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These Scandalous Flames: The Legend of the Twin Dragons: Book One
When Veria Laurelgate’s father dies in disgrace, he leaves her a failing estate and questions no one will answer.
Shunned by society and stripped of respectable marriage prospects, Veria has one option left to save her family’s earn a powerful position within the royal court. To do that, she must train the rare elemental skill she inherited from her father--the ability to sense lies among truth.
But when her training begins to uncover secrets surrounding her father’s death, Veria’s search for answers leads her to Strelzar Plazic, a dangerous and tempting master of Fire, an element that thrives on desire and deception.
What Veria learns when she’s under Strelzar’s ward not only changes her, but shapes her into something new. Something the world has never seen before. Something powerful.
But power always comes with a price.
And Fire always burns…
These Scandalous Flames is a medium-burn, high-spice fantasy romance featuring an age gap, a mentor–protégé relationship, and elemental magic. It is the first book in a series and ends with a mild cliffhanger.
Shunned by society and stripped of respectable marriage prospects, Veria has one option left to save her family’s earn a powerful position within the royal court. To do that, she must train the rare elemental skill she inherited from her father--the ability to sense lies among truth.
But when her training begins to uncover secrets surrounding her father’s death, Veria’s search for answers leads her to Strelzar Plazic, a dangerous and tempting master of Fire, an element that thrives on desire and deception.
What Veria learns when she’s under Strelzar’s ward not only changes her, but shapes her into something new. Something the world has never seen before. Something powerful.
But power always comes with a price.
And Fire always burns…
These Scandalous Flames is a medium-burn, high-spice fantasy romance featuring an age gap, a mentor–protégé relationship, and elemental magic. It is the first book in a series and ends with a mild cliffhanger.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 24, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 12, 2026
I needed more.
The author spent several paragraphs describing in excruciating detail a bath the FMC took but didn’t world build hardly at all. She makes reference to all kinds of lands and redrawn borders but there’s no map anywhere so the information is useless to me and, honestly, annoying since I have zero references for it. The magic is elemental but the rules are haphazard. We got one intro to the stones in talismans but I couldn’t remember any of that by the end of the book so idk why it matters all that much. And idk why the stones dictate what job you have. And hey why can any element use any stone? What’s that about? These things need to be flushed out beyond “cuz I say so.” Also, somehow FMC has truth magic but the way it was introduced felt…strange and like “oh yea here’s a thing.”
And why does any of this matter?? She didn’t know or like her dad at all so why is she so upset by his death that she feels the need to investigate? Like at one point she says she saw him 4 days out of the year and LESS THAN THAT THE YEARS BEFORE. I could understand if she was upset that it had an impact on her eligibility in the marriage front but that’s not really it. And other than that…I don’t see the why the desperation to solve this mystery before she is knee deep and learns some shit. She didn’t know her dad well enough to know what he would and wouldn’t do. But we don’t get that info until well into the book.
I absolutely cannot stand when the author is so in love with their main character they make them morally superior to everyone and only ever do the right thing to the point where they are absolutely, unbelievably insufferable. It makes the character annoying, not relatable, unlikable, and unrealistic.
The FMC refuses to manipulate people’s emotions because “that’s wrong!” But she trains in the most illegal magic that will ruin her entire life is she’s caught?? (Gee I wonder if that’s gonna come back up) and also it’s dangerous and violent magic. But no. Don’t manipulate emotions ever, that’s never ok! And she really feels zero percent bad about the harm this illegal magic causes. And she says she wants control and power so bad she will justify this illegal ass training?? Huuuuh? Hello ? Consistency who? This author has never met her.
Idk. The whole thing just felt like an avenue for the author to make the main characters bang. And. That’s great if that’s what you want. It just seems like it could’ve been done more simply and in a way that makes sense if that’s the case.
On top of everything else, the writing is meh and some sentence structure or phrasing was off and could’ve been worked on. Editing is great. Utilize it.
The author spent several paragraphs describing in excruciating detail a bath the FMC took but didn’t world build hardly at all. She makes reference to all kinds of lands and redrawn borders but there’s no map anywhere so the information is useless to me and, honestly, annoying since I have zero references for it. The magic is elemental but the rules are haphazard. We got one intro to the stones in talismans but I couldn’t remember any of that by the end of the book so idk why it matters all that much. And idk why the stones dictate what job you have. And hey why can any element use any stone? What’s that about? These things need to be flushed out beyond “cuz I say so.” Also, somehow FMC has truth magic but the way it was introduced felt…strange and like “oh yea here’s a thing.”
And why does any of this matter?? She didn’t know or like her dad at all so why is she so upset by his death that she feels the need to investigate? Like at one point she says she saw him 4 days out of the year and LESS THAN THAT THE YEARS BEFORE. I could understand if she was upset that it had an impact on her eligibility in the marriage front but that’s not really it. And other than that…I don’t see the why the desperation to solve this mystery before she is knee deep and learns some shit. She didn’t know her dad well enough to know what he would and wouldn’t do. But we don’t get that info until well into the book.
I absolutely cannot stand when the author is so in love with their main character they make them morally superior to everyone and only ever do the right thing to the point where they are absolutely, unbelievably insufferable. It makes the character annoying, not relatable, unlikable, and unrealistic.
The FMC refuses to manipulate people’s emotions because “that’s wrong!” But she trains in the most illegal magic that will ruin her entire life is she’s caught?? (Gee I wonder if that’s gonna come back up) and also it’s dangerous and violent magic. But no. Don’t manipulate emotions ever, that’s never ok! And she really feels zero percent bad about the harm this illegal magic causes. And she says she wants control and power so bad she will justify this illegal ass training?? Huuuuh? Hello ? Consistency who? This author has never met her.
Idk. The whole thing just felt like an avenue for the author to make the main characters bang. And. That’s great if that’s what you want. It just seems like it could’ve been done more simply and in a way that makes sense if that’s the case.
On top of everything else, the writing is meh and some sentence structure or phrasing was off and could’ve been worked on. Editing is great. Utilize it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2026
My only regret is reading this before book 2 is out.... I NEED BOOK 2! Here's why:
World building- a bit vague but good enough for me to understand what's going on. We know why Veria searches for Strelzar. And I can't really say more without spoiling! I think the world will expand more in book 2. Book 1 mainly from being snowed in and training at Strelzar's rich man abode. It's only toward the end when we see the world a bit.
Spice: Yes. Need I say more.
Plot: honestly, kept me on my toes. Though, I did see a review talking about how it's not realistic that she was searching for her dad.... maybe someone that didn't come from an abusive/neglectful household wouldn't understand- it made sense to me. And it's a compelling plot to ignite motive in book one and create suspense in book 2.
Lastly: THE YEARNING!!! STRELZAR IS A SIMP <4
World building- a bit vague but good enough for me to understand what's going on. We know why Veria searches for Strelzar. And I can't really say more without spoiling! I think the world will expand more in book 2. Book 1 mainly from being snowed in and training at Strelzar's rich man abode. It's only toward the end when we see the world a bit.
Spice: Yes. Need I say more.
Plot: honestly, kept me on my toes. Though, I did see a review talking about how it's not realistic that she was searching for her dad.... maybe someone that didn't come from an abusive/neglectful household wouldn't understand- it made sense to me. And it's a compelling plot to ignite motive in book one and create suspense in book 2.
Lastly: THE YEARNING!!! STRELZAR IS A SIMP <4
April 1, 2026
Okay I actually quite enjoyed this ARC read!!
Interesting magical system that feels both different and familiar. A morally grey man who seems all sorts of lovely.
The only thing I wish was different is that there was almost no foreplay in the sex scenes and like I LIVE for the foreplay and also with the way some of the desires are explained I really feel like it woulda led to the foreplay but then it doesn’t? Just straight penetration every time lol
I liked the cliffhanger it ended on though and definitely left me with some questions and things I want answers to! Will most likely read the second one!
Interesting magical system that feels both different and familiar. A morally grey man who seems all sorts of lovely.
The only thing I wish was different is that there was almost no foreplay in the sex scenes and like I LIVE for the foreplay and also with the way some of the desires are explained I really feel like it woulda led to the foreplay but then it doesn’t? Just straight penetration every time lol
I liked the cliffhanger it ended on though and definitely left me with some questions and things I want answers to! Will most likely read the second one!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2026
The book was a wonderful introduction to this new series. The elemental powers being different than all the others books I've read was very interesting, and the overall worldbuilding was also amazing. Veria was a very compelling character, and I loved getting to see her finally learn to control her powers and defend herself. The mystery surrounding her father is also very intriguing and I can't wait to figure it out in the next book. Strelzar is also very mysterious and yet a perfect book mmc and I'm curious about how his and Veria's relationship develops.
Overall a pretty solid book and would definitely recommend.
Overall a pretty solid book and would definitely recommend.
March 16, 2026
This was such a good book! I was asked to ARC read it based off of a few tropes and it did not disappoint! I definitely could have read it faster than I did but life happened and I don't get much time to read.
If you like age gap, elemental magic, and forced proximity tropes then this book is for you! It has some mystery, some spice, and a lot of witty banter between the main characters.
Book 1 ends on a bit of a cliffhanger so be prepared.
If you like age gap, elemental magic, and forced proximity tropes then this book is for you! It has some mystery, some spice, and a lot of witty banter between the main characters.
Book 1 ends on a bit of a cliffhanger so be prepared.
April 18, 2026
3.5/5. The world-building takes its time (and is not as thorough as I would like it to be) and drops you straight into the deep end, expecting you to piece things together as you go. It can feel disorienting at first, but if you’re willing to push through that adjustment, the story itself is engaging and ultimately worth it. I did not like the characters at first but they really grew on me. I’m curious to see how will the characters grow in the next books.
May 3, 2026
❤❤❤❤ hearts
Great intro to the series
Loved veria how she learned to control her powers, defend herself, her father mystery is very intriguing
Strelzar just being mysterious and perfect MMC.... Love to see how their relationship develops in book 2
World building was amazing and the powers are different from the ones I read before which picked my interest
I'm ready to dig into the next book right away as I have the arc copy with me 🥰
Great intro to the series
Loved veria how she learned to control her powers, defend herself, her father mystery is very intriguing
Strelzar just being mysterious and perfect MMC.... Love to see how their relationship develops in book 2
World building was amazing and the powers are different from the ones I read before which picked my interest
I'm ready to dig into the next book right away as I have the arc copy with me 🥰
April 5, 2026
A great way to use an elemental magic system. Intriguing storyline that kept me flipping the pages. FMC had good growth by the end, MMC was equally brooding and adoring…. Can’t wait to continue in book 2
May 6, 2026
Good, but slow
This first book had a lot of world building involved, so it made for a slower read, but it was still enjoyable. There is a lot going on here, so I am very curious to see how the rest of the series plays out.
This first book had a lot of world building involved, so it made for a slower read, but it was still enjoyable. There is a lot going on here, so I am very curious to see how the rest of the series plays out.
May 5, 2026
good start to the series
This has a decent amount of world building with the different magic wielding types and I’m excited to see where the series goes from here!
This has a decent amount of world building with the different magic wielding types and I’m excited to see where the series goes from here!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews