Thoughts and Themes: I really enjoyed book 1 so I was so happy to get a chance to read this one and this book did not disappoint. I rarely read series as they come out because I don’t feel the need to read the next book as soon as it comes out but this was one of those that I had to know what happens now.

It is quite difficult to provide you all with a review without ruining book 1 so if you haven’t read that book yet, go do that before you continue reading this review.

I love the way Nick finds out about certain things in this book, I also like the way he responds to the things that he finds out. It’s like his whole life is unraveling before his eyes and as he thinks he has it all together it only unravels some more. The way this is done kept me reading even when I guessed where the story was going.

Something that I was really hoping was going to change with this book or at least be brought up was the amount of police admiring went on in the first book. I am glad that this book did begin the conversation about police brutality especially as Nick’s dad did beat up a man. While I was quite upset that Gibby and her family were the ones to bring up the conversation, I am glad that it did happen. I also liked how we do see Nick struggle with what it means for his dad to be a cop and begin to ask questions rather than just having it be fact.

Characters: The characters in this book, Nick, Seth, Gibby, and Jazz are just as great as they were in book 1. I just love how they formed a found family and watching as how their relationships develop through the course of this book. I really like how we get brief glimpses of each of their parents and see how those relationships are developed as well.

I liked getting to see Nick and his dad’s relationship develop throughout the course of this book, both as he questions his dad being a cop and also questions his dad keeping things from him. I liked getting to see how their relationship changed throughout time and I just like how casual they are with each other. It very much is a teenage child and parental relationship which is funny at times.

Writing Style: This story is written in third person through the perspective of the main character, Nick. I like that the story is told in third person because you get a glimpse at what the others are doing but you don’t know what’s going on unless Nick is around. I like getting things through Nick’s perspective because it feels like things are all over the place the whole time so you are for sure inside his head.

This sequel to The Extraordinaries, Nicky’s back with his superhero boyfriend Seth. Flash Fire jumps in where The Extraordinaries left off, but now there are new villains, and new heroes on the streets of Nova City.

I missed these characters and their endearing quirks; Nicky and his goofy intensity, and his dad hell bent on embarrassing him to death. The humor, effortless banter, teen angst, and all around bigheartedness - brought back all of the good feels from the beginning.

Somewhere between superpowers and saving the city, there were many sex positive discussions, and while it was cringeworthy and embarrassing for Nick, it was also well done and good information for any readers out there who may not know how to start these conversations.

There was also a plotline that addressed police brutality (Nick’s dad had assaulted a man in custody). I appreciated that this was discussed, and there were several times that it came up. I think the characters handled it well, but my only complaint is that the responsibility to explain it landed on Gibby and her parents.

The perfect follow up to The Extraordinaries, and I can’t wait to see what happens next. That cliffhanger tho...

It doesn't get much tougher to follow than "The Extraordinaries"' - an uproariously funny, unique and captivating story about a queer neurodiverse kid finding ordinary ways to be extraordinary.

"Flash Fire" delivers the expected laughs, cuteness overload, best friends-to-lovers excellence, scream worthy second hand embarrassment for the absolute treasure that is one Nicky Bell that makes me read from behind my fingers.

Heavy on family feels, both the kind you're born into and the kind you make for yourself, I will alwas be a sucker for a pack of queer kids trying to find their place in the world and make it just a little bit better along the way.

I also really liked the fact this book didn't shy away from important conversations. In fact, we ended up diving deeper into Nick's dad's job as a police officer, and the issues that often go ignored. I've been having an icreasingly harder time lately reading books that blatantly ignore the problems inherent to the Police and go on as if things don't need to be addressed or called attention to. This book did a great job of having some of those conversations in ways that still fit perfectly with the story.

In this sequel we encounter forces that want to push back against Extraordinaries, from wanting to control them for their own nefarious purposes to wanting to 'cure' them. A narrative queer people have been fighting against for far too long, and I can't put it much better than Gibby:
"Wé're here, we're queer, and you better get used to it."

A hilarious, touching, irreverent, successful sequel to The Extraordinaries!

Prepare to blush, cringe, and laugh out loud!

Superheroes, fans of superheros, friends-to-lovers, found family, LGBTQ+ representation, neurodiverse representation, comedy by the bucketload, teen awkwardness, teen bonding and found family stories, this feels like it has something for everyone! Honestly, the Extraordinaries and Flash Fire are not part of my go-to genres of fiction, I rarely read contemporary, or romance, or even, in the past, dedicated LGBTQ books, though that's something I'm addressing and enjoying this year, but I really feel like there's a lot to relate to in these books.

I came to Flash Fire cold, as I hadn't fully read the Extraordinaries, but had only hastily listened to the audio version, (which I found quite hard to get into, as the narrator (the author) speaks so fast, and doesn't change his voice that much when speaking as different characters), but the humour and storytelling is so strong that I knew I wanted to read Flash Fire!

I really like Nick as a character, and love how positively his ADHD is represented. I love friends-to-lovers romances, and Nick and Seth's relationship is at times cringy, but always sweet. I love Nick's Dad, and his ways of tormenting his awkward teen son! Nick's friends are all strong supportive sarcastic characters. Throw in superheroes and it all adds up to a great read.

As I said, I listened to the Extraordinaries really quickly, without really being able to get into it, and then speed-read Flash Fire, but I look forward to re-reading them both and awaiting the next instalment!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is the second book in The Extraordinaries Series following Nick Bell and his superhero boyfriend, Seth Gray just trying to survive high school while also dealing with new villains and secrets.

I absolutely enjoyed this book so much. Just really an amazing sequel with a great storyline that had me smiling and laughing. The story development was fast paced and just flowed seamlessly. The plot was predictable but still very entertaining. There was definitely more action and fight scenes, which I really enjoyed as we got new Extraordinaries with incredible powers. There were also some very important and sensitive topics discussed in this book, which I thought were well written.

Nick Bell, is honestly my favorite character. He’s just so hilarious, witty and smart. Really liked his development and journey throughout this book. Seth Gray, is also so adorable and I liked how he got more of a storyline and journey. Their relationship is honestly just so cute, the love and support they have for each other is perfect.

The last few chapters kept me on the edge of my seat, just very fast paced with lots of action. The epilogue and twist definitely took me by surprise, did not see it coming at all. Very excited for the next book. Overall, just an entertaining read with great characters and story.

This is yet another winner from TJ Klune! I have not found a book of his that I didn't love, and Flash Fire was a perfect follow-up to The Extraordinaries. I tend to wait to read planned trilogies until all books have been released, but I was sucked into the first one without realizing it would end on a cliffhanger. Flash Fire is the second book in the series and it means I will be waiting anxiously for the conclusion to this great story.

Nick is such a wonderful character. He is sweet, awkward, and funny, and the author doesn’t try to make him sound like an adult. He comes across as every bit of the goofy teen that he is in the book. Listening to his dad troll him with sex advice was absolutely hilarious! As the mother of teen daughters, I giggled at how Aaron seems to delight in making Nick as uncomfortable as possible. The book tackled some deeper topics than The Extraordinaries and I thought the discussions around the police were very well done without coming across as preachy.

My oldest daughter lives with an ADHD diagnosis and she struggles with the social and educational challenges that go along with this disability. I have told her for years that I see ADHD as her superpower, so I was delighted to see that discussed in this book in a short scene with Nick and Seth. When Nick complains that he wished ADHD was a superpower, his sweet boyfriend responds by telling him, “It is. You have the power to have a billion thoughts in the space of a few seconds. That’s pretty cool if you ask me - even if you also say those billion thoughts out loud.” Even when there is a major plot twist revealed in this book, Nick still struggles with his disability and I love the way his friends and father rally around him to encourage him when he gets down on himself. I wish there was more positive ADHD rep in books since my daughter often complains that she doesn’t see herself in so many main characters, but Nick is a wonderful, positive voice for others like him.

If you have not started this series, you need to read The Extraordinaries before you pick this one up. I have been thoroughly entertained by both books and I cannot wait for the conclusion!

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

I had to start Flash Fire after! Seth and Nick are the best of friends and I love a good ascot and cravat, I can relate. We discover the secret identities of our two Extraordinaries and their motivations at the end of the first one. In this book we discover new super heroes, organically and lab made. The hilarity continues as the teen romance continues as well. The blushing, gushing, flirting is just the best mixed in with the super hero dynamics and the sarcastic banter and eye rolls of their friends.

I forgot to mention Gibby and Jazz in the previous review but they are just amazing! 

Omg the setup at the end to the next book! OMG how will I survive?! I also need to figure out my catch phrase I'm jealous of all the perfect phrases. I love all the representation in this book! 

Thank you Tor teen and net galley for the E-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.

I received a copy of this book for review from NetGalley. Warning: reading this book in public will result in giggle-snorting that will cause people to give you strange looks. This book is a worthy sequel to Extraordinaries, and I am so upset that I can't immediately get my little hands on the third book.
Nick, Seth, Gibby, and Jazz have all grown and matured a bit since the first book, but still have their signature snark and liveliness. The book mixes action scenes with emotional growth and moments of everyday joy. I laughed out loud, cringed at the sheer awkwardness of teenagers, and darn near cried. There are new characters to get to know (good and bad), and I was kept on the edge of my seat for a good chunk of the book. I loved every minute, and I can't wait to read it again.

E-ARC provided by the publisher (Tor Teen) through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All quotes used are subject to change. Thank you so much!

4.5 stars rounded up. Flash Fire not only reminded me just how much I love Nick, Seth, Jazz, Gibby, and all the inhabitants of Nova City, but also served as a compelling sequel that both contained all the same elements from The Extraordinaries that I loved—witty, irreverent writing, found family, a gay best friends to lovers romance and more. Additionally, this sequel also addressed the main issue I had with it: the absence of any critique of the police system.

As I discussed in my pre-review, the primary problem I had with the first book was how it was completely washed in police propaganda; However, I did note that I was still interested in reading the sequel as a result of T.J Klune acknowledging this issue and promising to do better in Flash Fire. I am very happy to say that this book definitely takes the time to acknowledge the many problems with the police and the carceral system that first book turned a blind eye to.

Klune directly tackles one of the plot points many readers, including I, had significant issue with using grace and tact: Nick’s dad, in an egregious abuse of power as a police officer, punching a witness who was goading him about his dead wife. Not only that, but only receiving a slap of wrist in punishment and still obtaining a promotion. Black characters call him out for this in this book and the novel makes it a point to ensure that Nick as the protagonist has to look past his hero worship of his dad and the years of viewing the police as just and good for the safety of the people around him. What’s even more important is that the conversation did not end there, and actual actionable steps are taken for characters to do better.

As for the actual book, let’s start with prose. As someone who has read several of Klune’s books before, one of the aspects of his writing that I really appreciate is his mastery and understanding of tone and how it is integral to match the tone of his writing to the story he is telling. Each of book I’ve read of his vary widely in tonally; from bluntly poetic in Wolfsong to heartwarming and gentle in The House in the Cerulean Sea, Klune’s prose is amazingly adaptable to whatever narrative he creates. Flash Fire is no different. The best way I can describe this novel’s writing is downright hilarious. There’s just so much heart and wit woven into the prose of this novel that the comedy reads as natural, no matter how absurd the one-liners and jokes get. It just works and that is what I love about the writing in this book. I think it also helps that the writing is married perfectly to Nick’s voice as a protagonist, perfectly capturing his character voice and preserving despite being written in third person perspective.

Plot and pacing. In the interest of being fully honest, I’m just going to say that this book could have been about the everyday lives of Nick and Team Pyro Storm and I would have been perfectly okay with that. I’m a character reader first and foremost and this book is heavily character oriented, but that’s not to say that the plot and pacing are lacking in anyway. Flash Fire starts off a bit slow, allowing the reader to reacclimate to the world of Nova City and where the characters are at post-the ending of the first book: Nick, Jazz, and Gibby are acting as the “communications HQ” for Pyro Storm/Seth and are adjusting to the responsibilities of operating as support to him. But like most sequel books, this book develops upon plot threads from the first books, provides nuances to them, introduces new characters and conflicts, and as such, the pace picks up. The last third of this novel in particularly was a rollercoaster of electrifying action, heartrending revelations, and climactic moments down to the very last page.

I’d be remiss not to discuss the found family trope that is very much present in this novel. It’s kind of impossible for me not to absolutely fall in love with a bunch of queer teenagers who are all interesting and complex in of themselves but form a found family with a group dynamic that is as entertaining as it is heartwarming—the quartet of Nick, Seth, Jazz, and Gibby exemplify everything I love about found family in that they are forever there for one another, bonded by bonds forged out of choice and not blood, and how they are determined to stick together despite them each acknowledging that paths do diverge but what matters is that they will be there for each other in the here and the now. As someone who very much values my friendships and found family, I saw a lot of my friends and I reflected in the four of them.

Finally, one of my absolute favorite parts of this book—to no one’s surprise, I’m sure—is the gay best friends to lover romance between Nick and Seth. I’m of the supremely unpopular opinion that friends to lovers is the premier romance trope, even more so than enemies-to-lovers, and in particular, childhood friends to lovers scratches my brain and tugs at my heartstrings in a way that is unmatched. Particularly if it’s gay. I go absolutely feral especially when it’s gay childhood friends to lovers. It’s rare for me to find a recent YA book that has this trope and Nick and Seth’s relationship provides me with unmatched serotonin. They kind of exemplify everything I love about this trope: the long-shared history, the mutual pining, the self-insert fanfiction, the fact that Seth is so openly in love with Nick and Nick is the same but dense as a rock about it? Iconic, show-stopping, never been done before.

What I particularly love about them together is the fact that Klune masterfully writes their relationship in a way that shows that their relationship isn’t perfect but also prevents them from falling into the traps of miscommunication and drawn-out arguments. Their relationship is just so soft while not being too good to be true; one of my favorite parts of this book is the frank (and oftentimes hilarious) discussion around gay sex and how to be safe during it. As this is a YA book, I think that exposing young gay teens to this discussion is incredibly important. Ultimately in many ways, Nick and Seth’s relationship is the ever-bright spot in a book that is primarily about a group of kids just trying to grow up while dealing with extraordinary circumstances and the darkness that comes along with it.

Conclusively, please go read this book when it comes out tomorrow and support T.J Klune as a m|m author writing m|m stories and romances in speculative fiction! Buy it, get it from your local library, etc because I assure you this story is 1000% worth your time! This book—and series—deserves as much love as his other books!

What a delight! This return to Nova City is filled with all the action, feels, friendship, and humor of The Extraordinaries, with the addition of new characters and plot twists. As Nick and Seth settle into being boyfriends and best friends, they have to negotiate relationship expectations as well as Seth's role as Nova City's Extraordinary hero. Tensions are rising in the city and there are forces at work who will stop at nothing to unmask Pyro Storm. On top of that, Nick uncovers shattering secrets that threaten to upend everything he loves.

While much of the story revolves around superhero plots and Nick and Seth's romance, I was happy to see that Gibby and Jazz get more page time. This sequel truly solidifies the four friends into a cohesive team where all aspects of their lives are treated as being equally important. There's also a deeper, much-needed examination of police corruption and violence, and a personal reckoning for Nick's father. I really love that Nick and his dad are listening, learning, and trying to do their best. Other things I loved: the loving and supportive family dynamics, humorous but real conversations about sex and consent, Nick's fanfic, and one fabulous new Extraordinary. Flash Fire is extra queer, extra fun, and extra exciting!

I loved Flash Fire! It's everything I wanted for a sequel: I also love the way T.J. Klune incorporated the new American understanding of police officers into this second book. Additionally, the diverse cast is great, as per usual. Can't wait for a third!

Just like The Extraordinaries was my favorite book of 2020, Flash Fire is absolutely, without a doubt my favorite book of 2021!! I will be raving about this book for a very VERY long time!!

There is so very much to love about this book, where not only are there MORE people with super powers in Nova City, but TJ Klune has practically made being queer a super power all its own. What the hell is better than that? This book tackles some current topics like police reform and gay rights perfectly. And, Nick and friends are just as amazing as ever.

Flash Fire is laugh out loud, heart-stopping and a tear jerker all-in-one, so be prepared. There is so much heart and emotion wrapped up in these pages it will make you breathless. I adore Nick Bell more than almost any other character in the literary world. He has his struggles, but he is so full of love that you can't help but want to be part of this world.

In Nova City, the citizens are chomping at the bit for the identity of Pyro Storm, the once believed villain-proved hero in the previous book. And everyone is trying to get at Nick for answers. While trying to keep Pyro Storm's identity a secret, Nick has also got new developments of his own, proving that a teenage boy can only handle so much. Now, with new heroes in town, new villains make themselves known, causing chaos in Nova City.

All I can say after reading this book is I NEED MORE!!!!

T.J. Klune has created the most wonderous character in Nick, our hero wannabe, in “The Extraordinaries” series. Nick is a head full of ideas that all need to be implemented now. Never mind a kid whose mind is always in the gutter. I love living in Nick’s head and hearing his voice as it can be amazingly funny and dirty.

I like Flash Fire a lot more than the first book and that is hard to say because The Extraordinaries was really good too. Nick is still struggling with his ADHD and lusting after his superhero boyfriend Seth. Klune has added the additional struggles of what it means to be Black in Nova City through the experiences of Gibby, her family, and Nick’s father who is a policeman. There are also the real-life teenage struggles of college, life after high school, friendships, and self-esteem.

All of these issues are seamlessly blended into an action superhero story with new villains and new heroes. There are secrets, betrayals, and lots of fun action sequences. I really love the free-speaking moments Nick has, for example when he meets Miss Conduct for the first time. Absolutely hilarious.

There are so many surprises, twists, and of course the bonds of friendship. Klune has included diversity and fire. I cannot say enough about how much I enjoyed Flash Fire.

If you haven’t read the first book, no worries, Flash Fire can be read as a standalone.

I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.

Nicky, yes!
Nicholas Bell is too pure for this world, and I would be a little bit mad at Klune for putting him through the wringer in this book, yet it is so good that I just can't.
We rejoin Nick and the gang in the aftermath of Nick discovering that his best friend Seth is not only a superhero but the love of his life. It's not easy sailing from there as not only is Nick's dad dead set on having a safe sex discussion with him and Seth, new threats appear gunning for both Seth and Nick, as well as new Extraordinaries and several secrets from the past coming to light and upending everything Nick thought he knew about his life and his family.
I laughed out loud several times, teared up a couple more, and just generally enjoyed the ever-living H out of everything that happens in this book. It's not just about the too-cute-for-words relationship between Nick and Seth, it's every relationship in the book and how well Klune manages to give humanity to all of his characters and infuse every interaction with both light fun and a certain gravitas that makes this one incredibly entertaining read.
On a final note, how can Klune possibly end it like that? What?! Also, called it!

Many extraordinarily happy thanks to NetGalley and Tor Teen for the early read!

"Nicky, yes!"...Seriously... Nicky, yes.

Flash Fire, this second book in The Extraordinaries series, is SO MUCH FUN! It's also a lot more serious.

The stakes are much higher this time around, for Nicky, Seth, Gibby and Jazz. Much higher for their parents. Much higher for everyone. Not only are the stakes higher due to horrible people, but they are higher because people change, things manifest. I think for anyone who read The Extraordinaries, you'd suspect what was going to transpire. And you'd be correct!

Challenges for this group of friends also comes in the shape of social justice issues surrounding the police department... an echo of our reality. Sometimes I felt like it was a bit heavy handed and I didn't want any of this in a book about superheroes. But I also loved how there are times when everyone is challenged in their way of thinking, understanding and knowledge of the would around them.

Where this book shines for me is the friendship between these 4 amazing kids. Their friendship is stronger. Their love for each other is solid... the trust they have in each other is amazing. It's beautiful. Friendships that will last a lifetime. There is no time when I felt like anyone was going to loose trust. Even through all the most challenging times in the book, their loyalty never fails.

New good guys, new bad guys, and hijinks galore keep this book moving. It's really well paced with lots of excitement and laughter where I could not breathe for laughing so hard. Many moments so touching and sweet that I thought I'd cry my eyes out. And the ending!

The ending of this book, probably the last 3 or 4 chapters had me out of my seat, freaking out, and shaking my fists, swearing up and down, crying... literally going through every emotion. The last being a profound sense of frustration that we'll have to wait for the next book to find out that forever question of <b>WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT?</b> Because, cliffhanger. Kind of, in my opinion, a huge one.

Flash Fire is extraordinary. It's fun and exciting. It's an emotional rollercoaster. It's beautiful. This is the kind of book I wish I'd had when I was a teenager. This is the kind of story that I really wish we had back in my day. This is a story I sincerely hope kids and parents and everyone else will read and understand the importance of.

Absolutely recommended.

𝘍𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘺, 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯-𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦!

My favorite character is back!!!!
I loved Nick in The Extraordinaries and I was beyond excited when I got this copy to continue reading about his adventures and shenanigans, and it was the perfect sequel, full of laugh out loud moments and emotion this book captured me.

Thank you NetGalley and Tor Teen for this eARC.

𝘍𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘩 𝘍𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘺 TJ Klune 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘸 𝘑𝘶𝘭𝘺 13, 2021.

Read if you like: superhero stories, ya, lgbtq+, funny stories, mm romance.

https://www.instagram.com/booksandcoffeemx/

I know I'm late to the party, but wow! T.J. Klune writes an entertaining novel. I loved The House in the Cerulean Sea, but the Extraordinaries series is just amazing. While the Extraordinaries introduced readers to a world where super-heroes are real, Flash Fire tackles real-life issues of police brutality, and the use of drugs to "cure" certain behaviors. I loved both the teenage characters (mostly LGBTQ+ representation), and their parents. And the relationship between Nick and Seth is really sweet and inspiring. In the background, there is a nefarious scheme that we finally start to understand. Given the tremendous cliffhanger at the end of Flash Fire, I can't wait to read the next book.

What I Liked:

Characters:

Nick is such a fun character. Even though he has a very supportive father, he has many challenges. Nick faces mixed messages regarding his ADHD. At times, people seem to discount Nick's behavior as a product of his "condition". Then, later, his friends are reassuring Nick that his ADHD is a wonderful, unique part of his personality. This must have been really frustrating for him. I rooted for Nick to be taken seriously, for him to put his heart on the line for Seth, and for him to be happy.

Nick's father is a policeman who has a flawed past. Losing his temper years ago, he assaulted a suspect and was demoted from detective to street cop. It was more of a slap of the wrist, considering his conduct. And this story addresses this privilege. I liked that Nick's dad faces Gibby (who is black) and her parents to start to take responsibility for his actions. But Nick's dad has also done other questionable things that he has to confront. If I were Nick, I don't know if I could forgive him.

We already know that Seth is an Extraordinary, and he takes this as a serious responsibility, (and a burden). Seth can's be there every time someone's in trouble. But, how does one decide who will get your help? This really haunts him. He also starts to resent how he can' be just a regular teenager and have fun. This was completely understandable. What Seth is able to do is know how precious life is. His heart is open, and he loves Nick unreservedly.

Themes:

Besides addressing the role of police (a very timely topic), I really liked how the author examines ADHD. He absolutely affirms that this is condition that makes Nick wonderful and unique. But some of the characters often lose their patience with Nick, and don't appreciate how he has so many thoughts going on at once. There are also characters that see ADHD as a burden, who want to "cure" people who have it. It makes me so sad that people look at kids with ADHD, or Autism, and see something that needs to be fixed. Is this because they see these conditions as an inconvenience or a burden? Or do they truly believe that people with ADHD can't lead happy, productive lives? I think the author (and I, myself) see ADHD, Autism, and other conditions, as just another variation of someone's personality. Yes, there are challenges, but I hope that people can be accepted for who they are, at this moment, and not have someone try to "fix" them.

Okay, I'll stop preaching now.

I went into Flash Fire with high hopes, having really enjoyed The Extraordinaries, and the book exceeded them! I am a sucker for a queer superhero story and TJ Klune has provided that and more.

After the excitement of the first book, Nick is back and now navigating his new relationship with Seth, along with junior year with his best friends Jazz and Gibby. Not to mention dealing with his sometimes-overbearing father. Sounds pretty typical for a high schooler, right? Well, add in Seth's secret identity as the superhero Pyro Storm and Nick going on his own journey, plus the unyielding presence of Simon Burke in Nova City, and you have a recipe for excitement and disaster! I could definitely tell how events in the real world impacted the narrative of the book and I think it only makes the story ring truer and develop a deeper sense of purpose.

This book is incredibly well-written and structured, with multiple layers, plot twists, and character development. It really builds on the groundwork from the first book in the series and successfully enlarges the world it inhabits. I felt the perfect mix of suspense, intrigue, and teenage angst as I read. Klune is on the way to mastering the YA genre and also deftly handles delicate topics such as sexuality and social/racial justice. I can't wait to read more in this series!

TJ Klune has always been that writer who could pull every emotions available as a reader. He could have you laughing out loud at one point and tugging at your heartstrings on the next page. His writing provides a great platform for tackling (sometimes heavy) societal issues and addresses them with grace and sometimes humor sprinkled all over them for comedic relief.

Flash Fire is one of those books where you’ll see what a brilliant writer Klune is. The characters, Nick and Seth are adorable as they fumbled their way into their relationship. They make you laugh, and frustrate you and make you cringe too. I enjoy the found family aspect of this story, much like most of Klune’s books.

It’s an enjoyable read, prepare to laugh out loud and also swoon with all the cuteness..

I’m going to listen to the audiobook version once it comes out. I bet it’s just as awesome as the print version, if not more.

Rainbows and Sunshine
July 11, 2021

Flash Fire is the sequel that I needed!!! What a ride!!! Holy shittt!!!!!

Nick is as chaotic and ever. Him and Seth and too cute for words and I just love them together. Gabby and Jazz are fantastic and this whole gang is the best found family ever!!!

Ah, the second hand embarrassment I suffered in the first chapters!!! I can't!! Yes, for the sex talk and sex positivity but damn I cringed so hard! Bluetooth. Dental dams. Orgasm fire.🤐

This book has lots of action and I couldn't put it down! It was hilarious and beautiful and I cannot wait for the next book. There are lots of secrets and reveals that I cannot talk for fear of spoilers but trust me, you'll love this book. It's everything I could've asked from a sequel and I'm so excited for more.

I'm glad the author addressed the issues about cops and assault from the last book and I like how it's handled in this book. And while I could guess some of the twists, I still very much enjoyed it! Highly recommended!!

*ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review