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Love in O'Leary #4
The Fire
Jamie
Parker Hoffstraeder is gorgeous, cocky, and totally irrational. He also broke my heart when he left town eleven years, four months, and twenty-eight days ago.
Not that I’m counting.
I don’t mind admitting it: I was young. I got burned. I learned my lesson.
But the guy swaggers back into O’Leary like he owns the damn place and suddenly I’m expected to welcome him to my town — to my life — like nothing’s changed?
Yeah, that I mind.
It’s only a matter of time until he’s gone again. And there’s no way I’ll give him a chance to take another piece of me when he goes.
Parker
Jameson Burke is the most arrogant, infuriating human on the planet. He’s also taller, broader, and impossibly hotter than he was before I left town.
But, whatever. It’s fine. I can handle it.
Coming back to O’Leary was supposed to be like coming home. I hadn’t realized that there’s no statute of limitations on how long your first love and former best friend is allowed to hate your guts, or how much bad luck can befall a person in a short time.
But, I can handle that, too… or at least pretend to.
When Jamie and I are thrown together in a blizzard, though, everything changes in the space of one single, scorching night. Suddenly, I’m dreaming of a future I can’t have, and he’s stuck in a past he can’t let go. It feels like we’re playing with fire...
And this time I’m the one who’s gonna burn.
Parker Hoffstraeder is gorgeous, cocky, and totally irrational. He also broke my heart when he left town eleven years, four months, and twenty-eight days ago.
Not that I’m counting.
I don’t mind admitting it: I was young. I got burned. I learned my lesson.
But the guy swaggers back into O’Leary like he owns the damn place and suddenly I’m expected to welcome him to my town — to my life — like nothing’s changed?
Yeah, that I mind.
It’s only a matter of time until he’s gone again. And there’s no way I’ll give him a chance to take another piece of me when he goes.
Parker
Jameson Burke is the most arrogant, infuriating human on the planet. He’s also taller, broader, and impossibly hotter than he was before I left town.
But, whatever. It’s fine. I can handle it.
Coming back to O’Leary was supposed to be like coming home. I hadn’t realized that there’s no statute of limitations on how long your first love and former best friend is allowed to hate your guts, or how much bad luck can befall a person in a short time.
But, I can handle that, too… or at least pretend to.
When Jamie and I are thrown together in a blizzard, though, everything changes in the space of one single, scorching night. Suddenly, I’m dreaming of a future I can’t have, and he’s stuck in a past he can’t let go. It feels like we’re playing with fire...
And this time I’m the one who’s gonna burn.
334 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 19, 2019
464 people are currently reading
696 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 268 reviews
July 28, 2019
DNF at 68%. I just can't take anymore, and this is definitely getting a rating since I made it so far. This book is one BIG MISUNDERSTANDING with zero actual maturity and communication. And, of course, when someone hurt me dearly in the past, never explained why, and continues to hurt me over the past year for no reason, I should absolutely jump into bed with him repeatedly. FFS.
I'm out. I only made it this far by skimming to see why Jackhole hurt Doormat years ago, but I just don't care enough.
I'm out. I only made it this far by skimming to see why Jackhole hurt Doormat years ago, but I just don't care enough.
August 3, 2019
This book started out strong, but petered out as the misunderstandings and childish arguments piled on. I like banter, but Parker and Jamie didn't sound like two men pushing 30. They were sooo petty. OMG
And don't get me started on that ridiculous scene with Brian and Parker ganging up on Jamie. I mean, yes, Brian was desperate and pushy, but I felt bad for him. Jamie was a wanker to Brian AND Parker.
Dude, you told Parker to leave, so he left. Was he supposed to grovel?
Also, Parker's mother needed to be cut off pronto.
Now that I've gotten my grievances out of the way, I'll tell you what worked: the snowstorm setting, Parker's plants, the tenderness once the guys get back together, and the epilogue.
The town really came through, and that made my heart happy.
And don't get me started on that ridiculous scene with Brian and Parker ganging up on Jamie. I mean, yes, Brian was desperate and pushy, but I felt bad for him. Jamie was a wanker to Brian AND Parker.
Dude, you told Parker to leave, so he left. Was he supposed to grovel?
Also, Parker's mother needed to be cut off pronto.
Now that I've gotten my grievances out of the way, I'll tell you what worked: the snowstorm setting, Parker's plants, the tenderness once the guys get back together, and the epilogue.
The town really came through, and that made my heart happy.
July 31, 2019
2.5 stars
I liked the writing, the tension, the sexy times and the second chance trope. The rest? I believe it was the most manufactured and fake angst ever. There was no reason for Jamie to push Parker away all these years ago and then get mad at him for leaving (no I don't buy that he was an asshole because he wanted him to go after his dreams). There was no reason for Jamie to be an even bigger asshole when Parker returned home because Parker left all these years ago. Because Jamie had pushed him away (LOL). And finally, there was no reason for them to not talk about any of this until the end!!!
I'm rounding down for that horrible, supposedly funny (?), scene where Brian (Jamie's ex) tag teams with Parker to remind Jamie of all his shortcoming and failures as a boyfriend, putting him in the most impossible position.
I also felt that there was a huge chunk of the story I should have known but was off page. For example, Molly's death. I haven't read all books in the series so maybe I'm missing something but Jamie was Molly's brother and he's the MC in this story. There should be more about her death and Jamie's background.
Overall, I liked important things about this book but the bones of the story were too weak.
I liked the writing, the tension, the sexy times and the second chance trope. The rest? I believe it was the most manufactured and fake angst ever. There was no reason for Jamie to push Parker away all these years ago and then get mad at him for leaving (no I don't buy that he was an asshole because he wanted him to go after his dreams). There was no reason for Jamie to be an even bigger asshole when Parker returned home because Parker left all these years ago. Because Jamie had pushed him away (LOL). And finally, there was no reason for them to not talk about any of this until the end!!!
I'm rounding down for that horrible, supposedly funny (?), scene where Brian (Jamie's ex) tag teams with Parker to remind Jamie of all his shortcoming and failures as a boyfriend, putting him in the most impossible position.
I also felt that there was a huge chunk of the story I should have known but was off page. For example, Molly's death. I haven't read all books in the series so maybe I'm missing something but Jamie was Molly's brother and he's the MC in this story. There should be more about her death and Jamie's background.
Overall, I liked important things about this book but the bones of the story were too weak.
May 17, 2021
Like pretty much every book in this series, The Fire was wayyyyy too long. I liked both MC's, I thought their chemistry was great and I'm glad they finally sorted their shit. And though I get why Jamie did what he did, back in the day...I mean, I don't agree with it, but they were both young and and Jamie was busy feeling sorry for himself, I suppose.
What I don't get, though, is why all the anger directed at Parker when he came back, more than a decade later. I do my best to try to put myself in a character's shoes to try to understand where they're coming from, but for the life of me, I just don't get it. And I know the actual anger was really at himself, but really dude? Come on.
Also, so much of the manufactured drama in this book could easily have been avoided if they would have just had a goddamn conversation. Just lay it all out there and go from there. Parker ignored his own advice and Jamie took avoidance to Olympic level proportions. The scene with Parker and Brian was especially unnecessary.
I'm going to go with 3 stars, on this one. Didn't love it; didn't hate it.
What I don't get, though, is why all the anger directed at Parker when he came back, more than a decade later. I do my best to try to put myself in a character's shoes to try to understand where they're coming from, but for the life of me, I just don't get it. And I know the actual anger was really at himself, but really dude? Come on.
Also, so much of the manufactured drama in this book could easily have been avoided if they would have just had a goddamn conversation. Just lay it all out there and go from there. Parker ignored his own advice and Jamie took avoidance to Olympic level proportions. The scene with Parker and Brian was especially unnecessary.
I'm going to go with 3 stars, on this one. Didn't love it; didn't hate it.
July 22, 2019
I absolutely adored this.
I have been waiting for Jamie and Parker's book for awhile now, and we finally got it and it was amazing, everything I could have wished for.
We had a love/hate thing going on in the beginning, which just added to the heat, especially when they were fighting and both just wanted to grab the other and kiss each other, and their beginning was really sweet and cute. A nice juxtaposition of the sweet and the sour, the love and the hate - that is really just love underneath it all, but hurt feelings and broken hearts can cause people to harden in ways they hadn't been before.
Jamie and Parker met when Parker was 13 and in the 7th grade and Jamie was 14/15 and a freshmen, when Parker was defending Molly, Jamie's sister, from bullies and then Jamie stepped in when they started to fight (and hurt) Parker, who was a scrawny kid.
So they got together like a year before Parker left for college, and because they're dumb boys who don't know how to communicate, they both fucked up and didn't see each other for ten years, and they've barely talked, if at all, for the past year that Parker has been back in O'Leary because of Jamie's stubborn pride and unfair hatred toward Parker.
But when Parker, who we'll remember had his bar burn down a few books ago, is so down on his luck that he doesn't even have a place to stay, he decided to take it as a sign he should leave O'Leary and go be with his parents in Arizona, but it is right in the middle of a big snow storm and his tiny car can't make it in it.
But Jamie comes along after breaking up with Brian and taking him home in his truck, and they get into a fight (which was super fun to read, their interactions are just so electric) and long story short, Parker ends up staying at Jamie's place - presumably to wait out the snowstorm, but of course it ends up being longer than that.
They can't resist each other for long, of course ;) but Jamie is still keeping his distance because he's scared, but things eventually come to a head and we get our wonderful HEA, which was sweet and adorable.
I just loved these two together, they had great chemistry, a great story, and an amazing romance. Two MASSIVE thumbs up from me. Loved this! Highly recommend ;)
I have been waiting for Jamie and Parker's book for awhile now, and we finally got it and it was amazing, everything I could have wished for.
We had a love/hate thing going on in the beginning, which just added to the heat, especially when they were fighting and both just wanted to grab the other and kiss each other, and their beginning was really sweet and cute. A nice juxtaposition of the sweet and the sour, the love and the hate - that is really just love underneath it all, but hurt feelings and broken hearts can cause people to harden in ways they hadn't been before.
Jamie and Parker met when Parker was 13 and in the 7th grade and Jamie was 14/15 and a freshmen, when Parker was defending Molly, Jamie's sister, from bullies and then Jamie stepped in when they started to fight (and hurt) Parker, who was a scrawny kid.
So they got together like a year before Parker left for college, and because they're dumb boys who don't know how to communicate, they both fucked up and didn't see each other for ten years, and they've barely talked, if at all, for the past year that Parker has been back in O'Leary because of Jamie's stubborn pride and unfair hatred toward Parker.
But when Parker, who we'll remember had his bar burn down a few books ago, is so down on his luck that he doesn't even have a place to stay, he decided to take it as a sign he should leave O'Leary and go be with his parents in Arizona, but it is right in the middle of a big snow storm and his tiny car can't make it in it.
But Jamie comes along after breaking up with Brian and taking him home in his truck, and they get into a fight (which was super fun to read, their interactions are just so electric) and long story short, Parker ends up staying at Jamie's place - presumably to wait out the snowstorm, but of course it ends up being longer than that.
They can't resist each other for long, of course ;) but Jamie is still keeping his distance because he's scared, but things eventually come to a head and we get our wonderful HEA, which was sweet and adorable.
I just loved these two together, they had great chemistry, a great story, and an amazing romance. Two MASSIVE thumbs up from me. Loved this! Highly recommend ;)
July 24, 2019
3.5 stars
I quite enjoyed this story, although there were some things that usually annoy me: miscommunication, assumptions, stubborn characters, drama, silly parents, interventions from friends, telling someone how you feel about them in front of an audience.
Despite all of the above, this was a very light, fun and sweet story. I liked both main characters, especially Parker. He is adorable. My favourite part of the story was the time they spent together during a snow storm. Loved the banter and the chemistry between them.
I quite enjoyed this story, although there were some things that usually annoy me: miscommunication, assumptions, stubborn characters, drama, silly parents, interventions from friends, telling someone how you feel about them in front of an audience.
Despite all of the above, this was a very light, fun and sweet story. I liked both main characters, especially Parker. He is adorable. My favourite part of the story was the time they spent together during a snow storm. Loved the banter and the chemistry between them.
January 24, 2023
Absolutely loved everything about this book.
One of my favourite tropes is a good second chances romance and May delivered one which hit all the right notes without too much introspection.
Both Jameson and Parker had screwed up so it was an equal opportunity chance for the pair of them and it sparked sexual tension from the off.
There wasn't a single bit of this one I didn't love.
One of my favourite tropes is a good second chances romance and May delivered one which hit all the right notes without too much introspection.
Both Jameson and Parker had screwed up so it was an equal opportunity chance for the pair of them and it sparked sexual tension from the off.
There wasn't a single bit of this one I didn't love.
August 18, 2022
Good, but not quite as good as book 3.
This book is about Jamie and Parker. It’s pretty clear in the previous books that there’s some history between the two of them. Parker returned to O’Leary and had a bar for a few months until burned down in book 2, and now he’s living in O’Leary’s only “hotel”, waiting for the insurance to cover his loss. When he gets kicked out because the hotel is overbooked, he decides to return to Arizona, too his overbearing parents. Only the weather gods decide to keep him there, and he crashes his car in a snow storm and is rescued by none other than Jamie, who - so far - avoided him like the plague, because he’s still presenting him for leaving all these years ago.
So we have all the ingredients we need for a romance - second chance, friends to lovers, hurt/comfort and forced proximity (due to the snow storm Parker can’t leave after all and stays in Jamie’s house).
It works well, and I liked their banter and meeting all the other O’Learyans (is that even a word?) again. It’s… nice, but not overwhelmingly good. A feel-good book that leaves you with a smile, that’s why I’ll round the 3.5 stars up to 4.
I tried the audiobook, too, but the narrator made the characters sound differently than I pictured them in my head, so I stopped listening and went back to reading.
This book is about Jamie and Parker. It’s pretty clear in the previous books that there’s some history between the two of them. Parker returned to O’Leary and had a bar for a few months until burned down in book 2, and now he’s living in O’Leary’s only “hotel”, waiting for the insurance to cover his loss. When he gets kicked out because the hotel is overbooked, he decides to return to Arizona, too his overbearing parents. Only the weather gods decide to keep him there, and he crashes his car in a snow storm and is rescued by none other than Jamie, who - so far - avoided him like the plague, because he’s still presenting him for leaving all these years ago.
So we have all the ingredients we need for a romance - second chance, friends to lovers, hurt/comfort and forced proximity (due to the snow storm Parker can’t leave after all and stays in Jamie’s house).
It works well, and I liked their banter and meeting all the other O’Learyans (is that even a word?) again. It’s… nice, but not overwhelmingly good. A feel-good book that leaves you with a smile, that’s why I’ll round the 3.5 stars up to 4.
I tried the audiobook, too, but the narrator made the characters sound differently than I pictured them in my head, so I stopped listening and went back to reading.
December 4, 2019
3.75 Stars!
February 1, 2023
Parker and Jameson’s second chance best friends to enemies to lovers forced proximity is a "swoony" story. What better place to reunite than this little town of O'Leary, New York. It sounds as if it would just be the perfect place to live. Yes, it's quirky, nosy and small, but the people that live there love one another, are always there and willing to help, and it's always fun. Parker and Jamie's story is filled with a variety of emotion that the reader will experience along with them. There's love, drama, silliness, pain, regret and redemption, but eventually loads of happiness. Parker and Jameson have flaws but are really trying to just do their best as fallible humans. They were best friends as teenagers who fell in love and then broke up when Parker went off to college and never came back. After a decade Parker does return to O'Leary and opens a bar. Jameson works as a cook in the diner and has spent the last year trying his best to really hate Parker. This book begins right after Parker’s bar burns down in book 3, There is a delay in the insurance payout, and he has nowhere to stay, so he decides to leave town, perhaps for good. Fate steps in the guise of a blizzard that forces Parker and Jameson to deal with their past and finally restart their journey...together. There is a little bit of everything here...sweetness, sexiness, hilarity, healing, redemption, and so very much love. May Archer makes the reader feel all these things. I have read al this series and have one more...which is sad, but I will reread. I wish place like O’Leary really existed somewhere in this world.
June 22, 2021
What awesome loving story that I couldn’t put down from the first page.Two hard headed men who finally admit they love each other.And the sexy parts were Wow.
March 8, 2023
Parker esta en un momento de su vida que no tiene nada, perdio a su mejor amigo hace 11 anos cuando se fue a estudiar a Boston, perdio su sueno de abrir un restaurant cuando el suyo se quemo, perdio el apartamento en el que vivia, pero sobre todo, perdio el animo de seguir luchando. Pero justo cuando decide abandonar todo lo que tenia en O'Leary e ir a casa de sus padres, tambien pierde su auto en una tormenta de nieve. Pero quizas las cosas pasan por una razon, quizas pueda comenzar a creer que su suerte esta cambiando, porque la persona que lo rescata es nada mas que Jamie, su ex-mejor amigo y el unico hombre que ha amado en su vida. Si solo pudiera convencerlo de que les diera una oportunidad a la relacion, que por una vez le pidiera que se quedara y no lo dejara partir. Seria mucho que desear?
Queria saber mucho de esta pareja, de su pasado, de porque Jamie estaba tan molesto con Parker, pero apenas el autor nos mostro un poquito de su pasado, y lo inseguro que son ambos personajes. No senti, en ningun momento, que alguno de ellos haya madurado, no senti que la relacion de ellos realmente era tan profunda. No entendi, la actitud de Jamie cuando se emborrachaba en el bar, como tampoco entendi el cambio de personalidad que tuvieron estos dos. Desde los primeros libros de la serie, Parker era el que tenia la confianza, la madurez de hablar, la vision de negocios, el que era un excelente cocinero, y Jamie era el chico callado, sencillo que no queria entrar en problemas. Y de golpe en este libro, les volteraron las personalidades, que desperdicio!.
Tampoco me gusto el hecho de que nos tuvieran todo el libro pensando que el incendio fue premeditado, y que nos hicieran pensar que Brian esta "obsesionado" con Jamie, para al final ninguna de las dos cosas era cierta.
En fin, el libro entretiene, porque nos muestra un poco mas de O'Leary y su gente, pero me parecio muy sencillo y no llego a emocioname ni la mitad de los anteriores, veamos si con el proximo puedo emocionarme mas de lo que nos trae el pueblo de O'Leary.
Queria saber mucho de esta pareja, de su pasado, de porque Jamie estaba tan molesto con Parker, pero apenas el autor nos mostro un poquito de su pasado, y lo inseguro que son ambos personajes. No senti, en ningun momento, que alguno de ellos haya madurado, no senti que la relacion de ellos realmente era tan profunda. No entendi, la actitud de Jamie cuando se emborrachaba en el bar, como tampoco entendi el cambio de personalidad que tuvieron estos dos. Desde los primeros libros de la serie, Parker era el que tenia la confianza, la madurez de hablar, la vision de negocios, el que era un excelente cocinero, y Jamie era el chico callado, sencillo que no queria entrar en problemas. Y de golpe en este libro, les volteraron las personalidades, que desperdicio!.
Tampoco me gusto el hecho de que nos tuvieran todo el libro pensando que el incendio fue premeditado, y que nos hicieran pensar que Brian esta "obsesionado" con Jamie, para al final ninguna de las dos cosas era cierta.
En fin, el libro entretiene, porque nos muestra un poco mas de O'Leary y su gente, pero me parecio muy sencillo y no llego a emocioname ni la mitad de los anteriores, veamos si con el proximo puedo emocionarme mas de lo que nos trae el pueblo de O'Leary.
October 17, 2023
I can guarantee that if this story has been written by just about anyone else I would have walked away. The only thing that kept me reading was how much I love May Archer’s writing, and the sure knowledge that in the end everything would work out and Jamie and Parker would get their HEA. I wanted to just grab these two by the arm and make them sit down and have an honest conversation. Miscommunication often happens in romance novels but these two were the epitome of stubborn silence. If you can get past that it’s a great story. And after all,it takes place in O’Leary.
October 27, 2019
Sometimes all you need is a second chance, because time wasn't ready for the first one.
Overall: 4 stars
Performance : 5 stars
Story: 3.5 stars
Reviewed: 10-23-19
The Fire is a true enemies to lovers , slow burn , MM , second chance romance.
You get snarky banter, hilarious , laughing out loud dialogue, two gorgeous and likeable main characters , blistering amounts of UST (Unresolved Sexual Tension) and enough hot AF sexy times, that I suggest having a fire extinguisher nearby 😏😜😍 just in case your knickers or/and Kindle catches on fire. Because HFS , this audiobook is HOT.
The only things, I wish we had more is better communication -as in adult conversations- and less misunderstanding between the heroes. Besides those two things this is a fun Rom-Com.
Michael Pauley is a class on his own. His narration was phenomenal!
I read other books from the Love in O'Leary series , and since the 1st one , a novella called The Date , I fell head over heels in love with the town of O'Leary , all the busy bodies , lovable inhabitants and May Archer's writing style and stories.
The Fire , my first audiobook by May Archer , all others were ebooks, was entertaining an experience.
I received an🎧 ALC through LesCourt🎧 for my unbiased review.
November 10, 2019
Where do I begin with this book? 🤔 I have so many mixed feelings about this one. On one hand, I liked it .. on the other hand, it frustrates me to no end. Let’s start with a synopsis. 😁
Parker and Jaime were childhood sweethearts. They loved each other madly and deeply. However, they broke up when Jamie pushed Parker away so that he’d have a chance at better life in a big city. Seven years later, the wayward lover has returned. But Jamie seems to have moved on with a new boyfriend and Parker’s bar literally got burned down. Without hope and nothing else to anchor him in O’Leary, Parker decides to leave the small town for good this time. Until he got stranded in the middle of nowhere in a snowstorm and Jaime was the one who rescued him. Will these two stubborn lovers be able to reconcile once and for all?
It was truly gripping and enthralling in the beginning. I loved Parker’s snark and Jaime’s stubborn and wry humor. ❤️ And I liked how things gradually start to develop between them again. However, I got a bit tired and frustrated if the constant push and pull and unending misunderstandings. 🤦♀️ How hard it is to just talk? 🤷♀️ Seriously, the misunderstanding continues until the very last page just before the happily ever after. I just wish I saw more of the romance and affection between the two of them. The saving grace is the snark and humor and the lovely narration of Michel Pauley. He did a good job with this one. 👏 I really enjoyed listening this book. 🥰 I think if you like second chance romances and like a lot of conflicts with your romance, this is a good listen. ☺️
3.75 love always finds its way home stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟
Audio rating
Story - 3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Narration - 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Performance - 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall - 3.75 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟
Disclaimer: An audio copy of this book was provided by the author via LesCourt services for an honest and unbiased review.
Parker and Jaime were childhood sweethearts. They loved each other madly and deeply. However, they broke up when Jamie pushed Parker away so that he’d have a chance at better life in a big city. Seven years later, the wayward lover has returned. But Jamie seems to have moved on with a new boyfriend and Parker’s bar literally got burned down. Without hope and nothing else to anchor him in O’Leary, Parker decides to leave the small town for good this time. Until he got stranded in the middle of nowhere in a snowstorm and Jaime was the one who rescued him. Will these two stubborn lovers be able to reconcile once and for all?
It was truly gripping and enthralling in the beginning. I loved Parker’s snark and Jaime’s stubborn and wry humor. ❤️ And I liked how things gradually start to develop between them again. However, I got a bit tired and frustrated if the constant push and pull and unending misunderstandings. 🤦♀️ How hard it is to just talk? 🤷♀️ Seriously, the misunderstanding continues until the very last page just before the happily ever after. I just wish I saw more of the romance and affection between the two of them. The saving grace is the snark and humor and the lovely narration of Michel Pauley. He did a good job with this one. 👏 I really enjoyed listening this book. 🥰 I think if you like second chance romances and like a lot of conflicts with your romance, this is a good listen. ☺️
3.75 love always finds its way home stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟
Audio rating
Story - 3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Narration - 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Performance - 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall - 3.75 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟
Disclaimer: An audio copy of this book was provided by the author via LesCourt services for an honest and unbiased review.
May 20, 2020
4✨
Say it with me everyone: SECOND. CHANCE. ROMANCE.
The wax I'm melting right now is actually called Second Chance Romance, so it seems fitting that Parker and Jamie's story landed in my lap right now. And god have I been WAITING for this one. They pop up in a bunch of the other books, but it doesn't really get explained what happened between them and why Jamie is so mad at Parker.
Turns out, they're both thick-headed idiots.
But thanks to a bar fire, a blizzard, and forced proximity, Jamie and Parker are able to kiss and make up. And then Brian has to shove his face in the middle. Only joking. I hated Brian in the beginning. I mean, who breaks into someone's house and wanders around their kitchen naked when you haven't been given permission or a key? Brian does, apparently. And he annoyed me when I found out he and Jamie were dating. But that lasted all of five seconds, so I got over Brian pretty quick.
And Parker, who is so good at giving people advice, is shit at taking it. Caelan and Ash are saints. But also troublemakers but I mean, who can stay mad at those cute faces?!
And no spoilers, but I legit cried at the end. I had tears streaming down my cheeks at the flower pot thing at the Lilac Day market. If you know, you know.
God bless Angela Ross and O'Leary!
Say it with me everyone: SECOND. CHANCE. ROMANCE.
The wax I'm melting right now is actually called Second Chance Romance, so it seems fitting that Parker and Jamie's story landed in my lap right now. And god have I been WAITING for this one. They pop up in a bunch of the other books, but it doesn't really get explained what happened between them and why Jamie is so mad at Parker.
Turns out, they're both thick-headed idiots.
But thanks to a bar fire, a blizzard, and forced proximity, Jamie and Parker are able to kiss and make up. And then Brian has to shove his face in the middle. Only joking. I hated Brian in the beginning. I mean, who breaks into someone's house and wanders around their kitchen naked when you haven't been given permission or a key? Brian does, apparently. And he annoyed me when I found out he and Jamie were dating. But that lasted all of five seconds, so I got over Brian pretty quick.
And Parker, who is so good at giving people advice, is shit at taking it. Caelan and Ash are saints. But also troublemakers but I mean, who can stay mad at those cute faces?!
And no spoilers, but I legit cried at the end. I had tears streaming down my cheeks at the flower pot thing at the Lilac Day market. If you know, you know.
God bless Angela Ross and O'Leary!
July 17, 2019
I liked the banter and the forced proximity, but man, I hate MCs who fail to communicate and instead make assumptions or postpone conversation because they seem inconvenient..
November 25, 2020
[I received a digital arc for an honest review]
"The past was the fire that forged you, that strengthened and weakened you, that molded and shaped you."
If you haven't read May Archer's Love in O'Leary series, I am not sure what you're waiting for because your missing out. The Fire is the 4th book in the series and it feels like us fans have been waiting for Parker and Jamie's story forever! It had all the emotions and intensity that I expected it to have and I couldn't be more happy about their story.
"Jamie and I were like sodium and water - two perfectly ordinary, stable beings on our own that exploded into brilliant fire when we were together."
Jamie and Parker were best friends and so much more when they were younger. After Jamie breaks Parker's heart, and he leaves the small town and returns a decade later. Parker has hope that they can somehow manage to be friends again but all Jamie has for him is anger and hate over him leaving all those years ago, even though he was the one who pushed him away to begin with. After a fire destroys Parker's business, he has no place to live, and has made no progress in mending things with Jamie, he decides to time to say goodbye to O'Leary for once and for all. On his way out of town he gets stuck in a blizzard and is rescued by Jamie. Forced into each others company they realize feelings they thought were gone are as strong as ever. They are given a second chance but it won't succeed if they don't learn to communicate with each other and be honest with their hopes and fears.
"He made me insane, and he made me angry, but Jesus God, no one had ever, ever made me feel like I was flying outside my body the way Jamie did."
Jamie and Parker's relationship suffered from assumptions, making decisions for the other, and overall bad communication. They didn't lack any compatibility in the bedroom. They definitely loved to push each others buttons and it increased the sexual tension between them. They were passionate and playful, always making things fun in someway. When Jamie and Parker finally start opening up and confronting what went wrong in the past, it was emotional and heartbreaking. Yet even when they acknowledge the past they still struggled when it came to their future.
"Every joke, every fight, every second I f*cking breathed around him increased the chances that I was gonna want him."
May Archer has delivered an emotional story about two people who love each other but took the long way of getting to their happy. The Fire is a second chance romance that will both hurt your heart and put a smile on your face.
"Sometimes you needed a fire to burn away what was to make room for whatever would come next."
"The past was the fire that forged you, that strengthened and weakened you, that molded and shaped you."
If you haven't read May Archer's Love in O'Leary series, I am not sure what you're waiting for because your missing out. The Fire is the 4th book in the series and it feels like us fans have been waiting for Parker and Jamie's story forever! It had all the emotions and intensity that I expected it to have and I couldn't be more happy about their story.
"Jamie and I were like sodium and water - two perfectly ordinary, stable beings on our own that exploded into brilliant fire when we were together."
Jamie and Parker were best friends and so much more when they were younger. After Jamie breaks Parker's heart, and he leaves the small town and returns a decade later. Parker has hope that they can somehow manage to be friends again but all Jamie has for him is anger and hate over him leaving all those years ago, even though he was the one who pushed him away to begin with. After a fire destroys Parker's business, he has no place to live, and has made no progress in mending things with Jamie, he decides to time to say goodbye to O'Leary for once and for all. On his way out of town he gets stuck in a blizzard and is rescued by Jamie. Forced into each others company they realize feelings they thought were gone are as strong as ever. They are given a second chance but it won't succeed if they don't learn to communicate with each other and be honest with their hopes and fears.
"He made me insane, and he made me angry, but Jesus God, no one had ever, ever made me feel like I was flying outside my body the way Jamie did."
Jamie and Parker's relationship suffered from assumptions, making decisions for the other, and overall bad communication. They didn't lack any compatibility in the bedroom. They definitely loved to push each others buttons and it increased the sexual tension between them. They were passionate and playful, always making things fun in someway. When Jamie and Parker finally start opening up and confronting what went wrong in the past, it was emotional and heartbreaking. Yet even when they acknowledge the past they still struggled when it came to their future.
"Every joke, every fight, every second I f*cking breathed around him increased the chances that I was gonna want him."
May Archer has delivered an emotional story about two people who love each other but took the long way of getting to their happy. The Fire is a second chance romance that will both hurt your heart and put a smile on your face.
"Sometimes you needed a fire to burn away what was to make room for whatever would come next."
January 18, 2020
Me last night to myself: “Ok you’re going to go to bed at a decent hour so you can get up early and get things done.”
Me to myself this morning: “Well you had a minor setback reading, ‘The Fire,’ until 2:30 am but you managed to get up kind of early so hop to it.”
Me to myself two hours later: “So things didn’t go as planned and you ‘accidentally’ read until you finished the book. Such is life.”
🤷🏻♀️😂
I suppose it’s safe to say that I’m completely invested in O’Leary now. 💜
I had wanted Jamie and Parker’s book at least as much as Constantine’s story. And I loved it just as much. Possibly a tiny bit more. It’s too close to call really. The thing is, all through the previous books, you see them fighting and dancing around each other. You see all the hurt and pining, longing and frustration. And you know there’s a history and obstacles and that it’s going to be painful but beautiful when you get to them. This was built up wonderfully as the series progressed.
And their book fully delivered. It had medium angst. The push and pull was addicting. The heat felt real. The flashbacks were both sweet and sad and squeezed my heart. While I think some better communication would have solved all of their problems in about one chapter, I didn’t care too much. Where’s the fun in that? 😉
Me to myself this morning: “Well you had a minor setback reading, ‘The Fire,’ until 2:30 am but you managed to get up kind of early so hop to it.”
Me to myself two hours later: “So things didn’t go as planned and you ‘accidentally’ read until you finished the book. Such is life.”
🤷🏻♀️😂
I suppose it’s safe to say that I’m completely invested in O’Leary now. 💜
I had wanted Jamie and Parker’s book at least as much as Constantine’s story. And I loved it just as much. Possibly a tiny bit more. It’s too close to call really. The thing is, all through the previous books, you see them fighting and dancing around each other. You see all the hurt and pining, longing and frustration. And you know there’s a history and obstacles and that it’s going to be painful but beautiful when you get to them. This was built up wonderfully as the series progressed.
And their book fully delivered. It had medium angst. The push and pull was addicting. The heat felt real. The flashbacks were both sweet and sad and squeezed my heart. While I think some better communication would have solved all of their problems in about one chapter, I didn’t care too much. Where’s the fun in that? 😉
June 1, 2020
I've recently gone on a May Archer binge-read and enjoyed most of the books thoroughly. This is the exception. Jamie is such an unmitigated jerk that I found it hard to want him for Parker. Parker deserved so much better than a bitter grudge-holding child of a man who HATES someone for 10 years because they went away to school. Jamie has had some genuine trauma in his life and I was sympathetic to what impact that would have had on him but he's an asshole and he doesn't smarten up fast enough. We meet Parker and Jamie in the other books in this series so I was hoping their story would provide more of a justification for Jamie's anger. There is none. Absolutely none. He's a jerk and he figures that out way too late. Parker could do better.
July 18, 2019
2.5 Stars. I could not relate to the reasons they were supposedly enemies after 10+ years, nor how living together for months never led to adult conversations. In fact, they barely acted like adults. The writing is fine but I had to force myself to keep reading since I didn’t like the plot or characters at all.
February 24, 2021
Jaime and Parker reunite !
The prologue shows us a childhood memory. Then we are in present day O’Leary, where Parker is at a hotel, after his bar has burned down. He’s being asked to leave, plus a snowstorm is beginning. He was going down to his folks place, but got waylaid by the conditions. He is rescued by none other than his teen love of 11 years ago, Jaime (on the cover).
Back then, Parker left for college, Jaime’s sister died, and Jaime was injured. They are about thirty, haven’t spoken.
Parker
ends up at Jaime’s home, talking and flaring up old emotions they thought were dead. Nope.
Being snowed in made for sexy times and a new outlook.
We can see how well they get along, the sassy banter, their competition and more.
We have a town full of nosey folks, the insurance man, and lots more, including fun times, too.
When things take a wrong turn, a realization saves the day.
A second chance romance.
Enjoy !
=====
The prologue shows us a childhood memory. Then we are in present day O’Leary, where Parker is at a hotel, after his bar has burned down. He’s being asked to leave, plus a snowstorm is beginning. He was going down to his folks place, but got waylaid by the conditions. He is rescued by none other than his teen love of 11 years ago, Jaime (on the cover).
Back then, Parker left for college, Jaime’s sister died, and Jaime was injured. They are about thirty, haven’t spoken.
Parker
ends up at Jaime’s home, talking and flaring up old emotions they thought were dead. Nope.
Being snowed in made for sexy times and a new outlook.
We can see how well they get along, the sassy banter, their competition and more.
We have a town full of nosey folks, the insurance man, and lots more, including fun times, too.
When things take a wrong turn, a realization saves the day.
A second chance romance.
Enjoy !
=====
July 23, 2019
I have been waiting for Parker and Jamie's story for feels like forever. It did not disappoint. My heart ached for them, especially Jamie. He didn't believe was worthy of anyone he wanted to want him back. Parker was braver in all things other than Jamie (but had good reason from past history). I was soooooo glad when they finally saw and heard each other.
July 25, 2019
3,5
The keywords of the MCs is communication. The guys drove me crazy with their lack of communication.
But I liked the story and the banters and I had met all the guys from previous books.
What's next?
The keywords of the MCs is communication. The guys drove me crazy with their lack of communication.
But I liked the story and the banters and I had met all the guys from previous books.
What's next?
August 24, 2024
I have read this series back to back after Sunday Brothers (which is a favorite) and here’s my review.
I liked it a bit, wasn’t the best reading experience which is surprising cause May Archer is a favorite of mine. I won’t be reading the ficlets cause I don’t care about the other characters, and as far as I’m concerned this is the final book.
Miscommunication and friends with benefits and insta love are on the top of the list of things I normally steer clear from, and I think that’s mostly why I Just started reading this series. I never read the synopsis since the first time last year and I forgot what the books are about!
So basically:
The Secret is the best book of the series, I highly recommend reading it ♥️🔥
I liked it a bit, wasn’t the best reading experience which is surprising cause May Archer is a favorite of mine. I won’t be reading the ficlets cause I don’t care about the other characters, and as far as I’m concerned this is the final book.
Miscommunication and friends with benefits and insta love are on the top of the list of things I normally steer clear from, and I think that’s mostly why I Just started reading this series. I never read the synopsis since the first time last year and I forgot what the books are about!
So basically:
1. It’s a magical year for everyone in town to fall in love at the same time and give you a headache trying to remember/figure out who is who.
2. All parents suck.
3. 90% of female characters suck.
4. Every character lost someone, which was a bit hard for me to continue reading, especially the first book!
5. All but one MC ever thought of monogamy.
6. Half the MCs act like teenagers, especially the ones over 35.
7. There’s some kind of Elephants reference in all the books, that I don’t understand.
The Secret is the best book of the series, I highly recommend reading it ♥️🔥
July 5, 2022
Hmmmmm.... znowu mam problem. Bo z jednej strony dobrze się czytało, ale z drugiej... podstawa tej książki, powód, dzięki któremu cała historia się wydarzyła, była miałka i gówniarska po prostu. Mało wiarygodna. W dodatku błąd popełniony w młodości został powtórzony po latach. A dwójka głównych bohaterów, która się przewija od początku serii, zachowuje się tak dziwnie. Zachowanie Jamiego przez całą serię wskazywało na jakieś dramatyczne przewinienie Parkera, tymczasem wyjaśnienie... Baaaardzo niesatysfakcjonujące, bardzo... Brak jakiejkolwiek komunikacji aż po prostu boli. Czasami miałam wrażenie, że zachowanie chłopaków jest odpowiednie dla wieku z prologu ok. 17 lat wcześniej, góra z czasów rozstania, gdy mieli 18-20 lat. A nie facetów dojrzalszych o ponad 11 lat. I powtórzę raz jeszcze - ten brak komunikacji - masakryczny... I zrozumienie swoich błędów, znowu w tym samym czasie, znowu z pomocą przyjaciół, to olśnienie spływające na naszych bohaterów...
Są fajne momenty, nawet drugi plan tak nie wkurza tym razem, choć się pojawia, ale to za mało. Bo naprawdę czekałam na ich historię i się rozczarowałam...
Są fajne momenty, nawet drugi plan tak nie wkurza tym razem, choć się pojawia, ale to za mało. Bo naprawdę czekałam na ich historię i się rozczarowałam...
July 24, 2019
2.5 rounded down
I'll be honest, this series hasn't worked great for me overall, and I didn't go into this story super excited. There had been SO much teasing about Jamie & Parker's story in all of the other books, to the point of it being super annoying and forced, that I was already a bit miffed starting this one. So, maybe that influence my feels, but basically this book was pretty much as annoying as I thought it would be.
Way too much miscommunication, they essentially make the exact same mistakes over and over, and, frankly, I just couldn't really get behind Jamie's viewpoint. Usually in miscommunication stories, both characters are at fault, but here I 100% felt like Jamie was in the wrong over and over again, and the fact that HE was the massive asshole to Parker when he came back just made zero sense and made me really unsympathetic to him at all. The reactions here just didn't entirely make sense to me, and I was frankly bored hallway through. Which isn't to say it was all bad, or there weren't some good moments, but overall, not my favorite.
I'll be honest, this series hasn't worked great for me overall, and I didn't go into this story super excited. There had been SO much teasing about Jamie & Parker's story in all of the other books, to the point of it being super annoying and forced, that I was already a bit miffed starting this one. So, maybe that influence my feels, but basically this book was pretty much as annoying as I thought it would be.
Way too much miscommunication, they essentially make the exact same mistakes over and over, and, frankly, I just couldn't really get behind Jamie's viewpoint. Usually in miscommunication stories, both characters are at fault, but here I 100% felt like Jamie was in the wrong over and over again, and the fact that HE was the massive asshole to Parker when he came back just made zero sense and made me really unsympathetic to him at all. The reactions here just didn't entirely make sense to me, and I was frankly bored hallway through. Which isn't to say it was all bad, or there weren't some good moments, but overall, not my favorite.
Read
November 3, 2020This book was building through the series and I was really looking forward to it, but it really just didn't work for me.
July 28, 2019
This series has been pretty fantastic for me! There's enough humor and angst to keep it interesting and although I might enjoy more sexy times, it doesn't detract from the romance. Jamie and Parker were funny and that goes a long way with me. The misunderstandings were from a lack of communication, of course, but they started to learn finally and that's what counts.
Can't wait for the next one!
Can't wait for the next one!
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