Gracelyn Riley married a firefighter and knew that came with risks. But she never imagined herself widowed in her early thirties with two children to care for on her own. Even though her marriage to Chad Riley had its difficulties, dealing with the last year without him has not been easy. Her brother-in-law, Matt, has been the rock that has kept her from collapsing or imploding.As a Mason Ridge … Mason Ridge fireman, Matt Riley had been at the scene when his brother, Chad, was killed. For the last year, Matt has suffered from survivor’s guilt and drank himself into oblivion. His sister-in-law, Gracelyn, supported him, lending him a shoulder to cry on. Her friendship has pulled him through time and time again until he finally sobered.
With the year anniversary of Chad’s death upon them, Gracelyn and Matt turn to each for support and comfort. What they didn’t expect was to realize that their feelings for each other go beyond the solid friendship they share. Can they overcome the guilt and the scrutiny of their family and friends to find love together?
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One year ago, Matt Riley lost his brother, Chad, to a deadly fire. Both were firefighters and he watched his brother perish. As if that wasn’t bad enough, he had the horrible experience of having to tell his sister-in-law, Gracelyn her husband was gone. Matt made it his mission to support her and the two children during the next year, both sort of propping each other up when he tried to drown his sorrows and she struggled to move forward. Now on the occasion of the one-year anniversary of Chad’s death, their consolation turns to something much, much more.
The idea of a brother taking up with his brother’s wife isn’t a new one but it’s always intriguing and this one lives up to that expectation. Complicating matters is Matt having always been attracted to Gracelyn though he’d never, ever considered crossing that proverbial line. When their passion was unleashed, it was pretty combustible. These two were fearless in their feelings for each other but highly fearful of condemnation from family and colleagues. They had reason to be wary, especially of reactions from Matt’s mother, his ex-wife and their children. I thought this story got all these dynamics right especially if their relationships as aunt and uncle would transition to that of a stepparent. It’s complicated and I liked that these issues were front and center.
I enjoyed this story and felt the narrators captured the personalities of both Matt and Gracelyn. The pacing was great and I was very invested in the story. I wish we had more insight into what happened between Gracelyn and Matt in that past year as it would have made their relationship feel less like something instant. Otherwise, this worked very well for me. There were no easy answers and the resolutions felt realistic. A warning though…the steam level is off the charts!
(I received a complimentary copy from Caffeinated Services in exchange for an unbiased review)
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~~ 4 SCORCHING STARS ~~
“I can’t put out these flames burning inside of me for you.”
IN FLAMES, a smoldering hot forbidden romance featuring a grief-stricken fire fighter who falls in love with his dead brother’s bereft widow, was absolutely phenomenal! Gah…the prologue ripped my heart to shreds and had me ugly crying! And that was just the beginning of this hauntingly beautiful and scintillating journey that Matt and Gracelyn embarked on together!
From start to finish, the gut punching feels, red hot lust and roiling emotions held me captive and I truly relished this tumultuous romance!!
Jessica Jayne is a new to me author and her enthralling narrative, skillful story craftsmanship, gorgeously nuanced characterizations, sensually choreographed love scenes, and heartfelt emotional depth truly blew me away! The soul deep connection that’s forged between Matt and Gracelyn in the wake of their devastating loss was visceral and raw, FUELED with passion, PULSATING with pent up yearning and THROBBING with molten hot passion! This couple had many obstacles to overcome, and at times, the guilt and heartache as they grappled with their grief and guilt seemed almost impossible to bear. Plus, to complicate matters further, they had their kids to consider and blistering family disapproval to contend with.
But through all the ups and downs, the pain and sorrow, and the fierce inner battles that were waged, Matt and Gracie’s love remained steadfast and true as they miraculously breathed life back into each other’s worlds. And HOLY SMOKES were their erotic interludes BLAZING HOT. These two OOZED chemistry!!!!
And while their HEA was hard-earned and filled with a plethora of push pull and juicy melodrama, I was deeply satisfied by how the story played out!
BOTTOM LINE:
Ultimately, IN FLAMES, a fiery, deeply touching and emotionally riveting tale about grief and loss, hope and healing, and finding the strength and bravery to embrace a beautiful new tomorrow, electrified my heart and rejuvenated my soul!
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
I had high hopes for this story. I love emotional stories where you really don’t expect a love story. And friends of loved ones where you don’t see a love story coming until something tragic happens is one of my faves. So I was excited to read this story. Two friends that don’t expect anything from each other other than to grieve and mourn their husband and friend.
Matt and Gracelyn are grieving and connecting on a different level than I think anyone could really understand unless you go through it yourself. But while yes they are going through the motions. I felt that Matt grieved and had way more emotions then Gracelyn ever did. The story is heartbreaking and feels somewhat real. But I feel like the story was more for Matts benefit then Gracelyn- hope that makes sense.
This is my first Jessica Jayne story and although this one had a few quirks in it, I will read other stories by her.
In Flames by Jessica Jayne was my first book of this author.
There are moments when I want to write about book but I don’t know what to write…
Sometimes I’m lack of words because book can be bad, but now I’m speachless because this story give me so much heart ache.
When You’ll read the blurb You know from the beginig that this book won’t be easy . It can’t be simple if You start with broken heart.
That’s why In Flames gave my hard times.
Gracelyn is young widow, she suffering after losing her husband, but this pain was made not only by death of her husband. She’s very sad because her husband wasn’t honest with her and now she need to deal with all things, which he left behind…. but , just around the corner there is Matt.
Gracelyn and Matt don’t know that they perfect together… but life will show them how to find each other.
In some eyes this could be just oridinary love story, but I won’t agree with that.
In every book of this kind I always find hope , that even worst time in life can be changed. that there’s always way out.
In every book of this kind I find the truth – that everyone need simple and oridanry LOVE, because family, respect, love and health are the most important things in our lifes.
This book wasn’t simple but I’m glad that I meet Jessica Jayne writting in my life.
I received an ARC of IN FLAMES from the very talented author JESSICA JAYNE.In exchange for an honest opinion. This is my opinion of her amazing book. Actually Jessica Jayne has just re-released this book. Having never read the first copy of it.I don’t know what she changed or added. But I can tell you this. THIS ONE IS HOT!!! She has you at the very first page. You are held hostage. The reader will find themself unable to put the book down. This book is a fast read .The way in which Ms Jayne describes her scenes is totally out of this world. You can picture everything -the fire-field- the characters. She describes it all in such depth and detail.
This is a story that starts out tragic for Gracelyn Riley as her husband Chad is a firefighter. He runs into the burning building trying to safe a life. Unfortunatley -Chad looses his life. Now his brother Matt goes to his house where Chad lived Gracelynn and the kids. They had just gotten back together. It’s not fair- Chad is the one that was the fair haired child of the family. He could do no wrong. As for Matt – nothing he ever did was good enough for his mom. Now he wants to be the one to give Gracelyn the bad news. When she opens the door- Gracelyn realizes why he is there. She starts to fall but Matt catches her. Together they both start to grief for their loss. Over time Matt helps Gracelyn out at her house with a repairs-they spend time together. Every day is the family dinner at his parents house. Gracelyn and the kids still come to it. His mom still refers to her as being Chad’s wife. Now the more time they spend together. The more that they have to fight the love that they have. Matt can’t love his brother’s wife. It’s not right. Gracelyn says it right for her to love Matt as Chad is not here. Will these two get together? Will the family accept the love that they have? For the answers to these and more. You need to get this amazing spelling binding book. I recommend this book for all that love a good adult comtemporary romance. I give this 5 mouse paws. Make sure to add this to your goodreads reading list. And to add to Jessica Jayne to your Bookbub following list. Now go get this book now!!!
I am now a true fan of Ms Jayne and have to more of her books You have me hooked…
Matt, a divorced father and firefighter, has fallen in love for second time in his life. The first time was when his son was born and the second time is with the one person that he should not love, his best friend, his brother’s gorgeous widow. It has been a year since Matt watched that burning house collapse on his big brother, but is Matt brave enough to ignore what everyone thinks, including his own mother, and follow his heart?
Gracelyn and her two children have been through hell. Chad hasn’t even unpacked the boxes from moving back in with his family when Grace gets the knock on the door that every firefighter’s spouse dreads. He’s gone. After spending months as the talk of the town when Chad got caught cheating, is Gracelyn brave enough to trust Matt, her husband’s brother, with her delicate heart or will she let him run away?
As the wife of a retired police officer, I was in tears just reading the prologue because I understand the fear of that late-night knock on the door. Don’t get the wrong impression; this is a hot and heavy romance but Jessica’s character development is outstanding. You can feel Matt and Gracelyn’s inner struggles to do what is right for their families and their intense attraction is like nothing they’ve ever felt before. I love the fact that Gracelyn is a strong woman who knows what she wants and we get a glimpse into the vulnerable side of Matt, the big tough firefighter.
I did not read the first release in 2013, but this one deserves 5 out of 5 propellers, or in this case 5 out of 5 alarms, because it will break your heart; and yet give you hope that just maybe your best friend can also be your soul mate. This is a stand-alone book with a happily ever after ending.
When Matt has to relay the news to his sister-in-law, Gracelyn, that his brother Chad died fighting a fire they were both on, it cements the strong bond he and Gracelyn already have. Since Gracelyn lost Chad, Matt has been her rock and her best friend, and she’s been his. He’s been there for her and his niece and nephew, offering emotional support, and just being around when they needed a hand. She helped him through the haze of drinking binges he went on after Chad’s death. She was there for him when he got divorced, and now on the first anniversary of Chad’s death, she needs Matt to be there for her. When the passion between them explodes, it’s something that happens naturally, and beautifully; but it’s something they both agree can never happen again.
But when it’s apparent that the feelings between Gracelyn and Matt are morphing into much, much more, can they suffer through what will surely be condemnation from Matt’s family and the rest of their small town, so they can be together in love? Or will it all be too much for them to handle?
In Flames is a poignant look at moving on and falling in love. What Matt and Gracelyn have is unconventional, sure, but it’s quite beautiful, too. I loved the way they went from best friends to so much more. They way they reacted to the situation, and to each other, is realistic and a little heartbreaking. And super steamy, too! If this is the caliber of the author’s writing, then I know I am definitely looking forward to more from her.
Gracelyn is a widow after her fire-fighter husband was killed in the line of duty.
Matt is her brother-in-law, who is also a fire-fighter, and is suffering from survivor’s guilt at not being able to save his brother. These two have been there and supported each other for the past year, and when their feeling change, will they be able to take a chance on each other? No spoilers; this is a definite must read, you will not be disappointed! This is a beautifully written story, which is emotional and heartbreaking, which all had me intrigued and captivated throughout this page turner. I cannot wait to read more of this authors’ work, and I highly recommend her work for all readers!
Audible. Also available in Audible Escape.
Chad & Gracelyn are at the one year anniversary of his brother/her husband’s death and realizing that they have very strong feelings for each other. This is best enjoyed by those who are looking for more sex and less story development, especially at the beginning. In some respects, it was actually fairly low angst, which was nice.
I love Joe Arden & Samantha Cook as narrators and for the most part they were excellent. The issue is one of continuity. Arden pronounces “Gracelyn” as two words, “Grace Lyn” and Cook as a singular fluid word. Considering how many times her name is in the book, this is pretty noticeable.
I received a free copy of this audiobook from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.