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Starting Fires #1
Starting Fires
I was strong enough.
My resolve was high.
My walls were higher.
He was heartache incarnate.
I knew this, but didn't stay away.
We pushed and pulled, keeping one another at arms length.
But then something changed.
Something started.
And neither of us were prepared for it.
My resolve was high.
My walls were higher.
He was heartache incarnate.
I knew this, but didn't stay away.
We pushed and pulled, keeping one another at arms length.
But then something changed.
Something started.
And neither of us were prepared for it.
422 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 21, 2014
21 people are currently reading
309 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
December 2, 2014
2.5 MAKE IT STOP!!!! Stars
”What do you want from me?” he asked.
Just all of you. Everything. Nothing.”
This had to the most frustrating book I have read all year! It is well written a 4 Star for the writing to be fair. The main characters were 26 and 29 year olds who live and act like teenagers. All the characters house together, party, attend college and handle relationships like they never been in one before.
The story has so much day to day to day to day crap while Marlowe falls for the hottie/player Lucas who lives across the street and they are together but not together thing for entire book.
Lucas has a harem (Stephanie, Gwen, Candace, Sandra )of girls with the lead spot given to Candace an old/current girlfriend who he won’t shake off. I seriously couldn't stomach Candace and felt she was in story way too long.
Marlowe and Lucas won’t commit. Lucas won’t explain anything and so we go to the bar, we study, watch movies and go to bed over and over again. When Marlowe finds out that Lucas lied and does CHEAT she pushes him away and takes him back and just can't figure out what she feels.
I ended up seriously hating both characters but if you like angst and day to day writing and a male lead who never says enough and a stubborn guarded heroine then this is the one's for you.
”We’d already hurt each other, broken trust, and riddled our relationship with doubt.”
The story does end on a happy note but at this point I just wanted it to end due to aggravation and boredom.
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Still, these two finally get it right and end on a happy note so that's something.
”I’ve never been anyone’s, Marzy. But I was yours the moment I saw you step out of that Jeep. I just didn’t know it yet.”
”What do you want from me?” he asked.
Just all of you. Everything. Nothing.”
This had to the most frustrating book I have read all year! It is well written a 4 Star for the writing to be fair. The main characters were 26 and 29 year olds who live and act like teenagers. All the characters house together, party, attend college and handle relationships like they never been in one before.
The story has so much day to day to day to day crap while Marlowe falls for the hottie/player Lucas who lives across the street and they are together but not together thing for entire book.
Lucas has a harem (Stephanie, Gwen, Candace, Sandra )of girls with the lead spot given to Candace an old/current girlfriend who he won’t shake off. I seriously couldn't stomach Candace and felt she was in story way too long.
Marlowe and Lucas won’t commit. Lucas won’t explain anything and so we go to the bar, we study, watch movies and go to bed over and over again. When Marlowe finds out that Lucas lied and does CHEAT she pushes him away and takes him back and just can't figure out what she feels.
I ended up seriously hating both characters but if you like angst and day to day writing and a male lead who never says enough and a stubborn guarded heroine then this is the one's for you.
”We’d already hurt each other, broken trust, and riddled our relationship with doubt.”
The story does end on a happy note but at this point I just wanted it to end due to aggravation and boredom.
[image error]
Still, these two finally get it right and end on a happy note so that's something.
”I’ve never been anyone’s, Marzy. But I was yours the moment I saw you step out of that Jeep. I just didn’t know it yet.”
March 7, 2016
*Copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review*
This was the debut, and first book I've read by Makenzie and I became a fan instantly.
This book follows Marlowe, a woman that needed a change of scenery so goes to live with her best friend and his roommate. Her relationship with her family made me very sad. It resonated with me in a way and it was rough to experience.
Then she meets Lucas, her neighbor and a friend of her best friend's. Their relationship picks up from there and I was completely enthralled. Whenever these two argued, their words felt like physical blows to my heart. They made me tear up a lot. I sort of felt like Lucas didn't work too hard to get Marlowe's attention. I wanted him to work for it!! But I grew to love them together anyway. I wasn't quite a fan of the back-and-forth between these two but I quickly got over that as well. Their happiness made me giddy and the steamy scenes were off the charts. I couldn't put the book down and refused to do it.
This book was a little on the thick side but I felt none of it. I was hooked from the start and I felt like this group of friends was my own. I grew attached to all of them and devoured every speck of information from their lives with pleasure.
Of course, there is one particular character that pissed me off beyond belief. I wanted them to get what they deserved SO BAD and although they did, I would have gone a tad physical about it. But that's just me.
Anyway, Wally was my absolute favorite character of this book. He stole the spotlight every time he spoke and had me hysterically laughing too many times to count. He made me have to stop reading because I was laughing so hard and couldn't concentrate.
This book made me feel a lot of things. The characters angered and disappointed me, but only because I wanted the best for them and they didn't always act like they should be acting. It was a roller coaster of emotions but I want more!
This was the debut, and first book I've read by Makenzie and I became a fan instantly.
This book follows Marlowe, a woman that needed a change of scenery so goes to live with her best friend and his roommate. Her relationship with her family made me very sad. It resonated with me in a way and it was rough to experience.
Then she meets Lucas, her neighbor and a friend of her best friend's. Their relationship picks up from there and I was completely enthralled. Whenever these two argued, their words felt like physical blows to my heart. They made me tear up a lot. I sort of felt like Lucas didn't work too hard to get Marlowe's attention. I wanted him to work for it!! But I grew to love them together anyway. I wasn't quite a fan of the back-and-forth between these two but I quickly got over that as well. Their happiness made me giddy and the steamy scenes were off the charts. I couldn't put the book down and refused to do it.
This book was a little on the thick side but I felt none of it. I was hooked from the start and I felt like this group of friends was my own. I grew attached to all of them and devoured every speck of information from their lives with pleasure.
Of course, there is one particular character that pissed me off beyond belief. I wanted them to get what they deserved SO BAD and although they did, I would have gone a tad physical about it. But that's just me.
Anyway, Wally was my absolute favorite character of this book. He stole the spotlight every time he spoke and had me hysterically laughing too many times to count. He made me have to stop reading because I was laughing so hard and couldn't concentrate.
This book made me feel a lot of things. The characters angered and disappointed me, but only because I wanted the best for them and they didn't always act like they should be acting. It was a roller coaster of emotions but I want more!
December 4, 2014
I loved this book I couldn't put it down , Eventhough at times Marlowe and Lucas go on my nerves , I loved their story. Definite must read for me enough angst, romance and comedy rolled into one.
December 3, 2014
I liked. Then I didn't. Then I skimmed and then back to liking it.
It was terribly repetitive with the whole "we aren't really together". Which actually, was something I liked because that brought the angst. Marlowe had the same thoughts again and again. This made me skim. Which in turn made me not like it.
The whole age thing did.not.work. The set up really is a college type young read with tons of partying and not knowing what you want out of life. So when you find out they are 26- almost 30 just didn't make you believe anything. I mean "suck face" really??
The beginning was great and I loved Lucas, the middle was boring and the same. The second half added much drama and I wished for more and I liked the end when Lucas FINALLY had the balls to give her everything he needed to give. In which I mean- BLOW UP!
There was a lot that didn't work. It was super long. There really wasn't true angst, just glimpse of angst. Also, all the talk of cheating- there really wasn't any. Which turned her freak out to childish.
I would have loved to get my beta hands on this and really smoothed things out and added some stomach knots!!
3 stars
It was terribly repetitive with the whole "we aren't really together". Which actually, was something I liked because that brought the angst. Marlowe had the same thoughts again and again. This made me skim. Which in turn made me not like it.
The whole age thing did.not.work. The set up really is a college type young read with tons of partying and not knowing what you want out of life. So when you find out they are 26- almost 30 just didn't make you believe anything. I mean "suck face" really??
The beginning was great and I loved Lucas, the middle was boring and the same. The second half added much drama and I wished for more and I liked the end when Lucas FINALLY had the balls to give her everything he needed to give. In which I mean- BLOW UP!
There was a lot that didn't work. It was super long. There really wasn't true angst, just glimpse of angst. Also, all the talk of cheating- there really wasn't any. Which turned her freak out to childish.
I would have loved to get my beta hands on this and really smoothed things out and added some stomach knots!!
3 stars
December 1, 2014
This book was great, a tad too long, but it was still really good. I enjoyed the characters and the story was very hard to put down. The love between the main characters grow slowly over time. I liked how things developed in a natural way. No insta-love!!!!! The characters grew over time and was a very enjoyable journey. The books starts with a different point of view than what you expect and it really helped me decipher what might be going on with different characters during the story. I read the book in one day!
December 31, 2014
4 Finally You Are My Everything Stars!
I loved and hated this book!
Marlow and Lucas danced around their feelings for each other through 95% of the book. They were the two most stubborn people ever!! Jeez!!! So much drama because neither of them acted their age. Me...I hated it and loved it. I couldn't quit reading it! I guess I love drama if it's written right. Haha!
Can't wait for more from this author:))
I loved and hated this book!
Marlow and Lucas danced around their feelings for each other through 95% of the book. They were the two most stubborn people ever!! Jeez!!! So much drama because neither of them acted their age. Me...I hated it and loved it. I couldn't quit reading it! I guess I love drama if it's written right. Haha!
Can't wait for more from this author:))
December 1, 2014
Great read!! Loved it!!!
December 3, 2014
Looooved it!!!
December 3, 2014
First half...things seemed repetitive, like same shit different day. Marlowe & Lucas annoyed the shit outta me.
But second half...I was totally rooting for them and
I got all teary eyed a few times.
★★★★ 1/2 Stars
But second half...I was totally rooting for them and
I got all teary eyed a few times.
★★★★ 1/2 Stars
May 26, 2015
I found this book strictly by word of mouth. A co-worker told me "Hey, my husband's cousin wrote a book and I bet you'd like it". Well ok then, I jumped on Amazon and looked at the description & thought it sounded good. Then I saw a review and it mentioned Molly McAdams and that made me excited to read it b/c I love Molly.
I started reading Starting Fires on Friday night by Saturday I couldnt put it down and kept looking for excuses to pick up my kindle to finish the book. Due to my family needing to be fed & such I wasnt able to finish it until Sunday.
I enjoyed this book. There were times I laughed out loud, I fought the urge to toss the kindle a couple of times and I even had a few tears. Those emotions ususally mean I enjoyed the book. Marlowe pretty much had every issue a girl could have and you still end up pulling for her in the end. Did I want to jump into the book and shake her a few times? You bet!!! Did I think to myself or even scream in frustration over Lucas and how blind he was at times? Absolutely!!! That just means that I connected with the characters in a book. So be warned that your emotions will be all over the place but the ride is well worth it.
I love that their friends are their family because mine are very much like that. I will not give away the ending but I ended the book with my fingers crossed that Makenzie Smith's next book will tell Wally's story. Lucky for me I got to work and found her FB page and sure enough Wally is up next (so happy)!!!!
I was very impressed with Makenzie Smith's 1st book. I look forward to her 2nd book. I love that she is a local because everyone should love Louisiana.
I started reading Starting Fires on Friday night by Saturday I couldnt put it down and kept looking for excuses to pick up my kindle to finish the book. Due to my family needing to be fed & such I wasnt able to finish it until Sunday.
I enjoyed this book. There were times I laughed out loud, I fought the urge to toss the kindle a couple of times and I even had a few tears. Those emotions ususally mean I enjoyed the book. Marlowe pretty much had every issue a girl could have and you still end up pulling for her in the end. Did I want to jump into the book and shake her a few times? You bet!!! Did I think to myself or even scream in frustration over Lucas and how blind he was at times? Absolutely!!! That just means that I connected with the characters in a book. So be warned that your emotions will be all over the place but the ride is well worth it.
I love that their friends are their family because mine are very much like that. I will not give away the ending but I ended the book with my fingers crossed that Makenzie Smith's next book will tell Wally's story. Lucky for me I got to work and found her FB page and sure enough Wally is up next (so happy)!!!!
I was very impressed with Makenzie Smith's 1st book. I look forward to her 2nd book. I love that she is a local because everyone should love Louisiana.
December 31, 2015
This story follows Marlowe, a socialite, a daughter and a wounded soul. She discovers that her longtime boyfriend has cheated on her. But instead of calling it quits, she begs for him back. After months of self loathing she finds that she has been going about her life all wrong. With all the courage she can muster, she calls her long time friend Bear and packs her bags and moves to New Orleans. On arrival to the new city she not only gets new roommates but great neighbors. Lucas is a bar owner and singer in a band…and Marlowe’s neighbor. They both hit it off immediately, but nothing is easy when it comes to love after you have been wounded. Lucas and Marlowe struggle to find themselves as individuals and as a couple. The secondary characters in this book are just as amazing as the two main characters. The writing is outstanding and will leave you “well feed” (as I say when I have read a book that just makes you feel all is right and proper in the world). Although lengthy at times, this is one book you will be glad you read.
“Don’t sacrifice your own joy for something than means so little to you.”
“Don’t sacrifice your own joy for something than means so little to you.”
December 5, 2014
I liked this book a lot and enjoyed getting to know the characters, I couldn't put it down, I needed to know how it finished, it was a bit angsty but didn't make me cry. I felt a bit annoyed with Marlow towards the end but I could understand where she was coming from. I would definitely recommend it and will look out for the next book by this author.
August 24, 2015
As a fan of books, finding an Author like Makenzie Smith is like finding Willy Wonka's golden ticket! Starting Fire is over 400+ pages and I finished in 24 hrs because I just could not put this book down! Marlowe and Lucas push and pull at each other and you become so immersed in the story you don't want the book to end!
October 12, 2015
This book is crazy good. Very different of the regular romance. It's no instant love, but it has instant lust. The couple is real, their story is what happened with you or your friends, they get mad, they do stupid stuff, but they do get over , they forgive themselves ,each other. I am impressed! I will keep an eye for Makenzie Smith books.
December 8, 2014
Really good book!
I thought this book was really good. I did put it down for a bit but I shouldn't have done that because now that i have finished it I missed out on how really good it was at that time.
I thought this book was really good. I did put it down for a bit but I shouldn't have done that because now that i have finished it I missed out on how really good it was at that time.
December 9, 2014
One of my favorite books of 2014. Just wonderful. I couldn't stop reading. I love this love story...but at times I wanted to scream. So many emotions were captured in this book...and I just loved the "group" of characters...I fell I love with all of them. Great book Mak!!
September 22, 2015
Loved
This was a really good read. Their is so much love and jealousy that it makes the book so good. Free on KU ...which made it extra awesome. But I would of paid for it. Awesome book
This was a really good read. Their is so much love and jealousy that it makes the book so good. Free on KU ...which made it extra awesome. But I would of paid for it. Awesome book
December 2, 2014
3.5 stars
December 6, 2014
Marlowe annoyed me at times but I loved the intensity shared between herself and Lucas. I connected with both characters from the very beginning. I really enjoy this book!
December 24, 2014
Tug at your heart
This pull back and forth made it maddening at times but it's understandable with the characters. It a heartwarming book.
This pull back and forth made it maddening at times but it's understandable with the characters. It a heartwarming book.
February 13, 2015
Hard to put down!
I loved this book but near the end my emotions were so twisted it was hard to finish. I got caught up in the characters and my heart almost couldn't take it!
I loved this book but near the end my emotions were so twisted it was hard to finish. I got caught up in the characters and my heart almost couldn't take it!
May 7, 2017
"You came into my life and started a fire that burned so hot and fast, I was ash, crumbling before I even knew what was happening."
I do not even know where to begin! You guys, I LOVE THIS BOOK! Starting Fires by Makenzie Smith is absolutely amazing and totally blew my mind. It is safe to say that this book is one of my favorite reads this year. I enjoyed every little tiny part of this book. Smith has an amazing mind and I need more books by this lady!
Smith introduces us to a young woman named Marlowe. Marlowe lives in Louisiana where she is stuck in a bad relationship. The day this man breaks up with Marlowe is the day her life truly begins! Marlowe moves in with her best friend Charles. Moving to New Orleans will either be a blessing in disguise or one big mistake. Living with Charles is great, but living across the street from Lucas is a whole different story. Marlowe spotted Lucas the first day she arrived at Charles' house. Lucas immediately spotted her as well. There is only one problem here.. Lucas is a player! Lucas really likes his girls and never stays with one for too long. Can Charles convince Marlowe that liking Lucas is a bad idea? Will Marlowe be just another girl under Lucas' belt? Charles is genuinely worried about Marlowe.
"I thirsted for her. Hungered for her. And I burned for her. My fire was strong, and it was never going out."
Starting Fires has everything a great book needs! There is drama, love, friendship, betrayal, and so much more! The characters are all so complex and well thought out. Smith really brings this story to life. I felt that I was in this book with Marlowe helping her along the way. I cried when she cried, I was frustrated when she was, and I was happy when she was happy! This book really tore at my heart strings! I was crying one minute and then I was all happy and excited the next minute. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and was not able to put this book down. I felt like there was always something important or intense happening, so there was never a good time to take a break. There was no way I was going to walk away from this book and be able to think straight. Smith's pages had consumed my mind.
I loved all the characters in this book! Charles, Wally, Ian, Lucas, Marlowe, Nicole, and Lacey were awesome! Ian was the only one I never felt totally connected with, but that is because he was the most quiet out of all the characters. This group of friends is definitely a group you guys do not want to miss out on!
One thing I noticed and enjoyed the most was that Smith's writing is real. The love in her book was not easy, it was real. The fights in her book were not exaggerated, they were real. The girls in her book were not all skinny and perfect, they were real! While reading this story, I did not feel like I was reading some perfect fairytale romance. Don't get me wrong, I do love perfect romance stories.... but we do live in the real world, and how often do those perfect romance stories really happen? Never. Smith's story is real and could easily happen daily.
This will always be a book I hold close to me. I really connected with this book for some reason. Makenzie Smith is an awesome writer and I can not wait to start the second book in this series!
I do not even know where to begin! You guys, I LOVE THIS BOOK! Starting Fires by Makenzie Smith is absolutely amazing and totally blew my mind. It is safe to say that this book is one of my favorite reads this year. I enjoyed every little tiny part of this book. Smith has an amazing mind and I need more books by this lady!
Smith introduces us to a young woman named Marlowe. Marlowe lives in Louisiana where she is stuck in a bad relationship. The day this man breaks up with Marlowe is the day her life truly begins! Marlowe moves in with her best friend Charles. Moving to New Orleans will either be a blessing in disguise or one big mistake. Living with Charles is great, but living across the street from Lucas is a whole different story. Marlowe spotted Lucas the first day she arrived at Charles' house. Lucas immediately spotted her as well. There is only one problem here.. Lucas is a player! Lucas really likes his girls and never stays with one for too long. Can Charles convince Marlowe that liking Lucas is a bad idea? Will Marlowe be just another girl under Lucas' belt? Charles is genuinely worried about Marlowe.
"I thirsted for her. Hungered for her. And I burned for her. My fire was strong, and it was never going out."
Starting Fires has everything a great book needs! There is drama, love, friendship, betrayal, and so much more! The characters are all so complex and well thought out. Smith really brings this story to life. I felt that I was in this book with Marlowe helping her along the way. I cried when she cried, I was frustrated when she was, and I was happy when she was happy! This book really tore at my heart strings! I was crying one minute and then I was all happy and excited the next minute. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and was not able to put this book down. I felt like there was always something important or intense happening, so there was never a good time to take a break. There was no way I was going to walk away from this book and be able to think straight. Smith's pages had consumed my mind.
I loved all the characters in this book! Charles, Wally, Ian, Lucas, Marlowe, Nicole, and Lacey were awesome! Ian was the only one I never felt totally connected with, but that is because he was the most quiet out of all the characters. This group of friends is definitely a group you guys do not want to miss out on!
One thing I noticed and enjoyed the most was that Smith's writing is real. The love in her book was not easy, it was real. The fights in her book were not exaggerated, they were real. The girls in her book were not all skinny and perfect, they were real! While reading this story, I did not feel like I was reading some perfect fairytale romance. Don't get me wrong, I do love perfect romance stories.... but we do live in the real world, and how often do those perfect romance stories really happen? Never. Smith's story is real and could easily happen daily.
This will always be a book I hold close to me. I really connected with this book for some reason. Makenzie Smith is an awesome writer and I can not wait to start the second book in this series!
May 18, 2016
I'm kind of torn on my feelings for this book. The plot itself was your typical new age romance, the characters were interesting but not memorable, the story dragged on...I mean, I really liked the first half but after a while the back-and-forth character issues got on my nerves. I found myself rolling my eyes and skimming pages a lot. The excited/nervous feeling I got in the beginning was absent for a large portion of the story. I don't know. This one was just kind of "meh" for me.
December 9, 2014
This book is well written, a bit too long. I skimmed parts because the main characters annoyed me at times, they acted like they were teenagers and they were 26 and 29 years old!!!!
August 11, 2015
Unnecessarily loooong. The last few chapter's felt like it took ages to get to that HEA. But I did enjoy the book as a whole.
October 11, 2015
My only complaint was that it was a little too long, but otherwise would have been 5 stars
July 8, 2017
I liked most of the characters in this book. The heroine was mildly annoying at times. It was well written but there was a lot of mundane, repetitive pieces to the story. Overall, I enjoyed it and will continue with the next book as it is the story of my favorite character from this one.
December 4, 2014
I liked this book, mainly because of how well it was written. I liked Lucas and Marlowe, but didn't understand how two grown adults couldn't get it together. I think the flaw in this book was that from the beginning both Lucas and Marlowe acted like they were teenagers, not grown adults. Lucas turned 30 and I never felt he was that age, he said and did things that a much younger man would do, as did Marlowe. Their lack of communication and emotional immaturity was very frustrating to read. The jealousy and lack of trust in their relationship gave the story a very child like feel, and at times I just quit caring about either one of them. Both Lucas and Marlowe were also very good at using other people to "get back" at one another, and this was throughout the entire book. It got tiring and seemed like it just repeated itself over, and over, and over. I would be interested in reading another book by this author, I would be curious to see how/if her writing matured.
May 24, 2016
This book could have been SO much better.
1- It was way too long. I felt like it went on FOREVER.
2- The main characters could have been more likable. To me, I just wanted to slap both of them and shake some sense into them. I get that they had issues that they had to work out but it was like every other chapter they were in a fight because they refused to be HONEST and OPEN with each other. I was getting whiplash from the amount of times they went back in forth. "I love you!'...'Just kidding! I hate you because you sleep around!"..."oh you weren't sleeping around? my bad!" and repeat...UGH.
1- It was way too long. I felt like it went on FOREVER.
2- The main characters could have been more likable. To me, I just wanted to slap both of them and shake some sense into them. I get that they had issues that they had to work out but it was like every other chapter they were in a fight because they refused to be HONEST and OPEN with each other. I was getting whiplash from the amount of times they went back in forth. "I love you!'...'Just kidding! I hate you because you sleep around!"..."oh you weren't sleeping around? my bad!" and repeat...UGH.
January 2, 2015
I loved Marlowe or Marzy and Lucas, I even adored the secondary characters like Wally and Charles, if there was one thing that I could change I wish we would've gotten more of the HEA, I think the back and forth got drug out for a bit too long and I hated that every time they were about to straighten things out someone or something would interrupt, but I loved these two enough to deal with it and keep cheering for them, I hope we see more of these two in the future and would love to see the secondary characters like Wally and Mia get their own books!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews