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Fire on Fire
Tamara
Broken. Unlovable. Monstrous. My wild magic is a danger to society.
After being betrayed by the only man I cared about, I make a promise to I won’t let myself be used again. I won’t beg for love and affection again.
Mercifully numb, I while away my days in self-imposed exile—until he comes along and ruins it all.
Trip represents everything I despise.
He can’t shut up. His easy grin is practically etched onto his stupidly handsome face, and he turns everything into a joke. His casual kindness and charming nonchalance make me want to rip my hair out.
What am I supposed to do with a man I can’t seem to get rid of… and at this point, I’m not even sure if I want to?
All I know for certain is that my feelings for him are a death sentence for us both. Trip I didn’t think I‘d meet the love of my life bleedin' out on her doorstep, but I was doomed to fall for her from the moment she pointed a dagger at my chest.
Beneath Tamara’s frosty exterior simmers a blazing temper as hot as the Hells, and I’m sure there’s more to her than the grumpy hermit she plays so well.
The scent of sin is branded into her skin like the smell of smoke on the breeze. It’s the same taint clinging to me.
She’s tryin' her best to get rid of me, and she’s probably right. I should leave. A wanted man like me has no right to be with her. But I have seen the sadness hiding in her stubborn gaze and I can’t bring myself to walk out that door.
I want to be everything she needs, no matter how hard she pushes me away.
**This book is a standalone dual POV dark romance meant for adult audiences only. It features mature, heavy themes, but includes a wholesome relationship between main characters over 30 and open door, spicy scenes. For a full list of TWs, please refer to the author's site.**
After being betrayed by the only man I cared about, I make a promise to I won’t let myself be used again. I won’t beg for love and affection again.
Mercifully numb, I while away my days in self-imposed exile—until he comes along and ruins it all.
Trip represents everything I despise.
He can’t shut up. His easy grin is practically etched onto his stupidly handsome face, and he turns everything into a joke. His casual kindness and charming nonchalance make me want to rip my hair out.
What am I supposed to do with a man I can’t seem to get rid of… and at this point, I’m not even sure if I want to?
All I know for certain is that my feelings for him are a death sentence for us both. Trip I didn’t think I‘d meet the love of my life bleedin' out on her doorstep, but I was doomed to fall for her from the moment she pointed a dagger at my chest.
Beneath Tamara’s frosty exterior simmers a blazing temper as hot as the Hells, and I’m sure there’s more to her than the grumpy hermit she plays so well.
The scent of sin is branded into her skin like the smell of smoke on the breeze. It’s the same taint clinging to me.
She’s tryin' her best to get rid of me, and she’s probably right. I should leave. A wanted man like me has no right to be with her. But I have seen the sadness hiding in her stubborn gaze and I can’t bring myself to walk out that door.
I want to be everything she needs, no matter how hard she pushes me away.
**This book is a standalone dual POV dark romance meant for adult audiences only. It features mature, heavy themes, but includes a wholesome relationship between main characters over 30 and open door, spicy scenes. For a full list of TWs, please refer to the author's site.**
235 pages, Paperback
Published November 19, 2024
About the author
Cyran Faringray
6 books169 followersCyran [ˈsɪ-ræn] Faringray is a queer, chronically ill author of deeply emotional, dark (nec)romantic novels with a touch of horror and morally black villains as love interests. Their character-driven stories feature magic, monsters and everything in between.
Though redemption arcs won’t ever be found in their books, all endings are happy ones.
When they’re not writing, Cyran is usually playing videogames, reading, napping or spending time with their partner and their dog. Their adoration for anything macabre—and erotic—runs deep, and is mirrored in their ever-growing collection of art prints.
Cyran is currently not active on Goodreads and messages will go unread. Please contact them through Instagram (@cyranfaringray) or via email: cyran@cyranfaringray.com
You can find Cyran here:
Website: cyranfaringray.com
Instagram: @cyranfaringray
TikTok: @cyranfaringray
Twitter: @cyranfaringray
Though redemption arcs won’t ever be found in their books, all endings are happy ones.
When they’re not writing, Cyran is usually playing videogames, reading, napping or spending time with their partner and their dog. Their adoration for anything macabre—and erotic—runs deep, and is mirrored in their ever-growing collection of art prints.
Cyran is currently not active on Goodreads and messages will go unread. Please contact them through Instagram (@cyranfaringray) or via email: cyran@cyranfaringray.com
You can find Cyran here:
Website: cyranfaringray.com
Instagram: @cyranfaringray
TikTok: @cyranfaringray
Twitter: @cyranfaringray
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 6, 2025
I found the author through BlueSky, they posted some art of the characters and I knew I had to give this book a read.
I was immediately captivated by the story, world and its characters. And now I feel like I want to read everything Cyran Faringray has ever written, because I'm a fan of their writing style as well.
It's a slow burn, featuring a black cat fmc and a cinnamon roll mmc, both of them with skeletons in their closet.
When Trip showed up on Tamara's doorstep, it was over for me, I fell in love with him instantly and couldn't wait for them to get together. His accent got me, as did his patience with Tammy, and the way he beamed whenever she was nice to him or referred to him as hers around others.
And Tamara, I loved how badass she was, and how she didn't need anyone to protect her, and was even the one to protect herself and Trip when the occasion called for it. She's a loner who's touch-averse, which I can definitely relate to.
Following these two on their healing journey has been wonderful, and the ending was perfect, but I'd still love a sequel!
If you're looking for a unique and fun story, with good mental health rep and a romance that's guaranteed to make you smile, look no further, Fire on Fire is right here!!
I was immediately captivated by the story, world and its characters. And now I feel like I want to read everything Cyran Faringray has ever written, because I'm a fan of their writing style as well.
It's a slow burn, featuring a black cat fmc and a cinnamon roll mmc, both of them with skeletons in their closet.
When Trip showed up on Tamara's doorstep, it was over for me, I fell in love with him instantly and couldn't wait for them to get together. His accent got me, as did his patience with Tammy, and the way he beamed whenever she was nice to him or referred to him as hers around others.
And Tamara, I loved how badass she was, and how she didn't need anyone to protect her, and was even the one to protect herself and Trip when the occasion called for it. She's a loner who's touch-averse, which I can definitely relate to.
Following these two on their healing journey has been wonderful, and the ending was perfect, but I'd still love a sequel!
If you're looking for a unique and fun story, with good mental health rep and a romance that's guaranteed to make you smile, look no further, Fire on Fire is right here!!
December 18, 2024
Fire on Fire brings us a unique love story between Trip and Tamara.
Tamara is a woman shunned, choosing to live alone on the outskirts of town away from everyone else to avoid an incident that’d happened before. She was born with a gift that had caused so much damage, and she had to hide it, so she kept away to herself.
One night Tamara hears a knock on her door and a wounded man asks for assistance because he had been mugged and was injured. Reluctantly, Tamara gives him sanctuary and helps him with his injury and things go from there.
Trip is a fantastic cinnamon roll mmc. He’s mostly a gentleman (except the bathroom scene 🩲) and he helps break down “Tammy’s” walls and finds out who she really is. These two help each other through their trauma beautifully, while learning it’s ok to feel and possibly love again.
This story has some dark elements and some explicit content so please check the CW/TW before reading.
Tamara is a woman shunned, choosing to live alone on the outskirts of town away from everyone else to avoid an incident that’d happened before. She was born with a gift that had caused so much damage, and she had to hide it, so she kept away to herself.
One night Tamara hears a knock on her door and a wounded man asks for assistance because he had been mugged and was injured. Reluctantly, Tamara gives him sanctuary and helps him with his injury and things go from there.
Trip is a fantastic cinnamon roll mmc. He’s mostly a gentleman (except the bathroom scene 🩲) and he helps break down “Tammy’s” walls and finds out who she really is. These two help each other through their trauma beautifully, while learning it’s ok to feel and possibly love again.
This story has some dark elements and some explicit content so please check the CW/TW before reading.
March 16, 2025
"But all I could think of was peeling back her calm to find the monster inside her calling out to the monster inside me."
FIRE ON FIRE sadly was a situation that had good bones to the story but wasn't fleshed out very well. It had a strong start that had me excited for more but slowly lost its spark with each chapter. I also couldn't tell you what time period this was because it went from riding in a horse and cart to using modern vocabulary.
The romance was slow-burn with a golden retriever hero and a standoffish, touch adverse heroine that played well off each other, but we never got to explore the heroine's magic, her trauma or the hero's past. It was more just about their day-to-day life with things only coming to head at the end.
I wish I could have enjoyed this more, but we can't love them all. 2.5 Stars!
FIRE ON FIRE sadly was a situation that had good bones to the story but wasn't fleshed out very well. It had a strong start that had me excited for more but slowly lost its spark with each chapter. I also couldn't tell you what time period this was because it went from riding in a horse and cart to using modern vocabulary.
The romance was slow-burn with a golden retriever hero and a standoffish, touch adverse heroine that played well off each other, but we never got to explore the heroine's magic, her trauma or the hero's past. It was more just about their day-to-day life with things only coming to head at the end.
I wish I could have enjoyed this more, but we can't love them all. 2.5 Stars!
December 2, 2024
Tammy is me, I am Tammy. Someone find me a sweet lil southern Trip asap. Yes he’s definitely southern in this far off fae world.
I love everything Cyran does, but this is my favorite short novel of theirs yet. The actually writing is a work of art every single time and will grab you by your actual soul. Please go read this right now.
I love everything Cyran does, but this is my favorite short novel of theirs yet. The actually writing is a work of art every single time and will grab you by your actual soul. Please go read this right now.
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June 11, 2025As much as I wanted to like this one, I struggled with a lot of it. We were thrown into the book with no explanation of what era or type of world it was in. You can infer that it's in an older time, in a non-descript earth-like planet, with humans, witches, and fae. People seem to be aware of the latter and not care, yet burn witches alive. We get some more details towards the end of the book, but it's really not enough to hash out why she dealt with that treatment.
Almost all of the book exists within a cabin, which causes it to be incredibly slow and repetitive. We get a lot of dialogue and switching POVs, but the chapters never state which characters head you're in, so you have to wait until they mention the other. The book also seems to putter along with slow realizations, and then the last 15% is a rapid-fire of declarations, magic taming, and massive shows of strength. It makes the novel feel rushed and disjointed at the end and left me bringing this one under an average rating, as there was just too much that I couldn't connect with.
All in all, it had the potential to be an interesting and gripping read if there was more diversity in scenes, more world building, and if the latter part of the book wasn't rushed.
Almost all of the book exists within a cabin, which causes it to be incredibly slow and repetitive. We get a lot of dialogue and switching POVs, but the chapters never state which characters head you're in, so you have to wait until they mention the other. The book also seems to putter along with slow realizations, and then the last 15% is a rapid-fire of declarations, magic taming, and massive shows of strength. It makes the novel feel rushed and disjointed at the end and left me bringing this one under an average rating, as there was just too much that I couldn't connect with.
All in all, it had the potential to be an interesting and gripping read if there was more diversity in scenes, more world building, and if the latter part of the book wasn't rushed.
December 3, 2024
I really loved this story!! Not only was it beautifully written (as always by this author), the characters in this book just pull at your heart strings, you can’t help but care for them!! I loved Tamara, shes 33 (we loved an above 30 romance) and she’s a strong, independent, magical woman with a world of trauma, who keeps herself and her magic hidden to protect herself. Due to this she presents as an ice queen, but despite the icy exterior she withholds a strong powerful fire within. Trip is a morally grey cinnamon roll character, who also happens to be a serial killer and did I mention has a southern accent. He had grief in his past and this led him to a life where he also must hide who he is.
Enter them together and you have magic of a different kind. I love that this felt real, these characters didn’t immediately end up together. You go through the motions as they banter back and forth, fight their own internal struggles all whilst slowly figuring out whether they can trust again, whether they can trust each other. I LOVED IT!! You go on a rollercoaster of emotions with these too, as they navigate getting to know each other, building trust and working through and battling their own personal trauma. Trip took his time with Tamara and definitely respected her, i love that he always made sure she was comfortable, knew she was in control and had a safe word before any sexual encounters. He never pushed her to do more than she was capable of mentally and physically and I just loved that. The ending was perfection and honestly id love a spin off of this book to follow them on their journey!!
Enter them together and you have magic of a different kind. I love that this felt real, these characters didn’t immediately end up together. You go through the motions as they banter back and forth, fight their own internal struggles all whilst slowly figuring out whether they can trust again, whether they can trust each other. I LOVED IT!! You go on a rollercoaster of emotions with these too, as they navigate getting to know each other, building trust and working through and battling their own personal trauma. Trip took his time with Tamara and definitely respected her, i love that he always made sure she was comfortable, knew she was in control and had a safe word before any sexual encounters. He never pushed her to do more than she was capable of mentally and physically and I just loved that. The ending was perfection and honestly id love a spin off of this book to follow them on their journey!!
February 16, 2025
Fire on Fire
By Cyran Faringray
This book was randomly selected based on its description from the authors catalog with the intention of providing an honest review for the author. This story provides incredible world building, detailed character development and thoughtful narration. Cyran gives us a beautifully written dance between overcoming the traumas of our past and learning to trust again that is given in a realistically described timeline. It’s easy to respect the relationship being built between our main characters and we can empathize with the difficult decisions they are forced to make. The author delves into themes of justice against corruption, consent and boundaries, betrayal and its effects on confidence. There are so many layers to explore in this book that really offers something to any reader looking to feel a connection to these characters, even for a brief time. The spice is articulated well through the steady anticipation and sexual tension between our FMC and MMC of this slow BURN. Once the fire was ignited however, there was no stifling the flames! 5 ⭐️ 3.5 🌶️
By Cyran Faringray
This book was randomly selected based on its description from the authors catalog with the intention of providing an honest review for the author. This story provides incredible world building, detailed character development and thoughtful narration. Cyran gives us a beautifully written dance between overcoming the traumas of our past and learning to trust again that is given in a realistically described timeline. It’s easy to respect the relationship being built between our main characters and we can empathize with the difficult decisions they are forced to make. The author delves into themes of justice against corruption, consent and boundaries, betrayal and its effects on confidence. There are so many layers to explore in this book that really offers something to any reader looking to feel a connection to these characters, even for a brief time. The spice is articulated well through the steady anticipation and sexual tension between our FMC and MMC of this slow BURN. Once the fire was ignited however, there was no stifling the flames! 5 ⭐️ 3.5 🌶️
February 16, 2025
Fire on Fire is that scene in a romance novel where the characters end up together in a remote cabin, where they bond and realize the true depth of their feelings, and you never want this part to end despite the obligations of everything else pulling them back… and it’s the whole book!
I want to wrap myself in this book and never leave the couch. It’s a perfect rainy-day read (or snowy, depending on the weather) that scratches the brain in the best way. I appreciate that there is a playlist of suggested songs right before the first chapter to set the mood. The tropes are indulgent—golden retriever/black cat, some light kink, and embracing your inner power.
I found this book after connecting with the author, Cyran Faringray, on Threads. I was already intrigued by the themes and plot arcs, but when they mentioned that the main character has the same name as me, obviously, I had to move it to the top of my TBR.
I do wish we could have gone deeper into the healing arcs and conflict resolution, but I will never not be a fan of (fictional) vigilante justice and finding someone who matches your weird.
I want to wrap myself in this book and never leave the couch. It’s a perfect rainy-day read (or snowy, depending on the weather) that scratches the brain in the best way. I appreciate that there is a playlist of suggested songs right before the first chapter to set the mood. The tropes are indulgent—golden retriever/black cat, some light kink, and embracing your inner power.
I found this book after connecting with the author, Cyran Faringray, on Threads. I was already intrigued by the themes and plot arcs, but when they mentioned that the main character has the same name as me, obviously, I had to move it to the top of my TBR.
I do wish we could have gone deeper into the healing arcs and conflict resolution, but I will never not be a fan of (fictional) vigilante justice and finding someone who matches your weird.
November 20, 2024
If you are a person that has ever suffered any kind of trauma, be prepared to cry on this one (but in the best way). I am, admittedly, a huge fan of Cyran Faringray, but they have outdone themselves this time. Their writing is always beautiful but this was next level with quotes that I had to highlight and re-read so that I could feel them all over again. I am not usually one to highlight while reading but this one demanded that I highlight passages. This story takes place in the same universe as all of the Toll of Flesh stories but definitely stands on its own. Tamara was so beautifully broken and so strong in spite of everything that happened to her and I loved having a FMC that was over 30. Trip was the perfect MMC to come in and love her because of her brokenness and his dialogue accounted for most of the highlights that I made. And big big bonus points in spice for Trip helping Tamara use kink as a way to heal her trauma. I have such a big book hangover and I know I will be re-reading this one over and over again. Thank you Cyran for such a beautiful story!
December 16, 2024
Head over Hells
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
What. A. Story!
Cyran has created a spectacular piece of prose here and within the first chapter I was hooked!
Tamara and Trips story is a Grumpy x Sunshine romance but it's the Tammy that's the Grump and Trip is all smiles and banter despite his vigilante tendencies.
I loved the personalities of both characters and the way they helped each other grow.
The past trauma of both bringing them closer together.
The spice is minimal but perfectly placed throughout the story. And perfected scurry where it needs to be.
The bathroom scene was so shameless I loved it!
Honestly I don't have anything more to say other than just read it! And you'll love it as much as i did.
I'd love to see a sequel to this one if Cyran ever writes one ill be first in line to buy it!!
Thank you for an incredible journey!
What to expect
🗡Grumpy x Sunshine
🔥Spice
🗡Great Banter
🔥Twisty
🗡HEA
🔥Murder (the Morally Grey kind🙃)
🗡Golden Retriever MMC
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
What. A. Story!
Cyran has created a spectacular piece of prose here and within the first chapter I was hooked!
Tamara and Trips story is a Grumpy x Sunshine romance but it's the Tammy that's the Grump and Trip is all smiles and banter despite his vigilante tendencies.
I loved the personalities of both characters and the way they helped each other grow.
The past trauma of both bringing them closer together.
The spice is minimal but perfectly placed throughout the story. And perfected scurry where it needs to be.
The bathroom scene was so shameless I loved it!
Honestly I don't have anything more to say other than just read it! And you'll love it as much as i did.
I'd love to see a sequel to this one if Cyran ever writes one ill be first in line to buy it!!
Thank you for an incredible journey!
What to expect
🗡Grumpy x Sunshine
🔥Spice
🗡Great Banter
🔥Twisty
🗡HEA
🔥Murder (the Morally Grey kind🙃)
🗡Golden Retriever MMC
November 26, 2024
Sooo good!
I love both Tamara and Trip. Tamara is a strong, independent, magical woman who is hiding from the world to keep the world (and her heart) safe. Trip is a morally grey, cinnamon roll who is also hiding from the world... For entirely different reasons. He is a wanted man because he is in the business of vengeance. He seeks refuge in Tamara's cabin deep in the woods. At first, they try to resist... Until they can't (and its sooooo good when they can't!!) Fire is an important component to both of them. Though they seem so different -- like attracts like -- which is their fire!
This the first book I have read from this author and I love it. I love the writing style and the character building. I love how their love grows, their dark pasts, their need to protect each other.... ALL OF IT! I will be reading more from this author.
I love both Tamara and Trip. Tamara is a strong, independent, magical woman who is hiding from the world to keep the world (and her heart) safe. Trip is a morally grey, cinnamon roll who is also hiding from the world... For entirely different reasons. He is a wanted man because he is in the business of vengeance. He seeks refuge in Tamara's cabin deep in the woods. At first, they try to resist... Until they can't (and its sooooo good when they can't!!) Fire is an important component to both of them. Though they seem so different -- like attracts like -- which is their fire!
This the first book I have read from this author and I love it. I love the writing style and the character building. I love how their love grows, their dark pasts, their need to protect each other.... ALL OF IT! I will be reading more from this author.
February 18, 2025
This felt like a fun fantasy read with some oddities (which you might like or might turn you off).
Things:
1. It's a world that has magic but isn't heavily explained in world building which I was fine with.
2. The MMC reads as a southern boy with a unique voice that I found original and endearing
3. I love that we get a grumpy/sunshine dynamic with the fmc being grumpy and the mmc being sunshine
4. Loved the discussion of trauma and/or healing that needs to happen.
5. At times it felt a little dramatic or soap operaish... but it wasn't always off putting. Sometimes it did impact the pacing though.
I sometimes think this is three stars, sometimes think it's 2. It was a fine read but wasn't something that grabbed me.
Things:
1. It's a world that has magic but isn't heavily explained in world building which I was fine with.
2. The MMC reads as a southern boy with a unique voice that I found original and endearing
3. I love that we get a grumpy/sunshine dynamic with the fmc being grumpy and the mmc being sunshine
4. Loved the discussion of trauma and/or healing that needs to happen.
5. At times it felt a little dramatic or soap operaish... but it wasn't always off putting. Sometimes it did impact the pacing though.
I sometimes think this is three stars, sometimes think it's 2. It was a fine read but wasn't something that grabbed me.
December 30, 2024
a masterpiece
I didn’t really know what to expect when I started this but I was literally HOOKED by the second page. This story was SO beautiful. The banter and the tension between Trip (one of my favorite names ever btw) and Tammy was so perfect and his unwavering devotion to her had me like 🥹🥹🥹 the entire book. Tammy went through SO MUCH her entire life and the amount of growth she achieved during her time with Trip was so beautiful to see. This is my third or fourth book by this author and it’s my favorite so far even though I’ve loved everything else I’ve read by them. And of course the spice was so so so delicious as always. Check your trigger warnings though!
I didn’t really know what to expect when I started this but I was literally HOOKED by the second page. This story was SO beautiful. The banter and the tension between Trip (one of my favorite names ever btw) and Tammy was so perfect and his unwavering devotion to her had me like 🥹🥹🥹 the entire book. Tammy went through SO MUCH her entire life and the amount of growth she achieved during her time with Trip was so beautiful to see. This is my third or fourth book by this author and it’s my favorite so far even though I’ve loved everything else I’ve read by them. And of course the spice was so so so delicious as always. Check your trigger warnings though!
March 26, 2025
This was such a good read! Trip & Tamara were two broken souls who found each other, and helped heal wounds that they each thought would never heal. A black cat FMC who has sworn off love, Tamara hates Trip from the minute he stumbles into her life. He falls first and fast though, then has to wait for her to catch up. So good!
January 12, 2025
AAAAA
This was everything I ever expected and more when I stumbled across it on Threads! The author writes beautifully, and while fantasy isn't usually my favorite, it was incredibly enjoyable in this book.
This was everything I ever expected and more when I stumbled across it on Threads! The author writes beautifully, and while fantasy isn't usually my favorite, it was incredibly enjoyable in this book.
February 28, 2025
In one word: beautiful. The writing is just beautiful. This love story that ebbs and flows naturally is just beautiful. I fell in love with the characters immediately and experienced the story alongside them. I can’t recommend this book enough!
March 5, 2025
Quick read but really enjoyable. The spice was spicing but the love story was so cute. Definitely violent so avoid if you aren’t a fan of burning bodies? Second read by this author and I will definitely be reading more!
March 18, 2025
Beautiful story of two morally grey characters finding love and acceptance in each other. Thoroughly enjoyed and for it being a dark romance the actual interactions between the two MCs was really adorable.
January 5, 2025
Absolutely LOVED this book!!!! Incredible writing. Great story. Highly recommend!!
January 13, 2025
3.5? It's cute, and I enjoyed the fantasy setting for dark romance better than contemporary.
January 27, 2025
4.5/5 ⭐️
3.0/5 🔥
3.0/5 🔥
February 8, 2025
This is basically the perfect book, my dream romance book. Deeply traumatized characters. So incredibly beautiful and satisfying to see them get together and overcome their inner struggles.
February 19, 2025
Even though this is a quick read you can still feel the depths of emotions from the characters
March 11, 2025
This one started out strong and then steadily went down hill
November 26, 2024
Cyran is a master of prose & this book will forever be my only argument needed to prove my point.
This was such a surprise deviation from their previous releases yet one that unearthed a different side to them we’ve yet to formally meet.
These characters, a black cat FMC & golden retriever MMC on the surface, held so many multitudes that Cyran revealed. While I LOVED the surface tension of the grumpy/sunshine, it was when their true selves were revealed that the fire erupted.
This was such a surprise deviation from their previous releases yet one that unearthed a different side to them we’ve yet to formally meet.
These characters, a black cat FMC & golden retriever MMC on the surface, held so many multitudes that Cyran revealed. While I LOVED the surface tension of the grumpy/sunshine, it was when their true selves were revealed that the fire erupted.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews