A Flame Unburned

by Isabella Wiles

David Nicholl’s ‘One Day’ meets Colleen Hoover’s ‘It Ends with Us’ in this epic love story.

A hidden secret, an unforgivable betrayal, one all-consuming passion

Victoria Turnbull’s life appears flawless. She loves living and working alongside her best friend and as travel agents, they spend their weekends flying to Europe’s swankiest spots on company freebies. But when Vicky squeezes her eyes shut and replies ‘Ditto’ after her not-so-serious boyfriend declares his love for her she realises she’s spinning out of control.

Enter Christopher Williams—the charismatic backpacking Kiwi whose summer plans to travel Europe are thrown into disarray when he’s spellbound by his sister’s enigmatic flatmate. Chris seduces Vicky and she falls hard. Perhaps too hard as it’s not long before Vicky learns Chris’s passion is matched by an equally volatile temper. Despite their difficulties neither can deny their attraction and they embark on an intoxicating relationship.

But on the night Vicky needs Chris the most she’s left reeling from the ultimate betrayal. A betrayal so deep she may never recover.

Can Vicky reclaim her heart before it’s too late? Or will her passion for Chris ultimately destroy her?

Set in the 1990s ‘A Flame Unburned’ takes readers on a journey across the globe from the English countryside to New Zealand’s stunning vistas, via the Greek Islands, Hong Kong, and London, and is the perfect pick for readers who enjoy complex love stories by authors such as Taylor Jenkins Reid, Jojo Moyes and Colleen Hoover.

Buy A Flame Unburned and dive straight into this epic coming-of-age love story.

Editorial Reviews:

'Fast-paced, character-rich and emotionally charged, this book has it all. A sheer joy to read. You won’t want it to end' – Imogen Clark, million-copy bestselling author of 'Where the Story Starts'

'Blown away by the powerful and addictive writing of Isabella Wiles. It’s up there with Colleen Hoover and then some.’ – Isabella May, amazon chart-topping author of the Foodie Romance series

‘Wonderfully written. I could not put it down. It’s rather unusual today to encounter a novel like this and all the more remarkably, by a new author.’ – Hidden Gems

‘A tumultuous love story and a compelling read. Isabella Wiles is a modern-day Sidney Sheldon or Judith Krantz – epic novels, intercontinental, spanning years.’ – Hidden Gems

‘The storytelling is most lyrical and the descriptions of the various settings so enchanting.’ – Chick Lit Club

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Womens Fiction, Contemporary Romance

396 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 6, 2021

About the author

Described as a modern-day Sidney Sheldon or Judith Krantz, Isabella writes epic novels. Stories that span continents and lifetimes.

Her novels are filled with passion and angst as well as heartbreak and hope, but most importantly, strong relatable characters that leave you uplifted. Her style of writing and story themes appeal to readers of Taylor Jenkins Reid, Jojo Moyes, Jodi Picoult, Nicholas Sparks and Colleen Hoover.

She is a self-confessed tea addict, a massive theatre 'loveie' and after a lifetime of travelling the globe she loves nothing more than curling up on the sofa in her 'Writing Room', lighting the fire and thinking about her next plot twist.

Before becoming a fiction writer she had a successful career in sales and marketing and published two international best-sellers in non-fiction. She lives in north-east England with her husband, their two children and one loony Bassett Hound and two equally unhinged goldfish.

Reviews

[Zoe Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had me hooked instantly, such a relatable book. Needed a tissue at one point. That good I read the whole book in a few hours

[Fenella Cochrane · Rating 2 out of 5]

The characters in this book really annoyed me: Chris is selfish, self-absorbed, controlling and abusive, as well as a rapist, and Vicky so desperate for love she’ll take anything. Thank goodness she had an awakening at the end of the book. However given we know from the start they eventually get married, I doubt she really learnt anything. The “bonus epilogue” which on principle I wouldn’t provide my details to get as a download would have to be pretty astounding for me to think it was ever going to be right for her to go back to him. I rarely write reviews but the whole thing about the “bonus epilogue” really annoyed me and has moved me to write this.

[lucia zanetti · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read it to find I needed to go elsewhere to find the ending. I did everything it said on the kindle to get the “funnel “to see the end. After many hours of trying I still don’t know where this “funnel” went & am very frustrated.
Spent money & hours on a book I still don’t know the end of & definitely it should say before you buy a book that the end is elsewhere & it drives you crazy to try & find it. Will never buy from this author again. For this I would give it a 0 star.

[Amy Armitage · Rating 3 out of 5]

I sympathised with Vicky's desperation to love and be loved, but really despised Chris. One thing about his character that was repeated throughout the book was that he has a glass eye, yet the author continually referred to both eyes, for example, his red eyes when talking about a hangover. The glass eye would not have been red, this should have been written as singular. It happens multiple times throughout the novel and really bugged me.

I found the free “bonus epilogue” that had to be downloaded frustrating, especially since I finished the novel at 12.15am while in bed, and then struggled to navigate the link on my Kindle - it kept cutting out or bouncing back to the same page. When I finally got it open, after at least seven attempts, and I saw I had to input details to get it, I gave up. Why was the bonus epilogue not just attached to the back of the novel? Having to apply for it in the early hours of the morning was too much admin and I ended up not getting it. Having not read the bonus bit has subsequently put me off wanting to read the next two books.

[Isabella May · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blown away!

I don't think I can find the superlatives to sum up how much of a page-turner this story was. I don't really 'do' emotional love stories but Isabella Wiles writes in such a way that she sucks you into her characters' lives from the get-go... and putting the book down is impossible. No choice - you are in it for the ride!

Beautifully written, thought-provoking, life-affirming and searingly steamy in all the right parts, I cannot wait to read the rest of the trilogy. This is bookclub style fiction at its very best and this is a book that deserves to be shouted about from the rooftops.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is essentially a love story with life interfering. The story is engaging and immersive; readers delve into the lives of Victoria and Chris as they reveal just how being human can affect each other and themselves. The book is written in the present tense, so readers read the narrative in real-time. A personal pleasant way to read since nothing in the future can be foreseen and readers learn what happens at the same time as the characters.


I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. This is a love story that takes the reader around the globe with breathtaking descriptions. This story will have you needing tissues at some points. It is well written with relatable characters, realistic dialogue, and you will find yourself turning the pages to see what would happen next. I would highly recommend it. I received a free copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hit all the highs and lows for me. I found myself laughing, crying, and then laughing again. This novel shows the multi-facets of every character. You disapprove their poor choices, sympathize with mistakes made & cheer them on when things go their way. The descriptions & brilliant characterizations of people and places were phenomenal. A must read for those who like having tissues handy with their sportive novels.

[robyn kaye roth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was not do engaged with this book at the beginning but it did get me in as the characters were developed. I really then found it a good read but am bitterly disappointed with the ending especially as I am unable to download the very important epilogue.
I was reading the book on my kindle.
I felt like removing one star for this sneaky finish to the book.
Not appreciated by this avid reader!

[Aisha Bellamy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! I read it whilst in MIQ in New Zealand (fitting) and it really got me through a tough time.
I was rooting for the main characters against all odds and felt such deep emotions running through the book. It had me laughing and hurting. Vicky (Victoria Turnbull) was so relatable, she really kept me turning pages.
Well structured, well written and I'm looking forward to #2.

[Suzy Pike · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book far exceeded my expectations! I’m not a fan of romance, but I couldn’t put this book down. The story and characters are fleshed out and the settings make you feel as though you are there.
I immediately bought the next book in this series.

[Janet White · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story can not wait for the next book so sad in places but beautifully written read the book in 24 hours could not put it down

[Louis D Nel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love is never all roses

This book allowed me to feel both the ecstasy and agony of being in love. The deeper the love, the more it makes you vulnerable.

[Fiona Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I simply couldn't put down, literally! Steamy and raunchy it doesn't hold back, but all everything is relevant and in the right place. But be warned no spoilers but you will need tissues - and plenty of them. I let cups of tea go cold as I was so entranced I literally devoured the pages eagerly awaiting each twist and turn, there are plenty! Set between the UK and New Zealand it all sounds so wonderful, but nothing is quite as it seems. I was almost shouting back at the pages! I felt like I'd been through a fast spin on the washing machine but one thing is for certain I was left wanting more! Just as well there are more in the series!! Lead me to the next book quickly!!!