review: Against the Ropes by Carly Fall

Against the Ropes by Carly Fall

My rating: 4/5

DRC provided by Author Representative for an honest review

Published: 5.29.13

Genre: New Adult/Contemporary Romance

Summary –

Winning the next fight will mean nothing . . . if he can’t win back the heart of the woman he loves.

Five years ago Dylan Gomez had it all. He was an up-and-coming boxer with a loving girlfriend, and his sights were set on the big league. Then he let the hype of the fans inflate his ego—he thought he was invincible. That all changed when an alcohol-fueled decision altered the course of his life. He lost his girlfriend and then bit-by-bit his life crumbled around him.

Physical therapist, Regan Holloway, has coasted through life for the last five years. She’s been in the same place all that time and most of her things are still in boxes. Agreeing to a “friendly” date with a co-worker, she ends up ringside and face-to-face with the man she’d fled to forget—Dylan.

Dylan’s turning his life around and working his way back up the ranks; he’s got a big fight lined up in thirty days that will be his ticket back into the pros—if he can win. The only thing holding him back is an old shoulder injury and Regan not being by his side.

When Max, Dylan’s manager, convinces Regan to come with them and work on his shoulder for the fight, she knows she needs to keep things professional so that she won’t be hurt again.

In the thirty-day countdown to the big fight, secrets are revealed, their passion is reignited, and the past threatens to haunt their future. On fight day, Dylan and Regan are truly against the ropes. (Thanks to GoodReads.com for the summary)

My Thoughts –

Where does the story take place? California and Phoenix

Is the title a good/bad choice for the story? Sure

List the top 3 characters and 1 word to describe them each. Regan – hopeless, Dylan – hopeful, Max - loving

Give the book an alternate ending…or were you happy with it? Well – someone would live of course, but I really liked how everything turned out otherwise

Did you cry, laugh, sigh, cringe, fume or feel nothing? All of the aforementioned and then some

Great fast-paced, intensely emotional read!

Regan was heartbroken after finding the love of her life in the midst of screwing some other chick. She walked away and never looked backed after she did. She thought she had moved on, but really she just closed herself off to the world. Her decision to go to Phoenix was a tough one and I think she was brave for doing so.

Dylan let fame and glory go to his head messed up big time. He lost his girl and in turn lost his freedom for a while. After getting out of prison and trying to turn his life around, he’s ready to make amends with Regan and potentially reignite their flame. I commend Dylan for taking responsibility for his actions and learning from his mistakes.

I really enjoyed this story. I started it and couldn’t put it down. I could feel the love and remorse between the two of them and both ran deep. Their passion was hot and they were so absolutely right for one another.

I liked the story a lot. I felt some of the editing could have been better and some of the timing was off – other than that, great story!!