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She was asking him to love her and then let her go. He could do one, he couldn’t do the other.
There are two things that Thea Dalton has always One, that she has been in love with Gabe Sullivan since she was seven years old. Two, that she would never make him hers. To cope, Thea has spent as little time around him as possible. That was until their best friends got married. Gabe Sullivan hadn’t meant to kiss her after the wedding. It was a mistake. A beautiful, sexy, mind-numbing mistake that haunted his dreams and invaded his every waking thought. He's no good for Thea, he had done his best for her and stayed away, he only needed to continue to do the same. When a professional crisis puts them in each other’s path, Thea sees Gabe in a whole new light. One that makes her think they could be something. Something great. If only she can convince him. Will Gabe be willing to let Thea into his damaged heart? Will Thea be willing to open herself up for a chance at love, even if it could end in the biggest heartache of her life?
There are two things that Thea Dalton has always One, that she has been in love with Gabe Sullivan since she was seven years old. Two, that she would never make him hers. To cope, Thea has spent as little time around him as possible. That was until their best friends got married. Gabe Sullivan hadn’t meant to kiss her after the wedding. It was a mistake. A beautiful, sexy, mind-numbing mistake that haunted his dreams and invaded his every waking thought. He's no good for Thea, he had done his best for her and stayed away, he only needed to continue to do the same. When a professional crisis puts them in each other’s path, Thea sees Gabe in a whole new light. One that makes her think they could be something. Something great. If only she can convince him. Will Gabe be willing to let Thea into his damaged heart? Will Thea be willing to open herself up for a chance at love, even if it could end in the biggest heartache of her life?
- GenresRomanceContemporary
364 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 23, 2018
About the author
MacKenzie Stowe
100 books94 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 - 18 of 18 reviews
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July 2, 2018
OH MY LUCKY STARS!!!
This a very sweet, agonizing, gut wretching and heartbreaking read that sets the pace for this strong storyline. This page turning bombshell will keep you on a thrilling rollercoaster ride that really takes its toll. The two main characters have so much in common, but unable to fight their attraction so the main male hits the military. After a life time of being in love with the one person you think you shouldn't be with it all comes to cataclysmic halt and they re-evaluate their relationship. Yep, its hot, heavy and explosive. The characters are intriguing, complex and realistic. Following along the journey it was with a mixture of heart-aching and so life like it could cut you soul deep. The scenes were so vividly detailed and descriptive that it gives the illusion you were right there in the middle of ground zero with them. Throw in a few twists and turns and mix it up with unexpected surprises and you have one moving tale. Stowe really puts her heart in this one and totally nailed it. Smooth flowing with a full range of emotions that will keep your attention focused on the pages and fixed as the story unfolds. Stowe pulls you into a world of her creation to enjoy as we pull back layer upon layer as she sets the characters personalities for the roles that play out in real time. Not botched, rushed or just cut off to quickly. She has a talent and the insight to keep it real and engrossing. Fantastic job Stowe, thanks for sharing this remarkable read with us.
This a very sweet, agonizing, gut wretching and heartbreaking read that sets the pace for this strong storyline. This page turning bombshell will keep you on a thrilling rollercoaster ride that really takes its toll. The two main characters have so much in common, but unable to fight their attraction so the main male hits the military. After a life time of being in love with the one person you think you shouldn't be with it all comes to cataclysmic halt and they re-evaluate their relationship. Yep, its hot, heavy and explosive. The characters are intriguing, complex and realistic. Following along the journey it was with a mixture of heart-aching and so life like it could cut you soul deep. The scenes were so vividly detailed and descriptive that it gives the illusion you were right there in the middle of ground zero with them. Throw in a few twists and turns and mix it up with unexpected surprises and you have one moving tale. Stowe really puts her heart in this one and totally nailed it. Smooth flowing with a full range of emotions that will keep your attention focused on the pages and fixed as the story unfolds. Stowe pulls you into a world of her creation to enjoy as we pull back layer upon layer as she sets the characters personalities for the roles that play out in real time. Not botched, rushed or just cut off to quickly. She has a talent and the insight to keep it real and engrossing. Fantastic job Stowe, thanks for sharing this remarkable read with us.
June 23, 2018
I recently had a chance to read an advanced copy of Smoke by Mackenzie Stowe & it was just the sweetest story. I might be biased because, after about a decade of mutual crushing & a fallout that had us not speaking for a couple of years, I ended up dating (and eventually marrying) my schoolgirl crush. Plus, my best friend in the world is engaged to his brother & a few other members of our circle have dated or are dating. I always joke that our story could be a movie or a book & I think Smoke is the next best thing. I have not read the previous 2 installments in this trilogy but didn’t feel like I was lost or had missed something at all. Thea & Gabe’s story can definitely stand on its own. I appreciated the lack of gimmicky drama & the genuine feelings. The in depth character development makes it easy to connect with & root for the main characters & supporting cast. This book is the perfect poolside read to escape from all the heaviness going on in our world right now.
June 24, 2018
Thea Dalton has been in love with her brother's best friend as long as she can remember. Gabe has loved his best friend's little sister since he caught her when she fell out of a tree. Neither realizes the feelings in each other until it is almost to late. Will Gabe be able to realize that he deserves love and happiness? Will Thea finally get the man of her dreams?
LOVED the back story between these two. I loved how Gabe owned who he was and was willing to take himself out of his comfort zone to give them a shot! Loved how strong Thea was and how she admitted that she was bullheaded and times, but she went after what she wanted. Great friends-lovers read and cannot wait for more from this author!
LOVED the back story between these two. I loved how Gabe owned who he was and was willing to take himself out of his comfort zone to give them a shot! Loved how strong Thea was and how she admitted that she was bullheaded and times, but she went after what she wanted. Great friends-lovers read and cannot wait for more from this author!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2018
This is a romantic, entertaining and sweet. Gabe is insecure, caring, honorable and stubborn. Thea is hard working, stubborn and kind. She fell in love with him when she was a kid, he fell in love with her when she fell out of a tree and into his arms. But Gabe new she was off limits, she was his best friends little sister. And after he got out of the service he was too messed up. After years of trying to ignore each other, Thea decides that it's time to move on, she just needs a little help from him to do it. This is a great series, but this story is my favorite. The series should be added to your TBR list.
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.
July 29, 2018
When you know you love someone but not sure if they love you, that is the worst feeling ever. And how this story goes. Thea and Gabe fell in love at a very young and tender age. They both knew they were meant to be. He was her brother best friend and he didn’t want to cross the best friend line. She was stubborn and strong willed and tried everything to show him she love and wanted him. But he refused. As the years passed on, their lives remained missable without each other. A best friend on both and wedding forced them to be face to face. They finally found love with each other, now the hard part is truly here with rejection from ones they both love and respects. It is an all around love story and I highly recommends it.
June 24, 2018
This wasn't for me. The writing didn't really flow well, and the first 4 chapters are pretty much just repeating the same thing over and over. First you get it from the h's point of view, and then the H's. Why they hate each other, how she's liked him for years, why they can't be together. It got old fast. I skimmed through a lot of this too. Thea and Gabe needed to just get everything out in the open, and move on. The writing just couldn't hold my attention. This was a first for me from this author, but I would be willing to give her another read.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.
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!
August 11, 2018
4.5 Stars!!
I started to get the feels almost immediately! How Gabe felt undeserving of Thea was heartbreaking? and his description of how he truly felt about her made me melt. The push and pull between them was deliciously intense! There were some great, sexy moments, but my favorite part was when he realized he wanted her forever. It did get a bit wordy at times, maybe I just wanted to get back to the romance.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
I started to get the feels almost immediately! How Gabe felt undeserving of Thea was heartbreaking? and his description of how he truly felt about her made me melt. The push and pull between them was deliciously intense! There were some great, sexy moments, but my favorite part was when he realized he wanted her forever. It did get a bit wordy at times, maybe I just wanted to get back to the romance.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
June 24, 2018
This is a lovely romance. The storyline is sweet and the HEA comes in a roundabout manner but love does eventually come to the main characters. The lovable H/h have substance, are engaging, overcome their past and find their happiness. I liked it. I voluntarily read an ARC and this is my honest review.
June 28, 2018
She fell for him when he saved her as a little girl. He has feelings for her too. It developed into a lot more and then he went into the service and came back changed. He thinks he is bad for her and she loves him and wants him but is hurt. It is exciting, suspenseful, very emotional and so much more. I recommend it. I was given a review copy and voluntarily review it.
August 14, 2018
I loved this story.
It was sweet and sexy all mixed up together. The characters were really likeable and the story line thoroughly relatable.
The mix of characters from previous books in the series was also great.
While this can be read as a standalone, I really recommend really the previous books in the series first.
I received an ARC of Smoke and this is my honest review.
It was sweet and sexy all mixed up together. The characters were really likeable and the story line thoroughly relatable.
The mix of characters from previous books in the series was also great.
While this can be read as a standalone, I really recommend really the previous books in the series first.
I received an ARC of Smoke and this is my honest review.
August 21, 2018
This is Gabe and Thea's story. I wasn't sure how it would play out, but I've been wondering since I read the first book in this wonderfully hot series. It doesn't disappoint!
They've known each other most of their lives and have so many of the most important people in their lives in common. It just makes sense to at least be friends, but Thea has spent so many years hurt and angry, can she let it all go? He just wants her to be happy, even if it's not with him. Is there a solution they can both live with?
They've known each other most of their lives and have so many of the most important people in their lives in common. It just makes sense to at least be friends, but Thea has spent so many years hurt and angry, can she let it all go? He just wants her to be happy, even if it's not with him. Is there a solution they can both live with?
June 23, 2018
I enjoyed this series and I am now going to go back and reread all four books Smoke is #3 of this series and is a well-written book I was not putting down until I had finished reading. I received a copy of this book and I am voluntarily reviewing it.
June 24, 2018
Loved this book about finding out that the one you have always loved has actually always loved you back. To go from friends to enemies to lovers and finding a way to hold on to that love and cherish it forever.
I received this book as an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received this book as an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 1, 2018
This is a slow burn building to a smoking fire. These two have to overcome their previous perceptions in order to take a chance on their future. Good read.
August 10, 2021
I am so glad they got out of their own way to be together. It was a very romantic story. Glad they got their HEA.
June 25, 2018
A great friends-lovers read with in depth
character development that makes it easy to connect with and to cheer for the main characters and supporting cast. She has been in love with Gabe forever and hope to connect when he returned from the military. Gabe, her brothers best friend, is blowing hot and cold. He feels damaged and not good enough for her but can't stand to see her with another man. A must read. I voluntarily reviewed this ARC.
character development that makes it easy to connect with and to cheer for the main characters and supporting cast. She has been in love with Gabe forever and hope to connect when he returned from the military. Gabe, her brothers best friend, is blowing hot and cold. He feels damaged and not good enough for her but can't stand to see her with another man. A must read. I voluntarily reviewed this ARC.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews