I liked the concept but of the book it just wasn’t well executed and the spicy scenes gave me the ick.

Breaking Free by Ruby Starr is an intense and captivating sports romance that blends heat, heart, and high stakes. Dani and Ryan’s connection is electric, with both vulnerability and strength shining through every interaction. The story pulled me in from the very first page and kept me rooting for them until the end. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and rated it five stars for its gripping plot and emotional depth.

fab read. i had an excellent time with this one. it was above what id wished for going in. so much fun, tension and all the feels hidden inside these pages and it was a joy to come across each and every one of them.
Dani is a star. what a gal. she is tough and she is skilled and she is fighting the fight both in the ring and out. shes been through some tough times and is just trying to get by each day. but this is all made her guarded, it bought her arms up way outside of the ring. shes built her own walls for protection.
then Ryan comes along. hes kind, hes patient and hes there. he also wants to help her and we can all imagine how this goes down. but boy were we all in love! because hes a force and protective but major green flag because it never crosses to controlling or other red flag we often see excused in this kind of situation in books!
the romance was so well done in this book. it felt right each time and each pace it took. the chemistry was of course all there. and there was a truth to it. one that i felt invested in both in my heart and in my smiles for the pair.
i felt Dani's growth in this book. shes so innocent and at the same time very much not due to what she had had to face. it makes her responsive to things in way we can easily see playing out in her character and passed. she has to re-learn and re trust in both herself and others.
Ryan is a great person to play her other half in this book. that supportive nature was just gorgeous. a gem. a good egg.
a fab book. just great.

This was such a fun read! Dani is a total badass in the ring, and I loved how tough and independent she was. She’s been through a lot and is just trying to survive, so it made sense that she had walls up. Then Ryan shows up. He's this super sweet, supportive wrestler who just wants to help her. He was honestly such a great book boyfriend. He's kind, patient, and protective without being controlling.

The romance had a really nice slow burn, and I liked how their relationship built up over time. The “protect her/teach me” vibes worked well, and the chemistry was definitely there. Plus, I love that there's no third act breakup.

Some parts dragged a little. There was a lot of focus on the gym, the fighting, and the logistics of Dani’s life, and I just wanted a bit more time with them as a couple. Also, Dani felt a little naive at times, but considering her past, it made sense.

Overall, though, it’s a strong, spicy sports romance with a tough heroine and the softest hero. Definitely recommend it!

ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and Ruby Starr Press. This is my honest review.

Dani Graves is up and coming kickboxer that is trying to make ends meet while escaping her past. While at the gym, Dani meets wrestler Ryan Thomson. Ryan suspects that Dani is in trouble and needs some protection. Dani does not like being treated as a charity case and is very against ryan's help. Ryan does his best to earn Dani's trust and respect. Dani and ryan form a special bond.