Wildfire

by K. Vann O'Brien

None of it was Savanna’s fault. Her mother made mistakes once. As mothers do. And then she died. As mothers do … sometimes.Savanna arrives in Jessop, Texas with memories of her mother throbbing in her chest and a grumpy rescue dog trailing behind. Her father has made it it’s time to stop avoiding her grief and face it head-on. So together, they are renovating her mother’s childhood home.But when Savanna runs into Blake – the boy with the scar running down his face like a teardrop – he looks at her with blame in his eyes. Drummond looks at her differently. His smile takes up his whole face. And he doesn’t fault her. But after uncovering secrets from her mother’s past, Savanna is forced to reconcile the vibrant, strong mother she knew with the girl who lived in this small town long ago – the one who changed Blake and Drummond’s lives forever.In the middle of her healing process, Savanna is suddenly faced with more a wild, unforgiving fire that tears through town, burning homes, threatening lives and leaving families stranded. Savanna will have to heal and forgive quickly, to put the ashes of her own life aside and unite with the others to face the destruction … if she wants to make it out alive.

Genres: Romance, Young Adult

287 pages, Paperback

First published October 5, 2012

About the author

Kim O'Brien grew up reading and daydreaming beside the rivers and live oaks of the Texas Hill Country.

With starry-eyed visions of travel and adventure, O'Brien earned a Journalism degree from Southwest Texas State University.

After a decade of nomadic living and seven years of writing professionally, O'Brien returned to the hills and rivers of her childhood to write books and daydream once again.

Reviews

[Lara Pitts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished Widlfire!
I have to say....this book had me from the very first chapter...I tend to drop a book if I'm not pulled in within the first 5-10 pages, but this was defintely not the case with Wildfire. I liked that the main character, Savanna, had a bit of spunk!
The writer has a way of inviting you to join Savanna along the way as she learns more and more about her family's past and that of the town she has come to live in.
Another reviewer mentioned a laundry list of what seems to be negatives from the book...but what I loved about this book is how Savanna deals with these negative issues. Isn't that what makes a great story....when we can watch a character work through a problem or discover a secret?
A great read from this first time author...looking forward to what she has to offer us next!

[Maryann N/A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book, its really well put together.. I atleast hope at some point that this author is going to release another book of some kind because I really loved this one..

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was not what I expected when I started to read...it became much more and filled my heart.

This is a book people of all ages should read. Very inspiring to say the least! An inspiring book with joy and sorrow in equal measures!

[Maggie Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for young adults. The problems and situations the main character faces are very relate-able to those faced by teens growing up in small towns across the country in modern times (which I know, because I did). The author presents the reader with a well-rounded cast of characters and addresses topics that any teenager might be experiencing in his/her own life--from being uprooted and taken to an unfamiliar place after losing a parent, to being bullied by other teens and closed-minded adults. For me, the best thing about the book was getting a glimpse into the life of a sad girl and seeing her transform from a shy, insecure thing into a remarkably strong, wise-beyond-her-years young woman who stands up for what she believes in, no matter what. I think this book sends a very good, clear message to young girls, and that is this: No matter what life throws at you, you'll be okay as long you are true to who you are, stand up for yourself and others, and surround yourself with people who will do the same for you. Kids grow up way too fast these days, as evidenced by popular literature/movie selections. I for one find it incredibly refreshing to read a book about a smart, headstrong young girl who values herself and her family/friends, above all else. I'll take that above a blubbering teenager who is in love with/being stalked by a guy a who wants to hurt her any day of the week.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wildfire by K. Vann O'Brien revolves around Savannah, who spends the summer with her father Texas. To be exact in the childhood house of her deceased mother to renovate the old building.

The story deals with a lot with grief and loss. Savannah is a teenage girl that grows with every hurdle life throws at her. It was a delight to see her getting stronger. Life is never easy. It is a miracle not to lose your sparkle within these times. The characters in the story are all very lovable. It was a nice and quick read with a slow burn romance between teenagers.

[Marran · Rating 3 out of 5]

a bit of a slow burn to discovering secrets from the past..I was expecting something spectacular and found narrow-mindedness, snottiness, teendrinking, domestic abuse, racism, a boy I really can´t figure out, another one I wished I'd get a prologe about and a third I kind of fell in love with...the secrets however felt really,really blah...not even worth being a secret...

[Alison]

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