Merrrick

Knight's Ridge Fire Department #1

by Lana Dash

A Curvy Single Mom, a volunteer firefighter, and a fiery passion that will heat up your Kindle.
KNIGHT'S RIDGE FIRE DEPARTMENT is a series of short and steamy standalone romances about curvy women finding love with rugged firefighters in the mountains of North Carolina. Read MERRICK if you like single mom, brother's best friend, and steamy romance that will leave you swooning. No cliffhangers. No cheating.

Genres: Romance, Firefighters, Brothers Best Friend

40 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 9, 2021

About the author

Lana Dash writes short, sweet, steamy romances that will leave you swiping for more. From blue-collar bad boys to rugged mountain men, you will find a book boyfriend to swoon over in the span of your hour-long lunch break.

Reviews

[Oriana Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was so sweet.😍😍😍 Merrick had a crush on his older friends sister for years.... but she was off limits. Now they both were thrown together by meddling friends. Sparks fly and they fell in love. Merrick got his woman and an instant family as a bonus 😉 Sweet, safe, steamy romantic and with a sweet HEA.👍👍👍

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stars: 4
Length: Short Read
POV: Dual
Series: Knight's Ridge Fire Department Book 1
Ending: HEA
Re-read? No

For a reverse age-gap romance I surprisingly enjoyed this. I normally hate and older woman and a younger man but it's not mentioned here too much and they are so much older that it doesn't even seem to matter. It's just a short fun read. It's the kind of read that I expect from Lana Dash so there were no surprises here for me.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Merrick is finishing some paperwork when he hears his best friend, Aaron, coming into the station with Mattie, Aaron’s nephew. The Little League game had just ended, so he asked how it went. Mattie was so excited that he had gotten two hits, and they high-fived each other. When Aaron mentioned getting ready for the Firemen’s Ball on Saturday, he is filled with dread. He doesn’t even have a date. His mind goes to Jemma, Aaron’s older sister whom he has loved since middle school when he was a nerd and she ignored him. Aaron says Ember will set him up one of her friend’s if he doesn’t have a date. As Ember and Jemma arrived just then and Aaron told Ember Merrick had no date, Jemma realized the shopping for the dress now hanging in her back seat had been a setup! And before Jemma could rush out, Ember told Merrick he should take Jemma to the ball! And both of them, instead of realizing that this was exactly what the other wants, went off thinking they were “forcing” the other to be their date.

They had a great evening at the ball, Jemma noticing little signs of jealously if any other guy got too close. Hmmm, maybe her feelings were not one-sided? When he took her home, he was about to kiss her goodnight when the babysitter, Mrs. Finkle, opened the door and ended their moment.

After the Little League game ends, Aaron and Ember ask if Mattie can go out for pizza with them and sleep overnight. With Jemma’s night now free, Merrick invites her to dinner. Jemma finally opens up to him, telling him she thought he would never ask her on another date. And then they told each other how they felt, and so many other things they wanted to share. And when their phones went off that night, it was about the fire raging in her brother’s apartment building where Mattie was! So close to happiness and now terrified for her friend, brother, and son! Would her family be okay?

Definitely have tissues handy by the time you reach the Epilogue. And don’t miss this story! You will love the characters and even get to watch a couple Little League games as the author expertly takes us there with the description she puts in the reader’s mind. Grab your copy and find out if there is a HEA on its way!

[lf · Rating 4 out of 5]

She wants to peel off his shirt and grate cheese on his abs!!!

MERRICK is the first book in the A Curvy Woman & Firefighter Mountain Man Romance series. This story is about Merrick and Jemma.
Merrick is a volunteer fireman with the Knight's Ridge Volunteer Fire Department. His best friend from when they were kids, Aaron, is also a volunteer with him. Merrick has been in love with Jemma since he was in middle school. The only problem is that Jemma is Aaron's older sister and he was just Aaron's geeky friend. But that skinny geeky kid has become a tall, built and sexy man. But he knows that no matter how he feels about Jemma he can never do anything about it as she is completely off-limits.
Jemma is a single mother to nine year old Mattie. Mattie's father left just after she found out she was pregnant and have not returned. With the help of Aaron in Mattie's life he has a male role model and with Merrick he has a friend. Jemma has developed a crush on Merrick that she cannot deny but she thinks he could never be interested in her romantically, as she is Aaron's older sister.
This year at the Fireman's Ball all of the volunteers have to attend to mingle and help get donations to the department. But when Merrick does not have a date and Ember, Aaron's girlfriend, finds out she is determined to push Merrick and Jemma together by having Merrick take Jemma to the Ball. It seems that both of them will get their deepest desire, if only for one night. But will they be able to make it last longer.....forever?

This is a nicely written story with two lovely characters in Jemma and Merrick. There is also cross-over with the book Sparks Under the Mistletoe which is Aaron and Ember's story. I enjoyed this book a lot and it left me with a smile on my face and warmth in my heart.

[Karen Roma · Rating 4 out of 5]

MERRICK is the first story in Lana Dash’s brand-new Knight’s Ridge Fire Department series and will delight readers with its wonderful characters and heart-warming storyline. Merrick has worked hard to become an accomplished firefighter with a chiselled body. Once the class nerd, he went unnoticed by the girl who owned his heart and was determined to transform into a man she would find worthy of her attention.

Jemma is determined to be the best parent possible to her precious son, and her brother is the male influence that her dead-beat ex wasn’t prepared to be. But there’s also Merrick who helps coach Mattie’s little league baseball team and has insinuated himself into her little boy’s life while also rekindling womanly feelings Jemma thought long dead. Does she dare let this god of a man know how she really feels, or will he run the other way and break her heart?

Merrick is a feel-good story of two people harbouring feelings that neither will risk revealing for fear of being hurt and the unbridled attraction and chemistry that finally forces their hand. Great characters and an engaging storyline with a wonderful support cast, made this a thoroughly enjoyable first in the series and definitely has me looking forward to the next captivating and exciting read.

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

[Patti Barker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Merrick became a firefighter with his best friend Aaron. Little does anyone know but Merrick has been in love with Aaron's little sister. So when Jemma's son started playing baseball he helped coach the team. He now gets to help Mattie Jemma's son learn baseball and get to see Jemma.
When it came time for the annual firefighter ball, Merrick didn't have a date. So Aaron's girlfriend decided it was time for Jemma to get out and start dating.
This was a good way to get them together to go to the ball. Jemma in a nice dress and Merrick in a suit. Nice way to start a date. Both of them told each other they have always liked each other. Once that was out of the way, Merrick and Jemma started dating, then married with having more kids. He still coaches baseball for his son, Mattie while his sister and mom cheer them on.

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

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in a new series, Knight's Ridge Fire Department. It's a spinoff of Lana Dash's Wild Knights Ridge Mountain Men. You don't have to read that series to enjoy this one but if you have then you'll recognize some of the characters that pop up in this book. This book is a short, steamy instalove. It's a quick read, took me about 40 minutes. I'm looking forward to reading the other guys stories.

Merrick has been in love with his best friend Aaron's older sister Jemma but she's off limits since she's his buddy’s sister plus she's never shown an interest in him. Merrick doesn't realize that Jemma has taken notice of him. Ember, Jemma's best friend and Aaron's girlfriend sets them upon a date. Could this be Merrick's chance to tell Jemma how he feels?

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

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, the heat is HOT, and the physical chemistry is captivating so be careful you may just get burned all the heat coming off these pages. There were some "oh no" "oh wow" " what the what" moments and add in uncanny mishaps, and shenanigans the good kind that makes you keep turning the pages till last page has been turned. Jemma and Merrick are adorable together. Jemma is single mom to her baby boy and Merrick is a coach on his little league baseball team. The attraction is from the very beginning, but both try their best to keep it at a parent/coach status and that just isn’t working since their attraction and chemistry keeping them both up at night. Will they finally admit they have feelings for one another, or will they continue the road they are traveling now?

[Knight Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Merrick and Jemma's story as Merrick was a volunteer with the Knight's Ridge Fire Department, and their fund raising ball was coming up in couple of weeks and Merrick still did not have a date. About the time his best friend Aaron discovered this his girlfriend, Ember and his sister, Jenna pulled up in front of the fire department. Ember suggested that Merrick take Jenna to the ball, which he was more than find with as he had been in love with Jenna since middle school. Jenna was fine too, she just did not want to force Merrick to take her out. She wanted it to be his idea as she had a high crush on him. They could not leave each other's sides the night of the ball. A real heart warming story.

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

[Cathy Greco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Merrick is a fight fighter and he needs a date to the fundraiser for the Knights Ridge Fire Department. So someone suggests he take Jemma someone who he has had a thing for, for a long time. Jemma is a single mother, and Merrick is her son's baseball coach and her younger brothers friend. So they each are holding back then they go to the fund raiser and maybe things could be different. This is a warm and sweet romance. Merrick is a great guy and I loved their story. The interaction was wonderful and I was hooked. It is a short story but we got the story and the warmth and the romance. I really enjoyed this book. Hope there are more fire fighters in books, in my future.

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

[Debbie Caswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in a fun new series from this talented author As like lost of her stories it is a fast fun read that only takes about thirty minutes to read so expect everything to happen fast

Jemma has crushed on her brothers best friend for a while but this single mum knows that nothing will ever come of it Meanwhile Merrick is quickly realising he hasn't got a date for the fireman's ball something he has to attend seeing he is a fireman and it is to raise money for his house. When Jemma's brother sets them up Merrick realises that all he wants is Jemma Can they get a HEA and will he become a family with her and her son Mattie

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
First things first; I like the cover of this book!
Merrick is the first book in the ‘’Knight’s ridge fire department’’ 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. Merrick has had a crush on his best friends older sister for years. Will Merrick ever get his woman?
The chemistry between Merrick and Jemma is clear to see and I liked them together.
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.

[casvec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Merrick has been in love with Jemma since Middle school, but she is his best friend's sister. Although Jemma known Merrick for a while, it was not until the past Christmas that he caught her eye. Afraid to take a step, until they are pushed together by a friend.

This is a beautifully written story of a sweet love with an amazing guy that has a heart that gets bigger with each day. Merrick and Jemma's story is one that will make your heart melt.

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

[Adalle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful Read

This new series is totally wonderful. It’s totally worth the time, to take a break and feel the heat of this new series.

The chemistry of Merrick and Jemma is really smoking. However, I’m partial to Mattie. And so will you.

I’m so looking forward to seeing Rhodes and Tanner’s stories.

Any opinions expressed within this review are solely and uniquely made by me and I am happily leaving this review. I originally voluntarily received an advanced copy of this book via bsprout.

[Beverly McCall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Merrick is the first installment in Lana Dash’s Knight’s Ridge Fire Department series. In it, readers watch the romantic journey of Jemma and Merrick Theirs is sort of a forbidden romance as she is the sister of his co-worker and best friend, Aaron. Jemma is also a single mother raising a young son, Mattie. The biological father took off upon learning Jemma was pregnant and remained in the wind. Luckily, Jemma has a great support system with Aaron and Merrick. Merrick and Jemma have feelings for each other but work hard at denying them. Will Destiny step in and bring these two together? You must read this book to discover what unfolds.

In this forbidden-love romance, Ms. Dash does a great job with literary devices. Her characters are strong, independent, yet vulnerable. This character-driven plot moves at a steady pace. The dialog, both conversational and internal monologues, allow readers to get a better understanding of the lead characters. Ms. Dash paints vivid scenes that pull readers into each scene. Well done, Ms. Dash.

[CJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Merrick has loved Jemma for years but since she is the sister of his best friend, he has never acted upon his feelings. Jemma has loved Merrick and never acted upon those feelings because of her brother. It takes the Firemen's Ball to give them a chance. Will they share their feelings or continue to ignore them?

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

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this short story and wish it had been longer as I liked them as a couple and wanted to see more of them together. It was nice seeing their relationship unfold and getting the history that lead them to that point. Good characters, good flow, nice epilogues and it held my interest. A sweet read with plenty of feelings, connection and chemistry.

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

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick and steamy firefighter romance about Merrick and his buddy's older sister Jemma. He has been in love with her for years even becoming a firefighter to bulk up and impress her. Jemma is a single mom to son Mattie after her ex left after the stick turned blue. She has also crushed on Merrick for a while. Thanks to a friend, Merrick gets Jemma as his date to the Fireman's Ball. Will Jemma and Merrick finally admit their feelings? Definitely recommend!

[Rhonda Howell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Merrick has been in love with Jemma the sister of his best friend since middle school but did not think she thought of him as anything other than the frie d of his brother. Jemma has been in love with Merrick for quite awhile bit like him to scared to say anything. Will the night they are pushed together for a charity event be the spark that ignites their relationship? Great sweet story with HEA.

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

[adina willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Merrick has been in love with Jemma for awhile. He needs a date to the fireman fundraiser ball. Jemma's friend suggest that they go together. The problem is that Merrick is Jemma's brother's friend. As the two spend more time together, they start to realize that their feelings are not one-sided. The question becomes how will Jemma's brother react, especially when it comes to Jemma's son.

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

[JLH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Merrick has loved Jemma forever. Being a fire fighter is very important that he remembers the simple things in life. But these two have yet to make a life because they’re still trying to find each other. She has a son from a failed marriage and he is willing to help her with her son who loves baseball. The Fireman’s Ball might be the gateway to them understanding what they’ve been missing. No cliffhanger

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

[Aliama · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jemma and Merrick have had feelings for each other for years but because on Jemma’s brother, neither have acted on those feelings. That is until the Fireman’s Ball. A great brother’s best friend story with lots of sizzle between the characters. I received an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A passionate and entertaining romance in the Knights Ridge Fire Department series! It is an engaging, well written, funny, fast pace, steamy, and emotionally deep page turner with endearing characters. Definitely recommended!

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

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book.

This is a sweet entertaining brother's best friend romance, well-written and quick to read. Merrick has loved Jemma forever and now that she has realized he's more than her brothers friend, he might have a chance at having a wonderful happy family. I loved how Merrick interacted with Jemma's son, Mattie.

[Terra Oenning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Merrick has had a crush on his best friend sister Jemma but never had the courage to ask her out but when they're set up for date can they be more than friends? Jemma has feelings for Merrick but as a single mom she is scared to act on them but can they find their way to each other.

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

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great and short story. Merrick has been in love with his best friends sister for years. Jemma thought she had one sided feelings for Merrick. That all changes after an unexpected dated. It was short but cute. I can’t wait to see is hit by Cupid next in the fire house.

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

[Bill Jakobsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book

I love short story because they get to the point. It was nice reading how long Jemma and Merrick knew each other and how long they freely more than just friendship. Plus,, this is always a plus, he's a fireman. Overall this book was a very entertaining story and I thank you for that. Written by Cindy :)

[Barbara Van Zandt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally

He has loved her forever and she's his bbf sister, so hands off. She's been attracted to him for several long months.with the help of her brother gf she has a date with him for the fireman ball. He's son stays the night with his uncle be and she has another date with him. Over supper they finally confess their feelings for one another.

[Mari (Mystics & Metaphysics Book Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this brother’s best friend romance. Merrick and Jemma finally admit their feelings for each other with the help of her friend. I love that there is no drama with her brother and flows well and quickly. I had a big smile on my face.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Merrick has been in love with Jemma, his best friends sister, since middle school. But she doesn't seem to notice. Now they have been set up to go to a dance. Now is his chance. Sweet story

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