GRR Reviews Get Wilde (Checkmate Inc.) by Shelly Alexander

Get Wilde is a very good "enemies to lovers" set in the fitness world, with more than a few twists on familiar tropes.

Ethan Wilde almost had it made... he was in college baseball destined for the big leagues... until an injury sidelined him forever. His fiancee dumped him when his career prospects are gone, leaving him bitterly against relationships. He reinvented himself and now owns a fitness chain. He is betting on the publicity of this next project, where he and another trainer will help a reality TV show whip some weekend warriors into shape for an American-Ninja style competition on live TV. There is a prize involved, of course, and he can use that money, attract some investors to go nation-wide franchising. That plan got derailed when the other team's coach had to bow out due to injury... and the replacement was a red-headed green-eyed yoga instructor nymph... Who seemed somehow familiar... And that's not because Ethan tried to pick her up at a bar. Turns out she's a former US Olympic gymnast who also bowed out due to injury... Just like Ethan. What's worse, her douchebag ex just cleaned out her bank account, and she seriously needed the money too. Ethan found her incredibly attractive and can commiserate together, but someone had to win this competition... Or does it?

Now that's a conflict. It is simple, obvious, and can't be waved away through a change of heart or a fat bank account (not that either has one). Not lame "former one-night-stand" to complicate things, though "evil ex cleaned out my bank account" does sound a bit cliche. As for the ending, you'll have to read it.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Ex-baseball star, now fitness guru, is competing with ex-Olympic gymnast on reality TV for grand prize, but can they also love?

Overall Rating: 4/5

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