From the Top Rope: A Wrestling with Love Novel

by Tamara Lemus, Allison Meloni (Editor), Mackenzie Gimben (Illustrator)

Amaya

In the world of pro wrestling, legacy is everything, and Amaya Acosta knows the pressure of living up to that legacy well. Her family is wrestling royalty. It’s in her blood to be the best in the business. She dominates the ring and is used to being the woman to beat. Which makes her the locker room’s biggest target, and no one has a bigger target on Amaya’s back than Ravyn. She’s been her longtime rival, the only woman who’s ever come close to matching her, and there’s a flutter in Amaya's stomach every time she’s near that she can’t shake off. They’ve never seen eye to eye, that is, until a new female joins the main roster. Amaya’s so close to breaking the record for the longest reigning EWC women’s champion. With Amaya’s title truly in jeopardy and Ravyn at risk of being pushed to the side, can they work together to make sure the newbie doesn’t steal the spotlight?





Ravyn

Ravyn has never had it easy. Growing up with a mother who chose addiction over being a parent, she was dumped into the foster system and learned to fight for everything she has. Trust, respect, survival. Despite it all, she worked hard and made it onto the main roster of the EWC. The only thing standing between her and the title she’s bled for? Amaya Acosta, EWC’s golden child and a nepo baby who has had everything handed to her. Ravyn’s been inches away from victory too many times. She thought this was finally her moment… until a fresh-faced newcomer is introduced to the EWC and threatens to ruin everything. She’ll be damn if someone takes what’s rightfully hers. Not without a fight. Even if it means teaming up with the one person she can’t stand and maybe, just maybe, can’t stop thinking about.

Genres: Romance, LGBT

258 pages, Paperback

First published September 16, 2025

About the author

Tamara Lemus may be publishing her first novel, but writing isn’t new to her. She started writing at a young age when her mother gifted her journals. Later, she branched onto the online writing scene by writing Harry Styles fan fiction on Tumblr.
Her love of reading started when a little titled Twilight entered the world. As she grew up, life got in the way and reading went to the back burner until she picked up a fantasy book that sparked her love of reading back to life. Tamara enjoys
reading fantasy, romance, and thriller books. In her spare time, she loves traveling, trying new foods, and spending time with her family and fur baby, Xena.

Reviews

[Jade Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! Ravyn has my whole heart! I adore an underdog storyline. Ravyn had a difficult childhood and, as a result, has always struggled with trusting others. Watching her grow, fall in love, and open up even when she's terrified of being vulnerable was so courageous. Amaya is her perfect partner—strong, confident, and always pushing her out of her comfort zone.

- Wrestling romance
- Sapphic
- Enemies to lovers
- Found family

[Victoria Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got the privilege to read an arc copy of this book and this was my first sapphic romance and let me tell you. I’ve read nothing like this and it was amazing. I am a wrestling girly and a book girly and I love seeing my two worlds collide. I can’t wait for the rest of the world to get a hold of this book. Wonderful job Tamara. You should be so proud.

[Melanie Tyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so cute and exactly what I wanted out of a sapphic wrestling romance!

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I Loved:
• Forced proximity + tension that had me kicking my feet
• The rivals-to-lovers energy done RIGHT
• Amaya + Ravyn having to earn their love on their own terms
• The depth behind both of their backstories
• Strong, memorable supporting characters who added real heart
• Sapphic romance that felt tender, fierce, and honest

What I Didn’t Love:
• Ugh… I have to WAIT for the next one?! The way that ending had me screaming, pleaseeee share the next book as an ARC with me.

[colleen 🦢 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two of my favorite worlds collided - reading and wrestling.

I was lucky enough to be a beta reader for my dear friend and I mean this with every fiber of my being, i genuinely loved this book. I’ve always been a huge romance reader and this was my first FF romance and it made me want to read more of them! Amaya and ravyns dynamic throughout this book was everything, i loved their banter to their witty comments to one another to watching them become lovers. Seeing the wrestling aspect of this book was also so entertaining especially since I’m a wrestling fan! My girl did her research!

From the top rope was everything and i cannot wait to read the rest of this series 🩵🩷

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow I couldn't put this book down,sorry I finished the whole thing,and didn't get a chance to finish the reviews.

Chapters 22-43(epilogue)

These chapters takes us on a rollercoaster of twist and turns and ups and downs.Just when you think one thing Tamera pulls us back.

In the ring and out of the ring things are changing,if you speak with Amaya or Ravyn they would say for the good,but if you speak with management,they say not good.

Towards the end Tamera gives us another plot twist and roller coaster ride I absolutely loved it and the epilogue Wow!, I wasn't expecting that.

Tamera hit her first home run!!! Bravo girl and I can't wait for book 2


Chapters 16-21

Things are definitely heating up in the ring and out.
Drinking and hot tubs they are not a good combination,
well throw bathrooms in the mix as well.

The situation in the hot tub well someone almost caught them.
There is a situation with one of the family members and the
other person doesn't know it and thinks all crazy things.
When the other person finds out what happened,
they go crazy with the thoughts again

When the other person finally reaches the person it
doesn't go well. The other person has a sloppy match
and it may change their storyline.

A certain person is back in the picture and someone is
jealous, The other person's family situation is good,
but now there is a situation between that person and
the other person in the ring and out.

The situation in the ring just blew up outside the ring,
and the head of the federation might have just found out,
and that can spell T.R.O.U.B.L.E. !
.


Chapters 11-15

Well it looks like the feeling train has come to a stop,both ways.
I guess the night out is all it needed to take for two certain people to not hate each other.

We learned a back story about Ravyn and I like learning about
each of their pasts.
How will this new situation factor in with their in ring stories?


Chapters 6-10

We are introduced to two new characters in these chapters.
Edward-Eddie-who is a trainer,I see him as
Trevor Donovan-( Hallmark) and
Mariana -Ravyn's best friend I see as Amanda Seyfried
(Mama-Mia)

We are finding a little bit more of Amaya and Ravyn's background,what if it's not hatred but something else
between Amaya and Ravyn?

We also finally meet Tashi and Amaya finds out what
really went down between Tashi and her dad.
Half of chapter 8 had me giggling and snort laughing.

Things heat up out of the ring in chapters 9 and 10,
and someone is not liking what they walked into at the club,
in the bathroom. There is a surprise for Ravyn that is sent to her house and you think it's one thing,but it's a "secret " .





This is my first book I've read by Tamara Lemus
and I bought this book at Barnes N Nobles.
If this is your first time reading my reviews,
I like to read 5 chapters and review and
repeat the process until I finish the book.

I also like to have pictures in my head of
the characters(yes I know they are on the cover),
but it helps me while I'm reading the book.
I use my favorite Actors/Actress' ,
Broadway Actors/Actress' or
favorite Wresters.
With that said

I see Amaya as - Stephanie McMahon
I see Ravyn as- Brie Bella
I see Tashi Williams as Jade Cargal
I see Violet as Paige
I see Scarlett as Scarlett(Karrion Kross' wife)
I see Andres Acosta as- Santos Escobar
I see Annabelle Acosta as- Zelina Vega
I see Aiden Acosta as Brody King

Chapters 1-5

I am halfway though and the story is on fire.
Even if you are not a wrestling fan you will
love this book as well.
If you are a wrestling fan you will be saying to
yourself,as you are reading the book
"Oh this sounds like a certain person or family"

I love how Tamara and other authors gives both
characters the chance to have their point of view
in each chapter.
I love how also the end of each chapter has a mini
cliffhanger,like it's saying to you,do you really
want to stop now ?

In my head I know it's Amaya and Ravyn but I
see Roman Reigns,Cody Rhodes and CM Punk.
Speaking of Amaya and Ravyn I can't wait to find
out what happens when the new girl gets there.

Someone has an injury and We all know
what happens when you have an injury
in the wrestling world.

Andres is a man with an iron fist yikes,
has both his children fighting each
other at the dinner table,and
does back door business Yikes

I CAN'T WAIT to read more

[Riley Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

From the Top Rope was such a fun and refreshing read! As a beta reader, I went in curious about how a pro wrestling romance would play out, and I can honestly say it exceeded my expectations. As a fan of pro wrestling I jumped at the opportunity to read this book! The story follows Amaya and Ravyn, and their chemistry had me hooked from the beginning.

The writing itself is strong and engaging—yes, there were a few typos here and there, but those are easy fixes and didn’t take away from how well-crafted the story was overall. I really appreciated seeing some of the suggestions I gave implemented.

As a fan of FF romance, I absolutely loved the representation and the way their relationship was written—equal parts tender and fierce. My only tiny gripe is that I wish there had been a glossary of wrestling terminology in this book. I know the author mentioned it’s coming in the next one, but honestly, I think it would have been super helpful here too. Still, that’s a very small thing compared to how much I enjoyed this story.

