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Burned, Inc. #1
Heated
From USA Today bestselling author Naima Simone comes Heated, a sizzling novel about a breakup professional who embarks on a fake relationship with a client’s ex—the one person she wasn’t supposed to fall for.
Zora
I’m Denver’s unmatchmaker. Every city needs one.
Why? Because people break up—and sometimes they should. But when I learn that entertainment attorney Cyrus Hart is someone else’s mistake, I can’t believe it. He’s smart, successful, and sexy as hell.
When a chance encounter with Cyrus turns into something more, I can’t help but fall for him. Our chemistry is undeniable. But his ex used my company to send him that letter—and that’s a problem. Especially since he doesn’t know I own the company.
How can this possibly work? I know from experience that the riskiest ventures are the worthiest ones…but falling for Cyrus Hart may be my biggest gamble yet.
Cyrus
I’m a man with a plan—college, law school, a great career. So far, so good.
Until a stranger shows up on my doorstep and reads me a breakup letter from my girlfriend. My carefully laid plans unravel.
But then I meet someone new. It’s spontaneous. It’s electric. And it’s not according to plan.
Zora
I’m Denver’s unmatchmaker. Every city needs one.
Why? Because people break up—and sometimes they should. But when I learn that entertainment attorney Cyrus Hart is someone else’s mistake, I can’t believe it. He’s smart, successful, and sexy as hell.
When a chance encounter with Cyrus turns into something more, I can’t help but fall for him. Our chemistry is undeniable. But his ex used my company to send him that letter—and that’s a problem. Especially since he doesn’t know I own the company.
How can this possibly work? I know from experience that the riskiest ventures are the worthiest ones…but falling for Cyrus Hart may be my biggest gamble yet.
Cyrus
I’m a man with a plan—college, law school, a great career. So far, so good.
Until a stranger shows up on my doorstep and reads me a breakup letter from my girlfriend. My carefully laid plans unravel.
But then I meet someone new. It’s spontaneous. It’s electric. And it’s not according to plan.
253 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 5, 2022
About the author
Naima Simone
169 books1,934 followersPublished since 2009, USA Today Bestselling author Naima Simone loves writing sizzling romances with heart, a touch of humor and snark. Her books have been featured in The Washington Post and Entertainment Weekly, and described as balancing “crackling, electric love scenes with exquisitely rendered characters caught in emotional turmoil.”
She is wife to Superman, or his non-Kryptonian, less bullet proof equivalent, and mother to the most awesome kids ever. They all live in perfect, sometimes domestically-challenged bliss in the southern United States.
She is wife to Superman, or his non-Kryptonian, less bullet proof equivalent, and mother to the most awesome kids ever. They all live in perfect, sometimes domestically-challenged bliss in the southern United States.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 269 reviews
July 5, 2022
(Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for a honest review)
Publication date: 05 July 2022
Publisher: Montlake
Tropes: slow burn, fake dating
Plot
Zora, Levi and Miriam are three siblings who jointly run a company that will send the sender’s partner a breakup message on their behalf. Zora is then tasked by Valerie, the sender to deliver a breakup message to Cyrus who’s an attorney. She also coincidentally meets Cyrus who doesn’t know she was the one who delivered the message. Given their instant attraction, will they make it out together out of the tangled mess?
Thoughts
This is the first book in the series and also my first book from this author and I chose this book for the fake dating trope.
I liked that this book had representation of inter-racial relationships because we don’t see that often in books enough. The breakup business was also an interesting plotline. Both Cyrus and Zora were strong headed people who knew how to work towards their goals. It was also a quick and fast paced read so it was easy to get through.
But their chemistry when they’re not in the “fake dating” situation seemed a little underwhelming. It also felt like the ending was rushed and there wasn’t a proper closure. The connection also seemed more to focus on the lust once they started getting along with one another.
Publication date: 05 July 2022
Publisher: Montlake
Tropes: slow burn, fake dating
Plot
Zora, Levi and Miriam are three siblings who jointly run a company that will send the sender’s partner a breakup message on their behalf. Zora is then tasked by Valerie, the sender to deliver a breakup message to Cyrus who’s an attorney. She also coincidentally meets Cyrus who doesn’t know she was the one who delivered the message. Given their instant attraction, will they make it out together out of the tangled mess?
Thoughts
This is the first book in the series and also my first book from this author and I chose this book for the fake dating trope.
I liked that this book had representation of inter-racial relationships because we don’t see that often in books enough. The breakup business was also an interesting plotline. Both Cyrus and Zora were strong headed people who knew how to work towards their goals. It was also a quick and fast paced read so it was easy to get through.
But their chemistry when they’re not in the “fake dating” situation seemed a little underwhelming. It also felt like the ending was rushed and there wasn’t a proper closure. The connection also seemed more to focus on the lust once they started getting along with one another.
July 6, 2022
Heated starts Naima Simone’s Burned series off on a high note. I don’t even know how to classify this book; forbidden romance – check, fake relationship – check, opposites attract – check. This couple meets in a very unusual way and there’s a reason they shouldn’t be together, but the heat between them, as a reader you just know where this one is going to go and while the big blow-up between them was predictable, I enjoyed watching them fall for each other so much that I just let that go. Funny, sexy, and completely engaging, I loved Heated.
What really grabbed by attention with this book was the writing style written in alternate points of view the internal dialog of these characters is often funny, sometimes outrageous, and often a bit racy, but that just added to my enjoyment of their story.
Zora and her siblings own a business that helps others by breaking up for them when a relationship goes bad so they don’t have to. This stems from growing up with parents who fought constantly and are still together and used their children as pawns for their arguments. Zora is a people pleaser, the peacemaker in her family and she takes that “job” seriously. So when she has to fill in and do a “break-up” with one of the most beautiful men she’s ever seen seeing how it affect him bothers her, and running into Cyrus again while “breaking-up” with another man and having him help her make her feel even worse. When he asks her to be his pretend significant other for a work retreat, she knows she should say no, but there’s something about Cyrus that has her agreeing despite her better judgment. Let me just say it here and now, I wasn’t a fan of the fact that Zora hid her business and the fact that she broke up with him because she was paid to do so. That being said, Cyrus set the parameters of their relationship and she did at one point try to tell him but he ummm, distracted her.
Losing his parents early in his life left a huge hole in Cyrus’ life and his heart. His recent break-up did not come at a good time and she was a means to getting the partnership at his law firm and they had an arrangement that worked for them both until it didn’t so when he sees an opportunity to spend more time with Zora who broke up with him by proxy, he takes it. He knows it’s not really right but he can’t seem to find a reason to care. I liked Cyrus and felt for the little boy who lost his parents and then had to scratch and claw his way to make his way in life. Yes he succeeded but he has issues that prevent him from allowing people to get close.
There was great representation in this book with Zora being a self made black business owner (along with her siblings) and also owning her size even though she does at times let self doubt creep in. There is no doubt she is proud of who she is and what she has accomplished but she is also vulnerable. I loved that Cyrus loved everything about her and was happy to tell her and eventually show her he was a man of his word. This was a slow burn romance because of their arrangement and it worked to build the tension between them. My biggest complaint about this book was the rush to the “I Love You” stage when they really didn’t know each other all that well and I truly wanted to see them peel back those layers of each other, answer all those questions they voiced (in their heads) when they were together but never asked because of their don’t ask don’t tell policy.
Zora’s siblings and Cyrus’ best friend were fantastic side characters and I can’t wait to see what happens with them as this series progresses. They often added comic relief and well placed advice when needed.
I have much love for this book, these characters and this author. Heated was a smart, fun, and sexy story and a great start to this series.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
What really grabbed by attention with this book was the writing style written in alternate points of view the internal dialog of these characters is often funny, sometimes outrageous, and often a bit racy, but that just added to my enjoyment of their story.
Zora and her siblings own a business that helps others by breaking up for them when a relationship goes bad so they don’t have to. This stems from growing up with parents who fought constantly and are still together and used their children as pawns for their arguments. Zora is a people pleaser, the peacemaker in her family and she takes that “job” seriously. So when she has to fill in and do a “break-up” with one of the most beautiful men she’s ever seen seeing how it affect him bothers her, and running into Cyrus again while “breaking-up” with another man and having him help her make her feel even worse. When he asks her to be his pretend significant other for a work retreat, she knows she should say no, but there’s something about Cyrus that has her agreeing despite her better judgment. Let me just say it here and now, I wasn’t a fan of the fact that Zora hid her business and the fact that she broke up with him because she was paid to do so. That being said, Cyrus set the parameters of their relationship and she did at one point try to tell him but he ummm, distracted her.
Losing his parents early in his life left a huge hole in Cyrus’ life and his heart. His recent break-up did not come at a good time and she was a means to getting the partnership at his law firm and they had an arrangement that worked for them both until it didn’t so when he sees an opportunity to spend more time with Zora who broke up with him by proxy, he takes it. He knows it’s not really right but he can’t seem to find a reason to care. I liked Cyrus and felt for the little boy who lost his parents and then had to scratch and claw his way to make his way in life. Yes he succeeded but he has issues that prevent him from allowing people to get close.
There was great representation in this book with Zora being a self made black business owner (along with her siblings) and also owning her size even though she does at times let self doubt creep in. There is no doubt she is proud of who she is and what she has accomplished but she is also vulnerable. I loved that Cyrus loved everything about her and was happy to tell her and eventually show her he was a man of his word. This was a slow burn romance because of their arrangement and it worked to build the tension between them. My biggest complaint about this book was the rush to the “I Love You” stage when they really didn’t know each other all that well and I truly wanted to see them peel back those layers of each other, answer all those questions they voiced (in their heads) when they were together but never asked because of their don’t ask don’t tell policy.
Zora’s siblings and Cyrus’ best friend were fantastic side characters and I can’t wait to see what happens with them as this series progresses. They often added comic relief and well placed advice when needed.
I have much love for this book, these characters and this author. Heated was a smart, fun, and sexy story and a great start to this series.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
August 27, 2022
Naima definitely nailed it with this one. Zora maybe my favorite heroine to date of the books I’ve read of Naima’s so far. She was tall, confident, not a skinny chick, but had hips, breasts, a curved belly and toned legs. She owned her Blackness and knew who she was. I loved how we saw her handle situations at work and slay at her job, but with her mom & dad she allowed them to run over her feelings and allowed them to be awful to her. Until Cyrus..that scene where he told her mom off about herself and laid out what she does to Zora and how it was not cool—I wanted to shout!!
Zora and her two siblings are equal partners in a business that specializes in allowing others to break up with someone so they don’t have to. What happens when a client comes in and sends you to break up with a man that gives your body an instant reaction and that you desperately want even though you’ve only just met? Read to find out!
I loved and appreciated this part in the story. I always love internal dialogue.
“And well, I’m definitely not white. While I’ve had to fight the good fight regarding my body and hair with not only employers, exes, and society but also myself about conforming to a socially acceptable ideal of beauty, I’ve never entertained those insecurities about being a Black woman. So Cyrus Hart might prefer thin, wealthy, blonde, and a B cup. But if that preference includes a particular race, too, I’d rather not know he would’ve rejected me out of hand simply because of the amount of melanin in my skin.”
Cyrus wanted all of that and more! I love him.
Zora and her two siblings are equal partners in a business that specializes in allowing others to break up with someone so they don’t have to. What happens when a client comes in and sends you to break up with a man that gives your body an instant reaction and that you desperately want even though you’ve only just met? Read to find out!
I loved and appreciated this part in the story. I always love internal dialogue.
“And well, I’m definitely not white. While I’ve had to fight the good fight regarding my body and hair with not only employers, exes, and society but also myself about conforming to a socially acceptable ideal of beauty, I’ve never entertained those insecurities about being a Black woman. So Cyrus Hart might prefer thin, wealthy, blonde, and a B cup. But if that preference includes a particular race, too, I’d rather not know he would’ve rejected me out of hand simply because of the amount of melanin in my skin.”
Cyrus wanted all of that and more! I love him.
April 3, 2022
3.5 Stars! What a spiders web we weave. All I kept thinking about was how Zora was going to get out of the web she accidentally created. I will say it made for a quick read. I did struggle with why Zora had to hide her job from the start, I just didn't get how that would have been a breach. Sometimes it's the small things that can trip up a story for me. I do like how it all got resolved in the end. The siblings were a hoot and I can imagine they will have a great books of their own if that is where this author is going with the series.
July 15, 2022
3.5 stars
This pulled me right out of the longest reading slump I have ever experienced! This one was a good one and I loved reading it ! I only wish the side characters where more flushed out and the story didn’t end abruptly. Overall, a cute, fluffy, and easy to read book 🥰
This pulled me right out of the longest reading slump I have ever experienced! This one was a good one and I loved reading it ! I only wish the side characters where more flushed out and the story didn’t end abruptly. Overall, a cute, fluffy, and easy to read book 🥰
February 20, 2022
⫷ The ARC of this book was provided by NetGalley and Montlake in exchange for an honest review ⫸
Rating - 2.25/5
Zora + Cyrus
✔️ Co-owner of Family Business/ Attorney
✔️ Fake Relationship
✔️ Hidden Identity
✔️ Multicultural Interest
✔️ HFN [No Epilogue]
Thoughts :
- It took me some time to get used to this writing style. It was kinda hard to get into. Not to mention the grammatical errors. Even though English is not my first language, I rarely struggle with it or the references which I definitely did here. I did not get some of the references and I was too lazy to google it.
- I liked Deanna, the wolves lover.
- I like the business idea. It's quite unique.
- Zora's reaction just watching Cyrus's photo was utterly ridiculous. The author was exaggerating way too much for my liking. It would have at least made sense if she saw him from afar or she was seeing his photo after meeting him before. However, it was not the case. I don't mind cory stuff but this was just unrealistic and did I mention ridiculous?
- At one point I was like what the hell? Did the author seriously write stuff like these? What kinda monologues were these? Was she for real? - all these questions were running through my head. Fortunately, the monologues get better.
- Omg! Miriam and Jordan! They sure managed to crack me up with their first interaction.
- I did not get Zora's reason of hiding her identity. Why didn't she just correct him? It felt more like she had hidden the truth only because the author had made her. First of all, she wasn't that famous that people would take advantage of her. Secondly, it wasn't a horrible job for her to feel ashamed. Thirdly, she said she wanted to feel herself around Cyrus. How could she feel herself when she was lying about her job which wasn't that big of a deal? It wasn't even one of those big secrets where she needed to trust the guy before revealing her big dark secret! So, the lack of authenticity and proper reason behind her lying really pissed me off! Because I don't mind lying as long as there was a proper good reason behind it or the person soon come clean about it. However, I hate it when a relationship is based on a lie(or lies). Sigh! Here, our dear Zora had no plans of coming clean just like I predicted until the circumstances made her do it. Ugh! I admit I was hoping the author prove my prediction wrong. But it never happened. Okay, okay, I'm done even though I could go on and on about this particular topic. But I just don't want to right now anymore than I already did.
- I really loved Cyrus's devotion towards his late parents. It was really endearing. Cyrus was a pretty decent guy. Did not deserve the lie.
- I hated Zora's parents. Also the author should've added Zora standing up to her toxic parents with Cyrus and her siblings by her side. But the topic with Zora's parents was glossed over which in my opinion, was a bad representation of a pretty serious matter.
- Jordan addressing Cyrus 'Bruh' every time was a little bit annoying. I dunno if it's just me or not. I think the word 'Bro' would've sounded much better.
- It was funny how Cyrus and Jordan became friends with Levi.
- This book did not convince me that Zora actually fell in love with Cyrus. Lust? Yes. But the deep connection was not there. Cyrus, on the other hand, was almost there but did not reach quite there yet.☹️
- I wish there was an epilogue.
This could've been a great book. Unfortunately, the beginning ruined this book for me and it was hard to like this book after that.
Rating - 2.25/5
Zora + Cyrus
✔️ Co-owner of Family Business/ Attorney
✔️ Fake Relationship
✔️ Hidden Identity
✔️ Multicultural Interest
✔️ HFN [No Epilogue]
⚠️Warning: Read at your own risk. Because it contains spoilers!⚠️
Thoughts :
- It took me some time to get used to this writing style. It was kinda hard to get into. Not to mention the grammatical errors. Even though English is not my first language, I rarely struggle with it or the references which I definitely did here. I did not get some of the references and I was too lazy to google it.
- I liked Deanna, the wolves lover.
- I like the business idea. It's quite unique.
- Zora's reaction just watching Cyrus's photo was utterly ridiculous. The author was exaggerating way too much for my liking. It would have at least made sense if she saw him from afar or she was seeing his photo after meeting him before. However, it was not the case. I don't mind cory stuff but this was just unrealistic and did I mention ridiculous?
- At one point I was like what the hell? Did the author seriously write stuff like these? What kinda monologues were these? Was she for real? - all these questions were running through my head. Fortunately, the monologues get better.
- Omg! Miriam and Jordan! They sure managed to crack me up with their first interaction.
- I did not get Zora's reason of hiding her identity. Why didn't she just correct him? It felt more like she had hidden the truth only because the author had made her. First of all, she wasn't that famous that people would take advantage of her. Secondly, it wasn't a horrible job for her to feel ashamed. Thirdly, she said she wanted to feel herself around Cyrus. How could she feel herself when she was lying about her job which wasn't that big of a deal? It wasn't even one of those big secrets where she needed to trust the guy before revealing her big dark secret! So, the lack of authenticity and proper reason behind her lying really pissed me off! Because I don't mind lying as long as there was a proper good reason behind it or the person soon come clean about it. However, I hate it when a relationship is based on a lie(or lies). Sigh! Here, our dear Zora had no plans of coming clean just like I predicted until the circumstances made her do it. Ugh! I admit I was hoping the author prove my prediction wrong. But it never happened. Okay, okay, I'm done even though I could go on and on about this particular topic. But I just don't want to right now anymore than I already did.
- I really loved Cyrus's devotion towards his late parents. It was really endearing. Cyrus was a pretty decent guy. Did not deserve the lie.
- I hated Zora's parents. Also the author should've added Zora standing up to her toxic parents with Cyrus and her siblings by her side. But the topic with Zora's parents was glossed over which in my opinion, was a bad representation of a pretty serious matter.
- Jordan addressing Cyrus 'Bruh' every time was a little bit annoying. I dunno if it's just me or not. I think the word 'Bro' would've sounded much better.
- It was funny how Cyrus and Jordan became friends with Levi.
- This book did not convince me that Zora actually fell in love with Cyrus. Lust? Yes. But the deep connection was not there. Cyrus, on the other hand, was almost there but did not reach quite there yet.☹️
- I wish there was an epilogue.
This could've been a great book. Unfortunately, the beginning ruined this book for me and it was hard to like this book after that.
October 4, 2022
Nuestra reseña en A la cama con... un libro
[Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the ebook. This review is my honest opinion but just another opinion, you should read this book and judge it by yourself]
Mñe.
Se lee rapidito y no te dan ganas de tirarlo por el balcón pero no sé muy bien qué quería contar la autora. Se pasa más de medio libro planteando la situación y llenando todo de tensión sexual para tenerte esperando algo que ocurre mal y tarde, todo apretujao al final. Además, es libro con mentirusca podrida desde el principio y para mí eso NO.
[Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the ebook. This review is my honest opinion but just another opinion, you should read this book and judge it by yourself]
Mñe.
Se lee rapidito y no te dan ganas de tirarlo por el balcón pero no sé muy bien qué quería contar la autora. Se pasa más de medio libro planteando la situación y llenando todo de tensión sexual para tenerte esperando algo que ocurre mal y tarde, todo apretujao al final. Además, es libro con mentirusca podrida desde el principio y para mí eso NO.
February 10, 2022
3.25/5 stars!
This is my first time reading a book by this author and while I love fake dating romances, this one didn't have anything special that made it stand out. Yes, there were some great side characters, interracial relationship rep and both Zora & Cyrus were self-made. I liked their dynamic and they were both pretty clear about what they wanted from life. I could connect with Zora because of her insecurities, her struggles to deal with judgemental high society people and trying to make her parents see that her buisness is significant and salient to her and her siblings. Though I think I had built up high expectations seeing the faking dating trope because most of the time Cyrus & Zora were in each other's company and when the time came to actually pretend in front of his colleagues, everything went downhill and I couldn't properly enjoy the situation. Also, the book didn't have an epilogue and because of that, the ending felt quite lackluster. Just, nothing much was happening in the story, albeit it had some diversity and humour, it was a cute and easy read but nothing different or astounding tbh.
Thank you Montlake & Netgalley for the ARC
This is my first time reading a book by this author and while I love fake dating romances, this one didn't have anything special that made it stand out. Yes, there were some great side characters, interracial relationship rep and both Zora & Cyrus were self-made. I liked their dynamic and they were both pretty clear about what they wanted from life. I could connect with Zora because of her insecurities, her struggles to deal with judgemental high society people and trying to make her parents see that her buisness is significant and salient to her and her siblings. Though I think I had built up high expectations seeing the faking dating trope because most of the time Cyrus & Zora were in each other's company and when the time came to actually pretend in front of his colleagues, everything went downhill and I couldn't properly enjoy the situation. Also, the book didn't have an epilogue and because of that, the ending felt quite lackluster. Just, nothing much was happening in the story, albeit it had some diversity and humour, it was a cute and easy read but nothing different or astounding tbh.
Thank you Montlake & Netgalley for the ARC
July 19, 2024
I couldn’t get into it unfortunately. The characters nor the story gripped me.
Much appreciated to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to review.
Much appreciated to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to review.
July 13, 2022
Nobody does the heart and the heat like Naima Simone. This time we have two characters deeply effected by childhood trauma.
After the tragic loss of his beloved parents, Cyrus's childhood went from secure and loving to completely unpredictable. At times he didn't know if he would eat or have clothes and or shoes to wear that would fit or even if he was going to have to fight for the few belongings he did have. He decided he would never not be in control of his life and circumstances again.
Zora grew up in a household where there was never peace. Her parents had an ongoing war of one-upmanship that was never ending and onging to this day. Zora, ever the peace maker decided love was not for her. She and her siblings created a business where couples could break up amicably.
Some things happen... Cyrus needs a girlfriend in order to secure a promotion at work. And let the fake dating turn HEA begin.
I liked this story a lot! Happy reading!
After the tragic loss of his beloved parents, Cyrus's childhood went from secure and loving to completely unpredictable. At times he didn't know if he would eat or have clothes and or shoes to wear that would fit or even if he was going to have to fight for the few belongings he did have. He decided he would never not be in control of his life and circumstances again.
Zora grew up in a household where there was never peace. Her parents had an ongoing war of one-upmanship that was never ending and onging to this day. Zora, ever the peace maker decided love was not for her. She and her siblings created a business where couples could break up amicably.
Some things happen... Cyrus needs a girlfriend in order to secure a promotion at work. And let the fake dating turn HEA begin.
I liked this story a lot! Happy reading!
August 3, 2022
I’m normally a huge fan of this author but this one just didn’t work for me. This is now the second book I’ve read this with this plot, where the FMC owns a business that breaks up with people and she falls for one of her “targets”. The other book had a rather mean spirited vibe to it so I do like this one more. But the more I think about it, the more I realize that I really don’t love the idea of this huge secret that’s between Zora and Cyrus for much of the book. It really kept me from being able to invest fully in their relationship and I was anxious the whole time about how Zora’s secret would reveal itself and how Cyrus would react to it. To say that it was revealed under the worst possible circumstances would be an understatement. It made me cringe and I really did put the book down for a bit. However, I love her writing style and definitely will read about Miriam in the next book.
Content Notes: toxic parental relationship, toxic upbringing, parental death off page, MMC orphaned at a young age, painful childhood, big lie and secrets;
Content Notes: toxic parental relationship, toxic upbringing, parental death off page, MMC orphaned at a young age, painful childhood, big lie and secrets;
July 9, 2022
overcoming past baggage to embrace love
Thank you Naima Simone for writing Zora Nelson. She was so relatable, well intentioned and just needed a good dose of “you got this!” I don’t think I’ve read a size 16 sister before.
The blurb made me think this was light and fluffy but it has good depth to the characters. They weren’t just their looks but people trying to achieve their goals, exceed the expectations they feel that people have of them and they are good people. Great foundation of their wants and wishes before the sex scenes.
I loved Cyrus because he was hard working and driven, and he asked for help from Zora to have a better romantic life in addition to getting the partnership at work. They had heat but Cyrus was patient and waited for consent without pressuring her. It was a really good journey to self growth and evolution as people and as a romantic partner.
Very realistic and enjoyable. Well done Naima Simone. Well done.
Thank you Naima Simone for writing Zora Nelson. She was so relatable, well intentioned and just needed a good dose of “you got this!” I don’t think I’ve read a size 16 sister before.
The blurb made me think this was light and fluffy but it has good depth to the characters. They weren’t just their looks but people trying to achieve their goals, exceed the expectations they feel that people have of them and they are good people. Great foundation of their wants and wishes before the sex scenes.
I loved Cyrus because he was hard working and driven, and he asked for help from Zora to have a better romantic life in addition to getting the partnership at work. They had heat but Cyrus was patient and waited for consent without pressuring her. It was a really good journey to self growth and evolution as people and as a romantic partner.
Very realistic and enjoyable. Well done Naima Simone. Well done.
September 13, 2022
Heated was a wonderful story with awesome characters both main and secondary. The premise was cute and the story overall was enjoyable. It was sweet and sexy. I’m definitely looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
July 17, 2023
Steamy
Awwww, I love LOVE!! Rating 3.5.....Just nasty and drama filled!! I loved every bit of it!! Some secrets just don't need to be held on too!! Continuing on to the next book!! Let's see what else is going to happen!!
Awwww, I love LOVE!! Rating 3.5.....Just nasty and drama filled!! I loved every bit of it!! Some secrets just don't need to be held on too!! Continuing on to the next book!! Let's see what else is going to happen!!
July 6, 2022
Zora and her siblings, twin brother, Levi & sister, Miriam, have a business called Burned. They break up with people for a living.
Zora meets Cyrus purely by chance when they end up short staffed and she finds herself delivering the break up news to Cyrus personally not knowing it wouldn't be the last time she saw him. It was bad enough that she'd been instantly drawn to him just from seeing his picture when his ex-girlfriend hired their company to break up with him for her.
Then he appears at a restaurant and saves her from a belligerent break-up she is attempting to do.
But this isn't the last time. He still does not know her name. He finds himself unable to stop thinking of her.
Zora meets Cyrus purely by chance when they end up short staffed and she finds herself delivering the break up news to Cyrus personally not knowing it wouldn't be the last time she saw him. It was bad enough that she'd been instantly drawn to him just from seeing his picture when his ex-girlfriend hired their company to break up with him for her.
Then he appears at a restaurant and saves her from a belligerent break-up she is attempting to do.
But this isn't the last time. He still does not know her name. He finds himself unable to stop thinking of her.
July 5, 2022
I have mixed feelings about this book. I loved how Zora and Cyrus admired each other, not only for their face and body, but also for their mind. I found the glimpse at Zora’s family interesting. I didn’t like Zora’s insecurities nor the weight Cyrus put on Zora’s lie.
The idea was original: a company that helps people break up, founded by siblings who had to suffer their parents’ constant bickering. Zora and Levi are twins and couldn’t be more different, and their little sister Miriam is the family’s genius. Zora is the peacemaker and basically triggered by conflicts. And she meets Cyrus through her work, which she hides from him.
While their attraction is real–see the multiple paragraphs about it, detailing how the other is beautiful/sexy/gorgeous (delete as appropriate)–they take their time. It sure was a slow burn. But when they get together, it’s both hot and emotional. A good combination in my opinion.
Despite all that, and the supposed confidence of Zora in herself, she keeps doubting Cyrus’s attentions, and interpreting things he says or does as proving he isn’t attracted to her. Her “woman like me” grated on my nerves in the end, because Cyrus kept showing the opposite.
Oh, I didn’t say? Zora is a bigger Black woman. Cyrus is your conventional pretty white guy–or so I assumed. To be fair, Zora has a history of fat-shaming lovers, so it’s kind of understandable that she ends up doubting her attractiveness to men, while still feeling she looks great. Still she should simply believe the man.
There was little besides the romance in this story. Though I loved the various mentions of Black historical figures and events, especially the pride and respect behind the author’s words. I’m not familiar with them, but I didn’t need to when the author, through the characters, expresses their meaning.
The writing was interesting. A lot of big words, sometimes turns of phrase that didn’t sound natural though… I’d have to read more of this author to really decide if I like it or not.
Quickie
- Series: Burned Inc #1 (can be read as a standalone)
- Hashtags: #forbidden romance #interracial romance #fake relationship #curvy heroine
- Triggers: past death
- Main couple: Zora Nelson & Cyrus Hart
- Hotness: 3/5
- Romance: 4/5
- + Zora’s family dynamics were interesting
- – the ‘bad guys’ were almost caricatures
The idea was original: a company that helps people break up, founded by siblings who had to suffer their parents’ constant bickering. Zora and Levi are twins and couldn’t be more different, and their little sister Miriam is the family’s genius. Zora is the peacemaker and basically triggered by conflicts. And she meets Cyrus through her work, which she hides from him.
While their attraction is real–see the multiple paragraphs about it, detailing how the other is beautiful/sexy/gorgeous (delete as appropriate)–they take their time. It sure was a slow burn. But when they get together, it’s both hot and emotional. A good combination in my opinion.
Despite all that, and the supposed confidence of Zora in herself, she keeps doubting Cyrus’s attentions, and interpreting things he says or does as proving he isn’t attracted to her. Her “woman like me” grated on my nerves in the end, because Cyrus kept showing the opposite.
Oh, I didn’t say? Zora is a bigger Black woman. Cyrus is your conventional pretty white guy–or so I assumed. To be fair, Zora has a history of fat-shaming lovers, so it’s kind of understandable that she ends up doubting her attractiveness to men, while still feeling she looks great. Still she should simply believe the man.
There was little besides the romance in this story. Though I loved the various mentions of Black historical figures and events, especially the pride and respect behind the author’s words. I’m not familiar with them, but I didn’t need to when the author, through the characters, expresses their meaning.
The writing was interesting. A lot of big words, sometimes turns of phrase that didn’t sound natural though… I’d have to read more of this author to really decide if I like it or not.
Quickie
- Series: Burned Inc #1 (can be read as a standalone)
- Hashtags: #forbidden romance #interracial romance #fake relationship #curvy heroine
- Triggers: past death
- Main couple: Zora Nelson & Cyrus Hart
- Hotness: 3/5
- Romance: 4/5
- + Zora’s family dynamics were interesting
- – the ‘bad guys’ were almost caricatures
February 10, 2022
Thank you to the author and the publisher, Montlake, for letting me read an ARC of this fake-dating romance through NetGalley!!
“Yes, Breaking Up, Reversing Nuptials & Evading Disasters - BURNED Inc., for short”
“You’re a queen. And if you don’t feel it today, fake the hell out of it until you do”
“She is that unveiled art piece that brings a man to his knees, his palms and fingers tingling with the desire to touch, to stroke … to possess”
Honestly this book was amazing!!
When I first approached it, I thought “yes it’s going to be a common or even fluffy romance book”… I couldn’t be more wrong!
This book was an amazing combination of POC representation, of plus size representation, of romance, spice, smuttiness… all together to create an amazing atmosphere that just draw me in from the very first pages!!
I loved Zara, I loved Cyrus, I loved their dynamic.
I loved how their relationship developed and I loved every side character that contributed to make the story unique!!
And don’t let me even start on the fake dating trope … this was just great!!
I loved how empowering it felt to experience the same doubts and the same insecurities Zora had, and to have a completely different perspective on what it feels like to be a woman, a black woman in the industry and feel the need to be respected!!
Everyone should read this book because it is so much more than just a romantic book!!
And Cyrus, Her Next Big Mistake … oh that man!! I absolutely loved him !!!
My last hope is that I will have the chance to experience more about some side characters which quite intrigued me… more than expected!!!!
“Her, my greedy subconscious growls”
“Apparently, list transforms me into the queen of metaphors”
“Because I want to know if you’d let me have you against that wall. If you’d let me slide deep into you, until you took every inch of me without complaint”
“Invite me in. Take me in”
“Yes, Breaking Up, Reversing Nuptials & Evading Disasters - BURNED Inc., for short”
“You’re a queen. And if you don’t feel it today, fake the hell out of it until you do”
“She is that unveiled art piece that brings a man to his knees, his palms and fingers tingling with the desire to touch, to stroke … to possess”
Honestly this book was amazing!!
When I first approached it, I thought “yes it’s going to be a common or even fluffy romance book”… I couldn’t be more wrong!
This book was an amazing combination of POC representation, of plus size representation, of romance, spice, smuttiness… all together to create an amazing atmosphere that just draw me in from the very first pages!!
I loved Zara, I loved Cyrus, I loved their dynamic.
I loved how their relationship developed and I loved every side character that contributed to make the story unique!!
And don’t let me even start on the fake dating trope … this was just great!!
I loved how empowering it felt to experience the same doubts and the same insecurities Zora had, and to have a completely different perspective on what it feels like to be a woman, a black woman in the industry and feel the need to be respected!!
Everyone should read this book because it is so much more than just a romantic book!!
And Cyrus, Her Next Big Mistake … oh that man!! I absolutely loved him !!!
My last hope is that I will have the chance to experience more about some side characters which quite intrigued me… more than expected!!!!
“Her, my greedy subconscious growls”
“Apparently, list transforms me into the queen of metaphors”
“Because I want to know if you’d let me have you against that wall. If you’d let me slide deep into you, until you took every inch of me without complaint”
“Invite me in. Take me in”
November 7, 2022
4.5 Stars
Zora has been professionally hired by a client named Val to break up with her boyfriend Cyrus, who is a workaholic and doesn't give her enough adoration and attention. When Zora arrives at his door with the unexpected news, Cyrus is very unhappy, surprised and miffed. He falsely thinks Zora's a personal friend of Val's.
When they cross paths again, he wants someone to pay for upending his life and that someone is Zora. Of course, and rightfully so she's reluctant to continue to interact with Cyrus since that puts her in an awkward position and the reputation of her company at risk.
Mesmerized by Cyrus' charisma, and filled with guilt she agrees to a special request made by Cyrus. Rules are set! Plans are made! Ya' know what they say about the best laid plans and about rules, they're meant to be broken—over and over again. Recommended: Read it!
I loved it! 😁
Netgalley ARC
Zora has been professionally hired by a client named Val to break up with her boyfriend Cyrus, who is a workaholic and doesn't give her enough adoration and attention. When Zora arrives at his door with the unexpected news, Cyrus is very unhappy, surprised and miffed. He falsely thinks Zora's a personal friend of Val's.
When they cross paths again, he wants someone to pay for upending his life and that someone is Zora. Of course, and rightfully so she's reluctant to continue to interact with Cyrus since that puts her in an awkward position and the reputation of her company at risk.
Mesmerized by Cyrus' charisma, and filled with guilt she agrees to a special request made by Cyrus. Rules are set! Plans are made! Ya' know what they say about the best laid plans and about rules, they're meant to be broken—over and over again. Recommended: Read it!
I loved it! 😁
Netgalley ARC
June 28, 2022
3.5 stars-HEATED is the first instalment in Naima Simone’s contemporary,adult BURNED, INC romance series focusing on the Nelson siblings: Zora, her twin Levi and Miriam Nelson. This is thirty year old business owner and POC (person of color) Zora Nelson, and thirty-three year old, entertainment attorney Cyrus Hart’s story line.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Zora and Cyrus) HEATED focuses on the fake relationship between thirty year old business owner Zora Nelson, and thirty-three year old, attorney Cyrus Hart. Zora Nelson and her siblings own BURNED, Inc, (Breaking Up, Reversing Nuptials, Evading Disasters), a professional break up service that does the ‘breaking up’ for their clients. BURNED, Inc’s newest client is socialite Valerie Summers, who is struggling with the direction of her current relationship with attorney Cyrus Hart. With most of her employees off with the flu, Zora Nelson finds herself facing BURNED, Inc’s next heart break victim, in the guise of attorney Cyrus Hart but Zora never expected to run into Cyrus in the days and weeks following his break up, a run in that manifests into a fake relationship and a NDA. Cyrus Hart is in line for partnership at the law firm for which he works but the partners want a man in a committed relationship, and in the aftermath of his ‘break up’ with Valeria Summers, Cyrus demands three months of Zora’s time, three months wherein Zora must play the devoted girl friend, keeping the secret about how they met. What ensues is the fake but building romance and relationship between Zora and Cyrus, and the potential fall-out when the truth is revealed.
Cyrus Hart never did love Valerie Summers but she was the perfect ‘girlfriend’ for the world to see. Meeting Zora Nelson stirs something deep without our story line hero. Zora’s secrets are about to destroy more than just Cyrus’ heart but his potential at the firm for which he works. Zora Nelson knows that to cross the line with a client could be a disaster for the business she co-owns with her siblings Levi and Miriam but Cyrus offers a three month fake-relationship, a relationship in which Zora, a plus-sized, woman of color, struggles in the face of believing she isn’t good enough for a man in Cyrus’ position.
The relationship between Zora and Cyrus begins when Zora is hired to ‘break up’ with our story line hero. Cyrus is desperate to make partner at his firm, and Zora is the perfect foil for the people in charge but a fake relationship often leads to something more, something Zora knows will eventually end with a broken heart. There are no $ex scenes but only sexual physical encounters.
We are introduced to Zora’s siblings: her twin Levi aka Leviticus, and Miriam, as well as their parents Reginald and Monica Nelson; Cyrus’ friend and client Jordan Ransom; fellow attorney Derrick Warren, and his wife Jill, and Cyrus’s ex Valerie Summers. There is something developing between Jordan and Miriam.
HEATED is a story of secrets and lies, family and relationships, forgiveness and love. The premise is engaging, entertaining and interesting; the romance is limited but seductive; the characters are charismatic and captivating.
www.thereadingcafe.com
Told from dual first person perspectives (Zora and Cyrus) HEATED focuses on the fake relationship between thirty year old business owner Zora Nelson, and thirty-three year old, attorney Cyrus Hart. Zora Nelson and her siblings own BURNED, Inc, (Breaking Up, Reversing Nuptials, Evading Disasters), a professional break up service that does the ‘breaking up’ for their clients. BURNED, Inc’s newest client is socialite Valerie Summers, who is struggling with the direction of her current relationship with attorney Cyrus Hart. With most of her employees off with the flu, Zora Nelson finds herself facing BURNED, Inc’s next heart break victim, in the guise of attorney Cyrus Hart but Zora never expected to run into Cyrus in the days and weeks following his break up, a run in that manifests into a fake relationship and a NDA. Cyrus Hart is in line for partnership at the law firm for which he works but the partners want a man in a committed relationship, and in the aftermath of his ‘break up’ with Valeria Summers, Cyrus demands three months of Zora’s time, three months wherein Zora must play the devoted girl friend, keeping the secret about how they met. What ensues is the fake but building romance and relationship between Zora and Cyrus, and the potential fall-out when the truth is revealed.
Cyrus Hart never did love Valerie Summers but she was the perfect ‘girlfriend’ for the world to see. Meeting Zora Nelson stirs something deep without our story line hero. Zora’s secrets are about to destroy more than just Cyrus’ heart but his potential at the firm for which he works. Zora Nelson knows that to cross the line with a client could be a disaster for the business she co-owns with her siblings Levi and Miriam but Cyrus offers a three month fake-relationship, a relationship in which Zora, a plus-sized, woman of color, struggles in the face of believing she isn’t good enough for a man in Cyrus’ position.
The relationship between Zora and Cyrus begins when Zora is hired to ‘break up’ with our story line hero. Cyrus is desperate to make partner at his firm, and Zora is the perfect foil for the people in charge but a fake relationship often leads to something more, something Zora knows will eventually end with a broken heart. There are no $ex scenes but only sexual physical encounters.
We are introduced to Zora’s siblings: her twin Levi aka Leviticus, and Miriam, as well as their parents Reginald and Monica Nelson; Cyrus’ friend and client Jordan Ransom; fellow attorney Derrick Warren, and his wife Jill, and Cyrus’s ex Valerie Summers. There is something developing between Jordan and Miriam.
HEATED is a story of secrets and lies, family and relationships, forgiveness and love. The premise is engaging, entertaining and interesting; the romance is limited but seductive; the characters are charismatic and captivating.
www.thereadingcafe.com
July 6, 2022
Due to the volatile relationship of her parents Zora and her siblings have created a unique company where they offer packages to help people end their romantic relationships. Her latest client finds her Cyrus’s door and she thinks it will end there but fate had other ideas.
Cyrus has overcome a difficult childhood and has a plan for his future which include making partner at his law firm and marrying a suitable woman. When the woman he chose ends their relationship through Zola he isn’t aware that it was a job she was hired to do. When fate keeps bringing them together he convinces her to pretend to be his girlfriend to enhance his chance of making partner but sometimes the best laid plans don’t turn out the way you expect.
Zora is nothing like any of the woman he has dated in the past and that only intrigues him more however secrets have a way of being exposed at the worst possible time. I enjoyed getting to know Zora and Cyrus and seeing the relationship develop and their family and friends are not only there for them but add some humor to the story as well.
Cyrus has overcome a difficult childhood and has a plan for his future which include making partner at his law firm and marrying a suitable woman. When the woman he chose ends their relationship through Zola he isn’t aware that it was a job she was hired to do. When fate keeps bringing them together he convinces her to pretend to be his girlfriend to enhance his chance of making partner but sometimes the best laid plans don’t turn out the way you expect.
Zora is nothing like any of the woman he has dated in the past and that only intrigues him more however secrets have a way of being exposed at the worst possible time. I enjoyed getting to know Zora and Cyrus and seeing the relationship develop and their family and friends are not only there for them but add some humor to the story as well.
July 1, 2022
I loved the idea behind this book with Zora owning a break up business and falling for a clients ex. However, the overall story just didn’t do it for me.
I liked Zora, I love that she ran the business with her siblings. However, it bothered me that she kept her identity from Cyrus when it felt unnecessary and just creates unnecessary issues. I loved Cyrus though. He deserved the truth from Zora from the start.
Miriam and Jordan were my two favorite people in this story and I really want more of them. I loved them from the moment I met them and the moment they first ran into each other.
I felt like this story just kind of ended without an epilogue. I wish there was one to kind of wrap up Zora and Cyrus’s story a little more.
This book just wasn’t for me, but if Jordan and Miriam are next then I will be reading their story.
If you’re looking for a fake relationship romance check this one out.
I liked Zora, I love that she ran the business with her siblings. However, it bothered me that she kept her identity from Cyrus when it felt unnecessary and just creates unnecessary issues. I loved Cyrus though. He deserved the truth from Zora from the start.
Miriam and Jordan were my two favorite people in this story and I really want more of them. I loved them from the moment I met them and the moment they first ran into each other.
I felt like this story just kind of ended without an epilogue. I wish there was one to kind of wrap up Zora and Cyrus’s story a little more.
This book just wasn’t for me, but if Jordan and Miriam are next then I will be reading their story.
If you’re looking for a fake relationship romance check this one out.
October 17, 2023
If you’ve read books by Naima Simone (for example her erotic romance series Lick or Sweetest Taboo), you know she can bring the heat. So Heated, the first book in her Burned Inc. series, definitely lives up to its forebears. The story idea is unique, contains some classic romance tropes (fake relationship, opposites attract), and while it’s her most memorable work (and the beginning has a few tics that grated) it was overall a pleasant afternoon read.
Zora Nelson and her siblings Levi and Miriam run a company called Burned – Breaking Up, Reversing Nuptials & Evading Disaster. Essentially it’s a company that will break up with someone for you, for a fee, by text, video, dinner or whatever the client wants. Having grown up in a dysfunctional family with parents who would have been better off divorced but instead are still married and subject their children to ongoing feuding, Zora hopes to head off that disaster for other couples.
When Burned is contracted by socialite Val Summers to break up her dating relationship with lawyer Cyrus Hart, Zora ends up taking the case personally. Which means she’s the one who reads a ‘Dear John’ breakup letter to Cyrus on his doorstep and sees the shock and devastation in his eyes.
She’s also the one who has to endure a sit down dinner with another client’s soon-to-be ex, one who is turning nasty until Cyrus, who happens to be dining in the same restaurant, comes to her rescue. Cyrus mistakenly thinks that Zora happens to be a kind friend who has taken on the job of helping her own friends break up their relationships, and Zora doesn’t correct him and tell him about her company. She knows what it’s like to be on the receiving end of disdain for her business and can’t bring herself to see that same look in Cyrus’s eyes. So she plays along.
Cyrus has his future all mapped out – perfect wife, perfect job, etc. And being dumped by Val has definitely put a kink in those plans, including his ambitions to become a partner at his law firm. The ones in charge have a criteria for admission into their upper echelons and being single doesn’t fit as well for them as being in a relationship. So when Cyrus is put on the spot and needs a date to a weekend work-sponsored retreat, his mind goes to the stunning and unforgettable Zora, even though she’s partly responsible for his current problem. When another chance meeting puts them in contact with each other again, Cyrus proposes she pretend to be his girlfriend as a chance to assuage some of her guilt for her part in the end of his relationship with Val. Even though Zora knows she should refuse (never date a client’s ex!), her attraction to Cyrus gets the better of her and she agrees. Spending time together starts out fake but soon begins to feel all too real. But when Cyrus finds out the truth of what Zora’s business does, will he be the deliverer of the worst breakup news of all?
Though I’ve read some romances about divorce handlers, a breakup company is a new story idea for me and Zora, Miriam and Levi each have their own roles in the company and making it a success. I enjoyed all three of these characters, their unique personalities and of course Zora, as the heroine here, takes center stage. She’s strong, confident (most of the time), and proud of the work she does even though she knows society as a whole isn’t impressed with the concept of their work. Their parents, of course, disdain the whole idea (not seeming to realize that it’s because of them that their children are in this line of work) so each sibling has their own fractured relationship with their parents, and it makes Zora all the more determined to succeed.
The relationship between Zora and Cyrus is one of mutual lust, leading to several steamy scenes. Since Cyrus didn’t have any deep feelings for Val (she was more a means to an end, though when he finds out she had been cheating on him he realizes he dodged a bullet), his heart is free to move on to new territory. Zora and Val are clearly opposites in body type (Zora is Black and curvy while Val is white and thin) and character, but for Cyrus that’s definitely part of the attraction. Zora is like no woman he has ever dated and that makes her stand out in a crowd.
The things I had trouble with were mostly a writing style issue (maybe the author has used it previously and I was able to ignore it, but I found somewhat irritating here) – she has a tendency to use overly descriptive language or purple prose. For example when Val shows Zora a picture of Cyrus in their initial meeting to discuss details of the breakup, there are two pages describing Cyrus’s Greek God-like appearance:
‘I stare.. at a face that once upon a time would’ve been carved into marble and worshipped in a temple. Or pressed into a bronze coin. Or extolled in a tale that would be passed down from generation to generation to become myth.’
Or describing his eyes:
‘They’re not your run-of-the-mill blue. His eyes are the deepest, hottest heart of a flame. The brilliant blaze of a sky when the sun is at its highest. Those eyes are dazzling in their intensity, damn near blinding, and difficult to look at.’
Even simple sentences get this treatment:
“Again, no verbal ‘I told your ass so’ but the room rings with it like the Ebenezer First Baptist Church’s choir on Easter Sunday.’
It just gets a bit tedious. There’s less of this in the latter parts of the story, and the insta-lust does evolve into insta-love to give our two main characters a happy ending. There are some secondary characters introduced who I’m very curious about and intrigued to see if they become part of a future story, so I’ll probably keep reading the series to see what Miriam and Levi get up to. I just hope that a little editing nips the over embellishments I found distracting here.
This review also appears at All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/book-revi...
Zora Nelson and her siblings Levi and Miriam run a company called Burned – Breaking Up, Reversing Nuptials & Evading Disaster. Essentially it’s a company that will break up with someone for you, for a fee, by text, video, dinner or whatever the client wants. Having grown up in a dysfunctional family with parents who would have been better off divorced but instead are still married and subject their children to ongoing feuding, Zora hopes to head off that disaster for other couples.
When Burned is contracted by socialite Val Summers to break up her dating relationship with lawyer Cyrus Hart, Zora ends up taking the case personally. Which means she’s the one who reads a ‘Dear John’ breakup letter to Cyrus on his doorstep and sees the shock and devastation in his eyes.
She’s also the one who has to endure a sit down dinner with another client’s soon-to-be ex, one who is turning nasty until Cyrus, who happens to be dining in the same restaurant, comes to her rescue. Cyrus mistakenly thinks that Zora happens to be a kind friend who has taken on the job of helping her own friends break up their relationships, and Zora doesn’t correct him and tell him about her company. She knows what it’s like to be on the receiving end of disdain for her business and can’t bring herself to see that same look in Cyrus’s eyes. So she plays along.
Cyrus has his future all mapped out – perfect wife, perfect job, etc. And being dumped by Val has definitely put a kink in those plans, including his ambitions to become a partner at his law firm. The ones in charge have a criteria for admission into their upper echelons and being single doesn’t fit as well for them as being in a relationship. So when Cyrus is put on the spot and needs a date to a weekend work-sponsored retreat, his mind goes to the stunning and unforgettable Zora, even though she’s partly responsible for his current problem. When another chance meeting puts them in contact with each other again, Cyrus proposes she pretend to be his girlfriend as a chance to assuage some of her guilt for her part in the end of his relationship with Val. Even though Zora knows she should refuse (never date a client’s ex!), her attraction to Cyrus gets the better of her and she agrees. Spending time together starts out fake but soon begins to feel all too real. But when Cyrus finds out the truth of what Zora’s business does, will he be the deliverer of the worst breakup news of all?
Though I’ve read some romances about divorce handlers, a breakup company is a new story idea for me and Zora, Miriam and Levi each have their own roles in the company and making it a success. I enjoyed all three of these characters, their unique personalities and of course Zora, as the heroine here, takes center stage. She’s strong, confident (most of the time), and proud of the work she does even though she knows society as a whole isn’t impressed with the concept of their work. Their parents, of course, disdain the whole idea (not seeming to realize that it’s because of them that their children are in this line of work) so each sibling has their own fractured relationship with their parents, and it makes Zora all the more determined to succeed.
The relationship between Zora and Cyrus is one of mutual lust, leading to several steamy scenes. Since Cyrus didn’t have any deep feelings for Val (she was more a means to an end, though when he finds out she had been cheating on him he realizes he dodged a bullet), his heart is free to move on to new territory. Zora and Val are clearly opposites in body type (Zora is Black and curvy while Val is white and thin) and character, but for Cyrus that’s definitely part of the attraction. Zora is like no woman he has ever dated and that makes her stand out in a crowd.
The things I had trouble with were mostly a writing style issue (maybe the author has used it previously and I was able to ignore it, but I found somewhat irritating here) – she has a tendency to use overly descriptive language or purple prose. For example when Val shows Zora a picture of Cyrus in their initial meeting to discuss details of the breakup, there are two pages describing Cyrus’s Greek God-like appearance:
‘I stare.. at a face that once upon a time would’ve been carved into marble and worshipped in a temple. Or pressed into a bronze coin. Or extolled in a tale that would be passed down from generation to generation to become myth.’
Or describing his eyes:
‘They’re not your run-of-the-mill blue. His eyes are the deepest, hottest heart of a flame. The brilliant blaze of a sky when the sun is at its highest. Those eyes are dazzling in their intensity, damn near blinding, and difficult to look at.’
Even simple sentences get this treatment:
“Again, no verbal ‘I told your ass so’ but the room rings with it like the Ebenezer First Baptist Church’s choir on Easter Sunday.’
It just gets a bit tedious. There’s less of this in the latter parts of the story, and the insta-lust does evolve into insta-love to give our two main characters a happy ending. There are some secondary characters introduced who I’m very curious about and intrigued to see if they become part of a future story, so I’ll probably keep reading the series to see what Miriam and Levi get up to. I just hope that a little editing nips the over embellishments I found distracting here.
This review also appears at All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/book-revi...
July 31, 2022
The heat….I was literally fanning myself!! I loved this book SO MUCH!! I loved Zora, in all her curves and her fabulous earrings and her insecurities and her heartache from her family. And Cyrus….the man bought a house because he thought his long dead parents would have liked it. He has my heart. Forever. The only thing I wish I had seen was some therapy for both of them, but otherwise, this book was perfection.
August 16, 2022
Cyrus and Zora had something …
Zora was the owner in a different kinda business. She was a breakup specialist. Life dealt her and her siblings a crappy hand in parents. She was strong in her own right. She was the peacemaker in her own family. She was to me still finding her place in life as an adult. She past was dictating her future and she was not all tha happy with the way things looked. Until the forbidden came across her viewing Cyrus was tha forbidden piece of fruit she should not want. But she did she really really wanted him. But was she the kind of woman he could want also. Their friendship was brought about in a non conventional way but it was so much more than either of the two would have imagined. It for me was well worth the journey to their hea.
Zora was the owner in a different kinda business. She was a breakup specialist. Life dealt her and her siblings a crappy hand in parents. She was strong in her own right. She was the peacemaker in her own family. She was to me still finding her place in life as an adult. She past was dictating her future and she was not all tha happy with the way things looked. Until the forbidden came across her viewing Cyrus was tha forbidden piece of fruit she should not want. But she did she really really wanted him. But was she the kind of woman he could want also. Their friendship was brought about in a non conventional way but it was so much more than either of the two would have imagined. It for me was well worth the journey to their hea.
February 17, 2022
ARC REVIEW
Blurb: Zora
I’m Denver’s unmatchmaker. Every city needs one.
Why? Because people break up—and sometimes they should. But when I learn that entertainment attorney Cyrus Hart is someone else’s mistake, I can’t believe it. He’s smart, successful, and sexy as hell.
When a chance encounter with Cyrus turns into something more, I can’t help but fall for him. Our chemistry is undeniable. But his ex used my company to send him that letter—and that’s a problem. Especially since he doesn’t know I own the company.
How can this possibly work? I know from experience that the riskiest ventures are the worthiest ones…but falling for Cyrus Hart may be my biggest gamble yet.
Cyrus
I’m a man with a plan—college, law school, a great career. So far, so good.
Until a stranger shows up on my doorstep and reads me a breakup letter from my girlfriend. My carefully laid plans unravel.
But then I meet someone new. It’s spontaneous. It’s electric. And it’s not according to plan.
I have no words for his book. I couldn't put it down once I started it. I absolutely loved it, and nothing to change about the book. THis is my first book from the author and I will be checking out more of their writing. I will recommend this to anyone.
Blurb: Zora
I’m Denver’s unmatchmaker. Every city needs one.
Why? Because people break up—and sometimes they should. But when I learn that entertainment attorney Cyrus Hart is someone else’s mistake, I can’t believe it. He’s smart, successful, and sexy as hell.
When a chance encounter with Cyrus turns into something more, I can’t help but fall for him. Our chemistry is undeniable. But his ex used my company to send him that letter—and that’s a problem. Especially since he doesn’t know I own the company.
How can this possibly work? I know from experience that the riskiest ventures are the worthiest ones…but falling for Cyrus Hart may be my biggest gamble yet.
Cyrus
I’m a man with a plan—college, law school, a great career. So far, so good.
Until a stranger shows up on my doorstep and reads me a breakup letter from my girlfriend. My carefully laid plans unravel.
But then I meet someone new. It’s spontaneous. It’s electric. And it’s not according to plan.
I have no words for his book. I couldn't put it down once I started it. I absolutely loved it, and nothing to change about the book. THis is my first book from the author and I will be checking out more of their writing. I will recommend this to anyone.
January 5, 2024
When Zara shows up at Cyrus’ to inform him that he’s being dumped the whole world should have turned upside down. Instead Cyrus feels relief. When Cyrus and Zara keep running into each other and Denver is no small town they feel like destiny is nudging them.
Heated was a fun read! The idea of a breakup company was completely original and hooked my attention. I knew this book would be interesting. Plus it was full of heart and dug deep into both character’s points of view.
Forbidden romance
Fake dating
Denver based
Contemporary Romance
Heated was a fun read! The idea of a breakup company was completely original and hooked my attention. I knew this book would be interesting. Plus it was full of heart and dug deep into both character’s points of view.
Forbidden romance
Fake dating
Denver based
Contemporary Romance
January 28, 2022
Oh my new series…love this premise, love Cyrus and Zora and how they met and then met again…and cannot wait for more. Seriously the side characters in this book are perfection and I need their stories now!
January 29, 2022
I liked this but it didn't have the 'it' factor for me. I have read only one other work by this author—Sin and Ink—so I had really high hopes for this one. I wasn't disappointed per se—because the book isn't horrible—and I'm stuck in this weird 'meh' state.
July 29, 2022
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Naima Simone is an author whose books I have wanted to read for sometime now. When the opportunity came to review her latest release, Heated, I took the leap. This is the first book in her Burned Inc series and it delivered a passionate, funny, engaging opposites attract and fake relationship romance. The couple featured in Heated met under unique circumstances. A romance between them would be a conflict of interest on the heroine's part, but the heart wants what it wants. Soon she finds herself in a tricky situation, which will without a doubt blow up in her face.
I like the idea of a business that provides breakup services for their clients. Saves one from the messiness that comes with a breakup. Burned (Breaking Up, Reversing Nuptials & Evading Disasters) Inc operated by the heroine in partnership with her siblings provides this type of service. The idea for this business came about from growing up with parents who were in a toxic relationship. Of the three siblings, Zora is the peacemaker, which makes her perfect for carrying out her client’s needs.
Her latest assignment has her doing a breakup with the most gorgeous man she has ever seen. The situation became more complicated when he asks her to pretend to be his girlfriend for a work retreat. She should say no, he being her client’s ex, but her attraction to Cyrus had her going against her better judgement and soon she is caught up in a messy web of deceit.
Despite the differences in their social status, Cyrus and Zora they shared similarities in relation to vulnerabilities, insecurities and the need for acceptance. They were both strong and driven individuals who strove for excellence. The story portrayed Zora as a strong black woman comfortable with her size, but there were time when her insecurities regarding same would pop up. This usually happens during her interactions with Cyrus.
I loved how the story was delivered from the alternate POVs as I got to see the perspectives of the main characters. Also, their humorous and risqué internal dialogue enhanced my enjoyment of the story.
Phoenix McKay and Jeremy York narrated, and they delivered solid characters. I have listened to both narrators before, but this is the first time listening to them together. They complimented each other perfectly.
Overall, I had a good time with Heated, which delivered a smart, entertaining, and sexy story and a great start to this series. This is my first time reading Naima Simone’s work and I wouldn’t hesitate to read her again.This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
I like the idea of a business that provides breakup services for their clients. Saves one from the messiness that comes with a breakup. Burned (Breaking Up, Reversing Nuptials & Evading Disasters) Inc operated by the heroine in partnership with her siblings provides this type of service. The idea for this business came about from growing up with parents who were in a toxic relationship. Of the three siblings, Zora is the peacemaker, which makes her perfect for carrying out her client’s needs.
Her latest assignment has her doing a breakup with the most gorgeous man she has ever seen. The situation became more complicated when he asks her to pretend to be his girlfriend for a work retreat. She should say no, he being her client’s ex, but her attraction to Cyrus had her going against her better judgement and soon she is caught up in a messy web of deceit.
Despite the differences in their social status, Cyrus and Zora they shared similarities in relation to vulnerabilities, insecurities and the need for acceptance. They were both strong and driven individuals who strove for excellence. The story portrayed Zora as a strong black woman comfortable with her size, but there were time when her insecurities regarding same would pop up. This usually happens during her interactions with Cyrus.
I loved how the story was delivered from the alternate POVs as I got to see the perspectives of the main characters. Also, their humorous and risqué internal dialogue enhanced my enjoyment of the story.
Phoenix McKay and Jeremy York narrated, and they delivered solid characters. I have listened to both narrators before, but this is the first time listening to them together. They complimented each other perfectly.
Overall, I had a good time with Heated, which delivered a smart, entertaining, and sexy story and a great start to this series. This is my first time reading Naima Simone’s work and I wouldn’t hesitate to read her again.This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
February 5, 2022
This was the first Naima Simone book that I've read, and after reading Heated, it surely won't be the last.
Zora Nelson runs a successful business with her siblings. Borne out of a tumultuous home life with challenging parents, the Nelson siblings make their living doing break-ups by proxy. Zora is what you'd expect from a successful entrepreneur -- articulate, confident, and dedicated to her job and her colleagues.
Cyrus Hart was orphaned at a young age. His early loss dictated his life plan from which he refuses to deviate. A successful entertainment attorney, he's friends with a famous basketball player and dating a rich blonde from the "right" social circles. That is until that blonde hires Zora to dump him and he finds Zora on his doorstep with a Dear John letter.
Zora and Cyrus begin an ill-fated relationship in hopes of helping Cyrus along in his career. Little does he know the effect their relationship is having on Zora's career, as she struggles with the guilt of dating a client's ex. Will they be able to overcome these challenges and acknowledge the chemistry and true connection they share?
Supported by some fantastic minor characters, like Zora's siblings and Cyrus's best friend, this book managed to be funny, angsty, and sexy. There isn't one thing I didn't like about Zora. The fact that she's a confident, successful plus-sized woman made her seem all the more realistic. It was also great to read a book about an interracial couple in which the main conflict wasn't their race. I am hopeful that we will see books about the other Nelson siblings in the future!
The only reason I gave this 4 stars out of 5 is it lacked the wow for me -- fake relationships have been done thousands of times before, and Heated didn't bring anything super new or interesting to the trope.
Zora Nelson runs a successful business with her siblings. Borne out of a tumultuous home life with challenging parents, the Nelson siblings make their living doing break-ups by proxy. Zora is what you'd expect from a successful entrepreneur -- articulate, confident, and dedicated to her job and her colleagues.
Cyrus Hart was orphaned at a young age. His early loss dictated his life plan from which he refuses to deviate. A successful entertainment attorney, he's friends with a famous basketball player and dating a rich blonde from the "right" social circles. That is until that blonde hires Zora to dump him and he finds Zora on his doorstep with a Dear John letter.
Zora and Cyrus begin an ill-fated relationship in hopes of helping Cyrus along in his career. Little does he know the effect their relationship is having on Zora's career, as she struggles with the guilt of dating a client's ex. Will they be able to overcome these challenges and acknowledge the chemistry and true connection they share?
Supported by some fantastic minor characters, like Zora's siblings and Cyrus's best friend, this book managed to be funny, angsty, and sexy. There isn't one thing I didn't like about Zora. The fact that she's a confident, successful plus-sized woman made her seem all the more realistic. It was also great to read a book about an interracial couple in which the main conflict wasn't their race. I am hopeful that we will see books about the other Nelson siblings in the future!
The only reason I gave this 4 stars out of 5 is it lacked the wow for me -- fake relationships have been done thousands of times before, and Heated didn't bring anything super new or interesting to the trope.
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