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Red Hot

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“Red Hot? That’s the profile title we’re going with?” Newly-out firefighter Red has a pretty average life—a job he loves, supportive friends, big dreams, and a little trouble finding a roommate. That is, until he rescues a slightly odd computer nerd from his burning apartment building.Andy isn’t just any computer nerd. He’s the computer nerd who single-handedly built the up-and-coming dating app, M4M. Until now, Red’s been afraid to put himself out there—but with Andy as his new roommate, he’s not going to have any choice. Andy needs a test case, someone to prove his matching algorithms can find anyone the perfect partner.When he discovers that Red’s never been on a date before, Andy makes him his pet project—he’s going to find Red the man of his dreams, whatever it takes.The only problem is that Andy is the man of Red’s dreams, and Red can’t bring himself to face the embarrassment of telling him—after all, Andy isn’t interested, right?Little does Red know that Andy’s been thinking the same thing. If only his algorithms agreed… Red Hot is a standalone gay romance with a HEA and no cliffhanger. It does, however, contain several terrible jokes, stress-induced baking, a string of weird dates, explicit sex scenes, and a Dalmatian called Spot.

254 pages, Paperback

First published March 19, 2017

127 people are currently reading
158 people want to read

About the author

Sean Ashcroft

44 books460 followers
Sean Ashcroft likes rainy days, white hot chocolates (don't knock it 'til you've tried it!) and boys kissing in books. He currently resides in Australia, all the way down at the bottom of the mainland in a sleepy little seaside town.

He writes sweet, hot books about sweet, hot boys who absolutely deserve each other.

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5 stars
126 (21%)
4 stars
214 (35%)
3 stars
199 (33%)
2 stars
49 (8%)
1 star
9 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
Profile Image for ☆ Todd.
1,441 reviews1,583 followers
April 5, 2017

This story was well-written, but the harping on and on about how neither MC thought that the other MC was, or ever could be, attracted to them...

Lord, that was soooo exhausting and repetitive.



The sexy bits were definitely worth a read, but not sure those would justify picking this one up, if I had to do it all over again.

All things considered, I'd rate this one at around 2.75 stars.

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This story is free with Kindle Unlimited membership.
Profile Image for Krissy.
1,677 reviews344 followers
April 4, 2017
The MCs had the same last name. I wonder if that was intentional. If it was intentional I found it odd that it wasn't ever acknowledged. When Red finally tells Andy his real full name there wasn't even a reaction to his last name.
Profile Image for BR11.
647 reviews18 followers
March 31, 2017
Bad. I almost feel asleep during the sexy times. Say what? Boring sex? Yes, people! Booooringgggg! And totally lacking of feelings. It felt clinical. I didn't know if Red was getting a rectal exam or was having sex with Andy. I was reading it and wondering why on earth is Red enjoying this?
The characters couldn't be any more one dimensional if they tried... the dialogue was flat, immature and absurd. That is, when they bothered to talk, because half the book was spent with silly miscommunication.
I think I've never read a romance novel where one MC tells the other: "I love you" and the response is a yawn. Are you freaking kidding me?
And the marriage proposal was absolutely the most terrible marriage proposal in the history of romantic books.
Just say no, kiddos.
Profile Image for Alex.
1,160 reviews16 followers
April 13, 2017
*ARC provided by the Author in exchange for an honest review*

3.5 stars

Announcement: we are talking about firefighters. Did you understand? What could be sexier than a firefighter? A RED
hot firefighter! Another sweet story with a happy ending. I SO love Sean's stories!
Profile Image for namericanwordcat.
2,440 reviews439 followers
September 10, 2017
While I liked each hero, they each felt more like sketches to me than fully developed characters and the conflict to their romance got a bit tiresome.

I loved the set up and who each man is but I needed more time of them being together as such different people to make this book work for me.

I will read more by this author thought because despite all of that I enjoyed the book.
Profile Image for Apolishedreader.
338 reviews45 followers
April 3, 2017
This book redefines slow. Even the beginning, when Andy is being rescued from a burning building, was a tad boring. He is coughing, convinced that his life is over, then a hulking firefighter tosses Andy over a shoulder and carries him out to safety. That sounds so exciting...but...meh.
Red is a firefighter who rescues Andy from certain demise in the burning inferno that was his apartment. He happens to also be recently out and looking for a roommate.
Andy is an app designer who now finds himself homeless. Coincidentally, he is looking for short term lodging outside of a hotel and has stumbled upon a wanted ad for a roommate.
You know what happens next, don't you?
So, these two start living together and Andy quickly realizes that Red is a bit on the inexperienced side with regards to his sexuality. Who better to help Red find a relationship than the creator of a dating app?
They both end up crushing on one another, but both see themselves as in the friend zone. Andy's app algorithm says their chances are nil. Red is convinced that Andy isn't interested because he is continuing to try to get Red out on dates.
Enter an ex-boyfriend, a dog, a kiss, sexy times that are a bit yawn-worthy (though we are told it is the hottest sex ever), then another potential death by fire and the book gets wrapped up.
This book had potential if only the main characters were a bit more fleshed out. What happened with Red's family? Where did he live before this place? What did Andy do before hitting it big with this app? Where is Andy's family? Do both of them really not have any friends? The characters lacked dimension and personality outside of "weird" so I never really felt strongly about either of them.
I will leave this at two stars. The very end was super sweet. I wish that I had been more invested by then, though.
Profile Image for Ottilee B..
597 reviews28 followers
July 30, 2017
Fireman and a Nerd!!!

This was a fantastic story. Two friends fall for each other against the odds. HUMANITY WINS AGAIN! Yea! Recommended. Like the idea s they have. Mesh well.
5,704 reviews39 followers
April 23, 2017
this was sweet.. and yummy. and hot and very typical.. i enjoy a good HEA though so it worked for me.. i really loved the characters and the slow burn and the writing was superb as always. i am glad i got to review it
Profile Image for Pixie.
1,227 reviews17 followers
April 28, 2017
DNF’d at 81%. I literally just read the book Cocky by the same author and I cannot believe this is the same author. I actually have a conspiracy theory that Amazon is just buying up a bunch of stories cheap and publishing them under the name Sean Ashcroft. What brought me to that conclusion? This book. It sucked compared to Cocky. The dialogue was juvenile, the sex…ugh I would rather not. The turmoil about liking your roommate, turned friend, turned BFF turned love of your life was ridiculous. Didn’t these two only know each other for two weeks? And the ginger virgin firefighter *deep sigh*.
Profile Image for Red Really Reads Too Much.
24 reviews2 followers
October 4, 2020
4/5 Stars MM
Read on Kindle Unlimited October 2020.

Starting this book with a man watching his everything burn was bold. Made me wanna go double check my insurance and downsize my stuff! It was halfway through the book before we got to learn what Red’s real name was, just because his nickname fit him so well no one cared for his real name.

Quick Summary: Andy’s apartment was on fire. Before he could fully fathom what happened he was thrown over a fireman’s shoulder and carried outside. Now that he’s lost everything he owns he is looking for a place to stay. When he gets to the possibly roomshare he recognizes the warm eyes of his hero firefighter as his new roommate. Red only just came out so he’s not sure how to find someone to date. Luckily his new roommate has the algorithms to find some dates for Red, and a desire to repay Red for his kindness and job. Somewhere between living alongside Andy and trying to find the perfect guy for Red the pair develop feelings, yet neither can believe their feelings are reciprocated.

My Issues: Andy dug his own grave with his algorithm curiosity. I figured it’d be a glitch like he did all of these updates to Red’s profile but didn’t update his or something such. The poor dummy. The pair were so unconfident that neither could believe their crush would want them. It was borderline too much that this was an issue. I didn’t mind it since it finally took it’s turn away from this back and forth self-pitying, but I can see how some readers wouldn’t put up with how much of it there is in the middle.

What I Liked: This was such a cute easy read. I actually almost wish Red’s job had gotten more in depth details for some scenes though. Overall I enjoyed the book.

What I Just Gotta Know: What do firehouse pets do? I know they give the team a sense of community, all working together to take care of the animal, but a firehouse pet retires? Makes it sound like there is more of a job involved for the animal than raising moral.

Quote: “And I know it’s your job and all that, but still. You don’t have to do this job. You’ve chosen to be a hero, and that’s… kinda awesome.”

Quote: “I kind of thought gay firefighters were the kind of thing that only existed in porn.”
Profile Image for Valerie.
Author 21 books172 followers
August 27, 2018
This is a very sweet story.

Andy is saved from a fire by Red, a firefighter who recently had come out and hasn't had a boyfriend at the age of twenty-three. Andy needs a place to stay and Red needs a room, so Andy moves in. They quickly become friends, because Red gets Andy's sarcasm and Andy thinking that Red is the sweetest man he's ever met. And because Red saved his life, Andy feels as though he owes Red, although Red doesn't see it that way. Andy is an app developer who gets lost in his work and is although he makes excuses that his relationships have failed because he's too busy, being with Red makes him realize that working is a choice and so is giving his attention to his romantic interests.

But Red wants a boyfriend and feeling that his app can help Red and believing this is the perfect way to pay Red back for saving him, Andy keeps pushing him into dating men he matches with on his app, all the while devastated that his app says he and Red have zero capability.

When he sees his ex, Andy kisses Red and that one kiss changes their relationship. I loved this story; how Andy's self-image changed because of Red and realizations that he's not an asshole and Red becoming the sweetest boyfriend to Andy and how supportive Andy became of his dream of going back to school and supporting him in his career as a firefighter.

Another wonderful story from Sean Ashcroft!!
Profile Image for Katherine.
2,866 reviews13 followers
August 17, 2018
Matching the unmatchable

This story was just the right amount of light and sweet. With two characters that want each other but don't believe the other could want them, it is a story of little mishaps and little lies that all work out.

Andy and Red first meet when Red saves Andy from a fire. Without a place to live Andy responds to a Craigslist ad that puts him on Red's doorstep. As soon as Andy realizes Red is using his ap to get out and date he decides to use Red as a trial to see how well his ap works as well as repay Red for his help.

Andy is attracted to Red, but doesn't think Red is interested in him. Out of curiosity Andy checks how well he and Red match on the ap and finds out they don't at all. As such he believes he shouldn't pursue his feelings, hiding behind the stats. Meanwhile, Red finds himself falling for Andy as they become close friends. Red believes that there is no way Andy is interested, as not only has he never made a move but he is also sending him out on dates. The fear on both sides to actually talk about it keeps the two from anything more. It takes some outside influence to push them, but as it is both men afraid to talk and there are plenty of 'fake dates' it never felt too aggravating that the two wouldn't talk. It made it all worth it in the end!
Profile Image for Pam Kay.
586 reviews9 followers
March 21, 2017
RED HOT!! The storyline was strong and the characters were well developed and amazing. Andy finds himself being carried out of his apartment building by Red, a firefighter, as his home is being engulfed with flames. Andy finds himself homeless and Red is looking for a roommate. Either fate or coincidence has brought the two together a second time as the two agree to room together. Andy is still trying to get over a breakup from a year ago. Red has just come out of the closet 6 months ago, never been on a date or having real experience as a gay man, a virgin. The two get along beautifully denying the feelings the two are having for each other. Andy has been been the author of the M4M dating app. Seeing that Red is exploring the site, Andy jumps in helping him with it to the point of setting up dates for him, with disappointing results . Andy decides to take Red in a pretend date to see what Red is doing. But the date ends in an unexpected kiss that Andy does to make his ex jealous. The kiss brings out more that either had intended. Red wants more and so does Andy. Two men who were 0 percent compatible at first, proves that the data is wrong. This is one HOT book.. Soulmates. Loved it!❤️
Profile Image for Pippacon.
90 reviews1 follower
July 22, 2017
An Ok Read

I have a couple of Sean's books in my digital library at the moment. I find his writing refreshing. This story in particular however, is not going to go down as one of my favorites in the MM category. The
reason being, i couldn't feel the connection between the two characters. They were just two people who lived together. There was no exclusive passion. It took me longer than usual to finish this story because i kept waiting for the moment that special connection would take place and it never happened. Since it was Red's first time for everything and the same in a way for Andy, i was expecting more passion, more sizzle. Their connection was bland and ordinary so i couldn't connect with them. Aside from the passion being missing, the overall story was ok. Red was sweet and loveable. I didn't really get Andy. I will still continue to read Sean's stories because like i said in the beginning his writing is refreshing. I just wished this story produced more excitement.
Profile Image for R.B..
298 reviews21 followers
October 30, 2020
Andy loses his house in a fire and ends up being roommates with the firefighter who saved him. Both of them quickly realize the other is their type but are kind of stupid.
I wasn't sure what to think of it at first, it's certainly very cute but they go on falling for each other while constantly repeating how the other could never love them.
Andy was perfect. Not in the sense that he didn't have any flaws, but in the sense that he had exactly the flaws that dovetailed with Red's own. In the sense that together, they made one functional unit.
Almost the whole story takes place in their shared apartment, where they adjust to each other and find things to like.
I was expecting this to have a little more depth, there's plenty of missed opportunities for it.
Profile Image for Donald.
112 reviews1 follower
October 16, 2018
So Nice

I’m finding in-between international cyber thieves, child trafficking and various types of murder and physical abuse....not to mention the general menacing, brooding and smoldering I’ve encountered in M/M romance literature of late— it’s so nice to have a safe harbor for uncomplicated love to blossom; or relatively few complications barring the way to HEA for our intrepid MCs. I’m always down for a hot ginger fireman/nerdy but hot software designer mash-up for a nice beginning of Fall relaxing read! Goes well with a nice hot Earl Gray with a bit of lemon.
Profile Image for Key.
94 reviews
April 1, 2021
3.5 🌟
Cute story and cute characters. I specially liked Red a lot, he's so damn adorable.
I seriously wanted to slap them both and get them to take their heads out of their asses though.
I mean, giving more importance to an app compatibility number than to the cute hot guy falling over you right in front of you? That's just plain stupid.
There was a few plot holes here and there, and the story had potential to be better.
But still, a nice short story to read. Not great but definitely not bad either.
Profile Image for Tanja.
575 reviews19 followers
March 22, 2017
Red is a firefighter, who saved Andy’s life after his apartment caught fire. He just came out six months ago and he is still nervous about dating a guy.
Andy is a computer nerd, who developed a dating app, but has no luck himself in that department. He is comfortable with his sexuality, but not with his looks and appeal to other men. Even more so after his recent breakup.

Andy and Red are attracted toward each other from the moment they meet, but they are hesitant to act on it. Red is just too shy and Andy relies too much on his computerdata, that say they are not a match. And they don’t want to jeopardize their friendship. The author does a great job describing the dancing around each other, the hopeful thoughts and covert glances. I loved the joyful banter and little jokes.

It is a sweet story about shedding your shyness, conquering your fears and believing in love.
Profile Image for Kirbie.
163 reviews
July 18, 2017
Red Hot and Sexy

Love this how numbers need to be thrown out and just do what is natural Red and Andy did just that seeing how Andy learn that being a perfectionist isn't always a good thing and Andy saw that and knowing how it could effect him later on so understanding what was at stake says a lot and he held on to Red and now they get a happy ending
Profile Image for Toofan.
976 reviews17 followers
March 22, 2017
Not bad, though slightly boring at the end. The last 30 pages or so mostly felt like unnecessary fillers.
It started well, and although the out come was obvious from the very first paragraph the way from the start point to almost the beginning of the expected result was fun and entertaining, then unexplained events, and a lot of extra fillers ruined the ending, which is a pity. It could have been a really fun book to read.
Profile Image for Carly Kirk.
829 reviews9 followers
October 29, 2017
This was a nice read, but I didn't feel like the characters were fully fleshed out and their internal monologues doubting their feelings etc got a bit repetitive. Sean Ashcroft can write sweet romances though and I do enjoy them, I just want a little more development.
Profile Image for Kate.
84 reviews7 followers
June 5, 2018
3.5 stars - cute, low angst, fluffy. Would’ve been better if, i dunno, talked to each other more about their feelings? Most of the ‘conflict’ could’ve been resolved easily if they just communicated. It was also a nice surprise that Andy’s ex wasn’t the douchebag I thought he would be.
315 reviews3 followers
June 25, 2018
I love this author!

And this book was excellent! Meeting and getting to know one another. Worried about what the other person thinks and feels about you. Learning to communicate with each other. This is life!
280 reviews2 followers
December 21, 2019
So sweet!

This was somehow one of the sweetest yet hottest stories I've read. I loved these two men together. It was a slow build from friendship to love, they were both so adorable. As usual Sean Ashcroft writes sweet and dreamy so well!
Profile Image for Jennie.
209 reviews9 followers
May 5, 2020
I liked the funny bits. The sexy parts were okay just lacked the fire I had been expecting. The repetitiveness of the two MC's thinking there was no chance with the other one was what dragged this down for me. There also wasn't quite enough emotion to really pull me in fully.
758 reviews4 followers
March 24, 2017
I love a good fireman story and this one was great. I thought Andy and Red were likable MCs. The story was fast-paced and interesting. I would recommend this book.
Profile Image for Cheryl.
336 reviews92 followers
May 9, 2017
A little unrealistic, a little non-specific.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews

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