Dirty Boxing (Blood and Glory, #1)

by Harper St. George and Tara Wyatt

[leelu92]

I am a fan of Tara Wyatt and Harper St. George, so you can imagine that I was a very happy camper when it was announced that they were working on a series together! Dirty Boxing is a solid start to the Blood and Glory series and an intense and ridiculously sexy second chance romance.

If you’re an MMA fan, I think you’ll be quite pleased as the competition action is extremely detailed, more so than many MMA romances I’ve read in recent memory. I appreciated that, as it gives you a truly real and in-depth look into these fighter’s lives. Their training and its results are evident and it showcases how difficult it can be to create and maintain a relationship amid the demands of the job.

Jules and Nick had out of this world chemistry. Nick was easy to like. He was truly a good guy from a loving family and after he understands a little bit more about the situation, he opens himself up to another chance with Jules.

As for Jules, I’m going to admit that she frustrated the snot out of me. She’s very hung up on her own upbringing and how her parent’s relationship was so dysfunctional that she doesn’t see how she could have a healthy relationship. Normally, that kind of thing turns me off in characters. The whole, I love him but I’m not worthy because of my parent’s issues is usually a big no go for me. Otherwise, Jules was a kickass character! She was smart, funny and truly cared for Nick.

I kept reading for a couple of reasons.

1.I loved Nick. He was sex on a stick with a heart of gold. (How’s that for a visual?)
2.I wanted to learn more about the secondary characters.
3.I wanted to know how the heck Jules was going to get passed her hangups.

While I was reading, I recognized the importance of character growth. It’s important and I think readers can lose sight of that, especially when reading a character they are having a hard time connecting with.

I saw that growth with Jules. How she was able to experience Nick’s no limit love and devotion for her and his own family. That can be hard, trying to figure out how you fit into a family when you’re not used to a supportive and healthy one, yourself.

So, for me, this was all about Jules’s journey and development as a character and in her relationship with Nick and her own father.

While I had a few bumps with this one, I really enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to more in the Blood and Glory series.