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bobosbookbank's review
4.0
FIGHTING FOR WHAT'S HIS is the second book in the Warrior Fight Club series. This is a brother's best friend, military romance and is a standalone.
Billy is an ex ranger who was forced into retirement when a bomb badly burned part of his body. He uses the Warrior Fight Club to find a sense of brotherhood, which is so important to him. So when Billy's best friend asks to give his sister a place to crash for a bit, he readily agrees. He just didn't realize how awesome Shayna has become.
I'm usually all about the alpha hero but I gotta say that Shayna stole the show for me! She was building a new life for herself, a new city, new job, new friends. Maybe she was doing all this for the wrong reasons but I found her incredibly brave and strong. And more than that, she had such a positive attitude and was so flippin' funny! I adored Shayna's character.
Don't get me wrong, Billy was a great character too though he was more like Shayna's opposite. He was somber, angry, sad and he felt guilty. Shayna brightened his world, unlocked a door to a scintillating new life. It was magical to watch him open up!
Billy and Shayna's romance was awe-inspiring! I loved these two opposites together and I'm eager for the next book. Told from dual POVs with a happy ever after. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.
Billy is an ex ranger who was forced into retirement when a bomb badly burned part of his body. He uses the Warrior Fight Club to find a sense of brotherhood, which is so important to him. So when Billy's best friend asks to give his sister a place to crash for a bit, he readily agrees. He just didn't realize how awesome Shayna has become.
I'm usually all about the alpha hero but I gotta say that Shayna stole the show for me! She was building a new life for herself, a new city, new job, new friends. Maybe she was doing all this for the wrong reasons but I found her incredibly brave and strong. And more than that, she had such a positive attitude and was so flippin' funny! I adored Shayna's character.
Don't get me wrong, Billy was a great character too though he was more like Shayna's opposite. He was somber, angry, sad and he felt guilty. Shayna brightened his world, unlocked a door to a scintillating new life. It was magical to watch him open up!
Billy and Shayna's romance was awe-inspiring! I loved these two opposites together and I'm eager for the next book. Told from dual POVs with a happy ever after. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.
ladysadiereads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Honestly just like one conversation could have fixed most of this book. The emotional damage and growth could have been so much better but depending on a literal explosion to move things along with 8 minutes left in the book is better I guess. I did love the funny moments - but won’t be continuing the rest of the series.
kindlelovingmom's review
4.0
This is the second book in this series, and I've really enjoyed them both so far!
Billy Parrish is a former Army Ranger, and a current private investigator. He had a hard time assimilating after a serious injury caused his discharge from the Army before he was ready. In fact, he's currently still having a hard time, in some ways. He carries a little PTSD, a boatload of survivor's guilt, and burn scars on 40% of his body, but he's doing better than all his friends who didn't make it home alive. The only thing really keeping him sane these days is the Warrior Fight Club at his local MMA gym, comprised of fellow vets like him, who all need an outlet besides talk therapy. He wasn't sure at first, but it's been working wonders the last couple years. So, he thinks there won't be any issues temporarily housing his Army buddy's kid sister for a couple months. What's the worst that could happen?
Shayna Curtis just landed her dream job, as a photographer for a major Washington DC newspaper. But, she's making a big move to take the job and didn't want to try to find an apartment sight unseen. So, her brother Ryan hooked her up with a temporary roommate situation with his best friend Billy. She had a huge crush on Billy back in the day when her brother would bring him home on leave. But he's 6 years older than her and never even noticed she existed. Now she's 26 and she's over her long ago crush. It should be nothing but great crashing with him while she searches for her own place. She is totally over that old crush. Right?
Billy and Shayna's chemistry was explosive, and they both had a very hard time fighting it. Billy doesn't think he's good enough for her, and they both carry a huge amount of guilt over things that have happened in their pasts. Shayna is still young and just starting a new life, and Billy doesn't want to hold her back. She is sure he can't possibly feel anything for her beyond doing a favor for a friend. They both had to work hard to move beyond their preconceived notions, about themselves, and each other, in order to find a way to come together. This was quite the slow burn romance, much more so than any other I've read from this author I think. I really enjoyed it, and with these main characters' situation, it made sense for it to be that way.
I loved getting to see all the side characters from the prior book again, especially all the WFC members. There is clearly tension between 2 members, and their book is next, so I'll be looking forward to that. My only real complaints about the story are the lack of true communication between Billy and Shay. They both were comfortable with each other in a way they haven't been with anyone else. But, though they felt free to talk about any number of issues and secrets, neither of them were willing to talk about their most sensitive secrets, and be honest about their failings, or their feelings, until it was almost too late. That bothered me a bit and I found myself constantly talking to my Kindle and telling them both to grow a pair already. Additionally, I feel that an epilogue would have benefited the ending greatly, for me. Granted, I'm obsessed with epilogues, so I'm not exactly an impartial reader in that regard, but I would have loved to see them a little further into the future, even just a few months.
Overall I really enjoyed this story, and I'm very anxiously awaiting the next installment in the series!
ARC provided by Author in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Megan from Alpha Book Club
Billy Parrish is a former Army Ranger, and a current private investigator. He had a hard time assimilating after a serious injury caused his discharge from the Army before he was ready. In fact, he's currently still having a hard time, in some ways. He carries a little PTSD, a boatload of survivor's guilt, and burn scars on 40% of his body, but he's doing better than all his friends who didn't make it home alive. The only thing really keeping him sane these days is the Warrior Fight Club at his local MMA gym, comprised of fellow vets like him, who all need an outlet besides talk therapy. He wasn't sure at first, but it's been working wonders the last couple years. So, he thinks there won't be any issues temporarily housing his Army buddy's kid sister for a couple months. What's the worst that could happen?
Shayna Curtis just landed her dream job, as a photographer for a major Washington DC newspaper. But, she's making a big move to take the job and didn't want to try to find an apartment sight unseen. So, her brother Ryan hooked her up with a temporary roommate situation with his best friend Billy. She had a huge crush on Billy back in the day when her brother would bring him home on leave. But he's 6 years older than her and never even noticed she existed. Now she's 26 and she's over her long ago crush. It should be nothing but great crashing with him while she searches for her own place. She is totally over that old crush. Right?
Billy and Shayna's chemistry was explosive, and they both had a very hard time fighting it. Billy doesn't think he's good enough for her, and they both carry a huge amount of guilt over things that have happened in their pasts. Shayna is still young and just starting a new life, and Billy doesn't want to hold her back. She is sure he can't possibly feel anything for her beyond doing a favor for a friend. They both had to work hard to move beyond their preconceived notions, about themselves, and each other, in order to find a way to come together. This was quite the slow burn romance, much more so than any other I've read from this author I think. I really enjoyed it, and with these main characters' situation, it made sense for it to be that way.
I loved getting to see all the side characters from the prior book again, especially all the WFC members. There is clearly tension between 2 members, and their book is next, so I'll be looking forward to that. My only real complaints about the story are the lack of true communication between Billy and Shay. They both were comfortable with each other in a way they haven't been with anyone else. But, though they felt free to talk about any number of issues and secrets, neither of them were willing to talk about their most sensitive secrets, and be honest about their failings, or their feelings, until it was almost too late. That bothered me a bit and I found myself constantly talking to my Kindle and telling them both to grow a pair already. Additionally, I feel that an epilogue would have benefited the ending greatly, for me. Granted, I'm obsessed with epilogues, so I'm not exactly an impartial reader in that regard, but I would have loved to see them a little further into the future, even just a few months.
Overall I really enjoyed this story, and I'm very anxiously awaiting the next installment in the series!
ARC provided by Author in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Megan from Alpha Book Club
stacey42's review against another edition
4.0
Best friend's little sister is not my favorite trope. In fact, I hate it. Had this been some other author I would have passed on it but I love Kaye's books and while "her brother will kill me" did play a part in Billy's reluctance to be with Shayna there were much bigger issues at play here.
Billy is a member of Warrior Fight Club. He'd given Noah some advice about dealing with his issues that he only now realizing he never actually took himself. Agreeing to letting Shayna stay with him for a couple months while she finds a place in DC brings this out. He's more than OCD about things and another person in his space is challenging. Shayna herself is challenging. He wants her but has the usual "i'm too broken for this bright young spark" thoughts. He has survivor guilt and is badly scarred from his injuries.
Shayna is also struggling with guilt for her brother's death. He was killed 2 years ago by a drunk driver after coming to rescue Shayna from a situation he warned her about. His fiancee blames Shayna & told her so to her face. She assumes everyone feels that way and has mostly cut herself off from her family as a result. She's had a crush on Billy for years but knows he isn't interested. Until he his.
They both struggle with Billy's attraction to her and his pulling her in & then pushing her away. Having sex with her and then wanting to just be friends. Eventually she has enough and firmly friendzones him just as he is ready to give a relationship a try. Drama ensues for various reasons.
Good book. Looking forward to the next one.
Billy is a member of Warrior Fight Club. He'd given Noah some advice about dealing with his issues that he only now realizing he never actually took himself. Agreeing to letting Shayna stay with him for a couple months while she finds a place in DC brings this out. He's more than OCD about things and another person in his space is challenging. Shayna herself is challenging. He wants her but has the usual "i'm too broken for this bright young spark" thoughts. He has survivor guilt and is badly scarred from his injuries.
Shayna is also struggling with guilt for her brother's death. He was killed 2 years ago by a drunk driver after coming to rescue Shayna from a situation he warned her about. His fiancee blames Shayna & told her so to her face. She assumes everyone feels that way and has mostly cut herself off from her family as a result. She's had a crush on Billy for years but knows he isn't interested. Until he his.
They both struggle with Billy's attraction to her and his pulling her in & then pushing her away. Having sex with her and then wanting to just be friends. Eventually she has enough and firmly friendzones him just as he is ready to give a relationship a try. Drama ensues for various reasons.
Good book. Looking forward to the next one.
malissac's review against another edition
It's hard for me to find much to say about these books other than I love the concept and the stories. I love the growth of the characters, the history behind each one and how they got to be where they are today. Laura Kaye never fails to write a emotional, sexy, compassionate story. She writes from the heart of these characters, you can feel their truth coming through the pages and seeping into your own heart and mind. There's something about a Laura Kaye book that always makes you want to be a better person, that makes you want to go out and make a difference, to change the world for someone.
We met Billy in the first book from the series, Fighting for Everything and you just knew that his story was going to be an emotional power punch. Watching the two main characters, Billy and Shay fight through feelings of guilt side by side just makes your hear melt. Their guilt may come from different places yet in its essence it is the same. I loved when they finally opened up and gave themselves completely too each other, gave not only their hearts, their emotions, but also their fears is just everything in this book. I adored the connection between these two but I also loved them just as much separately.
Another of my favorite things about this series is the look into the lives of the members of Warrior Fight Club. I am so excited for each (please I need them all) of these characters books. I love the camaraderie, the care for one another, the ribbing. These members have gone through hell and back, heck some of them are still going through it, but together they find ways to live again, to enjoy life.
The only things that keep me from going a full 5 stars for this is that I felt like the end was a tad bit rushed. It's a hard call for me though because I think Laura Kaye could have written this the length of War and Peace and I may still have said it wasn't long enough, haha. The another thing is just a small one but it stuck out to me. At one point Billy talks about his work but he doesn't sound as though he fully enjoys it, he comments that he would like to do something that is more of a 'on the front line' type job and that comment never goes anywhere. I was kinda of looking forward to him having a life changing moment about his employment situation, especially when we got to the dramatic moments at the end, and as far as we know he's still doing a job that "pays the bills".
