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Single Dads Club #4
The Fireman and the Flirt
Is it in bad taste to sleep with a client? Asking for a friend…
In high school, Derek ruled the school with his fellow hockey players, while I fantasized from afar. He only knew me as his little brother’s shy friend who, thanks to one vicious rumor from a former flame, had garnered a reputation as the school freak.
Twenty years later, I’m a successful real estate agent who’s put my embarrassing past behind me and smartly stayed away from love. I have things under control…until Derek suddenly returns to Sourwood sans wedding ring, and in dire need of a house for him and his daughter.
Clinching this sale will cement my hard-earned status as a top agent and distance me from my embarrassing past. If only I can stop shamelessly flirting with my new client. If only I can stop dreaming about him bending me over newly updated marble countertops and stainless steel appliances. Old habits die hard.
Soon though, my fantasy version of Derek fades away as I learn the truth about his return. Maybe I can get him to no longer see me as his little brother’s weird friend. Maybe he can get me to let down my guard and trust a guy again.
Or maybe those dreams are as unrealistic as the housing budget for a couple on House Hunters.
The Fireman and the Flirt is the fourth book in the Single Dads Club series, but can be read as a standalone. It will give you all the brother's best friend, businessman/client, nerd/jock vibes you can handle without charging a commission.
In high school, Derek ruled the school with his fellow hockey players, while I fantasized from afar. He only knew me as his little brother’s shy friend who, thanks to one vicious rumor from a former flame, had garnered a reputation as the school freak.
Twenty years later, I’m a successful real estate agent who’s put my embarrassing past behind me and smartly stayed away from love. I have things under control…until Derek suddenly returns to Sourwood sans wedding ring, and in dire need of a house for him and his daughter.
Clinching this sale will cement my hard-earned status as a top agent and distance me from my embarrassing past. If only I can stop shamelessly flirting with my new client. If only I can stop dreaming about him bending me over newly updated marble countertops and stainless steel appliances. Old habits die hard.
Soon though, my fantasy version of Derek fades away as I learn the truth about his return. Maybe I can get him to no longer see me as his little brother’s weird friend. Maybe he can get me to let down my guard and trust a guy again.
Or maybe those dreams are as unrealistic as the housing budget for a couple on House Hunters.
The Fireman and the Flirt is the fourth book in the Single Dads Club series, but can be read as a standalone. It will give you all the brother's best friend, businessman/client, nerd/jock vibes you can handle without charging a commission.
300 pages, Paperback
First published March 27, 2024
158 people are currently reading
673 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Truman
33 books1,045 followersWelcome! I’m a gay male author who writes MM romance filled with humor, heart, and hot guys. My characters fall into bed and fall in love, usually in that order. Think LOL meets DTF.
I live in central Indiana, surrounded by churches and Olive Gardens, with my husband, kids, and cats. When I’m not writing, I’m chasing around a toddler or sneaking off to a movie.
Make sure to sign up for my newsletter The Outsiders to get the latest updates on my books and to start reading free stories.
http://www.ajtruman.com/outsiders/
I live in central Indiana, surrounded by churches and Olive Gardens, with my husband, kids, and cats. When I’m not writing, I’m chasing around a toddler or sneaking off to a movie.
Make sure to sign up for my newsletter The Outsiders to get the latest updates on my books and to start reading free stories.
http://www.ajtruman.com/outsiders/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 257 reviews
April 20, 2024
Nearly everything about this book fell flat for me – the characters, their romance, the storyline, and the humor. I was more excited to see Cal and Russ, and their boys, again.
Points for body positivity and great narration by Nick J. Russo.
Points for body positivity and great narration by Nick J. Russo.
March 31, 2024
Cute, funny, hot and exactly what you’d expect. There are some cringe moments here and there, like the Swiftie monologue 🙄 or the ridiculous reason behind the “gearhead” nickname but all in all it was an enjoyable read.
I noticed a bit of change compared to the other books by this author and that is that it has less forced humor and instead it has a more subdued yet wittier humor.
I noticed a bit of change compared to the other books by this author and that is that it has less forced humor and instead it has a more subdued yet wittier humor.
April 21, 2024
Nice. But not overwhelmingly good.
This series was a safe read for me: mature characters, mostly drama free, not TOO much parenting stuff, and most of all: an excellent choice for an audiobook, seeing that the books are narrated by no other that Nick J Russo.
In this final installment, we have Derek - widowed, moving back to his home town after spending 20 years in Alaska, farther to a 12yo daughter. And Cary, who had a huge crush on Derek in highschool, who’s a real estate agent, and who’s now helping Derek to find a new home.
I loved Derek, and how he embraced his bisexuality. And I loved Cary to a certain degree, but I couldn’t really relate to him the same way. Cary has been bullied in highschool (after Derek left school, and the town). And 20 years later, he’s still very sensitive to that topic - which I understand. What I DIDN’T understand, is that he chose to believe Derek to be a potential bully, too, even though all Derek had ever shown him was kindness, respect, and love (even without saying the L-word yet).
Thankfully, the (very unnecessary) third act breakup was short lived.
As many of my friends, I’d rate the story with 3 stars and the narration with 5+++ - great audiobook if you need something easy on the ears 😍
This series was a safe read for me: mature characters, mostly drama free, not TOO much parenting stuff, and most of all: an excellent choice for an audiobook, seeing that the books are narrated by no other that Nick J Russo.
In this final installment, we have Derek - widowed, moving back to his home town after spending 20 years in Alaska, farther to a 12yo daughter. And Cary, who had a huge crush on Derek in highschool, who’s a real estate agent, and who’s now helping Derek to find a new home.
I loved Derek, and how he embraced his bisexuality. And I loved Cary to a certain degree, but I couldn’t really relate to him the same way. Cary has been bullied in highschool (after Derek left school, and the town). And 20 years later, he’s still very sensitive to that topic - which I understand. What I DIDN’T understand, is that he chose to believe Derek to be a potential bully, too, even though all Derek had ever shown him was kindness, respect, and love (even without saying the L-word yet).
Thankfully, the (very unnecessary) third act breakup was short lived.
As many of my friends, I’d rate the story with 3 stars and the narration with 5+++ - great audiobook if you need something easy on the ears 😍
permanent-dnr-authors
May 23, 2025Rating removed for swastika-shaped anal beads and circumcised dick=Jewish voters comments in The Mayor and the Mystery Man.
3 stars for enjoyment.
There isn't anything wrong with the book, it just happens to be a contemporary style that doesn't wow me, lighthearted, dialogue-heavy, one-liners and humor. (That damn humor thing keeps getting in the way of my enjoyment!)
A real estate agent meets his high school crush (best friend's older brother) 20 years later.
What I liked - Truman writes 30-40+ adults that act and talk their age (mostly) and makes it feel like a natural thing when a 40-year-old widower falls in love. None of that I'm too old/no one will want me nonsense.
Cary has some trauma from high school that is still following him around, the joys of living in a small town.
Also! Great, natural body positivity! Derek, the firefighter/widower/single dad, has a belly and it's attractively mentioned several times. Love it!
• Wasn’t it weird how as we got older, we found older people attractive? When I was a teenager, I never would’ve found a gut and wrinkles sexy. And yet here we were.
• “Oh. Hi,” I said, taking in Derek’s black Dave Matthews Band t- shirt, which highlighted his strong chest as well as his protruding stomach.“
• I kissed down his chest and stomach. Fuck six-pack abs. The little belly Derek had was much sexier. It was real. It was him.
• I flashed back to the way Cary stared at my body in the shower like I was the hottest thing on the planet. Nevermind that I had a gut, thinning hair, and an overgrown beard. It made me stand a little taller. I’d worried that I had let myself go and that aging wasn’t being kind to me, but Cary helped keep those fears at bay.
AJ Truman fans and fans of this series will like the book, and I own a couple more of Truman's books that I will read. I like the writing, even if this one wasn't for me.
Oh, lots of sex shenanigans inside houses Cary is showing Derek.
Highlights:
• “I mean, are fires hot in Alaska since it’s so cold there?”
“Yes. Fire is hot. Do you want me to order you another iced coffee?”
• I sometimes forgot how far I’d traveled. Four time zones wasn’t fucking around, though. (Dude is crying about the jet lag from Alaska to NY, LMAO. Sorry, that's funny.)
• “I told myself to keep things professional. I couldn’t help it. He does things to me. He triggers the flirty part of my brain.”
“Your prefrontal whoretex?”
• “Don’t tell Uncle Russ. Remember the year when mom overcooked the stuffing and it came out as one big bread blob?”
“And she just served it on a plate and told us to rip off pieces with our hands.”
.
• “And by the way, he’s not just my real estate agent. He’s my boyfriend. I’m bi, you fuckwads.”
3 stars for enjoyment.
There isn't anything wrong with the book, it just happens to be a contemporary style that doesn't wow me, lighthearted, dialogue-heavy, one-liners and humor. (That damn humor thing keeps getting in the way of my enjoyment!)
A real estate agent meets his high school crush (best friend's older brother) 20 years later.
What I liked - Truman writes 30-40+ adults that act and talk their age (mostly) and makes it feel like a natural thing when a 40-year-old widower falls in love. None of that I'm too old/no one will want me nonsense.
Cary has some trauma from high school that is still following him around, the joys of living in a small town.
Also! Great, natural body positivity! Derek, the firefighter/widower/single dad, has a belly and it's attractively mentioned several times. Love it!
• Wasn’t it weird how as we got older, we found older people attractive? When I was a teenager, I never would’ve found a gut and wrinkles sexy. And yet here we were.
• “Oh. Hi,” I said, taking in Derek’s black Dave Matthews Band t- shirt, which highlighted his strong chest as well as his protruding stomach.“
• I kissed down his chest and stomach. Fuck six-pack abs. The little belly Derek had was much sexier. It was real. It was him.
• I flashed back to the way Cary stared at my body in the shower like I was the hottest thing on the planet. Nevermind that I had a gut, thinning hair, and an overgrown beard. It made me stand a little taller. I’d worried that I had let myself go and that aging wasn’t being kind to me, but Cary helped keep those fears at bay.
AJ Truman fans and fans of this series will like the book, and I own a couple more of Truman's books that I will read. I like the writing, even if this one wasn't for me.
Oh, lots of sex shenanigans inside houses Cary is showing Derek.
Highlights:
• “I mean, are fires hot in Alaska since it’s so cold there?”
“Yes. Fire is hot. Do you want me to order you another iced coffee?”
• I sometimes forgot how far I’d traveled. Four time zones wasn’t fucking around, though. (Dude is crying about the jet lag from Alaska to NY, LMAO. Sorry, that's funny.)
• “I told myself to keep things professional. I couldn’t help it. He does things to me. He triggers the flirty part of my brain.”
“Your prefrontal whoretex?”
• “Don’t tell Uncle Russ. Remember the year when mom overcooked the stuffing and it came out as one big bread blob?”
“And she just served it on a plate and told us to rip off pieces with our hands.”
.
• “And by the way, he’s not just my real estate agent. He’s my boyfriend. I’m bi, you fuckwads.”
April 7, 2024
3.75***** stars
audio: 5 stars
Took this book on my today’s endeavor to make my balcony habitable and cozy again. And what do you know, I had a good time. I always do with this series.
Admitted, totally on its own I probably would’ve been a bit bored in the second half but with feeling quite at home amidst the setting and characters it worked for me.
What I really appreciate about AJ’s writing is that his fictional men come in all shapes and sizes and he’s especially loving on the big and cuddly looking ones.
I’m curious if he will come back once more to this series in the future. Wouldn’t mind at all.
*************
Single Dads Club Series:
Prequel short - Three Nights with the Manny - 3.5 stars
Book 1 - The Falcon and the Foe - 4.25 stars
Book 2 - The Mayor and the Mystery Man - 4.0 stars
Book 3 - The Barkeep and the Bro - 4.0 stars
Book 4 - The Fireman and the Flirt - 3.75 stars
audio: 5 stars
Took this book on my today’s endeavor to make my balcony habitable and cozy again. And what do you know, I had a good time. I always do with this series.
Admitted, totally on its own I probably would’ve been a bit bored in the second half but with feeling quite at home amidst the setting and characters it worked for me.
What I really appreciate about AJ’s writing is that his fictional men come in all shapes and sizes and he’s especially loving on the big and cuddly looking ones.
I’m curious if he will come back once more to this series in the future. Wouldn’t mind at all.
*************
Single Dads Club Series:
Prequel short - Three Nights with the Manny - 3.5 stars
Book 1 - The Falcon and the Foe - 4.25 stars
Book 2 - The Mayor and the Mystery Man - 4.0 stars
Book 3 - The Barkeep and the Bro - 4.0 stars
Book 4 - The Fireman and the Flirt - 3.75 stars
April 6, 2024
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.
“I told myself to keep things professional. I couldn’t help it. He does things to me. He triggers the flirty part of my brain.” “Your prefrontal whoretex?”
I was pleasantly surprised when the push and pull and ‘I’m no good in a relationship’ situation wasn’t dragged out forever when it seemed to be going that way. A. J. Truman can for sure write romcoms. I don’t tend to find that kind of deliberate humor very funny, but it’s still entertaining. Derek and Cary were very cute together.
I got on better with Cary the further into the book we got, even though I wanted to yell at him a time or two. In the beginning he totally gave me teenage high school girl saying ‘Oh my god, I’m soooo random!’ vibes. I lost count of how many times he and everyone else talked about how weird and quirky he was, lol. Which is fine, I love a quirky and awkward character as much as the next gal, but it felt a little forced.
I wish Jolene, Derek’s daughter, was a bigger part of the book. She was a sweet teenager and I sometimes forgot that Derek was a single dad.
Definitely well written and if you’ve previously enjoyed this author’s work I’m sure you’ll enjoy this as well. I certainly enjoyed seeing Charlie and Mitch from The Barkeep and the Bro again.
There was an issue with the audiobook where chapter 27 was missing and instead repeated an earlier chapter. Thankfully I had access to the ebook and could read the missing chapter there before continuing with the audiobook. Hopefully that will be fixed posthaste.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Mild pining
Teenage crush
Fireman
Single dad
Widower
Friend’s brother
Romcom
First times
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Death of wife (off page, past)
Mentions of past forced outing
Mentions of past bullying
MC cheated on by wife (off page, past)
Anger (punching inanimate object)
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: Yes
POV: 1st person, dual
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: 40 and (guessing) 42
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 285
“Welcome,” I said. “We’ll send you your pride flag in the mail.” “Is there a secret handshake?” “Only in the back rooms of certain clubs. I’m sure you’ll manage it well.”
“You’re so tight,” he said. Low-grade anxiety kept me permanently clenched, but I kept that tidbit to myself.
Fuck six-pack abs. The little belly Derek had was much sexier.
It was wild how fast I could go from cautious, normal Cary to a total cockmonster.
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?...
“I told myself to keep things professional. I couldn’t help it. He does things to me. He triggers the flirty part of my brain.” “Your prefrontal whoretex?”
I was pleasantly surprised when the push and pull and ‘I’m no good in a relationship’ situation wasn’t dragged out forever when it seemed to be going that way. A. J. Truman can for sure write romcoms. I don’t tend to find that kind of deliberate humor very funny, but it’s still entertaining. Derek and Cary were very cute together.
I got on better with Cary the further into the book we got, even though I wanted to yell at him a time or two. In the beginning he totally gave me teenage high school girl saying ‘Oh my god, I’m soooo random!’ vibes. I lost count of how many times he and everyone else talked about how weird and quirky he was, lol. Which is fine, I love a quirky and awkward character as much as the next gal, but it felt a little forced.
I wish Jolene, Derek’s daughter, was a bigger part of the book. She was a sweet teenager and I sometimes forgot that Derek was a single dad.
Definitely well written and if you’ve previously enjoyed this author’s work I’m sure you’ll enjoy this as well. I certainly enjoyed seeing Charlie and Mitch from The Barkeep and the Bro again.
There was an issue with the audiobook where chapter 27 was missing and instead repeated an earlier chapter. Thankfully I had access to the ebook and could read the missing chapter there before continuing with the audiobook. Hopefully that will be fixed posthaste.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Mild pining
Teenage crush
Fireman
Single dad
Widower
Friend’s brother
Romcom
First times
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Death of wife (off page, past)
Mentions of past forced outing
Mentions of past bullying
MC cheated on by wife (off page, past)
Anger (punching inanimate object)
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: Yes
POV: 1st person, dual
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: 40 and (guessing) 42
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 285
“Welcome,” I said. “We’ll send you your pride flag in the mail.” “Is there a secret handshake?” “Only in the back rooms of certain clubs. I’m sure you’ll manage it well.”
“You’re so tight,” he said. Low-grade anxiety kept me permanently clenched, but I kept that tidbit to myself.
Fuck six-pack abs. The little belly Derek had was much sexier.
It was wild how fast I could go from cautious, normal Cary to a total cockmonster.
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?...
April 6, 2024
Audio: 4.5 stars I enjoy any Nick J Russo narration
Book: 3 stars
Started with promise, but once they started getting together, and Cary started to use his past (gearhead) as a reason to push away was annoying. I started to lose interest around 60-ish% i was surprised Derek forgave Cary that fast.
Also they would hate me since I am a Starbucks lover lol.. whoops sorry not sorry 😬😂
Book: 3 stars
Started with promise, but once they started getting together, and Cary started to use his past (gearhead) as a reason to push away was annoying. I started to lose interest around 60-ish% i was surprised Derek forgave Cary that fast.
Also they would hate me since I am a Starbucks lover lol.. whoops sorry not sorry 😬😂
March 11, 2024
- single dad
- widower
- brother's best friend
- businessman x client
Derek has moved back to Sourwood after twenty years due to the sudden loss of his wife, and who better to help him find a place for him and his thirteen year old daughter than Cary, his little brother's best friend who just so happens to now be a successful real estate agent.
Derek doesn't remember much about Cary, just that he was shy and awkward, and labeled a freak thanks to a vicious rumor, but finds himself charmed by the fast talking, iced coffee drinking realtor.
Cary knows better than to flirt with a client, but the object of every dirty fantasy he had in high school is right in front of him flirting back, and he can't help himself from wanting Derek to see him more than the weird kid he used to know. The growing attraction between them makes keeping things strictly professional impossible, and Cary finds himself getting everything he ever wanted.
Their relationship isn't without a few hiccups. Cary has a lot of trust issues from what happened when he was a teenager, and Derek's hockey buddies kind of suck, but these two get the really sweet happily ever after they deserved. Their story had me giggling, blushing, and was all around such a great read!
- widower
- brother's best friend
- businessman x client
Derek has moved back to Sourwood after twenty years due to the sudden loss of his wife, and who better to help him find a place for him and his thirteen year old daughter than Cary, his little brother's best friend who just so happens to now be a successful real estate agent.
Derek doesn't remember much about Cary, just that he was shy and awkward, and labeled a freak thanks to a vicious rumor, but finds himself charmed by the fast talking, iced coffee drinking realtor.
Cary knows better than to flirt with a client, but the object of every dirty fantasy he had in high school is right in front of him flirting back, and he can't help himself from wanting Derek to see him more than the weird kid he used to know. The growing attraction between them makes keeping things strictly professional impossible, and Cary finds himself getting everything he ever wanted.
Their relationship isn't without a few hiccups. Cary has a lot of trust issues from what happened when he was a teenager, and Derek's hockey buddies kind of suck, but these two get the really sweet happily ever after they deserved. Their story had me giggling, blushing, and was all around such a great read!
July 22, 2025
2.5 ⭐️
spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
format: audiobook
narration: 🎤🎤🎤/5
meh.
spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
format: audiobook
narration: 🎤🎤🎤/5
meh.
January 4, 2025
Another Single Dads Club book, another audiobook snack for me 😌 I don't know if this is the last one in the series or not, but it's the last one at the moment, and I'm sad to say goodbye. I listened to all of the books back-to-back, and it was a nice brain break to get through the holidays.
All of the books in the series were the sort of mindless fun you need sometimes to cleanse your brain. They were cute, fun, and well-paced with almost no angst to mention. Everything was low stakes, and if that's what you're in the mood for, these fit the bill. The dude bro humor that pops up from time to time made me groan occasionally, but it wasn't too much to make me hate it. I'm looking forward to checking out the author's South Rock High series next ✌🏻
All of the books in the series were the sort of mindless fun you need sometimes to cleanse your brain. They were cute, fun, and well-paced with almost no angst to mention. Everything was low stakes, and if that's what you're in the mood for, these fit the bill. The dude bro humor that pops up from time to time made me groan occasionally, but it wasn't too much to make me hate it. I'm looking forward to checking out the author's South Rock High series next ✌🏻
July 5, 2025
Is it in bad taste to sleep with a client? I'm just asking for a friend. In high school, Derek ruled the school along with his fellow hockey players, while I fantasized from afar. He only knew me as his little brother’s shy friend who, thanks to one vicious rumor from a former flame, had garnered a reputation as the school freak. Twenty years later, I’m a successful real estate agent who’s put my embarrassing past behind me and smartly stayed away from love. I have things under control…until Derek suddenly returns to Sourwood...without a wedding ring, and in dire need of a house for him and his daughter.
"The Fireman and the Flirt" is the fourth book in the "Single Dads Club" series. The series doesn't need to be read "in order", and the books can all be read as "standalones". They will all supply you with all the "brother's best friend", "businessman/client", and "nerd/jock" vibes you can possibly want or need.
Derek is the last of the "single dads" that we are meeting, and his story is almost heartbreaking. After losing his wife, Derek, who is now a widower and a single dad to daughter, Jolene, returns to Sourwood, his old hometown, to get a fresh start and to try to give his daughter some much-needed stability. He really was unprepared for the move, seeing as how they don't have a house to move into...and they’re staying with his brother, Cal, and his husband, Russ, and their family.
Derek desperately needs his own space, so he begins the search for a house. During his search, he comes into contact with Cary, a very successful real estate agent who once had an unrequited, huge crush on Derek in high school. Cary is lovable, but a bit of a nerd. He's awkward, quirky, and when you are least expecting it... absolutely hilarious.
Derrek hires Cary to be his new agent, and as you would suspect, all the old feelings of Cary's old "Derek crush", resurface. Cary struggles a lot with trust issues, a result of being bullied and teased in school, and for trusting the wrong person...a person who had spread horrible, and embarrassing untrue rumors about him. In spite of them being untrue, those rumors have followed him throughout a significant portion of his adult life and shaped how he views himself and how he expects others to treat him.
Derek had always thought he was bisexual, but he had never acted on it...after all he was married to the mother of his child. Now that he finds that he's still having those "feelings" for Cary, it only confirms what he always had believed about himself.
As Derek and Cary search for the perfect house together, a beautiful friendship develops. They are so good, and absolutely adorable together. The chemistry they shared is hot. Cary finds that he can finally deal with all his past. He now has help with that...help that sometimes comes with hilarious support from his cousins and from his heart-to-heart talk with his dad.
It was great to see Derek and Cary slowly begin to rebuild their strained relationship. If you have read any of the first three books in this 4-part series, you will recognize the other members of the "Single Dads Club" when they each make their appearances in the story. This group is always a delight, and this is a series that is well worth the reading time.
"The Fireman and the Flirt" is the fourth book in the "Single Dads Club" series. The series doesn't need to be read "in order", and the books can all be read as "standalones". They will all supply you with all the "brother's best friend", "businessman/client", and "nerd/jock" vibes you can possibly want or need.
Derek is the last of the "single dads" that we are meeting, and his story is almost heartbreaking. After losing his wife, Derek, who is now a widower and a single dad to daughter, Jolene, returns to Sourwood, his old hometown, to get a fresh start and to try to give his daughter some much-needed stability. He really was unprepared for the move, seeing as how they don't have a house to move into...and they’re staying with his brother, Cal, and his husband, Russ, and their family.
Derek desperately needs his own space, so he begins the search for a house. During his search, he comes into contact with Cary, a very successful real estate agent who once had an unrequited, huge crush on Derek in high school. Cary is lovable, but a bit of a nerd. He's awkward, quirky, and when you are least expecting it... absolutely hilarious.
Derrek hires Cary to be his new agent, and as you would suspect, all the old feelings of Cary's old "Derek crush", resurface. Cary struggles a lot with trust issues, a result of being bullied and teased in school, and for trusting the wrong person...a person who had spread horrible, and embarrassing untrue rumors about him. In spite of them being untrue, those rumors have followed him throughout a significant portion of his adult life and shaped how he views himself and how he expects others to treat him.
Derek had always thought he was bisexual, but he had never acted on it...after all he was married to the mother of his child. Now that he finds that he's still having those "feelings" for Cary, it only confirms what he always had believed about himself.
As Derek and Cary search for the perfect house together, a beautiful friendship develops. They are so good, and absolutely adorable together. The chemistry they shared is hot. Cary finds that he can finally deal with all his past. He now has help with that...help that sometimes comes with hilarious support from his cousins and from his heart-to-heart talk with his dad.
It was great to see Derek and Cary slowly begin to rebuild their strained relationship. If you have read any of the first three books in this 4-part series, you will recognize the other members of the "Single Dads Club" when they each make their appearances in the story. This group is always a delight, and this is a series that is well worth the reading time.
September 5, 2024
The Fireman and the Flirt is another great entry to the Single Dads Club, this time following Cal's older brother Derek and Cal's friend from high school Cary.
Recently widowed Derek decides to move back to his home town with his daughter from Alaska. Staying with his brother while he looks for a house of his own. Cal recommends Cary, his friend and real estate agent to help him with the house hunt.
Cary had a one-sided crush on Derek back in high school, now Derek's back so too come his feelings. But this time seems different. There's a lot of flirty banter going on. But Cary's been hurt before and Derek will have to climb Cals walls in order to get what he wants.
__
Cary and Derek get into some spicy situations while house hunting, one that includes a less than graceful escape through a window in the nude.
While there's a lot of fun going on, this also deals with some more serious topics with Cary's being bullied in school and the lasting effects it caused, and more. It was balanced very well and added a lot to making out character and world more real.
I'm hoping there's more to come in this series!
Recently widowed Derek decides to move back to his home town with his daughter from Alaska. Staying with his brother while he looks for a house of his own. Cal recommends Cary, his friend and real estate agent to help him with the house hunt.
Cary had a one-sided crush on Derek back in high school, now Derek's back so too come his feelings. But this time seems different. There's a lot of flirty banter going on. But Cary's been hurt before and Derek will have to climb Cals walls in order to get what he wants.
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Cary and Derek get into some spicy situations while house hunting, one that includes a less than graceful escape through a window in the nude.
While there's a lot of fun going on, this also deals with some more serious topics with Cary's being bullied in school and the lasting effects it caused, and more. It was balanced very well and added a lot to making out character and world more real.
I'm hoping there's more to come in this series!
February 16, 2025
I’m a big A. J. Truman fan and I’ve loved all the single dad boys. Howe, this one fell a little flat for me. I found Cary pretty irritating. His constant banter might have been cute to Derek, but I thought it was annoying. I also spent most of the book dreading the last minute breakup. I could see it coming. This puts such a damper on a book for me that now I always take off a star for it. I did like Derek and his daughter. Overall, I just have to say this didn’t move me like most A. J. Truman’s books.
April 7, 2024
Love love loooove. Cary needs all the love and support and apologies. And Derek is so steady and lovely and caring. And, my dudes, these two together are 🔥. I love how they solved their issues as maturely as possible and how they opened to each other little by little. It wasn't as ridiculously funny as the others, except for Cary jumping out the window (lmao at the gym). It was great to see the other couples happy and together.
As always, kudos to Nick J. Russo for bringing this characters to life with so much personality 🎧
As always, kudos to Nick J. Russo for bringing this characters to life with so much personality 🎧
March 30, 2024
2.5 🌟
This was OK.. it has the best friend’s brother/high school crush trope so I had to read it
It’s pretty low angst and cute. There were some funny lines but I found myself feeling less interested toward the end and skimming pages
This was OK.. it has the best friend’s brother/high school crush trope so I had to read it
It’s pretty low angst and cute. There were some funny lines but I found myself feeling less interested toward the end and skimming pages
February 25, 2025
This series was a win from start to finish. All four books were excellent. I really enjoyed the fact that the main characters were mainly older (I.e. in their 40s). This particular book might have been my favorite—I enjoyed the tropes—friend’s older brother and high school crush; and I PARTICULARLY loved the way things climaxed in a really sweet and romantic way. As a side note, I was very happy that the main character here realized he was bisexual from the beginning instead of coming to a sudden realization half way through the book.
GREAT series!
GREAT series!
April 15, 2024
I love that this series is all about middle-aged men, not young whippersnappers. And I love that each of them has a good backstory that makes them interesting and not cookie-cutter.
This was a fun read. Cary is adorable, and Derek is a really nice guy, even if both of them had some tragic times. There was little drama, except that one misunderstanding, and that was fairly quickly resolved. I felt for Cary, and I was really happy to see that Derek stood up for him. Their romance developed nicely, even if it went pretty quickly from meet to meat.
I giggled a few times, but I also had tears in my eyes when Cary tells Derek what happened to him in high school.
And I loved that Cary got some closure too. And a great boyfriend to boot.
This was a fun read. Cary is adorable, and Derek is a really nice guy, even if both of them had some tragic times. There was little drama, except that one misunderstanding, and that was fairly quickly resolved. I felt for Cary, and I was really happy to see that Derek stood up for him. Their romance developed nicely, even if it went pretty quickly from meet to meat.
I giggled a few times, but I also had tears in my eyes when Cary tells Derek what happened to him in high school.
And I loved that Cary got some closure too. And a great boyfriend to boot.
May 13, 2024
Pretty cute! I did myself a massive disservice by reading the 4th book of this series first, but I was still able to follow the story of the two main characters!
March 29, 2024
Rating: 4
Steam: 3
PoV: dual, 1st person
Genre: contemporary romance, MM
Main tropes: humour, single dad, small town
I loved being back in Sourwood with the Single Dads Club men - Cary and Derek's story was full of humour and heart, and they made me smile and swoon a lot!
I loved how Cary finally got a chance to act on his teenage crush, even if he tried real hard to resist Derek at first and maintaining a professional boundary between them. The resistance that Cary tried to put up led to some fun tension and a little push and pull between them, and it wasn't long before Cary climbed Derek like a tree. Be prepared for a lot of cute flirting and great chemistry!
Of course there were also some hilariously awkward scenes, Cary really didn't have much of a filter and I just adored him and how talkative he was. They complemented each other really well and I enjoyed seeing them together as a couple. It was overall a low angst and light-hearted story, even with Derek being recently widowed and Cary having some insecurities to work through. I liked how they were both patient and supportive of each other, even when things were very new between them.
The Fireman and the Flirt was a really charming and sweet story, written in A.J. Truman’s usual style; full with humour and warmth. I had a lot of fun reading this one, and it was a great addition to the Single Dads Club series!
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Thanks to the author for the opportunity to read and review this book. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
Steam: 3
PoV: dual, 1st person
Genre: contemporary romance, MM
Main tropes: humour, single dad, small town
I loved being back in Sourwood with the Single Dads Club men - Cary and Derek's story was full of humour and heart, and they made me smile and swoon a lot!
I loved how Cary finally got a chance to act on his teenage crush, even if he tried real hard to resist Derek at first and maintaining a professional boundary between them. The resistance that Cary tried to put up led to some fun tension and a little push and pull between them, and it wasn't long before Cary climbed Derek like a tree. Be prepared for a lot of cute flirting and great chemistry!
Of course there were also some hilariously awkward scenes, Cary really didn't have much of a filter and I just adored him and how talkative he was. They complemented each other really well and I enjoyed seeing them together as a couple. It was overall a low angst and light-hearted story, even with Derek being recently widowed and Cary having some insecurities to work through. I liked how they were both patient and supportive of each other, even when things were very new between them.
The Fireman and the Flirt was a really charming and sweet story, written in A.J. Truman’s usual style; full with humour and warmth. I had a lot of fun reading this one, and it was a great addition to the Single Dads Club series!
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Thanks to the author for the opportunity to read and review this book. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
March 25, 2024
"My first thought was that we were going to fuck on a conference table, but then I realized my life wasn't a total porno."
This book was just so freaking cute!!! Cary is one of those MCs whose mouth just runs away with them. You know the type. They have no filter and just blurt out whatever random stream of consciousness that is going through their heads and then end up totally horrified about what just came out of their mouths. I adored him, and luckily for Cary, so did Derek.
It was kind of sweet how hard Cary tried to resist Derek at first. Almost every time Cary tried to remain a professional with Derek while showing him prospective homes it ended up with him practically leaping into Derek's arms and climbing that bear like a tree. Unfortunately, Cary also suffers from anxiety and as an anxiety sufferer myself I know how easy it is for it to trick your brain into thinking the worst. Thankfully, Derek was just as lovely as he seemed and he wasn't letting his man go without a fight.
I've read a lot of Truman's books, but this was my first in the Single Dad's club series. I have already added all 3 of the previous books in the series to my TBR because I just have to know the stories behind all the couples I met in this one. Falcon is already sitting pretty on my kindle and I can't wait to dive into that one next!
This book was just so freaking cute!!! Cary is one of those MCs whose mouth just runs away with them. You know the type. They have no filter and just blurt out whatever random stream of consciousness that is going through their heads and then end up totally horrified about what just came out of their mouths. I adored him, and luckily for Cary, so did Derek.
It was kind of sweet how hard Cary tried to resist Derek at first. Almost every time Cary tried to remain a professional with Derek while showing him prospective homes it ended up with him practically leaping into Derek's arms and climbing that bear like a tree. Unfortunately, Cary also suffers from anxiety and as an anxiety sufferer myself I know how easy it is for it to trick your brain into thinking the worst. Thankfully, Derek was just as lovely as he seemed and he wasn't letting his man go without a fight.
I've read a lot of Truman's books, but this was my first in the Single Dad's club series. I have already added all 3 of the previous books in the series to my TBR because I just have to know the stories behind all the couples I met in this one. Falcon is already sitting pretty on my kindle and I can't wait to dive into that one next!
March 17, 2024
Was do happy to hear Cals big brother was coming back to Sourwood so we could get another Single Dads Club story! Derek was the original Hogan in the friendship circle of Mitch & Leo, but life happened he moved away, and Cal moved home to be inducted. When Derek comes home, it is nice to see he easily fit back in place along with Cal. Than you have adorkable blunt Cary, Cals best friend from high school, who make Derek open up like with no one else. These two have unstoppable chemistry, and their banter just puts a smile on your face the whole way through. I'm glad that Derek helped Cary in the end move on from past insecurities. It's a wild thing that happens in our pasts that you just don't realize affect others, and you just let it keep repeating itself, not knowing the harm. It's nice to see people mature and move forward to be better. This story lived up to all my expectations!
Read
April 1, 2024Very in keeping with the remaining books in the series: low-angst and sweet.
I think I may have done it a disservice reading it after Advanced Chemistry though. I feel like we didn't get to see interact with Jolene enough and this does have the 'evil' late wife trope.
All in all, if looking for a Fireman x Realtor romance this will do the trick wonderfully - lots of house viewing and viewings of other things while in houses. First time discovering bi-side, with a dollop of hatred for Starbucks.
NSFW infos:
strict top bottom dynamic
both MCs in their forties
I think I may have done it a disservice reading it after Advanced Chemistry though. I feel like we didn't get to see interact with Jolene enough and this does have the 'evil' late wife trope.
All in all, if looking for a Fireman x Realtor romance this will do the trick wonderfully - lots of house viewing and viewings of other things while in houses. First time discovering bi-side, with a dollop of hatred for Starbucks.
NSFW infos:
strict top bottom dynamic
both MCs in their forties
May 17, 2025
Curious. Cary's my favorite MC in this series thus far and yet I enjoyed this a little bit less than the others.
Cary's a very enjoyable(if mostly ridiculous) guy who's been into his best friend's older brother since they were kids and thought Derek's the greatest thing since sliced bread.
20 years later, he STILL thinks this. I enjoyed reading about his persevering crush. He has very amusing ideas of how Derek spends his days as a volunteer fireman.
'He was probably busy at the firehouse, sliding up and down the pole, doing a calendar shoot, or whatever firemen did all day.'
Yes, Cary. That's probably what firemen get up to all day, every day.
Sadly, his light was dimmed by a ridiculous story that got passed around about him in high school and although he's grown up now, he's got major trust issues and clearly utilized avoidance to deal with it thus far and things fall apart the moment Derek makes it clear he's into him for more than just sex.
Derek's the more steady MC, even without Cary's rose colored glasses for him. His wife died after cheating on him with his best friend and he recently moved back to Sourwood from Alaska with his preteen daughter.
Naturally, he's chafing at the fact that everyone treats him with kid gloves because they believe he lost the love of his life, and he doesn't really feel like he can speak out about what she did, on account of her death and therefore inability to defend herself.
Enter Cary, who treats him normally (with lots of extras) and he falls hard and fast. They have fun together and his life's been lacking in that.
"You're so tight."
Low grade anxiety kept me permanently clenched but I kept that tidbit to myself.
💀Again, really enjoyed Cary.
Enter trust-issues related drama which they eventually resolve and live happily ever after.
Like I said, I enjoyed Cary, but I didn't LOVE this in general.
Cary's a very enjoyable(if mostly ridiculous) guy who's been into his best friend's older brother since they were kids and thought Derek's the greatest thing since sliced bread.
20 years later, he STILL thinks this. I enjoyed reading about his persevering crush. He has very amusing ideas of how Derek spends his days as a volunteer fireman.
'He was probably busy at the firehouse, sliding up and down the pole, doing a calendar shoot, or whatever firemen did all day.'
Yes, Cary. That's probably what firemen get up to all day, every day.
Sadly, his light was dimmed by a ridiculous story that got passed around about him in high school and although he's grown up now, he's got major trust issues and clearly utilized avoidance to deal with it thus far and things fall apart the moment Derek makes it clear he's into him for more than just sex.
Derek's the more steady MC, even without Cary's rose colored glasses for him. His wife died after cheating on him with his best friend and he recently moved back to Sourwood from Alaska with his preteen daughter.
Naturally, he's chafing at the fact that everyone treats him with kid gloves because they believe he lost the love of his life, and he doesn't really feel like he can speak out about what she did, on account of her death and therefore inability to defend herself.
Enter Cary, who treats him normally (with lots of extras) and he falls hard and fast. They have fun together and his life's been lacking in that.
"You're so tight."
Low grade anxiety kept me permanently clenched but I kept that tidbit to myself.
💀Again, really enjoyed Cary.
Enter trust-issues related drama which they eventually resolve and live happily ever after.
Like I said, I enjoyed Cary, but I didn't LOVE this in general.
June 21, 2024
Book 100 of 2024 and book 9 of Pride Month! 🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈
The Fireman and the Flirt was another great book in the Single Dads Club series. It was full of the usual cuteness and flirting, but this one had a lot more spice in my opinion. My one complaint was that the author didn’t really lean into the whole fireman thing, especially considering the title. The scenes could’ve been even hotter! 🔥🍆🏳️🌈
The Fireman and the Flirt was another great book in the Single Dads Club series. It was full of the usual cuteness and flirting, but this one had a lot more spice in my opinion. My one complaint was that the author didn’t really lean into the whole fireman thing, especially considering the title. The scenes could’ve been even hotter! 🔥🍆🏳️🌈
March 30, 2024
This series just never misses. It’s hit after hit after hit after hit! I love these men like they’re my own friend group and I just wanna put’em in my pocket and protect them.
The Fireman and the Flirt follows two of my (now) favorite men in the Single Dad’s Club, Cary & Derek.
Cary is haunted by the past. In high school, one bad sexual experience has led to years of bullying and hateful people talking about him behind his back. He’s built himself up as a successful real estate agent, but his outward playful flirty demeanor is hiding that one comment or hurtful remark could make his world crumble.
Derek has just moved back to Sourwood with his teenage daughter Jolene after the death of his wife. He was a jock in high school and now he’s a fireman. Instead of permanently living off of his brother’s couch (Cal from book 1), he’s sent to Cary to help him find a home. What he doesn’t know is that Cary’s had a crush on him since they were kids… but Derek’s straight, right?
These men have my whole heart!! Cary feels like the person who many bullied gay kids in high school grow up to be: Outwardly making jokes, but internally covering up the trauma of their past. It was nice to see that a really healthy relationship helped to mend some things.
Derek was just all around sexy!! You better believe I love a man in uniform (or out of it) and the fact that he’s a great dad was 🥵!! Like where do I get one? The fact that he went out of his way to show him how much he cared was 👨🏻🍳🤌🏼💋!!!
Their sexual adventurousness was hot! It was giving me new relationship, for sure. Like they just wanted to do it EVERYWHERE!!! I loved that and it felt really on point with what I would have been like in that situation.
This was the perfect 4th book!! To top it off, I read this as an audiobook and Nick J Russo was so incredible!!! I don’t know if I could read this any other way now that I’ve read all of the books in the series with him narrating them to me. 😂 He really makes the experience that much better!
Thank you to the author for my gifted copy. All thoughts are honest and my own.
The Fireman and the Flirt follows two of my (now) favorite men in the Single Dad’s Club, Cary & Derek.
Cary is haunted by the past. In high school, one bad sexual experience has led to years of bullying and hateful people talking about him behind his back. He’s built himself up as a successful real estate agent, but his outward playful flirty demeanor is hiding that one comment or hurtful remark could make his world crumble.
Derek has just moved back to Sourwood with his teenage daughter Jolene after the death of his wife. He was a jock in high school and now he’s a fireman. Instead of permanently living off of his brother’s couch (Cal from book 1), he’s sent to Cary to help him find a home. What he doesn’t know is that Cary’s had a crush on him since they were kids… but Derek’s straight, right?
These men have my whole heart!! Cary feels like the person who many bullied gay kids in high school grow up to be: Outwardly making jokes, but internally covering up the trauma of their past. It was nice to see that a really healthy relationship helped to mend some things.
Derek was just all around sexy!! You better believe I love a man in uniform (or out of it) and the fact that he’s a great dad was 🥵!! Like where do I get one? The fact that he went out of his way to show him how much he cared was 👨🏻🍳🤌🏼💋!!!
Their sexual adventurousness was hot! It was giving me new relationship, for sure. Like they just wanted to do it EVERYWHERE!!! I loved that and it felt really on point with what I would have been like in that situation.
This was the perfect 4th book!! To top it off, I read this as an audiobook and Nick J Russo was so incredible!!! I don’t know if I could read this any other way now that I’ve read all of the books in the series with him narrating them to me. 😂 He really makes the experience that much better!
Thank you to the author for my gifted copy. All thoughts are honest and my own.
December 5, 2024
Ended on my favorite in the series!! Ahh this was perfect! It was funny in so many parts, and though there was slightly more angst than usual, it was still very low on the angst scale. I’m so sad that the series is over, but AJ is definitely one of my favorite rom com writers now!
Read
March 28, 2024After a South High hiatus, we're back to the Single Dads Club and it was great to see Cary get his HEA! With so much high school baggage, including a huge crush, a scandal and a ton of bullying, not to mention a letter that he sent to his crush... he deserves to go from dreading to dating and with the object of his desire - his best friend's brother, Derek...
This was a fairly low angst, steamy romp through a thorough house hunt and a great story! I think you'd enjoy it more if you knew the history of the previous characters, including Cal, Derek's brother and his husband Russ, but it can be read standalone or in any order.
This was a fairly low angst, steamy romp through a thorough house hunt and a great story! I think you'd enjoy it more if you knew the history of the previous characters, including Cal, Derek's brother and his husband Russ, but it can be read standalone or in any order.
April 5, 2024
Very funny sweet book, I jus didn't enjoy the writing style 😝
January 24, 2025
5/5
The Shrek bathroom is my dream. Shrek is love. Shrek is life.
The Shrek bathroom is my dream. Shrek is love. Shrek is life.
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