Tapping Out

Fighting Love, Book 1

By: Nikki Ash

Narrated by: Gregory Salinas, Kasi Hollowell

Bella:

Being a fighter is in my blood. My grandfather was a fighter, my father was a fighter, and I'm a fighter. I live for the rush of adrenaline and sensation of victory. When I fight, I give it my all. I step into the octagon and fight until there's nothing left to fight for. He's been my best friend for most of my life. I've fought with him, fought against him, and for the longest time, I fought for him, for us. Until he pushed me away, leaving me no choice but to tap out.

Marco:

Fighting is what saved me. It shed the old me, and I became a newer shinier version of myself. Until it took away everything I loved. I gave up and tapped out. Then one day, she came back into my life and reminded me that some things are worth fighting for. Now, I'm fighting for us, day by day, proving to her that our happily ever after is worth fighting for.

©2018 Nikki Ash (P)2024 Pink Flamingo Productions

Loved

This is a wonderful heartfelt story about lost love, addiction, growing up and finding your way home again. Plenty of feels and plenty of spice.

MMA romance with high angst

This is a sports romance with high, high angst! Man, it has parts that are very emotional. Bella and Marco are both MMA fighters. Marco has grown up around Bella but he's 7 years older. Marco had a inappropriate attraction to Bella long before she was 18. Marco has always been it for Bella. Marco does what he does best though, runs, multiple times. At one point there is almost a love triangle going on between Bella, Marco, and Tristan. Marco has a lot of demons to face so he makes some very bad and questionable decisions. Will that cost him Bella? There is a secret pregnancy thrown in the mix too. This story also is big on second, third, and even fourth chances 🤭 and redemption.

I received a free copy of this audiobook and voluntarily left this review.

Book 1 - Fighting Love

So this is book 1 in Ash's Fighting Love series which is a spin off of her Fighting series. I loved that we get Bella and Marco's story as we got glimpses of them as kids in the Fighting series. Don't worry if you haven't read/listened to the Fighting series you don't need to in order to enjoy this book - but they are great in the event you want to check them out.
This book delt with some really tough topics and I appreciate that Ash didn't sugar coat it. Marco delt with some really hard stuff and had to come to grips with the man he wanted to be. Bella struggled with her love for Marco and in my opinion didn't really know or understand a lot of his struggles. Definitely a lot of push and pull between them. These two do have a bit of an age gap (6 years) and as adults it's not as big a deal as it is when your 15 and 21. I got a little frustrated with Bella at times for not really understanding the implications or what that age gap really meant on top of the respect factor Marco has for Bella's dad - but their chemistry...
I thought overall this book was well done, with great flowing storyline, characters you love or love to hate. Great dual narration that brought our characters to life! Well balanced storyline with sweet and heat and the grit of real-life issues. I felt this was a great start to this new series and I am eager for more! I loved the letters at the end, and I hope that maybe in the next book we'll get Tanner's story?!?

This book was given to me for free at my request and I voluntarily provided this review.

great story

Bella grew up in a gym, where her father worked as a trainer.
She has her mind set to be a fighter.
Marco’s childhood was rough, until he was adopted by Haley and Caleb. Marco has a great career as fighter.
He knows Bella is off limits, but with their special friendship, the sparks fly between them.
There are many challenges that Marco is facing that will affect his career and his love for Bella.
This story has all the emotions of love, pain, agony. I can’t wait to see what’s next in this series by Nikki ash

Gregory Salinas and Kasi Hollowel narration is phenomenal.
They both give the all emotions of love pain and vulnerability to all the characters. Very well done
#the flock on tour
#PFP Production

Tapping Out

Tapping Out is the first book in the Fighting Love series. This book is about Marco and Bella and is told from both of their points of view.

Both Marco and Bella are fighters. They were childhood friends. However, something happens that rips them apart. Now years later they are back in the same place, and something happens that brings them back into each other's lives.

Both Bella and Marco have their battles they are fighting. Can they help each other fight the battles? Can Marco prove to Bella that he is different and will be there for her? Can Bella learn to trust Marco after everything he put her through? Or will everything they are going through rip them apart for good?

I enjoyed this book, and can't wait to listen to more in the series!

Oh Marco

This one pulled at the heart strings. And was an emotional ride. I love seeing these characters grow up in the other series and then to see them grown up was a treat! They pulled through hardships and fought for love. Narration was great!

Loved it!

This narrating duo slayed their performance. They really worked together, seamlessly bringing these characters and story to life. I live for second chance romances, then you throw in a secret pregnancy. Chef’s kiss baby.

Surprising Twist

I really wanted to see what happens when Bella and Marco grew up. In the other series when we were introduced to these to you could see that they had a strong bond. I don’t think I was expecting anything like what Marco and Bella’s story ended up being. Marco had a hard life until he found fighting, it’s what saved him but when he loses that he spirals. All the moms could see that Marco and Bella had something special and weren’t surprised when that was confirmed. But even then it wasn’t an easy road they had to fight for each other and to get their HEA.

Friends to lovers

Tapping Out is the first book in the Fighting Love series. It’s an MMA, friends to lovers romance.

Marco and Bella had a close relationship growing up. The chemistry between them was great and the tension grew to scorching heights. Each faced their own trials & tribulations. They definitely had to fight for their happy ever after. I enjoyed the MMA aspect of the story. I can’t wait to read the next book.

Gregory Salinas and Kasi Hollowell did a really nice job portraying these characters.

Emotional!

This is the first book in the Fighting Love Series, a MMA Sports Romance. Bella and Marco’s story is emotional, full of angst, drama, and twists and turns. Bella is beautiful, smart, and strong. Marco is enigmatic, and determined. They are both MMA fighters. Their story is an emotional rollercoaster, filled with passion, and push and pull. The supporting characters are intriguing, and I can't wait to know more about them. Gregory Salinas and Kasi Hollowell did an excellent job bringing these characters, and this story to life. Looking forward to listening to Clinched, the next book in the series. #PFPAudio