Slow Burn (A Driven Novel) Mass Market Paperback – February 24, 2015

This book was AMAZING!! So incredibly beautiful, sexy, and captivating that I cannot believe how overjoyed I feel to have read it. That's because this is the type of story where you get everything you can hope for in a romance: dual POVs, scorching passion, tension, sweetness, anticipation, laugh-out-loud-humor, and a very heartfelt kind of drama. Imagine all that plus two very strong characters that drive the story in such a way that they make you feel all the emotions deep in your heart so that you just can't get enough of them and their intense connection. That was exactly Slow Burn for me, a captivating story that was perfect from beginning to end.This story starts with a one-night stand turning complicated. A night that was meant to be just an escape from reality, nothing more. At least that's what Haddie Montgomery had hoped for when she decides to proposition herself to her friend Beckett (Becks) Daniels but of course things don't go as planned. Yes, Becks makes her forget as she so badly needed it that night but the problem afterwards is that now there's something new Haddie can't forget and that is Becks.“I don’t want any strings. None. So why the hell do I feel like he’s already woven them through my thoughts, binding us together somehow?”After recently losing her sister, Haddie becomes guarded with her emotions. She wants no strings, no commitments, and no complications. She only wants to lose herself with men that have no problem with walking away right after they're done, no questions asked. That's her rule and it was working fine for her until she gets involved with Becks and then all her rules seem out of place because he indeed cares, have many questions, and doesn't want to walk away from her. In fact, he wants more than just one-night stand and he knows that Haddie does too underneath it all. What Becks does not know is why Haddie keeps running away from him and why she refuses to give themselves a chance when their connection is all there. Well, Becks may not know the truth but he's more than ready to get to the bottom of things and find out.“I don’t care how long it takes to prove otherwise, but Haddie Montgomery is not going to walk away from me again without a fight.”And that's how the mesmerizing slow burning in this story begins. The pull and push, the teasing, the fighting, tempting/craving each other, and that undeniable connection that ties them so strongly together is Haddie and Becks' constant undoing and I loved it. It was incredibly fascinating to see how throughout the whole book their defenses slowly burn out leaving them no choice but to succumb to each other both physically and emotionally. . .“There’s something about Becks—his easygoing nature, his personality, his kindness—that has me reaching over my iron walls and wanting to connect. Wanting to reach for that shadow of myself that is floating away just beyond my reach. The balloon without a string at the top of your ceiling. There. Present. But never within reach. Until it deflates. Falls lifeless.”How I loved these characters, I loved them both individually and when together. Haddie in particular really stood out to me. I loved how strong she was even when she was so stubborn because that just added to the charm of her to character and it worked perfectly for the story. I also loved her confidence and her sexiness which a lot of times served her very well in getting exactly what she wanted from Becks and those moments were so funny and sizzling to read. But my very favorite thing about Haddie has to be her story and how real and truthful it felt. Yeah, her story was heartbreaking yet so full of hope that it kept hooked, anxious, and at the end it made me believe that much more in the power of love. It was just a powerful and heartfelt drama that really captivated me and made me connect with Haddie from the very first page to the very last one.“Wanting more of him is most definitely a possibility . . . but it’s the what comes after that’s not in the cards for me.”Now to the hero of this story, Becks. This man was swoony, irresistible, and incredible to no end. I loved him so much! I think what made him so special and refreshing to me was the fact that he's not the broken one in the story; he's actually the healthy one meant to save/rescue and the way he goes about doing just that for Haddie is absolutely panty-and-heart-melting. His persistence and determination to be with her blew me away more times that I can count. He was so endearing but at the same time so alpha that such combination was lethal for both Haddie and myself. His vulnerability and the times he doubted himself were also breathtaking as they showed how much he truly cared for the very stubborn woman he was slowly falling for. Moreover, being able to hear his own voice in my head throughout the story was priceless because he conveyed all his emotions perfectly in serious and funny ways I just couldn't get enough of. ♥“The woman makes me feel in ways I never expected. It should be me who wants to bolt, but for some reason it makes me want her even more. Everything about her draws me in, hooks me, mesmerizes me. Damn it to hell. She’s my voodoo.”This book absolutely falls into one of my most favorites now, it was just too captivating and perfectly put together. It reminded me also how much I was missing reading a book by this wonderful author. Really, having read and loved her previous books I kind of expected the same level of amazing from this story but what Ms. Bromberg delivered here instead totally surpassed all my expectations. She really outdid herself; she not only gave me an unforgettable romance that was not only epic for its subject matter but also because she just knows how to create vivid characters, infuse the story with her unique kind of humor, and also make the story as sizzling as it is heartfelt. So yeah, without further ado I have to say that this is a total MUST-READ from me!!“You’re that once-in-a-lifetime type of woman, Haddie.”If you haven't read the previous books in this series, please don't despair. You don't have to have read them to enjoy Slow Burn. This story can be easily read as a standalone. Just be warned: once you finished this book and have met Colton and Rylee (from Driven, Fueled, Crashed, & Raced) you most definitely are going to want to read their story too! ;)

4.5 Stars for me! I tried my very best to go into Becks and Haddie's story with an open mind and no preconceptions of what their story was going to be. Yes, we all remember Haddie and Becks from the Driven series, Haddie being the smart-aleck best friend of Rylee who told her that "life begins at the end of your comfort zone" and Becks is Colton's wingman, crew chief, best friend, brother for all intents and purposes. Even knowing what I did about these two, I went into their story with no expectations because I didn't want to pigeonhole them and continue seeing them as only side characters.We learn right off the bat that Haddie is dealing with a devastating loss in her life, and she is basically going through life as a shell of her former self. Hoping to lose herself for a little while, she propositions Becks after Colton and Rylee's wedding. "No strings" is Haddie's mantra and even though Becks agrees to this for the evening, I knew instantly that there was no way these two would walk away from their night together free and clear. Kristy gave these two such a steaming hot night of passion I was wishing I could pull Becks off the pages of the book and beg him to do that to me!!Haddie is dealing with some pretty intense issues in this book, and she's not the kick butt take no prisoners girl we saw in previous books. I can completely understand why she isn't and I was really interested in seeing how the "Haddie with no mask on" was going to handle what is going on in her life. Throughout the book Haddie is constantly keeping everything to herself, keeping people at a distance because she thinks that she is protecting them and saving them from getting hurt. She is so torn over Becks, she is so attracted and affected by him that she wants him desperately but doesn't want him to develop any feelings for her. But it's too late, since Becks was affected just as much as Haddie was with their epic night together.There's so much angst and so much push and pull! I wanted to strangle Haddie multiple times for being the complete head case that she is and for sending Becks on a virtual roller coaster ride of mixed signals and mind trips. But Becks, oh my goodness, patient, level headed Becks was a literal saint for what he went through. Slow and steady wins the race will always be etched in my mind when I think of Beckett Daniels. He is definitely a man who knows what he wants and he has finally figured out that Haddie Montgomery is who he wants. Prior to Colton and Rylee's wedding, Becks was content to continue living the bachelor life, much to the despair of his awesome mother. But now he's in a Haddie haze...The secondary characters are great. Of course we get bits and pieces of Colton and Rylee, and it was so awesome seeing them on the other end of the spectrum, being the voices of reason in this book where Haddie and Becks were their voices of reason in their series. I can't think about the bromance between Colton and Becks without a huge smile on my face and butterflies swirling in my stomach. We get to see a little different side to Colton in this book, a lighter, happier, content side of Colton. Rylee is her usual beautiful, supportive, selfless person she has always been. And she is a complete rock for Haddie, making her face realities she doesn't want to but holding her close the whole time.Kristy delivers the same crisp, clean writing in this story as she has with all of her books and her stories flow so seamlessly that there's no drag in story, or time where I wanted to skip ahead to find out what was going to happen. In fact, I slowed down my reading so that I wouldn't rush to the end and then miss out on how this story unfolded. The chemistry between Haddie and Becks is smoldering and there's no doubting that the sex is hotter than hot. Kristy can write sex scenes like it's nobody business! And while these two had a whole lot of sex, I didn't feel like there was enough conversation between them. I felt like the inner dialogue they have overpowered the actual conversations they have. We read that they talked a lot, but we don't see the conversations. We read more about what their inner thoughts and fears and questions are. This didn't really detract from the story for me, I just like to see characters build the rapport they have, rather than just read that it happened.I really enjoyed this story, the emotions are definitely strong in this book. Please don't go into this one thinking you're going to be reading a ton about Colton and Rylee because you don't. It isn't their story!! It's Becks and Haddie's story and it was a fantastic one! I totally love the ending...and once you read it for yourself, you'll know what I mean!

