One S'more Time

by Jane Fox

Some flames aren't meant to be extinguished...

Ellie White has mastered the art of creating perfect pastries, but her love life? Total disaster. After a relationship that left her confidence in crumbs, she's focused on her bakery—Sweet Somethings—and definitely not on the broad-shouldered retired firefighter who keeps showing up with his adorable dog.

Nate Campbell spent twenty years running into burning buildings without hesitation, but early retirement has left him restless and uncertain. When his meddling sister signs him up with a matchmaking service, he's ready to shut it down—until he locks eyes with a curvy baker who makes him feel more alive than any adrenaline rush ever did.

Their chemistry ignites faster than marshmallow over flame, but both are carrying burns from their past. As Nate breaks through Ellie's carefully constructed defenses and Ellie shows Nate there's more to life than playing hero, they create something neither expected—a connection that's hot enough to melt any resistance.

But when Ellie discovers their first meeting wasn't the coincidence she believed, she's forced to question everything. Is what they've built together real, or just another setup destined to leave her scorched?

Raw, steamy, and unapologetically honest, One S'more Time proves that the most satisfying relationships aren't perfect—they're the ones worth getting a little messy for.

91 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2025

About the author

Jane Fox is a romance author and librarian. She grew up sneaking romance novels, and now she's a USA Today bestselling author herself. Her books focus on curvy women who meet the older men of their dreams.

When she's not writing or organizing the library shelves, she's probably sipping a latte and plotting her next steamy tale. So if you're ready for a short, fun romance, grab one of Jane's books and prepare to fall in love.

Reviews

[QuinnReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stoking the Flames

Welcome back to publishing, Jane Fox! You've been missed. 💛💛 Whatever the reason for the hiatus, I love the longer format and more depth for the characters. The short stories of yore were wonderful, but this is even better. 😍

4.5 stars - Ellie White and Nate Campbell plus Cooper are so stinking cute! Ellie has some real emotional baggage, and I love how Nate not only sees it, but proceeds with caution as he works to turn it around.

In that moment, I was completely his—undone and unraveling beneath his touch, and God help me, I never wanted it to stop.
-- Ellie White

Cooper, Nate's lovable pup, plays an important part, I think. He allows Ellie to show herself in small ways. Both of their smiles get brighter when he's around being his adorable self. Pets really are magic. ❤️🐶🩵

BTW - make sure you aren't hungry when you read this. Even now, all I can think about is a s'more cupcake.

Until the next Zaftig match... 💋

H = 42; h = ?

One more for those who love to watch some folks walk away. 😘

And if I watch his firefighter's frame when he leaves, following that confident stride all the way to the door? Well, that's my little secret. Girl needs a few joys in her life, and the view of Nate walking away is definitely joy-inducing, even if it also comes with a tiny pang of something that feels suspiciously like longing.
-- Ellie White

[lf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makes you drool....

One S'more Time is the first book in the Zaftig Ever After series. If you have read the Zaftig Dating Agency series then you will now what to expect. It is so AWESOME to have more of these matchmaking stories again!!! This yummy match is between Ellie White and Nate Campbell. She is a true baker who owns Sweet Somethings bakery. She is also a beautiful and caring person who puts people ahead of profits, much to the cringing of her accountant. Nate is a retired firefighter from a couple of towns over. He was injured when a beam fell on his shoulder last year and the doctor told him it was time to retire after twenty-two years. But the ingrained part of him that makes he want to run in and save people is still there. So the match between these two is perfect, as she is a whirlwind of chaos at times and he is stable and able to handle it all. Their story is wonderfully written and takes a journey to them actually being together. Plus I loved Nate's rescue dog, Cooper. He definitely plays a part in their love story.
I loved this wonderful romance and am so happy to have more of the Zafting matchmaking romances to dive into and devour. This book made me laugh out loud, smile a lot, swoon tons and get lost for a couple of sweet hours.

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

One S'more Time is Book 1 of the Zaftig Ever After series. It's a short and spicy, instalove, OTT, age-gap, opposites-attract, curvy baker gets her silver-fox firefighter romance. Ellie is a sweet and curvy baker. Nate is a hunky, retired firefighter. His sister signed him up for a matchmaking service. When he finds out, unbeknownst to her, that Ellie is his match, he is immediately smitten. She has been crushing on him too, but her ex undermined her self-esteem. Nate was just so sweet with her. They loved each other exactly as they were. They had great chemistry and the ending was so happy. I loved it.

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

[Mary]

"S'mores are basically a metaphor for relationships: messy, layered, but so worth it."

So glad to see this author and her "Zaftig" matchmakers are back. Zara and Krissa are back in the game and now they have a matching idea for the first ever "First Fires" festival. They want to match Nate, a retired fireman, and Elle, a party artist. This story is a fun, fast paced, quick read. Nate was forced to retire due to an injury. Elle, delights in creating pastries and is set to run a S'more's booth at the festival. These two are stubborn and opposites but the attraction is fierce and fiery. This is such a sweet story with a little wild and messy.

[Hanna Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book number 1 of the Zaftig Ever After series and focuses on Nate and Ellie. If you've read the Zaftig Dating Agency series then you're already familiar with the concept of the matchmaking that goes on within this story. When Nate, a retired firefighter, and Ellie, a bakery owner, are (unknowingly to them) set up thanks to some meddling from Nate's sister their lives get the shake up that they didn't know they needed. I love that while getting to know each other, they healed parts of themselves that had been fractured in their past. I love the journey the two of them went on to get to their happily ever after. This was a great story and a great start to the new series.

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

[Teri Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, time is spent on how the FMC feels about herself, mainly her appearance. She knows what she wants people to feel about her-acceptance, but lacks that confidence in herself because of a past relationship. The MMC visits her booth during a festival and slowly, they start to become friends. And, maybe, eventually, a little more.

This novella is a sweet, soft, slow burning love story. He is honest and upfront about everything with her. They took their time and fell for each other. I really like this book and can’t wait to read the next one. I would definitely recommend this book.

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

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

One man's flaws are another man's everything he ever wanted.

Zara and Krissa have decided to do some matchmaking. Their targets are baker Ellie White and newly retired firefighter Nate Campbell. Nate's sister, Tara, chose wisely when she decided to have them help him find love.

Ellie's bakery, Sweet Somethings, is running the S'mores booth at this year's First Fires Festival. That's where they'll introduce Ellie and Nate.

In Zara's mind, S'mores are "a metaphor for relationships: messy, layered, but so worth it." Ellie and Nate are both stubborn, and both need to give love a second chance. Ellie's convinced herself that playing it safe and protecting her heart is the only way to survive. Nate has been everyone's rock for so long that no one even notices that he has no one for him to lean on. Even rocks can crumble when the pressure becomes too much.

Ellie's last boyfriend, Drew, had told her that she'd be perfect if she'd lose thirty pounds. He always had a knack for belittling her. It had been that way with all of her boyfriends; she'd be perfect if she'd just... She's spent so much time cataloging her "flaws" that she's convinced herself no one will ever want her.

Nate had been a firefighter for twenty-two years until a shoulder injury forced him into retirement at the age of forty-three. His sister, Tara, has been pushing him to start dating. She's even signed him up on dating sites without his permission. His shift type of work sometimes made it hard to date. It also seems like most of the women he's dated like being wined and dined but can't really carry on a conversation about anything other than themselves.

Ellie seems pretty perfect to him and for him. Convincing her of that may take some help from his dog, Cooper, too. Plus, he feels he should confess about his matchmakers and pray she'll understand.

I received an ARC of this book from the author via Booksprout. I am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nate and Ellie . . .

Ellie White has no confidence in love. Her previous boyfriends each had something to criticize about her so that her self-confidence shriveled up. Nate Campbell, is a retired ex-firefighter ever since an injury ended his career and he also has no interest in dating. But family and friends can’t help meddling and Zara and Krissa turn to matchmaking to bring them together. It seems to have worked really well until Ellie finds out how she and Nate actually met by being manipulated. She doesn’t want to give Nate up, but it’s a big risk to try to keep up a relationship now that she is thinking he’ll find fault with her too. Will the two of them retreat from continuing their relationship? Or will they let this one run its course to see if it was meant to be?

[Lisa Bing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun, sweet and steamy romance for Nate and Ellie. She's a baker and he's a retired fireman, now contractor. She comes up with amazing baked goods but doesn't have good personal confidence. The local matchmakers sure know their stuff when they set up the opportunity for these two to meet, rather organically, and let chemistry take it from there. These two had a slow burn romance until love was firmly set between them. I enjoyed how their romance unfolded, and especially how it included Nate's pooch, Cooper ;P

[Chandra Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nate's sister has set him up with a matchmaker. He's a retired firefighter and has used his work in the past as an excuse to not have a relationship. Ellie is the owner of the local bakery and she has her heart behind some very thick walls since she's been hurt in the past. When Nate meets Ellie he's sold! And how he's patient with her and see's who she is while she does the same with him, makes the story that much better!.

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

[Lisa Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nate is a retired firefighter, an injury ended his career, that was his reason for not getting into relationships. Now his sister wants to see him happy, signs him up for a matchmaking service. Ellie is the owner of her bakery and has been hurt before, she has erected a fortress around her heart. When she meets Nate, he is so unlike her ex, and the walls start to crumble.

Nate is such a sweetheart and is just what Ellie needs.

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

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Ellie and Nate from the beginning of this book, and by the end, I loved them even more! Ellie was told some awful lies about herself by her ex that she can't seem to shake off. Nate was a firefighter, and his whole life has been about being a hero to others. Living under this kind of pressure took a lot out of him. Enter the matchmakers. They are convinced that Nate and Ellie are a perfect match. I love the interactions between them. There is so much steam and a fantastic, happy ending.

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

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nate is a retired firefighter who has been having a hard time finding love so his sister signs him up for the Zaftig matchmaking! He never expected to meet and fall for beautiful baker Ellie! Ellie has had her heart broken and even though she finds herself falling for gorgeous Nate she knows he would never be interested in a curvy girl like her! Now he just has to show her that they belong together! Can they find their happily ever after? Another great book by Jane Fox!.

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

[Cynthia Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 1 of Zaftig Ever After story for Ellie and Nate. Oh boy these two are just what this reader needs. I loved the way these two meet and all the wonderful encounters they find themselves enjoying. I am a baker at heart and loved the s’mores creations. I couldn’t stope reading and need more from this incredible town.

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

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Until this book right here I had never read anything written by Jane before. WOW oh WOW does this author have a god gifted talent when it comes to writing an interesting and romantic book that had me at One S'more Time. :) The hunk on the cover helped immensely too. So, hang ladies because before you know it, you're going to need a hot firefighter like Nate to put the fire inside of you out. :).

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellie is the baker and Nate is the retired firefighter and his sister has signed him up with a matchmaker who thinks he and Ellie would make a great match. Ellie is a curvy woman who has had men put her down because of her size but Nate likes everything about her especially how she makes special dog treats for his dog Cooper. This is a short sweet romance with lovely characters.

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

[Rachael Bromley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zaftig are at it again. Making their perfect matches with unsuspecting people. Ellie is also self doubting herself and other around her and what they truly want from her. Nate needs someone by his side but thinks he doesn't deserve someone. As always a good book and story. The author gets the little facts that every day people suffer from. We see a good chemistry but then the heroine almost self sabotages herself without thinking about it. Can't wait for more

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so happy to hear that Jane Fox was back writing her Zaftig Ever after Matchmaking books. Nate is a retired fireman whose sister feels that he is in need of help to meet someone. He has spent his life saving everyone and now it’s his time. Krissa from the matchmaking agency is pretty sure that she has found his match in bakery owner Ellie. Ellie has not had luck with relationships and when she meets Nate she is cautious! Only time will tell if they are a perfect match!

[Belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cute book and I liked that it was longer than the books in the Zaftig series. The matchmakers are still at it with another cute couple! These two were deliciously awkward around each other in the beginning as they both overcame insecurities. Low angst, instalove, but took time to build a relationship. Fun, quick read!.

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

[Debra Soehner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellie and Nate are set up by matchmakers and the sparks are immediate. Ellie struggles with self-confidence and Nate is trying to find his place in life now that he is no longer a firefighter. They are a great pair and this is such a great shorter novel.

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

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book.

This is the first book in the Zaftig Ever After series and can be read as a standalone story.
Fast-paced and quick to read, this novella was well-written with a cute storyline. Nate and Ellie were both really likable characters who have plenty of chemistry between them, no dramas.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. It is good matchmaking that brings Nate and Ellie together to fall in love. I liked how they balanced each other out and appreciated each other.

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has given us a wonderful story that pulls us into the lives of Ellie, Nate and his dog, Cooper. The heartwarming story keeps us turning the pages with instant connection, insecurities and steam.

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

[Trixie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so excited to dive into another Zaftig Matchmaking! It feels like forever since the last one. The first couple they matched may have seemed a bit unexpected, but it turns out they’re absolutely perfect for each other!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. Glad for the new series, I loved the first series, Enjoyed the later story. Ellie and Nate are perfect together,. When they are set up and meet they have instant chemistry, A wonderful page turner.

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

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story of two lonely people brought together by two match makers. She's A curvy Baker who thinks that she doesn't deserve love. He's a retired fireman who's been burnt before. Will this be a match?.

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

[Amanda Ricchio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nate finally takes his sister's advice and agrees to the meeting. Discovering Ellie and she loved Cooper! This is a cozy/spicy read where nothing is forced and more than the pastries are irresistible.

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

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was excited to get more from the Zaftig Matchmakers. This was a short, sweet and steamy story. I loved the characters. They both had perceived flaws that they were able to lift up in each other and that made my heart happy. Great read.

[Meli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the way this author turns normal situations and events into adorable cute meets. Ths was another such case. Him being the rescuers he is saving her livelihood.

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

[Tracy H · Rating 5 out of 5]

One S'more Time
Book 1 of Zaftig Ever After
Jane Fox

Well written. Great characters, brilliant journey and easy to read.