It's a Wonderful Fireman

The Bachelor Firemen of San Gabriel #6.5

by Jennifer Bernard

Hard-edged fireman Dean Mulligan has never been a big fan of Christmas. Twinkly lights and sparkly tinsel can’t brighten the memories of too many years spent in ramshackle foster homes. Although he’s established himself as one of the top firefighters at San Gabriel Station 1, he doesn’t think he’s good enough for someone like gorgeous Lizzie.

Lizzie Breen is used to fighting—from her alpha male brothers, who try to smother her in the name of safety, to the life-threatening childhood illness she overcame. She knows what she and Mulligan feel for each other is a lot more than a fling, but she can’t get him to see that. The only gift Lizzie wants to give him this season is her love, but he’s not willing to accept it.

When Mulligan is trapped in the burning wreckage of a holiday store, a Christmas angel arrives to open his eyes. But is it too late? This Christmas, it’ll take an angel, a determined woman in love, and the entire Bachelor Firemen crew to make him believe … it is indeed a wonderful life. 

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Firefighters, Contemporary Romance, Christmas, Novella, Chick Lit

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 2, 2014

About the author

Jennifer Bernard is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance. Her books have been called “an irresistible reading experience” full of “quick wit and sizzling love scenes.” A graduate of Harvard and former news promo producer, she left big city life in Los Angeles for true love in Alaska, where she now lives with her husband and stepdaughters. She still hasn’t adjusted to the cold, so most often she can be found cuddling with her laptop and a cup of tea. No stranger to book success, she also writes erotic novellas under a naughty secret name that she’s happy to share with the curious.

You can connect with Jennifer online at http://JenniferBernard.net or email her at Jen@JenniferBernard.net.

Reviews

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 'where would I be without you?' stars!!!

The Bachelor Firemen of San Gabriel is one of my favorite contemporary series. The stories are fun, romantic, exciting, and definitely hot - and not just in a three alarm fire kind of hot. It's a Wonderful Fireman is the perfect Christmas treat, reminiscent of the holiday classic, It's A Wonderful Life - with a bit of Ebenezer Scrooge thrown in for good measure. It's a quick read, but don't let that fool you - There's a great story packed into the pages of this novella!

Blurb...

Hard-edged fireman Dean Mulligan has never been a big fan of Christmas. Twinkly lights and sparkly tinsel can’t brighten the memories of too many years spent in ramshackle foster homes. Although he’s established himself as one of the top firefighters at San Gabriel Station 1, he doesn’t think he’s good enough for someone like gorgeous Lizzie.

Lizzie Breen is used to fighting—from her alpha male brothers, who try to smother her in the name of safety, to the life-threatening childhood illness she overcame. She knows what she and Mulligan feel for each other is a lot more than a fling, but she can’t get him to see that. The only gift Lizzie wants to give him this season is her love, but he’s not willing to accept it.

When Mulligan is trapped in the burning wreckage of a holiday store, a Christmas angel arrives to open his eyes. But is it too late? This Christmas, it’ll take an angel, a determined woman in love, and the entire Bachelor Firemen crew to make him believe … it is indeed a wonderful life.

Wonderful!

If you're looking for a new series to dive into, or just in the mood for a holiday read, this is a great place to start. Though it's not the first in the series, it can easily be read as a stand alone. But be prepared - once you get a taste of these sexy heroes and heroines, you'll want to experience each and every one in their own story.

An ARC of this story was provided by Avon Books via Edelweiss.

[Tina J · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a Wonderful Fireman
The Bachelor Firemen of San Gabriel, #6.5
by Jennifer Bernard

Release Date: December 2, 2014
*** Provided by AVON and Edelweiss in Exchange for an Honest Review. ***

Dean Mulligan really does not like Christmas. In fact, he actually thinks Christmas should be banned... for safety reasons. He suffered an abusive childhood and fought on the street through his teen years. He's a Topman and one of the best fire readers around.
Lizzie Breen, Fred's little sister, recently finished her EMT training and has been looking to get her pilot's license and helicopter certification to become a flight paramedic. She plans to reveal a bog job offer she just received in British Columbia, but for now she volunteers in the Children's Wing at the hospital as often as time allows.
Mulligan and Lizzie have a... something... between them, sort of, that neither of them can explain or identify with certainty. When Mulligan falls through the roof of a Christmas store, of all places, his deluded imagination conjures up a sexy Christmas Elf Lizzie Angel while he lays trapped.
This short but sweet holiday novella has a definite IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE vibe to it. The storyline takes you through key points of Mulligan's life, including highlights of his and Lizzie's time together.
------------------------------------------------------
Mulligan is a hulking man trying to hide behind a tough and gruff exterior. Lizzie is a warm, kind-hearted soul with a competitive streak to rival her brothers'. Together, they balance one another. Many of the past characters to the series make cameos, almost as a proper Final Farewell to the readers as much as for the story itself. The plot is well written and flows quite smoothly, even with the switch between flashbacks and present situation inside and outside the incident. There's plenty of emotions to dig through in this one. Conflict seems to be Mulligan's middle name, so it ran throughout the book and most often was difficult to resolve, but Lizzie's determination and Clarence's guidance brought eventual resolution. There was very little predictability. The conclusion was solid. The readers were given a final update on all characters from the series' previous books while allowing Mulligan and Lizzie to have their own unique ending.
This was a bittersweet read, knowing it's the end of the firefighter era for Ms. Bernard. But she did manage to nicely introduce Caleb Hart from Mulligan's past and he'll be the Hero in her new baseball themed series. ALL OF ME is scheduled to release in May of 2015.

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Score: 4.6
Stars: 5
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Reviewing for:
Smut Book Junkie Reviews
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[Wendy Keel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to state I got this book from Edelweiss for the purpose of a review.

Now for my review, I am saddened to say this is the final installment of the Bachelor Firemen of San Gabriel series. I am hopeful we'll see more of the Firemen at a later date. IT'S A WONDERFUL FIREMAN is a quick fun read, all of us remember It's a Wonderful Life, and this story is a play on that one. It's different, it's well written, and at moments very touching. We get a visit from all the firemen and see a few new people who will be in the new series from Jennifer Bernard in 2015. If you've read Fred's book, THE NIGHT BELONGS TO FIREMAN, then you remember his sister, she's the heroine of IT'S A WONDERFUL FIREMAN. I honestly can't say enough about this whole series or this story. It's an easy read, and perfect for this time of year. I can see myself rereading this one every year during the holidays. The characters are realistic and fun, the setting is believable and the storyline is truly easy to follow and believe. There are moments when I got teary-eyed but mostly I smiled while reading this one. If you love the Bachelor Firemen of San Gabriel you'll want this one added to your reading pile. If you are new to the series this would in fact be a great story to start with. I highly recommend it!

[Ellen Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most beautiful and heartwarming Christmas stories I have read in a very long time. Mulligan is such a warm and caring person beneath his big, bad guy attitude. Lizzie is so full of life and love and they make a fantastic couple. When Mulligan is trapped after falling through the roof of a burning building he is ready to give up. But "dream Lizzie" as he calls her, uses the Christmas classic movie It's a Wonderful Life to show him how he has helped others. I love the fact that every fireman from Jennifer Bernard's Bachelor Firemen of San Gabriel was there. This book is like a true gift to her fans who have grown to love the guys from this fire station and the ones they have fallen in love with. I would say this book is a must Christmas read for any and everyone!

This ARC was provided through Edelweiss by Avon Publishers for an honest review.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admit to being a little sad that the Bachelor Fireman is over. It’s a series I’ve followed for the last two years of reading digital books and I’ve loved the ride. Jennifer Bernard’s first book in the series, THE FIREMAN WHO LOVED ME, was the very first book I reviewed here at Tangled Hearts and Boxer Briefs.

A homage to the author’s favorite Christmas movie, It’s a Wonderful Life, The novella tells the tale of Dean Mulligan, the last standing bachelor fireman from A shift. Mulligan’s had a hard life where many bad things happen during the holidays. As a result, he’s a Grinch. Enter Lizzie Breen, younger sister of hero of the previous book in the series, THE NIGHT BELONGS TO FIREMAN’S Fred Breen aka Stud. Lizzie is the quintessential Christmas elf who loves the season and everything about it.

She also loves Mulligan.

The story unfolds much in the same way as the movie does, with the “angel” appearing to Mulligan as he lies injured in the smoldering wreckage of a fire. Through a series of flashbacks, we see all that shaped him into the man he is and we see glimpses of the man he could become. Appearances by all the bachelor firemen from the previous books and novellas as well as a free short story are the perfect wrap-up to the series and Stan the firehouse dog steals the show again.

The entire series is fun and totally engaging, well worth the time to read.

[JoAn · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's A Wonderful Fireman by Jennifer Bernard is the final story in her Bachelor Fireman series and wrapped up the series very nicely.

Lizzie Breen and Dean Mulligan are so perfect together. Lizzie is strong and feisty. Mulligan is your Alpha bad boy with a heart of gold. Together their relationship is fun, flirty and off the charts sexy. This is one couple that I would love to meet just so I can watch the sparks flying around them. As readers, we are fortunate that we get to experience exactly how much these two people really know about each other and how much they care.

There was a fire, a rescue, some humor and a lot of emotions in this story. This story helped me to understand so much more about Mulligan. Jenny's use of a version of the Frank Capra movie "It's a Wonderful Life" to reveal Mulligan's past was touching and yet so revealing about who he really was at heart.

Jenny brought back all of the Bachelor Fireman in this book and I thought that was perfect for our final visit to San Gabriel.

I received an ARC from Edelweiss and Avon Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

[Tangled Hearts · Rating 5 out of 5]

A homage to the author’s favorite Christmas movie, It’s a Wonderful Life, The novella tells the tale of Dean Mulligan, the last standing bachelor fireman from A shift. Mulligan’s had a hard life where many bad things happen during the holidays. As a result, he’s a Grinch. Enter Lizzie Breen, younger sister of hero of the previous book in the series, THE NIGHT BELONGS TO FIREMAN’S Fred Breen aka Stud. Lizzie is the quintessential Christmas elf who loves the season and everything about it.
She also loves Mulligan.
The story unfolds much in the same way as the movie does, with the “angel” appearing to Mulligan as he lies injured in the smoldering wreckage of a fire. Through a series of flashbacks, we see all that shaped him into the man he is and we see glimpses of the man he could become. Appearances by all the bachelor firemen from the previous books and novellas as well as a free short story are the perfect wrap-up to the series and Stan the firehouse dog steals the show again.
The entire series is fun and totally engaging, well worth the time to read. I can’t wait the next series from Jennifer Bernard!

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful heart warming Christmas read that shows the true meaning of Christmas. We finally get to see the last bachelor of San Gabriel Fire Station get his his HEA, if Lizzie has her way. Dean is not a big fan of Christmas, so what can be worse than to fight a fire in a Christmas store and get trapped in it. During his time of being trapped a Christmas angel visits, and tries to get him to see the good that he done in his life. This is told in flash backs, it is loosely based on the classic movie of It's A Wonderful Life.
All the previous firemen from the San Gabriel books get a cameo appearance. I highly recommend this book along with the series. I received this book from Edelweiss for an honest review.

[Staci · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved every single Bachelor Firemen book that Jennifer Bernard had written. I especially loved Lizzie and Mulligan's story. It takes place at Christmas time. Dean Mulligan is one of the last Bachelor Firemen who is dating Fred's little sister Lizzie. They break up when he is on his way to a big fire on Christmas Eve Eve. He falls through the roof venting the fire and has an "It's a Wonderful Life" experience while waiting to be rescued. I loved the author's take on the Christmas classic. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific take off on the movie It's a Wonderful Life. Dean Mulligan is the last single man on the A shift at San Gabriel Station 1. He's a bit rough around the edges and has had the reputation of being a bit of a player. He's a bit of a Grinch around Christmas, thanks to too many bad memories associated with the holidays when he was a kid. He's fallen hard for Lizzie, but doesn't believe that he's good enough for her. Lizzie is in love with Dean, but can't get him to see what they could have together. She's almost ready to move on with her life but hates to give up without a fight.

I liked both Dean and Lizzie. Being the youngest, with four older brothers, Lizzie is used to standing up for herself and fighting for what she wants. She knows that Dean has had some bad times in his life - she's seen the scars on his body - but she also sees the good and caring man under the rough exterior. Dean was terrific. He is fantastic at his job and has the respect and liking of his fellow firefighters. However, he had so many people put him down as he was growing up that he feels that he isn't relationship material.

I loved the relationship between Dean and Lizzie. There were sparks between them from the beginning, though Dean tried to ignore them. I loved some of the early scenes between them, from the baseball game where she tried to take him out to the party where she made her move on him. I ached for them both when he pushed her away because of his insecurities.

Things take a scary turn when a fire at a strip mall traps Dean in, of all places, a Christmas store. As he lays there, thinking it's the end for him, he's visited by his own version of Clarence the angel. I loved getting Dean's history and seeing the things that made him the man he is. It was especially great to see how that angel opened his eyes and gave him a new perspective on his life. While all of that was going on inside the store, on the outside Dean's fellow firefighters were working hard to get him out. I loved their support of Lizzie as she waited for news, and the way they got her involved in the rescue attempt. It's a heartwarming scene as both Dean and Lizzie come to terms with their feelings. I loved Dean's big moment - it was sweet and romantic, but also pretty funny. The ending was terrific, especially with Lizzie's Christmas gift to Dean.

I loved seeing all the firefighters from the previous books, even those who have moved on, as they showed up at the fire scene to lend a hand. It shows how tight a bond there is among them, even those that didn't know Dean. I will miss seeing this band of brothers (and sisters) and hope that maybe there will be some guest appearances in later books. I also noted that the scene with Dean and his fellow baseball player created a nice lead into the next series.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful cheesy Christmas romance, with a bonus fireman!

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Received an ARC from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review**

"It's a Wonderful Fireman" is a novella written by Jennifer Bernard, and it is part of her The Bachelor Firemen of San Gabriel series. It can be read as a stand-alone story. It features Dean Mulligan and Lizzie Breen.

I love the title of this novella! It's such a clever way to pay homage to the popular Christmas movie It's a Wonderful Life, but with a modern take! Dean is one of the last firemen at his station to be single. The station is in a festive mood with lights and tinsels. But because of Dean's upbringing, he doesn't have good memories of the Christmas season. It's not exactly his favorite time. So when Lizzie, who is the sister of his best friend and fellow firefighter Fred, asks him to join her family for Christmas Day or even Christmas Eve, he declines. He makes an excuse he'll be working.

Lizzie doesn't understand why Dean won't give their relationship a chance. They're more than just a fling. She starts to give up hope and is starting to think she needs to move on.

Two days before Christmas Day, the crew from the San Gabriel fire station is battling a blaze at a strip mall. Unfortunately, before Dean can escape the fire, the roof collapses and Dean falls inside the "Under the Mistletoe" store. This is where the story gets interesting. Much like It's a Wonderful Life, we get to see glimpses of Dean's life with the help of an angel. Will Dean be rescued in time? Will it be too late for him to tell Lizzie he loves her and wants to be with her?

"It's a Wonderful Fireman" is such a beautifully written novella! I fell in love with this series a few years ago, and I hate that it has now come to an end. But what a wonderful ending it was! I really enjoyed how we saw all the crew from the San Gabriel fire station come together and rescue Dean. They really are family. Kudos to Jennifer! I highly recommend this novella!

[Jaime Fiction Fangirls · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by this author but after finishing it, it will not be my last. Although this novella is part of a series, I don't feel like the fact that I haven't read the previous books changed the experience of the story for me. If anything, it peaked my interest in going back and reading the others. The glimpses I got into the other couples was just enough to make me want more.
I love a good love story between a strong, sweet girl and a grumpy, rough man and this one fit the bill to a tee.
This was a simple, sweet play on the story from It's a Wonderful Life, which just happens to be my favorite Christmas movie of all time. If you are looking for a quick, heartwarming Christmas story with nearly zero angst, a little steam, some excitement and a whole lot of sweet I suggest you pick this one up.

*I received an ARC from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review

[Karie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This holiday novella brings us the last of the Bachelor Firemen of San Gabriel. This story is a modern day take on It's A Wonderful Life. Mulligan who breaks things off with Lizzy Breen, Fred's younger sister on Christmas Eve eve, ends up falling through the roof on a firecall. This is where the majority of the story takes place. It's A Wonderful Fireman can be read as a stand alone book, but it is part of a series. My only wish was for a tie up ending, but other than that, Jennifer Bernard doesn't disappoint with this novella.
An ARC was provided by Avon publisher via Edelweiss for an honest review.

[Ann Lorz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really felt a lot as I was reading this story. Part of that was the fact that I knew it was the last one in the series. I might be happy and excited to see what's next, but I'll really miss this series. I think It's a Wonderful Fireman must be the best book in the series. I just loved it that much. You'll love seeing everyone return and be there for their fellow fireman! A must read!

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Silly, fluffy, but still fun. Lots of firefighting jargon.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, it's always a bit strange hopping into a series without reading previous books, and in this case, I picked up the last book in the series, which is definitely a bizarre way to do it. But I needed a book for a Christmas challenge, and this sounded cute, so I went with it.

There are some cameos in here from characters I didn't know since I haven't read any of the other books, but they were small, and everything was explained well enough that I didn't feel like I was missing anything important.

Lizzie is an EMT and her brother works at the same firehouse as Mulligan. They were hooking up prior to the start of the book (I'm not sure if some happened during the previous book, or if it all happened in between the two books), and we learn about their relationship through flashbacks throughout the story.

I thought both characters were great. Lizzie is super sweet, but not annoying. And Mulligan is the big tough guy hiding a soft soul. I thought the relationship built well, and Mulligan's journey to discovering that he is good enough for Lizzie was great.

I'm not usually one who likes super sappy cheeseball type romances, and even though there were parts in here that could have gone over the top, I think the author did a great job just making it feel sweet and natural and not like a Hallmark movie.

Definitely will have to go back and start the series from the beginning now.

[Lula Pantoofle · Rating 2 out of 5]

So Firefighter Mulligan gets trapped under a Christmas tree during a fire and basically hallucinates his version of It’s a Wonderful Life. Wakes up and realises he should marry Lizzie.

It wasn’t really my kind of story. I guess like the film, it’s quite Christmassy and schmaltzy. The first 65% of the book all comes as flashbacks. There is some family angst in there which helps explain Mulligan’s tough guy persona.

I just wasn’t feeling it. I also avoid books where the couple have already met. I even avoid second chance romances because of this. I just love the initial meeting. You don’t get that here. Well, you sort of do in flashback.

The story was ok but the whole waking up and demanding to get married before going to hospital was just a bit too much for me.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Convincing a Fireman He is Worthy of Love

Dean is a firefighter trapped under a Christmas tree in a holiday store, while waiting for rescue from his team. An angel visits him to remind him why he has a wonderful life and why his life is worth something to others...makes him think about how he's helped others. And why he really is worthy of being loved. Add in sweet Lizzie and the rest of his crew, and this is a sweet, touching, funny love story. Told in flashbacks, it reminded me a bit of the firemen movie Backdraft with Kurt Russell.

[SandyL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute Christmas story. Lizzie Breen and Dean Mulligan have secretly been seeing each other, but recently broke up because Dean felt like he wasn't good enough. When he gets caught in a building during a fire, Lizzie shows up as an angel ala Clarence from Its A Wonderful Life and shows him all the good he's done over his life.

[~Nichole~ Sizzling Pages Romance Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

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Ok so blown away right now. I haven't read a book that left such amazing joy in my heart like this in so long. Such feel good messages all the way throughout this heartwarming holiday read. I laughed, cried and swooned. Then just enough steam to have me warm all over.

 

 Dean Mulligan had a hard beginning to his life that left him a little bitter on the inside. His past broke my heart so bad. But Lizzie was someone that started knocking down his walls and that scared him just a tad. She had her own battles that she fought hard to get past. Trying to push her away didn't work out like he thought. Lizzie was so full of life and love she wasn't gonna give up on Mulligan and then one moment changed everything. One fire for a fireman can be the fire that can change his life. Some adorable antics from "ghosts of past and the present" made this one extraordinary emotional read. A sweet holiday story that would warm the hardest of hearts will be found in this amazing novella. I honestly was left with so much hope and happiness in my heart I want to beg everybody to give it a try. I know I'm about to read every book in this series and I want the first book in the next series like NOW after all the hero is named Caleb HART .. :)

[Katherine Horvath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tough Life!

It's a Wonderful Fireman: Great story! Wonderful writing and fantastic dialog. Loved how it was told. Loved the rough tough protective Firemen. Great romance. Loved it!

[Josie]

There was potential here, but the whole 'hallucination/dream' stuff just didn't work for me. I would have preferred getting a full-length romance between these characters. Also, the whole 'Christmas Grinch' thing got old in the first couple of pages. DNF and unhauled.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nancy

This was a great story with lots of depth and intrigue. The characters were very interesting. The storyline really just kept rolling along. It was a serious book with lots of funny and romantic parts. Thanks for the great read and series.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mulligan was not a fan of Christmas but Lizzie Breen is because she comes from a loving family who always celebrated. This was like the ghosts of Christmas past and was fun delving into his life.

[mumu · Rating 3 out of 5]

When feeling go beyond fling, it became love

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally posted at The Book Nympho IT'S A WONDERFUL FIREMAN is a cute, sexy and heart warming contemporary romance where fireman Mulligan hates Christmas. So where would be the "funniest" place for a fireman like Mulligan to get trapped on Christmas Eve Eve? A Christmas store named Under the Mistletoe.

While on a call, Mulligan and his fire squad are called to a fire at a local shopping center. Mulligan is the last to get off the roof and gets trapped in the store after a fall. Mulligan has hallucinations where his girlfriend Lizzie visits him via Clarence (angel from It's a Wonderful) style. But instead of an angel Lizzie is dressed as a naughty elf. But she not there to kiss Mulligan under the mistletoe, she's there to show him that he is a good guy that deserves love.

Mulligan had a hard childhood with a mother that was in and out of rehab, a stepfather that beat him and moved from foster home to foster home. Mulligan has been told he's no good for most of his life that he believes it and doesn't think he is good for Lizzie and tells her to forget him and find someone that deserves her.

Lizzie is the little sister to one of fireman in Mulligan's station. So they've been trying to keep their relationship a secret so they are not the gossip of the fire station. But when Mulligan is the one being rescued it all comes out that everyone but Mulligan and Lizzie knew the two were in love.

Jennifer Bernard brings you a fun and sexy holiday themed romance in IT'S A WONDERFUL FIREMAN that is sure to stoke your fire.

 


EXCERPT

“You shouldn’t be flirting with the new probie. If Fred was here, he’d tell you.”

Mulligan looked very sure of that fact—arrogant, even. She assessed the bump in his

nose, the way his biceps bulged from the sleeves of his T-shirt, his air of absolute

assurance. Another girl might be intimidated, but Lizzie had grown up with four brothers

who’d become soldiers and a firefighter. She’d outgrown intimidation by the age of six.

“Why are you so suspicious of Ace? He’s part of the brotherhood, isn’t he?”

“Not yet,” Mulligan said with decisive finality, as if everything had now been

settled. “You stay here, and I’ll tell him to get lost.”

“You will not!” She grabbed his arm as he brushed past her. It felt like grabbing a

log, that’s how thick and strong his forearm was. “It’s none of your business.”

“It is my business. Freddie’s my business. We’re tight.”

“If you were that tight, you’d know that his only involvement with my love life is

feeding me ice cream after a breakup,” she snapped. “Stay out of it, Mulligan. You have

some nerve, you really do. I’ve never even met you before, and you’re trying to tell me

who to sleep with.”

He stopped dead. She kept her hand on his arm because it felt so good. His

tendons tightened under her touch, and she saw his jaw flex.

A quick flick of his wrist, and suddenly she was pressed against him, chest to

chest, thighs to thighs. Sensation poured through her; it felt like standing next to a

volcano. “I’m not telling you who to sleep with. I’m telling you who not to sleep with.”

“Oh, really?” she snapped, furious. “Who should I not sleep with?”

“Anyone but me.”


 

 

[Daphne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted on Gone Pecan

Dean Mulligan hates Christmas. I KNOW! What’s up with that? Well, it turns out that he has good reasons due to the fact that his childhood was littered with abuse from a stepfather, a drug addict mom, and time spent in foster care.

When Mulligan gets trapped in a store in a burning strip mall for Christmas, he manifests his own Clarence the Angel (from It’s a Wonderful Life) in the form of his former girlfriend, Lizzie Breen (sister of Fred from The Night Belongs to Fireman).

Lizzie and Mulligan are an unusual pair because he grew up the way he did, and she grew up in a loving family. Lizzy has four overprotective, older brothers, though she can handle them. The problem with Lizzie and Mulligan’s relationship is that Lizzie puts no limits on where their relationship can go, but Mulligan thinks that Lizzie deserves better than someone like him. So, like an ass, he breaks up with her.

Dream Lizzie uses Mulligan’s down time waiting to be rescued to show him ways in which his being there for someone made their life a little better, a la It’s a Wonderful Life.

I am a sucker for It’s a Wonderful Life and Scrooge, so any time there is a book, episode, or movie that uses this trope, I am all over it. This adaptation was really very well done. Mulligan is all kinds of tough and untouchable, but he is completely helpless when it comes to Lizzie. Their relationship, the little bit we saw in flashbacks, was hot and sweet. I do love when an alpha man falls hard.

I generally don’t like flashbacks and in this case, with Mulligan’s abusive history, I was particularly afraid that the flashbacks would be depressing, but I was pleasantly surprised by them. The flashbacks focused less on the bad things and more on positive things that came from Mulligan’s past.

I liked Lizzie because she was obviously in love with Mulligan, but she wasn’t pining away. She was at a place where she was ready to move on with her life, though she still tried to find a place for Mulligan in it. Lizzie’s relationship with her brother, Fred, and the other firefighters on the scene was cute and added another dimension to her and the story.

This is a novella, so it’s about half the size of a regular novel. It was just the perfect size for the story and it really read quickly. I’m sad that this is the last of the Bachelor Fireman series, but I did love seeing old faces and catching up with former MCs. I did hope that there would be an epilogue that showed Lizzie and Mulligan in the not so distant future, but it ended on a good note. We are also introduced to a future hero from Bernard’s next series about baseball players and I’m in like already.

Bottom line: If you’re looking for a quick, fun, sexy Christmas story with a happy ending, It’s a Wonderful Fireman will make all of your Christmas dreams come true.

5/5

[Tami Talbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well let me just start out by saying that I am always a sucker for a fireman story. And Christmastime is my favorite time of the year. Although had never read any of Jennifer Bernhard's books and was unfamiliar with her Bachelor Firemen series, when I was offered the opportunity to read It’s a Wonderful Fireman, my interest was immediately peaked. I mean how couldn't it be? How could I pass up the chance to enjoy two of my favorite things in one story? I knew this was going to be a novel for me and it definitely was.

Dean Mulligan had a rough upbringing from a drug addicted mother to an abusive stepfather and spending time in and out of foster care and situations that were sometimes no better than home. Now grown and working as a firefighter, he has always kept his distance from any kind of attachment, especially where women were concerned. That is until he met Lizzie Breen. Although he'd always tried to stay away from Lizzie, there was just something about her that continued to draw him in. But Dean never believed he was good enough for her and that there was no possibility of a longstanding relationship, and he continued to keep the walls around his heart never letting Lizzie inside.

Lizzie Breen comes from a loving and happy family surrounded by strong, alpha male brothers and is used to having to take a stand for herself. Lizzie also had a difficult childhood because at the age of 10, she was diagnosed with Leukemia and had to learn to fight for her life and overcome her struggles with the treatment she had to endure. Deep in Lizzie’s heart she knows that she and Dean belong together and is determined to continue to fight for him to make him finally realize that their hearts are entwined and that they belong together.

But when Dean finds himself in a life threatening situation, he begins to relive his life’s path finally coming to the realization that he doesn’t want to live without Lizzie in his life and that she is the one and only woman for him. But will Dean ever get the chance to tell Lizzie how much he loves her or is it now too late?

With a little taste of a Christmas classic entwined in this novel, Jennifer Bernhard has given us a wonderfully entertaining tale including some funny laugh-out-loud moments, as well as touching and emotional ones. The emotion practically leapt off the pages keeping me engrossed in Dean and Lizzie's story right through to the last page. Although this story is part of a series, It’s a Wonderful Fireman can definitely be read as a standalone. But be forewarned because once you read this novel, you are most certainly going to want to go back to the beginning to enjoy Ms. Bernhard’s engaging and enjoyable Bachelor Firemen series I can promise you.

[Lisarenee · Rating 5 out of 5]

*********My Synopsis:

Dean Mulligan never had much of a childhood. He grew up being moved from one foster home to the next. Christmas was not a day to look forward to as it was never any different from any other day. If anything, bad memories from childhood Christmases past lingered with him as an adult. It's no wonder he didn't grow up to have any Christmas holiday spirit. But it was more than that. Dean grew up thinking he wasn't worthy of being showered with gifts, didn't deserve to find happiness, didn't merit being loved. This year, however, Dean is going to realize the hard way that he has something to celebrate and that he's finally found the place where he belongs.

******My Review:

When an author tries to take a bit of an old classic and work a bit of its magic into their own story it usually goes one of two ways--it's either a hit or miss. Luckily, Ms. Bernard managed to zero in on the essence that made the classic, It's a Wonderful Life, such a wonderful story and use it to her advantage to create another memorable and enjoyable read of her very own. I absolutely adored the story and felt it captured the spirit of the original very well.

Dean Mulligan is a giver. After all he's been through he somehow managed to turn out to be a pretty great guy, but he doesn't see himself that way. He's been told by various people over the years that he'd never amount to much, that the world would be better if he'd never been born, and that he is no-good. While he's tried not to, a part of him has always believed that and so he's kept his distance from others. When he and Lizzie meet, he feels something for her he's never felt for anyone else, but doesn't feel worthy of her. He's even warned her that their relationship can't go anywhere. When he finds himself ironically trapped in a burning Christmas store, he figures it's just his luck he'd die in such a way. Christmas had never been kind to him. But as he lies there struggling in and out of consciousness, he's made to see what life would be like if he hadn't been around for the ride.

I couldn't help but give this one 5 out of 5 roses. It was the type of feel good story that makes you warm and fuzzy all over and is a perfect read for this holiday season. It was full of humor, touching scenes, and a happy ending. I loved the relationship between Dean and Lizzie and how she never gave up on him. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.