4.5

"Everybody Burns" was absolutely wonderful: angst-y and tough and gut-wrenching, heartfelt and romantic and hopeful. I've always wanted to know more about Eli, the angry, silent agent with such destructive abilities, but after Vance and Sam's very frustrating story, I was terrified I wasn't going to love his.
I was so damn happy to be wrong: the first book, and Talon and Finn's story, will always be my favourite, but this one is a very close second.
I loved both MCs so much: Eli's character was as complex as I imagined, angry and guilt-riddled, traumatized and scared, but he still manages to retain a sweet side, a gentler one, a desperate need to be taken care of that Daniel is very happy to do. Daniel was fantastic: he's steady and reliable, a bit broken himself, but also a natural caretaker and the way he wanted to keep Eli safe and happy was so sweet and swoony I nearly cried. He in no way tries to fix Eli, and his past, but he still manages to be there for him, to slowly become his safe space and the one person who'll never intentionally hurt him. I loved both of them, and their relationship? I lived for it. It's the loveliest slow-burn, it's mistrust and dislike to love and safety and taking care of one another. Both of them are aware that love can't miraculously cure Eli of his trauma, and recovery is a long road, but it can make it easier to cope with.
Apart from Eli's background, the plot is trigger-riddled, so heed the TW before you start: it was a tough story to follow, and it made me feel angry and helpless.
But Eli and Daniel's relationship is anything but: it's sweet and lovely and respectful, with less heat than the previous books, but there's still an undercurrent of tension and chemistry between them.
I absolutely adored this book and I'm not sure how I'll be able to wait for Sawyer and Adam's stories, if Victoria Sue decides to write them: I'm hoping she will and I have a pretty good idea about who one of their LI might be *cackles*