Wow! An EPIC finale to a truly incredible summer series! This riveting page-turner has all the elements of a blockbuster: intrigue, suspense, surprise, romance, and plot twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. And warning: you will NOT be able to put it down! This one is action-packed from start to finish!
Like I said: Epic. Finale.
Since the very first book of this series, Crispin has been a mystery out there somewhere on the horizon, so it was so very rewarding to finally get his story. And, Jade?? Wow! Way to bring in a tough, gritty character we didn’t even realize we needed. And boy, did we fall in love with both of them individually; which just built crazy anticipation for their redemption story. (And can I just mention their super-witty banter and those fiery-hot kisses?) It wasn’t humanly possible to ship them one iota more!
To top it off, this book overflowed with beautiful spiritual nuggets to encourage our faith. The message of grace was tangible, and the message of hope, so powerful. “Hope which helps us say: it is well with my soul.”
And what about all those mentions and cameos of characters from series’ past? Are you kidding me? (So many Easter eggs, and I (really) will try NOT to spoil anything): so many smokejumpers and hotshots from the previous Montana Fire series (including Jade’s big bro). A certain country star from the Air One Alaska series. There was also mention of a certain President who first appeared in the Montana Marshall’s series; as well as a Marshall brother-in-law himself, whose name starts with YYYY (oh my heart). (And was that Pete from Wait for Me???) Apparently Alan Martin is still out there stirring up trouble (come on, Susie May, when are we going to finish this guy off? Perhaps a new series that ends with him (finally) paying the piper?) And did anyone else out there think that maybe that ranger fire tower in the epilogue could be the exact same one where Reuben went to call for help when Gilly was hurt in Burning for You (Montana Fire: Summer of Fire series)? Thank you, Susie May for all those hidden gems that brought up sooooo much nostalgia. You will love reading every. single. one.
Again: Epic. Finale.
I should mention a few Notable Quotables:
- (I was hooked from the very first line): “Frankly, Crispin was just tired of being dead. Dead, and in his pajamas. Wow, he needed pants, because the flimsy hospital gown was getting a little breezy.”
- “Hope is how we survive. How we say ‘It is well with my soul.’” He wanted to believe it. Wanted to sink into her gaze, to pull out of her that faith that seemed so tangible, so…real.
- “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind can imagine what God has planned for those who love him. My paraphrase, but it’s something like that. It’s what keeps me moving forward sometimes.”
- Something big and glorious and freeing swept through him and took hold. He wanted to name it…hope. “Hope is how we survive. How we say “It is well with my soul.” That’s what he wanted—to be well in his soul, come what may.
I could gush on and on about this epic conclusion to a wonderful multi-author series. It ticked off all the boxes for me, and I would gladly give it wayyyyyy more than 5 stars (if only I were allowed). Thank you, Susie May for this powerful story of sacrifice, faith, and hope. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every single second spent Chasing Fire in Montana this summer and I can’t wait to see what you write next!