What do you think?
Rate this book
Southern Sparks
Combust
Summer
Fresh from a divorce that’s left me emotionally bankrupt, I moved in with my dad to help him recover after surgery.
Simple, right?
Wrong.
Because the universe is an overachiever, my ex pops up, demanding half of an inheritance that has nothing to do with him.
And adding to the drama, my dad’s grumpy contractor keeps walking in on me at the worst possible times.
Like when I’m naked.
In the shower.
Not thinking about him.
Maverick Hansen is broody, growly, and allergic to relationships. Basically, my exact type.
Which is why I need to steer clear.
Too bad my heart—and my traitorous hormones—didn’t get the memo.
Maverick
Second chances? There’s no such thing.
After my wife died, I made peace with the fact that love wasn’t in the cards. I have my work, my family, my dog, and an unwavering ability to avoid emotional attachments.
Then Summer Winston crashes into my life with her big eyes, bigger attitude, and tempting me to want more.
She’s sunshine and starting over.
I’m rain clouds and regret.
Sometimes the hardest battle is against yourself, and now, the one thing I never knew I needed is the only thing I want.
COMBUST is a steamy standalone contemporary romance in the Southern Sparks series with a feisty heroine striving to rebuild her life and a grumpy Alpha male struggling between his protective instincts and his desire for distance.
Fresh from a divorce that’s left me emotionally bankrupt, I moved in with my dad to help him recover after surgery.
Simple, right?
Wrong.
Because the universe is an overachiever, my ex pops up, demanding half of an inheritance that has nothing to do with him.
And adding to the drama, my dad’s grumpy contractor keeps walking in on me at the worst possible times.
Like when I’m naked.
In the shower.
Not thinking about him.
Maverick Hansen is broody, growly, and allergic to relationships. Basically, my exact type.
Which is why I need to steer clear.
Too bad my heart—and my traitorous hormones—didn’t get the memo.
Maverick
Second chances? There’s no such thing.
After my wife died, I made peace with the fact that love wasn’t in the cards. I have my work, my family, my dog, and an unwavering ability to avoid emotional attachments.
Then Summer Winston crashes into my life with her big eyes, bigger attitude, and tempting me to want more.
She’s sunshine and starting over.
I’m rain clouds and regret.
Sometimes the hardest battle is against yourself, and now, the one thing I never knew I needed is the only thing I want.
COMBUST is a steamy standalone contemporary romance in the Southern Sparks series with a feisty heroine striving to rebuild her life and a grumpy Alpha male struggling between his protective instincts and his desire for distance.
Unknown Binding
Published March 5, 2026
5 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Kat Long
13 books234 followersI live at the beach with my Happily Ever After, a daughter, and two irritating but lovable cats.
Before I started writing contemporary romance, I graduated with a Master’s Degree in School Psychology from The University of West Alabama. Now, by day I work in finance and by night I'm a writer.
My characters are sexy and clever, but in real life, I'm the ultimate over-thinker. Let’s face it, my inner monologues would not make good reading!
When I'm not writing swoony stories or reading Dramione FanFiction, I'm probably watching Animal Planet in yoga pants, trying not to over-water my succulents, and wondering if the real meaning of life is forty-two.
READERS MAKE MY WORLD GO ROUND:
https://linktr.ee/KatLongRomance
Before I started writing contemporary romance, I graduated with a Master’s Degree in School Psychology from The University of West Alabama. Now, by day I work in finance and by night I'm a writer.
My characters are sexy and clever, but in real life, I'm the ultimate over-thinker. Let’s face it, my inner monologues would not make good reading!
When I'm not writing swoony stories or reading Dramione FanFiction, I'm probably watching Animal Planet in yoga pants, trying not to over-water my succulents, and wondering if the real meaning of life is forty-two.
READERS MAKE MY WORLD GO ROUND:
https://linktr.ee/KatLongRomance
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was honoured to receive an advanced copy of this story and this is my honest review.
I loved this story because as the characters were more mature you know they have both been on their own journeys to get to where they are in life.
Summer is waiting for her divorce to be finalised as her husband had an affair and is now expecting baby with this person.
Summer moves in with her dad to assist after his surgery. Whilst there she receives news that she has been left an inheritance from an Italian Aunt that she didn’t know she had, until her dad explained who she was. Summer encounters a problem with claiming this so she has to go to court.
Maverick is still grieving for wife that died in an accident as he thinks he was a failure for not being able to stop this outcome. As a result he doesn't realise that he has changed his life in so many ways thinking he needs to be in charge and not let the unexpected in.
Maverick may give off a lonely grumpy bear impression but he really is a soft teddy bear. He will always help his mum out with lots of things including renovating her house so it is more suitable for her as she gets older but wants to keep her independence. Maverick will do anything for his family, including help train dogs! as well as looking after his 4yr old Rottie called Malibu.
Maverick's mum Bev lives next door to Cam who is Summer's Dad. They love to play pranks on each other and see who can one up each other, Bev loves gardening and has the most amusing tastes in plants!!
Maverick always turns grumpy when Summer uses a nickname as he thinks he's too old for one. Even when she starts to chip away at his brick wall around his heart.
Will Summer ever be able to get Maverick to leave the Autumn behind and get him to step towards the sunshine of summer?
I loved this story because as the characters were more mature you know they have both been on their own journeys to get to where they are in life.
Summer is waiting for her divorce to be finalised as her husband had an affair and is now expecting baby with this person.
Summer moves in with her dad to assist after his surgery. Whilst there she receives news that she has been left an inheritance from an Italian Aunt that she didn’t know she had, until her dad explained who she was. Summer encounters a problem with claiming this so she has to go to court.
Maverick is still grieving for wife that died in an accident as he thinks he was a failure for not being able to stop this outcome. As a result he doesn't realise that he has changed his life in so many ways thinking he needs to be in charge and not let the unexpected in.
Maverick may give off a lonely grumpy bear impression but he really is a soft teddy bear. He will always help his mum out with lots of things including renovating her house so it is more suitable for her as she gets older but wants to keep her independence. Maverick will do anything for his family, including help train dogs! as well as looking after his 4yr old Rottie called Malibu.
Maverick's mum Bev lives next door to Cam who is Summer's Dad. They love to play pranks on each other and see who can one up each other, Bev loves gardening and has the most amusing tastes in plants!!
Maverick always turns grumpy when Summer uses a nickname as he thinks he's too old for one. Even when she starts to chip away at his brick wall around his heart.
Will Summer ever be able to get Maverick to leave the Autumn behind and get him to step towards the sunshine of summer?
February 28, 2026
This was a very enjoyable romance. Nice bits of sexy steam, but not so overwhelming that it deterred from the storyline. Characters were well developed and relatable.
March 6, 2026
An engaging grumpy/sunshine romance that brings us the story of Summer and Maverick.
Summer has moved in with her dad, Cam, to help him recover after he had heart surgery. She is also waiting for her divorce to be finalized from her POS ex.
Maverick is always helping his mom, who lives next door to Cam. He is a widow and blames himself for the accident his wife was in. Anytime Summer is around, Maverick turns into an even grumpier man….until she starts to create cracks in the wall he erected around his heart.
Summer has moved in with her dad, Cam, to help him recover after he had heart surgery. She is also waiting for her divorce to be finalized from her POS ex.
Maverick is always helping his mom, who lives next door to Cam. He is a widow and blames himself for the accident his wife was in. Anytime Summer is around, Maverick turns into an even grumpier man….until she starts to create cracks in the wall he erected around his heart.
March 5, 2026
A sweet grumpy sunshine read. I loved the characters, the banter and the undeniable chemistry. I enjoyed the journey Maverick and Summer’s journey as they let down their guard and heal from each of their pasts. It’s an engaging and entertaining read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Combust was about two adult children and the parents they took care of for different reasons. Summer had moved home to care for her father, Cameron (Cam), who was recovering from heart surgery. Cam’s neighbor was Bev, with whom he had a fun relationship full of pranks and friendship. Bev liked taking care of Cam, by cooking and baking for him. Bev’s widowed son Maverick (Mav) had an obsessive need to care for his mother and adult brothers, which was the result of Mav’s misplaced guilt over the death of his wife Autumn. Similarly, Summer was leaving a painful period of her life by moving on from her divorce from the emotionally unavailable, cheating, vengeful Trey. They meet when Mav starts work on Cam’s house. Initially their relationship was rocky because they both had to deal with their emotional baggage individually before they could move on together. And when they finally came together? They combusted! OMG the deliciously filthy smeggs and extra hot and spicy dirty talk!
At first I thought it was creepy that Maverick’s dead wife’s name was Autumn and his new love interest’s name was Summer. Then I thought deeper and realized that this might represent the seasons of his life. Mav seemed stuck in the past with his dead wife, Autumn, because he felt responsible for her death. It wasn’t until 15 years later that another woman, Summer, drew his attention. Rather than embracing the new season, with Summer, he kept self-sabotaging. Eventually, he realized it was okay to want a new season, Summer, and that the only way he could grow and find fulfillment in life was to take a leap of faith and embrace the unknown.
This book was excellent, especially the prolific writing, the pacing, and fantastic world building. The story was a steamy, emotionally charged romance with humor, drama, and a lot of puppies and dogs. I liked the banter between the MCs and their parents, but I really loved the banter between Mav and his brother Miller and their “bro-tastic” relationship. Their banter had me rolling with laughter. I really enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more from this author.
At first I thought it was creepy that Maverick’s dead wife’s name was Autumn and his new love interest’s name was Summer. Then I thought deeper and realized that this might represent the seasons of his life. Mav seemed stuck in the past with his dead wife, Autumn, because he felt responsible for her death. It wasn’t until 15 years later that another woman, Summer, drew his attention. Rather than embracing the new season, with Summer, he kept self-sabotaging. Eventually, he realized it was okay to want a new season, Summer, and that the only way he could grow and find fulfillment in life was to take a leap of faith and embrace the unknown.
This book was excellent, especially the prolific writing, the pacing, and fantastic world building. The story was a steamy, emotionally charged romance with humor, drama, and a lot of puppies and dogs. I liked the banter between the MCs and their parents, but I really loved the banter between Mav and his brother Miller and their “bro-tastic” relationship. Their banter had me rolling with laughter. I really enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more from this author.
March 9, 2026
Combust by Kat Long brings together two people who have both been burned by life in different ways, and asks what happens when the last thing either of them wants is exactly what they might need.
Summer is trying to rebuild after a divorce that left more scars than she expected. She’s doing her best to focus on helping her father and getting her life back on stable ground. What I liked about her is that she isn’t written as fragile. She’s frustrated, a little bruised by life, but still stubborn enough to keep moving forward.
Maverick carries a very different kind of weight. He’s the classic grumpy, guarded type who has already convinced himself that love is something meant for other people. His rough edges and emotional walls make him exactly the kind of character you know is going to have a hard time when someone unexpectedly starts slipping past those defenses.
I loved the dynamic between these two, and works really well because neither of them is starting from a place of easy trust. Their connection grows out of shared pain, reluctant attraction, and the slow realization that maybe moving forward doesn’t mean forgetting the past.
I also really enjoyed the balance of humor and tension woven into the story. Between awkward run-ins, lingering attraction, and the emotional baggage both characters carry, the relationship feels messy in a very human way.
At its heart, this story is about second chances, learning to trust again, and realizing that sometimes the people who challenge us the most are the ones who help us start living again.
If you enjoy grumpy-sunshine dynamics, emotionally guarded heroes, and romance that leans into healing and fresh starts, this one is definitely worth checking out.
As always be mindful of trigger warnings, what I like you may not.
Happy Reading! 📚✨
Summer is trying to rebuild after a divorce that left more scars than she expected. She’s doing her best to focus on helping her father and getting her life back on stable ground. What I liked about her is that she isn’t written as fragile. She’s frustrated, a little bruised by life, but still stubborn enough to keep moving forward.
Maverick carries a very different kind of weight. He’s the classic grumpy, guarded type who has already convinced himself that love is something meant for other people. His rough edges and emotional walls make him exactly the kind of character you know is going to have a hard time when someone unexpectedly starts slipping past those defenses.
I loved the dynamic between these two, and works really well because neither of them is starting from a place of easy trust. Their connection grows out of shared pain, reluctant attraction, and the slow realization that maybe moving forward doesn’t mean forgetting the past.
I also really enjoyed the balance of humor and tension woven into the story. Between awkward run-ins, lingering attraction, and the emotional baggage both characters carry, the relationship feels messy in a very human way.
At its heart, this story is about second chances, learning to trust again, and realizing that sometimes the people who challenge us the most are the ones who help us start living again.
If you enjoy grumpy-sunshine dynamics, emotionally guarded heroes, and romance that leans into healing and fresh starts, this one is definitely worth checking out.
As always be mindful of trigger warnings, what I like you may not.
Happy Reading! 📚✨
March 13, 2026
This grumpy/sunshine romance with an older than normal couple is a very appealing and entertaining read. Both Summer and Maverick have loved and lost before (though in very different ways), and are not looking to repeat the experience. Fortunately, Fate has other plans for them.
These characters were very well written, vibrant and so relatable. I enjoyed the gradual evolution of their relationship as they learned to put the past behind them and reach toward each other. The banter and sizzle between is captivating. Love the second time around can be even sweeter and more satisfying, as Summer and Maverick discover.
I am happy to recommend this wonderful book.
These characters were very well written, vibrant and so relatable. I enjoyed the gradual evolution of their relationship as they learned to put the past behind them and reach toward each other. The banter and sizzle between is captivating. Love the second time around can be even sweeter and more satisfying, as Summer and Maverick discover.
I am happy to recommend this wonderful book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
It's Mavericks' turn! A very loyal son and brother, he has been putting his family and their needs ahead of everything else in life for some time. When Summer moves in with her Dad next door to Maverick's mom the two meet and the tension is instant. Summer also has baggage that makes the idea of a relationship far from her mind. The inner turmoil they both have paired with the chemistry and tension between them make for a very wild ride. The build up and inevitable explosion were absolutely perfect.
March 15, 2026
Great banter, relationships, build ups, intense chemistry, and drama. The characters each have their own issues they are trying to work through and not looking for each other! What a better way to find someone.
I jumped into this series on the third book but will be going back to catch up on the first two. You don’t have to but I want to know what I missed. Enjoyed the authors writing and all the characters!
Check this out! Looks like a great series! Was definitely a great book!
I jumped into this series on the third book but will be going back to catch up on the first two. You don’t have to but I want to know what I missed. Enjoyed the authors writing and all the characters!
Check this out! Looks like a great series! Was definitely a great book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Mature characters with mature issues and pasts. Maverick and summer meet at a time in their lives when they each need something to move on but don’t realize they need each other. Really enjoyed this story and their journey. Enjoy
March 2, 2026
A sweet and engaging romance with just the right amount of steam. Witty banter, likable characters and an emotional core move the plot along smoothly toward a satisfying happy ending.
March 21, 2026
A later in life romance featuring a jaded divorcee and a widower who'd rather focus on others than himself, Combust had me riveting page after page! The two MCs are both wary of jumping into something after their negative life experiences, but fate had other plans. Watching Summer and Maverick jump their own hurdles and still fall head over heels was fantastic. This is a new to me author, but after this story, I would love to read more!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews