by Jessica Jayne
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Author
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Rating:
Gracelyn Riley married a firefighter and she knew that came with some risks. But she never imagined herself widowed in her early thirties with two children to care for on her own. Even though she had asked her husband, Chad, for a trial separation the week before his death because she found out about an affair he was having, dealing with the last year without him has not been easy. Her brother-in-law, Matt, has been the rock that has kept her from collapsing. As a fireman, Matt Riley had been at the scene when his brother was killed. Several other firefighters had to hold him back to keep him from going after his brother in the collapsing building. The last year has been difficult for Matt. He suffered greatly from survivor’s guilt and drank himself into oblivion on several occasions. His one saving grace has come in the form of his sister-in-law, Gracelyn. Her friendship has pulled him through time and time again. With the year anniversary of Chad’s death upon them, Gracelyn and Matt turn to each for support and comfort. What they didn’t expect was to realize that their feelings for each other may go well beyond the solid friendship they share. Can they overcome the guilt and the scrutiny of their family and friends to find love together?
In Flames by Jessica Jayne is a hot little romance about forbidden love that I consumed in a single sitting. On a scale of one to ten, the steam factor was definitely a eight. With engaging characters and its delicious romance, this offers a late night read that will more than satisfy. Three word review: hot, hot, hot.
Gracelyn married firefighter Chad and knew the risks, but together they created a family until things went south and she asked for a trial separation. In the interim Chad lost his life in a fire that went terribly wrong, leaving her widowed with two young children. Matt Riley, Chad’s brother, also a firefighter was there that devastating day and it took several firefighters holding him back from going in after his brother. Survivors’ guilt has all but crushed him, but his friendship with Gracelyn and helping her cope has saved the two of them. They have become best friends and held each other. On the one year anniversary of Chad’s death, they turn to each other for support and find something more but will it turn their world upside down?
Matt and Gracelyn are both lovable characters and Jayne does an excellent job of fleshing them out and sharing their raw emotions with us. Their love of family, Chad and their children is evident. They have established a strong friendship and depend on each other for support. As passion takes over they struggle to do the right thing, and you cannot help but feel for them. Family, friends, and Ex’s all add to the tale making the drama and tension feel surreal.
In Flames is a powerful romance filled with emotion and sizzling scenes that scorch the pages as you read them. Jayne did a wonderful job of sharing this couple’s emotions from the passion to the guilt. I love forbidden romances and from the beginning despite the odds I wanted this couple to have their happily ever-after. Drama, tension and heat, held me captive. The family dynamics and drama felt realistic as did their struggles. The sexual tension and driving passion was hot, and I laughed as they tried to be rational, make plans and then get caught up in each other all over again. The sex scenes were incredibly hot, and I loved when Gracelyn made the first moves. The scenes were raw and filled with passion and emotion. The chemistry was amazing and the storyline believable. I loved that we got both perspectives and that it developed from friendship. In Flames left me well satisfied and dreaming of firefighters…oh-la-la.
Fans of smoking hot romances, with fleshed out characters will want to add In Flames to their reading list. Jessica Jayne knows how to write hot adult contemporaries, and I look forward to reading more of her work.
Four cups of coffee out of five
Chene Sterckx
This sounds like an intense steamy read! Great review Kimba 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
This was steamy, but the characters were so lovable and I got caught up in their story as well.
Dani
I have not heard about this book before but I loved your review! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
this was yummy and I loved the characters 🙂
Sharon - Obsession with Books
I haven’t heard of this book before now but you had me intrigued after reading your three word review & that cover is very nice 😉 I can imagine the dramas this couple would have gone through.
Thanks for sharing Kimba! 🙂 a great review!
kimbacaffeinate
Besides the hotness, you really do feel for the couple 🙂
Lupdilup
Oh my! look at that cover! I’ve never read or listened to any fire-fighter’s stories, until now I’ve been more attracted to the Armani suit type of hero…LOL… I know, shallow much?
Maybe is time to give a real guy a chance. I like that it sounds like story has depth, I love my share of sex scenes, but I have know and care for the characters.
Thanks for reviewing!
kimbacaffeinate
You will love these characters, I cared about them and it made me appreciate the smexy time more!!
Mary
That’s some serious manscaping going on…and pointing downward! Seems like this book would definitely be high up on the steam factor. *fans self* And a good Top Off Tuesday cover (even though it’s Wednesday).
kimbacaffeinate
Oh agreed, would make a great TOT. I enjoyed this little hottie 🙂
Ellen
I think this is one I would really enjoy. Love the review.
kimbacaffeinate
this was hot Ellen and I loved the characters 🙂
Jenea
A steamy romance sounds good to me. 😉 Great review.
kimbacaffeinate
we all need one from time to time 🙂
Candace
It definitely sounds like an intriguing plot! I hadn’t heard of it before, I’m glad you enjoyed!
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Candace, I enjoyed this little guilty pleasure 🙂
kindlemom1
An 8 on the steam factor? I can believe it with a cover like that! 😛
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, yeah it was a fun one 🙂
blodeuedd
It does sound smokin’
kimbacaffeinate
sizzling 🙂
Pamela D
I am always on the lookout for a steamy romance. Thanks for the recommendation.
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Pam, this was a good one 🙂