Running to the Rescue: A sweet firefighter romantic comedy

by Dianne Oren

Scarlet has no time for love. She’s laser-focused on winning the Home Network's Decorator’s Showcase competition and its $250,000 grand prize. But just when she’s about to bring her dream design to life, disaster strikes—literally. A fire reduces her project to rubble, leaving her with nothing and only six weeks until the deadline.

Andrew is the firefighter who pulls Scarlet from the flames—heroic, steady, and completely unprepared for the whirlwind that is Scarlet. When he steps in to help her rebuild, he unwittingly sparks a movement of kindness across the city… and a slow-burn romance that has all of San Francisco watching. As the competition heats up, so do their feelings—but will their love go up in flames, or will Scarlet and Andrew prove that some things are worth the risk?

396 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 2, 2025

About the author

Dianne Oren enjoys writing sweet, swoony romantic comedies. She lives in the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas with her husband Kevin, dogs Duke & Daisy, house panther Finn, and Rebel...the tiny gray potato tornado.

Reviews

[Katie Pool · Rating 5 out of 5]

Running to the Rescue by Dianne Oren (ARC) is the third book in a wonderful series that just keeps getting better! Set in vibrant San Francisco, it follows Scarlet, who dreams of becoming an interior designer and leans on her close-knit group of friends, and Andrew, a brave firefighter, as their lives spark in the sweetest way. Their chemistry feels genuine and heartfelt, making the story easy to get lost in.

What really impressed me was how thoughtfully the book handles Scarlet’s journey working through PTSD — it adds a lot of emotional depth without weighing down the light, hopeful tone. Dianne Oren masterfully balances humor, heart, and the exciting fire rescue backdrop to create a feel-good read that’s hard to put down.

I’m so grateful to have received an ARC of this book ahead of its July 4th release! If you love charming, uplifting romances with meaningful themes, this one’s definitely for you.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to the author for an ARC of this soon to be published book. Please note that these books can stand alone but WHY would you gyp yourself out of meeting these lovable characters and missing out on how it all starts? This next story in her San Francisco Hearts series has all the goodies and then some. Did i mention goodies? Chocolate shops and hot firemen!! Woohooo!!! Seriously I feel like the characters in her books are people I know now and I can’t wait to see the next 2 books and how things play out for the last crazy and fun gal. Loved the journey of reading this one and also sad it’s over. That is the sign of a GOOD READ!! (Pun intended!!)

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Running to the Rescue is a lovely and sweet contemporary romance novel, set in San Francisco, California. It is the third in a series but can be read as a stand-alone. I recommend you read the first two: How to Date a Mermaid and Fake It Till You Make It, though. The friend group members are fun, real and likeable characters and you really should get to know them all. I felt like I could have been reading a story about my daughter and her friends.
Although Running to the Rescue has some intense scenes and complicated themes, they are all well-written. The complicated emotions of PTSD and potential triggers for a survivor and a rescuer in the aftermath of a fire are addressed without overdoing them or minimizing the trauma that comes along with such an event. Triggering events and each individual’s reaction to them are treated with the right level of reality and sensitivity. As the wife of a retired police officer and fire investigator, I found the to be believable, and I appreciated that they were dealt with in a way that allowed each character to heal and work through to the other side. I also appreciated that Scarlet took a very active role in her healing journey and she never made anyone else responsible for her feelings or reactions. The balance between helping herself and seeking help when she needed it was done well.
Overall, Running to the Rescue is a quick and easy read, with a sweet level of romance and fairy tale vibes.

[Sheila Casinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is Diane Oren’s (ARC) third in her San Francisco Hearts series and holy moly!
Scarlet is a designer obsessed with winning a design competition and Andrew is a dedicated firefighter who rescues her from a burning building. What do these two have in common? Really, the answer to that is the love of their chosen professions and eventually each other. It’s a long road getting to that point, however. She’s stubborn but so is he. Do either of them have to give up what makes them happy? This is a wonderful story about a couple that have to work at what they want. I’ll be reading this book again and again.

[EVANGELIA MARAGKOPOULOU · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very sweet cozy and emotional book . Scarlet is an interior designer who is trying to win the Home Network's Decorator’s Showcase and the $250.000 so she and three other designers work in a warehouse each doing their own rooms . Few weeks before the show there is a huge fire in the warehouse where she lived while she worked there . She was lucky because the firefighter she been friends with Andrew is there to save her before something more horrible happens . She is discouraged
with the accident but Andrew is having the solution to help her win the competition .
I received this book from the author and the publisher as an ARC . Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own .

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine going after your dream only to have it all go up in flames. That is Scarlet. Enter her hero firefighter, Andrew.

Scarlet is left devastated emotionally. Andrew sees that and does whatever he can to help her. Enter friends, old and new, to help Scarlet rebuild her dream. Maybe even her love life.

I totally enjoyed this book, third in the San Francisco Hearts series. The author, Dianne Oren, did a great job with this. You will cry, laugh and swoon over this one!

[Samantha Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has all the feels! From stolen glances in a coffee shop to a daring rescue, you will love our MMC Andrew. He is not afraid to pursue what he wants, including our leading lady that he adorably nicknames “Nix,” short for Phoenix because he helps her rise from the ashes.
He’s protective and sweet all at the same time, and he puts his heart on the line to help Nix overcome her fears and realize her dreams. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet story that discusses a very serious issue of anxiety/PTSD. The way anxiety is covered in this story felt so real as someone who struggles with anxiety. At the same time, I constantly smiled and giggled as I joined Scarlett and Andrew on their journey. We once again join our 4 favorite San Franciscans as another finds their person! Can’t wait for the next book!

[Renee Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the green flags!!!!

Another sweet and clean story from one of my new fave authors. Scarlet and Andrew are just the best! Can't wait to dive into book 2, I read out of order and I'm not mad about. If you love a control freak interior designer and a screaming hot fireman, pun intended, grab this one. You won't be disappointed!

[Lauren Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the third installment in the San Francisco Hearts Series by Dianne Oren. Returning to these characters felt like reuniting with old friends—while also getting to know some wonderful new ones. It’s a fun, breezy read with moments that truly tug at your heartstrings (yes, I teared up more than once). I can’t wait for the next installment! I received this book from the author as an ARC—these thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story.

Content: clean - passionate kissing

[Kristi Ramos · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another two day read for me! Could not out this book down!

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was slightly different from the first two, in that the hero (Andrew) was a fireman rather than a rock star. The H and h (Scarlet) have been eyeing each other in a coffee shop for a couple of weeks before they have an actual meeting. Then he rescues her from a fire in the middle of the night. Heroine has to deal with the consequences of surviving a fire and smoke inhalation. After the fire, Scarlet has to find a new place to redo in order to complete the Home Competition, so she works on the fire station. There are many twists and turns between the actual meeting and the final curtain before we get to a real Happily Ever After.

[Terry J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who needs a calendar when you've got the real deal living in your neighborhood? Scarlet is one lucky gal! I found myself not wanting to put it down at night, even though I had to work the next day. The author really brings the characters to life as well as the area (the City by the Bay). There's a little seriousness in the book, but it's well thought out, and not a heavy drag down; and interspersed with some good fun and giggles. I've enjoyed being part of the ARC Team for this book, and I'm so glad I had read the other two books prior to reading this. Now, don't get me wrong, the book is a stand alone. There's enough background of the other characters in Running to the Rescue, but why would you want to miss out on the full story of all the characters???? After reading How To Date a Mermaid and Fake It Till You Make It, and then reading Running to the Rescue, I so enjoyed seeing Scarlet bloom as the main character in this book. I know this is a book I will definitely re-read!