One night changed an entire town.Ten years ago, I left Hawk Valley. I never planned to return. Not to the regrets. The bitter memories. The guilt.My baseball career gave me both the excuse and the money I needed to start over. Then my mom called, and I found myself headed back to the one place I swore I wouldn’t step foot again.Meeting Delilah wasn’t part of the plan. Falling in love with her … plan. Falling in love with her adorable son was even less so. And yet, what’s brewing between us is too intense to be denied. The unexpected passion is almost enough to distract us from the crumbling of both our worlds.
But even as the sparks fly, someone is waiting in the shadows to burn it all down.
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REVIEW: 3.5 STARS
“One day a kiss would change everything.”
Ever since reading the synopsis for Ember – I knew this had to go on my TBR. A synopsis from his POV is always enticing, but the actual story itself was very good in the dual POV she offered. For my first full read of Emma Renshaw’s, I can confirm that I’ve been missing out on her easy flow and her lighthearted love stories. With an evident flair for writing a man with strength in his love and conviction in his belief, I need to check out her other stories. I did start the first book in her Vow Series, but I was mid-tours right after my surgeries from last year, so I didn’t get to finish it. I will go back with renewed interest.
Like I said, the writing was nice and easy. Not a lot of depth, but super easy to get into and it allowed me to fall in love with the characters without issue. I easily connected with both Gunner and Delilah, as well as the secondary characters. It slowed down once it got into a groove, the characters grew, the love matured, and the family and friends were incorporated into the storyline – it was seriously the easiest read ever. The love grew quickly, but I actually kept pace with it rather well. I did have a few issues with the transition from scenes and time passage, but it ironed itself out the farther into the chapter we got.
Some of the scenes Renshaw delivered to set a moment were so intimate. The way he crowded her against the counter, breathed against her back and caged her in – *bites knuckle* – that was so sexy. So fun to imagine. I loved the picture she painted for me, because not only did she give me a side of Gunner that I wanted to see, but she also allowed me to feel the side of him that Delilah got to fall in love with and it made me just a little giddy. I do not know how anyone cannot fall head over heels in love with him. He was literal perfection!
It was just a splinter of excitement, but my love grew as Gunner allowed himself to joke around and tease Delilah. Seeing him break out and away from being so quiet and reserved gave him a more human side to him – not just this workaholic, straight-laced, forlorn and withdrawn man. I loved the way he was level headed and very protective of her and it wasn’t crazy, over the top. Awww man, he really made me smile. He wasn’t only easy on the eyes, but he was easy on the heart and I loved reading about him.
“I’m not sure we ever know the moment we fall in love. It’s little things that add into big things that become all-consuming until it’s impossible to deny it.”
Seeing Gunner and Delilah coming together, it really just provided an abundance of smiles for me throughout the book. Delilah consumed him and it was very apparent. I’m thankful it wasn’t cheesy, even though it was quick. It was an instant connection, but she allowed them time to grow and she did that really well. The progression of their relationship, as well as the story arc overall, was a quick pace. It didn’t feel like instalove – but maybe….one step down from that. I love an instant connection though, so I felt Gunner and Delilah’s draw towards each other.
The only thing that pulled me out of the groove I was in was the OTT drama at the very end. I was flying high. This book was absolutely amazing. The love and the relationship, Tuck – all of it was amazing. Sadly, it was a crazy, completely out of left field twist that knocked it down a peg or two for me. I was so bummed. So very bummed. All the feel good vibes you could ask for in this sweet, small town, big love romance – and I almost felt defeated. I walked away for a minute because I didn’t appreciate that craziness, but that epilogue was the ultimate icing on the cake and was the soothing balm I needed. All was right in the world again….
Emma Renshaw literally gave me the most amazing man in Gunner. Not only was he down to earth, quite humbled, a little troubled, and a momma’s boy – but he was a good man with a solid heart of gold. All man. I mean, writing this review is making me smile when I think about him. So Renshaw nailed the perfection that is Gunner. Giving him Delilah’s heart and soul was a gift beyond imagination. They were the perfect couple and they meshed so well. It really was the background strength to the whole story. I loved them and Tuck so SO much.
Make no mistake, I will be following this series and am excited to see where IGNITE takes me. She paved the way for all of these characters to have their own story, so I am really looking forward to checking out Ridge’s story next.
“One kiss that was equal parts Earth shattering, panty melting, and life changing. But still, one kiss.”
~BEE
Get your tissues ready because this is Emma Renshaw at her best! In each and every story of Emma’s you feel her passion shine through, you feel it in every page, every character and it makes you fall into this world seamlessly. Ember encompassed everything I love in a romance story, and one I’m sure I won’t soon forget. It was the perfect story to be able to escape to a world of baseball, romance and second chances at a life you never knew you needed.
Gunner has been barely living for years. He knows how to smile at all the right times and be one of the best centerfielders in the league, but the few that know him best knows he quit living ten years earlier, when he lost his best friend Declan in an accident that would forever change his life. While Gunner begrudgingly comes back into a town he hoped to never see again he soon finds it hard to leave.
Delilah’s life changed forever when she suddenly has a little boy dropped in her arms. She instantly became the best mother to Tucker eight years ago, and while she wouldn’t change it for the world she occasionally questions if she’s missing something. But with an overbearing brother, being a single mother and helping to run an Inn, dating is usually a disaster. Suddenly, Tuckers favorite baseball star is staying at her family’s inn and that easy smile on her face and flush on her checks makes her question things she hasn’t in years. Especially when this baseball star, with shadows in his eyes, is throwing ball with her son and making all of his dreams come true.
Ember will take your breath away, give you chills and have you captured from the very beginning! This small town is full of secrets, and this amazing story is one that you’ll never want to leave!
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I found this book on net galley and so so happy that I did.this book was brilliant in my opinion. I simply loved the characters and storyline were fantastic i simply cannot wait to read this authors other book as they all sound fantastic.no spoilers here but i cannot wait to see were this author goes with the next book in the series
I absolutely loved this newest book by this talented author!! Gunner is coming home after being away for so long. This town holds memories for him that forever haunt him and he isn’t the same person after all that had transpired. Gunner is living out his dream and his best friend who he lost in that tragic event by being a successful baseball player. While in town he meets Delilah a single mom who’s son is enamored meeting his favorite baseball player Gunner. He is immediately drawn to Delilah and Tuck and wants to spend all of his time with them. It was so sweet to watch Gunner fall in love with not only Delilah but Tuck as well. As their relationship develops, there is a threat lurking in the shadows that could threaten everything that they hold dear to them. Will this ruin what could be forever for Gunner and Delilah before it even gets started? This story omg was everything!!! I was hooked from beginning to end and didn’t want it to end. I laughed, cried, swooned, and fanned myself during the hot steamy times. It was such a great story, one that I highly recommend to all. I can’t wait to read what is next for this series. Well done!!!
This book was such a beautiful story about trying to find redemption, moving on from tragedy, and creating a new life. Gunner went through a very traumatic event in high school and now that it’s been years later, he is brought home to help his mother, even though he is reluctant to go back meeting Delilah and her son make the situation better. Delilah is a beautiful soul, that works hard, takes care of her family, and wants the best for her son no matter what. Gunner and Delilah together are perfect for each other and the chemistry is off the charts. There were so many twists and turn, things that were unpredictable, and a great story of finding love and happiness.
Ember is the first book in Emma Renshaw’s new The Burn series and what a wonderful start.
Gunner is Major League Baseball player that that has been going through life barely living and with lots of guilt of what happened in his small town on their graduation night.
He is forced to return home after 10 years and face the tragedy for the first time.
Delilah is a mother of an 8 year old boy who is everything to her. She’s a chef for her parents Bed & Breakfast and restaurant.
Love this book so much. The prologue had me crying. It was so very good written.
Gunner and Delilah are so cute together and also love Tucker. That boy stole my heart.
The storyline was great with a little suspense and mystery.
I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.
My Rating: STARS!
This author manages to weave lives and paths like no other. I was so incredibly intrigued by how everyone fit together and how each person dealt with their own pain and loss.
Gunner is forced to return home after years, and that means he’s forced to face the tragedy he tried to physically escape. Of course, his loss was still very much with him mentally and emotionally every day. Then he meets Delilah. The first woman to make him ever think that there might be more to life than baseball and regret.
Delilah has given her all to her son and her family, but she can’t resist the pull of Gunner. He wins her heart, her son’s heart, and the respect of those around them. The only problem? There’s worry lurking around the corner for everyone. And with that worry comes the need to spill secrets. Secrets that Delilah isn’t ready to share, but that she’s forced to in order to keep her life intact.
I found myself worried, laughing, crying, scared, happy, sad, and stunned, all in this one book. I absolutely could NOT put it down and was sad when I hit The End. But with any end from this author, there’s a beginning around the corner and the happy that Gunner and Delilah so richly deserve. I can’t wait to see what happens next in this new series.
This book has it all. It has love, lust, hate, retaliation, jealousy, sadness, and will have you on the verge of tears multiple times. The love story of Delilah and Gunner is one that is so relatable because they go through things that happen in the everyday world. The twists and turns this book takes you on will make you not want to put it down. There is fire, literally and figuratively, throughout the entire book. It starts with an incident that has you sucked in. The slow burn from lust to love is breathtakingly beautiful between the characters.
Emma is an amazingly talented writer who has set the bar even higher with this series of books. This has her signature story telling of braking your heart, just to give you enough stitches to piece it back together in the end. Well done. Can’t wait for the second book in this series.
Great read with lots of action. Ember and Gunner both have their own drama going on but together they can help each other get through it. Loved the characters especially Tucker.
4.5 “Home Run” Stars
Awww! This book is everything I love about small town romances. Ember was my first read by Emma Renshaw and I absolutely loved it! Romantic, sweet and highly emotional, this slow burn romance captured my heart. Gunner and Delilah’s relationship was so beautiful to watch evolve.
Gunner has been haunted for ten years by a traumatizing event that changed his small town on his high school graduation night. He’s back in town ten years later in his off-season from professional baseball and meets the lovely Delilah, the cook at the inn he’s staying at. They bond so effortlessly, but it’s also they way he always includes her son Tucker that had me melting for him. Those three are the sweetest together. Gunner is truly protective and caring. Tucker is a cute little guy obsessed with baseball and to have his star player in his life makes their interactions even more adorable. Delilah has fears and certain secrets, but together this couple learn to let the past go and embrace the future.
This novel was so romantic, but with a little dose of suspense put in the mix to make this read even more captivating. Emma Renshaw is definitely an author I’ll read more in the near future. Now, I need to dive into the second standalone in the Burn Series, Ignite, as I loved the supporting cast. They’re such a great group of friends and family!
I don’t cry often when I read a romance. This book is absolutely wonderful.
Good storyline , but I couldn’t finish because I got so annoyed by the frequent use if the f word.
He’s a major league player who returns home bc his mom has cancer. He hadn’t wanted to come back bc his best friend died in a fire saving him. He stays at an Inn her family owns and where she is the chef. She is raising her son alone. Sparks fly
Wow. Tragic pasts bring two wonderful characters together to find their happily ever after. True to life. Fighting past demons and doubts while staying true to yourself….who hasn’t been there.
Good story. He wants to help his mom through her illness and she has lots of doubts about their future together. The ending was excellent.
WOW!
I knew from reading the blurb that something happened that affected an entire town… so I figured I should expect some emotion!
I DID NOT EXPECT THIS!!!
I didn’t expect to fall in love with these characters. But Emma Renshaw had me gasping with shock in the prologue snagged my heart and cracked it all in the prologue. The further I read the more in love I fell with this little town and the broken ones who roam it, the more my heart hurt for these characters that lived with so much pain.
However, she didn’t stop there…in this book she took one of those broken hearts and healed it in the best way possible. His path of healing and the lessons of self forgiveness were heartbreaking, powerful and beautiful! I adored Delilah and her son Tucker from the beginning and the way that Gunner just fit so seamlessly with them was beyond perfect. Someone didn’t want them to have that perfect little life though…..
For about 2/3 of the book I never saw the twist coming. Matter of fact I was on a WHOLE DIFFERENT planet. I suspected it but wasn’t too sure on my suspicions so when it came to light I was still shocked! I really enjoyed the love story but also loved the little suspense that the author added to this one!
I won’t lie…number one word in that blurb that had me buying this one was BASEBALL. I can’t help it…baseball romances are my kryptonite! I could fill an entire bookshelf with all the baseball romances I’ve read and loved!
The way this series is written is that you can read any or all of the books. Each book is a different couple and the plot for each book surrounds one heartbreaking night that affects each character in some way. So you can read any of the books without the others but I really recommend reading the entire series to get the full effect of the entire crew.
Burn series
1. Ember
2. Ignite
3. Inferno
4. Smolder (coming April 20th)
3/4 of this book was really good, and even had me tearing up from the realistic depictions of grief and guilt amid heartfelt romance. The end was slightly weaker, but by then I was enough invested in the characters to be happy for the cookie-cutter ending.
I enjoyed this book. The characters have different issues. Gunny had several issues to work through, both past and present. With Deliah’s help he learns to move past his fears. Deliah has a secret that she is hiding, that may blow up in her life.
Can’t wait for the next book.
Loved this book about Delilah and Gunner!! Perfect “whodunit” book.