The Grumpy Firefighter: A Curvy Girl, Age Gap, Instalove Romance

by Summer Rose

The first rule of fire safety? Don't fall for the Chief.

When I brought cookies to the Whitetail Falls Fire Station, I expected gratitude, not criticism from the stern, silver-templed Chief who practically glared at my haunted house designs.

Paul Hawkins runs his station like a military operation. He's disciplined, demanding, and absolutely gorgeous when he's barking orders. He also thinks my haunted maze decorations are safety violations, and every meeting is a battle of wills between his caution and my creativity.

When our Halloween maze goes up in smoke and he carries me to safety, one impulsive kiss changes everything between us. Suddenly I'm seeing past his gruff exterior to the protective, passionate man underneath. But Paul's haunted by his past, and I'm determined to bring more magic to his world.

Can this sunshine-loving bookstore owner melt the heart of Whitetail Falls' most serious firefighter, or are we destined to keep clashing until the sparks between us burn out?


The Grumpy Firefighter is a short, sweet, and steamy small-town instalove romance with a happy-ever-after. It can be read as a standalone or together with the rest of the books in the Whitetail Fire Station series.

Genres: Romance

61 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 29, 2025

Reviews

[Antoinette Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Grumpy Firefighter and his Sunshine

This was such a great read and a fabulous start to the Whitetail Falls: Fire Station series. I absolutely love romance books about first responders, and Summer Rose has a beautiful way of telling a story.

In this book, the female main character, Natalie Wells, butts heads with the male main character, fire chief Paul Hawkins, about her ideas for the Halloween maze. At the same time, there's an immediate attraction they try so hard to deny, until the day Natalie decided she wanted more from Paul. Whewwweee, did it get spicy!

The one thing I loved about this book was how protective and caring Paul was towards Natalie. There's a particular scene where he literally stopped what he was doing at the fire station to help Natalie, knowing there were a few people who could've helped her. If that isn't a sign that Fire Chief Paul Hawkins is falling for Natalie, I don't know what is. Not to mention that Natalie was already falling for him too. When the heart wants what it wants, nothing will stand in its way.

I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of this book. Paul and Natalie clicked so well together. The love, respect, and admiration they had for each other was so sexy in my opinion. That epilogue was my absolute favorite. Chef's Kiss. 💋

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natalie owns the bookstore that will hosting an autumn reading program. Since the Whitetail Falls Fire Department will be be hosting a haunted house fundraiser, she thought collaboration would be perfect. As she is discussing her decorating ideas to the fireman, the chief appears and mentions there could be some complications. Paul is a stick-by-the-book boss and wants to focus on safety and practicality. As Paul and Natalie spend time together, an attraction starts to consume their thoughts. When a problem arises during the Halloween maze and everyone must vacant, that attraction is overwhelming and takes over. Can Paul put his haunted past behind him and let his heart open to Natalie? Can they build a HEA? A hot and steamy story that was fun to read. Highly recommend.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Joy Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Grumpy Firefighter" by Summer Rose is an absolutely captivating read that kept me completely hooked from the very first page! Summer Rose has masterfully portrayed the undeniable, electric spark that ignites between Natalie and Paul, and their interactions, from their initial awkward encounters to their blossoming connection, are both incredibly humorous and deeply heartwarming. I found myself completely immersed in their world, feeling as though I was right there, witnessing their journey unfold and experiencing all their emotions alongside them. The characters are so well-developed and relatable, and the story is simply enchanting.

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

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

Natalie and Paul

THE GRUMPY FIREFIGHTER is Book 1 of the Whitetail Falls: Fire Station series. It's a short and steamy, instalove, OTT, age-gap, opposites-attract, grumpy-sunshine, forced-proximity, curvy girl gets her firefighter Halloween romance. Natalie is a 28-year-old sassy, curvy, creative ray of sunshine who works at the local bookstore. Paul is a 41-year-old hunky fire chief.  When Natalie approaches the fire department to collaborate on their annual haunted house, she is attracted to the broody chief who is a stickler for rules and safety.  These two had such great chemistry. They complemented each other perfectly and we got a great HEA. I loved it.

[Debdutch · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Grumpy Firefighter” by Summer Rose

-A short, sweet, and steamy small-town romance that lights up with heart and heat. I received a free copy and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts.

Paul, a by-the-book fire chief, meets his match in Natalie, the spirited bookstore owner. Their sparks fly amid Halloween festivities and danger that fans the flames of passion.

Fun, flirty, and fiery—this instalove story burns bright with charm and chemistry.
Another great and enjoyable book from Summer Rose.

[Lyndsay L · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a sweet story. The FMC is such an upbeat woman who makes sure safety is taken into consideration as the MC is strict on the whole safety as he takes his roll as chief very seriously. The chemistry between these two is so much fun to read and I found myself loving every single moment of this story. Nothing more fun then a bunch of firefighters building a halloween haunted maze in their firehall. This story was a lot of fun to read.

[Reader_for_LifeTLG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul and Natalie - It was all treats and no tricks for the MCs as they fell in like on Halloween. A steamy shorty with great characters, extras included, that is the kickoff of what portends to be a fun series. Paul is the serious member of the Station, the other guys much more light-hearted but no less committed to the town's safety.

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

[Ineta · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great start for the new series - Whitetail Falls: Fire Station. Natalie walked into Fire Station with cookies and ambitious plan un turned Paul's whole ordered world upside down. Best disruption of his life. She challenged him and frustrated him, but it was the best that could happen to them.
Funny, sweet and steamy short read. It was engaging from the first page. Enjoyed it.

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

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natalie owns the bookstore in Whitetail Falls, and Paul is the Fire Chief at the local Fire station. These two meet at a meeting about the Halloween maze, and sparks fly instantly between them. This is a small town, instalove romance with believable characters and a steamy, fun Holiday romance. The Grumpy Firefighter is book one and a great start to the Whitetail Falls: Fire Station series, and I look forward to reading the rest of the series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you have a HOT firefighter like Paul HOLY SMOKES your body just might tingle all over reading about him and Natalie. So, if you LOVE reading about HOT and STEAMY firefighters which you will now grab this book by Summer. It has heart, heat and romance that will put 9-1-1 on speed dial for you if someone like Paul shows up. :)

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has given us a fast-paced story that pulls us into the lives of Natalie and Paul. The heartwarming story keeps us turning the pages with connection, realizations and chemistry.

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

[Linnette Parris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Protocol Meets Magic and Creativity

She is all magic and creativity, he is safety and by the book, together they balance perfectly. The people are ending with real personalities, the story is clever and the town wonderful. A happy ending for the heart!

[Mindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Story!

I enjoyed reading this one. Natalie showing up to the station with cookies for the guys and ideas for a fundraiser. Chief Paul is so against all her ideas. She breaks down his walls and gets to his heart literally… 🥰🥰🥰💜💜💜😊😊😊

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable story. He was certainly grumpy., until he got his girl. This was a lovely read. 5☆

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natalie is a bookstore employee who is at the fire station to assist with the Halloween festivities; Paul is the Chief who is an absolute stickler for rules and safety. But every step of the way Natalie impresses him and slowly she takes his walls down.

I enjoyed the journey of Natalie and Paul coming together in this short and sweet story. They were amazing together - so much chemistry and a lot of realistic emotions - insecurity, fear, camaraderie, and yes love. The supporting cast were wonderful too.

I am newish to the author and I absolutely can NOT wait for the next few stories in this Whitetail Falls series - especially some of the guys that we met in this book!.

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