Naima Simone is an author whose books I have wanted to read for sometime now. When the opportunity came to review her latest release, 🎧︎Heated, I took the leap. This is the first book in her Burned Inc series and it delivered a passionate, funny, engaging opposites attract and fake relationship romance. The couple featured in 🎧︎Heated met under unique circumstances. A romance between them would be a conflict of interest on the heroine’s part, but the heart wants what it wants. Soon she finds herself in a tricky situation, which will without a doubt blow up in her face.
From USA Today bestselling author Naima Simone comes Heated, a sizzling novel about a breakup professional who embarks on a fake relationship with a client’s ex—the one person she wasn’t supposed to fall for. Zora I’m Denver’s unmatchmaker. Every city needs one. Why? Because people break up—and sometimes they should. But when I learn that entertainment attorney Cyrus Hart is someone else’s mistake, I can’t believe it. He’s smart, successful, and sexy as hell. When a chance encounter with Cyrus turns into something more, I can’t help but fall for him. Our chemistry is undeniable. But his ex used my company to send him that letter—and that’s a problem. Especially since he doesn’t know I own the company. How can this possibly work? I know from experience that the riskiest ventures are the worthiest ones...but falling for Cyrus Hart may be my biggest gamble yet. Cyrus I’m a man with a plan—college, law school, a great career. So far, so good. Until a stranger shows up on my doorstep and reads me a breakup letter from my girlfriend. My carefully laid plans unravel. But then I meet someone new. It’s spontaneous. It’s electric. And it’s not according to plan. I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.
Title: Heated
Author(s): Naima Simone
Narrator(s): Phoenix McKay, Jeremy York
Published by Brilliance Audio on July 5, 2022
Pages: 253
Length: 9 hours and 12 minutes
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance
Source: Kindle Unlimited, Netgalley
Format: Audiobook, eArc 
Purchase: Amazon|Audible
Rating: 
Heat Level: 
I like the idea of a business that provides breakup services for their clients. Saves one from the messiness that comes with a breakup. Burned (Breaking Up, Reversing Nuptials & Evading Disasters) Inc operated by the heroine in partnership with her siblings provides this type of service. The idea for this business came about from growing up with parents who were in a toxic relationship. Of the three siblings, Zora is the peacemaker, which makes her perfect for carrying out her client’s needs.
Her latest assignment has her doing a breakup with the most gorgeous man she has ever seen. The situation became more complicated when he asks her to pretend to be his girlfriend for a work retreat. She should say no, he being her client’s ex. However, her attraction to Cyrus had her going against her better judgement and soon she is caught up in a messy web of deceit.
Despite the differences in their social status, Cyrus and Zora shared similarities in relation to vulnerabilities, insecurities and the need for acceptance. They were both strong and driven individuals who strove for excellence. The story portrayed Zora as a strong black woman comfortable with her size. Nevertheless, there were times when her insecurities regarding same would pop up. This usually happens during her interactions with Cyrus.
I loved how the story was delivered from the alternate POVs as I got to see the perspectives of the main characters. Also, their humorous and risqué internal dialogue enhanced my enjoyment of the story.
Phoenix McKay and Jeremy York narrated, and they delivered solid characters. I have listened to both narrators before, but this is the first time listening to them together. They complimented each other perfectly.
Overall, I had a good time with 🎧︎Heated, which delivered a smart, entertaining, and sexy story and a great start to this series. This is my first time reading Naima Simone’s work and I wouldn’t hesitate to read her again.
| Story Evaluation | |
|---|---|
| Plot | |
| Characters | |
| World Building | |
| Writing Style | |
| Pacing | |
| Cover | |
| Narrator (Audio) | |
| Enjoyment | |
| Ending | |
| Overall: | |
Hosted by:
About Naima Simone
Published since 2009, USA Today Bestselling author Naima Simone loves writing sizzling romances with heart, a touch of humor and snark. Her books have been featured in The Washington Post and Entertainment Weekly, and described as balancing “crackling, electric love scenes with exquisitely rendered characters caught in emotional turmoil.” She is wife to Superman, or his non-Kryptonian, less bullet proof equivalent, and mother to the most awesome kids ever. They all live in perfect, sometimes domestically-challenged bliss in the southern United States.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
