5.0 (1 rating)
Open Fire The Flames of Betrayal
Cora thought returning to Pine Brook Hill, Colorado, would be her chance to rebuild—not just her grandmother’s beloved bridal boutique, but her sense of purpose. Fresh out of college and grieving the only family she ever knew, she throws herself into reviving Boughton Bridal, determined to make her Gram’s legacy thrive. But the shadows of Cora’s past linger, and her small-town home holds secrets that refuse to stay buried.
Then she meets Declan Atler, the town’s most eligible and magnetic bachelor. A confident and accomplished surgeon, Declan sweeps Cora off her feet with his charm and devotion, offering her stability she’s longed for since her life unraveled. Falling for him feels easy too easy. Cora’s grief fades as Declan’s world becomes hers, and together, they plan a future that seems flawless.
But just as Cora starts to believe she’s found her happily-ever-after, disaster strikes. A devastating fire reduces her boutique and her dreams to ashes. Desperate for a sense of safety, Cora agrees to move in with Declan and fast-track their wedding. Yet behind the walls of Declan’s luxurious home, cracks begin to show. What starts as a fairy tale quickly spirals into a maze of unrelenting control, unsettling secrets, and a love that feels more like a cage.
As Cora uncovers the truth about her past and the life she thought she wanted, she must decide if she has the strength to walk away or if she’ll lose herself completely in the flames.
Then she meets Declan Atler, the town’s most eligible and magnetic bachelor. A confident and accomplished surgeon, Declan sweeps Cora off her feet with his charm and devotion, offering her stability she’s longed for since her life unraveled. Falling for him feels easy too easy. Cora’s grief fades as Declan’s world becomes hers, and together, they plan a future that seems flawless.
But just as Cora starts to believe she’s found her happily-ever-after, disaster strikes. A devastating fire reduces her boutique and her dreams to ashes. Desperate for a sense of safety, Cora agrees to move in with Declan and fast-track their wedding. Yet behind the walls of Declan’s luxurious home, cracks begin to show. What starts as a fairy tale quickly spirals into a maze of unrelenting control, unsettling secrets, and a love that feels more like a cage.
As Cora uncovers the truth about her past and the life she thought she wanted, she must decide if she has the strength to walk away or if she’ll lose herself completely in the flames.
Published: February 11, 2025
Pages: 373
ISBN: 9781966924326
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Available in: Paperback, Hardcover
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5.0
1 rating
Tracy H.
Aug 15, 2026
I picked up Open Fire, expecting it to be my first dive into a romance story (if you know me, you know I DO NOT read romance) with a little thrill built in. What I got was a slow-unraveling psychological thriller in disguise, with a protagonist I couldn’t help but root for (even when I wanted to shake her)! Needless to say, it was a very pleasant surprise!
Cora is raw and real—grieving, hopeful, and walking straight into a dream that turns into something much darker. This slow burn becomes a full-blown emotional inferno.
The setup feels cozy at first, with just the right dose of romance… until things take a dark, jaw-clenching turn. The cracks begin to show fast, and what follows is an eerie, escalating sense of dread that had me flipping pages with a pit in my stomach. Curry nailed the shift from comforting to claustrophobic—it sneaks up on you like smoke before the blaze.
The storyline itself is a standout. I was hooked from the start and found myself genuinely invested in Cora’s journey, and Declan was unsettling in all the right ways, creating a chilling tension that kept the pages turning. It’s one of those stories where you’re screaming “run” while simultaneously needing to know what happens next.
It's gripping, emotionally layered, and the twisty undertone is something I didn't see coming. Chrissy Curry is absolutely one to watch, and I’ll be reading the second book in this series very soon. Because Cora? She still has fire left in her. And I need to see it blaze.
Cora is raw and real—grieving, hopeful, and walking straight into a dream that turns into something much darker. This slow burn becomes a full-blown emotional inferno.
The setup feels cozy at first, with just the right dose of romance… until things take a dark, jaw-clenching turn. The cracks begin to show fast, and what follows is an eerie, escalating sense of dread that had me flipping pages with a pit in my stomach. Curry nailed the shift from comforting to claustrophobic—it sneaks up on you like smoke before the blaze.
The storyline itself is a standout. I was hooked from the start and found myself genuinely invested in Cora’s journey, and Declan was unsettling in all the right ways, creating a chilling tension that kept the pages turning. It’s one of those stories where you’re screaming “run” while simultaneously needing to know what happens next.
It's gripping, emotionally layered, and the twisty undertone is something I didn't see coming. Chrissy Curry is absolutely one to watch, and I’ll be reading the second book in this series very soon. Because Cora? She still has fire left in her. And I need to see it blaze.