Spark

Devil's Peak Fire & Rescue #2

by Aria Cole

When sunshiney librarian Lucy Snow moves into a cozy cabin on Devil’s Peak, she doesn’t expect her grumpy, sinfully handsome firefighter neighbor to become her biggest holiday problem… or her biggest temptation.

Ash Calder has zero Christmas spirit and one huge responsibility—raising his six-year-old niece after his sister’s sudden deployment.

Lucy’s glittery decorations and endless cheer drive him crazy.
Her smile? Even worse.
It makes him feel things he swore he’d never feel again.

Forced together to run the town’s Fire & Frost Festival, their banter sparks, their chemistry burns, and their “accidental” touches start to feel dangerously intentional. By Christmas morning, the only thing melting faster than the snow… is their resistance.

A grumpy firefighter. A sunshiney librarian. One bed, one snowstorm, and one holiday spark turning into a wildfire.

A Firefighter/Small-Town Librarian, Found Family, Forced Proximity, Snowed In Christmas Romance

219 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 2, 2025

About the author

Aria Cole is the pen name of a USA Today bestselling author who published her first book in 2012 and began writing contemporary romance long before that.

Her books always feature possessive alpha men and the sassy, curvy, nerdy heroines who love them, along with a healthy dose of irresistible insta-love and happily-ever-afters sweet enough to make your teeth ache.

Follow Aria on Amazon for new release updates, or stalk her on social to see which daring book boyfriend she's writing next!

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Reviews

[Caitie Wooters · Rating 2 out of 5]

The storyline was a cute idea, but there was just something about the writing that rubbed me the wrong way. The 2 main characters both said each other's name TOO many times. If you read it, you'll understand what I mean. It was so overdone and distracting.

[Chandra Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spark by Aria Cole is the kind of holiday romance that sneaks up on you—soft as fresh snow, warm as a firehouse bunk, and surprisingly fierce in all the right ways.

Lucy Snow is the bright, glitter-covered librarian we all secretly wish we could be during the holidays: hopeful, cozy, and determined to bring a little magic to Devil’s Peak. Ash Calder, on the other hand, is every grumpy, emotionally guarded firefighter fantasy wrapped in flannel—brooding, busy raising his niece, and absolutely allergic to anything resembling Christmas joy.

From the moment Lucy hangs her twinkle lights and Ash grumbles from next door, their chemistry is undeniable. It’s that delicious blend of “I can’t stand you” and “I can’t stop thinking about you,” the kind that pulls you in and keeps you rooting for them both.

But Aria Cole pushes their story beyond flirtation and banter. When a snowstorm knocks out Lucy’s power, it’s Ash—grumpy, reluctant, heart-soft-as-marshmallows Ash—who shows up for her. What follows is one bed, one night at the firehouse, and one intense shift from enemies to something so much deeper, hotter, and way more vulnerable.

This book captures the emotional ache of two people who have been carrying too much alone—Lucy with her relentless optimism, Ash with his heavy new responsibilities—and shows how love doesn’t always arrive when we’re ready. Sometimes it shows up next door, irritated by your decor and stealing your breath.

By Christmas morning, the snow isn’t the only thing melting. Their resistance doesn’t stand a chance.

If you want:
🎄 Grumpy/sunshine perfection
🔥 Firefighter heat
❄️ Snowstorm forced proximity
💗 A heroine who sparkles inside and out
👨‍👧 A hero learning how to be a father figure

…then Spark is the cozy, heart-thawing holiday romance you’ll want to curl up with until the last page.

It’s sweet. It’s steamy. It’s swoony. And it absolutely lives up to its name.

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

[Sue I need a HEA · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 stars. Devil’s Peak Fire & Rescue book 2 (can be read as a standalone book). Sweet & short read.

….OVERVIEW….
- no OM/OW drama
- kindle unlimited book
- ended at 91% / 193 pages
- 2 epilogues (1 in the near future & 1 at 10 years in future)
- no violence or triggers
- no cheating
- no 3rd act breakup
- book 2 in a series

….TROPES….
- SLOW burn romance
- grumpy / sunshine romance
- opposites attract
- small-town romance
- firefighter

This book is about grumpy, control freak, firefighter Ash & new to town Librarian / good girl Lucy. It was hard to review. It was like it was 2 different books… up until 75% of the book Ash & Lucy never even kiss. They have this instant romantically charged antagonist chemistry but don’t do anything about it until 75% into the book. Over & over they would have little arguments that you thought would lead to a kiss. He kept invading her personal space… I can’t count how many times the author told us that “Ash stepped closer, Lucy could feel his breath but he didn’t touch her…” then he would walk away! There was a lot of repetitive dialog. Every time they would see each other the same thing always happened, gazes locked, he steps closer, he crowds her, then he says her name, in a breathy voice, then she says his name, in a breathy voice, then he steps back & walks away, then repeat again and again every time they see each other! I almost counted how many times they said each other’s names, that’s how many times it was!

Then we hit 75% when they finally get together and all of the sudden it has a very spicy sex scene where we learn both H and h are virgins but they jump right into the deep end with the dirty talk and spicy stuff. I don’t have a problem with spicy scenes, I like them, but it was so jarring from the innocent looks and no touching from the beginning of the book. It ended up being a sweet, short small-town grumpy / sunshine romance.

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

Lucy and Ash

SPARK is Book 2 of the Devil's Peak Fire & Rescue series.  It's a short and steamy, instalove with a slow-burn vibe, opposites-attract, grumpy-sunshine, forced-proximity, found family, double virgin, curvy girl gets her firefighter Christmas romance.  Lucy is a sparkly glitter-loving, curvy ray of Christmas sunshine. She has just moved to town and is the new librarian. Ash is a hunky, grumpy, firefighter with a heart of gold underneath. He is taking care of his adorable niece, Holly, while his sister is deployed. He is also Lucy's new neighbor. He is all about rules and safety, while she is chaos and optimism. OMG, these two were just oil and water, but the banter was hysterical and the sexual tension was off the charts.  Their chemistry was hot enough to burn down a village and the ending was so happy once they finally gave in. I loved it so much.

[lf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fire & Frost

Spark is the second book in the Devil's Peak Fire & Rescue series and it definitely heats up the pages. The story is about Lucy Snow, the new town librarian, and Ash Calder, a big, grumpy firefighter who has no holiday spirit. Lucy and Ash have become unlikely neighbors after she moves into the cabin next to him. She is a bundle of holiday cheer who is going to light it up and make it sparkle. He on the other hand wants to shut it all down and that includes all the feelings she stirs in him. When they are partnered to plan and run the annual Fire & Frost Festival in town their spark will take flight. But the real question is will it burn bright or will it fall and be smothered.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucy is the new librarian in Devil's Peak, and Ash is the deputy chief firefighter and Lucy's neighbor. Lucy is the sunshine to Ash's grumpiness, and I loved how great they are for each other, even though it took them a while for them to figure it out. This is a slow burn, holiday romance with fun banter and a happily ever after. Spark is book two and a great addition to the Devil's Peak Fire & Rescue series. I look forward to reading the next book in the series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This romance book and characters are so amazing to read that I honestly fell head over heels in love with everything from cover to cover. Aria did a marvelous job writing this hot firefighter romance book that will melt snow if you have any and keep you warm and cozy. Watch out because sparks are going to ignite when you read all about Lucy and Ash.

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has given us a wonderful story that pulls us into the lives of Lucy, Ash and his niece, Holly. The heartwarming story keeps us turning the pages with connection, denial, force proximity, realizations and steam.

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

[Libz · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5