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The temperature's rising in the little town of Easton.
Eliza Gardner never thought she'd come back to Easton - much less divorced, broke and humiliated. But after her husband ran off, she had nowhere else to go...
Nowhere except the small town she grew up in - the one she once couldn't wait to leave...
Now Eliza is desperately trying to figure out the next chapter of her life - and that's when she runs into the last person she ever expected to see again - childhood acquaintance Nate Ryder.
Now Nate's all grown up - and, as Eliza embarrassingly realizes, in all the right places.
Nathan Ryder never expect to run into Eliza again - somebody he'd only ever known as a goofy kid who once played with his best friend’s little sister.
Back in those days, he'd never given Eliza a second look... But seeing her again? After all those years?
Nate's sure giving her a second look now... And a third.
He knows her life isn’t what she wants it to be, and she isn't look for more out of her time in Easton than a good-looking distraction...
But Nate thinks he might be just what Eliza needs...
If only he could convince her of that.
Eliza Gardner never thought she'd come back to Easton - much less divorced, broke and humiliated. But after her husband ran off, she had nowhere else to go...
Nowhere except the small town she grew up in - the one she once couldn't wait to leave...
Now Eliza is desperately trying to figure out the next chapter of her life - and that's when she runs into the last person she ever expected to see again - childhood acquaintance Nate Ryder.
Now Nate's all grown up - and, as Eliza embarrassingly realizes, in all the right places.
Nathan Ryder never expect to run into Eliza again - somebody he'd only ever known as a goofy kid who once played with his best friend’s little sister.
Back in those days, he'd never given Eliza a second look... But seeing her again? After all those years?
Nate's sure giving her a second look now... And a third.
He knows her life isn’t what she wants it to be, and she isn't look for more out of her time in Easton than a good-looking distraction...
But Nate thinks he might be just what Eliza needs...
If only he could convince her of that.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 18, 2017
81 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
About the author
MacKenzie Stowe
98 books93 followersMacKenzie Stowe began her love of reading and writing when she was very young. A hopeless romantic she likes to write stories about hot handsome men and the strong women who tame them. She loves her boyfriend, chocolate, wine and her animals but not always in that order. She is happily living in Sunny Southern California as she thinks up her next romantic story
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
March 31, 2018
This did not work for me. It think it was the writing style. It did not connect me with the characters or the story. The writing was bland, unemotional, and told in a very matter of fact style.
This may work for you. Reading and writing preferences are subjective. I did not buy the feelings the two MCs had for one another.
This may work for you. Reading and writing preferences are subjective. I did not buy the feelings the two MCs had for one another.
May 18, 2018
While I really liked the story, the plethora of grammar and typo errors throughout the book seriously detracted from the story for me. It was seriously distracting. I didn't want to put this here, but I found no way to private message the author through goodreads or amazon regarding this issue. I hate leaving a negative review. I am hoping these get fixed and an update gets pushed out. Its because of this issue, that I really don't want to continue with the series. The story line for me was great though. Once this issue is rectified, I might consider continuing on with the series.
Want to read
January 23, 2025🎁 FREE on Amazon today (9/15/2019)! 🎁
November 21, 2017
Great read. It is exciting, hot, suspenseful, emotional and so much more. They are both afraid but have issues. I couldn't put it down. I really enjoyed reading it. I recommend it. I was given a review copy and voluntarily review it.
November 27, 2017
Nathan is a firefighter who was hurt on the job, Eliza never wanted to move back home, but after her husband leaves her and she's left to run their business alone, which finally went bankrupt. Eliza returns home, broke, car barely running. Her best friend still lives there. She knew Nate as one of the guys her best friends brother hung out with. This is a romantic, steamy story and I liked it.
January 4, 2018
No steam
I didn't finish this, only made it halfway through. Didn't hold my attention at all. I will probably not read the other books in the series.
I didn't finish this, only made it halfway through. Didn't hold my attention at all. I will probably not read the other books in the series.
