What do you think?
Rate this book
They'd called it betrayal.
He was gone, and he hadn't deserved her yet I was labeled a traitor.
I had loved her long before I should have but this thing between us was fragile.
She was everything that was right in my world—but maybe we just weren't meant to be.
Jack 'Bronx' Devlin is the toughest of the tough. He grew up breaking colts and parachutes into wildfires as a smokejumper for a living, but Layla Rafferty, the elusive woman he loves but can't have, might be the one to finally break him.
He was gone, and he hadn't deserved her yet I was labeled a traitor.
I had loved her long before I should have but this thing between us was fragile.
She was everything that was right in my world—but maybe we just weren't meant to be.
Jack 'Bronx' Devlin is the toughest of the tough. He grew up breaking colts and parachutes into wildfires as a smokejumper for a living, but Layla Rafferty, the elusive woman he loves but can't have, might be the one to finally break him.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 20, 2021
382 people are currently reading
612 people want to read
About the author
Tess Oliver
126 books2,456 followersTess Oliver is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Custom Culture series and a large collection of other romances. She is well known for her relatable characters who "become your friends" as you journey with them and for intriguing stories that will have you "devouring her books in just one day". Tess has been featured on USA Today's 'Happy Ever After' site, and in publications including Glamour UK and Elle UK magazines.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
July 21, 2021
Ok
1) who stays with a man that cheats so blatantly?!
2) I would have transferred without pause after the way my supposed brothers acted.
I like Bronx, but he was a bit to harlequin romance. I thought Layla didn't think about anyone but herself. I hope King's story is better.
1) who stays with a man that cheats so blatantly?!
2) I would have transferred without pause after the way my supposed brothers acted.
I like Bronx, but he was a bit to harlequin romance. I thought Layla didn't think about anyone but herself. I hope King's story is better.
August 11, 2021
Didn't feel the connection between them. Maybe the next one will flow better for me.
January 12, 2026
Conflicted feelings about this book
Layla returns to town for the one year memorial for her husband who died. Bronx worked with her husband and was her friend. She and Bronx had a connection and he has always been in love with her. Bronx team suspected his feelings for Layla and warn him not to attend the memorial. Layla seeks out Bronx and they start seeing each other until her husband’s best friend finds out. He starts trouble with the team and breaks them up. You know I can respect co-workers feeling some kind of way about a team member seeing a fellow member’s widow but I felt like Helix was kind of controlling and childish. Bronx loved Layla and he respected her which is more than I can say for her husband. I felt horrible for Bronx because he endured so much drama from his team.
Layla returns to town for the one year memorial for her husband who died. Bronx worked with her husband and was her friend. She and Bronx had a connection and he has always been in love with her. Bronx team suspected his feelings for Layla and warn him not to attend the memorial. Layla seeks out Bronx and they start seeing each other until her husband’s best friend finds out. He starts trouble with the team and breaks them up. You know I can respect co-workers feeling some kind of way about a team member seeing a fellow member’s widow but I felt like Helix was kind of controlling and childish. Bronx loved Layla and he respected her which is more than I can say for her husband. I felt horrible for Bronx because he endured so much drama from his team.
July 24, 2021
Well…
I had a hard time getting into this one and I just decided to stop reading. Not the one for me I guess.
I had a hard time getting into this one and I just decided to stop reading. Not the one for me I guess.
Want to read
August 10, 2021🎁 FREE on Amazon today (8/10/2021)! 🎁
March 23, 2022
So stupid. In what world do two unattached adults need someone else's permission to be together? And then a bunch of grown men started acting like highschool bullies. Too bad, I was looking forward to this series. And at first I was really liking all the side characters, but by the end I hated everyone but Bronx and King.
October 24, 2024
Betrayal or fated romance? Well-written and thought- provoking!
It's always nice to try new authors, and Tess Oliver's Western Smokejumpers series was a great introduction to her writing style. I admit I was attracted to the cover of Bronx, book one of the series. It's hard to resist hunky firefighters who jump out of planes for a living! And the cover art definitely portrayed the type of man you might expect to find in that job. But I kept reading because Tess Oliver's story of Bronx and Layla made me think.
I appreciated how Tess Oliver took such care to create a romance that went beyond the sexual relationship and explored the complexity of love after a spouse's death. The story of Bronx and Layla's love is full of angst and misgivings. I believe it is impossible not to be drawn into the pros and cons of their situation as you read. Bronx, Layla, and the brotherhood of the Smokejumpers are so well-developed and so relatable that you are completely absorbed into the story. I even found myself yelling at characters at times like they were right in front of me.
I also believe that Bronx and Tess Oliver's Western Smokejumpers series is a lot like the famous potato chip commercial - "I bet you can't eat just one!" But in this case, it is - " I bet you can't READ just one!" If you read Bronx, I predict like myself, you will read the whole series.
It's always nice to try new authors, and Tess Oliver's Western Smokejumpers series was a great introduction to her writing style. I admit I was attracted to the cover of Bronx, book one of the series. It's hard to resist hunky firefighters who jump out of planes for a living! And the cover art definitely portrayed the type of man you might expect to find in that job. But I kept reading because Tess Oliver's story of Bronx and Layla made me think.
I appreciated how Tess Oliver took such care to create a romance that went beyond the sexual relationship and explored the complexity of love after a spouse's death. The story of Bronx and Layla's love is full of angst and misgivings. I believe it is impossible not to be drawn into the pros and cons of their situation as you read. Bronx, Layla, and the brotherhood of the Smokejumpers are so well-developed and so relatable that you are completely absorbed into the story. I even found myself yelling at characters at times like they were right in front of me.
I also believe that Bronx and Tess Oliver's Western Smokejumpers series is a lot like the famous potato chip commercial - "I bet you can't eat just one!" But in this case, it is - " I bet you can't READ just one!" If you read Bronx, I predict like myself, you will read the whole series.
July 29, 2025
Well, from other reviews i see at least it wasn't just a me thing. I did finish but i must admit this one was hard for me. I read several books at a time, finish any paticular book within days at the most.
This one took me two weeks. I had to really set in stone that I was going to sit and finish. It wasnt BAD but some things just frustrated me so much.
Bulldozer? Flagrant, disrespectfully bold cheating AH. Didn't seem like a good guy at all but he was the "life of the party' so... ok, everybody ignores his messed up behavior? The fact his wife just....stayed? Mindboggling to me.
The behavior of the team towards Bronx? Not just disgusting but it didn't even make sense to me. As much as I didn't like Helix, I could at least understand his lashing out more. Grief, ANGER etc. But even with him it was taken too far.
Bronx seemed like a sweet guy, hated the spot he was put in and was a bit irritated to find out the beef at work only became a thing BECAUSE of her throwing his name out and pissing off her husband. Literally if she didn't play the jealousy game with him, none of the angst (or very minimal amounts) would have occurred.
Sorry so long but, Im admittedly quite assertive, so the mild way in which they both took the mistreatment from their supposed friends and loved ones just really frustrated me.
This one took me two weeks. I had to really set in stone that I was going to sit and finish. It wasnt BAD but some things just frustrated me so much.
Bulldozer? Flagrant, disrespectfully bold cheating AH. Didn't seem like a good guy at all but he was the "life of the party' so... ok, everybody ignores his messed up behavior? The fact his wife just....stayed? Mindboggling to me.
The behavior of the team towards Bronx? Not just disgusting but it didn't even make sense to me. As much as I didn't like Helix, I could at least understand his lashing out more. Grief, ANGER etc. But even with him it was taken too far.
Bronx seemed like a sweet guy, hated the spot he was put in and was a bit irritated to find out the beef at work only became a thing BECAUSE of her throwing his name out and pissing off her husband. Literally if she didn't play the jealousy game with him, none of the angst (or very minimal amounts) would have occurred.
