For Chrissy Martin, returning to her Florida hometown always seems to bring bad luck. The day starts with a breakup text, followed by a jailhouse phone call from her troublemaker brother. Now a routine traffic stop has ended with her accidentally punching an officer . . . in a delicate place. Then Chrissy realizes that the hot cop on the receiving end of her right hook is none other than the man from her teenage fantasies.

 Jack Daniels knows how to take a hit. After all, when he’s not chasing reckless drivers, he’s kicking ass in a mixed martial arts ring. So what takes his breath away isn’t the low blow, but the woman who dealt it: a gorgeous knockout with legs Jack wouldn’t mind being pinned under—who just so happens to be his best friend’s nerdy little sister, all grown up. Soon their instant chemistry leads to a sizzling affair, but Jack and Chrissy are fighting an uphill battle if they want to make love last beyond the final bell. 

For her debut Loveswept book, I found Halston’s Against the Cage to be strong.  One of my favorite storylines is friends to lovers, and it’s even better when it is a sibling’s friend, and this one is perfect for that.  Add in a little ugly duckling theme with Chrissy and I couldn’t wait to read this one.

Now, you do have to be prepared for some steamy bedroom scenes (and against the wall and in the kitchen and outside …) so keep that in mind.  It’s very hot and Jack is a little dominant (understandably given the type of guy he is, which just makes it hotter), but Chrissy definitely gives it right back to him.

I love these two together.  You can tell they’ve had a contrary relationship for years but that tension is now warping into one of the sexual variety.  They are funny and sassy and smart.  It’s fun to watch them push each other’s buttons, getting each other all hot and bothered.  It takes a little maneuvering to figure out a new dynamic with each other but they get there and it makes for a very happy ending.

(It looks like there is another book coming out this fall, Full Contact, and I really hope that is Slade’s story.  But there are a lot of interesting fighters introduced (and the potential for even more in the future) so I’m good with whoever the book is about.)