Set Ablaze

Set Ablaze, by KC Burn is a complicated second chance “missed opportunity” mess, but in a wonderful way. With difficult pasts and multiple issues facing two men upon their reconnection, one has to wonder – “how will this work out?” Add in mystery, homophobic nut cases, and family drama – and there is one heck of a mess to sort through. But, don’t dismay, KC will take you through it all with style.

Macho Firefighter Hayden Hurst isn’t hiding in the closet, but he certainly doesn’t stand up for himself either. He has a set of true friends and some work “friends” who consistently make horrid remarks disguised in jest. Unfortunately, and potentially subconsciously, these “friends” have shaped his beliefs in love and relationships.

Jez Bouchet is a rising dancer/star; there is no way he will ever be mistaken for straight. Jez has been through a lot, including a gay bashing at the age of seventeen. Realizing his life in New York is unhealthy, not what he needs, and pretty abominable, Jez accepts a job on the West Coast.

As Jez heads west, Hayden’s best friend, Miguel begs Hayden for a favor. “‘You remember my baby brother Jez?’” All Hayden remembers, from when he left for Pasadena, is a gangly eighteen year old. Well, Jez is grown up now, needs a place to stay, and Hayden reluctantly consents to giving him his spare room.

Misunderstandings abound, tension ensues, and attraction ignites, making for a very tense living arrangement. Add in Fang, the adorable puppy that Jez is hiding in the closet, and what could possibly happen, right? Oh, lest we forget: Jez appears to be running from someone, or something.

As time passes, Hayden and Jez find their footing, begin talking and (what’s that?), express feelings for one another. Both men learn to lean on each other for the help they each need. Jez opens Hayden’s eyes while Hayden assists Jez with his dilemma. And when Miguel mans up to explain himself, the earth shifts on its axis.

Set Ablaze contains darker themes than most, enjoyable characters, chemistry, angst, suspense, heat and heart, all brought to life by the excellent narration of Darcy Stark. Darcy’s cunning ability to capture the moment, the emotions, and the individualism of the characters further enhances the story.

I recommend this tale, which pushes the boundaries on romance, to deal with real life situations that often face gay men. Okay, Jez’s plight might be stretching this a teeny, tiny bit. Yes, Set Ablaze spins realities, but it also enlightens. Its depiction of disparagement is offset by its parallel depiction of love and acceptance, reminding us that no one should accept anything less.

3 Stars for the book
3.5 Stars for the narration

I’m going to start my review with the audio portion since this is what I liked best about this book and was the main factor in what kept me going to the end. I really liked the narration for this story. I think Darcy Stark did a great job with what he was given. His voice and cadence were pretty much on-point throughout the entire book. His voice is really pleasant to listen to while he tells us the story, no matter what the book itself might contain.

I’ve read this author before and really liked the books (The Toronto Tales Series is fantastic) but this one did not hit the mark for me. Although the premise sounded great when I read the blurb - firefighter and Broadway dancer - I wasn’t super impressed by the storyline we got.

The plot of the story moved along at a decent pace, but when I comes down to it, I think that maybe my lack of connection to any and all of the characters might have thrown off the story a bit too much for me to actually enjoy this one. There was just too much drama, judgment, horrible interaction and lack of communication between basically every character in this book. They were all contradicting and condescending to each other and much was left to be desired. In my personal opinion the only redeeming factor that either of the main characters, Jez and Hayden, had is that they both liked dogs, that’s it. These guys just did not seem to fit together; it’s really hard to explain but they just did not seem right for each other, even up to the end of this book. Sad to say, but I was honestly hoping this didn’t actually have a HEA and that they ended up with completely different people than each other. Lol.

Hayden is a firefighter who is “out” but yet, not really. He acts like he’s in the closet, hides who he is from all of his “friends” and avoids all conflict because he is afraid of what every single person on the planet will think of him, whether he even knows them or not. Hayden has never been with a woman but at the beginning of this book has no issue with comparing Jez’s body to being soft like a woman’s and not like the manly men he usually goes for?!?!? Whaaatt?!?!

But seriously, the lack of actual communication, and then miscommunication between the two main characters drove me kind of crazy. OMG and don’t even get me started on Hayden’s horrible d-bag “friends”! How the hell did he seriously put up with their homophobic crap for so long without defending himself, or OK, you don’t like conflict – fine - WHY DIDN’T HE JUST STOP HANGING OUT WITH THEM?? I simply didn’t get that at all; he just lets them use and abuse him and that was my major complaint with Hayden as a person and a character.

Jez is a Broadway dancer turned actor. He runs across the country to get away from a crazy ex and moves in with his brother Miguel’s best friend, Hayden, who he hasn’t seen or talked to in years. Jez is super judgmental right from the start; he lies and hides things and even when the truth starts coming out, he leaves major parts of the story out. He also assumes the worst things about every person he comes into contact with. Like, I get he had to deal with some crazy crap his ex-boyfriend put him through, but dude, Jez is kind of crazy himself in a completely different way. As a person, he was just really hard for me to like. There were parts of Jez’s life after he moved in with Hayden that got added into the book, almost like added content that wasn’t needed and had no bearing on the actual storyline. One thing I did agree with Jez, was that yes, they both could use some therapy, and that they both have some major issues they need to work through, separately and together.

Miguel, Jez’s brother and Hayden’s best friend…. Hmm. Miguel - is he a homophobic jerk, or is he just a jerk, or is he really a good guy in disguise..? I was super confused and conflicted about his character. He is the only person who stepped up in his family to help Jez when he was “forced out” but yet he doesn’t stick up for Hayden when their horrible friends treat them like crap for years. And he doesn’t even step up and defend Jez one he comes back into the picture.

I just didn’t understand any of these guys or any of their actions.

*** Audiobook copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by Dreamspinner Press for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***

What a great read. Enjoyed it greatly. Jez and Hayden's story. Jez is a dancer and Actor. Hayden is a Fireman. Jez needs a place to stay, his brother Miguel asks his friend Hayden if Jez can stay with him for a while and their slow burn romance starts there.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars

I really enjoyed this sweet and reflective romance, but it isn’t quite what I expected from the cover or the blurb. It’s the story of Hayden, a not-quite-closeted firefighter and Jez, his new roommate (and a Broadway dancer). Jez’s flamboyant arrival forces Hayden to reevaluate his own identity and the toxic bro-culture he clings to.

While I was expecting steamy firefighter scenes, this book takes a hard look at friendship, respect, and identity. There is some heat, but I liked the way the story pushes beyond romance tropes to examine some difficult realities faced by gay men – even in liberal environments like LA and New York.

I didn't love this story. I’m not sure two men would ever talk so earnestly with each other and there were a few moments when Jez and Hayden push past cute into adorable in a way that made me feel slightly nauseous. Time lurches in the story and I didn't always have a good grip on the timeline of the book. Some of the characters are too cliché to be believable or have an impact, and other characters like Jez's brother aren't coherent through the book. But I appreciated the ideas and I loved Jez’s fierce resilience and Hayden’s aptitude for reflection and change.


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Set Ablaze by KC Burn to read and review.

Hayden is a California firefighter, gay, practically out, who shares his life between his work and his buddies.

Jez is a Broadway dancer who came to live in California to start his life over. His brother, Miguel, asked his best friend Hayden to host Jez while he searches for somewhere to live.
Even if Jez and Hayden had known each other all their lives, after a decade without any contact, they’re like two strangers. The fact that Jez has two big secrets, one named Fang a little pug puppy and the other a stalker, doesn’t help at first, and worse, the strong physical attraction between them complicated things a little bit.

I liked this book. I had a good time with them.

Hayden is gay, his parents had threatened him with conversion therapy when he came out, and he ran away to live with his grandmother. But even if Hayden is gay and out, he lives in the closet…let me explain. People at his work know he’s gay, but he never brings a boyfriend to their gatherings, never talk about his life, and when his so-called buddies are homophobic, he doesn’t say a word, and thinks it’s just jokes. He lives in a closet. But when Jez came into his life with his unicorn t-shirt and his flamboyant temper, he realizes that maybe something is wrong with his friends. Jez shows him that he doesn’t have to live a half-life.

Jez is my favorite. I like him a lot. He had a traumatic past after a gay-bashing at 17 years old, and his family had turned their back to him… Except his big brother Miguel. He was on his own, healing his body, soul, and mind. He’s refused to be mistreated since, and when he meets Hayden’s homophobic friends, he refuses to shut up. Besides, Jez has a creepy stalker who make his life hell, but with Hayden’s love and support, he starts to take back what belongs to him.

KC Burn wrote a sweet book with a good plot. She tackles difficult subjects, but she transforms them into a beautiful message of hope that no matter what people think of you, you’re still in control of who you want to be.

Jez and Hayden were adorable together, sweet and funny. The only thing that I missed a little bit was the absence of sex scene, I would have loved to read at least their first night together.

It’s 3.5 OptimuMMs for Fang!