Smoking Hot

When SEALs Come Home #2

by Anne Marsh

Discover New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Anne Marsh’s sexy Smoke Jumper series! This book is also available as part of the SEALs of Summer boxed set (but without the bonus short story).


For Navy SEAL Tye Callahan, Strong, California is a debt of honor and temporary detour in his military career. He’s fought hard in Afghanistan and he won’t stop until the battle is won. When an ambush he should have prevented kills one of his teammates, however, Tye steps up and steps in to fill the fallen man’s obligations. One summer in Strong fighting fires with the smoke jumper team. One fiancee to look out for and get back on her feet. But the adrenaline rush of fighting fire, of jumping into the heart of the flames and pitting wits and body against the inferno, is nothing compared to the rush of coming face to face with Katie Lawson…

Katie can’t accept her larger-than-life fiancé has been killed in action. While she waits for him to come home, she vows to fulfill his bucket list. And who better to help her than Mr. Tall, Dark and Sexy—her fiancé’s teammate and substitute smoke jumper? Now, as the summer heats up one sexy task at a time, they must decide if the chemistry burning between them might just be their second chance at living their own lives… together.

Genres: Romance, Military Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary, Firefighters, Ebooks

224 pages, Paperback

First published April 17, 2014

About the author

Anne Marsh is a sucker for a grumpy hero who falls hard, a sunshine heroine who won't back down, and small towns where everyone knows your business (but shows up with casseroles anyway).

A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author with 30+ romance novels, Anne writes contemporary and paranormal stories full of banter, steam, heroines navigating real challenges (chronic illness, anxiety, all the messy parts of being human), and happily-ever-afters you can believe in.

Perfect for fans of Ali Hazelwood, Talia Hibbert, and Olivia Dade.

Anne lives in rural North Carolina with rescue cats who barely tolerate her and neighbors who are real-life heroes—fixing cars, hauling mulch, pulling you out of ditches without even being asked. Her books are love letters to small-town kindness and big-hearted romance.

COMING SOON: Hot for Preacher (Harlequin Afterglow) - February 24, 2026
Grumpy preacher. Sunshine country singer living with rheumatoid arthritis. Second chances. Small-town meddling. So. Much. Heat.

Newsletter: https://anne-marsh.com/newsletter/ (join for bonus scenes, early covers, and book news)

FOLLOW ANNE:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_anne...

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/annemarshau...

TikTok: Coming soon!

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing book

Get you going from the beginning.
I'm always wondering what the final outcome will be. Well written. Will definitely read another one of her books.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tye Callahan feels the loss of his SEAL teammate, Kade, deeply, especially since he blames himself for not recognizing that the kid in the Afghanistan village was carrying a gun. Tye's summer in Strong, California taking over Kade's smoke jumping job is only part of the reason he is there. Before his death, Kade asked Tye to look after his fiancee, Katie, so he is fulfilling Kade's last wish. Tye knows from Katie's letters to Kade that she is lighthearted and fun, but he doesn't anticipate his attraction to her or the fact that she has not accepted that Kade is gone. However, Tye is determined to make sure that Katie is all right before he moves on.

Smoking Hot brings together many different emotional aspects of what happens when a loved one does not return from war; most of those, however are short-changed in this book. PTSD, art therapy, survivor's guilt, and MIAs are all touched on in this story, but the purpose is clearly the romance between Katie and Tye. That aspect of the story is pretty well developed, making this book worth the read.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good story. I thoroughly enjoyed the depth of the characters, and watching them discover their unfolding emotions. But the story's change in direction was a surprise I didn't see coming.

NAVY SEAL Tye Callahan in on a two month leave. He's also dealing with survivor's remorse and PTSD that manifests itself in night terrors and unexpectedly when certain sounds startle him. He's come to the little firefighting community in Strong, CA to fulfill a promise he made to his deceased-best friend and fellow SEAL, Kade. The plan is to help Katie Lawson get through the loss of Kade, her supposed fiance' and friend with benefits. A creative and gentle spirit, she almost immediately recognizes Tye's PTSD. Vivid scenes written in wonderful prose made me feel like I was right there with them, in the forest, or on a mountain path, or in the fire that threatens to consume everything in its path.

I have more or Anne Marsh's books on my to-be-read list, and I highly recommend this one.

[Natward1 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn’t finish. The writing needed some work from an editor or something. It was hard to read. Also, this girl has a fiancé…that was just killed in action…and when she is told this news by the new love interest upon meeting him for the first time, she monologues that her libido was jumping up and down for him. Um….excuse me??? Wow. I would hope that if my significant other just found out I died, even if they didn’t believe it, they wouldn’t be lusting after another person during the news! Or lusting after anyone in general! And why wouldn’t you believe the guy was killed? I mean maybe some denial in the beginning but not when his teammate comes to you and tells you that he watched him die. Maybe it’s part of the story as to why she isn’t acting the way you’d think but this is just bad writing to start out the story this way without any context. It’s all just weird.

[Janet D. Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Smoking Hot

Tye and Katie's book for off to a very slow start and wanted to put down.
Face myself two more chapters and it got a little better enough to finish.

They met because Tye came to Strong to be sure Katie was ok after his SEAK buddy Kade had died.

Instant attraction in his part and gets to secretly. They got to know each other and Katie revealed secrets about her and Kade to Tye. Things geared up until Kade came home from war and wasn't dead then Tye thought things would change .

Read and see how it all comes together or not.

[Chantelle J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recommendation from @bookzio truly this novel is indeed with drama worthy of romance novel territory. A unique line of work, a fascinating lady & very modern adult life lessons about choices I can resepect .

[Petal Reynard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and Hot!

Our girl is as feminine as they come, and he's rough and tough and loving as they come, and they sure do much rather hot loving.

This is a great standalone novel, short and sweet with very little angst.

[Ramona · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quirky

Tye doesn't talk a lot, but Katherine makes up for it. Sweet and passionate story about them coming together under temporary ( we think) events. Interesting but sexy and intense.

[Julie Cavender · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon & on Apple iBooks today (1/17/2023)! 🎁

[Angel Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tye Callahan is a Smoking Hot Navy SEAL; he is home in the states for the summer and honoring a promise to his best friend and SEAL teammate Kade. He promised to look after Katie his finance and finds romance where he least expects it. I enjoyed this romance with a nice military hero that puts honor first.

[ButtonsMom2003 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars - no cliffhanger! Another great book in the Smoke Jumpers/When SEALs Come Home series.

This is book 4 in the Smoke Jumpers series or book 2 in the When SEALs Come Home series (which I believe is just a continuation of the Smoke Jumpers but are indie published books). Each book stands alone but are connected by location and some recurring characters.

This has been a great series and this book is no exception. I like how this book is a bit different from some of the others; there is no bad guy after the heroine.

Katie and Kade were friends with benefits and Tye was with Kade when he was KIA. Tye feels responsible for Kade's death. He promised that if anything ever happened to Kade he would look in on Katie and make sure that she's OK.

Kade Correction 1/4/15 - TYE goes to Strong to take over Kade's smoke jumping job for the summer to try and make up for Kade's absence and to look in on Katie. As is almost required in this type of story there are rough spots that Tye and Katie must work through before they get their HEA. Anne Marsh is an excellent storyteller and getting to the HEA is no hardship.for the reader.

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more stories in this series.

I purchased this book as part of the SEALs of Summer: Military Romance Superbundle.

[E Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tye promised Kade that if anything happened to Kade, Tye would look after Katie. Now Tye has two months of leave and he is going to make sure she is okay and he will re-enlist. Problem is, he wasn't expecting this sexy, spunky, sweet woman and he is having lots of thoughts that are totally inappropriate of the fiance of the man he got killed. When Katie meets Tye, she doesn't think she needs his assistance, but then after a bit she wonders if Tye can help her complete Kade's bucket list. She doesn't accept that Kade is dead, but she needs to move on as she was never going to marry Kade. She keeps thinking of what it would be like to get Tye naked, maybe it is time to move on.
Is Tye willing to let go of the guilt and start living and take this opportunity that he has with Kate? Is Kate ready to move on? What happens when they receive a phone call that changes everything or does it?
This is a sweet, but hot love story. It is about in the face of death, choosing life and allowing yourself to heal with the help of loved ones. Sometimes the hardest guys are really soft in all the ways that are important. It is a great read and really enjoyable. I really like this series and plan on continuing to read more.

[Cheryl Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kade was not coming back from Afganistan. Tye had seen him get blown up. Kade had asked Tye to look after Katie, his fiancee, if anything ever happened to him. So, Tye was on his way to Strong to make sure Katie was okay and to fill in for Kade on the smoke jumping team for the Summer. He felt responsible for Kade's death. According to Katie, their engagement was fake and they were just best friends. She also didn't believe Kade was dead. Tye didn't count on falling for Katie himself. Nor did he count on the phone call he received that changed everything.

Anne Marsh writes some of the most amazing smoke jumper stories EVER!!! I always think I'm reading the best one until I read the next one and it's even better. Alpha man, bad-ass, sexy, gorgeous, Navy SEAL Tye Callahan takes my breath away. The chemistry between him and Katie is sizzling. You might want to keep a fan close by because it gets pretty HOT! The pond scene was very dramatic and had me holding my breath until it was over. It was a scary and emotional moment for them. Super intense! I can't wait to see what this amazing author comes out with next.

[AlligatorSmith loves to read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tye comes to town straight from combat in the Middle East to check on Katie, the fiancée of his friend Kade, who was lost in an IED explosion that Tye blames on himself. Katie--an artist, art therapist, and self-described shoe designer--is busy working her way through Kade's bucket list that he sent her right before he died in combat.

Set in the city of Strong, California, the story focuses on how both Tye and Katie come to terms with their loss and find each other in the process. The focus on Tye's PTSD was realistic and heart-wrenching, and I was rooting for these two characters the entire time. A surprise at the end means we might be getting even more stories set in Strong, and I hope so, since there's no city anywhere more filled with hot, hunky, alpha firefighters.

I don't give out many 5 stars, but this one gets the 5 for its firefighters, storyline, and heart. This novella is part of the SEALs of Summer anthology/bundle, and I recommend that entire anthology of alpha SEALs. If you haven't read any of the other Anne Marsh stories set in California's forest fire areas, I definitely recommend reading the other Smoke Jumpers stories as well.

Thanks for reading!

[Janie Weimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Complicated, layered, sexy, suspenseful. This story really drew me in with the interesting situation, guilt, complex motives, avoidance of attraction, and of course all the fire stuff. (Who knew smoke jumpers could provide so much awesome material and situations? Way to go Ms. Marsh.)

Loved the quirks with the shoe fetish, PTSD, art classes, and bucket list. Made the characters deep and so interesting, I kept wanting to know more and more. And by about 1/3 of the way through the book, I found myself rooting for Katie and Tye.

(SPOILERS BELOW, STOP READING IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW THE ENDING)












Without giving away too much, the only weakness was the return of Kade which seemed abrupt, unlikely, and poorly explained. If he was bad enough to be presumed dead, then I would not expect him to be walking through the airport. Just had to suspend my disbelief a bit more than I would normally.

[Jennette · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this in Seals of Summer: Military Romance Superbundle- Navy Seal Style. Why buy one book when you can buy 10?
This wasn't actually horrible, but I just kept losing interest. There wasn't a real "wow" to this story for me. The characters were sort of boring. There wasn't any true challenge to the falling in love. The dead fiancé that she wasn't really engaged to and completing his bucket list was just not enough for me. Then there is a SEAL that is supposedly on 2 or maybe 3 months leave and may or may not go back. Who gets that much leave? And you can bet he is going back, the Navy doesn't take rain checks. Or how about life risking job over his leave? Are you kidding me? It was just too unbelievable and not enough conflict or passion to spark my interest. It took me forever to finish.

[Charlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this book, it is really 3 1/2 stars. There were some editing errors that I found to be a bit distracting. Not a ton, I have read worse, but enough that I took a half star away. I did enjoy the characters and their story. I give credit to Ms. Marsh for her obvious research of the war, PTSD and the technicalities of smoke jumping.

However, the ending, specifically the last two chapters seemed rushed. I think Ms. Marsh needed one more chapter expanding on the H/h emotions after surviving death together. The whole one hour after nearly dying the heroine is calmly swinging on her front porch just didn't feel right. Final word though is that I am will be reading more of Ms. Marsh's books.

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this novel very much. As I said in a previous update, the author really nailed it in regards to the survivor's guilt Tye was feeling, and the struggle he was having developing feelings for his dead Teammate's fiance. I also liked how the relationship between Katie and Tye developed, and I was even okay with most of the ending. Once again, I wished it didn't end in a marriage proposal. I'd have been okay with it ending it with both characters deciding they were in a real relationship and loved each other, despite the circumstances that brought them together.
This story is really about how tragedy can end up being what brings you the best things in your life, and I can always get behind a message like that.
Also ridiculously attractive service men never goes wrong. Not ever.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn again hot Tye has come back from tour of duty to tell his best friends fiance that he has been killed when he meets her he wants her for himself but knows she is off limits.
Katie is pining away for Kade she believes that he is still alive so when Tye comes there is some heat between but she just can't than she finally realises she wants tye And tells the truth about her relationship with Kade. Now they start up something till one night it comes down when mysteriously Kade is alive WOW than Katie is annoyed with Tye after everything they have gone through will they get there happy ever after go read.

[Shelley Youngblood · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the story Smoking Hot, Navy SEAL, Tye Callahan comes to Strong, CA to fulfill a debt of honor to a fallen teammate. He is taking Kade's place as a smoke jumper during fire season as well as check in on his Fiancé Kate Lawson. Nothing could have prepared him for the inferno that ignites when he meets Kate.

Kate is determined that Kade is still alive and is in the process of checking off his bucket list. Who better to help her with this task than his teammate Tye.

Kate and Tye's story is phenomenal. Anne Marsh has written this in a way that the story line is real and believable. I could not put this book down. I can't wait to read the next in the series!

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smoking Hot Navy SEAL, Tye Callahan is in Strong, California to complete a personal mission and keep his promise to his SEAL teammate Kade, when Kade is lost in battle in the Middle East. He promised to help Kade's finance Katie Lawson if anything happened to Kade.

Even after Katie attends Kade's funeral, receives a flag from his coffin and his medals she believes Kade is still alive and will come home. She starts doing his 'bucket list' to honor him and Tye agrees to help her and take Kade's place on the Strong Fire Jumper Team for the summer fire season.

This sets up the plot for a great adventurous romance with another happy ending for a Smoking Hot fire jumper.

[Christina Montminy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story. Katie won't believe that her friend & fake fiancé isn't coming home. Tye a navy seal has come to town to look after Katie when his unit partner & friend dies in Afghanistan. Tye believes that Katie is engaged to his friend & keeps his hands to himself. When he finds out the truth all bets are off until a ghost comes back. Now what will Tye do? Can he & Katie have a future together? What will happen with this ghost? Looking for to the next book in the series. Definitely recommend this book.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many things I could say about this book, but I don't like to give things away. So I will say this there is parts where you laugh and other parts you sit there and hold your breath. And you can't forget about the hot sex! Once I started reading this book I could not put it down until I was finished with it. I highly recommend this book to be read. This is one of my favorite Smoke Jumpers books.

[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy smokes! Whenever I read ANY of Anne's books, no matter the subject, they are so unbelievably hot and oh so wonderful! Tye and Katie meet because Tye, a SEAL, made a promise to his best friend, Kade, to find Katie and watch out for her if something happened to him.

This book is funny(the pink paint in a certain place!), scorching sex scenes and emotions that you truly feel as you read this book. What a wonderful addition to my library-a book you can read again and again.

[Amber Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. I am reading Summer of Seals and this was one of the books in the bundle. by far this is my favorite one this far into it.

Sweet love story with some twists like guy falls for girl, girl is kinda sorta taken. and others just not gonna reveal them all.

well written good plot. Makes me want to read the rest of the Smoke Jumpers series

[Griz Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another YUMMY Smoke Jumpers book! Combining a Navy SEAL with a smoke jumping team?!? Brilliant. Even MORE gorgeous males to dream about & a great, fast-paced story to boot. Thanks, Anne--keep 'em coming!

[Suzanne Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smoking hot is right

Great book, another in the Smoke Jumpers series. Great characters and a great storyline. Hot firefighters makes the story even better buy it, read it and enjoy

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of SEALS of Summer: Military Romance Superbundle

Two-haiku review:

SEAL team guy was killed
Partner finds his fiancee
She doesn't believe

I liked characters
Whimsy and seriousness
Ended suddenly