Sandy M’s review of Hope Flames (Hope Series, Book 1) by Jaci Burton
Contemporary Romance published by Berkley 7 Jan 14
I always enjoy reading small-town America stories, and Hope Flames seemed very promising with Hope, Oklahoma as its backdrop. The main characters are quite likable. There’s lovable animals that raise the fun factor. So why then doesn’t this book work a little better for me?
While Luke and Emma are likable, they’re really not very sympathetic characters. At least they don’t feel that way to me, mainly because there’s too much repetition from each of them as to why they’re not looking to date right now, their pasts have brought them to this point in time, they don’t want a long-term relationship, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera, as the King of Siam would say. This has become a new pet peeve of mine, showing up more and more in books. It makes me feel the author doesn’t think her reader can recall these facts if they aren’t thrown into the conversation or thoughts of the characters more than a few times in each chapter. So I’m a bit disappointed that happens in this story, because it has such potential.
Emma has come home to Hope after leaving behind an emotionally abusive relationship, with a boatload of debt, and a new veterinary clinic. She’s closing up one night when she gets a visit from Luke, a local police officer. Boomer, his K-9 partner, twisted a leg when pursuing a perp and needs it checked immediately. Emma agrees, and while she checks the dog out she and Luke flirt a bit, but don’t take it any further because of the reasons I stated above.
There’s been a rash of drug thefts at local businesses, and when Emma’s clinic is broken into when she’s still there working, it’s Luke she calls and he comes running. The burglar gets away, but Luke takes care of Emma after her scare, something she’s not had in a very long time. But, remember, she’s not looking for a man, so she goes about her business the next day. Luke feels the same way, of course, because his ex-wife didn’t like his small town, his being a cop, and hid the fact she didn’t want children.
But the next thing you know, there’s dinner with her parents, a baseball game with their pets, after which they enjoy each other rolling around the sheets, and other various run-ins to keep their interest high, even though they know nothing will come of it – even despite that great sex. It takes much too long for the author no longer telling the reader over and over again how these two don’t want a relationship, all the while they’re moving in that direction. By the time they admit where they are, it’s too late for me, I’m irritated and their acknowledgment that they have something good between them falls a bit flat. That being said, I do like how they talk things out so there’s no misunderstandings to get through.
There are some nice moments in the book, and when Luke and Emma do finally take that last step, you know they’ll really make it together. The next book in the series is already out and I do want to read it, though I’m a little behind in picking it up – as is the case with a lot of books right now. But there’s a lot going for Hope, Oklahoma, and because I’m a small-town girl, my outlook is always optimistic and bright, so my hopes are high once again for this little town.
Grade: C+
Summary:
When it comes to love, they already know the rules…by heart.
Thirty-two and finally setting up her veterinary practice in the town she once called home, Emma Burnett is on her own and loving it. Independent and driven, she’s not letting any man get in the way of her dreams. Not again.
That’s fine with Luke McCormack. Divorced and hardly lacking in female company when he needs it, he’s devoted to the only faithful companion in his life—his police dog. Still, there’s something about Emma he can’t shake.
When a series of local break-ins leaves Emma vulnerable, she seeks help from the first man to spark her desire in years. And now they’re giving each other something they thought they’d lost forever… hope.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
Hope Burns – October 2014
