The last time I read a J.R. Ward book, was one of the wildly popular, Black Dagger Brotherhood series, which I used to devour. On that same note, I never could get into her Fallen Angels series, so when I was offered this to read, I wanted to give the author a chance to grab a hold of me with a new series.

J.R. Ward has an in-your-face, hits you in the gut, no holds barred style of writing and it transfers well into this band of firefighters. There are several subplots running along with the main characters that help you to get more deeply involved with this station. After a tragic accident, Anne has to leave firefighting behind, and the risks she took in her job in the past – transcends to her new position as an arson investigator, and will land her in a world of danger. I connected well with Anne, and of course, I love Soot.

Danny – one of the elite firefighters, has turned to self-destruction, and it’s painful to watch. Feeling strong guilt of what happened to Anne has pushed him into a path of rage and alcohol. It took a while for him to grow on me. But when he did, it was complete.

The only real issues I had was how much the book jumped around. From chapter to chapter, we jumped around the different characters and even subplots running, and it would toss me out of the story a bit. The suspense, romance and secondary characters are well developed. Did I like it as much as the Black Dagger Brotherhood? Probably not. But it’s definitely a good start to a series and well worth your time. The ending will blow you away, and I really wonder how many readers will guess this twist, I sure didn’t.

If you let yourself not be taken aback by this author’s style of writing who can get down and dirty with the best of them, you will be in for a good ride. I’ll be staying on J.R. Ward’s roller coaster for a bit longer.

The opening opened with some great action, but that fizzled out fairly quickly. It stays slow for awhile and picks up close to the end. I have mixed feelings about the book. Ward set-up the book towards the end for spinoffs or to continue the series. I give the book 3 stars because it was slow for quite a long time.

Oh my goodness! This book just swallowed me completely and never gave me up! I have not read anything before by this author, big mistake for me! There was so much in this story, emotion, fear, intensity, courage, friendship, love and family. The intensity of feelings between Anne and Danny was magical. The story starts explosively and I was immediately drawn in. Anne and Danny were firefighters and Anne was trapped in a building. She could not free herself so Danny, with Anne’s permission, chopped her hand off to free her. The story really takes off from that point, how Anne moves forward, how Danny llives with his guilt, do they get together again? Wonderful, wonderful story! I highly recommend!

Consumed is about a woman who life changes one night and her will to get back on track. Consumed introduces Annie who grows even as she faces her worst known fear. With a little help of her delicious love interest. With mystery and suspense Ms. Ward created a new world with this new book that I had a hard time putting down.

Forewarning: I am biased because I really like J.R. Ward and the worlds she creates. I think she has diverse characters and is not shy with delving into making her characters imperfect.

Consumed was aptly named because I consumed this book. The pace of the book was great, I never got bored or felt that it was anti-climatic. The twist was not predicted (rare when you read as much as I do and when you have read the author's other books). The main characters, Anne and Danny, were delightful and interesting and grew. I cannot wait to watch them continue to grow.

Would I recommend this book? Yes. I think J.R. Ward is going to create a fantastic world that may not include fantasy but still has magic.

WOW! JR Ward comes out fighting in this first book of the Firefighters series! Talk about throwing it out there! I was reading and going "Oh My God!" Throughout this whole book, but especially in the first part of this book!

I REALLY enjoyed Consumed! I enjoyed the characters, the suspense, and the firefighter theme. I read the novellas that led up to these and I am glad I did, but you don't have to read them first.

This was an intense book with fun additions (Anne's boss and her dog) and Love and heartbreak.

I recommend this book!

Anne Ashburn is a legacy firefighter. Her father died on the job when she was only thirteen; her brother Tom is the current Chief. As a female and an Ashburn she is compelled to be the best; but an almost fatal mistake changes her life. She's forced to change jobs within the department, and totally remake her self image. Now she must also deal with a serial arsonist and her relationship with another firefighter from her old squad.
I was impressed with the authors insight into Anne's trauma and life changes - not an easy subject and very well done. The world of firefighters is a unique brotherhood and Ward has done it credit. All of the characters are compelling and you are drawn into their lives. You won't be able to put the book down. Not a paranormal story, but a very well written one. I would highly recommend this book and look forward to the next. I received an ARC from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

Storyline: 5
Angst: 3
Tissue: 1
Value: 5
Panty Scorching: 5
Over All Rating: 5 Stars
Kindle eArc provided by Netgalley

Wow. I just didn't even guess where this story would end up with all of the surprise twists. Very good suspense and emotionally addictive. I was there step by step during her investigation and dealing with her family issues at the same time. Not to throw in Danny and his own personal issues and his love for Anne. It was just so freaking amazing. And I can't wait for the next book. While some plotlines were tied up with a tidy little bow, others are still waiting on some more information...some more digging in and finding out the truth. You can't handle the truth! Yes, I can!!! But this was a brilliant job on pulling the reading into a series, keeping their interest the entire story and leaving them always wanting a little more. Bravo!

For JR Ward, I felt like the characters in this book were rather dull. The story was pretty good but even when I finally got to the last 25% of the book, I could've stopped reading and never finished. I never developed a real connection to any of the characters in Consumed.

Consumed completely gripped me in an entirely unexpected way, pulling me in and connecting me to the storyline in a way that JR Ward's previous books never have before. While I'm still living under a rock and haven't read the BDB series yet, I was wholly captivated by the family saga of The Bourbon Kings. I adored that series so much, the three installments quickly becoming some of my top favorite reads to date. But still, I was not emotionally tethered to TBK characters and their love story the way I was with Danny Maguire and Anne Ashburne's romance in Consumed. For a reader that loves romance with a good bit of angst and longing, JR Ward DELIVERS with this steamy, smoking hot FIREFIGHTER love story. 

Before I even began Consumed, I had devoured the FREE Wedding prequels Ward had just published. I was so BLOWN AWAY by those prequels. IMMEDIATELY it was clear that Anne and Danny were characters I needed to know completely. The quiet longing that had simmered between them long before the events of Consumed ensnared me. I loved the vibe I got from those little nibbles, loved the overall feel Ward was setting up for this new Firefighters series. The tone of this world being shaped and built up around these blue collar Massachusetts firefighters was so different from what she's delivered thus far and I was CONSUMED by it. Everything about those prequels screamed sexy, emotional, riveting contemporary romance and I was so desperate for what Consumed had in store.

Well... I did not see this coming. Truly, my chin was on the floor for so much of this novel. The first 15% left me breathless. I had to stop reading and talk about it with anyone who'd listen. I was stunned. The events that transpire in the beginning of this book, the moments and decisions that truly alter the trajectory of these characters' lives forever, the devastation that sets into motion the unpredictable evolution of this story was, for me, JAW DROPPING. I couldn't look away. I couldn't catch my breath. I couldn't believe all that was happening in the blink of an eye, just three weeks after the wedding in that prequel. JR Ward knows how to rope a reader in with just a few pages because I was consumed. But the shock value never really stopped. The romance and the friendships, the family drama, the fire investigation, Danny's downward spiral, the jealousy and the fury Deandra provides, the vivid personalities of EVERY SINGLE character, the most mundane conversations that never really felt mundane at all... all of it had me turning the pages with vigor. I never wanted it to end but I was ravenous for more. I felt high reading this book, euphoric, consistently THRILLED and emotionally invested in every page of this book. That's how good I thought this book was. That's how much I just loved it. 

The balance in this book is just phenomenal. Consumed is sexy and steamy but not overtly so. It's just perfect, seamless with the overall tone of the rest of the book. But even without pages and pages of gratuitous sex, the fiery current between Anne and Danny is undeniable. But the balance between the romance and every other aspect of this novel is perfection. I was just as transfixed by Anne's investigation as I was by the family dynamics between both the blood-related characters and the family of firefighters. I was as intoxicated by the romance and the heartache between Dannyboy and Anne as I was by the danger that seems to lurk in dark corners. I was intrigued by every side character, by the drama and the possibilities that emerged surrounding all of them. And I was completely SHOCKED by the twists and turns this story took. 

I did not see any of this coming. I was so shaken, so sad, so hopeful and joyful and addicted all at once. I want a book for every character RIGHT FREAKING NOW. I never wanted this book to end. As I sit here reflecting back on everything I've just experienced, on the wholly unpredictable course of events that transpire between the first page of The Rehearsal Dinner to the last page of Consumed, I'm feeling both giddy over how fantastic it was and verklempt over having to wait for more where this came from.

I've never read J.R. Ward's other series but her masterful storytelling in "Consumed" got me hooked immediately. The first chapter drew me in with her desscriptive writing and characters. Of course I had to continue to see how Anne and Danny continue with their relationship with each other and other firefighters and how Anne overcomes the biggest obstacle of all, losing a part of her arm.

This wasn’t for me. I couldn’t connect to the characters or story in any way. I love her BDB books but this didn’t flow for me like those do. She’s still a great writer but not with this story.

A bit predictable at times and some loose ends left hanging. But a thoroughly enjoyable read. Some interesting characters and fast paced. It was (at least for this reader) a nice change of pace.

This is the first book in J R Ward's new series. This book deals with firefighters, romance, and mystery. I did enjoy the story line and characters but this book was depressing in sections

*Received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review*

Simply amazing! Anne and Danny are now one of my favorite couples in all of JR Ward’s series. Equal amounts of romance, drama, and action, this book is simply unputdownable!!

"Firefighting followed in the military's chain-of-command boot steps. You took orders or you were out. Even if that meant leaving the love of your miserable wasteland of a life in the middle of a two-alarm fire to get burned to death inside her turnouts.

Happy Friday night, motherfuckers."


Did you read her Wedding From Hell free novellas? If you haven't you might want to. It's a nice set up to this series. They are not long at all but I really liked knowing that extra details that it gave.

Danny and Anne, they were so alike that sometimes it was frustrating. When things kept bringing them back together it just showed how much they were meant to be.

The first few chapters were rough to read but at the same time amazing. She really just punched us right in the feels from the get go. The mystery aspect of the story was well done. I really did not see that ending coming. It wasn't anywhere on my list of possible outcomes. Loved it. I honestly don't know what is to come with the next books. I hope it's going to follow the storyline I am dying to get more of. There is something there and I want to see more of it.

This didn't read like a typical J.R. Ward book. It read more like her Jessica Bird books. There is nothing wrong with this at all but I thought others might like to know that. She still had it told from several POVs but if you have read her BDB books you'll know what I mean.

I fell in love with this new series from her right off the bat. It's a page-turner, clever, and full of romance that sizzles. Grab this now and fall in love with Danny and the rest of the crew like I did.

Thanks to #NetGalley for the ARC of Consumed

Being the first novel that I have read by J.R. Ward, I went with an open mind. The writing itself was good, you can tell that she is experienced as an author. However, the plot and the characters were under-developed. There was too much time spent on the mundane, and frankly too much death and depression. Both main characters had nothing positive to offer the story. We did not get enough of that push-pull we like to see in these romance stories that have strong male leads like Danny. In addition, Ward started subplots within the novel that just abruptly stopped and I was lost to the introduction of characters that had absolutely no value to the plot. I feel like the structure of a great book was here but perhaps the editor failed Ms. Ward. 2 stars.

This book is no BDB novel (which I love love love) and it shouldn't be, so don't go into this expecting that with this book. This book is about firefighters and it highlights the good and the bad of firefighting. It shows them as the adrenaline junkies that have to be to do such a difficult and stressful job. It shows the friendship and brotherhood along with strain on relationships. It shows alcohol and drug abuse. I believe J.R. must have hung out with firefighters to get what I believe to be an authentic look at them. I am basing my opinion on some distant, but personal knowledge of firefighters. Now, the story. Of course, there is a romance in this book. It won't seem like it will work out in any way for quite a while, but be patient. There are a number of alphas (including female) in this series and they can be difficult to read, but you need to hold out for the reasons they are like they are and J.R. never disappoints. I always wonder if she is/was a psychologist because she really digs deep after adding layers to her characters. I'm looking forward to the next one.

JR Ward's new series takes place in the world of firefighters. Perfect fodder for passion and romance, Ward introduces us to its primary characters in an exciting and dramatic scene that leaves an enormous impact. Its virtually impossible not to turn the (kindle) page to keep reading. The primary and secondary cIhharacters are flawed, deeply conflicted and well developed.

Although I will never give up the Black Dagger Brotherhood, the first of this new series is a perfect way for me to enjoy JR Ward year round.

Wow! Just wow. Still processing but amazing story!
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Let me tell you about Consumed. I got to know the characters through The Wedding from Hell novellas and I had to move up my review of this book simply for the fact that I had to read it as soon as I finished the mini intros.

Just thinking about this book and trying to put into words my feelings brings tears to my eyes. Danny and Anne have such an intense an explosive relationship. It’s emotional and it gets you right in the gut.

The author was bold and spared no punches in her writing. She gave us straight up raw emotion and I can only think that each time she wrote a chapter in this book, it had to be exhausting. Giving everything she had to create this amazing story that not only will I not forget, but I will have to read over and over.

You simply don’t forget the characters that she has created in this book. My emotions were all over the place. Crying, smiling, happiness, heartbreak; they went everywhere.

Plus, the story was inventive and very unique. She included huge twist at the end that will catch you by surprise. Her mastery of subtlety in the mystery portion was fabulous.

I hope that you take the time to get to know J.R. Ward and her writing skills. She truly has an amazing gift of storytelling that simply begs you to invest your time and energy into her books. Consumed is not to be missed if you love romance, mystery, and suspense. And J.R. Ward has mastered the formula.

I'd been a long time fan of JR Ward's work and when I heard about this new one set around Firefighters I jumped at the chance to read it.

Anne's whole life she wanted to be a firefighter, to follow in her father's and brother's footsteps(or prove them wrong) since she was thirteen. And she succeeded at being the one of the best female firefighters she could be, until one night, one mistake, one lapse in protocol, one fire, cost her everything she ever knew. Her job, her life and possibly the love of her life. Danny. Her and Danny worked together and been 'buddies' a long time and 'bed buddies' just once, but it was once that neither of them ever forgot.
Right away the prologue grabbed me, it was action and back story all in one, then tragedy and man, JR Ward sure knows how to get you on the feels. The first 8 chapters, left me with a lump in my throat and I had to take a breather. The pain, it was so palpable.

Flash forward 10 months later and Anne has changed, A LOT and I'm not sure if it's for the better or not. She lives a life of solitude avoiding everything that was her old life and is now a fire inspector. She is unwillingly thrust back into her old world with her old firefighting crew, and possible love og her life, Danny when she is called to stop him from self destructing because he blames himself for that one night that cost both of them so much. The guilt that plagues Danny about what he did that night, what he HAD to do, what she TOLD him to do is driving him insane. Rule breaking at work, fights, and general disrespect has I'm on a mandatory suspension and psyche eval. When he see's Anne, the one woman who he has ever loved, he tries, really hard to get passed his guilt but let's anger, at himself, muddy his feelings and having her leaving before any real conversation cam happen.
Anne stubbles upon what she thinks is a string of warehouse fires, that she believes to have been deliberately set,(including the one that changed her life forever).
As the case Anne is working on get's hotter and hotter with motives, and one slimy land owner things with her and Danny get hotter and more confusing as well. And when Anne's life is threatened and she starts receiving threats Danny is ready to jump back into her life, and at this point she lets him...until one phone call changes it all.

The ending was one that I can say I did not see coming. I am usually pretty good with scoobing my way around a who-don-it type of story but this one? nope. That is good storytelling and writing. I love the way Ward intertwines stories and gives us glimpses into the lives of the sub characters around the two main ones, making it a story about a family of firefighters and not just two people.
Great story as always.
5 stars