One taste and he craves more...
Isandro has a sweet tooth only a feisty chocolatier can sate. Rejected years ago, her sudden interest comes as a surprise, but he won’t miss this chance.
Seeing is believing.
Until Arianna caught her now ex-lover cheating, she couldn’t shut the door on Derrick. After a few drinks, she’s ready to take a chance.
Isandro is like nothing she ever expected, but everything she’s dreamed.
Derrick won’t take the hint. Her family doesn’t approve of her choices. Now she will be forced to choose between blood and her heart.
Review 4*
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
This is the third book in the Combustible contemporary romance series. I loved it!
Arianna Nelson is a wonderful character. I really liked her. She is a chocolatier who runs the local sweet shop. When she catches her on again/off again boyfriend Derrick cheating, she decides that enough is enough and breaks up with him for good. Attracted to Isandro, she wasn't looking for love but cupid had other ideas.
Isandro Cortez (or Bulldog as his firefighting team mates and friends call him) is a fantastic character. I love his protective and loving heart of gold. He has had feelings for Arianna for years, but didn't act on it as she was in an on again/off again relationship with Derrick. Now she's broken up with him again, Isandro hopes that he can win her heart.
I started to read this book and quickly became hooked. The story is told through the eyes of both Arianna and Isandro, which allowed me to see what they were both thinking and feeling. I found myself on a roller coaster of emotion from beginning to end. I am a sucker for contemporary romances with sexy firemen and chocolate in it, and this book doesn't disappoint.
I must admit that I enjoyed this book much more than the first two books in the series. I think this is because most of the characters have already been introduced and they have become my friends. Having said that, I found myself not liking Arianna's mother. She comes across as cold and snobbish due to her ambition and lack of compassion towards Arianna; she also belittles her, which affects Arianna's self-esteem. Who needs enemies when you have a mother like that? Arianna's sisters, Cherise and Antionette, are also more like their mother, though Cherise is nicer to Arianna. However, she is rather more tactless/thoughtless and says things that are hurtful without realising it. Derrick is a total douche and Arianna is much better for breaking up with him in my opinion. Marissa, Isandro's sister, however, is a wonderful character with a warm and welcoming personality.
There's a lot of heat between the main protagonists and it fairly sizzles on the page. The characters themselves feel lifelike and likable. I love flawed characters, as they come alive on the page. There are a few surprises that I didn't see coming though, and I reached the end of the book with mixed emotions. I felt sad that the story ended, but happy with the way it did. I can't wait to read the next book in the series, Backburn, as soon as possible.
Brandy L. Rivers has written an entertaining contemporary romance series. I love her fast paced writing style, and the flow is wonderful. Her characters are lifelike and likable. With her ability to write in both the paranormal and contemporary romance genres, she is one of my go to authors when I'm in the mood for a sexy read.
Due to explicit scenes of a sexual nature, as well as use of bad language, I do not recommend this book to readers under the age of 18. However, I do recommend this book if you love hot erotic contemporary romances full of sexy firemen and determined women. - Lynn Worton
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