EMT and firefighter Lyra Martin has spent her career running toward fires, but the Fourth of July always brings back the one she couldn't outrun. This year, the flames are getting stranger. They move with intent. They listen.
They answer to a man who calls himself Dante, a being made of fire who became human the moment Lyra touched him, and who starts to fall apart, body and mind, every time she walks too far away.
As Magnolia Springs gears up for its biggest celebration of the year, fires that shouldn't be possible start tracing warnings across town, the courthouse, the carnival grounds, anywhere Dante goes. Someone, or something, wants him gone. And the deeper Lyra falls for him, the more she becomes part of a story that started long before she was born, one involving a fae prince on the run, a cursed protector, and a queen who doesn't forgive.
Lyra has spent her life counting breaths to survive her fear. Now she has to decide whether to walk into the fire instead, for a man whose touch steadies her shaking hands, and whose fire only burns for her.
Talk about a woman determined not to let her past define her! Lyra works for the Magnolia Springs fire dept as an EMT / firefighter, yet it's obvious from the outset that she has some trauma in her past, some sort of fireworks-related PTSD (and when the truth of that trauma is revealed... heartbreaking!). Regardless she is determined to work through her anxiety and help her town through service. She is a capable and caring EMT, just the sort of person you'd want at your side in an emergency. So, when a routine risk assessment sweep brings her face-to-face with a man who is a living embodiment of fire and who clearly needs her help, sparks are sure to fly.
Dante is a man without a past. Until Lyra found him, he had been lost inside his own flames, a man with no memories, no name, and no future... only the endless hunger of a raging inferno. But something in her touch stills him, grounds him, and he cannot bear to leave her orbit. Each day in her presence pulls him more firmly into himself. Lyra and Dante's love story is a slow, slow burn full of support, grounding touch, unhurried choice, and some truly fiery kisses. When they finally ignite? Hot stuff indeed! There was something so unique about Dante, too. The dichotomy of his hungry flames vs the patience with which he allows Lyra to choose... it was delicious!
And that's the main theme of this love story: choice. From the obvious choices our MCs make, to the less obvious ones by secondary characters. Lyra's EMT partner, Henry, makes some particularly irritating (yet relatably human) choices. Despite their years of partnership, friendship, and trust he choses not to believe Lyra's seemingly crazy story about a man made of fire. And while I wanted to reach through the pages and shake some sense into Henry at times, I had to take a step back and realize, were I in Henry's shoes, I might share those same doubts. That is the beauty of Magnolia Springs; despite the fantastical and paranormal elements there is a raw humanity to these stories that hits deep.
The reveal of Dante's past and the overarching mystery of the still-unknown dark element threatening Magnolia Springs draw a little tighter in this installment, so readers who have followed along since the series' start are in for a tantalizing treat. I cannot get enough of this town and these characters! Keep 'em coming.
***I received an advance review copy of this book from the author for which I voluntarily chose to write an unbiased review.***
Imagine being an EMT who is terrified of fireworks, only to accidentally manifest a man made of actual fire! As the Fourth of July approaches, EMT Lyra dreads the holiday that always triggers her deepest anxieties and nightmares. Yet, she powers through. During a routine risk assessment sweep, she encounters a strange, mesmerizing fire that draws her in. Defying all logic, she touches it—and the fire materializes into a man named Dante. Crazy, right?
Lyra, who is terrified of fireworks, suddenly finds herself connected to a man made of fire. Realizing there is more to Dante than meets the eye, she resolves to help him uncover his forgotten past. Meanwhile, Dante discovers that in Lyra’s proximity, his internal chaos vanishes, replaced by calm and clarity. Though he initially follows her just for this peace of mind, he soon senses a deeper, inexplicable bond drawing them together.
I absolutely loved watching their relationship develop into something so strong and powerful. They genuinely needed and supported one another. Dante was amazing; even while barely holding himself together and navigating a world he didn't understand, he was incredibly attuned to Lyra's needs and instinctively knew how to comfort her. In return, Lyra stood by him, choosing him above all else. Their connection was beautifully built on trust, freedom of choice, and mutual respect.
Set in the charming town of Magnolia Springs—a place I’ve completely fallen in love with—this was a beautiful story that I couldn't put down from start to finish. I can't wait for the next book!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
An Absolutely Smoldering, High-Stakes Paranormal Romance! Reina Everhart has delivered something truly unique and unforgettable with Fated by Fireworks. The premise alone hooked me immediately: Lyra, an EMT dealing with severe anxiety and a deep-seated fear of fireworks, accidentally manifests Dante—a man literally made of fire. It sounds wild, but the execution is flawless.
What follows is a beautifully written, emotional journey about two complex characters who are quite literally destined for each other. The chemistry between Lyra and Dante is electric, but what truly stole my heart was the profound emotional depth of their bond. Watching Dante find peace and clarity in Lyra’s proximity, while instinctively knowing exactly how to soothe her anxieties despite his own chaotic reality, was incredibly moving. Their relationship is built on a beautiful foundation of mutual support, trust, and absolute respect.
Set against the charming backdrop of Magnolia Springs, the story seamlessly weaves intense emotional healing with an intriguing, fast-paced paranormal plot involving a fae prince on the run, a cursed protector, and a ruthless queen. The world-building is rich, the pacing is excellent, and the steam factor is the perfect addition to an already captivating storyline.
If you love fated mates, rich lore, and a romance that will make your heart race, you need to grab a copy of this book immediately. I couldn't put it down from start to finish and I cannot wait for the next book in the series!
What an original and unique story. A man made of fire…lost in his flames until Lyra touched him. She was exactly what he needed and it seemed the two were bound to one another instantly. He couldn’t survive with her going distances away from him. Both having traumatic pasts and both stuck in them in a way. I loved this story. The way these two were perfect for one another. That there were meant to be. I loved the paranormal elements as much as I did the steaminess between them. This was a really intriguing story and I loved every minute of it.
'And the deeper Lyra falls for him, the more she becomes part of a story that started long before she was born, one involving a fae prince on the run, a cursed protector, and a queen who doesn't forgive.'
The characters were very complex and compelling and complicated and absolutely perfect together. Plot was intriguing and intense and well paced. World building was excellent and expertly drawn. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
An EMT/firefighter notices a paranormal man in her peripheral vision, and he's made of flames, though there's more to it thanA that. It's about how love itself can be like a flame, consuming you in patterns that aren't always consistent. They are made for each other and she is drawn into his fae world. But eventually it's about how flame, and recognition of it, has a place in this world too. That's what I liked about it.
Fated by Fireworks book 7 of Fated for the Holidays series by Reina Everhart is Lyra and Dante's story. This is a heartbreaking story with great characters, nice romance perfect steaminess and they were made for each other. Enjoyable and recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.