Review: Nothing Left to Burn by Heather Ezell

March 2, 2018 Book Review, Young Adult 15 ★★★★

I received this book for free from From Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Nothing Left to BurnNothing Left to Burn by Heather Ezell
Published by Razorbill on March 13th 2018
Genres: Contemporary Fiction, Young Adult
Format: ARC
Source: From Publisher
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The autumn morning after sixteen-year-old Audrey Harper loses her virginity, she wakes to a loud, persistent knocking at her front door. Waiting for her are two firemen, there to let her know that the moment she's been dreading has arrived: the enormous wildfire sweeping through Orange County, California, is now dangerously close to her idyllic gated community of Coto de Caza, and it's time to evacuate.

Over the course of the next twenty-four hours, as Audrey wrestles with the possibility of losing her family home, she also recalls her early, easy summer days with Brooks, the charming, passionate, but troubled volunteer firefighter who enchants Audrey--and who is just as enthralled by her. But as secrets from Brooks's dark past come to light, Audrey can't help but wonder if there's danger in the pull she feels--both toward this boy, and toward the fire burning in the distance.

Nothing Left to Burn is a novel that captured me. A story about being swept away in young love, the cost of secrets, and survival when faced with the flames aiming to consume you.

The story is told in alternating chapters as we follow Audrey being evacuated from her home in the wake of a wildfire threatening her neighborhood and the hours that follow along with chapters that provide a backstory on her relationship with the new boy in town, Brooks, and all the ways it consumed her. I had no idea what to expect when I picked this book up and I can’t say I completely know what it was I read when I finished because I found a story so full of twists and turns, so mysterious and full of secrets that it kept me guessing until the very last page, quite literally. It touches upon serious issues like mental illness and toxic relationships while retaining lighter moments filled with strong family bonds, especially between Audrey and her sister. The characters were flawed and intense yet showed a great deal of vulnerability and strength in their resolutions. This is absolutely a coming of age story for Audrey in so many ways and I was on board for her journey. With the threat of the fire in the background, it added some serious elements of excitement and danger.

If you are looking for something a little dark and unlike anything you’ve read before then this is absolutely one to check out. This contemporary had all the elements of a thrill ride that will leave you hypnotized very much like the very fire burning among the pages. Prepare to be on the edge of your seat and watch the events unfold. A fantastic debut from this author!

 

About Heather Ezell

Currently living in the Pacific Northwest, Heather Ezell is a Southern California native. She was evacuated for a wildfire at the age of three and subsequently grew up with an ardent fear and curiosity toward natural disasters.

Though by many definitions a high school dropout, Heather ultimately graduated from Colorado College with a degree in English literature and creative writing. When she isn’t writing, she obsesses over the weather, coaches writers and tutors students, and practices ballet in the forest.

Website • Twitter • Goodreads

Sara @ Forever 17 Books

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15 Responses to “Review: Nothing Left to Burn by Heather Ezell”

  4. Sam@WLABB

    I totally want to read this. I admit, I saw the cover, and was all over it, but I like what you said about a balance of the dark and the light, which is what I always need if there will be darker themes in a book. Great review!
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  6. Suzanne @ The Bookish Libra

    I hadn’t heard of this book before, but it sounds great. I think I’d totally be on board for Audrey’s journey as well, and I like that the book sounds like it has a little something for everyone.

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