Friends First (Original Heartbreakers Book 2)

The Hotter You Burn is book two in the Original Heartbreakers series by Gena Showalter. It is a book which is set in Strawberry Valley, Oklahoma. It is a continuation of the story of three foster brothers who hold a secret they are keeping from everyone and who are all millionaires now. Each is or has paid for the secret in different ways. The book does have graphic sex and is not recommended for underage readers.Beck Ockley does not like changes in his surroundings or in his life. As long as he makes the rules and follows his own rule, he is happy. His one rule is to take a lady to bed only once and go on to the next. No matter what wiles the ladies have tried, they have never been given a second chance and no chance of commitment. He has made the move to Strawberry Valley at the behest of his best friends- Jase and West. He didn’t like it; but he came. Now he is enjoying the variety of women Strawberry Valley has to offer.His amorous adventure with Tawney is interrupted by catching Harlow Glass who had broken into his house and stolen his pie. It doesn’t matter that the house once belonged to Harlow’s family. Harlow was a bully in town in her past but she is determined to reform. She has been living in the acres surrounding the house after having lost everyone she loved and everything she had. She has learned some hard lessons; but it seems Beck is determined she learn a few more.Will Harlow be able to be reformed and will Beck still be around to see her change, if she does? With the chemistry between them, things are bound to get hot!

While I admit that I finished this book quickly, it wasn't one that I really enjoyed and would re-read. The reason for this is that I didn't like the characters and this world Ms. Showalter created. Everyone except the heroine Harlow seemed very promiscuous and juvenile. It's like either the girls there were virginal or the direct opposite, and the men were worse. No one was really likable, especially not the hero Beck, who would sleep with anyone it seemed. It was such a cookie cutter setting, with the townspeople being so mean to poor (literally) Harlow and her taking it quietly and then have Beck rescue her from her homeless and jobless existence. Because she couldn't get a job until the hero gave her one, and then bought her clothes and then a place to stay and then did his best to find her a man, because a man is the answer to all of Harlow's problems.Honestly, for a relatively contemporary book, with the men and ladies sleeping around like it was melrose place, the premise of a woman needing a man to rescue her and then proposing marriage (because that's what all women want apparently), is so archaic and frankly boring. I would have preferred Harlow getting her act together, toughening up in a good and hard working way (instead of stealing and trespassing). But then, that's just me.As I said, this book and the whole series with its uninteresting and insipid characters is not for me. Sad to say but I will be more careful next time before I purchase any titles by this author again. What a disappointment.

My Review:Overall.... 4.75Performance... 4.0Story.... 5.0*happy sigh* This book was all that I love when I go to read a contemporary romance. It had an angst-filled hero, a heroine that simply broke my heart, and a love story that made me swoon. Seriously I have so much love for this book (and yes, I cried a couple of times while reading it. A book that can touch me that much emotionally always earns high marks from me).Beck is the man-slut of the trio of men who have moved to Strawberry Valley. Everyone in town knows it, especially Harlow since she's been camping out on the land where the three men of this series live so she's had front row seats to the loops of porn happening nightly in Beck's bedroom. Beck loves women and they love him for it. He never lies to them and he never invites them back for a second go. He's there just to have a good time. Period. Dot. He uses sex to feel good temporarily because he has some mental things going on that never make him feel good. He's more than a little broken (Hint for the series...all these men are more than a little broken, but that's what makes this series so good to read. They just need love.).Harlow is the town outcast. In high school she learned that she could make herself feel a little bit better (after her father relentlessly tore her down and shattered her self-confidence) by bullying others. This town HATES her and none of them have ever forgotten that horrible girl she was. Harlow takes the hate. She knows that she deserves it and more. She was awful to them. If it helps the townspeople to tear her down now, then she will take it. She's trying so hard to be a better person, but the poor girl simply cannot catch a break. When the story begins she's stealing food from Beck's house. She's camped out on his property and starving to death because no one will give her a job.Beck has been fascinated by Harlow Glass from the moment he found a box of photos of her at the top of the closet. Looking at those photos he can see that something significant happened to her to change her over the years. He's curious and needs to know more. When he finds her, this is his chance.So many times during reading this book, my heart cracked a bit more. Both of these characters have been through so much. And the blows just kept on. But it's a book filled with hope because they both kept rising up stronger every time. And watching the two of them fall in love and learn to trust that love was gorgeous. Like I said at the beginning of my review, this book is a perfect example of why I love to read romance. It was just so good and made me smile through the tears by the end of it. All the feels were there and they were phenomenal.Note: (And I also pointed out in the first book which I also listened to on audio) Overall, I really enjoy this narrator, but she doesn't have much differences between her men's voices. It's okay though because of Gena Showalter's writing...she's always good about identifying who is speaking when the guys are all together.

The first story in this series was a romantic and pleasant read and this is just as good if not better.Harlow was a bit of a mystery in the first book but all is revealed in this one. Her reputation is not very good in this small community due to her behaviour when she was a teenager. She resurfaces and the revelations about her way of life is quite heartbreaking.Beck, a sworn bachelor is now the owner of Harlow's childhood home. His rule with women is one night, no matter how persistent these women are. When he meets Harlow in what is somewhat an awkward situation, he decides to pursue her but she doesn't believe in casual relationships. Both of them have past issues and work hard to avoid being hurt.This love story has all the ingredients of a good romance. It's full of humour, love and laughter as well as heartache and sorrow. Beck and Harlow are very well portrayed and their story is one to remember.

When it comes to Gena Showalter, I'll pretty much buy anything she writes. Her books are light-hearted and fun and I like the cheeky humour. I do prefer her more supernatural books but I thought this Strawberry Valley book was better than the last. Showalter does well to garner sympathy for the reformed town bully, Harlow Glass (though I thought her life-changing incident could have been explored a bit more, rather than written off in a passing sentence). Beck is also troubled by his past and shuns any emotional connections but this isn't good enough for the feisty Harlow. At times I felt Harlow's demands were unreasonable - how can she expect forever with a guy she has just met? That said, with the sizzling romance, you'll find yourself rooting for Beck and Harlow and wanting to slap some sense into both of them at different times throughout the book.

I really enjoyed this book.Beck is a total hottie, typical ladies man with a scarred past...Harlow is the mean girl gone good and finding it hard since the passing of her mom.I enjoyed the battle between these two and how much they really highlighted the typical issues faced in everyday relationships. I was angry at Beck for a while (when you read the book you will be too-)But I'm glad they worked it out and he got wise.I think this is now my favourite book of the series with Jase's book second. Am looking forward to West's book as I feel that will top the others.I would look to see more of Daniel and Dorian *hint* *hint* @GenaAnd while I love the experts at the end. I would have just preferred the story to be longer.

4.5 I wanted to love it but I think I read it to soon after the first in the series and it felt a bit similar, still great just similar.

I Loved this book, I couldn't put it down. Gena showalter is amazing, another must read. Can't wait for the next book.

Couldn't put this down. Another roller coaster ride of a read!

I was not bowled over by this. Not the usual standard.

Beautiful story

Really enjoyed this book!

Great 😊

I just could not put it down. I had tears in my eyes for most of it and burst out laughing more than once. This book is an emotional journey in both Beck's and Harlow's lives. I great read. This series keeps getting better with each book. Can't wait for the next one.

Wooo...the sparks between these 2 is undeniable!! Loved it!!

I could picture the scenes as described in the storyline as I was reading imagining the town, the farm, the RV everything. You tell a good story I loved it, I laughed and cried. Well done.

I loved this story. I couldn't put it down and read in one sitting. I recommend to all romance readers.

Love this series