The Hotter You Burn (Original Heartbreakers)

"He couldn't have her without committing to her. He had to have her, but he couldn't commit to her. It was the surest way to lose her forever."

I'll admit, I was a little apprehensive reading this book after not quite loving the first book in this series. But then Beck O'ckley was the hero that really captivated me in The Closer You Come with his one-and-done policy with women. Who doesn't love an unrepentant manwhore? I certainly do. Then you have the heroine, Harlow Glass, as the most hated girl in town that's still paying for her high school bullying days all those years ago. Add in some sizzling sexual chemistry with a dash of humor and you have the recipe for the perfect contemporary romance. I loved this book!

First of all, if you haven't read the first book in the series, don't worry, because you can easily read this one as a standalone. However, The Closer You Come does give the background to the three men and helps set up each of their individual books, so it does help to read the series in order.

Beck is the most easy going of his three friends. But beneath his take-nothing-too-seriously demeanor, is the broken soul of a man that's been through hell and back. Abandoned as a child and going through the system as a foster kid solidified his belief that nothing is permanent. When his friend spent 9 years behind bars for a crime all three of them committed, it also gave him a good dose of guilt that he still can't shake. Beck has a one night only policy with women. That's all he has to give them, one sweaty passionate night spent between the sheets and that's it. No repeats. He's not lacking for female attention, so imagine his surprise when one particular woman won't leave his mind and tempts him beyond reason. She's also the woman that won't give him the time of day.

"The day my panties drop for you," she said without any sharpness, "is the day I want to be taken behind one of the sheds and shot."
"Because you’ll know you’ll never have me again and you won’t be able to live with the pain?"

Harlow Glass is the the town's pariah. Her vicious bullying back in high school made her persona non grata in her small town, and the town residents are not quick to forget. But she's so much more than she made people believe. This is a woman that's suffered her own pain and in high school her way of dealing with a verbally abusive father at home is to project that hate outward to hide her pain and powerlessness. Now with the recent passing of her mother, Harlow is down on her luck; penniless, jobless and homeless. On top of it, her beloved childhood home is now occupied by someone else, and one of them is Beck. When she sneaks into the house to steal a pie, she gets more than she bargained for.

The Hotter You Burn had that signature Gena Showalter snarky humor that I've come to know and love. The banter between Harlow and Beck had me grinning like a fool for a good portion of the book.

"For all you know, my ANYTHING is better than any other you've seen."
"You thinks so?" His gaze dropped to her chest. "Show me." A croak. But was it a demand- or a plea?
Desire mingled with panic, and she gulped. "Not even if you begged me."
"I've never begged before. But there's a first time for everything, isn't there?"

I was afraid that the situation that Harlow is now facing would make her a shy little mouse, but she wasn't that at all. Beyond her terrible situation, this was a woman that had a backbone. Even if that backbone allowed the town people to s*** on her, because she thinks she deserves it after what she'd done. She views it as her atonement.

The push and pull between her and Beck had me going back and forth between wanting to pull my hair out and icing my ovaries, because holy lady blue balls! The tension was almost unbearable at times. But at the same time it was oh so delicious.

"Harlow was a sickness, and bedding her was the only cure."

As much as I loved the tension between them, I have to admit that at times it was so frustrating, I wanted to scream. Beck's inability to believe he can give Harlow anything beyond one night, trying to set her up with her dream man, going on double dates, I wanted to shake the ever loving stubbornness out of the man! Luckily there were the secondary characters that provided the comedic relief this book surely needed to lighten the weight of it. I even found myself warming up to Jessie Kay in this book, which I never and I mean EVER thought would happen.

At the end of it, I loved every part of this book, even the frustrating ones. I loved the snarky, sarcastic humor. I loved the banter. I loved the MCs and all the secondary characters. I loved the story and the romance.

This was the perfect contemporary romance to spend a weekend with. It had it all; the laughs, the swoons, the sexy...did I mention the laughs?

"Careful. You keep that up, and you'll find yourself flat on your back, Beck Jr. deep inside you."
"You mean the Baconator?"
He barked out a laugh. "You've named my penis the Baconator?"
"What? I like bacon."

If you're like me and didn't love the first book, trust me and give this book a chance. It had everything I've come to love in Gena's writing. It even has me wanting to read Jessie Kay's book now, which as much as I hated her in book 1 is saying a heck of a lot.

Gena Showalter delivers another solid story with fun dialogue and colorful characters. There’s plenty of angst and drama, some of that trademark Showalter snark, and some blistering heat that make this small town romance a perfect read to escape with.

I have to say I was not a big Harlow fan. I applauded the fact she was trying to make amends for all the hurt and pain she caused everyone in high school, and it was tough watching just how awful most of the townspeople treated her even though she is trying her best to redeem herself, but I wish she would have stood up for herself a bit more – the whole way her job at the inn played out was just too much for me to accept.

Beck obviously had issues that stemmed from his childhood and it was fun watching him get frustrated about his feelings for Harlow. He’s never given any of the women he’s taken to bed any promises or false hope, but still, it was nice to see him be the one who wanted more. He was a bit arrogant, but so much of that at times was a result of those issues he has. I love the relationship he has with Jace and West, and how he was expanding that very tight circle of family out to include a few others.

Beck and Harlow together didn’t make much sense to me at times, but they did grow on me as a couple. I liked how they both knew that Harlow was a forever type of woman, so any type of physical relationship was not a good idea for either of them. Of course once Beck volunteers to help Harlow find her forever type of guy, he realizes just how much that doesn’t work for him. These two both had so many issues to work through and confront, so it was no wonder that their relationship wouldn’t be an easy one.

A couple of things did bother me about the book. I found Harlow’s living situation (in a tent) a bit farfetched – call me crazy, but for someone who barely had any food to eat she seemed to be in pretty good health. I was also rather annoyed at the townspeople. Their behavior towards Harlow when she was working at the inn and also the incident at the end had me seriously hating on these small town residents, residents that in my opinion should have quickly seen how she was trying to make amends and rallied around her rather than try to keep her down. I was very disappointed in those local characters!

All in all this was a really good read that has me looking forward to West’s book. Gena Showalter always delivers wonderful dialogue and her small town of Strawberry Valley will pull you in with the diverse group of characters that take up residence there. I may not have liked some of the characters or their actions, but this was a well-developed story that evoked some pretty strong emotions for me and kept my interest right up until the end.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review.

My review:

I loved this book! It's a second book written by Gena Showalter that I have read and I truly enjoyed it! The Hotter You Burn is well-written, easy and fun to read and has some adorable characters! I have to admit that I have fallen in love with Gena's writing style. The dialogue is funny and quirky, the characters relatable and interesting and the story flows and the pacing is great! She is genuinly a fascinating and gripping storyteller. I read the book practically in one sitting and couldn't put it down, it was a true page-turner for me.

The story is about Harlow and Beck. Harlow is a reformed high-school bully who has paid heavy price for her actions. Living in a small town the forgiveness from others is very slow to come. She is homeless, jobless and without a penny. she lives in a tent on the grounds on Beck's house. The house, which used to be her family's. beck is a sucessful business owner whose relationships to women is one-and-done. I loved the beginning of the story when they meet, it was both funny and a bold start of the book. Harlow is breaking in to Beck's house and getting caught while stealing a pie. From that scene onwards I was sold!

Beck is very attracted to Harlow but he tries to convince himself that she isn't for him. He even goes that far, that he decides to find her a decent boyfriend! He can't get her out of his head though. Harlow has to fac a lot of enemity from everyone who lives in the town, but she tries and she tries hard. There were moments in the book where I thought: come on girl, move to a bigger place and start a new life, but harlow is persistant and that is one of the things I admired about her. She wasn't a dormat, she had a lot of backbone and walked through the difficulties with her head held up and with feistiness that I adored.

I think the best part of the book were the dialogues, the characters and the huumor in it. Despite dealing with some heavy issues the characters are facing, the book has a positive taste, there is hope and happy endings and I enjoyed it a lot!

Definately a good and entertaining and romantic book to read! I highly recommend it! And as said, I love Gena's writing! Can't wait to the next book in the series!

5 stars!

3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Francesca and posted at Under The Covers Book Blog

Oh Beck! How I was dying for your book. I fell in love with him quickly in THE CLOSER YOU COME because of his fun attitude and his love for good homemade food. He’s just so adorable. I was really looking forward to his book.

Now it’s here and I have to admit I’m a bit underwhelmed. Beck was still Beck and brought everything I wanted to see. He’s a bit goofy and all alpha male. If I had to compare him to a shifter I would say he’s a cuddly bear. But I wasn’t sold on the heroine for him, nor the insta-attraction (sort of).

Basically Harlow’s parents used to own the house that Beck and his friends now own. Her parents were not the nicest people maybe, and wasn’t either growing up. She was sort of the town bully. Now, after losing her family home and finding no love in the town because everyone hates her, Harlow has been homeless for a while. Curiosity calls and she wants to see what the new guys in town have done to her childhood home and she “breaks in”.

Let me start off by saying I am not a fan of the homeless girl in need of rescue storyline. I would’ve rather see that Harlow rose from her challenges on her own to feet and made amends for her past mistakes by herself. Sadly she was a bit too immature to my liking for that and Beck was sort of her crutch to get back into the world and out of a tent on their property. Both financially and emotionally.

This sort of love/hate relationship with the heroine progresses for me for most of this book until maybe about 70% when you hear about her back story and you sort of sympathize, but for me, it was a little too late. Yes, it redeemed her in my eyes a little. But I still didn’t love her.

I did love her personality when she was’t wallowing in all her baggage. And her interactions with Beck, aside from the unexplicable instant single minded attraction, where always a lot of fun and extremely sexy. He coaxes her out of her shell and to loose her inhibitions really well. Sometimes softly and sometimes with the subtlety of a sledgehammer.

Suffice it to say there are plenty of things to like about this story and it definitely carries the light hearted and sexy feel of the series. But it’s not my favorite either. I am looking forward to the next book and to see how Ms. Showalter can redeem the unredeemable for me.

For millionaire playboy, Beck Ockley, he has survived the pain of loss and all he wants now is to enjoy just one night with someone. Moving to Strawberry Valley to be near his best friends and Beck isn’t expecting much from being there. What he gets is so much more when he finds himself smitten with Southern beauty Harlow Glass.

Harlow Glass is determined to rebuild her life. A reformed bully, she has lost so much and is now trying to put the pieces of her life back together in a way that won’t break her apart again. But she never anticipated meeting beck. This man is more than she knows but Harlow wants more than one night with Beck. Can Beck give her the commitment she wants and needs? Can Harlow get this bad boy to risk his heart for more than one night?

I got to admit I am loving this wonderful series from author Gena Showalter. She brings characters to life with vulnerabilities, strengths and more that just astound me. The writing is tight with a few twists that just floored me. But it was the characters that just stole my heart. From the moment we met the boys, the original heartbreakers, I was hooked on seeing these bad boys get their hearts stolen by equally strong women, the ones that go toe to toe with them. This is an author who knows how to create complex yet intriguing characters that just steal your heart and won’t let it go, no matter what. I am in total awe by this author on how she can create such well written, endearing characters that can evoke emotions in a reader while they read THE HOTTER YOU BURN or any other of this author’s books. You laugh, cry, cheer and more while reading this newest addition into the Original Heartbreakers series. I recommend making sure you have tissues as well since you are going to need them.

Gena Showalter has created a series that is just delightful, wickedly sexy and just as emotional. THE HOTTER YOU BURN is a story that will leave you utterly wrecked and the ending just floored me. I won’t giveaway spoilers but I highly recommend you grab this book, go hide somewhere and just read Beck and Harlow’s story because you won’t want to put it down. This is a truly master storyteller at work and I, for one, am eager to see what this author has coming up next in book three in the series. I have a feeling I will be torn apart and blown away again. So run-don’t walk-to grab THE HOTTER YOU BURN and get ready to fall in love with a series that will leave you breathless.

Reformed mean girl Harlow Glass meets unrepentant one-night-only bad boy, Beck Ockley and more than sparks fly.
Harlow Glass has fallen about as low as a body can. The former Queen of Mean dropped out junior year and has been reclusive ever since. Why? Not that anyone has missed her or even cared what became of her. The town of Strawberry Valley is pretty united in their vehement dislike of Harlow. Now, having lost her home to foreclosure after her mother’s death, she’s living rough in a tent hidden on land that used to belong to her. When she uses a “found” key to break into her former home and steal a pie it puts her dead in the sights of one of the new owners, Beck Ockley.

Beck Ockley aka sex walking is smooth, practiced, and devastating when he focuses his considerable charm. One night of bliss and a killer morning after breakfast is what he offers. He knows what to say, how to look, where and when to touch, but more than a night, emotions, or heaven forbid-a relationship simply aren’t in his repertoire; no way, no how, nothing doing. Beck isn’t a fan of change either. In fact, moving to Strawberry Valley, OK with his “brothers”, Jace and West, has been enough change to last him a lifetime, thank you very much.
And then he comes face to face with the woman whose life, chronicled in pictures and placed in a box, he discovered in his room at the farmhouse. The little girl hunched to appear smaller, the defiant teenager, her eyes have haunted him since he saw the first picture. She’s in his house, with his pie in her hands……

From their first encounter and throughout THE HOTTER YOU BURN Beck and Harlow keep readers flipping those pages. Their banter is quick and funny, reflecting how they keep each other on their toes. While some of the push-pull between them is par for the course there are plenty of surprises and situations that keep them from being a predictable paint by number couple with a typical romance.

With a supporting cast that’s just as quirky and unique ~ Are you ready for the zombie apocalypse? ~ playing off and complementing each other wonderfully, readers are skillfully drawn into their lives and the delightful (most of the time) town of Strawberry Valley.

It’s always exciting when a story or character throws you a curve or two and THE HOTTER YOU BURN has that in spades along with some serious bite. It managed to surprise me, tug at my heart, and leave me clamoring for more. Looking forward to where West and the next Original Heartbreakers book takes me….

Reviewed for Miss Ivy’s Book Nook Take II, Manic Readers, and Novels Alive TV

Beck O’ckley is a flirt, and likes it a lot. He likes to show women a great time, but never more than one night. After being rejected by his entire family, and moving from one foster home to another, his fear of abandonment wouldn’t allow him more. Better leave them, and stay unattached, than that they would leave him.

That is until Harlow Glass. Her soul might even be more lost than his. After growing up as the town bully, and therefore everyone hating her, she has nothing left. You can take that literally. After she lost her mom, she also lost her house, no one wants to hire her or give this woman a second chance. Still she doesn’t give up. Harlow dreams of a fulfilling creative career, a man who’ll love her forever and a family all of her own.

When a peculiar encounter puts her in Beck’s path, there is no escaping him. While the tension between them rises, Harlow realizes he could never give her all that she wants. She wants forever and all Beck does is one night.

There is a lot of going back and forward between these two, which at times can get exhausting. I did love how the tension between them grew until it all exploded, which makes for some very hot scenes. It was a clear case of “please just give in” as both characters were very stubborn about their attraction. While I certainly get that the emotional aspect held them back in the beginning, after a while it became a bit tiresome.

The Hotter You Burn was an entertaining read, with plenty of humor, sizzling tension, and well-developed characters. At times it was frustrating, though I still enjoyed it very much.

You guys, this book is beautiful and so awesome! It is sweet, sexy and romantic and I completely adored it. I haven't read the first book in this series so I was really hoping I would be able to understand the story and I had no problems. This book was so beautiful I couldn't put in down, read it in one night (yawn, I really didn't want to go to work the next morning ;-) )

Beck and Harlow have both lived a rough life. Both had abusive childhoods that have turned them into the people they are today. Beck is a playboy by nature, cold and distant, except with his two closest friends. He is the king of one night and done with women and doesn't believe in relationship and HEA. After being abondoned by his father at an early age Beck fears commitment and the chance of being abondoned once again.

Harlow's rough childhood turned her into her high school bully, making everyone in her hometown of Strawberry Valley despise her. After losing her mother and her home, Harlow's luck just seems to keep getting worst. She is homeless, jobless and living in a tent on the back of her old property. All she wants is a HEA, a man to love her and raise a family with, offering the stability she never had as a child.

Beck and Harlow first meet when she is caught red handed stealing a blueberry pie from Beck's home. Instead of turning her over to the police, Beck decides she can work off her crime by gardening around the house. Beck is instantly attracted to the beautiful Harlow but the more he is around her the more he wants to help her and uncover all her secrets. The only problem is the more he is around Harlow, the more Beck wants her for his own, but Harlow wants a forever commitment and that just isn't something Beck is willing to give.

I just cannot stress enough how much I adored this book. It just made me feel good at the end and left me counting down until the next installment is released. Gena Showalter is an amazing author who pulls you into her stories and makes you fell right at home. I definitely recommend getting yourself a copy of this book today!

I received this book compliments of the publisher and RockStar PR via NetGalley for my honest review and opinion. All ratings and opinions stated are my own.

Sexy and growly, Beck is committed to only a few things: his job, his friends and his lifestyle as the town he-slut. When Harlow slips into his world, the ground shifts and wreaks havoc on them both. This is a deliciously hot story about two people who have to find a way to break free from the cage of their pasts in order to start fresh together.

Harlow used to be the town bully and no one will let her forget it. She said and did some pretty terrible things while she was a child and teenager, and the small town has a long memory. She lost her mother’s house because no one in town would hire her and she now lives in a tent. seriously. But Harlow doesn’t wallow in her misfortune, which is what I think I loved about her. She knows she used to be a sh!tty person and she’s determined to prove she’s NOT that person anymore.

I half hated and half loved Harlow’s inner dialogue. I sort of loved to hate it. She’s strange and quirky and different and ok, she’s sort of awesome in a naive-and-innocent sort of way. I admired her ability to brush off the put-downs and the strength she has from pushing through her past.

Beck is willing to comfort a woman for one night, and one night alone. He doesn’t think that he has more to give and well, he doesn’t want to give more. AND THEN Harlow breaks into his house and forces his eyes and his heart to come alive. I enjoyed the inner struggle he endures. I was kicking him repeatedly every time he did something idiotic – which was ALL THE TIME – but I so very badly wanted him to realize what everyone else knew. His inner struggle is real and I just wanted to hold him and love him and put his very practiced skills to work.

This story is adorable. and sweet. And really effing hot. The Hotter You Burn boasts lots of alpha male possessiveness and seriously quirky, yet humorous heroine, adorable nicknames and just enough drama to keep you engaged. 4 stars!

[I received and ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review]

I have been a huge Gena Showalter fan for a long time now, every new release is met with excitement, The Hotter You Burn is my favorite so far in The Original Heartbreakers series, I flew through this book so fast I couldn't and didn't want to put it down.

There was so much to love in this story, Gena writes contemporary romances just as well as she does paranormal romances, creating characters that you can't help but love and care about and storylines that are sure to keep you glued to the pages.

The back stories of our two leads Harlow and Beck brought substance and understanding to these two characters, Harlow who was a bully when she was younger is now shunned by everybody in Strawberry Valley, leaving her jobless, homeless and penniless she lives in a hidden tent on her old property which is now owned by Beck and his two buddies Jace and West, Beck spent his childhood shuffled around foster homes leaving him feeling unloveable and unable to love in return, he spends one night with a woman and that's it nothing more, a bit of a manwhore you could say, when he catches Harlow who is starving and hasn't eaten properly in quite a while stealing a pie from the house, he suddenly can't get her out of his head which is something new for him, but Harlow wants a commitment and to get married and have kids one day which is something Beck definitely doesn't want, it doesn't look good for these two, but fate has a way of working things out and their journey to their happily ever after is entertaining and emotional, a combination which left me wanting more but happily satisfied with their story.

Gena never disappoints and The Hotter You Burn is another winner, get set to read this book in one sitting, you wont be able to help yourself, it's just that good!

4.5 out of 5 stars

This was pretty fantastic! I felt like I was on an emotional high while reading. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough!

Beck and Harlow are wonderful characters. I really liked the depth of them and getting to know them. She is so genuine and he is so sweet. They have some great verbal sparing going on that creates a lot of sexual tension. Great development as everything is laid out and builds. I felt all Beck and Harlow were going through and was really wrapped up in the story (and had so much compassion for both of them). Some of the details of their pasts were sad, some pretty horrific. It made for some really great intensity. There are lots of ups and downs, conflicts, and I enjoyed it all.

Laced throughout there are bits of humor. I was so thankful for them. With the more emotional content it was definitely needed. I thought it came at the perfect time, it had a really great balance.

Really good characters throughout. More Jase and Brooke Lynn. As well as more West and Jessie Kay too, there story is next in The Harder You Fall (finally!).

I thought this was an excellent story about second chances. Knowing Harlow's past and how much she changed, I really felt for her. I liked both characters so much and they were great throughout. You could really see Beck and Harlow’s breakthroughs even though it took a while to get there.

Excellent read. Very heartfelt. I loved them coming together and truly baring themselves. Beck and Harlow had great chemistry and attraction and a heck of a lot of heat! Totally awesome read.

Reviewed by Molly
Book provided by NetGalley
Originally posted at Romancing the Book

Ms. Showalter has created another wonderful installment to her Original Heartbreakers series. She has, once again, blown me away with her contemporary writing. The romance, the humor, the wit and charm that she adds to these installments is incredible and definitely captivating. Each page turn of this book brought something new and kept me hooked until the last page was turned.

Beck’s character blew me away. He was a player and a hottie and I fell in love with him instantly. The torment of his past made my heart ache for him and my love for him grown stronger. I wanted him to find happiness so bad! When he met Harlow……the sparks flew and my breathing hitched each time they were together!

Harlow’s character took some getting used to. I wasn’t fond of her in this story but I knew Ms. Showalter created her that way for a reason. As I watched her with Beck, I knew that by the end of the story I would fall for her too. And I did.

Ms. Showalter’s talent never ceases to amaze me. She created this story for all her fans to show them that there is more than what meets the eye. This book is one that I will read again and again and I can’t help but give it a 4 in ratings! If you are looking for a story that will take in, wrap you up and keep you hooked for the long haul, then I definitely recommend The Hotter You Burn! You’ll be hot, you’ll be bothered and you’ll fall in love with Beck just like I did! Well done, again, Ms. Showalter!

✦Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: The Hotter You Burn (The Original Heartbreakers) by Gena Showalter http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-2Q7 via
Publication Date: July 28, 2015
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Cori
Rated: 4.5 Stars

REVIEW:
I loved getting swept up in Beck and Harlow's story! <i>The Hotter You Burn</i> was a fun, sexy and emotional love story that is set in a small town. Beck and Harlow both had scars from their past that they had to mend. They seemed to be made for each other though. Beck's playboy ways made me want to shake him a few times but I fell in love with him as I read his story. The chemistry between Harlow and Beck was scorching hot and their interactions were fun. <i>The Hotter You Burn</i> is book 2 in Gena Showalter's Original Heartbreaker series and can be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading the first book too because the characters overlap. I highly recommend this series for contemporary romance lovers. It would make a great summer read. If you're a fan of Gena Showalter's paranormal series I think you will enjoy this contemporary series too. It has the sexy, possessive alpha males and the fun character interactions that Gena Showalter is know for. I can't wait for the next book!

<i>*Review copy provided by Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.</i>

✦Book 1 ➢ The Closer You Come (The Original Heartbreakers) by Gena Showalter
✦Review 5 Stars: http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-2gX

This is the first book I have read by Gena and I will be going to get her other books. I was blown away by this story. This book has just the right balance of romance, humor, small town life, and friendship without be thrown out of whack. Gena has a way of grabbing your attention from the get go and not letting go of with. She also leaves you wanting more.
You have Beck Oakley who is a love them and leave them kind of guy. He have everything that money can buy. But something click when Harlow tries to steal a pie. Harlow has hit rock bottom. She has lost it all. She thought stealing a pie from Beck’s window was ok, till she was caught. She brings out a side of Beck that he never expected and has flipping him upside down. But of course he tries to bury those feeling deep down. He feels unworthy of her. Even though she has lost it all, she still tries to make amends for her wrong doing and still has spunk about her. Things get really nuts when Beck “helps” her find the right guy. They say sometime what you are looking for is standing right in front of you. Will they admit their feelings for each other? Or will Beck loose his future? Will Harlow get her life back together?
I loved this story. The battering back and forth had me rolling at time. The passion was not over the top and it made you just fall in love with these characters more. I cannot wait for more by Gena and I will be getting the other books that have come out so far.

The Hotter You Burn
Gena Showalter
Harlequin HQN, Jul 28 2015, $7.99
ISBN: 9780373779697

In Strawberry Valley, Oklahoma, former teen bully Harlow Glass struggles to survive as she secretly lives in a tent on the ranch her family once owned and as the pariah she has no prospects for obtaining a job. Hungry and expecting no one home; Harlow sneaks into her former house now owned by Beck Ockley and his two foster care brothers (Jase Hollister and Lincoln West) to steal food.

However, Beck catches her inside his house. Although a womanizer who trusts no one except his “siblings”; Beck recognizes a lonely kindred spirit in Harlow. As they begin a tryst, Harlow soon realizes she wants more from this man she loves. However, Beck cannot commit to her or any female even at the same he irrationally fears her leaving him

The latest Original Heartbreakers Sooner romance (see e-novella: The One You Want) is a pleasant contemporary that besides the main plot also updates the readers on what is happening to other key townsfolk. The lead couple’s relationship seems similar to that of Jase and Brook Lynn Dillon (see The Closer You Come), especially Beck’s behavior; while Harlow tries climbing out of a deep crater with or without her beloved giving her an uplifting hand although I wonder why she stays in a “Town Without Pity”.

Harriet Klausner

Once again Gena Showalter has shined in her sequel to the Heartbreakers series making Beck another favorite as well. In Jase`s story we saw a small glimpse of this heartbreaker and though he seems funny and the life of the party there is more to Beck. My heart ached for the little boy he used to be yet rooted for Harlow. Now these two are in a way damaged in the inside to the point they are perfect for one another. One is dealing with the past of trying to be good and rewrite her life while the other is trying to keep the love of his life yet making sure they are happy without him. In a way Beck is hard to explain yet Gena Showalter shows us that this is more than a man who sleeps around. Yes he loves sex what man doesn`t but Beck is also looking for that one love that won`t leave him. Harlow just was wow. This is not your simple heroine for she has pride and won`t take pity at all. Love her attitude especially when things get tough and people even now still hate her she doesn`t back down and cower but fights. Loved it.

NUMBER OF HEARTS: 4
Beck Ockley is the love’em and leave’em type. He has never wanted a relationship and has seemed to be happy with his life. Beck could never imagine how his life was about to change when he finds intruder steals his blueberry pie.
Harlow Glass has been surviving by the skin of her teeth, but the temptation of freshly baked pie is too much to handle. Now she just needs to get into her house and out without anyone seeing her.
Beck, it is so hard to not like him. Even if he is a he-slut. I was rooting for him to pull his head out of his butt and get it together. Of course it can’t be that easy right? Nope. Beck and Harlow have to go round and round and round. They both are stubborn and want the same thing. But neither know how to go about it.
As always Ms. Showalter writes as story that tugs at our heartstrings, because anyone who has been in a relationship can understand where both Beck and Harlow are coming from. I loved every part of Beck and Harlow’s story. But while I love Beck and Harlow, I can’t wait for West’s story!!

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & Harlequin (US & Canada) in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

I absolutely loved this audio book. I have loved the whole series. Harlow is a woman who is so alone. Since her mom died, she has been homeless and jobless. She used to be one of those "mean girls" and now no one will help her or even give her the tiniest of breaks. She's living in a tent on the property of her old house.
Beck has never had anyone, except his two buddies that he's in business with. As far as women are concerned, he's a "one and done" guy. Harlow, however, breaks his hear). He can't stand the way the whole town treats her or how she just takes it. He knows he has to help her. Once he finds out her big secret, he has to convince her that she didn't deserve what happened to her. The only way may be to give her his heart.
The hospital scene absolutely ripped my heart out. The narration by Savannah Richards was incredible. She displayed amazing emotion throughout the book!

Second in the Original Heartbreakers trilogy, Beck Ockley is a he-slut for the ages. He lives by the rule, one and done and has had practically all the single women in Strawberry Valley, Oklahoma. One woman he hasn't had but wants is Harlow Glass, but her exploits in high school as a bully make her the object of continued hatred everywhere she goes--except in the farmhouse where she used to live, but which Beck now owns since the bank foreclosed and kicked Harlow out.

The trouble with Harlow is she is a talented artist and Beck sees that talent and a lot more. But Harlow is one girl who knows her own mind and being another one of Beck's "done" girls isn't one of her goals. How can he help her show the town that she isn't the same girl she was in high school while getting her to change her mind about him? Read and find out. It's an adventure worth pursuing.

Love! Love! Love! After that fantastic introduction to Beck in The Closer You Come I jumped at the chance to dive into the next addition to this wonderful series! The Hotter You Burn did not disappoint!

In this book we are introduced to the mentioned but never seen Harlow Glass, who is Strawberry Valley's former high school bully turned town pariah since her reign left no one unscathed. When she breaks into his home to steal food, he essentially forces her to come work for him to keep the police out of it.

From there, their amazing chemistry sparks off the page. From their first meeting to the last page, these two left me wanting more! Their journey to redemption felt so incredibly honest and real, it really takes you on an emotional roller coaster. I could not recommend this book more, it's got second chances, hot guys with humor, burning attractions and more all in one fantastic book you can't wait to gobble up!

Grab your copy today and get ready to feel your cheeks pink, your heart to race and your romantic heart to swoon as you meet and fall in love with Beck & Harlow.

5 - "Give me forever, or give me nothing." Stars!

It has been a few years since I last read a book by Gena Showalter, and reading The Hotter You Burn bought back all-sorts of good memories for me. In relation to how entertaining this authors writing is, and how enjoyable her satories and characters are.

Being the second book in The Original Heartbreakers series, and having not read the previous books, had absolutely no impact on my enjoyment, and I cannot recommend it highly enough whether you have or haven’t read its predecessors.

Beck Ockley and Harlow Glass were the perfect mix of snark, sass, sexual tension, one-liners, drama and back-story. Both of them are dealing with their own sets of baggage, not to mention the feelings and emotions that they start to provoke in each other the more time they spend together.

"Stay close. I’ll be coming for you."

One thing you pick up on pretty quickly is that Mr. One-and-Done is really not looking to put himself between the folk of Strawberry Valley, Oklahoma and the towns pariah, but Harlow for all her bristle and bluster, brings out a protectiveness in him he has never experienced or felt for a woman before, especially when he realizes that having bought her family home out from under her, with his friends Jase Hollister and Lincoln West, she is essentially penniless, jobless and homeless.

You can’t help but fall in love with this story, Gena has put a little of everything in it, and the recipe is definitely a success. The sexual tension between these two in the first half of the book had me biting my nails and chewing on my bottom lip, when they get down to it, you know it is just the beginning of their ride into the unknown together. One wants everything, the other is used to giving nothing, can they together reach the happy medium of a healthy relationship?

She wanted affection and love, the kind she’d read about in books and seen in movies. The kind where couples fought to stay together, even during the worst of times. The kind that protected. Defended. Cherished.

I certainly won’t be leaving it so long in the future before picking up another book by this wonderful author, The Harder You Fall West and Jessie Kay’s story is due December 2015, but I also have the enviable treat of having the first two books of the series lined up on my Kindle to read very soon too!

"That was…"
"Only the beginning."

ARC generously provided via Rock Star PR, and it was my absolute pleasure to provide the above honest review.

Loved every minute of it, could not put the book down.Would highly recommend this book, series, and all of Gena's other books Don't know how Gena does it, each book is unique and never disappoints. Her books have amazing characters and unique storylines. I've thoroughly enjoyed all of her books for many years and no one writes a better story. Thanks Gena! This book is another winner! G. Lee Carter

I'm so in love with this series, and the next one comes out on my Bday(happy dance) it's like a present! The hotter you burn has it all but what is going to stick with you is the characters. They all have some serious baggage but these love stories show if you brave enough you can have the ultimate pay off - someone to stand at your back ALWAYS, in illness or even zombie apocalypse

I received this free copy from the Author for an honest review.

This is book two in the series. This story is so exciting I had a hard time putting it down. You get drawn in and you just have to know what happens next. I was on the edge of my seat and what happened that lead up to the ending was a major surprise. I can't wait to see what happens next?

I'm really enjoying this series! I was excited to read Beck's story and I wasn't disappointed, I really enjoyed his character although he did tend to frustrate a bit. As for Harlow I really liked her, she may have went down the wrong path early on but I liked that she was trying to make up for her mistakes. No whiny Heronie here!

like when Beck finds things about Harlow amusing it means she's human, "she stood at the door, muttering to herself. “I can do this. I can. I have lady balls, and they’re big. Huge.” He fought a grin. Lady balls?" Beck and Harlow are an amusing couple, Beck all he thinks about is his woman naked, “you’re seriously going with a mom joke right now? You need to get laid, Harlow.” She’d gasped at his crudeness. “But here’s the good news,” he’d added. “I’m willing to help you out.” Sometimes Harlow just knows how to wow her man, "he barked out a laugh. “You’ve named my p**is the Baconator?” I really do enjoy this series and the sexy men in it.

I love Gena Showalter's books and I have read everyone of them. But, am I the only one who preordered this book so I could get Baden's story? I got The Hotter you burn but that was all. Plus I paid $7.99 when I preordered The Hotter You Burn, and on the date it came out, there was a special offer of $6.50, $1.50 less than what I paid. I tried to put this on the author's website, but could not. I am most upset. I will read the book and am sure I will enjoy it, but I've learned my lesson. I will not preorder anything of Gena's again.

Book two focuses on the playboy he-slut, (her phrasing for him) Beck, and Harlow Glass the school yard bully turned homeless girl who has been secretly living off the land the men now own that she lost. This one was so good. Better than book one because unlike book one Beck didn’t sleep with a sister first, he just slept with everyone else but when he sees Harlow stealing his pie from inside his home, he can’t let her get away. So he takes a page out of Jase’s playbook and hires Harlow as a freelance artist for his company. While having her work for him, he sets out to win her and she was hard to win. She knows his reputation and she knows that she can’t be a one-and-done girl on his resume of conquests. But she also can't help and see what others don’t, that he is just as scared as she is, but where her scars are on the outside, his are all internal. I loved it. Loved their story. Loved returning to Strawberry Valley and seeing how Jase and Brook Lynn are doing. These guys are so scarred and it takes a special kind of woman to win them for keeps. Great story.

I believe I have read all her books but this series is so different and wonderful. The characters so alive and typical of the south I grew up knowing it was great to take a trip in time with them . I highly recommend this book and series.

I'm totally In love with this whole series. These guys are panty melting hot and all the girls are just adorable. The boy have issues lol the girls are over the top smart asses and I love it. They so put the big guys in there place and when the bad boy gets the girl it just makes for a great story. I'm a paranormal girl all the way, but these books rocked

I absolutely loved this audio book. I have loved the whole series. Harlow is a woman who is so alone. Since her mom died, she has been homeless and jobless. She used to be one of those "mean girls" and now no one will help her or even give her the tiniest of breaks. She's living in a tent on the property of her old house.
Beck has never had anyone, except his two buddies that he's in business with. As far as women are concerned, he's a "one and done" guy. Harlow, however, breaks his hear). He can't stand the way the whole town treats her or how she just takes it. He knows he has to help her. Once he finds out her big secret, he has to convince her that she didn't deserve what happened to her. The only way may be to give her his heart.
The hospital scene absolutely ripped my heart out. The narration by Savannah Richards was incredible. She displayed amazing emotion throughout the book!

The Hotter You Burn is the second book in the Original Heartbreakers series and once again we are transported back to the town of Strawberry Valley, Oklahoma were we see Beck Ockley finally meet the women that will change is life forever. Harlow Glass the one woman that can change Beck if she is willing to try. I absolutely loved this book and getting to see Beck and Harlow find their way. My emotions were all over the place I just felt so much for these characters and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

Ms glass was a bully as a teenaager until her jr year when something horrible happened. Unable to get a job after her mother died she lost ebeeything including the house. When beck bought the house he was intrigued about ms glass from the pictures he found. Both afraid to let the other in they have a long road but after a life and death incident everything came to heart, but is it too late?