I am enjoying this book a lot (second read through). It is not often that I find an author who portrays a character in an abusive situation with such authenticity. Both the hero and heroine are interesting, conflicted, complex characters whose growth and relationships keep me reading to see what happens next. After traumatic loss or life-changing experiences, people are vulnerable and not always thinking straight. It's easy to get caught in a bad situation and start believing the crap being tossed at them. It's harder to get out of the situation with courage and grace when the person can't easily get away from the crap tosser (Lily's ex) out of fear and circumstances beyond control. I like seekng how Lily works through the problem and still finds a way to connect with Jax. I also like how Jax understands where Lily is coming from and protects her while still respecting her choices about how she wants to deal with her ex. The happy ever after happens on a few different fronts with both Lily and Jax having to face fears and their pasts to be together.

My only criticism has to do with a proofreading issue. Example is site substituted for sight when the author describes a scene one character is observing. It distracts me and takes me out of the story

Source: ARC from author
My Rating: 4½/5 stars
My Review:

Jax Knight just can’t escape the wretched that is his father, Preston Knight. Angry and tired of dodging the press, Jax has decided that the only way to get on with his life is to leave DC for a while and escape into the anonymity that is New York City. Quite aside from being Preston Knight’s son, Jax has his own life: he is a very successful businessman, he trains almost relentlessly for an MMA “career” and, he doesn’t lack for companionship should he choose to engage in such activities. Jax likes his life and his privacy but with the scandal that is his father and his father’s reprehensible behavior, Jax just can’t find what he needs in DC.

On the outside, Lily St. Claire has the perfect life: she is part owner of a successful chain of MMA training centers, Ralley’s Gyms; she is happily single; has a delightful best friend and; takes art classes when she’s not working at the gym. That’s the outside. What the world doesn’t see is Lily’s ongoing and intense sadness over the loss of her beloved father and her intense desire to be totally free of her controlling ex, Caden. While most girls have the luxury of walking out the door and being done with their ex, Lily’s ex is related to her business partner and an MMA fighter who trains in the gym Lily works in. As if to rub salt in the wound, Caden calls Lily incessantly, questions her every move and action and, can’t take the hint that they are well and truly over. Lily is generally too nice for her own good but even she knows the situation with Caden has got to change.

On the recommendation of his DC trainer, Jax checks out a Ralley’s Gym almost as soon as he gets to New York. The new gym is good, the trainer will work out fine and, the beautiful young lady at the front desk is not just beautiful but talented and intriguing as well. There are just a few problems: she has a detestable ex who won’t leave her alone and she keeps trying to convince Jax that she doesn’t date. Huh? Really? Then maybe she will just help out a guy new to the city and looking to escape the media. For Lily, Jax’s presence in her life is as unsettling as it is exciting. Jax is strong, sexy and, determined to get close to her and that determination only becomes stronger after just a few hours of hanging out with Lily and seeing how Caden behaves around her. Jax figures out quickly that Caden is bad news and not just for Lily personally but for her business as well. On many levels, Jax presence is comforting and exciting and sensual but, Lily knows his time in DC is limited and getting involved is dangerous.

The dance between Jax and Lily is all kinds of fun to watch. Where Jax is aggressive in a gentlemanly kind of way, Lily is hesitant yet curious. They are both all kinds of interested in each other and their banter is laced with both humor and innuendo. Getting Lily to trust him is of the utmost importance but Jax is keeping things from Lily that will most certainly cause her to tuck her tail and run. Adding to the pressure of the secrets is Caden who is a constant nuisance and an escalating threat to Lily and her safety. Needless to say, Jax just won’t stand for Caden and his behavior and as things heat up on every level, so does the animosity between the two men. Clearly, the animosity can only be solved in the cage and man, oh man, is that one raging fight 

The Bottom Line: Once again, Vi Keeland delivers a solid and entertaining read that has something for everyone. There is a steamy romance with more than a little cat and mouse, there is some excellent dick swinging between the boys, there are visits from past (favorite!) characters and, there is an excellent ending that ties up the entire series. Keeland is seemingly keeping this series short and sweet and as a result, the characters – both old and new – stay fresh and exciting. Both the short- and long-term plots are interesting and sexy with just the right amount of action. There is a fine selection of good and bad characters, all of which are fully developed and worth investing in. One of Keeland’s strengths is her dialogue whether it be quick and witty banter, arguments or, a dirty-talking sexy man. From beginning to end I was totally involved in this read and on the whole find it to be an excellent conclusion to what has become one of my favorite series.

3-3.5 stars

This was a good story. I liked Jax very much..Lily I liked for the most part but she pulled some stupid crap at times. For me, Lily just missed being a TSTL heroine but not by much. The story wasn't perfect but it was enjoyable and I'm not sorry I read it.

Lily is the co-owner of a string of MMA/boxing gyms that she inherited after her father died. Lily's father was a fighter and instilled a love for the sport in Lily, who's determined to keep the gyms functioning as envisioned by her father. When Lily's father died, she didn't take it well and the business suffered. Lily ended up getting help from Caden (nephew of the other owner) during her hard time and he used it as a way to get her into a relationship. She realized later what a bad idea it had been and broke up with Caden but he doesn't seem to know how to take no for an answer.

Jax is the son of a Senator and half-brother to Vince (the hero in book #2). Jax grew up looking up to his father, thinking that he was the moral, upstanding man he portrayed for his constituents. Jax's father had always counselled Jax about what's "proper" and his "advice" had pushed Jax into a life he wasn't really happy with. When Jax's father's dirty secrets are let out and Jax finds out what a scumbag his father actually is, he does what he can to cut all ties with the man.

The other owner of the gyms is Joe Rally, Lily's father's best friend. He's looking to retire so they're looking for a silent partner to buy Joe's half of the business. Joe and Lily have been talking to Jax via email for months about the deal but they hadn't met in person until Jax shows up in New York. Jax was happy to go to New York for the business trip as he thought it would be a good way to escape the paparazzi that plagued him over his father's scandal in Washington. Jax wasn't expecting to fall for Lily pretty much as soon as he met her but he doesn't object when the feeling hit him and he's determined to get a chance with Lily.

Unfortunately, Lily is still trying to get Caden to stop badgering her to get back with him after she broke up with him 2 months before so attempting a new relationship doesn't seem like a good idea to her. It doesn't help matters that Caden uses her guilt over his "helping" her run the business after her father died to keep Lily from being too tough while trying to push him out of her life (although she let him push way too far not matter how kind he was). Jax sees why Lily would be leary of a new relationship but he also sees that she wants him as much as he wants her and he's determined not to let Caden's bad behavior keep them from having a chance together. Obviously, they do end up together but there are some definite issues that cause some drama and angst for the couple. Thankfully, they're able to get past the issues and end the story starting a HEA together.

This was an enjoyable story. I liked Lily for the most part but I did have some major problems with her interactions with Caden. She was just so weak with him...not matter how "helpful" he had been in the past, no man should be allowed to get away with the crap he was pushing on her. And her believing Caden over Jax after what Caden did to her was just wrong. Jax was a great hero...I can't really think of anything he did wrong except maybe not fight as hard as he should have once Caden pulled his last gambit...but then Jax didn't have many options at that point so I can't even really blame him for that. The story was good...it wasn't perfect but I still enjoyed the story overall. :)

* note - I listened to the audio version of this book and the narrator did a pretty good job.