What do you think?
Rate this book
After The Ashes #2
The Firefighter's Bride
“Marry me.”
I proposed to my coworker in a firehouse kitchen at 2 AM.
Not because I loved him, but because I was desperate.
He was about to lose his family's ranch. I was about to lose my sister to the monster who raised us.
So we made a deal: one year of fake marriage, separate bedrooms, no feelings.
We shook hands like it was a business transaction.
Three months later, I woke up to find him making me chamomile tea after a brutal shift because he knew I needed sleep more than caffeine.
Six months in, I watched him teach my twelve-year-old sister that trust takes time, that some wounds heal slowly, and that she was worth the wait.
And yesterday, he threw himself between me and a bullet.
I proposed to my coworker in a firehouse kitchen at 2 AM.
Not because I loved him, but because I was desperate.
He was about to lose his family's ranch. I was about to lose my sister to the monster who raised us.
So we made a deal: one year of fake marriage, separate bedrooms, no feelings.
We shook hands like it was a business transaction.
Three months later, I woke up to find him making me chamomile tea after a brutal shift because he knew I needed sleep more than caffeine.
Six months in, I watched him teach my twelve-year-old sister that trust takes time, that some wounds heal slowly, and that she was worth the wait.
And yesterday, he threw himself between me and a bullet.
- GenresRomanceFirefighters
261 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 19, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Read
April 3, 2026Thoughts:
1. Why, after Liam and Riley are married and those involved in the legal process regarding Riley's sister, Mia, continue to refer to Riley as Ms. Santos, do they never correct them and says it's Mrs. Murphy now. When a woman in love, and the man who marries her, get married, they can't wait to point out it's Mrs. As they're trying to sell this as a real marriage, you'd think both of them would make this distinction.
2. Didn't have to kill the fake little girl in the accident.
3. I absolutely hate that his ex-fiancee, Claire, wore his grandmother's ring and then he gives it to Riley. Yes, I understand the sentimentality behind it, but some of that fades upon his almost bride having worn it first. That he wanted her to have it. That his gran wanted her to have it. It would've been SOOOO much better if Claire had never worn that ring (for EIGHT months). If Gran had given him a different, less meaningful, ring for her and then this particular ring would've been just Riley's. Another woman wearing it in between Gran and Riley seriously dilutes the symbol of it for me.
4. Probably not reading the next book. Owen, the Hero, had a three-year relationship with Sarah. She was leaving things at his place. He was planning to propose. She broke up with him. Grace, the heroine, was in an eleven-year relationship with Marcus. He dumped her, not knowing she was pregnant. Both situations are get overable in terms of each moving on to their forevers until you add in that Owen and Grace are best friends. Yereeeeeeah.
1. Why, after Liam and Riley are married and those involved in the legal process regarding Riley's sister, Mia, continue to refer to Riley as Ms. Santos, do they never correct them and says it's Mrs. Murphy now. When a woman in love, and the man who marries her, get married, they can't wait to point out it's Mrs. As they're trying to sell this as a real marriage, you'd think both of them would make this distinction.
2. Didn't have to kill the fake little girl in the accident.
3. I absolutely hate that his ex-fiancee, Claire, wore his grandmother's ring and then he gives it to Riley. Yes, I understand the sentimentality behind it, but some of that fades upon his almost bride having worn it first. That he wanted her to have it. That his gran wanted her to have it. It would've been SOOOO much better if Claire had never worn that ring (for EIGHT months). If Gran had given him a different, less meaningful, ring for her and then this particular ring would've been just Riley's. Another woman wearing it in between Gran and Riley seriously dilutes the symbol of it for me.
4. Probably not reading the next book. Owen, the Hero, had a three-year relationship with Sarah. She was leaving things at his place. He was planning to propose. She broke up with him. Grace, the heroine, was in an eleven-year relationship with Marcus. He dumped her, not knowing she was pregnant. Both situations are get overable in terms of each moving on to their forevers until you add in that Owen and Grace are best friends. Yereeeeeeah.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2026
really good
Second in the series, very good. Made family, strong characters, great setting. Loved Liam & Riley from the first book but really got their stories solidly here. Tense family trauma (might need warnings). Great seeing Cal and Lucy again. Looking forward to next book!
Second in the series, very good. Made family, strong characters, great setting. Loved Liam & Riley from the first book but really got their stories solidly here. Tense family trauma (might need warnings). Great seeing Cal and Lucy again. Looking forward to next book!
March 22, 2026
Trust in love
A story of a strong woman (Riley) trying to build a life for her sister (Mia) and herself after surviving an abusive stepfather and a checked out and now dead addictive mother. While her past has made her lose all hope and trust in life and others…a custody battle for her sister leads her to marry her fellow firefighter Liam. Liam agrees to the marriage to meet the terms of an unusual will so that he can inherit the family farm he was born, raised, and lives on. A beautiful story of three people finding hope trust and love by being there for each other and slowly learning to trust again.
A story of a strong woman (Riley) trying to build a life for her sister (Mia) and herself after surviving an abusive stepfather and a checked out and now dead addictive mother. While her past has made her lose all hope and trust in life and others…a custody battle for her sister leads her to marry her fellow firefighter Liam. Liam agrees to the marriage to meet the terms of an unusual will so that he can inherit the family farm he was born, raised, and lives on. A beautiful story of three people finding hope trust and love by being there for each other and slowly learning to trust again.
April 16, 2026
Marriage of Convenience
He needed to be married by his thirtieth birthday, she needed to prove a stable family unit. Both problems solved with a quickie marriage with boundaries. I enjoyed this book with them slowly falling, dangerous threats and their job experiences. Chapter 12 broke my heart with his reactions to a MVA involving a minivan and a semi. They got through all that drama as they went forward towards their HEA.
He needed to be married by his thirtieth birthday, she needed to prove a stable family unit. Both problems solved with a quickie marriage with boundaries. I enjoyed this book with them slowly falling, dangerous threats and their job experiences. Chapter 12 broke my heart with his reactions to a MVA involving a minivan and a semi. They got through all that drama as they went forward towards their HEA.
April 24, 2026
determination meet quiet patients
One determined Sister to protect her younger sister and one very patient man both firefighters and what they do to protect Mia her younger sister from an awful situation. There are some things that might cause triggers.
trigger warnings : mention / talking of abuse past experiences.. drug use, Gun scene.
Over all this book is a fantastic read! Teen appropriate.
One determined Sister to protect her younger sister and one very patient man both firefighters and what they do to protect Mia her younger sister from an awful situation. There are some things that might cause triggers.
trigger warnings : mention / talking of abuse past experiences.. drug use, Gun scene.
Over all this book is a fantastic read! Teen appropriate.
April 20, 2026
I have never read a book by this Author but I really enjoyed the story between Liam and Riley oh and her sister Mia. This story has 3 people that have been hurt in the past and under unforseen circumstances they join together and it starts out helping each other out but then grows into some much more.
June 3, 2026
While I greatly enjoyed this story, it is heartfelt and compelling. It is hard to ignore glaring inconsistencies. Plot points that change between chapters, timelines that wiggle and dont quite make sense and even a character inexplicably changing gender. That being said, I could barely set the book down, reading straight through.
February 20, 2026
Good clean read. I did skim some because too much “thinking” in H or h own head. Going to read the next book in series but not sure what to expect. This book ended with a HEA but also with a cliffhanger.
March 2, 2026
Wholesome and heartwarming.
I smiled and cried reading this! It was a wholesome story about two people afraid to rely on others and it was a refreshingly gentle fall into a love that healed them both. Loving this series ❤️
I smiled and cried reading this! It was a wholesome story about two people afraid to rely on others and it was a refreshingly gentle fall into a love that healed them both. Loving this series ❤️
March 4, 2026
Great Read!
I really enjoyed book 2 in this series watching Liam and Riley travel their very rocky road to finding their HEA. Im looking forward to reading book 3 in this series and will definitely recommend this book to everyone.
I really enjoyed book 2 in this series watching Liam and Riley travel their very rocky road to finding their HEA. Im looking forward to reading book 3 in this series and will definitely recommend this book to everyone.
March 30, 2026
Emotional
This book was full of incredibly written deep emotional moments and this author did it with grace. I fell in love with these characters and their stories full of tragedy but also love..
This book was full of incredibly written deep emotional moments and this author did it with grace. I fell in love with these characters and their stories full of tragedy but also love..
January 23, 2026
Amazing
Amazing, clean. I read in one sitting..who needs sleep. This is one of my favorite books of all time thank you.
Amazing, clean. I read in one sitting..who needs sleep. This is one of my favorite books of all time thank you.
January 24, 2026
are more coming?
I want to know if the rest of the fire romance novels are coming. Crime, love and friendship all in one book.
I want to know if the rest of the fire romance novels are coming. Crime, love and friendship all in one book.
January 26, 2026
the romance was non existent...
February 19, 2026
Prompt: related to highest grossing movie the year I was born.
And again, I somehow got sucked into a "clean" book. This was just really hopeful, even with all the drama going on.
And again, I somehow got sucked into a "clean" book. This was just really hopeful, even with all the drama going on.
March 3, 2026
Good plot line, but very repetitive and it reads like ChatGPT.
March 3, 2026
Great Series this was book three. Great recurring cast of characters.
March 3, 2026
Slow-burn romance. Literally the entire book spoke of the same thing over and over.
March 7, 2026
After the Ashes book 2
Yes, this series is just the best thing I needed. I will be continuing to read the complete series. The storyline and characters are true.
Yes, this series is just the best thing I needed. I will be continuing to read the complete series. The storyline and characters are true.
April 20, 2026
3.5 stars
April 25, 2026
Couldn't put it down. A good clean read that was so heartfelt.
April 26, 2026
Cute read. RA
Its a cowboy fireman all in one. Great love story couldn't put it down. Must must read gets you hooked.
Its a cowboy fireman all in one. Great love story couldn't put it down. Must must read gets you hooked.
May 25, 2026
clean, closed door romance. no spice.
not clear from the blurb but this is a completely clean romance with no spice at all. I only realised 60% in! Nice story.
not clear from the blurb but this is a completely clean romance with no spice at all. I only realised 60% in! Nice story.
Read
June 9, 2026★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
This book leans hard into one of the most beloved romance tropes—fake marriage—but gives it real emotional weight and stakes that make it feel fresh and compelling. What starts as a desperate arrangement quickly evolves into something much deeper, and that transition is where the story truly shines.
The dynamic between the main characters is the highlight. Their relationship builds gradually through quiet, meaningful moments rather than just dramatic declarations. The small acts—like taking care of each other after long shifts or showing up for family—carry more emotional impact than grand gestures. It makes the eventual shift from “no feelings” to something real feel earned.
The added layer of family struggles, especially involving the heroine’s younger sister, brings depth and urgency to the plot. It’s not just about romance; it’s about protection, healing, and creating stability in chaotic circumstances. The firefighter hero, in particular, stands out as both strong and deeply compassionate without feeling one-dimensional.
Pacing-wise, the story moves smoothly, though some plot points are a bit predictable if you’re familiar with the trope. Still, the emotional payoff and character growth make up for it, especially in the final stretch where everything comes together in a satisfying way.
Overall, The Firefighter’s Bride is a heartfelt, slow-burn romance with just the right mix of tension, tenderness, and found-family vibes. If you enjoy fake relationships turning real with high emotional stakes, this one delivers.
This book leans hard into one of the most beloved romance tropes—fake marriage—but gives it real emotional weight and stakes that make it feel fresh and compelling. What starts as a desperate arrangement quickly evolves into something much deeper, and that transition is where the story truly shines.
The dynamic between the main characters is the highlight. Their relationship builds gradually through quiet, meaningful moments rather than just dramatic declarations. The small acts—like taking care of each other after long shifts or showing up for family—carry more emotional impact than grand gestures. It makes the eventual shift from “no feelings” to something real feel earned.
The added layer of family struggles, especially involving the heroine’s younger sister, brings depth and urgency to the plot. It’s not just about romance; it’s about protection, healing, and creating stability in chaotic circumstances. The firefighter hero, in particular, stands out as both strong and deeply compassionate without feeling one-dimensional.
Pacing-wise, the story moves smoothly, though some plot points are a bit predictable if you’re familiar with the trope. Still, the emotional payoff and character growth make up for it, especially in the final stretch where everything comes together in a satisfying way.
Overall, The Firefighter’s Bride is a heartfelt, slow-burn romance with just the right mix of tension, tenderness, and found-family vibes. If you enjoy fake relationships turning real with high emotional stakes, this one delivers.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews