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Since reading and loving Wicked Burn a few years ago, I've become a big fan of Beth Kery and eagerly read everything Kery has published, and her newest book, Explosive, is right up there with Wicked Burn and Daring Time as one of her best.

Sophie is a psychologist with a secret crush on the brother of one of her partner's clients. Thomas Nicasio is sexy and charismatic, but lately his family has been in trouble. Adopted into the powerful and wealthy Carlisle family at a young age after being left an orphan, Thomas used to be an explosives expert in the Navy. His adoptive brother, Rick, is a journalist investigating the Chicago mafia - his investigations turned up the name of the mob boss, who also happens to be his father: Joseph Carlisle. Not long after that, Rick and his son are killed in a boat explosion.

On vacation at her lakeside cottage, Sophie is taken by surprise when Thomas, a man she barely knows except through his brother Rick, turns up on her dock. Clearly in a state of shock, she lets him stay with her. The chemistry between them is electrifying, and after a passionate night Sophie wakes up the next morning to find Thomas gone. When she encounters him in her office building later, she discovers he has no recollection of the time at the cottage. But he's clearly in trouble, and after they escape an explosion and the FBI, the cottage is the only safe place left - a place where Thomas can heal, and they can explore their explosive chemistry.

Nothing sizzles hotter than Beth Kery sex; it's intense and hot and wild and naughty and passionate. Thomas was instantly likeable, especially as his vulnerable side is what we first see - after that, we like Sophie know him better than he realises. The plot is simple enough but with an edge that adds tension and suspense; still, the truth about Thomas's adoptive father and the death of his brother, while interesting, is not the point of the story. I like it when plot doesn't get in the way of character development and growing chemistry - these two explode off the page right from the beginning, but their emotional chemistry builds slower and is more satisfying for it.