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Gordon Falls #6

Small-Town Fireman

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The Catch of a Lifetime

Karla Kennedy doesn't belong in Gordon Falls. The aspiring restaurateur has far loftier goals than running her grandfather's quaint coffee shop. The only person who seems to relate is handsome volunteer firefighter Dylan McDonald. Dylan understands dreams—he risked everything to start his fishing charter business. Now he needs Karla's help to make it succeed. As they work together, Karla and Dylan quickly discover that while their timing may be bad, their chemistry is undeniable. Karla always thought of Gordon Falls as a layover on her way to a big-city career, but could it be where her heart truly belongs?



Gordon Falls: Hearts ablaze in a small town

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published December 16, 2014

5 people are currently reading
422 people want to read

About the author

Allie Pleiter

120 books652 followers
An avid knitter, coffee junkie and firm believer that “pie makes everything better,” Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and non-fiction working on as many as four novels at a time. The bestselling author of over fifty books, Allie has enjoyed a twenty-year career with over 1.5 million books sold. In addition to writing, Allie maintains an active writing productivity coaching practice and speaks regularly on the creative process, publishing, and her very favorite topic—The Chunky Method of time management for writers. Visit her website at www.alliepleiter.com to learn more.

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5 stars
37 (39%)
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33 (35%)
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20 (21%)
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
Profile Image for Carmen.
1,794 reviews2,443 followers
May 27, 2017
Karla pulled the string on the bakery box of cheese Danish - after a hefty dose of hand sanitizer, of course - and unscrewed the lid on the thermos of cinnamon-hazelnut coffee she'd brought. This wasn't the most elegant breakfast she'd ever served, but it was fast turning into one of the most pleasant. The sun had come up fully, bathing the boat in warmth and scattering sparkles on the river around them. Birdsong poked through the peaceful quiet, and the gentle rocking of the boat soothed out tensions Karla hadn't even realized she was holding.

This is a predictable, calm, uneventful romance. Dare I say boring? Two nice but bland people fall in love. The end.

Dylan is a firefighter / person-who-leads-fishing-excursions. He moved to tiny Gordon Falls to escape city life, which he hated, the rat race and his ex, who ditched him for his boss.

Karla is in Gordon Falls because her grandfather hurt himself and she has to run his coffee shop until he recovers. He wants her to take over the business but she has big-city dreams.

Seriously, there is no drama or interesting things going on here. She wants big city life but is attracted to Dylan. Dylan is attracted to her but is a.) distrustful of women and b.) loathe to get attached to someone who is going to leave for Chicago.

Really, a snoozefest. I don't have much to say here.

How's the sex, Carmen?

No sex, sadly. I'm getting really frustrated. There is a cute scene where he tangos with her outdoors, dips her, and kisses her, though. So that's cute.

He didn't even notice that the music had stopped; his own happiness was roaring in his ears. He was holding almost all her weight, tipped over as she was, but he felt none of it. He wasn't even sure he felt the ground under his own feet. As a matter of fact, when she made this little sound - this tiny, blissful mewling sound - it shot through him so fast he thought he might drop her. Only he didn't. He hung on tight, and she clung to him. The sensation was dazzling. Heart-stopping. Unforgettable. Really, really dangerous.


Tl;dr - Boring.

CATEGORIES:
Contemporary Romance
Inspirational Romance
I have no idea if either of these characters are virgins.
Profile Image for Tima.
1,679 reviews129 followers
January 18, 2015
Karla is only in Gordon Falls to help her grandpa. She has big dreams and there is no way she can fulfill them in that tiny town. As soon as her grandpa's hip heals she turn the coffee shop back over to him and head back to the big city. But a certain fireman is making her rethink leaving. Dylan left the big city to escape the rat race. He has no intention of returning for anything or anyone. Can he convince Karla to join him in the small community of Gordon Falls?

This book is definitely part of a series. Several things were briefly mentioned that would have made more sense had the previous books been read. That being said, I do think this works as a stand-alone. The main story is about the couple who just recently joined the town. The story, for me, seemed to deal more with the expectations of family and making life decisions than it did with the romance. The romance was there, but it wasn't super romantic for me. The story was authentic and the characters were believable. The ending was a bit over the top for me, but added a plausible way for the characters to have a change of heart on some issues.

I received this book free of charge from Goodreads in exchange for my honest review.
934 reviews5 followers
January 30, 2015
I enjoyed reading Small-Town Fireman the 6th book in the Gordon Falls series by Allie Pleiter. Karla Kennedy returns home for a few months to help at her Grandfathers restaurant, while he recovers from hip surgery. Karla's grandfather wants her to stay on and take over the place. Karla has higher plans. She wants to open her own fancy restaurant in Chicago. She meets Dylan McDonalds, he runs a charter fishing place. He is also a fireman. Sparks happen between the two. Everyone in the town are trying to get them together. A big flood happens. A lot of stores were flooded. Karla's grandfathers place is on higher ground and people go there. A lot happens during the flood. A must read.
Profile Image for Vera Wilson.
504 reviews14 followers
January 7, 2015
Karla had come back to Gordon Falls to help run her Grandpa's Coffee Shop when he was sick. From the very beginning of the book can tell she is aching to get back home. She has big dreams of opening her own shop and it's nothing like Grandpa's. She don't like small towns and can't wait to get back to her plans of a big city career.

By chance a Small Town Fireman comes in and is willing to try her different coffees. Others not even willing to do that. There is an attraction from the start. But is this enough to change Karla's plans?

Very easy to real book. Enjoy the Love Inspired Romances.
Profile Image for Kelley.
743 reviews147 followers
April 16, 2015
Novel received courtesy of Goodreads.com giveaway

This book is part of the "Gordon Falls" series by Allie Pleiter. I enjoyed the experience of the town of Gordon Falls and would definitely read more of the books in the series. The dynamics of the town remind me very much of the small town that I live in.

Karla has returned to Gordon Falls to run "Karl's Koffee" for her recuperating grandfather. Of course, she meets the "Small Town Fireman" and that's the story. I found it entertaining and engaging.
Profile Image for Mistyblue.
265 reviews6 followers
March 31, 2015
Allie Pleiter is one oft favorite Love Inspired authors. Her books never fail to give me a welcome escape from my stressful and hectic life. This one was no different. Both Dylan and Karla captured my heart and imagination. A truly enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Karen.
1,811 reviews1 follower
August 11, 2016
Karla Kennedy, Kurt's daughter, and Karl's grand-daughter, is back in Gordon Falls to help out at Karl's. Dylan McDonald has left Chicago for Gordon Falls and a fishing career has replaced high finance. Wanting different things, sparks fly. Will a flood in Gordon Falls bring them together?
680 reviews8 followers
October 1, 2015
Great love story where the whole community gets involved - small - town indeed Loved it
16 reviews
June 13, 2015
Good book. A bit predictable, but well written with relatable characters.
158 reviews2 followers
May 14, 2016
This might be the best one I have read by Allie Pleiter. I have enjoyed all of hers that I have read so far.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews