I admit that I didn't get all the way through this book. The boxing aspect of it just triggered something for me and I had to put it down. I would definitely consider reading something by this author that didn't involve such a violent sport.

I flip flopped on whether to give this 3 or 4 stars. Solid effort for a debut novel. It almost felt like it was supposed to be insta love but there just seemed to be some disconnect in the storyline for that. It just seemed like they were all of a sudden in a relationship with not much to build from. The sports trope was pretty good. There also seemed to be a lot happening without a lot happening if that makes sense. I get that the MC’s are in their early twenties so the immaturity made some sense. The way they were written made them both seem like super strong characters so the immaturity aspects bothered me. Overall, solid romance novel with all the traditional aspects of one. Definitely ends happily but wish there was an epilogue.

This was a basic romance which was fairly predictable.

The characters lacked depth, particularly the heroine, although the boxing matches did bring the story to life.

I was not too keen on this read at first it took me a while to connect to the characters.
Then something changed and it became unputdownable and i enjoyed it.
The romance might not be for everyone but Sydney and Deans chemistry is on fire!

Ok, this sports romance did not work for me. This was Insta love at its finest and I am not a big fan. It was within thirty pages a kiss happens and suddenly that meant they were in a relationship and in love. The characters felt really juvenile and too pushy at times between the insta love, how they dealt with problematic situations, and just running away when things got too hard. It was all too fast too soon with no development for the relationship. I found the dynamics of the relationship disappointing and distracting and it took away from enjoying the story overall. The plot and the sports trope were lacking and basically background noise for this fast-moving relationship. The writing was ok but like I said it was rushed.
Trigger warnings: sexual harassment, fighting, blood
I received this advanced ebook, via NetGalley. This review is my own honest opinion.

An enjoyable storyline. Sydney has inherited her late father's boxing club which she must now run with the help of her old coach. With the club in debt and struggling to keep afloat the pair must work to bring it back to life. Unfortunately the characters and the writing felt a bit flat and I struggled to get into it.

A nice romance, however i felt the story really dragged in places and i found it hard to enjoy the book. I did seem to skip a lot of the story and only read the main plotlines. Not a bad read just difficult to get into.

I really enjoyed this book by Sumi Singh. It was very well done and would definitely recommend this book to anyone. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author!

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book for an honest review.

Sydney takes over running her father's boxing guy following his death. She doesn't like boxing and never wanted to fall for a boxer...until she meets Dean.

Not a bad effort for a debut author but a little too formulaic.

I read at the end of the book that this was the author's debut.
I couldn't believe it, because the book is so very well written!

It's a very nice read, featuring the story of Sydney and Dean. The book starts and dabbles from time to time in the waters of grief, as Sydney just lost her dad, after losing her mother, too, some years back. Because she felt she didn't have a great relationship with him she is shocked when she finds out he left her his training gym, but with the help of the coach, her godfather, and a new boxer who wants to show his skills, she very quickly takes charge and things start moving.

As Dean, the new boxer, gets closer and closer to her sparks fly and they become a couple. The whole story is how this two navigate their manager - boxer and boyfriend - girlfriend relationship. Which is pretty big for them, as she is 22 and he is 23 years old.

This is one of the parts where this book excels, they both have to be mature and make serious decisions, so overall you wouldn't say they are this young, but at times, their immaturity and lack of life experience inevitably shows, all in a very well balanced and subtle way. I loved this complex writing.

Their moments together are very hot and both are nice characters. At times, Dean seams a bit naïve with his all positive attitude and great manners and at times he withdraws which triggers Sydney greatly.

All in all this is a very nice book, fantastically written for a debut, a nice walk into the boxers' world with two young people trying to make the best of what life threw at them.

I received a copy of this in order to offer my personal view on it.

It’s an interesting story and I was definitely invested enough to see it through. The boxing matches were gripping and tense. And I always seemed to be rooting for Dean to go all the way. Sydney and Dean both had difficult pasts to deal with and that made them intriguing characters. Sometimes the dialogue was weak and the development wasn't there. But I will that it was just a good afternoon read that will keep you invested and hopeful for the characters.

As always Happy Reading!!

"In a fight, patience is everything. You have to tire your opponent and wait for him to lose energy. You also need to know when that moment presents itself to strike when least expected. Patience is power." -Coach

There were a lot of quotable and admirable lines from the story, but that one was much more related to boxing.

Sydney was surprised when her father, a former boxer and owner of Youngblood, left the club for her to manage. She was not a fan of boxing and had no idea how to run the club. But she felt she should continue the legacy.

Enter Dean, who was an upcoming boxer. He wanted to win the title for himself, for the club to regain its reputation and to help Sydney because of the numerous debts and loans left by his father.

The road to the championship was not easy, especially when sudden things kept on happening. Yet, Dean and Sydney were determined to conquer their personal problems to bring back the glory of Youngblood.

I truly enjoyed reading this book because Sydney and Dean had baggage, but they sorted it out to make their relationship work. It also made me appreciate boxing more and how boxers really do their best with training and conditioning. I cannot wait for the next boxer to shine in the series! 😍

Thank you IMAG Social Media Agency and Netgalley for the ARC!

Whe nSidney's father passes away she inherits his boxing club. She has coach to help her run it, WHat she was not expecting was Dean , a little bit of a hothead that comes from Jersey. THey decide to take a chance on him as they know he can get their boxing club;s name out there. She is not expecting to fall in love, just to be in charge of the boing club.

This was a good story. I felt there were some slow areas of the book.

I’m not sure where to start with this review.

Likes:
* easy to read.
* brought to life the sport of boxing.
* good character development.

Dislikes:
* the relationship between Dean and Sydney felt forced. I did not once believe they were in love.
* the Mark storyline was eye roll worthy.
* the friendship between Shaun and Dean was so very fake. First they hated each other and then one fight in the ring they’re besties?? Hardly.

Would I recommend this book? No.

Was it easy to read? Yes.

I’m sad to provide a negative review, however I believe in honesty. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy for an honest review.

The plot is good and the characters are interesting. Sydney has become an orphan after her father dies and now the owner of a boxing gym. Dean has relocated to the west coast for a fresh start and to improve his boxing career. These two are very young people and there characters are marked with all the immaturity that comes with their age. They make poor choices for the short term that have to be reconsidered. Eventually they are able to figure things out and move to happier times.

An emotional read!

This is a great start for this new author. I really liked the characters and the storyline was great, I just thought that some of the phrasing was off ... and maybe that is because the author is from South Africa. But with the story taking place in San Diego, she should have taken the American slang into account.

Sydney's mother died when she was young and after her father recently died, she inherits his boxing club. Sydney never wanted to be part of the club, because she saw how her mother always had to bandage up her father after a match. But she has no choice, so with the help of her father's long-time friend she will keep the club open. Dean is an up-and-coming boxer who needs a fresh start. He makes his way to Youngblood Boxing Club in hopes of acquiring a coach and manager who will help him get to the top. When the electricity flies between Dean and Sydney, neither of their lives will be the same.

I received an early copy courtesy of Author Collective 20 through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

The story is tense and thrilling and keeps you turning the pages until the end. Recommended! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sydney’s father ran a boxing club, not very well financially it seems! After his death Sydney finds out that to keep the club running, she needs help and a star boxer!
It’s a battle to get the club out of debt, Sydney knows too well that nothing in life is free or easy.
Along comes Dean, he knows that he’s a good boxer and that Sydney needs him to make money for the club. Dean is very confident and it’s a battle of emotions and struggles!
A good read. I liked Sydney’s character, she went into the club, did her best and I think that her father would have been proud.
Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and the author for the opportunity to read this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I haven’t read any other stories by the author in the past and was looking forward to see what I’m getting into. And I was pleasantly surprised.

I enjoyed this story. I’m always looking for new to me authors and romances that will draw me in with interesting characters and compelling story.

Nothing comes easy for anyone in life and this story shows that in spades.

The chemistry was felt on the page at all times and their interaction was really fun to see evolving.
I’m looking forward to read more by the author in the future.

Very grateful for my review copy

Sydney has just lost her Dad and she has been given the shocking news that the boxing club is hers. She knows nothing about boxing and she always knew that her Dad wanted a boy instead of her. She knows that it is going to be a battle to get the club out of debt. Can she find the strength to do this as she grieves?
A cocky boxer from out of town thinks that he can just walk into the club and get any fight that he wants but he will need to be taught that the club doesn't work that way. Dean knows that he is good and that Sydney needs him to make money for the club. But is his cockiness too much? He gets everyone's backs up and he doesn't make friends unless it is with Sydney.
Sydney knows that she shouldn't get involved with Dean as it can only end in heartache. And he proves that he can't always be relived upon as he disappears when things get tough. Will Sydney be able to hold it all together?
A good read. I liked Sydney as she went into that club and did her best and I think that her father would have been proud. I did not like Dean he is too full of himself and he can't handle things when it gets tough. He might be a good fighter but he only thinks of himself and he is too jealous.
Thanks to Netgalley & the author Sumi Sign for the copy. This is my voluntary review