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Ice #5
Fire and Ice
Broken-hearted, brainy beauty Jilly Lovitz takes off for Tokyo. She's expecting to cry on her sister Summer's shoulder, but instead she's snatched away on the back of a motorcycle, narrowly avoiding a grisly execution attempt meant for her sister and brother-in-law. Her rescuer is Reno, tattooed Yakuza punk & secret agent.
379 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
81 people are currently reading
1,653 people want to read
About the author
Anne Stuart
225books2,056followersAnne Stuart is a grandmaster of the genre, winner of Romance Writers of America's prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, survivor of more than thirty-five years in the romance business, and still just keeps getting better.
Her first novel was Barrett's Hill, a gothic romance published by Ballantine in 1974 when Anne had just turned 25. Since then she's written more gothics, regencies, romantic suspense, romantic adventure, series romance, suspense, historical romance, paranormal and mainstream contemporary romance for publishers such as Doubleday, Harlequin, Silhouette, Avon, Zebra, St. Martins Press, Berkley, Dell, Pocket Books and Fawcett.
She’s won numerous awards, appeared on most bestseller lists, and speaks all over the country. Her general outrageousness has gotten her on Entertainment Tonight, as well as in Vogue, People, USA Today, Women’s Day and countless other national newspapers and magazines.
When she’s not traveling, she’s at home in Northern Vermont with her luscious husband of thirty-six years, an empty nest, three cats, four sewing machines, and one Springer Spaniel, and when she’s not working she’s watching movies, listening to rock and roll (preferably Japanese) and spending far too much time quilting.
Anne Stuart also writes as Kristina Douglas.
Her first novel was Barrett's Hill, a gothic romance published by Ballantine in 1974 when Anne had just turned 25. Since then she's written more gothics, regencies, romantic suspense, romantic adventure, series romance, suspense, historical romance, paranormal and mainstream contemporary romance for publishers such as Doubleday, Harlequin, Silhouette, Avon, Zebra, St. Martins Press, Berkley, Dell, Pocket Books and Fawcett.
She’s won numerous awards, appeared on most bestseller lists, and speaks all over the country. Her general outrageousness has gotten her on Entertainment Tonight, as well as in Vogue, People, USA Today, Women’s Day and countless other national newspapers and magazines.
When she’s not traveling, she’s at home in Northern Vermont with her luscious husband of thirty-six years, an empty nest, three cats, four sewing machines, and one Springer Spaniel, and when she’s not working she’s watching movies, listening to rock and roll (preferably Japanese) and spending far too much time quilting.
Anne Stuart also writes as Kristina Douglas.
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May 25, 2015
I finally finished my reread. It was taking too long! I'm glad I finally just gave in just read this straight through the past couple of days. I alternated between the Kindle version and my paperback, which is a little more beat up than it was when I started. Purses are not the best habitat for books, but what can a bookworm do?
My thoughts this time around:
*Reno, you are such a brat, and how I love you. You sexy thang! Why did it take you so long to admit you were crazy about Jilly. You were a goner from the beginning. I wish you could have refrained from putting your big cowboy boots in your mouth so much because you were trying to push her away.
*This book is really kind of chaotic at times. It's okay though. I liked the wild pace and the energy. It felt like an Ice book, but on speed.
*Jilly sure did have a potty mouth. I think it's a function of her age and trying to put on armor against the world. Her mother is an idiot, and her father is barely around. Other than her older sister, Summer, she practically raised herself.
*I thought the fist fight between Reno and Taka was hilarious. They really did act like family. It was funny how even Reno was scared of Taka. Taka is pretty scary, except maybe to Summer.
*I haven't had the pleasure of visiting Tokyo, but this book makes me feel like I did.
*I loved this book just as much. A wild, crazy love story. Complete escapism, with two people who are young, gorgeous, and in love. Sometimes that's exactly what I need to read.
Reno
Rain is definitely my Reno. He doesn't have the waist-length red hair, but it's not much of a stretch to see him with that look. Here's a picture of him after he cuts his hair and dyes it black.
Jilly
Romola Garai definitely reminds me of Jilly. In the book, she has brown eyes, but otherwise, she pulls of the rebellious, but innocent, and highly cerebral persona of Jilly very well.
Reno is a lethal weapon, I decided he would be a sai. Technically sais aren't sharp except on the tip. They are mostly a defensive weapon, but a sai is a nasty weapon in the right hands. Reno plays like he's feckless, but he's just as lethal as the other men of the Committee, and he's also Yakuza, which is a double whammy.
I needed this book right now!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Original Review
I loved this book. I know a huge part of it was the Japanese hero. What can I say? I absoutely adore Asian men, and Reno is such a interesting guy. He's not a nice guy, but boy is he sexy and in the heart he is a decent human being. He is one reluctant to fall in love hero, but deep down I think he fell for Jilly at first sight. He makes her pay for loving her though.
This book is action-packed and you don't get much down time. But it added to the almost Bonnie and Clyde appeal (without the overt criminal elements).
Boy the sex scenes are probably the steamiest I've read in an Anne Stuart. You really get the tension and the fire between Reno and Jilly. Jilly has no ability to resist Reno, and she knows it. Heck, I'm not sure I'd do better resisting him. I'm still trying to figure out Jilly's failed sexual experience. I'm scratching my head over that one.
For some reason I wasn't digging Reno's red hair. That bothered me a lot. I could deal with the tattoos, which has shown how I've changed in the years. But the red hair just didn't sound attractive to me. Probably because I love the glossy black hair of Asian men. Yum!
I have a secret fascination with the Japanese Yakuza, which was delightfully indulged somewhat with this book. I loved the tidbits about Japan that Stuart throws in. Not like a person who researched Japan, but truly loves the city and its inhabitants. This book made me want to jump on a plane and go to the country.
I was a bit worried about Jilly being so young, but it really didn't ruin the book for me. I think the way Stuart dealt with her young age was appropriate. She wasn't always certain and didn't always react the right way to situations, but who does at the age of 20. Reno also shows that he is a twentysomething and somewhat rebellious type, and so his actions were fitting.
I love the Ice series, although they definitely go there for romances. This book is no different. I think this one is my favorite because Reno is not as machine-like and completely apathetic about morality as the other heroes were (Don't get me wrong, I still love Bastian, Peter, Taka, and Killian for all their ruthless killerness). In fact, Reno has to work hard not to feel anything, particularly for Jilly. It's clear early on that Jilly is his Achilles' heel, although he makes her believe he can't stand her. If you're looking for a nice little romance with normal people who always do the right thing, and no body count, don't read this book. If you want an adrenaline ride with two characters who passionately love each other, even though they know it's folly, I think you will love this book. I adore Anne Stuart, so I was along for the ride. I thought the frenetic, intense, crazy adventurous theme of the book juxtaposed with glimpses into Japanese culture were thoroughly enjoyable. The book even ends with a wild climax that makes you wonder what these two will be up to in the future, but you don't doubt for a second that they will stay together because they are soulmates.
My thoughts this time around:
*Reno, you are such a brat, and how I love you. You sexy thang! Why did it take you so long to admit you were crazy about Jilly. You were a goner from the beginning. I wish you could have refrained from putting your big cowboy boots in your mouth so much because you were trying to push her away.
*This book is really kind of chaotic at times. It's okay though. I liked the wild pace and the energy. It felt like an Ice book, but on speed.
*Jilly sure did have a potty mouth. I think it's a function of her age and trying to put on armor against the world. Her mother is an idiot, and her father is barely around. Other than her older sister, Summer, she practically raised herself.
*I thought the fist fight between Reno and Taka was hilarious. They really did act like family. It was funny how even Reno was scared of Taka. Taka is pretty scary, except maybe to Summer.
*I haven't had the pleasure of visiting Tokyo, but this book makes me feel like I did.
*I loved this book just as much. A wild, crazy love story. Complete escapism, with two people who are young, gorgeous, and in love. Sometimes that's exactly what I need to read.
Reno
Rain is definitely my Reno. He doesn't have the waist-length red hair, but it's not much of a stretch to see him with that look. Here's a picture of him after he cuts his hair and dyes it black.
Jilly
Romola Garai definitely reminds me of Jilly. In the book, she has brown eyes, but otherwise, she pulls of the rebellious, but innocent, and highly cerebral persona of Jilly very well.
Reno is a lethal weapon, I decided he would be a sai. Technically sais aren't sharp except on the tip. They are mostly a defensive weapon, but a sai is a nasty weapon in the right hands. Reno plays like he's feckless, but he's just as lethal as the other men of the Committee, and he's also Yakuza, which is a double whammy.
I needed this book right now!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Original Review
I loved this book. I know a huge part of it was the Japanese hero. What can I say? I absoutely adore Asian men, and Reno is such a interesting guy. He's not a nice guy, but boy is he sexy and in the heart he is a decent human being. He is one reluctant to fall in love hero, but deep down I think he fell for Jilly at first sight. He makes her pay for loving her though.
This book is action-packed and you don't get much down time. But it added to the almost Bonnie and Clyde appeal (without the overt criminal elements).
Boy the sex scenes are probably the steamiest I've read in an Anne Stuart. You really get the tension and the fire between Reno and Jilly. Jilly has no ability to resist Reno, and she knows it. Heck, I'm not sure I'd do better resisting him. I'm still trying to figure out Jilly's failed sexual experience. I'm scratching my head over that one.
For some reason I wasn't digging Reno's red hair. That bothered me a lot. I could deal with the tattoos, which has shown how I've changed in the years. But the red hair just didn't sound attractive to me. Probably because I love the glossy black hair of Asian men. Yum!
I have a secret fascination with the Japanese Yakuza, which was delightfully indulged somewhat with this book. I loved the tidbits about Japan that Stuart throws in. Not like a person who researched Japan, but truly loves the city and its inhabitants. This book made me want to jump on a plane and go to the country.
I was a bit worried about Jilly being so young, but it really didn't ruin the book for me. I think the way Stuart dealt with her young age was appropriate. She wasn't always certain and didn't always react the right way to situations, but who does at the age of 20. Reno also shows that he is a twentysomething and somewhat rebellious type, and so his actions were fitting.
I love the Ice series, although they definitely go there for romances. This book is no different. I think this one is my favorite because Reno is not as machine-like and completely apathetic about morality as the other heroes were (Don't get me wrong, I still love Bastian, Peter, Taka, and Killian for all their ruthless killerness). In fact, Reno has to work hard not to feel anything, particularly for Jilly. It's clear early on that Jilly is his Achilles' heel, although he makes her believe he can't stand her. If you're looking for a nice little romance with normal people who always do the right thing, and no body count, don't read this book. If you want an adrenaline ride with two characters who passionately love each other, even though they know it's folly, I think you will love this book. I adore Anne Stuart, so I was along for the ride. I thought the frenetic, intense, crazy adventurous theme of the book juxtaposed with glimpses into Japanese culture were thoroughly enjoyable. The book even ends with a wild climax that makes you wonder what these two will be up to in the future, but you don't doubt for a second that they will stay together because they are soulmates.
September 7, 2016
4.25/5
Anne Stuart delivers another winner with Fire and Ice, the fifth installment in Ice series!
This was such an engaging read, a great mix of suspense, action, and romance. I found myself unable to stop turning page after page in anticipation of what would happen next. This is Anne Stuart’s book, of course, I expected plenty of nail-biting and heart-pounding moments, and I can tell you what I got was totally off the charts! I could barely catch my breath with excitement throughout the entire read.
In this book, we meet Reno or Hiromasa Shinoda, Taka’s cousin, a real bad boy, a punk black sheep of the family, and Jillian Lovitz, a genius virgin girl who has had a crush on Reno since they first met two years ago.
Jilly flew from USA to Japan to make a surprise visit to Summer, her sister, and Taka, her brother-in-law. But she didn’t know that both of them were hiding from the Russians in the mountains. She didn’t know that she was going to get herself into serious danger because the Russians mercenaries wanted to kidnap her and use her to get Taka out of hiding.
When Reno knew that Jilly was in danger, he considered her his responsibility to keep her safe and send her back home. He tried to tell himself that the reason he had to protect her because she is Summer’s sister and that made her belong to the family. It really had nothing to do with the fact that she is the only woman whom he couldn’t get out of his mind all these two years.
As they were on the run from the assassins, Reno found that with each passing hour spent in her company, it became more and more difficult to keep his hands off her. How could he keep his word to his cousin and his sister-in-law that he would stay away from Jilly and he would never ever touch her no matter what? But when the bad guys took her hostage, he knew he would rip out the heart of whoever dared touch his woman. He was more than ready to protect her with his life.
By the way, I really did enjoy reading this book. It was an action-packed, suspenseful, thrilling, and fast-paced read. Another great addition to the series. Romantic suspense fans shouldn’t miss this one.
**This book can be read as a standalone but I personally recommend reading this series in publication order.
Anne Stuart delivers another winner with Fire and Ice, the fifth installment in Ice series!
This was such an engaging read, a great mix of suspense, action, and romance. I found myself unable to stop turning page after page in anticipation of what would happen next. This is Anne Stuart’s book, of course, I expected plenty of nail-biting and heart-pounding moments, and I can tell you what I got was totally off the charts! I could barely catch my breath with excitement throughout the entire read.
In this book, we meet Reno or Hiromasa Shinoda, Taka’s cousin, a real bad boy, a punk black sheep of the family, and Jillian Lovitz, a genius virgin girl who has had a crush on Reno since they first met two years ago.
Jilly flew from USA to Japan to make a surprise visit to Summer, her sister, and Taka, her brother-in-law. But she didn’t know that both of them were hiding from the Russians in the mountains. She didn’t know that she was going to get herself into serious danger because the Russians mercenaries wanted to kidnap her and use her to get Taka out of hiding.
When Reno knew that Jilly was in danger, he considered her his responsibility to keep her safe and send her back home. He tried to tell himself that the reason he had to protect her because she is Summer’s sister and that made her belong to the family. It really had nothing to do with the fact that she is the only woman whom he couldn’t get out of his mind all these two years.
As they were on the run from the assassins, Reno found that with each passing hour spent in her company, it became more and more difficult to keep his hands off her. How could he keep his word to his cousin and his sister-in-law that he would stay away from Jilly and he would never ever touch her no matter what? But when the bad guys took her hostage, he knew he would rip out the heart of whoever dared touch his woman. He was more than ready to protect her with his life.
By the way, I really did enjoy reading this book. It was an action-packed, suspenseful, thrilling, and fast-paced read. Another great addition to the series. Romantic suspense fans shouldn’t miss this one.
**This book can be read as a standalone but I personally recommend reading this series in publication order.
March 4, 2017
This is the 5th book in the Ice Series by Anne Stuart, one of my favorite romance/suspense authors and it’s all about Reno, Takashi O’Brien’s younger Japanese punk cousin, first introduced in Ice Blue. I fell in love with his character right then and even more so in Ice Storm and hoped that we would have his own story one day. And yes,
He’s the total opposite to the other heroes in this series � he’s young, video-games crazy, tattooed, with waist-length bright red hair, teardrops tattooed on his cheeks …leather and kick-ass boots�..Wow�.how can any woman resist this man!!!!!
Certainly not Jilly Lovitz, Takashi’s wife’s brainy younger sister , who after meeting him albeit briefly in previous books, has been totally enthralled and has since had a total crush on Reno.
Reno is now working for the Committee…well if you haven’t read the previous books and want to know more what it is…yes yes it’s of course a secret, very secret spy agency�.you can check out my reviews on the series here:
I wasn’t sure about this story as it’s quite different from the previous books � it doesn’t really deal with the Committee and the agents � there’s a short appearance by Peter Marsden and Takashi but it’s really Reno & Jilly’s story and the action takes place in Japan, Reno’s home country.
Reno discovers that Jilly will be arriving in Tokyo on a surprise visit to her sister Summer and husband Takashi and is unaware that they are in hiding due to threats being made to the Committee agents. He immediately goes to her rescue, naturally. He has always been holding a candle to her since their first meeting and though his cousin has been keeping Jilly and him apart, he has been unable to forget her.
From the first moment we arrive in Tokyo - Wow, do we go on an incredible rollercoaster ride with Reno & Jilly. Filled with action, murder, deceit, love…chased by Russian gangs, the Yakuza, car chases, motorbike chases�. IT’S SUCH AN ADRENALINE RUSH!!! But then what else would we expect from Reno!!!!
What I loved most about this book:
The Japan setting - It was well-researched and we get a glimpse of the life and customs of Japan.
Reno � the underlying vulnerability he shows as he opens up to his real feelings, his fear of commitment, his sense of family. The way he so caring and tender towards Jilly and how he doesn’t force himself despite the strong feelings he has for her and which he tries so hard to suppress and hide. I loved the other side of Reno � the Hiromasa Shinoda side. So much more than what we expected. A man of true honor.
Jilly � Okay, here’s the brainy young woman, right!!!! At times, I wondered how brainy because how she behaved in certain situations and how she handled her crush on Reno. But as I got to know her, I realized that she was quite young and had led a sheltered life, despite her fabulously dysfunctional mother and father. She had never been part of her sister’s life with Takashi and never seen violence or death and once faced with such, it obviously affected her really terribly. I adored the way Reno handled her reaction when faced with such dark and evil things she had never seen. A soft side, a protective side.
This was a really beautiful and sweet love story and I was really happy to see their HEA.
I loved this part in the book � I was absolutely certain these two would never have a dull moment in their lives TOGETHER.
“I don't suppose you love me,� she said. “Even a little bit?�
“Don't be an idiot, Ji-chan. Why else would I be here? Now, do you want to stay here or do you want to prove you're really crazy and come with me?�
“Will you grow your hair again?�
“If you want me to.�
“Then tell me.�
“You're not going to make this easy, are you? Su-chan warned me about you.�
“She warned me, too. Tell me.�
He let out a long-suffering sigh. “Aishiteru,� he muttered.
“In English.�
“I love you.�
She beamed at him. “I love you, too. Now, let's get the hell out of here.�
“Holy motherfucker, yes!� he said, relieved. And a moment later they were gone.
Can’t wait to read the next book, which is the last in this amazing, fabulous and so enjoyable series.
He’s the total opposite to the other heroes in this series � he’s young, video-games crazy, tattooed, with waist-length bright red hair, teardrops tattooed on his cheeks …leather and kick-ass boots�..Wow�.how can any woman resist this man!!!!!
Certainly not Jilly Lovitz, Takashi’s wife’s brainy younger sister , who after meeting him albeit briefly in previous books, has been totally enthralled and has since had a total crush on Reno.
Reno is now working for the Committee…well if you haven’t read the previous books and want to know more what it is…yes yes it’s of course a secret, very secret spy agency�.you can check out my reviews on the series here:
I wasn’t sure about this story as it’s quite different from the previous books � it doesn’t really deal with the Committee and the agents � there’s a short appearance by Peter Marsden and Takashi but it’s really Reno & Jilly’s story and the action takes place in Japan, Reno’s home country.
Reno discovers that Jilly will be arriving in Tokyo on a surprise visit to her sister Summer and husband Takashi and is unaware that they are in hiding due to threats being made to the Committee agents. He immediately goes to her rescue, naturally. He has always been holding a candle to her since their first meeting and though his cousin has been keeping Jilly and him apart, he has been unable to forget her.
From the first moment we arrive in Tokyo - Wow, do we go on an incredible rollercoaster ride with Reno & Jilly. Filled with action, murder, deceit, love…chased by Russian gangs, the Yakuza, car chases, motorbike chases�. IT’S SUCH AN ADRENALINE RUSH!!! But then what else would we expect from Reno!!!!
What I loved most about this book:
The Japan setting - It was well-researched and we get a glimpse of the life and customs of Japan.
Reno � the underlying vulnerability he shows as he opens up to his real feelings, his fear of commitment, his sense of family. The way he so caring and tender towards Jilly and how he doesn’t force himself despite the strong feelings he has for her and which he tries so hard to suppress and hide. I loved the other side of Reno � the Hiromasa Shinoda side. So much more than what we expected. A man of true honor.
Jilly � Okay, here’s the brainy young woman, right!!!! At times, I wondered how brainy because how she behaved in certain situations and how she handled her crush on Reno. But as I got to know her, I realized that she was quite young and had led a sheltered life, despite her fabulously dysfunctional mother and father. She had never been part of her sister’s life with Takashi and never seen violence or death and once faced with such, it obviously affected her really terribly. I adored the way Reno handled her reaction when faced with such dark and evil things she had never seen. A soft side, a protective side.
This was a really beautiful and sweet love story and I was really happy to see their HEA.
I loved this part in the book � I was absolutely certain these two would never have a dull moment in their lives TOGETHER.
“I don't suppose you love me,� she said. “Even a little bit?�
“Don't be an idiot, Ji-chan. Why else would I be here? Now, do you want to stay here or do you want to prove you're really crazy and come with me?�
“Will you grow your hair again?�
“If you want me to.�
“Then tell me.�
“You're not going to make this easy, are you? Su-chan warned me about you.�
“She warned me, too. Tell me.�
He let out a long-suffering sigh. “Aishiteru,� he muttered.
“In English.�
“I love you.�
She beamed at him. “I love you, too. Now, let's get the hell out of here.�
“Holy motherfucker, yes!� he said, relieved. And a moment later they were gone.
Can’t wait to read the next book, which is the last in this amazing, fabulous and so enjoyable series.
April 27, 2008
Whew! This one took my breath away--what a fast and exciting read with an explosive ending! I really enjoyed the characters of Reno and Jilly--they were magic! Lots of bickering, lots of denial of feelings in this one, but oh, when Jilly and Reno finally got together...perfection!
Jilly Lovitz is a 20 year old brainiac who's already working on her doctorate. Jilly's nearly six feet tall, and has always felt gawky and feels like she doesn't quite fit in. She has an embarassing first sexual encounter, and is so upset by it she leaves the country to seek comfort from her sister who is living in Japan. Unbeknownst to Jilly, her sister Summer, now married to Taka O'Brien ("Ice Blue") is in hiding with her husband from some Russian mobsters, and is not at her Tokyo house when Jilly arrives unexpectedly. But Taka's cousin Reno is. Reno is the sexy tattooed bad boy Jilly first met nearly two years ago and has been secretly fascinated with ever since she laid eyes on him. Luckily for Jilly, Reno is there to rescue her from the mobsters looking for Taka and Summer, and whisks her off on his motorcycle. That is just the beginning of what becomes non stop action while Jilly and Reno try to elude different bad guys that want them dead, including some underlings trying to take over his grandfather's mob business. Along the way they try to deny the red hot sexual attraction between them.
Reno has been warned by his cousin to stay away from Jilly, and he has every intention of doing so, but he can't seem to stop his intense feelings for her. He doesn't know what's wrong with him--he doesn't do love, doesn't believe in it, doesn't want it. If he can just get Jilly out of the country and back home, he could get on with his life. Or can he?
I loved watching Reno squirm as he came to terms with his feelings for Jilly. He was so cute, pretending to be this unfeeling tough guy yet having a heart like a marshmallow. He definitely was not like Anne Stuart's other heroes, who came off much tougher and nastier before the women they loved managed to tame them. And I liked Jilly too. For someone so book smart, she wasn't too quick to catch on about how Reno really felt about her. And when they finally got together it was red hot!
There were a few surprises along the way, especially about Reno's background, but only a few minor details about characters from the previous books. Since this is to be the last book in the 'Ice' series, I would have liked to see a little bit of a wrap up as to what the other characters of the series are up to. But other than that minor disappointment, I've got no complaints about this one! This was an exciting ending to the 'Ice' series!
Jilly Lovitz is a 20 year old brainiac who's already working on her doctorate. Jilly's nearly six feet tall, and has always felt gawky and feels like she doesn't quite fit in. She has an embarassing first sexual encounter, and is so upset by it she leaves the country to seek comfort from her sister who is living in Japan. Unbeknownst to Jilly, her sister Summer, now married to Taka O'Brien ("Ice Blue") is in hiding with her husband from some Russian mobsters, and is not at her Tokyo house when Jilly arrives unexpectedly. But Taka's cousin Reno is. Reno is the sexy tattooed bad boy Jilly first met nearly two years ago and has been secretly fascinated with ever since she laid eyes on him. Luckily for Jilly, Reno is there to rescue her from the mobsters looking for Taka and Summer, and whisks her off on his motorcycle. That is just the beginning of what becomes non stop action while Jilly and Reno try to elude different bad guys that want them dead, including some underlings trying to take over his grandfather's mob business. Along the way they try to deny the red hot sexual attraction between them.
Reno has been warned by his cousin to stay away from Jilly, and he has every intention of doing so, but he can't seem to stop his intense feelings for her. He doesn't know what's wrong with him--he doesn't do love, doesn't believe in it, doesn't want it. If he can just get Jilly out of the country and back home, he could get on with his life. Or can he?
I loved watching Reno squirm as he came to terms with his feelings for Jilly. He was so cute, pretending to be this unfeeling tough guy yet having a heart like a marshmallow. He definitely was not like Anne Stuart's other heroes, who came off much tougher and nastier before the women they loved managed to tame them. And I liked Jilly too. For someone so book smart, she wasn't too quick to catch on about how Reno really felt about her. And when they finally got together it was red hot!
There were a few surprises along the way, especially about Reno's background, but only a few minor details about characters from the previous books. Since this is to be the last book in the 'Ice' series, I would have liked to see a little bit of a wrap up as to what the other characters of the series are up to. But other than that minor disappointment, I've got no complaints about this one! This was an exciting ending to the 'Ice' series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2015
5 stars � Romantic Suspense
I’ve read/reviewed the previous four books in the ‘Ice� series, and just like those, “Fire and Ice� totally delivers on all counts for hot romantic suspense and is a gripping, action-packed, thrill-ride. Only this time around instead of fighting global terrorists bent on some master end-of-the-world plan, reluctant ‘Ice� hero and total bad boy Reno battles Russian mercenaries and Japanese yakuza in order to keep young and impetuous heroine Jilly alive.
It’s still got Stuart’s distinctive dark, gamma, anti-hero angst and the whole ‘will he bed and/or kill her thing� going like the other ‘Ice� books, but Reno in “Fire and Ice� is much nastier, a heck of a lot more fun, and actually has a sense of humor, usually unleashed on the heroine of course. Reno, with his waist long flame red hair, teardrop cheek tattoos, leather and dark sunglasses, is such an utterly fascinating and complex character, and he’s a truly unique romantic hero/anti-hero.
“Fire and Ice� is an exciting, funny, steamy, hold-on-to-the-edge-of-your-seat, and refreshing addition and ending to this riveting romantic suspense series. I would have preferred more inclusion of the previous ‘Ice� characters, more of a series wrap-up, and an epilogue would have been gravy, but other than that, it was a thrilling conclusion to the awesome ‘Ice� series...5 stars!
It’s really hard to decide because all of the ‘Ice� books are so darn good and I loved them pretty equally, plus, each of the gamma heroes are totally yummy in their own way, but after much debating; I think this is my preference order for the series:
1 � Book #4 “Ice Storm� (Mary/Madame Isobel Lambert and Killian/Serafin)
2 � Book #3 “Ice Blue� (Takashi O’Brien and Summer Hawthorne)
3 � Book #5 “Fire and Ice� (Reno and Jilly Lovitz)
4 � Book #2 “Cold as Ice� (Peter Jensen and Genevieve Spenser)
5 � Book #1 “Black Ice� (Bastien Toussaint and Chloe Underwood)
I’ve read/reviewed the previous four books in the ‘Ice� series, and just like those, “Fire and Ice� totally delivers on all counts for hot romantic suspense and is a gripping, action-packed, thrill-ride. Only this time around instead of fighting global terrorists bent on some master end-of-the-world plan, reluctant ‘Ice� hero and total bad boy Reno battles Russian mercenaries and Japanese yakuza in order to keep young and impetuous heroine Jilly alive.
It’s still got Stuart’s distinctive dark, gamma, anti-hero angst and the whole ‘will he bed and/or kill her thing� going like the other ‘Ice� books, but Reno in “Fire and Ice� is much nastier, a heck of a lot more fun, and actually has a sense of humor, usually unleashed on the heroine of course. Reno, with his waist long flame red hair, teardrop cheek tattoos, leather and dark sunglasses, is such an utterly fascinating and complex character, and he’s a truly unique romantic hero/anti-hero.
“Fire and Ice� is an exciting, funny, steamy, hold-on-to-the-edge-of-your-seat, and refreshing addition and ending to this riveting romantic suspense series. I would have preferred more inclusion of the previous ‘Ice� characters, more of a series wrap-up, and an epilogue would have been gravy, but other than that, it was a thrilling conclusion to the awesome ‘Ice� series...5 stars!
It’s really hard to decide because all of the ‘Ice� books are so darn good and I loved them pretty equally, plus, each of the gamma heroes are totally yummy in their own way, but after much debating; I think this is my preference order for the series:
1 � Book #4 “Ice Storm� (Mary/Madame Isobel Lambert and Killian/Serafin)
2 � Book #3 “Ice Blue� (Takashi O’Brien and Summer Hawthorne)
3 � Book #5 “Fire and Ice� (Reno and Jilly Lovitz)
4 � Book #2 “Cold as Ice� (Peter Jensen and Genevieve Spenser)
5 � Book #1 “Black Ice� (Bastien Toussaint and Chloe Underwood)
February 9, 2019
Δεύτερη ανάγνωση και μπορώ να πω πως το λάτρεψα ξανά!
(Η παρακάτω κριτική είναι από την πρώτη φορά που το διάβασα και δεν πρόκειται να την αλλάξω)
*
I wanted to read this book so much and I am glad I was disappointed! This story is a non-stop action with two of the most stubborn main characters ever! Actually, this is what makes the whole series amazing!
Reno and Jilly met each other a few years ago but for Reno is a definitely no-go-there area. Jilly is a smart young woman who was eighteen when she finished college but she has zero experience with the men. Reno is dangerous and mysterious. He doesn’t believe in love but when he met Jilly he knew that she was going to be trouble for him. So, when Jilly decides to visit he sister in Japan, she found herself in a very dangerous situation and the only man who can held her is Reno.
I liked Jilly a lot. She’s smart and very brave but she’s kind of awkward. Although, her IQ is pretty high, she wants to act like an ordinary twenty years old girl. It’s obvious that because she hadn’t been really loved by her parents (they spoiled her but they didn’t know how to love her) she needs to be loved and to love in return. She believes in HEA and although many times she wanted to punch Reno there was no doubt that she loved him from the beginning.
Same with Reno. No matter how he was acting, it was more than obvious that he loved her. The whole mysterious, womanizer, bad boy acting was an act. He wanted her and he didn’t want to admit it because he thought he would be a weak person. Nevertheless, he was always there for her and even when he made some stupid comments it was easy to see that he didn’t mean it!
I really liked this story very much and, although, I don’t know anything about Japan and the tradition there, I enjoyed it! I recommend it to all the fans of this genre!
(Η παρακάτω κριτική είναι από την πρώτη φορά που το διάβασα και δεν πρόκειται να την αλλάξω)
*
I wanted to read this book so much and I am glad I was disappointed! This story is a non-stop action with two of the most stubborn main characters ever! Actually, this is what makes the whole series amazing!
Reno and Jilly met each other a few years ago but for Reno is a definitely no-go-there area. Jilly is a smart young woman who was eighteen when she finished college but she has zero experience with the men. Reno is dangerous and mysterious. He doesn’t believe in love but when he met Jilly he knew that she was going to be trouble for him. So, when Jilly decides to visit he sister in Japan, she found herself in a very dangerous situation and the only man who can held her is Reno.
I liked Jilly a lot. She’s smart and very brave but she’s kind of awkward. Although, her IQ is pretty high, she wants to act like an ordinary twenty years old girl. It’s obvious that because she hadn’t been really loved by her parents (they spoiled her but they didn’t know how to love her) she needs to be loved and to love in return. She believes in HEA and although many times she wanted to punch Reno there was no doubt that she loved him from the beginning.
Same with Reno. No matter how he was acting, it was more than obvious that he loved her. The whole mysterious, womanizer, bad boy acting was an act. He wanted her and he didn’t want to admit it because he thought he would be a weak person. Nevertheless, he was always there for her and even when he made some stupid comments it was easy to see that he didn’t mean it!
I really liked this story very much and, although, I don’t know anything about Japan and the tradition there, I enjoyed it! I recommend it to all the fans of this genre!
August 2, 2008
Definitely, NOT a light, feel-good romance with wonderful characters and those "ahhh" moments. No way. It was, however, a good suspense with a touch of romance--at the very, very end.
As it typical with this series, the hero (Reno) was very mean to the heroine (Jilly). So, don't start reading this if are looking for a nice romance. There is a lot of action, killing, running, hiding and a lot of it takes place in Japan and focuses on the Yakuzza Crime Family, though the author admits--in her Acknowlegements--that she took liberties with The Family and it was primarily fiction.
Reno's cruel words were hard for me to take. His internal dialogue was the only thing that kept me reading this book. I liked Jilly's character. She was strong, smart and held herself together; she tried to give as good as she got, but she was not a mean-hearted person.
"Fire and Ice" was not really part of The Committee as Reno was focused primarily on his families problems. There was no "saving the world" theme here. Taka and Summer (from book #4) are in this one (briefly) as were a few others in the very beginning only.
In book #4 Jilly was 16 and this book takes place two years later and she's 20. No biggie, but I'm mentioning it in case anyone else notices the discrepancy. I think 20 was a better age for her and 4 years would have been too long a gap. So that was fine with This Reader.
As it typical with this series, the hero (Reno) was very mean to the heroine (Jilly). So, don't start reading this if are looking for a nice romance. There is a lot of action, killing, running, hiding and a lot of it takes place in Japan and focuses on the Yakuzza Crime Family, though the author admits--in her Acknowlegements--that she took liberties with The Family and it was primarily fiction.
Reno's cruel words were hard for me to take. His internal dialogue was the only thing that kept me reading this book. I liked Jilly's character. She was strong, smart and held herself together; she tried to give as good as she got, but she was not a mean-hearted person.
"Fire and Ice" was not really part of The Committee as Reno was focused primarily on his families problems. There was no "saving the world" theme here. Taka and Summer (from book #4) are in this one (briefly) as were a few others in the very beginning only.
In book #4 Jilly was 16 and this book takes place two years later and she's 20. No biggie, but I'm mentioning it in case anyone else notices the discrepancy. I think 20 was a better age for her and 4 years would have been too long a gap. So that was fine with This Reader.
March 7, 2015
5++++ stars
To steal a phrase from Reno:
Holy motherfucker!
That was good!
Meet Reno:
He's the Committee's newest recruit. While he's not as encased in Ice as his predecessors there's no doubt he's one ruthless badass mo-fo and while he's waiting around for his first official assignment and learning how to "blend-in" (or rather not learning - he's pretty attached to his flame red hair after all!) he's steadily working his way through the entire female population of London. He is NOT thinking about Jilly, the too-tall, semi-virginal gaijin sister of his cousin's wife, who is definitely NOT for him.
Absolutely not!
That is... he isn't until he finds out she's in danger. Quicker than you can say wasabi he's heading back to Japan - even though he's supposed to be taking a forced break from there - cursing her beautiful gaijin ass for deciding to spring a surprise visit on her sister and husband and then doing everything in his power to save it.
It's a wild ride and I loved every damn second of it. Given Reno's hotheaded sexiness, this story has a different feel to it compared to the previous books, but it's still made of awesome. Reno's attempts to keep Ji-chan at arm's length made me want to both smack him up the side the head and pinch his cheek for being so dang cute!! Yep, he's definitely been added to my (growing) collection of favorite Anne Stuart anti-heroes!!
To steal a phrase from Reno:
Holy motherfucker!
That was good!
Meet Reno:
He's the Committee's newest recruit. While he's not as encased in Ice as his predecessors there's no doubt he's one ruthless badass mo-fo and while he's waiting around for his first official assignment and learning how to "blend-in" (or rather not learning - he's pretty attached to his flame red hair after all!) he's steadily working his way through the entire female population of London. He is NOT thinking about Jilly, the too-tall, semi-virginal gaijin sister of his cousin's wife, who is definitely NOT for him.
Absolutely not!
That is... he isn't until he finds out she's in danger. Quicker than you can say wasabi he's heading back to Japan - even though he's supposed to be taking a forced break from there - cursing her beautiful gaijin ass for deciding to spring a surprise visit on her sister and husband and then doing everything in his power to save it.
It's a wild ride and I loved every damn second of it. Given Reno's hotheaded sexiness, this story has a different feel to it compared to the previous books, but it's still made of awesome. Reno's attempts to keep Ji-chan at arm's length made me want to both smack him up the side the head and pinch his cheek for being so dang cute!! Yep, he's definitely been added to my (growing) collection of favorite Anne Stuart anti-heroes!!
May 8, 2008
This book was excellent! Well worth the wait--as grueling as it was at times! It is such a fast read that you suddenly realize you’re more than half way through the book and the pages just keep flying by. It’s action packed with tons of sexual tension from the get-go right up to the end. There are lots of tear jerker emotional parts and the steamy scenes that come on quite suddenly have just the right amount of satisfying sizzle.
Jillian is a great heroine who can hold her own but she still shows enough vulnerability to let Reno come in and save the day. And Reno! What a hero! He tried so hard to be mean to her and push her way but in the end he couldn’t hack it and just had to give into his feelings. No one writes a bad boy like Anne Stuart and she’s done a fantastic job as usual with Reno.
This is the kind of book that once you start it’s virtually impossible to put down so my advice would be to start it in the morning so that you’re not reading until 3am!
Jillian is a great heroine who can hold her own but she still shows enough vulnerability to let Reno come in and save the day. And Reno! What a hero! He tried so hard to be mean to her and push her way but in the end he couldn’t hack it and just had to give into his feelings. No one writes a bad boy like Anne Stuart and she’s done a fantastic job as usual with Reno.
This is the kind of book that once you start it’s virtually impossible to put down so my advice would be to start it in the morning so that you’re not reading until 3am!
May 9, 2022
4 Opposites Attract Stars!
My series reread continues with Reno and Jilly.......
We were introduced to Hiromasa “Reno� Shinoda briefly at the end of and again as a new operative in . Reno is Taka’s long haired tattood cousin, a sort of black sheep in the family and Jillian “Jilly� Lovitz, who we also meet as Summer’s little sister in Blue Ice. She’s smart, like genius level smart and a college student who just happens to be crushing on Reno since briefly meeting him two years ago.
Jilly, needing to re-explore her college major from archeology to Japanese antiquities and artifacts decides to fly to Japan to visit her sister and brother-in-law....even though she hasn’t been able to reach them. Unbeknownst to Jilly both of them are hiding and now she’s gotten herself into serious trouble because the mercenaries out for Taka are targeting Jilly in an attempt to force Taka out of hiding.
When Reno learns from the committee, who he now works for, that Jilly is in danger, he considers it his responsibility, since she’s family in a round about way, to keep her safe and send her back home. At least that’s what he tries to tell himself, in reality he’s been unable to get her out of his mind since meeting her either.
Now their on the run from assassins and as the days pass, Reno’s finding it very difficult to keep his hands off her, but because a promise to Taka he’s trying desperately not to break his vow....and failing spectacularly.
Another action-packed, suspenseful, thrilling, and fast-paced read. A fantastic addition to the series.
*Originally read Sept 2011
My series reread continues with Reno and Jilly.......
We were introduced to Hiromasa “Reno� Shinoda briefly at the end of and again as a new operative in . Reno is Taka’s long haired tattood cousin, a sort of black sheep in the family and Jillian “Jilly� Lovitz, who we also meet as Summer’s little sister in Blue Ice. She’s smart, like genius level smart and a college student who just happens to be crushing on Reno since briefly meeting him two years ago.
Jilly, needing to re-explore her college major from archeology to Japanese antiquities and artifacts decides to fly to Japan to visit her sister and brother-in-law....even though she hasn’t been able to reach them. Unbeknownst to Jilly both of them are hiding and now she’s gotten herself into serious trouble because the mercenaries out for Taka are targeting Jilly in an attempt to force Taka out of hiding.
When Reno learns from the committee, who he now works for, that Jilly is in danger, he considers it his responsibility, since she’s family in a round about way, to keep her safe and send her back home. At least that’s what he tries to tell himself, in reality he’s been unable to get her out of his mind since meeting her either.
Now their on the run from assassins and as the days pass, Reno’s finding it very difficult to keep his hands off her, but because a promise to Taka he’s trying desperately not to break his vow....and failing spectacularly.
Another action-packed, suspenseful, thrilling, and fast-paced read. A fantastic addition to the series.
*Originally read Sept 2011
September 28, 2010
So much potential but sadly disappointing.
This is the 5th book in the "Ice" series. Of the other four books, I gave three of them 5 stars. In the previous book "Ice Storm" which I loved, Reno has a fun role. He is Japanese, dye's his hair flame red and wears it in a long braid to his waist. He has blood red tear drops tatooed under his eyes. He looks like a punk. He is catnip to women. He meets the preteen Arab orphan Mahmoud who appears to like no one but quickly bonds with Reno. They play video games and establish their own language to communicate. "Creating their own language" delighted me.
This book, "Fire and Ice" is Reno's story. I was eager to read it, and looking forward to an eccentric, flashy, unpredictable character. I was disappointed. There was so much potential for a creative take on Reno, but instead the author wrote him as just an ordinary guy, who didn't want to commit to a woman, and who happened to be good at fighting. I feel like the author wrote a predictable story about a typical secret agent fighting bad guys, and just stuck Reno's name on the guy. I feel a loss. Where is the real Reno story? It could have been great!
I have a second problem with this book. The girl, Jilly, was foolish, cowardly and always running away from unpleasant circumstances. She wouldn't do as she was told which further endangered herself and Reno. I felt no sympathy for her because of her lack of common sense.
CAUTION SPOILERS:
After Jilly shoots a man in self defense, she psychologically withdraws in a way I didn't buy. I also didn't care for the author creating conflict by having Reno cruelly reject her after each time they have sex. I'm not sure of his reasons, but they had something to do with his not wanting to commit or fall in love, and/or he wanted her to change her feelings about him. His rejections didn't make sense to me.
Sexual language: moderate. Number of sex scenes: five. Setting: present day Tokyo and Los Angeles area. Copyright: 2008. Genre: romantic suspense.
This is the 5th book in the "Ice" series. Of the other four books, I gave three of them 5 stars. In the previous book "Ice Storm" which I loved, Reno has a fun role. He is Japanese, dye's his hair flame red and wears it in a long braid to his waist. He has blood red tear drops tatooed under his eyes. He looks like a punk. He is catnip to women. He meets the preteen Arab orphan Mahmoud who appears to like no one but quickly bonds with Reno. They play video games and establish their own language to communicate. "Creating their own language" delighted me.
This book, "Fire and Ice" is Reno's story. I was eager to read it, and looking forward to an eccentric, flashy, unpredictable character. I was disappointed. There was so much potential for a creative take on Reno, but instead the author wrote him as just an ordinary guy, who didn't want to commit to a woman, and who happened to be good at fighting. I feel like the author wrote a predictable story about a typical secret agent fighting bad guys, and just stuck Reno's name on the guy. I feel a loss. Where is the real Reno story? It could have been great!
I have a second problem with this book. The girl, Jilly, was foolish, cowardly and always running away from unpleasant circumstances. She wouldn't do as she was told which further endangered herself and Reno. I felt no sympathy for her because of her lack of common sense.
CAUTION SPOILERS:
After Jilly shoots a man in self defense, she psychologically withdraws in a way I didn't buy. I also didn't care for the author creating conflict by having Reno cruelly reject her after each time they have sex. I'm not sure of his reasons, but they had something to do with his not wanting to commit or fall in love, and/or he wanted her to change her feelings about him. His rejections didn't make sense to me.
Sexual language: moderate. Number of sex scenes: five. Setting: present day Tokyo and Los Angeles area. Copyright: 2008. Genre: romantic suspense.
April 15, 2015
I sort of expected not to like this story. The previous one in the series was great and I was prepared to be disappointed.
Besides I already knew the main characters and I didn't like them so much.
Let me said this:
Jilly&Reno working as clowns in a circus? Yes
Jilly&Reno as main characters of a romantic story? No
The whole story was unbelievable, full of characters so one-dimensional to be like cartoons (including the aforementioned hero&heroine), every here and there someone died.
In a scene, hero&heroine are prisoner in a house full of bad people, armed, who had already killed. There's a futon on the floor and what they do? They have sex, mmmmm, unbelievable, IMO. Or maybe it's me, I cannot understand how you can want to have sex when you're a prisoner and out of the doors there are lots of killers.
The good thing is I finished it.
Besides I already knew the main characters and I didn't like them so much.
Let me said this:
Jilly&Reno working as clowns in a circus? Yes
Jilly&Reno as main characters of a romantic story? No
The whole story was unbelievable, full of characters so one-dimensional to be like cartoons (including the aforementioned hero&heroine), every here and there someone died.
In a scene, hero&heroine are prisoner in a house full of bad people, armed, who had already killed. There's a futon on the floor and what they do? They have sex, mmmmm, unbelievable, IMO. Or maybe it's me, I cannot understand how you can want to have sex when you're a prisoner and out of the doors there are lots of killers.
The good thing is I finished it.
November 13, 2012
Jilly and Reno finally got their story! After the heated looks and withheld longing during Taka's book, I was really looking forward to this one.
Reno, Reno...what can I say? He's always been the bad boy. Well, now he's the BAD A$$ boy, and I fell in instant lust. Long, red tipped hair, leather and a motorcycle (a Harley, not one of those puny crotch rockets), and last but not least, his bad-itude. He knows how awesome he is. He's not boastful, but he IS arrogant. He's also Japanese, which is different when it comes to the race of hero that I normally read about. But exotic to me turned out very nicely indeed!!
Jilly is the perfect match for him. From the first time we meet her, we know that she can take pretty good care of herself and that she doesn't scare easily. One too many bad guys are after her now, trying to lure Taka and Reno out of hiding. But not if Reno has anything to say about that. He's been warned to stay away from Jilly years ago. Now he's being forced to keep her alive, and the sexual tension is too much to resist.
While Anne Stuart's other books were very sexy, this one was amped up a notch, in my opinion. The chemistry between Jilly and Reno is off the charts, and it's clearly inevitable that these two need to work off their sexual frustrations.
I love this series, I love this author. I'm continually amazed that anyone could give these a so-so rating but eh...no accounting for poor taste. Kidding, kidding. There's just something about this particular author that flat out does it for me. Her heroes are the perfect mix of standoffish, rough, and supremely sexual...with just a smidge of tender thrown toward their women, and a whole lot of possessive once they finally give in to the inevitable bonding.
I'm snatching up every single backlist book that I can find of Anne Stuarts. It's become my obsession.
Reno, Reno...what can I say? He's always been the bad boy. Well, now he's the BAD A$$ boy, and I fell in instant lust. Long, red tipped hair, leather and a motorcycle (a Harley, not one of those puny crotch rockets), and last but not least, his bad-itude. He knows how awesome he is. He's not boastful, but he IS arrogant. He's also Japanese, which is different when it comes to the race of hero that I normally read about. But exotic to me turned out very nicely indeed!!
Jilly is the perfect match for him. From the first time we meet her, we know that she can take pretty good care of herself and that she doesn't scare easily. One too many bad guys are after her now, trying to lure Taka and Reno out of hiding. But not if Reno has anything to say about that. He's been warned to stay away from Jilly years ago. Now he's being forced to keep her alive, and the sexual tension is too much to resist.
While Anne Stuart's other books were very sexy, this one was amped up a notch, in my opinion. The chemistry between Jilly and Reno is off the charts, and it's clearly inevitable that these two need to work off their sexual frustrations.
I love this series, I love this author. I'm continually amazed that anyone could give these a so-so rating but eh...no accounting for poor taste. Kidding, kidding. There's just something about this particular author that flat out does it for me. Her heroes are the perfect mix of standoffish, rough, and supremely sexual...with just a smidge of tender thrown toward their women, and a whole lot of possessive once they finally give in to the inevitable bonding.
I'm snatching up every single backlist book that I can find of Anne Stuarts. It's become my obsession.
February 26, 2013
This wonderful bit of nonsense features beloved characters from book 3, -- my favorite in the series, so far, starring Taka and Summer. The heroine of this book is Summer's sister, Jillian (Jilly), and the hero is Taka's kick-ass cousin Reno, newest operative for the Committee, and another ice-cold anti-hero, but not quite as gamma as Peter Bastien, from Book 1. Jilly is 20 and Reno about 28, I think (discrepancy with book 3), so they both seem less mature than the other couples in the series.
This book is set in winter in Tokyo, and also in Los Angeles. The Committee plays only a small role.
When the story begins, Jilly has arrived in Tokyo unexpectedly, to cry on her sister's shoulder, hoping also to catch a glimpse of Reno, the exotic subject of all her secret virginal daydreams. However, danger waits for the unsuspecting brainiac. Because of Sir Harry Thomason's residual murder contract (see book 4), Russian mercenaries are trying to kill Taka and Summer, so they are hiding away. (We see little of Summer, but more of Taka.)
So, as a matter of family honor, Reno must keep Jilly safe from the thugs who would use her as bait to lure Taka back to Tokyo. And he must keep his hands off her, having promised Summer and Taka that he won't play into Jilly's infatuation for him. Keeping his hands off Jilly, resisting his attraction to her -- that's the central theme of this book. The suspense itself is a bit over-the-top, but heh...it worked. From Jilly's first day in Tokyo, the action is non stop, as Reno keeps his "Ji-chan" on the run from murderous Russian hit men, and even more treachery closer to home.
They spend every second together, even sleeping squeezed together in a tube hotel. Reno has promised to stay away from Jilly, and he has every intention of doing so, but ... easier said than done! He blows hot and cold, and sometimes terribly cold, attempting to stifle his intense feelings for her. He doesn't know what's wrong with him--he doesn't do love! "I fuck. I don't make love, Jilly."
If he can just get Jilly safely out of the country and back to LA, he could move on, and find someone else to screw. Right?
Over the course of this story, Reno grows up a lot, facing some heavy family issues, falling in love, even getting rid of his exotic camouflage, to large extent, by the end of the book. I look forward to seeing him in book 6.
I loved Jillian almost more than Reno, which is unusual for me. I usually bond with the hero more. Jilly held her own very nicely, and did what she had to do, even killing. Loved Reno's worried concern when Jilly went into a shocked daze after she shot someone's head off (a bit graphic, eeew). Jilly stayed strong and held it together even when Reno was a complete jerk, twisting the knife to break the growing emotional bond that scared him into a cold sweat. Loved the scene in Grandfather's compound, when Jilly realized how much Reno cared for her, despite his careless and cruel words. He says "No, Ji-chan, I don't love you" even as he's pulling her close, ready to die for her. Haha!
As I said, the non-stop action and never-ending danger is over the top, and when evil follows Jilly home to Los Angeles, I was rolling my eyes. But what fun! Jolly good story!
Wish we had seen more of Summer and Taka in love.
This book is set in winter in Tokyo, and also in Los Angeles. The Committee plays only a small role.
When the story begins, Jilly has arrived in Tokyo unexpectedly, to cry on her sister's shoulder, hoping also to catch a glimpse of Reno, the exotic subject of all her secret virginal daydreams. However, danger waits for the unsuspecting brainiac. Because of Sir Harry Thomason's residual murder contract (see book 4), Russian mercenaries are trying to kill Taka and Summer, so they are hiding away. (We see little of Summer, but more of Taka.)
So, as a matter of family honor, Reno must keep Jilly safe from the thugs who would use her as bait to lure Taka back to Tokyo. And he must keep his hands off her, having promised Summer and Taka that he won't play into Jilly's infatuation for him. Keeping his hands off Jilly, resisting his attraction to her -- that's the central theme of this book. The suspense itself is a bit over-the-top, but heh...it worked. From Jilly's first day in Tokyo, the action is non stop, as Reno keeps his "Ji-chan" on the run from murderous Russian hit men, and even more treachery closer to home.
They spend every second together, even sleeping squeezed together in a tube hotel. Reno has promised to stay away from Jilly, and he has every intention of doing so, but ... easier said than done! He blows hot and cold, and sometimes terribly cold, attempting to stifle his intense feelings for her. He doesn't know what's wrong with him--he doesn't do love! "I fuck. I don't make love, Jilly."
If he can just get Jilly safely out of the country and back to LA, he could move on, and find someone else to screw. Right?
Over the course of this story, Reno grows up a lot, facing some heavy family issues, falling in love, even getting rid of his exotic camouflage, to large extent, by the end of the book. I look forward to seeing him in book 6.
I loved Jillian almost more than Reno, which is unusual for me. I usually bond with the hero more. Jilly held her own very nicely, and did what she had to do, even killing. Loved Reno's worried concern when Jilly went into a shocked daze after she shot someone's head off (a bit graphic, eeew). Jilly stayed strong and held it together even when Reno was a complete jerk, twisting the knife to break the growing emotional bond that scared him into a cold sweat. Loved the scene in Grandfather's compound, when Jilly realized how much Reno cared for her, despite his careless and cruel words. He says "No, Ji-chan, I don't love you" even as he's pulling her close, ready to die for her. Haha!
As I said, the non-stop action and never-ending danger is over the top, and when evil follows Jilly home to Los Angeles, I was rolling my eyes. But what fun! Jolly good story!
Wish we had seen more of Summer and Taka in love.
February 11, 2022
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡�
Romance: 💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Yes a bit, though it’s not a light hearted book
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from our various romance groups on facebook)
Should I read in order?
Yup. I jumped into this one and was okay with it, but other characters and past events are referenced and I’m sure there’s some build up of character for these two mains in the prior book. So to give it the best chance of enjoyment you should try to go in order.
Basic plot
Jilly has had her heart broken and she really just needs some sister time. She travels to Japan for a visit, not knowing her sister and husband are in hiding. Jilly gets roped into all sorts of danger when she arrives, and is rescued by Reno, her adolescent crush.
Give this a try if you want:
- Plenty of action! These two don’t sit still for long.
- Medium to higher steam
- Unrequited love � the heroine has loved the hero since she first met him years ago
- Tall heroine � both the hero and heroine are described as near 6 feet
- Tattooed, bad boy hero, innocent and a bit naive heroine
My thoughts:
Oof. This book! It could have been SO GOOD!!! It had so many elements I was totally loving and into and things I have wanted in a romance.
But there was so much that drove me nuts too.
Reno is a jerk. Which is fine, because I loooooove me a jerk hero. But I also want him to eventually feel some remorse or at least change his behavior by the end. And I only felt that happened in the smallest amount. These two fight almost the entire book. And the worst thing about this book was I was just not convinced of their love by the end. I wasn’t convinced he really loved her and they would stay together.
Jilly is sweet but also a bit frustrating. She makes a few dumb and dangerous decisions that immediately get her into trouble.
While I didn’t love the characters banter, this could have totally just been the contemporary lingo rubbing me the wrong way after reading decades of historical romance lol. But I wanted more character depth too. I won’t that against the book because I did choose to dive into book 5. I’m sure there was a bit of build up of the characters in the prior stories.
What got me about this book was it just felt so repetitive. I loved their first meeting together. Danger, grabbing, secrecy, hurrying to safety. I loved that. But then it was a repeat of the “THE RUSSIANS ARE HERE!� “RUN!� Enter new area. “THE RUSSIANS ARE HERE!� “RUN!� Enter new area (insert some groping and/or sex) repeat basically the entire book. Though at the end of the book you get to replace Russians with Japanese. It was just...It got predictable and annoying to me.
I still give 3 stars because there were aspects I loved about this book. I wish I had liked it more. But, suspense isn’t my favorite thing so as a friend pointed out perhaps I shouldn’t be reading romantic suspense :P
Also! I wanted to love the sex and again I loved PARTS of it, but overall I was a bit disappointed in it sadly. It was explicit but I wanted�.more? More explicitness. More details. I guess I’ve had some authors spoil me and I just want all the details now.
I would definitely try another by this author but I don’t think one by this series. I plan on trying her historicals soon.
Here’s a few random parts that I wanted to note from the book
Content Warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes: (Another reviewer noted 5 sex scenes so I could totally be missing one)
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡�
Romance: 💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Yes a bit, though it’s not a light hearted book
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from our various romance groups on facebook)
Should I read in order?
Yup. I jumped into this one and was okay with it, but other characters and past events are referenced and I’m sure there’s some build up of character for these two mains in the prior book. So to give it the best chance of enjoyment you should try to go in order.
Basic plot
Jilly has had her heart broken and she really just needs some sister time. She travels to Japan for a visit, not knowing her sister and husband are in hiding. Jilly gets roped into all sorts of danger when she arrives, and is rescued by Reno, her adolescent crush.
Give this a try if you want:
- Plenty of action! These two don’t sit still for long.
- Medium to higher steam
- Unrequited love � the heroine has loved the hero since she first met him years ago
- Tall heroine � both the hero and heroine are described as near 6 feet
- Tattooed, bad boy hero, innocent and a bit naive heroine
My thoughts:
Oof. This book! It could have been SO GOOD!!! It had so many elements I was totally loving and into and things I have wanted in a romance.
But there was so much that drove me nuts too.
Reno is a jerk. Which is fine, because I loooooove me a jerk hero. But I also want him to eventually feel some remorse or at least change his behavior by the end. And I only felt that happened in the smallest amount. These two fight almost the entire book. And the worst thing about this book was I was just not convinced of their love by the end. I wasn’t convinced he really loved her and they would stay together.
Jilly is sweet but also a bit frustrating. She makes a few dumb and dangerous decisions that immediately get her into trouble.
While I didn’t love the characters banter, this could have totally just been the contemporary lingo rubbing me the wrong way after reading decades of historical romance lol. But I wanted more character depth too. I won’t that against the book because I did choose to dive into book 5. I’m sure there was a bit of build up of the characters in the prior stories.
What got me about this book was it just felt so repetitive. I loved their first meeting together. Danger, grabbing, secrecy, hurrying to safety. I loved that. But then it was a repeat of the “THE RUSSIANS ARE HERE!� “RUN!� Enter new area. “THE RUSSIANS ARE HERE!� “RUN!� Enter new area (insert some groping and/or sex) repeat basically the entire book. Though at the end of the book you get to replace Russians with Japanese. It was just...It got predictable and annoying to me.
I still give 3 stars because there were aspects I loved about this book. I wish I had liked it more. But, suspense isn’t my favorite thing so as a friend pointed out perhaps I shouldn’t be reading romantic suspense :P
Also! I wanted to love the sex and again I loved PARTS of it, but overall I was a bit disappointed in it sadly. It was explicit but I wanted�.more? More explicitness. More details. I guess I’ve had some authors spoil me and I just want all the details now.
I would definitely try another by this author but I don’t think one by this series. I plan on trying her historicals soon.
Here’s a few random parts that I wanted to note from the book
Content Warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes: (Another reviewer noted 5 sex scenes so I could totally be missing one)
January 13, 2018
Plot hole you can drive a semi through, reputations sections and over the top angst. If,
IF
you can ignore those flaws in the plot, then you have a really good anti-hero, brainac heroine tale that will keep you reading far into the night. What can I say? It grabbed me, but I couldn't let go of some of the fatal plot flaws.
Reno, the tattooed, Yakuza, punk cousin of Committee operative, Takashi O'Brian, has been working with the Committee during the very difficult transition of management. With resources spread very thin, Reno is assigned to keep Jilly Lovitz, sister-in-law of Taka, safe from Russian mercenaries. Since he is a Yakuza family member, he has assets to keep Jilly safe after she heads to Japan. That they both have a "thing", well, that is the whole plot in a nutshell.
Jilly Lovitz heads to Tokyo and her sister, Summer O'Brian, after an aborted one-night stand - her first. She wants nothing more than to cry on her sister Summer's shoulder. Instead, she is whisked away by Reno and that is just the beginning of a vaca that she will wish never happened, except for the earth-shattering sex with Reno.
Reno, the tattooed, Yakuza, punk cousin of Committee operative, Takashi O'Brian, has been working with the Committee during the very difficult transition of management. With resources spread very thin, Reno is assigned to keep Jilly Lovitz, sister-in-law of Taka, safe from Russian mercenaries. Since he is a Yakuza family member, he has assets to keep Jilly safe after she heads to Japan. That they both have a "thing", well, that is the whole plot in a nutshell.
Jilly Lovitz heads to Tokyo and her sister, Summer O'Brian, after an aborted one-night stand - her first. She wants nothing more than to cry on her sister Summer's shoulder. Instead, she is whisked away by Reno and that is just the beginning of a vaca that she will wish never happened, except for the earth-shattering sex with Reno.
June 4, 2009
I love Japan. Beautiful place setting for this book. I love how descriptive Anne was with the scenery and I felt as though I was right there smack in Japan. One problem: the stupid characters.
"Fire and Ice" contained an angry no-self controlled insolent boy and a prudish uninteresting girl who distrusted each other from chapter one. I find Jilly to be a stupid adolescent girl and Reno a conceited bumbling asshole. Anne uses the same plot and storyline in each book: the male is attracted to girl but hates her but wants to have sex with her but is so cruel and so unlikable that it made me sick.
Women who disregard their self-worth will find men who don't have any self-worth to begin with.
I couldn't root for Jilly no matter how much my sensible side wanted me to, I just couldn't. She was supposed to be an intelligent 22-year old woman but all I could see was a 10-year old stuck with a beautiful face and an IQ of a brain. She couldn't stand up to him without getting too angry or too horny when what she should had done was simply leave his dumb ass for some other fool.
Jilly and Reno couldn't have one decent conversation without hurling angry sentences full of "I hate you! Die!" and childish foreplay. It got tiring for me. It was like watching a couple, who hated each others guts, going through a divorce. How do couples make a relationship work when 90% of the time is spent being angry and deceitful?
There were times when I wanted Jilly to appear in front of me so I could give her a much needed couple of slap and tell her to grow up. I wanted to dismantle Reno limb by limb while preaching to him about how to treat a real woman. It's hard to love or even like characters who you can't relate to and when you view them as immature kids being portrayed as adults.
I couldn't fool myself into believing their love was real. Hell, I even spent precious time re-reading the blasted book to find exactly when and how they fell in love with each other to only give up in the end. I would had believe the plot more if Jilly went to psychiatrist for all the abused she got from Reno. She's bound to have SOME scars from him instead of a false happy ending full of suddenly "I love yous" and hero worshipping. Truth be told, I'm tired of angry and emo heroes these days. They're so unattractive and annoying. Reno is an example of that.
Amazingly, the only time I could pity Jilly was knowing her sister Summer and Reno's cousin Takashi warn Reno to stay away from virginal Jilly. I felt that Summer and Takashi were hypocritessince their relationship was horrible from the start; full of angry rants and distrust and for them to preach about how "bad" Reno was for the "goody-goody" Jilly made me wanna throw up.
If Summer and Takashi hadn't warn Reno, then I believe Jilly wouldn't had become a semi-virgingiving her virginity to a Half-Chinese man who couldn't go all the way and maybe, just maybe, Reno and Jilly would had had a more stable relationship. But this is just a WHAT IF moment and doesn’t change the story one bit.
I felt disorientated after reading "Fire and Ice." It's really sad that a good plotline went bad because of some crappy characters that had horrible personalities and an even crappier dialog. There have been times when I wonder if authors go back and re-read their "masterpiece" 1000 times before sending it to get publish. Do they actually like these characters they produce from their imaginations or do they simply think women would like these kinds of characters because they're a popular author? I wonder if these authors grew up wishing their man would abuse them and hate them when they grow up?
I love reading about a great strong Alpha male and a smart witty female but God damn, those are hard to find these days. How many times do I had to read that people who fight constantly are the only ones who can have a stable marriage and fall in love?
The majority of contemporary and historical books these days tend to have the hero and heroine fight like two warring clan members in order to keep a storyline from falling apart. What has happen to good old honesty and respect for each other? You have to look everywhere and under rocks to find those kinds of romance books these days.
There are limits to what I find acceptable in a male hero and in his actions. Anne's male characters crossed over all of them and it wasn't pretty when they left. Skip this one, it'll just leave you mentally scarred.
"Fire and Ice" contained an angry no-self controlled insolent boy and a prudish uninteresting girl who distrusted each other from chapter one. I find Jilly to be a stupid adolescent girl and Reno a conceited bumbling asshole. Anne uses the same plot and storyline in each book: the male is attracted to girl but hates her but wants to have sex with her but is so cruel and so unlikable that it made me sick.
Women who disregard their self-worth will find men who don't have any self-worth to begin with.
I couldn't root for Jilly no matter how much my sensible side wanted me to, I just couldn't. She was supposed to be an intelligent 22-year old woman but all I could see was a 10-year old stuck with a beautiful face and an IQ of a brain. She couldn't stand up to him without getting too angry or too horny when what she should had done was simply leave his dumb ass for some other fool.
Jilly and Reno couldn't have one decent conversation without hurling angry sentences full of "I hate you! Die!" and childish foreplay. It got tiring for me. It was like watching a couple, who hated each others guts, going through a divorce. How do couples make a relationship work when 90% of the time is spent being angry and deceitful?
There were times when I wanted Jilly to appear in front of me so I could give her a much needed couple of slap and tell her to grow up. I wanted to dismantle Reno limb by limb while preaching to him about how to treat a real woman. It's hard to love or even like characters who you can't relate to and when you view them as immature kids being portrayed as adults.
I couldn't fool myself into believing their love was real. Hell, I even spent precious time re-reading the blasted book to find exactly when and how they fell in love with each other to only give up in the end. I would had believe the plot more if Jilly went to psychiatrist for all the abused she got from Reno. She's bound to have SOME scars from him instead of a false happy ending full of suddenly "I love yous" and hero worshipping. Truth be told, I'm tired of angry and emo heroes these days. They're so unattractive and annoying. Reno is an example of that.
Amazingly, the only time I could pity Jilly was knowing her sister Summer and Reno's cousin Takashi warn Reno to stay away from virginal Jilly. I felt that Summer and Takashi were hypocrites
If Summer and Takashi hadn't warn Reno, then I believe Jilly wouldn't had become a semi-virgin
I felt disorientated after reading "Fire and Ice." It's really sad that a good plotline went bad because of some crappy characters that had horrible personalities and an even crappier dialog. There have been times when I wonder if authors go back and re-read their "masterpiece" 1000 times before sending it to get publish. Do they actually like these characters they produce from their imaginations or do they simply think women would like these kinds of characters because they're a popular author? I wonder if these authors grew up wishing their man would abuse them and hate them when they grow up?
I love reading about a great strong Alpha male and a smart witty female but God damn, those are hard to find these days. How many times do I had to read that people who fight constantly are the only ones who can have a stable marriage and fall in love?
The majority of contemporary and historical books these days tend to have the hero and heroine fight like two warring clan members in order to keep a storyline from falling apart. What has happen to good old honesty and respect for each other? You have to look everywhere and under rocks to find those kinds of romance books these days.
There are limits to what I find acceptable in a male hero and in his actions. Anne's male characters crossed over all of them and it wasn't pretty when they left. Skip this one, it'll just leave you mentally scarred.
May 15, 2008
When I had the opportunity to read and review Anne Stuart’s latest novel Fire and Ice, I jumped at the chance! The one thing I know I can count on with any of Anne Stuart’s novels is a lot of action, suspense and the chemistry between the hero and heroine is ALWAYS smoking hot! Fire and Ice is all that and a bag of chips! Turn down the air conditioner and get a large glass of iced tea y’all because you are in for a wild ride!
Jilly Lovitz needs to escape the reality of her life for a while. Confused about a failed relationship and the direction her life seems to be taking her, she is ready for a change of scenery. Deciding to get some comfort and advice from her sister in Japan, she hops on a plane and decides to visit her, without talking to her sister first. Hoping her sister will welcome her with open arms, and a shoulder to cry on, she is surprised when she arrives at her sister and her brother-in-laws house and realizes that they are not home. Finding an unlocked door, she lets herself in, not knowing the danger that awaits her.
Reno Shinoda has been warned by both his cousin and Jilly’s sister to stay away from Jilly. His bad boy reputation and careless ways is not what they want for the more conservative, innocent Jilly. Both warned him that Jilly had developed a crush on him at her sister’s wedding. They believe that this is something she needs to outgrow without Reno leading her on. So when he is told by his grandfather that Jilly is in danger and alone at her sister‘s house, he reluctantly decides to help her. When he arrives and immediately saves her from a certain death, he practically forces her onto his Harley and goes on the run. The more he tries to keep Jilly safe and at arms length, the more he is drawn to her. But, he fights the attraction between them because he is honor-bound to keep Jilly’s life and innocence safe.
Anne Stuart continues to write the perfect bad boy. Reno is no exception. He is mysterious, sexy, tough, smart and even funny at times. You just can’t ask for a better hero. The relationship that developed between Reno and Jilly was so much fun to read! The escapades they have, and the banter they share between them drew me in like a bee to honey. I loved every minute of this book! Between the passion and adventure this book is a sure thing!
According to Anne’s website, this book is the final book of the Ice Series. (I am hoping she will change her mind on that decision). I don’t think it would be necessary to read the previous books to understand what is going on with Fire and Ice, but if you are looking for a fun, interesting, steamy series: Black Ice, Cold as Ice, Ice Blue ,Ice Storm and Fire and Ice is the series for you!
A word of warning, if you are offended by some strong language and steamy sexual situations this book may not be for you.
Check out Anne Stuart’s website at: . There is a lot of great information about the Ice series and other great books written by her.
Jilly Lovitz needs to escape the reality of her life for a while. Confused about a failed relationship and the direction her life seems to be taking her, she is ready for a change of scenery. Deciding to get some comfort and advice from her sister in Japan, she hops on a plane and decides to visit her, without talking to her sister first. Hoping her sister will welcome her with open arms, and a shoulder to cry on, she is surprised when she arrives at her sister and her brother-in-laws house and realizes that they are not home. Finding an unlocked door, she lets herself in, not knowing the danger that awaits her.
Reno Shinoda has been warned by both his cousin and Jilly’s sister to stay away from Jilly. His bad boy reputation and careless ways is not what they want for the more conservative, innocent Jilly. Both warned him that Jilly had developed a crush on him at her sister’s wedding. They believe that this is something she needs to outgrow without Reno leading her on. So when he is told by his grandfather that Jilly is in danger and alone at her sister‘s house, he reluctantly decides to help her. When he arrives and immediately saves her from a certain death, he practically forces her onto his Harley and goes on the run. The more he tries to keep Jilly safe and at arms length, the more he is drawn to her. But, he fights the attraction between them because he is honor-bound to keep Jilly’s life and innocence safe.
Anne Stuart continues to write the perfect bad boy. Reno is no exception. He is mysterious, sexy, tough, smart and even funny at times. You just can’t ask for a better hero. The relationship that developed between Reno and Jilly was so much fun to read! The escapades they have, and the banter they share between them drew me in like a bee to honey. I loved every minute of this book! Between the passion and adventure this book is a sure thing!
According to Anne’s website, this book is the final book of the Ice Series. (I am hoping she will change her mind on that decision). I don’t think it would be necessary to read the previous books to understand what is going on with Fire and Ice, but if you are looking for a fun, interesting, steamy series: Black Ice, Cold as Ice, Ice Blue ,Ice Storm and Fire and Ice is the series for you!
A word of warning, if you are offended by some strong language and steamy sexual situations this book may not be for you.
Check out Anne Stuart’s website at: . There is a lot of great information about the Ice series and other great books written by her.
May 9, 2022
Aishiteru Reno!! <3 <3 <3
The first time I read this book, I'm confused in many points. But I found that after I finished this book, I can't stop being crazy about Reno and Jilly's love story in my head and Reno. <3 So, after I finished 'Ice Blue' and 'Ice Storm' and got to know more about Reno. I have to read this book, again. OMG! It's even a lot enjoyable than reading the first time 3x!!
Did I miss something!!?!? I miss A LOT!
Reno.. let me be your 'Ji-chan' <3
It's great to read the book about Yakuza. lol! I love the element of Japanese in this book. Reno and Jilly is so. damn. freakin. cute. and perfect together. No doubt that they are my most favorite couple among this series. I love this book, the yakuza plot, the love story, the characters, and their dynamic. I love when he call her 'Ji-chan' :')
I love that Jilly had crush on Reno since she was young. It made me fantasize Reno just like her. lol! so, Reno have to annoy her, making her hate him so that her fantasy about him will not out of control. lol! She is his pain in the ass. it's not like Reno didn't want Jilly. He wants her, but he promise Summer, and loyalty is the family's honor.
Hiromasa Shinoda.. My sexy Reno.. made me laugh out loud and giddy throughout the book. lol! I can't help but IN LOVE with a young Japanese yakuza Hiromasa-chan. <3 Reno is not too cold, I think :P He like a fire, but he can kill rustlessly. God damn it! I love how freakin cocky he is. I also love his ass-hole manner. He and Jilly are perfect! I love that Jilly is not kind of the heroine who will not know that Reno care about her, though Reno told that he doesn't love her. They made me smile all the time. :)
Normally, I'm not fan of insta-love, but I have to admit that I'm in love with Reno and Jilly's love story. It left me all the feelings. I'm giddy, happy, laugh, sad, and almost cry with them. It is first love + puppy love + last love. I just know that one of my favorite romance is love-hate relationship that the heroine secretly love the hero since her childhood. My favorite books are the romance like this a lot. :P
I'm really jealous of Jilly because I want Reno all myself. xD xD xD 'Fire and Ice' is my favorite book among Ice series so far, come very close is 'Ice Storm' Love Love Love this book, Reno, Jilly, and Reno. <3 <3 <3
The first time I read this book, I'm confused in many points. But I found that after I finished this book, I can't stop being crazy about Reno and Jilly's love story in my head and Reno. <3 So, after I finished 'Ice Blue' and 'Ice Storm' and got to know more about Reno. I have to read this book, again. OMG! It's even a lot enjoyable than reading the first time 3x!!
Did I miss something!!?!? I miss A LOT!
Reno.. let me be your 'Ji-chan' <3
It's great to read the book about Yakuza. lol! I love the element of Japanese in this book. Reno and Jilly is so. damn. freakin. cute. and perfect together. No doubt that they are my most favorite couple among this series. I love this book, the yakuza plot, the love story, the characters, and their dynamic. I love when he call her 'Ji-chan' :')
I love that Jilly had crush on Reno since she was young. It made me fantasize Reno just like her. lol! so, Reno have to annoy her, making her hate him so that her fantasy about him will not out of control. lol! She is his pain in the ass. it's not like Reno didn't want Jilly. He wants her, but he promise Summer, and loyalty is the family's honor.
Hiromasa Shinoda.. My sexy Reno.. made me laugh out loud and giddy throughout the book. lol! I can't help but IN LOVE with a young Japanese yakuza Hiromasa-chan. <3 Reno is not too cold, I think :P He like a fire, but he can kill rustlessly. God damn it! I love how freakin cocky he is. I also love his ass-hole manner. He and Jilly are perfect! I love that Jilly is not kind of the heroine who will not know that Reno care about her, though Reno told that he doesn't love her. They made me smile all the time. :)
Normally, I'm not fan of insta-love, but I have to admit that I'm in love with Reno and Jilly's love story. It left me all the feelings. I'm giddy, happy, laugh, sad, and almost cry with them. It is first love + puppy love + last love. I just know that one of my favorite romance is love-hate relationship that the heroine secretly love the hero since her childhood. My favorite books are the romance like this a lot. :P
I'm really jealous of Jilly because I want Reno all myself. xD xD xD 'Fire and Ice' is my favorite book among Ice series so far, come very close is 'Ice Storm' Love Love Love this book, Reno, Jilly, and Reno. <3 <3 <3
January 9, 2012
I've been waiting for this book ever since the final chapter of (book 3). Reno and Jilly see each other at Peter and Genevieve's house and the sparks are flying! Here's the scene I'm talking about.
From Ice Blue : (Reno speaking)
"I eat gaijin (white women) for breakfast......." His words trailed off as Jilly came out of the house in her pseudo-frock, her combat boots, her spiky hair, and her young, young face. He just stared at her, motionless, as if someone had clubbed him over the head with a mallet.
Jilly froze where she was, staring back at the exotic creature in black leather and bright red hair who'd invaded the garden.
From that moment on, I knew that this couple would be special....and Anne Stuart does not disappoint!
Fire and Ice opens and Jilly is in trouble. She is unknowingly walking right into a trap and the committee need to send someone in to intersect her before she is killed. Reno has never stopped thinking about Jilly, although Taka and Summer have warned him to stay away from her, and immediately volunteers for the job.
Reno and Jilly have the most volatile relationship of any of the couples in this series. They are constantly fighting, threatening each other, and challenging one another. Their chemistry was so obvious, but I wasn't convinced that they were going to be able to survive without killing one another to find their happily ever after.
The suspense is awesome, but the characters were so engaging that I felt they took center stage. Peter, Taka, and Summer all show up in this book, and it's always nice to revisit old friends.
I loved this book and found it an incredible addition to an already stellar series. So glad that this is not the end.......
From Ice Blue : (Reno speaking)
"I eat gaijin (white women) for breakfast......." His words trailed off as Jilly came out of the house in her pseudo-frock, her combat boots, her spiky hair, and her young, young face. He just stared at her, motionless, as if someone had clubbed him over the head with a mallet.
Jilly froze where she was, staring back at the exotic creature in black leather and bright red hair who'd invaded the garden.
From that moment on, I knew that this couple would be special....and Anne Stuart does not disappoint!
Fire and Ice opens and Jilly is in trouble. She is unknowingly walking right into a trap and the committee need to send someone in to intersect her before she is killed. Reno has never stopped thinking about Jilly, although Taka and Summer have warned him to stay away from her, and immediately volunteers for the job.
Reno and Jilly have the most volatile relationship of any of the couples in this series. They are constantly fighting, threatening each other, and challenging one another. Their chemistry was so obvious, but I wasn't convinced that they were going to be able to survive without killing one another to find their happily ever after.
The suspense is awesome, but the characters were so engaging that I felt they took center stage. Peter, Taka, and Summer all show up in this book, and it's always nice to revisit old friends.
I loved this book and found it an incredible addition to an already stellar series. So glad that this is not the end.......
February 19, 2019
I was totally disappointed with this book. I did like the previous ones in this series that I happened to read. They are bondesque and not really believable, but fun and very romantic in their way. And as my friend N says "no one writes bad boys as Ms Stuart". And I absolutely agree.
Unfortunately Ice and Fire is simply a very stupid book with a couple of brainless brats as MCs. She's so stupid you really wish they finally succeeded in killing her. TSTL is a compliment, believe me. She's supposed to be a brainy genius, with an IQ over the top. But not a single time you see even a single brain cell that's actually working. He is a spoiled teenager playing grown-up.
The whole plot is a cartoon pretending to be a manga.
This is NA at its worst where teenagers moon over the does he love me or doesn't he, and have sex so to make you believe you are reading about adults. But as I said unfortunately all you see are kids.
I wasn't particularly interested so I might be wrong, but I suspect there was a problem with the timeline too (between book 3 and 5). She's 16 in book 3, after 2 years she should be 18, but in the book she's 20 and in the blurb she's 22. (And she behaves as 14 :P)
What I am mostly sorry for is that this book destroyed Summer and Taka too.
Unfortunately Ice and Fire is simply a very stupid book with a couple of brainless brats as MCs. She's so stupid you really wish they finally succeeded in killing her. TSTL is a compliment, believe me. She's supposed to be a brainy genius, with an IQ over the top. But not a single time you see even a single brain cell that's actually working. He is a spoiled teenager playing grown-up.
The whole plot is a cartoon pretending to be a manga.
This is NA at its worst where teenagers moon over the does he love me or doesn't he, and have sex so to make you believe you are reading about adults. But as I said unfortunately all you see are kids.
I wasn't particularly interested so I might be wrong, but I suspect there was a problem with the timeline too (between book 3 and 5). She's 16 in book 3, after 2 years she should be 18, but in the book she's 20 and in the blurb she's 22. (And she behaves as 14 :P)
What I am mostly sorry for is that this book destroyed Summer and Taka too.
November 18, 2010
Things I liked:
1- Hiromasa Shinoda. The complex nature of his character is one of the main reasons that made me race through this story at such a fast pace. I loved the fact that he alternated between being the good and nerdy Hiromasa and the ultimate bad boy Reno whilst the bad boy wins most of the time. Whilst his bad boy Harley riding image appeals on so many levels to my slutty inner self, it is the medium between the two that made me fall for him in the end.
2- Jillian Lovitz. She is such a treat to read about. Her positive optimism when it comes to Reno is what made me love her. Even though at times Reno's words and actions cut deep, and Jilly keeps telling herself that familiarity with Reno would breed contempt and in the end she wouldn't feel so vulnerable with Reno, it is Jilly who identifies the fact that it is not that Reno doesn't feel anything for her but rather he is terrified of just how much he feels when it comes to Jilly.
3- The premise of the story. I loved discovering tidbits about Japan and their customs and lifestyle. In fact it made me even search up on the Internet on some of the stuff that I came across in this novel such as the Japanese Capsule hotels and the Meiji Shrine. For someone who has always held the view that Japan is one of the most beautiful places on Earth, reading about it in this novel just drove home the point that I need to do some traveling ASAP.
4- The element of forbidden love in this story. Throughout the whole of Ice series, it has been the nature of their jobs as employees of The Committee that had kept the heroes/heroines unable to face the fact that even they are vulnerable enough to fall in love when it comes to the right person. However, Reno and Jilly's story is different such that Reno tries to keep his hands off of Jilly not because he doesn't want her, but rather because he had promised his cousin's wife that he would stay away from her and for someone like Reno, family loyalty comes before anything else.
5- And oh yes, even though totally unrelated, I loved listening to Breaking Benjamin's latest album Dear Agony all throughout when I was reading this book. The music just brought something extra to the story which is hard for me to explain but nevertheless played an important role in enhancing my enjoyment of a story well spun.
Stuff I didn't like so much:
Again, what's with these abrupt endings? I just don't get it! The story flows so smoothly, you ache for the hero and heroine to get their happily ever after, and wham bam thank you maam, the ending just comes out of nowhere and slaps you on the face something fierce. I so dearly wish this weren't so. I mean it would be nice just to leave us readers with a healthy dose of an epilogue (even a page or two would suffice) to tide us over and take with us images of the ending we had envisioned right through the story. *glum sigh*
For the full review:
1- Hiromasa Shinoda. The complex nature of his character is one of the main reasons that made me race through this story at such a fast pace. I loved the fact that he alternated between being the good and nerdy Hiromasa and the ultimate bad boy Reno whilst the bad boy wins most of the time. Whilst his bad boy Harley riding image appeals on so many levels to my slutty inner self, it is the medium between the two that made me fall for him in the end.
2- Jillian Lovitz. She is such a treat to read about. Her positive optimism when it comes to Reno is what made me love her. Even though at times Reno's words and actions cut deep, and Jilly keeps telling herself that familiarity with Reno would breed contempt and in the end she wouldn't feel so vulnerable with Reno, it is Jilly who identifies the fact that it is not that Reno doesn't feel anything for her but rather he is terrified of just how much he feels when it comes to Jilly.
3- The premise of the story. I loved discovering tidbits about Japan and their customs and lifestyle. In fact it made me even search up on the Internet on some of the stuff that I came across in this novel such as the Japanese Capsule hotels and the Meiji Shrine. For someone who has always held the view that Japan is one of the most beautiful places on Earth, reading about it in this novel just drove home the point that I need to do some traveling ASAP.
4- The element of forbidden love in this story. Throughout the whole of Ice series, it has been the nature of their jobs as employees of The Committee that had kept the heroes/heroines unable to face the fact that even they are vulnerable enough to fall in love when it comes to the right person. However, Reno and Jilly's story is different such that Reno tries to keep his hands off of Jilly not because he doesn't want her, but rather because he had promised his cousin's wife that he would stay away from her and for someone like Reno, family loyalty comes before anything else.
5- And oh yes, even though totally unrelated, I loved listening to Breaking Benjamin's latest album Dear Agony all throughout when I was reading this book. The music just brought something extra to the story which is hard for me to explain but nevertheless played an important role in enhancing my enjoyment of a story well spun.
Stuff I didn't like so much:
Again, what's with these abrupt endings? I just don't get it! The story flows so smoothly, you ache for the hero and heroine to get their happily ever after, and wham bam thank you maam, the ending just comes out of nowhere and slaps you on the face something fierce. I so dearly wish this weren't so. I mean it would be nice just to leave us readers with a healthy dose of an epilogue (even a page or two would suffice) to tide us over and take with us images of the ending we had envisioned right through the story. *glum sigh*
For the full review:
October 17, 2008
I loved this latest book in Anne Stuart's Ice Series. This novel has a very unlikely hero - Reno is a tall Japanese rebel with tear drop tattoos on his cheekbone and long flame red hair. I was intrigued by him in Ice Storm, and couldn't wait to read his story. In Fire And Ice, Reno is a newly appointed recruit to The Committee who doesn't like to show emotion or vulnerability. The heroine, Jilly Lovitz, is a super intelligent young woman whose genius has kept her from having a traditional girlhood. Jilly is a bit insecure about her appeal as a woman. There is quite a lot of heat between the main characters, but this book is not a tender romance. Fire And Ice is fast paced and filled with action.
Jilly Lovitz is feeling the need for loving support from her sister, Summer, after an awkward and embarrassing intimate encounter. She makes an unannounced visit to see Summer and her husband, Taka, in Japan. She arrives to an empty house, and is rescued by Taka's cousin, Reno, when dangerous criminals appear. Jilly has been infatuated with Reno ever since she first saw him at her sister's wedding two years ago. Reno treats Jilly in a callous fashion, but attempts to keep her safe. He is unsuccessful in his attempts to get her safetly out of the country and on her way home, due to the tenacious thugs who are pursuing them. Reno is devastatingly attracted to Jilly, and although he attempts to exercise restraint, he eventually gives in to temptation. After their passionate encounter, Reno crushes Jilly by pretending that their intimate experience was unsatisfactory. Danger continues to follow Reno and Jilly, and he is thwarted in his every effort to relieve himself of her responsibility. While Reno and Jilly fight to stay alive and to end their perilous situation, they continue to turn to one another in desire. When Reno is finally able to send Jilly home, she believes their relationship is over, but soon finds that the danger stalking her has not ended. Reno rushes to her rescue again, and as he tries to protect her, he is unable to keep his emotions uninvolved.
Reno was a very unusual and interesting character. If someone would have described him to me before I read about him in the earlier books of the series, I would not have thought that I could find him to be an appealing hero. Somehow, even with his harsh treatment of Jilly, Anne Stuart makes him work as a hero. Jilly is a very sympathetic heroine, young and unsure of herself. Reno and Jilly had a lot of chemistry together, and I enjoyed seeing Reno plummet into love with her. This was a very enjoyable, engrossing book.
Jilly Lovitz is feeling the need for loving support from her sister, Summer, after an awkward and embarrassing intimate encounter. She makes an unannounced visit to see Summer and her husband, Taka, in Japan. She arrives to an empty house, and is rescued by Taka's cousin, Reno, when dangerous criminals appear. Jilly has been infatuated with Reno ever since she first saw him at her sister's wedding two years ago. Reno treats Jilly in a callous fashion, but attempts to keep her safe. He is unsuccessful in his attempts to get her safetly out of the country and on her way home, due to the tenacious thugs who are pursuing them. Reno is devastatingly attracted to Jilly, and although he attempts to exercise restraint, he eventually gives in to temptation. After their passionate encounter, Reno crushes Jilly by pretending that their intimate experience was unsatisfactory. Danger continues to follow Reno and Jilly, and he is thwarted in his every effort to relieve himself of her responsibility. While Reno and Jilly fight to stay alive and to end their perilous situation, they continue to turn to one another in desire. When Reno is finally able to send Jilly home, she believes their relationship is over, but soon finds that the danger stalking her has not ended. Reno rushes to her rescue again, and as he tries to protect her, he is unable to keep his emotions uninvolved.
Reno was a very unusual and interesting character. If someone would have described him to me before I read about him in the earlier books of the series, I would not have thought that I could find him to be an appealing hero. Somehow, even with his harsh treatment of Jilly, Anne Stuart makes him work as a hero. Jilly is a very sympathetic heroine, young and unsure of herself. Reno and Jilly had a lot of chemistry together, and I enjoyed seeing Reno plummet into love with her. This was a very enjoyable, engrossing book.
June 2, 2013
The bad boy Reno was not as enjoyable here as I anticipated when he first appeared in Taka's book. He was very cold and had a bit of a hang ups with Jilly's above-average body size. He was utterly rude about it too.
Reno's highest moments:-
"I'm not touching her again, I told you. You know me, I don't believe in commitments and relationships. I like novelty. I've already had her-I don't need to revisit old territory." -And he said that to Taka in Jill's presence too. Such a prick!
He only redeemed himself too late at the end with his declaration of love towards his Ji-chan.
I had high hopes of Reno falling down very hard (the baddest of bad boys usually does) but was disappointed with his lame ILY declarations at the very last page. 4stars it is Reno-chan.
Reno's highest moments:-
"I'm not touching her again, I told you. You know me, I don't believe in commitments and relationships. I like novelty. I've already had her-I don't need to revisit old territory." -And he said that to Taka in Jill's presence too. Such a prick!
He only redeemed himself too late at the end with his declaration of love towards his Ji-chan.
I had high hopes of Reno falling down very hard (the baddest of bad boys usually does) but was disappointed with his lame ILY declarations at the very last page. 4stars it is Reno-chan.
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November 16, 2018I can't rate this one, I stopped it way too early for it to be fair.
Typical case of heroine presented as "smart" whereas she is terminally affected by the TSTL syndrome. I wish authors would stop doing that.
First sex scene of the book: making a girl come (without her consent) so she can sleep...
pathetic. Find another excuse or man up, boy !
Clearly written before the "me too" movement.
The hero as well as bad-ass and lethal, is also omniscient, as he magically finds her each time she is lost/in danger and so on...
Well, maybe I'm unfair and he put a tracer on her, which I'll never know because I just can't make myself care about both of them.
Typical case of heroine presented as "smart" whereas she is terminally affected by the TSTL syndrome. I wish authors would stop doing that.
First sex scene of the book: making a girl come (without her consent) so she can sleep...
pathetic. Find another excuse or man up, boy !
Clearly written before the "me too" movement.
The hero as well as bad-ass and lethal, is also omniscient, as he magically finds her each time she is lost/in danger and so on...
Well, maybe I'm unfair and he put a tracer on her, which I'll never know because I just can't make myself care about both of them.
December 19, 2014
3.5 stars actually
It was good as a suspense, but the romance part didn't work for me very well. Reno was so rude and cold all the time, that I couldn't understand what attracted Jilly, besides his exotic appearence. And Jilly was supposed to be a kid-genious but never acted like one.
Still, it was fast paced, enjoyable and fun. Just not in parr with the others in the Ice series.
It was good as a suspense, but the romance part didn't work for me very well. Reno was so rude and cold all the time, that I couldn't understand what attracted Jilly, besides his exotic appearence. And Jilly was supposed to be a kid-genious but never acted like one.
Still, it was fast paced, enjoyable and fun. Just not in parr with the others in the Ice series.
August 18, 2010
Suspense and romance. Wonderful.
February 28, 2019
Lo he disfrutado un montón, acción tremidante ambientado en Japón, un protagonista masculino frío que parece sacado de un manga y una protagonista muy impulsiva e inconsciente, porque vamos le dicen que se este quieta y va directa a la boca del lobo. Me ha gustado los diálogos llenos de tensión y mucha chispa pero con ella no podía, y eso que él fuese japones (jdjlrlrlñdñd). Como no había leído ningún libro anterior, he siendo que me he perdido cosas sobre todo por el primer encuentro de ellos pero se puede leer tranquilamente.
El final ha sido demasiado rápido y te deja con ganas de seguir la serie.
Recomendable para aquellos que quiera un libro lleno de acción con una pareja interracial y ambientado en Japón.
El final ha sido demasiado rápido y te deja con ganas de seguir la serie.
Recomendable para aquellos que quiera un libro lleno de acción con una pareja interracial y ambientado en Japón.
June 30, 2021
4.5 stars
When Jilly Lovitz lands in Tokyo to visit her sister, she almost gets kidnapped. But she is saved by Reno, a tattooed Yakuza punk who also works for the Committee. Jilly has had a crush on Reno since she first met him at her sister's wedding. Reno is the cousin of Jilly's brother-in-law. Everyone has warned Reno to stay away from Jilly because they expect him to break her heart. But now he is on the run with Jilly because her life is in danger and he's the only one who can protect her in Japan.
OMG. I've been obsessed with Jilly and Reno since they first met at Takashi and Summer's wedding. And now I am even more obsessed with them. The BANTER is *chef's kiss* hands down the best banter in the entire Ice series so far. On one hand, we have a Yakuza punk with long red hair, tattoos, and who rides a Harley. On the other hand, we have a heroine who's basically a certified genius, but has led a pretty sheltered life. Jilly and Reno have such a fun dynamic together. They annoy each other so much, but they are also attracted to each other. Reno is quite the character � one of the most unique heroes I've ever read. His dialogues make me laugh, scream in frustration, and swoon all at once LOL.
I thoroughly enjoyed Fire and Ice � it was fun, fast-paced, sexy, and filled with action and adventure. I loved spending time with Jilly and Reno as they ran from villains chasing them. I also love that most of this book takes place in Japan. I only wish there was an epilogue!! I wanted Summer's reaction to Reno and Jilly LOL. And I really wanted Jilly to meet Mahmoud.
When Jilly Lovitz lands in Tokyo to visit her sister, she almost gets kidnapped. But she is saved by Reno, a tattooed Yakuza punk who also works for the Committee. Jilly has had a crush on Reno since she first met him at her sister's wedding. Reno is the cousin of Jilly's brother-in-law. Everyone has warned Reno to stay away from Jilly because they expect him to break her heart. But now he is on the run with Jilly because her life is in danger and he's the only one who can protect her in Japan.
OMG. I've been obsessed with Jilly and Reno since they first met at Takashi and Summer's wedding. And now I am even more obsessed with them. The BANTER is *chef's kiss* hands down the best banter in the entire Ice series so far. On one hand, we have a Yakuza punk with long red hair, tattoos, and who rides a Harley. On the other hand, we have a heroine who's basically a certified genius, but has led a pretty sheltered life. Jilly and Reno have such a fun dynamic together. They annoy each other so much, but they are also attracted to each other. Reno is quite the character � one of the most unique heroes I've ever read. His dialogues make me laugh, scream in frustration, and swoon all at once LOL.
I thoroughly enjoyed Fire and Ice � it was fun, fast-paced, sexy, and filled with action and adventure. I loved spending time with Jilly and Reno as they ran from villains chasing them. I also love that most of this book takes place in Japan. I only wish there was an epilogue!! I wanted Summer's reaction to Reno and Jilly LOL. And I really wanted Jilly to meet Mahmoud.
April 20, 2012
Great series. Really exceptional audio! Amazing narrator for this one. Amazing author- all the time!!!
Anne Stuart and Xe Sands= easy 5 stars!
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