Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Day: October 29
Conflagration is the second in an Explosive spin-off series called The Wellingtons.
Can be read as a standalone
Synopsis
Branson Wellington? The name, my name, is usually followed by arrogant prick or self-serving bastard, and I can’t say I haven’t earned those titles. It’s true. I’m not the good guy. I’m not the boy next door. I’m definitely not your Prince fucking Charming. Not even close.
And I never wanted to be. Until her. The day I pulled her from the wreckage was the day that my life changed.
Who would have thought that one little lie had the power to throw two lives off course?
Love has never been in the cards for me, but now that she’s here, I have no idea how I’m ever going to let her go. Even if I don’t deserve her.
Because like I said, I’m a self-serving bastard and some things never change.
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Review
I’ve been waiting for Branson’s book since I met the asshole in Incinerate, Knox’s book. There was just something about him that made me desperate for his story because I knew there was more to him than the dick he personified himself as. What he did to his brother and his family were desperate acts from a desperate man who never felt as important as he thought he should be…never felt as taken care of as he wanted to be. He didn’t necessarily need to redeem himself; it was beyond that idea – he needed to save himself, and he had to be the one to do it – no other person held that power for him, except for maybe a mystery woman who he thought he dreamed up during a drunken stupor.
If you don’t want anyone else to give up on you,
You can’t give up on yourself.
No truer words have ever been written when it comes to summing up what Branson’s life had turned out like; shame is a feeling that can swallow someone whole and that’s exactly what it threatened to do to Branson until he was left with that note and decided to bring himself back to the land of the living. Now what he did with that life would determine his hero/anti hero status for himself, his family, and his readers.
There’s more than one side to a story and Branson’s side needed to be told, and Tessa Teevan enlightens readers by showing us the inner turmoil and constant feelings of inadequacy that plagued him when everything first went spiraling downward. For 12 years his life has been hell, a constant struggle to feel worthy of anything because poor choices have dominated his life and sent him away from his family and any semblance of happiness. He’s a strong willed man who used that stubbornness and tenacity to alienate himself and now he needed to find a way to bring himself back into the fold of a family who was desperate to have him back despite his misgivings and what better way to do so than with a heroic act and a temporary fiancée.
It’s important that when someone saves someone else that, that person has the opportunity to do the same thing, and Branson does in a big way for Ariana who just happens to be his mystery woman and the angel who helped pick him up with only a sentence. He saves her life, and he helps her break free from her parents and an ex who see her as nothing more than a trophy to show off. With little effort, Branson gives Ari a way to live for herself – the drive to become the strong person she wants to be with a backbone and a voice that no longer cowers under a man, but through it all, he never feels he can offer her anything permanent. What they have can only be temporary because he’s too damaged and he doesn’t feel like he deserves anything other than that – there’s no forever in the cards for him because of the way he’s lived his life. Little does Branson know that she’s his end game; she’s everything his ex wasn’t, and she’s everything her family thinks he deserves – now, he just needs to believe it himself.
I didn’t think anyone could top Knox for me, but his older brother definitely gives him a run for his money. I loved Branson and Ari’s story and how they fight for each other’s happiness. The chemistry between them is off the charts, but their relationship is so much more than that from the very beginning. Ari has seen Branson at his lowest and still reached out to him, which speaks volumes for the type of person that Ari is. I love that Tessa Teevan didn’t torture readers or Branson too much with overly dramatic antics. He’s suffered enough, and it’s about damn time he gets something for himself – something pure, not tainted by bitterness and jealousy, and that’s exactly what he gets in Ari. She’s his windfall…his savior…his forever.
Keep on writing Ms Teevan because I’m a fan for life! You definitely know how to write hot, alpha males and strong, independent women, and you definitely bring the steam! I can’t wait to see what you come up with next!
A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
5 poison apples!
Excerpt
“There are some questions I need to ask you, but we can do that in a little bit. Until then, is there anyone you want us to call? Someone on scene was able to find your purse, which fortunately hadn’t been destroyed in the blast. There was no emergency contact information in your purse, however, and you’ve only been out of surgery for a couple of hours. We haven’t been able to track anyone down as of yet.”
The last thing I want is Victoria and William showing up here, especially with Benjamin in tow. Not wanting to worry anyone, I decide I’ll call Alyssa once things calm down. “No, I’m not from around here, and the last thing I want to do is worry my family. When I’m feeling a little more rested, I’ll give them a call.”
The nurse gives me an understanding smile, and I sigh with relief that she’s not going to push me on this. At least not yet. “Okay, Ms. Covington. I understand completely. I’ll just set your purse here, and if you feel up to it, your cell is still inside. Now, I need to answer this page, but if you need anything in the meantime, don’t hesitate to hit the nurses’ call button. You may feel a little drowsy from the pain medication, so for now, try to get some rest.”
I watch as she leaves the room before I rest my head on my pillow, replaying the events of the past twenty-four hours. What should’ve been the prelude to one of the best days of my life has turned into a nightmare. Instead of wearing a white wedding dress, I’m stuck in a hospital gown. And even now, my fiancé—or, well, former fiancé—is the last man on my mind. No, instead, I’m thinking about the beautiful man who saved my life. Who once told me that he was beyond saving.
The night I met Branson Wellington, he was a mess. A drunken, pitiful, angry mess. This evening, I saw no signs of that man. I saw confidence. I saw arrogance. I saw determination. But I also saw the pain, the anger, the frustration. That broken man is still in there no matter what strides he’s made since that night eight months ago. Tonight, he saved me. And even though he once said that it’s impossible, I’m making it my mission to save him, too.
The Wellingtons
Combust (The Wellingtons #1) Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N
Conflagration (The Wellingtons, #2) Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N
Additional Books by Tessa Teevan
Explosive series
Ignite (Explosive #1) – Amazon
Incinerate (Explosive #2) – Amazon | B&N
Inflame (Explosive #3) – Amazon | B&N
Sweet Southern series
Sweet Southern Sorrow (Sweet Southern #1) – Amazon
Author Bio
I’m a twenty something book junkie who is also obsessed with sports. Bengals, Buckeyes, Reds are my teams! I work for the government during the day, hang out with Air National Guard on the weekends, and have been married to my own book boyfriend for over seven years. We currently live right outside of Dayton, OH with our two cats.
If I’m not writing or looking through tons of photos of hot men, all in the name of research, then you can probably find me curled up with my Kindle, ignoring the rest of the world. I love my sports almost as much as I love my books. My other obsessions include red wine, hot men, country music, and all things Grace Potter.
Connect with the Author
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Email | Goodreads
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