Fury on Fire
5 Stars

Two years following his parole from Devil's Rock, North Callaghan works hard and plays just as hard with any available woman. Unfortunately, his new next-door neighbor, Faith Walters, is not the type for a meaningless one-night stand, so why can't he get her out of his head? Faith has no patience for her rude and inconsiderate neighbor, even if he is the sexiest man she has ever seen. So why does she keep thinking about him? North and Faith are on a collision course, and the crash is going to be spectacular.

Series note: There are numerous references to characters and events, most especially North's backstory, from the previous books. As such, the series should be read in order.

This series is improving with each installment. Similar to the first two books, this is a straightforward contemporary romance despite the hero's stint in prison. While there are hints at a potential suspense plot revolving around Faith's job as a social worker, it never really gets off the ground, which is unfortunate. Nevertheless, the story works well with its focus on the opposites attract trope.

It is impossible not to sympathize with North's struggles in returning to life after his experiences in prison. Although some readers may be put off by his womanizing, his actions are understandable and contribute to the realistic portrayal of his guilt and self-reproach. Thankfully, there are also very few details in this regard, and there is no cheating once he meets Faith.

Faith is a sweet heroine. She has the potential to become a Mary Sue, but it soon becomes clear that she is no fair damsel swooning at the hunky hero's feet. She has no problem standing up to North and putting him in his place when it is warranted.

Overall, North and Faith have excellent chemistry and their snarky banter is fun and engaging. The next book revolves around Faith's brother, the local Sheriff, and the sister of North's cellmate. These two totally get off on the wrong foot, so it will be interesting to see how Jordan develops their story. ( )

There wasn't anything so bad about this book but there wasn't anything so great either I guess. I got to the end and sort of wondered how so little could happen on so many pages. 354 pages and I barely felt I knew either of them. The story seemed all over the place. At first I thought the author was going for amusing what with all the headboard banging through the shared wall but that never really panned out. There was a modicum of easily resolved danger that I saw coming from a mile away. There was some peripheral family involvement on both sides. Some texting, some brooding, some misunderstandings but nothing really clicked. They didn't really spend much time actually in each others presence getting to know each other. All in all, something was just missing for me. ( )

Of the three books in the Devil's Rock series, Fury on Fire is the best. North Callahan has been out of Devil's Rock prison for two years and now has a house and job. Faith Walters moves in next door and disrupts his world. Faith has lived with her dad since she finished grad school, but now she wants to be on her own, so she buys a house and moves in. Faith wants to be nice to her new neighbor and get to know him, but everything she tries is met with his rude attitude toward her and her complaints, especially those nights when his headboard is banging into the shared wall of their duplex. More than angry, she finds herself turned on and wondering what it would be like to be the one who is in bed with North.
This story did a good job of showing the insecurities and baggage carried by each character as well as developing their growing attraction and relationship. Overall a well written and satisfying story. ( )