The Burning

Brightest Stars, Book 2

By: Anna Todd

Narrated by: Jamie Lincoln Smith, Lauren Ezzo

Twenty-year-old Karina is proud of the independent life she is trying to create for herself in Ft. Benning, Georgia. A dutiful officer’s daughter, supportive sister to a troubled twin brother, and caring friend to her roommate, Elodie, she always puts the needs of others ahead of her own, and prides herself on being a fixer of broken things―whether it’s the house she’s just bought or the fragmented family she works hard to keep intact.

Like anyone who has grown up around an army base, Karina also knows the background noise that follows men and women home from war. And when she meets Kael, a handsome soldier on the cusp of discharge, she’s immediately intrigued by his brooding presence and enigmatic silence. As their uncertain and unexpected friendship starts to turn into something more, Karina tries to piece together Kael’s story: he is emotionally closed off, recovering from wounds and other trauma in the aftermath of two tours in Afghanistan. In her practice as a physical therapist, Karina has a strong desire to help him heal, and though it challenges her many insecurities and anxieties, she has an equally strong desire to trust him. But that trust is fragile, like the preciousness of a soldier’s life. It can be gone in an instant. Ultimately facing a crossroads, their relationship will be tested by the one thing that Karina cannot accept, forgive, or understand.

©2023 Frayed Pages, Inc. (P)2022 Blackstone Publishing

Insecurities

I knew that something was going on and was waiting for it. I hope there is another book to follow.

Good story…meh reading

I got into the story which was good but the person reading for Kael sounds like he is much older than Karl’s character so it was a bit off putting.

Love the story

I can’t wait until the next book comes out. I did not care for the male narrator, it really changed the flow..he sounded too old for the character.

Better than the first book

I enjoyed the first book but this one left me on the edge of my seat. I can’t wait for the 3rd installment.

Just wow

I would love to see this develop into a series! I believe many army wives would really resonate with it, and it would be great to explore more stories. Thank you for considering it!