Smoke on the Water

Wayward Sons #0.5

by Harper Jackson, Kait Nolan

He was my high school crush. Now he’s pretending to be my boyfriend—and I’m pretending I’m not falling for him.

When Hoyt McNamara stepped in to rescue me from a drunk with grabby hands, pretending to be my boyfriend, I knew two things:

One, I still hadn’t outgrown the way I felt about him.

Two, it was a terrible idea to let him get involved.

But Hoyt didn’t just step in—he stayed.

He offered to keep up the ruse, to shield me from the island rumor mill and the threats creeping closer to my door.

Then he became my landlord, and suddenly there was no escaping the man I’d spent half my life trying not to want.

The fires started small. Easy to brush off as accidents.

Until they weren’t accidents anymore.

Until someone started pointing fingers at me.

Until it was clear I was the real target.

Hoyt says he’ll keep me safe.

But the closer the danger gets, the harder it is to protect my heart from the one man who could burn it down for good.

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Romance, Contemporary, Small Town Romance, Audiobook, Mystery, Suspense

223 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 3, 2024

About the author

Harper Jackson has rescued her co-workers from a hostage situation, battled ninjas, and stopped international espionage—in her head anyway. Now that she’s no longer busy devising ways to make staff meetings more entertaining, she’s pouring that imagination into tales of breath-stealing, small-town romantic suspense. She believes that peach cobbler with ice cream is the best dessert ever and has a black belt in taekwondo to back it up. She lives in the Deep South with her husband and three canine furbabies.

Be sure to follow her on Bookbub for the latest on sales and new releases! https://geni.us/harperBB

Reviews

[Belle (on hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

I really liked that H was right-in from the beginning

– Dual pov
– Both celibate
– Mystery arsonist plotline
– No cheating or OW/OM drama
– HEA ending

[Alex (HEABookNerd) · Rating 3 out of 5]

SMOKE ON THE WATER reminded me a lot of the small town mystery romances that were really big in the late 2000's and while the suspense and tension was a little on the light side, I did like this one. We had small town drama, siblings who only have each other to rely on, a swoony firefighter, and a series of arsons targeting our MCs.

Hoyt and Caroline were both likable characters and they had minimal angst in their relationship, with most of it centered on Caroline worrying that she wasn't good enough for Hoyt simply because her family were outcasts in their small island town. But Hoyt was the perfect boyfriend who respected and supported Caroline, stood up for her no matter what, and even played the knight in shining armor several times. He was pretty much perfect. Caroline was also a good character, she's sweet and a natural caretaker but she doesn't trust easily. Life hasn't been fair to her and her siblings but I liked that she never gave up and was determined to keep her head held high no matter what anyone said.

I do wish there had been a little more tension around the mystery arsonist because for a suspense romance it was on the weaker side when it came to building the mystery and ratcheting up the tension as the story went on. A fire would happen and everyone would deal with it but no one seemed to be getting more worried or nervous as things kept happening, so each incident felt kind of isolated and easy to overcome.

While SMOKE ON THE WATER was focused on Caroline and Hoyt, it's also a prequel novel for the WAYWARD SONS series and sets up Caroline's brother, Rios, and his group of friends who will feature as heroes in future books. There was just enough of the side characters to intrigue me without having them take over the main story so I'm looking forward to seeing what happens as Rios, Sawyer, Jace, and Ford get their own stories.

Content Warning: past parental abuse

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

These characters are so rich and vibrant; and the setting is so unique, it almost becomes another character. I was immediately caught up in their plight. There’s a complicated history at work here, and it meant that Hoyt and Caroline had far too many possible suspects to consider. In the middle of all that, they’re navigating turning a fake relationship into something real. I love the author’s alter ego, and I adore that she’s turned her hand to writing us even more romantic suspense. Now that we’ve started to get to know the Wayward Sons, I can’t wait to discover the rest of their stories.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book from the author.

[Bernice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read written by Harper Jackson. This book has it all! It is the start of what will most definitely be a series that I cannot wait to read. The location is great, being a small island near the mainland. There are love stories, attempted murder, missing person, murder, and mayhem. There are so many different characters, especially the Wayward Sons – brothers in every way except biological, whom we will get to know in future books. The mysterious fires and threats kept me guessing throughout and I could not wait until the end to find out who was responsible and why. It held my interest, and I could not put it down. I highly recommend this book.

[Lacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Harper Jackson’s Smoke on the Water, firefighter Hoyt offers waitress Caroline his protection as her boyfriend when the petty harassment she’s lived with in her small town all her life turns darker, deadlier, and more personal. But are they pretending, or is their fake relationship becoming something genuine? When a fatal string of arsons strikes around the island, threatening them both, will their developing relationship survive?

Jackson’s active writing, vibrant with detailed descriptions that use the senses, and colorful and natural-sounding dialogue quickly drew me in, making me care about her characters, their lives, and her multilayered suspenseful story. Her deft worldbuilding, description, and characterizations create the sinister and claustrophobic atmosphere of Caroline and her family’s lives in their small island town, making you feel like you are with the characters in each moment. She terrifically builds the suspense and mystery elements of the story and wonderfully balances them with the development of Hoyt and Caroline’s romance.

I love Hoyt and Caroline’s sweet, sexy, steamy, emotional, intimate interactions and love scenes that reveal and evolve their characters and further the novel’s plot. Caroline is resilient, kind, and devoted to her younger siblings, putting her life on hold to ensure they are safe and cared for and their needs are met, even before her own. Thoughtful, protective, generous, honorable, and gentle, Hoyt selflessly looks out for Caroline and defends her against anyone who seeks to harm her without expectations. Their intense, fiery attraction heightens the deep and natural connection between them.

I love the interactions and sense of family between Caroline and her siblings, Hoyt’s family, and Caroline’s brother’s friends. They support and look out for each other, standing together against the prejudice, hate, and danger any of them face. Smoke on the Water is a suspenseful, fast-paced, captivating, steamy, angsty, sexy, emotional, and romantic read perfect for fans of first love, fake dating, friends-to-lovers, family, friendship, and thrilling love stories with a hero who falls first.

Content Warning: Domestic violence/abuse, sexual harassment, and stalking.

Thanks to Harper Jackson and Wildfire Marketing Solutions for the Advanced Review Copy and for sending me the paperback!

[TheSassyNerdBlog · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book by this author and it won’t be my last. I went into this blind… If I’m honest, I didn’t even look at the blurb, I saw the cover and something about it just pulled me in and I was not disappointed. The story is just as beautiful as the cover!


What to expect:

🔥 Fake Relationship
🔥 Small Town
🔥 Fireman Hero
🔥 Romantic Suspense
🔥 Close Proximity
🔥 Found Family
🔥 Undeniable Attraction
🔥 She Falls First
🔥 He Falls Harder
🔥 He Always Protects Her
🔥 Romantic Thriller


Hoyt McNamara has just recently returned home (Hatterwick Island, NC) as a lieutenant for the fire department. His parents and brother live there but Hoyt wants a place of his own so he decides to purchase a house himself. The house needs a fair bit of work done to it which is perfect for him as he wants to be kept busy.


Caroline Carrera has had a rough upbringing and life. With an abusive and controlling father making her and her sibling's life a living hell, her mother abandoning her twelve years ago and her brother being falsely accused of murder. It’s only her and her two other siblings Rio and Gabi. The fact that they live in a small town makes things difficult. The locals talk, rumours spread, people lie and everyone has an opinion. To say they treat her and her siblings like crap would be an understatement.

She keeps herself busy and works hard as a bartender/waitress at the local pub and she’s also a cleaner. She really wants to escape from her father’s hatred, cruelty and abuse with her siblings. She’s strong, and resilient and will do anything to keep those she loves most safe.

One night Hoyt and his brother were at a bar and overheard a man harassing Caroline behind the bar so Hoyt couldn’t help but step in and help her. When she realises it’s her teenage crush back in town and he is looking AMAZING! Hoyt is taken aback by how much Caroline has grown up and how beautiful and perfect she is.
There in an instant connected. Before too long Hoyt is offering her his protection and offers the other side of his duplex to live in with her siblings to keep them safe and suggests they fake a relationship…. She agrees. You can tell that there is an undeniable attraction between these two from the very beginning. As they get closer and get to know each other, what was meant to be a fake relationship turns into so much more.

It seems as though someone is trying to frame Caroline and lighting fires in places she has been in recently so the chief is trying to pin it on her or her brother. Hoyt is determined to keep her safe… Even putting his own life at risk.


This book took over my mind, my emotions, my heart… for days and I’m still obsessing over it days later. This book had it all, it’s the start of what promises to be an incredible series full of characters you can’t help but fall in love with and a plot you can’t help but get lost in.

Highly recommend!
5 STARS!!

[Regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

More, please?

If you like Kait Nolan’s romance books and are not absolutely anti-suspense, then Harper Jackson’s stories are a perfect match. (Well, duh.) I loved getting to know and explore this new world of Hatterwick and the island folk, not least of all Rios and the other Wayward Sons, and I especially adored Hoyt and Caroline. *hearteyes*

The suspense part kept me on the edge of my seat and turning the pages right until the end.

I am definitely looking forward to reading more about the Wayward Sons and the ladies who manage to steal their hearts.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio-Narrators:Ryan West & Amy McFadden Great start to a New Romantic suspense series by Harper Jackson (Kait Nolan). Loved the characters. I had a really hard time not locking myself away so I could just listen. I still stayed up until 2 am to finish it. I am a huge Kait Nolan fan so I was so excited that she expanded her small town romance to now include romantic suspense under her new alter ego. I am so excited for the next book in the Wayward Sons series.

[Michele Del Rey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fake relationship, firefighter, protector romance was so good. I could not put it down, I love everything about these characters, they had great chemistry and just strong feelings for one another.

[Michellelovesreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good book

[Devon Dalglish · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for a good small town romance, they are definitely one of my guilty pleasures when it comes to picking a romance book. I really enjoyed this one! It’s a love story, attempts murder, missing person, murder and chaos of small town drama all wrapped up into one book.

Hoyt, the perfect gentleman and knight in shining armor, he comes in and swoops in to protect Caroline from nasty customers at the Tavern she works in. He pretends to her boyfriend on one condition, that they go on one date to make it seem like it was the truth. You know how small towns get with their drama. The two did know each other from high school, but were a few years apart and Hoyt had moved away for sometime after he graduated. The two of them hit it off, and no matter how much Caroline pushed him away…he stayed.

This book had the perfect balance of romance and suspense. We were definitely kept on our toes for a while. I loved Hoyt and Caroline, even the side characters too were great! Looking forward to continue the rest of the series to see the development with the side characters! This book was a perfect escape and break from my in depth fantasy reads!

[Readiculous 📚🖤👱🏼‍♀️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good romantic suspense, so when I came across this one I couldn’t wait to start it! I liked the suspense part and I kept changing my mind on who the villain was. And damsel in distress moments? Yes, please!
The romance part, however, felt a bit lacking to me. I didn’t really think there was a whole lot of chemistry between the MCs. It somehow felt lukewarm.
I did like the setting and side characters, the island vibe and family feel was nice!
All in all an entertaining read, but I don’t think I’ll be continuing the series.

Safety:
- No OW
- OM: another islander harasses h. H takes care of it.
- No cheating
- No separation / no third act break up
- Deals with parental abuse.

[Serena Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

'Quiero hacer una vida contigo. Donde quieras, cuando quieras y como quieras.'





•Mi opinión puede contener Spoilers.
•Esta destinada a ser un descargo personal no para que alguien más lea pero si lo haces y te ofende, me disculpo porque sé lo que es que te guste un libro y otros lo critiquen.




Smoke On the Water de Harper Jackson Serie Wayward Sons libro 0.5

Argumento:

He vivido durante años con las miradas, los susurros y las odiosas acusaciones de los chismosos de los pueblos pequeños. Ser hermana del paria del pueblo tiene consecuencias. Pero cuando el acoso mezquino se vuelve más oscuro, se requieren medidas más drásticas. Simplemente no esperaba que esas medidas incluyeran a mi antiguo amor de la escuela secundaria, el chico dorado convertido en bombero ardiente, ofreciéndome protección... como mi novio. ¿Estamos simplemente fingiendo o esto se está convirtiendo en algo real? ¿Y podrá sobrevivir a la serie de incendios provocados que nos amenazan a ambos?



Mi humilde opinión:

Smoke On the Water es la precuela de la serie Wayward Sons, una historia sobre el amor y la familia. Un romance de suspense con relación falsa en pueblo pequeño donde el héroe cae primero.

Hoyt y Caroline comienzan una relación falsa que inmediatamente se vuelve real. El bombero no le da otra opción porque esta es su oportunidad para conquistarla y Caroline no puede resistirse a darle una cita porque él era su crush de la escuela. No hay conflictos fuertes con la pareja, es un desarrollo lindo y romántico. Él es su protector a lo largo del libro aunque Caroline piense que él no está a salvo con ella. Me encantó Hoyt por cuidar y defender a Caroline siempre.

Caroline es la heroína inocente y amable. Lo que más me gustó de ella es que era como una madre para sus hermanos. Rios y ella dejaron de lado todo para cuidar a la hermana pequeña. Me gustó que se cuidaran mutuamente con el padre abusivo que tenían. Me quedó dando vueltas en la cabeza porque nadie nunca hizo nada si los chicos estaban siendo maltratados por el padre, más aún en un pueblo donde todos se enteraban de todo. Me pareció genial la gran familia que forman con los tres amigos de Ríos, todos tienen una mochila al hombro pero estaban presentes cuando el otro lo necesitaba.

Disfruté el libro, el romance fue lindo, conmovedor y romántico. La parte del peligro y suspense fue un plus que me mantuvo enganchada. Por un momento me mantuvo en duda sobre quién era el pirómano.

El final y el epílogo me hizo sonreír. Él logró lo que fue a buscar cuando volvió a su pueblo, formar una gran familia. Fuera de eso, hay muchas preguntas por responder sobre la desaparición de la chica y seguramente se resolverán en el libro de Willa y Swayer.

[Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smoke on the Water is a quiet yet engaging small-town romance that echoes the tone and warmth of the genre’s late-2000s heyday. Though the suspense elements remain relatively understated, the novel succeeds in delivering an emotionally grounded story centered on family loyalty, personal resilience, and a genuinely supportive romantic partnership.
Caroline and Hoyt are both thoughtfully crafted leads. Caroline has spent her life on the margins of her island community, and her lingering sense of inadequacy forms the core emotional hurdle of the relationship. Hoyt, however, consistently challenges that belief through his steady presence. His respect for her boundaries, his willingness to advocate for her publicly, and his instinct to protect without overshadowing make him a particularly compelling romantic hero. Caroline, in turn, is defined by compassion and quiet strength; despite a difficult upbringing, she remains committed to caring for others while maintaining her dignity in a town that has not always treated her kindly.
The novel incorporates a series of arsons that serve as the central mystery, though the tension surrounding these incidents is relatively mild. Each event introduces momentary urgency, but the narrative rarely escalates the sense of danger as the fires continue, resulting in a suspense thread that is more atmospheric than high-stakes.
As a prequel to the Wayward Sons series, the book also introduces Caroline’s brother, Rios, along with Sawyer, Jace, and Ford—characters who are clearly positioned for future storylines. Their inclusion is handled with restraint; they enrich the world without detracting from the primary romance, and their brief appearances generate interest in what is to come.
Overall, Smoke on the Water offers a warm, character-driven romance with a touch of mystery and a distinctly small-town charm. Readers who enjoy supportive partners, family-focused narratives, and low-angst storytelling will find much to appreciate here.
Reader Notes / Content Checklist:
✔️ Dual POV
✔️ Mystery arsonist subplot
✔️ No cheating; no previous relationship complications
⚠️ Content Warning: past parental abuse

[Elise Larson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect blend of suspense and romance, with a shocking twist I never saw coming! I was delighted to discover a new series by one of my favorite authors. Smoke on the Water is the exciting prequel to the Wayward Sons series, and it's one of the best books I've read in 2024! Here's a bit of the plot, but no big spoilers.

Hoyt McNamara is a professional firefighter who returns home to Hatterwick Island to work as a lieutenant for the local fire department. He reconnects with Caroline Carrera, who'd had a crush on him in high school but figured he'd never notice her. After her brother became a prime suspect in the disappearance of a young woman, the three Carrera siblings were largely ostracized on the island.

The rumors don't deter Hoyt. He's quickly attracted to Caroline, who works as a waitress and cleaning lady. When a mysterious fire burns a vacation rental cottage that Caroline just finished cleaning, she's questioned by the fire chief. Hoping to cheer her up, Hoyt takes her to his recently purchased duplex for dinner, during which he offers to rent the other half of the duplex to Caroline and her two siblings. She accepts, relieved to get away from her bitter, abusive father.

Naturally, close proximity stokes the flames of attraction between Hoyt and Caroline, even as mysterious fires continue to multiply on the island. Believing the fires are somehow connected to her, Caroline offers to end her relationship with Hoyt to keep him safe, but he refuses. This guy will do anything to protect the woman he loves as danger escalates, even if he has to lay his life on the line.

I can usually spot the main perpetrator fairly early on in a story, but not this time. Various red herrings kept me guessing until the twisty plot reached a shocking twist I never saw coming. I love when that happens, even if it scares me half to death. Kudos for immersive island settings, mostly likable small town characters, a couple of steamy scenes, limited profanity, and flawless proofreading. I can't wait to read the second book in the Wayward Sons series!

[SOS · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars

This was a lovely romantic thriller, the prologue of a new series, Wayward Sons. This book can be read as a standalone with not problem.

Hoyt McNamara, a firefighter, is returning home to Hatterwick Island, NC, from the mainland. His parents and brother still live there, but Hoyt has purchased a house of his own, a fixer upper that will keep him busy for a while. He’s ready to go to work with the local fire department, only he hadn’t counted on so many major and nuisance fires happening over the summer.

Caroline Carrera has lived a tough life. Her mother disappeared twelve years ago, and they haven’t heard from her since. Her father, Hector, is abusive and controlling; he goes out of his way to make his children’s lives miserable, especially Caroline’s. Caroline works hard. She’s a waitress/bartender at a local pub, and she cleans vacation houses. She also wasn’t counting on fires touching her life, or on finding romance. What she really wants is to escape her father’s cruelty, her and her siblings, Gabi and Rios.

This is a book about family and friendship. It’s also about romance. Arson raises its ugly head, too. The romance in this book develops quickly; the mystery moves along at a somewhat slower pace, but in the end, they both pay off big time.

There were definitely predictable things in this book, but they played out in unusual ways. The developments within the pages will have you gnashing your teeth and biting your fingernails. Stick with it! You’ll be glad you did.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the author. I thank her for her generosity, but it had no effect on this review. All opinions in this review reflect my true and honest reactions to reading this book.

[Tammy Moldovan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swoony love, healing and exciting intrigue

I loved this secret crush, opposites attract romance with a side of intrigue and danger. The storyline was imaginative, characters relatable and likable, and the writing captivating which drew me into this small town, its circle of characters, and the mystery. Hoyt has come back to his small island town of Hatterwick to work as a lieutenant in the local fire department while he works on the fixer upper house he bought. Caroline is from the wrong side of the tracks, many believe her brother is a murderer, and she is used to only relying on herself and her siblings. She is younger than Hoyt but had a crush on him in HS. Hoyt remembers Caroline and is instantly attracted to her upon his return. A fake relationship for safety quickly morphs into a real one. Unfortunately it is not all sunshine and roses - there is necessary baggage unpacking along with the issue of someone setting fires on the island and the danger seems to be aimed at Hoyt and Caroline. I have a soft spot for the people who are a bit uncomfortable in their skin because they don’t feel like they fit in or are worthy, like Caroline. So I love when they finally see their truth and they get swoon worthy HEAs. And I loved the way Hoyt gently, lovingly, and beautifully helped her come out of her self-imposed isolation and begin to shine and embrace life and love. The story had a good balance of both the suspense and romance, each equally important to the flow of the story. I am excited to read the rest of love stories of the Wayward Sons, Caroline’s brother and his three friends. 4.5 stars.

[Tanisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was first introduced to Kait Nolan’s character Athena through a bonus epilogue from a Tawna Fenske book. I wanted to read the story of her family, so the first Kait Nolan book that I read was “When You Got a Good Thing.” Since then, I have read almost every book that Kait Nolan has written. This is why I was extremely intrigued when I found out that she would be venturing into the romantic suspense drama under the moniker “Harper Jackson.” The genre that I most enjoy is romance. Here lately, I gravitate more towards romantic suspense books. Because of this, I could not wait to read this book. I have to say that I wasn’t disappointed.

This book completely held my attention from beginning to end. I like that we were subtly introduced to the “mystery” early on in the book. That way I was able to start putting on my “thinking cap” early into the book. I also liked how the “romance” portion of the book was introduced. At first, I thought it was a bit early, but as I continued reading, I realized that my early thoughts on it were too soon.

One of the things I really like about Kait Nolan’s series books is that the first book in the series does a really good job of introducing the characters organically. This book was no different. The characters were introduced in such a way that I could not wait to read their stories later.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I recommend it to those who enjoy “traditional” romance, but also, those who prefer the more suspenseful book (like Nora Roberts). I cannot wait to read the next books in the series.

[Angels · Rating 5 out of 5]

We loved Caroline and Hoyt's story it was beautiful and heartfelt and Hoyt was one of those swoony characters. This story was packed with emotion mystery suspense love laughter revenge. We loved this small-town romance as it tugged on the reader's heartstrings as Caroline and her siblings have not had an easy life and to top things off they are the talk of the town in more ways than one. Hoyt's family, on the other hand, was a loving family who had so much to give.

We loved how close the siblings were and loved that they had each other's backs. Hoyt was just one of those characters you instantly fell in love with he is an all-around nice guy who is a saw called a gentleman who looks out for others a natural protector. Caroline is such a sweetheart of a girl who needs a break and a man who can love her how she deserves to be loved.

The story is infused with mystery and suspense and keeps you glued to the pages. We love the beautiful chemistry between Caroline and Gabe they made an awesome couple. We got to know the men known as the Wayward Sons and we are looking forward to their in this series some of them have already piqued our interest. You will love the unexpected twists and hopefully, as the stories follow there will be some developments to some lingering questions of who did it and why. This was such a cute romance tale with wonderful characters and we thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Misty (Reds Romance Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caroline knows all too well what it feels like to be the odd one out, the one girl in town that everyone is talking about and she has also learned that there isn't much she can do about it. People will talk no matter how nice, hardworking, or genuine you are with them, you get labeled the bad girl and it's stuck with you. But when things start to turn a little dangerous and the talking turns into harassment and more she starts to get a little worried... little does she know help is about to appear in the form of her very handsome fire fighting ex Hoyt.

Smoke on the Water is an absolute gem, the suspenseful parts of it kept me on my toes and the romantic bits had me blushing more than a few times... you really can't go wrong with this one!! From the get-go the characters had my attention and they held it intently until the last page found me. This was such a good, well rounded and wickedly entertaining read... one of the best first reads I've had in a while, I will for sure be coming back for more!! Highly recommend you take a chance on this one, Caroline and Hoyt have quite the entertaining story to tell, and while they have you captivated they'll steal you heart too!!

I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.

[Mary (Marysnoveljourney) · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔥

🔥small town
🔥fireman
🔥fake relationship
🔥romantic suspense
🔥close proximity
🔥found family

5 stars for Hoyt and Caroline! Wow! Smoke on the Water is a romantic suspense novel that takes place in the Outer Banks.

Caroline and her family have been through a lot, their mother leaving, her brother being falsely accused of murder, plus an abusive father. It being a small town, everyone knows (and has opinions) on Caroline’s family drama. Enter Hoyt, a fireman who comes to Caroline rescue one night when he hears a patron at her bar being inappropriate toward her. He suggests they fake date, so people will leave Caroline alone. Of course things get real pretty quickly and these two fall almost instantly for each other.

Hoyt’s determination to kept Caroline and help her family safe all while being sweet and caring to her is really what made the story for me. He is just one of the best book boyfriends! He is always there ready to help and protect her.

This book kept me guessing right up until the very end and I was shocked at who was behind all the terrible things happening to Caroline!!

This book was a great start to the Wayward Sons series and I’m looking forward to the next book!

Thank you to Harper Jackson and Wildfire Marketing Solutions for ARC of this book.

[Melissa Cooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harper Jackson already has me wanting more after finishing Smoke On The Water in one day! Hoyt and Caroline kicked this new series off with a bang. I am really getting into romantic suspense more and I found a new to me author that delivers all I look for in a 5 star read and more.

Hoyt is returning to his hometown to be the Lieutenant of the fire department and Caroline is just trying to get by after a rough life. When Hoyt overhears Caroline being harassed working the bar, being the good man he is, he steps in to protect her. When they realize who the other are - you can feel their instant connection through the pages.

When fires start blazing through town, it appears someone is trying to pin them on Caroline and her brother but Hoyt isn't having it and steps up for her even more. He offers her and her siblings the other side of his duplex as a safe haven and vows to protect her - becoming her fake boyfriend in the process.

Fake starts to get very real as the plot and mystery pick up and Hoyt and Caroline find things getting complicated. The mystery and intrigue, along with the romance and steam made this an unputdownable book and I can't wait for more of the Wayward Sons Series!

[Kat Darby Lifted_pdx · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Smoke on the Water" is a captivating novel that seamlessly blends elements of suspense, romance, and small-town charm. Set in a quaint beach town with a close-knit community, the story unfolds with a delightful fake dating trope that adds an extra layer of intrigue to the narrative.

The author's skillful world-building brings the town and its inhabitants to life, immersing readers in a vivid and immersive seaside setting. From the sandy shores to the bustling boardwalk, every detail is expertly crafted to draw readers into the heart of the story.

Perfect for a lazy summer day at the beach, this short read is sure to captivate readers with its engaging plot and well-developed characters. The romance between the protagonists is sweet and endearing, keeping readers eagerly turning the pages to see how their relationship unfolds.

Overall, "Smoke on the Water" is a must-read for fans of cozy romances and small beach town settings. With its blend of suspense, romance, and charming storytelling, this book is the perfect escape for anyone looking for a heartwarming read to enjoy on a sunny day by the shore.

And who doesn’t love a fire fight romance!

Tropes: fake dating, small town, firefighter, suspense

[Donna Wolz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this author's other pen name and I enjoy romantic suspense, so I gave it a try. Hoyt returns to Hatterwick Island to take a job as a firefighter. He buys an old house and plans to fix it up. Caroline has always lived on Hatterwick Island. She has had a hard life and is looking for an escape from her abusive father and the gossip about her family. When Hoyt steps in to help her, they start a fake relationship that quickly turns real. With a string of escalating arsons occurring on the island, Hoyt and the firefighters have their hands full. The chemistry between Hoyt and Caroline is as hot as the arsons. I loved the way Caroline's brother and sister(Rios and Gabi) and Rios' friends have formed a found family and all look out for each other. They welcome Hoyt into their lives and appreciate all his help protecting Caroline. I wasn't too surprised when the arsonist was revealed but that didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book. Harper did a great job of building the suspense and keeping things steamy between Hoyt and Caroline. I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Linda J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beginning to a suspenseful series. I'm fairly new to Harper Jackson aka Kait Nolan, but very familiar with Kait Nolan's writing. I've already pre-ordered the next in the series which is released in September this year.

So many villains to choose from and I thought I knew who was the real one, but nope. Story has a lot of action, violence, amazing main and secondary characters too. Add in many twists and it certainly was a bumpy road to HEA for these two. Lovemaking, outside of marriage, heat level 4+ out of 5. Filled with passion and love. They worked as a couple, and I felt a connection to them. Both MC are kind, caring and loyal.

Crude words several times and Lord's name used once.

No cheating, no cliffhanger, HEA, romantic, and steam. You have to download a bonus epilogue, 7 years in the future, which I recommend you doing. But, know you will be signing up for Harper's newsletter. Story ends at 95% on my e-reader, rest teasing for the next story.

I can't improve on the blurb, just giving you some extra tidbits to decide whether to purchase, which I recommend. (ljb)

[JL Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caroline and fire fighter Hoyt knew of each other from high school. While Caroline has never been off the island Hoyt went away for school and work, but now he's back and he has his eye on Caroline and he's very protective of her which means when a local jerk is hitting on her he steps up and claims her as his. He tells her straight up it can be just fake dating so people will leave her alone or she can date him for real because that's what he wants. Caroline has always had a crush on Hoyt so this is a dream come true except she's kind of an outcast because, when a girl disappeared, fingers were pointed at her brother. Also her father is crazy and she knows he would lose it like he has with other guys she dated. She's leaning towards just telling him no when it seems someone is targeting her and keeps getting more and more dangerous and Hoyt keeps coming to her rescue.
This was a fun listen with mystery, intrigue and a love story on a small island. I can't wait for the stories for the rest of the Wayward Sons. I enjoyed the narrators, Amy McFadden, and Ryan West and hope they bring the rest of the characters to life like they did Caroline and Hoyt.

[Becky Claxon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story takes place on Hatterwick Island, NC. Hoyt had come back to the island as his family still lived there. Luckily a lieutenant position came up on the fire department so had had left Raleigh for that position. Hoyt and his brother were sitting in the local bar when a man started giving Caroline a hard time, so Hoyt stepped in to help her. It upset me how the small town, especially the police chief had a grudge against Caroline and her family, especially her brother Rios. Hoyt was such a good guy and didn’t care what the town thought of him. Caroline had a crush on him in high school and couldn’t believe he ever saw her. It was so sad how her father had put her, her brother and her sister down all their lives as well as beat them. It was scary how many fires that was being set around town. Unfortunately it seemed like some of those fires were connected to Caroline, but no proof. There was something going on and Hoyt was determined to figure it out and be there for Caroline. This was a good start to a new series. I encourage you to read the book.

[Ashley Jasper · Rating 3 out of 5]

In my never ending hunt to find new to me romantic suspense authors I picked up Smoke on the Water after catching the blurb. I wasn't totally sure what to expect as it's my first read from Harper Jackson but the opening pulled me in.

I liked Hoyt. He was just a good guy. Honest. Loyal. Hardworking. Protective. It came with his job as a firefighter. But the way he stepped up and in to help Caroline went above the call of duty. It didn't hurt that she had been looking for a way out of her situation and Hoyt dropped the answer right in her hands.

Although there was no denying the attraction between them, things were complicated. Especially as it seemed someone had it out for Caroline. And with fires popping up all over the island it was all they could do to try and get ahead of the unknown threat.

While I do understand this book was a setup for the rest of the series, I still wanted a little bit more of that connection between Caroline and Hoyt. That being said, my pulse was pounding and I couldn't read fast enough as everything came to light and lives hung in the balance.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored Hoyt and Caroline in Smoke on the River by Harper Jackson, an introduction to the Wayward Sons series; a romantic suspense that introduces the world of Hatterwick Island, in the NC Outer Banks, and the island folk, as well as all of the Rios and the other Wayward Sons. There are love stories, attempted murder, missing person, murder, and mayhem. There are many different characters, especially the Wayward Sons: brothers in every way except biological, who will get their own stories in future books. Caroline and Hoyt found they deserved not just love, but also the peace each other brought to their relationship, but despite all the obstacles, trials, and challenges placed in their way. The mysterious fires and threats within the story kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat and turning the pages right until the end.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book prior to purchase.

[Cassey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Right, so we all know how I feel about Kait Nolan...so when she was all romantic suspense time beyond the Autumn and Judd story (part of a series, but like those two are my favs) I was all in. And this was not a disappointment.

This is some winner-winner-chicken-dinner whodunit work. My favourite thing about romantic suspense is seeing if I can figure things out before the characters. And with this one, I'd considered the person, but moved on rather quickly for some reason from that person. It meant the big reveal was BIG. I loved it.

Just all around great words from Harper Jackson, some interesting folks and stories to come from a small town that's got tons of secrets that must out.

I gave the read 4 stars not 5...but that's because Caroline and Hoyt are the oh so lovely prequel to the Wayward Sons series and I needed a smidge more of the guys who make up the Wayward Sons.

*I'm a lucky fish and on the author's ARC team*