This was a fun read, it's like a rivals who hate each other (they got off to a bad start, plus they're both disdainful of the others mode of "health"), who are forced to work with each other in a fun "competition", to lovers scenario. Some of the moments did give me secondhand embarassment, like their fights were so childish (as was intended, so no issues there, I mean this comment as in I laughed in secondhand embarassment). I liked how they both came to a middle ground in opinions at the end of the book, and made conscious efforts to understand what they truly wanted.

TWs - I'd say the biggest TW is unhealthy food issues / fatphobia? The FMC has grown up in a situation where she had to be slimmer to be more respected, so she genuinely believes that everyone must eat only leafy greens and such to be healthy. She slowly learns over the course of the book how she's been made to feel guilty for eating anything else, and she eventually changes her mind, which I thought was a good depiction of someone learning to love themself and their body. Other TWs include teenage pregnancy in the past, constant insult and pestering by parents/family, deliberate personal insults to a person via social media

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

Okay so nowhere in the blurb it is mentioned that the MMC aka Brookes is a single dad so imagine my surprise when I found out he has an 18 year old daughter. Izzy was kind of a brat and I did not really like her attitude. Both Izzy & Brookes had totally different opinions when it came to fitness but the attraction was there. I could feel the chemistry but not the connection between them. Because when they started living with each other, I found it hard to believe that they fell in love in just a matter of five days. While this story was definitely something new, the execution was poor in my opinion and I did not enjoy it as much as I thought I would because the blurb was definitely appealing.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review

Thank you Boldwood Books, Laura Carter, and NetGalley for providing this e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

When rivals come head to head - sparks fly with these two!

Brooks is a gym owner who is still pining over his child's mother/high school sweetheart. He thinks he is always right, and is driven to prove to everyone that he's got what it takes to be successful.

Izzy is an influencer who is trying to make a name for herself in the fitness industry. She loves doing things for clout, and is a dance instructor.

The two come head to head when Izzy wants to use Brooks gym to film her next DVD.

I loved the hilarious banter that we find with most enemies to lovers stories. The angsty build up was so fun to read in this fast paced romance!

Read if you love:
-Enemies to lovers
-Single Parent
-Gym Vibes
-Influencer storylines

My only complaint about the story - was how Izzy handled the daughter issue. As a mom - kids are a hard limit when it comes to romances and the petty nature of the whole thing was off putting. Izzy never really redeemed herself in my eyes which did take away from the HEA. It's hard for me to ship a relationship for a single parent when that kind of behavior exists. Although this was a big issue for me - it really may not be for others, or Izzy's groveling may be enough for you to forgive her too.

I am definitely looking forward to reading more work from Laura Carter.

Overall 3.5 stars.

Brooks is a gym owner who thinks he's still in love with the high school sweetheart he got pregnant at 17. Izzy is a spoiled rich girl trying to make a name for herself in the fitness world. Their lives crash together when Izzy wants to use his gym to film her next DVD.

He's a meathead.
She's a princess.
Neither of them are ready for the sparks that fly when they go toe-to-toe over fitness and nutrition.

For the most part, Two to Tango was a fast-paced, hilarious story showing just how explosive it can be when opposites attract. The romance between these two is organic (just like Izzy!) and built to weather storms (like Brooks!). Their banter was top-notch, and I was rooting for them to the end.

I think Brooks and Izzy could have been a perfect couple. They showed concern for each other, knew how to rile each other up, and had some steamy scenes that brought them closer.

I loved that Izzy's struggle with food was discussed because women who eat like she did often have body dysmorphia and exhibit a fear of food. Bonus points for tackling this!

But now a bit of a rant about the other fitness and nutrition aspects of this book (I've worked in the field for seven years)...lifting heavy weights will not make a woman bulky. Woman have to work really hard to get bulky. We just aren't made for it. Also, tofu and quinoa are both high in protein and excellent protein choices for people avoiding meat. Brooks and Izzy kept arguing over protein as if they didn't know this, and it drove me a little crazy.


My other issue with the book happened near the end. Brooks and Izzy seemed to have a strong connections. Yes, he kept his daughter secret, but other than that, they seemed to trust each other. What Izzy did when Brooks and his daughter had their moment was unforgivable. It was petty and vindictive and showed she really didn't trust him which seemed out of character. It made me dislike her immensely and I don't feel like she groveled enough. Had the situation been handled differently, this could have been a 4 star book. As it is, Brooks deserved far better.

A rival fitness influencer and gym owner fights and fall in love. Will their love last?

I like Brooks and Izzy a lot. Love their banter and sass especially. I enjoy their fights as much as their getting together. A totally fun book.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.