4 Wine Glass #Review of Consumed by J.R. Ward

Title: Consumed
Series: Firefighters #1
Author: J.R. Ward
Format: eBook/Paperback, 416 pages
Expected publication: October 2nd 2018 by Piatkus
ISBN: 0349420629
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N
Source: NetGalley
Reviewer: Crystal
Rating: 4 out of 5 Wine Glasses

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the popular Black Dagger Brotherhood series comes a brand-new novel about arson investigator, Ann Ashburn, who is consumed by her troubled past, her family's scorched legacy, and her current case: chasing a deadly killer.

Anne Ashburn is a woman consumed...

By her bitter family legacy, by her scorched career as a firefighter, by her obsession with department bad-boy Danny McGuire, and by a new case that pits her against a fiery killer.

Strong-willed Anne was fearless and loved the thrill of fighting fires, pushing herself to be the best. But when one risky decision at a warehouse fire changes her life forever, Anne must reinvent not only her job, but her whole self.

Shattered and demoralized, Anne finds her new career as an arson investigator a pale substitute for the adrenaline-fueled life she left behind. She doesn't believe she will ever feel that same all-consuming passion for her job again--until she encounters a string of suspicious fires setting her beloved city ablaze.

Danny McGuire is a premiere fireman, best in the county, but in the midst of a personal meltdown. Danny is taking risks like never before and seems to have a death wish until he teams up with Anne to find the fire starter. But Danny may be more than a distraction, and as Anne narrows in on her target, the arsonist begins to target her.

From the creator of the bestselling Black Dagger Brotherhood, get ready for a new band of brothers. And a firestorm . . .

Crystal's Thoughts:
J. R. Ward’s Consumed is a gripping, powerful, and explosive story of love and second chances that kept me turning the pages!

Anne Ashburn is a strong, independent woman in a family of firefighters. She has no problem being just another one of the guys in Engine Company 17, and expects to be treated as one. To fellow firefighter, Danny McGuire though, Anne is all woman. One night of smoking passion turns into a burning obsession, but Anne knows that getting too involved with Dannyboy could mean the end of her career, especially if she's just another passing flame for him. When a call gone bad turns each of their world's upside-down, Anne and Danny must dig deep for that tiny ember that keeps them going. Will they be able to find support in each other, or will they burn out?

Consumed was classic Ward writing; with tough-as-nails characters, fiery passion, and stunning intrigue. I loved the raw environment that Ward has built here of firehouse politics, each of the characters frustrations were palpable. The plot was edgy and riddled with provocative subject matter. Anne, Danny, and the entire Engine Company 17 unit came alive on the pages and pulled at my heartstrings. The tension that sizzled between Anne and Danny was captivating and the twists, oh the hearts-stopping twists! I was white-knuckling the edges of my ereader when all of that pressure finally reaches a boiling point.

Consumed is a thrill ride that you won’t want to miss, and I’m looking forward to more from this Firefighters series. As for the prequels, if you would like to see how Anne and Danny first came to be I'd suggest reading The Rehearsal Dinner and The Reception. They give really good insight into these characters if you read it right before starting Consumed, and delve further into the fire that changed Anne and Danny's lives.