Worth the Fight

Worth the Fight by Vi Keeland
Standalone HEA
Source: Author for a fair and honest review
Rating: 5/5 stars

Elle’s life is perfect: she is an accomplished lawyer, she has a lovely home and, she is dating the perfect if somewhat predicable man. Since that one horrible, horrible (there really aren’t enough ‘horribles’ for this) day in her youth, Elle has worked hard to ensure there is no drama, no excitement and, no passion in her life. So far, everything is going according to plan: her job is generally smooth and uninteresting and her boyfriend, though he may be perfect on paper does nothing to ignite the passion in Elle that she has worked so hard to keep suppressed.

Nico Hunter is a damaged soul and like Elle has worked hard to show more overcome that one horrible, horrible day in his past. Nico was once a champion MMA fighter and though he no longer fights professionally, he continues to train as if he will step back into the octagon at a moment’s notice. His career made him wealthy and he owns his training gym where he trains young, at-risk kids and where he continues to punish his own body with a rigorous six day a week training schedule. Sadly, all the bodily punishment in the world will do nothing to banish the mental demons Nico fights every day. Nico is tough and completely capable of taking back everything he lost but the thought of fighting again almost literally paralyzes him.

Inevitably fate steps in and brings Elle and Nico together and though their initial meeting is no sonic boom, it is a huge wake-up call for both. Elle begins to seriously question her completely boring (flat-lined as she calls it) life and after one dinner (he cooks!!!) and one smoldering kiss with Nico, she breaks up with her boyfriend. Though Nico represents everything Elle has eliminated from her life, she just can’t deny her mind, heart, and body’s reaction to the man. Nico brings out the abandon and the passion in Elle and though she is somewhat frightened by her reaction to him, she knows there is no way she is walking away from Nico. Nico has never considered himself to be a long-term commitment kind of guy but Elle just won’t get out of his head. He wants Elle in a way he has never wanted anyone else and in order to make her his, he is going to have to be on his best behavior. Well, most of the time, anyway.  For Nico, Elle is no wham, bam, thank you ma’am kind of girl and so, he fights to control his body, his actions and his mouth so he can actually get to know this intriguing and dead-sexy woman. Both Elle and Nico know their meeting has irrevocably changed their lives and if they hope to make a go of this new relationship they are going to have to deal with their respective pasts.

The Bottom Line: Worth the Fight is my first Vi Keeland novel and I am pretty sure I am going to blow through my monthly book budget buying everything else she has written. This character-driven read had me hooked from the beginning and there was no looking back once I got started reading. Though Elle appears put-together and confident, she is really a hot mess. Her past has damaged her and though she feels like she has dealt with it, she understands that she truly hasn’t when it comes to sharing her secrets with Nico. Elle’s vulnerability and strength were very strong draws for me and had me rooting for her from the start. Nico. It took me 0.00004 seconds to fall head over heels in love with this man. He is the perfect combination of naughty and nice, gentlemanly and rough, and hard and soft. I totally mean that last part in the completely sincere and completely punny way  Like Elle, Nico thought he had dealt with his demons but Elle’s presence in his life and his struggle to get back into the octagon brings his lack of dealing into sharp focus. Both Nico and Elle are such strong characters that they would have carried the book for me even if the plot totally sucked. The plot did not suck!! Keeland has perfectly blended the dialogue (Nico has a mouth like a sailor ), the action and the naughty bits (so hot!!!) into a well-balanced and entertaining read. Nothing overshadows the other and there is plenty of conversation, fighting, drama and, steamy scenes. If you are a lover of HEA romance, tatted up tough guys with a kind heart, strong lead women and, well-written books, then Worth the Fight is the book for you! show less

Oh Vi, you have done it again!! You gave me a new book boyfriend in Nico "The Lady Killer" Hunter. Hummuna hummana... he is HOT.
First of all, I am not an MMA fan. Like, at all. However, I would watch the hell out of a Nico fight.
Hang on, I need a second.


Ok, I can go on now.

I think.

Worth The Fight is the love triumph story of Elle and Nico.

"When we met, we were two injured souls. Both keeping the real out of our lives for fear of what we might find. But nothing could have kept us apart."


Elle was going through the motions of life. Doing what she was supposed to, dating the “right” man, working endless hours in the right job. Essentially just surviving.

"I never though I'd be happy. I was content with flatlining my way through show more life. It was good enough."

Who wants that???

Well, never fear sweet Elle, Nico is here! And he is going to wake your ass up with his sweet (but oh, so dirty) talk. And his body...oh yeah, his body.

Nico has been through something awful. Something that changed him as a man and made him feel an overwhelming guilt and sense of he can never be forgiven.

Elle has been through something that changed her as a person as well. It was traumatizing and horrific.

Two broken people feeling unworthy of happiness... it could be a recipe for either hell or redemption.

I am not going to spoil that for you!

Let’s instead discuss that piece of man candy again. Nico is pure, hot, possessive alpha man. And he can possess me any time he wants. He talks crazy dirty, wants every man within 100 miles to be fully aware that Elle is his, and is a God in bed. Oh, and he is sweet and considerate and volunteers with kids. He’s the man you dream about when you are feeling frisky. Love him. Just love him.

So, if my drooling over Nico isn’t enough for you let me assure you that the story is strong and lovely. Vi knows how to write a compelling story with relatable characters. I loved every damn page.

Go get it. Now. show less

Oh Vi, you have done it again!! You gave me a new book boyfriend in Nico "The Lady Killer" Hunter. Hummuna hummana... he is HOT.
First of all, I am not an MMA fan. Like, at all. However, I would watch the hell out of a Nico fight.
Hang on, I need a second.


Ok, I can go on now.

I think.

Worth The Fight is the love triumph story of Elle and Nico.

"When we met, we were two injured souls. Both keeping the real out of our lives for fear of what we might find. But nothing could have kept us apart."


Elle was going through the motions of life. Doing what she was supposed to, dating the “right” man, working endless hours in the right job. Essentially just surviving.

"I never though I'd be happy. I was content with flatlining my way through show more life. It was good enough."

Who wants that???

Well, never fear sweet Elle, Nico is here! And he is going to wake your ass up with his sweet (but oh, so dirty) talk. And his body...oh yeah, his body.

Nico has been through something awful. Something that changed him as a man and made him feel an overwhelming guilt and sense of he can never be forgiven.

Elle has been through something that changed her as a person as well. It was traumatizing and horrific.

Two broken people feeling unworthy of happiness... it could be a recipe for either hell or redemption.

I am not going to spoil that for you!

Let’s instead discuss that piece of man candy again. Nico is pure, hot, possessive alpha man. And he can possess me any time he wants. He talks crazy dirty, wants every man within 100 miles to be fully aware that Elle is his, and is a God in bed. Oh, and he is sweet and considerate and volunteers with kids. He’s the man you dream about when you are feeling frisky. Love him. Just love him.

So, if my drooling over Nico isn’t enough for you let me assure you that the story is strong and lovely. Vi knows how to write a compelling story with relatable characters. I loved every damn page.

Go get it. Now. show less

4.5 Stars
Worth the Fight was a fabulous read! I loved every last sentence! The thing I love about Vi Keeland's books, is that she can take a simple plot and make you spellbound, which was the case with Worth the Fight. The plot wasn't complicated nor the idea one of a kind (MMA fighter), but the writing is what will get you, hook, line, and sinker! The sexy time is smoking hot, the humorous times made you LOL! And that cover.. I mean just look at the it! *fans face* I also really liked that Keeland didn't make you hate Elle. There was a smidgen of a love triangle in the beginning, that could've clearly gotten out of hand, but Elle handled the situation exactly how you as the reader would want.



"Are you seeing anyone?"
"No." My instant show more response is assertive.
"Yes. You are."
I'm confused. "I am?"
"I don't share Elle."
"Oh." Oh my.
...
"We're going to try this again." He searches my eyes before he continues. "Are you seeing anyone Elle?"
"Yes?"
Nico smirks. "You don't sound so sure of your answer, Babe."
"Will you kiss me again if I get it right?"



The story is about two broken people, both have an extremely guilty past. So what do they do? They play life safe, even if that means quitting throwing in the towel on your fighting career or love life. The story is told from the POV of Nico "The Lady Killer" Hunter, an alpha male with abs that can melt butter, and a bed that's a revolving door; and Elle, a straight laced attorney, that would rather only gamble in the court room. That all changes on the day Elle meets Nico. She knows that her feelings aren't safe, but she can't deny him. (And I for one wouldn't blame her!)Unable to fight it, the two decide to give it a try, but guilt has a way of coming in between them.. maybe they're just too broken to make it work.

Overall, WTF is a super steamy read, while being emotional and almost heartbreaking at times! It's a wonderful read, that I would definitely recommend to everyone! I so can't wait to read the next in the series!!! show less

I have read two other books from Vi Keeland and I loved them so I was expecting great things from Worth The Fight and it was not a letdown.

Elle is a lawyer, Her life is pretty boring really, it’s safe, and with a troubled past that is exactly what she wants. Dating her lawyer friend William, even the sex is mundane and nothing new and exciting no wonder when Nico walks in she instantly falls in lust with him. She ditches William and gets with Nico.

Nico is a cage fighter called Nico “The Lady Killer” Hunter just with that name you know that he is not one to play it safe and has a lot of women swooning over him. The problem with Nico is he is a broken man ever since his fight over a year ago where he killed someone in the cage.

Nico show more is a hot man, ripped, tattooed, perfect man, and the perfect unlikely hero to Elle the heroin of the book.

This was quite an emotional book where both characters we fight their personal demons but it also had hot sex and romance. show less

Elle begins to have feelings that she hasn't allowed herself to feel in years. Nico likes what he sees in Elle also, but he knows she is not a one night stand kind of girl, and for some reason, he doesn't want her to be that. Being the Alpha male that he is, Nico goes after what he wants, and before she knows it, Elle finds herself dating "Mr. Sex on a Stick." To say they have chemistry would be an understatement. Along with relationships comes challenges, and Elle and Nico find themselves with more than their share of those. Both of them are severely scarred from their tragic pasts, something that keeps coming back to haunt them. When circumstances threaten to drown them, especially Nico, they must decide if what they have is worth the show more fight.

Worth the Fight is a wonderful contemporary romance that I really enjoyed. As you can tell, I loved Nico's character. He's really a great guy that has had some rotten luck, and it's because he's a great guy that the incident nearly destroys him. I loved Elle also. She's one of those people that you can connect with - I can especially connect with her bad habit of always being late. Whereas Nico's devastation is front and center, and in the public eye because of who he is, Elle has done everything she can to keep her tragedy a secret. Both of them love passionately and it's obvious they are soulmates. I loved watching their relationship grow as they battled the darkness that lived within each of them, gradually allowing the light and love the other had slowly bring the healing they thought would never come. The story is told in both Elle and Nico's POV, alternating chapters. I also enjoyed the secondary characters in the book, as well as the whole MMA aspect of the novel. Overall, Worth the Fight is a wonderful contemporary romance that is filled with passion, excitement, and really hot romance that pulls you in and lets you feel the emotions right along with the characters, good and bad. It also has one of my favorite parts......an epilogue!! I love epilogues and this one is fabulous.

Quotes:
“Perfect is highly overrated. I'm a character in my story, going through the chapters of my life as if it was written by an imaginary person, when I should be the author. - Elle”

“When we met, we were two injured souls. But keeping the real out of our lives for fear of what we might find. But nothing could have kept us apart. I never believed in destiny. Thought that was a bunch of crap for people who read too many books. Until you.”

“I quickly scoop up the rest of my personal life on display on the sidewalk and I'm relieved that I had removed the flavored condoms that Regina had shoved into my purse before I left yesterday. Bacon Flavor. What woman wants to taste meat while, you know, tasting meat?”

“An hour later I'm on my way back to the office, with Nico's scent on my clothes and inside of me. I have a sneaking suspicion that Nico wanted it that way, knowing that I was seeing William.”

“Glad I coated you with my sweat now. It'll keep the other lions away.”

“You're here."
I look up at him. "I am." My voice is soft, but I can tell by the smirk on his face that he hears me just fine.
"Does that mean not really is a no then?" His face is serious now.
"Ask me again." I grin up at the handsome face that is towering over me, invading my personal space.
"Are you seeing anyone?"
"No." My response is assertive.
"Yes. You are."
I'm confused. "I am?"
"I don't share Elle."
"Oh." Oh my.” show less

A bit clunkier than her later books, a bit more cliche, and the dialogue lacks...well a lot, including originality and humor. and wit (there is a LOT of talk about reading each other's expressions, particularly smile types.) All that said, it was still good fun, just not great fun.