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He was my first and I thought he’d be my last. Now he’s asking for a second chance.
Micah Hutton is charming. Sweet. Confident. And his page in the shirtless fireman calendar for charity? Trust me, November has never been hotter. But like Grandma it’s never the angels who look like sin.
Micah promised he’d love me forever. And I believed him, enough to give myself to him the night before my parents dragged me across the country, tearing us apart. He broke my heart—and his promise—by disappearing the moment I learned I was pregnant.
Seven years later, I’m back in my hometown, staring at my first love, watching his heart break as he meets a little girl who looks just like him. A little girl he swears he never knew existed.
He thinks I kept our baby a secret, but why would I do that? I told him as soon as I found out, certain he'd be at my side the very next day.
Micah says he’s ready to be a father, but am I ready to open my heart and let him back in? Does he deserve that second chance?
Micah Hutton is charming. Sweet. Confident. And his page in the shirtless fireman calendar for charity? Trust me, November has never been hotter. But like Grandma it’s never the angels who look like sin.
Micah promised he’d love me forever. And I believed him, enough to give myself to him the night before my parents dragged me across the country, tearing us apart. He broke my heart—and his promise—by disappearing the moment I learned I was pregnant.
Seven years later, I’m back in my hometown, staring at my first love, watching his heart break as he meets a little girl who looks just like him. A little girl he swears he never knew existed.
He thinks I kept our baby a secret, but why would I do that? I told him as soon as I found out, certain he'd be at my side the very next day.
Micah says he’s ready to be a father, but am I ready to open my heart and let him back in? Does he deserve that second chance?
436 pages, Paperback
First published December 28, 2022
3294 people are currently reading
1564 people want to read
About the author
Abby Brooks
54 books900 followersAbby Brooks writes heartfelt contemporary romance with small-town charm, found family, and happily-ever-afters that feel earned. Her stories feature relatable characters, emotional depth, and just the right balance of humor and heat—perfect for readers who love cozy communities, strong connections, and hope-filled love stories.
A lifelong storyteller raised in the Midwest, Abby draws inspiration from close-knit towns and the beauty of everyday moments. She lives in Ohio with her husband and their three cats and believes the best love stories are the ones that feel like coming home.
A lifelong storyteller raised in the Midwest, Abby draws inspiration from close-knit towns and the beauty of everyday moments. She lives in Ohio with her husband and their three cats and believes the best love stories are the ones that feel like coming home.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 288 reviews
January 25, 2023
todos los personajes en este libro son insoportables y estúpidos, no puede ser que no conecten dos neuronas DIOS MIO
January 14, 2023
I enjoyed this despite the most ridiculous misunderstanding/miscommunication ever in the digital age and between teenagers who are almost literally tied to their devices.
Young love torn apart by a mean and very controlling father, a very controlling ex-fiance, and a secret baby are the gist of it all. What stood out in the writing is I felt like the author was verbalizing and working through how to get out from under the thumb of a controlling and dominating narcissist in terms of the heroine and her romance.
Young love torn apart by a mean and very controlling father, a very controlling ex-fiance, and a secret baby are the gist of it all. What stood out in the writing is I felt like the author was verbalizing and working through how to get out from under the thumb of a controlling and dominating narcissist in terms of the heroine and her romance.
December 31, 2022
Fire by Abby Brooks is a second-generation standalone featuring the Hutton children from the Beyond Series. Beyond Words was my first book by this author and I’ve read every one since. I love the family and interconnected characters and find them very down to earth and relatable. Abby writes such heartfelt characters who love and laugh, give really good banter, and can always depend on each other. Her romances will draw you in and remain with you for a long time as her characters have real life struggles like the rest of us, but remain hopeful and optimistic.
In Fire, it’s a second chance love story for single mom Ivy Cole and Micah Hutton. He stayed local in Key West, FL, and is now all grown up and a sexy firefighter. They were each other’s first loves as teenagers when one day she had to leave and he never understood why. Their chance meeting years later brought about many unresolved feelings and resentments and the author will dive deep into the past and the present as they try and unravel what went wrong.
This book was very emotional because the Ivy that returned home was not the same person who left seven years ago. She did not have a good relationship with her father or grandfather, and felt that Micah hurt her too. Ivy was strong enough to leave a toxic relationship with her ex, Julian, a man she met after she left home and he gaslighted and mistreated her. He was manipulative and controlling, and made her doubt herself and become very insecure. This happened to someone very close to me and it took four long years for her to leave. I felt for Ivy personally and admired her strength and ability to break from his strong hold and start over with nothing with the support of her grandmother.
I thought the author did a magnificent job portraying Ivy, and was in awe of her character growth. She is still very attracted to Micah but can’t understand why he didn’t reach out when she contacted him all those years ago. All will be revealed and secrets uncovered as these two get to know each other as adults. You couldn’t ask for a more steadfast hero than Micah. He’s smart, funny, kind, generous, and a true caretaker and loyal family man.
He never stopped loving Ivy and can’t help but fall in love with her daughter, Nell, the moment he meets her. Nell is wise beyond her years, constantly on the verge of getting in trouble, and just blossoms day by day. I loved her personality and thought she brought so much to the storyline.
I loved Ivy’s independence and pure heart, and how blessed she felt being in a healthy home environment. She and Nell were both adored by his entire family and her grandmother, who is a meddling hoot, and it really made my heart happy that she and Micah finally got their HEA. I loved their honesty and open communication and how they were able to put the past in the past and focus on the future.
I love the interconnected characters and how his one cousin, Nathan, finally saw the writing on the wall regarding his leach of a girlfriend, Blossom. There are loads of great moments in Fire, and I am looking forward to reading more as there are still many single family members left!
In Fire, it’s a second chance love story for single mom Ivy Cole and Micah Hutton. He stayed local in Key West, FL, and is now all grown up and a sexy firefighter. They were each other’s first loves as teenagers when one day she had to leave and he never understood why. Their chance meeting years later brought about many unresolved feelings and resentments and the author will dive deep into the past and the present as they try and unravel what went wrong.
