He Calls Me Flame

by Kaila Stone

Maeve, a young veterinary technician trapped in a subtly controlling and abusive relationship, finds her life unraveling as she experiences unsettling dreams and strange electrical phenomena. Haunted by a mysterious, gold-eyed stranger who seems to watch her from the shadows, she begins to manifest dangerous latent powers. This awakening forces her to confront the terrifying she is a Nephilim, the half-blood daughter of a fallen angel, and her mundane prison is about to be shattered by a celestial war she never knew existed.

Riven, a fallen angel turned Hell's assassin, is tasked with bringing Maeve to Varoch, the Lord of Greed. Once he realizes who she is, an old friend's daughter, he can't bring himself to deliver her to Hell. Instead, he feels obligated to protect her and eventually falls headfirst for her to the point where he would tear Heaven and Hell apart to keep her safe.

Together they will both learn that love isn't made from perfection, but from the pieces you choose to keep together. Their scars didn't scare them, but they learned to recognize them. In the end, they understood that some loves are worth burning for because the fire is the only place two broken souls ever felt whole.

362 pages, Hardcover

Published May 5, 2026

Reviews

[InkedSirenXO · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review Of Advanced Copy received from Author

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 — emotionally feral, spiritually wrecked, romantically obsessed)

This book doesn’t just pull you in… it brands you.

Maeve’s story starts in a cage that doesn’t look like one at first glance, and that’s what makes it hit so hard. The quiet suffocation of her life, the subtle control, the way her world flickers like a faulty lightbulb… it all builds this creeping tension that something is very, very wrong. And when the supernatural finally cracks through? It’s not a door opening. It’s a dam exploding.

Enter Riven… and listen, this man is not walking, he is descending.
Fallen angel. Assassin. Morally gray with a soft spot he absolutely did not order. The moment he realizes who Maeve is, his entire mission combusts, and suddenly you’ve got a man willing to burn every realm just to keep one girl breathing.

And Maeve? She doesn’t stay fragile. She ignites.
Watching her step into her power, piece by broken piece, felt like witnessing a phoenix mid-transformation—messy, painful, and breathtaking.

The vibes:
• ✨ Dark celestial romance with teeth
• 🔥 “I would destroy worlds for you” energy
• 🩸 Trauma, healing, and choosing yourself
• ⚡ Forbidden power awakening + electric tension
• 🖤 Touch her and perish (Riven means it)

What really lingers is the way this story handles love. Not polished. Not perfect. But chosen. Again and again. Through scars, through fire, through everything trying to tear them apart.

By the end, I wasn’t just rooting for them… I was ready to go to war with them.

Final verdict:
If you love your romance a little dangerous, a little divine, and a lot devastating… this one will own you.

🔥 Some loves warm you. This one consumes you.

[Alicia Grigsby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so honored to receive an arc of this book, and it did not disappoint. We’ve all heard the classic “Good vs Evil “ trope but this story breathes new life into it. Watching Flame, a woman who has never known true love navigate the madness of her own identity was both heartbreaking and inspiring. Her journey isn’t about the war outside but the war within and finding the strength to never back down. If you’re looking for a beautifully written love story that proves love can be found in the most unlikely places, this is it. Immediately add to the TBR. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

[Alexandra Higueros · Rating 5 out of 5]

got this arc from the author and may i just say i was sad when it finished, because i didn’t want it to end. i couldn’t put it down, it got me hooked since the very beginning. the whole heaven vs. hell aspect of it all was absolutely insane and incredible. it was full of action and witty dialogue from the fmc. the mmc is genuinely to die for!! i genuinely recommend this book hands down!! get it when it’s out may 5th of this year!! trust me, you don’t want to miss it! super thankful for the opportunity to have read this before it’s official release. thank you, Kaila Stone for this opportunity, i look forward to reading more from you in the future. ✨🫶🏻

[kaileyreadsalot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to start out by saying I was an ARC Reader of He Calls Me Flame. This book was so good. Riven and Maeve were so perfectly developed. I loved watching the characters grow and getting to see the story unfold. Heaven and Hell descriptions were so detailed. The words and plot in this book were great. Author Kaila Stone poured her soul into these characters and the story. It flows well and it’s a slow burn, but the burn is worth it. My favorite line, without spoiling was “Choosing Fire that Answers Will not fear”

Thank you for the chance to Arc Read, and Happy Release Day. These are my thoughts and my thoughts only.

[Elizabeth Stegman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Check the trigger warnings.

This was outside of my normal reading, it took a little bit for me to get into in because of that, but I did enjoy reading about Maeve & Riven. I was rooting them to stop fighting the obvious attraction and get together. I also, completely understand their hesitation for getting together.
Heaven & hell fighting over Maeve leads to some incredible challenges and character growth. Unexpected support and an ending I didn't see coming.

Thankful for the advance read copy.

[Bevie Mae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of receiving this as an ARC from the author. This book is intense, take note of the trigger warnings! That to say, if you're ok with said trigger warnings this book is a wonderful read. Maeve's character growth and her trauma recovery is inspiring. The idea that Heaven really is no better than Hell, both problematic in their own ways, is written very well and reading how the characters navigate that had me on the edge of my seat! Riven is like a German shepherd boyfriend and I loved it.

[Shanarie Starks · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review!!

This is a quick paced story that keeps you on your toes! Every time you turn around something else is happening!

Maeve is a vet tech that is not in the best situation. Her boyfriend is… well trash (and that’s kind). She’s doing her best to survive the hot and cold that comes with living with him.
Next thing you know Riven enters the chat and kicks some serious butt!
I loved reading their story of survival and seeing Maeve realize how bad *ss she truely is.
10000% recommend adding to your TBR ASAP!!!

[Zachary Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must say that I'm not an avid reader and that it has been difficult in the past for me to hang with a book. With that out of the way, you must know that I couldn't put this one down long! This book grips you fairly quickly and takes you on a daunting journey of a young woman that will keep you on the edge of your seat waiting for the next turn. It's like watching the sun rise after a brutal night of heavy storms. Well worth the read and the ending.... Well you'll just have to read it for yourself 😉.

[Elizabeth Coss · Rating 4 out of 5]

He Calls Me Flame by Kaila Stone is a nice little Romantasy dark romance book. Following the main character Maeve and her journey of leaving a toxic, abusive relationship and falling in love with a fallen angel. The character development is well written and the scenery is amazing. Definitely rate the books a 4.5/5!

[ems_littlelibrary · Rating 3 out of 5]

🔥 ARC REVIEW 🔥

This book was initially challenging for me to engage with, but around halfway through, I began to enjoy it. I admire the unwavering bond between Maeve and Riven, as they continue to fight for each other despite facing numerous obstacles. However, it’s worth noting that the book doesn’t conclude on a happy note.

[Kylian Beck · Rating 4 out of 5]

He Calls Me Flame really grabs your attention by how deeply the character is affected by her abusive relationship. You can watch as she is broken down and is easier to hide within herself then get out. The fight between heaven and hell is really good and I can't wait to see what happens between Maeve and Riven!

[Sarah Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book…pulls at my heart. For anyone who has experienced DV or SA it will hit hard. As a survivor of both Maeve is a perfect representation of a fighter. And boy oh boy Maeve is one to remember!! The way she never truly stops fighting or gives in. The way Riven loves her….this is an absolute MUST READ!!!!!

[Lily May · Rating 5 out of 5]

What stood out to me is the balance between dark romance and fantasy world-building. The idea of Nephilim heritage and celestial conflict adds depth to the emotional story. Riven’s internal conflict makes him feel layered rather than just a typical love interest. The relationship is built on protection, trust, and emotional chaos. It’s very immersive and dramatic.

[Aurora Mckenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What stood out to me is the focus on difficult choices. It’s not just about saving the kingdom it’s about what you’re willing to give up to do it. The arranged alliance adds another layer of tension. I found myself really invested in Serene’s journey. It’s engaging without being overwhelming.

[Lynn Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angels and Demons, Heaven and Hell fighting, Very well written with many different characters a strong MMC and an even stronger FMC having to endure so much to become a lot stronger .

[Hope de l'Ancre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heaven Vs Hell.. Fallen Angels.. I loved it!

[Jilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maeve's story starts out slow like a steady leak of carbon monoxide. It isn't until the air is so fully saturated in it that you sense that something is wrong and by then it's usually too late but then a door opens and she can breathe again. Maeve finds her strength and I was rooting for her as she healed and reclaimed herself and her power.


Riven is a fallen angel/assassin with a touch her and die, I would burn the whole world down for you type of energy.


I love the way Kaila painted love in her story. It wasn't polished, shiny or easy. It was jagged, messy and a choice. And that choice was one they continued to make.

I look forward to continuing their story in the next book.