michaels was enjoyable and had a bit of a surprise but otherwise formulaic with a poor guy meets a rich guy story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Tyler is tired of getting beaten down for being slim and gay. Clayton is tired of being on his own and struggling to keep his gym afloat after his retirement from the boxing arena. Tyler comes to Clayton’s business so he can get one-on-one training so he can defend himself. Neither men expects sparks to fly when they meet, but both have a lot of baggage to work through before they decide that their relationship is going to be for the haul.
SPOILERS
There are not many books out there that can craft good stories with an confident older submissive and a younger dom. This book definitely exceeded the expectations in that regard! I enjoy seeing the tables turn, that is instead of the skinny nerd being submissive, it’s the tough “alpha” man. Honestly I think that it gave the character’s more depth in this novel, because it says a lot about how they feel about themselves. How Clayton wants someone else to take control and all Tyler wants is to get a little control back. I enjoyed their love story and definitely plan on reading another novel by this author.