Advance Review: Consumed by J.R. Ward

Consumed is the latest novel from prolific author and fan fave J.R. Ward. This is the first book in her new Firefighters series, featuring a cast of characters who are, you guessed it, firefighters. This story focuses mainly on Ann Ashburn and Danny McGuire, fellow firefighters at the 499. While the chemistry between the two is scorching, Ann’s always shied away from any kind of romantic entanglement with a fellow firefighter, especially the charming and sexy as hell Danny McGuire. Danny’s known as a ladies man and Ann doesn’t want complications that could affect her work at the station. However, during a disastrous wedding, Ann and Danny give in to their desires and share one amazing night in bed. Danny wants more from the relationship but Ann is determined to keep it as a one-time event. Ann’s headstrong attitude and a risky decision ends her career as a firefighter, leaving her emotionally shattered. She’s forced to reinvent herself and becomes an arson investigator, a poor substitute for her true calling. Danny, meanwhile, is wracked with guilt over what he sees as his part in what happened to Ann. She tries to forget Danny and her friends at the 499 but circumstances bring her and Danny together as she works to find out if the fire that changed her life wasn’t an accident after all.

First off, let me just say that I am a big J.R. Ward fan. I’ve read the first 12 books in her Black Dagger Brotherhood series, her early contemporary novels (as Jessica Bird), as well as the first book in the Bourbon Kings series. When I saw that she was coming out with a new series, I jumped at the chance to read it. Unfortunately, while the book got off to a strong start, I felt my interest wavering about 1/3rd of the way through it. The pacing was too slow for me and I felt like the book could have been a lot shorter while still conveying all that Ward wanted to in the book. Ward often has small side stories within her books that set up characters and events that will be the focus of later books in the series. Normally I don’t mind these side stories because they give you insight into the other characters and the plot points in those stories is also compelling. This time, however, I found myself not caring a whole lot about what happened in the side vignettes and my mind would wander during them. I just felt like the book was unfocused at points, with the POV wandering too much for my liking.

That’s not to say that I didn’t enjoy this book, because I did. Ward knows how to write a great romance with a lot of tension, which was definitely the case here. Ann and Danny have amazing chemistry and I looked forward to every scene they had together. Both Ann and Danny are likable but complex characters. I was frustrated with Danny’s self-destructive behavior at the beginning of the book. He’s really on a downward spiral and just when you think he might be lost, he begins to pull himself out of the dark and begins to come back to life. Ann, likewise, also starts from a very dark and angry place. As she learns to adjust to her new life and career, she slowly begins to see that there’s still a place for her outside of the firehouse. I liked that both of these character evolved and weren’t static.

Like many of Ward’s books, this one is host to a large cast of secondary characters. They are definitely being set up for their own stories and the larger plotline of who is behind the warehouse fires that Ann is investigating. I would definitely recommend reading the two-part short story that Ward released for free that is a prequel to this book. It’s a good way to get familiar with all of the characters before jumping into the full novel. It also includes Danny and Ann’s infamous one-night stand, which alone, makes it a worthwhile read.

I also really liked taking a closer look into the inner workings of a fire station and what it takes to be a firefighter. I respected them before this but, after reading this book, am even more in awe of all the strength and bravery that is required to be a firefighter. This wasn’t my favorite J.R. Ward novel but there are still things to like about it, most notably the romance and Soot. I think die hard fans of Ward will enjoy this one and I am interested to see where she takes the series.

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affected my review or opinion of the book.