Title: Worth Forgiving (MMA #3)
Author: Vi Keeland
Release date: August 21st 2014
Age Group: Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Cover designed by Romcon.com
Model: Jamie Dominic
Photographer: Jamie Dominic Photography
Blurb:
They say men like a lady in the living room and a whore in the bedroom. I never knew the sentiment was reciprocal. Until I met Jax Knight. A gentleman in public, a commanding, dirty talking rogue in the bedroom.
Daughter of legendary fighter “The Saint,” Lily St. Claire knows firsthand how fighters can be. As the owner of a chain of MMA gyms, she’s no stranger to aggressive, dominating, and possessive men. That’s why she’s always kept her distance. But the day Jax Knight walks through her door she’s captivated by his charm. Stunningly handsome, well mannered, Ivy League educated, and confident, he shatters all the preconceived notions she’d come to think were true about men who trained to fight.
But falling for someone so soon after her breakup wasn’t something she’d planned on. And definitely not something her ex plans to allow.
Worth Forgiving was a story I was excited about featuring a character that caught my attention early in the last book Worth The Chance. Jackson Knight with his charming smile and warm personality was a secondary character that stole my focus and I think the reason why I didn't really get into the book about his bastard brother Vince Stone. I knew his story was juicy after the scandal of his senator father having an illegitimate son by a crackhead stripper but I wanted to know the man behind the drama and Keeland delivered that for me in this book.
Act One, Scene One begins with Jax running from the scandal of his father being chased all over D.C. by the papz until he sneaks off to New York to train with a friend's cousin. That's where he meets Lily St Claire, partial owner of Ralley's Gyms where he'll be training. She catches his eye early on and tries to woo her to no avail because Lily is still trying to shake off the bonds of her last relationship with her partner's meat head nephew Caden. Lily's story was pretty simple. After the death of her beloved father she was depressed and needed comfort so Caden was who she turned to. Except he turned out to be a jerk who bullied her into staying with him and constantly tries to strong arm her into getting back together after she breaks up with him. ZZZZzzzz. I can honestly say that I didn't like Lily much and my feelings for her barely changed. I found her to be vapid and naive. I get that she felt bad for ditching Caden when he was there for her and had a little guilt but to keep him in her life for that reason after the erratic behavior he showed was total idiocy.
The subplot of Worth Forgiving is that Jackson is in New York to become a silent investor in Lily's gyms because their cash flow has been lacking and they need a little boost. Jackson was the sole reason I read Worth Forgiving and enjoyed it. I couldn't get enough of him. He was a delicious combo of gentlemen and pervert but his dirty side only came out behind closed doors. I loved that about Keeland's leading man in this one. The scandal with his father plays a role in this when Daddy Dearest sticks his nose into Jax's business trying to get him to come back to Team Trollop and make papa look good. Jax ain't havin' that and does everything he can to avoid his father's requests. Jackson had a righteous anger and I loved watching him threaten his dad. The guy is a total scumbag and deserved to be beaten down but Jax is too good for that. I didn't feel like Jackson could do any wrong but Lily felt differently when a misunderstanding with the bank thanks to his father turns her against him.
So, if I loved Jackson and tolerated Lily, then how did the romance work for me? For the most part they were good together and I did enjoy watching them flirt and take steps to a deeper relationship. Of course Jackson was hot both in the bedroom and out. He was the kind of guy that would open the door for you and have you pressed against it once he got you home. That's always PURRfect! Lily was cool when she was with Jax. She fought against getting involved with him so soon after dumping Caden but Jax's charm was hard to say no to. I liked her a lot better when her mouth was full of Jax's
though. She was less annoying when she was otherwise cock-u-pied. See what I did there? Jax and Lily had an easy friendship and for the most part they were great together until Lily effed it up but they managed to get their stuff together.
It didn't matter that the ref called it a clean hit. Nico Hunter would never be the same.
Meet Liv Michaels
Both fighters from the previous books make an appearance in Worth Forgiving and that was another bonus for me. Seeing Nico again always makes my tummy flutter and knowing his life is going so well with Elle is a nice send off. Vince and Liv have a small part as Jax and Vince finally meet and get to know each other. Brotherly bonding over fighting and their shitty sperm donor was what I had hoped would come of all this. Vince may have made me want to bonk him on the HEAD (north or south, doesn't matter) in his story but it was nice to see him settled and at peace. I adored Liv in Worth The Chance so naturally seeing her again made my cockles pulsate with warmth especially watching her treat Jackson so sweet. Once upon a time I had hoped her and Jax would make a go but everyone belongs with their beloved and Vince is hers.
Drama, Sex, Fighting, Lust, Love, Romance, and a little dash of Humor make Worth Forgiving another great addition to the MMA series Keeland brought to life. I've enjoyed watching everyone want love, find love and avoid love all at the same time. I may have had a few qualms with Worth Forgiving but in the end I did enjoy Jax and Lily's story. If you;re into fighters who have giant hearts but dirty mouths then you'll love Keeland's MMA boys.
Quotes:
I smile thinking how lucky I am to have Jackson, the Ivy League refined tycoon pull out my chair and open my door. And Jax, the gritty, dirty talking fighter that commands my body. God, I had no idea such a man existed, he shatters stereotypes. It's as if someone told me to fantasize about sexy men, and then they rolled them all into one perfect prototype. eARC 56%
"I smell you when you're nowhere near me. I feel you, without touching. When you walk into a room, I know you;re there even before I look up. Every time I see you smile, I smile. Your happiness has become my happiness. Either I'm in love with you, or you really are my very own angel. Either way, we were meant to be." eARC 95%
Series Reading Order:
Hootie's Reviews:
Worth the Fight (Book One)
It didn't matter that the ref called it a clean hit. Nico Hunter would never be the same.
Elle has a good life. A job she loves, a great apartment, and the guy she's been dating for more than two years is a catch and a half. But it's boring...and she strives to keep it that way. Too many emotions are dangerous. Her own past is living proof of what can happen when you lose control.
Then Nico walks into Elle's office and everything changes...for both of them. But what can the tattooed, hard-bodied MMA fighter and the beautiful and always steady attorney have in common? A lot more than they bargained for.
***Author's note*** THIS IS A STAND-ALONE NOVEL. Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.
Worth the Chance (Book Two)
Meet Liv Michaels
It may have been seven years, but I'd know him anywhere. Sure, he's grown, filled out in all the right places, but his captivating blue eyes and cocky grin are exactly the way I remember. Even though I'd much rather forget. Liv Michaels is almost there. She's smart, determined and weeks away from landing the job she's dreamed about for years. Time healed old wounds, even her broken heart from the devastation of being crushed by her first love.
Meet Vince Stone
Women love a fighter, especially a good one. Lucky for me, I'm damn good. But there's one woman that isn't interested. Not again, anyway. Vince 'The Invincible' Stone is every woman's fantasy...strong, sexy, confident and completely in control. Growing up surrounded by chaos, he's learned never to get too attached. Love will drag you down. He adores women, treats them well, puts their own needs before his own...for the night anyway. With the biggest fight of his life coming up, his focus should be on training. When fate brings Vince & Liv back together again, there's no denying the chemistry is still there. But can Vince erase the old scars their past left behind? Or will Liv hurt him instead?
***Author's note*** THIS IS A STAND-ALONE NOVEL. Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the 18.
Giveaway:
Signed Kindle cover by several amazing authors!
Additional Books by Vi Keeland
First Thing I See
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1qLL4ET
Belong to You (A Cole Novel, Book One)
Amazon US : http://amzn.to/1jdAlRk
Made For You (A Cole Novel, Book Two)
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1qLLdIk
About The Author:
Vi Keeland is a native New Yorker with three children that occupy most of her free time, which she complains about often, but wouldn't change for the world. She is a bookworm and has been known to read her kindle at stop lights, while styling her hair, cleaning, walking, during sporting events, and frequently while pretending to work. She is a boring attorney by day, and an exciting smut author by night!
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Not quite sure what to think! Jax sounds great though. Do Nico and Elle show up?
ReplyDeleteCock-u-pied. OMG. That is too perfect. I might have to try these :)
ReplyDelete