Review: Super Steamy While Dealing Believably With Issues of Grief & Moving On
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 21, 2013
In Flames by Jessica Jayne not only puts its characters through the wringer, but its readers too, as this angst-ridden story presents two people brought together in mutual grief and the fallout of their love that is frowned upon by some.  Along with intense emotional issues comes lots of steamy sexual encounters, almost too many at times, that left me fanning myself as each page was turned.  With lots of roadblocks along the way, it was both a relief and an applaud-worthy ending that readers are ultimately rewarded with.It's the one year anniversary of her husband's death and Gracelyn is ready to move on and return to the land of the living.  And move on she does with her super sexy brother-in-law whose life has been full of grief too.  It's two damaged souls that come together in a moment of passion that leaves them both conflicted but totally obsessed with each other.  For one moment Gracelyn thinks their being together is a bad idea, but after realizing how freeing being with Matt is and how desirable he makes her feel she's ready to fight to keep them together. Upon his death Gracelyn and her husband were separated due to his numerous infidelities, which the author reminds us of VERY often, so she hasn't felt like a woman in a long time.  Her newfound feelings are incredibly empowering and it's an increasingly stronger and outspoken Gracelyn that emerges once she and Matt connect.  It takes a lot of tears and an argument or two before they're both willing to fight for their happiness and I could've cheered when that moment arrived.Matt saw his brother die and could do nothing to stop it.  For a long time he wished it had been him who died as his brother was always the family's Golden Boy while Matt was the screw-up.  His own marriage had just ended and the combined events led him to drinking and numerous one night stands.  Lots of therapy, and spending time helping and talking to Gracelyn, got him through the pain and it's a more mature Matt that has evolved.  Being with Gracelyn and her kids has made him into someone you can rely on.  It's also made him realize how much he cares for and admires her, along with finding her incredibly attractive.  He's been fighting his feelings for a long time, but that fateful anniversary night has him demonstrating his feelings very clearly.  Guilt again rears its ugly head as Matt worries how others will perceive their relationship and the possible hurts it might cause his family and the kids involved.  Through a huge chunk of the story he lets his fears win as he pushes her away.  Jealousy forces him to act and damn the consequences as the remainder of the story deals with the fallout in a realistic way.There's an intriguing mix of secondary characters that are greatly affected by this new relationship.  Matt's mother is still grief-stricken and is the biggest opponent as she still can't fully accept her son's death and Gracelyn being anything other than Chad's wife.  She sees this act as the ultimate betrayal based on blatant religious beliefs. Matt's ex is a shrew and her purpose in the story appears to be making him miserable as she's still obsessed with him.  She lives up to all the stereotypes of an ex by verbally lashing out and I found her thoroughly annoying.  While Gracelyn's kids easily accept their being together, it's Matt's son that's grief-stricken in a scene that's very believable and brings a tear to your eye.Through it all Ms. Jayne has created a story that realistically deals with grief and the process of moving on.  The relationship between Matt and Gracelyn has evolved believably over time and isn't something they enter into lightly.  The author nicely balances intense emotions alongside numerous steamy sexual interludes in a heartwrenching story full of roadblocks that ultimately culminates in a satisfying conclusion.