Worth the Chance By Vi Keeland

Regardless of the fact that I began reading 'Worth the Chance' right after 'Worth the fight', I had no problem transferring from 13 year old Vinny to 25 year old Vince, because both have spunk that I like and this time there was an equal amount of POV between both main characters.

Vinny was definitely direct and fearless especially when mad and that was often. He came off as ungrateful at times in his relationship with Nico but the respect and value of both Nico and Elle's trust and relationships were present. He wasn't in a state of obligation and I even liked him as a 17 year old  because he kept the same persona and was always confident in his moves; It was definitely not the 13 year old Vinny who made shirts for Elle.

Olivia was another honest character when it came to her beliefs and I love the passion and pride she placed in her work. I liked her reactions and reservations, as well as, the fact that she thought through her actions. Their relationship is perfect for them but the level of conflict in this novel didn't match it's importance. After reading the first chapter in 'Worth Forgiving', I think that maybe that drama will be released using Jax's character, though I really wish he'd stick to banking.

Knowing what to expect this time made this novel easier to navigate and while I saw all the twist coming a mile away, this installment actually lived up to it's title because every one got a chance at something, even Elle and Nico but I'll save that tidbit for when you read :)

The sex was alright but not what I expected from Vinny based on his talk of agression and depravation in the bedroom. The boy's not bad but he's pretty basic too or maybe it's Olivia. I don't know.

It was good to be in touch with characters we were fond of from book 1, Preach included and even the Lake house made another appearance. Still, this story was so smooth that I occasionally forgot that there was an upcoming fight and secrets that date all the way back to 25 years ago. It's a mellow story with not much conflict or fight unless we get in the cage which once again amounts to only two times.

Also, the fights continue to be taken from the female's POV, as well as, so many other elements that left me feeling like we were re-enacting Elle and Nico's story but with a different set of characters. The MMA fights in this series are also sorely unfair, because if the fighter's don't have problems, they tend to end the fights in round one and even then it's tentative as to a round three.

I don't know when they fell in love but they are a comfortable couple and the fact that they knew each other from high school might have helped, especially with the fact that because they already knew each other, we didn't get the basic background on them. Olivia is suppose to have the perfect little family with no deep dark secrets but I never even hear her speak to a parent once. Where are they? o.O

Where the story line is concerned, there was plenty of potential for an angst filled, drama themed romance between the sweetest, most understanding girl and the course, brutally honest MMA fighter. As I have come to figure out with this series though, it takes the easy road so we got the mellow ride instead. It's by no means a bad story or even delivery but I just felt like so much more could have happened and been highlighted.

My problem with this series is that we never get the full disclosure or time to work out the issues until the last 5% of the novel and then we are given an epilogue that spans months or years, this time six months, only for it to abruptly end and ask us to wait for the next.

I guess until next time folks!

- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20739590-worth-the-chance

Worth the Fight By Vi Keeland

First of all, I think this novel has the wrong title because it emulates the title of book 3. The focal point was forgiveness and the only fight that happened was the literal two that Nico dominated once he got over himself.  He literally needed forgiveness to be able to start moving on with his life and Elle is so independent I can't see her needing anything but she claims to have needed to vent. I say she was doing just fine and I still don't get her aversion to emotion, but I digress.

I like the characters separately and I like them as a couple. They felt real to me with their fights and make ups even if they both should have probably fought harder than they did for each other, as they seem to just go when it gets tough. Once again, in total contradiction with the title of the novel.

A problem I had was the sporadic crescendos that then flat lined into boring and unnecessary content only to peak again couple chapters down. Once the main issues were out on both sides we just lingered waiting for the next step. Not enough time was spent to help us appreciate the sentimental and meaningful moments in the story. There was more than one good climax in this novel but the events leading up to each occasionally bored me.

This story can lock you in because these two have a darkness that would impact anyone. What's interesting is how they each deal with the same problem, as well as, the fact that Elle was the stronger party.

I liked Elle's personality; Her honesty, reactions and actions helped the flow of the story, as she was strong and confident within herself and her relationship even when it was rocky. Though a little too easy, I like their make ups and even their break ups because it felt like a real couple even with their story land issues.

I got confused at times with the character that is Regina but I like the age gap and the adult presence herself and Preach provided. Regina and Preach were guides in both Elle and Nico's life and I like the element they added even when it wasn't the best decisions.

The MMA scenes are few and they get as far as is possible for a narrator who has no knowledge of the sport and while Elle never enters a courtroom before us, I still liked the time spent on their careers. I expected a completely different story line but I was satisfied even if I am not a fan of the shaky delivery.

The sex was pretty basic and the passionate moments felt rather sedate but I loved their easy integration into being a couple, as well as, their banters and the time they took knowing each other. This story didn't flow well but I was kept interested as it found it's footing in a few chapters.

William is certainly more chill and polite than any one else in this novel but I kind of hope to get a chance to know the guy behind the wall. He is too perfectly suburban!

Vinny's story is up next and while I didn't pay as much attention to the kid I will say that I am interested to see what he will bring to the table. The interactions in this novel were good enough for a main minor character to have a spin off.

I liked the characters and their world but I will admit that this story isn't free flowing and you will encounter a few omissions and over emphasized situations and chapters as you go. It needs some work but I think it might get better with each addition to the series. On the plus side ... No cliffhangers :)

- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18080889-worth-the-fight