Book Review: Until You're Mine by Cindi Madsen

Until You’re Mine by Cindi Madsen

Pages: 350
Publish date: January 22, 2018
Publisher: Entangled: Embrace
ASIN: B0786MSPJ3
Purchase: Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU

You might’ve heard of me, Shane Knox, the guy who rose quickly through the MMA fighter ranks, only to crash just as fast. No one cares about personal reasons when it comes to losing fights and money. I’m determined to get back to where I was. For you to hear my name again. I’ve finally convinced the owner of Team Domination to take a chance and get me back in fighting—and winning—shape. What I didn’t bargain for is the guy’s spitfire of a daughter. Factor in her two professional-fighter brothers who are acting as my coaches and the fact that my career hangs in the balance, and Brooklyn’s the last girl I should be fantasizing about.

The closer we get, the more I want Brooklyn. The stakes are high, and I know there’s a big chance of both of us getting hurt, but I won’t stop until she’s mine.

Until You’re Mine:

I’ve read quite a few Cindi Madsen books before, and when I received the second book in this series for review, I knew I had to pick up the first. And I’m so glad that I did. Not only did it introduce to a whole array of characters, but also those of the second novel.

Until You’re Mine by Cindi Madsen follows Shane Knox as he fights his way back into the world of MMA. When unseeable circumstances lead to his demise, he knows it’s going to take everything in him to be on top again. His finally convinced those that own the gym to take him on and nothing will stop him. But then Brooklyn makes an appearance. Brooklyn isn’t happy that she is back at her families gym or even at home. Her memories of being there aren’t that great, and they only remind her of what her father has missed. But she is back before she starts off a life away from the town she grew up. She never thought she would find a reason to stay, but Know may be it.

Brooklyn was a great protagonist for Until You’re Mine. From the start, I was intrigued by her story and wanting to know more. She was an easy character to get along with and the reader is able to understand her hesitation to be back home. One of the main reasons that I loved Brooklyn was that she didn’t want to give up her dream for anyone. There are so many romance novels that the female protagonist gives up her dream for love – and that just shits me. But right from the start, the reader is able to see that Brooklyn loves that she does and wants to pursue all the way. While Brooklyn does brush away a lot of things, the situation with her father really does tear her apart.

Knox is a fighter, it’s what he has trained and worked his life too. It’s what he knows. So when his life crumbles around him – so does he. But now his getting his life back on track. He is at a new gym building something for himself and ready to get back to fighting professionally. Like Brooklyn, right from the start Knox’s determination for his dream is evident. He has waited and fought this long and he wants to fight his way back to an MMA title. He has been through a lot and that is seen throughout Until You’re Mine.

The romance for me in Until You’re Mine made it. It was slow burning, friends to more and just hit me in all the right spots. At the start of the novel Brooklyn has a boyfriend and while they seem great together, Brooklyn and Knox leave sparks flying. While Brooklyn does break up with her boyfriend before anything happens between her and Knox, she does have feelings for him and that plays a part. While Knox is a fighting he isn’t so much an alpha male and I really enjoyed that. Obviously, he is protective over Brooklyn, but not demanding or possessive. Which I love.

The notion of family plays a big part in Until You’re Mine. Brooklyn doesn’t have a good relationship with her father and that plays a big part in the book. He has more focus on Knox then he does her and her career. Their relationship has been rocky for years and it took a lot for Brooklyn to come back – but she knew she needed to. However, that doesn’t change the way that they interact with each other. Things are rough for a lot of the book between these two and I wanted them to work things out so much. But the reader also understands how hard it has been for Brooklyn. In saying that I adored Brooklyn’s relationship with her brothers in Until You’re Mine. It was seriously fantastic. They are protective and will do anything for her, but also know where she stands – which was great.

Overall, I really enjoyed Until You’re Mine by Cindi Madsen. Brooklyn and Knox were brilliant together and I loved that their relationship was slow burning. It added another depth to the book that made me love it. Brooklyn was so easy to read and her character arc was spot on. I loved seeing Knox let go and fall in love – again added another layer to the novel. Until You’re Mine explores romance, family and learning to let go. It’s about following your dreams, forgiving and finding a place in the world. If you are looking for an interesting romance that has a little hint of sport – then this is for you.