Reviews

Ignite on Contact by Jaci Burton

beckyrendon's review against another edition

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3.0

Call me a sap, but the backstory on these brothers makes me positively glow with joy at how far they have come. So of course I need to know all the things!

Ignite on Contact is Rafe's story. Well, Rafe and Carmen's story. Second but not last in the search for love, Rafe finds more than fun with Carmen. He finds his forever, now he just needs to convince the skittish woman of his intentions. All is fair in love...



romancejunkie1025's review against another edition

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4.0

a really sexy and fun read with a sweet connection between two people that have a lot going on

taylor15's review

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emotional inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

scoutmomskf's review against another edition

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5.0

This was a terrific story of family ties, letting go of the past, and finding love when you least expect it. Rafe is a firefighter with a reputation of giving the ladies a fun time, but not getting too close. His relationships rarely last more than a few weeks. Even his brothers have noticed and call him on the superficiality of it. That begins to change when he ends up in the ER under the care of his neighbor Carmen. He's been attracted to her for a while, but she shows no interest in him.

Carmen's life is busy. She has her job as an ER nurse that keeps her on her toes. She also lives with her grandfather and has been caring for him since his stroke. She appreciates the help that Rafe has provided, and he's certainly easy on the eyes. But she isn't so sure that getting involved with him would be a smart thing to do.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Rafe and Carmen. Carmen avoids dating and men, having been burned by a cheating ex-husband and is not sure she can trust her heart or her judgment. I liked how her friend Tess gave her a bit of a nudge out of her safe little box and encouraged her to see where the sparks between her and Rafe might go. It was fun to see Carmen make the overtures when she took food to Rafe when he was on medical leave. Rafe is all-in when he realizes that Carmen returns his interest and also doesn't want anything serious.

Though they started out intending just to have fun together, it didn't take long for the lines to blur. The chemistry between them is strong, but they also find themselves just enjoying being together. Rafe knows about Carmen's divorce and realizes that it will take time for her to trust him. Though his reputation is that of a player, Rafe also has a caring nature. I loved watching the little things he did for her, from foot rubs to helping her around her house. Carmen doesn't quite know what to make of him because he is so different than her ex. As those differences start to break down her walls, Carmen finds herself growing closer to Rafe. Because their jobs are so similar, both she and Rafe understand the toll that it can sometimes take on them. There's a fantastic scene where Carmen helps Rafe through a traumatic event at work, something that emphasizes just how deep their feelings have grown.

Just as it looks like their future is assured, Carmen's grandfather experiences a medical crisis. Carmen is swamped with guilt and pulls back, leaving Rafe devastated. I ached for both of them as Carmen's fears come between them. I loved how Rafe's mom helped him see that he shouldn't give up on them. At the same time, Carmen's grandfather showed her that life is too short to let the past dictate the future. I loved the ending and seeing how Rafe shows Carmen that he's there for her no matter what happens.

I loved the importance of family to both Carmen and Rafe. Carmen's relationship with her grandfather is a close one. Her grandparents raised her after her mother died, and he is all the family she has. Carmen tends to be a little overprotective since his stroke which he has no trouble pushing back about. Rafe had a rough start to life with drug dealer parents. He, Jackson, and Kal met when they were homeless street kids, and were later rescued from a fire by Mr. Donovan. They were taken in and adopted by the Donovans. I loved seeing the closeness and love in the Donovan family. The three brothers are there for each other when needed. They also have a great time teasing each other about anything and everything. The guys will also drop everything if their parents need them for something.

Though this is the second book in the series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone. That said, I want to go back and read Jackson's story, as it sounds like a good one, too. I also look forward to Kal's story.

emmanuellagladman's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-paced

3.5

 This was pretty good. I loved the idea behind the book but because it was in 3rd person I had a hard time connecting with the characters. I’m also still not sure that I’m a fan of jaci burtons writing style but I’ll still give the next brotherhood by fire book a shot because I love kal. 

vee79's review against another edition

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4.0

This is book 2 in the brotherhood by fire series and I was first introduced to Rafe in book 1 of the series.
Rafe is a sexy firefighter, who is not looking for anything serious and enjoys the life he lives. Carmen is his next door neighbor and also the nurse who is there when Rafe is brought in to the ER following an accident on the job.
With some time off after the accident Rafe is restless but starts to spend time with Carmen. They both have their own issues that they are dealing with, but are drawn top each other. Rafe is sweet and Carmen has feelings for her hot neighbor. As they spend time together you see the chemistry spark up. The question is can they both get past their issues to make things work? This romance is sweet and it builds. The way Rafe is with Carmen and her grandfather makes you fall for him. I have enjoyed the series so far. Another well written romance by Jaci Burton that will have you smoldering.

booklovinmamas's review against another edition

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4.0

Full Review posted at A Book Lovin' Mama's Blog

Overall, this book gets 3.5 stars, and even though it may not be my favorite of the trilogy, I would still recommend it to the reader. If you watch Chicago Fire on NBC and you love reading firefighter romances, then I would recommend this trilogy. You do not have to read the first book, but you’ll miss out on Jackson and Beck’s story. I can’t wait to read Kal’s story next and find out who will win over his heart.

Story Rating: 3.5 stars
Steaminess Rating: 3.5 stars
Standalone or part of series: Part of trilogy, but I believe each book can be read as standalone.
Do I recommend this book? Yes.
Will I read other books from the author? Yes.
Tropes/Elements: Friends-to-Lovers; Firefighter Romance

robinlovesreading's review against another edition

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5.0

Another hot firefighter. Check. Long-time bestselling NYT author. Check. Another great story with a great mix of emotion. Check.

Having just read the first book in this new trilogy by Jaci Burton, Hot to the Touch, I have already met Rafe, who now gets his story, along with brothers Jackson and Kal. However, each story can be read as a standalone, but I am too addicted to series (and to the author), than to have read this without reading the first in the series.

Rafe Donovan would like to get to know neighbor and ER nurse Carmen Lewis better if he had the choice. He is not looking for a relationship, as this is something he vigorously avoids. But a bit of fun is not a bad idea. Meanwhile, Carmen is not interested in getting involved with Rafe - even if her fantasies speak a different truth.

However, Rafe is brought into Carmen's ER and things progress from there, despite the baggage they both cart around on their backs. For one thing, Carmen is taking care of her grandfather. More importantly, she had a bad marriage when she was younger and cannot trust her sexy neighbor. Rafe's past is also filled with pain. Just one dinner is all Rafe asks, and that's all it takes for these two.

It has been years, with one exception, that I have been able to engross myself in one of Jaci Burton's books. I think her formula has changed just a bit. Yes, this is a friends to lovers story, but it is so much more. Both Carmen and Rafe are complex characters. I love that this book allowed exploration of their past and the conflicts they had to overcome in order to find happiness together. I also loved the strong sense of family in both books in the series. No man is a mountain, as Rafe and his brothers have proved.

Okay, I love romance. I love happily ever after stories. But I also love substance in these stories. Jaci Burton hit the nail on the head with this one and did just that. I cannot wait to read Kal's story.

Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

rachmnolan's review against another edition

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fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes

3.25

paddlefoot55's review against another edition

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3.0

ARC received via Netgalley for an honest review

I haven't read the first Brotherhood book, however this did not affect my reading or enjoyment at all.

Firefighter? Check!
Feisty, independant woman? Check!
Friends to lovers? Check!

See, this book ticked a lot of my boxes, but for some reason, I just didn't really feel it with this story.

Rafe is just a cracker of a character, and you could tell why Carmen and the reader will fall for him. I don't know if it is because I missed the first book, but I wanted more of Rafe's background.

Carmen is a strong and interesting characters, even if I wanted to shake some sense into her at times.

I did enjoy reading Ignite on Contact, and I will read the 3rd story, and will go back and read the first one too.




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