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Carmichael Family #5
Flame
RSVP to my Marriage of Convenience
I swore I would only get married if my life depended on it. Oh, the irony.
Many things have happened over the past few weeks that I didn’t see coming. My family imploded. Our business was turned upside down. And someone threatened to harm me if I didn’t make good on my father’s promises.
But the biggest thing I didn’t see coming?
Foxx Carmichael demanding marriage.
He’s doing it out of loyalty to my brother. I know that. But I can’t help but think if, through that deliciously hot, grumpy exterior, my bodyguard doesn’t have ulterior motives.
There’s no denying the fire in his touch or the heat in his blue eyes. He protects me with a ferocity that leaves me breathless. He makes me rethink many things I thought I knew for sure—like my position on marriage.
But how we dance around our fake relationship makes me wonder what part of this is pretend. None of it matters if he doesn’t admit he feels the same way.
Our sham wedding will fall apart as soon as the threat is contained. But what happens if the flames between us burn everything to the ground first?
I swore I would only get married if my life depended on it. Oh, the irony.
Many things have happened over the past few weeks that I didn’t see coming. My family imploded. Our business was turned upside down. And someone threatened to harm me if I didn’t make good on my father’s promises.
But the biggest thing I didn’t see coming?
Foxx Carmichael demanding marriage.
He’s doing it out of loyalty to my brother. I know that. But I can’t help but think if, through that deliciously hot, grumpy exterior, my bodyguard doesn’t have ulterior motives.
There’s no denying the fire in his touch or the heat in his blue eyes. He protects me with a ferocity that leaves me breathless. He makes me rethink many things I thought I knew for sure—like my position on marriage.
But how we dance around our fake relationship makes me wonder what part of this is pretend. None of it matters if he doesn’t admit he feels the same way.
Our sham wedding will fall apart as soon as the threat is contained. But what happens if the flames between us burn everything to the ground first?
276 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 19, 2023
About the author
Adriana Locke
94 books16.2k followersAdriana Locke is a USA Today and Amazon Charts Bestselling author with a knack for writing swoony, unforgettable contemporary romances. At nineteen, she traded her small-town roots for big-city life, only to realize her heart beats for quiet mornings and cozy chaos. These days, she’s living her happily-ever-after in Ohio with Mr. Locke—her high school sweetheart—four lively sons, and two hilariously hyper Jack Russell terriers.
When she’s not penning love stories that will leave you laughing and sighing, Adriana is battling the epic quest of missing silverware, “gardening” (a.k.a. chatting with her plants), or leaving her grocery list on the counter as she heads to the store. Grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and let her books whisk you away to a world of heartwarming romance and irresistible heroes.
When she’s not penning love stories that will leave you laughing and sighing, Adriana is battling the epic quest of missing silverware, “gardening” (a.k.a. chatting with her plants), or leaving her grocery list on the counter as she heads to the store. Grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and let her books whisk you away to a world of heartwarming romance and irresistible heroes.
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November 23, 2023“What do you find attractive, Foxx?”
“Logic and common sense.”
She laughs, her face lighting up. She’s so beautiful.
“What do I find attractive?” I ask, letting my hands roam freely over her. “Your mind.”
She dangles her arms over my shoulders.
“This delectable body,” I say.
She grins.
I bring my lips against hers. “Calling you my wife.”
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
🧨 bodyguard
🖤 grumpy hero / sunshine heroine
💍 marriage of convenience
🏡 blue collar boy / big city heroine
🐓 Banks (because he really is a trope at this point, right? 🤣)
RSVP to my Marriage of Convenience
I swore I would only get married if my life depended on it. Oh, the irony.
Many things have happened over the past few weeks that I didn’t see coming. My family imploded. Our business was turned upside down. And someone threatened to harm me if I didn’t make good on my father’s promises.
But the biggest thing I didn’t see coming?
Foxx Carmichael demanding marriage.
He’s doing it out of loyalty to my brother. I know that. But I can’t help but think if, through that deliciously hot, grumpy exterior, my bodyguard doesn’t have ulterior motives.
There’s no denying the fire in his touch or the heat in his blue eyes. He protects me with a ferocity that leaves me breathless. He makes me rethink many things I thought I knew for sure—like my position on marriage.
But how we dance around our fake relationship makes me wonder what part of this is pretend. None of it matters if he doesn’t admit he feels the same way.
Our sham wedding will fall apart as soon as the threat is contained. But what happens if the flames between us burn everything to the ground first?
“Logic and common sense.”
She laughs, her face lighting up. She’s so beautiful.
“What do I find attractive?” I ask, letting my hands roam freely over her. “Your mind.”
She dangles her arms over my shoulders.
“This delectable body,” I say.
She grins.
I bring my lips against hers. “Calling you my wife.”
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
🧨 bodyguard
🖤 grumpy hero / sunshine heroine
💍 marriage of convenience
🏡 blue collar boy / big city heroine
🐓 Banks (because he really is a trope at this point, right? 🤣)
RSVP to my Marriage of Convenience
I swore I would only get married if my life depended on it. Oh, the irony.
Many things have happened over the past few weeks that I didn’t see coming. My family imploded. Our business was turned upside down. And someone threatened to harm me if I didn’t make good on my father’s promises.
But the biggest thing I didn’t see coming?
Foxx Carmichael demanding marriage.
He’s doing it out of loyalty to my brother. I know that. But I can’t help but think if, through that deliciously hot, grumpy exterior, my bodyguard doesn’t have ulterior motives.
There’s no denying the fire in his touch or the heat in his blue eyes. He protects me with a ferocity that leaves me breathless. He makes me rethink many things I thought I knew for sure—like my position on marriage.
But how we dance around our fake relationship makes me wonder what part of this is pretend. None of it matters if he doesn’t admit he feels the same way.
Our sham wedding will fall apart as soon as the threat is contained. But what happens if the flames between us burn everything to the ground first?
November 21, 2023
If you're looking for a wholesome and unbearably sweet romance, then look no further because Flame is the book for you! Foxx's story was one that I'd anticipated for a LONG time and I'm happy to say that Miss Adriana really delivered with this one. I absolutely loved reading about Bianca and Foxx together. Right from the beginning, the tension and chemistry between them was palpable and the spice...MY OH MY WASN'T IT GOOD! 5/5 stars because the found family trope never not hits and because I adore the Carmichael family. This series feels like a warm (and much needed) hug and while I am sad to see it end, I'm really looking forward to reading Jason's story next. Also, just an fyi...Banks was most def the highlight of the story for me - he always manages to crack me up with his antics lol.
*Thank you to Adriana Locke and Valentine PR for providing me with an ARC!
*Thank you to Adriana Locke and Valentine PR for providing me with an ARC!
November 20, 2023
4.5 stars
I couldn’t help but binge this in one day! Flame was the right name for this book because phew these two burned up the pages. Bianca and Foxx have such amazing chemistry and the steam is just next level!
Adriana is so good at making insta love, not feel like Insta love. Granted these two have known each other for a while, but hadn’t had contact. Their story fell seamlessly together! They had depth and things they needed to overcome.
I loved the banter and the humour. This family is just so much fun! I loved getting answers to things from previous books and how it was all tied up nicely in a bow! I loved it!
I couldn’t help but binge this in one day! Flame was the right name for this book because phew these two burned up the pages. Bianca and Foxx have such amazing chemistry and the steam is just next level!
Adriana is so good at making insta love, not feel like Insta love. Granted these two have known each other for a while, but hadn’t had contact. Their story fell seamlessly together! They had depth and things they needed to overcome.
I loved the banter and the humour. This family is just so much fun! I loved getting answers to things from previous books and how it was all tied up nicely in a bow! I loved it!
July 23, 2026
4 stars
I don’t know why it took me so long to finish this series, but I’m so glad I did! I love the Carmichael family and was looking forward to Foxx’s book. It didn’t take me long to remember all these great characters. Such a fun family and fun book :)
I don’t know why it took me so long to finish this series, but I’m so glad I did! I love the Carmichael family and was looking forward to Foxx’s book. It didn’t take me long to remember all these great characters. Such a fun family and fun book :)
Audio book source: Audible
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: CJ Bloom & Teddy Hamilton
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Romance
Length: 7h 14m
November 20, 2023
I don't know how it's possible but Adriana definitely saved the best for last in the Carmichael series. And while I'm sure that this book is amazing on its own- it is simply phenomenal when you have already read the previous 4 Carmichael books as well as The Proposal- which introduces us to the Brewer family and all the drama that continues to unfold in this book.
Flame is the long awaited story of the elusive Foxx Carmichael and it is EVERYTHING. The wait was well worth it when the gruff man of few words finds himself volunteering to enter a marriage of convenience with his best friends little sister- Bianca Brewer. This book is packed with all the bits of humor I've come to love from the Carmichaels- and with Banks being Banks throughout the story it really couldn't be helped but it also has these snippets of suspense and the mysterious animal texter is finally revealed. But the thing that kept me absolutely glued to the pages and staying up well past when I should have?
THE FREAKING HEAT 🔥🥵🔥
Adriana knew what she was doing when she titled this book Flame because good heavens Foxx Carmichael- that man doesn't need to talk to know what he is doing, but ooh does he decided to get chatty!
I love comfortable relationship between Foxx and Bianca. I loved how she kind of challenged him but also helped him be more at ease even when he's in his home environment while he wanted to be the one to take care of her while she took care of everyone else. They just balance each other. Adriana's spin on the best friends little sister being off limits was fantastic and just added to the easy flow of the overall story.
Perfect ending to this series and I can't wait to get more of the Brewers in the future!
Flame is the long awaited story of the elusive Foxx Carmichael and it is EVERYTHING. The wait was well worth it when the gruff man of few words finds himself volunteering to enter a marriage of convenience with his best friends little sister- Bianca Brewer. This book is packed with all the bits of humor I've come to love from the Carmichaels- and with Banks being Banks throughout the story it really couldn't be helped but it also has these snippets of suspense and the mysterious animal texter is finally revealed. But the thing that kept me absolutely glued to the pages and staying up well past when I should have?
THE FREAKING HEAT 🔥🥵🔥
Adriana knew what she was doing when she titled this book Flame because good heavens Foxx Carmichael- that man doesn't need to talk to know what he is doing, but ooh does he decided to get chatty!
I love comfortable relationship between Foxx and Bianca. I loved how she kind of challenged him but also helped him be more at ease even when he's in his home environment while he wanted to be the one to take care of her while she took care of everyone else. They just balance each other. Adriana's spin on the best friends little sister being off limits was fantastic and just added to the easy flow of the overall story.
Perfect ending to this series and I can't wait to get more of the Brewers in the future!
April 2, 2024
the Carmichaels
Flirt — 3.75 stars
Fling — 3 stars
Fluke — 2.5 stars
Flaunt — 4 stars
>> Flame — 3.5 stars
✎grumpy/sunshine
✎marriage of convenience
✎forced proximity
✎bodyguard
Much like Jess’s book, I feel like I cannot not comment on Banks. Plus Flame kicks off with him lining up his most daring target, so I’m gonna get out of the way first.
➤Although Banks is my favorite Carmichael brother, it was entertaining as hell to see Foxx put the fear of God in him, by fully intending to make him pay for crossing the line 😂. Because of ALL his brothers, EVERYONE (I mean e-v-e-r-y-o-n-e) knows not to test Foxx 🫣. Between the trouble he was already in with his big brother & his smart mouth, I think Banks owes their mama a big fat thank you…& a fruit basket & like an all-expenses paid membership to a fancy spa on him. Had she not been there as a witness, he might’ve been pushing up daisies without her 😂.
As for the rest of Flame …
⛔️ fyi — some may view some stuff below as spoilerish, some might not. ⛔️
I’m conflicted on this one. Because when all is said & done, Flame is a decent read. I ended up liking Foxx & Bianca both together & separately. I especially dig his aloof ‘grumpy, but sweet only for her’ side of their whole grumpy/sunshine dynamic. How protective he is of her & devoted himself to her when they finally began crossing lines as well. While she needed his protection, I was glad she didn’t feel like a doormat, damsel in distress. She’s a sassy boss babe yet has a vulnerable side too. It was nice as their relationship eventually developed, they became works-in-progress together for the kind of life they both came to realize they wanted.
Where the conflict comes from is that there’s easily enough untapped potential/groundwork present to not only be a better book, but could’ve been the best book of the series. It’s not that missed opportunities ruined everything or it was some sort of sh!tshow, but some nagged at me more than others. Such as…
✎ Too much telling vs showing. I’ve been going back & forth debating with myself if this is possibly something that’s been around in AL’s books (as I’ve been reading her books for years) & is just starting to bug me now for some reason or if this is a recent development rearing up in this series. I feel like it’s the latter, but I’m not 100%.
✎ The timeline…errr or in places, gaping lack thereof/missing extended prologue (or however you wish to put it). I suppose this issue falls under being a byproduct of the previous problem. For whatever reason, AL seems to be expecting the reader to latch on & invest in the h & H being together as a couple with minimal reason established at best. We’re told the gist, that they have past working history(2 years, pre-book) together where lines were beginning to blur, yet anything further, we’re left out of the loop & don’t get any establishing experience of how that developing chemistry. We’re just supposed to accept it as so after the fact. No flashbacks, no extended prologue, no time jump…Nothing. Nada. Zip! I don’t even typically like time jumps, but that’s how much I feel we(the readers) & the characters were short-changed. This is why when reflecting on the positives earlier I used words like ‘ended up’ & ‘eventually’. Having the first few milestones absent from the storytelling, I felt like I was held at a standstill because there wasn’t room to expand much of what was left to evolve between h & H without turning Flame into a very short novella. It just delayed the story too long from finding its footing.
✎ ^^^ What’s the more unfortunate thing about this storytelling problem is I’ve noticed it trending in AL’s writing. It’s happened before here in the Carmichaels series (& the kickoff to Bianca’s family’s series, the Brewers [The Proposal — Renn’s book]) already. At least Flame didn’t go past the point of no return, compared to some of her other books where the issue popped up. Here it recovered to a degree that the storytelling kind of found its way…eventually 😉. Hopefully, this latter trend will be short-lived.
Flirt — 3.75 stars
Fling — 3 stars
Fluke — 2.5 stars
Flaunt — 4 stars
>> Flame — 3.5 stars
✎grumpy/sunshine
✎marriage of convenience
✎forced proximity
✎bodyguard
Much like Jess’s book, I feel like I cannot not comment on Banks. Plus Flame kicks off with him lining up his most daring target, so I’m gonna get out of the way first.
➤Although Banks is my favorite Carmichael brother, it was entertaining as hell to see Foxx put the fear of God in him, by fully intending to make him pay for crossing the line 😂. Because of ALL his brothers, EVERYONE (I mean e-v-e-r-y-o-n-e) knows not to test Foxx 🫣. Between the trouble he was already in with his big brother & his smart mouth, I think Banks owes their mama a big fat thank you…& a fruit basket & like an all-expenses paid membership to a fancy spa on him. Had she not been there as a witness, he might’ve been pushing up daisies without her 😂.
As for the rest of Flame …
⛔️ fyi — some may view some stuff below as spoilerish, some might not. ⛔️
I’m conflicted on this one. Because when all is said & done, Flame is a decent read. I ended up liking Foxx & Bianca both together & separately. I especially dig his aloof ‘grumpy, but sweet only for her’ side of their whole grumpy/sunshine dynamic. How protective he is of her & devoted himself to her when they finally began crossing lines as well. While she needed his protection, I was glad she didn’t feel like a doormat, damsel in distress. She’s a sassy boss babe yet has a vulnerable side too. It was nice as their relationship eventually developed, they became works-in-progress together for the kind of life they both came to realize they wanted.
Where the conflict comes from is that there’s easily enough untapped potential/groundwork present to not only be a better book, but could’ve been the best book of the series. It’s not that missed opportunities ruined everything or it was some sort of sh!tshow, but some nagged at me more than others. Such as…
✎ Too much telling vs showing. I’ve been going back & forth debating with myself if this is possibly something that’s been around in AL’s books (as I’ve been reading her books for years) & is just starting to bug me now for some reason or if this is a recent development rearing up in this series. I feel like it’s the latter, but I’m not 100%.
✎ The timeline…errr or in places, gaping lack thereof/missing extended prologue (or however you wish to put it). I suppose this issue falls under being a byproduct of the previous problem. For whatever reason, AL seems to be expecting the reader to latch on & invest in the h & H being together as a couple with minimal reason established at best. We’re told the gist, that they have past working history(2 years, pre-book) together where lines were beginning to blur, yet anything further, we’re left out of the loop & don’t get any establishing experience of how that developing chemistry. We’re just supposed to accept it as so after the fact. No flashbacks, no extended prologue, no time jump…Nothing. Nada. Zip! I don’t even typically like time jumps, but that’s how much I feel we(the readers) & the characters were short-changed. This is why when reflecting on the positives earlier I used words like ‘ended up’ & ‘eventually’. Having the first few milestones absent from the storytelling, I felt like I was held at a standstill because there wasn’t room to expand much of what was left to evolve between h & H without turning Flame into a very short novella. It just delayed the story too long from finding its footing.
✎ ^^^ What’s the more unfortunate thing about this storytelling problem is I’ve noticed it trending in AL’s writing. It’s happened before here in the Carmichaels series (& the kickoff to Bianca’s family’s series, the Brewers [The Proposal — Renn’s book]) already. At least Flame didn’t go past the point of no return, compared to some of her other books where the issue popped up. Here it recovered to a degree that the storytelling kind of found its way…eventually 😉. Hopefully, this latter trend will be short-lived.
May 25, 2025
A bodyguard who falls in love with his client is never a good bodyguard. (Just ask Kevin Costner or Whitney Houston). This bodyguard here also seems to be the worst of all security guys, and I for one would distrust him just because of his name, Foxx. (But what can you expect from a father named Kixx?!) It's ridiculous.
Just like the book. The suspense part was pretty absurd, the love story was underwhelming und all these antics of the Carmichael siblings were nothing but annoying. I guess they are supposed to be cute and funny, though. Didn't work for me. Just like anything else in this book.
1.5
Just like the book. The suspense part was pretty absurd, the love story was underwhelming und all these antics of the Carmichael siblings were nothing but annoying. I guess they are supposed to be cute and funny, though. Didn't work for me. Just like anything else in this book.
1.5
December 30, 2023
I was provided an ARC of this book via the author and Valentine PR, all opinions are my own. I immediately dropped this book and didn't put it down until I finished. I read it in two sittings and it delivered on all of the things you would have wanted from a series finale. It has all of the feels and spice to boot.
This is the long awaited series conclusion of the Carmichael Family series where we finally get to see the elusive Foxx Carmichael in his natural habitat. Foxx is the eldest of the Carmichael siblings, and while you don't have to read all of their books first, you are going to want to so you understand their family dynamics and all of the inside jokes. This is a complete standalone, so if you start here you will be perfectly fine. Those of us who have been longtime fans of the series, have been waiting to get to know the broody silent brother for quite some time. We met Bianca briefly in The Proposal as she is Renn Brewer's sassy sister. This is also where we get some major insight into what Foxx does all day when he isn't being tormented by Banks shenanigans. Don't worry you don't need to read that book either, but I highly recommend it!
This book opens with a classic Banks prank, if you know you know. If you don't know Banks, lets just say he lives for pulling pranks on his brothers, this time it is Foxx's turn. Foxx is saved by his best friend Jason and his sister Bianca. Foxx and Bianca have a complicated relationship which is code for they are attracted to each other but because of personal and professional relationships they haven't moved out of the friend zone. Bianca and her family have been dealing with the fallout of some very bad and possibly illegal decisions their father made and as acting president of the company she is very stressed and the target of those decisions gone wrong. Jason and Foxx convince her to stay with Foxx for a pseudo vacation while things calm down at home and she will be out of the spotlight. Her legal team is busy going over all of the contracts her dad drew up and they find one requiring Bianca be married by her next birthday or the family business she worked so hard on will be majorly impacted. She never wanted to get married, but when Foxx demands she marry him to protect herself it doesn't sound so bad. They agree to a marriage of convivence but quickly come to realize that their feelings for each other aren't so fake after all and things quickly heat up.
Foxx and Bianca were such a fun couple. He is broody and quiet, while she is talkative and goes a mile a minute. They perfectly balance each other. Their relationship took off really quickly, but they had a backstory so this doesn't have an insta-love feel to it because they were friends prior and know each other well. We've been waiting for a long time to get to know Foxx who typically communicates in grunts or one word sentences, and it was so nice to see him open up and have actual conversations with Bianca. At the same time Bianca is this powerful CEO who has her own personal struggles. She is strong supporting everyone else and the company and forgets to take care of herself, it was so nice to see her be embraced by Foxx's family unit and find the support she didn't know she needed. They had great chemistry and the spicy scenes will not disappoint. There were a lot of other great scenes but I don't want to spoil anything.
This was a great ending and a nice crossover book with the Brewer series with the next book out at the end of December. I loved the appearances with the other Carmichael siblings and their partners as well as their parents who are lovely. Damaris also finally gets her couch which I loved!
This is the long awaited series conclusion of the Carmichael Family series where we finally get to see the elusive Foxx Carmichael in his natural habitat. Foxx is the eldest of the Carmichael siblings, and while you don't have to read all of their books first, you are going to want to so you understand their family dynamics and all of the inside jokes. This is a complete standalone, so if you start here you will be perfectly fine. Those of us who have been longtime fans of the series, have been waiting to get to know the broody silent brother for quite some time. We met Bianca briefly in The Proposal as she is Renn Brewer's sassy sister. This is also where we get some major insight into what Foxx does all day when he isn't being tormented by Banks shenanigans. Don't worry you don't need to read that book either, but I highly recommend it!
This book opens with a classic Banks prank, if you know you know. If you don't know Banks, lets just say he lives for pulling pranks on his brothers, this time it is Foxx's turn. Foxx is saved by his best friend Jason and his sister Bianca. Foxx and Bianca have a complicated relationship which is code for they are attracted to each other but because of personal and professional relationships they haven't moved out of the friend zone. Bianca and her family have been dealing with the fallout of some very bad and possibly illegal decisions their father made and as acting president of the company she is very stressed and the target of those decisions gone wrong. Jason and Foxx convince her to stay with Foxx for a pseudo vacation while things calm down at home and she will be out of the spotlight. Her legal team is busy going over all of the contracts her dad drew up and they find one requiring Bianca be married by her next birthday or the family business she worked so hard on will be majorly impacted. She never wanted to get married, but when Foxx demands she marry him to protect herself it doesn't sound so bad. They agree to a marriage of convivence but quickly come to realize that their feelings for each other aren't so fake after all and things quickly heat up.
Foxx and Bianca were such a fun couple. He is broody and quiet, while she is talkative and goes a mile a minute. They perfectly balance each other. Their relationship took off really quickly, but they had a backstory so this doesn't have an insta-love feel to it because they were friends prior and know each other well. We've been waiting for a long time to get to know Foxx who typically communicates in grunts or one word sentences, and it was so nice to see him open up and have actual conversations with Bianca. At the same time Bianca is this powerful CEO who has her own personal struggles. She is strong supporting everyone else and the company and forgets to take care of herself, it was so nice to see her be embraced by Foxx's family unit and find the support she didn't know she needed. They had great chemistry and the spicy scenes will not disappoint. There were a lot of other great scenes but I don't want to spoil anything.
This was a great ending and a nice crossover book with the Brewer series with the next book out at the end of December. I loved the appearances with the other Carmichael siblings and their partners as well as their parents who are lovely. Damaris also finally gets her couch which I loved!
September 24, 2025
Yine yeniden aynı işleyiş ama bir tık farklıydı. Bu sefer ilan vermek ve kadın karakter yerine Foxx direkt bodoslama istediğini talep etti. Fox'tan fazlasıyla umutluydum ama o da eşini bulunca kediye dönüştü 🤭🤭🤭 tabii bu dönüşüm sadece Bianca'ya özel oldu. Bildiğiniz herkese hıırrr sana mııırrr modunda gezdi. Keyifli miydi, evet keyifliydi, ara ara duygusala bağladık, ara ara güldük ve seriyi sonlandırdık. Peş peşe okumak yerine ara vererek okunursa daha keyifli okunur düşüncesindeyim.
November 22, 2023
I was looking forward to reading Foxx's story because I'm intrigued by what he really does for a living. He's mysterious and always aloof, even with his family. So imagine my anticipation as I read his story. Unfortunately, it was underwhelming, at least for me. For some reason, I didn't fully connect with the MCs, and I feel like something was missing in the story.
There's no build-up between Foxx and Bianca because they've already known each other for the last 3 years. He's been working in her security team for the last 2 years and a half, and he asked to be reassigned six months ago. They've had feelings for one another but didn't act on them because Foxx was loyal to his best friend, who is also Bianca's brother.
But now that someone wants to hurt Bianca, she was sent to Foxx's town, and her brother assigned Foxx to her security detail again. Like I said, there's no build-up whatsoever, and readers were supposed to feel the chemistry and tension between them, seeing as they've known each other for years. There's probably some tension because Bianca was annoyed that Foxx left her six months ago, and as for the chemistry, it wasn't that palpable.
Then the marriage of convenience was thrown into the plot, and they took this as their sign to finally admit their feelings. This is a slow burn, and nothing really happened between them until the 70% mark. I would probably enjoy this if Foxx didn't do the push-pull treatment most of the time. I would say Bianca did hold her ground at first but eventually caved in because she had it so bad for him.
The suspenseful part happened almost at the 90%-ish part, and it was anticlimactic, imo, and I had so many questions about that.
Anyway, though this didn't work for me, I'm sure other readers will love it.
There's no build-up between Foxx and Bianca because they've already known each other for the last 3 years. He's been working in her security team for the last 2 years and a half, and he asked to be reassigned six months ago. They've had feelings for one another but didn't act on them because Foxx was loyal to his best friend, who is also Bianca's brother.
But now that someone wants to hurt Bianca, she was sent to Foxx's town, and her brother assigned Foxx to her security detail again. Like I said, there's no build-up whatsoever, and readers were supposed to feel the chemistry and tension between them, seeing as they've known each other for years. There's probably some tension because Bianca was annoyed that Foxx left her six months ago, and as for the chemistry, it wasn't that palpable.
Then the marriage of convenience was thrown into the plot, and they took this as their sign to finally admit their feelings. This is a slow burn, and nothing really happened between them until the 70% mark. I would probably enjoy this if Foxx didn't do the push-pull treatment most of the time. I would say Bianca did hold her ground at first but eventually caved in because she had it so bad for him.
The suspenseful part happened almost at the 90%-ish part, and it was anticlimactic, imo, and I had so many questions about that.
Anyway, though this didn't work for me, I'm sure other readers will love it.
January 12, 2024
I enjoyed myself, but I think I may have benefitted from reading some of the prior books in this series.
I missed the connection between Foxx and Bianca. He was supposed to be mysterious, but I saw everything laid bare and an enigma he was not. Bianca was head over heels for him, but played hard to get in the moment. Game playing is a no-no for me. There was chemistry, but I didn't really feel it, despite the incredibly spicy scenes these characters shared.
Bianca's family dynamic was a bit confusing, but again, I think I would have understood if I had read one of the other books. Her father is dangerous and threatening and... Why though? The suspense element fell flat for me.
However, I enjoyed so many other things about this book, such as Foxx owning his feelings once he had the all-clear; Bianca discovering a part of herself that she was quickly falling in love with; all of the side characters and the ways they interacted with the main characters; and overall the writing.
I guess I need to add the previous books to my to-read list.
I missed the connection between Foxx and Bianca. He was supposed to be mysterious, but I saw everything laid bare and an enigma he was not. Bianca was head over heels for him, but played hard to get in the moment. Game playing is a no-no for me. There was chemistry, but I didn't really feel it, despite the incredibly spicy scenes these characters shared.
Bianca's family dynamic was a bit confusing, but again, I think I would have understood if I had read one of the other books. Her father is dangerous and threatening and... Why though? The suspense element fell flat for me.
However, I enjoyed so many other things about this book, such as Foxx owning his feelings once he had the all-clear; Bianca discovering a part of herself that she was quickly falling in love with; all of the side characters and the ways they interacted with the main characters; and overall the writing.
I guess I need to add the previous books to my to-read list.
November 19, 2023
I received an ARC from Valentine Pr 💗
I have loved this series with the Carmichaels and this was the perfect ending! Adriana made sure to tie up all the loose ends throughout the series and we finally find out who’s sending the texts (iykyk).
Foxx had been a bodyguard for the Brewer family but had developed feelings for Bianca and quit the team. Now, the family needs him to protect her and marry her to save the family business!
A grumpy/sunshine romance with a Bodyguard and a marriage of convenience just ticks all the boxes! Definitely check this whole series out!
And chapter 19 was 🥵🔥🌶🌶🌶
All the “My Wife” 😍
So happy to see more of my favorite Chicken Daddy 😂
I have loved this series with the Carmichaels and this was the perfect ending! Adriana made sure to tie up all the loose ends throughout the series and we finally find out who’s sending the texts (iykyk).
Foxx had been a bodyguard for the Brewer family but had developed feelings for Bianca and quit the team. Now, the family needs him to protect her and marry her to save the family business!
A grumpy/sunshine romance with a Bodyguard and a marriage of convenience just ticks all the boxes! Definitely check this whole series out!
And chapter 19 was 🥵🔥🌶🌶🌶
All the “My Wife” 😍
So happy to see more of my favorite Chicken Daddy 😂
December 29, 2023
I CANNOT WAIT FOR FOXX's STORY!
Flirt
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Fling
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Fluke
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Flaunt
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Flame
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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Flirthttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Flinghttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Flukehttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Flaunthttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Flamehttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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December 23, 2023
🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧
I don't even know how to start this review other than I HOPE IT'S NOT THE END!!
I was sooooo excited about Foxx's story, that I devoured this audiobook in a few hours!
Now I'm regretting the 1.5 speed, cause I wish it could have lasted longer! 😂
Foxx Carmichael is everything that I expected him to be, and more!
Alpha (obviously), protective, passionate, hot, caring, quiet, grumpy, invested, and as all the Carmichael siblings, a family man!
I feel like this end of year is bringing me to my knees with the end of a couple of book families that I'm obsessed about (like Adriana Locke's Carmichaels, Laura Pavlov's Reynolds and Elsie Silver's Eastons) so I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with the end of so many of my favorite series!
I'm happy that my grumpy baby Foxx got his HEA with such an amazing character as Bianca! She's sassy, fierce, loyal, and totally in love with Foxx. Go Foxxy! Their chemistry is spot on and it was sizzling since their first interaction!
When push come to shove, Foxx is there to save the day, and she doesn't waste time to hold on tight to her own Carmichael brother!
The family interaction in this book is chef's kiss, and the fact that there's NO third act breakup is like a thousand mile of bonus points!
I'll miss this family if this book is really the last one, but maybe we can have another one for Paige? Fingers crossed!
🎧 About the Audiobook Narration 🎧
Narrated by Teddy Hamilton and CJ Bloom and I don't think I need to say anything else!
Both are on my favorite narrators list, and as always, they did an amazing job bringing Foxx and Bianca to life.
I don't even know how to start this review other than I HOPE IT'S NOT THE END!!
I was sooooo excited about Foxx's story, that I devoured this audiobook in a few hours!
Now I'm regretting the 1.5 speed, cause I wish it could have lasted longer! 😂
Foxx Carmichael is everything that I expected him to be, and more!
Alpha (obviously), protective, passionate, hot, caring, quiet, grumpy, invested, and as all the Carmichael siblings, a family man!
I feel like this end of year is bringing me to my knees with the end of a couple of book families that I'm obsessed about (like Adriana Locke's Carmichaels, Laura Pavlov's Reynolds and Elsie Silver's Eastons) so I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with the end of so many of my favorite series!
I'm happy that my grumpy baby Foxx got his HEA with such an amazing character as Bianca! She's sassy, fierce, loyal, and totally in love with Foxx. Go Foxxy! Their chemistry is spot on and it was sizzling since their first interaction!
When push come to shove, Foxx is there to save the day, and she doesn't waste time to hold on tight to her own Carmichael brother!
The family interaction in this book is chef's kiss, and the fact that there's NO third act breakup is like a thousand mile of bonus points!
I'll miss this family if this book is really the last one, but maybe we can have another one for Paige? Fingers crossed!
🎧 About the Audiobook Narration 🎧
Narrated by Teddy Hamilton and CJ Bloom and I don't think I need to say anything else!
Both are on my favorite narrators list, and as always, they did an amazing job bringing Foxx and Bianca to life.
October 14, 2025
Bir seriyi daha bitirmiş oldum. Ben okurken çok eğlendim, tüm karakterler güzel işlenmişti bence. Konular birbirine benzerdi ama güzelliğine gölge düşürmemiş bu durum. Ben kardeşler arasında en çok Moss'u sevdim, onun tatlılığı bir başkaydı.
January 5, 2024
Obsessed with Foxx Carmichael! Flame by Adriana Locke was a hilarious and alluring marriage of convenience romance with added elements of suspense and laugh-out-loud moments that had my heart captivated from start to finish. Adriana may have just saved the best for last in her loveable Carmichael Family series because Foxx and Bianca’s romance did NOT disappoint. I do love a man of few words, and Foxx’s low and seductive whispery growl along with his loyal protective persona was irresistible. Bianca’s fiery determination to open her heart, and go after what she wanted was truly admirable. I loved the strong forbidden sexual tension between them in the beginning, yet once that barrier is shattered how explosive and HOT their chemistry becomes. Plus, I could not get enough of this Carmicheal family and all their antics!
Overall, I LOVED this book. If you are a fan of a marriage of convenience romance with a hunky broody bodyguard, a powerhouse heroine in need of security detail, second chances, a reuniting auction, hilarious Carmicheal family mishaps, getting even, close proximity, a dedicated protective brother, wedding cake chicken fiascos, steamy hot honeymoon spice, random animal fact texts, a gasping dangerous climax, and a HEA will ignite a fire in your heart, then you will love Foxx and Bianca’s romance. I always look forward to more from Adriana Locke.
**Audio Review**
Yes, please! Foxx and Bianca's marriage of convenience love story in audio was passionate, witty, and HOT. CJ Bloom and Teddy Hamilton perform Flame in dual narration, fully embodying Foxx and Bianca. CJ perfectly conveyed Bianca's conflicted, dedicated, and desirable persona as she finally lets Foxx take care of her and protect her. Teddy gave Foxx a deep rich protective tone which portrayed his loyal-loving and fierce demeanor brilliantly. Both CJ and Teddy brought the heat with Foxx and Bianca's fiery hot chemistry that blazed even brighter once they were married.
Overall, I LOVED this book. If you are a fan of a marriage of convenience romance with a hunky broody bodyguard, a powerhouse heroine in need of security detail, second chances, a reuniting auction, hilarious Carmicheal family mishaps, getting even, close proximity, a dedicated protective brother, wedding cake chicken fiascos, steamy hot honeymoon spice, random animal fact texts, a gasping dangerous climax, and a HEA will ignite a fire in your heart, then you will love Foxx and Bianca’s romance. I always look forward to more from Adriana Locke.
**Audio Review**
Yes, please! Foxx and Bianca's marriage of convenience love story in audio was passionate, witty, and HOT. CJ Bloom and Teddy Hamilton perform Flame in dual narration, fully embodying Foxx and Bianca. CJ perfectly conveyed Bianca's conflicted, dedicated, and desirable persona as she finally lets Foxx take care of her and protect her. Teddy gave Foxx a deep rich protective tone which portrayed his loyal-loving and fierce demeanor brilliantly. Both CJ and Teddy brought the heat with Foxx and Bianca's fiery hot chemistry that blazed even brighter once they were married.
December 11, 2023
4 stars (rounded up)
Nawww! I really liked this bodyguard/client, brother’s best friend, marriage of convenience romance.
A mostly low angst and easy read, with a bit of push-and-pull between the main characters but they got over that pretty quickly.
And OMG Foxx. So much barely contained intensity. 🥵 His “but who takes care of you?” made me melt.
The Carmichael clan was also so wholesome. Lots of good vibes in this one.
Nawww! I really liked this bodyguard/client, brother’s best friend, marriage of convenience romance.
A mostly low angst and easy read, with a bit of push-and-pull between the main characters but they got over that pretty quickly.
And OMG Foxx. So much barely contained intensity. 🥵 His “but who takes care of you?” made me melt.
The Carmichael clan was also so wholesome. Lots of good vibes in this one.
November 23, 2023
3.5⭐️
I have been looking forward to Foxx’s book since we met him earlier in this series and then in The Proposal. Whilst I enjoyed this book, I struggled to connect with Foxx and felt like I never really got to know any more about him except that he had feelings for Bianca, and how he knew her brother. He is a man of very few words but even in his own book he was the same which meant I never really felt I got to learn more about him.
I liked his character and loved Bianca but would have liked to have seen a bit more of their history.
I do think it’s worth reading The Proposal before this book as it links the 2 families.
The ending was great (loved it) but the epilogue was a bit disappointing- this is the end of the family’s series so I would have liked a bit more of the other couples in the epilogue to round it off nicely. The 2 ongoing mysteries throughout the series seemed too easily solved and then not explained so I didn’t really understand those.
I have been looking forward to Foxx’s book since we met him earlier in this series and then in The Proposal. Whilst I enjoyed this book, I struggled to connect with Foxx and felt like I never really got to know any more about him except that he had feelings for Bianca, and how he knew her brother. He is a man of very few words but even in his own book he was the same which meant I never really felt I got to learn more about him.
I liked his character and loved Bianca but would have liked to have seen a bit more of their history.
I do think it’s worth reading The Proposal before this book as it links the 2 families.
The ending was great (loved it) but the epilogue was a bit disappointing- this is the end of the family’s series so I would have liked a bit more of the other couples in the epilogue to round it off nicely. The 2 ongoing mysteries throughout the series seemed too easily solved and then not explained so I didn’t really understand those.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2024
I hate books where the guy is so selfless because of some stupid favor or whatever that he’ll sacrifice their love over it. Listen it isn’t romantic or loving. It’s boring as fuck! He’d rather break her heart than fight for her. I Effen hate heroes. Gimme a villain who will burn the whole world for his love. No one wants a Saint.
November 21, 2023
Can’t wait! Do you think it’s Foxx and Becca?🤞🏻
August 6, 2025
2,5 stars
smut over love..
idk how to feel abt that
thank you nox yayınları for the pr! 💌
smut over love..
idk how to feel abt that
thank you nox yayınları for the pr! 💌
January 4, 2024
I’m sad that this is the final Carmichael book, but was super excited to finally read Foxx Carmichael’s story.
This is a marriage of convenience between him and Bianca Brewer. She is Foxx’s best friend’s sister. We met Bianca in The Proposal and he was part of the security team that protected her. He distanced himself from her when his feelings started to change.
Now, it’s been awhile since they have seen each other. She’s still in danger and in order to protect her, he offers marriage. There is still so much chemistry, attraction and great banter between them.
The audiobook, of course, is wonderfully narrated. CJ Bloom and Teddy Hamilton are pros! You really can’t go wrong with them.
Thank you to the author for a gifted listener copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is a marriage of convenience between him and Bianca Brewer. She is Foxx’s best friend’s sister. We met Bianca in The Proposal and he was part of the security team that protected her. He distanced himself from her when his feelings started to change.
Now, it’s been awhile since they have seen each other. She’s still in danger and in order to protect her, he offers marriage. There is still so much chemistry, attraction and great banter between them.
The audiobook, of course, is wonderfully narrated. CJ Bloom and Teddy Hamilton are pros! You really can’t go wrong with them.
Thank you to the author for a gifted listener copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 12, 2024
This was a relatively low angst brother's best friend/marriage of convenience romance. I read this as a standalone, but I think it might have been more enjoyable if I had read the series in order since numerous previous characters appear.
Flame had tropes galore and I think there'll be something for everyone here. Tropes include: bodyguard/military, forced proximity, pining, hate everyone but you, brother's best friend, marriage of convenience, praise kink, and my new favorite - "my wife" as well as "my husband". The chemistry between Foxx and Bianca was great once things got going, but there wasn't a lot of build up. Readers are told these two have known each other several years prior to the start of the book and I think this took away from the emotional connection since we miss those sweet moments on page. We're told of their history together and just have to accept that they have a connection. The reason for the separation (as well as the necessity of a marriage of convenience) felt flimsy. The suspense plot line didn't pop up until the end of the book and it was pretty anticlimactic. I did love the families though and the narration by CJ Bloom and Teddy Hamilton. They were wonderful together and fit the characters well. Overall, this was an enjoyable listen, but it wasn't love.
Audiobook Review
Overall 4 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 2.5-3 stars
CW: threats to safety, guns, violence, mentions of near death experience (past), grief
*I voluntarily listened to a review copy of this book*
Flame had tropes galore and I think there'll be something for everyone here. Tropes include: bodyguard/military, forced proximity, pining, hate everyone but you, brother's best friend, marriage of convenience, praise kink, and my new favorite - "my wife" as well as "my husband". The chemistry between Foxx and Bianca was great once things got going, but there wasn't a lot of build up. Readers are told these two have known each other several years prior to the start of the book and I think this took away from the emotional connection since we miss those sweet moments on page. We're told of their history together and just have to accept that they have a connection. The reason for the separation (as well as the necessity of a marriage of convenience) felt flimsy. The suspense plot line didn't pop up until the end of the book and it was pretty anticlimactic. I did love the families though and the narration by CJ Bloom and Teddy Hamilton. They were wonderful together and fit the characters well. Overall, this was an enjoyable listen, but it wasn't love.
Audiobook Review
Overall 4 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 2.5-3 stars
CW: threats to safety, guns, violence, mentions of near death experience (past), grief
*I voluntarily listened to a review copy of this book*
December 8, 2023
Was excited for this to come out after reading some of the other brother’s stories but could not get into this one. Seemed rushed and superficial compared to other books by this author. Skimmed to see the happy ending
November 22, 2023
Let me start off with I love the Carmichael family and all their shenanigans!!
I knew Foxx would be my favorite from the beginning of this series, and I was not disappointed in that assessment.
This is a bodyguard romance with all the family banter and love you can stand. Grumpy / sunshine in a small town and marriage of convenience with forced proximity. How can you not devour this book?
Foxx and Bianca have such a great story, and I adore their relationship. I love the bit of push and pull, the banter, and the way they love each other.
I felt the connection between these characters through the pages and the way the layers got pulled back on them was so sweet.
I loved seeing the softer side of Foxx!
I knew Foxx would be my favorite from the beginning of this series, and I was not disappointed in that assessment.
This is a bodyguard romance with all the family banter and love you can stand. Grumpy / sunshine in a small town and marriage of convenience with forced proximity. How can you not devour this book?
Foxx and Bianca have such a great story, and I adore their relationship. I love the bit of push and pull, the banter, and the way they love each other.
I felt the connection between these characters through the pages and the way the layers got pulled back on them was so sweet.
I loved seeing the softer side of Foxx!
December 1, 2023
Ohhhhh man! I was so excited for Foxx’s story!! Bianca was a spitfire and gave Foxx a run for his money! He was the Carmichael hardest to read and quieter than his brothers. He had seen some things in life and had a close call with death. It changes a person. I LOVED him and Bianca. She was good for him and he was protective of her. Their chemistry was intense and when the opportunity to help Bianca out arose, Foxx was the man for the job! I love a good marriage of convenience! This book was so easy to get lost in and I couldn’t read it fast enough! I had all the feels and I highly recommend!
November 25, 2023
3.5⭐️
This was such a cute and fresh read ,done in a single sitting.
I was waiting to read Fox’s story as I'm intrigued by what his job is.!, He’s always portrayed as a grumpy one in the prev books.
I did love the sexual tension, the build up, slow burn between Fox and Bianca. But 70% of the book has no connection with the main characters. It felt rushed all of a sudden. Fox has been hot and cold towards Bianca and sudden in the last half he is all in. This didn’t feel justice to marriage of convenience.
As usual BANKS is my fav carmichael brother …
Tropes:
Brother’s best friend
Marriage of convenience
Forced proximity
Bodyguard romance
This was such a cute and fresh read ,done in a single sitting.
I was waiting to read Fox’s story as I'm intrigued by what his job is.!, He’s always portrayed as a grumpy one in the prev books.
I did love the sexual tension, the build up, slow burn between Fox and Bianca. But 70% of the book has no connection with the main characters. It felt rushed all of a sudden. Fox has been hot and cold towards Bianca and sudden in the last half he is all in. This didn’t feel justice to marriage of convenience.
As usual BANKS is my fav carmichael brother …
Tropes:
Brother’s best friend
Marriage of convenience
Forced proximity
Bodyguard romance
October 30, 2025
Serideki diğer kitaplara göre beklentimi daha az karşıladı, açıkçası daha fazla aksiyon ya da daha farklı bir gizem bekliyordum. Ama sevdim kafa dağıtmak için okunabilecek keyifli bir seri bence.
O garip mesajların sahibinin de ortaya çıkışı çok basit kaldı biraz daha atraksiyonlu olabilirdi sanki :)
O garip mesajların sahibinin de ortaya çıkışı çok basit kaldı biraz daha atraksiyonlu olabilirdi sanki :)
June 14, 2026
Not as funny as the last book but that was kinda of expected since this was the reclusive grumpy brother’s book and the romance was more tell than show so it was a bit superficial BUT I liked it anyway 🤷♀️
January 23, 2024
(audiobook) It was an unexpected but almost perfect recipe. A little savory, with the banter and the dynamics between Bianca and Foxx; a little sweet, with lots of feelings; a lot spicy, because it was hot; and even a bit salty, with the suspense added at the end. But it was missing one vital ingredient: the build up.
We dive right into the story, and though Bianca and Foxx work on some level, the fact that their common past is only written in memories and conversations made it less effective. Bianca appears bitchy and Foxx too closed off, when they need to make us feel the unbearable tension between them.
But as I said, it still worked. The energy between them–the banter is excellent–compensates enough. You can feel the agonizing months of denial, the repressed desires, the torture of forbiddance. Bianca’s taunts are the spark igniting their passion. She provokes Foxx constantly to make him snap, because she can’t stand his refusal.
But that’s only the first part of the story. This book works in three very different acts. The first act is sexy, and all about Bianca trying to crack Foxx’s armor. When it’s official that there could never be anything between them–because Foxx is loyal to Bianca’s brother–is when the author throws a wrench: Foxx and Bianca enter a marriage of convenience in the second part. It’s the sexy romcom part. Because Foxx’s job is to protect Bianca, he goes in willingly, knowing it’ll become harder to resist her.
And that’s when both characters grow. They open up, to each other first, then to others. The illusion of relationship force them to consider what a relationship entails, and that it isn’t so bad after all. I loved the way Foxx opens up. He’s mostly seen as someone not caring, when in fact he cares too much, and that’s why he must keep his heart closed off: emotions might cloud his judgement, and he needs it to protect the people he loves.
And the last act is a bit more tense and suspenseful. While Bianca’s situation has been developped mostly in another book, I felt there were enough details offered here to get the gist of it, and to understand what is at stake in this last part. Not only does it add to the reading experience–when everything seems to go too well, another conflict in the story keeps the reader interested–but those last events are also necessary to complete the characters’ growth, especially Bianca’s. Now they can finally be together, happily ever after and all. Well done.
The narration was exquisite. The female narrator captured Bianca’s strong character, and there’s enough grumpiness in the male narrator’s voice to make Foxx come alive. They’re both so talented that they enhance the experience, in my opinion. And if it wasn’t for the frustration of not getting Foxx and Bianca falling in love, I’d say this audiobook is perfection.
Quickie
- Series: Carmichael family #5 (can be read as a standalone, connected to another book by the author)
- Hashtags: #romantic suspense #forbidden romance #brother’s best friend #ex-military #bodyguard #marriage of convenience
- Triggers: violence, parental abuse
- Main couple: Bianca Brewer & Foxx Carmichael
- Hotness: 4/5
- Romance: 4/5
- + the comparison between Bianca’s and Foxx’s families was interesting
- – it was a bit frustrating to have a good portion of the romance, the beginning of it at least, only mentioned as memories
We dive right into the story, and though Bianca and Foxx work on some level, the fact that their common past is only written in memories and conversations made it less effective. Bianca appears bitchy and Foxx too closed off, when they need to make us feel the unbearable tension between them.
But as I said, it still worked. The energy between them–the banter is excellent–compensates enough. You can feel the agonizing months of denial, the repressed desires, the torture of forbiddance. Bianca’s taunts are the spark igniting their passion. She provokes Foxx constantly to make him snap, because she can’t stand his refusal.
But that’s only the first part of the story. This book works in three very different acts. The first act is sexy, and all about Bianca trying to crack Foxx’s armor. When it’s official that there could never be anything between them–because Foxx is loyal to Bianca’s brother–is when the author throws a wrench: Foxx and Bianca enter a marriage of convenience in the second part. It’s the sexy romcom part. Because Foxx’s job is to protect Bianca, he goes in willingly, knowing it’ll become harder to resist her.
And that’s when both characters grow. They open up, to each other first, then to others. The illusion of relationship force them to consider what a relationship entails, and that it isn’t so bad after all. I loved the way Foxx opens up. He’s mostly seen as someone not caring, when in fact he cares too much, and that’s why he must keep his heart closed off: emotions might cloud his judgement, and he needs it to protect the people he loves.
And the last act is a bit more tense and suspenseful. While Bianca’s situation has been developped mostly in another book, I felt there were enough details offered here to get the gist of it, and to understand what is at stake in this last part. Not only does it add to the reading experience–when everything seems to go too well, another conflict in the story keeps the reader interested–but those last events are also necessary to complete the characters’ growth, especially Bianca’s. Now they can finally be together, happily ever after and all. Well done.
The narration was exquisite. The female narrator captured Bianca’s strong character, and there’s enough grumpiness in the male narrator’s voice to make Foxx come alive. They’re both so talented that they enhance the experience, in my opinion. And if it wasn’t for the frustration of not getting Foxx and Bianca falling in love, I’d say this audiobook is perfection.
Quickie
- Series: Carmichael family #5 (can be read as a standalone, connected to another book by the author)
- Hashtags: #romantic suspense #forbidden romance #brother’s best friend #ex-military #bodyguard #marriage of convenience
- Triggers: violence, parental abuse
- Main couple: Bianca Brewer & Foxx Carmichael
- Hotness: 4/5
- Romance: 4/5
- + the comparison between Bianca’s and Foxx’s families was interesting
- – it was a bit frustrating to have a good portion of the romance, the beginning of it at least, only mentioned as memories
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