Inflame (Explosive #3) by Tessa Teevan

Synopsis:

Easy going soldier Kale Montgomery, a self-proclaimed ladies man, has no plans of settling down, especially not with his best friend- the sexy, sassy schoolteacher Lucy Dawson. Their relationship, though unconventional, is mutually beneficial, and they wouldn’t have it any other way. Friends with benefits? Casual lovers? Whatever you want to call it, they’re having fun, in and out of bed, and to them, that’s all that matters. At least that’s what they think, but how long can you spend in someone’s bed before you find they’re also infiltrating your heart?

As their casual fling with no strings attached progresses, it’s not long before they realize they’re both in way over their heads. One fateful night changes their lives forever in ways they could never have imagined, giving them the push to finally admit that maybe, just maybe they want more than they’ve let on. Their mutual attraction rapidly intensifies as it shifts from burning lust to unrelenting want, need, and possibly even love. Suddenly the idea of settling down doesn’t seem so bad. In fact, it sounds pretty damn perfect.

Just when things seem to be falling into place, past pain and renewed insecurities rise to the surface and threaten to smother the flames of their passionate relationship, reminding them both why they’ve always kept the idea of love at arm’s length. Will Kale and Lucy realize that what they’ve been waiting for is each other, or will the blazing whirlwind of their feelings burn out too quickly, causing it to all go up in smoke?

Excerpt:

She looks me over, and I love the fact that she’s checking me out. I don’t know why I’m so drawn to her, but I am, and I want to get to know her better, at least where the bedroom’s concerned. Eventually, she extends her hand, and I give a firm handshake, the kind she wanted when we first met. “Please, Kale, call me Lucy.”

Shaking her hand, I say it out loud. “Lucy. I like it.”

“That’s fortunate since I’m stuck with it. Okay, Montgomery. As much as I love flirting with a hot ass soldier in the parking lot of an elementary school, I’ve got to get going. Maybe I’ll see you around?”

She starts to walk away, but I grab her hand, reeling her back in. I’m not ready for her to go, yet I don’t want to seem like some crazy stalker guy.

“Can I see you again? You know, outside of an elementary school?” I ask, my eyes bearing down into hers, begging for her to say yes.

She hesitates, and I’m afraid she’s about to say no when she finally responds. “I don’t date. I’m not looking for anything serious, so if that’s what you’re looking for, I’m the wrong girl.”

My cock practically sings at her words. A no strings attached relationship with a hot teacher right before I deploy? I couldn’t have asked for better luck.

“I don’t do relationships, either, Lucy. I just want to get to know you and to have some fun. No feelings, no strings, no nothing,” I tell her, and watch as a look of relief washes over her.

She starts digging in her purse and I watch as she scribbles something on a piece of paper before hanging it to me. “Number’s right there. Call me when you’re feeling adventurous,” she says. Before I can say anything, she spins around and swiftly walks away, leaving me to wonder just how adventurous she can be.

My Review:

As many of you know by now, I tend to list my reasons of why I love a book, and nothings changing with this post. What I absolutely loved about Inflame:

The spark between Lucy and Kale. The chemistry between these two characters was off the charts. You could feel it in every scene in which they were together, and it really made it that much more enthralling to read their story. I am not exaggerating when I say that you will feel the absolutely kinetic spark between them.
The painful pasts both characters have. Both of these seriously well-developed characters have painful pasts for different reasons. They’ve both got their issues and flaws that lead them to have similar dissatisfied views on love, and if it really exists. Those painful pasts come across wonderfully, and reveal so much about both of them individually and as a couple. It also makes what’s going on between them in the present tense that more important.
Kale. Kale is getting his own bullet point because I truly adore his character. He’s probably my favorite character so far in this series, because he really just struck a chord with me. I felt for him from the first page, and I just wanted to reach in and make him feel better. He had a past that just made me want to cry, and fight for him. He is a gem of a male character, and is so charming that you’re going to wish he were very real.
Lucy’s and her undeniable strength. Lucy is an extremely strong female character which freaking rocked. She’s got some serious personality, and I loved that even in the toughest of situations and conversations, she could totally hold her own. Seriously, don’t mess with Lucy! I also simply loved that Lucy came across as extremely relatable, and it was so easy to understand why she felt and thought the way she did.
The gangs all here. I have to say that Tessa Teevan did a phenomenal job of including the other characters from the previous books in the series, without making this book all about them. The balance of these characters was freaking fantastic, and it gave more of the characters that I have fallen in love with over the course of each book in the series. Bottom line: the gang is all here, and they still rock, which makes this book terrific.
The female friendship dynamic. The female friendship dynamic in this book adds a lovely little layer to the overall book, and its easy to relate to each of these female characters. The interactions, friendships, and connection between Lucy, Charlie, and Alexa is so well written, and you truly feel the authenticity in each of their friendships.
The light moments. There are plenty of heavy moments in this book, but those light moments of humor and just downright love add a pretty magnificent layer to this book. They help break down the heavy, and they just make you smile.
The fight for it all to work. Lucy and Kale are both working through a lot of things when they come together in this book. They’re both fighting for something, and watching that “fight” build over the book was seriously engaging.
The seeds for the future. Many seeds were planted in this book with many different characters in Inflame. These seeds fits seamlessly into the story, and have me seriously intrigued to see what happens next with the characters yet to be explored.
The pace of the book. This book’s pacing is remarkable. It is extremely well paced, and makes total sense for the events taking place in the book. The pacing also makes it easy as pie to get sucked into the book. Be forewarned you’re probably gonna read this one in one sitting. It’s just that good, and you’re not going to be able to stop!

My Rating:

I have loved every book in Tessa Teevan’s Explosive Series, but I have to say Inflame is probably my favorite. I just absolutely loved reading Kale and Lucy’s story, and I couldn’t help but love every minute of it. They were also really easy to connect to, and that made it all the easier to just love them, and want to fight for them. I am telling you that you need to discover this book as soon as you can, and I have to give it…

5 Hot Hot Hot Stars!

Seriously, get you fan ready while you prepare to read this one.

Purchase the Series: