Burning Skies

Wild at Heart #3

by Lex Martin

Crossing a line has never felt this good.

I’m what you’d call a good girl—at least that’s what my family thinks. But I’m tired of living by everyone else’s rules. So when I sneak into a scandalous, masked costume party and spot Beau Walker—my longtime crush and my family’s sworn enemy—I do something bold: I cross the one line that's utterly forbidden.

Hidden by shadows and masks, we lose ourselves in the hottest night of my life. Until I accidentally moan his name, and everything comes crashing to a halt.

Beau says things I can’t forget, and my fantasy of him shatters along with my heart.

But when suspicious fires break out at the high school where I teach, I’m forced to see the one firefighter I wish I could forget.

And when our long-smoldering tension finally ignites, the heat between us lights up the sky—and reveals a danger neither of us saw coming.

Burning Skies is an enemies-to-lovers, forbidden romance that features a scorchingly hot firefighter and the little sister of his long-time nemesis. If you enjoy cowboy families, old vendettas, and small towns brimming with secrets, this one is for you!

Genres: Enemies To Lovers, Small Town Romance, Cowboy Romance, Contemporary Romance, Romance, Westerns, Forbidden Romance

414 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 14, 2026

About the author

Lex Martin is the USA Today bestselling author of Varsity Dads, Texas Nights, and the Dearest series. She writes contemporary romance novels, the steamy kind she hopes her readers love but her parents avoid. A former high school English teacher and freelance journalist, she resides in Texas with her husband and twin daughters. Drop her a line. She loves hearing from readers.

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Reviews

[Megan Coggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romeo & Juliet
Hatfields & McCoys
The feuding family vibes were strong!

Honey & Beau 💕
Family hostility
Forbidden x sneaking around
Teacher x firefighter/rancher
Can’t stay away from each other

Romantic suspense : I really enjoyed how this was done, so many moving pieces and I did not see some of the things going down the way they did.

I loved these two together.
Liked both of their personalities. They both were solid despite the drama.
Beau was our down bad boy.
But Honey also was obsessed with him.

Favorite of the series!
At least for now.

Arc review ✨

[Hayley Peckham · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far, this is my absolute favorite book in the series. A long standing family feud creates a hard start to Beau and Honey’s story especially when little miss good girl decides she wants to give her v card away to her crush, Beau, only for his rejection to further ignite the already smoldering hatred between their families. Seven years later, that same feud is still hurling curveballs in their path.

We get a fresh perspective on the Walker/McAllister feud, and let me tell you…it’s packed with suspense that keeps you glued to the pages and on the edge of your seat. Think Romeo and Juliet vibes.

Beau is the ultimate fierce protector..rugged, heroic, and dangerously sexy firefighter, while Honey is the sweetest, most loyal school teacher bravely choosing to live life outside her family’s suffocating and stupid expectations…speaking of said family…they just so happen to be the worst family imaginable (seriously, her dad deserves a throat punch). Despite every obstacle stacked against them, these two are unbearably cute together, and their chemistry is off the charts. And the spice? Oh, it was spicing 🥵🔥 I’m a sucker for a hard-earned HEA, and this one delivered perfectly.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Thank you @theauthor.agency and @authorlexmartin for the advanced copy to read 🫶

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Farrahlea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg, Romeo and Juliet vibes are REAL 😍... I fell head over heels for these two and they're definitely getting a re-read spot on my shelf. It was absolute perfection, chef's kiss 💋... couldn't put it down from page one! Loved every single thing about this book, can't wait to gush about it in book club!

[Tasha Echtinaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lex Martin has brought it again 🙌🏻

Beau and Honeys story is written as a new age Romeo and Juliet ❤️

Two families who have been at war with each other for years!
Always, pranks or fights going on between the McCalister brothers and the Walker brothers.

When star crossed lovers fall what will the outcome be.

I loved getting to know Beau and Honey more through this story!
I’m ready for more 😊

[Rebecca Reischl · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️ | 3 🌶️

The 3rd book in Lex Martin's Wild at Heart series can be read as a standalone and features Honey McAllister and Beau Walker.

