Sunday, June 16, 2024

My Thoughts on When the Ocean Roars by Charlsie Estess

 

About:

He needs to surrender. She needs to fight. Are they ready for their next battle? Weeks before the Ultimate Fighting World Championship, Keane “The Golden Lion” Temple lands in Japan for the battle of his professional life. The adored prizefighter is primed to take the win. And nothing has ever distracted him from victory in the ring. But when his path collides with an intriguing woman, he gives in to impulse and asks her to spend his day off from training with him. Surely, he can keep his heart safe for one day.

Ami Ono cannot pass on the invitation but also hides her full identity. As their extraordinary day bleeds into night, both realize one day won’t be enough. Then the excursion ends in disaster when Keane discovers who Ami is. They part ways, but compelling circumstances and an undeniable attraction draw them back together, driving their attraction—and her high-society family drama—to something more intense than Keane has ever faced. As the forbidden romance threatens to take down his principles in the knockout of his life, he struggles to honor his beliefs. Will The Golden Lion surrender his heart? Will Ami defy the domineering men in her life and accept it? Do they stand a chance against nature?

My Thoughts:

This was an interesting story of a forbidden love meshed with instant attraction, where the old-world customs clashes with the new world of falling in love. It was also an interesting setting, against the backdrop of Japan in modern day, where a karate championship is about to take place.

Keane Temple has arrived in Japan to take the win. He is a karate championship, an interest that his mother instilled in him when he was little due to a turbulent and abusive home life situation. Keane is a great fighter, and his frame is widespread in Japan. Especially as he will be matched with one of their own top contenders. 

While out and about, Keane meets an amazing woman, Ami Ono whom he has an instant connection with. She as well with him. Ami is the youngest and only daughter after six boys. She comes from a well to do family, but her life is not her own. Her father and brothers are a bit controlling. What is a girl to do? I also found her vocation as a vulcanologist very interesting too. What an intriguing career choice.

The title both drew me in and fit the story well. I enjoyed my visit to Japan, I hope to go someday for real, but this story brought the culture and land to life in my imagination well. A great old-fashion love story to boot, with some surprise and dangerous plot turns that kept me turning those pages.

I was provided a copy of this novel by the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.


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