Make Me Burn (Turn Up the Heat #1)

by Marie Harte

Blurb:

These sizzling Seattle firefighters are melting hearts...

Reporter Avery Dearborn hasn't had the best day. She was filmed fending off a lovesick dog before being rescued from falling flat on her face by none other than her arch nemesis. Seattle firefighter Brad Battle hasn't changed at all in the five years since she last saw him. He's still handsome, hot, and charming―to everyone but her.

Brad can't believe his bad luck to run into Avery, of all people. But to make matters worse, their shared chemistry on screen goes viral. Soon he's forced to work with her on live TV. The spot will help the local animal charity and make the fire department look good, so who is he to disobey a direct order to cooperate?

Trust takes time, but as Avery and Brad come to realize they are different people than when they first met, anger turns to irresistible attraction, and hard feelings into hot sex. But letting the past stay in the past isn't as easy as it sounds. And if they're not careful, they'll both get burned.

Themes: Contemporary

Rating: 4.25 stars

Heat Rating:

Review:

Harte’s newest series is going to make you burn!

Marie Harte has begun a new series revolving around sexy firefighters in Seattle, WA, and I am thrilled with the way this series is shaping up. I have been a fan of this author for a long time and when the chance came to read a new series, one revolving around one of my favorite types of heroes, I didn’t hesitate to jump at the opportunity. The story kicks off with all kinds of laughter and then the quirky and intense romance builds between these two former enemies who slowly begin to appreciate that there are truly always two sides to every story and sometimes you never get the full truth. Both Avery and Brad have a lot of emotional issues to work through in order to be fully present in their relationship, but together they find a way to bring out the best in one another, beginning with a truly unexpected friendship. Brad has a lot of loss in his life and one particular one that has left him unable —or unwilling truly—to connect with another woman ever again, but he finds himself unable to resist the draw he feels whenever he is around Avery. Avery has finally allowed herself to have a measure of peace, professionally and personally, though the two seem to conflict again and again. When she is forced into close confines again working with Brad their passionate arguments soon lead them into an unexpected but truly fulfilling relationship. But when some long-hidden secrets are uncovered, Brad has to decide if he is willing to fight for what they have been building or if his emotional pain is too much to overcome.

I loved getting to know these two characters and being along for the ride as they worked their way through the growing pains of their relationship and personal issues. Avery has had a lot of problems with her father because of her desire to go her own way and his unwillingness to accept her for who and what she is, but with Brad’s help she finally begins to see how wonderful she is and that she doesn’t need to change for her father. It was awesome to see her stand up for herself with Brad too when he stepped over the line and I loved that she refused to back down anymore. It was obvious that the relationship with Brad was just what she needed in order to find her inner strength and accept that she was ready to stand for herself. Brad on the other hand had different emotional concerns but they were no less intense. The trauma in his past left him wanting to hide from emotional connections, but the closer he got to Avery the harder it was for him until it all came tumbling down and he tried to pull away despite it hurting them both so much. Once he learned some hard truths and was forced to face the way his behavior hurt and affected those around him, he finally became the fully realized hero he was always meant to be. In the end they were both wonderful characters that made me cry, laugh, smile, and gave me goosebumps as their emotional rollercoaster unfolded. The passion never faltered and in the end they found a way to their HEA and I was thrilled for them. Not to be neglected, the side characters in this story made it even more interesting, family and friends supporting and enriching Avery and Brad’s story immensely. I am dying for the next story and cannot wait for it because this series is definitely shaping up to be awesome.

*eARC provided by author for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review. No compensation was provided.