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Scottish Spice #2
Fireworks
From the author of the viral bestseller, Kindling, comes a new spicy autumnal romance set in the Scottish Highlands!
Love can be explosive…
Things haven’t been easy for Eiley but she’s finally stepping into the light. With a new flat above the local bookshop, Thorn & Thistle, and a job that lets her indulge her bookworm fantasies, Eiley is on the path to rediscovering who she is – until her village of Belbarrow gets an annoyingly self-important new fireman called Warren, who it seems is always there to throw cold water on her plans.
Warren, with his hot looks and cool lines, is the last thing Eiley wants. Cocky, flirty and superior, she’s not about to be another notch on his belt. But when chaos sweeps through Eiley’s life, forcing her and Warren to team up to save the shop, sparks fly in ways she never expected.
As autumn leaves swirl and the village gears up for their annual fireworks display, Eiley must navigate the smoking chemistry between them while facing the ghosts of her past. She knows that sometimes love hurts – but other times, it burns…
This heartwarming autumnal romance explores the fiery connection between a determined single mum and a self-assured fireman.
Love can be explosive…
Things haven’t been easy for Eiley but she’s finally stepping into the light. With a new flat above the local bookshop, Thorn & Thistle, and a job that lets her indulge her bookworm fantasies, Eiley is on the path to rediscovering who she is – until her village of Belbarrow gets an annoyingly self-important new fireman called Warren, who it seems is always there to throw cold water on her plans.
Warren, with his hot looks and cool lines, is the last thing Eiley wants. Cocky, flirty and superior, she’s not about to be another notch on his belt. But when chaos sweeps through Eiley’s life, forcing her and Warren to team up to save the shop, sparks fly in ways she never expected.
As autumn leaves swirl and the village gears up for their annual fireworks display, Eiley must navigate the smoking chemistry between them while facing the ghosts of her past. She knows that sometimes love hurts – but other times, it burns…
This heartwarming autumnal romance explores the fiery connection between a determined single mum and a self-assured fireman.
401 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 25, 2025
176 people are currently reading
1091 people want to read
About the author
Bonnie Woods
4 books82 followersBonnie Woods is a Kindle-bestselling author, ghost writer, freelance writer and editor, from and based in Manchester. She started off writing fanfiction before graduating to seasonal, inclusive romance novels. As Rachel Bowdler, she has written Honeymoon for One and Summer at the Scottish Castle.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
September 27, 2025
Thank you so much to all the KINDLING readers who made this book happen. I hope you adore Warren & Eiley as much as you did Harper & Fraser. 🧡
November 16, 2025
Eiley… she takes some work to like.
Anytime a character even considers going back to a crappy ex I want to throw a book! (Or in this case -my phone with my Kindle app on it…)
I get so annoyed with this trope because it’s 2025 and women are still trusting crappy men. 🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️
Anytime a character even considers going back to a crappy ex I want to throw a book! (Or in this case -my phone with my Kindle app on it…)
I get so annoyed with this trope because it’s 2025 and women are still trusting crappy men. 🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️
October 7, 2025
“Do fancy people genuinely enjoy being regularly slathered in oil? I feel like a fried egg.” 🍳
Fireworks is book two in the Scottish Spice series by Bonnie Woods and after reading Kindling, I was hoping this one would draw me in a bit more. Sadly, it just didn’t quite land for me. I really wanted to love this series — especially since it’s set in Scotland — but overall, it just wasn’t my vibe.
Much like the first book, this one felt like it was trying a bit too hard to include everything and everyone in one story. I absolutely appreciate diverse casts, but here it felt more like ticking boxes than naturally written representation. Every character seemed to have something unique about them, which should have made them stand out, but instead it made the story feel a bit forced.
Character-wise, I was initially excited because I liked Eiley in book one. I thought getting her story would be great — but she felt like a completely different person here. Her attitude and the way she treated Warren early on made it hard for me to connect with her and while Warren had potential as the patient, charming MMC, his persistence didn’t always make sense given how he was continually being treated.
There were still parts I enjoyed — the setting, the friendships and some of the banter felt authentic and warm — but overall it just didn’t keep me invested. The chemistry fell flat and the story lacked the spark I was hoping for (ironic, given the title!).
So, while Fireworks wasn’t a bad book, it just wasn’t for me personally. I don’t think I’ll continue the series, but I can still appreciate what the author was trying to do with it.
✨ Tropes & Themes
❤️ Slow Burn
💔 Enemies to Lovers
🏡 Small Town Romance
🧠 Neurodiverse Characters
🌈 LGBTQ+ Representation
🔥 Second Chances
👩❤️👨 Opposites Attract
💬 Found Family
📖 Contemporary Romance
💭 Emotional Healing
Fireworks is book two in the Scottish Spice series by Bonnie Woods and after reading Kindling, I was hoping this one would draw me in a bit more. Sadly, it just didn’t quite land for me. I really wanted to love this series — especially since it’s set in Scotland — but overall, it just wasn’t my vibe.
Much like the first book, this one felt like it was trying a bit too hard to include everything and everyone in one story. I absolutely appreciate diverse casts, but here it felt more like ticking boxes than naturally written representation. Every character seemed to have something unique about them, which should have made them stand out, but instead it made the story feel a bit forced.
Character-wise, I was initially excited because I liked Eiley in book one. I thought getting her story would be great — but she felt like a completely different person here. Her attitude and the way she treated Warren early on made it hard for me to connect with her and while Warren had potential as the patient, charming MMC, his persistence didn’t always make sense given how he was continually being treated.
There were still parts I enjoyed — the setting, the friendships and some of the banter felt authentic and warm — but overall it just didn’t keep me invested. The chemistry fell flat and the story lacked the spark I was hoping for (ironic, given the title!).
So, while Fireworks wasn’t a bad book, it just wasn’t for me personally. I don’t think I’ll continue the series, but I can still appreciate what the author was trying to do with it.
✨ Tropes & Themes
❤️ Slow Burn
💔 Enemies to Lovers
🏡 Small Town Romance
🧠 Neurodiverse Characters
🌈 LGBTQ+ Representation
🔥 Second Chances
👩❤️👨 Opposites Attract
💬 Found Family
📖 Contemporary Romance
💭 Emotional Healing
November 21, 2025
5 ⭐️
🎧 Audiobook🎧
MEGA ESSAY INCOMING….lol
First of all Kindling is one of my fave romance books so I was super excited for this story which follows Fraser’s Sister, Eiley. It was so wonderful to return to Bellbarrow, and also see more from Fraser and Harper throughout the book as well as Cam.
After much consideration, I have decided to give this instalment 5 stars. This book really hit me in the feels and made me cry. I felt so many different emotions (including anger) and Bonnie Woods has such a beautiful way with words that really make an impact on me. She again, had so much representation from the LGBTQ+ community, as well as amazing awareness around mental health and the struggles people face which is so relatable.
I know a few people have said the back and forth between Warren & Eiley was a bit much, and I agree, it was so frustrating at times, HOWEVER I realised there was a reason for it! Yes it may have seemed a bit excessive and that too many arguments were happening, but Eiley and Warren are actually deeply complex characters who have both been wounded with deep routed trauma. This wasn’t just all surface level stuff.
Warren has lost people, his home, his childhood, and has witnessed some terrible things that really stay with you. His anger towards people who can be careless or who lack safety awareness is 100% valid! He can’t help it and him blowing up actually shows just how deeply he cares about people. I really really loved him as a character and I just wanted to give him a big massive hug 😭 He may have even overtaken Fraser in the book boyfriend department lol.
As for Eiley, she herself has struggled with anxiety & depression her WHOLE life, not just as an adult. She was also emotionally abused by her ex Finlay - who was the only man she’d ever been with. She thought that relationship was normal, and being with someone like that can really change your brain chemistry and the way you behave & see yourself. She is a mother of 3 who has always put others needs above her own and that dynamic is a really a hard thing to break, even when you are aware of it. One of her children is autistic, and she even touched on that she thinks she may possibly be too which makes sense. She has often felt like an outsider and odd compared to everyone else. She feels things very deeply, is sensitive to the fireworks and uncomfortable around crowds just as much as Sky, she has a hyper fixation and safety net around books, has multiple meltdowns when overwhelmed and finds comfort in things that are predictable. But her life has been anything but predictable! It’s been absolute chaos most of the time so it’s no wonder she is hypersensitive to things, overthinks everything and believes things are constantly going wrong (which to be fair, it did!) Someone who has an anxiety disorder collates these negative events and stores them in their brains as ‘evidence’, which then reinforces those negative core beliefs even if it’s not true - trust me I know lol. With that in mind, her outbursts and self-sabotage made SOOOOO much more sense. Even her anger and visceral words towards Warren, were in some way - a meltdown/ lashing out by means of self preservation. Think about it, her brain is already in overdrive with all the worries she has daily, then the things that kept going wrong, then these confusing feelings towards Warren. She’s lost her home, her independence again, gets overstimulated, she instantly think the worst of people and mistrusts men - her own father walked out so it’s no wonder she feels this is a pattern because that’s all she’s ever been shown. Her brother Fraser has been the only constant male figure in her life so it takes her a long time to build that trust. She is self deprecating, and doubts her decisions because she had many years of being lied to, gaslit, and being emotionally abused…. With all that put into perspective, her constant need to run away just makes much more sense, and her bite can somewhat be comparable to a struggling child’s bite, lashing out towards those closest to them when they have unmasked and when they are scared and feeling overwhelmed too. For those on the outside as a bystander, a family member, friend, or parent it understandably can be incredibly taxing and draining. It often feels like you’re being attacked and hurt on purpose, like things are in a loop, a pattern that can’t be broken and it takes someone who is very special and emotionally intelligent to take all that on board and still want to help and see the person deep down for who they are and understand that it is it’s not their fault. It’s a lot of pain to get through both sides and it takes a lot of work.
Warren absolutely didn’t deserve the hate he got. I was really upset for him a lot throughout this book. I was even mad at Fraser - he was such an arse!! But yet again, we know Fraser. He was acting out of fear for his sister because he’s seen her at her worst and that protective instinct just came across in that way. Doesn’t make it right for Warren but there were deeply routed reasons for these behaviours which then had to be explored, unpacked and overcome from all angles!
The personal growth from Eiley was immense and also for Warren who learned to speak up for himself. To be able to express themselves and acknowledge that some patterns of behaviour were destructive and unfair at times was inspiring.
There were times I thought that it might have been too spicy in areas, or a moment when sex should have been the LAST thing that should have happened during a particular moment, however with all the complex feelings and themes that were going on, I actually changed my mind because it held so much passion and much more deep meaning with it, it was not just smut.
Overall, this book deals with a lot of intense and raw emotions, with difficult themes. It portrays how life isn’t just a simple linear fairytale and for some happy endings, there needs to be some learning and personal growth from all the hard stuff. People deal with things very differently to one another and this book highlighted these differences and how communication, patience & and honesty really is key - although frustrating for the reader yes, but as characters it was very necessary. We had to take that journey with them and that is why I chose to give this 5 stars 👏 👏
Personally, I would really love to have a book focusing on Nate next, who was such a lovely side character. It would be wonderful to see him finding love and how he would navigate that as a trans man.
🎧 Audiobook🎧
MEGA ESSAY INCOMING….lol
First of all Kindling is one of my fave romance books so I was super excited for this story which follows Fraser’s Sister, Eiley. It was so wonderful to return to Bellbarrow, and also see more from Fraser and Harper throughout the book as well as Cam.
After much consideration, I have decided to give this instalment 5 stars. This book really hit me in the feels and made me cry. I felt so many different emotions (including anger) and Bonnie Woods has such a beautiful way with words that really make an impact on me. She again, had so much representation from the LGBTQ+ community, as well as amazing awareness around mental health and the struggles people face which is so relatable.
I know a few people have said the back and forth between Warren & Eiley was a bit much, and I agree, it was so frustrating at times, HOWEVER I realised there was a reason for it! Yes it may have seemed a bit excessive and that too many arguments were happening, but Eiley and Warren are actually deeply complex characters who have both been wounded with deep routed trauma. This wasn’t just all surface level stuff.
Warren has lost people, his home, his childhood, and has witnessed some terrible things that really stay with you. His anger towards people who can be careless or who lack safety awareness is 100% valid! He can’t help it and him blowing up actually shows just how deeply he cares about people. I really really loved him as a character and I just wanted to give him a big massive hug 😭 He may have even overtaken Fraser in the book boyfriend department lol.
As for Eiley, she herself has struggled with anxiety & depression her WHOLE life, not just as an adult. She was also emotionally abused by her ex Finlay - who was the only man she’d ever been with. She thought that relationship was normal, and being with someone like that can really change your brain chemistry and the way you behave & see yourself. She is a mother of 3 who has always put others needs above her own and that dynamic is a really a hard thing to break, even when you are aware of it. One of her children is autistic, and she even touched on that she thinks she may possibly be too which makes sense. She has often felt like an outsider and odd compared to everyone else. She feels things very deeply, is sensitive to the fireworks and uncomfortable around crowds just as much as Sky, she has a hyper fixation and safety net around books, has multiple meltdowns when overwhelmed and finds comfort in things that are predictable. But her life has been anything but predictable! It’s been absolute chaos most of the time so it’s no wonder she is hypersensitive to things, overthinks everything and believes things are constantly going wrong (which to be fair, it did!) Someone who has an anxiety disorder collates these negative events and stores them in their brains as ‘evidence’, which then reinforces those negative core beliefs even if it’s not true - trust me I know lol. With that in mind, her outbursts and self-sabotage made SOOOOO much more sense. Even her anger and visceral words towards Warren, were in some way - a meltdown/ lashing out by means of self preservation. Think about it, her brain is already in overdrive with all the worries she has daily, then the things that kept going wrong, then these confusing feelings towards Warren. She’s lost her home, her independence again, gets overstimulated, she instantly think the worst of people and mistrusts men - her own father walked out so it’s no wonder she feels this is a pattern because that’s all she’s ever been shown. Her brother Fraser has been the only constant male figure in her life so it takes her a long time to build that trust. She is self deprecating, and doubts her decisions because she had many years of being lied to, gaslit, and being emotionally abused…. With all that put into perspective, her constant need to run away just makes much more sense, and her bite can somewhat be comparable to a struggling child’s bite, lashing out towards those closest to them when they have unmasked and when they are scared and feeling overwhelmed too. For those on the outside as a bystander, a family member, friend, or parent it understandably can be incredibly taxing and draining. It often feels like you’re being attacked and hurt on purpose, like things are in a loop, a pattern that can’t be broken and it takes someone who is very special and emotionally intelligent to take all that on board and still want to help and see the person deep down for who they are and understand that it is it’s not their fault. It’s a lot of pain to get through both sides and it takes a lot of work.
Warren absolutely didn’t deserve the hate he got. I was really upset for him a lot throughout this book. I was even mad at Fraser - he was such an arse!! But yet again, we know Fraser. He was acting out of fear for his sister because he’s seen her at her worst and that protective instinct just came across in that way. Doesn’t make it right for Warren but there were deeply routed reasons for these behaviours which then had to be explored, unpacked and overcome from all angles!
The personal growth from Eiley was immense and also for Warren who learned to speak up for himself. To be able to express themselves and acknowledge that some patterns of behaviour were destructive and unfair at times was inspiring.
There were times I thought that it might have been too spicy in areas, or a moment when sex should have been the LAST thing that should have happened during a particular moment, however with all the complex feelings and themes that were going on, I actually changed my mind because it held so much passion and much more deep meaning with it, it was not just smut.
Overall, this book deals with a lot of intense and raw emotions, with difficult themes. It portrays how life isn’t just a simple linear fairytale and for some happy endings, there needs to be some learning and personal growth from all the hard stuff. People deal with things very differently to one another and this book highlighted these differences and how communication, patience & and honesty really is key - although frustrating for the reader yes, but as characters it was very necessary. We had to take that journey with them and that is why I chose to give this 5 stars 👏 👏
Personally, I would really love to have a book focusing on Nate next, who was such a lovely side character. It would be wonderful to see him finding love and how he would navigate that as a trans man.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 13, 2025
This 5⭐️ read came out of left field and was even more delightful for being so unexpected! It was charming, funny, and read like a movie with well-developed characters and complex familial and romantic relationships. The audiobook was such a fun listen with awesome accents! 🏴
Eiley, a bookseller and single mom of three, lives in the small town of Belbarrow in the Scottish Highlands where she is both grateful for and guilty about her family pitching in to help her get back on her feet. As if battling depression and leaving her sorry excuse for an ex wasn’t challenging enough, just when she could finally move them out of her mom’s house into the flat above the bookshop, it floods and leaves her in need of rescue again. Enter: 🚒 Warren, the handsome and heroic firefighter she has admired from afar from her store window. Feeling like a disaster-magnet has her hackles raised and in her attempt to cling to her dignity and assert her independence, Eiley casts Warren as the villain only interested in charming the ladies of his old hometown. Little does she know that his own tragic past has left its scars (🔥both visible and invisible) and he is only trying to overcome his survivor’s guilt by helping his community, all the while dreaming of having a home and family of his own one day. With plenty of self-sabotage and enough opposites-attract banter to build delicious tension, these two guarded people can finally admit that they want “to be held, to be heard” and there is no safer place than in one another’s arms.
Spoiler alert…
These characters are so layered, to the point where they (and their traumas) feel so realistic. Every single character was interesting and fully fleshed out, making this close-knit extended family seem like one that could exist in real life. It’s a masterclass in interpersonal relationships and the LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergence rep is so strong, too. The diverse representation of Eiley’s son’s nonverbal Autism, her own undiagnosed neurodivergence, and Warren’s dyslexia were woven smoothly into the story and helped establish this strong connection between him and her kids long before their romance really takes off. At one point he even says he sees her kids as an extension of her, giving him more of her to love, and that was so beautiful it melted me. 🥹
Eiley guarding her heart and Warren proving it is safe with him made for lots of snap judgments and arguing, but I found her distrust of men and her own insecurities about being wanted to be understandable. She could be overly harsh, but he was strong enough to clearly communicate when she crossed a line and stuck up for himself in a way that helped her move past her own assumptions. The emotional-roller-coaster dynamic was really captivating for their characters and while I could see it getting repetitive for others, it definitely didn’t feel that way to me.
Warren truly sees and understands Eiley and the part where he gives her the space she needs to do right by her kids and give her ex a second chance to be a father was an intense emotional climax (there are a few!). That entire scene had my heart racing and by the end I was clapping for her and how strong she was at setting boundaries and following her heart. Her natural sensitivity and support regarding Warren’s backstory and everything that made him the compassionate, if albeit slightly overprotective, caregiver he is made for a powerful act of self-acceptance - that she deserves the love they’ve found.
The people who surround the MCs were so important to the story. Harper’s relationship with Eiley was a strong point, as was Fraser’s protectiveness of her - and immediate suspicion of Warren and his motives. The growth Fraser experiences as Eiley proves her ability to handle herself was excellent and I loved that it was Warren who explained the need for his perspective to change because it shows how well he knows her and how much he cares.
Harper and Fraser’s book is up next and I’m excited to see the beginning of their love story now that I’ve seen them together and how wonderful they were with Eiley and her kids.
Honorable mention to this line (à la Mr. Darcy):
- “Really, that was the problem - men didn’t wear puffy shirts anymore.” 🙌🏼
Eiley, a bookseller and single mom of three, lives in the small town of Belbarrow in the Scottish Highlands where she is both grateful for and guilty about her family pitching in to help her get back on her feet. As if battling depression and leaving her sorry excuse for an ex wasn’t challenging enough, just when she could finally move them out of her mom’s house into the flat above the bookshop, it floods and leaves her in need of rescue again. Enter: 🚒 Warren, the handsome and heroic firefighter she has admired from afar from her store window. Feeling like a disaster-magnet has her hackles raised and in her attempt to cling to her dignity and assert her independence, Eiley casts Warren as the villain only interested in charming the ladies of his old hometown. Little does she know that his own tragic past has left its scars (🔥both visible and invisible) and he is only trying to overcome his survivor’s guilt by helping his community, all the while dreaming of having a home and family of his own one day. With plenty of self-sabotage and enough opposites-attract banter to build delicious tension, these two guarded people can finally admit that they want “to be held, to be heard” and there is no safer place than in one another’s arms.
Spoiler alert…
These characters are so layered, to the point where they (and their traumas) feel so realistic. Every single character was interesting and fully fleshed out, making this close-knit extended family seem like one that could exist in real life. It’s a masterclass in interpersonal relationships and the LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergence rep is so strong, too. The diverse representation of Eiley’s son’s nonverbal Autism, her own undiagnosed neurodivergence, and Warren’s dyslexia were woven smoothly into the story and helped establish this strong connection between him and her kids long before their romance really takes off. At one point he even says he sees her kids as an extension of her, giving him more of her to love, and that was so beautiful it melted me. 🥹
Eiley guarding her heart and Warren proving it is safe with him made for lots of snap judgments and arguing, but I found her distrust of men and her own insecurities about being wanted to be understandable. She could be overly harsh, but he was strong enough to clearly communicate when she crossed a line and stuck up for himself in a way that helped her move past her own assumptions. The emotional-roller-coaster dynamic was really captivating for their characters and while I could see it getting repetitive for others, it definitely didn’t feel that way to me.
Warren truly sees and understands Eiley and the part where he gives her the space she needs to do right by her kids and give her ex a second chance to be a father was an intense emotional climax (there are a few!). That entire scene had my heart racing and by the end I was clapping for her and how strong she was at setting boundaries and following her heart. Her natural sensitivity and support regarding Warren’s backstory and everything that made him the compassionate, if albeit slightly overprotective, caregiver he is made for a powerful act of self-acceptance - that she deserves the love they’ve found.
The people who surround the MCs were so important to the story. Harper’s relationship with Eiley was a strong point, as was Fraser’s protectiveness of her - and immediate suspicion of Warren and his motives. The growth Fraser experiences as Eiley proves her ability to handle herself was excellent and I loved that it was Warren who explained the need for his perspective to change because it shows how well he knows her and how much he cares.
Harper and Fraser’s book is up next and I’m excited to see the beginning of their love story now that I’ve seen them together and how wonderful they were with Eiley and her kids.
Honorable mention to this line (à la Mr. Darcy):
- “Really, that was the problem - men didn’t wear puffy shirts anymore.” 🙌🏼
September 30, 2025
3.5 stars
Headlines:
Push-pull
Lashing out
Chemistry dynamite
Warren, the MMC of Fireworks was the literal hero of this piece. Was it because he was a fireman? Well, yes but also no. Warren was a lovely, flawed man with a rare kind of patience. Patience for Eiley who at times, did not deserve the second, third and fourth chance he offered.
Fireworks carried the kind of angst I didn't expect. Eiley is actually a nice character, at least she was unless she was around Warren. Eiley was hurt and messy but a fabulous mum, coming to terms with her hurt and her neurodiversity while dealing with her offspring and their genetics. You could see why she was the way she was but it was at first funny, then a little frustrating when she treated Warren repeatedly badly.
All these two paragraphs said... these two had explosive chemistry, I really felt their connection and their intimacy was well written. I stayed around for these elements and the promise of them getting their shit together. For me, the pushing away of Warren was a little too much in and there was no third act break-up, because that felt like a permanent state. While the end made things sweeter, it would have been even sweeter to have had some stability for a little of the story at some point other than the end.
Thank you to Harper North for the eARC.
Headlines:
Push-pull
Lashing out
Chemistry dynamite
Warren, the MMC of Fireworks was the literal hero of this piece. Was it because he was a fireman? Well, yes but also no. Warren was a lovely, flawed man with a rare kind of patience. Patience for Eiley who at times, did not deserve the second, third and fourth chance he offered.
Fireworks carried the kind of angst I didn't expect. Eiley is actually a nice character, at least she was unless she was around Warren. Eiley was hurt and messy but a fabulous mum, coming to terms with her hurt and her neurodiversity while dealing with her offspring and their genetics. You could see why she was the way she was but it was at first funny, then a little frustrating when she treated Warren repeatedly badly.
All these two paragraphs said... these two had explosive chemistry, I really felt their connection and their intimacy was well written. I stayed around for these elements and the promise of them getting their shit together. For me, the pushing away of Warren was a little too much in and there was no third act break-up, because that felt like a permanent state. While the end made things sweeter, it would have been even sweeter to have had some stability for a little of the story at some point other than the end.
Thank you to Harper North for the eARC.
September 6, 2025
Cosy read number four under my belt already - pretty chuffed with that! I was excited to get this as an ARC as it was high on my autumn TBR!
Eiley's story is laced with the ghosts of her past - her fears taking center stage in her life, the same way it would for any single mother in that situation, with her experiences. Warren has golden retriever vibes for days but also his own past to contend with.
The representation of LGBTQ and neurodiversity is seamlessly threaded throughout, a small window of insight into parenting a child with additional needs whilst trying to navigate her own neurospicy tendencies. It's relatable. I could relate to it ❤️
Overall, it was a nice read but the constant on/off switch with Warren and Eiley became more than a little tedious after a while. It was expected to start with but it continued right up until the last chapter and I found myself getting frustrated with it in the end. Eiley was quite unnecessarily unkind to Warren ALOT and I didn't like that, especially since it also created hostility for him with others. He was judged by everyone and vilified and I wasn't keen on that. I understand her MH issues and they are explained/described brilliantly throughout but some of her comments and behaviours were scathing, especially after their more intimate interactions.
I'd have liked their story to have had some more "settled" moments, where they talked, enjoyed one another's company and developed their feelings based on more than physical attraction.
Eiley's story is laced with the ghosts of her past - her fears taking center stage in her life, the same way it would for any single mother in that situation, with her experiences. Warren has golden retriever vibes for days but also his own past to contend with.
The representation of LGBTQ and neurodiversity is seamlessly threaded throughout, a small window of insight into parenting a child with additional needs whilst trying to navigate her own neurospicy tendencies. It's relatable. I could relate to it ❤️
Overall, it was a nice read but the constant on/off switch with Warren and Eiley became more than a little tedious after a while. It was expected to start with but it continued right up until the last chapter and I found myself getting frustrated with it in the end. Eiley was quite unnecessarily unkind to Warren ALOT and I didn't like that, especially since it also created hostility for him with others. He was judged by everyone and vilified and I wasn't keen on that. I understand her MH issues and they are explained/described brilliantly throughout but some of her comments and behaviours were scathing, especially after their more intimate interactions.
I'd have liked their story to have had some more "settled" moments, where they talked, enjoyed one another's company and developed their feelings based on more than physical attraction.
November 7, 2025
this book gave me whiplash
October 6, 2025
First- the second star is for representation!!! Love to see it! Seriously- in a world full of evil people pretending to be good ( there’s no hate like Christian love!) I think it’s SO important for people to read about different points of view/ experiences!!!!!!!!
I’m really disappointed because I have been looking forward to this book because I enjoyed the last one. But wow…. Eiley was just so unnecessarily mean to Warren and he did not deserve it at all. Also, she complained a lot about not having time to date, but seemed to have a lot of time without her kids.
As a mother of an autistic child, I would say she had FANTASTIC support from her family, they VOLUNTEERED to help ALL the time ( WHAT?!!??? That’s wild….like, is that real?)
Anyway…. She seemed to have a lot to be happy and thankful for even given her circumstances, and a hot guy that made it clear he wanted her, but she was mean anyway…
IDNF’d at 43%.
Then I tried to give it another chance, but then she was mean to him again!!! And I just can’t allow it.
I’m really disappointed because I have been looking forward to this book because I enjoyed the last one. But wow…. Eiley was just so unnecessarily mean to Warren and he did not deserve it at all. Also, she complained a lot about not having time to date, but seemed to have a lot of time without her kids.
As a mother of an autistic child, I would say she had FANTASTIC support from her family, they VOLUNTEERED to help ALL the time ( WHAT?!!??? That’s wild….like, is that real?)
Anyway…. She seemed to have a lot to be happy and thankful for even given her circumstances, and a hot guy that made it clear he wanted her, but she was mean anyway…
IDNF’d at 43%.
Then I tried to give it another chance, but then she was mean to him again!!! And I just can’t allow it.
September 23, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and Harper North for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
I recommend reading Kindling before picking up Fireworks - even though they are interconnected standalones, I think it is important to understand Eiley’s character growth between books. In the first book she is a struggling single mum battling depression and living back at her mother’s house with her 3 children after leaving her ex. In Fireworks, she has new struggles. After finally gaining some independence in getting her own space and a new job at a bookshop, she is dealt a fresh blow when both her flat and workplace are flooded, forcing her and the children to go back to her mum’s house. You can’t really blame her for feeling like nothing will ever go right again and for being a bit snappy.
In this book, Eiley is someone coming to terms with who she is away from her children and her ex. This means she is cautious, defensive and not easy to trust. Warren is a flirty guy with a lot of bravado and they rub each other the wrong way from the start. The glimpses we get into Eiley’s life with her ex makes her lack of trust understandable but at times it felt like she was far too harsh to Warren and was a meaner character than she was in Kindling. They have a lot of arguments in the book, I think one too many! We never really see them as a happy ‘couple’ or spending time together without an argument or a spicy scene. I also don’t think Warren’s character was as developed as Eiley’s and we therefore don’t get to know him as well.
The LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent representation in both books is so well done. I liked that Eiley was exploring that side of herself and was acknowledging her own boundaries when it came to physical touch and loud spaces. Family and friends are also an important part of the book and Warren’s acceptance and ease around Eiley’s kids was nice to see, especially considering their father was not so accepting of his autistic son.
Finally, I love that the books are set in the Scottish Highlands and wish we had more of the setting featured in the book to cement the cozy, autumnal feel.
Overall this is a fast paced, autumnal read with great representation but could have used some lighter moments between the MCs to help the reader root for their HEA.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
I recommend reading Kindling before picking up Fireworks - even though they are interconnected standalones, I think it is important to understand Eiley’s character growth between books. In the first book she is a struggling single mum battling depression and living back at her mother’s house with her 3 children after leaving her ex. In Fireworks, she has new struggles. After finally gaining some independence in getting her own space and a new job at a bookshop, she is dealt a fresh blow when both her flat and workplace are flooded, forcing her and the children to go back to her mum’s house. You can’t really blame her for feeling like nothing will ever go right again and for being a bit snappy.
In this book, Eiley is someone coming to terms with who she is away from her children and her ex. This means she is cautious, defensive and not easy to trust. Warren is a flirty guy with a lot of bravado and they rub each other the wrong way from the start. The glimpses we get into Eiley’s life with her ex makes her lack of trust understandable but at times it felt like she was far too harsh to Warren and was a meaner character than she was in Kindling. They have a lot of arguments in the book, I think one too many! We never really see them as a happy ‘couple’ or spending time together without an argument or a spicy scene. I also don’t think Warren’s character was as developed as Eiley’s and we therefore don’t get to know him as well.
The LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent representation in both books is so well done. I liked that Eiley was exploring that side of herself and was acknowledging her own boundaries when it came to physical touch and loud spaces. Family and friends are also an important part of the book and Warren’s acceptance and ease around Eiley’s kids was nice to see, especially considering their father was not so accepting of his autistic son.
Finally, I love that the books are set in the Scottish Highlands and wish we had more of the setting featured in the book to cement the cozy, autumnal feel.
Overall this is a fast paced, autumnal read with great representation but could have used some lighter moments between the MCs to help the reader root for their HEA.
October 9, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my copy in exchange for an honest review ✨
I was so excited to return to the cosy, autumnal charm of the Scottish Highlands after absolutely adoring Kindled last year.
In this installment, we’re introduced to Eiley, a newly single mum doing her best to juggle life, motherhood, and running her beloved small town bookshop. Just as she starts to find her footing, disaster strikes: a flood devastates her pride and joy, leaving her shop in desperate need of repairs.
But even in the mess, there’s a silver lining. Enter Camden, the local firefighter. Their paths cross, and sparks immediately fly. Still, Eiley isn’t sure if starting something new is wise, not when she’s still healing and raising young children.
I’ll admit, I found Eiley and Camden’s relationship a bit frustrating at times. Their dynamic was fiery and full of back and forth tension, which made it hard to believe they were truly in love rather than simply drawn to each other. The chemistry was definitely there, but it felt more like lust than lasting affection and believable romance.
That said, I was completely swept up in the story. The small town setting, the bookshop atmosphere, and that gorgeous autumnal coziness were irresistible. Even if I wasn’t fully convinced by the romance, I adored the comforting, bookish vibe and the sense of community that wrapped around the story.
Fireworks is a warm, easy to read love story about two strong willed people, each carrying their own baggage. While the romance didn’t entirely win me over, the cosy Scottish Highlands setting and charming small town feel made it a delightful, comforting read.
I was so excited to return to the cosy, autumnal charm of the Scottish Highlands after absolutely adoring Kindled last year.
In this installment, we’re introduced to Eiley, a newly single mum doing her best to juggle life, motherhood, and running her beloved small town bookshop. Just as she starts to find her footing, disaster strikes: a flood devastates her pride and joy, leaving her shop in desperate need of repairs.
But even in the mess, there’s a silver lining. Enter Camden, the local firefighter. Their paths cross, and sparks immediately fly. Still, Eiley isn’t sure if starting something new is wise, not when she’s still healing and raising young children.
I’ll admit, I found Eiley and Camden’s relationship a bit frustrating at times. Their dynamic was fiery and full of back and forth tension, which made it hard to believe they were truly in love rather than simply drawn to each other. The chemistry was definitely there, but it felt more like lust than lasting affection and believable romance.
That said, I was completely swept up in the story. The small town setting, the bookshop atmosphere, and that gorgeous autumnal coziness were irresistible. Even if I wasn’t fully convinced by the romance, I adored the comforting, bookish vibe and the sense of community that wrapped around the story.
Fireworks is a warm, easy to read love story about two strong willed people, each carrying their own baggage. While the romance didn’t entirely win me over, the cosy Scottish Highlands setting and charming small town feel made it a delightful, comforting read.
October 5, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I applied for this book out of pure excitement. I’d heard of Bonnie Woods and her first book Kindling, and I thought why not. I was instantly pulled in by the story line and the pure intrigue of a new author that I’ve not read before. And the little additions of Gaelic and LGBTQ references left me kind of excited.
The story follows Eiley a divorced mum of three of the sweetest children, she struggles to find her way and lives in an apartment above a bookshop called Thorn and Thistle which is run by the lovely Maggie. She notices a really handsome, rugged man across the road at the coffee shop, Now enters Firefighter Warren who is cocky, flirtatious but at the same time, wants her.
The two make a somewhat interesting enemies to lovers story line. With both of their walls built, Eileys, higher than Warrens.
I’m all for a second chance romance but there were WAY too many chances given to Eiley. I completely understand that the poor girl had so many struggles, but Warren deserved better. Yes Warren was amazing with her kids, but there was too much push and pull from Eileys end. In the end, I felt like the ending fell flat and the ending was predictable.
I would definitely want to read Kindling and see the development between Fraser and Harper.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I applied for this book out of pure excitement. I’d heard of Bonnie Woods and her first book Kindling, and I thought why not. I was instantly pulled in by the story line and the pure intrigue of a new author that I’ve not read before. And the little additions of Gaelic and LGBTQ references left me kind of excited.
The story follows Eiley a divorced mum of three of the sweetest children, she struggles to find her way and lives in an apartment above a bookshop called Thorn and Thistle which is run by the lovely Maggie. She notices a really handsome, rugged man across the road at the coffee shop, Now enters Firefighter Warren who is cocky, flirtatious but at the same time, wants her.
The two make a somewhat interesting enemies to lovers story line. With both of their walls built, Eileys, higher than Warrens.
I’m all for a second chance romance but there were WAY too many chances given to Eiley. I completely understand that the poor girl had so many struggles, but Warren deserved better. Yes Warren was amazing with her kids, but there was too much push and pull from Eileys end. In the end, I felt like the ending fell flat and the ending was predictable.
I would definitely want to read Kindling and see the development between Fraser and Harper.
September 22, 2025
We are following Eiley, Fraser's sister, a single mother of three who tries to survive and raise her children as best as she can.
Even though I gave it the same rating as Kindling, this story hit me harder. I understood Eiley struggles, and fear.
The FMC can seem annoying at times, but readers need to understand that she is broken, her past relationship was really toxic. I understand the way she reacts most of the time. As for Warren (MMC), he is the perfect boyfriend material. He is really trying his best with Eiley.
Another good autumn romance book, less cozy than the first one but as much likeable. Eiley and Warren are far more explosive than Harper and Fraser.
Lastly, I would like to say how much I like that the author includes subjects worth mentioning like LGBTQ and neurodiversity. The first book also talks about body positivity and self love. Just for that I would gladly read the next Bonnie Woods.
Thank you to HarperNorth via Netgalley for the arc. I'm glad I was able to read straight after Kindling.
Even though I gave it the same rating as Kindling, this story hit me harder. I understood Eiley struggles, and fear.
The FMC can seem annoying at times, but readers need to understand that she is broken, her past relationship was really toxic. I understand the way she reacts most of the time. As for Warren (MMC), he is the perfect boyfriend material. He is really trying his best with Eiley.
Another good autumn romance book, less cozy than the first one but as much likeable. Eiley and Warren are far more explosive than Harper and Fraser.
Lastly, I would like to say how much I like that the author includes subjects worth mentioning like LGBTQ and neurodiversity. The first book also talks about body positivity and self love. Just for that I would gladly read the next Bonnie Woods.
Thank you to HarperNorth via Netgalley for the arc. I'm glad I was able to read straight after Kindling.
October 8, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Harper North for providing the Arc.
I am rating this 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.
I enjoyed this book so much more than Kindling. It did take me a while to read but that was more to do with me than the contents of the book.
The author does a solid job of creating a cosy, autumnal small‑village vibe.
I absolutely adored Eiley and her children and I loved Warren. The romantic build up and the tension felt excruciatingly slow at times but I loved getting to know both characters. Eiley’s character growth from Kindling to Fireworks was beautiful to read. I would have loved to explore both Eiley and Warren’s past in more depth as I think it would help to understand more about each of them, especially Warren.
If you are looking for a cosy, autumnal and slightly spicy read I would recommend you read this book as well as Kindling.
I am rating this 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.
I enjoyed this book so much more than Kindling. It did take me a while to read but that was more to do with me than the contents of the book.
The author does a solid job of creating a cosy, autumnal small‑village vibe.
I absolutely adored Eiley and her children and I loved Warren. The romantic build up and the tension felt excruciatingly slow at times but I loved getting to know both characters. Eiley’s character growth from Kindling to Fireworks was beautiful to read. I would have loved to explore both Eiley and Warren’s past in more depth as I think it would help to understand more about each of them, especially Warren.
If you are looking for a cosy, autumnal and slightly spicy read I would recommend you read this book as well as Kindling.
November 23, 2025
I loved this authors previous book so this was a must read for me. It's a very cosy, small romantic read. Enemies to lovers. These two main characters infuriated me with all the back and forth, they are a perfect match for each other truly. The spice wasn't too much and there's a great storyline with a beautiful ending for all the characters. 4/5 stars.
November 11, 2025
As much as I liked the first book, Eiley and Warren were not my favorite couple. There are a lot of triggers to this book, and I don't feel like we got enough of their love story, their time together, to give this book more than 3 stars.
October 19, 2025
DNF. Story is slow and uninteresting. Main character is mean to male character for no reason. They’re constantly arguing as she pushes him away. 400 pages is absurd
November 8, 2025
Jesus fucking Christ
November 17, 2025
I really enjoyed reading Bonnie Woods first book so was thrilled to see she’d written another and it was just as good!
November 28, 2025
This book should've also been wreaked in the bookstore disaster 😂
October 17, 2025
this one related to a conversation I had this week. a guarded single mother, scared to endure heartache again. she is definitely a firecracker.
😉😁
😉😁
December 1, 2025
Eiley annoying, Warren hot. Fluffy easy read.
November 15, 2025
2.5
The constant fighting made me wanna throw the book against a wall
The constant fighting made me wanna throw the book against a wall
September 13, 2025
Dnf at 29%.
Unfortunately I couldn't connect to any of the characters. The behaviour of the MMC and FMC was soooo annoying. Iove a book about books, but this was too much for my liking. I did however enjoyed the writing style.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC 🫶
Unfortunately I couldn't connect to any of the characters. The behaviour of the MMC and FMC was soooo annoying. Iove a book about books, but this was too much for my liking. I did however enjoyed the writing style.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC 🫶
September 25, 2025
This book had a great community feel and excellent cast of characters. The representation was thoughtful and well done and I liked the autumnal feeling the story had as well.
Unfortunately, the romance of this book just didn't click for me. I appreciated the backstories of both the main characters were complicated, I just would've liked some more moments of settled feeling between Eiley and Warren as it felt like they ended up together only because that's what's supposed to happen rather than seeing them fall in love through the page. I thought they had good growth individually as characters, and I'd have liked to see that reflected more with them together as well.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, the romance of this book just didn't click for me. I appreciated the backstories of both the main characters were complicated, I just would've liked some more moments of settled feeling between Eiley and Warren as it felt like they ended up together only because that's what's supposed to happen rather than seeing them fall in love through the page. I thought they had good growth individually as characters, and I'd have liked to see that reflected more with them together as well.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 24, 2025
Had to force myself to finish this. Eiley is an awful person, it would have been better if we’d got to see Warren grow a spine and tell her where to go.
Instead she’s rewarded for her behaviour with a happy ending? Yeah, no. Don’t normalise that crap - people deserve better.
It’s also tainted the first book. Kindling was a cute grumpy/sunshine take but in Fireworks,
Fraser goes from ‘grumpy’ to straight up arsehole.
Won’t be reading anymore in this series.
Instead she’s rewarded for her behaviour with a happy ending? Yeah, no. Don’t normalise that crap - people deserve better.
It’s also tainted the first book. Kindling was a cute grumpy/sunshine take but in Fireworks,
Fraser goes from ‘grumpy’ to straight up arsehole.
Won’t be reading anymore in this series.
September 8, 2025
I liked the title and cover of this book, and have the first book of the series on my kindle but haven’t yet read it. This one can definitely be read as a stand alone and you get a bit of background on the characters from book 1- enough to understand their story without feeling like you’re missing something. I did really like Harper (the FMC from Kindling) so may go back to read her book at some point, but unfortunately I wasn’t a fan of Fireworks- the main reason being the FMC Eiley. She’s just not a very nice person! She is awful throughout the book to Warren the MMC, she is so rude and nasty to him that I kind of started to lose respect for him every time he tried again with her!
Eiley is a struggling single mum but we don’t really see that much of her with her kids. Every time Warren or one of her family members tries to help or do something nice for her she lashes out.
The romance in the book is pretty much non existent right until the very end, and the only time you see the 2 main characters happy and getting along is in the epilogue!
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.
Eiley is a struggling single mum but we don’t really see that much of her with her kids. Every time Warren or one of her family members tries to help or do something nice for her she lashes out.
The romance in the book is pretty much non existent right until the very end, and the only time you see the 2 main characters happy and getting along is in the epilogue!
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2025
I am a Scottish reader who loves reading books set in Scotland and particularly romances and also as an autistic reader love reading and talking about books with neurodivergent characters. This book ticked both boxes which meant I had a fantastic time with it and would love to read more from Bonnie Woods in the future because of it.
Fireworks follows Eiley, who is coming through a challenging part of her her life and feels like she is rediscovering who she is with a new flat above and a job at the local bookshop until she meets the new fireman of the village Warren who seems to put a stop to all of her plans. As autumn continues the pair team up to save the bookshop and the chemistry between them grows.
This romance has so many elements to it which is something I really love in my romances. After reading Kindling, I found the family dynamics of Eiley’s family really interesting which continued into this book and I also loved spending even more time with Eiley’s kids throughout this book. One of Eiley’s sons is autistic and non-verbal and this is something that as I have mentioned is important to me in my reading but also the representation felt really strong throughout the story which is even more important to me than just including the representation. I also loved seeing Eiley discover throughout the story more about who she is, and that she also may be neurodivergent (which Bonnie Woods has confirmed).
The romance itself wasn’t I don’t think my favourite part of the book however I did love the relationship between Eiley and Warren. The part of this book that I found I struggled with slightly was the amount of conflict there was between Eiley and Warren throughout particularly the second half but saying that it did feel real to the characters and I ended up loving the relationship between them overall. It was also nice to see how Fraser and Harper’s relationship has developed since Kindling ended and we also saw glimpses of Cam and Sorcha’s relationship, which has me wishing they also had a book.
The Scottish setting was so cosy and perfect for this October, I really would love to visit Bellbarrow. It was ideal for this romance and just as well developed as the characters and the romance itself which is something else I love in my books. I look forward to reading more from Bonnie Woods and seeing how I feel about the rest of her settings that aren’t necessarily in areas that I know as well as I do the Lochaber area which I think potentially enhanced my experience reading this book.
While there were parts of this book that I didn’t love as much as I would have wanted to, however I did really love this book and would really want to read more from Bonnie Woods because once I find a romance author I love I want to read as much as I can from them. I would definitely recommend this book and Kindling, which is technically the first in the series but I don’t think you need to read them in order, even though they potentially aren’t as strong romance books as some of my other favourites. I am looking forward to finding ways to recommend this book when I can, because I think it deserves to be read and talked about.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harper North for a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Fireworks follows Eiley, who is coming through a challenging part of her her life and feels like she is rediscovering who she is with a new flat above and a job at the local bookshop until she meets the new fireman of the village Warren who seems to put a stop to all of her plans. As autumn continues the pair team up to save the bookshop and the chemistry between them grows.
This romance has so many elements to it which is something I really love in my romances. After reading Kindling, I found the family dynamics of Eiley’s family really interesting which continued into this book and I also loved spending even more time with Eiley’s kids throughout this book. One of Eiley’s sons is autistic and non-verbal and this is something that as I have mentioned is important to me in my reading but also the representation felt really strong throughout the story which is even more important to me than just including the representation. I also loved seeing Eiley discover throughout the story more about who she is, and that she also may be neurodivergent (which Bonnie Woods has confirmed).
The romance itself wasn’t I don’t think my favourite part of the book however I did love the relationship between Eiley and Warren. The part of this book that I found I struggled with slightly was the amount of conflict there was between Eiley and Warren throughout particularly the second half but saying that it did feel real to the characters and I ended up loving the relationship between them overall. It was also nice to see how Fraser and Harper’s relationship has developed since Kindling ended and we also saw glimpses of Cam and Sorcha’s relationship, which has me wishing they also had a book.
The Scottish setting was so cosy and perfect for this October, I really would love to visit Bellbarrow. It was ideal for this romance and just as well developed as the characters and the romance itself which is something else I love in my books. I look forward to reading more from Bonnie Woods and seeing how I feel about the rest of her settings that aren’t necessarily in areas that I know as well as I do the Lochaber area which I think potentially enhanced my experience reading this book.
While there were parts of this book that I didn’t love as much as I would have wanted to, however I did really love this book and would really want to read more from Bonnie Woods because once I find a romance author I love I want to read as much as I can from them. I would definitely recommend this book and Kindling, which is technically the first in the series but I don’t think you need to read them in order, even though they potentially aren’t as strong romance books as some of my other favourites. I am looking forward to finding ways to recommend this book when I can, because I think it deserves to be read and talked about.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harper North for a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
September 26, 2025
Fireworks by Bonnie Woods is the second book in her Scottish Spice series and once again we are expert hands when it comes to giving the cosies of autumnal feelings with plenty of spark and sizzle.
Eiley has not been having an easy time of it since splitting up with the father of her three young children but she is finally starting to get back on her feet with a new job in the local bookshop Thorn and Thistle, and a cosy little flat upstairs. The last thing she needs right now is a new man in her life, even if the mysterious broad shouldered new arrival in town keeps catching her eye.
Warren has returned to the village he left as a teen determined to create a future despite the tragedy of his past, and as a fireman there's no shortage of female attention, but the one woman who has invaded his thoughts wants nothing to do with him after a disastrous first encounter that painted him as a cocky womaniser prone to mansplaining.
Fate is determined to intervene however, and when a flood threatens to destroy Eiley's flat and the shop below, Warren and his team are called out and he an Eiley are forced to work together meaning that before too long sparks are definitely starting to fly. Will there be a blaze of passion or will fireman Warren douse the budding relationship before it gets a chance to ignite?
As someone who loved Kindling I knew that I was in safe hands here and that this would be a book that I could sink into knowing I would enjoy it and of course Bonnie Woods did not disappoint. (Also for other Kindling fans out there you will be very pleased to see lots of familiar faces, honestly reading this book felt like spending time with old friends in some ways.) Eiley is such a sympathetic character, it is impossible not to root for her, even if I did want to shake her sometimes when her determination not to let anyone help made her struggles even more difficult than they already were . Warren was a little harder to warm up to, especially at first, but as we got to see more of his interactions with his friend Nate and with Eiley's children the real heart of the character became more obvious.
Given the name of the series is Scottish Spice it should come as no surprise that there are some truly sizzling sex scenes, and once again hats off to the author for showing a normal curvy woman as someone desirable. There is also some nicely done disability representation in the form of one of Eiley's children, and I thought that the way the author showed how easy it can be to accommodate people's needs with a little thought and attention is something that we really need more of in fiction.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own
Eiley has not been having an easy time of it since splitting up with the father of her three young children but she is finally starting to get back on her feet with a new job in the local bookshop Thorn and Thistle, and a cosy little flat upstairs. The last thing she needs right now is a new man in her life, even if the mysterious broad shouldered new arrival in town keeps catching her eye.
Warren has returned to the village he left as a teen determined to create a future despite the tragedy of his past, and as a fireman there's no shortage of female attention, but the one woman who has invaded his thoughts wants nothing to do with him after a disastrous first encounter that painted him as a cocky womaniser prone to mansplaining.
Fate is determined to intervene however, and when a flood threatens to destroy Eiley's flat and the shop below, Warren and his team are called out and he an Eiley are forced to work together meaning that before too long sparks are definitely starting to fly. Will there be a blaze of passion or will fireman Warren douse the budding relationship before it gets a chance to ignite?
As someone who loved Kindling I knew that I was in safe hands here and that this would be a book that I could sink into knowing I would enjoy it and of course Bonnie Woods did not disappoint. (Also for other Kindling fans out there you will be very pleased to see lots of familiar faces, honestly reading this book felt like spending time with old friends in some ways.) Eiley is such a sympathetic character, it is impossible not to root for her, even if I did want to shake her sometimes when her determination not to let anyone help made her struggles even more difficult than they already were . Warren was a little harder to warm up to, especially at first, but as we got to see more of his interactions with his friend Nate and with Eiley's children the real heart of the character became more obvious.
Given the name of the series is Scottish Spice it should come as no surprise that there are some truly sizzling sex scenes, and once again hats off to the author for showing a normal curvy woman as someone desirable. There is also some nicely done disability representation in the form of one of Eiley's children, and I thought that the way the author showed how easy it can be to accommodate people's needs with a little thought and attention is something that we really need more of in fiction.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own
September 5, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, Bonnie Woods, and HarperNorth for providing me with this ARC!
This book was humorous, fun and enjoyable, but still fell flat for me. At the start, I liked our main character, Eiley (lovely name by the way!), but I began to dislike her once Warren, the love interest, met in the pub. I found her extremely rude, and even though it is acknowledged in the book, I was still put off. There are moments when I thought I was starting to like her again, but then she would blow it by the way she would continuously act towards Warren for no reason. It felt like the author was trying to justify the Eileys’ rude actions and words, but it didn’t sit right with me. Because of these continuous good moments she would have with Warren, and then follow it up with being rude, I found her to be jerking him around, which made me dislike her even more. As a mother, Eiley was great. I could understand why she chose to do what she did because, at the end of the day, she had her children’s best interest at heart, but it gets to a point where she needs to stand up—which she eventually did :), but for such a strong woman, her actions didn’t always match her character. Sometimes I even felt she didn’t deserve Warren because he was thoughtful, respectful, understanding, compassionate, and reasonable towards her and everyone. He did have his moments of being a typical flirty, arrogant playboy. However, as we progressed, he showed who he was: a good man and a fantastic future father.
Everything else in the book was great. I really enjoyed it. I loved Warren's backstory, all the neurodivergent aspects in the story, and how both themes were explored. It’s a shame that I didn’t gel with Eiley. I understand her actions are because of her upbringing and her tendencies to self-sabotage, but that made it no less frustrating for me.
While I found this story to suffer because of my dislike for Eiley, I can tell it could be a favourite for others. Because of that, I would recommend this book.
This book was humorous, fun and enjoyable, but still fell flat for me. At the start, I liked our main character, Eiley (lovely name by the way!), but I began to dislike her once Warren, the love interest, met in the pub. I found her extremely rude, and even though it is acknowledged in the book, I was still put off. There are moments when I thought I was starting to like her again, but then she would blow it by the way she would continuously act towards Warren for no reason. It felt like the author was trying to justify the Eileys’ rude actions and words, but it didn’t sit right with me. Because of these continuous good moments she would have with Warren, and then follow it up with being rude, I found her to be jerking him around, which made me dislike her even more. As a mother, Eiley was great. I could understand why she chose to do what she did because, at the end of the day, she had her children’s best interest at heart, but it gets to a point where she needs to stand up—which she eventually did :), but for such a strong woman, her actions didn’t always match her character. Sometimes I even felt she didn’t deserve Warren because he was thoughtful, respectful, understanding, compassionate, and reasonable towards her and everyone. He did have his moments of being a typical flirty, arrogant playboy. However, as we progressed, he showed who he was: a good man and a fantastic future father.
Everything else in the book was great. I really enjoyed it. I loved Warren's backstory, all the neurodivergent aspects in the story, and how both themes were explored. It’s a shame that I didn’t gel with Eiley. I understand her actions are because of her upbringing and her tendencies to self-sabotage, but that made it no less frustrating for me.
While I found this story to suffer because of my dislike for Eiley, I can tell it could be a favourite for others. Because of that, I would recommend this book.
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