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OPEN FIRE: The Flames of Betrayal
Cora thought returning to Pine Brook Hill, Colorado, would be her chance to rebuild—not just her grandmother’s beloved bridal boutique, but her sense of purpose. Fresh out of college and grieving the only family she ever knew, she throws herself into reviving Boughton Bridal, determined to make her Gram’s legacy thrive. But the shadows of Cora’s past linger, and her small-town home holds secrets that refuse to stay buried.
Then she meets Declan Atler, the town’s most eligible and magnetic bachelor. A confident and accomplished surgeon, Declan sweeps Cora off her feet with his charm and devotion, offering her stability she’s longed for since her life unraveled. Falling for him feels easy too easy. Cora’s grief fades as Declan’s world becomes hers, and together, they plan a future that seems flawless.
But just as Cora starts to believe she’s found her happily-ever-after, disaster strikes. A devastating fire reduces her boutique and her dreams to ashes. Desperate for a sense of safety, Cora agrees to move in with Declan and fast-track their wedding. Yet behind the walls of Declan’s luxurious home, cracks begin to show. What starts as a fairy tale quickly spirals into a maze of unrelenting control, unsettling secrets, and a love that feels more like a cage.
As Cora uncovers the truth about her past and the life she thought she wanted, she must decide if she has the strength to walk away or if she’ll lose herself completely in the flames.
Then she meets Declan Atler, the town’s most eligible and magnetic bachelor. A confident and accomplished surgeon, Declan sweeps Cora off her feet with his charm and devotion, offering her stability she’s longed for since her life unraveled. Falling for him feels easy too easy. Cora’s grief fades as Declan’s world becomes hers, and together, they plan a future that seems flawless.
But just as Cora starts to believe she’s found her happily-ever-after, disaster strikes. A devastating fire reduces her boutique and her dreams to ashes. Desperate for a sense of safety, Cora agrees to move in with Declan and fast-track their wedding. Yet behind the walls of Declan’s luxurious home, cracks begin to show. What starts as a fairy tale quickly spirals into a maze of unrelenting control, unsettling secrets, and a love that feels more like a cage.
As Cora uncovers the truth about her past and the life she thought she wanted, she must decide if she has the strength to walk away or if she’ll lose herself completely in the flames.
373 pages, Paperback
Published February 11, 2025
7 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 26, 2025
This is the kind of book that grabs you by the collar and doesn’t let go,not with flashy gimmicks, but with characters who bleed on the page and a story that walks the tightrope between romance and psychological suspense.
At first glance, Cora’s return to Pine Brook Hill seems like the start of a cozy, second-chance love story. She’s rebuilding her grandmother’s bridal boutique, finding her footing again after loss, and falling for a seemingly perfect man. But author isn’t here to write a fairytale. She’s here to peel back the layers of what “happily ever after” can hide.
Cora’s journey is raw, messy, and painfully relatable. The emotional weight of grief, the longing for safety, the lure of a too-good-to-be-true love,Author captures it all with precision and heart. And Declan? Let’s just say he’s not your average romantic lead. He’s charming, yes. But he’s also unnerving in the best, most chilling way. Watching their relationship shift from sweet to suffocating is like witnessing a slow burn you can’t look away from.
This novel doesn’t just flirt with tension,it immerses you in it. The pacing is tight, the twists come naturally, and the emotional beats land exactly where they should. It’s not afraid to ask hard questions about love, control, and the courage it takes to reclaim your own story.
This isn’t just a great debut it’s a gut punch of a novel that stays with you long after the last page. Chrissy Curry is an author to watch, and I am eagerly waiting for her next book.
Highly recommended.
At first glance, Cora’s return to Pine Brook Hill seems like the start of a cozy, second-chance love story. She’s rebuilding her grandmother’s bridal boutique, finding her footing again after loss, and falling for a seemingly perfect man. But author isn’t here to write a fairytale. She’s here to peel back the layers of what “happily ever after” can hide.
Cora’s journey is raw, messy, and painfully relatable. The emotional weight of grief, the longing for safety, the lure of a too-good-to-be-true love,Author captures it all with precision and heart. And Declan? Let’s just say he’s not your average romantic lead. He’s charming, yes. But he’s also unnerving in the best, most chilling way. Watching their relationship shift from sweet to suffocating is like witnessing a slow burn you can’t look away from.
This novel doesn’t just flirt with tension,it immerses you in it. The pacing is tight, the twists come naturally, and the emotional beats land exactly where they should. It’s not afraid to ask hard questions about love, control, and the courage it takes to reclaim your own story.
This isn’t just a great debut it’s a gut punch of a novel that stays with you long after the last page. Chrissy Curry is an author to watch, and I am eagerly waiting for her next book.
Highly recommended.
June 19, 2025
I picked up Open Fire, expecting it to be my first dive into a romance story (if you know me, you know I DO NOT read romance) with a little thrill built in. What I got was a slow-unraveling psychological thriller in disguise, with a protagonist I couldn’t help but root for (even when I wanted to shake her)! Needless to say, it was a very pleasant surprise!
Cora is raw and real—grieving, hopeful, and walking straight into a dream that turns into something much darker. This slow burn becomes a full-blown emotional inferno.
The setup feels cozy at first, with just the right dose of romance… until things take a dark, jaw-clenching turn. The cracks begin to show fast, and what follows is an eerie, escalating sense of dread that had me flipping pages with a pit in my stomach. Curry nailed the shift from comforting to claustrophobic—it sneaks up on you like smoke before the blaze.
The storyline itself is a standout. I was hooked from the start and found myself genuinely invested in Cora’s journey, and Declan was unsettling in all the right ways, creating a chilling tension that kept the pages turning. It’s one of those stories where you’re screaming “run” while simultaneously needing to know what happens next.
It's gripping, emotionally layered, and the twisty undertone is something I didn't see coming. Chrissy Curry is absolutely one to watch, and I’ll be reading the second book in this series very soon. Because Cora? She still has fire left in her. And I need to see it blaze.
Cora is raw and real—grieving, hopeful, and walking straight into a dream that turns into something much darker. This slow burn becomes a full-blown emotional inferno.
The setup feels cozy at first, with just the right dose of romance… until things take a dark, jaw-clenching turn. The cracks begin to show fast, and what follows is an eerie, escalating sense of dread that had me flipping pages with a pit in my stomach. Curry nailed the shift from comforting to claustrophobic—it sneaks up on you like smoke before the blaze.
The storyline itself is a standout. I was hooked from the start and found myself genuinely invested in Cora’s journey, and Declan was unsettling in all the right ways, creating a chilling tension that kept the pages turning. It’s one of those stories where you’re screaming “run” while simultaneously needing to know what happens next.
It's gripping, emotionally layered, and the twisty undertone is something I didn't see coming. Chrissy Curry is absolutely one to watch, and I’ll be reading the second book in this series very soon. Because Cora? She still has fire left in her. And I need to see it blaze.
July 11, 2025
BOOK REVIEW: OPEN FIRE
RATINGS: 5/5
AUTHOR: CHRISSY CURRY
A Gripping and Emotional Read!
I absolutely loved this book! The story of Cora returning to her hometown in Colorado was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. I felt connected to her from the beginning—she’s young, grieving, and just trying to rebuild her life and her grandmother’s bridal boutique. You can really feel her love for her Gram and her determination to make something good out of the pain she’s been through.
When she meets Declan, everything seems perfect—he’s charming, successful, and supportive. Their romance felt like a dream at first, and I found myself rooting for Cora to finally be happy. But then the story takes a darker turn, and I couldn’t stop turning the pages. The tension builds in such a real and emotional way. Watching Cora find her strength was powerful and inspiring.
The writing style is beautiful and easy to get lost in—emotional without being heavy, and full of vivid descriptions that bring the small town and its characters to life. The pacing is perfect, and the author knows just when to reveal each twist.
Also, the book cover is stunning! It’s elegant and eye-catching, with a touch of mystery that fits the story perfectly.
Highly recommend this one!
Thankyou
Happy reading
RATINGS: 5/5
AUTHOR: CHRISSY CURRY
A Gripping and Emotional Read!
I absolutely loved this book! The story of Cora returning to her hometown in Colorado was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. I felt connected to her from the beginning—she’s young, grieving, and just trying to rebuild her life and her grandmother’s bridal boutique. You can really feel her love for her Gram and her determination to make something good out of the pain she’s been through.
When she meets Declan, everything seems perfect—he’s charming, successful, and supportive. Their romance felt like a dream at first, and I found myself rooting for Cora to finally be happy. But then the story takes a darker turn, and I couldn’t stop turning the pages. The tension builds in such a real and emotional way. Watching Cora find her strength was powerful and inspiring.
The writing style is beautiful and easy to get lost in—emotional without being heavy, and full of vivid descriptions that bring the small town and its characters to life. The pacing is perfect, and the author knows just when to reveal each twist.
Also, the book cover is stunning! It’s elegant and eye-catching, with a touch of mystery that fits the story perfectly.
Highly recommend this one!
Thankyou
Happy reading
March 24, 2025
Open Fire is such a fun read! The pacing is spot on, keeping things exciting the whole way through. It really highlights how quickly relationships can get complicated and how important it is to have a support system to lean on. I loved the way the characters were developed it’s a great balance of tension and vulnerability. Plus, with more books coming in the series, I’m super excited to see where the story goes next. Definitely recommend it if you want a fast-paced, emotional read!
February 26, 2025
Great first Novel by Chrissy Curry! This book got better and better as it progressed. It was just another example of how smart women can find themselves in a terrible situation when we don’t listen to our friends. I’m looking forward to her next books!
October 27, 2025
I loved the Colorado setting and how vividly it came alive. The characters felt so real, especially Cora flawed, strong, and relatable. The story’s themes of legacy, healing, and self-worth stayed with me long after I finished. I’d give it more than five stars if I could!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews