Although the premise was very hot as the synopsis implied it over all fell short of the mark. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Hold You Close is the second novel in the Fight For Me series from Jessica Linden, but it can be read as a standalone. Although there is some mention of the characters from the previous novel, I didn’t find myself confused or wishing I’d already read the previous novel at any time.

I would normally go gaga over a billionaire who just wants to fight, but Tony kind of bored me. He was one-dimensional. Ginny drove me a bit nuts. She got herself into a huge mess protecting her sister. I respect loyalty, but loyalty needs to be earned. Her sister did not earn her loyalty.

The novel built up slowly and didn’t ever gain momentum. There was entirely too much self-reflection. Tony and Ginny were constantly questioning every single thing they ever did. This lead to a lot of repetition. I felt the writer over explained things, which sometimes felt insulting to me the reader.

With editing, the story has potential.

Hold You Close is book 2 in the Fight for Me series by Jessica Linden. I devoured book 1 of the series and just adored Jessica Linden's writing style. Its a bit of Romeo and Juliet, a bit of rough and tumble, and all deliciously sexy! Hold You Close brings more of that signature.

Tony, our hero, is a reluctant CEO and former MMA fighter. He was engaged to the heroine's, Ginny, sister. They broke up years before and Tony and Ginny haven't seen each other since then. Now, Ginny is engaged to a shady guy in an effort to save her father's business and Tony knows something is up. He is determined to save Ginny and keep her for himself. Woven into this relationship is the shady business Tony's father is up to, and the shady relationship Ginny's sister had in the past. So, Tony and Ginny are having to deal with Ginny's crazy fiancé, Tony's dad, and Ginny's sister all at once. It certainly keeps the reader engaged! 

One thing I love about Linden's heroes is they aren't wishy-washy. Once they decide that the heroine is the woman they love, its on like Donkey Kong! They are alphas for sure, but not alpha-holes which seem so very common in romance novels today. I think thats why I enjoy these books-there is little 'will they won't they' or pushing away. The hero recognizes the heroine is NOT in love and he goes after her. I appreciate that the tension doesn't come from the internal struggle of the couple.
Link live on 11/27/17

Jessica Lindon's second novel in her Fight For ME series carries a faint MIlls and Boone vibe with its characterizations-an alpha hero whose white knight complex draws him to the heroine, his former fiances' little sister. A sister who may or may not have murdered her husband and a set of parents who choose to ignore the obvious. Drama and suspense led the storyline as our couple struggles not only with their inconvenient attraction but also the mystery afoot. Engaging narrative and a multi-layered storyline with some interesting twists and turns kept this reader hooked. Strong chemistry and steamy dialogue does not translate into many love scenes, unfortunately. The ending is a climactic affair that ends the main conflict, gives our couple their HEA, and sets the stage for book three. While I didn't read book one, it in no way affected my enjoyment of this story. Looking forward to book three-Trust in Me.

I really enjoyed this second-chance romance! Suspense, steam, action and a really sweet romance = perfection!

I really loved this book and can not wait to read the next in the series!!

I enjoyed a lot of this book. I love second-chance romances, and this one is about two people with bad timing. There's a lot of drama and suspense here.

I definitely wanted to see more MMA - that's what drew me to this book initially, to be honest. But that definitely took the back burner in this one. The romance did, too, in parts, to focus on the dramatic bad-guy story line.

Hold You Close is a second chance romantic-suspense. Tony Adamo is the co-CEO of Adamo Enterprises who has a second life as an underground MMA fighter. When he sees the younger sister of his former fiancée, Ginny Frazier, it's as if he's been punched in the gut. They had shared a passionate kiss that never went further but now Tony's realizing that his attraction to her hasn't dissipated, if anything, it's gotten stronger. But, Ginny appears not to want to have anything to do with him again. And she has good reasons for that, dangerous reasons such as being engaged to a powerful criminal who has promised to bail her family's business out of its financial straits.

Tony is determined to get Ginny to talk to him again, to give him a chance to be in her life again, but she's not budging until one night she shows up on his doorstep, beaten and bruised. Now Tony and Ginny have to figure out a way to take down her fiancé, even if it appears that Tony's family may be doing business with Ginny's fiancé. But, Ginny has to worry not just about her family's business and Tony's family, but her sister, too. Her stupid, selfish sister whom I couldn't stand. I wanted Ginny to cut her loose so many times and Ginny just wouldn't do it and it got to be a bit frustrating at times. I know family is important, but Ginny allowed hers to treat her badly and didn't do anything about it until far too late.

I liked Hold You Close but it wasn't as heavy on the romance aspect as I had hoped. It's got a good amount of action and suspense, but it overtakes the romance a little too much. I was hoping Tony and Ginny's connection and relationship would be explored more. I was hoping for more heat, but it was overshadowed by the action. Still, Hold You Close is an entertaining read about two people who get a second chance.

This was an emotional book. It was crazy,Ginny had an explosive kiss with Tony years ago while he was engaged to her sister. I know she cheated on him, I get that, but I still do not like when they end up with siblings, it just grosses me out. Her sister was a horrible horrible person, and she did deserve to be happy, especially after having to endure being engaged to that jerk. So I am going to have to put my feelings to the side and accept this. Those two had to go thru so much, but they finally got there.

I have chosen to DNF this title. As this is a negative review, I have chosen not to post in public.

Thank you.

