Hung by the Fire

Evergreen Lake: Under the Mistletoe #3

by Shea Brighton

Coming Soon!

Genres: Christmas

250 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 15, 2024

About the author

Shea Brighton has immersed herself in the fictional worlds of her favorite authors for years, never thinking she'd join them in their story-telling journey. However, life leads you to places you weren't expecting. That's what happened to her a few years ago, and her writing pursuit began.

Shea makes her home in Virginia, having left her native New York years ago. You can usually find her watching some sporting event on TV (though baseball holds her heart), visiting a certain Mouse, winery hopping with her friends, or curled up with a book.

Reviews

[Erin Ballinger]

Thank you for the chance to read this arc!
I really adored Hung by the Fire, which focuses on Bethany and Cole. Cole is a single 'dad', having been asked to raise his best friends' baby after a tragic accident, and Bethany is a grieving daughter back in Evergreen Lake to help her aunt. Their meet cute is fantastically spicy (I'm not normally a huge one night stand fan, but this was done really well) and then adorably awkward as Bethany is given the chance to be his nanny.
I really loved that while this was spicy, it was so deeply rooted in plot. Cole struggles with his ability to accept love and see himself as capable (despite being a hunky firefighter) and Bethany battles whether she lets herself fall for a man who might not be ready to commit. It touches on some really poignant moments about grief, love, and loss. June is adorable, Aunt M is just so sweet, and the Evergreen Lake cast of characters just barely touch this one, but enough to be fun.
This is a Christmas story that really isn't TOO Christmasy: the holidays provide that warmth and cheer, but isn't front and center.
Just an all around great feel-good love story.

[Caitlin]

very much yes. my heart is warm.

[Jordan]

3.5 ⭐️

Evergreen Lake is one of my new favorite places to be! I was excited to head back and learn more about this magical place, and I enjoyed my time back.

I love a single dad romance, so i was eager to dive into this one. With that said I am growing tired of the nanny / single dad romance. I was excited when they met in the bar first, but it quickly turned into that stereotype. It wasn’t bad, i just wish there was more creative ways for romances to build for single dads in books.

Overall, this installment in the series felt more emotional than the others. I did enjoy those emotional aspects though! I felt more connected to our MCs due to their growth and depth. It still has the feeling of a spicy hallmark moment, but just had an extra layer of depth i enjoyed!

I think the aunt was one of my favorite character & of course Joy. I enjoyed my visit to Evergreen Lake and would absolutely recommend this one to peers.

[Marissa]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Bethany grew up visiting Evergreen Lake with her family but hasn’t been back since her dad passed away. When she decides to go help her aunt there with her flower shop, she only plans to stay for a little while. Her first stop is at the local bar she always wanted to go inside as a kid and she meet Cole, the local firefighter hottie. He tends to keep to himself in town but when his neighbor offers to watch the baby and demands he go out to socialize he obliges. Never did he think he’d meet the woman of his dreams and agree to a one night stand. Much to his surprise she happens to be his neighbors niece and soon to be babysitter for Joy, the baby he was entrusted by his best friend after him and his wife passed away. While Bethany jumps right in to help him, they can’t deny the connection they have. Their relationship grows as they learn more about each other’s past and teach one another how to love. This books was the perfect holiday love story!

[Jess]

Bethany reluctantly returns to her aunt's cozy town for Christmas, haunted by memories from her past. Meanwhile, Cole, our swoon-worthy firefighter, is juggling life as a new guardian to his late friend’s baby. Fate brings them together in Evergreen Lake, and the chemistry between them is undeniable!

This book was a perfect blend of holiday warmth and emotional depth. Grumpy firefighter, adorable baby, and a sprinkle of Christmas magic? Sign me up! If you're into small-town charm and “right person, right time” vibes, this one's for you. Absolutely delightful!

[Jess]

⚠️TW - death of a parent, toxic family, death of friends, ⚠️



🔥Spice Ahead (varying degrees)🔥
Chapter 3
Chapter 11
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 22



Unlike Bethany, I was very excited to head back to Evergreen Lake. And also like Bethany, I wasn't disappointed. Hung by the Fire was different than the previous two Evergreen Lake books I read, but not in a bad way. This book had me emotional in a good way. I was heartbroken for both Bethany and Cole but had me giggling and kicking my feet for them as well. It holds true to the others in the series so far, definitely a ✨spicy✨ Hallmark book.

I wasn't a huge fan of them interacting with their inner monologue. I also could have done without the comments of it being like a romance novel, to mention something is right out of a romance novel once in a romance novel is one thing, but to mention it multiple times is too much. But despite those dislikes I enjoyed the plot and the relationship that Bethany and Cole built.

Come on goodreads.. get with the program and start doing quarter ratings.. 3.75/5⭐

[Tiffany Hannick]

This is part of the Evergreen Lake Christmas series. You will love this Christmas story but will definitely need some tissues at parts. Bethany goes to Evergreen Lake to help her aunt after having a difficult time lately. Her trip back there proved to be difficult after spending so many happy times with her dad there. Cole is a firefighter who has been given custody of his friends daughter after they pass away. Cole just so happens to live next door to Bethany’s aunt. Their story is one that is easy to relate too. Cole and Bethany both will have your heart ready for Christmas.

[Megan Tolley]

5⭐️ 3🌶️
This one hit me right in the feels🥹 I laughed, I cried, I was turned on by the sexy fireman’s dirty talk🔥 The tension between Cole & Bethany was palpable - thankfully the child they care for is only 4-5 months old and ignorant to how hot these two are for each other😂
What to expect:
• One night stand
• She’s his new nanny
• Firefighter/Army Vet
• Stages of grief
• Small Town at Christmas
• Imposter syndrome

[Ashley]

this was the one ladies and gentlemen. sweet and heartbreaking and joyful (iykyk)

[Sarah]

What if you have been cheated on multiple times in one year with multiple guys AND let go from your job. Only to have your aunt call and beg you to come to her small town, where you have good and sad memories only to FINALLY give in and go to help, but the hell ends up you becoming a nanny. For the hot, single dad firefighter living next door to your aunt. Who has a sweet little 4 month old niece he now has sole custody of. And that hot single dad? Yeah he was also the guy you may or may not have had a one-night stand with on your first night in town….
This third novel in the Evergreen Lake series will have you in your feels this holiday season in more ways than one. I seriously adore Cole and Bethany and little Joy. I hope to catch more glimpses of them in the next books.

[Christina]

I loved how sweet this book was. I actually teared up at some parts, especially towards the ending. I'm not much for Christmas books but this one has me changing my mind. It was such a good read, with the right amount of spice.

[Kim]

Heart wrenching. Saddled with a horrible childhood, Cole didn’t believe he deserved love or anything good in his life. He did his job and went home. He didn’t let other people in. It was easier that way. Bethany lost her dad early in life and memories of him kept her from going back to a place they loved. Finally after years, she went back to Evergreen Lake to help her aunt. In her time there she met Cole. Will his negative view of himself and her leaving the small town get in their way or can they overcome the life obstacles?

[Clarissa Lees]

Let me start by saying Cole and Bethany were so horny for each other. But they also both had some serious heart-wrenching trauma they were able to work through while finding each other. I loved the teasing banter they both had for each other, and just how quick everyone shut down Cole’s negative self talk as much as they could. Such a wonderful, heart-felt read.

I received an ARC for my review, all opinions are my own.

[Kristy]

Cole & Bethany 4.5 stars
1st person dual POV
A wonderful and touching story about loving and being worthy of being loved. Hot firefighter and the florist/nanny.

[wren]

The title reveal had me laughing so hard, but this book also holds deeper themes like grief and loss of a parent. I thought that was handled really well and was overall very heartwarming. However you do get all the spice since this starts off with a one night stand where they both agree to never do it again, but come on now Cole cannot stay away and is so down bad - I truly loved it. The perfect holiday Hallmark read!

The only thing that disappointed in this book and why I docked a star was no epilogue was truly criminal! I needed to know they had kids and lived happily ever after - yes, I know it's implied, but still I needed to see that especially after *spoiler spoiler spoiler* - you'll know when you know.

Thank you to the author, Shea Brighton, for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Julie]

This story grabbed my heart in a vice grip and didn't let go. I fell in love with Cole instantly (seems to be a...). He's a withdrawn, unassuming 'nice guy' who has been dealt a really crappy set of life cards. His backstop pulled hard at my heartstrings and I more then understand the emotional consequences he's dealing with now as a result. Bethany was reluctant to return to Evergreen Lake, even for her aunt, because of all the memories the place contained. A break from routine would serve her nice though, she was in a rut. When these two met, the chemistry was undeniable, but Joy came first. (Joy was all that mattered according to Cole.) Regardless of how much she cared for both Cole and Joy, if Bethany couldn't get Cole to accept his own worthiness, was there really any chance for anything lasting? Did Bethany even want that. It was Evergreen Lake after all, and she was only meant to be there for a brief time. These two will break your heart, but Shea will ensure its good as new in the end. Check out Hung by the Fire to find out how.

The pacing and character development in this book were wonderful. I enjoyed getting the look inside the characters thoughts via their inner monologs (or full conversations😉). The lessons and positive personality traits conveyed were numerous and, for me, well received. I haven't read a book by Shea Brighton before, but given the flow and ease of this story, I will be seeking out more of her work in the future.

Stay tuned into Evergreen Lake and the holiday festivities with Tangled with the Tight End, the next book in this multi-author series. I received a gift copy of this book and highly recommend it to others. Happy Reading Y'all 📚

[Jennifer]

One from the Evergreen Lake series by a new to me author and I found it a good read.
Not being familiar with the author, it did take me a minute to get into the flow of her writing, I found it very narrative, the main characters had lots of conversations in their heads rather than with each other, but when they did, I got a laugh from time to time. The inner monologues continued throughout the book, so we always knew what was going on in their heads even if they didn’t voice that to each other.
This was not a light hearted read. The presence of Bethany’s dead father loomed large over all her thoughts and actions and Cole’s less than ideal childhood, tempered all his interactions with others, shutting himself off from the world believing what his parents told hm all those years ago, that he was unlovable. Meeting Bethany and having her and Joy in his life, turned that around.
Their “meet cute” was in a bar leading to a one-night stand, leading to so much more.
This will really tug on your heartstrings; at times I felt the author was determined to make us cry, but she also gave us a book full of spicy moments, the connection and chemistry between these two leapt from the pages and steamed them up a lot!!

[Gwen Shafer]

I absolutely loved this book. I was gripped from beginning to end with this storyline and characters. Bethany comes back to Evergreen Lake after being gone for quite some time. For personal reasons she just needed to stay away. But her precious Aunt has requested her help, so Bethany comes back to visit. Her first night there she meets and becomes "close" to Cole.
Cole is a firefighter and trying to be a single dad to a precious little girl. A little girl that is lost and needs love. But Cole doesn't feel like he is the best man for the job at all.
Bethany's aunt believes that Cole can raise this little and be happy, but he needs a little help. She recruits her niece Bethany to help him not knowing that they already know each other. Bethany instantly falls in love with the precious little girl. But will her friendship with Cole turn into something more or will she end up going back home and leave them both broken?
I absolutely loved this storyline. It was intriguing, sweet, lovable and spicy. The chemistry between these two is completely off the charts hot. Enjoyable read and highly recommend.

[HeadCanonHeadCase]

Bethany's been invited to visit her aunt for Christmas. She's hesitant as first, as the town holds a mix of painful memories, but after being visited by a cardinal, she decides to go. Two months ago, Cole found himself responsible for a two-month-old baby girl after his best friend was killed in a tragic accident. He's supposed to report back to work, but his childcare fell through. Is Bethany's arrival just what he needs?

Read if you like:
-Signs (Cardinals)
-Single Guardian
-Hot Firefighters
-Grumpy x Sunshine
-Right Person, Right Time
-Found Family

I ate this book up! It is seriously Christmas cat nap! A grumpy firefighter with a little girl? And they both need help? Yes, please. Cole was so earnest and so scared of messing up that I couldn't help but want to hug him. And Bethany found exactly what she was looking for in Evergreen Lake. I like that she had a genuinely happy life before coming to town, but still realized that it was exactly where she needed to be.

Hung by the Fire is so cute! Add it to your Holiday TBR immediately.

[Kate Laycoax]

This was such a cute holiday novella! Cole becomes a single parent when his best friend passes away and leaves behind his young daughter. Bethany returns to Evergreen Lake and is grieving but wants to help her aunt. Cole and Bethany have a flirty and hot meet cute, and Bethany later becomes Cole's nanny. There was lots of spice, but it also had a great plot that kept me engaged and the pace and flow moved really well. Both Bethany and Cole have things they are struggling with, like Cole not believing he is good enough, while Bethany weighs the idea of pursuing someone who may not want to commit. There are heavier themes, like grief and loss, but the author deals with them so well. It's an emotional book, but in a good way, and well balanced with fun and spicy moments. I really enjoyed this novella and it's perfect for the holiday season!

Thank you to Shea Brighton for the ARC of this book!

[Stephie B]

3.5 stars

Tropes:
- firefighter
- one night stand
- nanny

Meet Bethany who frequented Evergreen Lake throughout her childhood until her fathers passed away. Years later she’s back in town (temporarily so she thinks) to help her aunt in her flower shop. Her first stop in town is a local bar where we are introduced to the towns local hot fireman Cole, one thing leads to another and here comes a one night stand like no other. Cole has assumed the role of dad when his best friend passed away leaving Joy in need of a parent. Cole typically keeps to himself, so when he realizes his neighbor’s niece is the same woman he had a one night stand with things get complicated… Especially when she steps in to help him with Joy as a nanny.

Their live story is super sweet and spicy, as much as I love a society ho this one really hits multiple different emotions and has so much more depth then just a spicy romance. All these characters through a telling story of grief, love and loss. 🩷

[PrfctlyMismtchd Sophie]

This book is a true highlight of the series! It is written with lots of character depth, light-hearted moments, and holiday magic.

Premis: A single firefighter adopts his best friends baby when her parents die in a car accident. He has no idea what to do with a baby let alone be a single parent. His nosey neighbor happens to have a niece who is coming to their small town to help her through the holiday rush in her flower store. The niece also has childcare experience and becomes the firefighter's nanny when he returns to work. Sparks fly, they help each other grieve monumental losses, and find in each other a kindred spirit who loves and supports them. Warning: I cried. A lot.

What to expect: Small town, firefighter, nanny, neighbors, single dad, holiday romance, lots of pinning...

TW/CW: adoption, grief, car accidents, death of a parent, childhood neglect

4/5 stars
3/5 steam

[Kari Hansen]

Evergreen is a place that holds wonderful and painful memories for Bethany as she returns to spend some time with her aunt. When it is recommended that she help her aunt’s neighbor with looking after Joy it seemed like a great idea however finding out he is the sexy stranger she spent a steamy evening with was a complication she wasn’t expecting.

Cole was unprepared for the passing of his best friend and his wife and that he was responsible for their daughter Joy. He is uncertain he can be the man that Joy needs in her life and doesn’t believe he can afford to be distracted by the feelings he is developing for Bethany.

This is a heartwarming about healing from the past and finding love. Even though they had some turmoil to overcome the townspeople of Evergreen are with them to offer support and guidance every step of the way.

[Schellie]

Bethany, Cole & baby Joy, what a story! Bethany has been through some breakups & is encouraged to go visit her aunt in Everygreen Lake. She isn't looking for anything other than to help her aunt Nadine in her flower shop. However, she meets Cole at the Reindeer Hole & sparks fly from the second he hears his "Whiskey Girl" talk. She is stunning & has a voice as smooth as the finest whiskey. Nadine knows that Cole needs child care for Joy. He has custody of her since her parents, his best friends died. He struggles with trusting himself to be a good "guardian" for her, can Bethany show him that he is so much more & help him understand that, like it or not, he is now Joy's dad? This story was absoluetley filled with chemistry for days & it was HOT, HOT, HOT! It was heart felt, spicy & a bit of a tear jerker towards the end. What a story! Enjoy

[BM]

This is book 3 in the endearing series, set in small town Evergreen Lake, written by various authors. We are being introduced to Bethany and Cole, whose lives have been taken overby circumstances. A classic Hallmark, TV romance and magical time of the year.
Bethany has found memories of her time spent in the town with her father. She now returns to help her aunt. Cole is a local firefighter, who has care of his late friends young baby. Bethany steps in to become nanny.
A one night stand.
Grief and grieving on both sides.
A man with a baby
A hot fireman
A Christmas theme

[Trina Jones]

This was a good book. It was a warm and steamy page turner and the suspense was sweet. I was on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t even put it down . Bethany and Cole meet at the cabin to where he was raised his best friend child. She was falling for him and she noticed that he was good father of this baby. He was falling for her as well and it was a beautiful moment.
I definitely recommend this but ok and you won’t be disappointed. I received advance copy of this book via Bookfunnel and am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion. Trina Jones

[Victoria Wyatt]

Cole becomes a single father of baby Joy when his best friend and his wife die unexpectedly. Bethany and Cole have a one night only to come face to face as her aunt’s neighbor. She agrees to help him with Joy but they can’t ignore their chemistry. But he holds back not believing he is good enough not only for her or baby Joy. I felt for him, it was an emotional read, both characters had a sense of pain and loss.

[Suze82]

variations of love
I enjoyed Bethany and Cole´s story so much since it shines a light on the many different variations of love: love for yourself, for an innocent child needing help, for relatives, fellow citizens. This book contains all the elements that make me happy as a reader: firefighters, a little baby, an interfering but well meaning aunt, a small town setting and let´s not forget about christmas.

[Shelby Sport]

What an infuriating book, in a good way, but damn it was infuriating! The MMC is a self deprecating, screwed by his past, pigheaded man who deserved all of the love in the world but wouldn’t allow himself to feel it. The FMC was a beautiful woman who wanted to give her heart to him and more but he just wouldn’t accept it. He finally did and everything was set to be perfect in his world. I loved this book and it made my heart happy to read all of the love throughout this book!

[Lesley Thompson]

The small-town setting, emotional depth, and themes of family and friendship seem to create a heartfelt backdrop. The dynamic of a single dad struggling with self-worth while raising his friend's baby, combined with Bethany's support and their undeniable chemistry, sounds like a perfect recipe for a memorable holiday romance. The meddling Aunt adds a fun touch to the plot, nudging them together and adding to the festive feel. It sounds like a warm, feel-good read!