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Hotshot Heroes #9

Hotshot Hero For The Holidays

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Is a fake relationship the perfect bait?

When firefighter Trent Miles responds to a fire just weeks before Christmas, he can’t believe it’s his own house—and there’s a body inside. Detective Heather Bolton has a plan to catch the killer, but it’s risky. Not only does it put both Heather and Trent in the crosshairs of a murderer, but it means fanning the flames of a passion that threatens to consume them…

266 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2023

8 people are currently reading
123 people want to read

About the author

Lisa Childs

411 books991 followers
Born one dark and stormy Halloween night, Lisa Childs was predestined to write suspense novels. She loves spinning dark and twisty stories that keep readers awake because they’re either too busy turning pages or too scared to sleep. Lisa Childs is the prolific author of more than seventy published novels. In addition to romantic suspense, she also writes women’s fiction, paranormal and contemporary romance.

Lisa loves to hear from readers who can contact her on Facebook or through her website.

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5 stars
27 (46%)
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22 (37%)
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Profile Image for Tina Loves To Read.
3,489 reviews1 follower
July 31, 2025
This is a Fake Dating Romantic Suspense, and this is the 9th book in the Hotshot Heroes series. I have read some of the other books in this series before picking up this book. I really loved the action and suspense in this book. The twists and turns in this book keep me guessing and wanting to keep reading. I also enjoyed the romance in this book. The one thing that drove me crazy about this book is the points of view you are being told the story from would change quickly, and I found a lot of times you would be guessing who's point of view you are getting. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.
Profile Image for Chris  C - A Midlife Wife.
1,837 reviews465 followers
November 27, 2023
Good story! Lots of action and a bit of suspense. Part of a series.
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This story is part of a series, and honestly, I think reading even one or two of the prior books may help with following some of the references to other people in the book. I did not read any prior stories and while the story was enjoyable, I know I was missing things.

I enjoyed the character development in Hotshot Hero for The Holidays. The author has two solid leads balancing each other. Their forced proximity caused all sorts of sparks and heat. They created their own combustion and it was steamy in many parts.

This story is loaded with twists, action, and suspense, and the author added many points of view to the story. This did cause a bit of confusion here and there. Plus, without knowledge of some of the other characters that were popping in from other stories, it did take a bit to get back into the flow of the story every so often. Some areas felt a bit jumpy in the story to me.

Overall, this book offers a great plot and I loved the characters! Strong, compatible, steamy, and some nice twists to the plot make this an engaging read for the romantic suspense reader!
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* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/hotshot-hero...
426 reviews22 followers
November 19, 2023
I just finished this book and I have loved every book in this series. Trent Miles house has burned down and a dead woman's body has been found inside but now murder threats are directed toward Trent
Detective Heather Bolton is trying to protect Trent and now they are both in danger and falling for each other.
Will they survive?
Profile Image for Trudy Boyd.
66 reviews1 follower
December 4, 2023
unanswered questions

Who was the sabotager in the hot shots fire fighters? This book was confusing to me and no clear answers.
Profile Image for DeeAnn.
804 reviews25 followers
November 27, 2023
HOTSHOT HERO FOR THE HOLIDAYS
by Lisa Childs
Released date November 28,2023

Do you love twist, turns and action!
Then, this one is for you. It is part of a series, but can definitely be red as a standalone.
Fire, murder, romance, and mayhem. What more can you ask for? This one is definitely a five stars for me.

Trent Miles and detective Heather Bolton are in a fake relationship. So that they can stay together and keep safe. But is it really fake? And do they both come out alive?
LOVED IT!
Profile Image for gabreadsbooks.
899 reviews48 followers
November 23, 2023
I liked the mystery and romance but felt the story’s POV jumped around a lot. I’m not sure why so many characters needed a POV. I didn’t feel like it was necessary. Also this is part of a series and the previous book was mentioned a lot. Since I didn’t read that one I felt a bit lost.
I did like the romance and the steamy scenes. I thought the mystery’s resolution made sense and was well plotted.
Overall an enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Monae Doyle.
1,490 reviews5 followers
November 19, 2023
This book is part of the Hotshot Heroes series. This book had action, mystery and a little romantic love story mixed in.

This story centered around the firefighter Trent Miles. He responds to a fire 🔥 just weeks before Christmas. The fire is at his own house which he can’t believe. There is a body found inside of his house. A female detective by the name Heather Bolton is on the scene. She has a plan to smoke out the killer by having her fake date Trent Miles. The plan puts both Trent and Heather in danger. There is action in this story and the mystery kept you guessing of who was responsible. I liked reading this book.!
Profile Image for April B..
275 reviews13 followers
December 11, 2023
Thank you Netgalley and Lisa Childs for the opportunity to read the eARC of Hotshot Hero for the Holidays!

Now this is my kind of Holiday novel! Action, steamy romance and firefighters.. what more could a girl ask for!

The story follows Trent, he is firefighter that gets thrown into a waking nightmare when he responds to a fire at his own house with a body inside, so he becomes entangled with Detective Heather Bolton and she has a risky plan. The plot is packed with plenty of action and twists.

The chemistry between Trent and Heather is very exciting and with the increasing danger of a murderer circling them! I found myself thinking about this story when I wasn't reading it until I could pick it up again!

I will post my review on Netgalley, Amazon and Goodreads!
Profile Image for Stacey Quick Hensley.
52 reviews
December 8, 2023
Need a book full of action, super and passion?? Look no further!!!
Trent has come home to a burned down home and a dead body??? Detective Heather believes she can solve this mystery by pretending to be Trent’s main squeeze.
This book will keep you on the edge of your seat!! It is part of a series and I am looking forward to reading them all!
341 reviews4 followers
December 4, 2023
An excellent story, and perfect characters. I really liked this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Tammy Morse.
423 reviews55 followers
November 27, 2023
Lisa Childs did a wonderful job with this story. The details was perfect I could picture each part of the story as If I was there.
Trent Miles hotshot fire fighter description of what he looked like how he was as a fire fighter what happens when he went to a burning building.
Detective Bolton was great with her investigation she was great at protecting Trent. Someone was trying to kill them once in an alley. Then sent Trents truck in a lake.
What happened when they find the one who is after them?
What happens between Heather and Trent?
It was a book I had a hard time putting it away at night or when I read it.
Profile Image for Lacy.
556 reviews9 followers
December 17, 2023
In Lisa Childs’ Hotshot Hero for the Holidays, firefighter Trent Miles and police detective Heather Bolton pretend to be in a relationship to draw out a killer. Child’s vibrant description, well-constructed action and suspense scenes, and complex, likable, and fallible protagonists that she skillfully develops through snarky, steamy, emotional, and sexy interactions draw you into the novel and keep you reading till the last scene. She nicely balances the novel’s suspense and romance.

Trent returns home from fighting forest fires with the Huron Hotshot firefighter team and responds to a fire, never expecting it to be his own home with a dead body inside. Initially, Detective Bolton is uncertain about whether Trent is involved. But when it appears Trent’s not responsible, Heather suggests pretending to be his girlfriend to draw the killer out, putting Trent and herself in close quarters under a murderer’s crosshairs. At the same time, their explosive chemistry simmers and inevitably grows stronger. Will they find the killer before the flames can consume them?

A local biracial, Black firefighter and part of an elite forest fighter group, Trent is protective, caring, and loyal. His life has become too complicated recently because his relationship with his sister is going through a rough patch, and the Huron firefighting team is experiencing problems like sabotage, secrets, threats, and lies. Now, someone’s determined to kill him, and the last thing he wants is for anyone else to be hurt in the process.

An intelligent, competitive, ambitious, and proficient detective, Heather is determined to discover the person responsible for murdering the person found in Trent’s house—and who keeps trying to kill them. She didn’t expect staying focused on the case to be so difficult because of her awareness of Trent and the unexpectedly intense attraction between them.

Childs’ storytelling is captivating, and she deftly develops Heather and Trent through their interactions with each other—even within their intimate scenes—and the other characters. I love Heather and Trent’s characters and the transition of their relationship from enemies to uneasy allies to lovers. Their chemistry is palpable, but I like that their emotional connection is just as strong. I also like that Childs briefly touches on the erroneous assumptions people make about young Black men and how they are treated by police just because they are Black. Childs also explores the sexism women face in male-dominated professions through Heather’s interactions with a co-worker. It’s crazy just how many times and varied ways the villain attempts to kill Trent and Heather—their guardian angels were definitely working overtime.

While I love Childs’ development of the suspense elements and storytelling and narrative style, I felt that the ending felt a little rushed or incomplete. The novel is well into her Hotshot Hero series. And though you can read it without reading the others because she fills us in on necessary information from previous stories, it’s probably better to read with the earlier ones. So, maybe the next book picks up right where this one ends?

Hotshot Hero for the Holidays is a steamy, emotional, sexy, fast-paced, suspenseful novel exploring themes of revenge, betrayal, corporate greed, falling in love, trust, family, teamwork, sexism, and second chances.

An advanced review copy was provided by HARLEQUIN - Romance via Netgalley for review.
Profile Image for Susan.
4,811 reviews126 followers
April 16, 2024
This was a fantastic, fast-paced, and action-packed story. Trent arrived home from his latest hotshot mission and immediately responded to a fire call. He was shocked to discover that the house on fire was his and that there was a dead body inside. Complicating matters, he had just received a letter threatening harm to someone he cares about. Trent is on edge because the hotshot crew has been dealing with sabotage and other attacks. He is also angry at his sister Brittney, a journalist, who caused problems with one of his teammates.

Heather is the detective assigned to identifying the body and investigating the death. She is determined to solve the case and prove her naysayers wrong. Though initially suspicious of Trent, she soon clears him. Heather and Trent pretend to be a couple to draw out the threat and are a little too successful.

I loved following the investigation. The twists and turns and the escalating attacks on Heather and Trent kept me glued to the pages long into the night. By the time the final confrontation occurred, I could not put it down until I finished. The conclusion was partially a surprise, as I suspected one connection but not another.

I enjoyed the developing relationship between Trent and Heather. It started a little rough as Heather initially suspected him of the fire, the murder, or both. Neither expected the sparks of attraction that flared between them despite that suspicion. Both Trent and Heather are protectors, and each worries about the other's safety. They enter a fake relationship to draw out the attacker and find that it quickly feels real. Thrown together by their deception and the investigation, neither expects the depth of the connection they feel. One of the things I liked best was that both respect and admire the other's capabilities. But it takes nearly losing each other to admit the depth of their feelings.

The search for the identity of the saboteur plaguing the hotshots is ongoing. With each book, it becomes more likely that one of the hotshots is behind the attacks. I'm looking forward to the next books and finding out more about who and why.
Profile Image for Alexandria Williams.
524 reviews64 followers
November 21, 2023
✨ARC Review✨
📖: Hotshot Hero for the Holidays
🖋️: Lisa Childs
🗓️: 11/28
⭐️: 5 of 5
🌶️: 5 of 5
💬: “What will it take to prove to you that I could never hurt anyone?”

Tropes, Topics & Themes:
✨Hallmark vibes
✨Romance Suspense
✨Twists and turns
✨Fake Dating

Hot Shot firefighter Trent gets a mystery Christmas card just moments before he responds to a call about his house being on fire.

“You have to start dating again.”

When a body is found in the house just weeks before Christmas. Trent teams up and fake dates Detective Heather Bolton to catch the killer and solve the case.

With danger lurking all around. Heather and Trent not only find themselves in dangerous situations multiple times. They also start to grow feelings for each other.

Will they be able to solve the case? Will the feelings become a distraction and the suspect get away?

This action-packed Christmas book had me swiping the pages so fast trying to solve the case as well.

There were twists and turns I did not see coming! If you’re a suspense romance lover or Christmas book lover. You will truly enjoy this book!

“My money was always on you, Bolton. You are a damn good detective. Better than I ever was.”

Thank you, Lisa Childs, Harlequin, and Netgalley for this EARC! As always, my review is my opinion and thoughts. This review will be shared on my Instagram @Alexandriavwilliams_ shortly.
Profile Image for Jessica.
2,210 reviews51 followers
December 31, 2023
Trent is a hot shot firefighter that just came back to town when he finds out that not only did his House burn down but there was a body inside. Heather is a detective in a male-dominated career trying to prove herself and solve the case. What it seems like is that those closest to Trent might be the person behind the body and the fire so Heather needs Trent's help getting closer to his firefighter Buddies and narrowed down the possible suspects as the perpetrator seems to be getting closer and closer to trying to take them down.

This was such a fun read if you love action-packed and fast-paced reads you're going to like this it was just so much going on that I honestly had a hard time putting it down. I was very curious to see who it was as they talk to different people who are around Trent. I mean his firefighter buddies are his friends and people would never want one of their friends to be behind something so heinous so it was interesting how people reacting to questioning and such. But then there's a whole baiting they got going on with the fake relationship to see if the perpetrator will try to strike at them. It was just overall a pretty good book I really enjoyed it.
Profile Image for MK.
1,632 reviews22 followers
July 30, 2024
Love Lisa Childs. This series is amazing. I just love firefighter Trent Miles and detective Heather Bolton. When a fire breaks out at Trent’s home and something turns up in his house he just can’t believe it. Detective Bolton is on the base and puts herself right in the middle of all the drama of his life.
What will happen when the person comes after them
Again?
Buy and find out.
Profile Image for Barbara Tobey.
3,009 reviews86 followers
November 16, 2023
Terrific romantic suspense. Many exciting moments. Quite a convoluted mystery. Kept me guessing and quickly turning the pages. I did skip over the intimate scenes. There is even a cat to add to the fun. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.
Profile Image for Lauren.
512 reviews21 followers
March 17, 2025
What a complex story!

I did feel a little lost, but then I discovered this was book 9 in the series, but it was so good, despite that. I love the hotshot crew and Heather and Trent. I gasped a few times, even!
Profile Image for Beatrice Followill.
1,623 reviews41 followers
December 17, 2023
If you like fast paced action, romance ,suspense and intriguing storyline ,you will not only love this book , but the whole series .Trent' story deals with tragic circumstances from the get go, he will not only have figure out who is after him but wrapping his heart and mind around the fact he is falling for the beautiful detective trying to help him.Great story !
Profile Image for Kerrific Kerr.
460 reviews10 followers
March 22, 2024
This was not at all what I expected but I really enjoyed this book. Just make sure you plan a time to read because you won't want to put this down once yous tart.
253 reviews11 followers
June 7, 2024
I love this author's writing. She has a way of weaving clues and amping up the drama in a story.
Profile Image for Hsiau Wei.
1,843 reviews7 followers
June 29, 2024
The story follows firefighter Trent Miles, who finds himself in a nightmare when he responds to a fire at his own house with a body inside. Detective Heather Bolton proposes a risky plan to smoke out the killer by fake dating Trent, putting them both in danger. Packed with action and twists, the plot keeps readers guessing. The chemistry between Trent and Heather adds excitement, especially with the looming danger of a murderer. Despite some confusion with changing points of view, the book delivers an engaging mix of romance and suspense, making it a compelling read.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews

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