Title: Burning for You by Michele Dunaway
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperbacks
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 207 pages
Book Rating: B
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
Mark your calendar: The Man of the Month series is back–with a sexy new hero who will definitely heat things up…
The Man of the Month The last thing Taylor Krebs wants is a man. Her crazy, possessive ex-boyfriend has caused her enough drama to last a lifetime. Putting drama and men behind her she focuses on her fledgling photography business. That is, until gorgeous fireman Joe Marino–otherwise known as Mr. September on the Sexy Public Servants Charity Calendar–walks into her life. Joe wants Taylor to photograph burn victims pro bono for a book he’s spearheading for the Burn Recovery Support Group…and he’ll do everything in his power to persuade her to take on his cause.
Taylor soon finds out that she isn’t immune to Joe’s persuasive charms–both professionally and personally–and soon they are burning up the sheets. But will Joe’s secrets and Taylor’s need for quiet stability tear them apart? Or will this Man of the Month also end up being Taylor’s love for all days?
Review:
Burning for You by Michele Dunaway is a sweet, angst-free romance between two incredibly appealing protagonists. A great cast of secondary characters adds to the novel’s charm but it is the heartfelt storyline that makes it such an enjoyable read.
Taylor Krebs and Joe Marino are instantly attracted to each other, but both are reluctant to become involved. Taylor is trying to finish her degree while at the same time struggling to get her photography business up and running. Her last relationship also ended badly so she is really not in any hurry to embark on a new romance. Joe is a firefighter whose erratic schedule has been a point of contention in previous relationships so he also tends to shy away from romantic entanglements. However, it is his baggage from a long ago event that prevents him from acting on his desire for Taylor. The two form an unlikely friendship while working together on a project that is dear to Joe’s heart and their mutual desire is soon too powerful to ignore. Will secrets destroy their fragile bond before it has the chance to deepen into love?
Taylor and Joe are beautifully developed characters with realistic problems to overcome. Their friendship is based on mutual respect and they genuinely like one another. Although Taylor is incredibly busy between school, her photography business and a full time job, she also makes time for a cause that has special meaning to her. Joe is very involved with a support group that is very important to him and once he gets to know Taylor, he knows she is the perfect person to help him fulfill a promise that he made.
Taylor and Joe are both damaged by events from their respective pasts and it is very difficult for them to open up to one another. While Joe is older and more established in his career, he is also much more vulnerable than Taylor. He pulls away when things are beginning to heat up between them, but he does finally agree to give their relationship a chance. However, their future is threatened after Joe inadvertently discovers a secret Taylor has been keeping from him.
Burning for You by Michele Dunaway is much more than a love story. It is also a wonderful journey of healing and self-acceptance for Joe as he finally comes to terms with a life altering event from his childhood. Taylor’s compassion and understanding are integral to Joe’s ability to finally make peace with his past and although they fall in love fairly quickly, their romance is believable.
