Pick Up Speed

Heroes to the Core #5

by Jemi Fraser

The apple farm is a-buzz with danger...
Lawson loves restoring old vehicles, but the honey of a truck owned by his neighbor is off limits. So is she.
Dani loves her bees, her metal art, and her dog. She doesn’t need anything else, certainly not her family.

As they get to know each other, sparks fly while danger buzzes their way. Now, it’s not only their safety at risk, it’s their hearts, too.
***
Pick And Choose is the fourth book in Jemi Fraser's Heroes To The Core romance series. Each of these small-town romances can be read as a stand-alone, although they are best enjoyed in order. The book contains a touch of danger, some strong language and sexy times. Enjoy the read!

244 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 27, 2026

About the author

Jemi Fraser writes small-town romance filled with hope, heart, humour, and a touch of danger. Her stories combine her love of mystery with the satisfaction of a Happy Ever After. Love is always worth the risk!

Find Jemi's books:

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Google Play https://bit.ly/3mmVxJ6
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Reviews

[Rebmay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lawson has finally joined his siblings on the apple farm in Vermont that they inherited from the great uncle the had never known existed. He is unsure whether or not he will be staying until he meets their beautiful and reserved neighbour. As a mechanic with a passion for restoring old cars, it was the old truck on her land that his drone had spotted that first drew his interest. Unfortunately, his drone and his sudden unexpected appearance at her door scared her. Intent on apologizing for his behaviour, Lawson arrives on her land again the next day. This time Dani is more receptive to his presence, though the truck is not for sale. Lawson finds himself very attracted to Dani and absolutely fascinated with her beekeeping and metal artwork. Getting to know her better is now his priority. It doesn’t take long before his dreams for his future include Dani by his side.

Dani is equally attracted to Lawson, once she gets past the irrational fear he induced with his drone. She has her reasons for keeping to herself with just her Newfoundland dog Bibi for company, but Lawsons daily appearances and his sincere interest in her bee hives and business are welcome and enjoyable. As the days go by, Dani is beginning to hope that he returns her growing feelings for him. He makes her feel safe, seen and valued, something she rarely felt with her own family. When a business deal has her mother reaching out to her, she is surprised, even more so at her insistence that she must sign and return the papers quickly. Dani is grateful to have Lawson by her side. This makes her brave enough to stand up for to her mother and insist that further investigation is needed before she signs any papers. This decision brings trouble her way and it is Lawson and his extended family that show up to support and protect her. Like his siblings before him, it seems moving to the apple farm has brought his soulmate into Lawson’s life.

This charming and endearing book has my recommendation.

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review: Pick Up Speed by Jemi Fraser Heroes To The Core, Book 5

Loved, loved, loved this book. Pick Up Speed is everything I’ve come to expect—and adore—from Jemi Fraser: heartfelt romance, small-town charm, layered characters, and just enough danger to keep the pages turning.

Lawson is such a steady, quietly swoony hero. His love for restoring old vehicles mirrors the way he approaches people—with patience, care, and respect. Dani is equally compelling: fiercely independent, creative, and devoted to her bees, her metal art, and her dog. Her family drama adds real emotional weight to the story, and watching her navigate that pain while learning to trust Lawson was incredibly satisfying.

One of my favorite aspects of this book was how much I learned about bees without it ever feeling info-dumpy. Dani’s passion is woven naturally into the story, adding depth and uniqueness to her character. The danger element buzzing around the apple farm raised the stakes just enough to make the romance even more intense.

I also loved how the No Fail Heroes and Midnight Lake worlds are brought into the fold—Jemi Fraser’s interconnected storytelling is one of her greatest strengths. And finally getting more information about Uncle Jay? Absolutely worth the wait.

This book feels warm, grounded, and emotionally rich, with strong chemistry and genuine growth between the characters. Jemi Fraser truly is a master storyteller, and Pick Up Speed is a standout addition to an already fantastic series. Highly recommended for fans of small-town romance with heart, heat, and a touch of danger. 🐝🚜💛.

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

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book five in The Heroes To The Core series and it is Lawson and Dani’s story and omg it is definitely a must read. Lawson is a mechanic and loves restoring old cars and tinkering with other pieces of machinery and now he had decided to join his family at the Apple Farm where they are also due to open The No Phailed Apple Inn where people can come and stay but Lawson is really looking forward to getting his hands dirty and tinkering with all the equipment. Dani keeps bees, does metal work and has her faithful dog, she also kept to herself and was happy with her life on her fifty acres of land. When Lawson and Dani meet for the first time things didn’t go as planned and now he needed to make things right with Dani and hopefully get to know her better and at least get to be friends. The attraction and chemistry between Lawson and Dani was instant and strong right from the beginning and when they eventually gave in to how they felt it was totally explosive but danger is closer than they thought and it will take a lot of hope and them all coming together to erase the threat while bringing those responsible to justice so that Lawson and Dani can get the happiness and future that they both want and deserve. Wow I absolutely love this book and the description and details of the bees are so interesting and inspiring. I couldn’t put this book down and read it in one sitting as it was so addictive and kept my attention throughout. I can’t wait to read the next book in this amazing series.

[Darcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pick Up Speed is the best yet of the series. I fell in love with the simplicity of Dani's life. Her family is high profile and they wanted her to be something she is not. Dani had the courage to walk away and carve out her own happiness doing what she loves. She is an introvert that happily spends her days with her bees, her dog, metal art and a rusted out truck named Beatrice. Lawson is a recent addition to the apple farm and his love of old vehicles is what first brings him together with Dani. As their friendship develops, she introduces him to bees and he shows her what it's really like to be part of a family. This is a sweet romance with splashes of suspense when Dani's past arrives in town.

[BecReadReview · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Malssums dig even deeper into your heart with each book, and this one is no exception. Lawson radiates sunshine, hope, and big dreams, and watching him fall—completely and unreservedly—for Dani is pure joy. He bends without hesitation, proving just how deeply he feels. Dani is a beautiful balance of grit and softness, strong yet tender in ways that make her impossible not to admire. Their romance unfolds naturally, sweet and heartfelt, even as danger leaves its mark and tests their resolve. Through it all, camaraderie and family stand firm, refusing to back down when things turn dark. Babi and Boomer steal every scene they’re in, and the adorable dogs add constant smiles and warmth. This story is heartfelt, emotional, and quietly powerful—simply beautiful.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like that the MCs know what they want, what makes them happy, and can figure out their own path, whether they've struggled or not. They don't give in to others' selfish demands from which others benefit.
In this story, my interest lies more in the characters making and fulfilling plans, creating something beautiful and lasting.
It's a rocky start for Dani and Lawson but it turns into a cherished, supportive love.
I like Dani's suspicious, cautious behavior.
It's good that some family bridges are restored, as well as the importance of family legacies and warm memories.
In the story, there's a dangerous situation in the place she works with metal, which made me think why isn't there at least one fire extinguisher.

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

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

I really love spending time with this family and seeing them explore, create, protect, build and grow. I was totally here for Lawson and Dani, they were so good together and helped each other learn, grow and be happy. I enjoyed finding out about them and their passions and seeing things develop between them. I loved the support they had, the little interactions they had with those around them, and the family they surrounded themselves with. I also enjoyed trying to work out what was going on with Dani's family, learning about Frannie B and finding out more about Fox and Jay. I am really enjoying this series and look forward to reading more from it.

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

[Tesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Lawson was a protector through and through but Dani was no victim.

Mechanic Lawson was new to Phail and his family farm, when he meets next door neighbor, bee keeper Dani.

The connection is heavy right from the very first moment they meet and only gets stronger. His family ties and her lack of family connection only adds to the depth of feeling between the two.

That little element of suspense and danger makes a nice surprise with the beautiful romance that brews.

So well done. I'm loving this series!.

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

[Raylene Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dani and her great-grandmother, Frannie B, have always been close; Frannie B has always taught her to stand on her own feet. But Frannie B died when she was 6 years old and left her a trust fund, which allowed her to start her own business away from her family, who don't understand her, but now she hears from her mother about her having said her great-grandmother's business, which her family runs. She meets Lawson, and he becomes her friend who stands by her. What is going on in the business, and can they be more for her and L:awson?.

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

[Alex Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jemi keeps knocking this series out of the park. I have read each of the previous books and each book is better than the last and I can’t believe how much material is in each book and none of it is the same as the previous book. The Heroes to the Core book series by Jemi Fraser has quickly become a series I not only loved reading the first time, but I also enjoy rereading them on the slow days when I need a distraction from all of my daily stressors.

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

[Amber Novak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 5 in the Heroes To The Core series and another favorite of mine. I love Dani and how she is true to herself and doesn't let the outside world influence her. She and Lawson bumped heads a few times in the beginning but they quickly realized they were developing feelings for one another. A sweet story with a little but of danger, plenty of found family, so much love, a little spice, and a HEA make this a geat story and entry in the series.

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

[Floraljoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous sweet romance:
This was a wonderful book and I especially loved the family dynamics and friendships. There was just the right mix of tension, drama and sweet romance. Dani and Lawson made an adorable couple and I was so happy that they found each other.
Each book in this series can be read as a standalone, however they are all so wonderful that I'd recommend reading them all! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fifth book in the Heroes to the Core series is an engaging, well-written story with memorable characters. I enjoyed the powerful connection between Lawson and Dani, specifically how the contrast between his strong family ties and her lack of them added depth to their relationship. The elements of suspense and danger were a great surprise alongside the romance, and I was particularly pleased with the happy ending. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you are looking for a fantastic 5/5-star romance book that has not only engaging characters, but a storyline as well Jemi has not only the perfect book but the perfect series for you. I loved how Jemi wrote this book and it will captivate your mind and fingers because you're going to be turning the kindle pages for several hours. This is a really glorious must-read romance story.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The apple farm is drawing the siblings in one by one. Lawson loves working on machines and his siblings need some help with the equipment. Maybe more than one dream will come through for him if he plays his cards right with their beautiful neighbor Dani.

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

[Niki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series romance mixed with mystery and of course drama. Dani keeps to her self after the things her family put her through now they are back and want her to sign paperwork, after everything she is hesitate to do so. However someone is not wanting to wait for her to decide.

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

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent small town romance! I loved it so much! It is sweet and swoony, with some suspense and drama.. Wonderful characters.

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

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned a lot about beekeeping from Dani in this book. She understandably wasn’t happy when Lawson flew his drone over her property but it gives him a reason to introduce himself and fall for the woman who keeps to herself after what her family put her through with their manipulations. They reach out because she has a part in the family business that she never knew about. I would have hesitated too wanting to know more before signing anything but someone isn’t willing to let her wait and will stop at nothing to get what they want. Having known her dog breed they really are gentle giants but Bibi was still ready to do what she needed to protect her human Dani. I loved catching up with Lawson’s family and friends including the canine ones in this steamy with suspenseful and sweet moments romance.

[Heather Gibbard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written storyline with some mystery, suspense and drama. A great addition to the series. Loved the ending.

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