REVIEW: No Limits by Lori Foster

In No Limits (Ultimate #1) by Lori Foster, Cannon “The Saint” Colter let Yvette Sweeny walk away about three years ago after helping rescue her when she was attacked and kidnapped. He was sure it was the right thing to do so she could earn her education in California, getting away from bad memories in Ohio. Now Cannon is a big name in the world of MMA, just off a winning streak overseas. But when he comes face-to-face with Yvette at her late grandfather’s house, he knows he won’t be able to let her go this time. She’s grown into a strong, gorgeous woman who still carries some emotional scars thanks to that brutal abduction. Cannon intends to prove to Yvette that he can help ease her worries while he protects and loves her…forever.

“But I don’t want to be that person anymore.”
“The person who needs me?” Because, damn it, he wanted her to be that and more.
“The girl who burdens you.”
He let out a sigh. “Now you’re just trying to piss me off.” Before she could be offended by that, he kissed her again.

Yvette is not sure how she feels about being back in her grandfather’s home since his passing. He was the only one who looked out for her while she grew up. Well, aside from Cannon, who was the object of her teenage crush. Yvette is stunned when Cannon appears at her door, and even further surprised when he announces he’s staying there with her for a while. Their attraction is every bit as strong as it ever was, and he is so devastatingly handsome (and ripped) that she doesn’t know if she’ll be able to ignore her growing feelings. When danger threatens to harm her again, Cannon and his fellow MMA friends step in to protect her. Yvette just wishes she could finally feel worthy of his attention and to no longer feel dragged down by her past.

“Just…just pretend I’m any other woman. Not the woman who was threatened and hurt. Not the girl who cried and let herself be a victim.”

No Limits is the smoking hot and very touching first full length novel in Lori Foster’s new Ultimate series, which follows a group of MMA fighters who are always ready to stand up for those they care about.

“When need be, I can fight dirty, though usually I just fight for sport. But when it comes to you, I fight to win.”

Lori Foster is so stinkin’ great at creating characters I can connect with easily. Just like in her Love Undercover series, of which this is a spinoff, the male characters here had just the right combination of arrogance and tenderness. Our hero Cannon just blew me away with his caring and protective nature. Yeah, he was sexy as all get out, but I loved his concern for Yvette, his sister Rissy, and his friends and neighbors. It’s nice to see a character who uses his fists to make a living cast as the nice, down-to-earth man that so many alphas really are. There was no sinister edge to his personality and no wondering if he was the good guy or not. You knew immediately that he would do anything to keep his loved ones safe. That made him every bit as likable and swoon-worthy as Rowdy, Logan, Reese, and Dash were in the Love Undercover books.

I could also sympathize with Yvette’s struggle to stop thinking of herself as a victim and wishing others would allow her to show how strong she truly was. I can see how she would have felt a bit coddled with so many huge guys ready to protect her, as Cannon had his buddies all looking out for her. (Not that I would complain to be surrounded by Armie, Denver, or Stack. Just sayin…) Yvette still had some hang ups about not feeling good enough to be with someone famous and tough like Cannon. I liked that we got to see her work through those issues as the story progressed and how much she had grown by the end. And what a great ending. *sigh* I think you’ll all be very happy with how things work out.

If you have a thing for alpha heroes, I think you’ll fall in love with Cannon and his fellow fighters just like I did. Be on the lookout for Denver’s story next in the Spring of 2015. Can’t. Wait.

Book Info:

4.5 Stars HJ Recommends No Michele H
Published August 26th 2014 by Harlequin HQN | (Ultimate #1)

A surprise inheritance reunites a mixed martial arts fighter with the woman he’s never forgotten in the first in a smoldering new series from New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster…

Cannon Colter is quintessential hero material: chiseled jawline, shredded body—the works. He’s also the guy who rescued Yvette Sweeny from kidnappers, only to put an end to her romantic dreams. These days, she’s older, smarter, determined to face whatever life throws her way. Even the prospect of sharing a house and business with Cannon.

Cannon knew Yvette wanted him three years ago. But she was young—and some things are worth waiting for. Thrown together by her grandfather’s legacy, he realizes how deep Yvette’s scars really go, and how much danger lurks in their quiet town. As pent-up desire explodes between them, protecting her becomes the only fight that matters. And he’ll break all the rules to do it…