Torch

Lighting the Alpha's Fire #4

by Kate Hunt

A BBW Instalove Romance

Madeline
When I run into my old high school crush, Alex, I can’t believe my eyes. The former bad boy is now a noble firefighter—and buff as sin.
The mutual desire we never acted on back in the day is quickly rekindled. It also rapidly becomes clear that this is way more than just some five-alarm fling.
But as incredible as things are with Alex, I’m not sure I can deal with being with someone who’s always putting his life on the line. I’ve lost a loved one that way before, and going through it again might break me.

Alex
I was a mess when I was a kid. Rebelling, stealing, setting stuff on fire…you name it, I did it.
If it wasn’t for a particular wake-up call, I’d be in one hell of a bad place right now.
But that wake-up call did happen. I got my act together. I got my ass in gear and became a firefighter.
The only thing missing in my life now is a wife to cherish.
Enter Madeline: the girl I longed for in high school, the girl with the knockout curves, the girl of my dreams. I can practically already hear the infectious laughter of our kids.
And I’ll do whatever it takes to make our future together happen.

Dear Reader,
Fire alert! This little hot instalove novella is about an alpha firefighter claiming his curvy woman. It can be read as a standalone, but is best enjoyed with the rest of the Lighting The Alpha’s Fire series. Get ready for a smokin’ hot hero, a sassy heroine, and a lovey-dovey happy ending!
xo,
Kate

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Firefighters

41 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 2, 2020

About the author

Kate Hunt writes short, sweet, steamy romances. (And occasionally longer ones.) Happily ever afters guaranteed.

Reviews

[Nova · Rating 4 out of 5]

I relatively new to this author but her books are quick and easy to read in a very short time.

Madeline is working as an art teacher in the local school when a fire breaks out, she wasn’t expecting her long term high school crush to be getting out of the fire truck. One look at Alex brings back the feelings she thought were long gone, and when he asks her out she jumps at the opportunity. Could she really take a chance on Alex the reformed bad boy or should she bail before she loses him?

Alex had a crush on Madeline when they were in high school but never thought that she would have looked twice at someone like him. It’s been years and things haven’t always been easy, now he’s seen Madeline again he feels like he’s getting a second chance at love but will she be able to accept his dangerous job?

Enjoyable read with cute epilogues. I am voluntarily reviewing and advanced copy of the book.

[Rochelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Madeline and Alex were high school classmates and they meet back up again after an emergency call to her school. She was surprised to see him again and when they went out to a coffee date, they confessed that they had crushes on each other while they were in school. Fast paced story that leads to an HEA.

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

[♡Tonya♡]

Not safe - met in high school and it wasn’t said they were virgins

[*˚Remnant Light ‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

**3.2/5 stars**

Alex has a delinquent's past and even had to serve some jail time. When he finally got out, he decided to get his life back together by becoming a firefighter. Now a few years later, he is called to extinguish a fire in a nearby high school, and there, he meets his highschool crush Madeline who is a teacher. What he doesn't know is that she too might've had a crush on him at the time, and that she might still have a crush on him now!

From the first moment I felt those damn butterflies in my stomach, though, I knew it was pointless. She was a straight-A student, I barely scraped by; she was always creating things, I was always ruining shit; people actually smiled when she walked into a room, while I only got…well, other kinds of looks.-Alex

Okay, after all the disappointing other novellas in this series, I can say for a fact that this one was much better and had more substance to it. I still think something was missing but it was overall very palatable, especially compared to the previous ones. I liked the characters, even if it's hard to understand who they are in the present, as everything that has to do with their personality is only mentioned when they talked about themselves as teenagers/ in the past. I couldn't connect to them much but at the least their romance made some sense. So there's that. It was also nice to finally have some firefighter action.

✔️HEA Epilogue: 6 months later, they are getting married
✔️Novella
✔️Dual POV
✔️opposits attract
✔️Highschool crush/ Second chance They both had a crush on each other as teenagers but never were able to confess. A decade later, they meet again.
✔️MC's age Both are 27-28
✔️Ex delinquent/ Besotted H
✔️Sweet/ Curvy h
✔️No OW/OM
✔️No cheating
✔️Safe Pretty sure they both aren't virgins but there is also no mention of past partners. So, fairly safe
🔥 Steam level: 2/5 It was okay, not many scenes, very short
⚡Content warning No condom/ Birthcontrol/ Blowjob/ Mirror/

Would I recommend this novella? The only one I'd recommend out of the four novellas in this series. Nice palate cleanser, cute romance and some steam (although not enough).

**Note that I do not rate novellas and full-length books by the same standards**

Lighting the Alpha's Fire Series
1. Blaze - 2. Chief
3. Rookie - 4. Torch*

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good novella with a new take on the one that got away. Past high school acquaintances who meet up under unfortunate circumstances, but it also gives Alex and Madeline the opening they’ve always wanted. Characters are great with depth and past that are shared giving you that moment when they finally fall for each other. Loved the extra epilogues showing them as a lasting relationship.

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

[Alex (semi hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Safety:
-I assume neither are virgins since it didn't say so
-No cheating
-No om/ow drama
-Switching POVs
-Epilogue 6 months later

[lf · Rating 5 out of 5]

The high school bad boy and nerdy honor roll student find true love

Torch is the fourth book in the Lighting The Alpha’s Fire series and is the story of Alex and Madeline. They went to high school together and each secretly crushed on the other but neither ever did anything about it as they were complete opposites. Alex was the quintessential bad boy - stealing, got suspended for smoking non-tobacco, had tattoos and set things on fire. Madeline was the nerdy, bubbly, honor roll student who also loved art and never got into trouble. When they graduated Alex stayed in town and found himself in even more trouble fairly quickly doing a stint in prison. But when he was back out he decided to change his life and ended up working hard to become a firefighter. Madeline when to school and is now the art teacher in the same high school that she attended.
When a fire in the chemistry lab brings the firetrucks and some hot firemen Alex and Madeline find themselves face to face again after all these years. They have each changed but yet all those old feelings come bubbling back up quickly..............and they are even stronger. He is hotter, she is more beautiful and together they are about to ignite and burn.
This is a fast-paced and fun book with an interesting and engaging story-line and nicely written characters. There is some crossover with the previous books in regards to characters and story details which is nice as if you have read the previous books in the series you get a bit of an update on the previous couples.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this story a lot. The characters were great and very relatable. There was very little angst and it resolved quickly.

Madeline is an Art Teacher at her former high school. She is surprised when she unexpectedly finds out that her high school crush Alex is now a firefighter. After they reconnect, things ignite between them quickly and are rapidly approaching relationship level.

Alex overcame a huge rebellious period in his life, got his act together and became a firefighter. He feels like his life is missing something because he hasn't found the one. Alex wants to settle down and have a family. He is surprised when he runs into his high school crush Madeline during a call. She was his dream girl back then and now, he knows that she is his one. Alex can't wait for them to start building their future together.

My favorite part of this story is when Alex and Madeline find out that they each had a crush on the other in high school. The connection between them was so sweet. I loved their happy ever after. There are plenty of feels in this story. I recommend reading this book.

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

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bad Boy finds Love! I love this instant love story. This story is about Alex, aka Torch, and Madeline. Madeline is a high school arts teacher and of course the chem lab is on fire…. Torch along with the crew comes flying in to save the day when two of her students dash out to see the hunky firemen and she gets a glimpse of Alex who she crushed on in high school in the back of the fire truck where the two girls (Zoeh and Savannah) ran to. Alex sees his high school crush Madeline and calls her name out and the story begins. I love that the big bad boy opened up like something else when he went back to see Madeline. He was in love with her but fear he wasn’t good enough for her. I love that this story had some past but also that they both recognized that second chance to happiness is always there if you seek it out. As we know Kate’s story have a happy ending, but this one in particular I enjoyed the most as she extended the epilogue to fourteen years later….I love it.

