"Emotionally gripping, with great storytelling, and plenty of firefighter hotties!"
Reviewed by Miranda Owen
Posted June 1, 2021
Romance Suspense | Romance Contemporary
MAKE ME BURN is the first book in Marie Harte’s “Turn Up the Heat” contemporary romance series. This is a perfect book for romance fans who enjoy the “enemies-to-lovers” trope. Reporter Avery Dearborn and Seattle firefighter Brad Battle have a rocky history. When Avery did a piece a few years ago featuring Brad and his military experience, she unwittingly angered Brad. Even though her piece was nothing if not complimentary, it was a subject that was a sore spot for Brad. Now, one pet fundraiser throws them together again. Fireworks follow.
Normally the enemies-to-lovers trope is not a favorite of mine, but I trust this author to tell a good story, have multifaceted characters, and bring the sexy. I was not disappointed. Because of the initial animosity between the two main characters, I’m glad that MAKE ME BURN is told from alternating perspectives to give the reader more insight into their motivations. Thankfully things don’t get super nasty between Brad and Avery and the hard feelings don’t last too long. I hate when a hero and heroine trade insults that take things to a level that is too toxic. Their friends help them see each other from a new perspective and they get to know each other better. Brad learns that, rather than a ruthless reporter only out for a good story, Avery has a soft center, with an appreciation for whimsey, and a difficult relationship with her father. Avery learns that Brad cares about other people almost to a fault, with a little bit of survivor’s guilt – especially when it comes to his friend that committed suicide. When Avery and Brad start to work together, their teasing takes a turn from being snippy to flirtatious. Several outbreaks of passion take this hero and heroine by surprise before they stop trying to fight it. Even though they grow to like each other before getting hot and heavy, the physical side of their relationship happens before their heads catch up to what they’re feeling emotionally – especially with Brad. The chemistry and relationship evolve very organically sexy scenes are very intense and well-written.
MAKE ME BURN is emotionally gripping, with great storytelling, and plenty of firefighter hotties. Marie Harte has a gift for creating a fun group of guy friendships in which the men are traditionally tough, hot, and alpha, but a little goofy and always have a heart of gold. I loved the secondary romance between Brad’s brother and Avery’s friend. The firefighters in this “Turn Up the Heat” series seem like no exception. As always, I eagerly await Marie Harte’s next book.
SUMMARY
These sizzling Seattle firefighters are melting hearts...
Reporter Avery Dearborn hasn't had the best day. She was filmed fending off a lovesick dog before being rescued from falling flat on her face by none other than her arch nemesis. Seattle firefighter Brad Battle hasn't changed at all in the five years since she last saw him. He's still handsome, hot, and charming—to everyone but her.
Brad can't believe his bad luck to run into Avery, of all people. But to make matters worse, their shared chemistry on screen goes viral. Soon he's forced to work with her on live TV. The spot will help the local animal charity and make the fire department look good, so who is he to disobey a direct order to cooperate?
Trust takes time, but as Avery and Brad come to realize they are different people than when they first met, anger turns to irresistible attraction, and hard feelings into hot sex. But letting the past stay in the past isn't as easy as it sounds. And if they're not careful, they'll both get burned.
ExcerptAvery seemed to be sneaking off as well, so Brad said in a loud voice, “Oh, before you go, Avery, could I get a moment of your time?”
Her boss watched them without blinking.
She smiled at Emil and blew out a breath. “Sure, Brad.”
Emil grinned. “Brad, thank you so much for helping out today. Your boss wanted me to tell you thanks as well.”
“Which boss?” He had so many.
“Well, there was a Captain Reynolds, and I think your battalion chief called. He’s pleased to give us access to Station 44 for as long as we need it. From what I saw, we’ll definitely need you for the next few weeks at least. Friday mornings work for you? Terrific.”
Brad didn’t have a chance to answer before Emil took a call on his cell phone and walked away.
“You have one minute of my precious time, Battle. Speak,” Avery muttered.
“Not here.” He stalked away from everyone, confident she’d follow.
In a dim, unused hallway away from the cameras and people, he glared at her.
She glared back.
“What happened to making this professional and courteous? You called me ‘handsy’ on TV!”
“You had your hand on my thigh,” she said, her voice low, furious.
“Yeah? Well, I was trying to stop you from tripping over your own two feet and flashing your panties at the world. You’re welcome.”
“At the world? You do realize our audience is maybe a few thousand people at most. And what about my panties?” She gaped at him. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“If that wasn’t bad enough, what’s with trying to set me up with half of Seattle?”
“Oh, did I hurt your pride?”
He studied her, seeing the sparkle in her eyes. She liked their little fight. Hell. So did he. He felt himself growing warm and aroused and turned to go before he did something stupid.
Except Avery tugged him back to face her. “I’m not done with you.”
“Avery, it’s clear what this is.”
“Oh, do explain ‘this’ to me.”
He couldn’t see her too well, but at least they seemed out of the way of everyone else in the less trafficked hallway. She moved closer, and her perfume went straight to his head. And other places.
“The problem, lady, is you want me, and that bothers you.” Because I know exactly how that feels. “You think making a joke of me being available will make it seem like you don’t care.” What the hell was coming out of his mouth?
“You make no sense,” she hissed. “You’re so used to women throwing themselves at you that you can’t stand it when a woman doesn’t want you. And nice job, running those hands up and down my legs. You perv.”
Incensed, he stalked her until she’d backed up against the wall. Despite the low light, he saw no sign of fear on her face, just anger. “I’m the perv? You’re the one constantly falling over so I’ll save you. Jesus, that’s lame, even for you.”
“You jackass.” She fumed, and he imagined steam coming out her ears. “Honey, I could kiss the breath out of you and come out the other end cold as ice. And not because I’m frigid, but because you’re all bark and no bite.”
“Oh yeah?”
Her hands gripped his biceps, her breath a rush of mint over his lips as she leaned closer. “I’ve met your type before. Pretty and buff with nothing else to offer. No idea how to please a woman.”
“Avery, if you’d manage to get over yourself and plant a wet one on me, you’d end up shivering and begging for more while I did my best to keep you steady on your feet. I think they call that needy nowadays.”
“Needy? Pucker up, asshole, and we’ll see who’s needy.”
He’d been egging her on, hoping she’d do it.
He wasn’t disappointed.
Avery dragged his head down and kissed him.
And as he’d secretly dreaded, her taste went straight to his brain then traveled directly south and stayed there.
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