Title: Eye Candy
Author: Jiffy Kate & SmartyPants Romance
Series: Fighting for Love #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance, Sports romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Vali and Maggie are just too damn cute together. Maggie is kind of naïve and innocent, but with this amazing strength that I kind of wish I had. Then, there’s Vali. He’s a little bit more damaged and rough around the edges. But, he is able to be loving and kind and sweet. Rather than being a reformed playboy, he’s someone who really wants to make a life with someone and find his own happily ever after. Plus, I just loved how Maggie and Vali are so seamlessly able to fit into each others’ lives without too much thought or hard work. They are just too dang cute and I’m really disappointed that this story is over.

Whilst this is a romance, I love that Maggie is finding her wings in this story. Her parents, whilst kind of stifling her, aren’t actually the true restriction. Rather, it is her fear to dive into life without the barrier of her parents. Vali, rather than being the one to push her, acts as a bit of a catalyst for Maggie to truly find her wings. That, and her gorgeous pen pal who encourages her to take the plunge and live life on her own terms. I mean, we all need that reminder every now and again. Everyone lets themselves be stifled by something in their lives, but it is so fun going on this journey with Maggie as she decides to learn how to fly.

In his own way, Vali is also learning how to fly. He is recovering from a major betrayal and just… licking his wounds in private. I love that, even though he’s not confident in his ability to commit, he doesn’t entirely ignore the possibility either. Rather, he chooses to find his own way forwards in life. And, when the world throws Maggie in his path, he chooses happiness, not his own preconceived notions and plans for recovery. Plus, he gets this beautiful moment of closure when Chloe and her horribleness tries to walk back into his life. Something that I seriously and ridiculously enjoyed. There’s nothing like that moment of closure that never really happens in real life, but I do love to read about in a good book.

One of the things that I’ve really enjoyed about the Fighting for Love series is that it’s based around a group of brothers who all do MMA. There are a few discrepancies in how they fight in the cage, but I love how Jiffy Kate are able to capture the feeling of the crowd and the intensity of the sport. Plus, there’s the seriousness with which true MMA fighters take it – and the fact that they are all big teddy bears. A great little story that left me feeling happy, smiley, and content.

<- Beef Cake

Knock Out ->

Image source: Jiffy Kate