Book Reviews

Book Blurb

A prim and proper aspiring doctor and a destitute martial artist—both with hurts to comfort. Each with just the cure the other needs.

 

Corbin Friel hates mindless sports, especially fighting and boxing. As a medical student, he wants to help others, not watch them beat each other senseless. But his sister, Lala, can’t get enough of rough-and-tumble sporting events, and she drags her brother along whenever she can.

 

Keon Lynch doesn’t have much going for him. He’s broke, he lives alone in a new state, and he’s estranged from his family. But at least he has his dream—becoming a professional UFC fighter. Keon trains every day, and if he can just score a few more wins, he’ll get his ticket into the ranks of professional competitors.

 

But an unexplained pain jeopardizes Keon’s dream. During a backstage meet-and-greet, Corbin recognizes the telltale signs of a bone infection, which could cost Keon his leg. Unable to ignore Keon’s situation, Corbin begrudgingly decides to help. And while he gets to know Keon, finding him more desirable with each interaction, Corbin’s ex-boyfriend isn’t pleased with the development….

 

And he’s determined to keep Corbin for himself, no matter what.

 

Book Review

UFC fights are no joke, the professional athletes trying to qualify for UFC status face a lot of hard work, and the temptation of taking a shortcut via doping is as present as the risk of competitors blackmailing their way in. ‘Modern Gladiator’ has two main characters who, at least initially, have diametrically opposed agendas – Corbin is a medical student and Keon is an aspiring UFC fighter. Having a future medical professional support a fighter who hurts (and is hurt) for a living is definitely an unusual twist. Add a lot of interesting secondary characters with their own interests and issues and a credible villain, and while the plot is straightforward, there are a few surprises and the suspense and the pacing pulled me right into events. The world of MMA fighting comes to life on the pages of this book, and the descriptions of the fights, injuries, and characters are vivid. Real sports fans will probably enjoy this book even more than I did.

Corbin is an interesting guy – he is a medical student and not really into cage fighting, but he feels he needs to protect his sister, Lala, so he goes with her to ensure she is safe. She is an ardent fan, but Corbin's reactions (looking away when things get tough) are very different from hers which makes sense for someone who wants to heal people. As he gets involved with Keon and feels the need to support and help him, Corbin gets more involved, but not because he loves the fighting.

Keon is ambitious and thinks he has no real skills other than fighting. He refuses to join any of the dojos because he wants to make it to the UFC on his own. Keon mistrusts doctors (he blames the medical profession for his mother’s death), so accepting help from Corbin when Keon's leg hurts is tough for him. His dedication is admirable – even though I can’t imagine being that stubborn when facing a real health scare.

Both Corbin and Keon are loners in the beginning, but learn to trust each other as their relationship grows. They are so different from each other, and it was good to see them open up. It was also great to see Corbin learn to stand up to his ex (the douchebag!) and I loved the way Corbin deals with the blackmail – in the end. The romance is a big part of the story and the slow development is credible based on where Corbin and Keon come from and what they believe in. They are passionate together, and I definitely wanted them to overcome the emotional and other barriers and make it as a couple.

If you like the idea of fighting as a sport, if stubborn men who stick to their values are your thing, and if you’re looking for a read that is set in the world of UFC fighting while giving great insight into the psychology of those who participate, then you will probably like this novel.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook and print
Length	Novel, 250 pages/84212 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	26-March-2019
Price	$6.99 ebook, $16.99 paperback, $16.99 bundle
Buy Link	https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/modern-gladiator-by-sa-stovall-10332-b