REVIEW: Fighting for Keeps by Jennifer Snow

Fighting for Keeps by Jennifer Snow: Ten years earlier, Lindsay Harper drunkenly announced her new sister-in-law was pregnant. Lindsay has fought for her mother’s approval but has never received it. Her brother, Nathan is the prize of her mother’s eye. Nathan and his best man, Ben Walker own a development company. Yet Lindsay is only head nurse at the local clinic.

Someone who frequents the clinic is mixed martial arts fighter Noah Parks. Noah also runs the after-school mentoring and outreach program. He is intrigued by her and she’s worried about his constant injuries.

Sadly, Nathan and his wife Rachel die in an accident leaving their five children orphans. Ben and Lindsay are both contenders to be guardians, yet he disappears. Lindsay is overwhelmed, but steps up for her nieces and nephews. She tries her best even if she is low on funds and low on experience. In particular, the oldest daughter has a tough time adjusting to her new circumstances. Lindsay constantly pushes Noah away. Ben finally appears weeks after the funeral and is a natural with the kids, also managing to make Noah jealous.

Lindsay must decide on where her life goes from here. “Ben was safe, secure, and solid. That’s what she needed. What the kids needed in their lives. Not an MMA fighter who threw caution and responsibility to the wind whenever he stepped inside a fight cage.”

I felt there were too many characters. Many had no bearing on the main action yet were distracting. I kept wondering if these characters would end up being important and yet they weren’t. Lindsay’s mother was harsh and I didn’t enjoy the character at all. There is also very little MMA in the story so don’t read this looking for that storyline. Noah was a great, caring man. Lindsay and Noah both are forced to learn how love can change a person and about the sacrifices that must be made sometimes.

There are times of great sadness in Fighting for Keeps. I wouldn’t describe it as a fun, light read. I would recommend this to those who like more drama and the overcoming of obstacles.

Book Info:

Published May 1st 2015 by Harlequin Heartwarming #91

He’s kryptonite. And she needs all her strength…

Noah Parks is the ridiculously gorgeous, motorcycle-riding, cage-match-fighting equivalent of kryptonite for Lindsay Harper. And she’s going to need every last ounce of her strength now that she’s the legal guardian of her brother’s five orphaned children. For the sake of her new family, it’s time to give up her carefree single ways. Stop being the cool aunt and become a parent. And fight this crazy attraction to Noah. Sure, there’s a side of him she can’t help falling for…the one who volunteers as a firefighter and helps at-risk youth. The irresistibly kind and caring side. But she is a nurse, after all. She can’t love an MMA fighter, a man she regularly has to scan for physical trauma… Can she?