Love Hurts by Mandi Beck

Even when she won’t fight for us, I’ll go to war for her…

Inside the Octagon, I have no fear. I’m at home, in my element, inflicting pain onto men trained to hurt me just as badly. Making them submit, knocking them out, maiming them, because it’s them or me. And I choose them.

Outside the Octagon, my only weakness is a five-foot-two, classy as fuck woman that I’ve loved for most of my life. She’s the one that brings me to my knees, fills my arms, my heart, and one day soon, my bed. She makes me reckless. Volatile. I drink too much and try too hard to fuck my way out of feeling—all because of her.

Frankie De Rosa is my girl, my best friend. I haven’t earned her yet, but I won’t stand by and let anyone take her from me. She will be the greatest fight of my life, but she’s worth the battle.
Love hurts, but anything worth having does, right?
I’m Deacon “The Hitman” Love—Welcome to the Cage.

Love Hurts is book #1 in the Caged Love series and is Mandi Beck's debut novel. This story has one dirty talking beast of an Alpha - Deacon. This is Mandi Beck's debut novel and she nailed Deacon's character. Even though I had to warm up to him, once he won me over I was goner! 

Deacon and Frankie have known each other all their life and are best friends. Frankie is a dancer and Deacon is a MMA fighter a/k/a The Hitman.  Deacon has decided to let Frankie know that he not only loves her but is in love with her. He wants to make her his and will do everything in his power to make that happen. Beating of his chest included!

Ms Beck without a doubt has skills. She's created an entertaining read that's filled with sexual tension, filthy language, friendship, family and some suspense. Deacon and Frankie make this friends to lovers romance frustrating and agonizing. Hot head Deacon makes a mistake that causes Frankie hurt and has her re-thinking crossing that friendship line.  Things between them are certainly volatile!  Deacon is a ticking time bomb and Frankie is quite the hot head herself.

The story is told in both Deacon and Frankie's POV. There is a pretty good cast of supporting characters including a best friend, fathers and brothers. I do feel like I needed more development of Frankie and Deacon's past. We know they are best friends but I lacked the dynamic of the connection. This improved as the story continued.  No doubt that this will be a winner for many readers! Be aware there is a cliffhanger. 

Rating: 3.5-4 Stars 

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