A Hearts On Fire Review

Like sarcasm?

You're going to need a heavy appreciation for it to like Connie Bailey's "Until It's Time Go". When the characters are slinging insults like popping tic-tacs, it made my sarcasm loving soul delight with glee. But the story while having some funny parts and showed great depth to familial bonds (Isaac-Janelle-Laith), it was not a solid, smooth ride.

And I usually like to have the bad news first, some I'm going to hit upon the story's biggest sore point since it was in the beginning. The prologue. Whoo boy...it's enough to turn readers away from hanging on to this sucker. It's weird, emotionless and not needed for the story. Every character introduced in this extended prologue (except for Laith and Punkin) served no purpose to get the story across. In fact, it made Isaac seem like an uncaring fiancee and I didn't buy his grief until further into the story. The prologue was so bad it's negative stars territory.

I actually was sold from the prologue that the rest of this story will be in the 'not-so-hot' level. But Isaac and his grumpy, drunk self...he and his pet cat(Punkin) were endearing. It took awhile to warm up to him and get his standoffish tendencies as grief and damage. And him changing from recluse to family man with a used, semi-working heart? It was pretty good. I adored Laith, Isaac's smart mouthed godson. And I pretty much figured out the secret of Laith's paternity from the jump.

And as for Isaac having a second chance at love? I'm all for it, ten years was ample time to grieve (not saying there is a precise time limit but this man didn't need to wallow anymore) But the romance aspect of this story, it left more to be desired. It too felt unemotional like that stale prologue. But it had perked up as the story progressed. Wasn't an epic love but it was some fashion of a romance nonetheless between Isaac and Colby. (Yes, another case of insta-love, so beware)

Colby, the former child star turned emancipated pill popping actor du jour, I guess I liked him in the end. Here's the thing. He, like Isaac and his 'relationship', it is the sort of thing you have to close one eye, squint the other, turn your head to the side, slowly tilt and look hard to find the redeeming quality everyone else seems to get but you're just not there yet. You know those types? No? Well bully for you. I had my 'aha, you're only slightly assholish' moment pretty late in the game for Colby and his...'relationship'.

The best parts of this story: the banter between Isaac and pretty much anyone AFTER the prologue. The man is all piss and vinegar...me like. Also Laith and Isaac's relationship, they were really good teaching points for one another. And Punkin aka Creature the cat...be prepared to love the cat and maybe get a little emotional for him (just a warning) Also Janelle was an awesome best friend, for real.

See when the story is on, it's good possibly great. But when it wasn't, man, was it flat.

The epilogue was nice but um, Colby and Isaac, they weren't exactly all fluff and roses. The epilogue was way better than that boring start but also not as necessary.

So if you give this story a try, do try not to be discouraged by the prologue. It might seem to be a drag but the rest of the story's okay." ( )