Still Burning For You: A Second Chance Small Town Romance

by Jeremiah DeBoer

Eight years ago, David Carter vanished from my life without a word. Now he’s back, fighting fires and fighting for my heart.

I left Boston after everything fell apart. Betrayal. Loss. The kind of hurt that forces you home just to breathe again. Maple Grove was supposed to be quiet. Safe. A place for healing.

I was wrong.

Because the first person I run into is David.
My first almost. My deepest ache.
The boy who disappeared and never looked back.

He broke me.
And now he wants to explain why.

I should hate him. I try to. But he doesn’t ask for forgiveness. He gives me space. He’s chivalrous. Respectful. Different.

The way he’s supposed to be.

Late-night honesty. Lakeside walks.
Surprises that feel too good to trust.

By New Year’s Eve, when the countdown hits zero,
I’m the one who kisses him first.

But when I uncover the truth he’s been carrying, the real reason he left all those years ago, I might be the one who disappears this time.

Because trust breaks easier the second time around.
I push. He pulls. And I fall, helplessly, right back into his arms.

Still Burning for You is a clean, emotionally grounded small-town romance featuring a firefighter hero, second chances, and a slow-burn love story.

150 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 7, 2026

Reviews

[Sharon Akshar]

I found the story 'Still Burning for You' to be original and interesting. Ava had had what she thought was the start of something good with David Carter on her graduation night of high school and she was hurt that he never contacted her after that night. Eight years later, she is moving back to her hometown and she sees David again. David knows he has to contact her and explain why he didn't get in touch with her and why he kept her daily journal that she left behind in his car. When he comes to her house and holds her journal out to her, Ava is horrified that he read it and grabs it and runs inside. David texts her and begs her to meet with him so he can explain why he kept her journal so long. He felt that they had a magical connection that night and talked so easily to each other when no one else seemed to notice him in high school and he wants to get that connection back even if he has to take it slowly until she trusts him again.

[Anne]

Such a quiet soothing story although not one that causes me to jump around in boisterous glee. But one that creates the depth of disillusionment when things don't work out the way we want. Although it is years since Ava left town, David had found some kind of comfort through her thoughts written on paper. No fight, just silence and a sense of something missing.
This author uses words to express the emotions and thoughts of his characters with such precision and feeling, one sways to the pulse of the heartbeat.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Marcia]

Rating: 4.5 ⭐️
If you are looking for a short, sweet, second-chance romance, Still Burning for You by Jeremiah Deboer delivers exactly that.
Despite its quick length, the story packs plenty of heart and warmth. It captures the rekindled spark between the main characters (Ava and David) effortless making it a satisfying, a quick read you can easily devour in one sitting.
Thank you to Jeremiah Deboer for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review!

[The Book Ssirren]

This was a very sweet and heartfelt story about Ava and David. I enjoyed seeing a glimpse into their lives. What pulled them apart, and what brought them back together again. There were such wonderful oriole and our was so sweet to see them work through things. These two hearts were definitely meant to be together.

[Erin]

Ava and David have a past that was unfinished. When she returns home after years away there is a secret hanging between them that threatens to tear everything apart. This quick read was a sweet story of healing and forgiveness, seeing and being seen.

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

[MimiAmi]

This novella has an interesting plot and characters. I generally like a little more tension or action and less introspection but I did enjoy it and I loved the conclusion!

Disclaimer: I received this ebook from BookFunnel and this is my honest opinion.

[Amanda]

Such an honest book. It felt a bit like we were skimming the MCs lives and seeing the most important pieces of the building blocks of their relationship. I would have loved it if he had fleshed it out a bit more… but a seriously enjoyable read.

[Rick Farlee]

This is a very good storyline about second chance romance. Characters are developed really well there’s some mystery that involves Ava’s missing journal. This clean, small town romantic novella is RECOMMENDED.

[Cherish Mitchell]

Very cute slow burn.. recommend
Rated a 2 star cause that's what I rate all novellas when they are good .

[Flo Hill]

Loved this totally understated story of second chances. Both David and Ava had a lot to lose, but with quiet patience and loving company they made it to their happily ever.

[Jean Katchmar]

Ava was in love with David then he vanished from her life 8 years ago. Little does Ava know that her missing diary has gone with him. Ava has also left Maple Grove and is now living and working in Boston. Ava and boyfriend Ben seem happy until one day Ava comes home early from work to find her best friend Beth and Ben asleep on the couch. She realizes they have betrayed her. She calls her mom and she encourages Ava to come home. So Ava puts all her personal belongings into her Subaru and starts her long drive back home. David has returned home as well working as a firefighter. Ava sees him at a gas station as he enters her town. They both say nothing. Things get complicated when David has to figure out how to face Ava and also return her diary. Seeing each of their POV along the way helps you to understand why they feel as they do and see how far they need to go to get back to the relationship they once had. You find yourself pulled into their story and hoping that over time they can forgive each other and find hope and trust to build a new relationship together.

[Julie]

This is a lovely short story of reconnection based on honesty. Usually I find very short paragraphs make for a skeletal feeling story but in this case each line is very deliberate and most sentences, whether of dialogue, description or introspection, have a strong feeling of intention and depth. This isn’t gritty realism but is ‘real’ in a different sense. It’s the way it might be if a couple considered their words and their effect and shared what was meaningful and true. It gives a poetic flavour to everyday thoughts and concerns. There are goofy, funny moments combined with the serious to make the story sweet and tender overall, while valuing boundary setting and self protection. It works!