Winning the next fight will mean nothing. If he cant 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 egohe thought he was invincible. That all changed when an alcohol-fueled decision altered 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.

Culture AGAINST THE ROPES Frank Warren survived a shooting to become the presentable face of boxing, and this week his star protege Naseem Hamed is in action. Christian Mosqueda-Ramos has been following boxing for 20+ years. The co-founder of the Against the Ropes boxing brand, he has been covering local professional boxing through his work as a play-by-play commentator for Ed Holmes’ All Star Boxing promotions and other promotional brands.

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. 3 ⭐⭐⭐ - OK decent reads.Yes, he was dating Regan, and yes, he loved her.

However, he certainly appreciated the attention he received from other women, which only bloated his ego further. On that fateful night, Dylan found himself particularly attracted to a brunette with large breasts, a slim waist, and never-ending legs. He couldnt remember her name now to save his life.He needed to live a little, and Regan would be none the wiser. So why not?They hadnt even known she was 3 ⭐⭐⭐ - OK decent reads.Yes, he was dating Regan, and yes, he loved her. However, he certainly appreciated the attention he received from other women, which only bloated his ego further. On that fateful night, Dylan found himself particularly attracted to a brunette with large breasts, a slim waist, and never-ending legs. He couldn’t remember her name now to save his life.He needed to live a little, and Regan would be none the wiser.

So why not?They hadn’t even known she was in the apartment as she watched him lift the brunette up and slam her back down on his lap. Agony ripped through her chest as she watched the betrayal, but she couldn’t take her eyes off them. Bile rose in her throat, and she wanted to scream, but she could barely breathe.A woman named Lila he had been with the night before dropped in, much to his displeasure.

As he looked her over and took in her short stout body, long black hair, red claw-like fingernails, and overly made-up face colored in blues and reds, he felt like he needed a shower. When she started rubbing his shoulders, he wanted to cry and hit something all at once while Max stared daggers at him from the middle of the ring. He didn’t have the energy to tell her to go away, and he had to admit, the massage felt great as long as he didn’t think about who was giving it to him.Dylan couldn’t speak as Regan’s eyes filled with tears.“Fine. I’m Lila, Dylan’s girlfriend.”Dylan wanted to snap her neck. “No, you’re not,” he said through clenched teeth.“You could have fooled me last night, Dylan,” Lila purred.One tear ran down Regan’s cheek, and she turned to leaveFor five years, she had existed, but she hadn’t lived.

Hell, she hadn’t even unpacked.Now, there was no joy in her eyes. She seemed uptight and antsy, and he knew it was because of him.Why had Dylan cheated on her to begin with? What was she lacking that he needed?Good God. After everything this man had put her through, he still made her feel as though she would explode with his touch. 4 StarsThis book is a quick read. It was really good and had my emotions all over the place.Regan is a physical therapist, who is just going through the motions of life. She has been this way ever since she caught Dylan, her boyfriend, cheating on her five years ago.

She wanted to take him back, but she wasn't sure if she could trust him again. So when a chance happening puts her at a boxing match of his and his trainer Max, asks her to become his PT again she doesn't know what to do. Can she 4 StarsThis book is a quick read.

It was really good and had my emotions all over the place.Regan is a physical therapist, who is just going through the motions of life. She has been this way ever since she caught Dylan, her boyfriend, cheating on her five years ago. She wanted to take him back, but she wasn't sure if she could trust him again. So when a chance happening puts her at a boxing match of his and his trainer Max, asks her to become his PT again she doesn't know what to do.

Can she take the job and not lose her heart to the only man who has stomped all over it?Dylan is trying to work his way back up in the boxing world. He screwed up his life five years ago by being cocky and thinking he was invincible.

He has regretted that day ever since. It marked the start of his downward spiral that lost him his woman and pro boxing. When he runs into Regan again he knows he needs to make her forgive him and show her that he has changed. Can he prove that he changed? Or will the game be too much for him again?This book will definitely make you want more. I think the book moved a little too fast. I really wanted more, but at least I know that the author wasn't just filling pages with useless things.

It was a great story, but was lacking the 'it' factor I need to give a book a five story. Cute, light, fast read.Five years ago, Dylan Gomez was at the top of his boxing game with the love of his life by his side.Then of course, he goes and fu.%s it up by cheating on Regan and with that his boxing career begins to fall apart.Years go by and the two get reunited. With feelings still there and hearts on the line how will it turn out? And what will become of Dylan's dream of winning the boxing championship?.Like I said in the first line, it was a fast and cute read. There's nothing Cute, light, fast read.Five years ago, Dylan Gomez was at the top of his boxing game with the love of his life by his side.Then of course, he goes and fu.%s it up by cheating on Regan and with that his boxing career begins to fall apart.Years go by and the two get reunited. With feelings still there and hearts on the line how will it turn out?

And what will become of Dylan's dream of winning the boxing championship?.Like I said in the first line, it was a fast and cute read. There's nothing really heavy in it but I found myself not really all there in connecting with the characters.Regan, while I can see why she was skeptical about getting involved with Dylan again was likable. She didn't irritate or annoy me and was very mature.Dylan too was likable. He wasn't cocky or boisterous as many male protagonists who are athletes are.And Max.

Max I liked the most. He was like Dylan's surrogate father who always wanted better for him and never gave up. I liked him tremendously and that it was cute that he was playing matchmaker between Dylan and Regan.:)Over all, an enjoyable read. What I really wanted to read was about the woman rebuilding her life, meeting a wonderful man who valued her and not just another doormat wallowing in self-pity and sadness over an excuse for a man who had no regard for his feelings. But that is exactly it. The author has just made this loser egocentric whom all women should avoid in the 'hero' of this story.

Congratulations for her on showing how cool you are about women being treated like garbage and settling for it. I'm ashamed that thisWhat I really wanted to read was about the woman rebuilding her life, meeting a wonderful man who valued her and not just another doormat wallowing in self-pity and sadness over an excuse for a man who had no regard for his feelings. But that is exactly it. The author has just made this loser egocentric whom all women should avoid in the 'hero' of this story. Congratulations for her on showing how cool you are about women being treated like garbage and settling for it.

I'm ashamed that this story came out of a woman's head. A two-punch knockout in the fifth round.Dylan and Regans story is a layered one.

And sometimes when there are layers in a book, the storyline can get bogged down and lost immediately and the writer never gets back on track.From the beginning it looks like your ordinary stereotyped story about the boy from the wrong side of the tracks trying to make a boxing name for himself and falling in love with a girl from the right side of the tracks. And if that is what you see when you read the blurb then A two-punch knockout in the fifth round.Dylan and Regan’s story is a layered one. And sometimes when there are layers in a book, the storyline can get bogged down and lost immediately and the writer never gets back on track.From the beginning it looks like your ordinary stereotyped story about the boy from the wrong side of the tracks trying to make a boxing name for himself and falling in love with a girl from the right side of the tracks. And if that is what you see when you read the blurb then you have missed the whole story. I am so glad I read it, because this was a great book to read and never let me down while I turned each page.I felt myself pulled into their worlds, the boxing side and even the physical therapy side.

Who knew, physical therapy is as sexy as it is! And boxing isn’t just about two guys beating each other to a pulp, as some people would think.Dylan is the boxer who grew up with disadvantages but parlayed them into gold until he screws up not only Regan, but his career. Now he has to show the boxing world he really wasn’t a one hit wonder.Regan is the physical therapist who has to not only handle watching Dylan in a boxing match while she is on a date (how awkward) but be professional about the perfect job opportunity Max, Dylan’s trainer, offers her.Max, Dylan’s trainer/manager was a breath of fresh air from the stereotypical manager you think about regarding boxing. He’s rough, yes, but not some grizzled old has been. This man is loving and protective but has a calculating side that I did not expect to be there. Calculating in a good way which made me want to hug him if he weren’t in a book.I loved this book because of all the layers. It was right on track from page one.

Against The Ropes is a hit!-Reviewed by Khriste. This book captured me from the moment I picked it up.

I finished it in just a few short hours! I love the POV going back and forth between Regan and Dylan. It gave the reader a view of both of their feelings as well as giving us all the details of their pasts that led up to their present lives.Max, the father figure, was a wonderful character who I adored. Regan, the beautiful blonde, is a strong woman who has had her heart shattered, though she won't let it keep her down. Dylan.hearing about This book captured me from the moment I picked it up. I finished it in just a few short hours! I love the POV going back and forth between Regan and Dylan.

It gave the reader a view of both of their feelings as well as giving us all the details of their pasts that led up to their present lives.Max, the father figure, was a wonderful character who I adored. Regan, the beautiful blonde, is a strong woman who has had her heart shattered, though she won't let it keep her down. Dylan.hearing about his past mistakes I wanted to punch him in the face.

Then hearing about how his life has changed since then made me want to kiss him and make him all better! This is a great story demonstrating how'you don't know what you've got till it's gone' and a good lesson of how people can change and grow for the better if they choose that path.This was a heartwarming story that had me laughing,crying and swooning. There are steamy scenes that made the climate in the room soar! I enjoyed this author's style of writing and look forward to reading more of her books. In fact, I'm going to go now to see what else she has written! I recommend this book if you are looking for a quick engaging read that is a great mixture of heartwarming and steamy!!

I'd give this more stars if I could! I'm generally not a fan of second chance romances, usually one or both of the characters annoy me, but I really liked this one. I liked that she was wary and he was understanding.

You could tell that he was more mature than he was when he cheated on her.I would have given it a 4 star but this story contained one of my pet peeves and major no-nos when it comes to contemporary romances, and that's no mention of condoms. I'd get if it was an erotica story but this is marketed as a contemporary I'm generally not a fan of second chance romances, usually one or both of the characters annoy me, but I really liked this one. I liked that she was wary and he was understanding. You could tell that he was more mature than he was when he cheated on her.I would have given it a 4 star but this story contained one of my pet peeves and major no-nos when it comes to contemporary romances, and that's no mention of condoms. I'd get if it was an erotica story but this is marketed as a contemporary romance. The guy cheated on her and from how it reads he didn't use a condom with his 'ring bunny', yet she has no qualms with sleeping with him without a condom.

It's never even mentioned. For all she knows he could be carrying an STD. So for that I had to dock a star. But apart from that I really liked it. REVIEW: AGAINST THE ROPES is the latest contemporary romance short story from Carly Fall. Approximately 135 pages in length, Against The Ropes is a novel about second chances, forgiveness and saying goodbye.Five year ago, Dylan Gomez and Regan Holloway were a couple-but fame, a cocky-attitude, alcohol and wrong choices would send Dylan spiraling out of control, losing the woman that he loves and eventually his freedom.

But a chance at reconciliation with Regan, will find Dylan a different man. REVIEW: AGAINST THE ROPES is the latest contemporary romance short story from Carly Fall. Approximately 135 pages in length, Against The Ropes is a novel about second chances, forgiveness and saying goodbye.Five year ago, Dylan Gomez and Regan Holloway were a couple-but fame, a cocky-attitude, alcohol and wrong choices would send Dylan spiraling out of control, losing the woman that he loves and eventually his freedom. But a chance at reconciliation with Regan, will find Dylan a different man.

Hoping to prove himself worthy of her love, Dylan tries one more time to be a contender both in and out of the boxing ring.The sexual relationship between Dylan and Regan has already been established as the couple is well known to each other but a history of betrayal and thoughts of forgiveness will find Regan contemplating whether or not to risk loving a man who has yet to prove he has changed. But over the course of a few weeks, Dylan and Regan will be pushed together by a mutual friend who knows that what Dylan and Regan need is each other.There are a few secondary characters, especially Dylan’s manager and substitute father Max who keeps Dylan on the straight and narrow, and it is Max who will be the proverbial match-maker when he sees something in Dylan and Regan that both were too stubborn to admit. To love someone means to forgive but forgetting will be a much harder thing to do.The character development is thorough considering the relatively short length of the novel, but since the characters already knew each other there was none of the push and pull of a new relationship-only the rebuilding of trust and love. The world building was minimal as most of the storyline focused on the characters and their relationship to one anotherCarly Fall has written a romantic, heartwarming and endearing storyline of forgiveness and love. To forgive someone for, not one but two past transgressions, takes a much stronger person than many of us ever hope to be but the storyline scenario demonstrates that not only can we forgive but we can love again. There are a couple of moments of heartbreak and loss, but the HEA is well deserved and one that we can all aspire to in our own lives.see all of my reviews at: thereadingcafe(dot)com.

3.5 CocktailsAGAINST THE ROPES was a very quick read, but it was a story that pulled you into the broken relationship of Dylan and Regan, hoping they'd find a way to fix everything.Five years prior, Dylan had broken Regan's heart. When she left him, he went from being on top of the world to finding himself in jail. As he climbs his way back to some semblance of the life he had as a boxer, his trainer and surrogate father convinces Regan to help Dylan as he prepares for a big fight. Regan sees is 3.5 CocktailsAGAINST THE ROPES was a very quick read, but it was a story that pulled you into the broken relationship of Dylan and Regan, hoping they'd find a way to fix everything.Five years prior, Dylan had broken Regan's heart. When she left him, he went from being on top of the world to finding himself in jail.

As he climbs his way back to some semblance of the life he had as a boxer, his trainer and surrogate father convinces Regan to help Dylan as he prepares for a big fight. Regan sees is as a opportunity to get out of California and move on with her life, but Dylan sees it as his chance to set his life back on tracking.starting with Regan.The author did a great job of making you sympathetic to both of the characters. They were both still trying to deal with the fall out of their broken relationship, and you felt bad for both of them as they dealt with it, but you also could see the spark still there and wanted them to fight for each other. It's not easy, especially since Regan's trust in Dylan was so shattered. Dylan had his work cut out for him, but he was honest about what he did and where the blame fell. He owned it and you couldn't help but love him for it.A very entertaining story about second chances and going after what you want. Dylan grew up in a poor rough neighborhood.

His mother took him to the gym and his boxing career and father/son relationship was started. At 22 he injured his shoulder and met the only therapist that could ease the pain, Regan. When an attraction is there and your in close proximity the inevitable happens.Dylan is at the top of his career, but one night of drinking starts the derailment. When Regan finds him in a lusty pride induced haze naked with a random woman her heart is broke.

Can two Dylan grew up in a poor rough neighborhood. His mother took him to the gym and his boxing career and father/son relationship was started. At 22 he injured his shoulder and met the only therapist that could ease the pain, Regan. When an attraction is there and your in close proximity the inevitable happens.Dylan is at the top of his career, but one night of drinking starts the derailment.

When Regan finds him in a lusty pride induced haze naked with a random woman her heart is broke. Can two people come back when trust can't be had?This book was a quick easy read. Dylan and Regan mature during their time apart and with help from Max find what they lost. There are a couple steamy scenes, but the bulk of the book is getting over betrayal and trying to deal with the loss of love. It then moves on to forgiveness and earning trust.Dylan and Regan's story is realistic. You can feel both people's emotions, whether insecurity, desire, or fear. I rated this book at four stars.

If you like stories where love prevails this is an excellent read for you.I received a copy of this book for my honest review. Well, it wasn't bad but it also wasn't great. I felt it was too short and they moved too fast. Regan never even tried to move on with her life or better herself, it was as if she was stuck in the past. She didn't even seem open to dating because she found excuses for why she didn't like her dates, she gave back her trust to Dylan really quickly for someone that caught the love of their life cheating and was devastated. It should have taken more than a week or two to even consider trying to give Well, it wasn't bad but it also wasn't great. I felt it was too short and they moved too fast.

Regan never even tried to move on with her life or better herself, it was as if she was stuck in the past. She didn't even seem open to dating because she found excuses for why she didn't like her dates, she gave back her trust to Dylan really quickly for someone that caught the love of their life cheating and was devastated. It should have taken more than a week or two to even consider trying to give a former cheater a second chance, what an idiot.

They didn't even really talk anything out, he didn't even have to prove himself, she simply forgave and forgot and they picked up right where they left off. I guess it's a good thing we didn't see firsthand what their relationship and past was like before because the flashbacks were very short and we didn't get a detailed look at what happened. When it happened. If we had started their story from when they first met and into their relationship before the cheating happened, I probably would have hated this book for how easily she gave him another chance and how stupid she was for even thinking about it. As it is, the author was smart in telling their story starting in the present and after the drama because I would have found it much harder to just go along with their story and take it for what it was.

I didn't know enough about them to hate him but I wasn't invested enough to really get too hung up over it either. This was just one of those books I'll only read once and move on. I feel the shortness of this story worked against it.

It starts off with a flashback of the hero cheating on the heroine and implies that since the incident, neither party has been able to move on. Lucky for them, they meet up again and despite having her heart broken, the heroine readily agrees to take a job that will put her in close contact with the hero.The relationship progresses pretty quickly and with little substance. Neither character has much of a personality so when they get together I feel the shortness of this story worked against it. It starts off with a flashback of the hero cheating on the heroine and implies that since the incident, neither party has been able to move on. Lucky for them, they meet up again and despite having her heart broken, the heroine readily agrees to take a job that will put her in close contact with the hero.The relationship progresses pretty quickly and with little substance. Neither character has much of a personality so when they get together it's just sort of meh.

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 29, 2013Winning the next fight will mean nothing. If he cant 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 egohe 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 ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 29, 2013Winning 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.REVIEW: AGAINST THE ROPES is the latest contemporary romance short story from Carly Fall. Approximately 135 pages in length, Against The Ropes is a novel about second chances, forgiveness and saying goodbye.Five year ago, Dylan Gomez and Regan Holloway were a couple-but fame, a cocky-attitude, alcohol and wrong choices would send Dylan spiraling out of control, losing the woman that he loves and eventually his freedom. But a chance at reconciliation with Regan, will find Dylan a different man. Hoping to prove himself worthy of her love, Dylan tries one more time to be a contender both in and out of the boxing ring.The sexual relationship between Dylan and Regan has already been established as the couple is well known to each other but a history of betrayal and thoughts of forgiveness will find Regan contemplating whether or not to risk loving a man who has yet to prove he has changed.

But over the course of a few weeks, Dylan and Regan will be pushed together by a mutual friend who knows that what Dylan and Regan need is each other.There are a few secondary characters, especially Dylan’s manager and substitute father Max who keeps Dylan on the straight and narrow, and it is Max who will be the proverbial match-maker when he sees something in Dylan and Regan that both were too stubborn to admit. To love someone means to forgive but forgetting will be a much harder thing to do.The character development is thorough considering the relatively short length of the novel, but since the characters already knew each other there was none of the push and pull of a new relationship-only the rebuilding of trust and love.

The world building was minimal as most of the storyline focused on the characters and their relationship to one anotherCarly Fall has written a romantic, heartwarming and endearing storyline of forgiveness and love. To forgive someone for, not one but two past transgressions, takes a much stronger person than many of us ever hope to be but the storyline scenario demonstrates that not only can we forgive but we can love again. There are a couple of moments of heartbreak and loss, but the HEA is well deserved and one that we can all aspire to in our own lives.Copy supplied by the author. 1.5 Stars.I read this book in about 2 hours.It wasn't especially long, but I'll confess to spead reading a bit.It wasn't horrible. The writing was okay, without obviously spelling errors and had decent sentence structure. It was just missing.Something.All of the key ingredients of a fluffy romance were there.-Hero and Heroine still in love?

Check.-Circumstances that bring them back into close proximity? Check.-Feelings coming back to the surface? Check.-Eventually getting back together? 1.5 Stars.I read this book in about 2 hours.It wasn't especially long, but I'll confess to spead reading a bit.It wasn't horrible. The writing was okay, without obviously spelling errors and had decent sentence structure.

It was just missing.Something.All of the key ingredients of a fluffy romance were there.-Hero and Heroine still in love? Check.-Circumstances that bring them back into close proximity? Check.-Feelings coming back to the surface? Check.-Eventually getting back together? Idle apocalypse codes 2019. Check.-Happy ever after? Check.There just wasn't any umph in this book.

I didn't really connect to either characters. I hated the way that they did flash backs. It was extremely confusing.They would be in present day and their mind would wonder back, but with no obvious 'Hey were in a flashback'Also, all of the flash backs were written in present tense, which just made it all the more confusing.Anyways, I think Against the Ropes could have used some more work before publishing. Dylan Gomez is an MMA fighter looking to go Pro only thing that's stopping himhis shoulder. Dylan gets a blast from his past by seeing Reagan Holloway.

Dylan knows that he's blown his chances with Reagan but would love nothing more than to explain his actions to her. Reagan not expecting to see Dylan Gomez after all these years. To Reagan, no other man compares to Dylan nor can she forget him either. Max Garcia is Dylan's trainer and father figure. He only wants what best for DylanReagan. Max Dylan Gomez is an MMA fighter looking to go Pro only thing that's stopping himhis shoulder.

Dylan gets a blast from his past by seeing Reagan Holloway. Dylan knows that he's blown his chances with Reagan but would love nothing more than to explain his actions to her. Reagan not expecting to see Dylan Gomez after all these years. To Reagan, no other man compares to Dylan nor can she forget him either. Max Garcia is Dylan's trainer and father figure. He only wants what best for DylanReagan.

Max is determined to get Reagan to accept his proposal. Will Dylan get a second chance? Will Reagan accept Max's proposal?

Your answers await you in Against the Ropes.What a great story about losing trust and love. The hard work it takes to gain both of those things back again.

Reagan and Dylan are beautiful couple together. Max is definitely my favorite character in the whole book. I'll definitely be reading more of this author's work in the future.