Ignited

by Ian O. Lewis

Some rivalries are destined to ignite. Like the intense clash between Finn McKenna and Alexander Harrington.

Finn, the passionate microbrewery owner, finds his world turned upside down when the charming and calculating venture capitalist, Alex, sets his sights on acquiring Fireside Forge Brewery. As negotiations heat up, Finn realizes that beneath Alex's polished demeanor lies a magnetic pull he can't deny.

Their animosity transforms into an unspoken attraction, leading to unexpected encounters that blur the lines between rivalry and desire. Amidst the high stakes of business and conflicting ambitions, Finn and Alex find themselves drawn together by a tension they can't resist.

But with each passionate encounter, they risk shattering the delicate balance between professional adversaries and something far more dangerously tempting.

"Ignited" is a scorching tale of business adversaries entangled in desire, where the line between what's right and what's irresistible blurs in the searing heat of their undeniable chemistry.

190 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 10, 2024

About the author

Ian writes LGBTQ fiction, mainly romance. Growing up, he could never find many books portraying guys like him, so now he's helping to fill the shelves with gay-friendly tales. He tends to write more romance, because he loves nothing more than a happily ever after.

Reviews

[Latecia Jennings · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good...no a HOT start to this new series. All gay cruise...loved it!...I loved the anonymity in the beginning turn chance meeting later (after cruise) in this romance. Finn and Alex had that instant connection. Their journey for complete happiness had some bumps and a little twists and turns which made it entertaining. Not really angsty (Finn and his mood swings)...a little humor...some very HOT moments and a little ex wife drama to keep it a page turner. You forget all about the bear/otter stuff once their romance get started...to me that dynamic just doesn't fit what they have. Lovely couple, lovely romance...wonderful HEA. I'm definitely sticking with this series...can't wait to read next romance.

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

[DLB2572 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Finn and Alex's story quite a bit. It does get a little mottled with the extra drama from the ex-wife but not enough to bring the story down too much. I'm looking forward to Daniel’s story next.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion

[Marion · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in the new Burning Hearts series and I enjoy it. This is the story of Finn McKenna and Alex Harrington. Finn is the owner of the Fireside Forge Brewery. He goes on a Bear Cruise and meets someone who he is very interested in. Knox is everything he was looking for and Finn is looking forward to spending the cruise together. Unfortunately Knox has a family emergency to deal with that same night and flies off home. Both men can't forget meeting each other. Then 4 months later, in walks Knox to the Fireside Forge Brewery. But now his name is Alex and he wants to buy Finn's brewery. Finn is disappointed that Alex came to him just for business and he is mad that he wants to buy his baby from him. At least Finn now knows his real name. This is their story. Alex has an uphill battle to earn back Finn's trust. He also has to decide what he wants and what he is prepared to do to get it. I like how both Finn and Alex supported each other. Even when Finn blasts Alex with all of the anger and frustration that he has within him; Alex doesn't leave. Together they are a strong team. The book is well written and easy to read. I look forward to the next book in this series.

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

[Ellie (On a break, mostly rereading) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ignited is a standalone contemporary MM romance by Ian O Lewis, and is the first book in Lewis's new Burning Hearts series.

The initial set up of the book is fun, a busy guy takes a long deserved break from the business he had nurtured from the ground up. He and his bestie go on a gay cruise, where the said busy guy hooks up with someone. A someone who stays in his mind but it seems that they will never see each other again.

That is the predicament for micro brewery owner and operator, Finn. His business is his baby, but Finn is in for a shock when Alex turns up wanting to buy his business.

While I loved Finn, I adored Alex. He is trying to get to know the real "Alex", because his family had forced him to hide the fact that he is attracted to men. But he is also a billionaire mogul with a heart of gold (total teddy bear, I love him), the shitshow that is his personal life makes Alex down to earth. It also helps bridge the gap between Finn and Alex in terms of their personalities. They are well matched and I loved the chemistry between them.

I loved getting to know the guys and getting into their world. I am looking forward to more from this series in the future.

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

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The start to the Burning Hearts series hang on don’t start it if you don’t plan on finishing it in one setting. Fin owner of the brewery is talked into taking a break by his friends who wants him to go on a cruise with him in hopes of getting him to relax where he meets a very interesting and while there, he meets the most interesting man, but a family emergency took him away he hasn’t seen him since. Alex is sweet a billionaire whose family feel like it is their right to control his life especially after he came out but he is a billionaire with a heart and his personal life is a hot mess which makes him relatable to others around him so when he goes on a cruise he meets the most amazing man but when an emergency takes him away he never thought he would see him again. But fate had other plans because Alex arrives at the brewery with a desire to purchase it and of course Fin worked to hard for his company not really wanting to sell it, but can they still find the time to learn about each other, will it lead them someplace where they are both comfortable, and can they find happiness somewhere along the line?

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

These two definitely ignite something when they come together, the world around them seems to stop just for them. Finn first met Alex on a cruise, we don't know very much about him during this time only that he is clearly wealthy. Finn's one and only night with him turns into pining, longing for that intensity again. Alex enters Finn's life in an unexpected way and neither can resist the pull between them. Putting business aside, they know what they both want. We get to know Alex and he is a real surprise. There are some angsty issues from both sides, but nothing can break their feelings. They fall fast and hard but it felt genuine. It's Daniel's turn next to find love and I look forward to this series continuing. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent start to a new series. OMG, the sexiness, overwhelmes! Finn, goes on a cruise for a little stress relief. He meets a mystery man who epitomizes his idea of the best man, ever! They have a dangle with known expectations. A few months later, Alex turns up wanting to buy Finn's brewery. Alex, brings a little baggage with himself even though he is well connected. His story with Finn is sabotaged by Alex not being honest on the cruise about his identity. This story is about truth, honesty, irresistable hotness, family and managing own expectations. The steam is off the charts. The relationship navigation legitimizes the charts. I look forward to the rest of the series. Good read, nice flow, great characters, well done! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nina Diab · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Money doesn’t motivate me, Alex.” I got to my feet, prepared to show him the door.
“What does, Finn?” Alex didn’t stand. Instead, he smiled that brilliant smile. “I really want to know. What gets Finn McKenna out of bed in the morning?”

I really enjoyed this book. I loved both Finn and Knox/Alex. They had such great chemistry when they met on the cruise. But when an emergency pulled Knox away, neither thought they'd see the other again. Until months later Alex shows up with an offer to buy Finn's brewery. Finn is understandably upset and even though Alex explains the fake name and what had been going on, he'll have to work at getting Finn to trust him again. An enjoyable read. 4 stars.

[Jack Harkness · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bearacruz Sea Grizzlies and Tide Tuggers, Jello tug-of-war

The story is captivating, steamy, and satisfying. I enjoyed very much reading Finn's and Alex's romance and their journey to love. Except for Miranda, all the characters are well-casted and wonderful, especially Ollie! The imagery is painted stunningly because Ian O. Lewis crafted this story so expertly. I recommend reading this book.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good start to the new Burning heats series, I enjoyed this low angst story and I really liked Alex and Finn as characters they were great together and their chemistry was on fire, there was some ex wife drama in the story as well. The story kept my attention from the beginning to the end and I’m looking forward to reading Daniel’s story next.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book, Ian. Alex and Finn meet on a cruise, which Alex has to leave before it's done, and over the course of the book, they not only fall in love but they become engaged to be married. I was thinking "joint ownership" the minute Finn's fermentation tanks at Fireside Forge failed, but you took care of that yourself very, very well.

[Amanda Reeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great start to a new series by Ian O. Lewis. This book is fire, I loved it so much. There is some angst here, but the book has wonderful characters and such a good story. I can't wait to read the next book.

[Syd Springer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good book and I am looking forward to the rest of this series. Finn and Alex are drawn to each other right away, but life gets in their way after one night. Now, Finn and Alex are brought back together again and both have some issues they need to overcome to get their much needed and deserved HEA.

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

[Manon Lavoie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't know exactly what the problem was but I was bored !!!!

[Kitchen Sink Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finn is proud of his brewery. He has been open a year and he is breaking even. He is not about to take it all for granted, he knows one bad month and it could all go wrong but he and his best friend are on a week-long cruise to celebrate all going well (Daniel is chef at the brewery) and to get themselves some man!

Finn is excited, Daniel is nervous and Ian includes some really important reassurances in the dialogue reminding us all to be who we are. Haivng convinced Daniel to dress in fewer layers the pair each go their own way for a short while, ready to meet later for some games and, it turns out, a hot man. For Finn at least. But rather than a whole week with his hot man Finn only has one unforgettable night. His hot man has a family emergency.

Back home, months later, Finn can't forget the hot man and only has Daniel to convince his friends he is not making it all up until the man in question walks through the doors of the brewery with a proposition. Alex is a venture capitalist, he has his own business to try and help him move away from his family money and show he has the acumen to do it. He buys breweries, aims to make them even more profitable and then sell them. But Finn is adamant. As much as he may have fallen for Alex he will not sell.

Will this get in the way of a relationship both would clearly like to explore or can they overcome their different opinions? Can Alex open himself and can Finn let go of his control? This is at once a fascinating look at the way in which relationships can develop and how we see ourselves as well as how we take control in different areas of our lives, needing an anchor. I loved discovering more about these characters, following their journey's and I am looking forward to more in the series.

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