Burn It All Down

Hometown Antihero #4

by Amber Lynn Natusch

VICTORY IS SWEET━VENGEANCE IS SWEETER.After three failed attempts on Kylene’s life, it looks like the Advocatus Diaboli might finally be done hunting her.

Or not.

Sure, our girl’s had a couple weeks reprieve from near-death experiences to deal with the lost dream of freeing her father from prison, but when mob witnesses with potential information that could break her dad’s case wide open again start dropping like flies, Kylene and Agent Dawson find themselves right back in the thick of things—and all the danger that entails.

Only this time, they won’t escape its grasp.

BURN IT ALL DOWN, the fourth and final YA mystery novel in the Hometown Antihero series by Amber Lynn Natusch. Perfect for fans of Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Holly Jackson, Maureen Johnson, and Karen McManus.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Mystery Thriller

356 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 6, 2025

About the author

AMBER LYNN NATUSCH is the author of the bestselling Caged series for adults. She was born and raised in Winnipeg, and is still deeply attached to her Canadian roots. She loves to dance and practice Muay Thai―but spends most of her time running a chiropractic practice with her husband, raising two young children, and attempting to write when she can lock herself in the bathroom for ten minutes of peace. Dare You to Lie is her debut YA novel with Tor Teen.

Reviews

[Lorna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the final installment in Natusch’s Anti Hero series. I’ve been reading them since day one and have patiently(?)waited for this book. To be honest, I had forgotten many details from the previous books so it took me awhile to catch up.

Ky is an eighteen year old high school senior that has spent the last couple of months or so embroiled in messes-not always of her own making. Each book involved a different crime she finds herself investigating. On top of that, she’s also investigating her father’s case. He was an FBI agent that was arrested for murder. He’s also not guilty. She is helped by FBI rookie agent Dawson, a young man who is invested in the murder case against her father. He also gets involved in her other cases. This time around the main storyline revolves around her father’s case. The plot was intricate and very well realized by the author. I do need to say that I had figured out the whodunnit part before the ending. This caused me to do a lot of talking to my Kindle while reading. I do read a lot of mysteries so it’s hard to fool me-if that makes sense. There’s a lot of violence and also plenty of banter between Dawson and Ky. They were always a maybe on the relationship scale for the books. This book settles that. Also featured in the book were her best friends Garrett and Tabby. As well as her grandfather she lives with. They always make the books more lighthearted.

I’ve really enjoyed the journey these books took us readers on and I’m going to miss the characters. Highly recommended to 15+ ages.

[Elianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know I did not just read this entire series to only get one single kiss between the main characters…

[Kaitlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will forever love this series and I will miss it so much. Ky and Dawson have been so much fun to revisit and I’m so so so sad it’s over but it was a gratifying ending.

Amber is the kind of author that I love because she’s as in love with this world and story as we are. For her to continue the series to give us an ending AFTER her publisher dropped the series is the true mark of a writer dedicated to her craft and her stories.

….and if she WANTED to write more, I’ll be here with bells on because….well, Dawson.

[Kathie Montefiore-Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The wait is over!

The fourth book in this series was a humdinger. Amazing, fantastic, incredible. I loved every single book and this last one was awesome. Fabulous series, which deserved far more than 5 stars. Thank you, Amber Lynn Natusch for a fabulous read. Please, please, please write more about Danners and Dawson. I loved their banter and chemistry. *************

[Lee Anne Martes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to get an ARC copy of Burn it All Down and it did not disappoint. From the opening line to the finish line you are sucked in. In true Danners fashion Ky kicks ass and takes names.

[Leah Luchinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just don’t even have the words…. If you have been following my updates as I read this series (thanks Alyssa) you know that I binged all four books in the span of 5 days. This series got me out of a major reading slump and it was just so freaking good. The ending was everything I could have asked for and more. It would be fun to have a novella of Kylene in college, but I am still happy with how things ended. I freaking love Agent Dawson and the way that he became like Mr. Darcy (hello hand flex, multiple times) was like the cherry on top!!! I seriously am still blown away that this is not more well known, but at the same time, I like that I am one of the few and I can’t wait to tell everyone to read it!!!! SUCH A GOOD SERIES🤭

[pascale · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK oui j’avais deviné une bonne partie de la fin mais seulement à partir de la moitié du livre. c’était vraiment bon, la représentation de la mental health de kylene était vrm bonne et présente wich i liked parce que c’est crédible, elle a vécu plusieurs trauma c’est normal. j’ai vrm aimer le développement de Dawson et le personne de tabby qui était plus présent. Kylene était tjrs entrain de chercher qui étais le advocatus diabolicus pour prouver l’innocence de son père and she did it !!!!! yay genre 4.5 étoiles !!

[Jayne Thakur · Rating 3 out of 5]

definitely a favour to 12 yo me but the plot was fire;
style of writing…I’ve long outgrown

[Caroline Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything I wanted in this conclusion.

[cami!! · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️
i’m going to miss this series so much💔💔

[Mora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fue un gran viaje estos libros, realmente me gustaron, no se si diría que fueron mis favoritos, la verdad es que tenían la vara muy alta gracias a las recomendaciones que leí, y no fue para tanto en mi caso.
Pero de este libro en particular me gusto mucho que se siguiera tratando el tema de la salud mental de la prota, ya que debido a sus múltiples encuentros en situaciones muy graves, hubiera estado mal a mis ojos que no se tratara un poco de este tema, me hubiera gustado leer un poco mas al respecto pero no me quejo. Todo el tema de la mafia no es un tema que me encante así que no puedo decir mucho al respecto de ese giro en la trama, pero estuvo bien tratado dentro de todo. No me gusto todo el tema con la madre, ella no me cayo bien y siento que las cosas entre las 2 fueron muy rápidas y casi sin sentido, hubiera estado bueno un desarrollo mas extenso, aunque entiendo que el libro no tenia ese tiempo.
Que el capitulo final o epilogo, no recuerdo, fuera el rencuentro con su padre me pareció muy copado, ya que al fin de cuenta de eso se trataba la serie, mostrar su inocencia, así que creo que fue un final muuy acorde. De la relación con Dawson no puedo decir mucho, siento que para el final las cosas se desarrollaron muy rápido me hubiera gustado cierta lentitud, ya que creo que hubo un slow burn durante casi los 4 libros para que al final las cosas pasaran apresuradas.
Pero quitando esas peque;as cuestiones, que son mas de gusto que de trama, considero que la historia no estaba mal, estuvo entretenida de leer, atrapante de a momentos, y lo personajes estuvieron ok

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The long-awaited final book in this series did not let me down. I had to go with 4 stars, but it's close to 4.5 for me. Mostly because I forgot some of the characters between books, and it took me a minute to remember.

Kylene Danners is a senior in high school with a full ride to The Ohio State University (IKTR) and struggling with her school work just a few weeks after the latest attempt on her life by Vollero mob dudes. She's the Anti hero turned winter pageant queen of Jasperville, Ohio. Kylene leans on her friends Garrett and Tabby. But she's still not resigned to let her dad stay in prison while he's innocent and The A.D. wants to kill her.

Once I got around the 60% mark, I couldn't stop, especially the last 20%. We get answers to many questions and fear for Kylene, her loved ones. The identity of the AD didn't totally shock me, but I couldn't have guessed either. I'm glad that Kylene got a chance to resolve things with her mom. And the chemistry between Ky and her young feebie... whew. Now, nothing inappropriate happened while she was still in high school. The ending left just enough intrigue to leave me wondering. Finally, a final book in a series I've read recently stuck the ending. / landing. I have some other thoughts about the last 20%, but I don't want to give anything away.

[KittySexy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Acabo como esperaba Kylene y Dawson juntos como pareja, el padre absuelto y trabajando otra vez en el FBI, lo único que no espere es que la madre volviera y estuvieran todos juntos
Casi todo lo resolvi en los anteriores libro o durante la mitad del libro y acerte en todo, como por ejemplo:
1. El culpable dudaba entre el director del instituto o el director del FBI, pero al final me decante con el del FBI porque era el que más poder tenia para saber los secretos de la gente
2. Cuando Meg le cuenta a Kylene sobre el novio mayor de su madre ya sospeche de que seguramente era el chico era el Abogado Diablico por eso les parecia que lo de su padre era personal ( era personal porque la madre lo abandono y a él no le hizo gracia por eso le conto a todo el pueblo que estaba embarazada )
3. Después del desfile y ellos se tenian que ir y la chica queria ir a la carcel, me dije mentalmente van a soltar a los presos mientras estan hablando con el padre de la chica para matarla
4. El ex mafioso que tenia la pizzeria, ya sospechaba que no era el Abogado Diabolico, pero si el jefe de la mafia ( en eso me equivoque completamente )

[Cam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm really grateful to Natusch for finishing out this series when the publisher dropped it. I really respect her efforts and service to fans of this series.

The ending of this series didn't land the way I hoped but I imagine it's just more that I've outgrown the series.

However, it wasn't until this book where I was more sure who AD was - I just think the reasons for them doing everything they did could have better more fleshed out.

Also the relationship between Ky and Dawson... I wanted them to be together but I wanted it to happen maybe 2 or 3 years down the line when Ky is older and more stable after everything. I think them getting together straight away when she goes to college...is too soon. Like do they love each other or are they trauma bonded? I think if there was an epilogue from 2 years later, it would have been better.

[carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

we have finally wrapped up this series!

things i liked:
- the mystery kept me intrigued between all 4 books
- cedric dawson
- garrett higgins (is that his last name?)

things i disliked:
- i cannot take kylene danners seriously
- the anthesis parallelism at the end of every chapter was a choice...
- how did she even graduate on time?
- this entire series took course over only a year..??
- kylene took the worst route possible with every single decision she ever made
- i wish kylene/cedric got together in her latter half of college (it was WAY too soon)
- tabby's character felt like how patrick star's character (in spongebob) was ruined by the exaggeration of his stupidity. the author made her way too much of 'everything'. give my girl tabby some justice!!

overall, i can't complain too much because i finished this series so that says something.

[gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

i’m slightly ashamed to admit that i finished this entire 4 book series in the span of 2 days…while i do need to get a life this is also a serious testament to how amazing these books are. i will never recover from this and this series is straight 5 stars for me. this last book was amazing as well, it wrapped up so nicely, i was so attached to these characters and their ending was so fitting. the description is so accurate too, there were laughs and crying and some serious swoon worthy moments (thank you for creating agent dawson) and maybe it seems like there could be an opening for some more ky and dawson content in the future (please). anyways READ THESE BOOKS RIGHT NOW you won’t regret it

[Haneefah Balogun · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with this series and its characters 3 years ago and will never stop loving them,boy has this been one hell of a ride of ups and downs and laughs and cries and joy and i’d do anything to experience it all over again for the first time.

I want to cry now because i’m sad that this may potentially be the last book of them but also it’s been the most amazing journey ever and i’m so happy to have experienced it. Kylene and Dawson deserve the world, watching their relationship grow was such a beautiful thing to see, they care so deeply for eachother and their actions show that even when their words can’t. I would love for the author to write another book with them in the future.

This book had everything i wanted it to have so good job to the author for that,although i would love to get more of Dawson's background and his childhood because it was mentioned briefly in the second book that his parents argued a lot but there wasn't really much else on why he is the way he is.

Also I am so so so so happy that Ky and Dawson started dating in the end, that was one hell of a slow burn but totally worth it they're ahhhh i just love them so much ANDD the hand flex scene parallels with Mr Darcy and Dawson after he's stunned by seeing Kylene in her winter festival queen dress literally screaming omg
ANDDD ALSO THE AD I KNEW IT GUYS OH MY GODD I’M SO GLAD I WAS RIGHT, i hate that guy so so much he’s pathetic i was so relived that ky’s mum killed him because i know the justice system wouldn’t have done any thing

[Sofija♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely adore these characters, but sadly, I think I've outgrown this writing style. Some things were just too unrealistic, too predictable, or they simply didn't make sense.I know this might sound like I'm just rambling, but I really love this world. The characters are great; even though they have their moments, they’ve truly grown close to my heart, which is really saying something.

When Amber publishes her next series featuring Ky in college, best believe I’ll be there. I can’t wait!

3,5☆

[Azeiza · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved reading this series and cheering kylene on as she solved mystery after mystery, thwarted death, and gradually turned dawson into a simp. i do wish they had kissed just one more time, like in the epilogue. but more importantly, i wish kylene had been the one to kill AD, you know, as a treat for everything he put her through. how ironic/fun that the very teen girl he failed to kill multiple times would be the one to kill him?

[Bookish Serendipity Shannon williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing!

I can’t believe it’s over 😭

This book was out of this world. So many twists and turns, so much tension, so many emotions. I could not put it down.

I loved Ky and Dawson so much and I really enjoyed watching their relationship evolve over the series.

All I want is more! I’m going to miss these guys so much.

Thank you for the incredible ride!

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am absolutely obsessed with this series! Some of my favorite characters of all time.

Favorite Quote:

“I know you’re sorry,” he said, cutting me off. “I know that you feel awful and responsible and a million other things. The problem is, I don’t want you to.”

[Anna Normand]

C I love this entire series, and this was a good finale book. I highly recommend this series. The mystery ran throughout each book and wrapped up nicely, answering all my questions. It was a really good slow burn from beginning to end I highly recommend.

[Czytam z Kotem · Rating 5 out of 5]

To była najbardziej emocjonująca część ze wszystkich. Smutno mi, że to już koniec. Będę tęsknić za Kylene i Dawsonem i całą paczką.

[Paula Molter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved this series from the beginning and am so sad that it has finally come to an end. It was worth the wait though! Expect some smiles, chaos, and maybe a tear or two!

[Jennifer Hartman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid end to this series. I really enjoyed this series and the characters.

[Amy Flowers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a great ending! This series had it all! From the banter to the mystery and then the love triangle it was great!

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

so many twists and turns just like the previous books the suspense was high and kept me guessing I really appreciate the work Amber put into this conclusion.

[Nikki H · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was was slow at the start and i predicted the villain kind of at a point loved the ending

[Christie · Rating 2 out of 5]

🤐🤐🤐/5 profanity

[Kristi Housman Confessions of a YA Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

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