Redemption

arc firefighter friends-to-lovers

I loved this story. It is sweet, emotional, and a deeply wonderful story.

Garrett is a man with a haunted past that is still bothering him. But he has a son to raise and he sees his mistakes coming forward in his son. So when he gets the opportunity to go to his old town to become the fire chief he takes it.

Gwen is a high school teacher with a past of her own. When she meets Garrett's son and see's the problems that he has all she wants to do is help. But Garrett doesn't take to kindly to her help. And with the very intense chemistry that comes between them, everything might get in the way.

I voluntarily read an advance reader copy for my honest review.

Renee

1,323 reviews30 followers

July 6, 2018

This was just OK for me. Honestly very cliche. Things start off and happen too fast. The willingness to let go for 1 night hits the two main characters and it just rolled. Pretty steamy in parts, but insta-happen

What I would have loved was for the story to burn a little, have the need to escape for a night hit and then slowly burn again. Make sense? not trying to spoil it but wondering if it could have been great. YES it could have been

Vivi Chatzikiriakou

286 reviews25 followers

5-stars advanced-copy military-suspense

5stars

"How is it possible an one-night-stand to lead into Redemption? R.R. Banks has his way to make it happen delivering a story with only one goal, happiness!"

"I received a complimentary copy of this book and have volunteered to leave a review."

It's such a pleasure to see one of your favorite author's writing skills blossom even more each time I read the next book of them. Redemption has yet again shown that R.R. Bank's promise to amaze his fans is running well enough, every time upgrading to the next level succeeding in drawing the audience attention. For me, each time I finish a book of his, I become impatient of what next might come; of how his new story would carry me away again.

What I learned about while reading Redemption is that fighting for what is best for you and your loved ones isn't always the answer. There would be also some hard to cope life lessons just as some self-trusting improvements so the road leading to happiness will be open again. I had my moments of drying my wet eyes whereas there were moments I felt my heart been flood in with optimism. I have to say that, Redemption felt like a hell of tangled emotions for me but I enjoyed them nonetheless!

Garrett had to take a big decision for his son's well being, that's why he accepted an offer for a fire chief job at his birth town. Moving out felt the best idea at the time but the demons of his past crawled their way back to the surface after seeing the house of his childhood, making hard for Garrett to move forward with his own life and helps with his son's demons. I couldn't cope with Garrett's personality and point of view most of the times. It was really unnerving! The way he saw things was right and wrong at the same time. It has to be the presence of the most attractive yet nerve-wracking woman to help him come to terms with his past and move on. However, it haven't been an easy path.

Gwendolyn Martin, the woman that helped two broken lives to have the chances in life they deserved. The woman who had her own chance to happiness. I admired her determination, her stubbornness, her courage, her light spirit and thoughtfulness. Gwen is a caregiver, a keeper but she had to endure some bad situations herself in the past. Meeting Garrett for the first time was the beginning of their most beautiful ending for them but the road to reach the finish line had been all rough and rocky.

There are just so many feels in this book. There were emotional, tough, heartbreaking moments just like there were beautiful, heartwarming, hopeful ones. From the start it is clear how sizzling as a couple Garrett and Gwen are whereas it is also clear how different are as a person. The author does a great job of bonding these two creatures together. The way he unfolds the story, encompassing their personal life stories with bits and pieces throughout the storyline. The important family-community themes he deals with. All the above and some more are what made the author to deliver such an amazing story. I totally recommend you to read it.

I hope I intrigued your imagination a little and make you grab the book, finding out what's really happening because there is no way to tell you myself.

Until next time, enjoy your free time reading great books with the most unforgettable stories.

