Lovin' los libros

 

 

Tessa Teevan couldn't have named this series any more appropriately! Both Ignite and now Incinerate are explosive reads and she is blazing her way onto the New Adult scene with romances that will heat your blood, make you swoon like crazy, and sigh in utter contentment. Both books are dual POV, which is always a favorite of mine, but she does such a great job of capturing the male voice. Reading about Jace and Knox felt realistic and I fell hard for both boys.

 

As much as I loved Jace and Alexa's story, I have to say- Charlie and Knox really take the cake. I loved their interactions and the fact that neither of them back down when it comes to what they think and feel. They complemented each other so well- both needed a strong partner to challenge them and be the other's strength in times of need. Being Teevan's sophomore novel, I already see how much her writing has grown and matured from Ignite. She is definitely one to keep your eye on folks!

 

Let's start with Knox, shall we? We first meet him while he is stationed in Afghanistan and after an explosion nearly takes his life, his last thoughts before drifting into unconsciousness are that he is absolutely and utterly alone. My heart instantly went out to the cynical, jaded man who has sworn off relationships and love after being badly burned by two people he loved and trusted in the past.

 

Knox has always been self-sufficient and being in this position of helplessness absolutely eats away at him. He is less than thrilled when he finds out his younger brother has hired someone to come help him out while he is recovering. To get his mind off everything, his brother and best friend take him out to a bar to live a little and let loose. Knox goes to appease his friends, but is pretty grumpy being out when he knows getting laid isn't really an option right now. A pretty brunette shows interest in him and introduces herself and he is pretty heartless with his brush-off. Imagine his surprise when the very same brunette he can't stop thinking about shows up on his door the next day!

 

Charlie and Knox do not get off on the right foot at all. He is moody and grumpy and manages to piss her off in the span of a few hours by sticking his foot in his mouth. They are undoubtedly attracted to one another, but Knox is pretty hot and cold with Charlie in the beginning and that drives her crazy. She never knows which Knox she's going to get, and I love that she stands her ground, but also knows when to walk away. Knox respects the hell out of Charlie and after he stops being a pain in the ass, the two end up becoming friends.

 

I loved Charlie's character. She is such a strong female lead despite the fact that she is still hurting over a recent betrayal herself. She doesn't let her weaknesses show and hides her broken heart behind her no-nonsense, tough exterior. However, I admire how strong she is and that she doesn't let her emotions control her, especially where her ex is concerned. There are certain things that are unforgivable in Charlie's eyes and infidelity is one of them. After being betrayed, trust is essential to her. She will not give her heart to someone she doesn't trust or doesn't trust her in return.

 

As I said earlier, this series is so aptly named because Charlie and Knox's relationship certainly is explosive. It's a slow burn though. Knox not only has some serious trust issues to work through, but he is adamant about the fact that he's not looking for a relationship. Charlie has to protect her heart so she doesn't end up hurt again. The build up between these two is extremely sweet and sexy at the same time. There were so many moments I literally had to stop reading because I was swooning so hard. Every time he called her sweetheart, I felt my heart skip a beat. And when he asks her to stay at the gym I felt like I was going to go into cardiac arrest! As I said though- Charlie will have to decide if she can risk giving Knox her heart and Knox will have to make the decision as to whether or not he can stand losing her. After years of spurning relationships and love, it's not something he can just jump right into. I felt Teevan paced this transition perfectly- it didn't feel forced or rushed, instead it felt just right.

 

Ignite fans never fear! We get plenty of Jace and Lexi in this book as well! Jace and Knox's friendship is one of my favorites, as they are more than friends- they are true brothers to one another. I also liked seeing how quickly Lexi and Charlie befriended one another and enjoyed both Knox and Charlie's friendship with Kale and I cannot wait for his and Lucy's story up next! These two have some pretty big obstacles to overcome and I am really excited to see what direction Teevan takes their story. There is also a pretty important emphasis on family in this book. Having been raised by just her father, he and Charlie are really close. Being an Army officer himself, he can be pretty intimidating when he wants to be, but really just wants the best for his daughter. Knox's family also play an important role in this story, as he only associates with his younger brother Cohen. He comes from a wealthy family, but has not spoken to his parents in years. As for his older brother Branson, well he's not someone Knox has any desire to speak to ever again. And I can't really say I blame him! However, I also am happy with the way Tessa handled that situation because life is too short to live with regret and grudges.

 

Overall, Incinerate had everything I look for in a romance- strong characters, good development, heavy sexual tension and chemistry, and a realistic plot where the characters face challenges and obstacles and still come out on top. I loved that this story was low in angst and that there wasn't a suffocating amount of drama. Oh and military boys! Let's not forget that! Always a plus! And can I just stop a minute to thank Tessa for making Knox a Vols fan? <3 <3 <3

 

Get this book ladies and gents- you won't be disappointed.

 

"I want more than that. I want you to be my girl. I want you in my bed, just like this. I want to take you out, show you off, and get all the jealous looks from other assholes who wish you were theirs. I want, more than anything, for you to be my sweetheart, because that's what you've become to me, even if I started saying it by being an ass. I want to be able to call you mine for real, not pretend." Sighing, I pause. "Charlie, I want- I need- you to be my fucking girl."