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Explosive #3
Inflame
Easy going soldier Kale Montgomery, a self-proclaimed ladies man, has no plans of settling down, especially not with his best friend- the sexy, sassy schoolteacher Lucy Dawson. Their relationship, though unconventional, is mutually beneficial, and they wouldn't have it any other way. Friends with benefits? Casual lovers? Whatever you want to call it, they’re having fun, in and out of bed, and to them, that’s all that matters. At least that’s what they think, but how long can you spend in someone's bed before you find they're also infiltrating your heart?
As their casual fling with no strings attached progresses, it's not long before they realize they're both in way over their heads. One fateful night changes their lives forever in ways they could never have imagined, giving them the push to finally admit that maybe, just maybe they want more than they’ve let on. Their mutual attraction rapidly intensifies as it shifts from burning lust to unrelenting want, need, and possibly even love. Suddenly the idea of settling down doesn't seem so bad. In fact, it sounds pretty damn perfect.
Just when things seem to be falling into place, past pain and renewed insecurities rise to the surface and threaten to smother the flames of their passionate relationship, reminding them both why they’ve always kept the idea of love at arm's length. Will Kale and Lucy realize that what they've been waiting for is each other, or will the blazing whirlwind of their feelings burn out too quickly, causing it to all go up in smoke?
As their casual fling with no strings attached progresses, it's not long before they realize they're both in way over their heads. One fateful night changes their lives forever in ways they could never have imagined, giving them the push to finally admit that maybe, just maybe they want more than they’ve let on. Their mutual attraction rapidly intensifies as it shifts from burning lust to unrelenting want, need, and possibly even love. Suddenly the idea of settling down doesn't seem so bad. In fact, it sounds pretty damn perfect.
Just when things seem to be falling into place, past pain and renewed insecurities rise to the surface and threaten to smother the flames of their passionate relationship, reminding them both why they’ve always kept the idea of love at arm's length. Will Kale and Lucy realize that what they've been waiting for is each other, or will the blazing whirlwind of their feelings burn out too quickly, causing it to all go up in smoke?
339 pages, ebook
First published May 10, 2014
57 people are currently reading
2391 people want to read
About the author
Tessa Teevan
44 books1,603 followersTessa is a twenty-something book junkie who's also obsessed with sports. She's a research analyst by day, writer by night, and married to her best friend for over a decade. If she's not writing, you can probably find her curled up with her Kindle and a glass of wine or cheering on the Reds, Bengals, and Buckeyes!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 240 reviews
July 23, 2016
FIVE MILITARY STARS.
"You and me. We're in this together ..."
Tessa Teevan is an author that writes books that I will always be exited to read. She delivers dreamy romance books with plenty of story line and deliciously steamy bedroom action. The Explosive series is just what it says on the tin; knicker twisting, uncontrollably sexy and heart warming. If I was to say that I adore this series and this author it wouldn't be enough, Tessa Teevan consistently produces four or five star standard books and I can gladly write this review knowing that I've just finished another outstanding five star novel.
What's it all about?
Lucy Dawson has no interest in settling down in a long-term relationship instead she is happy to indulge in a no strings attached, deliciously tempting fling with the gorgeously addictive, military officer, Kale Montgomery. As their sexy fling ensues this couple start a friendship that begins to mean much more than they could both have ever dreamed of and they soon cant imagine a life without each other in it. But just when they both start to realise that they could possibly want more than a treasured friendship a revelation that will change their lives forever is revealed leaving them to deal with painful pasts and future insecurities. Kale and Lucy need to hold on to a love that started out as a beautiful friendship in order to move past the obstacles that stand in they way of a happy future together.
What did I love?
Readers, I can gladly announce that this book far exceeded my expectations and delivered another five star standard novel by the talented Tessa Teevan. 'Inflame' is a novel not to be missed, in fact this whole series is a romantic treat that I am sure will appeal to most lovers of this genre. I can gladly admit to my addiction of a military romance, especially one that is backed with a great plot and adorable characters. The heroes that Tessa Teevan creates are utterly delicious, I didn't think it was possible to love an alpha as much as I loved Knox Wellington from book two in the series. Well I can admit that I was wrong, Kale Montgomery is a hero that swept me off my feet and kept me smiling and on my toes from the beginning of the book right through to the end. For every hero created I'm always looking for an equally likeable heroine and gladly I was given just that, Lucy Dawson is sweet and feisty in equal measure and I fell for her adorable ways. This couple together were unforgettable I loved the friends to lovers spin in the book and felt committed to seeing this couple find their happily ever after. Ultimately, what I love about this series is that as well as a fantastic delivery of the romance and erotic story-telling it also provides a well rounded story and a continuation of character development from past books and a teasing glimpse of what's to come. Tessa Teevan is an author that doesn't just deliver the sexy but also the heart felt and meaningful too. Overall the book charmed the pants off me, I smiled, laughed and had the odd tear or two. I am fully invested in this series and I'm a firm fan of the lovely Tessa Teevan. Long live my addiction to everything this author writes, I've found a favourite and I'll be happily re reading these books for a time to come.
Final thoughts ...
If you are looking for a romance with plenty of substance and not lacking in the sexy then Tessa Teevan is the author you need to look out for. Delicious alpha's, likeable heroines and stories full of heart thumping, toe curling romance is what you will discover in a Tessa Teevan novel and as for 'Inflame' anyone who can't help but fall in love with a friends to lovers story will undoubtably adore this outstanding book. Don't just take my word for it, go and fall in love too and grab this book on release day, until then if you have not started this series that I'm jealous that you get to meet Jace Mcallister and Knox Wellington for the first time.
*ARC generously provided by the author, Tessa Teevan in exchange for an honest review.*
"You and me. We're in this together ..."
Tessa Teevan is an author that writes books that I will always be exited to read. She delivers dreamy romance books with plenty of story line and deliciously steamy bedroom action. The Explosive series is just what it says on the tin; knicker twisting, uncontrollably sexy and heart warming. If I was to say that I adore this series and this author it wouldn't be enough, Tessa Teevan consistently produces four or five star standard books and I can gladly write this review knowing that I've just finished another outstanding five star novel.
What's it all about?
Lucy Dawson has no interest in settling down in a long-term relationship instead she is happy to indulge in a no strings attached, deliciously tempting fling with the gorgeously addictive, military officer, Kale Montgomery. As their sexy fling ensues this couple start a friendship that begins to mean much more than they could both have ever dreamed of and they soon cant imagine a life without each other in it. But just when they both start to realise that they could possibly want more than a treasured friendship a revelation that will change their lives forever is revealed leaving them to deal with painful pasts and future insecurities. Kale and Lucy need to hold on to a love that started out as a beautiful friendship in order to move past the obstacles that stand in they way of a happy future together.
What did I love?
Readers, I can gladly announce that this book far exceeded my expectations and delivered another five star standard novel by the talented Tessa Teevan. 'Inflame' is a novel not to be missed, in fact this whole series is a romantic treat that I am sure will appeal to most lovers of this genre. I can gladly admit to my addiction of a military romance, especially one that is backed with a great plot and adorable characters. The heroes that Tessa Teevan creates are utterly delicious, I didn't think it was possible to love an alpha as much as I loved Knox Wellington from book two in the series. Well I can admit that I was wrong, Kale Montgomery is a hero that swept me off my feet and kept me smiling and on my toes from the beginning of the book right through to the end. For every hero created I'm always looking for an equally likeable heroine and gladly I was given just that, Lucy Dawson is sweet and feisty in equal measure and I fell for her adorable ways. This couple together were unforgettable I loved the friends to lovers spin in the book and felt committed to seeing this couple find their happily ever after. Ultimately, what I love about this series is that as well as a fantastic delivery of the romance and erotic story-telling it also provides a well rounded story and a continuation of character development from past books and a teasing glimpse of what's to come. Tessa Teevan is an author that doesn't just deliver the sexy but also the heart felt and meaningful too. Overall the book charmed the pants off me, I smiled, laughed and had the odd tear or two. I am fully invested in this series and I'm a firm fan of the lovely Tessa Teevan. Long live my addiction to everything this author writes, I've found a favourite and I'll be happily re reading these books for a time to come.
Final thoughts ...
If you are looking for a romance with plenty of substance and not lacking in the sexy then Tessa Teevan is the author you need to look out for. Delicious alpha's, likeable heroines and stories full of heart thumping, toe curling romance is what you will discover in a Tessa Teevan novel and as for 'Inflame' anyone who can't help but fall in love with a friends to lovers story will undoubtably adore this outstanding book. Don't just take my word for it, go and fall in love too and grab this book on release day, until then if you have not started this series that I'm jealous that you get to meet Jace Mcallister and Knox Wellington for the first time.
*ARC generously provided by the author, Tessa Teevan in exchange for an honest review.*
April 20, 2015
5 stars!
I have been waiting for Kale and Lucy’s story ever since I finished Incinerate, and the second I saw my arc hit my inbox, I jumped for joy! There is something about this series, with the sexy and tough military men and the strong, sweet and saucy heroines that I just adore. Going into this book, I expected a sexy and sweet friends to lovers tale, and I wasn’t disappointed! Although technically, Kale and Lucy’s tale is a little different. More like lovers to friends with benefits, to friends, to lovers if that makes any sense at all ;)
Kale Montgomery is doing his duty as a best friend and god father and attending his god daughters ‘bring your daddy to work day’ while his best pal, Xavier is deployed. When Kale meets Lily’s second grade teacher, Ms. Lucy Dawson he is stunned. She’s beautiful, funny and assertive. Kale likes that in a woman. It is obvious he is attracted to her and she is attracted to him, and Lucy makes it easy on him by letting him know she’s not into anything serious right now. Their first ‘date’ turns into a relationship of sorts- friends with benefits sort of thing.
Lucy Dawson is happy alone. She doesn’t want or need a man to fulfill her. She’s happy with her friends, her family and her career. When she meets Kale, he surprises her. Not only is he a sexy soldier, but he is an all around good guy. A gentleman. After their one night together, she can’t imagine giving that up. One summer full of passion, leads to Kale and Lucy becoming the best of friends. When Kale goes on his next tour, it’s only natural that they would keep in touch.
Emails, skyping, they try to keep in touch the best they can. The problem is, both of them start to realize their feelings run a little deeper than just friendship. Lucy misses Kale much more than she’d care to admit. She doesn’t just miss his body, his friendship, no. She misses everything about him. And thats dangerous.
Kale has had feelings for Lucy, but he knows she’s not ready to take that step. He’s not sure if he’s even ready yet. But he knows what he wants, and he’s willing to wait it out.
Something pushes them together a little faster than they would have thought, but is it too fast, or just about time? When things from the past come to play, the relationship they have changes once again. Will these changes be what they need, or what will cause them to keep their distance?
Kale may be my new favorite guy in this series (shhh don’t tell Knox...). I loved everything about him. Watching him deal with his past and emotions broke my heart. It hurt to read about it. There were times I wished he would have opened up more, and sooner, but I understand why he didn’t. Lucy was a great heroine. Fun, drama free and independent. They were a great couple. The chemistry between them was smoldering!
There isn’t much I love more than a good friends to lover story. I love when a couple has that friendship (even if it is with benifits ;) and it organically grows into more. Insta love can drive me crazy, and there is none of that here. Their relationship develops slowly. I just adore these books. Tessa Teevan’s Explosive series is not one to be missed! I’ve loved all three of them, and I am so excited that she is continuing on with the Wellington boys- bring on Branson and Cohen!!!
***ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review***
I have been waiting for Kale and Lucy’s story ever since I finished Incinerate, and the second I saw my arc hit my inbox, I jumped for joy! There is something about this series, with the sexy and tough military men and the strong, sweet and saucy heroines that I just adore. Going into this book, I expected a sexy and sweet friends to lovers tale, and I wasn’t disappointed! Although technically, Kale and Lucy’s tale is a little different. More like lovers to friends with benefits, to friends, to lovers if that makes any sense at all ;)
Kale Montgomery is doing his duty as a best friend and god father and attending his god daughters ‘bring your daddy to work day’ while his best pal, Xavier is deployed. When Kale meets Lily’s second grade teacher, Ms. Lucy Dawson he is stunned. She’s beautiful, funny and assertive. Kale likes that in a woman. It is obvious he is attracted to her and she is attracted to him, and Lucy makes it easy on him by letting him know she’s not into anything serious right now. Their first ‘date’ turns into a relationship of sorts- friends with benefits sort of thing.
Lucy Dawson is happy alone. She doesn’t want or need a man to fulfill her. She’s happy with her friends, her family and her career. When she meets Kale, he surprises her. Not only is he a sexy soldier, but he is an all around good guy. A gentleman. After their one night together, she can’t imagine giving that up. One summer full of passion, leads to Kale and Lucy becoming the best of friends. When Kale goes on his next tour, it’s only natural that they would keep in touch.
Emails, skyping, they try to keep in touch the best they can. The problem is, both of them start to realize their feelings run a little deeper than just friendship. Lucy misses Kale much more than she’d care to admit. She doesn’t just miss his body, his friendship, no. She misses everything about him. And thats dangerous.
Kale has had feelings for Lucy, but he knows she’s not ready to take that step. He’s not sure if he’s even ready yet. But he knows what he wants, and he’s willing to wait it out.
I have every intention of making her mine, but until I know she’s ready, hell, until I’m sure that I’m even ready, I’ll bid my time and continue to be her best friends... I know that in the end it’ll be more than worth it. Waiting for her will be worth it.
Something pushes them together a little faster than they would have thought, but is it too fast, or just about time? When things from the past come to play, the relationship they have changes once again. Will these changes be what they need, or what will cause them to keep their distance?
“All my time with you is the best times infinity, Kale Montgomery.”
Kale may be my new favorite guy in this series (shhh don’t tell Knox...). I loved everything about him. Watching him deal with his past and emotions broke my heart. It hurt to read about it. There were times I wished he would have opened up more, and sooner, but I understand why he didn’t. Lucy was a great heroine. Fun, drama free and independent. They were a great couple. The chemistry between them was smoldering!
There isn’t much I love more than a good friends to lover story. I love when a couple has that friendship (even if it is with benifits ;) and it organically grows into more. Insta love can drive me crazy, and there is none of that here. Their relationship develops slowly. I just adore these books. Tessa Teevan’s Explosive series is not one to be missed! I’ve loved all three of them, and I am so excited that she is continuing on with the Wellington boys- bring on Branson and Cohen!!!
“Home isn’t just a place for me, babe. It’s wherever you are. So we could be at my place, at your place, or in a van by the river. As long as I’m with you, then I’m home.”
***ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review***
May 23, 2015
5 Kale Montgomery Stars
There are not enough words to express how much I loved this one. I was so excited to read this one, as I love books with babies. Now that can be a hard storyline to execute well, but Tessa did a fantastic job.
Now we have known about Kale and Lucy’s friends with benefits type relationship for awhile now, and it has worked for them.
Usually these types of relationships play out when someone wants more and the other isn’t ready reciprocate, things are little different here. Things come to screeching halt when Lucy realizes she is pregnant. I will say Kale handled it perfectly, yes he made some jokes, but he immediately is ready to step up and be there for Lucy and his unborn child.
As readers we have only known Lucy and Kale as FWB and yes they are friends, but it is hard for a reader to be convinced that their connection is real and not just about a baby. Right after the pregnancy announcement the story begins with Lucy finally telling Charlie about her and Kale. This is how Tessa really sold the story for me. Here we are able to see how the met, became FWB, and then developed real feelings.
Lucy Dawson is a schoolteacher and teaches Kale’s goddaughter, Lily. Kale meets Ms. Dawson when he is filing in for Lily’s dad and shows up for Bring Your Dad to School Day. They are immediately attracted to each other, but Kale is deploying soon and Lucy doesn’t do relationships. One thing leads to another and they decide to have a one-night stand, and people it is super hot. Kale is blown away by Lucy and wants to see her again, even become friends.
As the summer passes they get closer and closer and even become each other’s best friend. When the time comes for Kale to deploy they are both sad, but decide to keep in touch daily. It is during this time they both see they have feelings for each other, but he is 7000 miles away and while they joke around it is hard to tell when the other is being genuine.
When Kale is injured in the same accident as Jace and Knox, he comes back home to Lucy. They easily fall back in the same routine of friends with benefits and best friends. That is where the current story pick back up. I loved this “flashback” because it allowed me to see a real connection, it showed me how they felt about each other before they felt obligated due to the unplanned pregnancy.
These two have so far to come and overcome. They both of secrets in their past that have shaped them into the people they are and created insecurities for them. I loved reading and watching them grow together. Their relationship felt real to me and I loved seeing them grow. Lucy and Kale are perfectly matched, and yes the baby may have been a catalyst, but they would have gotten together regardless.
I loved this book, well actually this entire series. I love watching the couples grow into more and see their relationships progress. Inflame is a sweet read, but also has moments of complete hotness. I love that there is drama and angst, but it is well placed and timed and doesn’t overshadow the story. I highly recommend this one.
"I love you. Who you are, who you were, and who’ve come to be.”
Now I just need Xavier and Kalli’s story!!!
There are not enough words to express how much I loved this one. I was so excited to read this one, as I love books with babies. Now that can be a hard storyline to execute well, but Tessa did a fantastic job.
Now we have known about Kale and Lucy’s friends with benefits type relationship for awhile now, and it has worked for them.
Usually these types of relationships play out when someone wants more and the other isn’t ready reciprocate, things are little different here. Things come to screeching halt when Lucy realizes she is pregnant. I will say Kale handled it perfectly, yes he made some jokes, but he immediately is ready to step up and be there for Lucy and his unborn child.
As readers we have only known Lucy and Kale as FWB and yes they are friends, but it is hard for a reader to be convinced that their connection is real and not just about a baby. Right after the pregnancy announcement the story begins with Lucy finally telling Charlie about her and Kale. This is how Tessa really sold the story for me. Here we are able to see how the met, became FWB, and then developed real feelings.
Lucy Dawson is a schoolteacher and teaches Kale’s goddaughter, Lily. Kale meets Ms. Dawson when he is filing in for Lily’s dad and shows up for Bring Your Dad to School Day. They are immediately attracted to each other, but Kale is deploying soon and Lucy doesn’t do relationships. One thing leads to another and they decide to have a one-night stand, and people it is super hot. Kale is blown away by Lucy and wants to see her again, even become friends.
As the summer passes they get closer and closer and even become each other’s best friend. When the time comes for Kale to deploy they are both sad, but decide to keep in touch daily. It is during this time they both see they have feelings for each other, but he is 7000 miles away and while they joke around it is hard to tell when the other is being genuine.
When Kale is injured in the same accident as Jace and Knox, he comes back home to Lucy. They easily fall back in the same routine of friends with benefits and best friends. That is where the current story pick back up. I loved this “flashback” because it allowed me to see a real connection, it showed me how they felt about each other before they felt obligated due to the unplanned pregnancy.
These two have so far to come and overcome. They both of secrets in their past that have shaped them into the people they are and created insecurities for them. I loved reading and watching them grow together. Their relationship felt real to me and I loved seeing them grow. Lucy and Kale are perfectly matched, and yes the baby may have been a catalyst, but they would have gotten together regardless.
I loved this book, well actually this entire series. I love watching the couples grow into more and see their relationships progress. Inflame is a sweet read, but also has moments of complete hotness. I love that there is drama and angst, but it is well placed and timed and doesn’t overshadow the story. I highly recommend this one.
"I love you. Who you are, who you were, and who’ve come to be.”
Now I just need Xavier and Kalli’s story!!!
May 10, 2014
♥♥♥ 5 'I want me a KALE smoothie' Stars ♥♥♥
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"You and I are in this together, one hundred percent..."
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If you have read the previous book, then you know about Kale and Lucy. I had been dying to read their story. There was something about Kale that just peaked my interest and I needed more. Which is why I was so excited to dive into this one. And it did not disappoint.
Lucy and Kale have quite the history. They met when Kale went to Lucy's school for 'Bring your Daddy to school day'. Since then, they have been friends with benefits. As the months go by and with Kale's deployment date approaching, the closer they become. They both feel more for each other but doesn't think the other would be want to turn their relationship into something more serious. So, they both cowardly keep it inside. But when Kale goes off to war for nine months, Lucy meets someone she hopes will make her forget about her feelings for Kale. Little does she know that this just ends up spurring Kale into making her his when he returns.
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"I just want you to know, Kale, that I'm happy it's you. It's always been you, even when I didn't want to admit it."
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I really liked Lucy. She was sassy, sexy, independent, and confident. I loved how comfortable she was being herself. Yes, she could have a few moments of insecurity but who doesn't. What I love about her, was that when she makes a mistake, she owns them. She doesn't whine or complain, nor did she do anything that annoyed me. She could be quite direct which I found to be refreshing. I just really liked her.
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"I'm a fool for you, Lucy. Always have been, always will be."
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Kale, oh how he stole my heart! I LOVED him!! Just when Tessa has me thinking I can't possibly love her heroes more, she gives us Kale. He made me swoon hard, and smile so big. I loved how caring and selfless he could be. He was so protective of Lucy that he melted my heart. He was also at times possessive, and sexy. I loved his dirty mind. He was just plain delicious and I freaking loved him so much.
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"All my time with you is the best times infinity, Kale Montgomery."
