Smoke Season

by Amy Hagstrom

An Oregon wildfire and the roiling rapids of an untamed river pose unimaginable threats for friends fighting to save those they love in a pulse-pounding novel of suspense by the author of The Wild Between Us.

Every wildfire season cloaks rural Carbon, Oregon, in smoke. This summer, all it takes is one strike of lightning for the best of friends to turn to desperate acts to make it out alive.

When the latest blaze jumps a firebreak, experienced whitewater rafting guide Kristina “True” Truitt has reason to worry. Her best friend, fire battalion chief Melissa Bishop, is on the front lines. But she and Mel have a side gig vying for a dangerous and illegal money drop on the banks of the wild Outlaw River—directly in the path of the fire and right under the noses of the feds. It’s the only option Mel and her estranged husband, Sam, have in order to afford the care their medically vulnerable daughter needs to survive.

As the walls of fire close in, True, Mel, and Sam wrestle with one terrible choice after another. It’s time to decide what risks are worth taking and what they are willing to let burn to ashes.

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Fiction, LGBT, Mystery Thriller

307 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 19, 2024

About the author

Amy Hagstrom is a writer and editor with two decades of experience in the travel and outdoor industry, recognized as an O Magazine Insider and previous columnist and feature writer at Travel Oregon, US News, and Huff Post. A lifelong outdoors enthusiast, she served as a volunteer EMT with her local county search and rescue unit before launching her travel writing career.

After raising three children in the Pacific Northwest, Amy spent time in central Mexico before landing in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. Visit her at amyhagstrom.com.

Reviews

[Stitching Ghost · Rating 4 out of 5]

Update: Smoke Season is now available on Kindle Unlimited and feels more timely than ever!

The characters in Smoke Season were really easy to root for and to like. All the POV characters are just people trying their best to go through the day and to do right by the people they love, but they're still human, nuanced and flawed.

The pacing was pretty good, the story never dragged or stalled.

I enjoyed the person with a medical condition meets natural disaster aspect of the story since it's an aspect that often gets overlooked in disaster survival stories.

There is queer and trans representation in the book but it's really secondary to the story itself which I liked.

I received an eARC of this book, many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Uninon Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Laura (thenerdygnomelife) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Smoke Season" offers plenty of action, with a generous serving of crime. Mel is a fire chief stationed in a small community in Oregon when disaster strikes — the small fire sparked by lightning has turned into a raging forest fire that now threatens their town. As Mel grapples with coordinating a firefighting response, she's weighed down by concerns for her medically fragile daughter — and by the choices she's made in order to be able to afford her medical care.

Living in a state that also experiences fire seasons, I found Amy Hagstrom's writing and descriptions quite genuine. For fans of Peter Heller, there's much to enjoy here with a similar atmospheric and environmental tone. There's a certain "Breaking Bad" feel to Mel's choices that will feel familiar to many readers as well. I didn't always agree with Mel's choices and other readers likely won't either, so expect a decent amount of internal cringing. Still, it's fast paced, engaging, and largely believable.

4.5 stars rounded up. Content notifications: LGBTQ representation, medical fragility, illegal drugs.

Thank you to Brilliance Publishing, NetGalley, and Amy Hagstrom for providing an advance copy for honest review.

[♡Heather✩Brown♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok I’ve slept on it and have changed my rating .. only bc I think it’d give the wrong impression of this book.

While this book is expertly written. Seriously the core story is well developed. Those fire scenes were lit. No pun. But I thought this book would be more of a thriller type read. In my opinion it is not. It’s more of a feel-good? Type of story crime story about choices and Mother Nature.

It’s about a community coming together and about the dynamics of family and choices and all that good stuff. I can’t really rate this one - it wasn’t bad - not by a long shot - but it wasn’t what I thought it would be.

If you enjoy stories about relationships and choices I think you’ll love this book. There are a few thrilling scenes of course, but I’d say the book is more of an emotional story.

Again this rating is solely based on my reading preferences and not the book or story alone. I think this will be a 5 star read for many - just not for me.

[Jody Blanchette · Rating 5 out of 5]

You better be ready to call the burn unit, cause this book is on fire!🔥 seriously, this is a super hot thriller that keeps burning strong until the end.
I absolutely loved this book. It’s a nonstop thriller, but not the over done kind of thriller. It’s a race against time to find safety from a roaring fire that is taking out forests and surrounding towns. From the minute the first spark catches, the story doesn’t let up. You will immediately fall in love with the characters and start praying for their safety. It’s all so real and intense.
My heart ached for the Bishop family. With the mom fighting the fire, the dad running from it and trying to protect his daughters, and the sick daughter who can’t breath.. omfg. Way to pull on the heartstrings. Oh and did I mention that family is struggling to pay medical bills for their daughter, and resorted to nefarious methods, which are coming to get them IN THE MIDDLE OF A FIRE?! Can things possibly get worse? Why would the author do this to us? My blood pressure it the roof.
Damn good thriller. A nice change from everything else on the market. I can not recommend this one enough.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was tense, set against the backdrop of a raging wildfire a community battles just to stay alive but while that may be the largest obstacle they face it’s not the only one. This is told via the perspectives of Sam, True and Mel who are a close knit unit made up of everyday people who are just trying to do their best. All three were easy to relate to, normal people trying to do right by their family and I was very sympathetic to their issues. Sam and Mel’s youngest daughter has a life threatening heart condition and her story truly scared me as a parent and then add in a fire literally in their backyard and the tension was SO high. If you live in an area where wildfires are an occurrence you know how scary it can be and the author did a great job of capturing that fear and anxiety. If you like character driven suspense with likable characters try this! ​

[dianas_books_cars_coffee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the author's debut, The Wild Between Us, last year and absolutely loved it, so I knew I had to read this one.

It's fire season in Carbon, OR, and one lightning strike can destroy thousands of acres. That one lightning strike comes while the whitewater rafting guide, Kristina "True" Truitt, is on the Outlaw River with clients. She has a decision to make, should she keep going or turn back. Her best friend Melissa Bishop is the fire battalion chief and is on the front line trying to hold the fire back. But when the fire jumps the firebreak, things start to get dicey. True and Mel have a secret that is dangerous. They need to make an illegal money drop in order to help with Mel's daughter's medical expenses. Sam, Mel's estranged husband, is taking care of their daughters. One has a very rare medical condition and is slated to receive surgery, but she must stay healthy enough to get it. All three have tough decisions to make, will they make the right choices and survive the fire?

Told in the POVs of True, Mel, and Sam, this was a thrilling read. It was suspenseful and intense. The descriptive writing of the wildfire and what the firefighters do to fight it was incredibly interesting and thought-provoking. This book also explores what a parent will do for their child. If you love atomspheric books set in nature, this is the author for you!

[The Page Ladies Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had plenty of action and a decent pace to keep me entertained and turning the pages! Even though I didn't always agree with some of the characters' choices I still enjoyed getting to know them. It is a crime story but there's more about the relationships and choices. But overall it was an entertaining and interesting read!

[Tamara Gruber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another action-packed page turner from Amy Hagstrom. The blend of river rafting, forest fire, and crime reminded me of The River from Peter Heller. I couldn’t out it down!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first for me by suspense author, Amy Hagstrom, this twisty, fast-paced, adrenaline fuelled survival story sees two friends caught up in money laundering in order to help pay for the expensive medical costs of one's chronically ill daughter put in jeopardy when a bush fire gets out of control one summer in Oregon. The queer and disability rep in this book was top notch, I also loved that the story places the characters in positions where they have to make difficult decisions in the interests of their loved ones while also exploring the increasing dangers as forest fires continue to get out of control every year. Great on audio by a new to me narrator and perfect for fans of Nora Robert's Chasing fire. This would transfer really well to the big screen if anyone ever decides to make it into a movie! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

[Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Hagstrom’s previous book, The Wild Between Us, and came into Smoke Season anticipating good things. I wasn’t disappointed! The author blends authentic storytelling of humans and nature, full of love, fear, and honesty, with pulse-pounding suspense that can’t be beat. She has quickly become an auto-read author for me.

[Lisa Grønsund]

I received an advanced digital copy of this book, courtesy of the author and publisher, via Netgalley, for review consideration.

RTC

[Jamie Johnson Leach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow start and then so much...maybe too much, but the intensity of the fire is so real and true that I can forgive all else.

[Luna Gerrits · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is quite a thrilling, but mostly beautiful story, following a struggling family through a forest fire. You feel all the emotions while reading this book. I truly feel like i got to know and love these characters and found myself hoping they would all make it out well. Definitely recommend.

Thank you to netgalley and the author for sending me the book in exchange for an honest review

[Riley Parsons · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️ I liked this book, but some plot devices and decisions just rubbed me the wrong way. A lot of the bad could’ve been avoided if Sam put his big-boy pants on and got the hell out of there, and the political voices at the beginning were a bit much. The action was good, though, and so was the base of the story. The ending felt a little rushed, but I appreciate the way it turned out - and the fire scenes were pretty cool.

[Julie Maleski (juliereads_alot) · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚 PUBLICATION WEEK BOOK TOUR BOOK REVIEW 📚

Smoke Season By Amy Hagstrom
Publication Date: November 19, 2024
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

📚MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
(Rounded Up To 5⭐)

📚MY REVIEW:

If you're in the mood for an emotionally intense read, one that prompts constant edge-of-your-seat anxiety, allow me to introduce Smoke Season by Amy Hagstrom.

When I say intense, I genuinely mean it. My stomach was in knots for much of the book, and most of the intensity came primarily from the unhinged and out-of-control stressor of a burning wildfire in the Oregon mountains. While it was a different kind of intensity than in the thrillers I most often read, this was an incredibly enjoyable read for me.

The story was told from the perspective of three main characters: Sam, Mel, and True. Sam and Mel have been married for years but are currently estranged and living separately, their relationship struggling due to the stresses of their youngest daughter's life-or-death medical needs and the subsequent strain on their family's finances. True is Mel's best friend, who has had an unrequited romantic love for Mel since they first met. Mel is a fire battalion chief in town and as such, is on the frontlines of the wildfire. Sam owns the town's bar/restaurant, which serves as a community hub of-sorts for the residents during the chaos of the fire. And True, who runs her own river-guide tour company, finds herself on a river tour with rookie rafters while the fire rages in the near distance. There wasn't a single storyline in this book that didn't cause heart-pounding anxiety.

I will say, some of the details of the firefighters battling the blaze felt, at times, a little too detailed, and I found myself kinda glossing over some of it. However, this 'downtime' for my brain was welcomed amidst the intensity of the rest of the book. Amidst the intensity is the background-yet-powerful LGBTQIA+ storyline involving True's blossoming friendship with Vivian and Emmett Wu, the family she is guiding down the river. Emmett is a young trans character, wholeheartedly supported in his transition by his mother Vivian, and the conversations between True and Vivian about this part of the story were a beautiful representation of acceptance within Hagstrom's book.

There was a lot to love about Smoke Season, and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to be swept up in the storyline of a really, really great read. A massive thank you to Kate Rock Book Tours, Lake Union Publishing, NetGalley, and Amy Hagstrom herself for this advanced e-book in exchange for my participation in the book tour and my honest review.

#SmokeSeason #AmyHagstrom #LakeUnionPublishing #katerockbooktours #booktours #NetGalley #NetGalleyReviews #ARC #mustreads #booklover #bookaddict #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookrecommendations

[Hailey Honea · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Smoke Season” is a gripping novel by Amy Hagstrom that unfolds against the backdrop of an Oregon wildfire and the tumultuous rapids of the Outlaw River. The story centers on themes of friendship, sacrifice, and the lengths one will go to protect loved ones in dire circumstances.

The narrative begins in rural Carbon, Oregon, where every wildfire season brings a thick haze of smoke. This particular summer, a single lightning strike ignites a blaze that threatens to engulf everything in its path. Kristina “True” Truitt, an experienced whitewater rafting guide, finds herself deeply concerned for her best friend, Melissa Bishop, who is bravely serving as a fire battalion chief on the front lines.

As the fire spreads and jumps firebreaks, True learns that Melissa and her estranged husband, Sam, are involved in a perilous side gig: an illegal money drop along the banks of the Outlaw River. This risky endeavor is their only hope to secure medical care for their vulnerable daughter. The stakes are high as they navigate not only the dangers posed by the wildfire but also the scrutiny of federal authorities.

Throughout the story, True, Mel, and Sam face increasingly difficult choices as they grapple with what risks are worth taking to save their loved ones. As flames close in around them, they must confront their fears and decide what they are willing to sacrifice.

The novel explores profound themes such as love, loyalty, and moral dilemmas faced during crises. It highlights how natural disasters can reveal both human resilience and vulnerability while emphasizing family bonds and friendships under pressure.

The characters are well-crafted and relatable; each undergoes significant growth throughout the narrative. Their struggles resonate with readers as they deal with personal challenges amid external chaos.

“Smoke Season” is not just a tale of survival against nature’s fury but also a poignant exploration of human relationships tested by adversity.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you @amyhagstromwrites @amazonpublishing @lakeunionauthors and @katerockbooktours for the #gifted book.

Smoke Season has is an intense action suspense story that kept me on the edge of my seat until the very last page. Told in the POV of Mel, Sam, and True as they try to survive a Mega fire and save the ones they love. All three have tough decisions to make. But will they be the right ones?

True is a river reading guide floating down the Outlaw her clients Vivian and her trans son Emmet. A storm hits and they see lightning strick a tree which turns into a forest fire. True has Mel on her mind as she is carrying money down River for a dangerous drug dealer. Mel needs the money to pay for her critically I'll daughter medicine. True must decide if she should stop or continue to take her clients and the money to the drop down the river.

Mel is the Fire Chief Battalion who is fighting the blaze. She is hoping True can make it down River before the fire gets out of control. Mel is separated from her husband Sam. Their daughter's illness and the medical bills tore them apart. Mel is worried about her daughter's Astor and the ill Annie. Is Sam keeping them safe? Mel makes some questionable decisions that puts her fire crew in danger.

Sam owns the local bar/restaurant that could be in trouble if they have a bad fire season. They need money to pay for Annie's surgery and medicine. He is worried about Mel fighting the fire and for the health of Annie as the smoke from the fire increases. Should he move Annie and Astor from the bar to their house? Will they be able to escape the fire?

I learned so much about fire fighting techniques and river rafting from this story. I was invested in the characters and the tough decisions they had to make. I could feel their fear and anxiety along with the smoke and heat from the fire. I am looking forward to Amy's next book.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This high-stakes story takes place in and around a small town in Oregon. Meg, a river outfitter, takes a new client and her transgender son out on a multi-day excursion when a lightning strike starts a conflagration that threatens the town and everyone on the river. Meg’s best friend is the town’s fire chief who is in a marriage crushed by the weight of medical bills for their very ill younger daughter. She, her husband, and Meg take lots of risks and have to think fast under pressure as the fire rages and their options narrow.
The fire and rafting part reminded me of Peter Heller’s novel The River.
The details of caring for a very ill child are not something I typically encounter in a novel. There were very detailed descriptions of the health equipment needed and decisions about how long a drive they could take with what powered equipment etc. The author threw so much additional stuff into this book to make a little point here and there. For example, the child on the rafting trip is transgender and a big deal is made about that in the beginning, but it ended up not being that important to the story. More like it was thrown in to gain LGBTQIA readers, but also not essential as Meg is a lesbian. But who cares about that when the town and hillsides are in flames?!?! I still liked the book; I just thought it was over the top in places.
My thanks to the author, publisher, producer, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook for review purposes. Publication date: Nov. 19, 2024.

[Mags · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐

If you're looking for a book that's both intense and high-stakes, consider checking out Smoke Season by Amy Hagstrom. I am serious when I say intense. My stomach was in knots throughout this book. Mostly because it's set against a backdrop of a burning wildfire in the mountains of Oregon, the town of Carbon, and the river Outlaw.

With a plot that revolves around three main characters: river guide True, her closest friend, battalion fire chief Mel, and Mel's estranged husband Sam.

And as the fire burns through the mountains and moves closer to the town they call home, each person finds themselves in impossible situations and incredible danger.

With True out on the river, with her client Vivian and her transgender son Emmett. Mel is fighting the fire with her crew while Sam is at home with their two daughters waiting to hear whether they will have to evacuate. While also worrying about his youngest daughter's complex health needs.

However, the danger is not finished there. As True and Mel have been operating a dangerous side hustle, in order to raise funds that Mel and Sam urgently require.

And with complex and nuanced characters, and an impending feeling of doom. As mother nature does her worst. Smoke Season was both engaging and fast-paced, and I thought that Amy handled some sensitive and tough subjects incredibly well. I particularly liked the detail given around the wildfire and the conversations True and Vivian had.

My thanks to Kate Rock Book Tour for the opportunity to read Smoke Season. ☺️

[2manybooks2littletime · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to my partners, Kate Rock Book Tours, Amazon Publishing, and Lake Union Authors, and the author. I appreciate the gifted paperback ARC! I am leaving this review voluntarily!

1. 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 - From start to finish, I found myself holding my breath so many times. The terror of the fire and how it affects everyone in the story is palpable.

2. 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 - The intricacies of the different relationships are quite wide-spread. From lifelong enemies to lifelong friends to marriages to widowers to colleagues, Smoke Season offers the reader many insights and ways to see other views.

3. 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 - The character, Emmett, is such a triumph within the storyline. Alongside him is his mother, Vivian, who is an empathetic and loving mother. They quickly enter the heartstrings of one of our main characters, True, and this becomes a part of the plot that stuck with me throughout the novel.

4. 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 - Mel and Sam showed the lengths that parents go to for their children. Not only with Annie, their youngest who has a heart condition, but also with their oldest, Astor, they show their unconditional love and need to keep them safe. You will feel their ever-present fear as you frantically turn the pages to see what is going to happen.

5. 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 - A fear unlike any other. Everyone is at the mercy of the weather and the fire. The way that Amy’s words flow off the pages will have you smelling the smoke, feeling the heat, and experiencing the fear right alongside the characters.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Does this author know how to describe a fire! Wow!! Before starting this book, clear your schedule and calm your heart rate because while Ms. Hagstrom's first book was a slow build to the climax, this book starts with a bang. Kinda literally! I was not a victim of the 2018 Camp Fire, but I live close enough to have suffered from the air quality and provide assistance to some of the victims. Reading this book filled me with flashbacks to news reports, conversations with victims, etc. If you think I'm exaggerating, no, Ms. Hagstrom even mentions the Camp Fire in the acknowledgements. But, in addition to the heart pounding descriptions of fire, its precariousness, and the damage it can cause, there are also well developed and intricate storylines outside of the fire itself. The narration bounces between three points of view, all connected to each other but for the most part separated due to the fire. Each one has very specific concerns of their own in addition to concerns about the other narrators. This makes for a gripping, page turner and the second 5 star read for me from Ms. Hagstrom!

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.

[marlin1 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel totally torn with this book, I really enjoyed Amy’s first book but this one just didn’t grab me as much.
Mel and Sam’s marriage has broken but they are held together by their daughters, one of whom has a major medical condition needing lots of medication and eventually surgery. With fiancés tight Mel and her best friend True stumble on an illegal and risky way to secure extra money for treatment.
Set in the backdrop of a major fire surrounding the town of carbon, Mel a fire battalion chief and True a whitewater rafting guide have to battle the fire and their side hustle.
Not sure why this didn’t gel with me, I do know I was expecting this to be more about the fire itself and the community and it’s efforts to beat it, rather than the danger of the illegal activity that was going on.
Consequently I did skim read some chapters but the last 1/4 of the book held my attention. This really centred on the characters and their fire experience…terrifying. Guess this was what I had expected the story to be more about.
Thanks you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read. I will certainly still seek out any more of the author’s book.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smoke Season is a tension-filled novel about an uncontrolled wildfire in Oregon and its impact on Fire Battalion Chief Mel, her best friend the whitewater rafting guide True, Mel’s estranged husband Sam, and their two children, one of whom has serious and expensive medical issues. The descriptions of the wildfire and the attempts to contain it and/or survive it seemed very realistic, and likely reflect how real-life communities deal with such threats and how actual firefighters perform in a crisis. In Mel’s case I wonder whether a real professional would jeopardize her fire crew in favor of a risky attempt at retrieving the money box. Mel is aware that she might die in the attempt, and even if she succeeds, she still has to find a way to deliver the money in the midst of great chaos. If she is caught, she could be arrested. By abandoning her post, she would certainly lose her job and the salary the whole family depends on. Had she not prevented the trainee’s death, there would have been even more serious charges. There had to be other ways to find the money for Annie’s care.

The process for transporting the illegal money seems cumbersome and rather impractical for it to work consistently. Success depends on True being able to navigate tricky rapids that could easily overturn a raft and throw the money overboard, and also on her being able to consistently arrive on the appointed day for the pick-up. Rafting trips may be delayed by any number of problems. The drop-off and pickup point for delivery can’t be many miles apart; so, this transport method seems a strange choice. But, it’s the driving force for key actions in the novel, and it works in that regard.

On the whole, despite my doubts about the plausibility of some of the plot lines, I enjoyed reading the book and would recommend it to others. I wanted to finish the book to find out what happened to Mel, to True, and to Sam and the girls.

[Jayna · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, I thought the drama in this would be more regarding the wild fire, not the drug trafficking. The fire is a complication, not the focus. Kind of disappointed in that.

This is not what I expected, so I spent a lot of it annoyed. I likely would have enjoyed this a lot more if my expectations were different.

As for the characters, I kind of hoped they would all die. They are terrible people. Selfish people. Like, I get that Mel is doing what she can for her daughter, but it doesn't justify her actions.

As far as the audiobook aspect, there are multiple POVs and one narrator. While I always prefer multiple narrators, sometimes it is a preference, sometimes it is necessary. This is one of the necessary. There were no pauses at all between POV changes sometimes. It made it get confusing. Had it been clearer- whether the author stated their name or the narrator paused, it'd have been better. Other than that complaint, the narration by Teri Schnaubelt was fine.

I received an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Ida]

A fast-paced story with some layers. Mel is a mother who is desperate to pay for medical care for her daughter. She's also worked her way up the ranks as a firefighter. True, a white water rafting guide, is a best friend to both Mel and Mel's currently-separated husband Sam. Sam is a man who has worked his hardest to move away from the local criminal element in their rural Oregon home county -- the criminals with whom his father associated when Sam was growing up.

Behind Sam's back, Mel and True have worked out a deal running payments for the very people Sam detests and never wants to see again. Because how else to pay for the expensive medicines, hospital stays, and surgeries for their daughter.

Everything comes to a head when the worst wildfire the area has ever seen rages through the area, imperiling all of their homes, lives, and True's cash drop to the drug runners.

Full disclosure: I read some early drafts of this book as a beta reader. I still found the finished product a page turner.

[itsallaboutbooksandmacarons · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the fast pace and the character development in the story. Each chapter flowed seamlessly into the next, keeping me on the edge of my seat. The characters were well-crafted, each one growing and evolving in a way that felt real and compelling.

The theme of the story was undeniably sad, touching on deep and emotional subjects. Despite this, I couldn't put the book down. The sadness woven throughout the narrative added a layer of depth that made the story even more engaging. It wasn't just the plot that kept me hooked; it was also the way the characters dealt with their struggles and grew from their experiences.

I found myself emotionally invested in their journeys, rooting for them through their hardships and celebrating their victories. The blend of fast-paced action and thoughtful character development made the story a memorable read. It struck a perfect balance, making me feel deeply while still keeping me eagerly turning the pages.

[Kathleen Basi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amy Hagstrom delivers another heart-pounding tale of complex, nuanced characters grappling with impossible situations made even more complex by a natural disaster. In Smoke Season, we meet True, a river rafting guide; Mel, a firefighter; and Sam, her husband. The adults are trying to care for the couple's girls, one of whom has a life-threatening heart condition made more complicated when a wildfire breaks out near their hometown. Hagstrom confronts unflinchingly the complexities faced by those in the LGBTQ+ community as well as those impacted by natural disasters in an era of climate change, but the characters are always front and center: the bad judgment calls that make you want to pull your hair out, even as you understand the reasons behind them; the struggles to reconcile impossible circumstances with impossible choices. Once again, Hagstrom paints a vivid backdrop against which the drama plays out. A page turner from start to finish.

[Scott Lovelace · Rating 4 out of 5]

An uber fast action thriller. A wildfire rages. Lives are in danger. This is a story of loss and rebirth. Mel is a fire chief, True is a river guide, they are best friends. What starts out as a normal rafting trip for True ends up in a race against nature to protect her customers and a "side gig" that she runs with Mel. The side gig involves making a drop off for an unscrupulous drug dealer. Mel's estranged husband is taking care of her respiratory compromised daughter, as he is making plans to evacuate, the fires get dangerously close. An edge of your seat thriller that leaves you breathless.  A great story of the family and community coming together. There is also a queer and trans subplot intricately woven into the story.

4 stars

The narrator Teri Schnaubelt, does a wonderful job with narration. I was able to listen at 1.5x speed with no problem at all. Thank you to Brilliance Audio for the advance listener copy.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This heart pounding story had me racing to finish the book to see how the story ends. It explores what choices a person will make for their family. Set in a small, rural Oregon town, estranged couple Mel and Sam are struggling to survive and have the money needed for the care of their very ill daughter. Their best friend, river guide True, is trying hard not to take sides and is working with Mel on a dangerous scheme to earn extra money. When a wildfire ignites in the area difficult decisions must be made in order to survive. Will this fire season destroy everything? The multiple points of view and multiple storylines drew me in and kept me engaged. I liked Mel, Sam, and True and could feel their struggles and terror. The writing had my heart racing and I could see the fire as it raged. I will be adding the author to my list of auto read authors. I highly recommend this for readers that enjoy heart pounding reads.

[Dawn (noladawnreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you @katerockbooktours @amyhagstromauthor @lakeunionauthors @brilliancepublishing for my gifted arc and alc.

WOWZA!!! What a compelling thrill ride this was! I was locked in for Mel, Sam, and True’s decisions and outcomes. Mel, the small town fire chief battling the fire but worrying about her youngest daughter, seemed like she had the most on the line. But, Sam, taking care of the two girls- especially Annie with a heart condition- and having to make difficult choices in order to care for them but ALSO worry about his family home as the fires become dangerously close and all that brought with it felt the most relatable for me having been in his shoes with hurricanes and my own health to consider. True, on a river rafting guide trip and caring for her guests but also engaging in dangerous activity to help Mel and Sam take care of their daughter seemed to be putting the most at risk. I also liked the LGBT and trans rep within True’s story.
Could not put this one down!