REVIEW: Up in Flames by Jennifer Blackwood

Up in Flames by Jennifer Blackwood: Reece is a firefighter. He’s a good son who does chores for his mom, volunteers at the local homeless shelter, and charms all the ladies…except for Sloane. He’s definitely an alpha, with the confidence, cockiness, and brooding demeanor to boot. After the end of his relationship with his high school girlfriend, he’s avoided anything that even approaches a relationship.

Sloane loves her job as a nurse. She enjoys helping people and she’s learned to compartmentalize her life to deal with what she sees on the job. She’s spunky, independent, loves dogs, and can’t wait to buy her dream house so she can finally have a dog of her own. She volunteers and loves to spend time with her best friends, one of which is Reece’s sister.

Reece and Sloane have known each other for years. They used to at least get along, until one night that neither wants to remember. Since then it’s been snarky, attitude, picking fights, and slinging insults. Each gives as good as they get, despite the underlying attraction both feel. Sloane finally has the chance to gain the upper hand when she places the winning bid on getting four favors from Reece over a month.

“They just are. Now will you please put it down?”
He relented and set the list on the counter. “Just putting it out there-I’ve heard I’m not a bad date.”
“I’ll take that into consideration. But seeing how the last time with you went, I think I’ll pass.”

The last thing Reece wants to do is be at the mercy of the tiny but relentless and creative Sloane. Reece prefers his very ordered existence and Sloane definitely upends that one favor at a time. The favors give both of them an opportunity to work through the past and their misperceptions to get on more friendly terms. Things definitely get heated, for all the right reasons, but both have their own baggage that might get in their way.

Reece: Glad I can be of assistance. Does that mean I am done with my chores?
Sloane: Not a chance.
Reece: It was worth a try.
Sloane: I’ll be over tomorrow. Be ready.

Up in Flames is entertaining and so very hot. Jennifer Blackwood provided banter and great dialogue in this frenemies to lovers romance. Ms. Blackwood created delightful characters, along with the adorable Peaches, in a creative story. Fans of Melissa Foster and Erika Kelly will enjoy Up in Flames.
 

Book Info:

Publication: October 9th 2018 | Montlake Romance | Flirting with Fire #2

It takes one little spark for enemies to ignite into lovers in a searing-hot novel by USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Blackwood.

Sloane Garcia has butted heads with Reece Jenkins ever since he was a colossal jerk of epic proportions on a night she’d rather forget. So what if he’s overconfident, ultramasculine, and hard muscled? When she finds out he’s on the auction block at the annual firefighter’s charity event, she decides to give this cocky firefighter a dose of his own medicine. Now that she’s won the hunk, he’s on call—to do whatever Sloane wants.

Sure, Reece and Sloane had a rocky start, but he had his reasons. None of that matters now that he’s the bachelor at her beck and call, tasked with granting her four wishes in four weeks. He runs into burning buildings for a living, but nothing will be as tough as dousing the flames Sloane ignites in him. What started out as just a game might end up with Reece losing the one thing he swore he’d never give up: his heart.