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Matthews Brothers #2
All Fired Up
After one wild night together, two complete opposites plan to stay firmly in the friend zone, but life has other plans in this delightful romantic comedy, perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Abby Jimenez.
As a successful book publicist, Imani Lewis works night and day to promote her authors. It’s her dream job, but she’s become a total workaholic. So when her grandmother invites her to stay for the summer as she recovers from surgery, Imani happily agrees. But being back in the same small town as her one-night stand may not be quite the relaxing break she envisioned…
Zander Matthews wakes up every day determined to enjoy the present because he knows from his time in the Marines that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. But he’s never gotten over the beautiful woman who blew through town a year ago, then disappeared. And he doesn’t want to be hurt again. So they agree to a he’ll help Imani fix up her grandmother’s house as long as they stay firmly in the friend zone.
Whether it’s repairing tiles in his ceramics studio, dodging nosy neighbors, or soothing the most obnoxious parrot ever, Zander never fails to make Imani laugh. And soon their friendly banter is turning ever flirtier. But since Imani’s stay is temporary and Zander can’t be tied to anything beyond the most tenuous plans, will she be able to handle it when things get all fired up?
" All Fired Up is a delightful second chance, opposites attract, small-town romantic comedy [that] would be perfect for fans of the Bergman Brothers series by Chloe Liese, the Brown Sisters trilogy by Talia Hibbert, the Hot and Hammered trilogy by Tessa Bailey, and the Written in the Stars trilogy by Alexandria Bellefleur." --The Nerd Daily
As a successful book publicist, Imani Lewis works night and day to promote her authors. It’s her dream job, but she’s become a total workaholic. So when her grandmother invites her to stay for the summer as she recovers from surgery, Imani happily agrees. But being back in the same small town as her one-night stand may not be quite the relaxing break she envisioned…
Zander Matthews wakes up every day determined to enjoy the present because he knows from his time in the Marines that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. But he’s never gotten over the beautiful woman who blew through town a year ago, then disappeared. And he doesn’t want to be hurt again. So they agree to a he’ll help Imani fix up her grandmother’s house as long as they stay firmly in the friend zone.
Whether it’s repairing tiles in his ceramics studio, dodging nosy neighbors, or soothing the most obnoxious parrot ever, Zander never fails to make Imani laugh. And soon their friendly banter is turning ever flirtier. But since Imani’s stay is temporary and Zander can’t be tied to anything beyond the most tenuous plans, will she be able to handle it when things get all fired up?
" All Fired Up is a delightful second chance, opposites attract, small-town romantic comedy [that] would be perfect for fans of the Bergman Brothers series by Chloe Liese, the Brown Sisters trilogy by Talia Hibbert, the Hot and Hammered trilogy by Tessa Bailey, and the Written in the Stars trilogy by Alexandria Bellefleur." --The Nerd Daily
369 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 17, 2022
59 people are currently reading
9215 people want to read
About the author
Dylan Newton
10 books471 followersDylan Newton was born and raised in a small town where the library was her favorite hang-out. After over a decade working in corporate America, Dylan quit to pursue her passion: writing books. The gamble paid off with seven published novels, and more to come! When she isn’t writing, Dylan is pursuing her own happily ever after with her high school sweetheart as they split time between Florida and Upstate New York with their two much cooler daughters.
Visit Dylan at her website or on her Facebook page.
Visit Dylan at her website or on her Facebook page.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 722 reviews
May 21, 2022
All Fired Up by Dylan Newton
2nd book in the series. Contemporary romantic comedy. Can be read as a stand-alone but this is the second brother’s story and the first plays a role in this book. Dual POV.
Imari and Zander hooked up after his brother’s wedding. It was a fantastic two nights for Zander and he wants more. But she mostly ghosted him afterwards. So he plays the long game and he’s going to be there for whatever she needs when she’s home to help her grandmother after surgery. And she can’t resist him.
Fun and engaging.
Inappropriate comments from an African gray parrot make for some hilarious moments. And that’s over and above the cheerful Zander.
Live your life for the joy? Or plan and carry a huge purse with supplies for any contingency. Two philosophies.
Loved this book and excited to know that Ryker will get a book next summer too.
I received a copy of this book from Forever.
2nd book in the series. Contemporary romantic comedy. Can be read as a stand-alone but this is the second brother’s story and the first plays a role in this book. Dual POV.
Imari and Zander hooked up after his brother’s wedding. It was a fantastic two nights for Zander and he wants more. But she mostly ghosted him afterwards. So he plays the long game and he’s going to be there for whatever she needs when she’s home to help her grandmother after surgery. And she can’t resist him.
Fun and engaging.
Inappropriate comments from an African gray parrot make for some hilarious moments. And that’s over and above the cheerful Zander.
Live your life for the joy? Or plan and carry a huge purse with supplies for any contingency. Two philosophies.
Loved this book and excited to know that Ryker will get a book next summer too.
I received a copy of this book from Forever.
April 4, 2022
A touching, funny, and romantic story, All Fired Up follows Imani as she takes the summer out of work to help her grandmother recover from surgery. She’s also excited to spend some time with her pregnant best friend and help prepare for the big day. However, Imani knows she’ll eventually have to face Zander, her best friend-s brother-in-law and a man she had a glorious weekend with almost a year ago.
Zander hasn’t stopped thinking about Imani since they spent the weekend together, and when he hears she’s spending the summer in town, he sees the perfect opportunity to convince her to give them a chance. Can Zander prove that their connection is worth exploring?
The story is told from both Imani and Zander’s perspectives, which I really enjoyed. I always like when you get the thoughts and feelings of the protagonists, and having both Imani and Zander’s points of view adds a lot of depth to their characters. You can really understand how deeply Zander feels for Imani and how confused and torn Imani is.
Imani is a devoted friend, a loyal granddaughter, and she always keeps herself busy, but she is not entirely happy with her life. She puts a lot of pressure on herself, and she has a high pressure job as a book publicist. A workaholic at a crossroads in her career, Imani has a lot of decisions to make. I found her to be such a relatable character. She seems torn in what she wants, which leads to much indecisiveness. She also struggles with grief over the loss of her mother, and she often cleans when she’s stressed. That is so me!!
Zander is the total opposite of Imani. He lives in the present, doesn’t worry about his future, and doesn’t take himself too seriously. He is always quick with a joke and has a disarming way about him. I love his philosophies, his gregarious and generous demeanor, and that there’s so much more to him than most people see at face value, which Amani learns pretty quickly. Though he’s really wise in some ways, he is a bit immature in his refusal to prepare for the future. And though Imani is really responsible and hard-working, she often fails to embrace the present and live in the moment. I like that this couple helps each other see that there can be a balance.
The chemistry between Zander and Imani is off the charts! They have so many romantic, and several steamy, moments, and I love the connection they share. Zander always goes out of his way to show Imani how much he cares for her, and his thoughtful, sweet, and romantic gestures are positively swoon-worthy. I also love that he lets her set the pace of their relationship. It’s like every decision he makes takes her feelings into consideration, and that is so romantic. I love his simple gestures as well as his grand ones, and when he used my favorite Bob Ross quote when talking about art, he officially became my new book boyfriend.
I love how Zander and Imani learn from each other – him to be more committed to his future and stability, and her to follow her dreams and passions. They balance each other well, and the way that they think about each other’s life philosophies, learn form them, and grow because of them, shows how much they respect, admire, and love each other. They connect on such a deep level, and I was so rooting for them to find a happy ending together. Plus, they have some really funny scenes together, they have a lot of fun in each other’s company, and they share many of the same feelings about things that have happened to them in the past, which helps bring them together even more.
Something else I really liked was the wonderful relationships between Zander and his brothers, as well as her friendship with Kate and her relationship with her grandmother, Gigi. Gigi is fantastic! So funny and discerning, she loves her granddaughter, and their banter is hysterical, as is her foul-mouthed parrot, Lancelot. That parrot is equal parts annoying and endearing! Zander’s relationship with his brothers is also wonderful. The men are always there for each other, and I love the strong messages about family solidarity, the strength of friendship, and the healing effects of unconditional love.
The story also addresses serious issues like PTSD, survivor’s guilt, grief, body image issues, and mental health issues. The way the author approaches them is really relatable and realistic, which I liked. I could relate to a lot of Imani’s feelings about her mother, her stresses at work, and her mental health issues. Her insomnia, depression, panic attacks, and fears all resonated with me, and I could empathize with her conflicted feelings and struggles.
This is a great book for readers who enjoy rom-coms or contemporary romance. It’s charming, funny, and touching, and the romance is positively swoon-tactic. It’s the kind of book where, when you’re reading, you find yourself smiling at the shenanigans and the humor and the amazing relationships, both old and new.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
Zander hasn’t stopped thinking about Imani since they spent the weekend together, and when he hears she’s spending the summer in town, he sees the perfect opportunity to convince her to give them a chance. Can Zander prove that their connection is worth exploring?
The story is told from both Imani and Zander’s perspectives, which I really enjoyed. I always like when you get the thoughts and feelings of the protagonists, and having both Imani and Zander’s points of view adds a lot of depth to their characters. You can really understand how deeply Zander feels for Imani and how confused and torn Imani is.
Imani is a devoted friend, a loyal granddaughter, and she always keeps herself busy, but she is not entirely happy with her life. She puts a lot of pressure on herself, and she has a high pressure job as a book publicist. A workaholic at a crossroads in her career, Imani has a lot of decisions to make. I found her to be such a relatable character. She seems torn in what she wants, which leads to much indecisiveness. She also struggles with grief over the loss of her mother, and she often cleans when she’s stressed. That is so me!!
Zander is the total opposite of Imani. He lives in the present, doesn’t worry about his future, and doesn’t take himself too seriously. He is always quick with a joke and has a disarming way about him. I love his philosophies, his gregarious and generous demeanor, and that there’s so much more to him than most people see at face value, which Amani learns pretty quickly. Though he’s really wise in some ways, he is a bit immature in his refusal to prepare for the future. And though Imani is really responsible and hard-working, she often fails to embrace the present and live in the moment. I like that this couple helps each other see that there can be a balance.
The chemistry between Zander and Imani is off the charts! They have so many romantic, and several steamy, moments, and I love the connection they share. Zander always goes out of his way to show Imani how much he cares for her, and his thoughtful, sweet, and romantic gestures are positively swoon-worthy. I also love that he lets her set the pace of their relationship. It’s like every decision he makes takes her feelings into consideration, and that is so romantic. I love his simple gestures as well as his grand ones, and when he used my favorite Bob Ross quote when talking about art, he officially became my new book boyfriend.
I love how Zander and Imani learn from each other – him to be more committed to his future and stability, and her to follow her dreams and passions. They balance each other well, and the way that they think about each other’s life philosophies, learn form them, and grow because of them, shows how much they respect, admire, and love each other. They connect on such a deep level, and I was so rooting for them to find a happy ending together. Plus, they have some really funny scenes together, they have a lot of fun in each other’s company, and they share many of the same feelings about things that have happened to them in the past, which helps bring them together even more.
Something else I really liked was the wonderful relationships between Zander and his brothers, as well as her friendship with Kate and her relationship with her grandmother, Gigi. Gigi is fantastic! So funny and discerning, she loves her granddaughter, and their banter is hysterical, as is her foul-mouthed parrot, Lancelot. That parrot is equal parts annoying and endearing! Zander’s relationship with his brothers is also wonderful. The men are always there for each other, and I love the strong messages about family solidarity, the strength of friendship, and the healing effects of unconditional love.
The story also addresses serious issues like PTSD, survivor’s guilt, grief, body image issues, and mental health issues. The way the author approaches them is really relatable and realistic, which I liked. I could relate to a lot of Imani’s feelings about her mother, her stresses at work, and her mental health issues. Her insomnia, depression, panic attacks, and fears all resonated with me, and I could empathize with her conflicted feelings and struggles.
This is a great book for readers who enjoy rom-coms or contemporary romance. It’s charming, funny, and touching, and the romance is positively swoon-tactic. It’s the kind of book where, when you’re reading, you find yourself smiling at the shenanigans and the humor and the amazing relationships, both old and new.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
April 30, 2022
Facing uncertainty in her career, Imani Lewis sets out to spend the summer taking care of her grandmother Gigi post surgery. What she does not count on is a friendship with last year’s hookup who also happens to be her best friend’s brother-in-law.
When Zander agrees to help Imani fix up her grandmother’s house, in part to help convince her to give them a chance, she agrees as long as things stay strictly platonic. But as they spend more and more time together, Imani realizes there might be more to Zander Matthews, and a potential relationship, than she allowed herself to see.
This book has the cutest cover and premise and I wanted so much to like it. And when I read the first couple of pages, and laughed out loud, I thought it was a sure thing. However, whether it was my mood or the book, something stopped jiving for me about 1/3 of the way in and never improved. The writing became a bit repetitive and I didn’t feel the emotional attachment to the characters I had expected to.
If you have read “How Sweet It is”, the first book in the series, you will probably like this one as well. For me, however, it fell a bit flat.
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
When Zander agrees to help Imani fix up her grandmother’s house, in part to help convince her to give them a chance, she agrees as long as things stay strictly platonic. But as they spend more and more time together, Imani realizes there might be more to Zander Matthews, and a potential relationship, than she allowed herself to see.
This book has the cutest cover and premise and I wanted so much to like it. And when I read the first couple of pages, and laughed out loud, I thought it was a sure thing. However, whether it was my mood or the book, something stopped jiving for me about 1/3 of the way in and never improved. The writing became a bit repetitive and I didn’t feel the emotional attachment to the characters I had expected to.
If you have read “How Sweet It is”, the first book in the series, you will probably like this one as well. For me, however, it fell a bit flat.
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
May 13, 2022
2.5 stars
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Zander Matthews.
Yep, she remembered him, all right. He was her first and only one-night stand. Well, technically, it was two nights, two mornings, and one long, glorious afternoon, nine months and twenty-five days ago. But who was counting?
All Fired Up stars the youngest brother of the hero and best friend of the heroine from How Sweet It Is. I didn't read that first book but the author relays enough information, Imani and Zander had a two-night stand after the main couple's wedding, that I had a an idea of what happened between them. Both appear to have had feelings after their time together but Imani panicked and ghosted Zander, ignoring all his texts and calls. When Imani has to come back to the town everyone lives in to help her grandmother Gigi after she has knee surgery, there is no avoiding Zander as he's intertwined with her life now as her bestfriend's brother-in-law.
“Look, I want to know if Imani Lewis is renting space in my head because she's 'the one' everyone says will someday appear, or if she's only intriguing because she ghosted me.
I do think not reading the first book and enjoying that couple's romance did hurt my enjoyment of this, especially the first half. A good chunk of the beginning is about the gender reveal/baby shower of the past main character bestfriend, in fact, a lot of this book deals with her pregnancy, the reveal shower and delivery. I didn't really care about that character and wished the focus could have been more on Imani and Zander. I was also missing a little bit of those beginning romance feelings as they seem to have already developed those feelings from their two-night stand, I wish we could have gotten a prologue or some flashback scenes to see some of those two days. I'm not sure if those scenes were shown in the first book but that would probably help set the foundation for this one.
“Will you go on a first date with me, Zander Matthews?”
Basically, Zander was in the Marines, been to war, and helped his middle brother recover from a war injury, which has taught him that life is fleeting and to live in the moment. He owns three ceramic stores (All Fired Up) but is known as the guy who doesn't make plans and keeps everything light and breezy, making some think he is irresponsible. Imani's mother had Bipolar Disorder and she lost her to a fire when candles burned down the apartment, this has caused Imani to be strict about always having a plan and keeping things structured so they don't get unmanageable, out of hand. Seems like opposites attract but Zander is pretty much all in with Imani right away and decides that he will let her set the pace and just constantly be doing things for her that she needs done or starts stressing about. It makes it kind of lopsided then with Zander constantly giving and Imani not sure she even wants to give him a chance. Imani constantly claims she wants to keep things just friends but then gets grumpy when Zander does that, even has a trying to keep the anger down jealous moment. These two never quite jived for me with their different vibes and even though the cover has a fun cartoon-y cover, there are some heavier topics in here, the bipolar disorder I mentioned along with death of parent, Imani's panic attacks, Zander and his brother's PTSD from war, and a fraught birthing scene. Imani's grandmother has a parrot that likes to curse (says b*tch a lot) that I think was supposed to lighten the mood but those antics didn't quite do it for me. The inside does make good on the cover's promise of hot air balloons, though, with a romantic date scene.
If you read the first, you'd probably enjoy this more as the first book's couple has a strong showing in this and I missed some scenes of Imani and Zander's first two nights together that could have shown me those romantic feelings developing.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Zander Matthews.
Yep, she remembered him, all right. He was her first and only one-night stand. Well, technically, it was two nights, two mornings, and one long, glorious afternoon, nine months and twenty-five days ago. But who was counting?
All Fired Up stars the youngest brother of the hero and best friend of the heroine from How Sweet It Is. I didn't read that first book but the author relays enough information, Imani and Zander had a two-night stand after the main couple's wedding, that I had a an idea of what happened between them. Both appear to have had feelings after their time together but Imani panicked and ghosted Zander, ignoring all his texts and calls. When Imani has to come back to the town everyone lives in to help her grandmother Gigi after she has knee surgery, there is no avoiding Zander as he's intertwined with her life now as her bestfriend's brother-in-law.
“Look, I want to know if Imani Lewis is renting space in my head because she's 'the one' everyone says will someday appear, or if she's only intriguing because she ghosted me.
I do think not reading the first book and enjoying that couple's romance did hurt my enjoyment of this, especially the first half. A good chunk of the beginning is about the gender reveal/baby shower of the past main character bestfriend, in fact, a lot of this book deals with her pregnancy, the reveal shower and delivery. I didn't really care about that character and wished the focus could have been more on Imani and Zander. I was also missing a little bit of those beginning romance feelings as they seem to have already developed those feelings from their two-night stand, I wish we could have gotten a prologue or some flashback scenes to see some of those two days. I'm not sure if those scenes were shown in the first book but that would probably help set the foundation for this one.
“Will you go on a first date with me, Zander Matthews?”
Basically, Zander was in the Marines, been to war, and helped his middle brother recover from a war injury, which has taught him that life is fleeting and to live in the moment. He owns three ceramic stores (All Fired Up) but is known as the guy who doesn't make plans and keeps everything light and breezy, making some think he is irresponsible. Imani's mother had Bipolar Disorder and she lost her to a fire when candles burned down the apartment, this has caused Imani to be strict about always having a plan and keeping things structured so they don't get unmanageable, out of hand. Seems like opposites attract but Zander is pretty much all in with Imani right away and decides that he will let her set the pace and just constantly be doing things for her that she needs done or starts stressing about. It makes it kind of lopsided then with Zander constantly giving and Imani not sure she even wants to give him a chance. Imani constantly claims she wants to keep things just friends but then gets grumpy when Zander does that, even has a trying to keep the anger down jealous moment. These two never quite jived for me with their different vibes and even though the cover has a fun cartoon-y cover, there are some heavier topics in here, the bipolar disorder I mentioned along with death of parent, Imani's panic attacks, Zander and his brother's PTSD from war, and a fraught birthing scene. Imani's grandmother has a parrot that likes to curse (says b*tch a lot) that I think was supposed to lighten the mood but those antics didn't quite do it for me. The inside does make good on the cover's promise of hot air balloons, though, with a romantic date scene.
If you read the first, you'd probably enjoy this more as the first book's couple has a strong showing in this and I missed some scenes of Imani and Zander's first two nights together that could have shown me those romantic feelings developing.
May 18, 2022
4.5
I loved How sweet it is (book one) but this second book in the Matthews' brothers' series just hit me in all the feels in the most perfect way. I couldn't put this dual perspective, second chance at love, interracial romance down!
Imani is Kate's best friend and Drake's publicist, an overachieving type A personality who comes to Wellsville to spend the summer with her grandmother. Right from the start this book had me laughing so hard. When Imani and Zander are awkwardly reunited, the hilarious pink glitter crop top Zander wears in order to give Imani his own shirt. Zander himself is a fun loving guy who doesn't like to take things too seriously but he is very serious about finding out whether he and Imani can make a relationship work.
I thought Zander and Imani complemented one another so well. Zander helps Imani learn to slow down and appreciate the now, while also opening her up to the possibility of a different future than the one she thought she always wanted. They both also have experience with survivor's guilt and trauma from losing loved ones unexpectedly. Imani in particular is dealing with mental health issues and finally becomes brave enough to seek professional help.
Highlights: all the quirky side characters, including Gigi, and a fowl-mouthed parrot. The friendly small town vibes and the overall swoony nature of Zander as a hero. Highly recommend this series!!
Much thanks to NetGalley and Forever for my advance review copy!
Steam level: a couple open door scenes, fairly PG overall though
I loved How sweet it is (book one) but this second book in the Matthews' brothers' series just hit me in all the feels in the most perfect way. I couldn't put this dual perspective, second chance at love, interracial romance down!
Imani is Kate's best friend and Drake's publicist, an overachieving type A personality who comes to Wellsville to spend the summer with her grandmother. Right from the start this book had me laughing so hard. When Imani and Zander are awkwardly reunited, the hilarious pink glitter crop top Zander wears in order to give Imani his own shirt. Zander himself is a fun loving guy who doesn't like to take things too seriously but he is very serious about finding out whether he and Imani can make a relationship work.
I thought Zander and Imani complemented one another so well. Zander helps Imani learn to slow down and appreciate the now, while also opening her up to the possibility of a different future than the one she thought she always wanted. They both also have experience with survivor's guilt and trauma from losing loved ones unexpectedly. Imani in particular is dealing with mental health issues and finally becomes brave enough to seek professional help.
Highlights: all the quirky side characters, including Gigi, and a fowl-mouthed parrot. The friendly small town vibes and the overall swoony nature of Zander as a hero. Highly recommend this series!!
Much thanks to NetGalley and Forever for my advance review copy!
Steam level: a couple open door scenes, fairly PG overall though
May 31, 2022
I really enjoyed How Sweet It Is and was excited to find out that happy go lucky Zander would be getting his own book. All Fired Up can be enjoyed as a standalone, but characters from the previous book do appear. There are some serious topics woven into the story, so please be sure to check the CW's.
Things to look forward to:
- Tropes like: opposites attract, second chance, small town, friends to lovers, he falls first
- I loved the chemistry between Zander and Imani. They shared an amazing weekend together, but I liked that the second time around, they took time to become friends and truly get to know each other before letting things shift.
- Imani's character growth. She makes a few missteps here and there (though understandable given her history), but I felt like her journey was much more fleshed out than Zander's. I loved her relationship with Gigi as well as Kate.
- Amazing cast of secondary characters. I already mentioned my love of Gigi and Kate, but the entire Matthews family is equally wonderful. I'm already excited about grumpy Ryker's book. I could have maybe done without Lancelot, but he did provide some interesting comic relief. LOL
- I loved the overall message to be present/mindful and that it's never too late to chase your dreams.
- Zander. He was such a sweetheart cinnamon roll. I loved how patient, yet persistent he was. He was so caring and giving and I may have swooned a time or two at how thoughtful he was. I do wish that he would have had his epiphany about his future sooner though and more page time devoted to his personal growth. Things happened so quickly that it made the ending feel very rushed.
I both read and listened to All Fired Up and really enjoyed the narration by Emma Love and Max Lloyd-Jones. Both employed a variety of voices that made it easy to distinguish between characters and conveyed so much emotion in their performances. They're both new to me narrators, but I look forward to listening to them more in the future.
Overall 4 stars
Performance 4.5 stars
Story 3.5 stars
CW: grief, death of parent (past, fire related), injury/hospitalization of loved one, panic attack, insomnia, discussions/mentions of: PTSD, military injuries and recovery, bipolar, struggles with body image and food
*I voluntarily read and listened to a review copy of this book*
Things to look forward to:
- Tropes like: opposites attract, second chance, small town, friends to lovers, he falls first
- I loved the chemistry between Zander and Imani. They shared an amazing weekend together, but I liked that the second time around, they took time to become friends and truly get to know each other before letting things shift.
- Imani's character growth. She makes a few missteps here and there (though understandable given her history), but I felt like her journey was much more fleshed out than Zander's. I loved her relationship with Gigi as well as Kate.
- Amazing cast of secondary characters. I already mentioned my love of Gigi and Kate, but the entire Matthews family is equally wonderful. I'm already excited about grumpy Ryker's book. I could have maybe done without Lancelot, but he did provide some interesting comic relief. LOL
- I loved the overall message to be present/mindful and that it's never too late to chase your dreams.
- Zander. He was such a sweetheart cinnamon roll. I loved how patient, yet persistent he was. He was so caring and giving and I may have swooned a time or two at how thoughtful he was. I do wish that he would have had his epiphany about his future sooner though and more page time devoted to his personal growth. Things happened so quickly that it made the ending feel very rushed.
I both read and listened to All Fired Up and really enjoyed the narration by Emma Love and Max Lloyd-Jones. Both employed a variety of voices that made it easy to distinguish between characters and conveyed so much emotion in their performances. They're both new to me narrators, but I look forward to listening to them more in the future.
Overall 4 stars
Performance 4.5 stars
Story 3.5 stars
CW: grief, death of parent (past, fire related), injury/hospitalization of loved one, panic attack, insomnia, discussions/mentions of: PTSD, military injuries and recovery, bipolar, struggles with body image and food
*I voluntarily read and listened to a review copy of this book*
April 20, 2022
She’s a planner, and he’s an in-the-moment guy hoping to win her heart.
How Sweet It Is was a HUGE hit for me, and I am overjoyed that Newton brought us back to this world. I had such a hardcore love for these characters, and it was a special treat to get to spend more time with them.
The stars of this book were Imani and Zander. As a publicist, Imani was always planning, but planning was also a coping mechanism, a way for her to be in control. Zander was committed to living in the moment. His life philosophy was the polar opposite of Imani’s, yet they found so much comfort and joy in each other. I rather liked this match. The chemistry was undeniable, but it was the way they grew alongside each other that delighted me most. Neither were living the life they really wanted or needed, and being with each other helped them find that balance and the bravery to chase their dreams.
I loved these slightly damaged characters, and had no doubt they belonged together. Honestly, Zander owned my heart. He was so sweet, tender, and considerate, and all his little gestures of love made me melt. Obviously he wasn’t perfect, but he had so many redeeming qualities, it was easy to overlook his flaws. There were these parts where he and Imani bared their souls to each other, and that sort of hero is one I cannot resist.
I also delighted in the family dynamics. The Matthews family was so wonderful, and I reveled in all that brotherly love. Mom Matthews and Imani’s Gigi were always there to drop some wisdom, too. I had a fantastic time with them all, and I am eager to return for Ryker’s romance.
Overall: Once again, I had an amazing time in Wellsville. There was lots of laughter and smilies, and even a few tears, as I cheered for Imani and Zander as they found their HEA.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
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How Sweet It Is was a HUGE hit for me, and I am overjoyed that Newton brought us back to this world. I had such a hardcore love for these characters, and it was a special treat to get to spend more time with them.
The stars of this book were Imani and Zander. As a publicist, Imani was always planning, but planning was also a coping mechanism, a way for her to be in control. Zander was committed to living in the moment. His life philosophy was the polar opposite of Imani’s, yet they found so much comfort and joy in each other. I rather liked this match. The chemistry was undeniable, but it was the way they grew alongside each other that delighted me most. Neither were living the life they really wanted or needed, and being with each other helped them find that balance and the bravery to chase their dreams.
I loved these slightly damaged characters, and had no doubt they belonged together. Honestly, Zander owned my heart. He was so sweet, tender, and considerate, and all his little gestures of love made me melt. Obviously he wasn’t perfect, but he had so many redeeming qualities, it was easy to overlook his flaws. There were these parts where he and Imani bared their souls to each other, and that sort of hero is one I cannot resist.
I also delighted in the family dynamics. The Matthews family was so wonderful, and I reveled in all that brotherly love. Mom Matthews and Imani’s Gigi were always there to drop some wisdom, too. I had a fantastic time with them all, and I am eager to return for Ryker’s romance.
Overall: Once again, I had an amazing time in Wellsville. There was lots of laughter and smilies, and even a few tears, as I cheered for Imani and Zander as they found their HEA.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
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August 16, 2023
small-town romance with fun characters!
This book was tough to get into, but picked up as it went along. Unfortunately it just wasn’t one of my favorites. The premise is a bit cliche and predictable, albeit overall a happy feel-good story (and I believe happy endings are a requirement for romcoms!). Perhaps I simply wasn’t in the right mindset for this book - I typically like a slow burn romance, but this story starts with both characters already having feelings for each other (and already having hooked up before the book begins!) It’s a quick read and overall a cute story, and I think readers will connect with the characters. This was the second book involving the Matthews brothers but works easily as a standalone. (And the third book in the series just came out!)
Recommended for fans of small town romances!
This book was tough to get into, but picked up as it went along. Unfortunately it just wasn’t one of my favorites. The premise is a bit cliche and predictable, albeit overall a happy feel-good story (and I believe happy endings are a requirement for romcoms!). Perhaps I simply wasn’t in the right mindset for this book - I typically like a slow burn romance, but this story starts with both characters already having feelings for each other (and already having hooked up before the book begins!) It’s a quick read and overall a cute story, and I think readers will connect with the characters. This was the second book involving the Matthews brothers but works easily as a standalone. (And the third book in the series just came out!)
Recommended for fans of small town romances!
January 19, 2023
All Fired Up by Dylan Newton is absolutely adorable and I can't believe this is the first time I'm reading this author! Unfortunately, I didn't realize this was book 2 of a series, but I don't think it spoils anything since How Sweet It Is is Kate and Drake's story. You always know what is going to happen when you read a rom-com, much like watching a Hallmark Christmas movie, so I’m not worried about going back to that one now. This really was the sweetest story and I loved both Imani and Zander as well as all of the supporting cast. The talking African gray parrot was a nice touch and I loved the comedic elements having him around provided. This book wasn’t as funny as I thought it would be, but it definitely had its moments and I think the humor it DID have was in just the right places. There are a couple moments towards the end that I had tears in my eyes, but thankfully it isn’t a sad book at its core. There is a little bit of steam which I wouldn’t really expect in a rom-com, but it wasn’t anything too crazy and fit with the rest of the story.
I really enjoyed the chemistry between Imani and Zander and not only was their relationship well captured, but there are so many other relationships in the book that were really touching and charming. I especially loved the small town feel of the story and Imani’s grandma Gigi will be the apple of every reader’s eye. And the fact that All Fired Up is a bookish book since Zander’s brother Drake is an author and Imani is a book publicist just made my heart happy. I listened to the audiobook, and I thought it was really good in this format, although there were a couple of issues when I listened to Emma Love narrate Imani. While I loved her voice and thought her performance overall was really good, something about her narration was a little off for me and I did hear some swallowing which I never enjoy. On the other hand, I really loved Max Lloyd-Jones for Zander so in general I would definitely still recommend the audio. They were both pretty funny when it came to Lancelot’s (the parrot) parts, and it made me laugh so hard when they would narrate his speaking. If you are a fan of contemporary, small-town romances with some spice you should give All Fired Up a chance for sure.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I really enjoyed the chemistry between Imani and Zander and not only was their relationship well captured, but there are so many other relationships in the book that were really touching and charming. I especially loved the small town feel of the story and Imani’s grandma Gigi will be the apple of every reader’s eye. And the fact that All Fired Up is a bookish book since Zander’s brother Drake is an author and Imani is a book publicist just made my heart happy. I listened to the audiobook, and I thought it was really good in this format, although there were a couple of issues when I listened to Emma Love narrate Imani. While I loved her voice and thought her performance overall was really good, something about her narration was a little off for me and I did hear some swallowing which I never enjoy. On the other hand, I really loved Max Lloyd-Jones for Zander so in general I would definitely still recommend the audio. They were both pretty funny when it came to Lancelot’s (the parrot) parts, and it made me laugh so hard when they would narrate his speaking. If you are a fan of contemporary, small-town romances with some spice you should give All Fired Up a chance for sure.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
May 3, 2022
This cover makes me smile, now knowing the significance within the story. This was a really sweet opposites-attract romance! It's lighthearted and funny (kudos to Lancelot the foul-mouthed parrot) but also touching at times with its topics of grief and mental health. I enjoyed it even more than book one, How Sweet It Is.
After a one-weekend fling nine months ago, Imani completely ghosted Zander. Now she's back in the small town of Wellsville where it all started. Although knowing Imani is strictly there to help with her best friend's baby shower and grandmother's double knee replacement, Zander simply cannot get her out of his head. And he's desperate to understand if what he feels between them is real.
Oh, Zander Matthews! I adored him and his ceramics studio. Striving for happiness over anything, he's often misunderstood for his chill outlook and lack of stability. I really loved his eagerness to charm Imani, eventually leading to the BEST first date. These two were truly opposites, but the ending was such a beautiful balance of both their personalities and dreams. I cannot wait for book three!
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for review
After a one-weekend fling nine months ago, Imani completely ghosted Zander. Now she's back in the small town of Wellsville where it all started. Although knowing Imani is strictly there to help with her best friend's baby shower and grandmother's double knee replacement, Zander simply cannot get her out of his head. And he's desperate to understand if what he feels between them is real.
Oh, Zander Matthews! I adored him and his ceramics studio. Striving for happiness over anything, he's often misunderstood for his chill outlook and lack of stability. I really loved his eagerness to charm Imani, eventually leading to the BEST first date. These two were truly opposites, but the ending was such a beautiful balance of both their personalities and dreams. I cannot wait for book three!
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for review
May 15, 2022
I found a new favorite author thanks to Forever Publishing! Annnnd, another book boyfriend too, hehe! Zander Matthews is so dreamy, I'm swooning ...
I ADORED THIS BOOK SO HARD! The characters are all fantastic, all of them! The chemistry between Imani and Zander was off the charts. I loved the fact their stories were both so real. Watching them getting to know one another and working through everything was so realistic. This book is just so good, well written, great storyline and strong developed characters! I definitely got a feel for who everyone was. I love that in a book so much.
Imanis grandmother was hilarious!!! Some of the stuff she said had me snort laughing. She reminded me sooo much of my late grandma. I miss her everyday.
It was laugh out loud funny, oh so charming, and romantic! I highly recommend this opposites attract and very much swoon worthy read.
Now I must read How Sweet Is. I want to know all the details of Kate & Drakes story!
I ADORED THIS BOOK SO HARD! The characters are all fantastic, all of them! The chemistry between Imani and Zander was off the charts. I loved the fact their stories were both so real. Watching them getting to know one another and working through everything was so realistic. This book is just so good, well written, great storyline and strong developed characters! I definitely got a feel for who everyone was. I love that in a book so much.
Imanis grandmother was hilarious!!! Some of the stuff she said had me snort laughing. She reminded me sooo much of my late grandma. I miss her everyday.
It was laugh out loud funny, oh so charming, and romantic! I highly recommend this opposites attract and very much swoon worthy read.
Now I must read How Sweet Is. I want to know all the details of Kate & Drakes story!
February 28, 2022
This was such a cute book, and exactly what I needed to read in February! I loved being able to go back and read about Zander and Imani’s story, and to continue Kate/Drake’s story from How Sweet It Is. I really like the one-night stand trope/second-chance romance in this book. This book is great for those who don’t like too much spice, but still want some in a contemporary rom-com. The mental health aspect in this book with panic attacks/ PTSD was written really well, and I love how it’s being written into so many romcoms.
The only reason why I didn’t give this 5 stars is that there were so many fancy words used in the book that I had to look up to understand the meaning! I love learning new words while reading, but this one had so many so I switched halfway through from the physical book to my kindle since it’s easier to just click the word for the definition!
I can’t wait for book 3 to read about Ryker’s love story! If you haven’t read How Sweet It Is yet, read that and pre-order All Fired Up!
The only reason why I didn’t give this 5 stars is that there were so many fancy words used in the book that I had to look up to understand the meaning! I love learning new words while reading, but this one had so many so I switched halfway through from the physical book to my kindle since it’s easier to just click the word for the definition!
I can’t wait for book 3 to read about Ryker’s love story! If you haven’t read How Sweet It Is yet, read that and pre-order All Fired Up!
August 22, 2023
Dylan Newton has become a must read author after reading All Fired Up. It’s the Perfect summer read that had my heart soaring in delight. Similar in style to Abby Jimenez, I loved how she was able to not only have banter amongst the couple…but also highlighted all the characters in the book. Highly recommend.
After Imani’s best friends wedding, the grooms brothers and her had a couple nights of fun. Fast forward 9 months later, they reunite again for that couples gender reveal.
Imani is all business when it comes to her life and her future. Zander, her counterpart, is as laid back as they come. He lives his life in the now and prefers to now worry about tomorrow.
Can two people who are set in there way be open for the possibility that there way may not be the only way?
After Imani’s best friends wedding, the grooms brothers and her had a couple nights of fun. Fast forward 9 months later, they reunite again for that couples gender reveal.
Imani is all business when it comes to her life and her future. Zander, her counterpart, is as laid back as they come. He lives his life in the now and prefers to now worry about tomorrow.
Can two people who are set in there way be open for the possibility that there way may not be the only way?
July 10, 2024
This was such a fun, charming, and summer filled romantic comedy. There definitely is emotional moments throughout this novel (as there often is) but everything combined into such an enjoyable story. Not too heavy, not too light...just right.
As much as I really enjoyed the main character of Imani and found her relatable, I actually think my favourite of the two main characters (if I had to choose) was Zander. He has serious book boyfriend material and was a great example of the 'he fell first trope'. He was a fun character but also so incredibly understanding, supportive, and empathetic towards Imani with some of the things she was addressing from her past and present.
Unfortunately, as this book is the second book in a series, I spoiled myself for the first book but after reading this book, I can't wait to go back and read the first book before picking up the third. That sounds way more complicated than it should.
Anyway, this would be the perfect read for the pool, beach, and/or lake. It's such a fun read for summer!
As much as I really enjoyed the main character of Imani and found her relatable, I actually think my favourite of the two main characters (if I had to choose) was Zander. He has serious book boyfriend material and was a great example of the 'he fell first trope'. He was a fun character but also so incredibly understanding, supportive, and empathetic towards Imani with some of the things she was addressing from her past and present.
Unfortunately, as this book is the second book in a series, I spoiled myself for the first book but after reading this book, I can't wait to go back and read the first book before picking up the third. That sounds way more complicated than it should.
Anyway, this would be the perfect read for the pool, beach, and/or lake. It's such a fun read for summer!
February 24, 2022
After a one-night stand at her best friend's wedding 9 months ago, Imani is back in Wellsville to help her grandmother recover from surgery, but she keeps running into her one-night stand. Zander still holds a torch for Imani and is bound and determined to prove to her that they can make a relationship work.
I really enjoyed the first book, How Sweet It Is, but I LOVED All Fired Up so much! From the idyllic Wellsville setting to the second chance romance, I adored everything about this book. I loved seeing Kate and Drake from the first book, plus the rest of the Matthews family. Throw in a foul-mouthed parrot that had me laughing constantly and some slow burn sexual tension, and you have yourself a five star book.
I connected with Imani's character deeply. From her commitment to work that is causing her panic attacks to her unease about what to do next in life, seeing Imani's struggles helped me make sense of my own. Incredibly layered, Imani allowed Zander to take control, but was also perfect for him to grow outside of his comfort zone as well.
Goodness gracious, I loved Zander so much! He’s funny, incredibly caring, knows what he wants, and goes after it. I loved that he was the aggressor at the beginning, sticking around to show Imani just how much he cares for her. With a good head on his shoulders and a pragmatic attitude, Zander is tender and just honest to goodness good. His calming nature, plus ability to show Imani what she's missing in life made him the perfect hero for her. On top of it, I just adored the banter and relationship he has with his brothers. I honestly cannot wait for Ryker's story in 2023!
I really enjoyed the first book, How Sweet It Is, but I LOVED All Fired Up so much! From the idyllic Wellsville setting to the second chance romance, I adored everything about this book. I loved seeing Kate and Drake from the first book, plus the rest of the Matthews family. Throw in a foul-mouthed parrot that had me laughing constantly and some slow burn sexual tension, and you have yourself a five star book.
I connected with Imani's character deeply. From her commitment to work that is causing her panic attacks to her unease about what to do next in life, seeing Imani's struggles helped me make sense of my own. Incredibly layered, Imani allowed Zander to take control, but was also perfect for him to grow outside of his comfort zone as well.
Goodness gracious, I loved Zander so much! He’s funny, incredibly caring, knows what he wants, and goes after it. I loved that he was the aggressor at the beginning, sticking around to show Imani just how much he cares for her. With a good head on his shoulders and a pragmatic attitude, Zander is tender and just honest to goodness good. His calming nature, plus ability to show Imani what she's missing in life made him the perfect hero for her. On top of it, I just adored the banter and relationship he has with his brothers. I honestly cannot wait for Ryker's story in 2023!
July 31, 2023
Dylan Newton has done it again! "All Fired Up" touched me in a nostalgic way.
The main female character, Imani, has such a beautiful relationship with her feisty grandma. It reminded me of how close my grandfather and I were. There's a part at the end of the book where Imani is reflecting on sleepovers with her Gigi that totally took me back to nights with my grandpa. And to the fishing trips when I was little. And to cuddling up together to watch the tv show Flipper. He was one of my absolute favorite people and I miss him daily. It was nice reading this book and being reminded of all the good times we had.
One thing I love about Dylan's storytelling is that, even though the books are told mostly through the female MCs POV, the author always gives her male MCs a chance to shine. These spotlights are often experienced through heartwarming tales told by secondary characters. I really appreciate not only that we get these little insights, but that they come from a vulnerable angle.
The main female character, Imani, has such a beautiful relationship with her feisty grandma. It reminded me of how close my grandfather and I were. There's a part at the end of the book where Imani is reflecting on sleepovers with her Gigi that totally took me back to nights with my grandpa. And to the fishing trips when I was little. And to cuddling up together to watch the tv show Flipper. He was one of my absolute favorite people and I miss him daily. It was nice reading this book and being reminded of all the good times we had.
One thing I love about Dylan's storytelling is that, even though the books are told mostly through the female MCs POV, the author always gives her male MCs a chance to shine. These spotlights are often experienced through heartwarming tales told by secondary characters. I really appreciate not only that we get these little insights, but that they come from a vulnerable angle.
May 25, 2022
I really loved HOW SWEET IT IS by this author so I was so excited to get an advanced copy of 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗨𝗣 and, bitches, it delivered!
This book is opposites attract, forced proximity, small town, ex-soldier, steamy and swoony GOODNESS.
Now, listen. I was getting my Stingy Star Bitch cap outta the closet and getting ready to take a star off my rating because Zander was just a bit too good to be true. But this author pulled it out and made Zander have a serious flaw in the 3rd act and—all was right with the world!
Imani is also a wonderful and complex character. She is so loyal and hard-working and she needs Zander's easy demeanor to balance her uptightness.
𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗨𝗣 had wonderful side characters, funny moments, life lessons, and great friendships. Oh, and sex. Seriously steamy sex. Lest we forget the important things.
And, let me just say, that I am FOAMING AT THE DAMN MOUTH for the next book in this series starring the third grumpy, sad, and kinda broken brother. Preparing myself to feel the feels on that one!
I loved 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗨𝗣! You can totally read it as a standalone, but I love it even more having read HOW SWEET IT IS. Read them BOTH and thank me later.
𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗟𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟: Rated R
𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗦: brief mention of suicide, mention of past combat injury (side character)
𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗦: 3/5 - So will definitely feel some feels
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
👇🏻𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗚 𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗠𝗘 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘👇🏻
INSTAGRAM | YEAR OF SMUT CHALLENGE
This book is opposites attract, forced proximity, small town, ex-soldier, steamy and swoony GOODNESS.
Now, listen. I was getting my Stingy Star Bitch cap outta the closet and getting ready to take a star off my rating because Zander was just a bit too good to be true. But this author pulled it out and made Zander have a serious flaw in the 3rd act and—all was right with the world!
Imani is also a wonderful and complex character. She is so loyal and hard-working and she needs Zander's easy demeanor to balance her uptightness.
𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗨𝗣 had wonderful side characters, funny moments, life lessons, and great friendships. Oh, and sex. Seriously steamy sex. Lest we forget the important things.
And, let me just say, that I am FOAMING AT THE DAMN MOUTH for the next book in this series starring the third grumpy, sad, and kinda broken brother. Preparing myself to feel the feels on that one!
I loved 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗨𝗣! You can totally read it as a standalone, but I love it even more having read HOW SWEET IT IS. Read them BOTH and thank me later.
𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗟𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟: Rated R
𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗦: brief mention of suicide, mention of past combat injury (side character)
𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗦: 3/5 - So will definitely feel some feels
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
👇🏻𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗚 𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗠𝗘 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘👇🏻
INSTAGRAM | YEAR OF SMUT CHALLENGE
June 2, 2022
Thank you so much to Forever and Netgalley for providing an e-arc of this book! All thoughts and opinions are still my own.
I absolutely fell in love with this world in How Sweet It Is and was ridiculously excited to get more of the Matthews brothers (and I hope we get one more for the youngest brother!)
I love the cozy vibes of this series and the fun, lighthearted feeling it brings while still addressing some heavier topics (mainly anxiety, panic attacks, ptsd, and death of a loved one in here). Dylan Newton's writing is fantastic and hooks me from the very beginning.
However I didn't end up loving this one quite as much as the previous book. Imani and Zander were great main characters and I loved their personal journeys. At the beginning I totally felt their attraction, but as the story went I on it started to wane.
I think my main issue with their romance was that too much blame was placed on Zander and I didn't feel as though either one made their life changes for their own benefit - but rather because of each other.
Imani is constantly doing this push & pull on Zander and then blaming him when things go wrong. As much as I loved the anxiety/panic rep, it was frustrating to read from a character who didn't take responsibility for her own actions. Right up until the very end.
Overall this was a fun read, but not my favorite from the author. I really hope we get a book for the final Matthew's bother though!!
I absolutely fell in love with this world in How Sweet It Is and was ridiculously excited to get more of the Matthews brothers (and I hope we get one more for the youngest brother!)
I love the cozy vibes of this series and the fun, lighthearted feeling it brings while still addressing some heavier topics (mainly anxiety, panic attacks, ptsd, and death of a loved one in here). Dylan Newton's writing is fantastic and hooks me from the very beginning.
However I didn't end up loving this one quite as much as the previous book. Imani and Zander were great main characters and I loved their personal journeys. At the beginning I totally felt their attraction, but as the story went I on it started to wane.
I think my main issue with their romance was that too much blame was placed on Zander and I didn't feel as though either one made their life changes for their own benefit - but rather because of each other.
Imani is constantly doing this push & pull on Zander and then blaming him when things go wrong. As much as I loved the anxiety/panic rep, it was frustrating to read from a character who didn't take responsibility for her own actions. Right up until the very end.
Overall this was a fun read, but not my favorite from the author. I really hope we get a book for the final Matthew's bother though!!
May 19, 2022
4.5 stars!
This was SUCH a cute book!!
I’m literally swooning for Zander Matthews, heartthrob and hero of the story.
ALL FIRED UP features Imani Lewis, a workaholic, master list maker and book publicist, who happens to bump into her one-night-stand, Zander Matthews when she travels back to her hometown. He also just happens to be the brother-in-law to Imani’s best friend.
There were so many sweet moments, and plenty of laughs too, and I felt each tender moment that Imani and Zander shared. I also have to say their first official date was what romantic dreams are made of: a hot air balloon ride!
The audiobook was also fantastic, featuring alternating narrators Emma Love and Max Lloyd-Jones.
*many thanks to Forever/Hachette Audio and Netgalley for the gifted copy and ALC audiobook for review
This was SUCH a cute book!!
I’m literally swooning for Zander Matthews, heartthrob and hero of the story.
ALL FIRED UP features Imani Lewis, a workaholic, master list maker and book publicist, who happens to bump into her one-night-stand, Zander Matthews when she travels back to her hometown. He also just happens to be the brother-in-law to Imani’s best friend.
There were so many sweet moments, and plenty of laughs too, and I felt each tender moment that Imani and Zander shared. I also have to say their first official date was what romantic dreams are made of: a hot air balloon ride!
The audiobook was also fantastic, featuring alternating narrators Emma Love and Max Lloyd-Jones.
*many thanks to Forever/Hachette Audio and Netgalley for the gifted copy and ALC audiobook for review
April 29, 2022
I *adored* How Sweet It Is, so of course I jumped at the chance to read Dylan Newton's next book set in this world!
The chemistry between Imani and Zander is just gorgeous. He's definitely very swoon-worthy, as he patiently waits for Imani to be ready for a relationship with him. (Well, mostly patiently.) There are some very big failure to communicate, crossed wires moments here that made me shake my book and go "Whyyyyy don't you just TALK to each other, ahh!" I also felt like the third act dark moment/drama and the resulting resolution was rather abrupt and sort of extreme/out of proportion to the rest of the story - it felt a little shoe-horned in, which is the only thing that kept this from being a solid 5 stars for me.
I LOVE Imani's Gigi, she's is about my favorite person in the world, followed closely by Zander's mom Patty. I love book where I want to hang out with the side characters and be best friends with them, haha. Imani and Zander both go through a remarkable amount of personal growth in this book - though Zander's growth seemed a lot more abrupt and sort of out of nowhere, whereas we see Imani stretching her wings and questioning what's really important to her bit by bit all throughout the book.
All Fired Up is not designated as being part of a series, but it is a follow-up book to How Sweet It Is. There are major spoilers for the first book, and I feel like you're missing a lot by not having the backstory of Kate and Drake, who return as very prominent side characters in this book.
CW -
The chemistry between Imani and Zander is just gorgeous. He's definitely very swoon-worthy, as he patiently waits for Imani to be ready for a relationship with him. (Well, mostly patiently.) There are some very big failure to communicate, crossed wires moments here that made me shake my book and go "Whyyyyy don't you just TALK to each other, ahh!" I also felt like the third act dark moment/drama and the resulting resolution was rather abrupt and sort of extreme/out of proportion to the rest of the story - it felt a little shoe-horned in, which is the only thing that kept this from being a solid 5 stars for me.
I LOVE Imani's Gigi, she's is about my favorite person in the world, followed closely by Zander's mom Patty. I love book where I want to hang out with the side characters and be best friends with them, haha. Imani and Zander both go through a remarkable amount of personal growth in this book - though Zander's growth seemed a lot more abrupt and sort of out of nowhere, whereas we see Imani stretching her wings and questioning what's really important to her bit by bit all throughout the book.
All Fired Up is not designated as being part of a series, but it is a follow-up book to How Sweet It Is. There are major spoilers for the first book, and I feel like you're missing a lot by not having the backstory of Kate and Drake, who return as very prominent side characters in this book.
CW -
August 10, 2022
The fact that I had two false starts and then stopped at 31% for almost 3 months should have been indication enough, but I gave it another go and started from scratch for the THIRD time 🤦 Time to just admit that this book is simply not for me!
It wasn't terrible, but I found it a slog to get through despite a rather great cast. I loved Gigi and Kate! However, the leads aren't a good match at all. Imani was terrible to Zander despite constantly needing to be rescued and using his help multiple times. I can't recall if she even did anything sweet for him?
I also really disliked how everyone tried to change Zander and admonished him for not fitting into conventional ideals of 'success'. Sure, his mother had a point but overall this subplot, the romance and the tropes of opposites attract + changing each other for the better didn't work for me at all.
The novel mentions Zander's tattoo with "Chinese symbols" quite a few times and I wish the author had just written the actual Chinese characters, because I had no idea what she was referring to until I Googled "mindfulness in Chinese" (正念). If you are going to mention my culture, then please give it the due respect and not act like Chinese audiences do not exist.
What I thought the book did well was how it discusses survivor's guilt, grief and trauma. I was actually thinking that I would love to read Kate and Drake's story, not knowing that it already exists and All Fired Up is a follow-up. So maybe I'll still read that one.
Thank you to Forever Publishing and Netgalley for an ARC of this book.
Favourite quotes:
✨ "Don't I owe it to both of us to try? If it's crap timing, then it'll go down in flames, but if there is something there — isn't it worth the risk?"
✨ "No matter how a man or woman was battered by grief — whether it was the loss of limb, or opportunity, or life — instead of being crushed by emotion, you saw people buckle under the weight. But then, somehow, they managed to rise again. It made me humble, witnessing their strength."
It wasn't terrible, but I found it a slog to get through despite a rather great cast. I loved Gigi and Kate! However, the leads aren't a good match at all. Imani was terrible to Zander despite constantly needing to be rescued and using his help multiple times. I can't recall if she even did anything sweet for him?
I also really disliked how everyone tried to change Zander and admonished him for not fitting into conventional ideals of 'success'. Sure, his mother had a point but overall this subplot, the romance and the tropes of opposites attract + changing each other for the better didn't work for me at all.
The novel mentions Zander's tattoo with "Chinese symbols" quite a few times and I wish the author had just written the actual Chinese characters, because I had no idea what she was referring to until I Googled "mindfulness in Chinese" (正念). If you are going to mention my culture, then please give it the due respect and not act like Chinese audiences do not exist.
What I thought the book did well was how it discusses survivor's guilt, grief and trauma. I was actually thinking that I would love to read Kate and Drake's story, not knowing that it already exists and All Fired Up is a follow-up. So maybe I'll still read that one.
Thank you to Forever Publishing and Netgalley for an ARC of this book.
Favourite quotes:
✨ "Don't I owe it to both of us to try? If it's crap timing, then it'll go down in flames, but if there is something there — isn't it worth the risk?"
✨ "No matter how a man or woman was battered by grief — whether it was the loss of limb, or opportunity, or life — instead of being crushed by emotion, you saw people buckle under the weight. But then, somehow, they managed to rise again. It made me humble, witnessing their strength."
May 25, 2022
This book was so cute! I immediately liked the writing style and the characters. Zander was just the sweetest being that ever fictionally lived and I appreciated seeing him navigate being patient.
Dual POV = YES
Blond-Jason-Mamoa-Viking hot love interest? MHMM.
Reluctant to admit her feelings but already super into him? Yup.
Hero who has been PINING for her and is not afraid to show he cares? Yes, please.
There were a lot of things that I enjoyed about this book and the only thing I wish had been different was seeing more of the main characters after the story wrapped up. If you’re looking for a romcom that ends in happily ever after, consider giving this one a try.
3.75 / 5
Dual POV = YES
Blond-Jason-Mamoa-Viking hot love interest? MHMM.
Reluctant to admit her feelings but already super into him? Yup.
Hero who has been PINING for her and is not afraid to show he cares? Yes, please.
There were a lot of things that I enjoyed about this book and the only thing I wish had been different was seeing more of the main characters after the story wrapped up. If you’re looking for a romcom that ends in happily ever after, consider giving this one a try.
3.75 / 5
February 12, 2022
All Fired Up by Dylan Newton is a great contemporary romance that kept me coming back for more. I enjoyed this one.
I really loved Ms. Newton’s previous book, How Sweet It Is, so I knew I had to read her newest creation. I thoroughly enjoyed this one as well.
Imani Lewis and Zander Matthews are brought back together again after a “one night stand” ignited their lives in the past. Both are reintroduced to one another with their own pasts, imperfections, and positive attributes. Both compliment one another perfectly, only not everyone in the pairing can admit this at first. Both seem to bring out the best in one another, and I really liked following along as the relationship progressed, altered, and improved. The author’s ability to balance some of the serious subject matter with the lighter fare worked well.
I really enjoyed the plot, pacing, and the ending.
Another great read from Ms. Newton that I highly recommend.
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 5/17/22.
I really loved Ms. Newton’s previous book, How Sweet It Is, so I knew I had to read her newest creation. I thoroughly enjoyed this one as well.
Imani Lewis and Zander Matthews are brought back together again after a “one night stand” ignited their lives in the past. Both are reintroduced to one another with their own pasts, imperfections, and positive attributes. Both compliment one another perfectly, only not everyone in the pairing can admit this at first. Both seem to bring out the best in one another, and I really liked following along as the relationship progressed, altered, and improved. The author’s ability to balance some of the serious subject matter with the lighter fare worked well.
I really enjoyed the plot, pacing, and the ending.
Another great read from Ms. Newton that I highly recommend.
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 5/17/22.
May 28, 2022
This was a cute book, but I wasn't in love with it. It fell flat in comparison to the first book and its story. That was sweet. This felt repetitive and didn't have me emotionally attached.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 17, 2022
i literally hate the military so much that any mention of it in books (especially romance) immediately ruins my reading experience
June 5, 2022
TITLE: ALL FIRED UP
AUTHOR: Dylan Newton
PUB DATE: 05.17.2022 Now Available
Sexy Second-chance
Sweet and Sassy
Small Town
All Fired Up is the perfect summer romance read to pick up now!
I just love Imani’s character. She has my dream job - she promotes authors as a book publicist, but overworked, she definitely needs a break. Luckily, her grandmother recovering from surgery could use some TLC, and Imani could use a bit of a summer break. But wait, that also means she might run into her hot and wild one night stand, Zander Matthews, eeeek!
I loved how the relationship between Imani and Zander grew, crossing the supposed friend zone, into the ever so dangerous flirt zone, and finally the inevitable no turning back fired up zone! The small town feel of the story made this read charming and delightful, with great secondary casts of characters that tugged at my heartstrings, and important themes are weaved into this amazing story. I really enjoyed the first book, How Sweet It Is and seeing some loved characters there get their story here was really fun. Both books are stand alone but I love the crossover.
AUTHOR: Dylan Newton
PUB DATE: 05.17.2022 Now Available
Sexy Second-chance
Sweet and Sassy
Small Town
All Fired Up is the perfect summer romance read to pick up now!
I just love Imani’s character. She has my dream job - she promotes authors as a book publicist, but overworked, she definitely needs a break. Luckily, her grandmother recovering from surgery could use some TLC, and Imani could use a bit of a summer break. But wait, that also means she might run into her hot and wild one night stand, Zander Matthews, eeeek!
I loved how the relationship between Imani and Zander grew, crossing the supposed friend zone, into the ever so dangerous flirt zone, and finally the inevitable no turning back fired up zone! The small town feel of the story made this read charming and delightful, with great secondary casts of characters that tugged at my heartstrings, and important themes are weaved into this amazing story. I really enjoyed the first book, How Sweet It Is and seeing some loved characters there get their story here was really fun. Both books are stand alone but I love the crossover.
June 9, 2022
We were introduced to Imani and Zander in the How Sweet It Is (but you can absolutely read this as a standalone too) and right off the bat their chemistry is sizzling. It’s a third person dual pov small-town opposites-attract romance. Imani and Zander had a weekend fling at her best friend’s wedding a year ago, and now she’s back in the small-town to spend time with her grandmother and her pregnant best friend and Zander is still holding a torch for her and wondering if there’s anything more there.
Imani is a strict type A publicist who experienced the loss of her mom at a young age, and still holds that grief and guilt with her. She’s uptight but not the annoying stereotypical hot career woman in a male-written and directed movie sort of uptight.
Zander is the beefy Jason Mamoa sort but less intimidating. He called her out early on for breaking his heart by ghosting him but never held it against her. He knows what he wants but lets her be in control. The fact that he wanted to show Imani that he cared and loved her without intention or obligation was so swoony. And because it’s dual POV, we get to see how nervous he was about chasing her. This big hunky guy being so nervous for a first date is like seeing a large biker dude with a small Chihuahua, plain adorable. He radiates acts of service energy and wow does this man know how to healthily woo a woman. This book really made me want to be wooed. SOME ONE WOO ME ALREADY.
I loved seeing the development of their friendship and relationship and their own personal journeys. The character depth was surprising for a light romance, and some deeper topics eg mental illness and grief were handled without them being too heavy. This is such a feel-good tender and sweet romance and jackpot - the spice is spicy.
Imani is a strict type A publicist who experienced the loss of her mom at a young age, and still holds that grief and guilt with her. She’s uptight but not the annoying stereotypical hot career woman in a male-written and directed movie sort of uptight.
Zander is the beefy Jason Mamoa sort but less intimidating. He called her out early on for breaking his heart by ghosting him but never held it against her. He knows what he wants but lets her be in control. The fact that he wanted to show Imani that he cared and loved her without intention or obligation was so swoony. And because it’s dual POV, we get to see how nervous he was about chasing her. This big hunky guy being so nervous for a first date is like seeing a large biker dude with a small Chihuahua, plain adorable. He radiates acts of service energy and wow does this man know how to healthily woo a woman. This book really made me want to be wooed. SOME ONE WOO ME ALREADY.
I loved seeing the development of their friendship and relationship and their own personal journeys. The character depth was surprising for a light romance, and some deeper topics eg mental illness and grief were handled without them being too heavy. This is such a feel-good tender and sweet romance and jackpot - the spice is spicy.
April 9, 2023
4.5 stars
Loved this one!! I read How Sweet it Is and really liked that one but I can’t tell which one I like more!
I always love the dual POV and getting into Zander’s head was my favorite. He was amazing! Gentle and sweet with a hard Marine exterior. His banter with Imani and his brothers was great and I loved that he did something different like owning a pottery studio.
Gigi was freaking HILARIOUS! All her nicknames (Zoolander 🤣) and one off comments made me laugh out loud and THAT BIRD. HA.
The only hangup was Imani. She was judgemental and just thought when someone else didn’t have the same view of life was just doing something wrong which I didn’t like. I also thought the ending was too rushed and some things were left unfinished!
I cannot wait to read Rykers story next!!
Thank you to Netgalley and Forever for my gifted copy in exchange for my honest review!
Loved this one!! I read How Sweet it Is and really liked that one but I can’t tell which one I like more!
I always love the dual POV and getting into Zander’s head was my favorite. He was amazing! Gentle and sweet with a hard Marine exterior. His banter with Imani and his brothers was great and I loved that he did something different like owning a pottery studio.
Gigi was freaking HILARIOUS! All her nicknames (Zoolander 🤣) and one off comments made me laugh out loud and THAT BIRD. HA.
The only hangup was Imani. She was judgemental and just thought when someone else didn’t have the same view of life was just doing something wrong which I didn’t like. I also thought the ending was too rushed and some things were left unfinished!
I cannot wait to read Rykers story next!!
Thank you to Netgalley and Forever for my gifted copy in exchange for my honest review!
June 10, 2022
I love a good rom-com and I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this one I sat down to read a few minutes and ended up read the whole book.
So I would say this is a must read to add to your to be read pile.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.
So I would say this is a must read to add to your to be read pile.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.
April 30, 2022
4.5 stars
Okay listen. I LOVE Dylan Newton. She really know how to write the perfect cute romance novels!! I really enjoyed her debut novel, and now that I got the chance to read her second novel, I'm even more in love with this story and her writing!!
Also, I am so grateful that I was able to be a part of a traveling arc group for this book which was an amazing experience and I 10/10 recommend.
Zander is literal perfection, and him and Imani make my heart happy. I love that this book follows the second Matthew’s brother and we get to see Kate and Drake from the first book!! This story had so many amazing moments, and y'all are NOT ready for Gigi. She's hilarious and the epitome of a badass grandma. I was laughing so hard.
Also, If a book makes me tear up and keeps me feeling emotional, it ABSOLUTELY deserves its high rating from me.
Claps all around for this lovely book that made me swoon more times than I can count and was just all around so freaking lovely!!!!! Add this to your TBR besties!
Okay listen. I LOVE Dylan Newton. She really know how to write the perfect cute romance novels!! I really enjoyed her debut novel, and now that I got the chance to read her second novel, I'm even more in love with this story and her writing!!
Also, I am so grateful that I was able to be a part of a traveling arc group for this book which was an amazing experience and I 10/10 recommend.
Zander is literal perfection, and him and Imani make my heart happy. I love that this book follows the second Matthew’s brother and we get to see Kate and Drake from the first book!! This story had so many amazing moments, and y'all are NOT ready for Gigi. She's hilarious and the epitome of a badass grandma. I was laughing so hard.
Also, If a book makes me tear up and keeps me feeling emotional, it ABSOLUTELY deserves its high rating from me.
Claps all around for this lovely book that made me swoon more times than I can count and was just all around so freaking lovely!!!!! Add this to your TBR besties!
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