Raising Ryann (Bad Boy Reformed) Paperback – August 9, 2013

Ugh! I am so freaking frustrated! Like rip my hair out, need a drink frustrated.First of all, I liked the book - I mean DUH! 4 stars, but mother f-er could this have strung me along like a virgin in high school anymore?!*Deep Breath* I'm sorry, I'm taking my anger out on you. I probably should have waited to write this review, but I just had to put this anger into something.So, let's finally get to the story.OBVIOUSLY, this is a cliff hanger. What upset's me more than an unknown cliff hanger? Oh I dunno, running over dogs, starving children, and maybe that shirt you wore just 1 time, you know, that really nice satiny one that makes your boobs look huge and your gut look like you didn't pop out 2 kids, gets a snag in it. That's right A F-ING SNAG IN MY NEW G-DAMN SHIRT THAT MAKES ME LOOK AMAZING. That's right, this book is my shirt and NOW ITS RUINED! RUINED! Okay, not ruined, but, I'll have to like just "lean" the right way for about 12 hours straight so no one at work notices my snag. And of course, I'll cringe every time I think about it. How wonderful it was and how wonderful it could be, but it will forever have a snag (well unless I take it to Grandma Sue, but that's neither here nor there good sir).So Luke Ryann is a retiring MMA fighter and he goes home to help out at the family gym where his old neighbor Reese works as a self-defense instructor. Side Note Part I: When Luke was 16 he heard Reese screaming for help because she was about to be raped by her mother's boy friend and he saved her)I'm literally about 57% in and getting tired of taking my panties off to air them out with the blow dryer (because hey - why create more laundry than is necessary) and they still haven't had sex. Nope they just deny deny deny...or rather our hero does. Our heroine pulls the straps up and let's all her feelings hang out. This is my favorite type of heroine by the way. Side Note Part II : Oh and she's a virgin and he's decided to put his male whore days behind him.Side Note Part III: For some reason he's decided to retire and reform himself from the party man life style. It never really goes into detail as to why, just that he's tired of it.So what did I like so much since, in the whole book, there was no sex, no blow jobs and no nipple suckage occurring at all? Well, I just liked the feel of it, the writing style. Sure there were some grammer issues, but, I'd be a bitch if that's what makes me complain...well more of a bitch. I could tell that when "it" happened, it would be AMAZEballs - but it just wouldn't happen. It was however plenty steamy. There's also the whole Alpha Know's Best syndrome our hero was suffering from. It was definitely at the highest possible level with Luke. There were plenty of shady characters that she needed saving from AND whatever the hell was going on with her father and Luke's father is going to develop into something exciting. I mean his dad was crazy! He's a shark! (Shark Week People).So, even though I felt "rode hard and hung up yet" I will move forward with the next one. I mean, obviously I have to now *pouty face*I just hope it's like tomorrow so that I can try to avoid drowning sorrows in a bottle of whiskey and Grandma Sue's prescription meds.

I have been seeing this book getting some good hype and being that I love my fighter bad boys (Remy and Travis anyone?) I wanted to dive right in. This story is told in alternating POV between 20-year-old Reese and 25-year-old Luke Ryann.Reese knows Luke from her childhood when on more than one occasion he was her savoir, once from an abusive father and then again from one of her Mom's boyfriends. Luke was a foster kid that her neighbors had taken in and loved as if he were their own. After one fateful night when he saves her from being raped she never sees him again, and the kicker? She never did get his name in all that time.6 years later we are introduced to Luke again only this time he is a retired championship MMA fighter looking to better himself in life now that he has some money. He is going back to school, not drinking anymore and helping his former foster parents whom he has never lost touch with.Reese is in school and on her own, working two jobs and just happy to be taking care of herself. Reese is working at the gym that her former neighbors own as a self-defense instructor. She has a lot of confidence in herself and also pride. She doesn't want a hand out and she also doesn't want any guy. She has grown up with no interest in the opposite sex and is not easily flustered by them. Of course that is until a new instructor enters the gym, Luke Ryann, and she first worries he is there to take her job and then she starts to wonder why he seems so familiar.Reese's character was fun to read and easy to love. Her upbringing didn't bring her down, instead she rose above all the drama and became a wonderful young woman trying to help other girls protect and empower themselves.Luke wants to protect Reese like he did in the past but his attraction to her is hard to ignore even though he feels her getting involved with him would do the opposite of protecting her. I loved his character because he was a great male lead. He was someone who worked hard to lead a good life, one opposite the example he was raised in. He wants to protect the ones he loves. Also nice is his protectiveness/jealous side was done right, he didn't come off like a psycho stalker, so kudos to Ms. Taylor for developing him that way.The chemistry between the two is hot from one page to the next. This book has moments of humor (I can't even count the number of times I looked away from the book cringing and laughing) and lots of intrigue.I loved the easygoing relationship these two developed and kept hoping that they would finally get over everything else and be together. However, there is mystery and danger underneath the surface of this book that is barely scratched by the time the end comes. When I finally closed the book I was frustrated and excited because unfortunately this book has a major cliffhanger, but I am excited to see where it will lead. I can tell that the next book will be a bit darker and angsty.A fun sexy and read for lovers of the Alpha male fighters with hearts of gold. I can't wait for book 2 so that I can get more Luke and Reese and find out how things turn out.

Reese is a twenty yr old who's had a difficult life. She teaches self defense for young girls at a gym. Luke Ryann is a retired MMA fighter even though he's only 25 and comes to work at the gym. Reese feels an instant connection with him and its something she has never felt before.It takes her a bit of time to realise that Luke is actually the teenager who saved her on more than one occassion when she was a young girl.I loved these characters, Reese was a kick ass girl, who didn't take no shit, Luke is typical aplha male, who tries hard to fight his attraction to Reese. I loved the banter between these to and i quickly got into the book and characters. Luke has dark secrets and is trying to protect Reese. Oh hell the chemistry and sexual tension between these two was hot hot hot!!!!! I expected lots of sex but hell there was none !!!! Yet i still loved this story. My biggest complaint, is it ended too soon and the cliffhanger !!!!!!!!!! OMG ARRGGGGHHHHH I can't wait for the next book !! Next year is too long !!

Twenty-year-old Reese Johnson can finally leave her troublesome past behind. She enters college with her best friend, Gia, and spends her time doing what she loves--working as a self-defense instructor at a local gym. Then Luke Ryann enters the picture. He's the tall, dark, and tattooed MMA fighter her boss hires to privately train her. One minute, he captivates her with his piercing brown eyes and boyish dimples. The next, he infuriates her with his relentless banter and cocky bad boy behavior. He's the last thing she wants or needs, and she never expects to fall in love with him.Luke's jaded past has him keeping a safe distance. Despite what he feels, some things are better left alone. He has a dangerous secret--one that has the potential to risk their lives. As he fights the attraction between them, can he resist the growing tension and protect the woman he'll never be able to have?

I have to say I had tears in my eyes at the Coldplay scene - of laughter. So funny and well-written.However the rest, I loved the first part, wasn't so keen on the middle then the ending got better and the story ended. I actually got the book when it first came out, got to over 50% and lost interest. I tried it again and its worth reading So don't give up.Why three and a half? I wasn't so keen on Reese, the female heroine. I understood her really sad background but it didn't, for me, justify her childish behaviour and decisions. Luke however was quite a cleverly drawn character, and I really wanted to know more about how he'd gone from the background he'd had to where he is now, living a completely anonymous life. The book didn't explain, I hope it's in the next.

I can't help but feel I've read this story once before but never the less I'd read it again and again. From the start emotionally your taken into Reeves life. Her trauma and abusive past makes you want to scream and cry in equal measure. Then comes Luke. There's a connection between them that binds them through good and bad times and fate just seams to bring them together again. I've tried to read this story slowly as I didn't want it to end. Please hurry and release the next part of the story. I would definitely recommend this book to others and will certainly be looking for other books by this author. It's a must read, with drama, great characters and a romance that I hope becomes a HEA.

oh i like ryann sexy, tattoos , fit as hell go damn this book i really l;iked its about reese who is a fight after she is nearly attacked as a teenager by her stepfather an saved by the boy next door she becomes a self defence instructor at a gym her nieghbours own an then enter ryann the foster kid from years back he's an ulitmate cage fighter whos having a break from it an is helping his foster parents out at the gym , reese at first dosnt realise he is the boy that saved her an then hillarious things star happening dont want to say any more so i dont spoil it but read this book u wont be dissapointed now i cant wait for the second one