Review: I Am Lioness by Dee Garcia

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Standalone - The Bloodshed Duet #1
Release - December 10, 2016
Genre - Sports MMA Romance
Dual POV - 1st person
Heat - 3 out of 5
Length - 252 pages

With pain comes strength.
My name is Hazel Perry.
You, however, can call me Lioness.
I live and breathe MMA -24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
That ring is mine. I'm the Queen.
Fierce, untouchable, and undefeated.
I've been asked how I willingly subject myself to such an intense, brutal career.
My answer… Because it feels good.
The rush, the high, how all other pain in your life numbs away into nothing. It's made me stronger. Every single stitch of pain I've experienced -both physically and emotionally- has made me stronger.
I've learned to protect myself. I don't trust easily and I never allow others to get too close.
Until Knox Carr.
He turned my world right side up and showed me how to feel again. How to live again.
How to love again.
Through the bouts of separation and trials along the way, will we make it out alive?

Find it here:
Goodreads | Amazon

MY REVIEW

4.25 "Hear Me Roar" stars!!

I've read quite a few romances surrounding MMA fighters, and with I AM LIONESS, Dee Garcia has created a phenomenal one. In its own subtle way it debunked stereotypes and gender roles and shone a light on FEMALE MMA fighters. I freaking loved it!!

Hazel has suffered some huge losses in her personal life, but they helped to shape her into a fierce competitor. Afraid to suffer again, she refuses to form any real attachments or connections and keeps everyone at arms-length. Until Knox barrelled his way into her life and wouldn't keep his distance. These two connected instantly and their chemistry was off-the-charts. I loved how steady and true Knox was and how that allowed Hazel to be truly vulnerable with him. They were just so sweet together.

There was a suspense element added to the plot that really upped the drama and gave it a nice change of pace. This story was well-written with a plot that completely captivated me. The only thing that bugged me was the lack of a back story for Knox. The fact that he had any family, much less a sister, wasn't revealed until the end. And I wanted more information on his connection to Luis and Reyna. I'm hoping the second book, HEAR ME ROAR, continues the story of this amazing pair of characters because I don't believe their story is quite finished.