Title: Scorched (Frigid #2)

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Pub. Date: June 16, 2015

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sometimes life leaves a mark.

Most days, Andrea doesn’t know whether she wants to kiss Tanner or punch him in the gut. He is seriously hot, with legit bedroom eyes and that firefighter body of his, but he’s a major player, and they can’t get along for more than a handful of minutes. Until now.

Tanner knows he and Andrea have had an epic love/hate relationship for as long as he can remember, but he wants more love than hate from her. He wants her. Now. Tomorrow. But the more he gets to know her, the more it becomes obvious that Andrea has a problem. She’s teetering on the edge, and every time he tries to catch her, she slips through his fingers.

Andrea’s life is spiraling out of control, and it doesn’t matter that Tanner wants to save her, because when everything falls apart and she’s speeding toward rock bottom, only she can save herself.

Sometimes life makes you work for that happily ever after…

This will be a mini spoiler free review.

Why is Jen so good at writing such flawed and wonderful guys? Sure, maybe they start off as assholes, or put on a front to hide their real feelings, but damn, she makes you care for them. She also makes you wish they existed in real life.

Maybe they do.

But I’ll blame Jen for my high expectations.

It’s been five years since I last read this book, and I didn’t remember most of what happened. If you wait long enough to reread a book, it’s like reading it for the first time all over again. It’s great.

I’ve already established that I loved Tanner – he’s not perfect and makes some terrible mistakes. But he owns up to them. He doesn’t just sit in his wrongness and pout; he acts like an adult and apologizes.

I also like Andrea. She’s struggling, keeping it all hidden behind smiles, sharp witty barbs towards Tanner and the air that nothing is wrong. Even though it the furthest thing from the truth.

Whereas the first book in this series is a bit more lighthearted, despite the events that take place, this one has more of a real world feel. Almost like the stakes are higher and the characters have further to fall.

If you’re looking for a quick steamy read where the characters cope with the cards, they’ve been dealt in whatever way they can – alcohol, sleep meds, a veneer of sharp barbs and bickering, and anger. Where the characters have to learn how to navigate a world that throws obstacles at them constantly and where you can find your soul mate even when you’re struggling – you’re going to want to check this book out. I doubt you’ll be disappointed.