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All That We Burn
Should the world try to take you from me,
Detective Macy Quinn is a rising star in her department. Until she faces off against Parker Harrington, the most sought after defense attorney in the area. After Parker obliterates Macy on the witness stand and hands her her first loss, Macy finds herself lusting after Parker, only to get friendzoned.
I would burn the world to bring you back.
Calypso Boudreaux is a mercurial and mysterious tattoo artist, an unwilling witness for a client in a high profile case for Parker's client. Parker and Calypso find themselves embarking on a whirlwind romance, despite being very different women from vastly different backgrounds.
My heart is yours, now and always,
Macy is forced to stifle her jealousy and eventually fade into the background of Parker’s life. That is, until Parker is given information about Calypso that causes Parker to end the relationship.
in this life and whatever waits beyond.
When Parker ends up brutally attacked and on the brink of death, and Calypso is nowhere to be found, Macy finds herself back in Parker’s life- leading Parker to question everything.
As Parker ends up uncovering the truth behind her attack and who each of these women in her life are, she is left questioning everything. Is it worth finding the truth, or better to be left in the dark in matters of the heart?
Detective Macy Quinn is a rising star in her department. Until she faces off against Parker Harrington, the most sought after defense attorney in the area. After Parker obliterates Macy on the witness stand and hands her her first loss, Macy finds herself lusting after Parker, only to get friendzoned.
I would burn the world to bring you back.
Calypso Boudreaux is a mercurial and mysterious tattoo artist, an unwilling witness for a client in a high profile case for Parker's client. Parker and Calypso find themselves embarking on a whirlwind romance, despite being very different women from vastly different backgrounds.
My heart is yours, now and always,
Macy is forced to stifle her jealousy and eventually fade into the background of Parker’s life. That is, until Parker is given information about Calypso that causes Parker to end the relationship.
in this life and whatever waits beyond.
When Parker ends up brutally attacked and on the brink of death, and Calypso is nowhere to be found, Macy finds herself back in Parker’s life- leading Parker to question everything.
As Parker ends up uncovering the truth behind her attack and who each of these women in her life are, she is left questioning everything. Is it worth finding the truth, or better to be left in the dark in matters of the heart?
414 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 14, 2026
About the author
Marisa Billions
8 books68 followersI write morally gray sapphics who make terrible decisions despite knowing better
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 30, 2026
All That We Burn — A (Sapphic) Thriller for Readers Who Don’t Usually Read Thrillers
I don’t usually read thrillers. My default genre is science fiction, where suspension of disbelief comes easily because the world isn’t meant to resemble my own. When a story takes place on another planet, in a future society, or in a reality with different rules, I don’t expect the worldbuilding to match my lived experience. I’m willing to accept the unfamiliar as long as the internal logic holds. Contemporary thrillers, on the other hand, often ask me to believe that ordinary people behave in extraordinary ways without giving me the psychological scaffolding to buy into it. That’s usually where the genre loses me.
But Marisa Billions keeps pulling me in anyway. All That We Burn is the clearest example of why her work is growing on me. It’s marketed as a thriller, but what makes it compelling isn’t the danger or the twists. It’s the way she writes about people who are desperate to be seen and equally desperate to hide the parts of themselves they fear will be rejected. That emotional architecture is what makes the story believable, even when the plot takes sharp turns. She builds her world from the inside out, through psychology rather than geography, and that’s a kind of worldbuilding I can trust.
The three central women in this story are all performing versions of themselves. Parker, the hyper‑competent lawyer with the trademark pompadour and bespoke suits, projects absolute control. She wins every case, commands every room, and maintains a polished exterior that leaves no room for doubt. Underneath, though, she’s terrified of vulnerability. Her competence is a shield, and the moment someone threatens her emotional equilibrium, she collapses in ways she never would professionally.
Calypso, with her dark hair and distinct golden eyes, is a Katrina refugee who rebuilt her life into something curated and artistic. She owns a tattoo shop, lives in a loft that feels like an artist's sanctuary, and has created a world where she can finally breathe. But her stability is built on escape. She’s reinvented herself so thoroughly that the past feels like a ghost she can outrun, until it catches up with her in the form of Macy.
Macy is the redheaded cop who is always fumbling, always dropping the ball, always trying to be someone she isn’t. Off duty, she dresses in boho and hippie clothing, projecting a softness and free‑spirited ease that she can’t sustain. She’s petite, fiery, and emotionally volatile, and she’s been carrying a torch for Parker for years. That unrequited longing becomes the fuse that ignites the entire story. Macy’s jealousy, insecurity, and desperation drive her to fabricate a New Orleans case file accusing Calypso of crimes she never committed. It’s a lie built on Parker’s deepest fears, and Parker falls for it instantly. The woman who never loses a case doesn’t even fact‑check the file. Her emotional blind spots undo her in a way no opposing counsel ever could.
The unraveling that follows is messy and human. Calypso flees. Macy attacks her in a remote Washington cabin. No body is found. Parker spirals between guilt and denial. Javier, one of Calypso’s clients, steps in with a kind of ambiguous menace that Billions handles beautifully. Javier is always performing a version of himself too. Maybe he’s involved in sex trafficking. Maybe he’s killed someone. Maybe he hasn’t. The point is that he plays the role of the dangerous man so convincingly that when the moment comes, he delivers exactly the version of himself he’s been selling all along.
Around these three women orbit characters who add texture and grounding. Xander and Xochitl are the stable straight couple, the emotionally functional pair who quietly support Calypso without needing to perform anything. They’re the ballast in a story full of people who are constantly shape‑shifting to survive. Parker’s assistants, too, become crucial; they’re the ones who finally uncover Macy’s lies and force Parker to confront the truth she was too afraid to see.
What makes the book work isn’t just the plot, though the twists are well‑timed and satisfying. It’s the worldbuilding—not in the sci‑fi sense of constructing a new reality, but in the psychological sense of making the characters’ choices feel inevitable. Calypso’s tattoo shop feels lived‑in. Parker’s legal world is crisp and sterile, mirroring her emotional defenses. Macy’s police work is chaotic and full of self‑inflicted wounds. Even the intimacy scenes are handled with restraint and emotional intelligence. They’re sensual without being anatomical, grounded in tension and proximity rather than explicit detail. It’s adult without being clinical, which is rare in queer thrillers.
By the time I finished the book, I found myself wanting to Google “Calypso Boudreaux” to see if she had a backstory website. That’s how vivid she is. And that’s ultimately why Marisa Billions’ work is growing on me. She writes thrillers that feel like character studies with a pulse. Her stories are about the cost of vulnerability, the masks we wear, and the danger of being truly known. Even if thrillers aren’t your usual genre, All That We Burn has the depth, tension, and psychological nuance to pull you in.
REVIEW: All That We Burn by Marisa Billions
RATING: 4.5-stars
ORIGINAL URL: https://www.livegreenwearblack.com/20...
I don’t usually read thrillers. My default genre is science fiction, where suspension of disbelief comes easily because the world isn’t meant to resemble my own. When a story takes place on another planet, in a future society, or in a reality with different rules, I don’t expect the worldbuilding to match my lived experience. I’m willing to accept the unfamiliar as long as the internal logic holds. Contemporary thrillers, on the other hand, often ask me to believe that ordinary people behave in extraordinary ways without giving me the psychological scaffolding to buy into it. That’s usually where the genre loses me.
But Marisa Billions keeps pulling me in anyway. All That We Burn is the clearest example of why her work is growing on me. It’s marketed as a thriller, but what makes it compelling isn’t the danger or the twists. It’s the way she writes about people who are desperate to be seen and equally desperate to hide the parts of themselves they fear will be rejected. That emotional architecture is what makes the story believable, even when the plot takes sharp turns. She builds her world from the inside out, through psychology rather than geography, and that’s a kind of worldbuilding I can trust.
The three central women in this story are all performing versions of themselves. Parker, the hyper‑competent lawyer with the trademark pompadour and bespoke suits, projects absolute control. She wins every case, commands every room, and maintains a polished exterior that leaves no room for doubt. Underneath, though, she’s terrified of vulnerability. Her competence is a shield, and the moment someone threatens her emotional equilibrium, she collapses in ways she never would professionally.
Calypso, with her dark hair and distinct golden eyes, is a Katrina refugee who rebuilt her life into something curated and artistic. She owns a tattoo shop, lives in a loft that feels like an artist's sanctuary, and has created a world where she can finally breathe. But her stability is built on escape. She’s reinvented herself so thoroughly that the past feels like a ghost she can outrun, until it catches up with her in the form of Macy.
Macy is the redheaded cop who is always fumbling, always dropping the ball, always trying to be someone she isn’t. Off duty, she dresses in boho and hippie clothing, projecting a softness and free‑spirited ease that she can’t sustain. She’s petite, fiery, and emotionally volatile, and she’s been carrying a torch for Parker for years. That unrequited longing becomes the fuse that ignites the entire story. Macy’s jealousy, insecurity, and desperation drive her to fabricate a New Orleans case file accusing Calypso of crimes she never committed. It’s a lie built on Parker’s deepest fears, and Parker falls for it instantly. The woman who never loses a case doesn’t even fact‑check the file. Her emotional blind spots undo her in a way no opposing counsel ever could.
The unraveling that follows is messy and human. Calypso flees. Macy attacks her in a remote Washington cabin. No body is found. Parker spirals between guilt and denial. Javier, one of Calypso’s clients, steps in with a kind of ambiguous menace that Billions handles beautifully. Javier is always performing a version of himself too. Maybe he’s involved in sex trafficking. Maybe he’s killed someone. Maybe he hasn’t. The point is that he plays the role of the dangerous man so convincingly that when the moment comes, he delivers exactly the version of himself he’s been selling all along.
Around these three women orbit characters who add texture and grounding. Xander and Xochitl are the stable straight couple, the emotionally functional pair who quietly support Calypso without needing to perform anything. They’re the ballast in a story full of people who are constantly shape‑shifting to survive. Parker’s assistants, too, become crucial; they’re the ones who finally uncover Macy’s lies and force Parker to confront the truth she was too afraid to see.
What makes the book work isn’t just the plot, though the twists are well‑timed and satisfying. It’s the worldbuilding—not in the sci‑fi sense of constructing a new reality, but in the psychological sense of making the characters’ choices feel inevitable. Calypso’s tattoo shop feels lived‑in. Parker’s legal world is crisp and sterile, mirroring her emotional defenses. Macy’s police work is chaotic and full of self‑inflicted wounds. Even the intimacy scenes are handled with restraint and emotional intelligence. They’re sensual without being anatomical, grounded in tension and proximity rather than explicit detail. It’s adult without being clinical, which is rare in queer thrillers.
By the time I finished the book, I found myself wanting to Google “Calypso Boudreaux” to see if she had a backstory website. That’s how vivid she is. And that’s ultimately why Marisa Billions’ work is growing on me. She writes thrillers that feel like character studies with a pulse. Her stories are about the cost of vulnerability, the masks we wear, and the danger of being truly known. Even if thrillers aren’t your usual genre, All That We Burn has the depth, tension, and psychological nuance to pull you in.
REVIEW: All That We Burn by Marisa Billions
RATING: 4.5-stars
ORIGINAL URL: https://www.livegreenwearblack.com/20...
March 20, 2026
Ever since ruthless defense attorney Parker Harrington crushed Detective Macy Quinn on the stand, Macy cannot stop fantasizing about her, but Parker is clear that she doesn’t do relationships. Macy settles for friendship, but her true feelings for the alluring attorney are never far from her thoughts.
Beautiful women don’t easily fluster Parker, but as soon as she locks eyes with Calypso Boudreaux, a stunning tattoo artist who is a witness for a high-profile client, she is enamoured. Macy is consumed with jealousy when Calypso and Parker make it official. But things take a shocking turn when secrets from Calypso’s past resurface; secrets that Parker cannot ignore. On the heels of the chilling revelation, Macy is there to help Parker pick up the pieces (and hopefully win Parker’s heart for good).
But things aren’t always as they seem, and sometimes the people you trust the most are those who will stab you in the back.
Get ready for a chillingly twisted domestic thriller. Marisa Billions has hit it out of the park with her newest novel, All That We Burn, which combines pure love and ruthless obsession into an unforgettable reading experience. Readers will be simultaneously swooning over the palpable chemistry between characters and grappling with an unsettling feeling in the pit of their stomach. Think Basic Instinct but make it modern and sapphic—easily one of the best books of the year.
It wouldn’t be a Billions bestseller without excellent character development, and true to her nature, the author has crafted multidimensional personalities with distinct attributes and strong inner dialogue: Macy’s desperation, Parker’s indecisiveness, and Calypso’s quiet strength. How far would you go for someone you love? The writing answers that burning question by illustrating not only unconditional love but also the destructive reality of endless infatuation, which triggers a slow descent into madness. (I still can’t look out my window without thinking someone is watching me!)
Readers looking for their next unputdownable thriller? This novel has everything you need: haunting psychological scenes, expertly paced action, and shocking twists that you could’ve never predicted. Billions’ writing has a cinematic feel, amplified by an emotionally driven plot and a playlist (you can download) that captures every moment. Fans of works from authors like Alice Feeney and Mary Kubica will enjoy Marisa Billions’ All That We Burn.
Beautiful women don’t easily fluster Parker, but as soon as she locks eyes with Calypso Boudreaux, a stunning tattoo artist who is a witness for a high-profile client, she is enamoured. Macy is consumed with jealousy when Calypso and Parker make it official. But things take a shocking turn when secrets from Calypso’s past resurface; secrets that Parker cannot ignore. On the heels of the chilling revelation, Macy is there to help Parker pick up the pieces (and hopefully win Parker’s heart for good).
But things aren’t always as they seem, and sometimes the people you trust the most are those who will stab you in the back.
Get ready for a chillingly twisted domestic thriller. Marisa Billions has hit it out of the park with her newest novel, All That We Burn, which combines pure love and ruthless obsession into an unforgettable reading experience. Readers will be simultaneously swooning over the palpable chemistry between characters and grappling with an unsettling feeling in the pit of their stomach. Think Basic Instinct but make it modern and sapphic—easily one of the best books of the year.
It wouldn’t be a Billions bestseller without excellent character development, and true to her nature, the author has crafted multidimensional personalities with distinct attributes and strong inner dialogue: Macy’s desperation, Parker’s indecisiveness, and Calypso’s quiet strength. How far would you go for someone you love? The writing answers that burning question by illustrating not only unconditional love but also the destructive reality of endless infatuation, which triggers a slow descent into madness. (I still can’t look out my window without thinking someone is watching me!)
Readers looking for their next unputdownable thriller? This novel has everything you need: haunting psychological scenes, expertly paced action, and shocking twists that you could’ve never predicted. Billions’ writing has a cinematic feel, amplified by an emotionally driven plot and a playlist (you can download) that captures every moment. Fans of works from authors like Alice Feeney and Mary Kubica will enjoy Marisa Billions’ All That We Burn.
Review of advance copy
Wow… I honestly don’t even know how to write this review without giving too much away. What a book. Marisa absolutely knocked it out of the park again.
We actually meet Macy first, and I was hooked right away. She’s a competent, toned, sporty redhead police officer who completely loses her cool in the courtroom when Parker enters the picture. She falls hard, fast, and I genuinely enjoyed her character at the start. She’s sharp, methodical and incredibly persistent. She knows what she wants and she doesn’t back off easily, which adds a really interesting layer to the story.
Then comes Parker. Total badass. Hot, in control, rich and successful. Basically a dream woman. She’s smart, driven and tenacious, and I loved her from the moment she appeared.
And Calypso? Complete dark horse. Tattooed, edgy and ridiculously magnetic. I loved her creativity, her fire and the way she carries herself. Her character pulled me in immediately, and I loved her with Parker. Somehow they just fit.
The dynamics between all three women had me fully invested. There’s attraction, tension, messy emotions and questionable decisions everywhere, and it all feels painfully real. More than once I wanted to yell at my Kindle.
The story moves fast with twists I genuinely didn’t see coming. I loved peeling back the layers, watching everything unravel and getting to the bottom of things. The revelations hit hard, the developments were action-packed, and I was glued to the pages from start to finish.
Overall, this was intense, addictive and impossible to put down. The characters felt real, the chemistry was fire, and the plot kept me guessing right until the end. If you love strong women, complicated dynamics and stories that keep you emotionally invested while delivering serious twists, this one is absolutely worth your time.
We actually meet Macy first, and I was hooked right away. She’s a competent, toned, sporty redhead police officer who completely loses her cool in the courtroom when Parker enters the picture. She falls hard, fast, and I genuinely enjoyed her character at the start. She’s sharp, methodical and incredibly persistent. She knows what she wants and she doesn’t back off easily, which adds a really interesting layer to the story.
Then comes Parker. Total badass. Hot, in control, rich and successful. Basically a dream woman. She’s smart, driven and tenacious, and I loved her from the moment she appeared.
And Calypso? Complete dark horse. Tattooed, edgy and ridiculously magnetic. I loved her creativity, her fire and the way she carries herself. Her character pulled me in immediately, and I loved her with Parker. Somehow they just fit.
The dynamics between all three women had me fully invested. There’s attraction, tension, messy emotions and questionable decisions everywhere, and it all feels painfully real. More than once I wanted to yell at my Kindle.
The story moves fast with twists I genuinely didn’t see coming. I loved peeling back the layers, watching everything unravel and getting to the bottom of things. The revelations hit hard, the developments were action-packed, and I was glued to the pages from start to finish.
Overall, this was intense, addictive and impossible to put down. The characters felt real, the chemistry was fire, and the plot kept me guessing right until the end. If you love strong women, complicated dynamics and stories that keep you emotionally invested while delivering serious twists, this one is absolutely worth your time.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I went into this expecting a tense sapphic thriller. What I did not expect was how much time I would spend shifting my loyalty.
All That We Burn is not a story about safe love. It is about emotional certainty. Each woman believes she is justified. Each one believes she sees clearly. Watching those certainties collide is where the tension really lives.
The legal backdrop pulls everything together, but the real hook is the psychology. Attraction escalates quickly. Feelings intensify. Instead of stepping back, everyone leans further in. That is when the cracks start to show.
I kept catching myself siding with someone, defending her choices, understanding her perspective. Then a new layer would surface and I would pause. The book quietly asks you to examine why you are excusing certain behaviors and what devotion looks like when it starts to blur into control.
No one feels exaggerated. No one feels purely villainous. The messiness feels human, which makes the unraveling more uncomfortable in the best way.
This is the kind of thriller that builds through emotional pressure rather than constant action. It is less about shock and more about watching blind spots stack up until consequences become unavoidable.
If you like:
• Morally gray sapphic characters
• Messy, emotionally charged dynamics
• Psychological tension driven by character decisions
• Stories that make you question who you trust
This one lingers.
Not a comfort read.
Definitely a “just one more chapter because the tension will not let me stop” kind of book.
All That We Burn is not a story about safe love. It is about emotional certainty. Each woman believes she is justified. Each one believes she sees clearly. Watching those certainties collide is where the tension really lives.
The legal backdrop pulls everything together, but the real hook is the psychology. Attraction escalates quickly. Feelings intensify. Instead of stepping back, everyone leans further in. That is when the cracks start to show.
I kept catching myself siding with someone, defending her choices, understanding her perspective. Then a new layer would surface and I would pause. The book quietly asks you to examine why you are excusing certain behaviors and what devotion looks like when it starts to blur into control.
No one feels exaggerated. No one feels purely villainous. The messiness feels human, which makes the unraveling more uncomfortable in the best way.
This is the kind of thriller that builds through emotional pressure rather than constant action. It is less about shock and more about watching blind spots stack up until consequences become unavoidable.
If you like:
• Morally gray sapphic characters
• Messy, emotionally charged dynamics
• Psychological tension driven by character decisions
• Stories that make you question who you trust
This one lingers.
Not a comfort read.
Definitely a “just one more chapter because the tension will not let me stop” kind of book.
May 24, 2026
All That We Burn is the kind of romance-thriller that pulls you in fast and refuses to let go. Between courtroom tension, dangerous secrets, and emotionally complicated relationships, every chapter feels charged with obsession and heartbreak.
Parker, Macy, and Calypso create a fascinating emotional triangle where love, jealousy, loyalty, and distrust constantly collide. The chemistry is undeniable, but what makes the story shine is the emotional tension beneath it all everyone is hiding something, and the truth comes at a devastating cost.
Dark, passionate, and packed with twists, this book balances romance and suspense beautifully. By the end, I was completely invested in these characters and questioning everything right alongside them.
Perfect for readers who love morally messy relationships, emotional intensity, and romance wrapped in mystery and danger.
Parker, Macy, and Calypso create a fascinating emotional triangle where love, jealousy, loyalty, and distrust constantly collide. The chemistry is undeniable, but what makes the story shine is the emotional tension beneath it all everyone is hiding something, and the truth comes at a devastating cost.
Dark, passionate, and packed with twists, this book balances romance and suspense beautifully. By the end, I was completely invested in these characters and questioning everything right alongside them.
Perfect for readers who love morally messy relationships, emotional intensity, and romance wrapped in mystery and danger.
February 17, 2026
It Burns 🔥
Finished reading the book and have to say. I didn not want to put it down. Marisa has a way to keep the readers very intrigued, wanting more. She describes her characters as though you can picture them standing in front of you. This book is very intense. Parker is a very smart attorney but yet she is differently with Calypso. Calypso is smart and care free which makes opposite attract and it works great. Macy is manipulative she pays attention to all details of people around her, but you can see her down side. She wants someone to love her but she got hang up on Parker. The other characters are well played thought out the story. All That We Burn is an outstanding story.
Finished reading the book and have to say. I didn not want to put it down. Marisa has a way to keep the readers very intrigued, wanting more. She describes her characters as though you can picture them standing in front of you. This book is very intense. Parker is a very smart attorney but yet she is differently with Calypso. Calypso is smart and care free which makes opposite attract and it works great. Macy is manipulative she pays attention to all details of people around her, but you can see her down side. She wants someone to love her but she got hang up on Parker. The other characters are well played thought out the story. All That We Burn is an outstanding story.
February 17, 2026
Absolutely loved this book! Marisa never disappoints with her writing. I couldn't put it down, with all the plot twists and character developments it hooked me in right away and anxious to know what happens next. It had me going from loving a character to hating them! if you like a sapphic romance with a twist of mystery and a psychological thriller mixed with a lot of emotions you should read this book. awesome addition to my collection!!
February 22, 2026
Wow! What an intense, thrilling ride! Just when you think you know who to like and dislike, a crazy twist has you questioning your loyalty. If you like steamy psychological thrillers, perfect twists and turns, and beautiful women in a love triangle that just might turn deadly, then this book is for you!!
February 18, 2026
Read this in two days! As with all of Marisa’s books, I devoured it.
She has an incredible way of making you believe the characters are real and you really root for them to find happiness.
5* as always!
She has an incredible way of making you believe the characters are real and you really root for them to find happiness.
5* as always!
February 22, 2026
Uneasily dark
August 24, 2026
i know that we weren’t meant to in the beginning but i don’t care because i really didn’t like calypso at the end either
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews