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The Firemen of Waterford TN #3
Smoke and Ash
If you saw Cody Lawson on a horse, you’d understand my obsession with him.
I’ve spent most of my life pretending I don’t have a thing for the rancher next door.
He’s my brother’s best friend.
My best friend’s brother.
And now—because fate clearly hates me—he’s the firefighter I have to work alongside as Waterford’s newest fire inspector.
Cody Buckner is steady where I’m stubborn, calm where I’m chaos, and way too good at showing up when I’m trying to keep my distance. Especially now, with my family ranch hanging by a thread.
Around here, everyone's got a front-row seat to everyone else’s business, and gossip travels faster than a brush fire. One look, one slip, and the whole town would know exactly how I feel about Cody.
But every time those brown eyes find mine, my whole list of reasons why we can’t be together just ... goes up in smoke.
Smoke and Ash is the third standalone romcom in the Firemen of Waterford TN series. This story is a closed-door romance with kisses that just might need a fire extinguisher.
I’ve spent most of my life pretending I don’t have a thing for the rancher next door.
He’s my brother’s best friend.
My best friend’s brother.
And now—because fate clearly hates me—he’s the firefighter I have to work alongside as Waterford’s newest fire inspector.
Cody Buckner is steady where I’m stubborn, calm where I’m chaos, and way too good at showing up when I’m trying to keep my distance. Especially now, with my family ranch hanging by a thread.
Around here, everyone's got a front-row seat to everyone else’s business, and gossip travels faster than a brush fire. One look, one slip, and the whole town would know exactly how I feel about Cody.
But every time those brown eyes find mine, my whole list of reasons why we can’t be together just ... goes up in smoke.
Smoke and Ash is the third standalone romcom in the Firemen of Waterford TN series. This story is a closed-door romance with kisses that just might need a fire extinguisher.
360 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 27, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
January 30, 2026
Ahh! Picking up a Savannah Scott book is like curling up by the fire on a cold winter night with a cozy blanket & hot cocoa. Smoke & Ash just hit the spot & I quickly fell in love with this darling couple trying to keep their secret relationship under wraps until the proper time. All those stolen kisses, secret rendezvous, & longing looks kept me eagerly turning the pages.
Cody’s a sweetheart fireman/rancher who’s been in love with his best friend’s little sister for a while. He knows Jace would kill him if he ever acted on his feelings, but one day in a smelly barn he impulsively kisses Carli & she definitely kisses back. Did I mention Carli’s also his sister’s best friend McKenna, who’s getting married in a few weeks?
Carli’s been in love with Cody for years, so when he finally kisses her, it’s like all her dreams come true. But, Carli’s just started working at the fire station where Cody’s up for a promotion, & with their complicated family ties, can they make their forbidden relationship work? Neither wants to make waves before the wedding so they do their best to get by with secret meetings & kisses in the meantime.
Loved this story! Forbidden romance is a favorite trope & adding in not one, but two family complications made it all the more fun! I loved their trip to Nashville, toe nudges, the crazy square dance, kisses in the rain, Cody’s mom always trying to play matchmaker, & the way they supported each other.
As with all secret relationships, there’s always the chance of being caught. When Jace & McKenna, the siblings, find out about Cody & Carli, let’s just say they’re a little upset, but I loved that they didn’t stay mad for long.
The tender, heartfelt moments & delightful small town setting along with the laugh out loud humor make this a must read. Highly recommend this book & the entire series! I received an advanced copy from the author, but also purchased in Kindle Unlimited. All opinions are my own & provided voluntarily.
Cody’s a sweetheart fireman/rancher who’s been in love with his best friend’s little sister for a while. He knows Jace would kill him if he ever acted on his feelings, but one day in a smelly barn he impulsively kisses Carli & she definitely kisses back. Did I mention Carli’s also his sister’s best friend McKenna, who’s getting married in a few weeks?
Carli’s been in love with Cody for years, so when he finally kisses her, it’s like all her dreams come true. But, Carli’s just started working at the fire station where Cody’s up for a promotion, & with their complicated family ties, can they make their forbidden relationship work? Neither wants to make waves before the wedding so they do their best to get by with secret meetings & kisses in the meantime.
Loved this story! Forbidden romance is a favorite trope & adding in not one, but two family complications made it all the more fun! I loved their trip to Nashville, toe nudges, the crazy square dance, kisses in the rain, Cody’s mom always trying to play matchmaker, & the way they supported each other.
As with all secret relationships, there’s always the chance of being caught. When Jace & McKenna, the siblings, find out about Cody & Carli, let’s just say they’re a little upset, but I loved that they didn’t stay mad for long.
The tender, heartfelt moments & delightful small town setting along with the laugh out loud humor make this a must read. Highly recommend this book & the entire series! I received an advanced copy from the author, but also purchased in Kindle Unlimited. All opinions are my own & provided voluntarily.
January 14, 2026
Cody and Carli’s best friend’s older brother, mutual-pining, ranch next-door romance is the whole package! You sure can’t go wrong crossing a fireman and a rancher. The secret meet-ups, the life-long connection, amazing chemistry, great friendships, and big life changes make this story so full and sweet.
January 26, 2026
This one was adorable and sweet and funny! All the makings of a great rom com! I love Cody and Carli's story so much and the mash up of tropes was fantastic.
The stolen glances, the forbidden romance, the sweet friendship, the small town and rancher vibes, perfection! Cody and Carli had this sweet aspect to their relationship because of their history as brother's best friend and best friend's brother and being from neighboring ranches. And the fact that they were trying to keep it secret from their family and friends made for some great romantic moments. The secret relationship was such a fun plot! Who knew barn kisses could be so romantic?! I loved Cody and Carli's natural ease with each other. They were honest with each other and had a great friendship.
I really enjoyed the relatable character development as well. Carli's struggle juggling all of her responsibilities was so relatable and really a whirlwind. And Cody was a great MMC with his sweet and thoughtful actions and hardworking personality. His development was good, he had a lot of decisions to make.
And of course I loved the small town aspects, Savannah Scott knows how to write small towns. The barn dance LOL!!! I loved all the ranch setting and the wedding details. I loved all the details to the inner workings of the ranch and could really relate to that.
The stolen glances, the forbidden romance, the sweet friendship, the small town and rancher vibes, perfection! Cody and Carli had this sweet aspect to their relationship because of their history as brother's best friend and best friend's brother and being from neighboring ranches. And the fact that they were trying to keep it secret from their family and friends made for some great romantic moments. The secret relationship was such a fun plot! Who knew barn kisses could be so romantic?! I loved Cody and Carli's natural ease with each other. They were honest with each other and had a great friendship.
I really enjoyed the relatable character development as well. Carli's struggle juggling all of her responsibilities was so relatable and really a whirlwind. And Cody was a great MMC with his sweet and thoughtful actions and hardworking personality. His development was good, he had a lot of decisions to make.
And of course I loved the small town aspects, Savannah Scott knows how to write small towns. The barn dance LOL!!! I loved all the ranch setting and the wedding details. I loved all the details to the inner workings of the ranch and could really relate to that.
January 27, 2026
Smoke and Ash is a sweet and steady romance rooted in friendship, tender affection, and an ease that comes from years of shared history. It’s the kind of story that settles your heart and leaves you feeling content. This is book three in The Firemen of Waterford, TN series, but it can be read as a standalone.
I loved Cody and Carli together. Their connection feels natural and easy, grounded in years of friendship and familiarity. They quietly pushed their feelings aside, unsure how crossing that line would affect their families, especially their best friends. But once those feelings are finally acknowledged, there’s no hesitation in the way they choose each other.
One thing that really stood out to me is the way they pursued one another with sense of certainty and intentionality. Their relationship carries a quiet intensity—deeply felt, unwavering, and rooted in trust. I loved how they cherished their time together, soaking up stolen moments and the simple joy of being together. The way they respected and honored their families was incredibly endearing and made me love them even more.
If you enjoy lighthearted, feel-good, tender romances with zero stress and a guaranteed HEA, you’ll want to add this one to your list.
✨Includes:✨
Firefighter / Rancher
Fire Inspector / Rancher
Brother’s Best Friend
Best Friend’s Brother
Neighboring Ranches
Family Friends
Forbidden Romance
Secret Dates
Stolen Moments
Pick Up Truck Kisses
Secret Relationship
Strong Friendships
Small Town
Dual POV
Closed Door
Kisses Only
Favorites:
☺️He calls her Chuck
🤣Cody and his brothers
💋Stolen moments and sweet kisses
🐴Picnic in the field
👢Day date to Nashville
🛻Truck bed conversations at their spot
🎶The barn dance
Our tree
❤️”You’re my person.”
🤨Cody’s conversation with Jace
🥹The epilogue
Thank you Savannah Scott for the gifted ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I loved Cody and Carli together. Their connection feels natural and easy, grounded in years of friendship and familiarity. They quietly pushed their feelings aside, unsure how crossing that line would affect their families, especially their best friends. But once those feelings are finally acknowledged, there’s no hesitation in the way they choose each other.
One thing that really stood out to me is the way they pursued one another with sense of certainty and intentionality. Their relationship carries a quiet intensity—deeply felt, unwavering, and rooted in trust. I loved how they cherished their time together, soaking up stolen moments and the simple joy of being together. The way they respected and honored their families was incredibly endearing and made me love them even more.
If you enjoy lighthearted, feel-good, tender romances with zero stress and a guaranteed HEA, you’ll want to add this one to your list.
✨Includes:✨
Firefighter / Rancher
Fire Inspector / Rancher
Brother’s Best Friend
Best Friend’s Brother
Neighboring Ranches
Family Friends
Forbidden Romance
Secret Dates
Stolen Moments
Pick Up Truck Kisses
Secret Relationship
Strong Friendships
Small Town
Dual POV
Closed Door
Kisses Only
Favorites:
☺️He calls her Chuck
🤣Cody and his brothers
💋Stolen moments and sweet kisses
🐴Picnic in the field
👢Day date to Nashville
🛻Truck bed conversations at their spot
🎶The barn dance
Our tree
❤️”You’re my person.”
🤨Cody’s conversation with Jace
🥹The epilogue
Thank you Savannah Scott for the gifted ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 30, 2026
Loved this brothers best friend, best friends brother story so much. An easy to read delight 😍
January 23, 2026
Another win for the firemen of Waterford!!
Best friend’s brother and best friend’s sister with hidden crushes for both❤️🤩. I’m a fan!
Cody and Carli work so great together and I love how genuine, kind, hardworking they are. It probably comes from growing up on a ranch😁.
I think my favorite part was there is no third act break up. At no point was their relationship in question!! And we love that❤️❤️
Best friend’s brother and best friend’s sister with hidden crushes for both❤️🤩. I’m a fan!
Cody and Carli work so great together and I love how genuine, kind, hardworking they are. It probably comes from growing up on a ranch😁.
I think my favorite part was there is no third act break up. At no point was their relationship in question!! And we love that❤️❤️
February 1, 2026
4.5 stars
Savannah Scott delivered another sweet read in this childhood friends to more romance. The “it’s always been you” vibes were perfect and I adored the way that Cody knew that Carli was the one for him, without any doubts. the fact that they had to keep their relationship hidden just made it even better.
the fireman aspect was fun and the friend group was great! and This small town always delivers side characters that make me giggle.
such a good read if you’re looking a MMC who’s obsessed and who knows how to communicate with this girl (no miscommunication trope here 👏🏻).
Tropes:
secret/forbidden romance
brother’s best friend
best friends brother
friends to more
Cowboy romance
Content warning:
spice: closed door, kissing only, mild innuendo
language: none
read if you like:
their secret places to meet up
firefighter romance
it’s always been you
a man who falls hard
Savannah Scott delivered another sweet read in this childhood friends to more romance. The “it’s always been you” vibes were perfect and I adored the way that Cody knew that Carli was the one for him, without any doubts. the fact that they had to keep their relationship hidden just made it even better.
the fireman aspect was fun and the friend group was great! and This small town always delivers side characters that make me giggle.
such a good read if you’re looking a MMC who’s obsessed and who knows how to communicate with this girl (no miscommunication trope here 👏🏻).
Tropes:
secret/forbidden romance
brother’s best friend
best friends brother
friends to more
Cowboy romance
Content warning:
spice: closed door, kissing only, mild innuendo
language: none
read if you like:
their secret places to meet up
firefighter romance
it’s always been you
a man who falls hard
January 28, 2026
Favorite parts:
- Catching Jenny
- Movie night at the Lawson's
- Helping deliver piglets
- At the old Wadell property
- Their picnic
- The Barn dance
- Stargazing
- At Carli's place
- McKenna's wedding
- The Epilogue
This was such a fun read! I love the longing at the beginning, the short glances and the feelings that they each feel.
It was fun to see them together, especially their day together in Nashville. I also really enjoyed seeing them work together on the ranches.
It was fun seeing all of the characters from previous books in the series that I have fallen in love with.
This is the third book in The Firemen of Waterford TN series. It can be read as a stand-alone.
Thanks to the author for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
- Catching Jenny
- Movie night at the Lawson's
- Helping deliver piglets
- At the old Wadell property
- Their picnic
- The Barn dance
- Stargazing
- At Carli's place
- McKenna's wedding
- The Epilogue
This was such a fun read! I love the longing at the beginning, the short glances and the feelings that they each feel.
It was fun to see them together, especially their day together in Nashville. I also really enjoyed seeing them work together on the ranches.
It was fun seeing all of the characters from previous books in the series that I have fallen in love with.
This is the third book in The Firemen of Waterford TN series. It can be read as a stand-alone.
Thanks to the author for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Next door ranching neighbors Carli and Cody have been secretly pining for each other for years. After an unexpected kiss in the hog barn, they carry on a secret romance because Carli’s brother is Cody's best friend and Cody's sister is Carlie’s best friend. Certain disapproval and an upcoming family wedding prevent them from revealing their relationship.
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩, 𝙄 𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙛𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙. 𝙄 𝙨𝙬𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙩 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮. 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙨? 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙗𝙫𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨, 𝙄 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧.
Their small town forbidden romance is adorable—sneaking off to secret dates, shared glances and covert smiles in public, stolen kisses behind the firehouse or the barn or wherever.
𝙎𝙝𝙚 𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙢𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖 𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨 𝙢𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙮𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙖𝙡𝙨𝙤 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙨𝙤 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙚’𝙨 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚.
The third book in the Firefighters of Waterford series, this is a cowboy romance and firefighter romance all in one. With lots of kisses and romcom antics, Smoke and Ash is a perfect cozy read. I can't wait for Greyson's story to come next.
𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙮 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙢𝙚. 𝙄 𝙨𝙬𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙣’𝙨 𝙖 𝙥𝙨𝙮𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙘. 𝙃𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙙 𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙨 𝙢𝙚 𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙞’𝙨 𝙖 𝙨𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙚 𝙚𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧. 𝙄’𝙢 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙀𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝 𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙪𝙖𝙜𝙚. 𝙃𝙚’𝙨 𝙖 𝙝𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙫𝙖𝙪𝙡𝙩. 𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙡𝙤𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚.
Thank you to the author for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩, 𝙄 𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙛𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙. 𝙄 𝙨𝙬𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙩 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮. 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙨? 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙗𝙫𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨, 𝙄 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧.
Their small town forbidden romance is adorable—sneaking off to secret dates, shared glances and covert smiles in public, stolen kisses behind the firehouse or the barn or wherever.
𝙎𝙝𝙚 𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙢𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖 𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨 𝙢𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙮𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙖𝙡𝙨𝙤 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙨𝙤 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙚’𝙨 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚.
The third book in the Firefighters of Waterford series, this is a cowboy romance and firefighter romance all in one. With lots of kisses and romcom antics, Smoke and Ash is a perfect cozy read. I can't wait for Greyson's story to come next.
𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙮 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙢𝙚. 𝙄 𝙨𝙬𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙣’𝙨 𝙖 𝙥𝙨𝙮𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙘. 𝙃𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙙 𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙨 𝙢𝙚 𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙞’𝙨 𝙖 𝙨𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙚 𝙚𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧. 𝙄’𝙢 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙀𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝 𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙪𝙖𝙜𝙚. 𝙃𝙚’𝙨 𝙖 𝙝𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙫𝙖𝙪𝙡𝙩. 𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙡𝙤𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚.
Thank you to the author for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 27, 2026
Firefighter/ rancher Cody and his next door neighbor Carli best friend also a rancher help plan Mckenna Cody’s sisters and Carlis best friends wedding.
They have had a crush on each other for years but neither of them have told each other , they don’t want to for their families sake. Plus Carli gets the fire inspector job and Cody takes the captains job too and life gets in the way, there is also the pesky little thing of best friends brother little sister and vise versa.
I love all of the Waterford series but I believe this one is my favorite so far . I love the family dynamic and Cody and Carli . The scenes with Jenny made me LOL . Thank you Savannah for the arc
Dual POV
Clean romance 🥰
Small town
Cowboy rom-com
Best friend’s brother
Firefighter romance 💘
They have had a crush on each other for years but neither of them have told each other , they don’t want to for their families sake. Plus Carli gets the fire inspector job and Cody takes the captains job too and life gets in the way, there is also the pesky little thing of best friends brother little sister and vise versa.
I love all of the Waterford series but I believe this one is my favorite so far . I love the family dynamic and Cody and Carli . The scenes with Jenny made me LOL . Thank you Savannah for the arc
Dual POV
Clean romance 🥰
Small town
Cowboy rom-com
Best friend’s brother
Firefighter romance 💘
February 3, 2026
Book 3 in the Firemen of Waterford TN is out and it’s full of all the sizzling chemistry I’ve come to love with Savannah Scott’s books. Not only is Cody a fireman, but he works on his family’s ranch, is Carli’s best friend’s older brother, and is Carli’s older brother’s best friend. Check out that relationship triangle!
Cody is a true Southern gentleman and I loved the secret relationship that blossomed between him and Carli–one full of all the sparks, banter, and explosive chemistry. Small towns are no joke and the sneaking around to be together activated a little anxiety in me, but phew, those kissing scenes and deeper emotional connections were well worth it.
I adored watching this love story come to life and I cherished these characters and their ranch lives.
Content: mild+ kissing
Cody is a true Southern gentleman and I loved the secret relationship that blossomed between him and Carli–one full of all the sparks, banter, and explosive chemistry. Small towns are no joke and the sneaking around to be together activated a little anxiety in me, but phew, those kissing scenes and deeper emotional connections were well worth it.
I adored watching this love story come to life and I cherished these characters and their ranch lives.
Content: mild+ kissing
February 4, 2026
I think this book is my favorite book of the series so far. I didn't want to put it down! there are so many tropes, but it all works: brothers best friend, best friend's brother, slow burn, forbidden romance, kisses only, cowboy romance. I like how sweet the story is. The fallout from the secretiveness isn't surprising, nor is the timing, but I still liked it! This book is going on my favorite books of 2026 list!
January 28, 2026
He’s her brother’s best friend AND her best friend’s brother. Could he be more off limits?! Carli has had a crush on Cody for a long time. Lately, she’s been feeling like he feels it too. Cue the longing gazes, secret smiles, and quiet comments. Is there a chance for the two to be together without the most important people in their lives getting hurt?
What I loved:
🐖Cody-so like-able and kind
🐖Carli- knows what she wants and goes for it
🐖The humor
🐖The farm life
🐖The friend dynamics
🐖The small town vibes
🐖The barn scenes
🐖Stolen kisses
🐖The off the charts chemistry
Oh my goodness! I absolutely loved Cody and Carli. The chemistry between these two was absolute fire. There were so many funny puns, tender moments, and some serious character growth. I’m sure I say this every time, but I absolutely love how Savanah writes such funny romances that are filled with depth and serious moments. Pick this one up if you love fireman, small town romances, and farm humor.
I received a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
What I loved:
🐖Cody-so like-able and kind
🐖Carli- knows what she wants and goes for it
🐖The humor
🐖The farm life
🐖The friend dynamics
🐖The small town vibes
🐖The barn scenes
🐖Stolen kisses
🐖The off the charts chemistry
Oh my goodness! I absolutely loved Cody and Carli. The chemistry between these two was absolute fire. There were so many funny puns, tender moments, and some serious character growth. I’m sure I say this every time, but I absolutely love how Savanah writes such funny romances that are filled with depth and serious moments. Pick this one up if you love fireman, small town romances, and farm humor.
I received a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 3, 2026
With every new book from Savannah, I don’t think she can create the magic again, yet she does! Every. Time.
This one spoke to me. I’m not sure if it was the fact that Cody and Carli were a perfect fit, that they waited forever to be together, or that they have some of the best banter. Either way, they have a place in my heart!
I also loved that the driving force for this love story was not a question about the other half of the couple. Their love is epic!
This story is full of fun, secret smiles, best friends, working on a farm, small towns, and moments that bring big smiles!
Read this book if you like:
🐷 Baby Hogs
🐷 Pitching In
🐷 Best Friends
🐷 Barn Dances
🐷 Stolen Moments
🐷 Star Gazing
🐷 Riding Horses
🐷 New Jobs
🐷 Picnics
🐷 Cardi
Content: health issue, small secrets, romance- kisses only.
Thank you to Savannah Scott for the gifted copy; all thoughts and opinions are my own.
This one spoke to me. I’m not sure if it was the fact that Cody and Carli were a perfect fit, that they waited forever to be together, or that they have some of the best banter. Either way, they have a place in my heart!
I also loved that the driving force for this love story was not a question about the other half of the couple. Their love is epic!
This story is full of fun, secret smiles, best friends, working on a farm, small towns, and moments that bring big smiles!
Read this book if you like:
🐷 Baby Hogs
🐷 Pitching In
🐷 Best Friends
🐷 Barn Dances
🐷 Stolen Moments
🐷 Star Gazing
🐷 Riding Horses
🐷 New Jobs
🐷 Picnics
🐷 Cardi
Content: health issue, small secrets, romance- kisses only.
Thank you to Savannah Scott for the gifted copy; all thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 1, 2026
Book Review⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to the author @SavannahScott_Author for the #gifted e-book.
Smoke and Ash by Savannah Scott
Firemen of Waterford, TN #3
This one was SUCH a treat. Brothers-best-friend + best-friends-brother? Immediate yes. Add in a firefighter, ranch life, small-town charm, and a slow-burn romcom vibe and I was fully in.
Cody Buckner on a horse… listen, if you know, you know. 🫠 Mutual pining, a secret relationship, barn dances, and that cozy Waterford feel made this such a comforting, swoony read. It’s closed-door with kisses only, but the tension is chef’s kiss.
Also—one of the main characters is named McKenna, so seeing my name pop up over and over was ridiculously fun and made me feel extra connected to the story.
Dual POV, standalone, and full of heart, humor, and ranch vibes.
✨ One of my favorite quotes:
“It all started in a hog barn.” Strong, capable, covered in hay and mud, smelling like a pig sty—and somehow more beautiful than ever. 🐷💛
Perfect for readers who love:
🔥 Firefighters
🐎 Ranchers
💞 Slow-burn mutual pining
🤫 Secret relationships
🏡 Small-town romcoms
Thank you to the author @SavannahScott_Author for the #gifted e-book.
Smoke and Ash by Savannah Scott
Firemen of Waterford, TN #3
This one was SUCH a treat. Brothers-best-friend + best-friends-brother? Immediate yes. Add in a firefighter, ranch life, small-town charm, and a slow-burn romcom vibe and I was fully in.
Cody Buckner on a horse… listen, if you know, you know. 🫠 Mutual pining, a secret relationship, barn dances, and that cozy Waterford feel made this such a comforting, swoony read. It’s closed-door with kisses only, but the tension is chef’s kiss.
Also—one of the main characters is named McKenna, so seeing my name pop up over and over was ridiculously fun and made me feel extra connected to the story.
Dual POV, standalone, and full of heart, humor, and ranch vibes.
✨ One of my favorite quotes:
“It all started in a hog barn.” Strong, capable, covered in hay and mud, smelling like a pig sty—and somehow more beautiful than ever. 🐷💛
Perfect for readers who love:
🔥 Firefighters
🐎 Ranchers
💞 Slow-burn mutual pining
🤫 Secret relationships
🏡 Small-town romcoms
February 20, 2026
What a fabulous third story in the Firemen of Waterford series! I absolutely loved Cody and Carli! As a farm girl who’s been riding horses my entire life, I found the farm/ranch setting of this story to be super familiar and relatable, and I loved Cody and Carli’s relationships with their horses!
This author’s books always make me feel super cozy, and bring a smile to my face and joy to my heart. Smoke and Ash was no exception!
Childhood friends-to-lovers, best friend’s brother, brother’s best friend, and forbidden romance are some of my favorite tropes and I absolutely loved the way Savannah Scott so skillfully wove them together into an absolutely phenomenal book!
I seriously loved every single second of this book and most highly recommend it! I cannot wait to read Greyson’s story!
If you’ve haven’t read a book by this author, and you’re wondering what’s missing from your life it’s most definitely a Savannah Scott book! Be sure to read one ASAP!
I received a complimentary ebook copy of this book from the author.
My review was not influenced in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own
This author’s books always make me feel super cozy, and bring a smile to my face and joy to my heart. Smoke and Ash was no exception!
Childhood friends-to-lovers, best friend’s brother, brother’s best friend, and forbidden romance are some of my favorite tropes and I absolutely loved the way Savannah Scott so skillfully wove them together into an absolutely phenomenal book!
I seriously loved every single second of this book and most highly recommend it! I cannot wait to read Greyson’s story!
If you’ve haven’t read a book by this author, and you’re wondering what’s missing from your life it’s most definitely a Savannah Scott book! Be sure to read one ASAP!
I received a complimentary ebook copy of this book from the author.
My review was not influenced in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own
February 13, 2026
Book three in the Waterford series 📚 and as always Savannah Scott delivered such an amazing heartfelt story 👨🏻🚒
Carli. I was so excited to read her story, especially after seeing her as a side character in the other books connected to Waterford 📚 I loved watching her discover who she is outside of ranch life 🐖 and also grapple with the choices impacting her future 🚒 Her commitment to her friends and family was amazing 🩷 And her and Cody seriously were so cute 🥰
Cody. What a solid man 💗 I loved watching him grow into his role at the fire station. And his family? Amazing 😂 not to mention this man knows what he wants. He is YEARNINGGGG when we meet him 🥹😍 and I was so happy when they finally got together!
Their relationship was so easy. Not without complications, of course, but the two of them just fit so well together 🥰🥹 I loved all their little adventures and stolen moments! All the love for Cody & Carli ❤️🔥
Carli. I was so excited to read her story, especially after seeing her as a side character in the other books connected to Waterford 📚 I loved watching her discover who she is outside of ranch life 🐖 and also grapple with the choices impacting her future 🚒 Her commitment to her friends and family was amazing 🩷 And her and Cody seriously were so cute 🥰
Cody. What a solid man 💗 I loved watching him grow into his role at the fire station. And his family? Amazing 😂 not to mention this man knows what he wants. He is YEARNINGGGG when we meet him 🥹😍 and I was so happy when they finally got together!
Their relationship was so easy. Not without complications, of course, but the two of them just fit so well together 🥰🥹 I loved all their little adventures and stolen moments! All the love for Cody & Carli ❤️🔥
February 20, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
January 31, 2026
I am always excited to read a new Savannah Scott book, and my excitement is ALWAYS warranted. Scott's latest release Smoke and Ash is everything you’d expect from her books and more. I enjoyed every minute of reading this sweet book.
The story focuses on Cody and Carli as they finally give into the attraction and feelings they have been repressing for years. They know their families and the whole town will not look kindly on their relationship so to take the pressure off things they decide to keep their relationship quiet while they decide if it is going to work. The story that follows is full of secret rendezvous, stolen kisses, longing looks, lots of text messages, and heartfelt conversations.
I loved Cody and Carli both together and individually. Their relationship was already so good that adding in the romance just worked seamlessly. I totally got their decision to keep their relationship a secret. I mean McKenna, Carli’s best friend and Cody’s sister, was always making comments that show she didn’t want Carli to date any of her brothers. I think they also loved sneaking around to some extent. As a reader, it was so fun to see them pining for each when they were in public and sneaking stolen moments together. It was so fun!
Things to love:
-girl next door FMC
-rancher/firefighter MMC
-best friend’s older brother and best friend’s little sister
-small town
-secret kisses
-secret, repressed feelings that finally come to light
-firefighters of Waterford
-family
I could go on and on about this book. It was a delight to read. The ending was perfect and gave me that happy, content feeling I get whenever I finish a favorite book.
Thank you to the author for the gifted copy. All the love for this book is my own.
The story focuses on Cody and Carli as they finally give into the attraction and feelings they have been repressing for years. They know their families and the whole town will not look kindly on their relationship so to take the pressure off things they decide to keep their relationship quiet while they decide if it is going to work. The story that follows is full of secret rendezvous, stolen kisses, longing looks, lots of text messages, and heartfelt conversations.
I loved Cody and Carli both together and individually. Their relationship was already so good that adding in the romance just worked seamlessly. I totally got their decision to keep their relationship a secret. I mean McKenna, Carli’s best friend and Cody’s sister, was always making comments that show she didn’t want Carli to date any of her brothers. I think they also loved sneaking around to some extent. As a reader, it was so fun to see them pining for each when they were in public and sneaking stolen moments together. It was so fun!
Things to love:
-girl next door FMC
-rancher/firefighter MMC
-best friend’s older brother and best friend’s little sister
-small town
-secret kisses
-secret, repressed feelings that finally come to light
-firefighters of Waterford
-family
I could go on and on about this book. It was a delight to read. The ending was perfect and gave me that happy, content feeling I get whenever I finish a favorite book.
Thank you to the author for the gifted copy. All the love for this book is my own.
January 27, 2026
Smoke and Ash (Book 3 of the Firemen of Waterford series) by @savannahscott_author was the sweetest little escape, and I flew through it with the biggest smile on my face! 🔥☺️
Small-town charm, ranch life, and a firefighter romance that where you also add in best friend’s older brother / best friend’s younger sister with all the off-limits tension, and I was hooked from the start.
I loved being back in Waterford after growing to love the characters more and more through book 1 and 2! Their community is so supportive of each other, and I can genuinely see myself being friends with all the girls. Cody and Carli’s story is full of quiet longing, stolen moments, and a slow burn fueled by unspoken feelings and off-limits rules. Between the stolen kisses, sneaking around, and pickup truck moments, it all just worked. What I loved most is how sweet this book is. It’s cozy, heartfelt, and genuinely comforting—one of those reads that lets you escape real life for a bit and just sink into the story. I laughed, I swooned, and by the end I wasn’t ready to let these characters go. 🚒
If you love closed-door romance, small-town vibes, ranch settings, baby piglets, and an off-limits romance that’s all about tension and tenderness, Smoke and Ash belongs on your TBR. 🔥🤍
Small-town charm, ranch life, and a firefighter romance that where you also add in best friend’s older brother / best friend’s younger sister with all the off-limits tension, and I was hooked from the start.
I loved being back in Waterford after growing to love the characters more and more through book 1 and 2! Their community is so supportive of each other, and I can genuinely see myself being friends with all the girls. Cody and Carli’s story is full of quiet longing, stolen moments, and a slow burn fueled by unspoken feelings and off-limits rules. Between the stolen kisses, sneaking around, and pickup truck moments, it all just worked. What I loved most is how sweet this book is. It’s cozy, heartfelt, and genuinely comforting—one of those reads that lets you escape real life for a bit and just sink into the story. I laughed, I swooned, and by the end I wasn’t ready to let these characters go. 🚒
If you love closed-door romance, small-town vibes, ranch settings, baby piglets, and an off-limits romance that’s all about tension and tenderness, Smoke and Ash belongs on your TBR. 🔥🤍
January 27, 2026
I am so excited to be back in Waterford! This is the 3rd installment in the Firemen of Waterford TN series. It can definitely be read as a standalone and can be read in any order, but I would recommend reading in order because some of the characters overlap in each book.
Carli grew up on the ranch next door to Cody’s family ranch and their families have been friends for as long as they can remember. They have been secretly crushing on each other for years, too bad he is Carli’s brother’s best friend and her best friend’s older brother. But sometimes secrets are hard to keep!
“Time will be divided into two segments: BBK and ABK—before and after our barn kiss.”
“He pulls me tight, the warmth of his body next to mine, assuring me that I’ve never belonged anywhere else as much as I do right here.”
I can’t even begin to say how much I loved Cody and Carli! It all starts in a hog barn… The best friend’s little sister AND best friend’s older brother tropes added such a fun twist to the book since both families had to come to terms with their relationship. I could definitely relate to Carli when she started getting overwhelmed juggling all of her responsibilities. Cody was so sweet and thoughtful. Their chemistry together felt so genuine and real, the secret glances and kisses were swoon worthy! I love that there is no third act break up. The secret dates and stollen kisses were my absolute favorite and their trip to Nashville, so fun!
If you love firefighters and ranchers with swoon-worthy pining, forbidden romance, and a whole lot of heart and humor, then don’t miss this one! I highly recommend this whole series!
Thank you to @savannahscott_author for the copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
Carli grew up on the ranch next door to Cody’s family ranch and their families have been friends for as long as they can remember. They have been secretly crushing on each other for years, too bad he is Carli’s brother’s best friend and her best friend’s older brother. But sometimes secrets are hard to keep!
“Time will be divided into two segments: BBK and ABK—before and after our barn kiss.”
“He pulls me tight, the warmth of his body next to mine, assuring me that I’ve never belonged anywhere else as much as I do right here.”
I can’t even begin to say how much I loved Cody and Carli! It all starts in a hog barn… The best friend’s little sister AND best friend’s older brother tropes added such a fun twist to the book since both families had to come to terms with their relationship. I could definitely relate to Carli when she started getting overwhelmed juggling all of her responsibilities. Cody was so sweet and thoughtful. Their chemistry together felt so genuine and real, the secret glances and kisses were swoon worthy! I love that there is no third act break up. The secret dates and stollen kisses were my absolute favorite and their trip to Nashville, so fun!
If you love firefighters and ranchers with swoon-worthy pining, forbidden romance, and a whole lot of heart and humor, then don’t miss this one! I highly recommend this whole series!
Thank you to @savannahscott_author for the copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fun, cozy, and swoony!
Smoke and Ash by Savannah Scott was such a delight. I loved that it combined firefighters and cowboys—two of my favorite things—making this small-town romcom extra fun to read.
Cody Buckner is the perfect MMC: an ambitious, confident rancher who’s loyal to his family, loves his horse, and also happens to be a firefighter. The grew-up-on-neighboring-ranches history and small-town setting add so much charm and tension.
This story delivers all the best tropes: brother’s best friend, forbidden romance, small-town gossip, and a cowboy/firefighter hero with great chemistry. Even as a closed-door romance, the sparks fly and the kisses are swoony.
Warm, charming, and impossible not to enjoy—highly recommend!
Fun, cozy, and swoony!
Smoke and Ash by Savannah Scott was such a delight. I loved that it combined firefighters and cowboys—two of my favorite things—making this small-town romcom extra fun to read.
Cody Buckner is the perfect MMC: an ambitious, confident rancher who’s loyal to his family, loves his horse, and also happens to be a firefighter. The grew-up-on-neighboring-ranches history and small-town setting add so much charm and tension.
This story delivers all the best tropes: brother’s best friend, forbidden romance, small-town gossip, and a cowboy/firefighter hero with great chemistry. Even as a closed-door romance, the sparks fly and the kisses are swoony.
Warm, charming, and impossible not to enjoy—highly recommend!
March 18, 2026
3.75⭐️
I’m so bummed, I really wanted to love this one!😭 I just really struggled with all the lying and secrecy. I feel like there was no point or reason for that, and all it did was hurt the people they loved most.
Unfortunately, Cody and Carli’s relationship felt very middle school to me - they seemed overly obsessed with each other, enough that they blew off their friends and family and lied to them, with little regret. The lying and secrecy was really the only conflict in the whole story. On a positive note, some of the smaller, romantic moments were really sweet and very heartwarming to read💕
Though I didn’t resonate with this couple as much as in the previous books, I’m looking forward to the 4th book coming out soon!
I’m so bummed, I really wanted to love this one!😭 I just really struggled with all the lying and secrecy. I feel like there was no point or reason for that, and all it did was hurt the people they loved most.
Unfortunately, Cody and Carli’s relationship felt very middle school to me - they seemed overly obsessed with each other, enough that they blew off their friends and family and lied to them, with little regret. The lying and secrecy was really the only conflict in the whole story. On a positive note, some of the smaller, romantic moments were really sweet and very heartwarming to read💕
Though I didn’t resonate with this couple as much as in the previous books, I’m looking forward to the 4th book coming out soon!
February 21, 2026
Picking up a Savannah Scott book is like ordering your favorite beverage at a local coffee shop. You know you're going to love it and it'll leave you warm and fuzzy inside.
Smoke and Ash is a classic Savannah Scott romance with undeniably chemistry, forbidden romance.
Sister's Best Friend
Forbidden Romance
Best Friend's Brother
Friends to Love
Small Town
Slow Burn
Firefighter Romance
Sneaking out for dates
Thank you Savannah for a copy of this book. This is my genuine review.
Smoke and Ash is a classic Savannah Scott romance with undeniably chemistry, forbidden romance.
Sister's Best Friend
Forbidden Romance
Best Friend's Brother
Friends to Love
Small Town
Slow Burn
Firefighter Romance
Sneaking out for dates
Thank you Savannah for a copy of this book. This is my genuine review.
February 14, 2026
I always know picking up a new Savannah Scott book means I’m about to have a new favorite!
This book!! IT IS OH SO SWEET!
Carlie and Cody. They are both just the most lovable characters that have you rooting for them the whole book. The mutual pining was top notch. Cody is Carlie’s best friend brother. He is her brother’s best friend. Their lives are deeply woven making anything feel romantic off limits because if things went wrong.. it would be disastrous.
Except maybe it wouldn’t be?
If you love small towns and a romance that has to be kept from secret full of tender moments.. this book is a must!
This book!! IT IS OH SO SWEET!
Carlie and Cody. They are both just the most lovable characters that have you rooting for them the whole book. The mutual pining was top notch. Cody is Carlie’s best friend brother. He is her brother’s best friend. Their lives are deeply woven making anything feel romantic off limits because if things went wrong.. it would be disastrous.
Except maybe it wouldn’t be?
If you love small towns and a romance that has to be kept from secret full of tender moments.. this book is a must!
February 6, 2026
This one is worth it
Every single Savannah Scott book I read is my next favorite. She weaves stories in small towns that feel so real you want to visit them and have dinner with your best friends. Waterford Tennessee is like that. And in Smoke and Ash you get a mash up of firefighters and ranchers.
Cody and Carli have grown up together. They are best friends with each other’s siblings (what a fun twist on the best friend’s brother/brother’s best friend trope). But they are NOT related. And they’ve both had secret crushes on each other. If they tried dating and it didn’t work out, it could cost them everything.
A kiss in a barn leads to a secret relationship. Come along for all the sneaky kisses and adventures they go on.
This book is full of sweetness and will leave you with a smile on your face. This book is closed door, which means kisses only. It is a standalone in a series, which means you can read it on its own, but you’ll meet the couples from the previous books in the series.
I strongly recommend this book! Dive in and enjoy!
Every single Savannah Scott book I read is my next favorite. She weaves stories in small towns that feel so real you want to visit them and have dinner with your best friends. Waterford Tennessee is like that. And in Smoke and Ash you get a mash up of firefighters and ranchers.
Cody and Carli have grown up together. They are best friends with each other’s siblings (what a fun twist on the best friend’s brother/brother’s best friend trope). But they are NOT related. And they’ve both had secret crushes on each other. If they tried dating and it didn’t work out, it could cost them everything.
A kiss in a barn leads to a secret relationship. Come along for all the sneaky kisses and adventures they go on.
This book is full of sweetness and will leave you with a smile on your face. This book is closed door, which means kisses only. It is a standalone in a series, which means you can read it on its own, but you’ll meet the couples from the previous books in the series.
I strongly recommend this book! Dive in and enjoy!
January 30, 2026
I was lucky to read an ARC copy of this book and I loved it! I enjoyed the first two books in this series, but this one is definitely my favorite. The first several chapters seemed a little slow and repetitive setting up the background and the MC’s thoughts, but it quickly picked up. Then I flew through it! I loved both Cody and Carli. They grew up as neighbors with their siblings being each other’s best friends. They both harbored the secret of attraction and feelings for one another because they didn’t want to upset their siblings and possibly ruin the close relationships between their families.
When Cody finally takes a risk, and they admit their mutual interest, things really get fun. The thrill of sneaking around and hiding their relationship is so cute. They have so much in common and every interaction gets better and better. Their motives are good, but they still lie and eventually have to face the consequences when the truth comes out.
This book has a lot of sizzling kisses and romantic moments without taking it too far. The connection between Cody and Carli is great because of the friendship they already share. Cody is a super sweet, dreamy book boyfriend. If you want a fun romance that is clean, small town, includes strong family bonds, and an adorable romance; this is the perfect feel-good book for you.
When Cody finally takes a risk, and they admit their mutual interest, things really get fun. The thrill of sneaking around and hiding their relationship is so cute. They have so much in common and every interaction gets better and better. Their motives are good, but they still lie and eventually have to face the consequences when the truth comes out.
This book has a lot of sizzling kisses and romantic moments without taking it too far. The connection between Cody and Carli is great because of the friendship they already share. Cody is a super sweet, dreamy book boyfriend. If you want a fun romance that is clean, small town, includes strong family bonds, and an adorable romance; this is the perfect feel-good book for you.
April 20, 2026
*Updated review for audio book*
I adored the audio version of this story! The mutual pining, the secret meetups, the way Cody and Carli could both finally admit to each other these feelings that had been building for so long...
Just the perfect amount of swoon!
The narrators did a great job with the characters, as well. I could really hear the southern twang in the mens' voices, which made them feel like authentic Tennesee characters.
I adore the brother’s best friend and best friend’s brother tropes and this book had them both! So, you know I was loving it from start to finish!
I received a complimentary copy of this audio book, however. I also purchased my own print copy.
***
Original Review:
The mutual pining was strong for both of these two at the beginning of the story, when both Carli and Cody were separately wishing that there was a way for them to end up with the one person who was off-limits. And there was also some great pining throughout the rest of the book, when they were together but had to remain separate when around family and friends. I was shocked at the chances they sometimes took to steal a kiss when they just couldn’t stand to be apart for any longer!
I really felt for Cody and Carli. I understood why they wanted to keep the beginnings of the relationship quiet and have something that was just their own for awhile as they stepped into the idea of trying out what it would be like for them to be “more”. Their secret meetups and time spent together were some of the sweetest moments. It was clear that they not only worked well as a couple, but having known each other already for so long, moving to a romantic relationship ended up being the most natural thing in the world for them to do.
There was, inevitably, a fall out when both Carli’s brother, Jace, and Cody’s sister, McKenna, found out. But I thought that Cody and Carli ended up handling all of that very well, too.
This story was so much fun to read and was definitely a book that I didn’t want to set down.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but I also purchased my own print copy. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
I adored the audio version of this story! The mutual pining, the secret meetups, the way Cody and Carli could both finally admit to each other these feelings that had been building for so long...
Just the perfect amount of swoon!
The narrators did a great job with the characters, as well. I could really hear the southern twang in the mens' voices, which made them feel like authentic Tennesee characters.
I adore the brother’s best friend and best friend’s brother tropes and this book had them both! So, you know I was loving it from start to finish!
I received a complimentary copy of this audio book, however. I also purchased my own print copy.
***
Original Review:
The mutual pining was strong for both of these two at the beginning of the story, when both Carli and Cody were separately wishing that there was a way for them to end up with the one person who was off-limits. And there was also some great pining throughout the rest of the book, when they were together but had to remain separate when around family and friends. I was shocked at the chances they sometimes took to steal a kiss when they just couldn’t stand to be apart for any longer!
I really felt for Cody and Carli. I understood why they wanted to keep the beginnings of the relationship quiet and have something that was just their own for awhile as they stepped into the idea of trying out what it would be like for them to be “more”. Their secret meetups and time spent together were some of the sweetest moments. It was clear that they not only worked well as a couple, but having known each other already for so long, moving to a romantic relationship ended up being the most natural thing in the world for them to do.
There was, inevitably, a fall out when both Carli’s brother, Jace, and Cody’s sister, McKenna, found out. But I thought that Cody and Carli ended up handling all of that very well, too.
This story was so much fun to read and was definitely a book that I didn’t want to set down.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but I also purchased my own print copy. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
February 24, 2026
The Brief: Carli has a low key crush on her brother’s bestie. Fireman. Check. Rancher. Check. Totally off limits. Checkity check.
The Debrief: Another small town to love in Waterford Tennessee that @ brings to life. There are great characters and I love the firemen banter. Carli and Cody were so sweet and I liked their gentle love story. All the longing looks and secret hopes made for the sweetest happily ever after. And a fireman who is also a rancher? Does it get better than that? Cozy up for all the feels and ride along with another fireman of Waterford.
The Rhyme: Carli isn’t sure she can keep her heart out of her eyes when Cody starts to give her a little hope. Is there a way two people can find love or will their besties fire up a big nope?
Such a sweet small town series and this author always brings a smile to my face. Read all of them!
The Debrief: Another small town to love in Waterford Tennessee that @ brings to life. There are great characters and I love the firemen banter. Carli and Cody were so sweet and I liked their gentle love story. All the longing looks and secret hopes made for the sweetest happily ever after. And a fireman who is also a rancher? Does it get better than that? Cozy up for all the feels and ride along with another fireman of Waterford.
The Rhyme: Carli isn’t sure she can keep her heart out of her eyes when Cody starts to give her a little hope. Is there a way two people can find love or will their besties fire up a big nope?
Such a sweet small town series and this author always brings a smile to my face. Read all of them!
February 17, 2026
I think each story in this fireman series from Savannah Scott gets better and better. It's so hard to pick a favorite but this story had such a sweetness to it and just stole my heart!
This is a best friend’s brother, best friend's sister romance. Cody is a firefighter in Waterford, TN but he is also a rancher and I just loved the combination of the two. His ranch backs up to his best friend’s ranch, so he has known him his whole life, and has secretly been pining for his sister, who has also been pining for him and she is best friends with Cody’s sister. The way the two families helped each other as ranchers and connected as friends was just beautiful. I thought Cody and Carli were the most adorable couple ever! You could feel the tenderness they had for each other right away from the way Cody smiled at her and those glances they gave each other. There was a beautiful almost magical quality to this story. I loved the stolen kisses in the barn, the forbidden romance, and all the secret meetups so they could just spend a few moments with each other before they were ready to present their relationship to their family. This was such a sweet and gentle romance. The friendships, family, and loving relationship was everything my heart wanted and needed.
Favorite moments:
All the pining on both sides
Small town, ranch life
Barn dance
Trip into town
Cabin and hot cocoa
Snuggles in the back of the truck
The kisses
This is the third book in the series, but it can be read as a standalone.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is a best friend’s brother, best friend's sister romance. Cody is a firefighter in Waterford, TN but he is also a rancher and I just loved the combination of the two. His ranch backs up to his best friend’s ranch, so he has known him his whole life, and has secretly been pining for his sister, who has also been pining for him and she is best friends with Cody’s sister. The way the two families helped each other as ranchers and connected as friends was just beautiful. I thought Cody and Carli were the most adorable couple ever! You could feel the tenderness they had for each other right away from the way Cody smiled at her and those glances they gave each other. There was a beautiful almost magical quality to this story. I loved the stolen kisses in the barn, the forbidden romance, and all the secret meetups so they could just spend a few moments with each other before they were ready to present their relationship to their family. This was such a sweet and gentle romance. The friendships, family, and loving relationship was everything my heart wanted and needed.
Favorite moments:
All the pining on both sides
Small town, ranch life
Barn dance
Trip into town
Cabin and hot cocoa
Snuggles in the back of the truck
The kisses
This is the third book in the series, but it can be read as a standalone.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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