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Cursebreakers, Inc. #1
Like a House on Fire
Right, so … let’s see how he got himself in this mess.
An estranged family member left him a house. Which is great. The house looks like it’s a soft breeze away from crumbling. Less great. The house is cursed and now Morgan is trapped inside it. Anything BUT great.
Cursebreaker, please! And make him hot. Morgan’s been through a lot.
Herbs? Check. Fire? Check. Being the best at his job and knowing it? Double effing check.
Ash had everything he needed to get his client out of a cursed house. So how in the world did he get himself trapped inside with him? Why is the house so against them leaving? And why is his client the hottest thing since wildfire?
Time for a new plan.
One that involves breaking the curse, and breaking the bed. Not necessarily in that order.
An estranged family member left him a house. Which is great. The house looks like it’s a soft breeze away from crumbling. Less great. The house is cursed and now Morgan is trapped inside it. Anything BUT great.
Cursebreaker, please! And make him hot. Morgan’s been through a lot.
Herbs? Check. Fire? Check. Being the best at his job and knowing it? Double effing check.
Ash had everything he needed to get his client out of a cursed house. So how in the world did he get himself trapped inside with him? Why is the house so against them leaving? And why is his client the hottest thing since wildfire?
Time for a new plan.
One that involves breaking the curse, and breaking the bed. Not necessarily in that order.
342 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 8, 2024
270 people are currently reading
425 people want to read
About the author
A.M. Rose
22 books191 followersA. M. Rose is a pseudonym that hides two people trying to write books one nervous breakdown at a time. How do you co-write books when you live countries apart, you ask? By sending weird texts at 3 in the morning and giving no context. The stuff dreams are made of. Opposites in every way, the chaotic energy is harnessed for the good of everyone by creating worlds no one asked for. You're welcome.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
October 31, 2024
My goodness that was superb but also kind of creepy. That surprised me a bit. There is a trigger warning for claustrophobia. I'm not claustrophobic, I just don't like our way too small elevator. Anyway, this really isn't a joke. I had shrugged it off, but that was really intense.
I hadn't read this book with the intention that it was Halloween week. In other words, I'm really not into horror and would never read something like this voluntarily, so just to clarify for the hardcore among you, this is not a horror story. But for those who are slightly creeped out and maybe like it quite tame, this could be a nice thing for Halloween.
This fucking cursed house definitely quickened my pulse.
“Hi, pipsqueak. You’re doing so well.”
“Yeah,” Morgan said, biting his lips bloody. “I think I might move to live in the woods after this. Like, somewhere out in the open. With no walls. Fuck walls.”
“We’ll get that on a T-shirt for you.” 🖤😬🖤
So, alongside a plot filled with this stupid house, that Ash and Morgan are trapped in, behaving completely out of character, there's an interesting dynamic that develops between these two.
I actually enjoy the fact that Morgan says what he wants straight away and there's no eternal talking around it. There's a lot of sex, yummy ... and it somehow fits perfectly with everything.
Ash stilled for a second, just to take a breath, but Morgan would have none of it. He used the leverage he had to push back, fucking himself on Ash’s cock wildly. He was so free, so uninhibited with everything, taking exactly what he wanted, making Ash do what he needed to be pleased, and Ash was drunk with it. 🤤🔥🤤
I love the banter they have going on.
“Split up?” Morgan said. “You want us to split up? That is literally how every stupid white boy dies in every horror I’ve ever watched. I am staying glued to your dumb ass.”
“See, I knew you liked my ass.” Ash winked before shaking his head. 🤭💞🤭
And I also really liked Ash's brothers, so many interesting storylines they are promising ...
My only criticism is that there's a bit of a lack of romance towards the end. The epilogue is very nice, but I would have liked a tiny bit more perspective on life outside this stupid house. I also miss the development of this world, but hopefully that will come in the next book.
I hadn't read this book with the intention that it was Halloween week. In other words, I'm really not into horror and would never read something like this voluntarily, so just to clarify for the hardcore among you, this is not a horror story. But for those who are slightly creeped out and maybe like it quite tame, this could be a nice thing for Halloween.
This fucking cursed house definitely quickened my pulse.
“Hi, pipsqueak. You’re doing so well.”
“Yeah,” Morgan said, biting his lips bloody. “I think I might move to live in the woods after this. Like, somewhere out in the open. With no walls. Fuck walls.”
“We’ll get that on a T-shirt for you.” 🖤😬🖤
So, alongside a plot filled with this stupid house, that Ash and Morgan are trapped in, behaving completely out of character, there's an interesting dynamic that develops between these two.
I actually enjoy the fact that Morgan says what he wants straight away and there's no eternal talking around it. There's a lot of sex, yummy ... and it somehow fits perfectly with everything.
Ash stilled for a second, just to take a breath, but Morgan would have none of it. He used the leverage he had to push back, fucking himself on Ash’s cock wildly. He was so free, so uninhibited with everything, taking exactly what he wanted, making Ash do what he needed to be pleased, and Ash was drunk with it. 🤤🔥🤤
I love the banter they have going on.
“Split up?” Morgan said. “You want us to split up? That is literally how every stupid white boy dies in every horror I’ve ever watched. I am staying glued to your dumb ass.”
“See, I knew you liked my ass.” Ash winked before shaking his head. 🤭💞🤭
And I also really liked Ash's brothers, so many interesting storylines they are promising ...
My only criticism is that there's a bit of a lack of romance towards the end. The epilogue is very nice, but I would have liked a tiny bit more perspective on life outside this stupid house. I also miss the development of this world, but hopefully that will come in the next book.
February 20, 2024
⭐️ 4.5 stars ⭐️
Like a House on Fire had so many of my favorite things, it’s like A.M. Rose went digging around in my brain and discovered what makes me tick.
Snarky and sarcastic banter, an emo/gothic character, a sizzling romance, puzzles and mystery AND a creepy cursed house??
Hell yes.
The author really has a specialty in creating different worlds and realities, first with Why Did the Alien Cross the Galaxy? and now with this new piece.
Their humorous writing style has such a fun and lighthearted vibe and I’m here for it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
CW and tropes (spoilers):
- Urban fantasy
- Magic
- Forced proximity
- Height difference
- Claustrophobia
- Strict top/bottom
“A victim of a curse falling for the hot cursebreaker who saved their life?” he said. “I might be a lot of things, but I refuse to be a cliché.”
Like a House on Fire had so many of my favorite things, it’s like A.M. Rose went digging around in my brain and discovered what makes me tick.
Snarky and sarcastic banter, an emo/gothic character, a sizzling romance, puzzles and mystery AND a creepy cursed house??
Hell yes.
“It didn’t work…” Ash whispered, and Morgan stared at him for a long moment, trying to compose himself. “Zero stars,” Morgan said. “Worst service ever.”
The author really has a specialty in creating different worlds and realities, first with Why Did the Alien Cross the Galaxy? and now with this new piece.
Their humorous writing style has such a fun and lighthearted vibe and I’m here for it.
«He was like fire, Ash realized. And Ash was happy to burn.»
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
CW and tropes (spoilers):
- Urban fantasy
- Magic
- Forced proximity
- Height difference
- Claustrophobia
- Strict top/bottom
April 13, 2024
Enjoyed the first book of this new series for AM Rose.
The whole cursebreakers concept is really intriguing to me and I liked the world building and the introduction to the cast of cursebreakers.
The way the curse ends up being broken was entertaining and I couldn't stop reading because I needed to know the outcome.
I'm very intrigued by this series and looking forward to seeing which cursebreaker is next.
The whole cursebreakers concept is really intriguing to me and I liked the world building and the introduction to the cast of cursebreakers.
The way the curse ends up being broken was entertaining and I couldn't stop reading because I needed to know the outcome.
I'm very intrigued by this series and looking forward to seeing which cursebreaker is next.
May 30, 2024
DNF @ 15%/ 4 chapters
The characters are sooooo annoying. It is an interesting premise and interesting world (seriously just a little comment on how only some professions are allowed cars???? I want to know more!), but Morgan's attitude and bitchiness and Ash's lack of ability to take anything serious, just grate. The banter can be funny, but mostly I was getting annoyed.
The characters are sooooo annoying. It is an interesting premise and interesting world (seriously just a little comment on how only some professions are allowed cars???? I want to know more!), but Morgan's attitude and bitchiness and Ash's lack of ability to take anything serious, just grate. The banter can be funny, but mostly I was getting annoyed.
March 2, 2024
"He didn't have a death wish, per se, he just liked...pushing things that shouldn't be pushed. It was a character trait. A feature, not a bug, in his opinion."
OMG this cursebreakers crew is totally wack! And I loved every single one of those crazies! This book was so fun. It was chock full of hilarious snark and banter, which I greatly appreciated when things started getting more dire in the Cursed House hostage situation. It helped to keep the book more lighthearted, even when the events occuring were anything but.
Ash is just as nuts as his Cursebreaker bros. I mean, the man whips out a blow torch to cook his eggs. He may have a tiny bit of a pyro obsession. Okay, more than a tiny bit. I loved his interactions with Morgan. Morgan might be a tiny little emo goth, but he has a big personality. He's also not afraid to speak his mind and call Ash out on his BS. And their steamy moments were just UGH so hot!
I'd consider the ending of this book a HFN. The characters are together and have decided to give it a go. It appears the plotline that began in this book is going to continue in the future if the soft cliffhanger ending is to be believed. I don't even know if I can call it a cliffhanger, more of a glimpse of what is to come maybe. If I had to choose whose book I want next I don't know if I could. I'm leaning towards Hart for two reasons. One: Because it definitely surpised me that he partook in a certain "gift basket" offering at the end. And two: Because I would love to see him with someone who tilts his organized world on its head!
OMG this cursebreakers crew is totally wack! And I loved every single one of those crazies! This book was so fun. It was chock full of hilarious snark and banter, which I greatly appreciated when things started getting more dire in the Cursed House hostage situation. It helped to keep the book more lighthearted, even when the events occuring were anything but.
Ash is just as nuts as his Cursebreaker bros. I mean, the man whips out a blow torch to cook his eggs. He may have a tiny bit of a pyro obsession. Okay, more than a tiny bit. I loved his interactions with Morgan. Morgan might be a tiny little emo goth, but he has a big personality. He's also not afraid to speak his mind and call Ash out on his BS. And their steamy moments were just UGH so hot!
I'd consider the ending of this book a HFN. The characters are together and have decided to give it a go. It appears the plotline that began in this book is going to continue in the future if the soft cliffhanger ending is to be believed. I don't even know if I can call it a cliffhanger, more of a glimpse of what is to come maybe. If I had to choose whose book I want next I don't know if I could. I'm leaning towards Hart for two reasons. One: Because it definitely surpised me that he partook in a certain "gift basket" offering at the end. And two: Because I would love to see him with someone who tilts his organized world on its head!
May 14, 2024
DNF@ 20%
I was hopeful for this book because I love mysteries!
Even when the romance sucks, a good mystery plot can keep me invested in finishing a book.
Unfortunately, by chapter 6 Morgan had grated on my nerves. The “snarky banter” was just Morgan being a rude asshole. I couldn’t put myself through reading another one liner.
The Cursebreakers agency does appear to be an interesting concept so I may pick up another book in the series to see if the new characters and plot improve.
I was hopeful for this book because I love mysteries!
Even when the romance sucks, a good mystery plot can keep me invested in finishing a book.
Unfortunately, by chapter 6 Morgan had grated on my nerves. The “snarky banter” was just Morgan being a rude asshole. I couldn’t put myself through reading another one liner.
The Cursebreakers agency does appear to be an interesting concept so I may pick up another book in the series to see if the new characters and plot improve.
did-not-finish
December 7, 2024DNF @ 13%
I'm sad that LIKE A HOUSE ON FIRE didn't work for me because I've loved everything else I've read by this author. The idea of cursebreakers was cool and I was looking forward to learning more about them but the characters were way too juvenile and not particularly likable. I can already tell that not just the main characters, but also the rest of Ash's brothers would just get on my nerves.
I'm sad that LIKE A HOUSE ON FIRE didn't work for me because I've loved everything else I've read by this author. The idea of cursebreakers was cool and I was looking forward to learning more about them but the characters were way too juvenile and not particularly likable. I can already tell that not just the main characters, but also the rest of Ash's brothers would just get on my nerves.
June 19, 2024
What an intriguing book!! This was really interesting and I LOVED the characters, all of them. Vibrant, affectionate, funny - I literally cared about each person. Ash and Morgan are funny and delightful.
March 21, 2025
Well, this was a lot of fun but also creepy as hell. Take the claustrophobia warning seriously, is all I'm saying.
May 7, 2024
That was fun. Loved the characters. Loved the world. This could have used a better edit; twice we're presented with one number of things but it changes a page later. Tsk. And, if everything is dusty, why aren't the beds? Also, I did not follow the puzzle solving very well, and I don't think that was all me. But I loved the characters so much that I'll ignore that. This was fun. Tense, but fun.
August 31, 2025
Not sure where I land on this rating. It's probably a 3.5 star book but I'm rounding up because I did have a good time which is really all I'm here for. This was my first book from this author. I liked the world created here and the cursebreaking is a pretty cool setup. I very much enjoyed the entire cursebreaker team. I'm assuming the rest of them each get a book and I will most likely give them a try.
The world is very straightforward, there was basically no lore but it was simple enough that you really didn't need it. I was so excited for this setup - a cursed house that basically turns into an escape room? It's not something I've read before and I loved the idea. The execution was good but not great. It was disappointing because I was really interested in the concept. The puzzles didn't really come into play until after the halfway mark and they simply weren't good enough. There weren't that many and the author made the solutions either too obvious or too obscure. I've done escape rooms and I know that a lot of them are like that but, I don't know, I just really badly wanted that element of this to be so cool and it wasn't. There's also a mystery surrounding the curse and by the end it was absolutely not resolved. I don't know if the author thought we wouldn't care anymore, if they couldn't think of a good explanation, or if that's an overarching plot that will continue to show up in the other books (that's my hope, otherwise this was wild work to leave it like that).
While the plot didn't quite hit all the right notes for me, the characters were pretty solid. This was a good combo of a sassy little emo boy black cat and a big himbo-ish golden retriever. Morgan was overdramatic, sarcastic, and spiky toward Ash but some of that could be attributed to the fact that he was scared shitless and trapped inside a cursed house. A lot of it was just him though. He leans a bit too far into being unpleasant and selfish but for the most part it worked. Ash was flirty, easy going, and he LIKED Morgan's sharpness. Ash was pretty immediately taken with Morgan and I was kind of into that. Also, a million points to Ash for being supportive during anxiety attacks. This is the kind of situation where the characters are in the closest of forced proximity with extremely high stakes so it's easy to bond and for feelings to develop quickly. Sometimes it's not believable but here I kind of got how working together to escape showed how they fit together. High emotions made it so that they were honest with each other about how relationships haven't worked for them in the past and they learned enough about each other to want to give things a try afterward. I did appreciate being shown how they work together outside of the house but I wish we could have seen a bit further into their future (there's an epilogue but it's literally just a couple weeks later).
Taking time for sex during an emergency may seem crazy but I kind of got it. Plus we're suspending belief and the shower still worked so whatever. The sex could have been hot - the chemistry was right, there was a needy bottom (which I love), but somehow these scenes felt super rushed and unsatisfying. I feel like if we were gonna do the thing where we stop and have sex during a really inappropriate time then it should at least be good.
So, cool idea but wobbly execution, good characters but unsatisfying spicy scenes, and a mystery that was unresolved. I did like the cursebreakers and their individual specialties though and I did have fun so I probably will continue at some point.
Nicknames: babe, pipsqueak (when I first saw that I was like absolutely not but somehow my brain got used to it and then I... liked it? Idk I might be broken)
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Safety (may contain spoilers)
SA/rape: none
Other person drama: none
The world is very straightforward, there was basically no lore but it was simple enough that you really didn't need it. I was so excited for this setup - a cursed house that basically turns into an escape room? It's not something I've read before and I loved the idea. The execution was good but not great. It was disappointing because I was really interested in the concept. The puzzles didn't really come into play until after the halfway mark and they simply weren't good enough. There weren't that many and the author made the solutions either too obvious or too obscure. I've done escape rooms and I know that a lot of them are like that but, I don't know, I just really badly wanted that element of this to be so cool and it wasn't. There's also a mystery surrounding the curse and by the end it was absolutely not resolved. I don't know if the author thought we wouldn't care anymore, if they couldn't think of a good explanation, or if that's an overarching plot that will continue to show up in the other books (that's my hope, otherwise this was wild work to leave it like that).
While the plot didn't quite hit all the right notes for me, the characters were pretty solid. This was a good combo of a sassy little emo boy black cat and a big himbo-ish golden retriever. Morgan was overdramatic, sarcastic, and spiky toward Ash but some of that could be attributed to the fact that he was scared shitless and trapped inside a cursed house. A lot of it was just him though. He leans a bit too far into being unpleasant and selfish but for the most part it worked. Ash was flirty, easy going, and he LIKED Morgan's sharpness. Ash was pretty immediately taken with Morgan and I was kind of into that. Also, a million points to Ash for being supportive during anxiety attacks. This is the kind of situation where the characters are in the closest of forced proximity with extremely high stakes so it's easy to bond and for feelings to develop quickly. Sometimes it's not believable but here I kind of got how working together to escape showed how they fit together. High emotions made it so that they were honest with each other about how relationships haven't worked for them in the past and they learned enough about each other to want to give things a try afterward. I did appreciate being shown how they work together outside of the house but I wish we could have seen a bit further into their future (there's an epilogue but it's literally just a couple weeks later).
Taking time for sex during an emergency may seem crazy but I kind of got it. Plus we're suspending belief and the shower still worked so whatever. The sex could have been hot - the chemistry was right, there was a needy bottom (which I love), but somehow these scenes felt super rushed and unsatisfying. I feel like if we were gonna do the thing where we stop and have sex during a really inappropriate time then it should at least be good.
So, cool idea but wobbly execution, good characters but unsatisfying spicy scenes, and a mystery that was unresolved. I did like the cursebreakers and their individual specialties though and I did have fun so I probably will continue at some point.
Nicknames: babe, pipsqueak (when I first saw that I was like absolutely not but somehow my brain got used to it and then I... liked it? Idk I might be broken)
And look at it this way. You’re trapped in a house with a pretty hot dude.” “You’re not as hot as you think you are.” Morgan huffed, pushing away from him like that proved his point. Ash laughed at the ridiculous notion that he was anything less than ten thousand percent fuckable. “I totally am.”
“You do have a choice.” “Please.” Ash rolled his eyes. “One look from you and I lost all choice to do anything but what you tell me to.”
“I’ve been told I’m extremely annoying when I want to be.” “By whom?” Ash asked. “Everyone I’ve ever met.
Morgan wasn’t going to question his sanity at this point. He’d question his Stockholm syndrome or whatever the hell this was after they escaped.
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*
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Safety (may contain spoilers)
SA/rape: none
Other person drama: none
September 30, 2025
I was surprised I liked this one as much as I did, since I don't really much urban fantasy. Sure will do that more in the future! Wished I could see the relationship between Ash and Morgan grow more.
March 31, 2024
had high hopes
I had high hopes for this as the premise sounded amazing but Morgan was so damn annoying I had to DNF at chapter 6. The fact that he was so unlikable so quickly is honestly wild and 100% ruined my desire to continue the story at all.
I had high hopes for this as the premise sounded amazing but Morgan was so damn annoying I had to DNF at chapter 6. The fact that he was so unlikable so quickly is honestly wild and 100% ruined my desire to continue the story at all.
March 14, 2024
Like a House on Fire is the escape-room/MM romance mash-up you didn’t know you needed.
When Morgan inherits a creepy old house from a distant relative, he doesn’t know what to do with it, besides stay the hell away. But when his bestie dares him to go inside, he gets trapped. Luckily, a cursebreaker is available to take the case, and Ash knows what he’s doing. But when the house reacts mysteriously to his work, Ash gets trapped inside, too. What happens when the sassy and slightly claustrophobic Morgan meets with the smirky yet smoking-hot cursebreaker makes for a fantastic romance wrapped up in the mystery of the cursed house, what it’s protecting, and how the hell these two are going to get out.
I loved Morgan and Ash: great banter, serious chemistry, and some real tenderness and emotion. Plus, A.M. Rose introduces us to the Cursebreakers, Inc., series with some wonderful world-building and character introductions that don’t overwhelm the main storyline of how these two fall for each other under extreme circumstances. I loved this world, and I cannot wait for the next book! Definitely recommend this if you’re in the mood for great snark, sexy times, and action with a dash of magic.
When Morgan inherits a creepy old house from a distant relative, he doesn’t know what to do with it, besides stay the hell away. But when his bestie dares him to go inside, he gets trapped. Luckily, a cursebreaker is available to take the case, and Ash knows what he’s doing. But when the house reacts mysteriously to his work, Ash gets trapped inside, too. What happens when the sassy and slightly claustrophobic Morgan meets with the smirky yet smoking-hot cursebreaker makes for a fantastic romance wrapped up in the mystery of the cursed house, what it’s protecting, and how the hell these two are going to get out.
I loved Morgan and Ash: great banter, serious chemistry, and some real tenderness and emotion. Plus, A.M. Rose introduces us to the Cursebreakers, Inc., series with some wonderful world-building and character introductions that don’t overwhelm the main storyline of how these two fall for each other under extreme circumstances. I loved this world, and I cannot wait for the next book! Definitely recommend this if you’re in the mood for great snark, sexy times, and action with a dash of magic.
April 26, 2025
2.5 ⭐
The blurb says it all. This was just ok. Somewhat derivative with the'found family's cliches abounding and the 'quirky' personalities of them all.
Felt alot like Morgan only wanted Ash to . This made me sad. He was whiny and not particularly likeable.
I liked Ash; he had much potential as a MC but we didn't get to know him very well.
Superficial (read almost no) character development.
As I said, just ok. Had potential that was unrealised in this book anyway
The blurb says it all. This was just ok. Somewhat derivative with the'found family's cliches abounding and the 'quirky' personalities of them all.
Felt alot like Morgan only wanted Ash to . This made me sad. He was whiny and not particularly likeable.
I liked Ash; he had much potential as a MC but we didn't get to know him very well.
Superficial (read almost no) character development.
As I said, just ok. Had potential that was unrealised in this book anyway
May 16, 2024
The plot of this book wasn't quite enough to make a full-length novel, even though it was a full length novel. Some parts were quite boring as a result. I also didn't really feel the chemistry and didn't quite believe that these two characters were in love by the time they said they were. The resolution of the story was not really a resolution and nothing really quite made much sense. So it was okay but not the best. I probably will read the next one.
June 5, 2024
Fun Fantasy with a Cursed House
When Morgan inherits his great-aunt's house, he also gets a curse - trapped inside, unable to leave. The cursebreaker sent to help him, Ash, has a penchant for fire and one night stands. Together, they face shrinking walls, crazy puzzles, and desire.
The way the magic in this world works is really intriguing and the way they romance each other is very fun.
When Morgan inherits his great-aunt's house, he also gets a curse - trapped inside, unable to leave. The cursebreaker sent to help him, Ash, has a penchant for fire and one night stands. Together, they face shrinking walls, crazy puzzles, and desire.
The way the magic in this world works is really intriguing and the way they romance each other is very fun.
April 13, 2025
This was a little slow to grab my attention, but once it got going it was a lot of fun! I really enjoyed the dynamic and chemistry between the characters, and the subplot of the mystery. Lots of fun and reminiscent of the Necessary Evils series by Onley James, but with a family of magical curse-breakers instead of psychopaths!
March 9, 2025
God I love AM Rose. I have completely devoured everything they have written, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. This book was fantastic and so unique! I will be recommending this to everyone all the time now, be prepared for this series to become my entire personality now.
November 24, 2025
i'm a bit confused as to what, why, how, who etc.
i loved ash's character and honestly i even liked midas, even though we didn't see much of him.
i liked morgan and ash in the house, but outside? eh, it was kind of awkward? maybe because we didn't see much of them.
i loved ash's character and honestly i even liked midas, even though we didn't see much of him.
i liked morgan and ash in the house, but outside? eh, it was kind of awkward? maybe because we didn't see much of them.
July 13, 2024
The fast paced action had me on the edge of my seat for most of this book. Many times I can sense how a book is going to resolve into a happy ending and I did not see this one coming.
September 17, 2025
A story about a very evil, cursed house and a cursebreaker
February 22, 2024
"It was a character trait. A feature, not a bug, in his opinion."
OMG what a great story, I couldn't put it down. When I saw this pop up on Booksprout I knew I had to read and review it. The last story I read by this writing duo called A. M. Rose was a 5 star read and I couldn't put it down either. What an interesting story line and how two authors can work so seamlessly together, when they live countries apart, blows my mind.
I cannot wait for the next book in the series, I hope it comes soon!!!
I hope you take a chance on this because I can't imagine anyone reading it and not loving it as much as I do! Don't forget to pick up the bonus scene listed at the end of the book, it was great!
A cursed house, a hot brawny cursebreaker, brings the excitement, the nail biting, and the heat (literally and figuratively)
OMG what a great story, I couldn't put it down. When I saw this pop up on Booksprout I knew I had to read and review it. The last story I read by this writing duo called A. M. Rose was a 5 star read and I couldn't put it down either. What an interesting story line and how two authors can work so seamlessly together, when they live countries apart, blows my mind.
I cannot wait for the next book in the series, I hope it comes soon!!!
I hope you take a chance on this because I can't imagine anyone reading it and not loving it as much as I do! Don't forget to pick up the bonus scene listed at the end of the book, it was great!
A cursed house, a hot brawny cursebreaker, brings the excitement, the nail biting, and the heat (literally and figuratively)
June 15, 2024
Love. Love. Love this magic world and I have only read one book. I can’t wait to read the others in the series
September 9, 2025
Idea for book and MCs: 5 stars (honestly the idea is so cool I’ll probably try the next book despite myself)
Execution: 2.5 stars
Enjoyment: 2 stars
Authors, this is not a review of a positive reading experience, I would not continue to read. It’s nothing horrible but there’s no reason for you ladies to read it. Or do read it if you want, I guess? I’m assuming you’re both adults and make your own decisions. Just a heads up it’s a wishful neutral bordering on negative.
I can’t believe with the book setup and MC descriptions I’m not rating this a 5 - this whole thing sounds like my dream book! But it’s not. I waffled between 2-3 stars, but I went with 3 because I like the sex positivity and the concept.
This book’s concept is genius and and I LOVE the concept! A fight club Cursebreaker, a goth porn editor, both of them very sassy and sex positive and they’re trapped in a cursed house? That sounds like a 5 star read!
However… The execution was just OK, and these ladies did an OK enough job writing it, but it wasn’t quite what I was expecting and I had a lot of issues with a few things. I’m deeply disappointed about that because I’ve basically been hoarding this series until it’s vaguely close to Autumn/Halloween, and I couldn’t wait any longer. I kind of wish I had. I think so many of the awesome ideas and elements were played for laughs that none of it was actually awesome anymore.
The world this book takes place in is fantasy. They live in a city with wards shaped like rings, with the fancier stuff inward and farms and stuff on the outside there’s magic and curses in this world.
Ash is a cis white implied to be gay man of unknown age (likely thirties or late 20s). He’s muscular and big but not enormous, he has stubble, short buzzed light brown hair, and brown eyes. He’s one of six non-blood-related brothers who are Cursebreakers. He’s not NOT a pyromaniac. He likes to do ring fights for fun and money and is scrappy enough he almost always wins (he says most people are rubbed the wrong way by him so they bet on his opponent but people who are only in it to win money always bet on Ash). He’s dramatic, outgoing, flirty with anyone with a pulse, almost childish at times, likes “pushing things that shouldn’t be pushed,” and likes lollipops.
Morgan is a cis white implied to be gay man of unknown age (likely 20s-30s). He’s short, slender, has black hair, brown eyes, and styled goth. He works from home and edits pornography for a living. He’s also a sex toy aficionado. His best friend is Brea, a queer woman whose family more or less took him in when his own was very strained from his parents’ fighting. He’s also very sassy and dramatic, like Ash. He has inherited a very old house from his great-great aunt that turns out to be haunted/cursed.
I can’t really comment on either MC’s specific personality because neither truly feels like they have one. They’re not awful, just unmemorable, which is NOT something I should be saying about a pyro-underground-fighter-Cursebreaker and a tiny-goth-porn-editor. But here we are.
I never thought I’d say this, but there’s too much sarcasm, sass and too many attempts at banter in this book. There was zero balance. It was EVERYONE ALL THE TIME CONSTANTLY, to the point that often I couldn’t tell a lot of the characters apart, especially the two MCs. They have most of their personality traits in common so it was almost like having the same character twice. Almost every single character seemed to be sassy, immature, likes sparkles and/or bright colors, and is extremely extroverted and dramatic. This made it feel like the same person was talking through the whole book. Everything was a one-liner and it got to be exhausting. I mean, the authors use 175 exclamation points in dialogue, the word “screech” or it’s derivatives 18 times, used “?!” 8 times, and it really feels like it. It wasn’t until like page 80 that anyone had even half a conversation that wasn’t wall to wall jokes (and I do mean only half of one).
“His animal brain had already accepted Ash as a protector.” ……the fuck????
The use of “booo” and also “boo”, and not in a ghost way. Used by Morgan more than once, which is infinitely too many times.
I did however love the frank and upfront way the MCs handled sex. I also liked that both MC usually preferred casual sex and were never punished for that. When Morgan wanted sex, and was attracted to Ash, he just asked. I mean they were a bit weird about it because they’re both weird, but I always adore when sex isn’t treated like some grand goal, or something completely taboo. I also really liked that they were very open about what they did and did not want to do, and didn’t do things they weren’t interested in just to be less “trouble” or be more vulnerable with each other.
“Okay,” Morgan said. “Number one, I always bottom. I’m not interested in topping anyone.” Very honest and no one talked themselves into having sex in a way that made them “vulnerable” to prove their feelings (yuck).
I also enjoyed that we got to see a glimpse of the MCs after the main plot. Probably my favorite scene of the book.
Contains:
—gay mc x gay mc
—taxidermies animals
—furniture with eyes carved into them
—haunted/cursed house
—illegal street fighting by Ash
—there’s an upsetting amount of squealing and giggling from both the ADULT MCs and side characters, and I think the two ladies who wrote this overdid it
—size difference
—instalust
—marking
—moderate manhandling in bed
—Deaf side character (Midas)
—panic attack on page
—“pipsqueak” as an endearment
—“I’m scared and horny” MC
—very small and tight spaces experienced several times by claustrophobic MC
—semi public sex (in a conference room at an office with other people in the building but not in the room)
Other:
—third person dual POV
—cheating: no.
—romantic rival: no (unless you count the huge crush Morgan has on Midas, which no one seems to)
—breakup: kind of? There’s a very brief part near the end where neither knows if the other wants to date outside the haunted house situation, but it’s not technically a breakup.
—kids: no.
—sex: a couple explicit sex scenes. Strict roles. Morgan bottoms and Ash tops. It’s kind of implied Ash is vers, but Morgan says outright he has no interest in topping and if that’s a probably they don’t need to have sex. Ash has no problem with it.
—HEA: yes.
“You’re not making me feel any better,” Morgan said through gritted teeth. “I do not want to be barbecue.”
“There’s hardly any meat on you, sweetness.” Ash winked. “Now, stand away from the strips and the walls, and let me do my job.”
“Yeah,” Morgan said, toying with the material under his hand. “I’m realistic when it comes to sex. I’m a skinny, melodramatic little goth who talks too much. That’s not exactly everyone’s type. If it’s something you’re into, then you should know I’m really attracted to you and we can have sex.”
Midas was looking off into the distance like a painting and Morgan was staring at him dreamily. Ash frowned, feeling a tickle of an annoyance he’d never experienced before at the base of his neck. Something red hot and hungry for attention. The desire to grab Morgan’s chin and turn it was a hard one to ignore. He was pretty too! Midas wasn’t that special.
Execution: 2.5 stars
Enjoyment: 2 stars
Authors, this is not a review of a positive reading experience, I would not continue to read. It’s nothing horrible but there’s no reason for you ladies to read it. Or do read it if you want, I guess? I’m assuming you’re both adults and make your own decisions. Just a heads up it’s a wishful neutral bordering on negative.
I can’t believe with the book setup and MC descriptions I’m not rating this a 5 - this whole thing sounds like my dream book! But it’s not. I waffled between 2-3 stars, but I went with 3 because I like the sex positivity and the concept.
This book’s concept is genius and and I LOVE the concept! A fight club Cursebreaker, a goth porn editor, both of them very sassy and sex positive and they’re trapped in a cursed house? That sounds like a 5 star read!
However… The execution was just OK, and these ladies did an OK enough job writing it, but it wasn’t quite what I was expecting and I had a lot of issues with a few things. I’m deeply disappointed about that because I’ve basically been hoarding this series until it’s vaguely close to Autumn/Halloween, and I couldn’t wait any longer. I kind of wish I had. I think so many of the awesome ideas and elements were played for laughs that none of it was actually awesome anymore.
The world this book takes place in is fantasy. They live in a city with wards shaped like rings, with the fancier stuff inward and farms and stuff on the outside there’s magic and curses in this world.
Ash is a cis white implied to be gay man of unknown age (likely thirties or late 20s). He’s muscular and big but not enormous, he has stubble, short buzzed light brown hair, and brown eyes. He’s one of six non-blood-related brothers who are Cursebreakers. He’s not NOT a pyromaniac. He likes to do ring fights for fun and money and is scrappy enough he almost always wins (he says most people are rubbed the wrong way by him so they bet on his opponent but people who are only in it to win money always bet on Ash). He’s dramatic, outgoing, flirty with anyone with a pulse, almost childish at times, likes “pushing things that shouldn’t be pushed,” and likes lollipops.
Morgan is a cis white implied to be gay man of unknown age (likely 20s-30s). He’s short, slender, has black hair, brown eyes, and styled goth. He works from home and edits pornography for a living. He’s also a sex toy aficionado. His best friend is Brea, a queer woman whose family more or less took him in when his own was very strained from his parents’ fighting. He’s also very sassy and dramatic, like Ash. He has inherited a very old house from his great-great aunt that turns out to be haunted/cursed.
I can’t really comment on either MC’s specific personality because neither truly feels like they have one. They’re not awful, just unmemorable, which is NOT something I should be saying about a pyro-underground-fighter-Cursebreaker and a tiny-goth-porn-editor. But here we are.
I never thought I’d say this, but there’s too much sarcasm, sass and too many attempts at banter in this book. There was zero balance. It was EVERYONE ALL THE TIME CONSTANTLY, to the point that often I couldn’t tell a lot of the characters apart, especially the two MCs. They have most of their personality traits in common so it was almost like having the same character twice. Almost every single character seemed to be sassy, immature, likes sparkles and/or bright colors, and is extremely extroverted and dramatic. This made it feel like the same person was talking through the whole book. Everything was a one-liner and it got to be exhausting. I mean, the authors use 175 exclamation points in dialogue, the word “screech” or it’s derivatives 18 times, used “?!” 8 times, and it really feels like it. It wasn’t until like page 80 that anyone had even half a conversation that wasn’t wall to wall jokes (and I do mean only half of one).
“His animal brain had already accepted Ash as a protector.” ……the fuck????
The use of “booo” and also “boo”, and not in a ghost way. Used by Morgan more than once, which is infinitely too many times.
I did however love the frank and upfront way the MCs handled sex. I also liked that both MC usually preferred casual sex and were never punished for that. When Morgan wanted sex, and was attracted to Ash, he just asked. I mean they were a bit weird about it because they’re both weird, but I always adore when sex isn’t treated like some grand goal, or something completely taboo. I also really liked that they were very open about what they did and did not want to do, and didn’t do things they weren’t interested in just to be less “trouble” or be more vulnerable with each other.
“Okay,” Morgan said. “Number one, I always bottom. I’m not interested in topping anyone.” Very honest and no one talked themselves into having sex in a way that made them “vulnerable” to prove their feelings (yuck).
I also enjoyed that we got to see a glimpse of the MCs after the main plot. Probably my favorite scene of the book.
Contains:
—gay mc x gay mc
—taxidermies animals
—furniture with eyes carved into them
—haunted/cursed house
—illegal street fighting by Ash
—there’s an upsetting amount of squealing and giggling from both the ADULT MCs and side characters, and I think the two ladies who wrote this overdid it
—size difference
—instalust
—marking
—moderate manhandling in bed
—Deaf side character (Midas)
—panic attack on page
—“pipsqueak” as an endearment
—“I’m scared and horny” MC
—very small and tight spaces experienced several times by claustrophobic MC
—semi public sex (in a conference room at an office with other people in the building but not in the room)
Other:
—third person dual POV
—cheating: no.
—romantic rival: no (unless you count the huge crush Morgan has on Midas, which no one seems to)
—breakup: kind of? There’s a very brief part near the end where neither knows if the other wants to date outside the haunted house situation, but it’s not technically a breakup.
—kids: no.
—sex: a couple explicit sex scenes. Strict roles. Morgan bottoms and Ash tops. It’s kind of implied Ash is vers, but Morgan says outright he has no interest in topping and if that’s a probably they don’t need to have sex. Ash has no problem with it.
—HEA: yes.
“You’re not making me feel any better,” Morgan said through gritted teeth. “I do not want to be barbecue.”
“There’s hardly any meat on you, sweetness.” Ash winked. “Now, stand away from the strips and the walls, and let me do my job.”
“Yeah,” Morgan said, toying with the material under his hand. “I’m realistic when it comes to sex. I’m a skinny, melodramatic little goth who talks too much. That’s not exactly everyone’s type. If it’s something you’re into, then you should know I’m really attracted to you and we can have sex.”
Midas was looking off into the distance like a painting and Morgan was staring at him dreamily. Ash frowned, feeling a tickle of an annoyance he’d never experienced before at the base of his neck. Something red hot and hungry for attention. The desire to grab Morgan’s chin and turn it was a hard one to ignore. He was pretty too! Midas wasn’t that special.
March 4, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
The intricate story telling gives the book a real ‘keep you guessing vibe’. This is more sexual than previous A.M books, in my opinion it's not really necessary. I love the brothers bond. Hart is just fantastic with his unique personality. I can’t wait to see more of him, Wren and Fix especially. The main characters of this book are both snarky brats and well suited. There are lighthearted and edge of your seat moments. Word of warning, listen to the TW at the beginning of the book. Claustrophobia is rife!
The intricate story telling gives the book a real ‘keep you guessing vibe’. This is more sexual than previous A.M books, in my opinion it's not really necessary. I love the brothers bond. Hart is just fantastic with his unique personality. I can’t wait to see more of him, Wren and Fix especially. The main characters of this book are both snarky brats and well suited. There are lighthearted and edge of your seat moments. Word of warning, listen to the TW at the beginning of the book. Claustrophobia is rife!
March 9, 2024
THIS WAS FIRE (PUN NOT INTENDED)
Phew! This was hot, quite literally, on so many levels. I just finished this, my head is spinning, and I'm still too hungover to be coherent at the moment. I don't want to give this a hasty review, so I'll BRB to update this with a complete review once I've come back down to earth.
EDIT: (Okay, I'm back with my actual review.)
I don't think I've ever read a mystery MM romance of this kind yet, one that is action-packed and somewhat modern gothic and speculative, but the whole shebang with malevolent curses, cursebreakers, casters, and being trapped in a homicidal house was definitely intriguing and intense! This reminded me somehow of one of my favourite Nancy Drew mysteries: The Crooked Banister, which, much like this one, shared the concept of a seemingly possessed horror house trying to kill its occupants – except that was more of macabre mystery, and this one is more thriller romance, but because this is MM and sprinkled with generous heapings of smut to go with it, apart from being wrapped up in all the other good stuff mentioned above, plus charming characters, and brilliant writing, well… I think I kind of knew from the moment I read the blurb that not madly liking this was almost a veritable impossibility.
Despite my hyped-up expectations, a lot of things about this still exceeded that. First and foremost: the MCs. Oh, Ash and Morgan are the absolute delight! Their explosive chemistry was not just the icing on the cake, but really the entire scrumptious cake itself that I could not get enough of—they're the main driving force of the story (and of course, me being a sucker for character-orientated plots greedily gobbled this all up). Given the house's complex (literal and metaphorical) intricacies and all the history about it that needed to be unpacked and sifted through to move the plot forward, this could have easily gotten boring. But thanks to the way the development of Ash and Morgan's relationship was carefully interwoven into the main plot, that was brilliantly circumvented and the pace remained fast, exciting, and thoroughly immersive. Their size difference and opposites attract cheeky rogue-sassy twink dynamic was so droolsomely good! If I had to complain about one thing, it's that I would have really wanted to see MORE of them and their relationship OUTSIDE of that god-forsaken house (I am very much hoping and looking forward to that in the future instalments of this series). I want to rant about so many other reasons that further made this story simply amazing, but I don't want to spoil the fun for anyone who hasn't read it yet.
I do have some legit but minor spoiler-free quibbles, mainly to do with all the questions left unanswered at the end regarding the unjustified extremely powerful nature of the curse, and the motives behind it, and why it targeted Morgan of all people (I mean, he's a normal defenceless person—or so we're made to believe—and he would have straight-up demolished the damned structure otherwise, therefore he wasn't even a threat to the secret it held), but since this is the first book in a series, I'm betting the answers will be unveiled eventually further down the other books? At some point, it also got harder and harder to imagine how the house… (how to say this without giving away spoilers?) "reacted" to wrong moves, because well, architecturally speaking, it really pushes one's suspension of disbelief to the limit, but again, there're are still too many mysteries about it that remain unsolved, so I'm holding out until I get more information about it (in the next books?). I really am dying of curiosity about what Morgan's aunt (or whoever was behind it) was hoping to achieve and if Morgan was indeed targeted specifically (which seemed to be the case) and why.
Hmm, I must say, my petty self could not believe that someone sophisticated like Morgan would say what he said about wine (because as a wine enthusiast, I beg to differ)! But since I like him so much I tried justifying for him that he probably just isn't a gourmet (or was totally joking)(so it didn't really dent Morgan's cuteness for me—maybe just made me want to treat him to some fine French reds paired with gruyere cheese, haha). Lastly, I admit, I was sorely tempted to deck a star when I saw "stepped foot" (-GASP-) in the midst of the excellent writing! But since none of those mentioned were deal-breakers, I didn't; I still enjoyed this beyond anything (the ending, though not a HEA but a HFN, was incredibly heart-warming and hopeful, and I am crossing my fingers so hard that that silent promise of a HEA won't be broken)! As always, my ratings are contingent on the level of happiness and satisfaction I got from a book, so I gladly give 5 stars and a whole lot more for this mind-blowing masterpiece! (In the meantime, I will eagerly await more precious Ash and Morgan lurve. <3)
Thank you ever so much to the authors and Booksprout for allowing me to claim an ARC and having the pleasure of reading this book!
Phew! This was hot, quite literally, on so many levels. I just finished this, my head is spinning, and I'm still too hungover to be coherent at the moment. I don't want to give this a hasty review, so I'll BRB to update this with a complete review once I've come back down to earth.
EDIT: (Okay, I'm back with my actual review.)
I don't think I've ever read a mystery MM romance of this kind yet, one that is action-packed and somewhat modern gothic and speculative, but the whole shebang with malevolent curses, cursebreakers, casters, and being trapped in a homicidal house was definitely intriguing and intense! This reminded me somehow of one of my favourite Nancy Drew mysteries: The Crooked Banister, which, much like this one, shared the concept of a seemingly possessed horror house trying to kill its occupants – except that was more of macabre mystery, and this one is more thriller romance, but because this is MM and sprinkled with generous heapings of smut to go with it, apart from being wrapped up in all the other good stuff mentioned above, plus charming characters, and brilliant writing, well… I think I kind of knew from the moment I read the blurb that not madly liking this was almost a veritable impossibility.
Despite my hyped-up expectations, a lot of things about this still exceeded that. First and foremost: the MCs. Oh, Ash and Morgan are the absolute delight! Their explosive chemistry was not just the icing on the cake, but really the entire scrumptious cake itself that I could not get enough of—they're the main driving force of the story (and of course, me being a sucker for character-orientated plots greedily gobbled this all up). Given the house's complex (literal and metaphorical) intricacies and all the history about it that needed to be unpacked and sifted through to move the plot forward, this could have easily gotten boring. But thanks to the way the development of Ash and Morgan's relationship was carefully interwoven into the main plot, that was brilliantly circumvented and the pace remained fast, exciting, and thoroughly immersive. Their size difference and opposites attract cheeky rogue-sassy twink dynamic was so droolsomely good! If I had to complain about one thing, it's that I would have really wanted to see MORE of them and their relationship OUTSIDE of that god-forsaken house (I am very much hoping and looking forward to that in the future instalments of this series). I want to rant about so many other reasons that further made this story simply amazing, but I don't want to spoil the fun for anyone who hasn't read it yet.
I do have some legit but minor spoiler-free quibbles, mainly to do with all the questions left unanswered at the end regarding the unjustified extremely powerful nature of the curse, and the motives behind it, and why it targeted Morgan of all people (I mean, he's a normal defenceless person—or so we're made to believe—and he would have straight-up demolished the damned structure otherwise, therefore he wasn't even a threat to the secret it held), but since this is the first book in a series, I'm betting the answers will be unveiled eventually further down the other books? At some point, it also got harder and harder to imagine how the house… (how to say this without giving away spoilers?) "reacted" to wrong moves, because well, architecturally speaking, it really pushes one's suspension of disbelief to the limit, but again, there're are still too many mysteries about it that remain unsolved, so I'm holding out until I get more information about it (in the next books?). I really am dying of curiosity about what Morgan's aunt (or whoever was behind it) was hoping to achieve and if Morgan was indeed targeted specifically (which seemed to be the case) and why.
Hmm, I must say, my petty self could not believe that someone sophisticated like Morgan would say what he said about wine (because as a wine enthusiast, I beg to differ)! But since I like him so much I tried justifying for him that he probably just isn't a gourmet (or was totally joking)(so it didn't really dent Morgan's cuteness for me—maybe just made me want to treat him to some fine French reds paired with gruyere cheese, haha). Lastly, I admit, I was sorely tempted to deck a star when I saw "stepped foot" (-GASP-) in the midst of the excellent writing! But since none of those mentioned were deal-breakers, I didn't; I still enjoyed this beyond anything (the ending, though not a HEA but a HFN, was incredibly heart-warming and hopeful, and I am crossing my fingers so hard that that silent promise of a HEA won't be broken)! As always, my ratings are contingent on the level of happiness and satisfaction I got from a book, so I gladly give 5 stars and a whole lot more for this mind-blowing masterpiece! (In the meantime, I will eagerly await more precious Ash and Morgan lurve. <3)
Thank you ever so much to the authors and Booksprout for allowing me to claim an ARC and having the pleasure of reading this book!
March 5, 2024
'Like a House on Fire' is a curious mix of comedy, erotica, and thriller. There is a mystery, a series of puzzles for MCs to solve, but while they are important for the plot to progress it's still pretty clear that they are just a beginning for the longer story arc, maybe even a one developing through the whole series.
The focus of this book is on the MCs and the whole Cursebreakers gang.
I appreciate more and more books where the authors put an effort into making a supportive group of friends/family for MCs. It's nice to see characters interact with different people and the care and attention they give and get in return. Ash's family is definitely a weird bunch, but an inclusive one too.
At the beginning of the story, I was worried that all the characters were going to have the same attitude and follow the classical tropes of 'snarky bratty smol boy', but Hart, Fix, and Midas quickly stole my heart, adding the balance to more insane and volatile parts of their family. I hope to see more of them in the future!
I like how every character in 'Like a House on Fire' seemed to have some kind of not-so-healthy philosophy, clearly messed up by life, but never crossing the line of toxicity. That leveled the more comedic or not-so-serious aspects of characters' attitudes, helping to see them in a more 3-dimensional way. I would prefer the story to be even more serious; sometimes I felt like MCs or side characters behaved more like rowdy teenagers than actual functioning adults - but I am aware that it was a deliberate decision made by the authors, and many readers will find it delightful.
The romance didn't feel rushed, especially considering the quickly escalating situation in which MCs had to trust each other in a dangerous and scary environment.
The sexual scenes were written very well, hot and heavy-breathing inducing, even though after finishing the whole book I felt like a couple less would make the rest stand out more, not drowning the reader in an almost constant mix of suspense, terror, and horniness. I'm sorry but Morgan *really* felt like a nymphomaniac, especially in the first part of the book. I never feel connected with characters who keep thinking/doing/mentioning sex every other sentence, but that's just my own quirk - and because of that I'm extremely curious about Midas' development in future books.
I didn't fall in love with Ash immediately - he needed time to grow on me, with his carefree attitude and everybody-love-me-anyway cheeky grins. It took some time for him to stop being so sure of himself and show a more caring and sober side of himself. That progress was one of the best things in the whole book, not forcing me as a reader to immediately love everyone but learning about different sides of MCs and watching their development as humans.
TW: panic attacks, claustrophobia, taxidermy, a-lot-of-fire
I received the ARC from the author, and I'm leaving an honest and unbiased review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The focus of this book is on the MCs and the whole Cursebreakers gang.
I appreciate more and more books where the authors put an effort into making a supportive group of friends/family for MCs. It's nice to see characters interact with different people and the care and attention they give and get in return. Ash's family is definitely a weird bunch, but an inclusive one too.
At the beginning of the story, I was worried that all the characters were going to have the same attitude and follow the classical tropes of 'snarky bratty smol boy', but Hart, Fix, and Midas quickly stole my heart, adding the balance to more insane and volatile parts of their family. I hope to see more of them in the future!
I like how every character in 'Like a House on Fire' seemed to have some kind of not-so-healthy philosophy, clearly messed up by life, but never crossing the line of toxicity. That leveled the more comedic or not-so-serious aspects of characters' attitudes, helping to see them in a more 3-dimensional way. I would prefer the story to be even more serious; sometimes I felt like MCs or side characters behaved more like rowdy teenagers than actual functioning adults - but I am aware that it was a deliberate decision made by the authors, and many readers will find it delightful.
The romance didn't feel rushed, especially considering the quickly escalating situation in which MCs had to trust each other in a dangerous and scary environment.
The sexual scenes were written very well, hot and heavy-breathing inducing, even though after finishing the whole book I felt like a couple less would make the rest stand out more, not drowning the reader in an almost constant mix of suspense, terror, and horniness. I'm sorry but Morgan *really* felt like a nymphomaniac, especially in the first part of the book. I never feel connected with characters who keep thinking/doing/mentioning sex every other sentence, but that's just my own quirk - and because of that I'm extremely curious about Midas' development in future books.
I didn't fall in love with Ash immediately - he needed time to grow on me, with his carefree attitude and everybody-love-me-anyway cheeky grins. It took some time for him to stop being so sure of himself and show a more caring and sober side of himself. That progress was one of the best things in the whole book, not forcing me as a reader to immediately love everyone but learning about different sides of MCs and watching their development as humans.
TW: panic attacks, claustrophobia, taxidermy, a-lot-of-fire
I received the ARC from the author, and I'm leaving an honest and unbiased review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 26, 2024
compelling, great characters, what a story
Rating: 4.5🌈
Cursebreakers, Inc is a series that has released books 1 and 2 in the terrific new paranormal fantasy romances from the authors known as A.M. Rose. Sexy, fascinating, dystopian in the world setting, magical and often horrifying, Rose grabbed me from the beginning of this novel.
The Cursebreakers, a group of men (in this case) who are born with a mark that lets the magical governing agency know what they are and what they might be capable of magically as they develop. The history and backgrounds of each Cursebreaker is relayed by the characters in their stories, in most cases not very pleasant ones. And, as we find out in Book 2, how exactly this group was formed.
Like a House on Fire sets down the basic foundations of the world and agency. It’s a tantalizing framework that immediately begs for more exploration and detailed knowledge because of the defining features Rose lets us see through the lens of their creations.
The first of the Cursebreakers is Ash, who has an affinity with fire and fighting. He’s impulsive and highly skilled in a certain type of curses as is everyone in their group. Each having a specific skill set or sets of magical abilities to breaking curses.
It’s a two person POV, and the magical drama, which is horrifyingly subtle at first, is built skillfully as the scenes bounce between the two protagonists.
Morgan and his bff, Brea, arrive at a dilapidated house he’s just inherited by an aunt he barely knew. It’s not an ordinary house, fyi. Various things happen and he’s trapped inside.
In a panic, Brea calls the Cursebreakers and Ash is sent to handle what’s assumed to be a simple case. It’s not.
From the central point of a strange situation, an unknown magical force which happens to be a house, Rose writes a novel that tells multiple stories. Ash and Morgan develop into fascinating layered characters, people with depths able to develop different aspects of their personalities as they explore and deal with each new frightening situation.
Then there’s all the magical elements, the spells and craftwork, the tools and techniques created to enhance the characters and world building. It’s remarkable and feels believable in such a dark fantasy environment.
As the terror and suspense keeps multiplying, more series knowledge and intense magical energy becomes available that pulls in other members of the Cursebreakers so we meet them and lays a foundation for new plots going forward.
There’s a trigger warning for people with issues with tight spaces and claustrophobia. Take note because I found parts, ok many parts, of this story terrifying.
I just was so invested in this story and the characters. A definite page turner and a must read for all lovers of paranormal or fantasy dark romance.
Cover designed by BCJ Art & Design
Cursebreakers, Inc.:
- [x] Like a House on Fire # 1
- [x] Fool Me Twice #2
- [ ] A Thousand Cuts #3 - March 12, 2025
Rating: 4.5🌈
Cursebreakers, Inc is a series that has released books 1 and 2 in the terrific new paranormal fantasy romances from the authors known as A.M. Rose. Sexy, fascinating, dystopian in the world setting, magical and often horrifying, Rose grabbed me from the beginning of this novel.
The Cursebreakers, a group of men (in this case) who are born with a mark that lets the magical governing agency know what they are and what they might be capable of magically as they develop. The history and backgrounds of each Cursebreaker is relayed by the characters in their stories, in most cases not very pleasant ones. And, as we find out in Book 2, how exactly this group was formed.
Like a House on Fire sets down the basic foundations of the world and agency. It’s a tantalizing framework that immediately begs for more exploration and detailed knowledge because of the defining features Rose lets us see through the lens of their creations.
The first of the Cursebreakers is Ash, who has an affinity with fire and fighting. He’s impulsive and highly skilled in a certain type of curses as is everyone in their group. Each having a specific skill set or sets of magical abilities to breaking curses.
It’s a two person POV, and the magical drama, which is horrifyingly subtle at first, is built skillfully as the scenes bounce between the two protagonists.
Morgan and his bff, Brea, arrive at a dilapidated house he’s just inherited by an aunt he barely knew. It’s not an ordinary house, fyi. Various things happen and he’s trapped inside.
In a panic, Brea calls the Cursebreakers and Ash is sent to handle what’s assumed to be a simple case. It’s not.
From the central point of a strange situation, an unknown magical force which happens to be a house, Rose writes a novel that tells multiple stories. Ash and Morgan develop into fascinating layered characters, people with depths able to develop different aspects of their personalities as they explore and deal with each new frightening situation.
Then there’s all the magical elements, the spells and craftwork, the tools and techniques created to enhance the characters and world building. It’s remarkable and feels believable in such a dark fantasy environment.
As the terror and suspense keeps multiplying, more series knowledge and intense magical energy becomes available that pulls in other members of the Cursebreakers so we meet them and lays a foundation for new plots going forward.
There’s a trigger warning for people with issues with tight spaces and claustrophobia. Take note because I found parts, ok many parts, of this story terrifying.
I just was so invested in this story and the characters. A definite page turner and a must read for all lovers of paranormal or fantasy dark romance.
Cover designed by BCJ Art & Design
Cursebreakers, Inc.:
- [x] Like a House on Fire # 1
- [x] Fool Me Twice #2
- [ ] A Thousand Cuts #3 - March 12, 2025
February 11, 2025
Sparks and flames
A good start to a new urban fantasy series that manages to make a bit of a bottle book by spending most of the time with the two leads stuck together mostly cut off from the rest of the world. It works well to push the two together, but also to learn more about them in a faster time frame due to the intense circumstances. It also lays a bit of the groundwork for the world building, though that could use a little more.
Morgan inherits a home from his aunt who he didn't know all that well but to find out that the entire house is a giant booby trapped curse. Ash is the curse breaker that gets sent to help him out and what at first looks like it should be a simple case turns into the house actively fighting the curse removal and Ash leaping into the house and getting stuck along with Morgan. The two of them have to solve the puzzles of the house to break the curse and get out, but if they don't the house may very well kill them.
The relationship side is well done in this fashion. There is plenty of time to work on how these two fit together, both under high and low stress. It gives time for the almost domesticity of making meals together and finding places to sleep, while also having the work of the puzzles and the stress of a wrong answer looming over them. Altogether it builds up the relationship just right over the book.
The world building surprisingly doesn't do quite as well. The whole thing starts off with this curse and calling Cursebreakers, so it is clear magic and curses exist in this world. But that it about all that is laid out for a long time until we learn a little about Ash and his brothers. Even then it is a quick sketch of the life of a curse breaker, and it doesn't really explain the magic in this world or the system that is in place for it. What is explained is fascinating and future books may give more, which would be great!
Definitely a good book to start the series with hopefully more info about the world to come!
A good start to a new urban fantasy series that manages to make a bit of a bottle book by spending most of the time with the two leads stuck together mostly cut off from the rest of the world. It works well to push the two together, but also to learn more about them in a faster time frame due to the intense circumstances. It also lays a bit of the groundwork for the world building, though that could use a little more.
Morgan inherits a home from his aunt who he didn't know all that well but to find out that the entire house is a giant booby trapped curse. Ash is the curse breaker that gets sent to help him out and what at first looks like it should be a simple case turns into the house actively fighting the curse removal and Ash leaping into the house and getting stuck along with Morgan. The two of them have to solve the puzzles of the house to break the curse and get out, but if they don't the house may very well kill them.
The relationship side is well done in this fashion. There is plenty of time to work on how these two fit together, both under high and low stress. It gives time for the almost domesticity of making meals together and finding places to sleep, while also having the work of the puzzles and the stress of a wrong answer looming over them. Altogether it builds up the relationship just right over the book.
The world building surprisingly doesn't do quite as well. The whole thing starts off with this curse and calling Cursebreakers, so it is clear magic and curses exist in this world. But that it about all that is laid out for a long time until we learn a little about Ash and his brothers. Even then it is a quick sketch of the life of a curse breaker, and it doesn't really explain the magic in this world or the system that is in place for it. What is explained is fascinating and future books may give more, which would be great!
Definitely a good book to start the series with hopefully more info about the world to come!
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