When We Caught Fire

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Luxe series comes a lush, romantic novel about the love triangle that started Chicago’s infamous Great Fire.

It’s 1871, and Emmeline Carter is poised to take Chicago’s high society by storm. Between her father’s sudden rise to wealth and her recent engagement to Chicago’s most eligible bachelor, Emmeline has it all. But she can’t stop thinking about the life she left behind, including her childhood sweetheart, Anders Magnuson.

Fiona Byrne, Emmeline’s childhood best friend, is delighted by her friend’s sudden rise to prominence, especially since it means Fiona is free to pursue Anders herself. But when Emmeline risks everything for one final fling with Anders, Fiona feels completely betrayed.

As the summer turns to fall, the city is at a tipping point: friendships are tested, hearts are broken, and the tiniest spark might set everything ablaze.

Sweeping, soapy, and romantic, this is a story about an epic love triangle—one that will literally set the city ablaze and change the lives of three childhood friends forever.

In a city simmering with secrets and summer heat, who will get burned when passions finally ignite?

• Love Triangle: Emmeline is engaged to the perfect high-society gentleman, but she can't let go of her first love, Anders. The problem? Her best friend, Fiona, is determined to claim Anders for herself.
• Best Friends to Rivals: Fiona has always stood in Emmeline’s shadow. Now, with a chance at the boy they both adore, their lifelong friendship is about to go up in smoke.
• High Society Romance: Step into the opulent world of 1871 Chicago, where new money clashes with old, and every society ball hides a scandalous secret.
• A City on the Brink: As romantic tensions boil over, the long, dry summer of 1871 has Chicago at a tipping point. One spark is all it will take to burn it all down.