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kathydavie's review against another edition
4.0
First in the Firefighters romantic suspense series and revolving around Anne Ashburn and her passion for firefighting in New Brunswick, Massachusetts.
CAUTION: While I do recommend reading "The Rehearsal Dinner", part 1, and "The Reception", part 2, for the background they provide, do NOT read "Part 3, Excerpt from Consumed", 3. It was so depressing that I almost couldn't open Consumed, and it is only an excerpt from it anyway. What was the publisher thinking??
My Take
This is not a Black Dagger Brotherhood sort of tale, but more of a "cozy-ish" classic romance of why one should always obey orders and always, always consider that there are two sides to any situation.
Using third person global subjective point-of-view, we hear the thoughts and feel the emotions of a number of characters. Mostly Anne as she agonizes over and over about her dad and mom, her loss, and her realizations. She is right in one way, that you should be your own rock, but she needs to find out that it's okay to rely on others as well.
It's an adversarial relationship between the siblings with Anne so angry with their mother and her doormat character. And then again...there's that change in perspective, from child to adult.
In some ways, this story is annoying, primarily because of Anne. I get that she feels she needs to prove herself as a woman, but it's gotta be that huge chip on her shoulder that makes her so dang contrary. She's gotta do everything her way. And I mean everything. She's so obsessed with her mother's relationship with her dad, that she refuses to allow anyone in. As for her attitude toward her new job? Crap.
Why would Anne leap to believe anything that bitch Deandra says... WTF? How stupid is this woman?
I love that Danny loves Anne because he sees her as a partner, and not a princess in a tower. As for that farm Danny bought? Sounds like it's good therapy for him too. God knows he needs it. He's as bad as Anne at not following the rules.
I like Don's speech, and he's right. Investigation is important to find that justice. Anne's got a good speech too that she delivers to Danny, now if she could just open up.
I will give Anne credit for being tenacious, and that interview she does with Ripkin...oh, yeahhhh. I loved it. He was such a jerk! And Anne just bulldozed on over him, lol. I think this interaction is also a good real-life example when you encounter a jerk like this too! And he's why Anne and her mother must spend time together. So I reckon I'll have to give him props for that.
Yep, Ward has built the series characters for us in Consumed, and it'll be interesting to read their stories...of course, Ward's already taken care of four of 'em and set the stage for three more.
It's a little obvious about the political machinations, and I do love Thomas' forthright cynicism and refusal to be pushed into what he doesn't want to do. As for the mayor pushing how her dad was a firefighter? Yeah, well, Thomas puts that in perspective too...and a good example for us to keep in mind when the politicians are telling us how great they are and how bad their opponents. Ya gotta look beneath that surface. Although, the mayor did surprise me. And I suspect she's surprising Tom, especially with that criticism she levels at him. Gotta give Tom credit for taking her seriously.
And I'd want any one of them at my back...
The Story
From firefighter to arson investigator. It's some comedown for Anne Ashburn to this nothing job, a pale substitute for the adrenaline-fueled life she left behind...until she encounters a string of suspicious fires setting her beloved city ablaze.
Danny is also setting a blaze, both in Anne and in the increased risks he's taking. Without Anne, there's nothing for him.
Until he teams up with Anne to find the fire starter.
The Characters
Anne "Sister" Ashburn is/was with the 499. Now she's an arson investigator who still likes to rock climb blows off her first assignment. Soot is the dog she rescues. Her father, the revered (by others) Thomas Ashburn, Sr, died. Nancy Ashburn is Anne and Thomas' mother with a love for frills and a daughter who didn't want them. Uncle Aaron had been their father's best friend.
Arson Investigation and Fire Inspection Division is...
...Anne's new job, at the bottom of the totem pole, and where Don Marshall is her angry boss. Bob Burlington had been an investigator until he went too far.
New Brunswick Firehouse No. 499 is...
...Anne's house and her team includes Daniel "Dannyboy" Maguire; Emilio "Amy" Chavez; Robert "Moose" Miller; Patrick "Duff" Duffy (TJ is his cousin); Deshaun "Doc" Lewis is the engineer; and, Captain Christopher "Chip" Baker is the incident commander. Reggie "Wedgie" Boehner is a newbie. The firemen also double as EMTs and paramedics.
Sol is the stationhouse sergeant they lost. Danny and Mick Roth, who's in rehab, are the last two roommates left now that Moose is married, and Jack (he's a SWAT leader) is moving in with his sister. John Thomas is the brother Dannyboy lost a few years ago. Timmy Houlihan is Jack's second cousin and works crime scenes.
New Brunswick Firehouse No. 617 is...
...the province of Fire Chief Thomas Ashburn, Jr, Anne's brother and a legend. Damian "Damnit" Reichmann is a walking hemorrhoid who measured his self-worth by how many he pissed off. Chuck Parnesi has a bit of a drinking problem but is a stand-up guy. Vic "Ropes" Rizzo has some hardcore pursuits that find masks handy. He's also handy with carpentry.
Thomas' wife, Sheila, left him. Deandra (she got her cosmetology degree and is working as a receptionist on the front desk at Avento Salon) is a disaster.
Brent Mathison is the union president of IAFF Local 5690 who's chummy with the mayor. Dr Laurie McAuliffe is the psychologist whom Danny has to see. Lieutenant Allen Gould, now retired, explained the "dead-baby run" to Danny.
Officers Peter Andropolis and Mikey Lange are willing to extend professional courtesy only so far. Officer Remy LaSalle covered it up. SWAT has a new BEAR, called Shirley, a.k.a., Big Momma.
Catherine Mahoney is the mayor who wants support from the firemen in her first election — Daddy (he runs Mahoney Technologies) bought her this round when Mayor Greenfield died. Graham Perry appears to be an aide? bodyguard? assistant? Barring is her opponent in this election.
Dr Delgado works at the Metro Emergency Veterinary Clinic.
Charles Ripkin is a billionaire property developer who is very grateful that the city's firefighters rescued his daughter, Constance, in a suspicious fire. Persephone is Ripkin's secretary.
Ollie Popper, really Douglas Contare, sells all kinds of stuff in bulk and could be an independent contractor on the black market...or with mob backing. Sterling Broward is a lawyer Ripkin sent to "represent" Ollie.
The Timeout Sports Bar is the bar the firehouses frequent. It's run by Carl's widow, Terri. Josefina is a waitress.
The preppies are rude and crude. Debbie Fazio is married to Sal who works at the 508. She also works at the city shelter. Chris and Chilli work at Mounteria, the rock climbing place Anne frequents. Dave Richmond, a serial PITA, is the idiot client who has to emulate Anne. Silvia is the woman's granddaughter. Teresa La Favreau is a 79-year-old victim, truly gross!
The Cover and Title
The cover is black with thin tangles of fire in reds, orange, and yellow streaming from left to right across the cover. All the text is in white starting with the testimonial at the very top with the title in lower case just above the halfway mark, the author's name about an inch and a quarter from the bottom and underneath that an info blurb. A nice touch is the flames in the foreground on some of the letters, weaving in and out of the rest.
The title is all about Anne Ashburn being a woman Consumed by her need to be the better "man", by her lost career, and by her obsession with that bad-boy partner of hers.
CAUTION: While I do recommend reading "The Rehearsal Dinner", part 1, and "The Reception", part 2, for the background they provide, do NOT read "Part 3, Excerpt from Consumed", 3. It was so depressing that I almost couldn't open Consumed, and it is only an excerpt from it anyway. What was the publisher thinking??
My Take
This is not a Black Dagger Brotherhood sort of tale, but more of a "cozy-ish" classic romance of why one should always obey orders and always, always consider that there are two sides to any situation.
Using third person global subjective point-of-view, we hear the thoughts and feel the emotions of a number of characters. Mostly Anne as she agonizes over and over about her dad and mom, her loss, and her realizations. She is right in one way, that you should be your own rock, but she needs to find out that it's okay to rely on others as well.
It's an adversarial relationship between the siblings with Anne so angry with their mother and her doormat character. And then again...there's that change in perspective, from child to adult.
In some ways, this story is annoying, primarily because of Anne. I get that she feels she needs to prove herself as a woman, but it's gotta be that huge chip on her shoulder that makes her so dang contrary. She's gotta do everything her way. And I mean everything. She's so obsessed with her mother's relationship with her dad, that she refuses to allow anyone in. As for her attitude toward her new job? Crap.
Why would Anne leap to believe anything that bitch Deandra says... WTF? How stupid is this woman?
I love that Danny loves Anne because he sees her as a partner, and not a princess in a tower. As for that farm Danny bought? Sounds like it's good therapy for him too. God knows he needs it. He's as bad as Anne at not following the rules.
I like Don's speech, and he's right. Investigation is important to find that justice. Anne's got a good speech too that she delivers to Danny, now if she could just open up.
I will give Anne credit for being tenacious, and that interview she does with Ripkin...oh, yeahhhh. I loved it. He was such a jerk! And Anne just bulldozed on over him, lol. I think this interaction is also a good real-life example when you encounter a jerk like this too! And he's why Anne and her mother must spend time together. So I reckon I'll have to give him props for that.
"Mom? I want to be like her."It's an interesting cast of characters, rather clichéd in some ways, but Ward makes them memorable from the bitchiest of the bitches to the ones who always feel second-best. From integrity and honor to the cowardly. And conservative to the man who sounds quite the perv...that ought'a be an interesting story.
Yep, Ward has built the series characters for us in Consumed, and it'll be interesting to read their stories...of course, Ward's already taken care of four of 'em and set the stage for three more.
It's a little obvious about the political machinations, and I do love Thomas' forthright cynicism and refusal to be pushed into what he doesn't want to do. As for the mayor pushing how her dad was a firefighter? Yeah, well, Thomas puts that in perspective too...and a good example for us to keep in mind when the politicians are telling us how great they are and how bad their opponents. Ya gotta look beneath that surface. Although, the mayor did surprise me. And I suspect she's surprising Tom, especially with that criticism she levels at him. Gotta give Tom credit for taking her seriously.
And I'd want any one of them at my back...
The Story
From firefighter to arson investigator. It's some comedown for Anne Ashburn to this nothing job, a pale substitute for the adrenaline-fueled life she left behind...until she encounters a string of suspicious fires setting her beloved city ablaze.
Danny is also setting a blaze, both in Anne and in the increased risks he's taking. Without Anne, there's nothing for him.
Until he teams up with Anne to find the fire starter.
The Characters
Anne "Sister" Ashburn is/was with the 499. Now she's an arson investigator who still likes to rock climb blows off her first assignment. Soot is the dog she rescues. Her father, the revered (by others) Thomas Ashburn, Sr, died. Nancy Ashburn is Anne and Thomas' mother with a love for frills and a daughter who didn't want them. Uncle Aaron had been their father's best friend.
Arson Investigation and Fire Inspection Division is...
...Anne's new job, at the bottom of the totem pole, and where Don Marshall is her angry boss. Bob Burlington had been an investigator until he went too far.
New Brunswick Firehouse No. 499 is...
...Anne's house and her team includes Daniel "Dannyboy" Maguire; Emilio "Amy" Chavez; Robert "Moose" Miller; Patrick "Duff" Duffy (TJ is his cousin); Deshaun "Doc" Lewis is the engineer; and, Captain Christopher "Chip" Baker is the incident commander. Reggie "Wedgie" Boehner is a newbie. The firemen also double as EMTs and paramedics.
Sol is the stationhouse sergeant they lost. Danny and Mick Roth, who's in rehab, are the last two roommates left now that Moose is married, and Jack (he's a SWAT leader) is moving in with his sister. John Thomas is the brother Dannyboy lost a few years ago. Timmy Houlihan is Jack's second cousin and works crime scenes.
New Brunswick Firehouse No. 617 is...
...the province of Fire Chief Thomas Ashburn, Jr, Anne's brother and a legend. Damian "Damnit" Reichmann is a walking hemorrhoid who measured his self-worth by how many he pissed off. Chuck Parnesi has a bit of a drinking problem but is a stand-up guy. Vic "Ropes" Rizzo has some hardcore pursuits that find masks handy. He's also handy with carpentry.
Thomas' wife, Sheila, left him. Deandra (she got her cosmetology degree and is working as a receptionist on the front desk at Avento Salon) is a disaster.
Brent Mathison is the union president of IAFF Local 5690 who's chummy with the mayor. Dr Laurie McAuliffe is the psychologist whom Danny has to see. Lieutenant Allen Gould, now retired, explained the "dead-baby run" to Danny.
Officers Peter Andropolis and Mikey Lange are willing to extend professional courtesy only so far. Officer Remy LaSalle covered it up. SWAT has a new BEAR, called Shirley, a.k.a., Big Momma.
Catherine Mahoney is the mayor who wants support from the firemen in her first election — Daddy (he runs Mahoney Technologies) bought her this round when Mayor Greenfield died. Graham Perry appears to be an aide? bodyguard? assistant? Barring is her opponent in this election.
Dr Delgado works at the Metro Emergency Veterinary Clinic.
Charles Ripkin is a billionaire property developer who is very grateful that the city's firefighters rescued his daughter, Constance, in a suspicious fire. Persephone is Ripkin's secretary.
Ollie Popper, really Douglas Contare, sells all kinds of stuff in bulk and could be an independent contractor on the black market...or with mob backing. Sterling Broward is a lawyer Ripkin sent to "represent" Ollie.
The Timeout Sports Bar is the bar the firehouses frequent. It's run by Carl's widow, Terri. Josefina is a waitress.
The preppies are rude and crude. Debbie Fazio is married to Sal who works at the 508. She also works at the city shelter. Chris and Chilli work at Mounteria, the rock climbing place Anne frequents. Dave Richmond, a serial PITA, is the idiot client who has to emulate Anne. Silvia is the woman's granddaughter. Teresa La Favreau is a 79-year-old victim, truly gross!
The Cover and Title
The cover is black with thin tangles of fire in reds, orange, and yellow streaming from left to right across the cover. All the text is in white starting with the testimonial at the very top with the title in lower case just above the halfway mark, the author's name about an inch and a quarter from the bottom and underneath that an info blurb. A nice touch is the flames in the foreground on some of the letters, weaving in and out of the rest.
The title is all about Anne Ashburn being a woman Consumed by her need to be the better "man", by her lost career, and by her obsession with that bad-boy partner of hers.
kerithesmutslut's review against another edition
4.0
I adore anything JR Ward writes. I loved Danny, and I loved the storyline of this book. With that said... I absolutely loathed Anne. I understand she was suppose to be the heroine of this story, and she did eventually get better.. as in the last 10 pages of the book, but the other 300+ pages?? Ugh I hated her. I hated the way she treated her family, I hated the way she treated Danny... I just hated her all together. Normally I find lots of redeeming qualities with Wards heroines, but this book not so much. I'm excited to read her next book in the series, but hopefully with a better heroine!
trudyd's review against another edition
4.0
OH MY!!!!! I did not see that ending coming. I can't believe it, totally blown away. The romance, the drama, the suspense kept me reading past my bedtime, while I should be cleaning and whenever I found a spare moment.
spuckett10's review against another edition
5.0
This is the first time I've read JR Ward outside of the Black Dagger Brotherhood and it definitely went outside of my normal reading.
This book is definitely has the good framework that Ward is known to use to develop a cast of characters that you come to love and pull for. Anne and Danny are flawed but very relatable, as well as the other characters introduced. I loved the romance element is there but it's not the main focus of the novel and the mystery of the "who done it" kept you hanging on for the next chapter, the next scene.
Definitely looking forward to the next book.
This book is definitely has the good framework that Ward is known to use to develop a cast of characters that you come to love and pull for. Anne and Danny are flawed but very relatable, as well as the other characters introduced. I loved the romance element is there but it's not the main focus of the novel and the mystery of the "who done it" kept you hanging on for the next chapter, the next scene.
Definitely looking forward to the next book.
beckyrendon's review against another edition
4.0
Talk about heat! I was getting hot flashes from the prequels. Teasing, tension and a side of oh my....
Clearly the HOT fireman stereotype is a fan favorite. I am a fan after all. So why wouldn't I jump at the chance to meet the first and hopefully not the last handsome hero in this series.
Never having experienced the awesomeness that is a J.R. Ward book before I can say I'm a convert. I was blown away by the total package. The characters, flawed though they are, felt real. They are more than a 2D piece of placeholder. Each had their own feel. This is true in tons of stories but I felt an instant bond to Anne and her hottie.
I appreciated the story most of all. The actual meat and potatoes plot line. The story wasn't drowning in romance (not that I ever complain) it was a perfect blend of what you wanted and needed. I appreciate that the need was to tell a story and not string together a bunch of hookups. I liked having a heroine with some seriously kick ass abilities...or should I say tendencies.
I tip my hat to you J.R. Ward. I look forward to more adventures of your creation.
Book received in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed on behalf of Once Upon An Alpha
Clearly the HOT fireman stereotype is a fan favorite. I am a fan after all. So why wouldn't I jump at the chance to meet the first and hopefully not the last handsome hero in this series.
Never having experienced the awesomeness that is a J.R. Ward book before I can say I'm a convert. I was blown away by the total package. The characters, flawed though they are, felt real. They are more than a 2D piece of placeholder. Each had their own feel. This is true in tons of stories but I felt an instant bond to Anne and her hottie.
I appreciated the story most of all. The actual meat and potatoes plot line. The story wasn't drowning in romance (not that I ever complain) it was a perfect blend of what you wanted and needed. I appreciate that the need was to tell a story and not string together a bunch of hookups. I liked having a heroine with some seriously kick ass abilities...or should I say tendencies.
I tip my hat to you J.R. Ward. I look forward to more adventures of your creation.
Book received in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed on behalf of Once Upon An Alpha
alwaysbooking's review against another edition
2.0
2 not so on fire stars!
I think I'm just not a J.R. Ward reader, I have tried the brotherhood books, and the bourbon King books, but I can't get into any of them. I am not a quitter however and decided to pick up Consumed since it involved firefighters and a strong female lead. However I couldn't engage with any of the characters or the plot. It had a great premise with the main protagonist being a female firefighter who has to overcome so many obstacles in her life and work. I wanted to like her but she was really harsh about some things she wanted other people to take her seriously as a female fire fighter but would be little other women for their choices. Her character arc was a little late and not very conductive for me. We did get Danny's side too and he wasn't a very reliable character, he was wild and not a very good firefighter. He did whatever he wanted when he wanted. His character arc however was much better he did seek help and seemed to get things better controlled.
I did DNF the brotherhood books, I almost DNF'd the bourbon King book, I struggled through this book. I hate to say it but I think J.R. Ward isn't for me and it's okay not everyone likes the same books. I'm pretty sure my not liking her books isn't going to hurt this queen of an author in any way shape or form she is a legend and will remain so.
I think I'm just not a J.R. Ward reader, I have tried the brotherhood books, and the bourbon King books, but I can't get into any of them. I am not a quitter however and decided to pick up Consumed since it involved firefighters and a strong female lead. However I couldn't engage with any of the characters or the plot. It had a great premise with the main protagonist being a female firefighter who has to overcome so many obstacles in her life and work. I wanted to like her but she was really harsh about some things she wanted other people to take her seriously as a female fire fighter but would be little other women for their choices. Her character arc was a little late and not very conductive for me. We did get Danny's side too and he wasn't a very reliable character, he was wild and not a very good firefighter. He did whatever he wanted when he wanted. His character arc however was much better he did seek help and seemed to get things better controlled.
I did DNF the brotherhood books, I almost DNF'd the bourbon King book, I struggled through this book. I hate to say it but I think J.R. Ward isn't for me and it's okay not everyone likes the same books. I'm pretty sure my not liking her books isn't going to hurt this queen of an author in any way shape or form she is a legend and will remain so.
amym84's review against another edition
4.0
JR Ward begins a new series with Consumed. A story about firefighter Anne Ashburn the only woman at the New Brunswick 499 station who suffers a life-altering injury when responding to a warehouse fire. An injury that ends her firefighting career, but puts her on the path as an arson investigator. When Anne starts putting together pieces of the puzzle in regards to a string of warehouse fires over the last couple of years, she brings unwanted attention upon herself. Attention that will cause someone with big connections to try to silence Anne for good.
Danny McGuire was involved in the same warehouse fire as Anne and while he got out a little less scathed, his emotional state is spiraling. He blames himself for what happened to Anne, and he mourns the loss of what could have been between them as they had started tentatively exploring a relationship.
When Anne and Danny reconnect on the road to healing, they don't want to give up what's between them, but with everything that's happened, can they have a relationship? Danny thinks so, he's not giving up on Anne, and he's definitely not going anywhere once he finds out someone has set their sights in silencing Anne.
I was pretty surprised by Consumed. I sped through it and devoted about a day and half to being able to think of nothing else but reading / finishing this book. So in that regard I guess you could say I liked Consumed, and I did, but part of me is still wrapping my head around my thoughts for this book.
Fresh off of finishing Ward's The Bourbon Kings series, it was difficult not to compare and contrast them. In all respects, Ward has, of course, written something completely different than the aforementioned series. Where that one seemed sprawling and steeped in a kind of dynastic legacy charm, Consumed kind of goes in the opposite direction. There's still plenty of family drama as Anne begins to come to terms with her relationships (or lack thereof) with her mother and older brother, and the legacy left behind from her hero-worshiped father who died in the line of duty (he was also a firefighter). I found Consumed presented the problems and, usually, answered the questions pretty quickly. I felt like this first book dealt more with Anne and Danny on a precipice of sorts. They can either continue down the paths of self-destruction they've set for themselves, or they can begin to heal, try to put the past behind them, or if not behind them at least taking the feeling of guilt and / or blame out of the equation.
The secondary storyline with Anne's investigation, while interesting, pretty much pales in comparison to seeing Anne and Danny make their way back to each other. For me, Anne was, at first, not an easy character to like. I immediately admired her strength (for what she went through, no doubt requires it), but she seemed gruff and almost unapologetic in how she views people. I loved watching her development through this first book, and by the end I had changed my opinion. I loved that she let her defenses down and learned that sometimes it's ok to be vulnerable, especially as it comes to her interactions with Danny, that it's not a show of weakness.
Danny was the a guy who could be counted on for a good time, and he's had plenty of women who can attest to this. I loved seeing the almost reverence he has for Anne. Ward perfectly captured in a very limited scope the idea of a relationship that blossomed out of friendship. Anne is different for Danny than every other woman he's been with. It was sweet, it was heartbreaking, but I loved seeing him crawl out of the darkness he slide down after the fire, but still struggle everyday with the things he sees / does as part of his job. It's a job that takes a toll, not only physically but emotionally as well.
As stated above, I was surprised at how quickly we got some of the resolutions, not unhappy about it, but definitely surprised. I was glad that we didn't have to wait until the end of the series or until the next book to figure some things out, but that also leaves me wondering where JR Ward plans to take the series next. I'd love to have more Anne and Danny, but I feel like there were so many secondary characters just begging to get their own time front and center that it would be nice to see, but the investigation is linked so intrinsically to Anne, and it far from completely resolved by the end, that I don't know how the next book would pick up if Anne wasn't a focal character. I guess we'll see.
For those who don't know, JR Ward released two short prequel stories The Rehearsal Dinner and The Reception which sort of tie into Consumed and give a little background. I don't want to say they're necessary to read (I read the first one before Consumed and the second one after I finished Consumed) but I did find some of the context of previously mentioned happenings a little easier to understand once I had read the prequels. But bonus: they're free reads! And as far as I can tell will remain that way.
I think fans of JR Ward will definitely find a lot to like about Consumed. If you're new to her books, I think this series is as good as any place to start (unless you prefer paranormal romance)
Danny McGuire was involved in the same warehouse fire as Anne and while he got out a little less scathed, his emotional state is spiraling. He blames himself for what happened to Anne, and he mourns the loss of what could have been between them as they had started tentatively exploring a relationship.
When Anne and Danny reconnect on the road to healing, they don't want to give up what's between them, but with everything that's happened, can they have a relationship? Danny thinks so, he's not giving up on Anne, and he's definitely not going anywhere once he finds out someone has set their sights in silencing Anne.
I was pretty surprised by Consumed. I sped through it and devoted about a day and half to being able to think of nothing else but reading / finishing this book. So in that regard I guess you could say I liked Consumed, and I did, but part of me is still wrapping my head around my thoughts for this book.
Fresh off of finishing Ward's The Bourbon Kings series, it was difficult not to compare and contrast them. In all respects, Ward has, of course, written something completely different than the aforementioned series. Where that one seemed sprawling and steeped in a kind of dynastic legacy charm, Consumed kind of goes in the opposite direction. There's still plenty of family drama as Anne begins to come to terms with her relationships (or lack thereof) with her mother and older brother, and the legacy left behind from her hero-worshiped father who died in the line of duty (he was also a firefighter). I found Consumed presented the problems and, usually, answered the questions pretty quickly. I felt like this first book dealt more with Anne and Danny on a precipice of sorts. They can either continue down the paths of self-destruction they've set for themselves, or they can begin to heal, try to put the past behind them, or if not behind them at least taking the feeling of guilt and / or blame out of the equation.
The secondary storyline with Anne's investigation, while interesting, pretty much pales in comparison to seeing Anne and Danny make their way back to each other. For me, Anne was, at first, not an easy character to like. I immediately admired her strength (for what she went through, no doubt requires it), but she seemed gruff and almost unapologetic in how she views people. I loved watching her development through this first book, and by the end I had changed my opinion. I loved that she let her defenses down and learned that sometimes it's ok to be vulnerable, especially as it comes to her interactions with Danny, that it's not a show of weakness.
Danny was the a guy who could be counted on for a good time, and he's had plenty of women who can attest to this. I loved seeing the almost reverence he has for Anne. Ward perfectly captured in a very limited scope the idea of a relationship that blossomed out of friendship. Anne is different for Danny than every other woman he's been with. It was sweet, it was heartbreaking, but I loved seeing him crawl out of the darkness he slide down after the fire, but still struggle everyday with the things he sees / does as part of his job. It's a job that takes a toll, not only physically but emotionally as well.
As stated above, I was surprised at how quickly we got some of the resolutions, not unhappy about it, but definitely surprised. I was glad that we didn't have to wait until the end of the series or until the next book to figure some things out, but that also leaves me wondering where JR Ward plans to take the series next. I'd love to have more Anne and Danny, but I feel like there were so many secondary characters just begging to get their own time front and center that it would be nice to see, but the investigation is linked so intrinsically to Anne, and it far from completely resolved by the end, that I don't know how the next book would pick up if Anne wasn't a focal character. I guess we'll see.
For those who don't know, JR Ward released two short prequel stories The Rehearsal Dinner and The Reception which sort of tie into Consumed and give a little background. I don't want to say they're necessary to read (I read the first one before Consumed and the second one after I finished Consumed) but I did find some of the context of previously mentioned happenings a little easier to understand once I had read the prequels. But bonus: they're free reads! And as far as I can tell will remain that way.
I think fans of JR Ward will definitely find a lot to like about Consumed. If you're new to her books, I think this series is as good as any place to start (unless you prefer paranormal romance)