November 20, 2017
This is my first read from this author and I liked this book very much. Eliza and Nate: Eliza was attracted to Nate immediately but had trust issues. This was because her ex-husband Sam had a gambling addiction and had cost them everything they had and abandoned her. Thea was her best friend since childhood and was Jax's sister. Eliza had spent a lot of time at her home growing up where Jax, Nate and Gabe also hung out. Broke and alone Eliza had no choice but to return to her parents home. When she ran into Nate, he was immediately attracted to Eliza even though she had told him that she was not interested in dating, Nate wanted to change her mind. Nate had his own demons to contend with starting with his knee surgery that kept him from his duties on the fire department. Nate even though he was out of the military where he experience war and the tragedies from being in the military at war had a hard time forgetting. He explained to Eliza the best he could about the bond that ties men and women together when their lives were on the line and that not everyone came home alive. Nate, Jax and Gabe all enlisted at the same time and stayed together in the same unit. Now all three were out of the service and still were hanging out together. This story is about picking yourself up when you have been knocked down by life and it was about the bond that existed and could exist between people. The romance was gentle, slow to build and loving. A great read.
I voluntarily received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book.
I voluntarily received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book.
August 8, 2022
This one needs more than an editor. Just off the top of my head, the author chose the word “sizzled” to describe the FMC’s marriage ending (fizzled would have been the word to choose), the FMC admired her BFF’s brother’s “physic” rather than his physique, and something happened so “clique” instead of quick. And don’t get me started on the “your” and “you’re” debacles. Sheesh. Could this be a case of voice-to-text gone awry?
Also, the FMC is at the beginning defeated by a disaster of a marriage, lamenting for pages and pages being broke and having to move back home, but when she meets the MMC, he sees her as fiery, alpha, determined, and unafraid? It’s a lot of irreconcilable situations, and frankly, deadly dull at their initial meeting after not seeing each other since high school. Then, on the FMC reflecting on the meeting with the MMC, on one page she’s surprised he didn’t recognize her immediately, then on the VERY NEXT PAGE, she decides she isn’t surprised he didn’t recognize her. And there’s that bizarre misuse of the word “clique” again, this time in reference to how the MMC has turned out. Maybe the author is not a native English speaker, or it’s a common word in another hemisphere, idk. At any rate, both the MC’s musings/observations/thoughts are all over the place, with no cohesion of which to speak. It makes for a tedious, joyless read.
No steam to be found here, just poor writing by the author, and a lack of interest in completing the book on my part.
Also, the FMC is at the beginning defeated by a disaster of a marriage, lamenting for pages and pages being broke and having to move back home, but when she meets the MMC, he sees her as fiery, alpha, determined, and unafraid? It’s a lot of irreconcilable situations, and frankly, deadly dull at their initial meeting after not seeing each other since high school. Then, on the FMC reflecting on the meeting with the MMC, on one page she’s surprised he didn’t recognize her immediately, then on the VERY NEXT PAGE, she decides she isn’t surprised he didn’t recognize her. And there’s that bizarre misuse of the word “clique” again, this time in reference to how the MMC has turned out. Maybe the author is not a native English speaker, or it’s a common word in another hemisphere, idk. At any rate, both the MC’s musings/observations/thoughts are all over the place, with no cohesion of which to speak. It makes for a tedious, joyless read.
No steam to be found here, just poor writing by the author, and a lack of interest in completing the book on my part.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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April 4, 2018Moving On
Nate and Eliza have known each other since grade school. They meet again when Eliza moves home after a tragic end to her marriage. Nate is trying to recover from a knee injury to get back to work. When they see each other at the local bar they can't keep their eyes to their selves. The attraction and magnetism they feel wants them to act. As they see each other more and talk they give in and realize a little fun passion can be fun. Will they let theor walls down to let love heal their emotional wounds? Will mixed signals and others tear them apart? You will have to read and find out.
I voluntarily reviewed this exlusive ARC.
Nate and Eliza have known each other since grade school. They meet again when Eliza moves home after a tragic end to her marriage. Nate is trying to recover from a knee injury to get back to work. When they see each other at the local bar they can't keep their eyes to their selves. The attraction and magnetism they feel wants them to act. As they see each other more and talk they give in and realize a little fun passion can be fun. Will they let theor walls down to let love heal their emotional wounds? Will mixed signals and others tear them apart? You will have to read and find out.
I voluntarily reviewed this exlusive ARC.
October 31, 2021
I read all of the books in this trilogy, including the prequel as there are really four books, back to back and pretty much devoured the individual books in one sitting!
I thought that they were all great book, full of firefighters as you would expect and I do love a firefighter!
Each book had its own very strong storyline and they were brilliant. Well written and additive reads that I didn’t want to put down and as soon as I finished the previous book I was straight in to the next one in the series.
It was full of passion, romance, strength and they were very sexy reads – I loved them!!
It is 5 stars from me for this one – very highly recommended!
I thought that they were all great book, full of firefighters as you would expect and I do love a firefighter!
Each book had its own very strong storyline and they were brilliant. Well written and additive reads that I didn’t want to put down and as soon as I finished the previous book I was straight in to the next one in the series.
It was full of passion, romance, strength and they were very sexy reads – I loved them!!
It is 5 stars from me for this one – very highly recommended!
June 1, 2025
The title of this book says it all. Full on steam.
Eliza can’t believe she has moved back to her old home town. After her ex-husband Sam’s gambling addiction cost them everything and then abandoning her.
Nate and Eliza knew each other, as he was her one of the guys her best friend’s brother knew.
Both are attracted to each other, but Nate fights it as he is still struggling with his military past and now a knee operation, while working as a firefighter.
Let’s say when these two get together it is very hot and steamy.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Eliza can’t believe she has moved back to her old home town. After her ex-husband Sam’s gambling addiction cost them everything and then abandoning her.
Nate and Eliza knew each other, as he was her one of the guys her best friend’s brother knew.
Both are attracted to each other, but Nate fights it as he is still struggling with his military past and now a knee operation, while working as a firefighter.
Let’s say when these two get together it is very hot and steamy.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 19, 2025
——Booksprout ARC——
I don’t usually gravitate toward third-person narration, but this really surprised me in the best way. I had the chance to listen to the ARC audio, and I’m so glad I did. The writing pulled me in fast, and the characters felt layered and real, even with the extra narrative distance third-person sometimes brings.
The pacing was solid, the chemistry was chef’s kiss, and the story had just the right mix of emotional depth and tension to keep me locked in. The audio narration definitely helped elevate the experience too it felt immersive and really brought the characters to life.
I don’t usually gravitate toward third-person narration, but this really surprised me in the best way. I had the chance to listen to the ARC audio, and I’m so glad I did. The writing pulled me in fast, and the characters felt layered and real, even with the extra narrative distance third-person sometimes brings.
The pacing was solid, the chemistry was chef’s kiss, and the story had just the right mix of emotional depth and tension to keep me locked in. The audio narration definitely helped elevate the experience too it felt immersive and really brought the characters to life.
November 22, 2017
Eliza has returned home, destitute after her ex bankrupted their business due to his gambling addiction. Despondent and bogged down with trust issues, she moved in with her parents. She meets Nate, a wounded firefighter who is best friends with her best friends brother. No spoiler here, but are they able to heal each other? The chemistry is there, so let see what the future brought. A good read that I enjoyed, with great characters and a strong storyline. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
November 30, 2017
I received an ARC Copy of this book and I voluntarily chose to review it. This is the first MacKenzie Stowe book I have read. I totally enjoyed the story. If you like firemen then this book is for you. Also you will find the female characters in this book are fluffy, not model thin. The characters are slightly flawed which to me makes a good story. I think you would enjoy this book. Give this one a chance, you will like it. I am interested in seeing what happens to Nate's two friends. This is the start of a trilogy I can't wait to see where Ms Stowe goes with this.
January 12, 2026
STEAM by MacKenzie Stowe is an amazing small town firefighter romance. C. J. Locks did an excellent job with the narration. STEAM is the first book in The Easton Firefighter Trilogy. The story is entertaining, interesting, enjoyable, romantic, spicy, hot, funny, and more. Eliza never wanted to come back to Easton but it’s didn’t work out that way. Nate is a firefighter now. Nate remembers Eliza as a goofy little sister of his best friend. Now he can’t stop looking at her. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. Highly recommend.
December 25, 2017
This is entertaining and amusing. Nate is a serious, determined and charming man. Eliza is tough, caring and vulnerable. Their romance begins with a sort of reacquaintance of friends. When fire ignites between them it catches them both by surprise. It turns out that Nate is really a sweet, romantic guy.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.
April 11, 2018
I love this couple! Such a panty melting story!
I enjoyed this book very much! Eliza and Nate, what a couple! The ups and downs of a relationship. The miscommunication, the mixed signals. The self doubt that woman have of themselves. A man that tries hard to tell her how beautiful you are, strong and vibrant!! This is a must read!!!!
I enjoyed this book very much! Eliza and Nate, what a couple! The ups and downs of a relationship. The miscommunication, the mixed signals. The self doubt that woman have of themselves. A man that tries hard to tell her how beautiful you are, strong and vibrant!! This is a must read!!!!
November 20, 2017
Very sweet interesting sexy read. I could not put it down. Wonderfully written with strong characters. I want to read more from this author. I voluntarily read and reviewed an Exclusive Advance Reader Copy of this book.
June 16, 2021
Ok this book is ridiculous in the amount bedroom scenes. I mean to the point that is all it is for several, several, several, pages. I skipped and rolled my eyes. The story besides that had potential. Just hardly any follow through. Disappointed for sure.
March 17, 2024
This is a great story. Nathan is an ex-army and now a firefighter who meets Eliza again who has returned to Easton. They knew each other since childhood but Nathan never really spoke to her. The story is well-written and the characters come to life. Highly recommended reading.
March 18, 2024
Romance a firefighter finally finds the one he loves!
Things turned out bad for her! Her husband ran off ! You do a lot of growing when you have to pick up the pieces! New beginnings! Start with a firefighter! Adults only! You know why!
Things turned out bad for her! Her husband ran off ! You do a lot of growing when you have to pick up the pieces! New beginnings! Start with a firefighter! Adults only! You know why!
June 4, 2025
This was such a great listen. A broken marriage makes the MFC return to her hometown, where she falls in love with one of the guys she grew up with! There is of course, some banter a good bit of drama and a 4th inning break-up because of a misunderstanding. 2/5 on spice but overall 5/5 listen!
November 20, 2017
I enjoyed this enchanting romance. The storyline is very good and the characters are genuine and sweet with chemistry. I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
March 29, 2018
I liked this one. I'm voluntarily leaving a review for a copy of the book.
April 27, 2018
The last thing Eliza is looking for when she comes home, after a bad divorce and loosing her business, is another man. Nate never expected to meet a girl from his childhood who he barely noticed back then. But maybe they'll find what they didn't know they were looking for...
August 5, 2018
Great book
May 4, 2019
This book needs an editor, simple spelling errors made this difficult to read. These 2 were a train wreck of self doubt
January 28, 2020
Yes, I did enjoy this
book. It is feel good book with a happy ending. This review needs 7 more words. What more ....I liked the book.
book. It is feel good book with a happy ending. This review needs 7 more words. What more ....I liked the book.
May 26, 2021
DNF
Finished two chapters before giving up. I’m not going to read a book that has the spelling, grammar and punctuation of something written by a fourth grader.
Finished two chapters before giving up. I’m not going to read a book that has the spelling, grammar and punctuation of something written by a fourth grader.
July 1, 2025
I loved listening to Steam. Although I don't normally enjoy third-person stories as much as first-person stories, I loved this one. I really liked the narrator's voice. I thought she did a great job.
I think the only thing I was disappointed with was that there wasn't as much suspense as I was expecting. Based on the blurb, I thought that something from Eliza's past would come back, and then Eliza and Nate would have to deal with it together. It was more of a small-town romance where the FMC gets a second shot at love.
I can't wait to read book 2 in the series.
I think the only thing I was disappointed with was that there wasn't as much suspense as I was expecting. Based on the blurb, I thought that something from Eliza's past would come back, and then Eliza and Nate would have to deal with it together. It was more of a small-town romance where the FMC gets a second shot at love.
I can't wait to read book 2 in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews