FIGHTING DIRTY (Ultimate #4) by Lori Foster-a review

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About the book: Release Date February 23, 2016

He’s the hottest MMA fighter in the game, but one woman is ready to try out a few steamy moves of her own in an unforgettable new novel from New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster…

With the life he’s led and the muscles he’s gained, Armie Jacobson isn’t afraid of anything. Except maybe Merissa Colter’s effect on him. It’s not just that she’s his best friend’s little sister. Fact is, she deserves better. Women pursue him for one night of pleasure, and that’s all he wants to offer. Until rescuing Merissa from a robbery leads to the most erotic encounter of his life.

Good girl meets bad boy. It’s a story that rarely ends well. But Merissa is taking matters into her own hands. No matter how he views himself, the Armie she knows is brave, honorable and completely loyal. And as past demons and present-day danger collide, they’re both about to learn what’s truly worth fighting for…

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REVIEW: FIGHTING DIRTY is the fourth installment in Lori Foster’s contemporary, adult ULTIMATE MMA, erotic romance series. This is MMA fighter Armie (Quick) Jacobson, and bank manager Merissa Colter’s storyline. FIGHTING DIRTY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Several of the previous storyline couples and characters play secondary and supporting roles.

Told from several third person perspectives FIGHTING DIRTY follows the building relationship between Armie and Merissa. Merissa is Cannon’s younger sister-Cannon is technically Armie’s boss and best friend-and Merissa is considered off limits by Armie. When Merissa’s bank is robbed, and Merissa is assaulted by one of the robbers, Armie goes into alpha protective mode but fears Merissa’s presence in his home will destroy what little hold he has over his need for the woman he has loved most of his life.

FIGHTING DIRTY focuses on a series of ‘accidents’ in Merissa’s life that Armie blames on himself. If not for his dark and hidden past, Armie believes Merissa would be safe from harm. But Merissa’s past has decided to reclaim what he believes belongs to him, and Merissa becomes a target in a game of ‘winner take all’.

The relationship between Merissa and Armie is a forbidden romance, friends to lovers trope. Merissa and Armie have been dancing around one another for much of the series but Armie conintues to push Merissa away flaunting his bevy of women every chance he can get. As Cannon’s younger sister, Merissa is active with the other wives and girlfriends, and has followed Armie’s career since the very start. The assault during the robbery is the perfect opportunity for Merissa to push her way into Armie’s life. The $ex scenes are erotic, intense, provocative and fun.

The world building continues to focus on the fighters of the MMA: their lives, their loves, their need to protect and their introduction into the world of professional mixed marshal arts. We are witness to the training regimens, the underground gossip, and the matches that prove who is the ultimate fighting machine.

FIGHTING DIRTY has a little bit of everything: humor, fun, romance, love, sex, fighting and conflict. There are some heartbreaking moments when Armie’s past resurfaces, and the parallel lifestyle of a young boy whose own family life is about to implode.

Lori Foster takes the reader into the ring, behind the scenes, and onto the playing field of the fighters of the Ultimate MMA.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.

reviewed by Sandy