Tough Enough by M. Leighton

Tough Enough (Tall, Dark, and Dangerous, #2)

by M. Leighton

From the author of the New York Times bestselling Bad Boys novels comes the second book in a dark, sexy contemporary trilogy.

He’s a fighter who never loses, but is he tough enough to win her heart?

There was a time when I had everything–a wonderful family, a bright future. Love. But all that was taken away in a single night, torn from me like flesh from bone. Since then, I’ve hidden away in my second-choice job as a makeup artist. But I prefer it that way, actually. I’m comfortable in the shadows, where no one can see my scars.

Kiefer Rogan literally took my breath away the moment I met him. MMA champion-turned-actor, notorious playboy, charming to a fault—he’s everything I vowed to avoid.

But he just wouldn’t stop until I opened up and let him in. Maybe I should’ve tried harder to resist him. Maybe I shouldn’t have fallen in love with him. Because I, of all people, know that everyone has secrets. Scars. And that they’re usually ugly and painful and destructive to the people we love most.

I just never guessed that they could be deadly, too.

Reviewed by Cocktails and Books on

4 of 5 stars

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This review was originally posted on Cocktails and Books

Tough Enough is the second book in the Tall, Dark, and Dangerous series by M. Leighton and I read it as a standalone although it might be better to read Strong Enough first so that you have all the pieces to the background story that is going on. I absolutely enjoy M. Leighton's writing style. She knows how to draw you into her characters quickly and thoroughly so that you feel vested in the outcome of the story. The prologue of this book sucks you right in because clearly Katie has been through a terrible, painful ordeal but you have no idea what the particulars of it are and you can't wait to uncover them.


Katie's backstory is absolutely heartbreaking. I don't want to spoil it because as it unfolds you literally hurt for her as the chapters unfold. She clearly isn't living life, she is just existing inside of the carefully constructed bubble she has encased herself in. You want her to heal. You want her to be able to move on from her horrific past.

From Rogan's first run in with Katie, you know he is going to be the one to break through. He is damaged and has a past that could have crushed him. Little does Katie know but Rogan is a survivor too. Rogan has a motto, "Fight to Survive. Fight to live." This motto couldn't be more true for him and Katie needs to see that she has fought to survive but has yet to fight to live.

There are some epic twists at the end that I should have seen coming but I was so enthralled in these two characters I missed it. I love it when a book surprises me and I love complications. Rogan and Katie have to fight for each other. Are they will to go the distance? You will root for these two until the end. Pick Tough Enough up today, you won't be disappointed.

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  • 29 September, 2015: Reviewed