Fire Code

by Susan Oloier

He’s a separated fire captain. She’s the waitress who delivered a baby on his shift. Will a chance meeting between them flower into a May/December romance?

Thirty-eight-year-old Roman Albrecht has a prestigious job as the fire captain at Gulf Coast station 13. But while his career flourishes, his marriage remains in tatters. Despite marital counseling, he finds it hard to forgive his estranged wife. When he responds to a 9-1-1 call about a baby delivery in a local diner, he thinks it’s a typical day. But then he meets Gianna Moreland, and his heart receives a much-needed jump start. Impressed by the twenty-four-year-old’s ability to remain composed in a stressful situation, Roman’s interest is piqued. But when she makes him laugh, he becomes entirely smitten. But can this tough firefighter find the courage to finally end his marriage and rediscover love with a younger woman?

Gianna Moreland’s goal is to own her own pastry business, not work as a waitress in a diner. Then her usual work day is rocked when a woman at her station goes into labor. While she and her co-workers wait for the fire department to arrive, she’s forced to deliver the baby. That’s when she meets fire captain Roman Albrecht. He’s rugged and handsome and older—so much different than her boyfriend, Butler. So when Gianna runs into him near the beach in Fort Myers, she takes it as a sign. But when Gianna learns Roman’s married, her thoughts of newfound love are destroyed. Will her blossoming feelings for Roman be enough to hear the truth, forgive him, and open her heart to true love?

275 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 19, 2020

About the author

Susan Oloier is the author of My Life as a Misfit, Fractured, Superstitions, Outcast, Haunted, and the screenplay Simple Fugitives. She is co-author of the Horror Street Series. She has been a columnist and writer for both regional and national publications, including The Daily Beast. Susan currently lives with her husband and two sons. When she's not writing, she loves to read, rock climb, and ride her bike.

Reviews

[Jamie Bee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don’t Like Cheating, No Matter which Way It Goes

I have a couple of problems with this book. A minor one is that the author calls this in the description a May/December romance, but the heroes only 38. That's certainly not December in my book, even if he is 14 years older than the heroine. Perhaps call it a May/ September romance! But my bigger problem was I felt like this book had a basis in cheating. I don't like to see that in a romance. The hero is married at the start of the book, married for 19 years but separated for 5 months. I was disturbed right away in the first section told from his viewpoint where he stated something like “his wife, Luna, if you could call her that.” Um, yes, you could call her that. Separated is not divorced; they are indeed still married. What else should he call her but his wife? Yes, his wife is difficult, and they're estranged but in therapy... but, yes, they are married. So having him entertain thoughts about another woman just came across as icky to me. I couldn't really get beyond that creepy factor. By the way, the book is told in the third person present, which I think is a very awkward voice for a novel. I know that authors think that the present tense makes a story more immediate, but I think it makes the verbs stand out like sore thumbs instead of fading into the background, just imparting meaning but nothing else. All in all, I was disappointed in this book.

I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

[Tandy Oschadleus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy to review:
I have to preface my review with the caveat that I am a strong believer in the sanctity of marriage and of committing to making the covenant of marriage work. Whilst I understand that infidelity is an acceptable reason for divorce, I believe that the process needs to be legally finalized before the betrayed party can act on feelings for another partner.

Having said that, if I look at the actual love story between Roman and Gianna, and extricate it from the context of Roman acting on his interest in her before appropriate (for me), it was an absolutely delightful story, filled with new beginnings, tummy twists and angst as to whether or not everything would fall into place!! A thoroughly enjoyable tale of romance and second chances.

Sex: none detailed, only referenced. Sweet n spicy kissing is described. Sexual desire and attraction is mentioned.
Triggers: infidelity, betrayal, lying by omission, single parenthood, meaningless relationships.  

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roman is a fire captain and first commanding officer of station 13 firehouse, Roman is separated from his wife after she had an affair and even though they are trying to work it out he knows that he will never be able to forgive her. Gianna works at the wallflower diner and wants to start her own business, then a woman in the diner goes into Labour and Gianna delivers the baby and that is how she meets Roman. They have a connection that is so strong but with everything going on in both there lives will they be able to make it work. This is the first book that I have read by Susan Oloier but definitely not the last as I really enjoyed reading this book so much and look forward to reading more of her books in the future as they are so well written and you have to keep turning the page's to see what will happen next.
I Voluntarily Reviewed an ARC Copy of this book.

[SEng · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Gianna and Roman. He is the Fire Chief responding to an emergency at the diner where Gianna works. She's just delivered a baby at the diner and Roman is asking her questions for his report, They both feel attracted to each other and for the first time in a while Roman feels interested in life. He and his wife can't seem to find a way back to each other. Is it time for him to finally move forward in his life? This may be the beginning of something special. I enjoyed this sweet, fun romance. I received an arc of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anonymous 5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time reading something by this author. This was an enjoyable read. The story was well-written and flowed nicely. The plot was interesting and had some plot twists and turns that made this an interesting and intriguing story. The characters were strong and well-developed. The author did a nice job of bringing this story to life with her vivid descriptions and well-developed scenes. I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading more by this author.

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

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written book with strong characters in Gianna and Roman. Two people meet at a time when both are looking for something new,a change in their lives. It's instant attraction for them at first meet. The author does a great job developing the story and pulls you in with her descriptive and detailed scenes. The story moves fluidly and is an entertaining read.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thirty-eight-year-old Roman Albrecht is the the fire captain at Gulf Coast station 13 who is going through a bad patch with his estranged wife. Gianna Moreland is a twenty-four-year-old waitress who he meets when she delivers a baby and he is called to the restaurant. They will have their ups and downs before they get to be together. I enjoyed reading this story. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book I've read written by Susan Oloier; she has done a great job at writing a good book; I can’t wait to read more of her books.

The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.

I loved the characters.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ashleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about it - the characters, the plot, the emotion, the writing!

The author had a unique way of telling the story that had me wanting this book to go on and on.

This review has been voluntarily submitted for your consideration.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my! Hooked from the start. A chance meeting and instant chemistry. The characters are genuine and their emotions are real, absolutely loved the connection. I was given an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Elvira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the storyline and the characters both are engaging and well developed and kept me entertained throughout the pages.

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