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Maplewood Fire #1
Cinder
A single dad x nanny, small town firefighter romance
I’m exhausted by all the different versions of myself I’ve spent years trying to be.
Dutiful stepdaughter, polished girlfriend. The woman who keeps smiling through dinner parties and business meetings while feeling absolutely nothing underneath.
So I sell my share of my late father’s business, and leave Toronto for Maplewood. All I bring with me is a bag of clothes, my mother's sparkly heels, and the blue-tipped hair I only dyed because my stepmother hated it.
Maplewood is supposed to be my fresh start. A quiet little town where nobody expects me to be anyone but myself.
Then I meet Evan Prince, a grumpy firefighter who definitely isn't charming—though his five-year-old daughter Elle certainly is.
Soon I'm falling into their mornings filled with penguin-shaped pancakes, their quiet afternoons beside the lake, and a midnight date that has Maplewood feeling less like a place I escaped to, and more like somewhere I finally belong.
Somewhere I want to stay.
But when one terrible night leaves our lives tangled in grief, every fear of being unlucky for the people I love comes rushing back.
The problem is, a cinder still glows after everything else turns to ash.
And firefighters run toward things worth saving.
Cinder's tropes include:
- single dad x nanny
- grumpy / sunshine
- small town setting
- found family
- age gap
- fractured fairytale
- hockey playing firefighters
- hurt / comfort
- spicy mirror scene
- a firehouse doggo
I’m exhausted by all the different versions of myself I’ve spent years trying to be.
Dutiful stepdaughter, polished girlfriend. The woman who keeps smiling through dinner parties and business meetings while feeling absolutely nothing underneath.
So I sell my share of my late father’s business, and leave Toronto for Maplewood. All I bring with me is a bag of clothes, my mother's sparkly heels, and the blue-tipped hair I only dyed because my stepmother hated it.
Maplewood is supposed to be my fresh start. A quiet little town where nobody expects me to be anyone but myself.
Then I meet Evan Prince, a grumpy firefighter who definitely isn't charming—though his five-year-old daughter Elle certainly is.
Soon I'm falling into their mornings filled with penguin-shaped pancakes, their quiet afternoons beside the lake, and a midnight date that has Maplewood feeling less like a place I escaped to, and more like somewhere I finally belong.
Somewhere I want to stay.
But when one terrible night leaves our lives tangled in grief, every fear of being unlucky for the people I love comes rushing back.
The problem is, a cinder still glows after everything else turns to ash.
And firefighters run toward things worth saving.
Cinder's tropes include:
- single dad x nanny
- grumpy / sunshine
- small town setting
- found family
- age gap
- fractured fairytale
- hockey playing firefighters
- hurt / comfort
- spicy mirror scene
- a firehouse doggo
463 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication July 9, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
Review of advance copy
“I’d stand in the ashes of every bad thing that’s ever happened to me again, if it meant finding Penny still glowing at the end of it.”
on repeat 𝄞 ࿐♬ 𓍢ִ🎧ྀི ᯓ ♪ˎˊ˗
“ꜱᴏ ᴛʜɪꜱ ɪꜱ ʟᴏᴠᴇ” x ꜱɴᴇʜᴀ, ᴄᴏɴᴛᴇᴊᴀꜱ
0:10 ─♥────────── 2:54
This was literally just as freaking good as the cover is pretty. 😭 I had ridiculously high expectations because I fell in love with this cover the second I saw it, and somehow it still exceeded them. Also… I’m such a sucker for a fairytale retelling, and this one absolutely understood the assignment 🙂↕️🙂↕️
Evan might actually be one of my favorite book dads ever. He’s exhausted, stretched way too thin, and carrying the weight of everything by himself, but he never lets that make him bitter. He’s careful about who he lets into Elle’s life, he’s endlessly respectful, and somehow manages to be one of the biggest green flags. The way he quietly makes Penny feel wanted instead of like she’s asking for too much??? MY HEARTTTT 🥹
And Penny… I adored her. Watching someone who’s spent so long trying to fit into everyone else’s expectations finally find a place where she can just exist as herself was so comforting to read. She wasn’t trying to impress anyone. She just loved people so naturally.
ANDDDD i just have to talk about Elle 🥹
Because that little girl completely stole this book.
Her penguin obsession. Her giant heart. The way she fit with Penny from the very beginning without it ever feeling forced. Those moments honestly ended up meaning just as much to me as the romance. I love when a single-parent romance remembers that the child isn’t just there for the trope—they’re part of the heart of the story. Penny loved that little girl so effortlessly, and you could feel it on every page. 💞🫶🏼
The little Cinderella details sprinkled throughout this story made me so happy. The pumpkins. Midnight. Tiny nods that never felt overdone but constantly reminded you what inspired the story. It was creative without losing its own identity, which I loved 👏🏼 And their dog Gus Gus??? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? lovedddd that Cinderella reference!! 😭😭🫶🏼
One thing I appreciated so much was how mature everyone felt. Evan and Penny actually communicated. They were honest about what they wanted. They respected each other’s boundaries, especially with Elle involved, and it made every step of their relationship feel earned instead of frustrating.
now... LOL
THE MOUTH ON THAT MAN??? 😭
The chemistry had been simmering forever, and then suddenly it was like getting hit by a freight train. I genuinely got jumpscared by how juicy it became, but was I complaining? hmm absolutely not 🤣
AND THEN. THEN. this book decided happiness was illegal 😭 I was actually sick. I actually bawled. I won’t say why because everyone deserves to experience that moment completely blind, but please… emotionally prepare yourself. The story takes a turn, and I was genuinely sitting there staring at the pages wondering how I was supposed to recover 😭 (i still haven't)
I was honestly nervous when I saw how long this book was, but by the end I would’ve happily read another hundred pages. 🥹 I didn’t want to leave Maplewood. I didn’t want to leave this little found family. Somewhere along the way these characters stopped feeling fictional and started feeling like people I just wanted good things for.
this was my first book by this author and most definitely not my last. i'm obsessed 100% 😩🫠
five 👏🏼 stars 👏🏼 without 👏🏼 a 👏🏼 single 👏🏼 hesitation 👏🏼
favorite quotes ↓
“You don’t have to stop liking something just because someone else is loud about it.”
“What if they laugh?”
“Sometimes people laugh when they don’t understand something, but that doesn’t mean you change.”
“And you know what firefighters do when something matters?”
“We run toward it.”
“Even if it’s dangerous, even when we’re scared. If it matters, it’s worth the risk.”
“My common denominator?” I use my free hand to close her fingers gently around the coin. “That’s you, baby. My Lucky Penny. The thing I was lucky enough to find and never stopped carrying.”
“Risk doesn’t disappear because we love someone, and loss doesn’t step aside just because we ask it to. The world stays heavy. It always has. But she’s not the weight. She’s the reason it’s worth carrying.”
things to know about the book ↓
💙 single dad x nanny
💙 small town
💙 fractured fairytale
💙 grumpy x sunshine
💙 hockey playing firefighter 🥵
💙 found family
💙 spicy mirror scene x2
💙 dual POV
swearing: yes
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
→ chapters: 14, 17, 20, 24, epilogue
Thank you Luna Literary, publisher & author for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
─────────
・❥・⁀➷ ✨💙 𝕡𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕
june 30th- the squeal i let out!! i'm in a firefighter mood + themes of cinderella??? AND THIS COVER... guys im OBSESSED. i'm so happy i was accepted for the arc!!!!
on repeat 𝄞 ࿐♬ 𓍢ִ🎧ྀི ᯓ ♪ˎˊ˗
“ꜱᴏ ᴛʜɪꜱ ɪꜱ ʟᴏᴠᴇ” x ꜱɴᴇʜᴀ, ᴄᴏɴᴛᴇᴊᴀꜱ
0:10 ─♥────────── 2:54
This was literally just as freaking good as the cover is pretty. 😭 I had ridiculously high expectations because I fell in love with this cover the second I saw it, and somehow it still exceeded them. Also… I’m such a sucker for a fairytale retelling, and this one absolutely understood the assignment 🙂↕️🙂↕️
Evan might actually be one of my favorite book dads ever. He’s exhausted, stretched way too thin, and carrying the weight of everything by himself, but he never lets that make him bitter. He’s careful about who he lets into Elle’s life, he’s endlessly respectful, and somehow manages to be one of the biggest green flags. The way he quietly makes Penny feel wanted instead of like she’s asking for too much??? MY HEARTTTT 🥹
And Penny… I adored her. Watching someone who’s spent so long trying to fit into everyone else’s expectations finally find a place where she can just exist as herself was so comforting to read. She wasn’t trying to impress anyone. She just loved people so naturally.
ANDDDD i just have to talk about Elle 🥹
Because that little girl completely stole this book.
Her penguin obsession. Her giant heart. The way she fit with Penny from the very beginning without it ever feeling forced. Those moments honestly ended up meaning just as much to me as the romance. I love when a single-parent romance remembers that the child isn’t just there for the trope—they’re part of the heart of the story. Penny loved that little girl so effortlessly, and you could feel it on every page. 💞🫶🏼
The little Cinderella details sprinkled throughout this story made me so happy. The pumpkins. Midnight. Tiny nods that never felt overdone but constantly reminded you what inspired the story. It was creative without losing its own identity, which I loved 👏🏼 And their dog Gus Gus??? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? lovedddd that Cinderella reference!! 😭😭🫶🏼
One thing I appreciated so much was how mature everyone felt. Evan and Penny actually communicated. They were honest about what they wanted. They respected each other’s boundaries, especially with Elle involved, and it made every step of their relationship feel earned instead of frustrating.
now... LOL
THE MOUTH ON THAT MAN??? 😭
The chemistry had been simmering forever, and then suddenly it was like getting hit by a freight train. I genuinely got jumpscared by how juicy it became, but was I complaining? hmm absolutely not 🤣
AND THEN. THEN. this book decided happiness was illegal 😭 I was actually sick. I actually bawled. I won’t say why because everyone deserves to experience that moment completely blind, but please… emotionally prepare yourself. The story takes a turn, and I was genuinely sitting there staring at the pages wondering how I was supposed to recover 😭 (i still haven't)
I was honestly nervous when I saw how long this book was, but by the end I would’ve happily read another hundred pages. 🥹 I didn’t want to leave Maplewood. I didn’t want to leave this little found family. Somewhere along the way these characters stopped feeling fictional and started feeling like people I just wanted good things for.
this was my first book by this author and most definitely not my last. i'm obsessed 100% 😩🫠
five 👏🏼 stars 👏🏼 without 👏🏼 a 👏🏼 single 👏🏼 hesitation 👏🏼
favorite quotes ↓
“You don’t have to stop liking something just because someone else is loud about it.”
“What if they laugh?”
“Sometimes people laugh when they don’t understand something, but that doesn’t mean you change.”
“And you know what firefighters do when something matters?”
“We run toward it.”
“Even if it’s dangerous, even when we’re scared. If it matters, it’s worth the risk.”
“My common denominator?” I use my free hand to close her fingers gently around the coin. “That’s you, baby. My Lucky Penny. The thing I was lucky enough to find and never stopped carrying.”
“Risk doesn’t disappear because we love someone, and loss doesn’t step aside just because we ask it to. The world stays heavy. It always has. But she’s not the weight. She’s the reason it’s worth carrying.”
things to know about the book ↓
💙 single dad x nanny
💙 small town
💙 fractured fairytale
💙 grumpy x sunshine
💙 hockey playing firefighter 🥵
💙 found family
💙 spicy mirror scene x2
💙 dual POV
swearing: yes
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
→ chapters: 14, 17, 20, 24, epilogue
Thank you Luna Literary, publisher & author for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
─────────
・❥・⁀➷ ✨💙 𝕡𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕
june 30th- the squeal i let out!! i'm in a firefighter mood + themes of cinderella??? AND THIS COVER... guys im OBSESSED. i'm so happy i was accepted for the arc!!!!
Currently Reading
July 7, 2026 ⌗ ──🔥🍋🟩🐈⬛ᝰ .ᐟ pre-read.
nanny x single dad + Cinderella retelling? Sign me up!
thanks @lunaliterary and Hailey Rodger for an ARC in exchange of an honest review!
nanny x single dad + Cinderella retelling? Sign me up!
thanks @lunaliterary and Hailey Rodger for an ARC in exchange of an honest review!
July 8, 2026
Thank you sm @lunaliterary.management and @haileyrodger.writes for this incredible ARC!
I knew I was going to love this story: single dad, the new girl in town who becomes the nanny, firefighters but I never expected to finish this book crying over characters I’d only known from one book. The power of found family! I already love them all so much. I feel like this fire department is going to hold a special place in my heart. I don’t want to leave Maplewood anymore, and I’m so sad to have to wait until 2027 for the next one…
Penny breaks my heart as much as she picks up all the pieces. She’s running away from her old life because she didn’t belong and her kindness was used. I saw a lot of myself in her character, not wanting to waste time and often worrying about what others might think of us. In the end, Penny, who always thought she was a burden wherever she went, became Elle and Evan’s lucky charm. She was just so sweet, loyal, caring and always looked after Elle like she was her own little girl.
I won’t lie, at first I didn’t know what to think of Evan. But page after page, I realized he was simply a protective father who had built high walls to shield his daughter due to a complicated past with her mother. I loved how devoted he is to Elle and that he’s willing to do anything for her. I also loved his friendships with the other guys who are always there for him, supporting him no matter what. It took a lot for him to open up to Penny but once he did, Evan didn’t hesitate to tell her clearly that she meant a lot to him, even braving the flames.
My heart melted for him and his daughter Elle but especially for how Penny instantly became part of the family, as if it had been meant to be from the moment they first met. Elle is the most cutie and goofy little girl ever. Their relationship was so beautiful and nothing was rushed.
The idea of the fractured fairytale added an extra charm with all the references. It was magical, unique and original while keeping the contemporary world.
I knew I was going to love this story: single dad, the new girl in town who becomes the nanny, firefighters but I never expected to finish this book crying over characters I’d only known from one book. The power of found family! I already love them all so much. I feel like this fire department is going to hold a special place in my heart. I don’t want to leave Maplewood anymore, and I’m so sad to have to wait until 2027 for the next one…
Penny breaks my heart as much as she picks up all the pieces. She’s running away from her old life because she didn’t belong and her kindness was used. I saw a lot of myself in her character, not wanting to waste time and often worrying about what others might think of us. In the end, Penny, who always thought she was a burden wherever she went, became Elle and Evan’s lucky charm. She was just so sweet, loyal, caring and always looked after Elle like she was her own little girl.
I won’t lie, at first I didn’t know what to think of Evan. But page after page, I realized he was simply a protective father who had built high walls to shield his daughter due to a complicated past with her mother. I loved how devoted he is to Elle and that he’s willing to do anything for her. I also loved his friendships with the other guys who are always there for him, supporting him no matter what. It took a lot for him to open up to Penny but once he did, Evan didn’t hesitate to tell her clearly that she meant a lot to him, even braving the flames.
My heart melted for him and his daughter Elle but especially for how Penny instantly became part of the family, as if it had been meant to be from the moment they first met. Elle is the most cutie and goofy little girl ever. Their relationship was so beautiful and nothing was rushed.
The idea of the fractured fairytale added an extra charm with all the references. It was magical, unique and original while keeping the contemporary world.
July 4, 2026
I know the blurb says one terrible night but it couldn’t be that bad… FAMOUS LAST WORDS MY GOSH. I loved this book and loved the way Evan and Elle immediately became obsessed with Penny. My girl Penny, I loved her at the start and I loved her even more by the end. This book was my first Hailey read and I can confidently say I have some backlist to read!
This is your warning that this one HURTS BAD but is also so good!!!
This is your warning that this one HURTS BAD but is also so good!!!
July 7, 2026
“I love you because somewhere along
the way, you became my favorite part."❤️
This book was a masterpiece from the start I was hooked, I love the characters and the writing was so good I mean it when I tell you guys this book shattered me in pieces I was crying so hard, I will be thinking about the book and the characters for quite some time I’m still not over.
Evan the man you are carrying the weight of everything he’s so careful with his daughter.
And penny changed cities because she thinks she doesn’t belong there, wanted to feel loved by people.
and Elle oh my god the cutest 5 year old girl with her penguin facts she’s just so precious she lightened this book with her personality.
It was such a beautiful story its about a grumpy firefighter named Evan and a new girl who moved to town named Penny, Evan has a daughter and needs a nanny and penny is searching for a new job.
This was my first book of Hailey Rodger and it won’t be the last time can’t wait for book 2
the way, you became my favorite part."❤️
This book was a masterpiece from the start I was hooked, I love the characters and the writing was so good I mean it when I tell you guys this book shattered me in pieces I was crying so hard, I will be thinking about the book and the characters for quite some time I’m still not over.
Evan the man you are carrying the weight of everything he’s so careful with his daughter.
And penny changed cities because she thinks she doesn’t belong there, wanted to feel loved by people.
and Elle oh my god the cutest 5 year old girl with her penguin facts she’s just so precious she lightened this book with her personality.
It was such a beautiful story its about a grumpy firefighter named Evan and a new girl who moved to town named Penny, Evan has a daughter and needs a nanny and penny is searching for a new job.
This was my first book of Hailey Rodger and it won’t be the last time can’t wait for book 2
July 9, 2026
4.5 stars.
I loved "Cinder" by Hailey Rodger. It is a Cinderella retelling, single dad x new person in town/nanny, small-town firefighter romance between Penny (FMC) and Evan (MMC). Penny has spent her entire life hiding who she really is to please everyone around her, especially her horrible stepmother, who has blamed her for every bad thing that has ever happened in their lives. After the death of her father, Penny finds herself in Maplewood and shortly after runs into Evan Prince, a brooding firefighter and father to the precious five-year-old Elle, after she gets into a heated debate with him and his firefighting crew about the best Spice Girl. (this scene took me out!!!) Looking for a more permanent person to watch Elle, Penny steps up and offers her nannying services. Elle and Penny bond immediately over Elle's infinite quest for knowledge, penguins, and penguin pancakes. As Evan and Penny start to get closer to one another, his grumpiness thaws and a very swoon-worthy bond blossoms between the two of them! I adored their connection with one another and was enthralled with their relationship from the beginning! Their story is full of banter, intrigue, charm, and a little whimsy. It's like a warm hug on a cold day. I loved both of these characters individually as well as together. Penny is such a kind old soul. Evan is such a protective, patient person. I also loved the three-person family unit with Elle, too, the way Penny never let Elle think she was too much or the cause of any strife (AKA the person she wished she had had while growing up). There is also a bit of grief in this book as well, but it felt authentic and necessary to the plot. In fact, everything in this story clicks into place perfectly and flows well. It never feels bogged down by unnecessary scenes or dialogue. I simply loved this one! I smiled from beginning to end.
Thank you to Hailey Rodger and Luna Literary for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
I loved "Cinder" by Hailey Rodger. It is a Cinderella retelling, single dad x new person in town/nanny, small-town firefighter romance between Penny (FMC) and Evan (MMC). Penny has spent her entire life hiding who she really is to please everyone around her, especially her horrible stepmother, who has blamed her for every bad thing that has ever happened in their lives. After the death of her father, Penny finds herself in Maplewood and shortly after runs into Evan Prince, a brooding firefighter and father to the precious five-year-old Elle, after she gets into a heated debate with him and his firefighting crew about the best Spice Girl. (this scene took me out!!!) Looking for a more permanent person to watch Elle, Penny steps up and offers her nannying services. Elle and Penny bond immediately over Elle's infinite quest for knowledge, penguins, and penguin pancakes. As Evan and Penny start to get closer to one another, his grumpiness thaws and a very swoon-worthy bond blossoms between the two of them! I adored their connection with one another and was enthralled with their relationship from the beginning! Their story is full of banter, intrigue, charm, and a little whimsy. It's like a warm hug on a cold day. I loved both of these characters individually as well as together. Penny is such a kind old soul. Evan is such a protective, patient person. I also loved the three-person family unit with Elle, too, the way Penny never let Elle think she was too much or the cause of any strife (AKA the person she wished she had had while growing up). There is also a bit of grief in this book as well, but it felt authentic and necessary to the plot. In fact, everything in this story clicks into place perfectly and flows well. It never feels bogged down by unnecessary scenes or dialogue. I simply loved this one! I smiled from beginning to end.
Thank you to Hailey Rodger and Luna Literary for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
July 6, 2026
A MASSIVE thank you to Hailey Rodger and LunaLiterary for the PHENOMENAL ARC of Cinder!!!! Book besties…I LOVED this book. It hit all the marks for me and then some. I don’t even think I’ll be able to properly explain how much but I’ll be making an attempt.
How on earth was this book SO FREAKING FUNNY????? I’ll take 15 more please. If it wasn’t the Spice Girls metric validation test, it was navigating conversations with the kiddos lmaoooo. Not only was this book hilarious, it was so sensual, steamy, filled with some amazing spice, and also managed to make me cry (this is a big compliment). I felt EMOTIONS. Honestly, I wasn’t even that far into the book before knowing I would be buying a physical copy.
Penny is SO good. Oh my gosh. I lovedddddd her. She’s so selfless and kind, but the world hasn’t been kind to her. She’s internalized this quite a bit. Yet, she still gives so much of herself. She’s so easy to love. Evan didn’t stand a chance lmao. And Evan??? Green flag, protective without being overbearing, single dad hottie. He’s such a good parent to Elle 😭👍🏻. All he wants is to make sure he gives Elle as much stability as possible being a single parent. Then when we have Penny and Evan together???? Holy F&@*.
“Sit on me, Pen. Don’t hover, baby.”
“Pin me to the mattress and find out.”
Like???? They are obsessed with each other. I’m obsessed with them and this book. The spice and intimacy were chef’s kiss amazing. Found family vibes are amazing! And I loved the fractured fairytale approach to this book. I am so excited for the next book in this series and plan to spend time reading Hailey’s other series while I wait!
How on earth was this book SO FREAKING FUNNY????? I’ll take 15 more please. If it wasn’t the Spice Girls metric validation test, it was navigating conversations with the kiddos lmaoooo. Not only was this book hilarious, it was so sensual, steamy, filled with some amazing spice, and also managed to make me cry (this is a big compliment). I felt EMOTIONS. Honestly, I wasn’t even that far into the book before knowing I would be buying a physical copy.
Penny is SO good. Oh my gosh. I lovedddddd her. She’s so selfless and kind, but the world hasn’t been kind to her. She’s internalized this quite a bit. Yet, she still gives so much of herself. She’s so easy to love. Evan didn’t stand a chance lmao. And Evan??? Green flag, protective without being overbearing, single dad hottie. He’s such a good parent to Elle 😭👍🏻. All he wants is to make sure he gives Elle as much stability as possible being a single parent. Then when we have Penny and Evan together???? Holy F&@*.
“Sit on me, Pen. Don’t hover, baby.”
“Pin me to the mattress and find out.”
Like???? They are obsessed with each other. I’m obsessed with them and this book. The spice and intimacy were chef’s kiss amazing. Found family vibes are amazing! And I loved the fractured fairytale approach to this book. I am so excited for the next book in this series and plan to spend time reading Hailey’s other series while I wait!
July 6, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
this was absolutely so good from the very first chapter. I love a fractured fairytale it gives the best angst and the best tension.
I felt from the first page when they met that Penny and Evan were gonna give me all the feels and they delivered.
I love the little town life (like really I wanna live there.) and everyone we met along the way. I can’t wait for more in the series and crumbs about my now favorite penguin 🐧 family!!!
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
this was absolutely so good from the very first chapter. I love a fractured fairytale it gives the best angst and the best tension.
I felt from the first page when they met that Penny and Evan were gonna give me all the feels and they delivered.
I love the little town life (like really I wanna live there.) and everyone we met along the way. I can’t wait for more in the series and crumbs about my now favorite penguin 🐧 family!!!
July 9, 2026
Single dad x nanny ✔️ fractured fairytale ✔️ small town ✔️ firefighter romance ✔️ grumpy x sunshine ✔️ found family ✔️ emotional af ✔️ spicy mirror scene ✔️’eyes on me’ ✔️
HAILEEEYYY omg!!! This was just incredible!!! I was lucky enough to Beta and ARC read this one, and I loved it as a beta read… but now?? It absolutely blew me away, knocked my socks off and absolutely left me in awe!!!
If there’s one thing I can count on with Hailey is that she’ll write an absolute banger of a book with the best found family vibes, so I knew I would love this one. What I didn’t know is how much I was going to cry, how real and relatable a lot of this story was going to be, and how much my heart was going to break. Like I’m taking sobbing, snotting and being unable to catch my breath. But it’s okay, 10/10 and infinity stars despite the emotional damage. ❤️🩹🤣
Evan, my mannn. Your loveable grumpy firefighter you. Ugh I just loved him so much. I love a grumpy man, almost as much as I love a quiet one. The thing I loved most about him though is how soft he was for his daughter, and then in turn for Penny too. The way he was steady and down bad for Penny as soon as Elle was like ‘yep I like her’ my heartttttt. His love was quiet (but obvious to the whole gang around him hahah) and sure and all the things Penny deserved.
And Penny, my girl, ugh I just adored her. I felt for her, and related so hard to a lot of her feelings. I spent so much of my twenties feeling like bad luck, like I wasn’t good enough and my godddd did I see so much of myself in her. I absolutely bawled so many times with her. Her sassiness though, that’s what made love her more, that and her kindness and genuine love for Elle. Seeing her finally find comfort, peace and a place to just be herself was honestly so special.
Elle, Evan’s daughter, absolutely stole the show too. Her facts about penguins, her love for life, her need of knowledge and the way she knew just what to say to make me sob and feel all the feelings. Elle and Penny were like two peas in a post and their music dance parties gave me life!
I also have to take a second to talk about the spice and tension, I knew Hailey would deliver but OMG. The way their chemistry was off the charts, the glances and touches, the way they gravitated towards each other. And the way Evan handled her. THE MOUTH ON THAT MAN. Omggg. So many scenes live in my head rent free.
The Cinderella references throughout also have me life, and made my Cinderella loving heart so freaking happy. Pumpkins, midnight, time running out, the gang making references to Evan needing a fairy godmother and other phrases, his last name being prince, and so so so many other little bits that made me so freaking happy.
I’m not gonna talk much about the thing that made me sob the hardest because I think it’s best to leave that unsaid, but pay attention to the blurb and content warnings and be ready to need all the tissues and scream at Hailey — i absolutely understand why the story went where it went and I’m so freaking excited for what’s to come but wow that was a rough ride 😮💨
This was an absolutely phenomenal start to the new series, I fell in love with the whole gang and I’m so excited to see what Hailey has in store for us. Hope you have the best release day girly, so beyond proud of you.
HAILEEEYYY omg!!! This was just incredible!!! I was lucky enough to Beta and ARC read this one, and I loved it as a beta read… but now?? It absolutely blew me away, knocked my socks off and absolutely left me in awe!!!
If there’s one thing I can count on with Hailey is that she’ll write an absolute banger of a book with the best found family vibes, so I knew I would love this one. What I didn’t know is how much I was going to cry, how real and relatable a lot of this story was going to be, and how much my heart was going to break. Like I’m taking sobbing, snotting and being unable to catch my breath. But it’s okay, 10/10 and infinity stars despite the emotional damage. ❤️🩹🤣
Evan, my mannn. Your loveable grumpy firefighter you. Ugh I just loved him so much. I love a grumpy man, almost as much as I love a quiet one. The thing I loved most about him though is how soft he was for his daughter, and then in turn for Penny too. The way he was steady and down bad for Penny as soon as Elle was like ‘yep I like her’ my heartttttt. His love was quiet (but obvious to the whole gang around him hahah) and sure and all the things Penny deserved.
And Penny, my girl, ugh I just adored her. I felt for her, and related so hard to a lot of her feelings. I spent so much of my twenties feeling like bad luck, like I wasn’t good enough and my godddd did I see so much of myself in her. I absolutely bawled so many times with her. Her sassiness though, that’s what made love her more, that and her kindness and genuine love for Elle. Seeing her finally find comfort, peace and a place to just be herself was honestly so special.
Elle, Evan’s daughter, absolutely stole the show too. Her facts about penguins, her love for life, her need of knowledge and the way she knew just what to say to make me sob and feel all the feelings. Elle and Penny were like two peas in a post and their music dance parties gave me life!
I also have to take a second to talk about the spice and tension, I knew Hailey would deliver but OMG. The way their chemistry was off the charts, the glances and touches, the way they gravitated towards each other. And the way Evan handled her. THE MOUTH ON THAT MAN. Omggg. So many scenes live in my head rent free.
The Cinderella references throughout also have me life, and made my Cinderella loving heart so freaking happy. Pumpkins, midnight, time running out, the gang making references to Evan needing a fairy godmother and other phrases, his last name being prince, and so so so many other little bits that made me so freaking happy.
I’m not gonna talk much about the thing that made me sob the hardest because I think it’s best to leave that unsaid, but pay attention to the blurb and content warnings and be ready to need all the tissues and scream at Hailey — i absolutely understand why the story went where it went and I’m so freaking excited for what’s to come but wow that was a rough ride 😮💨
This was an absolutely phenomenal start to the new series, I fell in love with the whole gang and I’m so excited to see what Hailey has in store for us. Hope you have the best release day girly, so beyond proud of you.
July 3, 2026
The cover of this is BEAUTIFUL! It caught my eye right away. When I saw it was about a firefighter AND the nanny, I was hoping so bad that I would receive the ARC. So when I did, I was almost crying and started it as soon as I got it.
I love Penny! She stayed true to herself through the whole book.
I love a firefighter, but when they are grumpy….. I’m done. AND A SINGLE DAD. These were all my favorite tropes so this was really the perfect book for me and it did NOT disappoint. I liked that Evan was hesitant and didn’t let just anyone babysit for him. The friendship between all of the firefighters made me want to join their group.
And Ellie was so cute! Sometimes the kids can be annoying and I don’t feel much for them but she was really cute. I loved watching Ellie and Penny grow together and learnt to trust each other.
The last 80% of the book made me SOB. OMG!!! It was so sad but the ending was so beautiful.
Ugh I’m still sad thinking about it. 😭
I will be thinking about this book for awhile. Just perfection. I’m so sad that I’m done with the book and can’t wait for the next one!
I HIGHLY encourage you to read this book!! You can’t go wrong with it. I am so beyond excited to read the other books in the series. Can’t wait for Ghost’s story, whenever that is!! 👀
Will be buying myself a physical copy to add to my shelf because how could I not.
5 ⭐️ HUGE THANK YOU TO THE AUTHOR FOR THIS ARC
I love Penny! She stayed true to herself through the whole book.
I love a firefighter, but when they are grumpy….. I’m done. AND A SINGLE DAD. These were all my favorite tropes so this was really the perfect book for me and it did NOT disappoint. I liked that Evan was hesitant and didn’t let just anyone babysit for him. The friendship between all of the firefighters made me want to join their group.
And Ellie was so cute! Sometimes the kids can be annoying and I don’t feel much for them but she was really cute. I loved watching Ellie and Penny grow together and learnt to trust each other.
The last 80% of the book made me SOB. OMG!!! It was so sad but the ending was so beautiful.
Ugh I’m still sad thinking about it. 😭
I will be thinking about this book for awhile. Just perfection. I’m so sad that I’m done with the book and can’t wait for the next one!
I HIGHLY encourage you to read this book!! You can’t go wrong with it. I am so beyond excited to read the other books in the series. Can’t wait for Ghost’s story, whenever that is!! 👀
Will be buying myself a physical copy to add to my shelf because how could I not.
5 ⭐️ HUGE THANK YOU TO THE AUTHOR FOR THIS ARC
July 4, 2026
I honestly don’t even know how to put into words how much I loved Cinder. From the very first chapter, it had my whole heart, and by the end I was sitting there with tears in my eyes and the biggest smile on my face.
This book made me laugh, made me emotional, and completely pulled me into the characters’ lives. I felt so connected to everything they were going through, and I found myself rooting for them every step of the way. The emotions felt genuine, the relationships felt real, and every page gave me something to feel.
Evan, Penny, and Elle completely stole my heart. Evan was the best kind of dad. He was steady, patient, and so full of love in the way he showed up every single day. Watching the three of them slowly become a family felt so natural and emotional, like they were always meant to find each other. Their story really reminded me that sometimes the home you’re searching for ends up being a person.
More than anything, this story reminded me that healing isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it. It left me feeling hopeful, emotional, and so grateful I picked it up.
Thank you to Hailey and Luna Literary for the ARC copy in exchange for my honest review. I truly loved this story and am so grateful I got to read it early. And round of applause for this cover because it’s absolutely STUNNING! 😍
This book made me laugh, made me emotional, and completely pulled me into the characters’ lives. I felt so connected to everything they were going through, and I found myself rooting for them every step of the way. The emotions felt genuine, the relationships felt real, and every page gave me something to feel.
Evan, Penny, and Elle completely stole my heart. Evan was the best kind of dad. He was steady, patient, and so full of love in the way he showed up every single day. Watching the three of them slowly become a family felt so natural and emotional, like they were always meant to find each other. Their story really reminded me that sometimes the home you’re searching for ends up being a person.
More than anything, this story reminded me that healing isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it. It left me feeling hopeful, emotional, and so grateful I picked it up.
Thank you to Hailey and Luna Literary for the ARC copy in exchange for my honest review. I truly loved this story and am so grateful I got to read it early. And round of applause for this cover because it’s absolutely STUNNING! 😍
July 9, 2026
Wooooow 🤯
I thought I was going into a hot little single dad x nanny romance and I got so much more than I expected!
Penny is the sweetest FMC. She really took care and consideration in every conversation she had. She saw things from both sides and always came from a place of empathy. I so wish she saw herself the same way because she was a sweet baby angel. The way she nurtured Elle without being overbearing and keeping her sparkle when others tried to dull it. She offers support and love to Evan at every turn whilst he brought his walls down.
Evan was a sweet MMC. I loved how he loved Penny for simply being herself. She was never too much and she brought him back to life. He rarely let people in but looking at his past you can understand why.
Elle was the sweetest little girl. Kids have so much more understanding to life than we expect and she had the most beautiful way of looking at it. I adored her spirit!
The found family was next level in the firehouse and I adored every single one of these characters.
Don’t be fooled though - this book is EMOTIONAL DAMAGE. I sobbed for a full hour and the second half of the book will destroy you. There is light at the end of the tunnel and you will feel the cracks being mended by the end
I thought I was going into a hot little single dad x nanny romance and I got so much more than I expected!
Penny is the sweetest FMC. She really took care and consideration in every conversation she had. She saw things from both sides and always came from a place of empathy. I so wish she saw herself the same way because she was a sweet baby angel. The way she nurtured Elle without being overbearing and keeping her sparkle when others tried to dull it. She offers support and love to Evan at every turn whilst he brought his walls down.
Evan was a sweet MMC. I loved how he loved Penny for simply being herself. She was never too much and she brought him back to life. He rarely let people in but looking at his past you can understand why.
Elle was the sweetest little girl. Kids have so much more understanding to life than we expect and she had the most beautiful way of looking at it. I adored her spirit!
The found family was next level in the firehouse and I adored every single one of these characters.
Don’t be fooled though - this book is EMOTIONAL DAMAGE. I sobbed for a full hour and the second half of the book will destroy you. There is light at the end of the tunnel and you will feel the cracks being mended by the end
July 8, 2026
With book one in her new Maplewood Fire series, Hailey Rodger delivers a grittier, more emotionally charged story. While the romance is at the heart of the book, it also offers a glimpse into the lives of first responders and the reality that every shift comes with risks they willingly take each time they leave home.
What I loved:
* A deliciously swoony slow-burn romance.
* The side characters that bring all the banter (yes, I’m looking at you, Fletch 🤣), while the main characters deliver all the angst, longing, and emotional tension that had my heart aching. The balance between the two is absolutely perfect, making the heavier moments feel even more impactful.
* And just the right touch of suspense to keep me eagerly turning the pages.
* I may have finished this book in two days… but the truth is, this book finished me❤️🩹
It was emotional, heartfelt, and the kind of story that stays with you long after you’ve turned the final page. I already can’t wait to return to this world and spend more time with these characters.
And as a Canadian reader, love that the setting for this series is in our little corner of the world. 🇨🇦❤️
Thank you to the author Hailey Rodger and Luna Literary Management for the opportunity to receive a e-arc and provide a review.
What I loved:
* A deliciously swoony slow-burn romance.
* The side characters that bring all the banter (yes, I’m looking at you, Fletch 🤣), while the main characters deliver all the angst, longing, and emotional tension that had my heart aching. The balance between the two is absolutely perfect, making the heavier moments feel even more impactful.
* And just the right touch of suspense to keep me eagerly turning the pages.
* I may have finished this book in two days… but the truth is, this book finished me❤️🩹
It was emotional, heartfelt, and the kind of story that stays with you long after you’ve turned the final page. I already can’t wait to return to this world and spend more time with these characters.
And as a Canadian reader, love that the setting for this series is in our little corner of the world. 🇨🇦❤️
Thank you to the author Hailey Rodger and Luna Literary Management for the opportunity to receive a e-arc and provide a review.
July 3, 2026
I’ll never get tired of reading a Hailey Rodger’s book!
I was so lucky to be picked as an ARC reader thanks to Luna Literacy ⭐️
It was a bit of a slow start & then once it hit the 30% mark it was so good I struggled to put it down, I think I would have flown through this in a couple days if I didn’t have responsibilities.
I am such a SUCKER for a single dad x nanny romance, the forced proximity & the yearning does it for me everytime.
I loved the pacing of the romance, nothing felt rushed it was a slow progression of trust & Penny just fitting seamlessly into Evan & Elles life, absolutely gorgeous.
I was shocked at the last 20% at the death of such a main character & I also noticed some of the other reviews highlighted this as well, receiving an email from Luna literacy to update the trigger warnings as some people who also received the arc must have flagged this! Well done LL for stepping up quickly & updating the ARC readers!
I’ll defo be reading the rest of the series, I eat up anything hailey publishes!
I was so lucky to be picked as an ARC reader thanks to Luna Literacy ⭐️
It was a bit of a slow start & then once it hit the 30% mark it was so good I struggled to put it down, I think I would have flown through this in a couple days if I didn’t have responsibilities.
I am such a SUCKER for a single dad x nanny romance, the forced proximity & the yearning does it for me everytime.
I loved the pacing of the romance, nothing felt rushed it was a slow progression of trust & Penny just fitting seamlessly into Evan & Elles life, absolutely gorgeous.
I was shocked at the last 20% at the death of such a main character & I also noticed some of the other reviews highlighted this as well, receiving an email from Luna literacy to update the trigger warnings as some people who also received the arc must have flagged this! Well done LL for stepping up quickly & updating the ARC readers!
I’ll defo be reading the rest of the series, I eat up anything hailey publishes!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2026
4,5 stars
I just loved the little fairytale references mixed with modern pop culture. Who doesn’t love an mmc named Prince mixed in with Spice Girls references. Add in very awkward family bbq talking about meat and I knew I was going to love this book.
My heart melted for the two broken people finding a way to fill the cracks together.
This book had it all, swoony romance, heartbreak and grief, funny banter, great communication, side characters that made me giggle and I did not see that spice coming but wow.
After feeling unwanted for years Elle struggles to believe she found her place with Evan and Elle, while Evan has trouble letting people in and trusting them after what happened with his ex.
It is slow burn but thankfully Evan kows how to handle heat because when they finally give in they were on fire.
I loved Pennies ability to be open and honest despite her past and how protective Evan was over Elle. They both knew how to communicate and I loved that about them.
I just loved the little fairytale references mixed with modern pop culture. Who doesn’t love an mmc named Prince mixed in with Spice Girls references. Add in very awkward family bbq talking about meat and I knew I was going to love this book.
My heart melted for the two broken people finding a way to fill the cracks together.
This book had it all, swoony romance, heartbreak and grief, funny banter, great communication, side characters that made me giggle and I did not see that spice coming but wow.
After feeling unwanted for years Elle struggles to believe she found her place with Evan and Elle, while Evan has trouble letting people in and trusting them after what happened with his ex.
It is slow burn but thankfully Evan kows how to handle heat because when they finally give in they were on fire.
I loved Pennies ability to be open and honest despite her past and how protective Evan was over Elle. They both knew how to communicate and I loved that about them.
July 5, 2026
i’m not gonna lie i (randomly) love firefighter books so when i saw the cover for this (HELLO ITS BEAUTIFUL!) i knew i had to request the arc. i’m so glad i did because it was so good!
im a sucker for a nanny/single dad book hehe and i LOVED penny. her character was SO very important to me. i loved the every character in this (and even KIND OF felt bad for someone that is kind of the villain). & yall when i tell you the secondary character death in this book REALLYYYYY got me… (hailey HOW DARE YOU) i cried for hours. even thinking about it makes me want to cry rn.
this is full of great banter, perfect spice 🤭, and a good time. i’m excited to see where the series goes! thank you to luna literacy & hailey rodger for the arc! all opinions are my own.
im a sucker for a nanny/single dad book hehe and i LOVED penny. her character was SO very important to me. i loved the every character in this (and even KIND OF felt bad for someone that is kind of the villain). & yall when i tell you the secondary character death in this book REALLYYYYY got me… (hailey HOW DARE YOU) i cried for hours. even thinking about it makes me want to cry rn.
this is full of great banter, perfect spice 🤭, and a good time. i’m excited to see where the series goes! thank you to luna literacy & hailey rodger for the arc! all opinions are my own.
July 9, 2026
What's not to love about a single dad firefighter and his new to town nanny. I loved Penny, she was so strong. I loved her relationship with Elle and how it grew. Even was broody and grumpy and all the things we love. Their chemistry and banter was so good.
July 8, 2026
Thank you to the author and Luna Literary Management for providing me with an ARC. All opinions are my own.
If a small-town romance with green forest firefighters/hockey players, found family and enough warmth to make you both teary-eyed and giggly sounds like your cup of tea, then Cinder by Hailey Rodger needs to be on your TBR.
Please check the trigger warnings thoroughly before going into this one as it deals with some heavy themes that might not be suitable for all readers.
We follow Penny, a woman who has spent most of her life believing she’s the common denominator behind every bad thing that happens around her. After yet another tragedy, she finds herself in Maplewood, where she crosses paths with firefighter Evan and his five year old daughter, Elle. What follows is a beautifully emotional fractured fairytale about learning that maybe, just maybe, you deserve your own happily ever after.
I think what pulled me into this book more than anything else were the emotions. The very real, very raw emotions that make it impossible not to feel everything right alongside the characters. I laughed, swooned and cried my way through this entire book. Yes…even the ending had me tearing up.
I also think this book healed a small part of me that I never really knew how to put into words. Penny’s belief that she is somehow the ‘common denominator’ behind every terrible thing that happens felt painfully real. Those kinds of insecurities don’t disappear overnight because they come from years of hurt and trauma, and I loved that the author never rushed her healing.
That’s where Maplewood completely stole my heart. Not just Evan and Elle, but every single person in this town felt like a warm cup of hot chocolate after a long, exhausting day. They welcomed Penny without expecting her to be anything other than herself. Even when everything seemed to fall apart, they stayed. They held her together, reminded her she wasn’t alone and slowly helped her believe that she deserved happiness just as much as everyone else.
Evan…what can I even say? This man is literally and figuratively the prince of my dreams. Not once did he make Penny feel like she was ‘too much’ or broken beyond repair. Instead, he loved her patiently, reassured her constantly and reminded her every single day that she deserved a fairytale of her own. He never tried to save her. He simply stood beside her while she found the strength to save herself, and I think that’s what made him such a beautiful romantic MMC.
And Penny? She was impossible not to love. She is kind, lively, funny, resilient and somehow still manages to keep her heart open despite everything she’s been through. There were so many moments where I just wanted to reach into the pages and hug her. I also loved that while Evan became a safe place for Penny, she quietly healed parts of him that he believed were gone forever. Their relationship was so emotionally mature and understanding.
And of course…we have to talk about little Elle. That sweet girl completely stole every scene she was in. She was adorable, hilarious and full of so much heart. Also…I now know far more about penguins than I ever expected to thanks to her.
Overall, Cinder felt like wrapping yourself in your favourite blanket after one of the hardest days of your life. It’s emotional without becoming overwhelming, romantic without feeling cheesy and filled with characters that genuinely feel like home. Maplewood is the kind of place I’d happily pack my bags for if it existed.
This was my first book by Hailey Rodger, but it definitely won’t be my last. 💖🤌
If a small-town romance with green forest firefighters/hockey players, found family and enough warmth to make you both teary-eyed and giggly sounds like your cup of tea, then Cinder by Hailey Rodger needs to be on your TBR.
Please check the trigger warnings thoroughly before going into this one as it deals with some heavy themes that might not be suitable for all readers.
We follow Penny, a woman who has spent most of her life believing she’s the common denominator behind every bad thing that happens around her. After yet another tragedy, she finds herself in Maplewood, where she crosses paths with firefighter Evan and his five year old daughter, Elle. What follows is a beautifully emotional fractured fairytale about learning that maybe, just maybe, you deserve your own happily ever after.
I think what pulled me into this book more than anything else were the emotions. The very real, very raw emotions that make it impossible not to feel everything right alongside the characters. I laughed, swooned and cried my way through this entire book. Yes…even the ending had me tearing up.
I also think this book healed a small part of me that I never really knew how to put into words. Penny’s belief that she is somehow the ‘common denominator’ behind every terrible thing that happens felt painfully real. Those kinds of insecurities don’t disappear overnight because they come from years of hurt and trauma, and I loved that the author never rushed her healing.
That’s where Maplewood completely stole my heart. Not just Evan and Elle, but every single person in this town felt like a warm cup of hot chocolate after a long, exhausting day. They welcomed Penny without expecting her to be anything other than herself. Even when everything seemed to fall apart, they stayed. They held her together, reminded her she wasn’t alone and slowly helped her believe that she deserved happiness just as much as everyone else.
Evan…what can I even say? This man is literally and figuratively the prince of my dreams. Not once did he make Penny feel like she was ‘too much’ or broken beyond repair. Instead, he loved her patiently, reassured her constantly and reminded her every single day that she deserved a fairytale of her own. He never tried to save her. He simply stood beside her while she found the strength to save herself, and I think that’s what made him such a beautiful romantic MMC.
And Penny? She was impossible not to love. She is kind, lively, funny, resilient and somehow still manages to keep her heart open despite everything she’s been through. There were so many moments where I just wanted to reach into the pages and hug her. I also loved that while Evan became a safe place for Penny, she quietly healed parts of him that he believed were gone forever. Their relationship was so emotionally mature and understanding.
And of course…we have to talk about little Elle. That sweet girl completely stole every scene she was in. She was adorable, hilarious and full of so much heart. Also…I now know far more about penguins than I ever expected to thanks to her.
Overall, Cinder felt like wrapping yourself in your favourite blanket after one of the hardest days of your life. It’s emotional without becoming overwhelming, romantic without feeling cheesy and filled with characters that genuinely feel like home. Maplewood is the kind of place I’d happily pack my bags for if it existed.
This was my first book by Hailey Rodger, but it definitely won’t be my last. 💖🤌
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review
Thank you Luna Literary Management and Hailey Rodger for this ARC.
Cinder is the first full length book in the Maplewood Fire series. The series opens with a holiday novella titled ‘A Merry Match’, where we are first introduced the MMC Evan and a large number of supporting characters.
This book is romantic, charming and light in most parts. However, other parts are emotionally devastating.
Evan Prince is a single dad and firefighter, trying to balance every thing in his life while also providing his daughter Elle with the best possible childhood. His old nanny retired and he is unsuccessfully trying to find a new one. Enter Penny, the new girl in town.
I really enjoyed the romance between Penny and Evan. I thought the pacing was perfect and how it developed very natural and organic. The way Penny fit so seamlessly into Evan and Elle’s world was very beautiful to witness as, until then, she had been really struggling to find her place in the world. She brought so much joy to their lives and they brought so much value to hers. I really enjoyed the soft, domestic scenes between them all.
This is a fractured fairytale romance and I loved that was done. I thought Cinderella elements were incorporated so brilliantly. From the silver heels to the evil stepmother and all the midnight references, everything felt so seamless. My personal favourite nod to the original fairytale was Gus the dog!
I also loved the Maplewood Fire crew. We get a little bit in the previous novella but we spent a lot more time with them in this book. While some of the characters are a little bit more developed than others, you do feel like you know all of them. The Spice Girl conversations had me cracking up and I loved the brotherhood between them.
The last 20% of the book is where things became very difficult for me and I struggled to select a star rating because of it. This is all hidden using the spoiler function but I need to reiterate that these next two paragraphs contain major spoilers for the both the book and series.
The trigger warnings for this ARC mention grief and loss of a loved one but I had (perhaps incorrectly) assumed this was about Penny’s parents. However, the on-page death of a prominent character and the subsequent grieving caught me completely off guard. Had I known this would occur, I would not have read this book. Cinder was hovering between four and five stars for me until this point. However now that I finished it, I know I will never pick it up again. In many ways I feel that a three star review is quite harsh because this is an objectively very well written book and for many people this particular plot point may not impact their rating. However for me personally, it was something I couldn't ignore as it completely changed my view on the book.
I did raise my concerns regarding the trigger warnings with Luna Literary Management and I have to say I was very impressed and grateful for how swiftly Lemmy and Hailey dealt with this and began the process of updating the warnings. I was slightly nervous to reach out as I wasn't sure how it would be received but I can honestly say that I truly felt like my opinion and experiences were taken into consideration and I was not dismissed in any way.
I enjoyed Penny & Evan’s romance and I adored A Merry Match so much. But given what occurred at the end of Cinder and the knowledge that this thread will be present throughout the rest of the books, I unfortunately do not think I will be able to continue with this series
Thank you Luna Literary Management and Hailey Rodger for this ARC.
Cinder is the first full length book in the Maplewood Fire series. The series opens with a holiday novella titled ‘A Merry Match’, where we are first introduced the MMC Evan and a large number of supporting characters.
This book is romantic, charming and light in most parts. However, other parts are emotionally devastating.
Evan Prince is a single dad and firefighter, trying to balance every thing in his life while also providing his daughter Elle with the best possible childhood. His old nanny retired and he is unsuccessfully trying to find a new one. Enter Penny, the new girl in town.
I really enjoyed the romance between Penny and Evan. I thought the pacing was perfect and how it developed very natural and organic. The way Penny fit so seamlessly into Evan and Elle’s world was very beautiful to witness as, until then, she had been really struggling to find her place in the world. She brought so much joy to their lives and they brought so much value to hers. I really enjoyed the soft, domestic scenes between them all.
This is a fractured fairytale romance and I loved that was done. I thought Cinderella elements were incorporated so brilliantly. From the silver heels to the evil stepmother and all the midnight references, everything felt so seamless. My personal favourite nod to the original fairytale was Gus the dog!
I also loved the Maplewood Fire crew. We get a little bit in the previous novella but we spent a lot more time with them in this book. While some of the characters are a little bit more developed than others, you do feel like you know all of them. The Spice Girl conversations had me cracking up and I loved the brotherhood between them.
The last 20% of the book is where things became very difficult for me and I struggled to select a star rating because of it. This is all hidden using the spoiler function but I need to reiterate that these next two paragraphs contain major spoilers for the both the book and series.
The trigger warnings for this ARC mention grief and loss of a loved one but I had (perhaps incorrectly) assumed this was about Penny’s parents. However, the on-page death of a prominent character and the subsequent grieving caught me completely off guard. Had I known this would occur, I would not have read this book. Cinder was hovering between four and five stars for me until this point. However now that I finished it, I know I will never pick it up again. In many ways I feel that a three star review is quite harsh because this is an objectively very well written book and for many people this particular plot point may not impact their rating. However for me personally, it was something I couldn't ignore as it completely changed my view on the book.
I did raise my concerns regarding the trigger warnings with Luna Literary Management and I have to say I was very impressed and grateful for how swiftly Lemmy and Hailey dealt with this and began the process of updating the warnings. I was slightly nervous to reach out as I wasn't sure how it would be received but I can honestly say that I truly felt like my opinion and experiences were taken into consideration and I was not dismissed in any way.
I enjoyed Penny & Evan’s romance and I adored A Merry Match so much. But given what occurred at the end of Cinder and the knowledge that this thread will be present throughout the rest of the books, I unfortunately do not think I will be able to continue with this series
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Advanced Readers Copy
Cinder ARC Review 🔥🚒
“This house sounded empty before you, so don’t go quiet on me now, baby.”-Evan Prince ( Favourite Quote) 🔥🚒💞
Firstly I’d like to thank Luna Literary & Hailey Rodger’s for this opportunity to receive and read the ARC of Cinder. I loved the little personal touch of my email through the book saying ‘This book was made for.’ 🥹🫶🏻 it’s the little things for me and I’m never deleting this off my Kindle.
I have rated this Book 5 🌟.. I was blown away by this the moment I saw that cover. I knew I had to read it. This is my first Fire Fighter romance book and it did not disappoint.
I laughed so hard I had water up my nose yesterday 🤣🤣.. and I cried so much my eyes are all puffy.. through it all there were smiles and I kicked my feet through the spicy moments. And there was Spice girlies! Hailey knows how we like our men! Especially Evan Prince 🔥
Penny, Pretty Penny Easton, soon as I saw the introduction to her. I knew I’d love her! She’s so selfless, care free and just so warming to be around. I really loved how Penny and Evan met, just casually in a coffee shop 🫶🏻
I loved her relationship with Elle, that little girl has my heart 💓 reminds me so much of my son! 👦🏼 it was so comforting to me. And I have learnt numerous Penguin facts so thankyou Elle. 🐧☺️
So if Penny stays here, does that mean she’s like our penguin?”-Elle 👧🏼🐧
Evan Prince, that man has been added to my book boyfriend list and I take that every seriously. 🤭
At the beginning he was all so serious, exhausted and over protective dad. Once Penny came into his and Elle’s lives we can see that he starts to let down his walls a little and see this man as who he is after a horrible past engagement with his ex who left him and Elle.
Penny is so vibrant, the blue tinged hair, the smile that never leaves her. He fell for her before he even realised.
I haven’t said it, but I know it. I know it the same way I know fire burns hot and penguins choose one mate for life. I’m in love with Penny Easton.-Evan Prince
And that Mirror scene 😳 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
Who knew the hockey playing firefighter has such a dirty mouth.
Eyes on me or I’ll stop.”
“Give me those little sounds, beautiful. The ones you’re trying to hide.”-Evan Prince
Colt Lawson.. I can’t say anything about this man or I will just cry again. He was such a lovely character he loved his wife and children fiercely.
I think Remi may find love again down the line maybe in Book3? Who knows.. I did notice a vibe somewhere..
I especially loved the heartwarming cosy found family aspect of this one. The town, the characters.. the little hidden gems of Fairytale names and places throughout. I didn’t want to leave Maplewood, and I hope I’ll return soon for Book2? 📖✨
✨Single Dad x Nanny
✨Grumpy x Sunshine
✨Firefighter Romance
✨Small Town Romance
✨Chaotic Found Family
✨A Spicy Mirror Scene
✨Fractured Fairytale
✨He Carries her Heels
✨Hurt - Comfort
✨On page firefighter call-outs
✨Hockey playing Firefighters
✨A Dalmatian Doggo
✨When Miss ‘I don’t fit anywhere’ meets Mr you’re my perfect fit.’
“Find my Penny, pick her up, all day long I’ll have good luck.”-Evan 🚒 🏒
Cinder ARC Review 🔥🚒
“This house sounded empty before you, so don’t go quiet on me now, baby.”-Evan Prince ( Favourite Quote) 🔥🚒💞
Firstly I’d like to thank Luna Literary & Hailey Rodger’s for this opportunity to receive and read the ARC of Cinder. I loved the little personal touch of my email through the book saying ‘This book was made for.’ 🥹🫶🏻 it’s the little things for me and I’m never deleting this off my Kindle.
I have rated this Book 5 🌟.. I was blown away by this the moment I saw that cover. I knew I had to read it. This is my first Fire Fighter romance book and it did not disappoint.
I laughed so hard I had water up my nose yesterday 🤣🤣.. and I cried so much my eyes are all puffy.. through it all there were smiles and I kicked my feet through the spicy moments. And there was Spice girlies! Hailey knows how we like our men! Especially Evan Prince 🔥
Penny, Pretty Penny Easton, soon as I saw the introduction to her. I knew I’d love her! She’s so selfless, care free and just so warming to be around. I really loved how Penny and Evan met, just casually in a coffee shop 🫶🏻
I loved her relationship with Elle, that little girl has my heart 💓 reminds me so much of my son! 👦🏼 it was so comforting to me. And I have learnt numerous Penguin facts so thankyou Elle. 🐧☺️
So if Penny stays here, does that mean she’s like our penguin?”-Elle 👧🏼🐧
Evan Prince, that man has been added to my book boyfriend list and I take that every seriously. 🤭
At the beginning he was all so serious, exhausted and over protective dad. Once Penny came into his and Elle’s lives we can see that he starts to let down his walls a little and see this man as who he is after a horrible past engagement with his ex who left him and Elle.
Penny is so vibrant, the blue tinged hair, the smile that never leaves her. He fell for her before he even realised.
I haven’t said it, but I know it. I know it the same way I know fire burns hot and penguins choose one mate for life. I’m in love with Penny Easton.-Evan Prince
And that Mirror scene 😳 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
Who knew the hockey playing firefighter has such a dirty mouth.
Eyes on me or I’ll stop.”
“Give me those little sounds, beautiful. The ones you’re trying to hide.”-Evan Prince
Colt Lawson.. I can’t say anything about this man or I will just cry again. He was such a lovely character he loved his wife and children fiercely.
I think Remi may find love again down the line maybe in Book3? Who knows.. I did notice a vibe somewhere..
I especially loved the heartwarming cosy found family aspect of this one. The town, the characters.. the little hidden gems of Fairytale names and places throughout. I didn’t want to leave Maplewood, and I hope I’ll return soon for Book2? 📖✨
✨Single Dad x Nanny
✨Grumpy x Sunshine
✨Firefighter Romance
✨Small Town Romance
✨Chaotic Found Family
✨A Spicy Mirror Scene
✨Fractured Fairytale
✨He Carries her Heels
✨Hurt - Comfort
✨On page firefighter call-outs
✨Hockey playing Firefighters
✨A Dalmatian Doggo
✨When Miss ‘I don’t fit anywhere’ meets Mr you’re my perfect fit.’
“Find my Penny, pick her up, all day long I’ll have good luck.”-Evan 🚒 🏒
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
🗓️ release date: july 9.
⭐ 4.5
¿Como me recupero luego de leer este libro? Dios mío, les digo que desde las primeras paginas me gusto, me atrapo pero mientras mas leía mas iba poniendo mi corazón en este libro y ¿esa recta final? simplemente rompió mi corazón.
La historia de Penny y Evan es de esas que tienes que prestarles tu total atención mientras lees, es de esas que te atrapan, te llenan el corazón, Penny es una chica que llega a Maplewood para empezar de nuevo, mi pobre niña a sufrido mucho pero siento que llegar aquí fue lo mejor que pudo hacer y conocer a Evan, quien para mi, es su alma gemela me lleno de alegría, leer como poco a poco se acercaban, como ella se gano completamente el corazón de la pequeña Elle (hija de Evan) fue lo mejor. El romance fue hermoso, las escenas steamy fueron bien echas, TODO, la verdad es que la historia de ellos es hermosa.
El found family fue lo mejor de todo este libro, todos los bomberos de Maplewood, todos los personajes secundarios fueron hermosos y aquí diré que gracias a esos personajes fue que mi corazón se partió ya en la recta final de este libro, no me esperaba nada de eso y por eso aun sigo sorprendida de lo mucho que llore.
Fue un buen libro, no me esperaba que me gustara tanto, que mi corazón latiera tanto mientras lo leía, sin duda espero leer mas de la autora pronto y sin duda espero con ansias el segundo libro.
La historia tiene temas fuertes así que es bueno leer las advertencias de contenido.
**********
How am I supposed to recover after reading this book? Oh my gosh, I’m telling you, I loved it from the very first pages it hooked me but the more I read, the more I poured my heart into this book, and that final stretch? It just broke my heart.
Penny and Evan’s story is one of those that demands your full attention while you’re reading; it’s one of those that pulls you in and fills your heart. Penny is a girl who arrives in Maplewood to start over and my poor girl has suffered so much but I feel like coming here was the best thing she could have done, and meeting Evan, who, to me, is her soulmate, filled me with joy. Reading about how they gradually grew closer and how she completely won over little Elle’s heart (Evan’s daughter) that was the best part. The romance was beautiful; the steamy scenes were well written, I loved EVERYTHING. The truth is, their story is just beautiful.
The found family was the best part of this whole book, all the Maplewood firefighters, all the side characters were wonderful. And I’ll say here that it was thanks to those characters that my heart broke toward the very end of this book; I wasn’t expecting any of that, which is why I’m still surprised by just how much I cried.
It was a great book; I didn’t expect to love it this much or for my heart to race so much while reading it. I definitely hope to read more from this author soon, and I’m definitely looking forward to the second book.
The story deals with some heavy themes, so read the content warnings.
📌 I received an e-arc, and this is my honest opinion/review of it.
⭐ 4.5
¿Como me recupero luego de leer este libro? Dios mío, les digo que desde las primeras paginas me gusto, me atrapo pero mientras mas leía mas iba poniendo mi corazón en este libro y ¿esa recta final? simplemente rompió mi corazón.
La historia de Penny y Evan es de esas que tienes que prestarles tu total atención mientras lees, es de esas que te atrapan, te llenan el corazón, Penny es una chica que llega a Maplewood para empezar de nuevo, mi pobre niña a sufrido mucho pero siento que llegar aquí fue lo mejor que pudo hacer y conocer a Evan, quien para mi, es su alma gemela me lleno de alegría, leer como poco a poco se acercaban, como ella se gano completamente el corazón de la pequeña Elle (hija de Evan) fue lo mejor. El romance fue hermoso, las escenas steamy fueron bien echas, TODO, la verdad es que la historia de ellos es hermosa.
El found family fue lo mejor de todo este libro, todos los bomberos de Maplewood, todos los personajes secundarios fueron hermosos y aquí diré que gracias a esos personajes fue que mi corazón se partió ya en la recta final de este libro, no me esperaba nada de eso y por eso aun sigo sorprendida de lo mucho que llore.
Fue un buen libro, no me esperaba que me gustara tanto, que mi corazón latiera tanto mientras lo leía, sin duda espero leer mas de la autora pronto y sin duda espero con ansias el segundo libro.
La historia tiene temas fuertes así que es bueno leer las advertencias de contenido.
**********
How am I supposed to recover after reading this book? Oh my gosh, I’m telling you, I loved it from the very first pages it hooked me but the more I read, the more I poured my heart into this book, and that final stretch? It just broke my heart.
Penny and Evan’s story is one of those that demands your full attention while you’re reading; it’s one of those that pulls you in and fills your heart. Penny is a girl who arrives in Maplewood to start over and my poor girl has suffered so much but I feel like coming here was the best thing she could have done, and meeting Evan, who, to me, is her soulmate, filled me with joy. Reading about how they gradually grew closer and how she completely won over little Elle’s heart (Evan’s daughter) that was the best part. The romance was beautiful; the steamy scenes were well written, I loved EVERYTHING. The truth is, their story is just beautiful.
The found family was the best part of this whole book, all the Maplewood firefighters, all the side characters were wonderful. And I’ll say here that it was thanks to those characters that my heart broke toward the very end of this book; I wasn’t expecting any of that, which is why I’m still surprised by just how much I cried.
It was a great book; I didn’t expect to love it this much or for my heart to race so much while reading it. I definitely hope to read more from this author soon, and I’m definitely looking forward to the second book.
The story deals with some heavy themes, so read the content warnings.
📌 I received an e-arc, and this is my honest opinion/review of it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I want to thank Hailey Rodger and Luna Literary for the ARC of Cinder... I absolutely loved this book!
Evan... Where do I start? He's one of my favorite book dads for sure. You can tell he is balancing a lot, by himself. He's tired, stretched too thin, while carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, but he handles everything in stride. He's cautious about who he allows into Elle's life, he's super respectful, and a walking green flag. The way he makes Penny feel wanted and seen is one of my favorite parts of this story, it's beautiful
Penny... I adored her! Watching someone who's spent most of her life trying to fit into everyone else's expectations can take a toll on a person. You can see throughout the book that it's affected her in multiple ways. With that being said, she's found a place where she can just be herself and a man who loves her for who she is, and that was a joy to read
Y'all, let's talk about Elle :) That little girl stole my heart as well as this book. Her obsession with penguins, her giant heart, the way her and Penny fit from the beginning, without it feeling like it was forced, all of those moments were just as important as the romance in this story. What makes them more meaningful is how Evan doesn't let anyone in their world but how Penny and Elle were magnets, you cannot break them apart
One thing I appreciated a ton was how mature everyone was/felt. Evan and Penny communicated like adults. They were honest about what they wanted while respecting each other's boundaries, especially with Elle being involved. It made every step they took in their relationship that much more special
Evan is an absolute sweetheart, let's just say that first. Y'all... THE MOUTH ON THAT MAN! He's a man down bad, that's for sure. The chemistry had been simmering for a while and when they finally quit fighting their feelings, it was juicy. Everything went from chill to going 100 miles an hour on the highway. Was I complaining about that? No, because you could tell the love was there between them
Y'ALL... The turn this book took had my jaw on the floor. My heart dropped to my stomach because it was that sick. I'm not going to spoil anything because y'all deserve to experience that moment completely blind but just emotionally prepare yourself. I was sitting there staring at the pages trying to figure out how to recover from that moment but I haven't done that yet
I read this book in a day, that's how good it was. I didn't want to stop reading because I needed to know what was going to happen. At the end of Evan and Penny's story I didn't want to leave Maplewood. I love this found family and just want them all to be happy. I'm genuinely looking forward to all of their stories, the rest of this series is going to be fantastic :)
Y'all go check this book, it's a great start to new a series by a great writer! 1000% 5 Stars
Thank you again to Hailey Rodger and Luna Literary for the ARC, I appreciate it :)
Evan... Where do I start? He's one of my favorite book dads for sure. You can tell he is balancing a lot, by himself. He's tired, stretched too thin, while carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, but he handles everything in stride. He's cautious about who he allows into Elle's life, he's super respectful, and a walking green flag. The way he makes Penny feel wanted and seen is one of my favorite parts of this story, it's beautiful
Penny... I adored her! Watching someone who's spent most of her life trying to fit into everyone else's expectations can take a toll on a person. You can see throughout the book that it's affected her in multiple ways. With that being said, she's found a place where she can just be herself and a man who loves her for who she is, and that was a joy to read
Y'all, let's talk about Elle :) That little girl stole my heart as well as this book. Her obsession with penguins, her giant heart, the way her and Penny fit from the beginning, without it feeling like it was forced, all of those moments were just as important as the romance in this story. What makes them more meaningful is how Evan doesn't let anyone in their world but how Penny and Elle were magnets, you cannot break them apart
One thing I appreciated a ton was how mature everyone was/felt. Evan and Penny communicated like adults. They were honest about what they wanted while respecting each other's boundaries, especially with Elle being involved. It made every step they took in their relationship that much more special
Evan is an absolute sweetheart, let's just say that first. Y'all... THE MOUTH ON THAT MAN! He's a man down bad, that's for sure. The chemistry had been simmering for a while and when they finally quit fighting their feelings, it was juicy. Everything went from chill to going 100 miles an hour on the highway. Was I complaining about that? No, because you could tell the love was there between them
Y'ALL... The turn this book took had my jaw on the floor. My heart dropped to my stomach because it was that sick. I'm not going to spoil anything because y'all deserve to experience that moment completely blind but just emotionally prepare yourself. I was sitting there staring at the pages trying to figure out how to recover from that moment but I haven't done that yet
I read this book in a day, that's how good it was. I didn't want to stop reading because I needed to know what was going to happen. At the end of Evan and Penny's story I didn't want to leave Maplewood. I love this found family and just want them all to be happy. I'm genuinely looking forward to all of their stories, the rest of this series is going to be fantastic :)
Y'all go check this book, it's a great start to new a series by a great writer! 1000% 5 Stars
Thank you again to Hailey Rodger and Luna Literary for the ARC, I appreciate it :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you for the ARC opportunity! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is my first book by this author, and safe to say it won't be my last. I'll definitely be making my way through her backlist.
What immediately sold me on this book was the fractured fairytale premise. As a millennial Disney kid... sign. me. up. It also gave me Once Upon a Time vibes, and I absolutely devoured that show. The fairytale elements aren't front and centre, but they're sprinkled throughout the story in a way that adds a little bit of magic without taking away from what truly shines here: the romance.
We follow Penelope, who arrives in Maplewood looking for a fresh start, and Evan Prince, a single dad and firefighter searching for a nanny for his five-year-old daughter, Elle.
Can we just take a moment for Elle? She completely stole the show. Every time she was on the page, she made me smile. And somehow, I walked away from this book knowing far more penguin facts than I ever expected to.
What I loved most about Penelope and Evan was that they never tried to "fix" one another.
Penelope has spent her whole life believing she's the reason bad things happen to the people around her, so she's learned to carry that guilt wherever she goes. Evan, on the other hand, carries the weight of everyone else's burdens, always putting himself last because that's simply who he is.
Together, they quietly challenge those beliefs. Evan gives Penelope a place where she finally feels safe enough to stay, while Penelope reminds Evan that he doesn't have to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders alone. There isn't a single grand moment when everything changes. Instead, it's all the little moments of choosing each other, trusting each other, and accepting each other exactly as they are that made me fall in love with their story.
My only small gripe is that I wanted more. I wish Penelope's family dynamics had been explored a little further, because I think there was even more emotional depth to uncover. At the same time, I understand why the story chose to focus on her healing. Really, my biggest complaint is that the book wasn't longer.
And that ending...
I sat there staring at my Kindle for a good minute.
I cried.
I knew something was coming, but I wasn't prepared for that. Respectfully, how dare you?
Yeah... I'll be thinking about that quote for a bit now.
This is my first book by this author, and safe to say it won't be my last. I'll definitely be making my way through her backlist.
What immediately sold me on this book was the fractured fairytale premise. As a millennial Disney kid... sign. me. up. It also gave me Once Upon a Time vibes, and I absolutely devoured that show. The fairytale elements aren't front and centre, but they're sprinkled throughout the story in a way that adds a little bit of magic without taking away from what truly shines here: the romance.
We follow Penelope, who arrives in Maplewood looking for a fresh start, and Evan Prince, a single dad and firefighter searching for a nanny for his five-year-old daughter, Elle.
Can we just take a moment for Elle? She completely stole the show. Every time she was on the page, she made me smile. And somehow, I walked away from this book knowing far more penguin facts than I ever expected to.
What I loved most about Penelope and Evan was that they never tried to "fix" one another.
Penelope has spent her whole life believing she's the reason bad things happen to the people around her, so she's learned to carry that guilt wherever she goes. Evan, on the other hand, carries the weight of everyone else's burdens, always putting himself last because that's simply who he is.
Together, they quietly challenge those beliefs. Evan gives Penelope a place where she finally feels safe enough to stay, while Penelope reminds Evan that he doesn't have to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders alone. There isn't a single grand moment when everything changes. Instead, it's all the little moments of choosing each other, trusting each other, and accepting each other exactly as they are that made me fall in love with their story.
My only small gripe is that I wanted more. I wish Penelope's family dynamics had been explored a little further, because I think there was even more emotional depth to uncover. At the same time, I understand why the story chose to focus on her healing. Really, my biggest complaint is that the book wasn't longer.
And that ending...
I sat there staring at my Kindle for a good minute.
I cried.
I knew something was coming, but I wasn't prepared for that. Respectfully, how dare you?
Risk doesn’t disappear because we love someone, and loss doesn’t step aside just because we ask it to. The world stays heavy. It always has. But she’s not the weight. She’s the reason it’s worth carrying.
Yeah... I'll be thinking about that quote for a bit now.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
Another winner from Hailey Rodger! This book had me laughing out loud, giddy, hot and bothered, ugly crying sad and also completely happy. Cinder is an amazing story of love, healing, self discovery, grief, friendships and found family. It's rare for me to be so excited for all the upcoming books in a series only after reading Book 1 and somehow that's how I feel after reading Cinder. I just want to read them all knowing what's coming up and the little crumbs and clues sprinkled all over this book. But let's focus on Cinder first.
This book follows grumpy and overworked single dad fireman Evan. He has a daughter who he raises by himself and is a spitfire. Elle stole the show here and her love of penguins was adorable and completely carried such a key piece of the story. Anyway, Evan needed a nanny but he's not easy to please and have high standards. Enter new to town Penny who so happens to be looking for a job after moving to the small town from a big city. She needed a fresh start and landed on Maplewood. Their meet cute is so funny and memorable. Despite Evan's initial refusal, Penny had gotten Elle's attention and officially became her nanny. We see both POVs where Penny and Evan feel attracted and connected to each other and it was really beautiful to read their journey and perspectives as their feelings go stronger. We see them become a family. But past traumas still haunt both of them and both MCs have to fight for their love and the little family they created as they navigate them. This is a HEA but boy was it a ride. Like I said, this book had me going through my emotions so be ready with tissues.
I love both Penny and Evan. They have gone through so much hurt and pain in the past so it was very easy to root for their happily ever after. Their love story felt so genuine and meant to be. I love both their individual personalities - it worked so well in the story. Love their relationship with Elle. I adore that kid and is the best part of this book. I love the whole fire station crew. Just reading this first book, I already feel so attached to them. I cannot wait to read more about their stories. They are so funny and their banter and teasing really added that humor and lightness to the book.
There is only one thing I didnt like in the book which I will not spoil but I understood why it needed to happen. It still made me cry and Im still shocked and sad but I cant wait to see how this all shakes out in the upcoming books.
Overall, amazing read! I love Hailey Rodger, she never misses, so good and also so underrated.
Pick this book up. Highly recommended!
This book follows grumpy and overworked single dad fireman Evan. He has a daughter who he raises by himself and is a spitfire. Elle stole the show here and her love of penguins was adorable and completely carried such a key piece of the story. Anyway, Evan needed a nanny but he's not easy to please and have high standards. Enter new to town Penny who so happens to be looking for a job after moving to the small town from a big city. She needed a fresh start and landed on Maplewood. Their meet cute is so funny and memorable. Despite Evan's initial refusal, Penny had gotten Elle's attention and officially became her nanny. We see both POVs where Penny and Evan feel attracted and connected to each other and it was really beautiful to read their journey and perspectives as their feelings go stronger. We see them become a family. But past traumas still haunt both of them and both MCs have to fight for their love and the little family they created as they navigate them. This is a HEA but boy was it a ride. Like I said, this book had me going through my emotions so be ready with tissues.
I love both Penny and Evan. They have gone through so much hurt and pain in the past so it was very easy to root for their happily ever after. Their love story felt so genuine and meant to be. I love both their individual personalities - it worked so well in the story. Love their relationship with Elle. I adore that kid and is the best part of this book. I love the whole fire station crew. Just reading this first book, I already feel so attached to them. I cannot wait to read more about their stories. They are so funny and their banter and teasing really added that humor and lightness to the book.
There is only one thing I didnt like in the book which I will not spoil but I understood why it needed to happen. It still made me cry and Im still shocked and sad but I cant wait to see how this all shakes out in the upcoming books.
Overall, amazing read! I love Hailey Rodger, she never misses, so good and also so underrated.
Pick this book up. Highly recommended!
July 9, 2026
".. but she's not the weight. She's the reason it's worth carrying."
OH MY GOODNESS, THIS BOOK IS SO AMAZING. Trust me when I say this deserves all the shouty caps because it IS that good. I knew going in I would get all the flirty banter, the found family, the feels and the filthy firefighters, but I wasn't prepared to have my heart completely SHATTERED at the last 20ish percent. Oh my goodness that was so mean of our author, but also kind of brilliant.. especially if a certain Ghost is waiting to be noticed? Ahhhh, all of it is amazing!
I felt just like Penny in the fact that this charming town and community finally felt like home. Penny has been told most of her life -- since her dad died -- that she's bad luck and everything that goes wrong has one common denominator; her. When she moves to Maplewood by fate, she's immediately enamored with the town and the people in it, and almost immediately meets Evan -- the semi grumpy, single dad firefighters who carries the world on his shoulders and always plays it safe for his daughters sake. He Knows he needs a permanent nanny, and although he just met Penny, he feels this inexplicable draw towards her. And the more they are around each other and the more his adorably penguin obsessed daughter, Elle, falld for her, the more Evan does too. This might be this authors slowest slow burn to date, but it all felt so freaking RIGHT. They really were each other's penguins and their safe places and I loved every moment!
As I mentioned before -- have. tissues. ready. I was not at all prepared for the turn this takes, and the fallout of that action just gutted me. I don't know if it was the writing, or just how much I connected to this whole world, but I felt like they were real people, like they were my own friends, going through this life and feeling all the beauty and grief that goes along with it. And that's the highest compliment I know how to give!
Downloaded this book. One click this book. Buy the paperback and immerse yourself into this beautiful world that you won't want to leave either. You'll be just like me and begging for the next installment ASAP! I was already a huge fan of Hailey from her hockey series, but this is just next level. GO READ THIS BOOK!
**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions **
OH MY GOODNESS, THIS BOOK IS SO AMAZING. Trust me when I say this deserves all the shouty caps because it IS that good. I knew going in I would get all the flirty banter, the found family, the feels and the filthy firefighters, but I wasn't prepared to have my heart completely SHATTERED at the last 20ish percent. Oh my goodness that was so mean of our author, but also kind of brilliant.. especially if a certain Ghost is waiting to be noticed? Ahhhh, all of it is amazing!
I felt just like Penny in the fact that this charming town and community finally felt like home. Penny has been told most of her life -- since her dad died -- that she's bad luck and everything that goes wrong has one common denominator; her. When she moves to Maplewood by fate, she's immediately enamored with the town and the people in it, and almost immediately meets Evan -- the semi grumpy, single dad firefighters who carries the world on his shoulders and always plays it safe for his daughters sake. He Knows he needs a permanent nanny, and although he just met Penny, he feels this inexplicable draw towards her. And the more they are around each other and the more his adorably penguin obsessed daughter, Elle, falld for her, the more Evan does too. This might be this authors slowest slow burn to date, but it all felt so freaking RIGHT. They really were each other's penguins and their safe places and I loved every moment!
As I mentioned before -- have. tissues. ready. I was not at all prepared for the turn this takes, and the fallout of that action just gutted me. I don't know if it was the writing, or just how much I connected to this whole world, but I felt like they were real people, like they were my own friends, going through this life and feeling all the beauty and grief that goes along with it. And that's the highest compliment I know how to give!
Downloaded this book. One click this book. Buy the paperback and immerse yourself into this beautiful world that you won't want to leave either. You'll be just like me and begging for the next installment ASAP! I was already a huge fan of Hailey from her hockey series, but this is just next level. GO READ THIS BOOK!
**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions **
Review of advance copy received from Author
Cinder was a magical read in every way ✨️
I had such high expectations going into this book and Hailey did not disappoint 👏
This was the first fractured fairytale that I've ever read and let me tell you my inner child was squealing at the Cinderella references sprinkled throughout the book! They were perfectly placed and not overdone creating the most beautiful blending of new and classic 😍
The story follows Penny, who leaves the big city to start fresh in the small town of Maplewood. She is guarded after years of hurt and being mentally beat down by those around her (in particular by her step mother - loved this nod to the classic tale). It doesn't take her long to cross paths with Evan and his fire crew. Evan is single dad raising his 5 year old daughter, Elle, and just so happens to be in need of a nanny to help take care of her with his long work schedules at the firehouse. With Penny in need of work and a place to live, it felt like fate brought these two together. Elle stole my heart immediately her silliness and love for penguins and she quickly became one of my favourite child characters of all time 🥰 Watching this little family learn, grow and heal together was so heartwarming.
The chemistry between Penny and Evan was spicy hot 🔥 My goodness *waves the fan at my face• 🥵 Grumpy firefighters with filthy mouths may just be my new book boyfriend addiction 🤭
I'm not one for spoilers but the heartbreaking twist towards the end of the story had my crying so hard that I couldn't see my kindle 😭 Like in real life, we never know what life is going to throw at us and this just reminded me of how everything can change in an instant 🥹 The found family of Maplewood was written in such a beautiful way, everyone had each others back and were there for one another through the good and the bad.
I had so many emotions while reading this book and as I put my kindle down after reading "The End". I walked away thinking about how messy, hard and rewarding healing can be. How staying strong and not giving up can pave the way to happiness. How love conquers all and how something as simple as silver sparkly heels can symbolize such beautiful dreams that can and do come true if you just believe ✨️
I cannot wait to return to Maplewood in book 2. My heart is still there while writing this review; I think it will be for a long time to come. 🥹
Massive thank you to Hailey and Luna Literary for the opportunity to read Cinder as an ARC 💙
I had such high expectations going into this book and Hailey did not disappoint 👏
This was the first fractured fairytale that I've ever read and let me tell you my inner child was squealing at the Cinderella references sprinkled throughout the book! They were perfectly placed and not overdone creating the most beautiful blending of new and classic 😍
The story follows Penny, who leaves the big city to start fresh in the small town of Maplewood. She is guarded after years of hurt and being mentally beat down by those around her (in particular by her step mother - loved this nod to the classic tale). It doesn't take her long to cross paths with Evan and his fire crew. Evan is single dad raising his 5 year old daughter, Elle, and just so happens to be in need of a nanny to help take care of her with his long work schedules at the firehouse. With Penny in need of work and a place to live, it felt like fate brought these two together. Elle stole my heart immediately her silliness and love for penguins and she quickly became one of my favourite child characters of all time 🥰 Watching this little family learn, grow and heal together was so heartwarming.
The chemistry between Penny and Evan was spicy hot 🔥 My goodness *waves the fan at my face• 🥵 Grumpy firefighters with filthy mouths may just be my new book boyfriend addiction 🤭
I'm not one for spoilers but the heartbreaking twist towards the end of the story had my crying so hard that I couldn't see my kindle 😭 Like in real life, we never know what life is going to throw at us and this just reminded me of how everything can change in an instant 🥹 The found family of Maplewood was written in such a beautiful way, everyone had each others back and were there for one another through the good and the bad.
I had so many emotions while reading this book and as I put my kindle down after reading "The End". I walked away thinking about how messy, hard and rewarding healing can be. How staying strong and not giving up can pave the way to happiness. How love conquers all and how something as simple as silver sparkly heels can symbolize such beautiful dreams that can and do come true if you just believe ✨️
I cannot wait to return to Maplewood in book 2. My heart is still there while writing this review; I think it will be for a long time to come. 🥹
Massive thank you to Hailey and Luna Literary for the opportunity to read Cinder as an ARC 💙
Review of advance copy received from Author
I don’t know what Hailey Rodger put into this book but I was locked in! I also thought I went into this book thinking it would be a light little read, only to have my heart ripped out. It was heartbreaking and healing and I cannot express how much I loved this story.
Penny and Evan balanced each other so well. The way their relationship unfolded and how they spoke with each other was so healing. Also their combined love and focus on Elle was everything. Elle was such an important character and she definitely stole every scene that she was in.
Penny is for the girls who have never felt like they belonged anywhere. Who have felt like if they disappeared no one would notice or care. She’s for the girls who pour their love out to everyone hoping someone will pick it up and return it to them. And I related to her so much. I loved how Rodger portrayed her character because she felt so real. Watching her learn to accept love without needing to earn it was beautiful. Seeing her build connections with the others was so healing. And her relationship with Elle was so adorable and I loved how her relationship with Evan grew because of Elle.
Evan the man that he is. The way that he loves the people around him through quiet actions was everything. The devotion he has for his daughter was absolutely beautiful. The way that he learned to lower his guard and open up with Penny was so important to his character and was so well done. The way that he spoke to Penny and communicated how he felt even though it was a struggle at times was everything. He was so gentle with her, but intentional about everything he did for her. He was protective in the best ways. Never blamed her and never allowed her to blame herself for any of the bad things that had happened to her.
Watching these two develop a relationship was healing. The way that they deal with their past together was so important to the story and was so mature and refreshing. The fact that they communicated so openly was incredible. I loved that Evan always made sure that Penny was never confused about his words and intentions especially during moments where he could see that she may have taken his words wrong. He was so patient with her.
I loved the found family aspect of this story. This firehall and all the people attached added so much depth to the story. They added to the combined healing for both Evan and Penny and I adored that. I loved that everyone felt like family. That the kids were involved in the story and created so many cute little moments.
I cannot wait to see what the next book has in store.
Penny and Evan balanced each other so well. The way their relationship unfolded and how they spoke with each other was so healing. Also their combined love and focus on Elle was everything. Elle was such an important character and she definitely stole every scene that she was in.
Penny is for the girls who have never felt like they belonged anywhere. Who have felt like if they disappeared no one would notice or care. She’s for the girls who pour their love out to everyone hoping someone will pick it up and return it to them. And I related to her so much. I loved how Rodger portrayed her character because she felt so real. Watching her learn to accept love without needing to earn it was beautiful. Seeing her build connections with the others was so healing. And her relationship with Elle was so adorable and I loved how her relationship with Evan grew because of Elle.
Evan the man that he is. The way that he loves the people around him through quiet actions was everything. The devotion he has for his daughter was absolutely beautiful. The way that he learned to lower his guard and open up with Penny was so important to his character and was so well done. The way that he spoke to Penny and communicated how he felt even though it was a struggle at times was everything. He was so gentle with her, but intentional about everything he did for her. He was protective in the best ways. Never blamed her and never allowed her to blame herself for any of the bad things that had happened to her.
Watching these two develop a relationship was healing. The way that they deal with their past together was so important to the story and was so mature and refreshing. The fact that they communicated so openly was incredible. I loved that Evan always made sure that Penny was never confused about his words and intentions especially during moments where he could see that she may have taken his words wrong. He was so patient with her.
I loved the found family aspect of this story. This firehall and all the people attached added so much depth to the story. They added to the combined healing for both Evan and Penny and I adored that. I loved that everyone felt like family. That the kids were involved in the story and created so many cute little moments.
I cannot wait to see what the next book has in store.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC REVIEW
★★★★★
---
guys did you know i’m obsessed with Hailey Rodger and the world she’s created.
Anything fairytale/disney related, I’m all over it so I knew I was going to love Cinder the second it was announced. I was unhinged reading this, literally took me less than 24 hours because I was so invested.
Evan is the perfect grump. Of course he’s a softie for Elle and Penny.
Penny is a girl after my own heart I fear. I love her and will accept absolutely no slander. If you have a different opinion, see yourself out because I’d die for her (as would Evan).
Elle !! my precious penguin loving princess. I love that penguins are her special interest and like can we please get a book about Dr Dahlia, I feel we need one.
Cinder had the banter I loveeeee in a Hailey Rodger book. Penny & Evan were bantering away like it was second nature from the first time they met and I loved it.
Both come into this relationship with some pretty heavy baggage and what I appreciate the most in how this was written is that they worked through things together, but also individually gave each other the space they needed to sort shit out in their own heads. The way that Evan and Elle instantly folded Penny into their life and proved to her that she deserved to feel safe enough to stay !! And how Penny helped Elle understand love was not conditional + supported Evan in learning to love again without the fear of being hurt.
Also I gotta mention the spice - 10/10 as always. After Frankie & Fletch in the novella I knewww these Maplewood boys (and girl) were going to give as good as they got. Spicy mirror scene? Yes always, thank you so much for your service.
We got real emotional towards the end friends, but I love that we got to experience it with each character. I re-read the same line about four times because I couldn’t believe it.
Also guys, the female friendships in this !!!! Big yes. The girls are so loving and supportive of each other always and I can’t wait to see how this continues to grow the more we come back to Maplewood.
I’m really excited to head back to Maplewood in 2027 when Gwen & Finn’s story is in our hands.
Thank you to Luna Literary Management for this ARC.
★★★★★
---
guys did you know i’m obsessed with Hailey Rodger and the world she’s created.
Anything fairytale/disney related, I’m all over it so I knew I was going to love Cinder the second it was announced. I was unhinged reading this, literally took me less than 24 hours because I was so invested.
Evan is the perfect grump. Of course he’s a softie for Elle and Penny.
Penny is a girl after my own heart I fear. I love her and will accept absolutely no slander. If you have a different opinion, see yourself out because I’d die for her (as would Evan).
Elle !! my precious penguin loving princess. I love that penguins are her special interest and like can we please get a book about Dr Dahlia, I feel we need one.
Cinder had the banter I loveeeee in a Hailey Rodger book. Penny & Evan were bantering away like it was second nature from the first time they met and I loved it.
Both come into this relationship with some pretty heavy baggage and what I appreciate the most in how this was written is that they worked through things together, but also individually gave each other the space they needed to sort shit out in their own heads. The way that Evan and Elle instantly folded Penny into their life and proved to her that she deserved to feel safe enough to stay !! And how Penny helped Elle understand love was not conditional + supported Evan in learning to love again without the fear of being hurt.
Also I gotta mention the spice - 10/10 as always. After Frankie & Fletch in the novella I knewww these Maplewood boys (and girl) were going to give as good as they got. Spicy mirror scene? Yes always, thank you so much for your service.
We got real emotional towards the end friends, but I love that we got to experience it with each character. I re-read the same line about four times because I couldn’t believe it.
Also guys, the female friendships in this !!!! Big yes. The girls are so loving and supportive of each other always and I can’t wait to see how this continues to grow the more we come back to Maplewood.
I’m really excited to head back to Maplewood in 2027 when Gwen & Finn’s story is in our hands.
Thank you to Luna Literary Management for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Single dad.
Firefighter.
Fairytale retelling.
The cover art?!
Yeah I was locked in for it all - immediate arc sign up with zero hesitation. And I can say that it was 1000000% worth it. I teetered between a 4 and 5 star for this but the last 10% really took me on a RIDE that chipped me to pieces and then filled the cracks (just like Penny).
CINDER is easily one of my favorite reads of 2026. It's effortlessly comedic, filled with banter that has your sides hurting, spice that leaves you hotter than a house fire, and an emotional depth that reminds you that every fairytale starts after you take the leap.
I don't even know how fairytale retellings fell onto my tbr but I'm so grateful they did because CINDER broke the mold. It wasn't Cinderella left to do the chores and hit up the ball to lose a shoe. It was reverence to the entire fantasy genre - a bar called Neverland, a son named Chip, the last name Prince, the silver heels, the family issues...all of it was layered into the story in easter eggs that were equally wholesome and adorable.
But beneath the levity of fairytale callbacks was a truly beautiful love story - for the couple but most importantly for THEM. For their inner voices that needed that constant reminder they were worth it. That Penny would stay for Evan and his daughter. That Penny wasn't the reason things break, but that she was the glue that held it together and brought vibrancy to their world.
"You told me your dad used to say, 'Find my Penny, pick her up, all day long I'll have good luck.' I kept it. Because some of the best things that have happened to me started the day I found mine."
Did I cry? Yes, at least three times.
Did I laugh? Oh GOD YES. The banter between Evan and Penny was great, but the found family banter of the firehouse gang was my favorite. They were easily some of the best supporting cast I've ever read.
I love this one so so much (even if it literally tore my heart out and then built me back up with penguins). I can't wait to see what happens next in Maplewood!
Firefighter.
Fairytale retelling.
The cover art?!
Yeah I was locked in for it all - immediate arc sign up with zero hesitation. And I can say that it was 1000000% worth it. I teetered between a 4 and 5 star for this but the last 10% really took me on a RIDE that chipped me to pieces and then filled the cracks (just like Penny).
CINDER is easily one of my favorite reads of 2026. It's effortlessly comedic, filled with banter that has your sides hurting, spice that leaves you hotter than a house fire, and an emotional depth that reminds you that every fairytale starts after you take the leap.
I don't even know how fairytale retellings fell onto my tbr but I'm so grateful they did because CINDER broke the mold. It wasn't Cinderella left to do the chores and hit up the ball to lose a shoe. It was reverence to the entire fantasy genre - a bar called Neverland, a son named Chip, the last name Prince, the silver heels, the family issues...all of it was layered into the story in easter eggs that were equally wholesome and adorable.
But beneath the levity of fairytale callbacks was a truly beautiful love story - for the couple but most importantly for THEM. For their inner voices that needed that constant reminder they were worth it. That Penny would stay for Evan and his daughter. That Penny wasn't the reason things break, but that she was the glue that held it together and brought vibrancy to their world.
"You told me your dad used to say, 'Find my Penny, pick her up, all day long I'll have good luck.' I kept it. Because some of the best things that have happened to me started the day I found mine."
Did I cry? Yes, at least three times.
Did I laugh? Oh GOD YES. The banter between Evan and Penny was great, but the found family banter of the firehouse gang was my favorite. They were easily some of the best supporting cast I've ever read.
I love this one so so much (even if it literally tore my heart out and then built me back up with penguins). I can't wait to see what happens next in Maplewood!
July 4, 2026
ARC Review ✨
First I would like to say a big thank you to Hailey for letting me be a part of this ARC Team!
Rate: 5/5⭐️
Spice: 2/5🌶️
What to expect when reading ;
-Single Dad x Nanny
-Small Town
-Firefighter Romance
-Grumpy x Sunshine
-Fractured Fairytale: Cinderella
This is book one of the Maplewood Fire Series! You get to follow Evan and Penelope! Even is in a pickle and needs helping with his daughter, but this grumpy firefighter isn’t just going to hire anyone for the job. Penny is wanting a fresh and quiet start away from all the expectations her stepmother and life had for her.
I enjoyed this book so much! This is my first time reading something written by Hailey Rodger and now I am so excited to read more especially from this series. I think this book hit all of the emotions you can have. They had funny banter, scenes that were so hot someone should had grabbed a fire extinguisher lol BUT there was also suspense and things that pulled at your heart strings. Also the amount of little Easter’s eggs, were done so well! Honestly perfect little touches. Penny was such a great FMC, her personality was just so pure and down to earth. The connection between Penny and Elle was the cutest that was such a safe space bond. Then there was the chemistry between Evan and Penny, which was really showed team work makes the dream work, a being on the same page communication wise goes a long way. Hailey didn’t play around with this book, all the different layers, this is definitely a book I will be thinking about for a long time and recommending to everyone!
Side notes:
-Evan Approved Safety Distance Package
-Penguins!!!!!!!
-Cinderella by Remi Wolf
Fav Quote:
•”Nice to meet you just Elle.”
•”You’re wanted here Pen.”
•”Carrying me home after midnight. Next, you’ll be talking to woodland animals.”
Make sure you get your copy of the book when it releases 🤍
#bookstagram #romance #review
First I would like to say a big thank you to Hailey for letting me be a part of this ARC Team!
Rate: 5/5⭐️
Spice: 2/5🌶️
What to expect when reading ;
-Single Dad x Nanny
-Small Town
-Firefighter Romance
-Grumpy x Sunshine
-Fractured Fairytale: Cinderella
This is book one of the Maplewood Fire Series! You get to follow Evan and Penelope! Even is in a pickle and needs helping with his daughter, but this grumpy firefighter isn’t just going to hire anyone for the job. Penny is wanting a fresh and quiet start away from all the expectations her stepmother and life had for her.
I enjoyed this book so much! This is my first time reading something written by Hailey Rodger and now I am so excited to read more especially from this series. I think this book hit all of the emotions you can have. They had funny banter, scenes that were so hot someone should had grabbed a fire extinguisher lol BUT there was also suspense and things that pulled at your heart strings. Also the amount of little Easter’s eggs, were done so well! Honestly perfect little touches. Penny was such a great FMC, her personality was just so pure and down to earth. The connection between Penny and Elle was the cutest that was such a safe space bond. Then there was the chemistry between Evan and Penny, which was really showed team work makes the dream work, a being on the same page communication wise goes a long way. Hailey didn’t play around with this book, all the different layers, this is definitely a book I will be thinking about for a long time and recommending to everyone!
Side notes:
-Evan Approved Safety Distance Package
-Penguins!!!!!!!
-Cinderella by Remi Wolf
Fav Quote:
•”Nice to meet you just Elle.”
•”You’re wanted here Pen.”
•”Carrying me home after midnight. Next, you’ll be talking to woodland animals.”
Make sure you get your copy of the book when it releases 🤍
#bookstagram #romance #review
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