If you’re looking for something fresh in the romance genre, From the Top Rope is absolutely worth picking up. . I can’t wait for the next book!

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a wrestling fan first and foremost, reading something that has to do with wrestling is always on my list. Reading a wrestling book with FF romance wasn’t. This is my first ever sapphic romance book. Let me tell you how wrong I was to think that I might not like it as much as I did. Because this blends it all together in a way that as a wrestling fan first, the romance just intertwines as a part of the wrestling story and you don’t even think about it being another thing.

I’d recommend this book to anyone but especially wrestling fans and also readers of romance type books as well.

I really enjoyed this and am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series.

[Yaneisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ⭐️ | 3/5 🌶️

Synopsis:
Despite all odds, Ravyn refused to let her past define her. Raised by a mother battling addiction, with no father and a childhood spent in the system, she’s had to fight for every single thing she’s earned. Now, she’s pouring her blood, sweat, and tears into her professional wrestling career. But no matter how hard she trains, no matter how fiercely she fights, she always comes second—to none other than nepo baby Amaya Acosta.

Amaya has grown up under the weight of the Acosta name, constantly pressured to uphold the family legacy and maintain a flawless image. But when a fierce newcomer threatens her reign and championship title, the perfect golden girl starts to crack—and the last person she expects to turn to is her biggest rival, Ravyn.

Review:
I’ve yet to come across another wrestling sapphic romance, and this one? PURE PERFECTION. The tension, the banter, the matches, absolutely top tier *chefs kiss*

I loved that the romance didn’t come easy — our FMCs had to fight for it (literally). I’m a sucker for a good enemies-to-lovers arc, and this one delivered flawlessly. We get to peel back every layer of their emotions, desires, and ambitions in a way that feels raw and real.

And let’s talk about the supporting cast — I adore when side characters aren’t just background noise but truly integral to the story. Their wit, charm, sass, and unfiltered mouths had me laughing out loud.

[Kelli Fealy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two stars rounding up 🥲 I wanted to love this! The wrestling world and enemies premise were so fun. The author introduced a lot of themes I would have liked to further explore, like Amaya’s identity as a white Latina, or Ravyn’s persona to cope with her trauma as “Romona.” Ultimately the pacing was a bit wack, and certain characters were so toxic and icky (Amaya’s dad was super controlling, and Levi was super overbearing!)

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tbh everything I wanted in a wrestling story, i was definitely attached to Ravyn early on because her character was so likable

Ravyn’s journey to finding herself was so heartwarming to read

UGH I LOVE MARIANA AND AIDEN time for the next book!

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book as a WWE fan & a reader. I feel like it blended just enough reality with a fictional story. I can’t wait to read more!!

[Abigail Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love wrestling and you love a good enemies to lovers story then THIS IS THE BOOK!!!! No words obsessed love!

[Morgan Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick fun read! Thank you Thirst Books for recommending it!!

[Graham Galloway-Chapa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful! Fast-paced, funny, and perfect for fans of professional wrestling!

[Stephanie Seiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amaya and Rayvn are rivals...but as they say the opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference.

If you're an enemies to lovers fan, you're going to love this story. Amaya and Rayvn are the top of the women's division, Amaya, who comes from a wrestling dynasty, currently holds the belt while Rayvn is constantly challenging her in her quest to become the next women's champion. Although they were pretty sure they hated each other, they begin to see each other in a different light when a new challenger is thrust into their storyline.

I enjoyed the themes and exploration of sexuality as Amaya is secure in her bisexuality, but Rayvn takes a longer time to get to get there. While the two both have chemistry from the start, it's almost a slow burn how long it takes them to admit it, which I highly enjoyed. There's also the theme of cultural belonging that is executed well, Amaya struggles with the feeling of being disconnected from her heritage and what it means to her.

The characters and family of cast are lovable and real, the scenes with dialogue of them pitching their promos in the ring were my favorite, I'm so excited to read more of this series, I'm so ready for wrestling romances to be the next trend.

[ChanaReadsHorror · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of those books where I was super excited to dive in and couldnt put it down once I started reading it. As a fan of professional wrestling, it hit all those spots perfectly. As a romance novel, it was able to hook you and not let go. All the characters felt so real if you follow the sport, it was like it was playing out in front you watching the matches.