Burn

By: Shey Stahl

Narrated by: J. F. Harding, Greyson Ash

Length: 13 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

Milena Wellington, general manager of the Wellington Plaza, may have been raised in a world of privilege, but she's worked hard for her professional success, and she's not about to let anyone take that from her. The problem? Her love life is in shambles, she's sleeping on her friend's couch, her coworkers are constantly plotting behind her back, and she's stalking an intense, slightly arrogant, tattooed firefighter she had a one-night stand with.

Being a firefighter was never a choice for Caleb Ryan. His destiny was decided when his life was shattered. He's never veered from the course and temptation has never led him astray. The problem? Women serve a purpose, but love; he's incapable of it. That is until he can't stop thinking about the witty yet incredibly sexy brunette he met Christmas Eve. For one night, this exotic beauty sparked a fire inside of him, and he can't let her go. What happens when they can't ignore the burn?

©2017 Shey Stahl (P)2017 Shey Stahl

Loved this book! Well worth the credit.

This is my first Shey Stahl book and I LOVED it! Cleverly written, funny, tender and sad. It had it all. I will be listening to more. I’m just sad not all of her titles are on audio. I wanted to listen to Shade but it isn’t on audio yet. I’ll read that one instead though. I’ve already bought 2 more titles and can’t wait to start.

Story lacked believability

Characters weren’t fully developed. Their relationship wasn’t full or lust or deep in connection and seemed disjointed yet they fell in love after tragedy. Not as steamy as other books I’ve purchased. Storyline could have been stronger.

So good!

This is my very first audiobook! My friend told me I had listen and I’m so glad I did. J.F. Harding as Caleb was really good. I could listen to him talk about the weather!

5 Red Hot Stars

I loved this book for so much more than the story. For the lessons it taught me, the emotion it made me feel and the deep ache it left in my heart.

I didn’t know what I was getting into with this book, it was an accident I listened to it. But I will never forget it and will come back from time to time to relearn the lessons taught in the words.

5 Red Hot Stars.

Hot steamy fireman

Great, sexy story. The male narrator didn’t do good voices for anyone except himself (Caleb), but that didn’t ruin it for me. I love how they met, and how the whole story played out.

Not bad. That’s all I got...

First of all, I must point out that NEITHER of the MC is African American. I decided to give this new (to me) author a try because her book was listed in the Audible romance package under the AA section.

No part of the heroine was AA. She was Puerto Rican and white and Hawaiian. With olive skin and BLUE EYES! So no, not AA. Audible fix this error. It is a misrepresentation! This isn’t the 1st book I saw in the RP that was listed under the AA filter but was not. The other was Highland something but the synopsis stated the female lead was a flaxen haired Scot so I passed on that one since it was more obviously not AA.

Anyway, I went ahead and finished Burn since the H was a woc and not a cookie cutter romance heroine. The listener doesn’t find this out until about 5 or so chapters in.

To this story. I gave it 3 stars because omg the MC in this annoyed me. Both of them had 0 discretion. I get a couple being so into each other that they can’t wait to do IT, and I think that can be super hot! And I’m not even mad about them doing it in whatever random hole they could find (closet, office, private spa room). What bothered me was their major lack of discretion. Knocking over mops and buckets, screaming out in the heat of the moment, sneezing when you’re supposed to be hiding. It was juvenile and like they wanted to get caught! And they often did.

But if you’re going to behave that way then don’t get mad at the repercussions. Don’t try to make yourself out as this very together hotel manager when you left a freaking condom wrapper on the floor after the act. I kept rolling my eyes at their actions and reactions to things. You can’t screw your lover in front of the windows facing the office of the creepy, rich powerful man who wants to be the one you’re screwing (not to mention he’s a major investor in your family’s business) and then get mad at him for calling you out on it and continually propositioning you!

I get being into the possibility of getting caught and even that desire to have an audience for the main event, but if that was their kink they should have looked into maybe a sex club or traveling to play publicly. I didn’t feel any sympathy for them when it all came to a head. I honestly felt like they orchestrated the final confrontation not just by the scene between Caleb and the “bad guy” at the bar. (I won’t spoil anything here). But also the desk scene was a major provocation.

In the end I’ll say I thought the story was entertaining enough if lacking in depth or growth of the MC. The MC were both not necessarily dislikable but certainly kinda undeserving of sympathy imo. They were both a bit immature at times, but overall the story was mindlessly entertaining and kept my attention throughout even when I wanted to yell at the H’s or chuck my phone at the wall.

As for narration, it wasn’t bad. In general, I liked the female narrator a lot better. I thought her timing was more natural. I would give them all (author and narrators) another try if the story is a part of the romance package before I will purchase. I’m not yet convinced if I want to support this author or not, but give her stories in the RP a chance. You may get something out of them.

Good listening!

Love story of all love stories

I loved all of this book. I want to read more from Shey Stahl. it was a bit wordy in the end but captured me from beginning to end with epic live scenes and deeply sad ones including current and past deaths. the characters had substance and I felt like I was experiencing life right by their side. Bravo Stahl.

Good story

I thought this book was well written and the narration really brought the characters to life. At times Mila was annoying and Caleb was a hot mess. I couldn't stop reading their chaos and enjoyed ever bit of it. The book had some real laughable moments, lots of crazy hot sexy, and a tragedy that brought everything into perspective.

Wow!

This was my first audio book I’ve listened to and I must say it was pretty good.

Absolutely irresistible!

If you could sum up Burn in three words, what would they be?

Perfectly perfect perfection. But really.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Firefighter? Someone needs to hose me down before this man sets my ears on fire.

I have to say, J.F. Harding has quite the voice. It’s energetic yet smooth and deep without being gravely. Mufasa ain’t got nothing on this man; he’s the freaking king of the Audiobooks!

Burn showcases his unbelievable talent to create humor even during a morose passage. His timing is SPOT. ON. I was a fish on a hook and he dragged me behind The USS Vocal Perfection.

J.F. Harding is magnificent and I want to eat his voice for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Now let's talk about Greyson Ash...

Greyson Freaking Ash. Call me greedy, but I can I have this woman’s voice?

I don’t think an audiobook has ever made me cry so much. No one should have that much power. I followed Greyson’s cadence right into an abyss of heartache. Her voice is the definition of elegance and temptation.

I didn’t want the torture to end! She absolutely lit me UP!

Now, Greyson’s voice paired with J.F. Harding’s? YaaaOK it’s going to be hard to find another pair like this. I was so impressed with how these two tangoed together. I felt like I should have closed my eyes and not watched…but I guess that wouldn’t have helped considering this is an audiobook…but hey, we win some we loose some. 😏

Any additional comments?

Dear heart, last me through this book. 💔

Good gawd! Who would have thought it would be so easy to find a HUNK?! I need to start a fire. Like, STAT.

Burn has that eau de passion I have been waiting for! Angst, delicious conflict, invigorating plot twists. For you smutty smuts, this is the book for YOU!

Let’s begin.

We are first introduced to Caleb. The man just wants to sleep, but his job disagrees with him; a hero has no time to sleep! And quite the hero he is…*eyebrow waggle*

Caleb is a dirty fiend of a fireman. He also needs a lesson in tact because his mouth is filth-AY. Unfortunately for him, he has been dealt the wild cards in relationships; Caleb’s girlfriend is a stripper. Well, ex-girlfriend. He didn’t know she was a stripper…so…well…obviously she’s out of the picture now. (Hopefully forever)

If only Caleb could find a decent woman.

Entering: Mila.

Mila doesn’t have much luck in relationships either, although she probably wishes she was dating Magic Mike after getting cheated on AND kicked out of her place. What a gentleman. Snort! Mila moves in with her friend only to find herself at a bar…the same bar Caleb is at.

Ooo these two are toxic! Talk about major push-pull syndrome! This is unrequited love with some serious twists. Yes, Shey Stahl has sculpted us a hero who is incapable of love (so he thinks).

----
“Do you believe in love at first sight?” I blurt out, wanting to slap my hand over my mouth.
I wait.
I want to see what he’s going to say.
His attention shifts to the window overlooking the city. “No. That’s for fairy tales and romance novels.” He waits a beat, still not looking at me, and asks, “Do you?”
----

Umm YEAH I do!

----
He’s watching me, eyes intent on mine and part of me is wondering if he’s remembering what I said earlier this morning. That I loved him and I knew he loved me too, despite him not saying it.
Will he say it now?
----

Umm NO he won’t!

Caleb is beautifully damaged. Although I enjoyed Mila’s character, Caleb was the sous chef that put a cheese grater to my heart.

Shey Stahl’s writing is ambrosial. This was my first text by her, and I’m obsessed. We follow our protagonists as they peregrinate through life thinking everything is going according to plan. Considering their misfortunes they think they have dandy lives, they’re doing dandy things…until that one person comes and shows them there’s so much more to live for. Or in this case: die for.

----
She pushes on my shoulders. “Protect yourself. I’m a death magnet.”
----

I’m not sure what to say to her because, in a way, I feel that way too.
Shey Stahl has given us an inextinguishable love. Passion, elegance and sacrifice, Burn is absolutely timeless.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have my house to burn down…If my heart doesn’t fail me first.


*FTC Disclaimer: I received a review copy of Burn from ListenUp Audiobooks in exchange for an honest review. I have in no way been influenced by the author, narrators and/or publisher’s generosity.