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I loved everything about this story. It was a well done story of friends who become lovers. I enjoyed reading about how their relationship came to be. I just loved them as a couple because they fit so well together. I enjoyed the steam in this book, it was pretty damn hot. The tension and chemistry between them was scorching. I loved the whole story and thought it was done in an entertaining manner. I didn't even mind that their story was told in a long span of time, that's what I actually liked about it. It was all developed slowly. I think this is my favourite book of the series, as is my smoking hot Kale. That doesn't mean Jace and Knox won't have a special place in my heart. But still, Kale is my main man at the moment. I definitely recommend you give this one a read. It was awesome! And you can't miss out on Kale! Now, I am SO excited for the Wellington spin-off. I can't wait!!
~Arc kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review ~
May 4, 2014
Kale ❤️
I seriously heart this series ❤️❤️❤️
I seriously heart this series ❤️❤️❤️
May 12, 2014
5 It’s Always Been You Stars
(Revised May 11, 2014)
Tessa is one of those authors that puts it all out there on every single page of her books. She takes her time with developing the characters and their stories giving you a sexy, heart melting and refreshing read. Inflame is the third book in the Explosive series and I am here to say the Tessa Teevan has done it again. SHE ROCKS! What an amazing series. ❤
One thing that I absolutely loved about this story is that it was such a sweet and sexy as all heck friends to lovers story with a bit of a twist you could say. Kale and Lucy’s relationship bounced around a bit. They start off as friends with benefits then settled into a friendship then became lovers. Whatever the relationship was it just always worked for them.
Kale already has a special little lady in his life named Lily. She is the daughter of his good friend Xavier who is deployed. Kale is Lily’s godfather and has come to attend Lily’s “bring your daddy to work day”. This is when he meets Lucy, Lily’s second grade teacher.
Kale and Lucy are immediately in lust for each other. There is an instant physical attraction and they don’t waste any time acting on it. One sex filled date turns into a summer of “benefits” in and out of the bedroom.
Lucy is naturally beautiful inside and out. She is sexy, spontaneous and loves to have fun. Her life is pretty simple. There really is no need for a man in her life. She loves her job, her friends and her family. At the moment she is content with all of that. But after meeting Kale, things begin to change for her. She wasn’t expecting to cherish him in the way that she did. Their relationship (whatever that was) seemed so natural and real. It was something she wasn’t willing to lose no matter what.
“You know those moments where you think, Where have you been all my life? This could’ve been one of those. Lucy Dawson is unapologetically sexual, and I can already tell I’m going to have a hard time getting enough.”
Kale was quite a special guy. He certainly fit the bill for the hot soldier but he was so much more. He was passionate, kind, giving and he had a calmness about himself. Something that spilled into everything he did. Whether it was his family, Lily, Lucy or his friends he just always took care when it came to them. He wasn’t looking for anything more than “friends with benefits” when he met Lucy but sometimes that heart knows better.
I turn in his arms, needing to see his face, to look into his eyes as I finally admit my feelings for him. “You know when I was joking and said you’ve ruined me for all others? Well, I guess the joke’s on me, because it looks like I was dead serious.”
Right from the beginning Kale and Lucy’s relationship was off the charts sexy! Be it the “sexy teacher” fantasy or simply a word or look, these two couldn't get enough of each other! But it was more than just sex even though neither of them was ready to admit to it. When something happens that has them facing their feelings faster than they may have expected, both of them have some soul searching to do.
Watching Kale and Lucy grow together through the good and the bad made my heart swell. As their relationship changes, each of them face a piece of their past that they have locked away. Opening up to each other doesn’t always come easy. Are they both strong enough for the other?
I’m going to put this last piece in a spoiler tag. If for some reason you haven’t read these books in order this could be a minor spoiler.
My favorite moment’s/quotes. ❤
“Okay, so you’re not being annoying. It is just annoying how you always know the perfect thing to say...I’m afraid one day you’ll get tire of being way too perfect for me.” “That will absolutely never happen. I guarantee it.” “You can’t guarantee that!” “Okay, maybe I can’t guarantee it, but I promise you that I’ll try every single day to be the best man I can be for you.” ~Lucy & Kale
And just like that, Lucy Dawson shines the light in my life and my dark thoughts completely disappear. ~ Kale
I have every intention of making her mine, but until I know she’s ready, hell, until I’m sure that I’m even ready, I’ll bid my time and continue to be her best friend... I know that in the end it’ll be more than worth it. Waiting for her will be worth it. ~ Kale
Running my fingers over his face, I whisper gently. “All my time with you is the best times infinity, Kale Montgomery.” ~Lucy
“Home isn’t just a place for me, babe. It’s wherever you are. So we could be at my place, at your place, or in a van by the river. As long as I’m with you, then I’m home.” ~ Lucy
♬♬Here are a few songs from the Inflame Playlist!♬♬
Kiss Me Slowly ~ Parachute
Best Day Of My Life ~ American Authors
Are You With Me ~ Easton Corbin
Beautiful Girl ~ William Fitzsimmons
Trading Places ~ Usher
summer Is Over feat. Sara Bareilles ~ Jon McLaughlin
Not A Bad Thing ~ Justin Timberlake
You & I ~ John Legend
More Thank Anyone ~ Gavin DeGraw
I Do It All For You ~ SoMo
I Don't Wanna Let You Go ~ Ross Copperman
ARC Provided by the author in return for an honest review. ❤
(Revised May 11, 2014)
Tessa is one of those authors that puts it all out there on every single page of her books. She takes her time with developing the characters and their stories giving you a sexy, heart melting and refreshing read. Inflame is the third book in the Explosive series and I am here to say the Tessa Teevan has done it again. SHE ROCKS! What an amazing series. ❤
One thing that I absolutely loved about this story is that it was such a sweet and sexy as all heck friends to lovers story with a bit of a twist you could say. Kale and Lucy’s relationship bounced around a bit. They start off as friends with benefits then settled into a friendship then became lovers. Whatever the relationship was it just always worked for them.
Kale already has a special little lady in his life named Lily. She is the daughter of his good friend Xavier who is deployed. Kale is Lily’s godfather and has come to attend Lily’s “bring your daddy to work day”. This is when he meets Lucy, Lily’s second grade teacher.
Kale and Lucy are immediately in lust for each other. There is an instant physical attraction and they don’t waste any time acting on it. One sex filled date turns into a summer of “benefits” in and out of the bedroom.
Lucy is naturally beautiful inside and out. She is sexy, spontaneous and loves to have fun. Her life is pretty simple. There really is no need for a man in her life. She loves her job, her friends and her family. At the moment she is content with all of that. But after meeting Kale, things begin to change for her. She wasn’t expecting to cherish him in the way that she did. Their relationship (whatever that was) seemed so natural and real. It was something she wasn’t willing to lose no matter what.
“You know those moments where you think, Where have you been all my life? This could’ve been one of those. Lucy Dawson is unapologetically sexual, and I can already tell I’m going to have a hard time getting enough.”
Kale was quite a special guy. He certainly fit the bill for the hot soldier but he was so much more. He was passionate, kind, giving and he had a calmness about himself. Something that spilled into everything he did. Whether it was his family, Lily, Lucy or his friends he just always took care when it came to them. He wasn’t looking for anything more than “friends with benefits” when he met Lucy but sometimes that heart knows better.
I turn in his arms, needing to see his face, to look into his eyes as I finally admit my feelings for him. “You know when I was joking and said you’ve ruined me for all others? Well, I guess the joke’s on me, because it looks like I was dead serious.”
Right from the beginning Kale and Lucy’s relationship was off the charts sexy! Be it the “sexy teacher” fantasy or simply a word or look, these two couldn't get enough of each other! But it was more than just sex even though neither of them was ready to admit to it. When something happens that has them facing their feelings faster than they may have expected, both of them have some soul searching to do.
Watching Kale and Lucy grow together through the good and the bad made my heart swell. As their relationship changes, each of them face a piece of their past that they have locked away. Opening up to each other doesn’t always come easy. Are they both strong enough for the other?
I’m going to put this last piece in a spoiler tag. If for some reason you haven’t read these books in order this could be a minor spoiler.
My favorite moment’s/quotes. ❤
“Okay, so you’re not being annoying. It is just annoying how you always know the perfect thing to say...I’m afraid one day you’ll get tire of being way too perfect for me.” “That will absolutely never happen. I guarantee it.” “You can’t guarantee that!” “Okay, maybe I can’t guarantee it, but I promise you that I’ll try every single day to be the best man I can be for you.” ~Lucy & Kale
And just like that, Lucy Dawson shines the light in my life and my dark thoughts completely disappear. ~ Kale
I have every intention of making her mine, but until I know she’s ready, hell, until I’m sure that I’m even ready, I’ll bid my time and continue to be her best friend... I know that in the end it’ll be more than worth it. Waiting for her will be worth it. ~ Kale
Running my fingers over his face, I whisper gently. “All my time with you is the best times infinity, Kale Montgomery.” ~Lucy
“Home isn’t just a place for me, babe. It’s wherever you are. So we could be at my place, at your place, or in a van by the river. As long as I’m with you, then I’m home.” ~ Lucy
♬♬Here are a few songs from the Inflame Playlist!♬♬
Kiss Me Slowly ~ Parachute
Best Day Of My Life ~ American Authors
Are You With Me ~ Easton Corbin
Beautiful Girl ~ William Fitzsimmons
Trading Places ~ Usher
summer Is Over feat. Sara Bareilles ~ Jon McLaughlin
Not A Bad Thing ~ Justin Timberlake
You & I ~ John Legend
More Thank Anyone ~ Gavin DeGraw
I Do It All For You ~ SoMo
I Don't Wanna Let You Go ~ Ross Copperman
ARC Provided by the author in return for an honest review. ❤
December 30, 2016
4.5 Kale Stars
I really enjoyed this book. I so looked forward to getting Lucy & Kale's story. I knew it would be interesting, I found myself absolutely loving it. It was a sweet romantic book. Kale almost knocked Knox off my favorite boyfriend list for this series. It's so close but.....
Lucy and Kale both have a past with there own secrets and hidden away heartbreaks. They really don't want to be in a relationship nor looking for one at all, just friends with benefits. Kale was her best friend, deep down they both had feelings for each other but were to scared to tell each other. They have that deep down connection.
Kale was so sweet, absolutely swoon worthy, but he had a secret and that pissed me off most because he had so many chances to tell Lucy about his past but he kept keeping it a secret until he got busted in the most cruel way. But my heart still hurt for him. It was a secret Kale should have been so forthcoming with, one that Lucy would have been there for undeniably. I love how this story developed and Kale & Lucy fell into each other. It was so effortless, they are truly perfect. Kale is a man that was born to be a daddy.
Loved that there was more Charlie and Knox and Jace and Lexi in this story. Looking forward to the book about Xavier!!
I really enjoyed this book. I so looked forward to getting Lucy & Kale's story. I knew it would be interesting, I found myself absolutely loving it. It was a sweet romantic book. Kale almost knocked Knox off my favorite boyfriend list for this series. It's so close but.....
Lucy and Kale both have a past with there own secrets and hidden away heartbreaks. They really don't want to be in a relationship nor looking for one at all, just friends with benefits. Kale was her best friend, deep down they both had feelings for each other but were to scared to tell each other. They have that deep down connection.
Kale was so sweet, absolutely swoon worthy, but he had a secret and that pissed me off most because he had so many chances to tell Lucy about his past but he kept keeping it a secret until he got busted in the most cruel way. But my heart still hurt for him. It was a secret Kale should have been so forthcoming with, one that Lucy would have been there for undeniably. I love how this story developed and Kale & Lucy fell into each other. It was so effortless, they are truly perfect. Kale is a man that was born to be a daddy.
Loved that there was more Charlie and Knox and Jace and Lexi in this story. Looking forward to the book about Xavier!!
May 29, 2014
4,5 Fateful Stars.
This third installment bring us the story of Kale and Lucy. If you’ve read the blurb or the previous books you know pretty much what’s happening here.
So these two are best-friends with benefits. They enjoy a nice friendship that gets nicely physical when Kale isn’t deployed. Until something changes it all: Lucy gets pregnant and sudden, what was supposed to be a simple no strings attached relationship between two friends, becomes much more complicated. Especially when they both hid feelings from the other for so long.
But when the reasons that made them want to be at arms-length of commitment surface again, how they will deal with the fears that their new status brings?
And how they will know that they’re in it for them and not just because circumstance made them stay together? In the end they’ll have to realize what is the strongest: their love or the ghosts from the past that still haunts them every day. And it’s going to be a tough war.
Rating: 4 Stars.
Storyline: Somewhat predictable, but there are those days you just need a sweet and romantic book with just the right amount of sexy, and this is the perfect cut for it. A heartwarming and delicious story that will leave you addictive from page one.
(And look at that cover? LOOK!! Isn’t he perfect?)
Writing Style: First person. Dual POV. Sweet, romantic and completely addictive.
Character Development: I loved Kale. Completely and utterly loved him. He’s a sexy and sweet protagonist and despite didn’t had agree with some things he did (or didn’t did) near the end, I still loved him through the whole book. Lucy, despite some small annoyances, was also pretty good. She was sweet and strong.
And obviously, it was great to see the whole gang. I can’t wait to read the spin-off series!
Steam: Some real hot scenes.
HEA:
This third installment bring us the story of Kale and Lucy. If you’ve read the blurb or the previous books you know pretty much what’s happening here.
So these two are best-friends with benefits. They enjoy a nice friendship that gets nicely physical when Kale isn’t deployed. Until something changes it all: Lucy gets pregnant and sudden, what was supposed to be a simple no strings attached relationship between two friends, becomes much more complicated. Especially when they both hid feelings from the other for so long.
But when the reasons that made them want to be at arms-length of commitment surface again, how they will deal with the fears that their new status brings?
And how they will know that they’re in it for them and not just because circumstance made them stay together? In the end they’ll have to realize what is the strongest: their love or the ghosts from the past that still haunts them every day. And it’s going to be a tough war.
Rating: 4 Stars.
Storyline: Somewhat predictable, but there are those days you just need a sweet and romantic book with just the right amount of sexy, and this is the perfect cut for it. A heartwarming and delicious story that will leave you addictive from page one.
(And look at that cover? LOOK!! Isn’t he perfect?)
Writing Style: First person. Dual POV. Sweet, romantic and completely addictive.
Character Development: I loved Kale. Completely and utterly loved him. He’s a sexy and sweet protagonist and despite didn’t had agree with some things he did (or didn’t did) near the end, I still loved him through the whole book. Lucy, despite some small annoyances, was also pretty good. She was sweet and strong.
And obviously, it was great to see the whole gang. I can’t wait to read the spin-off series!
Steam: Some real hot scenes.
HEA:
September 26, 2020
4,5 stars review to come
January 7, 2015
♫"We started as friends
But something happened inside me .."♫
My Kale
My Lucy
"And just like that, Lucy Dawson shines the light in my life and my dark thoughts completely disappear."
We met Kale and Lucy in Incinerate.
We got glimpses of their relationship and explosive chemistry, but we didn't really knew what was going on between them.
Well, everything I thought I knew was erased.
♫"You don't ever notice me turning on my charm
Or wonder why I'm always where you are .."♫
In Inflame we got the chance to fall in love with them from their first meeting, to their first date, to their firs 'arrangement', to the time they needed to separate when Kale needed to go on his next tour, to their friendship stage, to their sweet emails and to the epic love story who catch them both unguarded and sneak into their veins until they couldn't escape the impossible - falling on love.
“I have every intention of making her mine, but until I know she’s ready, hell, until I’m sure that I’m even ready, I’ll bid my time and continue to be her best friend... I know that in the end it’ll be more than worth it. Waiting for her will be worth it.”
One of the things I loved most in the book was the fact that EVERYTHING I thought about Kale was wrong. I thought he was a player. I thought his heart didn't want love. So I thought. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that not only he wasn't a player - he didn't touch another woman after meeting Lucy for the first time - No matter what stage in their relationship they were - friends with benefits, only friends or nothing at all - No one interested him more then her. This my friends gave him a lot of points on my part .. Devotion is my number one rule ;)
“All my time with you is the best times infinity, Kale Montgomery.”
♫"And you don't ever notice how I stare when we're alone, Or wonder why I keep you on the phone .."♫
When Lucy tells Kale he's going to be a dad he surprise her with his acceptance of fatherhood and willingness to do the right thing by her. He wants her and he wants their child. Now he only need to convince her that.
"I'm a fool for you, Lucy. Always have been, always will be."
I don't want to say a lot about the plot, I think you should unfold the layers of their delicate relationship yourselves. I'm just gonna say - Make a big Cup of Coffee, grab the book, sit down, lay back - and enjoy the ride - Be sure you'r gonna swoon all over Kale ;)
“Wait for me, Lucy Dawson. My poor little heart couldn’t take the thought of you finding another man while I’m gone.”
♫"You are my very first thought in the morning
And my last at nightfall,
You are the love that came without warning
I need you, I want you to know .."♫
Why not 5?
One of the ONLY things that bothered me in the book was Kale's secret. I think he kept it for far too long and the way she found out about it didn't set well with me.
But, Overall, I was glad how everything was wrapped up with a beautiful HEA :D
“I never thought I’d have a family, Lucy, but what I didn’t realize is that I was just waiting for you. You’re everything I’ve always wanted and never thought I could have.”
♫"I've wanted you so long but on and on you get me wrong, I more then adore you but since you never seem to see .. I'll say it in this love song."♫
“ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review”
But something happened inside me .."♫
My Kale
My Lucy
"And just like that, Lucy Dawson shines the light in my life and my dark thoughts completely disappear."
We met Kale and Lucy in Incinerate.
We got glimpses of their relationship and explosive chemistry, but we didn't really knew what was going on between them.
Well, everything I thought I knew was erased.
♫"You don't ever notice me turning on my charm
Or wonder why I'm always where you are .."♫
In Inflame we got the chance to fall in love with them from their first meeting, to their first date, to their firs 'arrangement', to the time they needed to separate when Kale needed to go on his next tour, to their friendship stage, to their sweet emails and to the epic love story who catch them both unguarded and sneak into their veins until they couldn't escape the impossible - falling on love.
“I have every intention of making her mine, but until I know she’s ready, hell, until I’m sure that I’m even ready, I’ll bid my time and continue to be her best friend... I know that in the end it’ll be more than worth it. Waiting for her will be worth it.”
One of the things I loved most in the book was the fact that EVERYTHING I thought about Kale was wrong. I thought he was a player. I thought his heart didn't want love. So I thought. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that not only he wasn't a player - he didn't touch another woman after meeting Lucy for the first time - No matter what stage in their relationship they were - friends with benefits, only friends or nothing at all - No one interested him more then her. This my friends gave him a lot of points on my part .. Devotion is my number one rule ;)
“All my time with you is the best times infinity, Kale Montgomery.”
♫"And you don't ever notice how I stare when we're alone, Or wonder why I keep you on the phone .."♫
When Lucy tells Kale he's going to be a dad he surprise her with his acceptance of fatherhood and willingness to do the right thing by her. He wants her and he wants their child. Now he only need to convince her that.
"I'm a fool for you, Lucy. Always have been, always will be."
I don't want to say a lot about the plot, I think you should unfold the layers of their delicate relationship yourselves. I'm just gonna say - Make a big Cup of Coffee, grab the book, sit down, lay back - and enjoy the ride - Be sure you'r gonna swoon all over Kale ;)
“Wait for me, Lucy Dawson. My poor little heart couldn’t take the thought of you finding another man while I’m gone.”
♫"You are my very first thought in the morning
And my last at nightfall,
You are the love that came without warning
I need you, I want you to know .."♫
Why not 5?
One of the ONLY things that bothered me in the book was Kale's secret. I think he kept it for far too long and the way she found out about it didn't set well with me.
But, Overall, I was glad how everything was wrapped up with a beautiful HEA :D
“I never thought I’d have a family, Lucy, but what I didn’t realize is that I was just waiting for you. You’re everything I’ve always wanted and never thought I could have.”
♫"I've wanted you so long but on and on you get me wrong, I more then adore you but since you never seem to see .. I'll say it in this love song."♫
“ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review”
May 8, 2014
5 She's My Light. My Sunshine Stars!
(ARC provided by author)
(BR with Patty)
Lucy Dawson is a 2nd grade teacher living in Clarksville, Tennessee. She spends most of her free time with her best friend Charlie. She hasn't been in a relationship in a while. Ever since her break up with her long time college boyfriend, Lucy hasn't wanted anything too serious. Se just wants to play the field, and have some no strings attached fun.
One day at school a gorgeous soldier enters her classroom, and she is instantly attracted to him. He introduces himself as Kale Montgomery, and explains to her he is there to stand in for his best friend Xavier for "bring your dad to school day." Kale met Xavier at Army boot camp, and they have been like brothers ever since. Xavier is a single dad, and Kale helps him out whenever he can. Lucy is not only taken by his looks, but also is swooning over his sweetness for a little girl that isn't even his.
Kale ends up asking Lucy out and she explains she doesn't really have time for dating. She is pretty blunt, and tells Kale how she only has time in her life for casual & fun, and isn't interested in anything complicated involving feelings. Being a guy, this is music to Kale's ears! :D
They end up getting together, and things heat up right away. (I very much enjoyed!;) They decide to have a friends with benefits type of arrangement with each other for the summer. Lucy loves her independence, and Kale is still troubled from a loss in his past, so this no labels relationship is perfect for both of them.
As their summer of hot sex ends, they go their separate ways. Lucy heads back to work, and Kale leaves for Afghanistan for the next 9 months. They both have trouble saying goodbye, and decide to keep in touch, via Skype & texting. They have become each others best friend, and what they are to each other gets a little confusing. Lines get blurred, and they start to really miss each other. They are so comfortable with one another, and things are just easy between them.
Lucy tries to date while Kale's on leave, hoping to finally settle down, but quickly finds she can't get Kale off her mind. They both are slowly coming to terms with the fact that somewhere along the way they became more than a fling to each other.
Kale returns, and they admit they care for one another, and decide to be exclusive. After a year together, they both want more than just a hook up. They have come to count on each other. Kale realizes he's found the one girl who will accept him as he is, and heal what is broken in him.
This goes from a hot hot...did I mention HOT hook up to a beautiful love story! I loved Kale and Lucy together, and thought the ending was perfect!
As usual Tessa Teevan did it again! Just a fabulous book! I truly love anything & everything she writes! All her men are so delicious & I can't wait for Xavier, Cohen, & Branson's books!!! :D
-This girl owns her sexuality, and it's such a fucking turn-on.
-I just spent an amazing summer with a sexy-as-sin soldier and had more orgasms in those four months than I have in my entire life.
-"Long story short, Ms. Lucy Dawson turned out to be exactly who I was looking for. And the rest is history.
-"Told you, babe. Kale does a body good."
-I need...her. I just need her.
-I'm a fool for you, Lucy. Always have been, always will be."
-"Home isn't just a place for me, babe. It's wherever you are.
-"The day I realized I love you was the day that you became my whole heart.
-You're everything I've always wanted and never thought I could have.
(ARC provided by author)
(BR with Patty)
Lucy Dawson is a 2nd grade teacher living in Clarksville, Tennessee. She spends most of her free time with her best friend Charlie. She hasn't been in a relationship in a while. Ever since her break up with her long time college boyfriend, Lucy hasn't wanted anything too serious. Se just wants to play the field, and have some no strings attached fun.
One day at school a gorgeous soldier enters her classroom, and she is instantly attracted to him. He introduces himself as Kale Montgomery, and explains to her he is there to stand in for his best friend Xavier for "bring your dad to school day." Kale met Xavier at Army boot camp, and they have been like brothers ever since. Xavier is a single dad, and Kale helps him out whenever he can. Lucy is not only taken by his looks, but also is swooning over his sweetness for a little girl that isn't even his.
Kale ends up asking Lucy out and she explains she doesn't really have time for dating. She is pretty blunt, and tells Kale how she only has time in her life for casual & fun, and isn't interested in anything complicated involving feelings. Being a guy, this is music to Kale's ears! :D
They end up getting together, and things heat up right away. (I very much enjoyed!;) They decide to have a friends with benefits type of arrangement with each other for the summer. Lucy loves her independence, and Kale is still troubled from a loss in his past, so this no labels relationship is perfect for both of them.
As their summer of hot sex ends, they go their separate ways. Lucy heads back to work, and Kale leaves for Afghanistan for the next 9 months. They both have trouble saying goodbye, and decide to keep in touch, via Skype & texting. They have become each others best friend, and what they are to each other gets a little confusing. Lines get blurred, and they start to really miss each other. They are so comfortable with one another, and things are just easy between them.
Lucy tries to date while Kale's on leave, hoping to finally settle down, but quickly finds she can't get Kale off her mind. They both are slowly coming to terms with the fact that somewhere along the way they became more than a fling to each other.
Kale returns, and they admit they care for one another, and decide to be exclusive. After a year together, they both want more than just a hook up. They have come to count on each other. Kale realizes he's found the one girl who will accept him as he is, and heal what is broken in him.
This goes from a hot hot...did I mention HOT hook up to a beautiful love story! I loved Kale and Lucy together, and thought the ending was perfect!
As usual Tessa Teevan did it again! Just a fabulous book! I truly love anything & everything she writes! All her men are so delicious & I can't wait for Xavier, Cohen, & Branson's books!!! :D
-This girl owns her sexuality, and it's such a fucking turn-on.
-I just spent an amazing summer with a sexy-as-sin soldier and had more orgasms in those four months than I have in my entire life.
-"Long story short, Ms. Lucy Dawson turned out to be exactly who I was looking for. And the rest is history.
-"Told you, babe. Kale does a body good."
-I need...her. I just need her.
-I'm a fool for you, Lucy. Always have been, always will be."
-"Home isn't just a place for me, babe. It's wherever you are.
-"The day I realized I love you was the day that you became my whole heart.
-You're everything I've always wanted and never thought I could have.
May 7, 2014
****FIVE Kale Does A Body Good STARS****
ARC Provided by Author in Exchange For An Honest Review
(BR with Bestie Melissa)
I consider myself amongst the lucky ones who gets ARCs from Tessa!!
I swear I have loved every book she's written to date.
"Inflame" is no exception!!
Kale Montgomery is my favorite book boyfriend so far out of the "Explosive" series.
We met Kale and Lucy in "Incinerate".
They're friends to both Knox and Charlie.
Lucy Dawson is an elementary school teacher.
She's Charlie's best friend and she's sort of a wild child.
Lucy's father abandoned her and her mom when she was young.
This affected her later in life, in that she doesn't tend to have serious relationships with men.
She meets Kale when he shows up to her classroom for the "Bring Your Father to School" day.
He's there for his god daughter.
The two are instantly attracted to each other and end up spending a lot of time together.
Both claiming that they don't want anything serious and keeping their arrangement as strictly "friends w/benefits".
They have one HOT summer fling together!
The sex is pretty freaking steamy and is definitely one of the many reasons I've added Kale to my top favorite book boyfriends list.
Kale ends up being stationed in Afghanistan with Jace and Knox.
The two stay in touch via email and Skype.
The separation helps open their eyes to the fact that what they feel for each other is a little something more than just "friends w/benefits".
Kale and the guys get sent home early after they were all injured during a road side bombing.
When Kale returns, he and Lucy pick up where they left off and soon, Lucy finds out she is pregnant.
Now they will spend most of the story growing closer and falling for each other, but both will hold on to hurt from their pasts.
One of them, keeps a secret from the other, which will cause quite a bit of tension between them.
I had Kale all wrong when from the start.
He seemed to be a player, who couldn't be tied down to one woman, but in reality he had so much love in his heart to give to Lucy and their "Sprout".
"Okay, maybe I can't guarantee it, but I promise you that I'll try every single day to be the best man I can be for you. As much as you want to say I'm perfect, I'm not, and striving to be would be unrealistic. But for you, and for Sprout, I'll try my hardest."
"Ever since the moment you looked up at me from the classroom floor, I've been a goner. It just took me a while to realize it, but every second you spent in my bed, in my life, you've been working your way in to my heart, and baby, I just can't help but love you. You make it so damn easy."
Jace, Lexi, Knox, and Charlie are around quite a bit in this one and we learn of new developments in all their lives, plus we get a little taste of Branson, Cohen, and Xavier. I can't wait for their stories!!
I loved the two epilogues and how it all comes together for Kale and Lucy.
This is a series that I highly recommend as each book has incredible characters and enough of the STEAM factor that will require at least a couple of cold showers!!
ARC Provided by Author in Exchange For An Honest Review
(BR with Bestie Melissa)
I consider myself amongst the lucky ones who gets ARCs from Tessa!!
I swear I have loved every book she's written to date.
"Inflame" is no exception!!
Kale Montgomery is my favorite book boyfriend so far out of the "Explosive" series.
We met Kale and Lucy in "Incinerate".
They're friends to both Knox and Charlie.
Lucy Dawson is an elementary school teacher.
She's Charlie's best friend and she's sort of a wild child.
Lucy's father abandoned her and her mom when she was young.
This affected her later in life, in that she doesn't tend to have serious relationships with men.
She meets Kale when he shows up to her classroom for the "Bring Your Father to School" day.
He's there for his god daughter.
The two are instantly attracted to each other and end up spending a lot of time together.
Both claiming that they don't want anything serious and keeping their arrangement as strictly "friends w/benefits".
They have one HOT summer fling together!
The sex is pretty freaking steamy and is definitely one of the many reasons I've added Kale to my top favorite book boyfriends list.
Kale ends up being stationed in Afghanistan with Jace and Knox.
The two stay in touch via email and Skype.
The separation helps open their eyes to the fact that what they feel for each other is a little something more than just "friends w/benefits".
Kale and the guys get sent home early after they were all injured during a road side bombing.
When Kale returns, he and Lucy pick up where they left off and soon, Lucy finds out she is pregnant.
Now they will spend most of the story growing closer and falling for each other, but both will hold on to hurt from their pasts.
One of them, keeps a secret from the other, which will cause quite a bit of tension between them.
I had Kale all wrong when from the start.
He seemed to be a player, who couldn't be tied down to one woman, but in reality he had so much love in his heart to give to Lucy and their "Sprout".
"Okay, maybe I can't guarantee it, but I promise you that I'll try every single day to be the best man I can be for you. As much as you want to say I'm perfect, I'm not, and striving to be would be unrealistic. But for you, and for Sprout, I'll try my hardest."
"Ever since the moment you looked up at me from the classroom floor, I've been a goner. It just took me a while to realize it, but every second you spent in my bed, in my life, you've been working your way in to my heart, and baby, I just can't help but love you. You make it so damn easy."
Jace, Lexi, Knox, and Charlie are around quite a bit in this one and we learn of new developments in all their lives, plus we get a little taste of Branson, Cohen, and Xavier. I can't wait for their stories!!
I loved the two epilogues and how it all comes together for Kale and Lucy.
This is a series that I highly recommend as each book has incredible characters and enough of the STEAM factor that will require at least a couple of cold showers!!
October 29, 2014
ARC provided by author in exhchange for honest review!
I have quickly made Miss Teevan an automatic one-click author. While I truly loved Ignite and Incinerate...my feelings towards Inflame are beyond 5 star territory! I love when and author can write a strong male and make the heroine of equal strength. I also love when a romance is well written with steam, humor, and heartbreaking emotion. Inflame possesses every quality that I, myself, love in a read!
The story: Kale Montgomery and Lucy Dawson have a fabulous friends-with-benefits relationship. They are unabashed and completely compatible with one another. Their relationship is so easy, so fun, an so amazingly hot!
Little did they know that the "perfection" they found in their summer fling would set the standards for their hearts and minds! Not even time apart or other attempted relationships can put out the flame they created as everyone can see...
When the relationship itself shifts and unexpected changes occur the story takes on a new life...one of an emotionally charged push and pull dynamic. It is now time to put it all on the line and truly "inflame" the feelings that both have been harboring for over a year, but can they let go of their pasts and truly go all in? Kale and Lucy together are perfect, they just have to hold onto one another!
Why so fabulous?
For once you get two characters who are in the present with one another. They are both strong and emotionally open. Kale and Lucy develop together with a lot of communication and comfort. You can feel the tension, the trepidation, and most importantly the giddy lust all that go along with the "first" fall into love. While there is angst, it isn't due to poor behavior or shitty triangles...it is more of a coming to terms with past and present lives and learning to trust.
Also, I loved how Lucy and Kale were "best friends" and how they fell into "more than like" before going into insta-love! It is quite refreshing to read a male and a female character who have true concerns and fears all while getting to go thru the emotional rollercoaster with them. I will say the HEAT these two bring is quite fabulous as well...
From hard and fast to head-to-toe attention, Kale and Lucy are equal opportunity lovers who take no shame in the raw need and want they have for one another! For those of you who love well written romance with steamy sex and true emotional grit...Tessa Teevan has written one helluva read with INFLAME! I for one will keep Kale and Lucy at the top of my faves list for a while!
I have quickly made Miss Teevan an automatic one-click author. While I truly loved Ignite and Incinerate...my feelings towards Inflame are beyond 5 star territory! I love when and author can write a strong male and make the heroine of equal strength. I also love when a romance is well written with steam, humor, and heartbreaking emotion. Inflame possesses every quality that I, myself, love in a read!
The story: Kale Montgomery and Lucy Dawson have a fabulous friends-with-benefits relationship. They are unabashed and completely compatible with one another. Their relationship is so easy, so fun, an so amazingly hot!
Little did they know that the "perfection" they found in their summer fling would set the standards for their hearts and minds! Not even time apart or other attempted relationships can put out the flame they created as everyone can see...
When the relationship itself shifts and unexpected changes occur the story takes on a new life...one of an emotionally charged push and pull dynamic. It is now time to put it all on the line and truly "inflame" the feelings that both have been harboring for over a year, but can they let go of their pasts and truly go all in? Kale and Lucy together are perfect, they just have to hold onto one another!
Why so fabulous?
For once you get two characters who are in the present with one another. They are both strong and emotionally open. Kale and Lucy develop together with a lot of communication and comfort. You can feel the tension, the trepidation, and most importantly the giddy lust all that go along with the "first" fall into love. While there is angst, it isn't due to poor behavior or shitty triangles...it is more of a coming to terms with past and present lives and learning to trust.
Also, I loved how Lucy and Kale were "best friends" and how they fell into "more than like" before going into insta-love! It is quite refreshing to read a male and a female character who have true concerns and fears all while getting to go thru the emotional rollercoaster with them. I will say the HEAT these two bring is quite fabulous as well...
From hard and fast to head-to-toe attention, Kale and Lucy are equal opportunity lovers who take no shame in the raw need and want they have for one another! For those of you who love well written romance with steamy sex and true emotional grit...Tessa Teevan has written one helluva read with INFLAME! I for one will keep Kale and Lucy at the top of my faves list for a while!
June 4, 2014
4.5 Perfect Friends to Lovers Stars * * * * 1/2
I enjoy a Tessa Teevan read. There... I have said it and this way you will understand my delight in reading this book. I have enjoyed meeting all the players in this story through her other book in this series, Incinerate. I bonded with this crew and was looking forward to seeing how she was going to handle Lucy's and Kale's story... because it was extremely timely... The Friends with Benefits relationship.
Today, this is a very common talked about thing. In the past, they were called booty calls... at least back in my day... and were kept as something to be hidden by the gals... Today... things are more open... more and more people of all ages do not want the commitment of a singular relationship with no open options or expectations of more... and that is kinda telling. FWB can be a perfectly fine deal... but what if both parties end up having feelings they didn't plan... wanting more than the other. Parents and life experiences have molded people to have serious ideas about what relationships mean... the ideas can stem from broken hearts or seeing how parents dealt with their own relationships... so it is no wonder, the children see and learn what they want and don't want.
These issues are what keep Lucy and Kale from revealing how they feel about each other. Each has their own secret and they hold on to them with both hands. When the big turning point in their lives take place; both have to come to terms with what they have carried in their minds and hearts. The question is how will they deal with what is in front of them... and recognize how deep their bond truly is.
The way this story was told worked for me. We were able to be present when Lucy met Kale; how both were at a place in their lives with each not wanting commitment. They were attracted to each other from the start...Lucy owned what she wanted from Kale. She was liberated in her sexuality.... free and open to understand who she was and what she liked. She was straight forward and did not play games. She was strong and aware at all times what she thought the relationship was and even resigned to let it go after she had developed feeling for Kale. Although it took her longer than it took him to own up to how she felt... I got it and wasn't too frustrated with her... as it can happen in these types of tales. Over all she was an excellent character and brought much to every part of the story.
Kale over all was a dream. He was that guy... the one who flirts, looks at you and you swoon. He was raised by women... and I think that was his secret weapon. He knew how to work it with our gender and was overjoyed to meet Lucy, the straight shooter. They worked as a couple and my only complaint was Kale not being forthcoming sooner to Lucy when she gave him every opportunity. Of course, then there wouldn't have been the angst and we all know there are so many of you which love angst. It wasn't too much, though; and when everything was said and done... it all came together.
I especially appreciated the humor... banter and sexy times these two had... they were tuned in with all they did together... and Kale's leap to being there and supporting Lucy through their journey was a pleasure to experience. Almost every move he did concerning Lucy was right.
Tessa Teevan delivered and she has given us food for thought... another series is in the making with other characters from this tribe. All of the secondary characters have interest... little glimpse of possible love is in the air... Ms. Teevan, I hope you have flexed your fingers and had your caffeine... we need for you to get started and churn this new series out.
A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review.
For more reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
I enjoy a Tessa Teevan read. There... I have said it and this way you will understand my delight in reading this book. I have enjoyed meeting all the players in this story through her other book in this series, Incinerate. I bonded with this crew and was looking forward to seeing how she was going to handle Lucy's and Kale's story... because it was extremely timely... The Friends with Benefits relationship.
Today, this is a very common talked about thing. In the past, they were called booty calls... at least back in my day... and were kept as something to be hidden by the gals... Today... things are more open... more and more people of all ages do not want the commitment of a singular relationship with no open options or expectations of more... and that is kinda telling. FWB can be a perfectly fine deal... but what if both parties end up having feelings they didn't plan... wanting more than the other. Parents and life experiences have molded people to have serious ideas about what relationships mean... the ideas can stem from broken hearts or seeing how parents dealt with their own relationships... so it is no wonder, the children see and learn what they want and don't want.
These issues are what keep Lucy and Kale from revealing how they feel about each other. Each has their own secret and they hold on to them with both hands. When the big turning point in their lives take place; both have to come to terms with what they have carried in their minds and hearts. The question is how will they deal with what is in front of them... and recognize how deep their bond truly is.
The way this story was told worked for me. We were able to be present when Lucy met Kale; how both were at a place in their lives with each not wanting commitment. They were attracted to each other from the start...Lucy owned what she wanted from Kale. She was liberated in her sexuality.... free and open to understand who she was and what she liked. She was straight forward and did not play games. She was strong and aware at all times what she thought the relationship was and even resigned to let it go after she had developed feeling for Kale. Although it took her longer than it took him to own up to how she felt... I got it and wasn't too frustrated with her... as it can happen in these types of tales. Over all she was an excellent character and brought much to every part of the story.
Kale over all was a dream. He was that guy... the one who flirts, looks at you and you swoon. He was raised by women... and I think that was his secret weapon. He knew how to work it with our gender and was overjoyed to meet Lucy, the straight shooter. They worked as a couple and my only complaint was Kale not being forthcoming sooner to Lucy when she gave him every opportunity. Of course, then there wouldn't have been the angst and we all know there are so many of you which love angst. It wasn't too much, though; and when everything was said and done... it all came together.
I especially appreciated the humor... banter and sexy times these two had... they were tuned in with all they did together... and Kale's leap to being there and supporting Lucy through their journey was a pleasure to experience. Almost every move he did concerning Lucy was right.
Tessa Teevan delivered and she has given us food for thought... another series is in the making with other characters from this tribe. All of the secondary characters have interest... little glimpse of possible love is in the air... Ms. Teevan, I hope you have flexed your fingers and had your caffeine... we need for you to get started and churn this new series out.
A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review.
For more reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
January 3, 2015
This book was a breath of fresh air! Review to come.
April 27, 2014
Title:Inflame
Series: Explosive #3
Author:Tessa Teevan
Release Date: May 12, 2014
Rating:4 stars
Cliffhanger:No
HEA:
There are very few series that I can say every book in them are 4 or 5 star reads. When you can say that, the series belongs on your favorites shelf because there’s something special there. This is a hard thing to accomplish and Tessa Teevan has done it for me. I really liked this book-Kale and Lucy’s story takes right off where we left it in Incinerate. Lucy is Charlie’s best friend and has a very strong personality-it took me a while for her to grow on me. She’s not usually my favorite type of heroine-brash, blunt, and only goes for the casual hook-up with men. I do love strong heroines, but I’m not a huge fan of the friends with benefits type stories. I was banking on Ms Teevan’s track record in the series to pull another winner out of the hat. and yes, she did make a believer out of me.
Lucy is a second grade teacher who’s perfectly happy with her life how it is-she doesn’t need a man to complicate things. After being told all her life that she was a surprise baby that caused a shotgun wedding and years of unhappiness, she’s not all fired up to put herself out there for the sake of love. I felt for her-that’s got to be hard to be told you’re unwanted by your father. It messes with your head.
When Kale shows up at school for his goddaughter, she’s slammed with lust but also can’t help but have a soft spot for this man who’s so devoted to her student.
Kale is just as attracted to her but the combination of his past and the fact that he’s only home for a short while is making him wonder if they should start anything. But damn, there’s something about this woman that stirs every sexy teacher fantasy there ever was.
Seeing the freckle on the tip of her nose causes me to grin, and she sucks in her bottom lip when I do. I know I shouldn’t be hot for teacher, but I can’t help it. I totally am.
They decide pretty much right away that there’s no reason they shouldn’t enjoy themselves until he has to go back overseas. She doesn’t hold back, and her bold honesty and her total comfort in her own sexuality is refreshing and hot as hell to him. They get down and dirty, play up every teacher student fantasy ever devised, and love every second of it. They can’t get enough of each other.
Excuse me, Ms. Dawson. I believe you owe me a punishment, an I’m here to take it like a man,” I tell her, watching as her eyes widen. I watch as she swallows hard, and my dick is raging in anticipation of her response. “Sergent Montgomery, I’m not sure you can handle the punishment I have in mind for you.”
Kale and Lucy have some serious chemistry under the sheets, but they also come to find that they’re becoming best friends as well. They’ve moved into the friends with benefits category…the benefits having come before the friends part and though they both tell each other that it’s the ideal situation, they’re lying. To themselves and each other. They both want more but are unwilling, or maybe unable to admit it and overcome their pasts. We don’t really know what happened to Kale, but we know that whatever it is, it broke his heart and prevents him from being able to attempt a relationship.
An unforeseen factor will blow everything out of the water. Their no strings attached situation just produced one hell of a string. It seems history is repeating itself and Lucy, who was a surprise baby herself, is now pregnant and freaking the heck out. The combination of their pasts make for one serious struggle but it ends up being just what they needed to wake them up and realize how much they mean to each other. From the minute Kale finds out he’s going to be a father, he’s absolutely, 100% supportive and sweet and I completely fell for him and his sensitivity towards Lucy.
Suddenly, their lives include morning sickness, sonograms, baby shopping, and they both fall crazy in love with their little Sprout. (Get it? Kale...Sprout?) They vow to make this work.
Their friends and family are all there for them and if Kale can just deal with all the emotions that are being stirred up and be open and honest about his past, everything would be perfect. When you find out what happened to him in his past you will hurt for him, but at the same time, after a while, I was like, come on already! Tell your woman and move on! He just can't seem to find a way to talk to her about it. And it bites him in the ass later.
This was a great read. I really came to care for Lucy and Kale so much and the addition of the past couples in the book was so enjoyable. I loved getting a little bit more of the gang-their humor, their friendship, and the peek into their lives in the epilogue was fabulous! If you haven't read this series, get on it because it's hard to believe anyone couldn't appreciate these books.
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April 24, 2014
*ARC provided by author for honest review*
Me before reading:
Me after staying up until 3am devouring this book:
Full review to come!!
Me before reading:
Me after staying up until 3am devouring this book:
Full review to come!!
April 29, 2016
Inflame is the third book in the Explosive series and this is Kale Montgomery and Lucy Dawson’s story.
Lucy is Charlie’s best friend who we were introduced to in Incinerate we know that Lucy and Kale are friends with benefits. Kale is part of the gang with Jace and Knox.
We find out everything about Lucy and Kale, we find out how they first met, what happened that first night they spend together, how they communicated daily while Kale was deployed and how their relationship progresses with time as their feelings begin to change and they both finally admit their true feelings for each other.
I found their story to be very emotional with what they have both been through in the past and how they are dealing with the present. This has everything you need for a great read. A sexy military man with a heart of gold, a strong independent woman. There is plenty of sexual chemistry and sizzling sex, lots of funny banter and sweet moments. I loved that we get more Knox, Charlie, Jace and Lexi and what they are up to.
Loved the epilogues and I am intrigued to read Branson’s story
I loved the relationship between Kale, Xavier and Lily and I am looking forward to reading Intoxicate. I will be reading a lot more of Tessa Teevan in the future.
Lucy is Charlie’s best friend who we were introduced to in Incinerate we know that Lucy and Kale are friends with benefits. Kale is part of the gang with Jace and Knox.
We find out everything about Lucy and Kale, we find out how they first met, what happened that first night they spend together, how they communicated daily while Kale was deployed and how their relationship progresses with time as their feelings begin to change and they both finally admit their true feelings for each other.
I found their story to be very emotional with what they have both been through in the past and how they are dealing with the present. This has everything you need for a great read. A sexy military man with a heart of gold, a strong independent woman. There is plenty of sexual chemistry and sizzling sex, lots of funny banter and sweet moments. I loved that we get more Knox, Charlie, Jace and Lexi and what they are up to.
Loved the epilogues and I am intrigued to read Branson’s story
I loved the relationship between Kale, Xavier and Lily and I am looking forward to reading Intoxicate. I will be reading a lot more of Tessa Teevan in the future.
July 20, 2014
Dear Knox-
First let me say I love you with all my heart. You are my true love and I will forever be your reader-girlfriend (or wife). So, do not fear that this is a Dear John. You will always have my heart.
What I wanted to know is if you may be open to expanding our reader-girlfriend/book-boyfriend relationship to the ménage variety. ...Just hear me out:
Kale- is your close friend.
Kale- saved your life.
Kale- is your brethren in arms & combat.
Kale- is heart wrenching, swoon worthy with all small humans. (You will need the extra babysitter soon).
Kale- gives massages. (You should enjoy this while completing your PT)
Kale- starts sweet baths (Also nice after all the hard PT)
Kale- has a 6 pack. (Okay so that's for me)
Kale- has a sexy V. (Okay that one too)
Kale- is NUTRITIOUS & DELICIOUS!! (Come on... Your body's a temple. You need this too)
I believe I've laid out a well balanced reason why you should be amenable to and not make me feel guilty for- wanting to pull him from the dirt with my bare hands and not waiting to wash him off before I devour him whole, without chewing. I think he would fit perfectly into our fictional marriage.
Don't worry boys. We can work this out! Let's all get nekid & hop in the ring. First let me kick Charlie and Lucy's ASS!! I'm the ONLY girl ALLOWED!!!
Love- Mrs. Ashley Kale Wellington III
Thank you TT for the generous ARC and AMAZING early bday gift. You ROCK! And your ability to create such phenomenal, memorable and loving characters blows me away (every time). I have to go with 4 just because I feel like I'm cheating on my hubs if I give a full 5.
First let me say I love you with all my heart. You are my true love and I will forever be your reader-girlfriend (or wife). So, do not fear that this is a Dear John. You will always have my heart.
What I wanted to know is if you may be open to expanding our reader-girlfriend/book-boyfriend relationship to the ménage variety. ...Just hear me out:
Kale- is your close friend.
Kale- saved your life.
Kale- is your brethren in arms & combat.
Kale- is heart wrenching, swoon worthy with all small humans. (You will need the extra babysitter soon).
Kale- gives massages. (You should enjoy this while completing your PT)
Kale- starts sweet baths (Also nice after all the hard PT)
Kale- has a 6 pack. (Okay so that's for me)
Kale- has a sexy V. (Okay that one too)
Kale- is NUTRITIOUS & DELICIOUS!! (Come on... Your body's a temple. You need this too)
I believe I've laid out a well balanced reason why you should be amenable to and not make me feel guilty for- wanting to pull him from the dirt with my bare hands and not waiting to wash him off before I devour him whole, without chewing. I think he would fit perfectly into our fictional marriage.
Don't worry boys. We can work this out! Let's all get nekid & hop in the ring. First let me kick Charlie and Lucy's ASS!! I'm the ONLY girl ALLOWED!!!
Love- Mrs. Ashley Kale Wellington III
Thank you TT for the generous ARC and AMAZING early bday gift. You ROCK! And your ability to create such phenomenal, memorable and loving characters blows me away (every time). I have to go with 4 just because I feel like I'm cheating on my hubs if I give a full 5.
August 23, 2020
This book is so fucking amazing I am in love with this author but I’m gonna wait until I am peaceful to read the hole serie before reviewing
May 16, 2014
4 stars
I really enjoyed this book. Was a sweet romantic book.
Kale almost knocked Knox off my 'favourite' boyfriend list in the series. But no Knox is still my number 1.
Lucy and Kale both had a past with there own secrets and they really didn't want to be in a relationship just friends with benefits. And Kale was really her best friend. Deep down they both had feelings for each other but were to scared to tell each other.
Kale was so sweet but he had a secret and that pissed me off because he had so many chances to tell Lucy about his past but he kept keeping it a secret until he got busted. But my heart still broke for Kale.
Kale will be such a great father if you see how he is with Lily his god daughter. What happened to Lily almost broke my heart and I couldn't stop reading.
I had to google what a Wartenberg wheel is and I have to say it looks damn kinky haha! Maybe I should get one. :)
Loved that there was more Charlie and Knox and Jace in this story.
I look forward to the book about Xavier Cruz I like him already.
Oh another thing (haha), I'm broody as hell after reading this book. Now I just want a baby! It's all your fault Tessa ;)
Thanks Tessa for another awesome book. Look forward to more books in the future. x
I really enjoyed this book. Was a sweet romantic book.
Kale almost knocked Knox off my 'favourite' boyfriend list in the series. But no Knox is still my number 1.
Lucy and Kale both had a past with there own secrets and they really didn't want to be in a relationship just friends with benefits. And Kale was really her best friend. Deep down they both had feelings for each other but were to scared to tell each other.
Kale was so sweet but he had a secret and that pissed me off because he had so many chances to tell Lucy about his past but he kept keeping it a secret until he got busted. But my heart still broke for Kale.
Kale will be such a great father if you see how he is with Lily his god daughter. What happened to Lily almost broke my heart and I couldn't stop reading.
I had to google what a Wartenberg wheel is and I have to say it looks damn kinky haha! Maybe I should get one. :)
Loved that there was more Charlie and Knox and Jace in this story.
I look forward to the book about Xavier Cruz I like him already.
Oh another thing (haha), I'm broody as hell after reading this book. Now I just want a baby! It's all your fault Tessa ;)
Thanks Tessa for another awesome book. Look forward to more books in the future. x
April 9, 2016
5 Kale-Does-MY-Body-Good Stars!
ARC very generously provided by the rocking author in exchange for making me teary-eyed and swoon over Kale
This is the 4th story I’ve read from Tessa (Ignite, Incinerate, Sweet Southern Sorrow), I’ve been too excited to read this and I am glad it didn’t disappoint. I’ve loved all 3 books I’ve read from her and I can say, the story and characters that Tessa writes just keep getting better and better.
Inflame is the story of Charlie’s best friend, Lucy Dawson and Knox and Jace’s friend and colleague, Kale Montgomery. They’ve been introduced to us in Incinerate and they got me intrigued and excited even that first time I met them. They were friends turned “friends with benefits” to expecting parents and lovers. Their relationship -- even when they were “casual” -- was a fun, sweet, and charming read.
Lucy Dawson has easily become one of my favorite female characters. She is sexy, smart, sassy, beautiful, and a really sweet person. It’s enjoyable reading her sass and sexy ways when she talks to Kale when deep inside she’s really swooning and slightly freaking out but in a good way. Lucy is an extremely fun character to know.
Kale Montgomery, ohmyholygosh, this guy is like a teenage-sweet-charming-protective in adult version. He is funny, ultra charming and flirty, and a wonderful friend, boyfriend, godfather. All the time I was reading Inflame, I couldn’t help smiling and swooning and being heartbroken at some point with him. I fell in love and got cried with him.
Lucy and Kale’s relationship is something we’ve watched in movies, maybe something we’ve encountered with someone we personally know, and even though it seems like it’s too good to be true for this kind of story to happen to us, this Lucy-Kale story is charming and an absolute delight to read! I love Inflame in a different level than I love the previous 2 books in this series (and I absolutely love those 2 stories!), maybe because this one includes the journey this couple had with Sprout. It is heartwarming to read how much Kale adores his soon-to-be-born child. He’s a protective partner and father yet gentle and caring all at once.
But don’t mistake my gushing and think that this is just a sweet easy read, well, it’s that too but so much more. I had my heartbroken and I also got teary-eyed from the sweetness and the sadness that happened in this book. Kale’s past is especially an emotional one. There’s a backstory, a flashback, that Tessa Teevan wrote so fluidly into the present story.
If you have read the Explosive series’ Ignite and Incinerate, the lovely couples in those books also appear in Inflame. Plus new side characters who are Lucy and Kale’s families. Their families are such a breath of fresh air! They have a tight-knit, loving, and supportive family, which I enjoyed getting to know also.
Get your hands on this series and I assure you you’ll love these guys and their ladies a lot!
I am now looking forward to Cohen’s story, and Xavier, and Branson! So much to look forward to from Tessa Teevan!
Stars: 5 stars!
Recommended to: Friends-turned-lovers fans.
POV: First person. Dual POV.
Series: Yes. But standalone.
Cliffhanger: No.
Extra Comment: I love the epilogue! And how Tessa injected Branson’s character into Lucy and Kale’s story in the end… nice touch! There’s also a lot of references which I enjoyed popping out here and there like JT, Salvatore brothers, Mark Wahlberg, etc.
ARC very generously provided by the rocking author in exchange for making me teary-eyed and swoon over Kale
This is the 4th story I’ve read from Tessa (Ignite, Incinerate, Sweet Southern Sorrow), I’ve been too excited to read this and I am glad it didn’t disappoint. I’ve loved all 3 books I’ve read from her and I can say, the story and characters that Tessa writes just keep getting better and better.
“I never thought I’d have a family, Lucy, but what I didn’t
realize is that I was just waiting for you.
You’re everything I’ve always wanted and never thought I could have.”
Inflame is the story of Charlie’s best friend, Lucy Dawson and Knox and Jace’s friend and colleague, Kale Montgomery. They’ve been introduced to us in Incinerate and they got me intrigued and excited even that first time I met them. They were friends turned “friends with benefits” to expecting parents and lovers. Their relationship -- even when they were “casual” -- was a fun, sweet, and charming read.
Lucy Dawson has easily become one of my favorite female characters. She is sexy, smart, sassy, beautiful, and a really sweet person. It’s enjoyable reading her sass and sexy ways when she talks to Kale when deep inside she’s really swooning and slightly freaking out but in a good way. Lucy is an extremely fun character to know.
“Wait for me, Lucy Dawson. My poor little heart couldn’t take
the thought of you finding another man while I’m gone.”
Kale Montgomery, ohmyholygosh, this guy is like a teenage-sweet-charming-protective in adult version. He is funny, ultra charming and flirty, and a wonderful friend, boyfriend, godfather. All the time I was reading Inflame, I couldn’t help smiling and swooning and being heartbroken at some point with him. I fell in love and got cried with him.
Lucy and Kale’s relationship is something we’ve watched in movies, maybe something we’ve encountered with someone we personally know, and even though it seems like it’s too good to be true for this kind of story to happen to us, this Lucy-Kale story is charming and an absolute delight to read! I love Inflame in a different level than I love the previous 2 books in this series (and I absolutely love those 2 stories!), maybe because this one includes the journey this couple had with Sprout. It is heartwarming to read how much Kale adores his soon-to-be-born child. He’s a protective partner and father yet gentle and caring all at once.
But don’t mistake my gushing and think that this is just a sweet easy read, well, it’s that too but so much more. I had my heartbroken and I also got teary-eyed from the sweetness and the sadness that happened in this book. Kale’s past is especially an emotional one. There’s a backstory, a flashback, that Tessa Teevan wrote so fluidly into the present story.
If you have read the Explosive series’ Ignite and Incinerate, the lovely couples in those books also appear in Inflame. Plus new side characters who are Lucy and Kale’s families. Their families are such a breath of fresh air! They have a tight-knit, loving, and supportive family, which I enjoyed getting to know also.
Get your hands on this series and I assure you you’ll love these guys and their ladies a lot!
I am now looking forward to Cohen’s story, and Xavier, and Branson! So much to look forward to from Tessa Teevan!
Stars: 5 stars!
Recommended to: Friends-turned-lovers fans.
POV: First person. Dual POV.
Series: Yes. But standalone.
Cliffhanger: No.
Extra Comment: I love the epilogue! And how Tessa injected Branson’s character into Lucy and Kale’s story in the end… nice touch! There’s also a lot of references which I enjoyed popping out here and there like JT, Salvatore brothers, Mark Wahlberg, etc.
May 15, 2014
*5 EXPLOSIVE stars*
I love a good friends to lovers story! Although, their situation was slightly different considering it's more of a friends with benefits to lovers! Regardless, this book was absolutely fabulous!
Kale & Lucy. I loved the way they meet one another, I loved the way their relationship progressed, I loved the pen pal letters that were sent between one another, I loved the buildup of their feelings for one another, and I also loved the unexpected gift. Okay, I pretty much loved everything about this book!
Another well written male character by Miss Teevan! Kale...pardon me while I put out the fire in my panties & Lucy, she was the perfect counterpart to Kale. Not to mention the chemistry between those two was undeniable.
There was also humor laced throughout. I seriously enjoyed Lucy & Kale's banter. They were too damn cute.
Explosive bedroom activities? Check. Lots of fun role play? Double Check.
Plus, I was introduced to a new bedroom toy, what the what?? You'll just have to read to see what it is, but it was my first time hearing of such a tool used for pain/pleasure. I hope I've peaked your interest.
This had everything I love in a good book! READ THIS SERIES, you won't be disappointed!
I love a good friends to lovers story! Although, their situation was slightly different considering it's more of a friends with benefits to lovers! Regardless, this book was absolutely fabulous!
Kale & Lucy. I loved the way they meet one another, I loved the way their relationship progressed, I loved the pen pal letters that were sent between one another, I loved the buildup of their feelings for one another, and I also loved the unexpected gift. Okay, I pretty much loved everything about this book!
Another well written male character by Miss Teevan! Kale...pardon me while I put out the fire in my panties & Lucy, she was the perfect counterpart to Kale. Not to mention the chemistry between those two was undeniable.
There was also humor laced throughout. I seriously enjoyed Lucy & Kale's banter. They were too damn cute.
Explosive bedroom activities? Check. Lots of fun role play? Double Check.
Plus, I was introduced to a new bedroom toy, what the what?? You'll just have to read to see what it is, but it was my first time hearing of such a tool used for pain/pleasure. I hope I've peaked your interest.
This had everything I love in a good book! READ THIS SERIES, you won't be disappointed!
October 8, 2019
***3.5 Stars***
I loved Kale and Lucy together and thought they were a great combination of sweet and sexy. I'm glad there was no relationship drama, and that their insecurites and stubborness didn't get in the way of them getting together and admitting their feelings for each other.
I also love how comfortable and open Lucy is with the fact that she's a woman who likes sex! So damn refreshing. She doesn't play games, and I loved her for it.
BUT, this book's pacing is so damn slow. Lucy was pregnant for nine months, and that's about how long this book felt. If this were at least 50 pages shorter and all of the repetition was edited out....it would have easily been a 4 - 4.5 star read. But the repetition and pacing killed me.
August 6, 2016
Tessa Teevan has written another winner with Inflame. In this story we are reunited with Kale and Lucy, who we knew were involved in a no strings relationship. They have the perfect arrangement they're best friends, who get to have sex, without any of the hassles of being in a committed relationship. The only thing is- it's not that simple. Before they realize it their relationship is so much more. Their feelings for each other have grown beyond just friendship.
What I loved:
*Dual POV
*It's a friends to lovers story
*THE EMAILS!!!!
*It's steamy
*Great character growth
*I was soooo glad Lucy wasn't made into a crazy hormonal bitch! Last few books I've read where the h gets pregnant, they make them psycho.
*Kale. He was so freaking sweet.
What I didn't love:
*Don't read this if you haven't read the book: That was really the only thing.
Overall a great story. It's no secret I love this author. Love her writing style. It just flows. It's fun and sexy. She doesn't unnecessarily complicate her stories. I always have fun reading her books. This was a solid 4 star read!
May 7, 2014
**Happy dancing with arc in kindle..thank you Tessa..Kale here I come**
Arc provided from author in exchange for an honest review from the girls and I at www.sizzlingpages.com
4.5 Stars Loved it!
Inflame Full Review
Arc provided from author in exchange for an honest review from the girls and I at www.sizzlingpages.com
4.5 Stars Loved it!
Inflame Full Review
May 10, 2014
I love Tessa's boys!!
June 5, 2014
4.5 PASSMESOMEKALE STARS
Kale & Lucy ♥
The third installment was 300 or whatever so pages of BRILLIANCE. I enjoyed reading about Kale and Lucy; they are by far my favorite in the Explosive series. It all begins when their arrangement had extra "baggage" added onto it ... Lucy is preggers. However, they had an agreement but fortunately it'll have some minor adjustments. They'll see how it goes trying to raise a baby with their "best friend" ... it won't be easy because all that time and planting a sprout together can cause EMOTIONS&FEELINGS to "SURFACE" And can I just say that I was in awe on how incredibleKale is and without a doubt added to my endless amount of book boyfriend's. Take the plunge and be Inflamed in this EXPLOSIVE novel.
So ... can'twait for the next one because I KNOW it'll be PERFECTION.
InflameTessa Teevan
- Sleepless, Readmore.
Kale & Lucy ♥
I have every intention of making her mine, but until I know she’s ready, hell, until I’m sure that I’m even ready, I’ll bid my time and continue to be herbest friend... I know that in the end it’ll be more than worth it. Waiting for her will be worth it...
The third installment was 300 or whatever so pages of BRILLIANCE. I enjoyed reading about Kale and Lucy; they are by far my favorite in the Explosive series. It all begins when their arrangement had extra "baggage" added onto it ... Lucy is preggers. However, they had an agreement but fortunately it'll have some minor adjustments. They'll see how it goes trying to raise a baby with their "best friend" ... it won't be easy because all that time and planting a sprout together can cause EMOTIONS&FEELINGS to "SURFACE" And can I just say that I was in awe on how incredibleKale is and without a doubt added to my endless amount of book boyfriend's. Take the plunge and be Inflamed in this EXPLOSIVE novel.
Okay, maybe Ican’tguarantee it, but I promise you that I’ll try every single day to be the best man I can be for you. As much as you want to say I’mperfect, I’m not, and striving to be would be unrealistic. But for you, and for Sprout, I’ll try my hardest...
So ... can't
InflameTessa Teevan
- Sleepless, Readmore.
October 1, 2014
Kale Montgomery. Hot. Sexy. Quick-whit. Loving. All Man.
Lucy Dawson. Pretty. Sexy. Lovable. All Girl.
These two have a great story! Double T did my heart a favor writing this one!! ❤️❤️❤️
Where's Cohen's book!?!!!!
Lucy Dawson. Pretty. Sexy. Lovable. All Girl.
These two have a great story! Double T did my heart a favor writing this one!! ❤️❤️❤️
Where's Cohen's book!?!!!!
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