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Bright Fire
Ten years ago, Maryann, the quirky owner of the Secondhand Rose Vintage Thrift Shop, called off her wedding to the proprietor of the Burrito Barn, Luis.
Back then, she didn’t think marriage was for her—her family had zero successful examples of what a good marriage looked like—and at thirty-eight she thought she was too set in her ways to be someone’s wife, even if Luis was her soulmate.
Now that Maryann is pushing fifty, she has a lot of regret about not marrying Luis. She still loves him, but knows he has every right to never speak to her again.
Yet, when the Burrito Barn burns to the ground and he not-so-subtly parks his temporary taco truck in front of her shop, Maryann questions if the spark she feels between them could ignite their second chance at love.
If anyone could make what was old new again, it’s her.
Back then, she didn’t think marriage was for her—her family had zero successful examples of what a good marriage looked like—and at thirty-eight she thought she was too set in her ways to be someone’s wife, even if Luis was her soulmate.
Now that Maryann is pushing fifty, she has a lot of regret about not marrying Luis. She still loves him, but knows he has every right to never speak to her again.
Yet, when the Burrito Barn burns to the ground and he not-so-subtly parks his temporary taco truck in front of her shop, Maryann questions if the spark she feels between them could ignite their second chance at love.
If anyone could make what was old new again, it’s her.
70 pages, ebook
Published November 19, 2021
3 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Roxie Clarke
35 books43 followersRoxie Clarke writes low-angst sweet and clean small town romance featuring hunky heroes and happily ever afters.
She lives outside of Portland, OR with her husband and their five kids.
It is loud at her house.
She lives outside of Portland, OR with her husband and their five kids.
It is loud at her house.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 18, 2022
A twist on the usual Billionaire romance trope
An intriguing sweet romance with a twist on the usually Billionaire trope that will have you cheering for both this heroine and hero as they battle big box business. This was a terrific addition to the Braverton small-town shops series that was thoroughly enjoyable.
An intriguing sweet romance with a twist on the usually Billionaire trope that will have you cheering for both this heroine and hero as they battle big box business. This was a terrific addition to the Braverton small-town shops series that was thoroughly enjoyable.
November 23, 2021
My first visit to Braverton
I’ve eyed Roxie Clarke’s books for a while but have been down a rabbit hole with another subgenre. This new book caught my attention and I knew I had to pounce. Later in life (like me)? Second chance romance (like me)? Uh, yeah, count me in.
I love Maryann. I understood what had driven her to stand Luis up on what should have been their wedding day. My father is on his third marriage. I don’t want to go there. I also loved Luis. He’d known Maryann was his soulmate. He took the rejection, putting on a brave face. In the end, though, his heart was shattered. He’s remained single the past ten years because he’s convinced he can win her back.
Luis’ business burns to the ground, so he takes the opportunity to plant himself in front of Maryann. Hard to miss the taco truck sitting in front of her secondhand shop. Or the gorgeous, mature man inside. This time, he’s unwilling to sit back. He wants her back, but he also understands it has to be on her terms. He’s planning to step up his game, though. I was impressed.
Now, I’m not a huge fan of man buns, but with Luis it worked. I also fell in love with Maryann’s two employees and I can’t wait for their stories, coming next year. I plan to seize all of them and devour them whole.
So glad I stopped in Braverton. I plan to visit often.
I’ve eyed Roxie Clarke’s books for a while but have been down a rabbit hole with another subgenre. This new book caught my attention and I knew I had to pounce. Later in life (like me)? Second chance romance (like me)? Uh, yeah, count me in.
I love Maryann. I understood what had driven her to stand Luis up on what should have been their wedding day. My father is on his third marriage. I don’t want to go there. I also loved Luis. He’d known Maryann was his soulmate. He took the rejection, putting on a brave face. In the end, though, his heart was shattered. He’s remained single the past ten years because he’s convinced he can win her back.
Luis’ business burns to the ground, so he takes the opportunity to plant himself in front of Maryann. Hard to miss the taco truck sitting in front of her secondhand shop. Or the gorgeous, mature man inside. This time, he’s unwilling to sit back. He wants her back, but he also understands it has to be on her terms. He’s planning to step up his game, though. I was impressed.
Now, I’m not a huge fan of man buns, but with Luis it worked. I also fell in love with Maryann’s two employees and I can’t wait for their stories, coming next year. I plan to seize all of them and devour them whole.
So glad I stopped in Braverton. I plan to visit often.
November 23, 2021
I've read several books in Roxie Clarke's Old Town Braverton series and love them all.
The characters are quirky and kind. This story had some good chuckles and all the good feels.
This was a fun, one-sit read.
And great news - Bright Fire seems to be the first book in a new series set in this cute town.
The characters are quirky and kind. This story had some good chuckles and all the good feels.
This was a fun, one-sit read.
And great news - Bright Fire seems to be the first book in a new series set in this cute town.
November 24, 2021
Bright Fire is the first book in the Secondhand Rose Vintage Thrift Shop and the eighth in the Old Town Braverton Series. A later in life second chance for Maryann and Luis, I enjoyed seeing their story come together. This is a new Author to me.I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 13, 2025
3.4 ⭐️
January 29, 2022
Enjoyed This Series… Until This Novella
I’ve enjoyed this series that takes place in a fictional small Oregon town near Portland. I live in southern Oregon, and I love to read books set in my state, fictional or not! I’ve read other books in the series and have found them charming and often accurately reflecting the sometimes kooky nature of my state. Unfortunately, this novella missed the mark in several ways. As always in a series, it is fun to visit with characters you know from other books. But this particular novella is so short. I think shorter fiction forms are more challenging for a writer—even one with skill—as you really have to keep it all tight: characterization, plot, setting, motivations, etc. While this author is certainly skilled, she could not accomplish that in this book. The book felt like the start of the story, not a complete story unto itself. We didn’t understand the bedrock of the heroine’s issue until far too late in the story. The “story” seemed almost random to me. We saw various characters come and go, but it didn’t seem to have much purpose. I was watching the percentages click by quickly with little interaction between the hero and the heroine—or at least little that showed a romantic growth arc. I felt like I kept waiting for something to happen. Then the book wrapped up too quickly, without much fanfare. It was just DONE, without the author really wrapping up the story or the romance. A lot of plot threads were left hanging unsatisfactorily. It didn’t really feel like the romance was left in an HEA state… it was just a barely HFN. Others in this series have been wonderful but not this one.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did don't affect my review.
I’ve enjoyed this series that takes place in a fictional small Oregon town near Portland. I live in southern Oregon, and I love to read books set in my state, fictional or not! I’ve read other books in the series and have found them charming and often accurately reflecting the sometimes kooky nature of my state. Unfortunately, this novella missed the mark in several ways. As always in a series, it is fun to visit with characters you know from other books. But this particular novella is so short. I think shorter fiction forms are more challenging for a writer—even one with skill—as you really have to keep it all tight: characterization, plot, setting, motivations, etc. While this author is certainly skilled, she could not accomplish that in this book. The book felt like the start of the story, not a complete story unto itself. We didn’t understand the bedrock of the heroine’s issue until far too late in the story. The “story” seemed almost random to me. We saw various characters come and go, but it didn’t seem to have much purpose. I was watching the percentages click by quickly with little interaction between the hero and the heroine—or at least little that showed a romantic growth arc. I felt like I kept waiting for something to happen. Then the book wrapped up too quickly, without much fanfare. It was just DONE, without the author really wrapping up the story or the romance. A lot of plot threads were left hanging unsatisfactorily. It didn’t really feel like the romance was left in an HEA state… it was just a barely HFN. Others in this series have been wonderful but not this one.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did don't affect my review.
November 25, 2021
That Love is Seriously Going to Last !! . . .
This is definitely a story of love. At the age of 38, Maryann did not feel she was a good candidate for marriage. She was set in her ways of doing things and she wasn’t sure if she would be a good partner for Luis. So she cancelled the wedding.
Approaching the age of 50, Maryann has some regrets about her rash decision. She knows she still loves him, but she burned that bridge some time ago. However, when Luis’ business, the Burrito Barn, burns down, he sends a strong message to her as he parks his taco truck in front of the Secondhand Rose Vintage Thrift Shop that Maryann owns. He has laid down the gauntlet, as they say. Will Rose accept the challenge? Will she take the second chance he is offering her for the HEA she pushed aside?
This was a cute story, and you have to admire a patient man like Luis! Grab your copy and see what it takes to convince Maryann that she belongs in his life.
This is definitely a story of love. At the age of 38, Maryann did not feel she was a good candidate for marriage. She was set in her ways of doing things and she wasn’t sure if she would be a good partner for Luis. So she cancelled the wedding.
Approaching the age of 50, Maryann has some regrets about her rash decision. She knows she still loves him, but she burned that bridge some time ago. However, when Luis’ business, the Burrito Barn, burns down, he sends a strong message to her as he parks his taco truck in front of the Secondhand Rose Vintage Thrift Shop that Maryann owns. He has laid down the gauntlet, as they say. Will Rose accept the challenge? Will she take the second chance he is offering her for the HEA she pushed aside?
This was a cute story, and you have to admire a patient man like Luis! Grab your copy and see what it takes to convince Maryann that she belongs in his life.
November 24, 2021
Luis and Maryann are a more mature couple who find their way via a second chance. They had been together and almost married and Maryann did not show up on their wedding day. But she has regrets and her reaction to smelling his food is telling. When his business burns to the ground Luis takes to a food truck that he parks right in front of her business. He has not given up. I thought this lovely more mature couple finding their way to one another and his stubborn will that overcame her stubbornness was quite good and hopeful.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 8, 2022
Bright Fire is a sweet second chance story that almost breaks my heart.
Ten years ago, Marryann called off her wedding to Luis minutes before it was time. Since then, she has only spoken a few words to him and that might have been by accident. Maryann and Luis never fell out of love for each other, but due to her fears she ran, and he waited for her. When Luis restaurant catches on fire, this sparked a new round for them.
This is a heartwarming fast read that will make you smile. .
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Ten years ago, Marryann called off her wedding to Luis minutes before it was time. Since then, she has only spoken a few words to him and that might have been by accident. Maryann and Luis never fell out of love for each other, but due to her fears she ran, and he waited for her. When Luis restaurant catches on fire, this sparked a new round for them.
This is a heartwarming fast read that will make you smile. .
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 18, 2022
Love a good second chance story that has some twists and turns and bumps in the road. Small town settings are great for these kind of romances because you have people that like to give their opinions when not asked for. Entertaining characters help tell the story. Good read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews