Wow! There are authors who write fluff and you can tell that it didn’t really cost them much emotion or heart. Well, let me tell you, Hannah Sparks gives her heart, soul, pain and love to this book. Girl, I don’t know how you recover from being wrung out emotionally after pouring your all into your books. I’m sure there must be a glass of wine and some huge hugs from your people involved in the process. I am now going to happily devour the rest of your books, one by one. I’m sure I’ll cry and smile and laugh through all of them. Thank you for making the hours I spent reading this amazing story worth every word you wrote. It gave me all the feels 📕❤️
Holy moly! As a paramedic and a former firefighter this book had me in its clutches. Despite the fact that it really didnt read like a romance until very late in the book. Despite the almost non existent spice. Despite the other woman drama that I hate. I devoured this book. (Literally stayed up ALL night before a 48 hour shift to finish it) I bawled my little heart out. I know what that loss is. Hannah did a good job writing that. When I was reading about the PASS devices my skin started crawling with a need to GO and SAVE and FIX. I love FF romances, but few have ever effected me this much. Can't wait to sink into the next book by Hannah.
Wow such a beautifully written story that is filled with hope. A love story that transcends the loss of a best friend and a brother. Great story of heroes who sacrifice their lives daily.
Sam & Jack have been best friends since childhood who became firefighters for Station 33. Sam has always had love for Jaime yet as always kept it a secret. Jack a devoted father who has been raising his daughter Rosie alone after the passing of his wife Sarah & raised his sister Jaime after the death of their parents. Jaime is Jacks sister who has always loved Sam quietly from afar. After losing Jack from complications due to a fire rescue both Sam & Jaime are brought together helping to raise 4 year old Rosie after the death of her Father.
Jacks heroic act of going back inside a burning building to save a little girl and the cause of his death is deemed insubordination. He was told the building was unsafe by his captain and now the City won’t recognize his death as loss during a fire. This forces Jaimie to file a case to help bring reformation to a system that isn’t working for the fire department and protocols that are out dated.
Loved this book. Loved Sam, Jaime and Rosie’s love. How they kept the memory of Jack alive and how the author honored the June 2007 loss of 9 real life heroes from Charleston who lost their life in the Savanah Highway furniture store fire 🔥.
I can’t believe how great this book is, how well written, how detailed the characters are and how gut-wrenching the life of a firefighter is as presented here. (I think we all sadly got a look at that 25 years ago on September 11 - this book is not about that and my comment is not meant to disrespect that day). This book gives you all the same feels on a smaller, more personal scale. The characters you meet are so complex and you want to root for each one of them (the good guys at least). The relationships between family, lovers, husbands and wives are set perfectly against the real heroes that firefighters are.
A story both sweet and heart wrenching. Jamie and Sam had so much to offer each other as they navigated the loss of her brother Jack and the need for support of her proposed protocol reform. They did it for love and for Jack's sweet daughter. Loved it.
This is the first book I have read from this author and I am so glad I picked it up. I was sobbing and laughing while reading this book from beginning to end. The authors voice is realistic and hits you in the feels.
This was the most beautiful book about a small community & the layers of its citizens, especially how the politics & those who choose to protect that community have to work together for the greater good. God Bless Those that choose to work everyday to PROTECT & SERVE!!!
Don't let the cover fool you: this is not some vapid spicy romance. This book was so poignant and heart felt that it will stick with me for a while. The characters are well thought through and developed. Every character is a three-dimensional person. The story is constructed beautifully. While there are some sex scenes, they are not explicitly described and they are tender and meaningful. The tone of the book is a little more subdued than I expected, but it was a really great book. HEA, and it sets the stage for more books in this series.
Oh look—hot firefighter on the cover. This is going to be spicy, fun, a little cheesy… right? Nope. Absolutely not!! I found myself crying over and over again, it wrecked me. This is not a romance, it’s a book about grief. Grief for the person you lost. Grief for the life you had before, and that guilt of still living after the loss.
We’re talking losing a brother, a best friend, a dad… just wave after wave of heartbreak. Yes, there’s a brother’s best friend/forbidden vibe, but it’s such a small layer compared to everything else going on. Add in a little OW drama (no cheating), but honestly? Still not the focus. And the spice? Barely there. More like closed door with a weird peek in, it just didn’t match the emotional weight of the story at all.
What did hit hard was the focus on firefighters, the toll of the job, PTSD, and the fight for change after tragedy. Knowing it’s inspired by the Charleston 9 makes it land even heavier. Bottom line: Don’t pick this up expecting a spicy firefighter romance. Pick it up if you’re ready for something emotional, heavy, and honestly… heartbreaking.
Slow mover. Lots of characters who flit about without much purpose; integral roles are played by superficial, off-camera characters. The firefighters are written with compassion, but it is a hard read knowing that the cavalier, idiotic, inept superiors will send the firemen to their deaths. It's nearly impossible for readers to wrap their heads around the story that relies on senseless incineration of humans as its main plot twist. Also, the time shifts (days, weeks, months, years, even decades) move faster than NASCAR. Characters' ages seem inconsistent, as well. This book isn't horrible, but it reads like a lame version of that TV show This is Us ... or whatever that time-shifting family/fire show was. I didn't feel the chemistry between FMC and MMC. Lots of characters are introduced to create a series, but the 18-year time jump makes this novel almost ridiculous. Okay as a palate cleanser, but don't go into it thinking that this is worthy mass-market fiction.
It’s a 2.5 for me. I found it hard to really get into. It was bordering on boring a lot, and I skimmed some chapters because it was repetitive and slow. I think the way the author wrote about the tragic fire of the nine was heartbreaking and respectful. Especially since it’s based on an event that took the lives of nine firefighters.
Not my cup of tea but I’m sure many will like the easiness of the story. It’s incredibly uncomplicated. Yes, there’s danger from fires and a little bit of suspense with not knowing who set fire to Jamie’s home. And some slight other woman drama. But it’s all pretty tame and as I said, slow. I won’t continue any books in the series or by this author.
This is the first book I have rea from this author. Even though I liked the story I was a bit disappointed in Sam. He saw so much that he didn't agree with and yet was to afraid to speak up about it. Plus the whole situation with Jamie and Bryce was never really fully explained. I have an idea but not really sure because it was only referred to as him talking about their time together. Also the relationship between Jamie and Sam just didn't seem real. Yes they were crushing on each other as kids but the minute she is back in town nothing is ever said and then the next thing you know they are in bed together.
More than just a story . . . a genuine message to share . . . never give up!!!!!*****
Easy to read? Nah, because there's so much here to carry away with you, to deal with over time, to measure against the past. Phenomenal characters facing all of life's heavy loads, wicked selfish people, old rules and lazy hearts. Change comes slowly after loads of pain and sacrifice, toll and fight to build new beginnings, and convincing yourself and others you are on the right path. Stay steady and leave this book finished with the story, but never forget!!!!!*****
This was a waste of an afternoon. There are too many plots that come together with such a tidy bow, that the landing is both insincere and unsatisfying. There are character gaps that should have been caught in editing. I found myself wondering throughout the book if it was written by AI. The arc could be compelling, but delivered poorly.
Heart breaking. I cried so hard. Rosie is adorable. Sam is Jamie's brothers best friend. He is all about her but he stepped back and let her leave once. When she comes back she is with someone else and so is he but he is unhappy in his relationship and is just rolling with the punched with his head down. Jamie is happy with her boyfriend but when the truth about him not wanting the same things as her comes out she can't bring herself to stay with him.
What a great story. Had a lot of turns, not sure how I feel about the ending. There so much excitement throughout the story, I felt the ending was definitely missing something. That said I am still give this a 5 star. It was well written. I am entitled to my opinion with the ending, that said the end was still good
A awesome read but also heart wrenching from the perspective of what firefighters go through to save lives. Some never make it back home. Jamie and Sam love story was a given considering they always had feelings for each other. Ms. Sparks never has let me down in her writing or storytelling.
This is a new to me author…. And this one hurt BAD….. the struggles, the pain, the loss, the fighting for something worth fighting for, the healing, the love…. I cried so hard I had to stop reading more than once…. But I’m so glad I kept going … then to reach the end and see it was a memorial book to a tragedy made me cry again….
This was a really good book. It had all the emotions you’d expect with a great storyline, characters were lovable which kept me turning the pages well into the night !! I look forward to reading the next one !!
Absolutely captured my attention and didn’t disappoint. Great characters. Plot was engaging with enough suspense to keep me guessing. Cried more than I want to admit. Loved it!!
This is a great book . I cried at the end of the book. This book will touch your heart of what they go through to save others in a line of duty as a firefighter. There laughter,love and heartache but things change. You won't be disappointed.
I cried reading this story but it was soo soo good. Saw it as a Facebook recommendation and glad I took the chance. Fantastic story about Sam and Jamie that you won’t regret!
Crack….could’ve read this in one sitting! It reads like a memoir, Sam & Jamie reflecting on losing her brother/his best friend and trying to make reform within the fire department so another FF death doesn’t occur. Add in that someone clearly wants Jamie out of down and I was SAT.