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Kieran Hart has just gone through a divorce and is starting over with a new job at a DNA discovery site. After finding out she’s adopted years earlier, she sends in her sample, hoping to find her birth parents, and instead, finds herself in a police station, being accused of a crime she didn’t commit because her DNA was a match to a homicide. Only, it’s not Kieran’s DNA. It’s her identical twin sister’s DNA. The sister she never knew she had.

Carina Whitlock is the top ADA in her office and is on her way to becoming the next district attorney when she is handed the case of Marin May, Kieran’s twin sister. It seems like a fairly open-and-shut case until she spends time with Kieran and finds herself not only believing that Marin might not have committed the crime, but also that Kieran might be more than someone she’s supposed to know through a case.

All the evidence points to Marin being the killer and maybe much more than just that, but Kieran can’t stop trying to help her sister and becoming friends and maybe more with the ADA assigned to prosecute the case.

338 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 30, 2024

148 people are currently reading
142 people want to read

About the author

Nicole Pyland

81 books826 followers
Nicole Pyland is a bestselling author of lesbian romance stand-alone novels and series like Chicago Series, Holiday Series, Royalty Series, Sports Series, and more. Since 2017, she’s published over 60 novels (not including her What Happened After shorts), and more books are on their way.

Nicole grew up in Indiana, studying English & Film and then getting a MS in Behavior Analysis and moving to California, working by day as a Head of Training at a startup. She lives with her wife and their opinionated cat, who spends his evenings helping her write stories by occupying half the chair.

Newsletter: nicolepyland.com/newsletter

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
Profile Image for Lorraine Rusnack.
1,130 reviews33 followers
September 3, 2024
Fighting for justice

Kieran is determined to free her sister from jail and falls in love in the process. A fantastic detective story and a very special love story rolled into one amazing book. A must read to finish the Fire series. The story does not disappoint. I love and admire all the characters from this series.
Profile Image for JAYNE.
210 reviews12 followers
August 29, 2024
Nicole Pyland's fourth and final instalment in the Fire Universe series, The System, totally delivers.

Kieran Hart, 35, is experiencing changes in her life. Recently divorced from her lawyer husband, embarks on a fresh start in a new home and a new job, ready to embrace a new chapter in her life. The last thing she expects is to be implicated as a prime suspect in a cold case because of DNA evidence. The logical conclusion is that she has an unknown sibling.

Carina Whitlock's primary aim is to achieve her career aspirations. Already an accomplished ADA, the odds of becoming the next District Attorney look pretty good. Her next case is that of the prosecution for Kieran’s sister, Marin May. However, the more time Carina spends with Kieran, the more she doubts Marin's guilt.

The pace of the story and the suspenseful plot twists had me completely engrossed, making it difficult to put the book down. The main characters in this story are exceptionally well-developed and despite being on opposing sides, you can sense the magnetism pulling them closer together.

I received an arc for an honest review.
Profile Image for queer_aussie_reviews.
315 reviews29 followers
September 5, 2024
Nicole Pyland has ended the Fire Universe with the release of The System and done a superb job. With the introduction of Keiran, Carina, and Marin, the series wrapped up perfectly.

When Keiran starts a new job coding for a DNA discovery website, she is offered the chance to submit her own DNA for testing. As a baby, she was adopted, so she sees the opportunity as a chance to grow her familial connections.
What she never imagined is finding out she has a twin sister. One who is being accused of murder. Carina is the defence attorney who sits down with Keiran and shares what she knows about her sister, Marin’s case. The problem is Carina is going to be the one to send Marin to jail, and still, Keiran can’t stay away from her.

Keiran and Carina are from different worlds, but from the moment they meet, there is a connection that neither can quite explain. Actually, Carina can, she is a lesbian, and she knows she finds Keiran attractive. Keiran, on the other hand, is going through a divorce from a man and has never considered herself to be anything but straight.
Proving that Marin is innocent becomes almost an obsession for Keiran, who can’t help but feel guilty over the privileged life she has been able to live thanks to her adoptive parents.

The System is a slow burn romance with a huge mystery thrown in, which kept me guessing until the very end. The story is constructed nicely, with twists and turns and plenty of the steamy scenes Pyland has become so well known for.
Each MC from throughout the Fire Universe makes an appearance, and through heartache and triumph, this friendship group continues to expand.

I know I mention this most times when I talk about any of Pyland’s series that can be read as stand-alone, but it’s important to note that if you do miss the other books, there are wonderfully intertwined relationships that sometimes span years that would be missed.
Profile Image for Haley Bungay.
185 reviews1 follower
August 24, 2024
I say this every time I read a book by @nicole_pyland…but I just love her books and characters so much and her latest is no different! The System is the fourth (and final) book in the Fire Universe and I’m so sad to leave these characters behind! This is a series I’ll come back to again and again for sure!

In The System, Kieran is starting her life over after her divorce and when her new job with a DNA discovery app comes with a free test kit she uses it only to find out she has an identical twin who is wanted for murder! Carina is the best ADA in her office and is assigned to the trial. As the story progresses you see Kieran discover a lot about herself…she and Carina have this incredible connection pretty much right from the beginning.

I loved how the story of this couple played out. How there were so many factors that could have kept them apart but they didn’t…or Kieran and Carina really wouldn’t let them. They both knew they had something special.

Now that the Fire Universe has come to an end…I can safely say that Kieran and Carina are my favourite couple in the series! For those that read the previous books in this series…we also finally find out what happened to Noah!

Thanks Nicole for the advance copy of this book! Your books are definitely brights spots in my reading time!
Profile Image for Wlad.
198 reviews
July 8, 2025
Surpreendentemente realista sobre a investigação criminal e o processo, achei que foi bem pesquisado. O romance é entre uma engenheira, que descobre que é adotada e tem uma irmã gêmea, e a promotora que denunciando a irmã pelo assassinato do marido, meio novela. Ainda assim, achei as cenas entre elas boas e pareciam reais. Tem algumas cenas de sexo semi explícitas entre as protagonistas, bem escritas. Não gostei muito do final porque achei que o antagonista não estava coerente com o histórico dele e foi resolvido meio abruptamente. É parte de uma série mas conseguiu entender sem ler os demais, apesar de ter claras referências a outras personagens.
Profile Image for Blanca.
64 reviews
August 24, 2024
Loved this book!!! I’m going to need more of Carina and Kieran. This series is amazing and I think when I read the kidnapped I was sure that I Hollis and Raleigh were my fav but after reading this one I think I change my mind. The story is so amazing and keeps you so invested. The way these two women have a connection in the beginning when really they shouldn’t but the situation just keeps them close it’s great how you can just see them falling for each other. I just feel like there is so much left for these women that I so badly wanna be a part of. Fingers crossed and Nicole gives us more of them. Highly recommend this series. You can’t just read one. They way all the characters from the whole series come together was so well done. Wish I could be a part of this friend group!!
39 reviews2 followers
September 5, 2024
A good wrap-up to a great series.

The System is the 4th book in the Fire Universe Series by Nicole Pyland.

Kieran, who is newly divorced and starting over in a new town and at a new job, gets the chance to have a free DNA test done as part of her new job. As an adoptee, who only found out she was adopted later in life, she figures this would be a good opportunity to see if she has any matches to her birth family. What she is not expecting is the DNA results to lead to the suspect in a cold case murder. A suspect who turns out to be her unknown identical twin sister Marin. In steps Carina, the assistant district attorney, whose career in heading towards promotion to district attorney. She’s got a strong conviction rate and she is the one assigned to prosecute Marin.

The unlikely friendship that blossoms between these two characters while trying to navigate being on opposing sides of Marin’s case verges on being a conflict of interest for Carina, but she manages to keep it mostly ethical. A few parts I really liked about this book was the way both Kieran and Carina support and understand each other, especially when it comes to each other’s careers and how important their respective career is. As well, I loved the banter between Kieran and Carina, and how Kieran realised it was something she truly enjoys and that was missing in her marriage.

*Spoiler* My favourite part of the book, is how even though all the evidence points to Marin being guilty of the murder of her husband, because Kieran truly believes in Marin's innocence, so does Carina once her relationship with Kieran progresses. She knows it’s illogical and goes against the evidence they currently have, but its just how she feels. *End Spoiler*

I really appreciate how this book provided us with an answer to who killed Noah from The Disappeared. I also like that we get a scene with all the main characters from the 4 books in this series. This book and series is one I plan to read again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
312 reviews2 followers
September 1, 2024
As a retired lawyer I had a real problem with the start of this due to the (un) professional conflict issue. Carina, Assistant District Attorney, is the prosecutor assigned to prosecute Kieran’s identical twin sister, Marin. It’s no time at all before she’s having drinks with Kieran and developing feelings for her. She should have immediately recused herself from the case against Marin, but instead, she waits until a judge forces her to do so! I think it highly unlikely that any decent lawyer would act as Carina does - it would be a professional conduct issue with career ending ramifications.
That said, this was nice enough. The author has a really ‘easy read’ style so I raced through this in a day. It was a decent story as Kieran tries to build a relationship with Marin in the most trying of circumstances, whilst also investigating whether is Marin is guilty of everything she’s accused of. Some may question Kieran’s transformation from straight to gay but I just got the impression that she was someone who’d never real thought about things like that - she’s a software engineer who’s ‘all about the code’ and it’s not until she meets Carina that she questions anything about her former life. There are brief interactions with the characters from the authors previous books in the Fire Universe and, whilst it didn’t particularly move me, it brought the series of 4 to a close very nicely.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
1,182 reviews
April 22, 2025
An Outstanding Series That Goes Full Circle!

Here we are at Book 4 possibly the last in the Fire Universe Series. As much as I love Ripley & Kenna, Dylan & Ada, Hollis & Raleigh, my favorite has become Carina & Kieran. An innocent, taking advantage of her new companies policy to use their Dnadiscovery.com services. Since she found out a few years back that she was adopted she wanted to do a dna testing and see if anything came about. When the lieutenant (Dylan) from the police asked to speak to her about her dna results, things start taking a very weird turn in her life. A murder has been committed and there was dna left at the scene, Kieran’s. As she is trying to navigate this with Dylan, another surprise comes along. She is a twin, identical. Kieran likes her life, she is a gamer and writes codes for companies or her new company but this is too much. Then she has an investigation reporter who has her own tv show, Kenna, trying to track her down for a story and an ADA (Carina) who is the one going to try to prosecute, her twin sister. There are so many twists and turns that keep the story interesting but it is the sweet, sassy banter between Kieran and Carina that makes you fall in love with this couple especially since Kieran is straight and Carina is not, but flirty they both are. This is one of the better banters between two characters that I have read in a while. So much so that I can see it continuing.
Profile Image for Milena.
422 reviews
September 10, 2024
Have you ever started reading a book and thought 'I know what’s gonna happen when we get to the end'? Well, don’t count your chickens before they hatch with this one. Kieran is newly divorced, gets a new job working for a DNA discovery site, and finds out she has a twin sister. After kind of getting to know Marin and talking with her, she believes that Marin didn’t do what she’s accused of. Since Carina is the prosecutor in her twin's case; Carina wants to meet with Kieran to talk and let her know why Marin has been arrested.
So what happens when Carina and Kieran talk? A friendship kinda happens that’s complicated. I found it it to be very interesting and funny that every time Carina was asked about the ‘friendship’ her answer was always it’s complicated. What an intriguing way to have your main characters meet and maybe become more! ‘The System’ really is a whodunit of a mystery that was fun to unravel while reading. What makes this a wonderful read is how the story is written from beginning to end. The characters really feel like people that would be cool to meet if they were real. If anyone should be the heroine in this book, I’d definitely say Kieran should be the heroine. You’re gonna have to read The System to find out why! What a mystery!
Profile Image for Michelle  Schuler.
923 reviews12 followers
August 31, 2024
The System

It's a beautiful end to another fabulous series by Nicole Pyland. I enjoy her mystery books, and the couples enter a relationship.
The chemistry was outstanding. I loved the intellectual banter, the way the couple just meshed. No matter what characters Pyland creates, she pairs them with their perfect match.
It was fun to see the cast of characters we have already met as secondary characters, with a few
I loved the closure given from The Disappeared. It was great to see a resolution. Each book was unique. I loved how Dylan made an appearance and was able to see the lieutenant at work in questioning a suspect. Also, viewing it from the MCs view was awesome.
This was a slow-burn, however once they decided on the relationship, it was fast-paced.
This has been an engaging series that I am sad to see end. Pyland has talent from romances to young adults to erotica to mysteries; covering a wide array of characters, professions, and circumstances. I have yet to be disappointed. I will continue to follow her in the future. I can’t wait to see what's in store from her next.
Profile Image for Sarah Stoneleigh.
26 reviews
September 5, 2024
The System is the 4th book in the Fire Universe series. I recommend reading the previous 3 novels as it mentions the characters and also finishes up a storyline from The Disappeared.

Kieran gets a job at an ancestry website called DNADiscovery.com after going through a divorce and ends up being pulled into a cold case murder investigation involving her twin sister, Marin, who she didn’t know about. Carina is the assistant district attorney prosecuting her sister’s case. The two of them have instant chemistry from the beginning despite being on opposing sides of the case.

I really enjoyed this story! The twists and turns of Marin’s case kept me wondering throughout the story. It’s clear Pyland enjoys (and is fantastic at) writing about detective work and fictional crime. The banter between the two MC’s was witty and their romance was a slow burn at first until they decide to go for it and then they’re all in. I’m sad to see this series come to an end but will definitely be re-reading it!
8 reviews
August 30, 2024
I always try and take my time reading Pyland’s books to try and savor them. As always, once I started reading I was hardly able to stop.

I thought that the pace of the book was very well written. It had the perfect amount of romantic, mystery, and angst and flowed back and forth between them easily.

It didn’t take me long to become invested in both Kieran and Carina’s story. I enjoyed reading their individual stories as well as their relationship together. I thought their character and relationship progression was well written.

I also loved getting introduced to Marin. I was a little worried that she would end up truly being guilty but I am glad I was wrong. I really loved reading the family relationship that she began to have with Kieran and Kieran’s mom as well as a possible romantic relationship with Frank.

Overall I truly loved this book and I would definitely add it to my “read but want to reread” list
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
111 reviews1 follower
September 6, 2024
loved it

I love the Fire universe series and I really hope there is a series finale, what happened after. I don’t want the series to end, I love all the main characters in each book I can’t choose my favorite because they are all great, (well except for Ada I really struggled liking her but she grew on me) but I think I may have laughed out loud a few times in this one. ugh it always sucks when a good series end. I always read reviews before I make a decision whether I want to take a chance on it so hopefully this review will help someone to take that chance because it is so worth it. I see the author has a new book coming out in October that is a stand alone so I don’t know if we will get a series finale book before then but I hope so because I’m inpatient. This is a great author and this is the second series I’ve read of hers and all her books are great. I guess I’ll be off to start another series, thanks for the great read ❤️👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
50 reviews1 follower
September 5, 2024
The final book from The Fire Series needs to immediately go from your TBR list to currently reading. Wow, was this a fun book to read. From the beginning you get swept up into this… where is this going/how is this going to turn out… can’t stop reading mode. It keeps you on the edge of your seat in the best way. The story flowed so seamlessly I couldn’t believe when it was the end already. The characters in this book are great. From Kieran’s rollercoaster connection to her twin sister Marin, to the fun banter and chemistry between Kieran and Carina, you could tell they just fit. This was a great finale of The Fire Series and it was fun to catch up with all the leads from the previous books in The Fire Series. AND if you liked The Celebrity Series at all, there may be a quick cameo along the way!
44 reviews
August 30, 2024
Great Read

The fourth installment of the fire series did not disappoint. Nicole Pyland does an excellent job with these mystery, police drama series. I found myself getting caught up in the intrigue and trying to figure out who was responsible.

My favorite parts were the interrogation scenes with Dylan. The writing was just so clear and clever, smart and funny. It’s difficult to strike that balance.

The relationships were beautiful. New sisters, new friends, ex-husbands and also the love interest. This story provides a clear message that families matter, whether by birth, adoption or choice.

This series has also made me consider watching true crime stories, which I never do. But Pyland demonstrates the compelling nature of these stories.
Profile Image for Geina.
43 reviews
August 13, 2024
Another amazing story by Nicole Pyland. Kieran finds out later in life that she’s adopted, her new job offers her DNA testing. She then receives a phone call from a cop wanting to speak to her in regards to an open case. Talk about finding long lost family, she has a twin out there who may have committed a murder. Kieran then meets the ADA Carina and a friendship brews even though Carina is going to put her sister in jail. This story also brings in past characters in this series and a couple has closure on a long open case. I can’t say enough good things about this story. Oh, and Nicole Pyland had me in tears once again. She can pull emotions like no other author I have read before.
Profile Image for Silvia.
366 reviews8 followers
August 24, 2024
This book is a thrilling and emotional rollercoaster that expertly blends suspense with romance. Kieran Hart’s world is turned upside down when a DNA test reveals not only her connection to a crime she didn’t commit but also the existence of an identical twin she never knew. The tension builds as Kieran becomes entangled with Carina Whitlock, the ambitious ADA assigned to the case. Their growing connection adds complexity to an already gripping storyline, where every piece of evidence points to Kieran's twin sister as the culprit. This page-turner keeps you hooked with its twists and turns, making it a compelling read full of intrigue and unexpected romance.
Profile Image for Julie.
51 reviews2 followers
August 25, 2024
This is the 4th and final book in Nicole Pyland's Fire Universe Series. I throughly enjoyed all 4 books. This book has it all. A bit of mystery, some comedy, lots of romance and as I like it a HEA! I'm sad to see the series end I could continue to read about all the these characters and see what else the future has in store for them. Carina and Kieran had a few things stacked against them, but that didn't stop them from pushing forward and finding their true love for one another. You won't be disappointed with this series give. And as always I can't wait to see what Nicole P had planned for us next!
51 reviews5 followers
September 5, 2024
The system is Kieran and Carina’s story where they find each other in one of the most unlikely situations. I loved how Kieran’s realization she liked Carina, although not easy, it was handled in a very mature and realistic way. I enjoyed their connection and banter. The main story revolves around on solving a murder and freeing Kieran’s sister and it has a nice plot twist but I really enjoyed revisiting all the other characters from this series, the way Nicole builds her literary universe is truly unmatched. This book has a nice mystery, romance, a good amount of spice and closure for the characters from the previous books. I would totally recommend.
Profile Image for Angel Beckford.
131 reviews5 followers
September 13, 2024
Could not put the thing DOWN! Carina and Kieran may have given Rip and Ken a good run for their money for top couple bragging rights here. This back and forth was too good. There’s not much holding these two back and really we just get a great plot and uncover a total mystery while these two find each other along the way. They’re funny asf, the whole friendship group of couples and kids is perfect and the support between them all is brilliant.
I’m here for the petty jealousy moments too. Definitely struggling to pick between this and Fire which I didn’t think was possible after rating books 2+3 with4* instead of the 5 but this wrapped perfectly
Profile Image for Ty Lotus.
36 reviews
September 4, 2024
The System makes another all star hit in The Fire Universe by Nicole Pyland. It gives us a glimpse into how the other couples of the Fire Universe are doing as well as a long awaited conclusion to another book in the series.

Kierina (ship name for the main characters) are introduced in this compelling mystery/slow-burn w/w romance that is The System. If you’re a fan of Pyland’s Fire Universe series, The System will not disappoint. It’s a beautiful and well done farewell letter to the Fire Universe.
37 reviews
September 6, 2024
Another fantastic book from Nicole Pyland and a great addition to this series. Twins separated at birth now leading very different lives. While Kieran tries to help her twin Marin when arrested for murder, she befriends the prosecutor Carina. Lines start blur and friendship becomes more for Carina as she starts giving advice to Kieran that could derail her case against Marin. Characters from the previous books come in to help Kieran prove her sister's innocence. Overall a great book that will have you hooked from the start.
Profile Image for Carolyn G. Manuel.
1,070 reviews
September 10, 2024
Finding Our Future

Kieran is newly divorced, a software engineer and starting a new job at a DNA ancestry company. After using the free kit offered by her company because she found out she was adopted, she finds herself being questioned by the police for a murder. It seems she has an identical twin sister. Carina Whitlock is an Assistant District Attorney who is assigned the case. As the case progresses, Kieran and Carina become friends and very real feelings grow stronger. A sapphic romance and mystery with a twist. Love the author’s ability to spin a good yarn.
304 reviews
September 3, 2024
FABULOUS!

Nicole delivered a really great book…again. This was a fascinating story, Twins separated at birth and leading disparate lives. Bringing all the characters from Fire Universe to help Kieran’s sister Marin when she is arrested for murder.

Can’t wait for more great books by one of my favorite authors.
Profile Image for Deb.
385 reviews9 followers
October 7, 2024
I really liked it, but not as much as the previous ones in this series. The change from strangers to friends to lovers felt a little abrupt and unnaturally to me. I also didn't feel real passion and the erotic feels where tamed down by a conversation on farting in a relationship on a first date. 4+⭐️
Profile Image for j good.
273 reviews4 followers
December 8, 2024
My Favorite

Of the 4 books in the Fire Universe series, I think "The System" is my favorite. Kieran is smart and kind, and as her relationship with Carina develops, she grows more confidence and self-assurance.

I liked how Kieran was always confident in Marin's innocence, and Carina is just awesome
824 reviews19 followers
August 15, 2024
Wow talk about glued to the book I loved the main characters their connection was embedded beautifully the story just flowed seamlessly with a gripping storyline I couldn't put it down definitely highly recommended a must-read congratulations
75 reviews
August 31, 2024
Another Amazing Book

I have read a lot of Nicole Pyland’s books and I must say I absolutely love the fire series the most. This was just another amazing book. I love how she incorporates the other MCs from the series while also making this books MC story. Amazing work.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews

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