Modern Gladiator

I assumed this book would be an automatic win for me. Ever since Vice City, I read everything this author releases- be it full length or short story. When I read the blurb, I was even more excited to see that Modern Gladiator is a sports romance, a favorite trope of mine even when books feature sports I don’t watch. Add in an opposites attract romantic pairing, and yeah, Modern Gladiator sounded like just the book for me. Unfortunately, I struggled to connect with these characters and the book. So while I appreciated the story, I wasn’t left excited for the next in the series.

The main characters in Modern Gladiator were about as opposite as could be, with Keon being the professional athlete trying to make it and Corbin the nerdy med student who thinks Keon’s sport is barbaric. Although I appreciated just how much Corbin’s scientific, methodic way of thinking came through in his dialogue and actions, I think that’s also why I had a difficult time connecting with his character. He was a little too clinical for me, almost to the point of coldness and haughtiness. His character did develop and warm over the course of the book, and I definitely liked him more by the end, it just happened later than I would have liked. Similarly, I never really felt any spark in their romance. The physical lust was there without a doubt, but for a book that frequently referenced passion- both Corbin’s for medicine and Keon’s for MMA fighting- it was lacking between these men. Sports wise, I can’t comment really on how accurate the author’s portrayal of MMA fights and training is because it’s not a sport I follow, but I did like the way it was worked into the plot. This is definitely not one of those sports romances that mention a sport but never detail all that encompasses for an athlete or their significant other. Instead, the fights and Keon’s training took center stage often, which is always nice to see and I liked the way Corbin became invested in Keon’s training and success. All in all, Modern Gladiator had a good plot, decent characters, and a really good ending, but I can’t say that I was ever invested in the story or series outcome.


*Reviewed for Alpha Book Club*

I am so much like Corbin in this book lol. I have never really understood that boxing matches and MMA matches. Please do not misunderstand me. I’m not knocking it all or judging. If it makes people happy, go for it. Sometimes it just seems a little blood thirsty to me is all I meant. I can understand it to a point. Discipline, letting go of aggression, things like that. Anyway, lol. I also, like Corbin, would support someone anyway for following their dreams. And this is a good book. The work in finding you dreams, the passion, and the better it makes it when you have that support.

When Corbin’s sister drags him to an MMA match, he wasn’t terribly thrilled. He tries to do everything he can for his sister because of her medical history, but sometimes the things she likes, to him, are a bit much. And this is one of them. It doesn’t help when he makes a fool of himself hollering out not nice things to Keon, who is the opponent in this match. Keon wasn’t thrilled to hear it and after meeting the stuffed shirt Corbin, he doesn’t like him either. But a medical problem of Keon’s comes to Corbin’s attention and he does all he can to help. Which is his mission in life. The more he is around Keon, the more his opinion changes, not necessarily about the sport, but Keon’s dream and passion. But eventually, Corbin’s ex finds out he’s with Keon and he’s not happy. He’s making trouble and it’s going to be up to Corbin to bow under the pressure or talk to Keon and risk his relationship.

Both of these boys have dreams. They may be worlds apart but they both have passions for what they are pursuing. Corbin, being raised by doctors, is well versed in the subject already. But seeing what his sister has been through in her life, has fueled his passion to help people be better. It’s an admirable trait. Even if he may be a little stuffy sometimes. He’s got a heart of gold under those brains, though. Even in situations knowing he could get killed, he defends others. He hates bullies. He’s a little guy too. But it just makes him more special.

Keon doesn’t like bullies either. Especially after living with one. One that costed him a relationship with his sister. And with his attitude in the ring at times, he comes off as a brute. But he’s worked hard for where he’s at and he doesn’t care much of the opinions of others. Except Corbin’s. Somehow this little man has worked his way under Keon’s skin and won’t let go. The more he gets to know Corbin, the more he don’t want him too either. He sees under that stiffness and pressed clothes to the man in and he loves what he sees. Corbin has given him a new lease in life with support and trust. Friendship and love. Even that glare of his lol.

It’s so odd thinking these two could be good together but they seem just perfect. Opposites do attract, they say and these two are about opposites in every way. And it makes for a fun story.

Reviewed by Jenn for Diverse Reader

I thought this would be a fun opposites attract story and it is but it’s also so much more.

We have Corbin Friel, a med student who seems to live by rules and schedules. We also have Keon Lynch, a man who lives by his fists. These two seem to be so far apart that they come from different worlds.

I could list all the ways they’re different, but I want to focus on how they’re the same. They are lonely and at first glance, Keon seems to be the loneliest, you look a bit deeper and you can really feel the depth of Corbin’s loneliness. Corbin “Bin-Bin” reminds me of someone standing in the middle of a crowd screaming and yet...no one hears him. Each man has strength, integrity and the burning desire to make it in their prospective fields.

After an auspicious first meeting leads to Keon needing Corbin’s help and his discretion, things take a turn for these two. Imagine two men who have had laser focus on one thing in each of their lives finally focusing on each other? I loved it!! Throw in an ex who doesn’t believe he is an ex and we’ve got a great book. This book is full of humor, heart, friendship, heat, action, and some intrigue...all the things I love in a book. I love seeing two characters that shouldn’t necessarily work make me believe they are in it for the long haul. We also get LaLa, Corbin’s sister and Derek, Keon’s fellow fighter, friend and military buddy and things get even better. This was a great book with all the feels and one that was very well researched. The sports and medical dialogue and scenes come across very authentic and ring true. I have a true appreciation for an author that does their research and was not disappointed here!

This is my first S.A. Stovall book, I had not read the previous four in this series. I didn’t feel like I’d lost anything by not reading them except that I haven’t read them. Lol! This is something I will be correcting, this is an author I want to read more of!

Loved the action, the crazy ex and all the feels. Such a good and entertaining book!

Keon Lynch has one goal, being a UFC’s fighter. He’s self-made. He trains alone in a workout gym and has no team, no support, no cornermen. Corbin Friel is a medical student, and he wants to be a doctor like his parents. He wants to save people and has nothing to do with this harsh and rough world of fighters.
Keon and Corbin are drawn to each other even if everything is against them. What are the odds for a broken fighter and a proper student to start a relationship together?

Modern Gladiator is the new book by S.A Stovall, and I loved every word.

Keon is broken in every sense of the term. His leg is hurting him, his soul, and his mind too. He’s a nobody in the fighting word, and people don’t seem to like him. He’s completely alone until he meets Corbin. They start in the wrong way, but soon, when Corbin tries to help him with his leg and starts to take care of his schedule, Keon is like a phoenix flying in the arena and in Corbin’s heart.

Corbin is uptight, a good student, and he has one goal, being a doctor. He doesn’t have a social life. He studies or hangs out with his big sister, Malala, a fan of MMA fighting. When he meets Keon, Corbin is full of judgment about this man until he realizes that Keon isn’t what he thinks he is, and he starts to get involved in his life.
I adored these two characters, really, I adored them. On the paper, they have nothing in common. Absolutely nothing, from their families, to their childhood, their manners and their dreams, but somehow, it does work for them. Corbin fights for Keon, and Keon for Corbin. They are a superb match, and I adored everything about them.
The story is told from both POVs. The plot is good and well developed as we follow Keon and Corbin becoming a couple while working to achieve Keon’s goal and avoiding the problems and threats that are thrown at them. The secondary MCs are good and funny, especially Malala. I loved the rhythm of the story. It was dynamic, funny (Corbin cracked me up a lot), and well written. I wasn’t bored because there wasn’t any useless repetitiveness. I was captivated in the book, biting my nails at each fight that was well described with some technical terms that I learned. The author must have done some search, and I appreciated it.

I recommend this book. It was a fun, fresh and very good read that I enjoyed a lot. I’m excited to know that it’s the start of a new series, so I can’t wait to read the other books. Well done Miss Stovall!

5 Stars for the gladiator and his doctor

✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ 4-STAR ✩ REVIEW ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩

A physically fit male dominates the cover with minimal lighting causing deep shadows on his bare torso. He’s seen holding a length of chain. Heavy block letter font makes the title stand out. Overall, the composition provides a dramatic air that seems to be backed up by an intriguing synopsis.

POV ~> Dual first-person

So, Corbin is a med student. Keon is an MMA fighter aiming for the UFC level. Corbin’s sister has a bone illness and although older than him, he watches over her and tends to cater to her wants and needs… such as her love of watching contact sports. Lala reunites with a childhood friend turned fighter, Derek, and by an odd turn of events, Derek’s opponent that night – whom they trash talk before the fight – is actually good friends with Derek outside the octagon. After a rough start, the four of them kind of develop a support team of sorts for Keon as he battles his way to the UFC qualifier.
It’s not without drama though… competitor gyms try to warn him away, an obsessive ex-boyfriend won’t take no for an answer, and thugs are brought in to rough them up and threaten them.
Navigating the dangers and trying to keep one another safe can only build their bond stronger if they don’t let it tear them apart first.
In this story, I think I liked Keon far better than Corbin. Corbin had a bad habit of acting all self-righteous and snobbish, whereas Keon was much humbler. Secondary characters were plentiful but not overwhelming, most were likable. Chemistry progressed slowly. Dialogue was strong, interactions felt natural. The plot was engrossing, though I knew who sent the thugs right away. The conflicts were resolved in various manners, some in ways much different than I’d thought they’d go. Predictability was moderate. The conclusion was good, providing an HFN or implied HEA.
This was the first book by SA Stovall that I’ve read and I’d be interested in reading more.
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Rating: [R] ~ Score: 4.175 ~ Stars: 4
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⭐ ⭐ **** Disclosure of Material: I received a copy of this book from the Author/Publisher with the hope that I would voluntarily leave unbiased and unsolicited feedback. I was not asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review - nor was I compensated in any way. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". ***** ⭐ ⭐