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Too Hot!
Sparks aren’t just flying . . . they’re catching.
Eli Johnson is not a hero. He’s just a guy who’s doing his best. His mother was a hero, though, and when she died, he dropped out of college to become a firefighter—a vocation she would have been proud of. He might not be able to save everyone, but he can do what she taught him: put more good out than bad.
Charlie Kinnear is definitely not a hero. When he ran into a burning building to save a trapped child, he was acting on instinct. He’s not expecting a medal, or for a handsome firefighter with a stunning smile to give him his oxygen mask. Charlie’s light-headed, and not from smoke inhalation.
Right as their romance begins, a serial arsonist terrorizes the city. As if that weren’t bad enough, Charlie appears at the scene of every fire. Eli hates to think it, but if someone wanted to get a firefighter’s attention—say, a certain sexy someone who coincidentally wandered into Eli’s life—what better way than by starting fires? Sparks are flying all right, and things may get too hot for Eli and Charlie to handle.
Word count: 58,700; page count: 215
Eli Johnson is not a hero. He’s just a guy who’s doing his best. His mother was a hero, though, and when she died, he dropped out of college to become a firefighter—a vocation she would have been proud of. He might not be able to save everyone, but he can do what she taught him: put more good out than bad.
Charlie Kinnear is definitely not a hero. When he ran into a burning building to save a trapped child, he was acting on instinct. He’s not expecting a medal, or for a handsome firefighter with a stunning smile to give him his oxygen mask. Charlie’s light-headed, and not from smoke inhalation.
Right as their romance begins, a serial arsonist terrorizes the city. As if that weren’t bad enough, Charlie appears at the scene of every fire. Eli hates to think it, but if someone wanted to get a firefighter’s attention—say, a certain sexy someone who coincidentally wandered into Eli’s life—what better way than by starting fires? Sparks are flying all right, and things may get too hot for Eli and Charlie to handle.
Word count: 58,700; page count: 215
215 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 8, 2018
69 people are currently reading
156 people want to read
About the author
Avery Giles
2 books4 followersAvery Giles is a brown-eyed, fair-haired, moss-covered swamp witch who subsists on energy drinks and the hearts of her enemies. Her day-to-day routine involves waking up, writing three sentences, staring at those three sentences until her brain tells her why they're wrong, watching eighteen hours of Netflix, and luring bandits away from the safety of the well-lit path. If asked about her favorite books, she'll mention the Percy Jackson series, Good Omens, and the blackened scroll on which she detailed an encounter with a crooked librarian that led to two marriages and a beheading. She enjoys eating Italian, French, and German lovers after mating with them.
Connect with Avery:
email: authoraverygiles@gmail.com
Connect with Avery:
email: authoraverygiles@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
September 9, 2018
I really REALLY liked this! I can't decide between 4 and 5 stars, so I'm going to have to go with 4.5.
Individually, Charlie and Eli are hot, sexy men. Together they're cute and sweet and steamy. I just loved them, BOTH of them.
Sparks were flying at the meet cute. I swear they were coming off the page. These guys had so much chemistry. Their connection was unstoppable. When doubts and fears threaten to tear them apart my heart was crying for them.
Yeah, you ought to read this one. Great M/M Romance. Not terribly angsty but not totally fluffy either. Loved it!
Review ARC graciously provided by the publisher via NetGalley
Individually, Charlie and Eli are hot, sexy men. Together they're cute and sweet and steamy. I just loved them, BOTH of them.
Sparks were flying at the meet cute. I swear they were coming off the page. These guys had so much chemistry. Their connection was unstoppable. When doubts and fears threaten to tear them apart my heart was crying for them.
Yeah, you ought to read this one. Great M/M Romance. Not terribly angsty but not totally fluffy either. Loved it!
Review ARC graciously provided by the publisher via NetGalley
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May 28, 2022
Kindle-Sort-ReRead
Gave it another go then checked my review. Jot liking it anymore so this time quitting and deleting.
.... .....
FINISHED Finished finished, I didn't quit though I admit I skimmed; mostly the sex scenes.
It started likeable enough. Writing is smooth. Eli is a sweet, cat owning, puppy-dog of a man, as well as a super-hot fireman and poc.
My impression of Charlie however is of a teenager; young. Nothing changed that.
They meet in a way that I thought slightly unprofessional, but could be excused as adrenaline. Next they meet for a date but are interrupted. Then they meet for a third time but are now in a relationship with pages of sex and...guh! Distrust, Secrets, SECRETS, uncertainty in each but also the expectation of total trust. And all I can think is how highly unprofessional the behaviour is.
There's an explosion of Big Misunderstandings or possibly an Implosion of Secrets, that frankly irritated me. Timeline wise it's been about a month and not many meetings making everything seem a bit much. But there is drama-llama and a reveal. The big secret has a false path and I swear I've rope burns from the tether the author used to force me along it! The truth is something I considered but couldn't and still can't see any logic too.
By this point big question marks over the plot and the sheer level of unprofessional behaviour is giving me hives - which look good with those earlier rope burns!
Also at 75% Charlie with a black ex and 'brother' best friend, says something to poc fireman Eli that had me blinking, reducing any impression of these men having got to know or understand each other between all the distrust and secrets doing the rounds. Nothing bad, just something that went against who Eli is.
But there were more pages to fill so with a completely random bit of luck the mystery plot is solved and there's a big glitzy party, blah blah. Fitted in there is a piece of sentimentality so contrived I wish someone had smacked the pen from the author's hand.
Oh and then after that there's an epilogue!
Gave it another go then checked my review. Jot liking it anymore so this time quitting and deleting.
.... .....
FINISHED Finished finished, I didn't quit though I admit I skimmed; mostly the sex scenes.
It started likeable enough. Writing is smooth. Eli is a sweet, cat owning, puppy-dog of a man, as well as a super-hot fireman and poc.
My impression of Charlie however is of a teenager; young. Nothing changed that.
They meet in a way that I thought slightly unprofessional, but could be excused as adrenaline. Next they meet for a date but are interrupted. Then they meet for a third time but are now in a relationship with pages of sex and...guh! Distrust, Secrets, SECRETS, uncertainty in each but also the expectation of total trust. And all I can think is how highly unprofessional the behaviour is.
There's an explosion of Big Misunderstandings or possibly an Implosion of Secrets, that frankly irritated me. Timeline wise it's been about a month and not many meetings making everything seem a bit much. But there is drama-llama and a reveal. The big secret has a false path and I swear I've rope burns from the tether the author used to force me along it! The truth is something I considered but couldn't and still can't see any logic too.
By this point big question marks over the plot and the sheer level of unprofessional behaviour is giving me hives - which look good with those earlier rope burns!
Also at 75% Charlie with a black ex and 'brother' best friend, says something to poc fireman Eli that had me blinking, reducing any impression of these men having got to know or understand each other between all the distrust and secrets doing the rounds. Nothing bad, just something that went against who Eli is.
But there were more pages to fill so with a completely random bit of luck the mystery plot is solved and there's a big glitzy party, blah blah. Fitted in there is a piece of sentimentality so contrived I wish someone had smacked the pen from the author's hand.
Oh and then after that there's an epilogue!
November 19, 2018
This was my first book by Avery Giles and I think this is her first book overall (at least from what I can infer from her GR profile).
I enjoyed this book and thought the writing was good(though the pacing lagged at times). The highlight for me was how the author wrote a POC MC(Eli) without the usual stereotypical attributes while maintaining his "blackness". That is, she didn't try to erase it by glossing over attributes, mannerisms, etc. and a fellow POC, I thought she did a pretty decent job of it.
I liked Charlie and Eli as a couple and found their interactions to be sweet & funny. I got why they had the big misunderstanding and as they both admitted, they were both at fault so I was glad they worked it all out and got their HEA.
Would I read another book by Avery Giles? Certainly. Her characters made me smile.
*** Review Copy Was Graciously Provided By Publisher Via Netgalley In Exchange For An Honest, Unbiased, Review ***
I enjoyed this book and thought the writing was good(though the pacing lagged at times). The highlight for me was how the author wrote a POC MC(Eli) without the usual stereotypical attributes while maintaining his "blackness". That is, she didn't try to erase it by glossing over attributes, mannerisms, etc. and a fellow POC, I thought she did a pretty decent job of it.
I liked Charlie and Eli as a couple and found their interactions to be sweet & funny. I got why they had the big misunderstanding and as they both admitted, they were both at fault so I was glad they worked it all out and got their HEA.
Would I read another book by Avery Giles? Certainly. Her characters made me smile.
*** Review Copy Was Graciously Provided By Publisher Via Netgalley In Exchange For An Honest, Unbiased, Review ***
November 9, 2018
A Joyfully Jay review.
2.5 stars
I love books about firefighters. There’s something about heroic men with strength and a passion to help people. This is why I jumped on Too Hot! Unfortunately, I have to say I was very disappointed in the book from the beginning. At first, it seems like chapter one will be the establishment of Eli as a character, and it does that for sure, but it goes all the way through the first fire and meeting with Charlie. A lot of stuff goes on after that. In my personal opinion, I felt all the flirting, including exchanging numbers, was a bit on the unprofessional side.
Read Kenna’s review in its entirety here.
2.5 stars
I love books about firefighters. There’s something about heroic men with strength and a passion to help people. This is why I jumped on Too Hot! Unfortunately, I have to say I was very disappointed in the book from the beginning. At first, it seems like chapter one will be the establishment of Eli as a character, and it does that for sure, but it goes all the way through the first fire and meeting with Charlie. A lot of stuff goes on after that. In my personal opinion, I felt all the flirting, including exchanging numbers, was a bit on the unprofessional side.
Read Kenna’s review in its entirety here.
September 14, 2018
I love that the MC is a person of color and that it's reflected on the cover. I enjoy reading books featuring unconventional characters and characters different from me. One of the great things about Too Hot! is that a majority of the characters are persons of color.
Eli is a hot (pun intended) firefighter, and Charlie is his equally hot love interest. From their initial meeting and on, these two are sizzling with the chemistry. I may have had to fan myself while reading the sexy firehouse scene.
I may be biased because I am a cat person, but I adored Eli's cats and the distinct personalities Giles gives them. I don't know what's more adorable, Eli and Charlie's interactions with them or their names (Pistol, Moxie, and Chutzpah).
I also enjoyed the suspense plot. It added extra depth to the story and the romance.
Eli is a hot (pun intended) firefighter, and Charlie is his equally hot love interest. From their initial meeting and on, these two are sizzling with the chemistry. I may have had to fan myself while reading the sexy firehouse scene.
I may be biased because I am a cat person, but I adored Eli's cats and the distinct personalities Giles gives them. I don't know what's more adorable, Eli and Charlie's interactions with them or their names (Pistol, Moxie, and Chutzpah).
I also enjoyed the suspense plot. It added extra depth to the story and the romance.
December 1, 2022
It had promise. It was just so bland! It went as fast as a snail, and was as riveting as watching paint dry. Which with a premise of an arsonist and a big secret from one of the mains, it is a big feat. I was too glad it was over to be happy for them
October 2, 2018
I was given a copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
This is a gentle romance with some firefighting action. Firefighter Eli has a checklist for a prospective life partner and Charlie ticks most of his boxes - except for Eli’s slightly alarming suspicion that he might be a serial arsonist.
I didn’t get on terribly well with this story. I found the writing quite choppy and there weren’t enough clues to the arson investigation for me to attempt to solve it. Eli’s dating checklist made him seem more Bridget Jones than macho firefighter and I’m not sure we ever see enough of Charlie to really care about him.
This book doesn’t fall neatly into a genre. It’s a romance where readers can’t trust one of the men for most of the book. It’s a police procedural where readers don’t know enough about the investigation to follow along with it. There are constant references made to race but the references aren’t developed into storylines or themes.
I don’t feel like I ever really knew Charlie or Eli and it was difficult to invest in the romance while mistrusting Charlie. I didn’t find the sex scenes terribly sexy and I didn’t understand the overreaction to the secrets at the end of the book.
This is a gentle romance with some firefighting action. Firefighter Eli has a checklist for a prospective life partner and Charlie ticks most of his boxes - except for Eli’s slightly alarming suspicion that he might be a serial arsonist.
I didn’t get on terribly well with this story. I found the writing quite choppy and there weren’t enough clues to the arson investigation for me to attempt to solve it. Eli’s dating checklist made him seem more Bridget Jones than macho firefighter and I’m not sure we ever see enough of Charlie to really care about him.
This book doesn’t fall neatly into a genre. It’s a romance where readers can’t trust one of the men for most of the book. It’s a police procedural where readers don’t know enough about the investigation to follow along with it. There are constant references made to race but the references aren’t developed into storylines or themes.
I don’t feel like I ever really knew Charlie or Eli and it was difficult to invest in the romance while mistrusting Charlie. I didn’t find the sex scenes terribly sexy and I didn’t understand the overreaction to the secrets at the end of the book.
November 26, 2018
2.75 stars rounded up
Just an okay read -- I wasn't too engaged with both characters. It was also a bit weird to have so many pages from Eli's perspective, then suddenly Charlie's was written too -- though probably it was a way to keep his "identity" intact, but still it was a bit jarring.
And their blow out near the end, when they both found out what "secrets" they kept from each other... well, I thought it was a bit out of proportion...
Just an okay read -- I wasn't too engaged with both characters. It was also a bit weird to have so many pages from Eli's perspective, then suddenly Charlie's was written too -- though probably it was a way to keep his "identity" intact, but still it was a bit jarring.
And their blow out near the end, when they both found out what "secrets" they kept from each other... well, I thought it was a bit out of proportion...
October 3, 2018
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
Eli and Charlie’s relationship takes place during the chase for the arsonist and I liked this aspect of the story. But I felt like we never really got to the know the men very well. There was too much tell and not enough show especially when they were getting to know each other. More time could have been spent getting to know the men and less time on inconsequential description of stuff.
I struggled with Too Hot. I liked Eli but with the obvious secret that Charlie was keeping made it hard for me to feel anything but annoyance towards him. And Charlie’s behaviour when his secret was revealed was jaw droppingly selfish and any hope I had of liking him went out the window.
Too Hot did not do it for me. 2 stars.
Eli and Charlie’s relationship takes place during the chase for the arsonist and I liked this aspect of the story. But I felt like we never really got to the know the men very well. There was too much tell and not enough show especially when they were getting to know each other. More time could have been spent getting to know the men and less time on inconsequential description of stuff.
I struggled with Too Hot. I liked Eli but with the obvious secret that Charlie was keeping made it hard for me to feel anything but annoyance towards him. And Charlie’s behaviour when his secret was revealed was jaw droppingly selfish and any hope I had of liking him went out the window.
Too Hot did not do it for me. 2 stars.
April 10, 2019
This could have been so much better
.. but somehow I did not really connect with both characters and the back-and-forth was annoying.
Maybe it was just not the right time for me ...
.. but somehow I did not really connect with both characters and the back-and-forth was annoying.
Maybe it was just not the right time for me ...
October 18, 2018
This was just okay for me. I feel like the story had a lot of potential, but I don't think the execution did it justice.
What I liked:
- I genuinely liked both Eli and Charlie and found their relationship believable
- The cats, Moxie, Chutzpah, and Pistol were awesome
- Hello, sexy firefighter!
- What I thought required my reality suspension goggles actually ended up making sense
What I felt was lacking:
- I didn't really feel the chemistry between the guys unless they were engaged in sexy times
- Not enough time was spent with on-page relationship development
- I didn't really find much character growth
- There's a secret involved. That's not typically the type of angst I enjoy. I feel like I'm constantly waiting for the inevitable accidental reveal and betrayal.
- I wish WE could have been let in on the secret from the get-go. It may have allowed me to connect to the story a bit better.
This appears to be a new author, so for a first release, this is not bad at all. I can see a ton of potential and am excited to see where she goes from here!
*Provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
What I liked:
- I genuinely liked both Eli and Charlie and found their relationship believable
- The cats, Moxie, Chutzpah, and Pistol were awesome
- Hello, sexy firefighter!
