Knocked Down

by Sarah Waterman

If risking her heart is a mistake, it’s one Wren might make twice…

After firefighter Jason Mendez shuts her down, Wren Graves swears she’s done with him. A new dating app—where she joins as NamasteAndSlay—seems like the perfect distraction. Until she matches with TrueGrit, a man who gets her in all the ways Jason never would. Or so she thinks.

Jason is battling scars no one can see—flashbacks from Afghanistan, the fire that nearly took his best friend, and the fear that he’s losing his grip. The last thing he needs is to fall for Wren. But he already has. And the secret he’s hiding—that he’s TrueGrit, the man she’s been confiding in—won’t stay buried for long.

As Jason’s PTSD threatens his career and their fragile connection, the truth will force them both to face what they want, what they fear, and what they’re willing to fight for.

In this emotional slow-burn romance, Wren and Jason must decide if love is worth the risk when the past is still burning hot.

368 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 18, 2026

About the author

When Sarah’s not writing, she is deep in the trenches of editing for indie authors and running her business and social media account, A3W Editorial—because cutting ties with corporate America is a slow but determined process. She is a mom of three, a wife, and an arts-and-crafts enthusiast with an unshakable love for caffeine and sourdough. Born and raised in Kansas City, Sarah thrives on good BBQ, great storytelling, and helping writers bring their words to life.

Reviews

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book grabbed me by the heart and absolutely refused to give it back. Knocked Down is one of those romances that sneaks up on you, starts quietly, and then suddenly you’re a mess at 1am whispering “just one more chapter” like a lie you’ve told yourself before.

Wren Graves felt painfully real. Funny, bruised, guarded, hopeful anyway. Her inner voice had me nodding along like yes, girl, SAME. And Jason Mendez… wow. He’s not shiny-perfect. He’s heavy with things he doesn’t know how to put down. Firefighter, veteran, emotionally clenched like a fist that’s forgotten how to open. Watching him love Wren while actively believing he doesn’t deserve her was devastating in the best way.

The dating app twist? Genius. The tension of TrueGrit versus real-life Jason had my stomach in knots. Every message felt loaded. Every interaction burned because you know the truth is coming and it’s going to hurt. And when it does? Yeah. It hurts. But it also makes sense. Nothing about this book feels easy or convenient, and I loved that.

The PTSD rep felt raw and respectful. Not romanticized. Not glossed over. Jason’s struggle with flashbacks, fear, and losing control added so much weight to the story. This wasn’t just a romance, it was about choosing love when you’re terrified you’ll ruin it. About fighting fires outside and inside yourself. About risking your heart even when the past is still smoldering.

The slow burn was SLOW, but deliciously so. Every small moment mattered. Every step forward felt earned. And the emotional payoff? Worth it. Completely.

Knocked Down knocked me flat, then helped me back up with a full heart and tears in my eyes. If you love romances with depth, hurt/comfort, emotional honesty, and characters who feel like real people… read this. Immediately. 🔥📖💔❤️

[Dominique Franklin · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC gifted in exchange for review
4.5 stars
Please take care of your mental health and pay attention to the trigger warnings outlined by the author in the beginning of the book. This book deals with some very heavy subjects and I urge you to pay careful attention to the thoughtful warnings outlined within the first pages.

This book made sob from beginning to end. The mental health representation in men, specifically veterans and first responders was top notch though difficult to read. I wanted to gather Jason up in my arms and protect him from everything and everyone. Watching him not just struggle but be terrified to be honest about those struggles because he didn’t want to be a burden broke my heart. Though I am not a big fan of Wren, I respect how she handled the situation towards the end and that spoke to her character growth.

If Hannah Santos has no haters, I am not among the living and have been completely destroyed so not even my essence remains. I have nothing else to say on her.

For all his struggles, Jason Mendez is a good man. All he wanted was for the people he loved to be happy and taken care of. It’s why he did what he did, and I think this should serve as a reminder to check on your strong friends.

[Brina.readz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Sarah Waterman for an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

There are arcs that are on my mind 24/7 and I keep having to check when they finally make it to my inbox and this was definitely one of them!

I really loved and enjoyed the first book in this series (West and Sloane were adorable) and was super excited to see how Jason and Wrens story would continue with them already knowing each other and their amazing chemistry in 'Under Fire'.

-Tbh I thought this would be your everyday friends to lovers story and was pleasantly surprised and wrong. While Jason and Wrens story does pick up where it left off in book one it adds a whole new hurdle in form of Jason's PTSD as a veteran into the mix.

This is so beautifully, thoroughly and respectfully depicted by Waterman throughout the book.

The concept of anonymous online dating being added into the mix gave the story a great perspective on their relationship and feelings and misunderstandings they had not been able to communicate with each other yet. I think anyone who has dated online before can relate how different the communication there often is and how emotionally raw you rub yourself - once again beautifully done and very entertaining!

"You ever feel like you're healing and breaking at the same time?"
- "Sometimes I think you can't heal until you've broken"

Reading more about Sloane and Wests relationship was a big aspect of this book and I loved seeing how their relationship developed more. Although I have to admit, they almost stole the show.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received Knocked Down as an ARC from Sarah. All of my opinions are mine and only mine.
This book is very heavy, and if you struggle with your mental health, this may not be the book for you. Be sure to check out the trigger warnings and take your mental health into consideration when making the decision to read this book. As someone who struggles with their mental health, I did find the mental health struggles to be written very well.
This was my first read by Sarah, and I was very impressed. Knocked Down is the second book in the Station 8 series. While it can be read as a standalone, reading Under Fire will help you to understand some of the characters in Knocked Down.
Knocked Down is a dual POV that follows Wren and Jason as they navigate life and end up matching unknowingly on a dating app. Jason’s mental health struggles are a big piece of the story, and how Wren responds to his struggles is beautiful.

[☆Laura☆]

Jason es bombero y carga con demasiadas cosas que nunca dice en voz alta. El fuego no solo le dejó cicatrices visibles, también le removió recuerdos que preferiría no enfrentar. Wren está intentando empezar de nuevo con su propio proyecto, mientras lidia con una familia rota, decisiones difíciles y el cansancio de ser fuerte todo el tiempo.

Ellos se conocen desde hace años, se provocan, se entienden y se desean más de lo que admiten, pero siempre parece haber algo que los frena. Cuando una conexión inesperada aparece en el momento menos pensado, todo empieza a volverse más complicado. Lo que comienza como una distracción se transforma en algo que los obliga a mirarse de verdad.



Gracias Luna Literary por el ARC.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so sweet, so loving and so delicately written to portray PTSD in veterans/first responders , and how family and friends show up and support them. How a relationship with someone suffering through this, shows their support and understanding. It was so incredible to read through the trauma, the way the MMC navigated getting help, and working through the steps and struggles, while also pushing to move forward and not staying stagnant and suffering in that pain.

Beautiful love story.

[Brandee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Luna Literary for an eARC to read and review before publishing.

I enjoyed Knocked Down by Sarah Waterman. The character development was beautiful, and I appreciated the vulnerability and authenticity with which Sarah used to establish Jason's character. His PTSD and trauma were handled with care and felt genuine to the book and character. Because of this, Jason's friendship with West was my favorite part of the book.

Unfortunately, the miscommunication lasted too long for me and took me out of the story. I understand why this trope was used to help develop the plot; however, it's just not a trope that works for me.

3.5 overall.

[Chelsie Speakman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was super excited to read this book because of the secret identity trope, and it absolutely hit the spot! I love when book characters have their own struggles, and imperfections, especially in a second chance romance, it makes the characters feel so much more human.

This book deal with some really difficult topics surrounding mental health in such a beautiful way, focusing on first responders and veterans. It made me cry like a baby. I loved Jason and Wren’s story so much.

[Sarah Stafford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this little found family Sarah has created in this series. She never fails to get an emotional response out of me. I love the sibling moments we get.
I feel so much for what Jason is struggling with throughout the book and I am so glad his boss stepped in. I like that Wren stood up to Hannah instead of just blindly wrecking everything.

West makes me melt I love how much he loves Sloane and her kids.

Open Door Romance

[Emily Arriola · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED Knocked Down! It was such an emotional experience and I was able to feel every emotion the characters had! It was so rewarding to be on the journey with Wren and Jason!

I’m obsessed with the station 8 crew and I’m so excited to see what comes next from Sarah Waterman!

🧑🏼‍🚒former marine/ current fighter mmc
❤️brother’s best friend
🔥forced proximity
🤫secret identity
🧡mental health rep

[Rhyan · Rating 4 out of 5]

When we were introduced to Jason and Wren in Under Fire, I had no idea their story would be this emotionally devastating. Jason wrecked me in this book and I just wanted to give him a big hug. I also really felt for Wren. These two could have been so good together from the very beginning, but this was such a good story of how sometimes life (or our mental health) really just gets in the way of good things. Do I wish Jason would have opened up to Wren from the beginning and let her in? Sure, but this story was so well written and the emotion that was packed in really made their happy ending that much sweeter.

[Tabytha Boozenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the honor of beta and arc reading this one. it is fantastic. It has all the things, banter, emotion, growth. I kind of feel like if West and Jason were rolled into one person they would be my husband lol.

Thank you Sarah for trusting me with your characters and taking us on the journey with them.