Flame cover art

Flame

Carmichael Family Series, Book 5

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Flame

By: Adriana Locke
Narrated by: CJ Bloom, Teddy Hamilton
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About this listen

RSVP to my Marriage of Convenience

I swore I would only get married if my life depended on it. Oh, the irony.

Many things have happened over the past few weeks that I didn’t see coming. My family imploded. Our business was turned upside down. And someone threatened to harm me if I didn’t make good on my father’s promises.

But the biggest thing I didn’t see coming?

Foxx Carmichael demanding marriage.

He’s doing it out of loyalty to my brother. I know that. But I can’t help but think if, through that deliciously hot, grumpy exterior, my bodyguard doesn’t have ulterior motives.

There’s no denying the fire in his touch or the heat in his blue eyes. He protects me with a ferocity that leaves me breathless. He makes me rethink many things I thought I knew for sure—like my position on marriage.

But how we dance around our fake relationship makes me wonder what part of this is pretend. None of it matters if he doesn’t admit he feels the same way.

Our sham wedding will fall apart as soon as the threat is contained. But what happens if the flames between us burn everything to the ground first?

©2023 Adriana Locke (P)2023 Adriana Locke Contemporary Contemporary Romance Fiction Genre Fiction Romance Fake Relationship Feel-Good

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All stars
Most relevant  

Listener received this title free

I’ve only read a handful of books by this author and just like those, I LOVED it. Adriana’s ability to write a love story and completely consume me from the very beginning til the very end is like no other.
She’s incredibly talented and I know I need to pick up more of her books.


Foxx was Bianca’s security for 3 years but 6 months ago, he suddenly left. He had to take a step away because he was in love with her and they nearly overstepped the line they shouldn’t, so Foxx had no other choice than to leave before something happened between the two of them.

Fast forward 6 months later and their paths cross again and Foxx ends up stepping in to protect her again, the only thing is that this time, it means he agrees to marry her but Bianca wants this marriage to be the real deal.

Foxx is a Mr. Grumpy, but you can see behind that he’s in love with Bianca still and will go to great lengths to keep her safe. Bianca is sassy, strong, witty, and definitely gives Foxx a run for his money.

These two together and the push and pull, the connection, sexual tension and chemistry is intense, to say the least. It’s addictive to read. It was such a sweet, funny, swoon-worthy and heartfelt read. One that I will be revisiting in the future. I was completely consumed from the very beginning. The storyline was so easy to get lost in. I laughed and swooned all the way through.


MUST READ!

5 STARS!!

Amazing!

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Listener received this title free

📖: 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
🎧: 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
🥵: 🌶️🌶️/5

Flame is the 5th book in the Carmichael Family Series. It can be read as a standalone (I did!) but there are appearances from the rest of the family, and you'd probably get more out of these cameos if you'd read the others.

The story follows Foxx, the grumpy eldest Carmichael sibling, and Bianca, the new president of her family's conglomerate. The two were close for years when Foxx worked as her lead bodyguard, until he suddenly requested a transfer 6 months before the book starts.

There is so much tension and chemistry between Bianca and Foxx, and I loved it!! From literally the first pages, where she manages to draw a smile out of him with only her presence, this grump is melting for his girl!!

I loved the Carmichael family dynamic, with the groupchats and living in each other's pockets (although my MIL buying houses on the same street so we could all live there would be a 🚩). I am definitely going to go back and read the rest of the books, as I need to hear the story of Jess' chickens!

I felt the pacing was a little off in this story, especially as we know this is a marriage of convenience book, but they don't get married until lile 75%. I really enjoyed the ending, as suspense is my preferred drama over pure angst and a 3rd act breakup!

The narration was performed by CJ Bloom and Teddy Hamilton. Both were brilliant as usual in this dual POV, with a variety of characters voiced well.

Will definitely be reading more by Adrianna Locke!

Grumpy Bodyguard Romance

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Listener received this title free

Oh, those Carmichael men. I can't decide who I love the most. Each book gives me a new favorite and Foxx is no exception. Grumpy, over protective, romantic, you name it this man has it. But when he left the security team for Bianca, he had no intention of ever seeing her again. That is until Banks sets him up to be in a charity bachelor auction. Surprised to have to be on the block, when Bianca comes in and buys him for a date. Leaving her team was unexpected, and she had some feelings she wanted to sort through with him. Surprised is the saying it mildly when Foxx sees her, but his relationship with her brother Jason keeps him in line. Now things are coming to a head, and when she is in need of help, a marriage of convenience between the two may just lead to where they should have been in the first place. But things never are that easy, right? Foxx is quite the man. I love his grumpiness, after all he is a Carmichael, each with their own personality and this one just fits him. But there is a warmth in him like his brothers, and bringing her to his house and the chickens in the yard had me won over in an instant. Bianca is a workaholic. Always helping others, she tends to neglect herself and now Foxx is showing her just how important she is. I loved their story, the way it started, the fun that Banks brings in, the connection with Foxx's parents and even the danger that was lurking! It's a great listen, and I had a blast as it came alive in my ears.

Teddy Hamilton and CJ Bloom are an incredible team and pairing them for this book is pure genius. Hamilton plays the over protective male to a "T" and I love his inflections with each passing emotion. Bloom is amazing as she creates Bianca. Smart, intuitive, yet blind at times, and full of love, Bianca is finding her way and Bloom helps her with creative voicing. This team makes the listen and I enjoyed every minute.

Those Carmichaels!

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Listener received this title free

It was an unexpected but almost perfect recipe. A little savory, with the banter and the dynamics between Bianca and Foxx; a little sweet, with lots of feelings; a lot spicy, because it was hot; and even a bit salty, with the suspense added at the end. But it was missing one vital ingredient: the build up.

We dive right into the story, and though Bianca and Foxx work on some level, the fact that their common past is only written in memories and conversations made it less effective. Bianca appears bitchy and Foxx too closed off, when they need to make us feel the unbearable tension between them.

But as I said, it still worked. The energy between them–the banter is excellent–compensates enough. You can feel the agonizing months of denial, the repressed desires, the torture of forbiddance. Bianca’s taunts are the spark igniting their passion. She provokes Foxx constantly to make him snap, because she can’t stand his refusal.

But that’s only the first part of the story. This book works in three very different acts. The first act is sexy, and all about Bianca trying to crack Foxx’s armor. When it’s official that there could never be anything between them–because Foxx is loyal to Bianca’s brother–is when the author throws a wrench: Foxx and Bianca enter a marriage of convenience in the second part. It’s the sexy romcom part. Because Foxx’s job is to protect Bianca, he goes in willingly, knowing it’ll become harder to resist her.

And that’s when both characters grow. They open up, to each other first, then to others. The illusion of relationship force them to consider what a relationship entails, and that it isn’t so bad after all. I loved the way Foxx opens up. He’s mostly seen as someone not caring, when in fact he cares too much, and that’s why he must keep his heart closed off: emotions might cloud his judgement, and he needs it to protect the people he loves.

And the last act is a bit more tense and suspenseful. While Bianca’s situation has been developped mostly in another book, I felt there were enough details offered here to get the gist of it, and to understand what is at stake in this last part. Not only does it add to the reading experience–when everything seems to go too well, another conflict in the story keeps the reader interested–but those last events are also necessary to complete the characters’ growth, especially Bianca’s. Now they can finally be together, happily ever after and all. Well done.

The narration was exquisite. The female narrator captured Bianca’s strong character, and there’s enough grumpiness in the male narrator’s voice to make Foxx come alive. They’re both so talented that they enhance the experience, in my opinion. And if it wasn’t for the frustration of not getting Foxx and Bianca falling in love, I’d say this audiobook is perfection.

An unexpected but almost perfect recipe

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A fitting end to the Carmichael Brothers' Story!
I loved that Bianca was a match to and for Foxx.
If I am honest, I would live for Bianca's Mom to have a story.

Loved It! 💕

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Listener received this title free

What a great way to end this series. This book was great. It had all the things you love in a romance book and tied up this book series perfectly.

Flame

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Listener received this title free

Adriana Locke never disappoints and this one is no different! I loved everything about this book and was hooked from the beginning. Foxx and Bianca were so perfect together! The tension, chemistry, push and pull, and connection between the two was explosive. Marriage of convenience romances are some of my favorites and this one was so good!



Teddy Hamilton and CJ Bloom knocked it out of the park narrating this book and I know a book is going to be amazing when they’re the ones narrating.

Rating: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I loved these two!

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Listener received this title free

A beautiful lovestory.
Bianca and Foxx are just meant to be. From friends to lovers, marriage of convenience, brothers best friend.

Those two have a chemistry that's palpable and when they are together the steam is over the top.

The book is full of steam, laughter, bit of drama and chickens 😂

Flame

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Listener received this title free

This is the fifth book in the Carmichael Family Series. This is a great addition to the series. Foxx and Bianca's story is sweet, passionate, entertaining, and engaging. They are perfect together. I liked the banter, the sizzling chemistry, the little suspense, and the humor. I love the Carmichaels! This is a great Marriage of Convenience. CJ Bloom and Teddy Hamilton did an excellent job bringing this story to life. I enjoyed it. I highly recommend this series.

Sweet, passionate, and engaging!

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Listener received this title free

I first read the ebook and then when I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook and saw Teddy Hamilton and CJ Bloom, I just had to listen. And sigh, the narration elevated the story fantastically, and I love that I got to relive this wonderful story through that great narration.

About the story: When reading a series about a family, I find that there is always that one character that keeps hold of my heart and that I can't wait to hear more about. Grumpy Foxx was that one and this is finally his story. Oh and it was wonderful. So much chemistry between him and Bianca! And oh my, seeing him open up and become that person that readers always knew he could be...Locke did such a great job teasing him to us throughout the series and then followed through with this fantastic book. Foxx was Bianca's bodyguard but they got too close and he had to leave her. When she needed help again, he was immediately there (swoon) and their playful but loving nature was perfection. Add in the hilarious hijinks with the family (oh, Banks) and the texting threads that made me laugh out loud? This was a story that took me away from the world and brought me to a happier one. So much fun!

Great narration, wonderful story

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