Heated by JC Gardner

Genres: Urban, Fiction, Drama, Humor
Pages: 135
Format: Ebook

So this isn’t going to be my typical review. As you can see, I don’t have a space for a rating, That is because, surprise, JC Gardner is my mom! Writing runs in the family (even my brother likes to write). Since my mom wrote this I’m obviously going to give it 5 stars, so instead of doing my usual star breakdown, I’m just going to talk about the book and let you decide if it’s something you’d like to pick up.

Heated is novella published in 2017, but I was in the mood for a reread before jumping into Heat of the Everflame. Heated is a dual-POV following our FMC Jerilyn and our MMC Antoine. Jerilyn is a single mom, barely just getting by, she has three kids, and is on the hunt for the job. She shares custody with her baby daddy, Antoine, who can’t stay out of trouble. Antoine’s method of making money is questionable, and it works for him until it doesn’t. Now he’s in trouble with a crime boss and Jerilyn wants no part of it. But she may not have a choice….

At just 135 pages, Heated is a fast-paced, one-sitting kind of read. The short chapters, alternating perspectives, and unpredictable twists keep the momentum going, while its strong character focus grounds the story. It also blends in meaningful elements like a faith-driven heroine, disability representation, and a diverse cast, all tied together in a cohesive way.

Let’s take a moment for some of the funny moments throughout the book:

• “I sat in her dated Honda Accord that looked like a burglarized trailer home…”
• “I quietly recited my own versions of scripture….No weapon formed against me shall prosper or occupy this desk; if this desk is for me, who can be against me; all things work together for the good who love the Lord…and need a job.”
• “Figures I’d attract somebody’s grandfather.”
• “You done dug us a hole so deep, I can see the gates of hell.”

• “I imagined draggin’ his big ass up and down had to be a chore for him.”

If this sounds like something you want to try, check it out! It’s available on Amazon and Kindle for purchase (: