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Playing with Fire
As camp chef and chief pack mule of a boutique camping and guiding outfit, Harper Varnham just wants to make the perfect campfire apple turnover. But fate has other plans. When Lucia Guzman, her childhood best friend and fellow trail guide, breaks her leg, Lucia suggests her sister Mia step in to help with the season. Remembering the crush she once had on the free-spirited Mia, Harper readily agrees.
When Mia arrives at Harper’s door, she’s somehow exactly the same yet completely different from the girl Harper had known when she was thirteen and in the throes of her first crush. And it doesn’t take long for Harper to start falling a little in love with Mia all over again.
But with Mia’s reappearance, old Guzman family wounds have reopened and soon Mia’s emotional scars begin tearing open as well. Harper has always had a second family in the Guzmans, but now she wants Mia, too. Can she have Mia without losing the Guzmans and Lucia—who’s been in the middle the whole time?
When Mia arrives at Harper’s door, she’s somehow exactly the same yet completely different from the girl Harper had known when she was thirteen and in the throes of her first crush. And it doesn’t take long for Harper to start falling a little in love with Mia all over again.
But with Mia’s reappearance, old Guzman family wounds have reopened and soon Mia’s emotional scars begin tearing open as well. Harper has always had a second family in the Guzmans, but now she wants Mia, too. Can she have Mia without losing the Guzmans and Lucia—who’s been in the middle the whole time?
223 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 29, 2023
2 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Kabak
9 books11 followersAmanda Kabak has had stories published in Midwestern Gothic, Harpoon Review, Perceptions Magazine, and other print and online periodicals. She was a recipient of the Betty Gabehart prize, issued by the Kentucky Women Writer's Conference, and has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 31, 2023
Totally loved this book - would it have upset AK to give us an epilogue? - so evocative, quite made think I want to go camping, live in the outback! (No, OK, but in the moment...!) Highly recommended.
Final book of the year! A brilliant one to finish on.
Final book of the year! A brilliant one to finish on.
September 20, 2023
This is a story about Harper Varham who grew up with a single mom and skipped college and later went to culinary school. Harper or “T” (as she prefers to be called, loves cooking and can’t decide if she would want to own her own restaurant or would feel too confined by it. Harper’s best friend and business partner is Lucia Guzman. The Guzman family “adopted” Harper as a kid and she spent a lot of time with their family. Lucia has an older sister Mia, that Harper and Lucia idolized as kids. Mia was an outdoors person and taught Harper to love it too. So as adults Harper and Lucia start an upscale camping/adventure business that features gourmet cooking.
This book was hard for me to get into for the first 50 pages but once I reached that point I couldn’t put it down. The relationship between Harper and Mia was complex. There was a lot of thought provoking themes in the book, including homophobia, addiction and recovery.
I chose it because of the blurb on cooking and camping and it met those tropes very well for me plus the deep emotions it evoked. Overall a very well written book.
ARC received from Net Galley for an honest and voluntary review.
This book was hard for me to get into for the first 50 pages but once I reached that point I couldn’t put it down. The relationship between Harper and Mia was complex. There was a lot of thought provoking themes in the book, including homophobia, addiction and recovery.
I chose it because of the blurb on cooking and camping and it met those tropes very well for me plus the deep emotions it evoked. Overall a very well written book.
ARC received from Net Galley for an honest and voluntary review.
September 5, 2023
This story is told from the POV of Harper Varnham who loves food and her best friends. She’s gone to culinary school but loves cooking over a flame. Along with her two best friends they have started a glamping (glamorous camping) backpacking company along the Appalachian Trail. Just before the start of their second season Lucia Guzman who is the trail guide breaks her legs. She says her older sister Mia will step in. Mia is five years older and was once Harper’s crush. She has also been estranged from her family for over a decade and Harper only learns now that Mia is gay.
This book is full of wonderful food descriptions and I liked the showing of life on the trail. I wasn’t expecting Mia’s more serious storyline. The Guzman’s have always been Harper's second family and love her like one of their own. Only now she learns they rejected their daughter for being gay and best friend Lucia doesn’t want Harper to cause waves. It’s very complicated for Harper with an underlining of sadness. Also, I was impressed that when things go physical it isn’t all smooth. Very seldom in romances do you have a person that doesn’t easily climax multiple times. I liked the realism. This is complicated story and I don’t know that I felt I fully knew Mia or her journey. But I was rooting for them by the end. Thank you to NetGalley and Bella Books for the ARC and I am leaving an honest review.
This book is full of wonderful food descriptions and I liked the showing of life on the trail. I wasn’t expecting Mia’s more serious storyline. The Guzman’s have always been Harper's second family and love her like one of their own. Only now she learns they rejected their daughter for being gay and best friend Lucia doesn’t want Harper to cause waves. It’s very complicated for Harper with an underlining of sadness. Also, I was impressed that when things go physical it isn’t all smooth. Very seldom in romances do you have a person that doesn’t easily climax multiple times. I liked the realism. This is complicated story and I don’t know that I felt I fully knew Mia or her journey. But I was rooting for them by the end. Thank you to NetGalley and Bella Books for the ARC and I am leaving an honest review.
August 31, 2023
Good first chapter. It makes the blurb clear and importantly sets out the barriers the mains will have to overcome. Also I want to see more of the one main we have met! A good start to any book….
Don’t start this book hungry, cos the food descriptions sound great. 40% in and there isn’t much on the romance but the mains are being slowly revealed. I would say something needs to happen soon, and as the mains are in closer proximity this is likely. Well, as it is a romance, you can imagine they do, but there are issues.
I enjoyed the book, but perhaps didn’t gel with the couple as much as I could have so didn’t find their journey as tense as I could have.
Don’t start this book hungry, cos the food descriptions sound great. 40% in and there isn’t much on the romance but the mains are being slowly revealed. I would say something needs to happen soon, and as the mains are in closer proximity this is likely. Well, as it is a romance, you can imagine they do, but there are issues.
I enjoyed the book, but perhaps didn’t gel with the couple as much as I could have so didn’t find their journey as tense as I could have.
August 27, 2023
Nature trails, cooking with fire and a chance at love? Yes ma’am! Trigger warning: this story contains references about alcohol abuse and family issues about being gay.
I received an advance review copy for free from Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Harper and her two friends Lucy and Venus are planning a new season of trail tours with their hiking and camping company. Harper is the camp chef providing gourmet camp meals for the guests, Lucy is the hiking guide and Venus manages the books. When Lucy breaks her leg a few measly weeks before their season starts, it seems to all go up in flames. That is until Lucy brings in her estranged sister Mia to be her replacement. Harper grew up with Lucy and idolized and crushed on Mia all through her teen years. Seeing her again restarts her heart but learning about the way Mia was shunned by her own family is breaking it into a million pieces at the same time.
The story is told from Harper’s viewpoint and it helps the reader to also fall in love with the mysterious Mia one hike at a time. Kabak writes with ease about very difficult emotions. She takes you on a journey full of turmoil and sprinkles in a lot of delicious food descriptions that will make your mouth water. Add to that the simmering fire burning between the two main characters and you get a delicious romance that ticks a lot of the boxes.
My only complaint is that the book isn’t longer. I wish I could get more of a peek inside the lives of Harper and Mia and see if they can make amends with the family that disowned Mia but embraced Harper. That would be a great bonus epilogue or short story.
So, put on your hiking shoes and set off for this alluring story that has all the tasty ingredients for a crackling slow burn romance.
I received an advance review copy for free from Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Harper and her two friends Lucy and Venus are planning a new season of trail tours with their hiking and camping company. Harper is the camp chef providing gourmet camp meals for the guests, Lucy is the hiking guide and Venus manages the books. When Lucy breaks her leg a few measly weeks before their season starts, it seems to all go up in flames. That is until Lucy brings in her estranged sister Mia to be her replacement. Harper grew up with Lucy and idolized and crushed on Mia all through her teen years. Seeing her again restarts her heart but learning about the way Mia was shunned by her own family is breaking it into a million pieces at the same time.
The story is told from Harper’s viewpoint and it helps the reader to also fall in love with the mysterious Mia one hike at a time. Kabak writes with ease about very difficult emotions. She takes you on a journey full of turmoil and sprinkles in a lot of delicious food descriptions that will make your mouth water. Add to that the simmering fire burning between the two main characters and you get a delicious romance that ticks a lot of the boxes.
My only complaint is that the book isn’t longer. I wish I could get more of a peek inside the lives of Harper and Mia and see if they can make amends with the family that disowned Mia but embraced Harper. That would be a great bonus epilogue or short story.
So, put on your hiking shoes and set off for this alluring story that has all the tasty ingredients for a crackling slow burn romance.
October 23, 2023
This turned out to be a deeper read than expected. Kabak was able to create a world that covered some difficult topics around self, the other, and family. Highly recommend.
Thank you to Bella Books and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.
Thank you to Bella Books and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.
January 19, 2026
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book who wouldnt like a different sort of adventure with a trek with like minded people and a chef who can really really cook and who carries all the essentials to make their holiday a once in a lifetime experience when the 3 friends thought of this and came up with a working holiday it was all go go go but it only worked if the 3 of them were able to rely on each other but when one of them breaks their leg its could all end in disaster for their new adventure but bringing on board someone could save them have to say i thoroughly enjoyed this book and want to go on a trek with these guys. they make it sound like one big great adventure getting you out of your comfort zone...also enjoyed the tension with everyone and how coming out to some families is still really difficult...
August 29, 2023
Playing With Fire is a heartfelt story that revolves around Harper, a camp chef and trail guide, and her unexpected reconnection with Mia, her childhood best friend's sister. The book beautifully captures the essence of their evolving relationship, reigniting old crushes and delving into family wounds. The writing style is outstanding, with words that resonate deeply and paint vivid images.
The story truly excels in capturing the intricate layers of trauma and its lasting impact on Mia's life. The author skillfully delves into Mia's emotional struggles, providing readers with a profound understanding of the pain she carries from wounds inflicted by those closest to her. Mia's character is beautifully written, allowing us to witness the scars left by past experiences and the intricate web of emotions she battles.
Harper's role as the catalyst for Mia's transformation adds another layer of depth. Harper's journey to help Mia heal and evolve is a poignant depiction of friendship, growth, and understanding. Although at times, she struggled to comprehend the reasons behind Mia's actions and the walls she had built, Harper's unwavering support and compassion make her the perfect person to guide Mia out of her shell.
Harper's own evolution parallels Mia's, creating a compelling narrative of two individuals with their own growth to navigate. As Harper attempts to grasp Mia's pain and inner struggles, she also confronts her limitations and prejudices, fostering her own personal development. The portrayal of Harper's journey to understand Mia, even when faced with confusion, underscores the authenticity of their relationship.
The narrative deftly portrays how the wounds of the past can shape one's present and future, impacting relationships, self-worth, and the ability to trust. As readers, we journey alongside Mia, feeling the weight of her inner turmoil and empathizing with the hurdles she faces in overcoming her emotional scars. This raw and unfiltered portrayal of Mia's journey resonates deeply, making her pain and growth palpable.
The author's extraordinary writing style adds another layer of depth to Mia's experiences. The descriptive prose skillfully weaves emotions into every sentence, allowing readers to not only understand but also feel Mia's pain. The trauma she endured is not merely conveyed through words; it's etched into the very fabric of the narrative, making her struggles all the more powerful and affecting.
While the pacing of the story keeps readers engaged, the quick ending leaves a bittersweet aftertaste. As the last page approaches, there's a sense of longing to further explore the aftermath of Mia's and Harpers growth and their evolving connection with family and friends. The depth of their bond and the healing they bring to each other deserved a more extended denouement.
In conclusion, "Playing With Fire" is an emotional rollercoaster that masterfully captures a journey of healing and self-discovery. The portrayal of trauma and its lasting effects is both poignant and achingly real, resonating with readers who have experienced similar struggles. This story is a testament to the author's ability to craft a story that tugs at the heartstrings, making readers reflect on the power of resilience, love, and the human spirit.
The story truly excels in capturing the intricate layers of trauma and its lasting impact on Mia's life. The author skillfully delves into Mia's emotional struggles, providing readers with a profound understanding of the pain she carries from wounds inflicted by those closest to her. Mia's character is beautifully written, allowing us to witness the scars left by past experiences and the intricate web of emotions she battles.
Harper's role as the catalyst for Mia's transformation adds another layer of depth. Harper's journey to help Mia heal and evolve is a poignant depiction of friendship, growth, and understanding. Although at times, she struggled to comprehend the reasons behind Mia's actions and the walls she had built, Harper's unwavering support and compassion make her the perfect person to guide Mia out of her shell.
Harper's own evolution parallels Mia's, creating a compelling narrative of two individuals with their own growth to navigate. As Harper attempts to grasp Mia's pain and inner struggles, she also confronts her limitations and prejudices, fostering her own personal development. The portrayal of Harper's journey to understand Mia, even when faced with confusion, underscores the authenticity of their relationship.
The narrative deftly portrays how the wounds of the past can shape one's present and future, impacting relationships, self-worth, and the ability to trust. As readers, we journey alongside Mia, feeling the weight of her inner turmoil and empathizing with the hurdles she faces in overcoming her emotional scars. This raw and unfiltered portrayal of Mia's journey resonates deeply, making her pain and growth palpable.
The author's extraordinary writing style adds another layer of depth to Mia's experiences. The descriptive prose skillfully weaves emotions into every sentence, allowing readers to not only understand but also feel Mia's pain. The trauma she endured is not merely conveyed through words; it's etched into the very fabric of the narrative, making her struggles all the more powerful and affecting.
While the pacing of the story keeps readers engaged, the quick ending leaves a bittersweet aftertaste. As the last page approaches, there's a sense of longing to further explore the aftermath of Mia's and Harpers growth and their evolving connection with family and friends. The depth of their bond and the healing they bring to each other deserved a more extended denouement.
In conclusion, "Playing With Fire" is an emotional rollercoaster that masterfully captures a journey of healing and self-discovery. The portrayal of trauma and its lasting effects is both poignant and achingly real, resonating with readers who have experienced similar struggles. This story is a testament to the author's ability to craft a story that tugs at the heartstrings, making readers reflect on the power of resilience, love, and the human spirit.
September 13, 2023
This is my first book by this author and I enjoyed the writing and the engaging characters.
Harper runs a business with her two best friends and is the cook on the trails using only fire which I found fascinating. She was raised by a single mom but was an honorary member of her best friend Lucia's family, but they aren't as perfect as they seem to be.
Lucia gets hurts a few weeks before their season starts and in comes Mia. Lucia's older sister who disappeared 15 years ago and shows up on Harper's doorstep to help. Mia isn't who Harper remembers, but that doesn't stop Harper from having feelings for her when its just the two of them out on the trails with nobody they know, just them and the people that paid to be there.
The story flowed smoothly and it was engaging most of the time. I felt the story moved pretty quickly and wanted to see the relationship between Mia and Harper develop more. Mia was well developed with her past trauma and was hesitant to get involved with anyone. Harper sometimes acted like an entitled brat when she didn't get what she waned, but overall, she wasn't a bad character. I disliked the abrupt ending. I wanted to see more of how that all played out.
In the end, I would recommend this book. I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Harper runs a business with her two best friends and is the cook on the trails using only fire which I found fascinating. She was raised by a single mom but was an honorary member of her best friend Lucia's family, but they aren't as perfect as they seem to be.
Lucia gets hurts a few weeks before their season starts and in comes Mia. Lucia's older sister who disappeared 15 years ago and shows up on Harper's doorstep to help. Mia isn't who Harper remembers, but that doesn't stop Harper from having feelings for her when its just the two of them out on the trails with nobody they know, just them and the people that paid to be there.
The story flowed smoothly and it was engaging most of the time. I felt the story moved pretty quickly and wanted to see the relationship between Mia and Harper develop more. Mia was well developed with her past trauma and was hesitant to get involved with anyone. Harper sometimes acted like an entitled brat when she didn't get what she waned, but overall, she wasn't a bad character. I disliked the abrupt ending. I wanted to see more of how that all played out.
In the end, I would recommend this book. I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 2, 2025
This book made me want to go camping and I am definetely not someone who goes camping.
Harper is a chef and reading how she prepared food with fire and such delicate care I was hungry half of the time while reading. Along with her friends Venus and Lucia she leads hiking trails which sounded exhausting but also kind of fun. When Lucia breaks her leg she suggest her sister Mia step in to help out.
Turns out Mia has been elusive for quite some years and Harper is immediately intrigued when she resurfaces. Mia is the same but also different. There are many layers and hidden truths that she can't wait to uncover, if only Mia would let her.
It was great seeing two people reconnect. There is familiarity but also intrigue as to what new parts there are to be discovered. The story is in Harper's POV which adds to the mystery of Mia.
Trigger warning for addiction and homophobia.
An ARC was given to me via Netgalley in return of an honest review.
Harper is a chef and reading how she prepared food with fire and such delicate care I was hungry half of the time while reading. Along with her friends Venus and Lucia she leads hiking trails which sounded exhausting but also kind of fun. When Lucia breaks her leg she suggest her sister Mia step in to help out.
Turns out Mia has been elusive for quite some years and Harper is immediately intrigued when she resurfaces. Mia is the same but also different. There are many layers and hidden truths that she can't wait to uncover, if only Mia would let her.
It was great seeing two people reconnect. There is familiarity but also intrigue as to what new parts there are to be discovered. The story is in Harper's POV which adds to the mystery of Mia.
Trigger warning for addiction and homophobia.
An ARC was given to me via Netgalley in return of an honest review.
October 21, 2023
This was good, but often confusing. I thought the main characters were equal parts mature women and sometimes not so mature. Amanda sometimes seemed like a teenager, kind of naive to the world and how people will treat an outsider as opposed too a family member especially if they're gay. I really felt for Mia she really had a hard life. There's a lot of back and forth between these two and there's drama for days especially between Mia and her family. I liked this book overall and was invested in how this story would unfold. I feel as if there's a second book coming about these characters, so I'll be on the lookout for that. I would recommend this book and I look forward to what's coming next from this author.
August 27, 2023
4.5 stars. Really fun lesbian rom com with well developed characters. I love reading about people hiking and camping because I like those activities, and this book was clearly written by somebody with a lot of outdoors experience. My only problem with this book is the title. I see why the author chose it but it is SO common and 99% of the reviews allegedly for this book on goodreads are actually for a different book. I read a pre print of this book from NetGalley and I hope it isn’t too late to rethink the title.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews