The first thing that caught my eye was the cover. I don't know if it's the colouring or the font...but I can't stop looking at it even now.
The next thing that caught my eye was the fact that this was a bodyguard/pop star romance. Who doesn't love those?!?!
I didn't know, before starting this book, that it was part of a quite long series- which is a spinoff of another long series. I'm usually very wary of long series because each individual book tends to be shorter than what I like, but I chose to suck it up and give this one a go... and I'm so happy that I did!
One of the reasons I stay away from shorter books is because the relationships seem to be rushed, but the relationship between Fergus and Aubrey developed quite naturally with good pacing, I felt.
Mari Carr also really made me *feel* for Aubrey- for how broken and lonely she was. But it made it that much more special as you see her develop relationships with Fergus and his family. That was definitely one of my favourite parts of this book.
Onto the mystery part of the book- I was pretty sure I knew who the stalker was from early on, but I was still on the edge of my seat with each page, so props to Mari Carr for that.
Towards the end, though, I wasn't as interested in the romance as I was at the start. So all in all, I did really like it, but I wasn't left feeling as satisfied as I wanted to be.

Thanks to netgalley for the ARC, provided in exchange for an honest review.

It never ceases to amaze me that Mari Carr gives us 2 different people, from 2 different backgrounds and show us clearly that love can always be found in the right circumstances. There are always those that will not have any redeeming qualities and sometimes we have to walk away from those to find the love of our life. Loved it!!

Fergus and his cousin Finn had just started up their new business collins Security. Fergus had been back in Baltimore seven months after nine years in the Army. He had been a Military Police officer.He realized he wasn’t making a difference and never would and decided it was time to go home. He was ready to be his own boss. Growing up fergus and finn had always been close. Fergus was too serious and Finn was easy going and had a great sense of humor. Fergus’s knowledge if guns and law enforcement techniques combined with Finn’s people skills and his administrative business course Finn was taking made it a good combination.The focus of the business was private investigation which Fergus had done a lot of in the military and event security. Hunter had made it big in music and had eloped with their cousin Ailis. Hunter said he wanted to be there first client. Hunter said it was actually for a friend. He wanted fergus to be her bodyguard for six weeks and the job would pay very well. There was also some investigation needed. Than he explained the person was Aubrey Summers. It wouldn’t be Aubrey hiring him but the record label. Their concerned about a situation…. They wanted kept out of the tabloids. Shestill on a still in a sticky lawsuit with her mother over all the money the woman had stolen when she was Aubrey’s manager since she was three years old. Than Aubrey caught her mother in bed with her fiance-Doug- this last Christmas. What the record company wanted kept under wraps was Aubrey may have a stalker. There had been an incident where a security guard said he hooked up with Aubrey after the shows and an explosion happened right under him, than a rose was on the stage with a note attached saying’ he never touch you again. Than Aubrey had an argument with a security guard about sexual harassment and she punched him. The security guard had been let go and a rental car provided to take him to the airport and a few mile away the car caught on fire- a brand new car. The guard got out but there was a rose outside of her tour bus door with the same message. Fergus said it sounded like one of the crew bit was told there was sixty plus crew members. There had been other notes attached to roses that had said soon we'll be together in the same handwriting as the other notes. Her ex fiance kept popping up at random concerts begging to talk to her. Aubrey had been through eight bodyguard. She was imploding and drinking too much. Fergus took the job and when Aubrey met him she said this wasn’t going to work. But she did feel he was next level hot. Somewhere along the line she’d become suspicious of everyone and everything including a handshake. Doug had been the one to encourage her to start writing music again . doug had been a sweet struggling musician. He found Aubrey at her lowest point, picked her up, disted her off, and than …. Showed her love didn’t exist. Fergus stood outside her bedroom door guarding her and Aubrey had a weird sense of security wash over her. He talked to Aubrey a lot and the one thing Aubrey hadn’t done was told him to stop. Which told him Aubrey was listening. Aubrey had been mistreated by those she should have been able to count on. Than one of the pyrotechs hands were badly burnt by a piece of tampered equipment. Fergus got Aubrey to her dressing room and there was a bouquet if roses there and one ahd a note attached as before. With the same message- he’ll never touch you again. Aubrey had never felt loved, cherished, safe. Aubrey became nice to everyone as the attacks had been on people she had argued with or hurt her.
I loved this book. I loved the pace and plot and didn’t want to put this down. I loved the intrigue, suspens, and danger in this book. I loved how Fergus called home to ask PopPop how to deal with Aubrey. I also loved how she eventually came around. I loved how close Fergus was to his family. I also loved how his family accepted Aubrey and were ready to protect her. I hated Aubrey's worthless mother. I loved Fergus and Aubrey together. I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this story and I highly recommend it.

I would like to ask the author to stop teasing us about Finn and Miguel and just give us their story already! I don't care if it's going to be a triad or not, I just wanted them to get together. Is that too much to ask?

I can't believe that were are 7 books into the series. Does that mean that we only have 5 left? I have read 5 of the books (I can't read Padraig's book because it will break my heart) and 3 of them got 5 stars from me. With one exception, I can say that the series has been very good and I enjoyed a lot each book.

As much as I loved May Flowers, I feel like July flames had the most developed story. It was like Aubrey and Fergus had the room to tell their story and they made me believe that what they had was more than lust. Aubrey is a very tricky character. Before we even meet her we learn that she is like an ice queen and a diva. The way she was described was not ideal and I was wondering how I could possibly like her. She is also peachy towards Fergus sometimes, especially at the beginning of their story. As it turns out, her behavior was mostly a way to keep other people away from her because she wanted to keep other people from becoming a target for her stalker. Once she opened up, she became a different and more likable person, which was great. I couldn't like a book where the heroine was constantly a peach. Fergus was hired to protect Aubrey, but I loved how his protective mode went from "I have to protect my client" to " I have to protect the love of my life". It was a noticeable switch and I liked that very much.

Once again. Pop pop stole the spotlight! And my heart I might add. I love that man and he was so kind-hearted and caring. He made Aubrey feel welcome. And she had a gift for him in the epilogue that was very sweet. If I didn't like her already I would have just from reading the epilogue!

I recieved a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

I've not read any of the previous books in the series so I'm glad this is a standalone that gives you glimpse into the family and other stories without making it necessary to read them. I've never actually read anything by Mari Carr before either..

I enjoyed this one. Short and sweet but perfectly obvious as to what was going to happen.

I got the bad guy wrong... Totally wrong... Well for the main bit the last part seemed obvious but no spoilers from me. I mean it had me guessing right until the big show.

I love how we see Aubrey grow and blossom when she feels safe. I liked seeing all the guys being protective of Aubrey straight away because they knew she was family even then.

Child-star-turned-pop-star Aubrey and former-military-turned-bodyguard Fergus initially clash, but it quickly becomes clear he's the steady and earnest protector she needs. Letting down her walls to trust him might be the most difficult thing she's ever done, but first she has to know if he's worthy of that trust. Their romance develops as a slow burn, but there's no shortage of emotional connection and sexual tension along the way.

The secondary characters play an important part, especially Fergus's family. The tight-knit Collins clan is loving, if quirky, and various members demonstrate to Aubrey what family is truly about throughout the story. Wouldn't have been the same story without them.

Aubrey has only existed to provide cash for her controlling mother who has repeatedly reduced her confidence and self esteem despite her being a multimillion selling artist. She no longer trusts anyone which is why shes built up a reputation as being unmanageable. Shes run through a stream of bodyguards but this one needs to stick, as she appears to have picked up a dangerous stalker. Fergus has just started his security company and isn’t sure if taking this job is a good idea despite his cousin’s plea to try. As predicted when the two meet, sparks fly and Fergus has to use all his self-control. Always a pleasure to catch up with the Wild Irish family, Mari has produced another stunner. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Fergus has left the military and is now opening a security firm with his cousin Finn. His cousin Hunter offers him a temporary bodyguard position that would really help to raise their business from the ground up. This assignment will have him guarding a former TV star who is now a pop diva. Their first meeting will be epic. Aubrey has a reputation for firing every bodyguard that she hires. When she tries to fire Fergus she finds she has met her match. She also knows how to push his buttons. Aubrey has trust issues and Fergus likes to be in control. These two will create a combustible situation!

July Flames is exactly what I needed. The sassy, stubborn closed off diva and her hotter than flames bodyguard really light up these pages. Mari Carr has given us a larger than life family in the Collins Clan. I feel like this newbie needs the flowchart blown up and put on her wall.

July Flames is actually the second book of this series that I've had the pleasure of reading. And though he gets older, Pop Pop is still my favorite. The patriarch of an incredible clan, Pop Pop, is both myth/legend and cornerstone of these novels. He's also a flirt. (Winks in Pop Pop's direction) As the rock for the expanding family, he is always present in some form or another. In this case, he is a guide force for Fergus.

Fergus, sigh...
Fergus is gorgeous. He is sweet, caring, and as former military you know he's in incredible shape. He's a bad ass but he's quiet and soul searching. He can look through a person's shields.

Thank God for that skill or he'd be dead fresh off the start of this new job! The "diva" in question, Aubrey, is everything he never knew he needed. She is everything he never wanted. But she is everything to him...and apparently, not him alone.

With her crazy life causing stress and "accidents", Fergus will have his hands full. Not to mention his mind swirling with everything he can't have...

July Flames is part suspense and a whole lotta love.

Thank you Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a decent erotica. Fergus is hired to guard pop star Aubrey from a stalker. Aubrey is not a very likeable character. She treats her staff badly, reckless and has a huge chip on her shoulder. Fergus takes no nonsense from her in and out of the bedroom. Sparks fly when both give into the desire to love one another. Aubrey has some trust issues but she works them out with him. The sex is off the charts and the story compelling.

After tiring of his career in the army, Fergus Collins returns home to Baltimore to set up a security company with his cousin. When he's approached by another cousin with an opportunity to earn an obscene amount of money for a six week bodyguarding job, he can't turn it down. But when he meets the woman he's protecting, a pop star diva, he wonders just how hard earned the money will actually be.

Aubrey Sommers has been taken advantage of her entire life and betrayed by those she thought she could trust so now she plays the part of the spoiled pop star to keep people away. Even so, she's drawn to her new bodyguard and when it becomes apparent that she has a stalker, Fergus may finally be able to prove to her that some people are trustworthy.

This one was short, sweet, and steamy. I figured out who the stalker was fairly early on but that didn't keep me from enjoying the story.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

So, I was initially drawn to this book because Bodyguard Romances are my kryptonite. Yep, I totally read this because I knew the bodyguard would fall in love with the pop princess he was guarding. What I didn't know was that I would really enjoy the secondary characters too.

Fergus and Aubrey have a rough road to finding their HEA. First they have to admit and embrace their attraction. Then they have to find the stalker. Then they have to work through some other extenuating issues like her ex and her mother...and so on. It's a good little storyline. To add to the fun, the author weaves the family members which have been introduced in previous books, into the plot. Of course, my favorite was Pop Pop - - the patriarch of the family and Fergus' grandfather. When he makes a wish for Aubrey that she will one day look at a man the way his wife looked at him in a picture from their early years was just so dang sweet.

Even though this book is in the middle of a series, you can absolutely read it as a standalone. I did. However, I absolutely want to go back and read the previous novels so I have the backstory on all of these wonderful characters.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

DNF @ 85%

Sorry, I just can't.

The start was okay until I read the twitching of her lonely p*ssy as he speak her name on their first meet - not again ! **massive eye roll**

The hero came from a big family which was written in the earlier book of this series. Unfortunately, I'm not a big fan of big family whose name I cannot remember much more their story.

I felt disconnected while reading. It took me days and I still haven't reached the middle. So once again, I skimmed. (My bad. Still, I can't manage to finish the book)

The suspect behind everything wasn't even a shocker. It was quite obvious. I actually have 2 suspects... one that is given ( which is the real villain) and one is the more subtle possible villain.

Sad to say, I didn't enjoy this one. That's me... who knows? It might work out for you.

ARC provided by Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I have read this entire series thus far and Mari Carr’s latest does not disappoint! It was sexy with just enough drama on the side. Thank you to netgalley for the ARC!

This was a very enjoyable romantic suspense that could easily be read as a standalone in this series, but I would suggest reading all of them so you can enjoy the personalities of everyone in this Irish clan! Each and every one has distinct traits that make them quite interesting -- I liked the suspense factor of this one and was surprised with the outcome -- I don't want to spoil anything -- just read it and you'll understand! And I always love that Pop Pop makes an appearance in this series. If fun, steamy romantic suspense is your favorite genre, you'll enjoy this series. I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC for NetGalley.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the author in exchange for an honest review.


Mari Carr’s Wilder Irish series continues to be enjoyable with July Flames. I’ve read a few of her other books, and while this one wasn’t my favorite, it didn’t fail to entertain.
July Flames tells the story of Fergus Collins and Aubrey Summers. Fergus is hired to be famous musician Aubrey Summers’ bodyguard while she is on tour after numerous incidents occur suggesting she has a stalker.
This story despite dealing with a dramatic subject matter remains a quick and fairly light-hearted book. While I liked it, I couldn’t love it because there were many times throughout the story that I felt it lacked the depth it was capable of. The relationships present in the story between both the main characters and other side characters were not explored as much as they could have been and I feel that made it difficult for me to feel invested in it.
Despite that, this was a cute book so I still liked it, I just couldn’t love it because it felt like it was missing something.

July Flames is about Fergus who hired to be bodyguard to Aubrey (former teen star and singer) while out on tour and help find her stalker

I really enjoyed reading the story of them falling in love. The reveal of who the stalker was factually surprised me.

While this 7th book in the series, and can be read as stanlone, this is my first book I have read by Mari Carr. I will definitely will be going back and adding the 6 other books to my reading list.

I read this book via netgalley in exchange for a honest review.

Wow!!! Yes!!! I absolutely loved this one! The book before this one I didn't really like all that much but this one?! Heck yes!! It was awesome!! This is Aubrey and Fergus book, Fergus is ex military and came home and opened up a security firm. Aubrey is a ex child tv star turned lol princess! Fergus is hired on a short term bases to guard Aubrey as they think she has a stalker!! This book had everything!! It had plenty of action, drama, heartbreak, and it will definitely singe your kindle!! Lol it was 🔥🔥🔥!!! I want my own Fergus! Lol I highly recommend reading this book and series!! Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for sharing this book with me!

I enjoyed the suspense as much as the romance in, July Flame's. Aubrey did a fine job of making Fergus work to keep her safe. It was always something happening, so I had a hard time putting the book down.