Controlled Burn: A Wolf-Shifter Romance Novel

by L.V. Brooks

Dr. Wren Harrison has devoted her life to one protecting North Carolina’s endangered Red Wolves. When a pregnant female goes missing, Wren will do whatever it takes to keep her — and her unborn pups — safe.

Even if it means clashing with Cyrus Langston.

A commanding prescribed burn specialist with a dangerous intensity, Langston plans to light a controlled fire directly across the wolf’s path. The burn could be catastrophic, and Wren refuses to let a man with predatory eyes and an unsettling pull threaten her wolves.

But the more time Wren spends with him, the harder it is to ignore the truth coiling beneath her skin. Cyrus doesn’t just understand wolves — he is one. His presence is all heat and dominance, his interest sharpened by instinct he’s never had to fight before. Every look lingers. Every touch feels deliberate. And once he starts circling her, neither of them can seem to step back.

Cyrus Langston isn’t the enemy she expected.

He’s a wolf — and for the first time in his life, his body is responding to a claim he can’t anticipate, can’t control, and can’t pull away from.

Once instinct takes hold, there's no pulling free.

388 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 17, 2026

Reviews

[Mallory Dapice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grumpy MMC, educated and opinionated FMC, quick to spice, witty banter, touch her and die, and obviously he finishes in his pants.
How could I not enjoy this book? If this is your thing too, then this is an easy, fun, and enjoyable read.

I love the banter. I love his honesty. I love how he wants her without lying to himself, or her, or holding back how he feels.

Let's talk about the older MCs. Because yes, as you age, knowing someone is the one for you is much easier to spot (here's looking at you husband). So I'm not sure if I'd call this insta-love. More like how meeting your mate looks when you're 40+ and a wolf. And if it was insta-love I would still say the vibes are all right!

I do wish she met his wolf in this story. Wolves are her life. She deserved it, and we deserved to see it!

Overall a fun read and I can't wait for more to come.

Thank you so much to L.V Brooks for allowing me to read and review this ARC.

[Khadejah Ibrahim · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5⭐️
Soooo… I love anything with shifters. That trope is basically an auto-read for me. Unfortunately, this one just didn’t fully work for me.
The biggest issue was the FMC. I wasn’t a fan of how she threw herself at the MMC just to get what she wanted (girl, you are doctor, where is your pride?).
The MMC, on the other hand, was actually more interesting. I enjoyed the grumpy vibe, and I especially liked that—even among shifters—he didn’t fully understand his own biology. Which is refreshing.
This is very much an insta-lust situation. I don’t mind insta-lust (definitely better than insta-love), but this dragged on for a long time — it felt like about 30% of the book was just them fighting their attraction. After a while, I found myself thinking, “Just get it over with already.” The constant resisting got repetitive, and I may have rolled my eyes more than once.
And honestly… what about the poor red wolves?
There was also quite a bit of repetitive dialogue, which made the pacing feel slower than it needed to be.
The story leans heavily into spice — which is totally fine if that’s what you’re looking for — but for me, it felt like most of the relationship development was physical, especially considering they’d only known each other for two day.
It did pick up after chapter 30. Still, was not fan.

I received this book as an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Emma Lyons · Rating 3 out of 5]

*received arc from author*

The concept for this book is very unique! I love the characters occupations, as it’s not something I’ve read about before, and this is also my first paranormal/shifter book! Love the age gap, tension, and L.V. definitely knows how to write a spicy scene filled with delicious tension!

Overall, this plot just did not grab me as much as the previous books of hers that I have read. There were some significant continuity errors, along with repetitive dialogue and a lot of spelling errors.

Besides those gripes, I thought it was a fun read and I was always anxious to get back to it!

[Lisa Conant · Rating 2 out of 5]

So first off, this is insta lust (which disappointed me)...like 15% and we start about 30 pages of hot and heavy. But if you want knotting, and instant spice, this is for you.

I didn't like the fmc, she was throwing herself at him right away with no self respect for herself and felt very casual about it. She pushed and teased him so much. Dialog repeated quite a lot, him constantly saying "you don't know what you're asking for" and similar. He would literally repeat the same lines a few paragraphs later.

I love the idea of him being a professional forest burner (and secretly a wolf shifter) and her seeking her wolves, it's original! But it sadly succumbed to pure lust and spice within the first 50 pages and I mourn the wonderful angsty drama this couldve been. He starts off grumpy, guarded, and trying to control himself (and love the age gap of 29 and 48). But he then gives in all of a sudden and starts talking dirty and feels like a whole different person after they hook up. I read 30% and there really was no character development, just them fooling around in a tent and shower.

Sadly I couldn't finish this and I'm amazed it's as long of a story as it is as I'm not sure how the plot can salvage itself beyond the more smutfocused one. Sad because the first book I read from this author I absolutely loved! The last two books feel completely different and wholly spice focused. I give it the 2nd star because of the original idea.

I wholly reccomend reading her first book though! That has excellent character development and drama.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cyrus is my new expectation! My overall rating of this book is 3.5 stars.

Let me start by saying I loved the pace of how this book opened. We got to meet two really polarising characters. The strong opinionated scientist Wren, and the stubborn, set in his ways grumpy Cyrus. Their chemistry burned hot from the very beginning and it sucked me straight in.

The reason my review tapered off was because I feel the ending was a little left wanting. The plot got a little shaky, and I also wasn’t sold that Cyrus would have left Wren for so long to ‘figure out if what they had was real’ even to the point that he dated another woman. This was just my opinion 😊

But thank you to LV Brooks for giving me this opportunity to ARC read her book, I loved it and I am now waiting for my mature, experienced real life Cyrus to sweep me off my feet! 😆

[charisse ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

˗ˏˋ 5 stars ⟡ ݁₊ .

safe to say i love this book!! their banter is top tier, i just love me a good grumpy x sunshine trope

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧• wren harrison
she's so witty and SO snarky! you just can't help it but fall in love with her.

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧• cyrus langston
acts of service king!! loved how he always make sure that wren was taken care of! ps. he's secretly a wolf shifter too so there's that! (not that i'm complaining)

⤷ thank you to the author, l.v. brooks, for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to author and team for the ARC read. This was my first book by this author and overall was thoroughly enjoyable!

The premise of “enemies” as wolf conservationist vs burn expert was really unique and acted as a good backdrop for the story. I struggled a bit with the insa-lust factor, but once I surrendered that part, I was able to fully immerse myself in the story and really didn’t give the quick pace a second thought. There were some continuity errors, and some repetition primarily in nicknaming or in the dialogue (e.g. “be careful”, in a flirty way) but not enough to detract from the quick-paced banter and palpable chemistry.

I really enjoyed this author’s style of writing, and there were definitely moments that had me giddy for the characters. I feel like though this book is definitely heavy spice, the author did a great job of making the scenes feel varied enough to stay interesting, but not just throwing in crazy things for the sake of novelty. Instead the focus was really on the chemistry and depicting that tension and the author definitely does that well.

I didn’t expect the pull in my chest during some of the characters inner monologue/self reflection as we’re afforded glimpses of their inner worlds without the armor they usually wear. The author expresses the inner tension within the characters as well as she expresses the tension between them.

All in all I enjoyed reading it and will happily read more from this author in the future.

[Tess Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

To be honest, this book was not for me, and that makes me very sad. The last book I read by L.V. Brooks I praised. It was one of the best romance novels I had read, so when I saw they needed ARC readers for another project, I was so excited to read it. Paranormal wolf shifter romance felt like it was right up my alley. Sadly, I have quite a few complaints about this book and on more than one occasion I nearly DNF’d this book.

My first critique is one that made this the most comfortable for me... Within the first couple of chapters, Wren was ignoring Cyrus telling her no, and I don’t mean that in just the ‘hey, you legally aren’t allowed to be here, go home’ kind of way. I mean that in the ‘hey don’t touch me’ way. No matter how you look at that, this is sexual harassment. She is forcing herself on him so that she can get her way, and I find it disgusting. The author did mention (only in the infographic) there was weaponized flirting, but this goes beyond that, and I feel like this should be listed under the trigger warnings for victims.

Wren’s character in general is a letdown. She could be such a cool, bad-ass character. It’s implied that she should be highly intelligent, but she is instead just very childish. I understand her need for protecting the red wolves which are an endangered species, but Cyrus’ job is incredibly important. Without the controlled burns that he oversees, one forest fire could wipe out entire ecosystems, kill wildlife and humans, and cause irreparable harm. The burn could potentially kill two red wolves; a wildfire could kill all of them. However, instead of understanding that and being grateful for what little help he is able to provide in the form of an extension, Wren returns to seeing Cyrus as some kind of villain for wanting to do this job.

My final point of contention is how repetitive the writing is. I don’t mean that in the sense of dialogue, as I know people themselves can be highly repetitive, especially when passionate or agitated. Quite literally I counted and screenshot, multiple instances in the latter half of the book where sentences were simply written a second time even if the actions were physically impossible to have happened like that. At 59% through, in Wren’s POV, within a paragraph of each other “my cheek pressed against his back without my permission” was used, at 61% in Cyrus's POV within a page of each other a variation of ‘she slid off, tugging the helmet free, hair tumbling in a dark messy wave’ was used, and at 62% in Cyrus’ chapter you had another instance where ‘the room was empty, sterile’ was used twice to describe the same hotel room within a paragraph of each other. Then there is an instant around 88% during one of the sexual scenes where they are on the couch, Cyrus presses her against the bed, and then magically he pushes her to lie on the couch... I don’t know if L.V. was just in a hurry to finish and these slipped past the editor, but it made it hard to immerse myself in the story as I had to constantly backtrack to reread and make sure, I hadn’t skipped paragraphs or sentences myself.

[Sydney Ely · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a refreshing, cozy take on paranormal romance, the kind of book that feels warm, grounded, and intimate while still giving you just enough heat and tension to keep you fully locked in.

The premise immediately worked for me: Wren is a wolf biologist studying and tracking a pregnant red wolf, and Cyrus is a prescribed burn specialist whose job is to intentionally set fires to protect the ecosystem. Their lives collide when one of his planned burns threatens the very wolf she’s been working so hard to protect. That built-in conflict gave the romance a natural tension that felt rooted in real-world stakes rather than external drama, and I loved how deeply the story stayed connected to the landscape, conservation, and their careers.

This is very much PNR-lite - the paranormal elements are present, but the heart of the story is the relationship and the emotional safety these two create for each other. The tone is gentle, soft, and character-driven, and it honestly felt like a breath of fresh air compared to higher-angst shifter romances.

The age gap (29 & 48) was one of my favorite parts. Cyrus is a full silver fox (competent, steady, patient, and deeply self-assured) and the way he shows up for Wren is everything I want from an older MMC. He never tries to diminish her expertise or her independence; instead, he makes space for her to be fully herself - curious, passionate, a little bratty, and completely safe. The emotional caretaking in this book is top tier. This is the kind of man you’d trust without hesitation, the “I’d leave my drink with him” energy is very real.

Wren was also such a fun heroine to be in the head of. The fact that she’s a literal wolf researcher and then finds herself extremely (and very vocally) interested in a wolf shifter on both a biological and personal level was hilarious and completely on brand. Her excitement, her competence, and her unapologetic attraction made the dynamic feel playful and natural rather than overly dramatic.

In terms of spice, I’d place it at about 2.5–3🌶 overall, but there’s a particular shifter-specific element that definitely raises the temperature. Without it, this would read as a very sweet, tender, slow-burn physical relationship. With it, you get that perfect contrast between cozy emotional intimacy and moments of feral heat. The flirting and foreplay are very much weaponized in the best way - more tension and anticipation than constant explicit scenes, which suited the tone of the book.

Some of my favorite moments were the quieter ones- the motorcycle scene where he lets her “drive,” the way he softens for her without ever losing his strength, and the overall sense that their relationship is built on mutual respect, competence, and care.

This isn’t a high-drama, plot-heavy paranormal. It’s a warm, intimate, low-angst story about two people whose lives and values intersect in a meaningful way, and who choose each other with intention.

I would absolutely read more cozy PNR in this style. It was such a nice reminder that shifter romances can be soft, grounded, and deeply comforting while still delivering chemistry and heat.

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read a LOT of shifter books (it’s my guilty pleasure, I’m afraid) and rarely write reviews for them. But I felt compelled to write something about this one. However, I’m not good at being concise, so I’m sorry for the word vomit.

Marking as spoilers just in case!!

The things I loved about this book? It took the normal shifter story and kept many of the familiar, cozy tropes (grumpy, alpha-type MMC, MMC’s inner battle with his wolf, etc.) but kept the shifter part of it secondary to an actual story.

So many times, authors kind of tilt the scales too much in either direction. Some authors make the book so focused on the main plot that you could forget that it’s a paranormal romance entirely. Other authors make the entire plot solely about the supernatural. Many times, the recipe is of an ordinary, human FMC meets a shifter MMC, then suddenly her entire life is about the supernatural world and whatever her life was before is just… gone.

This book did a great job of balancing the real world with the paranormal one, while keeping it unique. The story remained about saving the (non-paranormal) wolves throughout the book. Even with many steamy, intensely passionate scenes between the characters, you didn’t forget what the ultimate goal was. She didn’t give up on her passion and career for him. Him being a shifter just added a unique perspective to the story as you witnessed him struggle with possessive feelings he’s never had. The shifter side acted as a bonus rather than a distraction, and I think that was really well done.

I also loved the sassy, confident FMC. Sometimes that can come across as arrogant and unrepeatable, but I loved the dynamic between the two. She used her attitude against him as a total power play, but it was never malicious or used to actually manipulate anyone. It was done for fun. Their banter was great. They both took control in certain situations and gave it up in others. I think it worked well.

Now the reason for my lower rating is simply due to the writing itself. Most of the book was well written with great imagery and emotional connection. However, sometimes, the descriptions/metaphors/etc. were slightly too much. They almost seemed confusing. There was also a great bit of repetition in the dialogue and some typing errors that I think could be fixed with an editor. Some misplaced italics, wrong tenses, or sentences that seemed odd.

(Like in Chapter 23, Cyrus’ POV it says “I so made a decision”. Assuming it’s meant to say “so I made a decision”?)

I write this with love and zero judgement, and I admit that I read the book in one sitting because I just really wanted to see how it ended. I see a lot of potential and really enjoyed the book :)

[Rachel’s Coffee & Rain Reads]

Ok friends…no rating as I DNF’d this one and it definitely could be a case of “it’s me not you” but I wanted to leave my thoughts here since I was offered this as an ARC reader. My thoughts are entirely my own.

Firstly I love wolves. I studied wolves and their conservation in grad school. They’re very close to my heart. I love wolf shifter books. So needless to say this story had my name written all over it. And I’m sincerely bummed that I just couldn’t get into it.

My main issue with this one was the FMC Wren. She was supposedly this educated woman of 29 with a doctorate and a passion for wolf conservation. Instant love, right?! Except she was so over the top cringe with her aggressive “flirting” and throwing herself at the MMC that I could not stand her. Every single line was her “leaning in so my breast brushed his arm” or “I peeked up at him from under my lashes with a smirk playing on my lips”. Like…. Every line. Every thing this woman did was like that. I stopped thinking of her as an actual person. She almost read like a caricature of a Jessica-Rabbit-type, it made me irrationally irate with her. Especially when our grumpy Cyrus kept asking her to back off and distancing himself. It honestly made it feel borderline creepy…. Unfortunately I couldn’t look past it.

I liked Cyrus fine, though he was his own caricature of a growly grumpy older shifter MMC. Still, he was likable and I genuinely wanted to see their connection, but when it went from possibly-inappropriate weaponized flirting to spice in the span of a few pages, I was sort of checked out.

To be fair the spice was well done and executed well. I kept reading for more of that 😏 but I just couldn’t handle the FMC any longer.

My feelings on this may be a fluke. Everyone likes different things and you may love Wren and her feminine wiles!! This book certainly has everything else: shifters, sexual tension, real wolves, and a fresh take on shifter romance.

[Sara Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

I DNF at 49% but still reviewing incase it helps someone else make a decision to read it or not.

I decided to give this a shot because it was about shifters and I love shifter books. The premise sounded interesting, protection of red wolves and a prescribed burn, but by 50% through the book we hadn't even had a knotting experience and the wolves were in the background somewhere. The first 30% was alright and it just went downhill from there, i can't push myself to finish it, but I do want to know about the red wolves if someone can spoil it for me.

Wren, whilst being a biologist and the title doctor seems like a try-hard flirt and all around irritation. She throws herself at Cyrus from the get go unabashedly. Cyrus, the gruff, older man who rides a motorcycle and shows up at her door unannounced, seems to have lost his ability to say more than 20 different phrases.

This book was SO repetitive. The dialogue just felt rinsed and repeated every couple of chapters with new pet names added in, which got repetitive as well. Smokey, Smokes, sweetheart, brat, trouble etc. I juat kept rolling my eyes at the sexy scenes as the banter was cringeworthy. Cyrus just keeps asking over and over and over, "Do you know what you're in for?", "I don't think you know what you're getting into."

The story is insta-lust, if that is your story then great, but there was very little lead up or burn to the lusting. Wren instantly throws herself at Cyrus and after paragraphs of Cyrus saying no and that he isn't going to give in, he does. Both characters were trying too hard in my opinion to be there dictated roles. Sexy, blonde Doctor Harrison, trying to be naive while rubbing herself against Cyrus. Cyrus being older, gruff, strong, protective to a fault. He definitely had some good qualities but they all ended up being too much it was overwhelming.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Rallie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 3.5 ⭐, rounded down
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
What do you get when you put a young, bratty wolf biologist together with a grumpy older "definitely just a guy" up against each other in a contest of wills and red tape? And what if it rains, and there's only one tent? And what if she gets soaking wet, and what if she's freezing...oh... oh darn...

First, can we just take a moment to appreciate the cover? It fits the vibe of the book perfectly. Second, this book is spicy. Spicy-spicy. The Last Dab on Hot Ones spicy. And one thing Brooks does really well is write explicit scenes that aren't repetitive or formulaic; I've read her work before and she manages to give her characters different "styles," shall we say.

I thought Wren and Cyrus were an entertaining pair, and the age gap + grumpy/brat worked really well. I was absolutely enraged on Wren's behalf every time somebody belittled her degree (it's doctor NOT MISS NOT MRS) and appreciated Cyrus making a point to push that - I know what this is like in real life so when I tell you my annotations include "I'LL KILL YOU!!!" whenever a certain mister guy is talking I am not exaggerating a single bit.

That said, I would call this book "good" rather than "great" but in a way that has more to do with taste than skill. While for me a good amount of the dialogue fell flat or felt overly cliché that doesn't make it bad necessarily, and I think her writing around that (even Wren's and Cyrus' internal monologues) makes up for it. I will definitely read more from Brooks, especially with the little easter egg teaser in the epilogue that I only caught because I follow her on Threads!

[Christina Di Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, thank you to L.V. Brooks for letting me ARC this book!

⭐️ 4/5 ⭐️
🌶 3.5/5 🌶

*** TROPES ***
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- He falls first
- Age gap (21 years)
- Mates
- *knotting*

*** THOUGHTS ***
I actually really enjoyed this. It had kind of the rom-com feel but with a shifter and a biologist obsessed with wolves. The sexual tension is good. The FMC uses her body to try to rattle him. And they fall kinda fast (like a 2 week span). But the spice is good.

There were so.e grammatical errors and a couple of lines repeat, but that being said the storyline was great. The MMCs job was pretty interesting. Overall I really enjoyed reading it!

*** QUOTES ***
"—Save me?" I called after him. "Tragic, I do so love a knight in shinning... khakis?"

"Funny thing," she murmured, eyes shining with something wicked, "you talk about fire like it's all danger. But you keep stoking it."

"The way she threw herself into things — bright, loud, hungry — it was the kind of fire you only had before life beat it out of you."

"Now," he murmured, stepping closer, duffel forgotten, hand brushing mine as he moved to set it down. "I get to deal with you. And I've... already started thinking about how much trouble you're going to be."

"You should shower,' I said simply, like it was a fact. "You look like you've been ridden hard and put away wet." My eyes flicked up to meet hers — lazy, taunting. "But me."

"I'm not afraid of the wolf."

*** SPEED ***
- Read this is four days. Fun quick read.

[Han. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a good time. It was also a bit different to the normal wolf shifter romances which was nice! Cyrus, a grumpy, uptight wolf shifter who works as a prescribed fire specialist. When he meets the courageous, bold, wolf biologist, Wren, he doesn't know if he's more annoyed by how much he wants her or how much he wants her to leave...

Ughhh, and then he's only soft for her too which had me melting into my sofa! This book has high heat, but a slow burn romance which is always good fun reading too, which is a trope I can always get behind! It was a great read.

Honestly though, *stop reading if you don't want a (kinda) spoiler*... I was sorta disappointed that Wren never got to meet Cyrus' wolf properly in the book. Whenever, I read a wolf shifter x human romance, that's the thing I look forward to the most. But that's a me problem and I can't lower the rating of the book because of that.

Anyway, overall, it had everything else I love in a romance. Shifter romance *check*. Angst *check*. An age gap *checkcheckCHECK*.

The author wrote an amazing book, that has a story that hooked you immediately, characters you kinda wanted to bang their heads together, spicy scenes 🔥, and a gorgeous ending!

Thank you so much for trusting me to read your book early! It was a pleasure!

[Elektra | My Trending Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grumpy MMC? ✔️
Educated, opinionated FMC who can hold her own? ✔️
Quick to spice? Say less.
Witty banter? Inject it straight into my veins.
Touch her and die energy? Absolutely feral for it.
And the man finishing in his pants? I mean… how was I supposed to not have a good time?
This was such an easy, fun, addictive read. The banter alone carried it — sharp, clever, and just the right amount of tension underneath. I live for that push and pull. And him? I loved how honest he was. No games. No pretending he didn’t want her. No broody denial spiral. He wanted her, he knew it, and he didn’t lie to himself (or her) about it. That confidence? Elite.
Now let’s talk about the older MCs because YES. Once you’re 40+, you know. You just know. It’s less “insta-love” and more “I’ve lived enough life to recognise my person when they walk in.” (Looking at you, husband 👀). And even if someone wants to call it insta-love? The vibes were vibing. I’m not mad at it.
My only tiny complaint? I wanted her to meet his wolf. Wolves are literally her life. She deserved that moment. And honestly? So did we. I feel slightly robbed of that scene.
Overall, such a fun read and I’m absolutely seated for whatever comes next.
Thank you so much to L.V Brooks for the ARC — I had the best time.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the premise - tracking a pregnant wolf trying to den to give birth in an active permitted burn zone, with a passionate researcher asking them to delay. The grumpy shifter is significantly older and just as stubborn….

The author stated that this is their first paranormal novel, and I really liked their take on it. It was made clear that he was a shifter, but it wasn’t an overt ’shifter’ story with a shift here, shift there or a designated pack.
It gave age-gap, enemies-to-lovers vibes with the shifter situation as more of a sub-plot.

He was grumpy, and there was plenty of snark, banter, and flirting. And add in forced proximity, and sparks (excuse the pun) fly.

I only have one issue - and it was right at the end, and I really, really wish that it hadn’t occurred.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but he claimed her earlier, aq knot and a bite…. so why did they separate, and why did he do what he did??? No spoilers here, but the fact that she just glossed over it pissed me off. You don’t claim someone, then do that!
It was a 4.5-star until that moment - so I think 98% is a 4.5-star, but 2% just drops it for me….

[Xan · Rating 3 out of 5]

‧₊˚✧ 3.25 ✧˚₊‧
I got to read this book as an ARC. The ARC was provided by the author for which I am very thankful. I didn't really have set expectations for this book, but I did enjoy another book written by this author a lot before. So a precedent was definitely set.

Sadly enough it didn't hit as good as Hallpass did. The attraction and lust happens so fast in this book and I'm not as much of a fan of quick attraction and love in books. I think that a slower buildup would have made me feel better about this read. It also meant that I experienced the feelings a lot more on the surface. It never really gripped me at any point in the book.

There is constant tension, however, which is a good thing in my opinion. I did love how attentive Cyrus could be to Wren sometimes.

So, was it a bad book? No, it was not. For me personally it lacked some depth at times, and everything happened to quick in my opinion. The writing style is very fluent however, so if you want a quick snack and are in the mood for shifters: pick this one up.

[Anna Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like insta-love, spice, shifters, and age gaps, then you’ll probably love this—because there’s a lot of it. Controlled Burn was a fun, fast read, and toward the end I really started to enjoy it.

However, if I had to read the words “watch it,” “careful,” “brat,” or “trouble” one more time… lol. Let’s just say it became a little much.

That said, this author is a strong writer and does tension very well. I can absolutely see a lot of readers loving this book—it has tropes galore and a HEA. For me, though, while I understand that the main character uses her sexuality as a tool, the first few chapters felt strange. I never fully understood what made the wolves so special to her, and I didn’t even learn much about her family.

At times, it felt like the book forgot it needed to be more than just spice and tension. Even so, I think a lot of shifter romance fans will really enjoy this one.

[Nina - the book bugling · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Controlled Burn" is a paranormal shifter romance with fated mates, age gap and knotting. The FMC Wren is passionate, smart and stubborn and the perfect match for the MMC Cyrus, who refuses to budge for anyone. They banter and push-and-pull made for a fun read. I enjoyed watching their relationship shift from physical to something with real emotional stakes. Their relationship is full of tension and chemistry from the starts and gets spicy quickly, but when the story slows down and the plot comes in more, it has quite a bit of charm.

That said, the repetition and pacing were a little of for me. Certain phrases and bits of dialogue were overused and there were moments where I wished for more of the plot, as well as more depth around Wren’s background and why the wolves meant so much to her. Still, this is a fast paranormal romance read with a HEA that was fun to read.

Thank you L.V. Brooks for a copy *Controlled Burn* in exchange for my honest review🦊🔥

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's fair to say that this book probably had more spice than plot but I enjoyed it anyway! The whole "wildlife conservationist vs prescribed burn specialist" was a really interesting concept that effortlessly created tension between the two main characters, Wren and Cyrus. It was nice to see their relationship gradually develop from something purely physical to something deep and emotional.

While I enjoyed reading this book, it just didn't grab my attention like I'd hoped it would. My brain didn't kick into gear until the accident that occurs almost three quarters through, and some moments/phrases felt a little too repetitive. I'm also a little disappointed we didn't get to see Cyrus shift completely as often as I'd hoped. Despite all this, Controlled Burn is definitely worth the read if insta-love, grumpy/brat, age gap romances are your thing!

I'm super thankful to have been chosen as an ARC reader for this book and I am voluntarily leaving this review! :)

[Kaitie · Rating 3 out of 5]

New and different, the wolf conservation & controlled burn was an interesting setting and background for this book. I'm not sure I always understood exactly why the two sides were so against each other, but it hardly mattered to the plot.

The characters were lovable, the relationship was pretty swoon-worthy, and the bedroom (and tent) scenes were hot hot hot. Some bits may have dragged on a bit long, but never too much to lose interest.

While there was plenty of drama, the writing could be a bit overdramatic, for me at least. Everything was gutted, shattered, cracked, ripped, wrecked... There's definitely a place for all that, but it was noticeable that they were used a lot.

Again though, not a big enough issue to distract from the chemistry happening between our main characters and their journey. I was very into it from the beginning to the, very satisfying, end.

[Emily Knaus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m still recovering from this book. Controlled Burn is the kind of romance that doesn’t just simmer, it smolders, coils, and tightens until you’re begging for the moment everything finally snaps.

Wren is a wolf biologist tracking a red wolf pair, a pregnant female and her mate, when she walks straight into an active burn site. She’s brilliant, stubborn, and so deeply connected to the wild that you feel every heartbeat of the forest through her. And then Cyrus Langston steps out of the smoke.

Cyrus who is twenty years older, grumpy, carved from solitude and is the definition of controlled. He leads the burn crew with this cool, unshakeable authority. He calls her Trouble. She calls him Smokes. And from that moment on, the teasing between them is immaculate. She pokes at him, pushes him, tests the edges of his restraint… and he tries so hard to stay composed.

But the slow burn is brutal. Deliciously brutal.
He’s all about control.
She’s all stubborn sass.
And every time she gets close, you can feel him fray.

There’s this constant sense that Cyrus is holding back a wildfire, not just the literal one he’s managing, but the one under his skin. The one that wants her. The one that’s been waiting decades for someone who could make him lose it. And Wren? She’s the spark. The one person who can unravel him with a look, a question, a soft “please.”

When she climbs onto the back of his motorcycle, when she teases him just a little too sweetly, when she begs in that way she doesn’t even realize she’s doing, that’s when the wolf in him slips. That’s when the restraint cracks. That’s when the title becomes literal: this is a controlled burn in every sense, and he’s seconds from losing control entirely.

So, if you’re the kind of reader who craves age‑gap wilderness romance, slow‑burn tension that borders on torture, grumpy MMC’s who combust for the right woman, FMC’s who push and tease with shifter lore woven seamlessly into real ecological stakes, then Controlled Burn will absolutely consume you.

A huge thank you to L.V. Brooks for the early copy!

[Mackenzie Gaventa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phew this book is very spicy! We have ourselves a paranormal, fated mates, age-gap romance with knotting. At first, I thought this book was going to be mostly spice with not much story line but about halfway through we get the story and it is adorable. Wren is a spitfire of an FMC and she really gives Cyrus a run for his money. You really see the progression of their relationship because as I said the book starts off hot and heavy and eventually moves into real feelings. I think the writing of not only the spicy scenes, but the whole book, gives it a depth and makes it worth reading. Just make sure you're not reading it at work! I was given and advanced read copy and I am leaving this review willingly.

[Eleonore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will start out by saying that I was given an ARC copy to read and am giving my own opinion.
I really enjoyed the book, savoring every second that I was reading it! While it does have a lot of spice and a big age gap (~20 years), the characters go well together and nothing feels forced. The banter and the flirting was enough to make me swoon and blush. The main characters are perfect, with just enough sass and swagger while also showing their sweet sides. I am a sucker for grumpy MMC x sunshine FMC and the main characters were the perfect example of this trope along with the “touch her and die trope”.
Thank you so much to L.V. Brooks and her team for letting me read the book! I really enjoyed it and appreciate the opportunity!

[Sunstarandsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to the author for the ARC read.

First - let me say that I love this author's style. Her books are always so smart, witty and engaging. Unique storylines and charming characters, pretty heady mix.

I really enjoyed this book as well. Primarily for the chemistry and topped off with the alpha/shifter/knotting dynamic - SOLD and SOLD. However, I did find the storyline to be meandering at times. There were a few alternate constructs explored in this book - MMC as a shifter, endangered wolves that need to be saved, environmental conservation etc - and while interesting, I felt they existed at the cost of some character development.

Overall, it's an intriguing read and but a few missed marks.

[Lumen Wilder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfection.
I loved every second of this book. Wren and Cyrus are such fun characters to read. Both equally stubborn and both have difficulty letting other people in. I normally don’t read age gap books, however, I am so incredibly glad I gave this book a chance because oh my god, it was so good. Some things felt repetitive but in a way that made sense and felt authentic. Their story felt real. It felt tangible. So even with some things like dialogue being repetitive, it worked out so well and still flowed in a way that had me engrossed the whole time. I loved the banter, the jokes, the tenderness and the intimacy. It felt raw and real and really made the story come together nicely. This book is spicy in a way that felt natural and never out of place. It was truly a fantastic book.

[Natasna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Wren Harrison lives and breathes for North Carolina’s endangered red wolves. Langston — a controlled burn specialist with a calm, commanding presence and eyes that promise trouble. He’s there to light a fire. She’s there to stop one. What follows is a standoff wrapped in tension so thick it practically crackles. He thrives on precision and control. She runs on instinct and stubborn heart. And every time they clash, it feels less like opposition… and more like ignition.
The slow burn is absolutely brutal — in the best way. Every look lingers. Every argument simmers. It’s restrained, intense, and deliciously drawn out. A story about protecting what you love, even when the real danger might be the spark you never meant to catch.

[Shea Willis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the concept of this book but I will say it fell a bit flat for me. The idea of him being a professional fire burner was super cool and him being a wolf shifter himself on top it was great. However the main FMC was veryyyy annoying. She kept throwing herself at him from the beginning then going oh I don't do this. I don't typically mind but it got repetitive fast.
This was also an insta-lust and within less then 20% of the read it was pretty hot and heavy. So if you're wanting a more rushed story in that regard then it's good. I was hoping for more angst and yearning before they just practically got together.
I think this book had some great parts too it but it needed to cleaned up a little bit more. Overall a good read.

[Katherine Crowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very intriguing plot setup! A grumpy firefighter clashes with a fiesty biologist who's hellbent on saving her endangered red wolves. It's very focused on the spice, which fits the title and the expectations that often come with wolf-shifter romances.

If repetitive prose or super, super frequent "rule of threes" with respect to adjectives bothers you, go in expecting it or don't pick this up. I can read past it and I don't care. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, but I like to set people up to know what to expect. It didn't ruin my enjoyment.

The resolution made sense to me, and I was really happy to see how the "burn" between them fizzled out because of the choices each character made, then sparked again right at the end!