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djl456's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
skylarmarkayanna's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Dean is a firefighter who doesn't believe in strapping himself to someone in his dangerous line of work. Mala, Dean's best friend's sister, has a tragic past with a theater fire, and knows the dangers.
This story is very much a right place, wrong time situation! Right around the time Dean is ready to live life without regrets, Mala has an opportunity she wants to see through, and after one night in one bed during a snowstorm, irrevocable paths were forged. So much angst that I wanted to throw my phone to tell them to use the mouths they had to say what they felt! Ugh! Such a wild journey with feelings left unsaid... and also, still filthy when the spice hits!
This story is very much a right place, wrong time situation! Right around the time Dean is ready to live life without regrets, Mala has an opportunity she wants to see through, and after one night in one bed during a snowstorm, irrevocable paths were forged. So much angst that I wanted to throw my phone to tell them to use the mouths they had to say what they felt! Ugh! Such a wild journey with feelings left unsaid... and also, still filthy when the spice hits!
rellimreads's review against another edition
5.0
This is book 3 in Swati M.H.’s Elements of Rapture series. While you don't have to read Adrift & Ascend to enjoy this, they're definitely best enjoyed in order.
I loved the first two books, but this is my absolute favorite. Ablaze is broken into three sections: The Past, The Recent, and The Present - it's a long, long road for these two.
The Past. Swati M.H. crafts one of the most beautiful and thorough friendship aspects for a friends-to-lovers story that I've ever read. Add in another of my favorite tropes: Best Friend's Sister/Brother's Best Friend and I was immediately in love with Dean and Mala. They are funny, sexy, and quite a bit angsty as the tease of "will they or won't they become more" is always lingering. Inside jokes abound and watching Mala's bakery dreams come true is lovely. The secondary characters are a lot of fun and I especially enjoyed Rohan and Malcolm.
The Recent. Dean has always held Mala at arm's length with his assumption that being a firefighter and the threat that he may not always be around is not something he wants to put her through. Not sure he can deny his feelings any longer he thinks he's willing to take the leap... Whatever the opposite of the "third act breakup" is - this is it.
The Present. This is romance, I know they're going to get together and have an HEA. However, I love that I got to experience that joy for more than just a few pages. This glorious culmination of TEN YEARS gave Dean and Mala the beautiful and detailed ending they deserved.
Then, the sprinkles (hah!) on this three-layer-cake was the absolutely precious epilogue. Perfect.
It looks like Swati M.H. will be diving into Hudson's story next. Though I'd love to read one about Malcolm as well. Can't wait.
I received an advance copy of the ebook and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Merged review:
This is book 3 in Swati M.H.’s Elements of Rapture series. While you don't have to read Adrift & Ascend to enjoy this, they're definitely best enjoyed in order.
I loved the first two books, but this is my absolute favorite. Ablaze is broken into three sections: The Past, The Recent, and The Present - it's a long, long road for these two.
The Past. Swati M.H. crafts one of the most beautiful and thorough friendship aspects for a friends-to-lovers story that I've ever read. Add in another of my favorite tropes: Best Friend's Sister/Brother's Best Friend and I was immediately in love with Dean and Mala. They are funny, sexy, and quite a bit angsty as the tease of "will they or won't they become more" is always lingering. Inside jokes abound and watching Mala's bakery dreams come true is lovely. The secondary characters are a lot of fun and I especially enjoyed Rohan and Malcolm.
The Recent. Dean has always held Mala at arm's length with his assumption that being a firefighter and the threat that he may not always be around is not something he wants to put her through. Not sure he can deny his feelings any longer he thinks he's willing to take the leap... Whatever the opposite of the "third act breakup" is - this is it.
The Present. This is romance, I know they're going to get together and have an HEA. However, I love that I got to experience that joy for more than just a few pages. This glorious culmination of TEN YEARS gave Dean and Mala the beautiful and detailed ending they deserved.
Then, the sprinkles (hah!) on this three-layer-cake was the absolutely precious epilogue. Perfect.
It looks like Swati M.H. will be diving into Hudson's story next. Though I'd love to read one about Malcolm as well. Can't wait.
I received an advance copy of the ebook and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I loved the first two books, but this is my absolute favorite. Ablaze is broken into three sections: The Past, The Recent, and The Present - it's a long, long road for these two.
The Past. Swati M.H. crafts one of the most beautiful and thorough friendship aspects for a friends-to-lovers story that I've ever read. Add in another of my favorite tropes: Best Friend's Sister/Brother's Best Friend and I was immediately in love with Dean and Mala. They are funny, sexy, and quite a bit angsty as the tease of "will they or won't they become more" is always lingering. Inside jokes abound and watching Mala's bakery dreams come true is lovely. The secondary characters are a lot of fun and I especially enjoyed Rohan and Malcolm.
The Recent. Dean has always held Mala at arm's length with his assumption that being a firefighter and the threat that he may not always be around is not something he wants to put her through. Not sure he can deny his feelings any longer he thinks he's willing to take the leap... Whatever the opposite of the "third act breakup" is - this is it.
The Present. This is romance, I know they're going to get together and have an HEA. However, I love that I got to experience that joy for more than just a few pages. This glorious culmination of TEN YEARS gave Dean and Mala the beautiful and detailed ending they deserved.
Then, the sprinkles (hah!) on this three-layer-cake was the absolutely precious epilogue. Perfect.
It looks like Swati M.H. will be diving into Hudson's story next. Though I'd love to read one about Malcolm as well. Can't wait.
I received an advance copy of the ebook and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Merged review:
This is book 3 in Swati M.H.’s Elements of Rapture series. While you don't have to read Adrift & Ascend to enjoy this, they're definitely best enjoyed in order.
I loved the first two books, but this is my absolute favorite. Ablaze is broken into three sections: The Past, The Recent, and The Present - it's a long, long road for these two.
The Past. Swati M.H. crafts one of the most beautiful and thorough friendship aspects for a friends-to-lovers story that I've ever read. Add in another of my favorite tropes: Best Friend's Sister/Brother's Best Friend and I was immediately in love with Dean and Mala. They are funny, sexy, and quite a bit angsty as the tease of "will they or won't they become more" is always lingering. Inside jokes abound and watching Mala's bakery dreams come true is lovely. The secondary characters are a lot of fun and I especially enjoyed Rohan and Malcolm.
The Recent. Dean has always held Mala at arm's length with his assumption that being a firefighter and the threat that he may not always be around is not something he wants to put her through. Not sure he can deny his feelings any longer he thinks he's willing to take the leap... Whatever the opposite of the "third act breakup" is - this is it.
The Present. This is romance, I know they're going to get together and have an HEA. However, I love that I got to experience that joy for more than just a few pages. This glorious culmination of TEN YEARS gave Dean and Mala the beautiful and detailed ending they deserved.
Then, the sprinkles (hah!) on this three-layer-cake was the absolutely precious epilogue. Perfect.
It looks like Swati M.H. will be diving into Hudson's story next. Though I'd love to read one about Malcolm as well. Can't wait.
I received an advance copy of the ebook and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
catslife_1970's review against another edition
5.0
Ablaze is the first book I have read by Swati M.H. and I have to say, I loved it.
This is a slow burn, brother's best friend, friends to lovers novel that has all the feels. Swati takes us through 9 years of loss, tragedy, and lives of Dean and Mala, until they finally come together and the smolder turns into a spark.
I will definitely be reading the first books in tge series to get the complete joy of Swati's writngs.
Merged review:
Ablaze is the first book I have read by Swati M.H. and I have to say, I loved it.
This is a slow burn, brother's best friend, friends to lovers novel that has all the feels. Swati takes us through 9 years of loss, tragedy, and lives of Dean and Mala, until they finally come together and the smolder turns into a spark.
I will definitely be reading the first books in tge series to get the complete joy of Swati's writngs.
This is a slow burn, brother's best friend, friends to lovers novel that has all the feels. Swati takes us through 9 years of loss, tragedy, and lives of Dean and Mala, until they finally come together and the smolder turns into a spark.
I will definitely be reading the first books in tge series to get the complete joy of Swati's writngs.
Merged review:
Ablaze is the first book I have read by Swati M.H. and I have to say, I loved it.
This is a slow burn, brother's best friend, friends to lovers novel that has all the feels. Swati takes us through 9 years of loss, tragedy, and lives of Dean and Mala, until they finally come together and the smolder turns into a spark.
I will definitely be reading the first books in tge series to get the complete joy of Swati's writngs.
britneysromancelibrary's review against another edition
4.0
I never felt or connected with a dedication so much than the one with this book! IYKYK!
Nor have I ever gotten this frustrated with characters in a book. It is common to get upset with characters when they are being annoying or not doing what they need to be doing with the love interest, especially with friends/best friends to lovers like this book is. But man oh man did I get ever loving mad at Dean and Mala both equally!!
Now with THAT being said, I did really enjoy this book outside of the frustrating parts lol. Dean and Mala are so freaking cute together with their banter with one another and their cute little nickname. I just wish they did t put each other through so much and just speak their feelings A LOT sooner.
Also don’t even get me started on Warren! I don’t think I ever hated a character so much than him, haha. Thankfully we don’t have to deal with him a whole lot.
Overall this was a really well written best friends to lovers romance! They get their HEA…eventually
Merged review:
I never felt or connected with a dedication so much than the one with this book! IYKYK!
Nor have I ever gotten this frustrated with characters in a book. It is common to get upset with characters when they are being annoying or not doing what they need to be doing with the love interest, especially with friends/best friends to lovers like this book is. But man oh man did I get ever loving mad at Dean and Mala both equally!!
Now with THAT being said, I did really enjoy this book outside of the frustrating parts lol. Dean and Mala are so freaking cute together with their banter with one another and their cute little nickname. I just wish they did t put each other through so much and just speak their feelings A LOT sooner.
Also don’t even get me started on Warren! I don’t think I ever hated a character so much than him, haha. Thankfully we don’t have to deal with him a whole lot.
Overall this was a really well written best friends to lovers romance! They get their HEA…eventually
Nor have I ever gotten this frustrated with characters in a book. It is common to get upset with characters when they are being annoying or not doing what they need to be doing with the love interest, especially with friends/best friends to lovers like this book is. But man oh man did I get ever loving mad at Dean and Mala both equally!!
Now with THAT being said, I did really enjoy this book outside of the frustrating parts lol. Dean and Mala are so freaking cute together with their banter with one another and their cute little nickname. I just wish they did t put each other through so much and just speak their feelings A LOT sooner.
Also don’t even get me started on Warren! I don’t think I ever hated a character so much than him, haha. Thankfully we don’t have to deal with him a whole lot.
Overall this was a really well written best friends to lovers romance! They get their HEA…eventually
Merged review:
I never felt or connected with a dedication so much than the one with this book! IYKYK!
Nor have I ever gotten this frustrated with characters in a book. It is common to get upset with characters when they are being annoying or not doing what they need to be doing with the love interest, especially with friends/best friends to lovers like this book is. But man oh man did I get ever loving mad at Dean and Mala both equally!!
Now with THAT being said, I did really enjoy this book outside of the frustrating parts lol. Dean and Mala are so freaking cute together with their banter with one another and their cute little nickname. I just wish they did t put each other through so much and just speak their feelings A LOT sooner.
Also don’t even get me started on Warren! I don’t think I ever hated a character so much than him, haha. Thankfully we don’t have to deal with him a whole lot.
Overall this was a really well written best friends to lovers romance! They get their HEA…eventually
catslife_1970's review against another edition
5.0
Ablaze is the first book I have read by Swati M.H. and I have to say, I loved it.
This is a slow burn, brother's best friend, friends to lovers novel that has all the feels. Swati takes us through 9 years of loss, tragedy, and lives of Dean and Mala, until they finally come together and the smolder turns into a spark.
I will definitely be reading the first books in tge series to get the complete joy of Swati's writngs.
Merged review:
Ablaze is the first book I have read by Swati M.H. and I have to say, I loved it.
This is a slow burn, brother's best friend, friends to lovers novel that has all the feels. Swati takes us through 9 years of loss, tragedy, and lives of Dean and Mala, until they finally come together and the smolder turns into a spark.
I will definitely be reading the first books in tge series to get the complete joy of Swati's writngs.
This is a slow burn, brother's best friend, friends to lovers novel that has all the feels. Swati takes us through 9 years of loss, tragedy, and lives of Dean and Mala, until they finally come together and the smolder turns into a spark.
I will definitely be reading the first books in tge series to get the complete joy of Swati's writngs.
Merged review:
Ablaze is the first book I have read by Swati M.H. and I have to say, I loved it.
This is a slow burn, brother's best friend, friends to lovers novel that has all the feels. Swati takes us through 9 years of loss, tragedy, and lives of Dean and Mala, until they finally come together and the smolder turns into a spark.
I will definitely be reading the first books in tge series to get the complete joy of Swati's writngs.
orenta's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
beastreader's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book so much. Dean and Mala really are endgame. I love how their story was drawn out into three different sections of this book. There was their first meet and greet and how they became friends. Don't worry Dean, we have all accidentally eaten a dog treat in our lives and lived to tell the tale.
It was charming to see how Dean and Mala's relationship evolved. Dean is lucky that he is easy on the eyes as he was a bit clueless when it came to how Mala felt about him. Even his own grandma knew it way back in their early stage of their friendship.
The third section of the story is where all of the emotions really grew strong. Ooh, my heart and talk about the sizzling intimate moments shared between Mala and Dean. Looking for your next steamy, must not put down read, then you need to pick up Ablaze by Swati M.H!
It was charming to see how Dean and Mala's relationship evolved. Dean is lucky that he is easy on the eyes as he was a bit clueless when it came to how Mala felt about him. Even his own grandma knew it way back in their early stage of their friendship.
The third section of the story is where all of the emotions really grew strong. Ooh, my heart and talk about the sizzling intimate moments shared between Mala and Dean. Looking for your next steamy, must not put down read, then you need to pick up Ablaze by Swati M.H!
borninthewrongbook's review against another edition
5.0
Omg this book was amazing. Dean is the cutest and most possessive mmc and I just love him and Mala so much. I must say it was quite a slow burn because they just kept trying to tell themselves that „a relationship isn’t possible“ which was a bit annoying but tbh it added to the drama.
The butterflies that Dean gave me omg. I will give you a few examples.
“Dean shakes his head. “No. It’s proof you survived. That you endured and thrived. That you’re a fucking warrior. And what looks disfigured to you, is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” His voice drops and the moment ignites. “You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
-
“He gives me his stupid crooked smile that I both want to slap off and kis– It drops off his face when he grabs my hand and sees the mix of emotion in my eyes. “You missed me.”
“Yes, you big dummy! I missed you. Didn’t you miss me?”
Letting go of my hand, he encircles my neck with his large palm. His thumb caresses the bottom of my jaw. “You have no idea.”
-
“Don’t you fucking get it?” His palms cup my face and his warm breath fights with the cold against my lips, my cheeks. “It’s always been you. From the moment you blazed into my life, it’s been you. You were the reason I woke up, so I could see your face. You were the reason I slept, so I could dream about you. You were the reason I smiled, because you smiled back. And you were the reason I lived, because you made it impossible not to. You were the reason, sprinkles. You’ve always been my reason.”
LOVE LOVE LOVE nothing else I can say
Merged review:
Omg this book was amazing. Dean is the cutest and most possessive mmc and I just love him and Mala so much. I must say it was quite a slow burn because they just kept trying to tell themselves that „a relationship isn’t possible“ which was a bit annoying but tbh it added to the drama.
The butterflies that Dean gave me omg. I will give you a few examples.
“Dean shakes his head. “No. It’s proof you survived. That you endured and thrived. That you’re a fucking warrior. And what looks disfigured to you, is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” His voice drops and the moment ignites. “You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
-
“He gives me his stupid crooked smile that I both want to slap off and kis– It drops off his face when he grabs my hand and sees the mix of emotion in my eyes. “You missed me.”
“Yes, you big dummy! I missed you. Didn’t you miss me?”
Letting go of my hand, he encircles my neck with his large palm. His thumb caresses the bottom of my jaw. “You have no idea.”
-
“Don’t you fucking get it?” His palms cup my face and his warm breath fights with the cold against my lips, my cheeks. “It’s always been you. From the moment you blazed into my life, it’s been you. You were the reason I woke up, so I could see your face. You were the reason I slept, so I could dream about you. You were the reason I smiled, because you smiled back. And you were the reason I lived, because you made it impossible not to. You were the reason, sprinkles. You’ve always been my reason.”
LOVE LOVE LOVE nothing else I can say
The butterflies that Dean gave me omg. I will give you a few examples.
“Dean shakes his head. “No. It’s proof you survived. That you endured and thrived. That you’re a fucking warrior. And what looks disfigured to you, is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” His voice drops and the moment ignites. “You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
-
“He gives me his stupid crooked smile that I both want to slap off and kis– It drops off his face when he grabs my hand and sees the mix of emotion in my eyes. “You missed me.”
“Yes, you big dummy! I missed you. Didn’t you miss me?”
Letting go of my hand, he encircles my neck with his large palm. His thumb caresses the bottom of my jaw. “You have no idea.”
-
“Don’t you fucking get it?” His palms cup my face and his warm breath fights with the cold against my lips, my cheeks. “It’s always been you. From the moment you blazed into my life, it’s been you. You were the reason I woke up, so I could see your face. You were the reason I slept, so I could dream about you. You were the reason I smiled, because you smiled back. And you were the reason I lived, because you made it impossible not to. You were the reason, sprinkles. You’ve always been my reason.”
LOVE LOVE LOVE nothing else I can say
Merged review:
Omg this book was amazing. Dean is the cutest and most possessive mmc and I just love him and Mala so much. I must say it was quite a slow burn because they just kept trying to tell themselves that „a relationship isn’t possible“ which was a bit annoying but tbh it added to the drama.
The butterflies that Dean gave me omg. I will give you a few examples.
“Dean shakes his head. “No. It’s proof you survived. That you endured and thrived. That you’re a fucking warrior. And what looks disfigured to you, is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” His voice drops and the moment ignites. “You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
-
“He gives me his stupid crooked smile that I both want to slap off and kis– It drops off his face when he grabs my hand and sees the mix of emotion in my eyes. “You missed me.”
“Yes, you big dummy! I missed you. Didn’t you miss me?”
Letting go of my hand, he encircles my neck with his large palm. His thumb caresses the bottom of my jaw. “You have no idea.”
-
“Don’t you fucking get it?” His palms cup my face and his warm breath fights with the cold against my lips, my cheeks. “It’s always been you. From the moment you blazed into my life, it’s been you. You were the reason I woke up, so I could see your face. You were the reason I slept, so I could dream about you. You were the reason I smiled, because you smiled back. And you were the reason I lived, because you made it impossible not to. You were the reason, sprinkles. You’ve always been my reason.”
LOVE LOVE LOVE nothing else I can say