- What I thought required my reality suspension goggles actually ended up making sense
What I felt was lacking:
- I didn't really feel the chemistry between the guys unless they were engaged in sexy times
- Not enough time was spent with on-page relationship development
- I didn't really find much character growth
- There's a secret involved. That's not typically the type of angst I enjoy. I feel like I'm constantly waiting for the inevitable accidental reveal and betrayal.
- I wish WE could have been let in on the secret from the get-go. It may have allowed me to connect to the story a bit better.
This appears to be a new author, so for a first release, this is not bad at all. I can see a ton of potential and am excited to see where she goes from here!
*Provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Read
October 24, 2018If you like your romances sweet but with a bit of angst and a dash of action and secrets, this might be for you!
Eli and Charlie are both very likable, as is the rest of the cast. Their romance began with a house fire which I found very appealing. I don't have a firefighter kink, heh, but who can resist a charming guy helping people in need?
I found the overall pace quite fast which made it seem like a quick read, which I enjoy.
Also, I'm one who enjoys a good secret, even if it makes one of the two main characters appear kinda shady. Maybe I don't have a firefighter kink but an 'asshole' guy kink.
Charlie wasn't exactly an asshole kinda guy but I understand that some readers might not have been instantly smitten with him. He was kinda shady though. And personally, he was my favorite. *shrug*
As a couple, Eli and Charlie didn't spend too much time together on page, or at least it felt that way to me. Whenever they got together intimately though, it was very sexy.
Highly recommended!
▽
Many, many thanks to the publisher who kindly provided a free copy for an honest and impartial review.
Eli and Charlie are both very likable, as is the rest of the cast. Their romance began with a house fire which I found very appealing. I don't have a firefighter kink, heh, but who can resist a charming guy helping people in need?
I found the overall pace quite fast which made it seem like a quick read, which I enjoy.
Also, I'm one who enjoys a good secret, even if it makes one of the two main characters appear kinda shady. Maybe I don't have a firefighter kink but an 'asshole' guy kink.
Charlie wasn't exactly an asshole kinda guy but I understand that some readers might not have been instantly smitten with him. He was kinda shady though. And personally, he was my favorite. *shrug*
As a couple, Eli and Charlie didn't spend too much time together on page, or at least it felt that way to me. Whenever they got together intimately though, it was very sexy.
Highly recommended!
▽
Many, many thanks to the publisher who kindly provided a free copy for an honest and impartial review.
October 27, 2018
Too Hot! is Avery Giles' debut novel and it's not a bad start at all.
I loved both Charlie and Eli, even though Charlie was a mystery throughout most of the story. I had a hard time buying that he was a "bad" guy though, even when Eli wasn't so sure. I never doubted him though and I have to admit that I got kind of aggravated with Eli when he did. I just knew that there was a logical explanation.
The author did a great job of keeping readers in the dark... even though they got Charlie's POV. I liked that added suspense.
To be fair, I understood where both characters were coming from. Charlie had his reasons for keeping his secret and Eli had his reasons for suspecting him... They were both in a bad situation, but in the end they had each other. ;)
FYI - this author is now on my radar. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
I received Too Hot! in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I loved both Charlie and Eli, even though Charlie was a mystery throughout most of the story. I had a hard time buying that he was a "bad" guy though, even when Eli wasn't so sure. I never doubted him though and I have to admit that I got kind of aggravated with Eli when he did. I just knew that there was a logical explanation.
The author did a great job of keeping readers in the dark... even though they got Charlie's POV. I liked that added suspense.
To be fair, I understood where both characters were coming from. Charlie had his reasons for keeping his secret and Eli had his reasons for suspecting him... They were both in a bad situation, but in the end they had each other. ;)
FYI - this author is now on my radar. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
I received Too Hot! in exchange for a fair and honest review.
January 3, 2019
Source: eARC for Honest Review Courtesy of NetGalley
2.5 Stars
This was a quick sweet read but also very predictable and a bit forgettable. Eli's a local fireman and he meets a mystery hero who happens to be at every fire lately, which causes Eli to speculate when they realize the fires are from a serial arsonist.
Charlie is intrigued by Eli right away but he can't tell Eli the truth even though it could ruin his chances with him. And the longer he doesn't tell him the worse it is for him.
And you can pretty much guess where it all goes, which it does but it doesn't but that too was predictable.
Sweet but too predictable.
2.5 Stars
This was a quick sweet read but also very predictable and a bit forgettable. Eli's a local fireman and he meets a mystery hero who happens to be at every fire lately, which causes Eli to speculate when they realize the fires are from a serial arsonist.
Charlie is intrigued by Eli right away but he can't tell Eli the truth even though it could ruin his chances with him. And the longer he doesn't tell him the worse it is for him.
And you can pretty much guess where it all goes, which it does but it doesn't but that too was predictable.
Sweet but too predictable.
May 15, 2024
Essendomi spoilerata cose della stagione di 9-1-1 attualmente in corso negli USA che mi hanno fatta diventare una sorta di fangirl ossessiva, mi è quindi venuta voglia di leggere qualcosa con dei vigili del fuoco protagonisti - e avevo quindi questa storia sotto le 200 pagine pronta sul Kindle.
Tra il vigile del fuoco Eli e il buon samaritano Charlie è subito attrazione a prima vista, ma in giro per Louisville c'è un piromane seriale e Charlie a volte è troppo evasivo nelle sue risposte...
Posso capire le recensioni che criticano il fatto che Eli non si sia comportato in maniera esattamente professionale cedendo subito alle avances di Charlie e dandogli il suo numero su quella che di fatto è una scena del crimine e pure con il sospetto che il suo comportamento da buon samaritano potesse nascondere altro - ma poi penso al Buck della prima stagione di 9-1-1 e allora un po' di sospensione dell'incredulità è d'obbligo.
Il punto è che, essendo la loro relazione fortemente basata sull'attrazione fisica, mi è stato alquanto difficile cogliere dove sia quindi nata questa connessione che sentivano - soprattutto se consideriamo che Charlie continua a mentire e ad essere evasivo ed Eli, anche se si è convinto che non sia il piromane, comunque crede che Charlie sia coinvolto di qualcosa di illegale o qualcosa del genere.
Quindi su che base parliamo di relazione e connessione alla "non ho mai provato queste cose per nessun altro" quando di fatto nessuno dei due è sincero con l'altro e la storia si svolge nell'arco di un mese?
Detto questo, anche se mi è mancato il coinvolgimento e avrei gradito vedere "costruita" la relazione tra i due protagonisti, è stata una lettura che ho terminato in fretta e che mi ha fatta uscire dal blocco che mi aveva colta - e ci sono anche tre gatti che ho amato.
Tra il vigile del fuoco Eli e il buon samaritano Charlie è subito attrazione a prima vista, ma in giro per Louisville c'è un piromane seriale e Charlie a volte è troppo evasivo nelle sue risposte...
Posso capire le recensioni che criticano il fatto che Eli non si sia comportato in maniera esattamente professionale cedendo subito alle avances di Charlie e dandogli il suo numero su quella che di fatto è una scena del crimine e pure con il sospetto che il suo comportamento da buon samaritano potesse nascondere altro - ma poi penso al Buck della prima stagione di 9-1-1 e allora un po' di sospensione dell'incredulità è d'obbligo.
Il punto è che, essendo la loro relazione fortemente basata sull'attrazione fisica, mi è stato alquanto difficile cogliere dove sia quindi nata questa connessione che sentivano - soprattutto se consideriamo che Charlie continua a mentire e ad essere evasivo ed Eli, anche se si è convinto che non sia il piromane, comunque crede che Charlie sia coinvolto di qualcosa di illegale o qualcosa del genere.
Quindi su che base parliamo di relazione e connessione alla "non ho mai provato queste cose per nessun altro" quando di fatto nessuno dei due è sincero con l'altro e la storia si svolge nell'arco di un mese?
Detto questo, anche se mi è mancato il coinvolgimento e avrei gradito vedere "costruita" la relazione tra i due protagonisti, è stata una lettura che ho terminato in fretta e che mi ha fatta uscire dal blocco che mi aveva colta - e ci sono anche tre gatti che ho amato.
October 28, 2021
Suspenseful but crisis moment is off putting
Enjoyed the book but oddly the crisis moment, which should be where the reader is most engaged, had me so annoyed and that annoyance ratcheted up as it progressed.
The story about a serial arsonist in combination with a “too good to be true” romance between firefighter Eli and mysterious civilian Charlie are both engaging. Lots of suspicion and “hmmmm” moments. After a simmering frustration for Eli precipitates an argument which in turn leads to the crisis moment all the building tension of the story arc bled out into frustration and irritation for me. I can’t say more without spoilers but suffice to say my engagement with both MCs took a huge hit. Good thing we were close to the end as I might have thrown in the towel otherwise.
The resolution is kind of lame given the way the crisis unfolds but the ending is sweet. Most of the book would have warranted a four star rating but the whole denouement brought the rating down to just OK.
Enjoyed the book but oddly the crisis moment, which should be where the reader is most engaged, had me so annoyed and that annoyance ratcheted up as it progressed.
The story about a serial arsonist in combination with a “too good to be true” romance between firefighter Eli and mysterious civilian Charlie are both engaging. Lots of suspicion and “hmmmm” moments. After a simmering frustration for Eli precipitates an argument which in turn leads to the crisis moment all the building tension of the story arc bled out into frustration and irritation for me. I can’t say more without spoilers but suffice to say my engagement with both MCs took a huge hit. Good thing we were close to the end as I might have thrown in the towel otherwise.
The resolution is kind of lame given the way the crisis unfolds but the ending is sweet. Most of the book would have warranted a four star rating but the whole denouement brought the rating down to just OK.
November 12, 2020
book and audio review
This is a beautifully written story about Eli, a firefighter, and Charlie. I loved these two together. They had such great chemistry from the beginning even though they met under difficult circumstances, at the site of a fire. I loved watching their relationship grow as they learned to trust each other and even worked together. This story is so good and had me hoping for the best, for Eli and Charlie, as the mystery of the arsonist unraveled itself and the secrets Charlie kept. I loved the ending, very fitting. Definitely recommend. Narrator Joseph Thorson does a marvelous job.
This is a beautifully written story about Eli, a firefighter, and Charlie. I loved these two together. They had such great chemistry from the beginning even though they met under difficult circumstances, at the site of a fire. I loved watching their relationship grow as they learned to trust each other and even worked together. This story is so good and had me hoping for the best, for Eli and Charlie, as the mystery of the arsonist unraveled itself and the secrets Charlie kept. I loved the ending, very fitting. Definitely recommend. Narrator Joseph Thorson does a marvelous job.
December 1, 2020
Story: 3 Stars
Performance: 4 Stars
Overall: 3 Stars
"Too Hot!" was basically a miss for me, but that's not to say others won't better connect to the story and characters. The intense attraction and chemistry between Eli and Charlie felt rather forced, and so much mistrust built up between the two - even with Charlie's big secret revealed - that I was left wondering why either would even still want to pursue a relationship. A bright spot of this audio book was narrator Joseph Thorson, who gave a good performance. I received this free review copy audio book by request and have left this honest review voluntarily.
Performance: 4 Stars
Overall: 3 Stars
"Too Hot!" was basically a miss for me, but that's not to say others won't better connect to the story and characters. The intense attraction and chemistry between Eli and Charlie felt rather forced, and so much mistrust built up between the two - even with Charlie's big secret revealed - that I was left wondering why either would even still want to pursue a relationship. A bright spot of this audio book was narrator Joseph Thorson, who gave a good performance. I received this free review copy audio book by request and have left this honest review voluntarily.
April 22, 2024
This story was just kinda meh. It wasn't bad, it's wasn't great. It was an enjoyable read but nothing that would drag me back. Communication issues being really the crux of it all. This is the problem a lot of the time with insta-love, you don't really know each other and then you add in not talking and horrible miscommunication commences. It usually leaves me, as with this book, not really fully buying into the two guys as a couple. Eli and Charlie are both good enough guys, and they both deserve to find their HEA, it just goes from 0 to 60 in this story with an abrupt slam into a wall where you wobble away for a second or two to recover from the injury and speed right back up to 60.
February 15, 2020
Entertaining
Charlie and Eli have an instant connection, they compliment each other nicely, have great chemistry, heartfelt moments, and steamy sexy times, but secrets eventually become a serious issue that needs to be dealt with before they get their well deserved, satisfyingly sweet HEA.
Great characters and a storyline that is well written and full of high intensity situations, intrigue, laughs, doubts, drama, and a whole lot of love.
Charlie and Eli have an instant connection, they compliment each other nicely, have great chemistry, heartfelt moments, and steamy sexy times, but secrets eventually become a serious issue that needs to be dealt with before they get their well deserved, satisfyingly sweet HEA.
Great characters and a storyline that is well written and full of high intensity situations, intrigue, laughs, doubts, drama, and a whole lot of love.
February 19, 2020
Intelligent Gay Romance
Gay romances follow a given plot line: two handsome guys (one of them at least a hunk) fall for each other, but about halfway through - or a bit more - something hard comes between them and nearly causes a breakup. This novel is no different, although the plot line is quite good as is the writing other than relying much too much on gut feelings and a tendency to overwrite.
Gay romances follow a given plot line: two handsome guys (one of them at least a hunk) fall for each other, but about halfway through - or a bit more - something hard comes between them and nearly causes a breakup. This novel is no different, although the plot line is quite good as is the writing other than relying much too much on gut feelings and a tendency to overwrite.
February 22, 2020
Don't keep yourself hidden
This book didn't get under my skin enough so that I was just rushing to get back into it. The reality though is that there were parts of each of them that they left out from telling each other. All of us do that in some way with our friends. I'm glad they were able to work through those emissions and get back together because I love Happy ever after endings.
This book didn't get under my skin enough so that I was just rushing to get back into it. The reality though is that there were parts of each of them that they left out from telling each other. All of us do that in some way with our friends. I'm glad they were able to work through those emissions and get back together because I love Happy ever after endings.
March 28, 2020
Can too much detail be bad thing?
It was a solid all right book. Author felt like she was trying to prove how much she knew about fire fighting and in that was over detailed about all the fire fighting stuff to the point it was annoying. It took away from the story.
Otherwise it was a good story she did a good job with the twist.
It was a solid all right book. Author felt like she was trying to prove how much she knew about fire fighting and in that was over detailed about all the fire fighting stuff to the point it was annoying. It took away from the story.
Otherwise it was a good story she did a good job with the twist.
July 4, 2020
Good and hot
This was good and easy to read.
No unnecessary descriptions of surroundings
Good dialogues
Characters is well described and developed in to different personalities
4 stars
This was good and easy to read.
No unnecessary descriptions of surroundings
Good dialogues
Characters is well described and developed in to different personalities
4 stars
October 1, 2020
Fires in Louisville
With an intriguing plot involving an arsonist, Ms Giles runs her two major characters from fires to beds while they learn to communicate. With 3 cats and a firehouse full of supporting players, the story is a romp to its finish..
With an intriguing plot involving an arsonist, Ms Giles runs her two major characters from fires to beds while they learn to communicate. With 3 cats and a firehouse full of supporting players, the story is a romp to its finish..
July 8, 2021
Sweet romance with mystery elements
I enjoyed this even more than I thought I would. It kept me guessing as to what Charlie's secret was, who was setting the fires - and all as a backdrop to a sweet romance.
I enjoyed this even more than I thought I would. It kept me guessing as to what Charlie's secret was, who was setting the fires - and all as a backdrop to a sweet romance.
March 28, 2022
This is one of those books that would be better if it was longer. I mean, i loved the story, the relationship, the characters, the drama, everything. However, it REALLY needed to be longer to be its best
February 22, 2020
It was OK, I just couldn't relate to Charlie and I blame him for all the nonsense. He was gaslighting Eli for a moment there.
February 27, 2020
good but no unique.
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