Fire and Fate: A Lesbian Romance

by Lauren Hart

Fate sparked the fire... will it be enough to light their future?

Josie Anderson believes in fate, and it’s led her to the sun-soaked beaches of Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. A free spirit with a heart wide open, she’s always ready to embrace life’s wild adventures. But when a chance encounter at a shady bar sparks a night of passion with a mysterious woman, she has no idea how deeply their fates are entwined.

Peyton Morgan thought she could run from her broken heart, burying the pain of being left at the altar by giving inaccurate information about herself while engaging in a one-night stand. But the walls she’s built around herself are about to be tested when, a year later, she finds herself face-to-face with the woman she thought she’d never see again. This time, they’re not just battling wildfires—they’re fighting the emotional blaze of a lifetime.

Josie is relentless, believing with all her heart that their reunion in the midst of chaos is the undeniable hand of fate. Peyton’s iron-clad heart begins to crack under the heat of Josie’s pursuit. As the flames rise around them, so does the undeniable chemistry, leading to a love that could be as dangerous as it is beautiful.

Can Josie and Peyton rise from the ashes of their past, or will their love go up in smoke?

Can this one-night stand turn into a happily ever after... Dive into this steamy sapphic romance series about female firefighters to find out!

201 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 16, 2024

Reviews

[Xiaoqing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first love story I have ever read between two female firefighters and I enjoyed it very much. It is a one night to forever, friends to lovers romance, beautifully written. California firefighters Josie and Peyton met in a bar in Costa Rica, had passionate one night stand, and didn't meet again until four months later in a joint forest fire mission. It was love at first sight for Josie, who pursued Peyton patiently and with tender love and respect. With a touch of fate, the two strong and smart women finally got their Happy ending. I love Josie's optimistic, her tireless efforts to befriend the myterious Peyton and her faith in fate. It takes me a while to warm up to Peyton, who has suffered a painful breakup and is afraid of opening up her heart to love again. I am glad that she overcomes her fear and find her happiness with her one true love Josie.

[Cathy R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren Hart is on her way to another sweet and entertaining series, The Firefighters of California. In Fire and Fate, firefighter Josie Anderson, vacationing in Costa Rica, sees a woman she MUST meet, reading a book in a full and noisy bar. Peyton Morgan just wants to be left in peace, to mourn her recent breakup. Well, not if Josie has anything to say about it. Josie is persistent (and hot), and Peyton is hot (and rude) - but no matter - one passionate night in Josie’s hotel room scratched an itch for both of them. Back at home, Josie can’t forget Peyton, but without contact information, she knows she’ll never see Peyton again. Until she does. At a fire. Peyton’s a firefighter from the next town. Now she’s REALLY on Josie’s mind, all the time. Josie is persistent, and Peyton is rude - remember, she’s mourning that breakup. But Josie doesn’t give up when fate dictates they should be together. How can Josie finally break through the barriers around Peyton? What must Peyton do to ignore her attraction to Josie? And what will Peyton do when her ex knocks on her door? Can this story possibly be a HEA? This is my honest review after reading the ARC I received.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

A chance meeting between Josie and Peyton while each is on a solo Costa Rican vacation was fate for Josie and a distraction for Peyton. A year after their one night stand, they meet again. Josie has been pining for Peyton and believes fate has brought them back together. Peyton, on the other hand, believes no such thing. This is an engaging story that follows Josie's persistent pursuit of the standoffish Peyton as she fights her attraction to Josie. Will Josie break down the walls Peyton has built? Will Peyton allow herself to believe she and Josie are meant to be? These characters are well written with realistic issues, so you will enjoy finding out. Fire and Fate is a great addition to the Firefighters of California series. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.

I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Rhonda Boone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Josie and Peyton's story so much. From the first few pages I was captivated and hooked with how well the words flowed, entertaining storyline, how engaging the characters were, great banter, quick witty comments, seriously laugh out loud/ or eye roll moments!! Very spicy heat levels but times that I wanted to "knock some sense" into Peyton. I loved Josie from the beginning...and took me awhile to warm up to Peyton. Josie is someone I found myself actually being able to relate to. Since you the reader, know what's going on...but Josie, doesn't know anything with Peyton's history..I found myself, consistently being in Josie's cheering section. Loved the story Josie's dad had told her...I highly recommend this book!!

I received this as a free copy and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firefighter Josie, on holiday in Costa Rica, meets a woman, Peyton, also a firefighter, in a bar. Peyton is less than friendly. Then 🔥🔥🔥 🔥that one night. No contact information, but they meet again a year later putting out a fire. They seem such polar opposites, Josie is kind of the dreamer, believing in fate and not above helping it along by losing the car keys and both having to stay at a B&B with…only 1 room left. Peyton was left at the alter, bitter, not believing in fate and thinks it’s a setup by Josie. So much coincidence, amusing repartee. Josie is in hot pursuit after that fateful second meeting. Peyton tries to set boundaries, still skittish after being left at the alter by Sorel. The story really is engaging and I look forward to the next book in the series.

[Kim Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Firefighters of California series and the sparks are flying right from the start and it has nothing to do with the California fires and everything to do with the chemistry between Josie and Peyton. Josie is a true believer in fate and Peyton is the exact opposite who has been burned by fate and she wants absolutely nothing to do with it. But fate has a way of working its own way out even when you least expect it. I fell in love with Josie and Peyton, and I was not ready for the book to end. I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Cameo Burton · Rating 4 out of 5]

When most women would give up and walk away Josie persists even to her own detriment. Upon her first meeting with Peyton in another country she felt something and knew she had to go after it. After getting left at the alter Peyton had a much different view of the world and was lost in her own anger. They are brought together to put out a wild fire and at the same time maybe they come together for even bigger reasons. Really enjoyed the push/pull of the relationship, and how Peyton was really learning about herself, and letting go of the past.

[Looby Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peyton and Josie meet on holiday and spend 1 smokin’ night together.
Josie thinks they are destined whilst Peyton thinks of Josie as a what happens on holiday stays on holiday.
Unfortunately for Peyton a bush fire brings them back into each others orbits.
I liked that we got to know these characters, that there was plenty of backstory to show why they were like they were. That being Josie being all hot for Peyton, who is more than happy to freeze Josie out.
I wish we had more fire fighting in this one but there was plenty of other stuff going on to keep the pages turning.

[Stacy Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read

I enjoy all Lauren Hart’s books. These books however, one of the MC is so damn mean it’s hard to get past it once they come out of their shell. I think this one was absolutely the worst! Josie was so sweet and was treated very bad in the beginning and it hurt my soul for her. But it worked out in the end. And one more thing I don’t like is the “lapping” it’s such a turn off and when I see it coming I have to skip past it 🤮 but other then that the books are really good

[MS J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Josie and Peyton meet in a bar whilst they are both on holiday. What follows is hot right out of the blocks.
Josie believes in fate, Peyton has built a wall around her broken heart.
When the two cross paths again what will happen.
Lauren has once again written a story that weaves its way into your mind with a great supporting cast, mishaps that you couldn't predict.
Great book 2 in the series.

[Robin Kenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This delightful story of Josie and Payton filled me with happiness.

Lauren Hart is such a romantic, I love the way she has twinned these two characters together in a wet and wild manner that brings joy to the reader. Heavy down pours of rain brighten to sunny skies and laughter. The love is there despite old hurts, anxiety and fears that grow from old wounds. Travel along with these women as fate pulls them, just hang on!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you get when firefighter Josie meets firefighter Peyton? A persistent Josie who turns a quick burn into a lasting flame! Fire and Fate is a great addition to Lauren's Firefighters of California series filled with great characters, witty banter and plenty of heat to start a fire! Very enjoyable!

[Lorraine Rusnack · Rating 5 out of 5]

One night to forever

I loved Josie's persistence in getting Peyton to go on a date with her. Peyton was burned once by fate and is reluctant to believe in it again. Josie is very hard to resist and she brings out the best in Peyton. I am enjoying this new series. The stories have been very different, but always a HEA.

[Ngoni Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book and I enjoyed the story overall. The plot was well executed and the characters were delightful.
Peyton was especially an intriguing character, she was guarded and cautious and it was a delight witnessing her ice thaw .
I loved this book so much.
I received an advance review copy of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Bonnie A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Fire and Fate: A Lesbian Romance” by Lauren Hart

Josie believes in fate and Peyton despises the idea of fate and blames fate for her ex leaving her at the altar. Luckily Josie is persistent, doesn’t give up and breaks down the walls Peyton has built around her heart.

This is a lovely romance and the two main characters being firefighters makes the story even better!

[Carolyn G. Manuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Night of Flames

Josie’s vacation turned into a week of rain. On her last night she walks into a dingy bar and sees a woman reading a book. For the first time ever, Josie has a one-night stand and Peyton is etched on her heart. One year later, they meet again and Josie sets out to capture Peyton’s attention. A wonderful Sapphic story.

[Suzi Vilkman (Hautaniemi) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot, very hot

This part of the series is a hot one. Two firefighters meet at a distant tourist attraction with no idea of each other’s occupation. After some serious persuasion and chase, they find their happy ever after.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trouble & Passion, Passion & Trouble

Romance swings like a pendulum in this quick story. I enjoyed it immensely. I love te passion and I even enjoyed the trouble because I just knew there would be a happy ending. A trip on the beach with fate just HAS to end good.

[Christine Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow another phenomenal story I loved the main characters their chemistry was hot but their difficulties were exceptionally written keeping you hooked for more definitely a must-read congratulations

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't a fan of how hard Josie had to work at getting Peyton to even notice her after their night together a year earlier. The story was still good with a happy ending.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

🏃‍♀️💒🏝️🌕👩🏻‍🚒👩🏻‍🚒🏴‍☠️