Slow Burn: Brother's Best Friend, Grumpy/Sunshine Spicy Contemporary Romance

by Erin Lynne

271 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 25, 2026

Reviews

[Carole Anderson]

The Firefighter and his Peach

This book is the first offering in the author’s Landmere Fire series and every page had me simmering with tension as the story unfolded. There are themes of grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, found family, parental grief from the past, emotional damage and drama, but it ended with a hard-fought HEA for the two main characters.

Georgia is a strong and confident, no-nonsense doctor who has moved back to Landmere after a decade and is settling in with her two best friends and her older brother. She finally has time for dating but it’s a shame that the gorgeous man she has the hots for is a no-commitment, no-hookups with family Lieutenant, working alongside her big brother in the community’s fire department. She knows what she’s worth and takes no rubbish from anyone but she just can’t get Elijah out from under her skin.

Elijah is the grumpy one in the fire department and has no intention of dating let alone marrying, as he’s seen the effects on a family when they have had to endure the loss of a beloved firefighter of their own. Running into ‘George’, he finds she’s not his boss’s little brother as he originally thought and very shortly, she has his temperature rising and blood boiling and his body is feeling things and emotions for her that are not on his life’s list. So he sets out to push her away, keep distance between them and verbally slay her, but soon realises that he is obsessed with Georgia and he can’t live without her.

Contrary to the title of the book, the chemistry between Georgia and Elijah is white hot and they go through twists and turns in their relationship to finally come together in the end. There is a plethora of side characters that provide support, sarcasm, banter and hilarious comments throughout the tale and I’m keen to read some of their succeeding stories as well.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the hours of respite this reading has gifted me and thank the author for giving me the opportunity to enjoy the arc and provide my voluntary review.

[Stephany Pachowka]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Slow Burn had me hooked from the very beginning! If you love a grumpy sunshine, brother’s best friend, and a hero who falls first, this book is for you.

Elijah is a firefighter and everything one could want in a book boyfriend. He was hot, confident, possessive, and protective. Their chemistry was instant, and every interaction between them had me wanting more. And the spice? Whew. Elijah definitely knew what he was doing, and those scenes were some of my favorites.

Georgia was just as easy to love. She knew exactly what she wanted, refused to settle for less than she deserved, and matched Elijah perfectly. I loved that she was strong, independent, and never lost herself in the relationship.

The romance, the banter, the emotional moments, and the spice all came together so well. Despite the title, this wasn’t a slow-burn romance, and honestly, I loved that. The pacing kept me invested from start to finish, and I flew through this book.

The side characters were such a fun addition too. Their friendships felt genuine and added so much heart and humor to the story. They made me just as invested in the friend group as I was in the main couple.

Now I’m crossing my fingers that Nash and Sloane get their own book next because I need their story!

If you’re looking for a romance with an unforgettable firefighter, a strong heroine, incredible chemistry, lovable side characters, and plenty of spice, Slow Burn deserves a spot on your TBR.

[Carrie]

Elijah & Georgia

Alright, this wasn't the story for me, unfortunately. It ended up having some of my most disliked tropes or storylines. If you don't have the same dislikes, it's a good story! Like, the characters are fun & the writing is good. I love the way the friendships are portrayed.

If it had only been one trope/storyline from my personal no list, I probably would have ignored it & enjoyed the story. Unfortunately, there were several, & I just didn't connect with Georgia & Elijah as a couple as much bc of them.

Elijah fights being with Georgia for most of the book - even AFTER they're together. They have some 🌶🔥🌶🔥 chemistry, but she still dates other ppl (which Elijah gets all jealous about & sabotages). And they're in their 30s, but the whole friend group acts kinda like they're a decade younger in their going out & relationship attitudes. Idk. I just didn't vibe with a lot of it, but there were still things I liked.

😍

[Becky Wise]

Slow Burn ia a fabulous read. This is book 1 in the new series Landmere Fire. So if you love firefighters you will love this so much. Georgia is moving back to her hometown to work at the hospital. She is a virgin because she hasn't had the time with medical school. She has amazing best friends who always have her back. Elijah is a grumpy firefighter not interested in relationships. Chance run in at a bar sets those sparks flickering. Only one problem is that Georgia is the sister of Elijahs best friend and co worker. She's the sunshine to his grumpy and you feel the tension build the more time they are thrown together. I adore their chemistry and banter. I could not get enough of this one. I cannot wait gor more from this series to come. You need to read this today.

[Darla Ford]

Book review:
Slow Burn by Author Erin Lynne
Well let me cool off by saying, Slow Burn was more fast and hot than anything else. Lol. Mr. Firefighter, Elijah, may like one night stands but only until he meets his best friend's little sister, Georgia. He is a non-commitment kind of guy, but he takes something of hers that he can't give back. He pushes her away while she just pushes his buttons. There were definitely a lot of fires to put out. I loved this spicy 🔥 push and pull "relationship" that Elijah and Georgia had going on especially when she tells her 2 best friends everything and they help things along. 😏A hot 5 stars

[Tatiana Reams]

I enjoyed this book so much! Elijah meets Georgia at a bar and immediately there’s a spark. But then he finds out that she’s his best friends little sister and off limits. But they can’t resist each other. But Elijah has trauma surrounding his job as a fire fighter and doesn’t think he can do commitment. Georgia doesn’t settle and sets out to find somebody else, well Elijah doesn’t like that too much. The spice is sooooo good! If you like firefighter romance, brothers best friend, virgin FMC check this one out!

[Meghan]

I felt so fortunate to get an advance glimpse into this incredible new series by Erin Lynne! I’m a sucker for a grumpy MMC and Elijah delivered! Paired with his precious Peach and a cast of fun + witty friends, this was a must read. I devoured the book in two days and am already counting down the days to book 2!

[Elesha's book fun gossip]

This was a brilliant read with plenty of banter, drama and emotion. This was the perfect mix of grumpy/sunshine and allowed the characters to build through the storyline. I enjoyed the setting and the pace and would high recommend this as a new series.

[Amanda]

If you're ready for chemistry that is as hot as the fires that Elijah fights, make sure you read Slow Burn.

Georgia is back in town after being gone for years, working hard to achieve her dreams, now a doctor. A night out with her best friend and brother to welcome her home, leads her to her brother's friend and fellow firefighter, Elijah. Instant sizzle happens before they realize they have a mutual connection.

Elijah has rules he's placed on himself - it's always casual and it's never in his zip-code. He quickly realizes that Georgia makes him want to break his own rules.

For a quick and smokin' hot read, pick up Slow Burn! It'll keep you warm on a chilly fall night. ;)

Thank you to Erin Lynne for the gifted copy!

[Kayla Hejduk]

slow burn

Might be a Slow Burn but hot to touch once grumpy Elijah gets out of denial and owns his feelings for sunshine Georgia.

[Karen E.]

New author for me

I very much enjoyed this read it was very entertaining. I think I found a new author!! Looking forward to the rest of this series!

[Marabeth King]

Loved this book! The banter between Elijah and Georgia kept you interested throughout the whole book. It had just the right amount of spice for me as well! The ending was my favorite!