Nothing Left to Burn

Nothing Left to Burn is a compelling young adult novel that intertwines the high stakes of a natural disaster with the emotional intensity of a first love. Sixteen-year-old Audrey Harper faces the evacuation of her home due to a wildfire while simultaneously reflecting on her passionate, complicated relationship with Brooks, a volunteer firefighter with a mysterious past. This book explores themes of fear, resilience, trust, and the complexities of growing up, making it suitable for mature young adults aged 14 and up. Parents should be aware of prominent romantic content, including a first sexual experience, and discussions around a character's troubled past, which could involve sensitive topics.

The autumn morning after sixteen-year-old Audrey Harper loses her virginity, she wakes to a loud, persistent knocking at her front door. Waiting for her are two firemen, there to let her know that the moment she's been dreading has arrived: the enormous wildfire sweeping through Orange County, California, is now dangerously close to her idyllic gated community of Coto de Caza, and it's time to evacuate. Over the course of the next twenty-four hours, as Audrey wrestles with the possibility of losing her family home, she also recalls her early, easy summer days with Brooks, the charming, passionate, but troubled volunteer firefighter who enchants Audrey--and who is just as enthralled by her. But as secrets from Brooks's dark past come to light, Audrey can't help but wonder if there's danger in the pull she feels--both toward this boy, and toward the fire burning in the distance.