Kickboxing instructor Grizz has been hiding his new hobby from his best friend Dylan because he knows she won't approve. After getting pummeled one night, he's forced to fess up the truth to her. When she comes over to patch him up, more emotional confessions tumble out and pretty soon these two are tangled up together in a spontaneous mattress-style wresting match.
Dylan can no longer deny her fantasy of getting pinned down by her best friend Grizz, the gentle giant who was there to teach her self defense when she ended a toxic relationship. She doesn't understand much about the world of mixed martial arts, and because of her family history, she's not sure if she can handle the stress of being the girlfriend of an MMA fighter. But Grizz will do whatever it takes to fight for their love.
Readers: this short, cute friends-to-lovers story is full of heat, banter and sweetness between two headstrong characters. HEA, no cheating, no cliffhanger, and only a mild bit of angst that is quickly resolved.
This story is meant for readers age 18 and up due to adult language and graphic sexual content.
This is a story where I related 100% with the heroine. I also have fibromyalgia and it is life changing. Grizz was a sweet guy who really cared about Dylan enough to give her space. I was a little puzzled about the Jade character, I wasn’t sure if she was an old girlfriend or hookup or a nobody. It wasn’t really clear. I liked Dylan’s feistiness and sass.
Safety and Spoilers Safe. No om drama, ow at gym approaches h and implies that she has been intimate with H. It isn’t really cleared up whether he was with her or not. Both are non virgins. h had an abusive father and brother growing up but there are no details.
First things first; I love the cover of this book! Fighting for Dylan is book four in the worth the fight series. This story is short, fast paced and an enjoyable read. I read this book in one sitting and was satisfied throughout. I found the writing style easy to follow, the characters likeable and the storyline enjoyable. Grizz is a kickboxing instructor that is keeping a secret from his best friend Dylan. Dylan met Grizz when he taught her kick boxing/self defence. They soon became best friends but over time, Dylan has developed feelings for Grizz. With Grizz being an MMA star, will Dylan be able to handle the spotlight if she becomes his girlfriend? The chemistry between Grizz and Dylan is clear to see and I liked them as a couple. I liked seeing them progress from friends to a couple. I really liked the ending and the epilogue for this story. The storyline for this book is easy to follow and it is an enjoyable read. I cannot wait for the next book in this series.
Dylan hasn’t had the best of luck with the men in her life. From an alcoholic father, mean step brother and a emotionally abusive ex boyfriend, she’s done with them all. Except when she meets Grizz. He’s her new kickboxing/self defense trainer and new best friend. Now Grizz is keeping a few secret from her. One being his feelings for her and the second being his mma fighting. Can he keeping both the girl and the fighting at the same time??
-safe read -neither virgins -celibate since meeting -no om drama. Slight ow drama. H’s ex was at the gym when she was there and made comments to the h. H makes his intentions clear that the h is all he wants. -no sexual abuse past or present -epilogue 5 years out
Love, angst, tears and some sexy times all wrapped up in this little short story. What more could a girl ask for? I read an advanced copy of this book.
Romance genre: friends to lovers Series: Worth the Fight Length: 80 pages
Plot: Grizz has been looking out for Dylan for a while now, and the truth is, he's in love with her. That's why he's hiding his new potential MMA career from her; he knows that the thought of him making a life out of violence may be more than she can handle, given her past. But she can't really live without him either, so when she finds out his secret, they'll have to decide what's most important to them.
Commentary: Including fibromyalgia in this story was interesting. The stress of worrying about a possible ex and the fighting caused Dylan's condition to flare up, and this is written into the story, rather than just mentioned in passing or being ignored altogether (from what I understand, flare-ups are common as a result of stress). But I loved really seeing the care that Grizz took with her. It takes a lot of devotion to take care of someone with a chronic condition, and we don't see that so often in romance novels (it is the perfect place to showcase that devotion, but sometimes it's nice not to have real-life intrude, so diseases/disorders don't always make it into the books).
I have read quiet a few books of Abbys and again I wasn’t disappointed to the point I couldn’t put it down. I loved how sweet these two were and how they complemented each other. Grizz made me swoon just how open he was with Dylan about his emotions and how he felt about her. If your looking for a short, sweet alpha male going for the girl he wants and not stopping until he gets her, this is it. I received an arc to give an honest opinion and I would read this book over and over again.
WOW!! I couldn't put this one down. I absolutely love it!! This was a nice quick, short read.
Grizz mets Dylan in a grocery store, he notices her now ex-boyfriend is belittling her so he offers his card to her. They have been best friends for two years, she takes kickboxing lessons at the gym with Grizz as her instructor. Grizz calls Dylan and asks her to meet him at the gym, but he didn't tell her why. Dylan notices she has started to have feelings for Grizz, but she doesn't want to ruin their friendship. When Dylan gets to the gym she notices cuts and bruises on Grizz, they head back to her place. Dylan is a nurse so she tends to his wounds, afterwords he asks her if she can sit so he can talk to her. Grizz asks Dylan if he can kiss her and tells her he wants her to be his girlfriend. Dylan is shocked, but Grizz also tells her he's started fighting in MMA. Dylan past comes back on her, her father and step-brother were very controlling. Grizz tells Dylan he wants to take her to the gym so she can see what the fighting is all about. When a few girls start to hit on Grizz Dylan acts a little overprotective. When Grizz goes to shower the girls come and start yelling at Dylan, she can't take it so she heads outside. When Grizz comes and finds her she tells him that maybe they should take a break. Grizz doesn't argue with her, he only wants what is best for her. Weeks go by and Grizz doesn't hear from Dylan, he doesn't understand why he didn't fight for her. When he goes to try and see her she was kick in the stomach at work by a patient and her fibromyalgia kicked in. Grizz finds Dylan at home in her bed. He asks her if she needs anything and she tells him no, he asks her if she would like for him to message her and she figures why not give it a shot. Some of the pain that is all over her body so to be relieved. Dylan falls asleep and when she wakes Grizz is next to her on the bed. She tells him she needs to get a key made for him, he tells her she better cause he's moving in. The next day is the fight and Dylan heads home after work to get ready. When she arrives at the fight Grizz locks eyes with her. As she reads over the pamphlet he sees tears in her eyes. The announcer comes and announces that all winning will be donated to the fibromyalgia research fund. They announce it's being done in honor of Dylan's birthday and everyone sings happy birthday to her. Grizz wins the fight and then Dylan asks if everyone will leave. She has a special night planned for Grizz. He comes and finds her and they get physical in the ring, then they head home. Five years later, Dylan comes home from her office job she was offered to watch over all the nurses. She finds Grizz in the back yard with their two black lab Zeke and Onyx. When Grizz's mom comes home the dogs sit and obey the little girl that climbs out of the back. The little red curly hair girl, Cece is their foster daughter. They asks Cece if she wants to stay with them forever and she calls them mom and dad. They are heading to the courthouse to make it official.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Fighting for Dylan is part of the Worth the Fight series released by a few different authors. This one being Abby Knox, I knew to expect a cute, fun, and almost insta-love type vibe from her story. Although Dylan and Grizz have known each other for 2 years and Grizz hints that he's felt different for her for a while, it's not exactly insta-love between these two. After all Dylan had just recently broken up with her boyfriend who was leaning towards becoming physically abusive.
However, all that being said, this was a cute story. Grizz may be a giant teddy bear, but when it comes to protecting Dylan he'll do whatever necessary. Even leave the fighting circuit he seems to love doing because he knows the loud yelling and hitting reminds her of her past with her stepfather and brother. My biggest issue is how Dylan handles the issue of the ex girlfriend. Rather than talk things out with Grizz she lets her insecurities cause doubt and puts the brakes on their relationship. In turn this causes her condition to flare up because she's stressed and aggravated, but helps Grizz really find his step in the ring.
**I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this title**
Four and a Half Stars ⭐️ “Fighting for Dylan” Book 4 of the Worth The Fight Series by Abby Knox is a deliciously sweet and quick read with a side of sexy. In this MMA Sports Romance we meet Grizz, a big bear of a man, sexy, sweet and head over heels in love with his best friend Dylan. Dylan is a strong woan, sweet and sexy in a cute way. Suffering from fibromyalgia she fights hard to live a normal life. Like her BF Grizz, she has caught feelings and doesn’t feel worthy of the man. Realizing how much they mean to each other, the two give in to their feelings and despite some issues holding them back, find their way to each other and get their happily ever after. TBR this great novella length read and enjoy.
I adored this latest story from Abby Knox, and part of the Worth the Fight series! Fighting for Dylan is a wonderful story that showcases a friends to lovers plot, with Grizz and Dylan having been building their friendship for over two years. We get a bit of insight into Dylan's past and how that has shaped her into being who she is now, and a bit of the gentle giant with an alpha edge in Grizz. As a lockbox instructor and as a nurse they find different ways of being compatible, mainly it always coming down to caring about the other. Dylan has fibromyalgia, and one of my favorite scenes is when Grizz shows up to help take care of her during a flare up! This is a fun read, a touching read, and a story that will make you smile!
Brilliant book four of the series Dylan and Grizz are best friends they have been for the last two years bit their relationship changes when Grizz asks Dylan to be his girlfriend and she says yes. Dylan has had feelings for Grizz for sometime but he also tells her that he is going into MMA fighting this stresses out which flares her fibromyalgia up however after not seeing him for a couple of weeks this doesn’t help her and realises not seeing him is the cause of his stress and supports him in his fighting. Grizz would give anything up for Dylan so on his first fight MMA he has a surprise for her 30th birthday and is also prepared to give up the fighting for her he loves her that much
Wet Panties : 1.5 Tropes : Best friends to lovers, Cinnamon roll MMC, HEA
The characters!! THEY COMMUNICATE. No you deserve better or shit, Grizz screamed 'you deserve better so I became better'.
Good lord, I loved the book. From the plot to characters to character development to the lack of pregnancy and wedding trope. I felt all the emotions either it was sexual frustration or the anxiety or the adorable cushy-mushy love or HIM TAKING CARE OF HER SO GENTLY AND HIM BEING SO ATTENTIVE AHHHHHHHH.
(i shall not apologize for my comportment, for it's dear abby who made this guy with the singular motive of taunting my ovariesss.)
This story had me rolling in laughter because both Grizz and Dylan are doing the exact same thing just in different ways. They both want each other and has no idea the other is just as lost. The fact that Grizz is hesitant to tell Dylan the truth about his "activities" says a great deal about the weight he puts on her opnion.
Dylan is more that admired by Grizz but her insecurities keeps her at bay but her protection momma bear jealousy hits the surface and wooo boy watch out....she has locked and imprinted and Grizz is hers.
Dylan and Grizz are actually a perfect "match" - pun intented. LOL
Fighting for Dylan is such a heartwarming, panty melting, beautifully written erotic love story. The warm fuzzy parts are so warm and fuzzy. The sexy parts are extra juicy (tehehe) and it's written with an underlying core to the story based on Dylan's medical diagnosis and brings light to an otherwise not well-known or often spoken of disease even though it affects over 5 million people in America. I applaud Ms. Knox not only for her content but for her story too. I loved 😍 how Dylan and Grizz came together after her abusive history and his love for her helped heal her. Definitely recommend that you read this book!!! 👍👍👍👍👍
This book just didn't work for me. First was the two years being best friends but they both wanted more,nonsense. The h has several health problems that are worsened by stress, so she's a nurse, that's an extremely stressful profession, nonsense. The H says no to s#x after they finally get together because he wants to be a mma fighter and will take too much from him, nonsense. The mma fighting literally makes the h really sick so she can't even get out of bed but he won't stop it even though he's successful in his defensive training job, nonsense. Three stars only because I've enjoyed this author in the past.
I loved Fighting for Dylan! The hero Grizz is the embodiment of some of my favorite hero characteristics! Big and strong, capable but a huge softie for his girl. Dylan is another typical Abby Knox female character, totally awesome. She has challenges in her life and one of the biggest is that she has fallen for her best friend, Grizz. Grizz has kept his feelings hidden but he is done with that. He has to tell her how he feels and hope that she feels the same. I adore friends to lovers, it is one of my favorite tropes and Ms Knox rocked it. All the love for Dylan and Grizz!
I loved the story of Dylan and Grizz. A true friends to lovers story, it was fun, sexy and beautiful. I loved the witty banter and no holds bard conversations they had, because they had true friendship first. I also adored the secondary story with her personal struggles. It gave the short read even more depth. Give this one a try.
I was surprised to see a heroine with fibromyalgia. I just love how it was added and partially explained. I have fibro myself and it is a struggle with daily life. This book did it justice. And the way Grizz did so much research to learn how to help her was just awesome. This was one of my favorite books by far. Thank you for writing it.
My favorite in this series so far. A friends to lovers book. I loved the fact that the author chose to give the h a medical condition. I felt it made the story more relatable and also brought some attention to a condition that some people are not very knowledgeable about.
I didn't even get through the first chapter. To be honest, this author has taken away the flow of this collection. The writing style is such a turn off as well as the long winded pace. It is an author that will end up in my do not read section, waste of time and money for this one.
I loved the story of Grizz and Dylan. Yes, it is a short story, but it was good and didn’t leave me feeling like I needed more. I felt like it weas shot, to the point and a great story. I loved it and I can’t wait to read the books that I am still missing. This is definitely a book you will not regret reading.
Really loved this book. Grizz and Dylan are friends turned lovers in a sweet fast paced life. She's a nurse and he's a kickboxing teacher turned MMA fighter. They're so good together. Grizz is a big teddy bear that is a sweetheart and helps her when her fibromyalgia flares up. Just a feel good story.
I absolutely loved this book!!!! I live with fibromyalgia and reading a book where a character suffers from it as well is awesome! It makes it seem like life can still happen!!!! I’m so glad they found each other!!!! And Grizz is definitely swoon worthy over that whole charity event ordeal for her birthday!!!!
As someone with severe chronic pain (full body CRPS), I loved seeing a leading character like me. It’s not something that gets represented often, despite how common chronic pain is.
And people who teach themselves to care for you through your lows? They’re the best. I’ve got a best friend who’s as bad as my mother at times, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
A sweet story about two friends, that finally find the courage to confess that they are in love with each other. HEA and steamy parts as well. That epilogue was really really sweet, was so happy for them 😍
This one has to be my favorite out if the books so far. I say this because of what she included in the character description. I have a friend who suffers from this and many don't know or understand about this issue. Also loved that we got to read more about Grizz!
I am so enjoying reading this series. I liked the besties, I enjoyed their banter and I loved their story as a whole. The epilogue was just the perfect ending or beginning to this HEA!
Dylan and Grizz’s story was sweet. I really liked Grizz’s big, lovable character but I honestly had a hard time connecting to Dylan. But overall a sweet story and nice read.
Cute addition to the series. I liked Grizz’s mix of sweet and alpha and I liked that the heroine had some grit too as an abuse survivor and dealing with an illness. Sweet couple and cute story.