AJ's Fire

Hampstead Valley Boys #3

by Madalyn George

Jackson

I’d always known guys were hot, I mean, objectively a big dude, wrapped in muscles and not much else, that’s attractive, right? Everyone thinks so, right? It didn’t mean I didn’t want to go out every chance I had with my best friend to play the game, to find a willing partner and take her home and have some fun? It didn’t mean I wasn’t straight, did it?

AJ

He’s my best friend. He’s been my best friend for years. That’s all that matters. He’s all that matters.

He’ll always be my best friend … won’t he?

AJ's Fire is a slow burn, double bi-awakening, best friends to lovers, low-angst story that features two firefighters who think they'll spend the rest of their lives as each other's best wing men until their pesky feelings and confusing attraction get in the way.

Genres: M M Romance, Gay

291 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2024

Reviews

[b00ks_in_nature · Rating 5 out of 5]

“If I were really into guys, don’t you think I would have noticed, with all the time I spend around them when they are glistening with sweat or soapy in the shower or …”

“Guys are hot, and I hook up with women. End of story!”

I was laughing so hard in the prologue, listening to Jackson convince himself he’s straight. The laughter continues throughout this sweet book; these two dude bros are so flipping precious!!! Seriously, I adored every moment of this book. Well, there is one part, but it doesn’t last long and isn’t too bad (and wasn’t thrown in just to create havoc like some books). The mark of a great writer is when they can really make you empathize with and care for the characters. AJ and Jackson are fantastic and I want more!! This was my first Madalyn George book, but it will not be my last! *skips off to go check out the backlist*

[Damian · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the worst books that I've read.

I struggled through this book, just to see how it would end. I thought that after sixteen chapters in, the author would've changed. The constant repeating that AJ and Jax were straight and doing what straight men do when prowling, was ridiculous. I thought, I was reading a M/F book! I believe that Madelyn George doesn't know how to write a M/M book. What was covered in this book, could've been covered in twelve chapters and not twenty one chapters! This book was such a disappointment.

[Alix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gotta say, I love a good bi awakening - and when it's a double one? YES - even better!! This book hit a lot of my fave tropes - along with the double bi-awakening, we have best friends (who also happen to be co-workers), idiots to lovers, and a small age gap, among other tropes. I enjoyed getting to know both of the MCs throughout their journeys. AJ, in particular, once he understood what his emotions were, just went all in and I loved that. The friends/family were nice and didn't take up too much of the narrative - just enough, really, to make me definitely want to start the series from the beginning read the ones I've missed. The spice is quite nice, once it gets started. I do think that the pacing was a bit off for me - the first half could have been trimmed down, so that we could get to the romance part more quickly and then I would have liked for that second part to have not felt so rushed. One of the best scenes was the first one at the cabin because it was specific and didn't feel rushed. The Epilogues made me tear up, especially that second one...gah! Loved it. I am very much looking forward to the rest of this series!! Also....the part where we see the title reference....LOVE.

Thanks to the author for this ARC - I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Amanda Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

AJ's Fire is the third book in the Hampstead Valley Boys series, it can be read as a standalone but is better read in order. This is a best friends to lovers, bi-awakening, low angst, slow burn, fun read about Jackson and AJ. I adored these two and loved the characters and the storyline. I love this series and hope to come read more from this.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very rich, upper class guy just wants to be a fireman & keep his best friend. Not marry some socialite rich woman.

[Susan Rankcom · Rating 5 out of 5]

AJ’s Fire

I love a best friend to lovers book and this one had everything you need to make it a brilliant read. Loved AJ and Jackson’s story. Highly recommend this book.

[Lauren]

DNF 19% - I love time jumps and reflections in stories but this was all over the place. Plus hardly any dialogue and so many characters introduced!