Flame

Montana Mountain Protectors #3

by Gemma Weir

Everyone in Rockhead Point watched in fascination as the Barnett brothers found their women, and their happily
ever afters.

But I’m not a Barnett.

I don’t believe in love at first sight, and I’m not interested in finding my forever.

Until my past invades my present.

I hated her from the moment I met her, but when she steps foot in my town, it only takes seconds to know she’s
absolutely and unquestionably mine.

My heart, body, and soul screams we’re meant to be, but she’s convinced that our past is too tawdry for us to be
anything more than ancient history.

Vows, lies, and promises convince her to take a chance on us, but just when we’re on the precipice of happiness,
shadows of our toxic past come back to haunt us.

But I won’t give her up. I’ll fight every one of her demons and make up for every hurt I’ve caused her, because
letting her go isn’t an option.

Forget the Barnett family legacy. Now, it’s all about the myth of the Montana Mountain Protectors.

Genres: Enemies To Lovers, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Forced Proximity, Contemporary, Smut, He Falls First

408 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2025

About the author

Gemma Weir is a half crazed stay at home mom to three kids, one man child and a hell hound. She has lived in the midlands, in the UK her whole life and has wanted to write a book since she was a child. Gemma has a ridiculously dirty mind and loves her book boyfriends to be big, tattooed alpha males. She's a reader first and foremost and she loves her romance to come with a happy ending and lots of sexy sex.

Reviews

[Darlene I read WAY to many books · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm always thirst for Gemma Red Flag men, but I'll be honest I wasn't a huge fan of Oz.

He hated Etta for no reason and took out all the anger at her when they were younger, and it was horrible things he did to her. Now, present time, he pulled doze into her life, and I'm okay with that, but him being all confused when she told her side and her being terrified of him then being okay with him. Oz owed her a big apology and grovel. She still had panic attacks. I wish she stood her ground a little more. But I knew I wasn't going to get more than one. Sorry out of Oz. Also, can we not say good girl 81 times... yeah, 81 times that saying was used.. it kinda got boring.

Besides that, the old crew and new guys are shown :) I think Etta best friend might? Be next.


No ow/om drama, no cheating, secondary character, drama, sexy times, no virgin

Recommend-maybe
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶🌶

Prologue
Tiny age gap
26h/30H
Masturbation
Bullying
Praise kink
Breeding kink
Cum play
Neglect parents mentioned/shown
Dom/sub undertones
No condom
Hea
Epilogue

[Athena Que Será, Será · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tags: caveman, cruel-cruel-hero, damaged-broken_hero, damaged-broken_heroine, dirty-talking, enemies-to-lovers, ex-bully, family-taboo, forbidden, hero-hurts-heroine, kink, obsession, older-hero-younger-heroine, over-the-years, possessive-mine-mine-mine, psychos-in-love, read, shy-heroine, small-town, smut, step-adopted-siblings

[↬ Ⓛ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nth about this had me in flame 🔥

[Claudia, Cmarie927 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another man down!

As a big fan of the Barnett Mountain men and their wives, it was a no brainer to continue with this connected series. Just as with every Barnett story, these fire jumpers have no problem with claiming the woman they want, by any means necessary! (And I do mean any means.)

Their behavior in the real world would not be okay, but since this is pure entertainment, I will say these characters have passion that runs nuclear level hot!! Whew! So steamy...

While this bully to lovers story definitely has a good HEA, there are parts that made me question Etta's reasons for forgiveness! I'm not sure I would have made her decisions!!
On the other hand, I don't have Oz in my life - hahaha.

I read this on the day it was released, in one sitting, because this author's creativity is just that addictive. This is full of all the OTT, possessive caveman behaviors that I expect and enjoy from this author. The chemistry between these two, and the steamy scenes kept the pages flipping and I am sad to be at the end of my read. I think I just might go back and binge all 3! *Wink*

I can't wait for the next jumper to fall!
I guessing Knight!!

[*CJ* · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Flame” is the story of Etta and Oz.

Basically hero and heroine are sort of step siblings, and the hero makes the heroine’s life a living hell as teenager. First few chapters is her speaking of her ptsd.
Ofcourse when they meet again he immediately decides to make her his and breed her and she gives in.

Basically I don’t think we got enough grovel and I think she forgave way too easily because he was nasty. Yeah he loved her but this deserved more of a repentance.

Unsafe
2.5/5

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listen…

I love Gemma Weir. I love her red flag men. LOVE them.

Oz?

He was just an asshole😂. His reasoning for everything was just dumb. And Etta? Girl needs to get her shit together.

I love the phrase “good girl” but it was overused here and didn’t feel sexy anymore.

Soooo…

Liked this. I didn’t love it. But it won’t stop me from devouring anything that Gemma puts out.

“I want to look after you. I want to take care of you. I want you to do what I say. I want you to follow my rules. I want you to be my very, fucking good girl, and right now I want to kiss and lick and suck and fuck you until every inch of you belongs to me. I don’t want to hate you anymore, Etta, I want to fucking own you.”

[Mayssa · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 44%. You guys do not even understand how much I wanted this book. I would check for months, waiting for the release date, and when it was finally released, I was so excited because I love her Mountain Man series. However, this is by far the most revolting shit I've read. Like, fuck. And you know what? I kept giving him the benefit of the doubt. First, I'm like, okay, everything he did to her when he was a child/teenager was out of anger because of his dad. I can move past it. But now he is 30 years old, a grown man, and he is still bullying her?? It’s been 15 years, and she is legit traumatized from him. This girl is so scared of him, and he knows this. But guess what? He likes the fact she's frightened of him, and not in a kinky way. No, this girl is legit terrified of him. I swear to God, every single time they speak, he fkn snarls at her and snaps at her. I’m not even kidding. I could legit bet he snaps at her the same amount of time he has said her damn fucking name. She started crying, and he fucking smirked at her. He would find her being scared of him amusing. And do you know what happened when she tried telling him that what he did to her as kids traumatized her? He fucking rolled his eyes and told her she was being overdramatic. Keep in mind, this guy legit poisoned her when they were kids. He scared her so much once that he made her pass out, and she had to go to the hospital. She also had a fear of flying and has never been on a plane again because of him. And he has the audacity to say she's being dramatic. You fucking rat. Romance where?? I feel like I’m reading one of those books where the FMC is in a toxic relationship with her abusive boyfriend, but she ends up breaking up with him and being with the MMC. But in this case, the abusive boyfriend is the MMC. And also, I forgot to mention, this is so fucking rapey. Like, she said no multiple fucking times. The girl is petrified of him. He’s An actual FUCken psychopath and not in that hot way he is abusive and FKN revolting how the fuck is this romance Anyways, fuck this book.

[Intel Chicky Reads Romance (Kara Merideth) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trope: step-brother; bully
Angst: 😱😱1\2
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

This was a really quick read for me. I love the whole step-brother trope and the smexy times were super hot. It was definitely a different dynamic between them. He used to hate her and tormented her as kids, and now he just steam rolls right over her until she bends to him, lol. Hot in the make believe, lol 😅, not so much in real life.

[Lauren Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Montana Mountain Protectors book 3! His & Her POVs. A decade of hate till love! Bully romance! Estranged stepbrother trope. Very kinky & so spicy. I absolutely am now attached to all side characters! I love the found family! This series really is a whole vibe! So fun if you love alphaholes!

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Gemma Weir books for me is like indulging in an entire tub of ice cream while it rains outside. I love every gooey, irrationally possessive thing that happens in her books and I cannot even begin to express how upset I am that I bulldozed through her other books so now I have nothing else until the next release 😭

Also Oz's physical description????? Absolute kryptonite.

[Justadele · Rating 1 out of 5]

I skimmed over the sex scenes which left about 10 pages of barely there story! Not for me

[Nicole Baugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Star Read

At the start of the book, I really didn't think there was going to be any redeeming what the MMC, Oz, had done to the FMC, Etta, when they were young. Honestly, it was just bad. But I was really hoping because the book managed to hook me in the first few chapters. After that, my feelings for the rest of the book were all over the place. First off, I despise saying this, but there was too much sex. That's not always bad, but it was just so so very repetitive. I love praise kink if it's done right. Here it was overplayed. And yes, that's possible. Etta was beyond a weak character. She didn't grow at all throughout the book. She had a small moment at the end of the book, but nothing else. Most of the time, Oz talked at her like she was a dog, and she would sit there whimpering. There were no meaningful discussions that would lead to deeper feelings. It was all just superficial. The ending didn't even save the mess the story had become. It was abrupt with no resolution to what was supposed to be one of the bigger issues in the book.

I really did have high hopes for this story. I wanted to like the characters. I loved that Oz wanted to take care of Etta, but there was just no respect in their relationship. There was no sweetness. I'm hoping that the issues in this book will not be repeated in Knights's book because I really do like his character so far.

Sorry about how all over this review is, but that's honestly how my brain feels now.

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

We're thrown straight back into the Montana Mountain Protectors series with Flame, and I'm so glad for this next instalment.

Gemma creates the perfect OTTJP heroes that we love reading about, and Oz follows in true 'Barnett' fashion by staking his claim on Etta straightaway. I loved that these two had the forbidden element of also being step-siblings and to see Etta finally speaking up was just what I wanted from her.

Another fantastic read from Gemma, bring on the next one!

[Annelie · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 32%

Well, I don't understand how you can find the behaviour of this guy "OTT but so romantic"🧐 This guy is a psychopath. What he did was wrong. He kept pushing himself on his stepsister, Etta, imposing his opinions and desires. He didn't listen to her neither respected her. And what about Etta?! 🙄 At this point of the book, Etta was just a doormat. She accepted everything, caving as soon as he called her "good girl"🤦🏻‍♀️ It was pathetic. Frankly, it was a story of abused disguised in something romantic.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

This has the perfect backstory to show grovel, but it was all pretty much discussed. FMC has some major trauma issues that evaporated once she and MMC got together. Disappointing.

[always reading ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like this. I wasn't a fan of the trope or the characters. 

[TheReaderVert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Low Key Romance

Even though I'm giving this read 3 stars, it's not because the writing is bad. Not at all, just some elements of the story got stale quick, despite the thunder and heat of the beginning. Countdown of the good and kinda bad:

1- 🤜🏾 that beginning was hot and fiery. With the prologue setting the stage, you have some anxiety with how Oscar aka Oz is going to work as the MMC. He was snarly, growly, mean, and a little rude. However, as soon as we got into his head, so much dissipated. It made a lot of sense.
2- 🫶🏾 power exchange dynamics were a nice pace. Henrietta aka Etta was a quiet submissive who craved "good girl" like skittles and Oz was more than happy to Little Girl her but it didn't feel like a legit BDSM book and for that I'm happy. It just was. He loved the control. She loved giving in. I loved the rules she had and how far he would go to make sure she was following them. I loved how he dictated aspects of her life and bulldozed.
3- 😑 Barnett was mentioned 59 times in this book. Sadly, the family was still a big looming presence even though none of the family members were directly involved in the story. I get it. I get that those books are popular, and it's where Gemma Weir's bread is buttered, but it just took up too much space in this book. I was glad to read a spinoff series hoping to get the tropes I enjoyed without being suffocated by the Barnetts. My wish didn't quite come true but I also know that's a me problem
4- 🤜🏾😑 Infertility possibility and rep were nice but also not at the same time. The issues Etta had were felt by a percentage of women who aren't always seen in romances. I felt it was dismissed a little bit. We all know these HEAs come with a side of baby, so we know where it's headed but still
5- 😑 there is too much book/pages for the actual plot. This would have worked better as either a novella or a shorter novel length. The story drags because there is barely conflict. The only conflict is, "Oh no, how can. I love my childhood bully, " and that conflict takes up the entire 339 pages. Certain conversations don't happen until 70 and then 80% of the book. Conversations that should have come sooner.
6-😑 the sex, while starting off good and hot, starts to feel repetitious as it goes in circles. I don't mind reading vanilla smex. That's not an issue, but since there is no conflict, no real side plots, and no conversations besides the same "::whispers:: I'm not sure"/"mine" the sex starts to feel boring
7-🤜🏾 happy/ok with the couple being in a bubble. I just wished more happened in that bubble.
8- 😒 Baby girl is used 81 times in the book. It's the only praise phrase used, and after the first 30 times, I really wanted variety. Also wished the rules thing continued.
9- 😒 The parents as a barrier felt anticlimactic once it went down. It was obvious what was coming as it was set up in the beginning chapters, so waiting to get there felt a little like a drag
10-😌 Etta was a well-done character. Her mental was portrayed pitch perfect. Her journey to I love you was so sincere, and I appreciated the author trying to break down Etta's submissive qualities and needs


All in all, it's not a bad story, and I'm curious about the next romance.

[Reading Raccoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
I have to say I always love Gemma's books, they are fun and spicy, they have a lot of tropes I love and I'm a huge fan of those "soulmates, fated mates, love at first sight" vibe.
For me, this was, and I can't believe I'm even saying this, but there were TOO many spicy scenes and almost ZERO plot, and it left the whole book feeling very repetitive, there was so much potential for angst and conflict, I've read all her books so I know there is always alot of spice but that is notlrmally mixed in with some drama and storyline to keep you interested. This one didn't have that. It was basically just sex and while that's all well and good, It tends to get boring. I loved Etta. She was a prefered heroine type for me, shy and small, and squet with a bit of trauma, though I was waiting for her to run or SOMETHING but honestly she didnt really do anything throughout the book. Oz was a bit of a dick honestly, I could sense that his teenage anger was still firmly a part of the man. Love all the growly, possessive, and breedy stuff. I might have liked a few jealousy in action moments.

I will be very interested in Knights' story.

[Montanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5 stars

So jumping back into this world was a slightly jarring experience as there are so many characters that you have to remember and names omg so many names (also one of my least fav characters happens to pop up in nearly every book in this world and it is not enjoyable)

Oz and Etta were...a ride to read about really, especially since the book starts out with a flashback of her thinking about how much a horrible bully he is to her and honestly he was fucking horrible to her, like the shit he did was literally mental torture and yes he did it when they were younger but still.

I honestly just wanted more for Etta, she's a very meek character (but it literally is not her fault it's his) but while reading I just kept thinking god she deserves better but she also needs therapy.

Oz pissed me off a bit as he seemed to blame everything his dad and stepmom (her mum) did on her even though she was only 9 when they met the first time and he genuinely held a grudge against her for 15 years which fucking ridiculous as she literally did nothing wrong.

He definitely moved with the speed of light deciding she's his within a couple of hours but I have to say this is one I would've enjoyed more if it was a slower burn, which is surprising as I usually enjoy a fast burn.

I wished I enjoyed this more as their relationship dynamic is one I usually enjoy reading but this didn't click with me as much.

(Also side note but is anyone else hating that all the guys in this world are basically manwhores till they meet their one and all the girls have had either shit relationships or are virgins.)

[samantha ఌ · Rating 2 out of 5]

he bullied, traumatized and made her childhood a living hell. he goes caveman at first sight and she forgets he ever did all those horrible things to her?

[FANCHON · Rating 1 out of 5]

Domestic violence isn’t sexy. Relationships with abusers never end in HEA, even in fantasy land.

Everyone knows these Barnett brothers and now the Smoke Jumpers are red flags incarnate. In real life they’re restraining orders in action. In fantasy land, they’re delicious. But writing about a lifelong abuser, who is still filled with hate, being the unwilling love interest…. Ugh. I have always supported all the OTT unbelievable ridiculous characters before. But relationships with abusers never end in HEA. Not even in fantasy land.

What I’ve loved about the Barnett brothers was even with all their red flag craziness- throwing a woman over your shoulder, messing with her birth control, or stalking her and letting yourself into her home- what made it sexy *in fantasy land* was that they lost their ever loving minds over the woman they loved. They were alpha-holes, they definitely toed the line with too far, but they were obsessed with their woman at first sight.

That’s the difference here. That’s what makes this one too much to take.

Oz hates Etta. He has hated her since their parents got together when she was 9 years old. He tormented and abused her to the point she was hospitalized, she still has panic attacks, she has permanent trauma as an adult. She is still as an adult terrified and she hasn’t seen him in years. The things he did are despicable. Like psychopathic despicable. And their parents ignored and allowed it. And as an adult, he still hates her. He’s not a remorseful man, he has zero shame about what he did to her. In fact, it was so meaningless to him that he doesn’t even have memories of it all. He’s supposedly been through therapy but still harbors deep hatred towards her and has not faced up to any of the evil things he did. And THIS is who the author chose for this poor woman’s love interest. I’m devastated for her. Domestic violence isn’t sexy. And because she’s an abused doormat, not only by this tormentor but by her neglectful parents, she submits to his immediate angry demands. And her fearful submission turns him on.

“If I text you, I expect an immediate reply. If I call, I expect you to answer. If I tell you to do something, I expect you to do it, then send me a picture to prove you’ve obeyed me,” he growls, his words rough and low.

Coming from any other Gemma Weir book, the OTT red flag comments would still be hot. But coming from a known abuser, one who is STILL behaving the same, it’s not hot. Not at all.

Again- I’m NOT disappointed about the red flag anti-feminist OTT possessiveness that usually comes with this author’s work. I was excitedly looking forward to it. I’m disappointed that domestic violence is being portrayed as sexy. That’s just too far.

[Adele Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another incredible story!!!

I absolutely loved this book! I was praying Gemma would write Oz and Ettas story since Loving the Mountain man and she did not disappoint. I absolutely loved the MMC Oz, his character was just PERFECTION! He was crazy, obsessive, demanding and protective- a big perfect walking Red flag 😂
I love the loath to love dynamic in this book even though the loath part is more in the past, I love how this book took 2 different tropes and made it an incredible story!
I loved Ettas character, she was a very different FMC to what Gemma usually writes but I love how she comes into her own and how she grows as a person in this book, she does a lot of healing mentally and emotionally in a very fun way 😂
I love the chemistry in this book and the little crumbs Gemma gives us for upcoming books in this series! She's left me thinking who's next and what's next! I love seeing the Barnett clan and getting to know more of the Jumpers through this book.

The spice in this book is also perfection 👌 🥵

I 10000% recommend this book!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

[Katie Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Look I just love reading about red flag, OTT men especially when their written by Gemma Weir👀 I loved Gemma’s Mountain men series so I was delighted when she decided to give the jumpers their own series as I am throughly enjoying each of their books.

Now this book is slightly on the taboo side, as the MC’s are step siblings (but I’m fine with that since I’ve read quite a few taboo romances in the past).

Oz absolutely despised Henrietta ever since they were kids because Etta’s mom married his father. The pair had zero contact for quite a number of years until she moves to Montana and Oz reluctantly takes her in. Now it’s like a flip is switched for Oz and ding ding ding Etta will be his and only his.

It was also nice to see glimpses of the Barnett family throughout this book 🫶🏼

If you enjoy a fast paced, smutty romance, where the MC’s only have eyes for their women then this series is definitely for you!

Thank you to the author for providing this e-arc for my honest thoughts 💭

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Star Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice Rating:🌶🌶🌶/3
HEA:🌟🌟🌟/3
❗️Safety and Small Spoilers Below❗️


📌 Triggers: As a child, MMC would bully and harass the FMC. He does apologize and explain his trauma.

📌 HEA: Married and Baby otw

📌 No Cheating/Sharing

📌 No OWD: MMC does mention that he has been with lots of women.

📌 No OMD: FMC has been with other men prior to MMC.

📌 MCs knew each other when they were kids. They were technically step-siblings. However, MMC hated and bullied FMC. They never saw each other as siblings and hadn't seen each other in 15 years at the time of the book taking place.

📌 No Third-act Breakup

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

*ARC COPY*

Another brilliant addition. Stg, I will never get tired of the Mountain Men and the Jumpers.

When I started, I was like holy shiiiiit, how is Oz gonna redeem THAT? But he didn’t need to. Just by being his toxic, alphahole, obsessive self, I loved him. He was so damn controlling but it was all for her benefit and it was never one-sided which I loved.

I adore Gemma Weir’s OTT books but Oz immediately shot to a top contender spot. I loved Etta as a character too, so soft-spoken and unsure but she wasn’t weak in the face of all that was Oz.

* enemies to lovers
* stepsiblings
* instalove
* power dynamic (sort of)
* out possessive obsessive alphahole
* all the breeding

[Mia S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Redemption

Oh that’s what I’m talking about Ms Weir! Second book really made me not want to continue but decided to keep going and so glad I did! Following Oz’s story, and throwing all the trope enemies to lovers; forced proximity; he falls fist; touch her and dle; and biggest yes step siblings trope! Alpha dominant so check your triggers and leave judgement at the door! Good one!

[샘 sam★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars!⭐₊˚₊˚₊˚

OTT extreme alphas here we go again.

Gemma Weir is my to-go author when I’m in the mood for controlling Heroes, they are chef kiss, and Oz here isn’t the exception! He is very possessive and crazy for Etta.

This book was very hot - step-siblings is one of my favorite tropes. I also loved to see the couples from the previous books - Huck and Cora are still my favourite as they should!

I can’t wait to read THAT couple kdksks I’m so excited with the series!!

[INeedABookBreak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Flame! It was the perfect addition to the Montana Smoke Jumper series. These books are always so fun to read! Gemma’s books are my guilty pleasure! What a fun, forbidden, and spicy ride. Loved it!

[Cat H · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.3 stars.
Ok so, even though this was more of a bully romance than the last one, it was waaay more my speed.
That, I’m sure, has 100% to do with that fact that the bullying happened in the past, and Oz was nothing but loving and praising when they met again. In a completely possessive, and obsessive way of course. Cause, duh. But still.😂
I really like these two together. They’re so sweet.

[Tee 🪷 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 ⭐️