Burn It Down

Texas Heroes #3

by Jess Anastasi

When an arsonist targets a kind-hearted park ranger, a firefighter steps up to protect him… and overcome his fear of dating in the process.

Park Ranger Troy Hurst has his hands full with a long, hot summer causing fires to break out all over the Sam Houston National Forest, and it looks like the weather isn’t the only culprit. But helping two abandoned teenage boys and facing the memory of his own difficult childhood will require all Troy’s strength and courage—he doesn’t have anything left to deal with the increasingly dangerous fires.

Firefighter Jared Winters has never been one to turn his back on those in need, and Troy and his young wards are in more danger than they know. Even though Jared is still reeling from an abusive relationship and Troy’s never acted on his attraction to men, the heat between them is impossible to extinguish, and before they know it, they’re planning to become foster parents—a family.

But first they’ll need to find and stop the dangerous criminal threatening homes and lives in Everness.

Genres: M M Romance

247 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 21, 2020

About the author

Jess has been making up stories ever since she can remember. Though her messy handwriting made it hard for anyone else to read them, she wasn’t deterred and now she gets to make up stories for a living. She loves loud music, a good book on a rainy day, and probably spends too much time watching too many TV shows. Jess lives in regional Victoria, Australia. Find out more about Jess on her website www.jessanastasi.com

Reviews

[Alex (HEABookNerd) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really loving this series and BURN IT DOWN was no exception! What I love most about Jess Anastasi's writing is the way she creates characters that you fall in love with. Both Troy and Jared were so great and together they make the sweetest couple. They're supportive of each other and their connection was immediate and genuine.

All the drama of BURN IT DOWN is focused on external issues and Troy and Jared stay rock solid in their relationship -- no miscommunication or breakup for this couple and that was so refreshing. There are several different elements going on here -- from the mysterious fires, Jared's abusive ex showing up, and the teenagers Aaron and Lewis. But everything is balanced really well and fit into the overall story. There's so much emotion included in addition to the high stakes of a dangerous wildfire. I also really loved Jared's brothers, Del and Tate, and I hope we get their stories too.

Content Warning: past abusive relationship; past bullying; alcoholic side characters and abusive family situation

[Serena Yates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everness, the small town in Texas that has been through a lot of turmoil in the first two books in this series, is still the setting of this third installment, but the stories are not connected. The level of tension is still high, there are as many twists and turns as ever, and there is a mystery to solve as to who is up to no good. The focus is on a park ranger and a firefighter who battle a hot summer, their pasts, personal challenges, and an arsonist who seems determined to let everything go up in flames just to get their way. All in all, the ingredients for an exciting read were well prepared and I was quickly pulled into the story.


Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid third book in the Texas Heroes series.

I'm going to admit I read and reviewed Locked Down end of 2019, so it's been a few years and many, many books so some details of the series plot arc and characters are going to be a bit fuzzy. I recommend reading the first two in the series to help establish place and setting. Possible triggers: domestic abuse, PTSD, child neglect/abuse, alcoholism, homelessness.

Burn it Down is a feel good, slightly angsty, insta-romance, cozy mystery, that happens when firefighter Jared Winter's meets Park Ranger Troy Hurst. Both men are running from their pasts, both men want someone to love and hold, both men want family, but here are a few obstacles in the way.

I bounced off a handful of items in the book: Jared is a firefighter working shifts, yet, he his ability to meet up with Troy seemed rather fluid and open. If the weather conditions were as extremely dry and volatile as portrayed, there would be no bonfire, campfires would be banned, etc. This was a bit incongruous with the message of "pick up your glass bottles, it could start a fire". Last item was Jared's ex-showing up after two years and, given what had happened to Jared, and the contacts established in book 1 and 2, everyone hopes the ex just quietly leaves town.

Nitpicking? Mmm...maybe a little. But it's the little things that pop me out of story. Overall, this was an engaging read, the characters were interesting, lots of "feel goods" balance out the angsty parts, the humor was quirky and sweet, and a happy ever after all around. I recommend the entire Texas Heroes series.

[Ashley (Red-Haired Ash Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Series: Texas Heroes #3
Rating: 5 stars - I loved it!

Well this was fantastic and emotional! Jess Anastasi really knows how to write captivating stories with great couples that you can’t help but fall in love with.

As Park Ranger Troy Hurst and firefighter Jared Winters fall in love, they are also dealing with fires in the Sam Houston National Forest and two abandoned teenage boys. These two were an adorable couple that fell hard and fast. They also were extremely supportive and caring of each other from the very beginning and I loved every second of it. Also I really love that they genuinely wanted to help the teenagers Aaron and Lewis, and made sure they knew that.

This book focused on the issues of an arsonist targeting the National Forest, the homeless teenagers, and the return of Jared’s abusive ex. What was fantastic about this story was that Troy and Jared’s relationship didn’t get included in the issues at all. There is no tension between them from miscommunication or anything like that. We just have a couple who support each other during all these issues and it just makes their relationship stronger. It was very refreshing and made me love these two even more.

Overall, this was a fantastic book and I really loved this couple, and the family they created. I really have enjoyed this series and would love to read more from Everness, Texas.

TW: past abusive relationships, past bullying, homophobic parents; child abuse and neglect; homelessness; side characters with alcoholism; arson and wildfire;

[Maryann Kafka · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most thrilling, tension filled, dangerous story in the Texas Heroes series. It's a page-turner and a mystery with a twist. I really like the first book in this series Take Down but Burn It Down has taken the lead. I really liked Park Ranger Troy Hurst and Firefighter Jared Winters. They just have that magical connection and they keep each other grounded. Jared is a great parental figure for his younger brother and Troy fits perfectly in the family. The secondary characters: Tate, Del, Aaron, Lewis and Brody are solid characters and give potential for future stories. Bring on book #4!

[Antisocial Recluse · Rating 3 out of 5]

worst park ranger ever

A law enforcement trained park ranger who never uses his police powers to arrest people committing offenses right in front of him. So many absurd details and scenarios. The only good part was fewer sex scenes than book two, even if some were placed at ridiculous places and points in the narrative.

[MariF · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an entertaining and a smooth read. I think the melodrama with the ex as its resolution was OTT but overall it was a sweet book about genially nice people doing their best in a difficult times.
I really like these series.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can never overly state how much I love this series. Now I just need books for Del, Tate, Brody, and Lewis,.

[Trigger Warning Database]

Trigger & Content Warnings

Parental abuse
Physical & verbal intimate partner abuse
Alcoholism
Homelessness

[Taleisin (Tales of a Bookwyrm) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Queer Lit Readathon 11 - #9 Crime

PopSugar Reading Challenge 2023 - #15 A book with a song lyric as its title