This book! It gives you all kinds of feels. It has anger, lust, loss, love and humor all rolled into one and it’s amazing to behold. The dialogue between all the characters is amazing, the story doesn’t leave you hanging in anyway. This is definitely one book you will want to read. Told in dual POV.

Do you ever feel like sometimes things happen for a reason? In all honesty, it's a bit of a quirky story in that I had never heard of this author previously (apparently I live in a bubble!) and inadvertently requested this book via NetGalley. Perhaps it was fate, who knows, but mistake or not, this book was amazing!

Since I had no clue what this story was even about, I dove in completely blind and boy was I ever blown away. With the first couple of chapters I wasn't sure what to think of either Jackson or Bianca however they quickly won me over. I adored both of them and rooted for them as a couple right up to the end.

I will not only be on the look out for the next books in this series but plan on checking out the author's back list as well.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley.

I just finished Burn for You by J.T. Geissinger and all I can think is Wow! Every once in awhile I am lucky enough to read something special and Burn for You is very special. I enjoyed this contemporary romance twist on Beauty and The Beast so much that I think that I am going to read it again! Bianca Hardwick is a chef and owner of her New Orleans restaurant. She has a mother, friends and staff that she adores. She has just created a menu revolving around a popular brand of bourbon, Boudreaux bourbon. Jackson Boudreaux walks into her restaurant and demands a table and service. He is none too pleased to hear that someone is serving his families liquor on their menu and he's even less pleased that he likes the food! Jackson is everything opposite from Bianca, he's rough, she's smooth, he's classless and she's classy, he's angry and she's usually happy but not with him. There's a plot line called "Slap, Slap, Kiss" that is referred to in this book and it describes this story perfectly. These two argue, complain and eventually kiss and what a kiss it will be! There are multiple layers to Burn for You besides a love story, there's a story of a daughter's love for her mother and a son's heartbreak at the circumstances that his life has handed him to shape him into the adult he is. I am not going to give away any spoilers because that will ruin the story for the readers. If you are fan of contemporary romance with a little bit of spice mixed in, I highly recommend this book. I have read J.T. Geissinger's books before and I think that this is my new favorite. I was given a copy of Burn for You via Netgalley and this is my freely given honest review.

4.5 stars!

If anyone was to ask, Beauty and the Beast is my absolute favorite fairy tale. EVER. There is something about a tortured and angry hero and the heroine who helps him heal and the inevitable true love that ties them together. Burn For You (Slow Burn Book #1) is the first in J.T. Geissinger's sexy and addicting new series and it was honestly consuming. I laughed and I swooned and I just could not get enough of Mr. Tall, Dark and Broody. Don't get me wrong - Jackson Boudreaux was all kinds of handsome and gorgeous but his growly, broody demeanor was by far my most favorite trait. He was like a wounded and lonely bear in the forest and Ms. Bianca Hardwick was just the perfect, sassy, spirited woman to bring him back to life. This book was absolutely amazing and I did not want it to end!

When mean-tempered and growly Jackson Boudreaux enters Bianca Hardwick's widely acclaimed restaurant demanding the best table and the attention he deserves, he did not know what was going to hit him. Or rather, <i>WHO.</i> He definitely did not expect the sweet and beautiful chef and owner to fight back and demand all the respect that was her due. Furthermore, he did not know what to do with himself as the recipient of all her sass and sweetly veiled barbs putting him in his place. GAHHH! It was fantastic!!! Their chemistry and banter was amazing and this book was a slow-burn of epic proportions. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.

Geissinger has such an ingenious skill of allowing her readers to get so engrossed in the story where they feel the hero and heroine's deep and intense emotions. There was something about Jackson's vulnerabilities that I could not stop obsessing over. He was so tough and rigid on the outside but deep inside was tortured by guilt and felt worthless and rejected. I wanted to give that man just a great big hug. Likewise, Bianca was sweet and sassy and just a ray of sunshine. She loved deeply and would do anything for her family. She gave as good as she got and would not tolerate any type of disrespect or ill-treatment. Furthermore, she had the biggest heart of gold and saw right through Jackson's hardened walls to his soft cuddly center. She was the breath of fresh air that Jackson came to need and adore and at first glance he knew she was different from anyone he ever met. I just loved them both so much!

One of my favorite parts of Burn For You was that it was a feast for the senses. It took place amidst the rich and storied culture of New Orleans and through the delicious depictions of food and drink I felt like I was back there enjoying delicious beignets and Bloody Marys among friends. All in all, this author has proven that her innate ability to create a mind-blowing story continues with the Slow Burn series. While I did feel that the ending was somewhat rushed and an epilogue would have created a bit of closure and a more vivid picture of Jackson and Bianca as a couple, I thought this was a fantastic story that I was engrossed in from the first page. I was sad to see it end but I am equally excited about what's next for us!

With a doubt, Ms. Geissinger is an artist who uses her words to paint worlds and characters we can't get enough of. I can't wait for her next one! Bravo! 4.5 stars! ~Ratula

Let me just put this out there first and foremost.....I <i>LOVE</i> J.T. Geissinger as an author. She is a creative genius who has written some of my all-time favorites series of late. She is most definitely a one-click author for me. When her newest book Burn for You came my way, I did a little jig....okay, not a little one, a big one! Aside from the obvious reasons for wanting to read it (see above), I couldn't wait to read her spin on the timeless classic Beauty and the Beast. It's a bit of a departure from the stories she has written in the past but I knew it would be phenomenal and Geissinger came through in spades! She crafted a story that is entertaining, romantic, heartbreaking and beautiful. Taking place in Louisiana, readers will revel in the hilarious dialogue that will make them laugh and the deep Southern culture that sets the tone for the story.

The characters are truly magical and I fell hard for each and every one of them. Bianca is a fiercely strong and independent woman who had me laughing constantly. She takes no bull and isn't afraid to stand her ground or speak her mind. She isn't your traditional heroine and that is something that I really loved about her. She's unassuming, accepts her flaws and works hard for everything she has. In a nutshell, she is ballsy and completely real! Jackson is a beast of a man (natch). He has a huge presence and uses his size and constant scowl to steamroll everyone in his path. He's extremely wealthy and his reputation leaves those in his path quaking and kowtowing to please him. He's brash, demanding and completely awkward in social situations as he just doesn't know how to deal with people. When he and Bianca cross paths, the electricity between these two leaps off the pages. They strike a deal and what follows is an epic journey of love, loss, pain and redemption. Jackson harbors deep, painful secrets that have led him to completely shelter himself from others. However, Bianca begins to see him in a new light as they spend more and more time together and she slowly brings out the best in him. Trust me.....this "beast" has the biggest, most incredible heart and I just wanted to hug him endlessly as his secrets were revealed. Jackson's character is phenomenal---I absolutely loved him!!! The supporting characters that appear throughout are a delight. Rayford was hilarious and Eeny had me cracking up every time she appeared in a scene. Geissinger created a cast of characters that are completely endearing and original.

Geissinger added a fun touch to the story with enticing recipes peppered throughout the book. They all sound divine! It's a kitschy way to engage the reader further and elevate the reading experience. Burn for You is such an unforgettable, beautiful and fun story. Told from a dual POV, readers will not be able to put down the book as they race to reach Bianca and Jackson's HEA. With this 5 star story, Geissinger has once again proved why she remains one of my absolute favorite authors.

Is there anything more satisfying than a gripping, sensual, smoldering slow burn?

Well, maybe that moment when the flame catches and all that smolder turns positively electric, sparking with fiery chemistry and feels. God that feels so sweet, and Burn for You dished it up for me, just exactly the way I like it.

This is a Beauty and the Beast story, which is one of my absolute favorite tropes. There is something about a growly, prickly hero with an ooey gooey underbelly that gets me every single time. And Jackson Boudreaux was the best kind of Beast. Holy buckets, you guys. I cannot even tell you how much I adored that man. Even when he was a complete jerk, there was something about how he was written that kept me drawn to him, heart eyeballs firmly in place as he titillated my mind and stole my heart in one fell swoop.

Of course, the growly grumpy hero only works if he’s paired with a spirited, strong heroine and, once again, Ms. Geissinger nailed it for me. Bianca Hardwick could not have been more perfect. Sassy and full of fire, she pulled no punches with our (lovably) cantankerous hero and completely won me over. These two together were perfection. As the story unfolded and Ms. Geissinger kept dropping little bombs on this fantastic couple (and the readers) my heart only split open wider, tucking both of these characters inside where I think I might just keep them for a while.

I loved it. I didn’t want it to end. There was something about the writing, and the lovely storytelling, that just held me completely in thrall. If I have one complaint, it’s that I would have liked a little more. I felt like there were some threads left dangling at the end and I would have liked…something to close the loop for me. Perhaps I will get that in a later book – and make no mistake, I will definitely be back for more. If you’re looking for something with the perfect blend of emotional punches and slow burning heat balanced against lighthearted humor and a perfectly sweet love story, Burn for You is just the thing!

