Book Review — Fuel The Fire (Addicted Series) by Krista & Becca Ritchie

“We’re well aware of the rules. They just don’t apply to us.”

• Buy FUEL THE FIRE (Kindle)
• See the full series reading order

Fiery, fiesty, and wildly addictive. THIS is smart romance!

I can count the number of series that I love enough to read “as they’re released” on the fingers of one hand. The Addicted series is one of those. The two reasons that I read every single one of these books the minute they’re released is that A) they’re freaking awesome, and B) I have complete trust in these authors that they’re not going to leave me hanging, and that they’re going to stay true to the characters I’ve come to love so dearly. I have no uncertainty or worry. I don’t even read the blurbs. I don’t ask any questions. Nothing. I don’t have to. But each and every time a new Addicted book is released, I drop everything to read it and will continue to do so until the series ends. I have wild respect for these authors and huge love for these characters. If you haven’t started this series yet, I highly recommend diving in!

Please note that this is the 8th book chronologically in the series and while this review will be spoiler free, you haaaaaaaaave to start at the beginning. M’kay? Just trust me. Click here for the reading order.

This is the second book within the series that is told from Connor and Rose’s POVs. Without going into detail about the plot, I’ll say that I honestly think that Connor Cobalt is one of the single most fascinating characters I’ve ever read about.

“I’m overly confident. Some call that arrogance. I call it four parts charm and six parts self-respect. I’m under the belief, and truth, that I’m superior to everything and all things around me.”

He’s arrogant, but with reason. He’s genuinely smarter than everyone else and isn’t afraid to acknowledge that. He can manipulate anyone to do anything, and yet is well aware that his beliefs and ways of being isolate him. He’s loyal, protective, and understanding. But in all his life, there’s only been one woman who ever could match him — and go toe-to-toe with him… and that woman is Rose Calloway.

“Every moment with Rose, I would extend for infinite measures of time. Even the hostile, torrid moments where she tries to light the world, and me, on fire.
I love them all.”

Rose is his challenge. His equal. The love of his life who not only matches his intellect, but also owns his heart. Their love is different than the norm, unique because of their incomparable outlook on the world that is genuinely different than most people’s. But it’s theirs. And it’s beautiful.

“I trust him. More than anyone in this world, I trust Connor.”

I love these authors, I love these characters, I love this story, I love this world. I love the writing, the feels, the relationships, the complex and interconnected dynamics that are advanced and explored in each new scene, and I’ve loved each and every book in this series. But in the interest of full honesty, I have to say that I do feel that this book should have been trimmed down. Don’t get me wrong, everything in this book was well written and true to the characters, there was absolutely nothing bad or wrong with any of the content. But I feel that the book would have been been stronger if a few scenes had perhaps instead been used as fun bonus content online. Here’s the thing — these authors are ridiculously talented so they literally do not ever write bad scenes, but I do think that doing this would’ve helped the overall pacing.

That said, I still strongly stand by my claim that this is my #1 favorite on-going series. My gosh, these characters feel so real!! The way they care for each other, love each other, their bonds and friendships are just so incredibly well portrayed that you can’t help but feel as though you know them.  I highly recommend this series for any fan of romance looking for a wildly addictive series to fall in love with!

“There are rare people who will fuel the fire inside of you, who will awaken a dormant passion, who will challenge you, who will push you and better you.
She alone is my rarity.”

Book rating: 4 stars
Series rating: 5 stars
Genre: Contemporary NA/Adult romance.

• Buy FUEL THE FIRE (Kindle)
• See the full series reading order

*** SERIES READING ORDER ***

NOTE: This series must be read in order. These are NOT standalones. However, there are no cliffhangers now so you are safe to start reading. They are all full-length novels. Reading order: Addicted To You, Ricochet, Addicted For Now, Kiss The Sky, Hothouse Flower, Thrive, Addicted After All, Fuel The Fire.

PS: I know it says this is “Calloway Sisters #3” on Amazon but it’s complicated — it’s actually the 8th book in the full series. Basically, the Addicted series is broken down into 2 sub-series, BUT the stories are all about the same characters so just trust me and read them in this order (which is ALL the books).

Click here for more info on the series & links to all my reviews.

 

__________________________________________________

*** TIMELINE EXPLANATION ***

• The first three books (Addicted To You, Ricochet, Addicted For Now) are focused on Lily & Lo and told from their POV with a resolved ending at the end of Addicted For Now — but Rose, Connor, Daisy, and Ryke are all main characters too.

• Then Kiss The Sky continues the same storyline but from a different perspective (Rose & Connor’s) and while it focuses on their story, it also continues the journey of all the main characters that we’ve been introduced to. It has it’s own HEA.

• The next book (Hothouse Flower) is the same deal but focuses on a different couple (Daisy & Ryke) while continuing the stories of all 3 couples as well. It also has it’s own HEA.

• After that, Thrive & Addicted After All go back to focusing on Lily & Lo. Thrive contains their POV during the previous 2 books (which had been told from the POV of other couples). Addicted After All moves forward in time in Lily & Lo’s POV while continuing the story of all 3 couples.

• Finally, Fuel The Fire (Rose & Connor’s POV) and Long Way Down (Daisy & Ryke’s POV) will conclude the series.

It is perfectly safe to jump in and start reading this series now. No cliffhangers!