Fighting Silence (On the Ropes, #1)

by Aly Martinez

[Cocktails and Books]

FIGHTING SILENCE brought forth these reactions from me as I read the book.  It's a testament to the craftsmanship of Aly Martinez that she can take a reader on an emotional journey in a book to evoke these kinds of responses.

In the first book of the On the Ropes series, we're introduced to the Page brothers.  Oldest brother Till has taken on the responsibility of making sure his younger brothers are taken care of, all while fighting to scrap along.  His one bit of lightness is Eliza Reynolds.  She helps ground Till and make him understand he's providing something for his brothers that he didn't have.  And then, when boxing champ Slate Andrews opens a gym in Till's neighborhood he finds something else that makes his life better.

So many things happen as we chronicle the relationship between Till and Eliza from the age of thirteen to their early twenties.  From best friends to lovers, we watch both of these characters struggle with their circumstances, what their future is going to look like and how to keep their little unconventional family together.  You couldn't help but hope they figured out how to get their HEA.  It took them awhile to get it, but as they matured and realized there are some things more important than money, you knew they'd find it.

I loved the dynamics between the Page brothers and Eliza.  They may have pushed each other and sometimes rubbed each other the wrong way, but there was never any doubt they had each other's backs.  They would do anything for each, actually proving that towards the end, which proved just how special this group was.  They all rose above their situation to build a life they could be proud of.

I look forward to hopefully seeing Flint and Quarry's stories.  Both of them have huge demons to overcome and I just know Aly Martinez will give them spectacular stories.