Emily McIntire’s latest offering, Burning Daylight, marks a compelling departure from her darkly twisted fairy tale retellings in the Never After series, venturing into contemporary romance territory with a Shakespearean flair that feels both fresh and achingly familiar. This inaugural novel in the Defying the Stars series weaves a tale of forbidden love between two young people caught in the crossfire of their families’ generations-old feud, set against the backdrop of the fictional Connecticut town of Rosebrook Falls.
The story follows Juliette Calloway, daughter of one of the town’s most powerful families, and Roman Montgomery, the secretly-alive heir to their sworn enemies. When their paths cross during what should be anonymous encounters, neither knowing the other’s true identity, their undeniable chemistry ignites a romance that threatens to burn down everything their families have built—including the careful lies that have kept Roman hidden from the world.
Character Development That Captures the Heart
McIntire’s greatest strength lies in her character development, particularly in crafting Juliette as a protagonist who evolves from a perfectly polished Calloway daughter into a young woman discovering her own voice. The author’s portrayal of Juliette’s internal struggle between family loyalty and personal desires feels authentic and emotionally resonant. Her journey from someone who admits “I’m expected to smile, stay quiet, marry well, and show up when I’m told” to a woman willing to fight for love showcases McIntire’s ability to create meaningful character arcs.
Roman Montgomery emerges as a complex love interest whose mysterious nature serves the plot well without falling into the trap of being deliberately obtuse. His dual identity as both the charming “Trouble” who saves Juliette at a cliff and the heir to a criminal empire creates compelling internal conflict. The way McIntire reveals his artistic nature—through graffiti that tells the story of Rosebrook Falls’ corruption—adds layers to his character that elevate him beyond the typical brooding male protagonist.
The supporting cast, particularly Juliette’s siblings and Roman’s sister Brooklynn, feels lived-in and authentic. McIntire excels at creating family dynamics that feel real, with each character having distinct voices and motivations that extend beyond simply advancing the central romance.
A Setting That Becomes a Character
Rosebrook Falls itself deserves recognition as one of the novel’s standout elements. McIntire has crafted a small town that breathes with secrets, where old money and older grudges create a suffocating atmosphere of predetermined destinies. The inclusion of “The Rosebrook Rag” gossip column entries between chapters is a stroke of genius, providing both world-building and tension while mimicking the way small-town drama actually unfolds.
The author’s use of symbolic locations—from the cliff where Roman and Juliette first meet to the various spots where Roman leaves his artistic mark on the town—creates a geography of emotion that grounds the romance in something tangible. The contrast between the Calloway estate’s polished perfection and the grittier corners where Roman operates effectively mirrors the central conflict between appearance and authenticity.
Prose That Balances Poetry and Accessibility
McIntire’s writing style in Burning Daylight strikes an effective balance between lyrical romance and contemporary accessibility. Her prose carries echoes of her fairy tale retelling background—particularly in moments of heightened emotion—while remaining grounded in modern sensibilities. The dual first-person narration allows readers intimate access to both protagonists’ thoughts without becoming repetitive or losing distinct voice.
The author demonstrates particular skill in writing sexual tension, building anticipation through stolen glances, charged conversations, and the constant threat of discovery. When the physical romance does unfold, it feels earned rather than gratuitous, serving both character development and plot advancement.
However, the pacing occasionally suffers under the weight of the extensive world-building. While the conspiracy involving Frederick Lawrence and the various family secrets creates compelling stakes, some revelation scenes feel rushed after long periods of setup, creating an uneven rhythm that may test some readers’ patience.
Themes That Resonate Beyond Romance
At its core, Burning Daylight explores themes of identity, family loyalty, and the courage required to forge your own path. McIntire handles the Romeo and Juliet parallels with surprising subtlety, never allowing the Shakespearean influence to overwhelm the contemporary setting. The novel asks meaningful questions about how much we owe to family legacy versus personal happiness, and whether love can truly overcome systemic hatred.
The author also weaves in commentary about class, power, and corruption in small-town America without becoming heavy-handed. The revelation that both families have been manipulated by outside forces adds complexity to what could have been a simple “families bad, love good” narrative.
Areas for Growth
While Burning Daylight succeeds as an engaging romance, it’s not without areas that could have been strengthened. The conspiracy plot involving Frederick Lawrence, while providing necessary external conflict, occasionally feels overly complex for a romance novel. Some readers may find themselves more invested in the central love story than in unraveling the various schemes and counter-schemes that drive the final act.
Additionally, certain secondary characters, particularly some members of the extended families, remain frustratingly underdeveloped despite their importance to the plot. This is somewhat understandable given that this is the first book in a series, but it occasionally leaves emotional beats feeling less impactful than they could be.
The novel also grapples with some tonal inconsistencies, particularly in how it handles the more serious elements like addiction and family trauma alongside the lighter romantic comedy moments. While McIntire generally navigates these shifts well, there are instances where the transitions feel jarring.
Comparison to McIntire’s Previous Work
Readers familiar with McIntire’s Never After series will find both familiar elements and notable evolution in Burning Daylight. While her signature “steam, slow burns, and seriously questionable morals” remains evident, this contemporary setting allows for more nuanced character development than the fairy tale framework typically permits. The author’s talent for creating morally complex situations translates well to this new setting, though the stakes feel more grounded and relatable.
The writing demonstrates growth in emotional authenticity—where the Never After books sometimes relied on shock value and gothic atmosphere, Burning Daylight finds its power in quieter moments of connection and genuine character growth.
Similar Reads for Burning Daylight Fans
Readers who enjoy Burning Daylight might appreciate:
- The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake – for complex characters caught between loyalty and desire
- The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab – for beautiful prose and star-crossed romance
- Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard – for family secrets and forbidden attraction
- One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig – for atmospheric storytelling and morally gray characters
- The Cruel Prince series by Holly Black – for enemies-to-lovers dynamics and complex family politics
Final Verdict: A Promising Start to a New Series
Burning Daylight succeeds as both a standalone romance and the foundation for what promises to be an engaging series. McIntire has created a world rich enough to support multiple storylines while delivering a satisfying conclusion to Roman and Juliette’s central arc. The novel’s exploration of how love can bloom even in the shadow of ancient hatred feels both timeless and urgently contemporary.
While not without its flaws—particularly in pacing and subplot management—Burning Daylight showcases McIntire’s evolution as a storyteller and her ability to create emotionally resonant romance across different subgenres. The novel will particularly appeal to readers who enjoy character-driven romance with substantial emotional stakes and appreciate seeing familiar tropes executed with fresh perspective.
For fans of contemporary romance seeking something with more depth than typical small-town stories but more accessibility than literary fiction, Burning Daylight hits the sweet spot. McIntire has crafted a romance that honors its literary influences while standing firmly on its own merits, creating a reading experience that lingers long after the final page.
The promise of continuing storylines in future Defying the Stars books adds additional appeal for readers looking to invest in a series, while the satisfying resolution of the central romance ensures that Burning Daylight works perfectly as a standalone read for those who prefer complete stories.
Burning Daylight proves that sometimes the most powerful stories come from the simplest premises: two people from different worlds finding each other against all odds. In McIntire’s capable hands, this tale of star-crossed lovers becomes something luminous—a reminder that love, like art, has the power to rewrite even the most entrenched narratives.
