Fighting For Irish (Fighting For Love, #3) by Gina Maxwell
Romance Contemporary
E book, 250 pages
January 13, 2014
Entangled: Brazen

Reviewed by Tori

Favorite Quote: Everyone deserves to be loved. Even you.

I first discovered Gina L. Maxwell with the second book in her Fighting For Love series, Rules of Engagement. A steamy humorous romance featuring two larger than life personalities who fall in love under the hot tropical sun.  In book two we were briefly introduced to the heroine’s sister and given hints to the problems she was having. When offered Fighting for Irish, I was intrigued because the hints in book two alluded to a much darker storyline than Maxwell has written to date. Both our protagonists have deep-seated issues that leave them wary of letting others into their hearts.

 “I thought for sure I’d suffocate. Sometimes I wish I would have.”

Smoothly written with a viable engaging storyline, we meet Kat MacGregor and Aiden “Irish” O’Brien. Irish, (friend of Jackson-the hero in book 2) is a former MMA fighter who left the ring on the heels of tragedy. He heads to Louisiana to help Kat when her sister and Jackson fear the worse. Once he arrives, he is instantly smitten with the gorgeous Kat and vows to do whatever it takes to protect her. He takes a job at the bar she is working in and soon what started out as a simple job becomes more when his emotions get involved.  His attraction gradually morphs into something deeper and more emotional but unless he can forgive himself and let go of the past, he’ll never be what Kat needs in her life.

Kat MacGregor hasn’t had an easy life. Let down repeatedly by family, friends, and lovers, Kat finds herself under the knife when her ex boyfriend runs out on a large debt and Kat is left having to make restitution to the crime boss he owes. Hiding under an assumed name and keeping a low profile, Kat works hard to come up with the money only to find she has run out of time. The mob wants their money now or they will take it out on her. Luckily for Kat, her Irish hero is there and ready to fight anyone who tries to take her from him.

In Fighting For Irish, abuse and emotional flagellation is the basis of this story and Maxwell doesn’t hold much back. The story did start out slow for me. Maxwell takes her time setting up the arc and plot lines, giving us the necessary tools to understand exactly where the hero and heroine are at and how they got to this point. At times it dragged; perhaps because the previous book I read already had the couple knowing one another and their issues weren’t as troubling and complicated.

“You should have left me alone.”
If it wasn’t for the danger she was in, she’d be right. But it wouldn’t be for his sake. It’d be for hers.
“Something tells me you’ve been left alone enough,” he said against her hair, his voice coming out as little more than a raspy growl. “I’m stepping in, whether you like it or not, kitten.”

Once we are in the know, the story speeds up and hurts your heart. I would like to warn those with abuse in their history that they may encounter triggers. Going in, I knew the heroine had suffered some abuse but hearing what happened to her is like being battered by an emotional tidal wave. Maxwell handles this aspect with respect and compassion; not using the details to manipulate the reader. Kat MacGregor has been to hell and back and the fact she was able to continue with her life is a testament to her strength; both mentally and physically.

 “Baby, you’re not the one who’s broken. The assholes who mistreated you, they’re the broken ones. You did what you had to do to survive them.”

Irish is a large part of helping Kat to understand that while she was traumatized, she wasn’t broken. He’s a delectable hero whose protective dominance is tempered by his overly whelming need to give this woman everything he possibly can. He spends a lot of time slowly and sweetly showing Kat that she is a beautiful desirable woman who deserves to be loved. I liked that Maxwell takes her time building Irish’s and Kat’s relationship. With the damage that both have suffered, an easy path into bed would have cheapened what they have both endured.  Sexual tension is at a premium and lights a blaze under their smoldering chemistry. Their connection is a rich lifeline and I enjoyed watching their romantic journey.

 “A big part of me died a long time ago, but one kiss from you and it started coming back.”

Sexually, Maxwell’s trademark erotic writing comes into play as Irish and Kat engage into some heavy duty love making. Though Maxwell took a while to get to that point and for good reason, it’s well done with just a few things that felt off. For example: The anal scene. It felt forced and seemed like an after thought. As though Maxwell said, “Hmmm, lets make this story edgier and add some butt play.” It didn’t feel a natural progression for Kat and Irish.

Though the romance was definitely hot and swoon worthy, the conflict was not as engaging as expected. The romance clearly overpowers the conflict and some issues felt rushed as we got closer to the end. I had a problem with Irish keeping his reasons for being there a secret for so long. Especially when we see another scene where he thought he was being lied to. It’s there Irish failed a little for me. I also thought the characterization of the mob was too mainstream and the resolution was convenient.  Though, to be fair, I enjoyed the fight scenes.

Fighting For Irish is an enjoyable romantic contemporary/suspense that beautifully showcases two people who learn they are worth fighting for. The usual humor isn’t present but it doesn’t distract from the enjoyment. Fans of Maxwell will enjoy and new readers can easily start here with no arc comprehension issues. Book four, title and excerpt to be released, is slated for early 2014.

 RATING: B-

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