The Big One

Mister Hotshot #2

by Anne Marsh

Being a firefighter means I work hard and can go all night. But hey, I've got plenty of fires to put out in my downtime, too. Fortunately I've got just the tool to do it. Size matters, ladies. I've got a big one...and I would have been happy to show you before a sassy, sexy brunette crash-landed in my life. Lola is quirky; she's talented; she's unbelievably gorgeous; and she's getting over the world's worst breakup. I've got two words for off limits. So even if her smoking-hot body drives me nuts, I'll keep my tool to myself. We're friends - not lovers. I've got her back, even if what I really want to have is her front. Her mouth. Every delicious, curvy inch of her. And then one hot, dirty night in the bed of my truck, she makes it clear that she's on fire for me. After stoking the flames and achieving a blowup of nuclear proportions, I know I'm in big trouble. Once isn't enough. Now my need for her is a four-alarm blaze...and I'm beginning to think I don't ever want it to burn out. This full-length standalone from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Anne Marsh contains plenty of swoonworthy hotshot firefighters, including one that's grumpy as a bear and twice as... large. There's also lots of fire, hot s-e-x, tender s-e-x, and every other variation a dirty firefighter hero can think about. Particularly when it involves lakes, truck beds, and the lady of his heart.

Genres: Audiobook, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Firefighters

172 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 5, 2017

About the author

Anne Marsh is a sucker for a grumpy hero who falls hard, a sunshine heroine who won't back down, and small towns where everyone knows your business (but shows up with casseroles anyway).

A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author with 30+ romance novels, Anne writes contemporary and paranormal stories full of banter, steam, heroines navigating real challenges (chronic illness, anxiety, all the messy parts of being human), and happily-ever-afters you can believe in.

Perfect for fans of Ali Hazelwood, Talia Hibbert, and Olivia Dade.

Anne lives in rural North Carolina with rescue cats who barely tolerate her and neighbors who are real-life heroes—fixing cars, hauling mulch, pulling you out of ditches without even being asked. Her books are love letters to small-town kindness and big-hearted romance.

COMING SOON: Hot for Preacher (Harlequin Afterglow) - February 24, 2026
Grumpy preacher. Sunshine country singer living with rheumatoid arthritis. Second chances. Small-town meddling. So. Much. Heat.

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Reviews

[Cyndi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite types of books; the Rom Com. Give me a romantic comedy and I’m a happy camper.
In this story we have an actress who has started a breakup club. Her character is funny and over-the-top. Then we have a California fire fighter who is recovering from a broken heart. Can to broken hearts heal each other? Cute story!

[B.A. Malisch · Rating 2 out of 5]

There’s a quote right at the start of this novel that sums this up nicely--“Guy meets girl. Girl starts a fire. Boy falls in love. Sometimes it’s as simple and as complicated as that.”

Fireman. Yes, you heard me, and what more do you want?

Well, I actually wanted better character development and a more cohesive storyline. So this wasn’t my favorite, but I finished it anyway. There were some interesting concepts here, but nothing ever really came together and all the humor fell flat, as a result.

Book 358 read in 2018

Pages: 172

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating 3.5 stars.

I gave it an .5 star for the ending.

[Aly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really cute and a fun read! I loved Lola, she was funny and spoke her mind and she was just quirky enough without going overboard. Hunter is the strong silent type who doesn't share his feelings, but Lola is able to get to him and make him laugh and care again. I thought they fit well together and the story was good, if a bit simple. I was surprised there wasn't more smut and it took a while to get to the good stuff. I wanted a bit more from the other characters too, but overall I enjoyed this.

[Lissa Smith Reads'~A Bookaholics Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love audio versions that get into the characters of the story. It brings it life. I listened to to Adventures in Oddsey first with my children and now with my grandchildren, these types of books with emotion in their voices is similar in a way. Loved the reading of the book and the storyline.
Note: Listen on Audible Escapes for free on speed 3 for kindle.

[Ginny Deffendall · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t love this one. The narration was great (you can always count on Webber and Diorio for that), but the romance was rushed and there was zero character development. And that’s a shame because the moody character of Hunter could’ve been fun to explore.

[Brianda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two dimensional characters for a flat story. The two stars are only due to the feeling one of my favorites narrators (Jacob Morgan) tried to inject to a book so boring that it LITERALLY put me to sleep.

[Mindy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is going into the DNR shelf. The over-sexed language is a little much, but I'm more bothered by the fact that the author didn't do her homework. If you are going to base a story in a real town like Big Bear Lake, you should know that it's not in Northern California, but in Southern California.

The set up for the relationship is completely convoluted. The lack of any realism did me in.

[Lydia · Rating 2 out of 5]

First of all, Jacob Morgan and Rose Dioro were amazing narrators.

The story however was not so amazing. It was slow, really slow. I understand for the sake of the 'emotional' issues the characters were going through and the whole "break-up" club thing, that the two main characters getting together might take a bit. However there was very little action (not just sex) that happened. For him to be a Hotshot, you'd think she could add in some there, but it was not til the last less than hr, that something interesting happened. The antics of the club were interesting, but not enough to cary the whole story line. It was just too slow for me

Also, I am a huge stickler for correct timeline and continuity. This story happens at the same time as the first, Hung. So Pick gets hurt in this one, really bad sending him to the hospital. This is during the events of the first book, HIS book. So why was that NEVER mentioned in Pick's own book??? That would have helped that story line a bit. Another difference, was the proposal. And yeah, the first we hear about it is from Pick's perspective, so it might be a tad different, but major elements from the proposal scene were added in this story that were not in the first version. Primarily Lola jumping up into Hunter's arms. There were a few other small things that seamed off on the two story lines. And I really would have liked to have seen the kissing scene between Pick and Sarah Jo, from Hunter's perspective. how did the other guys know that was going to happen?

Lola, was kinda a hot mess for me. I did not really care for her and her version of crazy. Hunter was nice enough, but almost too cautious and by-the-book. It just did not work for me over all.

Also, the appearance of the ex, Free was very random like she filled this random one time need just to add a small bit of drama only to be completely forgotten afterwards. It was just random and out of the blue.

[S Paschal · Rating 4 out of 5]

After suffering bad breakups, a small group of women get together and decide to stage a summer camp to help them get over their exes. During a symbolic burning of mementos of their relationships, they meet Hunter, a local firefighter when he storms into their ritual and puts out the fire to prevent any accidents. He is both drawn to and repelled by the outspoken and flamboyant Lola. She is everything he's not: she wears her heart on her sleeve, takes risks and speaks her mind - often and loudly. Hunter is a man of action - not a man of words. As a firefighter, he is all about planning, remaining logical and keeping safe. Having suffered the breakup of his marriage himself, Hunter worms his way into the group in hopes to spend time with the bright spirit that is Lola.

Despite their differences and each of them being unwilling to jump into a new relationship so soon after painful breakups, they find themselves drawn towards each other again and again and they will have to decide if they want to a new risk.

Lola's take-no-prisoners attitude is a bit much at times, leading her into bizarre and sometimes illegal situations due to her lack of impulse control. Most of the time she is quirky and amusing, saying those things we all wish we had the courage to say. Hunter's ambivalence is a bit hard to take at times as well - he doesn't see what he might offer to someone like Lola. He is indecisive until it's almost too late.

The humorous banter between the two and the way they challenge each other at almost every turn kept me engaged in the story to the end.

Four stars for this hotshot firefighter romance.

This is an honest, voluntary review of an ARC of the story.

[Amberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was cute, but not my favorite. I love the narration, which I have had make or break books. It made this one.

Lola was funny, if a bit much at times. Hunter was all grumpy until he wasn't, and I was OK with that (I clearly enjoy the broody ones with gooshy centers). The grand gestures on both their parts at the end didn't do it for me. I didn't identify with Lola, her need for attention and dramatic spirit. They weren't bad things in her, it just didn't resonate with me. So her gesture proposing to him in front of an entire bar (eeep!) made me cringe more that awww. I also didn't understand where they ended up with his job. Did he quit, is he getting a job in the city? What? . They were cute together though, and in a short romance like this, that's what matters. So in the end it was ok.

The setting bothered me, but only because I'm familiar with the real Big Bear Lake in Southern California. Not the clearly fictitious version in Nor Cal. There is a lake called Big Bear Lake up north, but its small and there isn't a city by it. SoCal BBL is only 23 mi around, the water is cold even in the height of summer, and is a good 8 hour drive from the bay area.

There were a few other characters (the other fire men) that didn't feel real important until over half way through. It felt like a "Hey, I need to remember to mention these people cause the next books about them!" but it didn't feel real natural. I feel like they could have been involved sooner, even though Hunter seems to not like hanging out with anyone, at least show him spending social time with someone.

[Viper Spaulding · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've waited two years for this book, and it was worth it!

It feels like this should have been the first book, as it details the beginnings of the Break Up Club and not just Hunter and Lola's meet-cute but Pick and Sarah Jo's first meeting as well. Events here run concurrently with those of Book #1, Hung, with the focus on Hunter and Lola, who were background characters in the previous book.

This story just explodes in your heart with its sparkling wit, breathtaking chemistry, and heart-stopping tension. Lola is a force of nature, a woman whose vibrant outer persona masks a vulnerable, sweet girl who has been hurt too many times. Hunter's brave front acts as a necessary support structure for his broken dreams as he learns to accept that his career will probably always keep him from a lasting relationship. I loved everything about the Break Up Club and how they used that framework to get to know each other.

These two build a friendship on their determination to not enter into a relationship that by all accounts is doomed from the start, but their hearts have different ideas about what to do with their intense mutual attraction. The jaw-dropping climax almost broke my heart before the long-awaited HEA made me stand up and cheer.

Hunter and Lola are one of my all-time favorite couples. Nothing is ever going to be easy with them, but the way they challenge each other is exactly right for both of them. I highly recommend this book. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Big One is a funny, hot romance. The chemistry between Lola and Hunter matches the flames that he fights doing his day job. Getting inside Hunter’s head through his POV allowed me to empathise with him and like his character even more. He’s the silent type who doesn’t do well with emotions. I enjoyed their romance and story. I’m looking forward to seeing these characters in other stories in the series.

While I enjoyed this book, there were a couple of scenes in which I had a hard time connecting with the heroine. There were also a couple of scenes that I felt left things unanswered. Without spoiling anything, I wanted more than what we were given.

I listened to this book on audio, and very much enjoyed it. The narrators were good and easy to follow/understand – regardless of the speed at which I listened to the book.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firefighters are Hot, But Lola is Hotter

Out of all the Anne Marsh books I’ve read, I think this series is my favorite (tho the competition is fierce). I love the voices in the Hotshots series. They’re colorful, fun, have a lot of humor, and the guys are hot. Literally, in this case, since they’re firefighters in California.

Hunter is obviously smitten from the start with Lola, and while he “knows” this, he doesn’t KNOW it, if you get what I mean? And Lola herself thinks she’s falling for the same sort of iceberg who kicked her out of their apartment (before the events of the book).

It’s fun watching these two go gaga for each other, and the proposal scene/s is/are inspired. Well, *I* really liked them.

[Jackie D · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF
I To Listen To Listen All The Way Through
But I just couldn't I only made it halfway through Chapter 8 before I just stopped it all together.
Here's the deal, I did not understand Lola, the girl irritated the crap out of me. Hunter is a Hotshot firefighter, and this flighty, drama-laden, needy girl is all up in his business, pouting because he has not texted her back- knowing what he does for a living.
So she breaks into his house so he will come home..
Selfish much?
Understanding this is all fictional -- I just don't see the connection, she's the middle schooler where Hunter is the adult...
Too much crazy mad
Clearly, this is not the book for me
Narrations: As always Jacob Morgon was awesome, Rose Dioro is new to me and someone I would listen to again.

[Kelly DeMarco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Total opposites, perfect match
The Big One (Mister Hotshot Book 2) by Anne Marsh is a laugh out loud romantic comedy. Lola and Hunter couldn’t be more different, but opposites attract and these two attract like power collider particles.
I adore Lola. She's fun, flirty and full of life. She brings out the best (and worst) of Hunter creating all kinds of havoc with her antics, mostly of the fun variety. Hunter is that lone, aloof, brooding alpha who insists he is completely content with the status quo. Then Lola happens!
Overall, between the wonderful characters, the plot of their developing relationship through friendship, this is a really fun read that give the reader steamy scenes and the must have HEA.
I read an ARC of this book from Hidden Gems and voluntarily share my review.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m having a love-hate relationship with this book: I love the hero, but I kind of hate the heroine. I’ve always had a soft spot for the strong, silent type and Hunter fits that description to a ‘T’. Add that he’s a firefighter, risking life and limb for the safety of his community, and I’m a goner. Lola made me want to tear my hair out. I thought she was the most flighty, self-centered, childish character I’ve ever read. I’m still pretty sure Hunter can do a whole lot better. The ending scenes were beautiful, and I loved seeing the pair of them get their acts together. I’m just not sure I saw enough growth out of either one to be fully convinced of their happily ever after.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Hidden Gems.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable audiobook inasmuch as it's a growly-voiced dude talking about how he loves the curvy heroine and will happily buy her all the Ben and Jerry's that she and her friends can eat, but it definitely requires a suspension of belief (since when do 3 adults have the ability to take a whole summer off to heal from breakups!?), and the plot isn't nearly as developed as I would have liked. It felt like things went from sex-->love-->HEA WAY TOO FAST. I also thought it was more than a little rude that the hero interrupts the heroine's play to profess his love to her. Like, you couldn't wait til the end of the scene, bro?!

[Leslie Ooten · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just okay. The writing was off for me, and I couldn't get into the flow of the story. I wasn't a fan of Lola for pretty much the whole thing. She was very immature, and honestly annoying most of the time. I liked Hunter, he seemed like a good hero. I would have liked a little more character development though. I feel like I didn't really lean enough about these 2 to want to root for them. Then ending was good for the HEA, but it just wasn't enough for me. Although I wasn't a fan of this one, I would give this author another read.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.

[Debbie Orazi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was funny, snarky, heartwarming and romantic.

Lola is the president of the Break Up Club, an actress, playwright and part time dramatic arts professor. She has no filter and throws herself into life. She is loud, dramatic, verbose and energetic. She thinks he is hot.

Hunter is a firefighter on the Big Bear Rogues special forces fire team. He is private, reserved, stone cold calm and craves quiet. He is not a big talker. When he meets Lola and hears about the club he asks to join. He thinks she is gorgeous. These two opposites find a way to make their relationship work, but it isn't easy. Highly recommend!

[Crazy for Books (Stephanie) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Ice Man Stars

I really enjoyed this audiobook. I wish I had the audiobook for Hung because I think I would have understood his relationship with his co-workers a little better. But it was fine as a standalone in the series.

The female character was a little over the top, which I'm assume was because she was an actress. She was diametrically opposed from the male lead. He barely spoke in full sentences, so her antics where quite funny in a lot of ways.

It was a short and sweet, and I will definitely get and read Hung now.

[Wendy Douglas · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is one of the few 1-star ratings I have ever given. I'm a little shocked I'm doing it, but the heroine of this book deserves nothing more. She was beyond ridiculous, childish and apparently supposed to be humorous. I found her tiresome, selfish, and entirely inappropriate. I found nothing heroic, engaging, or redeeming about her and, frankly, she didn't deserve a HEA.

I listened to the audiobook, narrated in part by Jacob Morgan. He is a favorite, did an excellent job, but not even for him could I finish this one.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny rom-com about a fireman and a crazy actress who runs the break up club. Hunter is gruff and a man of few words. He's a sexy fireman who knows how to use his hose. Lola and a couple girls are staying in Big Bear and have started the break up club to help them get over recent break ups. Hunter and Lola have great chemistry and he becomes the first male member of the club because he has had a bad break up too. Lola is complete opposite of Hunter, but it makes them even better. I just wish there was an epilogue to tie the story up more.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a real good book. One of my favorite things was the humor. This book had me chuckling quite often. Both Lola and Hunter had me hooked. Their banter and chemistry made this book. Hunter is yummy, but he has a cat so that brought up his hotness level for me. This is the second book in the series and I enjoyed it as much as the first. Hunter keeps his emotions in check and keeps them under lock and key. Lola with her vibrant personality has the key to unlock those emotions to Hunter's dismay. I would recommend this one.

[Em · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 It was a good book. Would have been improved if Lola was a little more mature. Lola's big proposal scene and consequent running away because Hunter didn't react properly was the biggest issue for me. I could overlook her other drama until this part. . Overall, though, it was good. Made much better by listening, I'm sure. Jacob Morgan and Rose Dioro are excellent (5 stars for both!)

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌟4 Stars🌟-Great (had my attention and I enjoyed it),

Dual POV; Standalone in a series; HEA. 17+ readers; No cliffhanger;

This was different for me. No strong, hard alpha - take what's mine kind of guy but a hot alpha guy non the less with a quite, grumpy side. Lola is spunky, charismatic and a no-holds kind of girl. The perfect girl to break open this hot fireman's' shell. Different kind of love story. Wasn't expecting the kind of dialog but was very interested. Kind of cute!

[Stacy J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the dynamic between Hunter and Lola. They were as different as night and day but yet it worked!!

Hunter was a man who planned on living a solitary life being a firefighter in the mountains. Lola is destined to be on a stage in some large city. Hunter is quiet where Lola is dramatic.

I liked them together, the incident that happened at the bar seemed a little much even for Lola thought.

[Sharon Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book by Anne Marsh and I really enjoyed it.
I am a big fan of the humble rom com so that was what attracted me to the story in the first place.
I thought Hunter and Lola were complete opposites but were perfect for each other. I laughed plenty of times throughout the story mainly because of Lola’s quirkiness. She was absolutely awesome.
Would definitely read more from this author in the future.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book via Hidden Gems

[Danielle Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given an Arc copy of this book for an honest review

I wasn’t at all sure what to expect from this book when I first begun to read it
I assumed this would be about fire fighters and there jobs and this wasn’t that it was a story of a firefighter who by chance meets this for want of a better word complete fruit loop ( I mean this in the nicest way) and falls in love but doesn’t realise his fallen until it’s maybe too late
Worth a read

[Vivian Chrisman · Rating 4 out of 5]

As Hunter finds out, wildfires have nothing on Lola. She burns hot and out of control....definitely not Hunter's type. So why is he trying so hard to join her Break Up Club? Why isn't he angry when she breaks into his house? Why is her favorite ice cream in his freezer? Hmm....looks like the Iceman may be melting. Cute story with plenty of "laugh out loud" moments. Now I need to go back and read Pick's story.

*I received a copy of this book via Hidden Gems which I am voluntarily reviewing*