Holding Strong (Ultimate Novel, #2)

by Lori Foster

An up-and-coming MMA fighter wants more than just one night from a woman fleeing her past in New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster's irresistible new novel

Heavyweight fighter Denver Lewis plays real nice, but he doesn't share. That's why he's been avoiding top-notch flirt Cherry Peyton. But a man can only resist those lush curves for so long. Their encounter surpasses all his fantasies, bringing out protective urges that Cherry's about to need more than she knows...

Denver's combination of pure muscle and unexpected tenderness has been driving Cherry wild. Yet no sooner does she get what she's been craving than old troubles show up on her doorstep. And this time, Cherry can't hide behind a carefree facade. Because the man by her side is one who'll fight like hell to keep her safe...if only she'll trust him enough to let him...

• ISBN10: 0373779615
• ISBN13: 9780373779611
• Publish Date: 31 March 2015
• Publish Status: Out of Stock
• Imprint: Hqn
• Edition: Original ed.
• Format: Paperback (US Mass Market)
• Pages: 480
• Language: English

Reviews

[kimbacaffeinate]

Cherry Penton is one of those gals who glows, thinks positively and gathers friends to her like a moth to a flame. A little flirty, sometimes shy, she is roomies with Merissa. She frequents the fights and club, and engages with the same inner circle of friends. She has been crushing hard on Denver Lewis but the man does not seem to notice her. Oddly enough, the man in question cannot stop thinking about her, and between you and me, I think his feelings and thoughts scare the man. Fate happens, and these two hook up. Only things get complicated when Cherry’s past arrives in the guise of family, bringing up old fears and placing her in danger. Now she has to decide if Denver’s alpha tendencies to protect are because he truly cares about her or because he is built to protect.

Denver is a typical alpha with controlling tendencies. Pretty much, what you would expect of an MMA fighter with his roots. While sometimes I wanted to hit him in the back of the head, he has a soft, caring, and respectful side that made me swoon. Cherry is a survivalist and use to handling her own affairs, so letting Denver in feels a little like having a yellow stripe down her back. It was interesting watching this relationship develop. We get heat, ogling and some tender moments along with character growth as their relationship progresses.

Foster has an uncanny gift for making her characters authentic. Every action, every reaction felt genuine and I appreciate that about her characters. Are they perfect? Oh heck no, but she fleshes them out and allows them to grow. Armie, a secondary character who is over the top but oh so lovable sees huge growth in Holding Strong and really steps up. I cannot wait for his and Merissa story. Ooo and the things that are up with Vanity. I cannot wait! We see all of the key players, and get closer to some of them. Foster gives her books this small-town, family feel in an urban setting and I have a blast every time I visit. This series is a spin-off from her Love Undercover series and we get to spend some time at Rowdy’s.

Holding Strong has a suspenseful thread that puts our characters in danger, particularly Cherry. It was dark with villains that will make your skin crawl. The stories we learn about a character's past made me shiver. Be warned there was abuse both mental and physical.

Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer

[Linda]

*I received a free ARC of Holding Strong from the author in exchange of an honest and unbiased review*

Lori Foster has done it again! Holding Strong is a beautiful contemporary romance with tough fighters, women who can hold their own, friendship, loyalty, smexiness and lots of suspense!

This and all my other reviews are originally posted on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews

[leelu92]

Somewhere between 3.75 to 4 stars INTENSE stars!

I've been trying to figure out how I was going to write this review since I finished this book.  Lori Foster is a favorite author of mine and I've enjoyed the Ultimate series so far.

It's not that I didn't enjoy this book, I totally did.  I think I just derived more enjoyment from the secondary plot and everybody's else's stuff going on around them.  Stack and Vanity are circling each other and so are Armie and Rissy.  Frankly, I, like many others, are just DYING for Armie and Rissy and the wait is almost torturous.

Back to Cherry and Denver.  Cherry is a flirt who kind of has the hots for Denver and he has been watching and wanting her for awhile. He has avoided her because of her flirtatious nature.  Finally, the tension between them can no longer be denied and they totally go for it.  Enter some not so nice people from Cherry's past and Denver is forced to step up to help protect her.  Cherry isn't so good at taking help.  But Denver and his alpha man ways force her to finally accept some help.

I appreciated how the whole group of friends rallied around Cherry, offering her support and protection.  It certainly took her some time to get used to that kind of friendship and to her relationship with Denver.  That guy, is one INTENSE dude and he does not mess around at all. Holy moly.

Overall, I enjoyed Cherry and Denver's book. I don't think it will be my favorite in thisseries but I certainly enjoyed the ensemble story/aspect of this one. :) I'm definitely looking forward to more in this series!

 



 

Purchase:

This review was originally posted on Straight Shootin' Book Reviews