In the end I really loved this story. I loved the silliness, the emotion, the characters, the message. It's a classic Laura Kaye and I will be back for more and more so keep them coming Laura! <3
~ HAPPY READING ~
http://www.readsallthebooks.com/2018/09/fighting-for-whats-his-by-laura-kaye_14.html
We met Billy in the first book from the series, Fighting for Everything and you just knew that his story was going to be an emotional power punch. Watching the two main characters, Billy and Shay fight through feelings of guilt side by side just makes your hear melt. Their guilt may come from different places yet in its essence it is the same. I loved when they finally opened up and gave themselves completely too each other, gave not only their hearts, their emotions, but also their fears is just everything in this book. I adored the connection between these two but I also loved them just as much separately.
Another of my favorite things about this series is the look into the lives of the members of Warrior Fight Club. I am so excited for each (please I need them all) of these characters books. I love the camaraderie, the care for one another, the ribbing. These members have gone through hell and back, heck some of them are still going through it, but together they find ways to live again, to enjoy life.
The only things that keep me from going a full 5 stars for this is that I felt like the end was a tad bit rushed. It's a hard call for me though because I think Laura Kaye could have written this the length of War and Peace and I may still have said it wasn't long enough, haha. The another thing is just a small one but it stuck out to me. At one point Billy talks about his work but he doesn't sound as though he fully enjoys it, he comments that he would like to do something that is more of a 'on the front line' type job and that comment never goes anywhere. I was kinda of looking forward to him having a life changing moment about his employment situation, especially when we got to the dramatic moments at the end, and as far as we know he's still doing a job that "pays the bills".
In the end I really loved this story. I loved the silliness, the emotion, the characters, the message. It's a classic Laura Kaye and I will be back for more and more so keep them coming Laura! <3
~ HAPPY READING ~
http://www.readsallthebooks.com/2018/09/fighting-for-whats-his-by-laura-kaye_14.html
beckymmoe's review against another edition
4.0
Reviewed on my blog, Becky on Books, on 9/8/18.
Ms. Kaye has done it again--another great story about redemption and being able to forgive oneself, mixed in with the ever-popular best friend's little sister trope!
Shay and Billy are great characters. Their meet cute (meet again cute? They've known each other for years, after all...) was truly unique and laugh-out-loud. They're both struggling with a form of survivor's guilt--which they're also trying to hide from the world--and drawn to each other, a fact helped along quite a bit by the aforementioned meet cute ;) It's so much fun to read about them together, whether it's a lighthearted scene or a steamier one. It's clear these two are going to be a relationship to be reckoned with.
So what's in their way? That same survivor's guilt ("I'm not good enough for them because...") blended with the ever-present fear of incurring big brother's wrath...and Shay's starting a new life and new job in DC while Billy's unsure that the PI gig is really where he wants to be. There's a decent amount of slow burn (and not at all slow burn!) and a whole lot of we-should-be-just-friends-because-that's-obviously-what-he/she-wants-anyway that makes it hard to put this one down.
Though they do fix their relationship woes really quickly (helped along somewhat by external events) and I'm not sure Billy did resolve his job woes (but maybe I was distracted by the steamy scenes? ;)) it's really hard to argue with the HEA they reach at the end.
Though some aspects of the first story ([b:Fighting for Everything|25441028|Fighting for Everything (Warrior Fight Club, #1)|Laura Kaye|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1516209173s/25441028.jpg|45203820]) are alluded to here, you should have no problem at all starting with this story if you needed to. Just don't blame me when you find yourself one-clicking book one before you've even finished this one!
Now we just need to wait for book three... ([b:Fighting the Fire|36969675|Fighting the Fire (Warrior Fight Club, #3)|Laura Kaye|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1532529348s/36969675.jpg|58766566]) and 3.5 ([b:Worth Fighting For|39401056|Worth Fighting For (Warrior Fight Club, #3.5; Big Sky, #3.3)|Laura Kaye|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1521904661s/39401056.jpg|61057553])... :)
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Ms. Kaye has done it again--another great story about redemption and being able to forgive oneself, mixed in with the ever-popular best friend's little sister trope!
Shay and Billy are great characters. Their meet cute (meet again cute? They've known each other for years, after all...) was truly unique and laugh-out-loud. They're both struggling with a form of survivor's guilt--which they're also trying to hide from the world--and drawn to each other, a fact helped along quite a bit by the aforementioned meet cute ;) It's so much fun to read about them together, whether it's a lighthearted scene or a steamier one. It's clear these two are going to be a relationship to be reckoned with.
So what's in their way? That same survivor's guilt ("I'm not good enough for them because...") blended with the ever-present fear of incurring big brother's wrath...and Shay's starting a new life and new job in DC while Billy's unsure that the PI gig is really where he wants to be. There's a decent amount of slow burn (and not at all slow burn!) and a whole lot of we-should-be-just-friends-because-that's-obviously-what-he/she-wants-anyway that makes it hard to put this one down.
Though they do fix their relationship woes really quickly (helped along somewhat by external events) and I'm not sure Billy did resolve his job woes (but maybe I was distracted by the steamy scenes? ;)) it's really hard to argue with the HEA they reach at the end.
Though some aspects of the first story ([b:Fighting for Everything|25441028|Fighting for Everything (Warrior Fight Club, #1)|Laura Kaye|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1516209173s/25441028.jpg|45203820]) are alluded to here, you should have no problem at all starting with this story if you needed to. Just don't blame me when you find yourself one-clicking book one before you've even finished this one!
Now we just need to wait for book three... ([b:Fighting the Fire|36969675|Fighting the Fire (Warrior Fight Club, #3)|Laura Kaye|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1532529348s/36969675.jpg|58766566]) and 3.5 ([b:Worth Fighting For|39401056|Worth Fighting For (Warrior Fight Club, #3.5; Big Sky, #3.3)|Laura Kaye|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1521904661s/39401056.jpg|61057553])... :)
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
pavi_fictionalworm's review against another edition
4.0
Also Posted on For The Love of Fictional Worlds
Disclaimer: An eARC was provided via Inkslinger PR and the Author as part of the Blog Tour. The Thoughts, opinions & feelings expressed in the review are therefore, my own.
An alpha wounded warrior and his best friend's little sister - Laura Kaye, honestly hit every trope that could be my favourite in this newest offering by her.
Billy Parrish is an army vet turned PI - who suffers from survivor guilt but is doing his best friend Ryan a favour by letting his sister stay with him since she is new in the city.
Shayna Curtis, on the other hand; is hoping for a new start away from the family she believes blames her for the death of her middle brother. But a new start away as roomies with the man she had a huge crush on since her younger days, isn't ideal but she believes that her crush is long past, so it should be fine now; or so she believes.
What neither of them expected was a charged attraction from the first time they lay eyes on each other.
I loved the easy comrade between Billy and Shayna - how they helped each other through each of their problems and issues; how they became the support system and foundation without them even realizing it. I loved that they became friends; even through their attraction.
The level of angst could have been a lot more intense; considering that Billy is a vet & Shayna is a survivor - some issues that could have been dealt with in a deeper way. I still enjoyed this slow burn romance told in quintessential Laura Kaye manner.
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bandherbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I adore a "good best-friend's little sibling" romance and Fighting for What's His is a perfect addition to the trope!
Billy Parrish promised his army buddy that he'd do anything for him, even if it means letting his little sister, Shayna Curtis, move into his apartment as she starts her new job in Washington DC.
Letting anyone into his regimented life is especially difficult for this veteran, as Billy struggles with PTSD and the third degree burn scars that still cover much of his body, as well as trying to find meaning in his new life as a PI.
Not only is Shayna bubbly, outgoing, and kind of messy, she's also hot as hell and passionate about her career as a photojournalist. Basically, perfect for the man Billy used to be, but not touchable for the man Billy is now.
As these two dance around their attraction and try to stay simply roommates, they'll find it harder and harder as they also find they may just be perfect for each other, damages and all.
Another winner from the Warrior Fight Club series for Laura Kaye!
Billy Parrish promised his army buddy that he'd do anything for him, even if it means letting his little sister, Shayna Curtis, move into his apartment as she starts her new job in Washington DC.
Letting anyone into his regimented life is especially difficult for this veteran, as Billy struggles with PTSD and the third degree burn scars that still cover much of his body, as well as trying to find meaning in his new life as a PI.
Not only is Shayna bubbly, outgoing, and kind of messy, she's also hot as hell and passionate about her career as a photojournalist. Basically, perfect for the man Billy used to be, but not touchable for the man Billy is now.
As these two dance around their attraction and try to stay simply roommates, they'll find it harder and harder as they also find they may just be perfect for each other, damages and all.
Another winner from the Warrior Fight Club series for Laura Kaye!
elylibrarysec's review against another edition
4.0
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Shayna Curtis feels awkward about coming home. She meets a neighbor and you can feel the connection they have right away. Billy Parrish got the shock of his life. For him working out helps to relieve some stress. They have one scene where they’re talking and he says something that’s sweet but then it turns sad – something that seems so real and makes you wonder…
If you’ve read the first book in this series than you will enjoy seeing Noah Cortez here. What’s good is that he doesn’t overtake the story leaving Shayna and Billy to shine. Their story has temptation, friendship, plenty of teasing and heat. It seemed like she was meant to be there. Billy just has to realize that. Regrets is something they have in common but the author knows just what to do so that it doesn’t get out of hand. We get to enjoy how this author has them form a connection that not everyone is lucky enough to have.
I was very happy to see that this is only the second book in the series. This means that I have more books to enjoy and more men of the club to get to know. I also enjoy getting to know some of the secondary characters – Reuben being one of them. It’s a story with a lot of emotion that you can’t help but get involved. I enjoyed watching this author’s creativity come to life as each scene went by. She creates some new words that our couple spit out every once in a while that gave me a nice chuckle. Then she leaves me an interesting ending that left me saying “huh”. So where do we go from here?
I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Shayna Curtis feels awkward about coming home. She meets a neighbor and you can feel the connection they have right away. Billy Parrish got the shock of his life. For him working out helps to relieve some stress. They have one scene where they’re talking and he says something that’s sweet but then it turns sad – something that seems so real and makes you wonder…
If you’ve read the first book in this series than you will enjoy seeing Noah Cortez here. What’s good is that he doesn’t overtake the story leaving Shayna and Billy to shine. Their story has temptation, friendship, plenty of teasing and heat. It seemed like she was meant to be there. Billy just has to realize that. Regrets is something they have in common but the author knows just what to do so that it doesn’t get out of hand. We get to enjoy how this author has them form a connection that not everyone is lucky enough to have.
I was very happy to see that this is only the second book in the series. This means that I have more books to enjoy and more men of the club to get to know. I also enjoy getting to know some of the secondary characters – Reuben being one of them. It’s a story with a lot of emotion that you can’t help but get involved. I enjoyed watching this author’s creativity come to life as each scene went by. She creates some new words that our couple spit out every once in a while that gave me a nice chuckle. Then she leaves me an interesting ending that left me saying “huh”. So where do we go from here?
I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
lilyn_g's review
emotional
medium-paced
5.0
This really needs a better cover. It totally gives the wrong impression. It makes the book look cheesy and it's really not. It deals with stuff.