The Burning is truly a great continuation of the Brightest Stars trilogy. Anna Todd once again gives us a slow burn wrt to Kael Martin and Karina Fischer and the romance they both want yet don't know how to keep from imploding. Two weeks after the big reveal at the end of book one, The Falling, and Karina is still as stubborn as ever as she battles her feelings for Kael and the seemingly impulsive decision her twin brother Austin has made. This girl won't give an inch as her past with an absent mother, together with her present with a bullish father seem to keep getting in the way of any sort of happiness she manages to find.

Todd has a penchant for inner thoughts and this book is full of them as both Kael and Karina try and navigate a possible new beginning that definitely takes its sweet time in happening for both of them. Kael keeps his distance yet circumstances keep throwing them together and I knew it was just a matter of time before Karina's heart would take over her mind and she'd succumb to the man she loved all over again.

We get glimpses of the soldier Kael will always be whether or not he wears a uniform, always taking care of those who need it most and continuing to be a force to be reckoned with. His decision wrt leaving the Fort Benning area and wanting to move to Atlanta will most definitely be a huge hurdle for him and Karina to overcome. Yet, both want each other like no one before them and I just wanted to yell at them to just air their wants once and for all and stop all the nonsense! But I'm hopeful Book 3 will give me that explosive scene where their love will be all that matters.

Despite the slow pace, I was fully engaged in these wonderful characters and the mayhem that goes along with serving one's country and sadly seeing things you can never forget. Mendoza is one I'll be worried about going forward, his loyal wife deserving the man she married but always willing to stick by the one he is now. And then there's Austin and his oft-times foolish choices when it comes to satisfying his needs, and who he'll satisfy them with. As the book came to a close, we're left with yet more trouble afoot as one soldier is back to claim his pregnant wife and the question of whether she'll think that is a good thing or not.

I am really appreciating this look into what it's like to come back from a conflict, what that does to a man and how hard it can be to put a life back together again. I am confident, however, that Karina is the balm Kael will always need, beyond curious as to how their love story will conclude. Todd paints the picture of a damaged man finding the one woman who can mend his heart and soul quite beautifully and I'll be counting the days until the last segment of their journey and that of those they care for, is here to enjoy.

In the meantime, I happily give The Burning a big 4 stars!

Finally back with Kael and Karina.
It's only been two weeks since she found out that her twin brother is enlisting in the army. And even worse for Karina, Kael knew and helped him with things and didn't say a word about it to her. She will never be able to forgive him for that.
Or will she?
She can't stop thinking about him....

What will happen with Karina & Kael?
WILL THERE BE A HAPPILY EVER AFTER???
BUY THE BOOK TO FIND OUT!
Even though you won't yet find out - but book #3 will be with us ... one day sooni....sh.

══════════════════


Well. That was a bit better than the first book.
I still like Kael and Karina. But I also don't like them for so many things.
They're so young but they're already in the middle of their lives, their jobs, their adultness, but especially Karina is so very naive and immature at the same time. No idea why and how!
And what already bothered me about the first book is back again... Elodie!
Why is she?
In the book? It's Kael's and Karina's love story. Austin - the twin - has a right to be in here a lot... I can live with that - even though it's way too much about him too.
But Elodie? She doesn't make any sense.
She destroys the whole love story between K+K because she needs too much screen/page time. Which she totally deserves - she's great - but only if this was her own book.
We barely get any Kael and Karina love story because of so many distractions in their lives. I hated that. Especially the end of the book. Ugh.
Also - the way K+K finally get back together? That happened just as quickly and weirdly as in the first book. She was all I HATE HIM - I WILL NEVER FORGIVE HIM and then bam they're naked in his truck. That was so weird and fast and without leading up to it somehow. So not good.

Another thing I don't love. The whole military thing. That's such a typical and only American thing. German people or so many others won't have any connection or feelings towards all that. The way American readers will. It's a bit too American for my tastes. Maybe if this whole story would've taken place in an international setting. Like on a US base in Germany, Italy wherever. That way we might've loved it a bit more.

I still liked reading this second book.
But I also fast-forwarded a lot at times. Like in the first book, there's so much redundant stuff in here. No idea why Anna felt she had to fill this series with so much stuff. At least this time there are a few interesting scenes and locations and happenings. But still - the book is too long and uneventful.
One single book with a great love story and some drama and whatnot would've been so amazing! But alas here we are - with three way too long books - with waayy too long to wait between books!
I will definitely read the final book. But I don't think this will ever become a favorite series of mine!
But I also have hope that Anna will come up with a new amazing book idea one day soon.
Now that she's living all happy and healthy and Avocado-y in LA! 🤣

► THE BURNING was a great second book in Kael + Karina's love story. There's still so much more to tell. GIMME book #3!

The Burning is similar. The book has matured so much since the first time around. If you grew up with Anna Todd's stories and have matured some more, The Brightest Stars is the perfect series to bring you back!
The first book, The Falling, was more about Karina and Kael. Meanwhile, The Burning focused more on everyone around them. There was not too much progression between them; however, I look at it as if this was their growing stage as individuals, which ultimately just sets the scene perfectly for the continuation. I love the Fort Benning setting. It's so different from other books. It has the small-town feeling but more of the military tension and emotional discourse. I love watching Anna grow as an author alongside us readers, it makes the experience so special, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to read The Burning.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of The Burning!

WOW! They say some things need to age to taste better, such as red wine. The Burning is similar. The book has matured so much since the first time around. If you grew up with Anna Todd's stories and have matured some more, The Brightest Stars is the perfect series to bring you back!

The first book, The Falling, was more about Karina and Kael. Meanwhile, The Burning focused more on everyone around them. There was not too much progression between them; however, I look at it as if this was their growing stage as individuals, which ultimately just sets the scene perfectly for the continuation.

I love the Fort Benning setting. It's so different from other books. It has the small-town feeling but more of the military tension and emotional discourse.

I love watching Anna grow as an author alongside us readers, it makes the experience so special, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to read The Burning!

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

The author skillfully crafts a tale of two individuals scarred by their previous experiences, hesitant to let go of their pain and open their hearts again. Karina, determined to protect herself from further heartbreak, struggles to forgive Kael for his past transgressions. Kael, haunted by his mistakes, longs for a fresh start and an opportunity to rekindle the flame that once burned between them.

The characters are well-developed and relatable, each carrying their own emotional baggage and vulnerabilities. Karina's fear of being hurt again is palpable, and readers will empathize with her desire for self-preservation. Kael's remorse and determination to win back Karina's trust make him a sympathetic and complex protagonist. Their chemistry is electric, and the author masterfully portrays the intensity of their love, making it impossible to forget.

The plot is driven by a series of circumstances that force Karina and Kael to confront their feelings and face the truth they have been avoiding. The pacing is well-maintained, with the story building steadily towards a climactic moment of reckoning. The emotional depth of the narrative keeps readers engaged, eager to see whether these two damaged souls can find healing and happiness together.

Overall, this is a compelling and emotionally charged romance that tugs at the heartstrings. It reminds us that love has the power to heal even the deepest wounds and that forgiveness is a necessary step towards finding happiness. If you enjoy heartfelt stories of redemption and enduring love, this book is a worthwhile read.

Anna Todd’s story has always intrigued me: she was a young mom who wrote bestselling books off her phone. I’m not into romance or fan fiction, so I haven’t read the After series or any of her previous works, but I really appreciate her storytelling here. This book has a lot of heart and depicts some of the harsh realities of being in a military family and romance: the isolation, the cliques among wives, the trauma, the violence. Anna Todd nicely builds up the tension between her two main characters, exes who are still in love but not in good standing with each other, and as always, the steamy scenes are very well written. I look forward to her follow up in this series, as I’m so invested in Kael and Karina’s story now. Anna Todd is an extraordinary writer and talent. Thank you Net Galley for the arc copy.