In Hands Down, the romance develops between two individuals, one of whom is a professional fighter. The heroine has a complicated past that makes her wary of getting too close to others, but she finds herself falling for the gruff and intimidating fighter. The book explores themes of trust, emotional healing, and overcoming fears, all wrapped up in a slow-burn romance.Tropes: Slow-burn romance, Grumpy/sunshine, Fighter romance, Emotional healing.