It might seem odd that I have a hero with the nickname “The Beast” on my book boyfriend list, but Jackson Boudreaux in Burn for You is much more than the cantankerous, self-important millionaire he appears to be. He’s complex, sensitive and drop-dead sexy, and he is absolutely fascinating when he falls for the sassy chef, Bianca Hardwick.

Bianca owns one of the hottest new restaurants in New Orleans, but she is under financial strain to assist with her mother’s medical bills; therefore, she really can’t say no to Jackson’s last minute demand offer to cater his upcoming charity event, although she finds him to be arrogant and maddening. The sparks fly between this beauty and beast as they challenge each other and wrestle for control, but things get really interesting when Jackson proposes a marriage of convenience with Bianca in order to secure his significant inheritance. Bianca agrees and thus begins Jackson’s unraveling in which his many layers are pulled back to reveal the man underneath all the gruff. The push and pull between these two is electrifying, and Burn for You is an entertaining, captivating and fun romance with an unforgettable beast of a hero.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is my first J.T. Geissinger book and it won't be my last. I love this modern day take on Beauty & the Beast. I thought it was very well done with a really good storyline and very interesting characters.
Jackson, the Beast, turns out to not nearly as beastie as Bianca believes him to be. Yes he can be arrogant and rude but there is so much more to Jax, like his generosity and huge heart and his quiet vulnerability, just so many layers. It is quite awesome to watch as Bianca manages to chip away at his hard outer shell and strip him down to his soul. He is also devastatingly handsome.
Bianca is a hard working, sassy, strong and beautiful woman. She has a lot going on in her life between her sick mother, restaurant and jerky ex-boyfriend. She does not like Jax at all in the beginning but the more she gets to know the real him, the more she really likes him.
Can these two turn their fake relationship with real combustible chemistry into a love everlasting?

I look forward to more books in this new series.

A highly delightful, explosive Slap Slap Kiss…

This is the first book in the Slow Burn series that can be read as a stand-alone.

When the chef Jackson Boudreau had hired to cater a charity event quit he’s in need of a replacement and is recommended a local chef that he checks out. Neither the woman nor her staff give him the due his family name should command which is a serious annoyance that increases his testiness but the food will do and he needs someone quickly. The huge success of the event and an outrageous demand from his father leads him to also contract the sassy chef, who unexpectedly appeals to him in ways he doesn’t really fathom yet, into a marriage of convenience for their mutual monetary benefit. Money can’t fix the wrongs in his life but it does provide the comfort he’s become accustomed to. That the woman touches something inside him he thought long dead is a complication he needs to resist or does he?

Chef Bianca Hardwick designed a delicious menu for her restaurant using Boudreau bourbon that the patrons absolutely love. It wasn’t surprising that a member of the Boudreau family who happens to live in New Orleans would hear about it and come in to dine. She wasn’t prepared for the man’s arrogance, the level of rudeness displayed and not one for taking anyone’s crap she calls him on it. Instant dislike is a mild understatement of what she feels but she comps his meal anyway as a thank you for his family’s wonderful spirits that inspired her craft. Never expecting to see him again she’s stunned that he wants to hire her and appalled at the short time frame, if it weren’t for her mother’s sickness she would pass but the funds are sorely needed. She can deal with the abominable beast of a man for a short time or can she? His next proposition is mind-blowing, that she even considers it illustrates her desperation.

It’s not just family need that drives Bianca’s decision, the man is rich, gorgeous with a personality that bristles and stings like a porcupine but in the short time she’s known him there’s more than the façade he shows the world, she’s intrigued about this churlish man. There’s a darkness in Jackson’s soul that no woman deserves but that doesn’t mean a man can’t wish for what he shouldn’t have or allow himself.

This was a wonderful, humorous, emotional, sexy adaptation of the beauty and the beast theme with captivating characters, an interesting storyline; awesome use of descriptive metaphors perfectly placed with great internal dialogue accompanying highly entertaining banter. The use of a southern belle and the misunderstood wild man with their constant push and pull drew this reader in from page one. From the onset the protagonists have an intense mutual hatred combined with a strong sexual attraction they don’t know what to do with that complicates the situation, a simmering slow burn that inevitably has to end in a fiery explosion. Both come with emotional baggage making them judgmental at first until they learn what’s behind each other’s invisible shields. Sometimes all it takes is that one person who can see through to your core to set the demons free, that person who’ll fight for the beauty found underneath the stormy surface. This story had all the feels, it had a blend of amusement and seriousness much like you find in real life. You have to love the supporting cast and their dramas. One thing this reader would have liked was an epilogue set further in the future, the recipes described in the book look delicious, delectable culinary temptations.

An advanced reading copy was obtained from the publisher via NetGalley.

A first for me by this author. I, not too sure I'd read another. The book could be renamed "slow burn" as that's what it was for me ...very slow. Less sizzle than most books, more of a fizzle.

Burn for You was an incredible 5-star read. I couldn’t put the book down. It had me feeling every emotion, it’s funny, sexy, anger, and even sadness – I’m in emotional overload!! I really want to take a trip to New Orleans because of this book, just to eat the food and drink bourbon.
Bianca Hardwick is the owner/head chef of a restaurant in New Orleans, to which she features Boudreaux bourbon in her dishes. Jackson Boudreaux visits Bianca restaurant “to protect his family name” but learns that Bianca is a good chef. The next day, he asks her to cater a fund-raiser for him. See, Jackson really wants nothing to do with his family’s business, but when his father tells him that he has two options – move back to Kentucky and run the company or get married by his next birthday. Well, of course, he going to ask Bianca because she is the only woman in 4 years that he can’t get off his mind. But what will she say?
When you first met Jackson Boudreaux you really want to slap him across the face for being a stuck-up a**. But the more you learn about him, he is not what you first thought; he does have a couple of secrets that will surprise you. Bianca’s mother described him the best by comparing him to crème brulee – “tough on the outside but inside all soft and gooey sweet.” I loved Bianca’s sassy and smartass side, totally could relate to that. She never held back what she thought about something. Really hoping this isn’t the last we see of them, I would love to read more.
P.S. - I also loved that the author added recipes throughout the book. Going to try the cheesecake and some of the drink ones!!

Holy nuts hang onto your hats with this one. Jackson "the Beast" Boudreux and he's set his sights on Chef Bianca Hardwick, owner of one of the best restaurants in the French Quarter. What the Beast wants the Beast gets and Bianca sure isn't going to make it easy for him. I honestly never laughed so hard at some on the antics and idioms in this story. I have to hand it to J.T. she did a great job injecting not just the creole but making up those little lines that had me running to the bathroom so I didn't wet my britches.

Jackson and Bianca meet when he comes into her restaurant one night and demands loudly to be seated and served. She in no way, shape or form is going to cater to this mans demands and tells the hostess to sit him in the bar and give him a drink. She's got high standards for the food she serves and isn't going to let him rattle her. The kitchen help provide additional comic relief and Eeny and Hoyt are a hoot. Bianca spends a lot of time creating menu's and her current menu pairs Boudreux's bourbon which is totally top shelf with her food. It's exquisite. When she finally feeds Jackson that night he orders everything on the menu. He wants to try it all. He's a surly sob and looks like it too.
Unkempt beard, leather jacket, jeans and boots; you'd never know the man was wealthy beyond measure and heir to the Boudreux fortune. He fled Kentucky after some things happen and never looked back. A man who worked for his family came looking for him and now works for him. They're really friends too. Rayford looks out for Jackson.
When Bianca's mother gets sick and she needs money to get her mother treatment, which rolls in at the same time Jackson demands she cater a charity fundraiser he's having at his house for 300 people, he makes her a lucrative financial offer. Seeing this as her way to help her mother, she accepts.
It's pretty clear The Beast is attracted to Bianca and she's kinda interested in him. Especially when her ex shows up and tries to win her back with his "I founds Jesus" until his old self emerges again. You're going to love that.
Trust me when I tell you this book is great. The plot, you honestly don't know what's going to happened with these two and I loved both characters. Beginning, middle, end... it's flawless.
Read this one! You'll be glad you did!

**arc from NetGalley and Montlake in exchange for a fair review**

J. T. Geissinger really did an amazing job with Burn for You. I have read a few books by this author before but for some reason this particular book made an impact. I can't say much without giving away the greatness hidden in these pages but I urge you dive in! You won't regret it.

I enjoyed this book. The characters-- especially the Beast were enjoyable. It was funny at times, which I like in a book. I will definitely read more by this author.

This is a 5 stars book for sure!

Although this book was very steamy and had some troubles for the characters.... it was SO CUTE!!!! Absolutely the best kind of happily ever after! This book had a bunch of everything I loved; Bourbon, hilarious banter (I literally laughed out loud a few times) and a steamy romance.

Jax- Nicknamed the beast for a reason. Grumpy is an understatement. Living very comfortably off of his family's Bourbon brand, Jackson is a hermit who has not smiled or been interested in a women in 4 years, until he meets Bianca.

Bianca- A chef with Nola charm, quick wit and sometimes sharp tongue. She is not afraid of Jax's bad behavior and rough exterior. In fact she is finding more and more under the rough surface he might be all sweet inside.

I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I look forward to reading the rest of the slow burn series in the future!

I simply loved this book! Geissinger hasn't disappointed me yet :) I loved both Jackson "The beast" and Bianca, they were simply hilarious. Bianca was very strong and independent and I adored her, especially when she was putting Jackson in his place. Oh my god those chapters were priceless:)
What I find really interesting with this story is that the author managed to make it both funny and sad and she's done a really good job.
Please go and read this book you won't be disappointed! Thank you Geissinger for another treasure :)

J.T. Geissinger is an author whose name and books have crossed my feed a fair bit, though I’ve never gotten around to reading any of her works, so ‘Burn for You’ is a fresh start for me. And what an introduction it was.

There can never be enough fairy tale retellings for me—the raunchier the better, the funnier the more cherished and the dirtier, the more I fall to my knees in worship. Geissinger’s ‘Burn For You’ fits all of these categories quite comfortably, so needless to say, I had a good time going through this incredibly spirited Southern version of beauty and the beast.

The enemies-to-lovers trope is one of my favourites, so when ‘Burn For You’ started out with the unbridled antagonism, I simply sat back, waited for the claws to get unsheathed and the knives to start flying. The first chapter didn’t disappoint in its explosive introduction to the battling protagonists, as the very distinctive voice of Bianca Hardwick—filled with that kind of wry, sarcastic humour I love—made Jackson Boudreaux out to be the untamable, hairy devil-beast with the appearance and temper to match. Their locking horns was enjoyable as hell, though I wasn’t disappointed when we moved past that and into the harder bits that slayed me the moment Jackson’s tortured past was revealed.

Written with some ‘historical’ romance kind of flair, a mad amount of slang, and buoyed by a tinge of melodrama, ‘Burn For You’ did go a little weirdly hysterical towards the end, with some over-the-top clichés that had me cringing a bit. Still, I went happily along for the ride—that much invested I was in the story by then—and decided immediately by the end that Geissinger would be on the ‘authors-I sniff’ list.

Burn for You is an original story, but also has underlining hints of similarities to The Beauty and the Beast- not that this is a bad thing! We loved J.T. Geissinger's version of this classic story and enjoyed Jackson "the beast" so much!

This book was sweet, quirky, laugh-out-loud funny at times, sexy, and over all just an enjoyable read!

I have mixed feelings about this book. It had an interesting premise, but it was kind of sluggish, so it made reading it hard. Sure, it was filled with intense family drama and emotions, but it just kind of plodded along and it took me forever to finish it - several times, I almost gave up out of sheer frustration. I only kept reading because I was intrigued by the character of Jackson, but Bianca was not a favorite - she was the reason I almost quit the book a few times. She was really irritating and bitchy most times, so I didn't get the whole attraction between these two characters. Still, I am glad that I read it.

"Slap, slap, kiss."

I loved this book so much I want to hire a skywriter to tell the world how amazing it is. I've been a fan of this author so I would probably click on anything she wrote, just knowing it would be good. But this surpassed good immediately, moved on to amazing, and finished at movie-worthy. I sighed and swooned. I giggle-snorted and laughed out loud many times. I sniffled and worried. I raged and vented. I blushed and basked. I felt everything.

Bianca is perfection. I want to just hang out in her kitchen with her crazy crew and just absorb their love and affection for each other that they dish out with sass along with their cuisine. I want to take notes about everything her 'mama says'. I want to record her voice with her blend of Cajun & Alabama twang saying all the funny things that kept me in stitches throughout this entire story. And that doesn't even touch the internal dialogue that she only shared with me. I have a serious girl crush on her. Truth.

Jackson might be called 'the beast' because of his arrogant attitude and his quick temper, but his worst display directed at Bianca didn't have its usual effect. She turned the tables on him and left him staring at her heart shaped ass as she walked away after setting him straight. I was hiding in the kitchen with her crew cheering her on, giving her a mental fist bump. If it hadn't been for her mama's medical bills she would never have given him another thought, at least that's what she tells herself. Not that either of us believed her since she was thinking to herself, "Hell's bells, the man should work as a phone-sex operator! That voice!"

The witty dialogue between many of the colorful characters in this story was non-stop entertainment of the best kind. I am beyond thrilled that this is part of the Slow Burn series and I will have more to look forward to. I'm addicted and have tagged this masterpiece as a favorite that I wish I could give more than five stars. I don't know what direction this series is going, or who will be featured in the next installment, but I'm so excited to find out. The line forms here...