Vivi

Meghann Alford

806 reviews13 followers

What a powerful and emotional story! R R Banks seems to just be able to pull the emotions from his characters that draw you in and don't let you go. This book was absolutley amazing and I feel it is was of his best works to date. There is darkness to this book but the love between the to mains certainly conquers it. I absolutley loved it! I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
Hero, Garret = 5/5
Heroine, Gwendolyn = 5/5
Chemistry = 5/5
Sex = 5/5
Plot = 5/5
Mystery = 2/5
Action = 1/5
Darkness = 3/5
Humor = 2/5
POV = dual
Would I recommend this book = yes
Would I re-read this book = yes
Would I read future books by this author = yes

arc

Cailin

316 reviews2 followers

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Normally I write my reviews right after finishing a book but I needed to wait a few hours and kinda let everything simmer and settle. This book is one of those tales that makes you feel. Everything. The good, the bad, the inbetween and everything else in the feels spectrum.

The story itself is a moving journey as two people scarred by their pasts yet determined to do right in their lives find love and healing with each other.

The chemistry between the protagonists is, in a word, EXPLOSIVE. Their attraction was instant and combustible. Five-alarm heat warnings have nothing on Garrett and Gwendolyn!!!

Garrett's teen son Jason, who had attitude to spare, was an integral character and deserves recognition as such. He started out as a maybe troubled youth who matured into a caring young man. I loved him and watching his character's growth.

The setting and supporting characters were well thought out and a joy to read.

It is a serious story, but R.R. Banks' signature humour shines through and brings a certain lightness to the dark.

To be completely honest, I did bounce back and forth between giving this book five or four stars because there are two scenes with underage drinking/drunkenness and a bit of repetitiveness from the male protagonist. It is NOT bad repetitiveness. Its a father driving home to himself all the reasons he does what he does, which is of course for the well-being of his son. I ultimately went with five stars because it IS a wonderfully constructed story with so many deeply emotional and engaging parts. You will sympathize, you will laugh, you will undoubtedly cry a few tears. And you will love every moment of doing so.

Do I recommend this book? Heck yes. Heck yes times five!

Raecharmed

9,296 reviews70 followers

Garrett is returning to his hometown with his son hoping a change will be right for the both of them. Garrett runs into a woman that he had a passionate night with just before moving back and is stunned to learn she lives there also. Gwen is a school teacher on her first job and is very hopeful of the school year that is until a new student starts disturbing her class. When she tries to give him detention its overruled by the principal because the student is the new fire chief's son. When Garrett received a letter about coming in to talk to the teacher about his son he gets another shock when its turns out to be Gwen. This makes things rough between their budding romance. Garrett has a history in town no ones knows about and its causing him some issues so between that and hearing two different stories about his son he lost his temper with Gwen and she backed off. When a fire call has both Gwen and Garrett's son Jason rushing to the scene seems to turn the tides in this story and Jason makes nice with Gwen. Can Gwen and Garret have a serious relationship?

This was a very emotional story but it'll grab your attention at the start and keep it til the end. The chemistry between Garrett and Gwen is blazing hot. This book has become a new favorite of mine. I can't wait for more by this author. R.R. Banks has another hit story with Redemption.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Julianne Macneil

3,697 reviews28 followers

February 3, 2018

I read this book as part of an arc program. I really enjoyed this romance between the new fire chief and a teacher. Garrett decided to start a new job as the fire chief in the small town he was born in after his teenage son was getting into trouble with the wrong crowd. Garrett left town when he was a child after an incident involving his parents and he never returned. When he was a teenager, he got married after his girlfriend got pregnant and he joined the military. When he divorced he was left raising his son alone and he wanted to prevent his son Jason from making the same mistakes he made. Gwendolyn is a teacher who has just started her teaching career. Gwendolyn is also divorced and she doesn't want any type of a relationship. When Garrett makes the journey to finalize his job, he met Gwendolyn at a bar and they had a one night stand without using their real names. It is a surprise to both Garrett and Gwendolyn when they meet again at a welcoming party for Garrett. Garrett and Gwendolyn have a connection, but neither wants a relationship and the more they get to know each other, the worse their relationship gets. They both have secrets from their pasts that they have to deal with as well as present issues. I really enjoyed this book, I liked how they both wanted what was best for Jason, even if they disagreed how to do it. Another great one from Mr. Banks

BookAddict

2,079 reviews208 followers

Garrett returns to his hometown as the new fire chief, making the move with his teenage son hoping his son will straighten out his behavior. Imagine his surprise when, at the meet and greet for the new fire chief, he runs into the one night stand he had when he was last in town. That’s the basic premise, but there is so much more to this story! His son has issues with a particular teacher, and Garrett has the whole “facing his past" issue he has to deal with, all of which provides some pretty entertaining reading.

This author is a particular favorite of mine, and although I received an advance copy, I also purchased the book to support him. I’m in awe of anyone who can create a fictional world and characters and write about their experiences in such a way that is engaging and entertaining to a reader. If you’re a fan of Mr. Banks, you’ll love this story. I really enjoyed it, just not quite as much as some of his others. It was wordy at times and dragged in parts but the overall storyline was interesting and the characters were great. I loved both Garrett and Gwendolyn (as well as Garrett's son, Jason) and the idea of redemption, although it seemed more of a renewal or reclaiming what had been lost, and I really enjoyed reading their story.

Hafsa

44 reviews

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story by R.R. Banks. It was a well-developed and well-written story line. Both the hero and the heroine have sad/tragic events in their pasts and are both damaged from it. They meet without exchanging any real info and have a scorching encounter. They both knew it was a one time thing but who knew they would meet again in a short time.

Garrett is a single dad and is very protective of his son, sometimes to a fault. Gwendolyn lives in a small town where everyone knows everything about each other. The chemistry between the characters is off the chart, the banter funny and the emotions just roll in as you read this story. Oh, the sad parts had me bawling my eyes out. I loved reading this book. I loved the funny sarcasm between Garrett and his son and the teaching moments they shared and the funny names of the cats. It was an amazing story to read. And who doesn't like a firefighter romance, hot, hot, oh so hot.

This is a recommended read so grab a copy if you like and enjoy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. This is my honest opinion.

MaD

717 reviews

Gwendolyn and Garrett - two people trying to deal with their pasts, hiding behind a normal life?, not truly dealing with their hurts and fears. One crazy anonymous one night stand later and both start to open their eyes. Garrett is trying to help his troubled teenage son, Jason. But is he helping or hindering by his interference? Gwendolyn wants to help her new student fit in but is she truly seeing the bigger picture or letting the "cover" tell the story? Is Jason just a surly teen or is there more beneath?
There are smoking sexy scenes and then there are scenes when you want to shake everyone and say "What are you doing?". There is little communication between anyone, and maybe therein lies the problem? solution?
You feel the anxiety, confusion, and fear underlying their words and actions. You feel the need, and want , and yearning of the characters. You follow them on their chosen paths and can't help but wish you could give a nudge (or a hug).
A definite page turner

I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review

CassieLC

434 reviews6 followers

February 3, 2018

This Is my new favorite book by Mr. Banks. It was absolutely amazing and I loved every second of reading it!! From the very first page, I was hooked and didn’t want to put the book down. The story has so much depth and is complex but sweet and passionate at the same time.
Gwendolyn and Garrett both have been traumatized by their pasts but are trying to move forward. A chance meeting at a bar leads to a one night stand. Two months later, they meet again under different circumstances. Their relationship, once they are reunited, isn’t easy. It’s very rocky, for reasons I don’t want to give away.
Last thing I’m going to say is BUY THE BOOK, it’s (to me) his best one yet!!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

Shelby White

544 reviews2 followers

A truly enticing, intriguing and emotional grabbing read. I love it when a book is so well written that it has the ability to pull me in and actually feel all the highs, lows and gambit of emotions as the characters feel them. I was emotional drained by this captivating read but so very glad that I did read it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Ashley Hedden

5,259 reviews43 followers

Redemption by R.R. Banks was a great read. I loved reading Gwen and Garrett's story. Garrett is the new fire chief who is trying to give his son a better life than him. Little did he know a night of no commitment lust will change everything. I can't wait to read more by R.R. Banks.

