Wildfire : A From Flames to Ashes Novel

by Hailey M. Bertoldi

Kennedy Royal has spent the last couple of years rebuilding a life that finally feels steady—quiet mornings, familiar routines, and the comforting glow of Luna’s Hollow, the café she poured her whole heart into. But peace has a way of slipping through her fingers. And when a single reminder from her past resurfaces, everything she’s fought to protect begins to crack.

And through that crack came Cassian Drake—
a distraction, a breath of fresh air in the middle of her storm. But the closer he gets, the more his shadows start to look like her own—dangerous, complicated, and impossible to ignore.

When danger closes in and buried secrets begin to surface, Kennedy and Cassian must face more than their growing connection. Will their bond be strong enough to survive when everything is finally revealed?

A story of resilience, obsession, and a love that burns brighter in the dark, Wildfire blends high tension with slow-building emotion—perfect for readers who crave romance tangled with secrets, danger, and characters who refuse to break.

246 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 14, 2026

Reviews

[Keri M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Twists and turns and drama! Love the characters, and the story was great! Absolutely recommend!!

[Tiara Good · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got to read this as an ARC and let me tell you, it did not disappoint! This is the authors debut book and I think she did a wonderful job at keeping you interested and wanting more. I never knew which way the story was going to go. I loved the suspense and how dangerous the story felt. There were some repeated phrases throughout the book but overall I REALLY enjoyed this and can't wait to read more from this author!!! Definitely recommend this!!

[Carrie Hayhurst · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was very interesting and a good read! I really enjoyed the fact you CANT predict what is going to happen next! As soon as you think you’ve figured it out, everything flips upside down! There were some repeated phrases in the book, but otherwise I actually enjoyed how it was written and the story!!

[Dollescent · Rating 4 out of 5]

~Wildfire~

>Hitman MMC
>Coffee Shop Owner FMC
>Slow Burn
>Forced Proximity (kind of towards the ending)
>Dark Romance
>Debut Novel

TRIGGERS
>Stalking
>Gun Violence
>Violence
>Blood
>Gunshot Wounds
>Panic Attacks
>Domestic Abuse (sort of)
>Obsession (not the kind we like girlies)

I absolutely loved this book so much! There were a few repeated phrases but other than that it was phenomenal for her first story. Everything was detailed perfectly and I loved both of the main characters. Kennedy has this cute little coffee shop, her past dark and full of secrets. She and Cassian have a one of a kind love, secrets, betrayal but also a love that burns and that's something we all want! I am so excited to read her novel coming out in 2027. I know it'll be a hit read just like Wildfire and I hope hundreds more enjoy the story just like I did.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way the author was able to depict the romantic relationship between the characters without over, sexualizing the characters within the book, I appreciated this! This book I believe can adhere to a lot of different readers that don’t normally gravitate towards romantic books due to this! I loved how well written this book was, and the banter between the characters was top-tier also there was more times than not that I felt like I was a Patreon sitting in experiencing these conversations that were happening firsthand within the book. And the suspense did not disappoint. Had me continuously turning my pages! Just when you thought the suspense was done, it kept giving more and more my jaw was on the floor! I highly recommend reading this book!

[Bobbi Bean · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!

I pre ordered this lovely book from Mrs. Hailey, and I didn't even read it to find out what it was about, I just ordered, I went in blind, and I'm so glad I did! I hung on every single word, it took me less than 2 days to finish this book. And. I believe this is a true touch her and die kind of book, and to see somebody come from the world that Cassin did and has fell for Kennedy! This book was absolutely beautifully written, and now I am hooked and book 2, can't get here fast enough, I can't wait to pre order the next book, thank you for such an incredible story!

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a signed copy of this book by the author and devoured it in one sitting. This book was SO good. I could not predict anything that was about to happen next. So many beautifully written lines within the book that I highlighted. I cannot wait for the second book in this series to come out next year. There are so many twists and turns in only 300 pages and I highly recommend!!

[Jorge Romero · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book keeps you guessing!

Wildfire was a little bit of a different read for me but I really enjoyed it! My favorite character had to be Sienna I think she was a great character and some of her lines made me laugh. I think the elements of the postcards made me feel like I was a detective trying to figure out who and why which kept me flipping through the pages. I was iffy about Cassian but I have to say he grew on me! This was the first book I read where we didn't get the male perspective till a little later in the story and I loved it! I also like the titles meaning which I won't spoil. I highly recommend and will be keeping an eye out for more work by Hailey!

[Renee Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wildfire pulled me in quickly. The storyline is dramatic and engaging and keeps you on the edge of your seat, wanting more. The twists were exciting and unexpected. I felt emerged into the story with the smooth, easy writing. The characters were lovable and I found myself rooting for the FMC and her journey with the MMC. Overall, Wildfire was an easy and fun story and I enjoyed my time reading!

[Jordyn Funkhouser Bliley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suspenseful and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Just as you get comfortable it takes a new twist or turn. Worth a read you won't be disappointed; add it to your tbr!

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kennedy owns her little coffee shop and that’s about it. She keeps to herself and doesn’t have anyone besides Sienna and Jaxon. Jaxon ends up getting VIP tickets to a club and the three of them have a night out. While there she just feels this pull towards this man, who we later find out is Cassian. He’s the tall dark and handsome man she meets and can’t get out of her head. I think that she jumped way too fast into her liking him as fast as she did. The way he also did certain things I was just like Kennedy what are you even doing ?! I guess once you know you know. She knew she wanted him. A new relationship, a stalker, secrets from her past and a snuggly cat what could possibly go wrong ?
I didn’t really know where this book was going, but as it went on more things made sense. It was a fun suspenseful book.
It is also Hailey’s debut book ! I’m so excited to be able to say I read an ARC of her very first. Can’t wait for the next.

[dixie ッ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was such a great read and had me rushing to finish it to see how it ended. The twists in this story was ones i definitely did not see coming and is a story that will definitely keep you guessing on what’s going to happen next. This author did an amazing job at building her characters and the tension between them. The secrets, lies and danger in her will have your heart thumping needing to know the answers to it all! Definitely recommend this for your next read!!

[Olivia Camplin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly great read! The kind of book I finished in 2 days because I struggled to put it down. Romance, suspense, and thrilling all in one!