Flashpoint: A Firefighter Romantic Suspense Prequel

by Annie Carlisle

I don’t do distractions.
I investigate fires.

As Copper Ridge’s arson investigator, I live by evidence, not emotions. Especially when it comes to Lieutenant Aiden Gentry—charming, infuriating, and way too comfortable being the department’s golden boy.

We clash over everything. Protocol. Credit. Control.

Then a viral video turns our rivalry into a headline romance we never agreed to.

The solution? Fake it.
Smile for the town. Play nice for the department.

It should be easy. It isn’t.

Because the longer we pretend, the harder it becomes to ignore the heat between us—or the way Aiden has my back when a dangerous string of fires threatens Copper Ridge. As the investigation heats up, so do the stakes… and the line between professional and personal starts to burn.

I’m trained to spot a flashpoint—the moment everything explodes.

I just didn’t expect to be standing in the middle of one.

113 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 21, 2026

About the author

Annie Carlisle is the author of steamy romantic suspense novels, including the beloved Hibiscus Harbor series. She crafts stories with resilient women and challenging men, offering readers a perfect mix of love, intrigue, and excitement.

A Florida native, Annie has worn many hats throughout her life, including working as a street paramedic and flight medic, but her favorite role has always been storytelling.

When she’s not writing, Annie is a lover of all animals, especially dogs. She’s an avid collector of all things Goofy and believes in the magic of happily ever after, both on and off the page. Married to a retired Sheriff’s Deputy, Annie enjoys spending time with her husband and their dogs, whether at the beach, the dog park, or relaxing at home.

To learn more about her work, visit her website: www.AnnieCarlisle.com.

Reviews

[Lynn_G · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a heated moment during an arson triage is misinterpreted as passion and goes viral on social media, fire investigator Riley and firefighter Aiden are asked by their chief to capitalize on the public’s interest in them by making community appearances as a couple.

As they spend time together, their perceptions of each other shift, and life soon imitates art as they fund themselves drawn together, gaining respect and admiration for one another, not to mention wild attraction.

Things come to a head when a suspected arsonist attacks Riley as she attempts to interrogate him, and the pair declare their feelings for each other.

I received an advance reader copy from Booksirens, and I’m sharing my honest review.

[Claudia, Cmarie927 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was incredibly easy to connect with and enjoy, and I was hooked from the first chapter until the last.

Aiden and Riley both work in Copper Ridge: he as a firefighter, and she as a fire investigator. The antagonistic chemistry between them gets noticed, and a PR campaign is launched.

I enjoyed the situations these two found themselves in, and loved how the misconceptions (that they both held) turned around into a HEA.

This is book one in this series and I can't wait for more!
I received my ARC from Booksirens (thank you) and happily leave my thoughts.

[Amy M · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. When I first finished the book, I thought it was adorable. The longer I sit with it, the more conflicted I am about the MCs because everything I thought was cute in the moment seems problematic with distance.

We are dropped into what feels like the middle of the story where our FMC, Riley, is investigating a fire. Some firefighters show up with our MMC, Aiden, and we are told that they are enemies. After a suggestive photo is published, they are coerced by HR to fake date for a few weeks for publicity. As more suspicious fires occur, Riley has to figure out what is happening before someone gets hurt.

I think there might have been 1 chapter before it becomes insta-lust, so there wasn't really any backstory or baseline relationship development. Aiden does basically nothing for Riley to fall in love with him. He asks her a question about her family and that's when she knew she loved him. She was swooning because he remembers what she says and he listens. Yes, Aiden was a sweet man, but let's not celebrate the bare minimum effort.

This book is cute and fuzzy and a fun read, just don't look too deeply.

Thank you to BookSirens and Annie Carlisle for the free eARC.

[Danelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aiden and Riley are like oil and water. Can’t be on the same fire call without sparks flying. Which happens frequently since Aiden is a firehouse Lieutenant and Riley is one of Fire Departments top fire investigators. One such fiery encounter is caught on video and hits social media casting n a favorable if romantic light on the department. Who decides to lean into for some good publicity. What’s better than romantic tension to keep the publics interest and favorable opinion. So the two get rooked into posing as fake dating for the social media account. Which they both realize quickly keeping it in the fake friend zone is going to be hard because they both start seeing the other for who they really are and not what appearances suggest. As the arson set fires escalate and they spend more and more time together can they continue to keep it strictly professional or is there more here? This is a nicely written, easy to read story that I very much enjoyed. Both leads were very likable and had good chemistry. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very engaging story! Riley is methodical, organized and focused, an excellent investigator, and also very prickly, which is not unexpected for a woman trying to be taken seriously in a male-dominated field. Aidan is a good firefighter but also appears to be superficial and more into his looks and followers than serious work. They both find out they’re wrong. They have a lot in common - Riley is trying to live up to her father’s example in her own way and Aidan wants to prove to his parents that he’s worthy too. Aidan is so nurturing and keeps supporting Riley even when she’s prickly. A really lovely story of two people who at first are at loggerheads but, through being forced to work together, find not only common ground but the support and spark they’ve been looking for. A really sweet, romantic, funny story. A quick read I couldn’t put down.

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

[Kelli Lunsford · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay. It took me until chapter 5 to really get excited about reading and then by the last chapter I was ready to be done. It just wasn’t my cup of tea.

The thoughts are repetitive throughout the chapters. You follow both Riley and Aiden. Their relationship starts off as a PR move and quickly turns in to something more. He follows her to every fire she’s investigating. Always around. Helps her take down an arsonist.

I know it’s a novella and things have to move fast but it just felt to rushed.

It’s cute but wasn’t for me. The next person who reads it, may absolutely love it.

I read this as an ARC. It’s my honest review.

[KellyReadsToo · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC – Digital Book
Length: 113 pages
Rating: 4 Stars
FMC: Riley
MMC: Aiden

My Thoughts:

A bit about the book: Riley is a no-nonsense arson investigator that takes everything she
does earnestly. Aiden is the hot firefighter that is so quick to jump in front of a camera for social media no one takes him seriously. When they are spotted arguing at a fire scene someone spots the inferno brewing between them and decides it would be good PR for them to fake date. The forced proximity makes the fire between them spark.


Tropes:
• Fake Relationship
• Grump/Sunshine
• Forced Proximity
• Small Town
• Fire Fighter/Arson Investigator


Advanced Copy Gifted By:
Book Sirens and Annie Carlisle

[Siobhan D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aiden and Riley both work together in a sort. He is a firefighter, while she is a fire investigator. Riley is organised, focused and very good at her job. She believes him to vein and self centred. As a PR campaign is launched, the two find themselves working together. Soon both that realise that they have a lot in common. Both trying to prove that each are worthy of family .

Loved how they came from pushing each others buttons to pushing each other buttons in a very different way.

A wonderful romance, with humour and a great read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Dani Readsalot · Rating 4 out of 5]

A video of an argument, captured from a specific angle, is portrayed online as a romantic encounter and goes viral. This sets the stage for a fake relationship that gradually turns very real.

Loved Riley’s straightforward attitude, her chemistry with Aiden is evident even before their relationship becomes genuine.

There’s a great mix of romance and humour making it an enjoyable quick read. Would have actually liked it to be a bit longer, maybe a bit more with the suspense surrounding the arson attacks. But still a great read.

#CharmingHimbo made me smile!

[Cynthia Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 1 Copper Ridge Firefighters story of Lieutenant Aiden Gentry and arson investigator Riley. That was a roller coaster ride of drama and fake relationship turned into the best thing to happen to these two. What a delightful way to tell each other how you like each other in all the backwards ways to find true love and partnership.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect enemies to lovers / grumpy co-workers romance.

Fire investigator Riley is out to prove herself in a tough industry and firefighter Aiden is her arch nemesis. When the two go head to head in an argument sparks fly and they are caught on camera. Forced to use their chemistry to boost the profile of their unit in the community, they are thrown into close quarters.

I received an advance reader copy from Booksirens, and I’m sharing my honest review

[Mirte Croughs · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sharp, engaging romantic suspense with great tension and a satisfying slow burn. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic is strong, the fake-dating setup feels natural and the chemistry builds steadily without overpowering the plot. I really enjoyed how the fire investigation raised the stakes and brought the characters together in believable ways. A solid, well-paced read with heat, heart and suspense.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[BecReadReview · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flashpoint is a cute, fiery start to a beautiful relationship. Aiden is funny and charming, with a surprising hidden depth, while Riley is abrupt and a strict rule follower who conceals a softer side. It’s sweet watching them slowly let go as the attraction builds at a gentle burn. While an arsonist keeps them on their toes, their relationship continues to bloom and brings a smile to your face. An enjoyable and promising start.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous book. Lots of chuckles and lots of good feels. Riley and Aiden take the long way around but finally get together. They are a well matched set and their public certainly thinks so too. Can’t wait for more in this world.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[PollyAnna Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aiden & Riley

So sweet. I love that both Riley and Aiden are honest with each other from the very beginning... They can barely tolerate each other... They fight like cats and dogs...their forced, against their will, into a fake relationship... Things quickly quit being fake. They don't hide from any of it. So sweet!

[Sandy Gutting · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick read fall in love story! Very enjoyable and I would recommend it.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Paula A Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I love doing reviews. This book draws you in at the very beginning and keeps you wanting more. It is funny, sweet, romantic and add suspense. Enjoy

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arson seems to be the theme of books lately and this one is a good. Believing it to be a good idea the fire inspector and fireman are forced into a fake relationship for publicity. As the city starts having more Arsons they work closer and the relationship becomes less fake. Well written, sexy, with some excitement and a HEA.