Fighting Silence (On The Ropes Book 1)

This was my first book by this author and I loved it so much that I can't wait to read more from her!Till’s parents didn’t care about him or his two younger brothers so when it became too much at home, he took off. What he didn’t expect to find was a girl in an old and desolate apartment, a girl his age and so beautiful he knew he would never be good enough for her. Eliza’s parents weren’t much different to Till’s and when her parents fighting drove her away to a quiet and deserted apartment building, she took comfort in the silent place where she could draw without disturbances. At least until a boy came crawling through the window. A boy so handsome she knew would always be close to her, a boy from her school, a boy who became more than she ever thought possible.The story of Till and Eliza was heartrending. It began when they met at a young age, both desperate to get away from their homes. Over the years a bond between them formed which became much stronger than just friendship which helped them to get through tougher times in their lives.I loved how compassionate both characters were and how caring, selfless, humble, and self-sacrificing Till was. His brothers were great personalities and I can’t wait to read their books.The story had a lot of depth with both characters’ missing love at home and also their struggles (not only financially) through life. My heart ached for Till and I was in awe of how strong he was despite some seemingly hopeless situations.Till found a family not only in Eliza but also in Slate, the owner of On the Ropes which became Till’s second home because he spent every spare minute when he wasn’t working or taking care of his loved ones training in the gym. This after school program which became more to him than just a hobby was Till’s big dream because he wanted more in life than his parents ever gave him.Because Till never experienced his parents love for each other but only their cheating ways and multiple partners, he expected every relationship to fail after the love has worn off. Since he couldn’t live without Eliza he couldn't risk the chance of her leaving so he didn't dare and try anything more than friendship to not lose her forever.This story had some very heartbreaking and shocking moments when my heart shattered into a million pieces. Even my eyes didn’t stay dry during this read. There were some heavy sucker punches to the gut but also many funny and lovely moments. The characters looked after each other and I envied their cohesion and loved their dynamic. I loved the banter between them all.Till was one of the most selfless characters I’ve ever read about. He was self-sacrificing, devoted, sweet, thoughtful but also very stubborn. I loved how he took care of his two younger brothers. He didn’t turn his back on them when he could have so easily when he moved out. Although Till was physically so strong, he was emotionally on the brink of tumbling down the deep end a lot. It was so hard to watch how he wanted to be strong for his family but struggled with his hearing loss.Eliza was a pretty great characters as well, she took matters in her hands and helped with Till’s brothers. She was an awesome person and perfect for him.I loved the ending but it was a bummer that it felt a bit crammed with so much going on at once. And it was a pity that his boxing was pushed to the background at the end. I also didn't understand how he managed to keep boxing with his disability. I would have liked more info on that.Even though I thought this would be an adult book I really liked and adored the characters. Because the reason why I rarely read coming of age romances or young adults becoming new adults is that I can never really catch up to the fast growing up of the characters which is why I always still keep imagining them as young kids even at the end of the story. This was also the case here because although I knew they weren't thirteen all the time, I just never felt that they were much older which made everything so weird when they lived independently and were actually grownups.Regardless, I have so much love for this book and I kept thinking about the characters even days after I’d finished reading it.

Fighting Silence is a book I think everyone should read, it's an emotional, heartbreaking, beautifully written story, one that you will never forget. A story about two young souls who at the very young age meet and their lives forever entwined. The book spans from the time Till and Eliza are 13 until they are both 21. So go one click this bad boy ASAP!!Till Page doesn't have a easy life by any means his parents are scumbags that only care about themselves they hardly pay attention to him or his two younger brothers. Till is forced to raise his younger siblings on his own, he is just a child himself at the age of 13, leaving Till to grow up pretty quickly. Till also struggles on a daily basis to make ends meet for his family. He doesn't know what the future holds for all of them but one thing Till knows is that he's facing a future of silence. A future in which a genetic condition will take over his life causing him to loose his hearing. Something that he is absolutely terrified to face head on.One night changes everything for Till he needs to escape reality, he climbs through a window of an abandoned apartment building, who he encounters throws him for a loop inside is a young beautiful blue eyed girl who will forever change his life.Eliza Reynolds life hasn't been all that great either she's always having to look out for herself, her parents couldn't be bothered with her. Eliza also struggles on daily basis herself to make ends meet. She uses that abandoned apartment has her escape from her world where she can do the one thing she loves to do, drawing. She has a goal for herself when she get's older that is to leave for college and escape her past quickly. So when she meets Till he completely turns her world upside down in a good way, they quickly form a strong friendship relying on each for everything.As the years progress so does the friendship, but it also becomes so much more that neither one of them want to admit to. After five years of having the apartment as an escape time has come to say good bye and move on in life."I'd never had anything I could call my own, but Eliza Reynolds would always be mine."Till never graduated high school his main concern was keeping his brother's safe and feed. One day he stumbles upon something that could change his life, a flyer offering free boxing at a gym called On The Ropes. The owner is none other than Slate Andrews (you may remember him from another of Aly's books} Slate see's something in Till and is willing to help him out, he sees a boy that has the weight of the world on his shoulder, not only is Slate there for Till but his brothers as well. Slate becomes an important person in Till's life guess you say he's the father he never had. Slate help's Till fight some of the toughest battles one will ever experience in life.Months have passed on since Till has seen Eliza, she's at college trying to move on with her life and piece back her heart together, when Till shows up at her door needing her help. She doesn't understand why Till feels she's better off without him, he has nothing to offer her. Eliza just wants her friend back if it's only friendship she's willing to accept that, because a life with out Till in it is no life for her.Till has struggled in his life he's dealing with loosing his hearing, taking care of his brother's, and living in his fantasy world with Eliza, because in his fantasy world he and Eliza will always be together, in reality he'll never be good enough for her. Even though she's always been by his side from day one and continues to love him for who he is. In Till's mind he can not lose her he needs her in his life, she's the air he breaths. But Till has to face reality sooner rather than later because they're growing up and things could change, he could possible loose Eliza to another man.I feel I could go on about this story because there is so much more to tell, but I think you as the reader should experience it for yourself.Fighting Silence not only tells the story about Till and Eliza, it also introduces Till's brother's Flint and Quarry they play a significant part also. I feel their story is just getting started, both will continue in upcoming books, 2 and 3."You're incredible, and the fact that someone like you fell for a poor kid in dirty jeans who was too scared to walk through doors proves it......When I told you this {pointing to his ears} was my future, you never batted an eye. And when reality became more than I could handle, you declared war on the inevitable for me. You always say you love me, but you have given me so much more. And because of that, I will spend a lifetime fighting to give you the world."

I have read all of Aly’s latest novels with hunger and having finished them, I thought I would go back and read some of her earlier works. Cricky what a revelation. This trilogy is absolutely mind blowing. It is as ever well written. It has some very serious subjects, both physical and psychological. We have three brothers of various ages, being basically brought up by their eldest brother Till Page. He befriends a girl called Eliza who’s parents are more concerned with arguing than parenting. Eliza finds a bolt hole, and Till discovers Eliza. Doddle. The story unfolds beautifully. It is full of tender emotional scenes, dark passionate scenes and family dynamics. Topics covers are obviously abandonment concerning children, and in this case their coping mechanism. Deafness and genetic impacts, and finally boxing and all the hype, training program and attitudes that ensue. Plus all the sibling interactions. So very well written, descriptive and absorbing a book and trilogy and m sure will not disappoint. 5 stars is most definitely not enough

One of the best books I've read in agesI'll be recommending this one fosureIt's about a couple that meet as children and both desire each other but he does his best to not act on the feeling's as he thinks she'd have a better life without him...his jealousy seeing her with another man was cute, I'd love to have a man fight for me this way!He has a passion for boxing that starts as a distraction, to training for a career to provide for his brother's that he has become guardian of.The characters were so loveable I cried & laughed...not to mention the sex scenes were really...well great.It's beautifully written, alongside the story there is a health issue that is depicted so well & the affects on everyone in the family....I'll be looking out for more of the authors work!

Doing a re-read of this series after reading the Wrecked and Ruined books.I liked this book a lot more than I did the first time round. I understood Till's worries and motivations more this time instead of being annoyed with his mood changes and sometimes immature behaviour.Him and Eliza were sweet, I enjoyed seeing them developed from 13 year-olds to adults while navigating growing up and the changes in their relationship. I loved young Flint and little Quarry and also reading moments with Slate and Leo now that I've read their books and know their stories.

Have I found a new author to claim as a favourite? I think that is what has just happened right here. Aly Martinez has got me wrapped up in her writing and I may have just experienced the crazy feelings that go alongside a monumental book hangover. Why you may ask? It's all down to this authors gorgeous writing talent and it has to be said that this book right here is phenomenal.What's it all about?This is the first book in the 'on the rope' series and it sets the stage for the Page brothers to make their debut into our reading hearts. Till page is the eldest of the three brothers and to call him a born survivor is an understatement. These brothers face hardship and difficulties and with a heart breaking past and tragic circumstances following their every move they have to fight hard to find their happiness. This book takes the reader on the unmistakable journey of finding hope and love. Aly Martinez takes the tried and tested method of a friends to lovers theme but there's nothing unoriginal here. Follow the story of Till Page and the love of his life and best friend Eliza Reynolds and hold on to your seats for a love story that is memorable to say the least.What did I love?Those who know me will be able to tell you that my favourite of all tropes to read in the romance reading world is the friends to lovers story. I love the angst, the anticipation and the feeling of desperation for the perfect twosome to finally realise that they can't live without falling in love with each other. So it comes with no surprise that I fell hard in love with this story. Aly Martinez takes this trope and makes it her own, it's so much more than friends falling in love. This, my fellow readers is about soul mates finding their match. If I was to choose an author for a weepy, soul searching story I would always navigate towards Martinez, this author has a way of delivering the emotions but making sure her readers are rewarded with a heart pounding romance and love that is nothing short of epic.Why not five?Aly Martinez is new to me as an author and to say I'm impressed would be an understatement. If this book is anything to go by then you can be rest assured that I won't be missing out on future releases. This book was definitely a weeper, it was packed full of hardships and difficulties and whilst I was impressed with the quality of story telling I did at times feel like I wanted more peaceful story telling of the characters lives. The beginning had me hooked, but as the story developed I found myself a little on the distracted side. But these are only small niggles, I loved this authors voice and I'm more than ready to grab ahold of book two in the series. A solid four star rating for a book that was beautifully and thoughtfully put together.Final thoughts ...A fantastic start to a series that is sure to capture the hearts of the reading community. I can't wait for more in the series to come and I'm glad that I listened to the voice of my fellow romance addicts and gave this book a try. Well worthy of your time and money spent, don't miss out on this gorgeous love story. You won't regret it for a minute. Enjoy ...

Fighting Silence (On the Ropes #1) by Aly Martinez4.5 stars!!!“I had already been drowning in the ocean of life. Every gasp of air was a struggle. Just as I would breach the surface, filling my lungs with hope and determination to make it through another day, I was forced back under – harder every time.”I have to admit this is my first read by Aly Martinez but I can easily say it will not be my last. I am a sucker for friends to lover’s stories and this book was no different. From the time that we were introduced to these two you could tell that they had a unique bond, a bond that was the forever kind, no words were necessary, actions always spoke loudest.This book was real, life is a real battle sometimes and this shone through Aly’s words, the fight to stay together, the fight to remain together as a family and the fight in the ring are one of the same. The fight to be “normal,” the fight to be accepted, the fight to live and the fight to love and be loved, everything is a battle but battles are meant to be won and by the time I had finished this book, my heart felt it had survived a huge one.This was such a beautiful story that will have you empathising, sympathising and most importantly swooning. Neither character was perfect, neither came from a good background but the common denominator with these two was that they did not let it define them, they found their outlets, their safe places and for these two it always boiled down to the same thing, each other.Eliza used to escape her home life, she found a dilapidated house that was marked for demolition, but she used it as her escape, her fortress, a place that she could be alone and do what she wanted. Her parents never noticed her missing, nor seemingly cared which for a thirteen year old was hard to stomach. But she loved her haven and spent as much time as she could there. One night Till climbed through one of her windows and from that day on a friendship was born. At first words were not spoken, both were content with the companionable silence, but slowly but surely, they communicated, they trusted each other and both look forward to and cherished each other’s company.“No more windows. No more pretending.”Till was struggling, his father was off the scene and his mother was a feeble excuse for a parent, so it was left to him to bring up his brothers and for a thirteen year old, that was no easy task. Some days he just needed to get away and he found solace in Eliza, these two needed each other.As they get older life changes and as Eliza goes off to college Till panics about being left behind. He is scared of losing his soul mate, the one person he could always rely on, the only person that was there for him when he needed, one night before Eliza departs they finally cross that line and give themselves to each other completely, but for Till it was bitter sweet…it meant the end.“…because one thrust later – without the use of hands – I claimed Eliza Reynolds final first. And every. Single. One. Of her lasts.”With any friendship that was born from a solid foundation such as theirs you know that these two were destined to be. Their lives may have taken different paths but sometimes life has a way of making those paths cross once again, maybe being older and wiser is what these two needed, but when their paths finally intersect once again, you could tell that the spark was still there and I for one was begging them to give in and see where this relationship took them. Olive branches had to be delivered, forgiveness had to happen but once these two get back on the right track, love took over and that is what I loved about this book and this is where the story really begins.“I fell in love with a man whose fantasy is crawling through my window to escape reality. All the while, my fantasy is walking out that door to navigate reality by his side.”Till and Eliza were such strong characters in their own right, both could be stubborn at times but they bought out the best in each other. They were each other’s foundations and their anchor. Till was trying to do everything himself, he wanted to prove that he could be that person for his brothers, but money and work were necessary problems that needed to be overcome and it took a lot for him to finally accept Eliza’s help. The relationship that Eliza had with the brothers was fantastic, I could picture this family unit in my head, they were loyal to each other and looked out for each other, every one of them had their part to play which only lead to a happy, cohesive family unit.“You’re not hungry for more in life. You’re effing starving.”I cannot express how much I loved this book, the writing style and the plot lines had me hooked from start to finish and I just didn’t want it to end. The character connection was perfect, the emotion was there in spades, and it was powerful and raw. This book took over my life for those few hours and those boys have wormed their way into my heart and my head. I cannot wait for Flint’s story and I just know that it is going to be even more emotional that this one. I don’t know if my heart could take it. I loved this dude, so I will be eagerly anticipating the next instalment.“And I am unquestionably serious about spending the rest of my life with you.”