Wow. I received an ARC of Burning for You from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an honest review. I would like to thank them for the gift. Michele Dunaway wrote a story of two damaged people trying to escape their hurts in totally different ways. Taylor managed to escape an unhealthy and dangerous relationship, but is now afraid to trust-especially men. Now she buries herself in work, hiding from the pain of the past and any future hurts. Joe hides himself behind his job as a fireman which he finds both dangerous and rewarding and a revolving door of women. He does have a cause that is close to his heart which brings him into contact with Taylor. Helping support burn victims and he needs photographer Taylor's help on a project he is working on. I found this book to be an emotionally rewarding experience, I laughed and cried. ( )

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Taylor has been struggling to make ends meet with her waitressing job, trying to make it as a full time photography business, and finishing up grad school. Getting a job taking pictures of local hunks for a charity calendar not only is going to help her make rent this month but when Mr. September steps up in his fireman gear, it fuels her fantasies. Mr. September turns out to be Joe and he wants to hire Taylor to take his family photos and while Taylor can sense it isn't a completely altruistic move, she accepts. Joe is attracted to the pretty photographer and when they have a serendipitous second meet up, he witnesses a sensitivity in her that would be perfect for a side project he has in the works. Joe and Taylor both have a jam packed life and some baggage but both also can't quite let go of the other.

Coming in at a little more than your average novella, this was a quick lighter read. The issues that our leads deal with, Joe's guilt and shame about his scars and Taylor's stalker boyfriend are heavy topics but there was decidedly a lack of substance to this story to make the reader feel their heft. The characters flickered from one issue to the next, Taylor takes pro bono pictures for parents of stillborn babies, Joe's in this big boxing tournament, Taylor is trying to get her professor to accept her finally project, Joe working on getting a picture book of burn victims published, and Taylor is being bothered by her stalker boyfriend again. Add in Taylor and Joe trying to form a relationship and there ends up being too much and not enough as the emotional aspect got left out more than once.

Taylor and Joe both veered into too good to be true territory with their actions throughout the book which made them less interesting and pretty one dimensional. Together they lacked a spark and excitement that usually draws me in; their interactions were ok if not a little rushed. Ninety percent of their romantic interludes are clean, where we get the, albeit "tiny", orgasm from just kissing but then a switching of gears towards the end of the story where the door to the bedroom gets cracked open. It didn't completely feel like a smooth transition as the tone already had me locked in for a more subdued story.

Secondary characters play a stronger part in this story as they push our leads together and while some were nice additions, others made moves that were annoying in their obvious attempt to push angst onto our couple. Taylor's mom gives information to her daughter's stalker ex-boyfriend and doesn't tell her, Taylor's friend contacts Joe regarding an issue she doesn't have the full details about, and Joe's sister shares personal information about him to Taylor. Each character claims they are doing the right thing, even if our leads wouldn't agree and I had a couple "with friends like these I wouldn't needn't enemies" moments. This brings me to an action and decision Taylor did towards the end of the book that I thought was a complete breach of Joe's trust and was smoothed over way too quickly. If my heroine and hero don't respect each other's feelings or thoughts, it pretty much kills the romance for me.

The cover and blurb for this book had me thinking it would be a sexy fun romp but it was more of a bland, at times felt forced, and cleaner (there are two bedroom scenes at the end) story. If you don't mind the issues I listed and want a non-taxing quick read about a fireman, then checking out if this author's style is for you could be an option.
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Struggling young professional photographer Taylor Krebs landed the good deal of taking the photographs for St. Louis' "Sexy Public Servants" charity fundraiser calendar. At the photo shoot, she meets Joe Marino, firefighter and Mr. September. Of course sparks fly.

And of course they both have issues, and are not looking for a romantic interest. But this wouldn't be a romance novel if they could easily avoid each other. Joe has a pro bono project near and dear to his heart: a book showcasing burn victims recovered and thriving despite their scars. He can sweeten the deal because his mother wants pictures, including a full family portrait, of their entire, large, extended Italian-American family--paid work.

And Taylor is also pursuing her master's degree, and needs a photo project. The burn survivors project has real promise.

Taylor and Joe are both likable and interesting, Their issues are real and believable. Their friends and families have a textured, lived-in feel to them.

And I can't say much without spoilers, but one of the mothers commits what I think is a real betrayal, but this opinion is apparently not shared by anyone in the book. Maybe I just have trust issues.

Despite that, this is an enjoyable book, well worth a few hours of your time.

Recommended.

I received a free electronic galley of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. ( )