Rowena’s review of Burning Up by Susan Andersen.
Hero: Gabe Donovan
Heroine: Macy O’James
Though it’s been years since the infamous Macy O’James stepped foot in Sugarville, Washington, where everyone remembers what she supposedly did. The tiny town is still buzzing about her crime and lack of punishment.
Now back to lend her family a hand, Macy vows to hold her head high—especially at her high school reunion. But forget about the hottest man in Sugarville escorting her. Though she and fire chief Gabriel Donovan generate enough sparks to burn down the town, he’s a law-abiding, line-toeing straight arrow. So not her type.But maybe—just maybe—he can change her mind about that.
Believe it or not, this book is the very first book by Susan Andersen that I’ve ever read. I’ve heard it all from Holly about how I need to hurry up and read her, especially since I’m such a huge contemporary romance fan and yet I’ve never read her…until now.
This book follows Macy O’James as she returns to the small town that she called home when she was in high school. The small town was never friendly to her because of those small town rumors that spread like wildfire about her (all of which weren’t true of course) and as soon as she could, she split that small town and went on to make a name for herself in the music video industry. Now, she hobnobs with celebrities and the biggest rock and roll celebrity, Jack Savage is her best friend.
Take that you villains of Sugarville.
Her cousin was in a serious accident and needs help with everyday little things and Macy comes back to fill in for Janna (the cousin) while she gets better. She takes care of her young nephew, Ty and she helps Janna to her appointments and just handles things while Janna’s out of commission. For some reason, when she comes back to town, she feels the need to dress up in different costumes to rub how different she is in everyone’s mouth. Everyone thinks she’s a slut so she dresses like one and parades around town in her costumes which to her is like the proverbial flip off. After a while, it started to get on my nerves, the same way that it got on Gabe’s nerves.
While she’s back in town, she meets the new town fire chief, Gabriel Donovan. He makes all of her lady parts beep and she can’t do anything about that because her new friend Grace is dating him and she doesn’t poach on another woman’s man. But man is she attracted to him. The same can be said for him since he’s so grouchy every time she’s around. The sparks fly all around the room when they’re together.
Getting to know both Macy and Gabe was cute. The way that they went at each other using their words every time they were together had me smiling all through out this book. When I wasn’t smiling, I was rolling my eyes down the street because sometimes it got a bit out of hand like in the beginning, Gabe’s instant assumptions about Macy annoyed me somewhat but I got over that when he got over himself. Macy’s constant dressing up to show the town up got on my nerves too because I just wanted her to let that crap go. She kept letting them win, every time she donned a wig and too tight costume.
The nasty little bitties in this book, Liz and Drew…yeah, they were totally not even worth her time but even as I knew this, I was glad that Macy put Liz in her place each and every time. I’m glad she wasn’t this meek little girl that just took the insults because it showed that Macy was strong.
My favorite part of the book were the secondary characters. I enjoyed getting to know Janna and wonder if she’s going to get her own book. I hope so, or what about Johnny? I loved him. I want to see him get a happy ending too. Then there was Charlie and Ty, two adorable additions and I can’t forget Auntie Lenore and Uncle Bud. They were great and reminded me of my own Aunts and Uncles that I love.
The secondary love story between Jack and Grace was cute too although I wanted more from them. I wish they got a little more page time because I enjoyed getting to know them and I enjoyed watching Jack teach Grace how to let her hair down. Jack’s accent was to die for and his sayings, his dirty mouth had my mouth watering a time or two. I adore accents!
Overall, this book was cute. It was a good, fun way to spend a few hours of me time and I’m glad that I finally read a Susan Andersen. I’ll definitely be reading more from her, that’s for sure.
Grade: 3.5 out of 5
This book is available from HQN. You can buy it here.
My review is very much in agreement with yours. I liked the spunkiness of Macy and liked how she didn’t take guff from anyone. Gabe too was likable, although his honesty could be a bit brutal at times.
The best part of the story though was definitely Grace and Jack. His accent was droolicious and I wish a whole book would’ve been devoted to them and their opposites attract storyline.