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Showmen #4
The Knockout Rule
Siskind’s latest slow-burn romance is stay-up-all-night addictive and proves love hits when you least expect it…
Growing up with an adoring father for a boxing legend isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. It looks more like hospital visits, bloody noses, and cracked ribs.
Isla Slade now works as a physiotherapist, helping athletes heal their bodies. Except for boxers. She has no interest in reliving the stress of her teen years. Dating someone in the boxing world? She’d rather snort wasabi powder.
Until she meets Preston Church.
Preston manages heavyweight boxing darling Brick Kramarov. A brute who’s built tougher than his name, with a cocky attitude to boot. She wants nothing to do with either man, but her father begs her to help them prepare for a huge Vegas fight.
She doesn’t expect Preston to recite romantic poems and slowly break her resolve. His fascinating mind gets under her skin, even if his star athlete reminds her how much she hates boxing.
Too bad it’s Brick coaching Preston how to woo Isla, falling for her from the sidelines. Once she finds out, she’ll have to decide if she can risk loving another man who puts it all on the line for the knockout.
Praise for THE KNOCKOUT RULE
“These characters are so full of passion and heart—their romance is what happily-ever-afters are made of.” ~ USA Today bestselling author Brenda St. John Brown
Growing up with an adoring father for a boxing legend isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. It looks more like hospital visits, bloody noses, and cracked ribs.
Isla Slade now works as a physiotherapist, helping athletes heal their bodies. Except for boxers. She has no interest in reliving the stress of her teen years. Dating someone in the boxing world? She’d rather snort wasabi powder.
Until she meets Preston Church.
Preston manages heavyweight boxing darling Brick Kramarov. A brute who’s built tougher than his name, with a cocky attitude to boot. She wants nothing to do with either man, but her father begs her to help them prepare for a huge Vegas fight.
She doesn’t expect Preston to recite romantic poems and slowly break her resolve. His fascinating mind gets under her skin, even if his star athlete reminds her how much she hates boxing.
Too bad it’s Brick coaching Preston how to woo Isla, falling for her from the sidelines. Once she finds out, she’ll have to decide if she can risk loving another man who puts it all on the line for the knockout.
Praise for THE KNOCKOUT RULE
“These characters are so full of passion and heart—their romance is what happily-ever-afters are made of.” ~ USA Today bestselling author Brenda St. John Brown
Audible Audio
First published February 24, 2021
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About the author
Kelly Siskind
20 books1,383 followersKelly Siskind lives in the wilds of British Columbia. When she’s not out hiking or skiing, you can find her, notepad in hand, scribbling down one of the many plot bunnies bouncing around in her head. She loves singing while driving, looks awful in yellow, and is known for spilling wine at parties. Sign up for Kelly’s newsletter at www.kellysiskind.com and never miss a giveaway, a free bonus scene, or the latest news on her books. And connect with her on Twitter and Instagram (@kellysiskind) or on Facebook and TikTok (@authorkellysiskind).
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Golden Heart® Finalist
Amazon Best Seller
Featured on the Apple Books Best Books of the Month list.
Where to find me:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Kelly-Siskind/...
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kelly...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorKellyS...
Join Kelly's Gang on Facebook for exclusive giveaways and laughs: https://www.facebook.com/authorKellyS...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellysiskind/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KellySiskind?lang=en
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/kellysiskind/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 313 reviews
February 26, 2021
There's only one way to review this...by yelling it from the rooftops about how awesome it is! Aaaaand, letting you read everything I felt during my read in a one-sided conversation.
**Just got to chapter 5 and I have to tell you, I LOVE THIS!!!! Love love love!
**Umm, hello. I need an Eric hug. Stat. I love this part so much! Isla sobs and he just keeps hugging her and kisses her head. I fell in love with him right there! Boom. Dead in love.
**Also, my heart hurts. I hate that they have feelings for each other but won't be together. I can't handle how *bleeeeep* is using Eric's *bleeeeep* to woo her. You're killing me.
**He what!? Oh giiiirl, I did not see that coming! Yeah, you walk right on out that door! My heart is broken so I know what yours feels like! Men. Sgeeesh.
**Gah!! 😭😭😭 "I'll catch you." I can't read the epilogue yet. I have to catch up with my heart.
**I love this! I seriously love this!!
**Have I told you how much I love this story?? That epilogue! Suuuuuch a great ending to a great book! 😘
The feels are great with this one! I felt that stab in my heart and that all over happy warmth multiple times. Eric is just THE sweetest. I absolutely adore him. Actually, I freaking love him, and need him to come give me a huge ol hug. And then maybe use his "master cunni-linguist" skills in me. You know, to woo me.
Thank you SO so so soooo much for this phenomenal story, Kelly!
**Just got to chapter 5 and I have to tell you, I LOVE THIS!!!! Love love love!
**Umm, hello. I need an Eric hug. Stat. I love this part so much! Isla sobs and he just keeps hugging her and kisses her head. I fell in love with him right there! Boom. Dead in love.
**Also, my heart hurts. I hate that they have feelings for each other but won't be together. I can't handle how *bleeeeep* is using Eric's *bleeeeep* to woo her. You're killing me.
**He what!? Oh giiiirl, I did not see that coming! Yeah, you walk right on out that door! My heart is broken so I know what yours feels like! Men. Sgeeesh.
**Gah!! 😭😭😭 "I'll catch you." I can't read the epilogue yet. I have to catch up with my heart.
**I love this! I seriously love this!!
**Have I told you how much I love this story?? That epilogue! Suuuuuch a great ending to a great book! 😘
The feels are great with this one! I felt that stab in my heart and that all over happy warmth multiple times. Eric is just THE sweetest. I absolutely adore him. Actually, I freaking love him, and need him to come give me a huge ol hug. And then maybe use his "master cunni-linguist" skills in me. You know, to woo me.
Thank you SO so so soooo much for this phenomenal story, Kelly!
December 7, 2020
Five all-the-feels stars!!
I loved Isla and Eric - both of these characters are so full of passion and heart - and their romance is what happily-ever-afters are made of. The characters are all so well-developed - even Whit, the dog. (I also had to Google whether Ramona Estle was real because her poetry is so poignant and perfect for this story!) Highly highly recommend!
I loved Isla and Eric - both of these characters are so full of passion and heart - and their romance is what happily-ever-afters are made of. The characters are all so well-developed - even Whit, the dog. (I also had to Google whether Ramona Estle was real because her poetry is so poignant and perfect for this story!) Highly highly recommend!
February 27, 2021
“Turn the last page. Keep reading. Keep turning. It never ended.”
This is my first book my Kelly Siskind…Considering her book New Orleans Rush is so popular…Shocking, right?
I love a good sports romance and I have a weakness for boxers or MMA fighter romances *swoon*. I felt like a Meerkat when I found out that this was a sports romance hahaha and after I read the synopsis, I was excited to get my hands on The Knockout Rule.
This slow-burn contemporary romance is heavenly. Eric and Isla have the most captivating, addictive chemistry! The Knockout Rule is sweet, sexy, heartfelt with some wonderfully written secondary characters.
“Be a snowflake
my mother whispered
my father, stern
blizzard”
This is Isla. Strong and hardworking. Theatrical, amusing, silly and fun…. She’s so cute!
“Hello, rapacious desire. Nice to make your knee-buckling acquaintance.”
Ladies and Gentlemen, meet Eric
I don’t know how someone can be such a HOT & SEXY (Hello, he is a boxer after all) force to be reckoned with, that the entire boxing world is very much intimidated with ..at the same time, be this incredibly sweet, tender, hardworking person.
There is no denying that physically, Eric is a 10/10 but besides that he is SO SMART and INTELLECTUAL, somehow who is passionate and compassionate. I promise that you will fall head over heels in love with Eric.
As you can clearly see, Eric was the standout character for me. As much as I adored Isla, Eric was my shining star.
The Knockout Rule is intoxicatingly good. I hope you give The Knockout Rule a try..I highly recommend it!
April 2, 2022
The Knockout Rule does not really knock me out off my shoes. I do not know for sure whT happened, but Miss Siskind kind like lost me in the middle of the story.
I think it is because too much inner dialog. Isla' POV for sure is taking almost entire story. I want more of sexy swoon sweet banter between Isla and Eric. I know Miss Siskind meant this book to be slow burn. I guess the slow burn does not burn the right aspect.
I still like the dumb stupid jokes from Eric. While the rest of it, it is just OK.
3 stars
I think it is because too much inner dialog. Isla' POV for sure is taking almost entire story. I want more of sexy swoon sweet banter between Isla and Eric. I know Miss Siskind meant this book to be slow burn. I guess the slow burn does not burn the right aspect.
I still like the dumb stupid jokes from Eric. While the rest of it, it is just OK.
3 stars
March 4, 2021
Meh. Don't mind me, I'm in a cynical mood ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
December 18, 2020
For me, this book was different from the first three books in this showmen series, but that wasn’t a bad thing at all. This story explored so many themes and topics I hold dear and I love the way Kelly handled them all so beautifully and respectfully, it was heartfelt and downright moving.
March 17, 2021
3.75-4 stars
As you can see, it wasn’t without its flaws/a 5 star read, but overall I’m actually pretty satisfied with my first KS read, The Knockout Rule.
TKR offers one of the sweetest cinnamon rolls I’ve read in months all wrapped in 6’6 250 lb heavyweight boxer package AND he’s incredibly bright to boot. The man is adorable & so selfless. Eric(hero) is so kind in fact, he finds himself (albeit a bit reluctantly) in a situation as a bit of Cyrano de Bergerac thanks to a friend/his manager - ya know minus the dying part 😂.
There was somewhat of a disconnect for me with the heroine in the first half. I just wanted to go like “C’mon you’re almost there...just a little more.”...
...to Isla(heroine). [Mostly the reason that happened is because TKR is written in the third person. I don’t mind it as much in other genres, but third person doesn’t often resonate with me in contemporary romance. It comes off detached to me & leaves me feeling disconnected from the characters/the plot usually. Be that as it may, it was in small stretches in the first half here. So honestly that’s a win for a book written in third person POVs for me. Outside of Lauren Layne(who can actually make me not think about it, let alone care what person it’s in), TKR is one of the more appealing third person(& gah! I’m going to stop typing those two words together now 😂) CR I’ve read in awhile.] Once that barrier came down a bit her personality was more tangible, she became a much more sympathetic character. Still I wouldn’t go so far as she was special like Eric, but definitely a likable heroine who quietly had some heavy burdens to bare all on her own before she found it in herself to lean on those who love her.
Beside the initial disconnect from Isla, another reason my rating is what it is is because some good editing to tidy up the story & maybe lose 20-30 pages total, it would’ve read a little more cohesively & not dragged a bit a few times in the middle. Nothing against poetry, but the heroine harped on it with a tiny bit of excess occasionally imo. There was just a few times I thought ‘ok I get it, Isla’.
Nonetheless, The knockout Rule was an enjoyable read with lots of heart, nice banter, engaging characters & a good slowburn romance. It’s a good bet this won’t be my last KS book 😊.
Possible triggers:
As you can see, it wasn’t without its flaws/a 5 star read, but overall I’m actually pretty satisfied with my first KS read, The Knockout Rule.
TKR offers one of the sweetest cinnamon rolls I’ve read in months all wrapped in 6’6 250 lb heavyweight boxer package AND he’s incredibly bright to boot. The man is adorable & so selfless. Eric(hero) is so kind in fact, he finds himself (albeit a bit reluctantly) in a situation as a bit of Cyrano de Bergerac thanks to a friend/his manager - ya know minus the dying part 😂.
There was somewhat of a disconnect for me with the heroine in the first half. I just wanted to go like “C’mon you’re almost there...just a little more.”...
...to Isla(heroine). [Mostly the reason that happened is because TKR is written in the third person. I don’t mind it as much in other genres, but third person doesn’t often resonate with me in contemporary romance. It comes off detached to me & leaves me feeling disconnected from the characters/the plot usually. Be that as it may, it was in small stretches in the first half here. So honestly that’s a win for a book written in third person POVs for me. Outside of Lauren Layne(who can actually make me not think about it, let alone care what person it’s in), TKR is one of the more appealing third person(& gah! I’m going to stop typing those two words together now 😂) CR I’ve read in awhile.] Once that barrier came down a bit her personality was more tangible, she became a much more sympathetic character. Still I wouldn’t go so far as she was special like Eric, but definitely a likable heroine who quietly had some heavy burdens to bare all on her own before she found it in herself to lean on those who love her.
Beside the initial disconnect from Isla, another reason my rating is what it is is because some good editing to tidy up the story & maybe lose 20-30 pages total, it would’ve read a little more cohesively & not dragged a bit a few times in the middle. Nothing against poetry, but the heroine harped on it with a tiny bit of excess occasionally imo. There was just a few times I thought ‘ok I get it, Isla’.
Nonetheless, The knockout Rule was an enjoyable read with lots of heart, nice banter, engaging characters & a good slowburn romance. It’s a good bet this won’t be my last KS book 😊.
Possible triggers:
September 25, 2021
Isla and Brick story…..this new heartwarming funny classic love story nicely written and mostly catching
Isla after a difficult beginning gets bette and more likeable and i finally get in tune with her
Brick agent with his coaching wooing lessons is something else
The third person telling and the too too too much poetry made me struggle
3.26 stars
I just reviewed The Knockout Rule by Kelly Siskind. #TheKnockoutRule #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]
Isla after a difficult beginning gets bette and more likeable and i finally get in tune with her
Brick agent with his coaching wooing lessons is something else
The third person telling and the too too too much poetry made me struggle
3.26 stars
I just reviewed The Knockout Rule by Kelly Siskind. #TheKnockoutRule #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]
March 22, 2021
Both H and h are really nice people who love their families and who treat each other well. They regularly communicate their feelings, too. This is a sweet read.
February 24, 2021
Kelly Siskind once again amazed me with wonderful characters, glorious feels and intriguing storyline in The Knockout Rule. She perfectly captured the tremulous road to finding love and self.
Isla has one rule in her life. No dating or working with a boxer. Beind daughter of one of the most famous boxers and enduring the brutal fights did that to her. But when her sick father asks for her help as physiotherapist and as a cover up for a six weeks trip to Vegas where he will be training the new lightweight championship contender Brick, she cannot refuse. What she didn't know was Brick aka Eric will smash all her previous concepts. Behind the public persona of a grunting brute lives a poetry loving, highly intellectual and utterly mesmerising man.
I admire Kelly Siskind's ability to layer her characters with qualities and faults. Those make them close to my hearts. Boxing is the lifeline to Eric. Not because he loves it. Because he has to take care of his family. And the same sports is Isla's bane of existence. They stood at an impossible step but they had too intense and blinding chemistry to not take another one. I was absolutely in love with this story's execution. The breathtaking feels. The suspenseful moments when their story was at a precipice and I didn't know if they will land safely when they fall. The swoony moments worthy of butterflies in my stomach and warm gooey goodness in my heart. Isla may be the stubborn sassy woman but in her heart lies fear and insecurities. And Eric pushed her to be free. Like Isla changed the way Eric has been looking at his life. Their love was achingly beautiful and I cannot get over how brilliant it was.
Kelly Siskind's smart and heartfelt writing makes me want to come back to her stories over and over again. The Knockout Rule did deliver a powerful punch to my heart and soul.
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
Isla has one rule in her life. No dating or working with a boxer. Beind daughter of one of the most famous boxers and enduring the brutal fights did that to her. But when her sick father asks for her help as physiotherapist and as a cover up for a six weeks trip to Vegas where he will be training the new lightweight championship contender Brick, she cannot refuse. What she didn't know was Brick aka Eric will smash all her previous concepts. Behind the public persona of a grunting brute lives a poetry loving, highly intellectual and utterly mesmerising man.
I admire Kelly Siskind's ability to layer her characters with qualities and faults. Those make them close to my hearts. Boxing is the lifeline to Eric. Not because he loves it. Because he has to take care of his family. And the same sports is Isla's bane of existence. They stood at an impossible step but they had too intense and blinding chemistry to not take another one. I was absolutely in love with this story's execution. The breathtaking feels. The suspenseful moments when their story was at a precipice and I didn't know if they will land safely when they fall. The swoony moments worthy of butterflies in my stomach and warm gooey goodness in my heart. Isla may be the stubborn sassy woman but in her heart lies fear and insecurities. And Eric pushed her to be free. Like Isla changed the way Eric has been looking at his life. Their love was achingly beautiful and I cannot get over how brilliant it was.
Kelly Siskind's smart and heartfelt writing makes me want to come back to her stories over and over again. The Knockout Rule did deliver a powerful punch to my heart and soul.
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
February 19, 2021
Kelly Siskind's The Knockout Rule blew me away. This romance ticked all my boxes. It has heat, an intriguing conflict and a memorable love story. Isla and Eric make wonderful main characters. At the start of the book, they believe they are perfectly wrong for each other, but as in any good romance, it becomes clear very soon that they are actually perfect for one another. However, the author has built up such great tension and believable reasons for keeping them apart, and we just fall in love along with them. Eric is a great hero. His professional boxer persona is rough and cartoonish, but the man behind it is thoughtful, intelligent and sexy. Isla is such a terrific heroine. I loved her dedication to family, her commitment to building her physiotherapy career, and I really appreciated her mental health journey. This is such a feel good romance, and it certainly made me feel good when I was reading it. I know that when I look back on my reading this year, The Knockout Rule will be one of the standouts.
December 4, 2020
Kelly Siskind is my favorite and I cannot lie! The 4th installment in the showmen series was phenomenal. I loved the characters, all of them. The guys were amazing, smart and funny. The girls were amazing, smart and funny and I'm in love! I'm in love with both Isla and Eric. They are so good together that make you swoon from the first till the last page.
All the side characters are also lovable that I kept thinking, can we maybe have their stories pretty please!!! :)
I have to admit, I've read the first book in the series and then I jumped directly to this one because I got the ARC. I'm not regretting it and I'm going back to the rest of showmen asap.
All the side characters are also lovable that I kept thinking, can we maybe have their stories pretty please!!! :)
I have to admit, I've read the first book in the series and then I jumped directly to this one because I got the ARC. I'm not regretting it and I'm going back to the rest of showmen asap.
February 16, 2021
I've waffled over the rating for this one and landed on 2.5 stars because the story premise is good. Unfortunately, underdeveloped characters and a goes-nowhere plot sabotage the best bits, and drop the grade down into C-/D+ territory.
The Knockout Rule is told from the dual PoVs of Isla Slade, a physiotherapist raised primarily by her father - a former boxer, and Eric Kramarov (aka "Brick Kramarov"), a a quiet Jewish boy who loves to read and study, but better known by boxing fans as Brick Kramarov, an illiterate brute with a loud mouth and big fists. These two meet not-so-cute after Isla's father - Brick's trainer - calls in a favor and asks Isla to travel with the pair to Vegas and work with Brick in advance of a prize fight.
Isla doesn't want to help her dad. After struggling to see her father hurt in the boxing ring and treating one-too-many boxers with painful injuries of their own, she's done working with boxers. Isla's almost ready to launch her own business (with financial help from her dad), and while she's looking for one or two professional athletes to help attract more clients, none of them are boxers. Not taking on boxing clients is fundamental to both her business plan and her mental health and happiness and she won't compromise on these fundamentals - even for her beloved dad.
Unfortunately for Isla, her dad REALLY needs this favor. He's been keeping a secret from her and since his money helped finance her new business, she decides she can't say no. EVEN THOUGH SHE REALLY WANTS TO. (but then where would this story go?). Isla has PRINCIPALS except when the author needs her to ignore them. Ahem.
Eric found boxing after he was bullied in school. The fight in Vegas promises a big payday - enough to help his family (his mom and a sister with twins) stop living paycheck to paycheck. Eric is as far from his public persona as it’s possible to be - he's brilliant, loves languages (and speaks several fluently), poetry and his family. He’s big and tough and dedicated to his career, but boxing isn’t his first love. It’s a means to an end and he intends to win this fight. He isn’t crazy about the last minute change in physiotherapist, but he trusts his trainer and his agent and goes along with it.
Eric and Isla get off to an awkward start when they meet on the private jet (that belongs to Preston Church, Eric’s agent) taking them to Vegas. Despite her surprise at Eric’s good looks (and his at hers), Isla treats him like the dumb boxer she believes him to be. Eric, annoyed by her assumptions, acts the part. Leaving him with his dog in the back of the plane, Isla returns to her seat convinced she’s somehow read Eric wrong - but not sure how. Fortunately, she’s distracted by Preston who’s determinedly trying to get her to agree to a date.
Well, you know how this goes right? Eric and Isla fight an attraction to each other...But wait! Not so fast. Isla doesn’t date boxers, but she is single and looking to mingle. Actually, she isn't. This is a convenient (and ridiculous) plot contrivance that allows Isla to rationalize dating Preston (who reps boxers and is a manslut), who relentlessly pursues her and it provides the author with a way for Eric to woo Isla without her knowing it. Preston solicits Eric’s help with poetry in exchange for cash to help his family.
The whole thing - the false persona Preston adopts, Eric’s creepy creeping on her dates, Preston’s “loan” in exchange for tricks to win a women with whom he has zero chemistry or anything in common - is ludicrous and only necessary in order for the author to find a way to bring together a pair who ALREADY like each other and are in lust whenever they’re together. CAN'T THEY JUST FUCKING LIKE EACH OTHER AND REALIZE IT MIGHT BE MORE? Geez. Develop your freaking characters instead of this bizarre charade of a plot. Moving on.
So obviously, while I liked the opposites attract premise, the author completely fumbles this love story. Isla has a very real problem with boxing.
Meanwhile, Eric seems like the perfect guy - well, except for the boxing thing. Smart, physically strong and capable, dedicated...yep, that’s about it. He’s really smart. He’s a really good boxer. He loves his family. Beyond this trifecta of qualities we knew within five minutes of reading about him, there isn’t much more to this guy. Oh, he falls in love with Isla in the span of one afternoon in the mall.
This romance feels like two strangers meeting, falling instantly in love, and then being forced to wait while their writer spins an entire story around them in order to keep them apart. There’s little plot or character development, the dialogue is stilted, the poetry is distracting, and what seemed like a promising story stumbles and fumbles into a fairy tale happily ever after.
It’s boring folks.
The Knockout Rule is told from the dual PoVs of Isla Slade, a physiotherapist raised primarily by her father - a former boxer, and Eric Kramarov (aka "Brick Kramarov"), a a quiet Jewish boy who loves to read and study, but better known by boxing fans as Brick Kramarov, an illiterate brute with a loud mouth and big fists. These two meet not-so-cute after Isla's father - Brick's trainer - calls in a favor and asks Isla to travel with the pair to Vegas and work with Brick in advance of a prize fight.
Isla doesn't want to help her dad. After struggling to see her father hurt in the boxing ring and treating one-too-many boxers with painful injuries of their own, she's done working with boxers. Isla's almost ready to launch her own business (with financial help from her dad), and while she's looking for one or two professional athletes to help attract more clients, none of them are boxers. Not taking on boxing clients is fundamental to both her business plan and her mental health and happiness and she won't compromise on these fundamentals - even for her beloved dad.
Unfortunately for Isla, her dad REALLY needs this favor. He's been keeping a secret from her and since his money helped finance her new business, she decides she can't say no. EVEN THOUGH SHE REALLY WANTS TO. (but then where would this story go?). Isla has PRINCIPALS except when the author needs her to ignore them. Ahem.
Eric found boxing after he was bullied in school. The fight in Vegas promises a big payday - enough to help his family (his mom and a sister with twins) stop living paycheck to paycheck. Eric is as far from his public persona as it’s possible to be - he's brilliant, loves languages (and speaks several fluently), poetry and his family. He’s big and tough and dedicated to his career, but boxing isn’t his first love. It’s a means to an end and he intends to win this fight. He isn’t crazy about the last minute change in physiotherapist, but he trusts his trainer and his agent and goes along with it.
Eric and Isla get off to an awkward start when they meet on the private jet (that belongs to Preston Church, Eric’s agent) taking them to Vegas. Despite her surprise at Eric’s good looks (and his at hers), Isla treats him like the dumb boxer she believes him to be. Eric, annoyed by her assumptions, acts the part. Leaving him with his dog in the back of the plane, Isla returns to her seat convinced she’s somehow read Eric wrong - but not sure how. Fortunately, she’s distracted by Preston who’s determinedly trying to get her to agree to a date.
Well, you know how this goes right? Eric and Isla fight an attraction to each other...But wait! Not so fast. Isla doesn’t date boxers, but she is single and looking to mingle. Actually, she isn't. This is a convenient (and ridiculous) plot contrivance that allows Isla to rationalize dating Preston (who reps boxers and is a manslut), who relentlessly pursues her and it provides the author with a way for Eric to woo Isla without her knowing it. Preston solicits Eric’s help with poetry in exchange for cash to help his family.
The whole thing - the false persona Preston adopts, Eric’s creepy creeping on her dates, Preston’s “loan” in exchange for tricks to win a women with whom he has zero chemistry or anything in common - is ludicrous and only necessary in order for the author to find a way to bring together a pair who ALREADY like each other and are in lust whenever they’re together. CAN'T THEY JUST FUCKING LIKE EACH OTHER AND REALIZE IT MIGHT BE MORE? Geez. Develop your freaking characters instead of this bizarre charade of a plot. Moving on.
So obviously, while I liked the opposites attract premise, the author completely fumbles this love story. Isla has a very real problem with boxing.
Growing up with an adoring father for a boxing legend isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. It looks more like hospital visits, bloody noses, and cracked ribs.Readers can easily empathise with her reasons for trying to keep her distance from Eric. But once the author establishes this character baseline, love and lust completely cloud the issue. Isla becomes this boring, cardboard caricature of a daughter/girlfriend ruled by fear who nevertheless does and says things completely contrary to her character. She’s overbearing and slightly ridiculous with her dad - who essentially goes AWOL once they arrive in Las Vegas - and instead of liking and sympathizing with her situation, you just want to tell her to shit or get off the pot already. And the author's insistence on littering her PoV with poetry is completely distracting. The poetry is - alright? - but random and unnecessary, and the transitions that lead into these 'saying the exact same thing except in a poem,' are non-existent and awkward. Where is the editor? None of these are necessary and they detract from the flow of the narrative.
Meanwhile, Eric seems like the perfect guy - well, except for the boxing thing. Smart, physically strong and capable, dedicated...yep, that’s about it. He’s really smart. He’s a really good boxer. He loves his family. Beyond this trifecta of qualities we knew within five minutes of reading about him, there isn’t much more to this guy. Oh, he falls in love with Isla in the span of one afternoon in the mall.
This romance feels like two strangers meeting, falling instantly in love, and then being forced to wait while their writer spins an entire story around them in order to keep them apart. There’s little plot or character development, the dialogue is stilted, the poetry is distracting, and what seemed like a promising story stumbles and fumbles into a fairy tale happily ever after.
It’s boring folks.
June 6, 2022
I was expecting more
Not so bad give it a try
Not so bad give it a try
December 7, 2020
Kelly Siskind is such a unique and special author that if you haven't read her books, you're missing out on some spectacular reading! I have read every book written by this author and I've thoroughly enjoyed each and every book, but there's just something about the characters in the Showmen series that touch my heart. Having said that, I think Isla and Eric are my favorite couple by far. If Eric doesn't make you swoon, you can't be swooned because he is such a kind, sweet and compassionate soul. The secondary characters are well developed and well written and add so much to the storyline. This read was deeply emotional for me -- heartbreaking and thought-provoking at the same time. As much as I didn't want to stop reading this book, I also didn't want it to end! Of course, I always feel that way when reading Ms. Siskind's work -- I feel such a deep connection with her characters that I find it quite difficult to say goodbye to them. Another incredible 5+ star read by one of my favorite authors!
February 24, 2021
I was very excited to receive an ARC of The Knockout Rule. I love characters this author creates. They are unusual, original and quirky. Eric is everything that Isla needs and everything that terrifies her. He can’t afford distractions because this one match can make a huge difference for his family. It’s a beautiful slow burn story that warmed my heart. Also Heather needs her own book. She is hilarious.
May 1, 2022
I received a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I've been on a mission to read the print books that have been languishing on my shelves for far too long this year. My A to Z Reading "Challenge" is helping a lot. I didn't plan out my reading list for the challenge in advance, but I had marked a few books I knew I had to read as part of it. The Knockout Rule was one of those books. I'm simultaneously kicking myself for waiting so long to read it and thrilled that I waited because I loved it so much.
It's been a minute since I read one of Kelly's books, so it was wonderful to be back with her words and characters. I just adored Isla and Eric so much. Isla is the type of strong and determined FMC I appreciate in books. Her priorities were her dad and her career and as much as she was interested in finding love, she knew what she did and didn't want in a partner. Mostly she didn't want a boxer. But, that all began to change when she began to work with Eric Kramarov. He's a boxer and her patient, but he's also incredibly smart, sweet, and far more complex than his "Brick" alter ego leads Isla to believe. Things between them were a delicious slow burn and, well, you should know how much I love those by now.
A small part of me might have put off reading this book for a while because I wasn't sure I'd be able to get behind the whole boxing thing. Boxing is very much not my jam. But the combination of wonderful, complex characters and the focus on family really drove the storyline. Oh, and the romance obviously didn't hurt either. I was all in on Isla and Eric and reading their story gave me all the warm fuzzies.
I've been on a mission to read the print books that have been languishing on my shelves for far too long this year. My A to Z Reading "Challenge" is helping a lot. I didn't plan out my reading list for the challenge in advance, but I had marked a few books I knew I had to read as part of it. The Knockout Rule was one of those books. I'm simultaneously kicking myself for waiting so long to read it and thrilled that I waited because I loved it so much.
It's been a minute since I read one of Kelly's books, so it was wonderful to be back with her words and characters. I just adored Isla and Eric so much. Isla is the type of strong and determined FMC I appreciate in books. Her priorities were her dad and her career and as much as she was interested in finding love, she knew what she did and didn't want in a partner. Mostly she didn't want a boxer. But, that all began to change when she began to work with Eric Kramarov. He's a boxer and her patient, but he's also incredibly smart, sweet, and far more complex than his "Brick" alter ego leads Isla to believe. Things between them were a delicious slow burn and, well, you should know how much I love those by now.
A small part of me might have put off reading this book for a while because I wasn't sure I'd be able to get behind the whole boxing thing. Boxing is very much not my jam. But the combination of wonderful, complex characters and the focus on family really drove the storyline. Oh, and the romance obviously didn't hurt either. I was all in on Isla and Eric and reading their story gave me all the warm fuzzies.
August 9, 2021
If you are looking out for a book that will stir your heart and leave you sleepless, then definitely this is a great choice. Emotional and witty, The Knockout Rule will nail you down to the pages from beginning to end...
Isla and Eric story will definitely stay with me for a long while...
The writing is so perfectly balanced, with the right amount of details and all the feels, not to mention seamlessly paced. Both the main and secondary characters are greatly built and likeable.
All in all, a perfect choice for every romance reader.
Isla and Eric story will definitely stay with me for a long while...
The writing is so perfectly balanced, with the right amount of details and all the feels, not to mention seamlessly paced. Both the main and secondary characters are greatly built and likeable.
All in all, a perfect choice for every romance reader.
January 30, 2021
DNF
It seems I am in the minority with this story. I truly enjoyed Kelly's previous book and was so excited to be granted the opportunity to review this. However, this did not work for me.
The main character is incorrigible. She is judgemental and writes anyone off for being a boxer before even attempting to get to know them. She stereotypes boxers as dumb creatures and instantly judges Eric, a boxer, on their first meeting with each other. She insults Eric's intelligence by making the dumbest comments such as "For a boxer who didn't seem to have much wit in interviews, it wasn't surprising he'd buy it in the form of a snorty pet. even funnier was the dog's name tag which read Whit. He hadn't even spelled the name correctly." She also implies he is dumb just because he didn't know who some writer was. Excuse me! Get off your very high horse Isla. Man, she made my blood boil!
Then there is her relationship with her father, who was a professional boxer. Her declaration of wanting to do anything for her father because he basically funded her equipment for her new business even though he is basically bankrupt, claiming she is so freaking grateful immediately comes with conditions when she turns up her nose upon finding out what his favour is. Wow, what a way to be grateful.
She proceeds to mother her father dictating how he needs to live his life. Yes, I understand there are many health implications when it comes to boxing and growing up with a parent who is a professional boxer is traumatising but I could not sympathise with this character. Being so hellbent on the past allowing it to influence your present is not healthy either. Good golly girl, he is a grown man and so is every other professional boxer. Their life, their choice. They knew what they signed up for.
Worst of all, she is aware of how awful she is towards Eric but still proceeds to convince us that she is better.than everyone else in her vicinity. Her hypocracy is evident when she makes herself out to be so sanctimonious saying how she found passion in physiotherapy because of how her dad suffered and wanting to help ALL athletes be as physcially healthy as possible . Yet she doesn't treat boxers, making her reason for choosing her career null and void.
The chemistry between Eric and Isla is not believable. I had a very hard time believing the love-hate aspect between these two. It just wasn't done very well in my opinion. They started off disliking each other (for good reason) and then a 180 degree switch of attraction happens based on what? There was no progression in plot or even in their relationship. Heck, the dialogue between these two is so stilted it borders on awkward.
So as much as I would have liked to enjoy this read, I just did not have a good time reading this.
It seems I am in the minority with this story. I truly enjoyed Kelly's previous book and was so excited to be granted the opportunity to review this. However, this did not work for me.
The main character is incorrigible. She is judgemental and writes anyone off for being a boxer before even attempting to get to know them. She stereotypes boxers as dumb creatures and instantly judges Eric, a boxer, on their first meeting with each other. She insults Eric's intelligence by making the dumbest comments such as "For a boxer who didn't seem to have much wit in interviews, it wasn't surprising he'd buy it in the form of a snorty pet. even funnier was the dog's name tag which read Whit. He hadn't even spelled the name correctly." She also implies he is dumb just because he didn't know who some writer was. Excuse me! Get off your very high horse Isla. Man, she made my blood boil!
Then there is her relationship with her father, who was a professional boxer. Her declaration of wanting to do anything for her father because he basically funded her equipment for her new business even though he is basically bankrupt, claiming she is so freaking grateful immediately comes with conditions when she turns up her nose upon finding out what his favour is. Wow, what a way to be grateful.
She proceeds to mother her father dictating how he needs to live his life. Yes, I understand there are many health implications when it comes to boxing and growing up with a parent who is a professional boxer is traumatising but I could not sympathise with this character. Being so hellbent on the past allowing it to influence your present is not healthy either. Good golly girl, he is a grown man and so is every other professional boxer. Their life, their choice. They knew what they signed up for.
Worst of all, she is aware of how awful she is towards Eric but still proceeds to convince us that she is better.than everyone else in her vicinity. Her hypocracy is evident when she makes herself out to be so sanctimonious saying how she found passion in physiotherapy because of how her dad suffered and wanting to help ALL athletes be as physcially healthy as possible . Yet she doesn't treat boxers, making her reason for choosing her career null and void.
The chemistry between Eric and Isla is not believable. I had a very hard time believing the love-hate aspect between these two. It just wasn't done very well in my opinion. They started off disliking each other (for good reason) and then a 180 degree switch of attraction happens based on what? There was no progression in plot or even in their relationship. Heck, the dialogue between these two is so stilted it borders on awkward.
So as much as I would have liked to enjoy this read, I just did not have a good time reading this.
March 6, 2021
I’ve read a lot of romance novels in my time. It takes genuine talent to make a hug the most intimate and romantic scene I’ve read in a long while, and Siskind pulled that off and then some.
The Knockout Rule felt a smidge different that the other books in this series, but not in any bad way at all. It felt the most REAL, if that makes sense. If anything I felt this story the most deeply. It was amazing.
This series is a favourite of mine and I still can’t pick a favourite out of the four of them. They’re all so individual.
*Disclaimer* I received an eARC from the author. An honest review was provided.
The Knockout Rule felt a smidge different that the other books in this series, but not in any bad way at all. It felt the most REAL, if that makes sense. If anything I felt this story the most deeply. It was amazing.
This series is a favourite of mine and I still can’t pick a favourite out of the four of them. They’re all so individual.
*Disclaimer* I received an eARC from the author. An honest review was provided.
January 20, 2021
I voluntarily read and reviewed and advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you so much to Xpresso Book Tours for providing me an arc of this book via Netgalley!
I was so excited when I found out my request for this book was approved, mainly because of the cover and, of course, the description. I expected to like it, but I definitely didn´t expect to love it as much as I did! We're still in January and I'm already sure this is one of my favorite books of 2021.
That being said, mark the 24th of February on your calendar, and read this book!!
Thank you so much to Xpresso Book Tours for providing me an arc of this book via Netgalley!
I was so excited when I found out my request for this book was approved, mainly because of the cover and, of course, the description. I expected to like it, but I definitely didn´t expect to love it as much as I did! We're still in January and I'm already sure this is one of my favorite books of 2021.
That being said, mark the 24th of February on your calendar, and read this book!!
February 24, 2021
Amazon / Amazon Worldwide / Nook / Apple Books / Kobo
Isla doesn't date much. She definitely doesn't date boxers. Boxing ruined her father's life, and made her growing years a mass of anxiety and panic attacks. So when she meets her newest client and her father's newest mentee, Eric "Brick" Kramarov, she doesn't give him a very pleasant first impression. But when she finds out he's a brilliant linguist guiding his manager through dates with her? Yeah, talk about a change in opinion. She cannot resist the poetic giant anymore than she can resist keeping her legendary fighter dad's secret. But will Eric be able to give her the one thing she wants? Needs?
Eric has been living his life solely to care for his family. He boxes to support them even though he hates the dumb fighter reputation it's given him. When he meets his mentor/trainer's daughter, Isla, suddenly he's seeing something else, someone else that perhaps is just for him. But can he choose between her and the career he doesn't love, but needs?
The Knockout Rule is full of heart, with an entire cast of lovable, realistic and imperfect characters. Eric with his appearance at so much odds with the gentle and lyrical heart that beats inside him. Isla with her anxious mind that feels at peace when she's with her linguist, and her loving but gruff dad, Eric's steadfast manager, Preston, and last but not least, Whit the dog, who's as lovable as his humans. This is a knockout love story and I'm so excited to read more of this series and more from Kelly now.
ARC via Social Butterfly PR for an honest review.
Review / Release Blitz: Live Through Books Blog.
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January 27, 2021
Finished reading: January 26th 2021
"Sometimes control is a hindrance. Chasing it keeps you from experiencing life fully."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and CD Books in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
February 18, 2021
Kelly Siskind’s Showmen books have quickly become favourites of mine. They feature unique characters, lots of heart and humour, and swoony romances. The Knockout Rule was quite different from the other three books - it was slower paced, more intense, and didn’t feature the quirkiness I’ve come to expect from Kelly’s characters - but it was a beautiful story about life, family, and love, and I know Isla and Eric will stick with me right along with all the other characters from this series.
Isla and Eric are such passionate characters who did things with their whole hearts. Their relationship started out with each of them assuming certain personas and making assumptions about each other. I loved that Eric was this big brute of a guy whose boxing persona was all brawn and no brains, but he was incredibly intelligent, sensitive, thoughtful, and loved his family more than anything. Everything he did was for them, and that made me love him so much. Isla was strong and resilient because she’d had to be; with a professional boxer for a father and a mother who found it too easy to walk away, she’d had to learn to take care of herself and do what was right for her. That meant not allowing boxers into her life because she knew how damaging the sport was and she refused to let herself get close to anyone who was willing to do that to themselves. And then Eric came along…their chemistry was undeniable (and so hot!), and I loved the connection and friendship they formed before they took things further.
There was just so much to love about this book. The characters were so deep and real, and we got to know them slowly and thoroughly. I knew next to nothing about professional boxing, so I found that interesting, along with the physiotherapy aspect from Isla’s job. The Vegas setting was fun, and I absolutely loved Eric’s dog, Whit. He had so much personality and by the end I was as in love with him as I was with Eric and Isla. I also really appreciated the mental health rep; as someone with anxiety, I thought it was handled compassionately and realistically, and added even more depth to Isla’s character that made me connect to her on a deep level.
If you want to take a deep dive into a slow-burn romance with a ton of heart, The Knockout Rule is perfect for you. These characters are sure to leave an imprint on your heart.
*I received a free copy of this book from the author. All thoughts are my own
Isla and Eric are such passionate characters who did things with their whole hearts. Their relationship started out with each of them assuming certain personas and making assumptions about each other. I loved that Eric was this big brute of a guy whose boxing persona was all brawn and no brains, but he was incredibly intelligent, sensitive, thoughtful, and loved his family more than anything. Everything he did was for them, and that made me love him so much. Isla was strong and resilient because she’d had to be; with a professional boxer for a father and a mother who found it too easy to walk away, she’d had to learn to take care of herself and do what was right for her. That meant not allowing boxers into her life because she knew how damaging the sport was and she refused to let herself get close to anyone who was willing to do that to themselves. And then Eric came along…their chemistry was undeniable (and so hot!), and I loved the connection and friendship they formed before they took things further.
There was just so much to love about this book. The characters were so deep and real, and we got to know them slowly and thoroughly. I knew next to nothing about professional boxing, so I found that interesting, along with the physiotherapy aspect from Isla’s job. The Vegas setting was fun, and I absolutely loved Eric’s dog, Whit. He had so much personality and by the end I was as in love with him as I was with Eric and Isla. I also really appreciated the mental health rep; as someone with anxiety, I thought it was handled compassionately and realistically, and added even more depth to Isla’s character that made me connect to her on a deep level.
If you want to take a deep dive into a slow-burn romance with a ton of heart, The Knockout Rule is perfect for you. These characters are sure to leave an imprint on your heart.
*I received a free copy of this book from the author. All thoughts are my own
February 20, 2021
I think this is my favorite in the series so far! I loved the forced proximity trope, the clear timeline, and this version of an athlete romance where the athlete isn't already a superstar and millionaire. It made me appreciate the hard work Eric put into his training and helped me understand his goal to win to be able to support his family and not worry about money anymore.
Isla is witty, focused on taking her career to the next level,and fantastically self-assured. I loved her, and Eric, the sexy secret linguist.
This one was a slow burn, but the sexy scenes were amazing when they finally happened. Totally worth the wait!
Overall, a fabulous romance, and kudos to the author for helping destigmatize mental health issues and going to therapy.
Isla is witty, focused on taking her career to the next level,and fantastically self-assured. I loved her, and Eric, the sexy secret linguist.
This one was a slow burn, but the sexy scenes were amazing when they finally happened. Totally worth the wait!
Overall, a fabulous romance, and kudos to the author for helping destigmatize mental health issues and going to therapy.
February 24, 2021
The Knockout Rule is book 4 in the Showmen series. It's a bit different, i don't know how to explain it but be reassured this novel is as good as the others and Kelly Siskind explores and magnifies another Art.
Poetry, writing, the art of the WORDS, their meanings, their power, their goals...
_"I love how words can build worlds and mean different things to different people."
_"Readers have so much power, as Eric had said. The choice to redefine a passage, depending on the day or mood or person reading between the lines."
_"It's also a powerful key that connect people."
Words, written or spoken, can be hurtful, dangerous, deceptive... They must be expressed with honesty and benevolence. Isla is a big fan of a modern poet (a talented poet, Kelly Siskind ;-) ), she takes her words, feels them... But she didn't understand that she has to LIVE them. She doesn't want to show weakness, she wants to be the hurricane, this strong young woman who's always here for her loved ones and finally she doesn't allow herself to show them who she really is, to show her scars, she never tells them her truths.
Eric can talk several languages, he's passionnate about words, study hard, he understands words have strong powers but, as Isla, he feels the need to be infaillible, to be the perfect brother, son and uncle, so he hides what's eating him, he acts like he thinks what's best but not his true self.
_"Be the strong one. Don't show weakness. Support them at all costs."
Their stubbornness, their difficulties to communicate with others create problems between us. It's really frustrating but the author explains so well everything, her writing is perfection, so we root for them.
At first, Eric only knows Isla hate boxers, Isla thinks Eric wants her to date his manager, Preston. We suffer for them. Eric finally plays Cyrano for Preston and can't stop himself from saying what he really thinks of Isla.
Through the pages Eric and Isla open themselves, but only to each other. They keep hiding what they feel to their family but they are honest with each other, they truly get the other, see who they really are. I loooooved their banter!
Eric is a beautiful paradox. The muscular and tall boxer who plays the violent idiot for his public, a brute. But real Eric is so sensitive, so compassionate, so funny, so caring and generous and smart.
_"You're spectacular, but it was your mind that clinched it. You're smart and funny and interesting and compassionate, and you know Ramona Estle and have this power to excite and soothe me all at once."
Isla is the daughter of a retired boxer. She shows the other side of the sport, what people don't want to talk. Thanks to her we understand how hard and traumatizing it can be for families, for the ones who watch people they love on a boxing ring. Kelly Siskind never tries to freely criticise the sport. She shows some boxers really love what they do, they boxe with their heart but it's not for everyone. And for families it can be a nightmare.
Isla's father is a very good man, he loves his daughter, he just didn't know everything and he did what he thought was best.
I loved Eric's family. Nephew, niece, sister, mother, dog. Everyone of them. I loved his relationship with them. Their happiness and well being is more important for him than his own. And he needs them, their presence, to be happy. And Whit, his cute (no so cute lol) dog is the best therapist and friend ever.
I really liked Heather, Isla's best friend too. She's loyal and funny.
And we may have another proof of Weston Aldrich's amazingness ;-)
The Knockout Rule is a slow burn, sweet love story, with humor, smartness, sensitivity and a beautiful lesson about the importance of using the good words, and always opening our hearts to people we love. Our weaknesses, our scars, our fears, our doubts, our needs, are not ugly, they're part of us, so we have to let the words free us and trust our loved ones. Words can save us.
Thank you so much Kelly Siskind !!!
I voluntary reviewed a free advance copy of this book as provided by the author. The opinions expressed are my own.
Poetry, writing, the art of the WORDS, their meanings, their power, their goals...
_"I love how words can build worlds and mean different things to different people."
_"Readers have so much power, as Eric had said. The choice to redefine a passage, depending on the day or mood or person reading between the lines."
_"It's also a powerful key that connect people."
Words, written or spoken, can be hurtful, dangerous, deceptive... They must be expressed with honesty and benevolence. Isla is a big fan of a modern poet (a talented poet, Kelly Siskind ;-) ), she takes her words, feels them... But she didn't understand that she has to LIVE them. She doesn't want to show weakness, she wants to be the hurricane, this strong young woman who's always here for her loved ones and finally she doesn't allow herself to show them who she really is, to show her scars, she never tells them her truths.
Eric can talk several languages, he's passionnate about words, study hard, he understands words have strong powers but, as Isla, he feels the need to be infaillible, to be the perfect brother, son and uncle, so he hides what's eating him, he acts like he thinks what's best but not his true self.
_"Be the strong one. Don't show weakness. Support them at all costs."
Their stubbornness, their difficulties to communicate with others create problems between us. It's really frustrating but the author explains so well everything, her writing is perfection, so we root for them.
At first, Eric only knows Isla hate boxers, Isla thinks Eric wants her to date his manager, Preston. We suffer for them. Eric finally plays Cyrano for Preston and can't stop himself from saying what he really thinks of Isla.
Through the pages Eric and Isla open themselves, but only to each other. They keep hiding what they feel to their family but they are honest with each other, they truly get the other, see who they really are. I loooooved their banter!
Eric is a beautiful paradox. The muscular and tall boxer who plays the violent idiot for his public, a brute. But real Eric is so sensitive, so compassionate, so funny, so caring and generous and smart.
_"You're spectacular, but it was your mind that clinched it. You're smart and funny and interesting and compassionate, and you know Ramona Estle and have this power to excite and soothe me all at once."
Isla is the daughter of a retired boxer. She shows the other side of the sport, what people don't want to talk. Thanks to her we understand how hard and traumatizing it can be for families, for the ones who watch people they love on a boxing ring. Kelly Siskind never tries to freely criticise the sport. She shows some boxers really love what they do, they boxe with their heart but it's not for everyone. And for families it can be a nightmare.
Isla's father is a very good man, he loves his daughter, he just didn't know everything and he did what he thought was best.
I loved Eric's family. Nephew, niece, sister, mother, dog. Everyone of them. I loved his relationship with them. Their happiness and well being is more important for him than his own. And he needs them, their presence, to be happy. And Whit, his cute (no so cute lol) dog is the best therapist and friend ever.
I really liked Heather, Isla's best friend too. She's loyal and funny.
And we may have another proof of Weston Aldrich's amazingness ;-)
The Knockout Rule is a slow burn, sweet love story, with humor, smartness, sensitivity and a beautiful lesson about the importance of using the good words, and always opening our hearts to people we love. Our weaknesses, our scars, our fears, our doubts, our needs, are not ugly, they're part of us, so we have to let the words free us and trust our loved ones. Words can save us.
Thank you so much Kelly Siskind !!!
I voluntary reviewed a free advance copy of this book as provided by the author. The opinions expressed are my own.
December 8, 2020
I loved the book! I didn’t want it to end! Made me laugh, cry and get mad at some of the characters! She pulls you into her worlds!
February 21, 2021
My thoughts about this are all over the place, honestly. There’s a lot that I really loved about it, especially the ADORABLE hero and the depth of the story. This touches on some difficult subjects, and has a very unique feel. However, it also dragged a LOT in the middle, and the writing style just didn’t work for me at times. I found myself rereading paragraphs and taking breaks from the book, which is not ideal. Storyline-wise, this is a 5-star read for me overall. In terms of enjoyment though, it’s probably closer to 3 stars.
The story follows Isla, the daughter of a legendary boxer. She watched her father take blow after blow growing up, wrecking havoc on his body and putting his health on the line in the process. That’s left some emotional scars, and Isla is determined to distance herself from boxing as much as possible. That becomes impossible to do when Isla’s father enlists her help in prepping up-and-coming boxer, Brick, for a fight. Isla can’t say no, even if she wants nothing to do with the sport and even less to do with the brute of a boxer. But when Brick shows Isla his true self - a sweet, caring man named Eric who is just trying to do right by his family - she doesn’t stand a chance against him.
Hands down, my favorite part of the book is Eric. He is such a beautiful contradiction of a man - big, burly, and beastly in the ring, yet kind, caring, and genuine outside of it. I loved his reasons for boxing and the contrasts between Eric and Brick, or even between Eric and Isla’s father. There are some great, tender moments that made this book for me. But I did struggle with the writing itself and sometimes with Isla as well. I love a good slow burn, and this straddled the line for me - it definitely leaned towards being boring. It would’ve benefited from a shorter length and less time spent on Preston. For me, the good outweighs the bad, because I loved the feel of the story and the sentiment behind it. Eric is probably what bumps this from a 3 to a 4-star read for me, but there’s a lot that I liked. I received an early copy and am voluntarily leaving a review of this slow burn romance.
The story follows Isla, the daughter of a legendary boxer. She watched her father take blow after blow growing up, wrecking havoc on his body and putting his health on the line in the process. That’s left some emotional scars, and Isla is determined to distance herself from boxing as much as possible. That becomes impossible to do when Isla’s father enlists her help in prepping up-and-coming boxer, Brick, for a fight. Isla can’t say no, even if she wants nothing to do with the sport and even less to do with the brute of a boxer. But when Brick shows Isla his true self - a sweet, caring man named Eric who is just trying to do right by his family - she doesn’t stand a chance against him.
Hands down, my favorite part of the book is Eric. He is such a beautiful contradiction of a man - big, burly, and beastly in the ring, yet kind, caring, and genuine outside of it. I loved his reasons for boxing and the contrasts between Eric and Brick, or even between Eric and Isla’s father. There are some great, tender moments that made this book for me. But I did struggle with the writing itself and sometimes with Isla as well. I love a good slow burn, and this straddled the line for me - it definitely leaned towards being boring. It would’ve benefited from a shorter length and less time spent on Preston. For me, the good outweighs the bad, because I loved the feel of the story and the sentiment behind it. Eric is probably what bumps this from a 3 to a 4-star read for me, but there’s a lot that I liked. I received an early copy and am voluntarily leaving a review of this slow burn romance.
March 14, 2021
Thank you, NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours for providing an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest review!
“Isla was okay being a blizzard made of millions of quiet snowflakes.”
In this story we follow Isla, a smart and strong physiotherapist who is the daughter of a famous former boxer. She went through major stress dealing with her father's career, so much so she developed panic attacks. Clearly dating a boxer is off limits for her, until she meets Preston, The Brick. He has a very arrogant persona, but he is much more than that, as Isla finds out.
As always, I deeply conected to the characters. Kelly Siskind has a way to carve out very realistic characters in such a way we feel like they are real people we could get to meet, so we have no choice but to care for them. The vibe was a bit different than the previous ones in the series, but I enjoyed the discussion on boxing and the consequences it has to the athlet's health and to their family's relationships.
Yet again, I loved a Kelly Siskind book! Hopefully we will have more installments in this companion-series.
“Isla was okay being a blizzard made of millions of quiet snowflakes.”
In this story we follow Isla, a smart and strong physiotherapist who is the daughter of a famous former boxer. She went through major stress dealing with her father's career, so much so she developed panic attacks. Clearly dating a boxer is off limits for her, until she meets Preston, The Brick. He has a very arrogant persona, but he is much more than that, as Isla finds out.
As always, I deeply conected to the characters. Kelly Siskind has a way to carve out very realistic characters in such a way we feel like they are real people we could get to meet, so we have no choice but to care for them. The vibe was a bit different than the previous ones in the series, but I enjoyed the discussion on boxing and the consequences it has to the athlet's health and to their family's relationships.
Yet again, I loved a Kelly Siskind book! Hopefully we will have more installments in this companion-series.
February 21, 2021
New Orleans Rush was my favorite of the Showmen series until The Knockout Rule knocked me off my feet! Oh how I loved this story! There isn't a single thing I'd change about Isla and Eric's book, it was sweet and swoony and heartfelt from start to finish.
I'm not sure how Ms. Siskind was able to make a 6'6" 249lb hunk of man a cinnamon roll, but she sure enough did. I adored Eric, so freaking much. He is everything you could ever want in a man and I'm so sad he's just a fictional character. His heart is bigger than his thighs, and Isla and his family are so lucky it's theirs. I'd love to get a hug from him right about now.
Isla is just as wonderful, with a great big heart of her own. She's so strong, and cares so much about the people she loves, I felt for her when she was hurting.
I really loved the two of them together. It wasn't an easy journey, but you could feel the love they shared and knew it would all be worth it in the end.
Just like the rest of the books in the Showmen series, there's so much more to this book than what's on the surface. I'm pretty sure I've said this in all my reviews for this series, but I love how Kelly balances the light-hearted fun and sweetness with some heavier topics in each book. Although the heaviness never overpowers each story, it always helps make for such well-rounded reads. I shed more tears than I expected while reading The Knockout Rule, the characters and their stories really tugged at all my heartstrings.
I'm not sure how Ms. Siskind was able to make a 6'6" 249lb hunk of man a cinnamon roll, but she sure enough did. I adored Eric, so freaking much. He is everything you could ever want in a man and I'm so sad he's just a fictional character. His heart is bigger than his thighs, and Isla and his family are so lucky it's theirs. I'd love to get a hug from him right about now.
Isla is just as wonderful, with a great big heart of her own. She's so strong, and cares so much about the people she loves, I felt for her when she was hurting.
I really loved the two of them together. It wasn't an easy journey, but you could feel the love they shared and knew it would all be worth it in the end.
Just like the rest of the books in the Showmen series, there's so much more to this book than what's on the surface. I'm pretty sure I've said this in all my reviews for this series, but I love how Kelly balances the light-hearted fun and sweetness with some heavier topics in each book. Although the heaviness never overpowers each story, it always helps make for such well-rounded reads. I shed more tears than I expected while reading The Knockout Rule, the characters and their stories really tugged at all my heartstrings.
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