Ravaged

Miriam Nelson is unfazed by running a full-service breakup company called B.U.R.N.E.D., Inc. (Breaking Up, Reversing Nuptials, and Evading Disasters) with her siblings, but it’s not her passion. Most of their clients are pro sports players who want help dumping their latest paramours, which is enough to make Miriam swear off dating athletes altogether. But her resolve is weakened by her best friend (and former fling), basketball star Jordan Ransom, whose tattoos and Viking good looks make Miriam go weak in the knees; the one night she spent with Jordan has been extremely hard to forget. Jordan, for his part, is well aware of Miriam’s rule and knows he’s been relegated to the friend zone, but they struggle to maintain a platonic friendship, as each is afraid to admit their feelings for the other—not to mention the other secrets they’ve been keeping. In her second “Burned, Inc.” romance (following Heated), Simone creates likable characters, but the overwrought inner monologues and familiar tropes may leave readers unsatisfied.