Until You're Mine by Cindi Madsen Pages: 393
Series: Fighting for Her #1
Genres: New Adult, Sports Romance
Source: ARC
Also by this author: Anatomy of a Player, 12 Steps to Mr. Right, Crazy Pucking Love, Taking Care of the Target, Confessions of a Former Puck Bunny, Christmas With You: an anthology
Goodreads
You might’ve heard of me, Shane Knox, the guy who rose quickly through the MMA fighter ranks, only to crash just as fast. No one cares about personal reasons when it comes to losing fights and money. I’m determined to get back to where I was. For you to hear my name again. I’ve finally convinced the owner of Team Domination to take a chance and get me back in fighting—and winning—shape. What I didn’t bargain for is the guy’s spitfire of a daughter. Factor in her two professional-fighter brothers who are acting as my coaches and the fact that my career hangs in the balance, and Brooklyn’s the last girl I should be fantasizing about. The closer we get, the more I want Brooklyn. The stakes are high, and I know there’s a big chance of both of us getting hurt, but I won’t stop until she’s mine.
Knox was already on top of the MMA world, so the story is more about his attempt at reclaiming his throne. But, he is super distracted by Brooklyn, the daughter of the gym owner. These two have some witty banter for sure. Brooklyn has no desire to date an athlete. She has a very strained relationship with her father and coming home to help at the gym for the summer is not something she wanted to do. So, she wants to put in her time and get the hell out of dodge!
The story is more than just a romance between Brooklyn and Knox. You have the family drama between Brooklyn and her dad (with her brothers giving their 2 cents constantly). You have Knox’s attempt to get back on top of the MMA world. You have Brooklyn’s choice for her future. It all creates a multi layered story.
I love MMA stories. However, they are starting to feel stale. The drawback to Until You’re Mine was the pacing. I really struggled at times because the plot felt like it was simply stopped. I liked Brooklyn. Knox was hot. Overall, the story was good. I wish it were like 150 pages shorter though. Also, Brooklyn has a boyfriend. Knox pursues her anyway. I wasn’t a huge fan of this. Nothing ‘happens’ between Brooklyn and Knox while she is with the boyfriend; it still doesn’t make me feel great about either character, you know. Perhaps the title should have been a clue…But, I am super judge-y about this kind of stuff so take my irritation with a grain of salt perhaps!
I am curious about Brooklyn’s brothers. I might continue on with the series to get their stories. Maybe the pace will pick up since they have already been introduced and such?
- POV: dual 1st
- Tears: no
- Trope: MMA
- Triggers: none
- Series/Standalone: stand alone
- Cliffhanger: View Spoiler »
- HEA: View Spoiler »
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The Final Fight by JB Salsbury, Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire, Against the Cage by Sidney Halston…then you will probably like Until You’re Mine!
Until You’re Mine
Well, this made me a little sad. I had loved the Madsen book I read, and was hoping this one was good too.
I think some readers might not find the pacing as slow as I did. If you love MMA books, this one is worth a shot! Sometimes I am just overly picky 🙂
When it comes to pacing in a story, I do feel that its a must!!! I just struggle with stories that aren’t quick paced. But I do love MMA romance though.
Yes-that is why I was so torn! MMA-love it! Slow pacing? Ugh. It was such a struggle because the book had elements of a story I would LOVE!
I got curious about this one because you mentioned the witty banter but ugh. Her having a boyfriend and him still deciding to pursue her is super off-putting!
I hope the other books in the series are better for you.