Scan barcode
1bookobsessionconfessions's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyed it. Love her writing and characters.
The heroine was very good. Maybe more likable than some others in the series.
I’ve loved all the books in the series. This was no exception.
I think I expected more from this because the bar has been set high. It seemed very similar to the other books, but I still loved it!
The heroine was very good. Maybe more likable than some others in the series.
I’ve loved all the books in the series. This was no exception.
I think I expected more from this because the bar has been set high. It seemed very similar to the other books, but I still loved it!
kirbyj_'s review
4.0
this book was good, but not the greatest of this series and its spin offs.
it was a little too insta for me, insta love, insta resolution. i've been spoilt with the 2 and 3 part books on the same characters. the cliffhangers become actual cliffhangers and we get to delve a bit deeper into the drama and characters.
it was a little too insta for me, insta love, insta resolution. i've been spoilt with the 2 and 3 part books on the same characters. the cliffhangers become actual cliffhangers and we get to delve a bit deeper into the drama and characters.
Spoiler
really wish the incident with rage was dealt with a little more, for both smoke and rage.ameserole's review against another edition
4.0
I am so freaking close to finishing this series. Yeah, I might be skipping over the novellas but details right now guys. Up in Smoke is the eighth installment of the King series. I'm going to be honest here - I had no idea this series had 9 books. Not including the novellas. I can't believe I ghosted this series after reading book 1 forever ago.
In this, you will meet Smoke and Frankie. For some odd reason, I thought I was going to get more Rage than anything.. and I'm not even sure why I thought that to begin with. Yes, she is in it but this is clearly Frankie's book.
Honestly, I loved these two. Yeah, things were a bit rough in the beginning with him sort of kidnapping her and wanting her dad dead. Little did they know that they were going to worm their way into each other's hearts.. and find a shit ton of secrets about one another. Seriously, so many things came out from the dark. It was insane!
Other than that, I loved the action, smut, and all the drama. The epilogues were adorable and I can't wait to dive into the next book!
In this, you will meet Smoke and Frankie. For some odd reason, I thought I was going to get more Rage than anything.. and I'm not even sure why I thought that to begin with. Yes, she is in it but this is clearly Frankie's book.
Honestly, I loved these two. Yeah, things were a bit rough in the beginning with him sort of kidnapping her and wanting her dad dead. Little did they know that they were going to worm their way into each other's hearts.. and find a shit ton of secrets about one another. Seriously, so many things came out from the dark. It was insane!
Other than that, I loved the action, smut, and all the drama. The epilogues were adorable and I can't wait to dive into the next book!
bbeaston's review against another edition
5.0
T.M. Frazier's words are my favorite drug. Up in Smoke made me feel like I'd snorted suspense, mainlined lust, inhaled danger, and injected myself with all-consuming love all at the same time. Where am I? What day is it? I don't even care. All I know is that I can't wait to do it again.
kate_and_books's review against another edition
5.0
I’m a man among men, but I’m not really living. I answer to no one. I’m heartless. Soulless. Lawless. Godless. I’m what’s left of humanity after it’s burned. I’m what remains after the flames have been doused. I’m Hell on Earth. Brimstone and fire, Embers and ashes. I am motherfucking Smoke.
And I. AM. IN. LOVE.
When reading a T.M. Frazier book you just know that you will emerge yourself into an addicting and mind-blowing world. Where you
The Characters
Smoke had thought that he had experienced true evil but that one night he really knew what it meant. A year has passed and gone, and revenge is still his mission. He gets a tip to go after the last piece on the board to finish the game. There is true evil in the world and although he might be a monster without realizing it he is one of the good ones. But his life is once again going to be turned upside down.
Smoke, OMG ladies I must find the words to convey how I feel about him.
He is grace and violence an oddly beautiful yet horrendous combination. A force to be reckoned with a man who will go through fire to do what he has and to stick by his guns.
Frankie Helburn is on a mission. To save as many people as she can. She knows with the work that she is doing that her time will be up sooner rather than later. Righting wrongs and finding out her life was a lie. Her work is the only thing she has left and by hiding in plain sight she has some reprieve.
Frankie is sassy and spunky and for me she is totally kickarse. She has a backbone of steel and stands for what is right no matter the consequences she keeps a level head.
On top of the awesome ice cream sundae we get the reappearance of previous characters. Butter my bun and call me a biscuit cause all of that testosterone in one room? Smoke, King, Bear & Preppy? Steaming peeps. The only one who was missing was Jake.
My favourite secondary character in this book is Zelda. She is a riot.
The Chemistry
They have epic chemistry although they both find it hard to deal with and accept it. It is a battle that they will both loose and although there wasn’t as much sex in this one then in the others it was how they were both trying to deal with their feelings that it is inevitable no matter what. Beneath that hard exterior there is a soft place, you have to look really hard but it is reserved just for Frankie.
The Writing & Plot
An original, soul-bearing, gut wrenching and yet beautiful read with some twists and turns that you won’t see coming and like me some that you will see coming but that doesn’t deflect from the plot and what is offered.
For me Ms. Frazier is flawless in her writing. She writes exceptional characters both female/male she is one of the very few where I love each main character equally. The pace of the book was the way it was meant to be sometimes a tad slow for my liking but still bloody awesome.
I personally don’t like perfect characters, I don’t want perfect, I want complex, flawed and imperfect. Where they crave the dark side. The relationships Ms. Frazier writes about are complex and they never conform to the standards of normal society I don’t even think she could conform a couple to a normal relationship besides that is not what I know and love her for.
It wouldn’t be a Frazier book if the author didn’t send the Hero off to distract himself with another woman. Oddly enough when I read this it didn’t bother me.
The Verdict.
I would recommend this book with every fibre of my being. This book had everything I want in book. Action, emotion, uniqueness and characters you want to hate but you just can’t. Ms. Frazier might be an acquired taste with her books so I suggest you acquire some taste. Big fun and major girl crush.
P.S. Thanks for reminding me of the awesome song from Creed Arms Wide Open there is that one moment that gives me goose bumps every single time. I’ve already heard it about ten times today. I can’t wait for Nine to get a book.
═══ PLEASE SUBSCRIBE / LIKE / FOLLOW US ════
Blog : https://www.jerisbookattic.com
FB Page : https://www.facebook.com/JerisBookAttic
Twitter : https://twitter.com/JeriTRyan
Goodreads : https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/20537528-jeri
Bloglovin : https://www.bloglovin.com/@jerisbookattic
sonja_ahrb's review against another edition
5.0
I had only read Bear and Rage’s stories along with some of King’s when I saw that Ms. Frazier was writing Smoke’s book and I couldn’t wait to read Up in Smoke. I read all the main books in the King series while I was waiting and it just made me even more excited for Smoke! And as soon as I finished the last of the anthology I had been reading when I got Up in Smoke, I immediately dove into it. And oh, I loved it so much, it was beyond fantastic and I have that happy/sad feeling you get when you’re happy about finishing the book, but you’re also sad it’s over.
It’s hard to tell you who I loved more between Frankie and Smoke because they were both such great characters, but I think Frankie actually gets the honor, so without further ado, let’s talk about Smoke. I loved that man even when he drove me crazy and I wanted to shake him. He’ll challenge you and frustrate you, but it’s impossible not to love him. Smoke is rough and coarse, but he has his sweet, soft moments that will just make you melt and steal your heart. I loved him before and I only fell deeper the more I got to really know him — he’s a wonderful hero.
And Frankie is a total BOSS — man, I loved that girl! She’s super smart, she’s incredibly strong and brave and she has an iron will. She tries to do things on her terms and she never gives up on that. Frankie is kind, good-hearted, and giving. She understands Smoke and she knows who she is. Frankie is absolutely amazing and I wholeheartedly loved her!
If I had been able to read Up in Smoke from start to finish with no interruptions, trust me I would have, but I returned to it as soon as I could. It was exciting, captivating, and entertaining. It made my heart ache and melt, it made me laugh and smile and it got my blood racing. I enjoyed reading Up in Smoke so much and I will be eagerly awaiting any future book with these cast of characters!
Up in Smoke is a standalone although you might want to read the awesomeness that is All the Rage first. It’s told from Smoke and Frankie’s POV and they do get their happily-ever-after.
~ Sonja, 5 Stars
It’s hard to tell you who I loved more between Frankie and Smoke because they were both such great characters, but I think Frankie actually gets the honor, so without further ado, let’s talk about Smoke. I loved that man even when he drove me crazy and I wanted to shake him. He’ll challenge you and frustrate you, but it’s impossible not to love him. Smoke is rough and coarse, but he has his sweet, soft moments that will just make you melt and steal your heart. I loved him before and I only fell deeper the more I got to really know him — he’s a wonderful hero.
And Frankie is a total BOSS — man, I loved that girl! She’s super smart, she’s incredibly strong and brave and she has an iron will. She tries to do things on her terms and she never gives up on that. Frankie is kind, good-hearted, and giving. She understands Smoke and she knows who she is. Frankie is absolutely amazing and I wholeheartedly loved her!
If I had been able to read Up in Smoke from start to finish with no interruptions, trust me I would have, but I returned to it as soon as I could. It was exciting, captivating, and entertaining. It made my heart ache and melt, it made me laugh and smile and it got my blood racing. I enjoyed reading Up in Smoke so much and I will be eagerly awaiting any future book with these cast of characters!
Up in Smoke is a standalone although you might want to read the awesomeness that is All the Rage first. It’s told from Smoke and Frankie’s POV and they do get their happily-ever-after.
~ Sonja, 5 Stars
anasatticbookblog's review against another edition
5.0
Up In Smoke by T.M. Frazier
Gritty Romance. Can Stand Alone.
I don’t know how TM Frazier does it to me every time. I don’t really love dark romance, but I don’t really think of TM Frazier’s books as dark, but more gritty. The thing is, there is so much humor woven through that the coarseness and violence never seems to get overwhelming. And despite the crazy personalities, these guys are romantic as fuck and have some of the most weirdly intense and romantic lines ever…in a super gritty sort of way. Like this:
"She isn’t under my skin. She’s fucking torched it. My flesh burns for her. She’s the flame and the balm, both painful and soothing. I want more of her. All of her. She owns me. Body. Soul."
We really got to know Smoke in All The Rage. And although Up In Smoke stands alone, I suggest you read All the Rage first…actually, all of TM’s books! But this does stand alone pretty well. We get plenty of visitors from previous books.
Frankie is living a lie. She is hiding something, but we aren’t quite sure what. Smoke is out for revenge. He lost someone close to him, and he will make the killer pay. Step one is kidnapping Frankie to bring the killer out. Smoke is not gentle. He REALLY kidnaps her. But Frankie, as scared as she is, can’t help but feel something for Smoke.
Smoke knows that Frankie won’t make it alive, but it doesn’t stop him from wanting her.
“All of the nothing I am is now hers. She’s my victim, and I’m her tormentor. She’s my prey, and I’m the predator. She is mine to do with as I please. And what I please right now is to make her come. Make her scream my name.”
Frankie is a little confused about her feelings.
"I’m desperate to give my body to the man who may very well be the one who takes my life. And right now, I don’t fucking care. Because in Smoke’s arms, I’ve come alive."
Likes:
- •Completely consumed me.
- •The way TM Frazier can make me fall in love with monsters.
- •So many amazing 1-line quotes.
- •Boundary pushing.
- •Plenty of humor, especially from characters crossing over like Rage and Preppy.
- •All of TM Frazier’s books are completely unique.
- •The visits from all my favorite earlier characters.
Dislikes:
- •I would have liked if she held out the hate a little longer. I felt like the meat of the story, the romance, happened a little too early in the book. Once they hooked up I was able to take breaks and not read so obsessively.
The Down & Dirty:
TM Frazier’s gritty world in SW Florida is one of the most unique series, from The Dark Light of Day straight through the Preppy books. Never has another author made me fall for characters that any normal person should loathe. Killers, drug dealers, semi rapists and literally insane, violent characters abound in her books, but we can’t help but love the crazy. Up In Smoke was edgy, gritty and sexy and I honestly love every bit. It looks like she has the scene set for the next book about Preppy’s little brother, “Nine”. I for one, can’t wait.
Rating: 4.5 Stars, 4.5 Heat
Purchase Up In Smoke by TM Frazier
(^^Spin off, does not have to be read here^^)
(Can stand alone)
jen286's review against another edition
4.0
This review was originally posted to Jen in Bookland
Up In Smoke was just as amazing as I thought it would be. If you know this author already then you know the kind of story she writes. They are dark, the guys and gals are amazing (even if they are a little rough around the edges) and it gets all wrapped up in an amazing story that you don't want to put down once you start. Oh, and there can be some pretty messed up situations as this author does not hold back. Anything can happen But it works and it works oh so well. I love reading her books!
Smoke is on a mission. He wants revenge and he will not stop until he gets it. He has to find Frankie's father and will do anything he has to to find him. Including kidnapping Frankie to flush him out.
Frankie is a computer hacker working on lots of things that could get her killed but helps others. She doesn't really have any friends or let anyone too close to her because she can't chance things blowing up in her face and taking others with her. She is careful and paranoid and always watching her back, but you can't always be safe. I loved how much fight she had in her. She has her own mission, her own things she is trying to accomplish, and she will not stop trying to escape so she can get back to them.
I loved these two. I loved how they slowly start falling for each other in this crazy situation. I loved Frankie's secrets and how this all worked out. What was going on and who was involved and the glimpses of characters from prior books in the series were amazing! There is something there between them, but it is rough because Smoke can't keep Frankie. He made promises and he intends to uphold them...only plans sometimes change. Oh, they were so amazing together! I was actually surprised how much I loved Smoke. How sweet he was under his gruff exterior. He was amazing and seeing him open up a little bit with Frankie? Priceless. I could have read on and on and on. I wasn't sure this would be my favorite read going in. Something about it made me say eh, I will probably enjoy it, but Smoke and Frankie might not be my favorite couple of the series, but I was wrong. They are just as great as everyone else I have met in this wonderful world.
*Note: I received a free copy of this book for voluntary review consideration
Up In Smoke was just as amazing as I thought it would be. If you know this author already then you know the kind of story she writes. They are dark, the guys and gals are amazing (even if they are a little rough around the edges) and it gets all wrapped up in an amazing story that you don't want to put down once you start. Oh, and there can be some pretty messed up situations as this author does not hold back. Anything can happen But it works and it works oh so well. I love reading her books!
Smoke is on a mission. He wants revenge and he will not stop until he gets it. He has to find Frankie's father and will do anything he has to to find him. Including kidnapping Frankie to flush him out.
Frankie is a computer hacker working on lots of things that could get her killed but helps others. She doesn't really have any friends or let anyone too close to her because she can't chance things blowing up in her face and taking others with her. She is careful and paranoid and always watching her back, but you can't always be safe. I loved how much fight she had in her. She has her own mission, her own things she is trying to accomplish, and she will not stop trying to escape so she can get back to them.
I loved these two. I loved how they slowly start falling for each other in this crazy situation. I loved Frankie's secrets and how this all worked out. What was going on and who was involved and the glimpses of characters from prior books in the series were amazing! There is something there between them, but it is rough because Smoke can't keep Frankie. He made promises and he intends to uphold them...only plans sometimes change. Oh, they were so amazing together! I was actually surprised how much I loved Smoke. How sweet he was under his gruff exterior. He was amazing and seeing him open up a little bit with Frankie? Priceless. I could have read on and on and on. I wasn't sure this would be my favorite read going in. Something about it made me say eh, I will probably enjoy it, but Smoke and Frankie might not be my favorite couple of the series, but I was wrong. They are just as great as everyone else I have met in this wonderful world.
*Note: I received a free copy of this book for voluntary review consideration
gingermomma83's review against another edition
1.0
The first book by this author I hated
There is no hero here. Actually the heroine is the H. I was so looking forward to Smokes story. Huge disappointment. Spoilers! -5 stars!
He purposely has sex with OW in FRONT of the h AFTER he was physical with h. No apology. But it’s okay because he came harder than he ever had before knowing the h was watching. *eye roll* Even once he realizes he was in the wrong from the start there is no apology. No guilt over all the awful things he did to her. And he was AWFUL to her cruel beyond words. He was gross. Pathetic. Huge loser. Absolutely not a hero in any way, shape or form. I actually despised him. There was no redemption for him. Though he didn’t want or seek redemption anyways. To him it’s like he never did anything wrong.
I loved the h. In my head the ending is different and she ends up with someone else who actually deserves her.
There is no hero here. Actually the heroine is the H. I was so looking forward to Smokes story. Huge disappointment. Spoilers! -5 stars!
He purposely has sex with OW in FRONT of the h AFTER he was physical with h. No apology. But it’s okay because he came harder than he ever had before knowing the h was watching. *eye roll* Even once he realizes he was in the wrong from the start there is no apology. No guilt over all the awful things he did to her. And he was AWFUL to her cruel beyond words. He was gross. Pathetic. Huge loser. Absolutely not a hero in any way, shape or form. I actually despised him. There was no redemption for him. Though he didn’t want or seek redemption anyways. To him it’s like he never did anything wrong.
I loved the h. In my head the ending is different and she ends up with someone else who actually deserves her.