Ignite (Ignite #1) by Lily Paradis Review!

After her father’s untimely demise in a mining accident and her mother’s abandonment, Lauren Lindsay is no stranger to loss. She’s used to living life for one person: herself. That is, until another family tragedy thrusts three children into her care and uproots her life in ways she could never imagine.

Lauren's first instinct is to run, until she meets their striking, mysterious neighbor Dean Powell. Their immediate chemistry and his connection with her late father just might be enough to keep her in town long enough to uncover pieces of her past that she never had answers to. Dean’s shady past and her reluctance to trust him could cost her the life she's always been searching for, but will she run back to her old life?

Or will she choose to stay and live the life her father always imagined for her?

    Ignite is a new adult contemporary book that took me by surprise. I had no idea what to expect when going into it and I was shocked at how different it was from other books that I have read before. We are thrown into this book with little knowledge of what's going on. I've never read a book where we know practically nothing about the main characters and I liked it. I like that we learn a little more about everyone as we go along. It helps me understand all of the characters better, and it's a unique way of telling us about them. The little knowledge we are given about Lauren from the beginning raises a lot of questions about her past and it really captures your attention. This book was just magical. Ignite took root in my heart and never let go even after the end. Lord, my heart was put on a roller-coaster with this book. There was so much pain and so many plot twists in this book that I was left a little numb after the book ended. However, I loved the story anyway. Books like Ignite that make me feel so much leave an impression on me.   

    I loved so many things about this book. For example, the mystery of both Lauren and Dean. Dean Powell is as mysterious as Lauren's past and as the story goes on we are given new bits of information about them both. I love the story of a 21 year old trying to make her way through life but also having to raise three step-siblings while struggling with her feelings for Dean, who seems like a player. I instantly connected with Lauren. Something about her made me instantly love her. My heart just went out to her. I soon realized after a few chapters into Ignite that Dean and Lauren were perfect for each other. They made me believe in fairytale endings. Dean was so sweet and caring that I just wanted to steal him away. Their love was so precious that it melted my heart. Also, another aspect of the book that really captured my attention was Lauren’s father. He plays a huge role in the book, even though he wasn’t actually there. I was really intrigued at his knack for just knowing things. Honestly in that scene where Dean and Lauren put their letters from her father together... It gave me chills. Seriously. You will just have to read the book and see what I am talking about because it’s amazing. I was left with questions, that's for sure, but I think the answers will come with the next book...I hope so anyway, because I'm DYING to know what Dean dropped in that mine. UGH.

    I loved this story with all my heart. I loved that we got little details about Lauren and Dean along the way, and that ending just melted my heart. I cannot wait to read Dean's side of the story. The fact that Ignite is Lily's debut novel astounds me because this book is golden in my opinion. Lily is kind of an inspiration to me now because she proves that even younger people can write amazing things. I loved the twist and turns, I loved the slow burning love between Lauren and Dean, I loved the drama, I loved Lauren's determination to help her step-family, and I loved the story as a whole. I couldn't put the book down. I rarely stay up to read a book unless it has truly captivates me, and I stayed up until 3 AM to read this book. I had a college class at 9 AM the next morning and even though I knew I was going to be screaming for sleep later, I couldn’t say I regretted staying up to finish it. This contemporary has climbed its way into my favorites list for sure. I cannot wait to see what else Lily has in store for us. Also, is anyone else DYING over that book cover? It's gorgeous! If I were to judge books by their covers I would instantly pick this one. Anyway, this book totally gets five out of five stars from me.