Return by Fire

by Tracey Jerald

I've often been called a hero, and not just by my baby sister. Still, one afternoon, after receiving a 9-1-1 call from Kara about her best friend's brother caging her in for a drink, I agreed to rescue her. I'd do anything for my true family. After meeting Jed Smith, I'm the one who is going to need saving. With a face as handsome as a supermodel and twisted as a demon, I'm caught between a rock and a hard place once I find out why he's in our beachside town. In this case, my sister's the rock, and my hard place is just below the snap on my jeans. How am I supposed to admit to Kara I'm heartless enough to have fallen in love with one of her nemesis? Don't be so quick to cast me as a villain. I expected my temper to be on fire when I met up with Kara Malone for a drink after not having laid eyes on her in more than a decade. But when her brother Dean pinned me with his golden eyes after I approached the table, something else went up in flames. My good intentions. Was it shallow to feel lust at first sight for this gorgeous fireman especially when I hold such a grudge against him? How am I supposed to maintain my indignant righteousness at these two secret keepers when all I wanted to do was find out what other kind of fires Dean could put out below deck—in my bed? Most importantly, is what we feel put out by a one-time burn or are these the kind of flames that can last a lifetime? Return by Fire is a MM, small town, best friend’s brother (times two!), enemies-to-lovers, romance between a sexy firefighter and an Alaskan native who is dying to heat things up in the worst of the winter cold. Told from Dean, Jed, and Kara’s POV, this gay romance novel is the new first book in the Glacier Adventure series, a contemporary small town romance series featuring found family, second chance romance, that centers around an unexpected reunion. Each book can be read as a standalone but is enjoyed together as a series.

Genres: M M Romance

172 pages, Paperback

Published September 13, 2023

About the author

Want to keep up with Tracey?

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Tracey Jerald knew she was meant to be a writer when she would re-write the ending of books in her head on her bike when she was a young girl growing up in southern Connecticut. It wasn’t long before she was typing alternate endings and extended epilogues “just for fun.” 
After college in Florida, where she obtained a degree in Criminal Justice swearing she saw things she’ll never quite believe and never entirely forget, Tracey traded the world of law and order for IT. Her work for a global internet startup transferred her to Northern Virginia where she met her husband in what many call their own happily ever after. They have one son. 
When she’s not busy with her family or writing, Tracey can be found in her home in north Florida drinking coffee, reading, training for a runDisney event, or feeding her addiction to HGTV. 
To follow Tracey, go to her website at http://www.traceyjerald.com. While you’re there, be sure to sign up for her newsletter for up to date release information!

Reviews

[Lady Macbeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
I had trouble to connect with the story, at first, because of all the names and roles of the characters. I had to go back and forth, in the first chapters, to connect all of them and it didn't help that the story is narrated in two different timeline, past (12 years ago, 8 years ago) and present.
Anyway, I'm very glad I didn't give up because this story is worth it.

In the present chapters, we've got Kara's POV: she (married and mother of 3 children) is chatting with her friends, Maris, Meadow and Rainey. It's immediately clear that the women are very close to each other, especially Kara and Maris who are best friends and sisters in law. Kara starts telling how her brother, Dean, and Maris' brother, Jed, fell in love.
The past chapters are narrated by Dean and Jed: despite their sisters were best friends, they didn't actually meet until just 8 years before the start of the story.
Their bond was immediate and it went beyond just lust or sexual attraction, they connected emotionally and the feelings thay had for each other soon became love.

There was a big potential obstacle on the path for their happiness: Jed was the one who had more to lose but, in my opinion, he made the right choice. I'm not to going to spoil anything, I'll just say it was about a family secret.

What prevented me from giving 5 stars:
It's not a proper cliffangher, however the secret will be only revealed in the next book of the series, Return By Air, a MF story involving Dean's sister Kara.
I don't like when the reader doesn't have all the answers after finishing a book and, also. I'm not currently reading MF stories, so my curiosity about that won't be satisfied anytime soon.

Anyway, I recommend this book: Dean and Jed's story if full of love, sweet talking and romantic sex scenes.

I received an Arc of this book from ForewordPR and this is my honest review.

[thesebooksiread · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the idea of going back and getting the full story behind Jed and Dean. I loved how the story was woven between past and present time; it added a unique element to the story. I loved Dean & Jed, their love was beautiful.

[Tracey Jerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Return by Fire

Instead of falling apart, we fell together—forming our own branch of the family tree.

Are you ready for:
🔥MM

🔥Found Family

🔥Small Town

🔥Best Friend’s Brother

🔥Enemies-to-Lovers

🔥Gay Romance

🔥Standalone

Return by Fire is a MM, small town, best friend’s brother (times two!), enemies-to-lovers, romance between a sexy firefighter and an Alaskan native who is dying to heat things up in the worst of the winter cold. Told from Dean, Jed, and Kara’s POV, this gay romance novel is the new first book in the Glacier Adventure series, a contemporary small town romance series featuring found family, second chance romance, that centers around an unexpected reunion. Each book can be read as a standalone but is enjoyed together as a series.

[Babara-Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

DEAN AND JED SPARKS 🧨 AND FLAMES!🔥

“It takes two flints to make a fire.”
—Louisa May Alcott

This is a love story told from the point of view of Dean’s sister Kara Malone and best friend Mira Smith sister of Jedediah Smith in the present and past years…. While away for the weekend with their girls Koda and Meadow telling their story…

A gorgeous firefighter used to sparks and flames Dean Malone - meets the man who sets his heart on fire- Jed Smith for the first time face to face twelve years after they briefly spoke on the phone during Kara’s labour pains….

They are keeping a secret that could tear their families apart….

“I’ve thrown myself headfirst into the unknown with the one man with the power to break up my family.”

Jed is in turmoil keeping the secret from his best friend and lumberjack JJ but secrets do tend to come out even if it is years later…

The book was intriguing, poignant and sweet with a mystery man in Kara’s life- her husband in the present who remains a mystery up and till the end when his identity is hinted at….

For the next book…

I voluntarily received an ARC from Forward PR & Marketing for an honest review.

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do you write a review when everything you want to say could possibly be a spoiler because this book is coming out as first in a series that has already been written so it is a lot more difficult for me to write since I know all of the story. So on this one I am going a bit off the cuff.

This book is Jed and Dean’s story. This story is one of love, hidden truths, protectiveness, fear and family. Jed and Dean each were keeping secrets to protect their families and judging the other on preconceived notions. When they finally meet they circle around each other still in protective mode but feeling a connection and a want that they don’t know how to fight.

In this book you hear their story and how it all unfolded. It is a great story that you feel in your heart. I am going to say that just because this is MM book please do NOT skip the next books because they are MF. The stories are so good and there is so much more to learn they are all emotional and deal with some difficult topics so prepare yourself with lots of tissues and check trigger warnings.

[Mari Cardenas · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 Stars

So here's the thing, Return by Fire is part of the Glacier Adventure series, and it's told from Dean, Jed, and Dean's sister Kara POVs. There are a lot of flashbacks—and a lot of secondary characters to keep up with, especially during Kara's chapters—so if you haven't read the previous books, you might feel a tad lost.

I really liked Dean and Jed, they were obviously made for each other. It was a bit insta-love, but it worked for them. Their chemistry was out of this world and they were really hot together.

I totally got where Dean and Kara were coming from in regards to telling Jennings about Kevin. I really didn't think he deserved to know about him.

Overall, an entertaining read for a cold night curled under the blanket with my kitten. I was a bit lost because of the format, but I understood enough to enjoy it. Recommendable!

*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***

[The Dragon Den Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review of Return by Fire by Tracey Jerald
* * * * *
A spicy small town romance with enemies to loves that is all the drama and not your usual quick dose of contemporary romance.

Dean and Jed are not the best of friends.
Nor are they the worst of enemies.
That will soon be evident as things really start to heat up in this chilly small town between a hot and heroic fireman and this hot head.
Taken into the past and the present as well as for a spin.

A strong start to the series and given an interesting layout as to the POV, the time lines, the drama, the tropes and topics. If you were to judge by cover, you would think this was a soft and light steamy ready that was something basic. Nope. We are given a little extra of something 'more'.
We are given sweet, sexy, tension and emotion.
Intruiged as to how the rest of the series would turn out and who would be involved.

[John Buxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll admit—I’m a little embarrassed it took me a year to finally pick this book up from my TBR, but I’m so glad I did. Return by Fire completely drew me in, and once I started, I couldn’t put it down.
Jed and Dean’s story is a journey of love, hidden truths, loyalty, and the bonds of family. Both men are carrying burdens—secrets they’ve kept to protect those they love—while also holding onto assumptions about each other rooted in the past. When they finally come face to face, there’s an instant and undeniable connection, yet their guarded hearts and protective instincts keep them at arm’s length.
As the story unfolds, they begin to lower their defenses and navigate the delicate balance between trust and vulnerability. What they find, in the end, is that what they’ve been protecting all along may be the very thing they’ve needed in each other.

[Fleur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Returning to this series to see Jed and Deans story was great as I got to go through some great memories from the other books and see all the ladies together again as Kara with help at times from Maris talk about how Dean and Jed met and fell in love years earlier. This was a fantastic read not only as we finally got to know Dean and Jed and see them slowly fall for each other over time and how they were the first love story of the group, but also heartbreaking if you have read Return by Air the original first book in the Glacier Adventure series.
If you are coming into this series new then I highly recommend you be ready to read Return by Air straight after as it will answer your questions as to why the story isn't told by Dean and Jed, but also why the book ends the way it does.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Return by Fire is the 1st book from the new Glacier Adventures Series. The story is told from Dean & Jed POV in the past and Dean’s sister Kara POV in current time. I found the format a little confusing along with a cliff hanger I wasn’t expecting. I’m looking forward to more from this series to fill in the gaps.

This is Dean and Jed’s love story and a beautiful one it is. I loved their parts in the story, they fall for each other fast and hard. They a super sweet and respectful of each other. While still maintaining relationships with their sisters.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute pure perfection. I sunk into the warmth of this story , & I never wanted to leave it .

The love that Dean & Jed have , & the love for their family & friends , is pure magic .

The story is told in such a unique way , that it made reading it even more enjoyable.

When Dean & Jed’s love is forming, they are both very much aware of the loves that their respective sisters have lost .

This book is a 100% must read . It blew me away

[Cathy Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Series, Glacier Adventure series!

This has it all!
Tropes include:
🔥Brother's best friend
🔥Small Town
🔥MM
🔥Enemies-to-Lovers

Dean and Jed share a love that is magical and heartfelt. Just as so many couples have, they find obstacles in their way but they fight to overcome them and hope to have their own HEA! You don’t want to miss reading this book. Tracey does a great job with her characters and I can’t wait to see what the next one brings!

[Bookworm_acre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Return by Fire was the first book I read by Tracey Jerald, so the Glacier Adventure series was new to me.
It's the story of Dean and Jed and it's told in such a sweet and loving way that you'll definitely find yourself reaching for your tissues from time to time.
I can't wait to read the rest of the books in the series.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Jed and Dean's story. The characters are excellent and the story has everything needed to keep you engaged. You can feel the love and their journey is one that will touch you. So many tropes packed into one book that is guaranteed to satisfy your reading wants.

[Larissa Cardozo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dean and Jed are a love story for the ages, a love story that overcomes all obstacles and gives me so much hope for this world.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is a really great small town MM romance that has fantastic enemies/grumpy vibes along with likable characters. Good read.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that we get Dean and Jed's story. It is great to see how their story unfolds. This is such an emotional read.

[Talia B. ⭐️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to know how this ends! 😫

[Elle G · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my faves by Tracey! I loveed this book!

[CK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional, angsty book. If you haven’t read the others in the series- this maybe confusing to you. Nevertheless Tracey brings it all in to this book. So heartfelt and meaningful. So sweet. I loved this book and will go back and now re-read the others in the series.

[Dawn Hurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be ready! Grab your tissues.... grab more, you'll need them. I cried, I sobbed, I anticipated cried, and I laughed, smiled, and in the end sighed in peace.
I just loved this book, I love that author Tracey Jerald wrote this book, and the way she did so. I loved being able to experience Dean and Jed firsthand.
You really should read this series in order, you'll get the full impact of the intertwining characters by doing so.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the new first book in the Glacier Adventure series. Such an emotional MM, brother’s best friend romance. This book is told in Dean, Jed and Kara’s (Dean’s sister) POV. The chemistry between Dean and Jed was palpable and all consuming. The perfect amount of drama and steam. I can’t wait to read Kara’s book next!

Samantha Brentmoor, Aaron Shedlock and J.F. Harding did a phenomenal job narrating this book. Great portrayal of characters. So entertaining!