Gregory Montrose and Fillian O’Connell grew up next door with a tall fence separating their families.
Fillian, now a state trooper, grew up with plenty of love and little else, looking over the fence at the neighbor’s pool he never got to swim in. His family barely made ends meet and he worked hard for everything he has. Including making it to the police academy and graduating at the top of his class, and landing a posting in the Carlisle area.
Electrician, Gregory had everything growing up, at least on the surface, but it was for appearances. He looked over the fence at the family who did everything together, and listened to his parents fighting most nights. His parents made sure he had all the advantages money could buy, but little else.
A domestic disturbance call reunites them with Fillian talking down a deranged assailant. Both men have changed, and yet they are so very different. Fillian has the life he’s always wanted and Gregory is struggling to raise his niece and nephew. Attraction is a surprise for both of them and as heat builds between them, family disasters threaten to either blow them apart or forge them stronger, like steel.
Fire and Iron is the fourth and I believe final book in the Carlisle Troopers series by Andrew Grey. This one was really good, it kept me turning the pages, trying to figure out what was going on. And I really loved these two together. Let me introduce you to them.
When they were kids, Gregory Montrose and Fillian O’Connell grew up right next door to each other with a high fence between them. Fillian’s family barely got by, but their home was filled with so much love. Fillian eventually was able to go to the police academy and is now a state trooper. He loves his job. He lives near his family and spends time weekly with his parents.
Gregory’s life was so much different. Whenever Fillian would look over the fence and see the pool and all the toys, it seemed like they had everything and he was envious. But in reality, Gregory’s parents provided him with the material things they thought he needed to make it look good to people they wanted to impress. But his home had no love in it. His parents fought constantly and he was raised by the nanny. His mother was cold and without any emotion. He would hear the neighbors laughing and spending time together in their back yard and he was envious of the life they had.
Now, Gregory is an electrician and is trying to get his own business off the ground. He is raising his niece and nephew after the death of his brother and sister-in-law. He lives in a tiny apartment, barely big enough for he and the kids. When a job goes very wrong in the worst way possible, the police are called and he is saved by a face he hasn’t seen in years. When they find themselves on the same rugby team, they can’t deny the attraction between them and a bond begins to form. But Gregory has his hands full with trying to be a daddy to the kids. And he can’t imagine that Fillian would want to become involved with an instant family.
But then things go from bad to worse when Gregory starts to feel threatened. Fillian is determined to keep Gregory and the kids safe and as the days pass, they become closer and the kids steal his heart.
I loved these two together and the kids were just adorable. I loved the way that Fillian just seemed to fit in with their little family. The kids were immediately drawn to him and I also loved the way Fillian’s parents just welcomed them all into the family. This was pretty suspenseful and I found myself grabbing my e-reader every chance I had to get in a few more pages to see what happened next. It had a super sweet ending as well. I’ve enjoyed all four books in this series and have already been looking through Andrew’s other books to see what I might want to read next.
The story between Gregory and Fillian is good. They were neighbors years ago. Gregory seemed to have it all but no love. Fillian didn't have the best but he had all the love that there was. For me, the story dragged a bit. Gregory is always insecure and doubts whether he can raise his niece and nephew because his mother is always berating him. But the love he has for the children and Fillian is what counts. The story could have been told in less than two hundred pages.
This book really delivers as a second chance romance, which is a favorite of mine! Fillian and Gregory grew up as neighbors but couldn’t have led different lives, each thinking they wanted what they saw on the other side of the fence. They’ve both grown up and now lead separate lives, Fillian is a police officer and Gregory is an electirican just trying to make it all work while raising his brother’s kids after his death. They don’t really know much about each other until, of all things, a domestic disturbance call brings them back together.
I really enjoyed this book, I felt like I really got to know both Fillian and Gregory and their stories, and I really liked how their story together unfolded. These two basically get to know each other again, learn who they really are and get the chance to build something together. My heart hurt for Gregory and everything he goes through. His childhood may have looked ideal from the other side of the fence but it was completely lacking in any kind of love and support, especially from him mother. Fillian is a great match for him and the sweet kids he is raising. They feel like they are all just meant to be together.
I loved their romance and I found that I really liked both Fillian and Gregory and just wanted them to be happy together. They both so deserved that! I also enjoyed the mix of suspense and mystery added in as well. It added the right amount of drama and kept everything interesting for me. Overall, a book I enjoyed from start to finish and I especially loved seeing Gregory get the love he deserves. Fillian really is the perfect match for him (along with his family) and these two really are a great addition to the Carlisle Troopers series!
Fire and Iron is explosive from the first page! Gregory and Fillion literally meet at a house explosion, and it just gets more action packed from there. As the main characters try to build a relationship, they are constantly thwarted by a villain who has an unknown issue with Gregory. Will Fillian, the State cop find the bad guy? Will they make their relationship work, especially when Gregory has two small children to care for? You must read and find out for yourself! I promise you won't be disappointed!
The storyline follows the classic idea of a second chance at love. Growing up as neighbors but never connecting as youngsters. It’s not until after they’ve grown up and moved on in life that Fillian and Gregory find each other again and have the opportunity to explore what might have been. Some drama, issues with self doubt and insecurity, but the two slowly find a shared happiness.
I love Andrew Grey’s stories! Whether about men n public service or other walks of life, they are tales of men finding love every as they go through regular lives. And, even better to me, these characters have real lives including children as I did. And real lives can blend into real families. It’s great to see lives that reflect my own experiences.
Thoughts: This is the final book in this series – and I’ve enjoyed each one. First, they take place in a town I know well, so it’s nice to read about roads and places I’ve heard of. And if any of the readers are interested, all they have to do is look at a map of Carlisle and they’ll know too. It really puts you into the setting.
As for the characters, I didn’t really care for Gregory at first, but he grew on me, especially once I understood his background a little more. He and Fillian were neighbors growing up, but they came from two very different worlds—which they discover as their romance deepens. The romance works well, but the instant heat seemed a bit much. Still, like all of the author’s books, he makes them work. The touch of mystery in the story was nicely done—though I knew who the perp was from the outset. Still, it added a level of suspense to the story.
Recommended.
Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book from Zeitgeist (Penguin Random House) with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
A wonderful end to this series which I'm sad is ending because loved it.
Fillian had love and family as a child but no many material things. He was always wishing that he had things like Gregory did. He just didn't know that it was the opposite for his neighbor who had lots of toys and a pool, but there was no love from his parents and the pool was barely used.
Now grown up Fillian is a state trooper and response to a call where Gregory is a victim while working at his job.
Fillian gets to know Gregory who is raising his niece and nephew after his brother's death. Things are sweet with the relationship itself but someone is after Gregory.
He's got someone following him and then there are notes a fire and on top all this his mother is being horrible because she can't get her way and she wasn't the one that got her son's kids like she swears should have happened.
Gregory finds out some harder truths as the book goes on. He also finds love with Fillian. The kind Weston and Marnie are adorable as can be. Loved this family so much. Books that got kids and single dads that find love are my favorite. We got to also see some past characters in this series and the original series too.
This is book 4 but stands alone fine. Each book is a separate couple . This is Fillian and Gregory. They grew up as neighbors but really hadn't been friends. Gregory had everything material but his parents fought and were never around. Fillian didnt have much material but good loving parents. Gregory is now raising his brother's kids and trying to make ends mee. Fillian is a deputy. They met again when a case brings them together then again over rugby. The story has a lot going on. Lots of charm, touch of mystery and cute kids.
Great story fantastic characters lots of adventure with some angst but lots of love & more love!!!!! The children are great & will put smiles on your face Thank you & hope there are more books - Lori