Marketing talent Julian "Jules" Darcy does not do relationships. Rising MMA star Nick Giannakis is charming and on every girls wish list of eligible bachelors. When a fling gone wrong between the two, the previous year, unexpectedly finds them reunited through work the stage is set for a battle of their hearts that would rival the MMA championships!

The first book in the collaboration of Tara Wyatt and Harper St. George's Blood and Glory series combined the considerable talents of these two authors for a well-executed and seamless effort. Emotionally charged with well-timed heated moments Dirty Boxing was hard to put down. The connection between Jules and Nick was intense and as self-sabotaging took hold of the plot the angst that this couple felt filled the pages of this work with its power. This couple was really good together and the contrast of them together versus being apart really accentuated this point. Humor and sadness balanced this book resulting in a story that moved quickly and unforgettably. While I normally am hesitant to read joint writing efforts I cannot wait for the next installment of this writing duo. Tara Wyatt and Harper St. George scored a knockout in the first installment of their Blood and Glory series with Dirty Boxing, definitely two writers to follow alone or together!

This is a super sexy sports romance, it's the first book in a new series.The plot has several twists & flashbacks to keep your interest.There were some moments I felt like the pace was a little bit slow but this doesn't make me love it less.I really enjoy it.There were some really intense moments between the characters that make the story more intimidate.Overall it was a great story and now I'm excited for the next book!

Julian (Jules) Darcy had a rough childhood. Her parents fought constantly and her dad was home less and less until he was gone. During her dad’s absences, she had to deal with her mom’s increase use/dependency on pills and alcohol. After dealing with all that, she decides relationships will never work for her nor does she want to try only to have her heart broken.

Nick Giannakis is an MMA fighter. He comes from a tight knit Greek family, with happily married parents. The MMA world is his life. He knows it’s very tough to have a family life with the lifestyle needed to get to championship levels.

Nick and Jules meet in Chicago, while she’s there on business, and have an intense 3 week fling. He wants to continue seeing her, even if it’s a long distance relationship. She freaks out because she knows love isn’t for her. Just look at her parents’ example. So, she leaves him behind to nurse his broken heart.

It’s a year later, Jules moves to Las Vegas to help her dad, a former champion MMA fighter, promote his fledgling MMA business. Imagine her shock when she discovers Nick is her dad’s newest fighter. And he wants to make him the face of the business. They’ll have to work closely together. Nick is not any happier because his feelings for her are still there.

Jules’ relationship with her dad is rocky at best. She came to Vegas to see if they could repair it and move forward. Her dad is very egocentric and they continue to clash.

I almost did a DNF on this book at about 25%. I rolled my eyes at the my parents had a lousy relationship so I know I can’t have a good one because it’s in my genes. I wanted to smack her upside the head, especially when she had examples of good relationships around her too. And Nick. He’s supposed to be this alpha, bad ass, champion MMA fighter, oldest son in a Greek family and he’s whining because she broke his heart. He tells her he hates her for what she did to him. He just felt immature. Communication was a huge issue for these two. I found myself skimming parts. The characters progress and the story improves, but parts of it continued to grate. Jules and Nick work it out to get their HEA. I wanted to see more talking things out between these two. Throughout the whole story my attention was drawn to Gabe, Nick’s best friend. We kept getting small pieces of information about him that made him intriguing as hell. I hope his story lives up to all the hype.


I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.

If there's one thing about a book that sucks me in, it is the authors ability to write with intense passion. These authors have the gift. It's almost like you are in the room watching the scene unfold in person....
The heat is palatable.
The intense gazing is scorching.
The steaming connection is tangible.

While the story wraps around the MMA ring, the plot is actually more about The failure of the first time they met along with their intense connection. He never knew why it was doomed from the beginning.

Now we are here a year later and the heat is just as blazing. With issues that are bound to keep them apart, the authors add in some angst and drama but I am always hopeful for the HEA.

Definitely a book that covers multiple layers of life and romance. Interesting, intriguing, and enjoyable to the end, Dirty Boxing has grit and plenty of raw emotion and passion to satisfy the romance lover in you.

