Big fan of Ahrnstedt's writing - smart, sexy chacters struggling through believably intense situations.

Ambra worked at Aftonbladet and was a reporter. Ambra was being sent to Norrbotten to interview Elsa who was 92 had had an affair with one of the Prime Ministers had had a secret love child. Ambra didn’t really want to do this but would rather report on double homicides or traffic accidents. It was in Kiruna and the woman had specifically asked for Ambra. Tom watched the snow come down. Then a noise startled him and he had a panic attack as he had PTSD from when he was a soldier and had been caught, questioned, and tortured.. Tom had worked in some of the worst parts of the world - been a bodyguard in Iraq, led secret operatives in Somalia, and driven convoys through Afghanistan. Tom had been a soldier since he was 18 and joined the Army. He called his ex Ellinor but she cut him off and told him not to call anymore that she had someone else. Matthias had been calling Tom all fall but Tom rejected his calls. They had once been best friends until Matthias betrayed Tom. Tom was doing a lot of drinking to avoid the panic attacks. Ambra ahted Kiruna and had never wanted to return to there-she had been a teen when she first arrived in Kiruna the first time.It was a few days before Christmas. A stressed social worker had spoken to her and explained Ambra couldn’t stay with the family she had been with. Ambra clutched her teddy bear, Ambra knew she was too old for Teddy but it was her only security. Ambra had to take a bus by herself to the new family. She had a small box with ehr that held her mother and father’s few possessions. Kiruna was a place Ambra had cried, shivered, and hated more than anywhere in the universe. Ambra’s foster parents had five sons all older than Ambra and Essias-the father- ruled his family with an iron fist. Essias had thrown Teddy in the garbage that first day. Tarek came up to Ambra in the hotel - she was staying in- restaurant , he was a freelance photographer who would be working with her. The inhabitants of Kiruna was fairly good at letting everyone go about their business undisturbed. A foster child could go to school with bruises, untreated ear infections, and fractured bones without anyone seeming to notice. Tom went to the restaurant in the hotel and Ambea made a derogatory remark about his shirt. He walked by but somehow but couldn’t stop looking at Ambra. She somehow got through the haze he was in. Then it struck Tom that she was a big city reporter but what was she doing here. Then Ellinor came in the restaurant. Tom had made so many mistakes with he. If she would only give him one more chance. Tom had met Ellinor when he was twenty one and she was eighteen. They had met at a bar. Soon Tom was in love with Ellinor and it was so easy to spend time with heras Ellinor was happy, positive, easy going, and bright natured. A kind uncomplicated pretty girl. Ellinor was also full of energy. When Tom graduated from Ranger school Ellinor moved in with him in Stockholm. After being together four years they bought engagement rings. Then several years later Ellinor told Tom she had slept with someone else. Tom’s company Lodestar Security Group was expanding at record speed. Then Tom had to go to Iraq and he worked like a machine for two days . He then got a text from ellinor saying she went to her parents to think. It took Tom four months before he was free to go back to Ellinor but by then she had let go of their apartment and moved on. He called Ellinor when he got back to Sweden she said she was glad he was alive as she had been told he was dead. Then Ellinor added it was better if they didn’t see each other at all. A few years ago Ambra got to report on important things , write articles that made a difference but then they got a new editor chief and things went downhill. The only person Ambra had in the world was Jill her foster sister and she was now a famous singer.
I couldn’t really connect to this book. It just dragged too much and honestly I got bored. It just didn’t keep my attention and couldn’t and didn’t make myself finish this. I was about half way through the book so I did try.

4* Slow Burn Stars

This was my first ready by Simona Ahrnstedt and it was refreshing and interesting to read a story set in Sweden. The way that Simona described the northern lights felt like I was there witnessing this spectacular occurrence.

The story is told from multiple points of views. The characters were realistic and interesting. I enjoyed reading about the slow burn between Tom and Ambra. She was a strong women and very likeable who overcame so much in her life. All the characters had their struggles and flaws to overcome in one way or another.

This story covered everything from Internet trolls/bullies, foster care and had some sexy romance to it too.

I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to readers who want to experience the sights and culture of Sweden. The only downside I felt was that the story was very long (544 pages) and the beginning dragged quite a bit, but it did pick up halfway through the story, which then made for riveting and exciting reading. It definitely would have been a fast paced story if it had been shorter.

Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

This book started out ok but there were times that it seemed the translation was off. As the story continued it was muddied with more storylines and moved way too slowly.

Great read!!! It was hot hot hot!! Ive been in such a book slump but this book brought me right out!! Its a book about Tom and Ambra (love that name) tom is special forces that has moved on to private security. Ambra is a journalist that is chosen to do a piece on Tom! It all takes place in a little town far far from any big city! Let me tell you! Definitely don't miss out on this!! It was exciting! Heart touching! And best of all hot sexy read!!! Lol I just want to thank netgalley and the publishers and author for sharing this early copy with me!! It's truly worth the read!!

I really enjoy reading contemporary fiction in a setting that I normally would never find. I enjoyed the insight into modern Swedish life. The characters had well developed back stories. I liked that it juggled more than one relationship, and plot line. I've really liked all three books I've read from this author.