I definitely get the hype now about this book. It was absolute perfection. Cal is probably one of my favorite mmcs ever written. Silas is such a damaged soul and Cal loves him so well. This book is packed full of yearning, spice, angst and tenderness. It’s an incredibly beautiful love story and I cannot wait for book 2!
Six Star Debut Novel!!!!!!
Going into this book, I’ll admit I didn’t have high hopes. I’ve never been a wrestling fan nor cared about it in the least, this is a new author, a debut novel, and it was over 500 pages. BUT, I am here to tell you, this book more than exceeded my expectations. It absolutely is a SIX star read!! When an author can make you enjoy a sport you’ve never liked, care for characters that you wasn’t sure you’d relate to, and fall in love with a world where pain and hurt is prevalent, that author has something truly worth reading.
Cal and Si first meet in training and there’s instant chemistry. They just have something special when they’re working together and that becomes more obvious as they perform together. That chemistry soon turns into lust and desire and they find themselves falling fast. Over the course of a year, they train to be the best in the UWF, working together, sharing the spotlight. They are falling in love behind closed doors, knowing their careers could be over if anyone found out. When things fall apart, Silas disappears, leaving Cal to move on without him and become the champion. Seven years later, Silas is back, more determined than ever to claim what is his. Cal is angry, hurt, confused, but has he moved on?
When I tell you this book put me through the wringer, I mean it. So many emotions, so much baggage to sort through, and all the tears and laughter I could handle. Si and Cal really have to go through it and work for their happiness. Cal was the anchor…
To say I loved this book feels like an understatement—this was easily a 6⭐ read for me.
Told through Silas’s POV, we follow his journey through pro wrestling, self-discovery, love, and heartbreak, all layered with a touch of trauma that adds real depth to his story. The emotional weight of the characters shines through every page; the writing pulls you in so completely that it feels like you’re living the story right alongside them.
The wrestling backdrop made this one stand out in the best way, hitting that classic note of watching it as a kid (even if we all learned later it wasn’t quite what we thought*fake*). It balanced humor, sweetness, and heavy emotional moments so well, leaving you fully invested from start to finish.
And that 7-year separation? Painful, yes, but executed perfectly. Just enough angst to keep your heart aching, with a redemption that made every second worth it. Ending on a happy-for-now note, this story truly delivered. Cannot wait for more of their story.
The found family woven throughout their journey adds so much heart to the story. Watching Silas confront his past and grow into someone who believes he’s worthy of love? Beautiful. Painful. So, so worth it.
And listen… the only spoiler I’ll give: Scott must be protected at all costs. Do with that what you will. 😭
From the wrestling world to the behind-the-scenes grit and the very real dangers that come with it, every detail pulled me in deeper. There wasn’t a single moment when I wasn’t…
B
Bookish with Savvy
April 17, 2026
Do Yourself A Favor...BUY IT!!!
“ Because I knew the moment I kissed you, there was no going back for me. Not in this life, not in any other.”
Now this is how you do a debut. I’ll start by saying that a quarter of the way through “Righteous Desires,” Florence Wolfe had crafted something special. What I didn’t anticipate was collecting a six-star read that has left me feral for more of Florence’s work. From multifaceted characters, the exploration of a unique sport, to pursuing your dream whilst hiding your truth, Righteous Desires is a gritty, sexy, and emotionally charged hit.
Things I Loved:
The Yearn in Yearning: With lines like “you are the blueprint” and “you were made for me,” there is no shortage of yearning, heat, and swoon in Righteous Desires. While spice is one thing, I loved how vocal and expressive both Si and Cal were about their feelings for one another. Even as they navigated the highs and lows of their dreams, not a moment went by that I, as a reader, questioned how much they loved one another. Furthermore, the reverence in which they savored each other, be it intimately or in everyday interactions, amplifies the romantic factor of Righteous Desires.
Exploring A Different Facet of Sports: When you hear sports romance, usually what comes to mind is hockey. And don’t get me wrong, I love the boy aquarium. However, words cannot summarize how excited I was to explore a different sport. In a sport that places a heavy emphasis on contemporary masculinity, roughhousing, and theatrics, I was…
“It was always going to be you. It’s only ever been you.”
Adding to my top books of 2026, told from Silas Reed's POV, Righteous Desires has it all: love, trauma, healing, and acceptance.
The story of Callum Kincaid and Silas Reed will live in my heart forever.
What I love about this story is the way these broken boys showed up for each other. Pegged immediately as rivals on the mat but behind the scenes it was anything but that. Cal and Silas had instant chemistry from critiquing their skillset, to long car rides filled with "get to know you" conversations to becoming each other's person. Then falling in love both knowing that this love had to be kept in the dark.
When tragedy strikes and their worlds implode separating them for over 7 years. They are no longer the boys they used to be but men determined to stay on top. Cal is the current Champion of the World and Silas is set to make a comeback - when their worlds collide again, hurt and anger turn into a fiery passion that neither of them are willing to let go of again. Watching Cal and Silas work through their heartache and choose each other is so beautifully written. This debut novel is nothing short of spectacular. I cannot wait for the second book in this amazing series!
