Fire & Ice

by Megan W. Roma

Skye
My first week back from school and my car is wrecked. Now I have to put up with an obnoxious mechanic who thinks I’m dumber than a stump. Just because I come from a wealthy family doesn’t mean I’m shallow or stupid. Dorran ticks me off every time I think of him, but something’s off about his bad boy persona. Is it real or just a façade?
I can’t put my finger on it.
Yet.

Dorran
Every time I fix a car for some rich idiot, I end up getting the 9th degree. I can’t stand the way Skye thinks she’s better than anyone else, and I want nothing to do with her type. I accept my past mistakes and that my lot in life will never include people of her status. I’ll make a name for myself after I leave this town for good. But I always ask myself, what if things were different?

As Dorran finishes his last job before he leaves town forever, can Skye melt his heart before it’s too late?

163 pages, ebook

Published February 15, 2020

Reviews

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

What happens when a pampered rich girl clashes with a blue-collar guy just hoping to get out of town without any trouble? Of course sparks fly! Skye is the daughter of the most powerful man in town. She has maids, butlers, a limo. Yup. Anything Skye wants, Skye gets, and that little thing called boundaries? Yeah, that doesn’t exist in her world. (Ahem, fire alarm incident.) Dorran was the one I really connected with, a skilled mechanic who is hired to fix her car after it’s been totaled. He has a relatable background and wants to head off to the military and turn his life around. Skye isn’t part of that plan. But of course, things change!

While I eventually grew to enjoy Skye and Dorran’s story, it took me a while to get into this book. I found myself losing focus at times because of many scenes where “stuff happens” but doesn’t advance the plot or leads to meaningful character development. Lots of details particularly regarding car repair seemed overwritten and slowed the pacing. A ruthless edit would cut out the extraneous bits, fix some odd usage of italics, and help the rest of the story to shine.

Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.

[Anne Holster · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Fire and Ice' is the debut novel from talented author, Megan Roma. It is the well-woven love story of Skye Larson and Dorran Black- both twenty-somethings living lives that couldn't have been more different from one another. Skye is the daughter of a wealthy banker who's grown up in the lap of luxury (servants, chefs, chauffeur - the works!). Dorran, on the other hand, has had it tough, coming from a broken home with a drug addicted mother and a father who is in prison.

From the start these two had an undeniable chemistry that in the beginning both seemed to want to deny. Skye, because she has sworn off men after one disappointing boyfriend after another and Dorran because of reasons I won't get into as to avoid spoilers. It's obvious to the reader that these two belong together, but Roma crafts a tale that keeps us guessing if they will ever be able to overcome the obstacles that stand in their way (Skye's overprotective father who has already disinherited Skye's sister, Liliane for disobeying him and Dorran's baggage from his past along with his plans to join the military).

The novel is fast-paced and extremely well-written and I look forward to reading more from this author. Pack this one in your bag for sure when you head to the beach this summer! Well done!

[Laura Clementz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skye Larson is the daughter of a highly successful businessman and faces all the responsibilities and expectations that goes along with that role. Dorran Black is a highly sought-after mechanic who learned his trade in unconventional ways. Skye is spoiled and heated and Dorran is protected and cold. The two meet and with one being fire and the other ice, the sparks fly while the two opposites lead to attraction.

With chapters that alternate between the two main character’s perspective, this book is an easy, fun read with a simple but pleasing ending. A rising plot and a few twists keeps the reader engaged and interested in the outcomes of their relationship alongside the other characters that enter the scene. The writing is smooth that illustrates a classic theme and gives a bit of a fairy tale feel making this book a great summer or vacation read for those who enjoy romance

[Kaylin Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was extremely charming and once I got into the story, it was difficult to put down. It's a story I would recommend to anyone looking for a good young adult romance

[K.T. Munson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Characters

The two main characters dominate the pages between Skye and Dorran, but there are a lot of great supporting characters. I decided to take a day after finishing the book to digest it. I'm glad I did because at first I was thinking that the whole Fire and Ice thing felt inch thick. Especially since Skye was only 'fiery' (really more annoying then anything) at the start and Dorran only icy when it suited him (basically you blink and then it's over). Then I delved a little deeper and wondering, is Fire and Ice just the walls they've built and only by pushing past each others barriers could they see each other and become better versions of themselves, together. Maybe I'm making a leap here, but that's my conclusion. Perhaps too psychological for a romance?

What really saved it for me was the supporting characters - especially on Dorran's side (although I am a huge Sage fan!). It helped me like the main characters more through those surrounding them and it was pulled off pretty well. Character develop could have been flushed out more, but it made for a lighter read. I did end up liking Skye despite her rich girl upbringing and how the author showed the darker side of wealth. I also like the fact that Dorran was kind of a 'bad boy' but was a big sweetie with serious icy walls. 

Plot

There are three major themes. The romance between them, Skye's family, and Dorran's past. I won't give anything away but I liked the romance and Skye's family drama. What I had a hard time feeling was Dorran's past. It was like being buried up to your neck in sadness and then the author felt that wasn't enough and just threw a little more on. It really wasn't necessary and felt very rushed. I got over the characters not necessarily sticking to their assigned attributes, but the ending felt too neat and well...happy? I love me some happy ending but this was too convenient and over way too quick. Honestly? Left me a little disappointed. 

Overall

It was very fast paced which I both liked and disliked. I like that fact that there were no punches pulled, but it left the character develop feeling a little thin. Overall the romance was sweet. Almost too sweet for some of the heavier aspects of the book. It was a lighter read but did have some filler scenes that felt almost off the cuff. The writing was easy to follow and had a nice pace set. It had a very charming feel to it. Especially the settings, which is one of the author's strengths. Dialogue flowed nicely and only had a few rough patches, which made for an easy read. An author I'll read again! 

Rating

4 out of 5 stars

This sweet, charming romance will help you see that sometimes we make our own prisons of fire or ice and just need the right someone to break you out! 

Where did I get it?

Author provided a copy to me in exchange for an honest review. This review is voluntary.

[Angela Panayotopulos · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's Rose and Jack!... but they aren't on the Titanic, a ship isn't sinking, and the ice (from the title) isn't really an iceberg.

Close enough, though, in some ways.



Multi-millionaire's stifled daughter meets street-smart, self-respecting mechanic who's been kicked in the nuts by life a few times. Sparks of snobbery and anger fly, quickly igniting into attraction and acceptance. FIRE & ICE is a sweet and sometimes surprisingly dark contemporary romance with bursts of Taylor Swift songs, sexy doppelgangers, witty quips, real-world tragedies, and cotton candy perfume.

My favorite parts were the snippets of dialogue between Dorran and Skye, especially when they're goading each other in the beginning. I also enjoyed the head-hopping between the characters, revealing their different takes on each scenario. Skye's abrupt shift from meanness to lust doesn't make her a likeable character, which she likely isn't meant to be at first, but I think we could have had earlier indications that Skye wasn't all that shallow (btw, do [non-royal] people still say "commoner"?). It would make more sense to me if she didn't do a 180 from spoiled brat to misunderstood, kind-at-the-core rich girl.



I wanted a greater epiphany than "Her temper had gotten the best of her. Again. And the one guy with an amazing body who she suddenly wanted to be with, was now out of her reach. And for some reason Skye was still wrestling to understand, it hurt. Really hurt." I get it: we're supposed to be brimming in lust/romance/love here, and I expected no less; I just wanted to see more well-rounded development (blossoming) of those feelings on Skye's part. Their exchange in the mechanics shop with the apology envelope was exactly what I was looking for, but I still needed a solid buildup to that.

After that exchange, the relationship seems to unfurl more naturally, almost teetering dangerously into friend-zone territory at times, and I enjoyed their interactions. I especially loved how Skye eventually develops more of a backbone and stands up to her family (another Rose for-the-loveof-Jack moment). Dorran overall felt much more well-rounded and developed--both regarding the present and his backstory. I appreciated the time and attention that Roma gave to the supporting cast of secondary characters, who often seem overlooked in this genre. And I really liked the consistent metaphors pertaining to fire and ice (e.g. "ends up in flames" ... "angst suddenly melted away").



All in all, FIRE & ICE is a pleasant and brisk read, very well-written with intriguing backstories that embellished a classic story-line, and certainly recommended for readers looking for a good romance.

Plus, I have to agree: coffee is life. :)

[Eugenia Chu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skye is an heiress to the wealthiest family in town, and expected to date only from like families approved by her father. Dorran is a mechanic from a broken and unsupportive home (drug addict mother; father in jail), and is afraid of getting close to anyone. Skye has sworn off men and Dorran has enlisted in the military. Total opposites who run in different circles and who would never have met - until Skye’s car is basically destroyed in an accident and Dorran is hired to fix/rebuild it. There is an immediate attraction but both deny it at first and their personalities and tempers clash. However, as they get to know each other and lower some of their defenses, strong feelings naturally develop. Will they get together? How? I don’t want to give away the ending, but it gave me all the feels!

The author did a wonderful job of developing all the characters – not just Skye and Dorran, but also their families and friends, which made the story more believable and enjoyable. There are a few themes and storylines running along with the main romance between Skye and Dorran, and everything ties together nicely at the end.

Well paced and fun read with great dialogue! Looking forward to more books by this author.

[Trish Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is it that girls find so attractive about ‘bad boys’? Scientists tell us it’s their dominant behavior that drives our hormones to seek them out. Their masculinity and tough-guy attitude makes us believe they would protect us. On top of that, when we want someone we can’t or shouldn’t have, our desire for them grows exponentially.

Auto mechanic Dorran Black’s challenging childhood dealing with a family history of drug abuse and imprisonment has taught him to stand up for himself.

When Skye Larsen, the sole heiress to a vast fortune tries to throw her weight around, he bucks against her, and reuses to meet her demands until she apologizes.

As his icy attitude melts, she finds that he’s really sensitive and gentle underneath. But if they want to be together, the odds are stacked against them.

An excellent debut novel and sweet romance with well-thought-out characterization that makes the players come alive.

My copy was received in exchange for an honest review.

[Magenta · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, however not as much as I thought I would.

I was interested in the classic theme of the pretty, rich girl falling for the sexy, poor boy with the bad background however I just couldn't connect with the female protagonist, Skye. I found her to be shallow and childish with not enough character development for her strong feelings to be believable. I enjoyed the male character, Dorran and his back story.

I enjoyed the family and friendship dynamics of the book and the overall themes.

I look forward to reading this authors future work as I can see that her writing will improve.

[Joshua Landeros · Rating 4 out of 5]

The plot of this book follows the star crossed lovers of Skye and Dorran. These two have very different backgrounds, families, and even status in society. The main hurtle is bridging that gap and recognizing the chance they have at happiness and really to complete one another. First things first, I'll confess that this is not my usual forte. I haven't read a romance novel in...well, maybe never. So going in I thought this would be a difficult read for me. However, this did not end up being the case at all.
Firstly, the characters are very enjoyable. Like any good story, there is a strong supporting cast to flesh out the established world. This helps add weight to the story. The dialogue was well chosen for the genre and made the characters seem human and relatable. The story itself is a very brisk read and if you have spare time (I certainly wish I had more these days) you can finish it maybe in a couple hours. Thing is I think this both hurt and helped the book. It moves pretty quickly which at certain points helps but at other times certain situations (which I won't spoil) seem to be resolved too quickly. I won't go as far as to say it cheapens the narrative though. Just something to consider for future books.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable read. This is the debut novel from this author and I look forward to seeing more of her work.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skye and Dorran...what a pair. Laughed at the fire drill incident lol... Opposites do really attraxt with these two..what crazy stuff happens to Dorran felt bad on what he found out... Great book overall.

[Balroop Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fire & Ice by Megan W. Roma is a pleasant love story that highlights the difference between love and lust, reality and delusion, riches and relationships; it also underlines the effects of parental apathy, emotional insensitivity and irresponsibility. The story flows at an amazing pace, eliminating unnecessary drama. The dialogue holds your interest even when it is just chit-chat between the friends.

Roma’s characters are plausible and know how to handle the setbacks of their lives. Skye, trapped in a golden cage, struggles to come out. Adelaide is ready to abandon the superficial obedience when the hour demands. Dorran keeps his distance despite Skye’s overtures and even Charles realizes what is more important before his world falls apart. If you delve deeper into this delightful love story, it carries a number of subtle messages connected with life, which could be “fire” or “ice” – all depends on how you live it. It is well-written but needs another round of editing.

[Zita Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fire and Ice is about a rich, "fiery" girl meeting a poor, "icy" boy and falling in love despite their differences in station, and the disapproval of parents. It is a well written portrayal of the fact that ultimately people are people and can find things in common with each other, no matter what their background. The author’s descriptions are beautiful and bring the story to life.

I assumed from the title that we would be seeing lots of fire and ice throughout the book between the two characters, which would have made it more interesting. Sky’s fire in the beginning, if not likable, is impressive, and Dorran’s icy disdain is what makes him attractive. It seemed like a love-hate relationship was in the works, with lots of sparks. But within the first few chapters, that was gone, and the two characters had lost their initial promising personalities and become two average people in love. I would have liked to have seen a richer character development, with a stronger conflict than just background, a rise and fall of tension between Sky and Dorran, and a dramatic climax of some sort. As a reader, that’s what makes a story interesting to me.

There were also typos and grammatical errors throughout that made the book feel as if it could have used another round or two of editing, which might have provided more feedback on character development as well.

It was a good start with a timeless theme and very nice descriptions. With some deeper work on characters and more tension and conflict in the story, I can envision the next book being a winner.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

It was okay. Skye did not make a great first impression with me. She came off rude and spoiled. She somewhat redeemed herself throughout the book. Dorran seemed like a cool headed nice guy, and did endear himself.

Overall I found the book rushed, and found many of the situations unrealistic. I think the main characters’ romance moved forward far too quickly, giving me the feeling like I had missed something.

The storyline was interesting, I just think it moved too fast, and could have been developed more.