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Below the Belt
To outfit his new gym, trainer Cooper Fitzgerald is looking for fresh boxing talent. Male boxing talent, that is. So what on earth is he thinking by taking on Jamie Sawyer? She's stubborn, difficult, aggressive—and far too hot for the kind of close contact training requires. But her skill in the ring is turning his professional head.
Too bad his isn't the only head that's turning. Jamie and her skimpy little shorts have all the guys forgetting the power she packs in a punch. And when Jamie offers Cooper her irresistible body—no strings attached—he's down for the count. But can Cooper keep the line between trainer and sex buddy…or is he setting himself up for another knockout?
Too bad his isn't the only head that's turning. Jamie and her skimpy little shorts have all the guys forgetting the power she packs in a punch. And when Jamie offers Cooper her irresistible body—no strings attached—he's down for the count. But can Cooper keep the line between trainer and sex buddy…or is he setting himself up for another knockout?
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
11 people are currently reading
548 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Mayberry
159 books1,150 followersSarah Mayberry was born in Melbourne, Australia, and is the middle of three children. From the time that she first “stole” paper from kindergarten and stapled it together to make “books,” Sarah has always wanted to be a writer. In line with this ambition, on graduation from high school she completed a bachelor of arts degree majoring in professional writing, then sat down to write a book. When inspiration didn’t strike, she began to wonder if, perhaps, she needed to live some life first before writing about it.
This still left the burning question of how to pay the rent. She found her way into trade journalism, working off the principle that it was better to write anything for a living than nothing at all. Her time there lead to the opportunity to launch a new decorator magazine for one of Australia’s major retailers, an invaluable and grueling experience that she found very rewarding.
But the opportunity to write fiction for a living soon lured Sarah away. She took up a post as storyliner on Australia’s longest running soap, Neighbours. Over two years she helped plot more than 240 hours of television, as well as writing freelance scripts. She remembers her time with the show very fondly — especially the dirty jokes and laughter around the story table — and still writes scripts on a freelance basis.
In 2003 she relocated to New Zealand for her partner’s work. There Sarah served as storyliner and story editor on the country’s top-rating drama, Shortland Street, before quitting to pursue writing full time.
Sarah picked up a love of romance novels from both her grandmothers, and has submitted manuscripts to Harlequin many times over the years. She credits the invaluable story structuring experience she learned on Neighbours as the key to her eventual success — along with the patience of her fantastic editor, Wanda.
Sarah is revoltingly happy with her partner of twelve years, Chris, who is a talented scriptwriter. Not only does he offer fantastic advice and solutions to writing problems, but he’s also handsome, funny and sexy. When she’s not gushing over him, she loves to read romance and fantasy novels, go to the movies, sew and cook for her friends. She has also become a recent convert to Pilates, which she knows she should do more often.
This still left the burning question of how to pay the rent. She found her way into trade journalism, working off the principle that it was better to write anything for a living than nothing at all. Her time there lead to the opportunity to launch a new decorator magazine for one of Australia’s major retailers, an invaluable and grueling experience that she found very rewarding.
But the opportunity to write fiction for a living soon lured Sarah away. She took up a post as storyliner on Australia’s longest running soap, Neighbours. Over two years she helped plot more than 240 hours of television, as well as writing freelance scripts. She remembers her time with the show very fondly — especially the dirty jokes and laughter around the story table — and still writes scripts on a freelance basis.
In 2003 she relocated to New Zealand for her partner’s work. There Sarah served as storyliner and story editor on the country’s top-rating drama, Shortland Street, before quitting to pursue writing full time.
Sarah picked up a love of romance novels from both her grandmothers, and has submitted manuscripts to Harlequin many times over the years. She credits the invaluable story structuring experience she learned on Neighbours as the key to her eventual success — along with the patience of her fantastic editor, Wanda.
Sarah is revoltingly happy with her partner of twelve years, Chris, who is a talented scriptwriter. Not only does he offer fantastic advice and solutions to writing problems, but he’s also handsome, funny and sexy. When she’s not gushing over him, she loves to read romance and fantasy novels, go to the movies, sew and cook for her friends. She has also become a recent convert to Pilates, which she knows she should do more often.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
October 22, 2009
5 stars – Contemporary/Sports Romance
Of all the Blaze books I’ve read, this had the best story and most well-developed characters, and yes, it still managed to be blazin’ hot too!
Cooper Fitzgerald, a former heavyweight boxing champion forced into early retirement because of an injury, is beginning a new career as gym proprietor and boxing trainer and looking for champion contenders. The last thing he wants is a feisty, stubborn, aggressive, and hotheaded woman demanding that he take her on, but just for boxing training of course because he sure wouldn’t mind taking her on in other ways.
Jamie Sawyer is a fighter who’s determined to restore her grandfather’s great name and legacy in the world of boxing by winning the women’s boxing title belt, and she’s determined to have the best trainer there is to help her make it happen. She won’t back down, be dissuaded from her goal, or take Cooper’s no for an answer, despite how infuriating, cocky, and hot he is.
Cooper soon recognizes Jamie’s innate, raw talent and comes to respect her steely fire and grit and agrees to be her trainer, which means their relationship has to stay professional and platonic. But when their mutual attraction and explosive chemistry becomes impossible to ignore and the lines between mentor/trainer and fighter get blurred, will it affect Cooper’s ability to stand behind the ropes and to allow Jamie to achieve her dream?
Jamie’s driven by a painful past and family drama involving her father and grandfather, so even though her character annoyed me at times, I understood her motivations. Cooper is a total dreamboat hero, he’s sexy, caring, loyal, strong, yet tender, and protective, and there were times that I thought Jamie was undeserving of his total adoration, devotion, and commitment. It takes her a while, but she finally comes to her senses and realizes how amazing he is.
There’s definitely more emotion and drama in this compared to other HQ Blaze books that I’ve read, but the author still managed to infuse a good dose of romance into the story and nicely balanced in the hot sex scenes we crave from our Blaze reads. The fight scenes were action-packed, intense, well paced, exciting, and gripping.
I loved the movie “Million Dollar Baby”, and this reminded me a little bit of a lighter, romancelandia version of it, of course, with a hottie ex-boxing champion romantic hero in Clint Eastwood’s role, a spitfire fighter heroine, and a HEA. This was my first book by Sarah Mayberry, and I was very impressed by her writing style and plan to read more of her Blaze titles. It’s a great read for contemporary sports romance lovers and HQ Blaze fans who like a well-developed story and strong characters with their steam! 5 stars!
Of all the Blaze books I’ve read, this had the best story and most well-developed characters, and yes, it still managed to be blazin’ hot too!
Cooper Fitzgerald, a former heavyweight boxing champion forced into early retirement because of an injury, is beginning a new career as gym proprietor and boxing trainer and looking for champion contenders. The last thing he wants is a feisty, stubborn, aggressive, and hotheaded woman demanding that he take her on, but just for boxing training of course because he sure wouldn’t mind taking her on in other ways.
Jamie Sawyer is a fighter who’s determined to restore her grandfather’s great name and legacy in the world of boxing by winning the women’s boxing title belt, and she’s determined to have the best trainer there is to help her make it happen. She won’t back down, be dissuaded from her goal, or take Cooper’s no for an answer, despite how infuriating, cocky, and hot he is.
Cooper soon recognizes Jamie’s innate, raw talent and comes to respect her steely fire and grit and agrees to be her trainer, which means their relationship has to stay professional and platonic. But when their mutual attraction and explosive chemistry becomes impossible to ignore and the lines between mentor/trainer and fighter get blurred, will it affect Cooper’s ability to stand behind the ropes and to allow Jamie to achieve her dream?
Jamie’s driven by a painful past and family drama involving her father and grandfather, so even though her character annoyed me at times, I understood her motivations. Cooper is a total dreamboat hero, he’s sexy, caring, loyal, strong, yet tender, and protective, and there were times that I thought Jamie was undeserving of his total adoration, devotion, and commitment. It takes her a while, but she finally comes to her senses and realizes how amazing he is.
There’s definitely more emotion and drama in this compared to other HQ Blaze books that I’ve read, but the author still managed to infuse a good dose of romance into the story and nicely balanced in the hot sex scenes we crave from our Blaze reads. The fight scenes were action-packed, intense, well paced, exciting, and gripping.
I loved the movie “Million Dollar Baby”, and this reminded me a little bit of a lighter, romancelandia version of it, of course, with a hottie ex-boxing champion romantic hero in Clint Eastwood’s role, a spitfire fighter heroine, and a HEA. This was my first book by Sarah Mayberry, and I was very impressed by her writing style and plan to read more of her Blaze titles. It’s a great read for contemporary sports romance lovers and HQ Blaze fans who like a well-developed story and strong characters with their steam! 5 stars!
December 28, 2010
4 star Harlequin Blaze Romance
Though I have enjoyed reading a couple of sports themed romances (they have been far and few in between) this is the first of its kind for me. Even being not much of a sports buff in reality this book turned out to be delightfully good, no doubt a testament to Sarah Mayberry’s extremely talented writing abilities.
Likes:
1- Jamie Sawyer. She is one of the most different heroines that I have come across in the romance world and because of that I loved her to bits. She is strong, feisty, stubborn, determined to win at all costs, loyal to a fault and on top of all that she is so very vulnerable at the very core. But she hides her vulnerability from the rest of the world with the tough facade that she puts up, and it works most of the time that is until Cooper comes into the picture and all that just crashes down at her feet leaving her with no choice but to surrender her heart, body and soul to the one man who would never betray her trust. I liked the fact that Jamie didn’t just become a sweetly submissive woman overnight shedding her tortured soul to become a woman with a sunny personality and smiles all around. Rather she took her time getting there and even then stayed true to her self which is what eventually makes me her biggest fan all around.
2- Cooper. He is hot, sinfully handsome, wickedly intense and oh my lordy when he is turned on he is sex personified. Cooper’s most endearing quality is his ability to love Jamie for who she is, the way he cherishes her and stands beside her in everything she wants to achieve in this world. Though it hurts something fierce in him to watch Jamie get battered up in the ring, he understands the fire driving Jamie to succeed and win big and at the same time he loves her enough not to give up when Jamie is being too stubborn for her own good. I totally and irrevocably heart Cooper to bits.
3- The true Blaze style sensuality in the story. This book packs a punch in the sensuality department and gives the reader all the right kind of tingles in all the right places in the style that I have come to recognize that is just uniquely Sarah Mayberry. From the first blazing hot smexing session that nearly knocked my breathe out to the slow paced actual act itself had me sighing, fanning myself and mooning all over Cooper and his well honed muscles. *gulp*
4- Mmm.. I totally love the cover. Just wanna run my hands all over that slick, hot body of Cooper’s. *wink*
5- And I absolutely loved the fact that this story kept me entertained, willing me to turn the pages that didn’t bog me down with unnecessary details of the fighting and kickboxing world and yet still managed to teach me a thing or two about it. As I said at the beginning of the review, Sarah Mayberry is so very talented and this story too is a testament to the fact. Makes me wonder why I kept this in my TBR pile for as long as I did now. *scratches head*
Dislikes: None.
Full review with quotes: http://bit.ly/hXWVhJ
February 19, 2010
A former boxer champ training a would-be-boxer chick, but their intimate trainer-fighter relationship is about to get even more intimate. In a different, and much more satisfying, way.
I have to give kudos to the author for creating one heck of a couple of well-developped characters with unseen depths and loads of layers.
But since I was in the mood for something a bit more frilly and relaxing (after two books that weren't satisfying at all), I just couldn't cope with the amount of angst and emotional baggage crammed into a short Harlequin Blaze book.
The heroine annoyed me, making me wish someone would just KO'ed her and get her out of the picture. Talk about a woman who has absolutely no clue what she really wants, going from hot and cold faster than you could snap your fingers. And her "masculine" approach to casual sex simply rubbed me the wrong way.
The only problem I had with the hero was the fact he actually put up with the heroine, but that also got him a few bonus points in my book...And maybe a candidacy for sainthood or at least martyrdom.
Otherwise, you won't hear any objections on my part. The story flowed nicely, the pacing was constant, the boxing part was maybe a little overdone for someone who doesn't watch (or get) the sport, but all in all this was a rather good read. If only the mercurial heroine wouldn't distract me every few seconds.
I have to give kudos to the author for creating one heck of a couple of well-developped characters with unseen depths and loads of layers.
But since I was in the mood for something a bit more frilly and relaxing (after two books that weren't satisfying at all), I just couldn't cope with the amount of angst and emotional baggage crammed into a short Harlequin Blaze book.
The heroine annoyed me, making me wish someone would just KO'ed her and get her out of the picture. Talk about a woman who has absolutely no clue what she really wants, going from hot and cold faster than you could snap your fingers. And her "masculine" approach to casual sex simply rubbed me the wrong way.
The only problem I had with the hero was the fact he actually put up with the heroine, but that also got him a few bonus points in my book...And maybe a candidacy for sainthood or at least martyrdom.
Otherwise, you won't hear any objections on my part. The story flowed nicely, the pacing was constant, the boxing part was maybe a little overdone for someone who doesn't watch (or get) the sport, but all in all this was a rather good read. If only the mercurial heroine wouldn't distract me every few seconds.
November 22, 2015
This is the 4th book by Sarah Mayberry I've read, and one of the better ones. I really enjoyed this one.
“For what it's worth, you're the hottest damn thing I've ever said no to,” he said.
What was she supposed to say to that? She flipped him the finger. “Thanks a lot,” she said.
---
“Hey, for all you know I could be hung like a hamster and it would all be over in five seconds flat” he said.
She rolled her eyes. “Puh-lease, you think I'm feeling impaired? I had my hands on you last night, I know what you're packing. I know exactly what I'm missing out on.”
February 19, 2010
I picked this book because it was written by Sarah Mayberry and because the premise is so different from anything I've read before. A female boxer trying to set right her father's wrongs, paired with the most amazing, honorable man/trainer, Cooper. Cooper is sexy as hell. Jamie is a little harder to like. She's driven and tough, and unlike every other romance novel, she's the jaded one.
It was an interesting change, but it was also hard to understand Jamie. Her reluctance to get into a relationship and being very sexually aggressive, she's a heroine like no other. I was actually a little stunned by her sexuality. It was as if Cooper and Jamie switched the traditional roles
While it was a good read, and I even enjoyed the boxing/fighting parts and Cooper was delightfully sexy, it was Jamie who I couldn't empathize with. But, it was kinda nice to learn something about the boxing world, which I have absolutely no relation with.
It was an interesting change, but it was also hard to understand Jamie. Her reluctance to get into a relationship and being very sexually aggressive, she's a heroine like no other. I was actually a little stunned by her sexuality. It was as if Cooper and Jamie switched the traditional roles
While it was a good read, and I even enjoyed the boxing/fighting parts and Cooper was delightfully sexy, it was Jamie who I couldn't empathize with. But, it was kinda nice to learn something about the boxing world, which I have absolutely no relation with.
July 17, 2009
This was pretty decent for a Harlequin romance novel. I liked the characters and the mix of boxing/sports in there was a welcome change to some of the other obstacles the heroines face. I liked all the characters and there was some good sex scenes! It didn't stand out a ton for me, but I enjoyed it!
May 16, 2011
This was ok. Got bored of it after awhile and skimmed the rest.
September 21, 2011
This book started out really good, got a little better and then disappointed me. I think it went too far for me. A little too nice and neat. I was left wishing it had ended sooner.
March 7, 2012
Good book. There was a little too much detail about the boxing matches for me. It made me hurt just reading about it.
November 16, 2013
Another good one from Sarah Mayberry. I'm a fan.
August 4, 2015
loved the story and the stubbornness of the characters just add to it :)
February 2, 2016
I am not a lover of sports..AT ALL. To my surprise, this book had me engaged. I can't believe how much I enjoyed it.
January 26, 2018
Found this book from here, and in the name of ~research, I knew I had to get it. No regrets~ Learned a lot in terms of plotting, exploring the enemies-to-lovers trope, sexual tension!
July 27, 2017
Love Sarah Mayberry. Entertaining contemporary romance with boxing. I love the main characters and their arcs, especially Jamie's. She is definitively badass.
August 23, 2021
DNF'd at 37% - I like how it's set in Aus but I just don't have the heart to keep going - shelved for future
July 1, 2010
I read Below the Belt all the way through. But I didn’t really like it.
And I think it may be feminism’s fault.
Honestly, weeks after finishing it, I am still torn over this book. Maybe I just expected too much. Did the hopes and dreams of me poor lil feminist heart prevent me from judging this book on its own merits?
Our hero Cooper hears about Jimmy, an up-and-coming boxer who’d like to have him as a trainer. Except Jimmy is actually Jamie and yup, Jamie/Jimmy is a lady! So, upon their first meeting, Cooper insults and challenges Jamie to explain why women deserve to be let into boxing.
Her response? “Sputter sputter sexist pig AND YOUR DICK IS SMALL sputter!”
And my world tilted. I mean, really? REALLY? Your dad was a boxer. Your grandpa was a boxer. Previously, you competed in state-wide martial arts competitions and won titles. In order to win back your family’s honor (squandered by your father throwing a match, going to jail, and killing himself, in that order), you decide to go pro.
Can I just restate that? You, a woman, having grown up in the boxing milieu, decide to become a female professional boxer. Allow me to make the small understatement that female pro boxing is not, you know, the easiest profession for a woman to be in… And shouldn’t you have already known that?
And the best comeback you’ve got is a small dick joke? Lady, you’ve got to be smarter than that.
In fact, the idea that Jamie isn’t smarter than that kind of disturbs me. Makes me doubt her from the start. By the end of the book, it’s clear this is actually part of Jamie’s story- figuring out her own motives in getting into the ring- but having that doubt at the back of my mind about her basic ability to understand herself? Undermines my own belief in her throughout the entirety of the book.
Cooper, against his better judgement, takes on Jamie as a fighter. Instant sexual attraction, etc. etc. As the book progresses, Cooper struggles with his growing need for Jamie and his increasing discomfort with seeing her hurt. Long interior monologues where he talks about how upset he’ll be seeing her get pummeled in the ring. By the end, its clear, this is part of Cooper’s journey, similar to Jamie’s self discovery, but again…
I mean, really? REALLY? You take on the job of getting her into professional boxing, and you’re worried that you won’t be able to stand the site of her getting beat up?
Cooper sees female and his alpha male hormones make him think weak. To me, that means he never actually respected her as an athlete.
And once I start that train of thought, it is impossible to ignore. If Cooper never saw Jamie as a capable athlete, then what the hell was he doing falling in love with her? THAT LADY YOU LOVE IS AN ATHLETE. She was a martial arts competitor! She won championships!!! She wants to be a PRO BOXER. How you gonna love someone when you don’t actually respect that person’s dream, at all?
AARRRRRGH! I HATE IT SO MUCH AND IT’S NOT A BAD BOOK AT ALL.
I think the truth is, I never wanted to read a book that had to defend women’s professional boxing. I wanted that idea, that a woman is capable of fighting professionally, to be ingrained into the very subconsciousness of the story.
I wanted Jamie to be strong and sure of herself and her dreams. I wanted Cooper to be in love with that strong, sure Jamie. I wanted to read a hot and sweet romance novel starring an unconventional heroine in an unconventional setting that was never once required to justify its uniqueness.
And that part, I think, I can blame on feminism.
So I’m gonna give this book 3 of 5 stars. Well written, good romance, hot, sweet, and funny laughs. But I think it could have been so so much better.
And I think it may be feminism’s fault.
Honestly, weeks after finishing it, I am still torn over this book. Maybe I just expected too much. Did the hopes and dreams of me poor lil feminist heart prevent me from judging this book on its own merits?
Our hero Cooper hears about Jimmy, an up-and-coming boxer who’d like to have him as a trainer. Except Jimmy is actually Jamie and yup, Jamie/Jimmy is a lady! So, upon their first meeting, Cooper insults and challenges Jamie to explain why women deserve to be let into boxing.
Her response? “Sputter sputter sexist pig AND YOUR DICK IS SMALL sputter!”
And my world tilted. I mean, really? REALLY? Your dad was a boxer. Your grandpa was a boxer. Previously, you competed in state-wide martial arts competitions and won titles. In order to win back your family’s honor (squandered by your father throwing a match, going to jail, and killing himself, in that order), you decide to go pro.
Can I just restate that? You, a woman, having grown up in the boxing milieu, decide to become a female professional boxer. Allow me to make the small understatement that female pro boxing is not, you know, the easiest profession for a woman to be in… And shouldn’t you have already known that?
And the best comeback you’ve got is a small dick joke? Lady, you’ve got to be smarter than that.
In fact, the idea that Jamie isn’t smarter than that kind of disturbs me. Makes me doubt her from the start. By the end of the book, it’s clear this is actually part of Jamie’s story- figuring out her own motives in getting into the ring- but having that doubt at the back of my mind about her basic ability to understand herself? Undermines my own belief in her throughout the entirety of the book.
Cooper, against his better judgement, takes on Jamie as a fighter. Instant sexual attraction, etc. etc. As the book progresses, Cooper struggles with his growing need for Jamie and his increasing discomfort with seeing her hurt. Long interior monologues where he talks about how upset he’ll be seeing her get pummeled in the ring. By the end, its clear, this is part of Cooper’s journey, similar to Jamie’s self discovery, but again…
I mean, really? REALLY? You take on the job of getting her into professional boxing, and you’re worried that you won’t be able to stand the site of her getting beat up?
Cooper sees female and his alpha male hormones make him think weak. To me, that means he never actually respected her as an athlete.
And once I start that train of thought, it is impossible to ignore. If Cooper never saw Jamie as a capable athlete, then what the hell was he doing falling in love with her? THAT LADY YOU LOVE IS AN ATHLETE. She was a martial arts competitor! She won championships!!! She wants to be a PRO BOXER. How you gonna love someone when you don’t actually respect that person’s dream, at all?
AARRRRRGH! I HATE IT SO MUCH AND IT’S NOT A BAD BOOK AT ALL.
I think the truth is, I never wanted to read a book that had to defend women’s professional boxing. I wanted that idea, that a woman is capable of fighting professionally, to be ingrained into the very subconsciousness of the story.
I wanted Jamie to be strong and sure of herself and her dreams. I wanted Cooper to be in love with that strong, sure Jamie. I wanted to read a hot and sweet romance novel starring an unconventional heroine in an unconventional setting that was never once required to justify its uniqueness.
And that part, I think, I can blame on feminism.
So I’m gonna give this book 3 of 5 stars. Well written, good romance, hot, sweet, and funny laughs. But I think it could have been so so much better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2012
Setting:
Australia - Fitzgerald Fighters’ Gym; home in poor neighborhood and another in a nice neighborhood 10 minutes apart; fighting rinks
Theme:
Character:
Jamie Sawyer – 2 year champ of Tai kwon Do; daughter of Jack Sawyer, famous boxer who took a dive in his comeback match, then committing suicide, disgracing the family; granddaughter to Arthur Sawyer, who fought 8 rounds with Mohommad Ali. Frightened when her grandfather had a heart attack, and wanting to bring him a measure of pride back, she decides to go after the Women’s Boxing Championship. She has a casual attitude toward sex… especially after being betrayed by Kyle.
Cooper “The Fist” Fitzgerald – fighter who had to retire at 35 because of retina – would be blind when hit in the face again… so he dedicates himself to the gym he purchased and to training other fighters. At 15, homeless on street, mother a drug addict (saw his mother hit by the men in her life, and hated it), he was taken in by a trainer who saw something in him.
Arthur Harrison Sawyer –
Jamie’s grandfather – ex-fighter, loves and supports his granddaughter, training her as best she can.
Kyle Vandenburg –
Egotistical, selfcentered, dirty fighter. Angry at Jamie’s father who would not give him a hand when he was starting out, he took it out on Jamie and her mother after her father’s suicide, acting her lover and taking their money to ‘invest’ – they lost it all.
Summary:
Jamie goes to Cooper to ask him to be her trainer (he is ‘courting’ her lifelong friend, also a boxer, and gets the intro through him)… he says no, but is at her first fight…and in the 4th round, goes to her and tells her how to take advantage of the other’s opening, and Jamie knocks out her opponent.
There is attraction between them… and she is willing to go with it, but he knows she needs to trust him fully as her trainer, and that would not be good… but of course they slide into it bit by bit. Her first fight is against Kyle’s woman… and she wins, and has sex in the dressing room… and Cooper knows he can’t train her anymore… the sex, and his pain in seeing her get hit – and he tells her he cares for her, but she wants to keep it scratching an itch… at the bar afterward, she pushes, he tells her he can’t anymore… he leaves, she gets drunk, Kyle and his boxer woman come in, Kyle has words with her and she tells him off, the woman challenges her, she walks away, the woman comes out into the parking lot, they start to fight, Cooper shows up and he and Kyle fight… both win, but Kyle returns with a pipe to hit his head – separating his retina again.
Jamie nurses him back to health, she realizes he is hers and that she loves him… but after a week of bliss, she accepts a fight in the US against his agreement (too soon, no trainer, etc)… she goes her own way… but after she leaves, grandpa and Cooper (neither that would go) talk, and Cooper finds out that grandpa never knew about Jamie’s promise… they both go … it’s an hour before the fight, Cooper steps into the room, they talk – he tells her she doesn’t have to fight for her family’s reputation, or to cancel out her father – a father she loves, though she is angry… and she cries, and makes it through… and he coaches her … and she wins… and he’s in her corner all the way to the top, as long as she’s fighting for the right reason…. ahhhh
Memorable scenes:
Cooper’s ongoing dialogue before Jamie’s first fight…
Australia - Fitzgerald Fighters’ Gym; home in poor neighborhood and another in a nice neighborhood 10 minutes apart; fighting rinks
Theme:
Character:
Jamie Sawyer – 2 year champ of Tai kwon Do; daughter of Jack Sawyer, famous boxer who took a dive in his comeback match, then committing suicide, disgracing the family; granddaughter to Arthur Sawyer, who fought 8 rounds with Mohommad Ali. Frightened when her grandfather had a heart attack, and wanting to bring him a measure of pride back, she decides to go after the Women’s Boxing Championship. She has a casual attitude toward sex… especially after being betrayed by Kyle.
Cooper “The Fist” Fitzgerald – fighter who had to retire at 35 because of retina – would be blind when hit in the face again… so he dedicates himself to the gym he purchased and to training other fighters. At 15, homeless on street, mother a drug addict (saw his mother hit by the men in her life, and hated it), he was taken in by a trainer who saw something in him.
Arthur Harrison Sawyer –
Jamie’s grandfather – ex-fighter, loves and supports his granddaughter, training her as best she can.
Kyle Vandenburg –
Egotistical, selfcentered, dirty fighter. Angry at Jamie’s father who would not give him a hand when he was starting out, he took it out on Jamie and her mother after her father’s suicide, acting her lover and taking their money to ‘invest’ – they lost it all.
Summary:
Jamie goes to Cooper to ask him to be her trainer (he is ‘courting’ her lifelong friend, also a boxer, and gets the intro through him)… he says no, but is at her first fight…and in the 4th round, goes to her and tells her how to take advantage of the other’s opening, and Jamie knocks out her opponent.
There is attraction between them… and she is willing to go with it, but he knows she needs to trust him fully as her trainer, and that would not be good… but of course they slide into it bit by bit. Her first fight is against Kyle’s woman… and she wins, and has sex in the dressing room… and Cooper knows he can’t train her anymore… the sex, and his pain in seeing her get hit – and he tells her he cares for her, but she wants to keep it scratching an itch… at the bar afterward, she pushes, he tells her he can’t anymore… he leaves, she gets drunk, Kyle and his boxer woman come in, Kyle has words with her and she tells him off, the woman challenges her, she walks away, the woman comes out into the parking lot, they start to fight, Cooper shows up and he and Kyle fight… both win, but Kyle returns with a pipe to hit his head – separating his retina again.
Jamie nurses him back to health, she realizes he is hers and that she loves him… but after a week of bliss, she accepts a fight in the US against his agreement (too soon, no trainer, etc)… she goes her own way… but after she leaves, grandpa and Cooper (neither that would go) talk, and Cooper finds out that grandpa never knew about Jamie’s promise… they both go … it’s an hour before the fight, Cooper steps into the room, they talk – he tells her she doesn’t have to fight for her family’s reputation, or to cancel out her father – a father she loves, though she is angry… and she cries, and makes it through… and he coaches her … and she wins… and he’s in her corner all the way to the top, as long as she’s fighting for the right reason…. ahhhh
Memorable scenes:
Cooper’s ongoing dialogue before Jamie’s first fight…
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2011
WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS AND MAY BE SLIGHTLY CRUDE! I don't think it is but other people might so I warned you.
Okay, so it wasn't brilliant, but it wasn't terrible. I liked the main bloke, he was funny and just honest but the girl? What the hell is she playing at? I hated her for the entire first half of the book and when he said that he had feelings for her and that it was hurting him to be her trainer and that he wanted more with her she was just like "It's no strings attached we'll do it that way" Excuse me? Not everything revolves around you, he should have ran a mile! So when they finally admitted no, when SHE finally admitted to him she loved him back I was like thank fuck because seriously? It got old. Using people is not nice. But then comes the next part.
They're a real couple now. So they say I love you... Proceed to the bed. Okay. Then they do it again. Okay fair enough. Now what happens? They wake up, have sex. They have dinner, have sex, have tea, have sex. You see a pattern? I'm sorry if this sounds crude but when i've just had a big meal all I can think is "God i'm full." And I feel bloated and basically no. Now fair enough your excited but whats wrong with waiting a few more hours because eventually they'll get bored of sex an then it will just be... What a waste of a book. It's stupid. I don't eat a plate of spag bol then think "Oh I am so turned on right now." No! Don't be so stupid. I go feel sorry for myself because i've ate to much and feel bloated and yucky in general. Okay so I realise i'm rambling but so what? it's what this box is for, to give an honest review and I am. I mean was she slipping him viagra or something because it was just beyond a joke. Lets have sex... again, again, again! He's not a bloody pony ride on a beach! Okay.
Also he asks her to move in with him. She agrees... They have a petty fight because of her not listening and then she leaves. Way to fight for your relationship!
So I enjoyed the plot. Enjoyed a lot of the book where they all over each other. I liked the main bloke. I l like it when they TALKED about stuff and when they were training and stuff. Three stars? Probably generous but i'm in a generous mood today.
Okay, so it wasn't brilliant, but it wasn't terrible. I liked the main bloke, he was funny and just honest but the girl? What the hell is she playing at? I hated her for the entire first half of the book and when he said that he had feelings for her and that it was hurting him to be her trainer and that he wanted more with her she was just like "It's no strings attached we'll do it that way" Excuse me? Not everything revolves around you, he should have ran a mile! So when they finally admitted no, when SHE finally admitted to him she loved him back I was like thank fuck because seriously? It got old. Using people is not nice. But then comes the next part.
They're a real couple now. So they say I love you... Proceed to the bed. Okay. Then they do it again. Okay fair enough. Now what happens? They wake up, have sex. They have dinner, have sex, have tea, have sex. You see a pattern? I'm sorry if this sounds crude but when i've just had a big meal all I can think is "God i'm full." And I feel bloated and basically no. Now fair enough your excited but whats wrong with waiting a few more hours because eventually they'll get bored of sex an then it will just be... What a waste of a book. It's stupid. I don't eat a plate of spag bol then think "Oh I am so turned on right now." No! Don't be so stupid. I go feel sorry for myself because i've ate to much and feel bloated and yucky in general. Okay so I realise i'm rambling but so what? it's what this box is for, to give an honest review and I am. I mean was she slipping him viagra or something because it was just beyond a joke. Lets have sex... again, again, again! He's not a bloody pony ride on a beach! Okay.
Also he asks her to move in with him. She agrees... They have a petty fight because of her not listening and then she leaves. Way to fight for your relationship!
So I enjoyed the plot. Enjoyed a lot of the book where they all over each other. I liked the main bloke. I l like it when they TALKED about stuff and when they were training and stuff. Three stars? Probably generous but i'm in a generous mood today.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 14, 2008
Below the Belt was good for a short book. I am not at all interested in boxing, so the storyline wasn't terribly appealing to me. The hero, Cooper Fitzgerald, was very likeable. He had accepted the loss of his boxing career with equanimity and moved on with his life. I enjoyed the way in which he quickly acknowledged his unexpected feelings for the heroine without fighting them. I had a more difficult time relating to the heroine, a female boxer. Jamie Sawyer was sometimes abrasive and made rash decisions. She was determined that her relationship with Cooper remain only physical, and she denied that she felt anything more for him. For me, the appealing hero was what made the book enjoyable.
Jamie Sawyer intends to fulfill a promise made to her grandfather, whose boxing career has been overshadowed by the scandal attached to his son's name. Jamie believes it is her duty to redeem the family name in the boxing community. When she is finally accepted on the team of trainer, Cooper Fitzgerald, Jamie is determined to pursue their mutual attraction. Cooper resists Jamie's appeal because he doesn't want to compromise his position and integrity as Jamie's trainer. When Cooper finally gives in to the attraction and they share several passionate encounters, he knows that remaining as Jamie's trainer is beyond his ability. He feels great distress when Jamie has her first fight as his trainee and he has to watch as she is battered and bruised. When Jamie accepts a fight against Cooper's advice, both must search their hearts and come to terms with what is important in their lives.
Although I didn't find the heroine particularly likeable, I enjoyed this book. A heroine who is a female boxer is just difficult for me to understand. To compound my difficulty in relating to Jamie was her tendency to disregard the sound advice of those more experienced than herself. The appeal of the hero more than made up for the lack of empathy I felt for the heroine. Especially considering my defiency of knowledge and enthusiasm for boxing, this was a good book that held my interest.
Jamie Sawyer intends to fulfill a promise made to her grandfather, whose boxing career has been overshadowed by the scandal attached to his son's name. Jamie believes it is her duty to redeem the family name in the boxing community. When she is finally accepted on the team of trainer, Cooper Fitzgerald, Jamie is determined to pursue their mutual attraction. Cooper resists Jamie's appeal because he doesn't want to compromise his position and integrity as Jamie's trainer. When Cooper finally gives in to the attraction and they share several passionate encounters, he knows that remaining as Jamie's trainer is beyond his ability. He feels great distress when Jamie has her first fight as his trainee and he has to watch as she is battered and bruised. When Jamie accepts a fight against Cooper's advice, both must search their hearts and come to terms with what is important in their lives.
Although I didn't find the heroine particularly likeable, I enjoyed this book. A heroine who is a female boxer is just difficult for me to understand. To compound my difficulty in relating to Jamie was her tendency to disregard the sound advice of those more experienced than herself. The appeal of the hero more than made up for the lack of empathy I felt for the heroine. Especially considering my defiency of knowledge and enthusiasm for boxing, this was a good book that held my interest.
March 2, 2013
It’s annoying when the leads think of getting rid of their attraction to the other lead by finding the next available person. I thought I would like this one since it included a unique topic of boxing with romance. But, I couldn’t seem to get into it because of the heroine. She’s strong and determined and I like that she’s sticking with her goal to become a boxer when female boxers don’t easily get the approval of male boxers. But I didn’t like her belief of just easily sharing her body with any men. In romance so often we are shown the heroes having enormous experience with women. Being big flirts so they can just share a night with a woman. I would prefer to read about men who have fewer relationships with real meaning behind them. But since that is hard to come across I usually have hope with the heroines. Since Jamie held the same view as the male leads, I couldn’t seem to like her as much.
Cooper was really sweet. I liked how he was as professional as he could be when most heroes in books like these would have lost the battle to keep their hands from the heroine. It was also wonderful to see him acknowledge his feelings for Jamie especially how helpless he felt every time she was in the ring. He was very patient with her.
Despite Jamie’s sad history I still thought she was too stubborn and unwilling to give a relationship a chance. I know it was her goal to succeed, but I hated how she was too much into winning that she failed to listen to advice given to her on big matters especially after working so hard to find a trainer who would give her advice and tips. I didn’t like how she wanted to get ahead so bad that she didn’t stop to think what Cooper was telling her at the end and how she dealt with their relationship despite just expressing her feelings. And she couldn’t back up this move of hers with her bad past, it was just her own hasty decisions. Cooper was so good to her and I don’t think it was fair how she treated him. By the end it didn’t seem like she had an honorable reason to win, she just had to do it. I actually wanted her to lose so that she could realize what Cooper and all the people she dissed were trying to tell her.
Cooper was really sweet. I liked how he was as professional as he could be when most heroes in books like these would have lost the battle to keep their hands from the heroine. It was also wonderful to see him acknowledge his feelings for Jamie especially how helpless he felt every time she was in the ring. He was very patient with her.
Despite Jamie’s sad history I still thought she was too stubborn and unwilling to give a relationship a chance. I know it was her goal to succeed, but I hated how she was too much into winning that she failed to listen to advice given to her on big matters especially after working so hard to find a trainer who would give her advice and tips. I didn’t like how she wanted to get ahead so bad that she didn’t stop to think what Cooper was telling her at the end and how she dealt with their relationship despite just expressing her feelings. And she couldn’t back up this move of hers with her bad past, it was just her own hasty decisions. Cooper was so good to her and I don’t think it was fair how she treated him. By the end it didn’t seem like she had an honorable reason to win, she just had to do it. I actually wanted her to lose so that she could realize what Cooper and all the people she dissed were trying to tell her.
June 23, 2016
I have a hard time with romance novels, depending on my mood--they often don't work for me even when I'm bored and don't work for me as comfort reads. The tropes are sometimes too much for me and I can't do it.
I read this after hearing an interview with the author on the SPTB podcast (then the DBSA podcast) and gave it a shot. After having spent most of my life reading fantasy and historical novels, contemporary romance works so much better for me now--they just feel easier to believe, to me.
Started this on Scribd last year, got about halfway through it and then it vanished from Scribd. I recently saw it appear again and basically read this in a day: skimmed the first half to catch myself up, and then read the rest. I really enjoyed this book. It didn't feel tropey to me, and I felt like there were pretty legitimate reasons for the characters to be drawn to each other.
More importantly, to me, the ending did not revolve around the characters getting together or admitting love to each other. It revolved around Jamie's emotional arc, one that had nothing to do with Cooper. He helped her get to where she needed to be, but the resolution of the story involved her resolution of bad feelings. I also loved that it's a story about a female boxer! I loved that she was tough and determined to win.
I thought about giving it three stars, since it wasn't an amazing book, but gave it four because overall, I have no qualms about it. It was a good contemporary romance novel about a female boxer with emotional problems who convinces a male trainer to take her on, and I enjoyed it.
I read this after hearing an interview with the author on the SPTB podcast (then the DBSA podcast) and gave it a shot. After having spent most of my life reading fantasy and historical novels, contemporary romance works so much better for me now--they just feel easier to believe, to me.
Started this on Scribd last year, got about halfway through it and then it vanished from Scribd. I recently saw it appear again and basically read this in a day: skimmed the first half to catch myself up, and then read the rest. I really enjoyed this book. It didn't feel tropey to me, and I felt like there were pretty legitimate reasons for the characters to be drawn to each other.
More importantly, to me, the ending did not revolve around the characters getting together or admitting love to each other. It revolved around Jamie's emotional arc, one that had nothing to do with Cooper. He helped her get to where she needed to be, but the resolution of the story involved her resolution of bad feelings. I also loved that it's a story about a female boxer! I loved that she was tough and determined to win.
I thought about giving it three stars, since it wasn't an amazing book, but gave it four because overall, I have no qualms about it. It was a good contemporary romance novel about a female boxer with emotional problems who convinces a male trainer to take her on, and I enjoyed it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2012
I'm a bit torn as to what I think about Below the Belt in retrospect, because having a love for sports and an appreciation of boxing in general context - this book was definitely a different venture into what I've read in the Blaze line. I really liked the attention to the sport and fight scenes in the work.
On one hand, I enjoyed reading about the relationship and dynamic between Cooper and Jamie. Jamie was just a bit too hot-headed/headstrong for me to really align with her character, though she was certainly realistic given her history and her dedication to her family, so I could see how that affected her character. Cooper, though he also had his stubborn tendencies in spurts, was awesome. I liked reading in his voice and learning about his past history - coming to terms with his own career pursuits and bias, as well as training Jamie. The chemistry between them was quite well written, in both the sensual scenes as well as outside of that. But even with my qualms with certain aspects of the story, I think Sarah Mayberry has a wonderful voice and flow to her writing, and I wouldn't hesitate to read another title from her.
Overall score: 3/5
On one hand, I enjoyed reading about the relationship and dynamic between Cooper and Jamie. Jamie was just a bit too hot-headed/headstrong for me to really align with her character, though she was certainly realistic given her history and her dedication to her family, so I could see how that affected her character. Cooper, though he also had his stubborn tendencies in spurts, was awesome. I liked reading in his voice and learning about his past history - coming to terms with his own career pursuits and bias, as well as training Jamie. The chemistry between them was quite well written, in both the sensual scenes as well as outside of that. But even with my qualms with certain aspects of the story, I think Sarah Mayberry has a wonderful voice and flow to her writing, and I wouldn't hesitate to read another title from her.
Overall score: 3/5
June 21, 2013
The boxing ring is an unusual setting for a romance novel, but pretty much every character in this book spends, or has spent, a significant amount of time in one. The heroine is a would-be boxer, whose father and grandfather were both fighters. Her ex-boyfriend is a boxer-cum-trainer, her new trainer-cum-boyfriend is a retired champion, the friend who introduces her to the new trainer is also a fighter.
There is a lot of fighting in this book, both in the ring and out of it, punctuated by steamy sexual encounters between the romantic leads. I read all the fight scenes attentively, but confess to skipping through the sex scenes after the first couple.
I've heard the author interviewed on the DBSA podcast, and found her really engaging, smart, and funny. I just started another of her books, which is also shaping up well, in the early going.
There is a lot of fighting in this book, both in the ring and out of it, punctuated by steamy sexual encounters between the romantic leads. I read all the fight scenes attentively, but confess to skipping through the sex scenes after the first couple.
I've heard the author interviewed on the DBSA podcast, and found her really engaging, smart, and funny. I just started another of her books, which is also shaping up well, in the early going.
February 19, 2013
I surprisingly enjoyed this even though I dislike boxing. There's a human side to all characters in Sarah Mayberry's novels which makes things more interesting instead of just another romance novel with porn scenes lol.
Oh, and I really liked how the female character wasn't just strong physically but also emotionally and mentally strong. Her character is unique to typical romance novels where usually women characters may be "independent" but don't have much else to show for it. In this novel, however, there's a heavy back-story to why the heroine is emotionally and mentally strong, which is I really appreciate.
Oh, and I really liked how the female character wasn't just strong physically but also emotionally and mentally strong. Her character is unique to typical romance novels where usually women characters may be "independent" but don't have much else to show for it. In this novel, however, there's a heavy back-story to why the heroine is emotionally and mentally strong, which is I really appreciate.
September 21, 2024
I re-read this as part of my goal to review all my old reads. I was not a fan. Cooper was hard to connect with, spouting all his bull about female fighters and how women can't commit to the sport. He repeatedly says stuff like that and then ends up sleeping with the first female fighter he agrees to train. Jamie just feels like a stereotype, she's a tomboy who doesn't do emotions, only sex. The drama at the end was just unnecessary too. Why pick Cooper as a trainer but not listen to his career advice because you know better after three fights? So not for me.
June 7, 2014
This was a new one for me, but then, I've come to expect the unexpected from this author.
The hero is an ex-boxing champ turned trainer. The heroine is an ex-martial arts champ who wants to go pro as a boxer. The whole setting is unlike any I've ever seen in a romance before, never mind a series one. The author does not take any short cuts, piling as much character development and emotion as many a longer story wish they could! Even the ending is unique.
Even though I admired the story, I had a hard time connecting to the heroine.
The hero is an ex-boxing champ turned trainer. The heroine is an ex-martial arts champ who wants to go pro as a boxer. The whole setting is unlike any I've ever seen in a romance before, never mind a series one. The author does not take any short cuts, piling as much character development and emotion as many a longer story wish they could! Even the ending is unique.
Even though I admired the story, I had a hard time connecting to the heroine.
September 14, 2009
Loved this book - inspired by "Million Dollar Baby", with super-awesome Cooper in the role of the Eastwood trainer, except younger and cut and oh so in touch with his feelings. Jamie was good, too, driven to redeem her family name and her hatred of her father that she once loved. This is a great book, and finally a realistic portrayal of how those fit bodies on the book covers keep in such great shape.
February 23, 2012
Powerful, emotionally satisfying story. I loved it! Awesome hero, relatable heroine (driven, emotionally scarred), interesting story. How many times do you get to read about female boxers? Fascinating!
(The reason it took me a while to finish is because it's not prudent to read Sarah Mayberry books in public. In this book alone, she made me seethe with fury, snortle with glee and bawl out loud. Several times.)
(The reason it took me a while to finish is because it's not prudent to read Sarah Mayberry books in public. In this book alone, she made me seethe with fury, snortle with glee and bawl out loud. Several times.)
October 11, 2016
I don't like boxing but I trust Sarah Mayberry so much as a writer. This book did not disappoint! Trust SM to always deliver. I loved the story very much! I love Cooper! I want someone like Cooper in my life!!! I love how SM builds up the characters in her every story. This is a story where the heroine does not second guess if the hero loves her. I was smiling after reading this one. Sigh, till my next SM's book.
November 20, 2012
I bought this one from eHarlequin.
I bought this book for two reasons: 1) I like Sarah Mayberry's books, 2) I'm not a boxing fan and wanted to see what Ms. Mayberry could do with the theme.
Short version: this book is so good. Read it. Now.
Longer version: the heroine is kick-ass strong. She is confident and strong throughout the book. The hero is the perfect compliment to her
I bought this book for two reasons: 1) I like Sarah Mayberry's books, 2) I'm not a boxing fan and wanted to see what Ms. Mayberry could do with the theme.
Short version: this book is so good. Read it. Now.
Longer version: the heroine is kick-ass strong. She is confident and strong throughout the book. The hero is the perfect compliment to her
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