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Nothing Left to Burn
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.
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.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published March 13, 2018
31 people are currently reading
2,299 people want to read
About the author
Heather Ezell
1book76followersBorn and raised in Southern California, Heather holds a BA from Colorado College and an MFA from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. When not writing, she works as an editor and college writing instructor. She currently lives in Washington State.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews
July 6, 2019
"I never wanted a fire to claim."
And I never wanted to get burned but this book is on fire.
Let me tell you about my love for this novel. I fell in love when I saw the cover last year. Honestly, the colours, the pool, the fire reflected in it and this amazing title. It was love at first sight. It was one of my most anticipated 2018-releases and it did not let me down.
The two things that make this book so unique are the piercing writing style and the complex main character. Her voice tells this story in an enthralling style that is 100% captivating. Audrey is the kind of main character that I admire. (Main) characters do not need to be likeable as long as they are relatable. That is not to say that I did not like Audrey. On the contrary, I admire her devotion and love for her sister. What I mean to say is that she is complicated. And that is what humans are, complicated. We have motives, thoughts and feelings that are not always obvious or seemingly logical.
Another thing I admire is how the author managed to fascinate me and distress me at the same time. Firstly, with her many descriptions of fire and everything that is related to it. Secondly through the increasingly toxic relationship that the main character was involved in. My discomfort was so strong that I wanted to put down this book, but it would not let me. What I am glad of is that - spoiler - Audrey managed to free herself from this relationship. Brooks is manipulative, deceitful, and ultimately a threat to society and to Audrey. Even though she felt and still feels for him, she is aware of his harmful behaviour. She is torn between her romantic feelings for him and her consciousness telling her that she needs to stay far away from him. This relationship would have become abusive. I would even go so far and say that it already was that. Brooks isolated Audrey from her friends, was easily jealous, and emotionally unstable. He manipulated Audrey so she would feel guilt and shame. I'm glad that young adults and teenagers get to read such a powerful story that ultimately takes a good turn.
My feelings are torn about the time shifts. The narration jumps back and forth between past and present, which is not unusual when an author builds up suspense through foreshadowing and by giving a hint here and there of what the bigger picture might look like. And it definitely worked. However, in the end, I would have liked it if it had been two linear stories. The many jumps and shifts often had me confused and I feel like a missed a thing or two.
I loved this book and I can't wait to find out what else Heather Ezell has planned for her literary future.
And I never wanted to get burned but this book is on fire.
Let me tell you about my love for this novel. I fell in love when I saw the cover last year. Honestly, the colours, the pool, the fire reflected in it and this amazing title. It was love at first sight. It was one of my most anticipated 2018-releases and it did not let me down.
The two things that make this book so unique are the piercing writing style and the complex main character. Her voice tells this story in an enthralling style that is 100% captivating. Audrey is the kind of main character that I admire. (Main) characters do not need to be likeable as long as they are relatable. That is not to say that I did not like Audrey. On the contrary, I admire her devotion and love for her sister. What I mean to say is that she is complicated. And that is what humans are, complicated. We have motives, thoughts and feelings that are not always obvious or seemingly logical.
Another thing I admire is how the author managed to fascinate me and distress me at the same time. Firstly, with her many descriptions of fire and everything that is related to it. Secondly through the increasingly toxic relationship that the main character was involved in. My discomfort was so strong that I wanted to put down this book, but it would not let me. What I am glad of is that - spoiler - Audrey managed to free herself from this relationship. Brooks is manipulative, deceitful, and ultimately a threat to society and to Audrey. Even though she felt and still feels for him, she is aware of his harmful behaviour. She is torn between her romantic feelings for him and her consciousness telling her that she needs to stay far away from him. This relationship would have become abusive. I would even go so far and say that it already was that. Brooks isolated Audrey from her friends, was easily jealous, and emotionally unstable. He manipulated Audrey so she would feel guilt and shame. I'm glad that young adults and teenagers get to read such a powerful story that ultimately takes a good turn.
My feelings are torn about the time shifts. The narration jumps back and forth between past and present, which is not unusual when an author builds up suspense through foreshadowing and by giving a hint here and there of what the bigger picture might look like. And it definitely worked. However, in the end, I would have liked it if it had been two linear stories. The many jumps and shifts often had me confused and I feel like a missed a thing or two.
I loved this book and I can't wait to find out what else Heather Ezell has planned for her literary future.
May 6, 2018
Reading this book was an extremely weird experience.
When the synopsis of a book is “thrillerish contemporary in which a girl who just lost her virginity wakes up to a wildfire evacuation and the story expands from there, growing into an ever-darker web of lies and abuse and darkness,� you don’t exactly wanna be like…“Relatable.�
But as a wise group of extremely wealthy British men once sang-said: You can’t always get what you want.
This book follows Audrey, a teenage girl who, as mentioned, wakes up the morning after she lost her virginity to some extremely annoying loud knocking on her door. It’s firefighters, it’s a wildfire evacuation, she’s gotta get the hell out of dodge.
You (the reader) at first don’t know anything except that.
The story expands from there, alternating chapters between past and present, slowly giving you more and more answers until you reach a Big Reveal that has, at that point, become overwhelmingly obvious.
This is pretty much made up for, though, by the themes covered along the way. Themes like young love, and the nuances of emotional abuse, and the damage that can be wreaked by loving boys who think they’re damaged.
There are problems, too. Like the aforementioned bonkers obvious alleged “twist,� and a forced romance plotline, and the fact that sometimes it’s so boring you want to join a volunteer fire department in California because at least fighting wildfires would be more interesting.
But overall: the plot construction was SO COOL. You start out knowing absolutely nothing, and then gain more information as the story moves back and forth and the whole thing feels like being dropped in at the center of a spiral and then slowly looping outward.
Also, I really do think the exploration of young relationships and just what qualifies as emotionally abusive = dope.
And I read it in a day! Even though I was reading it on my phone, which I hate doing and firmly believe is the absolute worst way to consume any work of literature whatsoever! A true testament to the quality of this read!
Bottom line: Weird book? Not for everyone. Not perfect. But pretty rad all the same.
Thanks to Penguin First to Read for the ARC <3<3
When the synopsis of a book is “thrillerish contemporary in which a girl who just lost her virginity wakes up to a wildfire evacuation and the story expands from there, growing into an ever-darker web of lies and abuse and darkness,� you don’t exactly wanna be like…“Relatable.�
But as a wise group of extremely wealthy British men once sang-said: You can’t always get what you want.
This book follows Audrey, a teenage girl who, as mentioned, wakes up the morning after she lost her virginity to some extremely annoying loud knocking on her door. It’s firefighters, it’s a wildfire evacuation, she’s gotta get the hell out of dodge.
You (the reader) at first don’t know anything except that.
The story expands from there, alternating chapters between past and present, slowly giving you more and more answers until you reach a Big Reveal that has, at that point, become overwhelmingly obvious.
This is pretty much made up for, though, by the themes covered along the way. Themes like young love, and the nuances of emotional abuse, and the damage that can be wreaked by loving boys who think they’re damaged.
There are problems, too. Like the aforementioned bonkers obvious alleged “twist,� and a forced romance plotline, and the fact that sometimes it’s so boring you want to join a volunteer fire department in California because at least fighting wildfires would be more interesting.
But overall: the plot construction was SO COOL. You start out knowing absolutely nothing, and then gain more information as the story moves back and forth and the whole thing feels like being dropped in at the center of a spiral and then slowly looping outward.
Also, I really do think the exploration of young relationships and just what qualifies as emotionally abusive = dope.
And I read it in a day! Even though I was reading it on my phone, which I hate doing and firmly believe is the absolute worst way to consume any work of literature whatsoever! A true testament to the quality of this read!
Bottom line: Weird book? Not for everyone. Not perfect. But pretty rad all the same.
Thanks to Penguin First to Read for the ARC <3<3
April 16, 2020
Audrey evacuates her Orange County home as a wildfire nears her home. Over the course of twenty-four hours, she goes back through her relationship with her firefighter boyfriend, Brooks, and everything that has gotten her to this hill, waiting for her home to burn. All fires start small.
This is a gorgeously written book and I flew through it. Actually, flew through it in one sitting. I was so invested in both the characters and the story of this novel that I genuinely struggled to put it down.
The discomfort of Audrey’s relationship with Brooks serves as a major focal point of this book. The way this is played is really interesting; at first, he actually doesn’t come off as all that bad. His desire to not be around her friends at first feels almost excusable; after all, he’s been through trauma, is cripplingly shy, etc. It’s only as the red flags start piling up that he becomes someone else. It’s this nuance that I enjoyed so much about the book. It would have been so easy to make Brooke caricaturally awful, and I loved that the book always strayed away from this.
Audrey is not always particularly likeable, but I got her. To her as a younger person, her older boyfriend’s interest in her is validation, exactly what she wants. And as the relationship is so at-times normal, it’s hard for her to identify what is happening. It is a first relationship, and though Audrey is not stupid, she doesn't see the signs. Or she ignores them. As girls, we're often taught a very romantic image of 'saving' our heroic, traumatized boyfriends. And when we read these stories, we internalize that message for ourselves. So when a heroic, traumatized boy comes along for us to love, who are we to ask for more, to put up boundaries, to ask for what we need?
The fire, by the way, is the most claustrophobic a symbol has ever made me feel.
I also liked that Audrey had a support system: her best friend, Grace, and Grace’s girlfriend, Quinn, are both really wonderful. I especially appreciated their attempts to get her away, and seeing those attempts fail; I think we’ve all seen friends go down that road for relationships, and felt concerned as we saw the fallout. I liked the little spots of brightness.
This was a really excellent book, a great binge-read, and an author I will absolutely be following from now on.
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This is a gorgeously written book and I flew through it. Actually, flew through it in one sitting. I was so invested in both the characters and the story of this novel that I genuinely struggled to put it down.
The discomfort of Audrey’s relationship with Brooks serves as a major focal point of this book. The way this is played is really interesting; at first, he actually doesn’t come off as all that bad. His desire to not be around her friends at first feels almost excusable; after all, he’s been through trauma, is cripplingly shy, etc. It’s only as the red flags start piling up that he becomes someone else. It’s this nuance that I enjoyed so much about the book. It would have been so easy to make Brooke caricaturally awful, and I loved that the book always strayed away from this.
Audrey is not always particularly likeable, but I got her. To her as a younger person, her older boyfriend’s interest in her is validation, exactly what she wants. And as the relationship is so at-times normal, it’s hard for her to identify what is happening. It is a first relationship, and though Audrey is not stupid, she doesn't see the signs. Or she ignores them. As girls, we're often taught a very romantic image of 'saving' our heroic, traumatized boyfriends. And when we read these stories, we internalize that message for ourselves. So when a heroic, traumatized boy comes along for us to love, who are we to ask for more, to put up boundaries, to ask for what we need?
The fire, by the way, is the most claustrophobic a symbol has ever made me feel.
I also liked that Audrey had a support system: her best friend, Grace, and Grace’s girlfriend, Quinn, are both really wonderful. I especially appreciated their attempts to get her away, and seeing those attempts fail; I think we’ve all seen friends go down that road for relationships, and felt concerned as we saw the fallout. I liked the little spots of brightness.
This was a really excellent book, a great binge-read, and an author I will absolutely be following from now on.
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May 12, 2018
I thought that this book was okay. It was one of those stories that I liked but didn't love and will ultimately find rather forgettable. I am really not sure what caused me to add this one to my reading list since the cover does nothing for me and the synopsis is only mildly appealing. I did find this book to be a fairly quick read and I was entertained but it was never a book that was hard to set aside.
This book jumped around in time quite a bit. About half of the book occurs on the day the fire comes so close to Audrey's home that she is evacuated. The rest of the book is set prior to that day. The present day events are told in a chronological manner but the flashes to the past do jump around just a bit with some happening closer to the fire and others at different times in Audrey's relationship with Brooks.
I never really connected with any of the characters. Audrey often did things that didn't make sense to me. I kind of wanted to sit her down and give her a good mom talk since she seemed to be on a rather destructive path. Brooks was a character that I never trusted and his relationship with Audrey was rather unhealthy.
I did like the fact that the story was centered around a fire. I thought that it was a really original setting and some of the descriptions of the fire were truly frightening. I did find some parts of the story to be rather predictable but I wanted to keep reading to see if things would actually work out the way I thought they would. I do have to say that I was really disappointed by the way the book ended. I really felt like the book just kind of stopped instead offering some kind of resolution.
I do think that a lot of readers will like this one a lot more than I did. This was as story that kept me turning pages. I would not hesitate to read future books by this debut author.
I received a digital review copy of this book from Penguin Publishing Group - Razorbill via First to Read.
This book jumped around in time quite a bit. About half of the book occurs on the day the fire comes so close to Audrey's home that she is evacuated. The rest of the book is set prior to that day. The present day events are told in a chronological manner but the flashes to the past do jump around just a bit with some happening closer to the fire and others at different times in Audrey's relationship with Brooks.
I never really connected with any of the characters. Audrey often did things that didn't make sense to me. I kind of wanted to sit her down and give her a good mom talk since she seemed to be on a rather destructive path. Brooks was a character that I never trusted and his relationship with Audrey was rather unhealthy.
I did like the fact that the story was centered around a fire. I thought that it was a really original setting and some of the descriptions of the fire were truly frightening. I did find some parts of the story to be rather predictable but I wanted to keep reading to see if things would actually work out the way I thought they would. I do have to say that I was really disappointed by the way the book ended. I really felt like the book just kind of stopped instead offering some kind of resolution.
I do think that a lot of readers will like this one a lot more than I did. This was as story that kept me turning pages. I would not hesitate to read future books by this debut author.
I received a digital review copy of this book from Penguin Publishing Group - Razorbill via First to Read.
January 9, 2018
Couldn't put this one down. This book is dark and compelling and chilling, lingering yet compleeeeeeetely intense, with the most beautiful prose—if any/all of this sounds like your thing, please put this book on your TBR and/or preorder it! (Also, I highly recommend going in blind to this one—I read the Kirkus review after reading the book, and while it's a good review, it's somewhat spoilery!)
February 6, 2018
Heather Ezell's thrilling debut novel, Nothing Left to Burn, is one of that will make you stop and think for a long time after you finish reading. When I first started reading this I had no idea what to expect (okay yes that is a small lie I did read the blurb so in that aspect I new exactly what the main gist of the story was) but before I realized it I was already halfway though.
This novel is the perfect coming of age story. It has humor, mystery, tension, and classic teen moments. It has the sense of "Oh my god, did that just happen?" and "Did he really just say that?" With a timeline of 24 hours and dual POVs, Nothing Left to Burn, leaves the readers on the edge of their seats. This story was simply flaws, well done Ms. Ezell, what a perfect way to enter the literary world.
I was provided an advance copy of this title in exchange for a honest review.
This novel is the perfect coming of age story. It has humor, mystery, tension, and classic teen moments. It has the sense of "Oh my god, did that just happen?" and "Did he really just say that?" With a timeline of 24 hours and dual POVs, Nothing Left to Burn, leaves the readers on the edge of their seats. This story was simply flaws, well done Ms. Ezell, what a perfect way to enter the literary world.
I was provided an advance copy of this title in exchange for a honest review.
March 2, 2019
Compelling, dark and quite fascinating, too. A really, really good debut, more of a 4,5 stars, actually. Definitely recommend.
Full review coming soon on the blog, :)
Full review coming soon on the blog, :)
February 11, 2018
*I received an ARC of this from the publisher - thanks so much to Penguin for sending me over a copy but it didn't change my opinion of the book at all!!
Okay, 2018 needs to simmer down because I’ve read 3 2018 debuts in a row and they have all be ridiculously well written, and if this keeps going, I’m so unprepared for this goodness.
This book was a twisty, dark tale full of complexity, depth, and a lot of twists and turns. I’m going to warn you � this book is quite emotional and it’s a deep look into grief, a very complicated relationship, and a girl at her breaking point. You’re diving into a story that is will pretty much wreck your emotions and mess with your mind on what is right and wrong and what a person should or shouldn’t do. It lies in the grey lines, but it has a lot of heart and it’s such an interesting psychological, deep read that if you’re into books with a lot of brilliant characterization and well thought out and timed stories, this is the book for you. It’s definitely contemporary done right (IN CASE YOU SOMEHOW DID NOT GET IT THAT FROM MY LITTLE INTRO THERE BECAUSE IT MIGHT SCARE SOME PEOPLE OFF???? XD) But I just wanted to let people know this isn’t a nice little fluffy contemporary full of adorable swoons and unicorns and sunshine and happy endings.
This story is Audrey � and partially Brooks, but mostly Audrey because she owns this story. It’s hers to tell and it flashes back and forth between the past, now, and just some of her general thoughts. Sometimes, I get a little annoyed between jumping back and forth between them because I usually focus on liking just one, but in truth, this one was well timed out and flipped back and forth between how we got to this point and the drama that was ensuing. I was eager to flip through the pages to get back to how the past shaped the present and all the drama that was going on right now. I did have to knock off a point because I was super totally confused for about 1/3 of the novel. I mean, I got what was going on, but I felt at times that the author was trying to make things too mysterious and I was just getting lost and feeling like I was just missing something. It finally got its groove and then the writing and plot organization was just gold from there.
As I said, this is Audrey’s story. She was such a complex, shining character. You’re not going to agree or like all of her choices, but she just felt so realistic. She was well done and well layered and I could feel her pain and numbness and could see where she was coming from even when I was yelling at her not to do something. She was the perfect heroine for this story, and I felt for her so much sometimes.
The side characters were well done as well. Brooks was certainlyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy well done. It was so ridiculously interesting to see his evolution along the way and I feel like Ezell must have taken psychology at some point because she just totally nailed allllllllll of his characterization so brilliantly. Grace, Hayden, Quinn, and the parents were all done well as well. I did like Maya quite a bit, but I honestly kind of wanted a bit more from her since I never got a true, true connection to her.
The setting was so well done as well. I honestly felt like I could picture it all wonderfully and it was just so well described. I felt like I could feel the fire licking at my skin sometimes. I was quite amazed and impressed. You totally feel like you’ve been dropped into OC, California, and it was such an interesting backdrop to the story.
I’m a little bit torn on the ending. Okay, I loved how realistic it was at the end, and it was kind of the ending I totally wanted for it. But I felt that the last two chapters working it up to it, kind of really confused me and I kind of just had my eyebrows raised (since I sadly can’t do the one eyebrow thing too well). I just felt a bit lost there. But I was pleased with that last chapter, for sure.
Overall, this was such an interesting and fascinating story that definitely takes you on a journey. This was a stunning debut for sure, and it’s full of intense and haunting characterization, a wonderfully done setting, and a plot that was well executed and time. I did get quite confused in the beginning, and the ending left me a bit torn � however, I did enjoy the story for the most part and it was such an addicting read. You can easily torn through it, but prepare yourself for an emotional, twisted and dark tale that is contemporaries done right. Four crowns and an Ariel rating!
Okay, 2018 needs to simmer down because I’ve read 3 2018 debuts in a row and they have all be ridiculously well written, and if this keeps going, I’m so unprepared for this goodness.
This book was a twisty, dark tale full of complexity, depth, and a lot of twists and turns. I’m going to warn you � this book is quite emotional and it’s a deep look into grief, a very complicated relationship, and a girl at her breaking point. You’re diving into a story that is will pretty much wreck your emotions and mess with your mind on what is right and wrong and what a person should or shouldn’t do. It lies in the grey lines, but it has a lot of heart and it’s such an interesting psychological, deep read that if you’re into books with a lot of brilliant characterization and well thought out and timed stories, this is the book for you. It’s definitely contemporary done right (IN CASE YOU SOMEHOW DID NOT GET IT THAT FROM MY LITTLE INTRO THERE BECAUSE IT MIGHT SCARE SOME PEOPLE OFF???? XD) But I just wanted to let people know this isn’t a nice little fluffy contemporary full of adorable swoons and unicorns and sunshine and happy endings.
This story is Audrey � and partially Brooks, but mostly Audrey because she owns this story. It’s hers to tell and it flashes back and forth between the past, now, and just some of her general thoughts. Sometimes, I get a little annoyed between jumping back and forth between them because I usually focus on liking just one, but in truth, this one was well timed out and flipped back and forth between how we got to this point and the drama that was ensuing. I was eager to flip through the pages to get back to how the past shaped the present and all the drama that was going on right now. I did have to knock off a point because I was super totally confused for about 1/3 of the novel. I mean, I got what was going on, but I felt at times that the author was trying to make things too mysterious and I was just getting lost and feeling like I was just missing something. It finally got its groove and then the writing and plot organization was just gold from there.
As I said, this is Audrey’s story. She was such a complex, shining character. You’re not going to agree or like all of her choices, but she just felt so realistic. She was well done and well layered and I could feel her pain and numbness and could see where she was coming from even when I was yelling at her not to do something. She was the perfect heroine for this story, and I felt for her so much sometimes.
The side characters were well done as well. Brooks was certainlyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy well done. It was so ridiculously interesting to see his evolution along the way and I feel like Ezell must have taken psychology at some point because she just totally nailed allllllllll of his characterization so brilliantly. Grace, Hayden, Quinn, and the parents were all done well as well. I did like Maya quite a bit, but I honestly kind of wanted a bit more from her since I never got a true, true connection to her.
The setting was so well done as well. I honestly felt like I could picture it all wonderfully and it was just so well described. I felt like I could feel the fire licking at my skin sometimes. I was quite amazed and impressed. You totally feel like you’ve been dropped into OC, California, and it was such an interesting backdrop to the story.
I’m a little bit torn on the ending. Okay, I loved how realistic it was at the end, and it was kind of the ending I totally wanted for it. But I felt that the last two chapters working it up to it, kind of really confused me and I kind of just had my eyebrows raised (since I sadly can’t do the one eyebrow thing too well). I just felt a bit lost there. But I was pleased with that last chapter, for sure.
Overall, this was such an interesting and fascinating story that definitely takes you on a journey. This was a stunning debut for sure, and it’s full of intense and haunting characterization, a wonderfully done setting, and a plot that was well executed and time. I did get quite confused in the beginning, and the ending left me a bit torn � however, I did enjoy the story for the most part and it was such an addicting read. You can easily torn through it, but prepare yourself for an emotional, twisted and dark tale that is contemporaries done right. Four crowns and an Ariel rating!
February 20, 2018
You can find more of my reviews at .
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!
A copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review!
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!
A copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review!
March 14, 2018
5 stars
Taking place over 16 intense hours, Heather Ezell's debut, Nothing Left to Burn tells the story of sixteen-year-old Audrey who is navigating her tumultuous and all-consuming relationship while also juggling her family's evacuation from the path of a deadly wildfire sweeping through Orange County, California.
Audrey not only wrestles with the possibility of losing her family home, but also with the secrets from her boyfriend's past coming to light and the danger lurking behind her feelings and the fire in the distance.
THIS WAS SO AMAZING EVERYONE PLEASE READ.
I totally was not expecting to like this so much--honestly, I assumed it was like a lot of other contemporaries until I read the word "wildfire" and caved into requesting it on First to Read. (Because wildfires are exciting! I mean, boo, wildfires.)
It just--it all came together really nicely and it also built up really well and I could see the symbolism and parallels within the novel while it was also a very entertaining read.
I had to physically stop myself from bingeing it all in 2 hours, cutting myself off because it was already midnight and I had to wake up at 6 am. But you better bet your whole bookshelf that one of the first things I did that morning was keep reading.
Not only was it very enjoyable to read and I was definitely entertained by the plot and pacing and just intensity of the story, but I could see how Ezell worked the novel to slowly reveal tidbits while simultaneously growing Audrey's character (I did forget her name, but semantics).
At first you think it's just a wildfire and just a boyfriend, but it grows into so much more. The boyfriend has a past. The boyfriend has a dark past. The boyfriend is obsessed with fire.
Seriously, this book was on fire not only with the recurring theme of burning/fire/flames/ashes, but also just the parallels in it and how it grew more thrilling as you read on.
It's told from Audrey's POV, but it cycles in between what's happening now and things from the past (like when she first met her boyfriend Brooks). Sometimes when there's multiple POVs or there's multiple times, I get confused at what I'm reading because I don't pay too much attention to the title (Thursday and 5:51 AM are just words to me).
But I was able to easily distinguish what point in time the story was from, and I think that's one of this story's biggest wins in helping the reader distinguish between what's happening when without the need for chapter titles. Whether it was because of how Ezell structured the sentences or the tone or mood or atmosphere, she managed to successfully convey what was happening without the need for chapter titles, which was awesome for me to read.
Also, the plot just gets so intense and this mimics how the forest fire gets more intense and I just love all the connections between everything. It's like all the parts of the novel are progressing at the same rate--even though the backstory, fire, and character development happen at different points in time & with different mental states for Audrey.
It ended up feeling very cohesive and that's just part of why I loved this. Also, the thriller aspect (the wildfire is suspected to be a product of arson...) was super entertaining and I just thoroughly enjoyed the plot (I never really understood the true effect and what happens during a wildfire and I'm moved by Ezell's portrayal.)
I also really like the relationships in this novel--whether it was friends or family or talking about toxic relationships (dangerous feelings, a boy consuming your life, etc.) It all had a very good message and I liked how Ezell was very honest about Audrey's views on sex despite her family's insistence on abstinence.
If I had to pick out something that could have used more work, I'd probably just say where the chapters ended and where the book ended. Sometimes it ended a little abruptly with a cliffhanger, like in , and then picked up on a less intense moment and at times it felt a little bit like a cop out or a way to avoid writing those really intense scenes. Also, it did end a lot sooner than I wanted it to because things happen at the end that are super ASDFKLJDLS. But I can definitely see why Ezell ended everything this way, and so this isn't really something that needs to change.
Overall, I had an amazing time reading this book and was so surprised by how much I enjoyed it! I would definitely recommend this to everyone--lovers of contemporary or sci-fi or fantasy--because of the awesome character-based themes found in contemporaries that balances the action and intensity commonly found in SFF.
Thank you to Penguin Teen/First to Read for providing me with a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review!
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Taking place over 16 intense hours, Heather Ezell's debut, Nothing Left to Burn tells the story of sixteen-year-old Audrey who is navigating her tumultuous and all-consuming relationship while also juggling her family's evacuation from the path of a deadly wildfire sweeping through Orange County, California.
Audrey not only wrestles with the possibility of losing her family home, but also with the secrets from her boyfriend's past coming to light and the danger lurking behind her feelings and the fire in the distance.
THIS WAS SO AMAZING EVERYONE PLEASE READ.
I totally was not expecting to like this so much--honestly, I assumed it was like a lot of other contemporaries until I read the word "wildfire" and caved into requesting it on First to Read. (Because wildfires are exciting! I mean, boo, wildfires.)
It just--it all came together really nicely and it also built up really well and I could see the symbolism and parallels within the novel while it was also a very entertaining read.
I had to physically stop myself from bingeing it all in 2 hours, cutting myself off because it was already midnight and I had to wake up at 6 am. But you better bet your whole bookshelf that one of the first things I did that morning was keep reading.
Not only was it very enjoyable to read and I was definitely entertained by the plot and pacing and just intensity of the story, but I could see how Ezell worked the novel to slowly reveal tidbits while simultaneously growing Audrey's character (I did forget her name, but semantics).
At first you think it's just a wildfire and just a boyfriend, but it grows into so much more. The boyfriend has a past. The boyfriend has a dark past. The boyfriend is obsessed with fire.
Seriously, this book was on fire not only with the recurring theme of burning/fire/flames/ashes, but also just the parallels in it and how it grew more thrilling as you read on.
It's told from Audrey's POV, but it cycles in between what's happening now and things from the past (like when she first met her boyfriend Brooks). Sometimes when there's multiple POVs or there's multiple times, I get confused at what I'm reading because I don't pay too much attention to the title (Thursday and 5:51 AM are just words to me).
But I was able to easily distinguish what point in time the story was from, and I think that's one of this story's biggest wins in helping the reader distinguish between what's happening when without the need for chapter titles. Whether it was because of how Ezell structured the sentences or the tone or mood or atmosphere, she managed to successfully convey what was happening without the need for chapter titles, which was awesome for me to read.
Also, the plot just gets so intense and this mimics how the forest fire gets more intense and I just love all the connections between everything. It's like all the parts of the novel are progressing at the same rate--even though the backstory, fire, and character development happen at different points in time & with different mental states for Audrey.
It ended up feeling very cohesive and that's just part of why I loved this. Also, the thriller aspect (the wildfire is suspected to be a product of arson...) was super entertaining and I just thoroughly enjoyed the plot (I never really understood the true effect and what happens during a wildfire and I'm moved by Ezell's portrayal.)
I also really like the relationships in this novel--whether it was friends or family or talking about toxic relationships (dangerous feelings, a boy consuming your life, etc.) It all had a very good message and I liked how Ezell was very honest about Audrey's views on sex despite her family's insistence on abstinence.
If I had to pick out something that could have used more work, I'd probably just say where the chapters ended and where the book ended. Sometimes it ended a little abruptly with a cliffhanger, like in , and then picked up on a less intense moment and at times it felt a little bit like a cop out or a way to avoid writing those really intense scenes. Also, it did end a lot sooner than I wanted it to because things happen at the end that are super ASDFKLJDLS. But I can definitely see why Ezell ended everything this way, and so this isn't really something that needs to change.
Overall, I had an amazing time reading this book and was so surprised by how much I enjoyed it! I would definitely recommend this to everyone--lovers of contemporary or sci-fi or fantasy--because of the awesome character-based themes found in contemporaries that balances the action and intensity commonly found in SFF.
Thank you to Penguin Teen/First to Read for providing me with a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review!
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March 16, 2018
*Book Received in Exchange for Honest Opinion/Review*
This book had the potential for greatness with a sizzling, unique plot, but the writing is so confusing. I honestly spent the first 30% of the book wondering what the heck was going on. I didn't know who characters were, I didn't know how they were related and connected, nor did I know who was dating who. But wait, there is more. The confusion doesn't stop there as the chapters which are sometimes only a page long, alternate between hours of one day and the time line of the past week. I felt like I needed to take notes on how everything was interconnected and how the plot was playing out so I could piece this puzzle together.
The plot concept itself was unique and refreshing, a romance, a wildfire, betrayal, and secrets. Something that I haven't come across in young adult literature, but it wasn't an easy read. I felt so much pity for Audrey it was beginning to hurt, I mean she had no identity. She was into ballet, and then she was into Brooks and that is what has defined the last 16 years of her life, which is sad. She lacks passion and personality. She was fickle, indecisive, and desperate for acceptance.
Brooks, well he was about ten levels of crazy but I couldn't walk away from this train wreck of a book. I had to see it through. The ending...it wasn't even an ending, it was one of those I am going to leave you wondering how things really played out type of endings. Which if you read any of my reviews where books end like this...I HATE IT! I was reading this book with the hope of closure and there was absolutely none. One word to describe this book would be frustrating.
This book had the potential for greatness with a sizzling, unique plot, but the writing is so confusing. I honestly spent the first 30% of the book wondering what the heck was going on. I didn't know who characters were, I didn't know how they were related and connected, nor did I know who was dating who. But wait, there is more. The confusion doesn't stop there as the chapters which are sometimes only a page long, alternate between hours of one day and the time line of the past week. I felt like I needed to take notes on how everything was interconnected and how the plot was playing out so I could piece this puzzle together.
The plot concept itself was unique and refreshing, a romance, a wildfire, betrayal, and secrets. Something that I haven't come across in young adult literature, but it wasn't an easy read. I felt so much pity for Audrey it was beginning to hurt, I mean she had no identity. She was into ballet, and then she was into Brooks and that is what has defined the last 16 years of her life, which is sad. She lacks passion and personality. She was fickle, indecisive, and desperate for acceptance.
Brooks, well he was about ten levels of crazy but I couldn't walk away from this train wreck of a book. I had to see it through. The ending...it wasn't even an ending, it was one of those I am going to leave you wondering how things really played out type of endings. Which if you read any of my reviews where books end like this...I HATE IT! I was reading this book with the hope of closure and there was absolutely none. One word to describe this book would be frustrating.
January 10, 2018
Nothing Left to Burn is one of those novels that left me staring at the wall in front of me when I got to the words, The End. I blazed like the fire in this story through chapter after chapter, finishing it in only two sittings.
What just happened? That’s what I was asking myself while trying to adequately round up my thoughts on Heather’s stunning debut.
This novel is paced beautifully, with this undercurrent hum of discomfort and tension, and then sparked by moments of humor and perfect teen coming-of-age fun.
I was intrigued by and also deliciously horrified by some of the characters and their actions and motives. Audrey is a fresh narrator and I loved that she was truly questioning her place in this world and didn’t have everything figured out. Brooks is one of the most brilliant, haunted male characters I’ve spent time with in a long time.
With its twenty-four-hour timeline, the reader is craving and clawing for Audrey and Brooks’s intriguing backstory, which comes in alternating chapters. The format worked beautifully and it felt like nearly flawless storytelling. Well done. Very well done.
I was provided an advance copy of this title in exchange for a fair review.
What just happened? That’s what I was asking myself while trying to adequately round up my thoughts on Heather’s stunning debut.
This novel is paced beautifully, with this undercurrent hum of discomfort and tension, and then sparked by moments of humor and perfect teen coming-of-age fun.
I was intrigued by and also deliciously horrified by some of the characters and their actions and motives. Audrey is a fresh narrator and I loved that she was truly questioning her place in this world and didn’t have everything figured out. Brooks is one of the most brilliant, haunted male characters I’ve spent time with in a long time.
With its twenty-four-hour timeline, the reader is craving and clawing for Audrey and Brooks’s intriguing backstory, which comes in alternating chapters. The format worked beautifully and it felt like nearly flawless storytelling. Well done. Very well done.
I was provided an advance copy of this title in exchange for a fair review.
March 19, 2018
*4.5*
Nothing Left to Burn has been high on my wish list ever since I first heard about it, and as the buzz continued to build over these last few months my excitement did as well. I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy!
Now that I've read it I can definitely say it was well worth the wait. Nothing Left to Burn is fiery and enthralling...the kind of book that calls to be read in one sitting. It's about the secrets a person keeps and the lies they tell themselves to protect the ones they love. It's about falling in love - so hopelessly in love - that they begin to loose parts of themselves along the way. It's about growing up and taking responsibility, finding strength in the weakness. Basically, it's the kind of YA contemporary that reminds me just how much I love YA contemporary.
Nothing Left to Burn is set over a twenty-four hour period. At first I was worried about this characteristic. I wondered if the book would feel complete, if the story lines as well as the characters would be fleshed out. As per usual, however, my worrying was for nothing. Heather does an excellent job of using the twenty-four period to her advantage. I loved the quick nature of the book. The chapters were fast paced and to the point; however, they never felt incomplete. I was always satisfied with what I received. I also loved that she included flashbacks. It helped to drum up intrigue as well as suspense, especially when the hinted at event was broken up into several parts.
Nothing Left to Burn is told through Audrey's perspective. I found Audrey to be an interesting main character. I can't say I always loved her or fully stood behind her choices, but there was something about her that made her story so completely compelling. I wanted to know more about her. I wanted to know why she loved Brooks, why she seemed to be keeping her friends and family at such a distance, why she felt so guilty, and what exactly happened between her and her best friend's brother. I also loved how real she felt. She wasn't perfect. She was actually far from it, but over the course of the book, she aims to become a better person, to tell the truth, to take responsibility, and I admired that about her. I could even see parts of my high school self in her, and I feel that many others will be able to relate to her as well, especially when it comes to her toxic relationship with Brooks.
Talking about Brooks, he definitely wasn't the most likable love interest. There wasn't anything swoony about him, and I could never quite see the appeal to him even in his and Audrey's happy days. He was broody and dark, and the more I got to know him, the more I wanted Audrey to run. Like with Audrey, however, I was curious to learn more about him, and I will say I appreciated the overall role he played. It offered up a lot of interesting twists as well as introspections.
Nothing Left to Burn is a slow-burn read. It takes a while to get to the action, or the meat of the novel, but it was so worth it in my opinion. I loved getting to know the characters first, of really getting a feel for the California setting...Heather just did such a great job of building everything up. I also appreciated the focus on wildfires. As someone who doesn't live in an area impacted by them, I don't think too much about them. Therefore, it was eye-opening to see one through Audrey's eyes. It broke my heart to see what Audrey and her friends went through, and it's nutty to think about how much can change with just one fire.
Overall, Nothing Left to Burn is a unique, carefully crafted contemporary. Even though I finished it days ago, I'm still thinking about it, especially the ending. Gosh, it was twisty and ambiguous but I don't think it could've been more perfect. I can't wait to read more by Heather!
*ARC was provided by the publisher via First to Read in exchange for an honest review*
ŷ
Nothing Left to Burn has been high on my wish list ever since I first heard about it, and as the buzz continued to build over these last few months my excitement did as well. I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy!
Now that I've read it I can definitely say it was well worth the wait. Nothing Left to Burn is fiery and enthralling...the kind of book that calls to be read in one sitting. It's about the secrets a person keeps and the lies they tell themselves to protect the ones they love. It's about falling in love - so hopelessly in love - that they begin to loose parts of themselves along the way. It's about growing up and taking responsibility, finding strength in the weakness. Basically, it's the kind of YA contemporary that reminds me just how much I love YA contemporary.
Nothing Left to Burn is set over a twenty-four hour period. At first I was worried about this characteristic. I wondered if the book would feel complete, if the story lines as well as the characters would be fleshed out. As per usual, however, my worrying was for nothing. Heather does an excellent job of using the twenty-four period to her advantage. I loved the quick nature of the book. The chapters were fast paced and to the point; however, they never felt incomplete. I was always satisfied with what I received. I also loved that she included flashbacks. It helped to drum up intrigue as well as suspense, especially when the hinted at event was broken up into several parts.
Nothing Left to Burn is told through Audrey's perspective. I found Audrey to be an interesting main character. I can't say I always loved her or fully stood behind her choices, but there was something about her that made her story so completely compelling. I wanted to know more about her. I wanted to know why she loved Brooks, why she seemed to be keeping her friends and family at such a distance, why she felt so guilty, and what exactly happened between her and her best friend's brother. I also loved how real she felt. She wasn't perfect. She was actually far from it, but over the course of the book, she aims to become a better person, to tell the truth, to take responsibility, and I admired that about her. I could even see parts of my high school self in her, and I feel that many others will be able to relate to her as well, especially when it comes to her toxic relationship with Brooks.
Talking about Brooks, he definitely wasn't the most likable love interest. There wasn't anything swoony about him, and I could never quite see the appeal to him even in his and Audrey's happy days. He was broody and dark, and the more I got to know him, the more I wanted Audrey to run. Like with Audrey, however, I was curious to learn more about him, and I will say I appreciated the overall role he played. It offered up a lot of interesting twists as well as introspections.
Nothing Left to Burn is a slow-burn read. It takes a while to get to the action, or the meat of the novel, but it was so worth it in my opinion. I loved getting to know the characters first, of really getting a feel for the California setting...Heather just did such a great job of building everything up. I also appreciated the focus on wildfires. As someone who doesn't live in an area impacted by them, I don't think too much about them. Therefore, it was eye-opening to see one through Audrey's eyes. It broke my heart to see what Audrey and her friends went through, and it's nutty to think about how much can change with just one fire.
Overall, Nothing Left to Burn is a unique, carefully crafted contemporary. Even though I finished it days ago, I'm still thinking about it, especially the ending. Gosh, it was twisty and ambiguous but I don't think it could've been more perfect. I can't wait to read more by Heather!
*ARC was provided by the publisher via First to Read in exchange for an honest review*
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February 23, 2018
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At the time I'm writing this review, it's 11:00 PM on a Wednesday night.
I've spent the entire day reading this book. I'm going to spend the entire night thinking about this book and how it made me feel, how it's making me feel.
As a general rule, I try to stay away from contemporaries that don't have a happy ending, or something like that. Gritty novels make me feel things and I don't really like the feelings I get.
I classify this as a gritty novel. Which. Which isn't a bad thing. Nothing Left to Burn isn't a bad book--far, far from it. But it's a complicated book and I can't even begin to express everything I want to for it.
I guess I can start with this: I really, really liked it. And I really, really didn't expect how it would affect me.
The story itself is almost on two separate, yet intertwined, timelines. The now takes place in a single day, while the then takes place from the moment Audrey met Brooks, and the start of their relationship. It's told like this: the time, now, and something about the past, something that evolves over the course of the book, until you understand everything about Audrey and Brooks and their complicated, messy relationship.
I had a feeling this book would leave me sad from the start. I kept on with it because wow. I loved Audrey. I loved everything about her that it's hard to explain just why, but it's like I got her and I saw parts of me in her. Her voice, her entire character jumped out to me the entire time and it's definitely part of the reason why Nothing Left to Burn was hard to put down. Audrey is a flawed character and it makes her all the more real. The whole time, the whole book, I wanted her to be free. I wanted her to just be free.
I... I hated Brooks. Also from the start. Their entire relationship had me uneasy and that didn't go away while I kept on reading. I thought he was manipulative and it hurt me whenever Audrey thought she had to, like, not make it up to him or something after saying or doing the wrong thing, but feeling like she should be sorry for everything she needed to understand.
I can't claim to know what it's like to be in an abusive relationship, only through what I've read, so I'm not going to pretend I do. But just reading it, just getting behind Audrey's feelings on their relationship, it was... wow.
I learned a lot about fires and about evacuating from this book. I find it all of it amazing and very horrifying, that threat of having to lose your entire home, all your belongings, in one fell swoop. The urgency, the fear in this book felt so authentic and so real. It's clear Ezell is talented with both writing her characters and her setting!
So. Overall: I just really hope this review made sense. I still feel a little over the place. Nothing Left to Burn comes out soon and it is a spectacular debut. There's just so much packed into it, that I couldn't even begin to process it all. 4 stars and I would highly recommend this!
March 13, 2018
Apparently I forgot to review this book after I read it... I blame baby brain! This is such a captivating debut. I couldn't stop turning pages because I absolutely had to know what happened. The external conflict-- a raging fire, leaving people with no choice but to depart their homes-- mirrors Audrey's internal turmoil as she grapples with her complicated relationship with the boy she loves. Not to mention, the complicated relationship she has with herself. A totally intense and electric book. I am a Heather Ezell fangirl for life!
June 18, 2018
*Screams*
I expected this book to be one of those trashy romances with an abusive glorified relationship, and I was so surprised because it turned out really good????
This book shows how twisted and scary abusive relationships can be and how the victim often feels like it's their fault.
It's such an important story and just YES. I AM HERE FOR THIS.
Content warnings:
-Some swearing
-Mild makeout scenes
-A mentioned sex scene that is mostly glazed over.
-Animal abuse
-Psychological manipulation
This was really good! We need more books like this that show how messed up people can be and to watch out for red flags before jumping into relationships
I expected this book to be one of those trashy romances with an abusive glorified relationship, and I was so surprised because it turned out really good????
This book shows how twisted and scary abusive relationships can be and how the victim often feels like it's their fault.
It's such an important story and just YES. I AM HERE FOR THIS.
Content warnings:
-Some swearing
-Mild makeout scenes
-A mentioned sex scene that is mostly glazed over.
-Animal abuse
-Psychological manipulation
This was really good! We need more books like this that show how messed up people can be and to watch out for red flags before jumping into relationships
February 5, 2019
Честно говоря, от книги я многого не ждала. Но оказалось все довольно интересно и необычно. Оригинальное повествование, необычный сюжет и «непростые» загадки.
Не припомню, чтобы читала нечто подобное. Мне, в целом, понравилось, не жаль времени.
Чем-то напомнило «Меняя лица» и «Мы были лжецами». Конечно, этой книге далеко до таких гигантов, но что-то общее все-таки есть.
7,5/10
Не припомню, чтобы читала нечто подобное. Мне, в целом, понравилось, не жаль времени.
Чем-то напомнило «Меняя лица» и «Мы были лжецами». Конечно, этой книге далеко до таких гигантов, но что-то общее все-таки есть.
7,5/10
March 13, 2018
3.5 Stars rounded up to 4. Full review to come.
March 14, 2018
A dangerous wildfire has started in Orange County, California. Audrey only has twenty minutes to gather her and her families belongings before she has to evacuate her family home. As the days events play out, Audrey looks back on the past three months to the events that have lead her here.
Audrey is a very captivating main character. She really knows how to tell a good story both from the past and the present perspective. Audrey calls herself a loner. She prefers being alone rather than going out to parties and socializing like most teenagers her age. It isn't until her best friend Grace introduces her to Brooks, that she is able to step out of her comfort zone. Brooks is a loner just like Audrey, and they are able to find comfort in one another. There are crazy rumours going around Audrey's school about why Brooks switched schools in his last year, and what is the reason behind his scar. Even though most people are afraid of Brooks, Audrey isn't because he has shown her a side of him that he hasn't to anyone else.
Their romance was absolutely crazy. I don't want to give you any spoilers, but just know that things aren't always what they seem. I am really happy with how Audrey chose to act in this book regarding the romance. Yes she made some mistakes, but no one is perfect, and she eventually learns her lesson. This is a reason why I love Audrey, because she always tries her hardest and ends up doing the right thing when the time comes.
The pace of the book was alright. At first I was a bit confused with how the book switches from present to past tense when Audrey reflects on the past 3 months, but eventually you get used to it. The book started off slow, with Audrey's life and how she meets Brooks, and ends up picking up around two thirds of the way into the book.
I absolutely loved the setting of this story. The author did an amazing job describing all the different setting that the characters were in. I could picture the scene very clearly and the author uses the perfect amount of descriptions to make it feel real, but not enough to make it boring.
Overall, I loved the main character and I found the story very intriguing. I was a little thrown off by the way the story was written with past/present tense at first, but eventually I got used to it. The pace was alright and the setting was perfect. I will definitely read this author's future books, and I definitely recommend this book to all YA contemporary fans.
Audrey is a very captivating main character. She really knows how to tell a good story both from the past and the present perspective. Audrey calls herself a loner. She prefers being alone rather than going out to parties and socializing like most teenagers her age. It isn't until her best friend Grace introduces her to Brooks, that she is able to step out of her comfort zone. Brooks is a loner just like Audrey, and they are able to find comfort in one another. There are crazy rumours going around Audrey's school about why Brooks switched schools in his last year, and what is the reason behind his scar. Even though most people are afraid of Brooks, Audrey isn't because he has shown her a side of him that he hasn't to anyone else.
Their romance was absolutely crazy. I don't want to give you any spoilers, but just know that things aren't always what they seem. I am really happy with how Audrey chose to act in this book regarding the romance. Yes she made some mistakes, but no one is perfect, and she eventually learns her lesson. This is a reason why I love Audrey, because she always tries her hardest and ends up doing the right thing when the time comes.
The pace of the book was alright. At first I was a bit confused with how the book switches from present to past tense when Audrey reflects on the past 3 months, but eventually you get used to it. The book started off slow, with Audrey's life and how she meets Brooks, and ends up picking up around two thirds of the way into the book.
I absolutely loved the setting of this story. The author did an amazing job describing all the different setting that the characters were in. I could picture the scene very clearly and the author uses the perfect amount of descriptions to make it feel real, but not enough to make it boring.
Overall, I loved the main character and I found the story very intriguing. I was a little thrown off by the way the story was written with past/present tense at first, but eventually I got used to it. The pace was alright and the setting was perfect. I will definitely read this author's future books, and I definitely recommend this book to all YA contemporary fans.
February 6, 2018
I just finished this and WOW. It's mind bending, exquisitely written and perfectly paced, and just overall unbelievable. Audrey is a rich, flawed character dating Brooks who's...well...I won't spoil anything. All I will say is that Brooks is one of the most incredibly unique characters I have read in YA in a LONG TIME. This book was unpredictable, and a thrill ride. I couldn't catch my breath. I loved the setting as well. I learned so much about the OC than TV ever taught me. Not to mention fire, and trees. The very elements we're surrounded by daily and take for granted were characters in this story. This book is a must-read.
August 18, 2017
WOW.
Just like the fire threatening Audrey's home quickly spirals out of control and becomes all-consuming, so too does the tension in this book! Full of beautiful writing, smartly rendered characters and complicated relationships- emphasizing truly just how complex and messy life is (Audrey's feelings toward ballet are a great example)- this is a book that will elevate your heart rate and stay with you for a long time after you've finished.
*Side note: I'd totally be BFFs with Grace.
Just like the fire threatening Audrey's home quickly spirals out of control and becomes all-consuming, so too does the tension in this book! Full of beautiful writing, smartly rendered characters and complicated relationships- emphasizing truly just how complex and messy life is (Audrey's feelings toward ballet are a great example)- this is a book that will elevate your heart rate and stay with you for a long time after you've finished.
*Side note: I'd totally be BFFs with Grace.
Read
March 8, 2018Graded By: Rosemary
Cover Story: Montell Jordan
BFF Charm: Let Me Love You
Swoonworthy Scale: 6
Talky Talk: California Noir
Bonus Factor: The Californians
Relationship Status: Hot and Heavy
Read the full book report .
Cover Story: Montell Jordan
BFF Charm: Let Me Love You
Swoonworthy Scale: 6
Talky Talk: California Noir
Bonus Factor: The Californians
Relationship Status: Hot and Heavy
Read the full book report .
May 15, 2017
Bold, stunning, complex, and incredibly smart. Truly wonderful debut.
March 21, 2018
**Review on **
I am a child of Southern California and the wildfires that consume everything were such a huge part of my life growing up. There were plenty of times that we received notices to be prepared to evacuate, school closed due to poor air quality, and people walking around with face masks as ash rained down. When I saw that this book was about a California fire, I was interested to see how the book would play out. And oh my geez, this was not at all what I expected this book to be when I started, and I really mean that in the best way possible. The author nailed the setting perfectly, the story was able to bring to life the fire, the desperation, the loss. This was such a crazy, emotional ride and where I started with these characters is not how we ended. This is very much a character driven story, where almost no action happens, but really it was introspective as to how the characters developed, what pushed them into certain situations, and what kind of outcome do they have left to them.
I feel like I know Audrey, every damaged, hurt part of of her. And when I say damaged, I am being serious. This girl is an emotional mess, but at the same time I could 100% relate to her, empathize with her, and I understood how she got to be in this place. I don't blame her for her feelings, she was lost and thought she had been found, but instead she found herself in a dangerous, passionate, world full of lies she could not see through. I rooted for her at the end of the book, so happy at the revelations she admitted to as well as the truths she fought for. And her love towards her sister and best friend were amazing, showing all the kinds of relationships a person needs to be healthy.
I loved the format of the book, with lots of short chapters, ranging from just a paragraph to four or five pages. If you want to hook me on a story this is the best way to do it- I always think just one more and next thing I know I am a 100 pages further and it's an hour later.� I love this writing format, to me it makes a book more approachable and easy to escape into, be it briefly or for hours.
Also, the story takes place over 24 hours, but the current actions are alternated with the memories that Audrey has had over the past few months pertaining to her relationship with Brooks, filling in the dynamic between their relationship status and how we all got this point.
This is the authors debut book and I could not be more impressed with the crazy ride that I was taken on. I sped through the pages and was shocked by the twists provided. This is not rainbows and sunshine, but hurt, depression and all the feels. I highly recommend this read for anyone looking for an emotional, realistic YA read to get sucked into. I look forward for more from this author.
I am a child of Southern California and the wildfires that consume everything were such a huge part of my life growing up. There were plenty of times that we received notices to be prepared to evacuate, school closed due to poor air quality, and people walking around with face masks as ash rained down. When I saw that this book was about a California fire, I was interested to see how the book would play out. And oh my geez, this was not at all what I expected this book to be when I started, and I really mean that in the best way possible. The author nailed the setting perfectly, the story was able to bring to life the fire, the desperation, the loss. This was such a crazy, emotional ride and where I started with these characters is not how we ended. This is very much a character driven story, where almost no action happens, but really it was introspective as to how the characters developed, what pushed them into certain situations, and what kind of outcome do they have left to them.
I feel like I know Audrey, every damaged, hurt part of of her. And when I say damaged, I am being serious. This girl is an emotional mess, but at the same time I could 100% relate to her, empathize with her, and I understood how she got to be in this place. I don't blame her for her feelings, she was lost and thought she had been found, but instead she found herself in a dangerous, passionate, world full of lies she could not see through. I rooted for her at the end of the book, so happy at the revelations she admitted to as well as the truths she fought for. And her love towards her sister and best friend were amazing, showing all the kinds of relationships a person needs to be healthy.
I loved the format of the book, with lots of short chapters, ranging from just a paragraph to four or five pages. If you want to hook me on a story this is the best way to do it- I always think just one more and next thing I know I am a 100 pages further and it's an hour later.� I love this writing format, to me it makes a book more approachable and easy to escape into, be it briefly or for hours.
Also, the story takes place over 24 hours, but the current actions are alternated with the memories that Audrey has had over the past few months pertaining to her relationship with Brooks, filling in the dynamic between their relationship status and how we all got this point.
This is the authors debut book and I could not be more impressed with the crazy ride that I was taken on. I sped through the pages and was shocked by the twists provided. This is not rainbows and sunshine, but hurt, depression and all the feels. I highly recommend this read for anyone looking for an emotional, realistic YA read to get sucked into. I look forward for more from this author.
March 19, 2018
This book is a fiery, powerful, emotional rollercoaster told through the eyes of a girl just starting her journey into womanhood. Seriously, keep your seatbelts on, because Nothing Left to Burn is one twisty turvy ride.
Audrey is a fifteen-year-old who falls madly in love with a dark, intriguing older boy. I know what you're thinking: (a) that's creepy and (b) that's cliche. Lemme stop you right there because this book is in no way fluffy or unoriginal. The constant switch between flashbacks and the present will keep you guessing about the truth of Brooks' history until the very end. Even as you turn the last few pages, you won't know for sure how things will turn out.
The characters are undoubtedly what make this novel great. Audrey is so young, and yet she's bearing the weight of the world on her shoulders. Ezell does an excellent job of displaying what it's like to be fifteen and unsure of your place in the world or even in your own body. There were so many lines that struck me as incredibly important and relatable. I sincerely enjoyed learning about Audrey's relationships with her friends and family, and I appreciated the visible effort Ezell put into her character development.
The whole fire aspect of the novel was also intriguing. As someone who has never lived in an area threatened by massive wildfires, I feel like this story gave me a really unique look into what others face in areas throughout this country. I was so impressed with Ezell's ability to weave the fire into the rest of the story, both metaphorically and literally.
So, my final statement: this book is blazing hot and ridiculously intense. If you love a good mystery and coming of age tale, then pick it up ASAP.
Audrey is a fifteen-year-old who falls madly in love with a dark, intriguing older boy. I know what you're thinking: (a) that's creepy and (b) that's cliche. Lemme stop you right there because this book is in no way fluffy or unoriginal. The constant switch between flashbacks and the present will keep you guessing about the truth of Brooks' history until the very end. Even as you turn the last few pages, you won't know for sure how things will turn out.
The characters are undoubtedly what make this novel great. Audrey is so young, and yet she's bearing the weight of the world on her shoulders. Ezell does an excellent job of displaying what it's like to be fifteen and unsure of your place in the world or even in your own body. There were so many lines that struck me as incredibly important and relatable. I sincerely enjoyed learning about Audrey's relationships with her friends and family, and I appreciated the visible effort Ezell put into her character development.
The whole fire aspect of the novel was also intriguing. As someone who has never lived in an area threatened by massive wildfires, I feel like this story gave me a really unique look into what others face in areas throughout this country. I was so impressed with Ezell's ability to weave the fire into the rest of the story, both metaphorically and literally.
So, my final statement: this book is blazing hot and ridiculously intense. If you love a good mystery and coming of age tale, then pick it up ASAP.
March 4, 2018
Nothing Left to Burn is a touching and moving novel about Audrey Harper who needs to pack her belongings and evacuate her home. A fire is engulfing Orange County California at a rapid rate and Audrey has no choice but to abandon her home all by herself without the physical support of her family.
The novel spans within 24 hours alternating between present time and back to before the fire even started. Just like the fire, Audrey's life is unpredictable and a lot happens within a day. Nothing Left to Burn delves into Audrey's life with her friends and the volunteer firefighter who she is smitten with.
Heather Ezell writes with an honest voice. Ezell compares and contrasts three types of relationships within the novel. Audrey has a complex relationship with her sister. She talks about how she used to dance but became bored with it. The only reason why Audrey stuck with ballet until she was fourteen is to keep her sister's dream alive. Maya had cancer at a young age and then Maya relapsed. Audrey was living Maya's dream but not her own because Maya was in and out of hospitals for a long time. It wasn't until Maya became cancer free that she was able to pursue dancing. That is dedication for Audrey to pursue dance for Maya. Audrey pushed herself because she wanted to see Maya happy.
Grace is Audrey's best friend. She is true to herself, is resilient and is very supportive. Grace always has Audrey's best interests and is there to give Audrey advice when needed. The last relationship is quite a toxic one but it's a spoiler to the end of the plot line. Because Ezell has experienced first hand of evacuating due to a fire in Southern California at a young age, Audrey's POV is authentic. I also enjoyed reading Audrey's internal monologues.
Although the journey is unpredictable and can be volatile like a burning fire, Nothing Left to Burn is compelling and is a heart racing read. Pick up this debut contemporary novel when you have a chance.
The novel spans within 24 hours alternating between present time and back to before the fire even started. Just like the fire, Audrey's life is unpredictable and a lot happens within a day. Nothing Left to Burn delves into Audrey's life with her friends and the volunteer firefighter who she is smitten with.
Heather Ezell writes with an honest voice. Ezell compares and contrasts three types of relationships within the novel. Audrey has a complex relationship with her sister. She talks about how she used to dance but became bored with it. The only reason why Audrey stuck with ballet until she was fourteen is to keep her sister's dream alive. Maya had cancer at a young age and then Maya relapsed. Audrey was living Maya's dream but not her own because Maya was in and out of hospitals for a long time. It wasn't until Maya became cancer free that she was able to pursue dancing. That is dedication for Audrey to pursue dance for Maya. Audrey pushed herself because she wanted to see Maya happy.
Grace is Audrey's best friend. She is true to herself, is resilient and is very supportive. Grace always has Audrey's best interests and is there to give Audrey advice when needed. The last relationship is quite a toxic one but it's a spoiler to the end of the plot line. Because Ezell has experienced first hand of evacuating due to a fire in Southern California at a young age, Audrey's POV is authentic. I also enjoyed reading Audrey's internal monologues.
Although the journey is unpredictable and can be volatile like a burning fire, Nothing Left to Burn is compelling and is a heart racing read. Pick up this debut contemporary novel when you have a chance.
January 14, 2018
Nothing Left to Burn is one of the best YA novels I’ve read in a while. Often literary novels that explore serious issues like mental illness, unhealthy relationships, and first love can be a bit “quiet,� without a high stakes premise, but this novel has all the suspense of a thriller, with a structure that kept me flipping pages, upset that I had to leave for work because I needed to read “just one more chapter…� The narrative moves back and forth between a fire that is raging through southern California, threatening Audrey’s home, and the events of the summer leading up to the fire, when Audrey falls in love with Brooks, who slowly reveals himself to be more and more dangerous. Each plotline pulls the reader along and always leaves the reader wanting more as we move between the two timelines, the raging wildfire building along with the plot’s tension. I was particularly struck by the way that Ezell handles Audrey’s feelings for Brooks. Though Brooks is a character with serious mental and emotional problems, Ezell handles the relationship in such a way that we understand Audrey’s strong feelings for him, which feel authentic. Ezell captures both the thrill and danger of being taken in by first love and also weaves in subplots about friendship and family. All the characters are well-developed. As a writer, this is a book I plan to read again simply to study Ezell’s craft and learn from the way she handles both suspense and character. This is an important read for everyone, teens and adults alike, because of how authentically Ezell captures the dynamics of an unhealthy relationship.
February 15, 2019
Nothing Left to Burn landed on my radar as a Californian living in the time of frequent and terrifying wildfires. I consumed it like a wildfire was licking my heels because it was unputdownable.
Oof. This book. You will cry. You will scream. You will shake the book as if it will listen. NO IT CAN NOT BE. This book is messy and relatable and complicated. The characters. The situations.
We get both the present timeline and the backstory, slowly weaving, causing unease the whole time. I loved Audrey and hated Brooks. But I also understood why Audrey was into him, as a person who has been in a similar relationship.
Audrey spends much of the book trapped and trying to escape. Trying to escape a wildfire that is after her whole life. Trying to escape a boy who is an abusive, manipulative liar. Escaping her own insecurities and worries.
Heather Ezell does an excellent job of describing the devastation, emotionally and physically, of a wildfire. The urgency of the evacuation. I felt myself tensing up while reading.
This book is intense, to say the least.
Oof. This book. You will cry. You will scream. You will shake the book as if it will listen. NO IT CAN NOT BE. This book is messy and relatable and complicated. The characters. The situations.
We get both the present timeline and the backstory, slowly weaving, causing unease the whole time. I loved Audrey and hated Brooks. But I also understood why Audrey was into him, as a person who has been in a similar relationship.
Audrey spends much of the book trapped and trying to escape. Trying to escape a wildfire that is after her whole life. Trying to escape a boy who is an abusive, manipulative liar. Escaping her own insecurities and worries.
Heather Ezell does an excellent job of describing the devastation, emotionally and physically, of a wildfire. The urgency of the evacuation. I felt myself tensing up while reading.
This book is intense, to say the least.
May 2, 2018
What struck me beyond the beautiful writing and clever storytelling in this book was Audrey Harper, our narrator and main character. Audrey is every teen girl in the sense that she's lost, looking for her "thing," and when a beautiful broken boy takes interest in her, she gets swept up in his sad, intense world, forsaking so much of herself for him. He becomes her thing. For a while, without really knowing it, Audrey becomes "that girl." The one who vanishes from healthy friendships for an unhealthy boyfriend. Audrey has to claw her way out the relationship until there's literally and figuratively NOTHING LEFT TO BURN. It's painful and real to journey with Audrey as she makes mistake after mistake, and as we come to realize that everything is leading up to the one big mistake she can't take back. But Audrey finds her footing, and we, as her readers, are left with a sense of hope--for her and every teen girl like her. Read this book. You won't regret it.
September 17, 2017
Oh man, this book. It was supposed to be something I read when I needed a break from writing. I told myself I'd read a chapter here and a chapter there, during stints of writer's block. Except this book sucked me in SO quickly, and then never let go. It had so much feeling...I was right there with Audrey for the highs and the lows, and I cared...right from the get-go, I cared so much about Audrey and Brooks, and their story. I loved the relationships with friends and family that felt so authentic and well-developed. This book was visceral...it left me feeling like I'd been in a fire myself, like I was emotionally exhausted, and exhilarated, all at the same time, in the very best way. Definitely put this on your TBR...I'll just be over here wishing there were another 100 pages to read, and figuring out my favorite tree.
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