Review: In Your Corner

Title: In Your Corner
Series: Redemption, #2
Author: Sarah Castille
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Release Date: July 1, 2014
Pages: 302
Buy Link: Amazon | Audio CD

Blurb:

"You have to go. I won't be able to control myself. I've wanted you so bad for so long and after I've been in the cage...I can't think straight." He gives a guttural groan and his fist clenches on my hip.

Primitive. Primal. His need speaks to me. I tighten my grip on his neck and rock up to kiss him. He takes over. His kiss is hard and demanding.

"Mine." His voice is raw, savage and for a moment I truly believe he may lose control.

He rules in the ring

Two years ago, Jake and Amanda were going hot and heavy. But when Jake wanted more, Amanda walked away. Jake immersed himself in mixed martial arts, living life on the edge. But that didn't dull the pain of Amanda's rejection-until a chance encounter throws them together.

A high-powered lawyer, Amanda was a no-strings-attached kind of girl. But two years after her breakup with Jake, she still hasn't found anyone who gets her heart pumping the way he did. And then he shows up in her boardroom, hot as sin and needing help...

But can he rule her heart?

Jake is darker, sexier, and impossible to resist. As their chemistry builds, Amanda's not sure if she can stay in control, or if she's finally willing to let him claim her body and soul.

Review

Hot, Sexy, Humorous. Sarah Castille does it again!

I fell in love with this series when I read the first book, Against the Ropes. Just like the first book, trust was an issue. However, this book was much darker, had more pain, and Amanda was more confused.

"I drift. In and out of nightmares. Breaking glass. Harsh laughter. Thin, reedy voices. Pounding on doors. My cries awaken me. And then I drift again. In the haze of sleep, I imagine the bed dips. An arm wraps around me, holding me tight. A warm body spoons me, keeping me safe and warm. The deep rumble of a voice soothes me."

Amanda couldn't give her heart to anyone because she didn't think she knew how. She was afraid of being let down like always. Poor Amanda. I felt bad for her. No one deserved to feel that way, especially not her.

Thankfully, Jake realized his previous mistake and he stuck around. Jake was the definition of a person who loved unconditionally. He accepted Amanda in spite of the flaws that she tried to hide from him. He loved her for who she had become. It only took Amanda long to figure it out.

Other characters in this story tickled me quite a bit. Rampage was such a crazy character. He was always messing around, had a big grin on his face, but also he had quite the observation skills. I just loved the vibe he gave out. I hope he'll find the woman for him in future books :)

Rampage: "This is 'manda. She's Redemption's unofficial attorney and she's Renegade's girl. That means you don't speak to her; you don't look at her; you don't touch her; you don't breathe the same air as her. She's gonna train over there. (points to the far end of the mat) We're gonna train over there. (points to the opposite end)"
Amanda: "I feel like a pariah. And by the way, I'm not Renegade's girl."
Rampage: "Everyone knows you're Renegade's girl. Don't need to be shy."
Amanda: "How does everyone know? Did he say something?"
Rampage: "He didn't need to say anything. A man stakes his claim, every man with a beating heart in the vicinity knows it. That was done the first day he brought you back to Redemption. Reinforced at the renovation party. The minute you walk in here, he's got eyes on you. He's got hands on you. He keeps the sharks away. You never wonder why no one bothers you? You never ask yourself why, looking the way you look and dressing the way you dress and smiling that pretty smile and with all those smarts in your head, you've never been harassed at Redemption?"
Amanda: "But.."
Rampage: "You're his. Looks like you're the only one who doesn't know it."

Ray was the other character that I fell in love with. The man was a caveman! Way too protective, but within reason. He was also very good at reading Amanda. His protectiveness towards Penny was also very endearing. I wonder if they would end up together? That would be interesting :)

Penny: "If I want to dance around the cage, that's my business."
Ray: "You just try to dance around the cage, Pen. I'll be all over your ass. We gotta find you a man that will look after you. A good man. Someone who'll treat you right."
Penny: "I had a man."
Ray: "You had a worm."

Overall, this book is a must read like the first one. The sex was sizzling, and it had a lot of heart. It showed that hard work and determination paid off in the end. All Amanda needed to do was ask for help.