Playing with Fire

by Sydney Scott

When sparks start to fly, someone is bound to get burned.

Beckett wants to spend his days protecting the members of his small hometown and his nights with someone special. As a firefighter, Beckett has never hurt for female attention, but he has never felt sparks with any of the women who give it to him. That all changes one day when he sees Willa, a woman who stirs a fire in his belly, and in his heart.

Willa wants to spend her days rebuilding her career and her nights refocusing on herself. Still dealing with the trauma of a toxic relationship, Willa doesn’t see the need to try and find love in her new town, but that’s a difficult position to maintain when she is constantly having meet-cutes with the gorgeous, strong, and incredibly patient Beckett.

Will their relationship catch fire, or be smothered by the troubles of Willa’s past?

Genres: Romance

225 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 10, 2025

Reviews

[Christi Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the beginning of what promises to be another great small-town series. Beckett and Willa have immediate sparks, but have to find a way to give and accept love without burning themselves up in the process. We also get to meet Beckett’s family and Willa’s friend Lotte, and several others in the town that make it a home. Sydney Scott has pulled me in again!

[Laura Moylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beckett has been working for the Applewood Fire Station for years and the Chief, Mason Trilby is like a beloved uncle, when he isn’t yelling. lol. I like the chief’s taste in music as well as Beckett’s. The probie’s, Dale’s not so much, lol. Beckett has an older brother, Aiden who is a chef, while he has a three younger brothers: Nate, the Mayor; Felix, owner of the Branch & Brew, and Travis, who helps their father, Nolan run the apple orchard/farm. Lottie is Willa’s bestie from college. Now that Willa needs a place to go and stay, she decides to drive from Florida to Applewood and Lottie is more than willing to take her in. Beckett Kemp, sees Willa for the first time when she gets into town while at a light. He is entranced by her light and how wild and happy she is while dancing in her seat and singing to the music. Finding out about Beckett’s life when he was a kid was interesting. He was defo supposed to be a fireman. Seeing that Willa has panic attacks made me sad that she goes thru that, but also happy that someone is talking about it. People need to take people’s mental health more seriously. My father has severe panic attacks and doctors and nurses are kinda blah about that until I tell them that one led to a heart attack. That’s when they finally take it seriously. But, I digress. Sorry, but this book just hit me hard during some serious stuff in RL. Finding out why Willa has panic attacks and what her ex did to her- made me livid and made me curse him out- a lot. I love how patient Beckett is with Willa once she tells him about her past. Of course, she will have triggers and he needs to be careful, but they are so good for each other. I love them together. They are so cute and sweet and romantic. I want to see who Felix and Nate end up with and I want to know more about Travis as he is very quiet. I laughed a lot, chewed on my nails, cursed, and things were steamy with Willa and Beckett. Egads. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

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

[Ikwi Bookreviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an adorable small-town romance. Beckett is a dashing firefighter MMC looking for a true love connection, but hadn't felt real sparks with anyone before. Willa is new to town, having moved there from a big city to escape an abusive relationship. Their chemistry is instant and potent, and Beckett is ready to go all in right away, but reins himself in and moves slowly instead, patient and accommodating of Willa's triggers. The pair's sexual relationship is very hot, and it is through it that Willa becomes empowered to take charge of her new life and ultimately get her groove back. Despite dealing with the heavy topic of a controlling past relationship, the story is low angst and the two leads are likable and easy to root for. Beckett is one of five brothers, and I can't wait to read what Sydney Scott has in store for the other Kemp boys!

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

[Heather Dudley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Playing with Fire is amazingly written, exceptionally balanced and beautifully executed by Sydney Scott. She continues to showcase what a fantastic author she is with each book I’ve read by her so far. I can’t wait to see what her next book will be about. The characters of Playing with Fire are fabulously written and well executed throughout the story. The main characters of this book are Beckett and Willa. The chemistry between these two characters is absolutely breathtaking and undeniably irresistible. I thoroughly adored getting to know both Beckett and Willa as well as seeing the feelings they have for one another grow stronger as their story progressed forward. I would most certainly give this book as a recommendation for anyone to checkout and give it a read. I’m looking forward to reading more phenomenal romances from this author in the future.

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

[Didi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first time reading this author’s work and I will say I have “Hey Mickey” stuck in my head as well as a charming small town story. Beckett is looking for his forever when he finally meets Willa who is new to his small town. Willa isn’t sure about the handsome firefighter since she had just escaped an awful Ex. From there we get a love journey that has humor, heartache, “adorkableness”, undeniable chemistry, challenges, sibling/family support, romantic gestures, passion, danger, acceptance, realizations, hope and forever. Beckett…tattoo…sigh. I will look forward to the other brother’s stories.

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

[Evy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 stars
This was my first book by Sydney and it was a nice story, although I missed some depth. Beckett is a real treasure, sweet, caring and very understanding of Willa’s past. He has a very warm and funny family, the family dynamics are great. I’m not a big fan of the narrator part and the dual pov, but that’s for me personally. I found it strange that giving her past, everything went very quick very heated with Beckett, but again he’s a catch. I really hope Lottie and Nate get their own story!.

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

[Berta Greenleaf Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sydney Scott writes a great love story with lots of humor and maturity. There is tons of steam within this story. The FMC has to deal with a ton of trauma left over from past emotional abuse from an ex. Meanwhile she meets a teddy bear of a hunky firefighter who is keen on communication and letting her set the pace of their relationship. They finally get their HEA. I highly recommend this book to all romance readers.

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

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet and cute small town romance about Willa and Beckett. He is a firefighter looking for a spark but has yet to find it. She is escape the big city and a bad relationship. Sparks fly between these two. From the minute sees her dancing to the beat, he is intrigued. She is a bit jumpy and guarded due to her past but he is willing to go slow to win the prize. I thoroughly enjoyed this first story in the new "Applewood" series. I look forward to reading the next stand alone read.

[Tina Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book I've read by this author. I love the story. Beckett’s character is so sweet and caring. Willa is a woman with a past and Beckett doesn’t care. When the two get together, there is fire. I love all of the supporting characters which made this book a fun read. Great book!!.

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

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Playing with Fire is a good, and enjoyable spicy firefighter small town second chance romance read. The story has a good entertaining world building story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry. This story is an entertaining read.

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

[D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this story with Beckett and Willa. Beckett sure did have his attention drawn by Willa who was trying to do their her own thing. Their story was sweet and spicy all at once. I really enjoyed them.

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

[Nikki Britt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beckett was an absolutely adorable hero! The way he took his time and didn’t push Willa and made sure she was comfortable was so sweet. Looking forward to the other brother’s stories.

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

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book I have read by Sydney Scott,. I enjoyed this story. So good and the characters have a good attraction.

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

[Amy Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beckett & Willa
These two were just made for one another. I loved how they keep bumping into one another. Their chemistry was off the charts hot!

[☆Laura☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tengo curiosidad por la historia entre Lottie y Nate.