Second Spark

The Men of Firehouse 14 #1

by Vivienne Vale

The town remembers his father's sins. I remember everything else.

I was twenty-one when Caleb Stone shattered me. His father's scandal took my family's savings, my college degree, my future. But Caleb took something worse—he took my ability to trust that love was real. Then he vanished without a word.

I'm forty-three now, running the bookstore and the business council, indispensable to this town and impossible to hurt.

Then he walks back into Millbrook Falls as fire chief—showing up at my shop every morning like he has the right, looking at me like no time has passed at all.

He says he never stopped loving me. He says he's done running. He says he'll wait as long as it takes.

My brother wants him gone. The town hasn't forgiven his name. And I've spent two decades building walls specifically designed to keep out men like him.

But when he touches me, I'm twenty-one again. Reckless. Wanting. Ready to burn.

Some fires never go out. No matter how hard you try to bury them.

Second Spark is a steamy second-chance romance featuring a firefighter hero, a heroine over 40 finding love again, and the small town that remembers everything. HEA guaranteed.
Book 1 of Men of Firehouse 14

Content guidance: This book contains on-page death of a secondary character (line-of-duty), hospital and end-of-life scenes, depictions of fire and building collapse, grief, past parental emotional abuse, themes of abandonment, and explicit sexual content.

208 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 20, 2026

About the author

Vivienne Vale writes emotionally charged reverse age gap romances where confident, accomplished women meet their match in younger men who aren’t afraid to challenge them—in the boardroom, the bedroom, or both. Her stories explore power dynamics, hidden vulnerability, and the kind of taboo love that keeps you turning pages late into the night.

Whether it's a summer fling that turns serious or a one-night stand that refuses to stay in the past, Vivienne’s characters discover that age is just one of the rules they're ready to break. Expect intensity, slow burns that ignite fast, and women who’ve been in control for far too long.

Reviews

[Ingrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

This firefighter romance brings plenty of emotional intensity, especially with its small-town setting. The new fire chief arrives carrying the heavy legacy of his father—a man who, as it’s understood, once destroyed the savings of many townspeople. In a small community where nothing is ever truly forgotten, that kind of history lingers. It’s completely believable that the town still holds resentment, and that he is judged for sins that weren’t directly his own.
Adding to the tension is his complicated past with the female main character. Years ago, he left her without explanation, and now, in their forties, they’re facing each other again. This makes the story both a second chance at love and a second chance at belonging. His attempt to seek redemption—from her and from the town—is compelling, but not easy. And honestly, some of the hesitation toward him feels justified.
The presence of her younger brother, who has to work under him as a firefighter despite his objections, adds another strong layer. In a profession where trust is literally life-or-death, those reservations are understandable. The dynamic within the fire crew feels realistic, especially the tension around whether someone with that past can truly be trusted.
Because the story presents both sides so clearly—the need for redemption and the validity of lingering doubt—it sometimes makes it harder for the romance to fully take center stage. Still, the emotional complexity makes the plot engaging and believable.
Overall, it’s an interesting and layered story about accountability, trust, and the difficulty of rebuilding relationships in a town that never forgets.

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

[J Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a complimentary copy.
Cassie’s life was shattered more than twenty years ago by the actions of Caleb’s father. She and Caleb once had a future mapped out, but when he left town, he took her heart with him. Since then, Cassie has built a full, meaningful life — running her beloved bookstore and becoming an essential part of her tight‑knit community.
Now Caleb is back as the town’s fire chief, determined to reclaim the woman he never stopped loving.
I understand why he left, but the lack of communication left Cassie carrying decades of unanswered hurt. How do you simply sweep away twenty years of heartbreak? Her hesitation feels real and earned, and his regret is just as palpable.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is more than just a second-chance firefighter romance. After 22 years apart, the couple faces significant obstacles that make reconciliation uncertain. Unlike many similar stories, I found the conflict here to be both compelling and believable. As Cassie and Caleb reconnect, they must confront challenges from their past that extend beyond their relationship. In this small town, their past casts a large shadow that they must overcome.
This was a new author for me, and I enjoyed her writing style and storytelling abilities. However, I recommend that readers review the trigger warnings before beginning, as certain scenes may be difficult for some. I received this ARC from Hidden Gems.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Book 1 of The Men of Firehouse 14 series. And it is a wonderful start! Look forward to more from this world.

'Some fires never go out. No matter how hard you try to bury them.
Second chance • Later in life (40+) • Small town secrets • Firefighter hero • Steamy '

The characters were so very appealing and likeable and complicated and perfectly steamy together. Plot was intriguing and intense and well paced. World building was excellent and impressive. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

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

[Floraljoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

More simmer than spark:
This was a sweet and enjoyable little story, but it needs further editing. It was quite simple, although I did enjoy discovering some of the secrets from the past. There was a fairly straightforward, second chance romance between Cassie and Caleb and although I didn't feel a really close connection with either of them, I was still glad that everything worked out in the end.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

She has built a wall around herself after he broke her heart while his father ruined other things. She has made a place and a name for herself. He then turns up as fire chief and she is sent back to those lovely times in the past. See if she can keep her heart safe for the second time
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a great read

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An emotional story: a second chance, this time with persistence, not giving up, not leaving. For a heroine, it's enough to give them chance, but personally, I need many more words, groveling, gestures, and a longer period of time.
Tragedy offers an option for changes, even making a dream a reality.

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

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense interesting five star story. So many twists and turns to keep me glued to the pages. Multi layered relatable characters. Action packed scenes. Full of secrets, drama, and suspenseful scenes.