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Burning Up
She's So Good at Being Bad Though it’s been years since the infamous Macy O’James stepped foot in Sugarville, Washington, everyone remembers what she supposedly did. The tiny town is still buzzing about her crime and lack of punishment. Now back to lend her family a hand, Macy vows to hold her head high—especially at her high school reunion. But forget about the hottest man in Sugarville escorting her. Though she and fire chief Gabriel Donovan generate enough sparks to burn down the town, he’s a law-abiding, line-towing straight arrow. So not her type. But, maybe—just maybe—he could change her mind about that.
376 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 31, 2010
89 people are currently reading
1968 people want to read
About the author
Susan Andersen
104 books1,274 followersI grew up in a household with two brothers, a daddy, and my grandfather. Too many men, in other words. They diluted M'ma's influence by diverting my attention to things like the danger of answering nature's call in the dead of the night. I've got a hint for those of you raised in a less spit-and-scratch world: check before you sit, because chances are that seat is gonna be up. And they don't even have the grace to be embarrassed about it. According to my sweet baby boy, if you're the minority sex in the household, you oughtta be putting it up for them. Sigh.
Having brothers was a mixed bag. When anybody messed with me they were always quick with an offer to beat them up. That was sorta nice, although I personally believe it had more to do with the fact that guys just like to fight than with any towering concern for my welfare. You might think that's cynical but guess who the target was if no one else was around and they were tired of fighting each other? I must've spent half my childhood locked in the bathroom, screaming, "Dad's gonna get you when he gets home." I know, I know, nobody likes a stoolie. But it was either that or have my block knocked off on a regular basis, and trust me, Daddy was the best deterrent going.
A smart woman probably would've gone away to an all-girl school or moved in with some girlfriends at the first opportunity. Me, I got married to my high school sweetie. And the tradition continues. Our only kid (who hasn't been a kid for quite some time now) is the aforementioned sweet baby boy, and except for an Irish setter we had for eleven years a long time ago, even our pets have all been male. I just try to stay afloat whenever I find myself in the deep end of the testosterone pool, and if you don't think that isn't a trial sometimes, I'm here to tell you- it can be hell.
Then again, it can also be heaven. In fact, it mostly is. But listen, don't tell my guys I 'fessed up to that, okay? Trust me, it's difficult enough already, just trying to stay one step ahead of the game.
Having brothers was a mixed bag. When anybody messed with me they were always quick with an offer to beat them up. That was sorta nice, although I personally believe it had more to do with the fact that guys just like to fight than with any towering concern for my welfare. You might think that's cynical but guess who the target was if no one else was around and they were tired of fighting each other? I must've spent half my childhood locked in the bathroom, screaming, "Dad's gonna get you when he gets home." I know, I know, nobody likes a stoolie. But it was either that or have my block knocked off on a regular basis, and trust me, Daddy was the best deterrent going.
A smart woman probably would've gone away to an all-girl school or moved in with some girlfriends at the first opportunity. Me, I got married to my high school sweetie. And the tradition continues. Our only kid (who hasn't been a kid for quite some time now) is the aforementioned sweet baby boy, and except for an Irish setter we had for eleven years a long time ago, even our pets have all been male. I just try to stay afloat whenever I find myself in the deep end of the testosterone pool, and if you don't think that isn't a trial sometimes, I'm here to tell you- it can be hell.
Then again, it can also be heaven. In fact, it mostly is. But listen, don't tell my guys I 'fessed up to that, okay? Trust me, it's difficult enough already, just trying to stay one step ahead of the game.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews
October 18, 2010
After several not so entertaining books from Susan Andersen I really enjoyed this book. There was humor, heartache and some hot luvin in this book.
Macy O'James heads back to her small hometown of Sugarville to help her cousin Janna who is recovering from an accident. She was the bad girl (who of course, wasn't really as bad as the town painted her) who left town and who many people hated. She comes back to town with her armor on after making a success of herself in music videos in LA. However, that doesn't stop her from still feeling as if she is still that same young teenage girl. She uses costumes as armor against the small mindedness of this little town.
Gabriel is the new fire chief in this small town. He moved from Detroit to have a quieter life. He doesn't want to be with someone who seems as wild as Macy since she reminds him of his mother, who abandoned him when he was 14. However, he can't resist her charm. At the beginning he's a bit of an ass to her but he definitely gets better.
I loved seeing those who treated her like crap get their own in this book. I'm a real lover of those type of revenge stories. They deserved the come-uppance. It seemed a bit cheesy but still satisfying.
Oh, there is also another little side love story in this book and it was super sweet.
I was pleased to read this new release from Susan Andersen. I hope she continues with this streak for her next release.
Macy O'James heads back to her small hometown of Sugarville to help her cousin Janna who is recovering from an accident. She was the bad girl (who of course, wasn't really as bad as the town painted her) who left town and who many people hated. She comes back to town with her armor on after making a success of herself in music videos in LA. However, that doesn't stop her from still feeling as if she is still that same young teenage girl. She uses costumes as armor against the small mindedness of this little town.
Gabriel is the new fire chief in this small town. He moved from Detroit to have a quieter life. He doesn't want to be with someone who seems as wild as Macy since she reminds him of his mother, who abandoned him when he was 14. However, he can't resist her charm. At the beginning he's a bit of an ass to her but he definitely gets better.
I loved seeing those who treated her like crap get their own in this book. I'm a real lover of those type of revenge stories. They deserved the come-uppance. It seemed a bit cheesy but still satisfying.
Oh, there is also another little side love story in this book and it was super sweet.
I was pleased to read this new release from Susan Andersen. I hope she continues with this streak for her next release.
July 26, 2010
The books I have read by Susan Andersen in the past have always been like a cup of luke-warm tea. Good, but it could be better.
So I was surprised that I could not put down Burning Up. It had some great features: a girl with a bad reputation, a small town, a fireman, a close and supportive family, interesting living situations, sass, a little mystery, and a kid. I love all of those things in a romance, and wowzers with so many I was happy as a clam. But you probably know that those themes alone don't make a good story, the writer has to do a good job at pulling them all together and Susan Andersen certainly does.
For the first half of the book itreminded me a bit of Susan Elizabeth Phillip's 'It Had To Be You'. I quite like the plot of both of these books so I was not at all bothered by the similarities. I'd actually say, in many ways, this book is stronger than Phillip's 'It Had to Be You'. This is a more dynamic story with more characters to love.
There were so many things to love about this story I am having trouble sharing without spoiling.
I will say this. I have read Andersen's novels in the past and have never been so excited and pleased by her stories so I haven't read everything she's written. But after this book I am going to revist what she has published and read some more of her works! She has completely won me over as a supporter (and biggest fan of this particular novel - I am getting a t-shirt made, mark my words).
Bottom Line: The hot cover is foreshadowing. This book is a steamer. It's also really well crafted with strong, rich characters and a great setting. Trust me, you'll enjoy this story.
So I was surprised that I could not put down Burning Up. It had some great features: a girl with a bad reputation, a small town, a fireman, a close and supportive family, interesting living situations, sass, a little mystery, and a kid. I love all of those things in a romance, and wowzers with so many I was happy as a clam. But you probably know that those themes alone don't make a good story, the writer has to do a good job at pulling them all together and Susan Andersen certainly does.
For the first half of the book itreminded me a bit of Susan Elizabeth Phillip's 'It Had To Be You'. I quite like the plot of both of these books so I was not at all bothered by the similarities. I'd actually say, in many ways, this book is stronger than Phillip's 'It Had to Be You'. This is a more dynamic story with more characters to love.
There were so many things to love about this story I am having trouble sharing without spoiling.
I will say this. I have read Andersen's novels in the past and have never been so excited and pleased by her stories so I haven't read everything she's written. But after this book I am going to revist what she has published and read some more of her works! She has completely won me over as a supporter (and biggest fan of this particular novel - I am getting a t-shirt made, mark my words).
Bottom Line: The hot cover is foreshadowing. This book is a steamer. It's also really well crafted with strong, rich characters and a great setting. Trust me, you'll enjoy this story.
March 6, 2011
This book has one huge problem: There's a totally hot, adorable Irish rock star and he's thrown away on a short, secondary romance. We don't even get to look forward to him having his own book! It's a tragic waste, I tell ya.
Okay, with that out of my system, I enjoyed this. The plot and character aren't very original (there's quite a few Susan Elizabeth Phillips plot echoes) but Andersen puts her own spin on things, so I didn't mind. I'm grading this up a bit just because it worked so much better for me than Andersen usually does... not sure exactly why, but I think the pacing was smoother and tighter. And I really enjoyed the character of Macy O'James, who is outwardly tough, but hides her real pain behind a pose of sexy costumes and sharp one-liners.
Okay, with that out of my system, I enjoyed this. The plot and character aren't very original (there's quite a few Susan Elizabeth Phillips plot echoes) but Andersen puts her own spin on things, so I didn't mind. I'm grading this up a bit just because it worked so much better for me than Andersen usually does... not sure exactly why, but I think the pacing was smoother and tighter. And I really enjoyed the character of Macy O'James, who is outwardly tough, but hides her real pain behind a pose of sexy costumes and sharp one-liners.
August 4, 2011
2.5 stars max. The whole high school drama bullshit was over the top silly, the hero was an ass until close to the end, and the dialogue often read like they were snotty 12 year olds not full grown adults. Overall, the story was too much of a stretch in so many places. I did like the secondary romance, what little there was. I thought the sex scenes were well done, it is something this author excels at writing. I should have passed on reading this one, but I've enjoyed so many other books by this author.
August 29, 2010
Macy is a woman who's made her mark on Hollywood - yet when she returns to the small town she went to high school in to help her cousin she reverts to an over-the-top (hoochie mama) costume wearing wild girl. Except she is NOT a wild party girl, she seems to just keep that persona up in public - a logic I never could figure out or follow!
Enter Gabe - the fire chief and a man who likes things nice and quiet. He had a rocky childhood (raised by party girl mom who dumped him into state system when he became a teen) and Macy and her costumes brings back bad memories... but she also intrigues him. He fights the attraction thinking she's like his own mother, but soon enough he notices there is a real Macy, and a clown she acts like when she's out in the town...
OK! So amazingly enough I really liked this. I had some problems with the details of Gabe and his firefighting as being unrealistic. Also the whole "I dress up like a street walker with style because it's my armor against this stupid small town" thing went a bit too far. I also would have preferred fewer pages devoted to getting it on, more on the growing relationship and/or secondary characters. I was bored + skimmed those.
Oh but don't get me wrong it was a good read. The supporting cast of characters was great, I really enjoyed the story arc of the building romance and it had a really sweet "I love you" scene at the end too - loved that one. It had some humor, the characters really came into their own, and there was even a secondary romance that was super cute too.
Overall a strong contemporary offering - definitely better than I expected.
note: I read a pre-release "galley" copy provided by publisher
Enter Gabe - the fire chief and a man who likes things nice and quiet. He had a rocky childhood (raised by party girl mom who dumped him into state system when he became a teen) and Macy and her costumes brings back bad memories... but she also intrigues him. He fights the attraction thinking she's like his own mother, but soon enough he notices there is a real Macy, and a clown she acts like when she's out in the town...
OK! So amazingly enough I really liked this. I had some problems with the details of Gabe and his firefighting as being unrealistic. Also the whole "I dress up like a street walker with style because it's my armor against this stupid small town" thing went a bit too far. I also would have preferred fewer pages devoted to getting it on, more on the growing relationship and/or secondary characters. I was bored + skimmed those.
Oh but don't get me wrong it was a good read. The supporting cast of characters was great, I really enjoyed the story arc of the building romance and it had a really sweet "I love you" scene at the end too - loved that one. It had some humor, the characters really came into their own, and there was even a secondary romance that was super cute too.
Overall a strong contemporary offering - definitely better than I expected.
note: I read a pre-release "galley" copy provided by publisher
May 5, 2017
Firemen are so sexy! But then...so are gorgeous Irish rock stars! How could you do this to me, Susan Andersen? Put two completely sexy guys in one book? Hell, make it three! Our resident cop wasn't half bad either!
I loved this book. I've loved Susan Andersen's writing ever since I read Bending the Rules. Everything she writes is just so funny that it pulls me in from the get-go.
I loved Gabe and Macy--they were so smokingly electric, cute, funny, and sexy together! I thought that the character development in this novel was great because you could actually see the changes being made in Gabe's and Macy's personalities and mentalities, and those changes made them into better people. I love when that happens in a book...*sigh*
The side story with Grace and Jack was so cute and I'm glad that it was in there. I loved that tattooed and pierced Irishman and the accent I imagined him having...Holy hell, so damn sexy!
The Janna Surprise was something I actually wasn't expecting. I mean, hell, I suspected that the arsonist was one of the firemen way before Gabe ever did, but I didn't see the Janna Surprise coming at all!
Super duper book and I look forward to reading more of Andersen's books in the future.
4.5 stars
I loved this book. I've loved Susan Andersen's writing ever since I read Bending the Rules. Everything she writes is just so funny that it pulls me in from the get-go.
I loved Gabe and Macy--they were so smokingly electric, cute, funny, and sexy together! I thought that the character development in this novel was great because you could actually see the changes being made in Gabe's and Macy's personalities and mentalities, and those changes made them into better people. I love when that happens in a book...*sigh*
The side story with Grace and Jack was so cute and I'm glad that it was in there. I loved that tattooed and pierced Irishman and the accent I imagined him having...Holy hell, so damn sexy!
The Janna Surprise was something I actually wasn't expecting. I mean, hell, I suspected that the arsonist was one of the firemen way before Gabe ever did, but I didn't see the Janna Surprise coming at all!
Super duper book and I look forward to reading more of Andersen's books in the future.
4.5 stars
May 15, 2013
This is a feel good book.
I liked Macy a lot. She was no-nonsense girl who didn't cry, who worked hard, who had few, but very good, friends. The only thing is that she's on the defensive from her whole home town. And what she does? Since they consider her a w*hore and a no-good, she gives them exactly that! With outrageous outfits, her colourful wigs, her sassy mouth. But with her family she's the opposite: loving, sweet talking, helping, self-sacrifying, girl-next-door nice!
Obviously, Gabe doesn't get what's happening. Why a no-good, I-gave-it-to-every-boy, sinfully sexy dressed girl is giving him the sensations he's starting to feel? Slowly, he gets it! And also slowly, gradually falls for her!
It was really nice to read. There was funny moments, sad moments, angry moments. There was scortching heat. There was love. There was romance. And there was deeply satisfying conclusion!
P.S. There was a really nice side-romance with Grace, Gabe's ex girl-friend, and Jack, Macy's best friend! I would like to read their story! :D
I liked Macy a lot. She was no-nonsense girl who didn't cry, who worked hard, who had few, but very good, friends. The only thing is that she's on the defensive from her whole home town. And what she does? Since they consider her a w*hore and a no-good, she gives them exactly that! With outrageous outfits, her colourful wigs, her sassy mouth. But with her family she's the opposite: loving, sweet talking, helping, self-sacrifying, girl-next-door nice!
Obviously, Gabe doesn't get what's happening. Why a no-good, I-gave-it-to-every-boy, sinfully sexy dressed girl is giving him the sensations he's starting to feel? Slowly, he gets it! And also slowly, gradually falls for her!
It was really nice to read. There was funny moments, sad moments, angry moments. There was scortching heat. There was love. There was romance. And there was deeply satisfying conclusion!
P.S. There was a really nice side-romance with Grace, Gabe's ex girl-friend, and Jack, Macy's best friend! I would like to read their story! :D
July 16, 2024
BOUQUET-REEKS
Aangezien de vakantie is begonnen (en eerlijkheid mij gebied toe te geven dat ik stapels bouquetreeksen heb liggen) zal ik vanaf nu dit specifieke genre markeren, puur zodat de rating niet overhoop gaat.
Zelfs in deze specifieke categorie is het nog steeds een bijzonder matig boek. Een beetje sexisme hoort erbij, maar de ondermaatsheid van deze man was ongekend, wat vervolgens goed gepraat werd door hem een brandweerman te maken. Werkte helaas niet goed genoeg.
Aangezien de vakantie is begonnen (en eerlijkheid mij gebied toe te geven dat ik stapels bouquetreeksen heb liggen) zal ik vanaf nu dit specifieke genre markeren, puur zodat de rating niet overhoop gaat.
Zelfs in deze specifieke categorie is het nog steeds een bijzonder matig boek. Een beetje sexisme hoort erbij, maar de ondermaatsheid van deze man was ongekend, wat vervolgens goed gepraat werd door hem een brandweerman te maken. Werkte helaas niet goed genoeg.
October 7, 2010
Who doesn't love their man a little dirty, in a white tee and with just a little hint of his rock hard abs on display?
She's the girl everyone loves to hate and the good folks in the small town of Sugarville sure know how to hold a grudge because it's been 10 years since Macy O'James fled (read practically run out of town) with the ink barely dry on her high school dipolma.
Watch out Surgarville cuz Macy O'James is back in town and her new motto when she blows back into town is: "If you can't beat em, join em".
Macy's actually made a name for herself in LA getting her big break starring in a few racy music videos and now working behind the scenes on videos creatively, but she's headed home to tend to some family business. Her cousin Janna (who's more like a sister to her) recently suffered an injury in a car accident so it's Nursemaid Macy to the rescue until Janna can get back on her feet, literally.
Gabe Donovan is Sugarville's new recently transplanted fire chief and he takes one look at Macy, in her little blue tap pants, come f-me shoes, her blonde Shirley Temple wig complete with a little sailor hat perched upon her head and immediately believes all the hype he's ever heard about the infamous Ms. O'James.
In Gabe's defence he has his own reasons for mistrusting women considering his troubled past with his own loving Momma, but that doesn't stop his hormones from raging like a wild fire out of control whenever Macy's within spitting distance.
There's a cute secondary romance with Macy's rockstar BFF, big, bad tattooed Jack Savage (think a younger, sexier version of Mick Jagger) and Gabe's ex, Grace the prim and proper school marm.
And for those looking who like a little suspense with their contempory romance, there's a pesky little fire-bug in town deliberately setting the house on fire.
Finally there was an unexpected twist revealed at the end of Burning Up during the ten year High School reunion that I did not see coming. I always enjoy it when an author can pull a fast one over on me. Good on ya Ms. Andersen.
Lastly I just wanted to mention this line that made me LOL!
This one comes from Gabe making a list and checking it twice before leaving the house for a date with Macy.
Testicles, spectacles, wallet and watch. (umm don't leave home without em).
Women take note. Make sure to pass this important check list along to your significant other because this one's a keeper!
She's the girl everyone loves to hate and the good folks in the small town of Sugarville sure know how to hold a grudge because it's been 10 years since Macy O'James fled (read practically run out of town) with the ink barely dry on her high school dipolma.
Watch out Surgarville cuz Macy O'James is back in town and her new motto when she blows back into town is: "If you can't beat em, join em".
Macy's actually made a name for herself in LA getting her big break starring in a few racy music videos and now working behind the scenes on videos creatively, but she's headed home to tend to some family business. Her cousin Janna (who's more like a sister to her) recently suffered an injury in a car accident so it's Nursemaid Macy to the rescue until Janna can get back on her feet, literally.
Gabe Donovan is Sugarville's new recently transplanted fire chief and he takes one look at Macy, in her little blue tap pants, come f-me shoes, her blonde Shirley Temple wig complete with a little sailor hat perched upon her head and immediately believes all the hype he's ever heard about the infamous Ms. O'James.
In Gabe's defence he has his own reasons for mistrusting women considering his troubled past with his own loving Momma, but that doesn't stop his hormones from raging like a wild fire out of control whenever Macy's within spitting distance.
There's a cute secondary romance with Macy's rockstar BFF, big, bad tattooed Jack Savage (think a younger, sexier version of Mick Jagger) and Gabe's ex, Grace the prim and proper school marm.
And for those looking who like a little suspense with their contempory romance, there's a pesky little fire-bug in town deliberately setting the house on fire.
Finally there was an unexpected twist revealed at the end of Burning Up during the ten year High School reunion that I did not see coming. I always enjoy it when an author can pull a fast one over on me. Good on ya Ms. Andersen.
Lastly I just wanted to mention this line that made me LOL!
This one comes from Gabe making a list and checking it twice before leaving the house for a date with Macy.
Testicles, spectacles, wallet and watch. (umm don't leave home without em).
Women take note. Make sure to pass this important check list along to your significant other because this one's a keeper!
November 18, 2010
3.5* It would have been 4* because the book is light and fun, and I enjoyed the characters. But the story is just too common: Misunderstood small-town girl blows back into town years later determined to flaunt her big-city success and not let the pain of earlier rejection show. She, of course, pairs off with the straight-laced good guy in town, who does his best to resist his attraction. Rachel Gibson, Susan Donovan, Toni Blake, etc. have all done this story several times.
But hey, overall it's a fun ride and has some worthy characters. Enjoy!
But hey, overall it's a fun ride and has some worthy characters. Enjoy!
April 17, 2011
~* 4.5 Stars *~
Fast, Fun, and Five Alarm
Macy O'James has made a name for herself starring in music videos in L.A. Now she's returning to the small town of Sugarville, a place where the name she made was far less flattering back when she was in high school. Tormented by the "in" crowd, her reputation was shattered when her high school crush turned out to be a lying bag of bollocks and told everyone she was easy after she put a halt to his advances. As if being labeled the school slut wasn't bad enough, an accident that ended the football dreams of three top players on their team took her from school slut to town pariah. Macy's gotten very good at protecting herself from slings and arrows, but when her cousin is struck in a hit-and-run and Macy races home to help take care of her, she isn't certain that her ability to keep the nasty at arms length will be able to stand up to an extended trip to the only home she's ever really known, even ten years after she had originally left.
Relatively new in town, Sugarville fire chief Gabriel Donovan had heard the rumors about Macy O'James. The mix of L.A. celebrity and small town least-liked didn't leave him with much of an impression - until she blew into town and set every one of his personal fires to burning at incendiary levels. The beauty was definitely weird, with her costumes and insouciance, and flagrantly flirty with everything male on top of that, and for some reason, the combination riled him like nothing else. Suddenly he was mouthing off at her over the least provocation - and that woman does provocation like nobody's business - and his vaunted control was left in tatters. It didn't take long, though, for him to see that there was more to Macy than public opinion, and behind those costumes and that carefree front lay the heart of a woman who loved fiercely and took a bone-deep joy in life.
And that was when those fires Macy O'James set to burning inside him went supernova.
Susan Andersen's light contemporary romance thoroughly entertained me on a lot of levels. I loved the characters and their back-and-forth banter was some of the best I've read lately. The chemistry between Macy and Gabe was positively stunning and it exploded off the pages. I'll admit, I have a preference for the adversaries-to-lovers theme in romance, so I was predisposed to much of my enjoyment and satisfaction with the book, but beyond that, Andersen created two perfectly suited characters and slammed them against one another in delightfully heated ways.
And it was more than their dialogue I enjoyed. I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of character they each had. Macy in particular struck me as a solid, fully realized, and sympathetic character. Her outrageous actions and devil-may-care attitude were fun to witness, and while in the story they hid her softer vulnerability and the evidence of years of hurt from her world, that side of her character was nicely revealed to readers. There was also an inherent honesty to her nature and a willingness to admit fault that was appealing. She truly did shine when town pressures didn't slow her down, and when they did, her reactions were believable and realistic and, I thought, very well written.
The plot zipped along quickly with a fast-flowing and smooth narrative, and beyond Macy's town issues and the romance with Gabe, Andersen included an ancillary plot thread about a town arsonist that added necessary dimension to Gabe's character and balanced out the overall plot of the book nicely. Macy's issues with her old rivals were well done. It worked for me, though some could complain that after ten years, some of the people's reactions to Macy were implausible, but because of the small town setting I found it very believable. The longest memories and the most closely held grudges can always be found in small towns.
As for the romance and sexual aspects of the book? Well...let's just say I'm still fanning myself and leave it at that.
This was a fast, light read that had a bit more genuine meat to it than I was expecting. There were a couple of scenes that I thought were a bit implausible, like the public attack at the reunion that ended in a bit of a Kumbaya moment, and the tertiary romance between Grace and Jack that was woven into the storyline was more of a distraction than an enjoyment because of the very ancillary nature of Grace as a character, but I was completely entertained by this sizzling, fun book. A special kudos for the plot twist at the end. I didn't see that one coming at all - and I usually do.
I don't know that I've read anything by Susan Andersen before this, and if I have, it's been several years. I think Burning Up may just have corrected that grievous oversight for me. I love it when that happens.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
Fast, Fun, and Five Alarm
Macy O'James has made a name for herself starring in music videos in L.A. Now she's returning to the small town of Sugarville, a place where the name she made was far less flattering back when she was in high school. Tormented by the "in" crowd, her reputation was shattered when her high school crush turned out to be a lying bag of bollocks and told everyone she was easy after she put a halt to his advances. As if being labeled the school slut wasn't bad enough, an accident that ended the football dreams of three top players on their team took her from school slut to town pariah. Macy's gotten very good at protecting herself from slings and arrows, but when her cousin is struck in a hit-and-run and Macy races home to help take care of her, she isn't certain that her ability to keep the nasty at arms length will be able to stand up to an extended trip to the only home she's ever really known, even ten years after she had originally left.
Relatively new in town, Sugarville fire chief Gabriel Donovan had heard the rumors about Macy O'James. The mix of L.A. celebrity and small town least-liked didn't leave him with much of an impression - until she blew into town and set every one of his personal fires to burning at incendiary levels. The beauty was definitely weird, with her costumes and insouciance, and flagrantly flirty with everything male on top of that, and for some reason, the combination riled him like nothing else. Suddenly he was mouthing off at her over the least provocation - and that woman does provocation like nobody's business - and his vaunted control was left in tatters. It didn't take long, though, for him to see that there was more to Macy than public opinion, and behind those costumes and that carefree front lay the heart of a woman who loved fiercely and took a bone-deep joy in life.
And that was when those fires Macy O'James set to burning inside him went supernova.
Susan Andersen's light contemporary romance thoroughly entertained me on a lot of levels. I loved the characters and their back-and-forth banter was some of the best I've read lately. The chemistry between Macy and Gabe was positively stunning and it exploded off the pages. I'll admit, I have a preference for the adversaries-to-lovers theme in romance, so I was predisposed to much of my enjoyment and satisfaction with the book, but beyond that, Andersen created two perfectly suited characters and slammed them against one another in delightfully heated ways.
And it was more than their dialogue I enjoyed. I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of character they each had. Macy in particular struck me as a solid, fully realized, and sympathetic character. Her outrageous actions and devil-may-care attitude were fun to witness, and while in the story they hid her softer vulnerability and the evidence of years of hurt from her world, that side of her character was nicely revealed to readers. There was also an inherent honesty to her nature and a willingness to admit fault that was appealing. She truly did shine when town pressures didn't slow her down, and when they did, her reactions were believable and realistic and, I thought, very well written.
The plot zipped along quickly with a fast-flowing and smooth narrative, and beyond Macy's town issues and the romance with Gabe, Andersen included an ancillary plot thread about a town arsonist that added necessary dimension to Gabe's character and balanced out the overall plot of the book nicely. Macy's issues with her old rivals were well done. It worked for me, though some could complain that after ten years, some of the people's reactions to Macy were implausible, but because of the small town setting I found it very believable. The longest memories and the most closely held grudges can always be found in small towns.
As for the romance and sexual aspects of the book? Well...let's just say I'm still fanning myself and leave it at that.
This was a fast, light read that had a bit more genuine meat to it than I was expecting. There were a couple of scenes that I thought were a bit implausible, like the public attack at the reunion that ended in a bit of a Kumbaya moment, and the tertiary romance between Grace and Jack that was woven into the storyline was more of a distraction than an enjoyment because of the very ancillary nature of Grace as a character, but I was completely entertained by this sizzling, fun book. A special kudos for the plot twist at the end. I didn't see that one coming at all - and I usually do.
I don't know that I've read anything by Susan Andersen before this, and if I have, it's been several years. I think Burning Up may just have corrected that grievous oversight for me. I love it when that happens.
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Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
August 7, 2015
I start this review by saying that Susan Anderson has hardly ever disappointed me. I went into reading this book a little upset because I really wanted the third book in her Sisterhood Diaries Series to have been her next venture after Bending the Rules. Yet, as soon as I got myself situated in my bed all snug and comfy and opened to the first page I changed my mind considerably and now am very grateful that she chose to read this book because it was a story worth telling.
You are introduced to Gabriel Donavan first alongside Johnny Angelini a character that I found rather intriguing, which is a running theme with most all supporting characters in this story. Gabriel is a fire chief tired of the big city and everything that comes with it. He moved to Sugarville looking to lay down his wild boy past and busy adulthood schedule for slow paced normalcy. Yet the minute he laid eyes on Macy O'James with her Sexy pin me up sailor outfit that made every warm blood man want to stand and solute he knew that normalcy took a hike along with his blood pressure, but he was bound and determined that she wasn't right for him and in fact she embodied everything that he was working to move beyond. He just didn't know how wrong he was and how different from his first impression she really was, underneath all that doll me up baby attitude she was a warm, caring, loving, and extremely loyal woman and Macy O'James wanted Gabriel the moment she laid eyes on him and had never knew a man could stir something so strong in her let alone when all he did was once her over like every other man who came near her did. But she was in Sugarville for a reason and that was to take care of Jenna her cousin/sister she never had but chose (Who by the way was another supporting character that I found most intriguing) and her nephew Tyler. Macy was a woman on the fast track in the music video industry, after appearing in some for her best friend Jack Savage (another supporting character along with Grace who in my opinion should have gotten their own book!!!!!) and now is designing them. She loves that she has moved on and created something of herself but never got passed the torment for the people of that town because a rumor that was started by a very icky horrible person.
Think the biggest thing I really loved about this book was that it was the Heroine who had to grown up and see herself in a different light before she was able to see him completely and what they had together. It was a refreshing story with mounds of humor, and tons of sexy banter and curl your toes steam.
My one and only qualm with this story was the random fire mystery, because I think it would have been great had it had a bigger purpose, I mean I know it gave Gabe and Macy some time to feel things and need things that may have not come about just so greatly if not for it but I felt that maybe it was just too simplistic and kind of brushed under the rug without too much trouble.
As you can probably see I have fallen in love with the character in this book and the story itself never fell short it was always upbeat never slow and hot and sweet and wonderful. In the true nature of this book I have to say that I BUZZ LIGHTYEAR LOVE THIS BOOK....
You are introduced to Gabriel Donavan first alongside Johnny Angelini a character that I found rather intriguing, which is a running theme with most all supporting characters in this story. Gabriel is a fire chief tired of the big city and everything that comes with it. He moved to Sugarville looking to lay down his wild boy past and busy adulthood schedule for slow paced normalcy. Yet the minute he laid eyes on Macy O'James with her Sexy pin me up sailor outfit that made every warm blood man want to stand and solute he knew that normalcy took a hike along with his blood pressure, but he was bound and determined that she wasn't right for him and in fact she embodied everything that he was working to move beyond. He just didn't know how wrong he was and how different from his first impression she really was, underneath all that doll me up baby attitude she was a warm, caring, loving, and extremely loyal woman and Macy O'James wanted Gabriel the moment she laid eyes on him and had never knew a man could stir something so strong in her let alone when all he did was once her over like every other man who came near her did. But she was in Sugarville for a reason and that was to take care of Jenna her cousin/sister she never had but chose (Who by the way was another supporting character that I found most intriguing) and her nephew Tyler. Macy was a woman on the fast track in the music video industry, after appearing in some for her best friend Jack Savage (another supporting character along with Grace who in my opinion should have gotten their own book!!!!!) and now is designing them. She loves that she has moved on and created something of herself but never got passed the torment for the people of that town because a rumor that was started by a very icky horrible person.
Think the biggest thing I really loved about this book was that it was the Heroine who had to grown up and see herself in a different light before she was able to see him completely and what they had together. It was a refreshing story with mounds of humor, and tons of sexy banter and curl your toes steam.
My one and only qualm with this story was the random fire mystery, because I think it would have been great had it had a bigger purpose, I mean I know it gave Gabe and Macy some time to feel things and need things that may have not come about just so greatly if not for it but I felt that maybe it was just too simplistic and kind of brushed under the rug without too much trouble.
As you can probably see I have fallen in love with the character in this book and the story itself never fell short it was always upbeat never slow and hot and sweet and wonderful. In the true nature of this book I have to say that I BUZZ LIGHTYEAR LOVE THIS BOOK....
September 27, 2010
First off - I really, really liked the character of Macy. Sometimes it's the hero who is more the standout of the two and sometimes it's the heroine and in Burning Up, I found it to be the heroine. The book can be a tougher sell if the heroine is the stand out and I have issues with her, but in the case of Burning Up it was all good since Macy was great.
Macy O'James had come back to the small town of Sugarville to help out her cousin who had suffered a broken leg (gee - what a coincidence) in a hit and run. Although she didn't hesitate for a moment when Janna, her cousin needed her, it wasn't that easy for Macy to come back home. Years ago in high school, one of the popular boys spread all kinds of nasty rumours about her and that combined with one particular incident had made Macy a most unpopular girl. And while it's been many years since then and she has had quite a successful career, first off as a star of music videos and later behind the camera of them, nothing brings out her insecurities like coming back to such unhappy memories - mixed with some good ones too.
Gabriel Donovan, fairly new to town, is the local fire chief of the volunteer fire department that makes up the Sugarville fire department. He has heard the rumours about Macy and kind of sort of believed them for the most part. He isn't too impressed with the series of 'outfits's' Macy wears as a shield for her insecurities and he is rather tough on her at times. It would be rather easy to dislike him, but as a guy who had a rough go of it himself, I went a bit easy on him. And he does straighten up and sees Macy for who she really is and not who rumour says she is fairly quickly.
There was also a cute secondary romance between the shy, quiet local former girlfriend schoolteacher of Gabriel's and the tatooted rocker dude musician friend of Macy's.
This wasn't my favourite of Susan Andersen's book, but it does keep her streak going of books of hers that I've quite enjoyed. It helped while away some hours and helped pass away time here in the hospital and that was quite fine with me.
Macy O'James had come back to the small town of Sugarville to help out her cousin who had suffered a broken leg (gee - what a coincidence) in a hit and run. Although she didn't hesitate for a moment when Janna, her cousin needed her, it wasn't that easy for Macy to come back home. Years ago in high school, one of the popular boys spread all kinds of nasty rumours about her and that combined with one particular incident had made Macy a most unpopular girl. And while it's been many years since then and she has had quite a successful career, first off as a star of music videos and later behind the camera of them, nothing brings out her insecurities like coming back to such unhappy memories - mixed with some good ones too.
Gabriel Donovan, fairly new to town, is the local fire chief of the volunteer fire department that makes up the Sugarville fire department. He has heard the rumours about Macy and kind of sort of believed them for the most part. He isn't too impressed with the series of 'outfits's' Macy wears as a shield for her insecurities and he is rather tough on her at times. It would be rather easy to dislike him, but as a guy who had a rough go of it himself, I went a bit easy on him. And he does straighten up and sees Macy for who she really is and not who rumour says she is fairly quickly.
There was also a cute secondary romance between the shy, quiet local former girlfriend schoolteacher of Gabriel's and the tatooted rocker dude musician friend of Macy's.
This wasn't my favourite of Susan Andersen's book, but it does keep her streak going of books of hers that I've quite enjoyed. It helped while away some hours and helped pass away time here in the hospital and that was quite fine with me.
August 4, 2020
3.5*
I wanted to smack them both so hard and so bad.
They had chemistry but classical malfunctioning in the communication department. Macy was immature and deliberately provoking and Gabe was a judgemental AH. Both have their reasons but doesn’t mean I had to like it.
I quite liked Jack and Grace connecting and wanted to watch that love story unfold.
This gave me ain’t she sweet vibes from SEP but that was done better IMO.
I wanted to smack them both so hard and so bad.
They had chemistry but classical malfunctioning in the communication department. Macy was immature and deliberately provoking and Gabe was a judgemental AH. Both have their reasons but doesn’t mean I had to like it.
I quite liked Jack and Grace connecting and wanted to watch that love story unfold.
This gave me ain’t she sweet vibes from SEP but that was done better IMO.
September 22, 2010
This is a "Person with a past comes back to old home town" story. This time, it's the heroine. Like the girl in the "Easy A" movie, the heroine doesn't exactly deserve the rep she's got, a reputation she's never been able to shake. But she's come back now to help out her family--her cousin (who's more like a sister, since her aunt & uncle mostly raised her) has been in a car wreck and needs a chauffeur for her son, and some help for herself. Heroine brings her "bad girl" costumes, but she's here to help. (She's not home because of tough times-she's actually doing well in the outside world.) Hero's suspicious, because he buys into all the stuff he's heard. But he's a boarder at the aunt's boarding house, so he sees her when she's not putting on an act, and it's almost enough to give him whiplash. Also, there's a LOT of chemistry between them.
I've always liked the way Andersen handles her chemistry. The dialogue, both internal and external, is a lot of fun. The characters have spunk. They're believable. The hero is a Fire Chief/Marshal, and is worried about fires set in trash cans and dumpsters, which seem to be escalating to larger fires--but it's not a huge, scary, thriller-ish suspense plot, though the fires are dangerous and getting more so. The plot is mostly about the heroine getting past her past. And that chemistry. I really enjoyed this book. Lots of fun to read.
I've always liked the way Andersen handles her chemistry. The dialogue, both internal and external, is a lot of fun. The characters have spunk. They're believable. The hero is a Fire Chief/Marshal, and is worried about fires set in trash cans and dumpsters, which seem to be escalating to larger fires--but it's not a huge, scary, thriller-ish suspense plot, though the fires are dangerous and getting more so. The plot is mostly about the heroine getting past her past. And that chemistry. I really enjoyed this book. Lots of fun to read.
November 11, 2010
For a lot of this book I had a hard time connecting to Macy or Gabe. I thought Gabe was a jerk for most of the book and he thought he was everybody's daddy. Macy was coming off to immature with all these crazy outfits. She also tended to fly off the handle to quickly. Now admittedly it was all cleaned up in the end, but I had to make myself continue to even get to that point. One too many high school cliches almost did me in.
Now don't get me wrong. I am a huge SA fan and she is a go to author for me. Just this book didn't work for me as well as hers has in the past. I did like Gracie and Jack's story more. I thought they were the cuter couple. Kinda wished that they were the main couple and Macy and Gabe secondary. But in the end, the ending managed to bring it up a star and I am a sucker for good epilogues and this one did have a sweet one.
Now don't get me wrong. I am a huge SA fan and she is a go to author for me. Just this book didn't work for me as well as hers has in the past. I did like Gracie and Jack's story more. I thought they were the cuter couple. Kinda wished that they were the main couple and Macy and Gabe secondary. But in the end, the ending managed to bring it up a star and I am a sucker for good epilogues and this one did have a sweet one.
November 1, 2010
Short Review:
I actually read Burning up a couple of weeks ago but have not had the chance to write my review.
This was my very first book by Susan Andersen and it definitely will not be my last.
I quickly fell in love with Gabriel and Macy. Macy reminds me a lot of myself. She doesn't care what people think about her and when she wants something she gets it. She loves to speak her mind and is not afraid to tell it like it is. Gabriel was such a sweet guy and hard working. He doesn't like to play any games and as much as he tried to deny his feelings for Macy, he knew that was a battle he was not going to win.
I laughed, got angry, smiled and wished I was Macy so many different times LOL. Great read and I cannot wait to pick up some past books by Susan Andersen.
Five Stars!
I actually read Burning up a couple of weeks ago but have not had the chance to write my review.
This was my very first book by Susan Andersen and it definitely will not be my last.
I quickly fell in love with Gabriel and Macy. Macy reminds me a lot of myself. She doesn't care what people think about her and when she wants something she gets it. She loves to speak her mind and is not afraid to tell it like it is. Gabriel was such a sweet guy and hard working. He doesn't like to play any games and as much as he tried to deny his feelings for Macy, he knew that was a battle he was not going to win.
I laughed, got angry, smiled and wished I was Macy so many different times LOL. Great read and I cannot wait to pick up some past books by Susan Andersen.
Five Stars!
August 28, 2011
Oh, they've done her wrong. Town bad girl Macy O'James has returned to Sugarville and these people are so not sweet. Still paying for past transgressions, Macy comes to town to take care of some family business and give the people what they want: a Hollywood vamp.
Town fire chief, Gabe Donovan, is impressed and scared to death by this woman with 1000 costumes. As much as he hates his attraction, he can't seem to help it. Soon he decides to give in to the pleasure of the real Macy. But being the former outcast of Sugarville is taking more of a toll on Macy that she's willing to admit and its getting on Gabe's nerves. (Did I mention that Gabe is six and half feet tall and a fireman? Yeah? Oh.)
Great and realistic dialogue makes this a wonderful read. Add in zany family and friends and these people could be your neighbors.
A great read and definitely one to pass to a friend
Town fire chief, Gabe Donovan, is impressed and scared to death by this woman with 1000 costumes. As much as he hates his attraction, he can't seem to help it. Soon he decides to give in to the pleasure of the real Macy. But being the former outcast of Sugarville is taking more of a toll on Macy that she's willing to admit and its getting on Gabe's nerves. (Did I mention that Gabe is six and half feet tall and a fireman? Yeah? Oh.)
Great and realistic dialogue makes this a wonderful read. Add in zany family and friends and these people could be your neighbors.
A great read and definitely one to pass to a friend
dnf-did-not-finish
June 13, 2013I tried, I really tried but I couldn’t it make it to page 100. I”m surprised I made it that far. I’m beginning to notice certain elements that I’m not crazy about in romance novels. Stories about firefighters may now be added to the list, but it probably wasn’t that element that pushed me over the edge.
I think it’s important that characters find each other attractive, because that makes the romance believable. But blatant descriptions with words like “ass” and “Booty” are boring. I’d rather see tension build than repeated paragraphs of “oh he’s so hot” “Oh I want some of that”. Boring.
Here’s the sentence that pushed me over the edge “the sight of that round, subtly gyrating booty had evaporated every scrap of good sense he possessed. It was one fine view.”
And with that, hasta la visa. Off to the archive.
I think it’s important that characters find each other attractive, because that makes the romance believable. But blatant descriptions with words like “ass” and “Booty” are boring. I’d rather see tension build than repeated paragraphs of “oh he’s so hot” “Oh I want some of that”. Boring.
Here’s the sentence that pushed me over the edge “the sight of that round, subtly gyrating booty had evaporated every scrap of good sense he possessed. It was one fine view.”
And with that, hasta la visa. Off to the archive.
November 2, 2010
I liked both characters - I enjoyed it - epecially after reading several mediocre books lately.
She's So Good at Being Bad
Though it’s been years since the infamous Macy O’James stepped foot in Sugarville, Washington, everyone remembers what she supposedly did. The tiny town is still buzzing about her crime and lack of punishment.
Now back to lend her family a hand, Macy vows to hold her head high—especially at her high school reunion. But forget about the hottest man in Sugarville escorting her. Though she and fire chief Gabriel Donovan generate enough sparks to burn down the town, he’s a law-abiding, line-towing straight arrow. So not her type.
But, maybe—just maybe—he could change her mind about that.
She's So Good at Being Bad
Though it’s been years since the infamous Macy O’James stepped foot in Sugarville, Washington, everyone remembers what she supposedly did. The tiny town is still buzzing about her crime and lack of punishment.
Now back to lend her family a hand, Macy vows to hold her head high—especially at her high school reunion. But forget about the hottest man in Sugarville escorting her. Though she and fire chief Gabriel Donovan generate enough sparks to burn down the town, he’s a law-abiding, line-towing straight arrow. So not her type.
But, maybe—just maybe—he could change her mind about that.
September 25, 2010
Macy O'James is back in Sugarville, Washington for her high school reunion and to help her cousin. Nice easy read. Though it had a "mystery/suspense" element I would not classify it as such.
Read
January 26, 2021
Engaging and exciting contemporary romance
4 stars
I love Susan Andersen and have been eagerly awaiting this book. This book doesn't fit into any series (unless it's the start of a new one - edit: it's not) so it can be read completely on its own without worrying that you've missed something.
I wasn't sure that I'd like wild child Macy but I ended up really identifying with her, rooting for her and also wishing that I was as strong as she was. Gabe was the best type of hero - strong and sexy and the chemistry between the pair was scorching. I felt that this book was more sexy than Susan Andersen's other books.
I loved the small town setting although I wanted a bit more closure with certain aspects of the story. I'm assuming that this is the beginning of a new series so storylines might get picked up and completed in later books.
My biggest gripe about this book was regarding the secondary romance. Firstly, it was focussed on and then dropped as soon as it was done. Secondly, the male was an Irish rocker and my God, the accent and Irishisms were completely OTT. I'm not suggesting that the words he used aren't used by Irish folk but it seemed both stereotypical and made me cringe on more than one occasion.
Overall, Susan Andersen always writes an engaging, exciting story that you can't bear to put down. Despite its faults, this is a great book and one I would highly recommend if you're looking for a sexy contemporary romance.
August 20, 2010
They say you can't go home again, but in Burning Up, the town's bad girl is back.
The minute she graduated high school Macy O'James set off to make a name for herself. Tired of being called tramp, loose, and drunk driver by the people of her hometown, Macy leaving eventually gains her fame as a video vixen. But after an accident injures a family member she goes home to play nursemaid. Deciding that fighting people's beliefs will never change their minds, she instead embraces her wild child side and flirts outrageously and wears flashy clothes.
Gabe Donovan's first encounter with Macy is one he'll never forget. As the town's fire chief he's dealt with many raging infernos, but Macy is almost more than he can handle. The sparks immediately fly between the two of them and fun verbal sparring soon leads to a stolen kiss. Throwing water on their fire is Grace, Gabe's schoolteacher girlfriend. He's honorable in his dealings with Grace, who he's never experienced as much heat with as he does with Macy. But knowing he can't fight the fire Macy ignited in him, he breaks up with Grace and starts an affair with Macy. Soon, a serial arsonist starts setting fires all over town, including one that almost kills Macy. It's up to Gabe to find the culprit and bring them to justice even if it's a fellow firefighter. Can he do it before anyone else gets hurt?
Macy's also dealing with hurt. She desperately wants to put down roots, but still gets the cold shoulder from many townspeople. Her volunteering at the firefighters charity booth to attending prom are some of the steps to others accepting her and her accepting herself. Will it be enough for her to stay in town and be with Gabe forever? Or will she keep running?
This was an entertaining book with very likable characters. Their verbal sparring was fun and the perfect foreplay to their sexy encounters. Gabe spoke his mind freely, his words seeming a little too brutal at times, but he made Macy see the truth about herself. He stuck up for her and appreciated her for her true self. Macy was flamboyant but was very caring and loyal to her family. She gave to others as good as she got and showed a strong backbone, no cowering heroine here.
Two other enjoyable characters were Gabe's ex Grace and Macy's rock star friend, Jack Savage. Grace at first appears to be the stereotypical prim and proper schoolteacher, but underneath is a woman wanting to go wild. And tattooed bad boy rocker Jack Savage is just the man to set her free. For two characters that look to be complete opposites, they were perfect for each other. Their story was so enjoyable in fact that I wish they'd gotten their own book.
All-in-all this was an enjoyable book with an entertaining storyline and just the right amount of heat. It had the usual witty conversations and comebacks that Andersen writes so well and you'll definitely be glad you read it.
The minute she graduated high school Macy O'James set off to make a name for herself. Tired of being called tramp, loose, and drunk driver by the people of her hometown, Macy leaving eventually gains her fame as a video vixen. But after an accident injures a family member she goes home to play nursemaid. Deciding that fighting people's beliefs will never change their minds, she instead embraces her wild child side and flirts outrageously and wears flashy clothes.
Gabe Donovan's first encounter with Macy is one he'll never forget. As the town's fire chief he's dealt with many raging infernos, but Macy is almost more than he can handle. The sparks immediately fly between the two of them and fun verbal sparring soon leads to a stolen kiss. Throwing water on their fire is Grace, Gabe's schoolteacher girlfriend. He's honorable in his dealings with Grace, who he's never experienced as much heat with as he does with Macy. But knowing he can't fight the fire Macy ignited in him, he breaks up with Grace and starts an affair with Macy. Soon, a serial arsonist starts setting fires all over town, including one that almost kills Macy. It's up to Gabe to find the culprit and bring them to justice even if it's a fellow firefighter. Can he do it before anyone else gets hurt?
Macy's also dealing with hurt. She desperately wants to put down roots, but still gets the cold shoulder from many townspeople. Her volunteering at the firefighters charity booth to attending prom are some of the steps to others accepting her and her accepting herself. Will it be enough for her to stay in town and be with Gabe forever? Or will she keep running?
This was an entertaining book with very likable characters. Their verbal sparring was fun and the perfect foreplay to their sexy encounters. Gabe spoke his mind freely, his words seeming a little too brutal at times, but he made Macy see the truth about herself. He stuck up for her and appreciated her for her true self. Macy was flamboyant but was very caring and loyal to her family. She gave to others as good as she got and showed a strong backbone, no cowering heroine here.
Two other enjoyable characters were Gabe's ex Grace and Macy's rock star friend, Jack Savage. Grace at first appears to be the stereotypical prim and proper schoolteacher, but underneath is a woman wanting to go wild. And tattooed bad boy rocker Jack Savage is just the man to set her free. For two characters that look to be complete opposites, they were perfect for each other. Their story was so enjoyable in fact that I wish they'd gotten their own book.
All-in-all this was an enjoyable book with an entertaining storyline and just the right amount of heat. It had the usual witty conversations and comebacks that Andersen writes so well and you'll definitely be glad you read it.
October 14, 2010
I love Susan Andersen's books and this was a good read. Macy was such a loving character who had a rough start as a child and really wanted to settle down but instead was dragged around by her mom who couldn't settle in one place. She took up with her aunt and uncle in her junior and senior year in highschool who she loved like they were her parents. Living in a small town and being a new girl in school surrounded by cliques was hard, especially when given a reputation by a guy she refused to put out for. The small town immediately turned it's back on her, but Macy fought back with her quick wit. She took off right after graduation and made a name for herself doing music videos, only to return 10 years later when her cousin and aunt and uncle needed help coming back to a town that hated her. Gabe was also raised by a mother who couldn't settle down and put him in the foster system at the age of 14. Using his fists and sexual prowress he was an out of control youth angry at the mom who gave him up. He turned his life around at the age of 17 and wanted nothing more than a nice steady relationship that lacked drama. In walks Macy and blows his mind, being the opposite of everything he wants and needs, but he can't deny the sexual attraction he feels for her. Macy is also affected by her attraction to Gabe but wants to steer clear of attatchment to anyone. Their spark lights up the page and I loved watching them find their way to eachother and having them realize that everything they need is in eachother. This was a cute quick read, but there were a few parts that I was somewhat turned off by. Macy's highschool renunion was her chance to hold her head high and shine, which she did exactly that. Though the scene in the bathroom giving makeup tips by old classmates who envied her life and the scene where Gabe stepped up to Macy's defense in front of the whole school having everyone raise their hand if they ever made a mistake, seemed a little corny to me. It didn't take away from the story, just made me pause and think "wow, that was a little corny" Also, I wish the fire towards the end of the story where Gabe caught the arsonist would of been written into the story. It was such a huge part of the book, the fires and Gabe trying to figure out who was starting them, that we didn't get to see him catch the arsonist. We heard about it as he was telling Macy at the dance. Other than that, I loved this book, Susan Andersen writes such intriguing loveable characters that you become invested in
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 9, 2010
In Susan Andersen’s Burning Up we meet Macy O’James. Macy is a bad girl – at least that’s the reputation she’s had since her days in high school in Sugarland, Washington. She’s come back to the town that she eagerly fled to help take care of her family. Her cousin Janna was in a car accident that left her ailing and making it difficult to take care of her young son. But Macy isn’t going home hat in hand. She’s made a name for herself in Los Angeles for staring in some racy music videos for her friend Jack’s band.
Gabe Donovan is the town’s Fire Chief and is staying at Macy’s Aunt’s boarding house as he builds his house. He’s heard the rumors about Macy and doesn’t particularly like all the costumes she has taken to wearing all over town. But after time he sees that the costumes are just a suit of arms for Macy. And he finds that he cannot deny the attraction he feels for Macy.
They say you can’t go home but for Macy going home gives her an opportunity to settle the issues from the past, find love and start over. Yes, the bullies from high school are still trying to make her life miserable but people aren’t as afraid to standing up to them to defend Macy. And the truth is finding a way to be revealed all these years later.
Ultimately, I found this book to be missing something. I frequently set it aside to read something new. Macy seemed a bit much. The arson subplot bored me. It felt like it was tacked on the story. Susan Andersen’s snappy dialogue was there but it just wasn’t enough this time. I found myself more interested in the characters of Jack and Grace, the local school teacher who also happens to be Gabe’s ex.
I’ve read other books by Andersen and found them much more compelling. There seemed more push and pull to the characters fighting their attraction. I would recommend reading either Cutting Loose and Bending the Rules over this book.
3/5 stars
Gabe Donovan is the town’s Fire Chief and is staying at Macy’s Aunt’s boarding house as he builds his house. He’s heard the rumors about Macy and doesn’t particularly like all the costumes she has taken to wearing all over town. But after time he sees that the costumes are just a suit of arms for Macy. And he finds that he cannot deny the attraction he feels for Macy.
They say you can’t go home but for Macy going home gives her an opportunity to settle the issues from the past, find love and start over. Yes, the bullies from high school are still trying to make her life miserable but people aren’t as afraid to standing up to them to defend Macy. And the truth is finding a way to be revealed all these years later.
Ultimately, I found this book to be missing something. I frequently set it aside to read something new. Macy seemed a bit much. The arson subplot bored me. It felt like it was tacked on the story. Susan Andersen’s snappy dialogue was there but it just wasn’t enough this time. I found myself more interested in the characters of Jack and Grace, the local school teacher who also happens to be Gabe’s ex.
I’ve read other books by Andersen and found them much more compelling. There seemed more push and pull to the characters fighting their attraction. I would recommend reading either Cutting Loose and Bending the Rules over this book.
3/5 stars
September 28, 2010
Ahh, it's a cliche but what red blooded woman doesn't feel a twinge of heat when they imagine a fire fighter putting out their flame? Or is that just me? ;)
For me, romance novels have to have strong characters and Macy O'James is immediately engaging. Almost a pariah in her hometown, she nevertheless returns to help her cousin who is recovering from an injury. Macy is not willing to be cowed by the small minded people she went to school with and plays up to their expectations with her exaggerated appearance and behaviour. Her bravado hides her hurt at her undeserved poor reputation and I empathise with her motive to give them a cause for it. Macy is smart and fun and yet it's her insecurities that make her an appealing heroine.
Andersen has given Gabriel a background, not that dissimilar to Macy's own, that makes him a sympathetic character even when he veers to that exaggerated alpha behaviour. Seemingly opposites, Macy and Gabriel can't deny their immediate sexual chemistry and Andersen develops their relationship nicely. And he is a firefighter :)
There is a secondary romance that stretched credulity a little but nevertheless is sweet. An arsonist is also on the loose in the town but for me, Andersen failed to weave that subplot satisfactorily in the story.
Burning Up is a contemporary romance that provided an easy, pleasant read.
For me, romance novels have to have strong characters and Macy O'James is immediately engaging. Almost a pariah in her hometown, she nevertheless returns to help her cousin who is recovering from an injury. Macy is not willing to be cowed by the small minded people she went to school with and plays up to their expectations with her exaggerated appearance and behaviour. Her bravado hides her hurt at her undeserved poor reputation and I empathise with her motive to give them a cause for it. Macy is smart and fun and yet it's her insecurities that make her an appealing heroine.
Andersen has given Gabriel a background, not that dissimilar to Macy's own, that makes him a sympathetic character even when he veers to that exaggerated alpha behaviour. Seemingly opposites, Macy and Gabriel can't deny their immediate sexual chemistry and Andersen develops their relationship nicely. And he is a firefighter :)
There is a secondary romance that stretched credulity a little but nevertheless is sweet. An arsonist is also on the loose in the town but for me, Andersen failed to weave that subplot satisfactorily in the story.
Burning Up is a contemporary romance that provided an easy, pleasant read.
December 3, 2010
I actually believe when you first meet someone is when you know right away if there's chemistry or not. Normally, I love the way a couple making lots of sparks from the first meeting but rubbing each other the wrong way and arguing alot. But the hero in this book just rubbed me the wrong way. For 230 pages of the book, the hero is condemning the heroine based on rumors about her. He actually had witness situations where the heroine acts contrary to the rumors, but does he give her the benefit of the doubt?! Then there's the encounters where he starts with the heroine and abruptly walks away in the middle and makes her feels like crap. I just don't think he did enough groveling for the rest of the book to make up for the 230 pages of being a big time jerk. The herione I really like. Despite the how uncomfortable the rumors make her, she came back in town to help her cousin. She's caring and devoted to her family. I like all the other side characters such as the heroine's best friend and her cousin. If ever there's a book where I want to reach in and slap the hero silly, then this is it!
September 29, 2010
I liked this little book I picked up at Wally World. I hadn't read anything of her's before, so I didn't know if I would like it. But I was pleasantly surprised, and I'll look for more of her work.
Macy left town years ago after having been the town pariah. Now she is back to take care of her cousin that is recovering from an accident. But though time has past, the town hasn't forgotten. But when Macy meets the new Fire Chief she is drawn to him.
Gabe Donovan came to Sugarville to escape the big city and all that goes with it. He is ready for calm. But when Macy comes to twon there isn't anything calm about her. She is sexy, and over the top with her "costumes". But for some strange reason he is drawn to her.
While Macy and Gabe try to find their way to each other, Gabe must find out who is setting fires around town. And Macy needs to put the past behind her and find peace within her self.
I give this one 3 out of 5 stars.
Macy left town years ago after having been the town pariah. Now she is back to take care of her cousin that is recovering from an accident. But though time has past, the town hasn't forgotten. But when Macy meets the new Fire Chief she is drawn to him.
Gabe Donovan came to Sugarville to escape the big city and all that goes with it. He is ready for calm. But when Macy comes to twon there isn't anything calm about her. She is sexy, and over the top with her "costumes". But for some strange reason he is drawn to her.
While Macy and Gabe try to find their way to each other, Gabe must find out who is setting fires around town. And Macy needs to put the past behind her and find peace within her self.
I give this one 3 out of 5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2010
I had several books to choose from on my Nook, while sitting at the airport, and decided to give this one a shot. To be honest, I was a little put off by the first chapter because I thought, "Oh, I've read something like this before." But, I decided to stick it out. I was very pleasantly surprised! I usually find that when I am on a plane, I will read for a while then do something else, but this book really pulled me in! I liked the dynamics between Gabe & Macy. It was such a fun cat & mouse game. I found myself laughing out loud several times. The only reason I didn't give this four stars was I wish Ms. Andersen would have developed the sub-plot with Jack/Gracie a bit more. Their romance was fun and unexpected. This was the first book I've read by Susan Andersen, but it will not be my last! I highly recommend this book for a fun, fast read. : )
September 27, 2014
I'm not sure this deserved two stars. I wanted to like it, but I didn't. There were moments sprinkled here and there that interested me enough to finish the story, but overall I was unimpressed. The two main characters were annoying. The female lead was over the top ridiculous and the guy was rude 95% of the time. The plot itself wasn't that great - rebel girl gone wild leaves town and comes back with the intention of staying under the radar yet her actions are the complete opposite. Hey, guess what? NOBODY CARES! That's right, nobody gives a crap about the weirdo girl from 10 years ago who thinks everyone has it out for her. For someone who doesn't care what others think, she's very full of herself. The male lead wasn't much better. I'm all for unlikely pairs, but these two should have stayed far, far away from each other.
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