Punching and Kissing

By: Helena Newbury

Narrated by: Christian Fox, Lucy Rivers

Length: 6 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's Summary

When an illegal underground fight leaves my brother in the hospital, I make a desperate deal to save his life: I volunteer to fight in his place. In 30 days, I've got to walk into the ring, a woman in a man's world - and I've never even thrown a punch. I have one chance to survive. I need a badass who can teach me to be as tough as him. I need Aedan O'Harra, the blue-eyed, Irish beast of a man whom everyone fears.

But training together means getting close. Every touch of his hands makes it harder to control my feelings. I begin to see the man inside him, the one no one else can. Can I help him break free of the dark secrets that haunt him, and can we save each other, or will we both be defeated?

©2015 Helena Newbury (P)2015 Tantor

IN THIS BOOK LOVE HAD GOOD & BAD CONSEQUENCES

Yes, love has consequences.... because Alec loved Sylvie (his Sister) he went to work for Rick a drugged up greedy and mean slimeball who ran his illegal underground Fight Club with threats and violence. Alec needed the money to help feed and keep himself and Sylvie from starvation and from becoming homeless because her money cleaning rooms just didn't bring in enough money. The fight was meant to be an easy win.... until Rick flipped Fighters on him and things became violent, brutal, bloody and life threatening.

Sylvie loved her Brother, he was all the family she had, and that love had heartbreaking consequences..... because, as Alec lay bleeding and dying before her eyes and Rick was threatening to do even more deadly damage to him, Sylvie made a bargain with Rick the evil sick Devil of a man. However, that bargain would lead her to Aedan a moody, broody, handsome, haunted and scarred Irish ex Fighter who would be her hope, her salvation, her lover.... and her downfall.

Aedan felt the instant pull towards Sylvie, the beautiful Angel who took him to Heaven because her forgiveness, acceptance and love healed his tortured mind..... but love had consequences. Their chemistry had been instant but he had walked away determined not to taint her with his sullied hands and then Sylvie had sought him out begging for the impossible. And Aedan was cornered because he knew personally just what sort of wicked atrocities Rick was capable of, he'd tasted them firsthand, so he agreed and that agreement was going to change him, give him the best sex ever, reward him with the love of his life and then a double-double cross would plummet him to the bowels of Hell where only heartbreak and the Devil waited.

A bitter-sweet story that was full of drama, angst, tension and suspense as well as a sweet and tender push/pull romance that had some long and hot sex scenes between two lovers that Fate had been so cruel to.... but thankfully Destiny was there ready to pick up all the pieces and give them a HEA. It was sometimes dark, sometimes violent and sometimes unrealistic.... it only took 1 month to change her body to fighting fit (yeah right) and her brother lay in a coma for all that time but she never called the Hospital or visited instead she trained and played nicey nicey with Aedan. But it's fiction and call me shallow because I just didn't care about those flaws as they were totally outweighed by the overall plot and the loveable hero and heroine. Dual POV's and great narration - especially Christian's sexy Irish accent.

Worth a credit? It was a shorter listen than the previous book but, IMO, it was just as enjoyable and just as creditworthy.

Sensational!

Loved this book! This usually isn’t a genre I read but who could resist the narrator? I’m ready to run away with him for his voice alone. Don’t tell my hubby lol. This author really knows how to mix all different emotions in her books. I loved the characters, except Rick. Wish he would’ve gotten beat up. He’s such a coward. This was a great idea for a book. Now I’m going to listen to them all.

Just OK

The story was just not for me, but the narration was really good. I didn’t feel it was believable in parts and a bit clique in others. The female character lacked fire in standing up for herself and I’d have rather she powered through a girl fight and turned the tables or something more exciting.

Shocking!

At first, I thought the story was just shallow. I didn't feel like I was being pulled in to the depths of the story. It even seemed tacky or cliché at times. However, as the story progressed, I couldnt help but keep listening. I found myself getting emotional during the heavy parts of story. Even getting mad as if the events were actually happening to me. I was truly shocked by the end. My only complaint being, how long it took to reveal the pasts and feelings of the two MCs. But once it happened, I was hooked. 5 stars from me!

Awesome book.

Absolutely hooked on Helena Newbury. Story pulled me in from first chapter. Christian Fox’s brogue was sexy and loved Lucy River’s performance. Can’t wait to keep going with this author

enjoyable, but implausible

there's a lot in the story that is forced to bring the whole thing together, but if there's one thing the writer does well, she delivers an amazing fantasy.

Had to leave a review

I normally never leave reviews but this book is HOOTTTTT! Very good performances, even if you don't like fighting books, the steam is worth it 😎

Good story but could be better written

The story is original and the characters are okay. They don't have much depth or development, that on the downside. Although the storyline keeps me hanging on to the story, I'm never drawn in. Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Characters: 💖💖💖💖 Flow: 👍👍👍 Writing and Editing: 🖋🖋 Heat: 🌶🌶 Christian Fox: 🎤🎤🎤🎤 Lucy Rivers: 🎙🎙🎙🎙 Disclaimer: I’m leaving a voluntary review and this is my honest opinion. I’m in no way, shape or form coerced, influenced, or paid to leave this review. I’m not related nor friends with this author and I do not have a personal interest in this book.

Had me on my tors

I stay on the edge of my seat with this author. helena Newbury knows how to keep your heart in your throat. I was literally holding my breath on parts. Sweet love story but also painful.

Unbelievable story but entertaining.

The narrators are good. The Irish accent is unbelievable but I didn’t let me bother me much. The story is also unbelievable- especially towards the end. The characters keep saying “they have no other choice” but there are numerous of other choices. You have to just let that go. If your someone that needs logic this won’t work. Half the time the actions of the villain make no sense. But it’s entertaining enough. Good sex scenes. There’s not a ton of buildup in between the two main characters. If you like that in a story you won’t get that here.

Gritty, dark romance

Really good listen, the story kept the suspense going and I was engaged with the story the whole way through. I liked that there was a female fighter. Some of the story was pretty graphic with forced sexual incidents - it could be a trigger for some listeners, but that said was well addressed I thought.
Very well narrated, Irish accent was OK (I think these may be my two favourite narrators).