Escaping HIM : A Small Town, Firefighter Single Mom Romance (Book 1)

by Emily Hart

A Small-Town, Single Mom, Firefighter Romance

HerI lost one man to the firehouse.
I won’t lose another.

I’m a single mom, barely holding life together, and I made a promise to myself to never fall for a firefighter again — no matter how safe or steady or protective he feels.

But Jake Maddox is a problem.

He’s my longtime friend. My son’s hero.
The man who always shows up… and the one I can’t stop thinking about.

Now the town is overheating, blackouts rolling, suspicious fires spreading, and every time the sirens wail, Jake runs straight into the danger I’m desperate to avoid.

Loving him could destroy the life I worked so hard to protect.


HimI’ve loved her for years.

Not loudly — not recklessly — but with quiet patience and the kind of devotion that waits in the background until it hurts.

I’d do anything for Riley. For her son. For the little family that already feels mine — even if she won’t admit it yet.

But when fires break out near the playground and fear pulls her away from me, I stop pretending I can settle for friendship.

Some risks are worth taking.

Even if it means stepping closer to the one woman who’s always been my heart.

If you like spicy firefighter romance stories, curvy girl romance, single mom romance, this book is for you.

A small town firefighter with a single mom spicy romance story with Happy Ending!!!

103 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 27, 2025

Reviews

[Fran_reads1007 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read through this book in one sitting. It’s a quick read, but it never feels shallow. The world-building is exceptional: every setting and culture feels lived-in, and the author layers details in a way that constantly kept me intrigued. The pacing is sharp, so even though the book moves fast, there’s always something meaningful happening.

Character moments are earned, and the stakes feel personal, which makes the revelations hit harder than they otherwise might. I felt such a connection to the main characters within the first chapter.

The ending left me thinking long after I finished. It’s one of those bittersweet, open conclusions that invites debate — and I found myself returning to the final pages, wondering about the characters’ fates. Does Jake make it back to Riley? That lingering question is exactly the kind of emotional hook that stays with you.

Highly recommended for readers who love immersive world-building, clever twists, and an ending that sparks conversation. If you like stories that leave you thinking (and guessing) after the last page, this one’s for you.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed "ESCAPING HIM"
I enjoyed this interesting, intriguing, heartwarming second chance at love, dealing with emotional turmoil, steam, fear of another loss.
Riley's husband was a firefighter killed on the job now she's a widow in a small town alone with her son Ethan.
Jake is a firefighter who she's been friends with for a long time her son loves him hes been their for them both he's in love with Riley & knows not to push him being a firefighter as well & her fearing another loss.
Riley fears she'll lose Jake like she did her husband especially when suspicious fires have been happening & he goes straight into danger.
Jake has always loved Riley patiently waiting & hoping to make her & Ethan his family.
Will Jake be able to get Riley give into her feelings & risk it all to get a HEA with him he's waited so long its a must read to see how it all turns out you so won't be disappointed.

[BP34 · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read that can be read in one sitting. Riley was a single mom who lost her firefighter husband from a roof collapse while on duty. Jake, her lifelong friend, is in love with her, but does not push. He is there for her son, Ethan and they adore each other. She fights feelings for him since he is a firefighter and she fears another loss. Emotional, low angst and low steam. Slow burn as she overcomes her fear of loss. Jake is so supportive and a hero to her son. An HEA and no cliffhanger, but the story does end rather abruptly. I read a free arc via the author and voluntarily chose to write a review.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first, I wondered if Riley was trying to escape Jake. But as I read on, I realized she was trying to escape her feelings for him as the fear from having lost her husband (also a firefighter) had never dulled. Jake was pretty perfect - quiet, steady and steadfast, observant, loving and supportive. He kept assuring her that he was there for the long haul, for both her and her son, in whatever way she would let him in, and accepted that things would move at her pace. There was a lot of angst and danger. Low steam. Short but intense. Good read.

I received a free Advance Review Copy of this book and this is my voluntary review.

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riley is a widow and single mother trying to raise her son, Jake is a friend (unclear from when or where) that is a firefighter. Riley is fighting her feelings trying to protect her and her son, Jake is patiently trying to knock down her walls. This is a quick read, full of emotion but only a little bit of steam.

I received an ARC for my honest review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those romance books that is heartbreaking and heartwarming wrapped up nicely from cover to the very end. Riley her son Ethan and Jake make all the difference when it comes to reading such an engaging romance book. Emily definitely has one terrific firefighter romance book here.