Burn Me Once is written by Clare Connelly and is part of Mills and Boon's Dare series. Set in New York Ally Douglas made a deal with Ethan Ash the famous rock star: "you, me, Sex. It's easy". Both of them are open to a no strings sexual relationship as they have both been burnt and hurt in the past. Only he changes his mind about the no strings, it's of hot sex rule as he wants more!

This novel is the first person. Ally narrates most of the book whilst sometimes it is written from Ethan's perspective/voice. There is a lot of chemistry between the characters and the storyline is good, I just don't particularly enjoy books written in the first person whatever the genre.


I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for an honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley

This is not my first book by Clare Connelly and I really enjoy the authors writing. Which is high praise for a non-fan of first person.
The story is fast paced and scorchingly hot! I loved the chemistry between Ally and Ethan. I was expecting more from the plot, especially around Ethan's ex, but I still thought this was a great read. Enjoyable!

This is the first book by this author that I've read and it definitely won't be the last. I really enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down. The chemistry between the characters is definitely hot and steamy. I just fell in love with the characters from the beginning. This is a lovely romantic gripping story you won't want to put it down till you've finished. I can't wait to read more from this author in the future.



Highly recommended

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book

Gosh, this was a hot romance. Likeable and believable characters and an authentic development arc meant I couldn't put this book down - read in one sitting on a rare day off (and to heck with the housework).
Thank you to Mills & Boon Insiders and NetGalley for a copy of this book.

“We are dynamite and flame. On our own, innocuous enough. But together…?”

Sparks fly when rock star Ethan Ash meets art buyer Ally Douglas in a New York bar. Both have been hurt by the abrupt end of serious relationships, and neither wants to risk getting hurt again, but one night of passion, and a plan for a no strings attached affair soon develops into something stronger than either of them could imagine.
In Ally and Ethan, Clare Connelly has created two believable characters who are practically perfect for each other, but have issues with trust and commitment due to past events. The chemistry between the two is excellent from the first meeting, and what follows is in no way forced as a plot device to make the story work. Indeed, the vulnerabilities of both lead characters are a potential obstacle to the idea of happy ever after, and so, the two make a pact that there will be no commitment, no sending flowers, no dating, and no staying overnight, just a giving in to desire and enjoying it while it lasts until Ethan leaves town.
Told in two first person narratives, the story comes to life as we learn why Ethan and Ally are damaged by their pasts, and we see first hand how difficult it may be for them to change their mind about not committing to a serious relationship with each other. Given that the characters are telling the story, the reader really gets under the skin of the two protagonists, and, as a reader, you really do care what happens to Ally and Ethan as the story progresses.
Clare Connelly has a genuine talent for creating vulnerable characters who the reader can relate to (I very much recommend reading her previous Dare book ’Off Limits’ for this reason), and her style of writing is enjoyable; the lead characters may be vulnerable, but they are also genuine, warm, somewhat serious, and at times funny, and the book works so well as a result. Damaged they may be, but you really do believe in Ally and Ethan and what they could have if they choose to look beyond their no strings arrangement. Without spoiling the story, Ethan’s big speech in the last chapter carries a quite emotional punch, and is very fitting in the context of Ethan and Ally’s relationship.
As with the author’s previous Dare book, the story opens with a verse of a poem, but the resonance of these words does not become apparent until later in the book. As in ‘Off Limits’, I find this to be an interesting little quirk to the story as it is not obvious how the words relate to the plot at first, but becomes a fitting introduction to the story once the connection is made.
An enjoyable, escapist read with memorable characters, ‘Burn Me Once’ is a lovely story about overcoming past hurt and finding love when you least expect it.

Hot hot hot!!!
Phew that was so good!
The quality of Mills and Boon never disappoints and the Dare series just raises the enjoyment.

A short read but I did enjoy.

Ethan is a famous singer, just found out his ex is engaged to someone else, so he is in the bar looking for some fun. He meets Ally and she agrees to some no strings fun. It might start out that way but can they help falling for each other.

No review was posted publicly on Amazon, Twitter or Goodreads for this title, unfortunately I never got round to finishing it, and feel it would be best to just remove it from my Negalley shelf without a review.

Far, far too much internal monologue, the lack of any real verbal communication between them a lot of the time meant I felt zero connection or real chemistry building between them as well. The constant references to exes throughout as well meant I didn't really buy into the depth of feelings supposedly growing either.