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Honeyfires: A Sapphic Romance
She wiped the starlight from my eyes.
Petra Alves has survived things most people only see in nightmares. Two combat deployments. A field of wildfire. The weight of soldiers she couldn't save. She came back to San Jacinto, Arizona carrying all of it locked up inside her, and she learned to live there. Quietly. Alone. Running toward burning things because it was the only way she knew how to feel useful.
She wasn't expecting Vera Montgomery.
Golden-haired, blue-eyed, and dangerously optimistic, her new neighbor is everything Petra isn't. Soft where she's scarred. Warm where she's guarded. At home in a world made of books and vintage dresses and Jane Austen quotes. Vera is the kind of woman you look at once and never quite recover from. Petra knows this the moment she sees her standing in their hallway in a flower-print pink dress, guessing her name through a smile that makes the whole world tilt sideways.
What follows is slow, and then all at once. Coffee and first dates and a kiss in a library that neither of them saw coming. A love that builds itself quietly in the space between two very different lives, until everything that matters most gets tested by fire.
Because Petra is a helitack forewoman. She rappels from helicopters into active burns. She makes impossible calls with seconds to spare. And when a career-threatening wildfire forces her to choose between following orders and bringing her crew home alive, she makes the only choice she can live with—and loses almost everything else.
Honeyfires is the story of what it costs to be brave, and what it means to finally let someone love you for it. It's sharp edges and soft hands. Nightmares and lavender baths. A woman who spent years surviving, finally learning how to stay.
Explicit content. Guaranteed HEA. For readers who want their romance to wreck them a little before it heals them completely.
Petra Alves has survived things most people only see in nightmares. Two combat deployments. A field of wildfire. The weight of soldiers she couldn't save. She came back to San Jacinto, Arizona carrying all of it locked up inside her, and she learned to live there. Quietly. Alone. Running toward burning things because it was the only way she knew how to feel useful.
She wasn't expecting Vera Montgomery.
Golden-haired, blue-eyed, and dangerously optimistic, her new neighbor is everything Petra isn't. Soft where she's scarred. Warm where she's guarded. At home in a world made of books and vintage dresses and Jane Austen quotes. Vera is the kind of woman you look at once and never quite recover from. Petra knows this the moment she sees her standing in their hallway in a flower-print pink dress, guessing her name through a smile that makes the whole world tilt sideways.
What follows is slow, and then all at once. Coffee and first dates and a kiss in a library that neither of them saw coming. A love that builds itself quietly in the space between two very different lives, until everything that matters most gets tested by fire.
Because Petra is a helitack forewoman. She rappels from helicopters into active burns. She makes impossible calls with seconds to spare. And when a career-threatening wildfire forces her to choose between following orders and bringing her crew home alive, she makes the only choice she can live with—and loses almost everything else.
Honeyfires is the story of what it costs to be brave, and what it means to finally let someone love you for it. It's sharp edges and soft hands. Nightmares and lavender baths. A woman who spent years surviving, finally learning how to stay.
Explicit content. Guaranteed HEA. For readers who want their romance to wreck them a little before it heals them completely.
294 pages, ebook
First published August 22, 2026
About the author
Nora Fares
12 books63 followersNora Fares lives in Southern California with her family and her cat, Caspian, who insists he’s the real writer. She splits her time between gaming and writing heartbreaking stories in very pretty prose, where characters have to crawl through emotional glass for their happy endings. A proud member of the LGBT+ community, she’s now focused on giving those hard‑won happy endings to the gays—because someone has to.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
June 17, 2026
I teetered on whether I liked Honeyfires or not, and I came to the conclusion there were good things and bad things about it.
So let’s start with the good:
The love Petra and Vera was very clear. They were truly ride or dies for one another from the jump. I liked the fact they were, on paper, exact opposites but when together worked so well. There was plenty of outside drama going on to keep it interesting while keeping the relationship between the two MCs solid. The drama that came from Petra’s work definitely kept my attention.
I always have to make comments on the smut because I can be particular, and for the most part it was just the right amount of hotness. I was under the impression there was going to be a bit more BDSM/control style, but honestly it was fine by me the way it was.
Here was some of the things I found not so good:
I was a little bored by halfway through and that was the result of the two MCs moving really fast. I enjoy a good slow burn and by halfway though I kind of wondered “what could happen now?” (in regards to their relationship). I found their relationship as a whole a bit too cheesy for me, and it did feel repetitive at times, especially when random sex scenes popped up, they felt kind of like fillers.
I can appreciate when it seems like an author did their research, and although I know little to nothing about wildlife fires, it seems that the author learned all of it so respect to that! I do wonder if the severity of this situation would really happen, out of it was dramatized to keep the readers entertained. Either way, it worked.
My last point, as someone who lives in Arizona, is that this was located in San Jacinto which I don’t believe is actually in Arizona. I do think it would’ve been cool to use an actual city in AZ to make it even more realistic, but isn’t a dealbreaker for me.
So let’s start with the good:
The love Petra and Vera was very clear. They were truly ride or dies for one another from the jump. I liked the fact they were, on paper, exact opposites but when together worked so well. There was plenty of outside drama going on to keep it interesting while keeping the relationship between the two MCs solid. The drama that came from Petra’s work definitely kept my attention.
I always have to make comments on the smut because I can be particular, and for the most part it was just the right amount of hotness. I was under the impression there was going to be a bit more BDSM/control style, but honestly it was fine by me the way it was.
Here was some of the things I found not so good:
I was a little bored by halfway through and that was the result of the two MCs moving really fast. I enjoy a good slow burn and by halfway though I kind of wondered “what could happen now?” (in regards to their relationship). I found their relationship as a whole a bit too cheesy for me, and it did feel repetitive at times, especially when random sex scenes popped up, they felt kind of like fillers.
I can appreciate when it seems like an author did their research, and although I know little to nothing about wildlife fires, it seems that the author learned all of it so respect to that! I do wonder if the severity of this situation would really happen, out of it was dramatized to keep the readers entertained. Either way, it worked.
My last point, as someone who lives in Arizona, is that this was located in San Jacinto which I don’t believe is actually in Arizona. I do think it would’ve been cool to use an actual city in AZ to make it even more realistic, but isn’t a dealbreaker for me.
September 9, 2026
I NEED A MOMENT 😭😭✋🫠🫠🥹😩 dare i say my favourite book i've read this year so far!
this is EVERYTHING i want in a romance. it felt like the author went straight into my brain and knew exactly everything i loved. this is sort of an insta love/attractive and i do love that trope but i swear it was done right! i mean i can't lie, i'd fall that quick too bc wtf they are both so AMAZING!!??? 😍 things do happen fast but you have to trust me (it will be worth it 😭❤️🩹). so if this trope isn't your fav i still urge people to give it a try because they have a soulmate connection, and this was such an emotional and intimate book. the way they protected each other and were each other's safe space 🥺 the way they showed in ACTIONS and WORDS how much they loved one another. i didn't realize the book was going to get as deep as it did. the angst in the second half hit me HARD 💔 but what i appreciated so much is that it wasn't a third act breakup. it was outside of their relationship. hooray for authors who can create an actual REALISTIC AND NOT UNNECESSARY conflict without breaking the couple up 🥳 rather we actually get to see them work through their struggles together and support each other no matter what along the way. and character development! i had tears in my eyes countless times throughout the book. both happy and sad ones.
so if you like:
🧡 tattooed tall firefighter x cute librarian
🩷 she calls her baby girl and baby
🧡 dom/sub
🩷 consent/reassurance and discussion of a safe word!!!
🧡 protective x protective
🩷 insta love bc they go for what they want!!
🧡 found family
🩷 spicyyy
🧡 their love languages are definitely acts of service my goodness 😭😭
🩷 angst (especially that second half be prepared ❤️🩹)
🧡 such a realistic book also with addressing real world issues
🩷 SOULMATE VIBES
🧡 no third act breakup
🩷 omg i forgot to mention hand necklaces AHHHGJGHGDHSH 😏🫠
quote time! (small spoilers)
She pressed closer when the engine turned over, making a small involuntary sound I felt more than heard, and I gripped the handlebars and stared at the road ahead and thought: I am a decorated veteran and a trained crisis responder and I am going to drive this motorcycle in a safe and controlled manner if it kills me. I rode like someone's grandmother.
~ did i mention petra also rides a motorcycle 😩 but omg this moment was so funny and cute with vera's first time on a motorcycle
"Petra?" Vera murmured against my shoulder.
"Mm."
"Thank you. For letting me into your world today. The crew. The helicopter. All of it. For trusting me with you."
