Fire, Water, and Rock

by Alaina Erdell

A hot summer fling or true love?

When budding geologist Jessica Sterling arrives to work on her thesis while camping in Washington’s Dry Falls State Park for the summer, she shatters park ranger Clare DeVere’s hope for an uneventful season. Neither can deny their unexpected attraction, but their secrets make romance impossible

Clare’s best friend since college, Lyn, works as one of the park’s dispatchers, and her long-standing and unrequited crush on Clare grows increasingly obsessive as Clare draws closer to Jess.

While Clare contends with Lyn’s infatuation and unwanted advances from her womanizing boss, and Jess grapples with her unexpected feelings for a woman, their fiery fling challenges them to confront their pasts.

Genres: Romance, LGBT, Lesbian Fiction, Lesbian, Fiction, Queer

264 pages, ebook

Published December 13, 2022

About the author

Alaina Erdell lives in Ohio with her partner and their three crazy but adorable cats. She has a degree in psychology from Gonzaga University. Prior to writing, she worked as a chef. She enjoys painting, experimenting with molecular gastronomy, reading, snorkeling, traveling, and spending time with her beloved nephews.

Reviews

[pipsqueakreviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Camping.

This is one of those books where you'd probably learn more than you feel. This story takes place in a park and one of the characters, Jess, is a camper there. She is also a geologist and is passionate about what she knows so whenever she discusses rocks with the other character, park ranger Clare, I learnt quite a fair bit and I couldn't help smiling at Jess' enthusiam.

The romance itself is pretty easy in the sense that Jess and Clare are drawn to each other the moment they meet and certain things about themselves which I thought would deter them somehow from dating never really played out. For example, Jess never dated women before and Clare seemed to still be grieving over a dead girlfriend. But neither of them seemed to let any of it get in the way of their feelings for each other.

The romance isn't too bad. It's easy, though not easy to the point of being uninteresting. There's still a little bit of tension here and there. Like how Clare's best friend, Lyn, has unrequited feelings for Clare and becomes an awkward inconvenience to the couple. Jess herself keeps some secrets and makes some eyebrow-raising decisions along the way too.

That being said, this book is a debut and I thought it could have been smoother. Some aspects of the book that I thought were interesting were glossed over and it left some question marks for me. But overall, I enjoyed the little nuggets of information on rocks and even the romance storyline.

I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books though Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story about Jessica Sterling who is a geologist and writing her thesis. She’s given permission to work at Dry Falls State Park in Washington state over the summer. While doing her research she meets park Ranger Clare DeVere. They have an instant attraction and spend the summer exploring the park and its caves and do a bunch of rock climbing.

Jess struggles with loneliness and has a secret that she doesn’t share with Clare and it turns into a black moment. Clare has had a bad relationship and is reluctant to start a new one.

I enjoyed this book and enjoyed the slow burn romance. Both MC’s were very likable for me. And it’s a good lesson for all of us starting a new relationship to come clean up front with your past relationships. I love being outside and going to national parks to hike and explore. So this book was perfect for me in that regard.

ARC received from Net Galley for an honest and voluntary review.

[currentlyreadingbynat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love books set in beautiful settings and this book definitely features one - a picturesque State Park in Washington. The story is filled with drama, which definitely kept me engaged throughout. However, Jessica as a character really irked me and I had issues moving past that. The dynamics between Clare and Lyn also made me uneasy and overall, I finished the book not quite invested in the romance between the two protagonists.

I don't usually mind reading books that feature cheating but I found this one a bit tough to swallow seeing as though Jessica doesn't tell Clare about her boyfriend back home. The dishonesty just felt wrong and I didn't really like her as a character due to this.

Overall, it's a well-written debut with a romance that just didn't work for me. Regardless, I'll be looking out to see what Erdell releases next.

Many thanks to the author, Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first thing to draw you in with this book is the beautiful cover. We should get more covers like this in the genre.

I found this book to be one of many with the same themes being released around this time, park rangers, camping, seems like there is a new trend in the sapphic fiction world. What makes this slightly different is the geology aspect and the educational aspects in this book.

I enjoyed the romance and the setting, but it was just a dime a dozen.

[queer_aussie_reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fire, Water and Rock is the debut novel by Alaina Erdell, and she takes the reader to Dry Falls State Park in Washington. The brilliant way Erdell sets the scenes made me want to see the place for myself, so I ended up online, looking at pictures of this mind-blowing geographical landmark.

Clare is a park ranger who is struck by her sudden attraction towards new camper Jess, who will be hanging around longer than the usual tourists as she works on her thesis. Jess is so close to finishing her studies, and her dreams of being a geologist are clearly in sight. Her home life however isn’t stable, and Clare is proving to be someone she has no intention of trying to steer clear of.

While Jess spends her days researching the park, and Clare spends hers working, and trying to come to terms with the grief that has been a constant companion, both women go out of their way to spend time together, and a friendship quickly turns to more as neither have the inclination to deny their intense chemistry.

Fire, Water, and Rock is not without its flaws, but Erdell created a cast of (mostly) likable and relatable characters and used a beautiful landscape to set their story. With a couple of little mysteries to keep the reader on edge, even if sometimes not comfortably so, this debut is a sign of a new writer to keep your eyes on for future releases.

I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley for my honest review

[Jo reece · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alaina Erdell…. Another new author for us to look out for over the next few years.

Fire, water and rock is a good first book. Love the cover, and the characters engage well together and give off chemistry. , I’d have liked a little bit more description of the scenery just for the feels… but overall, I did enjoy the story.

However…. Cheating is cheating, and that does happen in this book. We learn early on in the story that Jess has a boyfriend back home, but while she's away working, that Is when she meets Clare. Even tho there's nothing between Jess and the boyfriend, and the relationship is more for comfort and habit, it's still there. Which for me, put an absolute downer on the story.

I've given Fire, water and rock a 3.2 out of 5.

[Rosi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The thing about this book is that it has all the usual ingredients that make up a good romance, but I think they have been poorly mixed or dosed. Or perhaps they have been placed by force, as if it were necessary to include them, and for this reason they have not formed an entirely optimal final result.

Let's see if I explain myself. The two protagonists are themselves potentially acceptable. There is Jess, who must complete her thesis in geology and for this she is going to spend a few months in a campsite in the mountains where the other protagonist, Clare, works as a ranger.

Jess is young, about ten years younger than Clare, and is somewhat naive and inexperienced in love. Clare has a trauma that is not shown until the final part of the story. Then there's Lyn, Clare's best friend who's kind of nasty, and some other minor characters, none of them very relevant. Because the other thing about this book is that the characters are quite flat, without depth, which has not allowed me to empathize.

Because you have to be interested in the characters to understand why they have acted as they have and perhaps that lack of complexity in their definition has not allowed me to do so.

Therefore, this story has remained for me just ok, it may be acceptable although it could be better.

Publisher Bold Strokes Books was kind enough to provide me with an advanced reading copy via Netgalley for an honest review

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yay, a new author with a well written summer romance debut novel. Jessica Sterling is spending her summer camping in Washington’s Dry Falls State park working on her Master’s thesis in Geology. Erdell writes beautifully of the geological wonders. I learned new things. The descriptions alone made me want to plan a visit to the area. Park ranger Clare DeVere, loves her work as a ranger. She’s been at the park for nine years. But she lost her girlfriend two years ago and she hasn’t really been interested in anyone until she meets Clare.

I love the novel doesn’t feel rushed. There is time to hike, swim, bike-ride and talk. This is a first female relationship for Jess but she doesn’t seem to question her attraction to Clare. As a first time author I found she occasionally over explains someones reasons or thinking. On the other hand I still had a few questions about the actions of others. Why didn’t Jess’s boyfriend ever respond to her or explain he side of things when they meet, or did the head of the park have thoughts about his past actions. But those are small things in a sweet and naturally progressing romance. I even like that Clare needs to take time with herself and her therapist to come to understand the actions of Jess.

Very Enjoyable!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Stokes Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Vita L. Licari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessica a budding geologist is working on her thesis while camping in Washington's Dry Falls State Park for the summer. There she meets Park Ranger Clare. Clare has been a Park Ranger there for 9 years. The two women flirt and feel a connection. But both have secrets.
I really enjoyed this book! It made me feel like I was camping, hiking and meeting new friends. I give it 5 stars!

[Winifred Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

FWR is an elegantly written story that draws you in immediately about how two women from different backgrounds seek to find true happiness in their lives. Their common interest in the state park provides a fertile background for each of them to learn about each other and to overcome respective obstacles while falling in love. Will they have the courage to take the leaps necessary to finally come together?

Note: Received an advanced copy and have already read.

[Women Using Words · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I read a book with themes that I know next to nothing about and the narrative makes me want to go investigate…Well, credit must go to that writer. Fire, Water and Rock gives brilliant explanations of rocks and geological formations. Erdell explains the basics in a way that captures one’s interest. For someone like me who likes to learn new things, I found it all very interesting. Because Erdell makes it sound so majestic, I often stopped my reading to do a little Googling.

This is Erdell’s first published novel and one can easily see the passion she has for storytelling. Using colorful language and vivid detail, she immerses her readers in an impressive story world. The setting really comes alive on the page and readers can easily envision Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park (another place I Googled). The descriptive writing captures the imagination and initiates the senses, making the reading experience quite fun.

As splendid as the story world is, readers find the characters equally compelling. Erdell gives Fire, Water and Rock two captivating women to drive the storytelling forward. Jessica and Clare are well-developed and likable individuals. There’s a bit of an age gap between the women and Erdell portrays it nicely. We see Jess’s inexperience and poor decision-making play out well within the story arc. On the flip side, readers see Clare’s maturity. Her life experience enables her to communicate her emotions honestly and fairly. It all works to facilitate tension within the relationship and give it a sense of believability. Ultimately though the dynamics work to promote change, as this is a character driven story.

As fascinating as all the themes of geology and nature are in the storyline, Fire, Water and Rock still remains a romance at its core. Erdell captures a tenderness in Jess and Clare’s journey that’s heartfelt and sweet. She’s a patient writer though; she moves her readers through Jess and Clare’s story in a measured and intentional way. She doesn’t rush the romance between them. Instead, she chooses to build the chemistry slowly, brick by brick. When their HEA does finally come, readers are more than ready for it.

Final remarks…

Erdell’s debut is a compelling and read-worthy tale; it’s definitely a sign of exciting things to come. Though the storytelling isn’t perfect, readers can see the promise in the writing. Her style and tone are very engaging and I’m excited to see what her next book (Off the Menu—March 2023) brings.

Strengths…

Tenderly told
Heartfelt
Likable main characters
Vivid descriptions of nature
Interesting geology tidbits pleasantly worked into the storytelling

[Fran Sappharc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really got in to the start. The male officer seems a bit cartoony. There is pretty much instant interest between the mains but I’m not quite there with them. There are clues to back story being dropped, and if they were right at the start with Jess and her boyfriend, I missed it, but she didn’t seem to miss him. In fairness, although it was made clear, he was not even close to the love of her life, I’m not even sure the like of her life, she pretty quickly wanted a date with Clare. No issue with that, but there didn’t seem any second guess. This niggled me throughout the book. However I think it was very well explained by the writer, via character, towards the end of the book.
I confess to not being a geologist or wanting to be a geologist so a lot of information went over my head, and I mean a lot of information! I also didn’t get the cajoling “even little kids do it” form of persuasion.
A lot of imagery is used throughout the book. Not saying this was good or bad, but there was lot compared to most books. Almost literaturish!
There is a plot bomb that is alluded to throughout the book. There were many times I expected it to explode. When it eventually did the aftermath is well written and I felt a compulsion to keep reading. That compulsion for me was missing prior to that. I think the spectre of the plot bomb did not generate enough tension to keep the plot tight and keep me engrossed. The book finished a lot more strongly than the start and middle. The writer shows potential and people that are looking for a quickish to ignite romance in a geological/nature setting will rate it higher than me.

[JAYNE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fire, Water, and Rock is a well written, heart-warming debut novel by Alaina Erdell centred on a State Park, where Clare is one of the park rangers whilst Jess is staying within the park for an extended period to complete her geology thesis.

Both Clare and Jess have believable back stories with differing past demons/insecurities to contend with. Despite their different walks of life, there is an instant chemistry between the pair that draws you into their world, which is further enhanced by their common interest in the State Park and its hidden secrets.

The storyline is interesting, and their adventures captivated me. The plot progression and pace of the book are good. Throughout the book, there is an injection of humour which I enjoyed especially around newly forming friendships. I felt invested in the future for Clare and Jess and did not want the story to end.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the author and Bold Strokes Books for my honest review.

[Laure · Rating 3 out of 5]

🏳️‍🌈👩‍❤️‍👩📚⚢🔥💧🪨👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩📖👭🏳️‍🌈

I received an ARC copy of Alaina Erdell’s debut novel “Fire, Water, and Rock’’ from BSB (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.
So, here it is !!!
My rating : 3⭐️

The story sets in Grant County, Washington, in the amazing geographical landmark known as “Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park” … Damn, the landscape description was so good I ended up online looking at pictures because I wanted to see the place for myself. It’s now definitely on my bucket list !!! And I learned a lot of things about geology. I loved it, it was very interesting.

Now for the less cool parts: I’ll do my best not to be too harsh for what comes next … (since my goal is not to offend anyone, especially not a newbie author showing a real potential)

What promised to be a great read sadly ended up to be just an OK read for me. Don’t get me wrong, I liked a lot of little things in the book but aside the gorgeous settings & the MCs’ common interest in the state park (Jessica Sterling is a budding geologist here to work on her thesis & Clare DeVere’s a park ranger) but there was nothing mind-blowing in the story. What I mean is that everything was way too predictable (from the start and on all accounts you knew it was coming, there was no surprise anywhere): the “mess” with the supposed best friend, the bit of angst resulting from both MCs’ complacency regarding their personal interactions with some of the people in their lives, as well as the unfamous 80% black moment (even if in this case, it didn’t bothered me too much since from the start we knew Jessica was there for a limited time only).

I found the MCs totally immature and very hard to like. I’m definitely not keen of Jessica being (technically) a cheater … I can’t stand cheaters. I have a lot of empathy for wounded people (physically or mentally) but for cheaters, duh !!! I have none !! And this aspect of Jessica’s life made me not liking her & wishing Clare stayed away from her because she deserved much better… I felt for Clare, well, at least at first, but after a while her procrastination pissed me off even more despite it being about a friendship & that’s for purely selfish reasons she kept Lyn’s around despite knowing her bestie’s feelings for her …

If some people can go with cheaters & lazy characters without blinking an eye when human relationship are involved, they’ll probably love the book but no excuse is good enough where I’m concerned because there’s no excuse to let an unrequited love go on and on because that's cruel. And there's just NO excuse at all for cheating. If you’re not in love with your partner, break it with them, don’t keep the relationship going (even without being physically together) just because you are afraid of this or that. For those reasons, in the end, I couldn’t care any less about any of the MCs.

From my POV, choosing another secret issue than her useless BF for Jessica and having Clare fighting for real against Lyn’s unrequited love would have allowed to better flesh out the story, especially by adding more actions (so more excitement) from Clare’s professional side. All this would have transformed the book in a more solid novel, because it would have made it way more than just another average romance among so many… And in addition, I could have done without the few typos found here and there. (e.g.: if “people’s party de jour” is, indeed, based on the French language, it should be “du jour”)

OK … So … Despite my mixed feelings about “Fire, Water, and Rock”, it's the author’s debut novel, so, there’s plenty of room for improvement ... I really think Alaina Erdell is full of potential and it makes her one of the new authors I’ll keep my eyes on for future releases & I really hope I’ll click way more with her next novels …

🏳️‍🌈👩‍❤️‍👩📚⚢🔥💧🪨👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩📖👭🏳️‍🌈

[French · Rating 5 out of 5]

An invitation to travel is what you will experience while reading Fire, Water and Rock. This book is all at once an adventure, a journey, a love story, and a beautiful text. Alaina Erdell transports us to Dry Falls State Park and its gorgeous setting. A young geology student who came to spend the summer to finish her research, meets an experienced park ranger passionate about her job but bruised by life. The sumptuous natural setting is both a limitless space conducive to escape, hiking, exploration, and a place closed in on itself where paths and destinies can only cross, and passions and jealousies ferment.

In the slowness of a beautiful summer that seems destined to last forever, the two women are drawn towards each other, and the story unfolds at a slow pace, as if to better give them time to tame and deepen the feelings that arise between them, and face the obstacles on their way. Alaina Erdell has no equal in painting suspended moments, tenuous gestures, subtle portraits of characters. Her writing has this rare power to make the universe she creates alive and visual with delicate and precise touches. She writes like one paints. We suddenly feel like hiking, climbing, exploring, we are transported within her painting. Like Jess the geologist, we want to follow Clare the park ranger to discover the hidden secrets of the park, in an initiatory journey which is as much in love as geological. 

And suddenly turned into a geologist the reader cannot help but pick up little rocks here and there, the many little gems of a very special writing.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the author and Bold Strokes Books for my honest review.

[Scylla Kairos · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really struggled with this novel. If you want to learn a lot about rocks, this is the book for you. if you want a book with a good romance where the characters have chemistry, this book is not where you're going to find that. It was predictable and altogether boring, and there is still one major plot hole that I'm still confounded about when the MC thinks she sees someone watching the group, and it never circles back to that. The MC is naive, and I took issue with the fact that the mc was literally away from her boyfriend for more than four months and didn't hear from her boyfriend and didn't think he might be cheating on her. The character development was severely lacking and disappointing, and all of the characters were very one-dimensional, and you only ever got the surface-level issues. The spicy scenes were not spicy, which is okay, but even that fell flat. Overall it was a disappointing and boring read to me.

[Lauren Carter · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to love it... However the relationships and the way people talked was just cringe and the book went so slow... Additionally I loved the background and the geology but it was just so slow that it wasn't readable.

[Beth Cassford · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Alaina Erdell’s debut novel, one young woman embarks on an odyssey of self-discovery with surprising results while her counterpart deviates on an equally life-shifting exploration.

Erdell creates two memorable and relatable protagonists in “Fire, Water, and Rock.” The characters’ personal growth doesn’t erase their faults but instead endears the women to readers. One’s willingness to hit the road with few resources is admirable; the other’s ability to learn to bend and compromise is laudable. Along their journey, the women engage in scenic encounters as new places and people broaden their horizons.

I hesitate to describe this book as solely a 'romance' novel because the story is complex and so much more. There is a budding and lovely relationship at the heart of it, but also, “Fire, Water, and Rock” is a compelling and suspenseful mystery. In some novels, wrongdoing hits the reader squarely in the face. The elements of crime within the plot are subtle and nuanced, allowing the reader to puzzle and reflect on skillfully placed clues.
For me, this novel evoked the best of such authors as Nevada Barr and Sue Grafton– nicely paced and hitting the correct balance of characters, sweeping vistas, a hint of the nefarious, and heart-pounding romance.

Erdell strikes the perfect notes!

[Bee Sherrard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clare DeVere has worked as a Park Ranger for the past nine years. In that time she’s made a few friends and even fell in love. One of the many jobs Rangers do is try spotting a fire and hopefully be able to put the fire down before it has a chance to grow. Clare loved her job and when she fell in love she was the happiest she’d remembered for a long time. Then the worst thing that could have happened did. One member of Clare’s team didn’t make it back. The fire was faster than the Ranger.
Jessica Sterling was for all intents and purposes an orphan. Her mother died during childbirth, so for many years it was just the two of them. Just when everything seemed to be going in the right direction, with Jess starting college to become a geologist, news came that her father had passed. Now really alone she starts dating Jackson just to try to overcome the loneliest.
Now Jess has traveled to Dry Falls State Park to finish the research needed to complete her thesis. There she meets Clare and a summer romance begins. Ms Erdell has done a pretty good job with her first novel. Great characters and an interesting plot turned this book into a very enjoyable read.
ARC via NetGalley/ Bold Stroke Books

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fire, Water, and Rock by Alaina Erdell is a lovely romance set in the majestic Dry Falls State Park in Washington State. This is the author’s debut novel, and I must say, it is a very good first novel.

Jessica (Jess) Sterling has come to spend the summer at the state park campground expecting to work on her thesis in geology. On her first day she meets park ranger Clare DeVere. There is an instant attraction between the two, and they begin what could turn out to be either a summer fling, or maybe something more permanent.

There are some outside forces that could tear them apart, from Clare’s jealous best friend, Jess’s soon to be ex-boyfriend and a womanizing park ranger that’s far too interested in Clare.
This story has an interesting plotline. The main characters are relatable and well developed. The love story is a bit of a slow burn, which I happen to like. One of the best parts of this tale is the gorgeous and well-described setting. The story had a bit of a slow start, but I kept reading, and the more I read, the more interesting the tale became.

Fire, Water, and Rock is a good beginning for this author. I will be looking for more from them.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun romance that also felt adventurous and educational!

Jessica is studying to be a geologist, and decides to go on a months-long camping trip to check out the rocks around Dry Falls State Park in Washington. It's here she meets Clare, one of the rangers at the park.

With instant attraction between them, we're thrown into a Summer of friends, exploring caves and hiking around the area. I thoroughly enjoyed the setting (as an avid outdoors fan myself) and learning a lot more about "just rocks" in an easy to understand way that wasn't boring at all.

For a debut novel, Erdell had conversation flowing naturally, along with well thought out side characters to keep things interesting with the plot.

My biggest gripe was with Jess' behaviour with her boyfriend. Her choices were hard to read as the issue was teased throughout the book. Knowing Jess was essentially cheating meant I couldn't fully enjoy the relationship between her and Clare, which was frustrating.

Otherwise, still a good read and really looking forward to what Erdell brings out next. Would recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC.

[Nathalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stunning cover drew my attention and I was very curious for this debut novel. Honestly, it did not disappoint.

I see a lot of people commenting on the cheating part, but aside from that it was a good read. Jess goes to the park to work on her thesis but she finds so much more than schoolwork. She finds herself and her person. Although it took me some time to see what they see in each other, I did like their interactions together.

Clare has had a rough deal the last couple of years in life and love and it has made her kind of reclusive. She lives for her work and it's all she cares about at the moment. She has some friendships at work although the friendship with her best friend isn't always easy as that friend has deeper feelings for her.

I enjoyed the way the author writes about the park and camping. I'm not a big camper myself but it did make me think about visiting one of those parks and campings one day. Especially if I'll meet friends there like Jess did.

I received an ARC via Netgalley in return for an honest review.

[Jo’s Haunted Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

As soon as I found this book I knew I was going to love it! And I wasn’t wrong 😍

It’s a beautifully written plot and characters with interesting backstories.

Two women meet in Dry Falls State Park: Jess who is an academic trying to finish her geology thesis, and Clare who is a ranger and extremely passionate about protecting the park. Both deal with their own insecurities and past while discovering themselves in a beautiful summer.

Alaina Erdell manages to transport the reader to the beautiful camping site, the lake, the hiking spots while giving information about geology (which quite frankly as someone who loves to collect pretty rocks I loved it).
This story made me long for summer, for outdoor exploration and for long afternoons drinking by a lake.

This is a story of love, friendship and found family which I very much recommend!

Thank you to the author and to Bold Strokes Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Sloan Stryker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jessica Sterling is working to finish her Master's degree in the field of geology and will be camping in a state park for the summer. She certainly didn't intend to meet the strong, sexy park ranger Claire DeVere while she was there but that's what happened.
The attraction was instant for both of them but Claire hasn't dated since last girlfriend also a park ranger, died during a fire.
Jessica isn't being forthcoming with her own relationship which of course is going to cause their path to be rocky (yes pun intended).
This is an interesting story and I found the geology parts, fossils, layers, natural disruptions to life to be fascinating and easy to understand.
Great read!
Thank you #NetGalley #BoldStrokesBooks for this ARC

[Clara Addicted to sapphic books · Rating 4 out of 5]

The setting in a state park is kind of refreshing. Nature, lake, firecamp are so well descripted it almost makes you want to go camping if you are into nature. Either the writer is a geology nerd, either she did a hell of a good work at researching. The attraction between the MC is well written although I could not feel the chemistry between them right away. Clare's background and wounds bring depth to the story. Jess is younger and takes poor decision, I felt kind of uneasy and wanted to scream at her the whole book but it brought a good dose of tension and drama. Side characters aren't for decoration, they either bring warmness or drama.
Overall it was a good mix of drama and emotions.

Promising debut novel

ARC provided in exchange of an honest review

[Jennabeebs79 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fire, Water, and Rock is a contemporary romance set in a state park in Washington State. The author did a wonderful job describing the scenery and did her homework to learn about the multitude of geological formations in the area. She wrote in an informative yet relatable way. Our two main characters, Clare and Jess are strong, intelligent, and dedicated women who were clearly meant to be together. Clare had a rough few two years after her girlfriend was killed in a fire. She was broken and miserable and upon meeting Jess who was staying at the park for the summer, she began to live again. Overall, I really enjoyed this book as it was engaging, informative, romantic, and entertaining.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great romance and a fantastic read, I thought the book was well written and the main characters fully developed. They formed a great friendship. I loved Tim and Dan they were good secondary characters with their love and support for Clare and Jess. I recommend,


Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!! I go to point park and came across this book in the spicy book nook section at the nurse! She said that it was donated by the author and I’m so glad she did! Excited to read more of her work! Loved how they had little excerpts from the other books the publisher Bold Strokes books had, I need more LGBTQ literature so happy I found this as a source💕

[AGC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written and edited. Interesting, multilayered and compelling story. Great three demential characters with full backstories that make you care and root for them. I look forward to reading the authors next novel. I received an advanced copy of the novel as a prize in a silent auction.

[Christine Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a fantastic storyline I loved how much depth there was to the main characters,their journey to be together was amazing but their personal journey was written with care love and respect.I loved reading this book definitely a must read congratulations