4.5 The title says it all.  I was "Consumed" by this book.  I had to finish it.  Anne seems bitter and hard headed, but just like in real life - there is a reason.  Danny was um um good.  I did feel like I came in the middle of their relationship so to speak.  This book took me up and dropped me low, it made me shake my head in wonder, and cringe in pain.  It made me step back and think about firefighters, all our first responders.  There is a lot of angst in this book from most of the characters, and the twist at the end,....well I didn't see that coming.  I think I have an idea who will be popping up in book 2, and I am hoping we are there watching Anne and Danny grow. I would recommend this book with the caveat to buckle up its a bumpy ride.!  Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC, all opinions and thoughts I freely volunteer.

Anne Ashburn is a fighterfighter-turned-arson-investigator, after an incident leaves her unable to remain a firefighter.

Danny McGuire is a firefighter, still working at the old station that Anne used to work at, tormented by what happened to Anne, and still dealing with his own trauma.

After not talking for ten months, Anne and Danny team up to investigate someone who’s starting fires around town, which might endanger their relationships, and their lives.

consumed-9781501194900_hr

Rating: 3/5 Stars

I’ll probably read everything J.R. Ward writes. Even though I know almost nothing about firefighters, it was interesting to learn about them.

Sometimes, authors will write in different subjects, but it’s basically the same story with different characters. I think that this series especially will be different from the BDB.

Finally finishing this book now, I think that I was a little bit disappointed. I can “see” the mystery continuing on, and other characters that will have romances. There were no women in this book, so that was bizarre.

There wasn’t a resolution for the fire mystery, but I’m sure someone else will figure it out.

I’ll read the other books because I like J.R. Ward, but I didn’t love this.

The book doesn’t come out until October 2nd, so think about if it might be a fit for you.

Disclaimer: This book was sent to me for review by Netgalley. All opinions are my own, and I wasn’t paid for this review.

This must have been a record for me; by page 2 I knew it was not what I wanted to read. Too much drama, too many stupid choices, too much yelling, too much unnecessary swearing. I only read a few chapters of this fire department story and it was reinforced that the more I read, the less I liked it so I stopped.
Thanks NetGalley for the chance to read an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest opinion.

The last time I read a J.R. Ward book, was one of the wildly popular, Black Dagger Brotherhood series, which I used to devour. On that same note, I never could get into her Fallen Angels series, so when I was offered this to read, I wanted to give the author a chance to grab a hold of me with a new series.

J.R. Ward has an in-your-face, hits you in the gut, no holds barred style of writing and it transfers well into this band of firefighters. There are several subplots running along with the main characters that help you to get more deeply involved with this station. After a tragic accident, Anne has to leave firefighting behind, and the risks she took in her job in the past – transcends to her new position as an arson investigator, and will land her in a world of danger. I connected well with Anne, and of course, I love Soot. 

Danny – one of the elite firefighters, has turned to self-destruction, and it’s painful to watch. Feeling strong guilt of what happened to Anne has pushed him into a path of rage and alcohol. It took a while for him to grow on me. But when he did, it was complete.

The only real issues I had was how much the book jumped around. From chapter to chapter, we jumped around the different characters and even subplots running, and it would toss me out of the story a bit. The suspense, romance and secondary characters are well developed. Did I like it as much as the Black Dagger Brotherhood? Probably not. But it’s definitely a good start to a series and well worth your time. The ending will blow you away, and I really wonder how many readers will guess this twist, I sure didn’t. 

If you let yourself not be taken aback by this author’s style of writing who can get down and dirty with the best of them, you will be in for a good ride. I’ll be staying on J.R. Ward’s roller coaster for a bit longer.

The opening opened with some great action, but that fizzled out fairly quickly. It stays slow for awhile and picks up close to the end. I have mixed feelings about the book. Ward set-up the book towards the end for spinoffs or to continue the series. I give the book 3 stars because it was slow for quite a long time.

Oh my goodness! This book just swallowed me completely and never gave me up! I have not read anything before by this author, big mistake for me! There was so much in this story, emotion, fear, intensity, courage, friendship, love and family. The intensity of feelings between Anne and Danny was magical. The story starts explosively and I was immediately drawn in. Anne and Danny were firefighters and Anne was trapped in a building. She could not free herself so Danny, with Anne’s permission, chopped her hand off to free her. The story really takes off from that point, how Anne moves forward, how Danny llives with his guilt, do they get together again? Wonderful, wonderful story! I highly recommend!

Consumed is about a woman who life changes one night and her will to get back on track. Consumed introduces Annie who grows even as she faces her worst known fear. With a little help of her delicious love interest. With mystery and suspense Ms. Ward created a new world with this new book that I had a hard time putting down. 

Forewarning: I am biased because I really like J.R. Ward and the worlds she creates. I think she has diverse characters and is not shy with delving into making her characters imperfect. 

Consumed was aptly named because I consumed this book. The pace of the book was great, I never got bored or felt that it was anti-climatic. The twist was not predicted (rare when you read as much as I do and when you have read the author's other books). The main characters, Anne and Danny, were delightful and interesting and grew. I cannot wait to watch them continue to grow.

Would I recommend this book? Yes. I think J.R. Ward is going to create a fantastic world that may not include fantasy but still has magic.

WOW! JR Ward comes out fighting in this first book of the Firefighters series!  Talk about throwing it out there! I was reading and going "Oh My God!" Throughout this whole book, but especially in the first part of this book! 

I REALLY enjoyed Consumed! I enjoyed the characters, the suspense, and the firefighter theme. I read the novellas that led up to these and I am glad I did, but you don't have to read them first. 

This was an intense book with fun additions (Anne's boss and her dog) and Love and heartbreak.

I recommend this book!

Anne Ashburn is a legacy firefighter.  Her father died on the job when she was only thirteen; her brother Tom is the current Chief.  As a female and an Ashburn she is compelled to be the best; but an almost fatal mistake changes her life.  She's forced to change jobs within the department, and totally remake her self image.  Now she must also deal with a serial arsonist and her relationship with another firefighter from her old squad.
I was impressed with the authors insight into Anne's trauma and life changes - not an easy subject and very well done.  The world of firefighters is a unique brotherhood and Ward has done it credit.  All of the characters are compelling and you are drawn into their lives.  You won't be able to put the book down.  Not a paranormal story, but a very well written one.  I would highly recommend this book and look forward to the next.  I received an ARC from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

Storyline: 5
Angst: 3
Tissue: 1
Value: 5
Panty Scorching: 5
Over All Rating: 5 Stars
Kindle eArc provided by Netgalley

Wow. I just didn't even guess where this story would end up with all of the surprise twists. Very good suspense and emotionally addictive. I was there step by step during her investigation and dealing with her family issues at the same time. Not to throw in Danny and his own personal issues and his love for Anne. It was just so freaking amazing. And I can't wait for the next book. While some plotlines were tied up with a tidy little bow, others are still waiting on some more information...some more digging in and finding out the truth. You can't handle the truth! Yes, I can!!! But this was a brilliant job on pulling the reading into a series, keeping their interest the entire story and leaving them always wanting a little more. Bravo!

For JR Ward, I felt like the characters in this book were rather dull. The story was pretty good but even when I finally got to the last 25% of the book, I could've stopped reading and never finished. I never developed a real connection to any of the characters in Consumed.

Consumed completely gripped me in an entirely unexpected way, pulling me in and connecting me to the storyline in a way that JR Ward's previous books never have before. While I'm still living under a rock and haven't read the BDB series yet, I was wholly captivated by the family saga of The Bourbon Kings. I adored that series so much, the three installments quickly becoming some of my top favorite reads to date. But still, I was not emotionally tethered to TBK characters and their love story the way I was with Danny Maguire and Anne Ashburne's romance in Consumed. For a reader that loves romance with a good bit of angst and longing, JR Ward DELIVERS with this steamy, smoking hot FIREFIGHTER love story. 

Before I even began Consumed, I had devoured the FREE Wedding prequels Ward had just published. I was so BLOWN AWAY by those prequels. IMMEDIATELY it was clear that Anne and Danny were characters I needed to know completely. The quiet longing that had simmered between them long before the events of Consumed ensnared me. I loved the vibe I got from those little nibbles, loved the overall feel Ward was setting up for this new Firefighters series. The tone of this world being shaped and built up around these blue collar Massachusetts firefighters was so different from what she's delivered thus far and I was CONSUMED by it. Everything about those prequels screamed sexy, emotional, riveting contemporary romance and I was so desperate for what Consumed had in store.

Well... I did not see this coming. Truly, my chin was on the floor for so much of this novel. The first 15% left me breathless. I had to stop reading and talk about it with anyone who'd listen. I was stunned. The events that transpire in the beginning of this book, the moments and decisions that truly alter the trajectory of these characters' lives forever, the devastation that sets into motion the unpredictable evolution of this story was, for me, JAW DROPPING. I couldn't look away. I couldn't catch my breath. I couldn't believe all that was happening in the blink of an eye, just three weeks after the wedding in that prequel. JR Ward knows how to rope a reader in with just a few pages because I was consumed. But the shock value never really stopped. The romance and the friendships, the family drama, the fire investigation, Danny's downward spiral, the jealousy and the fury Deandra provides, the vivid personalities of EVERY SINGLE character, the most mundane conversations that never really felt mundane at all... all of it had me turning the pages with vigor. I never wanted it to end but I was ravenous for more. I felt high reading this book, euphoric, consistently THRILLED and emotionally invested in every page of this book. That's how good I thought this book was. That's how much I just loved it. 

The balance in this book is just phenomenal. Consumed is sexy and steamy but not overtly so. It's just perfect, seamless with the overall tone of the rest of the book. But even without pages and pages of gratuitous sex, the fiery current between Anne and Danny is undeniable. But the balance between the romance and every other aspect of this novel is perfection. I was just as transfixed by Anne's investigation as I was by the family dynamics between both the blood-related characters and the family of firefighters. I was as intoxicated by the romance and the heartache between Dannyboy and Anne as I was by the danger that seems to lurk in dark corners. I was intrigued by every side character, by the drama and the possibilities that emerged surrounding all of them. And I was completely SHOCKED by the twists and turns this story took. 

I did not see any of this coming. I was so shaken, so sad, so hopeful and joyful and addicted all at once. I want a book for every character RIGHT FREAKING NOW. I never wanted this book to end. As I sit here reflecting back on everything I've just experienced, on the wholly unpredictable course of events that transpire between the first page of The Rehearsal Dinner to the last page of Consumed, I'm feeling both giddy over how fantastic it was and verklempt over having to wait for more where this came from.

I've never read J.R. Ward's other series but her masterful storytelling in "Consumed" got me hooked immediately.  The first chapter drew me in with her desscriptive writing and characters.  Of course I had to continue to see how Anne and Danny continue with their relationship with each other and other firefighters and how Anne overcomes the biggest obstacle of all, losing a part of her arm.

This wasn’t for me. I couldn’t connect to the characters or story in any way. I love her BDB books but this didn’t flow for me like those do. She’s still a great writer but not with this story.

A bit predictable at times and some loose ends left hanging. But a thoroughly enjoyable read. Some interesting characters and fast paced. It was (at least for this reader) a nice change of pace.

This is the first book I have read by JR Ward. The author does a good job creating characters you can relate to. Consumed is about two characters who have a long history together and they keep finding each other at different times in their lives. Anne's whole life she wanted to be a firefighter. She succeeded at being one of the best female firefighters she could be, until one night, one mistake, one fire cost her everything she knew. Her job, her life and possibly the love of her life. Her and the possible love of her life, Danny worked together and had been 'buddies' a long time. Right away this prologue grabbed me, it was action and back story all in one, then tragedy. Flash forward 10 months later and Anne has changed, A LOT and I'm not sure if it's for the better. She is now a fire inspector. She is unwillingly thrust back into her old world with her old firefighting crew. She is instructed to intervene and help Danny as he is self destructing due to the tragedy they both faced. The plot continues to gain intrigue and eventually her life is threatened and Danny is ready to ride to the rescue, but of course something happens to derail his plans. I did not see the ending coming, usually I can figure out the twists, but not this one. For my first book by this author I would have to recommend it to others. The storytelling was great as was the writing.  Thank you NetGalley for letting me read an ARC!

Great book!  Love this Author!  I could not put this book down!  I will be reading more by this Author no doubt!

This is the first book in J R Ward's new series.  This book deals with firefighters, romance, and mystery.  I did enjoy the story line and characters but this book was depressing  in sections

LOVED!  J.R. Ward does an excellent job of creating characters you fall in love with!  Anne and Danny are two such characters.  When Danny has to maim Anne in order to save her life it tears him up.  The lives they lead after the incident are so separate, so tragic and so real.  My heart ached for them both.  Danny goes back to fighting fires and Anne has to reinvent herself.  They are incomplete without each other it is almost painful to read.  As Anne embraces he new role as a fire inspector, it becomes apparent, the fire that took her hand was arson.  In the midst of her investigation she places herself and those she loves in danger  Will she be able to save them?  Will she get together wit Danny?  Can she make amends with her mother, her brother and the past?  What a great read! I receives a copy of this book from NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

*Received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review*

Simply amazing! Anne and Danny are now one of my favorite couples in all of JR Ward’s series. Equal amounts of romance, drama, and action, this book is simply unputdownable!!