REVIEW: Below the Belt by Jeanette Murray

Below the Belt (First to Fight #1) by Jeanette Murray: Brad is a determined Marine; he’s out to make the boxing team despite being the oldest of the men at the training camp that will determine who makes the team. He’s driven by his own dad’s participation in the All-Military Games and the need to make him proud. Marianne is thrilled to have an opportunity to be the athletic trainer for the Marines. She’s anxious to work with real professionals rather than high school sports teams.

Brad immediately sets himself apart from the other Marines, due to his age, stellar work ethic, endurance, and tendency to be a loner. He views boxing as an individual sport and doesn’t put forth any effort to make friends. When Brad is forced to work with the other boxers in a leadership capacity, it’s Marianne who forces him rethink his attitude. Both Brad and Marianne have something to prove and they need this opportunity, so the immediate attraction between them is inconvenient at best.

“Interesting evening. You know, most guys would ask a lady out to a movie, or maybe for a drive, if they wanted to spend time in their company.”
Brad brushed that off. “Old-school. I like to impress the ladies with my mad socialization skills. Look at me, volunteering my time with my fellow boxers.”
She smiled and patted his arm. “You’re my hero,” she said in a high pitched, cartoon-female voice.

Marianne is great at her job and proves to be a great resource for the team. Brad injures his knee but decides to push through his training and hide the injury. He especially hides his pain from Marianne out of fear she would turn him in to the coaches, even as they get closer. Marianne knows that Brad is in pain, but she decides to watch him carefully while trying to gain his trust. They have great chemistry, but they also have great banter.

“I’ve never had a long-term girlfriend.”
She looked horrified at that. “Did I pop your girlfriend cherry?”
He laughed so hard at that his stomach cramped.
“Wasn’t mean to be funny. I don’t have time to house break you, you know. Nobody told me I’d be starting from scratch with you.” She stared at the wall in wonder. “Seriously, a relationship virgin? Why am I being punished?”

Below the Belt is an entertaining fighter/military hero romance. Jeanette Murray provided an engaging story with plenty of humor and heat. Ms. Murray also created a great cast of interesting secondary characters in the other boxers and coaches. Fans of Susan Mallery and Sarah Castille would enjoy Below the Belt.

Book Info:

Published April 7th 2015 by Berkley | (First to Fight #1)

There’s more than one way to win in the debut of the First to Fight series…

Athletic trainer Marianne Cook is ready to do whatever it takes to turn the men of the Marine Corps boxing team into fighting machines. After all, her ultimate goal is to land a job training professional athletes. But when she notices a certain hard-bodied marine trying to hide an injury, Marianne realizes that she’ll have to use covert tactics to get him talking.

First Lieutenant Brad Costa has waited years for the chance to fight for a spot on the Marine Corps boxing team, knowing he has to push twice as hard to get half as far as his younger counterparts. Brad tries to downplay his injuries to the attractive trainer who has his dreams in her hands, but Marianne isn’t buying it. Maybe it’s time to deploy some targeted flattery.

As Brad and Marianne’s attraction turns red-hot, there’s more than one person having a hard time keeping their eyes on the prize…