Review on 'Flake Flame' by Adele Buck 🚒

Amazon Link: https://amzn.eu/d/8gkENvU

Author: Adele Buck

Format Read: Paperback

Pages: 286

Publication Date: 23rd May 2024

Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adelebuck_author/

Author Website: https://adelebuck.com/

Content Warnings:

Explicit sexual scenes, Past Bullying

Review:

I can honestly say that this is the first time I have ever read a book with a firefighter in, and to be honest I am truly disappointed in myself. However, I am glad that this was my debut into book version of the profession because the book was soooo good.

Sean Hannigan is a family man in a traditional American-Irish family (if you hadn't already got that from his last name) where he grew with the nosiness of 4 rowdy older sisters. However Eva, came from a family of 3 - here housewife mother, doctor father and her only self. It was a lonely existence for her especially when her parents are snobs. And what better way to meet the love of your life, than to threaten to set your ex-boyfriend's "grand gesture" on fire with roach repellent and the Russian literature professor's pink cigarette lighter. I suppose it was an easier call for the first responders??

I just love Eva. She is a 41-year-old literature professor, that is such a badass, that I want to be her when I grow up. Maybe not the silver streak in her red hair though. 🤣

Considering the title is "Fake Flame" an indication of the fact the trope is fake dating, and the male MC is a firefighter - original I know - there wasn't much that was fake about it. The same old story about getting into a "fake" relationship for public appearances but absolutely nothing being fake about it. An over-written trope but a trope that I still love to read nonetheless. The best reason for their fake dating is that his workmate suggested to him a book to read that is a "guide to fake dating", even when I don't even think he ever really read it 🤣

Oh yeah! Forgot to mention that. Sean loves to read, especially the classics, but she rightly states that to be well read you don't have to just read the classics. I've got to say I love it when in romance novels they give me more reasons why the genre shouldn't be judged by people who don't read it...it just gives me more material for arguments 🤭

Though Sean is very conscious about the fact he is a bigger guy, I think that is written in a way that still celebrates his masculinity. He seems like such a sweet guy, that Eva and him make a perfect match, even though she thinks he is too young for her at only 6 years younger who is actually a very mature and logical guy.

Though I have a dislike for third-act breakups in general, I think it was a logical and mature option that they both needed to think over. The barrier between them at the time, was a really life changing and important event that they would have needed to discuss and be on the same page about before they can go any further in their relationship.

I did however guess that an accident would happen at some point in the novel, and i was correct. Though this can be deemed as a spoiler, I don't feel like it is because you are reading a book about a first responder so there is obviously going to be some kind of moment where you think you will lose them. It wouldn't be dramatic without it and then they wouldn't get their reconciliation, that was definitely needed since they were both as stubborn as each other.

It seemed to me that the book was mainly focused on the main characters, as it didn't really go into depth about their jobs and the secondary characters were really just side supporters. The secondary characters were sweet and great when they needed but they weren't the first people the main character went talk when they need support or help. So due to this, the fact that we had the plot development of her ex being a constant pain, was a nice touch that gave some more mystery, but it also gave them the reason to fake date in the first place

I always want to look for books that put a new spin on something and to me this book was a bit different and that made me really enjoy it. Though it had some repeated tropes and the third act breakup, it wasn't due to a miscommunication on either of their parts but a mature and efficient time apart to understand what they both want. This also just showcases the importance of communication that is needed in adult relationships and shows that'll sometimes it may be romanticised too much. This book helped to demystify the myth of miscommunication being romantic and ending with a romantic gesture because we all know that neither of them are into that.

Until the next chapter,

#BellesBookBabble