When Zeke Deegan finds me mostly naked on the floor, I’m having a panic attack and gasping for air like a goldfish.
Let’s just say, it isn’t one of my finest moments. And moving in with the hot, built, former Marine who is at least ten years older than me wasn’t on my radar when I came to Palm Springs. But my creepy boss makes the Big Bad Wolf look tame, and compared to my mother, Cinderella’s stepmother is a saint.
My life isn’t a fairy tale. It’s more like a B-grade horror movie, until Zeke and his house become my sanctuary.
I can’t get attached, though. He may give off dominant Golden Retriever vibes and has a dirty, delicious mouth, but my mother frequently reminds me that he’s too handsome, too rich, and way out of my league.
But he feeds me.
Takes in my adopted (okay, stolen) cat.
And gives me one of his little felt monster creations.
Then I teasingly call him “Sir” one night, and the sizzling heat between us explodes. He’s the Dominant to my Submissive, and the whipped cream to my chocolate pie.
But will I have the courage to tell him I want to stay, or will my tragic past and chaotic present come crashing down around us?
A MF, forced proximity, former Marine, dominant Golden Retriever, age gap romance with fast banter, all the spice, and feels!
J. L. Brannick lives in the desert with her family and fur babies. She works as an attorney, and detoxes by taking long hikes and exploring old Western ghost towns while plotting out her novels. She graduated from law school in Las Vegas, Nevada where she quickly realized that truth can be stranger than fiction. Visit her website to sign up for new releases, updates, and bonus material.
Olivia moved to Palm Springs after finishing her accounting degree. Finding the perfect job and being near her sister was great, being near her mom well she'd learn to live with that. Her family hasn't been the same since losing their dad, but life isn't easy and she's learnt to hide the hard things from everyone. Always trying to be there for everyone especially a mom who berates and belittles her isn't easy. Zeke knows checking up on Olivia is a bad idea, but she's just moved in and he just can't stop himself. Finding her on the floor in the middle of a panic attack wasn't how he thought this visit would go. Helping her is easy he knows there's an age difference and she's gorgeous so no way could she be interested in him. He's an ex Marine a little grumpy and works a little too much, plus he's given up on relationships. Can she really expect him to be interested with all her problems and issues. Can he help her understand it's OK to accept help. Will her perfect job be the thing that tips everything over the top. Sit down and prepare for this unbelievable compelling story that will keep you turn pages. Zeke's caring, compassionate and unbelievably hot, expect a lot of steamy moments. Some of the topics maybe a little uncomfortable but they are mentioned with compassion. I love this series which just gets better with each book
The banter between Olivia and her sister is grade-A irreverent, and Zeke is the perfect panty-melting dominant Golden Retriever. I also loved Olivia, who this sexy little nerd. The BDSM Basics Cherry Box scenes are flaming hot. FYI-graphic adult toys scenes. Love the Poolside series, and this book did not disappoint. Can be read as a stand alone. Thank you for the advanced copy
Fireball Fridays is a fast-paced, friends to lovers, forced proximity romance with a mix of fun and emotional depth that made it really enjoyable from start to finish.
The story follows Olivia, starting over in her hometown, at a new job, while dealing with some complicated family dynamics, specifically around her mom, and Zeke, an ex-Marine with golden retriever energy and a heart of gold. The close proximity setup and found family vibes made their connection feel warm, natural, and easy to root for.
There’s a lot happening plot-wise, with several storylines and emotional arcs happening simultaneously. I was initially worried it might be too much, but everything flowed surprisingly well and kept the story moving at a great pace. The banter was great and the chemistry felt authentic.
While I hadn’t read the earlier books in the series, this worked as a standalone. That said, I do think I might have appreciated certain dynamics or characters even more with more background information.
Overall, this was a quick, easy, satisfying read that balances fun romance with a few heavier emotional topics. I would definitely recommend checking content warnings before starting!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! All opinions are my own.
4.5 Another great addition to the series, they've gotten better and better. Olivia's character growth was done really well, how she dealt with her 'work' issues and her mother, and opening up to her sister about things she'd been holding on to for years. Zeke was the dirty mouthed golden retriever I knew he'd be
And so many other emotions as well. Much like the previous four books, this author does an excellent job of telling stories that are true to life and realistic without being over angsty (maybe not a word).
Olivia, the MFC, is Harley's sister from a previous book, and she met Zeke, the MMC, in that book, but only because she was visiting from college. Now that college is done and she's out with her new accounting degree, she and Zeke start spending time together. Olivia begins having trouble at work with her boss and a client so Zeke steps in and suggests she stay with him to be safe. Both have been thinking of each other since they first met and now they're getting a chance to be together. I like that their relationship was easy. But, not much else is easy for Olivia.
In the book, much like the others, this author, tackled some heavy topics such as substance abuse, physical abuse, sexual harassment and work place intimidation. The issues are not ones that easy to deal with and not everyone wants to read about them but this author finds a way for the main characters to deal with what's going on in a way that's healthy for them and move on from their trauma.
I have loved each of the five books but I do wish that they would have been written in dual POV since each book is from the perspective of the MFC and we never get to know what's in the mind of the MMC. I also hope that there will be a book for Martina and Iz.
This talented storyteller won me over with her Barristers and Bones series, a deliciously dark series filled with gallows humor, outrageous shenanigans and lots of spice. While waiting for the next story in that series, this one showed up on my radar and I figured, why not? While a lot different from Barristers and Bones, it absolutely didn’t disappoint.
Fresh out of college, Olivia moves back home to Palm Springs to take a new accounting job. Unfortunately, that puts her next door to her troubled mother, and she soon finds out things aren’t adding up as they should at her new job. It turns out to be a happy happenstance that her sister's fiancé’s business partner shows up just in time to help her out with a slight panic attack and the giant mess her new life has become.
Olivia and Zeke are straight-up fire together, and there's never a dull moment on their road to forever. I love her quirks and his marshmallow heart, and watching them grow and overcome challenges was such a treat. Humorous, heartfelt, and super steamy, this one is sure to please the romance liver in all of us.
Fireball Fridays, I was immediately hooked just by the title. I’ve read books for more flimsy reasons but as someone who partakes in Fireball Fridays I knew I had to read this book. WOW it did not disappoint, it was a quick read I finished it in a day and a half simply because I could not stop reading! I got sucked in from the beginning and I had to know how it ended. I truly appreciated the fact I could feel the adoration and love that Zeke and Olivia have for each other, the banter in this book is amazing. I love the sibling relationship between Olivia and Harley, this book deals with really sticky topics regarding family dynamics and how it looks when someone is addicted and not their best self. I love that Brannick herself is an attorney and has written characters in her book who are also lawyers and that it has an accurate legal take on things that this book talked about. I’m so glad I came across this book and chose to read it!
“Fireball Friday’s “ is the first I have read in the Palm Springs Poolside series by J.L. Brannick. But will not be my last. The characters are interesting and complex but so likable. Definitely a spicier read than I normally like but the characters and story drew me in.
Olivia has childhood trauma due to her mother being an addict. Zeke is a former Marine several years older. Olivia has moved to Palm Springs to be closer to her older sister and start her new job. As she begins her new job, she finds some shady accounting practices and the company is not what she was expecting. Zeke has a Private Investigator business and a huge heart. He will do everything he can to protect her.
Unexpected but truly enjoyable read. Easy and fun with great characters. Highly recommend! Thank you to NetGalley and Smart Mouth Publishing for this advance read. Coming out July 18. #fireballfridays
My first time reading this author,but honestly it surprised me in all the good ways. I started this expecting a smutty easy read with barely there plot, and trust me when I say I got the total opposite (not about the smutty part, there was smut a lot of it )
Olivia is a smart young woman, that gets a very good accounting job fresh out of college, and moves back to Palm Springs to be closer to her sister Harley and her (very toxic) mother Ava. This girl has been through soo much and she never could rely on someone else, because her mother is even worse than Cinderella's stepmom and she didn't want to burden her sister. Then this walking mountain of a man, Zeke, walks into her life and doesn't let go.
He is sweet, caring, loving, supporting and most of all he helps her see her own beauty with his eyes.
Thank you Booksprout for the eArc copy. I was not requested to leave a review, but how could I not? I loved it
Fireball Fridays is a sizzling, emotional romance that masterfully blends humor, heart, and heat. Fresh out of college, Olivia returns to Palm Springs for a new job—only to uncover shady accounting practices and confront unresolved family wounds. Enter Zeke: a protective, golden-retriever-type alpha who’s been waiting for her and is more than ready to help her thrive.
Their chemistry is electric, the banter is sharp, and the emotional depth hits just right. Brannick balances humor, heat, and heavy topics like addiction and trauma with skill. With steamy BDSM scenes and real-world struggles, this book delivers both spice and substance. This is a sexy, empowering romance that had me hooked from the start.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is book 5 in Brannick's Palm Springs Poolside series. A wonderful addition to the series that can be read as a standalone. Brannick delivers again and again and is one of my favorite authors. This series just keeps getting better and better. Our main characters are Olivia and Zeke. This book is so well written, delivers wonderful banter, emotions, a captivating storyline that flows smoothly, smut, laughs, sweet romance and so, so much more. Olivia moves to Palm Springs for a new job and to be closer to her older sister. Soon after starting said job, some discrepancies in the accounting come to her attention. Zeke is a PI and former marine with a heart of gold who will do anything to protect her. So much more than you think it will be - this book will amaze! I highly recommend!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
FIREBALL FRIDAYS is Book 5 of the Palm Springs Poolside series. And it did not dissapoint. It's a steamy, opposites-attract, friends-to-lovers, grumpy-sunshine, age-gap, BDSM, forced-proximity, girl gets her hunk romance. Olivia is a sexy, somewhat nerdy accountant who has moved back to her hometown. Zeke is her hunky, grumpy, ex-military neighbor. The two are attracted to one another, but neither thinks the other is interested. As she is dealing with a creepy boss and a psycho mom, she has panic attacks. Zeke finds her during one and helps her through. He ends up being her roommate and so much more. Their chemistry is explosive and the ending is happy but there are a lot of emotional issues. Their banter was hysterical too. Zeke was such a sexy, dominant, dirty-talking, Golden retriever, and Olivia was a natural submissive. Their dynamic worked so well. I loved it.
Olivia’s sister Haley has been watching Olivia’s mother through her drunk and drugged states. Olivia moved to town to help Haley and has a great job at an accounting firm. Zeke, a friend of Haley’s, met Olivia a year ago and has been looking to connect with her. His first encounter is helping her through a panic attack. When she becomes concerned about sexual harassment at work, and finds out she is to sign off on a illegal accounting report, she has had enough. I loved the support Zeke gives Olivia through her encounters with her mother, with her panic attacks, and with her work troubles. Great book about panic attacks, drug and alcohol abuse and sexual abuse. Steamy romance with wonderful characters.
✨NetGalley ARC Review✨ 4 ⭐️ 2 🌶️ for Fireball Fridays!
Zeke and Olivia’s story was cute and engaging. Zeke, a golden retriever Dominant and Olivia, a timid accountant and closet submissive work together to figure out what is going on at Olivia’s day job. This story has some interesting side character such as Harley (Olivia’s sister), the Martini Monday group, and Ava (Olivia and Harley’s mom). These characters helped add some depth to the story and explain the history between everyone. As the fifth book in the series, this was a standalone but would make more sense if the series is read in order.
Overall, 4 stars and 2 peppers for spice. This is a great read for lovers of the close proximity, family friend, golden retriever MMC, and age gap lovers!
Fireball Fridays is the 5th book in JL Brannick's Palm Springs Poolside Series. It is emotional, sexy, steamy and engrossing.
Olivia has so much to overcome, and with Zeke's help she does what she needs to do. Zeke has been waiting for Olivia to graduate and move to Palm Springs for months. He know from the moment he met Olivia that she was special.
Olivia is so strong as she stands up to her awful boss and the partners at her new job. Zeke encourages and protects her through her journey to becoming a boss babe extraordinaire!
I loved the humor that Ms. Brannick uses in her writing. She has a way of tackling tough situations that give the reader hope and turn an impossible situation into one that is workable, for sure.
This book hooked me from the very start. The FMC Olivia and her sister have hilarious text conversations with great in person banter as well. I loved Zeke the MMC he is the perfect sexy, supportive and protective Golden Retriever. He kept taking care of her and was always honest and open which was refreshing. They were adorable together and I love the adorable dog.
The spice was on point but not over powering and it did add to some of the character development. I loved seeing such a supportive group of friends and how they welcomed Olivia. I can’t wait to read the rest of theLove the Poolside series. Can be read as a stand alone. Thank you for the advanced copy Net Gallery.
Having not read the books before this one in the series I was hesitant that I’d be missing major puzzle pieces when it came to the plot line. After reading this book I can safely say that wasn’t a problem at all, I was able to understand characters, background information, and interpersonal relationships in a way that made me want to go back and start the series from the beginning!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it was a fun quick read that had no dragging points or moments that were too slow.
I absolutely recommend this book, make sure to check trigger warnings and take care of yourselves!
Fireball Fridays Zeke & Olli “You know what I like most about dogs?” “What?” “Their honesty and unconditional love. What you see is what you get, no hidden agenda or baggage. I wish people could be more like dogs.” I freaking loved this book. It had all the feels and a dab of justice to go with it all. Olivia is such a strong character most of the time and Zeke is there to help her through when she needs it. I love how she has characters from the series that make appearances in books to follow. This book wraps up fast at the end. There’s an epilogue so the landing is nice, soft and complete.
He is a strong supportive friend, always there for her…she pushed her feelings down and away when a female name was mentioned…she didn’t need that drama in her life. Flash forward a few weeks… Misunderstandings are brought out in the open And let the fun begin Cherry Boxes✔️ Sweet Dog✔️ Little Kitty✔️ Alpha Golden Retriever✔️ Smexy Times✔️✔️✔️ HEA✔️ She finds her strength and he is there to guild her along the way.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Olivia has moved next to her mother's and she has a love hate relationship with her. She meets Zeke when he shows up as she is having an anxiety attack. He talks her through it and isn't judgemental. Her new job will have her questioning the company and Zeke will be the one person who will protect her when she finds herself in danger. This book has a selfish mother, criminal boss, hot roommate and group of friends that stand by her. I enjoyed reading this book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I absolutely loved it! The FMC Olivia is completely relatable and all around a great character! The MMC Zeke is so sweet and amazing with the perfect amount of “who did this to you?” The relationship was slightly slow burn in my opinion but so worth it! The tension builds up perfectly! The story line with a bit of suspense and family drama as well as the theme of overcoming obstacles and letting your friends and family help you was just perfect! I will be checking out this author’s other books and I recommend you do so as well!
Olivia has a mother who makes the wicked witch look like a little kitten and enough baggage to fill the trunk of a car...but I loved how the author took her realistic troubles and gave her someone who would stick by her. Zeke is mature and understands Olivia in a fundamental way that many of us will not get to experience. Between her mother, her new job and her panic attacks she is a hot mess and he loves her regardless! This series has been a great read and I really hope we have a couple more left before it wraps:)
I loved Zeke and Olivia’s love story! Their connection was deep, heartfelt, and completely unforgettable. Olivia’s strength and vulnerability made her so relatable, especially in how she handled the difficult situation at her workplace—a reality so many women face far too often. She faced it with grace, fire, and undeniable resiliency. Zeke’s support and unwavering belief in her made their bond even more powerful. I’m not ready to say goodbye to this series—I don’t want it to end!
This was a sweet quick read with the most amazing found family vibe. When a sister moves to town and they worry she has relapsed, the sisters lean on their friend group for support. Olivia learns that it is okay to accept help from people and she falls in love with a man willing to help her through anything and everything. Zeke is supportive and patient and kind and such a great talker (if you know what I mean). The book was great.
Love this series, love this author. Got to revisit characters from other books in this series, the texts between the sisters at the beginning of each chapter were priceless, belly laughs on occasion. Love the character growth in this one. Of course there is spice and a happily ever after with excellent chemistry between the main characters. Thank you for Ms. Brannick for sharing your wit and humor.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Hear me out: the author does a great job of keeping the reader entertained. This was a quick read and I couldn’t put it down. I wanted to know what was going to happen next.
However, I could not get over the nicknames. “Little girl” “big guy” , and “sir” should be outlawed in books. I cringed so bad over it.
This is my first book by this author. I would 100% read another book by her just because I do like the way she writes.
Found this book a great summer read and easily addicting - the flirting & yearning & banter through the whole book will make you giggle and feel just as smitten as well! I was lucky to receive this book as an Advanced Copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily- and definitely looking forward to reading the rest of the series!
Brannick doesn't not disappoint with this enticing story filled with family dynamics, wonderful characters all put together in a colorful display of characters. It grabs you right from the beginning and had me in Olivia's corner.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Brannick has become a favorite, automatic one-click author and this series continues to be amazing. With family and workplace drama, Olivia is one more panic attack away from meltdown. Zeke is the perfect alpha hero to provide the assist she needs to stand up for herself. The steamy romance and sisterly banter makes this even more a highly recommended read.
Olivia and zeke have had a crush on one other for years. Ollie moves back and who should happen to be there at the right moment and time but zeke. Their bond grows and so does their relationship. There is an element of danger from a work incident but there is a HEA and that’s what most people want in the end.