This book was very emotional because the Ivy that returned home was not the same person who left seven years ago. She did not have a good relationship with her father or grandfather, and felt that Micah hurt her too. Ivy was strong enough to leave a toxic relationship with her ex, Julian, a man she met after she left home and he gaslighted and mistreated her. He was manipulative and controlling, and made her doubt herself and become very insecure. This happened to someone very close to me and it took four long years for her to leave. I felt for Ivy personally and admired her strength and ability to break from his strong hold and start over with nothing with the support of her grandmother.
I thought the author did a magnificent job portraying Ivy, and was in awe of her character growth. She is still very attracted to Micah but can’t understand why he didn’t reach out when she contacted him all those years ago. All will be revealed and secrets uncovered as these two get to know each other as adults. You couldn’t ask for a more steadfast hero than Micah. He’s smart, funny, kind, generous, and a true caretaker and loyal family man.
He never stopped loving Ivy and can’t help but fall in love with her daughter, Nell, the moment he meets her. Nell is wise beyond her years, constantly on the verge of getting in trouble, and just blossoms day by day. I loved her personality and thought she brought so much to the storyline.
I loved Ivy’s independence and pure heart, and how blessed she felt being in a healthy home environment. She and Nell were both adored by his entire family and her grandmother, who is a meddling hoot, and it really made my heart happy that she and Micah finally got their HEA. I loved their honesty and open communication and how they were able to put the past in the past and focus on the future.
I love the interconnected characters and how his one cousin, Nathan, finally saw the writing on the wall regarding his leach of a girlfriend, Blossom. There are loads of great moments in Fire, and I am looking forward to reading more as there are still many single family members left!
March 13, 2023
second chances
This is book 2 in Brooks’ Hutton family second generation series.
Micah & Ivy were HS sweethearts separated when her father moved the family from the Florida Keys to Seattle between their junior and senior year. Micah promised he would always be there for her, they would always be together. Time differences, school obligations and family ended up pulling them apart, which set in motion other events neither one knew about.
Flash forward 7 years and Ivy is back in the Keys, she unexpectedly runs into Micah when her grandmother’s house catches fire. Her reaction to seeing him again left him feeling confused, along with a whirlwind of emotions.
Turns out Ivy has been keeping a pretty big secret. Nell is an adorable, spunky 6 yr old, who loves super heroes, hates pink and is her father’s twin with blonde hair.
Ivy spent the entire time apart being micromanaged to the point she has completely withdrawn and feels like her needs are no longer important. They have a lot of baggage to work through. Loads of misunderstandings and miscommunication by both parties to discuss and resolve.
This story shines a spotlight on a different kind of abuse. Emotional and psychological manipulation is just as debilitating and destructive as physical abuse, sometimes more so.
I appreciated the need to move the story along slowly, I only wish there had been some flashbacks or additional scenes to chart their history. It would have made it easier to grab on to the conflict they both felt and provided an stronger emotional base.
Overall I liked the story. I give it 3.5 - 4.0 stars.
Wondering which cousin is next, Nathan or Nick?
This is book 2 in Brooks’ Hutton family second generation series.
Micah & Ivy were HS sweethearts separated when her father moved the family from the Florida Keys to Seattle between their junior and senior year. Micah promised he would always be there for her, they would always be together. Time differences, school obligations and family ended up pulling them apart, which set in motion other events neither one knew about.
Flash forward 7 years and Ivy is back in the Keys, she unexpectedly runs into Micah when her grandmother’s house catches fire. Her reaction to seeing him again left him feeling confused, along with a whirlwind of emotions.
Turns out Ivy has been keeping a pretty big secret. Nell is an adorable, spunky 6 yr old, who loves super heroes, hates pink and is her father’s twin with blonde hair.
Ivy spent the entire time apart being micromanaged to the point she has completely withdrawn and feels like her needs are no longer important. They have a lot of baggage to work through. Loads of misunderstandings and miscommunication by both parties to discuss and resolve.
This story shines a spotlight on a different kind of abuse. Emotional and psychological manipulation is just as debilitating and destructive as physical abuse, sometimes more so.
I appreciated the need to move the story along slowly, I only wish there had been some flashbacks or additional scenes to chart their history. It would have made it easier to grab on to the conflict they both felt and provided an stronger emotional base.
Overall I liked the story. I give it 3.5 - 4.0 stars.
Wondering which cousin is next, Nathan or Nick?
January 25, 2023
This story hit me in all the feels! It was sweet, spicy, and angsty. I really enjoyed this book and the characters in this book stole my heart. Ivy and Micah are childhood friends to lovers who get torn apart by Ivy’s father when they move away. After seven years Ivy returns to her hometown with their daughter. I loved these two so much! Their chemistry and love for each other was one of my favorite things. I’m looking forward to reading the other books in this series!
What to expect:
🔥 Second Chance
🔥 Secret Baby
🔥 Childhood Friends to Lovers
🔥 Single Parent
Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
What to expect:
🔥 Second Chance
🔥 Secret Baby
🔥 Childhood Friends to Lovers
🔥 Single Parent
Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
May 29, 2025
I was really looking forward to reading Fire. I'm on a big secret child trope binge at the moment and thought this book would be right up my alley. I made it to about 58% and I think I’m done now.
But to be honest, I was just bored out of my mind, skipping through… disappointed in how the big reveal of a long lost child was revealed. One of my biggest peeves involving a parent not knowing they have a child or having a child kept from them for one reason or another is... I feel like the child should take a bit more precedent than the love story. At least at first. I feel like getting to know your kid should be the most important thing. Nell didn't feel like as big a deal as Micah and Ivy reuniting.
In this case Ivy and Micah were high school sweethearts until she had to move away with her family to Seattle. Just after the move, she discovers she's pregnant. Ivy tells him over a text message. *eye rolls* 7 years pass by... she believes Micah has always known she was pregnant and chose not to be involved with raising their daughter, Nell. All because she texted him she was pregnant and he didn't reply.
However, Micah didn't get any of her texts and instead got one breaking up with him and he never heard from Ivy again after that.
So it's all just a bunch of miscommunication and lack of confrontation.
The thing that bothered me the most is both Ivy and Micah have 7 years of resentment and anger built up against each other. Ivy believes Micah rejected their daughter. She's had to raise Nell on her own. Ivy's father and her fiancé Julian are both controlling tools. She's completely lost control over her life and is a very insecure, meek, weak person.
Micah still loves and yearns for Ivy even though he's still devastated over her breaking up with him in a text. When they run into each other again after he saves her and her family from a fire... Micah doesn't understand why she isn't happy to see him and want to pick things back up between them. Which I didn’t get because she apparently broke his heart to pieces.
I really dislike when love stories just ignore 7 years of the passage of time. People change. How you felt in high school might not be how you feel anymore? But Ivy and Micah just go on and on about how their love was the biggest thing, how they've never got over it or each other. Ivy thinks about all Micah's good qualities as a man and all I could think was "you thought he left you pregnant and alone raising your kid for 7 fucking years." but yeah he's a good dude? It doesn't make a lick of sense. Why couldn't you believe that about him ALL the time. I don't blame Micah for being pissed about her lack of faith in him.
It frustrated me endlessly that on their second meeting after 7 years apart they are kissing. Seriously? You think he didn’t want anything to do with the daughter you made together. I would be punching him not kissing him. I don't get how you could kiss a guy you believe wanted nothing to do with his kid. I don't care if he's the hottest guy on earth. In my eyes, he would no longer be an option. In fact he would be the ugliest dude ever and I would not want to go near him again if he rejected my child. It's such an unforgivable act.
I felt Ivy and Micah's relationship was just all about them. They move in together so quickly and jump into bed together even quicker. They don't even have a proper conversation about what really went down between them? AND IVY IS STILL TECHNCALLY ENGAGED. When she breaks up with Julien, while there is no doubt he's the biggest ass, technically she was in the wrong completely during the confrontation. She took off, didn't tell him she wasn't coming back, ignored their wedding plans, set up a life somewhere else, moved on with her ex and broke up with Julien over the phone. Not a great look.
I don't know. I just didn't like how stuck Micah and Ivy were on who they used to be, how they used to be and no one is interested in the real truth about why they were tricked into staying apart. I found their characters quite bland, especially Ivy. I knew she'd had her character broken down but it made her hard to connect to as a reader since she didn't have much personality. Even her scenes with Nell didn't have much life and apparently Nell was all she lived for?
I felt the author just told the most boring parts of their reunion. I would have loved to see more bonding between Nell and Micah. More family times together with all three of them.
Nell was adorable and definitely the best character. I wanted more scenes with her. Kids bring so much heart, light and humour to a story. I think it's a massive deal for a child to grow up without a parent. I've seen how it's affected friends over the years. It leaves a big impression and deep scars in their lives. I just thought she deserved a little more attention and focus. For her parents to put her well being first not their hormones. I would have rather read about them rebuilding their connection not just obsess over it always being there. Because it obviously wasn't if they could believe in the worst of each other.
I don't think I want to continue reading. I'm just not that interested in what happens because I feel like they got back together the moment they locked eyes and it's done. No need to know if they make it until the end. LOL.
But to be honest, I was just bored out of my mind, skipping through… disappointed in how the big reveal of a long lost child was revealed. One of my biggest peeves involving a parent not knowing they have a child or having a child kept from them for one reason or another is... I feel like the child should take a bit more precedent than the love story. At least at first. I feel like getting to know your kid should be the most important thing. Nell didn't feel like as big a deal as Micah and Ivy reuniting.
In this case Ivy and Micah were high school sweethearts until she had to move away with her family to Seattle. Just after the move, she discovers she's pregnant. Ivy tells him over a text message. *eye rolls* 7 years pass by... she believes Micah has always known she was pregnant and chose not to be involved with raising their daughter, Nell. All because she texted him she was pregnant and he didn't reply.
However, Micah didn't get any of her texts and instead got one breaking up with him and he never heard from Ivy again after that.
So it's all just a bunch of miscommunication and lack of confrontation.
The thing that bothered me the most is both Ivy and Micah have 7 years of resentment and anger built up against each other. Ivy believes Micah rejected their daughter. She's had to raise Nell on her own. Ivy's father and her fiancé Julian are both controlling tools. She's completely lost control over her life and is a very insecure, meek, weak person.
Micah still loves and yearns for Ivy even though he's still devastated over her breaking up with him in a text. When they run into each other again after he saves her and her family from a fire... Micah doesn't understand why she isn't happy to see him and want to pick things back up between them. Which I didn’t get because she apparently broke his heart to pieces.
I really dislike when love stories just ignore 7 years of the passage of time. People change. How you felt in high school might not be how you feel anymore? But Ivy and Micah just go on and on about how their love was the biggest thing, how they've never got over it or each other. Ivy thinks about all Micah's good qualities as a man and all I could think was "you thought he left you pregnant and alone raising your kid for 7 fucking years." but yeah he's a good dude? It doesn't make a lick of sense. Why couldn't you believe that about him ALL the time. I don't blame Micah for being pissed about her lack of faith in him.
It frustrated me endlessly that on their second meeting after 7 years apart they are kissing. Seriously? You think he didn’t want anything to do with the daughter you made together. I would be punching him not kissing him. I don't get how you could kiss a guy you believe wanted nothing to do with his kid. I don't care if he's the hottest guy on earth. In my eyes, he would no longer be an option. In fact he would be the ugliest dude ever and I would not want to go near him again if he rejected my child. It's such an unforgivable act.
I felt Ivy and Micah's relationship was just all about them. They move in together so quickly and jump into bed together even quicker. They don't even have a proper conversation about what really went down between them? AND IVY IS STILL TECHNCALLY ENGAGED. When she breaks up with Julien, while there is no doubt he's the biggest ass, technically she was in the wrong completely during the confrontation. She took off, didn't tell him she wasn't coming back, ignored their wedding plans, set up a life somewhere else, moved on with her ex and broke up with Julien over the phone. Not a great look.
I don't know. I just didn't like how stuck Micah and Ivy were on who they used to be, how they used to be and no one is interested in the real truth about why they were tricked into staying apart. I found their characters quite bland, especially Ivy. I knew she'd had her character broken down but it made her hard to connect to as a reader since she didn't have much personality. Even her scenes with Nell didn't have much life and apparently Nell was all she lived for?
I felt the author just told the most boring parts of their reunion. I would have loved to see more bonding between Nell and Micah. More family times together with all three of them.
Nell was adorable and definitely the best character. I wanted more scenes with her. Kids bring so much heart, light and humour to a story. I think it's a massive deal for a child to grow up without a parent. I've seen how it's affected friends over the years. It leaves a big impression and deep scars in their lives. I just thought she deserved a little more attention and focus. For her parents to put her well being first not their hormones. I would have rather read about them rebuilding their connection not just obsess over it always being there. Because it obviously wasn't if they could believe in the worst of each other.
I don't think I want to continue reading. I'm just not that interested in what happens because I feel like they got back together the moment they locked eyes and it's done. No need to know if they make it until the end. LOL.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2023
DNF at 31%
I struggled a little with the writing style of this book, but as this is a new author to me, I worked through it.
Unfortunately what I couldn't work through was how unbelievable the misunderstanding and miscommunication between them was.
I get it. She was going when she got pregnant and she didn't handle it well.
But.
BUT.
All Ivy did was send a few unanswered texts. Did she make a phone call to the man who was the father of her child? Nope. But hey...she was young.
Nope. Sorry. I'm not going to be getting past that one.
I'm unable to recommend this title.
I struggled a little with the writing style of this book, but as this is a new author to me, I worked through it.
Unfortunately what I couldn't work through was how unbelievable the misunderstanding and miscommunication between them was.
I get it. She was going when she got pregnant and she didn't handle it well.
But.
BUT.
All Ivy did was send a few unanswered texts. Did she make a phone call to the man who was the father of her child? Nope. But hey...she was young.
Nope. Sorry. I'm not going to be getting past that one.
I'm unable to recommend this title.
February 2, 2023
This book was HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I haven't hated a FMC this much since Keira in "Thoughtless". I was so angry after reading this and I wasted my time. I knew I should have DNF'd this but I thought it would get better. Nope!
January 4, 2023
4.5 stars
Ivy is someone we all know, and maybe you or me. Her story needs to be talked about. Her growth applauded and well written as Micah uncovers her secrets. This book will hit you in the feels, as you will fall for Ivy, Micah, and Nell. Ivy’s Grandma is endearing as well.
Micah and Ivy fell in love in High School, but she was uprooted by her family and moved to Seattle. They lose touch due to circumstances but never lose their love. Eight years later, Ivy has returned to regroup. She is living with her daughter at her grandmother’s home. A fire reunites Micah and Ivy, as he is now a firefighter. Ivy has closed her heart to Micah; as they begin to communicate and uncover the truths of what happened years ago, will they rebuild what they had?
This is the second book in the Hutton Second Generation, recommended.
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
Ivy is someone we all know, and maybe you or me. Her story needs to be talked about. Her growth applauded and well written as Micah uncovers her secrets. This book will hit you in the feels, as you will fall for Ivy, Micah, and Nell. Ivy’s Grandma is endearing as well.
Micah and Ivy fell in love in High School, but she was uprooted by her family and moved to Seattle. They lose touch due to circumstances but never lose their love. Eight years later, Ivy has returned to regroup. She is living with her daughter at her grandmother’s home. A fire reunites Micah and Ivy, as he is now a firefighter. Ivy has closed her heart to Micah; as they begin to communicate and uncover the truths of what happened years ago, will they rebuild what they had?
This is the second book in the Hutton Second Generation, recommended.
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
January 1, 2023
What better way to start the new year by reading one of Abby Brooks’ books. “Fire” is a second chance romance whose characters come from the Hutton family. As a matter of fact Micah is the son of Eli Hutton and he embodies all the features of this united and loving family. I had such a great time reading this book. The story between Ivy and Micah shows that the unsolved issues from the past often get back to you. Ivy and Micah were high school sweethearts and after a series of misunderstandings the couple falls apart. Fate and circumstances will bring them back together and this time Micah’s mission is to overcome Ivy’s uncertainties about their love. A story full of passion and steam. I highly recommend this book.
January 18, 2023
okay
This was ….fine? It won’t stick with me, the plot kinda annoyed me because I had it all figured out by chapter 3, and the heroine was blah, but it was still quick and easy and had the door cracked open and the little girl was cute so 🤷🏻♀️ I also loved the hero so overall I guess it balanced out.
So yeah, this was fine.
This was ….fine? It won’t stick with me, the plot kinda annoyed me because I had it all figured out by chapter 3, and the heroine was blah, but it was still quick and easy and had the door cracked open and the little girl was cute so 🤷🏻♀️ I also loved the hero so overall I guess it balanced out.
So yeah, this was fine.
Currently reading
January 2, 2023Coming January 5, 2023.
Preorder here: https://readerlinks.com/l/3078932
Preorder here: https://readerlinks.com/l/3078932
July 21, 2025
No ha estado mal pero tampoco ha sido algo excepcional. Este libro pasa por mi sin pena ni gloria, al leer las primeras 100 páginas ya sabía que podía abandonarlo porque no me iba a decir nada, pero he querido continuar para ver si me equivocaba y por desgracia no ha sido el caso.
Los personajes han sido bastante sin más, él me estaba poniendo muy nerviosa al final porque era incapaz de darle el tiempo que ella necesitaba para sanar y volver a ser funcional y feliz.
La falta de comunicación es bestial y no he podido sentir nada de química entre ellos. Ni si quiera la niña me ha hecho gracia, y eso que suelen ser los personajes que más disfruto en este tipo de tramas.
No ha sido un libro para mí.
Los personajes han sido bastante sin más, él me estaba poniendo muy nerviosa al final porque era incapaz de darle el tiempo que ella necesitaba para sanar y volver a ser funcional y feliz.
La falta de comunicación es bestial y no he podido sentir nada de química entre ellos. Ni si quiera la niña me ha hecho gracia, y eso que suelen ser los personajes que más disfruto en este tipo de tramas.
No ha sido un libro para mí.
January 24, 2023
This was my first time reading something by Abby Brooks, and I loved it!!! Micah and Ivy’s second chance love story was absolutely brilliant, and I loved every second of it. I loved that even though there were extenuating circumstances that tore them apart, they were able to find their way back to each other. Micah was such a swoony hero, and I loved how amazing he was with their daughter, Nell. And Ivy! This poor girl has been through hell and back, but she’s managed to do right by herself, and more importantly, by Nell. I was so proud of her for gaining her confidence back as well. If you love second chance romance, this book is definitely for you!!!
April 17, 2023
(3/3.5 ⭐️) i would’ve given this more stars IF they just had worked on their communication sooner (it was cute nonetheless!!)
October 22, 2024
Loved it!
February 2, 2023
3.5⭐️
i’m not a fan of the miscommunication trope.
i’m not a fan of the miscommunication trope.
January 14, 2023
This was actually super sweet with a sprinkling of spice and a dash of angst!
Micah and Ivy grew up together. They fell in love. They thought they would be together forever. It didn’t quite go to plan.
7 years after they last saw each other they are reunited with one very important thing in common….a 7 year old daughter called Penelope.
I absolutely love the secret baby trope. I know it gets a lot of grief from people but for me this was perfect. And omg when Micah meets Penelope for the first time and instantly falls in love?! *swoon*
I liked that because there was that history with Micah and ai eu there was loads of chemistry, things moved fast, but also not at warp speed. I like reading about Ivy overcoming her demons and realising she was in the right place for the right person.
This book covers a really important topic (see TWs) and I think it was handled with high respect and in a really good way. I loved seeing Ivy & Penelope get their happily ever afters!
Tropes:
Childhood friends to lovers
Secret baby
Small town
Second chance romance
Steam:
🌶️🌶️🌶️
TWs⚠️
Emotional Abuse/ Gaslighting
.
.
.
Thank you to @thesmuthood for the review copy!
Micah and Ivy grew up together. They fell in love. They thought they would be together forever. It didn’t quite go to plan.
7 years after they last saw each other they are reunited with one very important thing in common….a 7 year old daughter called Penelope.
I absolutely love the secret baby trope. I know it gets a lot of grief from people but for me this was perfect. And omg when Micah meets Penelope for the first time and instantly falls in love?! *swoon*
I liked that because there was that history with Micah and ai eu there was loads of chemistry, things moved fast, but also not at warp speed. I like reading about Ivy overcoming her demons and realising she was in the right place for the right person.
This book covers a really important topic (see TWs) and I think it was handled with high respect and in a really good way. I loved seeing Ivy & Penelope get their happily ever afters!
Tropes:
Childhood friends to lovers
Secret baby
Small town
Second chance romance
Steam:
🌶️🌶️🌶️
TWs⚠️
Emotional Abuse/ Gaslighting
.
.
.
Thank you to @thesmuthood for the review copy!
January 1, 2023
I couldn’t have picked a better book to bring me into the new Year!
Micah, Ivy and Nell completely stole my heart.
Micah is strong, dependable and was Ivy’s teenage sweetheart…the love of her life and the boy she would be with forever. I have to say that Ivy has amazingly good taste!!
But of course with young love, the road is rarely smooth and this time a move and miscommunication is the downfall of this lovely couple.
Then, reunited six years later we get to learn of all the pain and heartbreak. My chest ached for Micah as the revelations kept coming. I was raging at the calculatedly cruel life Ivy had been subjected to. Then my heart melted at little Nell and all her chatter!
This story has the absolutely perfect happy ever after, the kind of story we want to read and loose ourselves in. Thank you Ms Brooks for bringing us Micah and Ivy along with their firecracker Nell.
I can’t wait to read the next story and meet another Hutton family member.
Micah, Ivy and Nell completely stole my heart.
Micah is strong, dependable and was Ivy’s teenage sweetheart…the love of her life and the boy she would be with forever. I have to say that Ivy has amazingly good taste!!
But of course with young love, the road is rarely smooth and this time a move and miscommunication is the downfall of this lovely couple.
Then, reunited six years later we get to learn of all the pain and heartbreak. My chest ached for Micah as the revelations kept coming. I was raging at the calculatedly cruel life Ivy had been subjected to. Then my heart melted at little Nell and all her chatter!
This story has the absolutely perfect happy ever after, the kind of story we want to read and loose ourselves in. Thank you Ms Brooks for bringing us Micah and Ivy along with their firecracker Nell.
I can’t wait to read the next story and meet another Hutton family member.
January 5, 2023
Hope and Eli’s book was my favorite of The Hutton Family Series, so I was excited to read Micah’s book. I will admit, I was a little uncertain though how I was going to like this book, as books where the child is kept a secret from the father are not my favorite. However, the more I read the book, the more I felt for Micah and Ivy as it was just terrible why Micah was not in Nell’s life from the beginning.
I thought this book was well written to show the emotional/mental abuse many people go through in relationships, wether it be parents, significant others, friends, etc. I was happy when Ivy and Micah were able to find their way back to each other when certain influences were doing what they could do keep them apart, and Micah away from Nell.
Can’t wait to see how the next Hutton is going to be in the next book in this new gen series.
Thank you Abby Brooks for the ARC of Fire for my unbiased review.
I thought this book was well written to show the emotional/mental abuse many people go through in relationships, wether it be parents, significant others, friends, etc. I was happy when Ivy and Micah were able to find their way back to each other when certain influences were doing what they could do keep them apart, and Micah away from Nell.
Can’t wait to see how the next Hutton is going to be in the next book in this new gen series.
Thank you Abby Brooks for the ARC of Fire for my unbiased review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2023
Oh my gosh my heart breaks for Micah and Ivy who were deep in love when they were younger but ripped apart due to an overbearing and controlling father, you can see from the get go they are meant to be together. Ivy ends up back in ton but Micah doesn't get the welcome he expected when they first meet. This is an emotional roller coaster ride for both Ivy and Micah that has you angry and what occurred to them both as well as mourn the time lost, celebrate them reconnecting as well as hope they can find a path together. You get a second chance at lost love as well as family, some great laughs via Ivy grandma, overcoming your past and finding freedom to be your own person and how family is what you make it.
December 29, 2022
You do not want to miss this book - it has everything a reader wants and needs.
Once again Abby Brooks did not disappoint. The second generation are getting their stories and Micah's is one you do not want to miss. Reuniting with the woman you thought you were going to spend the rest of your life with as a teenager is bittersweet when anger and animosity are all Micah feels from Ivy. But once the secrets from the past are revealed Micah will pull out all the stops to get Ivy to fall in love with him again. With levels of heat, humor and above all love this was a fabulous read. If you want a heart warming story that will make you feel all the feels this one is for you.
Once again Abby Brooks did not disappoint. The second generation are getting their stories and Micah's is one you do not want to miss. Reuniting with the woman you thought you were going to spend the rest of your life with as a teenager is bittersweet when anger and animosity are all Micah feels from Ivy. But once the secrets from the past are revealed Micah will pull out all the stops to get Ivy to fall in love with him again. With levels of heat, humor and above all love this was a fabulous read. If you want a heart warming story that will make you feel all the feels this one is for you.
January 1, 2023
Loved Micah and Ivy's story! Their love story was so sad and then them getting back together and to realize how much thry are still in love was so emotional. I loved this whole series from the beginning with Micah's dad. Abby just makes you feel like you are right there in the story. Loved this! Definitely worth reading.
January 15, 2023
Love the Huttons and this book did NOT disappoint. Can’t wait for next book - Nathan or Nick????
June 3, 2023
The couple: Micah and Ivy
Romance trope: second chance
Series: Hutton Family second gen
Length: 434 pages
Plot: Micah is a firefighter, and one night at a house fire, he realizes he's rescuing his first love, Ivy. She's back in town, this time with a daughter. Micah soon realizes that and he'll have to decide how to react to that. Not only that, he and Ivy aren't done. All the years of miscommunication will have to be reconciled because some things are not meant to end.
Commentary: Phones, texts, social media? Not to mention regular things like letters. I've never seen kids so disconnected before that they couldn't find each other or get ahold of one another if needed. Honestly, if I were trying to find someone and couldn't, I wouldn't hire a PI, I would ask one of my high school students and they could find the person in less than an hour, I'm sure. So the idea that these two kids lost touch because of faulty technology? That's so unlikely. There are little parts of that explanation that make sense, such as the dad monitoring their communications and deleting messages or sending messages on her behalf (I'm honestly surprised it took so long for them to figure that out) or a phone being broken. But all the rest of the miscommunication (or lack of communication) - that's not really a thing that happens with teenagers. So that was definitely contrived in a way that was not at all natural.
I get so angsty with secret baby stories because I feel like it's hardly ever the woman's fault and I hate it when the guy gets mad and wants to blame her. Could Ivy have tried harder to get in touch with him? Absolutely. But he could have done the same. And really, I wouldn't expect too much from a pregnant seventeen-year-old girl with an emotionally abusive father in a new town with no friends or resources. It was pretty terrible to expect her to be the one to have figured it all out. Obviously he didn't know about the baby, but in this case, I would lay the blame more at her father's feet (and her mother's to a large extent also). Not really hers. But Micah really acted that way throughout their whole story, from when he was an "abandoned" teenager to current day. He wanted her to do things his way on his time without considering that might not work for her. Sorry you feel rejected man, but she's getting out of an abusive relationship, has no resources, very little family support, no job, no home - just give her a minute to breathe!
Nell was adorable - the best part of the story, really.
I liked this - I just wanted a little more understanding from Micah, I guess.
Romance trope: second chance
Series: Hutton Family second gen
Length: 434 pages
Plot: Micah is a firefighter, and one night at a house fire, he realizes he's rescuing his first love, Ivy. She's back in town, this time with a daughter. Micah soon realizes that and he'll have to decide how to react to that. Not only that, he and Ivy aren't done. All the years of miscommunication will have to be reconciled because some things are not meant to end.
Commentary: Phones, texts, social media? Not to mention regular things like letters. I've never seen kids so disconnected before that they couldn't find each other or get ahold of one another if needed. Honestly, if I were trying to find someone and couldn't, I wouldn't hire a PI, I would ask one of my high school students and they could find the person in less than an hour, I'm sure. So the idea that these two kids lost touch because of faulty technology? That's so unlikely. There are little parts of that explanation that make sense, such as the dad monitoring their communications and deleting messages or sending messages on her behalf (I'm honestly surprised it took so long for them to figure that out) or a phone being broken. But all the rest of the miscommunication (or lack of communication) - that's not really a thing that happens with teenagers. So that was definitely contrived in a way that was not at all natural.
I get so angsty with secret baby stories because I feel like it's hardly ever the woman's fault and I hate it when the guy gets mad and wants to blame her. Could Ivy have tried harder to get in touch with him? Absolutely. But he could have done the same. And really, I wouldn't expect too much from a pregnant seventeen-year-old girl with an emotionally abusive father in a new town with no friends or resources. It was pretty terrible to expect her to be the one to have figured it all out. Obviously he didn't know about the baby, but in this case, I would lay the blame more at her father's feet (and her mother's to a large extent also). Not really hers. But Micah really acted that way throughout their whole story, from when he was an "abandoned" teenager to current day. He wanted her to do things his way on his time without considering that might not work for her. Sorry you feel rejected man, but she's getting out of an abusive relationship, has no resources, very little family support, no job, no home - just give her a minute to breathe!
Nell was adorable - the best part of the story, really.
I liked this - I just wanted a little more understanding from Micah, I guess.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2023
Micah and Ivy
This was a phenomenal second chance, secret baby, forced proximity romance. Micah Hutton was everything you could ever want in a book boyfriend and the Hutton family continues to be one of my favorites. I loved the connection to Micah’s parents’ book with his and Ivy’s pact.
Ivy Cole and Micah Hutton were high school sweethearts ripped apart by circumstances beyond their control. When Ivy moves back to the Keys seven years later, she’s determined to get her life back. Micah is confused by the hate he receives from Ivy. He always hoped she’d come back to him and has never stopped loving her, just like he promised. When Micah finds out he has a six year old daughter he knew nothing about he is understandably shocked and angry that she’s been kept from him, but he puts that aside and offers Ivy and Nell a place to stay.
As Micah and Ivy uncover the miscommunications of their past and try to move on they rekindle their relationship. But Ivy’s spent seven years being emotionally beat down and doesn’t want to be dependent on anyone ever again. She knows she loves Micah and seeing him love their daughter only strengthens that bond, but she struggles to let him help her. Micah is extremely patient with Ivy, and loves his daughter instantly. He works hard to gain her trust and show her the kind of man he’s grown in to.
I loved this little family. Nell is the sweetest kid and I loved that she was just like Micah, fearless and outspoken. I loved that Micah gave Ivy exactly what she needed and I loved how he showed her what love should feel like again. The confrontation with Ivy’s dad and Julian was awesome. I loved that Micah stood up for Ivy, but allowed Ivy to stand up for herself at the same time.
Micah and Ivy’s second chance wasn’t easy, but in the end it was worth it.
This was a phenomenal second chance, secret baby, forced proximity romance. Micah Hutton was everything you could ever want in a book boyfriend and the Hutton family continues to be one of my favorites. I loved the connection to Micah’s parents’ book with his and Ivy’s pact.
Ivy Cole and Micah Hutton were high school sweethearts ripped apart by circumstances beyond their control. When Ivy moves back to the Keys seven years later, she’s determined to get her life back. Micah is confused by the hate he receives from Ivy. He always hoped she’d come back to him and has never stopped loving her, just like he promised. When Micah finds out he has a six year old daughter he knew nothing about he is understandably shocked and angry that she’s been kept from him, but he puts that aside and offers Ivy and Nell a place to stay.
As Micah and Ivy uncover the miscommunications of their past and try to move on they rekindle their relationship. But Ivy’s spent seven years being emotionally beat down and doesn’t want to be dependent on anyone ever again. She knows she loves Micah and seeing him love their daughter only strengthens that bond, but she struggles to let him help her. Micah is extremely patient with Ivy, and loves his daughter instantly. He works hard to gain her trust and show her the kind of man he’s grown in to.
I loved this little family. Nell is the sweetest kid and I loved that she was just like Micah, fearless and outspoken. I loved that Micah gave Ivy exactly what she needed and I loved how he showed her what love should feel like again. The confrontation with Ivy’s dad and Julian was awesome. I loved that Micah stood up for Ivy, but allowed Ivy to stand up for herself at the same time.
Micah and Ivy’s second chance wasn’t easy, but in the end it was worth it.
January 13, 2023
Difficult look at what recovering from emotional abuse looks like
This book was triggering for me. So it colors my perspective. I didn't really experience this as a romance novel. The story centers on a woman who's been controlled and emotionally abused for years, by her father and her soon to be husband...and goes into the cycles/generations of abuse within her family. The majority of the plot and story focuses on her thoughts that reflect low self esteem, confusion regarding boundaries, feeling weak etc... add to that the angst of introducing a "surprise" child to an ex from high school who is angry and grief stricken over the lost time. While this is not a story that would fall under the umbrella of a dark romance, it nevertheless was on the sadder, darker, depressing side because the subject matter was never more than a few sentences away. There is no dating, or romance or falling in love really... it's two people trying to navigate a sad situation while simultaneously dealing with her brokenness.
I say all this to say...this didn't scratch the romance itch for me. But it is still a solid book. I think it addresses an important and worthy subject... women who are slowly broken down and controlled by men...who lose themselves and their voices. It supplies healthy forms of reasoning for people dealing with the anxiety and emotional exhaustion and gas lighting that abusers use to keep them under control.
All and all this book left me feel kinda low though. While I myself have not been in a relationship like this character, I have known plenty of immediate family members who have and it reminded me of the helplessness of watching a loved one suffer and not being able to help them.
This book was triggering for me. So it colors my perspective. I didn't really experience this as a romance novel. The story centers on a woman who's been controlled and emotionally abused for years, by her father and her soon to be husband...and goes into the cycles/generations of abuse within her family. The majority of the plot and story focuses on her thoughts that reflect low self esteem, confusion regarding boundaries, feeling weak etc... add to that the angst of introducing a "surprise" child to an ex from high school who is angry and grief stricken over the lost time. While this is not a story that would fall under the umbrella of a dark romance, it nevertheless was on the sadder, darker, depressing side because the subject matter was never more than a few sentences away. There is no dating, or romance or falling in love really... it's two people trying to navigate a sad situation while simultaneously dealing with her brokenness.
I say all this to say...this didn't scratch the romance itch for me. But it is still a solid book. I think it addresses an important and worthy subject... women who are slowly broken down and controlled by men...who lose themselves and their voices. It supplies healthy forms of reasoning for people dealing with the anxiety and emotional exhaustion and gas lighting that abusers use to keep them under control.
All and all this book left me feel kinda low though. While I myself have not been in a relationship like this character, I have known plenty of immediate family members who have and it reminded me of the helplessness of watching a loved one suffer and not being able to help them.
January 24, 2023
This was my first book by Abby Brooks and I was not disappointed. Apparently this is a second generation book for the Hutton Family, however I didn't feel like I was missing anything by starting here. This is a second chance romance, with a surprise pregnancy (or child really), forced proximity, and a small town vibe.
Ivy and Micah were childhood sweethearts separated by circumstances beyond their control. When Ivy returns years later determined to get her life back on track, Micah is confused by her animosity toward him - and shocked and angry to discover he has a 6 year old daughter that he knew nothing about. Yet he still goes out of his way to keep his teenage promises to a girl he never stopped loving.
Ivy has spent her whole life being psychologically and emotionally abused by her controlling father, and then her fiancé and when she returns to her home town - she is struggling to break the cycle and determined to never be dependent on anyone again. The author did an excellent job of portraying the long term effects of this type of abuse and the hard work it takes to rebuild your self esteem, self worth, and confidence.
I loved Micah's patience with Ivy and the stability he was trying to provide. I loved how the moment his eyes landed on his daughter he instantly fell in love with her.
I will admit there is a miscommunication trope in this book, that was a little hard to wrap my head around at first - but when you put the whole story into perspective it's a little easier to understand how something like this could have happened.
I loved seeing Micah & Ivy get their HEA, and I can't wait to go back and start from the beginning of the Hutton Family with Beyond Words.
Ivy and Micah were childhood sweethearts separated by circumstances beyond their control. When Ivy returns years later determined to get her life back on track, Micah is confused by her animosity toward him - and shocked and angry to discover he has a 6 year old daughter that he knew nothing about. Yet he still goes out of his way to keep his teenage promises to a girl he never stopped loving.
Ivy has spent her whole life being psychologically and emotionally abused by her controlling father, and then her fiancé and when she returns to her home town - she is struggling to break the cycle and determined to never be dependent on anyone again. The author did an excellent job of portraying the long term effects of this type of abuse and the hard work it takes to rebuild your self esteem, self worth, and confidence.
I loved Micah's patience with Ivy and the stability he was trying to provide. I loved how the moment his eyes landed on his daughter he instantly fell in love with her.
I will admit there is a miscommunication trope in this book, that was a little hard to wrap my head around at first - but when you put the whole story into perspective it's a little easier to understand how something like this could have happened.
I loved seeing Micah & Ivy get their HEA, and I can't wait to go back and start from the beginning of the Hutton Family with Beyond Words.
April 14, 2023
Before senior year, high school sweethearts Ivy and Micah were separated when Ivy's family moved from the Keys to Seattle. Soon after moving, Ivy discovers that she is pregnant, but through a series of unfortunate circumstances, she believes Micah isn't interested in being a father.
Seven years later, the two are reunited when Ivy returns to the Keys and Micah ends up saving her grandma from a fire. When Micah learns the truth about what Ivy went through after her move, they begin to reconnect.
This is between a 3 and 4 star for me. I'm a sucker for a secret baby romance, and even though the miscommunication that led Ivy to believe Micah didn't want to be a father to their daughter was a little flimsy, I really liked reading how these two got back together. Micah is such a sweet MMC.
What I personally didn't like about this, though, is that the book is much more a story about Ivy getting over the emotional abuse she dealt with from both her father and her ex-fiance. I wanted Ivy and Micah's story, not Ivy and her crazy ex Julian's story, and the second half of the book was so much more focused on that. There just wasn't a lot of romance. Just Ivy second-guessing herself and trying to figure out what to do with her life.
The writing is good, but the romance part was less than I'd hoped for.
Seven years later, the two are reunited when Ivy returns to the Keys and Micah ends up saving her grandma from a fire. When Micah learns the truth about what Ivy went through after her move, they begin to reconnect.
This is between a 3 and 4 star for me. I'm a sucker for a secret baby romance, and even though the miscommunication that led Ivy to believe Micah didn't want to be a father to their daughter was a little flimsy, I really liked reading how these two got back together. Micah is such a sweet MMC.
What I personally didn't like about this, though, is that the book is much more a story about Ivy getting over the emotional abuse she dealt with from both her father and her ex-fiance. I wanted Ivy and Micah's story, not Ivy and her crazy ex Julian's story, and the second half of the book was so much more focused on that. There just wasn't a lot of romance. Just Ivy second-guessing herself and trying to figure out what to do with her life.
The writing is good, but the romance part was less than I'd hoped for.
May 2, 2025
I have to say it was a pleasure reading these 3 books and I’m just hating that I read them out of order.. But! They were great all the same.. This book featured Ivy Cole.. her daughter Penelope Michaela Cole, her fiancé, Julian Hawthorne, her parents Franklin Cole and Shelia Cole: Micah Hutton, his parents Eli and Hope Hutton, brother Levi, sister Charlotte(aka Charlie) cousin Nathan, Nick, Angela and her Husband Garrett..
This story started when Ivy and Micah were in high school and were 17yrs old.. let’s just say Franklin Cole was not the best father or husband.. these two people didn’t see each other again for 7yrs later.. that’s when all the pieces started work things out.. You are going to love this special romance.. But it not a good romance without its layers of ups and downs.. You are going to be so surprised by how Micah Hutton was the best human in this story for all that he had to endure to get his happy ever after.. and Ivy did not have any less heartbreak during her time apart from Micah.. and had to endure a lot of mental abuse till she moved back to the Keys from Seattle. Oh! God!! I want to tell you more but I don’t want to spoil the whole book for you.. get all the books and read them you are going to love each and every one of them….. on to the last book Free!! Happy reading my book friends 🥰🫶❤️
This story started when Ivy and Micah were in high school and were 17yrs old.. let’s just say Franklin Cole was not the best father or husband.. these two people didn’t see each other again for 7yrs later.. that’s when all the pieces started work things out.. You are going to love this special romance.. But it not a good romance without its layers of ups and downs.. You are going to be so surprised by how Micah Hutton was the best human in this story for all that he had to endure to get his happy ever after.. and Ivy did not have any less heartbreak during her time apart from Micah.. and had to endure a lot of mental abuse till she moved back to the Keys from Seattle. Oh! God!! I want to tell you more but I don’t want to spoil the whole book for you.. get all the books and read them you are going to love each and every one of them….. on to the last book Free!! Happy reading my book friends 🥰🫶❤️
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