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Firsts and Forever #15.5
Once Burned
Cameron Doyle is an arson investigator who’s learned he can’t trust anyone.
Ignacio Mondelvano is an artist with a secret that could tear them apart.
A year ago, shy, quiet Cameron had his trust shattered by a sociopath who used him to gain information on an arson case. Ever since then, Cam’s been keeping the world at arm’s length, and he didn’t start out as the most trusting person to begin with.
Then Ignacio Mondelvano saunters into his life. The sexy Spanish painter could have anyone he wants. Much to Cam’s surprise, what Ignacio wants is him.
What begins as a bit of harmless fun at a charity bachelor auction soon turns into so much more. But when secrets are revealed and Cam’s trust is shaken, can their love survive? Or has Cam been burned too badly to believe in second chances?
This gay romance is approximately 63,000 words. Once Burned is part of Alexa Land’s Firsts and Forever Series, but it can be read as a standalone. Please note: contains explicit sex and is intended for adults only.
Ignacio Mondelvano is an artist with a secret that could tear them apart.
A year ago, shy, quiet Cameron had his trust shattered by a sociopath who used him to gain information on an arson case. Ever since then, Cam’s been keeping the world at arm’s length, and he didn’t start out as the most trusting person to begin with.
Then Ignacio Mondelvano saunters into his life. The sexy Spanish painter could have anyone he wants. Much to Cam’s surprise, what Ignacio wants is him.
What begins as a bit of harmless fun at a charity bachelor auction soon turns into so much more. But when secrets are revealed and Cam’s trust is shaken, can their love survive? Or has Cam been burned too badly to believe in second chances?
This gay romance is approximately 63,000 words. Once Burned is part of Alexa Land’s Firsts and Forever Series, but it can be read as a standalone. Please note: contains explicit sex and is intended for adults only.
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 10, 2018
92 people are currently reading
168 people want to read
About the author
Alexa Land
58 books787 followersIndependent MM romance author. For more information, please visit Alexa's blog: http://alexalandwrites.blogspot.com/
Please note: the author does not check messages on this site. The best way to contact them is through Facebook.
Please note: the author does not check messages on this site. The best way to contact them is through Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
March 1, 2018
Reviewed for Sinfully.
3.5 stars
This is another sweet romance from Alexa Land. The glimpses of the sexy Spanish painter we have gotten in prior books just scratch the surface of Ignacio Mondelvano. He is self-assured and passionate and goes after what he wants, which in this case is arson investigator Cameron Doyle. After Ignacio buys Cameron in the charity bachelor auction they are both participating in, the two spend a night together before Ignacio will be leaving the country for weeks for a job.
Cam has low self-esteem and is not ready to trust another man, or his own judgment, after the events in Armor left him shaken and betrayed, both personally and professionally. He believes Ignacio can't possibly want someone as plain and average as himself. Ignacio is ready to do what he can to convince Cam how much he desires him. Ignacio is all, devil-may-care and live in the moment, but he has a vulnerability and sadness about him, not letting many people in, and he literally wears some of his past hurts on his sleeve.
It turns out that Ignacio is just the man to bring some light and color to Cam's dreary world while Cam becomes an anchor for Ignacio. Like most of the stories in this series, the two men are quickly inseparable (even if it’s over video chat) falling fast for each other, but their separation does allow them to talk and develop a relationship not based sex.
Cam also travels to Ireland to help his estranged father. Here is another case of a relationship gone bad where cam wonders whether he should let the past bind him. If there is the possibility that his father has seen the errors of his ways, Cam doesn’t want to miss out on it.
I didn't see Ignacio's secret coming.
Ignacio’s love was clearly what Cam needed to heal and that becomes evident after it comes out, though I was hoping for a bit more angst and consideration after all is revealed. My heart ached for what Cameron went through in Armor and I thought it would take a bit more for him to forgive Ignacio. After all, Ignacio did break Cameron’s one condition going into the relationship – total honesty. But maybe that’s just me because I love angst and conflict in my books. I completely recognize that realizing his love for Ignacio is real and that Ignacio didn’t lie about loving Cam, shows that Cam has moved forward in being able to trust his judgment and his feelings for Ignacio. Ignacio is also willing to own what he did and face any consequences.
I enjoyed so much about this book, especially the two men. They make a wonderful couple and they have such an easy way with each other. I’ve been reading this series for years and still always look forward to the next installment. Why 3.5 stars then? Alexa Land’s writing has grown so much and this book is just as sweet, sexy and fun as the others but part of it left me wanting. Maybe because this book was shorter than most of the others, I felt that some aspects of the storyline were a bit rushed, especially once Ignacio’s secret came out. This is still a wonderful story and I would recommend it. I think it can easily be read as a standalone, but readers of the series will love the cameos that bring more news for the extended Dombruso family. If you’re just jumping in, be assured focus is on the relationship between Cam and Ignacio and the romance plays out here from their first meeting.
3.5 stars
This is another sweet romance from Alexa Land. The glimpses of the sexy Spanish painter we have gotten in prior books just scratch the surface of Ignacio Mondelvano. He is self-assured and passionate and goes after what he wants, which in this case is arson investigator Cameron Doyle. After Ignacio buys Cameron in the charity bachelor auction they are both participating in, the two spend a night together before Ignacio will be leaving the country for weeks for a job.
Cam has low self-esteem and is not ready to trust another man, or his own judgment, after the events in Armor left him shaken and betrayed, both personally and professionally. He believes Ignacio can't possibly want someone as plain and average as himself. Ignacio is ready to do what he can to convince Cam how much he desires him. Ignacio is all, devil-may-care and live in the moment, but he has a vulnerability and sadness about him, not letting many people in, and he literally wears some of his past hurts on his sleeve.
It turns out that Ignacio is just the man to bring some light and color to Cam's dreary world while Cam becomes an anchor for Ignacio. Like most of the stories in this series, the two men are quickly inseparable (even if it’s over video chat) falling fast for each other, but their separation does allow them to talk and develop a relationship not based sex.
Cam also travels to Ireland to help his estranged father. Here is another case of a relationship gone bad where cam wonders whether he should let the past bind him. If there is the possibility that his father has seen the errors of his ways, Cam doesn’t want to miss out on it.
I didn't see Ignacio's secret coming.
Ignacio’s love was clearly what Cam needed to heal and that becomes evident after it comes out, though I was hoping for a bit more angst and consideration after all is revealed. My heart ached for what Cameron went through in Armor and I thought it would take a bit more for him to forgive Ignacio. After all, Ignacio did break Cameron’s one condition going into the relationship – total honesty. But maybe that’s just me because I love angst and conflict in my books. I completely recognize that realizing his love for Ignacio is real and that Ignacio didn’t lie about loving Cam, shows that Cam has moved forward in being able to trust his judgment and his feelings for Ignacio. Ignacio is also willing to own what he did and face any consequences.
I enjoyed so much about this book, especially the two men. They make a wonderful couple and they have such an easy way with each other. I’ve been reading this series for years and still always look forward to the next installment. Why 3.5 stars then? Alexa Land’s writing has grown so much and this book is just as sweet, sexy and fun as the others but part of it left me wanting. Maybe because this book was shorter than most of the others, I felt that some aspects of the storyline were a bit rushed, especially once Ignacio’s secret came out. This is still a wonderful story and I would recommend it. I think it can easily be read as a standalone, but readers of the series will love the cameos that bring more news for the extended Dombruso family. If you’re just jumping in, be assured focus is on the relationship between Cam and Ignacio and the romance plays out here from their first meeting.
February 13, 2018
I loved this one! Ignacio was so full of life and so sweet, I just adored him. And I loved the descriptions of his paintings, I could imagine them so clearly in my mind. It was just fantastic. This was another wonderful addition to the series and one I'm sure I will be re-reading again and again.
February 19, 2018
3.5 Stars
I liked Cam's and Iggy's romance a great deal and there are some wonderful twists that will surprise you.
The cast is here and we get to travel to Ireland which is a great deal of fun. There is a fantasy element in the Iggy gives very generous gifts and the level of his wealth is a bit confusing.
The part of the plot with Cam's father is well done and I believe in the romance but there needs to be more showing of the layering of each hero and more time after the twist for me to be really happy with this love story. It is very sweet though.
I liked Cam's and Iggy's romance a great deal and there are some wonderful twists that will surprise you.
The cast is here and we get to travel to Ireland which is a great deal of fun. There is a fantasy element in the Iggy gives very generous gifts and the level of his wealth is a bit confusing.
The part of the plot with Cam's father is well done and I believe in the romance but there needs to be more showing of the layering of each hero and more time after the twist for me to be really happy with this love story. It is very sweet though.
June 25, 2019
3.5 Stars
The story was nice, just hard to get into this time. I couldn’t remember Cam or Ignacio/Joe. It was sweet with a very nice reconciliation between Cam and his dad. Ignacio’s secret wasn't quite as earth-shattering as all that and fortunately doesn’t remain an obstacle. Naturally a few past characters pop in and out and Nana and Ollie only end up with one kitchen mess! I kind of wish Alexa would either put more effort into sex scenes or leave them out. They feel like an afterthought, added because maybe some readers insist but they don’t engage or draw out any emotion from me. Still the sweet but not too sticky romance and family atmosphere.
The story was nice, just hard to get into this time. I couldn’t remember Cam or Ignacio/Joe. It was sweet with a very nice reconciliation between Cam and his dad. Ignacio’s secret wasn't quite as earth-shattering as all that and fortunately doesn’t remain an obstacle. Naturally a few past characters pop in and out and Nana and Ollie only end up with one kitchen mess! I kind of wish Alexa would either put more effort into sex scenes or leave them out. They feel like an afterthought, added because maybe some readers insist but they don’t engage or draw out any emotion from me. Still the sweet but not too sticky romance and family atmosphere.
February 15, 2018
True rating ... 2.5 stars ... this book didn't do it for me the way so many of Alexa's other books have :-/! This felt rushed and underdeveloped in some places and I wasn't into it the way I anticipated I'd be :-/! Bummer.
February 20, 2018
5 Stars as usual
I love this series. Do yourself a favour and read them all from the start. So much fun, hot sexy guys and love all your around.
I love this series. Do yourself a favour and read them all from the start. So much fun, hot sexy guys and love all your around.
March 25, 2018
I know this is only a novella, and it’s notoriously hard to show the budding connections between MCs in a short story, but I really struggled to believe the relationship in this book, however much I wanted to.
The other thing that jarred - and I suspect this is me and not the author - is that Cameron easily slips back into a strong Irish accent, but he uses American words all the time. There are some words I can see he would be using due to having lived in the States, but for me, there were some that felt so wrong it pulled me out of the story.
As I said, I’m sure this is my take on it, and not a reflection of the story which was well-written (Alexa is nothing but a good writer) but I really couldn’t connect with this one.
The other thing that jarred - and I suspect this is me and not the author - is that Cameron easily slips back into a strong Irish accent, but he uses American words all the time. There are some words I can see he would be using due to having lived in the States, but for me, there were some that felt so wrong it pulled me out of the story.
As I said, I’m sure this is my take on it, and not a reflection of the story which was well-written (Alexa is nothing but a good writer) but I really couldn’t connect with this one.
February 25, 2018
Meh... Not what I thought
I thought, when I read the blurb, that this was a police procedural. Not! Just because the main character is an arson investigator, that has nothing to do with the plot, which, unfortunately, was barely there. This story is just a boring, straight-up romance with no action, very little drama, and far too much repetitive and unnecessary dialogue. The narrative is flat and uninspired, and the story rambles in the middle. One gets the impression that much of both the narrative and the dialogue were written simply for the purpose of filling a word-count requirement. Better luck next time.
I thought, when I read the blurb, that this was a police procedural. Not! Just because the main character is an arson investigator, that has nothing to do with the plot, which, unfortunately, was barely there. This story is just a boring, straight-up romance with no action, very little drama, and far too much repetitive and unnecessary dialogue. The narrative is flat and uninspired, and the story rambles in the middle. One gets the impression that much of both the narrative and the dialogue were written simply for the purpose of filling a word-count requirement. Better luck next time.
March 29, 2018
Well damn, I had trouble with this story. I never really connected to Cameron and Ignacio I'm sure that's because I didn't think they had much in the way of chemistry. My biggest problem though was Ignacio's secret! Yeah, that didn't work at all. Where did that even come from? It was completely out of the blue and in my opinion completely ridiculous. While I love when a story surprises me this surprise had me shaking my head also knowing Cameron's past troubles forgiving Ignacio as quickly as he did didn't seem like something he would do.
So this was a little glitch in the series but it isn't going to put me off reading what comes next. I'm can't wait to read Mike and Yoshi's story!
February 15, 2018
Alexa did it again with another brilliant book( novella) to add to The First & Forever Series. I loved it, got hooked right in. Loved Ignacio & Cameron so much. Ignacio was just the sweetest & poor Cameron with his self doubts, but thank goodness Ignacio comes along to get him over that. OMG... I can just imagine the paintings & Ireland ,I'd love to see. The letter... Sniff sniff, I lost it, uncontrollable ugly crying but it was worth it to get happy tears later on. Yay! This is a must read! So looking forward to next book.
February 28, 2018
DISCOVERY AND HAPPY ENDINGS
Ignacio the intriguing, mysterious artist. With his Spanish accent and long dark hair has the Dublin born Cameron falling head over heels. They meet through the Dombruso clan and make an undeniable connection. With backgrounds more similar than they first realize, they take us on a sweet ride of discovery. Of course, it's not all smooth sailing. But it is a beautiful, touching, unconditional love story, that for me are my favorite. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND THIS MAGNIFICENT SERIES!!!!!
Ignacio the intriguing, mysterious artist. With his Spanish accent and long dark hair has the Dublin born Cameron falling head over heels. They meet through the Dombruso clan and make an undeniable connection. With backgrounds more similar than they first realize, they take us on a sweet ride of discovery. Of course, it's not all smooth sailing. But it is a beautiful, touching, unconditional love story, that for me are my favorite. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND THIS MAGNIFICENT SERIES!!!!!
March 7, 2018
Perfection
Visiting this world is always a pleasure. This book is no exception. I have been rooting for Cam since his first appearance. I cheered when Iggy bid on him, stating pretty much I want him. These characters are perfect together. I’m glad they are the end game
The supporting cast was fabulous. It was nice to see Christopher, and Dante’s boys. The best part about these books is visiting with this family and loving their antics. Another stellar story. Can’t wait for more
Visiting this world is always a pleasure. This book is no exception. I have been rooting for Cam since his first appearance. I cheered when Iggy bid on him, stating pretty much I want him. These characters are perfect together. I’m glad they are the end game
The supporting cast was fabulous. It was nice to see Christopher, and Dante’s boys. The best part about these books is visiting with this family and loving their antics. Another stellar story. Can’t wait for more
February 23, 2018
Awesome add to the series. There is nothing I did not like in this book. Cameron and Ignacio are two sweethearts who will grab your hearts and not let go. This was a emotional read for sure, and I cried when we when found out some secrets and twist in the plot. No worries, you get your happy ending that only Alexa Land can deliver. Can't wait for the next, each couple is different and connect to the others. Love it.
February 19, 2020
The cop and the impostor
Huh, why have all the law enforcement people getting involved with those that were so much less then law abiding or maybe just slightly unlawful, maybe just enough for them to get in slight trouble with their jobs? And they seem not to care but become better people. Glad Cameron got someone who was right for him and Ignacio was able to reconcile his past with his present.
Huh, why have all the law enforcement people getting involved with those that were so much less then law abiding or maybe just slightly unlawful, maybe just enough for them to get in slight trouble with their jobs? And they seem not to care but become better people. Glad Cameron got someone who was right for him and Ignacio was able to reconcile his past with his present.
February 14, 2018
I'm relieved to say that Ms Land has redeemed herself with this book. I've been a huge fan of this series but two books ago I was disappointed enough that I feared that I would have to stop reading it. However, this book reminds me of the earlier books in the series and reminds me of why I became a fan.
April 17, 2018
It's Difficult To Believe
I am a big fan of this whole series. Both of these guys have been through life's wringer. But from the moment they saw each other, they were mesmerized. They saw in each other their hope. This is a sweet, hot, entertaining read. Enjoy I did. As always I'm waiting...
I am a big fan of this whole series. Both of these guys have been through life's wringer. But from the moment they saw each other, they were mesmerized. They saw in each other their hope. This is a sweet, hot, entertaining read. Enjoy I did. As always I'm waiting...
April 28, 2023
I liked this one way more than I thought I would. Ignacio and Cameron have been background characters more than anything and it was really nice to get to know them. The truly fun part? I could never have predicted the twist for this story--that almost never happens. I don't think I'd go so far as to say that this is my favorite of the series, but it's definitely up there.
February 20, 2018
Loved it!
Once again, the writing of Alexa Land manages to carry me in the story and helds me captive until after it's finished.
This wonderful story of 2 untrusting souls discovering love and redescovering trust is an amazing novella sequel to an amazing series.
Loved it!
Once again, the writing of Alexa Land manages to carry me in the story and helds me captive until after it's finished.
This wonderful story of 2 untrusting souls discovering love and redescovering trust is an amazing novella sequel to an amazing series.
Loved it!
February 22, 2018
Love
I did not know how much I would like this story. I thought it would be simple and flat. I don't know why, because I've always loved every word Alexa Land writes. This was no different. It was a wonderfully deep story that had so much emotion packed into a small book.
I did not know how much I would like this story. I thought it would be simple and flat. I don't know why, because I've always loved every word Alexa Land writes. This was no different. It was a wonderfully deep story that had so much emotion packed into a small book.
February 27, 2018
Soooo loving!
Loved Cam and Ignacio! They were loving and understanding! I'm a new reader of Ms. Land's work, but I think I like it! You have a new fan! I plan to read some of your other books. I really enjoyed this book!
Loved Cam and Ignacio! They were loving and understanding! I'm a new reader of Ms. Land's work, but I think I like it! You have a new fan! I plan to read some of your other books. I really enjoyed this book!
October 23, 2018
Alexa Land stays the course and that’s a good thing. It works and it’s pleasing to no end. Both characters are lovable.
September 1, 2022
This was a sugary sweet romance with very little angst until near the end and then it was resolved unrealistically easily. It was not a badly written book and I really liked Ignacio so I gave it 3, otherwise it would have been a 2 for being a bit of a snooze to me.
February 12, 2018
Long awaited and loved
This series has kept me in love and captivated. I can not wait for more. I absolutely adore these characters. I love it!
This series has kept me in love and captivated. I can not wait for more. I absolutely adore these characters. I love it!
February 14, 2018
Good addition to the series.
February 16, 2018
Once Burned
I loved Cam and Ignacio’s story, and of course, the friends and family! This whole series is about family and love!
I loved Cam and Ignacio’s story, and of course, the friends and family! This whole series is about family and love!
February 18, 2018
Another great one
I love this series, it one of my favorite and they just keep getting better and better. Can’t wait for the next one!!!!!!!!!
I love this series, it one of my favorite and they just keep getting better and better. Can’t wait for the next one!!!!!!!!!
February 19, 2018
Love it!
Sexy fun as always! Loved the glimpse of other couples we adore (D & C). This is a must read for any fan of the series, or anyone who likes a little laughter with their hot and steamy.
Sexy fun as always! Loved the glimpse of other couples we adore (D & C). This is a must read for any fan of the series, or anyone who likes a little laughter with their hot and steamy.
February 20, 2018
Review to come
March 1, 2018
I liked this but I thought the arson was an add in and I thought Ignacio was forgiven too easily.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews