Hot to the Touch by Jaci Burton Pages: 334
Series: Brotherhood by Fire #1
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: ARC, NetGalley
Also in this series: Ignite on Contact
Also by this author: Rules of Contact, The Final Score, Shot on Gold, Ignite on Contact
Goodreads
Firefighter Jackson Donovan doesn't look back—as a rule. So when his past comes roaring back to life in the form of not-so-damsel-in-distress Becks Benning, the last thing he wants to do is relive old times. No matter how tempting she makes it seem...
Now thanks to his two interfering brothers, Becks is living with them while she looks for a new place and tries to pick up the pieces of her tattoo business that went up in flames. Which means a grown up, smokin' hot Becks is in his house, sharing meals, and digging up old wounds. And despite his better judgement, the more time he spends with this smart, artistic, incredible woman the more he wants her in his bed—and his future.
Becks always had it bad for Jackson. Unfortunately for her, not much has changed--he's still honorable, hard-working, sexy as sin—and closed off. But there's more than one way to get to a man's heart and if Jackson doesn't want to recall old memories, she'll just have to help him make new ones. Because now that she's found Jackson again, she's not letting him go.
There were several things I really liked about Hot to the Touch:
- Family! You are introduced to a trio of brothers that have survived a less than ideal life. I love their bonds for sure!
- Low angst! Can I get an amen?!
- Becks is a phenomenal woman. She is giving, compassionate, and determined!
Jackson has baggage that he doesn’t want to deal with. He prefers to forget the past. Becks won’t let him though so he pushes her away. Becks and Jackson knew each other years ago when their lives were less than easy, and Becks has always had a thing for Jackson. Sometimes Jackson can come off as kind of a rude jerk as opposed to tortured hero which was annoying. Becks is delightful though! She has such a sunny disposition that you just want to hang out with her and absorb some of that positivity!
While there is lots of chemistry between Becks and Jackson, I felt there was something lacking in the relationship. Maybe it was because I felt Jackson was so closed off. I can’t put my finger on it, but it just didn’t quite seem to fully click. They go from “someone I sort of knew years ago” to “someone I have sex with but thats it” to “relationship” and I felt that Jackson was kind of dragging his feet at times.
Even with my struggles, I thought Hot to the Touch was a quick and steamy read. Fans of Burton will love the family dynamic and steamy love and new readers will get to jump into a new ‘world’.
- POV: 3rd
- Tears: no
- Trope: friends to lovers (ish), Firefighters
- Triggers: none
- Series/Standalone: stand alone
- Cliffhanger: View Spoiler »
- HEA: View Spoiler »
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authors like Lauren Blakely, Lorelei James, Kristen Proby…then you will probably like Hot to the Touch!
Hot to the Touch
I love all things family and a quick steamy read!
Fantastic review. I have to say that I kind of like the idea that characters can be jerks at time, it gives them a more realistic feeling to me. However, the lack of proper pacing sounds really frustrating. I do agree that low angst is a big plus.
Great review! I didn’t like it quite as much as you and it was as you mention Jackson and the whole thing felt a bit unrealistic. But I loved the family and the firefighter aspects so I’ll definitely read more.