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Fire Fall
From the ground-breaking author of Punk Like Me and Punk and Zen, comes the powerful story of Bennie Grego, an EMT by day and comic book artist by night who is forced to make an impossible decision.
There’s not much more dangerous or exciting than being a New York City emergency medical technician—unless you add being a smokejumper during fire season. It’s all about saving lives one way or another, holding the line against fire, disaster, and death.
Saving lives is what Benadette “Bennie” Grego knows, and she’s damn good at it. Her Nana keeps her gear repaired and blesses Bennie with holy water whenever she leaves on assignment. The work is hazardous, but Bennie loves helping people. And when she’s not saving lives, Bennie pursues her true drawing comics.
Her best friend Tori, has her back out on the ambulance as they roam the NYC streets. Friend Trish Spence, who gave up the glamour of the NYC 911 scene for a full-time vocation as a smoke jumper, is Bennie’s companion, backup, and sometimes even crew boss when they’re out on a scene. They’re close, and there’s a strong chance they can get closer if things go as they could. And they should. Life is good, and Bennie can’t imagine it any other way.
But a bad jump results in a devastating injury, and Bennie, whose life was changed by trauma before, must once again the sirens or the superheroes?
JD Glass delivers the popular workplace, emotional scars, and injury tropes into an action-packed novel about accepting love and devotion and doing everything possible to achieve your dreams.
There’s not much more dangerous or exciting than being a New York City emergency medical technician—unless you add being a smokejumper during fire season. It’s all about saving lives one way or another, holding the line against fire, disaster, and death.
Saving lives is what Benadette “Bennie” Grego knows, and she’s damn good at it. Her Nana keeps her gear repaired and blesses Bennie with holy water whenever she leaves on assignment. The work is hazardous, but Bennie loves helping people. And when she’s not saving lives, Bennie pursues her true drawing comics.
Her best friend Tori, has her back out on the ambulance as they roam the NYC streets. Friend Trish Spence, who gave up the glamour of the NYC 911 scene for a full-time vocation as a smoke jumper, is Bennie’s companion, backup, and sometimes even crew boss when they’re out on a scene. They’re close, and there’s a strong chance they can get closer if things go as they could. And they should. Life is good, and Bennie can’t imagine it any other way.
But a bad jump results in a devastating injury, and Bennie, whose life was changed by trauma before, must once again the sirens or the superheroes?
JD Glass delivers the popular workplace, emotional scars, and injury tropes into an action-packed novel about accepting love and devotion and doing everything possible to achieve your dreams.
250 pages, Paperback
Published September 3, 2024
3 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
J.D. Glass
52 books89 followersJD Glass is a well-known author and musician. She's from New York City, and has a strong following for both her writing and her music.
JD Glass is the author of American Library Association (Stonewall) and Lambda Literary Award (Literature) finalist Punk Like Me, Punk And Zen, Lambda Literary Award and Ben Franklin Award finalist Red Light, GCLS finalist American Goth, and the critically acclaimed X; selection editor (and contributor) of GCLS Award winning anthology Outsiders, and listed on the Advocate's Top 100 (2011) for CORE, Vol.1 Iss.1. JD is also contributor to the 50 Gay and Lesbian Books You Must Read, and is a GCLS Finalist for Nocturnes (an erotic anthology). Her latest works include Punk And Zen Pt. 1: The ReMix, Interludes, and First Blood.
Called by some the voice of a generation and the erotic philospher by others, JD works in often familiar-seeming worlds, with people we know, people like ourselves, people we’d like to meet, and provides powerful stories that allow the reader to rejoice and wonder, stumble and fall, then rejoice victoriously again at the amazing experience of being human.
JD Glass is the author of American Library Association (Stonewall) and Lambda Literary Award (Literature) finalist Punk Like Me, Punk And Zen, Lambda Literary Award and Ben Franklin Award finalist Red Light, GCLS finalist American Goth, and the critically acclaimed X; selection editor (and contributor) of GCLS Award winning anthology Outsiders, and listed on the Advocate's Top 100 (2011) for CORE, Vol.1 Iss.1. JD is also contributor to the 50 Gay and Lesbian Books You Must Read, and is a GCLS Finalist for Nocturnes (an erotic anthology). Her latest works include Punk And Zen Pt. 1: The ReMix, Interludes, and First Blood.
Called by some the voice of a generation and the erotic philospher by others, JD works in often familiar-seeming worlds, with people we know, people like ourselves, people we’d like to meet, and provides powerful stories that allow the reader to rejoice and wonder, stumble and fall, then rejoice victoriously again at the amazing experience of being human.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 2, 2024
A life in the balance: action, adventure and family
The start of this book left me breathless: Bennie Grego is an EMT who also takes emergency assignments as a smokejumper. We jump right into one of these emergency situations and JD Glass has a knack to make those scenes sprinkled throughout the book vivid, highresolution technicolor. It also shows that Bennie likes living at the edge of danger and on an adrenaline high. She defines herself by her actions - we readers can only watch with bated breath.
The other main theme is family and friends. We see how Bennie is firmly rooted in her latin family - her nana, her cousin - and her found family, esp. Tori, her butch counterpart who already is tempered by her family. I loved how JD Glass weaves this sweet theme as counterpoint into the novel. I loved Nana - her holy water, her soul food and the Latin accent her language adds to the family vibe. The budding romance with Trish reinforces the family theme.
Then Bennie‘s life as she knew it and how she defined herself is suddenly at a turning point: JD Glass adds believable drama to the story. How to redefine yourself, how to find a new place in life? That are some of the questions Bennie has to grapple with.
JD Glass knows how to write and I am glad that she rejoins with her stories the sapphic community. The story has several facets and themes which are well executed and threaded together: There is sweetness, breathless action and poignancy.
Just one gripe: Fortunately I didn‘t read the blurb first! Why, oh why give away the story in the blurb?
Thanks to Bywater Books for the ARC. The review is left voluntarily.
The start of this book left me breathless: Bennie Grego is an EMT who also takes emergency assignments as a smokejumper. We jump right into one of these emergency situations and JD Glass has a knack to make those scenes sprinkled throughout the book vivid, highresolution technicolor. It also shows that Bennie likes living at the edge of danger and on an adrenaline high. She defines herself by her actions - we readers can only watch with bated breath.
The other main theme is family and friends. We see how Bennie is firmly rooted in her latin family - her nana, her cousin - and her found family, esp. Tori, her butch counterpart who already is tempered by her family. I loved how JD Glass weaves this sweet theme as counterpoint into the novel. I loved Nana - her holy water, her soul food and the Latin accent her language adds to the family vibe. The budding romance with Trish reinforces the family theme.
Then Bennie‘s life as she knew it and how she defined herself is suddenly at a turning point: JD Glass adds believable drama to the story. How to redefine yourself, how to find a new place in life? That are some of the questions Bennie has to grapple with.
JD Glass knows how to write and I am glad that she rejoins with her stories the sapphic community. The story has several facets and themes which are well executed and threaded together: There is sweetness, breathless action and poignancy.
Just one gripe: Fortunately I didn‘t read the blurb first! Why, oh why give away the story in the blurb?
Thanks to Bywater Books for the ARC. The review is left voluntarily.
September 5, 2024
A heroic smokejumper finds love right at the time her life takes a dramatic turn. Will she be able to become another kind of hero?
I received an advance copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Bennie lives for her job. As an EMT her life is dedicated to helping people in their hour of need. That’s also the reason why Bennie trained to be a smoke jumper. She gets called out to wildfires all around the world to jump out of a plane and help rescue people while fighting roaring fires. It’s a profession she chose and she is damn good at it. In her spare time Bennie draws. From sketching her colleagues while being out in the field to creating comic books with her friend Jean. Drawing is what keeps her alive. Out on a job she reconnects with her friend Trish. Something clicks when they are able to spend a little time together. This connection might be more than friendship. Even though the women live on opposite sides of the country they vow to try and see what it is between them. It quickly becomes clear that it’s a deep kind of love. One that you come across once in your life, if you’re lucky. Trish is perfect for Bennie. She accepts that Bennie lives with her nana and cousin and that her family is a big part of who she is. Then disaster strikes. Bennie’s life is turned upside down. She has a choice to make. Is being a medical professional her calling or just a job? Maybe this is a wake up call to finally follow her dreams.
Fire Fall is packed with action and thrill. The first part of the story is dedicated to Bennie’s high risk jobs. It’s a good way to get to know her as a person whose life revolves around helping people. Strangers but also her own family. She has built an identity around being a trustworthy person that people can lean on, especially those she loves dearly.
Bennie has had a difficult childhood, losing her parents at a young age and being raised by her loving nana. She’s had a horrible experience during her short time in art school. An experience that left her deeply scarred and now she struggles to make a physical connection with her lover. The way she opens up about her history to her best friend and later to Trish is described with such care. There are no details of exactly what happened, but as a reader you get a pretty good picture anyway.
The spicy scenes are not explicit but the heat and love still pour from the page. The connection between Bennie and Trish is one you’d hope to experience yourself. It’s a deep love that settles into your bones. Trish sees Benny and loves her in all her glory. It’s exactly why Bennie is able to see new possibilities even after a horrific accident changes everything.
Bennie’s relationship with her Nana and cousin Linda is a steady foundation of undying love and support in her life. This unit of three remarkable women make sure that each of them can live life to the fullest. They help each other and accept help when needed. The threesome shares an amazing bond. The same goes for Bennie’s friendship with Jean and Tori. It is a remarkable blessing to be accepted and seen for all that you are. To know you have loving people to fall back on and that make sure you rise after a fall.
Fire Fall is a tribute to those who put their lives on the line for other people every day. It’s a story of unimaginable courage and deep connections. A story that celebrates the power of love and the knowledge that you can be a hero in all kinds of ways.
I received an advance copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Bennie lives for her job. As an EMT her life is dedicated to helping people in their hour of need. That’s also the reason why Bennie trained to be a smoke jumper. She gets called out to wildfires all around the world to jump out of a plane and help rescue people while fighting roaring fires. It’s a profession she chose and she is damn good at it. In her spare time Bennie draws. From sketching her colleagues while being out in the field to creating comic books with her friend Jean. Drawing is what keeps her alive. Out on a job she reconnects with her friend Trish. Something clicks when they are able to spend a little time together. This connection might be more than friendship. Even though the women live on opposite sides of the country they vow to try and see what it is between them. It quickly becomes clear that it’s a deep kind of love. One that you come across once in your life, if you’re lucky. Trish is perfect for Bennie. She accepts that Bennie lives with her nana and cousin and that her family is a big part of who she is. Then disaster strikes. Bennie’s life is turned upside down. She has a choice to make. Is being a medical professional her calling or just a job? Maybe this is a wake up call to finally follow her dreams.
Fire Fall is packed with action and thrill. The first part of the story is dedicated to Bennie’s high risk jobs. It’s a good way to get to know her as a person whose life revolves around helping people. Strangers but also her own family. She has built an identity around being a trustworthy person that people can lean on, especially those she loves dearly.
Bennie has had a difficult childhood, losing her parents at a young age and being raised by her loving nana. She’s had a horrible experience during her short time in art school. An experience that left her deeply scarred and now she struggles to make a physical connection with her lover. The way she opens up about her history to her best friend and later to Trish is described with such care. There are no details of exactly what happened, but as a reader you get a pretty good picture anyway.
The spicy scenes are not explicit but the heat and love still pour from the page. The connection between Bennie and Trish is one you’d hope to experience yourself. It’s a deep love that settles into your bones. Trish sees Benny and loves her in all her glory. It’s exactly why Bennie is able to see new possibilities even after a horrific accident changes everything.
Bennie’s relationship with her Nana and cousin Linda is a steady foundation of undying love and support in her life. This unit of three remarkable women make sure that each of them can live life to the fullest. They help each other and accept help when needed. The threesome shares an amazing bond. The same goes for Bennie’s friendship with Jean and Tori. It is a remarkable blessing to be accepted and seen for all that you are. To know you have loving people to fall back on and that make sure you rise after a fall.
Fire Fall is a tribute to those who put their lives on the line for other people every day. It’s a story of unimaginable courage and deep connections. A story that celebrates the power of love and the knowledge that you can be a hero in all kinds of ways.
August 23, 2024
Comic book/movie nerds and first responders will appreciate this story more than others (3.5 stars)
This is my first time reading JD Glass and I am curious to read more of their work. Fire Fall is intense and dramatic, angsty at times, as well as romantic and sweet so you'll need to have tissues close at hand just in case certain moments in the story bring tears to your eyes. Fans of the comic book universe (books and movies) will get an extra dose of pleasure from the story as will those in the know about the work done by first responders of all kinds including the ones who deploy out of airplanes to fight wildfires. The latter material may feel a bit in the weeds for some readers however the level of detail is admirable and the information on its own is fascinating.
All of the characters in the story - mains and secondaries - are likable but main character Bennie's Nana is my fave followed by Trish, the other main character, both of whom are solid supports for Bennie. Relationships between characters, be they romantic or familial, work colleagues or chosen family are complex but relatable with their teasing and squabbles, being there for each other when it counts. One novelty with main character Bennie (who is easy to root for and care about) is that she upends the lesfic chestnut of making assumptions about Trish and keeping her worries to herself, and instead asks Trish what she wants to know and voices what she's worried about. I believe that's the first time I've come across that in lesfic. There were a few times in the book where the pace of the story felt slow but they are likely balanced out by the dramatic action scenes which had me turning pages quickly to see how things resolved. The chapters are mostly long (30-40 pages) however there are scene breaks within them if you need a place to stop and put a bookmark until your next stint of reading time.
There are moments of peril in the book which make for compelling reading but may be an issue for some along with other issues of injustice brought up in the course of the story. The more sensual scenes are intimate, the romance slow burn (pardon the pun) so no NSFW content to worry about overall if anyone reads over your shoulder in public. Nana speaks primarily Spanish thru the book however her words get translated in the dialogue or narration beyond a handful of words that are likely universally recognizable. The ending is satisfying and could have been more all encompassing in terms of characters brought in to it, but I still enjoyed it. My only quibble is that one key detail in the story disappeared for a time as if resolved or an non-issue, but then is brought up again feeling convenient to the plot trajectory rather than organic.
This is my first time reading JD Glass and I am curious to read more of their work. Fire Fall is intense and dramatic, angsty at times, as well as romantic and sweet so you'll need to have tissues close at hand just in case certain moments in the story bring tears to your eyes. Fans of the comic book universe (books and movies) will get an extra dose of pleasure from the story as will those in the know about the work done by first responders of all kinds including the ones who deploy out of airplanes to fight wildfires. The latter material may feel a bit in the weeds for some readers however the level of detail is admirable and the information on its own is fascinating.
All of the characters in the story - mains and secondaries - are likable but main character Bennie's Nana is my fave followed by Trish, the other main character, both of whom are solid supports for Bennie. Relationships between characters, be they romantic or familial, work colleagues or chosen family are complex but relatable with their teasing and squabbles, being there for each other when it counts. One novelty with main character Bennie (who is easy to root for and care about) is that she upends the lesfic chestnut of making assumptions about Trish and keeping her worries to herself, and instead asks Trish what she wants to know and voices what she's worried about. I believe that's the first time I've come across that in lesfic. There were a few times in the book where the pace of the story felt slow but they are likely balanced out by the dramatic action scenes which had me turning pages quickly to see how things resolved. The chapters are mostly long (30-40 pages) however there are scene breaks within them if you need a place to stop and put a bookmark until your next stint of reading time.
There are moments of peril in the book which make for compelling reading but may be an issue for some along with other issues of injustice brought up in the course of the story. The more sensual scenes are intimate, the romance slow burn (pardon the pun) so no NSFW content to worry about overall if anyone reads over your shoulder in public. Nana speaks primarily Spanish thru the book however her words get translated in the dialogue or narration beyond a handful of words that are likely universally recognizable. The ending is satisfying and could have been more all encompassing in terms of characters brought in to it, but I still enjoyed it. My only quibble is that one key detail in the story disappeared for a time as if resolved or an non-issue, but then is brought up again feeling convenient to the plot trajectory rather than organic.
August 31, 2024
This is my first JD Glass novel, and it’s left me thoroughly on the fence as to whether I’d read another of the author’s stories. There were elements of Fire Fall which gripped me but at the same time the overall storytelling didn’t wow me like I expected it to, given the book’s emergency worker trope.
Bennadette “Bennie” Grego is an emergency medical technician by day, a comic book illustrator in her spare time, and a smokejumper when fire season hits. Her hectic schedule leaves little room for romance, but Bennie is happy with her cousin Linda, and her Nana by her side. And when she’s not with her family, Bennie has her best friend Tori as both a confidante and day to day work partner, with fellow smokejumper Trish Spence taking over those reins when fire duty calls.
As Bennie and Trish grow closer, a freak accident from a bad jump causes an injury which has dire repercussions for Bennie’s future. Faced with never drawing again – a passion already tainted by past trauma, or potentially never working in the emergency field that she loves so dearly, Bennie faces an impossible choice.
I do enjoy stories that center first responders, particularly when they focus on the high adrenaline work undertaken by smokejumpers or hotshots. It shouldn’t come as a surprise then that the cover and the blurb are what initially caught my interest, and for the most part the dangerous smokejumper job that Bennie does is what kept my attention when reading. In addition, I’m partial to a superhero movie or two, and so Bennie’s side hobby as a comic book maker and illustrator lends itself to the inclusion of plenty of familiar superhero references.
Despite the things that I found myself liking about the overall story, I struggled with the length of the chapters, which felt far too long even with scene breaks. The story is also told from a first person point of view; which is great for when Bennie is smokejumping as it gives a real life feel to the danger. Unfortunately, this doesn’t translate to the simmering romance brewing between Bennie and Trish, as you are only ever exposed to Bennie’s thoughts and feelings.
The author also chose to include past trauma for two individual characters in the form of sexual assaults; I’m not sure that they added value to the overall story. Their inclusion whilst not gratuitous in any way, equally didn’t seem to achieve their aim, even when I could understand what the author was trying to draw out from the characters during this part of their journey.
Overall, a story which I enjoyed for what it was, but which ultimately I wouldn’t write home about.
I received a free copy of this book from Bywater Books in exchange for an honest review.
Bennadette “Bennie” Grego is an emergency medical technician by day, a comic book illustrator in her spare time, and a smokejumper when fire season hits. Her hectic schedule leaves little room for romance, but Bennie is happy with her cousin Linda, and her Nana by her side. And when she’s not with her family, Bennie has her best friend Tori as both a confidante and day to day work partner, with fellow smokejumper Trish Spence taking over those reins when fire duty calls.
As Bennie and Trish grow closer, a freak accident from a bad jump causes an injury which has dire repercussions for Bennie’s future. Faced with never drawing again – a passion already tainted by past trauma, or potentially never working in the emergency field that she loves so dearly, Bennie faces an impossible choice.
I do enjoy stories that center first responders, particularly when they focus on the high adrenaline work undertaken by smokejumpers or hotshots. It shouldn’t come as a surprise then that the cover and the blurb are what initially caught my interest, and for the most part the dangerous smokejumper job that Bennie does is what kept my attention when reading. In addition, I’m partial to a superhero movie or two, and so Bennie’s side hobby as a comic book maker and illustrator lends itself to the inclusion of plenty of familiar superhero references.
Despite the things that I found myself liking about the overall story, I struggled with the length of the chapters, which felt far too long even with scene breaks. The story is also told from a first person point of view; which is great for when Bennie is smokejumping as it gives a real life feel to the danger. Unfortunately, this doesn’t translate to the simmering romance brewing between Bennie and Trish, as you are only ever exposed to Bennie’s thoughts and feelings.
The author also chose to include past trauma for two individual characters in the form of sexual assaults; I’m not sure that they added value to the overall story. Their inclusion whilst not gratuitous in any way, equally didn’t seem to achieve their aim, even when I could understand what the author was trying to draw out from the characters during this part of their journey.
Overall, a story which I enjoyed for what it was, but which ultimately I wouldn’t write home about.
I received a free copy of this book from Bywater Books in exchange for an honest review.
September 21, 2024
I was so on the fence about this book! I loved the premise so much, first responders making love work amidst the emergencies, but the pacing of the romance just didn't work for me. It was friends to lovers, but the friendship was all in the background and the tension of that arc mostly off-page until we got the "moving in with a U-Haul" lesbian trope that's not my favorite unless it's executed well.
Bennie is an EMT and smoke jumper who draws comic books on the side. I loved her as a character and thought she was well-rounded and complex, the hero with a soft side who has everything except romantic love. This book worked best in its vivid descriptions of the work of emergency responders and the adrenaline rush and danger of disasters. Bennie and her friend Trish fall fast and hard for each other on a visit to New York. This book also worked well with the side characters, Bennie's lovely tight-knit family and her culture.
I just felt like the romance took a back seat and felt rushed.
Bennie also gets injured on a smoke jump and is forced to choose between her career and drawing, and that conflict also felt rushed.
It had a lot going for it though and I definitely want more sapphic books about first responders. I just didn't love this one like I was fully expecting to.
Bennie is an EMT and smoke jumper who draws comic books on the side. I loved her as a character and thought she was well-rounded and complex, the hero with a soft side who has everything except romantic love. This book worked best in its vivid descriptions of the work of emergency responders and the adrenaline rush and danger of disasters. Bennie and her friend Trish fall fast and hard for each other on a visit to New York. This book also worked well with the side characters, Bennie's lovely tight-knit family and her culture.
I just felt like the romance took a back seat and felt rushed.
Bennie also gets injured on a smoke jump and is forced to choose between her career and drawing, and that conflict also felt rushed.
It had a lot going for it though and I definitely want more sapphic books about first responders. I just didn't love this one like I was fully expecting to.
October 25, 2025
For reasons that I can’t put my finger on, this rather slow-moving adventure with some romance mixed in, never really grabbed me. It had likeable enough characters with the first person narrator, Bennie, being well supported by family and friends. Bennie, having lost her parents young, has been raised by her largely Spanish speaking grandmother and also has a close cousin who lives with them. Although some explanation of what Nana says is given, I found myself hitting the translation button on my Kindle a lot! The back story of her friendship with fellow smoke jumper Trish isn’t given, so they seem to somewhat suddenly flip from friends to lovers. The sex is pretty soft focus and whilst an abusive incident in Bennie’s past is alluded to, it’s never fully explained.
I liked the baby saving scene and the story of Bennie’s accident is well told too, but I wanted more drama in the latter incident. Instead, Bennie is found almost immediately and thereafter it’s all slow recovery and decision making about the right route, for Bennie, of that recovery.
Also, avoid the blurb if you don’t want to know the whole story before you start!
I liked the baby saving scene and the story of Bennie’s accident is well told too, but I wanted more drama in the latter incident. Instead, Bennie is found almost immediately and thereafter it’s all slow recovery and decision making about the right route, for Bennie, of that recovery.
Also, avoid the blurb if you don’t want to know the whole story before you start!
October 21, 2024
This book is written from the first person POV and this works well for the first responder scenes which are gripping.
The heart of the book though is about the main characters struggle with her feelings about a whole range of issues. This is done in a highly emotive and at times repetitive way.
If you are looking for a wholesome hero who epitomizes a person who is self actualized and still searching to do better. It could be for you.
The heart of the book though is about the main characters struggle with her feelings about a whole range of issues. This is done in a highly emotive and at times repetitive way.
If you are looking for a wholesome hero who epitomizes a person who is self actualized and still searching to do better. It could be for you.
December 25, 2025
3.5
this starts in a bit of a strange place. i felt like we needed more of a buildup to trish and benny’s story and the pacing of the chapters is all over the place but otherwise it’s a decent story.
this starts in a bit of a strange place. i felt like we needed more of a buildup to trish and benny’s story and the pacing of the chapters is all over the place but otherwise it’s a decent story.
October 19, 2024
Great book
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews