About Sparring Partners
Back Cover Copy
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.
Key Selling Points
UNFORGETTABLE TROPES WITH HEAT: Sweet and spicy sports romance mixed with enemies-to-lovers banter, a forbidden workplace / forced proximity romance with a found family angle and a fun, youthful tone even when the story touches on heavier emotional elements. Added social media themes.
A TRENDING THEME WITH AN ADDICTIVE ANGLE: Trending #sportsromance with an MMA twist – hyper masculine alpha hero with a heart of gold; found family gym and MMA team dynamic; perfect for hockey romance fans who like the fights!
A POP CULTURE INTEREST WORTH THE BUZZ: Following a recent resurgence of combat sports like WWE (now on Netflix), the movie Iron Claw, and the celebrity pull of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), this mixed martial arts romance is sure to please!
NEW AUTHOR LAUNCH: The print trade debut for this dynamic writing team, perfect for fans of Nikki Castle, Hannah Grace and combat sports.
Comp Titles
Meet Me in a Mile - Elizabeth Hrib
Wicked Serve - Grace Reilly
The Game Changer - Lana Ferguson
The Summer of Perfect Mistakes - Cynthia St. Aubin
Frenemy Fix-Up by Yahrah, St. John
The Basics
Title: Sparring Partners
Author: Erin Rose
Publisher: Afterglow Books / Harlequin
Release date: 03/31/2026
ISBN:
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Paperback: 978-1335147141
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Ebook: 978-0369763150
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Sports Romance (MMA)
Tropes:
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Enemies to lovers
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Workplace romance
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Found family
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Hurt / Comfort
About the Author
Erin Rose is the pen name of co-authors/best friends Katie Erin and Katie Rose. Lovers of all things Romance and advocates for mental health, you can expect to find hard-won happily ever afters in their stories. They currently live in Shepherdstown, WV, with their respective husbands, children, and dogs.
