This is the fifth book in the redemption series. I did not read the first four and was able to easily follow this book. But if you are wanting to read any of these book, I would start at the beginning. All the characters from the previous books are in Strong Hold. I would have loved to know their background. I am going to start at the beginning of this series next. This book had many emotions from beginning to end. Shayla and Zack have been in love for ten years. They met when Shayla was 8 and Zack 13. Even though they were young, they knew there was something special between the two. But Zack did something unforgivable to Shayla when she was 18 that left her hurt and closed off. But seven years later, they meet again. And what an up and down ride it was. I liked how these two became reacquainted with each other. How both of them learned from their past and overcame their fears. Very entertaining book

Knowing this title is part of an ongoing series by this author, I would say that it would best be read in order with the others. There are references to other characters and it would be nice to understand the world that these characters live in better. That being said I had not read the others in this series and enjoyed the story for the story's sake. I liked the relationship between Shayla and Zach. I liked the back story and the overall development of the story. I will have to check out more titles by Sarah Castille!

4 star

I was pulled right into this story. The story has abuse, second chances, and heartbreak.

If you have not read the below I would recommend reading those books(s) first
Against the Ropes (Redemption, #1)
In Your Corner (Redemption, #2)
Full Contact (Redemption, #3)
Fighting Attraction (Redemption, #4)

This is Shayla and Zach’s story. When Zach left her seven years ago Shayla built steel walls around her heart. Then she reinforced those walls when her husband turned his violence on her. He wants to help her get to the top in her sport but she just wants to stay in the shadows and keep her heart safe. He is determined to break down her walls. She just wants to keep herself from being broken. Can she trust Zach this time? Or will he let her down just like everyone else?

I felt I was able to connect with the characters and the story was a great read.

I recommend this book.

Before I can get started about the plot of this book, I have to share my pet peeve with the writing. Chapters jump between characters which normally I don't mind as long as it's noted from who's POV the story is being told from. Here's where it gets weird. When it's from Shayla's POV, it's told in first person. But when the chapter is from Zach's POV, it's in third person. It's annoying to go from reading I did this, I did that to he did this, he did that when the chapter is supposed to be from their point of view. Because of that, I felt less connected with him than her.

Overall, not a bad story. Abused woman seeks refuge at gym, wanting to learn how to protect herself after leaving the SOB who nearly killed her. Turns to MMA as a result of her learning and enjoys it. Former love of her life returns, not expecting to find her in a ring but is determined to make up for the shitty way he let her go seven years ago.

I forgot, I have another pet peeve - the ending. The ending itself isn't the issue; but if you're going to have a character in that situation the last place she should be is in a ring getting hit. It would be one thing if she was just doing light exercises, stretching or something but to have someone hitting her???? Nope.

DNF at 48%

I'm not a fan of MMA and I haven't been to an MMA gym but it really bothers me that it's against the rules to call the people at the gym by their MMA fighter names. This really bothered me so much I can't stop thinking about it everytime it comes up (and it comes up a lot). I'm not really sure if this is really what MMA gyms do, but it just bothers the heck outta me.

I actually love the romance and the premise here and I really, REALLY want to finish it, but I just can't get past the fighter names rule.

I didn't read the others in the Redemption series, so it was a challenge at first keeping the many names in Strong Hold straight. However, once I could, I enjoyed the standalone story that I feel could easily double as a movie.

Watching Shayla & Zack mature while giving their relationship a second chance was interesting, and funny, too, at times. Zack's caveman antics endeared him to me, but I was glad that Shayla never let him totally swamp her. I enjoyed the way the author described the training and fight scenes. It was thrilling! The steamy scenes were also well-described. Sarah Castille definitely knows what she's doing there.

My one issue with the book was the fact that Shayla & Zack's POVs were told in two different "persons" and tenses. I found it a bit annoying.

I enjoyed all the other aspects, though, and fans of MMA romance will truly enjoy it.

I voluntarily read & reviewed an ARC of this book.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Sports second chance romance
Triggers: Abusive relationship, attempted murder

This is the second book in this series that I've read, but the fifth in the series. I believe this can be read as a standalone as well.

Shayla and Zack were in love when they were young. When Zack realizes that he may be holding Shayla back from her own dreams, he makes a unilateral decision to end their relationship. Well, let's just say that they each realized their own dreams, but those dreams came with a cost greater than what both believed they'd pay.

Years later, when Shayla is at her training facility, Zack happens to walk in... both are surprised and neither has forgotten what happened years ago. Zack has his usual protective, somewhat overbearing tendencies and Shayla wants nothing to do with Zack.

Dancing around each other, they find that their chemistry still burns hot. Past hurts have to be rectified, new paths are forged. This is a story about redemption, forgiveness and above all, love. It was a sweet story.

I think that it was a little long-winded in some areas. I also wish that we had more of the sport intermixed. I am hoping that there will be more books as I found them to be very entertaining.


Lee’Anne – ☆☆☆☆☆
As is the trend with this series, Strong Hold is hot hot hot! I really liked it, it’s fast-paced and I love that it’s about a female MMA fighter, which was a unique perspective and made the book all that more interesting to me.

Shayla found the love of her life when she was just a child and that love continued to grow until their late teens when Zack made the decision to leave Shayla to get his career started as an MMA fighter. Shayla goes her own way pursuing her dreams as a dancer – until life knocks her down. Now, years later, Zack finds Shayla at Redemption, where she is working to get her career as an MMA fighter off the ground. Zack is a recruiter for an MMA company and when he realizes Shayla’s potential offers to train her – but really, he has other things in mind like winning her back.

I really loved that both the main characters are fighting their own angst for the same goal, it made for a unique and intriguing read. This book is definitely a 10 in the steam category – Zack is 100% alpha male and though Shayla is fiercely independent outside the bedroom, she’s only too happy to let Zack take over inside. I breezed through this book – unable to put it down. I can’t wait for more from the Redemption group!


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the fifth book in the series, and whilst you could read it as a standalone and enjoy it, it would be much richer if you read them in order. The digs between fighters, the hierarchy, and the camaraderie would make a lot more sense.

Here we get Shayla's story, as she reconnects unexpectedly with her first love, Zack. He left her when she was 18 and seven years later there is a lot for both of them to deal with following their split. I liked that the issues were very different, but both affected their emotional life, and their ability to fight.

I enjoy the MMA world of strong alpha men and women, even though I cringe at the actual fighting! And there is some lovely banter between them, as well as some harsh lessons to learn.

As Zack uncovers what has happened to Shayla, he has to learn to control his temper and to keep pushing if he wants her back. There is no doubt that they have sexual chemistry, but trust is another story entirely.

Another really good installment in the series, thank you Sarah Castille.

Strong Hold by a new to me author Sarah Castille. A spicy story in the Redemption series which I haven't read any books in. I still liked the story it had great characters and dialogue.

Another great book in the Redemption series by Sarah Castille! I have read all the books in this series and was so excited to read Shayla's story. It was a page turner and I really enjoyed it. The redemption series is a favorite, this one didn't disappoint!

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

I had not read any of the previous books but this can be read as a stand alone but prior books would add to the story as there were mention of several couples and a little bit about them. The only thing that I had a bit of trouble with is most are referred to with their fight name and it was hard to remember who they were except for Torment!

Wow, I could certainly understand Shayla's reluctance to stay away from Zack and not want to get hurt all over again! What I didn't get was that Zack thought he could break things off with her but then not understand that she could get married! Or be upset that she would not even realize that he was coming back for her - what!!

Her story was so hard to read but she was so strong and overcame the pain from not only physical injuries but emotional pain. Watching Shayla work out her past and overcome the anger with Zack and the loss of her dream to present day and how she was in a much better place and so confident in who she was - it was great to see her progress.

Only thing that I didn't like was the kind of overlooking that Zack had been a manwhore but they all didn't matter as they were not Shayla - didn't like it! I would also have liked to know what Damien's plan was when Zack went to visit him, did he have a reason to taunt Zack into a fight?? And when Zack and Torment fought - we didn't really see who won...lol!

Holy hotness. I can't even with the kind of heat coming from this book.

Shayla "Shilla the Killa" Tanner has had a rough life. Being left in a dirty motel room at the dead of night like a used up rag was not something she could forgive. In fact as the years went by her resentment only fed the anger and hurt. Life became easier for a short while again until it didn't. Broken inside and out she found Redemption and that's when a graceful ballerina turned into a badass MMA queen.

Zack Grayson spent 7 years never forgotting his decision to leave. Despite it coming from good intentions the choice wasn't the right one and living without her was hell for him. His career thrived and he lived off his massive success for a long time until one fight brought not one but two lives to an end. That day killed his career.. it haunted his nights and plaqued his days. Despite being the best he couldn't continue that path because of what his legacy had become.

Together they were fire from the start. The chemistry palpable and the connection instantaneous. You felt every emotion from them like it was you going through it. They're story isn't easy all sweet and fluff. No it's raw gritty and heart breaking. It's a story of healing, two broken people always ment to be one whole. They had the odds stacked against them and had to work on themselves individually aswell as together. A tremendous about of character growth that was at times hard to read but so freaking believable. A storyline that will break you down then build you back up. Side characters that you'll love to hate, laugh your ass off at and definitely want more off. You'll go through a rollercoaster of emotions and by the end be left rung dry and emotionally exhausted.
It's a fucking brilliant story seamlessly written and hits the nail on the head emotionally. I can't wait for what's next.

I kindly received this ARC from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

4.25 stars--STRONG HOLD is the fifth instalment in Sarah Castille’s contemporary, adult REDEMPTION erotic, MMA, romance series focusing on the men and women of the MMA Club Redemption. This is thirty-year old MMA fighter and promoter Zack ‘Slayer’ Grayson, and twenty-five year old, former ballerina turned MMA fighter Shayla Tanner’s story line. STRONG HOLD can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from first person point of view (Shayla), and third person perspective (Zack) STRONG HOLD follows the second chance romance between MMA fighter and promoter Zack ‘Slayer’ Grayson, and former ballerina turned MMA fighter Shayla Tanner. Zack and Shayla were childhood best friends, and high school sweethearts but on the night Shayla gave Zack her most prized possession, Zack walked away without a second glance. Fast forward to present day, wherein Shayla will come face to face with the man that broke her heart, and destroyed her soul. Enter MMA fighter and promoter Zack ‘Slayer’ Grayson, and the man with whom Shayla was still in love. What ensues is the rekindling romance between Zack and Shayla, as Zack takes control of Shayla’s training, in an effort to get closer to the woman he loves.

Zack had no idea that Shayla Tanner, his Shayla Tanner, was on the amateur circuit of the MMA. Heading into Redemption to recruit possible new talent, Zack will have to face the wrath of the woman from whom he walked away but a woman who has lost and suffered more than Jake could ever have imagined. Shayla struggled in the years following Zack’s ill-timed escape but none more so than into the arms of an abusive man who all but destroyed what was left of our heroine’s life.

The relationship between Zack and Shayla is one of second chances; a rekindling romance between former best friends, and sweethearts but a romance that suffers with too many memories from the past. Zack is determined to prove himself worthy of Shayla’s trust and respect even if it means protecting her from herself. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense but, once again, I take issue with a certain four-letter word that I find unnecessary in a romance story line. Used only once, I felt it was more for shock value than descriptive narration.

Most of the previous story line couples and characters play secondary and supporting roles, some byway of mention or cameo appearance: Blade Saw, Renegade, Rampage, Torment, Homicide Hank, Fuzzy and Doctor Death (all of the nick names must be used in the arena and at the gym), as well as the only other female fighter at Redemption Sandy, and Shayla’s nemesis in the ring Carla Gordon.

STRONG HOLD is a dramatic, intense and captivating story. The premise is energetic and impassioned; the characters are dynamic and vigorous; the romance is provocative and fated. Sarah Castille writes tantalizing romances, strong heroes, and sassy heroines.

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Thanks to the publisher for an ARC to read and give my honest opinion.

Love this series...the blurb...the cover...amazing.

Zach has love Shayla forever...letting her go so she could find her dreams as a ballerina just seemed like the right thing to do. Unfortunately she married an abusive jerk...and lost her dreams of being a dancer.
Now she's Shilla the Killa in MMA for women. Zack. Having lost his own MMA dream due to his opponent dying is now a recruiter.

I thought this was a fun read only because the author does such a switch up. Shilla doesn't comes off though as one of those manly women who try to fight in MMA. She's still a ballerina at heart. I loved the sexy chemistry between the two, and this whole series is just fun. Four stars of entertainment!

In this corner, we have Shilla the Killa. In that corner, we have Slayer. May the best fighter win!

I'm not normally much of a sports kind of person. I say that I cheer for the local teams, but I really don't pay all that much attention to when anyone is playing. I've lusted mightily after MMA fighters, but I've never watched a fight or anything. But, dayum, all those muscles just do something for a person, you know? But, when I ran across this one, I decided that it sounded good and decided that I needed to read it.

Shayla and Zach had been best friends when they were young and then boyfriend and girlfriend as they got older. She was a ballerina, with plans to go to a ballet company in San Diego, while Zach, an amateur MMA fighter was planning on going there to try to turn pro. But, when he finds out that she's turning down a better opportunity, he decides to leave her. On her 18th birthday. After their first time.

Seven years later, he holds 4 belts and is a recruiter. He walks into a MMA gym and finds his beautiful ballerina in the ring, fighting. Shayla has been broken and reforged into something stronger, and MMA helped her get there.

I enjoyed the story. I like the way that things flashed back to Shay's past to give us more information as to what had happened in her past and what made her the way that she now was. I liked it better than having everything explained. Experiencing it with her made it seem more real and let me connect with her better than I might otherwise have. Zach sometimes annoyed me, sometimes didn't. I get the overprotective thing, especially when it comes to head injuries, but he really does just paint Shayla into a corner sometimes. And then when he doesn't, it's not a good thing. I don't think that he should force her into a particular choice, but it just wasn't as consistent as it could've been.

It worked as a story, and I was quite happy with the way the story went.

3.5 stars

Second chance romances can go either way with me I either love them or I have issues with them and Strong Hold by Sarah Castille is in the latter category. Over all I did like the story, but it wasn’t without some problems making it a challenge for me to finish. Almost 8 years after a special night between them, reunited lovers face challenges as he tries to find a way back into her heart while she keeps him at arm’s length.

Shayla Tanner aka Shilla the Killa is thrown for a loop when the man who broke her teenage heart walks into the gym where she trains as a MMA fighter. Following a successful career in MMA and after a tragedy in his last fight sent him reeling, Zack Grayson can’t believe his eyes when he walks into a gym and sees the woman he’s always loved and never forgotten training like her life depends on it. So guys here’s where the story fell apart for me; broken hearts happen, it is a fact of life and I have real issues with people who can’t seem to let it go almost a decade later especially when they were teenagers when it happened. Yes, I get that these two had a special relationship and I agree that the way Zack ended it s*cked big time, but it took Shayla way too long to realize that she wouldn’t be the same woman she is today if that hadn’t happened in her life. She was really dependent on Zack as a teenager and now she is a kick a$$ and take names kind of woman and yes, there are big time reasons for that but I hated, HATED that in a roundabout way she blamed Zack for those reasons when the choices she made were HER choices. That being said, I did love that they reconnected and despite Shayla continual wishy-washy behavior in regards to their relationship I was happy to see them get to know one another as the adults they’ve become. However, for me there was too much drama, blame game, and living in the past and not enough of living in the here and now. I grew to like both characters during this book but it took me awhile which also made it difficult to keep reading.

While not my favorite in The Redemption series which has been a superior series by Sarah Castille, Strong Hold is still worth the read once you get past…well, the past.

Sarah Castille writes sexually driven stories. There’s no doubt about it. Some more sexual than others, but they are all driven by the sexual chemistry/electricity between the leads. She also packs a punch to the heart …. Every.Single.Time. #TRUST

Zach and Shayla have a second chance to get it right. One of my all time favorite tropes :) I love it because the author doesn’t always have to take up space on the page with the get to know each other. If the author is as a word wizard like Sarah is, they will make you feel it in a very short amount of book space. It leaves more room for the couple’s journey itself. And that’s my favorite part.

Zach and Shayla don’t just have history with each other. There is baggage that comes with their time apart that intensifies the story-line. It is not rainbows and gumdrops. But they come together explosively for a common goal. Each other. There is so much passion and grit and heart and did I say passion? Lol It’s an outstanding story of redemption and growth. Sarah is just one of those authors that is really good at getting it right. #TRUST

A really moving story. Shayla has been through so much in such a short time. Her first true love, Zack, abandons her at 18 to achieve his own dreams of MMA stardom. Heartbroken, she falls for an older man that eventually becomes her abusive husband. She escapes her ex and her former life and eventually spends her days as a part-time amateur MMA fighter. Now her life is the gym she trains in and the people who train her. But her hard won peace is disrupted when Zack shows up in her gym.

I loved how Shayla was written as a strong character that is still vulnerable. She loves Zack, but the past between them has hurt her badly. Zack is a dense guy. He seems to struggle to understand Shayla feelings for him even though he has known her for years. I loved this story because the angst between Shayla and Zach is filled with more love than anger.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and NetGalley for my honest review.

Shayla has waited 10 years to spend her first night of lovemaking with Zack. They make love and instead of spending the night together, Zack tells her he leaving for Seattle. Leaving her no way they made plans to go to San Diego. Zack was going to train for the MMA and she was going to ballet dance for a small company there. She gave up New York and in the world of ballet New York is the best everything. Will this pain ever stop how can it, he left and took her heart and their dreams for a future with him? She goes to Oakland to a gym called Redemption. Good name seeing now that's what she's looking for redemption. To feel safe, whole find her strength again. Now four years later she a rising MMA star. After a stinging defeat, she is just trying to save face. Which is hard when said face looks like a raccoon. While getting a hard time from everyone in the gym and sparing with her practice partner she gets knocked down again. This time it’s because the three-time winner of the Mega Extreme Fighting Championship middleweight title belt MMA legend just walked in. Zack Grayson yes that Zack, he comes to check on the woman knocked down. It can't be last time he saw her was in New York 7 years ago. He went looking for her found her married she never knew he was there. Will they fight for each other now or throw in the towel. This is an erotic fast-paced fight to the finish and I enjoyed every minute of it.

This was an amazing book!! I have loved this entire series and I'm so glad that Shayla got her story. This was one of the best second chance romances I have read in awhile. Even though there is hurt there, they still love each other. The feelings burn hot and the emotions are scorching.

Shayla has loved Zach her entire life, she made plans with him and gave him her virginity. Then life went to hell for her and her world fell apart. She is fighting every day to try and get her life back but given her last few failures in the ring, she is beginning to doubt herself.....and then in walks Zach.

Zach has loved Shayla just as long but in trying to do the "right" thing, it cost him the girl. He became very successful but once he sees Shayla again he begins to wonder if it was all worth it.

I would highly recommend this book and this entire series!!

This second chance romance is so raw and gritty, but also fun and sexy! Zack was Shayla's first and only love. When he left her to become a successful MMA fighter, she was heartbroken and afraid. Now years later she is an aspiring MMA fighter and determined to never be vulnerable again. I loved the scene when Zack walks into Redemption, and back into her life. It was so perfect, setting up their journey back to each other. Their story is not an easy one, and was so terribly heartbreaking at times. Shayla has a horrendous path that lead her to Redemption and that she keeps secret from the protective, alpha fighters there. Zack had his reasons for walking away, believing he was doing what was best for Shayla. But now that he has found her again, he is helpless to walk away from the woman who owns his heart. I really loved Shayla, she was so strong, resilient, yet vulnerable. She is a perfect match for the deliciously protective, cocky, sexy Zack. They really challenge each other and their chemistry leaps right off the page. All the friends and fighters from Redemption added so much fun and excitement to this story as well, including the gossip train! I loved this story of love, loss, betrayal, and forgiveness.