From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Laura Kaye… she’s tough, serious, and doesn’t tolerate distractions. Which is why finding her gorgeous one-night stand on her new dive team is such a problem.
Former navy deep-sea diver Jesse Anderson just can’t seem to stop making mistakes—the latest being the hot-as-hell night he’d spent with his new partner. This job is his second chance, and Jesse knows he shouldn’t mix business with pleasure. But spending every day with Tara’s smart mouth and sexy curves makes her so damn hard to resist.
Joining Tara’s wounded warrior MMA training program seems like the perfect way for Jesse to blow off steam—except now they’re getting in deep and taking each other down day and night. And even though it breaks all the rules, their inescapable attraction might just be the only thing truly worth fighting for.
The Kristen Proby Crossover Collection features a new novel by Kristen Proby and six books by some of her favorite writers:
Kristen Proby – Soaring with Fallon
Sawyer Bennett – Wicked Force
KL Grayson – Crazy Imperfect Love
Laura Kaye – Worth Fighting For
Monica Murphy – Nothing Without You
Rachel Van Dyken – All Stars Fall
Samantha Young – Hold On
more
This is a great little novella in the Warrior Fight Club series, and it’s also a crossover with Kristen Proby’s Big Sky series.
Tara Hunter almost died in an on-the-job accident while on a dive in the Navy. After her medical discharge, she was at loose ends, and was scared to get back in the water again. Once she overcame that fear, she got a job working as a commercial diver, doing similar work to what she was doing before. Her job is everything to her, and she has ways she’s found of keeping her anxiety as low as possible. She can’t let anything distract her, or hold her back.
Jesse Anderson is also a former Navy diver, though he retired after 20 years of service. He joined straight out of high school, so this civilian life has left him scrambling a bit. He’s excited to score the commercial diving gig in D.C., and goes out the night before since he can’t sleep. He meets Tara in the local bar, and they have an amazing night together. When he shows up to work on his first day the next morning, there she is. How can he make her see they might have something that’s worth the risk to pursue?
Jesse and Tara had a such a great meet cute, and their connection was palpable right from the start. They were drawn to each other, even after they figured out all the reasons why they shouldn’t be. I loved the ways they found to be there for each other when the other one needed them, even when they weren’t really “together”. They really came to care for each other deeply, and were struggling with the idea of how to make it work. It was bittersweet at times, and often it made me sad. But they both deserved to be happy so much.
I loved getting to see the whole Warrior Fight Club crew from the prior 2 books. Jesse took to the group so well, and that was fun to see. Also, their work colleagues on their dive team were hilarious too. I wouldn’t mind knowing more about some of them in the future as well! Seeing how well Jesse and Tara fit into all the aspects of each other’s lives was really lovely, and I was just waiting for them both to see it too.
There were a lot of heartfelt, sad moments in this story, but that made the ultimate payoff so much better. I’d definitely like to go back and read about Jesse’s sister in Kristen Proby’s companion book, which this story is related to. I’d love a little more detail into Jesse’s family life before he left for the military, and how everything was back home from his sister’s POV.
This was a sweet, sexy story, and I loved how meant-for-each-other this couple was, right from the start. I definitely recommend this story, and I can’t wait for the next book where we’ll finally get Sean and Dani’s story! They’ve been dancing around each other through 3 books, and it’s finally their turn!
The fact that this book brings two book universes just make it better. I loved Waiting for Willa and the story of her brother Jess (he was a minor character but influence her backstory) and Big Sky is a dear series to me since I have read them all. At the same time, I just adore Laura Kaye’s Warrior Fight Club, these people are so hurt and yet so badass, they face a lot and the fact that what brings them together is the community sense of belonging to something that they do all their lives, fight, it is so endearing.
Jess and Tara started their relationship backwards and what makes the book so interesting is the fact that their intimacy is being constructed chapter by chapter. They have faced so much and are so alone that their fears sometimes clouds they need to be together.
This book is emotional, well written and you will love it!
Absolutely loved it! This novella is such fun. I loved the characters! They are awesome together! I couldn’t put it down! The story was sweet, funny and oh so sexy! I had quite a few hot flashes, let me tell you! I love this author so much and will devour anything she writes!
Worth Fighting For is another great story in the Warrior Fight Club series. The characters reach in and touch my heart with the insecurities they bear, the traumas they witnessed and endured, their bravery in service, their loyalty, and their love. Most of all I admire their strength; men and women alike. Their strength make them stand out and defines them. They are strong in spite of, because of their struggles. And to see them love and accept love melts my heart.
Jesse and Tara are two more wonderful characters. But we also met new people and visited the others we love. I very much look forward to the next WFC book.
A wonderful heartfelt story about two people with challenges deeply rooted in their souls finding together.
Kaye has a way of creating a world filled with people I love to read about. Her characters are realistic and I can often relate to their challenges.
There’s no unnecessary descriptions of surroundings and plenty of dialogues.
Tara and Jesse’s chemistry is sizzling hot and visible from the first meeting, which I loved and the build up to their first night together was fun and intense.
This is also a handkerchief book, as in; you need one
Emotional 5 stars story I highly recommend
4.5* Tara and Jesse end up at the same bar and end the chemistry between these two was combustible! They had the best one night stands evah!! When Tara has to leave for work in the early morning she’s hoping to hear from him again. It couldn’t have been all one sided right?
When at work the next day you could have knocked her over with a feather when the “new guy” is no other than Jesse Anderson, her one night stand. Well that puts a whole new prospective on things. One that she didn’t want to do but feels she has no choice.
Jesse about breaks my heart. He’s just crying out for love but doesn’t feel like he’s worth it. It’s like he’s punishing himself. *sad sigh*
Tara knows what she wants but can’t have it. These two are tearing each other apart! I’m like yelling at them, telling them what to do! LOL Will these two figure it out before it’s too late????
Tara is a diver. She goes to a bar and meets Jesse. They share dinner, then go for a walk. They make it to Jesse’s hotel, where they spend the night together. The next morning Tara leaves before Jesse wakes up. She goes to work and who is the newest member on her dive crew? Jesse. They spend time together, learn a lot about each other, have sex and talk to each other. A member of their crew gets hurt, but He’s ok, just hurt his foot. Tara invites Jesse to Warrior Fight Club, and he joins.
Things are said, and they break up. Both are hurt from seeing the other. Jesse gets a new job, and he goes to tell Tara. They admit they love each other, and all is good.
Jesse reconnects with his Mom and Sister, he graduates from the police academy, and everyone is there to support him.
Jesse and Tara move in together and get 2 dogs, and at the end he propses and she says Yes !
Love this series, cannot wait for more. Especially Sean and Dani !!
4.25 stars–WORTH FIGHTING FOR is instalment 2.5 and novella in Laura Kaye’s contemporary, adult WARRIOR FIGHT CLUB erotic, military romance series focusing on a number of retired military personnel who meet at the local WFC headed by Army Ranger Moses Griffin and Coach John ‘Mack’ McPherson. This is thirty-seven year old, former US Navy deep-sea diver and EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) specialist Jesse Anderson, and thirty-two year old, commercial diving instructor and former Navy diver Tara Hunter’s story line. WORHT FIGHTIN FOR can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.
NOTE: WORTH FIGHTING FOR is part of Kristen Proby’s BIG SKY crossover collection with interconnected story lines and characters.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Jesse and Tara) WORTH FIGHTING FOR follows the forbidden relationship between thirty-seven year old, former US Navy deep-sea diver Jesse Anderson, and thirty-two year old, commercial diving instructor Tara Hunter. New in town, Jesse Anderson spent the night with a beautiful woman only to wake to an empty bed. A few hours later, our hero would discover his one-night stand is his new commercial diving instructor, the woman who stirs something deep within Jesse Anderson. But a dangerous situation brings with it too many memories of the past forcing Jesse to walk away from the woman with whom he is falling in love. What ensues is the slow building romance between Jesse and Tara, and the fall-out as Jesse is determined to keep his distance from the woman that calls to his heart, a complication of which he believes he is not worthy.
The relationship between Jesse and Tara begins as a one-night stand that quickly turns into something more but our leading couple struggle not to cross the line between their personal and professional lives, a line that is quickly blurred when the heart is involved. The $ex scene are erotic and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic, language and text.
We are introduced to Tara’s team of commercial divers including logistics specialist Miss Delores and her husband, Team supervisor Boone Macon; Navy man Jud Taylor, medical tech George Jefferson, underwater bell platform operator Bobby Flannery, and former coast guard operator Mike Henson as well as WFC members Navy Sean Riddick, Marine Noah Cortez, nurse Daniela England, and Coach John McPherson. The camaraderie between characters is sassy, fun and real. Jesse’s sister Willa’s story can be found in Waiting For Willa by Kristen Proby.
The world building looks at the personal and private recovery of those who suffer PTSD as a result of war or catastrophic injury. The Warrior Fight Club is a venue where former soldiers are able to work out their aggression and fears in a controlled environment with people who understand the who, how, what and why.
WORTH FIGHTING FOR is a story of hope and recovery; loss and grief; second chances and falling in love. The premise is realistic and inviting; the romance is passionate; the characters are broken but resilient and strong.
Tara Hunter is a commercial diver for a diving and salvage company in Washington D.C. She is also a member of the Warrior Fight Club, an MMA training club for veterans. Tara learns that her one-night stand is actually the newest member of her dive team. She tries to maintain a professional distance between her and Jesse Anderson. Can Tara overcome her anxieties for Jesse? Or will their jobs stand in the way of their relationship?
Former Petty Officer Jesse Anderson pursues a new career in commercial diving. Washington D.C. promises a fresh start away from his past mistakes. Jesse hopes his one night stand with team member Tara does not jeopardize their work relationship. However, he wants more than one night. Can Jesse conquer his emotional demons for Tara? Can they overcome the obstacles in their way?
Tara is such an inspirational heroine. She is equal parts tough-as-nails and vulnerable. I like how Tara’s brush with death in the navy convinced her to live in the now. She knows there will always be difficult times, but she refuses to allow them to hold her back. I admire how Tara acknowledges her handicaps instead of denying their existence. It shows the inner strength she possesses. What I like most about Tara is how she gives Jesse back his family. Sometimes a non-family member’s point of view helps a person realize what they still have.
Jesse is such a sweetheart. I love how he honors and immortalizes his fallen comrades. He refuses to forget the sacrifices they made. I like how Jesse acknowledges and admires Tara’s skills as a diver. He does not let her gender cloud his opinions. I adore the fact that Jesse wants to adopt the pets no one else wants. What I like the most about Jesse is the care and silent support he demonstrates to Tara. He never revealed her anxiety issues to their team; instead, he discreetly tries to help her in small ways.
WORTH FIGHTING FOR is book 2.5 in Laura Kaye’s romantic-suspense series, WARRIOR FIGHT CLUB. It is also a part of Kristen Proby’s Crossover Collection. I am unfamiliar with Kristen Proby and her BIG SKY series. That, however, did not hinder my ability to follow the plot and characters.
WORTH FIGHTING FOR is a heartening tale of two wounded souls confronting their demons to be together. I did not want this story to end. I cannot wait for Dani and Sean’s book.
Review courtesy of Romance Junkies
I’ll admit that while this was a cross over – I have no idea where it crossed over. I am familiar with the Fight Clubs for veterans that Laura Kaye has brought to us before. And this novel was no exception. It had honorable men and women putting their lives right again after their service ended. I was dragged into the story and didn’t let go until the end. The high emotions that Tara had to deal with and not show and how Jesse was perfect in how he handled it made the story more than a five star. I was glad that I scooped this one up to read.
Worth Fighting For, the latest Warrior Fight Club novella that happens to be part of the Kristen Proby Crossover Collection, by Laura Kaye, is definitely worth reading. Tara and Jesse are the perfect one-night-stand to HEA. Kaye exercises their demons while still bringing them together. I had not read Proby’s series and while I am curious to go back it did not impact my enjoyment of this novella. I am completely hooked on this series and can’t wait to read the next installment.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novella.
Laura Kaye takes romance up a notch. Worth Fighting For is an adrenaline junkie’s dream. Jesse and Tara, not only celebrate the human spirit, but also show the determination of the heart. In a field that’s as dangerous as it is rewarding, two risk takers learn how to navigate love. Kaye is not about making love an easy road, she thrives on the uphill battle. The main character within a Laura Kaye story is not necessarily the people you meet, but the emotions they make you feel.
Tara was in the navy and medically discharged now she is a commercial diver for a company. She has severe panic attacks and goes to her favorite bar one night. There she meets tall, dark, and gorgeous Jesse. Jesse was an underwater EOD expert in the navy and retired after twenty years. They have a one night stand. When Tara goes to work the next day her new co worker is Jesse. They try to pretend nothing happened but it’s hard when both are still attracted to each other. Jesse doesn’t believe he deserves Tara but she wants to give them a chance. Can Tara convince him to take a chance or will they go their separate ways?
Great story that is sweet, sexy, and heroic. It drew me in from the very first line. You might need tissues cause a couple of parts could make you tear up.
* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for the author *
This title is so very perfect for this story! This story also fits perfectly into the Big Sky Crossover series AND within Laura’s WFC series. I think I have my new favorite couple. Jesse and Tara both have had to overcome so much. I was hooked from the first nacho (wink wink). Yes it was very steamy and they had mega-chemistry but Laura also hooks you in with the story and the vets and the struggles they have to deal with and how they fight to overcome them. I love the friendships too. UUGHH and when he makes that call that Tara tells him to make…I cried!!!! The ending was PERFECTION!!!!
Once again Laura Kaye has given us another amazing story in her Warrior Fight Club series. “Worth Fighting For” is an impassioned tale of second chances, overcoming your fears and finding that one special person who will always be by your side.
Jesse and Tara are Navy veterans who both have demons to conquer, which had kept them from being happy and feeling loved. I could feel Tara’s agony each time she was faced with a difficult task or decision. Her pain radiated from the pages, making me wish I could comfort her in some way. Jesse’s guilt over the loss of his fellow servicemen was very apparent and had kept him closed off from the people who were important to him. Their chance meeting one night over nachos resulted in an intense and romantic connection that was magical and unforgettable. Jesse thought Tara was beautiful and she couldn’t believe how much they had in common. But the light of the next morning brought problems they could not avoid. Jesse knew he would worry about Tara at work, but she thought she could handle being with him everyday. Jesse was certain that Tara was his future and he was determined to find a way that they could be together forever.
Jesse and Tara are a passionate couple who fate brought together so they would never be alone again. Their lives would be free of pain and desperation and full of love and laughter; their journey hopeful, their love everlasting.
At 2am I decide I’m going to read the first chapter before I go to bed, 3 hours later it’s 5am I’m writing this review, that is how good Worth Fight For is.
Worth Fighting For is part of the Kristen Proby crossover collection. I’m not familiar with Kristen Proby’s Big Sky series, but I have read (and loved!) the first two Warrior Fight Club books. So I was already familiar with the world.
Laura Kaye has an incredible talent for writing these wounded Veterans. She not only brings to light all of the struggles our Vets may go though, but she does it so realistically that it honestly feels like they are real people because those are very real emotions coming off of the pages.
I loved Jesse and Tara’s journey. Jesse who served 20 years in the Navy, and who thinks he’s not good enough for anything, and Tara who served 12 years in the Navy and has a host of problems stemming from a medical discharge. They both were wounded in their own way, and had their own demons to battle, and it was beautiful watching them heal separately and together.
Jesse was oh so sexy, and incredibly sweet, all while having this vulnerability. It just hit every one of my swoon triggers. Tara was just as complex, dealing with her issues and dealing with being female in a male dominated field made her one of my favorite female characters.
5 there’s a reason why Laura Kaye is one of my favorite authors stars
I received an ARC for an honest review
I didn’t think it was possible but Warrior Fight Club just keeps getting better and better. Adding to the awesomeness of “Worth Fighting For” is the crossover teaser to Waiting for Willa by Kristen Proby, a book I recently devoured (so good!!!).
The uniqueness of Warrior Fight Club puts every book on my must read list. The author brings insight into the challenges of our returning Vets. I have never been in the military. I have never been close to anyone in the military that has protected our freedoms during a conflict. I only see some of the results in my town with a VA hospital.
The author brings different jobs and situations in to the light. “Worth Fighting For deals with Jesse and Tara. They had both been divers in the military. Jesse was a career Navy guy that had worked EOD, looking for a new career in DC. Tara is dealing with severe anxiety after a career ending injury. I would have a lot more issues if I had been her. Tragic….
A one night stand soon becomes complicated for so many reasons. And just when you think it is getting worked out BAM!!! They are complicated. Their relationship is even more complicated. As time goes on they work out many of their tensions at the fight club until it becomes complicated.
Sometimes love isn’t enough. Sometimes love isn’t the solution. Sometimes it takes a guy buying a clue and taking action giving this reader the HEA. Thank goodness Jesse bought that clue because that epilogue was MAGNIFICENT!!!
Absolutely adored this story and series!! Jesse and Tara both have many issue to overcome before they can become who they need to be. The storyline just grips at you!! I just loved it!!
Sexy, fun and well written . . . Wendy Qualls’ new novel is the perfect book for a cozy night at home reading. I really felt Paul’s struggle to accept himself, and applauded Brandon’s patience and kindness. Their happily ever after brought a smile to my face. I can’t wait to see what Ms. Qualls has in store for us next.
Prepare to fall in love with Brandon and Paul! Worth Waiting For is a charming, sexy, and beautifully crafted tale that tugs at the heartstrings. Can’t wait to read more from this talented author.