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Embers in the Outfield
When Kennedy met River at a frat party ten years earlier, sparks definitely flew—but not the kind she would have preferred.
A decade later, they find themselves thrust together at their best friends’ wedding. Even though their intense attraction remained, nothing else seemed to mesh between the two. Constantly opposing one another, they couldn’t run faster in opposite directions.
Too bad fate had different ideas.
Their lives became a continual game of push and pull until the day came when they could no longer fight that overwhelming connection.
What started as a way to just scratch an itch soon turned into unexpected feelings and questions of what-ifs.
Can these two enemies find their way to true love, or will they be destined to challenge what the future has in store for them?
A decade later, they find themselves thrust together at their best friends’ wedding. Even though their intense attraction remained, nothing else seemed to mesh between the two. Constantly opposing one another, they couldn’t run faster in opposite directions.
Too bad fate had different ideas.
Their lives became a continual game of push and pull until the day came when they could no longer fight that overwhelming connection.
What started as a way to just scratch an itch soon turned into unexpected feelings and questions of what-ifs.
Can these two enemies find their way to true love, or will they be destined to challenge what the future has in store for them?
313 pages, ebook
First published August 29, 2024
15 people are currently reading
212 people want to read
About the author
Stefanie Castro
8 books79 followersAs a first-generation American, born and raised in Southern California, Stefanie found a love for writing after she had built her career in nursing. She continues to work as a full-time nurse in a remote position, but has incorporated writing into her routine, writing at night and when possible during the weekend. She also enjoys reading when time allows. This was never something she imagined possible, but it has opened up a world of connection with readers all across the world. Romance writing is something that has filled her cup and has brought immense joy to her life. Stefanie currently resides in Southern California, with her husband, two kids, and their Cavalier King Charles dog.
Instagram ⇢ @stefaniecastro.author
Email ⇢ stefanie.castro.writes@gmail.com
Instagram ⇢ @stefaniecastro.author
Email ⇢ stefanie.castro.writes@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
August 22, 2024
“You’ve found your forever in me, Kennedy. I promise.”
I LOVED this book! In the beginning the banter between River and Kennedy made me actually laugh out loud. They were hilarious in what they thought was true hatred for one another. Even as they started falling for each other Kennedy was always quick with the hilarious comments to River and it had me dying. We love a funny queen. 👸🏼
Kennedy was such a relatable character. Her strong will, hard work, and sass was my favorite! River is a top tier book boyfriend. He had me swooning and falling for him from the very beginning! Watching the relationship between these two truly soften and unfold was executed perfectly by Stefanie! The way they opened up and connected on a deeper level, then the plot twist to their connection was actually mind blowing!
“Unlike the destiny of this purse, I want forever with you…”
I have zero complaints about this book, I enjoyed it to its entirety and could not recommend it enough! I loved all the side characters and I cannot wait to read Clay’s book! 🤩
Thank you Stefanie Castro and The Author Agency for the ARC of this book! 💗
I LOVED this book! In the beginning the banter between River and Kennedy made me actually laugh out loud. They were hilarious in what they thought was true hatred for one another. Even as they started falling for each other Kennedy was always quick with the hilarious comments to River and it had me dying. We love a funny queen. 👸🏼
Kennedy was such a relatable character. Her strong will, hard work, and sass was my favorite! River is a top tier book boyfriend. He had me swooning and falling for him from the very beginning! Watching the relationship between these two truly soften and unfold was executed perfectly by Stefanie! The way they opened up and connected on a deeper level, then the plot twist to their connection was actually mind blowing!
“Unlike the destiny of this purse, I want forever with you…”
I have zero complaints about this book, I enjoyed it to its entirety and could not recommend it enough! I loved all the side characters and I cannot wait to read Clay’s book! 🤩
Thank you Stefanie Castro and The Author Agency for the ARC of this book! 💗
November 17, 2025
Thanks to the author for sending me this ARC!
This is an enemies-to-lovers romance that mixes sharp tension, emotional depth, and sizzling chemistry in the best way. River is the playboy, ridiculously hot firefighter, and Kennedy is the loyal friend and powerhouse CEO of a baseball team. And they have only two things in common: their best friends (who just happen to be married) and their shared refusal to commit to anything serious. They make the perfect candidates for a long-standing rivalry, but fate keeps pushing them together.
Their dynamic is electric from the moment they reunite at their friends’ wedding. What starts as forced proximity and an invisible, undeniable pull quickly shifts into a friends-with-benefits situation full of banter, vulnerability, and slow-burn longing. Both River and Kennedy carry pasts that have shaped who they are, and watching them open up, confessing things they’ve never told anyone else, adds heart to all the heat. I swear you’ll be kicking your feet and smiling through half the book. The push-and-pull, the secret softness beneath their tough exteriors, and that overwhelming connection they try so hard to resist make this story such an addictive read.
And can we talk about the next book? River’s twin brother, who is also a firefighter, getting his own story is the best news. I can’t wait to dive back into this series!
This is an enemies-to-lovers romance that mixes sharp tension, emotional depth, and sizzling chemistry in the best way. River is the playboy, ridiculously hot firefighter, and Kennedy is the loyal friend and powerhouse CEO of a baseball team. And they have only two things in common: their best friends (who just happen to be married) and their shared refusal to commit to anything serious. They make the perfect candidates for a long-standing rivalry, but fate keeps pushing them together.
Their dynamic is electric from the moment they reunite at their friends’ wedding. What starts as forced proximity and an invisible, undeniable pull quickly shifts into a friends-with-benefits situation full of banter, vulnerability, and slow-burn longing. Both River and Kennedy carry pasts that have shaped who they are, and watching them open up, confessing things they’ve never told anyone else, adds heart to all the heat. I swear you’ll be kicking your feet and smiling through half the book. The push-and-pull, the secret softness beneath their tough exteriors, and that overwhelming connection they try so hard to resist make this story such an addictive read.
And can we talk about the next book? River’s twin brother, who is also a firefighter, getting his own story is the best news. I can’t wait to dive back into this series!
September 8, 2024
This was such an incredible book. I've read all of Stefanie's books and I think this one is my favorite. I loved all the sexual tension between River and Kennedy. They start out hating one another and arguing all the time, their best friends are dating each other so they are forced into the same friend group. Years later at their friends' wedding they can't deny their attraction to each other any longer and have one night together. That leads to friends with benefits until one of them catches feelings. Then they are forced to redefine the rules of their relationship. Stefanie writes these characters so well it makes me feel like I'm a part of the story. I fell in love with these characters and I think you will too. For me this book had all the feelings. There were times I laughed and cried. This book was fantastic. I highly recommend it.
August 30, 2024
First things first. As a former first responder, I LOVE the first responder representation. It's not seen enough in my opinion. Pair it with baseball and I'm SOLD. Baseball is my favorite sport. I'm always a sucker. In this book its more of a background story than part of the major story. I still love to have two things that I love so much. Plus its enemies to lovers??? I don't think I can spell out how much I enjoyed this story.
A powerful woman that takes no crap. A smart talking playboy. I swooned so freaking hard for these two. Kennedy and River spent so long pushing each other's button they didn't realize how attracted they are with one another. Basically stating their claim to one another immediately. I was here for it so hard. I swallowed this story. I ignored responsibilities because I needed to know how their story ended up.
SPOILERS!
9/11 was a sad day to the world. I still feel the ache in my chest when I think of that day. Seeing these two and the ways they were effected broke my heart. And warmed it at the same time. I love that Kennedy was able to meet River's dad. On the worst day of her life, she was able to feel like warmth from him. Ken was able to meet his father and help them learn the truth of the morning before he died. She was able to meet her soulmates father. It was the perfect sense of proof that they were perfect for one another.
I couldn't get enough of River's playful side. Especially with the proposal. I can gush for days on this book. Everyone needs to read it. It's fantastic.
A powerful woman that takes no crap. A smart talking playboy. I swooned so freaking hard for these two. Kennedy and River spent so long pushing each other's button they didn't realize how attracted they are with one another. Basically stating their claim to one another immediately. I was here for it so hard. I swallowed this story. I ignored responsibilities because I needed to know how their story ended up.
SPOILERS!
9/11 was a sad day to the world. I still feel the ache in my chest when I think of that day. Seeing these two and the ways they were effected broke my heart. And warmed it at the same time. I love that Kennedy was able to meet River's dad. On the worst day of her life, she was able to feel like warmth from him. Ken was able to meet his father and help them learn the truth of the morning before he died. She was able to meet her soulmates father. It was the perfect sense of proof that they were perfect for one another.
I couldn't get enough of River's playful side. Especially with the proposal. I can gush for days on this book. Everyone needs to read it. It's fantastic.
August 29, 2024
Stefanie writes amazing books. Let’s just start with that.
Embers in the Outfield is an enemies to lovers romance and I ate it up. I LOVED River and Kennedy. They were both hilarious and I giggled at multiple parts of this book. Which is one of the things I genuinely appreciate about Stefanie’s writing. One thing about her? She’s going to make you laugh.
I felt so many emotions reading this book. I absolutely enjoyed it. I loved the dual POV and diving into each of the characters views on everything. The love and connection between River and Kennedy was EVERYTHING. I knew right away they were made for each other. So reading about the entire thing unfoldinf was beautiful honestly.
I also loved the family and found family in this book. The supporting characters were great and honestly I cannot WAIT for book 2 I just know that one is going to be extremely emotional!
Embers in the Outfield is an enemies to lovers romance and I ate it up. I LOVED River and Kennedy. They were both hilarious and I giggled at multiple parts of this book. Which is one of the things I genuinely appreciate about Stefanie’s writing. One thing about her? She’s going to make you laugh.
I felt so many emotions reading this book. I absolutely enjoyed it. I loved the dual POV and diving into each of the characters views on everything. The love and connection between River and Kennedy was EVERYTHING. I knew right away they were made for each other. So reading about the entire thing unfoldinf was beautiful honestly.
I also loved the family and found family in this book. The supporting characters were great and honestly I cannot WAIT for book 2 I just know that one is going to be extremely emotional!
August 29, 2024
This book was so good!!! Stefanie is a new author to me so I didn’t know what to expect and she definitely blew me away!
This story is in three parts, the prologue where we met Kennedy, when she was 5 and a tragic moment that will shape her for the rest of her life. The second part is where Kennedy is at a Frat party and she meets River officially but she knows him from a mutual friend. Let’s just say this is where they begin the journey of being frenemies. Then the third part is current day, 10 years later.
Kennedy is a strong woman who is the president of her uncle’s professional baseball team. Losing her parents young, she decided she was going to keep her walls high and locked up.
River is a playboy firefighter who lost his dad on 9/11. Him and his twin brother are following in their dad’s footsteps but River swears to never love someone due to having his heart broken in high school and also seeing how losing someone you love can bring so much sadness.
Kennedy’s best friend is marrying River’s best friend, all 4 met in college, River and Kennedy have been enemies since that Frat party. Both think each other is extremely attractive but would never openly admit it. Well until one day where the stretched rubber band of their banter snaps and they decide to secretly have a hook up agreement. This was great for them to both hate hook up and move on with their day to day, but feelings start to fuzz up that line. The moment both realize that feelings were there to stay, it caused some issues.
Tropes:
Enemies to Lovers
Secret Hook Up
Found Family
Close Friends
Hidden Plot
Firefighter
Banter
This story is in three parts, the prologue where we met Kennedy, when she was 5 and a tragic moment that will shape her for the rest of her life. The second part is where Kennedy is at a Frat party and she meets River officially but she knows him from a mutual friend. Let’s just say this is where they begin the journey of being frenemies. Then the third part is current day, 10 years later.
Kennedy is a strong woman who is the president of her uncle’s professional baseball team. Losing her parents young, she decided she was going to keep her walls high and locked up.
River is a playboy firefighter who lost his dad on 9/11. Him and his twin brother are following in their dad’s footsteps but River swears to never love someone due to having his heart broken in high school and also seeing how losing someone you love can bring so much sadness.
Kennedy’s best friend is marrying River’s best friend, all 4 met in college, River and Kennedy have been enemies since that Frat party. Both think each other is extremely attractive but would never openly admit it. Well until one day where the stretched rubber band of their banter snaps and they decide to secretly have a hook up agreement. This was great for them to both hate hook up and move on with their day to day, but feelings start to fuzz up that line. The moment both realize that feelings were there to stay, it caused some issues.
Tropes:
Enemies to Lovers
Secret Hook Up
Found Family
Close Friends
Hidden Plot
Firefighter
Banter
August 31, 2024
This book definitely reinforced the knowledge that I go mad for an enemies to lovers romance!!! I loved the banter between Kennedy and River, and after 10 years of built-up anger and tension.... their passion explodes!!! I don't want to spoil anything, but the first spicy scene... yep!!! And the evolution of their relationship feels so right. I'm looking forward to Clay's story next!!!
March 6, 2025
Fun read
This book is excellent, want to laugh and cry and be embarrassed for the characters then this is the book. Its about family and losing family and physical attraction and lust. So many thing and it makes you feel all these things. This author got it alk covered in this book. Exceptional Read and it was free.
This book is excellent, want to laugh and cry and be embarrassed for the characters then this is the book. Its about family and losing family and physical attraction and lust. So many thing and it makes you feel all these things. This author got it alk covered in this book. Exceptional Read and it was free.
September 19, 2024
This is the first book I’ve read by Stefanie and I really enjoyed it!
From the start I loved River and Kennedy!
Their banter throughout the book was so entertaining, some parts actually had me laughing out loud. They also had the best chemistry which made for some intense tension. I ate it up!
Both characters were very likable. Kennedy was a relatable FMC. She was strong and could hold her own but it was nice to see once she was comfortable with River her being vulnerable and trusting. It was also great to see that she was a successful business woman even if people underestimated her.
On the surface River is a typical playboy but we quickly learn there is so much more to him and he does have a sweet, caring side.
River immediately liked Kennedy when they first met but Kennedy already heard about River through some rumors and was instantly turned off. They quickly turned into enemies and never thought they would have to see each other again. Until their best friends begin to date and then ten years later are getting married which forced them to see each other throughout the years.
But they could not deny their attraction to each other which began their secret hook up agreement. It wasn’t suppose to turn into more, but at some point lines got blurred and they started developing feelings.
The twist at the end!! It was crazy how much their lives actually intertwined. Learning about Kennedy and Rivers past made me tear up!!
River is a twin and I am so curious about his brother! We got a glimpse of his life and I’m already so invested to know more!
Rating ⭐️: 4.5/5
Spice 🌶️: 3/5
Dual POV
🔥 Enemies to lovers
🩷 Secret hook up
🔥 Forced proximity
🩷 Found family
🔥 Firefighter hero
🩷 Strong heroine
Make sure to check trigger warnings!
"𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬, 𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬, 𝐢𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠,"
"𝑰𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒔𝒐 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒐𝒇 𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈,"
"𝑴𝒚 𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒕, 𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒕 𝑲𝒆𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒅𝒚, 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒃𝒚 𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒈𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖,"
"𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠, 𝐈 𝐩𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲. 𝐈 𝐤𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐦𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐈 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞.”
Thank you so much to the author and The Author Agency for the arc!
From the start I loved River and Kennedy!
Their banter throughout the book was so entertaining, some parts actually had me laughing out loud. They also had the best chemistry which made for some intense tension. I ate it up!
Both characters were very likable. Kennedy was a relatable FMC. She was strong and could hold her own but it was nice to see once she was comfortable with River her being vulnerable and trusting. It was also great to see that she was a successful business woman even if people underestimated her.
On the surface River is a typical playboy but we quickly learn there is so much more to him and he does have a sweet, caring side.
River immediately liked Kennedy when they first met but Kennedy already heard about River through some rumors and was instantly turned off. They quickly turned into enemies and never thought they would have to see each other again. Until their best friends begin to date and then ten years later are getting married which forced them to see each other throughout the years.
But they could not deny their attraction to each other which began their secret hook up agreement. It wasn’t suppose to turn into more, but at some point lines got blurred and they started developing feelings.
The twist at the end!! It was crazy how much their lives actually intertwined. Learning about Kennedy and Rivers past made me tear up!!
River is a twin and I am so curious about his brother! We got a glimpse of his life and I’m already so invested to know more!
Rating ⭐️: 4.5/5
Spice 🌶️: 3/5
Dual POV
🔥 Enemies to lovers
🩷 Secret hook up
🔥 Forced proximity
🩷 Found family
🔥 Firefighter hero
🩷 Strong heroine
Make sure to check trigger warnings!
"𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬, 𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬, 𝐢𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠,"
"𝑰𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒔𝒐 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒐𝒇 𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈,"
"𝑴𝒚 𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒕, 𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒕 𝑲𝒆𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒅𝒚, 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒃𝒚 𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒈𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖,"
"𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠, 𝐈 𝐩𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲. 𝐈 𝐤𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐦𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐈 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞.”
Thank you so much to the author and The Author Agency for the arc!
September 1, 2024
[ARC Review] 4.5 ⭐️ / 3.7 🍋
i love reading povs when the main characters are children. it’s literally the cutest but the prologue in this book broke my heart. 😭😭 little kennedy went through so much
i am a big enemies to lovers fan and this one was just 😚👌🏻 add the bantering and 😚👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻. River was smitten with her from the very moment he laid his eyes on kennedy but their meet cute couldn’t go anymore different than he thought,, me too for that fact 🤣 River was a funny dude and seeing him get put in his place by kennedy, clay and ash + sam was such a pleasure to read!!
i personally feel like i am a kennedy and i can relate to her so much. i don’t share her grief but her characteristic is so much like me. not ever letting ourselves be vulnerable and putting on a strong front when all we want is to be smothered in love. she was such a strongly written fmc. i loved watching her dominate the room, it was honestly so hot!!
river and kennedy’s spicy bantering was top tier and i really enjoyed watching them fall for each other. i just really wished we got to see more of them being domestic instead of their relationship evolve through the spice. the emotional turn this book went, was beautiful, heartbreaking and healing. their love story really was something written in the stars.
this was my first book i’ve read from this author and i am happy to say, i will be sticking around for this series!
i love reading povs when the main characters are children. it’s literally the cutest but the prologue in this book broke my heart. 😭😭 little kennedy went through so much
i am a big enemies to lovers fan and this one was just 😚👌🏻 add the bantering and 😚👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻. River was smitten with her from the very moment he laid his eyes on kennedy but their meet cute couldn’t go anymore different than he thought,, me too for that fact 🤣 River was a funny dude and seeing him get put in his place by kennedy, clay and ash + sam was such a pleasure to read!!
i personally feel like i am a kennedy and i can relate to her so much. i don’t share her grief but her characteristic is so much like me. not ever letting ourselves be vulnerable and putting on a strong front when all we want is to be smothered in love. she was such a strongly written fmc. i loved watching her dominate the room, it was honestly so hot!!
river and kennedy’s spicy bantering was top tier and i really enjoyed watching them fall for each other. i just really wished we got to see more of them being domestic instead of their relationship evolve through the spice. the emotional turn this book went, was beautiful, heartbreaking and healing. their love story really was something written in the stars.
this was my first book i’ve read from this author and i am happy to say, i will be sticking around for this series!
August 28, 2024
Wow. This book starts right off hitting you in all the feels. Kennedy and River became enemies as soon as they met. But now, 10 years later, their best friends are marrying each other and so now they're thrown in close proximity to each other while dealing with wedding festivities.
The banter between these two is so entertaining. They purposely do everything they can to push each other's buttons. Watching their relationship soften from pure hatred to real feelings was so fun to see. Their sexual chemistry is explosive. Kennedy was such a strong, sassy FMC but I loved seeing her vulnerable side come through. Her & River challenged each other and that's what they both needed. There's a twist towards the end that I definitely saw coming but it was still heart touching. Stefanie is so great with her story telling and I was hooked from the beginning. I really enjoyed this book!
“You’ve found your forever in me, Kennedy. I promise.”
What to expect:
🩷Enemies to lovers
🩷Friends with benefits
🩷Both experiencing grief
🩷Firefighter Hero MMC
🩷Strong, sassy heroine
🩷Dual POV
Please check your trigger warnings! This one releases August 29! Thank you to Stefanie Castro & The Author Agency for this ARC. This is my honest review.
The banter between these two is so entertaining. They purposely do everything they can to push each other's buttons. Watching their relationship soften from pure hatred to real feelings was so fun to see. Their sexual chemistry is explosive. Kennedy was such a strong, sassy FMC but I loved seeing her vulnerable side come through. Her & River challenged each other and that's what they both needed. There's a twist towards the end that I definitely saw coming but it was still heart touching. Stefanie is so great with her story telling and I was hooked from the beginning. I really enjoyed this book!
“You’ve found your forever in me, Kennedy. I promise.”
What to expect:
🩷Enemies to lovers
🩷Friends with benefits
🩷Both experiencing grief
🩷Firefighter Hero MMC
🩷Strong, sassy heroine
🩷Dual POV
Please check your trigger warnings! This one releases August 29! Thank you to Stefanie Castro & The Author Agency for this ARC. This is my honest review.
August 19, 2024
4🌟🌟🌟🌟
Tropes:
🩷enemies to lovers
🩶friends with benefits
🩷sports romance
🩶Firefighter Hero MMC
🩷strong heroine
🩶loss of parent
🩷dual pov
🩶lots of banter
From the beginning of the prologue, which not only drew me in but broke my heart i knew this book was gonna be worth the read.
Kennedy and River first met back in college , about 10 yrs ago when both of their friends, Ash and Sam first started dating. The first interaction with each other didn’t go as planned and they instantly became more frienemies.
Over the years River has pushed all sorts f Kennedy’s buttons just to mess with her. Kennedy on the other hand has just tried to ignore him and pretend he doesn’t exist.
Now, all these years later their friends are getting married and they are both part of the wedding. A situation occurs at the wedding between them and they enter into a casual relationship… but what will happen when one of them develops more feelings, or actually wants a relationship, it’s not just them to consider but their friends as well..
It you love enemies to lovers, hate to love, great strong characters and lots of sarcasm and banter this is definitely a great book for you.
Tropes:
🩷enemies to lovers
🩶friends with benefits
🩷sports romance
🩶Firefighter Hero MMC
🩷strong heroine
🩶loss of parent
🩷dual pov
🩶lots of banter
From the beginning of the prologue, which not only drew me in but broke my heart i knew this book was gonna be worth the read.
Kennedy and River first met back in college , about 10 yrs ago when both of their friends, Ash and Sam first started dating. The first interaction with each other didn’t go as planned and they instantly became more frienemies.
Over the years River has pushed all sorts f Kennedy’s buttons just to mess with her. Kennedy on the other hand has just tried to ignore him and pretend he doesn’t exist.
Now, all these years later their friends are getting married and they are both part of the wedding. A situation occurs at the wedding between them and they enter into a casual relationship… but what will happen when one of them develops more feelings, or actually wants a relationship, it’s not just them to consider but their friends as well..
It you love enemies to lovers, hate to love, great strong characters and lots of sarcasm and banter this is definitely a great book for you.
August 28, 2024
“I think my heart knew the moment I let you in it would never be the same.”
Stefanie Castro has outdone herself with this fantastic novel!
River and Kennedy met in university and their first meeting was not great. When their best friends end up dating and eventually getting married, they have no choice but to see each other. The animosity and jabs continue until one day, things start to change. This is a beautiful enemies-to-lovers story. I feel in love with both River and Kennedy. Their relationship didn’t feel forced. Each has had some trauma in the past, which ends up bringing them even closer. The banter in this one is superb and had me laughing! The author is so good at making your heart sing while also pulling on your heart strings! She is amazing at pulling out the emotions and feeling right along with the characters.
Embers in the Outfield is the first book of the Boston Embers Series. I’m so looking forward to reading more of her books!
This book has:
💜Enemies-to-Lovers
💜Friends with Benefits
💜Strong Heroine
💜Dual POV
💜Banter
💜Sass
💜Firefighter Hero MMC
💜Sports CEO FMC
Stefanie Castro has outdone herself with this fantastic novel!
River and Kennedy met in university and their first meeting was not great. When their best friends end up dating and eventually getting married, they have no choice but to see each other. The animosity and jabs continue until one day, things start to change. This is a beautiful enemies-to-lovers story. I feel in love with both River and Kennedy. Their relationship didn’t feel forced. Each has had some trauma in the past, which ends up bringing them even closer. The banter in this one is superb and had me laughing! The author is so good at making your heart sing while also pulling on your heart strings! She is amazing at pulling out the emotions and feeling right along with the characters.
Embers in the Outfield is the first book of the Boston Embers Series. I’m so looking forward to reading more of her books!
This book has:
💜Enemies-to-Lovers
💜Friends with Benefits
💜Strong Heroine
💜Dual POV
💜Banter
💜Sass
💜Firefighter Hero MMC
💜Sports CEO FMC
August 30, 2024
Embers in the Outfield
Stefanie Castro
Amazing story. This author knows how to perfectly blend emotional turmoil, witty banter, and sexy times together. I cried, I laughed, and I definitely blushed.
The story of River & Kennedy is tragic, epic, and kismet!!! Their journey was so entertaining, and it was such a great, emotionally stressful roller coaster.
Enemies to start with excellent barbs & jabs. They were so funny!!!
Then, when the story flows into a more lusty beneficial something'ship it really kicked into fun times. The way that these two craved one another was exactly what we love about an Enemies to Lovers trope. It's angsty, it's sexy, it's full of denial & inner turmoil.
So So
So good.
When their connection was revealed, I sighed, like not with relief but more like disbelief? Like HOW!? It was kismet. It was super sad how they both experienced such an overwhelming heartbreaking on the same day, though.
That prologue GUTTED ME.
EXCELLENT story.
Great Romance.
Super well written.
All the feels.
Stefanie Castro
Amazing story. This author knows how to perfectly blend emotional turmoil, witty banter, and sexy times together. I cried, I laughed, and I definitely blushed.
The story of River & Kennedy is tragic, epic, and kismet!!! Their journey was so entertaining, and it was such a great, emotionally stressful roller coaster.
Enemies to start with excellent barbs & jabs. They were so funny!!!
Then, when the story flows into a more lusty beneficial something'ship it really kicked into fun times. The way that these two craved one another was exactly what we love about an Enemies to Lovers trope. It's angsty, it's sexy, it's full of denial & inner turmoil.
So So
So good.
When their connection was revealed, I sighed, like not with relief but more like disbelief? Like HOW!? It was kismet. It was super sad how they both experienced such an overwhelming heartbreaking on the same day, though.
That prologue GUTTED ME.
EXCELLENT story.
Great Romance.
Super well written.
All the feels.