Poor Ginny she really was stuck trying to take care of everyone and with a sister like hers who needs enemies, but Tony really was her knight in shining armor there chemistry was off the charts leaving us with a very HOT read.

Tony Adamo loved MMA fighting. What he didn't love was the fact that he now has to work in the family business. He was previously engaged to Veronica Frazier, what a mistake that was, and then he met Ginny Frazier, poles apart from Veronica and the girl who would capture his heart.

When Ginny's family's business is in trouble she is obligated to save it and unfortunately the only person who can help her is Fedor Barkov and in exchange for helping her family with the money to keep their business going, Ginny finds herself engaged to Barkov, a violent and intimidating man who is hoping to make a name for himself in society by being married to a decent person.

When Tony comes across evidence of his father's betrayal against his family's company, he has to find a way to keep it going until he can discover what his father is illegally doing, and with whom.

Time is running out before he can save not only his company but Ginny as well.

A well written enjoyable read, Hold you Close is the second book in "A Fight For Me" series.

Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Hold You Close is the second novel in Ms. Linden’s Fight for Me series. I didn’t connect with the main character Tony and Ginny. It might just be the time that I wasn’t in the mood for the story. I will give this book another chance in few months and update my review.

This was a DNF for me.
I was disappointed because I read and loved Fight for Me.
I just couldn't get into this story, and I really couldn't stand either of the two main characters. I tried to finish it for two weeks but I was bored and finally chalked it up to a DNF.
I'd like to thank the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this.

DNF - choosing not to review. Could not get into the storyline or characters.

Hold You Close is the second book in the Fight for Me series but can be read as a stand-alone without any problems whatsoever. This was a great story of two people, each battling their own family issue, which brings them closer together and finding love along the way.

There is not a ton of hot and steamy scenes in this story, but there is a lot of drama and suspense which kept my interest throughout.

Jessica Linden is a great storyteller and her words flow almost effortlessly, making Hold You Close a satisfying and wonderful read. With a happy ending and no cliff hanger, I would most definitely recommend this book to any fan of romance novels laced with a dash suspense and filled with intriguing drama.

3 ½ stars

Rating 3.5 stars.

This book is a compelling story of two people who have a history and timing just keeps getting in their way. This time is no different other than one of them may not survive.

I enjoyed most of the book, it had a few lulls here and there but it would pick back up again. It is dramatic, heartbreaking, an example of loyal to a fault, and loving.

Good book.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

He saw her across a crowded room while she captivated every mans attention. When she turned around Tony was surprised to encounter Ginnie once again. He hadn't talked to her in years but time slowly stood still. Ginnie never forgot her sister's former fiancée. They had shared one stolen kiss before losing touch with one another but he is determined to do anything to protect her now since he senses she is in trouble. When Ginnie appears on his door step he is ready to do anything to hold her close.

Hold You Close by Jessica Linden is the second book in her Fight for Me series. Though this is part of an MMA series, it can be read as a standalone. This is a second chance at love story of Tony Adamo and Ginny Frazier.

Ginny and Tony shared a passionate kiss years ago, but then he let her go. Considering he was engaged to her older sister at the time. When they meet again, Tony is set to never let her go. But this time Ginny belongs to someone else. Someone who is dangerous and can destroy everything.

Ginny is trying to help her family, even if it costs her everything. Once she runs into Tony again, the old sparks return. But she is promised to another man, one that can destroy her family. But when she finds herself in a dire situation, she runs to the only man she feels safe with, Tony.

Tony is a billionaire who has his own issues. He is trying to figure out what is happening in his company and with his father. But Ginny is the woman he wants and he will do anything to protect her. Can he help her in time or are they doomed to be apart?

This story was full of suspense, lots of drama and hot and steamy chemistry between Ginny and Tony. Ginny was too nice and naïve at times, especially when it came to her sister, but she had a good heart. Tony on the other hand was strong, determined and very protective. Overall a good read that will keep you drawn in.

Just like the first book of the series, HOLD YOU CLOSE tells the story of two people who have to fight for their happy ever after. Perhaps not as unusual and unrelated as the first couple-one of them was a rough MMA fighter while the other was pure society albeit pretty tough herself- Ginny and Tony still had their differences.

As the head of the rich family business, by day Tony had a polished lifestyle but he was also an MMA fighter by night. And he did a pretty good job of juggling the two sides of his life. He was, as I expected, a millionaire with a rough exterior but a good heart. Not surprising perhaps, but enjoyable still.

What I liked about Ginny the most though was the fact that she knew she made some rather questionable choices and when she snapped out of whatever silliness spell she was under, she was able to see how unreasonable and naive she’d been. I gotta be honest, sometimes heroines might just make excuses for the way they’d behaved and as the reader I let it slide because she’s the heroine and she finds the way in the end, but it was nice to read a heroine criticize herself for once before I could do it for her.

While the MMA part of the plot can’t be found much in the book, except for a few scenes where Tony used his skills to kick some ass, the action was still there. Just like the first book of the series, I felt like that action, the plot involving some shady business of the bad guy, took up more space than the romance. This was especially true for this story because Ginny and Tony had a prior acquaintance, so when they started their relationship, it was quick. They didn’t waste any time since they had their past in their corner. I could’ve used more details with their relationship though because there’s nothing like running away from, and trying to bring down a ruthless, powerful man to form a strong bond.

I’m adding three spoonfuls of this story into my hodgepodge.