Venus: A Love Story

by Ariel N. Anderson

Carter Westwood is a living legend.

Well…maybe that’s just his ego; but he does have a legendary reputation in the small town of Terracotta, Georgia, where fires seem to rage only when he’s on shift at his department.

The one thing Carter loves more than being a firefighter is the prospect of being a husband and a father one day. Ready to put his days of one-night-stands and no-strings-attached relationships behind him, Carter meets a woman who is everything he’s ever wanted.

Just one

She’s not looking for anything serious.

Inspired by the passionate love affair between Vulcan, the Roman god of fire, and Venus, the Roman goddess of beauty and fertility, comes the story of one firefighter’s desire to settle down with a labor and delivery nurse whose biggest fear is commitment.

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Firefighters, He Falls First, Contemporary Romance, Dark Romance, Nursing

200 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 22, 2025

About the author

Ariel Anderson is a native Texan enjoying a simple life with her husband, Helaman, her cats Lemon Pepper and Burnt Toast, and her dog, Pippin. Ariel graduated from the University of North Texas with a Criminal Justice degree. When she is not putting her characters through soul-crushing trauma, Ariel enjoys playing video games and drinking an unhealthy amount of Mountain Dew.

Reviews

[♥︎ Heather ⚔ (New House-Hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the MMC but didn't really get on with the FMC the entire book. This is a shorter story, and I did enjoy parts of it... mainly the MMC and his friends. I'm just wondering why the FMC was the way she was?? (2.5 Rounded Up for the MMC and his boys)

Did I miss it by reading too fast?? I'm genuinely asking. The MMC was omg the sweetest and so it made me want to just protect him at all costs since the FMC was horrible at it!

I love traumatic history and broken characters, so I was DYING to give Venus a pass, but she gave too little too late for me.

Not my favorite, but I'm curious to see if anyone of the side characters get a story... 👀

⊹˚₊‧───────────────‧₊˚⊹
I’ve loved everything this author has published so far! 😍 Can’t wait to give this one a go! 🤸🏻‍♀️ Little bit of a different direction with contemporary romance, but I’m excited! 🤩

💖Firefighter x Nurse
💖He Falls First (and harder)
💖Friends with Benefits
💖Lots of Spice 🌶️
💖Lots of Banter
💖Instalove

Expected Pub Date - 7/22/25

Connect with me on Instagram

[TheConnieFox · Rating 5 out of 5]

♥ My Thoughts & Rating ♥

This author really knows how to write a fantastic novel! I laughed and cried while reading this novel. I have read her books “Under Your Scars” and “Delilah” and laughed and cried with those books too! She really knows how to write! I am forever grateful to be one of the first readers of this novel called “Venus”. This book captured my attention instantly, just as fast as the two main characters fell in love! This book has a well rounded plot, great character developments and a wonderful ending.

It has a ton of spice, a firefighter male main character who falls first and a female main character who is a nurse! What starts off as friends with benefits, turns into something more romantic. I cried tears of happiness in the last chapter, then cried some more when I read the acknowledgements! I honestly will read anything this author writes! This instalove novel is a must read! It does come with drama and pain, which made this book feel realistic! I give this book a solid 5 out of 5 stars!

♥ Who I think would enjoy this book & Content Warnings ♥

I think fans of her previous books will love this one! This one is more of a contemporary romance novel, not a dark romance one. The content warnings are at the beginning of this book and include infertility, sexual content, stillbirth (not the FMC’s), a mention of a possible miscarriage and major burn injuries and scarring. Always take care of your mental health. Before reading this novel, she also has the perfect playlist of songs for the book!

♥ Thank You ♥

Thank you SO MUCH to the author Ariel N. Anderson for this electronic ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

♥ Release Date ♥

This book is expected to be published on July 22, 2025!

[Ariel N. Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Biased review as the author…but this is one of my favorite books that I’ve written so far just because it’s so silly and doesn’t take itself too seriously. I had a ton of fun writing it!!

If you are in the mood for a silly romcom that still hurts a little (because duh…it’s me), then consider checking it out. (:

[Cayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Ariel for letting me be a early reader with a ARC Copy of Venus: A Love Story. I absolutely devoured this book within a few hours. I loved it. I loved "Venus" and "Vulcan". This story was heartbreaking but in a good way. Ariel's writing just captures you right away into her books and you dont want to stop reading until the very last page. I loved Carter aka Vulcan's character. He seemed like just the sweetest guy and all he wanted was to find love. Then we have "Venus" who we shall not name names yet to give anything away but her character, I liked her but I needed her to love Vulcan back. I promise you all you will love this book. Yes Ariel always wants to break our hearts but in a good way. And thankfully we get a HEA, unlike some other book miss Ariel had to write *cough cough* that just breaks our heart into a million pieces.

Great story. Loved it. 5 stars. Watch for trigger warnings when you do read it though!
Thank you Again Ariel for the early copy, it was truly amazing.

[Loral Carraway · Rating 5 out of 5]

- ARC REVIEW -

Me? A ‘dark romance’ girlie absolutely DEVOURING and LOVING a contemporary romance?????

Ariel N. Anderson could rewrite the phone book and I’d immediately buy and read it, to be honest. However, I was given the opportunity to read an ARC for “Venus: A Love Story” and I’m so grateful!

In this book we followed the complicated and messy love story of Vulcan and Venus, two real life superhero’s.(firefighter and nurse)

Having a first responder husband myself, this story hit a little TOO close to home at some parts and tore my heart into pieces. (I was ugly crying and I f*cking loved it.)
The ANGST.
The DRAMA.
The PULL between these two characters was apparent and addicting. I couldn’t get enough!!

Thank you so much, Ariel, for this opportunity. I highly recommend this awesome story!

[Maven_Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Venus: A Love Story by Ariel N. Anderson is a steamy, emotionally charged contemporary romance about Carter “Vulcan” Westwood, a rugged firefighter in Terracotta, Georgia who’s ready to leave behind his days of one‑night stands and casual flings in favor of something real, lasting, and loving, and Venus, a labor and delivery nurse whose fear of commitment keeps her from letting anyone in, even someone as warm, devoted, and emotionally open as Carter.

Their story begins with electric chemistry and a strictly physical arrangement that quickly evolves into a messy, heartfelt journey of trust, vulnerability, and unexpected love as they navigate their past hurts, fears, and the slow build from casual to committed while wrestling with real grief, connection, and emotional scars. Inspired by the passionate love affair of the Roman god Vulcan and the goddess Venus, the book weaves mythic heat into a small‑town firefighter x nurse romance that’s both raw and tender.

From the first pages I felt this story in my bones because it blends spice, humor, and honest emotional depth in a way that kept me turning pages long into the night. Carter’s golden retriever heart, patience, and loyalty made him someone I genuinely wanted to root for. He falls hard and falls first, and his devotion never feels forced but earned as he learns to meet Venus where she is, not where he wishes she were. Venus herself is complicated, guarded, and achingly human: she resists love because of past wounds and a fear of opening her heart again, and watching her slowly peel back those layers was both frustrating and beautiful in equal measure.

The banter between them is funny and scorching, and the secondary characters, especially Carter’s firefighter brothers and friends add warmth and camaraderie that balance the heavier emotional beats. While the novel isn’t long, it packs in so much heart, heat, and growth that it felt substantial rather than rushed, even as Carter and Venus grapple with grief, fear, and the messy reality of letting someone in.

My rating: 4 out of 5 stars. I’m giving Venus: A Love Story four stars because it feels alive, messy, and real, a romance that doesn’t just offer heat and heart but also deeper layers about what it means to risk everything for love. Carter’s earnest longing and Venus’s hard‑won progress toward trust and connection made me laugh, sigh, and even shed a few tears, and the beautifully grounded happy ending left me smiling long after the final page.

If you enjoy grumpy/sunshine dynamics, emotional slow‑burn growth, and spicy small‑town contemporary romance, this one is a joyfully addictive read.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 4/5

✅ grumpy x sunshine
✅ he falls first
✅ small town
✅ firefighter & nurse

Thank you Ariel N. Anderson for providing this e-ARC. All opinions are my own.

I want to start off by saying I loved Under Your Scars, so I was very excited to be able to read another book by this author. While UYS was a dark romance, Venus is more of a contemporary romance but it did not disappoint.

I loved the back and forth between Vulcan and Venus. Their relationship starts out as casual, but Vulcan ultimately ends up falling for her. Venus is reluctant to start a relationship, but Vulcan tries hard to show her that he will be there for her. As the story progressed, I found myself rooting for Venus and Vulcan and hoping they would root through their issues to be able to be together.

The only downside I would have to mention is that it was more fast paced than I would have liked. I would’ve loved to see Venus and Vulcan’s story progress naturally without having back to back plot points going on. It is on the shorter side, so I will give it that.

Ultimately, I give Venus: A Love Story a 4/5 and I’m genuinely interested and eager to see what Ariel N. Anderson has next up her sleeve!

#Venus #ArielNAnderson #ARC

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH LOOK ANOTHER FIVE STAR READ FROM ARIEL. I swear she keeps dabbling in tropes I don't like just to make me like them. For instance I normally hate insta-love but this book does it soooo well.
First off I love how complicated the characters are, and how complicated their feelings are. Love is rarely easy and often messy, and this romance definitely shows that in an excellent, angst-filled way that kept me HOOKED.
Also, it's SO FUNNY. The banter in this book, especially between the firefighters, is top notch. I cackled out loud SEVERAL times throughout the book and highlighted so many funny lines.
This book isn't just funny though: it has a lot of heart. The romance is central, of course, but there's also exploration of things like grief, infertility, and friendship that anchor the romance and keep things grounded.
The plot is fast paced but it never felt rushed. While I FLEW through this book in one afternoon (which tbh I've done with every book so far), it felt like every plot point had its moment and was never too short or too long. This is such a bingeable book!
The last thing I'll leave you with is this, which hopefully further entices you to read it: ARIEL IS EVIL. (Don't worry, this does have an HEA. But that's all I'm going to say. I've got my eye on you, Ariel. BOTH EYES ACTUALLY.)

[Em (semi-hiatus) · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unromantic and joyless, with the only saving grace being that it ended quickly.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading an advanced copy of a book that is about to be released on July 22nd called, Venus: A Love Story. This is about a firefighter named Carter who hopes and dreams about his future, finding "the one", getting married, and starting a family. One night at the local bar he meets the woman of his dreams and he swears she is his other half. Except she isn't looking for her other half, all she wants is a one night stand with no strings attached. She's a nurse who is afraid of commitment and settling down with someone. There is so much emotion in this story, from laughing out loud to crying, I was on a rollercoaster ride with this story and I didn't want the ride to be over! I got so attached to these characters; they were complex, they were raw, and they were real. Ariel is one of my favorite authors because she takes your hand and makes you feel like you're a part of the story, and this was such a beautiful story that was so well written with so much heart and emotion in it. It captured my heart right from the beginning and never gave it back. I honestly can't say enough good things about this book! 🩷📚

Thank you to the author and to the publisher for this ARC of Venus: A Love Story, in exchange for an honest review.

[Reenie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read. Not my usual read, I’m usually a dark romance reader but I make exceptions for Ariel N Anderson. There hasn’t been a book she wrote that I didn’t enjoy. I actually loved this a lot more than I thought I would. I especially loved the fact that majority of the POV was from the MMC. Seeing a man being vulnerable did something to me. And Ariel managed to break my heart again with the reference to UYS, and over THAT breakfast food, IYKYK! Definitely recommend this read.

[My Dark Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been awhile since I’ve read a contemporary romance that made me sit up and pay attention. I was so invested in the relationship and it literally made me tear up.

This is s beautiful story about Venus and Vulcan (nicknames) the nurse and the firefighter’s love story. One of those where he falls first, and hard. She is scared to love him back. And where love isn’t enough and a traumatic past keeps her from loving fully, until it’s almost too late.

I loved every minute of it 💟

[booktalkwithboobies · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the privilege of getting an ARC from Ariel & her team. I really enjoy everything I’ve read by Ariel so getting an ARC was so kind. Thank you!
Okay besties let’s dive in! We have Vulcan, this sexy firefighter who is tired of one night stands and meaningless flings. He wants to start looking for a forever, someone he can wake up to everyday & in walks “Venus”. And all the birds start singing, and the colors are now brighter and Vulcan, whose real name is Carter, falls instantly head over heels for Venus. And she blows him off and tells him that she’s not interested. LOL. You think he’s just gonna take that? He just met his future wife, she can’t turn him down. So he turns on the charm, and she agrees to a no strings attached, STRICTLY PHYSICAL relationship. Vulcan thinks he can change Venus (who still hasn’t given him her fuckin name. wtf girl?) and make her fall in love. Only, it blows up in his face when she says again that she’s doesn’t want anything serious and that she can’t give anyone forever. Can Venus and Vulcan fight through their fears and learn to be together? Will Venus ever give us her name? LOL please read this book & so we can discuss. 🫶🏻

Things I loved about this book in no particular order:
🔥 The banter was SO good. I would catch myself smiling at my kindle.
🔥 golden retriever MMC x black cat FMC
🔥 Got me out of my reading funk
🔥 a good ‘ol Ariel N. Anderson heartbreak

1.5/ 5 🌶️
4/5 ⭐️

[Alodia B Storm · Rating 5 out of 5]

We’re so accustomed to love being flashy and full of sparks. Often time we forget that something so instant can still have its own journey, sometimes with fogs and rocks. This book describes how love can be patient, slow, yet certain.

Vulcan and Venus are clearly two people with different kinds of.. optimism when they first met. He’s ready to settle down & completely enamored by Venus. It’s basically an instant love. Venus’ optimism is more on the detached kind of relationship; everything should remain physical and she thinks there’s no way she’d get her happy ending considering her condition. She thinks she cannot give what men would eventually want so chasing love is futile.

It’s a really long process of him breaking her shell. I’d say there’s slight angst in the moments of her staying firm to her ground while hurting him accidentally.

I think the perfect way to describe Vulcan’s love is that it’s selfless. He lets her heal and moves along with her own pace. Even all these times, those are the spaces he’s subconsciously creating for her in hopes she could finally see that what they have could be something more.

Some people may feel like Venus is very slow to get her head straight but why the rush? Clearly it’s years worth of idea & decision. It’s slow but when she’s finally getting there, she’s not letting her demons crawling back. She can easily fall back to the old version, maybe even drowning in more regrets and self-blame because that’s the easy way; that’s how she’s accustomed to feel. But she finally lets her heart speaks. His selfless love is met with her generous & gentle one.

They clearly have their scars but they move forward one breath at a time & I think that’s beautiful. Like he said, life is not meant to be filled with checkboxes but is consisted of small moments that shape it & bring them where they currently stand.

I’m so in love with this story. Damn!

[BookishRaquel · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ | 3.5 🌶️ | 4.5 🎧

What to Expect:
- Small Town
- Firefighter x Nurse
- Grumpy/Sunshine
- He Falls First
- Instalove
- Friends with Benefits
- Banter
- Dual POV
- Duet Narration

This is a short, sweet, funny, and steamy read that will pull on your heartstrings. It made me feel everything from sadness, heartbreak, frustration to joy. The well-written characters pulled me in from the start. Vulcan is a swoon-worthy firefighter who falls first and hard. Venus is a labor and delivery nurse who’s emotionally guarded and not looking for anything serious. What begins as a no-strings-attached arrangement soon evolves into something real. Watching Venus and Vulcan's connection grow was super satisfying. I loved the push and pull between them as they worked through their feelings, wants, and needs. Their chemistry was undeniable, and their banter was hilarious. Venus and Vulcan's journey to love was raw, emotional, complicated, and messy. Their story includes some heavy topics, but it is also healing and full of hope.

Narration:
Amanda Willow and Nelson Hobbs performed this audiobook in duet. This story is an emotional ride, and both Amanda and Nelson nailed it. This was my first time listening to these two perform together, and I will absolutely be looking for more of their work. Amanda and Nelson were the perfect voices for Venus and Vulcan, and really brought the characters to life. Their performances elevated my experience with this story, and made it feel real.

Thanks to Ariel N. Anderson and Blue Nose Audio for the early review opportunity. Opinions expressed are my own.

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

~Arc Review~
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶.5

~Venus:A Love Story~Ariel N Anderson~

"I want a woman who starts crying at two a.m. because she dropped her fries on the kitchen floor and then laughs about it five seconds later."

♡I have loved everything Ariel has written so far! I'm not usually an insta love reader but this was executed perfectly! Thank you so much for allowing me to be an ARC reader for this amazing love story!

I fell in love with Vulcan our MMC from the moment he entered the book & continued to fall even harder for him as the story progressed. Vulcan is the type of man that would do whatever it takes to get the girl even if it breaks him in the process. Venus is our FMC & I loved how independent & sassy she was. Venus because of her past is set on being alone forever. It's definitely true when they say opposites attract!

This broken love story portrays that love is never easy, and that love can be messy but for the right person love is worth it. In true Ariel fashion, she just had to make me cry!! She was sooo evil with the breadcrumbs she left in this book but because we got that HEA we were promised I'll forgive her!♡

~As Always Happy Reading~

[Cynshine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredibly grateful to receive this ARC of Venus! 🫶🏻

At 188 pages, this is a book with depth that you could read in a day! I love that Venus is a nurse—which makes for a fun, lil spicy scene that is *chefs kiss*. Carter (aka Vulcan) is a badass firefighter with a heart of gold. To me, their careers & personalities makes the characters much more relatable to readers.

While reading this book, you might get frustrated with Venus for the way she continues to pull back every time she feels like Carter is showing “too much”. However, I’m sure if you really think about it, you’ll find that younger you relates to Venus and/or Carter more than you realized. Venus has made mistakes & has felt judged & less than due to her past traumas—which makes her think she deserves nothing more than casual, superficial flings. Carter is unlike the men that surrounds him. He wants something deep. He wants connection, flaws, & passion. This story details the tug-o-war between the two characters & the gravitation pull they feel towards each other versus the conflict this relationship may cause.

I bonded with the side characters as well & honestly everyone needs friends like Callie & Jackson. 👏🏻

Also Ariel N. Anderson is an ICON for the scene she included in the book. You’ll know once you read it, it’s impossible to miss but I refuse to give spoilers LOL.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review
Absolutely loved this one! A firefighter and nurse romance ❤️ where he falls first (and hard)!

Venus and Vulcan’s love story is so beautifully done. Unfolding at the perfect pace, and I was completely invested from start to finish.

I really appreciated the simplicity of the story, and no unnecessary scenes, just the right amount of build-up and tension. I felt genuinely connected to both MCs and was rooting for them the entire time.

Also, the reference to “Under Your Scars” was such a fun (okay, maybe not fun—it totally opened that wound again, but that’s neither here nor there) cameo. And seriously… what is the beef with pancakes? like really? 😂🤷‍♀️

This is a heartfelt and emotional contemporary romance that had me sobbing but don’t worry, there is a HEA, so your heart will be safe. 💖

It’s also a nice, quick read—perfect for when you want something emotional and spicy but are short on time or just want any easy binge.

I also appreciated how it touched on real-life challenges, which made the story feel even more real and relatable, especially for those who have been through similar things.

That said, definitely check the trigger warnings before diving in. While it's beautiful and healing, it does deal with some heavy topics.

This is my second book by Ariel N. Anderson and I will be recommending!

[Riarna · Rating 3 out of 5]

ALC 🎧
Venus by Ariel Anderson – ★★★☆☆

This one was a short and easy listen, with the emotional trauma you’d expect from Ariel Anderson. The MMC really stood out for me, he was so so sweet (a total simp tbh) someone I genuinely wanted to root for. The FMC on the other hand, left me a bit frustrated. 😩 I really struggled to connect with her and couldn’t quite understand why she was the way she was and kept acting the way she did.
Now Trevor ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹 my heart, he was beautiful I wish we could’ve gotten a story for him 😭 when he was calling out V I was in the background clapping like YES BOY YOU TELL HER!!!

What did help me was the audio narrators, they did a really great job bringing the characters to life and adding depth to the those emotional moments.

The little snippet from UYS 💔❤️‍🩹 too soon I was not ready! 😭🥞

Overall it’s not my favorite from this author, but it still had enough heart (and heartbreak) to keep me listening.

Thank you again Blue Nose Audio for the ALC 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m honored to have received this beautiful story as an ARC by an amazing author. Ariel Anderson never disappoints with shock value in her stories.

The spice is this book was 😍🔥🌶️.. the spicy wasn’t every single page, but often enough to not disappoint!! You will easily fall in love with the MMC, Carter (aka Vulcan). I laughed & smiled often at the banter between he and Venus & the camaraderie of Carter’s fire dept.

Venus was a bit harder to love. As nurse in the labor and delivery unit at the hospital- she has a harder time accepting love into her life. I wanted to shake her like a big sister & snap her out of her issues.

However - this book was written with a more realistic approach. A firefighter, a nurse, and realistic expectations within relationships and life. Life is unpredictable, people are unpredictable, and this story captures a more realistic outcome of everyday decisions.

And if you know Ariel… she knows how to add shock value to her stories

Thank you for the ARC opportunity Ariel!!

[Caitlin Stephenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Ariel for choosing me to be an ARC reader for her new book Venus A Love Story. This is my first time being picked and I will never forget this experience. What an amazing story. Each of her books are so unique and love getting to know all of her different stories and characters. This book was a quick read but left my head swirling wanting to stay with Venus and Vulcan longer. The way Ariel writes the ups/downs and all the gray real world moments has me in awe! She doesn’t take the easy way out when telling her stories and that I truly appreciate. Thanks again and can’t wait for your next book!

[Elizabeth Appolloni · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY HEART.

I loved everything about this. You get raw emotions, you get spice, you get banter, you get humor, you go through heartbreak, you go through loss, all wrapped up in this perfect story!

[Abbey (abbs) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good listen! It has plenty of spice, they brought on the banter, and the MMC made me swoon! But wouldn’t be an Ariel N. Anderson book without some pain and tugging on the heart strings. I laughed and cried with this book. Carter, aka Vulcan, is kind of everything you could want in a book boyfriend! “Venus” is a tough one to crack and pretty stubborn but she’s been through some things and kinda makes you feel for her. It’s advised (but not necessary) to read “Under Your Scars” before diving into this one, as there is a major plot spoiler from UYS, so be aware.

This was performed in duet by Amanda Willow and Nelson Hobbs and let me just say that these two were made for these characters! Amanda is an up and coming voice actor and I’ve loved everything I’ve heard her in so far. She was the perfect voice for Venus and all of her emotions.

Nelson Hobbs was a new to me voice and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to him bring Vulcan to life. Vulcan just wants to find love and Hobbs did a phenomenal job at portraying all the sides to him. Definitely adding him to my list!

This book has a well rounded plot, great character development, and a wonderful HEA! If Ariel writes it, I’m gonna read it.

[BookshelfKisses · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sorry but no this just wasn’t it for me. I rated this book 2,5⭐️. I was curious to read this book because I saw it’s set in the same universe as Under Your Scars, but the only thing that really happened was that the ending of Under Your Scars got spoiled, and beyond that it added ZERO value to the story. I already knew that the stories wouldn’t be connected but it just felt weird. 🫠

There was absolutely no depth to the plot. The whole essence of the book is that ‘ Venus’ doesn’t want a serieus relationship, and yes there is an very short explanation for it but I missed the emotional depth, more background, her inner struggles or whatever. This book had so much potential but this ruined everything for me.

The only reason I’m rounding this rating up to 3 stars is because of Carter Westwood. Oh my god this man. I LOVED him so much he is such a good man and such a good friend. 😭 The last 20% of the book had me crying like a baby and shattered my heart into a thousand pieces. He deserved so much more than what this story gave him. And yes this book has a ‘HEA’ , but I really hoped he would end up with someone else because he deserved so much more.

I’m disappointed I didn’t enjoy this more. The writing style was fine and it was an easy read, but even for a short book it really needed waaay more depth.

[Jessica Hoffmaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first ALC. thank you Ariel and BlueNose Audio.

Author: Ariel Anderson
Duet Narration:
Produced: Blue nose audio


Thank you for my gifted ALC, this review is of my OWN OPINION 🌸
I loved this quick read ! The voices were great, perfect for the characters I think. It all flowed very well, the storyline was easy to follow and very good. So much depth to the main FMC and I loved her and her story. Things happen to him and she shows who she is by the ending.

🤍 Labor/delivery nurse and Firefighter
🤍 SPICE 🌶️
🤍 she’s guarded and has a sad past
🤍 he wears his heart on his sleeve
🤍 he falls first

She won’t give him her name at first so he names her Venus. Absolutely so cute..
They go home together on the first date and she calls it a one night thing. He offers her a date and she try’s to refuse by not “leading him on”
He falls first. He gives golden retriever energy I say. I love that she’s a nurse because me too 🤣

Chapter 27-28 🥺🥺

The ending was beautiful. The epilogue 🖤 as well. I loved this read and will continue to devour every book this author writes, thank you.

Release date: July 22nd 2025

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook performed in duet by Amanda Willow and Nelson Hobbs. Their voices fit the characters so well. They were able to capture the characters personalities and emotions bringing all the feels of this story to life. They did a great job!

I enjoyed this story. The MMC was so easy to like with his sweet, fun, golden retriever personality. I also liked the FMC but, the way she took so long to accept and admit her feelings annoyed me. I understood the reasoning why she was afraid of commitment though. I found the relationship being between a firefighter and nurse unique as far as romance goes. I also found the way the characters names and their story were inspired by the Roman Gods unique. I liked that there was a HEA despite everything that happened. And the little mention of Under Your Scars… loved it! 🖤
Ariel N. Anderson knows how to make us think and feel with her stories. The tragic, the sad, the happy, the love… she delivers it all. I love that about her books! While this wasn’t on the same level as Under Your Scars, it was still a really good, quick, story.

Big thanks to Blue Nose Audio for the opportunity to listen this ALC!

[Kaelea Babner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Going into this story I knew Ariel N Anderson was going to pull at my heartstrings, I’m just thankful I left this story with my heart still intact (for the most part)

These characters couldn’t be more opposite. He’s a golden retriever who fell hard and fast for the FMC. She’s resistant to long term commitment and just wants to have fun. I loved that you didn’t have to wait long for the sexual tension to snap, yet you still got the push and pull from the characters.

You get the HEA with the drama and emotions you know and love from this author. Vulcan was down bad for Venus from the very beginning. You can’t say the man gave up easily that’s for sure.

I loved seeing their relationship grow. Their banter with each other and their friends. I ate it up. This book is very bingeable. I finished it in one sitting

I loved the little cameo of an early work of this author, but I’m beginning to think she just really wants to ruin pancakes for me forever..

Check your trigger warnings before reading this book! Although it may not be for everyone, I enjoyed the story line and would recommend it!

[Miranda Kunkel · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The kind of love that makes you dread the goodbyes but count down the seconds to the hellos. The kind of love where I look at her and the first word that comes to mind is: home.”

I got hooked right from the beginning. Carter and V were done exceptionally well. Their raw, unfiltered emotions both together and separately were spot on. Knowing how the brotherhood works within a fire company gave me that extra connection to Carter and his brothers. Also, V having a love for pitties<3 made me love her that much more. She’s 100% correct, “they’re adorable and misunderstood. She’s never met one that wasn’t a total sweetheart.”

*That little Easter egg thrown in about C&E and the pancakes though…..I broke down all over again.

Thank you so much Ariel for allowing me to read an early copy!! I can’t wait to get my physical copy for the shelves!

[Vickyy.readss · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off thank you Ariel for choosing me to be a part of your ARC team. I absolutely loved this book. It was definitely different from what I usually read, but I really enjoyed it and I’m glad this book made me realize that I should try more soft love books once in a while.

“Venus” the nickname I now want my future husband to call me by. This is the first ever book I’ve read where the FMC has my name and I got sooo excited for that, so I now feel like a part of my life is complete lol. But truly that nickname and the meaning behind it was beautiful.

If you enjoy shows like 911, and Grey’s anatomy, then this book is perfect. Carter definitely reminded me of Bucky with the constant running into fire, and I loved that. He’s this nice, caring guy, with two best friends who will drive him crazy 24/7 lol. Venus is a labor and deliver nurse, caring for mothers. Super sweet and caring as well, but on a deeper level, theres a lot we don’t know about her, and that really made me cry. Everything was well written, their chemistry, the spice, and all the emotions. I truly went through a roller coaster for this book, because it literally made me happy, made me laugh, and it broke my heart to pieces, but they made it past the struggles and pain, like it did. So I’m good now lol.

[Indecent Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you SO much for trusting me with an advanced copy of Venus! 🧡

Ariel N. Anderson is one of my absolute favorite authors, and this book did not disappoint. I devoured it in one sitting, which never happens to me! 😍

While Venus is undeniably a love story, it’s also raw, emotional, and just felt real. It shows how love can be messy and complicated, especially when trauma, PTSD, infertility, and grief are involved.

Vulcan completely stole my heart. A firefighter with a heart of gold, he’s loyal to his brothers, endlessly patient, and just wants to give and receive love. 🥺 Venus, a labor and delivery nurse, is emotionally guarded, and once you dig into her layers, you get her. I saw so much of myself in her... And yes, I cried a few times. Especially that part from Under Your Scars 😭

Ariel did an incredible job balancing heartbreak, healing, and heat. The spicy scenes? SO good, just the right amount! 🔥

As a first responder’s wife, I truly appreciated how realistically the book portrayed the weight of the job, the unbreakable brotherhood, and the emotional toll it takes.

Tropes you’ll find in this book:

👨‍🚒 Firefighter x 👩‍⚕️ Nurse
🧡 Instalove
😍 He falls first (and harder)
😊 Banter
🥵 Spicy goodness