Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Beauville #1

Bright Like Wildfire

Rate this book
Bennett has no idea why Betty Mouton hates him.

Other than the time he accidentally hit her boobs with a glitter bomb in their community theater performance of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” he’s been nothing but helpful and accommodating. But that notorious “incident” happened years ago. Time for the gorgeous redhead to get over it and admit to the real chemistry between them, not just the on-stage kind.

Betty is in trouble.

She may have gotten her dream role in a production by her favorite playwright, but there’s a big problem. Her romantic lead is that cocky, annoyingly hot know-it-all Bennett Broussard. And when the fake touching and fake kissing start to feel way too real, Betty realizes one thing. She better act her heart out or finally admit that Bennett has stolen hers.

308 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 12, 2022

61 people are currently reading
922 people want to read

About the author

Juliette Cross

46 books4,755 followers
For upcoming news and releases, sign-up here: http://eepurl.com/XeKIn

JULIETTE is a multi-published author of paranormal and contemporary romance, including the best-selling STAY A SPELL series. As a native of Louisiana, she lives in the heart of Cajun country with her husband, four kids, and sundry animals. When she isn’t working on her next project, she enjoys binge-watching her favorite shows with her husband and a glass (or two) of red wine or whiskey.

Follow JULIETTE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliettecro...

Follow JULIETTE on FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/juliettecros...

Follow JULIETTE on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Juliette__Cross




Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
220 (36%)
4 stars
249 (41%)
3 stars
104 (17%)
2 stars
19 (3%)
1 star
9 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 211 reviews
Profile Image for Carol [Goodreads Addict].
3,066 reviews25.3k followers
July 21, 2022
Bright Like Wildfire is book one in the Beauville series by Juliette Cross. This book! It’s no secret that I have a thing for alpha, jealous/possessive heroes that love their women passionately! And that is exactly what you will get with the hero of this book! I can’t wait to tell you about him!



Bennett Broussard grew up on Beauville, Louisiana. His father owned an appliance store so Bennett didn’t want for much growing up except for living up to his father’s expectations. Now Bennett is realizing his own dream, opening his own grocery store, Broussard’s Fresh Market. Bennett also loves to spend his free time as an actor in the local theater group. He is a frequent lead actor and is auditioning for the latest production of Barefoot in the Park.

Betty Mouton is twenty six and is a high school literature teacher. After growing up in Beauville, she left for several years but is back, wanting to be closer to her mom, sister, and her best friend, Finn. I’m embarrassed to admit it took me a long time to make the connection but Betty is the former college roommate to Lola Landry from Parks and Provocation. Betty also loves acting but has never had a lead role. She is thrilled to score the lead in Barefoot in the Park but she will be performing opposite her high school nemesis, Bennett.

“Whether Betty was ready or not, I was coming for her.”



Both Betty and Bennett have dated other people but neither has really ever been in a serious relationship. Bennett knows right away that there is a special connection between them when they rehearse together on stage. But he can also tell that Betty is skittish. It’s a challenge he is willing to accept because Betty is worth waiting for.

“Bennett and I just matched. We fit. In every possible way.”

Let me tell you, Bennett couldn’t be sexier. This man! He tried to hold himself back in the beginning, especially when he thought that Betty didn’t return his feelings. But once he unleashed all that alpha goodness, I thought I might self combust!

“I know what you want. I know what you need. I’m going to give you everything.”



What I loved is the absolute intensity of the connection between these two. I could FEEL Bennett’s almost obsessive feelings towards Betty. He is overworked, getting his new business started, and overwhelmed by his feelings for Betty but trying so hard to keep it reined in because Betty clearly has some commitment issues. She’s not where he is yet and he is willing to wait for her to catch up because he is not letting her go.



I enjoyed this book so much. I loved Bennett so much as you might have figured out by now. I also loved the side characters. I adored Betty’s best friend, Finn, who is gay! Dare I hope that he might get a book someday?! I loved Betty’s younger sister, Emma and Bennett’s brother Hale. I also loved Betty’s co-worker, Lily. I’d love to see any of these characters in future books. This is a sweet, sexy as heck, wonderful book that I hope you might decide to pick up. We all need Bennett Broussard in our lives.

For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...

Profile Image for Crystal's Bookish Life.
1,030 reviews1,789 followers
July 12, 2022
This was such a delight to read. A small town, contemporary romance with a lot of heart, swoon, and humor.

I ADORED Betty, the school teacher who is both a spitfire and a giant softie (especially when it comes to the kids she teaches and baby goats who show up in her house randomly).

And Bennett was SUCH a great hero, smitten from the moment he sees Betty, but of course hiding it behind sass and glitter bombs.

They end up in a forced proximity situation when they score the romantic leads in a play put on by the local theater company. All that chemistry between them that landed them their leading roles pretty soon can not be denied and the fake kissing and longing looks gets real VERY fast.

This story gripped me from first page to last and the entire time I was reading it I was smiling, and swooning, and just so happy.

Juliette is EXCELLENT at writing about falling in love. The butterflies, conflicted feelings, and longing is so well done. And the entire world of this story was very immersive, side characters and pets are adorable and I always find myself getting attached very quickly.

This is a quieter book from Juliette than I've read before but I loved it just as much as her Stay A Spell series.

I often say that if an author is good enough at creating characters I care about I will follow them wherever the story takes me. And that's exactly what happened here.

A beautiful, soft romance that I could not get enough of.

I received an ARC for review from the author.
Profile Image for Jessica .
2,651 reviews16k followers
September 2, 2022
This was a cute small town romance! The heroine held a grudge over the hero for something he did when they were young. Now they're playing the leads in the community theater production and have to spend a lot of time together. The heroine realizes she definitely judged the hero and didn't really know the kind of person he is now. As they spend more time together, of course they start actually liking each other. Like I said, this was cute! I really enjoyed the ending and how they overcame what was holding them apart. I'm glad I finally tried Juliette Cross and I'm excited to read more from her!
Profile Image for Kat valentine ( Katsbookcornerreads).
777 reviews1,271 followers
July 18, 2022
Awesome new Romcom from the talented Juliette cross! I loved this new couple Bennett and Betty they had a great chemistry and their interaction was very spicy with a whole lot of Sexy steamy scenes that had me all kinds of hot! Bennett is a walking wet dream with sexy hazel eyes and a big old body you just dream about climbing and who could charm the birds out of tree's and the ladies are all over this fine piece of man except Betty! He brings out the worst in her between the glitter booby bomb incident years ago at their school play and the fact that he's from a wealthy family that owns about everything in town he makes her pissy! So why does she keep having naughty fantasies of him fucking her brains out! When their community theater picks them to be their lead characters in their play fake kisses and stolen touches become a all consuming passion and Betty's about to find out that under all Bennett's layed back charm and good looks is a beast in the sheets who likes to take charge and loves to talk dirty and who's all about taking care of his woman!!!! Juliette Cross not only writes some of the hottest romances out their today but she goes a step further with adding humor and some really great characters! Even secondary characters stand out like Finn!! I loved betty's gay bestfriend! He's hot and funny and keeps it real like a true friend would. I hope he gets a book too he's awesome! And i also loved Gilbert the goat !! He was a fucking riot!!! I laughed so hard at his antics!! especially the falling over and pretend fainting!!! Makes me want to run out and buy a myotonic pygmy goat! Juliette does laughter and love and friendship so well and add that to some really great storytelling and you've got a awesome read. Until next time Luv's💕💋
Profile Image for Tori - Novel Life.
1,565 reviews1,949 followers
July 18, 2022
4.5 Stars

Small Town ✅
Takes place in Louisiana ✅
Great Banter ✅
Off the charts chemistry ✅
ALL THE SPICE ✅🔥🔥🔥🔥

I devoured this book in one damn day. It was so good!!!! I loved so much about this book!!
Profile Image for Jenn (The Book Refuge).
2,685 reviews4,507 followers
July 11, 2022
*Thank you to the author for an ARC of this title. Full disclosure, I am close with this author but my thoughts are my own.*

This was a lot of fun. These two were just adorable together. Steamy, funny, clever and delightful!

Betty has a grudge against Bennett. It may be petty and long in the past, but that doesn't mean she is excited to share the stage with him for their community theater production. She is very much planning to keep her dislike close to her chest but Bennett is planning to make that really difficult.

Betty feels like she is perfectly entitled to keep Bennett at a distance. She just wants to do her best in the play and keep everything very professional. But when they need to get more comfortable together... fake kissing and fake touching lines start to blur. And when Bennett wants to get under her skin.. Betty is starting to forget why she needs to keep him at bay at all.

To be honest, I couldn't see what was making Betty hold back. Bennett was a dream boat and more! So I loved watching grumpy Betty start to melt for the Sunshine of Bennett. He was swoony as all get out. When the heat starts to bounce between them... wowie! What a fun time...

Overall, this sweet story was a great time. It had classic Cross humor and the steam she does so well. There isn't an abundance of angst and a lot of this story just felt very relatable. Our heroine may have pretty flimsy reasons for pushing Bennett away, but when we know her history not just with him but with other men in her life.. it makes sense.

This is a different vibe than Paranormal and Fantasy books by Juliette, but that is the point. This was low stress and very fun. As a bonus, if you are a theater nerd... you will be in heaven.

I look forward to what comes next for Beauville.

4.5 Stars
3.5 on the spice scale
Profile Image for AvidReader.
1,481 reviews335 followers
July 6, 2022
A perfect, fun, cozy read apt for rainy days and starry night.
Loved Benett- he was such a wonderful hero. Charming, playful and so enamoured with Betty. I admit she wasn’t my favourite person at times but she was a damn good teacher and a very relatable and realistic character. I loved her scenes with her students.
Benett and Betty had off the chart chemistry and because the writing was so good, you could definitely feel it. Especially during their theatre play. Made me wanna watch a play live so bad.
The characters had depth and variety. I enjoyed all of them.

Safe and recommended.
Profile Image for Malene.
1,344 reviews758 followers
August 29, 2022
Bright like Wildfire was an ok small town romance. What I really enjoyed was the characters Betty, Bennett and Finn. The chemistry between Betty and Bennett was amazing. The beginning in particular was my favorite because Betty was kind of a grump and didn’t like Bennett so it provided some great tension and chemistry. Bennett was the sweet and good guy but a dirty talker in the sack. So good. Betty and friend Finn were hilarious.

Sadly it was the execution that didn’t work for me. First of the insta-love was over the top and I would’ve wished Betty and Bennett hadn’t gotten together so soon in the story cause the fabulous tension evaporated. The conflict was too thin and didn't do anything for me.

Overall an ok romance thanks to some compelling characters.
Profile Image for Christi (christireadsalot).
2,828 reviews1,462 followers
June 23, 2022
Bright Like Wildfire is a contemporary, small town romance from Juliette Cross! I have loved Juliette’s paranormal Stay a Spell series and couldn’t wait to read this one. It’s got hate-to-love vibes, forced proximity, and combustible chemistry all set in a small town Louisiana setting.

Betty Mouton is a highschool English teacher who is late to work when the story starts because Bennett Broussard is having a grand opening for his new upscale grocery store, Broussard’s Fresh Market, in their town of Beauville. Betty can’t stand Bennett: not only is he the town’s perfect prince who can do no wrong, he’s also conceited and bossy, and totally to blame for a glitter bomb catastrophe back when they were in highschool in their summer teen production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Who cares that it happened 12 years ago, Betty has not forgotten that embarrassment. And now they’ll be spending even more time together, as both got the leads in their local production of Barefoot in the Park.

This romance was a delight to read, I love how small town romances feel and getting to know all the other side characters was so fun. I loved Betty and Bennett’s involvement in their local community theater and all that goes into those productions. I liked seeing the glimpses of Betty’s life as a teacher and times in her class with her students’ discussions on literature. Her neighbor Gretchen and her goats brought some humor. Bennett has anxiety and his meds are briefly mentioned in the read as well, he talks openly about his stresses from his father and opening a new business. But I especially liked how Bennett is the one falling hard for Betty first, he wants more of her from the start but knows she can’t stand him and sets out to show her how much he wants her every chance he can get. And the steam and Bennett’s dirty talk in this was so hot! Small towns can also deliver on the spice amiright?! 🔥 I can’t wait to see if there will be more characters getting stories from this book or any other small town romances I’ll definitely pick up from Juliette in the future too!

Thank you to the author for an e-ARC. All thoughts in this review are my own. Bright Like Wildfire is out July 12, 2022.
Profile Image for Mindy Lou's Book Review.
3,021 reviews801 followers
July 9, 2022
Bright Like Wildfire is a cute, enemies to lovers story that dates back to a high school incident with glitter and boobs. Betty sure can hold a grudge but secretly she's crushing on the guy who embarrassed her in front of a room full of people. Once she opens her eyes past that incident, she realizes Bennett is more than some conceited, spoiled, rich guy she has pinned him as. Bennett is actually one of the sweetest guys and I loved how much he just wanted a chance with Betty. These two were a cute couple and I love that a goat almost steals the show from them. Fun read!
Profile Image for Mary Kirkland.
778 reviews35 followers
July 12, 2022
Betty and Bennett are both in a play but Betty doesn't like Bennett ever since he had a glitter bomb go off on her shirt, embarrassing her in front of the people in the theatre. But Bennett doesn't understand why Betty is mad at him and can't fathom that it has anything to do with the glitter bomb that happened so many years go. So when Bennett opens a grocery store and the traffic from the grand opening makes Betty late for her high school teacher job, she let's him know how irritated everything he does makes her.

When Bennett gets the male lead part in the play that Betty is the female lead in, she isn't sure she'll be able to act like she likes him for it. But that's before he turns on the charm and she sees another side to him. Betty is an English teacher and I loved that about her. She's great with the kids and they like her for it. Because this is a small town romance, it seems like everyone knows everyone else's business which can be funny at times. Other times, not so much.

Betty just bought a little house and her next door neighbor has goats that get through their fence all the time and end up in Betty's yard which was funny on more than one occasion. The goats made me laugh.

Once Bennett and Betty start spending more time together to run lines and practice, I found it endearing that Bennett was the one that fell for Betty first. He can see what a wonderful person she is and she slowly comes around to seeing that he isn't as bad as she first thought. Once that happens the fireworks are lit and this became a steamy, romantic read. Oh and Bennett, he's a naughty, naughty man. I loved it.
Profile Image for Tanja ~ KT Book Reviews .
1,568 reviews209 followers
June 29, 2022
It is so refreshing to finally read a book where the sexy grumpy curmudgeon that you just want to cuddle is female. I love everything about Betty. She’s got her issues but she plays them off with snark and a funny crumbly attitude that just makes her even more endearing. And of course, we know every grumpy curmudgeon needs a softer more accepting partner to even out the scales. Bennett Broussard is the perfect match. Bright Like Wildfire is a rom-com dream with a fiery burn and charismatic humor only Juliet Cross can supply.


Follow me on
InstagramTwitterFacebookPinterestTikTok
Profile Image for Carvanz.
2,387 reviews900 followers
July 10, 2022
Oh my gosh!!! Betty and Bennett totally stole my heart with their fun banter and their explosive chemistry!





Betty was a bit of a grump, but only when it came to Bennett. I loved that she gave him such a hard time although it was all to cover up that flash of desire she felt each time she saw him. Ms. Cross developed Betty in such a way that she very well could be my coworker at school. I loved her attention to her students and the way she worked to not only make it fun, but that also took care of them if needed.


Barefoot in the Park (Closed March 22, 2020) | Los Angeles | reviews, cast and info | TheaterMania


I loved how Bennett seemed to push Betty’s buttons just to get a reaction out of her. Her grumpy responses made him smile while making me laugh. There was a bit of conflict for him that trickled a little through the last part of the story, but the angst was pretty low regarding it. I was completely in love with him as he found himself feeling jealous and possessive of Betty. It was the perfect mix without being over the top and, sigh, it was the icing on this delicious story.





This has a community full of characters that were fun, sometimes annoying, hilarious, or wonderfully supportive and I found myself hoping to get more from them in the future. And that doesn’t include the four legged kind that added so much warmth and humor, not to say a personal revelation for one of our characters. Add in the intense heat between Betty and Bennett and I’m just ready for more of Beauville!

Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
Steam
Profile Image for Sissy's Romance Book Review .
8,992 reviews16 followers
July 12, 2022
Bright Like Wildfire by Juliette Cross is the First book in the Beauville Series. This is the story of Bennett Broussard and Betty Mouton. Betty is holding a grudge towards Bennett for a high school embarrassment along with him being the Golden boy of their small town. Betty is a school teacher now and Bennett is opening a grocery store called Broussard’s Fresh Market. Then they both end up in a local play that puts them working together. This was a really fun great read. I hope to read more from this author and this series.





Profile Image for romancelibrary.
1,373 reviews589 followers
June 26, 2022
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Bright Like Wildfire is a small town romance between a grumpy high school teacher and a charming high-end grocery store owner. Betty has hated Bennett ever since he accidentally hit her boobs with a glitter bomb during a theater performance years ago. But Betty is forced to play nice when she and Bennett land the lead roles in the local production of Barefoot in the Park. Which obviously involves lots of fake touching and fake kissing 😏

Omg I read this book in one day! It's such a fun, quick, and STEAMY read. Juliette Cross's writing style flows so well that I finished the book in the blink of an eye LOL. The chemistry and banter are both so much fun. Bennett may be all sunshine and smiles in the streets, but the man has no problem lighting the sheets on fire with his dirty mouth 🥵🔥 I knew this book would be steamy, but holy smokes, it was a lot steamier than I was expecting 🥵

I really enjoyed Betty and Bennett's dynamic. I love that he was 💯 into her from the beginning even though she hated his guts. Bennett falls first and he falls HARD. He's patient with Betty, but he also pushes her in a way that no one else has ever done before. And this is exactly what Betty needs to finally confront her true feelings. The conflict in the final act is perfectly aligned with the main characters' insecurities and feelings. The conflict stays true to the tone of the story, which I appreciated. I love the ending and can I just say that I desperately need Griffin's book? Also Lily's book! Maybe Griffin and Lily? Hehe.

Definitely pick this one up if you're looking for a low angst and sexy small town romance!
Profile Image for Stef (Noveltea Corner).
549 reviews212 followers
July 15, 2022
Bright Like Wildfire was such a fun contemporary romance!

Betty is a high school teacher who acts in small productions on the side. Determined to get the lead role in an upcoming production by her favourite playwright, nothing can dampen her enthusiasm... except maybe her co-star, Bennett. He embarrassed her as a teenager and she can't quite seem to let it go, despite the steaming chemistry between them.

This was honestly delightful. Juliette Cross wrote a very charming, steamy small town romance between a character holding a grudge and the other who genuinely doesn't know why the other is mad at them. They're forced to work together on a play that focuses on the  intimate relationship between two characters and they need to face up to the growing attraction between the two of them.

I really loved how Cross was able to weave the love story between Betty and Bennett and the story of the production - and how both characters learnt more about themselves while playing the characters they were performing. There was excellent banter between the main characters, as well as the supporting cast.

And that's not even mentioning the scene in the movie theatre. (Seriously, get yourself a fan!)

It was a wonderful, enjoyable reading experience that brought all the cozy feelings of a small town romance while still delivering on the fun, steamy relationships that I've come to expect from Juliette Cross. I look forward to more of her contemporary stories in the future.

Thank you to the author for the review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Kahea.
2,269 reviews122 followers
July 1, 2022
***4.5 Stars***

A contemporary romance by a fav author set in her home state?!? Yeah, I made grabby hands at this baby and once I started it, I couldn’t put it down. I loved Bennett and Betty and all of the crazy and interesting folks that inhabit the town of Beauxville, including a very sneaky pig and goat!

I adored Betty and Bennett. Betty is all kinds of feisty. She isn’t afraid to speak her mind and has a huge heart. Bennett is charming, sweet and when his alpha comes out…well, it makes him all kinda of everything.

As for their journey to their HEA, it was a really fun ride. There was some eye rolling going on as Betty worked her way through her “issues” with Bennett, but mostly they had me grinning like a fool and totally enjoying their bantering and the chemistry between them as they get to know who each other really are. There aren’t too many crazy bumps in the road for them, but one does come up and it is something of a doozy and though there is one thing I wish had happened during the reconciliation, I’m happy with how everything turned out for them.

This was a great start to a new series. The world building was very well done and has me wishing I could visit Beauxville. As for the supporting cast of characters, I loved Finn, Lily, Emma and Karen and I’m hoping that we get more of Hale, Country and Officer Dugas, as well as Gilbert and Marigold!

~Copy provided by the author & voluntarily reviewed ~
Profile Image for MissClo.
410 reviews27 followers
July 9, 2022
Another five star read from Juliette Cross. It seems like recently the woman can do no wrong and I'm HERE for it.

Plot:



Betty hates Bennett with a passion. She hates his good looks, his good charm and his perfect, rich life. Everything he does annoys her. Imagine her surprise when they get leading roles in their local play Barefoot in the Park.

Bennett has wanted Betty for as long as he can remember and working on the rom-com play seems to be his perfect opportunity to break her rigid walls.

As the two work together for the play, we get a lot of:

- Fake dates
- Fake kisses
- Fake chemistry (yeah, right!)

When they finally give in to their attraction, the spice in this book will burn you. I'm talking about:

- Public smut times
- Dirty talk
- Lots and lots of mouth-action

[image error]

This book is HOT!

I also love that Betty is best friends with Lola from Parks and Provocations and we have a small reference to it here. If anything, I now want to reread that!

If you're looking for a small town romance with little angst, fainting goats and amazing smut, this is the book for you!

Thank you Juliette Cross for generously providing me with an eARC of this book for an honest review.
Profile Image for PP's Bookshelf.
2,812 reviews401 followers
July 12, 2022
Bright Like Wildfire by Juliette Cross is such a delicious treat for my heart. I am floored. This small town enemies to lovers romance gave me all the feels. Bennett Broussard is the book boyfriend of my dreams. Confident, charming and with a side of relatable vulnerability. And Betty won my heart instantly. She is fierce, witty, sassy and fighting her own demons. Their chemistry is sizzling hot and explosive. Their journey was equally steamy and swoony.

School teacher Betty has a deep seated hatred for Bennett Broussard, the town's golden boy. She thinks he is an arrogant entitled rich man who has little concern for other people's feelings. Then they are both cast as lead couple in upcoming theatre of their town. And they have to coexist and they have to know each other deeply. Bennett is not hiding his admiration for Betty and she has to fight hard to resist him.


Oh I love this couple. I love this town. I love this set up. And I love how the author used a classic art to evoke the chemistry and feelings between Bennett and Betty. It is understandable early that Bennett is nothing like how Betty perceived him to be. He is charming, hard working and caring. He was not handed down his business or anything in his life. He worked tirelessly for everything. And his passion for theatre is a huge turn on. I mean, this man is the complete package. Betty had a less than unfortunate upbringing but she is happy in her life. She is sassy and fierce and extremely proud of and devoted to her teaching. They have an intense chemistry from the beginning and Betty was reluctant and doubtful at first. But it is impossible to deny Bennett too long. It was an exquisite slow burn with heartwarming feels.

I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
Profile Image for Sheena.
359 reviews65 followers
July 15, 2022
It never fails. And I hope it never does- my falling in blissed out love and adoration for a pitch perfect small town romance. Something about the intimacy of a close knit community gives off so much sweet warmth that mixes so perfectly with the smoldering heat of new love.

