Burning Ivy by Brandy Hynes – Book Review

Synopsis

Ivanna “Ivy” Kingston is twenty‑two when she learns a massive inheritance awaits her, but only if she’s married by her twenty‑third birthday. With time running out, Ivy has zero prospects until Gavin Wells steps in with an irresistible proposal: marry him, secure her fortune, and each gain something they desperately need.

My Thoughts

Ivy and Wells’s agreement hits all the marriage‑of‑convenience beats, but Brandy Hynes layers in secrets that flip the story on its head. At first the pace felt deliberate—about half the book builds character and world—but that setup makes the second half utterly gripping. Threads that seemed small early on knot together into heart‑pounding suspense as loyalties are tested and hidden alliances emerge.

I loved how Ivy finds a found family in Wells’s circle, Liam, Ty, and Gage each carve out their own place in her life before the real danger hits. Ivy stands up for herself more than once, proving she’s far more than just an inheritance heiress. By the end, I was cheering for her independence and determined to see what comes next in this four‑book ride.

Huge thanks to Brandy Hynes and Valentine PR for sending me a copy of Burning Ivy.

“I’m not one to settle. If I can’t have the blaze I desire, I’d rather celebrate a life of ashes than fool myself into believing the warmth of an ember is enough.”

The Vibes It Brings:

📝 Marriage of Convenience 
🌑 Dark Romance 
🏠 Found Family 
💘 He Falls First (Wells’s obsession grows early) 
🤐 Secrets Revealed (twists hit hard around two‑thirds in) 
🔫 Mafia/Secret Society stakes 
🕵️‍♂️ Romantic Suspense with high‑stakes action 

Narration

On audio, Mollie Stark and Sean Masters deliver a standout duet. Sean switches seamlessly between Wells, Liam, Ty, and Gage, giving each man a distinct voice. Mollie channels Ivy’s determination and vulnerability so vividly you feel every high‑stakes moment. Their chemistry makes the push‑and‑pull tension even more electric. I love Duet narration!

Final Thoughts

Burning Ivy asks you to trust its slow burn, and once the pieces click, you won’t want to breathe until the last page. If you crave dark intrigue, found family dynamics, and a heroine who proves she’s never to be underestimated, dive into this series opener, and buckle up for the ride.

Add to TBR on Goodreads

📚 Add Burning Ivy to My TBR on Goodreads

Connect with Brandy Hynes

✍️ Brandy Hynes writes steamy, suspenseful dark romance featuring irresistible, morally gray heroes and sassy heroines who make them melt. Chaos ensues, but her antiheroes and fierce leading ladies claw through the rubble to reach a happily ever after.

☀️ She lives where the sun always shines with her family—her greatest treasure—and believes the brightest blooms often grow in darkness. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find her lost in a book or lounging poolside with friends.

🌐 Official Website
🛒 Amazon Author Page
📖 Goodreads
📘 Facebook Author Page
👥 Facebook Reader Group
📸 Instagram
🎵 TikTok

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Here are my reviews of the other books in the Kort Series:

Carving Graves – Audiobook Review

Tracing Scars by Brandy Hynes – Audiobook Review

Charring Bones by Brandy Hynes – Audiobook Review