Falling for the Grumpy Firefighter

by Summer Rose

Grumpy + Broken Ex-Military + Age Gap

Falling for the Grumpy Firefighter is a short, sweet, and steamy small town instalove romance with a happy-ever-after. It can be read as a standalone or together with the rest of the books in the Fox Fire Station series.

Genres: Romance

63 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 23, 2025

Reviews

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fire alarm goes off again as Emily is preparing for the grand opening of The Golden Spoon. Caleb, one of the firefighters responding, knows there isn’t a real fire. When he walks into the building, Emily is standing there smiling. After Caleb discovers the issue, Emily gives him some food as a thank you. It’s instalove for them but Caleb has spent years keeping to himself. Will Emily be able to break into his heart and build a HEA? Wow, the characters were hot and inspiring. I loved how these two shared their life history to build a basis for the future. The chemistry was intense with the showing of their love and affection! Highly recommend.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anngela · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an adorable way to meet. Caleb goes into the Golden Spoon restaurant because of a fire alarm. Comes face to face with Emily; and both their worlds get turned upside down. This was the first time the arm one off a false alarm so firemen were not happy that they had to return to the same location again. This was Caleb‘s first time there which both he and Emily enjoyed meeting each other. He found that whoever installed the alarm did a shoddy job and did it incorrectly. The next day he decides to take his toolbox head to this restaurant and fix it himself something to do with how he had to have everything organized and wanted to have it fixed especially after she said her grand opening was on Saturday. Something in him made him want to help her, and protect her. She, of course, supplied him with food every time and invited him for a private taste testing, which went over like a true fairytale.

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

[Nancy Koske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caleb, a lieutenant with the fire department is part of the unit answering the 3rd alarm in 5 days to a new restaurant scheduled to open soon by Emily. He checks the alarm panel; someone wired the heat sensor wrong. She gives him a plate of dumplings with a sauce that she is testing asking him to give her an honest answer when he finishes them. He tells her that the alarm needs to be rewired before the opening. As she hands him the plate they touch; there seems to be a tingle between them. The dumplings are great! Thoughts about Emily come to his mind. Emily thinks about Caleb. A food critic is due to visit the day before the opening. Caleb takes his tool box to fix the alarm system early the next morning. She invites him for a private tasting that evening. Will he accept? Is Caleb as drawn to Emily as she is to him? Is he willing to take a chance on love?.

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

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Falling for the Grumpy Firefighter is Book 3 of the Fox Ridge: Fire Station series. It's a short and steamy, instalove, OTT, age-gap, opposites- attract, grumpy-sunshine, curvy girl gets her firefighter, small-town romance. Emily is a sweet and curvy chef opening her own restaurant. Caleb is a hunky, grumpy, ex-military man and silver fox firefighter. When he responds to an alarm at Emily's restaurant, he wants to be mad but finds himself drawn to the curvy ray of sunshine. He has thick walls around his heart but finds her breaking them all down. These two had such great chemistry, and the ending was so happy. I loved it so much.

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

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main characters in this story are different as night and day. Caleb is strict and impersonal and Emily is all sunshine and warmth. He uses gruffness to keep people at arms length, thinking it's safer that way, while she infuses love into her cooking, trying to brighten the day of those she interacts with. I loved the interactions between them, and the banter. Despite his ruff edges, she sees the man underneath (much to his discomfort). When he finds himself inexplicably drawn back to her, he starts to question his own motivations and logic - trying to talk sense into himself. How will this tug of war play out?

I voluntarily reviewed a gift copy of this book. Happy Reading Y'all 📚

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fox Ridge Fire Station book 3

Emily is a chef finishing the restaurant she has dreamed of for years. But, the smoke alarm keeps going off and a grumpy fireman comes to check it out. Caleb is very intense and broody. But this little chef is someone he wasnt expecting. Emily sends him off with dumplings, and neither of them can see that something is hot, more than the food.
And i Love how the fire fighters are exactly like family, its good to see Mia and her baby brother again. Love the book and the series.

[Auroura Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story follows Natalie and Paul. They must work together to create a fun event for the community all while being safe and not trying to fall for each other.

The chemistry from the moment had me smiling and giggling at their little banter. The description of the rest of the firefighters and their quirky attitudes makes the book fun.

The spice is mild 2/5, the ratio of spice to number of pages is great.

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

[Chandra Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily is opening her own resturant in part as a memory to the mother who taught her to cook. Everything she makes is an extention of her love for others.
Caleb is a gruff fireman who has little time for anything not in his orderly life.
Sparks fly when a fire alarm is tripped, for the third time, and Caleb must come and reset it.

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

[Ineta · Rating 5 out of 5]

One more great read in Fox Ridge: Fire station series.
Caleb is for control and discipline. Then faulty alarm and a plate of dumplings later his life is changing. Emily is sunshine and sweet, she brings with her different kind of life.
Sweet and tasty instalove romance. Well written, with wonderful characters. Enjoyed it.

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

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caleb and Emily. Hes former military turned firefighter with walls that arent just high they might as well be barbwired. Shes opened a resturant, The Golden Spoon. The more things happen at the Spoon and the more hes there fixing and taste testing the more they feel. Great charecters and well written story. Loved it. Will make you feel good.

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

[Shelly Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book I’m reviewing today is titled, Falling for the Grumpy Firefighter which is the Fox Ridge: Fire Station book series written by Summer Rose. This story has well developed characters and good story line. Caleb and Emily’s love story was so different. They fall in love, but it takes a little time because he’s so damaged from his past. Can’t wait to read the next book in this series.

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

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer has written a hot firefighter romance book that will have you falling for Caleb instantly. This is a must-read book about Emily and Caleb's romance that will have you saying to yourself OMG multiple times. I loved reading this quick romance book and if you enjoy reading steamy firefighter romance stories this series is one to have in your kindle.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

The connection and chemistry between these two was very insta and even though Caleb tried to deny it, he couldn't hold out very long. I liked the planning she put into their first date and seeing them together.

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

[Joy Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters are spot on. I love the firefighter and chef dynamics. They really helped make the story come to life, even in the short amount of pages. I really felt like I was right there next to each character as they progressed through the story.

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

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caleb is a grumpy firefighter, and Emily is a sunshiny chef opening a new restaurant. These two find love in a slow burn kind of way. From the way they meet and the thank you dumplings to the sweet grumpy/sunshine low drama love story this is a great addition to the Fox Ridge: Fire Station series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has given us a fast-paced older man/younger woman story that pulls us into the lives of Emily and Caleb. The story keeps us turning the pages with connection, denial, fears, realization and steam.

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

[laura.lovesreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Emily and Caleb.

Their love and attraction is instant.

It’s steamy, sweet, full of connection, reluctance, fears, realization.

It’s just perfect as it is.

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

[Sarah Freilinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fire alarm

This is the story of the chef that is opening a new comfort food restaurant in town, and the firefighter who comes to her side when the alarm goes off. It is a false alarm, but it brings the heat for these two.

[robert tabora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hopeless Romantic 🥰

This book has great characters and story line. Caleb and Emily’s love story it’s so different. They fall in love, but it takes a little time because he’s so damaged from his life. Can’t wait to read the next book in this series.

[Linnette Parris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grumpy and the Chef

Annoyed at the third call for a false alarm he find a her in the kitchen singing and cooking. She apologizes he finds the problem and an attraction.what happens next is totally real, heartfelt and oh so wonderful!

[Faye De Friend · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great short story, I love the characters, I do wish the story/book was longer. But I really did enjoy it.

[Zondra.Hallyahoo.Com · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it.

[Simone · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars