I liked this story, especially the heroine. She had been beaten badly and had decided she would never be helpless again and learned how to defend herself. All the characters were very likeable and the situations were relatable. It’s always nice to revisit characters from past novels and there are several reoccurring throughout this story to add continuity to the series.
Strong heroes are the best, add a strong heroine and I’m in seventh heaven. Love how they can show their true feelings as well as strengths. An enjoyable read!

This is a second chance romance that will make you hurt. Zack did what he did to make a better life for himself and the woman he loved. He regretted leaving since the minute he left.

Shayla was so destroyed when Zack left. Things went from bad to worse. 7 years have gone by and both have risen up to fall down and rise back up. Those paths have not been easy.

It was good and interesting. Ot seriously could have gone worse. Shayla is a likeable character. She is strong and fearless when she believes in herself and of course zack is your typical in your face alpha mma fighter. It was enjoyable to read.

Title: Strong Hold
Series: Redemption #5
Stand Alone Title: yes
Author: Sarah Castille
Genre: Romance
Blurb: "Shayla?"
For the longest moment Zack's brain couldn't process the sight in front of him.
Seven years, ten months and twenty-seven days. That was how long it had been since he'd seen her. That was how long it had been since he'd lived a life without regret.

Fight promoter Zack Grayson is on the prowl for a rising star. As the top recruiter of a prestigious MMA promotion company, he wants to take someone where he was never able to go: the top of the professional league. He didn't expect that someone to be the woman he loved...and left.

Top-ranked MMA amateur fighter Shayla "Shilla the Killa" Tyler built walls around her heart when Zack left her seven years ago--and again when her husband turned violent. Now, seeing Zack is nearly enough to send those walls crumbling. But she can't risk the exposure of the limelight, and she definitely can't risk another heartbreak.

As Shayla and Zack grow closer, though, business turns personal. And once their passion unleashes, there's no going back...

Redemption Series:
Against the Ropes (Book 1)
In Your Corner (Book 2)
Full Contact (Book 3)
Fighting Attraction (Book 4)
Strong Hold (Book 5)
Favorite quote(s): “That’s not the only big thing I’ve got.”
Thoughts: The Redemption series is one of my favorites by Sarah Castille. Fans of MMA will fall in love with this series, and every book is a keeper. This one was captivating because it’s rare to read about female fighters…I can count the number I have personally read on one hand. Castille – of course – pulls it off well, and these two characters are an amazing as part of the ‘cast’ of Redemption. Strong Hold also has a lost love/second chance at love element to it, which is another favorite troupe of mine. I recommend this book – and the whole series!
Rating: A-/B+

This book is part of a series so to get a better feel for book I suggest that you grab a copy and read. This book was a second chance one between Shayla and Zack. These two were once high school sweet hearts but Zack left and destroyed Shayla, now he wants to know more about her, how does someone who was a ballerina is now an MMA fighter and can he fix the problems between them? They go back and forth until we finally get what happened and what they are doing to correct, I enjoyed getting to know her and appreciating how tough this woman really is.

My first book from this author. Well written romance book. Steamy strong characters
. A good introduction to this author.

I just loved this book, it's everything a second chance Romance should be. From anger, devastation, reconciling, to happiness, you get all these emotions. This is definitely my favorite of the series and the most heartbreaking and heartwarming. I love this author's work and can't wait for more.

Shayla is ready to put her plans on hold as a ballerina in New York to follow Zack who is her first love to San Diego so he can train to be a fighter. He leaves her broken hearted to go find his dream. She goes to New York to pursue her dream of being a ballerina. She gets married but due to an accident, she can no longer dance and the marriage ends in divorce. As she is training in a gym as a fighter herself, in San Francisco, Zack, the Slayer walks in. Fireworks, chemistry, anger and misery all combust causing fireworks so hot they may burn them both alive. A hot sexy novel of love and second chances. Two fighters who stop fighting each other. I loved this book for how Shayla fought to get her life back after abuse and loss. I received this book from Net Galley for an honest review and no compensation otherwise.

This book was really good. It kept me hooked the whole time. Finished in one sitting. I can not wait to read more. Love the writing style of the author. Thank you for letting me read and review this book.

Redemption is one of my favorite series and Sarah Castille has quickly become one of my auto-buy authors. Strong Hold is a solid addition to the series as a story of childhood sweethearts reunited.
I thought I would have a hard time with the heroine since Shayla is "Shilla the Killa" - an amateur MMA fighter. I don't enjoy brash, bold heroines. But Ms. Castille gave Shayla enough vulnerability to make her seem real, and much more feminine than I expected.
Zack was a delicious combination of alpha male and a broken hearted man full of regrets. While the love scenes were few and far between, they were HOT. Zack is a man who knows how to take control in the bedroom and give his woman what she needs.
By the end of the book I was rooting for their happy ever after.

I have read and loved all previous books in this series! You could read this one as a standalone, but I suggest reading them in order. Just my opinion though.
This love story is about second chances between Shayla and Zack. As children/teenagers/young adults, these two were always close until Zack walked away (EEK!). Now he is back and sees his old friend/love in a MMA gym. He is shocked and wants to learn more about what has led her to be here since she was always a ballerina. (Talk about a 180!) The ups and downs of these two characters relationship will have you on the edge of your metaphorical seat at times.
This is a great read, but not my favorite in the series. I do, however, highly recommend this one.

Sarah Castille not only writes the hottest MMA fighters, she also makes forgiveness super sexy. Even as a huge fan of the Redemption series, I found Zack and Shayla's story a huge surprise with deep emotions, painful flashbacks, and sharp twists. The usual Redemption alpha mighty male-ness, fight scenes, and sexy times are there but so are surprisingly mature feelings and growth.

I absolutely loved this novel, it actually reminds me of how long its been since my ex has seen me in person although we do chat from time to time. Wonderful relatable book. Thank you for affording me the opportunity to review it.. what a fantastic read it has been,

Awesome read. Didn't want to put it down. Great intrigue and flowed nicely. Love her books and characters messed perfectly.

I’ve been a fan of this series since I brought the first book in the series and each one gets better the the last and this one I love with the mc’s have a past since she was 8 years old Shayla, first meeting the boy from across the train tracks in a trailer park with a drug addicted mother and a drunk for a father, 10 or 12 year old Zack. This is on the edge of your seat action, drama, romance, alpha MMA men and a reunited childhood lovers come together after 7 years apart after Zack walking away from his love without a backwards glance or a good bye. Her life spilled and had a promising light but that light got black and her beating almost killed her. His life was the best but he had his regrets of the only woman who owned his head, body and soul. Their trials, fights, broken souls and their fears make them fight each day and with each other for their pasts and the closures she needed to move on, but broken costing her her future in MMA Shayla was a ballerina since age 2 and her accident took her love away, but she fraught to heal, and to fight for her life only to have Zack strode into her gym and change it all, maybe for the better or not. But she will get the closure she needs.

This one might be my favorite of the series. I love that the characters had history. I love that they build this awesome community in an MMA gym. Shayla is badass.

I’m so, so lucky to get approved for ARC’s on NetGalley. Thank you!

ARC received for review

It's Shayla/Shilla the Killa's turn for love and it's a blast from her past. Since Zack left her she been down a rough patch, but come through better and stronger. There was a lot of back and forth with the two of them just annoyed me. Lots of "help" from the rest of the Redemption gang. I can't wait to see who's story is up next.

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It's a good story with strong characters and an active storyline. I enjoyed most it. There were some parts that seemed drawn out but other than that it has great writing, complex characters and lots of love.

Fight promoter Zack Grayson is on the prowl for a rising star. As the top recruiter of a prestigious MMA promotion company, he wants to take someone where he was never able to go: the top of the professional league. He didn’t expect that someone to be the woman he loved…and left.Top-ranked MMA amateur fighter Shayla “Shilla the Killa” Tyler built walls around her heart when Zack left her seven years ago—and again when her husband turned violent. When I started reading I couldn't put it down.Sarah Castille is magnifysent writer.I cannot wait to read more of there books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this books.

Sarah Castille not only write the hottest MMA fighters, she also makes forgiveness super sexy. Even as a huge fan of the Redemption series, I found Zack and Shayla's story a huge surprise with deep emotions, painful flashbacks, and sharp twists. The usual Redemption alpha mighty male-ness, fight scenes, and sexy times are there but so are surprisingly mature feelings and growth.

To be honest, I wasn't a fan of Shayla aka "Shilla the Killa" and couldn't imagine this tough MMA fighter as a credible romance heroine - big mistake. Unlike the other Redemption couples whose stories began with just sexual chemistry, Zack and Shayla were childhood sweethearts whose incredible love both broke and sustained them through the years. Their love and heat for each other was never in question, only their struggle to find forgiveness and acceptance of past hurts.
The feelings are still there - the chemistry, the connection. But can you love someone who has cut you so deep, you can never heal, who has broken you beyond repair?

I originally wrote off Shayla as a side character whose main role seemed to be making the Redemption ladies jealous. I was completely not prepared for Shayla's painful past and hidden strength. Her incredible fight to come back from her past was awe-inspiring. I loved that Zack was just as awed by MMA fighter Shayla as he was by ballet dancer Shayla.
He would do anything for Shayla. She was his Vega [star]; and he wanted to come home.
Both Zack and Shayla have to face that they made mistakes and have to deal with the fallout. How they meet this challenge shows their strength, not just physical strength, but emotional:
Zack had always protected me, but sometimes you need to get hurt so you learn to see the danger ahead of you. You need to fall so you learn how to get up again.
I really enjoyed visiting the ol' Redemption gang; the little glimpses of Torment, Predator, Rampage (aka Sadist), etc. were like the best epilogue ever. I can only hope that Sarah Castille finds more Redemption heroes: I will read them all.

4.5 stars

Note: I voluntarily read and reviewed this ARC generously provided by NetGalley.