His Feisty Fireball

Johnston Brothers #2

by Endria Nuaros

The moment Jacob met the fiery redhead he knew in his bones Lizzie was the one for him, but the only L word said redhead feels for Jacob appears to be loathing. His Feisty Fireball is a spicy, he falls first, reverse grumpy sunshine, rivals to friends to lovers, laugh out loud romance.

Jacob is a man on a mission, and nothing is going to stop him from winning Lizzie's heart. He’ll prove he’s the right man for her, that he’s in it for the long run, no matter what past traumas try to get in their way. He will be the epitome of a golden retriever book boyfriend.

Lizzie learned at a very young age from her mother that love, or better termed lust, at first sight doesn’t last. So, when Jacob saunters into her life and her body comes alive, her first instinct is to run like hell. Yet no matter how many times she pushes him away, Jacob is always persistent, and she’s losing her resolve.

*This is a slow burn, standalone contemporary romance with an HEA written in third person POV intended for adult readers. The Johnston Brothers books may be read in any order but best read in order for optimal enjoyment in terms of timeline.

287 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 3, 2026

Reviews

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jacob and Lizzie

Tropes:
* Rivals to friends to lovers
* Reverse grumpy x sunshine
* Golden retriever MMC
* Feisty FMC
* “She doesn’t believe in love”
* “He falls first” (And hard!)
* Slow-burn

So, Jacob and Lizzie meet, and he’s apparently smitten. And then, everytime she shoots him down, he seems to leave with a different women… So he confirms Lizzie’s belief that he’s a player and it continues the cycle…

We re-enter a year later, then a few months later, and things haven’t changed…
So, I did spend time wondering how this matched the blurb. It says he’s on a mission to prove he’s for her, because, to me, going home with different women says otherwise…

Which brings us to present day… and I actually had to question Jacob’s intelligence… Did he actually do anything to show or say he wanted long-term, or did he just keep spewing out lines?

I actually struggled. I couldn’t truly get into this. There’s slow… and there’s slow… I got to 60%, and just had to skim.
Elizabeth “Lizzie” annoyed me with he neurotic thoughts… They were just so OTT - stealing her ‘O’, and complaining that everyone else will be together because they love each other, but she doesn’t believe in lasting love? GTFOH…

The writing itself was good, just the topic and execution of said topic just didn’t work for me.
Other people clearly enjoy it, and other people will in future. But this was clearly not for me.

[Stefanie Gutierrez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This might have actually surpassed Her Perfect Plan as my favorite Endria Nuaros book to date!

This is a fun, fast-paced contemporary romance featuring Jacob — a hopelessly funny, golden-retriever MMC who will stop at nothing to chase his girl — and Lizzie, our grumpy, feisty FMC who refuses to become just another notch on his list of conquests.

The slow burn and witty banter made this book even more enjoyable than I expected. Jacob’s lack of filter and relentless flirting had me smiling the entire time. He’s hilariously persistent and completely convinced that he and Lizzie are endgame — even when she refuses to believe it.

Their relationship might actually be my favorite part of the book because it doesn’t progress too quickly compared to previous couples. Jacob and Lizzie have known each other for years, with Jacob spending that entire time trying (and often failing epically) to prove her wrong about him. Watching their dynamic evolve from unwilling acquaintances to reluctant friends to genuine friendship to lovers was incredibly heartwarming.

I’ll be honest — Lizzie did frustrate me at times. I understood her hesitation and the emotional reasons behind it, but there were definitely moments where I was internally screaming for them to just get together already.

But if you know me, you know I love a torturous slow burn — so this is absolutely not a complaint. I was here for every second of the emotional suffering and the payoff at the end was worth it.

[Marci Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

Very cozy, fun, and it had me chuckling in quite a few spots. All of the characters were enjoyable, and the overall vibe made this a comforting yet engaging story. This is the first book I’ve read by this author, and it was a very pleasant introduction to her work.

The story is a slow burn, which worked really well here. The spice is tastefully done and never takes away from the book or the development of the story, it complements it nicely.

The writing style is different, but not in a bad way. It’s written mostly in third-person POV, with the characters’ internal thoughts presented in first person within their respective chapters. It took a minute to adjust to, but it helped connect with the characters in a fun, intimate way. That said, at times the internal thoughts gave away a bit too much of what was about to happen, and I would have preferred fewer clues. That’s ultimately why I landed on four stars instead of five.

The Johnston brothers’ dynamics were absolutely priceless and added so much to the story. I’m looking forward to the next installment.

This was an ARC review, and I’m glad I had the chance to read this book.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Endria Nuaros and am so excited she has expanded her Willow Street Girls world! I adored the first book in Johnston Brothers series (Her Love Lesson) so I was excited to jump into Lizzie and Jacob’s story.

While the storyline hooked me right away (going back over their appearances in Her Love Lesson - genius) because a grumpy FMC is one of my favorites, I struggled a bit with the dialogue. The exchanges between characters seemed stilted and awkward at times. It wasn’t anything specific-it just didn’t feel natural a lot of the time. It often took me out of the story.

That being said, what a master move having a book club in the story read the author’s first book! Ha! PERFECTION! I also liked that it wasn’t all first person. In the chapters, it was third person with “clips” of first person. That made it fun and very easy to imagine. I also have to admit, as a redheaded teacher who is often called grumpy, Lizzie found a special place in my heart! Jacob was the perfect counterbalance - and the texts between the brothers were hilarious!

I’m looking forward to Joe & Kate’s story!

[Mikaela J’nae · Rating 5 out of 5]

His Feisty Fireball was an absolute delight and an easy five-star read for me. If you love a he-falls-first trope, this one will have you smiling from start to finish.

What I Loved:
Jacob is your classic golden retriever playboy—in the very best way. He’s hot, smart, sassy, and oh yes… a pilot 🫠🫠🫠. From the start, his charm is undeniable, and watching him fall first (and hard) was incredibly satisfying.

Lizzie, though, really stole my heart. Endria did an amazing job capturing the redhead personality—the sass, the quick quips, the feistiness—it all felt so authentic. I related to Lizzie deeply, especially her struggles with negative self-talk and the lasting impact of things said to her. Her mommy issues were portrayed with a lot of honesty and care, which made her character feel very real and easy to connect with.

And yes—this story delivers a well-earned HEA, which made it even better.

Personal Note:
I happen to have my own personal Jacob—also a pilot—and I can confidently confirm… they really are the best 😉

If you’re looking for a fun, heartfelt romance with strong character growth, swoony moments, and a lovable MMC who falls first, His Feisty Fireball is a must-read.

[Emily Creach · Rating 3 out of 5]

This contemporary romance has a clear premise and a very accessible and straightforward writing style. The tone is very youthful, and the interest (enemies to lovers esque!) is introduced early, which will definitely appeal to readers who enjoy quick, fast paced reads (while still being an appealing slow burn!) with an emphasis on vibes over complexity.

I am a Savannah native, and this book is based on Banana Ball. I thought the idea of that was so appealing!! So while I really appreciated the concept, I personally had a hard time connecting with the writing style early on, so this one ultimately wasn’t the best fit for my reading preferences. That said, readers who enjoy contemporary romances with a simpler style and fast setup may really love it!

Overall, a solid option for the right audience!!

Thank you to the author for allowing me to be an ARC reader! It was such a fun experience!!

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

She is absolutely his feisty fireball 🔥
Lizzie is an FMC carrying a lot of trauma and deep-rooted commitment issues, largely stemming from her relationship with her mother. Because of this, she keeps Jacob at arm’s length, refusing to acknowledge the feelings she has for him and instead channeling them into a loathing, passion-filled tension whenever he’s around.

Thankfully, Jacob is everything you want in an MMC. He’s patient, persistent, and refuses to give up on Lizzie, even when she puts him through the wringer. This is the slowest of slow burns, but when they finally come together, they’re incredibly cute and rewarding as a couple.

Overall, this was a fun, light rom-com with great tension, emotional growth, and a payoff that made the slow burn worth it.

Tropes:
✨ He Falls First
✨ Slow Burn
✨ Rivals to Friends to Lovers
✨ Reverse Grumpy / Sunshine
✨ Golden Retriever Boyfriend
✨ Small-Town Romance
✨ Witty Banter
✨ Envy-Worthy Friendships
✨ HEA

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

[Crystal Lance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Endria Nauros delivered a really engaging story with strong emotional grounding. The plot was solid and easy to sink into, and while there were a few moments that felt a bit repetitive, I took that more as an intentional effort to fully communicate Lizzie’s past and explain why she is the way she is. In that sense, the redundancy served a purpose and added depth to her character rather than feeling pointless.

Jacob is the ultimate patient, golden-retriever boyfriend kind, steady, and genuinely supportive. He’s pretty much the textbook example of what many readers want in a romantic lead, and I really enjoyed watching his dynamic with Lizzie develop.

My only real wish is that there had been a bit more spice toward the end. Still, overall, this was a heartfelt, enjoyable read with strong characters and a meaningful emotional core. Definitely worth picking up if you enjoy character-driven romance.

[Dana Sessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Endria Nuaros has done another fantastic job! This time focusing on one of the Johnston brothers - Jacob. Her characters were relatable and well written. You could feel for both of the main characters (Jacob and Elizabeth). Their emotions became my emotions. To be able to connect to the two of them in what each was feeling, made the book so much more enjoyable. You can’t help but route for Jacob and wanting to keep pushing him to not give up on Elizabeth. With Elizabeth you just want to give a good shake and tell her to really look at what is in front of you. Don’t wait. Grab him and embrace what could be. I loved that all the previous characters were also part of their story throughout the book and the little drops of previous storylines and book titles put a smile on my face. Don’t hesitate to read this book or any other Endria Nuaros books. You will love each and every one!

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read with a feisty FMC with some spice. Elizabeth does not believe in love and does not want a relationship. Jacob is the middle Johnston brother looking for a love like his parents have. As Elizabeth is working through her issues, will Jacob convince her to give love another chance? Read this cute love story to find out!

This is a slow-burn, contemporary romance. I like the build up of the character’s personalities and real life issues. It took a minute for me to get into the story, but I am glad I stuck with it.
The book is written in third person POV, with the character’s thoughts in first person. It wasn’t so bad in the author’s other books, but this book I was a bit distracted by it.

[Alexis Scheuplein · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌶️🌶️

This started out super slow for me, but I’m not one to DNF a book. I kept on pushing and it ended up being a good book!

Golden retriever energy from our MMC. I can tell it irritates of FMC, but hey who doesn’t get irritated by men?

The spice level is just right for those who don’t mind it but don’t want it in your face. It’s definitely a good book and there are others to follow, so I’m interested to see what happens next.

If inner monologues are not for you, be forewarned, there’s a lot of it here from Lizzie. Aside from that, it’s good and I will read future books.

There are books that came before it, but they don’t need to be read before reading this one.

I read this as an ARC, but it’s really good, easy to read. There were some things I was expecting that I don’t recall happening, but maybe I just missed them.

[Tracy Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this “he falls first” romance, which is book 2 of the Johnston Brothers series, I couldn’t put it down. It showed a long-game love game that was played to get the girl. Although it was always believed that Jacob was a playboy, a ladies' man, once he met Lizzie, he stopped his playboy ways. He didn’t want other women; he wanted her. I love when we have a golden retriever MMC and a Black Cat FMC, and this hit all of my favorites. I will say, Lizzie’s wishy-washy feelings made it a little hard to like her all the time, but it also helped make her more believable. Overall, it was a great story, and I look forward to reading more in this series.
I received a review copy for free, and I am leaving this review honestly and voluntarily.

[BARBARA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will one assumption steal their chance? Have you ever had your “O” stolen? How do you get it back? Do I have your attention yet? Ok well, His Feisty Fireball is a slow burn, she fights and he never gives up spicy sports romance. I enjoyed watching their stories unfold! Their banter will make you laugh and their storylines will make you have all the feels!! 


Favorite quote: “Because despite the fact of how you feel about me, I care a lot about you. And I wanted to share something with you to show you how I feel. I don’t just want to sleep with you, Elizabeth. I want more. So much more. So, here we are.” 


Just wait til you see what he did! 🥰

[Mackenzie Marino · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the cute easy banter of the characters and how things worked out well quickly for most characters, with the exception of the fact that it took a long time for Lizzie and Jacob, our main characters, to get together, all in a way that made it light and easy to read. There is some deeper family trauma that Lizzie had to deal with before she could finally give Jacob a chance, but her friends are very supportive and they, along with Jacob, work to help her through it. I appreciate the inter connection between Nuaros’ books and look forward to reading the next one! This really was quite cute and has just a bit of spice to it towards the end too.

[Becca love · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking for a light, flirty romance with heat and heart? This one delivers.

Jacob is the ultimate golden retriever MMC sweet, persistent, and completely smitten. Lizzie, on the other hand, has walls built sky high thanks to years of her mother’s warnings about love. She feels the spark… but keeps shutting him down.

The chemistry? Undeniable.
The banter? Fun and addictive.
The tension? Chef’s kiss.

Will Lizzie finally take the risk? Can Jacob prove that love doesn’t always end in heartbreak? I could tell you, but honestly, it’s way more fun to experience it yourself 😏

This book is spicy 🥵, playful, and the perfect palate cleanser when you want something fast, flirty, and satisfying.

[Katherine E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book I’ve read from this author and I have enjoyed each book. Each of her FMCs resonate with either who I am or who I want to be.

I loved that the FMC, Elizabeth, had some family stuff she has to work through and it doesn’t resolve in the way you think it might.

The MMC does such a good job at being emotionally mature and having a deep understanding of realizing what someone needs from a mental health standpoint that he definitely gets added to the “book boyfriends” list.

Definitely worth the read.

[Angeline Shipley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review and my personal opinion:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️/5

This was a cute little romance book. It shows patience, healing, as well as a cliffhanger for the next book. (Which now I must know!!)

This is a small town romance where he falls first and never gives up. Jacob knows what he wants and goes after her. Lizzie comes from a traumatic emotional past and thinks she’s as messed up as her mother. Jacob must show Lizzie that love really does and can exist.

“Can I draw you like the Titanic?

“Watch out, Lizzie, I’m coming for you, Fireball”

“I am smart. I am pretty. And I’m fucking fabulous in bed. But Elizabeth, she’s kind, loving, responsible, hardworking, and doesn’t give a rats ass if someone has money. She’s more of a grown woman than you’ll ever be.”

[Renee Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an absolute delight to read! My heart needed this so much! Jacob and Elizabeth are destined. It’s written in the stars. A slow burn, but a very powerful journey. Love can be so scary and complicated. Elizabeth just got in her own way and Jacob knew that patience would prevail. The banter was hilarious. I loved the on-going relationships with brothers, in-laws, family, and friends. This love story is truly a team effort!!!
I am a huge fan of this author. She is so clever and writes such fascinating and relatable characters. Joseph and Kate’s story is going to be epic🩷

[Crystal Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love Endria's writing style and this was another must read for me. I really like that each of her books can be read as stand alones but are interconnected. I always enjoy being able to see previous character updates. Jacob and Elizabeth's relationship was so good and I just ate up the chase . He was putting in ALL that work to try and get the girl he wanted while continuously being rebuffed. Jacob waiting and supporting her as she got over past traumas was so sweet and I can't wait for the next one! The spice level was just right as well 😉

[Jaqueline Doldersum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw the cover of the book. And it was about softball. I wanted to read it.
In the beginning I was a little confuesed. About the fast pace, of the time line.
When I past the few chapters. I started to fell in love with this book.
The humor of Jacob and his brothers. It was priceless.
The way you see Elizabeth struggle with love, because of her past.
Jacob was a player . But for her, he wants to change.

[Alexandra Plavec · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have looked forward to reading His Feisty Fireball since I finished Her Love Lesson, and it lived up to all of my expectations. She portrayed the growth that Jacob and Lizzie go through in their own ways throughout the story, effectively making me feel the fear, sadness, and love that Lizzie felt in varying experiences with family members, Jacob, and her friends. Also, this book set up Endria’s next book perfectly, leaving me hanging at the end of my seat, hoping there was another page.

[Luvleepati · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️

💜 He falls first
🖤 grumpy/sunshine

This book was so delightful and incredibly written. Jacob was completely obsessed with Elizabeth, and she did everything in her power to ignore him the best she could. Their chemistry and banter were just amazing and when she finally admits her feelings it was just perfect. There was no aspect of this book that I didn’t enjoy.

These are my honest thoughts.

[Rachael Lenover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feisty Fireball is an absolute delight from start to finish! The characters are bold, witty, and full of heart, and the story crackles with energy on every page. It’s the perfect blend of sass, humor, and heartfelt moments—an empowering read that leaves you smiling long after you turn the last page. A fiery must-read! I truly love this series and I cannot wait to jump back into it with a hometown feel for the next story the next story!!!

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow-burn, contemporary romance with spice. Theres definitely a build up to personalities. Dealing with real life experience. Definitely fell in love with all of these characters. From the fact that he fell first and hard, she doesnt believe in love. But he also keeps his reputation of being a player, shocker. Sometimes it did feel like i was reliving my real life but all in all this book was a very good book for me.

[Megan McEntyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐, I absolutely love the banter between Jacob and Elizabeth. Lizzie is in absolute denial other feelings for Jacob due to her past trauma from her mother. Protect Jacob at all costs!!! The SLOW burn was real!! I love a good HEA!

Only thing I didn't enjoy was the book referring to an orgasm as "my O" and Lizzie constantly complaining Jacob stole it after a specific interaction. At first I had no idea what that even meant but easily figured it out.

[Elle Graziosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book sooo much!!! It is a must read for sure, Elizabeth’s fears and emotional scars, Jacob’s patience and sillyness, Mimi Ruby’s sass, The everything works perfectly to create a lovely love story.
Also, if you haven’t already, read the others books by this author cause they are amazing!

[BethAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the banter throughout this book. As someone who has been in both Jacob and Lizzie's shoes, this was a fast, fun read. My new favorite saying will now come from this book: "That takes boobs!" You'll have to read it to find out what it means. 😄

I'm looking forward to checking out the author's other books.

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cozy, fun read! As someone who used to play softball, I simply *had* to read this. This is my first time reading a book by Endria and I will definitely be reading her other works. I enjoyed the writing; it's mostly in third person POV. Our FMC is the feisty / grumpy one and the MMC is very much golden retriever. Mild spice, he falls first, and slow burn. I highly recommend picking this one up!

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love, love, loved the newest installment by Endria Nuaros! I did not put it down as soon as I started it! I love the world she has created and feel like I know these characters in real life. This newest book has so much spunk and relatable humor. The way she touches on anxiety and being in your own head - it is so relatable. I cannot wait for the next adventure as soon it comes out!

[Melissa Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness what a wild ride for Jake and Lizzie! Love the banter between them! Truly enjoyed getting to be an arc reader and would recommend this book! Looking forward to the next Johnston brother's story!