ARC Review: Hope Burns by Jaci Burton- Hope Series- Book 3

Hope Burns

Hope Series- Book 3

By Jaci Burton

Synopsis

Molly Burnett dreads returning to her hometown of Hope for her sister’s wedding, especially knowing she’ll have to endure a weekend with the one man she never wants to see again. It’s only a couple of days, so Molly will try to forget her painful past with high school sweetheart Carter Richards. Because despite the bitter memories, she still can’t forget what they once meant to each other.

But when Molly is forced to extend her stay, Carter sees this as his second chance to do things right, to start over again with the only woman he’s ever loved. This time, he isn’t going to let Molly run. Together they’re going to confront the past and put it behind them, and hope for a future as bright as the flame that still burns hot between them.

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Michel’s Review

Arc provided by publisher, via Netgalley, for a fair and honest review.

Hope Burns by Jaci Burton is the third book in the Hope series. It is a steamy second chance romance.

Molly Carter and Carter Richards were high school sweethearts. A secret unwanted pregnancy and miscarriage tore them apart. Molly was devastated by the loss of the baby and Carter’s reactions. She swore she would never give anyone that kind of power to hurt her again, especially Carter Richards.

She left home at eighteen and didn’t look back. She vowed to never return home. When she is forced to return for her sister’s wedding she has to confront her past. Namely, Carter Richards. What should have been a quick in and out turns into a lengthy stay due to her mother falling off a ladder. Now she will have to deal with the past and decide if she can move forward in a positive way with Carter to experience the love of a lifetime or move on like she always has.

I have to admit that I struggled with this book. I had a very hard time connecting with the leading female character, Molly Burnett. Her personality was downright annoying. On one hand she appears to be smart and extremely motivated. Her career choice proves that she is one to think outside of the box, has the ability to correct damaging mistakes and finds a way to make a success from the past mistakes. Her job of straightening out companies proves that point. Although she is one to move on from job to job, it’s obvious that she is running from herself. She questioned Carter’s motives constantly. She refused to put trust in him. She grossly misjudged his feelings and reactions to their hurtful past. She held that against him. She was indecisive and very selfish in my opinion. She appeared very immature for a thirty year old woman. It was like she got stuck in her eighteen year old mentality. What I found so contradicting was her professional success and her personality in general. I hated her wishy washy attitude and actions towards Carter.

I absolutely loved Carter Richards and found his character to be the kind of leading man I want to read in a book. He was an awesome guy that recognized his feelings, ambitions, and past mistakes. He made his life a success. He proved his love for Molly over and over. Never once did I question his emotions. He should of never had to reach the point of groveling. That should have been Molly’s position.

The cast of secondary characters leant a huge supporting role in this story. They gave the book a touch of realism and the small town flavor readers love.

Jaci Burton gave the readers the one thing she is known for in the romance genre. Sizzling hot chemistry and sex scenes.

Overall Hope Burns was a good small town and second chance romance.

Author Bio:

Jaci Burton is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling, award-winning author of over 60 books. She lives in Oklahoma and when she isn’t on deadline, she can usually be found trying to convince her husband to remodel some room or another in their house (she blames HGTV for this). She loves gardening, sports, casinos and getting lost in a great book. She’s a total romantic and longs for the happily ever after in every story, which you’ll find in all her books.