He burned her once. She won’t light the same match twice.
Shapeshifting bounty hunter Camix lives by two always trust her instincts, and never—ever—trust Finn, the firewielder who torched her heart two years ago. But when her crew accepts a contract that pits them against a creature born of nightmares, Camix is faced with an infuriating only Finn’s flames can light the way.
Finn has spent years simmering in regret, carrying the weight of the mistake that cost him the only woman he ever loved. And Camix? She’s not the type to take betrayal quietly—she made him pay for what he did. The chance to work together again feels like a cruel miracle, but Finn knows second chances are more elusive than the evil they hunt.
Their shaky alliance might be the only thing standing between survival and ruin—yet it could just as easily shatter the last fragile remnants of their hearts.
Because some sparks linger in the ashes… and some loves burn hottest right before they explode.
Leena Kazak's Bound to Burn is part of Goblin A Valentine's Anthology, a mashup of five short and sweet Valentine's Day novellas—with a side of yearning and angst. Written to fit every romantic appetite, they're designed to be eaten like your favorite box of chocolates.
Leena Kazak has been spinning stories since she was ten years old, when she wrote her first short story and never looked back. A lifelong reader, she’s devoured everything from fantasy and thrillers to historical fiction and contemporary romance—but these days, she’s happily tumbled down the romantasy staircase and shows no sign of climbing out. (Send help).
She writes fantasy romance with fierce heroines, impossible choices, and immersive worldbuilding. When she’s in the thick of drafting, Leena wakes up between 4:30 and 5 a.m. to chase that magical, half-asleep window when words flow freely and the world is still quiet.
Leena lives in the frigid Northeast with her brooding, handsome husband and their two adorable, half-feral sidekicks. (Leena and her husband are actually the sidekicks, but don’t tell her kids that.)
This novella was EVERYTHING! Leena’s writing has me hooked line and sinker. I am forever obsessed with her FMCs and their tenacity & ferocity. She has a way of creating complex and layered worlds and stories with the most naturally flowing world building. Each character is deep and thought through in a way that helps the reader understand them from the beginning while they change and grow through their journey. The emotional and intense journey we experience in just around 100 pages of Bound to Burn is mind bogglingly good. I am in love with this couple and their story and I cannot wait to see how this series develops, I know I’m going to love it. I need more nowwww ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
I absolutely loved this one. Every time I pick up a book by this author, I’m reminded why they’ve become an auto read for me. The writing just keeps getting stronger, and I love seeing that growth.
Camix and Finn completely pulled me in. I am always here for a second chance romance, and the emotion between these two felt so real. You could feel their history, the hurt, and the lingering tension, which made it impossible not to root for them.
I was honestly impressed by how much depth was packed into such a short read. The characters felt layered, the stakes were high, and the story kept me fully invested from start to finish.
I devoured this in one sitting and would happily return to this world again. Highly recommend if you love emotional romance with tension and heart.
Bound to Burn may only be just over 100 pages, but it sure packs a punch! I was invested from the very start (iykyk), and it didn't take much for me to want to know more about Cam and Finn's past, present, and future. The epilogue left me wanting (In a good way), and luckily, we'll get just!
I was excited to learn that this is a prequel to Leena's new Scarred Souls Saga. I cannot wait to find out what lies ahead for Zak, whose character shined in Bound to Burn, and the purple haired lady!
Leena’s books are consistently great reads and this one continues the trend!
BTB is a novella that introduces us to a new world and new characters and I’m SO HAPPY that Leena announced this is a prequel novella to a full length novel! I cannot wait for the full novel and to see what’s next for Cam, Finn & Zak!!!
Bound to Burn by Leena Kazak is thoroughly amazing. It kept me wanting more from start to finish. I absolutely loved the whole story, and already adore Cam and Finn so much. There better be more, because I need to know who this lady is at the end 🫣 Keep up the outstanding work, Leena! So much love and support, my sweet friend! 💖💖
This was a great novella! I can't wait to read what is coming next. The cliffhanger left me hungry for more. I love Cam & Finn, their bond to each other was beautiful. I loved the shapeshifting aspect of Cam and all of the different fantastical powers the characters had. Leena always writes so beautifully! I am immediately drawn into the characters world and feel everything they are feeling!
So this wasn't for me. It was a decent length novella but the romance was pretty much non existent. It was super rushed and insta-everything and the second chance romance just didn't hit. It just didn't feel romantic in any way.
And beware: Cheating plays a part and non-consent and alcohol addiction. I think the story would've been better with a less heavy reason for their breakup.
I read this after tides & thunder because I wanted more of this emotional tension, and was quite disappointed by yet another quick bit of magic to solve a relationship issue without dealing with the trauma... This is a prequel it think and has interesting hints of world building for such a short novella
Devoured this Novella in 2 hours Leena did an amazing job. I cried twice and I didn’t expect that from a short story . It may be only 110 pages but it had everything, banter , yearning , tension ❤️
I'm not sure how so much was packed into a 126 page novella. A whole new world created: new characters, creatures, adventures. New heartbreaks and new ways to be put back together again, all in one novella.
This felt like the Witcher meets Leena Kazak. Witcher vibes but with the authenticity and uniqueness that Leena always brings to her books.
This book does leave off on a cliff hanger and nods to an upcoming book (peep the more from Leena page).
I loved learning about our 3 main characters: Camix, Zakri, and Finn. I'll admit, I was ticked off at Finn, hurt for Cam, and want to see Zakri find his soul bond too.
The hunters aspect was intense at times, but seeing how our characters work together was pretty special.
Tropes:
🖤Special powers 🔥Strangers to lovers then hate to ? 🖤Second chance romance 🔥Shapeshifter x Firewielder 🖤She needs his help 🔥Soul bonds
I'm still buzzing from finishing this novella - Leena's writing is captivating and her characters are so well-developed. The storyline's intense, the plot twist is jaw-dropping, and the FMC is a total boss. I've said it before but Leena is so good at doing closed door spice. Her writing style is captivating, leaving just the right amount for your imagination to take over. Both the FMC and MMC had strong personalities that blended well together. I'm so excited to see if more books stem from this because the ending left me wanting to know more!!
I found this book after I read “Between Tides and Thunder” by the same author and wanted more of what she wrote.
This book was fun, short and a fairly low stakes story - exactly what I was looking for. She also managed to get quite a bit of personality and character development into a short novel.
The twist at the end did surprise me and I felt like it was a cool way to tie things together. I also normally don’t like second chance romance but I liked this? Who knows maybe I’m changing my ways
I’m having a hard time rating this one. On the one hand, I am once again impressed with Leena’s ability to pack so much into one story (after how much she packed into her standalone BTAT) and with this one being only a little over 100 pages, its even more impressive. There were interesting foundations for world-building. I know this is a prequel novella for her upcoming dark romantasy standalone and I thought the ending of this one set that up well. Definitely interested in reading about Zakri as the MMC! In this one, there are monsters, monster hunters, shape shifters, elemental magic wielders, soul bonds, etc. and it seems like it could be a pretty gritty world where you never quite know who you can trust so I’m excited to see where things go with these characters and to have the interesting world-building expanded on even more in her upcoming novel.
As someone who is all about second chance romance full of angst and yearning, I expected to eat that up here as usual and to some extent I did. However, I will note that I personally really struggle to get past a cheating trope. The FMC does tell you early on what happened but I kept reading with the hopes that it was all one big misunderstanding, as in it didn’t actually happen. And yes, alcohol abuse and non-con factored in here (he was tricked into it while drunk), but still, when I realized it did in fact actually happen, it kind of ruined the romance for me. And with the story being so short, I felt like the development of the relationship and the resolution/forgiveness after the betrayal(s) both felt rushed and unconvincing. Like I wanted to have seen more of their past and them falling for each other (since we mainly got a little montage of that) to make me really believe in the depth of their love and to really feel the impact and weight of the betrayal. So it did feel a bit like instalove even though it spanned a few years of them developing a relationship. And again, I felt like things were too easily/quickly resolved once they were reunited. 🤷♀️
To be fair, again, this was only like 120 pages so some things were bound to be a bit rushed and underdeveloped (which is why I tend to struggle to rate novellas highly). She packed in a dual timeline second chance romance full of angst, monster-hunting action, interesting and complex characters, cool world-building, emotional punches, and foundations for another book into this short novella. I was impressed overall with what she packed into this little novella, but ultimately felt a bit disappointed with the romance (but again, that was mainly because of the cheating trope which pretty much always ruins a romance for me, even if he was drunk and tricked into it). 🤷♀️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This was such a fun, quick (just over 100 pages), prequel novella that I finished in just a few hours but it read almost like a full novel! It was so action packed and gave The Witcher vibes as it featured three monster hunters with special magical abilities. I am a big sucker for anything monster hunter so add a little romance in and i'm all set. I wanted more of this world and can't wait until book one comes out!
Camix and Finn were two monster hunters brougth together by fate and determined to fall in love. But, in a serious of unfortunate events, they are separated only to be brought back together for one final job. I hated how this one incident happened and was cursing Finn for his stupidity for losing Camix. Camix is feirce and loyal but also reserved and I really liked her character and for such a short read, really felt a connection between her and Finn.
Finn on the other hand was grumpy and only had eyes for Camix, which made everything so much harder to take. Finn falls first and falls hard but his love f0r ale and his fear over his mothers failing health put him in an unhealthy space for a relationship.
I love anything with magical creatures and this had shifter magic, magical creatures, and an immersive magically world that was suprisingly deep for such a quick read. I can't wait to read more from Leena!
Tropes Include: -monster hunters -magical world and creatures -shape shifters -second chance romance -action packed adventure -he falls first and harder -yearning
My Favorite Quote: "I've wanted you for ages, Cam. Since the first moment I saw you. I just...I didn't want to ruin things between us. In case you didn't feel the same."
This story was sooo good. The world is incredible. The characters are so interesting and I fell for them IMMEDIATELY. The first line of this book grabbed me and didn't let go. Camix and Zakri are monster hunting partners. They grew up together. Camix aka Cam, is feisty and smart. She's a shifter and her true form... Well I'm going to believe that my dear Leena modeled her after me (HA!). Zakri aka Zak is a beast of a man. He has some really cool abilities and his relationship with Cam is fun and sibling coded. Then we have Finn. A fellow hunter and a fire wielder. He has his own emotional trauma that he is working to overcome. Something terrible happens and it breaks our characters. The hurt is palpable and heartbreaking. Then you figure out why and your own anger absolutely SPIKES. There's magic, powers, monsters (that are super cool!), trauma, heartbreak, loss, illness, battles, enchanted trees (and not the nice kind), soul bonds, and a love that doesn't diminish. This novella packed a PUNCH! It was so good. I hope we get more of Finn and Cam. Book 1 of this world is in the works and I'm guessing from the novella, it'll be about Zak and a certain someone that comes in at the very end of the novella. Cannot wait to venture back into this world!!
There's nothing Leena Kazak touches that doesn't turn to gold, and that includes short stories. This 126-page novella reads like a full-length book. The characters are complex and emotional, the plot is engaging, and there's even a couple of twists you may not see coming (there's at least one that I didn't). The story line touches on difficult yet relatable topics like alcoholism, grief, and SA. Lastly, while the story is resolved at the end, Leena definitely left it open for the start of a new, related story (which I personally love so much).
Leena is an auto-buy author for me, so I had this beautiful novella waiting in my Kindle this morning. I read it over my lunch and gym break. Although it can be purchased separately, it is part of a larger anthology curated by @lilbookgoblin (on Instagram).
Goblin Presents A Valentine's Anthology!
Bound to Burn by @leenakazakbooks These Bloody Blooms by @author_k.r.fryatt A Heart Too Tender by @j.a.townsend Share the Night by @raentetra Regrettable Regards by @jsjsprwrts
Limited Book Boxes with all 5 books are still available through @thecraftybookstore!
All books are available on KU, ebook, and paperback!
I officially have a new favorite author because what kind of magic did you put into this book, Leena?! ✨🔥
From the very first page, I was completely pulled into this world, and somehow, even after finishing it, I’m still not satisfied. This book doesn’t quench your thirst… it makes you crave more. I need more of Finn. More of Camix. More of Zakri. I am not ready to let them go!!!🥺📖
The writing is so poetically beautiful it almost aches. Every line feels intentional, lyrical, and emotionally charged. You don’t just read this story, you FEEL it. The dual POV was executed perfectly; it added so much depth to the characters and made the longing, the love, and the pain hit twice as hard.❤️🔥💔 And the pacing? Absolutely spot on. It never dragged, never rushed, it just unfolded in the most consuming way.
There’s so much yearning in this story. So much tenderness wrapped in hurt. My heart genuinely felt stretched in the best (and most painful) way.😩
At this point, I’m ready to read anything Leena writes. Just let me exist in worlds like this. Let me stay with characters like these a little longer. Because I’m not done, and I don’t think I ever will be.🫶🏼😭✨
This was a bit difficult at first because due to the reason the relationship ended, I DID NOT like Finn
However, I gave it a shot to see what happened and am glad I stuck around because there were reasons. Still hurts, but not as much. The romance was sweet and filled with so much yearning. I liked that we got to see a Past and a Present so we could judge how the two MCs met and how their relationship progressed before the split.
And the ending made it really intriguing because it sets up what could happen if this novella were to be continued into a series! And I would DEFINITELY be reading that!
There were all sorts of creepy monsters in this book and I would love to see art of them to really get the full effect!
Some hard hitting emotional moments in this! Leena's writing definitely draws you in to the characters and this world!
Read if you love: -Second chance romance -Yearning -Soul bonds -Shapeshifter -Firewielder -Dual POV
This is a part of Goblin’s Valentines Anthology and it is 126 pages of quick fun with some creepy vibes in the background.
Leena creates fabulous characters and these are no exception. Camix hunts the scary things in the dark with her best friend Zak. When they get a job that’s going to require a fire wielder, their only option is to ask her ex boyfriend, the man who finally made Cam feel worthy…. Until she caught him with another woman.
For 100 pages we get a lot of information on Camix and Finn’s past woven in through the current mission. We also get a peak into Zak’s character. It’s fun to follow their story in the past and present and see the yearning that’s still there despite the betrayal.
This is definitely worth the quick read and the characters and the world are so much fun that I would love to see more of them in the future.
Camix and Finn’s story is pure tension wrapped in smoke and regret. You can feel the history between them in every glance, every sharp word, every moment they’re forced too close for comfort. The betrayal isn’t brushed aside…it lingers, heavy and real. It made this second-chance arc hit so much harder!
Watching Finn carry his remorse while Camix refuses to let herself be burned again? Stirs up so much angst. So much longing and tension. I was completely in Camix’s corner, but Finn’s regret slowly broke down my defenses too.
Add in high-stakes action and a nightmare-worthy threat, and I was equal parts stressed and swooning. This story doesn’t just spark…it burns.
Some romances smolder. This one threatens to explode. And I loved every second of it. I devoured it.
I am obsessed with this novella and the introduction to this world! I instantly loved Camix, who is a shapeshifting bounty hunter; her dialogue is perfection. The pacing, writing, plot, and magic were so captivating! I did not want to put this novella down and could easily have read it in one sitting if time allowed. The characters are so intriguing, and Camix is such a fierce FMC. I loved the found family dynamic with Zak.
With this being a short novella, you still get such an in-depth look into these characters and their backstories. The romance was beautifully written. We learn about Camix's past with Finn, a firewielder, and follow their journey as they reconnect, and all that ensues from a shaky alliance to fight off a dangerous creature. I am hooked and definitely want more adventures in this world!
I’m happy to have found this short novella that serves as a prequel to Leena Kazak’s upcoming series. It builds a beautiful little world with just enough setting for us to fall easily into Camix and Finn’s story.
There’s a clear tension between our main characters from the get-go; a betrayal and a misunderstanding all tangled together, but their yearning for each other is clear as day.
I wish it could’ve been a full length book so that we would’ve had more time to flesh the story out. The resolution was so quick (not that I’m complaining about their little HEA) and I always love more angst in my stories.
Can’t wait to see what happens next! I have a feeling we’ll be seeing more of Zakri, which I am so excited for.
When I tell you I was genuinely sad that it was over...
The way Leena masterfully captured action and romance in so few pages is nothing short of magical. The emotions Cam experienced love, betrayal, and deep insecurity about her true self (and Daddy issues) are feelings I've known all too well in life. And the story has incredible Witcher vibes with them going out to hunt monsters, big fan.
I started reading and simply couldn't put it down until I devoured every word.
AND THAT ENDING!!!! Honestly, I wish there was more... I need more... Will we get a second part next Valentine’s Day? Please, I’m begging!
This was such a very fun read!! I love how much was packed into this novella.
Immediately, I was pulled into a world of dangerous creatures and beings with magical abilities, and hunters protecting one from the other. Camix is the FMC, and she is a shifter who can even turn herself into plants. She hunts with Zakri, a hulking male who is seemingly immortal (heals from even severe wounds quickly), strong, and with acute hearing. Eventually, we meet Finn (aka Phoenix), who is a firewielder, and our MMC, who betrayed Cam somehow in the past.
I honestly just adored each of them, and am excited for another book (or more?) in this world!
I really enjoyed this! So much was packed into this Novella and I didn’t want it to end! I already fell in love with the characters and cannot wait for the first book in this series. Great job of pulling you in and making you feeeel right along with the Cam and Finn. Broke my heart and put it back together all within like 100 pages. I mean, I knew this would happen… I absolutely LOVED BTAT and BSAS so I was damn sure this story would get me too. Thats just a testament to Leena’s writing. I will be sure to keep stalking instagram and reading the newsletters for more!
I’m not sure how Leena manages to spin such an amazing story within 100 pages.
The detail in this novella was just perfection. I loved how it was written from both Camix and Finns’s POV’s giving both sides to the story.
Camix and Finn had me hooked from the beginning. The betrayal, the regret, the unresolved feelings—it all made their chemistry feel so deliciously complicated. She’s determined never to trust him again, while Finn is carrying the weight of what he did, and watching them forced back together?
Camix has to contact Finn to help with one of their monster hunts and she really doesn’t want to as she knows she will get drawn in by him and she WILL NOT have that.
This story literally has it all.
Danger Second chance Betrayls and regret Monsters Monster hunters
Honestly I’m hoping so much that this is the start of an amazing series