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A Fighting Chance

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He wasn't expecting a second chance at love.
The first time FBI Special Agent Joel Lattimore meets the group led by Gage Wolfe, he immediately realizes one these guys aren’t the boardroom businessmen they claim to be. Their presence is too threatening. Plus, one of them walks around outfitted to the hilt with lethal weapons and looks like his middle name is “murder-for-hire.”

Joel gets his confirmation when he discovers they’re an elite, multinational paramilitary ghost unit.
And they want him on the team.
But joining the team exacts a heavy price.

After a life-changing mission in Angola, he returns to the U.S. to find that the woman his life has revolved around since he was only sixteen years old no longer wants to be part of it.

No matter what he's had to sacrifice, her happiness has been his sole purpose for more than half of his life. So, even as their divorce leaves the one-year mark in its rearview mirror, even as she moves on, dating and thriving...he's unable to shake the belief that there’s no one else for him.

That is, until he finds himself caught in a war between his mind and his heart.

His mind tells him that Ayesha Savea, the widow of the team’s only fallen member, is just a friend. For years, she’s been just a friend. However, as they grow closer, as he feels more like part of a family than someone on the outside looking in, his heart tells him he’s headed for a journey that will transform everything he’s ever believed about the right way to fall in love.

265 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 10, 2016

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K. Alex Walker

38 books503 followers

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5 stars
273 (53%)
4 stars
151 (29%)
3 stars
64 (12%)
2 stars
14 (2%)
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7 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
Profile Image for Dl.
221 reviews1 follower
July 22, 2016
Not a love story

The storyline is so over top that it becomes a tad bit confusing a times. It's starts if with Sydney and Joel who were in live with each other in high school and college, Sydney who was pregnant breaks up with him to become a fighter...Joel get a call from Sydney after her boyfriend beats her...her boyfriend turns off to be the Serbian mobster Joel has been investigating. The lead characters have no chemistry and the storyline is silly and unbelievable
Profile Image for B. B.
24 reviews1 follower
September 11, 2023
3.75 stars

Let me start by saying that A Fighting Chance is not standalone and you'd benefit from having knowledge of Walker's Angels & Assassins series.

A Fighting Chance is a story about fear and the beginnings of moving on from what you thought for yourself and making room for the things you never allowed yourself to think of. When we meet Joel and Ayesha, they're both reeling from life's punches, she being a widowed single mother of two and he from the only love he's known springing a divorce on him right before he goes into a dangerous situation. Joel is a member of an small elite team that does good but dangerously clandestine work all over. He's the newest member of the team and was recruited very soon after the team lost beloved member Curtis, Ayesha's husband. Ayesha is struggling on her own in Maui after losing Curtis roughly a year before. Her isolation is compounded by the fact that when Curtis went on his final mission, she hadn't yet told him they were expecting a second child. The fact that Curtis didn't know of now baby Theo's existence creates friction with Curtis's family (who never liked her) and she's ostracised and isolated.

Joel and Ayesha create a unique bond together because they're both struggling in this close group of people yet they shore each other up, almost by accident. I really loved seeing how their friendship developed. It was slow and built by her being someone he could talk to that wouldn't take his BS and he became someone she could lean on that helped her with her sons, Josiah and the whirlwind Theo. Even though Ayesha thinks she'll never and maybe shouldn't love again after Curtis, she's comfortable and content having Joel in her life, even if he reminds her so much of her lost husband. Joel is taking solace and comfort in his time in Maui with Ayesha and the boys because he's always wanted to be a father and he's drawn to Ayesha through feeling a little guilt about being Curtis's replacement on the team (even though he isn't). And poor Joel. He gets the figurative crap kicked out of him by the woman he's loved since he was a teenager, Sydney, who is an astounding level of selfish. Even though he's not been treated well or fairly, Joel is struggling with CLEANLY breaking the cycle of a years long, incredibly significant relationship.

I won't go into all the mess but Miss Sydney made my blood boil and I really needed Joel to get his head out of his backside and realise what he's allowing Sydney to do and how it's blocking the great thing right in front of him.

