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BURN BRIGHT is the first book in the Cobalt Empire series, a new adult romance series about legacy, loyalty, and love.
Love burns hottest when it’s blue.
Ben Cobalt is number six. Not sixth place—in fact, he’d be considered at least third draft pick for the NHL if he didn’t quit hockey during college. And he’s not sixth-in-line for any throne. Though, most consider his larger-than-life, billionaire family American royalty.
He is the sixth-born Cobalt.
Out of a normal family of seven, he might get lost in the shuffle. But being the black sheep of the Cobalt Empire comes with its own intense spotlight. After he hits a major low at college in Philly, his four older brothers convince him to move in with them in New York City. Transferring to Manhattan Valley University—piece of cake.
Living in an apartment with all of his brothers while harboring a giant secret among a family who’s more tight-knit than a secret society—total effing chaos.
He has to find a way out of the tense living arrangement, especially as he clashes with his oldest brother Charlie. Ben turns to an unlikely source for help. A grumpy, punk-rock girl with a troubled past who’s already pissed off one Cobalt brother.
So when an undeniable attraction ignites, Harriet Fisher is expecting the flames to die out. Except…what happens when they don’t? Falling for a Cobalt brother with secrets might be a Shakespearean tragedy she can’t rewind.
BURN BRIGHT is the first book in the Cobalt Empire series, a new adult romance series about legacy, loyalty, and love.
*****5 Absolutely Unforgettable Stars*****
Let me start this review by saying that Burn Bright by Krista and Becca Ritchie is one of my favorite books I’ve read this year. I wanted to start this review saying that because I am going to say a lot of words about this incredible book, about Harriet and Ben and what I got with them over the course of their story, and just about how much I loved every second of this book. But the one thing I want you to know about this book, is you need to read it. You need to read it, live it, breathe it, experience every morsel of it, and just bask in what these characters so authentically give you. You will love it. And more. I promise you that.
Burn Bright is an utterly consuming love story of two seemingly opposite people finding the absolute best in one another and the possibilities of what could be, even when they can’t seem to always find it in themselves.
This book blew me away. And it didn’t surprise me one little bit. If you know me, you know that I’m a fan of these authors. I have literally read every book of theirs in this epic saga, and I have loved them all. Their books have seen me through so much. I have journeyed with their characters through so much. I have felt and experienced and breathed and lived every emotion and high and low and in between with their dynamic characters. and I wouldn’t trade those reading experiences for anything. Because those reading experiences have been the reading experiences of my life. They have given me unforgettable characters and love stories and moments that I will truly never forget. And getting to experience that once again in Burn Bright with Harriet and Ben, and every other incredible character of this world was just everything.
It was everything and more.
From the moment I started this book, from the moment I got a deeper look into these characters’ minds and hearts, and from the moment I started experience the magic and connection that was so utterly real between them, I was hooked. I was consumed. I was obsessed. I could not stop reading their story. I could not stop experiencing all of the moments with them. I could not stop thinking about them. That is the power and the talent of what these authors create in every one of their books, and I felt it so strongly in this one with Harriet and Ben. From page one.
I immediately connected to them. I immediately loved them with my whole heart. I immediately wanted every good thing for them and with them. I just immediately was enamored by them and the pull they had towards one another. I was immediately invested in them and what they we’re building together. From that very first moment with them, I was immediately consumed with the two of them, what they shared and felt together, and what could be… And that is a true testament to what these authors create right from the start that I felt that so truly and authentically.
Now like I said, I have been a fan of these writing duo since they’re very first book in the Addicted Series. I am many many books deep into this world with all of these incredible and dynamic and unforgettable characters. So it’s suffice to say that being back within this world, getting a new love story, getting to experience pieces of what made me fall in love with this series in the first place, while getting new moments and experiences with these characters was perfection. It was everything my heart needed. But I also loved that this book very much felt like a reintroduction to this world, and could be a perfect starting point for those looking to dip their toes into this incredible saga and family. These characters share many connections, years of time together, and layers of pieces to their relationships. And Krista and Becca do the most incredible job of allowing you to understand so much of that in this book and in the start of this series.
So whether you’ve been reading books from this world for years, or whether this is your first time experiencing the magic that is The Cobalts, this book is perfect for you. It perfectly and seamlessly blends past, present, and future moments with these characters in a way that will just have you beyond obsessed with what you’re reading. This book is the perfect introduction to a new series that I already need every single book of. I am already taking guesses at who the next book is about, but honestly, it could be about any of the Cobalts, and I would love it because I love this world, I love this family fiercely, and these authors have just brought us into a new set of books in the most incredible, effervescent, and unforgettable way.
And I am here for all of it.
Now, while I love every character of this world, I just have to prepare you now that you will absolutely melt over Ben and Harriet. Those two are everything. I honestly wish I had better words to describe it because what they give each other, what they make each other feel, what they make each other realize, what they allow each other to hope for, and just what they bring into each other’s lives is truly everything. It is heart touching, it’s emotional, it’s layered and complicated and real. It feels authentic through every second, and you just feel in the deepest part of your heart how much these two connect, how much they feel for one other, and how much they can’t help but be pulled towards one another.
Ben and Harriet truly are the definition of opposites attract. He is definitely got golden retriever vibes in the best way. And she is fierce black cat all the way. But they compliment each other perfectly. I can’t say it enough. The moment you meet them and see them interact with one another, you know it. You feel it in your bones. You just see how they click. How they make each other feel everything. How they make each other consider things they never would have before. How they make each other question what they thought they always knew and wanted. How they just make each other believe in all the things, including themselves and one another. The way that these two compliment each other, the way that they fall for each other, the way you get to see their relationship evolve from acquaintances to friends to so much more is incredible in this book. It’s searing. It’s glorious. And It makes their connection and tension filled slow burn romance utterly amazing to experience in every way.
Harriet was a girl that I just loved with my whole heart. I loved her tenacity and spirit. I loved that she did not apologize for who she was. I loved that she owned her surliness and personality. But I also loved those moments when Ben peeled back those layers and broke her a bit out of her shell, showing those vulnerable pieces that made her even more incredible and real. I loved that Harriet was so driven. I loved that Harriet had a plan. I loved that Ben threw wrenches and wrenches into those plans, but that it brought her to places that made her heart so happy. I loved that I loved her so easily, and fully, and deeply. I loved that this book and its events and everything she shared with those around her allowed her to realize that she could open her heart up. That she could feel and let herself be vulnerable. That she could share something very real and true with someone and that that something could be forever.
I just loved Harriet. She was layered and dynamic and complicated in the best way. She just felt real to me. I think that’s one of the strongest things these authors do is that they truly make their characters feel like real people. I felt like I was living through every moment of this book with her. I loved getting to see her find her place, getting to see her feel, and connect with Ben in the way that she did, and I really just loved getting to see her find the beauty and the vulnerability and strength that was always within herself. She is fierce, she is loyal, she has so much heart to give and she feels so much, even when it scares her. She shows up, time and time again, her true self in every way. In the best ways. There truly are so many things I loved about Harriet‘s character that I could go on and on about, but I will just say that she is a gem. She is who she is, she lets her authenticity shine in every moment of this book, and she loves herself for it. (And so does Ben.)
Now Ben Cobalt is a man that melted my heart from the moment I entered his brain. And that sounds kind of creepy to type right now, but it’s true. I’ve loved his character for so long. Having seen him in so many other moments in so many other books, I’ve gotten to know his character, but this was the real first opportunity to get inside his head. Inside his heart. To learn and experience more of him. And I was just blown away by him from the first moment I jumped in. I was truly blown away. By his passion. By his compassion. By his heart. By the way that he loves fully and deeply and truly, even when it scares him out of his mind. By the way he genuinely cares. By the way he feels everything. By the way he tries to help without expecting anything in return. By just the goodness that is that man. He is a good man through and through, he is layered and complicated and flawed. He is human and beautiful and just one of the most endearing and incredible characters I’ve had the pleasure of reading and loving.
Simply put, Ben Cobalt stole my entire heart. And I don’t want it back. There is such a beautiful level of vulnerability to Ben and you get to experience it in this book. You journey with him through it all and it will pull you to him in the most beautiful, all-feeling way. I can’t say it enough. And I want to tell you all the things about that, but it’s also something you deserve to experience yourself. With Ben. Because Ben really gives it to you in this book, and there’s no resisting experiencing every emotional and breathtaking second of it. And it will give you everything to experience that with him over the course of this book. Trust me. It will make you cry, it will make you laugh, it will melt you, it will blow your heart away with what you feel with him, but most of all it will just make you love him. In every way possible. And that is truly the most wonderful thing. Because not only does Ben Cobalt deserve all of the love, you will love what he gives you in return.
Ben and Harriet definitely bring out the best in one another. They push each other to feel. They push each other to fight for what they want and their dreams. They make each other better. But they don’t try to change each other. They don’t try to mold each other into different people. They don’t try to conform. They just love the other. Wholeheartedly. Fully. Passionately. They love who the other is, idiosyncrasies and all and what they bring to the world and each other’s lives. They connect to one another because they are so authentic in who they are, and they celebrate that about one another. They just fit. They work. They create magic together.
Getting to experience that as it evolves through the different layers of their relationship that unfolds over the course of this book was everything my heart needed. These characters are there for one another in every way that matters. Getting to see them share that, getting to see them put their hearts on the line, and getting to see them work so hard to thoughtfully peel back the layers of one another as they connect and feel in the truest way was nothing short of wonderful. And it just made me love them more.
Now I have to say, as a longtime fan of these authors and the words and the world they’ve created, it practically had me giddy getting to dive deeper into the Cobalts. Rose and Connor stole my heart in that very first moment they met each other and pushed each other‘s buttons with their very very smart brains and sharp tongues. And I have been loving them with my whole heart ever since. So getting to see them with their adult children, getting to see the dynamics that play in these sibling relationships and friendships, and also getting to experience the greater world of these characters was everything my heart needed. I could not get enough of the banter, of the quick wit, of the brains at play. I loved getting to see Ben and Harriet navigate through those relationships and dynamics, those interactions and moments. It had me truly consumed in everything I was reading and just loving all of the moments with these characters. Plus, it was just about everything to see so many relationships evolve and heal and just come to be in this book with this whole family. My heart needed that with this group. So so much.
I also just have to say that if there’s one thing you need to know about the Cobalts it’s that they are in this together. Fiercely. Loyally. No matter what. They show up for each other, they will definitely push each other‘s buttons, and they will definitely out win you at any game, but they most of all, will show up. Every. Single. Time. Anywhere they’re needed. With genuine hearts and a definite quick wit. Getting to see that explored and experienced in real time over the course of this book with Ben and Harriet honestly just made me love the Cobalts even more. Their relationships and dynamics may be complicated at times, but never doubt that they are there for one another, and that they will always show up together when it really matters. This book personified that idea and it hit me square in the heart in the best way.
Cobalts. Together. Forever.
I cannot wait to see what the rest of the series brings for them. I truly am already counting down the days to the next moment I am with them all because I could live in their dynamics for the rest of time. Truly. And very happily.
Like I said at the start of this review, if there’s one thing you take away from it, it’s that you need to read this book. You need to experience the pull that is Ben and Harriet. The way they compliment each other. The way they push each other. The way they feel absolutely everything for one another. The way that they turn their world upside down and help each other find which truly real. The way that they just seemingly understand and get each other, but more than that, the way they show up for one another in this book while simultaneously falling head over heels for one another, will have you just melting. And swooning. And feeling the heat and heart and depth and truth of what they share. And honestly, it doesn’t get better than that.
It doesn’t get better than them.
Krista and Becca Ritchie have created the most incredible introduction to a new series that is sure to steal your heart. And all of the rest of your emotions while it’s at it. Ben and Harriet truly deliver an authentic, layered, and emotional story in their book. They had me crying at times, they had me melting at others, and they honestly just had me in awe of what they were feeling and experiencing together. And I just loved it. I loved them. With my whole heart. And I don’t want it back because what these characters so authentically give you with themselves, with each other, with what they share and build together over the course of this book will give you the most incredible reading experience. But more than that it will just give you them, in truest way, while also giving you the most real and authentic love story between these two. I can’t say it enough. You feel what they share in your bones with how these authors allow you to seamlessly interweave yourself into the hearts of these characters, and it’s perfection. It truly is, and I couldn’t have asked for more.
Burn Bright is an effervescent, incredibly and thoughtfully layered, full of amazingness, love story. It is Ben and Harriet through and through. Authentically. Enthusiastically. Unforgettably. It is diving into the deep end of the Cobalts and their empire in the most perfect and memorable way. And it is a a story that is a testament to hard complicated truths, beautiful endless possibilities, and the evolution of love and connection and compassion.
This book perfectly weaves together a romantic story between two people who feel written in the stars. In more ways than one. It is a story of friendship and family and everything in between. It is a story of love. It is a story of hope. It is a story of keeping all the possibilities open. It is a story of vulnerability and very real emotion and experiences. It is a story of hard times and good ones and all the little and big moments in between.
But most of all it is a story of Ben and Harriet.
Two seemingly opposite people who complete each other in ways they didn’t even know were possible. And getting to experience every morsel of a moment you do with these two across this epic introduction to the series is the best reading experience you could ask for. Trust me. I would know. I just spent hundreds and hundreds of pages with those two and I could not be more in love with their characters, their story, and what these authors so authentically and unforgettably created with them together.
It was everything. And more. So much glorious more.
Together, Ben and Harriet and all the Cobalts will absolutely wow you in this Burn Bright. They might also drive you a tad crazy in the best way and have you simultaneously smirking while shaking your head, but that’s part of their charm. (Trust me.) And you will love it. You will love them. You will love every single second of this book. With your whole heart.
I promise you that. 💙