Sorry so long but, Im admittedly quite assertive, so the mild way in which they both took the mistreatment from their supposed friends and loved ones just really frustrated me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2022
A Sexy, Heart Warming, Will They, Won't They?🔥💘💥
Tragedy Strikes!💔💥
(Read Using Kindle Unlimited)
Bronx (Western Smokejumpers #1)
A fierce team of brave men & women parachute into a raging inferno to try and stop everything burning to the ground - Smokejumpers are made of a special breed. This Jack 'Bronx' Devlin's story.
After a hard childhood he got a reprieve at age 12 when his Mum met and fell in love with Vick. He got to move to and grow up on a horse ranch, breaking in horses and having a wonderful life! Now him and his best mate, Kingston, were rolling out of their first year as rooky Smokejumpers. He was gutted and grieving though, his Dad is fighting cancer!😢 After swimming out to an island for some peace & to try to get head around the prospect of losing his Dad, he meets her!💘
This was a heart warming, breaking and life affirming story! I really loved this cast of characters and the rough and scary life they lead! The trust they rely on in each other and the camaraderie they share was palpable.🙏 The author brought it all to life in brutal and honest beauty! I highly recommend this book.🌟
Debbie, 1970, UK
Tragedy Strikes!💔💥
(Read Using Kindle Unlimited)
Bronx (Western Smokejumpers #1)
A fierce team of brave men & women parachute into a raging inferno to try and stop everything burning to the ground - Smokejumpers are made of a special breed. This Jack 'Bronx' Devlin's story.
After a hard childhood he got a reprieve at age 12 when his Mum met and fell in love with Vick. He got to move to and grow up on a horse ranch, breaking in horses and having a wonderful life! Now him and his best mate, Kingston, were rolling out of their first year as rooky Smokejumpers. He was gutted and grieving though, his Dad is fighting cancer!😢 After swimming out to an island for some peace & to try to get head around the prospect of losing his Dad, he meets her!💘
This was a heart warming, breaking and life affirming story! I really loved this cast of characters and the rough and scary life they lead! The trust they rely on in each other and the camaraderie they share was palpable.🙏 The author brought it all to life in brutal and honest beauty! I highly recommend this book.🌟
Debbie, 1970, UK
August 31, 2021
Being a fan of Tess's work, I was a bit hesitant to go into this book. One it's a touchy subject that can make or break a book. This was beautifully written, such care given to the subject at hand. That subject of the brotherhood of a group of men who live or die by their job, there are rules and those rules bring a level of trust that not many understand. I think this book is a beautiful representation of how to handle navigating that kind of life. Two I didn't know anything about smoke jumpers, so I was afraid I wouldn't get that part of it, but I realized quickly that you don't need to know anything to enjoy this book. Bronx and Layla story will have you rooting for them from the beginning even though it feels wrong. Is there cheating....NOT between the H/h and not discussed in any great detail, don't let the negative reviews sway you, go read this book!
December 29, 2025
I thought this was going to be an easy cute read. Nope. Why the hell was everyone ok with the way Bulldozer treated her? He disrespected her in front of her and everyone else they knew. I know people also love who they love and you can’t help that. However, she should not have felt the least bit guilty and it makes me angry that the author wrote the story that way. I also get that Bulldozer’s best friend would be mad about Bronx dating Layla, that’s a valid stance. However, every one else on the team were assholes for acting the way they did. Bronx did nothing wrong but even King didn’t support him in it. And King was his BEST FRIEND. I feel like the only character I wasn’t pissed at was Bronx. I was even mad at Layla for allowing Bulldozer to treat her the way he did and then to walk away from Bronx how she did. This book does not make me want to read the entire series.
July 21, 2021
Bronx
I am so happy Tess Oliver is back..and she is coming back with a great story and series. This story is about Western Smoke jumpers, very scary and dangerous profession. I commend the men and woman who are smoke jumpers. Bronx is an all around good guy and his leading lady Layla is so much fun, loved her. Together they make beautiful love story that is complicated when the outside world steps in but possible can survive.
In typical Oliver fashion we get great character development, a complete story and complete world. I have a love/hate for some of the secondary characters but I personally cant wait to read King. Bronx is a hit for Oliver and I am so glad she is back. Happy Reading!!
I am so happy Tess Oliver is back..and she is coming back with a great story and series. This story is about Western Smoke jumpers, very scary and dangerous profession. I commend the men and woman who are smoke jumpers. Bronx is an all around good guy and his leading lady Layla is so much fun, loved her. Together they make beautiful love story that is complicated when the outside world steps in but possible can survive.
In typical Oliver fashion we get great character development, a complete story and complete world. I have a love/hate for some of the secondary characters but I personally cant wait to read King. Bronx is a hit for Oliver and I am so glad she is back. Happy Reading!!
August 19, 2021
Angsty
Bronx aka Jack - he's a good guy. He has a huge heart & deals with a lot of stress in both his job & personal life. When he meets Layla unexpectedly, there's chemistry & mutual respect - but nothing can come of it bc she is married. To his teammate.
The way their story comes together, you'll just have to read this well written story to find out!
I will say, tho well written, this just wasn't my cup of tea. I didn't get why they couldn't be together after they were both single. There was too much angst, not enough happy together time for my preference.
If you LIKE angsty relationship struggles to go along with great characters, tho, definitely give it a go bc you'll love this!!
😀
Bronx aka Jack - he's a good guy. He has a huge heart & deals with a lot of stress in both his job & personal life. When he meets Layla unexpectedly, there's chemistry & mutual respect - but nothing can come of it bc she is married. To his teammate.
The way their story comes together, you'll just have to read this well written story to find out!
I will say, tho well written, this just wasn't my cup of tea. I didn't get why they couldn't be together after they were both single. There was too much angst, not enough happy together time for my preference.
If you LIKE angsty relationship struggles to go along with great characters, tho, definitely give it a go bc you'll love this!!
😀
April 26, 2024
Whew! Unrequited love is tough. Forbidden love is even worse. Male/female relationships can be challenging at the best of times, but when you are crushing on a co-worker’s wife…and then he dies. There is just no good answer for that. Apparently, not even a year later. Jack fell hard for Layla, but it seems that love just wasn’t in the cards for them.
The craziest part of this book was that the instigator the trouble was a grown man who was married with his own family. Not the usual villain.
The craziest part of this book was that the instigator the trouble was a grown man who was married with his own family. Not the usual villain.
July 20, 2021
TESS IS BACK!!
Firstly I love all tha Tess has written and missed her work immensely!
She’s now back with a new series based on SMOKEJUMPERS! 🔥 🔥 🔥 first up we have Jack Devlin aka Bronx & Layla Rafferty. All I can say is this spans about 2 years give or take a few months and B&L have to over come some series obstacles. Along with that, the trust the fellow smoke jumpers have are tested… but was it justified?!?
Firstly I love all tha Tess has written and missed her work immensely!
She’s now back with a new series based on SMOKEJUMPERS! 🔥 🔥 🔥 first up we have Jack Devlin aka Bronx & Layla Rafferty. All I can say is this spans about 2 years give or take a few months and B&L have to over come some series obstacles. Along with that, the trust the fellow smoke jumpers have are tested… but was it justified?!?
November 8, 2025
I don’t understand off the below 4 star reviews. You don’t agree with the characters choices? Okay cool, but the story was well written. This book was a wonderful palate cleanser for me. Light and airy. Quick read too. Yeah the story line is grating, and can be triggering for people but that shouldn’t be what people base their review on. I truly enjoyed reading this book, and found myself needing to know how it ended.
January 6, 2026
Exciting and interesting story
I enjoyed every moment of this book. It was well written and the characters were so warm and natural. I loved the smoke jumper comraderie and the brotherhood mindset.
The relationship between Bronx and Layla was frought with guilt and small minded, unaccepting friends and coworkers. It was a hard mountain to climb.
The ending was surprising and sweet.
I enjoyed every moment of this book. It was well written and the characters were so warm and natural. I loved the smoke jumper comraderie and the brotherhood mindset.
The relationship between Bronx and Layla was frought with guilt and small minded, unaccepting friends and coworkers. It was a hard mountain to climb.
The ending was surprising and sweet.
August 3, 2021
Great read! Read for sure!
Very interesting, suspenseful book. Really enjoyed reading it. Lots going on, and you don't want to put it down. Will have to check out more books by this author.
Very interesting, suspenseful book. Really enjoyed reading it. Lots going on, and you don't want to put it down. Will have to check out more books by this author.
August 24, 2021
All good
Cute and quirky story. Bulldozer has and hand in what happens. No matter what happened to him. People move on and find their way. Letting go and finding peace. Is the best thing. Nice story.
Cute and quirky story. Bulldozer has and hand in what happens. No matter what happened to him. People move on and find their way. Letting go and finding peace. Is the best thing. Nice story.
July 15, 2025
Meh.
It was ok, but not amazing. Everything felt too rushed and skimmed over. There was no real explanation for why things changed suddenly at the end. And the characters’ maturities felt way younger than they supposedly were.
It was ok, but not amazing. Everything felt too rushed and skimmed over. There was no real explanation for why things changed suddenly at the end. And the characters’ maturities felt way younger than they supposedly were.
August 22, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
This was a bit of a slow burn.
It was an emotional roller coaster. Jack & Layla had amazing chemistry, but their timing wasn’t right.
Then they gave it a shot, but dealt with some sabotage and the timing wasn’t right. It took a long time for these two to finally get together.
This was a bit of a slow burn.
It was an emotional roller coaster. Jack & Layla had amazing chemistry, but their timing wasn’t right.
Then they gave it a shot, but dealt with some sabotage and the timing wasn’t right. It took a long time for these two to finally get together.
September 27, 2025
the start of the Smokejumpers trilogy. I really like Bronx & his unrequited love for someone he can't have (until he can). Which made me cry. no spoilers. Good start to the collection & getting to know the 'brothers'
September 28, 2025
DNF. First 5 chapters were info dumps, with so much backstory and history about everyone that came on page that I forgot about what was happening in the scene. Really felt like "tell" instead of "show," and I was left cold by the MMC
January 3, 2026
Awful
How can you claim to be so in love with someone, confess your feelings then sleep with other women. Just gross! Had another book in my TBR by this author will be removing immediately.
How can you claim to be so in love with someone, confess your feelings then sleep with other women. Just gross! Had another book in my TBR by this author will be removing immediately.
January 27, 2026
3.5. Easy enough read and my first book with a full POV from the MMC side. I’d say my only complaint was I actually wanted it to be longer. There was a lot of depth missing between the two characters because the book is so short.
July 22, 2021
Hot
Tame , HEA Was so excited to read and this was just right. I can't wait for the next one
Tame , HEA Was so excited to read and this was just right. I can't wait for the next one
July 26, 2021
Great read
I love reading books by Tess Oliver, she is a great author. This is the first book in this series. If you are looking for a book to read, read this one.
I love reading books by Tess Oliver, she is a great author. This is the first book in this series. If you are looking for a book to read, read this one.
free-on-amazon-owned
August 9, 2021Free 9 august 2021
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B099C57W9L/...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B099C57W9L/...
April 8, 2025
Good story of love and loss. Anyone who has experienced grief will understand this book in a different way.
July 17, 2025
Bit predictable and boring still cute but not much happens 🤷🏼♀️
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews