Think twice if…
- Content warnings: Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Injury detail, Alcohol use, Addiction, Drug use, Classism, Child neglect
Hooks In
by Eve Holmes
Book 1 in No Holds Barred
Two elite fighters, one training gym, years of mutual irritation, and chemistry that absolutely matches the amount of mat time.
goodreads 4/5 3,135 ratings
Quick fit
Is this story right for you?
A decision-first view of the reading experience.
Length352 pages
Series statusCompleted series · 2 books
Spice5/5 · Dirty talk heavy
PacingMedium
Story profile
What the story promises
The strongest reviewed signals about romance, fantasy, and the reading experience.
Romance promise
- Enemies to lovers
- M/M
- Medium burn
- High
- Dirty talk heavy
- The angst delivered
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- Athlete
- Rivals to lovers
- Passionate / intense
- Tension finally satisfied
- Sunshine hero
- Grumpy sunshine
- Competitive / banter during
- Romantic fulfillment
- Rival / competitor
- Banter
- Praise-focused
- Earned hope
- Competitors to lovers
- Rough / primal
- Love/hate tension
- Dirty talk (sweet/playful)
- Hurt/comfort
- Rough but consensual
- Tension
- Playful banter
- Pinning hands above head
- Praise kink
- Anal elements
- Dominance
- Rough/aggressive intimacy
Fantasy promise
- Sports romance
- Sports world / training facility
- Contemporary
- Humans only
- Rivals competing
- Forced proximity
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- Training partners to lovers
- Found family
- Opposites attract
Reading experience
- Dual POV
- Medium
- Intense
- Banter-heavy
- Moderate
- Queer
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- Steamy
- Emotional
- Bisexual MC
- Tense
- Fast-paced
- Playful
- Character-driven
- Angsty
- Hopeful
- Addictive pacing
- Battle of wills
- Forbidden desire
- Page turner
Similar stories
Similar in ways that matter
Matched by the most important shared story signals, with the tradeoffs made explicit.
303 pages Completed
Egotistical Puckboy
Eden Finley & Saxon James
Similar because
Competitors to lovers · Sports romance · Athlete
Different because
Fast pacing rather than Medium.
712 pages Completed
Wrath
Ella James
Similar because
Sunshine hero · Athlete · M/M
Different because
Spice is lower (4/5 vs 5/5). A longer read (712 vs 352 pages).
Book details
- Length
- 352 pages
- Language
- English
- Format
- Book