Strong Hold by Sarah Castille

"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...

Book 5
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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Sports second chance romance
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

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.

Also Available in the Redemption Series

Book 1
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Book 2
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B&N  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

Book 3
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Full Contact Blog Tour.

Book 4
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Fighting Attraction Blog Tour.

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the dark, gritty biker romance, Rough Justice, Sarah Castille, worked and travelled abroad before trading her briefcase and stilettos for a handful of magic beans and a home near the Canadian Rockies. She writes contemporary erotic romance and romantic suspense featuring blazingly hot alpha heroes and the women who tame them.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Strong Hold (Redemption #5) by Sarah Castille to read and review.