Book Review: Hot Response by Shannon Stacey

Series: Boston Fire Book #4

Format: Mass Market Paperback

Pages: 270

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

How I Got It: Purchased

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Carina Press

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Gavin Boudreau lives for the job, but he also believes in “work hard, play harder.” As the youngest guy in Ladder 37, he figures he’s got plenty of time before settling down becomes a priority. Soft, pretty women who aren’t looking for promises are exactly his type, and he’s comfortable with that. Working with a gorgeous EMT isn’t going to change who he is.

The last thing Cait Tasker needs in her personal life is a firefighter whose challenges on-scene have been a thorn in her side from minute one. Her plate’s too full for a man anyway. Back in her childhood home to help her family cope with an unexpected tragedy, she’s got enough to handle without throwing a hot, testosterone-laden fireman into the mix.

As long days on the job lead to long nights together, Gavin and Cait will discover how far temptation can take them—and what happens when the one you thought was all wrong for you turns out to be the person you can’t live without.

Review

Is this my favorite Shannon Stacey book? Or has it been a couple months since I read one and I forgot how amazing she is? Who knows, but I freaking loved this. The characters, the romance, the friendships, the world. Seriously, I feel like I'm part of this firehouse family every time I pick up one of these books. 

Gavin and Cait were both great characters and I loved how they foiled each other (look at me using that $200K English degree). He was so nice and I loved how he always found humor in things. And I really appreciated how seriously they both took their jobs and how passionate they were. I understand Cait's family situation, but sometimes she frustrated me. I'm definitely more in line with Gavin's thoughts on it. 

The romance was fun and well-paced. It had some enemies-to-lovers, but wasn't full blown which was nice. I loved that they had to navigate real things like crazy work hours to even go on a date. Sometimes I read romance novels and I wonder if these people even have jobs because they just band all day and night. I'm happy for them but I have bills to pay.

Can I add how much you can tell Ms. Stacey respects first responders. she puts so much care into showing their stories. Firefighters are often treated as sexy, but she really takes the time to build great characters and things like the firehouse family. The hero isn't just a firefighter so we can have firefighter abs on the cover. And I'm so grateful for this. 

Thanks for reading!

Holly

Review: Flare Up by Shannon Stacey

Series: Boston Fire Book #6

Format: ebook

Rating: 4.5 Stars

How I Got It: NetGalley

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Carina Press

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Nursing a broken heart while everybody around him seems to be drowning in happiness has Grant Cutter wondering whether staying with Engine 59—or even Boston Fire—is in his future. It’s tempting as hell to pack up what fits in his Jeep and hit the road. But then a 911 call brings the woman who shattered his heart back into his life, and he knows he won’t ever be able to fully leave her in his rearview mirror.

For a few months, Wren Everett had thought the nightmare of her past was behind her and she might live happily ever after with Grant. Until she got the phone call letting her know the time her ex had spent in jail for assault hadn’t cooled his temper or determination that she belonged with him. Cutting ties with Grant was the hardest thing she’d ever had to do, but it was also the only way to keep him safe.

Now that Grant is back, he’s not letting Wren push him away again. And even with the trust issues between them, Wren dares to hope she and Grant might have a future together after all…if they’re willing to fight for it. 

Review

***I received this book via NetGalley from the publisher in exchange for an honest review***

I was so excited about this book and was pumped when NetGalley approved me for an e-ARC. 

Shannon Stacy is a fantastic writer. I love the world she has built in the Boston Fire series. Not enough people talk about world building in romance. So I was already invested in these characters. But this is also a reunited-lovers story. That is my favorite trope. 

Grant was a great hero. He's justifiably a little standoffish when he first reconnects with Wren, but he isn't the jaded hero who shows up all the time in romance novels. I love reading about male characters who are open to being in a relationship. 

Wren is actually the more withdrawn character. I really liked reading her journey and growth.

They were a fun couple. And I like the push and pull of their interactions as they reconnect. It is a different dynamic than you see in a lot of romance. That's probably why I love this trope so much.

I have a really tiny issue wiht this book. And it's probably a personal issue. Grant's best friend's name is Gavin. These names are just too similar for me. I kept confusing who was who. Like even when writing this I had to look up the hero's name to make sure I got it right. I haven't read Gavin's book (it's the only one I haven't read in this series) so maybe reading that will help. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. The ending had a feeling of being a series ending which would make me sad. I really like these characters. At least Ms. Stacey has other books I can read to get me by.

Thanks for reading!

Holly

Review: Heat Exchange by Shannon Stacey

Series: Boston Fire Book #1

Format: ebook

Rating: 3 Stars

How I Got It: Borrowed from Library

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Carina Press

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Lydia Kincaid's shipping back to Boston, but she's not happy about it. She left to get away from the firefighting community—her father was a firefighter, her brother's a firefighter and, more important, her ex is a firefighter. But family is number one, and her father needs her help running the pub he bought when he retired. Soon, Lydia finds it hard to resist the familiar comfort and routine, and even harder to resist her brother's handsome friend Aidan. 

Aidan Hunt is a firefighter because of the Kincaid family. He's had the hots for Lydia for years, but if ever a woman was off-limits to him, it's her. Aside from being his mentor's daughter, she's his best friend's sister. The ex-wife of a fellow firefighter. But his plan to play it cool until she leaves town again fails, and soon he and Lydia have crossed a line they can't uncross. 

As Aidan and Lydia's flirtation turns into something more serious, Lydia knows she should be planning her escape. Being a firefighter's wife was the hardest thing she's ever done, and she doesn't know if she has the strength to do it again. Aidan can't imagine walking away from Boston Fire—even for Lydia. The job and the brotherhood are his life; but if he wants Lydia in it, he'll have to decide who's first in his heart. 

Review

After getting book for in this series from NetGalley, I had to read the whole series.

This follows Lydia who has married to a firefighter and her dad was one. So, now she's basically sworn off firefighters. But she ends up in a relationship with her brother's best friend, Aidan, who is also a firefighter.

Most of the tension comes from her dislike of firefighter life/culture and Aidan being her brother's best friend. Her dealing with how firefighters act and bond was interesting to read. And it's a realistic struggle for a couple which I'm always a fan of reading. However, I really dislike the whole can't date your best friend's sibling trope. 

Lydia and Aidan are both fun characters. The romance was well done other than the brother/best friend thing. The story felt like it ended a bit abruptly. An epilogue would've helped with that, but I also love epilogues in my romances.

Thanks for reading!

Holly

Book Review: Under Control by Shannon Stacey

Series: Boston Fire Book #5

Format: ebook

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: NetGalley

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Carina Press

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

When faced with the opportunity to change shifts while staying in the same house, veteran firefighter Derek Gilman jumps at the chance. His new schedule means not working Saturdays, which means more time to spend with his two kids. His divorce may have been amicable, but being a firefighter and a single dad is a lot to juggle. And when fate brings a gorgeous, wealthy woman into his life, he’s pretty sure he can’t handle more than he already is.

Olivia McGovern loves plans. She planned to start her own business and planned its growth. It’s earning her seven figures now, but her personal life simply doesn’t exist. Getting trapped in a broken elevator figures in exactly nowhere, and freaking out in front of a sexy firefighter definitely isn’t on the agenda. Especially not one with two kids and an ex.

What would have been a random incident with an attractive stranger becomes something more when a charity event brings them back together. They’re from different sides of the tracks, literally—with friends, family and careers to consider. But as Derek and Olivia are discovering, chemistry doesn’t allow for plans, and love doesn’t bother with logistics.

Review

***I received this book via NetGalley from the publisher in exchange for an honest review***

This was my first Shannon Stacey book! I've heard about her for years, but never pulled the trigger. I totally wish I had read her before. This was a really good book.

I'm not sure I've ever read a firefighter story before. I liked it. The firehouse kind of creates a found family. That is one of my favorite things to read.

The romance was well-paced and well-written. Olivia and Derek have demanding careers which they really care about. They have to navigate that work-life balance. That felt very natural and realistic-sometimes romance novels ignores those realities of life.

Derek is divorced and has kids. I don't particularly like stories with kids, but this one worked. Again, I liked that Ms. Stacey addressed the difficulties of dating after divorce and dating someone that has kids. 

I really enjoyed these characters and the world. I immediately borrowed the other books in the series from the library. And I can't wait for the next one in the series.

Thanks for reading!

Holly