Very hot! I enjoyed this book immensely! Would definitely recommend to others! The chemistry was off the charts. The story was on point. I will definitely read this author again.

Strong Hold will bring back two former lover again after several years apart.
Zach has been searching for new fighter that he comes to visit MMA gym where he see Shayla again. They have history with each other that it is going to come up again. And it is going to be heavy but also going to relieve them since they need closure. It's going to be a tough road for them but hashing out the past always is.
Shayla may had a tough childhood but she is living better now. But things change when she see Zach again. It brings up all of the past back to her that it will take some time to figure out what she wants to do with Zach. She is going to be challenging toward Zach but it only because she still love him.
Love hurts and it will continue to hurt unless you move on and forgive. And it is going to take both of them to do so.
Three star

Omg!! Sarah Castile knocked it out of the park with this novel. It was wicked hot with some of the best smexy scenes around. I really enjoyed this series and this novel was a welcome treat.

Not too hot, not too cold. Not too hard, not to soft. Just right. Or lukewarm if you're a glass-half-empty kind of person.

This is my second time reading this story. I don't remember exactly how I felt the first time around. All I know is that I gave it 4 stars. I have a general idea on how I felt about the whole series, but nothing specific. Anyway, I am going to give this book 4 stars, but not because it's a full 4 stars. In my honest opinion, this is more of a 3.5 stars.

There wasn't anything that stuck out, or anything in particular that gripped me. The emotional scenes didn't exactly cripple me, but they were definitely heartfelt.

Everything was better than good, but not necessarily great. The whole story seemed mapped out, regardless of the character's obvious confusion and indecisiveness through a majority of the book.

The concept of the story is obviously surrounding MMA fighting, but with that came second chances, childhood sweethearts, sex, dark pasts, abuse, sacrifices, love, and an HEA.

Now, none of these things alone can form a story all that well, I believe. But when this author decided to put them together, she made them fit neatly together. To me, nothing was blatant, audacious, or drastic. This was a cookie-cutter story. Color stayed within the black lines and was completed.

That being said, I still had a really good time relearning the characters and enjoyed their story unfolding before me. The development expressed in these characters was well-rounded and co-aligned with one another.
The supporting characters never felt out of place or squeezed in as a placeholder. I enjoy humor as much as the next person, if not more. So, being able to just bask in the hysterics alongside everyone was great.

This book is the last in a series, and I managed to somehow read it first. Yeah, not always a great idea. “Strong Hold” managed to hold up as a stand alone, though, and actually made me eager to go back and read the rest of the series, in order this time! The story revolves around Shayla, a retired ballerina turned aspiring MMA fighter, and Zack, an MMA fighter who has left the ring after a deadly bout an now works as a recruiter for the industry. I must admit to little interest in MMA, or the fighting world in general. It’s all way too brutal for me. So I was wondering if a book about not one, but two, MMA fighters, would be a book I’d enjoy. I’m glad to say that despite my disinterest in the sport, I was totally engaged in the story. Shayla and Zack have a history, and when they reunite years later they are both different people, but their attraction and their connection remains. There is a lot of push and pull between the two of them, and Zack is determined to win Shayla’s trust and heart once again. Shayla, burned more than once, finds herself fighting in more than just the ring. She has to decide if her future is one she wants to share with the man who once threw it away. Sarah Castille builds a great world, and the characters are all intriguing. As I wrote earlier, I’m looking forward to getting to know them all better.
Note: I received this book in return for an honest review.

A story of first love and second chances, “Strong Hold” brings readers to the highly competitive and more often than not bloody world of Mix Martial Arts competition.

It’s story of Zack Grayson and Shayla Tyler, a pair of star-crossed lovers whom by Zach’s doing got separated. But fate had other plans for them. After 7 years, they came face to face to each other and the spark was still there. Except, there is now bitterness and a gulf between them.

“Strong Hold” is a story on its right. Sarah Castille did a great job shaping the characters and giving them depth, making them three-dimensional.

Yet, for me, it was evocative of “A Star is Born,” except of course that Zach is a champion who retired at the top of his game, while Shayla was still literally fighting her way to the top.

Zack and Shayla have a big gulf between them, and they would have to meet halfway to reach their happily ever after. It’s how they got there that made their story a fascinating read.

“Strong Hold” is Rated M for Mature due to adult content.

OMG! This book has it all!
Hot alpha MMA fighter..check.
Strong woman who knows who she is and what she wants... check.
Angst and sexy times? Heck yeah!
Except Shayla has wounds that are holding her back. She broke my heart. And she made me huff in frustration, but she also made me smile.
Zack made my heart flutter and he also made me sigh.
I'm telling y'all if you haven't read Sarah Castle before. You need to!

I have been waiting for this book! I needed to know the story of Shilla the Killer. Castille did not disappoint at all. Ahh the tears when you see the back story of Zack and Shayla of childhood sweethearts. The way you see the walls crumbling between them both as the come full circle into love again. Plus the hint of mystery at Shayla job so good.

Yeah getting to see the boys of Redemption again. I can't wait for another book.

Holy hotness. I can't even with the kind of heat coming from this book.
I love this series and have since book 1 and this one did not disappoint.
This book truly was perfect in every way possible! I can't wait to see what's next. There are so many stories I want to see come from this series. I absolutely love every character and the bond they have.

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

3.5 Hearts This is a second chance at love story. After seven years Zack and Shayla have a chance at love if she is willing to open her heart to him.

Here is the problem. Second chances stories all seem to be pretty much the same. And this is no different. They know each other, they loved years ago, one of them was hurt and will not open their hearts again and then they do and HEA.

That being said Castille does a good job with the writing. And of course, as always, there are some hot scenes in the book which makes it worth the read.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

First love reunited! This entire series has been a lot of fun to read with some great characters and connections, but this book right here has topped it all for me. There's just something about Shayla and Zack and the young love they once knew that made me sit up and watch with baited breath to see how it was all going to play out. How was he going to feel when he found out the life she'd been dealt after he left her? How was she going to feel when she learned why he walked away? And most importantly of all, were they going to find a way to get past all of the pain and just love each other again? Really loved their story! 

Amateur MMA fighter Shayla Tanner never expected to see her teenage love again. They had big plans for after she graduated, but in the blink of an eye, Zach told her he was leaving and she should move on with her life. She never got over the heartbreak he dished out, but she tried to pick up the pieces and move forward. Sadly the next man she trusted wound up breaking her heart too when he turned into an abusive husband. She's finally picking up the pieces for herself and herself only ... she doesn't need anybody anymore, just the thrill of the fight!

Fight promoter Zack Grayson walks into Redemption gym looking for the next big thing to promote through the professional MMA circuit, but he's jaw dropping shocked to bump into his ex Shayla after almost eight years. He had a great career climbing the ranks of the MMA lifestyle after he left her, until it all fell apart at his fingertips. Still high regarded and working behind the scenes these days, Zach is still doing well for himself. He can't believe Shayla is a fighter now ... and he also can't believe the attitude change in her from the girl he knew and loved.

I've loved all of this series but I just didn't connect with this one. It may be that I was having an off day but I just couldn't get into it. I tried several times and I made it to the end but it was one of those that you read books in between this book. I love the author....I just couldn't get into this storyline.

I am a huge fan of Sarah Castille's books and Strong Hold is no exception! I loved the dynamic between Zack and Shayla. It was a fun, witty read.

In Sarah Castille's Strong Hold, the fifth installment in the Redemption contemporary MMA sports romance, this novel would have you against the ropes for a wild ride. Shayla Tanner had loved Zachary Grayson ever since she was a little girl. Then he let her go, when she followed her dreams to be a ballerina in NYC and then ended up in an abusive relationship. Now in California, she's training to making the amateur MMA fighting circuit and works at a high-tech security company. But when Zachary "Slayer" Grayson reentered her world, it had thrown her out-of-orbit. For Zach, he had always loved Shayla and learned about how she ended up here with some inner demons of her own. While he portrayed as the substitute father figure for his two sister, he deserved some happiness of his own. As a retired MMA fighter, he now recruits them for MEFC. He can't help himself while the ghost of his past came up and bit him his butt. Now as they've reunited, he wants to protect himself and coach Shayla at the same time. But they have to rebuild their relationship as red-hot sparks fly between them outside of the ring. When Shayla's injured from a previous fight, he wanted her to take a step back as her fellow MMA fighter cheer for her to rise to the top. They would have to follow their dreams and their hearts to make a future for each other.

Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for letting me read Strong Hold by Sarah Castille for an honest review. All opinions are my own!

My first time reading Sarah Castille. What caught my eye was the cover.

This is Shayla and Zack's love story, with ups and downs... He left her 7 years ago, she was so angry! Then they find each other again, at first she's still mad...

I give it 3.5 stars. I liked it, didn't love it, not my favorite book! I found it slow, especially at first. It took some time to get into the story. Too much gym parts for my taste.
It's well written though.

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Wow! This story was a long and winding road ( in a good way).
Intense storyline ( some may be triggered by violence).
In depth chareters and sweet sweet love💘

I have read several books by Sarah Castille, and she is an amazing writer. I had not had the pleasure of reading this series before so this was the first of the Redemption series I have read. I don't normally MMA stories or even anything sportlike, but I enjoyed this read. It was very intense and filled with passion. Both Zack and Shayla have pain filled past but they have pushed forward in life and come out the other end finally.

This has always been a favorite series of mine and Strong Hold is a great addition to the series. Zack and Shayla’s story is a second chance romance. Hot MMA fighters, great sex scenes, lots of chemistry. Well done!

I am a big fan of this series so I was excited to find out that a new book was coming. Strong Hold takes on a trip down memory lane with heartbreak and second chance being the center of the story.

Zack and Shayla create lots of steam so they definitely weren't short on the chemistry. I really enjoy a well written alpha male and I think that Zack was just that. All alpha, all male and possessive in the sexy, panty melting way we all love. Shayla wasn't my favorite character from the series but she was a good fit for Zack. Her independent, take no prisoners attitude kept him on his toes and gave some spark to the story.

This book seemed to move at a slower pace than what I'm used to from this author and I had a little trouble connecting to the characters. I would have liked to see them move out of the past a little quicker but I suppose it was necessary to understand their struggles. I think it did start to pick up around the half way point and, overall, I enjoyed it.

Strong Hold is a very good romance novel for those into second chance romances and also for those into MMA fighting, wrestling, et cetera. I would highly recommend this book for fans of Katy Evans' Real series. It is important that readers are fully aware that this book contains flashbacks and recollections of domestic violence. Those who are sensitive to this should certainly shy away.

I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.