Wow! Tara Wyatt & Harper St. George have teamed up to write a new steamy series about MMA fighters. Nick Giannakis has just signed with the WFA after becoming bored with the series he was fighting in, the Imperial. Once he became champion, there wasn't anything new to conquer. He left his family & life behind to move to Vegas to train & compete. He didn't expect to run into the woman from his past, the one that tore his heart out. He certainly didn't expect her to start up with him again.

Jules Darcy had a horrible childhood. Her mother was pregnant so her parents got married. After horrible battles, they finally got divorced but her father left & her mother was battling alcohol & drug abuse. Jules took this to mean she should never have a relationship because she wouldn't be any good at it. Therefore, after she met Nick, she spent time with him expecting it to be short term & no one would get hurt. When she called it off, that's not the way it happened. Now she's working for her dad & the fighter she has to work with is Nick. Why can't she stay away from him?

Dirty Boxing is an intense, sexy second chance story. The plot has several twists & flashbacks that add dimension to the story. The characters are realistic & honest while the sexual scenes are raw, emotional & gritty. The writers were able to convey how both Jules & Nick are better, happier people when they are together. I really enjoyed this one & cant wait for Gabe's story!

The story opens with Jules Darcy who left her job in Boston to work with her father in Las Vegas. Her father now runs a top MMA league and has hired her for promotional work for an upcoming event they are having. Taking her out to meet the fighter and the ones that she will be promoting and working with. She is caught off guard at the sight of Nick Giannakis. He is not only good looking and is looking at her, but she ran out of his place a year ago when he was starting to get serious about a relationship. Now she is staring at him and he does not look happy, but shocked. Nick left Chicago and changed leagues and now the one person that he thought he would never see again is standing across the room and he hears that she is also the owners’ daughter. On top of everything else they are put together to work on the new ad campaign. Darcy also does not think that they can be together because of the relationship or the lack of one that her parents had. Nick on the other hand knows that he is in love with her but does not want to do anything to scare her away again. A good story with good characters. See what happens between them and with his fights.

1 - Leaving now was the right thing to do... Star.

DNF

I am usually more diplomatic in my reviews, but I can’t seem to muster the energy for this one. I stopped reading because I was bored, that’s it, I’m not going to pretty it up, or be constructive, I have written so many reviews for so many books of this genre now, I have run out of anything original to say, which pretty much sums up Dirty Boxing.

"There’s a small part of me that will always hate you for the way you left..."

The old 'my Mommy and Daddy got divorced, so I cannot possibly have a loving relationship with anyone myself because it' chestnut, grates on my nerves at the best of times, but it just rubbed me completely the wrong way this time, especially when both aforementioned parents are emotionally stunted tools themselves, why would any sane adult take that as an example of how they then go on to lead their own life?

I will leave it at that. I have read Tara’s work before and loved it, Harper is new to me. Nothing wrong with the writing style, just the story and me not making friends with it on this occasion, I’d happily read more from either of them again in the future.

ARC generously provided via Netgalley, I am sorry I cannot provide a more positive review on this occasion.

Wow! Dirty Boxing is sexy!

One of my favorite types of romances is the second chance category. The idea of two people getting a second chance to make it right appeals to my romantic heart.

Jules Darcy accepts a job with her father's organization the World Fighting Championship. Jules has had a rocky relationship with her dad. She remembers the fights with her mother and his disappearing act later on. When he offers her a job, she sees it as a means to mend their broken relationship. She also knows she can help with his PR campaign and make it a successful one. What she was not expecting was to see Nick Giannakis again. She left him a year ago after breaking his heart and walking away from their strong connection just a few weeks after they meet. Jules doesn't think she can have a successful relationship after her upbringing but Nick is determined to show her.

Nick Giannakis joins the World Fighting Championship in search for the middleweight MMA championship belt. He knows he can work hard to succeed except his concentration keeps of being a problem when he can only think about Jules. At first, he is angry at her but once she explains her reasons for leaving him, he's determined to convince her they can make it work. But can he get the girl and the belt at the same time?

I love Nick. Gorgeous, sweet and sexy all in one package!. He fought for their second chance without playing any games. Even though I usually don't like a heroine who keeps on pushing the guy away, I completely understood where Jules was coming from. My heart was beating for these two! They had great chemistry and they deserved a happy ending.

Of course, after a finish Dirty Boxing, I couldn't keep myself from reading the beginning of book two and I'm already pumped for it.

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by Pocket Star via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Title and author: Dirty Boxing by Harper St. George and Tara Wyatt
Series: Blood and Glory - Book 1
Publisher: Pocket Star
Releases: September 18, 2017
Purchase: http://tinyurl.com/yd8ltzrb
Genre: Contemporary
Author websites: http://harperstgeorge.com/ and http://www.tara-wyatt.com/
Rating: 4 Stars

There are a wide range of emotions expressed in the first Blood and Glory story, and each one is backed by much intensity. Whether a character is feeling joy or anger or very lusty, sentiments come across as genuine and convincing. With so many hurdles for the two main characters to overcome, I never knew if a situation would cause the couple to be happy or only push them further apart. Harper St. George and Tara Wyatt have created a series where love could be the most rewarding prize of all. DIRTY BOXING is an entertaining book packed with realistic sports details and a compelling romance.

When Julian Darcy became the director of marketing for the World Fighting Championship league, she hoped this career change meant her life was moving forward. A year ago, she had a brief affair with a MMA fighter. Jules now wants to put the painful memories of how things ended behind her, and she plans to concentrate on creating a successful campaign for the sports organization owned by her father. Bur her wishes are shattered upon discovering she will be working closely with the man whom she has never forgotten.

Though Nick Giannakis had thought he and Jules might have a lasting relationship, she apparently did not because of how he was unexpected dumped. While he would really like to show her that he no longer cares, she still deeply affects him whenever they are near each other. Jules does her best to promote Nick and help the WFC league, and also tries to pretend there was nothing special between them. But it is going to be extremely difficult to ignore the attraction which is even stronger this time.

DIRTY BOXING is an emotional love story about self-discovery. Nick and Jules had a memorable few weeks together, but fears about continuing their involvement cause her to suddenly end things. A complicated childhood makes her think there will be no long-lasting relationships in her future, yet seeing her former lover again makes it hard to stay away when she knows how good her life could be if she gives in to the temptation. And Nick is definitely a very enticing man. Though a tough fighter in the cage, he is exceedingly thoughtful and knows exactly the right words to say. He is also an exceptionally sexy individual who knows how to please a woman. There were times when I hurt for him, as his painful confusion is so clear. I did understand the reasoning behind many of the choices made by Jules, and it only added to my worry over how each would react during an impassioned discussion.

While the second chance romance between Nick and Jules is the major part of the storyline, there are also some enlightening facts about MMA fighting. The authors gave enough information to make me more interested in this sport, as I got background about how the fighters train and the excitement of trying to be a champion. Both characters in the next book were met, and I am eager to discover the ups and downs of their possible relationship.

I voluntarily reviewed the book from the publisher via NetGalley, and all comments are my honest opinion.

How can one little word be so hard to say? All Jules had to do was to say yes. Yes to a relationship with Nick. She is still haunted by the three weeks they spent together. Did she fall in love with him? Or did she simply have a fling? She kept trying to tell herself it was nothing more. How can you deny your heart? Jules feels utterly helpless when she sees Nick again. Will she continue to be haunted by her past or finally seek happiness for herself? Nick will fight for her until the bell rings. Defeat is unacceptable. Loved Jules and Nick.

I thought this book was a great quick and fun read. A great way to pass the time. Unfortunately it lacked a lot of depth, which I feel would have made the story much deeper and would have left a greater impression. However, I still enjoyed and would recommend.

Def def this one. I could not get into this book. It did not flow well for me at all!

OMGGGGGG,,, what a fucking book,, I cryed laughed and got horny all at same time., Please please keep writing books... this book was the best I have ever read in a very long time,,, and I read a least 3 book a week.. so well written , the characters were so real .love the back and forther with them.. this book I could not put down I will be reading a lot more from these authors... thank you for giving a chance to read your book thank you again cindy maynard

I loved this book. Dirty Boxing is a stand-alone in a new series by Harper St. George. This is a super sexy sports romance that is a great beginning to MMA series. I felt like the characters were well written. The chemistry between Jules and Nick was steamy hot from the very beginning until the end. The story was very engaging and keep me captive through the whole book. I can't wait until the next installment of this series. This is a must read for everyone that enjoys Sport Romances.