I really loved how real this book felt with the struggle to break comfortable habits with yourself and with others. Joel and Ayesha both need to know that they can and should work at moving on and they take steps (VERY TENTATIVE STEPS) in the right direction but both are terrified of their attraction to one another and the relationships they could lose if things go sideways. As such, they tru very hard to ignore the BIG feelings developing and insist on just being friends. Good luck, right. Also, even though it frustated me, the messiness of Joel and Sydney made sense and I appreciate seeing that explored a bit. Absolutely LOVED Joel and his relationships with the boys, especially older than his years Josiah. I even enjoyed the massive amount of UST from the wedding scene onwards. I have to say I'm not the happiest at being left hanging for a conclusion (this a part one for Joel and Ayesha) so I'm hoping the next book comes sooner than later! Overall, Walker is always surprising on how deftly they can draw me in to care so much for their characters and situations. Highly recommend and I can't wait for the next installment!!!
788 reviews3 followers
January 14, 2022
A Fighting Chance

The old saying, “If it sounds too good to be true, then it usually is” applies to all……

Selfish ambition can ruin the truest of love…..
Always following solid bread crumbs will lend clarity..

Dream comes true but at what cost…..
Chance encounter leads to reuniting of lovers…..

Can the tables turn in their favor or is it too little too late…..
Profile Image for Dayn3.
30 reviews1 follower
June 30, 2023
A Fighting Chance tells the story of our 2 main characters learning to move forward from grief and having enough courage to let go of the past and vision different lives for themselves.
Joel is the newest member to the Team and is happily married to Sydney. Joel and Sydney have been together since they were 16 years old, but right before his next mission Sydney informs Joel that she wants a divorce and she really doesn’t want to have a baby but if he leaves the team she will not pursue a divorce. Let’s just say Sydney does a number on Joel mental state and sometimes you want to just yell at Joel for how he allows Sydney to play mind games. How do you let go of the dream to be a dad and great husband? Can Joel let go of doing the thing that he loves which is being part of the team with men he sees as his brothers his family?
Ayesha is the widow of Curtis who didn’t make it back from the last mission. Curtis not only left behind his wife but 2 sons but only Curtis didn’t know Ayesha was pregnant with their second son a surprise she wanted to give him when he got home. Ayesha continues to grieve the loss of her husband and for a while pulled away from the Team but the guys’ commitment to Curtis would not allow her to grieve and raise the boys alone. Ayesha is also a therapist and becomes confident for Joel and Sydney.
Ms. Walker does a wonderful job building a foundation of friendship for Ayesha and Joel as they both grieve the lives they thought they would be living vs. the lives they are now forced to live.
Ayesha single mom of 2 boys and Joel with the continued back and forth relationship with Sydney (who by the way is not a very likeable character right now).
This is not a complete story but only the beginning of Joel and Ayesha. I cannot wait to get more of Joel and Ayesha story I am loving the chemistry and the honesty that has been written into their story.




I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 4, 2023
A Fighting Chance is the latest book in the Angels and Assassins series and this Ayesha and Joel's book which I have excitedly been waiting for. Ayesha has already gone through a lot with the traumatic experience of loosing her husband and the father of her kids, one, Theo, he never got to meet. After such heartbreak, Ayesha doesn't know if she has it in her to open her heart to love again. The problem is she may not have a choice if her heart has it's way and the heart wants what the heart wants.
Joel has is own personal demons he's fighting. After his divorce he still can't seem to let his ex Sidney go, and even if he did would anyone ever truly love him for him?
Both Ayesha and Joel no there's there's something special that keeps pulling them towards each other but they have become good friends and her kids love him. Is a possible second chance at love worth loosing what they have or will their friendship be enough?
First let me say that even though this book is a stand alone book, you will understand their story better if you have read the previous books in the series because there are a lot of twist and turns to follow and you may get a little lost. With that being said, I have been rooting for this couple since the first hint at possible relationship between Ayesha and Joel. Even though, to me anyway, they seem so perfect for each, outside forces always seem to keep them at arms length from each other, especially with Joel's pesky ex who wanted a divorce but can't seem to let him completely go. Hope fully in the net book Sidney will have moved on to someone else. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the back in forth between Joel and Ayesha and was really hoping for a happy ending and I'm a little disappointed with the cliffhanger ending. I hope that the next book is coming soon. As always , I loved visiting with the rest of the crew along with the extended family and friends because I love this series.
Profile Image for CLorraine.
1,413 reviews4 followers
August 6, 2023
I started my journey with K. Alex Walker’s Angels and Assassins series with the first entry, The Wolf. Now it seems like eons have passed since that great first story, but I was able to dive back into the action! A Fighting Chance is akin to a prequel and the reader must fit it into the narrative and chronology of the series. As with all of Ms. Walker’s characters, Joel and Ayesha have complex backstories. Joel is single adjacent after an unexpected breakup, while Ayesha is a widow with two young children. Joel is a relatively new member of the team and is finding out how he fits into the group; in addition, Joel does not have closure from his ex…she selfishly keeps him in rotation. Ayesha has struggles of her own as she grapples with being a single parent. I really enjoyed this book and hopefully in future works we will get more insight.
Profile Image for Yvonne Daniels.
2,504 reviews17 followers
May 20, 2024
Absolutely Marvelous