August 30, 2024
I loved this book so much! It was the first one I've read by Stefanie Castro. Embers in the Oufiled is the start of a new series. Kennedy and River have a history of playing cat and mouse. Their playful and feisty banter is what makes the book exciting and unputdownable.
A little bit about the main characters:
River has a twin brother named Clay, and River is a firefighter. Kennedy, on the other hand, is a strong and independent heroine who also happens to be the president of a baseball team. The attraction between Kennedy and River is evident, although they both try to deny it by playing a back-and-forth game of dislike. Kennedy's comebacks are great!! They will make you laugh, and River will make you swoon. However, their true feelings for each other become more and more apparent as the story unfolds.
I highly recommend "Embers in the Outfield" if you love Enemies to Lovers, Friends with Benefits, Firefighter Hero MMC, Sports CEO FMC, Dual POV, and AMAZE-ING banter.
Thank you to Stefanie Castro and The Author Agency for the ARC. This book was the best!
A little bit about the main characters:
River has a twin brother named Clay, and River is a firefighter. Kennedy, on the other hand, is a strong and independent heroine who also happens to be the president of a baseball team. The attraction between Kennedy and River is evident, although they both try to deny it by playing a back-and-forth game of dislike. Kennedy's comebacks are great!! They will make you laugh, and River will make you swoon. However, their true feelings for each other become more and more apparent as the story unfolds.
I highly recommend "Embers in the Outfield" if you love Enemies to Lovers, Friends with Benefits, Firefighter Hero MMC, Sports CEO FMC, Dual POV, and AMAZE-ING banter.
Thank you to Stefanie Castro and The Author Agency for the ARC. This book was the best!
August 30, 2024
You were brought to me, Kennedy. I truly believe my dad is watching us, and he knows that I finally found what he had left for me before leaving me behind.
Embers in the Outfield by Stefanie Castro
⭐️ — 4.5/5
🌶️ — 3/5
I want to apologize for the unhinged DMs that the author received while I was reading this book — she’s another new-to-me author and I was unprepared to feel ALL THE FEELINGS.
Watching River and Kennedy fall in love was everything. I’m a sucker for enemies-to-lovers — I think because I love banter so much — and it was just done so well here. They and all the other characters were so endearing and relatable that I want to know them all.
Just when I thought the surprises were over — another, another, ANOTHER and I can’t wait for February when book 2 in the series is released! Thank you so much to the author for the absolute privilege of reading this story.
Please, prior to reading Embers in the Outfield look at the trigger warnings.
Embers in the Outfield by Stefanie Castro
⭐️ — 4.5/5
🌶️ — 3/5
I want to apologize for the unhinged DMs that the author received while I was reading this book — she’s another new-to-me author and I was unprepared to feel ALL THE FEELINGS.
Watching River and Kennedy fall in love was everything. I’m a sucker for enemies-to-lovers — I think because I love banter so much — and it was just done so well here. They and all the other characters were so endearing and relatable that I want to know them all.
Just when I thought the surprises were over — another, another, ANOTHER and I can’t wait for February when book 2 in the series is released! Thank you so much to the author for the absolute privilege of reading this story.
Please, prior to reading Embers in the Outfield look at the trigger warnings.
August 30, 2024
The beginnings do not have to define the endings. Introduced through mutual friends, sassy Kennedy, a CEO of baseball franchise and handsome River, a firefighter, are enemies first…their not-so meet cute and banter during this stage is absolutely hilarious. They strike up a no-attachments offer with each other and their chemistry is off the charts and the spice is spicing. There were some unexpected twists in this open-door, frenemies to lovers romance, dual first person point-of-view story that made the plot intriguing, as well as references to a tragic national event. One of my absolute favorite parts of this book was that the main male character has an identical twin brother, Clay, and the author absolutely nailed the mannerisms, characteristics, actions and thoughts of being a twin perfectly. I am very much looking forward to his story next!
Thank you to the author and The Author Agency for an eARC.
Thank you to the author and The Author Agency for an eARC.
August 17, 2024
From the opening paragraph I was drawn into this story. The prologue alone broke my heart. As a result of her pain and loss, Kennedy became a strong and sassy woman. And from the moment she met River, she hated him. Their banter and taunting was impeccable.
If you love enemies to lovers, a strong heroine, lots of steam and banter, lots of heart and well written and developed characters, as well as a beautiful found family vibe, you’ll love this story. What started as an itch to scratch develops into something more for River and Kennedy, and it’s a great journey to get there.
This is the first book in the Boston Embers series and is due for release 29 Aug. Add it to your TBR, you won’t be disappointed.
Thank you @stefaniecastro.author and @theauthor.agency for the e-ARC of this story. Truly a wonderful read.
If you love enemies to lovers, a strong heroine, lots of steam and banter, lots of heart and well written and developed characters, as well as a beautiful found family vibe, you’ll love this story. What started as an itch to scratch develops into something more for River and Kennedy, and it’s a great journey to get there.
This is the first book in the Boston Embers series and is due for release 29 Aug. Add it to your TBR, you won’t be disappointed.
Thank you @stefaniecastro.author and @theauthor.agency for the e-ARC of this story. Truly a wonderful read.
August 29, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
🌶️🌶️🌶️
💗Dual POV
🚒Firefighter MMC also a twin
💗Badass sports team President FMC
🚒EPIC banter
💗Enemies to lovers
🚒Friends with benefits
💗Found family
🚒 Loss of parents/ sept 11th
💗 The sweetest serendipity 🥹
🚒He falls first
💗trauma bonding
🚒 They both have never wanted serious relationships…..
The prologue pulled me in and broke my heart. The banter had me laughing and giggling. The growth of River and Kennedy’s relationship had me in a melted puddle.
River and Kennedy have been enemies from the moment they were introduced….now a decade later they are in the wedding party of their best friends wedding together and find that maybe what they feel towards one another is not what they thought…..
I absolutely adored this book and am so looking forward to reading Clay’s story next! Thank you so much to Stefanie and The Author Agency for the ARC of this beautiful story!
🌶️🌶️🌶️
💗Dual POV
🚒Firefighter MMC also a twin
💗Badass sports team President FMC
🚒EPIC banter
💗Enemies to lovers
🚒Friends with benefits
💗Found family
🚒 Loss of parents/ sept 11th
💗 The sweetest serendipity 🥹
🚒He falls first
💗trauma bonding
🚒 They both have never wanted serious relationships…..
The prologue pulled me in and broke my heart. The banter had me laughing and giggling. The growth of River and Kennedy’s relationship had me in a melted puddle.
River and Kennedy have been enemies from the moment they were introduced….now a decade later they are in the wedding party of their best friends wedding together and find that maybe what they feel towards one another is not what they thought…..
I absolutely adored this book and am so looking forward to reading Clay’s story next! Thank you so much to Stefanie and The Author Agency for the ARC of this beautiful story!
August 31, 2024
Stefanie Castro has quickly become a must-read author for me, and I loved this kick-off to a new series. River and Kennedy's story gave me all the feels for an enemies-to-lovers romance.
These characters were so fabulously flawed. They hated each other for years, and there is a fine line between love and hate. Once they gave in to that passion, they were combustible! A secret relationship soon became so much more as these two commitaphobes realized they had more in common than they ever realized. There is also a lovely layer of the long-term effects of grief and the loss of a parent, and I thought that was handled so well by SC.
River and Kennedy complemented each other so wonderfully! I loved the supporting characters, and the sense of found family among the friend group. I CANNOT WAIT for Clay's book!
I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.
These characters were so fabulously flawed. They hated each other for years, and there is a fine line between love and hate. Once they gave in to that passion, they were combustible! A secret relationship soon became so much more as these two commitaphobes realized they had more in common than they ever realized. There is also a lovely layer of the long-term effects of grief and the loss of a parent, and I thought that was handled so well by SC.
River and Kennedy complemented each other so wonderfully! I loved the supporting characters, and the sense of found family among the friend group. I CANNOT WAIT for Clay's book!
I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.
August 26, 2024
Stephanie Castro has to be an enchantress! I was pulled into this book from page one! It’s addictive, steamy and oh so delicious!
River and Kennedy met when their friends started dating. They instantly hit heads and became enemies. That was 10 years ago and now their friends are getting married!!! And the kicker? They are in their wedding.
I loved the progression of River and Kennedy’s story. It had me giggling at their back and forth banter, and gasping at their chemistry *clears throat, iykyk! I felt that the author did an amazing job of representing them, and developing their relationship throughout their time knowing each other. It gave a lot of insight on them as people as well as them as whole.
I would 10/10 read this again! I couldn’t put it down!
River and Kennedy met when their friends started dating. They instantly hit heads and became enemies. That was 10 years ago and now their friends are getting married!!! And the kicker? They are in their wedding.
I loved the progression of River and Kennedy’s story. It had me giggling at their back and forth banter, and gasping at their chemistry *clears throat, iykyk! I felt that the author did an amazing job of representing them, and developing their relationship throughout their time knowing each other. It gave a lot of insight on them as people as well as them as whole.
I would 10/10 read this again! I couldn’t put it down!
August 29, 2024
River and Kennedy will have you wanting more. From the moment these two meet, they can’t stand each other. River does everything he can to get her fired up, while Kennedy does her best to ignore him. Leads to some great back and forth banter.
Ten years later their friends are now getting married and both are in the wedding. An encounter the night before the wedding leads to a friends with benefits situation, where it doesn’t take long for feelings to get involved.
A phenomenal job weaving this story, the characters. They both have a heartbreaking past and a connection that brings them closer.
Ten years later their friends are now getting married and both are in the wedding. An encounter the night before the wedding leads to a friends with benefits situation, where it doesn’t take long for feelings to get involved.
A phenomenal job weaving this story, the characters. They both have a heartbreaking past and a connection that brings them closer.
August 30, 2024
I absolutely love Stefanie’s writing. The banter, the spice, the emotion — it’s all done so freaking well.
Tropes i love:
enemies-to-lovers
fun banter
sassy boss babe fmc
Strong flirty mmc
found family
River and Kennedy were water and oil when they first met and i loved the back and forth. Fast forward and they are still oil and water but now there is tension in the air of the smexy variety!
I LOVED how their fwb relationship progressed and how their emotions played out. Plus, their chemistry in the bedroom was out of this world hot!
They were both such fun characters to read and i absolutely can’t wait to see more of them and read Clay’s book.
Tropes i love:
enemies-to-lovers
fun banter
sassy boss babe fmc
Strong flirty mmc
found family
River and Kennedy were water and oil when they first met and i loved the back and forth. Fast forward and they are still oil and water but now there is tension in the air of the smexy variety!
I LOVED how their fwb relationship progressed and how their emotions played out. Plus, their chemistry in the bedroom was out of this world hot!
They were both such fun characters to read and i absolutely can’t wait to see more of them and read Clay’s book.
August 22, 2024
First firefighter romance I've ever read, and it sure lit something up for me! I also love how the FMC, Kennedy, works in what I would consider traditionally a male dominated job.
In most romances, I feel like we tend to see the same nickname/term of endearment being used.. so the fact that River calls Kennedy "Skipper" is another hilarious bonus to an already great story.
Now if you're good at predicting how things are tied together at the end of stories, this one might be easy for you to piece together. If you're a clueless fuddy duddy like me, you just might be left with your heart on the floor when it finally comes together.
In most romances, I feel like we tend to see the same nickname/term of endearment being used.. so the fact that River calls Kennedy "Skipper" is another hilarious bonus to an already great story.
Now if you're good at predicting how things are tied together at the end of stories, this one might be easy for you to piece together. If you're a clueless fuddy duddy like me, you just might be left with your heart on the floor when it finally comes together.
August 24, 2024
Oh my gosh this book was so good! This is the first book I’ve ever read by Stefanie Castro and for that I am sorry! I will be going and finding more to read for sure!!!
This book hit me hard in the feelings but had me laughing so much! The banter between Kennedy and River was absolutely amazing!!! I loved how their characters started off as enemies and friends of friends and developed into so much more!
Kennedy was so freaking strong as a character. She had a take no bull$h!t attitude that I loved!!!! River, my lord that man was swoony as can be! They were utter perfection together!
This book hit me hard in the feelings but had me laughing so much! The banter between Kennedy and River was absolutely amazing!!! I loved how their characters started off as enemies and friends of friends and developed into so much more!
Kennedy was so freaking strong as a character. She had a take no bull$h!t attitude that I loved!!!! River, my lord that man was swoony as can be! They were utter perfection together!
August 29, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
I absolutely was such a sucker for this book. I really sobbed at a part of this book, it really made everything feel full circle for them and it made me love their hea even more because they had that together. I absolutely loved Kennedy & river. Kennedy was so sassy & such a strong fmc & river was sweet, and he’s a firefighter 👨🚒 🤭 The enemies to lovers was done so good in this book. I love the banter that they had! I just cant get over the plot twist at the end, it just stuck with me.
I absolutely was such a sucker for this book. I really sobbed at a part of this book, it really made everything feel full circle for them and it made me love their hea even more because they had that together. I absolutely loved Kennedy & river. Kennedy was so sassy & such a strong fmc & river was sweet, and he’s a firefighter 👨🚒 🤭 The enemies to lovers was done so good in this book. I love the banter that they had! I just cant get over the plot twist at the end, it just stuck with me.
August 29, 2024
🌶️🌶️🌶️
This story had my heart racing the whole time. It was heart felt and almost had me crying at times. There’s nothing like two people who try to hate each other realizing that they are only being mean to hide their true feelings. What start out as a no strings attached just scratching an itch relationship turns into something beautiful. I was in love with River and Kennedy from the start with how tragic both of their lives once were to finally give their true connection a chance was just perfect! I can’t wait to see what comes next.
This story had my heart racing the whole time. It was heart felt and almost had me crying at times. There’s nothing like two people who try to hate each other realizing that they are only being mean to hide their true feelings. What start out as a no strings attached just scratching an itch relationship turns into something beautiful. I was in love with River and Kennedy from the start with how tragic both of their lives once were to finally give their true connection a chance was just perfect! I can’t wait to see what comes next.
August 30, 2024
I enjoyed this book. I had planned to read a chapter or two before bed…I bet you figured out how well that worked. I was hooked, and had to force myself to finish reading in the morning.
Kennedy is a strong female lead, sassy. Her and River’s story is hard to put down. The banter and the chemistry are on point. The found family and clever writing make for an emotional, yet fulfilling friends to lovers read.
A fantastic start to the Boston Embers series.
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review
Kennedy is a strong female lead, sassy. Her and River’s story is hard to put down. The banter and the chemistry are on point. The found family and clever writing make for an emotional, yet fulfilling friends to lovers read.
A fantastic start to the Boston Embers series.
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review
August 31, 2024
This cute little romance, has you hooked from beginning to end. When River and Kennedy find love in the most unexpected places. In true enemies lovers fashion, they fight their desires, their passion and their internal feelings for one another. They fight to not given to their desires gives us some quick whit banter and humor. I absolutely fell in love with these two. Their relationship doesn’t come without its struggles though they will come to find that they were meant to find each other and that only River can break that tough exterior that Kennedy keeps up.
August 29, 2024
"I need to fix this, even if it leads to nothing but a clear conscience for me. I realize that what she thinks of me matters now that we’ve crossed this imaginary line between us."
Kennedy +River !!!! 💖💖💖💖 Embers in the Outfield was so endearing and relatable. I always love the first meeting and then reunited years later story. The found family and Firefighter mmc had me hooked from the start. When I say I felt as if I knew these characters, were these characters! If you're looking for a comforting love story to get lost in, entertaining with a 90's nostalgic feeling - this is for you! 💖💖💖💖
4.5🌟
Kennedy +River !!!! 💖💖💖💖 Embers in the Outfield was so endearing and relatable. I always love the first meeting and then reunited years later story. The found family and Firefighter mmc had me hooked from the start. When I say I felt as if I knew these characters, were these characters! If you're looking for a comforting love story to get lost in, entertaining with a 90's nostalgic feeling - this is for you! 💖💖💖💖
4.5🌟
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