Blaze

The Men of Manhattan #1

by Martina Dale

Lucy: I thought the ledger was the worst thing I’d ever see until paint and smoke proved me wrong. I was used to holding things together—with dough, timers, broken tiles—but when everything started to burn, so did parts of me I wasn’t ready to lose. Then Blaze picked me up like I weighed nothing and wouldn’t put me down. He’s beautiful, maddening, and stubborn in ways I like, but he’s also a man who owns more than he should—and I don’t want his world.

Blaze: I have walls for a reason. I built them to keep people out and to keep my family’s business intact. Then I find my Lucky... AKA Lucy Farina, collapsed on a paint splattered floor, something in me snaps but I must claim her heart before my families expectations shut that chance down. I’ve learned to move mountains, but protecting Lucy will lead me to risk my whole life.

Together: When a secret bloodline surfaces and the Vassari name turns Lucy’s past into a target, both of them must choose what to fight for—herself, her bakery, or a love worth burning for.

462 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 28, 2026

Reviews

[Sim-fully Ever After · Rating 4 out of 5]

4🌟, 3🌶️

This book was a total whirlwind and I am here for it.

I went in expecting a sweet, cozy romance, but this story hit me with twists I never saw coming. Watching the slow-burn tension between Lucy and Blaze finally explode after years of longing was so satisfying. The chemistry is incredibly intense, and let’s just say things get much spicier than a typical bakery romance.

The bond between the Seven is easily my favorite part of the whole story. Seeing that kind of fierce, found-family loyalty was so heartwarming, especially when they opened their arms to welcome Lucy. It adds such a great layer of depth, balancing the high-stakes drama and mafia connections with genuine, heartfelt friendship.

The writing creates a perfect blend of high-tension excitement, emotional growth, and characters you cannot help but fall for. It is a total blast of a read that leaves you wanting more. I am completely invested in this group now and am already desperate to get my hands on the next installment.

This book was such a wild, addictive ride and I am already counting down the days until I can jump back into this world.

~~~~

Huge thank you to Martina Dale & Romance Room PR for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨

[Minnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

BETA review

4.5⭐|4🌶|22%🌶frequency

Oh, this story...
It started like a cute little Hallmark-ish story. Hero rescues heroine. They fall in love instantly... You think you get what will happen, but oooh, you won't! I even had a few things in mind, but no. Definitely not what really happened. This twist out of my imagination 🙈

I loved Blaze. God, this man is 🔥 Sooo 🔥 And guys believe me, there is one 🌶️ scene, I thought my tablet will overheat 🙈 I already knew Blaze is possessive, but this man is more than just that 🥵 And let me tell you, it's no fun to be an almost 50 year old girly who already has heatwaves to read such a scene 😎 OK, OK, OK, yes, it's still fun 🤣 Can I use a 3D printer and he will appear in my appointment. Real, of course, not just plastic 😉

I love it when there are strong friendships that are stronger than family. Blaze has his six friends. And I'm pretty sure they are all as 🔥 as Blaze 😎 I'm looking forward to more books and meeting them again 🤩


Thanks to the author for trusting me with a beta 🩷


Follow me on IG for more
https://www.instagram.com/minnie.love...

[Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blaze By Martina Dale.
My first book by this author and I got to read the ARC! It still feels crazy that I get to read ARCs and review them. I love Blaze, the way he is totally obsessed with Lucy 🔥

I hate that she's been alone for years and im so glad she isn't alone anymore!
"𝙸'𝚟𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚍𝚘𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚢𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚜," 𝙸 𝚜𝚊𝚢 𝚚𝚞𝚒𝚎𝚝𝚕𝚢. "𝙸'𝚖 𝚞𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚒𝚝."

I love how his always reassuring her 💕
"𝙸'𝚖 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚐𝚘𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚘 𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞," 𝙸 𝚜𝚊𝚢 𝚚𝚞𝚒𝚎𝚝𝚕𝚢. "𝙸'𝚖 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚐𝚘𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚘 𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚋𝚘𝚛𝚎𝚍. 𝙸'𝚖 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚐𝚘𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚘 𝚍𝚎𝚌𝚒𝚍𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞'𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚘𝚘 𝚖𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚔 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚠𝚊𝚕𝚔 𝚊𝚠𝚊𝚢."

Urm. . . You just know Lucy was like yes please! Who wouldn't be. 🔥🥵
“𝚈𝚘𝚞’𝚛𝚎 𝚐𝚘𝚗𝚗𝚊 𝚌*𝚖𝚎 𝚘𝚗 𝚖𝚢 𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚊 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚐𝚒𝚛𝚕, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝙸’𝚖 𝚐𝚘𝚗𝚗𝚊 𝚏*𝚌𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚞𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚕 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚌𝚊𝚗’𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚕𝚔.”

I love how they give each other shit 😂
"𝚃𝚊𝚕𝚔 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚏𝚊𝚌𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞'𝚟𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝙼𝙸𝙰 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚛𝚎𝚎 𝚍𝚊𝚢𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚞𝚙 𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚐𝚘𝚝 𝚕𝚊𝚒𝚍?"

I love how protective he is of her!
"𝙸 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚏*𝚌𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚐𝚢," 𝙸 𝚜𝚗𝚊𝚙. "𝙸 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚔𝚎𝚎𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚐𝚘𝚍 𝚍𝚊𝚖𝚗𝚎𝚍 𝚜𝚊𝚏𝚎."

I love when they say so fucking much. . . The intensity of his love for her ❤️
"𝙸 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚘𝚘." 𝙷𝚒𝚜 𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚎𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚎𝚜 𝚊𝚐𝚊𝚒𝚗𝚜𝚝 𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚎. "𝚂𝚘 𝚏𝚞𝚌𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚖𝚞𝚌𝚑."

[Tina Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blaze has been popping into Lucy's bakery shop for three years but Lucy has always been too shy to actually speak to him. Until her shop is full of smoke and Blaze saves Lucy from real harm. Lucy has worked so hard but feels it is time to move on from her past, and rediscover what she really wants. That want is definitely Blaze. The chemistry is strong between the two that Blaze wants Lucy anyway he can have her. Lucy and Blaze start a relationship as Blaze doesn't want to let her go. Lucy is very independent and stubborn, but she feels self doubt too. Blaze is calm at helping her at first but you see the controlling side of him that is so hot. Glad Lucy got the help she needed at the right time from the seven, so that Blaze and Lucy got their HEA.

[Lisa Gee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Martina hasn’t published a book for a while, so this one was eagerly awaited.
Lucy owns a bakery which is failing, but the bright spot in her day is when Blaze stops by to get his coffee and lemon cake. Fast forward to Blaze taking an evening stroll to see smoke pouring out of the bakery. He rescues Lucy and takes her to the hospital and then back to his apartment. Lucy finds how about her questionable parentage which brings further complications.
The chemistry between Blaze and Lucy is scorching, so be prepared.
I loved the interaction between Blaze and the “6”, plus Lucy’s friend Cally is a hoot.
Another winner from Martina and I’m looking forward to the other 6 books, so hurry up please.

[Sam Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review

Blaze by Martina Dale (Book 1 in the Men of Manhattan Series)
Available 28th May

⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Martina is definitely back and woth a bang at that, Blaze is her spicest book to date. As with every book Martina writes there is tension and twists and turn you didn't see coming. Blaze has watched Lucy from afar until a fire puts them together forever. Blaze is swoony, and Lucy is a strong FMC that everyone loves, including Blaze's 6 best friends that are the Seven. From the glimpses there is a few of the seven I can't wait to see more of.

Thank you @martinadaleauthor for allowing me to read your books.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first in a new series, and this is Lucy and Blaze’s story.
Lucy is a local baker, while Blaze is CEO of his family’s company. These two have has feeling for each other for a long time. Blaze has walls around his heart to keep people out, but when he finds Lucy collapsed on a paint splattered floor, he is determined to claim her as his, before his family’s expectations take the choice away from him.
This is a well written easy to read story, with family, friendships, emotions, secrets, maki g choices, soulmates, undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, billionaire romance.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author in the future.

[Su2108 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I review this book after receiving an advanced reader copy from the author

Blaze is the first book I've read from Martina Dale and I must say I really enjoyed it.

What begins as a Hallmark-type story soon develops into an intriguing plot with plenty of unexpected twists and tension throughout.

There are mafia connections, some humour, a group of seven hotties and plenty of spice for the MMC and FMC.

An all-round good read and I'm looking forward to more.

[Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blaze and Lucy have "known" eachother for 3 years before they really get to know eachother.
Loved the love Blaze gave Lucy and his commitment... OMG!
And then add in 6 other billionaire friends, Lucy's best friend and a couple of twists and you've got another great Martina Dale book!
Loved how Martina introduced us to the Seven and can't wait to read these books as well.
What I did find ackward.... where's her uncle?? We might find out in another book.
Great spice, great read!

Enjoy!

[Leah Bodily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I received an early copy and I'm so glad I did!

This story had all my favorite things in it!

🩷 Billionaire Romance
🖤 Found family
🩷 Romantic Suspense
🖤 Spicy 🔥
🩷 Alpha MMC
🖤 Hidden Identity
🩷 Mafia Ties

This is a swoony high heat romance about desire, and the courage to choose love without hesitation!

I am so so excited to see where this series leads us! This is a must pick up! Coming your way May 28th!

[Leanne Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really enjoyable I couldn’t put it down. I loved blaze and Lucy relationship they are explosive together. Blaze was lovely the way he saw Lucy and made sure she left seen was great. Lucy the way she made blaze more human and happy, they complete each other. The seven and cali were so good they gave the book that little icebreaker by adding humour to it. I loved the found family aspect to it, it was one of my favourite parts.

[Tasha_loves_to_read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Martina is back with a bang. Blaze and Lucy took me on a ride and it was perfect.

He fell hard, first and fast and I was here for it all.

As usual in an MD book there were a few twists and turns.

This one though is MDs spiciest book to date!

[Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a good read! Loved the billionaire/protector trope for this one. He's had Lucy in his sights for years. Once things were finished with Fiona he wasted no time. Can't wait to read the stories for the rest of The Seven!

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book by this author I’ve read. I really enjoyed it as you can tell by how quickly it was consumed.

I loved the premise of the Seven and the found family they had. Not they all don’t have their own families but their friendship was so close that they were their own family as well.

Blaze is the CEO. The man running the company and keeping everything in line. He’s trying to please his family and find his way.

Lucy is the local baker. The one trying to keep it all together and really struggling to get by. She’s bright and sunny but hanging on by only a few threads.

Blaze and Lucy have liked each other for years. They both have denied their feelings. Kept them hidden away and just been friendly locals who see each other in the bakery. Until one day when they all changes.

They come together and discover exactly how the other feels. They build each other up and still hold each other accountable. Their love was quick but also had been building over years. Getting to see this family grow and bring Lucy in was so cute.

It was a great time and I loved the world of the Seven and can’t wait to see the others find their loves.

[Liana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ooooh this is going to be a good new series, I couldn’t put the book down and finished in one go. Lucy isn’t having the best of luck what she doesn’t realise is she has her very own knight in shining armour. ( Infact a whole gang of them !!!!)

[Katie Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grumpy Alpha MMC filthy and hot as hell and brave sassy MFC!
Easy 5 start!
Fast paced, exciting and full of yearning and suspense
Highly recommend!

[Stephanie Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rtc