capsandclauses's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
“Having a pink-loving, girly side doesn't make you any less of a gun-toting, zombie-smiting badass.”
<b> Rating: ★★★
Series: Search and Rescue #2
Setting: Simpson, Colorado
Characters: Rory Sorenson and Ian Walsh
Tropes:</b>
Bad Boy MMC
Firefighter MMC
Girl in Trouble
He Falls First
Protective Alpha
Small Town Romance
Virgin Heroine
For years I have tried to remember this crazy but fun romantic suspense novel. I remembered some of the plot beats - the gun shop, firefighter mmc, underground bunker... but could never remember the title.
And somehow I managed to stumble on it on Hoopla.
Fan the Flames is a fun romantic suspense novel that errs on the action/adventure side of suspense rather than the thriller. It follows Rory Sorenson, a social outcast who runs the local gun shop, and Ian Walsh, who has been pursuing her for months. Ian walks a dangerous line: his loyalties are divided between the motorcycle gang of his use and his firehouse found family. And when the gang starts to encroach on Rory's shop - and her life - it is time for him to finally choose. His family legacy or the girl of his dreams?
I loved a lot about this. It is so incredibly ridiculous that you have to separate yourself from reality to read it, but thats not necessarily a bad thing. It reads like one of those corny romantic suspense movies between a random commoner and a superspy - naive heroine and all. I normally hate the virgin heroine trope, but I think Katie Ruggle actually executes it quite well here. It was perfectly believable within the context of Rory's upbringing that she would be a virgin and slow to physical intimacy, and Ian never pushed her, which I really appreciated.
Not to mention that Rory is a girl with both a gun shop, secret underground bunker and the pinkest bedroom of all time.
3 Stars for an enjoyable but slightly unforgettable read.
<b> Rating: ★★★
Series: Search and Rescue #2
Setting: Simpson, Colorado
Characters: Rory Sorenson and Ian Walsh
Tropes:</b>
Bad Boy MMC
Firefighter MMC
Girl in Trouble
He Falls First
Protective Alpha
Small Town Romance
Virgin Heroine
For years I have tried to remember this crazy but fun romantic suspense novel. I remembered some of the plot beats - the gun shop, firefighter mmc, underground bunker... but could never remember the title.
And somehow I managed to stumble on it on Hoopla.
Fan the Flames is a fun romantic suspense novel that errs on the action/adventure side of suspense rather than the thriller. It follows Rory Sorenson, a social outcast who runs the local gun shop, and Ian Walsh, who has been pursuing her for months. Ian walks a dangerous line: his loyalties are divided between the motorcycle gang of his use and his firehouse found family. And when the gang starts to encroach on Rory's shop - and her life - it is time for him to finally choose. His family legacy or the girl of his dreams?
I loved a lot about this. It is so incredibly ridiculous that you have to separate yourself from reality to read it, but thats not necessarily a bad thing. It reads like one of those corny romantic suspense movies between a random commoner and a superspy - naive heroine and all. I normally hate the virgin heroine trope, but I think Katie Ruggle actually executes it quite well here. It was perfectly believable within the context of Rory's upbringing that she would be a virgin and slow to physical intimacy, and Ian never pushed her, which I really appreciated.
Not to mention that Rory is a girl with both a gun shop, secret underground bunker and the pinkest bedroom of all time.
3 Stars for an enjoyable but slightly unforgettable read.
jsinta's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I didn’t love Ian’s dialogue. It made me cringe at times, about halfway through he got super cheesy and unrealistic. Rory was juvenile and insufferable about 3/4 in. Not my favorite read but no bad either.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Murder
katekate_reads_'s review against another edition
I finished this but am not giving it a rating. It included a lot of factors that make it not my thing and I normally wouldn’t read it - but as part of a series that I wanted to continue through, I listened so I wouldn’t miss parts of the overarching story. My favorite parts were when Lou from the previous book would pop up.
The hero is in a motorcycle club which I don’t love. The heroine owns a gun store and sells illegal guns - and this is the part I really couldn’t get past. Additionally it featured a trope I don’t love of the “never been kissed” heroine. This wasn’t for me - but I am looking forward to continuing with the next book in the series.
The hero is in a motorcycle club which I don’t love. The heroine owns a gun store and sells illegal guns - and this is the part I really couldn’t get past. Additionally it featured a trope I don’t love of the “never been kissed” heroine. This wasn’t for me - but I am looking forward to continuing with the next book in the series.
wizardpendragon's review against another edition
2.5
just not for me, sorry (despite the tattooed mc firefighter)
toomanybooks4me's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
mb_booklady's review against another edition
4.0
Local firefighter calendar material Ian Walsh rides the line between hero and villi in his life as a motorcycle club member and a fireman. Rory Sorenson is the only child of paranoid survivalists.
Due to her upbringing, Rory has not had many social interactions, but she does remember one on her 12th birthday when a beautiful boy gave her a pink cupcake.
As an adult, Rory owns and runs the local gun shop, now that her parents are gone. She is awkward in social situations and has a huge crush on Ian, who is one of her few friends.
The suspense and action in this book is nonstop. Ian and Rory do end up together, but the road there is not an easy one. As they grow closer, relationships are strained to the breaking point.
Ian and Rory are well developed characters, as are many of the other people of Simpson.
I am glad I discovered this author and can't wait to read more of her work.
Due to her upbringing, Rory has not had many social interactions, but she does remember one on her 12th birthday when a beautiful boy gave her a pink cupcake.
As an adult, Rory owns and runs the local gun shop, now that her parents are gone. She is awkward in social situations and has a huge crush on Ian, who is one of her few friends.
The suspense and action in this book is nonstop. Ian and Rory do end up together, but the road there is not an easy one. As they grow closer, relationships are strained to the breaking point.
Ian and Rory are well developed characters, as are many of the other people of Simpson.
I am glad I discovered this author and can't wait to read more of her work.
goaskalix's review against another edition
2.0
This one seems to be a favourite for a lot of people but man, I just was not connecting with either Hottie McFireman or Hermit McGungirl. Weird. But I do enjoy the series itself, so I suppose I'll be carrying on.
stinajoramsay's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
amandaj6's review against another edition
5.0
I think I need to be fanned now
This is my 2nd read of this book ( the first time was before I knew about reviewing) I forgot how awesome Rory is and how sweet and sexy Ian is. This book was packed full of multiple kinds of excitement and lovable characters. And the HDG case continues!
This is my 2nd read of this book ( the first time was before I knew about reviewing) I forgot how awesome Rory is and how sweet and sexy Ian is. This book was packed full of multiple kinds of excitement and lovable characters. And the HDG case continues!