Consumed is the first book in a new series by this author. Anne ashburn and Danny McGuire were fellow firefighters. Close friends always battling the buildup attraction that Anne didn’t want to give into until one desperate-night they do. Fearing the loss of respect from the other firefighters she doesn’t allow the feelings to go any further . But one night after a near death experience Anne is unable to do the job anymore and leaves . Now an arson investigator she doesn’t feel any passion for . But an investigation into a warehouse leaves a target on her back! I enjoyed this book a ton!

4.5★★★★Stars


Genre: Romantic Suspense
Type: Book 1 of Firefighters Series
POV: First Person – Multiple



"Sometime along the way, over the passage of days and weeks and months, he had become part of her life, part of her history."

I had no idea what this book was going to be like when I requested it but what I got was much more. I absolutely devoured this book in one setting. The book opens with an explosive scene taking you right into the life of a firefighter's dangerous life. It was raw and painful and it caught me by surprise but definitely had me hooked from the beginning.


"I think people just get to an aha moment, a crossroads," she said quietly. "The fogs lifts and you have to realize there are things worth living for. Even if they're different than what motivated you before."



Consumed is a story about a fire department in a small town in Boston. We meet Anne Ashburn the daughter of the chef fire department owner and Danny McGuire the bad boy player who all the girls wanted. They were both stubborn and could be why their chemistry was intense. When tragic happened they both did the best to survive the best they could away from each other. The chemistry with these two was on point, I felt so much for this couple. I loved how they each fought their demons to survive. The plot was interesting and the characters were well developed.


"He and Anne Ashburn were both death-wish idiots, the kind of people who pushed limits, and themselves, until shit got broken."



When Anne takes a new job as fire investigator aka inspector I just could't get enough. The mystery and suspense in this story was awesome, it made the story more original and realistic in my opinion. I truly enjoyed this book and I am so thrilled to read more books in this series. The hot scenes between Anne and Danny were so good I couldn't get enough in fact it needed more of them. Readers who enjoy romantic suspense stories will find this book appealing.


"Sometimes strength rested not in resistance, but in the release of arms against a foe of one's own creation."

this was amazing... wonderful.. sexy.. fun.. interesting..and kept me curious as to what was coming next. i loved it and i cannot wait to see where this series goes from here. amazing!

Our customers love JR Ward, mainly her paranormal romance series, but also the Bourbon Kings series. I'll admit, I've tried to read the paranormal and just can't. It's not a genre I like, has nothing to do with the writing- I just don't enjoy the paranormal aspect with romance. Not for me. So that being said, I've had the Bourbon Kings sitting on my to read stack for a while, because everyone talks about what a fantastic writer she is. But I've always found something else to read first...until now. I loved that this had suspense in it. A bit of mystery always pulls me in. There were times while reading that I felt I was missing something about the characters that I should know already- which I later found out made sense because there are prequel novellas. You don't have to read them first, but I think it would add to the story a bit. This is a good read for anyone who like the romance genre but wants the modern day and a bit of suspense.

I tried and I'm happy to say I sallied forth and finished the book, even though I almost DNF'ed twice. The beginning held such promise, it was so exciting and suspenseful, very well written and then, nothing. I was disappointed in how I could find no love or sympathy for the heroine, she was extremely unlikable which is a shame given all she went through. Also, I like the hero but the story failed to show any chemistry between the two leads...we all know where the hero stands but the heroine, not so much. The middle portion of the book is very lazy for a writer as strong as Ward. The ending was good but the middle did me in.

Fans of Chicago Fire and similar shows will enjoy this book. Lots of action, suspense, emotions, and flames. While I wish I had been aware of the foul language and intimate details prior to requesting the book, I am still glad I read it and quite enjoyed the tale. Still heartbroken over one of my favorite characters, but then not so good things happened to so many of them. Did enjoy seeing the growth and in-depth conversations had by some. Something people should do to clear the air in real life.

4.5-4.75 STARS

Confession time… prior to delving between the pages of “Consumed,” I had yet to read any books written by author J.R. Ward. Had I realized what I was missing out on, I would have remedied my blunder a whole lot sooner. But, as they say, better late than never. And what better introduction to this author’s work, than to begin with the first book in her brand new Firefighters series, “Consumed.”

Right from the very first page, I was drawn into Anne and Danny’s tumultuous story and enraptured by the hazardous world of firefighting. Boasting a unique and appealing premise with perfectly imperfect characters, “Consumed” is an emotionally-charged, explosive story that I won’t soon forget.

Well-written, fast paced story. It's been a long time since I've read JR Ward and was pleasantly reminded why I need to pick up more of her books. I was drawn in from the first chapter and thought the descriptions were intense. I almost could feel the flames from the fires as I was reading. I loved Anne's strength of character and how Danny never stopped seeing her for who she was despite her injury. I was kept guessing until the end. I'm definitel.ly looking forward to more in this series.

"Humanity was a galaxy, countless, unfathomable, too vast to comprehend."

Consumed is just what you come to expect from J.R Ward, the unexpected. It's a contemporary set in Boston among a group of firefighters that have formed a strong brotherhood. Within their ranks, one stands out and not just because of gender, Anne is a premier firefighter, daughter of the deceased captain and sister to the new captain.

Anne is a fighter. She's fought for her place among these elite firefighters; she's fought for acceptance, not just tolerance and she's worked hard to get there. However, that means she's had to ignore the burning chemistry between her and a fellow firefighter, Danny. Their chemistry could put nearby buildings to flame but thankfully ,as firefighters, they do a good job of putting them out. Danny and Anne wrestle with these emotions in a push and pull situation. Remember, this is a J.R Ward novel so of course they've been put in a scenario that is not the norm and has enough drama to put the doctors of Seattle Grace to shame.

"I've got your back when you need it, too. I'm your partner, not a princess in a tower."

The romance is knitted into the background of a high octane thriller. An arsonist is destroying buildings and taking more than just old office equipment. The first chapters will have you screaming! I still can't believe she went there. I headed to Readers on the River and she answered my question on if there's ties to the BDB and surprisingly there is! Are you able to catch it? There's more to come in this series and there's some serious topics she's covering here. I can't wait to see how it all unfolds.

I absolutely loved The Black Dagger Brotherhood series, so when I got a chance to read this new story by JR Ward. And it didn’t disappoint!
Right off the bat, you’re thrown into the terrifying world of fire fighters. Anne suffers a horrific life-changing experience.
She, Danny and Anne’s brother, Tom try to middle through life while trying to figure out who’s behind the terrible warehouse fires as of late.
There are twists and turns you never see coming! 5 stars!

I'm a huge Black Dagger Brotherhood fan, but I'd yet to read any of Ms. Ward's contemporary romances. This one sounded interesting, so I thought it would be a good place to start.

This one started out with a huge bang! I was not expecting the story to start with such excitement, drama and heartbreak. Our destinies can change so suddenly, in the blink of an eye. That's what happened here for Anne and Danny.....actually, for most of the characters. Danny I liked from the start. Anne, not so much. However, as she began to deal with her changed circumstances, I did sympathize with her. And after Soot the dog came into her life, I found myself totally loving her. You have to like someone who's kind to animals.

The reignited romance between Danny and Anne was quite steamy, and I liked how it took a while for them to rebuild their relationship. That made it more believable. As much as I liked their romance, it was Anne's relationship with her family that I found most compelling. I wondered how that dysfunctional mess could possibly be straightened out. I think Ms. Ward handled that part of the story most deftly. As the story raced to its thrilling conclusion, I found myself unable to put the book down. I can't wait to read more of this series.

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley. I received no compensation for reading it, and all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

I’m a big fan of the BDB series and even though this was a different scenario it was just as well done. The characters were well thought out, the story was action packed and the chemistry between Anne and Danny was enough to keep me intrigued. Highly recommend Consumed Book 1 of the Firefighters series. ARC provided by publisher and Netgalley for a honest review.

Same formula as the “brotherhood “books but the main characters were not engaging. I was tired of them a third of the way through. Maybe people who have not read the other series will like this, I thought it was a poor ripoff.

In typical J.R. Ward fashion, this book is a bit darker than most. This is a gritty, no-holds-barred look at firefighting and arson. It isn't for the weak of heart, but you will be addicted once you start reading!

A great story that is face paced and interesting! It takes you right up to the intense stories that firefighters go through on day in and day out. I loved the way the story developed and the characters grew as the novel progressed. It is the first in a new series from the author and I look forward to seeing as how these characters grow over the course of the series.

I received a copy of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

As far as first impressions go, I like J.R. Ward and her work! She has a very distinct writing style: quiet moments of intense detail, sentence fragments that help underscore a point, and lots of metaphors (sometimes too many, I thought). There were a few discordant moments where her voice came through instead of the character's but on the whole, I enjoyed it.

I requested this book because I have a new(ish) connection to the world of firefighters and their legacies. I thought it would be an interesting look into the workings of that kind of family, that kind of bond, and it was. But honestly, with a title like Consumed, I thought it was going to be more of a romance novel. HOWEVER, I'm not at all disappointed with how everything turned out! Getting a peek into the lives of the major players and how they handle things was beautifully done. I felt like J.R. Ward pulled back the curtain a little and gave her readers more substance and depth than originally anticipated (at least for me).

I absolutely want to read the next book in the series. And I'd recommend this to anyone who:
- wants to discover a new author/series
- is a part of the first responder world in some way
- enjoys a slow, complex burn

1st in a Firefighter Romantic Suspense Series. Read the Free Prequels First.
2.5 Stars
I am a big fan of JR Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood Series, so I went into Consumed with high expectations. I read the Wedding From Hell prequels one and two first, and I think it is absolutely necessary to read those before reading Consumed. I was dying to know what would happen to Danny and Anne after reading them.
“It’s amazing what you can live through and come out stronger on the other side.”

Consumed began with the most addictive and explosive beginning! OMG it was exciting and devastating at the same time, and many lives were changed that day. Then we flash forward 10 months. Danny and Anne haven’t seen each other in all that time, and there is an arsonist loose in the city.

I usually love mysteries and suspense, but I found this to be boring and drawn out. Much of it was procedural and inner workings of the fire department, and we even had other POVs. But to me, the thing that usually makes me love a book is the characters, and sadly, I never warmed up to Anne, and liked Danny less in this book than the prequels, though he got better towards the end. But this one quote describes Anne well.
"She felt nothing—and not just on the surface, which had no nerves to register sensation. She had no emotion about the thing, either. It was what it was, a part of her now that needed to be, by definition, as indigenous as all the stuff she had been born with. What the hell did she have to get upset about?"

I know that a lot of people I trust really loved Consumed, and I really wanted to. The prequels and the first 15% gave me so much hope! I will say, I am glad I pushed through and finished, because the ending 15% was really good. To me, I’d give the first 20% 4.5 stars, the middle 65% 2 stars, and the last 15% 4 stars.

Likes:

•The first 15% and the last 15%.
•A strong, female firefighter that can kick ass and take names.
•The dog.
•Well written, realistic fire scenes.
•A well thought-out, well-researched plot.
•Realistic portrayals of the mental health issues firefighters face.
•Good character growth

Dislikes:

•I never warmed up to Anne, and Danny was just OK.
•I was bored and seriously considered a DNF between 50% and 80% but pushed through.
•I found JR Ward’s gangsta slang to be jarring in this setting. It’s one thing for vampires in a fake world, but another in a non-paranormal.
•I felt like she didn’t portray millennials and even Hispanics in a fair light. (Not all Hispanics speak broken English).
•There just wasn’t enough romance for me, and even the mystery was slow.
•Too many 3rd person POVs.

The Down and Dirty:
I wanted so much to love Consumed, I mean it’s JR Ward for goodness sake! I enjoyed the free prequels and was excited to read more about Danny, Anne and the firefighters of Station 499. Unfortunately Consumed didn’t live up to the prequels for me. After the explosive beginning, the rest of the book was just boring to me. It was more Anne and her investigation than anything else. I found the whole thing to be kind of depressing, there were no light moments to break it up, and it was definitely more mystery than romance. At 60% I almost DNFd but it’s a long book and I already put in so much time that I pushed through. I am glad I pushed through for the end, because it did redeem itself a bit for me, and I am curious about Tom’s story. But not enough for me to continue. A lot of bloggers I fully trust absolutely loved this one, and a few DNF’d, so this one seems to be a love it/hate it type thing. As for me, I’m right in the middle, and give it 2.5 stars.


Rating: 2.5 Stars, 3.5 Heat

Talk about heat! I was getting hot flashes from the prequels. Teasing, tension and a side of oh my....

Clearly the HOT fireman stereotype is a fan favorite. I am a fan after all. So why wouldn't I jump at the chance to meet the first and hopefully not the last handsome hero in this series.

Never having experienced the awesomeness that is a J.R. Ward book before I can say I'm a convert. I was blown away by the total package. The characters, flawed though they are, felt real. They are more than a 2D piece of placeholder. Each had their own feel. This is true in tons of stories but I felt an instant bond to Anne and her hottie.

I appreciated the story most of all. The actual meat and potatoes plot line. The story wasn't drowning in romance (not that I ever complain) it was a perfect blend of what you wanted and needed. I appreciate that the need was to tell a story and not string together a bunch of hookups. I liked having a heroine with some seriously kick ass abilities...or should I say tendencies.

I tip my hat to you J.R. Ward. I look forward to more adventures of your creation.

3 stars

This is a book that started out very strong for me. I loved the prequel novellas and the beginning of the book was so compelling with the story. And then about halfway through it’s almost like it fell apart. Consumed is about firefighters Anne and Danny. Both of them feel an intense attraction to each other, but working on the same team nothing can come of it.

Like I said I felt the first half of the book was very good and I liked the characters and the story. The second half of the book I found boring and a tad bit ridiculous. I think this series has a lot of potential and the future installments will be really great so I’ll definitely be checking those out. Three stars because I enjoyed this book for the most part.

In this first book in this new series we meet Anne Ashburn whose life is dominated by things from her past, a man she can't seem to stop thinking about and a new case that has her questioning everything. She has spent what seems like a lifetime doing what she loves but when one bad decision changes her course Anne must reinvent herself whether she likes it or not. Can she find the same love for arson investigating as she had for fighting fires? Along the way she meets Danny, a firefighter who doesn't seem afraid to take risks, someone like she use to be. When they team up together to solve her next case as an arsonist investigator things ignite between them. Can they work together to solve a horrible crime and at the same time come together as one true flame or will they burn out before they even get started? Follow along as the two take you on a fiery ride that will truly consume you. This was a fantastic beginning to what I hope is a long series. I've enjoyed this authors previous work and can't wait to see what she brings us next.