Harper Gates volunteers at the rec center owned by mixed martial arts fighter Cannon Coulter and his friends. The center provides at risk kids a place to hang out. She is also trying her darnedest to get somewhere with Gage Ringer, an MMA fighter and friend of Cannon's, but every time she thinks she has a chance...it stutters to a stop with him winging away to train for a fight.

Gage "Savage" Ringer is back home after receiving a deep cut during practice that knocked him out of a big fight. He's not in the best of spirits, but he is determined to enjoy the show at the center. He doesn't want pity so he jumps in to keep the kids that are running around the gym from misbehaving. With everything going on why is it that Harper seems to be ignoring him ... hadn't things been going okay for them? With a little help from his friends, Gage realizes that he's got only a little time to get back in her good graces and let her know how he feels before it is too late.

HARD KNOCKS takes us into the MMA world of fighting and loving as a prequel novella to author Lori Foster's new Ultimate series. Gage, Armie, Denver, Miles and Stacks are all here, with their varied looks and personalities, as they set up for a showing of Cannon's latest fight, but Gage's mind is more on Harper and his lost chances. It takes awhile, but Harper lets him know that he still has a chance but he is going to have to work for it. Three months without even a phone call...please. I like the feel of the rec center and the camaraderie of the men as they do what they love. I can't wait to get my hands on Cannon's book in the Ultimate series, and I do want to see who tames these men. The Ultimate series by Lori Foster should be fun and sexy if HARD KNOCKS is any indication.