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Into the Fire: A Flame in the Shadows Trilogy, Book One
Nineteen-year-old Melanie Snow is desperate to untangle what happened the night her parents died. Their employer—the most powerful weapons manufacturer in the country—swears the deaths were a tragic workplace accident, but details in the police reports don’t add up. Worse, the authorities refuse to answer her questions.
Something bigger is going on, and Mel won’t stop until she uncovers the truth.
Tommy Williams has belonged to the Resistance ever since the night he saw Mel’s parents murdered alongside his own. He knows who’s a homegrown extremist group called the Organization. The memories eat him alive, but it’s too late to act. There’s nothing he can do to make up for failing to save their lives.
Not until he learns Mel is centered in the Organization’s crosshairs.
Tommy defies orders and risks his life to warn her, but Mel refuses to run. Instead, she pledges herself to the Resistance to earn information—and to take down the people responsible for her parents’ deaths. But the group do not trust her, and it’s not long before Mel finds herself caught in a web of secrets and lies.
As the target on her back grows, so too do her feelings for Tommy. And one thing soon becomes if Mel can’t stand against the Organization alone, innocent blood will spill.
Including Tommy’s.
One-click if you
🔥Dual POV
🥀Forced Proximity
🔥She Falls First, He Falls Harder
🥀Tension
🔥Brushes Tears Away
🥀PTSD Rep
🔥Revenge
🥀Rebels
🔥Touch Him/Her and ☠️
🥀He Trains Her
🔥Comfort Trope
🥀Queer Rep
🔥Strangers->Friends->Lovers
🥀Slowish Burn
Something bigger is going on, and Mel won’t stop until she uncovers the truth.
Tommy Williams has belonged to the Resistance ever since the night he saw Mel’s parents murdered alongside his own. He knows who’s a homegrown extremist group called the Organization. The memories eat him alive, but it’s too late to act. There’s nothing he can do to make up for failing to save their lives.
Not until he learns Mel is centered in the Organization’s crosshairs.
Tommy defies orders and risks his life to warn her, but Mel refuses to run. Instead, she pledges herself to the Resistance to earn information—and to take down the people responsible for her parents’ deaths. But the group do not trust her, and it’s not long before Mel finds herself caught in a web of secrets and lies.
As the target on her back grows, so too do her feelings for Tommy. And one thing soon becomes if Mel can’t stand against the Organization alone, innocent blood will spill.
Including Tommy’s.
One-click if you
🔥Dual POV
🥀Forced Proximity
🔥She Falls First, He Falls Harder
🥀Tension
🔥Brushes Tears Away
🥀PTSD Rep
🔥Revenge
🥀Rebels
🔥Touch Him/Her and ☠️
🥀He Trains Her
🔥Comfort Trope
🥀Queer Rep
🔥Strangers->Friends->Lovers
🥀Slowish Burn
378 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 22, 2024
12 people are currently reading
412 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
December 16, 2024
2.75 ⭐️ I personally couldn’t connect with the story, it moved too quickly for me to get into and the dialogue felt a little young at points. However the plot itself was interesting and if you like dystopian books this might be a fun one for you.
December 18, 2024
dnf at 50%
i don’t think i have it in me to read the last half of this book. i don’t like any of the characters, the romance was forced from the very beginning when there’s no chemistry between the characters (they just think the other is hot), and the dialogue is just so juvenile. stefanie medrek’s writing is easy to read, but that’s probably because it’s written like an underdeveloped YA book. just not the book for me, i guess.
i don’t think i have it in me to read the last half of this book. i don’t like any of the characters, the romance was forced from the very beginning when there’s no chemistry between the characters (they just think the other is hot), and the dialogue is just so juvenile. stefanie medrek’s writing is easy to read, but that’s probably because it’s written like an underdeveloped YA book. just not the book for me, i guess.
October 13, 2024
For a debut novel this was good! The storyline was intriguing and there was a lot of action right away. I think the rest of the story has a lot of potential.
Thank you Nerd Fam for the ARC!
Thank you Nerd Fam for the ARC!
October 22, 2024
This book was non-stop action from page one to the end. The plot line was intriguing, the romance was stimulating, and I am ready for the next book! The FMC was incredibly strong which I am always in the mood for. This book took me back to high school and made me think of the Divergent/Hunger Games vibes that I absolutely loved back then.
For a debut novel, this was an amazing storyline with a wonderful concept that kept me on my toes throughout the book. I cannot wait to see where it goes in the rest of the series!
For a debut novel, this was an amazing storyline with a wonderful concept that kept me on my toes throughout the book. I cannot wait to see where it goes in the rest of the series!
October 14, 2024
I really enjoyed this debut novel! This action packed story really had me hooked from start to finish. It had everything to keep my attention with all of the suspense, drama, and romance.
In this book you follow Mel as she tries to find out what really happened to her parents. She meets Tommy along the way and finds that they have a lot in common.
I loved the way the story developed, especially in regard to the world building and the plot. I also really loved all of the characters in this book and how their connections grew as the story unfolded. Even the side characters were great.
Read this if you like:
🔹 Dual POV
🔹 Forced proximity
🔹 Slow burn
🔹 Strangers → friends → lovers
I’m definitely anxiously awaiting book two!
Thank you @thenerdfam for sending me a gifted copy of the book.
In this book you follow Mel as she tries to find out what really happened to her parents. She meets Tommy along the way and finds that they have a lot in common.
I loved the way the story developed, especially in regard to the world building and the plot. I also really loved all of the characters in this book and how their connections grew as the story unfolded. Even the side characters were great.
Read this if you like:
🔹 Dual POV
🔹 Forced proximity
🔹 Slow burn
🔹 Strangers → friends → lovers
I’m definitely anxiously awaiting book two!
Thank you @thenerdfam for sending me a gifted copy of the book.
October 19, 2024
5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book One 1️⃣
🖤 Touch him and die
🖤 She falls first, he falls harder
🖤 Revenge & Training
🖤 Strangers - Friends - Lovers
🖤 Rebels
🖤 Forced Proximity
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Into the Fire, by Stefanie Medrek is a new adult romantic suspense that releases this month on the 22nd! It will be available on kindle unlimited, paperback/hardcover (on Amazon or through her website). Stefanie had a dream that played a role in the creation of this book.
Mel (19) met Tommy (20) in the woods after moving to uncover her parent’s deaths. Tommy barred witness to Mel’s (and his) parent’s torture. Tommy tried to save Mel but she pledged to the Resistance.
Stefanie’s writing technique for this book is extraordinary. The plot and character development is unique and visionary. I was able to develop a clear imagery while reading this book.
100000/10 recommend.
#JointheRevolution
Want to read
November 11, 2024Soft DNF’ing at 20% for now. I can’t get into this book, unfortunately.
October 8, 2024
This was such an intense action packed read. And for it being a debut, so amazing. 👏🏻
It really gave me divergent vibes.
It's the Resistance against the Organization.
Mel, such a brave badass character, even unexperienced with fighting and weapons, she doesn't give up to improve. She's on the hunt for answers to her parents deaths. The actual truth. No matter what she never gives up.
I loved how realistic and relatable her character is.
Tommy is such a tortured soul after witnessing the torture and deaths of his parents and their friends.
I felt for him so much carrying the guilt that he could have done something on that terrible day.
Than he runs into Mel. Literally. Or she runs into him.
He never realized their loss would be connected.
I just overall enjoyed this. Couldn't out it down.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted ARC.
It really gave me divergent vibes.
It's the Resistance against the Organization.
Mel, such a brave badass character, even unexperienced with fighting and weapons, she doesn't give up to improve. She's on the hunt for answers to her parents deaths. The actual truth. No matter what she never gives up.
I loved how realistic and relatable her character is.
Tommy is such a tortured soul after witnessing the torture and deaths of his parents and their friends.
I felt for him so much carrying the guilt that he could have done something on that terrible day.
Than he runs into Mel. Literally. Or she runs into him.
He never realized their loss would be connected.
I just overall enjoyed this. Couldn't out it down.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted ARC.
October 20, 2024
“You deserve to love someone who will make you their priority, no matter what. You deserve to have someone shouting from the rooftops over you and believing in your capabilities. Someone who will support your wants and needs as much as their own.”
—
Rating: 4.25 ✨
Smut: 🌶️
—
Melanie Snow will stop at nothing to uncover the truth behind her parents’ deaths.
When Mel gets closer to discovering the truth, she learns that things are much more sinister than she thought and that she’ll have to decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice in order to honour her parents’ memory.
What a wild ride this read was. The initial world-building was somewhat confusing but in an interesting way. Our FMC was paranoid and gave off unreliable narrator vibes at first, which I LOVED. I found myself questioning everybody’s motives and I couldn’t help but overanalyze everyones intentions 😅
The further we get into the world of the Resistance and the Organization, the clearer & bleaker things become.
The two beacons of light in Mel’s world and throughout this read were her friendship with Sam (the purest soul) and her bond with Tommy.
Tommy makes some mistakes along the way but boyyyyy was I rooting for him by the end. Their ending scene had me giddy to see what would come next in book 2. I also loved how these two communicated.
One of my favourite parts of this story were the similarities and differences between Mel & Tommy. They both wanted freedom & purpose beyond their grief, but the ways in which they went about trying to get that freedom looked so different. The freedom in choosing was the biggest overarching theme for me throughout though and I found it so interesting.
I do wish we got a but more backstory for our primary and main characters, however, to better understand their drive. I also wanted to sympathize with Mel’s drive & need for vengeance, but sometimes I also just wanted to shake her lol
Overall, I’m looking forward to seeing how Stefanie Medrek will continue to dive into this world and these characters. I truly had a massive smile in place at the end of the book, knowing that this world was only just beginning to open up to me.
& If you love:
📁 Underground resistance & government secrets
📁 Driven FMC x rebel MMC who doesn’t want to see her hurt
📁 Strangers to friends to lovers
📁 Complex plot
📁 Touch them & die vibes
📁 Dual POV
📁 (a heavy touch of) suspense sprinkled into your romance
Then this one is for you ♥️
Thank you so much to The Nerd Fam for this gifted ebook!
—
Rating: 4.25 ✨
Smut: 🌶️
—
Melanie Snow will stop at nothing to uncover the truth behind her parents’ deaths.
When Mel gets closer to discovering the truth, she learns that things are much more sinister than she thought and that she’ll have to decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice in order to honour her parents’ memory.
What a wild ride this read was. The initial world-building was somewhat confusing but in an interesting way. Our FMC was paranoid and gave off unreliable narrator vibes at first, which I LOVED. I found myself questioning everybody’s motives and I couldn’t help but overanalyze everyones intentions 😅
The further we get into the world of the Resistance and the Organization, the clearer & bleaker things become.
The two beacons of light in Mel’s world and throughout this read were her friendship with Sam (the purest soul) and her bond with Tommy.
Tommy makes some mistakes along the way but boyyyyy was I rooting for him by the end. Their ending scene had me giddy to see what would come next in book 2. I also loved how these two communicated.
One of my favourite parts of this story were the similarities and differences between Mel & Tommy. They both wanted freedom & purpose beyond their grief, but the ways in which they went about trying to get that freedom looked so different. The freedom in choosing was the biggest overarching theme for me throughout though and I found it so interesting.
I do wish we got a but more backstory for our primary and main characters, however, to better understand their drive. I also wanted to sympathize with Mel’s drive & need for vengeance, but sometimes I also just wanted to shake her lol
Overall, I’m looking forward to seeing how Stefanie Medrek will continue to dive into this world and these characters. I truly had a massive smile in place at the end of the book, knowing that this world was only just beginning to open up to me.
& If you love:
📁 Underground resistance & government secrets
📁 Driven FMC x rebel MMC who doesn’t want to see her hurt
📁 Strangers to friends to lovers
📁 Complex plot
📁 Touch them & die vibes
📁 Dual POV
📁 (a heavy touch of) suspense sprinkled into your romance
Then this one is for you ♥️
Thank you so much to The Nerd Fam for this gifted ebook!
October 25, 2024
My Rating: 4.5⭐️
What I loved:
🖤 Rebels
🔥 Dystopian Vibes
🖤 Discovery of Self and Secrets
🔥 Betrayal
🖤 Sacrifice
Stefanie Medrek comes out fighting with her debut novel, filling it with beautiful prose, mystery, and switches between the POV of Tommy (MMC) and Mel (FMC) flawlessly.
Tommy is part of the Resistance, fighting against the evil Organisation… but he’s not only resisting the Organisation, he’s also resisting the electric pull he feels towards Mel. Where his cautiousness played perfectly with his increasing need to be with her and around her.
Sam was my favourite character, despite being a side character, and in future books I’d absolutely love to see his backstory and his future 🖤 His ability to maintain a bright light throughout personal strife, and remain honest and loyal was done beautifully.
At times the characters acted a bit too immature for my liking, but I did like that they did make mistakes like the rest of us in our early twenties and weren’t just acing every single life decision like in other books. Further, I would have enjoyed less time jumps, and instead some more build up, including the more trivial events that happened in between the action.
This book definitely gave dystopian vibes, but I also found that the situation could secretly be occurring at the present time, which was interesting to consider, and apply to our current society.
This is a great fast-paced, action-based debut novel, and reminded me of the divergent/hunger games style of writing.
What I loved:
🖤 Rebels
🔥 Dystopian Vibes
🖤 Discovery of Self and Secrets
🔥 Betrayal
🖤 Sacrifice
Stefanie Medrek comes out fighting with her debut novel, filling it with beautiful prose, mystery, and switches between the POV of Tommy (MMC) and Mel (FMC) flawlessly.
Tommy is part of the Resistance, fighting against the evil Organisation… but he’s not only resisting the Organisation, he’s also resisting the electric pull he feels towards Mel. Where his cautiousness played perfectly with his increasing need to be with her and around her.
Sam was my favourite character, despite being a side character, and in future books I’d absolutely love to see his backstory and his future 🖤 His ability to maintain a bright light throughout personal strife, and remain honest and loyal was done beautifully.
At times the characters acted a bit too immature for my liking, but I did like that they did make mistakes like the rest of us in our early twenties and weren’t just acing every single life decision like in other books. Further, I would have enjoyed less time jumps, and instead some more build up, including the more trivial events that happened in between the action.
This book definitely gave dystopian vibes, but I also found that the situation could secretly be occurring at the present time, which was interesting to consider, and apply to our current society.
This is a great fast-paced, action-based debut novel, and reminded me of the divergent/hunger games style of writing.
October 22, 2024
ARC review (thank you so much The Nerd Fam and Stefanie Medrek):
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This debut novel is a GREAT find. I completely devoured it. It grabbed me with its exciting plot, emotional moments, and a romance that really makes your heart race. If you're looking for a story that mixes the thrills of Divergent and The Hunger Games, this is the one.
Melanie Snow is a strong main character who is determined to find out what happened to her parents. She’s relatable and tough, showing both vulnerability and strength. As she gets involved in the dangerous world of the Resistance, her journey is about discovering herself as well as seeking revenge. I admired her determination; she faces every challenge head-on.
Then there’s Tommy Williams, who is struggling with his own guilt. His connection with Mel adds more depth to the story. The dual perspectives let us see how their relationship grows, and their chemistry is real. Their shared struggles make every moment between them feel important.
The pacing is fantastic. It's fast and full of surprises that kept me engaged. Just when I thought I had things figured out, new twists kept coming. The action scenes are thrilling, making it hard to put the book down. I found myself racing through the pages, eager to see how it all turned out.
The found family aspect is another highlight. The friendships among the characters are well done, especially Mel’s bond with her fellow rebels. Sam, her best friend, brings some humor and warmth. Watching them support each other through tough times is moving, and I enjoyed their growth together.
The writing is engaging and paints a vivid picture that pulls you into the story. Stefanie has created a world that feels alive, full of suspense and a slow-burning romance. Themes of resilience and fighting against oppression give it more depth, making this more than just an action-packed read.
Overall, Into the Fire is a captivating mix of adventure and emotional depth. I'm hooked and can’t wait for the next book. If you want a story that’ll keep you up all night (like it did me), this is definitely one to check out. Highly HIGHLY recommended.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This debut novel is a GREAT find. I completely devoured it. It grabbed me with its exciting plot, emotional moments, and a romance that really makes your heart race. If you're looking for a story that mixes the thrills of Divergent and The Hunger Games, this is the one.
Melanie Snow is a strong main character who is determined to find out what happened to her parents. She’s relatable and tough, showing both vulnerability and strength. As she gets involved in the dangerous world of the Resistance, her journey is about discovering herself as well as seeking revenge. I admired her determination; she faces every challenge head-on.
Then there’s Tommy Williams, who is struggling with his own guilt. His connection with Mel adds more depth to the story. The dual perspectives let us see how their relationship grows, and their chemistry is real. Their shared struggles make every moment between them feel important.
The pacing is fantastic. It's fast and full of surprises that kept me engaged. Just when I thought I had things figured out, new twists kept coming. The action scenes are thrilling, making it hard to put the book down. I found myself racing through the pages, eager to see how it all turned out.
The found family aspect is another highlight. The friendships among the characters are well done, especially Mel’s bond with her fellow rebels. Sam, her best friend, brings some humor and warmth. Watching them support each other through tough times is moving, and I enjoyed their growth together.
The writing is engaging and paints a vivid picture that pulls you into the story. Stefanie has created a world that feels alive, full of suspense and a slow-burning romance. Themes of resilience and fighting against oppression give it more depth, making this more than just an action-packed read.
Overall, Into the Fire is a captivating mix of adventure and emotional depth. I'm hooked and can’t wait for the next book. If you want a story that’ll keep you up all night (like it did me), this is definitely one to check out. Highly HIGHLY recommended.
October 25, 2024
Perhaps I wasn’t in the right mood for a romantic suspense but unfortunately this wasn’t for me.
I enjoyed the dystopian themes and it felt reminiscent of Divergent. It has nonstop action, a fast paced plot and jumped right into the story with minimal world building. It’s easy to follow and you understand the overall scene quickly. There is a lot of action, missions, and training so if you are looking for that here it is!
Why didn’t I like it? I had a hard time connecting with the characters and fully committing to their story. The topics and concepts are great but there was something missing and I never felt invested in the moment.
All that being said, I think this might be right book for someone else! If you’re looking for an action heavy, dystopian book with danger and suspense with a romance where they resist but then are all in, this might be for you! It’s the first book in the trilogy and the ending isn’t a massive cliffhanger so it’s safe to read while you wait for the next book!
Thank you to the Nerd Fam for sending this over. I appreciate the opportunity to read the ARC of this book!
I enjoyed the dystopian themes and it felt reminiscent of Divergent. It has nonstop action, a fast paced plot and jumped right into the story with minimal world building. It’s easy to follow and you understand the overall scene quickly. There is a lot of action, missions, and training so if you are looking for that here it is!
Why didn’t I like it? I had a hard time connecting with the characters and fully committing to their story. The topics and concepts are great but there was something missing and I never felt invested in the moment.
All that being said, I think this might be right book for someone else! If you’re looking for an action heavy, dystopian book with danger and suspense with a romance where they resist but then are all in, this might be for you! It’s the first book in the trilogy and the ending isn’t a massive cliffhanger so it’s safe to read while you wait for the next book!
Thank you to the Nerd Fam for sending this over. I appreciate the opportunity to read the ARC of this book!
October 25, 2024
If you’re a fan of action, revenge and dystopian themes you will love this book. The first book in a trilogy follows nineteen-year-old Melanie Snow. She is determined to uncover the truth behind her parents' suspicious deaths, which the powerful weapons manufacturer they worked for insists were an accident. With the police unhelpful, she learns that Tommy Williams, a member of the Resistance who witnessed their murder, knows the truth about the extremist group responsible. As Tommy risks everything to warn her, Melanie joins the Resistance to seek answers and confront the Organization, but soon finds herself entangled in a dangerous web of secrets and growing feelings for Tommy, realizing that if she can't fight back, more lives, including his, are at stake.
This slow burn romance will keep you on your toes.
This slow burn romance will keep you on your toes.
October 29, 2024
ARC Review:
First, I want to give Stefanie Medrek a huge shout out to following her dream. For her debut book, she did not disappoint. I am excited for the next book in the series. I am a sucker for a good conspiracy and taking down the bad guy and don't forget the the romance. Stefanie did it with this book. She drags you in.
Melanie Snow experienced a tragedy at a crucial time in all our lives. She was fresh in the world of high school when her parents died in a very suspicious event while at their employer’s office. Melanie does not believe any of the reports, law enforcement or the company themselves with the tales they are telling the public. After graduation and her inheritance released, she moves to the hometown of her parents and the company. She lined up a job with the company in hopes to gain answers to the nagging questions she still has unanswered. Before she really gets settled, she meets Tommy after getting lost on a run near her new home.
Tommy is part of the Resistance and turns out he shares a similar history as Melanie. The two bond almost at sight. Not a fall in love at first sight, but you can tell something within each call to the other. The two end up crossing paths again when Tommy tries to tell Melanie to skip town because they are on to her. Well clearly, Melanie is not going to listen to him either. Over a period, Melanie tries to gain more information from the Resistance and do more to get information on her family. Without getting into sharing to much of a spoiler, Melanie does carry her own weight and makes some moves. She learns more about what happen to her family and Tommy’s. Becoming public enemy number one, she throws balls to the walls basically and goes all out to make sure those who killed her family know she is not backing down.
Melanie is not a damsel. Don't try to hold her back.
First, I want to give Stefanie Medrek a huge shout out to following her dream. For her debut book, she did not disappoint. I am excited for the next book in the series. I am a sucker for a good conspiracy and taking down the bad guy and don't forget the the romance. Stefanie did it with this book. She drags you in.
Melanie Snow experienced a tragedy at a crucial time in all our lives. She was fresh in the world of high school when her parents died in a very suspicious event while at their employer’s office. Melanie does not believe any of the reports, law enforcement or the company themselves with the tales they are telling the public. After graduation and her inheritance released, she moves to the hometown of her parents and the company. She lined up a job with the company in hopes to gain answers to the nagging questions she still has unanswered. Before she really gets settled, she meets Tommy after getting lost on a run near her new home.
Tommy is part of the Resistance and turns out he shares a similar history as Melanie. The two bond almost at sight. Not a fall in love at first sight, but you can tell something within each call to the other. The two end up crossing paths again when Tommy tries to tell Melanie to skip town because they are on to her. Well clearly, Melanie is not going to listen to him either. Over a period, Melanie tries to gain more information from the Resistance and do more to get information on her family. Without getting into sharing to much of a spoiler, Melanie does carry her own weight and makes some moves. She learns more about what happen to her family and Tommy’s. Becoming public enemy number one, she throws balls to the walls basically and goes all out to make sure those who killed her family know she is not backing down.
Melanie is not a damsel. Don't try to hold her back.
November 7, 2024
First off - thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted ARC!
I enjoyed this book overall - I’d give it a solid 3.5. There were a few times it felt a little all over the place or I wasn’t sure how much time had passed and that turned me off a bit but the last 40% of the book had me reading nonstop because I wanted to know how it all ended! Gives very divergent vibes for sure.
Will I read the next two books in the series when they release? Probably because there are still unanswered questions I want to know about.
I enjoyed this book overall - I’d give it a solid 3.5. There were a few times it felt a little all over the place or I wasn’t sure how much time had passed and that turned me off a bit but the last 40% of the book had me reading nonstop because I wanted to know how it all ended! Gives very divergent vibes for sure.
Will I read the next two books in the series when they release? Probably because there are still unanswered questions I want to know about.
October 21, 2024
Can I just say this if done right would be an awesome tv show that I'd benge watch!!!
This book has so many layers.
It's relatable & realistic. It has spice & the character dynamics are fire. The banter between characters was intense & i found it even funny at times. It's everything you'd find in really good FBI HBO Drama & Thiller Show. Had me on the edge of my seat & I was trying to put the puzzle pieces together before time in the hourglass ran out but it's a Trilogy so even more fun to be had. I felt like I was apart of the story.
4/5 Spice
5/5 Character Development
5/5 Overall
This book has so many layers.
It's relatable & realistic. It has spice & the character dynamics are fire. The banter between characters was intense & i found it even funny at times. It's everything you'd find in really good FBI HBO Drama & Thiller Show. Had me on the edge of my seat & I was trying to put the puzzle pieces together before time in the hourglass ran out but it's a Trilogy so even more fun to be had. I felt like I was apart of the story.
4/5 Spice
5/5 Character Development
5/5 Overall
October 23, 2024
If you are looking for something packed with action and suspense, then you have come to the right place! This book gave me Divergent vibes!
This book had me at the edge of my seat the whole time! It’s so hard to make this review without spoiling it! I’ve been contemplating for a couple days how to make this review! And all I can say is I highly recommend! From the first chapter this book had me in a chock hold trying to figure out what is going on!
I promise you won’t be disappointed!
This book had me at the edge of my seat the whole time! It’s so hard to make this review without spoiling it! I’ve been contemplating for a couple days how to make this review! And all I can say is I highly recommend! From the first chapter this book had me in a chock hold trying to figure out what is going on!
I promise you won’t be disappointed!
October 28, 2024
First of all I want to thank The Nerd Fam and Stefanie for gifting me the ARC of this book. I was truly honored.
I enjoyed this book and I feel like this series has a lot of potential!
✨strong found family vibes
✨if you like the tv show 24, I think you’ll really enjoy this
It was a little too insta lovey for me and I think it would have been better to use a slow burn romance here!
You can definitely tell this is a debut novel, but there’s nothing wrong with that! I look forward to the next!
I enjoyed this book and I feel like this series has a lot of potential!
✨strong found family vibes
✨if you like the tv show 24, I think you’ll really enjoy this
It was a little too insta lovey for me and I think it would have been better to use a slow burn romance here!
You can definitely tell this is a debut novel, but there’s nothing wrong with that! I look forward to the next!
October 17, 2024
5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book One 1️⃣
🖤 Touch him and die
🖤 She falls first, he falls harder
🖤 Revenge & Training
🖤 Strangers - Friends - Lovers
🖤 Rebels
🖤 Forced Proximity
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Into the Fire, by Stefanie Medrek is a new adult romantic suspense that releases this month on the 22nd! It will be available on kindle unlimited, paperback/hardcover (on Amazon or through her website). Stefanie had a dream that played a role in the creation of this book.
Mel (19) met Tommy (20) in the woods after moving to uncover her parent’s deaths. Tommy barred witness to Mel’s (and his) parent’s torture. Tommy tried to save Mel but she pledged to the Resistance.
Stefanie’s writing technique for this book is extraordinary. The plot and character development is unique and visionary. I was able to develop a clear imagery while reading this book.
100000/10 recommend.
#JointheRevolution
Book One 1️⃣
🖤 Touch him and die
🖤 She falls first, he falls harder
🖤 Revenge & Training
🖤 Strangers - Friends - Lovers
🖤 Rebels
🖤 Forced Proximity
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Into the Fire, by Stefanie Medrek is a new adult romantic suspense that releases this month on the 22nd! It will be available on kindle unlimited, paperback/hardcover (on Amazon or through her website). Stefanie had a dream that played a role in the creation of this book.
Mel (19) met Tommy (20) in the woods after moving to uncover her parent’s deaths. Tommy barred witness to Mel’s (and his) parent’s torture. Tommy tried to save Mel but she pledged to the Resistance.
Stefanie’s writing technique for this book is extraordinary. The plot and character development is unique and visionary. I was able to develop a clear imagery while reading this book.
100000/10 recommend.
#JointheRevolution
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2024
I could not get enough of this book- it was such a fast paced and action packed read!
October 2, 2024
Such a great read for a debut novel. I enjoyed the storyline and the character development.
October 13, 2024
I received an ARC of this book, and am really happy I got to read it! Not my typical choice for genre, but I am happy to say I really enjoyed it. Rebels in a secret resistance fighting a weapons organization that infiltrated a government weapons supply company, with a side of force proximity, strangers to friends to lovers.
Good set up at the end for the rest of the trilogy!
Good set up at the end for the rest of the trilogy!
October 22, 2024
Overall this was a good book, and very action packed. I really enjoyed the storyline and the found family. The premise to the book has a lot going for it and it stirs up a lot of conspiracy theory thoughts. I also enjoyed how it felt like the FMC and MMC were almost destined to be together.
Thank you to the Nerd Fam for the Gifted Arc, always a pleasure to be an ARC reader.
Thank you to the Nerd Fam for the Gifted Arc, always a pleasure to be an ARC reader.
November 1, 2024
I was recently gifted an eARC by the nerd fam called "Into the Fire" by Stefanie Medrek. This book is due to come out tomorrow, Oct 22 and it was such a thrilling read!
“into the Fire” is a compelling story that weaves together themes of resilience, personal growth, and the complexities of human relationships. The book centers around the FMC, Mel who picks up her life and moves to New Hampshire in search of answers and explanations to her parents death. Along the way, she gets involved in something she wasn’t necessarily looking for and finds a new kind of relationship with the MMC, Tommy.
Medrek's ability to develop her characters is one of the book's strengths as readers get to witness their evolution throughout the story. Mel’s struggles and triumphs are portrayed with authenticity, allowing you to connect deeply with her journey. While Tommy’s struggles with self discovery and overcoming his traumatic past allows you to see new sides to his character. The supporting characters add depth to the story, each contributing to the book’s growth in their own unique ways.
Themes of overcoming adversity and finding inner strength are very prevalent in this, making the book not just a tale of survival but also one of empowerment.
Overall, I would rate "Into the Fire" a solid 4/5 ⭐. It’s a thought-provoking and inspiring read that resonates on multiple levels. Medrek’s storytelling shines through, making this book a worthwhile read for those who enjoy character-driven narratives with emotional investments! Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted ARC and congratulation Stefanie on this amazing book!
“into the Fire” is a compelling story that weaves together themes of resilience, personal growth, and the complexities of human relationships. The book centers around the FMC, Mel who picks up her life and moves to New Hampshire in search of answers and explanations to her parents death. Along the way, she gets involved in something she wasn’t necessarily looking for and finds a new kind of relationship with the MMC, Tommy.
Medrek's ability to develop her characters is one of the book's strengths as readers get to witness their evolution throughout the story. Mel’s struggles and triumphs are portrayed with authenticity, allowing you to connect deeply with her journey. While Tommy’s struggles with self discovery and overcoming his traumatic past allows you to see new sides to his character. The supporting characters add depth to the story, each contributing to the book’s growth in their own unique ways.
Themes of overcoming adversity and finding inner strength are very prevalent in this, making the book not just a tale of survival but also one of empowerment.
Overall, I would rate "Into the Fire" a solid 4/5 ⭐. It’s a thought-provoking and inspiring read that resonates on multiple levels. Medrek’s storytelling shines through, making this book a worthwhile read for those who enjoy character-driven narratives with emotional investments! Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted ARC and congratulation Stefanie on this amazing book!
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October 21, 2024DNF
Unfortunately, I had to DNF Into the Fire after the first 10%. Right off the bat, the dialogue felt a bit cringy and forced, which made it hard for me to connect with the characters. Some emotions seemed too intense for characters that had just met, and the FMC made a few decisions that felt odd to me. The story just didn't hold my interest, and I don't see that changing if I continue reading. I may pick this up again in the far future, but to be honest, it's unlikely.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted ARC.
Unfortunately, I had to DNF Into the Fire after the first 10%. Right off the bat, the dialogue felt a bit cringy and forced, which made it hard for me to connect with the characters. Some emotions seemed too intense for characters that had just met, and the FMC made a few decisions that felt odd to me. The story just didn't hold my interest, and I don't see that changing if I continue reading. I may pick this up again in the far future, but to be honest, it's unlikely.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted ARC.
October 31, 2024
This was such a good debut! Major divergent vibes with all the suspense you could want!
November 29, 2025
This debut novel is an intense packed read that I just couldn’t put down. I loved it so much and I really can’t wait for the next book.
I do recommend.
I do recommend.
November 16, 2024
Recensie: Into the Fire - Stefanie Medrek
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨️
Ik geef Into the Fire 3.5 sterren. Het boek heeft zeker sterke punten, maar ook enkele zwakkere kanten die mijn leeservaring beïnvloedden.
De personages voelden ontzettend echt aan, met zowel hun sterke als zwakke eigenschappen. Het boek laat op indrukwekkende wijze zien hoe mensen reageren wanneer ze geconfronteerd worden met levensbedreigende situaties waarin leven en dood op het spel staan.
De leefomstandigheden zijn realistisch en gedetailleerd uitgewerkt. Stefanie Medrek besteedt veel aandacht aan de gevolgen van keuzes, en dat komt op verschillende niveaus goed naar voren.
Het verhaal zit boordevol spanning en plottwists en houdt je van begin tot eind geboeid. Toch had ik hier en daar moeite met de geloofwaardigheid van bepaalde gebeurtenissen en keuzes van personages. Hierdoor voelde het verhaal soms meer aan als een young adult, terwijl dat niet helemaal lijkt te passen bij de serieuze thema’s die worden aangesneden. Dit liet me met gemengde gevoelens achter.
Into the Fire is het eerste deel van een trilogie en eindigt open, maar gelukkig niet met een frustrerende cliffhanger. Het laat genoeg vragen onbeantwoord om je nieuwsgierig te maken naar wat komen gaat.
Ondanks mijn gemengde gevoelens over de geloofwaardigheid ben ik zeker van plan het tweede deel te lezen. Ik hoop dat de balans in het volgende deel beter wordt en dat de thema’s overtuigender worden uitgewerkt.
Ik heb Into the Fire gelezen als ARC, en dit is mijn eerlijke mening.
---
Review: Into the Fire - Stefanie Medrek
I rate Into the Fire 3.5 stars. While the book has some strong elements, there are a few weaknesses that impacted my overall reading experience.
The characters felt incredibly real, showcasing both their strengths and weaknesses. The book does an impressive job of exploring how people react when faced with life-threatening situations where life and death are at stake.
The living conditions are detailed and realistic, with a strong focus on the consequences of decisions across various levels.
The story is packed with tension and plot twists, keeping you hooked from start to finish. However, I occasionally struggled with the believability of certain events and character choices. This made the story feel more like a young adult novel at times, which didn’t entirely align with the serious themes being addressed. This left me with mixed feelings.
Into the Fire is the first book in a trilogy, and while it ends on an open note, it thankfully avoids a frustrating cliffhanger. It leaves enough questions unanswered to keep you curious about what’s coming next.
Despite my mixed feelings about the believability, I’m planning to read the second installment. I hope the balance improves in the next book and that the themes are explored more convincingly.
I read Into the Fire as an ARC, and this is my honest opinion.
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨️
Ik geef Into the Fire 3.5 sterren. Het boek heeft zeker sterke punten, maar ook enkele zwakkere kanten die mijn leeservaring beïnvloedden.
De personages voelden ontzettend echt aan, met zowel hun sterke als zwakke eigenschappen. Het boek laat op indrukwekkende wijze zien hoe mensen reageren wanneer ze geconfronteerd worden met levensbedreigende situaties waarin leven en dood op het spel staan.
De leefomstandigheden zijn realistisch en gedetailleerd uitgewerkt. Stefanie Medrek besteedt veel aandacht aan de gevolgen van keuzes, en dat komt op verschillende niveaus goed naar voren.
Het verhaal zit boordevol spanning en plottwists en houdt je van begin tot eind geboeid. Toch had ik hier en daar moeite met de geloofwaardigheid van bepaalde gebeurtenissen en keuzes van personages. Hierdoor voelde het verhaal soms meer aan als een young adult, terwijl dat niet helemaal lijkt te passen bij de serieuze thema’s die worden aangesneden. Dit liet me met gemengde gevoelens achter.
Into the Fire is het eerste deel van een trilogie en eindigt open, maar gelukkig niet met een frustrerende cliffhanger. Het laat genoeg vragen onbeantwoord om je nieuwsgierig te maken naar wat komen gaat.
Ondanks mijn gemengde gevoelens over de geloofwaardigheid ben ik zeker van plan het tweede deel te lezen. Ik hoop dat de balans in het volgende deel beter wordt en dat de thema’s overtuigender worden uitgewerkt.
Ik heb Into the Fire gelezen als ARC, en dit is mijn eerlijke mening.
---
Review: Into the Fire - Stefanie Medrek
I rate Into the Fire 3.5 stars. While the book has some strong elements, there are a few weaknesses that impacted my overall reading experience.
The characters felt incredibly real, showcasing both their strengths and weaknesses. The book does an impressive job of exploring how people react when faced with life-threatening situations where life and death are at stake.
The living conditions are detailed and realistic, with a strong focus on the consequences of decisions across various levels.
The story is packed with tension and plot twists, keeping you hooked from start to finish. However, I occasionally struggled with the believability of certain events and character choices. This made the story feel more like a young adult novel at times, which didn’t entirely align with the serious themes being addressed. This left me with mixed feelings.
Into the Fire is the first book in a trilogy, and while it ends on an open note, it thankfully avoids a frustrating cliffhanger. It leaves enough questions unanswered to keep you curious about what’s coming next.
Despite my mixed feelings about the believability, I’m planning to read the second installment. I hope the balance improves in the next book and that the themes are explored more convincingly.
I read Into the Fire as an ARC, and this is my honest opinion.
October 13, 2024
“Words are magic. They can be woven together to create something beautiful from nothing, and there are infinite possibilities. You can shape an image, a feeling, even a whole universe, with a few well-chosen lines. Words take a blank page and breathe life into it.”
🔥 She Falls First, He Falls Harder
🖤 Forced Proximity
🔥 PTSD Rep
🖤 He Trains Her
🔥 Friends To Lovers
🖤 Adventure
🔥 Revenge
“He sees me. Accepts my shattered pieces as they are.”
I have to start off by saying I LOVED this. Into the Fire has the perfect balance of suspense, action and tender but fiery romance. Exactly what I was craving in a book. If you want a book that will genuinely have you on the end of your seat waiting to see what happens next, this is the one. Seriously I was glued to the page! Who needs sleep anyway.
“My ravaged soul found its twin in hers.”
The romance in this book was honestly beautiful. You have two characters who have been through hell, whose memories haunt them but their pasts connect them. Stefanie has created such depth in her characters, they make mistakes, they learn, they grow and throughout it all they support each other. I loved it. Mel and Tommy are such kindred spirits. I could rave all day about these two…
“Your mistakes aren’t what define you. It’s what you choose to do next that matters, and you always work to be better, to make things right. That’s what matters. I love you, Thomas Williams. You. Assery and all.”
Our FMC Mel is such a badass character. She is so very realistic in her fears but her strength is inspiring! I couldn’t get enough of her unwavering desire to get to the bottom of what really happened to her parents.
“After five long years adrift, I’m home.”
The found family aspect of this book…. my heart! I can’t cope with how much I love Sam. He is the best friend that everyone deserves.
“You’re not alone.” Mel’s words blaze. She squeezes my hands. “You don’t have to face the memories alone. Not anymore. I’m here for you.”
The way all these characters came together, perfection. Such lonely characters finding a family together, I lapped it up!
It’s safe to say I could not be more ready for book 2. I can’t wait to see what adventures Stefanie has in store next
~ Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted ARC ~
October 23, 2024
If you are looking for a an action/adventure, romantic suspense NA novel look no further than this debut novel, Into The Fire by Stefanie Medrek. This novel is about two college aged teens who find themselves thrown into a fight they had no idea existed until after the tragic deaths of their parents. To get answers, Melanie Snow travelled across the country to get a position at the company where her parents had allegedly died in workplace accident. Tommy Williams had been part of the Resistance since the night he witnessed the brutal murders of his parents and Melanie’s. The two meet by chance which sets off a series of events that makes Mel determined to stop The Organization at all costs, even their lives. This is the first book in the trilogy, A Flame In The Shadows. This debut author has taken her readers on an incredibly wild ride about young lovers who are determined to do what is right, despite impossible odds.
It took me a few chapters to really understand what was going on, but it was intriguing from the start. It didn’t take long to love both Melanie and Tommy and comprehend their pain. The dynamics between the two main characters and the other three characters their age makes the story more real, more emotional, and firmly sets it in the New Adult genre. The writing is excellent and the story well paced. The relationship between the main characters evolved in a natural and believable way. The spice level was low, with only one open door encounter. With the exception of violence, there aren’t any really heavily triggering scenes, but I encourage readers to check the trigger warnings if you think there is a possibility you could be impacted. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and cannot wait to see what this author has in store for Mel and Tommy going forward. I give this book a solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫, which I will round up to 5⭐️ on Goodreads and retail sites, and recommend it to all readers who enjoy NA romantic suspense.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted ARC.
It took me a few chapters to really understand what was going on, but it was intriguing from the start. It didn’t take long to love both Melanie and Tommy and comprehend their pain. The dynamics between the two main characters and the other three characters their age makes the story more real, more emotional, and firmly sets it in the New Adult genre. The writing is excellent and the story well paced. The relationship between the main characters evolved in a natural and believable way. The spice level was low, with only one open door encounter. With the exception of violence, there aren’t any really heavily triggering scenes, but I encourage readers to check the trigger warnings if you think there is a possibility you could be impacted. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and cannot wait to see what this author has in store for Mel and Tommy going forward. I give this book a solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫, which I will round up to 5⭐️ on Goodreads and retail sites, and recommend it to all readers who enjoy NA romantic suspense.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted ARC.
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