Vendor
	Mohrbooks Literary Agency Annelie Geissler
Categories
Romance

HOLD ME LIKE A GRUDGE

Celine Ong

A Novel

When a fierce rivalry between two professional wrestlers grows increasingly heated, neither man can fight the attraction burning between them, in this dazzling debut romance.

From dramatic character gimmicks to death-defying stunts, everything in the world of professional wrestling is an act. Asher Ross's hatred for Caleb Knight, however, is not. When Asher gets drafted to Global Elite Wrestling's main roster, playing the role of Caleb's worst enemythe face to his heelshould be easy. Stripping him of his World Championship title should be even easier. But as the two men trade barbs and blows across arenas, they're each surprised to find their chemistry is so sizzling, it can't just be for the cameras.

Through training sessions, rehearsals, and injuries, Caleb's icy demeanor melts away, and Asher begins to see the real man behind the cruel persona GEW has molded Caleb into. An unlikely truce evolves into feelings neither want to deny, but the company won't let them be seen as anything other than bitter rivals, both in and out of the ring.

As Asher and Caleb grapple with what they truly want in an industry with a history of denying queerness, their forbidden romance comes crashing down on them, and both men are forced to decide if their relationship is real enough to last, and just how much they're willing to fight for it.

Born in sweltering Singapore, Celine Ong (she/they) was raised in mosh pits, and writes queer romance novels about chaos gremlins with bad manners, weird feelings, and big hearts. With a B.A. in Psychology, by day, she works with her local queer community. By night, she's just a little court jester. Hold Me Like a Grudge is their debut novel.

Available products
Book Published 2026-03-31 by Berkley Books

Comments

Much like professional wrestling itself, Celine Ong's Hold Me Like a Grudge brings the sweat, the drama, and the FUN. I had a blast with this book!

A dazzling new voice enters the ring! Celine Ong weaves a heartfelt story of queer joy, belonging, and love that's worth fighting for. Hold Me Like a Grudge pins you to the mat and doesn't let go. For a sport built on theatrics, professional wrestling has never been this real.

Hold Me Like a Grudge is the queer wrestling story I didn't know I was missing, as Asher and Caleb grabbed me from the start and just wouldn't let go! Celine Ong is a powerhouse voice in queer lit!

Bitter enemies, hot romance, and a vibrant and engaging settingHold Me Like a Grudge needs to be at the top of your TBR!

As tender and aching as a bruise, Hold Me Like A Grudge is a love letter to wrestling, queerness, and found familynot to mention a steamy, swoon-worthy romance. I absolutely couldn't put it down.

A total knockout. Asher and Caleb's soft love, big secrets, and explosive chemistry create a romance to remember, and the endearing cast of characters brings their world to life. Come for the wrestling and spice or for the healing and queer revolution; either way, Celine Ong's debut is not to be missed.

Celine Ong pulls no punches in her knockout debuta queer love story that is both unflinchingly raw and bruisingly tender.

A knock-out of a debut, Ong delivers a sweet and steamy romance as a heated rivalry that turns into a tender love story. Trust me when I say this book will have you more than just a little hot under the collar.

Many a great love story begins with the feeling of having the wind knocked out of you. Ong literalizes the sensation with a passionately bloody, sweaty, and tearful debut about pro wrestlers grappling with their dreams, their regrets, and each other. The only thing more bruised than these boys' bodies will be your heart as you root for not just Asher and Caleb but a more just and generous world.