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🥊 Fighting for Us 🥊
Book 1 in the Love is Worth Fighting For Series

In this steamy holiday romance, can an MMA, ex-Navy SEAL, single dad find love again? Can a brokenhearted young woman believe happily ever afters don't only exist in books?

Blurb:
LORENZO
I had it all.
A wonderful family with a loving wife who was my world and a beautiful baby girl.
I didn’t need anything more to be rich in my eyes.
Then one day, everything changed and my world was ripped apart.
My wife, my everything, was taken from me, and I was left alone to raise our baby girl.
I was forced from late night sessions at the gym to changing diapers all by myself.
Thank God for the help I received from my parents and siblings or I would have been lost.
I accepted my fate of being alone with my baby girl and living life with just us two…
Until the day I met her, and she became everything worth fighting for.

CARISSA
Life was so perfect.
A loving fiancé, wonderful friends and family, and a job I adored.
Until one day, my world was turned upside down and the man I loved threw the promise of forever down the drain and walked out of my life.
The day he walked out of my door, I knew that everything I had ever grown up to believe in was a lie.
Love is unconditional but love sure as hell doesn’t last forever.
The vow to love me for the rest of our lives ended quickly as he pulled away from me, and buried himself in the arms of his ex.
I was left alone, cursing the male species and everyone who had found their happily ever after.
My sister and my best friend were the only ones there for me…
Until the day I met him, and he became everything worth fighting for.

207 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2020

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About the author

Bella Emy

97 books2,390 followers
♥️The Imprisoned Hearts Series is LIVE!!!♥️

✨Freed & Imprisoned✨



USA Today Bestselling Author.
She loves all books, but her favorite genre to read, as well as write, is romance. Bella loves creating heartbreaking stories that will deeply touch her readers, but in the end, a good HEA is usually the turnout.

Whenever Bella is not typing away on her computer with a nice hot cup of coffee, she loves spending time with her family and friends. Her favorite places to go are the movies, the beach, or just on a good plain old road trip. Some of her must haves are coffee, chocolate, pizza, music, & movies.



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5 stars
85 (37%)
4 stars
65 (29%)
3 stars
41 (18%)
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20 (8%)
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13 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
Profile Image for Ashley Carr, LSoR.
4,590 reviews60 followers
November 6, 2020
This is the first time I am reading this author and she has me hooked!! The story is well written and the characters are well developed with a depth to them that makes for an intriguing story. Lorenzo and Carissa, from the moment they met they were like magnets drawn together. They had their ups and downs, but what couple hasn’t. This story was a page turner for me and I can’t wait to continue the series!
Profile Image for Michelle Fortune.
1,620 reviews4 followers
August 9, 2020
I loved this book and could not put it down until I was done. I was immediately drawn into the story and felt everything the characters were feeling since i felt like I was there. I cannot wait to see if some of the side characters get their own stories.
Profile Image for Victoria Weston.
820 reviews46 followers
November 3, 2020
I've read book by this author before and I always like her style of writing. This book gripped me from the first line, the first chapter everything and I was totally hooked. It will have your emotions all over the place and loving every minute. This author has written this book so fantastic that I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.

Lorenzo went through so much and my heart was aching for him and I really felt for what he was going though, one minute he had it all the next his life was blown to pieces. He is now a single father that loves his child dearly and once he sets his eyes on this woman she is in his mind all the time. Carissa was an awesome person and you cant help but love her too. She has been through a lot herself and is hoping that happily ever afters don't just exist in the movies.

This author has written a book that flows so beautifully and the characters were written so great that the reader is completely connected to them and totally invested into this story 100%. The characters both have awesome chemistry together and have both had deep heartbreak, the question is can they both ever find real love again?`
This book really does have it all the total heart shattering emotion, the love, drama and the second chance romance that I can only recommend this book to everyone and I look forward to reading more of this authors books in the future. This book is the first in the Love Is Worth Fighting For Series and I cant wait to see the next book in this series.

For more on my reviews, new releases, and more about books head over to my blog.
https://www.facebook.com/VickisMagica...
Profile Image for Atlanta Whitlock.
907 reviews12 followers
August 4, 2020
I honestly never stop falling in love with Bella Emy’s writing, she is so talented and her books always speak out to me. With this book is was completely different because her writing has improved that much that this had the style of one of Jessica Wayne’s books and I love that Bella’s writing has grown to that level. She is so talented that I think readers need to take more of a chance on her work, because they may find that they end up loving her books just as I do. I honestly couldn’t fault this book, I was drawn in from the very first page and I love how the story unfolded. This was quite an emotional and strong book that Bella wrote and I love how she is always taking her books in different directions…. I know for a fact that just after reading this book that the rest of them are going to be just as good because whenever Bella writes a new series, I can’t help but get hooked by them and that’s the same with this one.
I thought that Carissa was an interesting character and I loved how she was structured, in a way she reminded me of myself, but I still thought she was quite epic.
Seriously, this book has everything you could want, the heartbreak, the heartache, the drama, the chemistry, so much heat it’s unreal and if you are a crier, then you’ll most likely cry at this book, but it will be worth it all.

Lorenzo thought that he had it all and when him and his wife finally had the baby girl that they had been trying to conceive for a while, they couldn’t have been happier, however the day their daughter was born things changed massively for them. His wife ended up staying in hospital because there was an issue, but the day he lost her a part of him died forever.
Now five years on and still he’s a widowed single father to his beautiful little girl, but one night things change when he goes out to the bar with his brother and sister…. His eyes set sight on this amazing woman, with Luscious Lips…. And whilst he loves his wife dearly, he can’t seem to get the sight of this woman out of his head days later…
Will Lorenzo ever see her again, will he ever move forward with his life???
Profile Image for Alicia Harrietha.
547 reviews6 followers
November 2, 2020
Another incredible story by one of my favourite writers!!!! Bella you always blow my mind with your characters, your storylines and all the emotions you make me feel. Lorenzo and Carissa’s story had me hooked immediately. a story of a man raising his daughter after losing his love of his life and a women who believed in forever love and happy endings gets her heart shattered by her man cheating in her. This spells emotional roller coaster and I love it!!!! I truly fell in love with both characters immediately and felt a connection to them. Not gonna lie that the heat between the two was off the charts also. This is definitely a must read book and I cannot wait for more in the series!!!!! Love you Bella!!!
Profile Image for Sophie Cramer.
179 reviews
December 9, 2020
OMG! I was crying within the first minute of the book but I was so happy at the end. You just feel for both Carissa and Lorenzo! Highly recommend and I can't wait for more in the series!
October 3, 2020
I've said it once and I'll say it again Bella's writing NEVER disappoints me. From first page turn to the last her writing keeps in enthralled. This book was no different. All the feels sad, happy, depressed, up, down wherever it went you was right there with the characters! It has it all.
Profile Image for Sadie Forsythe.
Author 1 book280 followers
December 22, 2021
This was a sweet, easily readable contemporary romance. It was also SUPER predictable. I read a couple chapters and then went to take a shower. While showering I thought about how the book might progress and now know that I anticipated almost all of the major plot points correctly.

[Spoiler warning]
That someone would try and sexually assault her? Check. That he'd step in and save her with all his tough, UFC menace? Check. That they'd fall hard and fast? Check. That there would be some sort of needless friction that tore them temporarily apart? Check. That it would involve his wife? Check. I hit every single one of them. And I don't say that to be like, "Oh, look how smart I am," but rather as "Oh, look how predictable it all was."

The thing is, a lot of people appreciate the predictability. It makes it a safe read. That's especially appealing in a Christmas read, apparently. So I'm not necessarily saying it's a bad thing. Just know what you're signing up for...that and the fact that it's first person, present tense.

Outside of the likeable characters and predictability, my only comment is that the attempted rapist is treated as a douche, but no one ever even alludes to the fact that he literally tried to rape Carissa. That left a bad taste in my mouth. But, all in all, it wasn't a bad read.
Profile Image for Ruby The Romance Enthusiast.
430 reviews33 followers
October 7, 2020
This is my first Bella Emy book. And I have to say she is very talented in keeping you enthralled with her writing. You'll be hooked in the first chapter. How the story is told and how it unfolds to you is something you want to see in every book you read. I'm going to give a short and sweet non-spoiler review.

This is quite an emotional and bare to the soul book. Carissa and Lorenzo are two characters you'd want to meet in real life. The present themselves as two people not ready for life, but that's where you'd be wrong. The chemistry and seating heat competes with the raw emotion and heartache that you'll feel right along with the each page.

Lorenzo got a raw deal. Life had kissed him with love but it came at a price. One that would stay with him until he saw Carissa, even then the past isn't so far away. What does the past hold over their future? And does it have them together or apart? This might be a Christmas read but it's one that's different than the rest.

I received an ARC from the author in exchange for a honest review.
Profile Image for Jenni Bishop.
4,057 reviews44 followers
December 28, 2020
Fighting for Us (Love is Worth Fighting For Book 1) Bella Emy is a contemporary sports romance. OMG my heart broke and I wasn’t sure that it would recover. This beautiful story is full of emotions that take you all over the place. But it is one that you will not be able to put down until you know it all. At times I felt like I needed a little more, moments that I felt were rushed and other things I felt were missing but overall, it was an enjoyable read.
He is a fighter but it hard to keep up the fight when everything you love is taken from you. Hard to keep it together to be who you once were. Hard to fight when there is nothing you can do.
She never saw it coming. Life was good. Love was good. Until it wasn’t. The blind betrayal. The hurt. The loss. The not so obvious, but obvious signs.
The chemistry is undeniable and perhaps it is instant love, fate perhaps but having resigned to not look for love and protect one’s heart, the road to said love is not an easy thing for these two. With walls in place can they break the other down.
Profile Image for Heather Bass.
557 reviews8 followers
January 1, 2021
This is the first book I have ever read from this author and she now has a new fan. I absolutely love military romance but she also put in a single dad. I was hooked right from the first chapter. She exceeded all my expectations on my two favorite genres. This is the first book of the Love is Worth Fighting for series and wow what a great first book. It only took me a few hours to devour this amazing story.

Cassie loves her new life. She is a caring nurse. Cassie never wants to date again because her break up with her ex was way too hard. Her friends on the other hand think it's time to date again. Cassie is told that she is going to a very known fight and she sees someone she can’t take her eyes off. She finds herself attracted to one of the fighters Lorenzo. Cassie can’t get him out of her mind and finally they meet. She is over the moon until she remembers something from her past. Will Cassie and Lorenzo be able to fight for what they want or will the past be in their way?
Profile Image for The Book Junkie Reads . . ..
4,960 reviews141 followers
November 1, 2020
new author to me and she has lured me in to her world of love worth fighting for....

Bella Emy gave me a holiday romance to stand up and enjoy on this cool fall day. Lorenzo (Guns) and Carissa were not your typical ships passing in the night. They had a connection that went even further than either one of them knew of. Until one found out and it was almost the end of all they were working toward. Lorenzo was one sexy hot ex-SEAL that turned MMA fighter. Carissa was a hospital worker that was a drift in life.

I did find parts that could have been more and may have made the feelings I was having something more, but alas there was no elaboration. I enjoy Lorenzo and Carissa and all their friends and a family that were introduced. I would like to know more about this world created by Bella Emy. Thank you for allowing me in to your world.
Profile Image for Vinessa.
1,940 reviews21 followers
November 3, 2020
He was use to fighting, she was not. The difference between them is blurred. She had it all the love of a good man a family she could count of and good friends, until the discovery that love is blind, she never saw the betrayal the unmistakable signs, the man she loved in the arms of another women and mot just any other women.
He had it all a career that kept him fit, a wife and a daughter, friends worth keeping around and a family support when times were tough. He needed them when his life crumpled before his very eyes, the fighter in him had no fight the father in him was torn and the husband is no more, his beautiful wife was ripped from him with no warning and he can only pick up the pieces and find something worth fighting for.
that something is.......

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3,097 reviews4 followers
October 3, 2020
Lorenzo married the love of his life. She died soon after the birth of their daughter. Carissa's fiance left her, destroying her dreams of a perfect life together. I fell in love with this book, reading it in one sitting. The story flows so nicely, making for easy reading. Carissa's best friend Emy and her sister Shannon are as supportive as they can be, and I was glad that they finally got her to go out with them. Lorenzo's family - so wonderful, stepping up to help with Gianna as much as they can. Carissa and Lorenzo are terrific together, with me rooting for them all the while. It's my first book from the author, and I'm looking forward to reading more from her.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for S.S. Richards.
Author 12 books204 followers
October 17, 2020
Where do I even start? I have always been a fan of Bella Emy's books but this one just did it for me. A single father (who I should claim as mine lol) and Carissa who's also a strong woman and you can't help but love her.

Bella Emy is a very talented writer and I can tell that she worked hard to make this story come to life. From the plot to the character development to everything about the story itself is just amazing!

Very well written. Good job Bella, I love you but I might love Lorenzo a little bit more lol

Get this book, read it, and thank me later ;)
6,577 reviews36 followers
November 14, 2020
An amazing book one in the Love Is Worth Fighting For series. The story line is well-developed, consistent, realistic, engaging, funny, interesting, and take you on a roller coaster of emotions, ups and downs, and other drama. The characters including the secondary characters are amazing; the chemistry between them Lorenzo and Carissa is instant and undeniable. A truly amazing read and I look forward to the next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Mari (Mystics & Metaphysics Book Blog).
7,756 reviews169 followers
October 1, 2020
I enjoyed this so much. Lorenzo and Carissa have both gone through heartache, albeit differently, but have resigned themselves to not being with anyone else. I love that once they meet that may not be case anymore. Their chemistry is instant but it's not easy. They have to get past their walls and decide if what they can have is worth fighting for. I was sucked in and found myself going through all their emotions right along with them.
Profile Image for Scarolet Ellis.
7,444 reviews48 followers
November 1, 2020
Fighting for Us by Bella Emy is a wonder story that I have read. This is book number one in this wonderful start to a brand new series that I am so hooked on. I can not wait to read the rest of this wonderful series. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about holiday, small town and contemporary romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Jessica Morales.
710 reviews57 followers
November 7, 2020
This is the first book that I have read by this author. The first chapter breaks my heart. It was a hard one to rate for me there were some parts rushed and infor missing. We never found out the cause for Sylvia to die. How come her family wasn't even mentioned? Like why didn't they help with her daughter. Its a quick read but felt rush for me. I wished it was longer and gave more details.

Thankful to recieve this book in an exchange for a review. I actually will give it 3.5 stars.
Profile Image for Evi Easton.
31 reviews1 follower
December 17, 2020
This was the first book I read by this author and I loved it. The title fits the book perfectly and I think the family dynamics are very relatable. Carissa and Lorenzo both have their damage from their pasts and with each other, they can begin to move forward. I hope they will feature more in the next book as I need to know what happens next. Would be nice to hear a bit more about the future possibly in an epilogue or similar.
2,200 reviews
October 1, 2020
I was hooked on Lorenzo and Carissa's story from the beginning. I love a story that sucks you in and does not let go until you realize you are at the end. I always enjoy reading this author and this book is a great addition to your library. Enjoy!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4,772 reviews13 followers
October 2, 2020
What a good story this is. It is a roller coaster ride of emotions with a nicely developed plot and characters you cannot help but fall in love with. The heartbreak they have suffered in their lives tugs at you heart strings. I could not help but cheer these two on as the journey towards happiness. Lorenzo and Carissa are instantly attracted to each other but their road is not easy. I love these two characters. This is such a good read that I could not put down until the very end.
Profile Image for Barbara.
17.8k reviews8 followers
October 3, 2020
The first book in the Love is Worth Fighting For series a well written story that kept me turning pages. Lorenzo and Carissa's story have you believing in second chances, a beautiful story. I am glad I found this book to read. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
7,813 reviews63 followers
October 3, 2020
L loved Lorenzo a broken hearted single dad and Carrissa a lovely heartbroken woman betrayed by the man she thought would be her forever. The characters are well developed and engaging and the storyline flowed easily making it one to read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Kelly Drudy.
527 reviews8 followers
September 6, 2020
Lorenzo and Carissa were just the best ever!!! I was a little worried cause of the MMA world and that not really being my thing but that is very small part of the book. It took Lorenzo a long time to want to love again after his wife died but Carissa walks in and he is smitten. I loved watching these two learn to trust and love again. Love the book and highly recommend!!!
Profile Image for Gloria.
1,609 reviews14 followers
October 1, 2020
Sweet story about having a second chance at love and being brave enough to take it. Good story and wonderful characters. Looking forward to more by this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Danielle Marlowe.
1,929 reviews7 followers
October 1, 2020
Bella Emy did a good job on this story. Fighting For Us had a well written plot that had many emotions. Lorenzo and Carissa were strong characters. From the moment they had met, their was a pull between them, their connection was strong, so wasn't their chemistry. They may have had their ups and downs but they were made for each other, they were good together.
I enjoyed this story. Thanks, Bella Emy. Good work :)
Profile Image for Ashleigh.
3,411 reviews1 follower
October 2, 2020
Do yourself a favor: Get. This. Book.
It is worth every penny.

This story is really well written, has characters that are created with tantalizing depth and a captivating story line.

It grabs you right from the start keeping you engrossed and turning page after page throughout the whole book!
This review has been voluntarily submitted for your consideration.
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