Flame for Foe

Bandit Brothers #6

by Raleigh Damson

She's the little sister who has never been taken seriously.
He's the guy her brother blames for the untimely loss of their friend. Erik Knight never talks about his past…or talks that much at all. He’s definitely the strong and silent type.
But his actions have always said a lot-this isn’t the first time he’s helped her out of a jam.
Kayleigh Walsh needs a job and if she can score an interview with the owner of a shady club, she’ll get it...just one problem…she needs a Dom.
As Erik trains her to be a submissive, the affection between them grows into a sizzling attraction.
Can they overcome secrets and one scowling brother to get their happily ever after together?

330 pages, Paperback

Published August 30, 2023

Reviews

[Michelle Frater · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor Kayleigh was one hot mess; out of money, out of a job and simply out of luck. It would be hard to describe how I saw her; kindly put I’d say young and naïve, but sometimes just plain immature and stupid. Despite family and friends, she seemed to have slipped through the cracks and no one noticed she had a problem. Well, quite a few to be fair, but I didn’t like the way everyone treated her as if she was a ditz. Enter, appropriately named Erik Knight. His best friend Quinn’s little sister awakened his protective streak. Agreeing to help her investigate a seedy sex club was the last thing on his mind, nor was becoming Kayleigh’s pretend Dom and teaching her submission. I loved watching their interactions and how Kayleigh’s mind calmed under Erik’s steady hand as he shared his favorite kinks. However, as Kayleigh explores her newfound sexuality, a secret she has failed to share could put both their lives at risk. Yet, despite my ambiguous feelings about Kayleigh’s frame of mind, this was a fast-paced, steamy book that I would recommend wholeheartedly to all of us dreaming of our own dominant knight.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Silke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Flame for Foe is the 6th book in the Bandit Brothers, but the 1st one I've read. It's advertised as a standalone, but I found myself missing background info until the very end of the book, when past events are explained, so might be better read in order. The romance between Erik and Kayleigh starts in this book and there is a HEA for the couple. I found myself shaking my head more than once at both the main characters as well as the other Bandit Brothers, especially Quinn. Their behaviour towards Kayleigh is just as unbelievable as some of her actions. I get that asking for help is harder for some people than others, but I wanted to shout 'enough' more than once. I did like Erik's careful introduction of Kayleigh into a d/s relationship and there are plenty of steamy sexy scenes.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bookgal13 · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was my first DNF, which is kinda amazing with how much I read. I made it a little more than halfway through the book, and just couldn’t justify struggling through the rest. I seriously hated the main female character, Kayleigh. She was beyond immature/selfish and just unrealistic with how the world works. The main male character, Erik, wasn’t terrible. However, he’s pretty much fine with how Kayleigh reacts and treats situations, then basically rewards her in the bedroom…because she’s had a sheltered upbringing and doesn’t know any better. I’m sorry, but a five year old would realize that her choices in life are not the brightest. I did receive this book for an honest review, and I feel bad for the one-star review…but, honestly I struggled to make it as far as I did with this one.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I honestly struggled to like Kayleigh in this book. I understand that she has a crappy past, but I thought she was beyond lazy in the beginning. She literally didn't have a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of and Eric lets her stay at his place for free. To learn that she doesn't pick up after herself and really only starts helping when she is given praise, is so beyond immature. If I was Eric, I would have kicked her out! All he did was enable bad behavior. She needed to learn that all actions have consequences. I just thought Eric could have done so much better than lazy Kayleigh. I received an ARC copy.

[Amanda Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kayleigh and Eric

I absolutely loved this book. The way the dynamic between Kayleigh and Eric grew throughout the story was just beautiful. It was refreshing to see a D/s relationship portrayed in a way that wasn’t immediately focused on smex. I mean it went there eventually and it was super spicy but wasn’t immediate. I also love that Kayleigh was neurodivergent but it was written as a strength not a weakness and Eric just embraced it. I have only read two of the six books in this series but plan on going back and reading them all. Looking forward to Ares’ story.

[Rach3l · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read. Even though I haven’t read all of the books in the series, I think this still worked well as a standalone. These characters were fun to read about and had some interesting relationships which I’m sure were better explained in some of the previous books. It also gave a peek into the next book in the series which peaked my interest. I look forward to reading more.

Side note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review

[Mckenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did enjoy this read! In the beginning I was struggling with Kayleigh’s character. But Kayleigh has gone through a lot and we get to fine out throughout the book. Eric helper her find herself. Kayleigh struggles with asking for help and she seems like she didn’t have the best up bringing. With Eric becoming her Dom he doesn’t let her just bottle up her feelings and has her asking for help which is what she needs. Kayleigh deserves happiness and she found it with Eric.

[Amanda Haasis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me just say! Bravo!!! I got this as an ARC and absolutely love it! Kayleigh is a you lady who has had a crap hand at life. While she is down for luck, she 🤢 on Erik’s lovely shoes. She needs his help to get in to a bdsm club. Only for her to get a fairly tale!!!

[Cassie Hollenbeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book six was incredible! It was a rollercoaster ride from start to finish and I loved every part of it! I loved that we got to see more of the other characters, too, and how they grow with the main two from each book. Thank you so much for the arc! I cannot wait for the next book!

[K G Wakeley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it...

I so waited for Eric's story, to me he was the ideal quiet grump soldier. Putting Kayleigh and him together was brilliant. Both had issues but Eric became my hero all over again. There were so many issues between them but love prevails. A must read.

[Laiba Malik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this story however I kinda struggled with Kayliegh's character in the beginning. The story was a roller coaster ride till the end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review

[El · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raleigh really caught me off guard with how well written this was, I was emotionally invested from the start. Flame for Foe is a page-turner and has well written BDSM & Kink elements while maintaining a beautiful forbidden love trope. Falling for your big brother's ex -best friend is bound to be trouble. We just need to hope Kayleigh and Erik can withstand all that their darker side has yet to show them.

I will definitely be diving into more work by Raleigh and you can look forward to some mood boards on my socials because I am obsessed! If you're a lover of forbidden and lusty romance with a good plot this is for you. Raleigh is lacking in neither department with this book.
The FMC is relatable and has been through hell, but that's nothing our sexy MMC Erik can't help with.

Ellie’s Rating Scale:
Spice: 🌶️ 3.5
Plot: 4.5
Overall: 4.5 🙌🏼
(I read this as an ARC read & I am leaving an unapologetically authentic review)
(I read this as an ARC read & I am leaving an unapologetically authentic review)

[Trinity Reznor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another awesome book from Raleigh!

The little sister of your best friend, who you are fighting with, isn't the one you should fall for. Erik and Kaleigh's journey is sweet, hot and smexy!!! Another awesome book in the series!

[Savsshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the better books that this author has published! You can tell that her writing has improved dramatically from some of her other books, and I can’t wait to see what comes next!