Rekindling the Flame by Madison Myers was the perfect read!
And y’all this small town romance was everything I’d hope for!
This was my first book by Marion De Re and I enjoyed every minute of it.
The characters are endearing, and you’re immediately hooked.
I literally can’t wait for more of Myers writing!

Thank You NetGalley and Victory Editing for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I really liked the premise of this book, but ended up not finishing it as I just couldn’t get into the writing style. Found Wyatt’s chapters in particular to be more vulgar that I care for, which is just a personal preference and plenty of others I’m sure enjoyed!

Rekindling the Flame is a Small Town Second Chance, Grumpy/Sunshine, No Strings Attached romance.

Aurora returns to Smoky Heights to help care for her dying mother, and who is one of the first people she runs into? Her ex, of course. The one she's tried so hard over the past twelve years to get over, but no one has even come close. While she thought she couldn't wait to get back to the city, spending time with Wyatt and rekindling their flame proves to be a little too alluring. The more time they spend together as friends, the harder it is to spend time apart. When a pact is made to scratch the itch they both still seem to have, nothing can go wrong right? Aurora is going back to New York after all...right?

This novel is a slower burn, but when reading I could FEEL the tension leaping off the page. Madison does a great job making sure you connect to and understand the characters and how they are feeling each minute of the book. I loved the typical small-town bar and feel of the book, and the connection between the characters.

Great book, can't wait to read the next in the series!! Thank you for giving me the chance to ARC read the novel.

I absolutely loved the story of Aurora escaping her small southern town, only to be pulled back into the life she fled because her mother was ill. The chemistry between Wyatt and Rory was intense and passionate. The story of the three Weiss women learning to forgive and love each other again was beautiful. I adore Duke and hope he's in future books, and I also hope Lexi finds love.

I want to express my gratitude to Madison Myers for the ARC

5/5 ⭐
4/5🌶️

**Tropes**
- Small town romance
-Second chance romance
-Hookup pact
-“If it wasn’t you, it wasn’t anyone.”
-City girl goes back to the mountains


**📖 My Thoughts**
I went into this book thinking it was going to be a cute 2nd chance trope. Boy was I wrong, in a good way. I was not prepared to be so emotionally wrecked. This story tore at my heart since the FMCs mom was diagnosed with the same cancer my dad had. It really felt like reading some of my own thoughts as an adult losing her parent. I laughed just as much as I cried.

**⚠️ Triggers**
- Cancer
- Death of a Parent
- Unfaithful parent

**🌶️ Spice**
The mouth on the MMC made me blush! Matched with the bratty ways of the FMC, the chemistry was so good. A very well written spicy book.

This small town, fake dating spicy romance, packed some big feelings, and it was so good!! I am a sucker for second chance romance, and this one was done well. I felt I could feel the tension and heat between the characters, loved that. Perfect read to add to your fall TBR!

Thank you NetGalley and Madison Myers for the ARC!

This book was overwritten. Something that could have been said in 1-2 sentences was said in 4-6 and a lot of details were mentioned more than once to really bring it home. There was too much telling and not enough showing.

I was also disappointed that there wasn't any flashbacks and the reason Rory left in the first place was flimsy and made no sense.

I just want to start by saying I’m so thankful I got to read this as an ARC.

This book was an absolute pleasure to read, it was captivating and grabbed my attention from the beginning.
When Aurora has to move back to her home town to care for her dying mother she reconnects with the one that got away, and the one that she hasn’t stopped thinking about since she left.
The two main characters progression was masterful and I fell in love with both of them. Aurora and Wyatt both had so much depth and personality I felt like I knew them personally and I was right there with them as they fought, cried, laughed and found themselves in some sticky situations (pun intended).
I don’t usually enjoy second chance romance but this was different, you were rooting for both characters the whole way through! You could feel the emotions and the sexual tension on the pages and it was delicious!

I however was NOT expecting the level of spice this book threw at me. It was heart racing, naughty and I loved it!

If you love Small town, cozy romances with a lot of spice you’ll love this!

“You built our dream house?”
“Build it and they’ll come, right?”…

“I came,” I whisper against his lips in between kisses. “Show me, Wyatt. Show me what we should’ve had all this time.”

‘Rekindling the Flame’ by Madison Myers is a small-town, second-chance romance with a heavy sprinkling of spice and lots of witty banter. Ohhhhhhh my, this book was so much fun to read.

The book explores some heavy topics of grief, losing a parent, and lots of emotional whiplash, but they are explored lightly and delicately, doing the themes justice without inflicting too much toll on the reader. Aurora Weiss is full of baggage, leaving her small town, and Wyatt (the love of Aurora’s life), the moment she could for New York City to pave the way for a better life - a life away from the emotions that haunts her past. Years later, after finding out her mother only has months to live, she packs up her life and moves back to her hometown, much to Wyatt’s shock.

The rest of the book largely focuses on Aurora and Wyatt, rekindling their relationship, exploring their grief and heartache, and falling back in love (if they ever stopped loving each other in the first place). There are a few steamy scenes that I LOVED, that felt relatively unique, which is saying something for the amount of romance books and sex scenes that exist in the world. There is banter and a lot of sass, and I always enjoy when the author is able to make me laugh like I’m watching those scenes play out myself.

Overall, this is a really fun read, and Madison is an incredible writer. It’s perfect for anybody looking for a sweet romance with some substance and plot!

I received an ARC of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily.

I really enjoyed this book! It was a good story & made me excited to pick it back up every chance I got! I enjoyed the character development, plot & spice! I will definitely be looking for the next book & for more by this author!

Honestly at the beginning I was not expecting a good ending for our main characters with the way things were going between them. But overall I really enjoyed the characters and I liked the growth they both experienced especially our main FMC. It was pretty heavy at some points with the mother and her illness but I really liked how it was written and the pacing was great! Definitely will be reading more from this author!

Thanks so much to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for allowing me to share my honest thoughts on this ARC read ❤️

Gave this read a 4 and a half stars. I really liked this story. The plot was good, and the execution was on point. The author delivered as she promised, and I wasn't disappointed. The characters were well-written, and I also appreciated their development throughout the story. The spice was chef's kiss, and even though this is marketed as a friends/exes with benefits trope, I'm glad those scenes weren't overemphasized to the point that they took away the attention from the plot.

Technicalities aside, this was honestly heartbreaking and gave such real and raw emotions. It made me tear up once or twice. Plus, the ending was perfect ❤️ I loved the happy ending for everyone, and I think they deserved it.

Really looking forward to the next book, and as the author noted at the end of the book, it'll hopefully come out next year 🙏🏼

This was such a cute and quick romance novel. Love the contemporary vibes and how relatable this book is.

Set aside an afternoon so you can binge this one! I seriously couldn’t put it down & was reading while cooking hamburger helper to feed my starving children. Set in a sleepy mountain town, this second chance romance had all my favorite tropes and all my favorite cars! Speaking of cars, there are a couple scenes that you’ll love involving those and some sneaky public play. Both main characters are strong as hell. If you like your man talking dirty then Wyatt Grady is going to take charge and give you exactly what you need. The plot to spice ratio and character development is spot on. Hop on your ATV and get ready to let those vibrations take you to new Heights.

I found it refreshing to read a second chance romance where it wasn’t the fmc that was left behind but the mmc. Although I think it would have been fun to have some flashbacks of the passion (both good and bad) that Wyatt and Rory had as a young couple them being able to recognize they may not have made it together if Rory hadn’t have left. While Wyatt and Rory chose to not bring up the past her family was not as willing and it I felt like that was really when the book made a turn was when Rory was forced to acknowledge her past and hope the ones she loved could forgive her while also making space for her in their lives. I love a book that makes us see that time is a gift. Also my wheels are turning for book 2 I have a feeling I know who we are going to read about!

Madison Myers’ “Rekindling the Flame” is a captivating small-town, second-chance romance that boasts a clean and straightforward narrative, making it easy to follow. Myers occasionally weaves in more sophisticated language, adding a layer of sophistication without compromising accessibility.

Aurora and Wyatt, the central characters, start off with a bit of awkwardness and a surface-level connection, which gradually deepens as the story progresses. Their journey of slowly rebuilding trust and rekindling their past relationship is touching to follow. The chemistry between them is electric, practically jumping off the page (or screen). From the moment Aurora returns to Smoky Heights, their interactions are charged with unresolved emotions and an undeniable spark that grows with each encounter.

This was a cute small town, second chance romance with all the fall vibes. There were some heavy topics but also some steamy spice and joyful moments as well. Aurora was one of my favorite characters and I'd love another book with her.

I absolutely loved this book! It’s a charming small-town romance with a delightful second chance theme. I have to admit, there were moments when Rory frustrated me—seriously, Wyatt is the perfect book boyfriend!