I pulled her closer. Pressed a kiss to her hair. "Thank you for wanting in. For not flinching." I thought about the crew chief's seat and her white knuckles releasing the doorframe. "For learning it instead."
"Yours?" she said softly. The word settled into the room like it belonged there.
"Yeah," I said. "Mine."
~ i know that's right 🙂↕️
Just one thing, and then the next, and then the next, and then… this. I'd been to war. I'd rappelled into active wildfires that could've killed me. I'd made calls that kept people alive and lived with the ones that didn't. But saying those three words was the bravest thing I'd ever done. And hearing them back had made every painful thing that had ever happened to me completely and utterly worth it. Because if it meant I got Vera in the end? I'd do it all again. A thousand times.
~ this book literally destroyed me (in a good way)
"You're exhausted," she murmured against my mouth.
"I'm fine. I got you a cake."
"You drove directly from a forty-eight-hour fire to a bakery."
"The bakery was on the way."
"It is not on the way."
"It was on the way to you," I said, "which is the only way that matters."
"Be safe," she whispered, her hands coming up to cup my face. "Please be safe."
"I will. I promise I'll do everything in my power to come home to you."
I looked at her across our kitchen, this woman who had gotten up this morning and gone for a walk and bought pastries and carried in a letter that was trying to take away the thing I'd built my whole post-war life on, and I thought: I would burn down everything for her and she would rebuild it for me.
~ i will need at least 10 business days to recover thank you
"You shouldn't have to deal with this." The guilt was back, different now but just as intense. "This isn't your burden."
"But I do." Her arms tightened around me. "Because I love you. And that means the good days and the bad days. The days when you're strong and the days when you're falling apart. All of it, Petra. I choose all of it. I choose you."
~ these two 💔 i know they will be with eachother no matter what happens and the writing ahhhhh 😭
"Very sure." I gripped her thighs, urging her forward. "Now stop asking questions and sit on my face."
~ 🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭 spicy one to end the quote section 😌
i hope lots of people read this book honestly. the author surprised the hell out of me and i'm looking forward to all Nora Fares releases now. 💕
this is EVERYTHING i want in a romance. it felt like the author went straight into my brain and knew exactly everything i loved. this is sort of an insta love/attractive and i do love that trope but i swear it was done right! i mean i can't lie, i'd fall that quick too bc wtf they are both so AMAZING!!??? 😍 things do happen fast but you have to trust me (it will be worth it 😭❤️🩹). so if this trope isn't your fav i still urge people to give it a try because they have a soulmate connection, and this was such an emotional and intimate book. the way they protected each other and were each other's safe space 🥺 the way they showed in ACTIONS and WORDS how much they loved one another. i didn't realize the book was going to get as deep as it did. the angst in the second half hit me HARD 💔 but what i appreciated so much is that it wasn't a third act breakup. it was outside of their relationship. hooray for authors who can create an actual REALISTIC AND NOT UNNECESSARY conflict without breaking the couple up 🥳 rather we actually get to see them work through their struggles together and support each other no matter what along the way. and character development! i had tears in my eyes countless times throughout the book. both happy and sad ones.
so if you like:
🧡 tattooed tall firefighter x cute librarian
🩷 she calls her baby girl and baby
🧡 dom/sub
🩷 consent/reassurance and discussion of a safe word!!!
🧡 protective x protective
🩷 insta love bc they go for what they want!!
🧡 found family
🩷 spicyyy
🧡 their love languages are definitely acts of service my goodness 😭😭
🩷 angst (especially that second half be prepared ❤️🩹)
🧡 such a realistic book also with addressing real world issues
🩷 SOULMATE VIBES
🧡 no third act breakup
🩷 omg i forgot to mention hand necklaces AHHHGJGHGDHSH 😏🫠
quote time! (small spoilers)
She pressed closer when the engine turned over, making a small involuntary sound I felt more than heard, and I gripped the handlebars and stared at the road ahead and thought: I am a decorated veteran and a trained crisis responder and I am going to drive this motorcycle in a safe and controlled manner if it kills me. I rode like someone's grandmother.
~ did i mention petra also rides a motorcycle 😩 but omg this moment was so funny and cute with vera's first time on a motorcycle
"Petra?" Vera murmured against my shoulder.
"Mm."
"Thank you. For letting me into your world today. The crew. The helicopter. All of it. For trusting me with you."
I pulled her closer. Pressed a kiss to her hair. "Thank you for wanting in. For not flinching." I thought about the crew chief's seat and her white knuckles releasing the doorframe. "For learning it instead."
"Yours?" she said softly. The word settled into the room like it belonged there.
"Yeah," I said. "Mine."
~ i know that's right 🙂↕️
Just one thing, and then the next, and then the next, and then… this. I'd been to war. I'd rappelled into active wildfires that could've killed me. I'd made calls that kept people alive and lived with the ones that didn't. But saying those three words was the bravest thing I'd ever done. And hearing them back had made every painful thing that had ever happened to me completely and utterly worth it. Because if it meant I got Vera in the end? I'd do it all again. A thousand times.
~ this book literally destroyed me (in a good way)
"You're exhausted," she murmured against my mouth.
"I'm fine. I got you a cake."
"You drove directly from a forty-eight-hour fire to a bakery."
"The bakery was on the way."
"It is not on the way."
"It was on the way to you," I said, "which is the only way that matters."
"Be safe," she whispered, her hands coming up to cup my face. "Please be safe."
"I will. I promise I'll do everything in my power to come home to you."
I looked at her across our kitchen, this woman who had gotten up this morning and gone for a walk and bought pastries and carried in a letter that was trying to take away the thing I'd built my whole post-war life on, and I thought: I would burn down everything for her and she would rebuild it for me.
~ i will need at least 10 business days to recover thank you
"You shouldn't have to deal with this." The guilt was back, different now but just as intense. "This isn't your burden."
"But I do." Her arms tightened around me. "Because I love you. And that means the good days and the bad days. The days when you're strong and the days when you're falling apart. All of it, Petra. I choose all of it. I choose you."
~ these two 💔 i know they will be with eachother no matter what happens and the writing ahhhhh 😭
"Very sure." I gripped her thighs, urging her forward. "Now stop asking questions and sit on my face."
~ 🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭 spicy one to end the quote section 😌
i hope lots of people read this book honestly. the author surprised the hell out of me and i'm looking forward to all Nora Fares releases now. 💕
Did Not Finish
June 18, 2026ARC received in exchange for honest review.
Ugh, I’m sorry but DNF at 42%. I’ve tried to push through but it’s put me in the biggest book funk and I can’t bring myself to read any more.
From the off I was just rolling my eyes at the instalove. I didn’t feel like any chemistry or connection developed, it was just all of a sudden, after a 5 minute meeting, they knew each other, like deep ‘I can see your soul’ vibes. I just didn’t get it. Nothing built, it just suddenly existed and it didn’t feel like there was any chance of becoming invested in the characters - or root for them to be together because they just, were.
I found Vera so irritating. I’m sorry but if somebody just came out with things they assumed about me because they had ‘cataloged’ or ‘dewy decimaled’ me I would be put off - even if they were right, just get to know me. And when you do ask questions, it would give me the ick big time to be told that she was just adding it to the catalog or whatever the phrasing was - learning about your partner is like doing a case study.
If I’m being honest I found the writing a bit clunky, it felt a bit like reading some early Wattpad stories - lots of ‘and then I did this’ ‘and then she said’ and then and then and then, but still there was hardly any plot?
Perhaps I could have pushed through if the smut was good, but it just wasn’t for me.
This book just scratched my brain in all the wrong ways.
Ugh, I’m sorry but DNF at 42%. I’ve tried to push through but it’s put me in the biggest book funk and I can’t bring myself to read any more.
From the off I was just rolling my eyes at the instalove. I didn’t feel like any chemistry or connection developed, it was just all of a sudden, after a 5 minute meeting, they knew each other, like deep ‘I can see your soul’ vibes. I just didn’t get it. Nothing built, it just suddenly existed and it didn’t feel like there was any chance of becoming invested in the characters - or root for them to be together because they just, were.
I found Vera so irritating. I’m sorry but if somebody just came out with things they assumed about me because they had ‘cataloged’ or ‘dewy decimaled’ me I would be put off - even if they were right, just get to know me. And when you do ask questions, it would give me the ick big time to be told that she was just adding it to the catalog or whatever the phrasing was - learning about your partner is like doing a case study.
If I’m being honest I found the writing a bit clunky, it felt a bit like reading some early Wattpad stories - lots of ‘and then I did this’ ‘and then she said’ and then and then and then, but still there was hardly any plot?
Perhaps I could have pushed through if the smut was good, but it just wasn’t for me.
This book just scratched my brain in all the wrong ways.
July 26, 2026
Thank you to the author for the ARC! All opinions expressed are my own 🖤
I was really excited to read this ARC and the writing itself isn’t bad, but I think it needs to be marketed a little differently and the timeline edited.
This is marketed as a spicy sapphic contemporary romance between a librarian and a wildlife firefighter. It is sapphic and has many spice scenes (midrange spicy level and I could argue it needed 2-3 spice scenes cut), but the tone was off for a romance. There is a niche in fanfiction of reader insert fics where the reader self harms or attempts to commit suicide and is stopped and comforted by a favorite character and in a way this book feels like that. The only POV we get is from the firefighter who is lonely, battling PTSD from losing friends as a combat veteran, and encounters significant stress. The first half of the book is only about her and Vera meeting and falling in love and without Vera’s POV, Vera read very much like a wish fulfillment character. She kind of has a personality but no dreams or ambitions beyond be with Petra and be a librarian. She constantly consoles and caters to Petra and it ended up feeling one sided. At the halfway point the plot shifts drastically and becomes sexism in the workplace and a huge suspension and media storm of hate towards Petra for an incident in her job. The rest of the book was dealing with that, Vera supporting, and a lot of repetition and unpacking and rehashing Petra’s trauma. All this to say, this read like a book that is meant for readers who need to read words of comfort and healing that they can insert themselves into and less like a romance. That isn’t a bad thing necessarily, I was invested in the work plotline and there’s a fanfiction niche for a reason, but the drastic shifts in tone and pacing between the three sections of the book (getting together, the sexism, the fire drama) made it a bit off putting and didn’t match how the author marketed it. I think if the marketing were shifted a bit and the story edited to where all three plot lines intermingled more and perhaps Vera’s POV were added it would be a better read.
I was really excited to read this ARC and the writing itself isn’t bad, but I think it needs to be marketed a little differently and the timeline edited.
This is marketed as a spicy sapphic contemporary romance between a librarian and a wildlife firefighter. It is sapphic and has many spice scenes (midrange spicy level and I could argue it needed 2-3 spice scenes cut), but the tone was off for a romance. There is a niche in fanfiction of reader insert fics where the reader self harms or attempts to commit suicide and is stopped and comforted by a favorite character and in a way this book feels like that. The only POV we get is from the firefighter who is lonely, battling PTSD from losing friends as a combat veteran, and encounters significant stress. The first half of the book is only about her and Vera meeting and falling in love and without Vera’s POV, Vera read very much like a wish fulfillment character. She kind of has a personality but no dreams or ambitions beyond be with Petra and be a librarian. She constantly consoles and caters to Petra and it ended up feeling one sided. At the halfway point the plot shifts drastically and becomes sexism in the workplace and a huge suspension and media storm of hate towards Petra for an incident in her job. The rest of the book was dealing with that, Vera supporting, and a lot of repetition and unpacking and rehashing Petra’s trauma. All this to say, this read like a book that is meant for readers who need to read words of comfort and healing that they can insert themselves into and less like a romance. That isn’t a bad thing necessarily, I was invested in the work plotline and there’s a fanfiction niche for a reason, but the drastic shifts in tone and pacing between the three sections of the book (getting together, the sexism, the fire drama) made it a bit off putting and didn’t match how the author marketed it. I think if the marketing were shifted a bit and the story edited to where all three plot lines intermingled more and perhaps Vera’s POV were added it would be a better read.
September 13, 2026
Reads like AI
I wanted to like this. I loved the dedication page. At best, the dialogue reads like a hyper Gilmore girls knockoff and at worst, it reads like bad AI. There’s no feeling behind the writing and it has a cadence that feels fake.
I wanted to like this. I loved the dedication page. At best, the dialogue reads like a hyper Gilmore girls knockoff and at worst, it reads like bad AI. There’s no feeling behind the writing and it has a cadence that feels fake.
Did Not Finish
September 1, 2026DNF @ 10%
I normally don’t comment on prose, and try to focus on the story — but this was completely unreadable. Literally — try to read parts out loud, it’s nearly impossible.
It’s sad bc I really liked the concept of Petra and Vera’s characters 😭 They deserved a better author 🤷🏼♀️
I normally don’t comment on prose, and try to focus on the story — but this was completely unreadable. Literally — try to read parts out loud, it’s nearly impossible.
It’s sad bc I really liked the concept of Petra and Vera’s characters 😭 They deserved a better author 🤷🏼♀️
September 16, 2026
honestly this was a really great story with a deeper plot than I expected! I really enjoyed reading through the hardships and just feeling them support one another.
September 5, 2026
Sometimes, you just need a *silly* *little* romance that you don't have to think too hard about.
...I thought before I started Honeyfires.
The romance was, like, heartwarming? and functional? I kept waiting for some kind of relationship-ending damage to happen to the main characters. Though actually this could just be a cute & fun nod to my own quasi-masochistic reading tendencies. Also, the spicy scenes= 💯
Shockingly, the central problem caused the two main characters to actually *communicate* and *support each other.*
[No hate on other romances, I just haven't read something this reliably stable in a long time ]
The plot carried a moving undertone about hard decisions, trauma, and grief. There was also some societal commentary baked into the text about hierarchical structures in emergency response agencies and also sweeping perspectives of women who "act out" in overwhelmingly patriarchal systems. I also commend the author for the comprehensive list of potential triggers.
My least favorite part of this book was regrettably character development. The author wrote two characters I wanted to root for but also felt slightly cringeworthy.
Vera, the librarian, essentially had two personality characteristics. The first was her unwavering support of her partner which was lovely.
The second was her, and I can't emphasize this enough, constant use of the words "library science" to explain away any other piece of dialogue or even just any thought she had that did not relate to personality trait A.
Petra, her partner, was written to be strong, heroic and equally in love with Vera. Again, lovely.
Yet, outside of work, her only personality seems to be letting Vera stand up for her and being super hot/great at sex. Her character arc was somewhat flushed out when compared to Vera because she actually had an intrinsic journey.
Overall, this book was emotional and endearing, with a sweet ending. At certain points I felt what the synopsis promises which is to be, dare I say, wrecked?
...I thought before I started Honeyfires.
The romance was, like, heartwarming? and functional? I kept waiting for some kind of relationship-ending damage to happen to the main characters. Though actually this could just be a cute & fun nod to my own quasi-masochistic reading tendencies. Also, the spicy scenes= 💯
Shockingly, the central problem caused the two main characters to actually *communicate* and *support each other.*
[No hate on other romances, I just haven't read something this reliably stable in a long time ]
The plot carried a moving undertone about hard decisions, trauma, and grief. There was also some societal commentary baked into the text about hierarchical structures in emergency response agencies and also sweeping perspectives of women who "act out" in overwhelmingly patriarchal systems. I also commend the author for the comprehensive list of potential triggers.
My least favorite part of this book was regrettably character development. The author wrote two characters I wanted to root for but also felt slightly cringeworthy.
Vera, the librarian, essentially had two personality characteristics. The first was her unwavering support of her partner which was lovely.
The second was her, and I can't emphasize this enough, constant use of the words "library science" to explain away any other piece of dialogue or even just any thought she had that did not relate to personality trait A.
Petra, her partner, was written to be strong, heroic and equally in love with Vera. Again, lovely.
Yet, outside of work, her only personality seems to be letting Vera stand up for her and being super hot/great at sex. Her character arc was somewhat flushed out when compared to Vera because she actually had an intrinsic journey.
Overall, this book was emotional and endearing, with a sweet ending. At certain points I felt what the synopsis promises which is to be, dare I say, wrecked?
September 19, 2026
I'm 45% in and I'm so bored of this book. I think it is in need of more conflict.
Also this book is giving me cause to wonder if it weren't at least partially written assisted by AI. The dialogue is repetitive and stilted.
Also this book is giving me cause to wonder if it weren't at least partially written assisted by AI. The dialogue is repetitive and stilted.
Review of advance copy received from Author
So to start, I have a bad book scale(1-10) and a good book scale (1-10). And that's because I will happily read absolute trash but I’m not going to compare it to a gourmet meal. A 10 in the bad book scale is NOT the same as a 1 in the good book scale. A bad book that’s a 10 probably should not be published as is (even though I liked it). A 1 on the good book scale is publishable but likely super unremarkable, poorly written or very boring.
With that in mind Honeyfires falls at about a 6 on the good book scale. There’s definitely room for improvement, but the important things are established well, and most importantly it’s pleasant to read.
The good:
The story is well researched. The characters are fun and highly distinguishable. The language is descriptive, vivid, unique and almost lush. The story doesn't shy away from difficulty, nor does it shy away from joy and pleasure. This book knows what it is and sticks with it the whole time. It leaves a feeling of warmth as its title suggests.
However, the not so good:
There are many redundancies throughout. Redundant descriptions (including entire duplicate sections though exact duplication only happens about 5 times that I marked), repetitive sentence structure (especially using like/as simile) , and over emphasis on certain points (the first half of the book could probably simply be shorter and the second half, while more dynamic could use either more scenario variation in the town, or perhaps a bit less wallowing)
I think with another pass through and a bit of a stricter eye for style editing this book could VERY easily be an 8.
Thank you for this opportunity to read your ARC and I look forward to seeing how far you go as an author!
With that in mind Honeyfires falls at about a 6 on the good book scale. There’s definitely room for improvement, but the important things are established well, and most importantly it’s pleasant to read.
The good:
The story is well researched. The characters are fun and highly distinguishable. The language is descriptive, vivid, unique and almost lush. The story doesn't shy away from difficulty, nor does it shy away from joy and pleasure. This book knows what it is and sticks with it the whole time. It leaves a feeling of warmth as its title suggests.
However, the not so good:
There are many redundancies throughout. Redundant descriptions (including entire duplicate sections though exact duplication only happens about 5 times that I marked), repetitive sentence structure (especially using like/as simile) , and over emphasis on certain points (the first half of the book could probably simply be shorter and the second half, while more dynamic could use either more scenario variation in the town, or perhaps a bit less wallowing)
I think with another pass through and a bit of a stricter eye for style editing this book could VERY easily be an 8.
Thank you for this opportunity to read your ARC and I look forward to seeing how far you go as an author!
June 24, 2026
Thank you to the author for supplying an ARC of this book for review!
In short, I really, really enjoyed this book. If Goodreads let you give half stars, I would have given this a 4.5. Other than a few, minor irritations (the constant, never ending mention of “library science”), I really enjoyed this.
What makes Honeyfires special to me is that it is a sapphic love story that isn’t solely dependent on its characters queerness for the story line. Vera and Petra are fully developed characters, with quirks and jobs and background stories that make them feel real. The conflict of this book revolves around Petra’s high stress job, not a third act breakup or conflicts with loved ones about their identities. It was really refreshing, especially in a world where a lot of queer romances rely on the same tropes again and again and again.
I loved watching Vera and Petra fall in love. Yes it was fast, but I feel a lot of women in the queer community could relate to that lol. I loved the tenderness and care between them. I thought the spice was great, and not too overdone. Vera’s super type A personality grated on me at times, but her unwavering love and support made up for it. Overall, I’d highly recommend Honeyfires!
In short, I really, really enjoyed this book. If Goodreads let you give half stars, I would have given this a 4.5. Other than a few, minor irritations (the constant, never ending mention of “library science”), I really enjoyed this.
What makes Honeyfires special to me is that it is a sapphic love story that isn’t solely dependent on its characters queerness for the story line. Vera and Petra are fully developed characters, with quirks and jobs and background stories that make them feel real. The conflict of this book revolves around Petra’s high stress job, not a third act breakup or conflicts with loved ones about their identities. It was really refreshing, especially in a world where a lot of queer romances rely on the same tropes again and again and again.
I loved watching Vera and Petra fall in love. Yes it was fast, but I feel a lot of women in the queer community could relate to that lol. I loved the tenderness and care between them. I thought the spice was great, and not too overdone. Vera’s super type A personality grated on me at times, but her unwavering love and support made up for it. Overall, I’d highly recommend Honeyfires!
September 28, 2026
Give me more romance novels with cliche sapphic tropes that are followed by deep talks, relationship building, and a third act that isn’t a break up. Sapphics love to jump in, that’s why there’s jokes about us, and we love to make our relationships work, we do it all. Honeyfires felt real, like the relationship our friend would tell us about, like something we could live, and I adored that about it. Nora Fares gives us a novel with insta love that feels real, drama that actually happens regularly in real life, and a consenting sexual dynamic that is safe, fun, and sexy.
Honeyfires is a slow burn, but not in the way you think. The insta love is strong here, but the love story is drawn out, we get to live day by day with Petra and Vera as they embrace one another, as they embrace the looks about town, as they face a career hurdle that upends their lives. I loved the way these two spoke and the way they connected, even when they wanted to pull away. Each was a fully fleshed out character, entirely unique, flaws and all, and their sexuality truly had nothing to do with the story. It was about their love, their acceptance of love, and how they fit together. The efforts they made is the story and I loved that. The icing on top is the well researched careers of each character, how it ties to their personalities, and the age each is, allowing less of the outside drama in and working as a unit to face obstacles versus running to friends as many romance novels do. This is a unique love story on the market, one that I loved.
I do think this one could feel long for other readers, I know many want the drama and angst early, and this one has a lengthy build up that can feel repetitive, but it didn’t change the feelings I had as I finished reading. I was emotionally invested, sobbing really, and I’ll take repetitive any day if it gets me that way.
Honeyfires is a slow burn, but not in the way you think. The insta love is strong here, but the love story is drawn out, we get to live day by day with Petra and Vera as they embrace one another, as they embrace the looks about town, as they face a career hurdle that upends their lives. I loved the way these two spoke and the way they connected, even when they wanted to pull away. Each was a fully fleshed out character, entirely unique, flaws and all, and their sexuality truly had nothing to do with the story. It was about their love, their acceptance of love, and how they fit together. The efforts they made is the story and I loved that. The icing on top is the well researched careers of each character, how it ties to their personalities, and the age each is, allowing less of the outside drama in and working as a unit to face obstacles versus running to friends as many romance novels do. This is a unique love story on the market, one that I loved.
I do think this one could feel long for other readers, I know many want the drama and angst early, and this one has a lengthy build up that can feel repetitive, but it didn’t change the feelings I had as I finished reading. I was emotionally invested, sobbing really, and I’ll take repetitive any day if it gets me that way.
August 29, 2026
I’ve had the pleasure of sharing some writing spaces with Nora and I had the privilege of beta reading her next book before reading Honeyfires, so I knew that I’d enjoy her writing. Even though I knew that, I was still amazed and taken aback by just how good this book was!
The characters are so well rounded, their connection is such a pleasure to read about, and all the drama that happens in this story is truly gripping. I know that Nora researches a lot for her characters and their stories and it shows. I love when a book teaches me something I didn’t know before and I learned so much about firefighting through this story!
I absolutely recommend this to everyone, such a great sapphic romance and I’ll be thinking about it for days!
The characters are so well rounded, their connection is such a pleasure to read about, and all the drama that happens in this story is truly gripping. I know that Nora researches a lot for her characters and their stories and it shows. I love when a book teaches me something I didn’t know before and I learned so much about firefighting through this story!
I absolutely recommend this to everyone, such a great sapphic romance and I’ll be thinking about it for days!
June 19, 2026
Review of advanced copy received from author
Although I typically enjoy an angsty slow burn romance, I thought despite a little cheesiness that the two FMCs had great chemistry in an opposites attract way. The author explored wlw relationships, conflicts and real word issues like PTSD, the toxicity of social media and the intricacies of trusting your gut in a high-stress life/death field of work. I enjoyed the banter between Petra and Vera, and I liked that despite their differences they fit together very well. Despite losing my pacing a little around the 40% mark I had a great time with this book and I look forward to what comes next for Ms. Fares!
Although I typically enjoy an angsty slow burn romance, I thought despite a little cheesiness that the two FMCs had great chemistry in an opposites attract way. The author explored wlw relationships, conflicts and real word issues like PTSD, the toxicity of social media and the intricacies of trusting your gut in a high-stress life/death field of work. I enjoyed the banter between Petra and Vera, and I liked that despite their differences they fit together very well. Despite losing my pacing a little around the 40% mark I had a great time with this book and I look forward to what comes next for Ms. Fares!
July 8, 2026
First, I just want to say thank you to the author for sending me an ARC of the book! I cannot wait to buy a physical copy whenever it comes out!
I typically read books that have more of a slow burn in them, so this allowed me to branch out if that some and I loved it. Even though the relationship in the book progressed pretty quickly, I honestly loved it and loved getting to read more about their relationship and its building. I also really appreciate how this book went into talking about mental health and how PTSD can impact so many areas in life. I just really enjoyed this book and really loved their relationship!
I typically read books that have more of a slow burn in them, so this allowed me to branch out if that some and I loved it. Even though the relationship in the book progressed pretty quickly, I honestly loved it and loved getting to read more about their relationship and its building. I also really appreciate how this book went into talking about mental health and how PTSD can impact so many areas in life. I just really enjoyed this book and really loved their relationship!
July 15, 2026
Sometimes you just need a romance with instant gratification and Honeyfires hits the spot! Vera and Petra’s connection is undeniable from the start and I loved seeing them grow as a pair and as they experienced hardship and real life challenges.
This book will give you all the feels!
Overall I enjoyed this story and I’m so grateful to have received an ARC. I look forward to what else Nora Fares will write!
This book will give you all the feels!
Overall I enjoyed this story and I’m so grateful to have received an ARC. I look forward to what else Nora Fares will write!
October 10, 2026
“Because love wasn't about being the same, it was about making space for someone completely different and calling it home.”
—
spicy!
fluffy!
and i want to be miller when i grow up.
—
spicy!
fluffy!
and i want to be miller when i grow up.
August 31, 2026
fantastic read and beautifully written characters and story
September 15, 2026
Repetitive dialogue, repetitive themes, repetitive everything, even the intimate scenes. And pure silliness, too - how is anyone arguing seriously about houses and their contents being more important than saving human lives? I can't believe this has been beta read and edited and no one flagged up any of these many, many issues. I'm 75% in, and these two insta-loved up, perfect MCs haven't done or said a single thing wrong yet. Also, this really would have benefitted from a dual POV.
If advance copies hadn't been sent out to readers for preview, I'd have assumed this was AI, quite honestly.
If advance copies hadn't been sent out to readers for preview, I'd have assumed this was AI, quite honestly.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Overall Review: Receiving an early copy of this book to be an ARC reader was such a splendid blessing! This book is hands-down one of the best books I have ever read...and I am on book #241 of 2026, so I have a large data set to work from. Any book where the characters call each other “babe” and/or “baby” are automatic wins for me. The timeline of this book is also top tier! I love when a book follows the development of a relationship from the start, without adding in unnecessary drama for the couple. Nora captured these characters so beautifully and gave both of them adorableness and depth. I talked about these characters, and the book as a whole, to my family more than any other book this year...well, maybe a tie with another book I’m also in love with. I laughed, I cried, I giggled, I whole-belly-laughed, I swooned, and I fell in love with both characters...and I have an absolute soft spot for Stevens (I requested a semi-sequel that follows him). The scenes are spicyyyy with endless consent and respect, and they aren’t spicy just for the sake of being spicy; they are spicy in ways that seem realistic and wonderful. There were some plot twists and surprises, and there was also a lengthy epilogue to fully “finish” the story of Petra and Vera. Everyone needs to read this book! And I have requested that Nora continue writing more sapphic novels because I love her writing style, character depth, and various aspects of their relationship that unfolds throughout the story. I was able to “watch” the story play out in my mind because of her beautiful way of writing.
Quotes That Spoke to My Soul - in various ways, and without context: “Did you just Dewey Decimal me?” - “I shook it off. One thing at a time. Fire, then feelings.” - “For the first time in longer than I could name, I wasn’t bracing for something to end. I was thinking about what came next.” - “These were the soft, unremarkable things I’d never known I wanted.” - “I don’t forget the things you want.” - “I just want to stop pretending home isn’t already wherever you are.” - “That was the part I loved. That she chose to hold still. That the whole dynamic lived in that choice, freely made, renewed with every second she didn’t move.” - “...every road led here.” - “Everything benefits from intention.” - “This wasn’t soft. This was the thing that made everything else possible. This was my greatest strength.” - “But you can’t sacrifice your principles for the comfort of men who don’t understand respect.” - “If it’s important to you, I’m there.” - “I see you. I choose you. You belong here because I want you here. And I realized: we fit because we chose to. Because she looked at me like I belonged here, even when I knew I didn’t. Because love wasn’t about being the same, it was about making space for someone completely different and calling it home.” - “You make it feel safe. Like I can show you my broken pieces and you won’t cut yourself on them.” - “...held safe by the woman who’d somehow made me believe in second chances when I hand’t even thought I’d deserved first ones.” - “I would burn down everything for her and she would rebuild it for me.” - “Because I love you. And love means staying even when everything else is hard.” - “Now stop asking questions and sit on my face.” - “Because I had my fire, and I had my honest to soothe it. Honeyfires.”
Quotes That Spoke to My Soul - in various ways, and without context: “Did you just Dewey Decimal me?” - “I shook it off. One thing at a time. Fire, then feelings.” - “For the first time in longer than I could name, I wasn’t bracing for something to end. I was thinking about what came next.” - “These were the soft, unremarkable things I’d never known I wanted.” - “I don’t forget the things you want.” - “I just want to stop pretending home isn’t already wherever you are.” - “That was the part I loved. That she chose to hold still. That the whole dynamic lived in that choice, freely made, renewed with every second she didn’t move.” - “...every road led here.” - “Everything benefits from intention.” - “This wasn’t soft. This was the thing that made everything else possible. This was my greatest strength.” - “But you can’t sacrifice your principles for the comfort of men who don’t understand respect.” - “If it’s important to you, I’m there.” - “I see you. I choose you. You belong here because I want you here. And I realized: we fit because we chose to. Because she looked at me like I belonged here, even when I knew I didn’t. Because love wasn’t about being the same, it was about making space for someone completely different and calling it home.” - “You make it feel safe. Like I can show you my broken pieces and you won’t cut yourself on them.” - “...held safe by the woman who’d somehow made me believe in second chances when I hand’t even thought I’d deserved first ones.” - “I would burn down everything for her and she would rebuild it for me.” - “Because I love you. And love means staying even when everything else is hard.” - “Now stop asking questions and sit on my face.” - “Because I had my fire, and I had my honest to soothe it. Honeyfires.”
September 12, 2026
I really *really* wanted to love this book, and I do believe this story has potential! I finished it and I am not the type of person to finish a book I don’t feel fully interested in, but in my opinion this needed some work.
The big problem for me that had me rolling my eyes quite a bit was the repetitive vocabulary. We know Petra has been to war and is a firefighter, we only need to hear it once or twice and it sticks. I think I read that exact line 10+ times. And I don’t think I can ever read the words “super-heated air” again, it was also in there 10+ times. She’s a wildland firefighter (we know that), the air will be hot and it will cause damage to your lungs. We don’t need to hear it over and over again. Same with Vera’s eyes being described as “enormous” and the desert being dark and the sky being full of stars. We heard it too much. Even the sex scenes got repetitive in my personal opinion.
I’m not a wildland firefighter, but I am an Arizona native and the Granite Mountain Hotshot crew disaster of 2013 that killed 19 firefighters brought a lot of attention and awareness to the field of wildland management all across the state. Perhaps that’s why Petra’s station was #19? It would have been nice to hear about them if they were an inspiration to this book. Anyways, we hear a lot about the Pulaski and a little about the chainsaws but where’s the drip torches? I was surprised I didn’t see them mentioned when this book was clearly researched fairly well.
I also agree with another review that mentioned how ridiculous the media storm following the ridge fire was. There is NO WAY they would get that crazy because of 6 homes with no one in them being sacrificed over the lives of an entire fire crew. Let alone drag her girlfriend into it. But it’s a book and I understand the need for a main conflict.
In my opinion, perhaps Vera and Petra could have had a larger conflict that gave more variety to the issues at play and kept it interesting, especially considering they moved so damn fast. I know we all hate it when our MCs fight but it does add a sense of realness to the book and if any couple would be fighting, it’d probably be the one who moved in together after five months because they don’t actually have a fucking clue who their partner is yet. We as readers barely learn who Vera and Petra are as people in this book, the most we get in terms of hobbies are reading, cooking and sewing. Petra has spent most of her life and grew up in San Jacinto but where the fuck is her immediate family? Vera’s background is basically nonexistent, we hear almost nothing of family, friends or her life growing up. Nothing that gives us insight on why she is who she is, just her degree making her crazy observant and organized. These two were a little tooooo perfect for each other and that just… doesn’t happen. Just a thought.
Anyways, like I said, I overall enjoyed it, but it had some minor things keeping it from being a great read for me. I see how it’s marketable to people who enjoy fluff and relatively low stakes conflict, but I think most people want more to lose and some character growth within the relationship itself than what we got.
The big problem for me that had me rolling my eyes quite a bit was the repetitive vocabulary. We know Petra has been to war and is a firefighter, we only need to hear it once or twice and it sticks. I think I read that exact line 10+ times. And I don’t think I can ever read the words “super-heated air” again, it was also in there 10+ times. She’s a wildland firefighter (we know that), the air will be hot and it will cause damage to your lungs. We don’t need to hear it over and over again. Same with Vera’s eyes being described as “enormous” and the desert being dark and the sky being full of stars. We heard it too much. Even the sex scenes got repetitive in my personal opinion.
I’m not a wildland firefighter, but I am an Arizona native and the Granite Mountain Hotshot crew disaster of 2013 that killed 19 firefighters brought a lot of attention and awareness to the field of wildland management all across the state. Perhaps that’s why Petra’s station was #19? It would have been nice to hear about them if they were an inspiration to this book. Anyways, we hear a lot about the Pulaski and a little about the chainsaws but where’s the drip torches? I was surprised I didn’t see them mentioned when this book was clearly researched fairly well.
I also agree with another review that mentioned how ridiculous the media storm following the ridge fire was. There is NO WAY they would get that crazy because of 6 homes with no one in them being sacrificed over the lives of an entire fire crew. Let alone drag her girlfriend into it. But it’s a book and I understand the need for a main conflict.
In my opinion, perhaps Vera and Petra could have had a larger conflict that gave more variety to the issues at play and kept it interesting, especially considering they moved so damn fast. I know we all hate it when our MCs fight but it does add a sense of realness to the book and if any couple would be fighting, it’d probably be the one who moved in together after five months because they don’t actually have a fucking clue who their partner is yet. We as readers barely learn who Vera and Petra are as people in this book, the most we get in terms of hobbies are reading, cooking and sewing. Petra has spent most of her life and grew up in San Jacinto but where the fuck is her immediate family? Vera’s background is basically nonexistent, we hear almost nothing of family, friends or her life growing up. Nothing that gives us insight on why she is who she is, just her degree making her crazy observant and organized. These two were a little tooooo perfect for each other and that just… doesn’t happen. Just a thought.
Anyways, like I said, I overall enjoyed it, but it had some minor things keeping it from being a great read for me. I see how it’s marketable to people who enjoy fluff and relatively low stakes conflict, but I think most people want more to lose and some character growth within the relationship itself than what we got.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author for the arc of this book! All opinions are my own c:
I was honestly surprised at how much I ended up enjoying Honeyfires by the time I finished it. Originally I was sold when I heard about a romance book between a firefighter and a librarian because, to me, that just sounds like a pairing that doesn't match up—but, in this book, it actually did.
Within the first few pages, Vera and Petra meet each other and basically hit it off right then and there. Typically this would make me disinterested because I'm someone that really does not like insta love. It's actually one of my most hated tropes, but surprisingly it was really entertaining watching the banter between Vera and Petra right from the jump. Dare I say it was done well? Either that or I just enjoyed it because the insta love in Honeyfires really reminds me of the u-haul stereotype with lesbians because these two characters absolutely did not shy away from moving in with each other within 3 weeks of even knowing that the other exists. My lesbian ass thought it was pretty funny, shoot me ♡
I thought Vera and Petra were both really interesting characters, but I actually wish there was even more written about their individual personalities. I appreciated that there wasn't a third act breakup or some conflict between the two of them, and I especially appreciated the fact that the central conflict in this book didn't revolve around the main characters being queer. In saying that however, once I reached about the 40% mark in this book, things began to feel pretty repetitive. It was just near constant mention of how dangerous Petra's job was, and how shocked Petra was that someone as lively as Vera wanted to be with her, etc. Sometimes that can get a little bit irritating for me and it just made me feel like this book could've been 50-100 pages shorter. But I was able to finish the book, so obviously it didn't irritate me enough to dnf it. Perhaps including more detail on the characters and their personal lives and removing some of the filler commentary would benefit the story more, at least in my opinion!
Overall, I'm pretty pleased with this book. It's nice reading a book about a somewhat emo woman with a hyperfeminine woman who's really smart and not having it be yet another sad queer tragedy, that was a real win for me. It was super cute how supportive they were of one another, even with the whole opposites attract kind of thing going on. I'm glad I got to read!
I was honestly surprised at how much I ended up enjoying Honeyfires by the time I finished it. Originally I was sold when I heard about a romance book between a firefighter and a librarian because, to me, that just sounds like a pairing that doesn't match up—but, in this book, it actually did.
Within the first few pages, Vera and Petra meet each other and basically hit it off right then and there. Typically this would make me disinterested because I'm someone that really does not like insta love. It's actually one of my most hated tropes, but surprisingly it was really entertaining watching the banter between Vera and Petra right from the jump. Dare I say it was done well? Either that or I just enjoyed it because the insta love in Honeyfires really reminds me of the u-haul stereotype with lesbians because these two characters absolutely did not shy away from moving in with each other within 3 weeks of even knowing that the other exists. My lesbian ass thought it was pretty funny, shoot me ♡
I thought Vera and Petra were both really interesting characters, but I actually wish there was even more written about their individual personalities. I appreciated that there wasn't a third act breakup or some conflict between the two of them, and I especially appreciated the fact that the central conflict in this book didn't revolve around the main characters being queer. In saying that however, once I reached about the 40% mark in this book, things began to feel pretty repetitive. It was just near constant mention of how dangerous Petra's job was, and how shocked Petra was that someone as lively as Vera wanted to be with her, etc. Sometimes that can get a little bit irritating for me and it just made me feel like this book could've been 50-100 pages shorter. But I was able to finish the book, so obviously it didn't irritate me enough to dnf it. Perhaps including more detail on the characters and their personal lives and removing some of the filler commentary would benefit the story more, at least in my opinion!
Overall, I'm pretty pleased with this book. It's nice reading a book about a somewhat emo woman with a hyperfeminine woman who's really smart and not having it be yet another sad queer tragedy, that was a real win for me. It was super cute how supportive they were of one another, even with the whole opposites attract kind of thing going on. I'm glad I got to read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Oh man, where to even begin with this one? This book has my WHOLE heart. Petra and Vera are just so perfect together, despite all their differences!
I had never heard of this upcoming title before stumbling upon the authors posts about it on social media. From the second I knew about it however, I knew I had to read it immediately. And I'm so glad that I did because this book is absolutely fantastic! A sweet and steamy romance? Yes. A broody firefighter with trauma? Yes! A small town librarian? DOUBLE YES. As a librarian myself, I was very excited to see my profession represented this way. :)
We fit because we chose to. Because she looked at me like I belonged here, even when I knew I didn't. Because love wasn't about being the same, it was about making space for someone completely different and calling it home..."
I read a lot of sapphic romances, and this one rates very very high on the list. Not only were the spicy scenes plentiful and wonderfully written, the actual story was great too. Because Petra is not just a firefighter. She's a helitack forewoman. She rappels from helicopters into active burn sights to help control the fire! While reading, I could absolutely appreciate the care and detail the author obviously put into researching this profession. I came to the story for the romance, but stayed for the intense and vibrant storytelling!
I also really loved our main characters, Petra and Vera. I've read lots (and I mean LOTS) of books featuring librarians, but I don't know if I ever related to one as much as I did Vera! She's empathetic, caring, sweet, enthusiastic, and absolutely adores her job!
"I wanted to live somewhere that felt like the books I grew up reading. Small town, slow pace, everyone knows everyone. The kind of place where things happen at a human speed. I wanted somewhere I could put roots down without them bouncing back."
The book isn't long at all (under 300 pages) which was great because we got to watch Petra and Vera's relationship blossom without being bogged down with any of the tired romance tropes that tend to pop up again and again in these types of stories. No 'miscommunication' or 'unrequited love' here, folks! Just a sweet, beautiful love story!
I received an ARC of this title in exchange for a fair review! :)
I had never heard of this upcoming title before stumbling upon the authors posts about it on social media. From the second I knew about it however, I knew I had to read it immediately. And I'm so glad that I did because this book is absolutely fantastic! A sweet and steamy romance? Yes. A broody firefighter with trauma? Yes! A small town librarian? DOUBLE YES. As a librarian myself, I was very excited to see my profession represented this way. :)
We fit because we chose to. Because she looked at me like I belonged here, even when I knew I didn't. Because love wasn't about being the same, it was about making space for someone completely different and calling it home..."
I read a lot of sapphic romances, and this one rates very very high on the list. Not only were the spicy scenes plentiful and wonderfully written, the actual story was great too. Because Petra is not just a firefighter. She's a helitack forewoman. She rappels from helicopters into active burn sights to help control the fire! While reading, I could absolutely appreciate the care and detail the author obviously put into researching this profession. I came to the story for the romance, but stayed for the intense and vibrant storytelling!
I also really loved our main characters, Petra and Vera. I've read lots (and I mean LOTS) of books featuring librarians, but I don't know if I ever related to one as much as I did Vera! She's empathetic, caring, sweet, enthusiastic, and absolutely adores her job!
"I wanted to live somewhere that felt like the books I grew up reading. Small town, slow pace, everyone knows everyone. The kind of place where things happen at a human speed. I wanted somewhere I could put roots down without them bouncing back."
The book isn't long at all (under 300 pages) which was great because we got to watch Petra and Vera's relationship blossom without being bogged down with any of the tired romance tropes that tend to pop up again and again in these types of stories. No 'miscommunication' or 'unrequited love' here, folks! Just a sweet, beautiful love story!
I received an ARC of this title in exchange for a fair review! :)
Review of advance copy received from Author
I’m grateful to have received an ARC copy from author Nora Fares in exchange for a honest and unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
SYNOPSIS: Petra Alvez, Combat veteran and current fire Forewoman for Station 19 set in fictional San Jacinto, Arizona, battles wildfires and what happens when you let people in after grief and trauma leaves you feeling broken. When local librarian, Vera Montgomery moves into her apartment complex the heat starts building long before fire season starts in this swoon worthy Sapphic Romance. From all angles Petra tries to balance everything stacked against her! Accepting A love that keeps choosing her even though she doesn’t feel worthy, while fighting the desire to push them away. A fire crew with members who might not trust her. Nightmares she can’t shake. Guilt that her makes her question reality and a decision that might cost her everything.
THOUGHTS: As someone who struggles with reading romance and finding books where the spice doesn’t make me DNF from how cringe they are, I was pleasantly surprised. The formula in which Nora crafted this book is so close to perfection. The banter never fizzled out, the pacing between Petra’s work life and private life were beautifully executed. The characters in this book felt HUMAN. I found the constant reevaluation of truth versus distorted reality painted the struggles of someone with PTSD and Survivor’s Guilt. How trauma was shown in its duality was deeply appreciated, sometime it tears you apart and sometimes it makes you better, aligns you with your purpose. I cried and cheered for both Petra and Vera as they tackled the world together. Vera showed what it means to have a lions heart through the way show loves others and makes the people she cares for feel seen. Her deep understanding that it’s okay to fall apart sometimes, to let someone take care of you and share your burdens nurtures so much growth for Petra and her crew. The spice had me smiling and swinging my feet. A few parts pissed me off with its necessary but unsavory actions. TW for sexism, homophobia, xenophobia, and workplace hostility. There were also a few spicy parts that had me puzzled but overall I thought this story was great. The ending was wholesome and reminded me that happy endings do exist, (No pun intended lol) 10/10 would recommend. May we all find our own Honeyfires 🥰.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am reviewing this book as an ARC reader. This is my full and honest review of this book. I am submitting it at my own willingness to do so.
Honey fires is an amazing book. This book is very well written and so perfectly sapphic. The spice is intense but classy through and through. The characters are so awesome. The plot, the storyline, the settings are all so well developed that you can truly see this book in your mind’s eye as you read. Plan to get lost in the read, forget about household chores or bedtime routine because this book will have you holding on for just a few more minutes that turn into hours that you don’t regret losing.
Fares has hit the nail on the head with the firefighter daily life and you just have to love the librarian that fits just perfectly wherever she goes. You love the “brokenness” that most people don’t see in our soldiers coming home or the daily life sights seen by our first responders that no one talks about. The book provides awareness and a gentle reminder to honor the importance of those that do things most don’t or aren’t willing to do. The knowledge base of both careers is commendable. It’s refreshing to see an author that actually can speak on the things most don’t see and Fares’ respect shines through in every word of the book.
I love this book. It is well written, perfectly paced and such a powerful read. If you don’t fall in love with Petra and Vera I can’t help you because they are such an easy couple to love. They are so relatable and so adorable and throw them together into the whirlwind of life and watch as an amazing story unfolds, no spoilers though but trust me, this is a read you don’t want to miss. I highly recommend reading this one and I am grateful for the chance to have been one of the first people to get the chance to read this. My heart is definitely going to need a bit of recovery time but it’s so worth it all! Definitely a must read for any sapphic fan looking for classy hot spice with a real storyline to go with it. Love, love, love this book!
Honey fires is an amazing book. This book is very well written and so perfectly sapphic. The spice is intense but classy through and through. The characters are so awesome. The plot, the storyline, the settings are all so well developed that you can truly see this book in your mind’s eye as you read. Plan to get lost in the read, forget about household chores or bedtime routine because this book will have you holding on for just a few more minutes that turn into hours that you don’t regret losing.
Fares has hit the nail on the head with the firefighter daily life and you just have to love the librarian that fits just perfectly wherever she goes. You love the “brokenness” that most people don’t see in our soldiers coming home or the daily life sights seen by our first responders that no one talks about. The book provides awareness and a gentle reminder to honor the importance of those that do things most don’t or aren’t willing to do. The knowledge base of both careers is commendable. It’s refreshing to see an author that actually can speak on the things most don’t see and Fares’ respect shines through in every word of the book.
I love this book. It is well written, perfectly paced and such a powerful read. If you don’t fall in love with Petra and Vera I can’t help you because they are such an easy couple to love. They are so relatable and so adorable and throw them together into the whirlwind of life and watch as an amazing story unfolds, no spoilers though but trust me, this is a read you don’t want to miss. I highly recommend reading this one and I am grateful for the chance to have been one of the first people to get the chance to read this. My heart is definitely going to need a bit of recovery time but it’s so worth it all! Definitely a must read for any sapphic fan looking for classy hot spice with a real storyline to go with it. Love, love, love this book!
September 7, 2026
First book I've had the honor to read by Nora Fares. Not what I typically go for, but I figured I'd give it a shot. And I'm glad I did! I purchased it on my Kindle and decided to read it from beginning to end, the same day.
I rate it 4 stars for the following reasons:
1: I can tell the author did her research when writing about the fire incident. This scenario is actually why I was able to sit through the rest of the book. It's extremely accurate. I know this because 2 weeks prior to reading this book, my community faced evacuation because of a wildfire. Yes, the way the author depicted the wind shifts and the fire behavior, it was almost exactly to the huge fire we faced here in real life.
2: The depiction of every character made it easy to form an emotional connection with each one individually, even those that are of few words (Miller). It was quite endearing.
3: The fierce love Vera has for Petra was so eloquently written. It showed that raw impulsive desire for one another that you'd only know about if you've ever had the pleasure of experiencing in real life.
Reason why I didn't rate it 5 stars:
1: Some areas seemed a bit repetitive. Not to the point where it affects the entirety of the story, but there were sentences that were definitely repeated in multiple chapters.
2: Petra's "poor me" phase lasted a bit too long for my liking. For someone who was a retired militant and had such an adrenaline pact career, I felt should have been portrayed with more strength and determination during the public backlash. I think this also applied more pressure than necessary on Vera's character.
3: The spicy scenes were very well written. However, some of them were a bit random.
4: The storyline details a good amount of background for Petra, but not enough on Vera. Seeing as to Vera is my favorite character, I would've liked to have gotten more background on her. Given how she carried a lot of the weight in the storyline, getting more of an emphasis on her back story would've been great.
Overall, I did enjoy this book. Great read!
I rate it 4 stars for the following reasons:
1: I can tell the author did her research when writing about the fire incident. This scenario is actually why I was able to sit through the rest of the book. It's extremely accurate. I know this because 2 weeks prior to reading this book, my community faced evacuation because of a wildfire. Yes, the way the author depicted the wind shifts and the fire behavior, it was almost exactly to the huge fire we faced here in real life.
2: The depiction of every character made it easy to form an emotional connection with each one individually, even those that are of few words (Miller). It was quite endearing.
3: The fierce love Vera has for Petra was so eloquently written. It showed that raw impulsive desire for one another that you'd only know about if you've ever had the pleasure of experiencing in real life.
Reason why I didn't rate it 5 stars:
1: Some areas seemed a bit repetitive. Not to the point where it affects the entirety of the story, but there were sentences that were definitely repeated in multiple chapters.
2: Petra's "poor me" phase lasted a bit too long for my liking. For someone who was a retired militant and had such an adrenaline pact career, I felt should have been portrayed with more strength and determination during the public backlash. I think this also applied more pressure than necessary on Vera's character.
3: The spicy scenes were very well written. However, some of them were a bit random.
4: The storyline details a good amount of background for Petra, but not enough on Vera. Seeing as to Vera is my favorite character, I would've liked to have gotten more background on her. Given how she carried a lot of the weight in the storyline, getting more of an emphasis on her back story would've been great.
Overall, I did enjoy this book. Great read!
October 10, 2026
This book had me feeling from the start. It is told from Petra Alves’s point of view, a veteran and specialized firefighter who carries significant trauma from her military service. When she meets Vera, a librarian with a positive and gentle energy, their connection is immediate and leads to one of the most beautiful healing journeys I’ve read.
While I don’t typically enjoy romance that feels instant, Nora Fares wrote both characters in a way that felt like their feelings for one another were natural and unhurried. I LOVED how patient Vera was with Petra - even though she is emotionally guarded, Vera never pressured her to be let in, but instead created space for trust and security. It was especially heartfelt as Petra’s walls came down, seeing her gradually accept that being broken does not mean she’s beyond healing.
The banter between Petra and Vera is absolute PERFECTION, coming across as both playful and endearing. And the spice is so steamy and emotionally driven! I really enjoyed the scenes that involved Vera’s fantasies. They felt vulnerable and raw but deeply safe. I couldn’t get enough of the relationship they were building.
Even though it was a love story, Honeyfires is so much more than that. While I can’t understand the traumas of combat, I felt like Nora Fares respectfully wrote about the displacement, disconnect, and anxiety someone might feel. The book also explored the consequences of split-second decision making in high-stress environments. I could literally feel my chest CLENCH for Petra and Vera during these parts of the book. There were moments towards the beginning where the writing felt redundant to me, but this could be because I was already convinced of Petra’s feelings and didn’t need more confirmation.
Overall, I loved reading Honeyfires: no breakups, no relationship drama or miscommunication, just learning to grow in life with another human. And while it’s a beautiful romance, it’s also a gripping story about healing, resilience, and choosing trust even when the world gives you reason to be afraid of it.
While I don’t typically enjoy romance that feels instant, Nora Fares wrote both characters in a way that felt like their feelings for one another were natural and unhurried. I LOVED how patient Vera was with Petra - even though she is emotionally guarded, Vera never pressured her to be let in, but instead created space for trust and security. It was especially heartfelt as Petra’s walls came down, seeing her gradually accept that being broken does not mean she’s beyond healing.
The banter between Petra and Vera is absolute PERFECTION, coming across as both playful and endearing. And the spice is so steamy and emotionally driven! I really enjoyed the scenes that involved Vera’s fantasies. They felt vulnerable and raw but deeply safe. I couldn’t get enough of the relationship they were building.
Even though it was a love story, Honeyfires is so much more than that. While I can’t understand the traumas of combat, I felt like Nora Fares respectfully wrote about the displacement, disconnect, and anxiety someone might feel. The book also explored the consequences of split-second decision making in high-stress environments. I could literally feel my chest CLENCH for Petra and Vera during these parts of the book. There were moments towards the beginning where the writing felt redundant to me, but this could be because I was already convinced of Petra’s feelings and didn’t need more confirmation.
Overall, I loved reading Honeyfires: no breakups, no relationship drama or miscommunication, just learning to grow in life with another human. And while it’s a beautiful romance, it’s also a gripping story about healing, resilience, and choosing trust even when the world gives you reason to be afraid of it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5/5 ⭐️ Honeyfires is a beautiful sapphic romance about healing, trust, and finding someone willing to stand beside you through life’s hardest moments. Petra is a decorated veteran and firefighter carrying the weight of PTSD and survivor’s guilt, while Vera is a librarian who knows exactly what she wants and is not afraid to go after it. I loved that Vera made the first move and was the one pursuing Petra from the beginning. Their relationship felt natural and heartfelt as they got to know each other, supported one another, and slowly built something strong together.
One of my favorite parts of this story was the balance between the romance and the personal journeys of both characters. Petra’s struggles with her past, her trauma, and the pressures of her career added a lot of emotional depth to the story. Vera was such a wonderful partner because she listened, asked questions, and genuinely wanted to understand the important parts of Petra’s life. I also appreciated how Petra encouraged Vera to explore her sexuality at her own pace through communication and understanding. I enjoyed seeing both women become apart of each other’s found families and communities. Their relationship was built on communication, respect, and helping each other grow.
The firefighting storyline added tension and emotional weight to the novel. Petra is forced to make difficult decisions while carrying the fear of losing more people under her watch, and the consequences of those decisions create challenges that affect every aspect of her life. I especially appreciated how the story explored public perception, workplace pressure, and the emotional toll of leadership. Through it all, Petra and Vera continue to stand beside each other when everything around them feels uncertain. Honeyfires is ultimately a story about healing, resilience, and finding the person who is willing to walk through the flames with you.
One of my favorite parts of this story was the balance between the romance and the personal journeys of both characters. Petra’s struggles with her past, her trauma, and the pressures of her career added a lot of emotional depth to the story. Vera was such a wonderful partner because she listened, asked questions, and genuinely wanted to understand the important parts of Petra’s life. I also appreciated how Petra encouraged Vera to explore her sexuality at her own pace through communication and understanding. I enjoyed seeing both women become apart of each other’s found families and communities. Their relationship was built on communication, respect, and helping each other grow.
The firefighting storyline added tension and emotional weight to the novel. Petra is forced to make difficult decisions while carrying the fear of losing more people under her watch, and the consequences of those decisions create challenges that affect every aspect of her life. I especially appreciated how the story explored public perception, workplace pressure, and the emotional toll of leadership. Through it all, Petra and Vera continue to stand beside each other when everything around them feels uncertain. Honeyfires is ultimately a story about healing, resilience, and finding the person who is willing to walk through the flames with you.
Review of advance copy
This was definitely a fun summer read ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Book funnel ARC reader access☺️
I was a little scared when I got 40% in and our main characters were already in love, I thought to myself, there’s lots of time for a miscommunication trope or heartbreak to be sneaked in. I’m pleased to say that was not the case, yes, there was heartbreak but it was external and not internal conflicts.
We have two main characters, Vera and Petra who were so multifaceted that we saw their lives revolving around each other and around their friends and coworkers. I will give their communication ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Urggggg the whole bs with Petra taking the fall for saving PEOPLES lives and not building and things makes me so mad. I keep thinking to myself, if she was a white, blue eyed, big shouldered man this would not be a problem, he would even be praised and called a hero😒. I hated the resolution and that she still had to move☹️. Problems we face in today’s society though so it’s good to see the pain and suffering represented in media so change can happen
Ohhh was i pleasantly impressed by the sex scenes with how well it showed how all involving sex between two women really is. I saw two women learning about their needs and communicating them. One thing I didn’t like during the scenes was how often the mention of her old crew came up during or after sexy time. I don’t think including Lucas and Santi's in the afterglow is the move 🙂↔️. It removed me from the book whenever it came up and had me like “why would a man be there!!!!!), I believe acknowledging Petra’s grief and including Lucas and Santi in her healing was great, but they could have been involved at other times and not during sex. I also think some phrases were used a little too often like “stopped thinking in sentences entirely.”
Book funnel ARC reader access☺️
I was a little scared when I got 40% in and our main characters were already in love, I thought to myself, there’s lots of time for a miscommunication trope or heartbreak to be sneaked in. I’m pleased to say that was not the case, yes, there was heartbreak but it was external and not internal conflicts.
We have two main characters, Vera and Petra who were so multifaceted that we saw their lives revolving around each other and around their friends and coworkers. I will give their communication ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Urggggg the whole bs with Petra taking the fall for saving PEOPLES lives and not building and things makes me so mad. I keep thinking to myself, if she was a white, blue eyed, big shouldered man this would not be a problem, he would even be praised and called a hero😒. I hated the resolution and that she still had to move☹️. Problems we face in today’s society though so it’s good to see the pain and suffering represented in media so change can happen
Ohhh was i pleasantly impressed by the sex scenes with how well it showed how all involving sex between two women really is. I saw two women learning about their needs and communicating them. One thing I didn’t like during the scenes was how often the mention of her old crew came up during or after sexy time. I don’t think including Lucas and Santi's in the afterglow is the move 🙂↔️. It removed me from the book whenever it came up and had me like “why would a man be there!!!!!), I believe acknowledging Petra’s grief and including Lucas and Santi in her healing was great, but they could have been involved at other times and not during sex. I also think some phrases were used a little too often like “stopped thinking in sentences entirely.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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