Book-Lovin-Momma

3,927 reviews31 followers

I loved how both Garrett and Gwendolyn thought they were right, neither willing to back down, with Jason stuck in the middle. They stood their ground, two stubborn hearts creating lots of heated encounters even as they continued to be drawn to each other. Good conflicting emotions with sizzle!

Cat Nunez

1,051 reviews83 followers

June 21, 2018

Sin duda estuvo mejor que los otros que leí

Crystal

242 reviews2 followers

February 3, 2018

It's a great story and some parts will hit your emotions. It is a book that I enjoyed reading and would recommend it for other. So go one click now.

Emily Pennington

20.7k reviews361 followers

Garrett was heading to his hometown, where he had grown up, to get things ready; but nothing looked familiar and he wasn’t comfortable about his destination. He had told his son, Jason, their move was because he got a new job – Fire Chief. And that was true. But he was primarily doing this for Jason, to give him his best chance at starting over and getting out of the trouble his rebellious path was leading him toward. Still, he knew Jason would be angry about the move.

Garrett drove into town and at 10:00 p.m. there was no one around, lights were off everywhere, as if the whole town had gone to sleep. Even the hotel looked empty! But he saw someone at the front desk and checked in, only to check out immediately when the deadly silence frayed his nerves. He needed to have some fun, but in this small town, word would spread instantly under the prying eyes and wagging tongues. So he drove two towns over and found a bar after he checked into the hotel.

He spotted a woman, but before he could approach, he saw a man with sparse and greasy hair try to cozy up to her. She angled away from him, obviously uncomfortable, so Garrett walked over and put his arms around her as she stumbled trying to move further from the man. Then he kissed her and apologized to his “date” for being late meeting her! The other man returned to his table, but glared at the two of them. When Garrett offered to show her the view from his hotel room, she gladly agreed. They both had introduced themselves under false names – he was Ethan and she was Debbie. Neither wanted to start a relationship and just wanted one night of fun. Neither was aware that they both had come from Silver Lake, the deadly quiet home town where she was a teacher and he and his son would soon be living. How would this work out? You can’t effectively hide in such a small town – they would certainly run into each other! Garrett would no longer be alone when Jason and he moved here in a few months, especially when Jason started back to school! Would they be totally embarrassed and uncomfortable now?

This was a good story, very well written and grabbing the reader’s attention right from the start. It was easy to immediately identify the need for the characters to connect with someone, even if they hadn’t recognized their loneliness. The backdrop of the tiny backward town let the reader feel the isolation and want Garrett and Gwen to reach out to each other. Grab a copy of this intriguing book and see how it all turns out for them. I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Booksprout and my comments reflect my honest opinion.

reviewed

Shelly Wolf

509 reviews7 followers

This is the story about Garrett Allen,,,, Garrett is a firefighter who has a son named Jason Baxter,,,, his mother's maiden name, and nobody has ever went and changed it,,, and his mom, Valerie left Jason and Garrett after Garrett came home sick from his shift, early one day, only to find little Jason camped out in front of the tv, watching tv while mommy was playing "monopoly" in her bedroom with what turns out to be Garrett's best friend, Patrick,,,, she left Garrett and Jason and has only seen Jason 1 or 2 times since,,,, Garrett has decided now, many years later, that Jason is starting to go down the wrong path in life and school, , just like Garrett did, and Garrett is moving him back to Silver Falls, where he was raised, until the incident with his parents,,,, that being a tragedy in itself,,, Garrett makes time to go find a house or something they can move into now that Garrett has handed the Fire Chief job at Silver Falls,,,he decides in his hotel room he is going to go find some excitement, and maybe a female companion, somewhere, preferably outside of Silver Falls,,,, he plans on being a bad boy for some lucky woman,,,, he finds a bar like 2 cities away and walks into the bar,,, and the first thing he sees is........ HER,,,!!!

Gwendolyn Martin is sitting in this bar, far outside her town she lives in,,, she has decided she needs some grown up entertainment and she really didn't care for people in her town finding her in a bar, and what she does or does not do and with whom,,,, you see, her reputation is important to keep clean,,,, she is a high school teacher in Silver Falls,,,, she is currently trying to get rid of this man in front of her, at the bar,,,, and then this gorgeous man walk up and he says something to the man and then he full on kisses Gwendolyn.... and Gwendolyn kisses him back, gladly,,,, this gorgeous gentleman then thanks this annoying man that was bothering her and tells him that he can take care of his girlfriend now, sits down next to Gwendolyn and orders them both a drink and they start chatting, and then he boldly asks her to go back to his hotel room he now has rented in this city,,, since he didn't want anyone in Silver Falls to know his business,,,, she says her name is "Debbie" and he says his name is "Ethan", since neither one of them was looking for more than a brief one night stand, and together, in his vehicle, they drive the short way to his room,,,,

Now,,, if you can't guess, our couple goes to his room and they both experience some very good, steamy, hot and heavy passion between them and then "Debbie" gets up in the very early morning, gets dressed and leaves,,,, never to see "Ethan" again,,,, she thinks alot about him, and he thinks a lot about her,,,, but, neither one knows the other person's real identity, until one night that Gwendolyn is stuck making her signature dessert for the town welcoming for the new Fire Chief.... whom to her surprise is her "Ethan", and he stares at her as she is introduced to him as Gwendolyn,,,,,

Ok,,,, you have a very rough introduction to these 2,,,, let's not forget that Jason is bound to be an influence somewhere,,,, as do his family and hers,,, the path that have brought them to this particular junction in their lives is very well explained by R.R. Banks,,, this is an awesome story folks,,,,go,,, one click this,,,, sit down, enjoy this book,,, I know I couldn't put it down,,,,

I got this ARC voluntarily from Booksprout to write a review

Annie

2,286 reviews13 followers

(Grace) Kentucky Bohemian

I volunteered to read this ARC for an honest review. Garrett is a single dad trying to raise a teenage son and keep his head above water. Trying to get away from all of the distractions, he opts to move back to his hometown that he left when he was little. He has not family left there anymore and has created a new identity. After a tragic start in life, he spun out of control and sees the same thing happening to his son and is trying to save him from the same mistakes. He heads out to Silver Lake to find a house ahead of time, so he heads to a neighboring town to let off some steam, as being the new Fire chief, Garrett needs to keep his image up, so he heads to the bar for some relief. Once there he sees Gwendolyn and sees she is in trouble. Some guy is trying to hit on her and she is definitely uncomfortable. Garrett steps in and acts as her boyfriend and the guy back off. Gwendolyn gives a fake name and so does Garrett, they are both in need of some relief with no strings attached. After a hot and steamy night, they don't think they will see each other again, but fate has other ideas. Garrett and Jason move to their new home and start their new lives. Gwendolyn has been thinking about the stranger who rescued her at the bar as she heads back to school, knowing she has a new student. Unfortunate he never shows up, cutting him a break the 1st day, she vows she is going to make a difference in his life. Forgetting she has to help Sarah, her friend with a party that night. Guess who happens to be the guest of Honor, your right, Garrett, the man of Gwendolyn's fantasy. After an uncomfortable encounter, neither one can get the other off of their minds. Things heat up between the two. Jason gets in trouble in school, Garrett goes to see the teacher, who happens to be Gwendolyn. Neither has any clue that the other is involved in Jason's life. Things get strained between the two, but the chemistry is still there. Unfortunately their feelings will be tested when Garrett gets hurt in a fire. Can they overcome all the problems falling into their laps? Will they overcome the past that haunts Garrett? Will Jason let Gwendolyn help him? I hope so!

MJM

1,576 reviews10 followers

February 6, 2018

A Second Chance of A Loving Life

Garrett and Gwendolyn, Gwen, are two lonely people who have both suffered - Garrett is now a single Dad to Jason and Gwen has suffered from a mentally abusive marriage where her confidence found an all time low. They are both trying for a new start in a small town called Silver Lake - the type of place where everyone knows everyone else's business. Gwen is starting as a teacher in the high school and Garrett is returning to his home town, where he has bad memories, and is going to be the new fire chief and Jason, who is going through that rebellious teenager stage is going to be attending the high school! Garrett and Gwen do meet one night, out of town, both using a different name and they have a wildly passionate and erotic night of none stop mind blowing sex - one that they're never likely to forget [WARNING:- you will need your fans set to maximum cold here!!!] They meet again when Gwen has trouble with a new boy in her class and discovers his dad is her hunky, sexy beyond reason saviour from her night at the bar - I could almost imagine the look on both their faces when they meet for that second time as RR was so descriptive! RR Banks is an exceptional author who has a magical way of weaving an intricate plot through the pages a of a story with tension building up with each sentence. There is so much about Garrett that we learn as the story unfolds such as how he doesn't want Jason to make the same mistakes, what happened to Garrett to make him leave Silver Lake. Gwen likewise has past issues that she has still not resolved. The passion scale when they meet just fired straight into the upper atmosphere they are so HOT together but will they be able to be more than that to have a successful relationship. This story is a great example of R.R. Banks at his very best This is a fast paced love story but also so very much more that has been exquisitely penned for us by R.R. Banks and is definitely a must have read. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

DEFINITELY RECOMMENDED

1,988 reviews1 follower

August 8, 2018

Scalding, steamily hot, Garrett and Gwendolynn heat up this story from the beginning like a five-alarm fire. From there, well… things are only gonna’ get hotter.

It’s a story that resonates well with so many of us: a chance to overcome obstacles that seem to have had a grip on us for most of our lives. A virtual reset button for life—standing up to the giants that have done their best to hold us down and keep us from being who we know we can be. Getting a chance for redemption. This stunning tale has three beautiful souls that could all use their own form of redemption, but especially Garrett. Garrett has intentionally returned to the town of his youth though no one, not even his son Jason, is aware of that fact. But Garrett has come back to face the giants of his childhood. Interestingly, though, he won’t take this journey alone.

Garrett is a pretty interesting character. As we learn more about what happened during his childhood, we realize what a strong and unique person he is. Seeing him interact with Jason and Gwendolynn, we realize he’s not infallible. He may be hot and hunky, and he means well as a father, but he gets it wrong sometimes. Gwendolynn is also a pretty strong and wise person, but she doesn’t get everything right, either. As for Jason, well, he IS a teenager after all. But he’s working on getting his act together, and he’s got a great heart underneath all that teenaged angst. While Garrett and Gwendolynn work out their issues with more bumps and potholes than a NY city street, the beautiful part is witnessing their growth as they navigate the not-so-perfect process.

Readers can feel comfortable sharing this heart-warming story with their co-workers: there’s plenty of passionate fire with our lovers, as well as some adult language. There’s also a great story about taking hold of your life and moving forward, about recognizing your worth and not allowing the past to weigh you down any longer, and about learning to recognize the good in life that you’re blessed with and not allowing it to slip through your fingers.

Dora Harvey

1,122 reviews12 followers

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

I loved this book! Another slam dunk for R.R. Banks with this hot as hell romantic book! The story held my attention and was exciting, but also was heartwarming and emotional. I enjoyed reading this story because it was full of emotional angst, scorching love scenes, a compelling storyline, and this book was well written by R. R. Banks. Garrett Allen is super hot, sexy, handsome, and very much an alpha who was hired by his home town as their new fire chief. Garrett would do anything to protect his son, Jason Baxter a teenager, to fall victim to self-destruction like he was saved by joining the military so they moved to his small home town. Garrett had secrets that he was hiding that scarred him when he was younger in his home town, but he did not want anyone to find out about his secrets. Gwendolyn Martin was a school teacher, but she had a string of bad luck with relationships, so she was at a bar to find someone who she would not see again—just to have some fun. Until she meets Garrett or should we say Ethan at a bar, sparks start flying between them. The chemistry between Gwendolyn and Garrett grows more potent the more time they spend together—the sex is off-the-chart hot! Will Gwen find out what secrets Garrett is hiding and will this destroy their relationship? Will Garrett’s son, Jason, be told why he moved them to his home town? Why does Jason have a different last name than his father? You will need to read to find out what happens, but it will be worth reading. The scenes are well written, fast-paced and flow smoothly from one scene to the next. This was an enjoyable book with an interesting plot and dialogue, and it keeps you reading to the end to find out what happened—it will pique your interest and drawn you in.

Sharon Moehlmann

220 reviews4 followers

February 6, 2018

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. Garrett is a man trying to start over after a bad life at home, getting a girl pregnant, marrying her, joining the military to save himself from getting into more trouble to end up divorced from his wife because she cheated on him with his friend while he was working while their son was in the next room. She leaves without taking their son & doesn’t see him. Now at the age of 16 he sees his son spiraling down a same bad path he had been going down. So he decides to take a job in his home town as a fire chief for a fresh start for the both of them. When he goes there to set it all up he meets up in a town over with a woman who gives him a fake name -they both do - they have the most incredible night of passion neither of them can forget but know they’ll never see each other again.
Gwen is the woman Garrett meets that night. She also happens to be the teacher at his son’s school. Only they don’t know that about each other until later after many times of meeting up & rekindling their passionate sex with each other. They don’t share much personal information about each other. They end up getting info a big argument over how she is trying to teach his son & how he is wanting her to just give him a break. When he is injured in a fire they both realize that they have true feelings for each other & begin to really start dating. Is his secrets of his past going to scare her away from him or bring them closer? What about her secrets of her past? Will they move past & get redemption for the past that they mostly had no control over? Wonderfully written book

Nickole

1,482 reviews9 followers

rcvd an advanced reader copy from the author for giving my two cents. we meet Garrett, divorcee, single parent and soon to be new fire chief in the town he grew up in. while in town looking for a house be stumbles over to the next town for a little R & R at the bar. when he walks in, he spots her...and sees she's in need of a rescue. he saunters over and kisses the girl. gwendoywn doesn't know who the sexy stranger is but hawt dayum!! both decide to play the game with fake names that leads to a sexy nite of passion. no walk of shame for these two. fast Forward to Xmas with Garrett and his son Jason all moved in and ready to start their life. Garrett can't help but think of his one night stand with the beauty. gwendoywn is back at work as a high school teacher awaiting the arrival of a new student and finds that student to be skipping classes. Garrett is making an appearance at some shindig to welcome him to town. while eating some dessert be notices a woman across the hall who is staring at him and bam...its "debbie" from a few months ago. gwen can't believe her eyes...its him.. what is he doing here? small talk has her introducing herself but he is whisked away before he can do the same. a visit to the firehouse has dropping of a simpke dessert turning into heated passion. things are ok until garrett learns they Jasons teacher is causing problems and when he decides to talk to this teacher he discovers it's Gwen. words are said and anger ensues. will things get better btwn the two of them? or will Garretts stubborn pride get in the way? will Gwen be able to forgive and forget or will past mistakes make a comeback?

Debbie Feigel

40 reviews

Hot Fire Chief and Sexy Secret Teacher are An Inferno
by Amazedebster731

Spoiler alert**
R R Banks delivers again! This is a well crafted and suspenseful romantic novel about Garrett who has demons from his childhood. These demons dramatically affect the way he thinks and acts and his inability to open and connect with a woman. Enter Gwendolyn, a high school teacher, who has poor self confidence after a short failed marriage. Gwendolyn lives in the small home town of Silver Lake, where Garrett grew up. She leads a predictable and boring life but there is still spark within her. The spark explodes when Gwendolyn travels two towns away and is dressed sexy and looking for a no holds hookup in a bar. Garrett is looking for a break on a trip to set up the move to Silver Lake where he will become the fire chief. They share a night of steamy and crazy wild sex then they go back to the real world. They used fictious names and left .
Garrett fathered a child as a teen, married the baby's mom joined the military and then divorced when baby mama cheated on him and then left both him and their child Jason who is troubled with his own demons. Jason is a troubled teen whose social studies teacher by coincidence is Gwendolyn.
This is where the story takes off with twists, turns, sex and drama. Banks is a master with developing the characters and the plot. There is a HEA and redemption for all three. I recommend that you read the book. You won't be disappointed!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Ingrid

94 reviews2 followers

Garrett is returning to the tiny town of his birth, hoping that a change in scenery will provide a better environment for his teenaged son, Jason, who appears to be heading down a path of self-destruction, much like he did at that age. He has a one night stand with a gorgeous woman and although he tries to forget her, he finds himself reliving the explosive connection.
Gwendolyn is bored with her non-existent dating life in her tiny town and travels two towns over for some excitement. She meets a handsome stranger and indulges in an incendiary one night stand and afterwards, longs to repeat the encounter with the mystery man.
This story is rife with secrets, mistrust, distrust, miscommunication, and passion. The red-hot sex scenes between Garrett and Gwendolyn light up the sky like an entire 4th of July fireworks display! However, as magical as their physical connection is, they both realize that they need more, they need total truth, total honesty. At its heart, this is a story of how two people overcome their pasts, forgive themselves, forgive each other, break down emotional walls, feel worthy, accept love, and move forward. The emotional intensity R. R. builds is almost excruciating, but he cleverly interjects a few true LOL moments to relieve the tension. Although the story was slow to ignite, once it caught fire, it burned into a conflagration til its heartfelt conclusion. I would love to revisit these characters in the future, perhaps at Jason's wedding??

Linda Kopec

249 reviews5 followers

Garrett is moving back to his hometown to become the new fire chief. He is struggling as a single dad to help keep his son Jason out of trouble. He believes the change will be good for both of them. He goes early to find them a place to live and has a one night stand with a beautiful woman in the next town over. Fake names are given by both parties and they part ways after a steamy evening.
Gwen is a high school teacher that loves her job. When a new student, Jason, comes into her classroom, she tries to be welcoming and is met with a negative attitude. She attends a welcome dinner for the new fire chief and imagine her surprise when she discovers it's Garrett - her mystery one night stand!
Garrett continues to randomly hook up with Gwen until he discovers she is Jason's teacher and they clash over Jason.
This is a wonderful story that will capture your heart as you pull for Gwen and Garrett through their ups and downs. I received an advanced readers copy of this book and am gladly leaving a honest review. Grab this one!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Heidy

419 reviews2 followers

A remarkable story filled with so much emotion and depth. Garrett decides to take a job as the new fire chief in his hometown. He doesn't want to move, but thinks it will be best to move his teenage son Jason. He is going through a rebellious stage and hopes this will help. After they are moved, Garrett sees something he doesn't expect; Gwen. They had a one night stand before, but could this be the beginning of something between them? Their chemistry is off the charts and they have a connection with one another they never thought they would find. With painful pasts for them both, they are determined to find happiness and heal together. Garrett's son Jason proves to be more than the rebellious son as well. This is worth the read and a page-turner for sure. This is now one of my top favorites from R.R. Banks. He keeps you wanting more and does not hold back on the steam and sexy scenes. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Emma

2,864 reviews39 followers