Book Review — Hold Me Like a Grudge by Celine Ong

Genre: Romance, Queer Romance, Sports Romance
Published by: Celine Ong
Publish date: June 30, 2026
Number of pages: 332 pages
Author’s website: https://www.writewithcel.com/
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When a fierce rivalry between two professional wrestlers heats up beneath the spotlight, neither man can fight the attraction burning between them, in this steamy sports romance.

From death-defying stunts to campy character gimmicks, everything in the world of professional wrestling is an act. Asher Ross’s hatred for Caleb Knight, however, is not. When Asher finally gets drafted to Global Elite Wrestling’s main roster and is thrown into a feud with Caleb for the World Championship title, he’s hell-bent on making Caleb’s life a living nightmare. But as both men trade barbs and blows across arenas, they’re each surprised to find their chemistry is so electric, it can’t be just for show.

Through rehearsals, training sessions, and injuries, Caleb’s icy walls begin to thaw, revealing the real man hidden behind the cruel person GEW has molded him into. An unlikely truce blossoms into feelings neither want to deny, but, set in old ways, the company won’t let them be seen as anything more than bitter rivals, both in and out of the ring.

With the risk of their forbidden romance upending their lifelong dreams, Asher and Caleb grapple with what they truly want in an industry known to erase queerness from its history, and square up against the hardest challenge yet: how much of their hearts they are prepared to give up, and if they are willing to fight to leave a legacy of their own.

Rating: 4/5

What a delightful, funny, and sexy time I had while reading this! I knew little about the world of wrestling other than watching as a kid. I love how Celine Ong described the performance of it. Seeing two men navigate a queer workplace romance in this specific culture was interesting and unique.

I loved the comment about how wrestling is like drag. There are outfits and it’s a show! I liked how various characters are not only trying to exist in this environment but taking little actions to be their authentic selves both in and out of the ring.

The collar wrestling match had me gagged. My favorite part had to be when Caleb took care of Asher after he got his concussion. This book is full of romance tropes that will have you in your feels and unique situations specific to wrestling that I haven’t seen before. There are also multiple pop culture references. I’m sure I missed a bunch, but the ones I did know had me feeling like reminiscing with a friend over my specific loves and childhood faves.

Wrestling is drag!!!
The collar match. Phew! I needed to fan myself.
The tropes were troping.

There were some things that took me out of the story, like random logistical things. For example, there are airport pick-up and drop-off scenes. For the pick-up, I figured Caleb just had a carry-on and like a backpack, not a suitcase, because Asher picks him up on his motorcycle, but then at the airport when he’s leaving there’s mention of his checked bag.

Have you read this book? What are your thoughts? I’d love to know!