OH MY WOW.This is a awesome story with such captivating characters old and new. It's a pleasurable and enjoyable experience just like all of the other stories in this series. There is so much laughter and it's the best kind happy. The excitement and romance along with the drama is what I enjoy. I'm a fan of this series so much that I can't read the stories just once because I absolutely enjoy binging on them all. I enjoyed this story which I found is such a pleasurable experience that you will absolutely enjoy. So if you are like myself and you need a story which you will enjoy this amazing series is one. I'm hoping this isn't the last story in this series because I'm so excited to read the next story It's so well worth my time and yours to have such enjoyment in our life.
Profile Image for Adalle.
1,518 reviews6 followers
August 9, 2023
3.5 Stars

The title to me is completely different from what I was expecting. The description of the book was different from what I read in this book.
Now my definition of “Dark” is DEFINITELY different from THIS book. This was a clean but detailed to the extent that you get a glimpse of what could be going on and then………. You get my point.

Don’t get me wrong, I loved the idea of overcoming and healing, but this was not what was described.
Well, maybe THIS book was the Angel part. Who’s to say.


Any opinions expressed in this review are solely and uniquely made by me and I am happily leaving this review. I originally voluntarily received an advanced copy of THIS book via bsprout.
Profile Image for LovelyLady Fox.
192 reviews3 followers
July 14, 2023
Excellent!!!!

It took me a minute but I came to the conclusion that all of this that transpired between JOEL, SYDNEY AND AYESHA was during the course of the Angels & Assassins series perhaps between books 6&7. It was during those Book that I began to love AYESHA & JOEL. Their chemistry and connection were beautiful. The sexual tension leapt off the pages. Although I didn’t read the original Fighting Chance which told SYDNEY & JOEL’s story. I loved this re-release.



Ohhh dear readers that Epilogue Let me just say if you didn’t read Knight for a Queen you will not make the connection. ( I am leaving it at that).
824 reviews4 followers
September 14, 2021
Fighting for Freedoms and Love

What a book! ALL and I do mean all of my emotions were alive and well. So much suspense, worry, love, desperation, fear, happiness, sadness! Just when you think the Mafia’s top man is down and villain, inside
the FBI turns up. Giving a tidbit of info before a bullet, from an unknown source kills him leaves the guys wondering how far this goes. Then Julien gets another message from Ryle, a troubling message, with a video loop of Julien’s loved ones… Leaving the reader to conclude that Julien and his family is the next target.
61 reviews
October 19, 2019
Wow!I'm

This may have been a novella, but it was great. This book updates the relationship between FBI Agent Joel Lattimore and professional boxer, Sydney Donovan. It was suspenseful and really kept you on edge of your seat. But it is also a cliffhanger. This series is definitely not complete. There are so many unanswered questions and loose ends: Who is Ryle? Who is the unknown mastermind who has the "guys" and their loved ones on a bit list?












69 reviews
July 20, 2023
Maybe I’d have enjoyed it more could I identify with being a divorceé/widower/parent but I’m not so as the musings went on, I found myself skipping lots of pages. Even then only made it to 57% and nothing scintillating or spicy had happened or threatened to happen as yet. Tone and composition were fine so someone else may enjoy this more. I’ve enjoyed other books by the author so this story was just not for me.
35 reviews
August 14, 2023
Joel and Ayesha's story was a slow burn but worth the wait. Their history together shows how interwoven they are. Their relationship begins as friends both coming from loss. It was beautiful to watch the love grow, not just for eachother, but as a family. Joel's unconditional love for the boys was heartwarming. Their were moments in the story that brought tears to my eyes. This is a phenomenal friends to lovers, anxiously awaiting the next book to read what's to come.
315 reviews1 follower
August 14, 2023
It seems we'll have a good long journey

I really love this series. It has everything women who are strong and not flighty and know their worth. Men who are strong men but have feelings. I'm old enough to remember the last writer's and actor's strike we ended up with the Kardashians, Big Brother, and Survivor. Hopefully you'll keep writing like this with this story and I'll be back
Also please put them on Audible or some voice platform.
Profile Image for Merry Jelks-Emmanuel.
8,412 reviews121 followers
August 18, 2023
Joel and Sydney kept me glued to this riveting story. It is an action-packed drama that had me in Joel and Sydney's corner. It runs the gambit on emotions and is a page turner that will have you connecting with these characters and cheering them on to rekindling what they once had and moving on to finally getting the happiness they deserve.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Betty.
517 reviews
September 4, 2020
She Won the One that Mattered!

The story of Joel and Sydney was good, but it left a lot of unfinished business that I figure is to be settled in the other books. I guess I need to get started on the next one, since I want to know who is playing cat and mouse games with Julien! Okay, I am ready!
Profile Image for Pamelon.
833 reviews15 followers
January 18, 2021
Joel & Sydney 😍 Love the Action!!!

K. Alex Walker always bring the fire, the sexy, the intrigue, suspense and @$$kicking action!! The gang is all here in A Fighting Chance. Joel and Sydney get a second chance.😍 Actions packed with high speed chases, shoot outs and I loved it. Check it out👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
60 reviews2 followers
June 29, 2023
Amazing

I read the original A fighting chance and though I loved it this version is so much better. K. Alex Walker you did it again, you never fail to make us want more. I must say I hate Sydney a little for the way she played with Joel, he didn’t deserve it. I can’t wait to read what comes next for Joel and Ayesha.
Profile Image for Gina Martin.
750 reviews11 followers
August 2, 2023
I wish I would have finished reading the entire Angels and Assassins series. I think I only read the first 2 books. As a result, I could not fully understand all that was happening. Nevertheless, I did like the book and I am sure there is more to come regarding Joel, Ayesha and Sydney. Good job, K. Alex Walker.

Profile Image for Willie-mai.
389 reviews1 follower
August 4, 2023
This was a very complicated and sometimes difficult book to read! You were left feeling anger and sadness with all the parties involved! I did love the relationship between Joel and Ayeesha’s boys! I really do hope we get a conclusion to everyone’s stories!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
334 reviews1 follower
September 23, 2023
Novella Interlude

I read this book out of order. According to the author it should be read between The Protector and The Anarchist.

As with all of the Angels and Assassins books, I absolutely LOVED this story. But be warned, it’s a tear-jerker; I cried (and laughed) through the whole thing. A great read!
Profile Image for Fern.
661 reviews10 followers
June 17, 2024
I had a bit difficulty finishing this book. I had a hard time because Sydney loves to play mind games with Joel who is a very good guy! I love how he cares for Ayesha's sons and he is just a great guy and Sydney takes advantage. I really want for him to move on from her and form a true family with Ayesha and her sons. He loves her and her kids. Anyway, even though I had given this story 5 stars, it was difficult getting through because of Selfish Sydney!
June 27, 2023
Good book

I was a little confused at first but after reading the first 3 chapters I can to understand what was going on. This is making way for the next book, well I have purchased it and I am very interested in reading it.
598 reviews4 followers
July 7, 2023
Happily disappointed

This is a great preview to a wonderfully complicated love story. It gave me all of the back story details I needed for Ayesha and Joel. The problem is that this is a backstory. So now I'm on the hunt for the full story. Ms Walker, you know how to reel me in.
8 reviews1 follower
July 13, 2023
Confused!!

Years ago, I read a book written by the same author about Joel and Sydney. Joel had just joined this group and Sydney was a boxer in an abusive relationship. Is this book a rewrite of that book?? I think the title's the same.
13 reviews
July 22, 2023
A Fighting Chance 2???

Another great book. If you have ever book the series you will have a book from 2014 by the same title about Joel & Syd. It would be great if the author clarified this, I almost didn't buy it.
1,261 reviews18 followers
August 2, 2023
Both Ayesha and Joel need this second chance at love but getting it, is going to take time. This book is part one for this duo. Appearances are made by the other Angels and Demons of the series. So it's useful to know them in advance. A good read.
Profile Image for Chin.
119 reviews2 followers
Read
October 10, 2023
So there are 2 completely different stories with the same name by k Alex Walker. The first a fighting chance is definitely a love story between Sydney and Joel which shows her in a completely different light than the other a fighting chance which portrayed her as a cold batch.
November 30, 2023
dang it! sooo good.

It’s a slow sweet evolution and I’m here for it. K. Alex tells a great story. I can see how much thought and care she puts into every character. The snark and laughter is on point and great. Love love love
Profile Image for Angelina Black.
161 reviews5 followers
June 30, 2023
A Fighting Chance

How long before the next book comes out.? This was a hit from beginning to the end. The epilogue didn't help either. This entire series is well written.
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