Playing with Fire

Guarded Hearts #1

by Alexis Noelle

This book is no longer available for sale. It has been remastered into a standalone. If you are interested in reading it please refer to it's new title Fall For Me.

Madison Stevens has had a rough life, her mother died at the age four and her father has always blamed her for it. She went through the foster system and is now attending college. Her boyfriend Chris is not willing to share Madison with anyone, not even her friends.

Her first day at college she meets Carter James, who makes her want everything she never thought she could have. She knows that she should ignore her feelings for Carter, but it's not as easy as it sounds.

As Carter and Madison begin to fall in love, they face many obstacles. Their biggest one is Chris who is not going to let her go easily.

Playing with Fire will be the first book in a three book series. It is about the obstacles that stand in your way on the path to love. It tests the characters strength and commitment to each other on every level from old boyfriend/girlfriends, to insecurities, and throws a little violence and scheming into the mix.

"Chris was like fire. It was pretty to look at but if you got too close you got burnt, and if it wasn’t controlled it would destroy everything in its path. Doing what I was about to do with Carter was dangerous, but what can I say I never had parents to warn me not to play with fire."

**Playing With Fire is for mature audiences only—strong language, and explicit sexual content are apparent.**

Genres: New Adult, Romance, College, College Romance, Abuse, Contemporary, Amazon

ebook

First published July 13, 2013

About the author

Alexis Noelle lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with her husband, and kids. She loves spending time with her kids, although she has to hide the computer from them when she is writing! She love being active and being outdoors, especially if it involves any kind of shopping.
She has always been passionate about writing. She loves to read romance books and feels like being able to lose yourself in a book is one of the more exciting aspects. The books she loves to read and write will be ones that make you feel for the characters. Alexis believes that you should have an opinion on every character in a book whether you love them, hate them, or think they are up to something.
She also believes that the most important critic is your reader, so she loves to hear from the readers. She want her fans to be open & talk to her about what they want for the characters in the story, and what they would like to see happen.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

**A copy was kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review**


What an AMAZING story!!!! This book was so good, I had a hard time putting it down. I will say that is was a quick read. I think the reason it was so quick because the story just grabbed you from the beginning and didn't let go, so you couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I will warn you though the ending to the book will KILL you....HOLY CLIFFHANGER!!!! If you aren't a fan of cliffhangers I would definitely recommend waiting until you can read the second book right after. I loved how the author created a beautiful love story between Carter and Madison, but also created an emotional and suspenseful story. This book does deal with quite a few tough subjects....abuse being the biggest one. There were definitely a couple spots that I had a hard time reading. What I did appreciate was that the author didn't go into such detail that I couldn't get past these spots. She detailed them enough that you knew what was happening but didn't make it graphic.

This story starts out with Madison going of to Duke University to be with her boyfriend. Madison has had a pretty shitty life up to this point. Her mom died at a very young age and her dad turned into a raging alcoholic and blamed Madison for her moms death, which I thought was appalling. Her dad was awful...which leads her to being put into the foster care system, which turned out to not be any better. Madison was such a broken soul. My heart broke for her so many times in this book. Because of Madison's past she felt she only deserved to be with someone like the Abusive Asshole Chris. ( I know ...you're thinking that's harsh, but you will see when you read this book. Chris is pond scum and I refuse to spend anytime talking about him.) I loved watching Madison grow throughout this story. Thanks to a chance meeting with Carter, Madison began to open up and realize she deserved better. Now as for Carter.....HOLY AMAZING!!!!!! I LOVED everything about him. I can't think of a bad thing to say about him. Carter was sweet, swoon worthy, caring, thoughtful and protective. He would do anything for Madison. I loved how no matter how many times she tried to push him away he just stuck around and waited for her. He knew they were meant to be together. I also loved how he wasn't pushy or demanding, he was determined to take their relationship at whatever speed Madison wanted to go. He really brought Madison out of her shell.

The secondary characters were also amazing in this book. Nicole ( Madison's BFF and roommate ) was great. She was so supportive of Madison. I also loved that she confronted Madison about the whole Chris situation. She told her exactly what Madison needed to hear. I'll be interested to see where her and Jason's story goes in book 2. Jason and Shawn ( Carter's BFF's) were top notch. I loved how they just took Madison into their circle of friends and made her one of their own. They were also so protective of Madison. Shawn I think is hiding something that I am hoping comes out in book 2. That and I hope we learn more about Jason's past. We learn some stuff but I think there is more to know. Carter's family was also very supportive and loving. They all excepted Madison with open arms and it was great to see, because they finally gave Madison the family she had been looking for.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a great love story with some suspenseful aspects to it. Just know going into it that there is some serious subject matter that isn't for everybody. Also this has a mother of a cliffhanger....LOL :)

[Alaina2510 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a solid break out novel by new author Ashley Piscitelli.
4.5/ 5 stars!!!

“She is never coming home again and it’s all your fault. She is dead because of you.” What did dead mean? Why was she never coming home? What did I do? “Get out, Madison!”

The book begins with a prologue and we are introduced to four year old Madison Stevens. After losing her mother in a tragic car accident, her father turns to alcohol and blames Madison for her mothers death. Eventually she gets taken from her father and put into the foster care system.

Seventeen years later Madison follows her boyfriend Chris to Duke University on a scholarship. She's excited to be on her own after being bounced around from one foster house to another, but she's also nervous about starting at a big university. Her first day of classes not only is she running late but she has no clue where she's going. While checking her schedule as she walks campus she literally runs right smack into the swoontastic Carter .

Carter has a history of being a ladies man. Sleeping with one girl after another and never committing to one, he has a bit of a reputation. But when Madison runs into him he's immediately drawn to her. Realizing they have classes together, Carter lays on the charm and ends up convincing Madison to accompany her around campus. Not soon enough, Madison's boyfriend Chris appears and when Carter recognizes him and the fact that he's Madison's boyfriend, he's crushed.

Chris is not happy with the fact that Madison is hanging around Carter. He takes it out on her by beating her and depreciating her self worth. Maddison is upset and scared, but she's used to this. It's not the ideal relationship but she has no one else and Chris is the one constant in her life. After so many times of someone telling you your worthless, you come to believe it. And after threatening Carter's life if he sees Madison with him again, she decides to stay away from him for his own safety.

Carter just couldn't get Madison out of his system and after being assigned partners in a class project, Madison doesn't have a choice but hang around Carter. They eventually give into the chemistry between them and keep it a secret. But once Madison opens herself up to Carter, she can't stop. Eventually Carter finds out about the beatings and encourages Madison to end things with Chris while moving forward with him. But things don't always go as planned when your playing with fire....

I was so so so happy with this book!! Ashley Piscitelli does an outstanding job on her debut novel and im dying for more!!!

Soooo....I officially have a new book boyfriend and his name is Carter James!!! SWOON!
Carter and Madison's relationship was just beautiful.... It had its rocky moments, but Carter was so patient with Madison and he continually made her feel like the princess she never thought she could be. Carter was all about helping Madison experience her firsts, going above and beyond to make her feel special and loved. He's seriously the PERFECT boyfriend material!

As for Chris..... I hated him with a burning passion!! This dude is so insane in the membrane and I just wanted to perform a lobotomy on him, no really!!! He was so cruel to Madison and treated her like a piece of property while making her life a living hell. He was like a cat with nine lives and just kept coming back. I hate him, and if your names Chris you may want to steer clear of me for about a week! Lol.

Overall I was thoroughly impressed and invested in the story. Their is a cliffhanger at the end of the book but never fear, Ashley is currently writing the second book and will have it published in the next few months! I CAN'T WAIT!! I highly recommend this book, you won't be disappointed.
Http://www.Jeneesbookblog.com

[Twinsie Talk Angie J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out this review and others at
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I received this book from the author for an honest review.

Ok so I don’t really remember if I asked Ashley for the book after reading some of her teasers OR if she contacted us about possibly reviewing BUT THANK GOD IT HAPPENED!!! I am in love with the beginning of this series. It defo had some yummy sex, some great tension and a whole lot of romance. I will warn you that this is an epic cliffhanger of mega proportions and TBH I hate cliffhangers but damn this was a great one. I am really excited for the 2nd book. I can’t wait for what is to come……….I am a girl who wants her HEA tied with a nice bow al around it and this book doesn’t do that AT ALLLLLL but please please please give it a read. You will not be disappointed at alllll….trust me…hell you are reading my review so you must right????

Here is the story in a nut shell. Madison has had a shitty life. Mom dies when she was little and her dad is a drunk who lost custody of her. She was bounced around for years from crap-tastic foster home to another crap-tastic foster home all her life. She meets Chris in high school and is stunned when Mr. Popular wants to be with her. So they date for 2 years and she follows him to Duke. One her first day she literally runs into CARTER….CARTER…..dreamy sigh wanting Cater to come and snuggle with me….and there is instant chemistry. But Madison freaks out over the connection. She doesn’t love Chris but knows he won’t ever break her heart….bones maybe but not her heart. We soon learn that Cater and Chris know each other and Chris beats the shit out of Madison because he can feel he connection……Basically Madison and Carter being to see each other and fall in love…..There are a lot of Chris shockers and twists but Madison and Carter seem to have it all. I don’t want to recap thw whole book people, that is for you to do J

I loved the side plots with Carter’s friend Jason and Shawn. I love that Jason is freaked out about what he is feeling toward Nicole, Madison’s bestie. I am really wondering about Shawn…something is up and I hope a lot of that will come to light in book 2. I am also dying to know about the Bitch Whore ex of Carters…something tells me she is gonna be a big issue next book??????? What about Holly and her bestie, who are Carter’s little sister, who move to Duke with Carter and Madison….the biggest WHAT THE HELL is Madison’s story line……seriously I. AM. DYING!!!

I will say the only ‘issue” I had with the book were reading the text messages between people. I would get confused a time or two and so that did pull me out of the story to figure out who was texting because it isn’t clear…or wasn’t to me….but if that is all I have to complain about…… this book is solid people…really really solid.

So in conclusion…LOL,,,buy this book and you will totally be in love with this series as I am!!

[Heather M. Orgeron · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am writing this review as a guest reviewer for Sugar and Spice Book Blog.

Playing with Fire was not at all what I expected... in a good way! The cover looks like it would be a paranormal/demonic book and totally put me off when I first came across it on the book blogs. When I was given the synopsis by Sugar and Spice soon after and I read it, I decided to go ahead and give it a shot and review it. I fear that a lot of people will be turned off by this cover and that is a shame because Playing with Fire is a really good book! It is not paranormal but a contemporary romance that will keep you on edge. 3.5 stars!

Madison is the main character. She has had a very difficult life, losing her mother at the age of four and then being blamed by her father for her mothers death. After a few years of abuse from her father she is put into foster care where she has had one unfortunate experience after another.

Maddie has no idea how it feels to be loved so when the most popular boy in her high-school takes an interest in her, she feels lucky for anything she can get. Chris both physically and mentally abuses Maddie. He constantly reminds her that he is all she has and that no one else wants her. She follows him to college, finally leaving her last foster home and moving on with her life.

Madison literally runs into Carter on the first day of school and they share an instant attraction. They have a few classes together and end up doing a project together. Maddie and Carter develop feelings but she is with Chris. Carter knows something is not right with her and Chris but she keeps the abuse a secret and tries to avoid him when Chris threatens both Carter's life and hers if she doesn't.

Maddie has to decide whether to trust Carter to keep her safe from Chris and give him a shot or to stay with Chris and suffer his abuse to keep the man she has fallen in love with safe.

Carter is AMAZING and so in love with Madison. He wants to give her everything she has never had and to show her what it is like to be loved. He wants to cherish her and protect her. His two friends Jason and Shawn become like brothers to her and her room mate Nicole is her new best friend.

Madison is finally learning what it means to be happy but Chris is always lurking in the background threatening to blow it all apart. The big showdown finally happens at the end of the book.. lives are left hanging on a thread in one heck of a cliffhanger ending. Playing with Fire is book 1 of 3 and will leave you anxious to find out what happens next!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Carter is AMAZING!!! What a sweet and heartbreaking read this was :)

“You have all the power in this situation. I want to be with you. I want to have you by my side, and I want to wake up to you in my bed. As long as you are willing to break it off with Chris, though. I can’t be your secret.” ~Carter

And he should never be anyone’s secret!!!!

Madison is a broken girl. And when I say broken, I am talking, broken down by almost every person that she has ever come in contact with. Until now!! Carter is the first person to love her the way she deserves. But, there is a huge hurdle in their way…his name is Chris and he is the biggest asshole ever!!! I have absolutely no use for the piece of shit she calls her boyfriend. Someone needs to rip his balls off and shove them down his throat. Harsh, yes, I know…but he deserves much worse than that.

My heart was breaking, but at the same time I was furious with her. I wanted her to walk away but I understand why she didn’t. It all proved how much she really did love Carter. Thank goodness Carter couldn’t give up on her and didn’t walk away(my heart wouldn’t have been able to handle that). He waited much longer than any college aged guy ever would have. I had no problem feeling the love between the two and that’s what kept me reading when I would get so frustrated with Madison.

The plot of this story is awesome!! It keeps you wondering but yet doesn’t keep you anxious the whole time. Yeah, I had those moments of severe frustration but they would be over quick and then I could get back to loving Madison and Carter’s relationship. You’re still able to enjoy the sweet romance growing between them, even though you know they haven’t seen the last of Chris. It was a waiting game…when, where, and how.

My only problem with this story was that it needs some really good editing. Unfortunately, the grammar and punctuation problems do take away from the total enjoyment in this story :(Not enough that I wanted to quit reading but definitely distracting at times.

And last but not least….just when I thought HEA was on its way and I could relax, the ending happened!!!! It will make you kick, scream, curse, and throw your reading device!!! Why, oh why did Ashley have to do this to me?!? Does she not know how much cliff hangers make me crazy!!

Read on, people…but prepare yourself for the ending ;)

*ARC received from the author for an honest review*

[Carver's Book Cravings · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
Received an ARC for an honest review


This book was really good. It will have you chuckling, cringing and just hoping for a happy ending.
 
"The choices we make and the chances we take determine our destiny."
 
Madison has had a rough life.  She has never been shown love.  All she wants is to be loved and live a normal life.  She came to college with her asshole boyfriend Chris.  She stayed with him because she at least had someone.  He never treated her right, but she didn't want to let go of the one person who she knew was there. She met Carter on her first day of class. They instantly had a connection.  Will Madison stay with Chris?  Or will Madison be able to follow her heart and go with Carter?

"When she touches me, sometimes I need to remember how to breathe."
 
Carter has never been one for relationships. He has commitment issues or so he thought until he met the right girl.  He never expected to fall in love with the girl who crash landed into him. Little did he know that she has a boyfriend, Chris.  He never liked Chris. He always thought he was cocky and a little rough with women.  He knows something bad is happening with Madison and Chris, but he doesn't know what.  Will he get Madison to finally open up to him? 

"I love you more than anything in this world, baby, and you're perfect in every way."
 
I won't lie to you this book has a major cliff hanger.  It is going to be a three book series.  I am really excited to read book two and I hope that it comes out soon.  This book is really good and I would recommend that you read it!!!!

[Maria Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done, Ms. Piscitelli! Playing With Fire is an impressive debut novel that had me absolutely hooked from the very first page. The writing style is easy to get into and the characters are real and relatable. I won't bother summarizing the story line, as the original is right on target (and everybody else has summarized it in their reviews), Instead I'll just focus on how much I LOVE the unique feel this story has. The author has really stepped out of the box and kept herself from falling prey to all the stereotypical scenarios that occur in NA books. You never really know in what direction the story will take off, so you'll literally be on the edge of your seat the entire time, waiting to see how it all plays out. Each page is packed with so much drama, angst and emotion right up until the very powerful and shocking end. I would definitely recommend this book to those who love a fast-paced suspenseful romance novel.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! I really had no idea what kind of a ride I was in for with this book. I was cheering for Carter from the get go and still hadn't really met Chris's character yet. Madison is one tough gal but sees herself as weak. Carter sees her strength and her innocence from the beginning. I mean, come on....the girl turned a player into a one lady man?!?! That's saying something! The abuse and ridicule that she suffers with through the years of foster care and with her relationship with Chris would be enough to knock anyone down, but she keeps on going. Carter welcomes her into his family and circle of friends and shows her what it really means to be loved and cherished....but can she accept it? Will Chris allow it to happen?

[Leslie Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 HOT INTENSE SEXY AMAZING STARS!! This book grabbed me from the beginning. It had everything I could want and then some. The characters were believable and I honestly could not put it down, I had to stay up and finish it until 3:00 in the morning!
~ Leslie from For The Love of Books
www.ftlobblog.blogspot.com

[Jenny Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this series. It had me turning the pages so fast that before I knew it I was finished with the whole series. I bought this series from Alexis Noelle at the Tampa Mashup not knowing who she was and now she has made me a fan.

[Mayas · Rating 4 out of 5]

What the world? It could NOT end like that. I can beat Chris but myself. I want some answers. My honey Carter. *tears*

[Finley Sawyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 - 4.5 amazing stars!!!


What a great read this was! I flew right through this book. Characters were very well developed and the flow of the story overall is very good. There were a couple small parts that seemed a little repetitive to me, but other than that I don't really have anything negative to say about Playing With Fire. They author, Ashley, really made it so that I was able to connect to the characters and fell different emotions as I read. Warning, this book does contain quite a bit of sexual content (both consensual, and non-consentual), and some violence as well. If you are not okay with reading this kind of stuff, then this book probably isn't for you. Me, I loved every bit of it.

I absolutely LOVED Madison (the lead girl in the book). The things that the poor girl had been through in her life were absolutely horrible. Her mother died when she was a little girl, and her father became a drunk and constantly told her how it was her fault for her mothers death. Eventually she was taken from her father and put in foster homes where she was abused and taken advantage of in many different ways. All her life she had been told she was worthless and that no one would love her. Hearing about Madison's past completely broke my heart. Present day, she was off at college and dating a guy named Chris whom she had been with for some time. Now you want to talk about a complete Asshole, Chris is the biggest piece of shit. His Character made me so angry throughout the story. He was an abusive, psychotic prick! He would hit Madison, boss her around, threaten, and talk down to her. She was too afraid to leave him. But then she met Carter. Carter was not the type of guy who dated. He had no problem getting girls in bed, but never wanted anything more... until he met Madison (Maddy). Now, every guy in the world should take a page out of Carter's book with how he treated Maddy. What a sweet, romantic, loving, sexy (the list goes on and on) man. *Swoon*

"Every time she comes into a room, I can't take my eyes off of her. When she touches me, sometimes I need to remember how to breathe."

It wasn't long before they fell for each other, but Chris was always there trying to break them apart and stake his claim back on Madison. I don't understand why he couldn't just leave her alone! He did not love her, or even care about her. So many times throughout the story I found myself wishing I would run into him in real life so I could kick the ever-loving shit out of him!!!! And every time you thought Maddy would have a happily ever after, something else would come and try and knock her down. But the best thing about her character was her inner strength. With everything that happened in her past, and what happened throughout the story, she would pull herself through it and not let it turn her into an empty shell, or into a person like the ones that hurt her. She had a heart of gold even though she was damaged so badly.

There were a couple other characters that played a big part in the story line. Nicole (Nic) was Madison's roommate, and one who became such an amazing friend to Maddy and helped her through everything. There was also Jason and Shawn who were Carter's best friends. They were such awesome characters too, and they looked out for Maddy like she was their sister... especially Jason. They all became like a close knit family. But I am dying to know what the hell was going on with Shawn later in the story? Although that didn't play a huge part in the overall story, its still driving me nuts! And when the book ended, I still did not have answers! I really hope book 2 will get into this and explain why he keeps going MIA and whatnot.

I loved how Carter did all he could to show Madison how much she meant to him, and how special she was every single day. After all she had been through, she deserved everything good.

"This is me and you, Maddy. Separate from you, I look normal, but I am only complete when we are together. I need you with me, by my side, and in my life because you're my other half."

Have I mentioned the sex yet? No? Well, let's just say that I needed to take MULTIPLE cold showers while reading. Heck, maybe I should have just sat in a bathtub full of ice to keep myself cool. Those scenes were HOT! I'll take one order of what Carter is serving please!!!!

This book will have you feeling all sorts of emotions throughout the entire story. When this happens, and you can really connect to the characters, you know you found yourself a good book. Playing With Fire is that and so much more. Amazing story and an ending that will knock you off your feet! I did not see that one coming!!! Thank god I was given the second book (Breaking Through the Wall) at the same time because if I had to wait even one day to continue the story and find out what happens, I may have lost my mind! HOLY CLIFFHANGER!!!!!!!

To read some of our other reviews, enter giveaways, check out cover reveals, and much more, check out our blog: www.mommyslatenightbookup.blogspot.com

[Derna · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

Madison Stevens had had a shitty childhood, her mother died on her fourth birthday while collecting Madison birthday cake when a drunk driver hit her car. Her father blamed her and became a drunk. After a few years, Madison is removed from her father’s care and placed in foster care, life doesn’t get any better as she’s moved from one home to another each one as shitty as the last.

At Seventeen Madison follows her boyfriend Chris to university, she is excited and looking forward to a new phase of her life but at the same time she is also nervous. Getting lost on her first day, she meets Carter James who helps her out, shows her where to go, they hang out for the day, have a good time, and there is a connection that they both can feel. When Chris turns up Carter is devastated not just because he discovers that Madison has a boyfriend, but more to do with whom her boyfriend is. Carter knows something is not right.

“Why the hell was I so upset? I barely knew the girl and she had a boyfriend. The thing was, I know that I wasn’t imagining things. There was something between us, and it had been the first real thing that I had ever felt” ~ Carter

“I had never wanted to be close with a guy before. Everything was different with Carter.” ~ Madison

Madison is one of those characters you just want to hug. People in her life have left her with low self-esteem and insecurities. There were times when Madison was strong and brave, yet at the same time she was vulnerable. I couldn’t help but love her.

“I never really knew how bad I had it with Chris until Carter came into my life.” ~ Madison

Carter James was a sweetheart, and like me you are just going to love him, yes he had been known to be a bit of a ladies man, hooking up with random girls and never having relationships, but that all changes once he meets Madison even though they are just friends there is something about her.

“She’s different and I feel different whenever I’m around her, even when she is ignoring me.” ~ Carter

I just hated Chris I actually did; someone pass me a cricket bat!! I have nothing good to say about him. When I read the first scene where you see his true colours I was truly shocked as I was thinking… did he just do that. He was just awful to Madison, treated her like shit and made her life hell.

The storyline was difficult and emotional to read at times as it had a very serious element of a girl suffering at the hands of different types of abuse. And it certainly left me wanting to inflict pain on a certain someone in the story!

Don’t get me wrong the storyline is not all doom and gloom, yes it had the dramas and was full of angst and tissues were needed. But this story also made me laugh, smile, it had the romance and some swoon worthy moments that I loved. I loved watching Madison and Carter’s relationship grow, and it was not all plain sailing, but Carter is patient with Madison, he is able to get her to open up, to understand that she was a good person and show her that she deserved to have true love and happiness. Awww!!!

“Carter I always shied away from people because I thought all they would do is hurt me. I have been scared to let someone touch me ever since I was a kid, but with you, everything just feels right. You make me feel like it’s enough to just be who I am”. ~ Madison

“Most girls grow up wanting to be a princess; I grew up just wanting to be loved. Carter gave me that and so much more.” ~ Madison

I really enjoyed this book, and I was impressed with Ashley Piscitelli’s début novel. If you love books that take you on an emotional roller coaster, then this book is for you. You should know that Ashley does leave you with one big fat cliffhanger at the end of this book. However, all is not lost as the next book is due for release sometime in September.

One final note, and again this is my feelings others may disagree, I felt that as one of the main characters had suffered many types of abuse I for one would have liked to have seen at the end of this book some information about where the reader could get help if they are in a similar situation or knew someone that was. As much as this story is fiction, it does have a serious subject matter that takes place all around us. I do take into consideration I read an ARC and perhaps this information may have been added to the final copy. Playing With Fire had a strong message and could certainly help others.

[Scandalous Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Playing with fire is Alexis duet novel and as far as duets go this one is pretty awesome and bold.
As soon as I read this Alexis gain my respect as an author, she did not go down the typical route she did her own thing, she went hard and ugly but most importantly she held my attention all the way to the end, then sprang on one hell of a shocker at the end. Which, I might add is not easily done these days.

Madison is a beautiful young girl with a scared and damaged childhood; her mother dying on her birthday was bad enough but when the only parent she has left neglects and blames her for that death she grew up deflated and defeated not knowing any self worth or happiness.
She was eventually removed from her fathers care and place in the care system, in which she moved from one foster home to the other.
Chris showed her attention long enough to get her right where he wanted her then she showed his true abusive, possessive, nasty nature.
"I never really knew how bad I had it with Chris until Carter came into my life." ~ Madison

Madison accepts her fate with Chris until......she meets Carter; he is charming, sexy, loving, protective, caring, with a mighty big heart just wanting to love and take care of Madison. All of which Madison does not feel she deserves.
"I had never wanted to be close with a guy before. Everything was different with Carter." ~ Madison
"She's different and I feel different whenever I'm around her, even when she is ignoring me." ~ Carter
The path to true love is never easy Carter and Madison's love will be tested and put through the fiery furnace will their love survive the heat or will it be too much?

I loved that their relationship started out as simply friends, their attraction to each other is intense but they stay platonic for sometime getting to know each other trying to skirt and hide their friendship from Chris.
"When she touches me, sometimes I need to remember how to breathe."~Carter
Carter was a known player but just one look at Madison all that changes and all he wants to do is protect her and share his life with her.More over get her away from Chris and whatever hold he has over her.
"You have all the power in this situation. I want to be with you. I want to have you by my side, and I want to wake up to you in my bed. As long as you are willing to break it off with Chris, though. I can't be your secret." ~Carter

Chris is an absolute mad man I HATE him I wanted to beat him down so may times for all the hurt and torment he inflicted on Madison he made her life a living hell.
Carter's friends and family becomes her own they protect her and give her the love she never received.
I fell head over heels in love with Carter his is just AMAZING he is gentle and patient with Maddy, never once did he rush or push her too far he was always supportive and affectionate when she needs it most.
He never gave up on her even at time when it seems that she had given up on herself.
Carter cherish and worships her, he shower her in love daily, she come alive and into her own with all the love and support around her.
What makes this book so good is that Alexis took her time developing the characters and the story line nothing was rushed or unnecessary every word has its purpose and they are delivered with the intended impact.

A lot of things in this book are serious and heartbreaking but there are also some great hot and steamy scenes.
We can say Carter is extremely generous in the bedroom, he aids Madison in exploring her sexuality.
To sum it all up. Playing with fire is an unforgettable read with fantastic characters and a solid emotional heartbreaking story-line. It is well written and very well balanced. Not everything about this book was drama and angst, you also get laughter, romance, love friendship and learning to love and accept oneself.
ohh I almost forgot...how could I forget Carters friends Jason and Shawn are complete mystery well Shawn more so than Jason some pretty weird things are happening with him but we have no clue what...Alexis just kept me on the edge of my seat and wanting sooo much more.
The abuse depicted in this book is something that also happens on a daily basis to young women and men all over the world, so this is a worthy read it highlights a very serious problem.
A great start to the Guarded hearts series.
5 stars all the way
Natasha Scandalous Book Blog

[Kassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

****4.5****

Before reading the synopsis of Playing with Fire, I thought it was going to be a New Adult paranormal book (the cover looks like it would be paranormal). But after reading the synopsis I got a contemporary romance/ realistic fiction interpretation :D! Playing with Fire was a great read, and it just kept me flipping through the pages. This has been one of the fastest reads that I've read so far :).

I hate that I always immediately think the worst of people. I wish I was the kind of person that could give their trust to someone.

I had a love, sympathy, and frustrating relationship with Madison's character. Let me start by saying that I loved how she started to pump up her self-esteem (all thanks to Carter), because her self-esteem was so low at the beginning. She always thought she was worthless- that no one needed her or would ever love her. But she is not to blame for feeling this way. I just felt that she was so broken from inside, as if she were almost hollow. I just felt sorry for the situations her character goes through. I did not really hate her character that much, because really she is sweet and lovable. I only hated that her self-esteem was so low. But loved that she became confident with herself, learned to love herself, and let others in her life.

She had a story and I was dying to find out what it was.

I fell in love with Carter's character :D! I don't usually fall for the nice and sweet boys in books, but I had to make another exception with Carter's character. He is just any amazing guy. No guy would ever stand next to Madison side, and support her the way Carter did. I feel in love with the way he supported, helped, loved, and cherished Madison. He is just your typical good, caring, loving, protective, sweet, and cute guy. Carter is Madison's hope to actually living a new life full of love and caring people. Without Carter Madison would have never been brave enough to take the steps she needed to get out of her situation.

Sometimes, I've thought about leaving him but, the truth is, I am scared of what he would do.

I have never read a story with the main character experiencing relationship abuse. Chris was seriously the creepiest, obsessive, and possessive character I have read so far. I actually felt Madison's fear towards Chris, and I just hated him. To think that girls go through what Madison went through with Chris, just makes me sick. This is where I had my hate relationship with Madison's character. I hated that she let herself be manipulated by Chris and let herself be both physically and mentally/verbally abused by him. I know that most of the girls that experience domestic abuse are either in denial, or feel that they don't have anyone that will help them. Ashley Piscitelli did an incredible job with bringing and centering relationship abuse in Playing with Fire.

He leaned in and gave me a quick kiss. “You deserve the world, baby, and I wanna help give it to you if you’ll let me.”

I loved the relationship between Carter and Madison. I believe I already mentioned what an amazing guy Carter is, when it comes to treating Madison like she is the most important person in his world. I love all the details Carter does to demonstrate how much he loves Madison, and to demonstrate how important she is in his life. My heart seriously ached for these two when Madison sacrifices her happiness to protect Carter. But when these two are together it is a sweet and caring relationship.

There went another little piece of my heart to him. I barely had any of it left; he had been taking it piece by piece ever since we met.

Playing with Fire by Ashley Piscitelli is a great start to a two series book. I feel in love with the whole concept of the story, and completely feel in love with both Madison and Carter. Ashley Piscitelli delivers love, happiness, grief, realistic situations, and two character's that will play with fire to be with each other. I just have to say one thing. Ashley Piscitelli WHY did you have to end Playing with Fire with a CLIFF-HANGER?!?! OMG, please tell me that it is a cliff-hanger, and it doesn't just end like that. My jaw just dropped to the floor with the ending. You can not just end Playing With Fire like that. I am seriously dying over here to get my hands on Breaking Through The Wall!!!!

[Monique Machuca-Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

**JUST BOOKED received an ARC for an honest review**

WOW! Let me just say there are not many novels that impress me with a WOW factor or in this case not knowing even how to start
describing the WONDERFUL romance novel I just read from author, Ashley Piscitelli. I could not find myself putting the novel down for
even a second; the novel immediately captured my interest and became a real page-tuner.

The novel starts when Madison Stevens was four years old and discovers her mother never returned with her princess birthday cake.
Her father tells her that her mother has died and turns to alcohol to cope with his loss, but also blames his four years old daughter for
his wife’s death. He decides to relinquish his parental rights to the state to place her in the foster care system, because her presence
is too traumatic. Although she suffers the greater misfortune by being place in six different foster homes beginning at the age of seven
years old.

Madison finally leaves the foster care system to attend her first year at Duke University to follow her high school boyfriend, Chris
Johnson. Madison’s major is in Psychology while Chris’ major is in Business. However, Madison and Chris do not have the healthiest
relationships. Madison finds herself only to be happy feeling wanted by Chris, even though she would never give him her heart.

Things change one day on her way to class when she collides with Carter James, a gorgeous blue-eyed, dark brown hair, six feet tall
body of Hercules with sexy dimples Greek god. They instantaneously feel something between them, but Madison has a boyfriend.
Even though Madison is in a relationship, Carter cannot help to feel something is not right about their relationship and embarks to
uncover their secret.

Will Madison choose to continue her relationship with Chris or will she explore her feelings for a new relationship with Carter? Or will
Carter discover her secret with Chris and decide he does want anything to with her? Here is a snippet from the novel, Madison reflects
on her relationship with Cater while dancing with him for the first time.

“As I was listening to the song (Pink’s “Just a Reason”), I realized how much the chorus related to me. She was talking about being
broken, but being able to pick up the pieces and start again.” - Madison

Can Carter convince her to leave Chris by allowing herself to trust others and allow others to love her too? Can Carter also give her
back what she loss when she was four years old, to be loved as a little princess and encourage her to believe in what you want and
you may just get your fairy-tale and live happily ever after? Carter is having these thoughts while dancing with Madison a second time to
Carrie Underwood’s song, “Ever Ever After.”

Ashley debuts her first romance novel, PLAYING WITH FIRE, which started as a WONDERFUL dream which was seeded in her mind
and only took her only three months to write this beautiful romance. This is her first novel in the Guarded Hearts series, so do not be
disappointed when you discover the book ends with huge cliffhanger. Ashley will not have us to waiting too long to find out what
happens with Madison, because she is currently writing the second book in the series, BREAKING THROUGH THE WALL.
I give PLAYING WITH FIRE, 5 INTERTWINED HEARTS!

[Tami · Rating 3 out of 5]

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I need to start by saying be prepared for a massive cliffhanger! I'm generally not a fan of them, and I could tell as I was nearing the end of the book that it was going to be an 'unfinished' story, but I wasn't quite prepared for the enormity of the cliffhanger. I'm not sure what the authors plans are in terms of the timing for the release of book two, but hopefully she won't keep people waiting too long.

Playing with Fire was a quick read that had enough in it to keep me focussed to the end. It took only a couple of hours to finish and I enjoyed the story. I think the editing let this one down a little bit and, for me, this impacted on the quality of the story. While I always try and look past typo's or wrong word use (eg your instead of you're) they distract me enough that I am not completely engaged in my reading in the way I prefer to be.

That aside, there is lots to like in Playing with Fire - Carter James particularly! Hot, sensitive (seriously the guy watched The Notebook and a number of other chick flicks and even shed a tear or two!!) and focussed on giving Maddy anything and everything. It was a little bit of insta love from Carter's perspective - but the reticence from Maddy made the relationship believable. And she had a lot to be reticent about - particularly her psychopath boyfriend Chris. He is one intense dude and there are scenes involving him that some people will find quite disturbing.

Maddy is quite a damaged girl. She's had a very rough life and never had anyone just love and accept her. While she generally keeps her distance from people she had found herself in a relationship with Chris at highschool. He continued the trend of treating her badly and Maddy simply thought it was what she deserved. That is until she meets Carter and he starts to get under her skin.

There are good chunks of the story focussed on Maddy and Carter and the development of their relationship. I couldn't help but wonder when Chris was going to show up again and I think the author had the balance of his participation in the story quite right. You would almost start to believe he was gone completely and then something would happen and you'd realise he really is completely crazy and Carter's obsession with keeping Maddy safe was warranted.

There are a couple of side stories that peaked my interest and these are setting up elements for the two other books in this three book series. In particular, Jason and Nicole's story is one that I'd like to know more about. And then there is the mystery of Spencer - I really do wonder what he is getting himself into!!
Overall Playing With Fire was an enjoyable read. Not one that is likely to hit my re-read list, but certainly entertaining enough that I would read the other books in the series when they are available.

[Janna ♥ I'm A Sweet And Sassy Book Whore ♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Madison Stevens has had a shitty life. Her mother died at the age four and her father has always blamed her for it. She went through the foster system and is now attending college. Her boyfriend Chris is not willing to share Madison with anyone, not even her friends.

Her first day at college she meets Carter James, who makes her want everything she never thought she could have. She knows that she should ignore her feelings for Carter, but it's not as easy as it sounds.

As Carter and Madison begin to fall in love, they face many obstacles. Their biggest one is Chris who is not going to let her go easily.

I felt so bad for Madison, she was blamed for the death of her mother by the one person who should have taken care of her, her father. Then she begins dating Chris and he treats her like a dog that he can abuse and control. She knows that she needs to get away from him but feels like no one else would want her. When she runs into Carter, literally, the connection between them is instant. Carter knows that Chris is bad for Madison but he needs to convince her to leave him, so that he can show her how she should be treated.

As someone who has been in a violent relationship in the past, I connected with Madison. She needed to be shown that not every man will treat her like the other ones in her life have in the past. Once she began to blossom within the relationship with Carter, I was so happy and wanted them to be able to have a good life and relationship.

Carter was exactly who Madison needed. He was the person who could heal her emotionally, mentally and physically. I love Carter. He reminds me of my savior, my husband. He was patient with Madison when she needed it the most. He was gentle, sweet, protective, and overall the guy she needed and deserved.

Chris, OMG I wanted to find my baseball bat and beat the living shit out of him and say how does that feel you asshole! He just continues to make Madison’s life a living hell. He doesn’t want to let her go and doesn’t want anyone else to have her if he can’t either. Chris’ character was very close to real life for a lot of people, and the level he rises too is a reality check that no matter how rich or poor someone is you can never judge them based on that alone.

Now I loved this book. I cried and smiled and jumped for joy and screamed oh hell no! If you hate cliffhangers you may want to wait until the second book comes out because this baby has one hell of a cliffhanger! I actually screamed out NOOOOOOOOOOOO damn it you can’t end it like this! (And yes my husband came running thinking either I was in labor or done lost my mind.) I was so involved in this book that I need more now! I need to see how this plays out. I really hope that Ms. Piscitelli hurries up and writes book two because for those who have read this book we are biting our nails to see if Carter and Madison will get their HEA.

[Liezel Felix · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the death of her mother, Madison’s existence has been a constant misery. She’s dealt with her father’s alcoholic rants, her foster parents verbal abuse and even a physically abusive boyfriend. She goes to college thinking that the change would improve her life but with her boyfriend continued presence everything goes from bad to worse.

On her first day of college she literally trips over Carter James and immediately sparks fly. Carter never thought it was possible to feel for someone deeply that soon but he just couldn’t resist Madison. He befriends her not knowing that she already belongs to someone he has always despised – Chris.

Carter tries to forget her but there is just something about her that is keeping him rooted. With them spending more time together for a school project together their relationship develops into something more. Despite Chris’ constant threats and abuse Madison decides that Carter is worth the physical pain. She would rather suffer than be without him. But Chris will never accept defeat, he will literally do anything to possess her.

____________________

Rarely do I feel that much loathing in a character but Chris’ character sure made me angry and furious. I was impressed how a debut author was able to affect me in such a manner. I did appreciate how descriptive the scenes were but some of them were somewhat painful and just a little too detailed and horrifying for my liking.

The heroine of the story Madison was just pitiful and saddening. At a very young age, she was exposed to so much suffering. Regardless what she experienced she always was able to maintained a positive outlook and was optimistic that things would get better. She seemed so sheltered and naïve but despite this she was motivated enough to go to college and attempt to improve her life.

I loved Carter’s character in this story. He was always caring and attentive, selfless. He’s primary concern was always her safety even if he had to sacrifice his own. I adored how his friends and his family immediately adopted her into their fold and how protective they too became over her wellbeing.

I thought the gradual build-up between Madison and Carter relationship was great and their pairing was perfect. Madison needed somewhere to belong and with Carter she was able to find that solace. She deserved it! I was glad that she was able to find her happiness with Carter even if it was somewhat short-lived.

Be warned that this one does contain a major cliffhanger. Hopefully we won’t have to wait that long for the conclusion. Despite that, I thought the story was well delivered and well worth looking into.

liezelsbookblog.net

[Sugar and Spice Book Reviews]

*This review was done by Heather one of our Reviewers and may also be listed under her personal Goodreads account.

Playing with Fire was not at all what I expected... in a good way! The cover looks like it would be a paranormal/demonic book and totally put me off when I first came across it on the book blogs. When I was given the synopsis by Sugar and Spice soon after and I read it, I decided to go ahead and give it a shot and review it. I fear that a lot of people will be turned off by this cover and that is a shame because Playing with Fire is a really good book! It is not paranormal but a contemporary romance that will keep you on edge. 3.5 stars!

Madison is the main character. She has had a very difficult life, losing her mother at the age of four and then being blamed by her father for her mothers death. After a few years of abuse from her father she is put into foster care where she has had one unfortunate experience after another.

Maddie has no idea how it feels to be loved so when the most popular boy in her high-school takes an interest in her, she feels lucky for anything she can get. Chris both physically and mentally abuses Maddie. He constantly reminds her that he is all she has and that no one else wants her. She follows him to college, finally leaving her last foster home and moving on with her life.

Madison literally runs into Carter on the first day of school and they share an instant attraction. They have a few classes together and end up doing a project together. Maddie and Carter develop feelings but she is with Chris. Carter knows something is not right with her and Chris but she keeps the abuse a secret and tries to avoid him when Chris threatens both Carter's life and hers if she doesn't.

Maddie has to decide whether to trust Carter to keep her safe from Chris and give him a shot or to stay with Chris and suffer his abuse to keep the man she has fallen in love with safe.

Carter is AMAZING and so in love with Madison. He wants to give her everything she has never had and to show her what it is like to be loved. He wants to cherish her and protect her. His two friends Jason and Shawn become like brothers to her and her room mate Nicole is her new best friend.

Madison is finally learning what it means to be happy but Chris is always lurking in the background threatening to blow it all apart. The big showdown finally happens at the end of the book.. lives are left hanging on a thread in one heck of a cliffhanger ending. Playing with Fire is book 1 of 3 and will leave you anxious to find out what happens next!

[The Real Housewives of Romance Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Heather as a guest reviewer for Sugar and Spice Book Blog.

Playing with Fire was not at all what I expected... in a good way! The cover looks like it would be a paranormal/demonic book and totally put me off when I first came across it on the book blogs. When I was given the synopsis by Sugar and Spice soon after and I read it, I decided to go ahead and give it a shot and review it. I fear that a lot of people will be turned off by this cover and that is a shame because Playing with Fire is a really good book! It is not paranormal but a contemporary romance that will keep you on edge. 3.5 stars!

Madison is the main character. She has had a very difficult life, losing her mother at the age of four and then being blamed by her father for her mothers death. After a few years of abuse from her father she is put into foster care where she has had one unfortunate experience after another.

Maddie has no idea how it feels to be loved so when the most popular boy in her high-school takes an interest in her, she feels lucky for anything she can get. Chris both physically and mentally abuses Maddie. He constantly reminds her that he is all she has and that no one else wants her. She follows him to college, finally leaving her last foster home and moving on with her life.

Madison literally runs into Carter on the first day of school and they share an instant attraction. They have a few classes together and end up doing a project together. Maddie and Carter develop feelings but she is with Chris. Carter knows something is not right with her and Chris but she keeps the abuse a secret and tries to avoid him when Chris threatens both Carter's life and hers if she doesn't.

Maddie has to decide whether to trust Carter to keep her safe from Chris and give him a shot or to stay with Chris and suffer his abuse to keep the man she has fallen in love with safe.

Carter is AMAZING and so in love with Madison. He wants to give her everything she has never had and to show her what it is like to be loved. He wants to cherish her and protect her. His two friends Jason and Shawn become like brothers to her and her room mate Nicole is her new best friend.

Madison is finally learning what it means to be happy but Chris is always lurking in the background threatening to blow it all apart. The big showdown finally happens at the end of the book.. lives are left hanging on a thread in one heck of a cliffhanger ending. Playing with Fire is book 1 of 3 and will leave you anxious to find out what happens next!

[Akeisha -Til' The Last Page BB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by : Sharon_M745

Madison Stevens went through the foster system after her mother died at 4 and her father, an alcoholic blamed Madison for her mother’s death. She had very little love in her life including her current boyfriend Chris who is abusive and jealousy. Madison won a scholarship to Duke and attended to be with her boyfriend Chris. Her first day at college she meets Carter James who is kind and generous. Before long Madison wants to have a relationship with Carter but Chris won’t let her go and threatens Madison and Carter.

In this first part of the trilogy we see Madison grow and start to take control of her life. In the beginning of the book I often yelled at Madison because she was so broken and didn’t think she deserved anything good to happen to her. Carter is attracted to Madison but he has commitment issues. He wants to know her better but he isn’t sure about his feelings. However, as they spend time together working on a project he gets to know a little about her and starts to think that a commitment isn’t so bad.

Carter is a great character/book boyfriend. He is kind, generous and accepting. The more time they spend together the more Madison starts to believe that someone can really care for her and treat her right.

Madison cultivates a friendship with her new roommate, Nicole. This is a first for Madison. In the past she keeps everyone at a distance for fear of being hurt. Nicole sees through Chris right away and supports Madison by giving her a shoulder to cry on and a sounding board when she needs to talk.

Carter has a couple close friends that he grew up with, Shawn and Jason. They are fun and add to the story. There is a very touching scene when Carter takes Madison to his house for the holidays. Their acceptance and kindness showed Madison another side of life that she never knew.

While this book focuses on Madison and Carter there are a couple subplots that are interesting. Nicole is interested in Jason but Jason isn’t ready to be in a relationship. He wants to focus on being a player and limits himself to one-night stands. There isn’t too much time spent on Shawn but he is hiding something from his friends. It will be interesting when these subplots are explored more in the next book.

I recommend this book to anyone who needs a fast read and likes a good love story. There is a cliff-hanger but book 2 is out now so even if you aren’t a fan of cliff-hangers you don’t have to wait for the next chapter in the story.

[Mikki D · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Review:

Playing with Fire was a very pleasant surprise to me. Ashley Piscitelli gave us an amazing debut novel. I was not sure what to expect from this book. This story brings us on an emotional journey. I have to admit that I had a hard time reading some of the scenes, they were so raw. You could feel every emotion that Madison was going through.

In Playing with Fire we follow Madison who at the age of 4, lost her mom in a tragic accident. Her world starts to crumble from that moment on. Her father blames her for her mother's death and he becomes an alcoholic. After the state takes her away from him, she goes from one foster home to another and gets abused in the process. In High school she meets Chris who becomes her boyfriend. With time she realises that he does not care for her like she thought. Chris becomes verbally and physically abusive towards Madison. Her Salvation comes when she meets Carter on her first day of University.

Madison was a very well developed character. We could see her grow throughout the book and we could feel her pain and sense her fear. What Chris did to her was horrible! My heart was breaking for her. He did not only leave her with physical scars, but emotional ones as well. You could see that Carter's love saved her from this personal battle that she was fighting. He made her understand that she was worthy of love. I loved that Madison did a complete transformation. She was a fragile human being at the beginning, but turned out to find the confidence to fight back by the end of the book.

Carter was like the sun after the rain. He was there at the right moment to catch Madison. His love was perfect for her. He made her feel and experience things for the first time. He gave her what she deserved, which was someone who would take care of her unconditionally. All his little gestures put back together the pieces of Madison's heart and soul.

Chris is just despicable! That's how I can describe him best. I was livid and I was just reading the book! The things he says and does to Madison are just cruel!

This story ended with a HUGE cliffhanger. I was like... Nooooooo!!! Where is the rest? I was not expecting it to end at that exact location. I look forward to Breaking Through the Wall, which is going to answer some unanswered questions and we get to follow Jason' story. Awesome work by Ashley Piscitelli!

I give Playing with Fire 4 intense and emotional stars.

[Echo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a giant angst fest of awesome. Playing With Fire sucked me in with it’s abusively dysfunctional love triangle. Maybe it isn’t fair that I am calling it a love triangle because honestly I don’t think that there was any love for Chris and I personally loathed and hated this guy from the first mention of him. But I am getting ahead of myself.

Madison is a highly damaged heroine with so much emotional baggage that she would need a truck just to carry her particular issues around and an abusively psychotic boyfriend with not a stitch of redeeming qualities. A girl with no family and no connections beyond her boyfriend, Chris, she starts college and moves onto campus early by necessity. On her first day she meets Carter. Carter is the quintessential book boyfriend, there was nothing that I didn’t freaking love about him.

The build up and tension between Carter and Madison was so perfectly done. All the while the insanity of her relationship with Chris escalates to painful levels.

Madison did not begin as a character that I really liked, I felt bad for her. She’s had an awful life and Chris is horrible. So in that aspect I really felt something for her, but I just never did understand why she was with Chris. When Carter starts to try to be in her life it was both fantastic and horrible at the same time.

As the story goes on, Madison really finds herself with Carter’s help. By the end of the story I genuinely began to like her and am completely rooting for an HEA for her.

The supporting characters where interesting, Carter’s friends Jason and Shawn and Madison’s friend Nicole are great additions to the story and I really hope that their stories are expanded in the books to come. The three of them have me curious to know more about them.

Overall, I liked this book. A little warning though, there is rape, abuse and a killer cliffhanger. If those three things are something you have problems reading about then maybe think about it, but don’t let it dissuade you from reading because Carter and Madison are quite wonderful together and while their story is definitely filled with tension it’s also filled with the sweetly redeeming and uplifting power of love.

Originally posted on Me, Myself & Books Blog
http://memyselfandbooksblog.blogspot.com

[Melinda ~ Twinsie Talk · Rating 5 out of 5]

My friend and fellow blogger told me I had to read these books. I am so glad I listened to her. This was amazing; there were some difficult parts to read but a great read. I do not usually like cliffhangers but I was ok with it because I knew I had the next book ready and waiting for me. So if you do not handle cliff hangers well make sure you have Breaking Through the Walls ready and waiting when you are done with Playing with Fire because trust me you will want it right away.
We are first introduced to Madison when she is four waiting for her mom to get back home with her birthday cake. Only her mom is in a car accident and her dad blames Madison for her mom’s death. At the age of seven she is sent to a foster home and then bounced from foster home to foster home until she goes to college. She has a boyfriend, Chris, who she follows to Duke University. Everyone she has every came into contact with including Chris had never showed her love. Until the day she literally runs over Carter. Carter takes everything she has ever been shown and taught about life and flips it inside out showing her what life is really about. However, Madison has to deal with the verbal and physical backlash from Chris being so jealous of the attention Carter is showing Madison.
I absolutely love the how Carters family takes Madison in and treat her as family. I also loved seeing how Jason and Shawn stepped up and became such close friends with Madison almost a brother and sister type relationship. Then there is also the relationship between Madison and her roommate/best friend, Nicole that I loved to see grow from the beginning. I love the gifts they give each other… sigh…Carters gifts of firsts what a thoughtful man.
Now that I have been shocked by the twist/cliff hanger and took a break to write this I need to get hurry and download Breaking Through the Walls to see what happens next because it is driving me crazy not knowing. By the way amazing job Ashley Piscitelli!!
Some of my Favorites:
He didn’t even deserve to look at her much less call her his.
She didn’t know it, but I would give her anything she ever asked for.
Carter made me feel like being myself was more than enough, and that was new to me. People always wanted me to change or improve for them, but he loved me for who I was.

[Sarah's Book Blog · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Madison is starting her first year of college. She has a new outlook on life. She is hoping for a fresh start, new friends, and a hopeful future. She has had too much tragedy in her toung life, loosing her Mom on her fourth birthday in a tragic car accident. Blamed by her alcoholic Father. By the time she's seven she is moved into a foster home where tbings there are just as bad. She has never had a family who loves her. She has her abusive, possessive jerk of a boyfriend Chris who treats her like a possession and a punching bag!

One her first day of school she falls into someone on the way to class. Little did she know Carter is her knight in shining armor. When they touch sparks fly, they have an immediate connection that is both scary and exciting. They end up being paired for a school project. Carter hasn't been in a relationship, he has dated plenty but hasn't found the one. He can't Stop thinking about Madison, he has never felt this way about anyone and he worries about her being with Chris.

Madison and Carter are quickly falling in love and I adore how Carter treats her like a princess! Their passion is blazin hot and the bedroon scenes are HOT! Madison is so afraid to let herself just feel, for once in her life she feels happy, safe, loved. It's not so easy though. She has Chris to deal with. She tries to distance herself from him but he won't allow it. He punishes her in the worst way, with his words and fists! He is by far my least liked charactor, and there were a few very tense moments where I had to take a minute to gather myself.

There are many beautiful moments in this book. I absolutely fell in love with Carter, he is every woman's dream, he maybe a greek god with his sexy looks, but he has a heart of gold. Madison learns what a family is like when she meets Carter's, they treat her like they've known her her entire life and I found myself tearing up with joy.

I would like to point out that I was surprised that I didn't see any information at the end of the book for readers to get professional assistance if they are or know anyone who is being abused. A hotline number and website address would have been a nice touch.

There is a huge cliffhanger at the end of the book.

Patty

[Brandy Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! So, I have to day for a debut novel I was pretty impressed with Playing with Fire! Ashley did an amazing job of keeping me enthralled throughout the story wondering what Madison aka as Maddy was going to do. Would she choose Chris or Carter. Hmm, now you may be thinking this is a love triangle but it isn't like any love triangle I have ever read. Let me explain...


Chris is a no good self-centered asshole who beats - Yes, literally beats Maddy. Maddy and Chris have been together for a couple of years and she feels obligated to him since she has very few people to rely on in her life. However, Maddy does not feel like she can give her heart or her virginity to Chris because of the way she's treated. He is cruel. I will not sugarcoat it. I wanted to rip his balls out and shove them down his throat for the things he does to Maddy. Maddy is scared and rightfully so.


Enter Carter! *Jumps up and down screaming YES* Finally a good guy but a guy who doesn't do commitment. However, something about Maddy pulls Carter in and he can't seem to break the spell. Good, right? Oh yes, very good! He wants a commitment with Maddy! He wants her to be his! Carter pursues Maddy only to be shot down repeatedly not because she doesn't want him but because of that prick Chris. Will Maddy wise up and see that Chris is nothing more than a controlling asshole who will never give her what Carter can? OR Will Maddy choose Chris to save herself and Carter? Hmm, you will have to read Playing with Fire to find out!


This book literally sucks you in and leaves you yearning for more! There are some scenes in the book that will have you ugly crying (rape scene ) and possibly screaming at your eReader - I know I did! I read this bad boy in about 4 hours and when I got to the end I was like WTF! Oh nooooooooooo.......Holy Cliffhanger - but totally worth it! Ashley is currently working on book 2 and it should be out shortly! I cannot wait to see what happens! I need to know the rest of the story =)


Playing with Fire Receives 4.5 STARS!
I received an Arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review

[Kassidy-nicole Langiano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Playing with Fire by Ashley Piscitelli

I will rate this book with an 8/10.
Madison is a sweet girl who has had a troubled past and that trouble doesn’t end when she goes to college like she had hoped. Her mother died tragically when she was little, and as a result her father turned to the bottle to cope with the loss of his wife. Though when he turns to the bottle, he also turns to blaming his only daughter! Leaving her feeling worthless and so alone.
Chris is Madison’s controlling, crazy, scary, abusive butthead (yes I said that) of a boyfriend. He makes her feel unwanted and yet he won’t let her go!
Carter, WOW…. There is no way to describe him other than, a perfect boyfriend; he is gorgeous and I mean the kind of hot that has your jaw on the floor! And to top it off he is caring, all he wants to do is protect and love Madison, he is kind and considerate, and he thinks of every little detail that most men would miss. And yes he does make real life men a disappointment… Yet he too has got a sad past, although he has a loving father, sister and brother, he lost his mother too when he was younger and so he has abandonment issues he has been trying to work on.
I loved this book, it had so many twists and turns and you kept turning the pages because you HAD to know what was going to happen!!!! I feel this book is a great easy read with loads going on but not too much that it detracts from the story line.
Madison learns that family does not mean blood related. Carter learns that he can in fact have a real relationship without being hurt or let down. There are so many wonderful characters thrown into the mix that you actually find yourself smiling down at the book as you read it. I myself got caught smiling like a Muppet last night while I was reading this book 

LOVE it and it is a book that should be put on your TBR list immediately!!!

<3 <3 <3

[BooksandBeyondFiftyShades · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madison is entering her first year of college. When most kids get sent to college with some money, and hugs from their parents. Madison gets kicked out of her foster parent’s home a week early and only has one person she feels she can depend on, her scum of the earth boyfriend, Chris. With zero money, and being basically the only person willing to come to school a week early, Madison is feeling pretty low, until she meets Carter.

Chris and Madison have been together since high school, and at one time Madison felt like he might just be the one, she quickly learned what she was to Chris, a possession, but she figures she would rather be wanted by someone then thrown out again like she was by her father. Madison meets Carter on campus there is an instant attraction, but Madison is not available, Chris refuses to lose what he has already claimed as his.

Let’s just put this out there out Madison has some major issues. There was several times in this book I wanted to shake her, I kept thinking what is wrong with this girl, you have a great guy basically putting it all out there for you treating you like the royal queen and you go back to that jackass? Her reason’s where always clear and I mostly understood them, but still wanted to shake her. Chris evoked such pure hate out of me, he was pure evil, but he kept me turning the pages.

Carter was so sweet, and let me tell you he was a part of a trio better known as the Three Musketeers. I just loved Jason, Carter’s best friend, and one of the trio, he was the ultimate big brother type character to Madison. Another character I really loved and always made me laugh was Carter’s brother.

I loved this book, if you’re in the market for a quick, at times funny, emotional, contemporary romance then this is the book you should read. The ending is a cliff hanger, but no worries the second one is already out to read and I heard it leaves off right where this book ended (thank God.)

[Romance Readers Retreat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have given this book 4 stars on the basis that Goodreads and Amazon do not allow you to grade in half stars, but if I could, it's more likely that I would have graded it 3.5 stars.
Although not a light read by any means, this is quite an easy read. By this I mean that there are some gritty subjects touched upon in the story-line but to counter-act that there is a lightness to the relationship between Maddy and Carter that makes it easier to keep the pages turning. Their relationship is so sweet and loving, Carter is the ideal first love, if only all girls could have known a guy like him in their college years. It's quite short and a quick read too.
I enjoyed the side-line characters in Jason, Nicole and Shawn. They were very likeable characters and I'd like to see what lies ahead for them.
The reason this book didn't make it to a 5 star classification from me is that I found I just could not connect with Maddy, the female lead. Although I respect the hell out of her for her past struggles, and I realise that certain circumstances affect different people in different ways, I found that her weakness was an annoyance to me. I wanted her to be a stronger woman, to fight back and not allow others to beat her down. I wanted her past to have strengthened her character, not turned her into a shadow of a woman constantly in fear of what life will throw her way next. Maybe I'm just harsh, but it seemed she was very immature considering all that she had experienced in her life.
That being said, I would like to read more from this series, mainly to satisfy my curiosity of the ending; this book has one hell of a cliff-hanger ending! But also I am intrigued to read more about Jason, Nicole and Shawn. The little hints of 'more to the story' thrown in along the course of this book have made me want to read the next instalment.