seriouslybookish's review
4.0
One again Penelope Douglas did not disappoint. This book was everything I hoped for. I must admit I was a little bit weary about reading this book because I was afraid it wouldn't live up to Bully and Until You but I'm glad I gave it a read.
kassreads's review
3.0
I skipped the second and third book. This was fine. It had second chance romance and angst.
strawberry1smoothie's review
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
libbyava_'s review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
thebookdance's review
5.0
What a beautiful ending, I'm feeling a bit sad that it's over.
I loved this conclusion to the series, it was absolutely great. I loved the fire in Tate at the beginning, the way the acted at the race, the way she didn't back down. I loved that even Jared loving Tate so much he was strong enough to leave and find himself, find something he loved to do so that he could be truly whole and happy with his girl.
I also loved the way Maddoc was that wonderful funny friend, even though he was as much as a best friend to Tate and Jared, he chose Tate because she needed him more and I loved that.
There was a bit of heartache between them and a lot of hurting one another but they wouldn't be Jared and Tate if that didn't happen.
I just loved how in the end they didn't give up on each other.
Then there were all those events at the end, the way Jared proposed to her on the loop, how Juliet found out she was pregnant, how later Tate did the same and the way Jared fell to his knees to great his daughter, it was so heartwarming.
And that epilogue, with all the kids! I would love it if the author wrote something about them and what a joy it was to read at the end that she considered it! I really hope it becomes something because Dylan looks like someone that's going to be a handful, so is Quinn and the twins.
I'm really sad that the series is over but it was really great to get to know these characters and hopefully we'll get to hear more about their kids.
I loved this conclusion to the series, it was absolutely great. I loved the fire in Tate at the beginning, the way the acted at the race, the way she didn't back down. I loved that even Jared loving Tate so much he was strong enough to leave and find himself, find something he loved to do so that he could be truly whole and happy with his girl.
I also loved the way Maddoc was that wonderful funny friend, even though he was as much as a best friend to Tate and Jared, he chose Tate because she needed him more and I loved that.
There was a bit of heartache between them and a lot of hurting one another but they wouldn't be Jared and Tate if that didn't happen.
I just loved how in the end they didn't give up on each other.
Then there were all those events at the end, the way Jared proposed to her on the loop, how Juliet found out she was pregnant, how later Tate did the same and the way Jared fell to his knees to great his daughter, it was so heartwarming.
And that epilogue, with all the kids! I would love it if the author wrote something about them and what a joy it was to read at the end that she considered it! I really hope it becomes something because Dylan looks like someone that's going to be a handful, so is Quinn and the twins.
I'm really sad that the series is over but it was really great to get to know these characters and hopefully we'll get to hear more about their kids.
literaryapologist's review
4.0
"I missed my Tate. The Wildcat who fought back and smiled because she was happy, not because she was planning something to make me squirm. This new cool and calculated woman was a little scary, and I couldn't keep up."
Novellas about the first couple in the series is just one of the many reason I LOVE Penelope Douglas' writing. Not only did Jared & Tate serve childhood best friends to enemies to lovers, and an epic bully romance, but with Aflame, they also get to serve a second chance romance.
I fell in love with both of Jared and Tate separately, and I fell in love with their story. However, I'm a sucker for all kinds of breakup angst, and Aflame gave me exactly what I wanted. I loved seeing how both Jared found himself, which was something that he was so evidently struggling with throughout the previous books in the series. While Tate, so clearly thrived on her own, but ultimately bloomed alongside Jared. The racing dynamic of the book is easily one of my favorite things about it, but I was very happy with how it was all tied up. I cannot wait to see how PD manages to show their love for each other throughout their children's books.
If you love bully romances and street racing then I highly recommend the Fall Away series.
Novellas about the first couple in the series is just one of the many reason I LOVE Penelope Douglas' writing. Not only did Jared & Tate serve childhood best friends to enemies to lovers, and an epic bully romance, but with Aflame, they also get to serve a second chance romance.
I fell in love with both of Jared and Tate separately, and I fell in love with their story. However, I'm a sucker for all kinds of breakup angst, and Aflame gave me exactly what I wanted. I loved seeing how both Jared found himself, which was something that he was so evidently struggling with throughout the previous books in the series. While Tate, so clearly thrived on her own, but ultimately bloomed alongside Jared. The racing dynamic of the book is easily one of my favorite things about it, but I was very happy with how it was all tied up. I cannot wait to see how PD manages to show their love for each other throughout their children's books.
If you love bully romances and street racing then I highly recommend the Fall Away series.
rceis's review
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
kayla_llbr's review
5.0
"I'm twenty, and all I know about myself is that I love Tatum Brandt. Two years ago I thought that was enough."
There really isn't such a thing as happily ever after. It's more we-love-each-other-so-we-must-work-at-this-every-day-ever after. Falling in love is the easy part, it's that when that thing called life gets in the way that makes it hard. I think that is why I was equal parts excited and scared to read Aflame, especially after that teaser at the end of Falling Away. It isn't so much that I enjoy seeing Tate and Jared apart but I am a bit of a masochist and I enjoy love stories that are a little bruised and rough around the edges. Sure, Tate and Jared could have drove off into the sunset but did we really think that this couple, with their love/hate history, it would be that easy? Right. Me either.
"Do it. Tell him to stop, I told myself. This is fucked-up, and he can't have you. But my skin was on fire. And it felt like home."
Even after reading Until You, Rival, and Falling Away, Tate and Jared's story didn't feel finished. Something was missing from them as characters to make a HEA seem possible. I never doubted the love that Jared and Tate felt for one another but that wasn't the problem. It was as if they needed to learn that they are with each other because they want to be not because they need to be. As a fan of Tate and Jared I needed to see them grow up as individuals before I saw them grow together. It made all the emotion and passion between these two that much more special. Aflame did them justice and was a real pleasure to experience. I laughed, I cried, I cringed, and I fell in love with these characters just a little bit more.
"I love the wind out there on the track, Tate. On the highways." He shook his head, looking almost sad. "It's the only time you and I are together."
But it wasn't only Tate and Jared and their ever-heavy love that made this worth reading. No, it was Madoc and Fallon and Jax and Juliet. This series has become one of my all-time-favorites because of the love, friendship, and family between these 6 unique characters. It's a bittersweet feeling to say goodbye to this series. As much as I wish I could continue reading on about their lives Aflame leaves everyone off in a good place and it's satisfying as a reader to not feel that anything is missing to the story. I know this will be a series that I will continue to re-read and enjoy, especially as I wait for the next P.Douglas book!
5 stars!
There really isn't such a thing as happily ever after. It's more we-love-each-other-so-we-must-work-at-this-every-day-ever after. Falling in love is the easy part, it's that when that thing called life gets in the way that makes it hard. I think that is why I was equal parts excited and scared to read Aflame, especially after that teaser at the end of Falling Away. It isn't so much that I enjoy seeing Tate and Jared apart but I am a bit of a masochist and I enjoy love stories that are a little bruised and rough around the edges. Sure, Tate and Jared could have drove off into the sunset but did we really think that this couple, with their love/hate history, it would be that easy? Right. Me either.
"Do it. Tell him to stop, I told myself. This is fucked-up, and he can't have you. But my skin was on fire. And it felt like home."
Even after reading Until You, Rival, and Falling Away, Tate and Jared's story didn't feel finished. Something was missing from them as characters to make a HEA seem possible. I never doubted the love that Jared and Tate felt for one another but that wasn't the problem. It was as if they needed to learn that they are with each other because they want to be not because they need to be. As a fan of Tate and Jared I needed to see them grow up as individuals before I saw them grow together. It made all the emotion and passion between these two that much more special. Aflame did them justice and was a real pleasure to experience. I laughed, I cried, I cringed, and I fell in love with these characters just a little bit more.
"I love the wind out there on the track, Tate. On the highways." He shook his head, looking almost sad. "It's the only time you and I are together."
But it wasn't only Tate and Jared and their ever-heavy love that made this worth reading. No, it was Madoc and Fallon and Jax and Juliet. This series has become one of my all-time-favorites because of the love, friendship, and family between these 6 unique characters. It's a bittersweet feeling to say goodbye to this series. As much as I wish I could continue reading on about their lives Aflame leaves everyone off in a good place and it's satisfying as a reader to not feel that anything is missing to the story. I know this will be a series that I will continue to re-read and enjoy, especially as I wait for the next P.Douglas book!
5 stars!