In the much-anticipated sequel to Scarlett Fever, the sins of the father come back to haunt them.
Leaving Scarlett with a lot more to consider than she had planned for this next chapter of her life.
Never in her wildest dreams would she have known how a simple gift from Zara would turn out to be the catalyst of something bigger than all of them, and nobody could have expected the fallout that would come from the results.
All of that is put on the back burner, however, when Claudia is injured returning from a meeting, and the Maddox clan pulls together, showing Scarlett exactly what it means to be a family.
Scarlett continues the fever, in this steamy age-gap contemporary love story from award-winning author, Claire Highton-Stevenson.
Award-Winning and best selling, Claire Highton-Stevenson is an Independent author of contemporary romance and crime novels.
Having worked for many years in emergency services, Claire now spends her time writing, traveling, researching ancestry, following Liverpool FC and enjoying life as much as possible.
She lives in West Sussex, UK. Along with her wife and fur babies.
2 stars. Yikes. I went into this super excited because I loved the first book Scarlett Fever so much but this was rough. The plot was bizarre and gave me the ick and the editing wasn’t great. Lots of errors and spelling mistakes like it was written quickly or something.
Seriously what. the. FUCK? I have no other words for that uncomfortable plot development. It was just so damn weird. Not to mention that the characters felt completely different and the romance between Scarlett and Claudia was so damn dry here. Where was the passion? What was the point of this follow up?? I’ll stick to Scarlett Fever and write this off as a fever dream that I had one time.
Will Smith do ya thing man. I want to forget this!
Okay…. Twist in the plot which you may or may not see it coming. Some might not like the twist and how the plot unfolds. Me? Well, it was still an entertaining read even with the plot twist, the drama/anguish that the family faced when Claudia met with an accident, and the banters. Perhaps there will be a book 3 somewhere in the making, what’s with Diana and where her character went in Book 2. Well, one can only wish 😊
Wow!! The twist in this story but it just strengthens Claudia and Scarlett's love for one another! What a great extension of Scarlett Fever! I recomend reading Scarlett Fever first, and it's worth more than 5 stars, like this one is too!
I have read this series several times. All I can say is the books are so hot and awesome. This book has so much more emotional ups and Downs. It makes you chuckle, blurry eyed with emotion and heart sing with joy. Just read the 3 books in this series but in order.
I totally enjoyed the first book and was very much looking forward to this one. However, I found myself very disappointed.
The first thing you’ll notice is that there isn’t one plot line; there are three very distinct separate plots that only overlap a little bit. Which is fine. I’ve read books like this before and they worked out perfectly.
First plot line was very much like a Jerry Springer episode. Which the author joked about, but honestly, it’s not the type of thing that I’ve ever liked , and I don’t see, honestly, why it was necessary at all. The other two plot lines would have made just as intriguing a story.
The other thing I didn’t care about was there were a lot of “scenes?“ that were totally unnecessary to either one of the plots. And, there was no character growth at all, so they were completely unnecessary. I found myself skipping through many parts of this book, hoping it would get better, but it never did. So many expectations only to be let down.
I wish I would have passed on this one so I could remember liking the first one.
The first book of this series didn’t quite win me over, but the second one completely changed my mind.
What really impressed me was the growth of the MC’s relationship. The healthy communication between them made their connection feel authentic and inspiring.
Although the central drama seemed unusual at first, it eventually blended perfectly into the story, adding depth that kept me hooked until the end. The author skillfully tied everything together, making the plotline feel essential.
Overall, this book shines in the series, offering a satisfying mix of romance, drama, and well-developed characters. If the first book didn’t fully grab you, the second one just might.
I would recommend reading Jamie's review and maybe trying a sample before picking this up. Also, I loved it.
What it's about: Claire Highton-Stevenson takes her gloves off and throws two major curveballs at our lovely couple. How you're going to feel about these curveballs will very much depend on what you're comfortable with - so I would highly recommend clicking the spoiler tags in Jamie's review. For reference, Jamie loved book 1 and hated book 2, whereas I am more or less the opposite.
What I thought: whereas Scarlett Fever was forgettable, this book is anything but. Chapter 17 had me laughing so hard I cried.
The thing that made this book so enjoyable was that all the drama was a) unexpected and b) something that brought everyone closer together. Yes, the plot is outrageous, but the happy endings and the emotional processing felt real. Scarlett's character also became much more accessible, and I really liked how she grew and developed in this story.
As for criticisms, CHS really does need an editor. The prose is not the focus, and it shows in the way that this book was written. If this sounds like it may bother you, several reviewers have recommended the audible version.
TL;DR: this was a book full of Maddox family drama, and I guiltily loved every minute of it. While I am still not sold on the way that CHS writes intimacy, I really did root for Claudia and Scarlett in the end. I am also going to add my voice to the chorus of readers requesting a Diana-led companion novel, ideally which will be an insta-buy.
I was hyped for this book because I really enjoyed Scarlett Fever, but I had a couple of significant issues with this sequel.
The first is that it feels like it's covering so much, but not deeply enough. From Scarlett's genetics, to Claudia's accident, to whatever happens afterwards and everything in between-I really wish this book had been split into two.
My second issue is the egregious amount of typographical errors. It is simply unbelievable. Commas where periods should've been, misspellings... They don't feel "missed." They feel closer to "not proofread."
I'd probably consider rereading a tightened and cleaned version of the book and reevaluating my score, if it ever happens.
The world can turn upside down only to find you are right where you are ment to be.
Scarlett and Claudia are navigating some unknown experiences and a few surprises. Their love is just the source of all the room to grow. I love the twists in this story that turns the word family into more that anyone knew. This couple is just so delicious and the way they work thru crisis as a family priceless. I confess I wanted to still dislike Jack but just could not. This romance was just the hottest and the family vibe the weirdest but it worked. As with all of Claire Highton-Stevenson books I enjoyed the journey, loved the characters, chuckled often (Bea was a hoot) and loved this story.
Scarlett is a gem! Such a kind soul. The twist was unexpected and so very entertaining.
Update: Second time reading this series! I upgraded to 5 stars. Ive read so many books after this and I was reminded how much I loved these characters. This was so well written. It is spicy in all the right ways. It is funny and witty. I love Zara. The family dynamics are hilarious. I LOVE the two MCs together. The respect, communication, and chemistry were just great!
I enjoyed reading more of Claudia and Scarlett’s story. I was so surprised for what it contained. I almost fell out of my bed. The twists and turns this plot sequence took them was quite jarring to say the least. But they got through it with grace and dignity all wrapped up in love. But Claudia and Scarlett showed us everyday even through the many trials why love won and they are together. It was definitely written in the stars. Unknowingly Scarlett has always been destined to be a part of their lives and future.
This also helps kick off Diana’s story. I can’t wait to read hers. She interests me more than any of the others. She made a comment about coming to get her sister Zara and her nephew from her mother’s house because she missed her and wanted her home. That made me go hmmm. Especially after what happened with her husband.
I love the stories that this author writes. It is filled with love, angst, loyalty, family, and forgiveness.
“Scarlett” A Sequel That Reminds Us What Claire Can Do To A Story!
Claire Highton-Stevenson has an uncanny sense when to add a twist to a story to make it shine. I loved “Scarlett Fever” and I even put in my review that even though I loved it, I thought it was tame from this writer. Now I am sorry I wrote that. You needed that tameness in the first book for the story of “Scarlett” to be the shocker that it was. It was a storyline that takes us to Scarlett’s home life and how she grew up with her Dad in her mind, hating her. She is now living with Claudia and as they are embarking on changes with their jobs, she is hit hard with a shocker that no one saw coming. While trying to deal with this new twist in her life, a tragedy happens that alters Scarlett and Claudia’s life. So Good! I see another story with Diana coming 🤷🏻♀️
I was thrilled to see a sequel to Scarlett Fever. As I said in my review of the first book, this was the perfect combination of romance and intimacy, written in such a magical way.
And to be invited back into the life of Claudia and Scarlett was a true joy,
I will admit I found the twist quite out there, as far as twists go. But it only served to deepen the bonds built in Fever.
I would like to say that there was one element that was borderline disappointing - and something I see occur in sequels quite often - the intimacy scenes were more fade to black than following through. As a reader, I don’t want to be teased. I want all the blissful details I know Claire is capable of providing!
Scarlett has skyrocketed to one of my all time favourite sequels, and I hope this isn’t the last we’ve seen of the Madlor Taydox family.
I appreciated getting to see the continuation of Scarlett and Claudia's story, though this one took a good bit of suspension of disbelief. That's mitigated somewhat by the acknowledgement within the text of how absurd one of the plot points is. But it is a catalyst for development across all characters, both MCs and their families. I felt like the healing of family ties was well paced and explored, and I came to respect some characters from the previous book whom I had felt were probably irredeemable. Overall, I enjoyed this book, even though it was very much a just-go-with-it kind of read. I liked getting to see this slice of life, and I'm looking forward to the next book centered around this family.
I thought the first book was my sapphic dreams come true... well, hello book 2. Bam- queue the family soap opera drama and I was 100% there for it.
These two MC's give one another so much grace to find their way in life that it makes for a refreshing and beautiful read. Did I need the genetics reveal and that medical intervention? Absolutely not- I was yelling at the book for 30% of it, but good gracious, I love this little squished up family of women and a little man trying to make their lives their own. If ya find this in your recs, grab it and get cozy because you will not put it down til it has been consumed in its entirety.
Wow, what a second instalment! It has love, secrets, heartache, disaster and back to love. All tied up in a package that will keep you tuning those pages. I seriously couldn’t put it down. Having met all these characters before it was great to see them move forward as a family. And the ending was just…so much fluffy stuff your head might as well be in the clouds. I am gonna need a 3rd book though! Or at least a Diana story in the near future. Personally I think that could be such a great read.
You must read Scarlett Fever before reading this!! Both books are worth more then 5 stars. I fell in love with the characters each and every one of them. I hated that the this book ended, I wanted to know more about certain relationships that began. The story in these books could definitely go on and I hope the author has that planned. By far my two favorite books. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
OMG! I cried through my laughter! This is one of my favorite reads ever.
I knew Claire Highton-Stevenson would not disappoint me but I was not prepared for just how much this book touched my heart. The characters are spot on, the story full of action and the setting just right. Honestly, this book is going on my to be read again shelf.
I really enjoyed the first book in this series. The twists and turns along the way to a HEA were interesting. Claudia & Scarlett’s love for each other is put to the test in ways I didn’t see coming. If you haven’t read the first book, then do that first. I can hope for a third book because I really want to see if Dianna and Shannon get together.
Thank you for writing a sequel to the Maddox clan. It was great catching up with them all again. If you haven’t read the 1st one I’d definitely recommend you do as this story flows from the 1st. The chemistry is so believable that I find myself immersed completely. An age gap truly romantic story. I loved it.
Book 2 is just as good as Book 1. Talk about keeping it all in the family! I would really love to see a Book 3 to see if Diana and Shannon work out and see how the expanded family works with Father/Ex-husband's new baby making an appearance. Maybe Di and Shan will add to the family. One can only hope...
What a wonderful sequel! Second books are always risky, but fear not, this one knocks it out of the park! Filled with twists and turns, drama and family, this will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. Absolute winner!
I couldn’t put this sequel down!! It has several, “I didn’t see that coming”moments which kept me reading!!Thanks for continuing Scarlett & Claudia’s story. It could go on and on.
A great sequel to this series. Filled with complexity of family dynamics. It shows that through love, understanding, communication and letting go. One finds the truest form of happiness.
A continuous story from Scarlet Fever, following the story of the two main characters with a twist and suspense. New love stories, a lot of emotions, plenty of feelings and intense scenes. Plus what a lovely happy ending. Nice to read book and very enjoyable story.
This is the second book to the Scarlet Fever storyline and I liked it I would say more than the first one. I will warn you if you are queezy there are hospital scenes but other than that it was really good! I enjoyed it! The spicy scenes were really good! I would recommend this book!