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The Kincaid Brothers of Pine Harbour #2
Fierce at Heart
Marriage is for suckers—Adam and Isla agreed on that when they got hitched.
Adam Kincaid has a lot to prove: as a brand-new firefighter, as the youngest of five brothers in a small town where everyone is curious about your business, and as an unexpected newlywed.
Isla Petersen knows exactly what she’s getting into: a marriage of convenience with a younger man, a soldier she once commanded when she was an army captain. And she knows what she’s getting in return: a bakery of her own.
This is a standalone story of two friends who don't believe in love, but do believe in each other. Welcome back to Pine Harbour!
Adam Kincaid has a lot to prove: as a brand-new firefighter, as the youngest of five brothers in a small town where everyone is curious about your business, and as an unexpected newlywed.
Isla Petersen knows exactly what she’s getting into: a marriage of convenience with a younger man, a soldier she once commanded when she was an army captain. And she knows what she’s getting in return: a bakery of her own.
This is a standalone story of two friends who don't believe in love, but do believe in each other. Welcome back to Pine Harbour!
328 pages, ebook
First published January 26, 2021
211 people are currently reading
719 people want to read
About the author
Zoe York
125 books1,344 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Zoe York is a busy working mom of two young boys, wife to a very understanding soldier, and creator of modern, sexy, small town contemporary romances.
She lives in London, Ontario and is currently chugging Americanos, wiping sticky fingers, and dreaming of heroes in and out of uniform.
She lives in London, Ontario and is currently chugging Americanos, wiping sticky fingers, and dreaming of heroes in and out of uniform.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 208 reviews
January 27, 2022
This is a romance, and this is the second book in the Kincaids of Pine Harbour series. This is a friends to lover, One night stand, or Fake Dating to Real romance book. I have to say this was a great cute romance story, and so what I needed. I loved both the main characters, and they fitted together so well. This is just a great romance with a lot of drama that was done so very well. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (ZoYo Press) or author (Zoe York) via NetGalley, so I can give honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
January 30, 2021
This would be a 4 1/2 – 5 star read if it weren’t for the inclusion of some completely unnecessary trauma. Before I talk about what I hated, I want to talk about what I loved.
Fierce at Heart explores a modern marriage of convenience between friends who want to support each other as they take on new, post military, careers. Isla Petersen had been Adam Kincaid’s commanding officer during a difficult tour in Afghanistan. A few years later, Adam is in Toronto about to graduate from a year long fire fighting program and Isla has finished with culinary school and participating in a series of pop up bakeries. They have coffee. They have friendly sex. She isn’t interested in more and they agree to be supportive friends who are soon to go their separate ways. Not long after Adam returns to his hometown, he has a reason to propose a marriage of convenience to Isla and she accepts. I loved the relationship between them. They have their own goals and are each other’s biggest cheerleaders. They are beautifully imperfect and working so hard to be best friends. I loved them and wanted them to succeed. I didn’t need more than these two slightly battered hearts learning to be vulnerable and in love.
So here’s the thing I hated and two reasons why I hated it. Isla’s ex-husband forces himself back into her life and is vaguely threatening. I hated it because 1 – it was entirely unnecessary. And 2 – it was entirely unnecessary trauma. Having an ex-husband who gas-lit her and made love feel transactional was plenty of drama. He was a barrier for Isla to overcome before she could trust herself to rely on Adam. Isla was working on undoing that damage, and Adam was helping through his supportive actions. Having the ex show up, cause drama, and then have no discernable impact on character development or plot felt like a gratuitous helping of trauma. As a reader, I didn’t need it. This past year has narrowed my tolerance for unnecessary trauma. Not every reader is going to be bothered by the thing I hated, just like not every reader is going to love Adam and Isla as much as I did.
Fierce at Heart is the first Zoe York book I’ve read. It’s second book in a series and connected to an even larger series, but it was easily read as a stand alone. I received this as an advance reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Fierce at Heart explores a modern marriage of convenience between friends who want to support each other as they take on new, post military, careers. Isla Petersen had been Adam Kincaid’s commanding officer during a difficult tour in Afghanistan. A few years later, Adam is in Toronto about to graduate from a year long fire fighting program and Isla has finished with culinary school and participating in a series of pop up bakeries. They have coffee. They have friendly sex. She isn’t interested in more and they agree to be supportive friends who are soon to go their separate ways. Not long after Adam returns to his hometown, he has a reason to propose a marriage of convenience to Isla and she accepts. I loved the relationship between them. They have their own goals and are each other’s biggest cheerleaders. They are beautifully imperfect and working so hard to be best friends. I loved them and wanted them to succeed. I didn’t need more than these two slightly battered hearts learning to be vulnerable and in love.
So here’s the thing I hated and two reasons why I hated it. Isla’s ex-husband forces himself back into her life and is vaguely threatening. I hated it because 1 – it was entirely unnecessary. And 2 – it was entirely unnecessary trauma. Having an ex-husband who gas-lit her and made love feel transactional was plenty of drama. He was a barrier for Isla to overcome before she could trust herself to rely on Adam. Isla was working on undoing that damage, and Adam was helping through his supportive actions. Having the ex show up, cause drama, and then have no discernable impact on character development or plot felt like a gratuitous helping of trauma. As a reader, I didn’t need it. This past year has narrowed my tolerance for unnecessary trauma. Not every reader is going to be bothered by the thing I hated, just like not every reader is going to love Adam and Isla as much as I did.
Fierce at Heart is the first Zoe York book I’ve read. It’s second book in a series and connected to an even larger series, but it was easily read as a stand alone. I received this as an advance reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 1, 2021
3.5 Stars
* * * 1/2
Battlegrounds Make Bonds No One Can Break...
A Great Foundation For Marriage, Right...
Especially When Both Subscribe...
To The Belief...
Marriage Is For Suckers...
Yup, This Is The Agreement...
Adam Kincaid And Isla Petersen Have Signed Up For...
Little Do They Think...
Some Thing Silly As Love...
Could Cause Them...
To Become...
Fierce at Heart (The Kincaids of Pine Harbour, #2)
Reckless at Heart (The Kincaids of Pine Harbour #1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Fierce at Heart (The Kincaids of Pine Harbour, #2)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
* * * 1/2
Battlegrounds Make Bonds No One Can Break...
A Great Foundation For Marriage, Right...
Especially When Both Subscribe...
To The Belief...
Marriage Is For Suckers...
Yup, This Is The Agreement...
Adam Kincaid And Isla Petersen Have Signed Up For...
Little Do They Think...
Some Thing Silly As Love...
Could Cause Them...
To Become...
Fierce at Heart (The Kincaids of Pine Harbour, #2)
Reckless at Heart (The Kincaids of Pine Harbour #1)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Fierce at Heart (The Kincaids of Pine Harbour, #2)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
January 27, 2021
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January 28, 2021
I devoured this absolutely tender and sexy contemporary marriage of convenience romance from Zoe York, just like I would main character Isla's bake sale treats. I adore a marriage of convenience romance but they are so hard to pull off in a contemporary. I accepted the premise that the person selling the bakery for $1 wanted a married resident of Pine Harbour easily and it was the best ride.
I especially loved how Adam Kincaid respected Isla from the beginning. She was his commanding officer in the military and they had no romantic relationship at all during that time. She's older, he was under her command. It was strictly professional, and then after time and distance, they hooked up for a night but both agreeing it was just as friends. Isla's story of betrayal and hurt, and Adam's respect of her heart and feelings was so absolutely love to see, and then how they both slowly fell for each other as their marriage went on.
I don't want to say much more about the plot, but I did want to mention this is a great romance with no sudden third act breakup, there are rocky moments, but this fit the narrative of the story to perfection.
I'm adoring this spin-off series and cannot wait for more! Plus, there's a huge backlist of titles in the original Pine Harbor series if you need more while waiting!
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
I especially loved how Adam Kincaid respected Isla from the beginning. She was his commanding officer in the military and they had no romantic relationship at all during that time. She's older, he was under her command. It was strictly professional, and then after time and distance, they hooked up for a night but both agreeing it was just as friends. Isla's story of betrayal and hurt, and Adam's respect of her heart and feelings was so absolutely love to see, and then how they both slowly fell for each other as their marriage went on.
I don't want to say much more about the plot, but I did want to mention this is a great romance with no sudden third act breakup, there are rocky moments, but this fit the narrative of the story to perfection.
I'm adoring this spin-off series and cannot wait for more! Plus, there's a huge backlist of titles in the original Pine Harbor series if you need more while waiting!
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
February 6, 2021
I have an unhealthy obsession with marriage of convenience stories, I’ve read more than my fair share of them. This was a sweet example, set in a small town, both of them army vets, now she’s an aspiring baker and he’s a rookie firefighter:
I loved the small town setting and the family dynamics and once this got going the chemistry and the heat, but what was unusual in this was that the chemistry wasn’t really there from the start for either of them. That confused me a bit as I wasn’t sure if this was deliberate or not. I think on reflection it probably was deliberate and this was intended to be a slow burn starting from a genuine friendship and mutual respect. This bubbled along for a while being sweet and witty and warm and I’d have been quite content with that so the heat ramping up seemingly from nowhere was a fab surprise.
This is part of a series but the story stands alone. I’d definitely be up for reading more of these. Recommended.
**Thanks to the publisher via netgalley for the arc.**
I loved the small town setting and the family dynamics and once this got going the chemistry and the heat, but what was unusual in this was that the chemistry wasn’t really there from the start for either of them. That confused me a bit as I wasn’t sure if this was deliberate or not. I think on reflection it probably was deliberate and this was intended to be a slow burn starting from a genuine friendship and mutual respect. This bubbled along for a while being sweet and witty and warm and I’d have been quite content with that so the heat ramping up seemingly from nowhere was a fab surprise.
This is part of a series but the story stands alone. I’d definitely be up for reading more of these. Recommended.
**Thanks to the publisher via netgalley for the arc.**
February 2, 2022
This didn't reach the highs of my Zoe York binge in December, but it was incredibly solid and I really liked how thoughtful it was about the marriage of convenience trope. The ex-husband stuff was a bit of a weird add on? Do want to read the first book in this series for sure at some point.
May 13, 2021
Super cute, warm romance. Gave you all the fuzzy good feelings. Big thanks to the #RombkLove hashtag on twitter for greats recs this month.
January 5, 2022
4.5 stars
Just two friends deciding to get married and treat each other with respect and kindness.
Just two friends deciding to get married and treat each other with respect and kindness.
April 2, 2021
This book was a.m.a.z.i.n.g. I can’t begin to tell you how much Adam and Isla’s story spoke to me. Normally I don’t gravitate towards friends to lovers/fake relationship romances but this is Zoe York, so you know it’s going to be incredible.
Adam is the youngest Kincaid sibling, he’s an ex military man, turned firefighter. He’s incredibly sexy but also kind. Orphaned as a teen and raised by his brothers, he’s emotionally broken. Isla is a strong woman going through a hard time. After a disastrous marriage she reinvents herself. Adam and Isla have a shared past. She was his commanding officer and years later when they accidentally meet up, they rekindle their friendship.
The dynamic between them changes when they enter into a partnership. She gets her bakery and he gets companionship. What starts off as an arrangement turns into so much more. I loved watching their relationship morph and change. I lost myself in the pages of this beautiful love story and may or may not have shed a tear or two. This book is a must read romance, TBR and Enjoy!
Adam is the youngest Kincaid sibling, he’s an ex military man, turned firefighter. He’s incredibly sexy but also kind. Orphaned as a teen and raised by his brothers, he’s emotionally broken. Isla is a strong woman going through a hard time. After a disastrous marriage she reinvents herself. Adam and Isla have a shared past. She was his commanding officer and years later when they accidentally meet up, they rekindle their friendship.
The dynamic between them changes when they enter into a partnership. She gets her bakery and he gets companionship. What starts off as an arrangement turns into so much more. I loved watching their relationship morph and change. I lost myself in the pages of this beautiful love story and may or may not have shed a tear or two. This book is a must read romance, TBR and Enjoy!
February 7, 2021
Four and a half stars
Fierce at Heart by Zoe York is the second in her Kincaids of Pine Harbour series, set in the beautiful little town of Pine Harbour. It's a baker/firefighter, friends-to-lovers, marriage of convenience story, and is wonderfully layered and captivating.
Adam Kincaid and Isla Petersen served together in the army years ago, where she was his slightly older, wiser, and incredibly competent captain. Now a newly minted firefighter, Adam's more than thrilled to reconnect with Isla, a baker looking to launch a business. He's battling to establish an image of himself as an adult, no longer the mischievous baby of the family, while she's bearing some deep wounds from a terrible marriage.
It's a pleasure to read as Isla and Adam build on their friendship and ultimately begin to trust each other more and more with their true selves. Zoe York's writing is lovely and memorable, and I look forward to returning to Pine Harbour again and again.
Fierce at Heart by Zoe York is the second in her Kincaids of Pine Harbour series, set in the beautiful little town of Pine Harbour. It's a baker/firefighter, friends-to-lovers, marriage of convenience story, and is wonderfully layered and captivating.
Adam Kincaid and Isla Petersen served together in the army years ago, where she was his slightly older, wiser, and incredibly competent captain. Now a newly minted firefighter, Adam's more than thrilled to reconnect with Isla, a baker looking to launch a business. He's battling to establish an image of himself as an adult, no longer the mischievous baby of the family, while she's bearing some deep wounds from a terrible marriage.
It's a pleasure to read as Isla and Adam build on their friendship and ultimately begin to trust each other more and more with their true selves. Zoe York's writing is lovely and memorable, and I look forward to returning to Pine Harbour again and again.
January 25, 2021
Three and a half stars.
Adam Kincaid and Isla Peterson were squaddie and commanding officer back in the day. Now they've both left the military, he's training to be a firefighter like his father and she is hoping to open her own bakery once she graduates from culinary school. They meet by chance at a Farmer's Market where Isla is selling her cakes, get to reminiscing about old times and end up having a spectacular one-night stand. But living in different parts of Canada and their nascent careers leave little time for a relationship so they agree to be friends only.
Adam returns to his home (small) town of Pine Harbour where three of his four older brothers still live. He may be 30, but as the youngest, and having been brought up by his elder two brothers after their parents' deaths, none of his brothers seems to see it that way. Heck, they even seem to think they have a voice in where he lives and who he dates and how he does his job!
After her ex-husband tanked her credit rating Isla knows she will be lucky to be able to start her own bakery but she doesn't want to be a chef working for someone else forever.
When Adam buys his fixer-upper he overhears the owner of the local cafe/diner offering to sell her place for $1, one catch; the owner must be a ling-standing resident of Pine Harbour, or married to a resident. It's a crazy plan but if it helps out his BFF Adam thinks he could enter into a fake marriage for a few years, after all he's never going to fall in love anyway.
I was surprised that I hadn't read any of Zoe York's books before, but the books are similar to Cora Seton's mail-order bride series, or indeed any small-town series featuring a large family.
Adam and Isla provide each other with much-needed support and validation, but as they get closer can they still ignore the growing attraction?
My biggest gripe was that there was a sub-plot involving Isla's ex-husband that didn't really go anywhere and was a bit cliched/ overdone in this genre. Otherwise, I enjoyed this sweet small-town romance.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Adam Kincaid and Isla Peterson were squaddie and commanding officer back in the day. Now they've both left the military, he's training to be a firefighter like his father and she is hoping to open her own bakery once she graduates from culinary school. They meet by chance at a Farmer's Market where Isla is selling her cakes, get to reminiscing about old times and end up having a spectacular one-night stand. But living in different parts of Canada and their nascent careers leave little time for a relationship so they agree to be friends only.
Adam returns to his home (small) town of Pine Harbour where three of his four older brothers still live. He may be 30, but as the youngest, and having been brought up by his elder two brothers after their parents' deaths, none of his brothers seems to see it that way. Heck, they even seem to think they have a voice in where he lives and who he dates and how he does his job!
After her ex-husband tanked her credit rating Isla knows she will be lucky to be able to start her own bakery but she doesn't want to be a chef working for someone else forever.
When Adam buys his fixer-upper he overhears the owner of the local cafe/diner offering to sell her place for $1, one catch; the owner must be a ling-standing resident of Pine Harbour, or married to a resident. It's a crazy plan but if it helps out his BFF Adam thinks he could enter into a fake marriage for a few years, after all he's never going to fall in love anyway.
I was surprised that I hadn't read any of Zoe York's books before, but the books are similar to Cora Seton's mail-order bride series, or indeed any small-town series featuring a large family.
Adam and Isla provide each other with much-needed support and validation, but as they get closer can they still ignore the growing attraction?
My biggest gripe was that there was a sub-plot involving Isla's ex-husband that didn't really go anywhere and was a bit cliched/ overdone in this genre. Otherwise, I enjoyed this sweet small-town romance.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
July 14, 2022
I’ve read books by this author’s other pen names but this is the first time I've read her as Zoe York. Adam and Isla were both likable characters and I enjoyed the trajectory of their marriage of convenience. This is pretty straightforward storytelling, more tell than show. I was hoping for more interiority. They both had valid reasons for not wanting to fall in love or get married again and I wanted to feel those feelings. Without that element, I couldn’t sink into the story and was never particularly anxious to get back to the book as a result. Plus, the ex-husband storyline was unnecessary and not just because it turned him into the Mentally Ill Villain trope. But the small town setting was great and I really enjoyed Adam’s brothers and learning about the way they all responded to the childhood death of their parents so differently. Adam also did a great job looking after Isla, always bringing her food at work and helping her with admin tasks at the bakery.
Characters: Adam is a 29 year old white firefighter and former army master corporal. Island is a 35 year old white baker and former army captain. This is set in Toronto and Pine Harbour, Ontario.
Content notes: stalker ex , Mentally Ill Villain trope (FMC’s ex-husband’s actions attributed to him being unstable/“unhinged”); FMC’s ex-husband cheated, gambled, and was emotionally abusive; past death of MMC’s parents when he was 11 and 12 (dad died of heart attack, mom died one year later), MMC is a firefighter (house fire and medical distress call), past military, diet culture, on page sex, alcohol, drug reference, gender essentialism, ableist language, reference to secondary character seeing a fertility specialist
Characters: Adam is a 29 year old white firefighter and former army master corporal. Island is a 35 year old white baker and former army captain. This is set in Toronto and Pine Harbour, Ontario.
Content notes: stalker ex , Mentally Ill Villain trope (FMC’s ex-husband’s actions attributed to him being unstable/“unhinged”); FMC’s ex-husband cheated, gambled, and was emotionally abusive; past death of MMC’s parents when he was 11 and 12 (dad died of heart attack, mom died one year later), MMC is a firefighter (house fire and medical distress call), past military, diet culture, on page sex, alcohol, drug reference, gender essentialism, ableist language, reference to secondary character seeing a fertility specialist
March 28, 2023
3.5 stars
February 13, 2021
Fierce at Heart by Zoe York
Kincaids of Pine Harbour #2
Looking for a romance that doesn’t fit neatly into any one genre but is somewhat related to a number of them? If so, this book might be just the one for you. It has warmth, caring, sharing, friendship, and potential for more than either character thought possible. It also provides backstories that explain why this rather unusual marriage was easily slipped into and why the two were averse to the idea of “love”.
What I liked:
* Adam Kincaid: ex-army, educated in firefighting at university, youngest brother of five, good friend, caring, and a good partner.
* Isla Petersen: ex-military and Adam’s commanding officer at one time, a good friend, divorced after a damaging to self-esteem marriage, has dreams, has been to culinary-baking school, has business-professional dreams.
* The small-town vibe and their willingness to be there for one another.
* The brothers of Adam
* The writing
* The fact that Adam & Isla were friends first.
* The way that Adam & Isla took care of one another.
* All of it really except…
What I didn’t like:
* The person I was meant not to like…if you read the book you will know who it is and feel the same. I do wish that I knew exactly what happened to that person as whatever it was it didn’t feel 100% resolved to me.
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
Kincaids of Pine Harbour #2
Looking for a romance that doesn’t fit neatly into any one genre but is somewhat related to a number of them? If so, this book might be just the one for you. It has warmth, caring, sharing, friendship, and potential for more than either character thought possible. It also provides backstories that explain why this rather unusual marriage was easily slipped into and why the two were averse to the idea of “love”.
What I liked:
* Adam Kincaid: ex-army, educated in firefighting at university, youngest brother of five, good friend, caring, and a good partner.
* Isla Petersen: ex-military and Adam’s commanding officer at one time, a good friend, divorced after a damaging to self-esteem marriage, has dreams, has been to culinary-baking school, has business-professional dreams.
* The small-town vibe and their willingness to be there for one another.
* The brothers of Adam
* The writing
* The fact that Adam & Isla were friends first.
* The way that Adam & Isla took care of one another.
* All of it really except…
What I didn’t like:
* The person I was meant not to like…if you read the book you will know who it is and feel the same. I do wish that I knew exactly what happened to that person as whatever it was it didn’t feel 100% resolved to me.
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
April 24, 2021
This is such a warm hug book that it made me cry. It’s such a deeply kind and emotionally supportive friends to lovers story and I adored it.
The main characters, Ilsa and Adam, knew each other in the past when Ilsa was briefly Adam’s commanding officer. They reconnect as they’re both finishing schooling and embarking on second careers. Ilsa is older than Adam (35 to 29) and coming off a rough divorce. Adam is dealing with redefining himself and letting go of baggage from losing his parents at a young age. When a slightly bizarre but too good to pass up opportunity for Ilsa to start a new business in Adam’s small town comes up, he proposes a marriage based on friendship and companionship.
I highlighted a ton of passages but this line made me laugh really hard:
“Is your marriage proposal really including a detailed breakdown of how you jerk off?”
In his defense, she’s amused and also he was just trying to say that not having sex is not a problem. :)
CW: harassment and stalking from an ex-partner (no violence or physical abuse), parental loss as a child
The main characters, Ilsa and Adam, knew each other in the past when Ilsa was briefly Adam’s commanding officer. They reconnect as they’re both finishing schooling and embarking on second careers. Ilsa is older than Adam (35 to 29) and coming off a rough divorce. Adam is dealing with redefining himself and letting go of baggage from losing his parents at a young age. When a slightly bizarre but too good to pass up opportunity for Ilsa to start a new business in Adam’s small town comes up, he proposes a marriage based on friendship and companionship.
I highlighted a ton of passages but this line made me laugh really hard:
“Is your marriage proposal really including a detailed breakdown of how you jerk off?”
In his defense, she’s amused and also he was just trying to say that not having sex is not a problem. :)
CW: harassment and stalking from an ex-partner (no violence or physical abuse), parental loss as a child
January 26, 2021
Thankyou to Netgalley and Zoe York for my ARC
Things I loved:
- The slow burn romance between the lead characters
- Adam Kincaid is the wounded soul all women want to try to heal
- The Kincaid Brothers- as a first time reader of this family, they all seem like a fun bunch I’d want to hang out with
- The plot of a fake marriage to get a property for Isla’s business
Things that could be improved
- The pace, there was a lot of unnecessary little moments that could have been filled better
- I wanted more to happen with the antagonist Brett, because of which, nothing really happens in the book
Essentially Fierce at Heart is a slow burn love story that never really goes anywhere. I like that the MC is someone who doesn’t think he’s capable of love without realising he was actually in love. But I wanted to read more about why he felt that way. And I needed to see Brett be more of a bad guy than just sending a couple of letters.
Perfect if you like a simple romance story.
Things I loved:
- The slow burn romance between the lead characters
- Adam Kincaid is the wounded soul all women want to try to heal
- The Kincaid Brothers- as a first time reader of this family, they all seem like a fun bunch I’d want to hang out with
- The plot of a fake marriage to get a property for Isla’s business
Things that could be improved
- The pace, there was a lot of unnecessary little moments that could have been filled better
- I wanted more to happen with the antagonist Brett, because of which, nothing really happens in the book
Essentially Fierce at Heart is a slow burn love story that never really goes anywhere. I like that the MC is someone who doesn’t think he’s capable of love without realising he was actually in love. But I wanted to read more about why he felt that way. And I needed to see Brett be more of a bad guy than just sending a couple of letters.
Perfect if you like a simple romance story.
July 6, 2021
Fierce at Heart is the second title in The Kincaids of Pine Harbor series, featuring the youngest Kincaid sibling Adam and his former commanding officer Isla Peterson. This title is a small town, friends to lovers, marriage of convenience, featuring an older woman with a younger man.
After ending his time in the Army, Adam is following in his deceased father’s footsteps and training to be a firefighter. He’s the youngest brother of five who were raised by his eldest brothers and very respectful, caring and incredibly supportive of those he loves.
Isla much like Adam is starting over after ending her time in the Army and is training to become a baker. She’s been betrayed and hurt and struggles to trust, particularly those of the opposite sex.
Adam and Isla share fun and witty banter, and their story is a sweet, feel good romance, that’s sure to make you smile.
This pair share a deep friendship and a foundation of respect that shows in their actions in how they support and validate each other throughout their relationship.
Although slow to spark the chemistry and heat between this pair is undeniable.
It’s been quite a while since I dived into a title featuring Pine Harbor, but I thoroughly enjoyed this title and look forward to reading future additions to the series.
After ending his time in the Army, Adam is following in his deceased father’s footsteps and training to be a firefighter. He’s the youngest brother of five who were raised by his eldest brothers and very respectful, caring and incredibly supportive of those he loves.
Isla much like Adam is starting over after ending her time in the Army and is training to become a baker. She’s been betrayed and hurt and struggles to trust, particularly those of the opposite sex.
Adam and Isla share fun and witty banter, and their story is a sweet, feel good romance, that’s sure to make you smile.
This pair share a deep friendship and a foundation of respect that shows in their actions in how they support and validate each other throughout their relationship.
Although slow to spark the chemistry and heat between this pair is undeniable.
It’s been quite a while since I dived into a title featuring Pine Harbor, but I thoroughly enjoyed this title and look forward to reading future additions to the series.
January 25, 2021
Adam and Isla ran into each other when Isla was at a farmer’s market selling her baked goods. I was happy to see the two get together and talk about when they were in the military together. It had to be hard for Adam being the youngest brother with his older brothers giving him a hard time and treating him like a baby. I was proud that he went to school to be a fireman like his father had. I felt bad that Adam didn’t feel like he could ever love anyone, and also for Isla because of her ex-husband. Since Isla had taken the culinary class, she wants to open a bakery, but her ex-husband has left her with no money. I was glad that Adam and Isla kept in contact as he found the perfect way for her to own a bakery. I think that living together you would begin to have feelings for the other. It was interesting how Adam did every thing to help Isla. The two had ups and downs and so much to learn about each other. I enjoyed the book and encourage you to read it. I was given a copy of the book and voluntarily wrote a review.
June 19, 2021
Good
4 stars
Great follow up to the previous book. In this one we get to know more about Adam the youngest Kincaid brother.
Again I liked that this one featured adults, who talked things through and discussed honestly what they wanted out of the relationship.
They both went in knowing where they stood and they built further on a great friendship that had developed during their time in the army. This worked for me for as they grew more and more closer real feelings developed and they progressed from there.
The feelings did sneak up on them and it was fun watching them work themselves out, but at the same time there wasn’t any manufactured angst to prolong the inevitable.
Great addition, can’t wait for the next one in the series.
4 stars
Great follow up to the previous book. In this one we get to know more about Adam the youngest Kincaid brother.
Again I liked that this one featured adults, who talked things through and discussed honestly what they wanted out of the relationship.
They both went in knowing where they stood and they built further on a great friendship that had developed during their time in the army. This worked for me for as they grew more and more closer real feelings developed and they progressed from there.
The feelings did sneak up on them and it was fun watching them work themselves out, but at the same time there wasn’t any manufactured angst to prolong the inevitable.
Great addition, can’t wait for the next one in the series.
February 4, 2021
Loved this story so much - can't wait to read more from this series - extremely well done character development - a joy to read. My full review is on the Book+Main blog: https://blog.bookandmainbites.com/boo...
June 8, 2024
Audio-narrator Monica King. Swoon! Adam and Isla’s marriage of convenience and the journey of finding love and self discovery they find was beautiful. There were bumps in the road but with the brothers Kincaid tough love and guidance they find their HEA.
September 24, 2023
I love this authors books.
I loved this book from start to finish.
I love the characters and the story.
I loved this book from start to finish.
I love the characters and the story.
April 16, 2025
This series is so fun and Adam and Isla were so great together. It's a friends to lovers, one night stand, fake marriage story. I loved seeing these two fall in love and seeing Isla settle in and make friends in Pine Harbour. I can't wait to see what the rest of the series brings.
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May 30, 2024This is such a ROMANTIC book. So many feels between these two. I was rooting for them from the first page. Some of the best small town romance out there.
July 1, 2024
Adam and Isla brought a good amount of spice 🌶️ but also genuine, kind-hearted romance 🥰
I have fallen in love with the Kincaid brothers and I can’t wait to read the other 3 books in this series 😍 these books absolutely deliver everything I could hope for from romance to spice to relatable characters and everything in between. Zoe York has done amazingly!!
I have fallen in love with the Kincaid brothers and I can’t wait to read the other 3 books in this series 😍 these books absolutely deliver everything I could hope for from romance to spice to relatable characters and everything in between. Zoe York has done amazingly!!
February 1, 2021
I kind of fell a little in love with Adam Kincaid in the first book in this series and he definitely doesn't disappoint in his book! Adam is the youngest of his five brothers and has always felt that he wasn't good enough - or just enough. Even though he is extremely close with his family - you can see that the death of his parents had a pretty profound effect on him. He's finally taking steps to start his career as a firefighter and it isn't easy. When he reconnects with his former captain in the armed forces right before his graduation - it feels like fate. Isla is also in the process of reinventing herself. After a terrible divorce and leaving the military, she is just finishing culinary school and dreams of starting her own bakery.
Isla and Adam are so incredibly good together. They are basically the reason why being friends first so often leads to amazing romantic relationships. They both are each other's cheerleaders and biggest fans. Even though each believes they don't want a romantic relationship - it is apparent to everyone else in their orbit that they are 100% in love.
This story is a great mix between friends-to-lovers and fake-relationship. In all the best ways.
I am loving reading about this big family!
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.
Isla and Adam are so incredibly good together. They are basically the reason why being friends first so often leads to amazing romantic relationships. They both are each other's cheerleaders and biggest fans. Even though each believes they don't want a romantic relationship - it is apparent to everyone else in their orbit that they are 100% in love.
This story is a great mix between friends-to-lovers and fake-relationship. In all the best ways.
I am loving reading about this big family!
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.
January 23, 2021
t: friends to lovers, marriage of convenience, older heroine, men in uniform
ok so I'm a Huge fan of Mr. Owen Kincaid, big broody single dad + (young) grandpa, but Adam Kincaid, guys, I cannot-
This entire book is just one great reading experience. I finished it all in one sitting because I was so invested in Adam and Isla's journey to (true) marital bliss. Their relationship is one to be envied of; they truly have a great partnership with affection, respect, super hot chemistry, and stellar communication skills. Sure, both Adam and Isla have their own hangups (Isla's first marriage was Terrible, Adam's under constant pressure to prove that he is not a fuckup Kincaid kid), but the way they complement each other in their relationship? A+++
Scene stealers: Will and Catie, and whatever is going on between those two. Had a slight panic googling Zoe's website to find out info about the next Kincaid book, and luckily Will's book is coming out in September (happy birthday to me!)
So. I hate being single, y'all. Do I need to find somebody to get into a marriage of convenience with or-
E-ARC is received thanks to the wonderful author!
ok so I'm a Huge fan of Mr. Owen Kincaid, big broody single dad + (young) grandpa, but Adam Kincaid, guys, I cannot-
This entire book is just one great reading experience. I finished it all in one sitting because I was so invested in Adam and Isla's journey to (true) marital bliss. Their relationship is one to be envied of; they truly have a great partnership with affection, respect, super hot chemistry, and stellar communication skills. Sure, both Adam and Isla have their own hangups (Isla's first marriage was Terrible, Adam's under constant pressure to prove that he is not a fuckup Kincaid kid), but the way they complement each other in their relationship? A+++
Scene stealers: Will and Catie, and whatever is going on between those two. Had a slight panic googling Zoe's website to find out info about the next Kincaid book, and luckily Will's book is coming out in September (happy birthday to me!)
So. I hate being single, y'all. Do I need to find somebody to get into a marriage of convenience with or-
E-ARC is received thanks to the wonderful author!
April 28, 2021
Fierce at Heart (Kincaids of Pine Harbour, Book 2) by Zoe York
Publisher: Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, ZoYo Press
Genre: General Fiction (Adult) | Romance | Women's Fiction
Publication Date: January 26, 2021
Fierce at Heart is the second book in the Kincaids of Pine Harbour series by Zoe York. I had not read the previous book, but was easily able to read this as a standalone romance.
This was a wonderful book and gave me all the feels! I loved the story with the small town setting and the marriage of convenience. I found the story to be captivating and moving! I loved the friends to lovers transition which was so fun to watch develop.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the previous book!
I'm so grateful to Zoe York, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, ZoYo Press, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, ZoYo Press
Genre: General Fiction (Adult) | Romance | Women's Fiction
Publication Date: January 26, 2021
Fierce at Heart is the second book in the Kincaids of Pine Harbour series by Zoe York. I had not read the previous book, but was easily able to read this as a standalone romance.
This was a wonderful book and gave me all the feels! I loved the story with the small town setting and the marriage of convenience. I found the story to be captivating and moving! I loved the friends to lovers transition which was so fun to watch develop.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the previous book!
I'm so grateful to Zoe York, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, ZoYo Press, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.
April 22, 2023
Adam and Isla, the lead characters, both think love is for suckers but Adam is sick of being treated as the baby of his family and Isla wants to take advantage of a resident only opportunity in Adam’s small town, so they agree to a marriage of convenience based on a deep friendship and mutual understanding. But, as they live together, memories of their one night together begin to percolate in Adam’s mind and he starts to want more… maybe Isla does too…
This story is dual POV, well written and edited, and a fantastic fake relationship, friends to lovers romance. I enjoyed Adam’s empathy and his willingness to do and be what Isla needs. I enjoyed Isla’s growing awareness that she might be open to more than friendship. I appreciated the rectification of historical injustices in a way that I don’t believe would happen in real life but wish they would. I enjoyed the intimate moments and the integration of secondary characters.
This story is dual POV, well written and edited, and a fantastic fake relationship, friends to lovers romance. I enjoyed Adam’s empathy and his willingness to do and be what Isla needs. I enjoyed Isla’s growing awareness that she might be open to more than friendship. I appreciated the rectification of historical injustices in a way that I don’t believe would happen in real life but wish they would. I enjoyed the intimate moments and the integration of secondary characters.
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