Scan barcode
so_many_books's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Saxon James and Eden Finley is an author duo we romance readers know well already. However, with Up in Flames, they stepped out of their usual lighthearted and rom-com storytelling.
Up in Flames is a book that deals with very much more difficult and painful topics than what we are used to from this iconic duo. In this book, there is a big focus on dealing with and healing from past trauma. Do I think it was done perfectly? No. But it did deal with the topics with the required care and honesty.
TW: past death of a sister (child), domestic and emotional abuse, car accidents, house fire
Remy and Sanden are not new characters if you've read Gabe and Aleks's story in Foolish Puckboy.
Remy is Eman's finance in that book, and Sanden watches from afar with concern in his eyes as his best friend, Eman, treats Remy poorly. This conflict is explained and depicted in this book.
Remy is left at the altar, and Sanden is the one who has to break the news. They throw a petty party and try to forget about Eman and what a not nice person he is. They even go to the honeymoon together. Of course, platonically at first. But then things change.
Let's first talk about Sanden. His long-time crush on Remy did a number on him when he needed to watch him cosy up with his friend. He sees the hurt in Remy, so he does not want to take advantage of the situation. However, they soon fall into lust and become each other's escape from problems. Which is not healthy. Sanden's own problems with his mental state chase him into Remy's arms for comfort.
And Remy is a victim of emotional abuse. Even if he needs a long time to realise the manipulation he was subjected to, he is too fast to fall into a relationship again.
While their care is genuine for each other, their early days seemed very unhealthy, and I was glad this was addressed in the book. Mental health is a very important topic, and I am always happy to see it explained in a book, especially in a romance book. I think we often overlook toxic behaviour when it comes to romance, and it was a very good point in my book that here it was addressed and dealt with.
A very important message of the story was that you can not care for someone and love them if you haven't cared for your own problems first.
While I think the book was a way more serious one than what I'm used to, the usual humour and spiciness was still present in the book. The characters were loveable as always, and I hope to see more of them and some of the side characters as well.
I think the spice was way too much for a story of this caliber, but that's probably just my taste. I can't imagine falling into bed as a coping mechanism, but here it was pretty much that. It kinda rubbed me the wrong way that the most important link between the MCs was this chemistry and little else.
Overall, it was a good thing to see this duo venture out into more serious waters with their storytelling, and I hope to see them develop as authors in this department!
Up in Flames is a book that deals with very much more difficult and painful topics than what we are used to from this iconic duo. In this book, there is a big focus on dealing with and healing from past trauma. Do I think it was done perfectly? No. But it did deal with the topics with the required care and honesty.
TW: past death of a sister (child), domestic and emotional abuse, car accidents, house fire
Remy and Sanden are not new characters if you've read Gabe and Aleks's story in Foolish Puckboy.
Remy is Eman's finance in that book, and Sanden watches from afar with concern in his eyes as his best friend, Eman, treats Remy poorly. This conflict is explained and depicted in this book.
Remy is left at the altar, and Sanden is the one who has to break the news. They throw a petty party and try to forget about Eman and what a not nice person he is. They even go to the honeymoon together. Of course, platonically at first. But then things change.
Let's first talk about Sanden. His long-time crush on Remy did a number on him when he needed to watch him cosy up with his friend. He sees the hurt in Remy, so he does not want to take advantage of the situation. However, they soon fall into lust and become each other's escape from problems. Which is not healthy. Sanden's own problems with his mental state chase him into Remy's arms for comfort.
And Remy is a victim of emotional abuse. Even if he needs a long time to realise the manipulation he was subjected to, he is too fast to fall into a relationship again.
While their care is genuine for each other, their early days seemed very unhealthy, and I was glad this was addressed in the book. Mental health is a very important topic, and I am always happy to see it explained in a book, especially in a romance book. I think we often overlook toxic behaviour when it comes to romance, and it was a very good point in my book that here it was addressed and dealt with.
A very important message of the story was that you can not care for someone and love them if you haven't cared for your own problems first.
While I think the book was a way more serious one than what I'm used to, the usual humour and spiciness was still present in the book. The characters were loveable as always, and I hope to see more of them and some of the side characters as well.
I think the spice was way too much for a story of this caliber, but that's probably just my taste. I can't imagine falling into bed as a coping mechanism, but here it was pretty much that. It kinda rubbed me the wrong way that the most important link between the MCs was this chemistry and little else.
Overall, it was a good thing to see this duo venture out into more serious waters with their storytelling, and I hope to see them develop as authors in this department!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Cursing
More...