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My Favorite #3
My Favorite Hero
In a house full of rules, the only one they can't follow… is staying away.Jesse Thorne
Local hero, firefighter, loner, and now grumpy landlord.
She wasn’t what he expected.
His new tenant is a walking disaster wrapped in sunshine, breaking every rule he sets and driving him insane.
Controlling her? Impossible.
Ignoring her? Even harder.
And he’s not sure he can stop it.
She’s under his skin, melting his frozen walls, and making him question everything—including his stubborn heart.
Casey Lawson
Roamer, IT specialist, current tenant, and golden ray of trouble.
Her new landlord is a thorn in her side with his never-ending house rules.
He’s always there when things go wrong—rescuing her with his strong arms and that sexy, smug smile. Breaking down her defenses, one gesture, one growl at a time.
They love to argue, but the chemistry between them is undeniable.
And when they give in, it’s explosive.
Can they escape the fire without getting burned?
Author's If you love explosive chemistry, fiery banter, and a grumpy firefighter who always saves the girl, My Favorite Hero delivers all the heat and heart you crave–grab it now before Jesse Thorne steals someone else's.
Local hero, firefighter, loner, and now grumpy landlord.
She wasn’t what he expected.
His new tenant is a walking disaster wrapped in sunshine, breaking every rule he sets and driving him insane.
Controlling her? Impossible.
Ignoring her? Even harder.
And he’s not sure he can stop it.
She’s under his skin, melting his frozen walls, and making him question everything—including his stubborn heart.
Casey Lawson
Roamer, IT specialist, current tenant, and golden ray of trouble.
Her new landlord is a thorn in her side with his never-ending house rules.
He’s always there when things go wrong—rescuing her with his strong arms and that sexy, smug smile. Breaking down her defenses, one gesture, one growl at a time.
They love to argue, but the chemistry between them is undeniable.
And when they give in, it’s explosive.
Can they escape the fire without getting burned?
Author's If you love explosive chemistry, fiery banter, and a grumpy firefighter who always saves the girl, My Favorite Hero delivers all the heat and heart you crave–grab it now before Jesse Thorne steals someone else's.
438 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 30, 2025
448 people are currently reading
9100 people want to read
About the author
Melanie Moreland
77 books5,477 followersWelcome Romance Readers!
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A bit about me:
NYT/WSJ/USAT International bestselling author Melanie Moreland, lives a happy and content life in a quiet area of Ontario with her beloved husband of lots of lovely years and their rescue cat, Amber. Nothing means more to her than her friends and family, and she cherishes every moment spent with them.
While seriously addicted to coffee, and highly challenged with all things computer-related and technical, she relishes baking, cooking, and trying new recipes for people to sample. She loves to throw dinner parties, and also enjoys travelling, but finds coming home is always the best part of any trip.
Melanie loves stories, especially paired with a good wine, and enjoys skydiving (free falling over a fleck of dust) extreme snowboarding (falling down stairs) and piloting her own helicopter (tripping over her own feet.) She's learned happily ever-afters, even bumpy ones, are all in how you tell the story.
Melanie is represented by Flavia Viotti at Bookcase Literary Agency. For any questions regarding subsidiary or translation rights please contact her at flavia@bookcaseagency.com
Join my newsletter for news on upcoming releases and sales CLICK HERE
Make sure to follow me on Amazon for new release alerts CLICK HERE
Join me on Facebook in my reader group CLICK HERE
Check out my excerpts on Verve Romance CLICK HERE
A bit about me:
NYT/WSJ/USAT International bestselling author Melanie Moreland, lives a happy and content life in a quiet area of Ontario with her beloved husband of lots of lovely years and their rescue cat, Amber. Nothing means more to her than her friends and family, and she cherishes every moment spent with them.
While seriously addicted to coffee, and highly challenged with all things computer-related and technical, she relishes baking, cooking, and trying new recipes for people to sample. She loves to throw dinner parties, and also enjoys travelling, but finds coming home is always the best part of any trip.
Melanie loves stories, especially paired with a good wine, and enjoys skydiving (free falling over a fleck of dust) extreme snowboarding (falling down stairs) and piloting her own helicopter (tripping over her own feet.) She's learned happily ever-afters, even bumpy ones, are all in how you tell the story.
Melanie is represented by Flavia Viotti at Bookcase Literary Agency. For any questions regarding subsidiary or translation rights please contact her at flavia@bookcaseagency.com
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October 25, 2025
My Favorite Hero is book three in the My Favorite series by Melanie Moreland. If you want a sweet, steamy romance with lots of fun banter, this is for you. I laughed out loud quite a few times with this one, their quick come backs often catching me off guard. This is a fun, grumpy/sunshine romance and I hope you’ll read on and let me tell you a little about it.
Jesse Thorne is thirty five years old and is a firefighter in the small town of Covington, Canada. Jesse is a grump and a loner. He left Toronto five years earlier wanting a better life in a small town. He loves his job and has a bunch of commendations for things he’s done. He’s a good man but he keeps his heart closed off. Later in the book when I learned why, it made me love him even more. One thing Jesse didn’t want to add to his resume was landlord but as a favor, he agreed to take in a tenant. Little did he realize he was in for quite a surprise.
Casey Lawson is an IT specialist which allows her to work from home. Casey never stays in one place for long. She had lived in Covington for a short time as a child and wanted to go back. She had fond memories here. One more thing about Casey is that she is a walking disaster! Her confidence gets her into more than her share of trouble. Trouble that Jesse keeps having to rescue her from.
Jesse and Casey are a bit like oil and water. His grumpiness and her sunshine don’t mix well. Casey is not intimidated, though. She definitely keeps Jesse on his toes. And she can also cook like a dream. Little by little, she breaks through Jesse’s icy shell. All the banter they share is just the beginning of the crazy chemistry these two have. But, Jesse doesn’t do relationships. He vowed long ago not to give his heart away. And Casey is only here for awhile. Until it’s time for her next adventure. So, the question is, can they give in to the pull between them and just enjoy each other for now, a landlord/tenant with benefits relationship?
I always love watching someone who thinks he has his heart locked down, falling hard. But in truth, how could he not fall for Casey? This really was a cute, fun, steamy story.
Jesse Thorne is thirty five years old and is a firefighter in the small town of Covington, Canada. Jesse is a grump and a loner. He left Toronto five years earlier wanting a better life in a small town. He loves his job and has a bunch of commendations for things he’s done. He’s a good man but he keeps his heart closed off. Later in the book when I learned why, it made me love him even more. One thing Jesse didn’t want to add to his resume was landlord but as a favor, he agreed to take in a tenant. Little did he realize he was in for quite a surprise.
Casey Lawson is an IT specialist which allows her to work from home. Casey never stays in one place for long. She had lived in Covington for a short time as a child and wanted to go back. She had fond memories here. One more thing about Casey is that she is a walking disaster! Her confidence gets her into more than her share of trouble. Trouble that Jesse keeps having to rescue her from.
Jesse and Casey are a bit like oil and water. His grumpiness and her sunshine don’t mix well. Casey is not intimidated, though. She definitely keeps Jesse on his toes. And she can also cook like a dream. Little by little, she breaks through Jesse’s icy shell. All the banter they share is just the beginning of the crazy chemistry these two have. But, Jesse doesn’t do relationships. He vowed long ago not to give his heart away. And Casey is only here for awhile. Until it’s time for her next adventure. So, the question is, can they give in to the pull between them and just enjoy each other for now, a landlord/tenant with benefits relationship?
I always love watching someone who thinks he has his heart locked down, falling hard. But in truth, how could he not fall for Casey? This really was a cute, fun, steamy story.
September 28, 2025
This is an adorable, quirky, and heartwarming Small Town Romance! As always, Melanie Moreland brings banter, heart, and a dash of sass to this newest installment to the My Favorite series. The characters are larger than life and almost seem over the top, but as you peel them back and get to the heart of them, they actually feel very relatable.
Jesse and Casey end up as reluctant neighbors/housemates due to a misunderstanding and they are both very resistant to it. In fact, their pets take to each other faster than their owners. They just rub one another the wrong way and have their backs up right from the start.
Jesse is a grumpy, fire fighting reluctant town hero. Casey is a quirky coder, with a wanderers spirit. They are as opposite as can be. But after a few too many rescues, Jesse can't deny that he wants more from his feisty tenant.
Their chemistry was amazing and I loved how they connected over Lou. They were both such good people and they've been searching for acceptance and love. Even when they didn't know it. Which made their HEA even more satisfying.
John Lane & Maxine Mitchell narrated in Dual Style. They brought a compelling story and a dash of humor that made this book hard to put down.
4.5 Stars
3 on the spice scale
CW: Death of a loved one
*Thank you to Melanie Moreland and her team for an ARC of this title.*
Jesse and Casey end up as reluctant neighbors/housemates due to a misunderstanding and they are both very resistant to it. In fact, their pets take to each other faster than their owners. They just rub one another the wrong way and have their backs up right from the start.
Jesse is a grumpy, fire fighting reluctant town hero. Casey is a quirky coder, with a wanderers spirit. They are as opposite as can be. But after a few too many rescues, Jesse can't deny that he wants more from his feisty tenant.
Their chemistry was amazing and I loved how they connected over Lou. They were both such good people and they've been searching for acceptance and love. Even when they didn't know it. Which made their HEA even more satisfying.
John Lane & Maxine Mitchell narrated in Dual Style. They brought a compelling story and a dash of humor that made this book hard to put down.
4.5 Stars
3 on the spice scale
CW: Death of a loved one
*Thank you to Melanie Moreland and her team for an ARC of this title.*
October 6, 2025
Jesse and Casey are literally the definition of opposites attract, and it’s chef’s kiss perfection. He comes off as this big grouch (but deep down he’s actually a soft, cinnamon-roll type of guy), and Casey is a fierce, independent sunshine who doesn’t let his moodiness scare her off.
The way they push each other’s buttons had me giggling the whole time. Their banter was top tier, and the bickering over the tiniest things had me laughing out loud. They’ll argue over the most random stuff and still end up falling for each other. Even their pets became besties before they did, which made it even cuter.
What I loved most is how Jesse helps Casey realize it’s okay to lean on someone, while she reminds him life isn’t all doom and gloom. Together, they’re just the perfect match.
This book is full of swoons, spice, and laugh-out-loud moments. Another gem in the series, and I already can’t wait for Melanie to drop the next one!
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT:
❤️🔥 Grumpy x Sunshine
❤️🔥 Forced Proximity
❤️🔥 He Falls First
❤️🔥 Found Family
❤️🔥 Small Town
The way they push each other’s buttons had me giggling the whole time. Their banter was top tier, and the bickering over the tiniest things had me laughing out loud. They’ll argue over the most random stuff and still end up falling for each other. Even their pets became besties before they did, which made it even cuter.
What I loved most is how Jesse helps Casey realize it’s okay to lean on someone, while she reminds him life isn’t all doom and gloom. Together, they’re just the perfect match.
This book is full of swoons, spice, and laugh-out-loud moments. Another gem in the series, and I already can’t wait for Melanie to drop the next one!
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT:
❤️🔥 Grumpy x Sunshine
❤️🔥 Forced Proximity
❤️🔥 He Falls First
❤️🔥 Found Family
❤️🔥 Small Town
did-not-finish
October 26, 2025DNF at 30%
Aaand I'm out. Calling his junk a "fire hose" is the last straw. I don't want to know anymore how this story will continue.
Up until this point, there was still nothing significant, not even a semblance of anything happening between them. It was all about their constant lustful thoughts about each other, and that was pretty much it. 🤧
Also, Jesse is not grumpy. He's just a prick who couldn't control his horny thoughts; that's why he's getting pissed at KC and taking out his frustrations on her by pulling these childish pranks.
She, on the other hand, just keeps forgiving him all the time. You’d think she’d want to protect herself a bit more, because, you know, this man was always a mean dick to her. But nope, there's none of that self-preservation. 🤦♀️
She has never heard the word "sorry" coming out of this man's mouth, not even at this point in the story. And mind you, he already did a lot of stupid and insensitive things to her that are worth apologizing for, not just through actions but also with words.
Ugh, this is exactly why I'm 50-50 about grumpy x sunshine dynamics. It usually (mostly) comes down to the MMC's personality. He could either be a lovable grump or just an insufferable asshole. Jesse definitely falls in the latter category, and I really can't stand those. 😑
To make things worse, there's this age gap—he's 8 years older, I think—but tbh, you wouldn't notice that maturity at all since he's acting like a 5-year-old. Wait, that's probably unfair, because I know some kids are undoubtedly smarter and more mature than this grown-ass man. 🤧
Aaand I'm out. Calling his junk a "fire hose" is the last straw. I don't want to know anymore how this story will continue.
Up until this point, there was still nothing significant, not even a semblance of anything happening between them. It was all about their constant lustful thoughts about each other, and that was pretty much it. 🤧
Also, Jesse is not grumpy. He's just a prick who couldn't control his horny thoughts; that's why he's getting pissed at KC and taking out his frustrations on her by pulling these childish pranks.
She, on the other hand, just keeps forgiving him all the time. You’d think she’d want to protect herself a bit more, because, you know, this man was always a mean dick to her. But nope, there's none of that self-preservation. 🤦♀️
She has never heard the word "sorry" coming out of this man's mouth, not even at this point in the story. And mind you, he already did a lot of stupid and insensitive things to her that are worth apologizing for, not just through actions but also with words.
Ugh, this is exactly why I'm 50-50 about grumpy x sunshine dynamics. It usually (mostly) comes down to the MMC's personality. He could either be a lovable grump or just an insufferable asshole. Jesse definitely falls in the latter category, and I really can't stand those. 😑
To make things worse, there's this age gap—he's 8 years older, I think—but tbh, you wouldn't notice that maturity at all since he's acting like a 5-year-old. Wait, that's probably unfair, because I know some kids are undoubtedly smarter and more mature than this grown-ass man. 🤧
September 30, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
🌶️🌶️.5
There is something just so sweet about Melanie Moreland's contemporary romances. She always writes banter perfectly, and I loved the slow burn romance between the grumpy firefighter and sassy IT specialist.
Jesse's former landlady sold him her home, but with the stipulation that he had to rent the other section of the house to someone important to her, KC. He was fine with it till he realized the tenant was actually a sexy and accident prone woman. He gives her a lot of rules to follow, but Casey refuses to cave into his ridiculous demands…starting a war over the infamous windchimes.
The forced proximity plus the fact their dog and cat become best friends leads them to start to fall for each other. It starts out as friends with benefits, but feelings quickly start to develop, especially after Jesse takes her on sweet dates. They both have issues from their past that made them afraid to commit, but they were just too perfect together.
Side note: I loved the adorable relationship between their pets Miller and Barney.
🏠 Grumpy x Sunshine
🔥 Small Town
🏠 Firefighter
🔥 Neighbors
🏠 Opposites Attract
🔥 Forced Proximity
🏠 Great Banter
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW
🎤Dual narration by John Lane & Maxine Mitchell
I flew through this audiobook, and I would definitely recommend it if you love witty banter brought to life. John Lane was perfect as the broody and protective Jesse. Maxine showcased Casey's feisty and quirky personality perfectly.
Thank you to Melanie Moreland for providing the ALC and Greys Promo for providing the ARC.
🌶️🌶️.5
There is something just so sweet about Melanie Moreland's contemporary romances. She always writes banter perfectly, and I loved the slow burn romance between the grumpy firefighter and sassy IT specialist.
Jesse's former landlady sold him her home, but with the stipulation that he had to rent the other section of the house to someone important to her, KC. He was fine with it till he realized the tenant was actually a sexy and accident prone woman. He gives her a lot of rules to follow, but Casey refuses to cave into his ridiculous demands…starting a war over the infamous windchimes.
The forced proximity plus the fact their dog and cat become best friends leads them to start to fall for each other. It starts out as friends with benefits, but feelings quickly start to develop, especially after Jesse takes her on sweet dates. They both have issues from their past that made them afraid to commit, but they were just too perfect together.
Side note: I loved the adorable relationship between their pets Miller and Barney.
🏠 Grumpy x Sunshine
🔥 Small Town
🏠 Firefighter
🔥 Neighbors
🏠 Opposites Attract
🔥 Forced Proximity
🏠 Great Banter
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW
🎤Dual narration by John Lane & Maxine Mitchell
I flew through this audiobook, and I would definitely recommend it if you love witty banter brought to life. John Lane was perfect as the broody and protective Jesse. Maxine showcased Casey's feisty and quirky personality perfectly.
Thank you to Melanie Moreland for providing the ALC and Greys Promo for providing the ARC.
October 4, 2025
I just have to get this one thing out of the way, as one does if you are me, but this cover and its predecessors are KILLING IT! #winning (please never change them k,tks) Along with these covers, this series has been an
utter delight
to experience. Every.Single.Story! I took the liberty of doing a little binge-listening of all three stories because, why not? Every single time I pick up a Melanie Morland story, it delivers on a lot of fronts, and I was in the mood for comedic relief with a big slice of swoon! It was one of the best 26(ish) hours my ears have ever experienced since they began their #AudioEra! ;) Whether you decide to read/listen to these stories in order of publication or randomly, you will get the ultimate rom-com experience.
In this story, My Favorite Hero, Jesse Thorn & Casey Lawson (along with Miller & Barney) will have you laughing out loud, swooning, and smiling from beginning to end. They are going to charm the pants right off of you! Their banter was clever, witty, and fiery! Hilarious I say! The development of their relationship was a perfect slow-burn. They had excellent chemistry from the very beginning and the story progressed realistically and came across as very relatable to me.
Like I said, I have enjoyed every one of the stories in this series and I think it is mainly because there are genuine and entertaining. There’s nothing that I would say is OTT or slap-stick humor, yet all the stories are a good time all the time!
🎧I love John Lane & Maxine Mitchell! I love that they make a dynamic duo and always bring the story to life perfectly! They have a way of elevating the characters they are performing to “living color” in my head and I love that about them so much! And you know what else I love? They perform ALL of Melanie’s stories! (cross your fingers/knock on wood that never changes lolol) You can’t put a price on not only knowing a story is going to deliver because the author has word wizardry but also knowing in advance it’s going to be a party in your ears because you know the narrators and their skills! Priceless!
In this story, My Favorite Hero, Jesse Thorn & Casey Lawson (along with Miller & Barney) will have you laughing out loud, swooning, and smiling from beginning to end. They are going to charm the pants right off of you! Their banter was clever, witty, and fiery! Hilarious I say! The development of their relationship was a perfect slow-burn. They had excellent chemistry from the very beginning and the story progressed realistically and came across as very relatable to me.
Like I said, I have enjoyed every one of the stories in this series and I think it is mainly because there are genuine and entertaining. There’s nothing that I would say is OTT or slap-stick humor, yet all the stories are a good time all the time!
🎧I love John Lane & Maxine Mitchell! I love that they make a dynamic duo and always bring the story to life perfectly! They have a way of elevating the characters they are performing to “living color” in my head and I love that about them so much! And you know what else I love? They perform ALL of Melanie’s stories! (cross your fingers/knock on wood that never changes lolol) You can’t put a price on not only knowing a story is going to deliver because the author has word wizardry but also knowing in advance it’s going to be a party in your ears because you know the narrators and their skills! Priceless!
September 27, 2025
My Favorite Hero is book 3 in the My Favorites series, these stories all standalone, so you can start anywhere. I fell in love with another fictional couple, Queen Melanie did it once again. This series has been absolutely fantastic right from the first book. It's funny, heartwarming, sweet and spicy. It truly has everything to make for the perfect romcom. My Favorite Hero was truly the perfect addition. I absolutely adored the storyline with Lou, it just brought such a touching and emotional aspect to the story and I was here for it. Melanie's writing is so smooth, beautiful, addictive and absolutely all consuming. I am obsessed with her and her stories 💜
Jesse.. he is such a grumpy man but man of man does he fall hard for his girl. Hot firefighter with a big hose 😏 Casey is a chaotic, hot mess and I absolutely adored her with all my heart. The dynamic with these 2 was absolute fire 🔥 The bickering, the banter, it was PERFECTION. The tension it brought to the story made the pages burn. The chemistry between them was absolutely undeniable from the start. My stomach was fluttering with all the butterflies, I am absolutely enamored with these two. Miller (Dog) & Barney (Cat) were just such a fun add on to the story. I loved how they loved each other right from the start, they were absolutely adorable.
Overall, Melanie wrote another amazing romcom that gave me all the feels and all the laughs. I am a forever fan and if you haven't read this series I HIGHLY recommend it, you won't regret it! I don't even think my review can do justice to how much I appreciate and love this series.
✨ ️Thank you to @waterhousepress & @melaniemoreland for my gifted copy & goodies in exchange for an honest review.
Jesse.. he is such a grumpy man but man of man does he fall hard for his girl. Hot firefighter with a big hose 😏 Casey is a chaotic, hot mess and I absolutely adored her with all my heart. The dynamic with these 2 was absolute fire 🔥 The bickering, the banter, it was PERFECTION. The tension it brought to the story made the pages burn. The chemistry between them was absolutely undeniable from the start. My stomach was fluttering with all the butterflies, I am absolutely enamored with these two. Miller (Dog) & Barney (Cat) were just such a fun add on to the story. I loved how they loved each other right from the start, they were absolutely adorable.
Overall, Melanie wrote another amazing romcom that gave me all the feels and all the laughs. I am a forever fan and if you haven't read this series I HIGHLY recommend it, you won't regret it! I don't even think my review can do justice to how much I appreciate and love this series.
✨ ️Thank you to @waterhousepress & @melaniemoreland for my gifted copy & goodies in exchange for an honest review.
October 1, 2025
This was so cringe im sorry…she called his appendage “a fire hose” on many occasions!!! He wasn’t a grump he was just trying to be an asshole for no reason
October 5, 2025
I have LOVED the My Favorites series from Melanie Moreland. Fun, spicy, swoony and sweet, overflowing with banter and chemistry, and of course the most fun pets. They are all FANTASTIC on audio- and My Favorite Hero, the third (all are standalones though) is out now! And it has everything I love about this series- banter, heat, funny pets (a dog and cat who love each other), delicious chemistry, and most of all, so much heart. It’s a feel good and charming love story that charmed from the start.
The audio for this was SO GOOD and so perfectly cast. John Lane is impeccable and delicious as broody firefighter Jesse, and Maxine Mitchell brings ALL of the sassy fire of Casey. Their vocal chemistry is fantastic and they brought the banter and heart to life so vividly. It was such a ray of sunshine to listen to- I grinned and laughed and swooned. Such a fun story and a great part of this amazing series!
What to expect…
In a house full of rules, the only one they can’t follow… is staying away.
🚒Grumpy x Sunshine
🚒Firefighter x New to Town Tennant
🚒Neighbors to Lovers
🚒Hate to Love
🚒Opposites Attract
🚒Sassy x Broody
🚒Alpha Protector
🚒Spicy
🚒Their pets love each other
The audio for this was SO GOOD and so perfectly cast. John Lane is impeccable and delicious as broody firefighter Jesse, and Maxine Mitchell brings ALL of the sassy fire of Casey. Their vocal chemistry is fantastic and they brought the banter and heart to life so vividly. It was such a ray of sunshine to listen to- I grinned and laughed and swooned. Such a fun story and a great part of this amazing series!
What to expect…
In a house full of rules, the only one they can’t follow… is staying away.
🚒Grumpy x Sunshine
🚒Firefighter x New to Town Tennant
🚒Neighbors to Lovers
🚒Hate to Love
🚒Opposites Attract
🚒Sassy x Broody
🚒Alpha Protector
🚒Spicy
🚒Their pets love each other
September 30, 2025
Rating: Loved It!
I’ve been wanting to dive into this series, so when I got the chance to ARC read this one I jumped—and now I have to go back and read the first two!
Jesse never stood a chance against Casey’s whirlwind personality. I fell in love with her right alongside him (especially during her half-hanging-out-the-window “break-in” moment). Both have rough pasts, yet somehow they’ve grown into the kind of humans who are absolutely perfect for each other.
She’s the chaos. He’s the hero. Their banter, inner thoughts, and even the ridiculous windchime war had me laughing out loud. And Casey roping in his firefighter buddies with food? Perfection. (As someone who knows firefighters—spot. on.)
What really made me swoon was their openness. Jesse never stopped fighting for Casey, and they talked. Really talked. That kind of communication made their relationship so sweet and refreshing.
Also, shoutout to Barney and Miller—their little insta-love connection might have been the cutest cherry on top. 🍒
Thank you, Melanie & Grey’s Promotions, for the ARC! 💕
I’ve been wanting to dive into this series, so when I got the chance to ARC read this one I jumped—and now I have to go back and read the first two!
Jesse never stood a chance against Casey’s whirlwind personality. I fell in love with her right alongside him (especially during her half-hanging-out-the-window “break-in” moment). Both have rough pasts, yet somehow they’ve grown into the kind of humans who are absolutely perfect for each other.
She’s the chaos. He’s the hero. Their banter, inner thoughts, and even the ridiculous windchime war had me laughing out loud. And Casey roping in his firefighter buddies with food? Perfection. (As someone who knows firefighters—spot. on.)
What really made me swoon was their openness. Jesse never stopped fighting for Casey, and they talked. Really talked. That kind of communication made their relationship so sweet and refreshing.
Also, shoutout to Barney and Miller—their little insta-love connection might have been the cutest cherry on top. 🍒
Thank you, Melanie & Grey’s Promotions, for the ARC! 💕
October 6, 2025
I can definitely tell you that I had so much fun with Jesse and Casey. Melanie Moreland never disappoints with her books. It's such a pleasure reading her stories.
Casey was so funny and beautiful. She was getting in all of those strange situations where she needed saving from Jesse. Every time he was grumpy about it (at the beginning), but later on he saw the funny side of it. Both of them were really attracted to each other from the first time they met. But they still tried to fight it. Living right next to each other as a landlord and a tenant made them get to know each other. Neither of them expected the other, but with time they learned how to live in peace (as much as it was possible) and fell in love.
When they finally got together, it was a mutual decision that this would be temporary until Casey left. But when love comes knocking on your door, sometimes you don't have a choice. What a beautiful love it was. They completed each other in every way. Jesse was the balm to Casey's soul. I do understand her fears, but being with him only proves that she needed his love ♥️. He loved her and was determined to make her stay. His love was becoming the most important thing in her life.
Also, I loved all of their love scenes. Melanie never disappoints me in that department. From the moment they wished for each other, it was clear that sooner or later they would succumb to this burning desire. There was so much steam and passion. Everything happening between them was so hot and beautiful. I loved the fact that we had some kink floating around. It was a chief's kiss 🌶️.
I also loved all the epilogues. They were so sweet and romantic. It literally made my heart swoon even more.
Overall, I loved reading "My favorite hero" and I will come back to the series again for a re-read ♥️.
***I received an ARC from Grey's Promotions and my review is given voluntarily***.
Casey was so funny and beautiful. She was getting in all of those strange situations where she needed saving from Jesse. Every time he was grumpy about it (at the beginning), but later on he saw the funny side of it. Both of them were really attracted to each other from the first time they met. But they still tried to fight it. Living right next to each other as a landlord and a tenant made them get to know each other. Neither of them expected the other, but with time they learned how to live in peace (as much as it was possible) and fell in love.
When they finally got together, it was a mutual decision that this would be temporary until Casey left. But when love comes knocking on your door, sometimes you don't have a choice. What a beautiful love it was. They completed each other in every way. Jesse was the balm to Casey's soul. I do understand her fears, but being with him only proves that she needed his love ♥️. He loved her and was determined to make her stay. His love was becoming the most important thing in her life.
Also, I loved all of their love scenes. Melanie never disappoints me in that department. From the moment they wished for each other, it was clear that sooner or later they would succumb to this burning desire. There was so much steam and passion. Everything happening between them was so hot and beautiful. I loved the fact that we had some kink floating around. It was a chief's kiss 🌶️.
I also loved all the epilogues. They were so sweet and romantic. It literally made my heart swoon even more.
Overall, I loved reading "My favorite hero" and I will come back to the series again for a re-read ♥️.
***I received an ARC from Grey's Promotions and my review is given voluntarily***.
September 27, 2025
Jesse is a grumpy firefighter who's closed himself off from love due to past trauma and the belief that maybe he wasn't quite worthy of it. Casey is a traveling nomad. Settling in town for a short period of time after life taught her that she can never truly stay in one place and be happy.
They're brought together by the passing of a close friend - an elderly woman who saw something in each of them separately, and for each other.
*****
This was my very first Melanie Moreland book, and to be completely honest, I signed up simply based on the adorable cover. I'm SO glad I did because this was the best novel I've read this month! It was devastatingly funny. The banter? Oh my god. I swapped between reading and audio, and I was cackling at the narrators delivery of some pretty epic lines.
At first, I wasn't sure how I felt about the voice actor for Jesse (John Lane), really leaning into the superhero-esque voice, but damn did it fit. The more I listened to the character, the better I could truly see how perfectly he voiced him. Maxine Mitchell as the chaotic and bubbly Casey? So good. Her acting out yawns and chuckles to enhance the dialogue had me fully falling into this story and coasting along for a fun ride.
I loved that both characters had messy pasts and couldn't stay away from each other despite it. Casey being independent and strong willed to her occasional detriment, and Jesse constantly being stressed to hell while trying to save her was such a funny dynamic. I loved their love story and how forward everyone was about communication, consent, respect, and a damn good onion gravy.
Overall, I loved this one. It was exactly what I want in a romcom, and I can't wait to read more from this author!
*****
Thank you to the Author Agency for both the advanced listener and advanced reader copies. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
They're brought together by the passing of a close friend - an elderly woman who saw something in each of them separately, and for each other.
*****
This was my very first Melanie Moreland book, and to be completely honest, I signed up simply based on the adorable cover. I'm SO glad I did because this was the best novel I've read this month! It was devastatingly funny. The banter? Oh my god. I swapped between reading and audio, and I was cackling at the narrators delivery of some pretty epic lines.
At first, I wasn't sure how I felt about the voice actor for Jesse (John Lane), really leaning into the superhero-esque voice, but damn did it fit. The more I listened to the character, the better I could truly see how perfectly he voiced him. Maxine Mitchell as the chaotic and bubbly Casey? So good. Her acting out yawns and chuckles to enhance the dialogue had me fully falling into this story and coasting along for a fun ride.
I loved that both characters had messy pasts and couldn't stay away from each other despite it. Casey being independent and strong willed to her occasional detriment, and Jesse constantly being stressed to hell while trying to save her was such a funny dynamic. I loved their love story and how forward everyone was about communication, consent, respect, and a damn good onion gravy.
Overall, I loved this one. It was exactly what I want in a romcom, and I can't wait to read more from this author!
*****
Thank you to the Author Agency for both the advanced listener and advanced reader copies. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 3, 2025
My Favorite Hero is another success in this standalone rom com series! Jesse and Casey are the epitome of opposites attract. He’s the grumpy firefighter landlord and she’s the sunshine IT genius tenant. From the first time they interacted it was not only hilarious but clear they were attracted to each other, even when Jesse tried to talk himself into staying platonic.
Outside of the landlord/tenant situation, there were so many cute things that the author wove into the story! Even though it was a rom com, she explored what unconditional love looks like for two people who were let down by the people they called family. It was nice seeing Jesse and Casey slowly open up to each other about their past hurts, which showed how comfortable they’d grown with each other as the book went on.
That aside, the subplot of Aunt Lou was amazing to see unfold. Outside of the back and forth between Jesse and Casey, the fact that their pets (her cat, his dog) became besties immediately was one of the highlights of the book.
I rarely read rom coms, but when I do, it’s usually been Melanie Moreland’s books. This series of standalones in particular have been fun reads, so I’d recommend any of the three books!
What to Expect: landlord/tenant, forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine, firefighter hero, IT genius heroine, love after heartbreak (hero), neighbors with benefits turned lovers, adorable pet side characters
Outside of the landlord/tenant situation, there were so many cute things that the author wove into the story! Even though it was a rom com, she explored what unconditional love looks like for two people who were let down by the people they called family. It was nice seeing Jesse and Casey slowly open up to each other about their past hurts, which showed how comfortable they’d grown with each other as the book went on.
That aside, the subplot of Aunt Lou was amazing to see unfold. Outside of the back and forth between Jesse and Casey, the fact that their pets (her cat, his dog) became besties immediately was one of the highlights of the book.
I rarely read rom coms, but when I do, it’s usually been Melanie Moreland’s books. This series of standalones in particular have been fun reads, so I’d recommend any of the three books!
What to Expect: landlord/tenant, forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine, firefighter hero, IT genius heroine, love after heartbreak (hero), neighbors with benefits turned lovers, adorable pet side characters
Read
August 6, 2025I almost pissed myself in public seeing this book
October 1, 2025
I want to have liked this more than I actually did. I love this little series and the quirky characters, but these two kind of irked me.
But it’s a cute, light read and I do look forward to these books each time they come out.
Casey returns to town after being away since a young child and rents the other half of Jesse’s house. Jesse recently inherited it from his beloved neighbor who also happens to be Casey’s childhood pseudo mom. Jesse is the big grumpy firefighter and Casey is the curvy cute IT nerd.
They each have reasons for not wanting a relationship but can’t deny their attraction so they agree to a short term tenant w benefits arrangement. The tension comes from them each admitting how they feel to themselves and each other, after being hurt previously. Her by her mom and alcoholic dad and him by his ex-fiance and family.
- firefighter (Jesse) meets cute curvy independent IT girl, Casey.
- third act breakup. Fully avoidable.
- poor communication. They do share bits and pieces about themselves but neither dips too far below the surface so they can keep their “short term” tenant w benefits arrangement in tact.
- spice - this isn’t a slow burn but its not insanely spicy either.
- No OM/OW drama - she goes on one terrible date w another guy before they’re together, but he’s awful and Jesse defends her.
- nicknames - Pixie, Hulk, Thorne
- grumpy/sunshine
- close proximity - they live next door and there is an internal door that connects the houses
- cute pets - his dog (Miller) and her cat (Barney). Yes, for some reason there are references to the 70’s TV show, Barney Miller.
- estranged family for both
- dual POV/ HEA, marriage and child epilogue
I found Jesse not just grumpy but jerky at times and expecting Casey to play a very stereotypical “wife” role. What was with cooking him roasts and onion gravy all the time?? Demanding breakfast. Um, She also had a full time job. It felt almost misogynistic to me. Idk. I know the author was going for grumpy alpha, but carrying her out of places and yelling at her. No.
Also, to be fair - she was annoyingly immature - hanging chimes everywhere, insisting on doing things she knew were dangerous, asking him to go to the store and then buying every annoying stupid thing. After a while, it just really wasn’t all that cute.
But it’s a cute, light read and I do look forward to these books each time they come out.
Casey returns to town after being away since a young child and rents the other half of Jesse’s house. Jesse recently inherited it from his beloved neighbor who also happens to be Casey’s childhood pseudo mom. Jesse is the big grumpy firefighter and Casey is the curvy cute IT nerd.
They each have reasons for not wanting a relationship but can’t deny their attraction so they agree to a short term tenant w benefits arrangement. The tension comes from them each admitting how they feel to themselves and each other, after being hurt previously. Her by her mom and alcoholic dad and him by his ex-fiance and family.
- firefighter (Jesse) meets cute curvy independent IT girl, Casey.
- third act breakup. Fully avoidable.
- poor communication. They do share bits and pieces about themselves but neither dips too far below the surface so they can keep their “short term” tenant w benefits arrangement in tact.
- spice - this isn’t a slow burn but its not insanely spicy either.
- No OM/OW drama - she goes on one terrible date w another guy before they’re together, but he’s awful and Jesse defends her.
- nicknames - Pixie, Hulk, Thorne
- grumpy/sunshine
- close proximity - they live next door and there is an internal door that connects the houses
- cute pets - his dog (Miller) and her cat (Barney). Yes, for some reason there are references to the 70’s TV show, Barney Miller.
- estranged family for both
- dual POV/ HEA, marriage and child epilogue
I found Jesse not just grumpy but jerky at times and expecting Casey to play a very stereotypical “wife” role. What was with cooking him roasts and onion gravy all the time?? Demanding breakfast. Um, She also had a full time job. It felt almost misogynistic to me. Idk. I know the author was going for grumpy alpha, but carrying her out of places and yelling at her. No.
Also, to be fair - she was annoyingly immature - hanging chimes everywhere, insisting on doing things she knew were dangerous, asking him to go to the store and then buying every annoying stupid thing. After a while, it just really wasn’t all that cute.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2025
Simply put, this book was adorable. If you are a fan of Moreland’s writing, then you won’t be disappointed. We have all of the normal trappings of her style including a down bad MMC, cute animal sidekicks, and an FMC who just needs to be shown she is worthy of the love bestowed upon her.
Jesse Thorne is a grumpy, German shepherd-esque character. When he comes across his new tenant, Casey, he instantly realizes that he will be in over his head. Casey for her part is mostly sunshine with little sass. It doesn’t take long before they are not only sharing a wall but a bed.
I flew through this read. It provided the respite I was needing by being sweet, comedic and spicy. If you liked A Simple Life by Moreland then you will like this as well.
I received an ARC from the author via The Author Agency. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Jesse Thorne is a grumpy, German shepherd-esque character. When he comes across his new tenant, Casey, he instantly realizes that he will be in over his head. Casey for her part is mostly sunshine with little sass. It doesn’t take long before they are not only sharing a wall but a bed.
I flew through this read. It provided the respite I was needing by being sweet, comedic and spicy. If you liked A Simple Life by Moreland then you will like this as well.
I received an ARC from the author via The Author Agency. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 18, 2025
This book was beautifully written, and it’s the third installment in the My Favorite collection.
It has so many great tropes—firefighter MMC, grumpy/sunshine, landlord/tenant romance, cat mom + dog dad. Casey is always on the move, while Jesse is avoiding love after a painful breakup.
I really loved how the author explored Casey’s struggles with putting down roots and why she feels safer running, as well as Jesse’s complicated family dynamics. Their slow realization that they had fallen for each other—and their decision to finally stop fighting it—was heartwarming and so well done.
One of my favorite things about this series is how the author always incorporates pets into her stories, and this one gave us both a cat and a dog!
This was a solid 4-star read for me, and I highly recommend it if you love small-town romances or firefighter heroes.
Many thanks to the author and Grey Promotions for this ARC!
It has so many great tropes—firefighter MMC, grumpy/sunshine, landlord/tenant romance, cat mom + dog dad. Casey is always on the move, while Jesse is avoiding love after a painful breakup.
I really loved how the author explored Casey’s struggles with putting down roots and why she feels safer running, as well as Jesse’s complicated family dynamics. Their slow realization that they had fallen for each other—and their decision to finally stop fighting it—was heartwarming and so well done.
One of my favorite things about this series is how the author always incorporates pets into her stories, and this one gave us both a cat and a dog!
This was a solid 4-star read for me, and I highly recommend it if you love small-town romances or firefighter heroes.
Many thanks to the author and Grey Promotions for this ARC!
October 11, 2025
Jesse ve Casey tatlı bir çiftti.
Jesse tüm o homurdanmalarının altında tam bir minnoştu.
Jesse tüm o homurdanmalarının altında tam bir minnoştu.
October 8, 2025
Was hooked from the very beginning and loved it till the very end. These two characters were so fun to read about. They had amazing chemistry and their banter was phenomenal. They had an instant attraction to one another and I loved how their relationship developed slowly. They acted on their physical chemistry first and then developed that emotional connection. Loved how everything moved kind of slow cause it gave them time to get to know one another and have a deeper bond.
From the start I knew I was gonna be obsessed and I wasnt wrong. Every interaction between them had me giggling and rooting for them even more. They are both super hard working people. They have both been through something in their past that made them be a little bit closed off when it comes to relationships. Both of them helped each other realize that there is someone out there for you worth loving and someone who is going to love and care for you the way you deserve.
I lovedddd how they both had a connection to Lou. She was basically a main character even though she wasnt physical there. She was one of the good things that they had and she was the reason they met in the first place. Loved how even though she wasnt able to see their story happen just knowing all the things they did with her in mind would make her happen.
I need more of them 😭😭 i would love a bonus chapter of them being parents and how they are. I cant get enough of them.
From the start I knew I was gonna be obsessed and I wasnt wrong. Every interaction between them had me giggling and rooting for them even more. They are both super hard working people. They have both been through something in their past that made them be a little bit closed off when it comes to relationships. Both of them helped each other realize that there is someone out there for you worth loving and someone who is going to love and care for you the way you deserve.
I lovedddd how they both had a connection to Lou. She was basically a main character even though she wasnt physical there. She was one of the good things that they had and she was the reason they met in the first place. Loved how even though she wasnt able to see their story happen just knowing all the things they did with her in mind would make her happen.
I need more of them 😭😭 i would love a bonus chapter of them being parents and how they are. I cant get enough of them.
September 22, 2025
"I was falling in love with Casey. Something I swore I would never do again. I had vowed i would never allow someone—anyone—to have that power over me once more. The ability to hurt me. Yet with Casey, it had just happened."
Rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice - 🌶🌶🌶
Thank you to The Author Agency for this ALC opportunity! I am so very grateful! 🫶🏻
I devoured this audiobook in 2 days! It had me giggling and kicking my feet. The humour and banter are top teir! I enjoyed every moment of it. Pefectly performed by John Lane and Maxine Mitchell. 🙌🏻
The close proximity was a fantastic setting for opposite attract. It tested their boundaries and ignited a connection like no other. They took to each other like ducks to water... and by duck, I mean a rubber ducky in a bubble bath, iykyk. 🦆
❤️🔥 Jesse - The sterotypical grumpy, over protective and stubborn. He made me mad sometimes, but those moments he put his walls down and you saw his vulnerable tender sides, he became the firefighter of dreams.
🩷 Casey - The sassy free spirit with a fire inside her that won't let anything or anyone (Jesse im looking at you) stop her from getting what she wants. Absolutely LOVED HER, and she may have just become my newest favourite FMC.
🌼 Lou - A special person who played a major part in both of their lives, they could reminisce and remember brought them closer and brought an element to the story that was really quite beautiful. I loved learning about her through Jesse and Casey's eyes.
Shoutout to Miller and Barney that prooved opposites can make the perfect duo! 🐱🤍🐶
The ending was just so damn adorable and was filling me with butterflies. I have not read anything by Melanie before, but this book has absolutely sold me, and I'll definitely be reading the first 2 books from this series! 😍
⚠️CONTENT WARNINGS⚠️
ON PAGE
• Abandonment
• Alcohol Consumption
• Medical Treatment
• Physical Injuries
• Emotional Abuse
• Pregnancy
• Sexism
• Disordered Weight Body Thoughts
OFF PAGE
• Infidelity
• Death of Parent & Guardian
• Death of an aunt & uncle
• Fire & Arson
Rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice - 🌶🌶🌶
Thank you to The Author Agency for this ALC opportunity! I am so very grateful! 🫶🏻
I devoured this audiobook in 2 days! It had me giggling and kicking my feet. The humour and banter are top teir! I enjoyed every moment of it. Pefectly performed by John Lane and Maxine Mitchell. 🙌🏻
The close proximity was a fantastic setting for opposite attract. It tested their boundaries and ignited a connection like no other. They took to each other like ducks to water... and by duck, I mean a rubber ducky in a bubble bath, iykyk. 🦆
❤️🔥 Jesse - The sterotypical grumpy, over protective and stubborn. He made me mad sometimes, but those moments he put his walls down and you saw his vulnerable tender sides, he became the firefighter of dreams.
🩷 Casey - The sassy free spirit with a fire inside her that won't let anything or anyone (Jesse im looking at you) stop her from getting what she wants. Absolutely LOVED HER, and she may have just become my newest favourite FMC.
🌼 Lou - A special person who played a major part in both of their lives, they could reminisce and remember brought them closer and brought an element to the story that was really quite beautiful. I loved learning about her through Jesse and Casey's eyes.
Shoutout to Miller and Barney that prooved opposites can make the perfect duo! 🐱🤍🐶
The ending was just so damn adorable and was filling me with butterflies. I have not read anything by Melanie before, but this book has absolutely sold me, and I'll definitely be reading the first 2 books from this series! 😍
⚠️CONTENT WARNINGS⚠️
ON PAGE
• Abandonment
• Alcohol Consumption
• Medical Treatment
• Physical Injuries
• Emotional Abuse
• Pregnancy
• Sexism
• Disordered Weight Body Thoughts
OFF PAGE
• Infidelity
• Death of Parent & Guardian
• Death of an aunt & uncle
• Fire & Arson
September 29, 2025
4.5⭐️
My Favorite Hero is book 3 in the My Favorites series — and it was adorable. These stories are all standalone, so you can start anywhere and this one would be a great place to jump in! There is something just so sweet about Melanie’s contemporary romances — and this one was full of witty banter and a really sweet, slow burn romance between grumpy firefighter Jesse and sassy IT specialist Casey.
It had me giggling and smiling throughout — I enjoyed every moment.
Grumpy x Sunshine
Small Town
Neighbors
Opposites Attract
Forced Proximity
🎧 Pefectly performed (dual) by John Lane and Maxine Mitchell, who brought this compelling story to life with humor and charm that made this book hard to hit pause on!
I flew through this audiobook and I would definitely recommend it. John was perfect as the broody and protective Jesse while Maxine showcased Casey's feisty and quirky personality perfectly.
Overall, I loved this one. It was exactly what I want in a romcom!
Many thanks to the author and Grey Promotions for this ARC!
My Favorite Hero is book 3 in the My Favorites series — and it was adorable. These stories are all standalone, so you can start anywhere and this one would be a great place to jump in! There is something just so sweet about Melanie’s contemporary romances — and this one was full of witty banter and a really sweet, slow burn romance between grumpy firefighter Jesse and sassy IT specialist Casey.
It had me giggling and smiling throughout — I enjoyed every moment.
Grumpy x Sunshine
Small Town
Neighbors
Opposites Attract
Forced Proximity
🎧 Pefectly performed (dual) by John Lane and Maxine Mitchell, who brought this compelling story to life with humor and charm that made this book hard to hit pause on!
