Rollo and Brianna have been friends since he became a Jupiter Point HotShot. They're both single, and everybody think they're perfect for each other and should be dating, except Rollo and Brianna. They're really only friends, and besides they both have crushes on other people. So when, yet again, they are thrown in together for a blind date, they confide in each other about their secret crush, and vow to help each other snag that special someone, and it doesn't quite go as planned.

I love the Jupiter Point series, and I must say I had no idea how Rollo's story would turn out; he was a bit of a shadowy presence in the previous books, and once again Jennifer Bernard has penned a phenomenal book! I loved the real, honest friendship between Rollo and Brianna, even when Rollo begins to start seeing Brianna in a different light, he remains doesn't push to take things further. And who wouldn't love elfin Brianna? She's tiny but strong as an ox -- landscaping will do that to a girl -- she's awkward, spontaneous, couldn't lie to save her life, she is fiercely loyal, kind, generous. Rollo, the bear of a man, the fearless firefighter is a bit timid when it comes to his family; while he feels his family keeps him from living his life the way he would like to, he doesn't fight them very hard; they're a difficult bunch, apart from his fourteen year-old sister Sidney.

Ms. Bernard weaves a compelling story around those two intriguing and very appealing characters. Sometimes I think Jennifer Bernard should write a handbook on character-building, because by the time the book is over, I felt that Rollo and Brianna were my friends too. Jennifer Bernard's writing is uncluttered, easy to read, and yet very eloquent: her descriptions make the scenery vivid, and her characters relatable and genuine. The writing is seamless, the pace quick and steady, the dialogues spot-on, and the banter between Rollo and Brianna is delectable and often very funny. For those of us who have followed the series, we get to catch up with other characters from Jupiter Point, but INTO THE FLAMES also works perfectly as a standalone. Rollo's sister, Sidney, is another superb character, and I hope she eventually gets her own story, because she is a lot of fun.

The romance between Rollo and Brianna feels realistic, but quite painful at times because of Rollo's lack of fortitude, and I felt for Brianna. And there's always the continuing saga of Finn's attempt to nail the screenplay for the Big Canyon burnover movie -- mum's the word here. I loved the wild abandon with which Brianna enters the benefits side of their friendship, and the sex scenes are torrid, playful, fun and passionate. There was one little detail that bothered me -- this is a personal thing that changes nothing to my review or my overall love of the book -- but I did not like the fact that Rollo is a hunter, for me that's a deal-breaker. But apart from this trifle, which has no bearing on the story, I heartily recommend INTO THE FLAMES, and the whole series, actually!