Tropes -

🍁Small-town

✨Second-chance at first love

🍁Hookup pact

✨Outdoor + public spice

🍁Family drama

✨Fall vibes

🍁Banter

✨City girl goes back to the mountains

🍁 Hallmark movie with spice

✨ Chickens in the bathtub

This story beautifully weaves together themes of family, redemption, and self-discovery. I highly recommend it to anyone in search of a heartwarming yet spicy read for the fall season!

Book Review: Rekindling the Flame by Madison Myers

Rekindling the Flame by Madison Myers is a heartwarming, steamy small-town romance that delivers on all the beloved tropes of second chances, emotional healing, and rediscovering love. The story revolves around a compelling blend of familial obligation, old wounds, and an undeniable connection between two people whose lives were torn apart by the past but brought back together by fate.

The plot follows the protagonist, a city girl named Bella, who returns to her hometown of Smoky Heights under somber circumstances—her mother’s terminal illness. While Bella intends to focus solely on caring for her mom, her return inevitably brings her face-to-face with her high school sweetheart, Wyatt Grady, the one man she vowed to avoid. As with many second-chance romances, sparks fly immediately, and the chemistry between Bella and Wyatt is as electrifying as ever.

Myers does a fantastic job of portraying the emotional complexity of revisiting old flames, balancing the tension between Bella and Wyatt’s lingering feelings and the heartbreak of their past. The way the two try to keep things strictly physical with a "hookup pact" adds an intriguing dynamic to their relationship. Of course, we all know how well that usually goes in romance novels—and it doesn't disappoint here either. Watching them wrestle with the line between physical attraction and the emotional pull that never really went away adds depth to the otherwise sweet and spicy plot.

The small-town setting is brought to life with vivid, atmospheric descriptions of fall in Smoky Heights, making the story cozy and immersive. The fall vibes, combined with the outdoor and public encounters that fuel the tension, give the romance a unique edge. The town itself, with its mountains, cool air, and colorful leaves, creates the perfect backdrop for rekindling a love that has been simmering under the surface for years.

One of the book’s strengths is the way it incorporates family drama into the story. Bella’s complicated relationship with her ailing mother adds emotional weight to her return, and through this, we see her growth and transformation as she grapples with forgiveness and the weight of past choices. Wyatt, too, is fleshed out as more than just a love interest, carrying his own emotional baggage and challenges in this small mountain town.

Rekindling the Flame also balances its heavier themes with playful banter and just the right amount of spice. The intimate scenes between Bella and Wyatt are well-written and charged with tension, while the playful dialogue between the two adds lightness and fun to their complicated relationship.

For fans of small-town romances, second-chance love stories, and a mix of tender moments with plenty of heat, Rekindling the Flame is a perfect escape. With its autumnal setting, relatable family dynamics, and a couple whose chemistry is impossible to ignore, this book delivers a satisfying happily-ever-after that leaves readers with a warm, cozy feeling.

In short, if you're looking for a romance that packs emotional depth, steam, and the charm of a mountain town, Rekindling the Flame is the kind of story that will sweep you off your feet.

I have no words to say how much I've loved this book!

Aurora comes back home after 12 years, to tend to her sick mother. She leaves her life, her job, her new city behind, to go back to a place she hasn't visited once since she left and the people she left on her rear view mirror. Among them, Wyatt, her boyfriend of five years, the man she never forgot and never said goodbye to when she left.

Aurora has closed herself off to so many things in these past 12 years, and she slowly realised what she had and she would like to have for her future.
Wyatt, well what can we say about the man who was willing to get hurt all over again for the woman he's been in love with for the past 17 years, just to help her have an escape from the hell she was living with her mom.

There were some light and joyful moments, some very sad ones, some hot ones - incredibly hot ones - and some infuriating ones - I'm talking to you Wyatt and your camping trip! But all in all, this is a book I have every intention to own a physical copy of, and even though I am so grateful for the arc I have received, I need to bookmark it like it was on fire. Wyatt's quotes are everything here!

Thank you @netgalley and @madisonmyersauthor for allowing me to read this book for an honest review. I honestly am really looking forward for book 2!

#arc #arcreview #arcreader #arcreviewer #rekindlingtheflame #smokyheights #madisonmeyers #netgalley #netgallet2024 #netgalley2024challenge #readingchallenge #seconchance #smalltown #spicy #auroraweiss #wyattgrady #contemporaryromance #romancenovel #indieauthor