Brawl by Kylie Hillman

There are situations where men and women are equal in my eyes and when Gabbi decided that she was going to do what she did best and provide for her family, albeit using her fists then that was her decision to make. The resistance that Hooligan initially had towards that said more about him than it did her but I am not one to hold a grudge and by the end I was content in the fact that he had turned my opinion of him around, good man!

The author really went to town with this pair, they are certain to rub you up the wrong way, really they are a prickly pair but where is the fun in smooth sailing?

The story had elements that most definitely tugged at my heartstrings and others that snapped them wickedly in two with a devious glint from the page it did so!

Gabbi grew up quickly when her folks called time on their marriage but it taught her early on that if you want something you have to fight for it, little did those around her realise that she would take that scenario so literally. Assuming a parental roll from a young age drills a level responsibility into you that I don’t think she was really ready for and she almost let it devour her, it was only her strong will that kept her spark alive.

Hooligan on the other half is doing what he definitely does best but it is a measured response to the hurt and pain that if he didn’t fight would eat him alive from the inside out. His heart is full to the brim with not just hurt and anger but also guilt and his coping mechanism is in the octagon!

Training Gabbi was never on his agenda, there are plenty of other things he can think of that he would rather be doing with the feisty Ms Mitchell but if she is prepared to meet him toe to toe then the scrap between them was only ever going to be electrifying.

A fabulously well written and engaging story that crosses all sorts of fields, two really strong characters that are full of mistakes, twists, turns and complications but who are most of all full of heart. They do what they need to do to survive and that dear ready should never be in any doubt.

A strong contemporary romance that married well with the strong MMA feel and I was delighted that Gabbi was getting in on the action.

With a host of secondary characters to accompany them on their journey through the book, it is safe to say that there was never a dull moment. A thoroughly enjoyable read.