Sparring Partners
A Spicy Enemies to Lovers Mma Sports Romance
Published on 31. March 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
288 pages
978-1-335-14714-1 (ISBN)
Description
When a Gen Z content creator meets a brooding MMA coach, they are the hottest thing on the mat in this forced-proximity, enemies-to-lovers sports romance for fans of Nikki Castle and Elle Kennedy.
Gloves off.
And hands on…
When things get hard, some choose “flight…”
It’s been a year since Lily Parker fled to Chicago, hoping to lose herself among millions of people. Becoming the new content creator for a South Side MMA gym isn’t just a fresh start or a new job—it’s a chance to save the gym and help women protect themselves. But while the gorgeous, scarred and tatted-up MMA coach has marked Lily as an enemy, there’s definitely something spicy between them…
He chooses “fight.”
Kieran Sullivan only knows how to use his fists. His body is a testament to survival and protecting those he loves—and that does not include the gym’s newest employee. But when a video goes viral, Kieran and Lily must play nice in front of the cameras to keep the gym’s fans happy. Now the internet is obsessed with their scorching, will-they-or-won’t-they chemistry.
Sometimes, the only thing that separates love from hate is knowing exactly who your opponent really is.
Sparring Partners is a spicy, fast-paced romance you can read in one sitting.
Gloves off.
And hands on…
When things get hard, some choose “flight…”
It’s been a year since Lily Parker fled to Chicago, hoping to lose herself among millions of people. Becoming the new content creator for a South Side MMA gym isn’t just a fresh start or a new job—it’s a chance to save the gym and help women protect themselves. But while the gorgeous, scarred and tatted-up MMA coach has marked Lily as an enemy, there’s definitely something spicy between them…
He chooses “fight.”
Kieran Sullivan only knows how to use his fists. His body is a testament to survival and protecting those he loves—and that does not include the gym’s newest employee. But when a video goes viral, Kieran and Lily must play nice in front of the cameras to keep the gym’s fans happy. Now the internet is obsessed with their scorching, will-they-or-won’t-they chemistry.
Sometimes, the only thing that separates love from hate is knowing exactly who your opponent really is.
Sparring Partners is a spicy, fast-paced romance you can read in one sitting.
- enemies to lovers
- sports romance
- working together
- forced proximity
- found family
- healing from trauma
More details
Edition
Original ed.
Language
English
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 204 mm
Width: 140 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
227 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-335-14714-1 (9781335147141)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
03/2026
Afterglow Books by Harlequin
€5.33
Available for download