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Firecamp
Nora Palmer’s goal of becoming a photojournalist is almost within her grasp, but her father won’t pay for her tuition unless she completes Firecamp, a demanding summer work program doing fire mitigation in the rugged Colorado national forest. Fallon Monroe’s life has been one of wishing and waiting. Firecamp is her chance at stability and a meaningful life. Despite getting off to a bumpy start, Nora and Fallon’s relationship deepens, even as they are honest about their incompatible plans for the future. But when it’s Nora’s photography that creates a rift between them, their split is abrupt and painful.
Almost fifteen years later, Nora has achieved her dream. So why does that summer still intrude into her memories? When an alert goes out for a major forest fire, Nora’s editor orders her to cover the Women’s Plus doing fire mitigation in advance of the flames. Fallon is now the team leader and can’t be distracted by Nora’s appearance if she’s going to keep her crew safe and help save the forest. But what can she do about the heat between them that has never gone out?
Almost fifteen years later, Nora has achieved her dream. So why does that summer still intrude into her memories? When an alert goes out for a major forest fire, Nora’s editor orders her to cover the Women’s Plus doing fire mitigation in advance of the flames. Fallon is now the team leader and can’t be distracted by Nora’s appearance if she’s going to keep her crew safe and help save the forest. But what can she do about the heat between them that has never gone out?
282 pages, Paperback
Published April 15, 2025
10 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Jaycie Morrison
8 books21 followersJaycie Morrison is a second generation native Dallasite who is also in love with Colorado and now splits her time between the two. She lives with her wife of twenty-eight years and her ten-year-old blue heeler. As a youngster, she and her friends entertained themselves making up and acting out stories featuring characters from popular TV shows or favorite bands—lots of action and a little romance even then! A voracious reader, she always wondered what it would be like to write a book and found that once she started, it was almost impossible to stop. Her first novel, Basic Training of the Heart, begins a series that combines her love of the written word and of history.
Jaycie still enjoys reading, along with learning how to pair wine with gluten free cooking, playing guitar, being out-of-doors in the mountains, and spending time with friends and family.
Jaycie still enjoys reading, along with learning how to pair wine with gluten free cooking, playing guitar, being out-of-doors in the mountains, and spending time with friends and family.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
May 11, 2025
Fire Camp is one of those “mixed blessings” reading. It is centred around a summer course to learn the required skills and put them to use while they help fight and prevent forest fires. This is a fresh scenario to showcase the second chance romance between Fallon and Nora. Both characters are likeable yet personably I was drawn to Fallon due to her history and her timid nature.
The story is engaging which had me reading until the wee hours. There is a plethora of interesting information about forest management and proper equipment use that I found fascinating.
My only disappointment is the plot device of miscommunication used repeatedly to foster angst between Fallon and Nora. The characters deserved better treatment especially after ten years of separation and a promise made to improve their interpersonal communication skills.
I received an advance review copy from Bold Strokes Books through NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The story is engaging which had me reading until the wee hours. There is a plethora of interesting information about forest management and proper equipment use that I found fascinating.
My only disappointment is the plot device of miscommunication used repeatedly to foster angst between Fallon and Nora. The characters deserved better treatment especially after ten years of separation and a promise made to improve their interpersonal communication skills.
I received an advance review copy from Bold Strokes Books through NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 1, 2025
3.5⭐️
Summer firecamp in the woods of Colorado is an important step for Fallon and Nora, both in their early 20s, but for different reasons. After a life on the road, Fallon wants nothing more than stability and a job as a firefighter or summer firecamp leader. For Nora, it's a stepping stone to realizing her dream of becoming a photojournalist; she just has to get through camp so her father will pay for her tuition. She wants to get in and out and then off to Arizona. What neither of them expected was that they would fall in love with each other.
However, the romance ended with an abrupt and painful bang.
But as luck would have it, the god of fire brings them back to the same place. Will they take the second chance?
What I liked was the build-up in the first part, the whole thing around the firecamp, the important work they do, and the camaraderie between the women. But also that tensions can arise very quickly when one or two parties in a small team are not pulling in the same direction. Especially in an environment where you are dependent on each other, and something bad can quickly happen if you are not careful.
I liked the budding romance between Nora and Fallon. The author tells their story beautifully. Their upbringing and experiences are very different, and we can see how these have shaped their personalities. This part was very entertaining, and a lot happened.
But the second part seems a bit rushed in my opinion. It's all sunshine and rainbows again far too quickly, without really having dealt with the past. I can understand that the attraction immediately flares up again. But the fact that the now grown-up, self-confident women don't communicate with each other again after what happened ten years ago was a bit implausible for me. It lacked a bit of depth for me. Just apologizing to each other is not enough to get over the deep wounds.
But overall, it is an entertaining, beautiful romance with many interesting secondary characters.
Thanks to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for receiving an ARC.
Summer firecamp in the woods of Colorado is an important step for Fallon and Nora, both in their early 20s, but for different reasons. After a life on the road, Fallon wants nothing more than stability and a job as a firefighter or summer firecamp leader. For Nora, it's a stepping stone to realizing her dream of becoming a photojournalist; she just has to get through camp so her father will pay for her tuition. She wants to get in and out and then off to Arizona. What neither of them expected was that they would fall in love with each other.
However, the romance ended with an abrupt and painful bang.
But as luck would have it, the god of fire brings them back to the same place. Will they take the second chance?
What I liked was the build-up in the first part, the whole thing around the firecamp, the important work they do, and the camaraderie between the women. But also that tensions can arise very quickly when one or two parties in a small team are not pulling in the same direction. Especially in an environment where you are dependent on each other, and something bad can quickly happen if you are not careful.
I liked the budding romance between Nora and Fallon. The author tells their story beautifully. Their upbringing and experiences are very different, and we can see how these have shaped their personalities. This part was very entertaining, and a lot happened.
But the second part seems a bit rushed in my opinion. It's all sunshine and rainbows again far too quickly, without really having dealt with the past. I can understand that the attraction immediately flares up again. But the fact that the now grown-up, self-confident women don't communicate with each other again after what happened ten years ago was a bit implausible for me. It lacked a bit of depth for me. Just apologizing to each other is not enough to get over the deep wounds.
But overall, it is an entertaining, beautiful romance with many interesting secondary characters.
Thanks to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for receiving an ARC.
April 15, 2025
I don't generally like to give negative reviews, but this story really got to me. The behavior of the leads is often immature, and their backgrounds don't excuse it. The group of girls of the forest ranger camp could be the most interesting thing, but several of the group members are literally delinquents, and I don't understand how they're allowed to act the way they do. It makes no sense to me. Since the story has two timelines, the period when they're teenagers and a later one when they're mature women, it should be possible to understand some things from the past in the present, but not everything becomes clear. It's been frustrating for me. It was a story with a lot of holes and a lack of coherence, not to mention some unpleasant situations.
Bold Strokes Books was kind enough to send me a copy via NetGalley for an honest review
Bold Strokes Books was kind enough to send me a copy via NetGalley for an honest review
April 21, 2025
4 Stars
Jaycie Morrison’s writing for me is known to me to make good realistic fiction. This is my third book off the author’s repertoire and the theme of hyper realistic fiction did not disappoint.
I had zero idea of women sawyers let alone being a sawyer was an actual job! The story was immersive and detailed but balanced in a way that doesn’t inundate readers with info-dumping.
The cast, not just main characters, were realistic and thoughtfully constructed. The main characters had firm grounding in their character detail. And when the foundation is strong, the rest follows smoothly.
When it comes to sapphic realistic fiction, Jaycie Morrison is one of my go-to authors.
Jaycie Morrison’s writing for me is known to me to make good realistic fiction. This is my third book off the author’s repertoire and the theme of hyper realistic fiction did not disappoint.
I had zero idea of women sawyers let alone being a sawyer was an actual job! The story was immersive and detailed but balanced in a way that doesn’t inundate readers with info-dumping.
The cast, not just main characters, were realistic and thoughtfully constructed. The main characters had firm grounding in their character detail. And when the foundation is strong, the rest follows smoothly.
When it comes to sapphic realistic fiction, Jaycie Morrison is one of my go-to authors.
April 11, 2025
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this awesome book
ohh man i loved this book.... again born in the wrong country cos it sounds like being at firecamp though hard work would be great even though there is an element of danger....
for fallon firecamp could be where she finds her family
for nora firecamp was a way to get to where she wanted to be.... away from her family to live her life....
these two met before firecamp and though one wanted to be friends the other had a vision where their life was gonna be....
man those first few days were hard for everyone...but gelling as a team started from that first beginning.....
i loved how the author had a part one and a part two merging the two together..... i certainly loved how the author wrote and brought the characters alive.... you could feel the authenticity of each moment that the girls lived through....
look forward to reading more from this author
ohh man i loved this book.... again born in the wrong country cos it sounds like being at firecamp though hard work would be great even though there is an element of danger....
for fallon firecamp could be where she finds her family
for nora firecamp was a way to get to where she wanted to be.... away from her family to live her life....
these two met before firecamp and though one wanted to be friends the other had a vision where their life was gonna be....
man those first few days were hard for everyone...but gelling as a team started from that first beginning.....
i loved how the author had a part one and a part two merging the two together..... i certainly loved how the author wrote and brought the characters alive.... you could feel the authenticity of each moment that the girls lived through....
look forward to reading more from this author
July 22, 2025
The characters are diverse and interesting. The setting is in the mountains, which I love. And, the Firecamp was something I had not heard of. I always enjoy a book where I get to learn about occupations I don't know anything about. The writing is smooth and effortless to read. Loved everything about this book.
March 29, 2025
In fire camp we meet Fallon and Nora both who are looking for fresh starts to move on to their future. Fallon looking to lead her own fire camp team one day and Nora who is looking to survive her family and onto her passion of photo journalism.
Both characters have their challenges within the Colorado forest where they learn and participate in felling trees to protect the forrest from fire. Nora who comes from a family of fire fighter types and is pretty handy with a chainsaw not to mention the chip on her shoulder doesn’t want to be friends with Fallon who is very happy go lucky but is a bit down on her luck. However both can’t help being attracted to each other and eventually their spark ignites.
Ten years pass and a chance to report on a forrest fire drops Nora back into each others lives with Fallon being now in charge of her fire camp. Now back in each others worlds can they get it right this time, both have grown up but not moved on. Their attraction remains and a missed opportunity falls back into place after an unfortunate accident.
I really enjoyed the first part to the story, showing the blossoming romance plus the whole fire camp bit was actually really interesting. But I felt when we fast forward the 10 years although enjoyable to see them reconnect. For me it was just too fast too soon, almost like the issues of the past were not really a big deal at all even when all they had to do was communicate what they both wanted maybe would have saved some heartache!
It’s my first time reading this author work, very enjoyable and easy to read but for me more work was needed to the second half of the book. So much went into the first part that I am not sure resulted in not talking for the past 10 years. Also there was so many good characters in the first part that don’t even return which just felt wasted building those relationships. I was given an opportunity to read this as part of an ARC so thank you for NetGalley, the publisher and the author. I would recommend a read when this comes out on the 15th April.
Both characters have their challenges within the Colorado forest where they learn and participate in felling trees to protect the forrest from fire. Nora who comes from a family of fire fighter types and is pretty handy with a chainsaw not to mention the chip on her shoulder doesn’t want to be friends with Fallon who is very happy go lucky but is a bit down on her luck. However both can’t help being attracted to each other and eventually their spark ignites.
Ten years pass and a chance to report on a forrest fire drops Nora back into each others lives with Fallon being now in charge of her fire camp. Now back in each others worlds can they get it right this time, both have grown up but not moved on. Their attraction remains and a missed opportunity falls back into place after an unfortunate accident.
I really enjoyed the first part to the story, showing the blossoming romance plus the whole fire camp bit was actually really interesting. But I felt when we fast forward the 10 years although enjoyable to see them reconnect. For me it was just too fast too soon, almost like the issues of the past were not really a big deal at all even when all they had to do was communicate what they both wanted maybe would have saved some heartache!
It’s my first time reading this author work, very enjoyable and easy to read but for me more work was needed to the second half of the book. So much went into the first part that I am not sure resulted in not talking for the past 10 years. Also there was so many good characters in the first part that don’t even return which just felt wasted building those relationships. I was given an opportunity to read this as part of an ARC so thank you for NetGalley, the publisher and the author. I would recommend a read when this comes out on the 15th April.
April 13, 2025
Great start. Although in an unfamiliar setting to me, I can picture it without being overwhelmed with detail.
I was engrossed in part one. I knew from the blurb part 1 would not end well and as we got to half way in the book I was impatient for this to happen…… Not that I don’t enjoy things going well, but I knew it wasn’t going to last and wanted to get to the next bit. The end of part one, naturally and fortunately left me with lots of questions.
Part two is off to a fast engrossing start. If I felt any slip of pacing towards the end of part one, the actual ending of part one and beginning of part two made up for it. I barely paused to look up in the second section. Compelling. Great job!
I was engrossed in part one. I knew from the blurb part 1 would not end well and as we got to half way in the book I was impatient for this to happen…… Not that I don’t enjoy things going well, but I knew it wasn’t going to last and wanted to get to the next bit. The end of part one, naturally and fortunately left me with lots of questions.
Part two is off to a fast engrossing start. If I felt any slip of pacing towards the end of part one, the actual ending of part one and beginning of part two made up for it. I barely paused to look up in the second section. Compelling. Great job!
May 11, 2025
Firecamp is a second chance romance about Nora and Fallon. Two young women who meet one summer at fire camp in the woods of Colorado. The time there is very challenging for both of them, not only physically but also emotionally. They begin to trust each other until insecurities and miscommunication suddenly separate them. 10 years later they meet again and the attraction is still strong... Can they put the past behind them?
It took me a few chapters to get into the book. The first part of the book was annoying at times, especially the other characters in the Firecamp group. The slow getting to know each other of Fallon and Nora on the other hand was beautiful and tender. Especially the building of trust was really nice. The 10 year time jump gave the story a bit more pace and added great depth to the main characters. Nora in particular really developed in my eyes, whereas Fallon was still stuck in her old character traits. However, the romantic developments happened a little too quickly for me. Nora and Fallon broke up with a big bang in the first part of the book, and the happy reunion happened after two or three chapters in the second part. This took some of the depth out of the relationship and made it unbelievable.
Overall, it was a solid book with lots of lovely parts. But my heart just wasn't in it.
Thank you to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for receiving an ARC.
It took me a few chapters to get into the book. The first part of the book was annoying at times, especially the other characters in the Firecamp group. The slow getting to know each other of Fallon and Nora on the other hand was beautiful and tender. Especially the building of trust was really nice. The 10 year time jump gave the story a bit more pace and added great depth to the main characters. Nora in particular really developed in my eyes, whereas Fallon was still stuck in her old character traits. However, the romantic developments happened a little too quickly for me. Nora and Fallon broke up with a big bang in the first part of the book, and the happy reunion happened after two or three chapters in the second part. This took some of the depth out of the relationship and made it unbelievable.
Overall, it was a solid book with lots of lovely parts. But my heart just wasn't in it.
Thank you to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for receiving an ARC.
April 2, 2025
Jaycie Morrison tells a wonderful 2nd chance, where we see the initial meet and the break, then the reunion 10 years later.
Both parts are sectioned off in the book. I enjoyed both parts. However, I wish that after the resolution was a little longer, not go right into the epilogue. I also wish there was more context to the video.
The MCs were well done and well developed. Both MCs had areas to grow, and Jaycie showed both of their growth.
The secondary characters were fun and added to the story.
This was my second book by Jaycie Morrison, I will look forward to more books by her in the future.
Both parts are sectioned off in the book. I enjoyed both parts. However, I wish that after the resolution was a little longer, not go right into the epilogue. I also wish there was more context to the video.
The MCs were well done and well developed. Both MCs had areas to grow, and Jaycie showed both of their growth.
The secondary characters were fun and added to the story.
This was my second book by Jaycie Morrison, I will look forward to more books by her in the future.
May 20, 2025
Exciting Second Chance Romance!
Nora wants to become a photojournalist, but for her tuition fees, her father makes a deal with her that she must complete the summer program at Firecamp. For Fallon, Firecamp is her chance at a stable life, and upon meeting Nora there is instant tension, until they realise they have feelings but their future plans do not align. At the end of Firecamp, Nora goes off to achieve her dream, until her editor offers her the change to report of the Firecamp, and suddenly she is back and it becomes increasingly difficult for Fallon to keep from being distracted.
A great story about being true to yourself and following your dreams, but remembering you need help and support. The tension between Nora and Fallon was so intense, it was almost as hot as the fires they were preparing for at Firecamp. Because they were part of a team, there were a whole crew of women adding to the drama, especially those Nora seemed to be friends with, who were more mischievous than was welcome. When events forced Nora to accept that perhaps Fallon wasn’t so bad, they really started to grow closer but I knew one or both of them were going to end up broken hearted when the camp ended. Nora really grew whilst at the camp though, and I admired how far she had come, both standing up to the women trying to lead her astray and to her father.
Fallon had achieved so much in her own development and career when Nora returned. The second they met again, all that tension resurfaced but with more of an understanding and a protectiveness of each other. Fallon seemed more resistant to things than Nora, so I hoped Nora would be able to find a way to convince her that perhaps they could explore being together, if there was a way, and then fate stepped in and what was going to happen was completely in Nora’s control. At that point, I just willed her to make the right choice because the passion and connection she and Fallon shared, and after everything they had been through in past at Firecamp had to be for a bigger reason.
Enjoyed every minute of the story and loved how it introduced us to the characters, then reintroduced us to them after year’s had gone by and things had changed. Such an exciting romance!
Nora wants to become a photojournalist, but for her tuition fees, her father makes a deal with her that she must complete the summer program at Firecamp. For Fallon, Firecamp is her chance at a stable life, and upon meeting Nora there is instant tension, until they realise they have feelings but their future plans do not align. At the end of Firecamp, Nora goes off to achieve her dream, until her editor offers her the change to report of the Firecamp, and suddenly she is back and it becomes increasingly difficult for Fallon to keep from being distracted.
A great story about being true to yourself and following your dreams, but remembering you need help and support. The tension between Nora and Fallon was so intense, it was almost as hot as the fires they were preparing for at Firecamp. Because they were part of a team, there were a whole crew of women adding to the drama, especially those Nora seemed to be friends with, who were more mischievous than was welcome. When events forced Nora to accept that perhaps Fallon wasn’t so bad, they really started to grow closer but I knew one or both of them were going to end up broken hearted when the camp ended. Nora really grew whilst at the camp though, and I admired how far she had come, both standing up to the women trying to lead her astray and to her father.
Fallon had achieved so much in her own development and career when Nora returned. The second they met again, all that tension resurfaced but with more of an understanding and a protectiveness of each other. Fallon seemed more resistant to things than Nora, so I hoped Nora would be able to find a way to convince her that perhaps they could explore being together, if there was a way, and then fate stepped in and what was going to happen was completely in Nora’s control. At that point, I just willed her to make the right choice because the passion and connection she and Fallon shared, and after everything they had been through in past at Firecamp had to be for a bigger reason.
Enjoyed every minute of the story and loved how it introduced us to the characters, then reintroduced us to them after year’s had gone by and things had changed. Such an exciting romance!
April 11, 2025
Firecamp is a second chance, opposites attract romance told in two halves across a 10 year gap.
In the beginning we meet Fallon Monroe and Nora Palmer, as they both arrive at firecamp for the summer. Each of them have very different reasons for attending - Fallon hopes to find her inner confidence and forge a career path for herself. Whilst Nora has an agreement with her father - make it to the end of firecamp and he'll fund her last two years of college where Nora intends to study photojournalism.
I enjoyed the first half of the story, there is a decent amount of character development for both Fallon and Nora. During their time in the Colorado national forest, we get to understand their backgrounds and childhood in some detail, illuminating who they are now as twenty somethings. Plus there's an interesting cast of supporting characters also enrolled in firecamp. Some like Gwen and Tina lend themselves to loathing, others such as Kennedy add other personal journeys to the narrative. Although Kennedy's own path to coming out as non-binary would have benefitted from greater detail and progression.
By the end of firecamp there are more than just embers burning between Fallon and Nora but, with uncertain paths ahead, a firestorm soon threatens their Colorado paradise.
In the second part of the book, Fallon and Nora's stories jump forward 10 years; both now successfully embedded in their respective careers. A chance assignment to report on a forest fire sees Nora return to her old firecamp stomping ground where Fallon is now in charge.
Unfortunately, it's this stage of the story that I found unsatisfying. There's so much detail and growth in the first half of Fallon and Nora's story, yet when we meet back up with them 10 years later it's as if the issues of the past are no big deal; the romance felt like it progressed too quickly for the time that had elapsed. I was also fairly disappointed in the last two chapters and epilogue - there are some big transitions and decisions being made, but much of the story telling felt rushed with a lot of content left unexplored, a direct juxaposition to the first half of the book. We also don't see any of the supporting characters in the second half, which is a missed opportunity in my opinion given how much of a part they all play in the first half.
Ultimately, what saved this book for me, is the first half of Fallon and Nora's journey. The firecamp, fire fighting and fire mitigation aspects of the novel were also exceptionally depicted and interesting. The downside is that I found those aspects more entertaining than the plot and the romance at times.
Worth a read if you like the story theme and are aware of the pitfalls when it comes to the romance aspects.
In the beginning we meet Fallon Monroe and Nora Palmer, as they both arrive at firecamp for the summer. Each of them have very different reasons for attending - Fallon hopes to find her inner confidence and forge a career path for herself. Whilst Nora has an agreement with her father - make it to the end of firecamp and he'll fund her last two years of college where Nora intends to study photojournalism.
I enjoyed the first half of the story, there is a decent amount of character development for both Fallon and Nora. During their time in the Colorado national forest, we get to understand their backgrounds and childhood in some detail, illuminating who they are now as twenty somethings. Plus there's an interesting cast of supporting characters also enrolled in firecamp. Some like Gwen and Tina lend themselves to loathing, others such as Kennedy add other personal journeys to the narrative. Although Kennedy's own path to coming out as non-binary would have benefitted from greater detail and progression.
By the end of firecamp there are more than just embers burning between Fallon and Nora but, with uncertain paths ahead, a firestorm soon threatens their Colorado paradise.
In the second part of the book, Fallon and Nora's stories jump forward 10 years; both now successfully embedded in their respective careers. A chance assignment to report on a forest fire sees Nora return to her old firecamp stomping ground where Fallon is now in charge.
Unfortunately, it's this stage of the story that I found unsatisfying. There's so much detail and growth in the first half of Fallon and Nora's story, yet when we meet back up with them 10 years later it's as if the issues of the past are no big deal; the romance felt like it progressed too quickly for the time that had elapsed. I was also fairly disappointed in the last two chapters and epilogue - there are some big transitions and decisions being made, but much of the story telling felt rushed with a lot of content left unexplored, a direct juxaposition to the first half of the book. We also don't see any of the supporting characters in the second half, which is a missed opportunity in my opinion given how much of a part they all play in the first half.
Ultimately, what saved this book for me, is the first half of Fallon and Nora's journey. The firecamp, fire fighting and fire mitigation aspects of the novel were also exceptionally depicted and interesting. The downside is that I found those aspects more entertaining than the plot and the romance at times.
Worth a read if you like the story theme and are aware of the pitfalls when it comes to the romance aspects.
April 7, 2025
First and foremost, thank you to Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books, Inc. for a digital ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.
This is, unfortunately, going to be a short review. I *struggled* with Firecamp, which is a shame, because I was looking forward to this one so much.
Nora has made a bet with her dad: If she can survive the summer at Firecamp, he will pay for her last two years of college where she will be pursuing a future as a Photojournalist. Fallon is alone, having no family and no friends to fall back on until she meets Reva who convinces her to come to Firecamp for the summer. Nora wants nothing more than to get in and get out, no connections and nothing to tie her back to her father's roots. Fallon sees a future in the camp and will do everything to one day be a camp lead.
Told split in two times, the first half of the book covers Nora and Fallon's interactions at Firecamp, and the second half takes place 10 years later: Nora is a Photojournalist and Fallon is now leading the women's division of the Firecamp.
I could not stand Nora. I frankly found almost no redeeming qualities to her. Callous, rude, aloof, and shallow, she takes out her resentment towards her father and older brothers on EVERYONE including Fallon who can't seem to 'see' anyone else at the camp because Nora is attractive and 'mysterious'. There was no chemistry between these two. One sentence they could be having a civil conversation, the next, Nora was being...Nora and acting like Fallon had spat on her.
I did really enjoy the side characters, though. Jade, Hannah, Dolores, and Kennedy, I'd read about them any time.
My other issue was the awkward and sometimes clunky pacing. It often felt like the wrong things were being focused on and the 'romance' was constantly taking back seat, which played largely into the lack of chemistry between the two main characters. Phrasing and dialogue was also a bit awkward, and more often than not, it felt like 'telling, not showing' instead of 'showing, not telling'.
At the end of the day, I was disappointed and found myself forcing myself to just get to the next chapter so I could put the book down, which isn't what you want when reading.
This is, unfortunately, going to be a short review. I *struggled* with Firecamp, which is a shame, because I was looking forward to this one so much.
Nora has made a bet with her dad: If she can survive the summer at Firecamp, he will pay for her last two years of college where she will be pursuing a future as a Photojournalist. Fallon is alone, having no family and no friends to fall back on until she meets Reva who convinces her to come to Firecamp for the summer. Nora wants nothing more than to get in and get out, no connections and nothing to tie her back to her father's roots. Fallon sees a future in the camp and will do everything to one day be a camp lead.
Told split in two times, the first half of the book covers Nora and Fallon's interactions at Firecamp, and the second half takes place 10 years later: Nora is a Photojournalist and Fallon is now leading the women's division of the Firecamp.
I could not stand Nora. I frankly found almost no redeeming qualities to her. Callous, rude, aloof, and shallow, she takes out her resentment towards her father and older brothers on EVERYONE including Fallon who can't seem to 'see' anyone else at the camp because Nora is attractive and 'mysterious'. There was no chemistry between these two. One sentence they could be having a civil conversation, the next, Nora was being...Nora and acting like Fallon had spat on her.
I did really enjoy the side characters, though. Jade, Hannah, Dolores, and Kennedy, I'd read about them any time.
My other issue was the awkward and sometimes clunky pacing. It often felt like the wrong things were being focused on and the 'romance' was constantly taking back seat, which played largely into the lack of chemistry between the two main characters. Phrasing and dialogue was also a bit awkward, and more often than not, it felt like 'telling, not showing' instead of 'showing, not telling'.
At the end of the day, I was disappointed and found myself forcing myself to just get to the next chapter so I could put the book down, which isn't what you want when reading.
March 31, 2025
Firecamp is a lovely read that dives into the complexities of relationships, dreams, and the ways that our environment can shape us.
The story follows Nora, a young woman, who is forced to complete Firecamp as a bet, to have her tuition paid for by her father. Nora longs to be a photojournalist and move far away from the confines of her family home. Then we have Fallon, who sees Firecamp as an opportunity to put down roots and find stability and a meaningful future. The two initially clash, mostly at the hands of Nora, but as time goes on, they form a bond that is so sweet and tender. It eventually comes to a head during an altercation the day Firecamp ends.
The first half of the book has a nice, slow build to it. It really allowed me to become invested in Nora and Fallon's evolving relationship. I was rooting for them, even though Nora was unnecessarily rude and Fallon was way too altruistic. There was a lot of tension that stemmed from personal and romantic goals conflicting with each other. It is a relatable narrative, though for anyone who has had to choose between their career and romantic connections.
I did find the pacing to be a bit uneven. There were some parts that dragged on for too long, and then there were some areas that went way too fast. The second half of the book, which picks up 10 years later (the blurb states 15), leaves a lot of nuances between the two left unexplored. I really wish it had the same impact that the first half of the book had. While the aging and passage of time bring a sense of maturation and reflection, I felt that Nora grew and matured more than Fallon did.
Overall, it was a good read and a great introduction to a new author for me. I would rate this a solid 3.5.
Thank you, Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for this ARC.
The story follows Nora, a young woman, who is forced to complete Firecamp as a bet, to have her tuition paid for by her father. Nora longs to be a photojournalist and move far away from the confines of her family home. Then we have Fallon, who sees Firecamp as an opportunity to put down roots and find stability and a meaningful future. The two initially clash, mostly at the hands of Nora, but as time goes on, they form a bond that is so sweet and tender. It eventually comes to a head during an altercation the day Firecamp ends.
The first half of the book has a nice, slow build to it. It really allowed me to become invested in Nora and Fallon's evolving relationship. I was rooting for them, even though Nora was unnecessarily rude and Fallon was way too altruistic. There was a lot of tension that stemmed from personal and romantic goals conflicting with each other. It is a relatable narrative, though for anyone who has had to choose between their career and romantic connections.
I did find the pacing to be a bit uneven. There were some parts that dragged on for too long, and then there were some areas that went way too fast. The second half of the book, which picks up 10 years later (the blurb states 15), leaves a lot of nuances between the two left unexplored. I really wish it had the same impact that the first half of the book had. While the aging and passage of time bring a sense of maturation and reflection, I felt that Nora grew and matured more than Fallon did.
Overall, it was a good read and a great introduction to a new author for me. I would rate this a solid 3.5.
Thank you, Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for this ARC.
April 9, 2025
Fallon and Nora first meet as 20 years olds while helping out at Firecamp in the Colarado wilderness. Although the two women have different backgrounds, much baggage and extremely different goals in life, the attraction is unable to be denied, despite Nora's determination to keep to herself, just get through Firecamp and get out of there to move on with getting her degree in photojournalism. However, when misperceptions on the behalf of both MCs leads to an explosive end to their budding relationship, the question is whether there can be any second chances.
Fortunately for them, circumstances conspire to bring them back together ten years later when Nora, now working as a photojournalist, is sent out to photograph the efforts of the Nora's firecamp team as they desperately fight to stop a massive forest fire. Just being back in each other's orbits, however, isn't sufficient for them to just fall back into arms and there are many hurdles to be overcome in order to overcome the hurts of the past.
Jaycie Morrison is a new author to me and does a wonderful job of showing the development of the characters and their personalities. I could really understand where much of their pain and distrust was coming from. The story also shows the importance of communication in developing a sense of trust and to find a way to overcome personal differences.
I will certainly be looking out for more works from this author in the future.
I am grateful to Jaycie Morrison, Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy of this story and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Fortunately for them, circumstances conspire to bring them back together ten years later when Nora, now working as a photojournalist, is sent out to photograph the efforts of the Nora's firecamp team as they desperately fight to stop a massive forest fire. Just being back in each other's orbits, however, isn't sufficient for them to just fall back into arms and there are many hurdles to be overcome in order to overcome the hurts of the past.
Jaycie Morrison is a new author to me and does a wonderful job of showing the development of the characters and their personalities. I could really understand where much of their pain and distrust was coming from. The story also shows the importance of communication in developing a sense of trust and to find a way to overcome personal differences.
I will certainly be looking out for more works from this author in the future.
I am grateful to Jaycie Morrison, Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy of this story and am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 11, 2025
(3.5 Stars) Nora Palmer and Fallon Monroe both spend the summer at Firecamp for different reasons. Fallon is looking for a purpose, a place to belong and a career. Nora needs to do this for her father to pay for college where she wants to study photography and photojournalism. The first half of the book is the time spent at Firecamp. Nora and Fallon clash and eventually connect during that eventful summer. The second half of the book has the pair meeting again ten years later, not fifteen years as the blurb says.
Nora is very impulsive, head strong and has anger issues with her parents. Fallon is genuinely kind but life has dealt her rough blows. I enjoyed the time in camp learning the purpose of the work. Watching the women come together as a team. I’m not sure I bought into the romance side much as there was never a plan or discussion beyond the summer. Ten years brings some maturity and life experience. Nora has found success in her field and it is her job that brings her back back into Fallon’s path.
I enjoyed the story and some parts were riveting but other parts moved slowly. I think I was expected to feel a magical connection between the two when I really wanted some honest conversations as adults. It eventually gets there but it takes its time. Thank you to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for the ARC and I am leaving an honest review.
Nora is very impulsive, head strong and has anger issues with her parents. Fallon is genuinely kind but life has dealt her rough blows. I enjoyed the time in camp learning the purpose of the work. Watching the women come together as a team. I’m not sure I bought into the romance side much as there was never a plan or discussion beyond the summer. Ten years brings some maturity and life experience. Nora has found success in her field and it is her job that brings her back back into Fallon’s path.
I enjoyed the story and some parts were riveting but other parts moved slowly. I think I was expected to feel a magical connection between the two when I really wanted some honest conversations as adults. It eventually gets there but it takes its time. Thank you to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for the ARC and I am leaving an honest review.
April 10, 2025
MC's Fallon and Nora both join the Women's Plus Crew at Firecamp in the Colorado mountains for very different reasons. Fallon, finding herself alone in the world, is searching for a family to belong to and stability to ground her for the future. Nora, from a firefighting family, is looking for her father's approval by showing that she, like her brothers before her, can succeed at Firecamp.. In return her father has agreed to pay for 2 years of her photojournalism course which is where her true passion lies.
Along the way, Fallon and Nora succumb to the attraction that grows between them. However, it doesn't end well as each character is too absorbed in their own personal insecurities to truly accept each other.
10 years later they are reunited and romance starts to blossom again. Will those same insecurities intrude again?
While romance is a theme in this book, there is also a strong respect paid to all those women and men who spend their lives protecting the land and society from the threat of forest fire. The story benefits from the extensive research the author has done and the way in which it's weaved into the character's personalities.
A recommended read.
Along the way, Fallon and Nora succumb to the attraction that grows between them. However, it doesn't end well as each character is too absorbed in their own personal insecurities to truly accept each other.
10 years later they are reunited and romance starts to blossom again. Will those same insecurities intrude again?
While romance is a theme in this book, there is also a strong respect paid to all those women and men who spend their lives protecting the land and society from the threat of forest fire. The story benefits from the extensive research the author has done and the way in which it's weaved into the character's personalities.
A recommended read.
March 25, 2025
First off, the synopsis says fifteen years have passed, but in the book it says ten. I feel like that needs to be addressed. This was my first book by this author and while it had potential, it didn't quite do it for me.
Fallon Monroe is looking for a fresh start and a permanent home and Fire camp is where she's hoping to find all that. The book starts 10 years ago and follows Fallon's first summer in fire camp where she meets Nora and life is never the same.
Nora Palmer just has to get through three months of camp before she can go to Arizona State to per sue photojournalism which is her true love, that is until she meets Fallon.
There's a lot of ups and downs in the first half of the book and the second half seems to bring them back together, but honestly too quickly and easily for my taste. After everything and so much time passed, they basically picked up where they left off which seemed wildly unbelievable to me.
Overall, not a bad book, but not the best. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Fallon Monroe is looking for a fresh start and a permanent home and Fire camp is where she's hoping to find all that. The book starts 10 years ago and follows Fallon's first summer in fire camp where she meets Nora and life is never the same.
Nora Palmer just has to get through three months of camp before she can go to Arizona State to per sue photojournalism which is her true love, that is until she meets Fallon.
There's a lot of ups and downs in the first half of the book and the second half seems to bring them back together, but honestly too quickly and easily for my taste. After everything and so much time passed, they basically picked up where they left off which seemed wildly unbelievable to me.
Overall, not a bad book, but not the best. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 21, 2025
Nora and Fallon are very different people when they meet up at Firecamp. Nora is moving towards a future as a photojournalist and Fallon is getting away from an unpleasant childhood. Nora is using the Firecamp as a springboard, Fallon sees Firecamp as giving her a stable life.
The Firecamp itself sounds fascinating and terrifying and the scenes are well written and give the sense of danger yet fun and bonding.
The relationship between the two leads stumbles and fails for many reasons but their aims are so very different. Then we move to the current time when they have established themselves and although happy adults, neither of them have totally moved on. The meeting and moving forward is interesting but I did want to shake the pair of them and shut them in a room and tell them to just talk properly to each other. But then we wouldn’t have the angst and drama.
The book is interesting, well written and has some excellent scenes.
I was given a copy of the book by NetGalley
The Firecamp itself sounds fascinating and terrifying and the scenes are well written and give the sense of danger yet fun and bonding.
The relationship between the two leads stumbles and fails for many reasons but their aims are so very different. Then we move to the current time when they have established themselves and although happy adults, neither of them have totally moved on. The meeting and moving forward is interesting but I did want to shake the pair of them and shut them in a room and tell them to just talk properly to each other. But then we wouldn’t have the angst and drama.
The book is interesting, well written and has some excellent scenes.
I was given a copy of the book by NetGalley
May 19, 2025
"Firecamp" by Jaycie Morrison is a second-chance sapphic romance that includes an emotionally-charged slow burn romance and a time-jump.
MCs Nora and Fallon come from very different circumstances, but are thrown together along with six other women at Firecamp where they all must work to help mitigate wildfires. Both emotionally immature and carrying their own baggage, Nora and Fallon's young romance ends with a bang. Ten years later, with their careers leading the way, they are forced back together. What follows is a slow burn, second-chance romance that is less naive but no less passionate.
This was my first book by Jaycie Morrison, but it definitely won't be my last. I really enjoyed the way she developed Nora & Fallon independently and together as well as the "side action" that we saw with Nora's family, especially her younger brother Tyler. I was initially drawn to the story because it was set in the Colorado wildfire scene & I loved how that was portrayed.
Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the eARC.
MCs Nora and Fallon come from very different circumstances, but are thrown together along with six other women at Firecamp where they all must work to help mitigate wildfires. Both emotionally immature and carrying their own baggage, Nora and Fallon's young romance ends with a bang. Ten years later, with their careers leading the way, they are forced back together. What follows is a slow burn, second-chance romance that is less naive but no less passionate.
This was my first book by Jaycie Morrison, but it definitely won't be my last. I really enjoyed the way she developed Nora & Fallon independently and together as well as the "side action" that we saw with Nora's family, especially her younger brother Tyler. I was initially drawn to the story because it was set in the Colorado wildfire scene & I loved how that was portrayed.
Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the eARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2025
this is a great ‘second chance’ romance, though i do have to admit that for a pretty significant amount of time i didn’t care if the MCs got together at all because of how much i actively disliked them for being idiots (i sometimes struggle with the miscommunication trope or like in this book the ‘straight-up refusal to interact with humans normally’ trope).
i very much changed my mind eventually. what really helped was in the half set in the present, both MCs are very much aware of how annoying that they had been in the past and either had already started working on stuff or were starting to. the author did a fantastic job of doing self-aware character development in this one.
“She’d been stupid then, and so stubborn. Maybe everyone was at twenty, but she’d done a better job of it than most.”
also, i have learned a considerable amount about felling and wildfire prevention! and who doesn’t love a woman wielding a chainsaw?
3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
i very much changed my mind eventually. what really helped was in the half set in the present, both MCs are very much aware of how annoying that they had been in the past and either had already started working on stuff or were starting to. the author did a fantastic job of doing self-aware character development in this one.
“She’d been stupid then, and so stubborn. Maybe everyone was at twenty, but she’d done a better job of it than most.”
also, i have learned a considerable amount about felling and wildfire prevention! and who doesn’t love a woman wielding a chainsaw?
3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
March 26, 2025
Nora y Fallon se conocieron en su juventud en un campamento de bomberos, donde ambas aprendían y ayudaban a combatir incendios forestales. Nora, aunque su padre es bombero, aspira a ser fotógrafa, y solo asiste al programa para que su familia la deje seguir su sueño. Fallon, por su parte, busca estabilidad después de la dolorosa pérdida de su madre. Su relación, marcada por diferencias en sus sueños, no perdura y se separan. Sin embargo, diez años después, sus caminos se cruzan nuevamente cuando un gran incendio amenaza el bosque de Colorado, y Nora, ahora fotoperiodista, cubre el trabajo de Fallon, quien lidera el equipo de bomberos. A pesar de la tensión que aún persiste entre ellas, deberán confrontar sus sentimientos y decidir si pueden equilibrar sus sueños y realidades.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 13, 2025
3 and 1/2 ⭐️ for Firecamp. Part 1 of the story wasn’t bad if you could get over the fact these characters were adults of 20 or so, who still behaved so immature. Fallon obviously had a difficult childhood, and as a reader you are drip fed her backstory throughout the book. Nora is attending Firecamp so that her father will pay for her to go to college in Arizona studying photojournalism. It’s what she wants to do, while also getting far away from her family who she does not get along with. At the end of part 1 the new couple break up over something that comes across as a little ridiculous, seriously what’s wrong with communication between people? Part 2 is set 10 years later, it’s basically them meeting up again, although not everything is smooth still because they still haven’t learned to communicate. Overall the book had some positive aspects, but didn’t really deliver.
March 31, 2025
This book was unfortunately containing too much details on how to operate a chainsaw and setting up a tent and way too little on the actual romance and relationship. The story not even that exciting despite played out in the wilderness.
I never really saw that Nora and Fallon were that right for each other so the second chance part of the book was not that endearing to me especially since no major work whatsoever to get back together after being apart for 1o years.
The whole thing that the blurb mention that 15 years has passed but it actually is 10 years upsets me a bit.
I received a free ARC of this book via NetGalley and I leave a review voluntarily.
I never really saw that Nora and Fallon were that right for each other so the second chance part of the book was not that endearing to me especially since no major work whatsoever to get back together after being apart for 1o years.
The whole thing that the blurb mention that 15 years has passed but it actually is 10 years upsets me a bit.
I received a free ARC of this book via NetGalley and I leave a review voluntarily.
April 6, 2025
I was expecting more from this one but the story just never connected to the expectations. It was lacking in the romance and what was given to us just didn’t really appeal to me.
I wanted to like it but it was just middle of the road for me.
Thanks to NetGallery and the publisher for this Arc in exchange for my honest review.
I wanted to like it but it was just middle of the road for me.
Thanks to NetGallery and the publisher for this Arc in exchange for my honest review.
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