Being a fireman is a tough job. For Jase McGrady, saving lives, helping people, and supporting his colleagues are rewards in themselves. And then the unthinkable happens. Jase had a life, a job he loved, a fiancée, a future. Until the one thing he believed he could always win against took the one thing he loved, and he couldn’t do a thing to save her. One fire and Jase’s life had gone up in smoke. Jase’s life now hangs out of balance. He doesn’t know how to live without the one person he grew up with. He doesn’t want to live without her. He doesn’t want to face another day on his own. His life spirals out of control and he doesn’t want help. He doesn’t want to live with this guilt he has hanging over his head every day. His control has slipped and he doesn’t know how to get it back. But his friend and colleague, Mark, steps up and takes the brunt of Jase’s anger and frustration. He pushes him to face his demons. Only time will tell if Jase will return as a firefighter, or whether he will be forever lost in the dark abyss that is now his life.
Burning Hearts - A Dark Loss (0.5) by K.M. Lowe is a prequel novella and tells us more about Jase’s story before he meets Grace in Burning Hearts.
Jase McGrady has it all; loving family, amazing friends, dream job and his soul mate, Michelle. His job as a fireman isn't easy but it's something he loves doing and is good at. Life couldn't be better and he's looking forward to his future with Michelle. Then Jase’s life comes crashing down when he loses Michelle to the one thing he was always able to battle and win. She dies in a fire and he doesn't know how he'll survive without his soulmate, the one woman he's only ever loved. With the support of those around him, especially his best friend, Mark, Jase starts the fight of trying to find his way out of the darkness and regain some control over his life.
“I was screaming inside. I felt like one of those demons in a horror film, where the person is tearing at their skin to get out. I had never felt like this in my life and it scared the s*** out of me.” - Jase
This is the first book I've ever read by K.M. Lowe and what a way to be introduced to her amazing work. My heart broke over and over again for Jase who not only lost the love of his life but also lost her in circumstances that he'd battled and won so many times before in the line of duty. To lose Michelle that way was devastating for him and left him feeling powerless. What started out as a typical day at work, turned into the worst day of his life. My stomach dropped when I realised what was happening and it remained that way throughout the rest of the book. Mark, Jase’s best friend and colleague, was amazing and despite having his own grief to deal with, was there for Jase every step of the way. Mark also had to deal with seeing the devastation of his friend and not knowing if Jase would ever return from the heartbreak and grief of losing Michelle.
“I knew there would be light at the end of my tunnel, but it was going to take a while before I got there. It was hard to see past my heartache and misery. I led a sheltered life, because I had never felt anything like that before.” - Jase
Burning Hearts - A Dark Loss had me crying in several places and I couldn't stop the tears during Michelle's funeral. K.M. Lowe uses flashbacks to show Jase remembering key moments with Michelle and he has one of these during the funeral right when you don't expect it. Wham, it hit me right in the heart and I had tears rolling down my face as Jase remembered the most special moment of all in his and Michelle’s relationship. I then sat and cried my heart out once I'd finished reading Burning Hearts - A Dark Loss because I was imagining Jase’s pain and then his determination to continue rebuilding his life even though Michelle's death had knocked him to rock bottom. What an emotional story K.M. Lowe has written and one I won't forget.
I don't usually refer to anything personal in my reviews but this heart wrenching story hit close to home and has helped me better understand what my mum must have gone through when my dad died in a tragic accident when I was a toddler and my brother was just a baby. For this reason, I'm so grateful to K.M. Lowe for writing this story. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
I urge you to get Burning Hearts - A Dark Loss and start reading today. I'll be next reading Burning Hearts and can't wait to see if Jase gets a second chance at love and happiness.
*I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy of this book and have completed this review voluntarily. All opinions are my own.
Just when I think Jase's story couldn't get any more heartbreaking, KM Lowe just reaches a new level of heartache. My heart literally hurt, my eyes leaked (a lot!) and I just went on such a journey with this book. This story has such a strong focus around Jase and his fiancé, of their home, their relationship and their love. But not just their love - but that of those around Jase at the worst possible time in his life....Mark.
Excerpt: He's not my brother by blood, but he's family. I knew if anyone was going to get me through this, it would be him. He would be the only one who would hit me upside the head, or kick me up the ar$e if he thought I needed it. I was glad he was there, because I wouldn't have expected anything less from him.
The story was split between Jases' perspective which is heartbreaking, but takes you on a journey yep of grief and self discovery, as well as Marks perspective (who takes the role of best friend/brother) who is trying to navigate him through his minefield of grief. Reading Marks turmoil at not knowing what to do for his best friend was probably what got to me and made me shed numerous tears, but the way the author managed to write these scenes so perfectly, and expressed so much emotion from me, really should tell you all how incredible this story is.
Excerpt: My best friend was walking towards my car. Well, a shadow of him was. His heart and soul was lost, and only time would tell if we'd lost him for good. I've watched people go off the rails for a lot less than what Jase was going through. I was scared to face the future without my brother. Without my friend.
