Buffalo's Finest: Mayhem

by A.A. Lewis

217 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 29, 2026

Reviews

[Monique]

(2.5⭐️) This was my first read by this author, and I was looking forward to this series (I’m a sucker for some brothers!). I enjoyed the suspenseful elements of the story. It kept me engaged and wondering what would happen next.

But overall, I had a very difficult time connecting with the story. The flow and writing style felt slightly unnatural to me. Almost too polished, like every sentence was crafted to sound pretty and poetic rather than organic.

I enjoyed Mayhem as an MMC; he was protective and loyal. Sanaa seems like she’d be a great FMC, but her character lacked depth. We get the basics (she’s a therapist with a difficult ex), but beyond that, she feels underdeveloped. There’s little insight into her life, relationships, or personality outside of the plot. For most of the book, she reads more like a damsel in distress, only showing ferocity toward the end.

While there was initial intrigue and physical chemistry, I never felt a convincing emotional build between the two. So when the “love” was expressed, it felt very much like a “how did we even get here?” moment.

On top of that, the editing could have been tighter. There were noticeable issues, like misspelled or incorrect character names, which pulled me out of the story.

Despite my frustrations, I’m not completely writing this author off. There’s enough here especially with the suspense and overall premise that I’d be open to trying another book in the series.

[J.R. Mason]

Siiigh...

I'm a thriller/horror reader so I'm OVER AA for having me read these darn romance books. But they be so good I can't STAND her! And everyone of her MMC's, I be like, where can I GET one of these? But apparently, I only exist in her mind.
The FMC got on my last good nerve for a hot minute, but it's cool. I enjoyed the complexity of Mayhem's character and the emotion of his backstory. But phewww... I feel like around 9 months from now, there's gonna be a bunch of new babies born named Mayhem. 👀🤦🏽‍♀️

[Lala]

Very close to a 4 star rating, but I did like this romantic suspense story and I will continue reading the series. Especially since the MMCs are all of the brothers and their uncle! Yup I'm nosy and I'm seated.

[Readingizmytherapy]

Loved this!

What can I say that hasn’t been said already? The emotional depth that comes with this story is truly top tier. As a reader who gravitates toward emotionally layered characters, realistic healing journeys, and stories that actually sit with grief instead of rushing past it, this book hit every mark for me. Mayhem was a man who took up residence in his grief and had no intention of moving on and honestly, the way that was written felt painfully real. That is, until Sanna entered the picture. Their connection wasn’t written as some magical fix, but as something patient, complicated, and deeply human.

Healing is not linear and there is no perfect way to do it, and A.A. made that so easy to see throughout this read. That’s what stood out to me most: the intentionality behind the writing. The author allowed the characters to feel messy, guarded, vulnerable, and unfinished in a way that made the story resonate long after I finished it. The emotional pacing never felt forced, and every hard moment carried weight.

Now don’t get it twisted Ms. Messy Pen absolutely made sure to include a bit of mess because that plot twist was definitely not what I saw coming. And that balance between emotional depth and drama is part of what made this story so memorable. It gave heartbreak, healing, love, and growth all in one.

This book was ultimately about healing, loving, and learning how to move forward in life even when grief is still present. Stories like this remind me why emotionally driven romance will always have a place in my heart.

Great job, A.A.

[Mia L Boone]

Mayhem

I happened to be searching for a new book to read, and came across the Buffalo's Finest series. And let me tell you something, it does not disappoint. Three brothers and an uncle make up Station 6.

Mayhem, the oldest and the protector, has always watched his brother's backs. He is the true definition of "my brother's keeper". Mayhem lost his parents, his girl, and his baby to fire. He carried that grief like a badge of honor. He was always serious and never allowed himself to get close to anyone. A rescue changed all of that.

He knew Sanaa was different the moment they locked eyes. He didn't know that he was going to have to get active, but sometimes it comes with the territory. Sanaa was being stalked by an ex-boyfriend, patient, and jealous jump off. Whew Chile, some stuff went down!

So far, so good A.A. Lewis. I look forward to reading the rest of this series and other books in your catalog.

[Ladi Tee Inferno]

Suspense and Love

Not knowing what to expect as I don’t read synopsis, keeping everything fresh and new, this being a book involving firefighters, was thoroughly engaging. These men move as a unit in and out of the firehouse. Mayhem finding what he was missing doing his everyday job, caught him by surprise. It’s normal for a person to feel something towards you because you’ve saved their lives. But the chance of the both of you feeling a “something” for one another was different. Then as she became the victim a second time made them ask the right questions to see she was being targeted and they were determined to keep her safe and get to the bottom of who it was. Once finding out the players, and the reason, that did nothing as the one who orchestrated the entire show and events of the past was most intriguing. They fight more than fires in this book and that’s exactly what happens. Great read all the way through.

[Ms. LVW]

I was here for all the Mayhem🥰

Mayhem was really good story about a second chance at love, trusting again, loyalty, and protection wrapped in a who done it full of jealousy, possessiveness, vengeance and control and it was intense all at the same time. Everybody was moving off emotion and survival.

I love the bond between family and the brothers, say the word and they are there for each other.

This story stayed full of suspense, it also showed a love that heals and protects. It’s messy, dangerous, thrilling and Mayhem definitely lived up to his name.

When Mayhem said “Mine to protect”, he didn’t even as Tommy would say…GTD and all I heard was you belong to me now and he meant that!

Go get this book, it will become a comfort read that’s sexy with just enough Mayhem to keep you enthralled!

[Maryanna Reynolds]

A Knight In Fireman Turnouts

Mayhem is fighting fire while still in pain from the times his life has burned down. One emergency call with a victim whose eyes snatched him from the past and into the present changes everything. Now his rescued fire victim, Sanaa, has him feeling more than just pain for the first time in years. I enjoyed getting to know the Dunken men in this fast paced read. There was way more fire action than I expected and in more than a couple ways! Things kept popping off. Moving into book two immediately. Can't wait to read about the other fires the Dunken men put out.

[Monique McKinney]

Love It

I love how A.A. Lewis started the series out. I was on the edge of my seat.
I love the plot and how it develops. Mayhem found away to heal from his place and connect with a beautiful woman. Sanaa was the woman to heal him.
His family is always there, but Sanaa gave more than she realized in the beginning. It was great seeing that he was able to save her.
I can't wait to read the next family member

[Chardajah]

It was Okay

This is my first book by this author, and it was Okay.

I enjoyed the plot and Mayhem and Sana but something about this book didn’t connect with me.

I think the way this book was written just wasn’t it for me, but the story itself has so much potential. The characters in this story are very likable.

Overall, I would recommend this book and I may check out the next book later on. 3/5

[Etasha Ruggs]

Love thru the flames

Mayhem met Sanaa in the most unlikely situation...he saved her life while doing his job.In atempt to keep her safe from those attempting to cause her harm he is forced to face is own past and keep her safe from some enimies of his own. This story shows that even thru the chaos and the flames something beautiful can still bloom.

[Kaitasha]

OBSESSION

1. This is my first read from this author and not my last. 2. This was a love story that needed some healing from the 5 stages of grief, obsession, fear. 3. Finding love the most unexpected way. 4. Be careful who is around you.

[Adrienne Wilcox]

You need this story

I’m blown away at how well this short story was written! The characters will sit with me, the plot was beautifully crafted and the ending was perfect! This was my first by this author but WILL NOT be my last!

[Quarmekia]

So how did Tia get involved? Sanaa had stalkers way before Tia saw her…did Sanaa’s ex found out Tia was sleeping with Mayhem? And how did he approach her? How did Tia become the leader? I get the love at first sight, I’m a huge fan of it but I needed more. I absolutely love the plot though

[kourtney]

Mayhem is the man every woman wants to have in her life because we all wanna feel loved and safed

['The Book Queen']

The story was good

The author is new to me. I thoroughly enjoyed this firefighter series.

[Dorthy Minor]

My rating for this book is a 100. It’s all about healing and learning how to love again. I like how the brothers and uncle are so close.Sanaa is a real one for Mayhem. I love the hold book,

[tanessia ford]

smh

This was not what I was expecting. But good nevertheless. I didn’t see that plot twist coming at all! Can you say beyond help.

[Takavia Johnson]

Fire and Flames

Quick. Fire 🔥 Love. Grief and great themes of this short story. Loved the pace, the devotion of the MMC and the strong family dynamic

[Courtney]

Mayhem and Sanaa both experienced trauma. They crossed paths when Mayhem rescued her from a fire. He attempted to fight his atrraction to her but finally gave in only to realize that he would have to protect her life and find out who was trying to end her life. This was a cute romantic suspsense.

[She Reads What She Wants]

Mayhem, being the oldest, has always been the one making sure everybody around him is straight. He and his brothers have all had their own hurt, trauma, and growing pains, but after losing who he thought would be the only woman he'd ever love, my boy built his whole life around that loss.

Then one day, fate stepped in.

After rescuing Sanaa from a fire, Mayhem couldn't seem to get her off his mind. But baby, he was fighting himself trying to figure out if what he was feeling was because of duty or because his heart was trying to tell him something else. Either way, that woman stayed on his mind and he found himself wanting to stay in her orbit.

And listen… yes, this book was HOT, and I ain't just talking about the fires they were fighting 😮‍💨. Mayhem did everything he could to push down what he was feeling, but when Sanaa needed him, every instinct in him said to run headfirst into the flames that had become her life.

I truly enjoyed this book. But then again, A.A. Lewis rarely misses for me. She has a way of pulling you into the story and making you feel like you're right there with the characters.

And if Book 1 is coming like this? Baby, the rest of this series is about to HIT. Go ahead and pick this one up because I don't think you're going to want to miss what Buffalo's Finest has in store. 🔥📚