Protect

Sky Ridge Hotshots #2

by Paisley Hope

Rowan Kingsley

Imagine coming into the town pub with my crew, dirty and exhausted, only to walk right into my biggest regret. The twin sister of my lost best friend and the one who got away. I haven’t seen Violette Taylor in years but I haven’t forgotten her either.

I used to be Rowan to her. Now, I’m just King, the guy who broke her heart, but not for the reasons she thinks.
Violette is back in town for good, she's a single mom and a nurse in the burn unit I accidentally wind up in.

Can you call that fate? Maybe, if she wasn’t doing her best to stay far away from anyone who reminded her of her past, especially a career hotshot like me. But I know something she doesn’t; life rarely offers second chances. So, if this is my chance to finally make things right, I’m taking it.

Genres: Romance, Second Chance, Firefighters, Small Town Romance, Contemporary Romance, Second Chance Romance, Audiobook

390 pages, Paperback

First published December 2, 2025

About the author

Paisley Hope is a USA Today and Sunday Times Bestselling author of spicy contemporary romance. Her books are full of found family, dreamy settings, swoony moments and happily ever afters. She also writes darker romances that will keep your pulse racing.
Paisley spends all her free time with her husband and kids. She loves to bake, garden and travel.

Reviews

[Kiara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rowan. Kingsley.
The man you are. 😮‍💨

🔥 The Premise

Rowan Kingsley is a hotshot wildland firefighter still carrying the weight of losing his best friend, Jacob. Violette Taylor is Jacob’s twin sister—the girl Rowan was drawn to in high school, and the one whose heart he shattered.

Ten years later, Violette returns to their small town after a divorce, now a nurse and single mom to her adorable daughter, Hollie. She wants distance from the past—especially Rowan—until fate intervenes when he’s injured on the job and lands in her burn unit.

❤️‍🩹 My Thoughts

“Every second I had to wait for you was worth it, Violette.”

The dual timeline worked so well for me. Watching Rowan and Violette grow close as teens made the eventual heartbreak hit harder—and had me fully invested in their second chance. Violette’s insecurities were tough to read at times, but seeing her grow into a confident woman and devoted mother was incredibly satisfying.

“Violette. I was fucking crazy about you when I was eighteen, and I’m still crazy about you now. You just have to jump with me, let’s see where we land.”

Rowan completely stole the show.

This man’s love language is showing up. Whether through actions or words, his care feels constant and intentional.

Steady. Devoted.
Golden retriever energy… with a filthy mouth. ✨Balance✨

The romance is a slow-to-medium burn, and when the spice finally hits, it hits. The tension was delicious (yes, including that sponge bath scene 🥵).

“Because you feel like my center, Vi. You bring me peace, but Christ, all I want to do is fuck you like we’re at war.”

Rowan and Hollie absolutely melted my heart.

From watching her favorite show to going all-in on costumes, his bond with her felt natural, warm, and deeply genuine. Every interaction made it clear: loving Violette means loving her daughter too 🥹

“When Hollie snuggles close to Violette and winds her chubby little hand in her mother’s hair, I know I’m not just falling for Violette. I’m falling for them both.”

Grief is handled with so much care here. Jacob’s death continues to shape both Rowan and Violette, and I loved how the story allows pain, healing, and love to coexist. The wildland firefighting elements added real weight and authenticity to Rowan’s journey.

I listened to the audiobook, narrated in duet by Samantha Brentmoor and Gideon Frost, and it fully pulled me in—truly perfect casting.

Also… I am more than ready for Xander’s and Teddy’s story. 👀

Tropes / What to Expect

🔥 Firefighter x Nurse
💔 Second Chance Romance
👫 Brother’s Best Friend
⏰ Dual Timeline
🤍 Single Mom
🌲 Small Town
🫶 Found Family
🩹 Grief & Healing
🖤 Secret Tattoo

🌶️ I don’t share, fuck it moment, little brat, grab the headboard, 🐱slap, hand necklace, mirror scene

Sky Ridge Hotshots Series

1. Fight — 3.5 ⭐️ My review
2. Protect — 4 ⭐️
3. Honor — TBR

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
✧･ﾟ Pre-Read ･ﾟ✧
firefighter romance + a pretty cover
I’m very easy to influence

[Soft Nectarine ~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Mr. Firefighter HOSE ME DOWN because I’m on fire 🔥👨🏻‍🚒 Cover like WOW. Story like PUNCH ME in the HEART. Smut like YUMMY.

“You bring me peace, but Christ, all I want to do is fuck you like we’re at war.”

🔥👨🏻‍🚒💦 ♥️ 💦👨🏻‍🚒🔥

Rowan is a wildfire firefighter…basically a HOT superhero that’s too humble to accept the praise. He’s still coping with the loss of his best friend when he finds out this friend’s twin sister moved back to town 🔥 Violette is ’the one that got away’ but Rowan is determine not to waste his second chance. He pursues with determination, understanding & his FULL HEART!

This is NOT lumberjack porn…well at least not just that. The deep connection & grief bonding makes this an emotionally packed romance ❤️‍🔥

I’m typically not a fan of second chance tropes but the mmc truly committed to showing up for fmc and NEVER STOPPED! The story is basically a GROVEL of a lifetime….his approach is full of deep regret & careful longing that reveals his pure heart!

🔥 mmc is bareknuckle FIGHTING for that second chance “I’ll do all the work; you just need to get used to someone being a place you can land.”

🔥 hottest SPUNGE BATH in lit history

🔥 smut in dialogue! he’s insatiable & dirty!!! *panting*

🔥 adorable bonding with her daughter

This is my first book by this author and I was so impressed by the fantastic writing that truly touched my heart. The story featured wildlife firefighting in a way that the reader truly feels the passion & love for nature and the men’s dedication to the protection of life. MEN THAT PROTECT….gahhh unmatched!

firefighter x nurse
second chance
emotionally intelligent mmc
single mom
dirty talk
not as smutty as you think!
sick bed
GRIEF
mental health awareness
small town
HEA

[Gigi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paisley Hope really knows how to write swoony men, and oh boy, Rowan did not disappoint. And I’m kind of falling in love with second chance romances now!

Violette and Rowan were just everything. Their history, their connection through Jacob, the way they just got each other were so sweet, so emotional, so ugh, I loved it. Their chemistry was off the charts, and the tension was so good! And don’t even get me started on the smut… let’s just say I needed a moment. Or five.

But the real scene-stealer was Rowan bonding with Violette’s daughter, Hollie. The way he stepped up and showed he was all in was so freaking adorable. The way they supported each other, even when it hurt was so powerful. And major points for showing therapy as a key part of healing.

Overall, this book was sweet, spicy, emotional, and just SO GOOD. I’m obsessed.

Read this if you like:
❤️‍🔥 Second Chance
❤️‍🔥 Single Mom
❤️‍🔥 Wildland Firefighter x Nurse
❤️‍🔥 Brother's Best Friend

🚨🚨 TW/CW: Death of a family member, grief, anxiety/panic attacks

[Mora ౨ৎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ⊹₊˚‧┈┈┈┈┈✧┈┈┈┈₊୨ᰔ୧₊┈┈┈┈┈✧┈┈┈┈‧˚₊⊹
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤʀᴇᴀᴅ: 9 ᴀᴘʀɪʟ/9 ᴀᴘʀɪʟ
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤꜰᴏʀᴍᴀᴛ: ᴋɪɴᴅʟᴇ
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤᴛʀᴏᴘᴇꜱ: ꜱᴇᴄᴏɴᴅ ᴄʜᴀɴᴄᴇ, ꜱᴍᴀʟʟ ᴛᴏᴡɴ, ꜰɪʀᴇꜰɪɢʜᴛᴇʀ, ꜱɪɴɢʟᴇ ᴍᴏᴍ
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤꜰᴏʀᴄᴇᴅ ᴘʀᴏxɪᴍɪᴛʏ, ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅꜱ-ᴛᴏ-ʟᴏᴠᴇʀꜱ
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ⊹₊˚‧┈┈┈┈┈✧┈┈┈┈₊୨ᰔ୧₊┈┈┈┈┈✧┈┈┈┈‧˚₊⊹
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ⊱ ۫ ׅ✧ My rating: 2,85/5 ᯽

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ⊹₊ ˚･:*🌼࿔ 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 ࿔*:･˚ ₊⊹
I am rating this up for no-half-stars sake but this really wasn't a 3 star read.
Soooooo.. seeing as wolf.e and dove were really good reads for me, I was really excited to read this. What I didn't expect was a cheesy cringy book.
The book was easy to read and I flew through it but that doesn't mean I liked the writing or the storytelling.... I thought the writing was done quite cringe. Rowan just keeps throwing in 'meaningful' sentences making them feel unnatural.
The entire conflict for this to even be a second chance was built on miscommunication that could've been solved with a single conversation, even a goddamn text but it has to last 10 YEARS!? Especially because once she finally hears the full story it takes like 10 sentences for her to forgive him. Like... come ON.
The romance also didn't work for me which is..kinda bad for a romance book. I'll expand on that in the next part.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ⊹₊ ˚‧ꨄ٠࣪⭑💐 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 ٠࣪⭑ꨄ‧ ˚ ₊⊹
Didn't care much about either of them, but definitely didn't care for them together. We get flashbacks but they were 18 and knew eachother for like 4 weeks and get closer and closer until the conflict. 10 years later they act like they were always destined to be together and nobody ever compared? Naaah you can't convince me of that. And because the whole book is built on that, the "second chance" didn't work for me. I felt zero chemistry between them, it's told not shown. Yet my dude Rowan is obsessed the moment he lays eyes on her again.

And for some reason, the book decides that cringy smut scenes are the perfect way to sell this relationship. It doesn't. Especially when it already starts before the 50% mark? There is also the fact that he calls her a little brat & dirty little slut super randomly and it just again felt so forced. The amount of dirty talk Rowan does in this book is just insane and I say that as a smut lover and especially dirty mouths. But not if he just never shuts the fuck up AND says cringy shit?
I'll give you some lovely examples.

“I’m going to fucking devastate this pussy"

what do you mean? devastate it ?? who says this.

“Your pussy has been waiting so patiently for me”

yeah no *blocked*

“Oh, God.” She shivers as she meets my depth.
“Rowan,” I correct. “I told you. I don’t share. My name only, always.”

nuh-uh dude, only certain type of characters get away with saying that kinda shit and IT AIN'T YOU

“Attagirl, Vi, I want every drop,”

attagirl?? during sex??

“That was like . . . a religious experience” and he answers “As long as I’m the one offering you salvation, I’m good with that.”

Enough? Yeah, I think so too.
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

✦🦢˚ ᴘʀᴇ ʀᴇᴀᴅ

I need some contemporary to balance everything out so when I saw the words STEAMY+FIREFIGHTER I knew enough. 🤭🥵

[Kayla | Kayla Reads Smut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paisley! Miss ma'am! You straight delivered with this one! You gave me the most perfect angsty second chance romance I could have ever hoped for and for that I am so beyond thankful! Also, Rowan Kingsley is the most perfect filthy mouth golden retriever of my dreams!

I am such a sucker for a second chance romance. Now add in the fact that they were together in high school and he was her twin brother's best friend, then I am sold! The way that I loved Rowan and Violette's story with all of my heart. It's full of angst. It will have you in your feels. You will experience falling in loved for the first time all over again and then you will get your heart broken. Only for them to come back together 10 years later to fall over again. Ugh, the way I swooned!

What I am loving about this trilogy is the fact that each couple has experienced some serious tragedies and traumas in their life that have molded them to who they are as adults. They are all overcoming their own mental health issues that will allow them to be in a healthy adult relationship. Rowan and Violette are not different. Violette's twin bother and Rowan's best friend Jacob died in a forest fire which left both of them with series PTSD and when Rowan finds himself with the same injury and Violette as his nurse, they both need to overcome their past to allow for a future. It was truly a beautiful story.

At the end of the day, be fully prepared to fall in love with a hotshot golden retriever with a filthy mouth that will make you weak in your knees! Yes, this is a slow burn. But when Violette finally allows Rowan to knock down her walls, the spice will make you weak. The things that come out of Rowan's mouth had be gagged. Put a fork in me I'm done. And then to top it off how he is with Violette's daughter? I'm a goner! This man is PERFECTION!

Paisley, you truly out did yourself with this one! I loved every damn minute of it! And I have come to the realization that if you write it, I'm going to gobble it up and it's going to be a 5 star smutty banger! You write the most perfect fictional men and for that I am forever grateful!

You should most definitely read this book if you like:
- Second Chance Romance
- Dual Timeline
- Twin Flames
- Brother's Best Friend
- Single Mom
- Hotshot Firefighter x Trauma Nurse
- Golden Retriever MMC with a Filthy Mouth

* I would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to Paisley Hope for allowing me the pleasure to read PROTECT as an arc in exchange for my honest thoughts, opinions and review.

[Darlene I read WAY to many books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me crying, and I loved every single moment of it.
Also, it did hit since California is on fire, and Rowan is a wildland firefighter.
Rowan and Vio had history together they dated in high school and we'll Rowan had to push her away because of something her brother did that had him stick in the middle so that's what caused there riff. And we are on present time when Vio is back in town trying to move on from her ex-husband and dealing with being a single mom, her emotions about her past. Rowan is determined to make things right between them again and show her that even if it's been ages, she's the one who got away, and he's all in.

He knows about her sweet daughter Hollie, who is adorable, and his moments with her were everything he stepped up in that being a parent. I had tears when he put her first, unlike the ex-husband who did try to make drama, but Rowan didn't take the bait.

I am going to read book 3 because I like Teddy and want happiness for her.

Saftey-we have the ex-husband and mentions from MMC his past and ow drama (in high school)

Angst, Tiny om/ow drama, no cheating, slight secondary chara, tiny drama, sexy times, no virgins

Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶
Tears-💧💧💧

Prologue
28H/28h
Single parent
Flashbacks
Mild Degradation
Mild Cum play
Death of a family member (not on page-through flashback)
Dealing with grief
Masturbation
Anxiety and panic attacks
Dealing with fear over a loved one’s job Descriptive scene of injury while fighting fire
Healing process of injury from fighting fire
No condom
Hea
Epilogue

[Gry ☾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

protect me from these meh books

[glavreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

i am livelaughLOVING this series! every book just sweeps me right in.

this one was a super emotional, second chance between a single mom and her late brother's best friend. rowan was hot and funny but also managed to step in and be exactly what her and her daughter needed.

[Mackenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 ⭐️
2/5 🌶️

Paisley has QUICKLY become an auto-buy author for me. If she writes it, you can bet I’m going to be reading it.

One thing I’ve noticed about her books is that they’re usually pretty heavy on the spice. This book felt a little lighter in that aspect but that’s okay because Rowan & Vi’s story was so heartbreaking yet beautiful and completely captivating. It will have you feeling alllll the feels.

Thank you Paisley for the eARC! This entire series has been amazing & it just leaves you wanting more 🥰

- Single Mom
- Brother’s Best Friend
- Second Chance
- Forced Proximity
- Injured Hotshot Firefighter x Nurse

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5.
I was excited to read this story and it was good but missing something …
Unfortunately.

[Quetzalli · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐ porque me dieron demasiado cringe🫣 las escenas spicy🌶️

[Syndi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Protect is awesome. I love the chemistry. I love the characters. I love ghe plot not being too cheesy. Miss Hope certainly done a good job writing the story.

Rowan is awesome. He is sweet and adorable. He is still manly but very adorable way.

4 stars

[bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ★'s

tropes:
× second chance romance
× hot shot & trauma nurse
× single mom
× golden retriever mmc
× past & present timelines
× anxiety rep
× spicy slow burn
× 🌶🌶.5

⸝⸝

“Violette. I was fucking crazy about you when I was eighteen, and I’m still crazy about you now. You just have to jump with me, let’s see where we land.”

OHHHHHHHH MY HEART
I LOVED THIS ONE

big 'it's always been you' & 'the one that got away' vibes.

such a cute, emotional, heartwarming read. this was slower/medium burn which i prefer and i liked the flashbacks seeing them together at 18. i loved rowan and violette together and the chemisty was great. also rowan's relationship with hollie was the sweetest thing ever.

⸝⸝

“Twin flames. One feeds off the other, they support each other, they help each other grow.”
“Let me be your twin flame, love.”

“ When Hollie snuggles close to Violette and winds her chubby little hand in her mother’s hair, I know I’m not just falling for Violette. I’m falling for them both.”

⤿ ROWAN KINGSLEY THE MAN THAT YOU ARE

my only small complaint is that the conflict was resolved too quickly and they were practically together around the 65% mark causing the last quarter of the book to drag. i feel like this book could've easily been 50/60 pages shorter. that being said i still really loved this.

[Noi (in & out) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disregarding two things, I would recommend this, as the rest was lovely. I would read the safety first, though.

Safety: This book is a second-chance, single mom, brother's best friend, grief, and anxiety story.

The MMC has been with others after the couple's first relationship (not on page) and before they get back together, and says he always had the FMC in mind and compared all the others to her.
- Had I known this before, I might not have picked this book up, pissed me off.

"I’ve been with my share of women, though Violette was always in the back of my mind. I’ve unabashedly compared every single woman to her and every single one of them has come up short."

Also, I didn't like the smut whatsoever. It only starts at 65%, and is across 5-6 chapters, but I fully skimmed those.
-------------
I didn't realise each book in this series is by a different author.
-------------
This should be hot in more ways than one, and I am here for it

[marioncoin | coin.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5☆

mais cette saga🔥🧯🚒
quelle histoire une fois de plus !

je suis pas toujours hyper fan des second chance, mais j'ai beaucoup aimé celle-ci,
j'ai peut être juste eu un peu plus de mal à rentrer dedans que le tome 1 qui pour le coup m'a complétement embarquée dès le premier chapitre, mais j'ai quand même adoré la double temporalité qui nous permet de nous attacher doublement à Rowan et Vi, et de comprendre ce qu'il s'est passé entre eux au fil des pages

leur histoire est tellement touchante, et encore plus le lien qu'ils partagent,
Vi à perdu son frère jumeau dans les flammes, et c'était le meilleur ami de Rowan, du coup tous les passages en lien avec cette perte étaient vraiment déchirants,

pour finir j'ai tout simplement adoré Holly, cette petite fille de 4 ans qui apporte une douceur incroyable à l'histoire, moi aussi j'ai fondu comme neige au soleil à chaque passage Rowan x Holly

franchement cette saga est juste giga réconfortante pour l'instant, on y retrouve les protagonistes du tome précédent et ceux du suivant, et qu'une hâte : me plonger dedans

les tropes : single mom • second chance • brother best friend • forced proximity • injured hotshot firefighter x trauma nurse

― “and with you, I’ll stay as close to the flame as I can, Vi. because, fuck, we burn so goddamn good together.” ❤️‍🔥

──────୨ৎ──────
↝ 𝚖𝚎𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚜 & 𝚊𝚟𝚒𝚜 :
#1 fight- 5/5☆
#2 protect- 4.5/5☆
#3 honor - 5/5☆

[Christi (christireadsalot) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars! Protect is the 2nd book in the Sky Ridge Hotshots collab series by 3 different authors. This one is by Paisley Hope and I loved it! In this one we have: brother’s best friend, second chance, dual timeline, childhood sweethearts, years of pining, single mom, man obsessed, he’s a firefighter x she’s his nurse!

Rowan Kingsley is a wildland firefighter and Violette is a single mom and his late best friend’s sister! They also dated in the past and he’s always seen her as “the one who got away”, while she’s seen him as the man who broke her heart years ago. Violette is now a single mom to her 4-year old daughter (who is the cutest by the way) and a nurse in the burn unit that Rowan winds up in after an injury at work.

“I think I was coming to find you, Vi.”

We get dual timeline, flashing back to 6 years ago when they dated in high school. And in present day she’s recently moved back to town after her divorce. She grew up around the fire crew, her dad and late brother both were a part of the crew. This one I just loved! I liked how all in he was with her (once she gets on the same page), how their parents are pushing for them to get together (in a cute way), and don’t even get me started on how cute and sweet he is with her daughter Hollie! 🥹🥰 He watches tv with her, they have their own little adorable chats, “cheers”-ing their drinks and snacks, him being so invested in her favorite show (learning the songs, dances), the stuffed animals and costumes…ugh all the gooey, melty heart eyes truly! The romance and chemistry were great too, they definitely have to confront things from their past but I liked seeing them together! This interconnected standalone series is just so good, highly recommend!

CW (provided by author): death of a family member (not on page-through flashback), dealing with grief, anxiety and panic attacks, dealing with fear over a loved one’s job, descriptive scene of injury while fighting fire, healing process of injury from fighting fire

[Ira Bartoschyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Цей роман — про біль втрати, силу прощення та любов, яка не згасла з часом

🧡 Тут є все:
— душевний біль і надія
— сильні герої
— романтика + емоції на максимум
— флешбеки в минуле — дуже чуттєво і щиро

[Jackie · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 64% 😭😭😭😭

I LOOOOOVED book one in this series, but I could not get myself to pick this back up!!

The main conflict of the story was resolved already, which left me with no real reason to keep reading. The main characters were happy & well on their way to being in love. I just wasn’t excited for whatever bad ex husband trope was about to occur in the third act.

So much love for Paisley, who wrote one of my fave books of the year, but this felt a bit too anticlimactic.

[Abby (booksinthefreetime) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay I’m obsessed with Rowan 😍😍

[Katie Beasley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yall I am LOVING Paisley Hope's books and this one was no exception. I had not read her doing a second chance before but MAN did she kill it. This is the second book in the Sky Ridge Hotshots series but can be read as a standalone. I liked reading the first one to get more context with the character BUT at the same time I would not have felt lost had I not read it first. That being said I was looking forward to reading about Rowan Kingsley because even his name sounds hot- am I right?? He had fallen for his best friend's sister all those years ago but then a cruel twist of fate took her away from her. Now though Violette is back in town and Rowan realizes he won't let her slip away a second time. The angst between these two (really more on Violette's side) was EPIC. The chemistry though was electric. I love when the MCs try to fight what they feel so hard but also get flirty and sassy with each other. Both of these characters are still dealing with Jacob's (Violette's brother) death. They have both been grieving all this time but now maybe they can grieve and get whole together. Watching Violette let down her walls was perfect. Watching Rowan surprise her and tell her the truth of what happened was also perfect.

Violette is back home. A place she never thought she would be. After getting her heart broken and then her brother dying, she ran away and never really looked back. But now she is on the other side of a bad marriage with her daughter and is craving being close to her parents. What she isn't craving (well kinda) is being close to him again. Rowan Kingsley. Her brother's best friend. The guy she was falling for before he pulled the rug out from under her. So when she does see him and sees kind of a determination in his eyes to make things right she isn't sure she is ready. But then Rowan gets caught in an ash put and ends up in her burn unit where she has to give him a sponge bath- that's right a sponge bath to this man who was hot when they were younger but now is a whole other level. She can't help it. She feels this draw towards him. She is so confused on how he treated her back in the day. But then he comes clean on what happened and though it is surprising, he was doing it all to protect her and her family. He broke her heart and his in the process but he thought he was doing the right thing. And now that that wall has been smashed around her heart maybe she can let him in. Maybe this man can prove to her what he has been feeling all these years because she isn't going to lie to herself anymore- it's always been him for her. Even when she thought it couldn't be.

Rowan is getting tired of the one and done life. To be honest, he hasn't done it in a while so now he is just alone. He stays busy to not feel it but then she walks back into this life. And he KNOWS that he is going to do everything in his power to make it right between them. She- Violette Taylor. His best friend's little sister. The one he wanted to treat right in high school. But then he was presented with a choice and he chose to protect her which ended up breaking both of their hearts. She is back in town and with a daughter who is just the cutest. He knows it isn't going to be easy but when she gives him a HARD pass on even being friends he has to switch up his tactic. But then he gets caught in an accident and ends up in her burn unit. He can feel this thing between them. It never went away. In fact it seems to have gotten stronger. She is trying to fight it but he KNOWS if he can just tell her the truth she might forgive him. And then he has his moment- he bares his soul and she gives him another chance. He has to prove to her that he can protect her in more ways than one. He can love her. He can be there for her and her daughter. He is going to treat her like his queen because that's what she has always been. He just hopes she is ready for what is coming.

This was a wonderful second chance AND BF sibling book which happen to be two of my fav tropes! I really enjoyed these characters. I liked how much Violette had grown into her strength as a mom and a woman since Rowan saw her but of course he wasn't intimidated by that. If anything he was even more attracted to her. Watching these two get to grieve their loss both of their relationship and the death of Jacob was so genuine. I thought Paisley did great handling that heavy subject. If you haven't picked up this series yet I highly recommend it! You've got hot firefighters falling for some STRONG FMCs with GREAT spice - what more could you want??

Thank you to Paisley an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my god THIS BOOK WAS SO FREAKING GOOOOOOOD! I am eating this series UP! Firefighters and second chances? Pleaseeeeee I’m weak in the knees

Rowan & Violette dated in high school and were perfect together but something ended up tearing them apart, leaving them both broken hearted. Years later, they are both back in the same town again and old feelings start to revisit the surface … Will it work out a second time?

I honestly was won over by Rowan so fast because you could tell he was such a good guy & that he really only had eyes for one girl…but my god the things he did for Violette had me SWOOOOONING like never before! I am obsessed. OBSESSED I TELL YOU!!!

Type: audiobook (thanks MLA)
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Tropes:
Brothers best friend
Second chances
Firefighter x nurse
Single mom
Small town
They take care of each other🥹

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

Love Rowan and Vi and sweet Holiie.

Rowan and Vi have history, but of course, things are not easygoing, and they part for 10 years. It was so sad and even showed Rowan when he was 18 years ago, how honourable and upstanding he truly is.

Vi has insecurities as a teenager and as an adult. I loved how Rowan loved her and showed her every way possible what she meant to him. So sweet how he doted on Hollie, too.

I can't wait to read Xander's story next!! Let's go hotshots!!!

[Lia Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is probably an unpopular opinion but I wasn’t the biggest fan of this book. It was okay. But it was super cheesy at some parts. I didn’t like when Rowan called Vi his twin flame, cringe. And I really don’t like second chance romance books. This book had way too many flashbacks.

I didn’t however enjoy Rowan’s relationship with Vi’s daughter. I loved seeing their relationship grow while he was in the hospital. I loved a lot of bits and pieces of this book, but the full story was not for me.

[Kimberlylovesreadingbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked this better than the first one 🙂

I loved how Rowan fought to be in Violette 's life and how he treated Hollie like his own child, that was the main reason I gave this book a four star instead of three. His dedication.🙂

However I wish the authors hadn't killed Jacob 🤷🏾‍♀️. Then it would have made sense that the third book would have been his.

I love single mothers but having two books back to back with the same trope is kinda boring and because of that I won't be reading the third book 😐🤷🏾‍♀️.

Favourite quotes;

“I wish you had. I would’ve understood. I think we’ve wasted enough time, and we have enough history to just be honest with each other. Which is why I’m here. I thought something freaked you out…now I see you had to come home for Hollie, but I’m not letting you run from me anymore, Vi.”

😭

None of this”—I gesture around her cute little house—“would ever make me change my mind, Violette. You’re a mom, and it’s obvious you’re an incredible one, which only makes me want you more. You’re not getting rid of me that easily, you just need to catch up to me here. I’m not letting you out of my sight until you give me a fighting chance.

🛐

[Larareads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was sooo good!!! I adore Rowan, Violette and little Hols. Can't wait for Teddy's book!

[Eloise Blaise | Bibliophel · Rating 4 out of 5]

[3.75] That Troy was a piece of poo. Thank god that Violet is such a strong woman, and Rowan, for all his golden retriever goodness!! Took this one slow as this series comes in clutch whenever I’m being threatened with a slump.

[Rachael*Caribbean*girl*bibliophile · Rating 3 out of 5]

Possible spoilers ahead

Rowan has been best friend's with Violette's brother for years. At 18 she and Rowan get close until he suddenly breaks it off and she feels he's been using her. Fast forward 10 years, her brother is dead, her marriage is over and Violette returns to her hometown to rebuild her life......only Rowan is determined to finally explain and get his woman back.

********
I'm a sucker for single parent romances, Violette was in the middle of a divorce when she moved back home, she was a great mom to the adorable Hollie.
As much as I love kids in my books though, I'm not a fan of second chance romances at all so I'm split 50/50 on this book.
His reason for breaking her heart at 18 was covering some serious shit for her brother and Violette left for school shortly after so there was no explanation at that time. I'm not sure all that time needed to be wasted though, I mean given the timeline couldn't he have gone to her before she got married? Idk man.
We see them at 18 through flashbacks which I hate
From about half way through this delivered on what is hoped for. I loved Rowan with both of his girls.
Violette suddenly being able to let go of her fear of Rowan's job seemed a little unrealistic but fit the plot I guess. I understand being a hotshot was important to him but I honestly expected him to quit. She lived for years with the fear of her hotshot father's death, then actually lived through the death of her twin hotshot brother's death, I'd have liked a longer epilogue just to settle my mind.
Bottom line I'm still 50/50 on this book.

********
Kinda second chance, as they'd started dating at 18, they hadn't had sex yet
He's played the field but never been in a serious relationship
She was married and had a child.
Her ex was around as he came to see his daughter 🙄
No cheating
I think the h was only with her husband but don't quote me on that













Thoughts while reading
This author is the reason I'm even reading this series but

Second chance 😭
Flashbacks 😭
Brother's best friend
They dated at 18, got handsy but he broke things off and didn't take her to prom 😒. She had a lot of body issues at 18 and he was her first kiss. Of course he'd had lots of girls by then.
10 years later, he's in the hospital she's his nurse..... he's been trying to get to know her again 🙄 a guy dumos me suddenly you vet your ass the first fucking question to be asked is WHY??
Little snippets dropped as to his reasoning 🙄😒
Hmmmm idk his reason was kinda okish I guess, ughhh the teenage years man everything is such a huge deal 🤭🙄
Now that the past is cleared up hopefully the romance progresses now





Two of the things I can't stand most

Currently reading

[Intel Chicky Reads Romance (Kara Merideth) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Trope: second chance
Angst: 😱😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥

I'm just loving this series! Protect is the second book in the Sky Ridge Hotshots series, and I was NOT disappointed. This book had it all:

✅ best friend's sister
✅ second change
✅ hero with golden retriever energy
✅ he falls in love with her daughter too
✅ secret tattoo

Ten years ago, Rowan messed up big time. At least that's what Violette thinks. He may make all her lady parts tingle, but she will make him WORK at giving her his so-called "explanation" of what happened all those years ago. This book was a well-written, emotional roller coaster ride that will definitely have you tearing up more than once. A great addition to the series!

[lindseysbooklore · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️
3 🌶️


I am all caught up on everything Paisley Hope has published; and once again.. she does not miss. Another 5 star read, it’s like returning home her books give me a lot of comfort. Remember watching A Walk to Remember and falling in love; that’s what reading a book by Paisley is like. That same feeling.

Rowan and Violette have my heart. I adored the second chance, brother’s best friend, single mom, firefighting golden retriever mmc, it was always her, dual timeline and pov.

I experienced every type of emotion. Thoroughly enjoyed this. Loved Hollie and Teddy, even Mae was awesome. Highly recommend. I melted so many times and cried quite a few times. I love the emotion I can feel in a Paisley Hope novel and then flip the page and im cackling over a grown man in a costume all for the love of a toddler.. or the cute references made up that I feel like I’m right there. 🐢 I can’t wait to reread this again, it’s on a favourites list for sure!!


**April 16, 2025 ALC Review
4.75 ⭐️
3 🌶️
Duet narration
Samantha Brentmoor
Gideon Frost

As you can tell from my review above, this is a reread for me.. of a favourite that I still think about frequently.
There’s something so exciting about loving a book and enjoying it again but with a voice to the narrative.
I felt a slight disconnect from Violette & Hollie with this narrator choice. But other than that simple, personal feeling these narrators did an amazing job. I felt like they displayed a lot of emotion, and I was in my feels listening to a few of the grief scenes again. It really brought this book to life. I absolutely love Paisley’s writing.. I don’t know how to describe it other than she’s a comfort read. I just fall in love with the story and characters. I’ll always recommend Paisley’s novels! I really enjoyed Violette & Rowan’s story on audio 🧡🧡🧡

[Carrigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you PRH Audio for the gifted audio #prhaudiopartner

“Let me be your twin flame, love.”

PROTECT is book 1 in the Sky Ridge Hotshot series. This book follows Rowan and Violette. Rowan is a hotshot fireman and Violette is a nurse and single mom. She’s also Rowan’s one that got away. Not only that, she’s his late best friend’s twin sister. They are both still full of grief over their mutual loss when they run into each other for the first time in years.

I am a sucker for a good second chance romance so it’s no surprise to me that this was my favorite of the series! I also LOVED the past and present timelines. It definitely put into perspective how intertwined their lives always were. Rowan and Violette are two characters that are so easy to root for because of everything they have gone through.

I loved their story so much! This was an 11 hour audiobook but I could have listened to more!

🎧 This was narrated in duet by Samantha Brentmoor and Gideon Frost. This was my first time listening to Gideon but omg his voice?!? So good! I need more audiobooks read by him! He and Samantha were a great pair for this one!

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲:
🔥 Hot Shot x Nurse
🚑 Second Chance
🔥 Brother’s Best Friend
🚑 Single Mom