This journey most definitely has more lows than highs, and it's an emotional read that physically made my whole body ache with sadness and grief. But it's beauty, even in the darkest of moments just astounded me. KM Lowe never fails to astound me with each and every book she releases, because they keep making me fall harder in love with her stories.
Final Excerpt Life goes on. No matter who we lose or what happens, life doesn't stop. As cruel as that is, it's just the way life is. We're born, we live, we die. Tomorrow is never guaranteed....
Imagine going to work and doing your job everyday and being the best you can be, but having your job being saving people from fires. Then imagine not being able to save the one person you love the most in the world. This is exactly what happened to Jase.
“You don’t get it! I don’t want help! I don’t even want to be here.” I walked over to my mum’s decanter stand and took the lid off the whisky bottle.
Jase is not handling losing his fiancé Michelle very well at all. Everyone grieves differently and having guilt about it makes things a lot harder. Jase's parents and his best friend Mark are so great with him!
It's crazy to think how quickly things can change. With the blink of an eye, my life was turned upside down and back to front.
I read Burning Hearts first, and I always wondered about those months with Jase right after Michelle died. This was a great story to learn how he dealt with everything right after she died.
I felt so bad for Jase, I couldn't even imagine going though that kinda of grief. This is a must read!!
To find out how Jase's story ends make sure you read Burning Hearts!!
Sometimes in life we get thrown a curveball and in the blink of an eye we lose others that are near and dear to our hearts. The grief process that we go through as we try to heal and move forward with our lives. Everyone handles death in their own way. Jase and his finacee, Michelle, were on top of the world until tragedy struck that one dreadful day and Jase's world started spiraling downwards. As a fireman, you learn to deal with death, but when it strikes home Jase blamed himself feeling powerless not being able to save his soul mate. The pain and grief he endures as he struggles to find the path of rebuilding his life with the help of his best friend/brother, Mark, and his brothers at Blue Watch. Burning Hearts - A Dark Loss will send you on an emotional ride so have your tissues ready. Burning Hearts is a story of Jase's second chance of finding love, but will history repeat itself? I would strongly recommend both of these books. KM Lowe will not disappoint you!
This story tells how Jason deals with the death of his Fiancée, Michelle, in a house fire. Being one of the first firefighter on the scene, he is plagued by guilt that he should have been able to save her. His guilt and grief eat him up and if not for his best friend Mark, I am certain he wouldn’t have survived. He tries to find solace at the bottom of a bottle and by hiding away and shutting out everyone who cares about him, apart from Mark.
I love the scenes where he reflects on happy moments shared with the love of his life, which make the story more poignant. I found myself rooting for Jase to pull himself out of the darkness and to learn to live again. There were moments that made me cry and that’s all down to the clever story telling of the author.
This emotional story will have you reaching for the box of tissues. Every time I thought the story was moving on I would start to cry again. Jase's story really got to me, I couldn't put it down.
Jase looses his soul mate and must now figure out how to live without her. This is a story of how a firefighter must not blame himself for not being able to save the love of his life. This tear jerker will get you, I can't wait to see how Jase will continue
This is such a heart wrenching story, you will definitely need a box of tissues. This author writes with such power, it makes you feel all the gut wrenching emotions that Jace felt. I loved it even if It did make me cry and literally could not put the book down until I finished it. It is about pain, heartbreak, and incredible friendship.
they author portrays grief in away that breaks your heart I cried when I read what Jase went through after losing some one so special to him. his family did their best to get him throught this hard him but it was his best friend Mark got him to get help. I will happily give this book 5 stars
This an amazingly beautiful written book that will touch you so much. Jase's story is so sad and had me in tears at many parts. That being said it's a fantastic must read. I would highly recommend that K M Lowe is a must read author.
This book was AMAZING!!! It is truly unlike any book I have ever read! The feelings that this amazing story brought out in me was truly overwhelming. I highly recommend this book!
well i had originally read burning hearts and waited with anticipation for this. This is the story from Jase` point of view and boy did it hit me once again. Jase Mc Cready is a firefighter , top of his game but it all comes crashing down when a fire too close to home has him losing everything and giving him the thoughts of never going back. K M LOWE has written this version with the same aplomb as the original , and I didn't think she could get me again but she did. Reading Jase` turmoil had me once again reaching for the tissues , his conflict with friends and family brought it all home to me how much fire can wreck lives but we never think of the way it affects those brave courageous men and women who are only doing their job. For those of you who haven't read both please do as I easily give it 5 stars
Burning Hearts - A Dark Loss book 0.5, by K.M.Lowe. A Dark Loss is about Jase McGrady, and how he deals with the loss of his wife! This is a very emotional read. Lowe write with her soul! When Jase is crying, I'm crying. I can feel the heartache!
We also get to know Mark, Jase's best friend. Mark is doing whatever he can for his best friend. Everyone grieves differently. Nothing is the right or the wrong way.
Highly recommend this book!!!
I thank the author for providing a copy to voluntarily review.
oh my god , what a heartbreaking read, the first few chapters will break your heart. the story of fire fighter jase at work, then having to save his fiancee michelle from a horrendous fire at their home. this book will break your heart. jases story shows feeling, emotions,greiving, like you just want to wrap your arms around him. i adored and loved this read and look forward to reading more. a word of warning a box of tissues on the ready before reading
Burning Hearts - A Dark Loss ties Jason's story up nicely. This is an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish. It will let you see why Jase is the way he is in Burning Hearts, and hopefully you'll all love Jase and Mark just as much when you get to the end of this book. Everyone needs a friend like Mark.
Source: Kindle Unlimited Genre: Adult Contemporary Prequel to a series
My A Dark Loss Review . . .
I have to admit when I downloaded this book after reading the synopsis I thought it was a MM romance but it was not. This book immediately jumps into a tragedy and we are supposed to feel sorry for the main character Jase. Don't get me wrong I did but I could have so much more if I got to meet and know his fiancee first. She was just a name and due to that I didn't get to feel his connection to the loss.
Plus all his co-workers and family want him to heal and move on but in reality it had only been a few days then weeks. That is not a lot of time to be concerned. I was more irked that they were getting on him to bounce back so soon to his loss.
This book did now wow me at all. I have a flickering of interest to read more but too many books to put it top of the list. To read on will be a BIG maybe if I stumbled on it or had loads of free time.
Tissues needed for this story. Something a firefighter would hope to never have to deal with this story is heartbreaking. Full of despair and grief, anger and frustration, darkness that seems never ending right along with numbness. Everyone grieves differently but most go through all these points at some stage, though it might be in a different order. It also takes whatever time it takes, there is no rhyme or reason, no law to dictate you can only cry for a few days. Sometimes it's months but it can take years. Memories and flashbacks can have you taking steps back from progress long after the initial period. This takes us on a journey of Jase's grief right through till he starts seeing a bit of light simmering through his pain, until he is ready to face life full on again. This is handled with sensitivity and caring, it's written with understanding. It's all a process I understand so I could empathise with the characters. Including the haunting of the last image, that is something that stays for a very long time though it fades and the pain eases. Moving and emotional story.
How do you move on when the love of your life, your soul mate, is gone. You didn't save her. His choice to be a fireman was because he wanted to help and save people. What good was he if he couldn't save the one he loved most? This author takes us down the dark path of grief. Jase doesn't handle it well. If not for Mark and Sophie he made not have made it through. The pain, the loss, the emptiness. The road back is hard but Jase takes two steps ahead and 5 steps back.
This isn't your normal hea, not by a long shot. How can it possibly be happy without her being with him. Grief does take time and each person is unique. This author tells the story from different views which make it hit home even more. Great read.
I was so looking forward to reading Jase's experiance after the fire that took his fiance in Burning Hearts. It helped you understand what he went through whilst he was on leave.
After reading the first book I knew this would be another emotional rollercoaster. However, I didn't realise how emotional it would be. The book follows not just Jase but Mark, Jase's best friend. It was great to see his side of the events that drags Jase into the pits of hell.
Congratulations KM for filling in the months Jase was away from his job. It left me puffy eyed and runny nosed lol.
This novella from K.M Lowe is utterly heartbreaking. I had so many emotions running through me whilst reading it's hard to put them into words. It's a story loss, grief and learning how to put your life back together after losing the one person you thought you would spend forever with.
Jase is a firefighter and when attending a call out he finds himself at his own home, with heartbreaking consequences.
A very emotional story and I cannot wait to jump into the second part of this duet and find out if Jase can finally move on.
What a beautifully written story of loss and heartache that you can't help but get fully invested in from start to finish. Firefighter Jason has it all.. the girl.. the dream job..the house and the life hes always wanted until one day when it all goes up in flames and flips uis life upside down. The relationship between Jason and bestfriend Mark actually melted my heart! Loved these pair and how they were there for each other through thick and thin. Really look forward to seeing whats next for Jason!
Another emotional, fantastic book by K.M. Lowe. Everytime I pick one of her books, I have the same amazing feeling of being in the story. Her words drag you in. Burning hearts - A Dark Loss is about what happens when you lose your soul mate, how do you cope with the tragedy? The loss? The guilt? Jase- the main character and firefighter- will have to learn how to cope. The thing I love of every book by K.M. Lowe, is the way she makes everything feel so real. The story isn't just about love or loss, but also friendship. Prepare the tissues. Five stars!!!
Loved reading this book as it was one everyone can associate with in some way or another. Loved reading into the story behind the story of jase and how he coped and how things affected him after loosing his loved one in a tragic event also gives an insight into his support network after. fantastic characters superbly written km lowe is now one of my go to authors 🤗