The Grumpy Firefighter and Second Chances

Love's Second Chances #1

by Lily Waters

My days are filled with battling blazes, saving lives, and trying not to dwell on my failed relationship from years ago.

Everything changes when Amanda Turner walks back into my life, claiming we need to work together to restore the old B&B.

To my dismay, she’s just as vibrant and captivating as I remember. I find myself playing along with this unexpected partnership.

When the town’s busybody arranges for us to organize the annual festival, it forces us to work even closer together.

In the middle of a renovation filled with bickering, shared dreams, and unintentional moments. Her sunny disposition melts my guarded heart.

I don’t deserve another shot. But when danger ignites, my firefighter instincts kick in.

This time, I’ll do whatever it takes to protect Amanda. And prove I’m not that foolish boy who once pushed love away.

Audible Audio

Published April 20, 2024

About the author

I love writing and reading clean, sweet, swoony books that make me laugh out loud, cry a little, and get invested in the characters. I hope you will find that in my books—plenty of playful banter, light drama, sweet kisses only, and happily-ever-afters.

When I am not writing, I am sitting on the porch with my husband and my standard poodle, enjoying my gardens and nature. I love gardening and bird-watching!!

Reviews

[❁ Ashton ❀ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a cute and sweet read!

We are introduced to Amanda and Cody. They both receive a phone call from a lawyer letting them know that a lady Barbara had passed and in return they have inherited a B&B to fix up. Little do they know, they are not sole owners. Amanda, an event planner returns to her home town, Spring Falls and has to work alongside her ex Cody, a local Firefighter to restore the B&B and also plan the towns annual festival in Barbara's memory. Cody and Amanda dated back in highschool but it had ended abruptly so working together creates a clash of past vs present and a heap of emotions.

This is my first book by Lily Waters, i liked the style of writing , the dual POV (my favourite! ) and the FMC/MMC were both very likeable! Daisy the dalmatian was super cute! This story has a few of my favourite tropes; grumpy vs sunshine, close proximity, rekindling love and a small town romance.

If you're looking for a heartwarming novella with no drama/ angst, no OW/OM drama and no spice.. Then this is the perfect read for you! Overall, a really good read with a cute epilogue too! ✨ 5/5 ✨

✨ I recieved a free copy of this book via booksprout and I'm voluntarily leaving a review ✨

[Brittany selken · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the last book in this lovely series written by @authorlilywaters and it was so freaking cute 🥰 like the love in this whole book was just amazing 😻. I love the 🐶 in this story too. I can’t wait to read more book from this author. #booksarelife
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[Mary Ann Speel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommend this book to everyone. I enjoyed reading it, and even reading it again. Story of Amanda, an event planner and Cody a fire fighter. They were very close friends when in high school, dating each other. When Cody’s father was injured he needed to work more to help his family. He decided to break up with Amanda with out telling her why. As a result she leaves town to pursue her dreams in the city, and very successful. When Cody realizes what he decision resulted in he overwhelmed. He didn’t expect Amanda to leave. He carries the pain in heart there after. He is to complete his dream of going to the fire academy and become a successful firefighter. When Amanda returns to Spring Falls for the memorial of Barbara Matthews her dear mentor she knows that she will run into Cody. She and Cody have been informed by Barbara’s lawyer that they have inherited her B&B, but not together. When each goes to the B&B to check it out they run into each other. They then realize that they will need to work together to repair the B&B and bring it back to life. Over coming obstacles along the way they succeed in doing this. They also put on the annual Spring Falls Festival which was very successful. Along the way their relationship is healed. Amanda resigned from her position in the city and returned to Spring Falls. Cody and Amanda find their HEA. Enjoy everyone.

[Lindsey Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I am the type of reader who enjoys stories that are at least over 400 pages long. Honestly, the longer the better. And if it’s a series, with each book being just as long or longer as the first, I am in heaven. But even us epic readers need the book to break out of a book slump, cure a book hangover, or to just remind us why we like to read. My reason to read? Escape this crazy thing called life. This book does just that!
Lily Waters delivers a book that I was able to site down and just enjoy. No complicated plot lines, dozens of characters to remember, or cliffhangers. This story is a sweet second chance for our characters after being separated for ten years. Through inheriting the same Bed and Breakfast they find themselves having to work together and realizing their feelings are still very much there.
I loved seeing Cody open up and let the walls he has built around him crumble. Almost as much as I loved seeing Amanda find her passion for her career again. And while I love my epic stories, I am a total sucker for a sweet, simple, wholesome love story.

Tropes:
Second Chance
Coming Home
Forced Proximity
Grump MMC
Sunshine FMC

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amanda and Cody were high school sweethearts in their small town of Spring Falls, Texas until their senior year when Cody broke it off with Amanda. So, heartbroken, Amanda left for the city to become a well-renowned event planner, while Cody remained in town and became a firefighter. Barbara was a friend the two of them had in common so when Amanda was called back to town by an attorney and Cody met at the attorney's office too, they find Barbara left them both her B&B. Wow! Can Amanda work with Cody to update and renovate the B&B and run it? Or will they be at loggerheads? Can Amanda get past the hurt Cody caused her? And in addition, the town asked them to put together the town's festival as well. This is a wonderful, smooth, easy read that keeps you turning pages and rooting for the couple to get back together. When all is said and done, will Amanda opt to stay in town? I received and ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small town firefighter meets big city event planner. The catch is...they've met before. In fact, Amanda Turner & Cody Foster were high school sweethearts back in the day which ended in heartbreak. Now, ten years later, she's called back to her hometown where they're forced to work together on a renovation project they inherited.

I really enjoyed this heartwarming second chance romance. It has all the feels of a southern small town Hallmark movie. It's a quick read with less than 200 pages & includes playful banter, heartfelt love and devotion, sweet kisses & a happily ever after. Of course, I can't forget Cody's loyal fire station mascot, a Dalmatian named Daisy! She is always around to steal the show. So if you're looking for a quick, wholesome, sweet and clean read, this one is for you!

[Tami Willard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amanda is a highly respected event planner in the city. However, she's feeling overwhelmed and like something is missing. When she gets the call that her mentor has passed and left her the B&B in her hometown, she returns home. Cody is a fire fighter in her hometown and her ex. He too was listed as inheriting the B&B. What was Barbara thinking? They haven't seen each other in 10 years. Will they be able to get past the pain of the past and work together? Between a close call and a jealous rival they have a lot of emotional twists to get through. Can they get closure or maybe even rekindle the love lost? Was Barbara playing matchmaker even after her death?.

I received a copy of this book from the author. Review voluntarily given.

[J Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a complimentary copy. Cody and Amanda were high school sweethearts but they parted ways when Cody broke Amanda's heart. Amanda left town and now she works as an event planner. A close friend of hers and Cody's passes away and they end up owning a B&B together. Amanda and Cody are forced to work together not only at the B&B but now the town has asked them to plan the town's festival as well. Will Cody and Amanda put their past behind them or will they let old hurts continue to keep them apart.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Chance to Claim Love ? . . .

Amanda Turner and Cody Foster had been high school sweethearts until Cody broke up with her. So Amanda left to pursue her own plans to become a successful event planner. When a mutual friend leaves her B&B to both of them, they are brought back together to renovate it. Can the two work together peacefully? And when asked to plan the town’s annual festival as well, will they start to feel more comfortable with each other? Is it possible Amanda will choose to stay here rather than return to the stressful city? Would they even consider a second chance to see if a HEA has been waiting for them all along?

[Charmaine Nouwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Grumpy Firefighter and Second Chances: Sweet Opposites Attract Small Town Romance story of Cody and Amanda..The grumpy Firefighter and the Event planner...They were highschool sweetheart and they thought that their love between them is forever until is not when Cody broke her heart and then she left their small town to pursue her dream in the city but now she's back when their old friend died and left them her BnB..can this two got their HEa the second time around? read it to find out!! a wonderful,heartwarming,enjoyable second chance romance that you wll enjoy reading..

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Terry T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is a sweet clean 2nd chance romance with no cliffhanger.

Amanda and Cody were high school sweethearts. Just before graduation Cody broke up with Amanda with no explanation. Amanda was heart broken and left town after graduation.

Barbara left her Bed and Breakfast to Amanda and Cody in her will.

Will Amanda and Cody be able to get along together? Will they be able to renovate the Bed and Breakfast? These and other questions will all be answered.

I highly recommend this book. I received a free ARC and this is my honest opinion.

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cody is a firefighter and Amanda is an event planner in the city.
They knew each other and fell in love very young then their careers took them in different directions, Cody stayed home and Amanda went down town.
But now a joint bequest by someone they both cared deeply for has brought them both back to where they started when they are left the gift of a Bed and breakfast.
Can they put their past differences aside to try and run it together or are their feelings for one another just as strong as acer?
This was such a lovely story, fresh, modern and just a cute feel good romance.

[Margaret Hejmanowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all things Lily Waters and this does not disappoint!! Amanda grew up in Spring Falls Texas, she now lives in the city; and is a top of the line event planner. She gets a call that Barbara, her friend and mentor has died and left her her Bed and Breakfast. Arriving back in Spring Falls she finds out that the Bed and Breakfast was also left to Cody Foster; her high school sweetheart who broke her heart. Is it possible for them to work together to make Barbara proud? Love the plot, great setting, and strong intense interesting characters. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Waters.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Grumpy Firefighter and Second Chances by Lily Waters is a good, and enjoyable clean sweet small town opposites attract forced proximity enemies to lovers second chance firefighter romance read. The story has a great entertaining world building story line. The characters are great, and they have great chemistry. This story is a very entertaining cute sweet romance read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[ABurch74 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another grumpy firefighter, oh my! Cody and Amanda are first loves who have been separated for years. They come back together after the death of their mentor. The author tells a charming story of them reconnecting and soothing old heartaches. This story is easy to get invested in from the beginning. If you are looking for a story of sweet second chances, this is the story for you.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Suze82 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admit I have a weak spot for firefighters, they just can´t help but come to the rescue, grump or not. When fate gives you a firm shove in the right direction and the town´s busybodies interfere you there´s nothing else you can do but succumb to your secret yearning for a second chance at a HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute, heartwarming, second chance, small town romance. The characters are a wonderful mix, including the meddling towns people. It has an engaging romantic storyline that's fun and entertaining. This was an easy read that was easy to get into and hard to put down til the end. I absolutely loved it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a newcomer to Lily Waters writing. This is such an enjoyable book to read. I loved reading the interactions between the main characters while they renovated a bed and breakfast.I look forward to reading more books by Lily Waters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rose Grabowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cody is a small-town firefighter and Amanda is an event planner in the city. They were in a relationship ten years earlier that ended badly. They are informed their mentor has died and they have jointly inherited a dilapidated bed and breakfast. Will they be able to set aside the past and work together? Cute story with a great dog.

[GOLE · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful, sweet romance. The story of Amanda and Cody who get a second chance at their love story. The book is a longer novella that wraps up beautifully with a fought-for happily ever after.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Gloria Catharine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love how the characters are written and so relatable to many. It was great "seeing" two childhood sweethearts brought back together through a shared loss. Love blossomed, goals changed and ended with a HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kelly Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sweet romance that left me feeling warm and good inside. The author has a great wag with words to keep you hooked and turning the pages.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Echo · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a short and sweet second chance romance. Cody and Amanda along with Daisy really made this a great quick read. Pulled at the heartstrings and then ended beautifully. Made me feel as if it could be a perfect hallmark movie!

[D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cody and Amanda were great. I enjoyed this story of second chances. I got lost in this fun story. This is a great story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lcr · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Grumpy Firefighter and Second Chances is a charming, stand-alone novella. It is easy to read with a hea.

This book has wonderful and relatable characters and a good storyline. I enjoyed it and highly recommended it to anyone looking to relax for a while with a cuppa and a good book.

[Angel Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was...okay.

Amanda and Cody have both been left a Bed & Breakfast by their mutual friend and mentor. It needs repairs...

I'm neutral on recommending this book.

[Venise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice story, where a former couple work through their differences to find their connection’s validity anew.

[Linda Hoover · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Grumpy Firefighter and Second Chances by Lily Waters is a sweet second chance romance. I recommend.

[Fruzsina Bagin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lily Waters' new romantic novella, "The Grumpy Firefighter and Second Chances" is a heartwarming story about second chances and the importance of home and family.

Barbara's death unexpectedly makes Amanda and Cody the new co-owners of a small-town bed and breakfast. Although the two protagonists have a significant history together, life has taken them in different directions.

Amandra makes her dreams come true in the big city, where she organizes luxurious parties and glamorous events. The energetic and captivating woman is on the verge of a career breakthrough, yet she feels like something is missing from her life. Lily Waters deftly depicts the feelings of burnout and the sudden emptiness of a big-city lifestyle, and how Amanda returns to her roots to find what makes her happy again.

Cody's character is complex and full of deep emotions. He draws strength from a childhood trauma to become the hero of his small town as he risks his life every day to protect hundreds of people as a firefighter. Though his past has brought some disappointments, his heart remains in the right place. The writer masterfully portrays Cody's deep character development, which sets the overall tone and flow of the story as he tries to come to terms with the wounds of his past and understand his own troubled feelings for Amanda.

The main plot of the book is Amanda and Cody renovating the Bed and Breakfast and organizing the annual festival, honouring Barbara's memory. At the same time, they confront past hurts while trying to deal with their renewed feelings for each other. Finally, Amanda is faced with a difficult choice: which is more important to her: a successful career in the big city or finding love and a home in the small town?

"The Grumpy Firefighter and Second Chances" is not just a romantic novella, but a deep and moving story about how everyone deserves a second chance in life. Lily Waters's talent for portraying character development and emotional depths is clearly on display in this book. I recommend it to anyone who loves emotional, romantic stories and who believes in second chances.

I received a free copy of "The Grumpy Firefighter and Second Chances" by Lily Waters via Booksprout.

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amanda and Cody are so good together. The chemistry arcs from their first re encounter. Cody is a firefighter , still living in Spring Falls where he and Amanda grew up and fell in love. When their good friend Barbara dies , the old dear leaves each of them her bed & breakfast , clever . Then equally cunning that must also be her design is when Barbara’s old friend Agnes joins in with the matchmaking too , as they’re set on a path to organise the town’s annual festival. The easy flow of the storytelling is sublime . It’s told in each points of view succinctly with inner thoughts that work perfectly. The fact they rub each other up the wrong way at first , then determine to work together for Barbara’s legacy. Amanda has her best friend Lauren to talk things over with and their friendship is superbly written. The great friend for Cody , apart from his firefighter buddy Kyle is Daisy the Dalmatian who is a great character in her own right , she is an emotional support dog who although she doesn’t have lines , her actions are expertly crafted . There’s some good moments when they let their memories race and play dress up . The Town gets involved along with the rents to help out . She can’t stay in the small town forever though as she has her big event planner job in the city , she always dreamed of… Will they won’t they swoon of a second chance romance . I loved this well written , immersive story. Could not put it down. There’s swoon moments aplenty thanks to great dialogue and narrative. Solid characters with depth. Storytelling at its best and uber compelling.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.