Also by this author: Falling Away, Misconduct, Corrupt, Next To Never (Fall Away #4.5)
Series: Fall Away #4
Also in this series: Falling Away
Published by Penguin on April 21st 2015
Genres: Romance
Pages: 166
Format: eARC
Goodreads
From the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Bully, Until You, Rival, and Falling Away comes the sizzling conclusion to the Fall Away series. The tables have turned. Now I have the power—and it’s his turn to beg… Everyone wants to be me. Maybe it’s the sway of my skirt or the way I flip my hair, but I don’t care. Even though their attention is the last thing I crave, I just can’t stop. I dominate the track, the speed rattles my bones, and the wind and the crowd screams my name. I’m her. The girl driver. The queen of the race. And I’m surviving—something he thought I’d never do. They all talk about him. Did you see Jared Trent on T.V? What did you think of his last race, Tate? When is he coming back to town, Tate? But I refuse to care too much. Because when Jared does come home, I won’t be here. Tatum Brandt is gone. I’m someone new.
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Maria & Yesi’s Thoughts
“Everything flooded back. Every breath, every kiss, every smile, every tear, everything about her was mine.” ~ Jared
Aflame by Penelope Douglas is quite possibly one of the most highly anticipated books this year. It’s release causing controversy and debate among die hard fans of the Falling Away series. We were waiting with baited breath for the ARC release to read about the fate of Jared and Tate after that torturous teaser in Falling Away. We had speculated, predicted, feared, and wondered what author Penelope Douglas had in store for us. We were not disappointed. Ms. Douglas spun a perfect tale with just the right amount of angst, emotion, sarcasm, humor and steam.
“I’d give almost anything to make her feel me again.” ~ Jared
Maria: Ok, I loved everything about this book. It had everything I love in a story.
Yesi: True words! The anticipation was off the charts for this book! The wait was excruciatingly painful but so worth it. I have to say that it exceeded my expectations.
Maria: I loved how the author stayed true to the characters. Without giving anything away, loved Jared and how his character grew yet remained steadfast with his love. Confirming to himself what he already knew, that Tate was his missing piece and he was worthy of her love.
Yesi: Definitely no spoilers here. Completely agree about Jared. He grew, matured, and the choices he made in his time apart from Tate and after he came back, reflected those of a man knowing exactly what he wanted and how he would achieve it. He truly became the man we knew he could be from the very beginning. If I LOVED him in Until You, Aflame brought that love full circle. Penelope Douglas did a fantastic job with the development of his character!!
Maria: I completely agree. He always had it in him. He just needed to believe in himself. He was floundering. I have to say as much as people were incensed that the author was breaking them up, it made perfect sense. Thus, making their journey that much more real and true. Love is never easy and clean. It’s messy and hard, but worth fighting for, as Jared proves. I think Tate’s character was also developed very well. I liked her response to the situation she was in, even when she made me crazy!
Yesi: Absolutely! I was one of those doubters in the beginning, and I certainly speculated the hell out of what might happen, but truly, it worked perfectly. They both needed to mature. live life apart, and come together if they were meant to be.
Yesi: The preview at the end of Falling Away crushed me, but Aflame mended it and then some. I think after our chats before getting the ARC, we concluded it might be Tate that pissed us off. But her character was well developed. Her reluctance was going to come forth. Penelope Douglas did an excellent job not dragging it out.
Maria: Yes, I agree 110%!! I remember we wondered and feared, he’d be a manwhore! And she did piss you off, LOL That preview was evil of Penelope but we had to trust her. She knew what we didn’t.
“You liked my conversational skills when we were alone well enough, ” I pointed out, continuing as I enunciated every word. “In the car, on top of the car, in my shower, in your bed, “- I got in her face growling- “on nearly ever floor of every room in your house, you loved my conversational skills.” ~ Jared
Maria: Another thing I loved is how the author kept the secondary characters an integral part of the story, because that was real. They were so close, and, invested in Tate and Jared’s relationship, it would seem odd if they weren’t in it, especially since it took place back home.
Yesi: Yes, they played an important role throughout the entire book and honestly, I don’t think I would have enjoyed it as much if they hadn’t been a big part of the story. Their lives have all been intermixed since the beginning, so it was only fitting that they all be a part of the end. Everyone contributed to a phenomenal story.
Maria: Exactly!! Especially since this is the final installment. The writing was fantastic!! It flowed effortlessly. The dialogue was awesome, funny, sarcastic and emotional. It made the story come alive. Amazing job by the author.
Yesi: The book was very well paced. And I ate up every word!
Maria: Epic ending to a fantastic story. Loved it. It answered all my questions, with the possibilities for the story to continue in the future, yet ending in a way that it’s fine if it doesn’t. Definitely one of my favorite series!!
Yesi: Epic conclusion to a modern day love story. The unlikely hero, the bully, became the man that we couldn’t help but love. This is one of my all time favorite series of books and I am saddened that it is over. However, my heart is content.
“Tate, you don’t know what you do to me. You drive me out of my mind. Your words, your laughter, your tears, your eyes…everything about you owns me.” ~ Jared
Series Reading Order: Bully | Until You | Rival | Falling Away | Aflame
Love this series, reading Aflame now!! 🙂
Great review. I can’t wait to read this. I have loved the rest of the series. So sad for it to end.
So love this!!!! Thank you!