Blurb

Dax Davies has one job to fulfill in the Davies household. Earn money at the family business. The problem is that the family business was illegal underground fighting.

From a young age, Dax and his brothers are groomed to become money earners in their father’s club. Broken bones and bruises are commonplace. Their father pits the brothers against each other to ‘toughen them up’ for the ring, using his rules to bend his sons to his will. His future is in the cage, not on stage where he dreams of making music.

Kate Campbell loves one thing in life. Well, two. Soccer and Dax Davies. Growing up in the poorest part of London, soccer is her personal escape from reality and from the fact that Dax doesn’t seem to know she exists. She figures if she can be good enough at soccer, maybe she can get away from Hackney, and leave the poverty behind.

Kate doesn’t plan on ever getting to know Dax as more than a passing acquaintance. In fact, she isn’t meant to go with her friend to Dax’s father’s business, but that one night changes everything.

***This is book 2 in the Sphere of Irony Series. It can be read as a standalone. This is a spin-off of the Famous Series***

Review:

sigh. daxdaxdax.

This book had me holding back tears. Kate and Dax’s journey is more complex than simple love should ever be. Somehow this NA novel turns into a contemporary romance and leaves you in a puddle of happiness. There’s a lot of heartbreak in this one, and a lot of time jumping but it’s done well.

It’s like a fighter book combined with a rockstar book. I mean, who doesn’t love each of those?! Combining them is perfection. Dax is one confused kid/teen/man. His father trained him to follow certain rules. To hide his emotions. To be a fighter. Accept his rewards. Treat slags like slags. But when he sees Kate – I mean, finally SEES her – he realizes that he wants more. He wants the normal life the he doesn’t think that he can have. But that’s all destroyed one afternoon when Kate walks in on a moment that Dax doesn’t ever want her to see.

I disliked Kate’s lack of self-esteem but I really enjoyed watching her growth and journey. She goes through a lot in this book that no one should have to deal with. She’s been in love with Dax for years – ever since they were little kids – and when he finally kisses her it’s like the world melts away. But what happens when real life gets in the way? When their paths take different directions, Kate and Dax are forced to face the strength of their relationship.

Dax is not only hot as hell, but when he finally lets some emotions come through he becomes even more gorgeous. I loved the ups and downs, and the love in this story. 4.25 stars!

[I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review]

Excerpt:

Dax and Kate’s 1st kiss. Kate’s POV.

Before I can blink, Dax’s huge, calloused hands are framing my face and his mouth brushes across mine. At first it’s just a whisper, a tease, the contact barely there. Then, I hear him inhale sharply and his lips press down forcefully, melding with mine, urging me to open up with quick flicks of his tongue. I melt against his solid body as he dominates the kiss, completely under his spell to do with as he wishes. It seems to go on and on—a small slice of paradise in this blighted spot of East London.

When he finally pulls back, greedily stealing a few more nips at my mouth, he closes his eyes and moans. “I knew you’d taste like heaven. You’re an angel, I just knew it.” His voice is so quiet I wonder if he meant to say it out loud.

Naturally, I stand there like an idiot, saying nothing… doing nothing. I’ve been kissed into complete stupidity.

Dax swipes the pad of his thumb over my damp lips. “See you at school tomorrow.” Without giving me a single hint of what he’s thinking, he turns and leaves. I touch my mouth, running a finger over the same spot Dax touched. My heart leaps into my throat, fluttering so fast I fear it may explode.

Great. I’m ruined. My first kiss and it was nothing less than brilliant. Dax Davies just ruined me for every other man from now until the day I die.