A Special Kind of Fire

by Ashlee Mack

Two girls. Two worlds. One connection that changes everything.
When Kai Lan, a reserved Chinese student, meets Caitlyn Morgan, a bold and restless Colorado girl, their late-night chats blur the line between friendship and something more. A Special Kind of Fire is a tender, erotic, slow-burn romance about distance, discovery, and the courage to feel what you’re not supposed to.

Love doesn’t always start in the same place, but it burns the same everywhere.

361 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 6, 2025

About the author

I’m an indie author who writes because I love it. I work on my own and learn as I go, and each book is something I put a lot of heart into. Well, maybe not my first book!

Most of my ideas come from traveling, being outside, cultural misunderstandings, or just paying attention to everyday life. When I am not writing, I am usually on a trail somewhere, enjoying a good cup of coffee, or with my dog.

I appreciate everyone who takes the time to read my work. Your support helps me keep going, and I’m truly thankful for it.

Reviews

[Ashlee Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who loves Colorado and could happily spend every day in the mountains, A Special Kind of Fire hit me right in the heart. The setting felt so real I could practically smell the pine trees and feel that crisp mountain air. The story has this quiet intensity to it, like the way the Rockies look right before sunset. Loved it.

[Guy in China · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love the outdoors and traveling so this book just felt right. Everything about it was great. The mountains, the atmosphere, the way the characters grow in the story, the passion, love and the erotic scenes. Everything just connected for me. I’ve never read a book before that weaves erotica into a real story like this does. Beautifully, beautifully done.

[Ultimate World · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review: A Special Kind of Fire by Ashlee Mack

A Special Kind of Fire is a beautifully nuanced, slow-burn sapphic romance that explores the intense, unexpected spark that forms between two girls living worlds apart. Ashlee Mack writes with a tenderness that lingers, capturing the emotional electricity of connection—its warmth, its danger, and its undeniable pull.

Kai Lan, quiet and introspective, and Caitlyn Morgan, bold and restless, begin as two strangers separated by continents. Yet through late-night conversations and shared vulnerabilities, their bond deepens in ways neither girl planned—and neither can deny. Mack portrays their evolving relationship with sensitivity and authenticity, balancing the sweetness of discovery with the heat of desire.

More than a romance, the novel dives into identity, distance, and the complicated courage it takes to feel what the world often tells you not to. Kai and Caitlyn’s story is a reminder that love doesn’t obey geography, expectation, or fear—it grows where it’s meant to, and burns just as fiercely across oceans as it does across a room.

Intimate, emotional, and quietly gripping, A Special Kind of Fire is perfect for readers who enjoy slow-burn queer romance, character-driven storytelling, and love stories that feel both delicate and deeply powerful.

[Mae Camp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose this book because the description said it dealt with “the courage between people when they feel what you aren’t supposed to.”

Love in all its forms is something I write about and celebrate, so I was drawn to this story because of that. It is disturbing when society dictates what is “normal,” and I was excited about how the author, Ashlee, approached it.

Ashlee’s descriptive writing is beautiful, bringing all the senses to life on the page. I knew the book would be special when Kai considered the future of a possible relationship with a pen pal and “wondered what kind of story they might write together.” Isn’t that what all relationships are... stories? I loved it.

The writing is rich. The line that sums up the book for me was when Kai wondered if she was becoming more herself or someone entirely different with Caitlyn. The story is tender and passionate, with an underlying layer of desperation that love wouldn’t be accepted as “normal” in a culture filled with constant expectations.

I recommend this book. It's a great story for adult readers looking for romance and spice. The intimacy is detailed, well done, and not gratuitous.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of Ashlee Mack's better books. The story focuses on two international students, Kai and Catlyn, as they meet in an exchange program to help them both become more fluent in English and Mandarin, but quickly become much more than friends.

The protagonists' ages were a little off-putting for me, especially given the steamy nature of the relationship. But Ashlee takes her time, carefully crafting the narrative from complete strangers to good friends to star-crossed lovers.

For me, the book's best highlights weren't the heroines, but Grace and Xiaoming. They're more than Catlyn and Kai's best friends. They go the extra mile, encouraging their friends to follow their hearts, consequences and doubt be damned, and even pull strings and act as intermediaries to keep the fire alive between Cat and Kai for no other reason than to help their friends.

If anyone has genuine friends like that, cherish them with all your heart.

[Thalia Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

The thing that jumped out the most to me about this book, from practically the very first page, is that the story felt completely real. The two main characters, Kai and Caitlyn, had depth and believable personalities, and their relationship evolved in a way that was engaging and realistic. I want to especially highlight the dialogue. One of my biggest pet peeves is stilted dialogue, but every lie these characters wrote or spoke sounded just the way university girls really would speak. This was a sweet, moving story that I found really moving. Kai and Caitlyn come from different parts of the world and have very different personalities, but watching them come together was a very enjoyable read

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel delicately explores the cross-border connection between two girls from opposite worlds: Caitlyn, free-spirited and impulsive in the mountains of Colorado, and Kai, disciplined and pressured in the city of Qingdao. Through letters, memes, and late-night video calls across time zones, they slowly step into each other’s lives with growing curiosity, empathy, and attraction. The story stands out for its nuanced psychological portrayal, its natural handling of cultural contrasts, and its emotional rhythm, both honest and quietly romantic. It is a coming-of-age tale about self-discovery and the courage to love in one’s own way, written with gentleness yet undeniable resonance.

[Rocco Spanò · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved reading this book and it just felt right. Everything was great. The mountains, the atmosphere, the way the characters grow in the story, the passion and love. Everything just connected for me. I’ve never read a book before that weaves love into a real story like this book. Beautifully done.