🔥DOV
🐝Enemies to Lovers
🔥Forbidden Romance (Rival Families)
🐝Small Town Drama
🔥Firefighter + Teacher

Book 3 in the Wild at Heart series offers a fresh perspective on the Walker/McAllister feud, providing a modern take on Romeo and Juliet, the Hatfields and McCoys, and more. Burning Skies is a scorching, forbidden romance. The star-crossed lover's angle dials up the yearning and passion to an 11!

Honey McAllister has always toed the line until one night in college, she gets a wild hair and tries to take a walk on the wild side at a masked party. A misunderstanding between her longtime crush, Beau, further adds tension between the Walkers and McAllisters over the next seven years.

Fast forward, and Honey now teaches English at the local high school while choosing to live separately from her well-to-do and controlling family. Beau spends his time helping on the family farm, working as a firefighter, and being an all-around do-gooder who rescues kittens.

Snakes, small fires, and other shenanigans at the high school cause Beau to be needed on scene and near Honey. As time goes on, the two cannot deny their chemistry, and things start to heat up! Throw in some suspense, jealous exes, angry families, and forces are stacked against Honey and Beau. Through it all, Honey's grit and gumption can be seen, and Beau's protective nature is thrown into overdrive.

Burning Skies has Lex Martin's signature humor and spiciness with the added realism of family drama, job struggles, and character growth. I've been waiting for Honey and Beau's book since they were introduced in Stealing Hearts, and their story did not disappoint! Burning Skies takes the #1 spot in the Wild at Heart series.

We're also given a different viewpoint into the McAllister brothers as well - do I smell books of their own in the future?

✨eARC provided ✨

[Ashley Wyatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨️ Finished Reading ✨️

Burning Skies by @authorlexmartin
Book 3 of The Wild at Heart series
Pub date ~ Jan 22, 2026

Thank you @greyspromo for selecting me to read this book as an ARC. This is my honest opinion and loved that I had this opportunity to read it before it was published.

✨️ Book Review ✨️
A modern day Romeo and Juliet/family feuding, yes please. 🫶
I absolutely ENJOYED this book. This story was full of detail/was on the edge of my seat for a bit and I thought this was a well-paced book. Can be read as a standalone and the book does have some spicy material!

✨️Our main characters details✨️
Our MMC, Beau, is a firefighter/rancher.
Our MFC, Honey, is an English teacher that grew up on a rival ranch.
⬇️
I loved seeing things between these two characters. The banter/humor, the pain/sadness, and how realistic it felt. You have job struggles, family drama, and seeing character growth.
Also can I say, the chemistry between these two 🫢🔥
Talk about Forbidden Romance, the hate bang, and enemies to lovers vibes. I will like to add it does have the cozy small town romance feel to it tho.

I did find Burning Skies to have some found family moments for Honey. I absolutely love the support she receives during some very interesting drama... sorry, I cant tell you what tho.. read this book to find out.

✨️Some favorite quotes for ya ✨️

"Tonight, it’s just you and me. Let’s figure us out. Let’s figure out what we want. Then we can add everyone else to the mix.”

"Fighting the Walkers seems like a rite of passage for my family."

"..just remember you deserve the best. So dont settle. Night, princess."

In the end, I found Burning Skies to have a lil bit of everything. Some romance, spice, suspense, drama, and some very hilarious moments. I sooooo recommend it and im looking into the other books as we speak.


#CowboyRomance #SmallTownRomance #SecretRomance #TouchHerandDie #EnemiestoLovers #greyspromo #lexmartin #bookblogger #bookreaderscommunity #bookrecommendations

[Cokiereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honey McAllister has had a crush on Beau Walker for years. So when she finally gets the chance she takes it. But she's young and Beau thinks its a trick, because of the decades long Walker/McAllister feud.

Years later and Beau is regretting his decision all those years ago. Honey is beautiful, and Beau has really noticed. He's also noticed that she wont have a thing to do with him. Burn me once and all that jazz.

They have some fantastic chemistry though. Even if their families cant stand each other.

Honey's family is full of men who want to boss her around. Her father especially. Hes a real piece of work. He's got his own interests at heart even at the expense of his family.

Beau's family is prominent in this of course. Theres some major events (so while you can read this as a stand-alone, its better as a series!) that were special to read. AND some little morsels left behind that I think will add up in future books... I love a long thread.

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book from this author, will not be my last! OMG this book was so good! I need him to come over and put out my fire! This story was amazing. The heat and desire between those two, just wow. I devoured this book in just a few days. Would’ve been one, but you know, kids lol. This was spicy and intense. There wasn’t anything about it that I didn’t like. Thank you so much for letting me be a part of your ARC team. I hope to be able to do it again.

[Lisa Hambridge (lisamareebooks1109) · Rating 5 out of 5]

As members of two rival families who have been feuding for years, Beau and Honey should stay away from each other, but there is a spark between them that neither could ignore. The suspense in this book was perfect. It definitely added to the enjoyment of the plot.

Honey and Beau were perfect. their personalities just matched so well. The banter betwen them was a joy to read. The connection was off the charts, the chemistry was just fiery, and I loved the moments they shared when they gave into that connection.

Overall, this book was amazing, and I absolutely loved it.

[k's.bookshelf. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Save a horse, ride a cowboy!

I am absolutely in love with the Walker family! I am so happy that we finally got to see into Honey and Beau's relationship.

150 year old fued between the Walker and McAllister families in the small town of Wild Heart runs deep. Generations of sabotage, fights and disdain.

Honey McAllister. Beau Walker. Born to hate each other. But when ones a hot af Fire-fighter / cowboy and the other is a blonde bombshell cowgirl / school teacher....well thin line between love and hate right? Well at least for these two!

One glorious hate f*** later, will Honey and Beau's relationship survive the infamous family fued or be the thing to finally heal the over century old hate from generations long past?

One things for sure, Beau and Honey's chemistry is hot as hell and they're both each other's dream partner. Its enough to have you swooning and sweating!

Buckle up buttercup! This book was a wild one that can't be put down!

[✩ layla ✩]

DNF @ 20%

This feels like every other romance book written in the last 5 years. Shallow, insipid and boring.

[Barbara Mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romeo and Juliet but make it cowboyish and firefighter! Enemies to lovers classic with a will they won't they that makes you want to move to a small town in Texas

[Patricia (Spellbound Stories Trish) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I dove into this book the second it landed on my kindle because I have been dying for Beau and Honeys story! The tension they have had, and that hate oh I knew there was something good to be told and I was not wrong!

Now Lex spices things up with some twists and turns I didn’t see coming, and wow Honeys dad…ya he doesn’t deserve to be named because he’s worse than I thought. The strength, support and heart that Beau shows Honey though had me swooning and wanting to jump into the pages. I will say though that she doesn’t need saving because Honey is definitely her own person. She has such grit and the fact she’s an English teacher makes her my top heroine (because same)!

This book has shot to the top for me but let’s be honest these brothers, this family is hard to not love and I can’t wait for what’s next because I feel there’s many more surprises in store for this town and this family!

[Serena Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review

wow I absolutely loved Beau and Honey, they are a today's Romeo & Juliet! I loved that Honey was teaching it in her English class and the parallels between the two!
The twists kept on coming, I wasn't sure where the next one would come from!

I hope we get closure with Honey's dad and I have my suspicions of who his mistress is so hoping that will get revealed! Would love to see Trig and Cash get books but otherwise I can't wait for Jace and Isaiah's stories!

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy range of emotions!! The feels! You will experience every single one of them. Burning Skies was an emotionally charged story from the start and I loved the raw honesty. It will take you on an emotional ride with twists and turns that will show you the importance of standing up for yourself, putting aside differences, trust, and love. Be prepared to have your heart strings pulled and even have a tear or two in your eyes. The best part of this book is that it does not hide the dark shadows of the past and it isn't going to pretend that everything is magically fixed. If you like enemies to lovers and romantic suspense, you will want to read this book.

[Tabitha Willbanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think there's anything Lex Martin could write that I wouldn't love. Whenever I get an ARC from her, everything gets put aside so I can binge read it! Man alive... I thought those varsity dads were a swoon fest! They don't have anything on the Walkers.
The Walkers and the McAllisters have a family fued in Wild Heart, Texas, that can rival the Hatfields and the McCoys. It goes back generations. But the feud isn't strong enough to keep Beau and Honey from having an explosive night together after years of flirting with the enemy. After that, their story turns from a western rivalry to a full-on, modern day, Romeo and Juliet story. I was so here for it!
This story was a little more angsty than those in the past. But it was still a relatively low angst good time read we all come to expect from Lex. There was also a small mystery thrown in there too, and it worked really well. I honestly didn't see the couple of little twists coming, and I was pleasantly surprised. And I can't not mention the spice! Because it was spicin! Lex Martin has the art of writing a dirty talking cowboy down to a tee! If you're a cowboy loving contemporary romance girly, this one is right up your alley!

[Crystal LoCicero · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

'Beau Walker and I are a five-alarm fire waiting to combust. And I can’t wait to light the match.'

This series has a common theme. Each of the mmc's in this series rejects the fmc in some way that breaks my heart a little bit. But ai think that is what makes these books so good. They do the work and fix it. And isn't that just the best to read. Hot cowboys doing swoony things and communicating to the female lead... HOT.
I knew from reading the previous books that Honey and Beau's story would be full of sass and drama. I was not disappointed. This sassy banter, sexual tension, nosey families, a little suspense subplot, and Beau is a freaking cat-dad. Seriously, this book just scratched an itch, it was so fun and sweet, with some good spice.
I am super interested in some side characters. I made a list, but I won't spoil it on here.

Overall, this was a fun edition to the series and I can't wait for more.

I received this book as an ARC, but the review is completely independent and reflects my genuine thoughts, feelings, and opinions.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC READ
I really loved this book. It's an amazing love story with a Romeo and Juliet sort of retelling and reference. Heroes, villains, plot twists, and an HEA.

I only give 5 stars when a book surprises me or makes me want to read it again in the future. This one did both. I know you'll fall for Honey and Beau as much as I did. Strong FMC and hot new firefighting book boyfriend! To my immense pleasure, there is very low angst, too.

This is a standalone of an interconnected series. I'd never read any of the others and had zero issues following along. While the ending is finite for the two main characters, the story did leave me with a single question, which makes me extremely anxious for the next one to be released so I can hopefully get the answer! I'm confident you'll love this book.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!!! By far my favorite in the series!!

Burning Skies is book 3 in the Wild at Heart series following Beau Walker & Honey McCallister. Their ranches have been rivals for years. I’ll be honest, enemies to lovers is actually not always my favorite but this was so well done. I was so curious to see how the prologue would tie into the future story & it did not disappoint. The suspense in this one was a combination of events rather than one large event & absolutely LOVED that! I truly wasn’t sure what the outcome would be & stayed up late to finish!

There are several mentions of Romeo & Juliet throughout the story since Honey is a high school English teacher & it was interesting to see the parallels in Beau & Honey’s romance. Highly recommend this series is you love small town, found family & cowboys!!

[Court · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good enemies to lovers where the families have generations of hatred and arguments, but no real reason why they continue that hatred. Honey and Beau are forbidden and when one night in a mask leads to a sworn enemy between these two, they’ve avoided each other since then. However, life keeps throwing them together and the attraction seems to have never gone away. Honey is a teacher and resent fires at school have Beau, the hot fire fighter, showing up. The banter that these two have is insane and will have you laughing out loud. Until they finally give into their feelings. Though keeping it a secret is hard and when her brothers and father have any say it won’t be good. Add in the family drama and secrets, the mystery of the fires, and the will they won’t they, you’ll be on the edge of your seat devouring this book! I loved Honey and Beau!

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! I loved Romeo and Juliet and this is such a modern day take on it! The Walkers and McAllisters hate each other and have forever! That is, until Beau and Honey finally start seeing each other again due to some crazy circumstances. Beau is not only a cowboy, but also a firefighter - hot damn! And he also has a heart of gold! He made me swoon like no other. I adored Honey and loved seeing the whole Wild at Heart Family! This book gave you so many feelings and also had suspense with twists and turns. I couldn't put it down. I'm pretty sure that at this point I would read anything that Lex Martin writes - give me more please! (5 stars)

[Nicole Wills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beau Walker and Honey McAllister are a modern day Romeo and Juliet. Their families have been feuding for generations but the firefighter and the high school english teacher just gravitate towards each other, even when they are actively trying to avoid each other. When Honey and Beau's soon-to-be sister-in-law Baylee become friends, they're thrown into each other's orbits. What was sassy banter becomes concern when fires start popping up at the high school. I absolutely adore both of these characters and the way they handle all of the trials they are thrown into is perfect. I didn't think Falling Stars could be topped, but Burning Skies just might do it! The secret friendship, the banter, the heat! The way Beau simply CARES. It hit every single checkmark. Oh! The twists? You won't see them coming!

[Extraspicybooklover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how I’m obsessed with this series 🫠🖤 Beau and Honeys story is angsty, twisty and so damn hot 🫠 you’ll instantly melt for Beau Walker and his whole family. Honeys family not so much. Her Dad is a real piece of work and she’s worked hard to go at it alone without his manipulation. Honey Being a teacher is beneath him and he’s trying everything to get her under his control again. She also holds a lot of animosity towards Beau from years ago when he rudely rejected her. And then a steamy spicy moment in the back of her SUV changes everything she thought she felt. Beau and Honeys are so insanely good together I absolutely love them. So many twist and drama between their families but it all works out for the better in the end 😏🥵
I’m just obsessed with the Walker Brothers and I can’t wait for more of them 🫠

[Elijah · Rating 5 out of 5]

—— I received this as an ARC copy ——

Okay so like i genuinely cant get enough of this series??? Idk what she puts in them but if i could inject them into my body i would.

I never thought i would like beau as much as i do and boy is he giving Rhett a run for his money. Cause LET ME TELL YOU… THAT MAN…. JUST WOW. But he is everything that Honey needs, and she… well she was perfect for him in every way. I loved the whole will they wont they until well…… you know :)

I’m so glad to have gotten this arc as well because i was counting down the days for its release and could barely hold in my excitement.

10/10 would definitely recommend

[Jaimie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to preface this with I have waited for Honey and Beau's story since the start of this series. Lex gave me everything and more with this story. I am in absolute aww of her writing and the way this story came to life. This story will leave you wanting more! You get enemies to lovers, touch of suspense, rivals family, firefighter x teacher in a small town. And I am here for it all!!

Beau and Honey have this amazing chemistry and I love it. This push and pull they have is the best. Beau and Honey have this banter that I enjoyed so much. I loved Beau from the start, he is so sweet and loyal. I loved the way he is with his family and his nieces and nephews. Something is so endearing when you have this big man that goes soft for the ones he loves. Honey is strong and I loved seeing her stand on her own even with a little help from the Walkers. I liked that she is wanting her independence from her family name and all the drama it brings.
There were some twists I didn't see coming and that made this book even better. But in the end Honey and Beau got their HEA and that is all I wanted for them.

I can't get enough of the Walkers and the ones they love. I love the family dynamic this series gives you. Now to wait for the next Walker to get his HEA.

[Holli Pounds · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am soo excited to review this book! Cant tell you how excited I was to receive this!

It follows Honey & Beau. There is a family rivalry between the Walkers & McAllisters. Honey has a secret crush on Beau but knows nothing can happen, when at a masked party all bets are off. They intend to hook up but it doesnt go far as Honey mentions Beaus name... things end badly.

Seven years later, Honey is a school teacher & Beau is a firefighter - things are still unresolved between them. An incident happens at the school and Beau is called in to help. You could cut the tension with a knife!

Mysterious incidents keep happening at the school and it makes Honey & Beau to keep being around eachother. They have agreed to be friends for the sake of Beaus brothers wedding. After awhile they agree to be friends with benefits until after the wedding. Oh when they cross that line it is so hot!

When Honeys family find out that her & Beau are together oh does it get feral!

This book had me on the edge of my seat all the way through! Its absolutely amazing! Honey & Beau are brillaint together! Its full of hot & steamy but also sweet & adorable moments, amazing book! 5 🌟 for me!

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my most anticipated reads and it didn't dissapoint. Lex Martin does cowboy like no other writer out there. The chemistry from Beau and Honey could be felt even before they started burning the pages. I loved all of the little details that Lex added between the characters as well. I haven't read many firefighter mmc's where I was instantly in love with. Beau was humble, kind and I couldn't get enough of him. And I love Honey! I love the teacher x firefighter paring as well. If you haven't read Lex Martin I highly recommend picking up a book because she hits the mark EVERY.SINGLE.TIME!!!

[Danireadswhut · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is when everything thing comes to the head of a family feud that is like Hatfield's and McCoy's or even Romeo and Juliet. When Lex said she was giving us a hate bang oh boy did she deliver. The chemistry between Honey and Beau is top notch. How Lex Martin did the Romantic suspense had me on the edge of my seat. It had me guessing till the end. This book is just another amazing book that she has written. I thought that the last book was my favorite in the series nope this one has dethroned it from my favorite book she has written.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beau wasn't looking to settle down and he certainly wasn't going to do it with the daughter of his family's enemy but fate had other ideas. With the families hating each other its got a modern day Romeo and Juliet aspect to it. But unlike Juliet Honey (fmc) is determined to have her HEA and there's only one man for her. Honey is such a sweetheart and is ready to fight against her family for what she wants. Beau is a sexy dirty talking cowboy/fireman whats not to love.
These Walker brothers are just the whole package.

First Responder
Hate Bang
Enemies to Lovers
Forbidden Romance
Small Town Charm
Romantic Suspense
Cowboy Romance

Can't wait for Jace's book

[Megan ~The Never Ending Book Basket · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been lucky enough to read Lex Martin’s books for over 11 years now. And I do mean lucky. Because I truly think that I am one lucky girl for finding her books all those years ago because it brought me to one of my all-time favorite authors. Picking up that first book of hers over 11 years ago brought me to a world of characters that have stolen pieces of my heart again and again with each new book this author releases. It was one tiny decision that brought me to an author who has delivered some of the most incredible and impeccable romances that I have had the pleasure of reading. So I am very lucky that I’ve had the opportunity to read books by Lex Martin over the last 11+ years because her books are some of my all-time favorites. Her books have given me everything with her characters. Her books have delivered unforgettable love stories that I still think about. Her books have just been everything. Everything and so much more.

Burning Skies, book 3 in her Wild At Heart Series, was another prime example of why I absolutely LOVE every single book that I’ve had the pleasure reading by this author. I mean this was Lex Martin goodness. Plain and simple. It was swoony, it was suspenseful, it was small town amazingness. It was full of high levels of tension filled heat and connection between these characters, so much incredible heart and fire, and just a love that was born out of so much beauty and hard fought trust. Lex Martin once again threw me and my heart right into the thick of it with her characters, and I just loved it. I loved every damn word of this book and the experience I got with Honey and Beau as their love story unfolded.

I truly could not have asked for more.

This book very much gives off star crossed lovers in the most perfect way. Add in an enemies to lovers twist to that vibe, and your heart will be feeling EVERY emotion under the sun while experiencing the story with Honey and Beau and you will be LIVING for it. I promise you that. This couple and their families have years of strife between them. They are not supposed to be together. They are not supposed to want each other or like each other or even tolerate each other, but Beau and Honey can’t help but feel every damn thing for each other. Their connection is undeniable, the pull they have to one another is fierce and tangible, and the way that they just make each other feel like no one else ever has before is indescribable. Really it’s so very telling because these two may be wrong and forbidden for each other in all kinds of way on paper, but they could not be more perfect for one another when it comes to their hearts, their desires, and the truth of them, their souls, and their undeniable feelings.

I don’t think I could have loved Beau and Honey more than I did in this book. I just loved the two of them. Fiercely. I loved that from the start things felt so different between them. You could tell that even though these two were not supposed to want each other, they couldn’t help but feel everything for one another. They couldn’t help but know that there was something so inherently different about each other that truly made all the difference. And that something truly meant everything as they decided to risk it all for one another.

I loved that even though the odds were stacked against them, even though they had their families and years of history breathing down their necks, they stood strong. They stood strong in their taking of chances and risks, they stood strong in their hope for the future, and they stood strong in the belief in what they shared, in their hearts, and in each other. Sure they had their human moments of all of the emotions as they processed everything that came their way, but they never once wavered in the belief that the other was the one person who changed everything. That the other was the one person who made them feel everything. That the other was the one person who they would never, ever be able to forget or move past. That the other was someone that would always be in their heart and soul. They never wavered in the knowledge that the other was someone who left a permanent impression on their heart that they never wanted to have go away.

And that made all the difference for these two. It made every difference. Because it just showed the truth and the heart and the utter beauty of Beau and Honey and everything they felt for one another. It showed such real and vibrant authenticity and feeling from them that truly knew no bounds.

The way that you’re able to connect into that emotion, to that connection with Beau and Honey, and the way that you just feel every breath of that is absolutely wonderful in this book. It makes for a hell of a love story, but more than that, it just makes for a love story and a couple you believe in with everything you have. You can’t help but love these two, the goodness that emanates from the two of them, and you just can’t help but want and need with your very being for them to find a way. Couple that with the fact that he’s a fireman with a protective side and a heart of gold, she’s a teacher with a beautiful sense of determination and so much care and love to give the world, and the fact they just can’t help but poke at each other until the inevitable explosion that brings them to the place they were always meant to be, and you have a story that you will be owned by. I know I was and I truly can’t say enough how much I loved being owned this book, this couple, and the journey I got to go on with them.

Lex Martin just completely envelops you within this world, within this incredible small town in a way that has you living and breathing the story. She shows you how high the stakes are for this couple with the past that their characters and their families share. She lets you understand the struggle these characters experience as they try to make sense and way through all of the emotion and connection they share, while also trying to balance what that means with their families and what comes next. She allows you to understand the struggles and the hiccups that come their way as they navigate they’re very real feelings for each other, but they’re also very complicated circumstances. She allows you to understand what holds them back, what pushes them forward, what ultimately brings them to the places that they are desperately hoping to be together and it just connects you to their story in the most unforgettable way.

It all makes for a reading experience that just feels real. A reading experience that feels like you’re living and breathing these moments with these characters. It makes for a reading experience that is enjoyable and just amazing because you are in the heart of the book with this couple, believing in them, fighting for them, and just rooting for them with your whole heart. That level of connection, that level of heart, and that level of emotion you feel and get with these characters as you’re experiencing their story is truly indescribable with how wonderful it is. It amplifies everything you experience with these characters over the course of their story and it just has you loving everything. Every high, every low, every misstep, every celebration, every moment that makes your toes curl, your heart flutter, and your soul melt. You love it all because you’re so fully connected to these characters, that you understand it all, you get it all, and you just believe in it all with this couple and what they share.

All of that is a true testament to the writing talent that Lex Martin has. You just can’t help but love and relate to and just feel everything for this couple because her words create that and give that to you through every single page of what she creates. You can’t help but live this story with them and it’s everything. Absolutely everything. It’s everything to feel that connected to them because it just pulls every part of you into their story in a way that invests you wholeheartedly in the love they are building, the trust they are sharing, and the moments of love and vulnerability and beauty that come to life in front of you.

Getting to experience that as a romance reader and a lover of love stories is something I don’t take for granted, and it is something that I truly treasured while reading this book because it allowed me to get everything with this couple in a way that I know I won’t forget.

This series, just like every other series by this author, has burrowed itself so deep into my heart with how much I love all of these characters and the world that this author has created. It just feels right. It feels like a place I want to spend time in. It feels like a place where really good things can happen. It’s also a place that perfectly weaves together swoon and suspense and so much heart that I literally cannot get enough of.

This world of characters have just stolen my whole heart with every book and every new book I get with them just makes me love them more. I love their friendships, I love their family dynamics, I love the way they show up for each other again and again. I love that in this small town history has a way of always repeating itself, yet these characters are trying to break the binds of the past that threaten the things they love most. I love how dynamic all of these characters are, I love that they’re willing to change their opinions of what they thought was true and what they thought they knew when given the opportunity, even when it’s hard. I love that this world of characters are complex and human and vulnerable and just a fun time to be around.

Even when things are going crazy in this small town, even when these characters are trying to figure it all out, even when no one knows what comes next and they’re feeling all of the things, these characters show up for each other. They love each other. They push each other‘s buttons, they fight, but they also love. Hard. And just getting to see each and every one of them over the course of this series is absolutely incredible. It just makes me love this world even more and it has me desperate for every new moment and story and interaction with all these characters because I just LOVE them all. I feel like I’m a part of their crazy families and I never want to leave them because that’s just how much this author has allowed me to love and experience them all and every moment with them. I can’t wait for every story to come from this world and small town because I am ready for it all!

Simply put, Burning Skies by Lex Martin is one of my favorite books I have read this year. It’s only 2 1/2 weeks into the year and I know that this will be one of the best books that I read this year because of everything that I got to experience with this couple and because every bit of their dynamic and fun and emotional love story was incredible. It was just everything. It was more than everything because I just got to live this story with this couple, believing in them with my whole heart, and just loving them through it all. The way that they show up for each other, the way that they feel absolutely everything for each other, and the way that it all unfolds is so them, so right, and just so perfect. I truly could not have asked for more.

Lex Martin delivers a phenomenal love story that checks all the boxes. She gives you star crossed lovers that may start off as enemies, but end up as so much more. She gives you small town goodness and gossip and suspense that will keep you on your toes through every turn of that page. She gives you so much heart and connection and unadulterated fire that will simultaneously have you melting, swooning, and reaching for that fan because you’ll be feeling that fire and feels in every way, shape, and form with this couple. She gives you two authentic and genuine characters, who have such beautiful hearts of gold laced with vulnerability, who are bound and determined to break every rule because they have to find a way to be together. She gives you a story of two people whose love truly feels like fireworks in the night sky; beautiful and effervescent, mesmerizing and emotional, and just full of joy and a vibrancy that last long past the moments they fall away, leaving a beautiful glow behind in their wake.

Beau and Honey put on the most dazzling and authentic display in that night sky in this book. And honestly you will be enamored with every single moment you get with them as you experience what they share together as you watch them build a love that can never be diminished. It’s real, it’s beautiful, and it’s everything. But most importantly, it’s them. Through every page, through every moment, through every emotion, it’s them and their love in the truest and most real way that can never be denied.

This book is a beautiful story from start to finish, packed with impeccable writing and characters, and more swoon and fire and heart than you can shake a stick at. It has charm, it has love, and it just has two characters you will LOVE with your whole heart. And honestly, it doesn’t get better than that. It really doesn’t. Because finding a love story that is so consuming as this one, finding a world that you don’t want to leave like the one that author creates in this series, and experiencing what you do with these characters is truly something to treasure.

I’ve been lucky enough to treasure this author‘s books and characters for over 11 years now, and it’s been the best. Honestly, it’s been more than that. It’s been absolutely everything. And the feelings and the emotions and the moments and the highs and the lows and the heart and just every incredible and all feeling and beautiful moment I have had the chance to experience in this book, and in every other book by this author, is not something I take for granted. Not one little bit.

Simply put, you need to read this book. You need to read Burning Skies. You need to experience the love story and the wild ride you go on with this couple, their families, and this incredible small town. You will not be disappointed in them, their hearts, and every single second and moment you get with him along the way. In fact, I think you’ll find yourself falling head over heels in love with everything you’re reading and you will love it. You will love it and them and then some. And then you will be just like me, counting down the days until the next moment you find yourself within a Lex Martin book, experiencing everything with her dynamic characters, and loving every single unforgettable second of it.