Saving Kyle

Heroes With Badges #2

by Amber Thielman

A Steamy First Responder Second Chance Romance

I thought I’d spend my life with this hot stubborn firefighter, but he shattered those dreams when he chose his job over me. How can I trust him again? I know I shouldn’t give him another chance, but my heart says otherwise. Will we live happily ever after, or will he break my heart again?


Kyle

Five years ago, I was about to marry the woman of my dreams when my life came crashing down. With my firefighter father killed in the line of duty, I had to step up and take care of my widowed mother. Seeing her devastation made me realize I could never put my fiancée Mackenzie through something like this. As a firefighter, I’m constantly exposed to danger. This is my calling, so I had to do the only right thing. Break off my engagement with Mackenzie.


I never thought I’d see Mackenzie again, but when I’m injured on the job, my physical therapist turns out to be none other than the blonde, blue-eyed beauty who has stolen my heart many years ago.


Mackenzie

When I discover that Kyle is my patient, my chest contracts. I want to help him get better, yet I’m terrified of what being around him will do to me. He has broken my heart already once. I can’t let him do it again.


Even though every fiber of my body yearns to be with Kyle, I know I need someone who’s stable and doesn’t play games. But my treacherous heart overpowers my rational mind, and soon, I fall back into Kyle’s arms.


As if my worries about our uncertain future weren’t bad enough, I discover that Kyle has a female stalker who simply won’t let up.


Can we overcome all the challenges stacked against us? Or will our second chance at love end in a disaster?


Saving Kyle is a steamy first responder romance novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat. A hot-hot-hot firefighter and his broken hearted woman are featured in this second-chance story. No cheating, no cliffhanger, plenty of heat, and a guaranteed HEA!

400 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 18, 2021

Reviews

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually book 4 not book 2 as listed!

Ok, so having read the three other books in this series I was totally confused when this book comes out and is labelled book 2. I thought maybe, just maybe the timeline fell between the two existing books, hence shuffling 2 and 3 to become 3 and 4....but NO! This book contains the wedding of the characters from books 3 and 4, so it does take place after them and should be book 4...this may seem like a small thing but if you are just starting the series it is important to read them in order! You cannot have the wedding happening before they even get together! Also the rest of the series is available on Kindle Unlimited, but this book isn't which also confused me.
This book is far busier than the first three in the series, it has three plots running through it and a lot of different things going on at any one time, despite this there were times that I felt it was a little slow or padded...which it shouldn't have done with so many storylines to follow. There were also a small number of inconsistencies, for example MacKenzie gets the bottle of wine but she and Rem don't have fancy glasses, so she pours it into a coffee cup...yet 5 minutes later an intruder attacks her, she grabs the wineglass and smashes it into his face, glass and wine raining onto the floor - so where did the wineglass come from? There were a couple of these type of mistakes which was frustrating.
Mack and Kyle are great characters and I really liked both of them, even when Kyle was being an idiot it was done through love and with the best intentions! So this book has me a little torn, I love this series and it was nice to see Eli, Becker and Nick again but this book is not my favourite.

[Amy Weller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing, and thrilling and I loved it! A wonderful story full of love, heartbreak, loss, arson and one crazy woman, it was an absolute pleasure to read and it kept me on the edge of my seat! Kyle and Mackenzie were in love and engaged to be married. He was going to be a firefighter and she was going to be a physical therapist. But when his father is killed in the line of duty, Kyle decides he could never do that to Mackenzie and calls off the engagement. Five years later, they meet again when she returns home to help her mother through cancer. Kyle has just been hurt on the job and will need physical therapy. He gets Mackenzie. The two will end up getting close again but it will be a very bumpy ride. She is seeing someone else, the nurse sent to help her mom gives Mackenzie a creepy feeling and Kyle wants Mackenzie back but hasn't really changed his mind. He will come to his senses when she leaves him for a second time and will arrive at her home in time to save her from a man she thought she knew. She will move back home and in with Kyle but things will get worse before they get better. An arsonist will continue to strike, Mackenzie's mother is harmed, Mackenzie will be targeted by someone and Kyle gets accused of the unthinkable. The guilty party will be caught and in the end, all is resolved, Kyle gets Mackenzie to plan the wedding and they all move on from the terrible incidents of the recent past to gather for the happy occasion of Kyle and Mackenzie's wedding day.

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

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kyle was ready to marry the woman he loved, Mackenzie, when a disaster ruined everything. His firefighter father was killed on the job. His mother fell apart, absolutely devastated. Watching what happened to his mom, he is unwilling to do that to the woman he loves, so he broke off their engagement rather than ever let her suffer like this.

Kyle never expected to run into Mackenzie again until an injury gets him assigned to a physical therapist – Mackenzie! She is concerned about falling for him again after their devastating breakup. She needs someone she can rely on, not a man who breaks her heart and runs away. But love can’t always be controlled, and her feelings for him never stopped. Will Mackenzie give him another chance? Will he make sure she understands why he did what he did the first time? And will they be able to deal with the stalker who threatens their happiness?

I did enjoy the story. But basing a decision like this on the idea that it “might” happen to you is not a good way to handle it. Life is a risk and, for the most part, we have no way to control when our end comes. To break a heart and put love on hold indefinitely just in case you “might” die is a painfully foolish action. We are here to live our lives, for good or bad, and letting that kind of fear direct our paths would drive anyone crazy. But fortunately, their love didn’t stop and they can break out of that cycle of pain and start over. Life is definitely full of second chances. Don’t let them pass you by!

[Lynn Powers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kyle, a firefighter, had a dad who was also a firefighter who died in the line of duty. He decided to stay with his mother rather than moving with his fiancé, Mackenzie, so he broke up with her and she moved away. 5 years later she returned home to take care of her mother after cancer surgery and she gets a temporary job as a physical therapist. Kyle was seriously injured in a fire and Mackenzie is forced to become his therapist. There is still an attraction between them but Kyle feels that Mackenzie deserves someone better than him that could die in a fire at any time. Kyle and Mackenzie both have other people they are getting involved with and there are a number of mysterious fires causing injuries. Will Kyle and Mackenzie rekindle their romance?

I enjoyed this story where former lovers are brought together again by circumstances but there are still problems with any potential relationship. Kyle doesn’t want to see anyone else suffer like his mother did after his father was killed and never gave Mackenzie any input into his decision making. The mysterious fires and other people involved with Mackenzie and Kyle make the story more interesting.
I received an ARC from the author and I am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Per the author, the books in the Heroes With Badges stories can all be read as stand alone books but I believe this story will make more sense if you read Saving Becker first since the timeline of this story actually comes after that story. That being said, I loved this book about Kyle who breaks up with his fiancée Mackenzie following the in the line of duty death of his father. Kyle believing that he could never put the love of his life through the same sorry as his mother and children went through following his Dad's death. This is a story that shows when someone is your true soulmate that fate will eventually intervene to get the two lovers back together. In Kyle and Mackenzie's case, there are a myriad of events and problems that seem destined to get in the way of their happy ever after. There are mysteries to solve and side events that will have you truly wondering if you know the true story. A wonderful love story to read no matter what order you happen to choose.

I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest and totally voluntary review.

[Debbie Caswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful second chance romance that will keep you engaged recently a lot of fire fighter reads have been short but this is a full length book meaning that you can totally invested in the characters

Five years earlier Kyle believed he was doing the best thing for Mackenzie when he walked away from her He had just lost his father a firefighter like him in the line off duty and after seeing how devastated his mother was he knew he couldn't put Mackenzie through that so he walked away. Now they have connected again when he discovers she is his Physio after he is uninjured at work. the connection is still there between them She knows that he may just break her heart again as thee situation hasn't changed in fact it is worse with a serial arsonist on the loose Throw in the fact that Kyle has a stalker and things get even more complicated. Can they have a future you will have to read to see

[K Huskić · Rating 4 out of 5]

We know Kyle from other Amber Thielman books, and this is his story.

Five years after Kyle and Mackenzie broke up, they are back in the same town. Mackenzie is bitter about what happened back then, but neither one has really moved on, and feelings are definitely still there. But can they overcome the past?

Another big part of the story is an arsonist setting multiple fires around town, leading Kyle and his firefighter co-workers to question why it's happening.

I did like the main two characters in this story, and I enjoyed seeing some of the characters again from previous books. However the plot was fairly predictable, and the bad guy was easy to pick from early on. I was surprised it took everyone so long to figure it out.

This was an easy read, with a bit of romance and a little suspense.

[Val · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok story kind of drags but should it be book 1 in the series???

As I was reading this book, I noticed over halfway through there were minimal side characters so I decided to look ahead to see who else was getting a book. I prefer series with interconnecting characters. Not sure Eli is for book 2, but I noticed book 3 is Hallie and Becker...why?? Maybe their book should be book 1 being they mention what happened in the ber beginning of this book and also got married before this book was half over? DNF this book and will move on to another series. Also details are messed up. First it said Mack's dad left when she was five and a short time later it said when she was 8 and her mom's 1st chemo was the next day but then a few days later it said her 1st appointment was the next day...

[Floraljoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay:
This was a fairly enjoyable romantic suspense and I definitely enjoyed the second half more.
Unfortunately I had a hard time forming a close connection with the characters at the beginning and didn't really like Kyle or Mackenzie for a long time. They had a tumultuous journey and I was so pleased when they finally worked things out.
Whilst the premise of the book was good, it was unfortunately held back by quite a few inconsistencies and the timeline didn't always line up with the facts or reality. The writing style also felt a bit stilted and clumsy at times. One of the more interesting aspects was the danger surrounding the stalker/arsonist, although there wasn't really any intrigue or suspense and it was pretty evident from the beginning who the perpetrator was.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

You never know what will happen in life. Kyle and Mackenzie were engaged to be married, but with the death of his father, who was a firefighter also, it made him think what would happen if it was him and he left Mack behind. His mother was a basket case of course, she lost the love of her life on duty. So Kyle was torn, but his mother needed him. Now 5 years later, Mac is back because of her mother. There's plenty of action, heartache, suspense and crazy people to go around. Loved Mac's best friend Remmington ( he's a co-worker from her job she left and he's a hoot). An excellent read. HEA. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cathylynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kyle and Mackenzie are engaged then his father who is a firefighter also dies he breaks up with Mackenzie. He thinks it is the best because he does not want her to have to go through what his mother went through. Kyle is hurt and need PT and Mackenzie is his therapist. They start to fall again but then everything happens, things to her and her mother, arson, a crazy women, and a crazy guy. I loved Kyle and I get where he was coming from but that should have been decided between them. Mackenzie is a strong women and together they were really lovable. I really enjoyed this story. It is a hit.

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

[Mandy Foley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a fabulous read, so much emotion, together with intrigue and mystery. Kyle and Mackenzie love each with an enduring passion, unfortunately circumstances tear them apart, will they be able to see past hurt and mistakes to find each other again, can Mackenzie trust Kyle with her heart again?
I loved this book, I laughed and cried along with all the characters and couldn’t stop turning the pages until the end.

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

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Second Chance Romance

When you pick-up an Amber Thielman book, you’d best prepare to put your heart through the ringer! This one did not disappoint - from the prologue, you become emotionally invested in these characters. This story is long, but well paced; it takes time to rebuild the damaged trust in order to love again, and it takes time to realize that someone in your life is a dangerous stalker. I enjoyed the reappearance of characters from other books in the series, and I’m looking forward to more set in Emerald Summit.

[Judy Gittleson Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story had me glued from the beginning. So much action that you just can not put it down. Mackenzie and Kyle were together for a while until his dad dies in the line of duty as a fireman. Kyle goes home to help his mom and they separate for five years, as he can not make Mackenzie go through something like that. He is a fireman and she is a physical therapist that ends up with him as a patient. The romance roller coaster has surprises and twists galore, and even a stalker. Loved the ending.

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

[Jean Rice · Rating 1 out of 5]

Serious issues with this book

The story wasn't bad but so many of the details were painfully out of place. She lives in a small town, but somehow this small town has high-rise luxury apartments and enough large office buildings that they don't realize there's arson until five of them have been burned down. There's no arson investigation until after the fifth fire. Then the main character is more concerned with sparing the feelings of the arsonist who tried to kill her mother and accused her fiance of sexual assault, then putting the woman away for life.

[Brina · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I could nitpick all the inconsistencies and jumbled writing style, which could be annoying, this was an exciting story. I couldn't put it down once I started it. Hot and heavy emotion, action-packed suspense and twists and turns throughout the entirety of the story. Even though I pegged the culprit from the beginning, this was still thrilling and fun to read. You never quite knew what would happen next.

I received an ARC in exchange for my voluntary and honest review.

[CJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author has pulled us into the lives of Kyle and Mackenzie and never lets go. After the death of his father, Kyle broke off his engagement to Mackenzie. Five years later, she returns to their hometown and is not ready to let go of her heartbreak. The story keeps you turning the pages with love, heartbreak, danger and suspense.

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

[Terry Babb · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of a love that never died & a healing second chance...
Wow, just when you think things might be getting better Amber sends you on another spiraling journey! The story has been covered by the blurb & in previous reviews so I won't go into that. I must mention though that this was so insightful I felt that I was witnessing this compelling drama first hand. This gifted author delivers time & time again. Highly recommended. I received an arc & this is my honest & voluntary review.

[Jodie Cary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. i love the characters. I love everything that this author writes. She hooks you in right at the start and you cannot put the book down. I cannot wait to read more of this series and more from this author. Great read!!!
This is a second chance romance story for Kyle and Mack. With firefighters and an arsonist. Romance, emotions, suspense.

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

[Vinessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about the intense feelings in this relationship. The trials, the emotional drama and the unexpected passion. The chemistry between the Mackenzie and Kyle is undeniable and unexpected. The  misunderstandings lead to a bit of  wasted time. Connecting with the characters may come easy in this story, but this second chance romance brings a stalker along for the ride.

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

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A captivating second chance romance and book two in the Heroes with Badges series! The story line is fast pace, exciting, engaging, emotionally deep, and well written with drama, twists and turns, secrets, suspense, crazy, and more. The characters are likeable; the chemistry between them is off the charts! Definitely recommended!

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

[Ashleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mackenzie and Kyle
This book kept you guessing who was pyro was! I was flitting between 2 characters.
I think this definitely highlighted that grief can see anyone become self destructive in their lives in different ways, even if Kyle keeping himself isolated and from moving on did eventually show him how special what he had with Mack was.

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

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story has it all. Love and second chances. Torn loyalties. Emotion and suspense.
I have enjoyed this series. I really loved this story and the main characters Kyle and Mackenzie.
Great addition to the series.

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

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This engaging and entertaining second chance romance storyline is filled with heartbreak, obligation, a stalker, and healing. The main characters are defined and ready for a second chance at a HEA but it will be a very bumpy ride. I liked this read. I voluntarily read an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Terra Oenning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg I absolutely love this book. It has it all from Heartbreak And Devastation to second chances and stalker and action packed to suspense. I loved MacKenzie and Kyle story and cried for them both. This book and storyline will have you hooked from the beginning until the end and still want to follow them.

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

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the Heroes With Badges series, a second chance for Kyle and Mackenzie. The story has suspense, an arsonist, danger, a second chance, lies, and a cliff-hanger. I want to read the next book. This series should be read in order. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mari (Mystics & Metaphysics Book Blog) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fairly easy read even with the suspense and stalker situation. It was easy to pick up on who it could be but that's what makes the story easy. Mac and Kyle took some time for me to warm up to them but loved seeing their journey.

[Maja · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the first person point of view of the story, which is always a deal breaker for me.
Another incredible story in the series. I loved it. I read it in one sitting.
I received an ARC copy of this book through Bookfunnel in exchange for an honest voluntary review.

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story line is captivating and flawlessly written. The characters were engaging, likeable, and well developed. The story is full of drama, action, romance, and a definite page turner. I highly recommend you read it for yourself you won't regret it!

[Misty Goan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great enjoyable well written first responder second chance. This engaging storyline that kept my attention throughout. The characters are likeable, realistic and have amazing chemistry. I voluntarily read and reviewed this ARC.