Review: Wicked Heat by Ella Frank (Chicago Heat #1)

Note: An advance reader copy (ARC) was provided by the author.

I can always count on Ella Frank to bring the heat, and she does exactly that--with a generous amount of heart, as well--in Wicked Heat, the first in a duet featuring Ryan Carrigan and Jameson Clarke, and the first in her new Chicago Heat series, which is part of her Chicagoverse book world. For those very much familiar with Frank's body of work, you'll recall Ryan being the personal assistant of Alexander Thorne (Prime Time series) and Jameson as the new firefighter who replaces Kieran Bailey in Station 73 (Dare to Try series, specifically the third book, Truth or Dare). All that being said, you don't necessarily need to read any other books in order to fully enjoy this new series starter--but if you love M/M romance as much as me, I highly recommend those aforementioned trilogies, as well as the other M/F, M/M, and M/M/M Chicagoverse books.

Rescuing the gorgeous guy who stepped out of the pages of GQ wasn't part of Jameson Clarke's plans the night he was at the bar he frequented, but rescue the guy he did. As hot as Ryan Carrigan may have been, Jameson had no intention of acting on their mutual attraction. He wanted nothing to do with rich, privileged guys, no matter how hot they were. The only heat he was happy to contend with was of the literal kind, what with being a firefighter and all. It's also not like he and Ryan would ever cross paths again since they were from different worlds. However, fate appears to have other plans, and all that wicked heat could get to them.

When Ella Frank announced the pairing of Ryan and Jameson, I confess that I didn't see it coming, but to be honest, I didn't care. Experience has taught me that Frank always ensures that her main characters have the much-needed chemistry to make readers like me want more of them. I liked getting to know Ryan and Jameson better, and there was a heck of a lot more to them than being GQ and the Grump, as they both learned as their story progressed. There were a couple of times I wanted to give Jameson a hug, but I don't think he would have appreciated it. I'm eager to find out what awaits these two in the next book, and I'm already curious about the third one, but for now I'm still happily basking in all things Wicked Heat. 4.5 stars!

Release Date: 22 February 2022

Date Read: 19 February 2022

Learn more about Ella Frank.

Pre-order Wicked Heat on Amazon.