I love the extended story of this series of Haddie and Becks. K.Bromberg pulls you inwith her development of each character and their relationships its like you are actually part of the story. I read it so fast. Just couldn't put it down😊

4.5 starsI have had this book sitting on my Kindle for way too long, and I was not prepared for the roller coaster ride that was in store! My heart bled for Haddie and hurt for Becks as he was subjected to the emotional whiplash of her reactions to life changing news in the face of her feelings for him. Mixed signals were the name of the game here: she needed and craved his strength and love but she pushed him away to try to spare him a fate similar to that of her brother in law.Once he finally figured out what was happening, Beck's dedication to making her realize he was all in no matter what had me swooning for him almost as hard as I did for Colton... but only almost. This is a story I will definitely revisit in the future but I have to give my heart a chance to recover first.

I was so engrossed in this book from the very start. I cried & laughed out loud at both Haddie & Becks. I loved their characters in the Driven series so was excited to discover this.The story is beautiful & tragic.It makes you think of your own love & loss... The message throughout is "Time is precious, waste it wisely" and believe me, I would have "wasted" far more time on a whole series of books surrounding Haddie & Becks and their story.Sadly, it ended all too abruptly. One minute you're sucked in to deep emotions because of the storyline, the next it's one year later. What?There was so much more that could have been explored/told in this story that I'm actually annoyed that it ended so abruptly with a jump forward a whole year. The pages used at the end for samples from other books could have so easily been used to explore Haddie & her story further.I guess the fact that I'm so annoyed that it ended so abruptly means that it is a 5* story, I just find it incredibly lazy writing (or rather, not writing) to skip forward when there's so much more to be told.Would I recommend that fans of the Driven series read this? Yes, I absolutely would. However, I would also say that just when you think more can be said, the book ends, so to bear that in mind.

Hmmmmmm.Loved Haddie in the Driven books. Fancied the hell out of Beckett Daniels. I knew together they would be hot hot hot.The execution didn’t hit where I wanted it to. I was underwhelmed. Too hot, too cold. Too on and too off. Too much declaring love without there being any love feelings. I was bored by the constant weighing up of options. I could easily have DNFd at 20% but I needed to get through it for Haddie.I knew where Haddie’s story was going so that wasn’t a problem for me. I just wanted more hearts less heels. Time is precious, waste it wisely. Reading is never a waste of time for me but damn I hate it when I’m not enraptured.

I don’t want to take anything away from the story—because it’s a fantastic story—but I think situations in my life made this a hard hitting one for me.I don’t want to include spoilers, so I’ll leave everyone to read this, but what I will say is it captured my heart and emotions and I was left sitting and crying with my kindle in my hand many times.Getting know more of Haddie & Becks was a delight. They are so good together, their banter back and forth had me laughing so many times, and get their depth was goosebump worthy. Let’s not forget how how they both are together, though, yes?There’s just something I love about a girl who’s not afraid to say what she wantsI know you’re always going to get a fantastic read by Kristy, she just had a way of taking you hostage while you read, but this for me entered new territory—it was entwined with a subject I usually avoid but couldn’t tear myself away from.This story was absolutely a 5 star read for me.

Not expecting that. We all loved Colton and Rylee's story and waited patiently for Becks and Haddie's turn. But theirs is so much more than a simple romance story - this is a book about Breast cancer and the devastation it causes a family and the emotional turmoil it causes young females in making major life decisions when faced with the possibility - it could be me next! After losing her sister to the disease Haddie is no longer the carefree BFF we met in the earlier books, as is to be expected for someone grieving for their sister, grieving for her family's loss, anxious and in denial when it comes to genetic testing and the crux of the book - fearful of falling in love and causing another person suffering if she too is to meet the same fate as her sister. I ugly cried for what seemed like hours reading this (and now have a literal book hangover headache) but also laughed as no shortage of humour either. This was quite a brave undertaking for the author because this was not a romance story that touched on Breast cancer this was a no holds barred love story that revolved around breast cancer and the cancer journey. But it was still a beautiful love story with amazing characters. And a totally different read experience from what you would expect after first 3 books, but that's what makes a book standout from 100's of other standard romances, when an author dares to be different even though breast cancer is unfortunately a too frequent story for so many people daily. Thank you Ms Bromberg.

Slow Burn (Driven #5) by K Bromberg4.5 stars!!“A life without passion and love is like slowly freezing to death.”It is no secret that K Bromberg is one of my favourite authors and I was eagerly anticipating the release of Becks and Haddie’s story. After the huge success of Colton and Rylee I was anxious to see if Kristy’s writing would have the same effect, that intense draw into her characters, the emotional pull and the all compassing love for them you are left feeling at the end. Well after reading Slow Burn, I can say YES to all of the above.We all know who Becks and Haddie are; they are both the BBF’s of both Colton and Rylee. Throughout the Driven series you could sense there was some underlying chemistry and attraction between the two but both seemed reticent to take it any further. I always wondered why and so I dove into Slow Burn anxiously awaiting answers.Haddie always came across as the happy-go-lucky, slightly eccentric friend of Rylee, she was the go getter, the life and soul of the party, she was sassy, she had no filter and this only made you love her all the more. I never thought that underneath that façade the real Haddie was so very different.“I silently chastise myself, tell myself to pull on my big girl thong and own it like a stripper does her pole.”Haddie is still grieving for her sister, a sister that she lost to breast cancer, a sister that left behind an inconsolable husband and a devastated child. The breast cancer gene is hereditary and runs in her family and she is forever living under a cloud. A cloud of what if, a cloud of fear, a cloud of complete and utter devastation. It is because of this that she refuses to open herself up to love, after all, she fears her days are numbered and she doesn’t want to put a man through what her sister’s husband is currently experiencing.Becks is the BBF of Colton, he is Colton’s right hand man, he has been there for Colton through thick and thin, he is Colton’s wing man, partner in crime and in charge of Colton’s racing team. Becks is the smooth to Colton’s rough, he is cool, calm and collected, he is meticulous, he is the guy that you would never be ashamed to take home to meet the parents.The story starts the night of Colton and Rylee’s wedding. The best man and the maid of honour are left in charge…very drunk…very enamoured with the day’s events…feeling frisky…very hot…and so they embark on a night of passion, no strings, hot sex kinda night, a night that starts a connection that neither can deny, despite Haddie’s protestations. These two were friends, so that faze has already happened, Becks has admired and wanted Haddie from afar for a long time and he knew that this would be emotional suicide for him, but he was willing to go for it, for a taste, just to see if what he was feeling really was the voodoo pussy that Colton had always been so vocal about.“Incredible, mindblowing, balltightening, toecurling sex, but sex nonetheless.”This is one emotional rollercoaster, so be prepared and have tissues!! The one thing that Kristy writes well is emotion; she never fails to grip me with her characters. It is like she has bled onto the page and you cannot help but be sucked into the emotional vortex that her writing creates. The intense emotional pain and anguish that Haddie was experiencing comes to life and you feel it, every single fear, every single tear, I was scared for her, I cried with her and yet I wanted her to seek out the love and friendship that she desperately needed and wanted. That love and friendship that Becks was offering, what Becks was willing to give, what Becks needed to give, even if she wasn’t willing to admit it.“The click was our initial connection. Now? Now it’s the clanking…”There is a lot of push and pull from Haddie; I have to say that Becks has the patience of a saint. Any other man would have walked away, but Becks knew that the voodoo pussy had claimed him and he would fight tooth and nail for the end goal. At times it was frustrating but you could hear the cogs whirring in Haddie’s mind, her tumultuous thoughts trying to justify moving forward and then pulling her back again. The warring in Haddie’s mind though was real, it was honest and trying to picture myself in the same situation I feel I would have been the same. You never know how you would react in those circumstances but I personally felt that Kristy delivered that message, she hit home with an honest portrayal of Haddie’s mental anguish.“Because he’s a forever. And I can only focus on todays.”I loved that this book was written in dual POV’s, Beck’s voice was the calming one yet it was raw, it was brutally honest, extremely sensual and downright intoxicating at times. It was his voice that perfectly balanced this book. Haddie’s voice was full of despair, back and forth, crazy at times, yet you were still treated to her sassy, ballsy nature, she was sexy, she had her vibrant moments but she was in emotional pain and it seeped through her words.“Time is precious. Waste it wisely.”This is not all doom and gloom, this book is balanced with some witty dialogue, some insanely hot moments that we all know Kristy pens like a demon possessed. It will have you crying with sadness, laughing with joy and will have your panties combusting. But most of all you will have been on an amazing journey with two insanely loveable characters that will have embedded themselves into your heart and mind by the end. Our lovable duo, Colton and Rylee make their appearances but this is definitely Becks and Haddie’s story.“Welcome to the oestrogen vortex, dude, where mind _____ are the norm and understanding them is as common as a effing unicorn in your front yard.”Once again K Bromberg has penned a fantastic story, one that will not leave me in a hurry and one that had me thinking for days. I just love this author’s voice, she always manages to suck me in hook, line and sinker and I was engrossed from the first to last word. I loved this book, totally and utterly loved it.“I’m all for him ruining your lipstick, but if he ruins your mascara, you need to come let his mom know so I can put him back in his place.”