A review by sammeehicks
Burning Bright by Sophie McKenzie

Did not finish book.
I really enjoyed Falling Fast, the first book in this series so I was looking forward to reading this. I really like River and Flynn and am really enjoying their journey.

Following on from the events of the first book, River and Flynn have now been dating for a few months. They are completely smitten with each other – there is just one problem. Flynn’s temper! What I found interesting about this is that it’s not just the fact Flynn gets angry (at pretty much everything) but it is how his mood completely affect River. Not only does he seem to control the way she feels but he is also alienating her from her family and friends. I think as readers we see the same side to him that River does, which is great, but it is also easy to see why her friends and family react to him in the way they do.

I loved the ending to this and how it all plays out. River comes a long way from the character she is at the start of the story – and while she doesn’t make the best choices I think she had to live it to reach the conclusion she does at the end. And Flynn is still as compelling as before – I like how his character is written. How flawed he is, yet how much I fell in love with him too. I could see both the positive and negatives of his character and willed him to see how he appears to others – how that behaviour affects others.

A brilliant look at the intensity of first love, with characters that are remarkably believable. I can’t wait to read the next instalment!