I flew through this audiobook and I would definitely recommend it. John was perfect as the broody and protective Jesse while Maxine showcased Casey's feisty and quirky personality perfectly.
Overall, I loved this one. It was exactly what I want in a romcom!
Many thanks to the author and Grey Promotions for this ARC!
October 2, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My Favorite Hero by Melanie Moreland
I'm a sucker for a grumpy/sunshine trope, and these two could not be more opposite. They are so good together! Add in a little forced proximity, and it really increases the antics and banter. I laughed out loud so many times while reading this one. I also loved the small town and found family vibes. And if that doesn't convince you, there's animal cuteness in the form of a cat and dog best friend duo.
I received an ARC of this book, but these opinions are my own. I would like to thank the author, Melanie Moreland, and Grey's Promotions for allowing me the privilege of reading her work. ❤️
My Favorite Hero by Melanie Moreland
I'm a sucker for a grumpy/sunshine trope, and these two could not be more opposite. They are so good together! Add in a little forced proximity, and it really increases the antics and banter. I laughed out loud so many times while reading this one. I also loved the small town and found family vibes. And if that doesn't convince you, there's animal cuteness in the form of a cat and dog best friend duo.
I received an ARC of this book, but these opinions are my own. I would like to thank the author, Melanie Moreland, and Grey's Promotions for allowing me the privilege of reading her work. ❤️
October 5, 2025
Such an adorable, amusing and sexy read.
Loved the sunshine/grumpy dynamic between Casey and Jesse. Even though he found her undeniably beautiful, he was determined to have nothing to do with her. He enjoyed his job and his solitude and being alone. Casey was nothing but trouble, intruding into his thoughts and his life.
Casey was fun and exuberant. She was incredibly independent and always looking for the joys in life. I loved the way she brought colour and humour into Jesse's life. In turn, he showed her through action and his presence that she mattered and cared for. And, Barney the cat and Miller the dog were a hoot together! A fabulous read!
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re...
Loved the sunshine/grumpy dynamic between Casey and Jesse. Even though he found her undeniably beautiful, he was determined to have nothing to do with her. He enjoyed his job and his solitude and being alone. Casey was nothing but trouble, intruding into his thoughts and his life.
Casey was fun and exuberant. She was incredibly independent and always looking for the joys in life. I loved the way she brought colour and humour into Jesse's life. In turn, he showed her through action and his presence that she mattered and cared for. And, Barney the cat and Miller the dog were a hoot together! A fabulous read!
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re...
September 28, 2025
5/5 ⭐
This is, without a doubt, my favourite series by the author (see what I did there?)!
Casey is an independent girl who knows how to take care of herself, and I just loved reading about Jesse being overbearing & trying to do everything for Casey, and then getting sassed by his new tenant.
They also engage in a prank wars which was hilarious, but the MCs pets stole the show for me! Their cameos were my favourite bits of the book.
Like all the other books in the series, this book will make you laugh, swoon, and fall in love with the characters. The MCs also have painful backstories which makes you feel for them, but it’s something they bond over and ultimately makes them close to one another. I also love that in the end, Jesse fights for his woman by making a scene!
I would definitely recommend this book and will be reading it again!
This is, without a doubt, my favourite series by the author (see what I did there?)!
Casey is an independent girl who knows how to take care of herself, and I just loved reading about Jesse being overbearing & trying to do everything for Casey, and then getting sassed by his new tenant.
They also engage in a prank wars which was hilarious, but the MCs pets stole the show for me! Their cameos were my favourite bits of the book.
Like all the other books in the series, this book will make you laugh, swoon, and fall in love with the characters. The MCs also have painful backstories which makes you feel for them, but it’s something they bond over and ultimately makes them close to one another. I also love that in the end, Jesse fights for his woman by making a scene!
I would definitely recommend this book and will be reading it again!
September 26, 2025
First, thank you to Grey’s Promotions and Melanie Moreland for the eARC of this book!
I really enjoyed this and read it super quickly. The banter was so fun and a few parts made me actually laugh out loud. The spice was great too. This was my first Melanie read and I definitely plan to read more!
I really enjoyed this and read it super quickly. The banter was so fun and a few parts made me actually laugh out loud. The spice was great too. This was my first Melanie read and I definitely plan to read more!
September 22, 2025
This book follows Casey and Jesse, two complete opposites when it comes to personality! Melanie Moreland has such a gift for writing opposites-attract romances and making them come together so perfectly.
Jesse is a grumpy, scorned hero who has dedicated his life to serving others, from his career as a firefighter paramedic to volunteering with Habitat for Humanity building houses. Casey, on the other hand, is a carefree, lovable, funny, nomadic heroine who refuses to be told what to do or take orders from anyone!
When Casey crashes into Jesse’s life, literally, he’s instantly drawn to her. But after being hurt before, he only wants a simple, quiet life without chaos, alone. With Casey around, though, that’s impossible. She’s always finding herself in some kind of trouble or discovering new ways to get under his skin. And every time Jesse thinks he’s got the upper hand, Casey is right there dishing it back!
This hilarious love story has all the tropes you love: grumpy/sunshine (with endless banter!), small-town charm, close proximity (she’s renting the apartment attached to his house), sworn-off love, and of course, my favorite, opposites attract! You’ll even get a touch of the possessive hero, and wow, is it swoon-worthy. And my favorite measure, how many butterflies I get while reading, was completely off the charts. By 30% in, I was already feeling them! 🦋
Thank you, Melanie, for another incredible story that’s both relatable and sweet. And as a first responder for 19 years, I especially appreciate the nod to our long hours and sacrifices to serve others, especially in small communities that depend so much on volunteers.
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Butterflies: 🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋
#grumpysunshine #smalltown #closeproximetey #oppositesattract #swornofflove #spicyromance #romancebookreview #mine #foundfamily #firefighterromance #bookswithpets #amyreadsromance #myfavoritehero #melaniemoreland #earc
Jesse is a grumpy, scorned hero who has dedicated his life to serving others, from his career as a firefighter paramedic to volunteering with Habitat for Humanity building houses. Casey, on the other hand, is a carefree, lovable, funny, nomadic heroine who refuses to be told what to do or take orders from anyone!
When Casey crashes into Jesse’s life, literally, he’s instantly drawn to her. But after being hurt before, he only wants a simple, quiet life without chaos, alone. With Casey around, though, that’s impossible. She’s always finding herself in some kind of trouble or discovering new ways to get under his skin. And every time Jesse thinks he’s got the upper hand, Casey is right there dishing it back!
This hilarious love story has all the tropes you love: grumpy/sunshine (with endless banter!), small-town charm, close proximity (she’s renting the apartment attached to his house), sworn-off love, and of course, my favorite, opposites attract! You’ll even get a touch of the possessive hero, and wow, is it swoon-worthy. And my favorite measure, how many butterflies I get while reading, was completely off the charts. By 30% in, I was already feeling them! 🦋
Thank you, Melanie, for another incredible story that’s both relatable and sweet. And as a first responder for 19 years, I especially appreciate the nod to our long hours and sacrifices to serve others, especially in small communities that depend so much on volunteers.
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Butterflies: 🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋
#grumpysunshine #smalltown #closeproximetey #oppositesattract #swornofflove #spicyromance #romancebookreview #mine #foundfamily #firefighterromance #bookswithpets #amyreadsromance #myfavoritehero #melaniemoreland #earc
September 21, 2025
Thank you so much Melanie Moreland for sending me this ARC!
My Favorite Hero is a standalone Romantic Comedy book and omg I loved it so much! I had a lot of fun reading it and Casey and Jesse were amazing, I already can’t wait for the next book in this series of standalone rom-coms!
Jesse knew he was going to have a new tenant but what he didn’t expect was for her to arrive early and to be a stunning woman instead of a man. He and Casey bicker constantly and annoy one another with their habits but can’t deny the growing attraction between them and with a lot of angst and tension they need to decide whether they want to give in to it despite having sworn off love and Casey leaving in a year.
This book was such a joy to read from the beginning up to the end. I always know I’m going to have fun with Melanie’s books and this one didn’t disappoint, the characters were amazing and relatable, the humor had me laughing out loud, the plot was interesting and perfectly paced and the romance had me swooning. Casey and Jesse were the definition of opposites attract but absolutely perfect for each other, I loved their banter and bickering, the angst and tension and later on their sweet and spicy scenes, they were polar opposites but fit together so well and I loved them together so much. I also loved Lou and her story, despite not meeting her it was amazing to see how much she influenced both Casey and Jesse and brought them together and her story was interesting. And of course I loved Miller and Barney, they were adorable and it was cute how quickly they became inseparable, I adored these two every time they were mentioned.
My Favorite Hero is an amazing rom-com that I really loved and had such a great time reading, I definitely recommend it to everyone and already can’t wait for Melanie’s next book.
My Favorite Hero is a standalone Romantic Comedy book and omg I loved it so much! I had a lot of fun reading it and Casey and Jesse were amazing, I already can’t wait for the next book in this series of standalone rom-coms!
Jesse knew he was going to have a new tenant but what he didn’t expect was for her to arrive early and to be a stunning woman instead of a man. He and Casey bicker constantly and annoy one another with their habits but can’t deny the growing attraction between them and with a lot of angst and tension they need to decide whether they want to give in to it despite having sworn off love and Casey leaving in a year.
This book was such a joy to read from the beginning up to the end. I always know I’m going to have fun with Melanie’s books and this one didn’t disappoint, the characters were amazing and relatable, the humor had me laughing out loud, the plot was interesting and perfectly paced and the romance had me swooning. Casey and Jesse were the definition of opposites attract but absolutely perfect for each other, I loved their banter and bickering, the angst and tension and later on their sweet and spicy scenes, they were polar opposites but fit together so well and I loved them together so much. I also loved Lou and her story, despite not meeting her it was amazing to see how much she influenced both Casey and Jesse and brought them together and her story was interesting. And of course I loved Miller and Barney, they were adorable and it was cute how quickly they became inseparable, I adored these two every time they were mentioned.
My Favorite Hero is an amazing rom-com that I really loved and had such a great time reading, I definitely recommend it to everyone and already can’t wait for Melanie’s next book.
September 24, 2025
If romcoms with plenty of steam are your thing - this beauty is for you!
Witty banter, sparking chemistry, grumpy over-protective firefighter, snarky, hyper-independent computer programmer, nomad vs deep rooted local. There is also the added bonus of cat mum v dog dad!
When Jesse's older friend and former landlady dies, he's ready to return the old house to it's former glory and renovate the two abodes back into one house. But he didn't reckon on Lou asking for a favour from him shortly before she died. Now he's got a prospective new tenant - one that's about to cause all kinds of mayhem in his very well ordered life.
Enter KC aka Casey. Nomadic programmer, cat mum and walking catastrophe! How can one diminutive woman cause so much chaos! Before long she's on his nerves, under his skin and in his bed! But they both carry some emotional baggage - Casey with her selfish, emotionally neglectful mother and Jesse with his cold, unfeeling parents, jealous brother and never-satisfied ex fiancée! They both use their feelings and fears to get in their own way but never fear the HEA is strong!
The banter is witty and smexy, the characters are flawed but fabulous and the secondary characters are a great mix of supportive townsfolk and colleagues and the obligatory "baddies" you cannot help but cheerfully wish the worst to! The shared love of Lou really ties them together and I loved finding out about Lou's former life and I feel she was completely matchmaking from the afterlife!
Forced proximity of the best kind and I am here for more! I adored their furry friends, Barney and Miller, who become unexpected besties.
I love an epilogue and this had several epilogues in one really!
Witty banter, sparking chemistry, grumpy over-protective firefighter, snarky, hyper-independent computer programmer, nomad vs deep rooted local. There is also the added bonus of cat mum v dog dad!
When Jesse's older friend and former landlady dies, he's ready to return the old house to it's former glory and renovate the two abodes back into one house. But he didn't reckon on Lou asking for a favour from him shortly before she died. Now he's got a prospective new tenant - one that's about to cause all kinds of mayhem in his very well ordered life.
Enter KC aka Casey. Nomadic programmer, cat mum and walking catastrophe! How can one diminutive woman cause so much chaos! Before long she's on his nerves, under his skin and in his bed! But they both carry some emotional baggage - Casey with her selfish, emotionally neglectful mother and Jesse with his cold, unfeeling parents, jealous brother and never-satisfied ex fiancée! They both use their feelings and fears to get in their own way but never fear the HEA is strong!
The banter is witty and smexy, the characters are flawed but fabulous and the secondary characters are a great mix of supportive townsfolk and colleagues and the obligatory "baddies" you cannot help but cheerfully wish the worst to! The shared love of Lou really ties them together and I loved finding out about Lou's former life and I feel she was completely matchmaking from the afterlife!
Forced proximity of the best kind and I am here for more! I adored their furry friends, Barney and Miller, who become unexpected besties.
I love an epilogue and this had several epilogues in one really!
September 30, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐/6.
🌶🌶🌶/5.
I loved Casey & Jesse. Loved their pets but the highlight was the beautiful homage made to Lou throughout this story. I wish I had a Lou in my life growing up.
I loved how this story started. Jesse made an assumption about the soon to be tenant and he got a little fiery Pixie named Casey instead of a male as he thought. Suffice to say that from the moment he met Casey, he knew he was out of his depth and I loved it.
Casey was a very grumpy man. Putting rules in place as he went was surely a way to backfire on him every single time. I just loved how Casey always finds a way to work around his set of rules. Let's just say wind chimes are here to stay. 🤭
I liked the contrast between these two, one was used to never settle down in one place while the other decided he would never trust someone enough to fall in love again. They were sweet and adorable but most of all they leaned on each other to get the hea they never thought they would have and got over their fears. I was surprised Jesse was the one to leap first but i loved every second of it.
Also their banter and sexy times are fun and steamy too.
The pets were ADORABLE y'all! A cat and a dog together, melts my heart everytime. 🥰
These two came together because of a person very special to them in their lives and I loved that aspect of it all. The way Casey was connected to Lou, the little things she made because of her and to her were beautiful. They paid homage to Lou in this beautiful way and it was really sweet.
I really loved this series so far. Melanie does it again.
* I read an arc of this book. *
🌶🌶🌶/5.
I loved Casey & Jesse. Loved their pets but the highlight was the beautiful homage made to Lou throughout this story. I wish I had a Lou in my life growing up.
I loved how this story started. Jesse made an assumption about the soon to be tenant and he got a little fiery Pixie named Casey instead of a male as he thought. Suffice to say that from the moment he met Casey, he knew he was out of his depth and I loved it.
Casey was a very grumpy man. Putting rules in place as he went was surely a way to backfire on him every single time. I just loved how Casey always finds a way to work around his set of rules. Let's just say wind chimes are here to stay. 🤭
I liked the contrast between these two, one was used to never settle down in one place while the other decided he would never trust someone enough to fall in love again. They were sweet and adorable but most of all they leaned on each other to get the hea they never thought they would have and got over their fears. I was surprised Jesse was the one to leap first but i loved every second of it.
Also their banter and sexy times are fun and steamy too.
The pets were ADORABLE y'all! A cat and a dog together, melts my heart everytime. 🥰
These two came together because of a person very special to them in their lives and I loved that aspect of it all. The way Casey was connected to Lou, the little things she made because of her and to her were beautiful. They paid homage to Lou in this beautiful way and it was really sweet.
I really loved this series so far. Melanie does it again.
* I read an arc of this book. *
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