An MMA fighter should be able to look after themselves, right? But when Harmony 'Harm' receives a death threat, she reluctantly accepts the protection of a bodyguard, who just so happens to be Mars, the recently retired world heavyweight champion, who might just be more than the brute others see.

By this point in the series, you'll have realised that the stories are all essentially the same, just with different details. But, somehow, the stories remain entertaining enough to keep you reading, whilst allowing you to switch off and just enjoy the ride. I honestly didn't think I'd like this one very much - on the surface, it just doesn't appeal. However, I think it might be my favourite of the series so far.

Normally I'm one for worldbuilding, backstory, character history and so on. In this case, it's almost totally absent, but somehow it just doesn't matter. I like the fact that all you need to know is there, but the writer doesn't dwell on it, which would only serve to bring the mood down. Likewise, she's trusting that you've read the other books so you don't need a recap on the way the world works. It means you are totally focused on these two people, their relationship, and who they are right now. In turn, this lets you enjoy the build up and ultimately the resolution far more because you're invested solely in them. Their characters are well drawn, and Ares' aggression and his struggles with anger management surprisingly only add to his character, especially when compared with the softer side that does make an occasional appearance.

Equally, I enjoyed the more playful touches the author introduced when it comes to Ares' family. Dino and Heph are both brilliantly portrayed, and I kind of wish they had their own books just from these brief introductions alone! And I really like the little twists on 'accepted' Greek mythology that she's managed to include as little in-jokes. It gives the whole thing a lift.

I would say that the underlying premise that brings the two characters together isn't very well handled - it's introduced, very quickly forgotten about and then suddenly resolved in the space of a line or two. I'm also pretty sure there's a typo in my Kindle version which gives the 'villain' the wrong name at the end, meaning the (not so) big reveal loses even more of its power. Similarly, the 'best friend' character in this isn't as strong as in the previous books, perhaps because she's Harm's publicist rather than a friend, and Harm is not the sort or woman to do 'girl talk', so the closeness between them is missing. 

On to the next one!