Review of Hope Flames (Hope #1) by Jaci Burton

Hope Flames is the first book in the Hope series.

Emma Burnett is back in her hometown to set up a new veterinary practice. After a very bad relationship many years earlier, she wants nothing to do with men.

Luke McCormack is a local police officer in Hope, Oklahoma. When his partner and faithful friend gets a twisted leg while chasing a suspect, Luke takes him right over to the new vet. Despite his immediate attraction to the doctor, he is determined that nothing can come of it because he doesn't do relationships. He learned that lesson long ago.

When attraction turns to budding romance, both are determined that it is not a relationship. But as a string of robberies threatens Emma's safety, she finds comfort in Luke. He finds solace in being needed.

But it's not a relationship.

I enjoyed this sweet romance that showed two people learning to love again after horrible past relationships. Discovering something is missing when you're trying to ignore the hole is painful, but filling that hole feels so good.

The sex scenes were not too graphic. While I do like the graphic descriptions, I really enjoyed the sweeter, gentler take. There was zero kink, and most of the sex scenes were tender.

The characters weren't developed enough for my tastes. I wanted a little more detail into their thought processes about each other and the world around them. I also found the descriptions lacking. I had no idea what Hope looked like or really any of the locations other than assigning a name to them. It's hard for me to get involved in a book if I don't know where I am.

The plot was fairly simple, but I liked it. The Chekov's Gun was very predictable though. When this type of element is thrown into a story, it's required that it plays out similarly to the way it did. The "surprise" element that wasn't at all surprising made me feel like the tiny bit of outside tension that strung through the novel didn't even belong there. The book would have been just fine without it, and the author could instead take the Chekov's Gun and make it into a building tension that goes off at the end.

This sweet romance was a lovely stroll through the town of Hope, and I enjoyed it. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!

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