Strike and Burn by Taylor Hutton is a spellbinding romantic thriller that masterfully intertwines danger and desire, igniting them into a fiery tale. With its gripping plot and relentless suspense, I found myself utterly engrossed, unable to set the book aside.

I actually really enjoyed this book! ⭐️4.25 stars⭐️

It’s a generously and realistically spicy read with a dose of dark secrets woven into the plot, making it my first dip into the darker side of spicy romance...and I’m definitely not mad about it. The story immediately hooked me from the first page, with the two main characters meeting in a morgue during one of the worst moments of Honor's life. That gripping opening set the tone for the emotional intensity that followed.

Strike, the male lead, is a gentle yet dangerous billionaire, and honestly, what's not to love? I’ve always been drawn to the "he’s dangerous but never to her" trope (think Eric Northman from True Blood or Rip Wheeler from Yellowstone), and Strike absolutely delivers on that front. If Honor didn’t want him, I’d gladly take her place!

I'm usually not a fan of dual POV in romance—or most genres, really—but it works well here. The alternating perspectives are balanced without feeling repetitive or overwhelming, giving just enough insight into both characters' emotional depth without losing focus on the story's momentum.

I finished this book in a single day, completely absorbed from start to finish. If you're looking for a darker romance with steam, tension, and an irresistible protective hero, this one’s worth picking up!

Rating ~2.5?

This was an odd book.

I didn’t love it. Nor did I hate it.

The concept was interesting enough, but the execution was lackluster.

It was just…there? Half the time I was questioning what the plot was supposed to be. There’s insta-love and some dark romance vibes. But it was never enough of anything. The romance was rushed and while the character’s tragic pasts were revealed I didn’t feel anything for them. Hell, when they started declaring their love for each other I was like oh okay, sure, why not I guess 😅

I kept reading for same the reason people slow down when driving by car accidents. I just kind of wanted to know what happened, even though it doesn’t really affect me.

Finale verdict, would I spend money on this book? Probably not

This is the perfect cover for this book. It’s utterly fitting. The heat of this cover definitely bleeds into the heat of this book. This book gets spicy fast. Love is found in this most unlikely of places. This unconventional beginning leads to an unconventional relationship which simply works.
Thank you #NetGalley and #berkley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This unfortunately wasn't a favourite of mine. While the blurb got me initially, I struggled to connect with the characters much throughout the book and didn't have the best time with it.

I enjoyed Strike to an extent, but the relationship between him and Honor didn't really make much sense to me. I didn't feel like there was much chemistry between them and it was almost like their entire relationship was built on a weird dependancy between them. I also hard a really hard time with Honor as a whole so that likely contributed to my feelings about the two of them.

This was one of those situations where I read the book, I understood the book, but after finishing it, I can't seem to find any plot points or quotes that stuck out to me. It definitely just wasn't for me. Thank you for the opportunity to read this!

When i have to jump on NetGalley to read others’ reviews bc the plot makes zero sense. No good. I don’t think this book knew what it wanted to be.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ Billed as a romance/suspense - yet reads like erotica with the MMC Billionaire and the ‘damsel’ who needs rescuing with a heavy emphasis on sex toys, porn, sexual art and nothing else.

I thought he was an assassin or something? (Maybe he is but I have to drag myself through endless pages of sexual references) Too much time spent on insignificant garbage. I’m bored and frustrated.

While Strike and Burn promised a mix of romance and suspense, it failed to deliver a compelling story. The lack of character development made it hard to connect with Honor and Strike, leaving their relationship feeling superficial.

The plot leaned heavily on overused clichés like the brooding billionaire hero and the damsel in distress, which overshadowed the potential for a unique narrative. The story development felt rushed and underwhelming, with key moments lacking depth or significance.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ Overall, while the premise had promise, the weak execution left much to be desired, making it a disappointing read.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ I really wanted to love this one, unfortunately it didn't work for me at all.

Anticipated Release Date - 01/28/25

₊⊹⁀➴ 🔥Dual Timelines - Past & Present
₊⊹⁀➴ 🔪Dual POV
₊⊹⁀➴ 🔥Suspenseful Slow Burn Romance
₊⊹⁀➴ 🔪Morally Grey MMC
₊⊹⁀➴ 🔥Corkscrew Twists and Turns
₊⊹⁀➴ 🔪Romantic Thriller


💥 Many thanks to Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with an advanced digital copy via NetGalley - all thoughts are my own. 💥

I really liked the concept of this book and wasn't disappointed. Honor and Strike meet at the morgue when Honor is identifying her twin sister. They have an instant connection but it's the wrong time.

Both Strike and Honor have interesting back stories that we learn sporadically through flashbacks. I don't want to give too much away but both of these characters are broken. Grief is heavy in this book but is done well.

I wish that Strikes dark side wasn't brought forward in the way that it was, it just seemed out of character. I also wish that Honor's best friend hadn't disappeared in the end of the book. She was a great character and I wanted to see more of her. I was actually hoping that some sparks would flare between her and Strikes mysterious Scottish friend.

While there were some things I would change in the book overall I thought it was a solid read. Not spicy but heavy on emotion.

While Strike and Burn promised a mix of romance and suspense, it failed to deliver a compelling story. The lack of character development made it hard to connect with Honor and Strike, leaving their relationship feeling superficial. The plot leaned heavily on overused clichés like the brooding billionaire hero and the damsel in distress, which overshadowed the potential for a unique narrative. The story development felt rushed and underwhelming, with key moments lacking depth or significance. Overall, while the premise had promise, the weak execution left much to be desired, making it a disappointing read.

I really, really wanted to like this book. In fact, I was really intrigued in the beginning and enjoyed the characters. I thought the plot was refreshing and couldn't wait to dive further into the story.

However, as the story progressed, the pacing went south and started to really drag. It was hard for me to stay connected and invested in the story.

This book had a lot of promise, but the execution just wasn't there. In the end, this book ended up being a total miss for me.

4.5 STARS!!
This book was so much more than I expected. Billed as a romantic thriller by two authors I have not read before, I couldn’t wait to dive in.

The first few chapters are always tough as we get to know our characters and the plot, but I did think it was a bit strange meeting someone you would consider hot at a morgue, but it is different, and once past that the story starts to take off.

I love that the authors do not shy away from anything. This story is unabashed in desires, dreams, heat, passion, and erotica. Also in triggers like murder, stalking, abuse, and more.

The characters, while rife with issues, are protective and infatuated in their growing work relationship. Lines are blurred and the heat and steam grow. The story is fast-paced and so hard to stop reading. I was addicted to this book!

Strike and Burn is dark in many ways but sexy with trigger warnings all over this one. It really became an obsession to finish and the end was … wow! It’s not a book to be missed if you love dark romance built on passion, not twisted relationships. So good!!

Strike and Burn by Taylor Hutton sizzles from the very beginning. This is a great book for someone interested in dipping their toes in dark romance without it being too dark in the romance aspect. This book has multiple POV’s between Honor Stone and Strike Madden including flashbacks to Honor growing up in a neglected and abusive home that shaped who she is when she gets to know Strike Madden. This book is fast paced and I honestly couldn’t put it down, and when I had to I was looking forward to when I could pick it up again. What I liked most about the dark MMC is that he is more of a protector instead of being a MMC that is essentially an abuser which seems to be the case with many dark romances. There is definitely a respect he has for Honor and never degrades her or force her to do anything. Please be advised of trigger warnings such as child abuse (learning about Honor’s childhood), domestic abuse (Honor’s parents and her sister, Grace’s boyfriend), and adult themes with explicit content.
4.5 stars

The premise of this sounded so good and I was intrigued at first. I liked the connection that Honor and Strike had and Honor and Grace’s backstory was compelling. Where I had issues were the characters themselves. They seemed too flat and one note. I wouldn’t loved to get more of an introspective on their feelings.
Overall, this was a good read.

I really wanted to like this book. I love romantic suspense because it gives me a little thriller and a little romance. However, this one fell flat for me in the suspense or thriller arena. Nothing really happened in that regard. There was talk of things happening, but it was all off page and never really played out. The romance was also mediocre for me. I hated that they started making out at a morgue of all places, and then he commits this grand gesture after they barely know each other. I did appreciate the glimpses into Honors past, but it juts wasn’t enough to make me understand where this story was going. I think I would have enjoyed it more had it been darker, rather than just alluding to darkness. Maybe I’ve read to many dark romances, but this wasn’t that either. I don’t really know what this book was, but it wasn’t exactly a book I enjoyed reading that much.

I absolutely loved the idea of this book and the plot was very interesting and unique. Unfortunately I had a hard time connecting to the characters and felt like they were written a bit one note. I still finished it and was intrigued by the overall story but wish the characters especially Strike had more growth and dynamics.

The premise of Strike and Burn really excited me, but unfortunately I felt a bit let down. The characters fell flat and I didn't feel like I needed to continue reading after 50%. There were redeeming moments.

This was GOOD! From the very beginning, I was intrigued by Honor's story and quickly became invested in the characters. I did wish there was a little more development with Strike, some of his secret side was vague.

I found myself intrigued by this one given how the overall story is billed — the manner in which the main characters meet, the overall conceit leading to their deeper connection — but it all fell flat for me as a result of juggling TOO many contrivances, particularly in relation to the MMC's wealth, and uneven pacing. It also felt like the book wanted to dip a toe into the darker side of Strike and Honor's romance a little too late, rather than embracing it early on and letting it crescendo to the place where it ends up. That said, there are VERY heavy elements woven through what's billed as more of a romantic suspense/thriller, but should probably be categorized as dark romance overall.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this edition from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

In Strike and Burn, Taylor Hutton delivers a gripping fusion of romance and suspense that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Honor Stone, grappling with the recent murder of her identical twin sister, finds herself in an emotionally charged encounter with the enigmatic billionaire Strike Madden in the most unexpected of places—the morgue. Despite her reservations and the weight of her grief, Honor is drawn into a thrilling and provocative world when Strike hires her as the lead artist for his erotic animation studio. Their undeniable chemistry and the complexities of their professional relationship create a tantalizing mix of business and pleasure.

As Honor navigates her new role, she becomes entangled in a dangerous game when her sister’s relentless killer turns his sights on her, unearthing painful secrets from her past. Strike's determination to protect her reveals dark truths about himself, leading to a passionate bond that neither of them can resist. Hutton's evocative storytelling skillfully intertwines elements of intrigue and desire, making Strike and Burn an intoxicating read that explores love, vulnerability, and the shadows that can haunt us. This novel is perfect for readers who enjoy a steamy romantic thriller with depth and intensity.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and Taylor Hutton for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review of Strike and Burn!

Calling all fans of Emily McIntire’s Never After series, I’d like to introduce you to Strike Madden and Honor Stone. The whole time I was reading this book I felt like I was in a crossover episode of Law and Order and Days of Our Lives. This book has it all, the drama, the secrets, the angst, and the out of left field plot lines that are the reasons you devour daytime tv.

Honor’s just lost her twin sister, the only family she had left in the world, and she’s lost. So when she meets Strike - in a morgue no less - and feels an instant spark between them, the reader can already tell it’s bound to end up a raging inferno. And honestly, that's what these two are, a match made in fire, they are absolutely made for each other.

This dual POV romance paints both Strike and Honor’s backstories alongside the present day. We learn Strike is as rich as he is enigmatic and Honor, well she’s a talented artist with a flare for spice. These two clearly have their own demons, but they find solace in each other. As they are drawn closer together, we start to see those demons come out to play and reader’s follow along with bated breath to see if they’ll be able to walk through fire and come out whole on the other side.

This story is a bit on the darker side of romance. And while it is a Boss/Employee romance, please be aware that there are details of stalking, murder, and all the sordid details in between.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

My review was posted on Goodreads 10/8/2024.
My Instagram review will be posted on 10/28/24.

I really enjoyed this book, my first by Taylor Hutton.
This book pulled me in from the first page, when we meet Honor and them Strike in a morgue.
I liked the dynamic between the two of them and the character growth, especially for Honor, during the story was great. I wish there had been a little more written about Strike's secret side, while the vigilante aspect of Strikes life seemed big, it wasn't given enough space to progress until the very end.
Both characters have been through it and both are extremely strong and resilient. At times, Honor's character annoyed me with her self-doubt but I was happy to see her grow and become more confident towards the end.
Great read: definitely recommend.