Review: When We Burn (The Blackwells of Montana #1) by Kristen Proby

Plot Summary

Bridger

I’m her safe place.

I always have been.

The torment that Dani Lexington went through at the hands of her father was something no child should have had to endure. But I was the lucky one she turned to.

Our age difference and the fact that her brother was my best friend kept her off-limits, even though something was always there, lingering under the surface.

But when she was old enough, she left Bitterroot Valley, and I was forced to move on with my life.

I got married and had my little girl. Now, I’m a single dad, focused on my job as fire chief and making sure my daughter stays healthy after a mysterious illness has plagued her for the past year.

But after Dani’s father dies, she returns to Bitterroot Valley and is now living across the street from my daughter and me.

Dani’s no longer a child. No longer off limits.

This time, I won’t let anything or anyone stop me from being her safe place again.

Dani

I’ve been in love with Bridger Blackwell for as long as I can remember.

He’s a smoke show, kind, and gives the best hugs in the world. But best of all? He’s everything my sorry excuse for a father wasn’t.

Now, I’m back in Bitterroot Valley, living across the street from Bridger and his adorable daughter.

It doesn’t take long for all those old feelings to come rushing back, and every cell in my body knows that I belong with them.

That they’re mine.

Bridger’s arms are where I feel safest. They feel like home.

I’m growing to depend on him, to truly love him and his daughter. But I have deep-rooted baggage, and Bridger’s past has decided to rear its ugly head.

Will we survive this, or is our relationship doomed from the start?

My Review

Rating: ★★★☆ ☆(3/5)

Kristen Proby’s When We Burn transports readers to the small town of Bitterroot Valley, Montana, in the first installment of The Blackwells of Montana series. This contemporary romance blends themes of healing, family, and rekindled love with a hint of suspense.

Dani Lexington returns home after the death of her abusive father, determined to start fresh as a kindergarten teacher. She moves into a house across the street from Bridger Blackwell—her brother’s best friend, childhood protector, and the town’s fire chief. Bridger, now a single father, has always harbored feelings for Dani but kept them at a distance due to their age difference and his loyalty to her brother. As neighbors, their long-suppressed emotions resurface, forcing them to navigate the complexities of their evolving relationship. Meanwhile, a string of arson attacks threatens the town, adding an element of mystery to their story.

Proby crafts a heartfelt narrative about overcoming trauma and embracing love. The slow-burn romance between Dani and Bridger is both believable and compelling, fueled by well-developed tension and intimacy. However, the arson subplot feels underdeveloped and could have added more intrigue to the story.

When We Burn is a strong start to The Blackwells of Montana series, delivering a sweet yet steamy romance with emotional depth. While it follows familiar small-town romance tropes, fans of Kristen Proby’s writing will find it an enjoyable and satisfying read.