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

[Julianne Macneil · Rating 5 out of 5]

i read this book as part of an arc program. This is the fourth book in the Lighting the Alpha's Fire series. In this book, Torch (Alex) sees Madeline again when the department answers a call about a fire at the high school. Alex went to school with Madeline and had a crush on her, but he was the bad boy and she was the good, nerdy girl and he never thought she would be interested in her. madeline was shocked to see Alex again after wondering what happened to him. Madeline had a huge crush on Alex when they were in school, but she never thought he would be interested in the nerdy girl. When Alex asked Madeline out, she agreed and wondered if he was really interested in her. Alex knew Madeline was the one for him but she was unsure if she could risk losing him die to his job. I really enjoyed this second chance romance. I love how they both wanted the other, but were too scared to tell the other. This was another good one in a great series.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

First things first; I love the cover of this book!
Torch is book four in the lighting the alpha’s fire series. This story is short, fast paced and an enjoyable read. I read this book in one sitting and was satisfied throughout. I found the writing style easy to follow, the characters likeable and the storyline enjoyable. When a fire at the school she works at ends up with the firemen there, Madeline is reunited with an old friend. Unbeknownst to one another, Alex and Madeline had a crush on one another in high school. They never made a move but now reunited, they have a second chance.
The chemistry between Alex and Madeline is clear to see and I liked them as a couple.
I really liked the ending and the epilogue for this story.
The storyline for this book is easy to follow and it is an enjoyable read. I cannot wait for more books from this series.

[Caroline Doig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madeline is a teacher at the school she once went to she loves her job being an art teacher and while in class a boy runs in and says that the chem lab’s on fire so she gets all of her students out to wait for the firefighters, once they arrive Madeline looks at one of the firefighters near the truck and she thinks that she knows him then Madeline realises that it’s her high school crush Alex. Alex was shocked to see Madeline again he had a major crush on her at school but she was a straight A student and he was the nad boy loser, but now he knows what’s missing from his life and that’s a wife and kids and Madeline is his one so he goes to the school to see her. I loved this story it’s a fantastic read and I highly recommend this book it’s definitely well worth the read.

[Char · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madeline is an art teacher teaching at her old high school when there is a fire in the chemistry lab. On the fire crew is Adam someone who also went to school with Madeline. They see each other and begin a conversation. A conversation that leads to a dinner date, and a series of more get togethers. They each confess to having a crush on each other back in high school. Really? Can something they felt years ago reignite and turn into something more? This is a feel good, heartwarming story with likable characters that you want to have it all. I think you will enjoy it!

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

[Sassy Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful story by Kate Hunt. I love this latest series by her. I can't wait to read the next book by her.

Alex and Madeline knew each other in high school before life took them in different directions. They both had crushes on each other but were too scared to do anything then. She sees him again when there is a fire at her school. Alex is amazed at how good she looks and his crush was still but this time he is not going to let her slip through his fingers. Will they discover their happy ever after together?

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

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Torch, book 4 Lighting the Alpha's Fire by Kate Hunt. The chemistry between Madeline and Alex was off the charts hot and undeniable. Madeline had a crush on Alex when they were in school but where she was the good girl, he was the bad boy. Madeline is surprised when a fire breaks out at the school where she is an art teacher (the same school she attended with Alex) and Alex shows up at the scene as a firefighter. When they realize their mutual crushes are still very much alive, Madeline agrees to a coffee date. But will Alex's past and Madeline's grief over her dad's death be too much to overcome?

[Raecharmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madeline and Alex went to school together when they were younger. However they were different as night and day. Alex was a bad boy always in trouble whereas she was a smart nerdy girl. Now years later they meet again when a fire at school happens. Alex is one of the firemen that comes in to work it. Sparks fly between him and Madeline. Will Alex finally make his move on the girl he always wanted?

This is an amazing story that will captivate you from beginning to end. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover.

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

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I volunteered to read this ARC for an honest review. I enjoyed this quick story about Alex and Madeline. They are in class together, he's the bad boy and she's an art nerd. Fast forward a few years and she's teaching art at the same school. Alex went thru a rough patch and found himself as a firefighter. When they run into each other at a fire in the chem room. They agree to go out. No but after a confession of crushes in HS, it's a HEA.

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

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet quick read about a curvy teacher, Madeline and a hot fireman, Alex. Madeline and Alex went to high school together. She was the nerdy, smart girl and he was the rebel. They see each other again, ten years later, when his fire station turns out for a fire at their high school, where she is an art teacher. This was such a sweet love story that has a good lesson about taking chances. I would definitely recommend it, as I would many books by Ms. Hunt.

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

[Carolina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex, firefighter, reconnects with Madeline, teacher, years later after both attending the same high school. Alex was the bad boy and Madeline was the good girl. Well, there's a reason they call Alex "Torch" and this book is quick and easy to read. You'll have to read the book to find out why he has his nickname and what happens to this perfect couple years later.

Another quick feel good read from Ms. Hunt!!

I received an ARC from Booksprout and am leaving an honest review!

[Anita Fuhrmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great little book in this series! Who could have a problem with a second chance at love? Especially when it involves two such likable characters as Madeline and Alex! This was a really nice feel-good romance with a little bit of drama tossed in just to raise the meter a notch. I love this series of short reads!!

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

[KL Cassanello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madeline is an art teacher. The high school is evacuated when the chem lab catches on fire, and two of her students have the hots for one of the firefighters - Alex. Her high school crush. She quickly learns that he had a big crush on her, too. He was the bad boy in school, but he's obviously reformed his ways. This is short and spice - part sweet conversation and part steamy sex - and a great quick read.

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

[Vivian Chrisman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Torch

Bad boy and the art nerd....Firefighter and the teacher....
Which one describes Alex and Madeline? Both. One is the past. One is now. Is there a chance that they can be both in the future? This is the fourth story in the "Lighting the Alpha's Fire" series. If you haven't started this series, I suggest that you start one-clicking now.

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

[casvec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Torch is the last book in the Lighting the Alpha's Fire series and it does not disappoint.

Alex and Madeline bump into each other by chance at a fire at school. Taking a risk Alex ask Madeline out. They talked about the past only to realize missed their chance so many years ago.

I love this story it reminds us that anything is possible if we just take a chance.

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

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story and characters were cute but I like some steam in my romance. There was one sex scene in the whole book in said scene the h sucks and swallows and then they go straight to sex. No foreplay and in fact she somehow has a magical orgasm even though he never does any of the orgasm inducing activities women love. Seriously, if you’re going to dream up some swoon worthy sex (and you’re a woman) this is not it. It left me less than satisfied. Ugh.

[Ashleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved Alex (Torch) and Madeline book, it's not the first one I've read from this series but I can't say which is my favorite anymore...
Mix of the sweet mushy kinda romance and bit sexy kind... I definitely don't think you'll be disappointed 😍😍 I just wish had been a bit longer, but the book length didn't take anything away from the book!

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

[Shifty Bugger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book it was great, the story was well written and the characters are interesting. Love reading the Alex and Madeline story, passion, pain and to celebrate new is worth everything, it is worth living, loving and moving forward. For a very short story it was quite emotional but with good feelings at the end.

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

[adina willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast paced, hot,read. Torch gets his story. Torch falls in love with the girl, Madeline, he had a crush on when he was younger. Madeline is now an art teacher at the high school they went to. They spot each other at the chemistry lab fire. Sparks between them fly imediately.

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

[Ann Gibbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Torch and Madeline sort of knew and liked each other in high school, although neither knew it. He was a bad boy and she was the nice, sort of nerdy, good girl. Years later and the chemistry is definitely there! Their relationship is fast but perfect with a bit of drama. Another great addition to the series.

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

[Amanda Marlowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Madeline had a crush on Alex at high school, she was the nerdy, straight A's student, he wasn't! What she didn't know is that he had a crush on her too.
I particularly liked the epilogues.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

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

Another great read from Kate

[Andrea LeCras · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both Madeline and Alex had secret crushes on each other in high school, but never acted on it. Some years later, they meet again. This was a great story. Loved the characters, their chemistry, and connections. The epilogues were great.

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