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Boston Fire #6
Flare Up
“Stacey’s gift for writing easily relatable characters will hook readers and leave them eagerly waiting for the next installment.” —Publishers Weekly
Meet the tough, dedicated men of Boston Fire—and the women who turn their lives upside down.
Nursing a broken heart while everybody around him seems to be drowning in happiness has Grant Cutter wondering whether staying with Boston Fire is in his future. It’s tempting as hell to pack up his Jeep and hit the road. But then a 911 call brings the woman who shattered his heart back into his life, and he knows he won’t ever be able to fully leave her behind.
For a few months, Wren Everett had thought the nightmare of her past was behind her and she might live happily ever after with Grant. Until she found out that the time her ex had spent in jail for assault hadn’t cooled his temper or determination that she belonged with him. Cutting ties with Grant was the hardest thing she’d ever had to do, but it was also the only way to keep him safe.
Now Grant is back, and he’s not letting Wren push him away again. And even with the trust issues between them, Wren dares to hope she and Grant might have a future together after all…if they’re willing to fight for it.
Boston
Book #1: Heat Exchange
Book #2: Controlled Burn
Book #3: Fully Ignited
Book #4: Hot Response
Book #5: Under Control
Book #6: Flare Up
Meet the tough, dedicated men of Boston Fire—and the women who turn their lives upside down.
Nursing a broken heart while everybody around him seems to be drowning in happiness has Grant Cutter wondering whether staying with Boston Fire is in his future. It’s tempting as hell to pack up his Jeep and hit the road. But then a 911 call brings the woman who shattered his heart back into his life, and he knows he won’t ever be able to fully leave her behind.
For a few months, Wren Everett had thought the nightmare of her past was behind her and she might live happily ever after with Grant. Until she found out that the time her ex had spent in jail for assault hadn’t cooled his temper or determination that she belonged with him. Cutting ties with Grant was the hardest thing she’d ever had to do, but it was also the only way to keep him safe.
Now Grant is back, and he’s not letting Wren push him away again. And even with the trust issues between them, Wren dares to hope she and Grant might have a future together after all…if they’re willing to fight for it.
Boston
Book #1: Heat Exchange
Book #2: Controlled Burn
Book #3: Fully Ignited
Book #4: Hot Response
Book #5: Under Control
Book #6: Flare Up
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 29, 2019
196 people are currently reading
758 people want to read
About the author
Shannon Stacey
145 books2,640 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Shannon Stacey lives with her husband and two sons in New England, where her favorite activities are writing romance and really random tweets when she’s not riding her ATV. She loves mud, books, football & watching way too much TV.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 203 reviews
February 1, 2019
Followers of Shannon Stacey's Boston Fire series have already met both of the main characters in Flare Up: Grant and Wren. Readers have watched the meet and greet, they've lived the romance, and they witnessed the damage left behind when the heroine left without any warning. In this 6th installment, Wren re-enters the picture. Explanations are given and a hesitant romance resumes with fear and trust issues as constant companions.
Admittedly, I was not a huge fan of this fictional couple from the beginning but getting some answers was reason enough to move forward with this book...plus, you know, Shannon Stacey and my love for her storytelling. While I wholeheartedly appreciate the increased awareness about the many ways domestic violence can be wielded, I just wasn't invested enough in the characters to love this book. However, the messages are admirable, readers will get answers, and there is a ton of follow up with previous couples. Check it out.
My favorite quote:
"When there's a concrete problem you can fix it. But fear is, it's personal and doesn't always make sense to other people.
Admittedly, I was not a huge fan of this fictional couple from the beginning but getting some answers was reason enough to move forward with this book...plus, you know, Shannon Stacey and my love for her storytelling. While I wholeheartedly appreciate the increased awareness about the many ways domestic violence can be wielded, I just wasn't invested enough in the characters to love this book. However, the messages are admirable, readers will get answers, and there is a ton of follow up with previous couples. Check it out.
My favorite quote:
"When there's a concrete problem you can fix it. But fear is, it's personal and doesn't always make sense to other people.
January 13, 2019
I love a second chance romance and after seeing how broken hearted Grant was following his break up from Wren and her subsequent disappearance in the previous book in Shannon Stacey’s Boston Fire series, I was looking forward to seeing how their reacquaintance played out.
I’m not sure excited is the word I’d use.”
Sadly, Flare Up was an uninspiring end to what has been a great series. The opportunity was there to give Grant and Wren the story deserved and the guys a decent send-off—their banter provided the better moments—but with an underdeveloped and weak storyline, everything fizzled out. Nice epilogue to end on though.
Copy received courtesy of Kensington via NetGalley for an honest and unbiased opinion.
I’m not sure excited is the word I’d use.”
Sadly, Flare Up was an uninspiring end to what has been a great series. The opportunity was there to give Grant and Wren the story deserved and the guys a decent send-off—their banter provided the better moments—but with an underdeveloped and weak storyline, everything fizzled out. Nice epilogue to end on though.
Copy received courtesy of Kensington via NetGalley for an honest and unbiased opinion.
January 20, 2019
Mixed feelings on this one. 3.5 stars.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have read one of the prior books in the series so I was familiar with the characters for the most part. It took me a little bit to recall everyone, but I was looking forward to getting back in the Firehouse.
I have mixed feelings about the story however. While I can appreciate Wren’s situation and thought process, I think it was chicken crap that she ran. I actually held a grudge against her until about halfway through the story because of this.
She destroyed lives and relationships and I just thought that wasn’t cool. Trust is a big thing in a relationship and including this kind of storyline in a book like that may lose the trust with the readership too. It is a delicate balance.
I absolutely loved Grant. He is a true sweetheart and loves her so much unconditionally. That to me made the story worthwhile and the ending was beautiful because of the way he forgave her. Plus, the tight circle of friends that became family was something we could only wish for in our own life.
There was one other area that really bothered me and seemed very abrupt in it’s conclusion. Not to add any spoilers here but once you get towards the end of the book you will understand. And just to mention, there are triggers in this book too.
Overall the story was good and definitely the last quarter of the book was the best for me. I actually shed a few tears as everything came together and that made up for a lot of parts I didn’t care for.
I’ve read several books by Shannon and have always enjoyed them. This one just didn’t set with me over the choices the heroine is crafted to do. Along with keeping babies secret, I think women (or men) running in bad situations is going to be a hardline no read for me in the future.
* copy received for review consideration
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have read one of the prior books in the series so I was familiar with the characters for the most part. It took me a little bit to recall everyone, but I was looking forward to getting back in the Firehouse.
I have mixed feelings about the story however. While I can appreciate Wren’s situation and thought process, I think it was chicken crap that she ran. I actually held a grudge against her until about halfway through the story because of this.
She destroyed lives and relationships and I just thought that wasn’t cool. Trust is a big thing in a relationship and including this kind of storyline in a book like that may lose the trust with the readership too. It is a delicate balance.
I absolutely loved Grant. He is a true sweetheart and loves her so much unconditionally. That to me made the story worthwhile and the ending was beautiful because of the way he forgave her. Plus, the tight circle of friends that became family was something we could only wish for in our own life.
There was one other area that really bothered me and seemed very abrupt in it’s conclusion. Not to add any spoilers here but once you get towards the end of the book you will understand. And just to mention, there are triggers in this book too.
Overall the story was good and definitely the last quarter of the book was the best for me. I actually shed a few tears as everything came together and that made up for a lot of parts I didn’t care for.
I’ve read several books by Shannon and have always enjoyed them. This one just didn’t set with me over the choices the heroine is crafted to do. Along with keeping babies secret, I think women (or men) running in bad situations is going to be a hardline no read for me in the future.
* copy received for review consideration
February 11, 2019
Boston firefighter Grant Cutter still hasn’t healed from the wounds left by his girlfriend, Wren Everett, who inexplicably broke up with him five months ago and disappeared without explanation. Now on the scene of a dangerous apartment building fire, he’s shocked to discover the woman he’s rescuing is Wren.
This was the story I wanted to read because of how mysterious Wren’s departure seemed, knowing she had a troubled backstory. I loved how she was rediscovered, fitting for these first responders and the series. It didn’t take long for the big reveal, which was what I’d suspected and I liked that it wasn’t dragged out too long. The heart of the story actually was the effort it took for Wren to restore the relationships she’d developed and destroyed, not only with Grant but all their common friends and his family. The reactions differed and I found some painfully realistic. Rebuilding trust doesn’t happen overnight and Wren had her work cut out for her. That journey was substantive.
There’s a suspense element that was always in the background and ratcheted up as the story progressed. If there was one disappointment here it was in the climax, which was too...anticlimactic. I wanted just a little more drama. One element I did love, however, was the narrator’s performance. I’ve listened to most of the books in this series and she nailed every story, including this one. She made the characters seem more real.
Based on the epilogue, this book feels like the end of the series. If so, it’s a satisfying conclusion to a pretty wonderful group of stories featuring first responders who showed their heart and humanity. I loved it and while I hate seeing it end, the timing feels right and natural.
(I received an advance copy from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review)
This was the story I wanted to read because of how mysterious Wren’s departure seemed, knowing she had a troubled backstory. I loved how she was rediscovered, fitting for these first responders and the series. It didn’t take long for the big reveal, which was what I’d suspected and I liked that it wasn’t dragged out too long. The heart of the story actually was the effort it took for Wren to restore the relationships she’d developed and destroyed, not only with Grant but all their common friends and his family. The reactions differed and I found some painfully realistic. Rebuilding trust doesn’t happen overnight and Wren had her work cut out for her. That journey was substantive.
There’s a suspense element that was always in the background and ratcheted up as the story progressed. If there was one disappointment here it was in the climax, which was too...anticlimactic. I wanted just a little more drama. One element I did love, however, was the narrator’s performance. I’ve listened to most of the books in this series and she nailed every story, including this one. She made the characters seem more real.
Based on the epilogue, this book feels like the end of the series. If so, it’s a satisfying conclusion to a pretty wonderful group of stories featuring first responders who showed their heart and humanity. I loved it and while I hate seeing it end, the timing feels right and natural.
(I received an advance copy from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review)
December 18, 2018
Shannon Stacey’s second-change romance trope begins with a character’s rather illogical stupidity—Wren leaving Grant because she’s afraid of hurting him as an ex hunts her down—is how ‘Flare Up’ begins. The backstory quickly unravels (Stacey doesn’t take too long in expounding this history after Wren walks away) and from there on, the story rolls on without too much angsty rehashing. Past Grant’s heartbreak and the bit where he gets justifiably angry, there’s still the hero-complex that insists on keeping Wren safe despite his better judgement.
For someone who moans that characters seldom talk it through like the adults they are, it’s easy to appreciate that Stacey doesn’t leave the unfinished business between Grant/Wren before the slight suspense and action kick in. I liked that they talked it out and laid all the cards on the table, and if the story’s a bit of a slow start with a lesson learned, who am I to argue?
Still, Grant/Wren’s actual getting back together—along with the time taken to get back their footing—was where it flagged and got staid for me, but maybe that’s because I’m the sort of reader who likes the first-time thrill more than the tentative steps back into vulnerability in a second-chance romance. In fact, I was looking forward to more firefighting action but instead stumbled into pages of Wren’s slow reintroduction to Grant’s circle of friends and their eventual coupledom.
The actual stalker-business sort of does pick up towards the end of the story, but the build is slow nonetheless, which never quite led up to anything more than a whimper of a climax when I’d been expecting a little more bang. In short, it’ll be a slow, pleasant read if you like more romance rather than suspense/firefighting, but sadly, this one turned out to be more of a miss than a hit for me.
*ARC by the publisher via Netgalley
For someone who moans that characters seldom talk it through like the adults they are, it’s easy to appreciate that Stacey doesn’t leave the unfinished business between Grant/Wren before the slight suspense and action kick in. I liked that they talked it out and laid all the cards on the table, and if the story’s a bit of a slow start with a lesson learned, who am I to argue?
Still, Grant/Wren’s actual getting back together—along with the time taken to get back their footing—was where it flagged and got staid for me, but maybe that’s because I’m the sort of reader who likes the first-time thrill more than the tentative steps back into vulnerability in a second-chance romance. In fact, I was looking forward to more firefighting action but instead stumbled into pages of Wren’s slow reintroduction to Grant’s circle of friends and their eventual coupledom.
The actual stalker-business sort of does pick up towards the end of the story, but the build is slow nonetheless, which never quite led up to anything more than a whimper of a climax when I’d been expecting a little more bang. In short, it’ll be a slow, pleasant read if you like more romance rather than suspense/firefighting, but sadly, this one turned out to be more of a miss than a hit for me.
*ARC by the publisher via Netgalley
January 26, 2019
3.75 Stars / 2 Steam Fans
Sadly I really need to read the five previous books to catch any feelings for Wren and Grant. Grant works for a Boston Fire house that is like family and when Wren left him months ago he really went through it. When his fire house responds to a fire Grant saves Wren and when she loses everything she owns in the fire Grant and his friends rally to help Wren. Much of the story beat the fact that Wren left for a crap reason without telling anyone to death and when it finally came out both Wren and Grant continued to overanalyze instead of moving forward. By the time the climax arrived, it just felt glossed over and quick. Overall, I think if I had read the previous books I would have enjoyed the book more.
This specific video review will be included in the January 2019 wrap-up.
For other video book reviews check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.
Sadly I really need to read the five previous books to catch any feelings for Wren and Grant. Grant works for a Boston Fire house that is like family and when Wren left him months ago he really went through it. When his fire house responds to a fire Grant saves Wren and when she loses everything she owns in the fire Grant and his friends rally to help Wren. Much of the story beat the fact that Wren left for a crap reason without telling anyone to death and when it finally came out both Wren and Grant continued to overanalyze instead of moving forward. By the time the climax arrived, it just felt glossed over and quick. Overall, I think if I had read the previous books I would have enjoyed the book more.
This specific video review will be included in the January 2019 wrap-up.
For other video book reviews check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.
January 19, 2019
**Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the ARC in exchange for an honest review**#FlareUp #NetGalley
This was a 3 star for me!! A second chance tale! Although firefighters are always fun to read about and it was a sexy read there was smth missing! Overall it was an sweet romance read!
This was a 3 star for me!! A second chance tale! Although firefighters are always fun to read about and it was a sexy read there was smth missing! Overall it was an sweet romance read!
July 2, 2024
Vond deze afsluiter het minst leuke deel..
December 19, 2018
ARC received for review
Another great book in this series.
I was unsure about this one, because I thought Wren was shady in the last book. But of course, she had good reason to be. I liked how Ms. Stacey didn't drag it out, but we found out pretty quickly what Wren's reasons were. Grant is just as yummy as all the other guys. I'm thinking this is the last book with the way the epilogue was written, but I could be wrong.
Another great book in this series.
I was unsure about this one, because I thought Wren was shady in the last book. But of course, she had good reason to be. I liked how Ms. Stacey didn't drag it out, but we found out pretty quickly what Wren's reasons were. Grant is just as yummy as all the other guys. I'm thinking this is the last book with the way the epilogue was written, but I could be wrong.
February 28, 2019
"He hadn't seen her in five months, since she told him on the phone she didn't want to see him anymore and then ghosted. No explanation. No compromise."
Now life offer Grant the chance to know why the woman he was dating disappeared without a word, to know that she lied when she told him she was done with him, the chance to show her that she can trust him, and the opportunity to reconnect and see if there's still a future for them.
When she learned that her ex boyfriend (who went to prison after savagely beating her brother) was out, Wren got too scared that he would be back and would hurt again someone she loves that she let fear take over and lost the best thing that happened to her. But some things are just meant to be and after being saved by firefighters, Wren is determined to fix her mistakes, be honest and open herself up this time.
I love this series and Flare Up was a great addition. Shannon Stacey always bring a personal touch to familiar and often used trope and she write sense of community and open camaraderie very well. What I especially like about the hero is that even if he can't understand why Wren ran away instead of talking to him, he still respect her choice and don't put blame on her for that. And I appreciated that once she was back, she was all in, no second guessing and simply letting him in. I loved that they both wanted to resume the relationship but without knowing exactly why, but taking their time and just doing what came naturally to them.
Now life offer Grant the chance to know why the woman he was dating disappeared without a word, to know that she lied when she told him she was done with him, the chance to show her that she can trust him, and the opportunity to reconnect and see if there's still a future for them.
When she learned that her ex boyfriend (who went to prison after savagely beating her brother) was out, Wren got too scared that he would be back and would hurt again someone she loves that she let fear take over and lost the best thing that happened to her. But some things are just meant to be and after being saved by firefighters, Wren is determined to fix her mistakes, be honest and open herself up this time.
I love this series and Flare Up was a great addition. Shannon Stacey always bring a personal touch to familiar and often used trope and she write sense of community and open camaraderie very well. What I especially like about the hero is that even if he can't understand why Wren ran away instead of talking to him, he still respect her choice and don't put blame on her for that. And I appreciated that once she was back, she was all in, no second guessing and simply letting him in. I loved that they both wanted to resume the relationship but without knowing exactly why, but taking their time and just doing what came naturally to them.
January 23, 2019
There was a whole lovestory that we missed, instead the book opens with them meeting again. And what a meeting. Grant saves Ren from a burning building.
I get why Ren broke up and ran from him. Sometimes the answer is s silly but here, I got that she was scared and needed to run. Yes she should have talked to him, but I understood. And she was such a great person!
Grant, poor guy, he was all heartbroken and still he was willing to help her out after the fire. He as such a great guy, the best! Awww, oh Grant, yes he was a keeper.
So they start things again. And that danger is still there, that running away from danger. I actually expected it to get really dangerous, but it never truly did. But then this is not suspense, this is romance.
This is book 6, and yes there are a lot of couples nearby, but you do not feel lost. It did make me want to read about them though. It is such a great tight knit friendgroup.
Romance, firemen and great friends. Makes for a sweet story.
Narrator Tatiana Sokolov
I am so sure I have listened to her before, but then I looked at her books and found nothing. A real mystery. But hey I guess that is a good thing, I felt at home with that voice.
Ok so I am not a Bostonian and I do not know if she did it justice, but I certainly liked it. I do not know why but I really enjoy hearing the Boston A.
She worked well with the different voices, and big A for the A
I get why Ren broke up and ran from him. Sometimes the answer is s silly but here, I got that she was scared and needed to run. Yes she should have talked to him, but I understood. And she was such a great person!
Grant, poor guy, he was all heartbroken and still he was willing to help her out after the fire. He as such a great guy, the best! Awww, oh Grant, yes he was a keeper.
So they start things again. And that danger is still there, that running away from danger. I actually expected it to get really dangerous, but it never truly did. But then this is not suspense, this is romance.
This is book 6, and yes there are a lot of couples nearby, but you do not feel lost. It did make me want to read about them though. It is such a great tight knit friendgroup.
Romance, firemen and great friends. Makes for a sweet story.
Narrator Tatiana Sokolov
I am so sure I have listened to her before, but then I looked at her books and found nothing. A real mystery. But hey I guess that is a good thing, I felt at home with that voice.
Ok so I am not a Bostonian and I do not know if she did it justice, but I certainly liked it. I do not know why but I really enjoy hearing the Boston A.
She worked well with the different voices, and big A for the A
June 30, 2019
There was nothing objectively wrong with this, I just didn't feel anything about it. Bummer way to end a series I mostly enjoyed.
December 31, 2018
It felt surreal, Grant picking her up from work. Being in his Jeep. The way he smiled at her and the sound of his voice. It was too easy to imagine the nightmare of the last five months hadn't happened. But it had, which was why he didn't reach across and take her hand or rest his on her thigh like he used to do.3.25-3.5 stars [ARC REVIEW]
Bottom Line, Up Top. An unusual second-chance romance with a lot of potential, but the heroine, underdeveloped subplot (with the most anticlimactic ending ever), and lack of insight into the beginning of their relationship really brought it down for me. The hero and secondary cast of characters are what saved the book, but not enough to give it a higher rating. Grant really was a great hero though, and the book might be worth reading for him alone; Stacey does a great job of portraying how devastated he was by Wren's abandonment and how conflicted he feels about her return, PLUS he's dreamy—he's super in love with her and treats her with such tenderness and sensitivity (while also being deliciously possessive and delivering some great sexy times). When it comes to Wren, we're told that she's a private person and is used to being a bit closed off with people, and I guess Stacey does a good job of depicting that, because in the end, Wren feels too closed off to and private from the reader as well.
Summary. Wren and Grant (who is oh so wonderful) were dating for several months (a little under a year, though it's never specified exactly how long) and Grant was on the brink of proposing when Wren pulled a disappearing act, breaking up with him over the phone and saying she never wanted him to contact her again, without giving any explanation as to why. It turns out, she has a really horrible, manipulative, violent ex who caught up with her, and out of fear of what he would do to Grant and the other people in her life, she decided to run (though she didn't leave the Boston area, where all of this takes place). Ben, the ex, was never violent with her, but he beat up her brother so badly he almost killed him, all because the brother kept on trying to tell her how bad Ben was and that she needed to get away from him. He was put in jail, but has since gotten out, and when she receives a phone call from him, it freaks her out and she "runs" (again, though doesn't actually leave).
Grant is a firefighter and Wren enters back into his life unexpectedly when he and his team (squad?) are called to a fire at an apartment building, where he is shocked to find a nearly-unconscious Wren. She loses everything in the fire and Gavin (one of Grant's fellow firefighters) and Cait (an EMT and Gavin's fiancée), who had previously been friends of hers through Grant, offer to put her up for a bit until she can get back on her feet. She ends up only staying a few days and then moves in with Cait's mom and rent's a room from her.
Meanwhile, she is back in Grant's life and he is back in hers. She relatively quickly explains why she disappeared, which was at least reassuring—I was afraid she was going to hold on to that one and it would be drawn out during the whole story. Grant tries to understand her fear, but doesn't completely get why she didn't confide in him, especially given he has connections in law enforcement and can protect her. He's hurt and figures that their love must not have been as strong as he thought it was if she could just run like that, and if she didn't feel she could trust him enough to confide in him. While they try to determine what their relationship status is and how it should progress, they also need to deal with the shadowy threat of Ben, who is kind of omnipresent but also a big question mark, since his status is unknown, apparently he's in Virginia as he should be when Grant looks into it, but then Wren starts getting weird phone calls again, etc.
"She admits she reacted out of fear and didn't think it through."Thoughts. There were some things I really loved about this book, namely the hero and his entourage, but there were other things I really had issues with. Flare Up is essentially a second-chance romance story, which are not my favorite—especially when what caused the issue is a Big Misunderstanding or Things Left Unsaid. This was an unusual second-chance story in that a lot of times, the hero and heroine have a young romance and then years go by before they meet up again, so we are able to see them fall in love all over again. Usually, we also get glimpses of the beginning of their relationship, either at the beginning of the book or with flashbacks throughout. This book was different in that we get no views of their previous relationship and only 5 months have gone by, not 5 years or something like that.
"You're saying her instinct told her to run. [...] Even though she knew you loved her."
"Yeah, I thought I loved her. But I guess I didn't really know her well enough to truly love her, did I?" He shrugged one shoulder, a casual gesture that belied the emotions careening around in his head. "Because she didn't love me enough to share her story with me and I thought she did."
The focus of the book is really on their relationship and them getting back together, though Ben is a huge driver of what has happened and the dynamic that continues between them. You would think, therefore, that Ben would have a greater presence, but the guy is honestly kind of a ghost in the book and . The whole way that subplot is resolved is SUPER anticlimactic, especially given that HE IS THE DRIVER OF EVERYTHING!!! Of why Wren was in Boston, of why she left Grant, of why she stayed away from Grant, of why she's nervous about getting close to him again, of why he's nervous she might run again, and on and on.
Also, like I said, we don't really get insight into Wren and Grant's earlier relationship. We get some memories when they think back or remember something and we hear their thoughts about it, but I really feel like we got cheated out of their original love story. Part of what I love about romances is watching the developing relationship go from whatever-it-was-or-wasn't to love, and by the time we meet them they're already there, have been for awhile, and that's been maintained steady ever since for both of them. It also made it a bit challenging for me to understand the dynamic and connection between the two of them though; yes, through each of their POV's we learn that he loves x about her and she loves y about him, but there felt like there were these huge pieces missing, because they're already in love—and I don't want just the final product, I want to know the ingredients and see the different steps that lead to creating that final product. And like I said at the beginning, when there's a big time gap between the first time a couple falls in love and the second, as we almost always have in second-chance romances, not only do we usually have flashbacks/POVs from that point, but the time apart means that even if the love was still felt, there is at least SOME process of falling in love that has to happen again, because so much time has passed and in many ways they are different people from who they once were.
In terms of the characters, I loved the full cast and as I did with the other Shannon Stacey book, I really appreciated the supporting characters—they add a lot to the story. I will say it was a bit tough jumping into the series at Book 6, because you see ALL the characters and couples from previous books and it gets to be a bit confusing at times about who is related to whom, who is with/married to whom, who works with whom, etc. (there's a variety of relational links among the characters).
Between Wren and Grant, Wren left something to be desired, whereas Grant really shone through. We get both of their POVs, but I could never really get a hold on Wren and she felt a bit flat and one-dimensional to me. I wanted to like her—one always wants to like the heroine, there was nothing objectionable about her, and I felt for what she's gone through—but I couldn't muster up the emotion to really feel one way or the other. It's a little challenging for me to understand why she ran at the beginning, and I can chalk this up to never having been in her position and felt that fear, but then isn't it the author's responsibility to make that experience accessible to us and make us understand what it's like to be in the character's shoes? Books are all about placing ourselves in the lives of others, which are vastly different than our own, and with a good author, we're able to make those connections and gain those understandings. I don't know if maybe this missing piece had been filled in for me I would have been able to connect with her more or not, but it's one thing I can point to that I know was lacking. Intellectually, I understand how this situation could happen and how her actions could unfold the way they did, but either I couldn't tap into her to begin with and so couldn't connect with this aspect of her story, vice versa, or those two issues just exist simultaneously and independently.
Now to be clear, I'm not saying Stacey is a sucky writer, because while I couldn't get a handle on Wren, I felt like I completely had a handle on Grant. I felt so much more connected to his POV and thought she did a really great job of portraying his love, confusion, and conflicting feelings of relief and anger. Grant fell for Wren and he fell for her HARD (and oh how I wish we could have seen it ... but okay, okay, I'll get off that soapbox now, I promise), and his residual devastation is very vividly depicted for us. He is so happy to find out she's okay and have her back in his life, but is also, of course and understandably, both angry and confused about why she left, even after she explains it to him. He thought they had this unbelievable bond full of love and trust—he was about to propose to her!!! Had the ring picked out and everything—and then she up and disappears. He wants her back in his life, but he's also wary, because he was really put through the ringer emotionally when she left. And how could he not be?! Not only did the love of his life break up with him, but without any explanation or indication as to why. In the morning she's saying have a good day and she loves him, and then a few hours later she's calling him and saying they have to break up and she never wants to hear from or see him again.
It was still there, churning in his gut. Why the fuck didn't you just tell me? He wanted to fling the words at her—to yell them from the rooftops—but he swallowed hard and kept them inside. He was never going to understand because he'd never felt the kind of fear and vulnerability she had, so the words would do nothing but inflict more pain and guilt.What probably also helped with Grant's rounding out as a character was that we got to see so many of the people in his life—we meet his parents, and all the supporting characters are friends of his, either because they're his firefighter brothers or they're related to, dating, or married to his firefighter brothers. Wren is alone; her parents are gone or dead, her brother stopped speaking to her after Ben almost killed him, and any friends she made in Boston were Grant's friends.
P.S. I always feel very conflicted about this, but I have to give a shout-out to the cover (ummm, actually, all of the covers in this series!—see below!!!). I say conflicted, because it's a total objectification of men and how would we feel were the situation reversed—HOWEVER, a ton of romance novels also show half-naked women on their covers (mostly HR), so I feel like it all washes out in the end ;-).
*This review is of an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Some changes and/or edits may be made to the final published version.
January 30, 2019
3.5 stars
Flare up is the final book in the Boston Fire series, but it can be read as stand-alone. If you are familiar with the series you will be already familiar with Grant, Wren and the way she ghosted him. In this book, they will get their happily ever after and some things are not for fun for them. I will begin with the good stuff. I liked how everyone reacted to Wren been back to Grant's life. They are hesitant because she broke his heart, but happy at the same time because she is back and Grant is happy. Of course, trouble is after them and some things are not going so well, but love wins everything, right?
The bad thing is that the story felt a little flat to me and it could have used some kind of spark to make things a little bit more interesting. Since this is the last book in the series, I was expecting everything to go with a bang and give us a better insight into the couples of the previous books. The book wasn't bad, just not what I would have wanted as a series finale.
Flare up is the final book in the Boston Fire series, but it can be read as stand-alone. If you are familiar with the series you will be already familiar with Grant, Wren and the way she ghosted him. In this book, they will get their happily ever after and some things are not for fun for them. I will begin with the good stuff. I liked how everyone reacted to Wren been back to Grant's life. They are hesitant because she broke his heart, but happy at the same time because she is back and Grant is happy. Of course, trouble is after them and some things are not going so well, but love wins everything, right?
The bad thing is that the story felt a little flat to me and it could have used some kind of spark to make things a little bit more interesting. Since this is the last book in the series, I was expecting everything to go with a bang and give us a better insight into the couples of the previous books. The book wasn't bad, just not what I would have wanted as a series finale.
February 9, 2019
Shannon Stacey is a new author to me and I am glad to have discovered her. This was a lovely romance and I am now looking forward to reading the books on the other couples!
Full review and more on my blog.
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December 9, 2018
4 stars
February 3, 2019
An unexpected second chance…
I so hoped Grant and Wren would have another chance to get things right! Danger had led Wren to make a devastating decision that brought Grant to his emotional knees. While Wren didn’t fare much better, she had to live with that choice and, now, see the results face to face…
Wren and Grant made the most of their reunion, working through all the emotions they were feeling. Friends and family were along for the ride, not letting either of them make snap decisions that could backfire on them or the people who loved them. Danger and fear vied with the love and trust in a back and forth full of laughter and emotion I’ve come to expect from this group…
A very quiet ending brought Wren and Grant’s courtship, and this series, to a close. While the emotional impact was softer than I’d hoped for, that didn’t lessen the impression this entire series left with me with. A group of friends and families winding their way through all the good and bad life brings, Boston Fire reminded me of a turnout gear-wearing group of Friends. They had an appreciation for coffee - and love - that will have me re-reading them again and again… ~Diane, 3.5 stars
I so hoped Grant and Wren would have another chance to get things right! Danger had led Wren to make a devastating decision that brought Grant to his emotional knees. While Wren didn’t fare much better, she had to live with that choice and, now, see the results face to face…
Wren and Grant made the most of their reunion, working through all the emotions they were feeling. Friends and family were along for the ride, not letting either of them make snap decisions that could backfire on them or the people who loved them. Danger and fear vied with the love and trust in a back and forth full of laughter and emotion I’ve come to expect from this group…
A very quiet ending brought Wren and Grant’s courtship, and this series, to a close. While the emotional impact was softer than I’d hoped for, that didn’t lessen the impression this entire series left with me with. A group of friends and families winding their way through all the good and bad life brings, Boston Fire reminded me of a turnout gear-wearing group of Friends. They had an appreciation for coffee - and love - that will have me re-reading them again and again… ~Diane, 3.5 stars
January 29, 2019
Good second chance story with a little bit of suspense thrown in. Five months after his girlfriend broke up with him, Grant was still nursing his broken heart, contemplating leaving Boston and his memories of Wren behind. But that came to an end when the response to an apartment fire brought her back into his life.
I ached for Grant and the pain of his broken heart at the beginning of the book. His hurt over the way she left was clear, as was the way he still worried about where she was. His shock at finding her in the burning apartment building was obvious. Even though he was still hurt and confused, he still cared enough that he wanted to take care of her.
Wren was shocked to be rescued by Grant, whom she never expected to see again. Having lost everything, she had no choice but to accept the help offered by Grant and her former friends. Her feelings for Grant were as strong as ever, but did she dare allow herself back in his life?
I liked the rekindling of the relationship between Grant and Wren. One of the best things about this book was that Wren and Grant actually talked to one another. Wren ran because she was afraid that her ex-boyfriend would hurt Grant the way he had hurt her brother. She allowed her fear to dictate her actions rather than tell Grant and trust him to know what to do. I ached for Grant and his hurt at her lack of belief in him. But the feelings between them were still strong. Both Grant and Wren wanted to move forward with their relationship, but they were also wary. I loved seeing them spend time together, doing normal get-to-know-each-other things, but also acknowledging the history that is still there between them. There were some fun scenes, such as the guys' crashing the girls' night out, as well as some moving ones, like Wren, finally sharing what had happened with her brother. Through it all there was the specter of Wren's ex and if she would run again or trust in the love she and Grant shared. I loved the support that Grant provided for Wren and how it gave her the strength she needed. I liked the ending and seeing them both get their happy ever after.
The suspense of dealing with Wren's ex was a big part of the book. Her fear of him was the motivation for her disappearance, and that fear is still present. Once she told Grant about him, it also brought in the extended Boston Fire family. I liked how their support and Grant's love helped her face up to her fear. The final resolution had a few intense moments, though the end of it was somewhat anti-climactic.
I loved seeing the various members of the fire department and catching up on their lives and relationships. The girls' night out scene was hilarious, and I loved how Wren was easily brought back into the group. I also enjoyed how the men teased each other, but were also able to talk about their feelings. The way they backed each other up, both on and off the job, was awesome.
I ached for Grant and the pain of his broken heart at the beginning of the book. His hurt over the way she left was clear, as was the way he still worried about where she was. His shock at finding her in the burning apartment building was obvious. Even though he was still hurt and confused, he still cared enough that he wanted to take care of her.
Wren was shocked to be rescued by Grant, whom she never expected to see again. Having lost everything, she had no choice but to accept the help offered by Grant and her former friends. Her feelings for Grant were as strong as ever, but did she dare allow herself back in his life?
I liked the rekindling of the relationship between Grant and Wren. One of the best things about this book was that Wren and Grant actually talked to one another. Wren ran because she was afraid that her ex-boyfriend would hurt Grant the way he had hurt her brother. She allowed her fear to dictate her actions rather than tell Grant and trust him to know what to do. I ached for Grant and his hurt at her lack of belief in him. But the feelings between them were still strong. Both Grant and Wren wanted to move forward with their relationship, but they were also wary. I loved seeing them spend time together, doing normal get-to-know-each-other things, but also acknowledging the history that is still there between them. There were some fun scenes, such as the guys' crashing the girls' night out, as well as some moving ones, like Wren, finally sharing what had happened with her brother. Through it all there was the specter of Wren's ex and if she would run again or trust in the love she and Grant shared. I loved the support that Grant provided for Wren and how it gave her the strength she needed. I liked the ending and seeing them both get their happy ever after.
The suspense of dealing with Wren's ex was a big part of the book. Her fear of him was the motivation for her disappearance, and that fear is still present. Once she told Grant about him, it also brought in the extended Boston Fire family. I liked how their support and Grant's love helped her face up to her fear. The final resolution had a few intense moments, though the end of it was somewhat anti-climactic.
I loved seeing the various members of the fire department and catching up on their lives and relationships. The girls' night out scene was hilarious, and I loved how Wren was easily brought back into the group. I also enjoyed how the men teased each other, but were also able to talk about their feelings. The way they backed each other up, both on and off the job, was awesome.
February 11, 2019
With a dramatic start of the story, the second chance romance between Grant and Wren trigger all the feels from the readers, while trying to understand the reasons behind Wren running away previously, breaking Grant's heart.
I'm a huge fan of Shannon Stacey's writing, there's so much to love about the regular people she writes about, whose lives and loves we get to know through her stories. There are tight families and friends who are closer than brothers, there are mature feelings, life challenges, and romance that is easy to relate to and believe in because of the life-like nature of it. The Boston Fire series has been a great addition to her resume, filled with passionate, vivid, true to life love stories.
Grant and Wren are both old acquaintances to the readers of the series. The puzzling way Wren disappeared from Grant's life in the previous book baffled my mind and I was eagerly waiting for them to get a second chance to work things out between them.
Grant is such a sweetheart of a hero, commanding alpha when needed, yet caring, loving, deeply feeling man, who is not afraid to talk about emotions and feelings and showing how much he cared for Wren and how broken he was when she left without any explanation.
I loved him, felt for him, and cheered for him to find his happiness again. His close relationship with his family, as well as with the men in the firehouse, shows his characters and his values, the kind of man he is, and what he wants from life. His ability to forgive and move on from the hurt was the best part of the story, his willingness to give a second chance to Wren confirmed everything we had learned about him previously.
Wren had made some bad choices in her past that had caused sorrow and pain to others as well. Some of her actions were truly just reactions to fear, and the author demonstrates Wren's reasons well and clearly, in a way that makes them understandable. Wren is such a beautiful person, she feels deeply, she cares passionately, yet all the brokenness inside her has left her reeling, in need of solid friendships and some who believes in her to be able to heal and feel complete, love freely, without fear of being left behind or punished for her feelings.
Together, Grant and Wren were truly two parts of a whole, they belonged together, they had seamless chemistry with each other, they got each other, understood and accepted each other in a way that made them the perfect match for each other.
The epilogue gave the impression that this might be the last book in the series, I hope not, as I have loved hanging out with guys and girls of the Boston Fire series, as it has been an entertaining, emotional, true to life type of series that has captured my heart.
~ Four Spoons
I'm a huge fan of Shannon Stacey's writing, there's so much to love about the regular people she writes about, whose lives and loves we get to know through her stories. There are tight families and friends who are closer than brothers, there are mature feelings, life challenges, and romance that is easy to relate to and believe in because of the life-like nature of it. The Boston Fire series has been a great addition to her resume, filled with passionate, vivid, true to life love stories.
Grant and Wren are both old acquaintances to the readers of the series. The puzzling way Wren disappeared from Grant's life in the previous book baffled my mind and I was eagerly waiting for them to get a second chance to work things out between them.
Grant is such a sweetheart of a hero, commanding alpha when needed, yet caring, loving, deeply feeling man, who is not afraid to talk about emotions and feelings and showing how much he cared for Wren and how broken he was when she left without any explanation.
I loved him, felt for him, and cheered for him to find his happiness again. His close relationship with his family, as well as with the men in the firehouse, shows his characters and his values, the kind of man he is, and what he wants from life. His ability to forgive and move on from the hurt was the best part of the story, his willingness to give a second chance to Wren confirmed everything we had learned about him previously.
Wren had made some bad choices in her past that had caused sorrow and pain to others as well. Some of her actions were truly just reactions to fear, and the author demonstrates Wren's reasons well and clearly, in a way that makes them understandable. Wren is such a beautiful person, she feels deeply, she cares passionately, yet all the brokenness inside her has left her reeling, in need of solid friendships and some who believes in her to be able to heal and feel complete, love freely, without fear of being left behind or punished for her feelings.
Together, Grant and Wren were truly two parts of a whole, they belonged together, they had seamless chemistry with each other, they got each other, understood and accepted each other in a way that made them the perfect match for each other.
The epilogue gave the impression that this might be the last book in the series, I hope not, as I have loved hanging out with guys and girls of the Boston Fire series, as it has been an entertaining, emotional, true to life type of series that has captured my heart.
~ Four Spoons
January 5, 2023
Flare Up
Boston Fire, Book 6
I Picked Up This Book Because: #Roll100 slash knocking down some old Netgalley ARCs
Media Type: Audiobook
Source: Hoopla via RC Public Library
Stars: 4
Narrator(s): Tatiana Sokolov
The Characters:
Grant Cutter:
Wren:
The Story:
I’m not sure what made me request book 6 in a series I haven’t read. Likely I had no idea it even was part of a series when I requested it half a century ago. Or maybe I realized this story would be right up my alley and didn’t care. Even though this is far along in a series I didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything. Grant and Wren’s story is completely told in this one edition. I was expecting more of a confrontation at the end but again the story felt complete without it.
This was a really good start to my 2023 reading year.
The Random Thoughts:
To be clear I have a Negalley copy but listened to the audiobook.
Boston Fire, Book 6
I Picked Up This Book Because: #Roll100 slash knocking down some old Netgalley ARCs
Media Type: Audiobook
Source: Hoopla via RC Public Library
Stars: 4
Narrator(s): Tatiana Sokolov
The Characters:
Grant Cutter:
Wren:
The Story:
I’m not sure what made me request book 6 in a series I haven’t read. Likely I had no idea it even was part of a series when I requested it half a century ago. Or maybe I realized this story would be right up my alley and didn’t care. Even though this is far along in a series I didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything. Grant and Wren’s story is completely told in this one edition. I was expecting more of a confrontation at the end but again the story felt complete without it.
This was a really good start to my 2023 reading year.
The Random Thoughts:
To be clear I have a Negalley copy but listened to the audiobook.
December 24, 2018
LOVED THIS.
I enjoyed all the books in this series but Flare Up is my favourite out of all, just because Grant is #husbandmaterial. I love how soft he is with Wren, but also how protective he is without overpowering her or disregarding her feelings. Wren breaking up and ghosting Grant was a shitty thing that's happened and there was a deeper story to that, but I love how they dealt with it--by honest communication and Wren acknowledging and apologizing for hurting him.
The epilogue made me cry.
E-ARC is received thanks to the publisher via Netgalley.
I enjoyed all the books in this series but Flare Up is my favourite out of all, just because Grant is #husbandmaterial. I love how soft he is with Wren, but also how protective he is without overpowering her or disregarding her feelings. Wren breaking up and ghosting Grant was a shitty thing that's happened and there was a deeper story to that, but I love how they dealt with it--by honest communication and Wren acknowledging and apologizing for hurting him.
The epilogue made me cry.
E-ARC is received thanks to the publisher via Netgalley.
January 30, 2019
Reviewed for Romancing the Readers Blog: https://romancingthereaders.blogspot....
This has been a fun series to read. I've been enjoying each and every book in it. I love Shannon Stacey's writing. Her books are just effortless to read. I love that when I'm reading. I just want to dive right in, not stop and think...why the hell am I reading this?
I can't believe we are already on book 6! Where did the time go?
For me Flare Up wasn't my favorite book in the series. I hated Wren!!! She is just...I can't even say what I want to say. Now, I've had where I haven't cared for a character in a book before and still liked the book so don't panic.
I just hate when it's either the hero or heroine.
I did try to like her but never could. What she did wasn't right. Be an adult and do the right thing. I'm not saying she should have stayed with Grant, just talked to him like a big girl.
Now Grant I loved. He was just the sweetest guy. He was so brokenhearted by what Wren did to him and still he let her back into his life. A better person then I.
He truly made this a good book. A solid three. I will say be the end of the book Wren grew on me more and liked the whole interaction with the other characters so there was a lot to enjoy about this book. It needed to be read and I'm glad for Grant to have what he wanted back in his life.
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ARC received for a honest review
This has been a fun series to read. I've been enjoying each and every book in it. I love Shannon Stacey's writing. Her books are just effortless to read. I love that when I'm reading. I just want to dive right in, not stop and think...why the hell am I reading this?
I can't believe we are already on book 6! Where did the time go?
For me Flare Up wasn't my favorite book in the series. I hated Wren!!! She is just...I can't even say what I want to say. Now, I've had where I haven't cared for a character in a book before and still liked the book so don't panic.
I just hate when it's either the hero or heroine.
I did try to like her but never could. What she did wasn't right. Be an adult and do the right thing. I'm not saying she should have stayed with Grant, just talked to him like a big girl.
Now Grant I loved. He was just the sweetest guy. He was so brokenhearted by what Wren did to him and still he let her back into his life. A better person then I.
He truly made this a good book. A solid three. I will say be the end of the book Wren grew on me more and liked the whole interaction with the other characters so there was a lot to enjoy about this book. It needed to be read and I'm glad for Grant to have what he wanted back in his life.
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ARC received for a honest review
July 19, 2019
I just didn't care for this book at all. It's the 6th book in the Boston Fire series, and I'd read and enjoyed book 5 (Under Control) so I was looking forward to reading more about these fire fighter folks. It just felt like nothing *happened* and what lead up there was to any sort of a dramatic plot was resolved REALLY abruptly. Not a fan, and I doubt I'll be reading any more by Shannon Stacey.
January 30, 2019
Okay, but the best books of this series are the first two...
August 9, 2021
Firefighter Grant Cutter thought he had it all when he met Wren Everett, but just before he could buy an engagement ring, Wren broke things off with no explanation and then disappeared. I've been very excited for Grant and Wren's book ever since they were introduced earlier in the series. It was obvious Wren was hiding something so I knew this would be at the root of their breakup. FLARE UP was an excellent read and once again, Shannon Stacey did an amazing job of exploring a complicated relationship.
Grant was devastated after Wren left and five months later he's still not over her. I worried that Grant's anger would come between them working things out but he ended up really putting in the effort to let it go and be with Wren in the present. Grant does struggle to understand why Wren didn't come to him when she got afraid and I liked how Stacey explored these emotions. Grant acknowledges that he can't understand Wren's fear because he's not vulnerable like she is and this made him very self-aware. Overall, Grant is a really lovable character and even when he makes mistakes, he admits to them and always does better.
I also enjoyed Wren and watching her begin to let more people into her life. She's been let down over and over again and doesn't really know what family is like. Wren doesn't trust easily but the Boston Fire crew and their wives are hard to push away. As much as Wren grows in her romantic relationship with Grant, she also grows in her friendships, especially with Cait. Wren might be living alone and keeping others at a distance but once she agrees to try again with Grant, she goes all in on their relationship.
I didn't realize until the end that FLARE UP was the last BOSTON FIRE book and I'm sad to see it go but I thought the ending was a beautiful send-off.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Content Warning: Wren was in an abusive relationship
Grant was devastated after Wren left and five months later he's still not over her. I worried that Grant's anger would come between them working things out but he ended up really putting in the effort to let it go and be with Wren in the present. Grant does struggle to understand why Wren didn't come to him when she got afraid and I liked how Stacey explored these emotions. Grant acknowledges that he can't understand Wren's fear because he's not vulnerable like she is and this made him very self-aware. Overall, Grant is a really lovable character and even when he makes mistakes, he admits to them and always does better.
I also enjoyed Wren and watching her begin to let more people into her life. She's been let down over and over again and doesn't really know what family is like. Wren doesn't trust easily but the Boston Fire crew and their wives are hard to push away. As much as Wren grows in her romantic relationship with Grant, she also grows in her friendships, especially with Cait. Wren might be living alone and keeping others at a distance but once she agrees to try again with Grant, she goes all in on their relationship.
I didn't realize until the end that FLARE UP was the last BOSTON FIRE book and I'm sad to see it go but I thought the ending was a beautiful send-off.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Content Warning: Wren was in an abusive relationship
February 10, 2019
This was my first in this series but I would say that it can be read as a standalone. However, I really wished I'd read the earlier books since the friends and family from previous books are such a central part of the world in the book and I just wanted to know all the back story! I loved the hero from the first few pages - he's just one of those characters that grabbed my heart immediately. I took time to warm up to Wren but I did eventually get there. Some of her choices didn't make a ton of sense to me but it didn't affect my enjoyment of the book. I can't wait to go back and read the previous novels.
NOTE: I received this book for free from the publisher for an honest review.
NOTE: I received this book for free from the publisher for an honest review.
February 2, 2019
The best part of this book for me was the brief rescue at the very beginning. The emotions and uncertainty of where this second chance main couple were now headed set the stage for an engaging, romantic read. As a lover of relationship angst, I knew I was up for it, folks. I was just surprised how mild the angst turned out to be.
Other than the temporary flare up of tempers and hackles getting slightly raised by lots of people over Wren’s out of the blue reappearance after taking flight several months earlier, there really wasn’t a whole lot going on here. There were tons of talking things through and some very graphic smexy scenes, but, overall, that was it.
Even the inevitable, predictable problem you knew was going to resurface resolved itself in a mostly, non-climatic sort of way. Well, after a brief spot of perilous drama..
I’m always delighted to spend more time with these book characters and won’t be saying “no” to any future sequels. I’m just surprised this one was so slow paced and mostly talked about feelings in a drinking hot chocolate and braiding hair, girlfriend kind of way. Grant was a great guy and Wren came across as a sweet, naive, frightened little bird, who wanted happiness but not at the expense of putting others in harm’s way.
If you enjoy a sweet, steamy at times, second chance romance with loads of back and forth “feelings” conversations, well, here you go.
Title: Flare Up, Series: Boston Fire (Book 6), Author: Shannon Stacey, Pages: 352, stand-alone but part of a series, patient/good guy hero, celibate during long separation, firefighter hero, scared of an ex-boyfriend heroine, no cheating, no love triangle, no OW/OM drama.
Book 1 - Heat Exchange
Book 2 - Controlled Burn
Book 3 - Fully Ignited
Book 4 - Hot Response
Book 5 - Under Control
Book 6 - Flare Up
(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review. There is no affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)
Other than the temporary flare up of tempers and hackles getting slightly raised by lots of people over Wren’s out of the blue reappearance after taking flight several months earlier, there really wasn’t a whole lot going on here. There were tons of talking things through and some very graphic smexy scenes, but, overall, that was it.
Even the inevitable, predictable problem you knew was going to resurface resolved itself in a mostly, non-climatic sort of way. Well, after a brief spot of perilous drama..
I’m always delighted to spend more time with these book characters and won’t be saying “no” to any future sequels. I’m just surprised this one was so slow paced and mostly talked about feelings in a drinking hot chocolate and braiding hair, girlfriend kind of way. Grant was a great guy and Wren came across as a sweet, naive, frightened little bird, who wanted happiness but not at the expense of putting others in harm’s way.
If you enjoy a sweet, steamy at times, second chance romance with loads of back and forth “feelings” conversations, well, here you go.
Title: Flare Up, Series: Boston Fire (Book 6), Author: Shannon Stacey, Pages: 352, stand-alone but part of a series, patient/good guy hero, celibate during long separation, firefighter hero, scared of an ex-boyfriend heroine, no cheating, no love triangle, no OW/OM drama.
Book 1 - Heat Exchange
Book 2 - Controlled Burn
Book 3 - Fully Ignited
Book 4 - Hot Response
Book 5 - Under Control
Book 6 - Flare Up
(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review. There is no affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)
February 3, 2019
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads, so here is my review.
3.5-4 stars
Grant Cutter is nursing a broken heart because the one he loved ran from him several months ago and he has no idea where she went. What a surprise for him when the fire house goes to an apartment fire and he finds the love of his life in one of those apartments. He saves her but wants to quiz her about why she left and didn't tell him what was going on.
Wren Everett thought she was hiding from her past until the apartment building she lived in was burning. When she was trying to hide from the smoke, a familiar voice came trough and saved her. Now her close past is back and she wants to stay close to him because she has missed Grant.
As Grant and Wren spend time together, they begin to pick up where they left off. Although Grant is a little scared she might run again, he will do all he can to keep her with him. And Wren wants things with Grant to grow but she doesn't want her past to destroy either of them.
Can they work through her fear and move forward together? Will her past come back to hurt someone she cares about? Will she run to save those she loves? Will Grant finally get the chance to pop the question?
I love a second change romance but some of this story seemed rushed even though their story began in the last book. It's a good story and I loved Grant and Wren and the rest of the crew and hope to get time to go back and read the rest of the series. So if you like firefighter stories, read this series and please start from the beginning, it is what I should have done.
3.5-4 stars
Grant Cutter is nursing a broken heart because the one he loved ran from him several months ago and he has no idea where she went. What a surprise for him when the fire house goes to an apartment fire and he finds the love of his life in one of those apartments. He saves her but wants to quiz her about why she left and didn't tell him what was going on.
Wren Everett thought she was hiding from her past until the apartment building she lived in was burning. When she was trying to hide from the smoke, a familiar voice came trough and saved her. Now her close past is back and she wants to stay close to him because she has missed Grant.
As Grant and Wren spend time together, they begin to pick up where they left off. Although Grant is a little scared she might run again, he will do all he can to keep her with him. And Wren wants things with Grant to grow but she doesn't want her past to destroy either of them.
Can they work through her fear and move forward together? Will her past come back to hurt someone she cares about? Will she run to save those she loves? Will Grant finally get the chance to pop the question?
I love a second change romance but some of this story seemed rushed even though their story began in the last book. It's a good story and I loved Grant and Wren and the rest of the crew and hope to get time to go back and read the rest of the series. So if you like firefighter stories, read this series and please start from the beginning, it is what I should have done.
March 11, 2019
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
Grant Cutter has never gotten over the fact that his year-long girlfriend, a woman he really wanted to marry, just left him. He loved Wren Everett to distraction, and with her gone, and everyone around him drowning in bliss, he is thinking of leaving Engine 59, or even Boston Fire completely. But in his latest fire, one of the people he saves is none other than Wren.
Sad to have left Grant, Wren had very good reason. She has had a quiet few months and she is convinced that the nightmare she led due to her previous ex is over. But, not only has he been released from jail due to an assault, she is burned out of her temporary home. She literally finds herself in the arms of the one man she truly loves, Grant. He carried her out of a very serious, and completely destructive fire.
Grant is truly happy that Wren is okay, but he wants to just walk away. After all, that is what she did to him. Instead, he realizes that he is determined to win her back, even if understanding her actions is near to impossible for him.
This second chance romance in Flare Up is wrought with problems. Wren has to regain Grant's trust as to why she left him, but also why she stayed close in Boston. As Grant worked on trusting her again, his hope for a forever future with her definitely had its doubts. I had doubt of my own as it seemed that once the explanation was made and processed, they could move on. Watching Grant and Wren get comfortable in their desire to move ahead was a bit long. However, Grant had a heart of gold and it was truly nice to see him - and all of their friends in common - envelop Wren in their arms.
This romance had a bit of suspense as the guy harassing Josie had to have his comeuppance. This is part of the Boston Fire series and is the final book. I enjoyed the limited time I have had with this series and look forward to reading more by Shannon Stacey.
Many thanks to Carina Press and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
Grant Cutter has never gotten over the fact that his year-long girlfriend, a woman he really wanted to marry, just left him. He loved Wren Everett to distraction, and with her gone, and everyone around him drowning in bliss, he is thinking of leaving Engine 59, or even Boston Fire completely. But in his latest fire, one of the people he saves is none other than Wren.
Sad to have left Grant, Wren had very good reason. She has had a quiet few months and she is convinced that the nightmare she led due to her previous ex is over. But, not only has he been released from jail due to an assault, she is burned out of her temporary home. She literally finds herself in the arms of the one man she truly loves, Grant. He carried her out of a very serious, and completely destructive fire.
Grant is truly happy that Wren is okay, but he wants to just walk away. After all, that is what she did to him. Instead, he realizes that he is determined to win her back, even if understanding her actions is near to impossible for him.
This second chance romance in Flare Up is wrought with problems. Wren has to regain Grant's trust as to why she left him, but also why she stayed close in Boston. As Grant worked on trusting her again, his hope for a forever future with her definitely had its doubts. I had doubt of my own as it seemed that once the explanation was made and processed, they could move on. Watching Grant and Wren get comfortable in their desire to move ahead was a bit long. However, Grant had a heart of gold and it was truly nice to see him - and all of their friends in common - envelop Wren in their arms.
This romance had a bit of suspense as the guy harassing Josie had to have his comeuppance. This is part of the Boston Fire series and is the final book. I enjoyed the limited time I have had with this series and look forward to reading more by Shannon Stacey.
Many thanks to Carina Press and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
January 22, 2019
I don’t know if I’ve ever talked about how much trash I am for second-chance romances, but I am absolute trash for second-chance romances. So, I may be just a tad bit biased, but I enjoyed this one exactly as much as I expected to.
Things did tend to move too quickly in regard to the second-chance relationship, but I feel like it was handled really well in this novel because both characters were aware that some things (like saying those three words, or even thinking about moving in together) were going to be too fast, but I liked that neither character tried to pretend like their previous relationship didn’t exist. They acknowledged their past relationship frequently, actually, mostly because they had no choice. If they wanted their relationship to succeed this time around, they need to eventually clear the air and remove all the bitterness and heartbreak that hung around.
In terms of the conflict, I actually like how realistically it was dealt. I don’t know if this counts as a spoiler, but I liked that no character ran out to “play hero” and risk their own life to protect another. What I really loved, though, is the communication between the couple that this story revolves around. There was no miscommunication for the sake of it (like a lot of romance novels); there may have been one scene where a character chose to withhold pertinent information, but it wasn’t kept a secret for long, which was refreshing.
Honestly, all in all, I found this story to be gripping, sweet, and sensual. The side characters are a hoot and a half, and while this is the sixth book in a series, you can definitely read this one, at least, as a standalone. The love scenes — all of two — weren’t my favorite, but that’s only because I’m picky and want a more emotional experience than physical; I know how sex works, I don’t need a play-by-play, as steamy as it may be.
Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
My sincere gratitude to Barclay Publicity for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Things did tend to move too quickly in regard to the second-chance relationship, but I feel like it was handled really well in this novel because both characters were aware that some things (like saying those three words, or even thinking about moving in together) were going to be too fast, but I liked that neither character tried to pretend like their previous relationship didn’t exist. They acknowledged their past relationship frequently, actually, mostly because they had no choice. If they wanted their relationship to succeed this time around, they need to eventually clear the air and remove all the bitterness and heartbreak that hung around.
In terms of the conflict, I actually like how realistically it was dealt. I don’t know if this counts as a spoiler, but I liked that no character ran out to “play hero” and risk their own life to protect another. What I really loved, though, is the communication between the couple that this story revolves around. There was no miscommunication for the sake of it (like a lot of romance novels); there may have been one scene where a character chose to withhold pertinent information, but it wasn’t kept a secret for long, which was refreshing.
Honestly, all in all, I found this story to be gripping, sweet, and sensual. The side characters are a hoot and a half, and while this is the sixth book in a series, you can definitely read this one, at least, as a standalone. The love scenes — all of two — weren’t my favorite, but that’s only because I’m picky and want a more emotional experience than physical; I know how sex works, I don’t need a play-by-play, as steamy as it may be.
Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
My sincere gratitude to Barclay Publicity for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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