Eye gazing. Nape nuzzles and unconditional support and love are cornerstones of this enemies to lovers romance. I really enjoyed how the author, Juliette Cross didn’t hold back from really creating enmity between the main characters. Their bumpy start didn’t feel inauthentic and cookie cutter. I love when an author isn’t afraid to take the enemies part to the line. After all. It is all the more delicious when the lover part is on the heels of a good ole, solid hate fest!

I won’t dare spoil- but if you are looking for a couple to fight has hard as they love, look no further. Small town redemptive power of love is a truly beloved trope!
Profile Image for Nikki Brooks.
3,569 reviews55 followers
July 12, 2022
Bennett loves the theatre but all his leading roles have never given him the one thing he truly wants - to live up to his father's dreams for him. So Bennett has decided to forge his own path and open his own store - Broussard’s Fresh Market.

Betty is also a Beauville high school alumni and now she works there as a literature teacher. Betty is also a lover of drama but has never managed to garner that coveted leading role. Now having snagged a lead in Barefoot in the Park she's realised that she is going to have to act her little socks off to convince anyone that her high school nemesis, Bennett, does anything but irritate her!

(NOTE: Betty is the former college roommate to Lola Landry from Parks and Provocation).

Bennett is a bit slow on the uptake as to why Betty is so wary around him. He pretty much decides from the off that Betty is the one for him. But he's going to have to be very persuasive to get Betty to give him the time of day when they're not on stage.

Bennett is the perfect mix of a sensitive soul and alpha MC. He's the right kind of jealous/possessive and the intensity of the chemistry between him ad Betty is HAWT!

The cast of supporting characters is an eclectic bunch. Some of my favourites are Finn, Emma and Hale. I cannot wait to get back to Beauville and see what happens next!
Profile Image for Addie Yoder.
1,094 reviews89 followers
July 9, 2022
Juliette Cross is absolutely an auto buy author for me. I was thrilled to get the chance to read and review her first contemporary romance after reading her installment in the Smartypants universe. Betty and Bennett's hate to lovers story set in the local community theater was so steamy and sweet. Cross creates a community in her books like no one else and being a part of her worlds is a delight. I can't wait to get more from this world and am all in for devouring whatever comes next. (LILY??)
Profile Image for Nikki.
248 reviews6 followers
July 17, 2022
WOW! There’s seriously no genre Juliette Cross can’t master. I’m in awe that this is one of her first contemporary romance books. Bennett and Betty were a delightful couple to experience their start as enemies, then as co-actors, and then more. So looking forward to more books in this series!!
Profile Image for Aubrey (AubzReads).
115 reviews9 followers
July 12, 2022
Bright Like Wildfire is a steamy small town romance that I couldn’t put down! Enemies to lovers and forced proximity? Ummm yes please! 🙋‍♀️

Betty Mouton is a high school teacher and budding actress. She gets her break as a lead in the community theater’s production of Barefoot in the Park. However, she is starring opposite her arch nemesis, Bennett Broussard. Betty hasn’t gotten over an incident from 12 years ago that involved heaps of humiliation, a glitter bomb, and Bennett.

Bennett Broussard is the town star. He’s just opened Broussard’s Fresh Market, and he’s got another lead role in the town’s community theater, this time opposite Betty Mouton. Bennett immediately sets his sights on her, and is determined to win her over.

I loved how sweet and steamy their relationship was. Bennett was so smitten with her from the start. I also liked the conversation about Bennett’s anxiety, and Betty’s support.

Overall, this book was amazing! I really hope Officer Griffin gets a book next!

This book is out July 12th!

*Thank you to the publisher and the author for sending me an e-arc in exchange for my honest review*
Profile Image for whatsjennareading.
269 reviews23 followers
July 15, 2022
Bright Like Wildfire is the newest from Juliette Cross and I think it just may be my favorite yet (which is really saying something too because I absolutely adore her PNR series, Stay a Spell).

This one has a bit of an enemies to lovers vibe but it’s more like Betty is holding a Taylor Swift level grudge from something that happened back from high school with Bennett and he’s crazy attracted to her and just trying to figure out how to make her stop being so angry with him. Bright Like Wildfire is a:

- small town, community theater romance
- whoops, I’ve made assumptions about you and I was so wrong
- he falls first (and hard)
- A+ dirty talk
- fake kissing, real feelings
- sexy times in a movie theater
- butt stuff

Juliette said this was the spiciest one yet and she was not lying. She writes some of my most favorite steamy scenes and the ones in this book between Betty and Bennett are top tier. The movie theater scene will live rent free in my mind for a long time. The attraction between the two of them develops pretty quickly as they are forced together as the leads of the upcoming community theater production of Barefoot in the Park (which I have never seen but now really want to). Despite the fast attraction, the relationship builds up really organically between them as they navigate the real feelings that start to crop up while they are fake kissing. I loved all the scenes of them rehearsing lines and working at the theater. This one is out now and I highly recommend this one and I’m so thankful as always to Juliette for the chance to read an early copy!!

Profile Image for Leah ❂.
295 reviews10 followers
July 2, 2022
Normally I adore everything Juliette writes, especially her stay a spell series.

But unfortunately this one just wasn’t for me. While it was cute, the conflict seemed to simple, to short for me. But, I’m also not the biggest fan of insta-love which is sort of what happened on Bennett’s side.

Overall, I don’t feel like I really got to know the characters the way I’ve come to expect from a Juliette Cross book—I didn’t find myself really caring for either of them.

For someone who likes sweet, simple romance, this would probably be a book for you! It just wasn’t what I was looking for. But, I’ll still be reading more Juliette Cross in the future.
Profile Image for Ashley.
518 reviews15 followers
June 30, 2022
I adore Juliette’s books because they make me just so happy!! Bright Like Wildfire is going to hold a special place in my heart as a teacher!! The chemistry between Betty and Bennett was off the charts and I hope Finn and Lily get their own books!!! Amazing works as always, Juliette!!
Profile Image for Monica (The Accidental Romance Blogger) Barbosa.
916 reviews38 followers
July 5, 2022
Betty Mouton can't stand Bennett Broussard and he just can't figure out why. Sure there was that incident in the community theater with the glitter bomb all over her boobs but that was ages ago and it was an accident!  Now they're back together in the theater again and apparently he still rubs her off the wrong way. When they are cast as Corrie and Paul Batter in the production of Barefoot in The Park, Bennett sees this as at the perfect opportunity to make the feisty redhead see that the chemistry they have together if just as good offstage. 

Betty Mouton is finally back in town. She has a job she loves teaching at her old high school and she's back at the community theater. Too bad cocky, arrogant, and oh-so-sexy Bennet is about to be her co-star in her first starring role. She can't figure out why she still holds a grudge against him but it's becoming harder and harder to resist her "stage husband". Well, it's ok to "fake-kiss",  right? After all, it's for the show...

Oh, what a delightful read! Betty and Bennett are just adorable together! 

Betty has her own issues with abandonment and commitment and Bennett suffers from anxiety, but when they get together they just... fit. They're cute together, I loved their banter but rest assured they can also set the sheets (and other creative places) on fire! 

Another aspect that I liked is that this is a sort of enemies to lovers (a trope that is hard to get right, or it sounds kinda silly) but Betty acknowledges herself the fact that she has to reason to be holding that grudge. Well, there is one and in the end it makes sense. Sometimes you keep guessing why on earth these people are "enemies". 

Betty is also a teacher and it warmed my teacher heart to see how committed to her students she is. 

Bennett is raking in the 5 Henry Cavills tier of the swoon scale. 100% book boyfriend material! 

If you love the theater, small town romance, sneaky goats and great banter, don't miss this one! I "book edged" the crap out this one as I didn't want it to end! 

Welcome, Juliette, to the world of contemporary romance! You dipped your toes in Parks and Provocation (another home run) and this one guarantees you a high place in the contemporary genre, as you already kick ass with witches, vampires, werewolves and grims!  

Rep and possible triggers: MMC suffers from anxiety. LGBTQIA+rep. Mentions of feelings if inadequacy, abandonment, a side character mentions having lived in foster care. 

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.   Thank you, Juliette Cross for the advance copy. 



   
Displaying 1 - 30 of 211 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.