Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:  Walker’s Flame

AUTHOR:  I.M. Flippy

SERIES:  L.A. Fire #1

PUBLISHER:  Self-Published

LENGTH:  210 pages

RELEASE DATE:  January 29, 2021

BLURB:

Walker Grace and I used to be best friends, having co-starred together on a hit TV show for almost a decade.

But when Walker came out of the closet and it wrecked his career, he drifted away just when he needed me most.

Now Walker’s got another chance at the spotlight, and the two of us have a second chance at repairing what was broken.

As the stars of LEO TV’s new firefighter drama, L.A. Fire, we’ll be back together on screen, and maybe best buddies once again.

I just have to pretend that I haven’t been in love with Walker Grace since the day I first met him.

Good thing I can act.

REVIEW:

Walker’s Flame is a special story about the rekindling of an old friendship and it’s progression to love. This book embodies everything I love about friends-to-lovers stories. Josh and Walker were the best of friends for nearly a decade during their formative new-adult years, then lost touch. Once they are in proximity of one another again, their friendship renews – shakily at first – as they navigate the reasons for the separation, their concerns over whether they can jump right back to where they were, and wondering if the other man has any romantic interest. In addition to the friends-to-lovers trope, I love the unresolved sexual tension and the sloooow burn. The very slow burn. Mega delicious, swoony slow burn. I.M. Flippy had me feeling such strong emotions. I adore this book.

Once upon a time, they were the legendary Walter Grace and Josh Patrick, best friends and co-stars of television’s Tanner’s Rules for eight years, from their late teens to their mid/late twenties. Josh, who had previously been outed, harbored a crush on Walker, whom he thought was straight. After the show wrapped, Walker went on to pursue a film career. For the sake of a boyfriend he decided to publicly come out of the closet, but he was crucified by the media. He lost two new movie projects and his career blew up – and not in the good way. Even though Josh was the one person he could rely on to be supportive, Walker cut off all communication between them.

Now, four years later, they’re together again, headlining the cast of a new TV show, L.A. Fire, in which they play sexy firefighters. Two questions run on a loop in Josh’s head: “What happened to us?” and “Why didn’t you let me be there for you?” but he’s afraid to directly ask Walker. The intimacy they reestablish as friends – the playfulness, the frequent platonic touches, the innate understanding of each other, the love – is palpable and touched my soul the same as it would in a romantic relationship. And of course, that’s what it develops into.

The book is told through dual, first person perspectives, including a few flashback episodes looking back on the Tanner’s Rules days. They provide context for Walker and Josh’s friendship; it’s sweet to see their blossoming feelings for one another. Their first lovemaking scene is the perfect blend of sweet, sexy, and emotional. Oh, so emotional.

“Always been like this,” Josh whispered. He twisted his head to look up at me. “I’ve always wanted you. Just waiting for you to figure it out. Took you long enough.”

There are some moments of fear, heart-in-your-throat type fear, too, and my eyes leaked.

There’s a solid group of secondary characters mainly comprised of cast and crew from L.A. Fire. Co-star Michael is one I suspect will be featured in his own novel. Walker’s parents are lovely and supportive of both Walker and Josh. The award for best performance, however goes to Igor, the bumbling and amusing paparazzo.

I love these guys and hope you do, too. The only bad thing about this book? I’m finished it. You’ve set a high bar for the rest of the L.A. Fire series, Ms. Flippy. I can’t wait.

RATING: 

BUY LINK: 

Amazon