by Samantha Westlake is a contemporary "bad boy" romance that unfortunately, featured a bad boy that's not that bad, and the "meek" girl who is NOT meek, despite the genre. The plot is predictable, though the fight scenes are quite good.Cain is the reigning fighter in the underground fighting arena ran by 'the master', and he sees no way out. He took a loan from a loanshark for the family emergency and he really had no way of paying it back, until he met Lucy. Lucy was feeling the results of a disastrous first date when her first date not only took her to a fight, but jumped into the arena himself and promptly got flattened by Cain. When Lucy wanted to leave and her date got rough, Cain intervened and sent the guy packing. Lucy was so grateful, she gave her number to Cain, and setup a date. That date ended with a confrontation between Lucy's psycho ex and Cain, who promptly dispatched the ex as well. Lucy was so smitten, she devised a plan to free Cain from the Master forever... a do-or-die fight for Cain's freedom.Cain is NOT a bad boy. He's completely meek outside of the ring until he engaged caveman mode to protect the women, such as Lucy. Lucy is the real star of the novel, doing everything, setting up dates, going on dates, including befriending and seducing Cain, and eventually, freeing him. I find Lucy's ability to figure out who "the Master" is a bit too quickly, and the bargain reached too easily. There really is no reason for the Master to accept the bargain.
Category: Bad boy
Primary Plot: Girl with psycho ex was rescued by cage fighter; she vowed to free him from his obligation for their HEA
Rating: 3/5
