Hope Flames (A Hope Novel)

Who says you can't go back? Emma Burnett learned a hard life lesson that still leaves a mark and also a determination to stay away from men since she obviously can't choose them right. But now she is living her dream of owning her own veterinary practice back in her home town. She has her parents and her best gal pals and she is resigned to a long cold spell with her love life until attractive Luke McCormack brings in his police dog, Boomer, in for a strained leg. Not long after that, she's on a Just Friends date and its tough to remember why she put a moratorium on men. Luke isn't the guy who hurt her, but she doesn't dare give up the hard fought for independence and she can't possibly lean on a man for help ever again no matter that a rash of robberies around town even a break in at her own vet office makes her nervous.

Luke swore 'Never Again' when he saw the back of his ex-wife. He didn't get women and he wasn't putting his heart out there ever again. Hook-ups? Sure Relationships? Not Happening. So why was he constantly thinking about the sweet attractive vet and why was he going out with her again? Between dinners with the folks, dogs getting along like family, baseball game, weekend at the lake, shooting lessons and sleepovers, his resolve weakens and he starts to want something with the skittish Emma if only she would want him back.

This was a first of series story set in small town, Hope, Oklahoma. It was a gentle story in pacing, plot and development. The scenes move along in a lazy manner that was a pleasant thing to experience though I will admit to wanting to pick up the pace sooner than it did. The small ranch town atmosphere and the glimpses at fun activities like the minor league ball game, the pet adoption fair and the weekend at the lake were so well drawn and engaging. There was a little mystery for Luke and Boomer to work on with the prescription drugs thief. The inclusion of time with family, friends, and those adorable dog pals was great too.

The romance was nice and by necessity slow developing even though it had a sultry build of tension as they fought and yielded to the attraction. Both of them got burned in the past. At first, there was this thing about laying off the opposite sex forever just because of one mistake for each and that is a way of thinking that drives me nuts, but I let it go discovering that it was more than that. Luke was abandoned by his mom and his wife after his wife showed her true colors and it had all been a lie before so he did have the sense that this is what women did once they hooked a man's feelings. Emma only had one bad relationship experience, but it was a doozy. It was very abusive and not just physically. She was mentally abused as well which took the heftier toll on her psyche. So in the end, I was really rooting for these two to overcome their fears and believe what the facts and their own eyes were telling them about each other.

All in all, I found this a nice cozy read and would recommend it to those who love small town settings, slightly spicy romance and a gently developing plot.

My thanks to Penguin Group for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Hope Flames begins when Emma opens up her own vet clinic. She is determined to now do things by herself after a disastrous relationship that ended years ago, she wants to prove that she can be on her own. And that works well until she meets a local cop named Luke that has an injured dog. Luke also never wanted to have another relationship with a woman after his failed attempt at marriage. So when he meets Emma he never expected to feel the way he does. Especially when she seems to understand him, and they both decide to be "friends" As these to continue down this path they have to worry about the recent trouble coming to town and other things as well.

I didn't like the book at all. I tried to give it a chance until about fifty percent, then I just skimmed the rest of it. Because I was really bored with it. I felt like it could have been a really good book. But there wasn't anything really exciting about it. And at fist you did feel some of the chemistry between Emma and Luke but after that it felt like dead air. Nothing there at all. It was a major disappointment. I don't really think I will be reading the next one in this series. This one just didn't do it for me.

More reviews at Shooting Stars Reviews, [...]

I've been marathoning through the "Play by Play" series by Ms. Burton and after the first half of those I was eager to start her new series. Confession time: I started "Hope Flames" a few months ago and could not get into it. I waited until I was in a brief lull and borrowed it from the library again. Because of the hold list I read it immediately and then immediately regretted it.

There was nothing specifically wrong with the story but I spent a great deal of time wondering if Ms. Burton even wrote it. Now I do not have loads of experience with Ms. Burton's work but I've read some novellas and the Play by Play series. Now I understand sometimes an author will play with different voices or whatever but this one seemed so drastically different. I found the book to be nearly clinical instead of adventurous.

The characters were flat and uninteresting. I was excited to read a book about a vet and a cop with dogs as more than random plotty bits.Unfortunately the dogs were the equivalent of moving purses for the most part. They only were relevant when the plot called for something random to happen like 'barking' or 'apprehending a suspect'. I was really bummed since I had started another 'dog' book around the same time with dogs as a major aspect of the plot.

The thing I had issues with the most was the sort of gloss applied to the major conflicts. The heroine had a 'secret' and that made her have issues with men. She was freaked out by strong men (do you see where this is going?) and was hesitant to get involved with a dominant man (as in outlook--not sexual). She finally caved and told the hero what was going on and he was like "Oh. Well you're strong."

THAT WAS IT! She had years of baggage and distrust and within five minutes she was over it. It was unbelievable and unrealistic. Then on top of that when it became time in the book for a conflict the whole taking control of her life thing reared it's ugly head and there were ISSUES! ISSUES, I SAY!!

Regardless of all the crazy I was really bummed by this book. Every single one of Ms. Burton's previous work, I've enjoyed. This one was not worth the time but I will try the second book in the series just to see if it was a one-off.

2 Stars
Published by Berkley
January 7, 2014
320 Pages
Provided by--the Library

Hope Flames, Hope #1, by Jaci Burton
Grade: C-

“Love scares all of us, Emma. It’s probably the scariest thing any of us will ever do.”

Emma Burnett is coming back to Hope, Oklahoma to finally open her own veterinary practice and be closer to her family. After a bad relationship in college Emma has spent the last few years doing nothing but focusing on her dream of opening her own practice and with that finally happening she starts to realize how lonely her life is. When Emma meets officer Luke McCormack Emma realizes that all the guy out there are bad and she might just open up her life and her heart again.

Officer Luke McCormack has sworn off relationships after his ex-wife and his mother took off. Luke meets the new vet when getting care for his police dog and he can’t help but be entranced by the sexy new doctor. As time goes on Luke finds himself unable to stay away from Emma and soon finds himself in a relationship he never knew he wanted. As things heat up in Hope, Luke realizes how much he cares for Emma and how far he’ll got to protect her.

I am a huge Jaci Burton fan but I found myself really disappointed with Hope Flames almost from the first few chapters. This book is only three hundred and twenty pages but I felt like it dragged for the majority of it and never found a rhythm. There were multiple times when I thought about other things or moving on to a new book because I had just lost interest. The sex scenes are classic Burton and keep the book from being really boring but for the most part it’s lacking the magic of her books.

I liked Luke and Emma but I felt that their story could have been told in a novella and not a full book. These two danced around each other for way too long and never seemed to really connect. I get that they both have issues but they took so long to talk or share any type of true feelings. I found a lot of their relationship very predictable, along with most of the storyline. I was never surprised and I think this helped with my boredom.

I am shocked that I feel this way about a Jaci Burton book but I am not giving up on this series. I am very interested in Emma’s sister and Luke’s brother. I know neither of them will be together but I’m eagerly anticipating both of their future book. I have high hopes for this series because it is Jaci Burton and that woman knows how to write some romance.

Originally posted at The Book Nympho

Quick Summary
Emma Burnett returns home to Hope to buy the veterinary practice of a retiring doctor. This is a fulfillment of a dream delayed by an awful relationship. Policeman Luke McCormick was badly burned during his marriage and has soured on committed relationships, other than the one he has with his canine partner, Boomer. When the dog requires medical care, it sets off something that neither Luke or Emma saw coming.

So, what changed?
After a rocky start, Luke and Emma figured they'd work well as friends and possibly with benefits. A series of break-ins at facilities with pharmaceuticals threw them together even more and, well, they really made the best of it:)

How was the romance?
I loved their journey to friendship. Most of the story was about their individual discoveries, really coming to intensely like each other. And, the benefits weren't bad, either (actually, pretty steamy). This was truly a friends to lovers romance but this time, we were in on the development of the friendship.

Other characters?
Luke's older brother, Logan, was queued perfectly for his upcoming story. And Emma's friend, Chelsea, is funny, gorgeous and primed for a relationship.

The bottom line
There was a sweetness about this story, primarily because of the couples' devotion to and care of animals, telling you so much more about their characters. An element of suspense was in the background because of the break-ins and baggage from Emma's past (culminates near the end). It wasn't terribly exciting but I really enjoyed being a voyeur as they created a relationship. This is the perfect book to settle back and immerse yourself in when you just want a feel-good story. I'm still liking this series.

(I received an ARC from NetGalley)

Seriously, one look at that eye candy on the cover and I just had to read Hope Flames! I knew I'd get steamy moments but I was happily surprised by the likable characters, and sweet story within.

At thirty-two, Emma Burnett has finally realized her dream of becoming a veterinarian, but even better she's back in her hometown, Hope, to practice. She's settled in and business is off to a promising start when Luke McCormack, an officer, comes in with his injured dog, Boomer. Chemistry and sparks immediately fly between them, but Emma is not looking for love, or a relationship. She was burned badly in the past and doesn't plan on ever repeating that. Emma's happy she got her life back on track and is focused on making her career a success. But as usual life doesn't always comply with our plans.

Luke is immediately drawn to the town's new vet, Emma, but a relationship is the last thing he wants after suffering a failed marriage. He has no desire to travel down that road again and keeps women to a one-night stand status and nothing more. Even though Luke can tell Emma is not that type of girl, he can't help finding excuses to see her again.

Emma and Luke had absolutely no plans for a relationship or love, but still they gradually burrowed a spot in each other's heart. There was a magnetic pull neither could ignore:

"Before she could say goodnight, he'd pulled her against him, his mouth on hers in another of those mind-melting, blistering hot kisses that made her forget all her logical reasonable convictions."

I loved how maturely Emma and Luke dealt with their relationship. It seemed each time one had doubts or a hang-up would arise, the other would give space and time for adjustment. That's not to say there weren't bumps, but nothing that was pull-your-hair-out frustrating.

Just because there wasn't big troubles between Emma and Luke didn't mean the story wasn't addictive. With a series of burglaries plaguing the town and scary drama from Emma's past resurfacing there's no need for couple angst to provide excitement. Emma was a strong independent woman so she didn't allow the situation make her hole up in the closet and hide. She did something, but she wasn't so overly confident to the point where she made stupid decisions. Love a smart protagonist!

Both Emma and Luke had friends and family there to give good advice and we got to know them enough to see future stories in the making down the road.

Hope Flames was a sweet, easy going romance, with sizzle! This was my first read by Jaci Burton, but it won't be my last. I can't wait for the next in the series which centers on Luke's brother, Logan, the moody, broody, horse rancher and Desiree, the Hollywood starlet.

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: New veterinarian comes to town and brings her emotional baggage with her. Local police may be just what the doctor ordered.

Opening Sentence: Emma Burnett could have never imagined that going hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt would be so exhilarating.

The Review:

Starting a new year, I wonder what sort of book I should pick up because it seems to have a lasting impression on me and sometimes is a reflection of the type of books I shall read whether good or bad.

I had no hesitation in picking up this book and in fact I have been dying to read something by Jaci Burton for months. Her book covers have really caught my eye a number of times and I have had to place them on my To Be Read list, but not actually having the ability to read even one. Thankfully that all changed when I received this book in my last review selection.

Hope Flames is the first in a new series by Burton and I am so thrilled to get the chance to read and review it. This series is set in Hope, which is your basic small town with the associated history of its inhabitants, gossip, community spirit and charm of rural America. In many ways it felt like a number of places I have lived around our wonderful country and I enjoyed a bit of nostalgia that came with that feeling.

Our heroine, Emma Burnett, is returning home after a number of years away for schooling and the end of a bad relationship. She brings a love of animals and concern for her community but has been the recipient of an abusive relationship and has no desire to become involved with another man.

The local police, Luke McCormack, our hero has also suffered from a bad relationship and has been only interested in short term flings with women because his marriage proves he just can’t figure women out.

Luckily for both of them they are wrong and they meet after Luke’s police dog, Boomer, is injured in pursuit of a criminal. Emma’s care and handling of Boomer after his injury plus his appeal brings these two characters together with a few hurdles like an offer of a pity date.

This book has many little characters that play key and pivotal points to the plot and they come in the form of furry animals. The addition of Daisy, Boomer, and Annie are exactly the type of animals that all of us pet owners adore and long to take home and were a welcome addition to the story.

As with other books set in small towns, each of our main characters have their family to bounce ideas off of and be a support system. Emma’s parents remind me very much of some of the best folks I know who are willing to stick up for their child no matter the situation. In the mean time Emma is trying to retain her independence but she uses them to ensure the betterment of her future. In Luke’s family we only get to meet Logan. His other brother has moved away from Hope. However, Logan is a surly cowboy not afraid to pull on Luke’s chain when Logan feels Luke is charging in the wrong direction. Logan is getting his own story next and I look forward to seeing what sort of torture Burton will put him through before he gets his happily-ever-after too.

The final piece in this story is the crimes that are occurring around Hope. There are numerous thefts of drugs and Emma ends up being victimized herself at the vet clinic. This portion of the story was told with a red herring or two but I was entertained.

So my final analysis of this new series by Jaci Burton is that Hope Flames is a smoking read and I will be returning to Hope in March for Logan’s story. If you are looking for a great small town story with heart and passion then Hope Flames is definitely a hot ticket.

Notable Scene:

“Hello? Is anyone here?”

Daisy’s ears perked up and she bounded out of the office at the sound of the deep, booming voice in the lobby.

Emma had thought she’d locked the door.

She hurried out to see a man holding a German shepherd by the leash who sat regally while Daisy tried to play with it.

“Daisy, come here.”

Daisy came over and sat dutifully next to her, her tail whipping against Emma’s lab coat.

“Can I help you?”

“Yeah. I saw your lights were on and was hoping you’d still be open. My dog hurt his leg.”

He came toward her, and she took a wary step back, until he walked under the overhead lights and she saw he was wearing a cop uniform. She breathed a sigh of relief.

“You scared me there for a second.”

“I’m really sorry. Luke McCormack. I’m local police here. This is my dog, Boomer.”

FTC Advisory: Berkley/Penguin provided me with a copy of Hope Flames. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.

* Book provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Excuse me while I try and contain the big smile that Hope Flames left me with. Yes, this book is a keeper for me, the next book in the series is on my radar and author Jaci Burton is now on my "watch" list.

The story was sexy and sweet with a hint of suspense. Luke and Emma don't spend a lot of time dancing around their attraction to one another and while they start off with an uneasy, attraction fueled friendship, it isn't long before they slide into what they think is a no strings attached relationship. Luke was a take charge, protect the innocent kind of guy but he wasn't overbearing or controlling about it. He loved his job and he loved his four legged partner, what's not to love about this man?

As far as female characters go, Emma is one of my favorites. She didn't only work with animals but her love of them shined through her every interaction with them. She's a kind hearted but stubborn woman who wants to prove to herself more than anyone else, that she can stand on her own two feet. Despite her terrible experience in a previous relationship, she hasn't turned into an emotionless human machine, she just isn't in a hurry to get into another relationship. I admired the way she took back control of her life and made it on her own terms.

I do adore a man named Luke (Lucian, Lucas, Lucan... You get the idea), it's just such a strong and sexy name to me and he does his name justice! He's definitely sexy, I mean, he loves his dog and he's in law enforcement for crying out loud! He knows when to push Emma for answers and when to back off and he does it without coming across as a caveman know it all. Luke has just the right amount of strength and compassion to make him an excellent lead character for a reader like me.

It's no secret that I adore romances with animal lovers in them, because, duh, I'm an animal lover myself. Specifically dogs. However, sometimes it's gets a little repetitive with the same breed of dogs that get used over and over. A little variety never hurt any one right? Well Jaci Burton brought tears to my eyes when she decided that rescue dog Annie was going to be a pit bull and had Emma champion the breed. I had already liked Emma as a heroine but I really loved her after that scene and I lived for scenes with little Annie.

Emma's past acts as a source of suspense and adds danger to Hope Flames but it doesn't take away from the romance between her and Luke, nor does it make Emma seem like an incompetent fool. As much as she wants to stand on her own two feet, she's smart enough to know when she's in over her head and can accept help from those who love her.

Hope Flames for me was a great introduction to Jaci Burton's work, I loved the characters both human and canine, the chemistry between Luke and Emma was effortless and I can't wait to get my hands on Logan McCormack. I mean Logan's book, yeah, that's what I meant.

REVIEWED BY LIZ

After seeing my rating of HOPE FLAMES, it shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that I really loved the heroine, Emma. There's no way I could give an A- rating to a book that doesn't have an amazing heroine. Emma has had to overcome a lot of sadness and anger to get to the point she's at in the beginning of the book, but I don't want to say much about it because the author slowly reveals details as the story progresses. What I can say is that she picks herself up and keeps moving forward.

After graduating from veterinary school, Emma has come home to Hope, Oklahoma to take over the town's vet clinic from the doctor who's retiring. She's up to her eyeballs in debt, but she loves having her own practice and loves taking care of animals. She worked her butt off to get to live her dream, but that was only one of the many reasons I loved Emma. She's also a great friend. I LOVED the scenes between her and her two girlfriends, whether it was eating lunch together or having a girls' night in. But above all of that, the thing I loved most of all about Emma? She talks to her dogs! I do the same thing so it was nice to have confirmation that I'm not crazy! Anyway, Emma's finally getting her life to the place she's always wanted and things are looking great...until a drop-dead gorgeous man walks in to her practice with his dog!

Luke is a police officer in Hope, and his K-9 partner, Boomer, was injured while chasing down a bad guy. Oh wow, Luke was SO hot, with his chiseled cheeks and rock hard abs! Of course, Luke is much more than just his good looks. He loves his job and the feeling of satisfaction he gets by keeping the town safe. The scenes with Luke and Boomer working together were a lot of fun for me. I found the police dog angle very different and ended up really enjoying it, since I'd never read any books that focused on a police officer and his police dog before. Plus, for me, any man who treats his dog well is automatically a keeper! I also really enjoyed the relationship between Luke and his brother. I could easily see the love between them, but they still harass and insult each other and they fight, just like real brothers would!

I think Emma and Luke are perfect for each other. When they first meet, the chemistry between them is palpable. The author clearly knows how to write a hot scene! I thought it was really funny to be inside Emma's head as she's trying to talk herself OUT of thinking that Luke is hot. And when Luke and Emma's dogs hit it off with each other, you know that they need to end up together!

I can't wait for the next book in this series. There are so many potential future stories and it's going to be fun to see where Jaci Burton takes it.

BOTTOM LINE
HOPE FLAMES was so much fun to read! All of the characters, even the secondary characters, felt absolutely real. People who are already fans of Jaci Burton will love this first novel in her new Hope series, and she'll gain new fans in whoever gives this book a try.

RATING: A- (4½ stars)

Note: I received a review copy of this title courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Emma Burnett has finally returned to her small town home of Hope. Luke McCormack can't wait to get out of it and into the big city. But when Luke walks through the door of Emma's new veterinary practice in need of care for his K-9 companion, what they thought they wanted in life gets turned on it's ear!

Emma is reluctant to loose her new found independence by letting a man into her life, and rightfully so after her last disparaging relationship. Even one as mouthwatering as the local lawman, Like McCormack. With his alpha attitude, she just knows that he will be trying to control every aspect of their relationship - if there was one that is. But Luke is in no way looking for a permanent lady to be in his life. Been there, did that, bought the t-shirt and burned it. But there is an undeniable pull between Emma and Luke that neither can resist. Can they let go of their past demons and follow where their hearts lead, or will they let their head full of doubts stand in the way of love?

Take Jaci Burton's classic sensually delightful writing and mix it with Jill Shalvis' fur loving goodness and jocular heroines, and you have Hope Flames; a sweet and humorous romance full of heart. A rich story with an engaging plot and three dimensional characters, this is one to please contemporary romance readers everywhere. Emma is an admirable and courageous character despite her past, which could have really transformed her into a shadow of the women she is today. While Luke is protective, caring, and sometimes just frustrating male! lol Together they embark in a heart warming journey of love, trust and renewal. A wonderfully sweet start to a brand new series full of characters that you'll easily fall in love with. I can't wait for the next book in the series, Hope Ignites!

*A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I really love Jace Burton's books, no matter what she does, she can always deliver! Hope Flames is another fun, sexy book and has it all. Those smexy times, a hot cop and a cool heroine, a bit of danger to up the excitement, nice romance and furry dogs to make it even cuter.

Emma and Luke are both amazing characters. This time it is not about opposites attract as they are very similar in most ways. They are both passionate about their jobs, very dedicated and they both have a great love for dogs, even the fact that they both don't want a relationship. What I liked most about them is how real and down to earth they are. No big dramatics, they are very laid back actually and I could connect with them very easily. Like I could become friends with these people.

Both of them have been hurt in the past and are ready to get past that, though they don't want a relationship. Still the more time they spent together it kind of naturally flows into a relationship. There is no pressure from both of them and they actually don't talk about it, it just is. They are very compatible inside and outside of bed, so there is no reason not to go for it.

There was a bit of mystery in the story with the burglaries, though it didn't feel like a real threat. It was more to get an insight in Luke's job and the frustrations he felt throughout the investigation. I did not expect the culprit and it wasn't such a big moment in the book. So I was all caught up in trying to find out who it could be and then it was a bit of a let down.

Hope Flames was a great read and I can not wait for the rest of series. There are certainly plenty of secondary characters who deserve their own story. Jaci Burton is an author I always recommend if you like contemporary romance with amazing heroines and sexy heroes.

~Reviewed by FRANCESCA & posted at Under the Covers Book Blog

Jaci Burton has a knack for writing stories that draw you in and leave you with an urge to pack your bags and move right into the towns where her characters exist. The town of Hope is no different.

We first met some of the residents of the town in the prequel for this series. I have to admit I was much excited about HOPE FLAMES because it deals with animals. Yes, I’m a sucker for these types of stories! And Jaci does them so well!

And what can draw you in more than a young woman trying to make it on her own in a new town taking over a loved vet practice and a hot and sexy deputy :) Complete win with me with the setup and execution. Both characters are interesting. Luke is the typical guy not looking for a committed relationship after a not so great previous one, but he can’t resist the charm of the new vet in town after she takes care of his police dog.

Emma is also a heroine type I like. Just a little bit damaged, not quite kick ass but independent and determined to go for what she wants. Even if that means going against her carefully laid plans of not getting involved with a guy and just focusing on work.

This book is all about the sweet romance. How they first build a relationship based on a friendship, get to know each other, and even though they are both not looking for something serious the slow build up to their HEA was the best.

I love friends to lovers stories and HOPE FLAMES does that to perfection! But I have to admit I can’t wait to see more of the rest of the town. Their gossiping and meddling could be annoying in real life but I love reading about it. And I love visiting with the previous couple from the prequel. I need more Hope, and soon!!

*ARC provided by publisher

Hope Flames is an entertaining story, with a romance that’s not supposed to be a romance, and a little bit of suspense thrown in. I was impressed with the way the characters were written, especially Luke. Here’s a man who, after a disaster of a marriage, is pretty much content to remain a bachelor. Even though he and Emma decide to be nothing more than friends, he’s able to be astute enough to know that whatever will happen between them will be something that Emma will have to decide on, that he won’t force her one way or the other. Even after all that went down with Emma’s ex, Luke knew that he just had to wait until Emma was ready to address the situation. Another instance that I haven’t read about that much is the fact that Luke and his childhood friend Carter actually discussed feelings and relationships, like grownups and not immature teens.

The only thing that I didn’t care for in this book was that even though the book blurb hints at the rash of burglaries occurring in town and that somehow Emma is more vulnerable, that part of the storyline wasn’t introduced until chapter 4, then barely mentioned again until the last few chapters. What I was even more surprised by was the reappearance of Emma’s ex; again, that could have been so much more drama and tension in the story, but his reappearance and the burglaries almost seemed like an afterthought to the book.

I will say that overall I enjoyed the story enough to want to read the next two books in the series once
they are released, I really want to know what caused Emma’s sister Molly to leave their hometown and
not come back.

-Boekie's Book Reviews

Hope Flames by Jaci Burton
Publication Date: January 7, 2014
Reviewed By: Reading In Pajamas/ Dawn
Rated: 4 Stars
Blog post: [...]

REVIEW:
What a great romance. This book had fun realistic characters and a great story line. Emma was focusing her life on her career and was done dating. She got out of a nightmare relationship years ago, and it was her time to make a go of her veterinary practice. Luke was happy being a police officer and did not 'date'. He hooked up and moved on. Luke needed Emma to look at his dog and from the moment they met they both knew there was something between the two of them, but both insisted if they ignored it, it would go away. It didn't...and led to a great story of people meeting and getting to know each other. Getting to know each other had the benefit of some hot sex. Luke and Emma's story had every element of a great romance. I love Jaci Burton's writing style and this book did not disappoint. I look forward to more books in this series.

*ARC provided by Berkley/NAL in exchange for an honest review.

My favorite author does it again with a new series. HOPE. And as I already suspected, these books are great.

Book 1 of the Hope series Hope Flames is about Luke McCormack, Hope’s sexy cop and Emma Burnett, and former resident of Hope who has moved back to Hope to open her Veterinary practice.
Luke meets Emma when he brings his injured dog Boomer in the Emma’s office. There is instant chemistry but neither Emma nor Luke is looking for a relationship because they were both burned from previous relationships. Gradually, these two are pulled together and they both still deny they are in a relationship.

This was a very easy going romantic read with very little angst which was refreshing. Emma had to deal with her previous relationship surfacing but Emma is such a strong woman and sometimes it’s nice to read a book where the woman can take care of herself.

This book introduces a lot of other people form Hope and I hope that this will be a long series so that we can get to know the good people of Hope.

Luke McCormack is in trouble. For the first time since his divorce Cupid has found him again. He swore he would not let any woman get to his heart but Emma Burnett is different. As the new veterinarian of his town she is determined to get her new business off in a good way and not let anything distract her. Determined, hard working, passionate and stubborn is the woman of Luke’s dreams but she wants more something he can’t give. Jaci Burton has created a series that has made this reviewer happy to read about from her. Fell in love with Emma for here is a woman who won’t let a smooth talking sexy, gorgeous police officer like Luke distract her. The kisses from him are tempting but she wants more and I applaud her for this part. I mean even reading about Luke you can tell this is a man not to mess with for he has it all in spades. Jaci Burton shows us a man who is strong, passionate yet vulnerable after his last marriage and the family life he had. This is the first book of the series and so far it is great.

Beautiful vet Emma Burnett has finally got her life together. She is independent and her business practice is taking off. Never mind she is lonely and she owes loads of money in student and bank loans. But she is happy. Hot cop Luke McCormack doesn't do relationships. He was married before and it didn't work so well for him. Besides, he is happy enough with his endless supply of single women and one-night stands. Casual sex is pretty great. But then again Emma doesn't fit that profile and he can't seem to stay away from her. Emma doesn't want a relationship, she is still recovering from the only one she ever had. Yes, it was that bad. But Luke is different and honestly she can't control herself around the man. Besides even their dogs get along. The trick is keeping things casual when love creeps in beyond all hopes...

I truly enjoyed this book. The story came out slow but not boring in any way. The writing is also different from Jaci's other books. This series feels more warm and heartfelt.

I do like that the 2 main leads aren't just grabbing at each other whenever they are together etc. I liked that there is a build up in the relationship between Luke and Emma. Emma's past actually shaped her to be the person she became and I like that that was not rushed and it left me feeling really happy and satisfied with the ending. I LOVED Luke and the man he is.

The other thing I loved about this book was the dogs… Total sweetness from Daisy, Annie as well as Boomer. All the characters including the secondary, seems just so real and I can picture everyone in this town. Can't wait for the next book in this series.

My sister recommended this series because she knows me well! I love small town series like this one! I loved Emma. She was smart and funny. Luke was sexy and hot!! I loved how he was alpha male but not in an overwhelming way! Once you learned Emma's backstory her reluctance is understandable. Totally hooked can't wait to dive into the next one!!

eBook borrowed from local online library.

There were times when I was really into this book and then there were times that I found myself skimming, I liked the suspense of it, the cop on the case and even the love scenes were hot. I have to say though compared to the Play-by-Play series this one just didn't do it for me. There were times where I skimmed multiple pages because it seemed as though the characters were just saying the same thing over and over, it was a it too drawn out for me, but it was only 300 pages.

I think I'm just going to stick with the other series, I love that one!

I thoroughly enjoyed this romance based on small town life - little to no sexual content and a good story. A nice series starter book from Ms. Jaci Burton. Not as explicit on the sexual content as her Play by Play sports related series of books though this series of books she hasn't names ! ?

SERIES NAMES "Hope" - name of the town!

NUMBER OF STARS: 4
REVIEW:
Small town girl Emma Burnett has finally returned home. To say that the years since she left for college have be easy or fun would a lie. After a failed relationship, a return to school and finally following her dream, Emma finds herself the owner of a small veterinary clinic in her home town. But the last thing that Emma wants, needs or has time for is a man. Too bad the perfect man just walked through her door.

Luke is a little gun shy about women and relationships. After the embarrassment of his failed marriage Luke has vowed that he will never be in a relationship again. But after meeting the town’s newest vet he may have to rethink this whole single life thing.

Awesome start to a new series by Jaci Burton. Hope Flames brings us to the small town of Hope. We get to meet a fun cast of characters. Jaci always does a great job of bring her characters to life.

I am already looking forward to the next two books in this series Hope Ignites (4/14) & Hope Burns (10/14). If you love Jaci Burton you will love the Hope series!!!

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review. Review will be posted at [...] .

I've read and enjoyed Jaci Burton's sports themed books so was thrilled when I got my hands on a copy of Hope Flames. It did not disappoint. Fans of Jill Shalvis and Kristan Higgins should enjoy this first book in this series of small town romance. Emma is back in town after going away to college and surviving an abusive relationship. Now she is home and starting over. She has her new veterinary practice and is as independent as she can be. She doesn't need or want a man in her life right? Police officer Luke McCormack does one nighters with no promises ever since his wife left him for the big city. He doesn't need or want a woman in his life right? So why can't he get the new vet out of his mind?

Love Jaci Burton and her other books this new series didnt catch my attention at all and the book seemed slow and so dissappointed since shes a fantastic writer and lover her other books.. But this one was a no go for me took me over a week to finish reading it.. Ending seememd rush and that was that.. What?!!
Hope the other books in the series are better than the first one....

I only recently discovered Jaci Burton's books and she has not let me down. Her new Hope series is loaded with romance, hot men, humor and mustn't forget the dogs who are also lovable. Once I started I could not put it down until the last page was turned. Hope Flames is just the beginning for Luke and Emma after working through all their inner turmoil. Looking forward to Hope Ignites.

The story is well written. The characters are likable and also well written. It will be a great series and I look forward to the next. I won't bore you with a synopsis of the book that's what a blurb is for. Basically, if you love Jaci Burton then you'll love this new book. If you haven't read her then you should. Just beware for those who like their romance on the tame side. This will steam up your windows on a cold winter's day.

This was a sweet, small town romance. Both characters are struggling with the idea of a relationship because of mistakes they made in their pasts, measuring all future prospects against the price they paid for those past mistakes.

Parts of this story were quite predictable, but I enjoyed it regardless and will most likely continue to pick through the series slowly.

For full disclosure I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

I really LOVED this book! I could imagine all the dogs and their expressions. Little Annie is so sweet! I absolutely love the romance in this book! I can't wait for the next book and I absolutely loved the ending! Can't wait! An absolute must read!

This book was ok. It held my interest--mainly because of the dogs. There was romance and a bit of mystery; even so, something just seemed to be missing. I give it a 3-star rating since I did finish reading it, rather than move on to something else. I'm willing to stick with the author through a few more of her books.

I really enjoy Jaci Burton's Play by Play series, and was very interested in this new series. However, I was disappointed. The story moved at a snail's pace and I found the heroine to be a bit annoying at times. I'm not giving up on the series, but this one wasn't as good as I'd expected.

I had never read this author before, and only picked it up after spotting it in the store because I liked the cover, which is something I usually do not do. I enjoyed the story of Luke, Luke's brother, Emma and Emma's crazy friends and vet assistants. The story is about Luke and Emma getting over past baggage to give each other a chance at love. Throw in fun dogs for entertainment and a psycho ex-boyfriend for suspense and the story is a nice read. I am glad I have discovered this author and now I am reading her Play-By-Play novels.

love jaci books,this one didn't disappoint me either,emma and luck both not looking for love for found each other.I really enjoy the relationship between this too.this a very light romance and it was very nice after all the intense books i have been reading lately

Good overall story. The story dragged out a little to long though. It needed more passion and action, less in inner dialogue over and over.

It's a happy read and sometimes a nice change to the drama filled normal storys of romance.

Good overall story. The story dragged out a little to long though. It needed more passion and action, less in inner dialogue over and over.

It's a happy read and sometimes a nice change to the drama filled normal storys of romance.