Review: Inflame by Tessa Teevan

Inflame (Explosive #3)
   by: Tessa Teevan

Publication Date: May 12, 2014
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: Gifted from the author. Thanks Tessa! <3
Page Count: 339 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4/5 stars

Easy going soldier Kale Montgomery, a self-proclaimed ladies man, has no plans of settling down, especially not with his best friend- the sexy, sassy schoolteacher Lucy Dawson. Their relationship, though unconventional, is mutually beneficial, and they wouldn't have it any other way. Friends with benefits? Casual lovers? Whatever you want to call it, they’re having fun, in and out of bed, and to them, that’s all that matters. At least that’s what they think, but how long can you spend in someone's bed before you find they're also infiltrating your heart?

As their casual fling with no strings attached progresses, it's not long before they realize they're both in way over their heads. One fateful night changes their lives forever in ways they could never have imagined, giving them the push to finally admit that maybe, just maybe they want more than they’ve let on. Their mutual attraction rapidly intensifies as it shifts from burning lust to unrelenting want, need, and possibly even love. Suddenly the idea of settling down doesn't seem so bad. In fact, it sounds pretty damn perfect.

Just when things seem to be falling into place, past pain and renewed insecurities rise to the surface and threaten to smother the flames of their passionate relationship, reminding them both why they’ve always kept the idea of love at arm's length. Will Kale and Lucy realize that what they've been waiting for is each other, or will the blazing whirlwind of their feelings burn out too quickly, causing it to all go up in smoke?

 

 

How I feel when I see that Tessa is writing a new book/has a new book ready for me to read:

 

Seriously. I am all kinds of obsessed with her writing and her characters! I love that they take place here in TN and are centered around the military. We met our main characters Kale and Lucy in the previous book, Incinerate, and I was very curious about their 'relationship'. They have a friends with benefits deal going on, but as we read Inflame, their casual relationship becomes anything but.

I really enjoyed how Tessa took us back to see how Kale and Lucy met, how their arrangement started, and when it all began to change. I feel like that added insight into their characters and situation really added to the storyline.

Kale and Lucy decided to keep their relationship no-strings, as Kale is going to be deploying soon and neither want to be tied down to another. Both have some deeply rooted issues as to why they don't do serious relationships. However, Lucy isn't against trying to do one, and ends up dating her best friend Charlie's fiancé's cousin. Kale gets wind of this and instantly feels a punch to the gut, which makes him realize that his feelings for Lucy go deeper than he originally thought.

I really like that Teevan is so low on angst. She doesn't make us wait forever while Kale and Lucy play cat and mouse with one another in regards to their feelings. Kale is pretty damn stubborn and isn't afraid to go after what he wants. Lucy is equally stubborn, which I loved, as she doesn't put up with any crap. She holds her own and that is one of the things Kale falls for immediately.

Kale and Lucy do face a pretty huge lifestyle change in this book. We get to see these two fall for one another and realize that they don't want to be with other people, as well as watch them deal with this big event. They are in this together and I just adored watching their relationship turn from a sexual one to a loving, nurturing one.

Kale's protectiveness is adorable at the same time it is infuriating. I probably would have thrown a few shoes at him if it were me. Still, Lucy takes it all in stride and doesn't let herself get aggravated with him too much. She never imagined she would need and crave Kale as much as she does and she is really a very lucky girl to have such a great guy. Kale is also lucky, as Lucy is just fun, feisty, and drama-free.

The two have their own obstacles to overcome, as they have never really opened up their pasts with one another. Kale knows he especially needs to come clean with Lucy and share his past, as it isn't right of him to keep something like that from her or have his mom and sisters feel pressure either. Lucy is instantly welcomed into Kale's family and I really loved seeing the dynamic between them. Kale has to work a little bit harder to win Lucy's mom over, but it isn't long before he charms her too.

We do get to catch up with Jace, Lexi, Charlie and Knox in this book and it just warms my heart to see them all together. I was also really pleasantly surprised by Branson and Cohen! They are only in the book for a short period, but wow- Branson has already redeemed himself in my eyes and I haven't even gotten his book yet!

I can't wait for Tessa's next book, as I just love being with these characters and watching them grow, interact, and find love for themselves.